Biz X magazine September 2018

YOUR ONLY INTERNATIONAL BORDER CITY PUBLICATION

Yahoo! School’s Out For The Day

Vol. 21

September 2018

$3.50

W W W. B I Z X M A G A Z I N E . C O M

It’s Time For Extra-Curricular Activities

Read Up On What’s Happening In The Region!

TV Star Rhys Trenhaile

2018 Windsor Municipal Election Issues

VIPs At “Windsor ComiCon”

2018 Wedding Trends B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

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FOR BUSINESSES & PEOPLE IN WINDSOR, ESSEX COUNTY & METRO DETROIT SINCE 1998

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B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

table of contents September 2018 volume 21 • issue 8

WWW.BIZXMAGAZINE.COM

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4 Funny Stuff 5 From The Publisher: Voting Begins In 21st Annual Biz X Awards 7 Editorial Viewpoint: Questions Linger About Job Creation On Airport Lands Aircraft service companies on Windsor Airport lands, heavily subsidized by taxpayers to create jobs, continue to suppress information on the number of jobs created, reports our Opinion Columnist. Top photo (by Alan Halberstadt), taken during a working day this summer, shows the sparsely occupied parking lot at the $23 million Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) facility, formerly owned by Premier Aviation.

8 Front Lines 13 Heard On The Street 14 Newsflash 16 Dates To Remember 25 Take The Lead: Getting Re-Acquainted With Windsor’s Only Female Mayor 26 Portfolio Corner 27 Event Profile: “CIBC Run For The Cure” September 30, 2018 30 Biz X Was There 38 Kids In The Community: Lucas Gregetz’s Connection To The Foo Fighters 39 XX Files: The Mother & Daughter Team Of Cradle & All 40 Generation YKNOT: Fun-In-The-Box; Paramount Middle Eastern Kitchen & Other Business Catering To Young Customers 45 Ask The Experts: Imagine That! Maidstone, ON 46 Food For Thought: The Pasta House’s 30th Anniversary Since 1988, The Pasta House has supplied fresh and frozen pasta to area restaurants, grocery stores and residents the old-fashioned way as Carm Simone, Co-Owner (middle photo by David Clark) demonstrates with this vintage pasta machine inside his Erie Street location. So what is his recipe for success for this business he runs with his wife, Pina? Let’s find out!

47 Biz Bits: Subway “Fresh Forward” Look Comes To Windsor 51 From The Bookshelf : How To Achieve The Relationship Of Your Dreams 52: Making A Sound Living: American Musician Steve Porcaro (Toto) 54 Milestones: 30 Years For Synergetic Group’s XMD — Expert Mould Designer Software 55 Hot Shots: A Special Night For The Addolorata De Luca Leadership Scholarship 57 The Way It Was: WWII RCAF Veteran, Art Anderson 58 Biz Of The Month: Ashley HomeStore Windsor North America’s largest furniture retailer, Ashley HomeStore opened its doors this summer in the new Union Square Plaza at 650 Division Road. As you can tell by this interior shot (photo at left by Rod Denis) of the showroom, a variety of signature home furniture, decor items and accessories are ready and waiting for you to take home.

ON THE COVER — “Read Up On What’s Happening In The Region!”

(Top photo) Page 32: The Parenting Biz - When your child’s school day comes to an end, why not see it as a start to some more fun learning? Across Windsor Essex, there are countless extra-curricular activities that are sure to engage your kids and help them perform better in school. It’s all about finding ways to help your kids be more successful academically and have a little fun too! Photo credit : © Can Stock Photo/dolgachov. (Top left) Page 28: Have A Cup Of Joe With Joe - We chat with Rhys Trenhaile, Manager of Mindstream Financial and The Vanguard Team; Agent with Manor Windsor Realty Ltd. and Hollywood TV star! (Middle Right) Page 18: Mayoral Candidates Have Their Say - Next month, Windsor residents are off to the polls to choose the next Mayor and City Council (shown in photo by Della Jones-Goulet). In an attempt to help voters make an informed decision, Biz X put together a Question-and-Answer session with four of the five candidates on a few election issues. (Bottom Left) Page 42: “Windsor ComiCon” - Meet Cal Dodd, voice of Wolverine (character pictured courtesy of The Fox Broadcasting Company) from X-Men: The Animated Series, at “Windsor ComiCon” on September 29 and 30, 2018 plus many other VIPs in this all-ages event featuring popular genres such as: comics, sci-fi, horror, gaming, and anime/cosplay. (Bottom Right) Page 49: Getting Married In Style - Add the “Fall Wedding Event” dates for the evenings of September 19 and 20 at the Caboto Club of Windsor, in your schedule, to learn the newest wedding trends up close and personal.

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A happy homemaker: Pudgie “put the kettle on, we’ll all have tea!”

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from the publisher

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE

Get Ready To Vote In The 21st Annual “Biz X Awards”

BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE

By Deborah Jones

SEPT. 27, 2018

FROM NOON

SEPT. 13, 2018 UNTIL 5 p.m.

AT BIZXMAGAZINE.COM

NOMINATIONS END NOON SEPT. 12, 2018

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s usual, the nomination process for our annual Biz X Awards keeps us busy and soon, voting will too. This time of the year is always an exciting one for local business owners hoping to be nominated — but, unfortunately this summer — it was also a time of sorrow.

Our city recently lost a great business man, Mark Boscariol. To us he was a “serial entrepreneur,” advertiser, loyal reader, friend and winner of our “2015 Powerhouse Professional” Award. Now the search is on to see if we can find other local biz pros who can #BeLikeMark.

It is definitely going to be tough but, Biz X readers believe they have found the best choices for the categories this year. However, there is still time to find even more nominees with outstanding work ethics.

Once again here is a quick recap on how the awards process works. The award categories were officially released mid-July with nominations accepted until September 12 at noon on our website: BizXmagazine.com.

Whenever possible please include some supporting evidence, for your nominee, on our online form. ***If you choose the wrong category, we reserve the right to move it to the appropriate category so that your nomination counts.

Nominees are made public on the Biz X website when voting commences at noon on September 13 and continues to September 27 at 5 p.m.

During the voting period you can go online to: BizXmagazine.com and cast your vote for your choice to win the 2018 Biz X Award in the respective category. Use your smart phone or tablet via our mobile friendly voting site.

Keep in mind the nomination and voting process is not a popularity contest — it only takes ONE nomination to be included in the voting poll. It is always best though to get a few people to nominate you or your business to ensure your nomination was received by us.

Once you nominate an individual or a business you will receive a confirmation email showing it was properly submitted. If you DO NOT receive this email (check your spam folder too) we did not receive your nomination. Please check all sections were filled out, you have answered the captcha question and re-submit.

If you or your business is fortunate to be nominated, you will be contacted to supply further details on your qualifications, history, and to confirm information supplied by nominators.

Once the polls open in September, don’t be shy to toot your own horn. Do whatever you can to get your customers to vote for you on the

Biz X website — use social media and your own website to get those votes coming in!

Remember, vote tallies are only a portion of the overall selection process. All nomination forms received, along with company background information supplied, and voting poll results, are reviewed by the Biz X panel of Judges once the polls close.

The next step involves the Judges meeting in the fall to determine the final winners. The Judges do not know the winners’ names as voting during this meeting is done by secret ballot.

The final results are posted in the November/ December edition of Biz X magazine, released mid-November.

In the past 21 years, Biz X has awarded over 680 recipients in all kinds of industries, so don’t be discouraged if a certain category is not listed as it may have been previously awarded (please check our website to see a list of past winners).

Now that we’ve entered our third decade of award winners, certain categories from years back are redone allowing new businesses in those industries the opportunity to be included.

For 2018 you will see our six staple categories awarded every year — “Outstanding New Business,” “Powerhouse Professional,” “Artist of the Year,” “Best Little Retail Shop,” “Restaurant That’s Hot, Hot, Hot” and “The Most Wonderful Event Of The Year.” (Please note: 2018 festivals and trade shows are now allowed to participate.)

Listed below are the four major sections containing the 24 various categories. While the majority of nominations and votes come from Essex County residents, U.S. citizens and those living outside Essex County can vote in any category, since they could be business patrons.

Please follow the rules below to ensure that your nomination counts . . .

1. Only nominate ONE company/person per award category. Businesses/people are only permitted to win one award each year. All nominees must be over 19 years of age.

2. Be certain that the company or individual you are nominating fits with the category’s criteria.

3. The business/person you nominate must be located (or reside) in Windsor or Essex County and NOT be part of a national franchise/chain or non-profit organization (except for categories in the PEOPLE section and categories #22 and #23). The PEOPLE section is being judged on the individual and not the company itself and those working for chains/franchises and non-profits are eligible to participate only in this section.

An exception for category #22 is also allowed as B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

many national organizations have local chapters hosting events. As well in category #23, some theatre companies are non-profit.

4. Every business* in Essex County (with the exceptions above) has the opportunity to win a Biz X Award. (*NO MEDIA can participate.)

The Biz X Awards are open to ALL businesses in the region (except for those noted above). You do not have to be an advertiser with the magazine to be nominated or to win. Judges are not told who is an advertiser (past or present) to ensure there are no biases or conflicts of interest.

Good luck to all area businesses, and if you are lucky enough to win . . . you and your guests receive a complimentary invitation to the 21st annual “Biz X Awards Gala” (held November 16 at St. Clair College Centre For The Arts with decor by Designs by Diane and Joe McParland as MC); a plaque from The Trophy Boys in Windsor; a write-up in our Nov/Dec awards issue and are declared #1 in your category.

Don’t forget to check your email account each day in September to see if we contact you about an awards nomination.

For the very latest information visit our website: BizXmagazine.com.

And now we present the. . .

2018 BIZ X AWARD CATEGORIES

See rules in second column before nominating

BUSINESS & SERVICE

(*no chains/non-profits allowed) 1. “Outstanding New Business Of 2018” (businesses that opened from September 1, 2017 to September 1, 2018) *No restaurants/food trucks or bars can be included as they can participate in the Hospitality & Entertainment Categories.

2. “Dance Studio That’s One Step Ahead” (a dance studio with experienced instructors offering a variety of classes from hip hop to ballet for children and possibly adult lessons too) 3. “Dependable Day Care” (day care facilities that excel in childcare; take into account: cost, qualifications, safe environment, bonuses such as meals, number of staff) 4. “Tried & Tested Expert Emissions Facility” (a reliable auto shop for an emissions test) 5. “Super Roofer” (a roofing company that completes the job in a timely manner, affordable, good quality products and warranties) 6. “Recording Studio That Sounds Like A Winner” (if you are looking to record your first single as a musician or you want to create a special gift for your loved one; consider

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Nomination deadline: Sept. 12, 2018 at noon. Voting begins at noon on Sept. 13 until 5 p.m. on Sept. 27 at: BizXmagazine.com qualifications, equipment, price per finished song, turnaround time, past clients) 7. “Money Masters” (a financial planning firm which looks after you now and well into the future) *No banks/credit unions please.

PEOPLE

8. “2018 Powerhouse Professional” (a local business owner or top manager who has what it takes to keep the company/ organization they own or work for profitable in today’s tough times) 9. “Artist Of The Year” (band, singer, painter, musician, sculptor, actor only) *No authors, photographers, owners of corporate entertainment or theatre companies.

10. “The Chiropractor Who Has Your Back” (an experienced back cracker who is a good communicator, puts their patients at ease and offers additional treatments) 11. “All-Star Coach” (a sports coach who motivates the young to give it their all whether it be skating, swimming, playing hockey and more) *No personal fitness coaches please.

12. “The Clothing Designer Who Always Makes A Fashion Statement” (he/she has their own label, trendy designs, may sell clothing through a website or storefront) 13. “Dog Trainer Who’s Here To Stay. Stay.” (obedience training for your pet; consider experience, affordable pricing, if he/she operates out of a facility etc.)

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RETAIL

(*no chains/non-profits allowed) 14. “The Best Little Retail Shop Of 2018” (open to all retailers with good prices, fantastic customer service and selection) *They must have a storefront, no on-line businesses please.

15. “Finest Flower Shop To Pick” (the florist to call to order flowers for a special employee, family member, friend or even an entire wedding and reception) 16. “Landscape Supply Outlet Which Leaves No Stone Unturned” (who to visit for landscape supplies like stone, mulch, top soil, grass seed, sand, compost etc. either for pick up or delivery) 17. “Steady Streaming Service” (where to purchase an android TV box or antennae, look for excellent customer support, pricing, selection) 18. “Home Healthcare Showroom That Sets The Wheels In Motion” (from wheelchairs and walkers to bath safety or compression stockings, where to buy mobility and/or medical products) 19. “Already Ready Meals Fit For A King” (the place to go for prepared meals requiring little cooking time which are prepackaged for pick-up or even pre-ordered online with delivery) *No restaurants, fast food or take out locations please as they have their own section.

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HOSPITALITY & ENTERTAINMENT

(*no chains/non-profits allowed; exception #22 & #23) 20. “Restaurant That’s Hot, Hot, Hot For 2018!” (can be a new or an existing restaurant/food truck that offers exceptional cuisine, fair prices and has a unique, trendy atmosphere) 21. “Best Seats For Outdoor Eats” (when dining outdoors, a bar/restaurant with great food; an intimate patio or large seating capacity in a good location with a view of the water or busy street etc.) *Please note when nominating in this category and #20, you can only include your choice in one category (not both). We will move any votes accordingly so all are in one category only.

22. “The Most Wonderful Event Of The Year” (annual runs, golf tournaments, motorcycle rides and others; if they fundraise for a charity, brownie points are given!) *Non-profits, charities and national franchises with local events can participate and, as of 2018, festivals and trade shows are now allowed.

23. “Show Stopper Theatre Co.” (theatre production companies with shows in their own location or other facilities for large audiences or a tour performing in different locations) *Nonprofit organizations are allowed to participate.

24. “Burgers To Flip Over” (where’s the beef is the question, although vegetarian choices can be considered, but there must be a good selection of tasty burgers at this restaurant or bar with ingredients you just would not make at home, on the menu!)

editorial viewpoint

Premier Aviation Jobs Deal Exposed, But More To Come Story & Photo By Alan Halberstadt *If you have a comment on my opinion about this topic please post it under my column in the CITY section of BizXmagazine.com.

I

came across a newspaper article early this year that fortified my beliefs about the shortage of value and accountability surrounding taxpayerfunded handouts to private sector businesses.

A new University of Calgary study calculated that the Canadian federal government and four provincial governments — Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia — bestowed $29 billion in subsidies to businesses in 2014-15 while estimating that more than half of that money was wasted in terms of economic performance.

For a local example, look no further than handouts to Federal Express Canada Limited (FedEx) and Premier Aviation, two secretive operations on Windsor airport lands that rose from the ground over the last eight years, thanks to the generosity of politicians with grandiose visions of a Windsor aerotropolis.

I have previously exposed, in this space (October 2017), the FedEx sweetheart deal.

The city and federal governments invested $24 million to create cargo handling and research facilities at the airport and the University of Windsor. FedEx was gifted a 35,000 square foot, state-of-the-art loading and staging structure, in exchange for a 30 year lease, starting at a dirt cheap $4 per square foot.

My Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed there are no job guarantees in the deal with the city. FedEx brought 51 existing employees into the new space when the company relocated from a nearby old building, but a FedEx official later told me, last fall, that information on current employment levels is proprietary.

An outrageous attitude when you consider how former Mayor Eddie Francis championed new industry job creation as justification for throwing tax money at these multi-million dollar projects.

That brings us to the notorious aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility that has occupied a $23 million, 144,000 square foot space, constructed by the city and federal government.

Founding company Premier Aviation started fixing planes in Windsor in 2012. AAR, a respected aircraft services company based in Illinois, purchased the Windsor business and Premier’s similar-sized MRO in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, late last year.

Extracting basic information on job numbers out of Premier (now AAR), the city and Your

AAR posted its signs after purchasing Premier Aviation.

Quick Gateway (YQG), the agency that oversees Windsor International Airport, has led me on an FOI odyssey covering six years.

It began with a two and a half year mediation that resulted in an order from an FOI adjudicator to make public Premier’s lease with the city, which turned out to be $1 per year for the first three years of a 10 year contract.

That prompted me to begin another FOI journey, requesting a copy of the commercial services agreement between the city, YQG and Premier that spelled out the number of jobs Premier was required to create at the end of 2013, 2014 and 2019. As well I asked what penalties existed for not meeting those targets.

When the stakeholders refused me, I launched an FOI appeal under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). A phalanx of lawyers, led by city legal department counsel Mark Nazarewich, fought like caged lions to conceal the jobs and penalty information.

In April of this year, more than three years after I filed the appeal, Commission Adjudicator Jenny Ryu ordered the city to disclose the pertinent portions of the agreement.

There is a good possibility that the numbers in the agreement would cause embarrassment to Francis and his like-minded successor Drew Dilkens, a staunch defender of the project.

CBC reported in June of 2012 that Francis expected the company to hire 250 to 300 people within the first two years and 375 people after seven years.

There has been much speculation that the gold-plated hangar has not met these objectives.

I have yet to count more than 50 cars in several B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

drives around the parking lot this summer, and on some days I counted significantly fewer than that.

The FOI order exposed covenants from the service provider to hire 100 full-time employees within the first year, 175 employees by the end of the second year and 325 by the end of the seventh year.

These covenants impose penalties or “additional charges” of $5,000 times the difference between the number of full-time employees required to be employed and the number actually employed.

This information led me to ask the city’s FOI Co-ordinator, in an email on May 29, to tell me the actual number of employees hired by the service provider at the end of year one and the end of year two, and also the number of FTEs presently employed as the end of the seventh year approaches in 2019.

Concurrently, I asked how much the service provider is obliged to pay in penalties, if any, for not achieving those employment figures.

Further questions arose from an FOI revelation of an agreement in which the city, through the airport (YQG), agreed to use its best efforts to provide the service provider with $3 million in working capital from various federal, provincial and other government authorities.

I asked how much of the $3 million has been given to the service provider and to identify the sources of that funding.

The sale of Premier to AAR begs the question whether there is a new agreement with AAR that changes the commitments made by Premier. Further, has AAR agreed to pick up any default payments to the city imposed on Premier for not meeting its employment guarantees?

After AAR announced its purchase last September, the company stated that over 300 staff positions in Trois-Rivières and Windsor would be retained. Interestingly, the company’s Communications Officer Kathleen Cantillon would not tell the mainstream media how many of those 300-plus aviation mechanics would be employed in Windsor.

After several attempts to have my May 29 questions answered by the city, I was informed in an email from City Clerk Valerie Critchley that YQG is a corporate entity that is now handling its own MFIPPA matters.

The old runaround, I suspect. But, on July 20, I dutifully filed an FOI request to YQG’s new FOI Coordinator Jim McCormack seeking the information outlined above.

On August 14, I received a response to my access request saying they would make a decision by September 13.

If they deny the information I will lodge another appeal to the commission. Stay tuned, and remember that Mayor Dilkens, who is seeking re-election next month, chairs the YQG Board.

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FRONTLINES

Fortune Smiles On New Mission Dental Clinic A new pay-what-you-can dental clinic has opened at the Downtown Mission’s Wellness Centre at 875 Ouellette Avenue in Windsor.

Funded by a $1 million matching donation by local philanthropist Al Quesnel, the clinic, which bears his name, started taking bookings in late July and patients in early August.

“We believe it’s the only such centre in Southwestern Ontario and perhaps in the entire province,” says Mission Executive Director Ron Dunn. “We looked at our client base and decided this was a need that required filling (pun not intended).”

Dunn continues by stating, “It’s clear that good dental health is linked to physical, emotional and mental well-being. So, we are taking this step towards providing that care to anyone who needs it.”

Rates for dental care can range from full payment, if someone has a dental plan, all the way down to $25 a visit or even free depending upon need.

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“We know that about 60 percent of low-income families have no coverage, so we know the need exists for a pay-what-youcan plan,” adds Dunn.

The Al Quesnel Community Dental Clinic is staffed by a full-time dentist and two full-time dental hygienists. There are also students rotating through the clinic as part of their studies at St. Clair College.

Dunn says the clinic is also hoping to enlist the services of voluntary dentists depending upon the workload.

“I’m over-the-moon excited by the opportunity,” says Sue Pellerito, one of two hygienists on staff. “It’s a great opportunity for me and the community to have a service like this for people who can’t afford regular dental care.”

Erika Gossmann, a recent St. Clair graduate, says “I’m very excited to be part of this and it’s a great way to start my career.”

Quesnel believes “the centre is important because it’s not just your dental issues, it affects your entire body. People can

B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Dental hygienists Erika Gossmann, left, and Sue Pellerito pose with Downtown Mission Executive Director Ron Dunn at the new Alan Quesnel Community Dental Centre at 875 Ouellette Avenue. Photo by Dave Hall.

die from not having proper dental care.”

The clinic is a fully-functioning dental care facility with state-of-the-art equipment including an X-ray machine and is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

(For more information and bookings, contact the clinic through their email: dentalcentre@downtownmission.com).

In addition, Quesnel’s donation helped fund other Mission projects such as a food recovery storage facility and new beds in the organization’s dormitory.

FRONTLINES

Any Way You Slice It, Antonino’s Original Pizza Is Moving On Up Antonino’s Original Pizza Inc. is expanding its operations by constructing a new building on Howard Avenue to better serve its long-standing South Windsor customers.

The new 4,000 square foot building at 4350 Howard Avenue will replace the existing restaurant on an adjoining property.

Joe Ciaravino, Owner of Antonino’s Original Pizza was pleased to welcome guests, a few family members, and customers to the ground-breaking ceremony for the company’s new restaurant coming to 4350 Howard Avenue in Windsor.

“We outgrew our 780 square foot South Windsor location about 10 years ago,” says Antonino’s Owner Joe Ciaravino.

The new restaurant, designed by Settimo Vilardi of Archon Architects and built by Rosati Construction, will include a full commercial kitchen, a self-serve dining room with 25 seats and a take-out area. The upper floor will consist of a residential unit.

Tony Rosati, Co-Owner of Rosati Construction Inc., indicates the project should be complete by late fall and that “it’s great news for a local business to have the confidence in the area’s economy to make an investment of this nature.”

Joe’s father, Tony, was one of Windsor’s first pizza parlour owners. After immigrating to Canada in the early 1950s Tony opened a pizza restaurant in 1959, in what later became known as South Windsor.

“My dad didn’t invent Windsor-style pizza, but he took the Windsor-style pizza

recipe and improved upon it and it’s the recipe we still use today,” says Joe proudly.

Joe mentions that more than 30 Windsor pizzerias can trace their roots back to his father.

In 1999, Joe opened Antonino’s which is named in honour of his father.

“If you want a truly authentic Windsorstyle pizza, you have to go to one of our Antonino’s locations,” claims Joe. And while many aspects of the pizza business have changed, Antonino’s retains one familiar tradition — they don’t deliver.

The reason why? Joe says it is because he “doesn’t believe in delivering pizza because you have to put them in those delivery bags and they get steamed up and it affects the quality of the product.”

You can also find Antonino’s Original Pizza locations in LaSalle and Tecumseh.

For more information, check out their website: OriginalPizza.ca.

Nick Rosati of Rosati Construction Inc.; Architect Settimo Vilardo of Archon Architects; City of Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens; Antonino’s Owner Joe Ciaravino; Tony Mannina, General Manager of Antonino’s South Windsor location, and Tony Rosati of Rosati Construction Inc. participate in the July groundbreaking ceremony. Photos by Dave Hall.

A sketch of the new South Windsor location designed by Archon Architects and to be built by Rosati Construction.

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FRONTLINES

If You Build It, They Will Come . . .

To New Habitat For Humanity ReStore

O

nce construction of its new store is completed next spring, Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex will be able to expand its commitment to affordable home builds as well as helping shoppers buy new and used building supplies.

“It will allow us to accept more donations and increase sales to the public, which will increase our revenue and allow us to build on our commitment to the community,” explains Fiona Coughlin, Executive Director of the local Habitat for Humanity chapter.

The new ReStore — which will be one of the largest in Canada at more than 22,000 square feet — will be located at 55 Edinborough Street, directly behind Tepperman’s.

Design rendering of the new 22,000 square foot location, opening spring 2019.

On July 17, 2018 Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex broke ground on one of the largest ReStores in Canada. Pictured with dog Dakota, K9 Public Relations Ambassador, from left, at the official ground breaking ceremony are: Fiona Coughlin, Executive Director Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex; Mary Margaret Parent, Board Chair Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex; Paul Borrelli, Windsor City Councillor Ward 10 and Angie Pare, Habit for Humanity Volunteer with Dino and Anthony Maggio, Owners of Mid South Land Developments.

Photo by Rod Denis.

“This building is designed with all our supporters in mind, donors, volunteers, students and shoppers,” says Rick Young, Regional ReStore Manager.

The new building, being constructed by Mid South Land Developments, will be more accessible for donors and volunteers and include safer loading and unloading areas.

“Mid South is building the new store and we will be paying rent,” says Coughlin. “It’s a perfect situation and it will allow us to partner with other non-profits in developing neighbourhood projects.”

The store will also include 2,000 square feet of skilled-labour training space where many of the 180 youth trained at Habitat will gain hands-on experience in construction, maintenance, appliance and furniture repair.

“Without our ReStores, building affordable homes would not be possible,” adds Coughlin. “Support of the ReStore will also allow

us to explore collaborative neighbourhood revitalization projects in areas of Windsor that are prime for renewal.”

The current ReStore on Devon Drive achieved record sales in 2017 and recycled more metal than any other ReStore in Canada.

It was rewarded for those efforts by winning a national “Sustainable Funding Award” from Habitat for Humanity Canada, in May of this year.

The local chapter’s mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting home ownership as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty.

Since it was established 24 years ago, the local chapter has built 63 houses and provided homes for 70 families. Donations can be made at 3064 Devon Drive and also at 1 Iroquois Road, Unit 2, in Leamington. More info at: HabitatWindsor.org.

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BRINGING YOU UP TO SPEED ON THE LATEST BUZZ AROUND TOWN!

HEARD ON THE STREET

A health and wellness centre and a multiresidential development is planned for the former Croatian Centre property at 5259 Tecumseh Road East in Windsor.

Owner Bill Kobrosli, who also operates the Factory House directly across the street from the centre, plans to concentrate on his restaurant business and has put the centre up for sale for $1.2 million. Michael Di Meo, a Sales Representative with Royal LePage Binder Real Estate, informs Biz X that plans include a 13,500 square foot health and wellness centre in the former banquet hall building and 17 townhomes in a development on the existing parking lot behind the centre. “We’ve had some interest from prospective buyers as well as tenants and we are hopeful they will continue what we have started,” says Di Meo. “It’s an exciting project.” Di Meo comments that he expects Kobrosli to either sell the property, if a buyer can be found with a similar vision, or he will remain as a partner in the project.

ADA Architects are handling the building’s transformation from a banquet hall to a health and wellness centre.

After 30 years of serving customers across the region, the owners of Windsor Beauty Supply are expanding their retail footprint by opening a new store at the corner of Howard Avenue and Cabana Road. It will replace a smaller store at Dougall Avenue and Cabana Road. Nancy George, whose parents Andy and Fay Zebooney founded the business, says it took almost three years to find the perfect combination of high visibility and ample parking for customers.

“Our old location was highly congested plus we simply needed more space for our

expanded product lines,” says George, who works alongside her sister Sylvia Zebooney.

The new store covers 2,300 square feet compared to 1,700 square feet at the store that is closing. The company’s head office, warehouse and retail store at 6640 Tecumseh Road East, will continue operating as the flagship location of the business. The company also operates two stores in London and one each in Chatham, Leamington and Walled Lake, Michigan.

Nicole Demers, a veteran of Windsor’s hospitality industry, and musician Mark DeBlock have teamed up to establish Grill Twenty in the former United Grill building at 20 University Avenue East in downtown Windsor. DeBlock informs us they took over the building in early April and opened in early June, after spending two months on renovations. “We updated the look and feel of the place and it has a more modern, industrial look to it now,” says DeBlock.

Demers has experience working and managing such businesses as Plunkett’s, Kilt and Fiddle and RockStar Music Hall, while DeBlock, a singer/guitarist, has played at many local bars and restaurants as well as Caesars Windsor. He’s currently in a Van Halen tribute band. DeBlock says Grill Twenty will be open for breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, serving staples such as burgers, fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and a variety of salads and breakfast items. “We believe our price points will enable us to take advantage of the growing student presence downtown,” says DeBlock.

Local artists will also get a chance to display their work on a wall in the restaurant. There

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are plans for a takeout deli counter and a liquor licence in the future.

The value of building permits issued by the City of Windsor through the first seven months of this year, have fallen dramatically behind the pace set one year ago. So far this year, $170,403,853 in permits have been issued compared to $203,806,129 a year ago. Residential permits have fallen from $101.3 million to $79.9 million and government and institutional have dropped from $68.5 million to $41.1 million.

Industrial permits have increased from $8.7 million to $14.2 million and commercial permits have increased from $25.2 million to $35.1 million. Major projects to come online in July include building classrooms for St. Clair College at 1 Riverside Drive West for $2.5 million; construction of an eight unit dwelling at 550 Sandison Road for $1.631 million; renovations to an existing industrial building at 3505 Rhodes Drive for $1.1 million; construction of a new Antonino’s pizza restaurant with a second-floor residential unit for $1 million at 4350 Howard Avenue; and renovations to an Indigo/Chapters store at Devonshire Mall for $1 million.

A new reception centre in Windsor for Families First (funeral home, 3260 Dougall Avenue) is expected to open on the site of the former Veteran Plumbing building at 3310 Dougall Avenue by winter of next year, according to Families First Owner Brian Parent. The centre will allow families and friends to celebrate the loss of a loved one with a reception at which food as well as alcohol can be served. It will also allow families a measure of privacy, which isn’t always possible at open venues such as bars, restaurants and banquet halls. The centre will also be available for other events on a rental basis. Phase two of the plan will include a commercial development on property immediately south of the reception centre along Dougall Avenue.

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NEWSFLASH THE RUNDOWN After a year in the making, County Towing Inc. (CountyTowingInc.com) and the Didone family have acquired Coxon`s Towing Service Ltd. (CoxonsTowing.com) out of Tecumseh, ON from the Coxon family. Coxon’s Towing Service has been in business for 57 years and County Towing for 40 years. Both companies will continue to run as separate entities, however, valued customers from both sides will enjoy an enhanced level of service with towing wait times reduced and increased access to a larger fleet of specialized trucks and towing professionals. This acquisition also provides them the capabilities to respond to multiple major incidents at one time, reducing costly highway closures and keeping roadways safe for the motoring public. As of September 4, 2018 all administration for both companies are housed at Terminal 1 in Harrow.

A new shop in Essex runs as Terminal 2 and County Towing’s Amherstburg facility is now known as Terminal 3. Their impound location, shared with CSR Coxon’s Sales & Rentals Ltd., on Manning Road and Hwy 401, is now Terminal 4.

In addition, for almost 20 years, Coxon’s Sales & Rentals Ltd. (4891 Manning Road, Tecumseh, ON; CSRCoxons.com) has provided mobile storage and office space solutions in Windsor/Essex County, and surrounding Southwestern Ontario.

The team at Coxon’s also announces the following expansion, catering to their customer experience, by adding new services, such as custom-designed container

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modifications. They are also acquiring new, state of the art equipment to offer a more dynamic delivery service.

Minister of Transport, the Hon. Marc Garneau, has appointed two new Directors to the Board of the Windsor Port Authority (WPA), 3100 Sandwich Street, (and on the web at: PortWindsor.com). The appointments of Karen Behune Plunkett and Thomas W. O’Brien were effective on June 29, 2018. WPA President and CEO Steve Salmons comments: “Success in business development and a strong commitment to community involvement are the hallmarks of a great Director. Both Karen and Tom bring outstanding records of accomplishment on both these measures.”

Behune Plunkett brings expertise to the Board in strategic planning, business development, marketing and public relations.

She is a founder, principal and consultant to a number of local companies including her current role of Partner and V.P. Business Development of Voltaric Inc., a data analytics company. Her board leadership experience includes: Windsor Utilities, St. Clair College, Essex Region Conservation Foundation, WEtech Alliance, Ontario Craft Brewers, Co-Chair of WindsorEssex County United Way Campaign, Windsor Essex Capital Angel Network, in addition to many sub-committees and service boards. Founder and Partner of Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards, O’Brien was a Chartered Accountant and Managing Partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers

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of Windsor. Currently on the Boards of WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation and, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, he has also served in many community leadership roles as Chair, Treasurer, or Board member to several agencies, including St. Clair College, University of Windsor, Assumption University, United Way, Windsor/ Essex County Hospitals Foundation, Essex Regional Conservation Authority, Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation, and both the Essex Pelee Island Winegrowers Association, and the Winery and Grower Alliance of Ontario.

Security ONE Alarm Systems, a regional electronic security and life safety company headquartered in Leamington, ON, recently acquired customer accounts from Williamson Security Services out of Dorchester, Ontario. The purchase adds approximately 230 customers to the Security ONE Southwestern Ontario customer base. “Since 1985, Williamson Security Services has been providing top notch customer service to a very loyal group of clients that we are proud to welcome to the Security ONE family,” says Chris Neumann, President & CEO of Security ONE. Williamson Security customers now have access to the advanced automated and smart security solutions, monitored video surveillance, hosted access control and ULC fire & life safety solutions offered by Security ONE. The purchase of Williamson Security is the second acquisition for

Security ONE this year, after acquiring the accounts of Aarway Communications in April. For further details on their services visit: SecurityOneAlarm.com.

The 16th annual “Face to Face” campaign for The Hospice of Windsor & Essex County — which requests residents of Windsor and Essex County to ask 10 friends for a $10 donation each — has been underway since mid-August and runs until September 30. However, this isn’t just a door-to-door campaign; in the past, canvassers have hosted barbeques, held bake sales, work dress-down days, company lunches and special office coffee events and created friendly competitions as their way of getting “face to face!” People have even chosen not to receive gifts for a birthday or anniversary celebration, instead asking everyone to bring a donation to be put towards the campaign. Biz X challenges its readers to do your part and canvas now for donations!

On average, Hospice provides over 9,000 rides per year at no cost to patients and their families. Each $10 contributed helps to provide one ride. The 2018 campaign goal is $90,000 to cover the annual expenses of the transportation program. Proceeds from the “Face to Face” campaign directly support the Fairley Family Hospice Transportation Program to honour the parents of campaign Founder John Fairley. If you wish to donate please visit online: HospiceFaceToFace.ca.

NEW IN BIZ At the end of July, local Writer/Poet Vanessa Shields, opened Windsor’s first creative writing school, Gertrude’s Writing Room. Located at 628 Monmouth Road in the heart of Walkerville. Shields’ office and teaching space is an homage to

Paris in the 1920s — a time when writers and artists from around the world gathered in the apartment of writer Gertrude Stein. Shields is teaching creative writing classes, offering workshops, plus editing and mentoring for writers of all genres and abilities. As well, she welcomes writers from across the globe to lead workshops and special events. Gertrude’s Writing Room is a gathering place for writers that promises to deliver each workshop, class and mentoring session with an open heart and a passionate, playful spirit. Their goal is to provide a safe and supportive space that gives freedom to your creative words. Read more on the website: GertrudesWritingRoom.com.

ON THE MOVE The Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Derrick Drouillard as the new Executive Director, effective September 10, 2018. An immensely qualified leader, Drouillard obtained an undergraduate degree from the University of Windsor and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University. He began his career in 1991 as an intake Social Worker in York Region. He continued to expand his knowledge and demonstrate his authentic commitment to child protective services through an impressive and progressive career, in a range of roles and executive positions. at various Child and Family Services Agencies in southern Ontario. Drouillard’s most recent position was the Executive Director for Family & Children’s Services of St. Thomas and Elgin County. Now, he has returned to his hometown of Windsor, ready to lead the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society into

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a new era. Welcome back Derrick! If you wish to learn more about the society, check out: WECAS.on.ca.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO . . .

Complete Chiropractic Centre is celebrating a big milestone! As of July 2018, they have been providing chiropractic care to the Windsor Essex community for 20 years. Complete Chiropractic Centre was established in July 1998 in Windsor and founded by Dr. Stephanie Medoro and Dr. Marisa Serra. Originally located at 2224 Walker Road, the centre now operates from an expanded location at 4100 Tecumseh Road East. With the addition of Dr. Michael Merner, Clem Leung, RMT and Katy Renaud, RMT, they will continue to provide a full service, multi-disciplinary approach to healthcare. Learn more about their team and services by logging onto: CompleteChiro.ca.

HALL OF FAME Gracing the cover of the summer issue 2018 of Self-Storage Canada magazine is Wendy Fulton, the Manager of Guardian Storage, who was presented last November with the Canadian Self Storage Association “Manager of the Year” Award, for the entire country, at the “Self Storage Conference” in Toronto. Fulton manages the Windsor (5505 Rhodes Drive) and Lakeshore (472 Blanchard Park Drive) locations, as well as the RV parking yard and portable storage business. See her cover story on the link: View.imirus.com/327/document/12960 and visit their website: Guardian-Storage.com to learn about all the services they offer.

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DATES TO REMEMBER SEPT. / OCT. 2018

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TO VIEW EVEN MORE EVENTS VISIT: BIZXMAGAZINE.COM AND INPLAYMAGAZINE.COM AND CLICK ON THE “EVENTS” TAB!

*UNLESS NOTED 519 IS THE AREA CODE TO USE

Having an event? Submit your listing to us at: BizXmagazine.com and InPlayMagazine.com

Please be sure to confirm all events before attending.

Sept. 7 & 8: “Cainerfest” 2018 takes place at RockStar Music Hall, 2418 Central Avenue in Windsor from 5 p.m. until 2 a.m. each night.

This 4th annual festival honours the life of Jordan “Cainer” Caine, who completed suicide at age 27, and raises funds and awareness for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and vital mental health services in Windsor Essex. The evening features live music, raffles, a 50/50 draw, local mental health resources, guest speakers and more.

Admission is $10 each night or a weekend pass is $15 with all proceeds to CMHA. For more info email: cainerfest@gmail.com; visit: Facebook.com/cainerfest or call 817-1668.

Sept. 9: The Windsor-Essex County Chapter of the Huntington Society of Canada gears up for the unique and family friendly fundraiser, the “Indy Go-Kart Challenge for Huntington Disease,” at Warp Drive Race Park, County Rd 42, next to Windsor Airport. Registration 8:45 a.m. and go-karting 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Participants are also eligible for door prizes and can take part in silent auctions and 50/50 draws. Entrance is by donation or by collecting pledges. Register online at: HuntingtonSociety.ca/events or contact Paul Bateman: pj8man@hotmail.com or phone 322-5924.

Sept. 14: The Windsor Essex Home Builders Association annual golf tournament at Rochester Place Golf Club, 981 County Road 2 in Belle River from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. This nine-hole tournament is mixed-style, geared towards all genders and includes a nice lunch plus afternoon on the fairway. Admission is $150 plus HST and includes lunch, four drink tickets, golf, cocktails and appetizers. For details email: windsoressexhba@gmail.com; refer to: WindsorEssexHomeBuilders.ca or call 226-345-0532.

Sept. 15: The University of Windsor Students’ Alliance and Element Entertainment present the “Coming Home Music Festival” at the Riverfront Festival Plaza, downtown from 5 p.m. until midnight. The festival features co-headliners Loud Luxury and Fetty Wap. Admission is $32.50. For more info email: renaldoago@mac.com; view the website: ComingHomeMusicFestival.com or call 999-6433.

Sept. 15 & 16: The 24th annual “Children’s Fest” hosted by the Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association (BANA) and the Rotary Club of Windsor 1918 happens from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. inside Central Park Athletics, 3400 Grand Marais Road (at Central Avenue), Windsor.

This is a weekend filled with fun, food, spectacular live entertainment and an array of exciting hands on activities sure to please children 12 and under. There’s something for everyone in the expanded lineup of family

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friendly activities from sports and games, to experimenting with science and dabbling in the arts. Kids do not want to miss the Head of the Class Mindfulness Zone; the Cartoon Kingdom Play Zone or the new Action and Adventure Zone with the Windsor model railroad club; the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association, SOAR Hobby and Sabres Robotics. Admission is $5 pp. For full details on all activities, visit the website: ChildrensFest.wordpress.com or for more information, send an email to: patrick@bana.ca or call 969-2112.

Sept. 16: “Shar’s Ride for MS” departs from the Moose Lodge, 777 Tecumseh Road West in Windsor at 11 a.m. (registration 9 to 10:30 a.m.) Now in its 10th year of raising funds, to be kept local with the MS Society of Canada (Windsor-Essex Chapter), the ride subsidizes the purchase of mobility equipment (Wheelchairs, Walkers, Transfer Lifts, etc) for those who have MS (Multiple Sclerosis) in our own community. The Organizer (Shar Good) was diagnosed with MS in 1987 and has been involved with the MS Society since 1991 as a Member at Large, Publication Editor and as Chapter Chairperson for six years before stepping down to create this event to raise the badly needed funds to help those in distress and in need of special mobility equipment. This event has grown each year with participants as well as funds raised! All funds raised are used in the year following the event and a report by the MS Society (Windsor-Essex Chapter) is given to advise the participants specifically what equipment was purchased. Cost to attend: riders are $30 with passengers $20 each and if $100 in pledges is raised, the fee is waived. This is a 150 km Poker Ride throughout the County of Essex with stops at the Sandbar Waterfront Bar & Grill, Stoney Point Sportsmen’s Club and Colchester Bar & Grill ending back at the Moose Lodge by 4:30 p.m. for a family style dinner, fun and games. If you do not ride and would like to help support what this event is accomplishing, $30 dinner only tickets are available before ride day by contacting Shar by email: shar.good54@gmail.com; by visiting: Ride-For-MS.ca or calling 798-3858.

Sept. 16: The “Battle of Britain” commemoration parade takes place at 2 p.m. at the Air Force memorial in Jackson Park in Windsor and features guest speaker LCol (retired) Pam Smith-McBride CD. As well, members of the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association conduct a flyover in their Yellow Birds. For additional information, contact Major (retired) Roy Embury CD via email: majorroysir@hotmail.com or call 735-6767.

Sept. 16: Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario (ESWO) hosts its 2nd annual “Seize The Day 2.5k Walk & 5k Run” at the Vollmer Culture & Recreation Centre, 2121 Laurier Parkway in B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

LaSalle from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. to raise funds for epilepsy education with programs, support services and community engagement programs in Windsor Essex. This fun-filled family event includes a run and walk, kiddie trot followed by entertainment and a community BBQ. Admission is $25 at the event; $20 in advance or free with $100 in pledges. For more info check: EpilepsySupport.ca/news/ windsorseizetheday2018; send an email to: amanda@epilepsyswo.ca; or dial 890-6614.

Sept. 19 & 20: The 27th annual “Fall Wedding Event” at the Caboto Club, 2175 Parent Avenue in Windsor takes place each night from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. For more info email: nancyc@weddingshows.com; go to: WeddingShows.com; call 978-0676 and turn to page 49 of this issue.

Sept. 21: Celebrate the college’s Alumni journey at the “Come Home to St. Clair” event at St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, 201 Riverside Drive West in Windsor starting at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. and a special performance by Epic Journey at 9 p.m. Proceeds benefit the St. Clair College Foundation Scholarship Program. $60 per person and tickets available through the Chrysler Theatre Box Office, along with corporate tables of 10.

For info email: mburke@stclaircollege.ca; visit: StClairCollege.ca/alumni or call Marianne, 972-2727 ext. 5337.

Sept. 22: The very first bicycle “Windsor Poker Ride” in partnership with the “Ride For Dad” begins at RockStar Music Hall, 2418 Central Avenue in Windsor where participants follow maps along a unique scenic route around the city collecting stamps and completing tasks at establishments and businesses along the way. Everyone comes together at the end to celebrate and relax with a nacho bar, free massages from the students from Canadian College (Massage Therapy Clinic) and light refreshments. The top three teams with the best poker hand can win prizes, as well as the top pledge earner! The proceeds from this event go to the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation which gives money locally to research and awareness.

Participants are encouraged to register online here: RideForDad.ca/windsor-bicycle.

Registration 8 a.m. Ride begins 10 a.m. and returns to venue for 4 p.m. To sign up, email Sarah White at: windsorpokerride@gmail.com; John Casey: jrcasey519@gmail.com or call 796-1067 / 567-3968.

Sept. 22: The 6th annual “Plentiful Harvest Ball” in support of the Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor’s Plentiful Harvest Food Rescue program at Caesars Windsor starts at 6:30 p.m. During the cocktail hour, guests are treated to a fantastic assortment of appetizers created by the chefs and students from Caesars Windsor Cares Community Kitchen.

The evening also features a decadent meal, live musical entertainment, a silent auction, dancing and more. Admission is $120. For more info email: hjanzen@uhc.ca; check out: UHC.ca or phone 944-4900.

Sept. 22 & 23: “Doors Open Windsor” happens all over the city from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. when the public can visit places for free they might not normally get to see.

Participants include sacred spaces, private homes, museums, and rarely seen areas of public buildings. Each of the 35 sites are of historical, architectural, or cultural significance. As well, students from St. Clair College’s School of Architectural Technology lead walking tours of three distinctive Windsor neighbourhoods and Author Herb Colling talks about the history of Ford City at St. John the Divine Church on Drouillard Road. This event coincides with “Open Streets” and “Dropped on Drouillard” so be ready for a day full of fun, food, culture, history and perhaps even a traffic jam. For more info on new sites for this year email: hoppe.joanne@gmail.com; refer to: DoorsOpenWindsor.com or call 948-7661.

Sept. 23: “Open Streets” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. over an 8 km span from Sandwich in the west to Ford City in the east of Windsor. See: OpenStreetsWindsor.ca for complete details or email: openstreets@citywindsor.ca.

Sept. 23: The Canadian Cancer Society’s “Taking Steps Against Breast Cancer” 1K/5K community walk/run takes place at Point Pelee National Park, 1118 Point Pelee Drive in Leamington from 8 a.m. (registration); walk/ run at 10 a.m. and activities until noon. This annual event provides an opportunity to join the fight against breast cancer, celebrate survivors and remember those who have lost their lives to this disease. All proceeds go towards breast cancer research through the Canadian Cancer Society. Event is also open to well-behaved dogs on a leash who wish to accompany their responsible owner/family. Park entrance fees are included with your $40 registration amount as well as a t-shirt, food, beverages and entertainment. For more information or to register, email: KORourke@ontario.cancer.ca; visit: TakingSteps.ca or call 254-5116.

Sept. 23: The “Fall Into Health Day” event at Lakewood Park, 13451 Riverside Drive East in the Town of Tecumseh from

11 a.m. until 4 p.m. is free for all ages to attend. Designed to connect the community and showcase the top health and wellness services and products available in the Town of Tecumseh and surrounding communities, there are various retail vendors, exhibits, live demonstrations on active lifestyles, food tips, and activities everyone can watch and even participate in the following: Zumba, disk golf, yoga, Tai Chi, Taekwondo, a children’s play area with a rock climbing wall. There is also a dog show, drumming circle, fitness fashions, alternative therapies, plus so much more — all in one day! Log onto: TecumsehBIA.com for a listing of vendors, schedule of activities and demonstrations. Find out more via email: bia@tecumseh.ca or phone 735-3795.

Sept. 29: Help raise funds for our local trail system during the “Essex Region Conservation Bike Tour” at Mettawas Park, 71 Park Street (start and finish) in Kingsville beginning at 8 a.m. The tour incorporates all the last sights of summer plus a lakefront festival with food and entertainment afterwards. Whether you are touring through picturesque country roads and along historic County Road 50 or meandering the off-road nature ride on the Chrysler Canada and Cypher Systems Group Greenways, this event is not to be missed.

Registration fees include a post ride lunch. For further details on tour kilometres and pricing packages email Peter at: pbaldwin@erca.org; see: EssexRegionConservation.ca/bike-tour or call 776-5209.

Sept. 29 & 30: The “Ruthven Apple Festival” at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens (550 Road 3 East, Kingsville) is a family tradition where you can find two spectacular fun filled days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. that includes weekend long musical entertainment, a Saturday parade, a host of rides, children’s games, over 100 craft and food vendors and the popular Farmers Market filled with all the bounty of Essex County. Check out the annual “Apple Festival Car Show.” Free admission and parking.

Proceeds from the festival benefit Community Living Essex County in support of people with an intellectual disability and their families.

Learn more at: CommunityLivingEssex.org or call 776-6483 ext 246.

Sept. 29 & 30: “Windsor ComiCon” at The Colosseum inside Caesars Windsor.

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For full event details, contact Jeremy at: jeremy@windsorcomicon.com; refer to: WindsorComicon.com; dial 566-1735 or see pages 42 to 44 for further details on who will be there and what’s happening.

Sept. 30: Canadian Cancer Society’s “CIBC Run for the Cure” Riverfront Festival Plaza. You can find more information at: CIBCrunforthecure.com; on Facebook.com/ WindsorRun and by reading page 27.

Sept. 30: The fifth annual “Windsor Jeep Jam Poker Run” presented by The Windsor Jeep Club departs from Malden Park Visitors Centre, 4200 Malden Road in Windsor starting at 10 a.m. for a scenic ride throughout Essex County. All Jeep branded vehicles are encouraged to participate and new for this year, “Team Jeep,” is an added component to the ride which has Jeep drivers competing for points to win the 2018 “Team Jeep” challenge.

The jeeps return back around 4 p.m. to Malden Park where participants and their guests can then enjoy even more fun including: team challenges, the final card pull station and a BBQ. The funds raised stay locally in our community and are directed to Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (A.L.S.O) Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) programs and services.

Admission is $25 in advance or $30 at the door for each participant, with passengers an additional $5. For more info email: laurakay@alsogroup.org; see: ALSOgroup.org or call 969-8188.

Sept. 30: “VegFest Windsor 2018: Party in the Park” at Lanspeary Park, 1250 Langlois Avenue from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. This is a free annual family-centered event that unites people through the celebration of compassion, sustainability and plant-strong eating. You can experience countless food vendors, product/apparel exhibitors, food demos, expert speakers, a Kid Zone, music and more.

Questions? Email: info@vegfestwindsor.ca; visit: VegFestWindsor.ca or call 564-3142.

Oct. 10: The Leamington District Chamber of Commerce’s 24th annual “Business Excellence Awards” at the Leamington Portuguese Community Club, 217 Talbot Street West starts at 5 p.m. To reserve your $70 tickets (or $500 for a table of 8), send an email to: wendyp@leamingtonchamber.com; view: LeamingtonChamber.com or call 326-2721.

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FEATURE STORY By Dave Hall

The Race To Be Mayor Of Windsor Four Candidates Give Their Views On Election Issues

On Monday, October 22, 2018, voters in the City of Windsor will elect a Mayor, Ward Councillors and School Board Trustees to represent them for the term of office beginning December 1, 2018 and ending November 14, 2022. So, who will claim victory and sit in the Mayor’s chair in the new council chambers at 350 City Hall Square West?

City Hall photos by Della Jones-Goulet.

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n late October, Windsorites will go to the polls once more to decide who will sit in the Mayor’s chair at City Hall and lead City Council for the next four years.

Seeking to become Mayor are: Drew Dilkens, Frank Dyck, Tom Hensel, Ernie Lamont, and Matt Marchand.

In attempt to help voters make an informed choice, Biz X magazine has put together a question-and-answer session to assist voters in advance of the October 22 vote.

We submitted a list of 15 questions to each candidate and invited them to respond. Each candidate was allocated a total of 800 words for their answers, which appear in their entirety unless they went over their allotted space. These answers are listed after each question in alphabetical order by candidate.

Frank Dyck, one of the five candidates, declined to participate.

He brings a wealth of economic development, international trade, human resource and labour relations experience to the office.

Dilkens has an extensive history of community involvement and volunteering with several organizations such as Windsor Police Auxiliary, Goodfellows, and Crime Stoppers.

He has earned a Bachelor of Commerce and law degree from University of Windsor, MBA from Wayne State and Doctorate of Business Administration from the International School of Management.

He is married to Jane and they have two children.

MEET THE CANDIDATES

Tom Hensel

Drew Dilkens

Dilkens is a lifelong resident of Windsor. He has served as Mayor since 2014 and as a member of City Council since 2006.

Taxpayers are his top priority by focusing on infrastructure, creating jobs and a fiscally responsible approach to City Hall.

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Frank Dyck

Dyck, 49, is a retired farmer originally from Leamington. He’s lived in Windsor for 10 years.

Hensel, 52, is an experienced entrepreneur who was educated at York University and earned a law degree as a mature student after a career in publishing and insurance. He has volunteered with such organizations as Habitat for Humanity, Windsor’s Sewer Master Plan Advisory Committee, community alleyway cleanup B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

projects, and Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario among others.

Ernie Lamont

Lamont, 71, has run for Mayor four times and for a seat on City Council twice. He worked at Ford Motor Company’s Windsor Engine Plant for 30 years. He has also run his own advertising company for more than 30 years and has operated his Bacon Man business for almost 40 years.

Matt Marchand

Marchand, 50, stepped down after six years as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce to run for Mayor.

Before that, he served eight years as Director of Government Affairs for the Continental Rail Gateway and also spent 12 years as a staff member and advisor to former Windsor Mayor Mike Hurst.

He has degrees in business administration and commerce from the University of Windsor and a graduate degree from

the London School of Economics and Political Science.

He has served on various boards including committees of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, WorkForce WindsorEssex and the Canadian-U.S. Business Association.

QUESTIONS FOR MAYORAL CANDIDATES 1. Windsor homeowners faced a 1.7 percent tax increase in 2018. What increase, if any, would you support in the 2019 budget and for the remainder of the four-year term?

Dilkens: Homeowners experienced 0% tax increases in 2015/16 and only 2.4% in 2017/18. These are among the lowest of all cities in Ontario. I will continue to hold the line on taxes, as I always have since 2006.

Hensel: We need to hold the line on taxes and where possible, even reduce them, focus on initiatives that increase property values across the board (and expand the city’s tax base), and we need to get a grip on spending.

Our tax base grows when our city does, and the best way to do that is to maintain a competitive environment that attracts growth, investment, jobs and home buyers.

Taxpayers have a right to expect that their tax dollars are being spent responsibly and that any rate increases should be justified before you’re asked to increase your share of the burden.

Lamont: If council will commit to spending more money to fix roads and sewers and other infrastructure projects, then I don’t mind voting to raise taxes. We have to pay for those projects, there’s no way around it.

Marchand: We recognize that there is a need for key community investments. We want to maximize the benefit to the community at a fair cost.

2. A council majority agreed to spend $3 million on Christmas lights in Jackson Park, then Mayor Dilkens cut the expenditure in half when flooded basements devastated many neighbourhoods. A budget placeholder of $1.5 million remains in the

2018 budget for additional holiday lights. Do you support that expenditure or would you move to have it repealed?

Dilkens: “Bright Lights” is a celebration project to commemorate the City’s 125th anniversary. The event was an overwhelming success attracting over 60,000 people.

Family-based events like this improve our quality of life. Half of the funding budget came from outside the property tax base and I will continue to support this and other similar initiatives.

Hensel: I would repeal it. I believe the event, if it is to be continued, should be sponsored locally by the community, local business, or corporate partnerships, and I would encourage this approach.

Lamont: I would vote to cancel the expenditure because I believe infrastructure projects are a higher priority. Infrastructure, to me, is number one so I say, scrap it.

Marchand: There are other community engagement opportunities such as corporate and labour sponsorships that have not been considered. We’d like to see more community engagement and consultation on this.

3. A majority of City Council agreed to spend $750,000 to restore an historical street car and now wants to know how and where to utilize it. First of all, do you agree with that expenditure, and how and where would you utilize the restored streetcar?

Dilkens: I am proud of our history and want to showcase it for all to experience.

Windsor was first in Canada to operate electric streetcars in 1886. City Council had an opportunity to acquire the last of three known streetcars. It is being fully restored and will be used as a beacon on the riverfront. Funding came from re-allocated capital projects while continuing to hold the line on taxes.

Hensel: Preserving our heritage is important, however, I disagree with Council’s decision to spend $750,000 to restore the trolley. We

need to improve Windsor’s transit system first, and start looking ahead at developing modern regional transportation initiatives.

The restoration could have been privately funded by partnerships in the community.

A fitting place for the restored trolley would be at the Transit Terminal where it would serve as a reminder that urban public transit shouldn’t be a museum piece, but a key aspect of a vibrant community on the move.

Lamont: No, I don’t agree with the expenditure at all. I would like to see that money spent elsewhere. If we have extra money like that, I would vote to put it all into roads and sewers.

Marchand: We don’t see this as a community priority.

4. City Council recently agreed to donate $120,000 to sponsor a professional golf tournament. A split council decided to continue contributing $50,000 to sponsor the “Detroit Grand Prix” as part of a council policy to spend taxpayer money on sports tourism. The city also employs a full-time sports tourism officer to recruit sporting events to the city. What is your position on Sports Tourism?

Dilkens: Events that fill hotel rooms, restaurants and shopping venues are good for businesses and jobs. We only pursue sports tourism opportunities with greatest economic impact. I’m proud of how our community welcomed FINA swimmers.

I also saw Windsorites rally behind our Spitfires as they won the Memorial Cup. Sport is a powerful driver of economic development and community pride.

Hensel: Subsidizing sports tourism with taxpayer dollars is problematic. I’d like to see any investment in this area translate into sustainable jobs and sustainable economic impact before allocating additional funding.

Lamont: These might be important events and if they are, let’s find some corporate sponsorship to pay for them. And if City Council can raise $2 million through room taxes for visitors, then let’s use that

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B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

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money for tourism projects instead of going after the taxpayer every time.

Marchand: Sports Tourism has not been identified as a priority for the community.

We need a cost-benefit analysis from the Independent Municipal Auditor General that we’ll get in place in the first 100 days.

5. City Council has set aside $5.25 million to pay for a streetscaping initiative for several core area business improvement areas, including a Walkerville Distillery District, which is first in line for the funding. At the same time, Council squashed a $1.4 million streetscaping plan from the Wyandotte Town Centre BIA. What is your view on districting commercial areas?

Dilkens: This is an initiative I support and see great potential for some of our key neighbourhoods. My vision is to create more activity, character and excitement as well as build more themed districts throughout Windsor. I commit to working with all stakeholders and BIAs to create community pride and beautification for all to enjoy.

Hensel: I’m in favour of streetscaping initiatives in partnership with BIAs and the business community. Windsor has several unique neighbourhoods with their own distinctive character, and I would encourage greater participation by residents and business owners in having an equal say into how these areas should be developed.

Lamont: It’s tough on the taxpayers to be charged for all these improvements.

Businesses in these areas all make money, so I say they should take out loans to pay for improvements in their own business area instead of billing the taxpayer.

Marchand: It’s imperative that the BIAs are consulted to better understand their needs and ideas so we can make an informed decision.

6. Previous Councils have bought into the practice of handing out cash at the end of every annual budget session through what has been dubbed the enhanced capital budget. This election year the amount in the plan grew to $22.8 million from last year’s $10 million, to finance, over six future years, favoured projects of the Mayor and ward councillors. This pull-ahead practice flies in the face of good corporate risk management principles. What is your view on continuing or discontinuing this practice in the coming term?

Dilkens: City Council sets all budgets. The capital budget is more than $100m and is allocated at the discretion of City Council — and always has been. The funds that have been allocated for this year’s enhanced capital

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budget are available as a result of sound fiscal management and consultation with ward councillors.

Hensel: This practice should be discontinued because it creates the impression of political patronage and isn’t tied in directly to the needs of communities that should benefit equally.

Second, it lends itself to disproportionate allocation of funding across the city.

Lamont: I don’t feel it makes any sense unless they are spending this money on infrastructure and basic services, which is the city’s job to fund. Any other pet projects besides that, cancel them.

Marchand: The Independent Municipal Auditor General that will be in place in the first 100 days will need to rule on this kind of practice and determine if this is the best way to go. I remain to be convinced that the enhanced capital budget is good corporate policy.

7. City Councillors annually attend urban livable city conventions as far afield as Europe, Ottawa, Toronto, Seattle and Sante Fe, New Mexico. A motion requiring councillors to present reports on what they learned at those conferences was defeated by the incumbent council. What is your view on this matter?

Dilkens: City Council approves councillors to attend two conferences annually and their attendance is disclosed to the public. Councillors submit either a written or verbal report directly to City Council.

Hensel: I don’t see how we can justify these types of junkets and expect the taxpayer to foot the bill when there are more responsible alternatives available to us, such as videoconferencing. The Mayor, and council, should provide a cost benefit analysis of proposed travel budget requests, and provide a detailed report upon their return.

Lamont: I think they should be required to report back to council from these trips at the very least. But I also think if they want to take these trips, they should pay for them out of their own pocket. If they report back later and the trip seems to have been worthwhile for the taxpayer, then they would be reimbursed.

Marchand: There definitely needs to be reports on what councillors learned at conferences. It’s called transparency and accountability. The Independent Municipal Auditor General will review as to value-formoney for these conferences.

8. The incumbent council decided not to hire an Auditor General mid-way through its term. What is your view on hiring an Independent Internal Auditor General?

Dilkens: The City of Windsor has an Independent Auditor through PwC. This structure is cost effective, transparent and functional. This has been debated at City Council and was an issue in previous elections. I will always represent the best interests of the taxpayer and wisely manage their tax dollars — this is evident through the very strong financial position at City Hall.

Hensel: As the first Mayoral candidate to declare my support for the appointment of an Independent Auditor General, I strongly believe that we need to do so without further delay. An Independent Auditor General should be just that, independent.

He or she should have unfettered access to the city’s books, and the authority to hold elected representatives accountable for mismanagement of taxpayers’ funds.

Lamont: No, I don’t believe we need an Independent Auditor General. I think that there is enough oversight from administration and City Council to make sure everything is done above board. If city hall is being run properly, there is no need for another layer of bureaucracy.

Marchand: In August, we announced that as part of our platform, I will appoint an Independent Municipal Auditor General to protect taxpayers, with sweeping powers for transparency and accountability.

The Independent Municipal Auditor General will report to Council and the community with wide-ranging responsibilities including value for money, proper process for decision making, and purchasing by-laws and will cover all city entities such as EnWin, Adventure Bay, Windsor International Airport, land transactions, and others.

The appointment will be made within the first 100 days of taking office with an initial report made by the Independent Municipal Auditor General due within six months of appointment. This report will include measurable targets, timelines, and implementations scheduled, showing who is responsible and the deadline for each item.

We will set the tone from the top and establish a culture of transparency and accountability.

The current administration had four years to appoint an Auditor General. One has to wonder why candidate Drew Dilkens will not appoint an Auditor General.

9. City Council’s Integrity Commissioner has been involved in a number of investigations and findings that have proven to be controversial and led to some council critics alleging political bias. What is your view on the value of even having an Integrity Commissioner?

Dilkens: City Council unanimously agrees

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to abide by a Code of Conduct. The Integrity Commissioner is responsible for holding Councillors and the Mayor accountable for their conduct. I respect and support this work and position.

Hensel: The issue here isn’t the value of having an Integrity Commissioner; we need this kind of oversight at City Hall, without question. However, frivolous politically motivated complaints should be discouraged.

The role of the Integrity Commissioner as a political tool is a disturbing prospect, and we need to review the process to ensure that it applies fairly.

Lamont: No, we don’t need one. There’s too much bureaucracy already. Let council police itself.

Marchand: The Integrity Commissioner is another item for the Independent Municipal Auditor General to review in terms of if we’re getting value for our money.

10. City Council recently agreed to sell the public library building on Ouellette Avenue to the Downtown Mission and temporarily move the library to the top three floors of the new City Hall. What are your thoughts on that strategy?

Dilkens: The existing Central Library space is twice the needed size. The Mission currently operates a 100+bed dormitory

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directly across the street from the Library.

The Library Board and City Council agreed the Mission’s offer was the best offer for taxpayers. The temporary move of the Central Library to the vacant space at City Hall is the most prudent decision for taxpayers as the library can use the $3m savings for a new permanent home.

Hensel: The strategy behind the library relocation shows a disturbing lack of planning and foresight. While I respect the Mission’s desire to expand its facility in the downtown core, I would have liked to have seen more effort to engage the community before this decision was made and a plan in place for a permanent location for the Main Branch before the offer was finalized.

Lamont: I think it’s a big mistake and the library should have been left where it’s been all this time. It’s not a library if it ends up being part of City Hall. It’s a terrible idea.

Marchand: I think it’s important to listen to the community. We would have to take another look at this once in office.

11. Demands are seemingly constant to repair and rebuild the pot-holed roads and ancient sewer systems in Windsor, while city officials insist that more money than ever before is being devoted to fix the city’s infrastructure. What is you view on this perennial issue?

Dilkens: We have and will continue to invest record amounts on road and sewer work. This includes an $89m plan to deal with basement flooding issues. As more recommendations come from the Sewer Master Plan, I commit to allocating further resources to manage the effects of climate change.

Hensel: My view is that investing in the City’s infrastructure, whether it be road repairs, sewers, sidewalks or street lighting, needs to take precedence over discretionary spending, and we need to look at value for money.

Lamont: I think we need to devote even

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more money to fix roads and sewers. Those are basic services which taxpayers want to see continue. Anything else is a waste of money.

Marchand:: We’ll be rolling out our infrastructure plan in a few weeks. With 6,000 basements flooded and many of our roads in disrepair, which has a tremendous impact on our neighbourhoods, there’s no doubt that we’ll have a lot of work to do in this regard.

12. The incumbent City Council has agreed to build a new regional hospital on a county road bordering the city limits, and begin a planning and rezoning process that would see hundreds of million dollars spent on infrastructure to support new urban development on the lands surrounding the new hospital. What is your view on the hospital issue?

Dilkens: I support improving Windsor’s health care and respect the decision and process used to determine the location. It reflects the regional nature of this $2bn infrastructure project and has been agreed to by City and County Councils. This will transform health care for the City of Windsor that will benefit generations.

Hensel: Our priority should be providing access to quality health care resources to residents, and that services should be located within communities that rely on them the most. The zoning and development issues are secondary and if you get the first part of the process right (i.e. location), those issues will evolve to coincide with the community’s interests.

Lamont: I know county residents want to see the hospital built at the new location because it would be easier to get to than a downtown hospital. But it’s going to cost millions for roads, sewers and other infrastructure and I don’t think it makes sense. Instead, I would like to see Leamington hospital upgraded, a satellite hospital built in the centre of the county and a shovel put in the ground as

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soon as possible at the former Salvation Army site on University Avenue West. We could also build a new hospital on the site of the former GM Trim Plant on Lauzon Road.

Marchand: We know we need a new hospital because the current status is not acceptable. It’s also important for different views to be heard and proper process to be followed.

13. A panel has been selected to make recommendations on the appropriate salary of the Mayor and city councillors. The panel includes civil servants who make substantial salaries like the CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital. What is your view on the way this process is unfolding?

Dilkens: The Compensation Review Committee is comprised of people with various backgrounds and expertise. Council compensation has not been reviewed for more than 15 years. The Committee will make recommendations to City Council after consultation with the community.

Hensel: We should have a say in how our elected representatives are paid. I think if you’re in politics for the money, you’re in it for the wrong reasons. Councillors should represent us on a full-time basis and should be paid fairly for doing so Lamont: I don’t think it’s a bad idea to have a special committee make this decision. But I would rather see councillors become full time because their work load is so heavy.

Making it full time might bring more well qualified people to the table. Full time with benefits and a pension would be an even better idea.

Marchand:: Regular compensation reviews are a necessity. We would like to see more lead time, better scheduling of meetings, community consultation, and interim reports.

14. Arms-length city entities like EnWin Utilities and Windsor International Airport are run by Boards of Directors, including

the Mayor and City Councillors, who get paid several thousand dollars a year. The councillors on these boards divide up the stipends to enhance their base council salaries. There are no term limits imposed on directors of these boards, which has led to several directors serving for multiple years.

What are your thoughts on this situation?

these boards as part of their regular jobs without requiring additional compensation.

Marchand: Many boards have term limits. The Independent Municipal Auditor General needs to look at this and report back on EnWin and other boards to assess appropriateness of the payments. This may be part of the compensation review.

Dilkens: Turnover on city boards is a good thing. This has occurred at both EnWin and YQG. But not every board should be viewed equally. EnWin is a very complex operation requiring a strong corporate memory. It is very useful to have Board Members who can bridge the gap as the Board is renewed. Board renewal will continue across all Boards and will present a variety of opportunities for the public to participate in city related business.

Hensel: I call it double dipping. I think if you’re elected to represent the community’s interests at City Hall, you shouldn’t be paid twice for doing your job. Members of the public who sit on such boards aren’t elected, and we need to ensure that those who do serve on these arms-length boards and committees are compensated fairly. I’d like to see term limits, and more citizen engagement in the appointment process.

Lamont: I would eliminate this extra compensation altogether. If councillors were full time, they would be able to sit on

15. A recent United Way study has concluded that 64,000 city residents are living below the poverty line. Can you suggest any strategies the Mayor can employ to tackle this issue?

Dilkens: Jobs are a top priority.

Unemployment has significantly dropped and economic activity has increased. By creating the conditions for investment and pursuing economic development opportunities to diversify our economy and create more employment prospects we will keep Windsor moving forward. I will also work with all stakeholders to address poverty, homelessness and addiction.

Hensel: We need to work with our community partners to assist those in our community who are experiencing poverty and homelessness. We also need to invest in opportunities that create jobs that are sustainable, that provide a decent living, and provide targeted support to communities

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that are most in need, including affordable housing units, skills training, and community supports like access to expanded transit service, shelters, and addiction recovery resources. I would appoint a Poverty Task Force to look at ways to help tackle poverty.

Lamont: I believe there are enough jobs in the agriculture industry to solve this problem on a seasonal basis. If these companies who need workers would collaborate with the city to provide shuttle buses, people could be put to work instead of being on assistance. City Council doesn’t address issues of poverty in any sustainable way.

Marchand: The fact that so many of our residents are living in poverty is unacceptable. One third of children in Windsor-West are living in poverty and it’s disappointing that the current administration seems to want to sweep that under the rug.

We’ll be tackling this head-on through a few of our platform pieces to be rolled out a little later in the campaign. We are currently consulting with the community on this issue.

I was part of the ProsperUS group, working toward poverty reduction with the goal of using educational attainment to help break the cycle of poverty. We need to make sure our residents have the access to education that they need, bring in good jobs, and provide training. Right now, we have people without jobs and jobs without people.

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TAKE THE LEAD

Leading Our City

By Sherrilynn Colley-Vegh

S

ince we are heading to the polls in October to elect our city officials I thought it was appropriate to profile one of our past city leaders — Elizabeth Kishkon — the 29th Mayor of Windsor, from 1983 to 1985 and, to date, the only female Mayor in Windsor’s history.

I ran into her when I was visiting a friend at Huron Lodge and she seemed flattered that I recognized her and knew about her political past.

Kishkon’s name had recently come up during a conversation at a campaign readiness workshop for women, this past fall, at the University of Windsor. As we were talking about the difficulties of balancing family and career and lack of day care.

I mentioned to someone how Kishkon managed to raise four children, with one heading to college, during her time as Mayor. She also served as an Alderman, 1970-71 and again in 1981-82.

I was excited to meet up with the 87 year old trail-blazer and asked Kishkon what first made her interested in running for politics.

Her answer: “It was sparked by our fight to preserve Peche Island.” When she was Secretary of a group trying to protect this green space from development, she was encouraged by a group of men to run for Alderman and won the seat in Wards 1-5. Her passion for developing parks and green spaces for children and families was recognized in 2017 when they re-named a park off Banwell Road, “Elizabeth Kishkon Park.”

I also asked her what she thought about the political progress of women in Windsor and their lack of representation (it is actually less than in the 1950s) and if she thought that balancing family life was still an issue.

“I realize they are trying to remove

Biz X Columnist Sherrilynn Colley-Vegh poses with former Mayor Elizabeth Kishkon outside Huron Lodge in Windsor.

barriers in some areas by offering on-site child-care opportunities, but we did not have day care support in my day,” she replies and adds “you had to work it out and, if you really wanted it, you had to find a way.”

She also mentioned she left a job at CBE Radio where she hosted her own program, to make half the money in politics, but to her, she “felt it was a worthy sacrifice to serve our community.”

We talked about the effects of social media on the position and the constant criticism and bashing from bloggers. She said she always had two telephone lines in her home with one dedicated to giving all citizens access to voice their issues and concerns and to get help from her.

Kishkon established a council of representatives of youth and was concerned with their access to parks and amenities.

Kishkon was born in Oshawa, Ontario, but raised in London, U.K., moving back to Canada in 1948. She had the opportunity to meet Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip as she hosted a royal visit in 1984 as Mayor.

She was a powerful speaker who won the mayoral race by 15,000 votes and was asked to run for the NDP Party by Ed Broadbent, but she declined.

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She was granted a honourary degree at the University of Windsor and appointed to the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

What impressed me the most was that you could still see her spark and passion when you get her talking about politics. She is as sharp as ever and not afraid to give her opinions.

She asked me why I was not running for a position when I asked her for advice for women entering this career. I told her it never seemed like the right time and involved too much negativity.

Kishkon told me that she “would work 18 hours a day to raise a family and hold a position in office” and her advice is to believe in yourself: “If you think you can do it, and stay positive, you will find a way to do it, no matter what the obstacles.”

Sherrilynn Colley-Vegh is the Director of Leadership Windsor/Essex at United Way. She is a former Principal, Chief Communications Officer and business owner with over 30 years of experience in education, administration, mentoring, and consulting and community leadership. If you know a leader in the community to profile here please email: Sherrilynn@BizXmagazine.com.

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portfolio corner

Dear Mom & Dad, Part 6 Big Words, Please

By Steven Mayo I recently read an article in a national newspaper that blamed the large financial institutions (banks and investment firms) for complicating financial planning with big words and hard to understand advice. Quite frankly, I was disappointed by this thinking!

Are we not, as financial professionals, required to educate our clients, and to use proper language to explain investing, and retirement, tax and estate planning?

I believe using only “simple” language will lessen the impact of important topics.

Would you not want your Doctor to educate you with the assistance of medical terms and discuss issues that may include sciencebacked explanations?

I think it’s important for our clients to understand the investment industry terminology that affects their financial future. Industry terminology is part of any interaction with any profession: Doctor, Lawyer, Accountant, Electrician, Plumber, Tool Maker, Wood Worker etc.

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The goal is to increase understanding, not to “dumb-it-down.” This is the adult world.

All financial institutions have a high duty of care to their clients. Our continuing education requirements ensure we maintain a high level of knowledge so we can do our best for our clients. We also want our clients to share in this responsibility.

Regardless of how wealth management is explained, there is no substitute for good habits. For financial success in the long-run it’s important to save more than you spend, buy a home you can afford, manage your expenses, protect your family with proper insurance coverage, and plan for incapacity and death with up to date Powers of Attorney and Wills. The list goes on.

Of course some of these topics are mundane, or uncomfortable, but in their entirety, such preparation allows for financial success.

The evolution of wealth takes time. It requires discipline and ongoing education.

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If big financial words scare you, it doesn’t mean that financial institutions are not doing their part. It really means, you have some catching up to do. This is one of life’s important lessons. Just like when we were young and taught to look both ways before crossing the road. The financial path is paved with many similar rules.

Good advice will keep you on the right path. Each person should take the time to understand the meaning of “big words.”

Basic knowledge may only lead to easy decisions, at the expense of the right decision. An informed decision will provide you with greater comfort.

Remember to A — Always; S — Seek; K — Knowledge! ASK! To quote Lord Chesterfield: “Better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot.”

Steven Mayo is a Vice President, Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities Inc. (Member — Canadian Investor Protection Fund). This article is not intended as nor does it constitute investment advice. Readers should consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on information in this article.

EVENT PROFILE

“CIBC Run For The Cure” September 30, 2018 A Promise To Make Breast Cancer Beatable

By Ryan Percy

In 1997 a group of Windsor residents made a promise to help put an end to the second leading cause of death from cancer in women (as reported by the Canadian Cancer Society) — breast cancer.

This group came together to raise money to help support the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) in its goal of finding a way to cure the disease, which sees nearly 5,000 of our daughters, sisters and mothers die each year.

While those volunteers may have had a modest start, they still managed to raise $85,000 towards helping support the CCS’s work towards beating cancer. They promised they’d run to show their support for those living with breast cancer.

Fast forward to 2018. Since then nearly 26,000 others made their own promise to run and have raised close to $4 million in the Windsor area alone.

Jade Percy made a promise. She vowed she would not let breast cancer control her life. She discovered those around her were just as willing to help. Each person made a promise to help, in any way they could, and together they formed a community

committed to make a difference on a very personal level.

While Jade may not have beaten cancer, the CCS reports the vast majority of women who get breast cancer are now living longer after diagnosis thanks to advancements in early detection, diagnosis and treatment.

The “CIBC Run for the Cure” aids the Canadian Cancer Society and those it affects in numerous ways. These can range from providing accommodation for patients who must travel to receive life-saving treatment, to operating national toll-free services offering information and options to cancer patients, caregivers, families, medical professionals and the public.

The promise to help others has also led to the CCS providing a number of services and programs to residents in Windsor. Wheels of Hope, which provides assistance for those that need to travel to attend medical appointments dealing with their cancer, and the Women’s Sharing Circle, a weekly peer support group for women experiencing breast cancer, are just some of the programs offered, thanks, in part, to funds raised by the “CIBC Run for the Cure” over the years.

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On run day, survivors stand together with family to celebrate and raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. Taken last year, the photo shows a survivor joining hands with a family member when crossing the finishing line. Photo courtesy of Trevor Booth.

If your promise to raise funds to make breast cancer beatable leads to more than $2,500 in pledges you can allocate where the funds can go. From research into hardto-treat cancers or personalized medicine, to working towards strengthening support and information networks, you get to choose.

Windsor has kept its promise to help end cancer for 21 years now. If you wish to make your own promise to make breast cancer beatable and wish to join in on the run September 30, 2018, you can find more information at: CIBCrunforthecure.com and: Facebook.com/WindsorRun.

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HAVE A CUP OF JOE WITH JOE

Lights, Camera . . . SOLD With Rhys Trenhaile!

By Joe McParland

W

ith his six-foot, three-inch tall frame, chiselled good looks and infectious smile, Rhys Trenhaile is not someone you easily pass by without sneaking a second look. And he has been getting plenty of looks for the past 16 years as one of Windsor’s top 25 real estate agents. But, the attention he’s been getting recently comes from the Hollywood film industry.

Growing up in Windsor’s south end just blocks from Holy Names School, Trenhaile was a standout student and athlete at Vincent Massey High School. Academically, he was in the “gifted” program, excelling in the maths and sciences. When he wasn’t hitting the books, Trenhaile could be found honing his track and field skills, which placed him in the top 10 of his track and field peers in Canada.

He turned down scholarships to southern U.S. colleges because “the University of Windsor had the best track and field programs in all of Canada” Trenhaile notes.

He graduated with a double major in science, biology and geography. When asked why he took these courses — where did he think they might take him — he replies, “I knew the sciences were a good way to go, but I decided to go with the subjects that interested me the most.”

Then, in a strange move, defying pragmatic logic, he entered law school, successfully completing the program, articling for the McTague Law Firm LLP and receiving the call to the bar.

So how did law figured into his life equation? Trenhaile chuckles, “I had one year of eligibility left on the University cross country and track team, but this required that I choose another educational avenue — so I chose law.”

In an ironic twist, one of his current real estate rental properties — where he manages two businesses from — Mindstream Financial providing senior debt financing against guaranteed government contracts within the film and television industries (MindstreamFinancial.com) and The Vanguard Team, a group of real estate agents (TheVanguardTeam.com) — is next door to the McTague Law Firm on Pelissier Street.

Instead of starting a career in law, Trenhaile sought the advice of one of his old

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Trenhaile played the husband of actress Jodie Sweetin (“Full House” TV star) in the Netflix movie, “My Perfect Romance” released earlier this year. Photo (and front cover shot) courtesy of Rhys Trenhaile.

law school buddies, Mark Eugeni of Manor Windsor Realty Ltd. Trenhaile recalls “Mark Eugeni convinced me I would make a good real estate agent.”

So, in 2002, he joined the Manor Realty team. Having been a star high school and university athlete provided him with valuable name recognition and connections, which assisted him in his early days.

As his success grew in real estate he learned over time to “automate, eliminate and delegate,” key lessons he learned from the book, “The 4-Hour Workweek,” by Timothy Ferriss.

As he approached his 32nd birthday, he began to realize; “I was too old for sports.”

Besides, he was working long hours with real estate, which left little time for sports — with the exception of playing soccer in the Windsor Premier League where he excelled as top scorer for a few years.

It must be in his DNA! Trenhaile is of Cornish origin (southwest England).

However, he quickly admonishes me, (for fear of his father’s wrath), that the family self-identifies as Welsh-Canadian.

So how did Trenhaile and the acting aspect of his life begin?

Feeling the need to fill a void left by his B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

declining participation in sports, he turned to creative writing.

“I’ve always had vivid images and started writing about them on small scraps of paper,” Trenhaile comments. “I then wrote a soccer sports comedy, titled ‘Bulldogs,’ which I submitted to one of the big six international screenplay competitions, and I ended up as a semi-finalist.”

One of the judges told Trenhaile his submission was one of the funniest pieces he’s read in years. When he learned this was his first attempt at writing a screenplay, the judge expressed astonishment and told him that he had to keep writing and offered whatever assistance he could provide.

Buoyed by this judge’s assessment of his work, Trenhaile shared this news with a close friend, Marcel Jones, an actor and producer in Toronto, as well as with another close friend. Both were unanimous in their opinion that Trenhaile SHOULD pursue a career in acting where he could be around producers and directors.

Shortly after, Trenhaile signed up for some acting lessons with The Detroit Actor’s Theatre Company (TheDATC.org) in Ferndale, Michigan. Under the direction of preeminent acting coaches, Brian Lawrence

Rhys Trenhaile stands in front of the sign at the Manor Windsor Realty offices to represent his commitment to the local real estate profession while holding a clapboard to symbolize his film career. Photo by Joe McParland.

and Christopher Bondy, he landed some small roles in plays at a quaint old theatre at 1313 Broadway Street in Detroit’s Theatre District.

Trenhaile soon recognized he could not work in U.S. theatre for pay since he lacked the necessary travel visa — and required experience to get the visa. He then turned his attention to Toronto where he started getting parts in commercials and student films.

Initially, he would travel two to three times a month to Toronto, do an audition or a shoot, and return to Windsor the same day.

His first “big” break came when he landed a role in “Extreme Babysitting,” a popular show on YTV where he appeared in seven episodes. The show storyline involves “pranking” babysitters, so his role changed from script to script. Besides “having an absolute ball performing these roles” this allowed Trenhaile to quickly build up an impressive portfolio of roles.

Less than eight months later, in October 2016, came his BIGGEST break yet, landing a recurring role in the Kiefer Sutherland series, “Designated Survivor.”

To reference a baseball term, Trenhaile was now in “Double-A ball.”

Today, he finds himself in “Triple A ball” auditioning for roles. Represented by one of Canada’s top talent agencies in BC — the same one Donald Sutherland is with — he is auditioning for recurring roles, co-starring and starring roles and landed a starring role in Netflix’s “My Perfect Romance”; a feature role on NBC’s “Taken” and working with multiple Academy Award winners and nominees in “The Performance” to be released this fall. Other recent credits include “Operation Insanity”; “Taken Too Far” and an episode in the “Dark Matter” TV series.

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So much success has happened for Trenhaile in such a relatively short time; and as he states, “You need only hit one key home run to make the leap from Triple A ball to the big leagues.”

Veteran award winning Canadian actor Nick Mancuso has this to say about Trenhaile: “Rhys is a gifted actor and has a real future. Furthermore, he demonstrates an enthusiasm and positive energy that will take him far. It’s clear to me as a long time professional that he would be a welcome and successful asset. He has the qualities that could well take him into the realm of stardom.”

This December Trenhaile will be marrying a lovely lady named Onawa LaBelle in Mexico. She hails from Western Massachusetts and has recently been hired as a Professor of Psychology at the University of Windsor.

Between his personal life, his real estate success, and his rapidly evolving acting career — the future looks wonderful for this young man who proudly calls Windsor his home. And all of us at Biz X magazine are glad Windsor is his home and we wish him many years of success!

For more information about Trenhaile and to view video clips of his works visit: RhysTrenhaile.com.

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was there!

More than 1,000 Integram Windsor Seating (Magna) workers celebrated the company’s 30th anniversary on July 11, 2018 with a barbecue for all three shifts at the company’s plant 201 Patillo Road, R.R. #1 in Tecumseh. Shown are employees Bryanna Dundas, left, Mike Semande, Kayla Reid, Celia Ceccaci and Kathy Morand, who all pitched in to help feed the masses.

Dan Wright, left, Eric Willie and Rizaldy Pagaduan, are just three of many 30 year employees who have been with Integram Windsor Seating since the plant opened, supplying seats exclusively to the Windsor Assembly Plant.

As part of the celebrations, workers on all three shifts received the gift of a suitcase.

Workers at Integram’s plant in Lakeshore far exceeded their goal in raising money for the 2017 United Way campaign by collecting $46,206 — more than triple the amount donated a year earlier. On hand during the cheque presentation were: Dave Simone, a Magna employee and Unifor Local 444 Chairperson; Andrew Bothamley from the United Way; plant General Manager Mike Magri; Lorraine Goddard, Chief Executive Officer of the United Way; Jennifer Damphouse, Human Resources Manager for the plant; Assistant General Manager for the plant Dan Gardiner and United Way campaign Co-Chairman Adrian Vido.

Integram photos by Dave Hall.

Many literary superstars graced the Holiday Inn (Ambassador Bridge), from July 6 to 8, for the 2018 “Windsor International Writers Conference” (WIWC).

Pictured is Publisher Justine Alley Dowsett, Conference Co-Chair, Owner of Windsor-based Mirror World Publishing and Author of nine novels in the escapism genre, including fantasy/romance.

Experts at the event offered tips to attendees to help take their writing abilities to a professional level.

Another powerhouse “Hybrid Publisher” (in the middle between Traditional and Self Publishing) David Braughler, Owner and Publishing Advisor for Braughler Books from Dayton, Ohio, was at the conference to let prospective authors know there is someone available to help carry the load when it comes to publishing a book.

From left: Michel Sassine, Chairman for the “St. Peter’s Festival”, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, and Monsignor Elie Zouein, were surrounded by knights from the Knights of Columbus when they cut the Canada Day celebration cake after the “Patron’s Feast” on June 29, during the 15th annual festival at St. Peter’s Church (see photo on right), 166 Tecumseh Road, Windsor.

Photos by Della Jones-Goulet.

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Photos by David Clark.

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As well, WO 2 Victoria Bradford, “Most Outstanding Cadet” received her award from Major Jeremy Souchuk CD, Commanding Officer of the 364 Lancaster Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron.

The Royal Canadian Air Cadets — 364 Lancaster Squadron held its 48th annual “Ceremonial Review” at their headquarters, 2600 Airport Road in Windsor on June 16, 2018. The review featured 175 participating Cadets, demonstrations from both their precision drill teams, a special performance by their band and special Cadet honours. Photographed are Wayne Gosse (left) and Eric Dyck of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 143, who presented the “Cadet Medal of Excellence” to F Sgt Aimee Larissa Dushime.

Deputy Chief Brad Hill, Windsor Police Service presented WO 2 Daniel Grant with the Lord Strathcona medal and certificate of merit.

RCAF photos courtesy of Ed Goodfellow.

On June 27, 2018 the Motor City Community Credit Union (MCCCU) held its 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scholarship Awards Presentations at The Water’s Edge Event Centre, 2879 Riverside Drive East, Windsor. MCCCU CEO Charles Janisse (left) and MCCCU Chair Don Fraser (far right), stand with the 2018 recipients of the “Ron Bate Scholarship” who each received $1,000: Christopher Iannucci, Zachary Lauzon, Eric Meloche, Olivia Little and Alexander Seguin.

Missing from photo were: Kirsten Campana and Sophia Fallea.

Every year, at the AGM, the Board of Directors for MCCCU are introduced to the shareholders. This year’s group, from left, included: Jim Angus, incumbent; Bill Marra, newly elected member; Frank Moceri, incumbent; Marc Moore, incumbent; and Stephane Boucher, also an incumbent member. Missing from photo were: Don Fraser, Wendy Dupuis, Randy Dupuis, Sandra Fisher and Carl A. Merton.

In addition to scholarships, another way MCCCU gives back to the community is through charitable donations.

On August 2, 2018 MCCCU presented its yearly donation to In Honour of the Ones We Love (IHOWL). For 20 years they have partnered with IHOWL to bring programs and equipment to help children in our community. At the cheque presentation, from left, were: Becky Langlois (MCCCU); Anita Imperioli (IHOWL); Charles Janisse (MCCCU); Teresa Silvestri (IHOWL) and Rob Griffith (MCCCU). If you want to help the credit union raise funds for IHOWL, please attend their next barbeque fundraiser on September 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Walkerville Brewery. Photo courtesy of Matt Senechal.

AGM Photos by Rod Denis.

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FEATURE STORY By Rebecca Wright

THE PARENTING BIZ

Extra-Curricular Activities To Engage Your Kids Outside The Classroom A s the school year begins, it may be a good idea to consider some ways to help your kids succeed inside the classroom through activities they can participate in outside school.

School and Counselling Psychologist Laurie Ferguson, who works out of a private practice in Windsor at 1500 Ouellette Avenue, Suite 302, expresses that students who do not participate in structured extracurricular activities tend to spend more time unsupervised, watching television, playing video games, surfing the Internet and just hanging out.

“While these activities are not harmful in moderation, studies have shown that excessive television time — such as three to four hours per day — is modestly correlated with reduced academic outcomes,” states Ferguson. “Unsupervised time may put youth at risk for negative outcomes such as academic and behavioural problems, drug use and risky behaviour.”

According to Ferguson, these negative outcomes appear to be reduced for youth who spend time engaged in structured pursuits that offer opportunities for positive interactions with adults and peers, encourage them to contribute and show initiative and contain challenging and engaging tasks that help them develop and apply new skills and personal talents.

“Numerous studies have demonstrated correlations between involvement in structured extra-curricular activities and positive attitudes, emotional well-being, positive behavioural adjustment and school performance,” comments Ferguson.

She adds that involvement in these programs tend to correlate significantly with reduced screen time and more positive academic

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Pictured are young students participating in a painting activity at one of several workstations at InTune. Photo courtesy of InTune.

outcomes, even when the programming does not address academic development directly.

“Generally speaking, structured extracurricular programming promotes positive academic, personal, social skills — such as learning to work with others and conflict resolution — and recreational development,” Ferguson indicates. “Students who participate in structured extra-curricular activities have also shown more positive attitudes towards school.”

Ferguson notes that the mechanism for

B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

these positive outcomes has not been studied enough — so there is no real answer as to why involvement works in positive ways for children — but, she speculates that the activities may provide an opportunity for students to muster and exert effort, demonstrate persistence and concentration, and to explore their interests, strengths and personal values.

She also adds that one may surmise that setting and achieving goals, such as in setting out to learn a new skill, sets a good basis

THE PARENTING BIZ for developing a sense of self-efficacy that permeates other areas of their lives as well, such as school grades, long term academic achievement and civic involvement.

“Having a sense of connectedness and belonging within your community, fosters positive development and resilience and can increase academic motivation and achievement as well as contributing to children’s well-being,” Ferguson says.

Structured programming can provide individuals with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) the opportunity for success in skills acquisition and social relationships through adult-mediated interactions, according to Ferguson.

Physical activity and mindful meditation, in particular, have been shown to have positive effects on the expressed symptoms and success of individuals with ADHD in a variety of settings, she indicates.

Ferguson suggests parents choose activities their children have expressed an interest in, with some practical application, and in which they would be expected to be at least modestly successful.

“As a parent, the focus of consideration should be on expanding interests and skills, exposure to experiences, building or maintaining high self-esteem and just plain fun,” comments Ferguson. “Programs that offer sequential, active, focused and explicit instruction using evidence-based training and programming show the most positive outcomes.”

After The Final Bell Rings, The After School Fun Begins

To give a glimpse at just a few of the many great after-school activities offered across Windsor Essex for your young one, Biz X chose a handful to highlight in this month’s “Parenting Biz” section. Read on for some ideas on how to engage your children outside of the classroom, and discover ways to keep your child’s mind and body active and flourishing!

These experiences will keep them motivated and foster their creative abilities. You’ll be helping them grow in ways that will help them be successful in all aspects of life — from discipline to time management to unplugging and enjoying being in the moment! You never know — your child could be the next Picasso or become a famous Canadian Olympian!

The Perfect Palette For Creative Expression

Art is expressed in various creative forms — from singing to drawing to painting and playing a musical instrument. At In Tune Music Services, you’ll be sure to find a fun outlet for your child to creatively express themselves in an engaging and enjoyable way!

More commonly known as InTune, Owner Joanna Henderin opened her business in 2013 with just two music teachers, but her staff has since expanded to include eight music teachers and an art teacher.

Joanna Henderin hopes her business, InTune, will foster children’s artistic sides through various forms of expression, including painting, singing, drawing, playing musical instruments and more.

Photo courtesy of CGH Photography.

Located at 934 Ottawa Street, (and on the web at: InTuneWindsor.com) InTune is described by Henderin as “a creative arts centre focusing on offering private music lessons and specialized group classes.”

Their private music lessons for piano, voice, guitar, and ukulele are offered from Monday to Saturday.

Monday evenings they have their Junior Glee Choir for ages six to nine and Glee Choir for ages 10 to 14. In these classes, kids learn how to sing classic and current pop music as a group, in unison, harmony and rounds.

Simple choreography also accompanies some numbers.

“Both groups get many opportunities throughout the year to perform for community events such as farmers markets, Christmas street parties, retirement homes and City of Windsor special events,” adds Henderin.

Saturday mornings at InTune are busy with several group classes. “Crafty Jammers” is a blended music/art class for three and four year olds. Kids make a craft based on the theme of the day and play instruments, move, and sing songs in music time.

“Parents of our ‘Crafty Jammers’ students often tell us that their kids look forward to coming to class all week long,” states Henderin.

Also, Saturday mornings is “Melodies and Masterpieces,” which is a play-based class that teaches kids the basics of both music — rhythm, pulse, pitch, dynamics — and art — colour, texture and method.

“We also have an art class for ages seven to 10 called ‘Art FUNdamentals’ where each week kids learn about major figures in the B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

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THE PARENTING BIZ art world and create a project based on their philosophy or technique,” Henderin points out. “A wide variety of mediums are covered, including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, traditional craft and more.”

There are multiple evidence-based studies positively correlating music education with improved academic success, according to Henderin.

“Studying an instrument is one of the best ways to teach self-discipline since daily practice is expected,” says Henderin. “It provides a structure from a young age for kids to develop a routine to sit down for 20 to 30 minutes a day.”

Students involved in music are also trained to pay close attention to detail, adds Henderin, which is a huge predictor of success in school when completing assignments and taking tests.

Henderin also notes that with depression and anxiety in kids at an all-time high, both music and art can offer an emotional outlet.

“Creative arts are particularly good for kids to sort out feelings because they can express themselves freely through improvising or creating art without needing to necessarily put into words what they are feeling,” Henderin explains.

InTune is an inclusive space and Henderin is proud that she and her staff are able to work

Conroy Copeland, Owner and Director of Copelands Martial Arts and Fitness Centre takes to the stage and strikes a karate pose alongside several of his students. Photo courtesy of Copelands Martial Arts and Fitness Centre.

with a wide range of kids and adults.

“A portion of our students are on the autism spectrum, have various learning disabilities and mental health concerns or behavioural challenges,” she comments. “With two music therapists on staff providing resources and support, all of our teachers are proud to be able to adapt lessons for anyone wanting to learn an instrument.”

Registration is ongoing for all classes, and it is first-come, first-served for private lessons and group classes. Parents can inquire about availability for a specific class or one-to-one lessons by calling or emailing InTune.

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B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Kick Start Your Kid’s Success

Karate is a physical activity that keeps a child’s body and mind fit so they stay sharp for their daily tasks at school, asserts Conroy Copeland, Owner and Director of Copeland’s Martial Arts and Fitness Centre.

“They have a one hour physical class where they learn focus, concentration, coordination, respect, compassion, integrity and practice leadership skills,” explains Copeland.

At Copeland’s Martial Arts (online: CopelandsMartialArts.com), situated at 2557 Dougall Avenue, Unit 5, kids are taught professional martial arts, and while

THE PARENTING BIZ it’s a physical exercise, a lot of mental preparation is required to be successful in this specialized practice.

“In karate, you are required to perform a variety of moves that have a preset pattern, which can only be accomplished through focus, concentration and repetitive practice,” describes Copeland. “This same focus and concentration is needed in their daily classroom studies.”

Students are inspected on their progress often and are given feedback to help them improve and advance, adds Copeland.

When speaking of progress, Copeland says he cares that the kids enrolled in his classes are not only staying on track with what he’s teaching them, but in school as well. This is why he requires children to hand in copies of their progress reports throughout their time at Copeland’s Martial Arts.

“When progress reports are handed in, there is a discussion with the students who are having some challenges on being able to stay on the karate team,” states Copeland.

“Making their academic progress the priority, we discuss what they must do to improve so they can stay on the team. Fear of loss works all the time.”

The youngest age they allow in karate classes is about five or six years old, according to Copeland who has been teaching

his students to be the best they can be through martial arts, since 1978.

As for why Copeland would recommend parents sign their kids up for classes at Copeland’s Martial Arts, his response is simple and concise: “They are the future and we teach them values to last a lifetime.”

Hit The Right Note

Many studies that have been done on individuals who partake in musical activities indicate that music helps you further develop something referred to as the “Three Cs,” according to Linda Shepley, Music Coordinator at Academie Ste. Cecile Academy of Music Inc. “Coordination, concentration and confidence,” declares Shepley. “And according to several studies, music activates every known part of the brain. They actually say listening to and playing music can make you smarter, happier, healthier and more productive throughout life.”

Academie Ste. Cecile Academy of Music has three locations: 12021 Tecumseh Road East in Tecumseh and in Windsor at 2676 Grand Marais Road West and 925 Cousineau Road (and online: AcademieSteCecile.ca).

They provide private music instruction for kids ages four and up in piano, voice, guitar, flute, violin and music theory.

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Linda Shepley, Music Coordinator at Academie Ste. Cecile Academy of Music, provides piano instruction for one of her students, Hudson Lee. Photo courtesy of Mike Kujbida.

At their Grand Marais location, music therapy is offered for kids with special needs.

Shepley mentions that according to research she’s read, music can also improve moods, reduce stress and boost brain chemicals — all things that will benefit students and help them do better in school.

Since 1978, at the Academy of Music, their very qualified and experienced team of more than 30 teachers — including several with Doctorates and Masters degrees — allows them to help kids excel in music and prepare for exams, states Shepley. But, involving your kids in music also helps them do better in all subjects, she adds.

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THE PARENTING BIZ “I always say music is math,” Shepley believes. “You have to count, it starts out easy and then as you progress, it becomes more involved. And it helps improve your memory.”

The Academy of Music also offers their own piano and string festivals for students receiving instruction with them.

“Music is so good for everyone,” Shepley asserts. “It’s good for keeping the brain active.”

Nourish Your Body And Mind

Dennis Rogers, Owner of Green Heart Lunch Club, asserts that a healthy lifestyle is a lifetime commitment, so why not start early?

Green Heart Lunch Club is a division of Green Heart Catering. The lunch club makes healthy lunches for students at 22 local schools, eight daycares and several camps across Windsor Essex. They also offer kids cooking classes and run a wellness camp for kids in the summer, which includes yoga, meditation, field trips to an organic farm and Natural Pathways Forest & Nature School and kids make their own food and snacks.

“Our business helps bring awareness to the growing need for healthier options for children,” states Rogers. “When children are involved in the decision-making process as well as the preparation of their own food, it

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From left: Mia Gualtieri, Carys D’Alimonte and Emmerson Jadischke work on their chopping and meal prep skills for some healthy meals at Green Heart Catering. Photo courtesy of Haley Rogers.

increases their knowledge base on healthier options. It makes them more capable of making better decisions in the future as well as develops a skill set that everyone needs their whole life.”

Green Heart recently moved to a larger facility at 28 Main Street in Kingsville. The business has been in operation for five years.

“Our meals are made from scratch, contain real, whole ingredients, [and] are made fresh daily and served with a full serving of fruit and vegetables,” describes Rogers.

For parents who would like to purchase

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healthy meals prepared by Green Heart, for their kids, simply visit their website: GreenHeartLunchClub.com to place your order. There are specific instructions for selecting the school, grade and meal you’d like to order to make the process easy. Students at any school in the region can be a part of the program.

The Green Heart lunch program is consistent, healthy and safe, Rogers adds.

“Parents will be able to order meals with ease through our website and trust that their kids will enjoy it,” says Rogers. “We also offer options for any dietary restrictions. We help ensure that their child will get a high quality, healthy lunch with a full serving of fruits and vegetables.”

He continues by stating it’s important to incorporate ingredients that will fuel students for the rest of the school day.

“I think we have all read an article about how a healthy lunch can help increase afternoon focus, decrease the after-lunch crash and help balance any behavioural issues related to or caused by a bad diet,” Rogers points out.

Feedback on his business has been great over the years and Rogers is proud that his customers include parents who have been ordering from Green Heart every week for more than five years.

Keep Cool Year-Round On The Ice

At the South Windsor Skating Club (SWSC), kids learn many valuable lessons.

But there’s one in particular that skating helps to reinforce — and it’s a lesson kids can carry with them both in school and throughout life: “If you fall down — and you ARE going to fall — get back up and try again!”

It’s an expression shared by the Technical Coordinator for STARSkate at the club, Marlena Kovacevich-Connor and her team: Lori Lafferty-Vilneff, who is her Co-Coordinator; Tamara Pearson, the CanSkate Coordinator and David Beatty, the PowerSkate Coordinator. The club is governed by a Board of Directors, with Nicole Chevalier and Paul van Heugten as Co-Presidents.

The South Windsor Skating Club (SWSkatingClub.ca) is located in the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex at 2555 Pulford in Windsor. They offer CanSkate, Skate Canada’s flagship learn-toskate program, year-round.

“Once the skaters progress through CanSkate, they can choose which path they would like to continue within our club: STARSkate, CompetitiveSkate, AdultSkate (figure skating), PowerSkate AdultSkate (hockey), or skaters can branch out to speed skating or ringette,” explains Kovacevich-Connor.

Students in the STARSkate program at the South Windsor Skating Club (front row from left): Summer Lu, Emmeline Little and Ethan van Heugten pose for this photoop with Coordinators Marlena KovacevichConnor and Lori Lafferty-Vilneff at the rink. Photo courtesy of Paul van Heugten.

Since 1971, SWSC has an extremely positive and encouraging atmosphere from the beginning stages right through to the athletes competing at national and international competitions, Kovacevich-Connor comments.

She says although they are considered a “large club” with a membership of more than 700, it is a very “tight-knit community feel.”

This helps foster a connectedness that is beneficial for students because it engages their social abilities.

“Not only does skating encourage children to be active and develop specific motor skills, skating also teaches and enhances discipline, work ethics, goal setting, self-motivation, time management, responsibility, accountability, success, achievements, overcoming obstacles and persistence,” states Kovacevich-Connor.

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She mentions that many of their accomplished skaters, from over the years, have had the opportunity to volunteer as Program Assistants (PAs) through CanSkate.

And many of the high school students use this towards their 40 hours of mandatory community service.

“For many of our younger skaters, this is their first ‘job’ and they take great pride in what they do,” she comments and continues by saying, “SWSC has a good reputation in the community because of the club’s coaches and the positive atmosphere.

Every year the club has skaters qualifying to provincials and national events, so the young skaters always have positive role models to look up to.”

An A+ For Extra Activities This Fall

So, once the final bell rings and your child’s school day is over, keep in mind this is not the end of their learning and having fun for the day. There are plenty of ways to keep their minds and bodies working after school hours and on the weekend. And, if you do your homework, you’ll find many activities across Windsor Essex geared to motivating your kids outside the school building in ways that further propel them to success inside the classroom!

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© Can Stock Photo / devon

THE PARENTING BIZ

THE PARENTING BIZ

Seventeen Year Old KIDS Essex Guitarist Jams IN THE COMMUNITY With Foo Fighters

By Dave Hall

Lucas Gregetz, a young guitar player from Essex, recently took an unexpected moment in the spotlight in stride, hitting every note perfectly in front of 20,000 rock and roll fans.

Gregetz, 17, joined the world-famous Foo Fighters on stage during a concert at Ohio’s Blossom Music Center in late July and, using rock star Dave Grohl’s Gibson guitar, played the band’s 1997 hit “Monkey Wrench.”

“It was pretty cool,” expresses Gregetz, who started learning to play guitar when he was 12. “I never expected it, but it was awesome to be up there with the band.”

Gregetz also mentions that with Grohl’s support, he also added some improvised notes of his own before returning to his front row seat after a thunderous reception from the crowd.

The once-in-a lifetime opportunity resulted from Gregetz’s dad, Steve, scoring some front-row seats and then Lucas holding up a sign asking “Please let me jam Monkey Wrench.”

Lucas explains, “I held it up all night and then when it came time to play the song, I just held it up higher and he (Grohl) yelled out ‘get up here’!”

Grohl, who has been known to invite random musicians on stage at other concerts, responded by handing over a guitar and letting Lucas fulfill his dream.

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Lucas Gregetz, a 17 year old guitarist from Essex, poses in his “Rock Room” flanked by a poster of the Foo Fighters and band leader Dave Grohl.

Photo courtesy of Steve Gregetz.

Lucas had been thinking about it for a while, but never expected it to happen.

“I kept thinking I just wanna jam with them because I love their music,” he says.

Even though he isn’t in a band at the moment, Lucas plays with friends on a regular basis and he’s hopeful of a musical future.

“It’s as much about hard work and luck as it is talent,” Lucas believes. “But, you never know what’s going to happen.”

He continues by adding, “I mean, I played with the Foo Fighters so anything’s possible.”

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY

PROFILING LOCAL BUSINESS WOMEN Story & Photo By Rebecca Wright

CHELSEA DAOUST AND TRACEY GARANT

They’ve Come A Long Way, Baby!

A

local consignment and retail shop is setting themselves apart by offering later hours and handmade products. Cradle & All Consignment And Retail opened in east Windsor (2571 Jefferson Blvd.) in March 2018.

Chelsea Daoust is the Store Manager, and her mother, Tracey Garant, is the Owner.

The business began after the pair had participated in many craft shows.

Daoust expresses, “We are a crafty family and loved having our goods out in the local community.”

But, she explains, they started to outgrow the tight booths allotted to them at craft shows, especially since many family members kept adding to what they were selling with their goods as well. They had quickly gained a large following of customers who would look for them at every show. They then decided they needed to look into getting some space in a store.

“Along with all the craft shows, I had a daughter and her clothes that no longer fit were piling up quickly in my storage room,” Daoust notes. Since she worked a 9-5 job, she couldn’t get to any of the other consignment stores in the area due to their receiving hours being during the regular work day.

“So we decided to open our own store, combining the two loves of thrift shopping and crafting and have our own space,” declares Daoust.

Cradle & All Consignment and Retail, (see on social media: Facebook.com/ CradleAndAllConsignment), features handmade products from a variety of vendors and is open every day, including weekends, open as late as 6 or 8 p.m. six days a week.

“What inspires us is offering what other stores won’t — we offer all sizes from newborn to adult, and no set receiving hours,” describes Daoust. “We wanted other parents to be able to drop off their items when it was convenient for them and not stress about getting to us at a specific time that happened to be while they were working.”

The mother-daughter duo became involved in the industry simply because they saw the need not only for themselves, but other parents as well.

“We wanted to combine our interests and

Chelsea Daoust and her mother Tracey Garant aim to cater to parents with their new business, Cradle & All Consignment and Retail, offering unique products, convenient hours, reasonable prices and something for the whole family.

the needs of local parents as well,” she states while adding their business is a great place to shop without breaking the budget. “We strive to keep our prices low to be able to accommodate everyone’s bank account.”

They firmly believe in recycling as much as possible, as consignment is all about reusing items.

“Also, when a consignor brings in their items, they have the option to pick up or donate after the specified consigning period,” Daoust indicates. “If they choose to donate, we then choose a local charity that is in need and drop the items off to them so they can be used by someone less fortunate.”

People are definitely surprised to learn that they offer all sizes from newborn to adult, and pleased to know they can come in to shop for the entire family, says Daoust.

In addition, she notes that customers truly enjoy their ever-changing selection.

“Also, with the craft items that we personally make, customers have the ability to custom order and pick it up directly in store,” she adds.

Two women owning the business was a struggle at first, according to Daoust.

“To get utilities set up, appointments at the bank, etc., there was a bit of a stigma, and people were wanting to sell us the moon due to us being women,” Daoust believes. “For example, the alarm company wanted to set up an extreme system ‘so that we would be B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

safe in the store.’ While we appreciate that fact that they are looking out for our safety, we felt they were overselling just because we were women.”

As for juggling home and work life, Daoust says it’s been a dream.

“I am able to have my daughter — who is two and a half years old — at the store with me instead of having to worry about a daycare fee,” she says. “She loves being able to play with any of the kids that come into the store, and she loves greeting the parents who come in as well.”

Daoust suggests people check out Cradle & All Consignment and Retail because consignment sales help the environment.

“Most of the clothes in the store have only been worn a handful of times, and if it weren’t for resale, those items would probably sit in a landfill once a person was finished with it,” she comments.

Daoust continues by mentioning there is a trend towards more people shopping at consignment stores due to the ever-rising costs associated with raising a family.

“If you can save on clothing or toys, furniture, etc. those funds could be used towards a family vacation, birthday parties, etc.,” Daoust points out. “Prior to owning the store, we would always shop sale racks or thrift stores, just for the simple fact of why pay full price, when I could get the same item cheaper?”

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THE PARENTING BIZ GENERATION YKNOT

Local Businesses Catering To Children

By Danielle Moldovan

W

hen I became a parent, my mom told me people spend more money on pets and children than on anything else. Boy was she right!

From necessities and toys to recreational activities and snacks — plus the occasional splurge — my wallet wants to cry.

As a working parent, I’m always looking for ways to spend more quality time with my kids. This means finding ways to make life easier. If a business can take one more thing off my to-do list, sign me up!

Every parent knows it’s important to spend time with their children. But between work, cooking, feeding, cleaning, homework and everything else, sometimes it is hard to set aside time just for play.

This is why my partners and I started Fun-In-The-Box, an online gift giving subscription service (Fun-In-The-Box.com).

We not only make gift giving easy for parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends buying gifts for kids but we fill our boxes with toys and products that are fun and stimulating to help parents use play to form a bond, encourage communication, and help reach developmental milestones with their children.

Children are much happier and have a higher sense of self-esteem and self-image when you spend time together.

In Windsor and Essex County, young entrepreneurs are doing a great job making life easier for parents.

They are channelling our inner desire to find more time to spend with our kids and – let’s be real — a few precious minutes to sit back and recharge our parenting batteries.

Green Heart Lunch Catering (79 Mill Street East, Kingsville) has nailed this concept by offering parents healthy, convenient and locally sourced meals for school lunches or quick meals on the fly.

Owner and Chef, Dennis Rodgers, partners with school boards and camps giving parents an easy online platform to select from a seasonally designed menu.

(Learn more at: GreenHeartCatering.com and also on page 36 of this issue).

“We all know the life of a parent is busy and sometimes preparing meals and lunches can be challenging,” says Rodgers. “Just one day without having to make them is a big deal.”

While I’m on the subject of food, there are local restaurants, such as Paramount Middle Eastern Kitchen (3184 Dougall Avenue, Unit A5; ParamountFineFoods.com) in Windsor and The Fort Fun Centre, 689 Texas Road (TheFortFunCentre.com) in Amherstburg, that make dining out so enjoyable.

A visit to Paramount means kids can have fun in a clean, enclosed play structure, eat a healthy meal and give mom and dad time to sit back and participate in adult conversation.

Owners, husband and wife Hussam Salman and Sumayah Shubber Salman, brought the popular franchise to Windsor

because, as they explained, they understand how dining out can be challenging for families with small children.

“We wanted to bring a welcoming environment and much healthier and nicer options for families to have for dining out, instead of having to resort to fast food,” Sumayah explains.

Over at The Fort Fun Centre, they provide a laid-back atmosphere with a selection of board games and activities to play while waiting for your meal to arrive.

We also have businesses like Zehrs that make hosting a birthday party for kids so much fun and stress free. The kids become little chefs as they decorate cakes and make their own personal pizza. And the best part — parents can drop off their kids, shop for groceries, then have no mess to clean up after the party!

If you’re a business owner catering to kids, my advice is to enjoy being around these young, energetic children and have an appreciation for how they think, learn and play. Kids live in a world of magic, excitement and endless possibilities. Think back to when you were a kid and enter that world with them.

While you’re at it, make it easy for parents to enjoy your business by creating opportunities for them to make lots of memories with their children.

Danielle Moldovan is the Founder and President of Fun-In-The-Box, an online giftgiving-made-easy solution for kids. This “mompreneur” has a passion for creating fun, quality moments for adults and their kids, grandkids, nieces or nephews. She also works at United Way Windsor-Essex County, securing funds to help kids in our community succeed. You can reach her at danielle@fun-in-the-box.com.

WATCH THE GAMES YOU WANT, WHEN YOU WANT. TICKETS STARTING AT $120 HST INCLUDED

ORDER TODAY! 519.254.5000 • WINDSORSPITFIRES.COM 40

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FEATURE STORY

Photos courtesy of “Windsor ComiCon” with one exception noted

Getting in the groove, local costume players (aka “Cosplayers”) showcased their creative skills and strutted their stuff through the Cosplay contest at the 2017 event.

At The Helm Of “Windsor ComiCon”

W

ith fall just around the corner and “Windsor ComiCon” on deck, Biz X magazine Publisher Deborah Jones had the chance to catch up with Jeremy Renaud, the newly appointed General Manager of “Windsor ComiCon” who took over the reins of the local pop culture event earlier this year to ask him a few questions . . .

Deborah: Jeremy, since you took over, what’s it been like?

Jeremy: It’s been an exciting ride to say the least Deb! Deborah: Oh, how so?

Jeremy: It’s been a tremendous learning curve. I have seen more aspects of a show now than ever before and have been given the opportunity to manage a number of intricate parts all at once.

Deborah: How have you approached this year in terms of guests and celebrities?

Jeremy: Firstly, in collaboration with the President (Colin Douglas) we wanted to get back to the traditional roots of a ComiCon by focusing more on a variety of guests that have contributed to comic fandom. This year, we secured a diverse range of creators and contributors through writers, artists and inkers that moved the industry forward through their respective work.

Deborah: . . . and in terms of celebrities?

Jeremy: We’ve gone out and secured some unique guests that haven’t been to this area before . . . having been a little light in terms of horror guests in the past . . . we went above and beyond this year securing some really unique ones. The response has been exceptionally positive.

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Deborah: Excellent! I also see that you’re bringing some of the original Degrassi cast and the Blue Power Ranger. What’s the story there?

Jeremy: The Degrassi Tour has been doing well across the province and we have had a lot of requests to bring them in. We also have a local flavour and Degrassi roots with Dan Woods who lives in this area. Fans will know of through his portrayal as Principal Raditch. In terms of the Blue Ranger (David Yost), it’s kind of funny as I’m often stopped anywhere and everywhere being asked, why not the Pink, Red or Green Ranger? From a business perspective and collectors one, we approached it as in the fact that many people have seen the Pink, Red and Green Rangers at other shows nearby in the very recent past and in multiple markets. With the Blue one coming, it is a Ranger that many have not seen, ever. Once word was out that he was coming to Windsor, many Ranger fans became excited with the idea of working toward completing their autograph series and/or meeting him personally. Thus, he is certainly a draw to the area. But, for the record, I’m by far not opposed to the other Rangers, it will just be a matter of time.

Deborah: Nice, and have there been challenges in getting these guests?

Jeremy: The biggest thing is that there are many factors that go into securing guests.

It’s not as easy as people request, then a guest appears. There is a lot of research, communication and exploration of guests’ availability and interest against their schedules with work, family and other shows, as well as costs and ability to draw.

It’s a very slow dance to say the least. The good thing is that we’ve connected with B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

many people, so am already thinking farther out in terms of 2019, 2020 and even 2021!

Deborah: Understandable, and, in general, were there any bigger challenges you faced?

Jeremy: Going further into the realm of guests and really, other shows, it’s the competition in general. There are literally over 400+ shows in North America alone and we are all competing for the same guests, so it’s quite possible that we may be interested in a guest that we can afford, but simply a conflict in schedule will prohibit their appearance or they go to a bigger show to make more money. There is a lot of complexity behind all that goes into it.

Secondly, though our geography works for us in many ways there are also some challenges in getting people [and goods] over the border. There are literally millions of rare comics and collectibles in Michigan alone that our fans are looking for, but to get them over the border takes a tremendous amount of paperwork and headaches, which some vendors are not ready for. Furthermore, not as many Americans have passports in comparison to us, so for shows in the U.S., it’s a bit easier to draw us to them than vice versa, but we are trying!

Deborah: So what makes “Windsor ComiCon” different than other shows?

Jeremy: First thing that comes to mind is we have a tremendous group of supporters.

By supporters I mean our staff, volunteers and sponsors. It is truly a team effort and without daily consultation and advice from the President who has taken me under his wing, to local staff, volunteers, Cosplayers and a huge cast of sponsors . . . this wouldn’t be possible. We are truly lucky to have a

1. Boba Fett...WHERE!? Best known for his work on Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi (1983), Dickey Beer portrayed the iconic bounty hunter Boba Fett who fought in all the battle scenes, which propelled him into cult status worldwide. 2. It’s morphin’ time!

David Yost, the original Blue Power Ranger morphs to The Colosseum this fall. 3. The world’s strongest man to attend “Windsor ComiCon!” Mark Henry is an American Olympic weightlifter, powerlifter, strongman, wrestler and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Class of 2018 Hall of Famer. 4. Halloween never looked so sweet! Loved by fans worldwide, Tyler Mane played the iconic starring role as the infamous slasher Michael Myers in Rob Zombie’s Halloween and Halloween II “H2.” Mane also played Sabretooth in the X-Men movie opposite Hugh Jackman (as Wolverine). 5. Candyman . . . Candyman . . .Candyman! Known by horror fans worldwide for his chilling portrayal as “Candyman,” the indefatigable Tony Todd has consistently provided thrilling performances with more than 100 theatrical and television appearances to exemplify his versatility. He served as Kurn in Star Trek: The Next Generation (19901991) and the voice of The Fallen in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009).

presenting sponsor in Cartoon Kingdom, a local business who is celebrating their 20th anniversary. Secondly, our venue — Caesars Windsor — is tremendous and provides an all-in-one solution for our needs. I love the fact it brings an immediate credibility to our show and a level of professionalism that I believe isn’t quite found at other venues.

I’m looking forward to the future as I want to push the venue harder and see things grow, but it will take some time. Finally, and most importantly, are our fans and attendees.

They are the ones that help us continue to provide this pop-culture event. We are looking to build a fan-centric experience for them for years to come and appreciate their support to date.

Deborah: We’ve known each other for quite a few years now and I know that you come from different background to this, new to you, entertainment world. How did you get involved and what do you bring to the table?

Jeremy: I was working for a local marketing agency that was hired to work on the project during its first year. The GM of that time hired me out directly in year two and

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GUESTS eventually, with the change in ownership, the immediate past GM (now President) kept me on board and moved me up. In addition to this, I believe my experience in my past life through sport has really brought me ahead. From project and event management through to fundraising and sponsorship, I had some tools in the utility belt to break out into the pop world, which lends itself well.

Deborah: Great! My last two questions are, one, what are you excited about most; and two, what would you change?

Shop till you drop! Comics, toys, collectibles, autographs and more at the Cartoon Kingdom exhibitor floor at the con.

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Jeremy: Working in reverse order, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m looking forward to this year especially for our fans and I’m already working ahead into 2019.

In terms of what I’m excited about most, it’s easily the Jurassic Park Experience!

Deborah: Why is that?

Jeremy: To be honest, it happened by mistake. My son and I were watching a Super Bowl commercial and we saw the Jeep ad with Jeff Goldblum and Jurassic Park in it. His reaction was so exciting watching him scream “Go, Go, Go!” that I saw something unique there and went hunting for the Jeep that night. By the next day, I literally booked it. The response to that was exceptional by fans who can’t wait to see it on-site at Caesars this fall!

Deborah: Awesome and thank you so much for your time. Any final thoughts?

Jeremy: Thank you so much for your support Deb. I know you and the Biz X team have been on board since day one. We are really appreciative of your support and that of the community.

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The Nitty Gritty On The 2018 “Windsor ComiCon”

The two day event takes place inside The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor on Saturday, September 29 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday, September 30 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Adult passes start at $20. Children under 10 years old receive free admission when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Purchase tickets online at: WindsorComiCon.com

Fans can expect . . .

CELEBRITY GUESTS • Tony Todd, Candyman, Kurn in Star Trek: TNG, and The Fallen in Transformers • Mark Henry, WWE Champion and Hall of Fame Inductee • Tyler Mane, Michael Myers and Sabretooth (X-Men: The Movie) • Dickey Beer, Boba Fett in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi • David Yost, Blue Power Ranger • Cal Dodd, Wolverine (X-Men: Animated Series) • Pat Mastroianni, Stacie Mistysyn and Dan Woods, Degrassi Reunion • Phil LaMarr, Marvin in Pulp Fiction, Samurai Jack, Ken from Fornite and John Stewart/Green Lantern (Justice League) ARTISTS & WRITERS • Marv Wolfman, Creator, Writer — Blade, Bullseye, Teen Titans • Mark Bagley, Creator, Artist — Carnage, Spider-Man • Chris Bachalo, Artist — Dr. Strange, Generation X, Uncanny X-Men • Larry Hama, Creator, Writer — G.I. Joe • Scott Hanna, Inker — Spider-Man, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman • Alex Milne, Artist — Transformers • Richard Comely, Creator, Artist — Captain Canuck FEATURING: 501st and The Rebel Legion; Great Lakes Ghostbuster Coalition; Jurassic Park Experience and more!

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Bringing a little sunshine to their day! As the official charity of choice, “Windsor ComiCon” raises money on-site at this year’s show to enable opportunities for children to attend The Kiwanis Club of Windsor’s Sunshine Point Camp.

Photo courtesy of The Kiwanis Club of Windsor.

PLUS: Comics; Artist Alley; T-Shirts and Collectibles; Autographs and Photographs; Cosplay and Costume Contest; Retro Gaming and Escape Rooms; Question and Answer (Q & A) Panels and Programming; Kids Zone: Featuring Superheroes, Arts/ Crafts and Face Painting.

“Windsor ComiCon” Gives Back To The Community Too!

The event’s official beneficiary this year is the Kiwanis Club of Windsor (Kiwanis Sunshine Point Camp).

The Kiwanis Sunshine Point Camp is once again excited to be the official beneficiary of the “Windsor ComiCon.” For 65 years, the organization has, and continues to, strive to provide all children, especially those in need, with the best week of their summer.

Kiwanis Club of Windsor supports the Kiwanis Sunshine Point Camp, near the shores of Lake Erie, in Harrow, which operates for seven weeks in the summer. Children from seven to 14 from all

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over Windsor and Essex County come out to enjoy the fun of a week at summer camp.

Their camp philosophy is to make sure all children who want to attend are able, no matter their financial reality.

The club aggressively fundraises to keep registration fees low and subsidizes approximately 75% of their campers while reaching out to low-income families.

The club is also proud to work with Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society to offer many of their supported children a week of fun.

The need for funds is never ending, so Biz X appreciates the ongoing generosity and support of “Windsor ComiCon” and Cartoon Kingdom.

For more information or to register your child for camp, please visit: KiwanisSunshinePointCamp.com.

Biz X magazine is a presenting sponsor of Mark Henry and proud Bronze Age Partner of “Windsor ComiCon.”

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

ask the experts

Look Around . . . Just Imagine The Possibilities

By Dave Halliday

H

ow many times have you wandered through your house and wondered what else you could do to make it unique? I mean, sure, we’ve all played with the idea of setting up the beds in the living room to make it one big flop house! Perhaps ladders to access the second floor instead of stairs and maybe a fireman’s pole to get back down, but we all know our wives would never go for any of that.

As a result of your new found “maturity” you find yourself searching for more appropriate ways of expressing your unique personality through your surroundings.

It can be difficult to find items, art works, objects, and one-of-a-kind creations to better express who you are or simply to make your home space more original.

You surely cannot find unique items at the usual places. You recall the time you spotted an amazing metal sun dial that you thought would be a great addition to the back deck.

As you made your way to the checkout of the big box store, you saw 12 other people with this “one-of-a-kind” find. One of those people was even your neighbour!

Well enough is enough! If you are committed to finding exceptional items that are developed via the creativity and skill of local artists and craftspeople, we have the place for you.

Imagine That!, 13072 Talbot Road in Maidstone, has been providing creative options to Essex County residents since 2002 with their full-scale retail location celebrating its first year in business this November.

Imagine That! has a diverse social media presence at Facebook, under “Imagine That Gift and Sculpture”; imagine-that-giftand-sculpture on Instagram, and a website that is currently under development at: ImagineThatGifts.com.

(L) Find objects and collectibles like these golf/hockey tables, as unique as you are, at Imagine That!

(R) The works of many Canadian and local artists are available to be enjoyed and purchased at this Maidstone gift shop. Photos courtesy of Imagine That!

Mark Williams who has been creating original art for 40 years and his wife, Laura Williams, also with 40 years of sales experience, are the Owners/Operators of Imagine That! Laura was kind enough to have a quick chat with us to provide more information on their products.

How would you provide a brief description of what you sell? Laura explains they are “a working art and sculpture studio that also offers a variety of art from sculpture, original paintings, commissioned, canvas prints and even customized canvas prints.” She adds, “We also carry man cave collectibles, home decor items, gifts, gourmet edibles, soaps and more.”

We see you have a lot of original art work available. What do you feel is the reasoning behind that? “It is so important that we support local art,” stresses Laura. “We have an amazing pool of undiscovered talent in Essex County and Ontario that often have to pay hefty fees to exhibit at art shows . . . often in the rain. We wanted to gather several pieces

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of art in one place, year round, with no fees to the artisans.” (And no worries on the weather.)

How does one’s home or office environment benefit from having original art or unique objects on display? “It provides enhancement of one’s visual senses while adding beauty and enrichment,” Laura states.

“Art adds a humanistic quality to a space and inspires and soothes the soul. Art affects each purchaser differently.”

Beyond the traditional art pieces noted, what else do you offer? “Locally hand-crafted, chemical-free soaps and body products, handmade greeting cards, jewellery, essential oils, slot cars, planes, tall ships, boats, car replicas, metal signs, armaments and wonderful Canadian made products such as Warm Buddy (high quality heat wraps), cooling ties (heat guards to keep women cool), red pepper jellies and dips” she mentions, emphasizing, “You’ll need to stop in one day to appreciate all that I’ve listed!”

Your trip to Imagine That! really turned out to be an interesting afternoon. The wife was busy for hours working her way through original art, soaps, and jewellery, while you had a blast with the slot cars and replica vehicles. In the end you were able to add something unique and personal to nearly every single room in the house.

The really amazing thing about this experience is that you were actually able to find a few items for inclusion in your home’s decor!

Typically everything you’ve ever purchased, or considered purchasing to enhance your home, was either vetoed or banished to the garage. Now, one of the items you selected is on the table in the front foyer. Perhaps you should add interior decor enhancement expert to your resumé!

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THIS ISSUE FEATURES . . .

The Pasta House,

FOR THOUGHT 30th Anniversary Celebration

S

urrounded by the best Italian food in the area since 1988, The Pasta House is an Erie Street treasure, supplying fresh and frozen pasta to area restaurants, grocery stores and residents the oldfashioned way.

The pasta has been going out the door for 30 years now, bringing new business in on a regular basis. It is likely that, over the years, they have supplied their award-winning products to most local restaurants and many local grocers.

According to Pina Simone, Co-Owner and Operations Manager, “We are real Italians making real food, tasting really good!”

Uniquely, The Pasta House is not a restaurant, but they do create fresh prepared pasta dishes for your oven or freezer.

Pina handles the retail aspect of the business and deals with the local grocery outlets. Her husband Carm Simone, Co-Owner/Pasta Artisan, deals with the wholesale restaurant business coming in, while managing all kitchen production.

In the kitchen you have Carm doing his thing so you don’t have to! Such as operating the old vintage pasta machines making home-made, healthy and authentic Italian products that only they can.

“The customer is eating healthily without doing the work,” says Carm.

At The Pasta House, the secret to the pasta starts with Durum Semolina Flour and real whole eggs.

No preservatives, colour or artificial flavours are added. The ingredients are natural and yes, made from scratch.

“We define fresh as recently made, fresh pasta every day, all day,” says Pina.

The pasta flavour and ingredients are clearly a tastier choice than those found at the supermarket.

Their key to success is Carm’s ability on the industrial size pasta-making machines, using simple, old-fashioned, Italian-style ingredients and

465 Erie Street East, Windsor, ON Story & Photos By David Clark

infusing freshness into a superior final product.

When you enter The Pasta House, staff will direct you to the fridge where you can investigate all of the pasta favourites of the day. Fresh prepared manicotti and cannelloni, spaghetti, lasagna, tomato and meat sauce are some of the great finds.

You can pre-order some of these items or you can look into your choice of prepared meals that are available frozen.

The popular pre-packaged meals and pasta favourites from the freezer include meat lasagna, meat sauce for fresh linguini or machine packed items like tortellini.

Also highly mentionable are the fresh cuts, particularly spaghetti. Other tasty treats are the cheese tortellini, gnocchi, lobster ravioli, wild mushroom ravioli and meat ravioli.

At the freezer inside the shop, Pina presents the ever popular three cheese tortellini. All their healthy pasta options are ready to cook at home for your family.

The Pasta House meat sauce is legendary.

“The secret is in the sauce,” Pina mentions.

“The fresh vegetables that are used make it not only super flavourful but very healthy.”

Concerning the food basics, only Ontario beef is used and locally sourced food products whenever possible.

Regarding special events catering, the pasta can include prepared lasagna or manicotti that you simply heat and serve onsite. For a fee, The Pasta House can do this, but they do not go on location.

Fresh pasta trays can also be supplied as needed.

Carm and Pina Simone, Owners of The Pasta House proudly present a cooked lasagna (bottom right) anchored with fresh spinach fettuccine, mezza luna, cheese pillows, cheese tortellini and gnocchi.

And the Simones can prepare as much food as is necessary for your event.

If you cannot get to their Erie Street location, the top three retailers supplying The Pasta House products in the area are: Remark Fresh Markets, Sobeys (St. Clair Beach) and Silverstein’s Produce. Among the many restaurant customers supplied are: Spago Trattoria, Mezzo Ristorante, La Guardia, Fourteen Restaurant and more.

“We are a locally owned and family operated business, priding ourselves on the authenticity and quality of our products, which comes only from using really fresh ingredients,” declares Pina. “I am confident that we have been successful for all these 30 years because we have always offered the same quality products made from good ingredients to our customers. We never compromise our quality with inferior ingredients – customers can tell!”

The Pasta House is a past Biz X Award winner for the 2011 “W.E. Grown Right Here Champion.”

For further information on pasta items, check out: ThePastaHouse.ca and for hours, news, and related information, visit their Facebook page.

Congratulations to

The Pasta House on 30 years of business!

We See What You See MCCCU.COM

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BIZ BITS

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Here’s Looking At You, Subway!

Windsor Subway Restaurant Reveals “Fresh Forward” Design Story & Photo By Dave Hall

Windsor Subway restaurant has become just the second in Ontario to undergo a major transformation.

Ashish Brahmbhatt, who owns six Subway restaurants in Windsor, spent almost $250,000 on a renovation plan, which includes new tile flooring, new wall coverings, an updated lighting system, an overhead menu board and a bright, more streamlined logo in the company’s signature yellow and green colours.

It took four weeks to complete the renovation, which also includes new washrooms as well as new furniture and signage.

The restaurant, located at 300 Tecumseh Road East, is far more visible from the street and also from across the plaza, Brahmbhatt points out.

“We’ve had a lot of feedback since we re-opened at the end of April and it has all been very positive,” says Brahmbhatt, who moved to Windsor in 1999 and took over the existing Subway location (address above) in 2008.

He comments that his “customers love the fresh, new look, which is very gratifying. It’s already one of my highest volume stores and this will bring in even more traffic.”

Subway is the largest submarine sandwich chain in the world with more than 43,000 stores around the globe.

In addition to national and regional marketing campaigns run by the company, Brahmbhatt says he spent between $8,000 and $10,000 on local advertising.

He’s also active in charitable causes with donations to such organizations as the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and The Hospice of Windsor & Essex County Inc. In 2013, Brahmbhatt spent $100,000 to support the “International Children’s Games” as well as providing $132,000 in food during the six day event, which brought in participants, parents, media and officials from around the world.

“Subway believes it is very important to support local charitable organizations as a

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Ashish Brahmbhatt, Owner of six Subway restaurants in Windsor, poses behind the counter of his newlyrenovated restaurant at 300 Tecumseh Road East.

way of giving back to the communities that support its restaurants,” says Brahmbhatt who also represents franchise owners as board chairman for Southwestern Ontario and sits on the Canadian and U.S. national boards.

For more information on this franchise, visit the national website: Subway.com.

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FEATURE STORY By Nancy Campana

Wedding Trends

For 2019 Revealed At “Fall Wedding Event” Bold and beautiful décor from Designs by Diane.

Photo courtesy of Diane Spencler-Glover.

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indsor and Essex County boasts a beautiful region for getting married.

Surrounded by waterfront venue properties, a plethora of ethnic halls, vineyard locations and historic buildings turned into event venues, the choices are incomparable as wedding and celebration settings.

Many couples love putting personal touches on their wedding to ensure their special touches customize their wedding day in some small or big way.

If you have entertained the idea of being creative with a signature cocktail or a

specialty drink station you are not alone!

This trend is one that has really taken off.

Options include: a pretty punch (nonalcoholic and spiked); family favourites like an ice tea; flavoured water and/or lemonade station or even a local craft beer bar. And if you want to get really fancy consider a make-your-own mimosa bar or sangria bar and let guests add their own garnishes with an array of choices like berries, sugar cane suckers and bubble tea gels.

By providing many fresh and local fruits to embellish their beverages your guests

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will have fun creating their very own signature drinks.

Also, think of providing fruit skewers or melons on a stick for a fun and refreshing snack. Frosé — which is frozen rosé served like a slush — has been a “Instagrammable” hit and a great new wedding treat trend!

Grapefruit sorbets are equally darling and delicious.

Have no fear to take it to the next level when it comes to these little features that keep your summer ceremony cool and refreshing.

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Owners Liza and Mike Webb of A La Carte Gelato & Desserts serve up a sample of delicious gelato at a past “Fall Wedding Event.” Photo courtesy of Wedding Shows Windsor.

Fashion and fun on the wedding show stage at 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. nightly, during the “Fall Wedding Event,” features attire for not only the bride and groom, but the entire wedding party as well. Photo courtesy of Wedding Shows Windsor.

Treat yourself and your guests to some specialized bubbly adult beverages and enjoy your special day without overheating.

Décor trends seem to always be at the forefront of most couple’s plans.

Diane Spencler-Glover of Designs by Diane (DesignsByDiane.org) believes next year’s trends will lean towards a more “outside the box” style, keeping a touch of class while conveying a unique approach.

“We may also see some darker tones

being used to convey a more dramatic and edgy look,” says the well-versed decorator.

Watch for bold and beautiful in 2019 after a number of wedding décor years filled with creams, blush and rose gold.

The upcoming 27th annual “Fall Wedding Event,” taking place the evenings of September 19 and 20 at the Caboto Club of Windsor, offers the perfect opportunity to search out and view the newest décor trends.

You can tour six mini-themed wedding

Your Wedding AT PELEE ISLAND WINERY

519.733.6551

events@peleeisland.com www.peleeisland.com

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reception rooms all decked out in the newest décor trends, as well as speak with over 100 wedding professionals on the newest lighting techniques, food trends and party ideas.

Every couple who registers to attend online, before the “Fall Wedding Event,” receives a gift.

Register at: WeddingShows.com to receive your gift coupon in the mail. Bring it to the show and your set of wedding day shot glasses will be waiting for you!

from the bookshelf

Tips To Achieve A Marriage Made In Heaven

By Marlene Markham-Gay

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ocal author John F. Sullivan is a relationship coach and writer of the book, “Dream Relationship: How to Make the Most of Available Tools for Your Happily-Ever-After.”

He believes his book offers the tools needed to have the relationship of your dreams.

Sullivan is a former priest in the Basilan Fathers, and was a former high school teacher and coach, as well as a counsellor and head coach of the St. Clair College Saints hockey team. After leaving the priesthood he married Crystal and they spent six years in Zambia, Central Africa. Twenty seven years ago, John and Crystal separated after 15 years of marriage.

Crystal learned of a system offered

by Harville Hendrix, Ph.D. in his book “Getting the Love You Want.”

Rather than throw 15 years of marriage away, they decided to attend a workshop given by Hendrix in Chicago.

They were introduced to a system that taught four basic skills, and they are now happily celebrating their 42nd anniversary as man and wife.

Sullivan travelled to New York to study with Hendrix and then went back to train as a facilitator for the “Getting the Love You Want” workshop.

To date, Sullivan has coached hundreds of couples over the last three decades, using the same system and the four basic skills.

Sullivan prefers to be called a coach because the terms “counselling” and “therapy” imply that there is something wrong with you.

The coach’s job is to observe what is not working and to suggest ways to improve the outcome. It’s like how the hockey coach, who sits on the sidelines, can be more objective about improving the game, than the player on the ice.

Sullivan tells us: “The first step in a relationship is safety, it is built into our DNA, it is our survival. If you do not feel safe you will defend yourself either by exploding outward or retreating inward.”

The next step is the system, “Imago Relationship Therapy.”

“If you’re in a relationship, you are already in a system,” indicates Sullivan. “In the Imago System, romantic love is a stage. It is supposed to happen, and it is supposed to end.”

In the following two steps he teaches couples the four skills needed for a happy, healthy relationship.

The first skill: Intentions Dialogue implies mirroring, validation and empathy.

Second, is Anything Negative — by Appointment Only.

The third skill: Eliminating Negativity — No Blame, Shame or Criticism. Negativity is invisible abuse.

The last skill that is explored is Amplify the Positive. It is a graduated process, couples should start small and build skills over time.

This book is a thought provoking and valuable tool to improve any relationship and can be purchased on the author’s website: JohnSullivanCounselling.com.

You can also purchase Sullivan’s book at these stores: From the Heart, 1356 Ottawa Street, Windsor; Sissy & Roche Fine Arts, 9-313 Main Street East, Kingsville; Juniper Books, 1990 Ottawa Street, Windsor; Sanctuary Gifts of Faith, 6 Division Road North, Kingsville.

Marlene Markham-Gay is the former host of CFTV’s “Storyteller.” She promotes local authors through the book corner at the Essex Railway Station, inviting them to display and sell books. Marlene is an avid reader and encourages her eight grandchildren to read.

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MAKING A SOUND LIVING

Toto’s Steve Porcaro Has The Answer To Human Nature . . . Just Write A Song About It

By Lori Baldassi

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n original member of the band Toto, Steve Porcaro’s musical vocabulary and experience have been well documented in the music industry and spans over 40 years. With credits ranging from Composer, Arranger, Director, Producer, Songwriter, Keyboardist, Organ Moog Bass, Synthesizer Programming Engineer, Strings, Horns and Vocals, Porcaro has done it all!

Those titles and the hits that accompany them are, quite simply, legendary.

Most notable is his work on Michael Jackson’s hit, “Thriller,” which not only continues to hold the record for the most weeks at number one on the Billboard charts, but also featured another of Jackson’s hits, “Human Nature” written by Porcaro and Lyricist John Bettis.

Porcaro’s musical flexibility could very well have something to do with his family ancestry. His father Joe Porcaro has been lauded as one of the great session drummers, holding an impressive resume that includes the likes of Sinatra (both Frank and daughter Nancy), Sarah Vaughn, Pink Floyd, The Monkees, Madonna and Gladys Knight.

Keeping it all in the family, Steve Porcaro’s brothers, Jeff and Mike Porcaro, were also accomplished and successful musicians in their own right.

Despite the many years of success, both on the charts and scoring films, Porcaro isn’t winding down by any means, nor has he lost his edge in the game, having released “Someday Somehow” in 2016. In fact, if you like reading liner notes, it’s easy to see that Porcaro has no shortage of friends to call upon when recording, as included on the LP are band mates from Toto: Steve Lukather, Lenny Castro, Shannon Forrest, and old friend Michael McDonald, former band member of The Doobie Brothers.

Pulling back the curtain on Porcaro’s intriguing life, you’ll find that, since the beginning of his career and right up to now, a few things remain certain. He views his work with a musician’s ear, he still has the curiosity of a new apprentice, and leads all with an open poet’s heart.

Before he played the Colosseum at Caesars Windsor in late August, I caught up with Steve Porcaro at his studio in Los Angeles, California, via telephone, to unravel the varied and complicated world known as the music industry. So, as the lyrics play in your head to Toto’s songs:

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new in synthesizers and technology — always something new to master. Some people like to just kind of fool around with this stuff and use presets and have a superficial relationship with the equipment.

I love to pick certain pieces of gear and software and really roll my sleeves up and get in there.

Steve Porcaro, American keyboardist, songwriter and original member of the rock band Toto.

Photo courtesy of Jerry Lofaro.

“Hold the Line,” “Rosanna,” “Africa” and more, read his replies to my questions and a few from fans here in Windsor.

Biz X: You come from a professional musical home. Knowing the pitfalls in the industry personally, how supportive were your parents for them to send all three of their children out into the industry?

Steve Porcaro (SP): They were very concerned, while always being supportive.

My father could sight read music with a full orchestra for film scores. It was a lot of dedication. My brother, Jeff, kind of spearheaded the way. Being a natural talent and force of nature, we all kind of held on to his coattails.

Biz X: Equipment has come a long way, from the towers and racks of equipment, to chips and programs. What do you see coming for keyboards?

SP: I love what the new technology brings.

[For] guys like me, who do film scores, it is really coming together. In the future, they are going to get wise to the fact that, as far as actual controllers go, the keyboards that you play, there is vast room for improvement and possibilities, [and] new technologies to interface with.

Biz X: Your musical palette is full and wide.

You go from jazz, to rock to blues, having worked with just about every major artist. Not to mention that you have been on the charts in some way or some form since the ’70s. How do you keep that creative licence going?

SP: I love it all. My dad taught us to always remain a student. There’s always something B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

Biz X: Do you ever get writer’s block?

SP: Constantly. A huge lesson that I learned is that you sometimes have to treat this like a 9 to 5 job. There are times I just don’t want to go in and work, but you have to, and, [during] those times, you know you just have to come up with something.

Biz X: Toto has always had much more fame and appreciation in Europe than in the United States. Do you think that European audiences have a more sophisticated palette, musically?

SP: Yes, I always kind of thought that about Europe and Japan. When jazz artists Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea started playing funk music and synthesizer, they were blasted by the U.S. critics for selling out.

In Japan, the audience had no problem with them using different instruments. They don’t have that purist attitude — they embraced it.

Biz X: What do you tell a band getting ready to sign a multi-album deal to be wary of?

SP: It’s hard for me to be optimistic about the record business. It’s just being uncovered to us now the loose ends that lawyers left open years ago. Record deals, especially, are so stacked against artists — I don’t care if you’re beginning, or how long you’ve been around. Record companies have these arms of distribution that just no one else has and are able to get your music to places that you just can’t on your own. Right now, it’s a completely different model. You’re kind of on your own as far as demos go and videos, and it’s only when they see you getting so many hits on YouTube that they [record labels] even kind of talk to you. They want to see the numbers. You sign these record deals, they take any money you used to make your record, [and] they more than make sure they recoup. But, when it comes time for you to get paid, for you to get the money coming to you as part of your signed contract, you have to hire an Attorney to do an audit. They just don’t do what they are supposed to do. Then you have to cut a deal with an Attorney to

pay them a percentage to get what’s coming to you. It’s terrible.

Biz X: You have children in the industry.

Do you have the same kind of apprehension your parents did?

SP: Even more so, it’s frightening. Everyone has a studio in their bedroom and I love the egalitarian aspect of it. You don’t need to have hundreds of thousands of dollars and a record budget to make music.

I love that. But, there is also a glut of crap to wade through.

Biz X: Is the key to staying in the music industry being flexible?

SP: For me, it’s been absolutely necessary to be flexible, to be adaptable, to be able to change situations. Having mostly done records and then moving into film, which is very, very different from what I was doing in the record business, it helps to always be hungry and forever be a student. To maintain success is always elusive and you want to keep coming up with new stuff and new ideas.

Irene M.: How important is the element of storytelling in the composition of a song?

SP: I think it’s hugely important. There is way too little of it in Toto’s music, and my own music. Lyrics have always been elusive. They have always been a challenge to us. Toto was always kind of a musician’s band. Lyrics weren’t really as important to us as much as pocket and groove and chord changes. That’s why I love collaborating with guys like John Bettis, who bring lyric writing to the level of music that we play.

To keep up to date with Porcaro on social media visit his Facebook page: Facebook.com/steveporcaromusic.

From working backstage production to the radio airwaves Lori Baldassi has involved in the music industry on a number of professional levels for many years. Having spoken in front of the CRTC, Baldassi holds a certificate in Adjudication from York University Toronto and is a graduate of St. Clair College’s Media Convergence program. If you have any questions for her, please send an email to: editorial@bizxmagazine.com.

Biz X: What is one thing you would tell people starting in the music industry?

SP: To carve out your own individual niche in the business. Do something no one else does.

Biz X: Are you that hard on yourself when you write music?

SP: Oh, yeah. What sees the light of day is minuscule [compared] to the number of ideas that I threw against the wall.

And now for something different, Biz X magazine readers had a chance to ask Steve Porcaro a few questions . . .

Maureen C.: How does the writer decide if the song is for himself, or someone else?

SP: Good question. I’ve often dealt with that very issue. I don’t consider myself much of a singer. I never felt confident enough to sing in front of people. I never wanted to be a singer in the first place. I wanted to hear my songs done the way I heard them in my head. Once Joseph Williams (Toto) was in the band, I felt there was a guy with a voice that could take direction and could use on a lot of my songs. It [also] depends on how good my imagination is. Sometimes, we write for ourselves, for our own voices and, other times, you can go way off the range and imagine some amazing singer instead of yourself. A great singer can also improvise and ad lib, bringing nuances that you would never expect or never thought of.

Michael P.: What song that you wrote, knowing now what you didn’t know then, would you change?

SP: None of them, thank God. B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

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MILESTONES

XMD — Expert Mold Designer Software Hits The Big 3-0!

By Dave Hall

A

marriage of tooling and mould making with state-of-the-art design software, has a Windsor company perfectly placed for future growth at a small plant in Oldcastle.

Established in 2001 by Greg Tiessen and his wife Jana, Synergetic Engineering initially began life as a tooling design company.

In 2013, Tiessen purchased XMD — Expert Mold Designer’s intellectual property, which significantly cuts mould design and mould building time, and three years later, he took over the building and assets of Majestic Tool & Mold, a 40 year-old company in Oldcastle.

Tiessen and his wife were working at Active Mold in the 1990s when they decided to start up their own business so they could better control their own future.

All of which led to the birth of Synergetic Manufacturing Services, which supplies tooling solutions to the tool and mould industry as well as small moulds manufactured in its shop at 5327 Brendan Lane.

“We ramped up just before the big slowdown in 2008 and 2009 so we focused

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Jon Lindsey, Software Development Manager (left) and Greg Tiessen, President of the Synergetic Group have “The World’s Fastest Mold Design Software!”

Photo by Rod Denis.

on the designing at the beginning and didn’t establish our mould shop until business picked up,” explains Tiessen. “We were in a position to pick our customers and the timing of launching of Synergetic has worked out really well.”

Synergetic licenses XMD Technology, which was developed 30 years ago by Cornerstone Technology Inc. of Windsor, for a variety of customers who are able to slash their designing time for moulds by as much as 50 percent.

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“It was developed on the backs of mould designers and it is fully focused on what we do here,” says Tiessen in explaining XMD’s value to his company and its customers.

As the industry moved away from manual drawing and into CAD/CAM and CNC computer technology, new tools were needed to support the process and XMD was born out of that need.

“We had started working with the technology about eight years ago, but by buying the intellectual property, we have much better control over the direction of the product,” adds Tiessen.

XMD is an automated design solution which draws, manages, understands and checks hundreds of mould design details.

As a result, it shortens overall mould design times and increases efficiency and accuracy.

Now, it’s a matter of gaining more exposure by attending trade shows and putting on live demonstrations of the technology’s capabilities, says Tiessen.

“We haven’t shot a fancy video, we do live demos and people are often blown away by what the technology can do,”

says Tiessen. “We have the expertise on both sides because no mould shop I know of also owns a software company, so we understand fully what the industry needs.”

With just 10 employees at the moment, Synergetic is able to make large impactful changes with XMD and remains agile enough to meet customer needs at a moment’s notice. As the XMD technology picks up in steam and popularity, Tiessen anticipates adding more staff.

The company already has sales representatives in Boston, Mexico, Italy and Germany and is looking to secure additional partnerships elsewhere around the globe.

“We have upgraded our entire plant over the past year or so with more to come in the future,” adds Tiessen. “We have sold off what we didn’t need and brought in machines we do need so we are poised for growth.”

Tiessen continues by stating “We are currently testing our version 16 for release early fall. With dramatic new algorithms we have developed for graphics and analysis processing, this will, by far, be the fastest and most powerful XMD ever.”

For more information, refer to: Synergetic-Group.com and on social media: Facebook.com/SynergeticXMD.

HOT SHOTS HOT SHOTS HOT

The Addolorata De Luca Leadership Scholarship “Community Appreciation & Special Announcement Event” July 18, 2018 at Bodega Wine Bar & Cellar, 420 Erie Street East, Unit #3, Windsor.

Photos courtesy of OlaPics Photography. All people in photos listed from the left.

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4 1. At the event, the Addolorata De Luca Leadership Scholarship team was very excited to officially announce their first fundraising milestone of $25,000 was reached. Pictured are Chloe Kyrtsakas (Guest Speaker) and Cessidia De Biasio, Founder of The Addolorata De Luca (ADL) Leadership Scholarship.

2. The charity works closely with various community members, businesses and organizations. Cierra Bray (ADL Scholarship Event Planner), Denis Vidmar-Plavi (Operations Manager of Bodega Wine Bar & Cellar) and De Biasio all came together to commemorate Addolorata De Luca’s perseverance and strength as an immigrant to Canada. Her granddaughter, De Biasio, founded the ADL Leadership Scholarship in November of 2015. Addolorata taught her children about the importance of hard work, perseverance, and determination and these values inspired to De Biasio to “pay-itforward” and help other students.

3. During the night, Tony Vo (Donor of the ADL Scholarship and Guest Speaker) chatted with guests Connor Roland and Katelynne BBIZIZ XX MMAAGGAAZZININEE •• SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 22001188

Lamothe.

This charity acknowledges the selflessness and determination of all immigrants while giving back to the next generation of leaders. The students who will receive this scholarship must be firstor second-generation Canadians and demonstrate leadership in his/her community and attend the University of Windsor. This endowment needs to raise $40,000 so that, each year, a deserving student will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

4. Mike Budinsky (Videographer for The ADL Leadership Scholarship’s video campaign) and De Biasio launched the charity’s video fundraising campaign during the evening as well. You can check out the final product on Facebook under “Videos” under “The Addolorata De Luca Leadership Scholarship” page.

5. Co-founder of Rare Apparel Tam Nguyen and De Biasio hold packages containing shirts created by the company. Part of the proceeds of the shirt sales were donated to The ADL Leadership Scholarship. For more information and to donate refer to: ADLScholarship.com.

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THE WAY IT WAS

As a dedicated member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 143, Anderson (the last of his RCAF crew) takes command of his post located inside the Real Canadian Superstore on Dougall Avenue for the Legion’s annual poppy campaign. During his shift, Anderson proudly thanks families (especially children) for wearing their poppy.

“I do this for the fellas that never came home,” Anderson says.

On August 28, 2018 Quilts of Valour — Canada Society (visit: QuiltsOfValour.ca) presented Anderson with his quilt in honour of his duty and service to Canada — on the occasion of his 100th birthday.

All Present And Correct

By Andrea Grimes

T

he direction of Canada’s aviation industry has been influenced by the military needs of the First and Second World Wars. As such, the growth of aviation history for military service was accelerated by the monolith bombers like the Lancaster AVRO 683, noted for its characteristic night flight bombings over Germany during WWII. The “Battle of Britain” was one of those crucial turning points in history. Canada, as a young nation, witnessed how our young lads at 19 and 20 years of age left the farms and factories of Windsor and Essex County to do their part for king and country.

They were sons and fathers, brothers, husbands, neighbours, school chums and sweethearts who rallied to the colours to preserve our Canadian principles of democracy.

They distinguished themselves as a courageous, skilled and determined fighter pilots, gunners and navigators.

They flew Halifax, Dakota and Lancaster bombers throughout thousands of sorties over Germany, playing a key role in the Allied victory!

At 100 years of age, WWII RCAF Veteran, Art Anderson still remembers the haunting realities of war.

He recalls; “We were shot down by the Germans during ‘Operation Market Garden,’ ran into an ambush and became POWs.” Windsor resident, Anderson was born in Riverton, Manitoba on August 29, 1918.

He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on July 4, 1941 at 22 years of age.

Having “a head for numbers” Anderson was best suited as a Navigator.

Anderson chuckles, “Pilots are the Captains

WW II RCAF Veterans in front of a Wellington Bomber in Biskra, North Africa, 1943. From left: Art Anderson, Bob Melville, Dan Britten, Frank Fuller, Brock Christie and Phil Fulmore. Photo courtesy of Art Anderson.

of the aircraft, but I told them where to go.”

It was during the resupply mission of the “Battle of Arnhem” on September 17, 1944 that the crew of the C-47 Dakota was shot down, crashing behind enemy lines.

Anderson says, “The four of us headed up north. The Dutch underground fed us while we hid in a tarp-covered hole in a forest. Three days later, while attempting to flee back to an Allied position, we stumbled into a German patrol and were captured December 19, 1944.

We spent the rest of the war as POWs in Stalag Luft VII in Luckenwalde, Germany.”

In January 1945, prisoners were marched 250 kilometres to Stalag III-A near Poland.

In April 1945, the camp was evacuated and prisoners were liberated by the Russian Army.

Anderson says, “We were moved to the American side of the Elbe River and then flown to Brussels and from Brussels to England. I landed back home about the middle of June 1945.”

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Art Anderson selling poppies at the Real Canadian Superstore last November. Photo by Andrea Grimes.

In our community, the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association (CH2A.ca) has long recognized the history of Canada’s pioneering contributions to flight!

According to John Robinson, President of CH2A, “Our mission is to honour Canadian Veterans by preserving, maintaining, restoring, displaying, and demonstrating antique or vintage military and civilian aircraft and artifacts considered important to Canadian aviation history.”

CH2A volunteers spend countless hours restoring the City of Windsor FM212 Lancaster bomber to ensure that this generation, and generations to follow, will have opportunities to experience the significance of rescue, liberation and freedom in memory of our Veterans who had the privilege to serve.

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OF THE MONTH Style & Charity Begins At Windsor’s New Ashley HomeStore

By Jason Kerluck

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or some time, Windsor TDG is the largest franchisee has been left behind when in North America, and oversees it comes to cool and trendy all the Ashley locations in businesses opening up in the Canada. The Windsor location area. As many down here has over 30 employees, and lament, it seems Canada is hoping to further grow that ends at London! number in the future.

Recently, however, we are Being Canadian means being seeing more and more of these part of the community, and unique and successful businesses giving back is already part of make the move all the way down the way Ashley HomeStore does to the tip of Southern Ontario. business.

These companies not only Windsor Store Manager, provide more jobs in the area, Seneca Goodsman has this to but more choice to everyone, and say about the charitable core of that’s a win-win for our region.

TDG and Ashley HomeStore: IKEA finally arrived a couple Ashley HomeStore is all about comfort, as Sales Managers Dell Brklacic (left) and Dana “TDG is committed to giving years back, albeit as a small Wigle (middle) along with Store Manager Seneca Goodsman prove, by sitting on one of back to the communities where pickup point . . . but it’s a start! we work, live and play. We take the many relaxing sofas for sale in their showroom. Photo by Rod Denis On the other end of the retail pride in our values and want spectrum, popular chain restaurants like luxurious high-end pieces, sure to make even our team members, our customers and our Popeye’s, Five Guys Burgers And Fries the pickiest of homeowners happy. communities to know what we stand for — and Mandarin Restaurant have all opened Nearly every piece in the store is made people, promises, performance and passion.” recently. These, and a number of well

by Ashley Furniture, allowing for an In this spirit Ashley HomeStore donates established companies, are choosing to make unparalleled selection of styles. In fact, due $5 from every mattress purchase to “Hope Windsor home. to limited space and the vast selection, only To Dream” (AshleyHomeStore.ca/pages/ In July, those ranks grew by one more a fifth of what Ashley Furniture sells is on a-hope-to-dream) which is their global when Ashley HomeStore, North America’s display in the store. The rest can be viewed initiative to help children have a better night’s largest furniture retailer, opened its on giant “Wondersign” tablets located sleep by providing beds to children in our doors in the new Union Square Plaza at throughout the store. Laid out in sections that communities. The charity provides twin 650 Division Road. showcase popular design themes, it’s easy for mattresses, box springs and bed frames to Ashley Furniture HomeStore has been shoppers to find pieces that suit their tastes. underprivileged children. operating since 1997 and has quickly grown With nearly half of the 58 Ashley locations “We believe that a good night’s sleep is to over 800 locations worldwide. Part of their in Canada operated by The Dufresne Group critical for children to reach their full key strategy is offering high quality products (TDG), the Windsor location is the 24th potential,” adds Goodsman. “Helping at competitive prices, with a very short location to open its doors in Canada under children in our communities benefit from a turn around on all items. But, it’s also the TDG (with London following at #25). better night’s sleep is our responsibility and in-store experience that separates them from Like many other global brands, Ashley privilege.” the competition. Windsor has some very HomeStore Canada operates separately from As a result of their efforts, in 2017, over well entrenched furniture retailers, so being Ashley Furniture’s American operations.

250 beds were donated to kids who live in the different is critical to their success.

Since the first Dufresne location opened in GTA region.

Ashley furniture is well known for Kenora, Ontario in 1986 by Doug and Eva You can find out more about Ashley building high-quality furniture, ranging Dufresne, TDG has been on a mission to be HomeStore Canada by visiting their website: from affordable entry-level furniture, to a leader in the furniture industry.

AshleyHomeStore.ca.

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