Biz X magazine September 2019

YOUR ONLY INTERNATIONAL BORDER CITY PUBLICATION

SEPTEMBER 2019

$3.50

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STORIES FOR EVERYONE!

Detroit “Model T Birthday Celebration”

Fairytales Come True At “Children’s Fest”

Does A Cloud Of Doom Shroud Downtown Windsor?

KELCOM Owners Mark 50 Year Milestone B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

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

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B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

table of contents SEPTEMBER 2019 volume 22 • issue 8

WWW.BIZXMAGAZINE.COM

4 Funny Stuff 5 From The Publisher: Final Call For Nominations And Voting Begins 8 COVER FEATURE STORY! Editorial Viewpoint: Does A Cloud Of Doom Shroud Downtown Windsor?

A recent series of unfortunate events and circumstances have staggered downtown Windsor, prompting columnist Alan Halberstadt to examine the past, present and uncertain future of the city’s much maligned core. (See cover photo information in “ON THE COVER” box below)

10 Front Lines 13 Heard On The Street 14 Newsflash

Guess which cool biz turned 40 this year? A quick glance right (photo provided by the business) reveals the answer! It’s Waterfront Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt in Amherstburg!

Pictured are owners Justin and Jen DeLuca with their daughters Maddalèna and Arianna during a special celebration in August.

Find out which other companies in the region have big anniversaries, moved locations or racked up some pretty prestigious awards, in this edition of our Newsflash column.

29 Accounting Counts: The Risks Of Business Travel 30 Ask The Experts: An Environmentally Friendly Alternative To Power Washing With Certified Softwash Solutions 32 Biz X Was There 35 XX Files: A Step Above Wellness Centre’s Fawn Meeking 36 COVER FEATURE STORY! Event Profile: Detroit “Model T Birthday Celebration”

Get the details on the 111th birthday of Ford’s monumental achievement on September 29 at the very place it was first built in 1908, the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit. (See cover photo information in “ON THE COVER” box below)

38 Event Profile: “Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run For The Cure” 40 Food For Thought: Lebanese Cuisine At Paramount Fine Foods 42 COVER FEATURE STORY! THE PARENTING BIZ: Fairytales Come True At This Year’s “Children’s Fest”

Once upon a time, 25 years ago, the “Children’s Fest” was created. From princes and princesses to fire trucks, pony rides, a dog show and more, families will learn, laugh and make a whole lot of memories at this two day event. (See cover photo information in “ON THE COVER” box below)

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16 Dates To Remember 18 COVER FEATURE STORY! KELCOM Owners Mark 50 Year Milestone

KELCOM, a leading provider of business and consumer communication solutions, is currently celebrating its 50th year serving the community. Starting in 1969 as a radio provider named K.E.L. Communications, the company has experienced exponential growth. Meet the men running each division and learn how this successful technology company has expanded over the years. (See cover photo information in “ON THE COVER” box below)

27 Portfolio Corner 28 Have A Cup Of Joe With Joe: October “42 Forward — Our New Hospital” Rally Graphic shown right depicts a rendering of the proposed Windsor Essex single site acute care hospital at County Road 42. With some local opposition to the new site, the grassroots group, “42 Forward — Our New

Hospital” has been established to support the location near the airport. Organizers have planned a celebratory rally on October 3, 2019. “Say it is so, Joe” and give everyone the scoop on how this group came to be!

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50 Lifestyles Issues: The Importance Of “Grandparents’ Day” 53 Take The Lead: Leadership Guru Aubrey Allen 54 Tech Bytes: Tips For First Time Parents 56 From The Bookshelf: Here’s Two For The Children’s Books 57 Charity Profile & Hot Shots: Family Respite Services Windsor-Essex (FRS)

FRS is an invaluable resource for children and teens with disabilities, from zero to 18 years of age, and their families.

The organization — the subject for the Charity Profile — is launching a $1.5 million fundraising campaign. As well, they recently threw a party for a good cause, the “Oh Canada: A Canadian Tuxedo Brunch.”

From Pandora Jewellery, inside Devonshire Mall, Assistant Manager Connie Day (left in photo by Rod Denis) and Manager Amber Lynn Hamelin attended the summer fundraiser. Learn more about FRS in this special two column feature, which includes our Hot Shots photo pages!

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61 The Way It Was: WWII Veteran Sets A Good Example 62 Biz Of The Month: Code Ninjas Debuts First Canadian Centre In Windsor

ON THE COVER — “Stories For Everyone!”

YOUR ONLY INTERNATIONAL BORDER CITY PUBLICATION

SEPTEMBER 2019

$3.50

WWW.BIZXMAGAZINE.COM

STORIES FOR EVERYONE!

Detroit “Model T Birthday Celebration”

Fairytales Come True At “Children’s Fest”

Does A Pallor Of Doom Shroud Downtown Windsor?

KELCOM Owners Mark 50 Year Milestone BIZ X M AGAZINE • SEPTEM BER 201 9

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

*For descriptions on the content of each column please see above

PAGE 8: EDITORIAL VIEWPOINT Shown is a colourful array of businesses along the main drag on the east side of Ouellette Avenue near Wyandotte Street. Photo courtesy of Alexandria MacLellan. PAGE 18: MILESTONES The owners of KELCOM are pictured at The Windsor Club from left: Leonard (Len) Colucci, Dale Carr, Tim Schweyer, Pete Varga, Gerry Vanderheide, Reiner Neumann, Chris Neumann, Dave Moavro, Dennis Hill and Dejan Todorovic.

Missing from photo: Scott Lyons. Photo courtesy of Ashley Colucci PAGE 36: EVENT PROFILE A 1909 Ford Model T from the Larry D. Porter Artifacts Trust Collection on long term loan to the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, housed inside the museum. Photo courtesy of Will Lawson. PAGE 42: THE PARENTING BIZ Evermore Princess Parties is ready to give little ones the royal treatment during “Children’s Fest” with characters (a sample shown) from left: Drew Beaudoin (The Mountain Prince); Tasha Toulouse (The Snow Queen); Alannah Pedde (The Mermaid Princess); Owner Breannah Deschaine (The Book-Loving Beauty); Faith Farnham (The Long-Haired Princess); Averey Meloche (The Thief Prince); Jessie Gurniak (The Apple Princess); Megan Kelly (The Glass Slipper Princess) and Peter Rowsell (The Charming Prince). Photo courtesy of Jen Gurniak Photography.

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FUNNY STUFF! BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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Send your funny pet photo with your pet’s name to deborah@bizxmagazine.com and it may be included here in an upcoming issue. Make sure it gives our readers a laugh!

Luna puts a smile on everyone’s face each day at Windsor Feedscrews Inc. Doesn’t she look so studious in specs from Walkerville Optical?

With Harley on Paw Patrol, there’s no need for security cameras.

On her first birthday, Stella is quite fetching in this pink tutu.

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B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

from the publisher

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE

Get Ready To Vote In The 22nd Annual “Biz X Awards”

BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE

By Deborah Jones

SEPT. 26, 2019

from noon

SEPT. 12, 2019 until 5 p.m.

@: BIZXMAGAZINE.COM

NOMINATIONS END NOON SEPT. 11, 2019

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hope everyone had a fantastic summer and had a chance to relax. We did! But, now it’s full speed ahead as we enter our busiest time of year.

On top of the regular issues to produce and our website to update daily, we have lots of nominees already to contact while we work on our biggest issue of the year and huge awards gala.

Before the awards edition can be assembled we must finalize all nominees and get the voting poll underway (which probably will crash the Internet when thousands go to vote at once!).

There will be plenty of great choices, so share the voting link wherever possible on social media to help your favourite nominees get more votes.

Below is a summary on how the awards process works. The 2019 awards categories were officially released in the July/August issue and online. We repeat the list of categories in my September column to ensure everyone has as much time as possible to participate.

Readers can nominate the businesses and people in Windsor Essex who they believe are the best in each category and deserve to be recognized.

So if you own a business, ask your customers to nominate you ASAP! Nominations are accepted until September 11 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 September 12 and continues through to 5 p.m. September 26.

During the voting period you can go online to: BizXmagazine.com and cast your vote for your choice to win the 2019 Biz X Award in its respective category. You can also vote using 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 the form.

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 that 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 then reviewed by the Biz X panel of Judges after 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 22 years, Biz X has awarded over 700 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 have entered our third decade of award winners, certain categories from years back are re-used to allow for new businesses in those industries to have the opportunity to be included.

Once again, there are 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.”

For 2019, a seventh annual category, “Distinguished Biz Champ Of The Year” has been added.

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 patrons of the business.

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 nonprofit organization (except for categories in the PEOPLE section and category #22). The PEOPLE section (#8 to #13) is judged on the individual and

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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 many national organizations have local chapters hosting events.

4. Every business in Essex County (with the exceptions above) has the opportunity to win a Biz X Award. *However: NO MEDIA outlets or representatives can participate in any of the categories. You don’t 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 22nd annual “Biz X Awards Gala” (held November 15 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 November/December Awards Edition and are declared #1 in your category.

Don’t forget to check your email account in September to see if we contact you about an awards nomination. Visit: BizXmagazine.com for the very latest information and happy voting!

Good luck to all nominees!

And now we present the. . .

2019 BIZ X AWARD CATEGORIES

* See rules in second column before nominating * BUSINESS & SERVICE (*no chains/non-profits allowed) 1. “Outstanding New Business Of 2019” (Businesses that opened from September 1, 2018 to September 1, 2019.) *No restaurants/food trucks or bars as these are included in the Hospitality & Entertainment Categories.

2. “Home Sweet New Home Builder” (If this company builds it, they will come! Think about the style of homes they construct, price range, experience, professional association memberships.)

3. “The One Stop Print Shop To Always Copy” (From business cards to wedding invites and everything in between, this company always makes a good impression with quick service, quality work and terrific prices.)

4. “Above Water Co. Creating A Big Splash” (To fit our award’s theme, we’re looking for businesses selling items or providing a service used on or in the water! For example, swimsuits and boats/jet skis/kayaks or even swimming pools, pool chemicals or canoe rentals.)

5. “Distinguished Biz Champ Of The Year” (A company in operation for over one year that has done something exceptional to take care of business.) *No restaurants/bars or retail shops as they have their own categories.

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Nomination deadline: Sept. 11, 2019 at noon. Voting begins on Sept. 12 (noon) until Sept. 26 (5 p.m.) at: BizXmagazine.com.

6. “Kickin’ Karate Kid School” (A Martial Arts school with child classes to learn discipline and respect for others trained by qualified, experienced instructors.)

7. “The Grass Is Always Greener With This Lawncare Service” (For small residential jobs like cutting the grass and property maintenance such as tree trimming to commercial landscaping companies with custom designs to make your yard the envy of the street!)

PEOPLE 8. “2019 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.) *Cannot also be in #11 9. “Artist Of The Year” (Singer, painter, musician, sculptor, band, actor only.) *No authors, photographers or corporate entertainment businesses.

10. “The Only Optometrist To See” (Your eyes are your most important physical asset so look for an experienced, caring doctor with plenty of availability.)

11. “Marvelous Millennial Manager” (This category will prove there are plenty of hard working young people, approximately 20 to 40 years of age, who manage their own businesses or organizations they work for to the max.) *Cannot also be in #8 12. “The Injury Lawyer It Doesn’t Hurt To Hire” (From dog bites, slip and falls, car accidents and more, if you are in pain and cannot work, the right lawyer is important. Check their winning record, reputation, how many years in practice etc.)

13. “Fitness Instructor Forever Rising To The Challenge” (Whether it be a personal trainer or an

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instructor for yoga, spinning, Zumba, aerobics, Pilates and more, the individual who pushes you to the limits!) *No coaches for any type of sports please.

RETAIL (*no chains/non-profits allowed) 14. “The Best Little Retail Shop Of 2019” (Open to all retailers with good prices, fantastic customer service and selection) *They must have a storefront, no on-line businesses please and if a specific category listed for their type of business, they can only participate in that category. *Nominees in #15 to #19 cannot participate in category #14 15. “First Class Second Hand Boutique” (It’s the real deal here. The consignment or resale shop that surprises its shoppers with great finds in clothing, purses, toys, books etc., at fantastic prices!)

16. “Simply Sew Amazing Supply Co.” (If you love to knit, crochet or make quilts this business keeps you in stitches with the best products around and maybe even offers lessons as well.)

17. “Perfect Present Palace” (No matter what the occasion is and how picky those people are on your shopping list, this gift shop/artist market stocks plenty of products guaranteed to put a smile on every face.)

18. “The Sharp Dressed Man’s Casual Store” (For those dress down days at the office or family outings when men need casual, fashionable items like shirts, pants and shorts sold by a staff with a passion for fashion.)

19. “Ethnic Market Making A World Of Difference” (Windsor Essex is made up of many different cultures — Mexican, Indian, Italian, Chinese, Polish and more.

This market sells grocery items and/or ethnic products

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and is a little piece of home for local immigrants.) *No restaurants or farmers’ markets, retail storefronts only.

HOSPITALITY & ENTERTAINMENT (*no chains/non-profits allowed; exception #22) 20. “Restaurant That’s Hot, Hot, Hot For 2019” (Can be a new or an existing restaurant/bar & grill or food truck that offers exceptional cuisine, fair prices and has a unique, trendy atmosphere.) *Those in #20 cannot be in #21 and vice versa 21. “Delectable Diner To Start The Day” (Whether you like your eggs over easy or scrambled, crave an omelette or blueberry pancakes, this diner offers good value for the money, plenty of choices on their breakfast menu and friendly servers ready to wish you good morning!)

22. “The Most Wonderful Event Of The Year” (Annual runs, golf tournaments, motorcycle rides etc.; if they fundraise for a charity, brownie points are given!) *Non-profits and charities can participate as a special exception as can fairs, festivals and trade shows.

23. “Everyone’s Cup Of Tea” (The Tea Room to enjoy that perfect cuppa tea with a friend. They must specialize in selling tea to drink on site, hot or cold, but can sell coffee too. Deciding factors can include selection of teas, baked goods, number of tables.)

24. “Happy Campers Heaven” (When you want to rough it, the cottage/cabin rental business or a local campground to visit. Consider if they have electrical hookups, water, restrooms, nearby attractions for entertainment, outdoor activities on site like a swimming pool, beach, fishing etc.) *No hotels/motels/B&Bs.

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editorial viewpoint

The Trials And Tribulations Of Downtown Windsor (Part 1)

By Alan Halberstadt *If you have a comment on this topic, please post it under my column in the CITY section of BizXmagazine.com

“There’s not a lot of love for downtown Windsor,” says Ryan Smith, contemplating the plight of what should be the city’s flagship, but it plods along instead with an image problem that discourages non-core residents from making downtown spending excursions — or coming downtown at all.

Smith has been the Owner/Operator of Pause Café, a cozy soup, salad, sandwich and specialty ice cream shop at 74 Chatham Street West, for 15 years. In 10 of those years, he served as a member of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (DWBIA), before he was voted out in a contrived purge of the board last December.

The amiable Smith betrays no bitterness in losing that thankless volunteer job as he shows me a bundle of invoices representing the names of 65 downtown restaurants that have closed during his time at Pause. He calls it the “death list.”

Chain coffee shop Starbucks is the latest on the list. When it closed its prime downtown location at the end of July, after 15 years at the corner of Ouellette and University Avenues, it was another blow to downtown’s solar plexus.

Shortly after, BB Branded Lifestyle & Sneaker Boutique closed its downtown location at 347 Ouellette Avenue, also after 15 years, consolidating its retail outlet, and online ordering services, at Devonshire Mall.

“Retail downtown is almost nonexistent,” informs Smith, although he acknowledges the offsetting advances made by the relocation of University of Windsor and St. Clair College campuses downtown, as well as private sector office conversions surrounding his café.

“Some people are overly optimistic about downtown and some people are overly pessimistic,” he understates.

In this, the first of a two-part series on downtown, the focus is largely negative because, in many people’s eyes, downtown has reached the nadir of its existence.

Windsor’s core has confronted a number of negative phases over the last quarter

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of a century — the strip club, “Sin City” label, and the downtown kiddy bar craze, to name a couple. And now we are mired in a homelessness, opioids drug epidemic.

In a game changer for downtown Windsor in March of 2018 City of Windsor Council made a decision to sell the Central Library, 850 Ouellette, to the Downtown Mission, for the bargain price of $3.6 million. And now the city is spending $1.77 million to transform the Paul Martin Building, at 185 Ouellette, into a temporary library.

One merchant calls the library moves insane, cutting downtown in half.

“I can’t believe what a silly venture that (aquatic centre) was.”

Ryan Smith, Pause Café He likened this caper to the city’s construction of a $77.6 million aquatics centre, opened in 2014 at 401 Pitt Street West, and harshly labelled by some as a cash sucking white elephant, on land that was originally expropriated for an arena that wound up being built next to the Tecumseh border.

“I can’t believe what a silly venture that was,” says Smith, who describes the economic impact of the

Ryan Smith holds his restaurant “death list” in his hands. “Retail is almost non-existent,” he says.

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COVER FEATURE STORY Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre on the core as “absolutely zilch . . . it could be in south Windsor for all it benefits downtown.”

This is not to mention the drive to locate a mega-hospital on the County Road 42 outskirts.

“I can’t fathom in this day and age how a Mayor can support urban sprawl and justify it,” Smith states.

Linked together you can equate this string of decision-making as evidence of a city managed by the seat of its pants.

“I’m really upset Starbucks closed,” laments Ron Balla, Owner of The Coffee Exchange nearby at 266 Ouellette Avenue.

“It added legitimacy to the core. It was reassuring to visitors.”

Balla, a downtown booster for 26 years, is at the end of his rope dealing with the challenges and frustrations of operating a business in the current climate downtown.

He was another target of the slate vote.

As was Chairman Larry Horwitz, the long time outspoken voice of the DWBIA who remains a member as the Past Chairman, but is reportedly facing a request to City Council from the new board to remove his right to vote.

“There was nothing but disdain for the old board,” says Smith, pinpointing the reason for the palace revolt. “The BIA has been very fragmented and divisive.”

Reversing the bad vibes is one of the new board’s first tasks identified by Brian Yeomans, the new DWBIA Chair.

“We’re trying to start fresh,” he says of the propensity of the DWBIA and the City of Windsor to butt heads. “Going forward we’ll talk (privately) with the city rather than call a news conference.”

Yeomans is a Business Development Manager for Best Western Plus and Holiday Inn Express, two downtown hotels owned by developer Shmuel Farhi, and a neophyte on the board who is passionate about downtown.

“I have lived and worked downtown for 27 years,” Yeomans expresses. “Nothing really changes. I decided that to move forward we need a united front.”

This is a bit of a tangled web. Mending fences with the city is part of what Yeomans regards as “challenging times.”

Witness the ugly dust-up at the May 29, 2019 city council meeting after Mayor Drew Dilkens threatened to cut the budget

or dismantle the BIA as punishment for donating $5,000 to a citizen group fighting the location of the proposed mega-hospital.

Dilkens lost round one of that public scrap after lawyers from both parties agreed the city had no business telling BIAs how to spend their levies. But now, the city is reviewing the legitimacy of BIA bylaws after Dilkens noted, on May 29, that he hears from some downtown owners that they are upset the new DWBIA board has lifted levies by 10 percent plus.

Yeomans reports there has been limited blowback from disgruntled members, although Joan Shanfield Melnick, Owner of Shanfields Meyers Jewellery & China Shop and four other downtown buildings, penned a letter to council that she was dissuaded from presenting on May 29, vehemently opposing the hike.

“The last thing any business owner needs in this climate is what amounts to a TAX INCREASE,” Shanfield Melnick wrote.

The increase was approved at the annual DWBIA budget meeting in February, grossly unattended by the 600 plus members who didn’t know it was coming.

There was also no notice or consultation with the DWBIA when the library board, led by political arch rivals Dilkens and

“We’re trying to start fresh,” declares new DWBIA Chair Brian Yeomans. Photo courtesy of Brian Yeomans.

Councillor Rino Bortolin, decided to transform the Central Library building into a mega-mission.

“The DWBIA levy is the third lowest levy percentage-wise out of nine BIAs in the city,” Yeomans argues, noting that additional spending will be directed at a new strategic plan, authored by former City Hall wonk Melinda Munro, a website that hasn’t been updated in 11 years

B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

and a modernized data management system.

The board has shelved a report by erstwhile American consultant Peter Bellmio, hired by the Horwitz board, containing unknown recommendations to improve downtown in the wake of the opioid and homelessness scourge.

“We want to share it with stakeholders first,” Yeomans reveals. “We have to have a meeting to collectively review it.”

Balla observes that there is a very different laundry list of downtown problems than 20 years ago, but the result is the same.

“There’s a fundamental lack of leadership confronting the core, relative to it being a viable business district,” he bemoans.

The homelessness, opioid, and needle crises are being blamed for breeding safety concerns among families and adults over 40.

A mega-mission will only exacerbate those fears of venturing downtown.

Ayad Saddy, Co-owner of BB Branded, has been a downtown booster, but the trend towards online sales made the decision to dump the downtown storefront a logical one.

“We’re going where the future is,” he says.

“The traffic downtown is not what it used to be. Downtown needs attention and care.”

Watch for part two in the October issue of Biz X!

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FRONTLINES

A Step In The Right Direction For Essex Centre Boutique Thirteen years after taking over Stepping Out, a women’s fashion boutique in Essex Centre, Owner Ann Pittao has taken the plunge and moved into a larger space at 21 Talbot Street North, just doors away from its original location.

“We have outgrown the previous space and simply need more room,” says Pittao. “Our goal in designing the store was to create a space customers look forward to visiting.”

Before moving, Pittao undertook a dramatic interior and exterior renovation at the new location.

For exterior improvements, she also took advantage of the Town’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP), which provides grant funding to eligible property owners wanting to enhance and improve their properties.

“With such a big transformation, the CIP helped enormously,” Pittao adds. “I was able to add a few extras outside, which help to make it more appealing for our downtown.”

The new boutique has been renovated, updated and has enough space for Pittao to add Sarah’s, an esthetics salon at the rear of the store, where clients can have their hair and nails done by appointment only.

Before purchasing the business, Pittao had been a stay-at-home mom to three children and worked as a self-employed bookkeeper for a number of local businesses.

She was a regular customer at Stepping Out for 10 years when the owner approached her about buying the business.

“It was very busy at the beginning trying to juggle/balance home and work life, but I’ve always had a great staff who have made it possible,” she says.

Now it’s become a family affair this year.

Daughter Hannah, who graduated in retail management from Ryerson University, is back home in Essex and works in the store, while her sister Alyssa has returned to the town after 11 years away and handles the store’s social media presence. (Keep up to date with the boutique on their pages and on their website: SteppingOutEssex.ca).

“They had worked in the store after school and during the summer, so early on they began to understand the aspects of running

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Owner Ann Pittao, left, and daughter Hannah pose inside Stepping Out, a women’s fashion boutique in Essex Centre, which moved this summer a few doors down on Talbot Street North from its previous location.

Photo by Dave Hall.

a business and it’s been great to work with both of them,” Pittao adds.

The store carries clothing by Tribal, Frank Lyman, Gilmour, Point Zero and Up along with a selection of Italian designers and jeans by Yoga, Lois, Silver and Liverpool. There are also scarves and purses from Italy which Pittao selects personally on buying trips, as well as a selection of shoes.

Anticipating clothing trends, as well as choosing clothing Pittao thinks her clients will appreciate, is all part of the process in addition to the daily business of retail selling in a competitive marketplace.

Pittao mentions she hasn’t noticed a large impact from online sales or big-box stores because, “We can offer personal service in a social setting where our customers can have a coffee and chat, even if they are not buying that particular day. We hope that by providing a social experience, our customers will think of us first when they decide to buy.”

Nelson Silveira, Town of Essex Economic Development Officer, comments, “Ann and Stepping Out are a great example of an existing business utilizing the town’s grant program to expand and help beautify our urban cores. The town continues to provide grants and other incentives to attract new business and encourage current businesses to expand, and we look forward to more investment as this area grows.”

FRONTLINES Windsor Sales Rep Earns Top Of The Food Chain Spot A Commercial Sales Representative for Williams Food Equipment was recently honoured on a national level during a dinner at Piper’s Heath Golf Club in Milton, ON. Jake Damstra was the recipient of the 2018 “Dealer Pathfinder Award” as voted by MAFSI (Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry). The award represents the “National Sales Person of the Year”.

“I am truly humbled and especially honoured to receive this award,” Damstra proudly states. “To be recognized by your peers in the industry is very gratifying, since they have a great understanding of what the job entails.”

Damstra prides himself in “taking care of the little things, not just the big things. If a customer is in need of something and I can fit it in my car, I will bring it out to them, free of charge. When you can show your customer you stand by them at all times, it creates that special relationship.”

This was the first time ever a Williams Food Equipment representative has received this award.

“I fully understand one doesn’t get an award like this just based on one’s own merits,” notes Damstra. “This is definitely a team effort and I want to thank the Williams family and all my colleagues at Williams Food Equipment.”

The company is a 100% Canadian owned and operated family business that has been supplying high quality cookware and kitchenware for over 50 years. Their head office is located at 2150 Ambassador Drive in Windsor.

Damstra has been with Williams since 2016 and is their representative for Windsor, Amherstburg and Chatham. He can be reached by emailing: jaked@williamsfoodequipment.com.

At the official June 10th awards dinner in Milton, Kevin Collis (left) of MAFSI stands with award recipient Jake Damstra of Williams Food Equipment. Photo courtesy of Bill Horosko (MAFSI).

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FRONTLINES Vern Myslichuk: Making Erie Street The Place To Be! Windsor serial entrepreneur Vern Myslichuk is adding two new businesses to his stable of successful enterprises.

Myslichuk already owns the historic and stately Low-Martin Mansion in Walkerville, Better Made Cabinets and Bacchus Ristorante. Now he’s preparing to open Verna-Q-Lar, an upscale cocktail lounge adjacent to Bacchus at 614 Erie Street East and he recently acquired a former Rexall Drug Store at 815 Erie Street East with plans to turn it into a gym and wellness centre.

“Erie Street has great restaurants, but we need more entertainment options — after they’ve had a great meal — without having to leave the street,” he believes.

Myslichuk adds, “And the wellness centre will include a gym and offer health and wellness services, including massage therapy, a chiropractor, an esthetician and an acupuncturist. It’s all about providing growth along the street and creating a buzz at the same time.”

The lounge is expected to open in late fall and will feature signature cocktails as well as live entertainment. The wellness

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centre and gym are expected to open in early September.

Myslichuk informs Biz X the wellness centre will be like nothing else offered in Windsor when it comes to the range of services.

The former drug store has been transformed and renovated with new stucco on the exterior, a new exterior paint scheme as well as new flooring and repainted walls on the interior.

“We’re already getting compliments for turning a tired old building into something more attractive and contemporary,” Myslichuk proudly states. “There is a great vibe on this street and we’re happy to be adding to it.”

Sawyer Telegdy, President of Shred Shop, will operate the gym, which will feature functional group training options, including tires and sleds, to create a new training experience.

At the rear of the newly-renovated space will be the wellness centre, under the umbrella of Elevate Health Boutique.

Telegdy mentions the gym will offer membership plans while the wellness

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Sawyer Telegdy, President of the Shred Shop, joins entrepreneur Vern Myslichuk at their new enterprise in a renovated Rexall Drug Store at 815 Erie Street East in Windsor. When finished, the space will house a gym and wellness centre. Photo by Dave Hall.

centre will be available to clients on a single-use basis.

Programs and costs are still to be determined, says Myslichuk.

Myslichuk has operated Better Made since 1998 after rebranding it from Wood Wishes and opened Bacchus in 2017.

He expects his combination of businesses will bring more people to the street and that everyone will benefit from added foot traffic.

“There’s enough business for everyone and we’re not so much competitors as we are partners in continuing to help attract business to a really cool area of the city,” he stresses.

For more information on Myslichuk’s businesses, visit: LowMartinMansion.com or BetterMadeCabinets.com. To learn more about the gym, see: ShredShop.ca.

HEARD ON THE STREET Organizers of a protest designed to bring attention to dangerous driving conditions along Highway 3 say it will go ahead September 7 despite a recent pledge by the Ontario government to twin the highway after years of promises and delays. The motorcycle protest was originally planned to honour the memory of Tyler Knight, a motorcyclist who was killed in a head-on collision on the highway earlier this summer.

Drivers of cars and other vehicles have also been invited to attend the protest. It’s expected that participants will meet at the intersection of Highways 3 and 77 and proceed in a safe and orderly fashion up and down Highway 3 for most of the day. Accidents are a regular occurrence along the two-lane portion of the highway and politicians, drivers and residents of the region have called for it to be twinned, for many years.

Organizers of the protest couldn’t be reached for comment by press time. For the latest details check Facebook.com under “Highway 3 protest bike ride windsor/essex county.”

Building a new business by utilizing their Hispanic and South American heritage, Mynor Rosales and Roberto Garcia have opened Chicano’s Tacos & Tequila, in Amherstburg, in a space formerly occupied by Dalhousie Bistro. Rosales, who was born in Guatemala, and Garcia, who was born in Costa Rica, both felt that Amherstburg lacked a truly authentic Mexican restaurant. “We both spent time living in Mexico and we decided to take a chance and open up our own restaurant,” explains Rosales.

“It was Roberto’s idea and he invited me to join him.” Both spent some of their childhood years in Mexico and ultimately met after they moved independently to Ottawa. “But, for a South American, Ottawa’s climate wasn’t very nice,” says Rosales, laughing. “I moved to Windsor in 1996 mostly for the climate and Roberto soon followed,” he tells Biz X. The restaurant, situated at 219 Dalhousie Street, specializes in chimichangas, burritos, quesadillas, fajitas,

soups, salads and tacos. On the adult beverage side, it features tequila, sangria, beer, specialty cocktails and margaritas. “There is nothing fast-food about our place, because everything is cooked fresh and made to order,” says Rosales.

“Everybody so far believes it’s worth the wait to get authentic, fresh Mexican food.” To view the menu and see their hours of operation, visit their social media page: “Chicano’s Tacos & Tequila” on Facebook.

Also out in the ’burg, the owners of Waterfront Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, 229 Dalhousie Street, have partnered with Chef Bill Deslippe of Smashed Apple Catering in a new business venture. Waterfront’s successful husband and wife team, Jen and Justin DeLuca, along with the Chef, are preparing to open The Perch Pit. This stationary food truck will be located directly behind the gazebo on the grounds of the ice cream shop. What’s on the menu? Lake Erie perch of course! As well, handcut fries and four other menu options, created by Deslippe, will be offered. The trio initially hoped to have the food truck (also a seasonal business) up and running in May of this year, but only recently received the necessary approvals in midAugust, by town council. Whereas opening The Perch Pit this current season would be a dream come true for the young entrepreneurs, due to the amount of work on their plates, you’ll most likely have to wait until spring 2020.

Continuing on with updates for all the foodies out there, Owners Ryan and Tina Odette have closed their Mamo Burger location at 13430 Tecumseh Road East in Tecumseh. However, there are plans to open a new restaurant featuring seasonal local foods, craft cocktails and wines.

The couple were unavailable for comment by press time to talk about what’s cooking for the new concept. Their first Mamo Burger restaurant at 1515 Ottawa Street in Windsor remains open and celebrates its sixth anniversary this month.

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The restaurant features signature burgers plus a variety of sides and salads.

Mary-Anne Bjorkman has decided to step away from her fashion businesses in Essex and focus on a new venture with husband Stephen — The Wreck at Colchester Harbour, a casual seasonal dining restaurant on Lake Erie.

For years, Bjorkman had owned Just Plus and Golden Girls Fashions, both on Talbot Street North in Essex. She closed Golden Girls a year ago and is now handing the reins of Just Plus over to employee Patty Enlow, who takes over on October 1. “It’s time for a change and time to ease into semi-retirement,” explains Bjorkman of her decision to sell. “And I am looking forward to it.” Bjorkman will stay on and work alongside Enlow for about six months before making it permanent. The Wreck is open from early May until Thanksgiving, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as on holiday Mondays.

Change continues to happen along Erie Street East in Windsor with new restaurants and businesses opening on almost a monthly basis. An upscale Greek restaurant is almost ready to open at the corner of Erie and Ellesmere Avenue and a small wine bar is close to opening its doors in a former coffee shop according to Filip Rocca, owner of Mezzo Ristorante and Lounge and President of the Erie Street Business Improvement Association. In addition, a new building with commercial/retail on the ground floor and apartments on three upper levels is planned for a space currently occupied by a small community garden at 781 Erie Street East. “We’re excited about this one because we’re always looking for more residential units on the street,” says Rocca. “We will be relocating the community garden because it’s a nice place for people to sit and people watch.” Finally, there’s a rumour floating along the street that the owners of El Mayor at 936 Wyandotte Street East, which was destroyed by a fire in January, are preparing to move into the space formerly occupied by La Zingara, which closed 18 months ago. “That’s the rumour, but I can’t say for sure,” says Rocca.

“But, it’s encouraging that every time a business closes, someone else is ready to step in right behind them. It’s still a very vibrant street and this is all proof that it’s a sought-after location.”

(For more evidence read the opposite page to see what Vern Myslichuk is up to!)

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY

NEWSFLASH NEW IN BIZ PrintToColour.com is now live! Print to Colour is a Windsor based family-friendly art website. The main artists, Charles Sklenar and Rowan Piper created the site to encourage creativity, socialization and collaboration among the local art community.

One of their fondest memories as children was sitting at the kitchen table with crayons colouring in their favourite superheroes, book characters, and movie princesses in colouring books. Growing up, they spent much of their time drawing their most creative designs. Now they can share their art and ideas with the world as can others!

PrintToColour.com lets everyone download it, print it and colour it! Visitors to the site can scroll through the images, make a purchase, download the PDF files, print them out on 8 ½ x 11 paper, and start colouring. You can also use online colouring programs to colour an image. Sklenar mentions an app is in the works for customers to use after a purchase.

They plan on expanding the content with videos presenting the artists, tutorials, ideas, and more. As well, a special “Fan Art” page

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lets you turn their designs into your art.

Simply submit your coloured art, and your submissions can be posted on the page and also on social media. Local artists are also welcome to submit 8 x 10½ line drawings as well, for possible payment. For more information, contact creator Sklenar via email: chucks@printtocolour.com.

Massimo De Menech state: “We moved locations to better serve our clients and our new location allows us to return to our roots of one-on-one career counselling and disability management.” For more information on the company visit: CareerStreams.com.

ON THE MOVE

Three cheers for Douglas Marketing Group (DMG), 4960 Walker Road in Windsor on earning five different international awards and being a great example of local talent being recognized, both nationally and internationally, for exceptional work!

The Aster Awards (a national competition awarding healthcare professionals for excellence in advertising/marketing; AsterAwards.com) have titled DMG as a winner of the 2019 “Gold Patient Education Award” for their work with Urban Recovery on their folder and inserts. As well they were the recipient of a 2019 “Bronze Award” for work with Clear Medical Imaging on their

CareerStreams Resources Inc., Southwestern Ontario’s largest private career counselling and career development company, recently moved to a new location.

CareerStreams Resources Inc. has been in business for 23 years and specializes in Career Counselling, Career Development, Disability Management, Human Resources, Professional Development, and Vocational Rehabilitation. The new office can be found at 3200 Deziel Drive, Suite 416 in Windsor’s Greenwood Business Centre. President Fabio De Menech and Regional Marketing Manager

B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

HALL OF FAME

logo design and letterhead. In addition, Hermes Creative Awards (an international competition for creative professionals; HermesAwards.com) granted DMG the 2019 “Platinum Award” status in three categories for “Print Media and Design for Packaging” for their work on Wolfhead Distillery’s Original, Banana Caramel and Grapefruit Vodka labels. For more information refer to: http://ow.ly/5Ml550uZOsr or their agency’s main website: ExperienceDMG.com.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO . . .

Congratulations to Parkway Massage Therapy, 2825 Lauzon Parkway, Suite 207 in Windsor on celebrating 10 years in business in September. The Parkway Massage team of 10 RMTs, work together to provide you with the best quality of care on your journey to health and healing in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. They offer a wide range of services with each therapist specializing in specific modalities, such as therapeutic facials, Ashiatsu Oriental bar therapy, reflexology and also prenatal, Swedish, sports and deep tissue massages and more. There is also an esthetician on site for manicures, pedicures and facials. For a list of all services, pricing and bios on the team please go to: MassageIsMedicine.ca.

Congrats to Waterfront Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, 229 Dalhousie Street in Amherstburg on their 40th anniversary!

The company celebrated on August 10, 2019 (see accompanying photo courtesy of Waterfront Ice Cream) with an outdoor party for customers that included live music, clowns, face painting, cake (and ice cream!), giveaways and visits from local politicians.

Waterfront’s husband and wife team, Jen and Justin DeLuca (middle row from left in

photo) took over the family business 15 years ago, which was opened up in 1979 by Justin’s parents, Cecilia (far right standing in middle row) and Tito DeLuca (kneeling on left). Back then eight flavours of ice cream were served and now they feature over 54 flavours of ice cream and 28 flavours for frozen yogurt! The parlour is a past 2007 Biz X Award winner for “We All Scream For This Ice Cream”. Get the scoop on their history and view a menu at: WaterfrontIceCream.com.

Make bigger better In today’s fast paced economy, it’s all about driving peak performance.

KPMG Enterprise advisors are dedicated to helping you lower your risks, strengthen your operations and create an effective plan of action.

Our local team knows what it takes to win and are committed to helping you get there. Speak with a KPMG advisor in Windsor today.

Contact us: Your business advisors John Ropac | Cynthia Swift | Jason Grech T: 519-251-3500 kpmg.ca/enterprise © 2019 KPMG LLP, a Canadian limited liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. 23851

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*UNLESS NOTED 519 IS THE AREA CODE TO USE

Submit your listing on: BizXmagazine.com and InPlayMagazine.com

Please be sure to confirm all events before attending.

JIM BROAD Sales Representative

Your Neighbourhood REALTOR® Call me today for all your Real Estate needs.

519-564-2724

Sept. 1 to Nov. 30: Host a “Coffee Break” for the Alzheimer Society in your office, workplace, home, church or school! “Coffee Break” is any social activity where hosts collect donations for their local Alzheimer Society in exchange for a coffee. They can be customized to any group or organization with hosts combining the “Coffee Break” with bake sales, raffles, or casual dress days to maximize donations. For more information contact Angela of the Alzheimer Society Windsor-Essex County by emailing: abelleau@aswecare.com or calling 974-2220 ext. 237.

September is “Suicide Prevention Awareness Month” Suicide continues to be a serious national and local issue with an average of 10 people dying by suicide each day in Canada.

Of the 4,000 deaths by suicide annually, over 90% were living with a mental health problem or illness. We can work together to prevent suicide. For the last three years, the Canadian Mental Health Association — Windsor/Essex County Branch and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, along with several community partners, have organized “Suicide Prevention Awareness Month”. Several events are happening throughout the month to help to raise awareness and start a conversation around suicide awareness and prevention. The goal is to bring awareness to suicide and let individuals know they are not alone. Highlights include: the 5K Walk at the St. Clair College Sportsplex on Sept. 29; the 5th annual “Cainerfest” (Sept. 13 & 14, further information on this page); the Windsor premiere of “Last Call” produced by wellknown local film-maker, Gavin Michael Booth (Sept. 21) and more! For a calendar of community events, information about the signs and symptoms of someone struggling with suicidal thoughts along with crisis information, and a toolkit that can be used to help raise awareness, please check the website: WindsorEssex.CMHA.ca/mental-health/suicide-prevention.

Sept. 8: 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 Road 42, next to Windsor Airport. Registration at 8:45 a.m. and go-karting is 9:30 until 11:30 a.m. Participants are also eligible for door prizes, can take part in silent auctions and

50/50 draws. Entrance by donation or by collecting pledges.

Register online at: HSCevents.ca/essexindy or contact Paul Bateman: pjb8man@hotmail.com or phone 322-5924.

Sept. 9: Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara’s “Annual Charity Golf Tournament” tees off at 11 a.m. at Beach Grove Golf & Country Club, 14134 Riverside Drive East in Tecumseh. Since 2009 various charitable groups in Tecumseh and Essex County have benefitted from over $330,000 in proceeds from this golf tourney. The majority of proceeds for 2019 will be directed to the Bursary Program at the Windsor Essex Children’s Aid Foundation with the remainder being split amongst various other groups. For $250 participants can golf, enjoy coffee and baked goods from McDonald’s, lunch at the turn, dinner, golf contests, and a chance to bid for prizes in the silent/live auctions. Each golfer also goes home with a swag bag of items and a gorgeous mum locally grown and donated by The Bloomin’ Gardener. For more information contact the Tournament Coordinator Julie Bortolotti by email: garysgolf1@hotmail.com or calling 990-1760.

Sept. 13 to 15: The 5th annual “Cainerfest” 2019 at RockStar Music Hall, 2418 Central Avenue in Windsor.

The three day event features live music, games, a 50/50 draw, local mental health resources, guest speakers and more.

Friday is “Metal Night” and features Among the Rest, FIRE, Weapons of Choice + more. Saturday is “Rock Night” with Rose Cora Perry, Laval, Ignore the Evidence + others. Hours for both days are 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday is “Family Day” (all ages show from noon until 8 p.m.) welcoming British Beat 66, Dave Russell, Bad Romance + more. This 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. Admission is $10 each night with all proceeds to CMHA. On “Family Day” kids can attend for $5. To learn more email: cainerfest@ gmail.com; visit: Facebook.com/cainerfest or call 817-1668.

Sept. 14 & 15 and 21 & 22: The “Festival of Hawks” at Holiday Beach Conservation, 6952 County Rd. 50 West in Amherstburg from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. allows you to witness the migration spectacular of tens of thousands of hawks and

SPECIAL EVENT OF THE MONTH

ever imagined, as the town bans dancing.

It isn’t long before Ren can’t resist breaking the rules, and he’s not alone. Memorable musical numbers such as “Holding Out for a Hero,” “Almost Paradise,” “Let’s Hear it for the Boy” and of course, the unforgettable title track “Footloose” are guaranteed to get your toes tapping and your head bobbing to their infectious beats.

Produced by the energetic ACT team — who brought you audience favourites such as “Dreamgirls” and “Hair” in 2018 and earlier this year, “The Wiz” — their new fall production, “Footloose” runs September 6, 7, 13 & 14 at 8 p.m. and September 8 & 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 to $35 (plus box office fees), and are available in person

Sept. 6 to 15: Everybody get ready to cut loose as the Arts Collective Theatre (ACT) presents “Footloose: The Musical” at the Capitol Theatre, 121 University Avenue West in Windsor. This explosive rock ‘n’ roll musical bursts to the stage with amazing local talent under the age of 30. ACT’s “30 Under 30” program brings together youth 30 and under to develop theatre skills, be mentored by local artists and produce a show. So what is this musical all about? City boy Ren thinks his life is over when he is forced to move to Bomont, an American rural backwater town. But things are far worse than he could have

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www.jimbroad.ca

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

BROUGHT TO YOU BY When experience matters

DATES TO REMEMBER September/MidOctober2019

raptors as they fly overhead on their annual journey to nesting grounds in the south. $15/vehicle. You can also enjoy the live raptor display and educational and family oriented free programs. Refer to: EssexRegionConservation.ca/educationand-events/festival-of-hawks if you have any questions.

Sept. 15: The Rotary Club of Cottam hosts its 57th annual “Fall Fair and Horse Festival” at Ridgeview Park, 124 Fox Street in Cottam from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. This is a free event for the community and surrounding area and includes a pancake breakfast, vendors’ market, BBQ lunch, parade, music, free bouncy castles, free pony rides and horse demonstrations.

For more information email: cottam.rotary@gmail.com; see their Facebook page or call 999-0351.

Sept. 15: Registration for the 11th annual “Shar’s Ride for MS” starts at 9 to 10 a.m. at the Moose Lodge #1499 located at 777 Tecumseh Road West in Windsor. Motorcyclists then depart at 11 a.m. for this poker run around Essex County to designated Poker Stops. Everyone circles back to the Moose Lodge for a family style dinner, fun and games around 4:30 p.m. In the past 10 years Shar Good and her team have raised $98,000! All funds raised stay local and help those who have MS in our own community with mobility equipment, incontinence supplies and more. To participate, riders pay $30 with passengers, $20. Registration is FREE with pledges of $100! Dinner only tickets for $30 are sold as well so even non-riders are welcome to come out and support the ride.

Find further details by emailing: shar.good54@gmail.com; visiting: Facebook.com/rideforms or dialing 974-8230.

Sept. 15: Riverside RCL BR 255 presents the 85th anniversary “Family Day Celebration” at 5645 Wyandotte Street East in Windsor from noon until 4 p.m. This is a free community event full of fun for everyone with a bouncy castle, face painting and animal balloons, a charity dunk tank, a performance by the Diplomats Drum and Bugle Corps, music and lots more! For more details, view: RCLbranch255.com; email:d.a.thomps@hotmail.com or call 945-2012.

Sept. 18 & 19: The 28th annual “Fall Wedding Event” at the Caboto Club, 2175 Parent Avenue in Windsor from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Plan your wedding with the area’s top wedding businesses, see the hottest fashion and décor trends and

Actress Gillian Marshall plays the lead role of Ariel in “Footloose: The Musical”. Photo courtesy of Rene Tremblay.

at the Capitol Theatre box office, or on the website: CapitolTheatreWindsor.ca/event/ act-footloose-the-musical. If you require more information, please call the box office at 973-1238.

experience stress free planning for your upcoming nuptials.

Fashion shows at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Just $12 at the door gets you in or $45 for the Wedding Party Special (for groups of five accompanied by a bride or groom). Questions? Email: Nancyc@weddingshows.com; log on to: WeddingShows.com (for $2 off admission cost) or phone 978-0676.

Sept. 20: The “World Alzheimer’s Day Breakfast” at the Windsor Club, 2072 Riverside Drive East begins at 8:30 until 11 a.m. Tickets $40. For further information contact Angela at: abelleau@aswecare.com; refer to their website: Alzheimer.ca/en/windsoressex under “events” on the home page or call 974-2220.

Sept. 20: The eight annual Brain Injury Association W/E Golf Tournament at Kingsville Golf and Country Club, 640 Essex County Road 20 from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Admission is $125. For more information, email: info@biawe.com; see: BIAWE.com or dial 981-1329.

Sept. 21 & 22: The 25th annual “Children’s Fest” at Central Park Athletics, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read more in The Parenting Biz feature story in this edition starting on page 42.

Sept. 21 & 22: “Windsor ComiCon” at The Colosseum inside Caesars Windsor, 377 Riverside Drive East from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is an all-ages event, featuring popular genres such as: comics, sci-fi, horror, gaming, and anime/cosplay. For tickets and more information, visit: WindsorComicon.com or phone 566-1735.

Sept. 22: Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario (ESWO) hosts its third annual “Seize The Day 2.5K Walk & 5K Run” at the Vollmer Culture & Recreation Centre, 2121 Laurier Parkway in 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.

Questions? email: sarah@epilepsyswo.ca; check the website: EpilepsySWO.ca/seize-the-day-windsor or text/call 890-6614.

Sept. 26 to Oct. 20: The third annual “Excellence in Focus” Art Exhibit presented by Linda Monin and Nancy Bauer at the Gibson Gallery, 140 Richmond Street in Amherstburg. Bauer, known for her portraits, wildlife and still-life pieces creates exceptional paintings in quality and detail. She often works from a photograph at some stage of each painting. Monin is a Visionary Photo Artist who takes a photo and gives the image “more”. She is a master at transforming a photo memory into a one-of-akind keepsake by digitally painting it and bringing it to life.

There is no charge to attend. For exhibit hours please email:

lindamonin@cogeco.ca; log on to: LindaMonin.com or phone 254-8669.

Sept. 27 & 28: The third annual “Etsy: Made in Canada” show at the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association Museum, 2600 Airport Road in Windsor happens Friday 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday 11 to 5 p.m. Over 60+ local handmade shops and artisans from Windsor Essex are showcasing their products at the hangar. A $2 admission fee supports the Arts Council Windsor & Region & Vanguard.

This is a family event with art/craft activities for the kids, food, drinks and is wheelchair accessible. See the Facebook event page for a full vendor list. Still need more details?

Email: rosecityetsyteam@gmail.com or dial 586-229-4244.

Sept. 27, 28 & 29: “Amherstburg Uncommon Festival” at King’s Navy Yard Park, 242 Dalhousie Street in Amherstburg. Enjoy this free event (tickets sold for certain activities) filled with cosplay, magic and more! Dress as a wizard or steampunker and be prepared to PLAY! Meet odd and peculiar characters and engage in live performances.

Kids can enjoy the Innovation Pavillion. NEW this year, get your tickets for “The Fantastic Feast” dinner experience!

Live concert Friday night and outdoor movie Saturday night.

To learn more email: svangrinsven@amherstburg.ca; go to: VisitAmherstburg.ca or call 730-1309.

Sept. 28: The 7th 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 cocktail hour, guests are treated to a fantastic assortment of appetizers created by the chefs and students from the 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 further information, you can email: hjanzen@uhc.ca; see: UHC.ca or phone 944-4900.

Sept. 28 & 29: 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 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. that includes weekend long musical entertainment, 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. For further details refer to: CommunityLivingEssex.org or call 776-6483 ext 246.

Sept. 29: The Canadian Cancer Society’s “Taking Steps Against Breast Cancer” 1K/5K community walk/run at

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Point Pelee National Park, 1118 Point Pelee Drive in Leamington gets underway at 8 a.m. (registration); walk/run at 10 a.m. and activities until noon. This annual event provides an opportunity to raise funds and 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. This event is pet friendly! Well-behaved animals (on a leash) are welcome, pink attire and costumes are encouraged for all participants and furry friends. Park entrance fees are included with your registration cost as well as a t-shirt, food, beverages and entertainment. Early bird ticket special offered until Sept.

25 with lower rates to participate as follows: $30 for adults and $10 for children, ages five to 17. Event day registration rates are $40 adult; $20 for children. For more information or find out how to register, visit on the web: TakingSteps.ca; email: marissa.stein@ontario.cancer.ca, or call 254-5116.

Sept. 29: The Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM) Charity Golf Tournament at Sutton Creek Golf Club, 2135 County Road 12 in Essex from 11:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. (shotgun start 1 p.m.) Trying to catch up on golf and help homeless young people build new lives? Register for the WRYM tourney! $150 for golf, dinner, reception or $50 for dinner and the reception. To register or get more details, go to: WRYM.ca; email: golfwrym@gmail.com or phone 226-759-2802.

Oct. 6: “Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure,” see page 38 of this issue for more details.

Oct. 9: The Leamington District Chamber of Commerce’s 25th annual “Business Excellence Awards” at the Leamington Portuguese Community Club, 217 Talbot Street West starts at 5 p.m. To reserve your $75 tickets (or $560 for a table of eight) email: info@leamingtonchamber.com; please view: LeamingtonChamber.com or dial 326-2721.

Oct. 11: Build a Dream’s second annual “Dreamer Day Breakfast” at St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, 201 Riverside Drive West in Windsor from 8 until 10:30 a.m.

The event occurs on “International Day of the Girl” and honours the contributions of community members who promote workforce diversity and inclusion. There is also an awards presentations from nominations coming from the community and a panel of female professionals sharing insight on topics like business development and workforce inclusivity moderated by Helga Reidel, President and CEO of EnWin Utilities. Individuals can visit: WeBuildADream.com to make a nomination. Admission is $35 per ticket or tables of 10 for $350. Find more info by emailing: nour@webuildadream.com or calling 560-7877.

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COVER FEATURE STORY

KELCOM Celebrates 50 Years In Southwestern Ontario With Cutting Edge Technology And Unparalleled Customer Service

MILESTONES By Dave Hall

Photos courtesy of Ashley Colucci, unless marked

The shiny exterior of one of KELCOM’s many offices, 8605 Twin Oaks Drive in Windsor, is pictured. KELCOM Owners Leonard Colucci of the 3D and Document Divisions and Gerry Vanderheide from the Voice and Data Solutions Division, opened this location in 2005. Photo courtesy of Dejan Todorovic.

F

rom its humble beginnings as a marine radio service company 50 years ago, KELCOM has become a leading provider of business and consumer communications solutions across Southwestern Ontario with seven distinct divisions under its corporate umbrella.

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Launched as KELL Communications by Wilson Kell, a transplanted Torontonian, as a service offshoot of Marconi Radio Company, the company started by servicing old-fashioned tube-style marine radios used by freighters and other vessels plying the Great Lakes.

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In 1969, Kell hired Vince Otcenasek (a recent immigrant who escaped the communist regime of Czechoslovakia) as his first employee, before deciding to move back to Toronto and he essentially gave the company to his newest employee with one condition — change the name.

Vince Otcenasek pictured at his desk back in 1978, the year he and Reiner Neumann bought out KELL Communications. And the rest, as they say, is history!

Photo courtesy of Venda Otcenasek and Reiner Neumann.

Otcenasek had already made one change — to K.E.L. Communications — so switching to KELCOM wasn’t much of a stretch for the fledgling company and its new owner.

It was the beginning of steady incremental growth for the Windsor company, which now has about 200 employees in locations across Windsor, Tecumseh, Leamington, Chatham, London, and Vaughn.

Reiner Neumann, who has been with the company for more than 45 years, remembers parlaying his hobby as a ham radio enthusiast

into a part-time job, while still in grade nine, after meeting a company manager at a ham radio gathering.

“It was in the early days of shortwave communications and I was fascinated by it and jumped at the chance to get in on the ground floor,” recalls Neumann, who now runs the company’s Wireless Division.

Neumann would become a shareholder in the company while studying for an engineering degree at the University of Waterloo; and by 1978, he and Otcenasek formed a partnership and bought the company.

Neumann also remembers how the company handled service calls on Great Lakes freighters, in the early days.

“You would get a service call request and a technician would be ferried out to the ship by a tender and climb up this rope ladder hung over the side of the vessel,” says Neumann, laughing, during a recent interview. “Depending on how good and how fast you were, you might be finished by the time the ship reached Sarnia and then you’d take a cab back home.”

He adds, “It was all pretty rudimentary as a business model, but it was the beginning and the growth since then has been remarkable.”

Over the next few years, the company added fleet service contracts with area police, fire and ambulance services, as well

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Reiner Neumann, KELCOM Wireless Division.

as cement companies, heating and cooling operations and trucking outfits, all of which needed communication solutions between its offices and drivers.

While the company still offers two-way radio and pager services to clients across Southwestern Ontario, KELCOM also provides cellular phones, mobile computing devices, telephone systems/data services,

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Dennis Hill, KELCOM Wireless Division.

home and business security services, fax machines and copiers, 3D printing, high speed internet, VoIP digital phone services, 24 hour telephone answering services, and more.

KELCOM has become known throughout the industry as a one-stop shop for all businesses communications’ needs. And the growth was designed to build on services already offered to clients.

In the early 1970s, the company introduced beepers to its clients, which morphed into the pager division, explains Neumann.

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When the telephone industry was deregulated in the early 1980s, giving consumers the opportunity to buy their own telephones rather than continuing to rent from Bell Canada, KELCOM started selling phones to its customers.

Neumann notes the company launched a security system division to take advantage of the fact that staff were already on board 24-7 running its beeper and messaging division.

“We thought — why not use the same staff to monitor security systems? So that’s how we got into that business,” Neumann states.

Neumann continues by adding that fax machines quickly followed and this became the Document Division, which also offers 3D printing services.

KELCOM added cell phone services in the mid-1980s through an agreement with Bell Cellular, but soon switched to Rogers Communications.

The company also offered two-way radio and cell phone services through Clearnet before selling the radio channels and becoming a Clearnet dealer.

“It gave us a large competitive advantage over our competitors, because those communication systems were much more effective and efficient,” believes Neumann.

Clearnet would later merge with Telus, and KELCOM, facing a choice to represent

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Pete Varga, KELCOM Wireless Division.

either Telus or Rogers, sold off its Rogers’ interests and retained a business relationship with Telus.

By the late 1990s, KELCOM recognized that wireless internet access was the wave of the future and launched its Wireless Division, now run by Neumann, Pete Varga and Dennis Hill.

About 20 years ago, Neumann and Otcenasek decided that their growing client base would be better served by dividing the company into separate divisions so each could focus on their core competencies.

Dale Carr (left) and Tim Schweyer, KELCOM Radio Solutions Division.

“It means our clients can now deal with one separate division that fits their needs, so instead of having one person who knows something about a lot of things, we decided it was more efficient for our customer to deal with one person who knows a lot about certain services,” informs Neumann.

So he kept the part of the business he most enjoyed — the Wireless Division — and Otcenasek brought on partners to take over the remaining divisions.

In all, the company is now divided into seven separate divisions with ownership shared between 11 partners.

Besides the previously-mentioned Wireless Division, the owners include: KELCOM 3D and Document Divisions (Len Colucci); KELCOM Radio Solutions Division

(Dale Carr and Tim Schweyer); KELCOM Voice and Data Solutions Division (Gerry Vanderheide); KELCOM Call Centre and Telephone Answering Service (Scott Lyons); KELCOM RevolutionIP Division (Dejan Todorovic); and Security One (Chris Neumann and Dave Moavro).

One of the main attractions of working for KELCOM is its loyalty to long time employees and the continuing opportunities for growth within the various divisions.

“We have had people work their entire careers at KELCOM and retire after 40 years on the job and we still have many who have been with us for between 20 and 30 years,” Todorovic proudly points out. “Many of our employees are immigrants and minorities who have been launched along their career path by joining our company.”

Todorovic also emphasizes that KELCOM is a local company with employees and owners who all call Windsor and Essex County home for themselves and their families. He also mentions the company supports dozens of charities and events each year in the local community.

According to Todorovic the company (under RevolutionIP) was “the first local DSL provider, the first local VoIP supplier and the first local cable internet reseller.”

“Today, we can provide a single internet connection that is faster than all the

B I Z X M A G A Z INRothMosey_BizX E • S E P T E M B E R 2Kelcom 019 ad.indd

Scott Lyons, KELCOM Call Centre and Telephone Answering Service Division. Photo courtesy of Mark Burnham.

combined speeds of thousands of internet customers from 20 years ago,” he says. “Most recently, we have started helping business owners manage their digital presence by improving their web pages, increasing their search engine optimization and handling their social media accounts.”

Vanderheide, who runs the Voice and Data Solutions Division, is another long time employee with 27 years of service and jumped at the chance to become a partner in the business 20 years ago when Otcenasek (who passed away in 2018), was transitioning into retirement and decided to open up the business to new partners.

“I had already been with the company, for 18 months or so, in programming and then sales and becoming a partner was a great

1

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2019-07-25 3:22 PM

Gerry Vanderheide, KELCOM Voice and Data Solutions and Leonard Colucci, KELCOM Document Division and KELCOM 3D Division.

opportunity,” recalls Vanderheide. “It’s been an incredibly fast-changing business and the growth and complexity of the technology we now work with on behalf of our clients, is remarkable.”

The level of technology displayed across all the company’s divisions has removed virtually all of the barriers that had previously created issues for clients and their businesses, explains Vanderheide.

“Today’s clients are often younger and completely comfortable with changing and evolving technologies and, as a provider of services to those clients, you have to be ready to adapt to their communication needs,” he continues. “They want to communicate the way they want to communicate — and you have to be ready to offer those services seamlessly.”

Security One, run by Chris Neumann (Reiner’s son) and Moavro, is another division that grew out of a merger between two separate companies — KELCOM Alarm and Alliance Security, before being rebranded as Security One in 1997.

“We already had a staff of people monitoring beepers and pagers 24-7, so we looked for something else this staff could do — and monitoring security

Chris Neumann, Security One.

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Dave Moavro, Security One.

systems was a perfect fit,” explains Chris.

Now, the company’s security systems monitor everything from two-bedroom homes to multi-million-dollar medical cannabis operations and everything in between.

Using radar technology, thermal imaging cameras, video monitoring and adaptive Smartphone applications, Security One’s staff aim to stay ahead of the curve and provide peace of mind to customers from Windsor to Hamilton.

“As criminals become more sophisticated, our challenge is to try and stay one step ahead,” says Chris. “It’s that combination of variety and challenge that I find most interesting.”

With the use of Smartphones, which seem to be everywhere these days, potential customers can monitor their own in-house systems including thermostats, lights, interior and exterior surveillance cameras and even their front door bells.

“Most of these products can be purchased virtually anywhere, but our company provides integration services to our customers so that it can all be adapted and combined to best meet our customer’s needs,” Chris comments.

Security One has about 60 employees, including security consultants, field technicians, a sales staff and a monitoring staff in its office in Leamington. There are also offices in Chatham, London and Windsor.

Chris adds that separating KELCOM into different divisions provides customers with specialized knowledge and services, while still remaining a one-stop shop for all communications, technology and security needs.

It also creates loyalty within the company’s ranks because employees feel empowered when they are given opportunities to run B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

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their own divisions, says Colucci who has been with KELCOM since 1987.

“I was brought on to sell fax machines and sales went so well that I was given an opportunity to start a new division providing document services to our growing client base,” Colucci recounts. “When you have that opportunity you are so intent on growing the business that you don’t even think about moving elsewhere.”

Once the fax machine business was fully established, KELCOM added photocopiers and, given the changing nature of technology, the company sells very few fax machines today, but the client base has continued to grow.

By 2015, Colucci says, KELCOM added a 3D printing service that allows customers across many sectors, including manufacturing and medical, to create their own plastic composite products and prototypes in a fast, efficient and costeffective way.

Colucci notes, “One of our key customers is St. Clair College, which uses our 3D printing equipment in their curriculum to teach students how to design for 3D printing and to create parts for use in their educational programs.”

In the private sector, meanwhile, manufacturing companies are able to use those same services to reduce outsourcing

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by producing parts in-house and reducing turn-around time, which leads to more efficient parts production processes.

“We recently sold a machine to a local manufacturing company and they were able to pay for it within the first 30 days of use by reducing costs and improving efficiencies,” adds Colucci. “We’re always looking to stay head of the curve and provide services to our customers, which add value to their operations and processes.”

KELCOM has many locations in Windsor with specific divisions working out of offices situated at — 363 Eugenie Street East (headquarters), 8605 Twin Oaks Drive, 1172 Goyeau Street or 1983 Ambassador Drive. They also have locations in Chatham, Leamington, Tecumseh, London and Vaughn, near Toronto.

Reiner Neumann wraps up the key to their success with the following quote: “Our ability to listen to what our customers want is what has fuelled our growth over the years and it’s what will continue to fuel that growth going into our second half-century.”

Details are still to be ironed out, but KELCOM plans a celebration of its 50 years of handling the communication and technology needs of customers across Southwestern Ontario, in October.

For more information on this event and all their services, visit: KELCOM.com.

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Dejan Todorovic, KELCOM RevolutionIP (Internet and Phone Division).

“Yet, despite our hard work, the only reason why we are still here, 50 years later is YOU. It is our loyal customers and the local community that has made us who we are today.

So, on behalf of our employees and our current and past owners, THANK YOU!” Dejan Todorovic

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portfolio corner

Individuals Vs. Institutions

By Steven Mayo

At times, an individual investor is swayed more by daily emotions than are institutional investors.

This article can help differentiate shortterm thinking versus long-term thinking and explain the differences between individuals and institutions when it comes to investing.

Let’s start with short-term influences that can affect investment behaviour. Emotional responses to daily news are often the biggest influence. Each day investors are dealing with a barrage of news that may or may not affect their portfolio(s).

It’s the job of the media to give “importance” to a topic, even if it’s not that relevant. Unfortunately, this recurs with each news cycle. Topics such as politics, trade, tariffs, China, Iran, and “the Fed” should, in reality, have less impact than, say, regulatory and tax policy.

More importantly, each quarter, financial data is reported, such as earnings, dividend

increases, buy-backs, capital expenditures, sales growth, and a host of other information that investors can pour over to get a snapshot of the health of the company and the industry in which it operates.

Institutions spend more time on what happens quarterly. They are required to diversify their portfolios into sectors, and sub-sectors, and they are very disciplined in their reviews. They are paid to perform these analyses, and individuals can certainly benefit from institutional research reports and investment processes.

Institutional managers may have a Value, Growth, or Growth at a Reasonable Price (GARP) mandate.

Each method evaluates companies in a different way to determine whether it is a suitable investment for their portfolio model.

They may then diversify into sectors and sub-sectors, usually more than an individual would.

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Lastly, within each mandate, the portfolio may also have specific geographical focus such as Canada, U.S., North America, or global etc. All of these disciplines add a sophisticated layer to portfolio management.

With this, institutional investment firms can be helpful to individuals, as well as corporations, charitable foundations, and pension plans, when it comes to risk management. The more wealth there is to manage, the more institutional level money management should be understood and utilized.

There are so many market players today.

I discussed individuals and institutions, but there are others such as traders and quants, each utilizing the market(s) in a different way. For long-term investors, knowledge and experience will help one navigate through the many variables that can be encountered.

Let’s end this column now with a few words from Calvin Coolidge . . .

“There is no dignity quite so impressive and no independence quite so important as living within your means.”

Steven Mayo is a Vice President, Director, and 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.

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HAVE A CUP OF JOE WITH JOE

Coming Together For “42 Forward — Our New Hospital”

By Joe McParland

O

rganizers with the group, “42 Forward — Our New Hospital” invite the public to attend a rally to support the new hospital on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 6 p.m., at the newly opened Signature Tribute Events Centre, 3310 Dougall Avenue (and yes there is plenty of parking for all!).

On this evening, have your family dinner at home and then come out for light desserts, munchies and refreshments with entertainment by The Wellness Band from The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County.

“42 Forward — Our New Hospital’” is a grassroots group dedicated to lobbying and advocacy for the County Road 42 Acute Care Hospital for Windsor Essex.

Members of the group want the unheard residents of Windsor — who share and support their view — to come from the shadows as the silent majority, and become the vocal majority supporting the new hospital. It is critical that Queen’s Park hears their voice.

But first, a little background information is needed.

In 2003 the City of Windsor annexed approximately 8.9 square miles from the Town of Tecumseh for future development, including the private land at County Road 42 and Concession 9.

In 2012 The Honourable Dwight Duncan kick-started a thorough investigation into the viability of the current healthcare facilities in this region.

His team of professional experts concluded that the shelf lives of the city’s main two hospitals — Windsor Regional Hospital’s Ouellette and Met campuses

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An eye-catching sign posted by Gunther Wolf in front of his Dougall Avenue home in South Windsor.

Photo courtesy of Gunther Wolf.

— was expiring (they opened their doors in 1888 and 1928, respectively).

The experts determined these aged buildings would require more money, just to bring them up to less than present day needs, than the cost of building a new stateof-the-art acute care hospital with expanded services for the Windsor Essex region. You can only put so many bandages on a gaping wound, right?

In 2013 a site selection committee of volunteers representing all major political backgrounds was struck, and by March 2015, five possible locations for the new hospital were identified. In 2015, lands at County Road 42 and Concession 9 were selected.

On August 13, 2018 Windsor City Council voted in favour of an official plan amendment for the 400-hectare area for the proposed acute care hospital site. Commercial and residential uses are now permitted uses for the area. The council also passed a zoning

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bylaw amendment for the new acute care hospital at its chosen location.

These decisions are currently under appeal with the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) — which replaces the former Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).

LPAT resumes its hearing on this matter in Windsor on October 8, 9 and 10 in Windsor City Council Chambers, beginning at 10 a.m.

This appeal, against the City of Windsor and the Windsor Regional Hospital, was lodged by a group called, CAMPP (Citizens for an Accountable Megahospital Planning Process with a website at: WindsorMegahospital.weebly.com). In their opposition to the chosen site for the Acute Care Hospital, CAMPP has unleashed a public campaign including lawn signs, billboards, meetings, social media, and extensive political lobbying at Queen’s Park.

Now, please, meet Ronna Hope Warsh.

Warsh began her career more than 30 years ago working directly with people with developmental challenges. From there she moved on and spent her next 21 years with the Province of Ontario in the Ministry of Social Services. She then spent seven and a half years as the Commissioner of Social and Health Services with the City of Windsor, before leaving the public sector to start up her own business, Ronna Hope Warsh Leadership Coaching and Consulting, providing service to the public sector.

With “42 Forward — Our New Hospital” Warsh has brought together an eclectic group sharing her concerns and passion, made up of like-minded residents including: Brian Stocks, Bev Valliquette, Gunther Wolf, Noah Tepperman, Janis Windsor, Jeff Casey, Brenda Brunelle and myself (Joe McParland).

Warsh explains she formed this group because, “my experience has taught me about the power of the people; that when the citizens speak out and clearly express their views on local important issues, the government listens. Effective lobbying and

advocacy make a difference in decision making at Queen’s Park or at other levels of government.”

She has seen this time and time again in her many years of work in the province.

When asked about the impact of the location of the new hospital for the poor and disadvantaged of the community in the core area, Warsh says, “I am hopeful as we receive the funding needed to begin planning in the next stage that the current Ouellette site will provide even more enhanced services for the people in need of social and special health care, many of whom live downtown.”

With respect to those with no access to a car trying to get County Road 42, Warsh indicates, “their issues will also be addressed in phase two and the City of Windsor’s Social Services and other departments, will ensure their access.”

Warsh stresses this is why it is critical this region receive the funding NOW and begin the planning.

Wolf, a retired, well-known and longtime former educator in Windsor, attracted Warsh’s attention in support of “42 Forward” by creating his own unique sign for the front of his home on Dougall Avenue in South Windsor (see photo at left).

Why did he do this?

Wolf explains, “My wife battled numerous life-threatening illnesses in Windsor health facilities that were sub-par. After 18 years she succumbed to her illnesses, in April of 2018. To show my appreciation for the outstanding care provided by our doctors, nurses, hospital staff and many others in our health facilities, I felt that supporting the new hospital would be thanking them for their outstanding work in the current ‘less than perfect’ hospital environment. They deserve the best to serve all of us.”

Wolf also cites the loud public dissent of the opposition groups to the County Road 42 site, and their dismissive attitude toward county residents needing our regional healthcare.

He says, very bluntly; “regardless where it is located, some people will be closer, and others will be further away.”

Stocks, Chairman of the group, is the individual who coined the group name, “42 Forward”.

A retiree from the volunteer sector, Stocks mentions he became involved because “the commitment and expertise of David Musyj and his committee in moving the megahospital project forward really impressed me.

ACCOUNTING COUNTS

Cross-Border Travel Risks

By Alison Piccolo, CPA, CA

U.S. tax reform has significantly changed the U.S. tax landscape, and just one day of business travel to the U.S. may create a filing obligation.

Foreign nationals have also come under the microscope with respect to their eligibility for admission to the U.S. As businesses become increasingly global, so do the number of business travellers — especially in a crossborder community as ours. As a result, understanding of the range of implications and risks that business travel may bring becomes important to both the business traveller and their employer.

Some of the risks you face?

• Each state has different tax rules and thresholds and personal state tax may apply even if exempt federally • Personal tax penalties for not filing • May be denied entry and face further

consequences including impact on future travel or personal travel • Dissatisfied employees if subject to negative tax consequences or their personal travel impacted • More instances of corporate tax audits uncovering payroll and employee personal tax issues. May create corporate tax issues for the company depending on what the employee is doing in the other country What’s the risk of not complying?

Getting tax compliance wrong carries two huge risks — financial and reputational. It can cost you money and the support of your customers. Especially as the general public is paying more attention to who’s paying their tax than ever before. Every time a company executive is named in the press for tax evasion, or is detained at borders for non-compliance, the public’s trust slips.

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But, seeing the misinformation being spread by a vocal minority moved me to act. I felt it was time for the silent majority who are in favour of our new hospital on County Road 42, to make our voices heard. And wishing to lead by example, I accepted the role of Chairperson of our team.”

Stocks believes that, “Windsor and Essex County residents are at the crossroads of health care for this and the next generations. The location on County Road 42 means our county friends will also now have prompt access to hospital care. They have committed funds toward the project and are indeed deserving of the fruits of their labour. The group name, ‘42 Forward — Our New Hospital’ reflects our excitement of the unlimited opportunities of enhanced health care, now and in the future!”

So . . . once again, please attend this celebratory rally to support “42 Forward — Our New Hospital” on October 3 at 6 p.m. at the Signature Tribute Events Centre.

Do not remain silent any longer.

Let’s fill the hall as you join your voices as the emerging vocal majority in letting Queen’s Park know where Windsor Essex residents stand on this critical issue — “42 Forward”!

What should business owners and employers do?

• Educate employees early on, let them know they will be taken care of • Track employee travel • Understand the rules and evaluate risks • Put policies in place • Determine which employees should file returns and have payroll reporting/ remittance/waivers • Determine if work permits/visas required Reporting and paying taxes in the U.S., as well as ensuring proper compliance with U.S. and other countries’ immigration rules and labour laws, can be quite challenging.

My recommendation is to speak with a tax professional or immigration lawyer who can advise you according to your specific circumstances.

Alison Piccolo is a Chartered Professional Accountant and works for KPMG in Windsor. Alison has 14 years of experience in public accounting and currently leads the local Owner Managed Enterprise practice. She works directly as a trusted business advisor to privately held companies, assisting with audit, accounting and tax matters.

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY

ask the experts

Home Algae & Grime Have You Down? Don’t Make It A High Pressure Situation!

By Dave Halliday You’re so pumped! You picked up your new high pressure power washer this morning and there is nothing that can stop you now. As you click together the last few pieces and attach the hose, you’re ready for action.

You start with the car but can’t stop.

There’s a little soap on the driveway so you spray the pavement from one end to the other. You wash the windows, the mailbox, the siding, and soffits. You are out of control!

As you finish spraying the garden gnome the fence catches your eye. Full blast you begin the fence and then you see the marks you are leaving. In fact you notice you’ve blasted the paint off the gnome, worn the surface of the driveway, and blasted a hole through

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your vinyl siding. The wife is mad, but what else could you have done to keep everything clean?

That’s where Certified Softwash Solutions comes in to rescue you!

Certified Softwash Solutions, located at 9240 Disputed Road in Windsor (CertifiedSoftwash.ca), claims to have the perfect solution to your exterior cleaning needs. Open since June 2018, Owner and Operator Frank Tamasovics was happy to share his expertise with the readers of Biz X magazine.

kill and remove algae from one’s home,” states Tamasovics. “High pressure water systems only remove it from the surface.”

How does a soft wash system differ from a traditional wash system? “Soft washing differs from traditional washing because we only use a low pressure system, applying eco friendly solutions to

What are the main benefits to the soft wash system? “The main benefit of soft washing is that there is no high pressure damage,” informs Tamasovics. “We actually kill the algae and fungus living

B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

What are the applications for a soft wash for one’s home and property?

“All aspects of a home can be washed/ sanitized,” he indicates and specifically lists: “Concrete driveways and walkways, stucco walls, aluminum and vinyl siding, wood decks/fences, windows, and finally, something that homeowners need to pay attention to — the roof.”

on your property, unlike power washing which just moves it around without getting rid of the problem.”

How often would you suggest that one should carry out this type of cleaning for their home and property? “It depends on the area,” notes Tamasovics. “Once a year this type of cleaning should be done to prolong the life of your investment and a roof cleaning should be done once every three to five years.”

We often see black streaks on our shingles, what are they? “Those black streaks can be layers of black algae and can have a pair of negative effects upon your home,” he says. “They can shorten the life of the asphalt shingles and result in the roof heating up thus turning your air conditioner on more often than should be needed.”

Soft washing your cedar fencing removes the algae and grime without damaging the surface. Photo courtesy of Certified Softwash Solutions.

Do you provide quotes prior to initiating the cleaning? “Yes!” declares Tamasovics. “We meet with each customer on a face-to-face level and a quote is provided so all expectations are very clear.”

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What should the typical home owner expect the day of the cleaning? “A fresh sanitized home looking like almost new condition without any damage,” promises Tamasovics. He also points out “A fresh new look will assist in increasing the value of your home when selling.”

Well, your wife made you sell your power washer, so it’s back to the good old garden nozzle for now.

You stand in the driveway sipping an ice cold adult beverage as you lazily wash the concrete surface with barely enough pressure to move the dirt.

It doesn’t really matter though because the truth is, you’re just out there wasting time anyway.

You glance around the yard as you bump your water bill into the stratosphere and admire the shine from your siding, your algae-free roof, and the like new appearance of your deck and fence.

You couldn’t be happier with Certified Softwash Solutions and the way the company has enhanced the appearance of your home and surroundings.

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Bringing you all the action in the region since 1998.

To view more events visit: BizXmagazine.com

was there!

On July 10, 2019 the Motor City Community Credit Union (MCCCU) held its 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scholarship Awards Presentations at the Central Park Athletics Banquet Room, 3400 Grand Marais Road East, Windsor.

The 2019 recipients of the “Ron Bate Scholarship” each receiving $1,000 from left were: Victoria Iannucci, Avia Prescott, Autumn Bergeron, Destiny Benak, Kelsey Belanger, Alexa Mognon, Lyric Davis and Lauren Carlini.

The Motor City Community Credit Union is helping meet the needs of the vulnerable people in the community and works with non-profit organizations like the Unemployment Help Centre of Windsor (UHC). At the AGM, Johanna Coutinho (left), UHC Communications Manager, and special guest speaker June Muir, CEO of UHC discussed the needs of the unemployed and economically challenged in Essex County.

Founder and Clinical Director, Dr. Meighan Valero, ND (second from left) had two more reasons to smile at the July 13, 2019 grand opening of V Apothecary and the one year anniversary celebration of Valero Wellness at 480 Advance Blvd., Unit 200 in Lakeshore, ON. Pictured from left are: Tricia Rizzo, Office Manager; Dr. Valero; Britany Genovesi, IV Tech; Carmen Cloutier, Receptionist; and Alexandra King, Nutritionist.

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Once again during the credit union’s AGM the Board of Directors were introduced to the shareholders in attendance. This year’s group from left were: Stephan Boucher, Randy Dupuis, Jim Angus, Wendy Dupuis, Don Fraser, Amy Walters, Bill Marra, Sandra Fisher and Mark Moore. Missing from photo: Frank Moceri. MCCCU photos by Rod Denis.

To celebrate the grand opening of V Apothecary (housed in the same building as Valero Wellness, but in Unit 205) Dr. Valero was joined by staff, and local council members for a ribbon cutting ceremony. Pictured from left were: Tricia Rizzo, the Valero Wellness Office Manager; Joe Bachetti, Tecumseh Deputy Mayor; Holly Mao, V Apothecary Store Manager; Gary McNamara, Tecumseh Mayor; Tom Bain, Lakeshore Mayor; Andrew Dowie, Tecumseh Ward 1 Councillor; Dr. Valero; Steven Wilder, Lakeshore Ward 1 Councillor; and Len Janisse, Lakeshore Ward 2 Councillor.

Valero photos by Josie Elysia.

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With plenty of staff, friends and customers on site, it was also a family affair for Dr. Valero (third from left) who was joined by her sister Rebecca Valero, father Jose Valero and brother in law Alonso Mendizabal, who visited from the Greater Toronto Area, to celebrate her new business venture. Tours were held at Valero Wellness and the adjoining V Apothecary to show off the new facilities and services.

V Apothecary offers a wide variety of herbal medicines, tinctures, vitamins, minerals, protein powders, sports nutrients, teas, lifestyle products, health foods, detox supports, and jewellery.

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B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

PROFILING LOCAL BUSINESS WOMEN

By Chelsea Humphreys

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

FAWN MEEKING

Helping Others To Look And Feel Younger From Head To Toe

A

t A Step Above Wellness Centre, a local nurse is helping to overcome the “white coat syndrome” for her patients.

What started out as a strictly in-home foot care business, Fawn Meeking’s clinic, A Step Above Wellness Centre, is now located at 5975 Malden Road in LaSalle, as of June 2018.

When Meeking first began, she would attend patients’ homes and provide their treatment within the comfort of their own environment. Then, after her daughter was born, she started offering appointments on site at her house instead.

“I’ve always been an avid networker,” shares Meeking. “Through certain situations, I was introduced to different equipment and technology and it just snowballed into my current business and office.”

Meeking describes her clinic has having a calm, soothing atmosphere with “No one feeling as though they’re in a medical clinic, and that was my goal.”

Along with her team, Meeking now offers more than just foot care services.

The clinic also does incontinence therapies, medical pedicures and laser treatments.

The centre’s most popular treatment is the BTL Emsella Chair. Nicknamed the “Kegel Throne,” this technology allows adults to strengthen and lift their pelvic floor to reduce incidences of incontinence, just by simply sitting comfortably in their own clothing for 28 minutes.

“The Emsella Chair is a noninvasive option for those suffering from incontinence due to various reasons,” says

Fawn Meeking’s bright and airy consultation office helps puts patients at ease when she explains procedures her clinic offers, such as treatment for urinary incontinence.

Her goal is to avoid the “white coat syndrome” and she truly believes she has accomplished this for her patients.

Photo by Rod Denis.

Meeking. “Childbirth and aging being the top two.”

According to Meeking, A Step Above Wellness Centre is the only clinic in the area with this technology. The next closest city to offer it is Sarnia.

“There are also beneficial side-effects for both sexes,” Meeking states. “However, the individual receiving the treatment and their partner may benefit in other aspects of their life.”

She mentions that if anyone is curious about the treatment, her team would be thrilled to book a free consultation.

Being a single mom with three children, Meeking comments that balancing home life and being a female entrepreneur takes a finesse only a mother can understand.

After dropping her kids off at school and daycare, her work day then starts,

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but once she picks them up at the end of the day that’s when her children have her full attention.

“One-on-one time is a must,” stresses Meeking. “And so, even if I had a late night or I’m tired, we always finish the day with a book, prayers and my daughter loves snuggle time.”

Meeking believes there are perks and advantages to being a woman in business, as with anything in life.

Her advice to other females entering the business world is to never give up.

“Look at every downfall as a learning experience,” Meeking expresses. “Look for the silver lining and move forward, remembering the lesson.”

It was Meeking’s friend who inspired her to get into foot care after discussing the benefits and perks of being a foot care nurse. Like her friend, Meeking became convinced it was her calling, and now they both enjoy a cup of coffee together in the morning before fulfilling their passion of helping others every day.

“Being an independent business owner has been a very challenging yet rewarding voyage that I wouldn’t trade for anything,” she says.

What started out as an initial in-home foot care business has now evolved into a passionate business of helping those in the community look and feel their best — literally skincare from head to toe.

For more information about all services available at A Step Above Wellness Centre or to book a consultation, log on to: AStepAboveWellness.com.

XX FILES

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EVENT PROFILE

Detroit’s Piquette Avenue Plant Revs Up For “Model T Birthday Celebration” COVER FEATURE September 29, 2019 STORY

By Jim Murphy

O

ver a century ago in Detroit, Henry Ford put the Motor City on the map and “the world on wheels” with the development of the Model T, the first automobile made for the masses.

“Prior to the Model T, cars were thought of as a plaything for the wealthy,” indicates David Flatt, Executive Director of the historic Ford Piquette Avenue Plant where the Model T was first developed and produced. “Making automotive transportation available and affordable to ordinary people set a benchmark for innovation and production, making it the most important car developed in the 20th century.”

Come celebrate the 111th birthday of Ford’s monumental achievement at the “Model T Birthday Celebration” and “Milwaukee Junction Car Show,” on September 29 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the very place it was first built in 1908, the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, at 461 Piquette Avenue in Detroit.

“The plant on Piquette Avenue was the original factory owned and purposefully built by the Ford Motor Company,” Flatt explains. “Today, it features a museum where visitors can view the Porter collection, the only complete collection of Ford alphabet cars in the world on display at one time — the Model T being the most significant of this collection.”

To celebrate the birthday of Ford’s revolutionary car, admission to the museum is free as are children’s games and activities, rides in an authentic Model T, music, a trivia quiz about Henry Ford (including prizes for winners provided by the Henry Ford Heritage Association) and tours of the reconstructed “secret rooms” where Ford and his builders first created the Model T. Merchandise will be on sale by The Model T Ford Club International and at a museum pop-up shop along with products from several vendors such as The Peacock Room (vintage clothing and jewellery) and Cyberoptix (ties). Some vendors such as RockAuto will be giving away items like magnets. And if you’re hungry, food trucks provided by National Coney Island will be on hand along with some free birthday treats!

While the “Model T Birthday Celebration” was the plant’s largest event last year with over 850 people in attendance, Flatt expects this year’s event to draw a crowd of more than 1,000!

New to the event for 2019 are book signings by authors and readings of children’s books for sale about the Model T and its

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Steve Shotwell, President of the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Board of Directors, takes two passengers for a ride in a Model T last year, around the plant.

Photos courtesy of the plant.

history by Green Mitten Mama and Sleeping Bear Press, such as “ABCDetroit” by Kari Jo Wagner and “Lulu & Rocky in Detroit” written by Barb Joosse and illustrated by Renée Graef.

Part of the sales go toward the museum!

The event also features a new station assembly exhibit, which shows the way cars were built all those years ago at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant.

Also added this year is the “Milwaukee Junction Car Show,” where cars built before 1947 from the following companies can be entered for free: Ford, Cadillac, Dodge, EverittMetzger-Flanders (EMF), Wayne, Brush, Graham-Paige, Krit, Packard, Oakland, Studebaker, Regal, Hupp, Detroit Electric, Auto Car and Maxwell. Visitors have the chance to

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David Flatt, Executive Director of the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, sits in a Ford Model T earlier this year.

vote for their favourite cars and “Visitor’s Choice Awards” will be given for first, second and third place.

“We owe a huge thanks to Biz X magazine and all of our other sponsors for their support,” states Flatt. “It is because of their generous donations that we are able to hold this event and provide free admission, entertainment, and activities for a great day of family-oriented fun.”

Along with the vendors mentioned, other sponsors of the event include: Ford’s Garage, Midwest Steel, TI Fluid Systems, Park West Foundation (Park West Gallery), Morris Insurance Group, Cruis’ news, MotorCities National Heritage Area and Detroit 2030 District.

For more information on the birthday celebration and other events at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, visit their website at: FordPiquettePlant.org/events.

(A link to register for the car show is there as well).

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EVENT PROFILE

“Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run For The Cure”: October 6, 2019 Local Windsor run dedicated to changing the future of breast cancer Photos courtesy of Trevor Booth

By Rachelle Prince

E

very day, 70 Canadians will hear the words “You have breast cancer”. This means that one in eight Canadian women is expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. This fall, you can help make an impact on a future without breast cancer at an annual event held every October during “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”.

On Sunday, October 6, join hundreds of local participants at the Riverfront Festival Plaza in downtown Windsor for the “Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run For The Cure”. Registered participants have the option of walking or running a 1 km or 5 km route to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society.

The “Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run For The Cure” is the largest, single-day, volunteer-led event dedicated to changing the future of breast cancer. The event funds important breast cancer research and health promotion initiatives across Canada.

Over the past 20 years, the Canadian Cancer Society and the former Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation have invested more than $360 million in breast cancer research; funding more than 1,400 scientific and community grants.

Locally since 1998, Windsor Essex has raised more than $4 million to help find a cure.

“With our community’s continued support, the Canadian Cancer Society is able to invest in ground-breaking breast cancer research, compassionate support services, trusted cancer information and advocacy on behalf of all Canadians,” says Shayla Barker Klaczko, volunteer Run Director for Windsor.

Last year, 82,000 people across Canada participated in the run. This year, registered teams with metastatic breast cancer in their

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Let the run begin! Runners and walkers get ready to start the 2018 event.

team name will raise funds that go directly towards metastatic breast cancer research.

Metastatic breast cancer, also called stage IV, is breast cancer that has spread to another part of the body, most commonly the liver, brain, bones, or lungs.

As breast cancer continues to be the

The members of the “Tuff Tit E Crew” were one of the top two fundraising teams last year (over $5,000 pledged by a specific deadline) to earn a “Top Team Tent.” They have been a top fundraising team for many years earning them “Top Fundraising Friends and Family Team” as well in 2018!

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most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian women, touching the lives of so many families every day, the run gives families, friends and supporters the opportunity to join together to honour and celebrate their loved ones while making a real difference in their communities.

Now more than ever before, researchers know about how to prevent, diagnose, treat and live with and beyond breast cancer.

A $100 donation could fund two hours of life-saving research, which means your contribution could lead to the next breakthrough!

So, whether it’s your first time, or you’ve participated for years, event organizers look forward to having you join them on “Run Day” in Windsor.

And if running isn’t your thing, consider walking your dog with others or creating a team with family and friends to help support this worthy cause.

For more details on registering and the run start time, visit: Facebook.com/WindsorRun or CibcRunForTheCure.com.

TICKETS $75 or Table of 8 $560 Wednesday October 9th

Leamington Portuguese Club

Contact the Chamber

519-326-2721

EVENT SPONSOR

G AEZ IN• ES •E P TSEEMP BT E MR B2E0R1 92 0 1 9 B I Z BX IZM AXG MA ZA IN

info@leamingtonchamber.com www.leamingtonchamber.com

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THIS ISSUE FEATURES . . .

Paramount Fine Foods,

FOR THOUGHT

3184 Dougall Avenue, Unit A5, Windsor Story & Photos By David Clark

P

aramount Fine Foods is a franchised operation with truly authentic Lebanese fare.

The company also claims to be the fastest growing middle eastern restaurant chain in Canada with 60 restaurants and counting.

Locally, the Windsor franchise opened its doors in January 2018. It is owned and operated by Hussam Salman and his sisters who are silent partners. His wife, Sumayah Shubber, is a hands-on partner and helps out whenever possible.

According to Salman, “Embracing the various fresh and healthy flavours of the middle east, Paramount shares the most authentic recipes and finest ingredients that have been passed down for generations.”

Inside, the stylish and trendy décor with an open kitchen concept, is inviting with the welcoming staff available to assist customers.

“As a family restaurant, we encourage families with kids to settle in and enjoy dining, while letting their children play in our clean and safe play area,” notes Salman. “The playground is a miniature two storey indoor tubular play area that can be used for special occasions like birthdays. Also, the kids are provided with puzzles and colouring books, keeping them occupied and having fun.”

Bringing the food culture of the middle east here, Paramount serves a lot of Halal meat, raised in a humane fashion.

The animals are served a natural diet with no animal by-products, which ensures

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Owner Hussam Salman displays the hot stone oven baked bread — a staple at Paramount — freshly baked always and good to dip in the restaurant’s Hummus, Moutabbal (fresh grilled eggplant), or garlic sauce.

the meat is fresh and healthy. All meat is Ontario raised.

“The food choices are healthy here, and we’re a living testament to this,” Shubber says and jokingly adds, “Since we opened Paramount, I stopped cooking! I know when we eat here it’s like eating at home.”

With a full menu to work with you

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can choose classics like Beef or Chicken Shawarma, charcoal BBQ meats, flat bread style dishes, wraps or vegetarian items and many other delightful choices.

You can also check out the new Vegan Meatless Shawarma Wrap with a side order of fries. This is a new plant based protein meal that’s all the rage at the moment.

Specifically, an interesting choice includes one of the middle eastern staples — the Hummus comes with complimentary hot stone, oven-baked bread. Also, an inviting appetizer, the popular Mezza Plate is comprised of their world famous Hummus. In addition there is the Moutabbal and then the Tabbouleh, a fresh chopped salad.

Under “Paramount Favourites” on the menu you will find the BBQ Beef Tenderloin and the loaded Mixed Grill, which is several meals all in one with many skewered meats, garnishes, pita, Hummus and garlic dipping sauce. All of the meat is barbecued.

Right from the “Mains” section you will run into the Shish Tawouk, two skewers of chicken breast grilled and served with garlic dipping sauce.

Known for “Shareables” (platters for two to six people), the delicious charcoal grilled meats are the main ingredient with sides like rice or fries.

The stand out wraps are the Tabliyeh Chicken or Beef Shawarma that are considered to be the signature wraps, authentically seasoned and wrapped in Saj bread.

If you’re looking for a mega pizza,

Salman’s wife and partner, Sumayah Shubber presents the hefty Mixed Grill, a medley of several popular Lebanese dishes, all on one plate.

the Paramount Pizza comes with spicy red sauce, black olives, Beef Shawarma, spinach and mozzarella.

The plentiful kids menu offers many selections including the popular Hot Stone

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Oven Pizza, Mini Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Salad and the marinated chicken Shish Tawouk Skewer and Fries.

For those with a sweet tooth, Paramount partners with The Cheesecake Factory, to offer three different kinds of cheesecakes.

Also, the Baklawa is a popular offering for dessert.

“All of this, and more, provides our guests with a culinary experience that will not be forgotten,” exclaims Salman, adding that in the near future, “We will be having adjustments to the menu so stay tuned! We would like to see ourselves grow as the community grows — it’s good to be optimistic and dream big, but most importantly, you have to have a team that you can depend on and grow, which we have.”

Paramount caters to small or large parties for your special occasion too.

Customizable menus are available.

For more information, including hours and the latest happenings at the Windsor location, check out their social media pages on Instagram or Facebook.com/ ParamountWindsor.

For a menu and general information about the franchise, visit the website: ParamountFineFoods.com/Home.

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THE PARENTING BIZ COVER FEATURE STORY

By Rebecca Wright, Jim Murphy and Julianna Bonnett

Bigger And Better Than Ever!

New for the 2019 “Children’s Fest” is the “Clip ’n Climb” rock climbing area at Central Park Athletics.

Photo courtesy of “Children’s Fest.”

S

ince its inception in 1995, more than 80,000 visitors have attended the annual “Children’s Fest” with people coming from all over the region to enjoy the weekend-long schedule of activities and family entertainment.

With countless activities — such as bouncy castles, mini putt, pony rides, face painting and more — this event truly has something for everyone but is designed for those 12 years of age and under.

The event started out as a project of the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918), but in 2014, the Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association (BANA) joined the Rotary as co-hosts of the event.

Patrick Kelly, Event Chair, and also Communications and Office Administrator for BANA, says with “Children’s Fest” marking its 25th anniversary in 2019, the event is sure to be bigger and better than ever!

“Over 5,000 paid people came through the doors last year, not counting kids under the age of two, vendors and acts — which brings our numbers in attendance to over 6,000 people,” Kelly reports. “We’re hoping for

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attendance of 8,000+ people this year and an amazing opportunity for families to have an incredible weekend.”

This year the event takes place on September 21 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Held at Central Park Athletics, entry fees are $5 per person (one fee for both days), but children under two years old can attend at no charge.

“It’s been 25 years of putting smiles on the faces of children,” Kelly proudly states. “It’s all about good family fun chocked full of entertainment, education, excitement, food and friendship, and it all supports two great local charities.”

Proceeds from the event go to the community health and education projects of both the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) and BANA. There are several new highlights at the event this year including: Central Park Athletics offering demonstrations of their new Clip ’n Climb rock climbing area; gymnasts from Winstars Gymnastics jumping and flipping; and the Rose City Riot ParaSports Wheelchair Basketball team is on site in the YMCA gym.

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“We’re also featuring an ‘Artisan Alley’ for the first time for local craft/gourmet food vendors in the area adjacent to the main field show space,” adds Kelly. “This area is fully accessible during the event.”

A full line-up of entertainment on both days also features: Aaron Zimmer and Briar Jansons, Adventure Bay Mascot, Border City Barkers, Clarol The Clown, Classic India Dancers, Copeland’s Karate, D & D Mascots, Domovina’s Slovack Dancers, Emerald Isle Dance Society, Evermore Princess Parties, Filipino Folk Dancers, Honorable Ninjas, Krisalyn Bell, Leave Those Kids Alone Band, Nancy Pattison’s Dance World, The Qipao Group of The Essex County Chinese Canadian Association, The Dance Company of Academie Ste. Cecile, Tim Hole, University of Windsor Physics Club, WCCA Jazz Ensemble, Windsor Express, Windsor Fire and Rescue Services.

“Every year we add more vendors, entertainers and community agencies,” notes Kelly. “We’ve had countless opportunities to partner with hundreds of amazing sponsors, vendors and community groups.”

THE PARENTING BIZ

The fairytale characters of Evermore Princess Parties are set to entertain the little ones during the event and add a lot of magic and joy to the entire show area! Pictured with an adorable “princess” at a past event are Bradley Balmforth as “The Mountain Prince” and the owner of the business, Breannah Deschaine as “The Quirky Princess”. Photo courtesy of Jen Gurniak Photography.

Always held during the third weekend of September, Kelly explains that the event moved indoors in 2017 “after 22 years of unpredictable fall weather.”

He believes, “Central Park Athletics is a truly unique facility in the community and this event opens their doors to people that might not otherwise have the opportunity to visit the complex and their many amenities.”

In Kelly’s opinion, “Children’s Fest” has survived for so many years due to three main things — accessibility, affordability and stability.

“We’ve always taken pride in being an event that everyone can get to,” Kelly declares. “‘Children’s Fest’ is a cost-effective family event, and once inside, bouncy castles, pony rides and all the activities and exhibits are free. As well, the stability of 101 years (Rotary) and 36 years (BANA) in the community give us strong roots to stand on.”

For the latest updates and to learn more about the festival, vendors and sponsors log on to: ChildrensFest.wordpress.com.

But first, continue reading for details on some of this year’s awesome vendors and a list of exhibitors at the end of this feature story!

The Dance Studio At Absolute Fitness The importance of physical activity for children cannot be overestimated.

The Dance Studio At Absolute Fitness has offered ballet, pointe, lyrical, tap, jazz, hiphop and dance lessons taught by professional and certified teachers for 24 years from their 6-2491 Dougall Avenue location and for nine years from their 2525 Roseville Garden Drive location.

“We also offer dancers the opportunity to participate in pilates and yoga, along with a variety of cardiovascular options such as swimming,” says Tammy Rossi Apostolovski, Administrator of the dance studio. “Another option exclusive to us is that moms work out for free while their child is in dance.”

The Dance Studio At Absolute Fitness has participated in “Children’s Fest” for the past five years, and once again is on site this year.

“We attend the ‘Children’s Fest’ because it’s a great community event that supports local businesses,” Apostolovski tells Biz X. “It also allows us to interact with the children and parents to promote creative movement and a love of the arts, as well as promoting the benefits of physical activity in children.”

Classes are available for those aged three to adult and costs range from $12 to $15.

See their website: TheDanceStudioAF.ca if you have any questions about class schedule, the faculty or teacher training.

Ruellands Stuff N’ Bears Opened in 2013 and located at 55 Fox Street in Leamington, Ruellands Stuff N’ Bears is a portable bear stuffing company.

“Children of all ages can stuff and dress their bears and animals on the spot,” inform Ron and Melissa Ruelland, Owners and Operators of the company. “We offer birthday party packages and attend fairs and festivals all over Ontario.”

One of these festivals is this year’s “Children’s Fest” when lots of bears and animals can be stuffed, dressed and brought to life!

“We love the atmosphere of ‘Children’s B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9

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THE PARENTING BIZ Fest,’” the Ruellands say. “We have been attending the festival for five years now.”

To book them for your event, visit: “Ruellands Stuff N’ Bears” on Facebook.

Conseil Scolaire Catholique (CSC) Providence CSC Providence opened in 1998 and prides itself on being on the road to sustainable bilingualism and having a comprehensive setting where a child will not only function in French, but will think in French and will be able to live in French.

CSC Providence is the first school in the Southwestern Ontario area to achieve a diploma rate of 95.6 percent, according to Lyne Cossette, Communications Officer.

CSC Providence is one of many organizations participating in the 25th annual “Children’s Fest” for 2019.

CSC Providence offers specialized programs in Arts (theatre, dance); Sports (soccer and Hockey Academy, etc.); apprenticeship occupations (like construction, transportation, hospitality/tourism and business), and building a deep, rock-solid understanding in math, science, and technology. Photo of École secondaire catholique E.J. Lajeunesse student courtesy of CSC Providence.

Cossette believes the event is a great way to meet members of the community and to answer any questions or concerns parents may have.

“We attend the event to provide information to parents with young children on all the different options they have when choosing an education for their child, and the benefits of a French Catholic education,” says Cossette.

During the “Children’s Fest,” Cossette states they want to provide information to parents with children about preschool services and programs offered at their elementary and secondary schools. They also will have activities and games for children on the event days.

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THE PARENTING BIZ With several schools in Windsor Essex and a head office at 7515 Forest Glade Drive, CSC Providence aims to make sure every student feels as though he or she is part of a big Francophone school community based in faith. They also ensure all students enjoy a high-quality education in a well-meaning, respectful and safe learning environment, asserts Cossette. (More details at: CscProvidence.ca) Head Of The Class Education Centre Head of the Class Education Centre is a full-service learning support centre that has been offering tutoring and mindfulness classes for all ages since 2007.

Co-Founder Julie Fader attended “Children’s Fest” with her child 20 years ago getting great parenting tips and ideas from the participating businesses and organizations.

And now she has come full circle, as for the last three years she has been a sponsor and a vendor for the event.

“We sponsor the ‘Mindfulness Zone’ at the ‘Children’s Fest,’ which is a quiet and relaxing place to come and learn some fun tools used to be mindful,” Fader describes.

“We love providing this space to the kids and parents as well.”

Fader is a 2014 Biz X Award winner for “First Class Tutor Who Makes The Grade.”

She and her team work out of the centre at

Head of the Class Education Centre, run by Julie Fader (second from left), hosts a “Mindfulness Zone” every year at “Children’s Fest.” Photo courtesy of “Children’s Fest.”

1247 Grand Marais Road West in Windsor.

Online you can get further details on their programs, mindfulness classes and more by visiting: HeadOfTheClassEducation.com.

Sun Life Financial Chris Pittao, a Financial Advisor for five years at Sun Life Financial working from their office at 8255 Anchor Drive in Windsor, knows that “Children’s Fest” is the best place in the city to meet and

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interact with active outgoing families.

“Helping people and families to get affordable coverage and protecting their financial future is what I do,” Pittao expresses.

“I show clients that I put their needs before my own by providing them with my personal cell phone and scheduling meetings every day of the week — morning, noon and night — in order to work around my client’s busy schedule and lifestyle.”

Pittao offers life insurance, disability

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THE PARENTING BIZ insurance, long-term care insurance, critical illness insurance, personal health insurance and employment insurance.

To learn more about the complete list of services he offers and whether or not they are right for your family’s finances at this time, go to: Sunlife.ca/Christopher.Pittao.

Girl Guides Of Canada With 83,000 members across Canada, Girl Guides is a non-profit organization that started in 1909. Its mission is to encourage girls all around the world to challenge themselves, to find their voice, meet new friends, have fun and make a difference in the world.

For almost 110 years, this organization has been a core member of the community of Windsor Essex and has participated in many community events, like “Children’s Fest.”

According to Barbara Matis, a Windsor Unit Guider with Girl Guides of Canada, the organization has participated in “Children’s Fest” for 15 years and plans on being on site for 2019 too.

“We enjoy the opportunity to promote new memberships in the organization for both girls and women,” states Matis. “We offer a craft activity and we get to meet their parents and shine a spotlight on all of the fun things Girl Guides do.”

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Matis enjoys the event because she loves meeting the public and promoting the benefits of the organization.

“The event also provides us with the opportunity to network with the other vendors and incorporate their services into our unit activities,” she adds. “During the event, we offer fun crafts and distribute pamphlets and free promotional item giveaways like pencils, tattoos, stickers, bracelets, magnets and buttons.”

Girl Guides of Canada strongly focuses on empowering women and girls all across Canada. Matis says their mission for this year’s “Children’s Fest” is to share information with the public about what they have been doing since 1909.

To learn how your daughter can become a Girl Guide, how you can volunteer and even where to purchase those famous yummy Girl Guide cookies, go to: GirlGuides.ca.

Discovery Toys A trusted brand for more than 40 years, Discovery Toys is dedicated to helping children learn and grow through play.

Discovery Toys, a direct sales company, was founded in 1978 in the U.S. It features products designed with the understanding that children learn best through physical interaction, which makes this brand a

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perfect vendor for this year’s “Children’s Fest.”

Alison von Bodenhausen, a Play Advisor for Discovery Toys in Windsor since 2018, is excited to be participating in “Children’s Fest” for the first time this year and hopes to educate the community about what she does.

“It’s always exciting when you can interact with the local community and educate them about resources that are available in a fun, engaging way,” expresses von Bodenhausen.

She has volunteered for both the Rotary Club and BANA and says she is always happy to participate in something that benefits the residents of Windsor Essex.

“This event is a great opportunity to share my passion with our local community and reach out to help parents teach, play and inspire their children,” she states.

At this year’s “Children’s Fest,” Discovery Toys features a variety of cash-and-carry toys, books and games for infants and adults. (See: DiscoveryToys.comAlisonVonB to learn about useful products for those with autism or special needs.)

“And we’ll have our 2019/2020 catalogues and samples to play with,” she adds.

We are sure her booth is going to be a busy one since toys are something every boy and girl are going to want to get their hands on!

THE PARENTING BIZ Alison von Bodenhausen, Play Advisor at Discovery Toys, participates as a vendor at special events, offers in-home or online parties as well as personal shopping appointments.

She is photographed here along with a snapshot of a sample of items for sale (below) at her booth. Photo courtesy of Discovery Toys.

John McGivney Children’s Centre For more than 40 years, the John McGivney Children’s Centre (JMCC) has been providing rehabilitation and support services for children and youth all across the Windsor Essex area. They also participate in many community events to raise awareness for their objectives, including being involved in the 25th annual “Children’s Fest.”

“We participate in ‘Children’s Fest’ to share information about our programs and services, in hopes of helping our community more,” states Danielle Friest, John McGivney Children’s Centre Communications and Community Affairs Specialist.

The John McGivney Children’s Centre, 3945 Matchette Road in Windsor, is the only publicly funded source of specialized paediatric rehabilitation expertise in the region that support over 3,000 children and youth annually with physical, neurological and developmental needs, according to Friest.

She says that depending on the needs, services are offered in the centre, in community schools, in their JMCC school, in the home, and at child care centres.

Refer to: JMCCentre.ca for further details

on the organization or meet their staff at “Children’s Fest”!

Knowledge First Financial Since 1965, Knowledge First Financial has been committed to inspiring students to realize their full possibilities by enabling families to maximize their education savings through a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP).

Knowledge First Financial Sales Representative, Susan Adary, mentions the organizers of the “Children’s Fest” have always been excellent to deal with and she’s always enjoyed getting to meet so many different families throughout the two day event. Photo courtesy of Knowledge First Financial.

Knowledge First Financial (website: KnowledgeFirstFinancial.ca) is participating in “Children’s Fest” for the third year in a row, according to Sales Representative Susan Adary of the company’s Cambridge office.

“We find the ‘Children’s Fest’ to be a

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THE PARENTING BIZ very well-run event where the entire family can get out and have some fun together,” notes Adary. “We always strive to provide an activity at our booth that gets kids excited, but we also want to help parents start planning for post-secondary savings.”

Adary enjoys getting to meet so many different families throughout the weekendlong event and she travels to Windsor to personally attend the “Children’s Fest”.

“There are a large array of activities and attractions for kids and we always like to be present at an event where kids are free to enjoy themselves, while we can also provide some helpful information to parents,” states Adary.

From their booth at the 2019 “Children’s Fest” Adary hopes to distribute resourceful information on how parents can save securely for their child’s post-secondary education, as well as maximize government grants.

“We will also be hosting a free raffle draw at our booth,” she adds.

Gabriela Sieza is photographed at the Real Canadian Superstore dietitian booth at the 2018 event. As you can see by her happy face, learning about healthy eating can be fun! Photo courtesy of “Children’s Fest.”

There Are Plenty Of Reasons To Smile At “Children’s Fest” So for a fun day out with the family and to learn about some of the businesses in the area geared towards children and parents, be sure to attend this year’s 25th annual

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THE PARENTING BIZ Come see the Biz X Team at “Children’s Fest” for a gift for the kids and print copies for everyone to take home to enjoy past issues of “THE PARENTING BIZ”.

“Children’s Fest,” Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22, 2019.

You can meet more than four dozen vendors and exhibitors! In addition to the companies profiled in this story, others on site include (at the time of writing and please note new additions and cancellations may occur after printing): McDonald’s Restaurants (colouring station), Dr. Amy Durocher Pediatric Dentist, GreenerBins Composting Co., Sabre Bytes Robotics — Team 772, Sweet Legs Leamington With Karen, The Lunch Lady, Unique Books and Gifts, Windsor Public Library, YMCA Windsor, Holistic Chiropractic and Wellness Centre, Sylvan Learning Centre, Tupperware — Julie Laviolette, Colortastic, BB Bracelets & Things, Caylin Craig — Scentsy, Cynthia’s Sew Crafty, Down the Lane Designs, Jennifer Murphy — Scentsy, Koala-T

Designs, Naturally Infused, Addskills Education Inc., Barefoot Books, Ono Ice, Permanent Pallets, Tasty Treats, ABC Day Nursery of Windsor, Art Gallery of Windsor, ASCIS Chess Enrichment Program, Canadian Blood Services, Emerald Isle Dance Society, Greater Essex County Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, Katlyn Bedard Bone Marrow Foundation, Ontario Early Years, The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Oral Health Department, Scouts Canada, Ska:Na Family Learning Centre, Thames Valley Children’s Centre, Windsor Women Working with Immigrant Women, Canadian Historical Aircraft Association, Windsor Essex Children’s Aid Society, IHC Hotels & Resorts Inc., Rose City Riot Para-Sports Club, Winstars Gymnastics and the Windsor Model Train Association.

Of course your favourite magazine is also attending with a colouring gift for the kids and print copies of Biz X for everyone to take home and enjoy past issues of “THE PARENTING BIZ”.

If you are unable to attend, there is no need to be concerned.

All businesses profiled operate year round, so contact any of them at your convenience!

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THE PARENTING BIZ LIFESTYLE What Is “Grandparents’ Day”?

ISSUES Supplied by Comfort Life Canada The short answer is one special day for grandmothers and grandfathers! Here is a little history on how this day of celebration came to be.

“Grandparents’ Day” was first instituted in the United States in 1978 and is now recognized by many other international countries. In Canada, “Grandparents’ Day” is celebrated on the second Sunday in September (this year September 8).

“Grandparents’ Day” was first proclaimed in the United States by then President Jimmy Carter, who readily acknowledged the founding work of Marian McQuade.

McQuade campaigned for many years, achieving her first success in the state of West Virginia in 1973 when Governor Arch Moore proclaimed May 27, 1973 as “Grandparents’ Day”. There is also reason to credit New York State’s Hermine Beckett Hanna who campaigned for the celebration since 1961.

Grandparents’ Day In Canada And Around The World In Canada, national “Grandparents’ Day” was first observed in 1995, with a bill passed by the ruling Liberal majority. In the meantime, however, “Grandparents’ Day” has not sparked

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significant national participation. The same complaint can be made in the United States and the United Kingdom (where the day is celebrated in October).

In Poland, “Grandmother’s” and “Grandfather’s Day” have been celebrated in January since the mid-1960s.

In Australia, “Grandparents’ Day” is held in November and is marked by school and community events.

Honouring Grandparents Through Love And Awareness McQuade and others had specific focuses in mind when campaigning for a day to honour grandparents.

The day had three primary purposes: to honour grandparents; to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children and to increase children’s, grandchildren’s and all youth’s awareness of the strength, wisdom, information and guidance older people can offer.

What Are Some Things To Do On “Grandparents’ Day”?

A few great ideas are as follows . . .

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Seven year old Dylan Jones of the Biz X family sure loves his grandparents! Grandma (“Dawa”) Kathy Jones and granddad Colin Jones. Photo by Della Jones.

1. Get together and discuss why grandparents should be appreciated and what there is to appreciate about each generation. The best way to do this might be to have a meal together.

2. Plan an event with your grandparent(s) that is special to them. Indulge them!

3. Create a personal card thanking them for specific help they have been in the past and what they mean to you today.

“Grandparents’ Day” is one day a year and it is a shame that it does not get the same attention that is given to “Mother’s Day” and “Father’s Day”. Raise awareness for this day by vocally celebrating your own or your children’s grandparents!

ComfortLife.ca is the Canadian guide to retirement communities and senior living.

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THE PARENTING BIZ TAKE THE LEAD

You’re Never Too Young To Be A Leader

By Sherrilynn Colley-Vegh

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o matter what you read about leadership, one thing is evident, organizations are currently experiencing a leadership gap.

Over 80% complain of a shortage of leaders despite it being the number one area of professional development. Over 60% of current up and coming millennial leaders feel their leadership skills are not being fully developed by their employers.

This means those who want to lead in the future will have to take on the responsibility of developing these skills on their own.

How soon should they start — college, high school? The sooner the better!

This is why leading leadership guru Aubrey Allen (Master of Education Oakland University; AubreyAllenLeadership.com) of Rochester, MI has developed a program that is really giving youth an opportunity to begin developing leadership skills in early adolescence. She has created an online leadership program for students in grades six to 12.

When you first meet Allen she has an infectious energy and the type of soul that radiates goodness. It is easy to see why people want to emulate this natural-born leader. I had the chance to ask Allen about her program that is based on solid pedagogy and the most current educational leadership research, but most importantly, accessible through the Internet.

Sherrilynn Colley-Vegh (SV): How did you get interested in youth leadership?

Aubrey Allen (AA): My interest is rooted in my desire to help kids. I was born to teach; it is what I am gifted for. Teaching and coaching at the grade school level fostered

my passion to empower kids, and my interest in offering leadership opportunities to kids.

When sitting through teacher leadership training I couldn’t help think, “Why don’t we offer leadership development to students?”

(Writer’s Note: This inspired Allen to create an elective leadership class with the purpose of motivating grade 8 students to develop character, set goals, communicate effectively, and be inspired).

We sit down to discuss youth leadership with Aubrey Allen. Photo courtesy of Amanda Rugal.

SV: Why are leadership skills so important for success?

AA: Leadership skills are the fundamentals to success and it all starts with self-awareness.

I believe that once a student is self-aware of their behaviour, mindset, and work habits, then they are equipped to work on character development, effective communication, offering kindness and leading by example with confidence. The ultimate goal is to be able to build relationships and create

positive experiences and leadership skills, and to do so successfully.

SV: What contributed to your success and strong leadership skills?

AA: Definitely I was blessed by having amazing parents, mentors and opportunities to develop these skills through sports.

Playing college basketball solidified my leadership abilities. I learned about perseverance, mental toughness, and that it takes sacrifices and commitment to achieve goals as a team. A good leader has a positive and contagious attitude, leads by example, and is what I call longterm likeable (likeable because people are attracted to the goodness of a person).

SV: What advice do you have for parents and guardians?

AA: Believe in your children, when kids feel like they have someone who believes in them, they tend to believe in themselves.

Sometimes it takes repetitive examples to understand; we all have the capacity for kindness.

Aubrey Allen Leadership empowers students through self-awareness, identifying and recognizing strengths and gifts, and by intentionally applying leadership qualities to their own lives. I love that it is an online program or tool for self-improvement that students can access at their convenience and teaches to different learning styles.

As a last note she mentions her favourite leadership quote by Randy Pausch: “It’s not about how to achieve your dreams. It’s about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself.

The dreams will come to you.”

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

A multi-service provider dedicated to improving quality of life for residents.

www.drouillardplace.ca DONATIONS ARE WELCOMED A registered non-profit charity RECEIPTS AVAILABLE DONATIONS OVER $10

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THE PARENTING BIZ TECH BY TES

Those Shoes Cost How Much?

By Kim McGuire

My daughter was six months old. The store wanted $20. There was barely any material and she would outgrow these shoes in a few short weeks. But wait, it’s not just the shoes!

Sleepers, shirts, onesies, Bumbos, and all the toys they outplay. Then there’s the big stuff — strollers, high-chairs, car-seats, cribs, ah! When it comes to being a first time parent, there’s a lot you can’t prepare for (including sleep deprivation!), but there are some things you can brace yourself for; like how much money you’re about to spend.

I even went the online route, and while I could find some deals here and there, the time spent virtually shopping for them just wasn’t worth the overall effort.

I am still a new mom, only 12 months into my journey, but wanted to share this list of money tips to help other first time parents get ready to start their journey.

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Start Early: Your birthing suite should have a healthy supply of diapers, wipes, towels, swaddle blankets and other freebies that can help get you started. Don’t be greedy, but don’t be shy in asking the hospital about bringing those home to help take the pressure off those first few days back.

Start Modest: That all-white Pinterestchic nursery might look amazing in your Instagram feed, until the baby throws-up on the sheepskin and you spill formula on the perfect white walls trying to silently tiptoe out of the room. Have fun, make it your own, but start small and add to it as your baby grows.

Start Savvy: Make a list, and shop smart.

Know exactly what you’re going for, and use resources like Google and online comparison sites like Shopbot.ca to make your shopping process smarter. Even if you decide to buy in

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person at consignment, doing your research ahead of time means making better pricing decisions and helps you to identify amazing deals when you see them!

I just moved back to Essex County after a few years living in BC, and while it’s not easy to make new friends, I’ve recently connected with so many great moms who have helped me along in this new journey.

Facebook is actually filled with amazing local groups like the Windsor-Essex County Mom Group and answers to the tough questions are never far away. In fact, “Moms helping moms” has been such a powerful and important motto to me that my husband and I even founded a tech start-up to promote the idea, the Windsor OutGROW OutPLAY franchise.

Tech Bytes is powered by WEtech Alliance (Wetech-Alliance.com). The guest author of their article here, Kim McGuire, was a Chef in her prior life working for nine years in the culinary industry before she decided to earn her business degree and work in the public relations field across Canada. While she found success on the road, she was ready for a new challenge. She opened the Windsor OutGROW OutPLAY franchise with her husband Jadel after moving back home to Windsor Essex this past January to raise their newborn daughter.

The business has a consignment event coming up on September 14 & 15, 2019 at Roseland Golf & Curling Club. Learn more at: Windsor.OutGROWOutPLAY.com.

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from the bookshelf

This One’s For The Kids . . .

A Chance To “Sea” All & Be Whisked Away To Fantastical Places

By Marlene Markham-Gay

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he author of our first children’s book review this issue writes: “For our fine little fishy to find out what’s meant to be, she went on a journey to discover the sea. To find a place she belonged, scales that felt right, an escape from the worries that plagued her at night.”

Alexandra M. Jones is a registered Early Childhood Educator, mother to one and the author of “Same, A Story of Change.”

This enchanting and colourful children’s book is about a small parrot fish who doesn’t feel right in her scales.

She goes on a journey and meets some very interesting sea creatures along the way.

They help her to discover her true self and she comes to understand that it’s what is inside that makes her who she is and what makes her extraordinary.

Ian Jones is the father of two (his daughter is the author) and the illustrator of this book. Together the f a t h e r- d a u g ht e r team used their work and life experiences to collaborate in hope of sending a message to children everywhere that love goes a long way.

Their common goal is to let children know it is important to love yourself and your unique qualities, no matter how different you feel.

In the deep blue sea, the parrot fish meets many sea creatures of all kinds along the way, much like children who will meet many different people, of all kinds, in their everyday experiences. They want children to be inspired to accept and embrace the vibrant colours that each person has to offer and to let their own true colours shine through.

Alexandra and Ian Jones hope to spread love and kindness to each and every person by sharing this delightful story. Their goal is to make the world a kinder place where children will seek to understand others

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and offer love, support and kindness, and acceptance.

“Same: A Story of Change” is available at Storyteller Books, 1473 Ottawa Street, Windsor and The Dandelion Home Decor Inc., 119 Lesperance Road in Tecumseh.

Next up we have local author Elizabeth J.M. Walker with “The Boy Who Owned The Forest,” her fourth book.

She has also written “She Dreams of Dragons,” “The Night Sucks” and “Slip Jig Summer.”

Her newest book is a short story collection with illustrations done by Australian Illustrator, Nicholas Beckett.

Walker’s book deals with grief and depression, how to face your fears, developing strength through adversity and following your own passion.

Reading through each tale enlightens you to the fact that there are valuable lessons to be learned and all are presented in fairytale stories that will take you to places where pianos can swim, boys can own a forest, and a girl can become the queen of Unwinderly.

Walker writes, “Why can’t I be as good as you? The boy asks all four of them. They all tell him the same thing: he has to practice hard and devote all his time to his skill.”

This book is age appropriate for children, but can also be enjoyed by older readers. It is a book for anyone who likes to escape the real world and enjoys the unpredictable.

“The Boy Who Owned The Forest” is available at Juniper Books, 1990 Ottawa Street and Indigo at Devonshire Mall.

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 grandchildren to read as well.

CHARITY PROFILE

Family Respite Services Windsor-Essex A vision to create a community where families are strong and all children belong

By Dave Hall

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elping make a difference in the lives of families across the region has made Family Respite Services Windsor-Essex (FRS) an invaluable resource for children with disabilities from zero to 18 years of age and their families.

The organization — which helps 1,100 families across Windsor and Essex County — is launching a $1.5 million fundraising campaign designed to replace its aging respite home (4360 Howard Avenue) used for the “Weekend with Friends” program, where children stay periodically for a weekend to give their families a short break (respite) from care giving.

The new home will also be located on Howard Avenue (4460) near where the current home has been operating. If the funds are raised, the old home will be demolished and the new home will be rebuilt and named after a large donor to be revealed on September 20.

The organization also operates another respite home on Spago Crescent, appropriately called Spago Home (completely separate from the Howard respite home) where similar activities and services are available.

“These respite programs are extremely important for both the children and their families because it allows parents to recharge their batteries and allows children to make friends and become more connected to people in our community,” explains Alexandria Fischer, Community Relations for FRS. “Research has shown us that respite programs help keep families healthier and well-balanced.”

Fischer notes the organization has applied for provincial funding to help construct the new 46,000 sq. ft. building and the organization is inviting people to tour the current home in order to better understand the urgent respite need.

“We are in dire need of a new respite home for children,” Fischer stresses.

Amber Lynn Hamelin is the mom of Tayvion, a youngster with Down syndrome, and she has found that services offered by the agency have been invaluable in her son’s development.

“As any parent with a child, especially as a parent of a child with a disability, I was nervous, worried, scared and feared for my son, Tayvion, who has very little communication or self-help skills,” expresses Hamelin. “I was worried about how he would do in the community, I was worried about how he would do with peers and I especially worried about what activities he could participate in.”

But, after a visit to the home on Howard Avenue, Hamelin’s fears were quickly alleviated.

“My fears, my unanswered thoughts and questions were fully answered,” recalls Hamelin. “I knew the Weekend with Friends program/respite home would be so beneficial to Tayvion.”

Nine years later, Tayvion is now 17 and Hamelin says the weekend program has become one of the most important resources and blessings for her family and has become a second home for her son.

“It’s a place where he is safe and comfortable, it’s a home where he can learn new skills, participate in community activities just like his peers and make friends,” says Hamelin. “We are grateful the community has this wonderful resource.”

There are more than 600 direct support providers working alongside FRS, many of whom are students in related programs at St. Clair College and the University of Windsor, who visit families in their homes, engaging in activities that help children relate to their community while building skills and meaningful relationships.

Amber Lynn Hamelin and her son Tayvion are pictured in front of the current respite home in July for Family Respite Services on 4360 Howard Avenue. This home will be demolished to pave the way for the new home once the funds are raised.

Photo by Rod Denis.

These support providers are also working in the community so that children with disabilities can register for a recreation program and/or summer day camp just like their peers. These programs operate at community centres in Windsor, LaSalle, Lakeshore and Leamington.

The fundraising campaign — called “I’m IN” — focuses on four pillars: INcluded, INvaluable, INvolved and INvested and asks the question “Are you IN?” Fischer and everyone at FRS are very appreciative of local companies who sponsor and contribute to the cause. They would like to especially thank Bluewater Pools & Spas and Plantscape Windsor for responding to the need for funding by making donations towards the “Raffle 4 Respite” with more than $70,000 being donated over the years to support the organization.

As well, Roth Mosey (a firm of Chartered Professional Accountants and Business Advisors) has raised over $230,000 for various charities within Windsor Essex over the past 24 years, thanks in large part to the support of their clients and business contacts.

On September 13, 2019 the 24th annual “Roth Mosey Golf Tournament,” benefitting Family Respite Services tees off at Pointe West Golf Club, 200 Golfwood Drive in Amherstburg.

This year, funds will be allocated to “Building Opportunities and Strengthening Community” (the tagline for the capital campaign) so that families who are caring for children and youth with disabilities have access to invaluable programs across the local area.

Fischer also wants to mention Dry Parlour Inc., a blow dry boutique in Tecumseh, for hosting an annual summer party to help raise funds. Check out photos from “Oh Canada: A Canadian Tuxedo Brunch” on July 7, 2019 at Mezzo Ristorante & Lounge on pages 58 and 59 of this issue of Biz X! For more information on the organization, its fundraising efforts and how you can donate, visit: FamilyRespite.org.

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“Oh Canada: A Canadian Tuxedo Brunch” For Family Respite Services (FRS)

July 7, 2019 at Mezzo Ristorante & Lounge, 804 Erie Street East, Windsor Photos by Rod Denis. All people in photos listed from the left.

1. Dry Parlour Inc. hosts this annual event for FRS so families have access to much needed programs for their children who live with a disability. And this specialized luxury hair boutique made up of staff members

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— Bevin Du, Zoe Richardson, Vanessa Naumovski, Sarah Culleton, Owner of Dry Parlour Sylvia Gounakis, and Darah Lindsay — sure knows how to throw an awesome party and raise $7,500 for FRS!

2. From Windsor Feedscrews Inc. enjoying a little family outing as platinum sponsors were: Filip Mijac (grandson to owners), Vera (Owner) and Mile Ostojic (President & Owner), Maria Mijac

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To see even more photos and videos from this event and others, visit: BizXmagazine.com under “Biz X was there” (daughter of owners) and Tamara Ostojic (Controller and daughter of owners).

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3. Three’s company on the “Red Carpet” in front of Mezzo with Stephanie Di Federico, Lawyer at Bortolussi Family Law; Jay Strosberg, Lawyer & Partner at Strosberg Sasso Sutts, LLP and Sharon Strosberg, Lawyer & Partner at Strosberg Sasso Sutts, LLP. 4. Since the organizers of the event, Dry Parlour and FRS, all love Canada and wearing jeans they decided to mix the two together to come up with this fun, chic afternoon theme. “We do okay...

Forever in blue jeans” (referring to a Neil Diamond song) — guests wearing their favourite jeans were: Nathan Spielbusch, Alexandria Fischer (FRS Community Relations), Jamie Moracci, Natalie Capussi (Office Manager/Food Safety Control at J C Fresh Farms & Greenhouses, a platinum sponsor of the brunch), Chuck Kinkade and Laura Niles.

5. Over 175 were in attendance to enjoy a Caesar Oyster Bar Brunch and music by DJ Qrius George with Bruce Cobb on the drums, including Meighen

Nehme, President & CEO of The Job Shoppe (silver sponsor) pictured with her husband Tony Nehme, Chief Operating Officer.

Other sponsors helping to make this event a success (not pictured) were: Orion Homes (silver) and gold sponsors: Be Well, Smarty Brand, Seminole Bar & Grill, Leisure Trailer Sales and Merchants Paper Company.

Find out more about the charity on: FamilyRespite.org and more on the presenting sponsor at: DryParlour.com.

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6. The 2017 Biz X Award winner for “Smokin’ Hot Vape Shop” and platinum sponsors of the brunch — VapeVine — were represented by (seated) Tera Petrozzi, Jen Carom (Owner) and Leanne Laramie; and (standing) Ryan Petrozzi, Shane Thomas and Vic Dimitriu.

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THE WAY IT WAS

WWII Veteran Advocates Youth Engagement

By Andrea Grimes

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o this very day, 95 year old WWII Veteran Ken Bickel expresses disappointment that he was turned down for service by the Royal Canadian Air Force — unfit for duty.

Born in Walkerville in 1924, Bickel grew up on Hall Avenue and worked at Chrysler Canada until he was drafted. Although WWII was drawing to an end, the Army still needed mechanics to maintain vehicles.

Bickel says, “The Army recognized that I had a keen eye for mechanical things and I ended up serving as an Instrument Mechanic with the Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps (RCEME) — Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.”

On November 30, 1944, Bickel shipped out from New York City with 100 Canadian troops and 4,500 American troops landing in the Port of Glasgow.

He recalls: “Troops were transferred to Aldershot on December 6, 1944 and then to the maintenance depot in Arnhem, Belgium in April of ’45. Our route to the depot took us past canals that reeked of the horrific stench of war!”

With the liberation of Holland in 1945, soldiers were transferred to Oldenburg, Germany with the Occupation Forces.

“I was one point short of going home,” explains Bickel. “Our unit was stationed in a bombed-out German Air Force base for three months. While here, I sustained injuries when I was accidently pinned between two transport trucks while jumping out of the path of an approaching vehicle whose driver didn’t see me until it was too late. After a brief period of recuperation in England, I sailed home on the Ile-de-France troop ship.

WWII Veteran Ken Bickel at 21 years of age.

Photo courtesy of Ken Bickel.

I returned to Chrysler, but with the post war economic slump, production was limited to two or three days a week because fewer people could afford to buy cars.”

With the closure of the Engine Plant 2, Bickel retired (after 37 years) and dedicated the next chapter of his life to the Windsor Moose Lodge 1499.

According to Lodge archives, the Lodge received its charter in 1925. Their first meeting hall was located in the International Order of Odd Fellows Temple at 18 Wyandotte Street East.

The Lodge then moved to the UAW Hall at 42 Chatham Street East and then to the second-floor of the Royal Bank of Canada at 156 Ouellette Avenue. In 1949, the Lodge relocated to 175 Riverside Drive West.

Bickel joined the Lodge in 1950 holding virtually every position from janitor to Prelate (Chaplain), Jr. Governor, Executive Board of Directors, head of the International Moose Legion, Honourary Past Supreme Governor and 2nd Degree, Moose Lodge Legion of the Moose No. 95.

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Bickel says: “Through my 69 years of Lodge service, I saw many trends come and go, however; the one constant is how volunteering enriches people’s lives.”

According to Dan Batson, Administrator of the Windsor Moose Lodge 1499, “Our Jr. Moose members are the only active Jr. Moose in all our Lodges across North America. They present craft items to children recovering from day surgery at Windsor Regional Hospital (Met Campus) to help them pass the time. They also volunteer for our ‘Toys for Tots’ program — a Lodge initiative since 1952. Back then, our members collected and refurbished toys and donated them to families in need at Christmas. Now the Lodge receives financial support from our community thereby sustaining the Lodge’s annual commitment to families.”

Bickel adds, “Since 2014, our Jr. Moose have presented the ‘Honour of Duty Veterans Brunch’. Our community sees firsthand how our Jr. Moose are committed to giving back.

This year’s brunch is October 27.”

The tradition of volunteer service connects generations who share that personal commitment, reflected through Lydia M. Child’s quote, “Any effort made for the happiness of others, to ease their burdens, lifts us above ourselves.”

As a civilian Veterans Advocate, Andrea Grimes was presented with the “Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal” and the “Governor General’s Medal” recognizing her volunteer service to Veterans and military families of our Canadian Armed Forces, as well as with military family service-support organizations to include North Wall Riders Association, Windsor Veterans Memorial Service Committee, Military Institute of Windsor, the Royal Canadian Naval Association, the Korean War Veterans Association and the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association. As a writer with Biz X magazine since 2012, she has brought our community closer to recognizing our Veterans for their military service and the sacrifice made to preserve our Canadian values of democracy.

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OF THE MONTH

Story & Photo By Dave Hall

Code Ninjas: Giving Kids A Kick-Start To Coding By Building Video Games

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new computer coding centre from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday recently opened on the city’s to Friday and from 10 a.m. to far east side, where children have 3 p.m. on Saturday. an opportunity to learn computer “Our programs are designed to programming, all while having be entirely flexible and we expect fun and moving up through a to be here whenever our Ninjas martial-arts system of rewards. need us,” El-Sheikh tells Biz X. Omar El-Sheikh, Owner of All of the school’s “Code the Windsor Essex franchise of Senseis” have computer science Texas-based Code Ninjas — or related degrees from either which opened August 15, 2019 in St. Clair College or the University the Eastown Plaza at 1950 Lauzon of Windsor.

Road, Unit 130 — informs us Code Ninja’s centre in Windsor the new centre provides children is the first to debut in Canada with invaluable computer science this year with 20 more confirmed skills, allowing them to build locations set to open in the coming “Code Sensei” Tom Parastatidis works with students Luka Radakovich, 11, and his sister game applications for use on their Tesa, eight, at the new Code Ninjas centre where students learn computer coding and how months. According to El-Sheikh Smartphones and other electronic to develop their own game applications. his location will also be Canada’s devices. largest centre.

“Our Ninjas will be having so much fun “It’s fun,” says Luka. “It’s learning, but With business expected to flourish, building these applications that they won’t it’s fun as well.”

El-Sheikh is already looking towards the even know they are learning at the same The company is planning a grand formal future and hopes to open another centre in time,” says El-Sheikh who graduated from opening on September 7.

South Windsor or LaSalle, next year.

St. Clair College in 1998 with a degree in Students from age four through 14 and Code Ninjas founder and CEO David computer science. beyond will have an opportunity to learn Graham is a professional software He adds, “It taught me how to think from teachers — or “Code Senseis” — and developer who previously owned a logically and solve problems and those are work their way through a graduated series successful chain of coding camps for adults. skills which can carry you through life, even of bracelets, starting with white and ending He launched the Code Ninjas brand in if you don’t become a computer programmer with black.

2016, which has now grown to over 150 or a computer technician.”

El-Sheikh indicates there will also be locations throughout the U.S., with more El-Sheikh comments that students also programs for adults, so “they can keep up than 330 locations in development. learn math, science, robotics, logic and with their grandkids.”

“We’re truly excited to expand into problem-solving, which are all part of “By the time our students reach black belt, Canada and provide our northern the STEM system of learning — Science, they will be able to create their own game neighbours a fun, rewarding, year-round Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. applications,” explains El-Sheikh. “Children learning centre where kids have fun and It’s all game-based learning, which allows are so computer-savvy these days that parents see results,” says Graham. “With students to move at their own pace while teaching them how to code and create their each location being owned and operated working and co-operating in a team-based own games will only add to their education.” by Canadian citizens, we’re happy to atmosphere.

At the time of writing, the centre is have partners that know their community Luka Radakovich, 11, and his sister operating on a drop-in basis with no formal best and continue to give back to their Tesa, eight, were among a few students in class schedule. Future hours at the centre local markets.” the summer getting a preview of what to with staff on hand are Monday to Friday For more information on the Windsor expect. Both state they were enjoying the from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. location and programs visit the website: experience. to 4 p.m. Drop-in sessions for students run CodeNinjas.com/locations/windsor-on-ca.

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