Volume 4, No. 5 January 2014
• Deb Mountenay Manufacturing lives • Elizabeth Van Hooren Mom’s the word • Special Feature Healthy Lifestyles
Page 6 Page 29 Page 22-31
Dhian Saini: He loved the area so he bought the business Cover story: Page 3
January, 2014
E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 2
Local business favours keeping it local
Dhian Saini reflects on his experiences in St. Thomas
by Terry Carroll
Dhian Saini, who owns Classic Touch Car Wash in St. Thomas, was originally from India. While things are changing rapidly in that country, the booms and busts of modern industrialized countries have traditionally bypassed India and Pakistan. So when Dhian goes back to India, people sometimes ask him, “What is a recession?” They are puzzled because until recently, multi-national corporations didn’t operate in India. The country was practising what many people preach as a new model for Canada – a focus on local. “India was more dependent on the small scale, not the big scale,” Dhian says. “It was the localized effect. Manufacturers, suppliers and consumers were all in the same area. Because it was on the small scale, businesses didn’t move that easily.” Dhian compares this with Canada where “eighty five to ninety percent of things are not manufactured here.” In Canada, we have become a nation of warehouses, he says. Most things are manufactured elsewhere, are shipped here and warehoused for distribution to retail outlets. He sees a focus on local as one answer to the cycle where multi-national companies move in and out of a community. He thinks governments can do much more to help small business – something similar to what what India is doing, with different tax laws, regulations and reporting for businesses with 1-5 employees, 6-25 employees and so on. Dhian points out that in Canada, some of the laws and the paperwork are the same for a business with one employee as for a business with 5,000 employees and that can destroy the small business – the one type of business that is not going to move overseas. Although he has definite ideas about how the life for the small business owner could be made easier, Dhian Saini is happy to be in business in St. Thomas. His father was a farmer in India, and Dhian trained as a pharmaceutical chemist. When he immigrated to Canada, he sought work in his profession, but discovered there were no companies manufacturing in his area of expertise. So in the beginning, he lived in Brampton, did many different factory jobs and even got his trucking licence. A friend invited him to St. Thomas and when
Pinki Saini (left), Shane McCutcheon and Dhian Saini with a Classic Touch vacuum system for detailing. Dhian visited, he wasn’t thinking of buying a business. But he discovered that Classic Touch Car Wash was for sale at 160 Burwell Road in St. Thomas. He liked the location, and he loved the area. He approached relatives and friends for financial support, and by October 2008, he was the owner of Classic Touch. “I love to live here, in this society,” he says. Having the financial support lined up is critical for the success of anyone going into a business, he says. It’s also important to have some technical knowledge. In his case, his background on the farm in India, where his father had to fix most things himself, was a big asset. His experience in factory work also helped, and he admits that he has some natural talent for fixing things – important for a car wash owner. For example, when he needed to install new large brushes, he saved thousands of dollars by ordering the installation manual and doing it himself. Like many small business owners, Dhian puts in long hours. He still works 10-hour days, six and sometimes seven days a week. He is an active member of the St. Thomas &
Elgin This Month General Manager Terry Carroll Section Editor Business Beat – Bob Hammersley Regional Sales Manager Nelson Parreira
District Chamber of Commerce and is one the biggest champions of the networking that happens at the Chamber’s monthly Business After Fives. And he is open to new opportunities, something that is crucial to business success. Classic Touch came with a vacuum for cleaning car interiors. One blustery winter day, a woman in her eighties asked Dhian to vacuum her car. She could no longer bend to do it herself, and she offered to pay him to do it. Dhian had an “aha moment” and decided it was time to add detailing to the business. Detailing has not only added much-needed cash flow but has also upped his relationships with customers enormously, solidifying them as clients. When Dhian and his staff are doing detailing, conversations naturally happen. One other thing may help explain his success, something that goes beyond his understanding of small business and his work ethic. That extra something is his positive attitude, and the big smile that goes with it. Front Cover Photo by Philip Bell, Shutter Studios
Graphic Design / Production Metroland Media Group Sales Representative Greg Minnema
Elgin This Month is a monthly magazine focusing on business and lifestyle issues and includes Business Beat, the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce newsletter. The publication is available for pickup at no charge at news stands and other locations around Elgin County, as well as distribution to businesses and selected households.
Published monthly by Metroland Media Group Ltd., 15 St. Catharine Street, St. Thomas, ON N5P 2V7 519-633-1640 www.theweeklynews.ca/etm January, 2014
E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 3
INNES AS I SEE IT
Say hello to 2014 … or not! Is there a reason to celebrate a new year? by Jim Innes For 1.8 million years, we have been walking upright into another New Year. However, as I follow the modern calendar through this threshold, I am a little lost as to what (exactly) we are signifying. In ancient history ‘annual’ thresholds were monumental. Before the modern calendar, life was regimented according to shifts in the Earth, Moon, and Sun. There was an earthy, natural
cycle that marked the passage of time. Life was for us in St Thomas is another day off (if you’re regulated by the seasons and there was an intimate lucky) and perhaps the start of another fiscal year. acquaintance with the stars. Out of this rhythm But even to that end, one stat notes that only about 65% of publicly traded companies consider arose ‘annual’ festivals and religious rites. In modern calendars, we have lost this natural January 1 as the start of their fiscal year. And, while other organizations, like my church, talk connection to the flow of seasons. I thought the movie ‘Dances With Wolves’ about the year end as of January 1, they wait to spoke to this loss. The movie was set during the vote this into effect after a directors’ (or vestry) meeting in early February American Civil War (when the bank statements wherein an emotionally have caught up to the budget wounded officer, played New Year’s Eve process). by Kevin Costner, exI’d like argue that there is periences healing in the has little nothing really new about the building of an amicable monumental New Year. There are no exrelationship to a Sioux ceptional weather shifts, no tribe (while he manned significance crops to plant or reap, and an abandoned outpost no hunting to begin or end. I on the unbridled westcan’t personally think of any ern frontier). With time, sport or activity that starts or his regimented duty fell aside, and the movie’s engaging pace tracked stops at that time of year. And there are neither his struggle with threats to his evolving iden- crucial celestial occurrences nor noteworthy lunar activity. In effect, there is very little that constitification with Mother Nature’s rhythms. Costner’s struggles emphasized the emo- tutes a celebration. It may be interesting to note that it was not until tional and physical tensions created by urbanization. There is a loss of identification with 1582 that January 1st was widely accepted as the natural cycles. And I will argue that what has actual beginning of a new year. The British Embeen lost is, to some extent, synthetically re- pire did not accept it till 1752 (at which time they produced in the use of our modern, scientifi- were celebrating the New Year in mid March). So what are we to celebrate on the eve of the cally calibrated calendar. In 46 BC, during the time of Julius Cae- New Year?? As I see it, nothing really … but we sar, the Julian calendar replaced most other celebrate nonetheless because we are a habitual systems of time management. Then in the people who have learned to love the 12-month 16th century we upgraded to the Gregorian container and the various degrees of revelry that calendar, to ‘standardize’ more accurately our marks its end. One usual refrain illustrates this more than any everyday movement. Both these calendars included political practicality and pious reli- other: “See you at the bar!” Elgin This Month congratulates Jim Innes on gious agendas. Our calendar has a cadence that is (argu- celebrating 25 years as an Anglican priest. ably) better suit to our post modern routine. Jim Innes is a clinically However, in my mind, New Year’s Eve has trained therapist and little monumental significance in so much as a priest at St. John’s we do not (for the most part) experience any Anglican Church natural connection to the event. I mean, the only thing the New Year marks
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Business & Community Business News
Local builder a finalist in four national categories • Single Detached Home Under 1,500 Square Feet • Single Detached Home Between 1,500 and 2,200 Square Feet • Website – creative, concept and production • Grand Sam which recognizes the new home builder who demonstrates the highest level of excellence in both building and marketing.
mitment of the new home builders, renovators, and developers who make up our award finalists. These companies set a high bar in terms of building and renovating homes and developing the new communities that make Canada such a great place to live, work and raise a family. Their accomplishments are truly outstanding.” Twenty-three CHBA National SAM Awards will be presented at the Association’s 71st National Conference on April 4, 2014 in Whistler, British Columbia during an evening of celebration and entertainment.
These awards celebrate excellence in new homes, home renovation, inWe have the tools to novative technolhelp you achieve Success! ogy and construction, outstanding • Job Costing • Budget presentation and • Tax Planning Analysis marketing across Doug Tarry Jr. speaks during the annual Golden • Bookkeeping • Cash Flows Hammer Awards in St. Thomas in November where Canada. Comment• Financial ing on the CHBA Doug Tarry Homes won several awards. Call Gail Dennis today Reports SAM The company has since been named as a finalist in the National 226-236-2321 or 519-913-3288 Award finalists, national SAM awards. CHBA President, Doug Tarry Homes, located in St. Thomas, has Deep Shergill, noted been selected as a finalist in several categories for that, “Our theme for the Canadian Home Builders Association SAM this year’s SAM Awards awards, sponsored by MASCO and Delta Faucet. is ‘Outstanding’ and The categories where Doug Tarry Homes is a na- that certainly speaks to Prosperity coach for Your Business and You tional finalist include: the character and com-
Let’s Make 2014 a Prosperous Year!
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January, 2014
EBRC can provide loans up to $250,000. Our current loan portfolio includes: • Food processing • Pet Products • Construction / renovation • Manufacturing / fabrication • Distribution / transportation • Green energy
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 5
Business & Community Employment
Think manufacturing has left Elgin / St. Thomas? Think again – it’s the second largest employer
by Debra Mountenay
If you stopped people on the streets of St. Thomas or West Lorne, or Aylmer, or Rodney and asked them about manufacturing in Elgin County or St. Thomas, you might find that there is a perception that manufacturing has ‘gone’. Not so. Despite the significant losses of manufacturing jobs in the recent recession, according to the National Household Survey conducted in May 2011, manufacturing is the largest employer by industry in Elgin. Manufacturing can be broken down into sub-industries including food manufacturing, small appliance manufacturing, etc. The chart shows the breakdown of manufacturing in Elgin County at the 3-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) level.
Elgin: Employment in Other Manufacturing 339 Miscellaneous manufacturing 337 Furniture and related product manufacturing 335 Electrical equipment, appliance and… 334 Computer and electronic product … 331 Primary metal manufacturing 327 Non-metallic mineral product manufacturing 326 Plastics and rubber products manufacturing 325 Chemical manufacturing 324 Petroleum and coal product manufacturing 323 Printing and related support activities 322 Paper manufacturing 321 Wood product manufacturing 316 Leather and allied product manufacturing 315 Clothing manufacturing 314 Textile product mills 313 Textile mills 312 Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing
Elgin Manufacturing: 3 Digit NAICS
0
all other manufacturing 29% 336 Transportation equipment manufacturing 43% 333 Machinery manufacturing 7%
311 Food manufacturing 8%
332 Fabricated metal product manufacturing 13%
There is more to manufacturing than auto production or food processing. In order to find jobs, people need to know what else is out there. The following chart breaks down the 3-digit NAICS that were classified as “all other manufacturing” from the previous charts. Employment in each of the other manufacturing industries is presented in numbers of employed according to the National Household Survey 2011. Source: Statistics Canada National Household Survey, 2011 We know that there are manufacturing businesses continuing to operate and potentially to grow
within the County just as there are businesses in other sectors that have come through the recession and have begun to look to a brighter future with the potential of additional jobs in our area. During the month of January, a number of local organizations will be asking employers in manufacturing and all other sectors to participate in the Employer One Survey and tell us what skills they are looking for in new hires. We’ll also be asking them to identify if they plan to hire during 2014 and if so, what occupations they will be hiring. The information collected from the survey will be available through Employment Services Elgin, Fanshawe College, Elgin Business Resource Centre, the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Offices at both the City of St. Thomas and the County of Elgin to name a few of the partners. “Elgin County's Economic Development department is extremely proud to be a part of this project and look forward to the connections that this project will bring within industry, government and commu-
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nities. The results of the Employer One Survey will help not only Economic Development offices, but not-for-profit agencies, commodity organizations, trade associations and more determine a path forward in workforce development. “We look forward to continuing and building upon the positive success of this progressive project.” Kate Burns, Business Development Coordinator, County of Elgin
Debra Mountenay is Executive Director of the Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development Board.
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 6
Business & Community Managing Money
Guarantee your financial health by starting a savings plan
by Ellen Luft
When people think of the New Year they often think of change. This usually entails a resolution to become physically healthier, but many people overlook their financial health. Starting a savings plan is one way to create a healthier New Year. You've likely already heard of the power of compound interest or investment, and it is very true. Here are a couple of simple examples demonstrating the results you can achieve with a long-term savings plan. Please note that the following hypothetical calculations assume that the issuer of the investment doesn’t default and all cash flows are re-invested at the expected rate of return. Example 1 Assumptions: Investor age 21, investment term = 40 years Amount to be invested = $25 per week Expected rate of return = 7% annually Type of Investment = RRSP (tax free growth) Amount saved in 40 years = $287,000 In this example, our investor begins making $25 weekly contributions at age 21. After 40 years, she has saved $287,000, assuming a 7% annual rate of return. If she waits until age 35 to begin her savings plan, she will have to invest $75 per week to save the same amount of money by the
same age. Example 2 Assumptions: Investor age 21, investment term = 40 years Amount to be invested = $25 per week ($1,300 per year) Increase in amount invested per year = 5% Expected rate of return = 7% annually Type of Investment = RRSP (tax free growth) Amount saved in 40 years = $550,000 In this case, our investor also begins making $25 weekly ($1300 per year) contributions at age 21, but increases the amount she invests every year by 5%. Forty years later, assuming her money grows at a 7% annual rate, she will have an investment worth $550,000. If she waits until age 35 to begin saving, she will have to invest $350 per week to save the same amount of money by the same age. Which investments are right for you? The proper answer to this question is ‘it depends.' There are literally thousands of investments available for you to choose from, and it can be very confusing and intimidating when you are starting out in the investment world to decide where to begin. One rule in finance is that risk and return are directly related; in other words, if you want higher potential returns you must accept a
higher degree of risk, and if you want security and safety in your investment then you must accept lower potential returns. Roughly speaking, there are three types of investments or “asset classes”: money market instruments or cash (considered “guaranteed” investments), fixed income (bonds), and equities (stocks). In general, guaranteed investments have the lowest volatility (fluctuation in prices) but also the lowest potential returns over the long term, while equities historically have the greatest long-term potential returns but also tend to experience the highest volatility. Fixed income falls somewhere in between. Consulting an investment advisor is the best way to find out which investment choices you should make. I hope everyone has a happy and healthy New Year! This article was prepared by Ellen Luft who is an Investment Advisor with Scotia Capital Inc. a HollisWealth Inc. Company. This is not an official publication of Scotia Capital Inc. The views (including any recommendations) expressed in this article are those of the author alone, and they have not been approved by, and are not necessarily those of, Scotia Capital Inc.
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In today’s business world many business owners and managers are very busy with normal day-to-day business operations leaving little time to devote to thought for their IT systems. A common thought is “if it’s working there’s no need to be concerned”. This is far from the truth. Once you take your hands off the wheel you tend to lose control and eventually “CRASH”. Having an I.T. Professional at your fingertips to ensure your system is running is like keeping your car in good maintenance so it doesn’t break down leaving you stranded. It’s important to ask, “How much downtime can the business support?” Most often the answer I receive is “None”. Time is money … right? One of the major components to any system often overlooked is the back end restoration commonly known as disaster recovery. When you stop and think about how important your information is to your business, it can be very scary to think what would happen if that data was ever lost. It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility to say that the business could be lost. This is why it is imperative to ensure your systems are functioning, and your critical data is backed up and protected. There are many means available to back up data, and it can be confusing to know just what to use and the best method to achieve best results. This is where your I.T. support team can help. Another important component to any system is security. This area is vast and can include everything from hardware firewalls to simple software security. The trick is defining what you really “Need”. Many factors are taken into account: network type, system size (number of servers and workstations), multiple business locations, type of data being protected, and the list goes on. One thing for certain is that it’s important to protect your business. I always recommend asking an I.T. Professional for advice to ensure the right methods are employed and how to implement them. Taking care of your systems will allow you to take care of business.
E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 7
AGRICULTURE ON THE FARM
’Tis the season for catching up Paperwork, bills, research and farm shows by Janine Lunn
us with the latest in insect infestations, crop disease management As the fields settle in for their “long winters’ alternatives and decision-making nap,” the outdoor routines on the farm are reartips. I admit that I always feel a ranged. There may be a few moments for farmers little worried for the speaker who to catch up on winter naps of their own, but there draws the short end of the stick is always plenty of indoor work to do. Winter and must inform and entertain the tends to be a time for catching up on paperwork, farm crowd in the time slot directbills, research, and lots of planning. Last year’s ly after lunch! crops are hardly sold before next year’s seed is orTechnically “Farm Meeting Seadered. son” comes in two sections, and I have to confess I am more of a “garden seed section two is “Farm Show Season.” catalogue researcher” than a field crop researcher, Not to be outdone by the informabut for those who need to be in the know, wintion (and pie) of the earlier meetter represents a long farm season we sometimes ing season, “Farm Show Season” call “Farm Meeting Season.” Nearly every farm boasts row upon row of widgets, organization and comgadgets, equipment, modity group has an and of course, tracannual meeting of some tors. Since the shows type to kick off the New “there must be … pie” are very hands-on, we Year. And as any good make an annual family event planner knows, to trip of the winter show in London. attract farmers there must be relevant data, good Our farmers-in-training can spend exhibitors, networking opportunities … and pie. hours picking out shiny catalogues, flyers, stickYes, that’s right, the straightest path to a farmer’s ers, candies, and all manner of show swag, and heart and mind is usually a hearty meal followed climbing up and down all the equipment never by dessert. gets old. The key for the adults is to visit with as It always impresses me how much data and admany friends, and see as many booths as possible vancement that agricultural researchers can offer without misplacing the children. year after year. Enthusiastic professionals dazzle It’s a multi-sensory experience; the displays draw the farmer in for a chance to engage, and each year they seem to get bigger, brighter, and more exciting. Sports personalities offer autographs, popCongratulations to Brenda and Alex corn tempts the taste on passing the UFE exam on their path to become buds, big-screens show Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA, CA) videos of the equipment at work. In the rush to Brenda Bell graduated from leave home, I know Wilfrid Laurier University’s more than a few farmers Honours Bachelor of Business who slip out to the barn Administration (Accounting) for one more check-in program. before leaving for the day, leaving the faintest Alexandra DeVincenzo hint of barn odour on graduated from Brock University’s the shoes and hair. That Honours Bachelor of Accounting Program.
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Janine Lunn’s family operates a sheep farm, a source for local sheep’s milk cheeses.
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faint smell makes me smile, because I know we’re in familiar company. After a day of seeing all the sights, our crew normally begins to fray a bit around the edges. We’ve had to implement a weight limit on the number of flyers the kids can pick up, but it’s hard to avoid the temptation of a farm-themed loot bag! With the offer of an ice cream cone, we lure everyone out to the van and upon arriving at home, the sorting, reading and drawing begins. In time, the bags of papers get put aside, but the event is not forgotten. With all the counting down we do leading up to the show, it’s almost like Christmas. Farmers of all ages get the chance to make a list, and re-tool their farming plans and dreams. It’s a perfect way to while away some of those cold days waiting for another spring to arrive.
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• January 2014 •
Happy Winners Richard Haddow, RE/MAX Centre City Realty (left) and Melissa Kemp, Port Stanley Festival Theatre, were the first two draw winners at the December Business After 5 at St. Anne’s Centre … and Melissa won twice. She walked away with two $100 gift certificates from Briwood Farm Markets and a $100 Lynhurst Esso gas card. Richard won a $100 gift card from Staples and one month unlimited car washes at Best Automatic No Touch Car Wash.
Wednesday January 15
Site: CASO Railway Station, 750 Talbot Street Sponsor: CASO & the North America Railway Hall of Fame
Bring your business cards to enter the draws! Free admission to all personnel from any business or organization that is a Member of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber earns national accreditation
St. Thomas & District Chamber President & CEO Bob Hammersley and Board of Directors Chair Laura Woermke hold the certificate confirming the Chamber’s new status. In part, the certificate reads “This chamber of commerce has demonstrated that it meets a high standard of excellence in service to its members through strict adherence to a prescribed set of programs, services, management and governance principles, and policy and advocacy initiatives.”
January, 2014
tion; Governance; and Strategic Planning. Chamber President & CEO Bob Hammersley says receiving the Accreditation with Distinction certification is a proud honour. “I am very, very proud of our entire team for the effort and energy that has made this possible. Our community has allowed us to build a local Chamber that is seen by others as a leader. The Accreditation seal confirms that our standards and practices are world class.” The Chamber’s Accreditation is valid to the end of 2015, at which time the Chamber can re-apply and, subject to a satisfactory audit, be extended for 3 years.
E-commerce ramp-up Almost $21 billion dollars will be spent this year by Canadian consumers making online purchases. How much did you get? “Use it or lose it” is a phrase that now applies to the use of e-commerce in business. If you’re not selling or showing what you do via the internet or social media, a massive amount of business will pass you by. Over the next two months, the Chamber is offering our Members three low-cost options to learn and
Business Beat Table of Contents New H&S training...... Page 10 Chamber news........... Page 11 More red tape............ Page 12 Meet the Mayors........ Page 13 Train your kids........... Page 14 E-commerce opps....... Page 15 New Members............ Page 15
The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce is very pleased to announce that we have been awarded “ACCREDITATION WITH DISTINCTION” by the Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada. This honour and recognition is the result of extensive work by the Chamber’s staff and volunteers over the last two years. In the global Chamber network, the Accreditation designation is equal to ISO certification in the business/industrial world. It certifies that our standards of operation, methods and activities at all levels meet or exceed standards of performance and excellence agreed across the entire Chamber network. Specifically, our operations were audited and evaluated in five key areas: Policy & Advocacy; Membership Programs/Services; Organization Administra-
grow. January 25, in partnership with the Elgin Business Resource Centre, we will welcome expert presenter/ trainer Syd Bolton as our leader for the day in an information packed agenda. Syd’s topics include Creating the right e-commerce website to meet your unique business needs; Payment Solutions - Understanding your options for electronic payment; Leveraging Social Media for your business; and SEO (Search En-
gine Optimization) tips and tactics. Full details and registration info are on page 11. Tuesday February 25 and Thursday February 27, we head to Fanshawe’s computer labs for some hands-on work with the leading social media apps, then a session all about finding and keeping on-line customers. Details on both sessions appear with registration info on page 15.
Report on RRSP’s and Investing A special feature in the February edition of Elgin This Month To take advantage of excellent advertising opportunities like this, give me a call at 519-633-1640 (ext. 22) Greg Minnema, Advertising Sales
or email me at gregthismonth@theweeklynews.ca February Edition Advertising Deadline is January 15th
E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 9
Viewpoint Events and News of Interest to our Members
Let’s address the rumours
New health and safety awareness training effective July 1, 2014 Are rumours about the Ministry of Labour’s proposed mandatory health and safety awareness training distracting you from what you stand to gain? Since the Ontario Ministry of Labour’s release in midNovember about new health and safety legislation to take effect next July, we’ve heard from Members who are both concerned and confused. Questions we are hearing range from “Who will be impacted?” to “What’s the cost?” and “Where can I get help on this?” The initial MOL releases did not clearly identify which businesses are affected. This time, the answer is simple: EVERY business in Ontario. As to cost and help, the Chamber has good news. Read on and you will see that answers can be easy and free. That doesn’t mean that you won’t be on the receiving end of sales pitches by trainers offering help on a fee-forservice basis. If you should choose to engage paid help, that’s your choice but it’s not necessary in this case. Members of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce have always understood the advantages that basic awareness can offer business. But sometimes rumours make a lot of noise … Five facts about mandatory basic awareness training that you can count on The misinformation circulating about the ministry’s proposed awareness training has to do with compliance requirements and deadlines. Based on the Ministry of Labour’s announcement in mid-November 2013, here
are five facts you can count on: 1. When it comes into effect: The regulation on mandatory awareness training for all Ontario workers and supervisors — the first of its kind in North America, and developed in consultation with employers — will come into effect on July 1, 2014. 2. The date you’re expected to be in compliance: By July 1, 2014, employers must ensure that all workers and supervisors have completed a basic occupational health and safety awareness training program that meets the requirements set out in the new regulation. For employers who already meet the minimum proposed regulatory requirements prior to the effective date, the mandatory awareness training will pose no additional burden. 3. What training has been approved: Employers can develop their own or use existing training, so long as it meets requirements outlined in the regulation, or they can use a suite of tools provided at no cost by the Ministry, available online in multiple formats and multiple languages (see below). The awareness training will help employers meet existing obligations, not impose new ones. 4. What the training covers: The awareness training program addresses the most important recommendations made by the Expert Advisory Panel on occupational health and safety, and provides basic information to workers and supervisors, including: • Duties and rights under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) • The roles of health and safety representatives and joint health and safety committees, under the OHSA • Common workplace hazards 5. Record-keeping: Under the regulation, you will be required to maintain records of workers and supervisors who have completed the training, and to verify that for new employees, training has occurred and meets requirements. What the Ministry’s suite of products looks like You’ll find the Ministry’s
poster, worker and supervisor workbook, employer guide and e-Learning modules available for download at this weblink: labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/index.php The Ministry is also developing useful and practical tools to assist you with compliance; e.g. record-keeping tools, comparability checklists, and guides. How you benefit from this training Giving workers the information, skills and resources they need allows them to meet your expectations, which improves employee engagement, boost productivity and eliminates waste. Basic awareness training also encourages workers and supervisors to participate more in protecting themselves, each other, and the business. When combined with higher levels of training, it helps reinforce your organization’s health and safety culture, and reduces the emotional and financial toll of injuries. It teaches people the fundamentals of identifying and assessing hazards and establishing controls — equipping them to compete in a world where new hazards are constantly introduced to workplaces, and helping them stay safe at home. What you can do today to get ready 1. Make your organization aware of the new requirements, and why it is important for people and for business. 2. Assess your existing awareness program against the Ministry’s requirements (the new regulation has been posted on the Ministry’s web site). 3. If your program does not meet requirements, put a new one in place before July 1, 2014. 4. Verify that new hires have had appropriate training. 5. Document, document, document. For more information Look for simple, easy-to-use resources provided at no cost by our trusted health and safety advisor, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) — resources that augment Ministry of Labour materials and range from comprehensive course offerings to consulting expertise. Search on “awareness training” at www.wsps.ca, and click on each tab for a full spectrum of support. Chamber Members can also make direct contact with our local WSPS representatives by using our on-line directory on the Chamber’s website. Use the search tool in the left column. Search two key words “Workplace Safety” and you’ll find multiple ways to connect with WSPS.
St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce
2013 Board of Directors
Acting Chair: Laura Woermke
www.chambers.ca January, 2014
E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 10
CHAMBER NEWS Events and News of Interest to our Members
Uncorked update E-commerce sales It's a BIG night with BIG wines. Our first St. Thomas Uncorked wine-tasting event last year was a HUGE hit, and sold-out several weeks before the event. This year is providing a similar experience, but it's also our experience that changes to group orders will be requested as the date approaches. Until Friday January 10, we can accept waiting list requests and/or changes to existing ticket orders from Members. After that, all sales will be considered final to allow us to confirm all food, beverage and site needs. Tickets are $35 per person, plus HST. Uncorked takes place at the St. Thomas - Elgin Public Art Centre on Saturday January 25, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Expert vintner Jamie Quai returns to lead everyone on a tour of 20 wines from local, national and international wineries and all samples will be paired with tasty food choices. Call the Chamber office and speak with any staff member for more information. 519-631-1981 or email events@stthomaschamber.on.ca Event details are also posted on the Chamber website at www.stthomaschamber.on.ca
As mentioned in our page 9 opening story, the Chamber is focusing on e-commerce with 3 events in January and February. Our first function is Thursday January 30 when the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce and the Elgin Business Resource Centre join to present a full-day seminar designed to improve your business' bottom line using e-commerce sales solutions. We will welcome expert presenter/trainer Syd Bolton as our leader for the day in an information packed agenda covering four key topics: • Creating the right e-commerce website to meet your unique business needs • Payment Solutions. Understanding your options for electronic payment • Leveraging Social Media for your business • SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tips and tactics Check the Chamber’s weekly Green Mail emails and/or our website for further information, including background and bio details about our speaker. Reserved seating only, and advance registration is required. $25 per person (lunch included) + HST. Program runs Thursday January 30, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the St. Thomas Seniors Recreation Centre, 225 Chestnut Street. To register for the event use this direct link to our registration on the Eventbrite web service: ecs.eventbrite.ca or contact Sharen Symondson at the Elgin Business Resource Centre by calling 519-633-7597 Extension 324 or ssymondson@elgincfdc.ca to email her directly. Details on our two February e-commerce functions appear on page 15.
Business cards – Bring ’em on! Here’s a reminder that we’re making a switch to use business cards in our door prize draws at the Chamber’s Business After 5 events each month. By eliminating the time needed to fill-out separate draw tickets, we can speed-up entry time at the door. Your help in making the switch is much appreciated!
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Legal Business Events and News of Interest to our Members
Some red tape for Canada Day address this problem was long overdue. In fact, the present legislation has been in the works for over three years. Despite the fact that a number of modifications have been made to the final CASL regulations, largely as a result of input from various businesses, charities and business associations, including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, some troubling aspects remain. Considered by many to be the most onerous antispam legislation in the world, CASL, (with a fair number of exceptions), prohibits the transmission of any Commercial Electronic Message (CEM) to an electronic address unless the entity to whom it is sent consents to its transmission, and the message conforms with the prescribed form and content regulations. Here’s the thing though: The new anti-span law requires “a positive or explicit indication of consent” to comply with the regulations. This is referred to as the “opt-in” consent process. In most, if not all other jurisdictions with similar legislation, the process is one of “opt-out.” Under “opt-in,” actual consent must be obtained to send the message in the first place. It isn’t good enough to provide the recipient with the choice of not receiving further communications. But, how do I get the consent of the intended recipient if I can’t send an electronic message to him/ her requesting his/her consent? It seems clear that such an electronic request would be caught under the legislation. Well, I guess I could phone them, or
by Monty Fordham Back in July, in a column “Ante Anti Spam”, we discussed the impending enactment of long awaited anti-spam legislation in Canada, specifically Canada’s Anti-Spam law (CASL). At that Monty Fordham time, the roll out timetable for the new law was quite uncertain. Predictions ranged from one to two years. With the enactment of the regulations under CASL on December 4, that uncertainty has been eliminated. However, a great deal of uncertainty remains regarding the compliance requirements and overall impact of the legislation. The new law, which will have significant consequences for businesses engaged in electronic communications, both between businesses and between businesses and individuals, will become law on July 1, 2014. Provisions which will require specific installation of computer equipment will come into force January 15, 2015. The rights of individuals to commence civil actions arising out of contraventions of the act will be delayed until July 1, 2017. That latter date may be renamed the day of the class action lawsuit. There will be a bunch of them. Now, we all probably agree that, as business people and individuals, we are inundated daily with electronic communications, commonly referred to as SPAM, from a variety of sources. Legislation to
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engage the services of a telemarketing firm to do so. Or, maybe I could send a request by ordinary mail. Our Canada Post would deliver it right to the door, wouldn’t it? Hmmm. As I indicated, there are a number of exceptions under the legislation, including communications between businesses with existing relationships, other business to business contact and personal and family communications. And there are quite a number of other exceptions. In summary, businesses which rely even to a limited extent upon electronic communications to its customers or clients would be wise to study the new legislation carefully, and begin to implement compliance procedures right away. As business people in such booming times, we were hoping for some more regulation, right? Fines under the legislation range from a maximum of $1 million for individuals and $10 million for corporations. The law will apply to foreign and offshore businesses as well as Canadian. It will be interesting to see the level of off- shore compliance with the legislation and, more importantly, the ability of the CRTC to enforce it against foreign businesses. You can bet they will be enforcing it against ours. Canada Day 2014 is going to be interesting. Lawyer Monty Fordham prepares this monthly column for the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce and our Members. Monty is also a volunteer serving on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Questions, comments and suggestions for future columns are welcomed by Monty at his office: Fordham & Brightling Associates – Lawyers, 4 Elgin Street, St. Thomas. Telephone 519-633-4000, FAX 519-6331371 or e-mail: montyfordham@4elgin.ca
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 12
Member NEWS Events and News of Interest to our Members
State of the Municipalities Luncheon 2014 Save the date! We’re hosting our 4th “Voice of Business” is to be just that and annual “State of the Municipalities” act as your delivery agent or messenger. luncheon on Wednesday February Members of our Public Sector Liaison 19 with presentations by all 3 local Committee will review all questions subMayors at St. Anne’s Centre in St. mitted in advance of the event. We can’t Thomas. guarantee all questions received will be Tickets can be ordered now from used due to time limits, but we’ll do our the Chamber office by calling us at best to be your voice on key and priority 519-631-1981. $30 per person + issues. HST. Tickets for this event are of2014 is a municipal election year, and fered by advance sale only and rewe’re looking forward learning more Central Elgin St. Thomas Mayor Southwold Mayor served seating is assigned with single Mayor Bill Walters about our local leaders’ plans going forHeather Jackson James McIntyre orders or 4 tickets or more. ward. Please join us! Our event runs from 11:30 a.m. This event is made possible thanks to questions to the Chamber in advance of the event. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday February 19. Doors If anonymity is a concern, don’t worry about it. sponsorship by Steelway Building Systems, the open at 11:30 with lunch service starting at 11:45. We understand completely that Members are Elgin Business Resource Centre, and the WorkStarting at 12 Noon, the Mayors each get up to often reluctant to stand and voice opinions or force Planning & Development Board. We salute 10 minutes for individual remarks, followed ques- concerns in a public or semi-public forum, due their interest and support of this annual Chamber tions from the floor and the Chamber. to business relationships or even personal ones event! Chamber Members are also welcome to submit with family or employees. One of our roles as the
WSIB confidence? Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is a long way off from winning the confidence of Ontario business, according to a new report from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. The report is titled, “Are We There Yet? An Employer Perspective on WSIB Reform,” and examines the progress the WSIB has made in fulfilling its 2012 commitments to modernize its funding, operational, and governance structures. The report finds that the WSIB has made progress in reducing its massive unfunded liability by 6 percent, from $14.1 billion in 2012 to $13.2 billion in Q2 2013. It warns, however, that the WSIB must follow through on its plan to eliminate the unfunded liability and reach a 100 percent funding ratio by 2027. Despite a steady decline in the frequency of work-related injuries in the province, Ontario’s average employer premium rate is still one of the highest in Canada. This is due largely to the surcharge associated with paying off the WSIB’s
unfunded liability, which employers have been Ontarians. forced to absorb as a legacy cost. See the full report now at www.occ.ca The report also calls on government to stop interfering with the WSIB. For many employers, frequent government intrusions have compromised the integrity of the system. Legislation should be amended to provide • Lets your wishes be known. more space for the WSIB to operate autonomously • Reduces stress for friends and family as an independent public service agency. at an already emotional time. We find business con• Saves money (Guarantees your family will never have to pay fidence in the WSIB is more for your funeral, no matter what happens with inflation.) low. An OCC survey of over 2,000 Ontario businesses finds that only 36 We invite you to discuss Funeral Preplanning with any percent believe that the of our qualified Funeral Directors WSIB provides value for
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ELGIN THIS MONTH
13
Pro Text Events and News of Interest to our Members
Beyond the piggy bank
by Jennifer Boone
A New Year’s resolution to consider: Start teaching your children about financial freedom and financial independence. Start by teaching them to save their allowance and use this savings to purchase those toys and treats they often demand between birthdays and Christmas. The teenage and post-secondary years carry a whole new set of financial challenges. With a solid foundation of wise spending decisions and understanding the difference between a need and a want, their financial future may be brighter, and they may well be less reliant on you. Some steps that you can take with your child in the teens and early 20s to help educate them about their finances, managing their money and preparing for the future are: • Help your child manage part-time income. A first job for any teenager is exciting as it leads to new freedom and independence. The secret is to find a good balance between spending and saving. They will be in a better financial position as their obligations grow. • It is never too early to start an RRSP. While the income tax benefit may not be of benefit, the notion of savings for future and retirement is part of a good foundation. Considering simply the notion of compound interest, the earlier one starts to save for retirement the less stress later in life if continued contributions have to be curtailed or reduced. • Understand needs and wants of your teenagers.
Teenagers often want a new cell phone, the latest jeans or an outing with friends which to them will feel like a need. We can help identify the difference by asking simple questions like: “Do the jeans you have fit?” “Are they ripped or stained?” “How many pairs do you already have?” Teenagers will start to ask themselves questions and answer them honestly before making a purchase … good preparation for making financial decisions later in life when they become more complex. • Help them grasp the basics of budgets and bills. Understanding how much money they make every month and how much of that money they need to pay their bills instills a habit of paying bills first. Consider something that you pay for, such as your child’s cell phone, sports team membership etc. Have your child pay you for this expense early in their life. As your children grow they will face increasing financial responsibilities especially if they are planning for a post-secondary education: • Help your child budget for the expected and the unexpected. Budgeting for the things you know your children will need for a year at school is important, but helping them budget for a broken computer or unscheduled trip home will help your child avoid undue financial stress. • Show your child how to manage loans and scholarships which help offset the cost of post-secondary education. Encourage your child to visit their school’s financial aid office, inquiring about lists of
Fordham & Brightling Associates • Lawyers Practising in Association
Wide Range of Legal and Advisory Services • Real Estate Sales and Purchases • Mortgages • Business/Commercial Matters & Incorporations • Wills, Estate Planning & Administration Monty F. Fordham B.A., LLB montyfordham@4elgin.ca Michael J.E. Brightling B.A., J.D. michaelbrightling@4elgin.ca 4 Elgin Street, St. Thomas (519) 633-4000
little known scholarships and bursaries. Remember that this money is often dispensed as a lump sum. Making it last through an entire school year will require a deep understanding of where the money needs to go. • Have your child start to build a good credit rating. For example, if they have a cell phone in your name, transfer it into their name. You may also want to get your child a student credit card with a manageable limit such as $500 and encourage them to use it for budgeted items, such as textbooks. Then teach them to pay off the full amount each month. Suggest that they put a monthly payment reminder in their smartphone. • Lastly, we are role models for our children. It is difficult to successfully education our children on sound financial practices if our own house is not in order. Always remember that you are not alone. Your Financial Advisor can recommend strategies for borrowing, saving and budgeting, and help your child understand the bigger financial picture. An advisor can also recommend the best types of high interest savings accounts, Tax-Free Savings Accounts or other ways of savings for your child. This column appears regularly in Business Beat and has been prepared by Jennifer Boone, CRM, RIB(ON), an Insurance Broker/Advisor specializing in asset and life protection for families and small business owners at Reith & Associates Insurance and Financial Services Limited, 462 Talbot Street, St. Thomas. Questions and comments on this column are welcomed by the writer at 519-631-3862 or via e-mail: info@reithandassociates.com
Welcomes
Jordan Rowledge Jordan qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2012 and is a graduate of the University of Prince Edward Island. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a Certificate in Accounting. Jordan is working as part of our St. Thomas office to assist clients in assurance, accounting and taxation services. Graham Scott Enns provides efficient and personal service to our clients for a variety of needs from taxation to special services. 450 Sunset Dr., ST THOMAS
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 14
Member News Events and News of Interest to our Members
E-commerce opportunities? Thanks to the co-operation and support of several local businesses and professionals, the Chamber’s Member Services Committee will deliver two high-value/low-cost events to give our Members new insight and ability to connect and sell in the on-line/e-commerce world. For anyone attending the event we’re co-hosting with the Elgin Business Resource Centre on January 25, our next two events will extend your awareness and capacity. What’s in it for you? For some, survival. For the rest of us, better and bigger business growth. Canadians love shopping and doing business online, but our businesses are missing out. The Chamber wants to help our Members do better. Research compiled by BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) says it all: 63% of Canadians like to do business online and at least 80% of all Canadian consumers search, explore and compare products and services online. But 30% of Canadian small businesses still don’t have a web presence and more than half aren’t equipped to be effective at web-based sales and service. More supporting data comes from Forrester Research, reporting that 5-year growth in online Canadian retail sales will leap from $20.6 billion this year to $33.8 billion by 2018. Using the labs at Fanshawe College’s St. Thomas – Elgin campus, we will deliver two events during the last week of February. Members are welcome to register for one or both events. Social Media Strategies for Small Business Tuesday February 25, 2014 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. $25 + HST, lunch included Grow Your Business in the Online Marketplace Thursday February 27, 2014 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. $25+ HST, lunch included Lab #1 - Tuesday February 25 You know you need it but haven't taken the time to make it happen? Join the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce as we present "Social Media Strategies for Small Business."
It is often said that experience is the best teacher. With that in mind we have assembled a panel of local business professionals who successfully utilize Social Media to market & promote their individual businesses. The panel will lead participants through the "ins & outs" of Twitter, YouOur February workshops will be hands-on learning experiences using this lab at FanTube, Facebook shawe College on Bill Martyn Parkway. & LinkedIn. Dr. Danielle new loyal customers in the online market place. Marr - Chiropractor, Dr. Marr Pain Relief Clinic Members will be guided through the process of Bryan Bakker - Owner, BizBio TV integrating their social media profiles, website Andrew Buttigieg - Morning News Anchor/ and e-commerce solutions to create the perfect Reporter, 94.1 myFM customer buying experience. Ginette Minor - Owner, Alexelle Slipcovers & We will welcome expert presenter Tyler LogDecor tenberg of ClarisTech as our leader for the day This full-day seminar is designed to assist small in an informative agenda covering topics such as: business owners create and grow their Social Me- creating interest online; analytics: understanddia "store front." Our speakers will guide partici- ing and interpreting client behaviour; how to efpants through the process of creating your site, fectively use online advertising; the formula for drawing more traffic to your site, creating & social media success; elements of a good website; sharing relevant content and defining the "time how to get your business referred; and how to vs. reward" ratio. ensure repeat business in the online marketplace. Each participant (max 40) will have an indeEach participant (max 40) will have an independent computer work station in the lab. Par- pendent computer work station in the lab. Participants will have the option of listening to the ticipants will have the option of listening to the presenter while taking notes or navigating along presenter while taking notes or navigating along "on-line" with real time examples. "on-line" with real time examples. Both events will be held at the St. Thomas – Lab #2 – Thursday February 27 Elgin Campus of Fanshawe College. Advance Increase sales & create new customers in the payment and registration is required as seating is online market place limited. To register call Member Services RepreThe St Thomas & District Chamber of Com- sentative Jeff Sheridan 519-631-1981 ext. 526 or merce presents this full-day workshop designed email jeff@stthomaschamber.on.ca to assist our Members increase sales & create
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 15
New Member Events and News of Interest to our Members New Members The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce proudly welcomes the following businesses and individuals as our newest Members. Those listed below were accepted as registered Members November 16 to December 15, 2013. Once an organization registers with the Chamber, all personnel (owners/managers/staff) within the organization have full access to all Chamber programs, projects, events and services. Tailored Publishing St Thomas, ON N5P1T3 Phone: 519-631-8296 Email: TailoredPublishing@gmail.com Website: tailored-publishing.blogspot.ca Contact: Doug Butler, Owner Buyers Guide Categories: Communication Services, Printing & Publishing Products & Services: Tailored Publishing has been providing professional book and magazine industry writing, editing and event management services since 1986. Their clients range from individuals whose self-publishing works require an expert tweak to leading Canadian magazine publishers such as Rogers, St. Joseph, and Transconti-
nental. Some of the services they provide include: content development, writing, editing, research, fact checking and seminar event planning & management. You may have already enjoyed their work in magazines such as: Canadian Business, Canadian Family, Fresh Juice, Garden Making, International Architecture & Design, Maclean’s and many more. Tailored publishing is now serving St. Thomas & surrounding areas. Grant Paralegal 574 Talbot Street St Thomas, ON N5P 1C4 Phone: 519-633-9594 Email: jgrant@grantparalegal.ca Contact: Jennifer Grant, Paralegal, Owner Web: grantparalegal.ca Buyers Guide Category: Paralegal Services Products & Services: Grant Paralegal is a local paralegal firm offering advice and representation services to small business owners, employees, commercial & residential landlords and tenants. They specialize in contract resolution, rental agreements, OHSA/ESA/HPPA matters, small claims court and much more. Now serving the St. Thomas area.
Campaign Aide St Thomas, ON N5P 1T3 Phone: 519-631-8296 Email: CampaignAide@gmail.com Web: N/A Contact: Doug Butler, Owner Buyers Guide Categories: Advertising/Promotion, Research & Development Products & Services: With ten years of experience in fundraising, campaign management and community engagement, Doug Butler, Principal at Campaign Aide, is dedicated to working with not-for-profits and other community groups, agencies & associations. The team at Campaign Aide are experts in raising awareness, developing campaigns, fundraising initiatives and promoting local programs & issues. Campaign Aide is ready to assist your business with compilation of data, written presentations of data, public outreach of campaign objectives, campaign strategies and public presentations. Robert & Janet Baker Family Farm 8043 Weldon Way London, ON N6P 1P3 Phone: 519-652-5949 Email: welwyfm3@gmail.com Web: n/a Contact: Robert Baker, Owner Buyers Guide Category: Agriculture - Growers & Producers Products & Services: Robert & Janet Baker Family Farms has been supplying our region with quality agricultural products for several generations and remains proud to carry on the family tradition.
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 16
Business & Community Leadership
“83% seeking new positions in 2014” The Bad News. The Good News
by Cheryl Lester
According to a survey released December 2013 by Right Management, 83% of the employees in a US survey indicated they were actively seeking a new position for 2014. Simply stated 8 out of 10 of your employees are looking elsewhere. Even at half that, the associated costs would be staggering. Estimates based on annual salary equivalents range from 30-50% for entry-level employees, 150% of middle level, and up to 400% for specialized, high level. That’s a LOT of money. The bad news first — much dissatisfaction is related to the people ‘at the top’, i.e. leaders, managers, supervisors, business owners. Complaints include: • ‘They’ have a key role in influencing job satisfaction and retention, but many are not heeding the warnings. • ‘They’ need to open up more with employees and better explain responsibilities and expectations. • ‘They’ offer little feedback on employees’ performances. • ‘They’ are micromanaging and dictating to employees instead of motivating them. The good news? As a leader, manager, or business owner, there are things that YOU can do to reduce the ‘mass exodus’ potential, which will also improve individual and collective performance, effectiveness, and engagement — for yourself and the people you lead. Here are five suggestions that are worthy of your consideration and action. 1. Take Ownership. A business or organization
is the lengthened shadow of its leader. Your behaviours have a profound impact on staff, customers, and bottom line. Own that reality and responsibility. Then take action. Do a ‘360°’ performance assessment to understand how you are really ‘showing up’ and what you can do about it. 2. Learn More. Do a Myers-Briggs Type Indica-
tor (MBTI™) assessment to discover or rediscover your own preferred ways of energizing, perceiving, deciding, and living; but don’t stop there. Extend the real value through learning what you can do to help people ‘bring their best’ to the workplace — individually and collectively. 3. Open up. Research indicates that the ‘younger’ generations typically need and want more transparency, flexibility, and involvement. Drop
any old ‘top down’ attitudes. Become more open and ‘real’ with members of your staff. Ask about family, holiday plans, volunteer activities, favourite sports team. Reciprocate by sharing some of your own related information. 4. Invest in Professional Development. Most people like to feel respected and valued. The most valuable employees want to develop their knowledge, skills, and capacity. Ask what they are interested in. Work out a win-win plan that supports their interests and brings the benefits of the newly acquired knowledge or skills back into the workplace. 5. Give Frequent Feedback. Gone are the days of the ‘once a year’ performance review meeting. Workers want and need more frequent feedback. You can’t afford to wait a whole year before taking action to redirect, recalibrate, or adjust things that are not working. Develop meaningful informal feedback channels along with more frequent formalized performance review processes. Done right, these will increase efficiency, effectiveness, and overall employee satisfaction. Use 2014 to ensure that you keep your best people on your team. It starts with you. So, take up the challenge. The pay-offs will be worth the effort.
Cheryl Lester, Eagle Tree Leadership, is an international leadership coach known for her ability to help people improve their performance and effectiveness.
Bankruptcy Common Concerns and Mistakes One of the most common concerns for those considering bankruptcy is the social stigma attached to bankruptcy. A basic quality of human nature is that we are afraid of things that we are not familiar with.
The truth is that the stigma has been significantly diminished in the last ten or twenty years. When you file a bankruptcy, only those you owe money to are notified as well the government. Big Banks and other creditors understand that a certain portion of their debt will be written off. And finally, newspapers ads are rare these days as they are only required for a business bankruptcy or someone who owns a significant value in assets. It is true that a bankruptcy will be on your credit report for 7 years but all those other negative reports from all your past due accounts will stop. It is now much easier to re-establish your credit after you have filed for bankruptcy than it ever has been before. What is the biggest mistake we see when people are considering filing for bankruptcy? They wait too long to file. People in general are honest and want to deal with their debt themselves. They are hopeful that something will happen to eliminate their debt - a raise or promotion, a nice tax
refund or perhaps an inheritance from an elderly relative. In the mean time, they spend all of their retirement savings, take second mortgages out on their homes and get even deeper in debt. Speak to a Bankruptcy Trustee before you take any of these steps to find out how it might impact you as many of your assets are exempt from seizure and your creditors can’t touch them. These assets include: most RRSP’s, pensions, life insurance policies as well as your personal belongings such as clothes and furniture. Even the name Bankruptcy Trustee is not quite accurate - we do so much more than bankruptcies! Trustee’s in Canada are the only people licensed and regulated by the Federal Government to provide debt settlement services. The options include: credit counselling, debt settlement plans (consumer proposal) and bankruptcy. And bankruptcy is always the last option - if we can find another way to help you, we will!
Come in for a free assessment and learn how you can be free from debt. 519.310.FREE (519.310.3733) or visit us at www.mclay.ca January, 2014
E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 17
Dining & Entertainment FOOD & WINE
Wine fraud, part 2
Three main ways of detection and combat by Jamie Quai
In last month’s issue, we walked about some of the concerns the wine industry and the wine consumer are experiencing with fraud. This month is all about how the industry is responding to wine fraud and forgery. The industry response is ever evolving so this article is only going to touch on a few of the more interesting techniques being employed. Combating wine fraud can very simply be sorted into three categories: what’s in the bottle, what’s on the bottle, and what happens when a wine is sold. A lot of the most expensive bottles of wine in the world are older rare bottles. Using the latest scientific techniques it is possible to test samples of suspected forgeries for trace minerals or date using selected isotopes. For example, the Cesium isotope 137 does not occur in nature. It is a product of the atomic age. So any authentic wine produced before the first atom bomb was used, will not contain any of the isotope. In a similar vein, wines produced in the 1960s should have elevated levels of Cesium 137 because this decade represented the peak of atomic bomb testing. Grower and winery associations in France are beginning to create database maps of their most prestigious regions using grape and wine samples and testing for trace element patterns. The hope is that it will one day be possible to test a wine’s
fingerprint, so to speak. I was able to do some processing and analytical work in my undergrad to help identify markers that will allow the Canadian ice wine to be authenticated. It won’t be long before most regions have these maps. The packaging on a wine bottle is becoming
the hope is that it will one day be possible to test a wine’s fingerprint much more sophisticated. In addition to labels having serial numbers that can be used for tracking, the label paper is being implanted with similar anti-forgery materials that most currencies use. The seals on the bottles are designed to be extremely tamper-resistant. There are delicate strips of paper laid over the cork with special, invisible markings and imbedded codes that cease to be readable if the paper was handled. Several producers are experimenting with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags hidden in the packaging that will deactivate when a bottle is opened and can only be tested by the wine producer. RFID is the technology used in toll highway passes that are mounted in a car, or electronic tags surgically implanted into your pet. The future actually looks fairly promising for this technology with wine fraud. Producers are also fairly active in rotating
Jamie Quai is head winemaker at Quai du Vin Estate Winery in Elgin County
JEFF YUREK, MPP
130 reasons to celebrate St. Thomas Public Library
ELGIN-MIDDLESEX-LONDON Here to Help You with:
REASON 1
IT’S OUR
ANNIVERSARY Check out more reasons to enjoy your local library!
January, 2014
their paper stocks from one vintage to another to ensure that forgers always have to adapt as well. One of the biggest ways to combat fraud is simply with knowledge. Many iconic producers are only selling their wines to consumers on their wine clubs or to select merchants. The bottle numbers are recorded along with buyer’s information. If a merchant re-sells the bottle, the new buyers’ information is relayed back to the winery and the bottles ownership information is updated. In exchange for the information, the winery will likely issue a certificate of authenticity to the new owner. This almost acts as a statement of insurance coverage or validation against fraud. Now, in order to fake a wine, the forger must also fake the paperwork! Wineries are also becoming more proactive in validating older bottles. The winery will hold seminars throughout the world where collectors bring their bottles, the wines are opened by a team from the winery (including the winemaker), the wine is tasted to ensure authenticity, topped up with the same wine supplied by the winery, resealed, and ownership paperwork is issued. Lastly, owners and collectors are combating fraud by pursuing and prosecuting fraudsters. Want to read a fun and engaging crime story? I recommend “The Billionaires Vinegar” by Benjamin Wallace or follow the trial of alleged fraudster Rudy Kurniawan that is playing out in a court of law right now.
Visit us at 153 Curtis Street, call us at 519-631-6050, browse our website at www.st-thomas.library.on.ca or like us on Facebook.
ELGIN THIS MONTH
Ontario Works Ontario Disability Support Program Driver’s Licences OHIP Cards Any other Provincial matter
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday 10am-4:30pm
750 Talbot St., (CASO Station Suite 201) St. Thomas, ON N5P 1E2 519-631-0666 email: jeff.yurekco@pc.ola.org www.jeffyurekmpp.com
18
Stylish & clever living room storage
Homestyle Decorating
by Renée Carpenter
January is the perfect time of year to begin clever organization since you are probably bombarded with all the new Christmas arrivals that need a permanent storage solution. Concentrate on spaces that are central to your daily routines. Start by creating a relaxing space in your living room. Cut out the chaos by streamlining storage
for small items such as mail, DVDs, electronic devices, etc. It all begins with one step at a time! Ten pieces of living room furniture can help create more storage by concealing and organizing necessities. 1. A tiered coffee table can offer more function when choosing one with a bottom shelf to stack books and magazines, or use baskets to corral other items. 2. A console cabinet / sideboard is an essential piece in an open living room floor plan. Position one behind the sofa to float in the middle of a room and it will provide a place for lamps, a surface for drinks and plenty of storage when in cabinet form. 3. A storage bench / window seat provides two functions. A cushion on top provides a place to sit, while cubbies below can be used for books, toy bins, games, crafts, etc. 4. Invest in builtins to give your living room architectural presence as well as an organized appearance. Frame a doorway with shelves or consider cabinetry around a fireplace. Create a one-stop
activity center that everyone in the family can enjoy. 5. Nesting tables, usually in sets of two or three, stack together but can be pulled out for extra tabletop surface as needed. They take up less floor space, which is ideal for small rooms, but still offer room for storage. 6. A console table, not unlike its cabinetry cousin, adds storage but provides a different look. Baskets or bins can be lined up beneath for additional storage. 7. Hutches, pie safes, jelly cabinets, armoires, etc. are stylish storage additions for more formal or traditional living rooms. These handsome pieces bring substance to a space while providing plenty of concealed storage for organizing necessities. 8. Storage ottomans come in a variety of shapes, styles, sizes and colors, and are a flexible, smart way to bring organization and function to a living room. The lids lift to reveal a roomy storage compartment ready to store anything from blankets to gaming equipment. 9. Drawers stacked beneath the top of a coffee table can conceal all sorts of items such as board games, remotes, magazines, and more. Since these pieces tend to be a bit more bulk than leggy, open coffee tables, they work best in larger or more open spaces. 10. Although more traditional in style, the option of turning a simple table into a storage gold mine simply with the addition of a skirt cannot be overlooked in a storage-deprived environment. Storage bins or carts can easily slide beneath the table. With a space for everything, a family’s gathering space can be orderly, enjoyable and equally suited for play and relaxation. Functional furniture does double duty in the seating area, creating a comfy space to relax. Renée Carpenter owns Jennings Furniture & Design & Stage It With Jennings in St. Thomas.
Joe Preston, M.P. ELGIN-MIDDLESEX-LONDON
• Revenue Canada • Seniors’ Issues • • Citizenship & Immigration • • Employment Insurance • Passport Inquiries • 24 First Ave., Unit 2, St. Thomas, ON N5R 4M5
519-637-2255 • 1-866-404-0406 www.joeprestonmp.ca
January, 2014
E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 19
Lifestyles ELGIN ARTS TRAIL
Medlyn Stained Glass & Jewellery Studio Pride in quality craftsmanship by Katherine Thompson
Mayor Heather Jackson
& the members of the St. Thomas City Council would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year
545 Talbot St., St. Thomas 519-631-1680 www.stthomas.ca January, 2014
Katherine Medlyn at work at Medlyn Stained Glass & Jewellery Studio in St. Thomas. The friendly staff at Medlyn Stained Glass & Jewellery Studio is ready to sketch a concept and help bring your ideas to life. Located in downtown St. Thomas and established in 1996, Medlyn's takes pride in quality craftsmanship, one-of-a-kind finishing touches and customer satisfaction. Each piece created is hand drawn and uniquely crafted to meet their customer’s individual needs. From beautiful lamps and sun catchers to mosaic items, vases and tables there is something delightful to suit every taste. Visit the studio and see Medlyn's artists at work, providing services that include restoration to lead pieces, sandblasting, and the sale of a variety of glass art supplies. Continued on page 21....
Happy New Year to all of our Customers We look forward to serving you in 2014.
160 Burwell Road, St. Thomas 519-631-5502
ELGIN THIS MONTH
20
Lifestyles ELGIN ARTS TRAIL
Continued from page 20.... Be amazed by the fine jewellery created by their gold and silver smith who has over 40 years of experience. Explore the studio, full of inspiring pieces for sale, or take one of their stained glass classes to create an artistic piece of your own. The studio is open to the public Monday to Friday 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am -1:00 pm and in the evenings by appointment. Please call (519) 6333773 for more information.
Katherine Thompson is Marketing & Communications Coordinator with The County of Elgin
Up To $250 Cash Discount
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For more information, e-mail: info@dowlerkarn.com or call 519-631-3810.
Save up to 30%
Heat with clean efficient propane or natural gas for lower insurance and maintenance costs.
on future energy bills. *Limited to a propane central heating system. Installation service charge will be waived (exterior tank required to be within 10 feet from building). If further distance, please call Dowler-Karn.
1943
Celebrating 70 Years
*Limited to a NG or propane central heating system. $500 rebate from Yarmouth Mutual Fire Insurance (application acceptance required). Dowler Karn tank installation service charge waived (exterior tank required within 10 feet from building). If further distance required, please call Dowler-Karn.
Your Neighbourhood Insurance Company
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In partnership, Dowler-Karn and Yarmouth Mutual Insurance are offering customers up to $750 cash discount to Switch from Furnace Oil to Propane heat or Natural Gas heat.
ELGIN THIS MONTH
Yarmouth Mutual 1229 Talbot Street Fire Insurance St. Thomas Company 519.631.1572 www.yarmouthmutual.com 21
s The New Year brings New Year’s Resolutions … And the perfect time to quit smoking by Laura Dougherty, Health Promoter
A New Year brings New Year’s resolutions for many people, and quitting smoking is one of the most popular. But smoking is often one of the hardest lifestyle behaviours to change. Many smokers make five to seven attempts to quit smoking before they quit successfully. So what does it take to make this the last time you quit? Preparation!
You can start your journey by thinking about a plan. Set a reasonable quit date that you know you can stick to, and let others in your life know that you’re planning to quit. Make your home and car smoke-free and get rid of any ash trays and lighters that may be lying around. Plan ahead for the inevitable; such as stressful situations that can tempt you into returning to smoking. Consider your previous quit attempts — what went “24 ON THE FLOOR YOGATHON” for Charity wrong, what went well? Support from family and Friday, Jan 10/14, 6 pm till Saturday, Jan 11/14, 6 pm friends can be instru24 - 45 minute yoga classes beginning every hour mental in quitting smokHave Fun At Enjoy the Journey Yoga Studio, ing for good. and When you’re ready to 456 Talbot Str., St Thomas Support our quit, remember the 4 Experience a variety of Yoga styles and teachers Community Ds: Cost is All by DONATION with all proceeds 1. Deep breathe 2. Delay donated to the YWCA of St. Thomas 3. Drink water 4. Distract yourself by Check our Facebook Event page - “24 on the Floor Yogathon” doing something else Tobacco remains to be the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Ontario. This has made the health benefits of quitting a major motivator for many people to quit for good. Here are some of the changes you can expect, at any age, after quitting: • After 24 hours your chance of having a heart attack decreases • Within 2-3 months your circulation improves, walking becomes
easier, and your lung function may increase by up to 20% • Between 1 and 9 months, coughing, sinus congestions, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease. • After 1 year of being smoke-free your risk of heart disease and a smoking-related heart attack is cut in half • After 15 years your risk of dying from a heart attack is the same as someone who has never smoked Quitting isn’t easy but it is possible with determination and support. Accessing quit smoking supports and programs can also help increase your chance of becoming tobacco-free. Smokers' Helpline is a free, confidential service operated by the Canadian Cancer Society. It offers support and information about quitting smoking and tobacco use. Bilingual services are offered by phone and online at 1 877 513-5333 and smokershelpline.ca. Text messaging and interpreter services are also available in Ontario. Also, for the first time, the annual wouldurather… contest is offering eight weeks of free quit smoking medication to all participants in addition to two grand prizes of $2,500. The contest is open to all young adults between the ages of 18 and 29. The same participants and any other smokers over the age of 19 in Ontario are also encouraged to sign-up for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Driven to Quit challenge where they will have an opportunity to win a new car. Register at wouldurather.ca or driventoquit.ca If your New Year’s resolution is to quit smoking, contact Elgin St. Thomas Public Health at 519631-9900 ext. 1324 or toll-free at 1-800-9220096 ext. 1324 for more information on supports and resources available. Laura Dougherty is a Health Promoter who coordinates the smoke-free program at Elgin St. Thomas Public Health.
January, 2014
FAIR Vendors Wanted
Saturday, February 15th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Timken Centre, Doug Tarry Room St. Thomas
Open to all Health and Wellness related vendors. Sponsored by: For information or to register, email: HBBA@rogers.com www.hbbacanada.com
• Holistic • Psychics •
Brenda V. Dowell, RYT 519-319-2378 (call or text) 456 Talbot St., St. Thomas www.etjyoga.com
Physiotherapy • Dental
• Chiropractic • Homeopathic Medicine
• Emotional Health • Nutrition • Fitness ELGIN THIS MONTH
22
s Making wise food choices at the grocery store Courtesy of Elgin St. Thomas Public Health, elginhealth.on.ca
The average Canadian consumer will visit the grocery store 97 times in a year, that’s almost twice a week! While only 25% of Canadians are able to make a shopping list and stick to it, the rest of us will make decisions about the products we buy on the spot. But are they always wise choices? Most of us enter the grocery store with the best intentions to buy nutritious food, keep costs down and avoid being roped into glossy advertising. Yet few of us are successful. We spend far more money than desired and quite often the choices we make could be better! If you take your kids shopping with you beware! Parents who shop with their children can spend up to 30% more than they originally intended. That’s because children are extremely vulnerable to advertising and food is the most frequently advertised product on children’s television. What’s even worse is that the majority of these food ads don’t promote healthy choices like whole grain products, fresh vegetables and fruit or milk products. Most of us will agree that there are so many things to keep in mind when reading a Nutrition Facts table that it is often confusing. Low fat, high fibre, more protein, high carbs, low carbs, and no
carbs ... the list goes on. When comparing the nutrition content of foods always compare foods within food groups - compare apples to apples! Read the Nutrition Facts table and pay attention to the % Daily Value listed. The % Daily Value will tell you if a product contains a lot or a little of a particular nutrient. Here are some wise food choices to get you started. Grain products Aim for whole grain breads, like 100% whole wheat, stone ground wheat, cracked wheat, oatmeal, rye and pumpernickel. Aim for at least 2 grams of fibre per serving when choosing bread. Wise cereal choices include at least 2 grams of fibre and 8 grams or less of sugar per serving. Cereals that contain fruit will usually be higher in sugar. Try adding your own fruit to cereal. Good cereal choices also include at least 5% Daily Value for iron. This iron value also applies to crackers. Choose crackers that contain no trans fat, 2 grams of fibre or more per serving and 5% Daily Value for iron Vegetables and fruit Choose a variety of fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables that are not in a sauce. When selecting juice
look for 100% fruit juice on the label or ingredient list. When purchasing dried fruit or canned vegetables and fruit, choose good sources of vitamin C by aiming for products that contain at least 30% of the Daily Value for vitamin C per serving. Milk and milk products Get the most from your milk products by choosing those high in Calcium. Using the Nutrition Facts table look for cheese and yogurt that contain at least 15% Daily Value for calcium. Alternatively, check out the Milk Fat or M.F. on the label. Aim for less than 2% M.F. for yogurt and less than 20% for cheese. Meat and alternatives When buying meat, aim for well-trimmed cuts of meat, chicken without the skin, lean or extra lean beef, and fish packed in water instead of oil. When choosing alternatives to meat such as canned or roasted legumes aim for at least 5% Daily Value for iron per serving. Make wise food choices today and everyday! If you are looking for more suggestions on making wise food choices in grocery stores contact your local public health unit and speak to a Registered Dietitian or visit www.dietitians.ca
Is Your New Year’s Resolution to Quit Smoking? With These 2 Challenges,There’s No Better Time Than Right Now!
for more information visit
www.elginhealth.on.ca
519-631-9900 January, 2014
ELGIN THIS MONTH
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s
Reducing risk for heart disease could save your life Heart disease doesn't discriminate, affecting men and women regardless of their age or where they live. One Canadian dies from heart disease or stroke every seven minutes. So says the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, a charity that annually spends millions of dollars researching heart disease and promoting healthier lifestyles. Though not all risk factors for heart disease can be controlled, there are ways to reduce that risk considerably. Control your blood pressure High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke and a major risk for heart disease. Blood pressure measures the pressure or force of blood against the walls if your blood vessels, also known as arteries. Blood pressure that is consistently above 140/90 is considered high. Normal blood pressure is between 120/80 and 129/84. If your blood pressure is high, reduce the amount of sodium in your diet, replacing high-sodium snacks with healthier fare and monitor sodium in-
take during the day, ideally less than 2,300 mg of the risk of blood clots, reduces the amount of oxysodium per day, including everything. gen in the blood and increases blood pressure. As Maintaining a healthy body weight and success- if that's not enough, smoking also harms those fully managing stress are additional ways to control around you. In Canada, nearly 8,000 non-smokers blood pressure. lose their lives each year from exposure to secondLimit alcohol consumption hand smoke. When it comes to alcohol, moderation reigns According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, supreme. Excessive consumption of alcohol can within 48 hours of quitting a person's chances contribute to high triglycerides, produce irregu- of having heart disease have already started to go lar heartbeats and eventually lead to heart failure down. For those who successfully avoid smoking or stroke. One or two standard drinks per day is for one year, the risk of a suffering a smoking-relatenough depending on gender. The Heart & Stroke ed heart attack has been cut in half. After 15 years, Foundation suggests that women who drink should the risk of heart attack is the same as someone who not drink more than nine drinks a week, while men never smoked at all.Embrace physical activity should not exceed 14 drinks in a single week. People who are physically inactive are twice as Of course, men and women with liver disease, likely to be at risk for heart disease or stroke as mental illness or a personal or family history of people who are physically active. Getting at least 30 alcohol problems should avoid alcohol entirely. In minutes of physical activity on five or more days of addition, those taking certain medications should the week can help lower blood pressure and lower avoid alcohol consumption as well. Discuss alcohol cholesterol while helping to maintain a healthy consumption with your weight. If starting from scratch, even light physical physician when he or she activity can provide some health benefits. Graduwrites you a prescription. ally work your way up to more demanding activiQuit smoking ties, and make physical activity a routine part of Serenity House Hospice is a volunteer based organization. It Smoking contributes your daily life. provides compassionate care to meet the physical, emotional to the buildup of plaque More information on heart disease and stroke is and spiritual needs of families, when they need it most, in the arteries, increases available online at heart.org and heartandstroke.ca. including the bereaved. Staff and volunteers are continually developing new awareness initiatives, as well as seeking like minded individuals to join their team. Since Serenity House is not funded by the Ministry of Health, financial support from the community, as well as grants, are needed to provide programming at no charge. Serenity House Hospice recently kicked off a capital fundraising campaign to open a residential hospice in Elgin County that will add residential beds to their services. Possibilities include more than one home opening in communities from the east end of the county to the west. Providing choices of where to die, and to fulfill care wishes at end-of-life are huge goals, ones that the whole community Where: St. Thomas Elgin General needs to become part of for a truly successful outcome.
Support Compassionate Care
Join Us
As We Open the Doors to Our New Mental Health Care Program
Dedicated to Meeting your Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Needs. Support our Capital Campaign for a Hospice Home in Elgin County! Help us support the families of Elgin County!
SUPPORT SERVICES: • • • •
End of Life Care Family and Care Givers Grief and Bereavement Lending Library
When: January 8, 2014 3:30 p.m. Formal Ceremony 3:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Guided Tours & Refreshments Who: Open to the public Note: Free parking
*Hospice Palliative Care is often an unknown issue for many Canadians. Eligibility for the whole family begins at diagnosis.
750 Talbot St., Suite 202, St. Thomas N5P 1E2 Phone: 519-637-3034 or email: info@serenityhousehospice.ca www.serenityhousehospice.ca January, 2014
Hospital 1st Floor, Main Building 189 Elm Street, St. Thomas
RSVP: Melody Vallerand mvallern@stegh.on.ca 519-631-2030 ex. 2896
ELGIN THIS MONTH
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s
Volunteering is good for you
Statistics show physical and emotional benefits With files from the VON
Volunteering is beneficial not just to the that giving back and helping others also pro- ing instances of social isolation and deprescommunity, but for the people giving their vides both benefits and rewards for those who sion. time. volunteer. For example, in the same study, 76 VON is one of the organizations in St. Volunteering to make someone else’s life % of survey participants who have volunteered Thomas / Elgin that relies substantially on the better not only affects someone’s emotional in the last 12 months report they feel healthier. generosity of volunteers who give their time health, but his or her physical health as well. Volunteering increasingly helps individuals to improve the lives of those in need. NumerOne recent study conducted by the United stay physically active which can result in bet- ous volunteer opportunities are available. For Health Group reports that those who volun- ter physical health, however, mental and emo- more information on volunteering please conteer felt physically, mentally and emotionally tional health benefits are also positive products tact VON at 519-637-6408. better, experienced lower stress levels, felt a of that small investment of time. deeper connection to others in the commuVolunteers become socially engaged in the nity, and felt overall, more informed and en- community by helping gaged in taking charge of their health. (United those in need, decreasHealth Group – “Doing Good is Good for You, 2013 Health and ...those who Volunteering Study”). While many understand the volunteer felt impact volunteers make to physically, mentally members in the community, specifically those who are receivand emotionally ing the generosity and kindness better... of the volunteers generously doWith something new from Curves and Jillian Michaels nating their time, many forget
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Volunteers Wanted! STEGH is recruiting volunteers to be Patient and Family Advisors. Advisors play an important role in working with our staff to improve the patient and family experience. We’re looking for current and past STEGH patients and their family members. For more information, contact our Patient Experience Office 519-631-2030, ext. 3748 or email patientexperience@stegh.on.ca
www.stegh.on.ca January, 2014
519-631-8408 53 Princess Ave., St. Thomas ELGIN THIS MONTH
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s Successful goal setting in 2014 Make room for planning and spontaneity by Anouschka Van den Bosch
The house is quiet except for the humming of er, I have worked with many clients where setting the furnace. I am comfortable on my couch with a goals can be very beneficial. Yes, if you go about blanket wrapped around me, the December issue your goal setting aggressively, it can be stressful of Chatelaine on my lap and a cup of tea beside and sometimes depressing or discouraging when me. I’ve been having a hard time concentrating on you don’t reach your goal. But I believe in setting reading the last few minutes so I have been staring goals as they can help us move forward, reach unout of my front window. My mind has not really stuckedness (I made that word up) and take us to been thinking about anything in that next level. particular, and actually I am doing Be very clear on your goal. I have a some serious daydreaming. quote from Harvey MacCay that says “well, what is it perfectly: “A dream is just a dream; a I love daydreaming; it can take the plan?” me to some interesting places or goal is a dream with a plan and a deadthings that I would really like to line.” have in my life. And that leads me Having said that, I do believe dayto my intentions and eventually my goal setting. dreaming is an important part of the goal setting Isn’t it interesting, though, when I do pick up my process. Often I will take my clients on a daymagazine again I read an article where Deepak dreaming journey asking for their perfect day at Chopra suggests that to achieve real success you work. Before you know it, we have something we should forget about goal setting? He feels that “if can put down on paper and work toward finding you are in touch with yourself, things will happen that perfect job. It is the plan that will help move spontaneously.” things forward and with baby steps! Well, I think there is some truth to that; howevYou have a sales goal in mind for the next few months? Well, what is the plan? How are you going to get there? Break it down into weeks, maybe even days if that “Where Every One Matters” is easier. Go with what Our Vision is to work with our community in pursuit works for you and when the goal seems unreachof Good Health and Wellness for Everyone. able, make adjustments. Ah, I heard that! You think that is just an exHEaltHy yOu cuse; once you set that goal you stick to it and Weight Management and you make it happen. Healthy Lifestyle program focused on I think that works for changing lifestyle some people; however StOp SMOkinG prOGraM I believe that we have Developing a quit plan and the tendency to make The Mobile Unit is on the road
GEt HEaltHy in 2014
to provide Health Promotion, Primary Care and Community Support and Education. Serving Southwold Township, Central Elgin and St. Thomas.
FOOt CliniCS availablE at: The Sparta Community Centre January 28th, 9am - noon The Shedden Keystone Complex February 18th, 9am - 4pm Call tO MakE an appOintMEnt
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our goals too aggressive and thus too stressful. We humans are an ambitious bunch and we always strive for “more, and then some.” I get that, and I encourage goal setting to be a simple and a fun exercise with a plan that makes sense and an end date that is practical and adjustable. So maybe it is time to set your 2014 goals in more simple terms. Don’t get stressed out if it is not going the way you expected it to. Make the adjustments, and allow for life to happen because you know it will. Take baby steps, no need to leap into it. Baby steps allow you to make the adjustments, to be committed to the outcome and to see that it does not have to be complicated and stressful. Once that is in place, yes things will happen spontaneously because you are clear on your goal and thus in touch with your self. And don’t forget to celebrate once you have reached your goal. That has to be the best part of goal setting.
Rev. Jim Innes BA, MDiv. Advanced Pastoral Counselling professional, affordable, and specialized service for many issues affecting individuals, couples and families Reasonable Prices
St Thomas Ontario 519-280-7795
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s Ten things that can increase your success and happiness by Sharon Lechner
This is an encore presentation of a column by Sharon Lechner, originally published in the December 2012 edition of Elgin This Month Where did last year go? I honestly cannot believe it went so fast. Like every year, for me it had its ups and downs. The two most significant downs for me were the loss of my mother in March and the loss of an old friend in October, both very unexpected. Life is like that, isn’t it? My father had a stroke when he was relatively young. Every time he went away for the winter, after the stroke, I somehow had mentally prepared myself that it might be the last time I would see him. Ironically, he lived for many more years, outliving many of his close friends, and I had the chance to say goodbye to him when the time finally came. Not so with my mom. She called me on March 25 from Florida to congratulate me on launching my first book, and 24 hours later, I got the call that she had died. Her death was definitely harder for me to deal with. Last year was also on incredible year for me. My business did really well, and I met and got to work with absolutely wonderful people. I got to travel to new and exciting places. I am not into New Years resolutions, but I already have some major goals for the year ahead,
one of which is to delegate more. Self care is a derful night’s sleep. If you aren’t getting enough big priority for me, and working to the point of sleep, make sure you aren’t bombarding yourself exhaustion just doesn’t make sense when there are with stimulation for at least an hour before you all kinds of qualified people out there who can go to sleep. If you find yourself thinking of unpleasant things as you try to fall asleep, “change help me out. I know that some of the things I did over the the channel” and choose different thoughts. 6. Practise good time management. No matter last year contributed to my success and happiness, and I thought I would share them with you: what I have planned, I need to regularly check 1. Keep a journal. I keep a journal and regu- my daytimer. If I get cocky and don’t check it, larly use it to express gratitude for the wonderful I inevitably forget appointments which can be people in my life, and things I am grateful for, costly and embarrassing. 7. Promote other people. I make it a point to including small things. 2. Meditate. I am not trained in transcendental acknowledge anyone I have had good business meditation or any formal meditation practices, dealings with, especially on social media. 8. Take a vacation, even if it’s a staycation. I love but what I do every morning is light a candle and sit quietly imagining the emotional feelings I will to travel, but if you don’t have the time or money have upon achieving a particular goal. I actually to get away, please do something fun that doesn’t try to think of the emotions I would feel if the involve work. 9. Write down your goals and check them off goal is already completed. If your goal is financial abundance, you might think of what you will do, when you achieve them. 10. Pursue your goals. For true happiness, this once you are in a great financial place. You could imagine your bags packed and ready to go on a is the #1 strategy. As the saying goes, do what you love, and the rest will follow. trip. 3. Practise self care. I take regular breaks throughout the day especially if I have been working at the computer. I have the ability to say no. I know I can’t be everything to everyone. 4. Surround yourself with positive people. I surround myself with positive people in my personal and professional life. Working with positive people creates Hear Better 2014 Hear 2010 & SAVE SAVE Better in 2013 tremendous results. 5. Get enough rest. Special New Year Prices I may work a lot of on Hearing Aids plus nights, but I shut the * computer down long before I retire, and most Siemens, one of the world’s leading nights, I enjoy a wonmanufacturers of hearing aids has partnered with Elgin Audiology to bring you the latest innovation in hearing aid technology.
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s Skin cancer
Why a chiropractor would pay attention in with my medical doctor as I started to be more concerned. My medical doctor felt that the problem warMany of you reading this may wonder why a chiropractor is writing about skin cancer. The an- ranted a referral to a dermatologist who would swer is that I recently had a personal experience probably do a biopsy and determine if it was with skin cancer that made me realize that it is a something more serious like skin cancer. He ascondition that can go easily unnoticed and there- sured me that if it was skin cancer that it appeared as though it would be a less serious form such as fore be potentially very dangerous. About a year ago, I noticed a relatively small red basal cell carcinoma. In summary, it turned out to be a basal cell dot on my right temple almost right on the hair line. I didn’t think much of it at the time figuring carcinoma. The dermatologist referred me to it to be a small skin blemish that would disap- the regional cancer center at the London Health pear in a couple of days and for the most part for- Sciences Centre. I was given the choice of two got about it for several weeks. One day, I realized forms of treatment which included a minor surthat the same small red dot was still there. I was gical procedure or a laser type of procedure. My surprised that it had persisted, but again it really dermatologist had advised me to opt for the surdidn’t look like anything to worry about so I went gical procedure as he felt that this was the most permanent solution. I was on ignoring if for a little while extremely lucky as it turns longer. Finally, a few weeks later out. After the biopsy, the I noticed that it started to bleed area concerned actually easily after a shower from the “it is a condition that began to shrink, and by towel rubbing against it while can go easily unnoticed” the time I was to have the drying off. At that point, I desurgery, the surgeon detercided that maybe I should check mined that the lesion was too small to warrant the surgery and opted to treat it by burning it with liquid nitrogen. A follow-up visit determined that the lesion was completely gone, and I was cancer free. The reason that I am Some see endless challenges. sharing this story with We see endless opportunities. my readers is that it occurred to me that if I hadn’t taken note of Health Starts at Home. what turned out to be cancer, then it would Services offered through be very likely that many VON assist those in the others might ignore by Dr. Greg Johnston B.H.K., B.Ed., D.C.
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Dr. Greg Johnston is a Chiropractor and partner in Family Health Options Treatment & Resources Centre in St.Thomas
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what could be a potentially life threatening condition as well. As chiropractors, we do receive training in dermatology – the thinking being that we often observe large areas of skin on our patients especially their backs. I’ve mentioned previously that chiropractors are considered primary contact practitioners and like only a handful of healthcare professionals are given the right and responsibility of diagnosis. In my career, I have referred several patients to their general practitioners out of concern for what I considered to be suspicious skin lesions. In most of these cases, it has turned out that the patients did in fact have skin cancer. There are many forms of skin cancer. I was lucky in that basal cell carcinoma is perhaps the least serious form of skin cancer and grows very slowly. The problem with all forms of skin cancer is that they can go unnoticed very easily. They often appear as a simple red dot or a mole especially in the early stages and certainly don’t appear to be serious or stand out. More serious forms of skin cancer include melanomas which can be lethal in a short period of time. The point of this article is to encourage you to take note of even what appear to be minor blemishes on your skin. If they seem to persist or change in any way then be sure to consult with your family doctor. Don’t put it off or hesitate. Hesitating could literally cost you your life.
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Mom’s the sweetest word on earth Until you hear it thirty times during breakfast by Elizabeth VanHooren
I don’t answer to the call of “Mom? Where are you Mom?” in due course my sons form a search party with my husband at the lead. But more importantly, my retreat is short because etched on the doorframe of my closet is the family’s growth chart. Seeing my son’s names in increments from when they were a year old to now reminds me of how fast they are growing. And that someday their seemingly insignificant worries will be big grown up worries. So to ensure that Mom is still the first person they think
Mom. It’s the one word that every mother hopes will be her child’s first. I was no different. I repeated it over and over to my sons as babies to guarantee that their first audible sound was “Mum Ma.” Today rarely do five minutes pass in our house without someone calling for me by my maternal moniker. In fact, I counted, how many times my kids say “Mom” in one day. I lost count shortly after breakfast when I hit thirty. I didn’t give up counting so much as I lost my concentration. Because Mom is usually used in the form of a quesChiropractic & Acupuncture tion that is repeated until I break from Dr. Steven Perry B.Sc., D.C. my task of baking, laundry or reading Dr. Gregory Johnston B.H.K., B.Ed., D.C. to answer. “Mom can we watch a movie?” Dr. Jennifer Durocher B.H.K., D.C.
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...my sons form a search party with my husband at the lead... “No, not now. Maybe later,” I say. Short pause, which is followed up with “Mom can we watch a movie now?” The use of mom in a question is closely followed by the use of mom as referee and/or threat. These situations are a sure way to have the word mom used repeatedly in short succession. It starts with squabbling over a toy that is followed by one son threatening his brother, “If you don’t play nice/ share/give that back to me I’m going to go tell mom. I’m going to tell mom. I will.” Inevitably this exchange is followed by, “Mom, Mom, he is not playing nice. He’s not, Mom.” My favourite is the boomerang use of mom. This is where I, as any good mother knows how to, am multi-tasking. For instance, baking supper and helping one son with his homework when the second son appears and asks, “Mom do you know where my tractor is?” To which I reply that I don’t and perhaps he could go ask his father. Across the house I can hear him repeat the question to his father who responds, “Let’s go ask Mom. She’ll know.” I’d like to think that I’m not the only mother that has hidden in the closet to escape the constant barrage of questions, tattle tales, and requests. I don’t stay long … mostly because if January, 2014
Registered Massage Therapy Lisa Bosveld B.Sc., RMT Chris Huctwith RMT Crystal Gruendler RMT Cindy Watters Carroll RMT Reflexology Dawn Perry Reflexologist Matthew Varallo Reflexologist Naturopathy & Acupuncture Dr. Christine Slonetsky B.A., MSW., N.D.
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of in the future, I tell myself I will continue to answer every time they call for Mom. A promise that lasts at least until we reach thirty, after breakfast the next morning. Elizabeth VanHooren is General Manager of Kettle Creek Conservation Authority
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Psychologist Dr. Patricia Doris, C. Psych 519-636-6660 Dr. Clara Beissel, C. Psych 519-619-2057
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s Just me and my iPad
It’s a great travel companion, sometimes. by Duncan Watterworth
I have preached against the self-induced schizophrenia of travelers who leave half their minds and attention at home, by means of the Internet. They dilute their travel experience. And I accept I may have mentioned before: I am no techno- that loneliness is the price I pay for the intensity geek. I don’t carry a smart phone. of solo travel. But I still wanted some contact with I have watched with distain the news reports my wife, and with my daughter who was backof digital junkies lining up outpacking in Thailand and side Apple stores, craving the Laos. ...covered my newest and shiniest upgrades, For my daughter’s generasalad with dried for the shallowest reasons, while tion of backpackers, even the marketing execs danced with in the remote corners of grasshoppers... glee. the planet, a smart phone So I was a little discomfited to or other device is standard find myself at 7:30 in the mornequipment. She reports that ing outside the Apple store in WiFi is almost everywhere. Masonville Mall, near the front of a long line She did escape out of Internet range during a twoof techies, students, and people in red shoes. It day guided trek to a jungle village in Laos. It was was the first of November, the release date of the one of the highlights of her trip. new iPad Air, and three days before I was to fly to When my iPad and I arrived in Oaxaca city, Oaxaca, a state in southern Mexico. I had decided I soon realized that my expectations about the to buy an iPad for the trip, and then found out place were obsolete by at least a generation. I saw about the new release. groups of young people staring at their phones instead of each other, just like at home. My small hotels in the city and on the Pacific coast both had WiFi. 4 week There’s no denying the bootcamp Internet is great for research on the go. The • Pilates traditional backpacker • Yoga grapevine is now supplemented by websites and re mo for now l Cal blogs. After reading on information my iPad about the Oaxacan taste for chapulines, I knew why a restaurant covered my salad with dried grasshoppers. And I was able to research the Arbol del Tule before fttm@amtelecom.net These are the days of miracle and wonder. These are the days of lasers in the jungle. Paul Simon lyric.
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paying my respects. Who could have guessed that the “stoutest” tree in the world, a Montezuma cypress with a diameter of nine metres, has graced a nearby village for 1,500 years? When I heard my daughter had stayed in the dinky little paradise of Railay Beach, I was able to read about it on Wikipedia, and even view on YouTube a posting by someone who had wandered around the place with a video camera. The closest I came to adventure was spending three days hiking between Zapotec villages in the mountains and cloud forest three kilometres above sea level. On my iPad, I had researched the ecotourism project that the villages had organized to provide cabins and guides. Then I left my iPad in the valley, caught a bus into the mountains, and walked the last four kilometres to one of the villages. An iPad can enrich or diminish your travel experience. It’s up to you. But for the more profound experiences, I’d look off-grid.
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Duncan Watterworth is a retired lawyer whose mind tends to wander.
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Railway City Tourism opens in downtown St. Thomas Corridor includes new biking and walking trails
you’ll notice the L&PS Corridor set up around the Station. In the corridor you will find new biking and walking trails that extend south along the If you’ve been in downtown St. Thomas in the tracks and east to the Canada Southern Railway past few months, you may have noticed a new ad- Station. dition to the streetscape. Railway City Tourism The grand opening of the L&PS Station kicked has opened its doors in the new London & Port off in September with a gala event organized by Stanley (L&PS) Station. The L&PS Railway line the Homebuilders Association. The opening saw itself is an historic Canadian railway that trans- the train, operated by the Port Stanley Terminal ported people from London to St. Thomas to Port Rail, return to downtown St. Thomas for the Stanley before shutting down in 1957. In modern first time in ages for the kick-off Friday times, the link has been rebuilt from St. Thomas night event. The following Saturday and to Port Stanley. Sunday the train continued The new L&PS station to run between the L&PS was originally built for Station and Parkside, with the 2010 International “coming up is the thousands of people taking Plowing Match by the Railway City Arts Crawl” a ride on the train, some for St. Thomas-Elgin Hometheir first train ride ever! builders Association. It was Since the grand opening dismantled after the event and stored before being weekend, Railway City Tourism has been rebuilt in 2013. The station re-opened September busy building a new website – railwayci20, 2013 as home to Railway City Tourism and tytourism.com. The website is your portal is a place people can visit year round for the lat- to explore our unique railway heritage, est information on unique sites and happenings find out about current events, and explore in St. Thomas. the local food and arts culture. Find us Once the snow melts and the weather clears, also on your favourite social media netby Megan Pickersgill Tourism Coordinator, St. Thomas EDC
works, such as Facebook and Twitter, for info on what’s happening now in St. Thomas. Looking ahead into the New Year, St. Thomas will have a lot of exciting things going on. Coming up is the Railway City Arts Crawl, an event that will see many local artists and musicians producing and performing in local venues and will take place the weekend of February 28 and March 1. Stay tuned for more details in 2014 and keep an eye on the website for all the latest info.
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