PORT CREDIT
VILLAGE TIMES Putting Port Credit First!
Vol u m e 07 • Is s u e 01 • Febru ar y/M arch 2 0 1 3
www.portcredit.com
IN THIS ISSUE RJ Publishing celebrates 20 yrs 02 PC calendar of events
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Is it May yet?
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New year…new
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Small business feature
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Community corner
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Health and Wellness
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Top 10 healthy tips
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Winter workout
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LPHA Provincial Championship 17
Stand-up comedy festival comes to Port Credit
Stock your cellar
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Value for money
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OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER
Laugh in the face of the dreary end of winter at the first annual Port Credit Comedy Festival. The inaugural event runs February 28 - March 2, 2013 and will feature some of the biggest lights in Canadian comedy. The Festival will open with a Gala event Thursday, February 28, headlined by Steve Patterson, host of CBC’s The Debaters, and currently touring in his one-man show “This Is Not Debatable”. The weekend’s all-star Festival line-up includes: • Debra DiGiovanni, (above left) a three-time Canadian Comedy Award winner and currently seen in Match Game on The Comedy Network; • Pete Zedlacher, (bottom right) star of his own Comedy Now special, and Gemini Award nominee for his appearance on Just For Laughs; • Graham Chittenden, (top right) nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award for his Comedy Now special, a gala performer at this year’s Just for Laughs festival, and appears on Match Game and The Debaters; • Ryan Belleville, star and co-writer of Almost Heroes, and Phil Hartman award winner; • Nile Seguin, the first comic to perform at Festival Juste Pour Rire and also Just for Laughs in the same year and writer for CBC’s The Irrelevant Show; • Rob Pue, a regular on the hit MTV series Punk’d, and also seen on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend & CTV’s Comedy Now. continued on page 05
Fun, Fresh & Fabulous!
74 Lakeshore Road East ~ 3 Blocks West of Highway 10 Port Credit ~ 905-271-8999 ~ Est. 1998
ww w. impressionablegi f t s . ca Impressionable Gifts-Mississauga.
RJ Publishing celebrates 20 years! On February 14th, 1993 Evening Out with Bob and June was launched. Bob and June Hackett (my stepdad and mom) started a magazine that featured community-based businesses in the Etobicoke area. Early issues featured a cover sketch of Bob and June dining at local restaurants. In 1995 the “Bob and June” was dropped from the logo and the magazine called Evening Out focussed on all types of retail businesses. RJ Entertainment Publishing has been a leader in community-oriented content for small to medium business and local residents in several established communities. Our group of community publications now includes the Streetsville Village Times, Port Credit Village Times, The Lakeshore Villages, Kingsway Korners, Clarkson’s Corners and Village Of Islington Times. By networking with local shopkeepers and services, our publications provide an effective outlet for promoting the brands, products and services of local businesses to a wide audience. The suite of publications also includes several community business directories that are developed and maintained with the assistance of local BIA’s, and are distributed yearly to businesses and homes. Currently, RJ Entertainment Publishing publishes directories for Streetsville, Clarkson, Port Credit, Forest Hill and The Kingsway. RJ Entertainment Publishing also includes high-quality programs for several local events and festivals. For the last five years, we have published the Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle Official Festival Program, which won the 2009 Festivals & Events Ontario Award for Best Official Printed Program. By facilitating discussion and comment on local projects, businesses and initiatives, our publications have become a part of the local landscape, and have helped draw community interest and awareness to positive local development.
Check out our small business feature on page 9. If you would like your business featured in the Village Times please contact Toby Gardiner at the email below.
Port Credit Village Times
Port Credit’s Community Newspaper Volume 07 | Issue 01 Bi-monthly Publication ~ Circulation 25,000 Delivered by Canada Post
For advertising information, please contact Toby Gardiner at 416-875-1409 or by e-mail at toby@rjentertainmentpublishing.com www.rjentpub.com
The Port Credit Business Improvement Association 105 Lakeshore Road West Port Credit, ON L5H 1E9 Tel: 905-278-7742 • Fax: 905-278-8864 Email: info@portcredit.com www.portcredit.com
Editorial Contributors: Julie Knox, Emma Cosgrove and Lindsay Howe
Toby Gardiner | Publisher toby@rjentertainmentpublishing.com The Port Credit Village Times is printed on 100% recycled fibre. Please recycle.
www.rjentpub.com
2012-2013
The Profound Logic
Do you suffer from the February “blahs”? Guest conductor Denis Mastromonaco, fresh from performances across Canada and Europe, and internationally recognized guest pianist Kati Gleiser, who began playing the piano at the age of four among the apple orchards of Georgian Bay, will chase your blues away when they take the stage for the MSO’s concert on February 9th. With Mozart’s bubbly Overture to Cosí fan tutte, Beethoven’s immensely powerful Piano Concerto #4, and the intensity of Sibelius’ Fifth Symphony, this is sure to be an evening of music to remember!
Tickets still available! 905.306.6000 LivingArtsCentre.ca Discounts for seniors/students. Just $80 for a family of 4!
Saturday, February 9, 2013 8pm Hammerson Hall Living Arts Centre Parking is free!
MississaugaSymphony.ca
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Port Credit+Streetsville Village Times_ Feb+Mar_2013.pdf
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Port Credit Calendar of Events 2013 www.portcredit.com
Port Credit Comedy Festival February 28 - March 2 Port Credit Farmers Market Saturdays/June-October
Mississauga Waterfront Festival June 14-16 Paint The Town Red - Canada Day Celebration & Parade July 1st
Sunset Concert Series July-August Movies in the Park July-August Port Credit Outdoor Art Show July 12-14
Port Credit Buskerfest August 16-18 Port Credit’s In-Water Boat Show August 23-25
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Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle Blues & Jazz Festival September 6-8
Stand-up comedy festival comes to Port Credit continued from front cover
Presented by the Port Credit BIA and supported by its member businesses, the festival is produced under the direction of Phil LeConte. LeConte also produces the Waterloo Comedy Festival, entering its fourth blockbuster year, and brings years of experience as both a performer and a large-scale event producer to the community. LeConte and his team of seasoned festival professionals will produce 5 shows over three days. Tickets are on sale through www.portcreditcomedy.com or at local box offices Ric’s Recollections, 257 Lakeshore Road East and at Impressionable Gifts, 74 Lakeshore Road East. Donations and non-perishable goods will be collected at all venues in support of the local Food Bank. For further information please contact Phil LeConte, Executive Producer 519-8974977 or info@portcreditcomedy.com.
Rob Pue
Nile Seguin
Steve Patterson
Indian Cuisine by the Lake
56A Lakeshore Road East
905 891 3333
www.indiancuisinebythelake.com
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IS IT MAY YET?
Purchase and Sale: Read before You Sign
By Marion Klinnert, Owner Private Moments Lingerie and Ladies Wear
By Theresa Baird
Although I knew of them I never thought about joining the Cloverleaf Garden Club but last year I did. As beautification chairperson of the Port Credit Business Improvement Association I thought I could learn something since I just love, love, love flowers.
The acquisition of a home carries with it the obligation of significant and crucial legal paperwork. One of the most important documents a potential homeowner will encounter during the process is the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, a sample copy of which (from the Ontario Real Estate Association and, specifically, Toronto Real Estate Board) can be viewed on my blog tbairdblog.com.
Every year our landscape company plants 2000 tulip bulbs and every year after they have finished blooming they are either thrown away (yes, you are probably saying “Such a waste!”) or given away…please let me know in the spring if you want some bulbs (905-278-8055). But in 2011 I had a scathingly brilliant idea! Why not give them to the Garden Club…so after harvesting the dead tulips, off the bulbs went to Edel Schmidts’ house (President of the Cloverleaf Garden Club). Little did I know they had a Junior Program. With direction from Kimberlay Oly and the help of eager students and parent volunteers, Forest Avenue P.S. Eco Club planted tulips! Some of the bulbs were set aside to “force” indoors for further study.
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve seen this document. And, perhaps more troublingly, I also can’t begin to tell you the number of potential homeowners I’ve seen overlook its importance and underestimate its meaning. Put simply: when you’re about to become an owner, you need to know exactly what purchase documents you’re signing – what they mean, and what they do – before the time comes to put pen to paper.
Meanwhile, The Froebel Education Centre along with parent volunteer and owner of Convallaria Floral Design were enhancing their front gardens with the tulip bulbs. Grade 3 and 4 students at Oakridge P.S. were inspired by the tulip treasures they planted in the front garden beds. Mineola P.S. was also a lucky recipient of bulbs.
My goal is to help clients understand exactly what they’re signing. The Agreement of Purchase and Sale form is, in the strictest sense, a basic and binding legal document. It has been amended with highlighted sections of red text which explain – in helpful, “every day” English – exactly what some of the content involves. Take, for example, the opening paragraph stating the form’s general purpose:
Here are two of the thank-you cards sent by children in the junior program: Dear Mrs. Oly, Thank-you for coming to Oakridge and showing us how to plant tulips. I had so much fun. Are tulips your favorite types of flowers? Thank-you for bring shovel for us, it was much easier digging holes for the tulip seeds. We are so excited to see our tulips bloom in the Spring! Thank-you once again Mrs. Oly! (signed) yours truly, Maha
The Agreement of Purchase and Sale is the document that is used to state the Buyer’s desire to purchase the property, and to negotiate the terms of the sale. It is commonly referred to as an “Offer.” This document is considered as legitimate as any legal contract. The risk…the problem that I’ve seen too many times is a buyer signing without hesitation – in the excitement of the moment – and not being fully aware of some of the conditions and requirements they’ve committed themselves to.
Dear Mrs. Oly, I learned how to plant tulips and now I know how to paint and draw tulips! I really like the picture of the tulips in the book (The Tulip Anthology). The shovels looked very clean and when we were digging the holes my group was having fun. Thank-you for teaching us how to plant tulips. I hope you come again when we are in Grade 4! Thank-you for coming to Oakridge Public School! I really had fun planting tulips. You are the funnest tulip teacher in the world! Love Ifrah.
I’d like to highlight several clauses of noteworthy concern. Consider them areas where I’ve most commonly seen buyers overlook critical elements of the purchasing process.
Well if that doesn’t just warm your heart on this frosty January (23rd) day!? Oh, how I wish it were May…
· DEPOSIT. While certain aspects of the deposit process are available for negotiation, others are not. When a buyer submits a deposit to a deposit holder (for example, the listing agent), they must do so within 24 hours of the signing of the purchase agreement. Signing a commitment and then realizing you can’t turn the money around quickly is not a situation anyone wants to find themselves in. Buyers should have the deposit prepared for delivery before the agreement is signed.
This year I thought it would be grand for both the Club and our BIA to partner again. I have offered one of our permanent planters (the one at Helene Street North) to the Garden Club. They will design and plant the flowerbed and we will water and weed it! Needless to say partnerships like this make our community a much better place to work, live and play. And if anyone reading this wants to join a great group of people please go to www.cloverleafgardenclub.org or email Edel Schmidt at cloverleafpresident@hotmail.com
· IRREVOCABILITY. Timelines are strict, and in place for a reason. Failing to submit paperwork, money, or fulfill other obligations of the deal within timeframes specifically outlined as part of that agreement can result in the deal itself falling through. For a buyer, inadvertently losing out on a property because of a failure to adhere to purchasing agreement timelines would be a devastating blow.
Further to our initiatives in 2012, the Port Credit BIA had 2000 tulip bulbs planted which in several months will show us their loveliness and cold days like today will be long forgotten! Oh, how I wish it were May!
· RENTAL ITEMS. A potential buyer must be aware, prior to signing, of any items not included in the purchase price of the home. They may inadvertently absorb rental fees for major utilities (for example, a furnace) and incur unanticipated future costs if they don’t pay special attention to these details.
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BEACHFASHION
· COMPLETION DATE. Closings must occur sometime between Monday and Friday, and the home must be vacant by 6pm on the closing date – not by midnight, or the end of the day. Continuing on the theme of irrevocability, timelines are detailed specifically to ensure a smooth transfer of ownership. Although it may seem daunting at first, a potential home buyer’s best (and only) approach is to familiarize themselves with the specifics of the document before finding themselves in a situation where they’re prepared to sign. They key is to know what you’re agreeing to, and be aware of any conditions that could jeopardize a potential deal. Please consult visit my website www.tbaird.com (Under Buyers Section) or my blog tbairdblog.com to review a sample Agreement of Purchase and Sale Form. If you have any additional questions, contact Theresa Baird today! tbaird@tbaird.com
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NEW YEAR…NEW
The Diamond Jubilee Medal Ceremony:
By Marion Klinnert, Owner Private Moments Lingerie And Ladies Wear
By: Lindsay Howe
Rewarding Outstanding Members of our Community
Undies! Every year toward the end of the year I remind my lady customers that in the new year one chore that should be a priority is starting the new year with new and unholey underpinnings.
On Wednesday, January 23rd, The Diamond Jubilee Medal Investiture Ceremony was held at Solstice Restaurant located at 1801 Lakeshore Road West. MP Stella Ambler of Mississauga South hosted the event, recognizing and awarding eight awe-inspiring community leaders for their significant contributions within our community, province and country. There are 60,000 citizens across Canada receiving Diamond Jubilee Medals, 2, 000 of which are outstanding Ontarians. The following eight recipients were awarded with the Diamond Jubilee Medal: Gail Grossmith A. Raymond Chang Renata Roman
Anna Lopinski Patricia Brooks Maria Swietorzecki
Arshad Mahmood Michael Douglas
The Diamond Jubilee award presented to these phenomenal individuals is a commemorative medal marking the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne. Through the Diamond Jubilee Award ceremonies Canada pays tribute to Her Majesty, recognizing a lifetime of dedicated service to our country. Like Her Majesty, the individuals awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal have shown their unwavering dedication and commitment to the betterment of their community and of Canada. In addition to outlining each community leaders outstanding contributions, Ambler also took the time to thank the families of these outstanding individuals for their ongoing understanding and support. These support systems were rewarded with Queens Diamond Jubilee pins.
Many chuckle, but seriously I think it’s a perfect time to get rid of the old and in with the new. Just like New Year’s resolutions. Who wants to start a fresh new year with old and ugly gerts, undies, knickers, panties, unmentionables? Whatever you call them is fine by me but holey and nasty undergarments are not nice. And you deserve better!
Congratulations to all the South Mississauga winners of the Diamond Jubilee Medals. Mississauga South thanks you for your extraordinary contributions.
That’s where your local lingerie and ladies wear store like mine can help you out. (And shopping locally saves gas.) Independent lingerie store owners know their stuff. Not only do we take product knowledge sessions with our suppliers but after years (28 coming up) of experience we can recommend what’s best for you. And why would we steer you wrong? Serving you better only serves us better and serving you well is what we do. Now that the “Going South” season is upon us we at Private Moments are fully stocked with holiday, cruise and leisurewear. Shorts and capris’, LBD’s (little black dress), linen clam diggers and t-shirts all in packable fabrics just arrived and we are here to help with all your travel needs. The colours are fun; the fabrics are oh so comfortable and easy to care for. AND bathing suits! For real women! We are one stop shopping for travel and staycations…hope to see you soon and would love to wish you “bon voyage”. Private Moments is located at 259 Lakeshore Road East. Marion can be reached at 905-278-8055. Specializing in Bra Fitting And Mastectomy Products.
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10 th Anniversary
In support of Sponsor A Child
S P EAKE R
LEGENDARY
MICHAEL “PINBALL” CLEMONS PASSION & SPIRIT
THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2013 5:30 PM (Doors Open for Cocktails & Networking) LO CATIO N: Le Treport Banquet & Convention Hall 1075 The Queensway East, Mississauga
For tickets call the 905-891-0002 Reserved tables of 10 available.
TI C KETS: $125 Per Person or $1,150.00 for a Table of Ten Ticket Includes: Door Prize • Speaker • 4 Course Dinner Gift Bag • Entertainment by: Michael Ciufo
P R E S E NTE D BY
www.themwf.com 8
Ric’s Recollections Celebrates 20 Years in Port Credit!
Ch , Ch , Ch , Changes By Ric Cooper
By: Lindsay Howe
Ric’s Recollections has been Port Credit’s music store for 20 years, offering a wide selection of records and CDs in almost every category: rock, jazz, blues, R&B, country, classical, pop vocal, soundtracks and many more. While other music stores in the area have come and gone, Ric’s Recollections has remained a successful business, carrying vinyl when remaining music stores ceased to sell vinyl.
As you might have read elsewhere in this paper, February marks 20 years since I opened Ric’s Recollections in Port Credit. At that time many people said I was nuts opening a store selling vinyl records, cassette tapes and compact discs. They also wondered about the location decision, feeling that Port Credit didn’t have too much to offer. I’d like to say I was visionary but luck might have had something to do with it as well.
SMALL BUSINESS FOCUS
I always liked the village feel Port Credit had and it’s a stone’s throw from where I was born and raised. As I young kid, weekly visits into Port Credit were the norm for my family and as a hockey player, Port Credit arena could have been considered my home rink.
Owner and music guru Ric Cooper has maintained a successful business, which continues to grow and expand with each passing year. Ric speaks of the success of his business stating, “We have established ourselves as having the largest selection of new and used audiophile vinyl in the region.” Ric has built quite the reputation for his large collection of LPs. Ric’s Recollections takes great pride in the selection and quality of their products and while it might seem cliché, “quality not quantity” holds true here. The exceptional service provided keeps customers coming back.
Twenty years ago, the landlord at my first shop said “Port Credit is going to develop” and will become a rejuvenated and vibrant place with lots of improvements. While they may be slow, many of those ideas are coming to fruition and Port Credit IS the jewel of Mississauga ( sorry Hazel !) It’s great to see so many small independent businesses making Port Credit home and as long as the big box & chain stores stay out, we’ll continue to get more unique shops that cater to discerning people. On the music front, the changes were even harder to predict. Back then CDs were relatively in their infancy but had already replaced vinyl in many if the music stores. Cassette tapes were portable and seemed everywhere. They replaced the horrid 8 track and cassette tape players became standard equipment in cars. That portability got even more convenient with the Sony Walkman. Remember those ? Where are they now and who wants one ?
Customers travel from all over the GTA to come to Ric’s Recollections to buy their music. Fortunately for customers outside of the area, Ric’s Recollections website offers a searchable database where you can easily locate the music you are looking for and have it shipped to you. The website is certainly generating a lot of interest, as customers worldwide are ordering albums from www.ricrec. com. Search for your music at Ric’s Recollections online, updated regularly. With over 8500 items listed and approximately 20,000 in stock, he has loads of work ahead of him. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes to list each one and no, it’s not because he’s a slow typist, it is all the detailed info he includes.
CD walkman’s weren’t too far behind and even those have become artifacts of a by-gone era. Replaced by MP3 and iPods where physical product was not required marked the beginning of the end of the CD. With downloading and file sharing becoming the norm, record companies have had to come up with ways to generate revenue and hope that people will pay for the tracks they download.
Ric comments, “With music being downloaded online, the CD business continues to die down. Music lovers who truly appreciate the quality of sound are going back to vinyl.” Current best sellers include Mumford and Sons, Adele, along with the always popular Beatles albums. Gesturing towards his latest shipment of boxes Ric states, “There is so much new vinyl coming out; it is certainly keeping me busy and keeping business growing steadily.”
Cloud service is on the horizon where a person will subscribe to a service much like cable TV. There will be different tiers each with differing amounts of access. For about $20 you will be able to listen to 1000 songs of your choice as many times as you want during the month long period. For $50 you get 10,000 songs and so on. You will not own them and can’t copy or keep them but they are there. The above dollar amounts and quantities are hypothetical but you can see where it’s going.
Ric’s Recollections store location has also grown and expanded over the years, beginning with a mere 300 square foot shop, and most recently moving to its current location which is over three times the size of the original store. “The increased space has allowed us to start carrying some accessories such as T-shirts and we are now proud to carry Pro-ject turntables along with the regular items such as cartridges, brushes and vinyl record cleaning fluid,” Ric comments.
Funny thing though, vinyl is the only physical medium with sales units increases and that doesn’t take into account stores like mine with pre-owned records. Turntables are becoming more common and can be found in most stereo shops and even places like Wal-mart. A word of caution should you want to get one. As cliché as it may be, “you only get what you pay for” so don’t expect those cheap players to sound very good or be able to play the vinyl well. In fact I’ve had quite a few people in that bought and regretted these cheap players as they have ruined records.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary, Ric’s Recollections will be giving out promotional items from record labels, including items courtesy of Warner. Port Credit congratulates Ric’s Recollections on 20 successful years. Cheers to 20 more years! Ric’s Recollections is located at 257 Lakeshore Road East in Port Credit. For more information visit www.ricrec.com or call 905- 891-1523.
“The times, they are ‘a changing”, Bob Dylan couldn’t have put it any better.
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COMMUNITY CORNER Ontario is helping the Credit River Anglers Association protect Lake Ontario through two Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund, $25,000 grants. The Credit River Anglers Association is reforesting the Credit River and Black Creek riparian zones and floodplains within the Credit River watershed. This will help protect water quality in Credit River which flows into the Great Lakes. The Credit River is located within one of the most densely populated and fastest growing regions in Canada. The River’s Watershed contains some of the most diverse landscapes in southern Ontario. Hundreds of thousands of people live and work within the area that drains into the Credit River. In turn, the lands, waters, and natural areas along the river provide unique opportunities for recreation and well-being while purifying water and air. It is vital that the Credit River is protected and cared for. The grants help local communities and grassroots groups restore the lakes and their tributaries through local actions such as cleaning up shorelines and protecting and restoring wetlands. Protecting and restoring the Great Lakes is part of Ontario’s plan to enhance quality of life for Ontario families and ensure a strong, green economy for future generations.
Paint the Town Red Pool Tournament By J. Knox On January 27th, the Paint The Town Red Community Organization held their annual Pool Tournament Fundraiser at The Crooked Cue in Port Credit. All proceeds from the tournament go toward the daylong Canada Day Celebrations on July 1st. This year marks the 10th anniversary for Port Credit Canada Day celebrations. Over 30 teams of four participated in 8 Ball for race to 7, to place among the final four teams competing for first, second and third place. Third place winners were team Brett Creative, Second place winners were team JMG Solutions and first place winners were team Spice Lounge & Tapas (pictured above) consisting of Sean Deabreu, Tracey Morgan, Spice Lounge Owner Ryan Long, and Andy Long. The Paint The Town Red Community Organization would like to give special thanks to The City of Mississauga, The Trillium Health Foundation and The Canada Heritage Foundation for their contributions to the continued success of the Paint The Town Red Canada Day celebrations in Port Credit. For more information on upcoming fundraising events please visit www.paintthetownred.ca.
Nesmeh’s Retreat Nesmeh’s Retreat invites you to visit our brand new, unique and charming wellness retreat, right here in beautiful Port Credit! They offer all your essential beauty treatments in one spot. From professional waxing, luxury hand and foot treatments, to rejuvenating facials with the pure organic skin care line, Jurlique. You can also indulge in relaxation with their exotic Indian Head Massages, which deliver instant stress-relief for your body. First time clients will receive 20% off their treatment. For the month of February, receive $20 towards your next treatment when you spoil that special someone with a Gift Card valued at $100 or more. As a Spring Break special, receive 20% off waxing treatments all throughout March. Give yourself a pre-holiday boost, by getting soft and smooth skin for your getaway! Nesmeh’s Retreat is located at 1 Stavebank Road North. Call 416-992-9291 or visit www.nesmehsretreat.com for more information. Port Credit welcomes these new businesses to the community! Tea Factory 321 Lakeshore Rd. E Yeh! Frozen Yogourt & Café 55 Lakeshore Rd. E. The Equity Shoppe 175 Lakeshore Rd. E. Port Credit Emporium 42 Port St. E. Spiritual Emporium 159 Lakeshore Rd. E. Belles & Beaus Salon & Spa 332 Lakeshore Rd. E. Glamher Beauty Supplies 243 Lakeshore Rd. E. The Lapidary Bench 94 Lakeshore Rd. E. Hillcrest Centre for Health 285 Lakeshore Rd. E. Pups ‘N’ Kittens 34 Lakeshore Rd. E. Physiotherapy on Lakeshore 333 Lakeshore Rd. W. Keller Williams Realty Solutions 103 Lakeshore Rd. E.
From left to right; Sean Deabreu, Tracey Morgan, Ryan Long, Owner of Spice Lounge & Tapa’s and John Bozzo, Paint The Town Red Chair. Missing from the winning team photograph is Spice Manager, Andy Long.
2013 Southside Shuffle Calendar Contest Pick up a copy of our new 2013 Calendar and enter our Calendar Contest for a chance to win a VIP WEEKEND for TWO at the 15th Annual Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle. Calendars can be purchased in Port Credit at Impressionable Gifts & Decor, 74 Lakeshore Road East, Port Credit (Mississauga) Download the entry form at www.southsideshuffle.com, fill in the names of all the artists in the collage on the back cover of the calendar and submit for your chance to win!
JUNE 14-15-16 Spectacular Rock Orchestra Phenomenal Culinary Cuisine • New Adventures for Kids Father's Day Tributes • Carnival • Sports Zone Family fun for everyone The MWF Market Place and more fun stuff for kids!
FREE ADMISSION! MEMORIAL PARK • PORT CREDIT
www.THEMWF.com
Photo: Martin Pinker
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COMMUNITY CORNER Toys for Tots Fundraising Events: Another Successful Year By Lindsay Howe
Each year events are held in November and December to help raise money for the Peel Regional Police Toys for Tots charity. The Regional Police Toys for Tots charity is in partnership with The Salvation Army and Canadian Tire to raise money and collect new, unwrapped toys. The program aims to serve the needs of financially disadvantaged children in the Region of Peel. For 20 years Toys for Tots has managed to raise a million dollars each year, giving families hope and encouragement for the holiday season. The most popular Toys for Tots fundraising event was the 3rd annual hockey charity event, which took place on Friday December 7th at Iceland Arena. The event was put on by the Lorne Park Hockey Association (LPHA), and sponsored by the Salvation Army and Canadian Tire. The game featured some of Canada’s finest hockey legends: the Toronto Maple Leaf Alumni players vs. the LPHA coaches. Leaf Alumni players included Darryl Sittler, Rick Vaive, Dmitri Mironov, Bill Derlago, Mark Laforest and Gary Leeman. Also in attendance was Mayor Hazel McCallion, Councillor Jim Tovey, and MPP Charles Sousa. Along with an action packed game, everyone present enjoyed the entertaining pranks and shenanigans that occurred. The spirit of giving was truly in the air that evening. The hundreds that attended gained entry by purchasing a $10 ticket, or by donating a toy of equal or greater value. Due to the overwhelming generosity of those that attended the game, hundreds of less fortunate children received special gifts at Christmas. From this event alone, Toys for Tots brought in almost 1,000 toys and raised $9,000 last year. Special thanks goes out to everyone who came out to watch this fantastic event, as well as the LPHA and Maple Leaf Alumni Players for all their support in making this fundraiser a success!
Lascania Ladies Boutique Welcomes New Expertise to their Staff By Lindsay Howe
Owner Maggie proudly welcomes Carma to Lascania Ladies Boutique. Carma has 30 years of experience in bridal dress alterations and custom made dresses. Carma spent the last 11 years at Bridal Couture, developing a large customer base and reputation for her exemplary bridal dress alterations. As of January 2013, Carma has moved her business to Lascania Ladies Boutique. Lascania Ladies Boutique has been in business for 15 years, offering stunningly elegant women’s fashions. Currently, Lascania is having a storewide sale where you can find 30-40% off merchandise. The sale ends mid-February to make way for the arrival of a new spring collection. The spring collection includes shoes from Brazil, spring leather jackets from Italy, and imported purses. Maggie took over the family business and has developed an outstanding reputation as a fashion consultant over the past 10 years. Lascania Ladies Boutique specializes in selling elegant clothing for every occasion. From formal events, to cocktail parties, to an office or family gathering, Lascania has what you are looking for. Lascania also features elegant, one of a kind treasures for weddings including bridal jewelry and veils. In addition to providing quality, elegant fashions, Lascania offers one-on-one fashion consultation service. Visit Lascania to check out their selection of glamorous clothing, purses, handbags and accessories. Lascania is the place to shop for exceptionally unique fashions imported from Europe. Visit the boutique to see for yourself why Lascania has become a symbol for quality, style and elegance. Lascania Ladies Boutique is located at 84 Lakeshore Rd. East in Port Credit. For more information visit www.lascaniaboutique.ca or call 905-278-3333.
PORT CREDIT
PORT CREDIT
1 bedroom unit, perfect for the downsizer or SmartSizer. Spacious floor plan with open concept living and dining area. Balcony overlooks the courtyard. PORT416.TBAIRD.COM Direct: 647-298-0997
Wow, Southwest corner of Northshore, truly full unobstructed views of Toronto and Lake Ontario. 2 bedrooms plus den unit - almost 1,000 square feet. NORTHSHORE.TBAIRD.COM
Office: 905-278-8866 tbairD@tbairD.cOm
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CLARKSON/LORNE PARK
Wow, just move in to this stunning backsplit with 4 bedrooms and 2 bath. Updated with hardwood floor, bonus family room with plenty of stacked stone. DAVEBROOK.TBAIRD.COM
I.R.E.S. iNterNatiONaL reaL eState SaLeS certifieD
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HEALTH AND WELLNESS
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7 DAYS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE: The Real Food Challenge
By Crystal Mallari, Fitness Professional, Certified Nutrition Coach & Adler Trained Life Coach www.getcrystallized.ca Dinner: Dinner is the meal where most people splurge and eat far more calories than they should. Eating at home is the first step in reducing your dinnertime calories.
Processed foods, additives and chemicals are inferior to real food and are potentially harmful to your health. So why do you still eat it? Why do you still eat that packaged granola bar and snack on those whole grain crackers? You may think that heart healthy label means something, but it doesn’t hold a candle to real food.
Dinner ideas: Grilled white fish, sautéed spinach and almond bread. Baked chicken breast with steamed broccoli and quinoa. A big bowl of arugula topped with sautéed asparagus and sliced hardboiled eggs.
What is Real Food? Here’s an easy way to tell if your food is real or not: If your food can go bad, it’s good for you. If your food can’t go bad, it’s bad for you. Real food is fresh and unprocessed.
While healthy eating is a huge factor in achieving your ideal weight, exercise is the other (very important) half of the equation. Your exercise routine should be challenging and should be done on a regular basis. Email today and we will get you started on the exercise program that will reshape your body in 2013.
Why try the Real Food Challenge? This real food challenge has the potential to change your body forever. Take the next 7 days to ONLY eat real food. One week is a very short time in the grand scheme of things, and I know you can do this. Just try it for one week to see and feel the difference in your body.
Just 7 Days!!! How quickly does a week fly by? Pretty fast, right? When you decide to eat only real food for 7 days you will be amazed at the positive improvement that you feel and see in your body. Do this challenge for yourself. In one short week you could be in the same, worse, or you could be leaner and excited. The choice is yours. For a FREE CONSULTATION email Crystal at crystal@getcrystallized.ca.
The Rules During the next 7 days you will avoid eating all of the following food items: Bread, Grains, Rice, Crackers & Chips, Packaged snacks, Sugar & Corn Syrup, Soda Pop, Packaged Bars, Baked Goods, Candy Here’s a list of the real foods that you will eat instead: Seasonal, organic Vegetables, Seasonal, organic Fruits, Lean, organic meat, fish & eggs, Nuts and Seeds
GRAIN-FREE RICE RECIPE: Just because you’re giving your body a break from grains this week doesn’t mean your dinner will be rice-less. Fresh, organic cauliflower makes the perfect base for grain-free rice. Serve with a side of lean meat and a fresh garden salad for a low carb, real food meal. Servings: 4
Those four categories of food can be combined into endless, flavorful combinations. Check out the following meal ideas:
Here’s what you need... 1 head organic cauliflower, 1 Tablespoon coconut oil, Salt and pepper. Wash cauliflower, discard the leaves, and chop into small pieces. Grate the pieces with a food processor. In a large skillet heat the coconut oil over medium. Add the shredded cauliflower. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until tender. Season with salt and pepper. Serve as you would traditional rice. Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 66 calories, 3g fat, 87mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate, 4g fiber, and 3g protein
Breakfast: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. What you decide to eat when you first wake up will set the tone for the rest of your meals that day. Breakfast Ideas: Scrambled organic eggs, sliced tomato and a handful of seasonal berries. Half of a dressed avocado and a few slices of nitrate-free bacon. Pancakes made with coconut flour and topped with chopped nuts. Lunch: Plan your lunch ahead of time in order to avoid turning to a fast food joint or vending machine! Pack your lunch the night before and carry it with you.
QUALIFICATIONS: Certified Personal Trainer Specialist (CanFitPro PTS), Fitness Instructor Specialist (CanFitPro FIS), Certified Nutrition Coach (Precision Nutrition), Adler Trained Life Coach (Adler Learning), Tabata Bootcamp Trainer (Tabata Bootcamp/Mindy Mylrea),Piloxing Fitness Instructor (Piloxing Academy), Motherwell Maternity Fitness Instructor (Pre and Post Natal certification), The Lebert Equalizer Athletic Training Level 1 (Fitness Kickboxing Canada certification), Twist Conditioning (BOSU Integrated Balance certification), CPR C certified (CanFitPro).
Lunch Ideas: Dark baby greens topped with chopped chicken breast and diced tomatoes. Albacore tuna (packed in water), mixed with finely chopped cucumber over cauliflower rice. (See recipe below) Turkey and Spinach Salad
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Our Top 10 Healthy Weight Loss & Nutrition Tips for 2013
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If you’re a parent, please read!
By Silvia Yeomans, Kingsway Opticians and Queen Spectacle
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Many parents today think that the vision screening done in schools is enough of an eye exam for their children.
Simple everyday nutritional eating tips everyone can benefit from!
The truth is that these screening normally just checks your child’s distance vision, but does nothing for their near vision. Some schools don’t do any vision screening, or it’s done only for certain grades. Eye exams are very important, and should be done annually for your child...at all ages! Children should be visiting their pediatrician, their dentist and their optometrist. A comprehensive eye exam tests evaluates visual skills. Common vision problems go undetected, and (in some cases) can be misdiagnosed as a learning disability or behavioural problem. A child’s eye exam includes the following: 1) Testing their visual acuity (sharpness, clarity) at 20 feet and their short distance (for reading) 2) Testing their ability to maintain clear vision at varying distances 3) Eye tracking, where the optometrist checks the ability of the eyes to look at and accurately follow an object 4) Testing their binocular vision (using both eyes together at the same time to move, aim and work as a team) 5) Testing their colour vision Children don’t like the idea, but the truth is that school is starting soon. Please get your child(ren)’s eyes tested. Annual eye exams are covered under OHIP up to 20 years of age. It’s a simple test, and it’s available at our locations in Streetsville , Port Credit and The Kingsway . Have their eyes tested by an optometrist! If you want more information on getting your child(ren)’s eyes tested, please contact us!
Healthy weight loss and nutritional eating tips apply to anyone interested in becoming healthier throughout 2013, and the years beyond! These 10 simple tips for weight loss also make good nutritional sense so we encourage you to starting adopting each tip slowly. You’ll find the top 10 tips for weight loss and nutrition will help you experience better health & feeling of well-being. Healthy Weight Loss & Every Day Nutritional Tips 1. When you first feel a pang of hunger, don’t reach for the regular sugary carb snack; instead, reach for an 8 oz. glass of clean purified water. This will suppress the feeling of hunger that’s often mistaken when the body really wants water anyway. Be sure you are drinking lots of clean water throughout the day; the last sign of dehydration is a dry mouth. 2. At every meal time, stop eating when you are about 80% complete. It takes the brain about 20 minutes to register food is on the way and this is a great way to control the serving size and still eat well.
Silvia Yeomans is an Optician and owner of Queen Spectacle and Kingsway Opticians. For your added convenience, there are 3 locations to serve you better; in Port Credit, Streetsville and The Kingsway. Visit www.queenspectacle.com or contact Silvia Yeomans (silvia@queenspectacle.com) for any questions regarding your eye care or having your child(ren)’s eyes tested.
When indulging on “evil” foods like desert trays (we all do), don’t try to eat them all! Instead take 1 or 2 samples and really enjoy each without guilt. Eat lots of fresh fruits between meals and the best time to eat fruit is either 20 minutes before a meal or midway between meals as it helps regulate your blood sugar and diminish cravings. Eat fresh vegetables with every lunch and evening meal. When you are selecting the main course always try to avoid mixing proteins (meats) with starches (breads and potatoes). Limit animal protein consumption to not more than 4-5 servings per week which means some days you should be consuming vegetarian dishes. Do substitute animal proteins with legumes, but start slowly. You can use lentils, dry beans and peas and you’d be amazed at just how delicious the recipes are. Do not drink liquids with your meals. If you are thirsty, try to have a glass of clean water 10 minutes or so before the meal. While you are eating, you want your body to be efficient at digesting the foods and absorbing the nutrients you are consuming. This also helps with natural body cleansing functions & efficiency. Don’t wait till you’re starving to eat as this will only encourage binging. Be sure to have a snack of veggies and a fruit with you between meals and drink water which will help avert feelings of starvation and cravings. Do overdose on vegetables! Have 7-10 cups or more a day and look for ways to enjoy them raw like having a good dip. When you want your veggies cooked, lightly stream them to persevere their essential nutrients. (This really is a healthy weight loss tip at its best; no one ever gained weight eating too many veggies!) These top 10 tips for healthy weight loss & nutrition will improve your weight loss program and here are a few more secrets of healthy weight loss that can make it even better. When you adopt these healthy weight loss & nutrition tips, the new habits you learn and adopt form the basis of an excellent weight maintenance program. Author: Diane McLaren is one of Canada’s top Holistic Health Practitioners and owner of the Healthy You Naturally Wellness Centres in Mississauga. In practice since 1994, Diane and her team of nutritionists offer iridology & nutritional health care services as well as natural weight loss programs and natural health courses. Learn more: www.hyn.ca or call (905) 855-3000 .
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What’s a heart healthy diet?
By Suzie Lapierre, Certified Personal Trainer, CFPA - Fitness & Nutrition Specialist, ICSC
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Revitalize your Winter Workout: By Lindsay Howe
The first step in a heart-healthier lifestyle is a heart-healthy diet. Here are some guidelines to help you plan and personalize your diet:
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Fitness and Fresh Air - Health and Wellness in the Village Beating the Winter Blues by Revitalizing your Workout Routine At the beginning of each year we make resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle, and set challenging diet and fitness goals we hope to accomplish. In this frosty cold weather, it is tempting to take the easy route and ‘hibernate’ the winter months away, depriving our bodies of much needed sunlight. Vitamin D is important to keep our bones strong. Sunlight and being outdoors also has a positive effect on mood, self-esteem and leads to an overall improved sense of wellbeing.
1. Calories count. Being overweight is one of the primary risk factors for heart disease, so be sure your calorie intake is appropriate to achieve and/or maintain a healthy weight. 2. Eat plenty of fiber. A high fiber diet will help you control your weight (by controlling your appetite) and also can help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Twenty-five grams of fiber per day is the recommended minimum. Ideally, aim for 35-40 grams of fiber per day. 3. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables Fruits and vegetables contain fiber (see #2) but also are rich in antioxidant nutrients that help protect your heart. Eat at least five servings of colorful fruits & vegetables (such as carrots, berries, peppers and broccoli, etc.) to get a minimum of 100% of the daily recommended amounts of vitamin A, C, K.
So get up off that couch and engage in a winter workout that will invigorate your mind and get your blood pumping. Go out and experience the mental and physical benefits of getting outdoors and moving this winter. Can you remember a time when you were excited about winter? Maybe it was lying in the snow, flailing your arms and legs all around to make snow angels. Or the thrill of tumbling down a snowy hill on a sled. Embrace that feeling, and allow yourself to experience the exhilaration you once felt, venturing through the fresh white snow after a snowfall.
4. Emphasize healthy fats. A heart-healthy diet doesn’t necessarily need to be a low-fat diet. A diet rich in monounsaturated fats can help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and other risk factors. Monounsaturated fats are olive oil, avocadoes, and nuts such as almonds. Use these as your primary sources of fat.
Walking in the winter is a refreshing and invigorating experience. The cold air helps clear your head and reduce stress. It is time to embrace the crisp, quiet stillness of winter by bundling up and journeying through the village. Residents of Port Credit are blessed to live amongst beautiful scenic trails and parks. Take advantage of any opportunity to take a brisk walk through the village or stroll through a nature trail to experience the beautiful winter scenery around you. You will actually burn more calories when you are active in the cold because greater effort is required to move your feet through the snow, forcing you to lift your legs higher and use more momentum. Take your friends or family out for a fun filled skating outing at Port Credit Arena located at 40 Stavebank Road North. Not only is ice skating fun and invigorating, but it also provides cardiovascular benefits. This ice sport enables you to use your small stabilizer muscles, aiding in building lower-body muscles, including the hips, hamstrings, quadriceps, and calves. Recreational skating burns several hundred calories an hour! Port Credit Arena offers public skating on Friday nights. For more information visit www.portcreditarena.ca or call 905-615-4830.
5. Watch your sodium A diet high in sodium can lead to high blood pressure. The USDA recommends limiting your sodium intake to 2300mg per day, but most Canadians and Americans eat about twice that much. Those with high blood pressure are advised to reduce sodium to 1500mg a day. 6. Limit your intake of sweets and refined carbohydrates Foods that are high in sugar and refined carbohydrates (which includes many low-fat foods!) can create sharp spikes in blood sugar and ultimately increase your risk of both heart disease and diabetes. Choose whole grain foods whenever possible and consume sweets occasionally or not at all. For a naturally sweet treat, enjoy fresh fruit. (See #3.) 7. Drink 10 glasses of natural spring water every day. 60-75% of your body is water, 80-90% of your brain and 10-15% of your bones. I’m sure you’ve heard that before, but doesn’t that tell you something? Keep a glass of water handy, there’s nothing that can replace it. Water is the one key ingredient to health. You must take it the right way for full health and vitality. Your body’s processes depend on water. It helps you recover and heal from hurts and illnesses, cleans out the system, and even improves digestion and increase athletic and sexual performance.
It has been years since we’ve experienced multiple snowfalls during the winter season. Why not embrace the snowy weather by participating in an enjoyable activity. Sledding is fun for any age! Head out to a nearby hill and slide down in a toboggan to your hearts content. Climbing up the hill repeatedly is excellent exercise, and a great leg workout. The thrill of the ride down makes each uphill hike worthwhile.
1. The first key is the amount of water you need. 10 glasses a day is a start. More exacting is to drink half your body weight in fluid ounces. But of course this depends on your level of activity and the temperature.
Shoveling is also a great way to help tone your body, and develop muscular strength and endurance. It also burns approximately 400 calories an hour. When shoveling, make sure to use your legs, not just your upper body; bend your knees and hips instead of using your back.
2. The second thing is the frequency. Ideally, you want to be adding water to match your body’s use throughout the day. Have a glass handy so you can pace yourself and drink before and during when you’re especially active.
Experience the enjoyment and satisfaction that comes along with outdoor activity. Keep active in the months of winter to powerfully lift your mood and boost your energy. Whether you get bundled up to take a stroll down Lakeshore Road or wander along Waterfront Trail or Rattray Marsh Trail, exercising outdoors in the natural environment is good for the soul. So go out and embrace the cold; take pleasure in the winter wonderland that surrounds you!
3. To complete the picture, you have to consider the quality of water. All water is not the same. Tap water has so many toxins these days, prescription medications and chlorine. The chlorine alone increases your chances of getting cancer by 93% over your lifetime, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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The Profound Logic
Lorne Park Hockey to host Provincial Championship
The Mississauga Symphony with Special Guests Denis Mastromonaco, Conductor and Kati Gleiser, Piano
The Ontario Hockey Federation has awarded the Lorne Park Hockey Association and their Ojibwa Midget Senior A Hockey Club rights to host the Midget A Provincial Championship Tournament held from April 11th to April 14th, 2013. All games will be played at the renovated, state of the art Vic Johnston Community Centre.
Do you suffer from the February “blahs”? Guest conductor Denis Mastromonaco, fresh from performances across Canada and Europe, will chase your blues away when he takes the podium for the MSO’s next concert on February 9th.
The Lorne Park Midget Senior A hockey club is honoured and extremely excited to host this great hockey event. Head Coach Tony DiClemente states” Our team is thrilled that we have earned the right to host this event. The boys have worked hard over the years, have the record to show for it and we are looking forward to being a great host and to competing for the championship.” This will be the first time Lorne Park Hockey Association has hosted the Provincial Championships for any age group. The organization is extremely excited for the championship weekend. “This is our first time hosting a provincial championship. The Lorne Park Hockey Association fully supports the midget senior hockey club in running this event and their quest for the Provincial Championship” said Mike Doyle, President Lorne Park Hockey Association. Lorne Park Hockey Association has a long history in minor hockey, founded in 1944. The association now has over 800 young hockey players in ages from three to twenty years old. The association has a strong reputation of giving back to the community. Most recently, for the last three years LPHA has organized a hockey game between coaches and the Leafs Alumni to generate toys and cash for the Peel Regional Police’s Toys For Tots campaign.
Entitled “The Profound Logic”, the program opens with the bubbly overture to Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte”, a comic opera in which two soldiers wager that each can woo the other’s fiancée and prove her unfaithful. The opera is subtitled “The School for Lovers” – a perfect little Valentine’s gift! Perhaps it will make you dream of love… Beethoven’s beautiful Piano Concerto No. 4 in G will take you to a more thoughtful plane. Beethoven performed it twice, the last time as part of a marathon concert with two of his symphonies and the Choral Fantasia. This was his last appearance as a soloist with an orchestra, as by then his deafness was becoming acute. The concerto’s reflective beauty will make your heart ache for Beethoven’s loss of his precious hearing.
The OHF Championships take place at the conclusion of every hockey season for all the major age groups and levels during the second weekend of April. Five teams participate at the OHF Championships; the Minor Hockey Member Partner Championship teams from the Alliance, GTHL, NOHA, OMHA and the host team. The weekend will kick off with a banquet that brings all five teams together to hear key note speaker Mark Osborne, 14 year NHL alumni and former Toronto Maple Leaf discuss his hockey career.
Our soloist is Kati Gleiser, who began playing the piano at the age of four among the apple orchards of Georgian Bay. She has since received international recognition as a pianist, vocalist and electronic musician. In addition to her busy performance schedule, Kati is completing her doctoral studies at the University of Indiana.
The core of the Lorne Park Midget Senior A Hockey team has been together since rebuilding after championship seasons in Minor and Major atom. The team personifies what the minor hockey experience should be with players and parents forging strong friendships over the years and this event will be a great final chapter for the team. The roster includes: Nikil Arora, Nicholas Constandinou, Bradley Cose, Robert DiClemente, William Eddie, Joseph Fantin, Jacob Gardiner, Stefan Iwankewich, Patrick Kucharzak, Dante Labog, Zachary Louch, Nicholas Magnone, Geoffrey McCann, Conor McKenna, Fraser Molgat, Macleod Munro, Patrick Proborszcz, Alexander Sadakhom, Head Coach Tony DiClemente, Trainer Toby Gardiner, Assistant Coach Ron McKenna and Manager Charles Eddie.
From the meditative beauty of its opening movement to the haunting call of the horns in the last, Sibelius’s Symphony No. 5 in Eb will make you reflect on the sweetness of life. Sibelius composed it in 1915 for his own 50th birthday in a mood of exaltation, writing in his diary, “I begin already to see the mountain that I shall soon ascend… God opens His door for a moment and His orchestra plays the Fifth Symphony.” But he was not satisfied with his work and revised it repeatedly until it became the version we know today. The symphony brings our concert to a satisfying conclusion, reminding us of music’s power to bring joy to our hearts.
Please join us on April 11th – 14th and cheer these boys on in their final minor hockey experience! If you are interested in being an event sponsor please contact Event Chair – Toby Gardiner at 416-875-1409 or toby@rjentertainmentpublishing.com.
For more information about the Mississauga Symphony Concerts and Events go to MississaugaSymphony.ca or call 905.615.4405.
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Let the Brew Cellar Help You Stock Your Cellar
What is your marital status?
By Bill Walters
Now that the holidays are over, it is time to start thinking about restocking your wine cellar for the summer season.
To many this seems to be a straight forward question resulting in a clear answer.
At the BREW CELLAR, you can restock your wine cellar with award winning wines from Winexpert and Cellar Craft. With the variety of wines available we can match any taste. Our offerings range from light, easy sipping whites to deep, full-bodied reds. We have the right wine for you. We invite you to come by and learn about our wide selection. Our knowledgeable staff will help you make the wine that best suits your taste. Satisfaction is 100% Guaranteed.
To others though, especially those involved in some dealings with Canada Revenue Agency, this simple question leads to a complicated technical debate. If you are married or single, there is no complication. However, common-law couples and individuals who are separated or divorced may have look at the tax law visa-vis common law and determine how to file their income tax.
To help you get ready for summer we are offering a 25% discount on any in stock Island Mist alternative wine based beverage when you make a Selection International Premium wine during the month of February. Now is the time to get your cellar ready for the summer entertainment season.
This confusion, and often frustration, stems from the fact, that although all taxpayers file their taxes individually, some tax credits and tax benefits are calculated based on family income. The following are the examples of programs determined based on family income: Child Tax Benefit, Goods and Services Tax Credit and Ontario Trillium Benefits. In addition, many tax credits are determined based on the family situation, and not that of an individual taxpayer alone: Dependant tax credit, Spousal credits and transfers, Medical expenses credit
Because brewing wine from a concentrate isn’t as difficult as you think, you too can make award winning wine at the Brew Cellar. In fact, anyone can brew really great wine in just 4 weeks. When you come to the Brew Cellar to make your own wine or beer, we try to make your visit with us not only educational but also fun. If you ever have a question about a wine or beer or maybe you want to know if a step in the process is really necessary - give us a call or send us an email. We’re happy to share our love of great wines and beer...
It is then critical to properly describe one’s marital status in order to qualify for such programs and benefits and avoid potential tax re-assessments. The trouble, however, lies in the fact that CRA’s view on one’s marital status may differ from that of the parties involved.
Seniors always get a discount and monthly specials are available. Let the BREW CELLAR help you create and stock YOUR CELLAR. We are located at 860 Lakeshore Rd East, just east of Cawthra Rd., on the south side. Please stop by for a visit to talk wine or beer. We look forward to seeing you! Tel (905) 274-2337 (BEER) or (905) 274-9463 (WINE)
There are two most common complications: 1. Common law vs. single CRA treats common law partners the same way as married couples. That means that both incomes are taken into account when determining tax benefits and credits. Common law status takes effect when partners of same or opposite sex have lived together for a certain period of time in a marriage-like relationship. CRA requires that at least one of the following situations applies. The couple:
www.BrewCellar.ca The Brew cellar asks you to drink responsibly
a) has been living together in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 continuous months; or b) are the parents of a child by birth or adoption. If at least one of the conditions is met, the couple cannot file their tax returns as two singles. Instead, they have to file as common law, regardless of how “strong” their relationship is. For instance, the common address and a child together automatically make a couple common-law in the eyes of CRA. The couple has to “pool” their incomes in order to determine eligibility for the tax credits and benefits described above. 2. Divorced and separated While law recognizes that breakdown of marriage or separation may occur while spouses or partners are still sharing the same address, for CRA the words “separate and apart” are the key. A legal divorce or separation agreements will not be acknowledged if couple continues to live together. On the other hand, separation can be claimed if the couple is living separately because of a breakdown of relationship for 90 days and has not reconciled. The taxpayers who have been divorced or separated and file their tax returns indicating that they may continue sharing the same household, often receive a letter from CRA with a long list of questions. Both separated parties will be asked for a proof of living separately and apart. Unless they are able to provide documents showing separate addresses, their incomes will be added in order to determine the net family income and eligibility for tax benefits. The determination of marital status can be complicated at times. It is however, worthwhile to carefully review one’s family situation, as the process to straighten up the confusion with CRA can be very lengthy and frustrating.
Eva Kupiec, CMA & Beata Kurpiewski, CGA Principals of Professional Accounting Office at 3461 Lake Shore Blvd. W. www.beaccounting.ca
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m FINANCE Value For Money Investing
Chasing beta is certainly a sure way to capture market equal returns on a day to day basis. Almost two years ago I got a new truck. Of course, a big deal was made about how good the gas mileage was in these new vehicles. They even come with a range of graphics on the dash to demonstrate how well you are doing with your gas mileage. I watched carefully for a few months. The usage in the city on a minute by minute basis took the whole scale top to bottom. Bad to great with a release of the gas. In fact, I found I get the best mileage when braking lightly after going fast. Still eating up those kilometers, without using gas. Just haven’t figured how to get to clients by braking only. The daily average was all over the place as well. Having gained much insight about braking etc., I thought I should think longer term. I have not reset the calculator in over a year and a half. After a few months, the average started to stabilize. It would rarely change at all day to day, unless I was all highway (or all idling with no kilometers but using gas). Now, I cannot get the average to budge (and it’s not pretty, apparently I drive too fast on the highway). No matter how or where I drive tomorrow, my truck is going to report that I am on average. Minute to minute and day to day the readings are still all over the map, but my long term gas usage is unchanging. This is a real world example of a long term trend with mountains of data. The trend is established and unwavering AND it tells us nothing about the current or short term use and vice versa.
Value For Money Investing means we wish to allocate and use our hard-earned resources in order to improve investment outcomes in a continuous and sustainable way at a fair and equitable price. In other words, achieve good investment returns AND receive fair value for the services provided. Costs do matter! It’s all Greek to me. I am going to start this time with an apology. I usually try to keep these articles un-technical and as free of jargon as possible. Not this time, since jargon will play a large part in getting to the point. We are going to keep tripping over Alpha and Beta, two important terms in financial mathematics. We will also do some math, figuratively. A key term in finance is Beta. You can think of beta as simply an observation of how similar an investment moved with a change in the market. Some examples. If the market goes up 1% and your investment goes up 1.2% or 1.2X the market change, you have a beta of 1.2. Or, if every time the market goes up or down, your investment goes up and down in exactly the same way, you have a beta of 1. Alpha is the term used to describe the result obtained above the observed beta. If you hold investments with a beta of 1 and the market is up 10% and you earn 11%, you just earned an alpha of 1%. If you held investments with a beta of 1.1 and earned 11% on the same market gain, you earned only beta. In simplistic terms, Alpha is best thought of as the part of the return that is not beta. Somewhere, sometime, I read alpha is “I’m a genius” returns, and beta is “everyone gets paid” returns. Having become disappointed with managers that are trying to deliver alpha, be a genius and yet have not beat the market, investors are more and more turning their attention to beta. After all, your managers suggested that you evaluate their results based on a comparison to a benchmark or index over a given time segment. This is simply the evaluation of the manager’s beta over the same time segment. It has been observed by many that their manager lags the benchmark or index frequently (on average an 85% lag), meaning that their investments returned less than the market, or less than a beta of 1. They have managed negative alpha. So, why not just capture the beta and invest in the market itself? Thus the rise of index investing to capture beta and get paid like everyone. Here is where it gets dicey. You did poorly seeking alpha and now you might not want beta, at this time anyways and probably not this beta. Remember, beta is simply what the market itself returns. Beta is usually calculated using the daily, weekly or monthly returns against the market.
The stock market index is a reading like the daily usage on my vehicle, up and down, up and down. How much gas I used today. Beta is the up and down on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Is that really what you want? The long term trend, your average return, like the average amount of gas I have used in the last eighteen months, is not reported each day yet it is likely why you are in the market in the first place. You want to have a chance at earning a return similar to the long term average of the markets. Not the eighteen month average like in my truck but the 50 or 70 or 100 year average return. That was the chart your advisor showed you. It demonstrated the trend. Exchange traded funds are the hottest way to capture beta today. The broad market index ETFs available track the markets quite closely, minus the fees. Buy today and going forward you will get what the market gets, minus the fees. Well, markets go up and markets go down. Chasing beta is certainly a sure way to get the market return, but if the market goes down, you go with it. What is forgotten is that we do not want tomorrow’s result or the next day’s result. We want to achieve the long term average return provided by the market. We want to have the trend. We want to know and be sure that over the long term we will have the same gas mileage that we have always had.
Nurture your wealth
Now for the math. Sorry. You are going to do it, not me. First, for the last month I have been on vacation, driving nothing but highway miles (slowly, seeing the sights, so fabulous mileage). Am I above trend or below? Should you buy ETFs now or let me do some city driving for a while when I get back to the office? Has the stock market just out performed or underperformed? Where is it relative to the trend? If you buy above the trend line, you can never obtain the long term market average, ever. If you buy below the trend line, you may obtain more than the long term market average. Index investing is not stock investing. No alpha or genius results possible. If above trend, the math has you at a disadvantage immediately. The last decade was disappointing for many seeking alpha from a manager. Make sure the next decade is not disappointing seeking just beta from ETFs. Our clients have been seeking the trend using ETFs and index funds for over 10 years. Shouldn’t you?
Sleep well every night Enjoy your After Party to the fullest
Join us for our next “Meet the Columnist” on February 13th from 2 to 4 pm or 7 to 9 pm. Space is limited so please contact Jean Dizon at 416-410-9809 or jdizon@efficientwealth.com to RSVP and obtain Port Credit location.
Gordon is the Vice President – Financial Planning at Efficient Wealth Management Inc., a leader in cost efficient financial planning. He has taught at local colleges in both Financial Services and Accounting areas. He is also a frequent guest on television and has written numerous articles on investing and financial planning. See our ad “the Harvest is under way!” in this issue.
ENJOY YOUR FUTURE BY CAREFULLY HARVESTING CASH FLOW FROM YOUR LIFETIME OF SAVINGS
We are money coaches. We created a new coaching program called The Gratifying Harvest. The program helps you enjoy your future by carefully harvesting cash flow from your lifetime of savings or preparing you to do so. The Gratifying Harvest is an advanced program that takes everything to a much higher level and is only available from Efficient Wealth Management.
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COMEDY FESTIVAL FEB 28 – MARCH 2, 2013
FOR FESTIVAL DETAILS AND ONLINE TICKETS VISIT
FULL BLADDERS NOT RECOMMENDED
www.portcreditcomedy.com
BOX OFFICE: FORRIC’S RECOLLECTIONS, 257 LAKESHORE ROAD E / IMPRESSIONABLE GIFTS & DÉCOR, 74 LAKESHORE RD. E
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Please support our local Food Bank by bringing cash and non-perishable food items. Donation boxes will be located at all venues.