March 2012 Issue

Volume 2, No. 7 March 2012 FREE

Your business:

Who controls the Internet?

Your home:

What’s for dinner?

Your health:

Don’t let the bed bugs bite Special feature:

• Income Tax Season Traci Kennedy Railway City Diva Cover story: page 3

Incorporating St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce

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March, 2012

PUBLISHER’S LETTER The business side of traditional book publishing

by Terry Carroll ..............................page 4

Cover Story

INCOME TAX SEASON Estate Planning Prepare your will with taxes in mind ......................................................page 19

BUSINESS/COMMUNITY Economics

Tax Preparation

Gearing up for the future

by Serge Lavoie ..............................page 5

Financial Management

Need an expert on your side? ........page 20

Technology

Why your debt should retire before you do

by Ellen Luft ................................page 21

Who controls the Internet?

by Peter Atkinson ..........................page 6

HOMESTYLE Decorating

Your Business Paradigm Shift, Part 1

by John Regan ................................page 7

Agriculture Eternally optimistic

by Janine Lunn ..............................page 8

BUSINESS BEAT Front Page Outlook 2012 ................................page 9

Legal Business Exhausting the people’s court

by Monty Fordham ......................page 10

Chamber News White named 2012 Chamber Chair ......................................................page 11

Pro Text Is an IPP right for you?

by Darren Reith ............................page 12

Member News

The language of columns

by Renée Carpenter ......................page 22

At Home in Elgin Help wanted

by Brian Lippold ..........................page 23

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT Wine & Food What’s for dinner?

by Jamie Quai ..............................page 24

Savour Elgin The Windjammer Inn

by Kate Burns ..............................page 25

HEALTHY LIVING Everyday Health How to deal with back pain

by Dr. Greg Johnston ....................page 26

Personal Health

Don’t let the bed bugs bite

by Catherine Preete ......................page 27

Positive Exposure

LIFESTYLES That’s Life

Feeling good together

by Allan Weatherall ......................page 14

Of cats and kids and conservation

by Elizabeth VanHooren ..............page 28

Now see this! ................................page 13

Viewpoint

Self Development

A Canadian first ............................page 15

Are you happy in your work? Part 2

by Sharon Lechner ........................page 29

New Members Welcome New Members ..............page 16

MARCH BREAK IDEAS Travel

Time On My Hands

Railway City Diva

Country singer Traci Kennedy gives back

by Dorothy Gebert

Not many people have the opportunity to pursue a dream and get as far as Traci Kennedy has. The Aylmer native grew up listening to country music and thought of herself as a closet singer. But it wasn’t until she took a trip to Nashville with her family when she was 18 and made a demo tape in a tourist recording booth, that she discovered she could sing – and sing well.

“When I played the tape for my parents, they didn’t believe it was me,” Traci remembers. That was when the singing bug hit her and she began entering competitions to get exposure.

In 1999, she won the Canadian Open Country Singing Contest in the female category. The award gave her the opportunity to go to Nashville and record a single in a professional studio. “And it put me in the hands of people who knew people,” Traci says, which in the following years opened the doors to 10 more singles and her first album called ‘How Many Hearts’ in 2006. She also opened concerts for country music stars, such as Sawyer Brown, Charlie Major and Lone Star.

Traci now calls St. Thomas home and continues to perform and record. Her latest project is to develop another album, but this time made up entirely of songs she has written herself.

And because she feels so many people helped her when she was starting out, “I’m always looking at up and coming talent,” she says, “and showcasing a new artist in each of my concerts.” And she is planning a new project this fall called ‘Railway City Divas,’ giving local singers the benefit of her experience.

But Traci’s ultimate dream? “I have shared the stage with many people whom I’ve admired,” she says, “but I would love to do a duet with Vince Gill.”

Maintaining a fantasy

by Duncan Watterworth ..............page 30

Travel tips for a smooth March Break ......................................................page 18

Cover photo by Philip Bell, Shutter Studios

Carroll Publishing President Terry Carroll Secretary-Treasurer Nancy Kelly Carroll

Elgin This Month Publisher Terry Carroll Editor Dorothy Gebert Section Editor Business Beat – Bob Hammersley

Graphic Design / Production Jim McHarg Sales Representative Greg Minnema Office Manager Laura Bart

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 Carroll Publishing, 15 St. Catharine Street, St. Thomas, ON N5P 2V7 519-633-1640 www.theweeklynews.ca/etm March, 2012

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PUBLISHER’S LETTER

The business side of traditional book publishing

by Terry Carroll

It was a high point of my life when Beverley Daurio from The Mercury Press let me know that she was very interested in publishing my first novel. After nine years of writing, rewriting, sending out the manuscript, getting it back, rewriting, sending it out – you get the pattern – the book had finally found a home.

As with most beginning writers, and I was not a kid when this happened, I was under the impression that the novel would be reviewed in The Globe & Mail and that I would immediately be interviewed by Peter Gzowski (then the most influential broadcaster on CBC Radio). The book would become a bestseller in Canada and would go on to sell very well in the U.S. and England before being translated into, I don’t know, Japanese.

Things worked out a little differently, but along the way, I learned a couple of things about the book business, or what, in the world of ebooks, we might now call the business of publishing traditional books.

The first is that small publishers like The Mercury Press stay alive in two ways (or they used to, in the heydays of traditional publishing). They earn 50 percent of the cover price of books that sell. And the first printing (typically about 1,000 copies) is subsidized by the Canadian and Ontario taxpayers under our cultural granting system. Second printings are risky – no subsidies. So it’s not an easy thing for a small publisher to become a bigger publisher (although Jack David of ECW Press who summers in Elgin County appears to have

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Most writers are not in it for the money

Second printings are risky

done a good job of it).

Writers don’t gross a lot from each book sold. The publisher makes 50 percent (see above), the bookstore 40 percent, and the writer 10 percent.

So if a traditional trade paperback sells for $17.95, the writer gets $1.80.

A challenge for all book publishers, but small publishers in particular, is that traditional books shipped to

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bookstores may be returned at any time. So a small publisher may have hundreds of books on shelves across the country, but those books could be returned by bookstores at any time, with no revenue. Talk about cash flow that is difficult to predict!

Back to writers. By the time my second and third crime novels were published by The Mercury Press, I cottoned onto a couple of other rev-

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enue sources.

One is this. With The Mercury Press, when a writer sells a book directly to a member of the public, the writer gets the bookstore’s usual 40 percent plus the writer’s 10 percent royalty for each book sold. So with our $17.95 example, the writer’s share goes up to $8.98 per book.

This is somewhat lucrative when a book is first launched, and the writer has the best chance of selling several books locally.

Also, the Public Lending Right Commission distributes annual payments to Canadian authors who have books in libraries and who register with the Commission. With three books in the library system, I usually receive a cheque for a few hundred dollars a year. (I’ll wager that most Canadian taxpayers aren’t aware they’re helping me out.)

I write this with the full knowledge that e-books are changing everything. Beverley Daurio is winding down The Mercury Press and has linked up with another individual to form a company focused on literary works in e-book and print-ondemand formats.

C’est la vie, as our French Canadian friends say.

Terry Carroll is the publisher of the St. Thomas /Elgin Weekly News and Elgin This Month.

March, 2012

BUSINESS / COMMUNITY ECONOMICS

by Serge Lavoie

Increasingly, economic development is caught in a debate about the future of our regional economy. It’s becoming divisive and the livelihoods of thousands of displaced workers and their families hang in the balance.

The argument goes something like this: manufacturing in our region, indeed in Canada and the USA, is on the decline due to emerging jurisdictions that can do it better and cheaper. As a result, we need to transform our economy to something based on knowledge and creativity.

Our economic development investments should focus on research, innovation and high value-added production in all sectors from agriculture to clean technology.

During this transformation, we should retrain our displaced manufacturing workers to enable them to adapt to the new realities. Organizations such as the one I work for, the Southwest Economic Alliance, exist to promote that view.

The other side of the argument rightly points out that the pace of manufacturing loss in our region is far exceeding our ability to manage a smooth transition. This is leading to massive disruption of families and the communities they live in. Recently released census figures bear that out; people are leaving the region and following the jobs that fit their skills, largely out west. As our population levels off, our ability to fund communities and programs is challenged.

There is a third, perhaps more disturbing thread to this argument. It states that manufacturing may not be leaving North America after all and, in fact, what we lost may come back to some extent. There is even a name for that phenomenon: in-sourcing.

As the price of energy climbs, as transportation costs climb, as wage

Gearing up for the future Do we stay with manufacturing or focus on knowledge-based work?

rates in developing markets increase and as global instability progresses, companies find it more attractive to bring manufacturing jobs back home, essentially in-sourcing rather than out-sourcing.

The catch to this development, however, may be that those jobs will exist at much lower rates of pay than we are accustomed to. That was demonstrated clearly during the Electro-Motive/Caterpillar shutdown in London. Whatever your views on how the union or company behaved in that situation, the reality is that most of those jobs didn’t leave North America. They were re-created

in a nearby jurisdiction where the rules of the game were different and where workers were ready and willing to take the jobs for less compensation (however reluctantly).

Depending on your position, this may or may not be fair, but it is the reality. That reality won’t change any time soon. Our neighbour to the south is actively pursuing a ‘Made In America’ policy designed to bring back jobs and re-engage workers displaced after years of a manufacturing exodus. Clearly, their gain will increasingly be our region’s loss unless the competitive environment equalizes between our two countries.

750 Talbot St., (CASO Station Suite 201) St. Thomas, ON N5P 1E2 519-631-0666 email: jeff.yurekco@pc.ola.org March, 2012

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Serge Lavoie is president of the Southwest Economic Alliance.

The views expressed are his own.

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In Canada, our national policy doesn’t mirror that approach and likely won’t for some time, if ever. Increasingly, resource extraction and export is the Canadian focus. This approach has clearly created jobs and wealthy economies in our western provinces.

That leaves Ontario, and Southwestern Ontario by extension, to rethink its own position and strategy.

Does it set a policy to get back into the manufacturing game, recognizing that the rules have changed to demand much lower production costs across the board? Does it decide to keep only the higher value manufacturing sectors, with higher knowledge content, higher production costs and perhaps lower employment content?

Perhaps it should continue forward on the path to a knowledge-based, creative economy that will address the future prosperity of our kids and grandkids. Or maybe it should take the lead from the western provinces and focus more on resource development, in our case forestry and mining.

As always, this column has set out some points without advocating one over another. There’s no shortage of strong opinions in this debate. Any of these options create winners and losers in the short term, a tough political choice for sure.

Lack of a clear and consistent plan isn’t an option. As time progresses, we have less population, less money and fewer tools to work with.

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BUSINESS / COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY

Who controls the Internet?

Some thoughts on a disturbing trend to limit our online access

by Peter Atkinson

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I’m not making this up

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However you feel about politics, whether it’s Rick Mercer getting students to vote or people promoting their agenda at Occupy protests, it’s clear that the Internet is a powerful tool. As a result, governments in many countries, including our own, are taking some disturbing steps to control how the Internet can be used.

Take just two examples of well-intended legislation (SOPA in the U.S. and Bill C-52 in Canada), which are ostensibly aimed at stopping Internet piracy but would also have broader negative consequences. As one Occupy protester’s sign read, “It’s no longer okay for politicians not to understand how the Internet works.”

These bills also include a provision to bypass ‘innocent until proven guilty,’ one of the foundations of our legal system. Internet access is fast becoming as essential as electricity and running water. Imagine if a neighbour could get those utilities switched off simply by filing a complaint against you.

If you think this sounds ridiculous, the U.S. recently passed the ominously-named National Defence Authorization Act, which includes provisions to detain people accused (not charged, just accused) of terrorism indefinitely and without trial. In Canada, we have an omnibus crime bill that even conservative Texas lawmakers say won’t work. (I would say when the Texans and the statistics are against a crime bill, one might reconsider.) But the Minister in charge, Vic Toews, has asked the Senate not to be swayed by facts. (You can read this online. I’m not making it up.)

The Big Three (Bell, Rogers and Shaw Cable) are constantly working to tighten their control over our Internet access. Rogers has recently promised to stop ‘throttling’ or assigning different download speeds to dif-

ferent types of traffic – which means they’re monitoring the traffic. And not to pick on Rogers, but they’ve also filed a claim that being forced to use accurate data in their advertising infringes on their free speech (again, I’m not making this up). The CRTC hearings don’t get a lot of press, but they will shape our future.

In short, a lot of very powerful interests are trying to gain as much control as they can over your Internet access and, as my father used to say, “They’re on their side.”

One citizens group, OpenMedia.ca, has already been successful, using online petitions to present the view of average Canadians to the CRTC. You can visit their website for more information and to make your voice heard.

Michael Geist’s blog is another great resource.

You might not be interested in these issues. You might believe the saying, “If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.” But the opposite is true as well, so you’ve got to wonder why a bill would skip due process and why these efforts aren’t getting more attention.

The larger risk goes beyond the Internet. These initiatives set very dangerous precedents that can be applied to the offline world as well. Politicians and police are human and subject to the same temptations as the rest of us; anytime we remove oversight, we increase the risk of misuse.

Let’s not leave this too late.

Peter Atkinson is E-Services Consultant at the St. Thomas Public Library.

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March, 2012

BUSINESS / COMMUNITY YOUR BUSINESS

Paradigm shift How technology trends can help small business

by John Regan

It is a fact of life – computers and information technology have become an important aspect of our lives.

They are not only changing our language and how we communicate, they are changing how we work and how we do business. A paradigm shift is happening. A paradigm shift is a change from one way of thinking to another; a transformation driven by agents of change.

The signs are all around us. Business technology and technology tools are advancing rapidly and have transformed the business world and its culture. Technology in business is an integral factor in the success of forward-thinking businesses competing in our multi-faceted economy.

So why does technology matter to a small business?

1. It is a competitive market. Small business owners must find ways of keeping existing clients while reaching out to new ones. Are you using social networks? Your clients and prospects are. You need to be where they are. Today, it is all about connecting and engaging clients to follow you.

2. It is a recession. When business is slow, you need to ensure that the tools you need to do your business are cost-effective and time-efficient.

It is not all about doing more with less; it is about doing things smart and fast. Take advantage of the many free web tools, which provide a professional standard that in the past only large businesses could afford.

3. It is a global marketplace. Your clients and prospective clients can be anywhere and you need to have a presence everywhere as well. Technology enables companies of all sizes to do business all over the world.

4. It is a time of change. Don Tapscott, a Canadian business executive specializing in business strategy, innovation, and the role of technology in business and society, published "Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World.” It is something that cannot be ignored if you want your business to survive. As marketing undergoes a revolution, even the 4 Ps of the marketing mix (Product, Place, Price and Promotion) are being remodelled to fit the changes brought about by technology and social media.

So how can a small business be

Part 1

more competitive in a recession, take advantage of the current technology and technology tools, and keep pace with the changes in the marketplace and marketing strategies? Read Part 2 of this article in next month’s issue, where we will discuss the technology trends that will give you a start in your technology planning. What we know is that change is here and more change is coming. Small businesses must be ready and prepared to compete.

John Regan Ec.D. (F) is the general manager of the Elgin Business Resource Centre.

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March, 2012

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BUSINESS / COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE

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Eternally optimistic

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There’s always next year.

Despite the challenges of the weather and the economy, farmers see the positive side

by Janine Lunn

One would think that the odds of outdoor skating during a Canadian winter would be fairly good. So with this optimistic outlook, my husband gathered supplies and set aside time to build a small outdoor rink for our family. The time, the place and the little skaters – all the ingredients were there – but the weather did not cooperate. If I know my resident farmer at all, I’m willing to bet he’ll say, “Well, at least we have the equipment ready for next year,” even if all that effort only results in a few hours of skating. It seems to be this way with so many projects in farming – so much thought and planning, but all it takes is one element out of our control and we’re out of luck until next season.

Although I haven’t done an official opinion poll on this topic, it seems that farmers are secretly optimistic.

Although you wouldn’t know it from the way they sometimes talk – doom and gloom in the markets, equipment breakdowns and the right weather at the wrong time usually top the charts of farming woes. And yet, despite the struggles, they continue on. It seems counter-intuitive, doesn’t it? But if you look a little closer, or ask the right questions, you’ll find that farmers are very positive people. What else could they be but optimists, to tolerate the risk of uncertain prices, unreliable weather and thankless hours of labour?

I think it takes an optimist to run

any type of business. A leap of faith is involved, even if it is an established family business, to make the decision to take the bull by the horns and plan for the future. What else but optimism could fuel the planning involved in selecting the ideal time and place and seed for planting, only to be at the mercy of the next rainfall?

And certainly walking through the doors of the bank to apply for a loan for that new tractor or barn renovation requires confidence in a positive future for the business.

In any given operation there are bound to be times of frustration and failure that leave us struggling to find the silver lining. Farmers often recall years of drought, crippling interest rates or barn fires with a mixture of pain and pride, as if these events in one way or another served to make them stronger. Sometimes the hard

years can bring families together as they focus on the simple things that matter, finding creative ways to live and do business while hoping for better years ahead. And those who have lived through a barn fire always marvel at the instant support they receive as the community rallies to shelter surviving animals and feed the clean up crew.

I wonder if farmers sometimes show their pessimistic side, while keeping their inner optimist secret, as a layer of protection against the periodic failures they meet along the way. They have plenty of opportunities to see everyday miracles, even if they do tend to blend into the routine after a while. It must be those times that go perfectly according to plan – the birth of a healthy animal or hay finished just before the storm

– that fuel their optimism to take on another day.

And so if I had to guess the odds for next year, I’d say there will still be challenges in amongst the successes, but the rink will be resurrected, and this time there will be ice.

Because as any true farmer will say upon reflection, “There’s always next year.”

Janine Lunn hosts the Belmont Corn Maze, and lives on a sheep farm with her family.

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March, 2012

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Business Beat Table of Contents Exhausting the people’s court ............page 10 White named 2012 Chamber Chair ..........page 11 Is an IPP right for you? ..................................page 12 Now see this! ............page 13 Feeling good together page 14 A Canadian first ........page 15 New members ............page 16

Business After 5 Wednesday March 14, 2012 St. Anne’s Centre 20 Morrison Drive St. Thomas Sponsored by Elgin Business Resource Centre Doors open at 5pm.

Sponsor remarks and prize draws start at 6:15pm. Free admission for anyone from a business organization that is a Member of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce.

Outlook 2012 – Tuesday March 27 The Chamber will host our annual Outlook economic forecast luncheon on Tuesday, March 27. This year, we’re pleased to welcome back BMO Financial Group’s Managing Director and Deputy Chief Economist, Douglas (Doug) Porter. Our event is made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship by BMO Nesbitt Burns – The Berry Smyrnios Group, and BMO Bank of Montreal.

Doug Porter has analyzed and written about trends in the Canadian and global economies and financial markets for over 25 years.

He helps formulate BMO Financial Group’s macroeconomic, interest rate and currency projections. He is co-author of BMO Capital Markets’ weekly Focus publication and contributes to the department’s various publications. Doug gives numerous economic presentations to institutional clients and private investors and is no stranger to the London / St. Thomas region, having been raised in London and graduated from UWO. In addition, he is a regular commentator on economic and financial trends to the media and has made numerous presentations to Chamber audiences

across Canada. He is particularly known for bringing to light what Statistics Canada said was its most serious error on record (on the Consumer Price Index),

and for highlighting the large price gaps on many consumer goods between Canada and the United States.

Before joining BMO

Capital Markets, Doug held positions of economist and country risk analyst with other financial institutions in Canada and also worked in the research department of the Bank of Canada.

Doug earned a Masters degree in Economics from the University of Western Ontario in 1984 and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He has been on the Board of Directors of the Toronto Association of Business Economists since 1996 and has been a member of the C.D. Howe’s Monetary Policy Council since 2008.

Outlook 2012 11:30am – 1:30pm Tuesday, March 27, 2012 St. Anne’s Centre, St. Thomas $25 per person, advance sales only (reserved seating with single orders of 4 seats or more) Sponsored by: BMO Nesbitt Burns & BMO Bank of Montreal

Douglas (Doug) Porter, BMO Financial Group’s Managing Director and Deputy Chief Economist will speak at Outlook 2012.

Spring is coming!

Let us help your Business Blossom!

To take advantage of excellent advertising opportunities give me a call at 519-633-1640 (ext. 22) Greg Minnema, Advertising Sales

or email me at gregthismonth@theweeklynews.ca April Edition Advertising Deadline is March 12th

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March, 2012

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BUSINESS BEAT

LEGAL BUSINESS Legal News and Issues for Business

Exhausting the people’s court In Ontario, the Court system is divided into courts of civil and courts of criminal jurisdiction. These courts are further vertically divided into higher and lower courts of jurisdiction. In criminal matters, accused persons are tried in either Ontario Superior Court of Justice or the lower Ontario Court of Justice. Generally, the seriousness of the charge, combined with the relative complexity of the evidence and legal issues, determines the choice of court.

In civil matters, up until a few years ago, what is now the Superior Court of Justice was the forum in which any civil claims of any magnitude were adjudicated. Originally called the Small Debts Court, the Small Claims Court handled money claims, usually arising out of some form of commercial transaction, and, after several increases in monetary jurisdiction over the years, was restricted to claims of $10,000 or less.

That changed in January of 2010, when, as a result of a report prepared

by Mr. Justice Osborne, the limit was

raised to $25,000.

Compared to the costs of bringing a proceeding in the Superior Court of Justice, the cost of suing in the Small Claims Court is far less. Moreover, it has generally been assumed that the process is less formal and far

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by Monty Fordham

It was rare to see senior lawyers pleading cases in the people’s court

less technical than in the higher court. As a result, paralegals, law students and even individuals on their own behalf were the majority of participants in Small Claims Court actions. It was actually rare to see senior lawyers pleading cases in the

“people’s court” as it had come to be known. Further, claims which could take years to resolve in the Superior Court could be finished in months.

Now, as we all know, lawyers are a very popular group in society, and we like to see them involved wherever possible in every aspect of our lives.

They just weren’t needed in the Small Claims Court. That seems to have changed with the increase in monetary jurisdiction. Apparently now it is not uncommon to see not only junior lawyers, but also very senior counsel from large firms in attendance in the Small Claims Court.

The reasons for this seem to be twofold.

Obviously, as the amount of the claim increases, the stakes become higher. It becomes more reasonable to hire litigation specialists to increase your chances of success. However, in addition, as a by-product of the increased monetary jurisdiction, the claims being brought before the court are increasingly more complex.

As one might imagine, the legal issues involved in collecting a civil debt are in no way similar to those relating to personal injury or libel. In the case of a simple debt the questions are: does he owe the money? If so, does he owe all or part of the money?

In more complex legal claims, issues of burden of proof, standard of

Published by Carroll Publishing Inc. and delivered to businesses in St. Thomas and Elgin County For complete information on the St.Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce, reach us at: 115-300 South Edgeware Rd., St. Thomas, Ontario N5P 4L1 Telephone: 519-631-1981 Fax: 519-631-0466 E-Mail: mail@stthomaschamber.on.ca Website: www.stthomaschamber.on.ca President & CEO

Bob Hammersley

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Mike Vecchio Susan Munday Wes Bailey

care, fair comment and many others arise. The layperson is simply not trained to navigate through these concepts. Many lawyers are not either. And to further confound the process, judges in the Small Claims Court are often not actually judges in the conventional sense. The Superior Court appoints what are called deputy judges who are, for the most part, practicing lawyers, although some may be retired judges or lawyers. Will the deputy judge hearing your complex libel suit be grounded in the applicable law, or will he or she be practicing in a completely different field?

Finally, as more and more lawyers show up in the people’s court (as likeable as they may be), the whole process begins to bog down. The result is delay in the court process for everyone, even the guy who is simply suing his brother for the money he lent him. Perhaps one solution would be to divide the Small Claims Court not just on the basis of the amount of the claim, but also on the complexity of the claim. This would allow the simple collections to proceed with dispatch, while allowing proper focus on more convoluted cases.

The end goal would be to speed up the process and avoid unnecessary delays. For we all know what justice delayed becomes.

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 Law Office, 4 Elgin Street, St. Thomas. Telephone 519-633-4000, FAX 519-633-1371 or e-mail: montyfordham@4elgin.ca

2012 Board of Directors Chair: Jason White Past Chair: Linda Sawyer Treasurer: Mark Lassam, CA

Steelway Building Systems BMO Bank of Montreal Kee, Perry & Lassam Chartered Accountants Director: Beth Burns K & K Locksmiths Director: Renee Carpenter Jennings Furniture Director: Pete Charlton Charlton’s Quality Meats Director: Monty Fordham Monty Fordham Law Office Director: Jeff Kohler Presstran Industries Director: Debra Mountenay Workforce Planning & Development Board Director: John Regan Elgin Business Resource Centre Director: Darren Reith Reith and Associates Insurance & Financial Director: Paul Smith P.J. Smith and Associates Director: Allan Weatherall St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Foundation Director: Laura Woermke St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre

March, 2012

BUSINESS BEAT

CHAMBER NEWS Events and News of Interest to our Members

White named 2012 Chamber Chair Steelway Building Systems Co-President Jason White has been elected Chair of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce 2012 Board of Directors.

Jason has served on the Chamber’s Executive Council for three years, most recently as first ViceChair, and will work as the Chamber’s senior volunteer for the balance of this year.

A firm believer in free and fair enterprise, he has worked at Steelway since he was 14 years old. Steelway was founded in 1976 by his father, the late Glen White. Glen also had a lengthy history of service and volunteer support to the St. Thomas & District Chamber.

We find it interesting to note a unique first for the White family in the provincial and national Chamber network as Jason’s brother and the other Steelway Co-President, Bryan White, is simultaneously serving as the volunteer head of the Aylmer & District Chamber. We know of no other time in history of the Ontario or national Chamber network that two brothers have shared equal leadership duties in adjacent Chambers.

Jason’s role at Steelway focuses on external relations. His day-to-day duties concentrate on direct links with customers and suppliers and all related purchasing, marketing and sales activity for the company. He has previously been directly involved with IT, purchasing and facility management activ-

ities and has been part of the management team for seven years. Steelway operates from two locations: the original site on Springwater Road and their newest facility on Progress Drive in Aylmer. The firm employs over 200 people and is an internationally-known designer and manufacturer of steel frame buildings such as arenas, aircraft hangars and commercial/industrial structures.

Jason has a strong belief that community service and participation are high-value elements. In addition to work with the Chamber, Jason served as CoMayor of the 2010 International Plowing Match site and is now chairing the Legacy Committee that disburses earnings from the huge event. He has been involved with Junior Achievement and has recently assisted the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Foundation.

Speaking on his goals with the Chamber for 2012 he observes that the start of his term coincides with the Chamber launching a new Strategic Planning process that will focus on Chamber volunteers, staff, programs and products and how each is aligned with the needs and expectations of the Members we serve. Jason says, “It is an exciting year for the Board as the new Strategic Plan will provide us direction and ideas that we can implement to further meet the needs of our membership.”

Accessibility and customer care With new laws that took effect January 1, all Ontario businesses have to ensure new standards are met to service customers and potential customers with disabilities.

1.85 million Ontarians have disabilities and, across Canada, the spending power of people with disabilities is more than $25 billion per year.

As an employer, manager or business owner, are you aware of what your business needs to do to comply with Ontario’s Customer Service Standard?

Join us for an Accessibility Work-

shop on Tuesday April 3.

Our event includes a full buffet breakfast and tickets (by advance sale only) are just $20 per person plus tax.

Our event takes place at The Wayside Dining Lounge in Talbotville and will feature a presentation by Louie DiPalma, leader of the Ontario Chamber’s Accessibility Works initiative.

To register, call the Chamber office at 519-631-1981 or email us at: events@stthomaschamber.on.ca For more information, see this website: AccessibilityWorks.ca

It’s not what you earn...

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Kee, Perry & Lassam offers a full range of public accounting services. Our chartered accountants and staff have the experience, training and skills to deal with your business needs.

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Spend the Winter with us. Metcalfe Gardens offers short term winter stays.

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Accounting Auditing Business Plans Tax Services

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At Kee, Perry & Lassam we ensure our clients recieve the service and expertise they need to succeed.

Please make a call to our office your first step on the road to success.

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BUSINESS BEAT

PRO TEXT Business Management News & Issues

Is an IPP right for you?

by Darren Reith

Are you over 40 and earning a sixfigure income? Why not consider looking beyond a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to build your nest egg? For the right person, Individual Pension Plans (IPPs) can generate significant tax advantages beyond those provided by an RRSP. Additionally, an IPP can also pro-

duce higher pension benefits.

An IPP is a defined benefit pension plan – if you are a business owner or senior executive, an IPP offers both maximum tax relief and a maximum retirement pension. The result? You won’t have to rely solely on your RRSP’s performance to provide a long and happy retirement. That’s

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because IPPs also offer guaranteed lifetime income. Any surplus in the plan belongs to you. This is an advantage IPPs have over other pension plans where any surplus stays in the fund and is used by the company to pay for benefits for other members of the plan.

Do you qualify for an IPP? “If you are in your 50s, running your own incorporated business and earning a six-figure income,” says Louise Guthrie, Assistant Vice-President, Manulife Investments Tax and Regulatory Services, “you’re in a financial position to seek a more aggressive tax deferral arrangement than exists with your RRSP. If you run the business with your spouse, you could be ideal candidates for a two-person IPP.” To qualify for an IPP, you must: • Have employment income reported on a T4 • Be an employee of an incorporated company; and • Be age 40 or older and earn an income of at least $75,000 from the company sponsoring the IPP. What are the advantages of an IPP? • Employees over the age of 50 enjoy an annual maximum contribution that is at least $6,000 higher than the maximum contribution for an RRSP. • Pension benefits are protected from creditor under pension legislation, unlike most RRSPs. • Guaranteed lifetime income – the IPP offers a predictable retirement income. An actuary determines the current annual funding requirements of the future retirement income.

• As you age, contributions to the plan increase. The amount depends on your salary, age and years of service with the company. If past service is being provided and you have contributed to an RRSP after 1990, you must transfer your RRSP funds to the IPP. • The company then pays the balance of the cost to provide for past

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service from 1991.

• IPP contributions and expenses are fully tax-deductible to the business. If you borrow money or amortize the past service cost, you can deduct interest charges.

Are there disadvantages to IPPs? While an ideal savings vehicles for many, IPPs are not for everyone. It’s important to remember IPPs are defined benefit pension plans and not RRSPs with higher limits. At retirement, or if you leave the company, or decide to wind up the plan – any surplus that is not required to pay for the promised benefits is paid to you in a lump sum and is fully taxable.

You must also pay for actuarial and administrative services as well as provincial filing fees that don’t apply to an RRSP. Most actuarial firms will change the same to administer an IPP as any other type of defined benefit plan. In addition to the actuarial and administration fees, other fees could include annual provincial filing fees and trustee fees, where applicable.

Your advisor will guide you to an actuarial firm that best reflects your needs.

“Before making any decisions, speak with your financial advisor and be sure you understand all the benefits and drawbacks to IPPs,” says Louise Guthrie. “To make the most of your IPP, you’ve also got to have a long-term financial plan in place as well as a firm handle on your income flow.”

The information contained in this article was provided by Manulife Investments for information purposes only. It is not intended to provide specific legal, accounting or tax advice and should not be construed as such.

Individuals should consult with their professional advisors to ensure that any information provided is applicable and appropriate to their specific situation.

This column appears regularly in Business Beat and has been submitted

by Darren Reith, a principal of Reith & Associates Insurance and Financial Services Limited, 462 Talbot Street, St. Thomas. Darren is also a volunteer serving on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Questions and comments on this column are welcomed by the writer and 519-631-3862 or via email: info@reithandassociates.com

March, 2012

BUSINESS BEAT

MEMBER NEWS Events and News of Interest to our Members

If you’re looking to brighten up your golf wardrobe, or you have ever wondered where PGA Tour Pro John Daly finds such colourful attire, a little Loudmouth Golf clothing could be just your thing. The Loudmouth line, as seen worn by PGA Tour Pro John Daly, has arrived in St. Thomas at Ggolfs.

Ggolfs is one of St. Thomas newest businesses, launched last year by Grant Gulych. Grant is a master golf teaching pro based in St. Thomas. His investment locally started last spring offering golf lessons at Major Park Drive. Even before the first lesson was given, a second location was firmed at The Bluffs Golf Club in Port Stanley. One month later, a third location opened in Port Dover at Lynn Meadows Golf & Country Club.

Grant told the Chamber, “The 2011 season was great with over 800 lessons given between the three locations!” Over the winter he has opened an online pro shop (www.ggolfs.com) with offerings that include over 60 different grips by Lamkin, Winn and the largest grip manufacturer, Golf Pride. Canterbury belts are also available for both men and women online in numerous colours and styles to complement any golf attire.

To start the 2012 season, the highly visible Loudmouth Golf clothing line will be an exclusive feature with Ggolfs as the only authorized retailer of the products in and around St. Thomas.

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Use the VIP code today Employment Services Elgin 400 Talbot St., St. Thomas P: 519.631.5470 Mon-Thurs 8:30am-6pm • Fri 8:30am-4pm

Aylmer Community Services West Elgin Support Services 25 Centre Street, Aylmer P: 519.765.2082 Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm Tues 9am-6pm

160 Main Street West Lorne P: 519.768.0020 Mon-Fri 9am-5 pm

www.jobselgin.ca

This Employment Ontario program is funded by the Ontario Government

March, 2012

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BUSINESS BEAT

POSITIVE EXPOSURE Doing Public Relations Right

Feeling good together

by Allan Weatherall

“A life lived for others is the only life worth living.” - Albert Einstein As I look back over the initial weeks of 2012, a time of year many might view as quiet, I see anything but a quiet time. In the Chamber’s schedule, we have had two of the monthly Business After Five events that I always try to attend. We also had something new with St. Thomas’ first Random Acts of Kindness Day. Personally, I took on new duties as Chair of one of the Chamber’s Standing Committees - the Public Sector Liaison (PSL) committee.

They are all, in their own way, public relations and communications in action.

It always amazes me what value it is to attend the Business After Five, sponsored and hosted by a wide variety of Members of the Chamber of Commerce each month and held in various locations in and around St.

Thomas. The number of contacts I’ve made at these events is remarkable and the value of the ‘mini-meetings’ that can occur is quite something too. If your business or organization is a Chamber Member and you are not a regular attendee, maybe you should start coming! It is the best form of communications – face-toface.

February 1 was Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Day, an idea generated by Carrie Houston and picked up by Allan Hughson of Williams Funeral Home, who co-Chaired the day with myFM Radio’s general manager, Rob Mise. The pair secured sponsors, including other Chamber Members such as the St. Thomas Elgin Weekly News and Tim Hortons, who collectively formed a unique pool of community resources. Among their accomplishments, distribution of an amazing 20,000 RAK Day promotion cards.

Subsequently, about ten days after the event, Gillian and I were out for breakfast ... went to pay the bill and, lo and behold, it had been paid. It was a fantastic feeling! Then later the same day, on one of the few snowy and blustery days we had this winter thus far, I revved up our trusty snow blower and did our driveway. Did the neighbours, too, and then noticed a single mother down the street struggling with the knee-deep snow, and I did hers as well. Speaking over the engine noise, I just told her to pay it forward! She smiled and waved, and I’m sure she will. Then there was the record-breaking 25 people in-a-row in line at a Tim Horton’s drive-through who ‘paid it forward’ by picking up the tab for the driver behind them. They sure knew how to do it, too! Our Member of Parliament Joe Preston even spoke in the House of Commons about the kindness of our community.

Looking it up on Wikipedia… “A random act of kindness is a selfless act performed by a person or people wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual person or people. The phrase may have been coined by Anne Herbert, who claims to have written "Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty" on a place mat at a Sausalito restaurant in 1982 or 1983.”

For a few years now, I have served on the Board of Directors of the St.

Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce. My Chamber volunteer duties started when I joined the Public Sector Liaison Committee not long after moving to St. Thomas in 2005. Serving on the Board and this Committee is definitely a complementary way to ‘pay it forward’ as we only get out of a community what we put into it! Incidentally, my baptism under fire as Chair this year was really something to observe as at previous PSL Committee meetings we normally had several things to consider. On my first day we had what seemed like ten, and they were all major ones too. The Committee – all volunteers, of course, with busy professional lives – is a solid example of people taking the time to help our community in just one special way.

We all learn from others no matter what our age and experience, and we can all play a role in helping!

Doing a random act of kindness really does something special for your inner soul. And it makes me curious about others so, when I see you at a Business After Five or at another Chamber function or just out in the community, tell me how you recently made someone’s day by passing on an act of kindness. Feeling good is great, but feeling good together is even better!

This article has been prepared for the Chamber and our Members by Allan Weatherall, B.A., CFRE, APR – Executive Director of the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Foundation.

He received accreditation (APR) from the Canadian Public Relations Society in 1993 and a CFRE (certified fundraising executive) in 2000.

He welcomes your comments via email to: aweather@stegh.on.ca or telephone 519-631-2030 extension 2247.

Your Business Needs Video 14

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March, 2012

BUSINESS BEAT

VIEWPOINT Events and News of Interest to our Members

A Canadian first – “The Influence Index” Apple is innovative, Wal-Mart has presence and the CBC engages the country. But if you want to know what the most influential brand in Canada is, turn to Microsoft.

In the first ever Ipsos Influence Index Study, one of the leading Canadian opinion and research firms, Ipsos Reid, asked Canadians to rate 100 leading brands on a wide variety of attributes. The data revealed six dimensions that define influence and determine the most influential brands in the lives of Canadians. As unveiled by Ipsos at the end of January, the six dimensions of influence are: Leading Edge, Trustworthy, Relevant, Presence, Corporate Citizenship and Engagement.

“For a brand to succeed it needs to have some measure of all these factors, but for a brand to exert influence on our daily lives takes time and extraordinary effort,” said Steve Levy, President with Ipsos Reid in Toronto.

“While relatively new brands like Google, Facebook and YouTube get a lot of buzz and hype and have made their presence felt on our list, it was the tried, trusted and true Microsoft that rose to the top as the most influential brand in Canada.

That’s not something that can be built or bought overnight, and certainly not a position Microsoft would be willing to relinquish.”

Levy presented the study findings during Toronto’s annual Advertising Week, a five-day event featuring insightful, thought-provoking discussion and presentations by some of the leading minds in advertising, marketing and brand management.

In his presentation, introducing and explaining the findings of the Ipsos Reid Influence Index, Levy revealed the Ten Most Influential Brands in Canada:

1. Microsoft 2. Google 3. President’s Choice 4. Apple 5. Wal-Mart 6. CBC 7. Facebook 8. Visa 9. YouTube 10. Air Miles Technology and media brands dominate the list, demonstrating the increasing influence these sectors have in the daily lives of Canadians.

The list further highlights the growing convergence of the two sectors, as companies such as Microsoft, Google and Apple continue to blur the lines between media and technology.

“It shouldn’t come as any surprise that media and technology companies claim six of the top ten spots on our list,” says Levy. “Both industries play enormous roles in our daily lives, and more and more, these brands are influencing how we gather information, how we connect with one another and how we share our own stories with the world.”

Of the top ten, three are made-inCanada brands: Loblaws’ private

label retail food brand, President’s Choice; Canada’s national public broadcaster, CBC; and, loyalty rewards specialist, Air Miles. The trio scored high in trustworthiness amongst Canadians, proving that their respective brands’ understanding of Canada and Canadians pays off.

“It takes time to build an influential brand. Wal-Mart came to Canada in 1994, President’s Choice hit the shelves a decade before that, Bill Gates has led Microsoft since the

1970s, and the CBC celebrated its 75th anniversary just last year,” adds Levy. “But if brands want to build and maintain their influence, they have to build on these six factors – a leading edge position, trustworthiness, relevance, presence, corporate responsibility and engagement with their consumers. And if our index is any indication, the greater your influence, the greater your bottom-line success stands to be.”

The findings of this Ipsos Reid poll are the results of research conducted between November 23 and November 30, 2011. This online survey measured opinions of 1,013 adult residents of Canada and the results are based on a sample where weighting was employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to Census data. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/-3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

For more information on this study contact Steve Levy, President, Ipsos Reid East at 416-324-2900 or steve.levy@ipsos.com

Welcome Candy Lesak The Team at Disbrowe Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac is pleased to welcome CANDY LESAK. Candy brings with her 10 years of sales experience and invites her friends and family to contact her to experience the Disbrowe Difference.

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jamiemcgibbon@disbrowe.com

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Ext.237

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St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce

be seen be heard

belong!

The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome the following businesses and individuals as our newest Members. The staff and management of the organizations shown below were accepted as registered Members from January 16 to February 15, 2012.

Buyer’s Guide Category: Agencies & Associations Products & Services: The Arts & Cookery Bank is a regional cultural and heritage hub in the heart of rural Southwestern Ontario. It celebrates the local food economy and river-to-lake heritage through creative “Food & Foto” programming.

ing Contractors; Manufacturers; Products & Services: Core Security Structures specializes in manufacturing advanced panel systems and the installation of jails and correctional facilities.

Match-Co Enterprises Ltd. 32 Massey Drive St. Thomas, ON N5R 5M6 Phone: 519-913-1581 The Arts & Cookery Bank Fax: 1-866-579-6673 Core Security Structures 242 Graham Road Email: wade@match-co.com 4 - 85 South Edgeware Road West Lorne, ON N0L 2P0 Website: www.match-co.com St. Thomas, ON N5P 2H7 Phone: 519-768-9986 Contact: Wade Coombs, PresiPhone: 519-913-4555 Ext: 227 Email: dent Fax: 519-637-7863 info@theartsandcookerybank.com Buyer’s Guide Categories: BusiWebsite: www.theartsandcook- Email: caven.kuhn@coresecuritystructures.com ness Information Services; Comerybank.com Website: puters – Sales; Supplies & Contacts: Grace McGartland, www.coresecuritystructures.com Service; Computers – Training; Chair; Sheri Martin, Events CoorContact: Caven Kuhn, President Office Technology dinator Buyer’s Guide Categories: Build- Products & Services: Match-Co

Enterprises is a business system consulting service company at its heart. It helps businesses realize and achieve great success through design and implementation of successful business systems.

Specialty Combustion Inc. 13932 Imperial Road Aylmer, ON N0L 2J0 Phone: 519-765-1600 Fax: 519-765-1601 Email: rose@specialtycombustion.ca Website: specialtycombustion.ca Contact: Rose Marie Rochon, President Buyer’s Guide Category: Gas Appliances; Industrial Equipment & Supplies; Products & Services: With more than 30 years experience working on Industrial Process Equipment, Specialty Combustion provides maintenance and repair of industrial production equipment, including gas appliances and oil burners. Licensed Gas Technician (G1 - OBT1).

Become a Chamber Member!

Call Mike Vecchio, Member Services Coordinator @ 519-631-1981, ext. 523

Save 3.5¢/litre Chamber members qualify for Esso’s Direct Billing Program; you pay 3.5¢ off the posted retail pump price whenever you fuel up.

You may also get a convenient, detailed monthly invoice and also qualify for Speedpass®. For an application, contact:

Lynhurst ESSO & Variety

Wellington Road at St. George St. 519-633-0002

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORY CAR CLEANING Save 3.5¢/litre SPECIAL

Chamber members qualify for Esso’s

Bring in your vehicle for exterior wash Direct Billing Program; you pay and receive professional cleaning 3.5¢ off theinterior posted retail pump price

Both for $26.55

whenever you fuel up. + HST Car only You may also get a convenient, detailed monthly invoice and also qualify for ® Speedpass . For*Note: an application, contact: (larger vehicles extra) Vehicles with pet hair/extra dirty-additional charge.

Wellington Road 160 Burwell Rd., Lynhurst atSt.Thomas St. George St. 519-631-5502 ESSO & Variety 519-633-0002 Classic Touch

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ell rw Bu Burwell

S. Edgeware

Rob Blaxall: President

• Voice/Voice Mail • Data Communications • CCTV Video Surveillance • Security • Sound/PA Systems • Business Phone Systems

“Our customers are not just satisfied...they’re satisfied...they’re impressed!”

Now offering

voip business systems

P.O. Box 20155, St. Thomas (519) 633.0080 • rblaxall@sympatico.ca

Residential • Commercial • Industrial E L G I N

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March, 2012

St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce

be seen be heard

Brian Giles

Co-owner, Briwood Farm Market 1030 Talbot Str. E. St. Thomas 519-633-9691

Briwood Farm Market has been a registered Chamber Member for 14 years

The Chamber of Commerce provides an essential Forum that enables Businesses and Individuals the opportunity to relate to each other for Mutual, and Municipal, benefit and growth.

“

Chamber membership is a must if you’re serious about your business.

J. Stuart Harper President, H.I.R.A. Ltd. 63 Gaylord Road St. Thomas 519-633-2670

www.hira.on.ca H.I.R.A. Ltd. has been a registered Chamber Member for 40 years

The Chamber really is our voice of business. If we didn’t have a healthy active Chamber, St. Thomas would be a lesser place.

“

I like what the Chamber does to promote our area.

Marcy Pearce

Managing Partner, Wendy’s Restaurant 1063 Talbot St. St. Thomas 519-631-8410

“ “ “

I like being active in the growth of the community.

David Karn

Vice President, Dowler-Karn Limited.

43841 Talbot Line St. Thomas 519-631-3810 www.dowlerkarn.com Dowler-Karn Limited. has been a registered Chamber Member for 72 years

I enjoy the camaraderie and appreciate the leadership the Chamber demonstrates as a united voice for the business community. Interacting with fellow chamber members allows us to stay on top of trends affecting business.

We’re committed to the Chamber mission & vision.

Rob Mise

General Manager, MyFM Radio 300 Talbot St., lower level, unit 2 St Thomas 519-633-6936 myfmradio.ca MyFM has been a registered Chamber Member for 1 year.

Strong communities have one thing in common - a strong Chamber. We know that investing in membership is a really affordable way to keep jobs here.

“

“

The networking opportunities helped grow my business.

I like the Chamber because it’s about people. It brings together people who share our desire to build business and improve our community.

“

We strive to participate in our community and being part of the Chamber of Commerce allows us to build relationships with local businesses.

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belong!

We belong because we believe in the business community.

Phil Ambrose

Owner, Millcreek Plumbing 55 Progress Drive St Thomas 519-631-9180 phil@millcreekplumbing.ca

Millcreek Plumbing has been a registered Chamber Member for 23 years

www.wendysintl.com Wendy’s Restaurant has been a registered Chamber Member for 28 years

Joining the chamber provides you one of the best opportunities to develop your business. You can take advantage of the great benefits we offer to help you not only grow your business but also to grow your network, increase your exposure, build your customer base and make a direct impact on the business community. You will be entitled to some of the best savings, but in addition to savings programs, monthly newsletter, and special offers, your membership will entitle you to enjoy many more learning and networking opportunities. Call Membership Coordinator Mike Vecchio at 519-631-1981 to talk about how you can join over 700 community business in growing business and community.

March, 2012

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MARCH BREAK IDEAS TRAVEL

Travel tips for a smooth March Break

Ensure a stress free vacation by keeping safety in mind

ARE YOU GOING ON VACATION?

when you travel during March Break: Put your health and safety first Travellers should always put their health and well-being first. Vacations are a break from routine but not from sensible practices. Whether travelling by air or car, you should: • Confirm well in advance if any inoculations or medications are needed before visiting the destination; • Check for government issued travel advisories for the country or region you are planning to visit; • Carry sufficient prescription medication and allergy treatments in your

WHO’S WATCHING YOUR HOUSE?

carry-on luggage; • If driving, check weather and road conditions and listen to local advisories; and • Share travel and destination information with loved ones in the event an emergency arises.

Have key documents with you at all times When travelling outside of the country there are papers that Canadian vacationers should not leave home without.

• A valid passport is needed for all travellers, including children and infants, with limited exceptions for children under 16 crossing at land

“

(NC) An old adage is that wherever you are going on vacation, take twice the money and half the luggage.

While it may not be a bad starting point, there's a whole lot more to good vacation planning.

Preparation is the key to having an enjoyable spring vacation. Whether novice or seasoned, most travellers know to pack the right attire, cancel the newspaper and set the house alarm before they leave. However, in the busy planning process, the same travellers will often overlook some important elements to help ensure a stress free vacation.

Keep the following tips in mind

“

Preparation is the key

border points.

• Additionally, Canadian children need appropriate documentation to travel abroad when taking a trip alone or with only one parent, such as a consent letter, birth certificate or citizenship card. Check destination requirements before departing.

• If travelling outside your home province, carry provincial health cards and drivers licenses.

• Travellers should also carry their insurance wallet card to call for assistance at any time.

March Break Music Programs Monday, March 12th to Thursday, March 15th Full Day Programs Workshops

Have a neighbour or friend pick up your mail & newspapers, and check on your house while you’re away.

Participants will create 1 or more music videos!!

(Only 8 spaces available)

(2 hrs in length) Keyboards Drums Guitar Dance Music Technology Stage Presence

Please contact Studio Arts Rock School for more information St. Thomas ST.THOMAS PORT STANLEY TILLSONBURG AYLMER 991 Talbot Street 289 Bridge Street 128 Broadway 75 Talbot Street East T: 519-637-1230 T: 519-782-3327 T: 519-842-8999 T: 519-773-8471 www.hwcinsurance.ca info@hwcinsurance.ca

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156 Edward St. St. Thomas

(Between First Ave. & Burwell Rd.)

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I N C O M E TA X S E A S O N ESTATE PLANNING by the Chartered Accountants of Ontario

One of the main reasons for drawing up a will is to make sure your assets are distributed according to your wishes after you die. However, you can also take steps to minimize taxes on your estate. Here are some tips from Chartered Accountant Geoff Gravett, a partner with Millard Rouse & Rosebrugh LLP in Brantford.

Understand what taxes may apply on death “Estate administration taxes are based on the size of the estate that is required to be probated,” says Gravett. “In Ontario, probate rates are calculated at a rate of $5 per $1,000 for the first $50,000 of assets required to undergo probate and $15 per $1,000 for assets in excess of $50,000 that are required to undergo probate.”

Tax may also apply to registered plans, such as Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) and Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs).

“Registered plans are generally deemed to be included in income at a rate of 100 per cent,” says Gravett.

“For example, an RRSP with a value of $100,000 at the date of death would result in $100,000 being taxed as income on the deceased’s final return. However, in certain circumstances, the registered plan may pass to a qualified beneficiary on a tax-free basis. The most common example of this is where a spouse is named as the beneficiary. In this case, the value of the plan wouldn’t be taxed until the death of the surviving spouse.”

At the time of death, you are deemed to have disposed of all of your assets at fair market value. “For assets with accrued capital gains, this means that the capital gain becomes taxable at the time of death. These as-

Gail Dennis

Prepare your will with taxes in mind Tips to defer or minimize taxation of your estate

sets could include things like nonregistered investment portfolios, shares in private companies and real property. Any gains on your principal residence are not taxed,” explains Gravett.

At the time of death, 50 percent of the accrued gain on assets subject to these rules would be included in the taxable income on the deceased’s final return. “As with registered assets, a tax-free spousal rollover is available at the time of death. In this case, the accrued gain would not be taxed until the death of the surviving spouse.”

Determine what taxes would apply to your estate “Prudent tax planning would involve looking at all of the various taxation impacts that would arise in the

event that you die today with your existing will, or without one,” advises Gravett. “You can then examine the various alternatives that will achieve your objectives while reducing taxes.”

Take steps to defer or minimize taxation of your estate “Planning techniques can include a wide variety of strategies,” says Gravett. These include, but are certainly not limited to: • Transferring the ownership of an asset prior to death • Taking advantage of income-splitting opportunities • Using the tax-free rollover rules, as applicable • Making sure beneficiaries are named on registered plans and life insurance policies • Making specific charitable bequests

• Using a variety of trust structures, including spousal trusts, that are allowed under the Income Tax Act • Using secondary wills for assets not requiring probate • Estate freezes, using privately owned corporations Talk to a professional “I would always recommend that a lawyer be involved in the actual drafting of your will,” says Gravett.

“A Chartered Accountant can add significant value to the process by working with your lawyer to outline the current tax consequences to the estate in the absence of planning.

Your CA can then work on a variety of planning strategies to minimize the taxation impact, while making sure your assets are distributed according to your wishes.”

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I N C O M E TA X S E A S O N TAX PREPARATION (NC) As tax deadlines quickly approach, many businesses are on the hunt for great accountants. To help you with your search, the Certified General Accountants of Ontario has prepared a list of important questions to ask prospective accountants.

Asking these questions will go a long way towards developing a solid relationship based on mutual trust: Does the accountant have prior work experience with your type of business?

Does the accountant make comments and suggestions that indicate an understanding of your business?

Will the accountant provide the names of clients in a similar or related line of business? If so, verify with those clients as to whether the accountant is accessible, meets deadlines, and completes work within the cost estimate.

Who will do routine work, the accountant or other staff?

Whether your accountant will be personally responsible for routine work may depend on your business needs, the size of the accountant's firm, and the nature and number of the accountant's clientele.

Is the accountant open to the idea of using other experts?

An accountant dealing with

Need an expert on your side?

How to interview a prospective accountant for your tax returns smaller, privately owned companies should be willing to seek outside advice if or when specialized business affairs warrant such action.

What is the accountant's standard billing procedure?

An hourly fee is the norm when engaging a professional accountant.

Once the nature and requirements of your business are communicated, can the accountant provide an esti-

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I N C O M E TA X S E A S O N FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Why your debt should retire before you do The sooner you debts are eliminated, the more your savings can be accelerated

The less debt you have, the more you can focus on saving and investing. In other words, getting rid of debt is one of the best things you can do to help save more for retirement.

Yet there is evidence that many Canadians aren’t making the connection between paying down debt and accumulating retirement wealth. A recent poll by a major Canadian financial institution showed that just one in five baby boomers aged 45 to 64 sees a connection between paying down debt and saving for retirement.

And while 42 percent see debt as an obstacle to achieving their financial goals, one-third of baby boomers 55 or older have not paid off their mortgage and three-quarters carry debt.

Even more disconcerting is the increasing trend to carry debt into retirement. A survey by a different financial institution found that 44 percent of retired Canadians are carrying debt, up from 39 percent the year before.

The benefits of retiring debt-free The sooner your debts are eliminated, the more your savings can be accelerated. If you choose to carry debt into your pre-retirement and retirement years, you face a number of

potential risks: • You may be compelled to delay your anticipated retirement date.

• You may find you have to return to work, whether full-time or parttime, in order to cover your expenses, including debt repayment.

• You may have to sell assets to free up the cash flow you need to live on.

• You may have to alter your retirement lifestyle, in order to reduce spending.

Retiring debt-free can help you enjoy greater financial security by relieving you of the stress of debt repayment — a stress that increases anytime interest rates rise.

Where to start?

Unless the interest costs are tax-deductible, your highest interest debts should be the area we target first.

These typically include credit-card balances and unsecured personal loans or lines of credit. These debts are costing you the most on an annual basis, so paying them off first will have the greatest effect.

If you aren’t carrying any high-interest-rate consumer debt, we might look at your mortgage next. It is typically the largest debt Canadians carry and poses a barrier to maximiz-

ing retirement savings for many.

Although mortgage rates are low today, they could rise in the future, meaning higher payments. Paying off your mortgage can free up significant cash that can be funneled into your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) each month to build tax-deferred savings.

Regardless of your level of debt and proximity to retirement, we can recommend a plan to pay it and help ensure a comfortable, worry-free retirement for you.

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The language of columns It’s all about scale, proportion and detail

by Renée Carpenter

From high-end luxury homes to the most basic spec-built home, it seems that a traditionally designed house has to have at least one column based on designs from antiquity.

About 2,500 years ago, the Greeks invented what have become known as the classical orders. These orders (Doric, Ionic and Corinthian) were adopted by the ancient Romans, who simplified the Doric to make their own order, the Tuscan. The Romans also combined the Ionic and Corinthian to form the Composite.

Each order had a distinct meaning.

A building designed using one order would have been quite different in tone than a building designed in another order. The same holds true today. While a grand palace may warrant the Corinthian order, Tuscan might be more appropriate for a small home.

if you are using columns, adhere to the 2,000-year-old rules

Here are some ideas to help you sort out how, as a homeowner, you can use a column, with the rules for scale, proportion and detail.

Tuscan: Simple and clean.

Tuscan-style columns are the most popular classical order since the Colonial era. Developed by the ancient Romans as a simple, clean and "virtuous" order, it's no surprise that the colonials would use the Tuscan to add style and tradition to their buildings while maintaining those puritanical sensibilities.

Whether used on the exterior or the interior, the Tuscan order adds a touch of classical formality and traditional "always been there" feel, without the overall stiffness of the Doric or the exuberance of the Corinthian. Placing the columns at an opening between rooms makes the transition from one to the other all the more special.

The Tuscan can be livened a little with the addition of fluting and pedestals. Paired up, these columns are used as points defining functional areas in what appears to be one large room.

Doric: Distinctly classical.

The Doric was the simplest as well as the most masculine of the original Greek orders. There are minimal

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decorative elements and, in its original form, no base. Certainly the Doric order wasn't devoid of decorative embellishment. Fluting of the column shaft as well as some decorative elements at the capital can soften what can be a plain and almost severe design.

Ionic: Large scale, high style.

The Ionic is a bit more luxurious than the spartan Doric and Tuscan.

As such, it's best used where a little more polish, high style and bigger scale is warranted. Also, Ionic capitals visually ease the transition from column to pediment. The way the capitals flatten and stretch out make for a nice transitional element.

The scale of the column should also be in tune with the scale of the overall architecture. More often than not, classically inspired columns are too thin, making them look like silly toothpicks rather than the robust reminders of antiquity they are.

When in doubt, adhere to the 2,000-year-old rules for scale, one of which is that the column height should be seven times the column diameter.

In rooms with richly appointed finishes and details, such as a wall with sconces and larger architectural moldings and trim, using a simpler

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Doric or Tuscan column would seem out of place. The Corinthian would be out of place here as well, as its exuberant richness would detract from the elegance of the space.

Corinthian: Rational exuberance.

The most exuberant and luxurious of the orders are the Corinthian and Composite. Seldom used in modest homes, these orders are richly detailed with plant-like capitals, fluted shafts and richly detailed bases.

The Corinthian is the appropriate order in a room that exudes an intricacy of surface detail and a richness of finish.

The bottom line – if you are using columns, adhere to the 2,000-yearold rules. Truly, nothing can cause a home to look more out of balance than use of the wrong column order, or worse yet, the wrong scale. If in doubt, ask!

Renée Carpenter is the owner of Jennings Furniture and Design in St. Thomas.

March, 2012

HOMESTYLE AT HOME IN ELGIN

Help wanted

such a high standard of living in this country, unlike many developing nations whose labour force has much lower earning expectations. As a result, being able to remain competitive in a global marketplace has become an insurmountable challenge for most manufacturing sectors.

And, locally, we have really felt the sting of this decline.

However, our future is not all bleak. If we begin to pair opportunity with education and targeted training, our next generation can be strong and gainfully employed!

Where are those jobs? They can be found in skilled trades. Recently, during a tour of Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in Oakville as part of his “200,000 Skilled Trades Jobs Tour,” Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak said, “According to Dalton McGuinty’s own Minister of Finance, Ontario faces a shortage of up to one million skilled trade workers within ten years.” In order to encourage skilled trades training and growth of industry jobs, the PC Party is pushing the provincial government to reform Ontario’s 1970s-era apprenticeship system.

If you are a student or a

Careers in skilled trades jobs are set to take off

by Brian Lippold

My parents both attended university and it served them very well over their professional careers. Naturally, they wanted the apple to fall close to the family tree and have their son enjoy similar successes to what they had. However, when I was in high school, all of the career opportunities were not explained to me. Neither my parents nor the university-educated guidance counselors explored the options of youth apprenticeship programs or employment-focused college programs, despite my interest in construction or my orientation toward working with my hands. In

fact, I was completely unaware that such programs even existed.

Despite these early barriers, I eventually found my way into the construction industry anyway. But for students nowadays, the next few years may offer the best opportunities to get into the skilled trades field.

Economists and demographers have long warned of a decline in Canada’s manufacturing sector. In the early 1990s, well-known demographics expert, David K. Foot, forecasted a shift from manufacturing jobs to skilled trades and service-oriented employment in Canada. This may be due to the fact that we enjoy

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parent, give some thought to the myriad of employment opportunities within the construction industry. In fact, the construction sector is among the three largest employers in the country, offering promise to blue and white collars and men and women alike. From engineers to general labourers, the sky is the limit. It is also an industry where one can work one’s way to the top with determination, hard work and a willingness to learn.

Just a few of the rewarding careers in the construction industry include: architectural technologist or technician, engineering technician, brick and stone mason, construction manager, interior designer, electrician, surveyor, plumber, framer, roofer, HVAC sheet metal technician, gas technician, municipal planner or inspector and countless other related occupations.

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D I N I N G & E N T E R TA I N M E N T WINE & FOOD

What’s for dinner?

Menus from local chefs show patterns of upcoming food trends in Elgin County

by Jamie Quai

Every spring we kick off our popular events calendar at the winery with a series of intimate dinners in our barrel cellar. We call them the Winemakers’ Dinners and I have to confess that these evenings, for me, are perennial favourites. The premise is simple – we partner with amazing local chefs and serve a multi-course meal with different wines with each course. People are able to converse with the chef who created their meals, and I personally serve the wines and answer all the questions about the pairings.

For this season’s dinners, the featured chefs have sent me their menus, and while looking them over, I got to thinking about food trends. Since I consider these chefs to be an accurate

barometer for quality food tastes, I began to wonder what their menu arrangements suggest that people are looking for in the coming season?

Four things stood out to me: Using locally sourced ingredients was the obvious theme that emerged first. The ‘local’ movement shows no signs of losing momentum. Wherever possible, our chefs are choosing to use ingredients that were locally grown.

However, ‘local’ should never be blindly considered as synonymous for the pinnacle of quality, lest ‘local’ become a valueless marketing term. The best chefs not only use local ingredients, but seek out the best that their surroundings offer. With just a little extra attention to the origin of your ingredients, there is no reason that the freshest and best local foods cannot

make it into your meals, especially with spring presenting a plethora of fresh ingredients.

Another trend that emerged is something I’ve come to refer to as globally/local. Several of the dishes the chefs are preparing are traditional fare from other countries. It is certainly not unusual to see restaurants define themselves by national associations (such as Italian style or French influenced). But the trend I’m noticing is much more multicultural, such as an Asian rice dish served along side a Spanish meat dish. Fusion is the term that gets thrown around with this style. I prefer globally/local since this ‘United Nations’ approach to food usually coincides with using the best locally produced ingredients. Go ahead and be creative.

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Slow cooking is a trend I have noticed that is making big gains. With certain food dishes, a little preparation goes a long way, such as tomato sauce made well enough in advance to allow the flavours to integrate or wellcooked meat that has been marinated for days, not minutes. Slow cooking could probably be branded as ‘the anti-microwave movement.’ I want to cover the incredible style of Slow Food in another article, but suffice it to say, all the effort and time are worth the wait.

The final trend I noticed is a return to family favourites. Our April Winemakers Dinner is inspired entirely by recipes handed down for generations. Looking around the food world, there is a sense that people want their comfort foods back. They want those safe-choice dishes that remind them of less stressful times. The beauty of this is that almost everyone has a favourite family recipe or at the very least knows where to get it. Those traditional family fares also coincide with the gathering of those closest to you. What could be better?

We have some tremendously talented chefs in our midst. With local ingredients, global tastes, a strong legacy and the time to do things right, you have the opportunity to explore the gastronomic splendour that Elgin County offers!

Jamie Quai is head winemaker at Quai du Vin Estate Winery in Elgin County.

March, 2012

D I N I N G & E N T E R TA I N M E N T SAVOUR ELGIN

The Windjammer Inn Where global inspiration meets local sensibility

by Kate Burns

On the beaches of Lake Erie rests the Windjammer Inn where to dine is to taste a small piece of culinary heaven.

Owner Kim Saunders’ story is one of a food-loving farm girl who moved to the city and came back a chef. An avid equestrian and animal lover, she set her sights on veterinary college or other medical profession after high school.

The lure of the big city took her to the University of Toronto and a series of restaurant jobs, which eventually took her down the hospitality path for good.

Having had her hand in a number of successful restaurant ventures in Toronto, including Mistral, Verveine and Barrio Lounge, Kim returned to Southwestern Ontario as a chef in 2006 and purchased the Windjammer Inn. The Inn, formerly known as the Shepard House, was built by Samuel Shepard in 1854, a prominent businessman and grain merchant. It was said that his Windjammer ships were the finest ships to grace Port Stanley’s harbour at the time.

Kim sources all of her food from the expanding farm network in Elgin County. In addition to buying straight from the farm, Kim grows many of her own

herbs, heirloom vegetables and edible flowers in the gardens surrounding the Inn. The Windjammer Inn features a seasonal menu and specials with local fish (perch and pickerel) always on hand when in season, joined by fruits and vegetables, artisanal cheeses, handmade breads, local meats and, of course, Kim’s pastry creations. Freshly prepared, from preserves to pastry, each bite tells of the passion and care that went into it.

A summer meal is best spent on the patio with the Lake Erie breeze brushing your cheek, an oasis from the bustle of everyday life.

Kim’s newest creation is The Windjammer Pantry, which she opened just before Christmas.

It’s a shop full of hearty meals and delicious treats, from the Windjammer’s kitchen to your dinner table. The Pantry is well stocked with ready to Heat & Eat meals, with favourites like Chicken Pot Pie, Shepherd's Pie, Tortiere, Apple Crumble & Torte, Scones in four varieties, Chutney and Preserves. The Pantry is located at 172 William Street in Port Stanley, steps south of the Windjammer.

Recommended in “Where to Eat Canada” for four years in a row, the Windjammer Inn also boasts three comfortable rooms in the Inn and two separate suites next door, begging you

to stay for breakfast the next day.

You are invited to dine at the Windjammer Inn where global inspiration meets local sensibility!

The Windjammer Inn is a member of Savour Elgin. Savour Elgin is a program with a goal to promote and enhance culinary tourism in Elgin County and St. Thomas. The Savour Elgin trail is a route through Elgin County that visits some of the best restaurants, farms, wineries, and other culinary attractions that focus on food and drink that’s local and unique to Elgin County and St. Thomas. For full trail information visit www.savourelgin.ca.

Kate Burns is the business development coordinator at the County of Elgin.

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H E A LT H Y L I V I N G EVERYDAY HEALTH

by Dr. Greg Johnston B.H.K., B.Ed., D.C

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been a regular reader of this column, you will have seen that chiropractic involves much more than just back pain, but back pain is definitely one of the most important things that chiropractors treat.

Some important facts Back pain is a very prevalent health problem in our society. It is second only to upper respiratory infections (common colds) for lost work hours and as well as for visits to the family doctor. Eight out of ten people will suffer at least one relatively severe bout of low back pain in their lifetime while approximately 20-30 percent of the entire human population is suffering from low back pain at this very moment. It is commonly accepted that back pain is essentially mismanaged by traditional medicine as evidenced by the present epidemic in society.

Approximately only 2 percent of back injuries actually require surgery.

Most back injuries resolve in six weeks, those that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t account for 75-90 percent of medical costs associated with back injuries. Chiropractic management of low back injury and pain has been proven through scientific evidence to be the most effective and safest form of therapy for acute low back injuries. Unfortunately, it is still underutilized.

Anatomy The back consists of the spinal column, which includes the individual vertebra, the intervertebral discs, special joints called the facet joints, the sacroiliac joints, spinal nerves, blood vessels, muscles and connective tissues. All of the structures listed can

mally and naturally in your daily activities, which is also important in the healing process.

Along with the adjustment, the chiropractor will prescribe certain rehabilitative exercises as your condition improves to help speed the healing process and ultimately help prevent similar future episodes from happening.

Emergency back care procedure If you suffer a back injury, follow the procedure listed below: 1. Immediately stop what you are doing. The problem will not go away if you ignore it.

2. Apply ice. Ice is your best ally against inflammation. Applying ice immediately can have a significant impact by reducing healing time. Ice for 10 minutes, remove the ice for at least 30 minutes and then re-apply.

Try to do this several times over the first few days.

3. Assume a pain-relieving position, commonly on your back with your knees drawn up or bent and your feet flat on the floor.

4. Get to a chiropractor. Scientific studies, government inquiries and royal commissions have all found chiropractic to be the safest and most effective therapy for acute low back Treatment The pain/spasm cycle is where the pain and injury. The earlier you begin chiropractor comes in. Chiropractors care the better the outcome. typically employ something called spinal manipulative therapy, also known as an adjustment, to treat this Dr. Greg Johnston kind of mechanical back pain. The efis a chiropractor fects of the adjustment are compliand partner in cated, but suffice it to say that there Family Health are a number of reflex mechanisms Options Treatment that break the pain/spasm cycle, and Resources which allows the body to start the Centre in healing process. The adjustment also St. Thomas. allows you to start moving more nor-

How to deal with back pain

Chiropractic management can help your body to heal cause pain. Most spinal pain is the result of irritated joints, particularly the facet joints. These joints become irritated for many reasons including postural strain, lifting and bending, as well as many others. The irritation then sets off an inflammatory response leading to muscle spasm eventually causing what is called a pain/spasm cycle. Basically, pain causes more spasm, which causes more pain, which leads to more spasm and so on and so on. This cycle prevents the body from healing.

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March, 2012

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H E A LT H Y L I V I N G PERSONAL HEALTH

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bites can be itchy

Don’t let the bed bugs bite Take action now to successfully control this annoying pest

by Catherine Preete

World travel and overuse of pesticides has contributed to the spread of bed bugs to just about every city in the world. Being embarrassed about having bed bugs can prevent some people from reporting the problem, which only makes the issue worse.

We all need to take action and be part of the solution. Here are three steps to successfully control this pest.

1. Prevent Regular inspection and cleaning can help prevent infestation. Don’t give bed bugs a place to live in your home. Vacuum your mattress often.

Clean up clutter. Seal cracks and crevices with caulking. Inspect used furniture or clothes before purchasing. Never bring discarded bed frames, mattresses, box springs, upholstered furniture or electronics into your home. Inspect luggage and belongings upon returning from a trip.

2. Identify Bed bugs are the size of an apple seed, brownish in color, oval shaped and have no wings. In a one-year life span, a female can lay 200-400 eggs.

Use a flashlight to look for bed bugs.

A hair dryer set on high, can be used to force them out of hiding spaces and cracks. Check along the seams of mattresses, inside box springs and bed frames. Look in cracks and crevices in and around the bed and March, 2012

check around furniture and baseboards.

Bed bugs don’t spread disease but their bites can be itchy and look like red welts. To reduce allergic reactions and inflammation, anti-histamines or itch creams are often used. Consult with a doctor if bites become infected.

3. Action If you find bed bugs in your home, talk with your landlord, building manager, Health Unit or licensed pest control professional. You will need to vacuum your mattress, bed frame, baseboards and sleeping area daily, and make sure you clean the vacuum filter with warm water or have it replaced. If the vacuum has a bag, dispose of it immediately. Wash clothing, linens, mattress pads and pillows in hot water and place in the dryer on the highest setting for 30 minutes. Remove clutter where bed bugs can hide. Seal cracks in furniture, floors, walls and baseboards.

Remove peeling wallpaper and tighten loose light switch covers. Seal openings that come into your home (i.e. pipes, wires).

To make sure you don’t pass bed bugs along to others make sure others don’t take home items you’ve thrown out.

It is important to remember that getting rid of bed bugs successfully involves the tenant, landlord and a liE L G I N

censed pest control worker. Each person has an important part to play in eliminating the bugs. The tenant must take the necessary steps to ensure the home or apartment is prepared prior to treatment.

At Elgin St. Thomas Public Health, we have a number of resources and videos on our website that can be helpful in identifying bed bugs, preparing your unit and getting rid of bed bugs. We include a checklist so you can ensure that a unit is properly cleaned before a pest control professional comes to the home, as well as a quick list of pest control services in the area.

Catherine Preete, BSc., C.P.H.I (C), is a public health inspector with St. Thomas Elgin Public Health.

RESOURCES Visit our website for travel tips and more information about bed bugs at www.elginhealth.on.ca or www.bedbugsinfo.ca

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by Elizabeth VanHooren

Most mornings I feel like a referee rather than a mom.

Pretty much anything can start the boys squabbling. They both want to stand on the stool to brush their teeth at exactly the same time; someone else wants to get dressed first, not second.

In a competition to “help mom,” they race to get the cereal box out of the cupboard. The victor hands the tattered box to me with a satisfied grin.

The loser is left in a sobbing heap on the floor.

Usually I can restore calm by assigning specific tasks to each boy. Whoever didn’t manage to get to the cupboard first can regain his sense of purpose by getting the spoons.

But on this particular morning I found my two redheads at loggerheads over the cat’s food. Each one was determined to scoop the food.

Squatting nose to nose with the bag between them they tugged the bag back and forth. The hunger-stricken cat looked at me not knowing what to make of the scene or the noise.

And then it happened. The bag, taut with tension, tore apart, cat food exploded everywhere and two boys landed on their bums. The cat didn’t much care that not any of the food had landed in her dish. She ate it off the floor faster than I could sweep it up.

The boys on the other hand were dejected. Each sat with their legs pulled up to their chins, backs against opposite walls. They watched with tearstricken cheeks as mom swept the last of the cat food off the floor and put it where it belonged in the cat’s dish.

As I drove to work that morning I

Of cats and kids and conservation Lessons from the kitchen for the business world

was a bundle of stress. Usually within the ten-minute child-free drive to work I find the clarity I need in my life. But this morning I was thinking about cat food and composing a lecture on “how to get along” in my head. So that by the time I got to work I had almost completely forgotten that I had expected to hear the results of a substantial funding proposal that day.

The news wasn’t good. Our proposal had been denied.

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LIFESTYLES THAT’S LIFE

cat food exploded everywhere

In the current economic environment, not-for-profit agencies such as Kettle Creek Conservation Authority are often in competition with likeminded agencies for an ever-decreasing pot of funding dollars. In order to plant 100,000 trees per year and support landowners in stewardship efforts such as wetland creation, fencing of

livestock from watercourses and erosion control, KCCA is constantly writing funding proposals and approaching donors for support.

The news was disappointing. I sat at my desk and re-read the proposal wondering what word or section had failed us? What could we have done better? What agency had been successful? Why them, not us?

As I anguished, the images of the morning resurfaced – a hungry cat and two willing caregivers fighting for the right to feed her. The fact is the cat didn’t care who won the tug-of-war; she just wanted her breakfast.

And my mood brightened – just a little. A cat doesn’t care who feeds her, as long as she is fed. A tree, a fish or a wetland is the same. It doesn’t matter who saves them as long as they are saved.

As a mother I’m determined to teach my children how to become better people by looking for ways to work together. Perhaps the best way that I can do that is to become a better role model myself.

I set aside the denied application and re-focused not on another application or project but on whom I might work together with to save a few wetlands, trees and fish.

Elizabeth VanHooren is general manager of the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority.

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March, 2012

LIFESTYLES SELF DEVELOPMENT

Are you happy in your work?

Q&A with best-selling author Nick Williams Part 2

by Sharon Lechner

This is Part 2 of my interview with best-selling author Nick Williams.

He has published seven books including The Work We Were Born To Do and is co-founder of www.inspired-entrepreneur.com. one reason is that people hesitate to make a career transition? think resistance is always the A Ibiggest obstacle we face – all resistance is fear, but resistance shows up in so many subtle and often unrecognised ways. It can seem sensible to keep ourselves busy, procrastinate until the economy picks up, wait until we have more in the savings account. We wait until we feel ready enough, confident enough, adequate. We keep scaring ourselves by focusing on the worst that might happen rather than the rewards and excitement. But we never quite act.

That is resistance at work. Add into the mix that we also worry that we don’t always know “how” and we can stay stuck for years.

Deep down though, I think greater than our fear of failure is our fear of success, of having things be too good, too exciting, too happy. Most of us know how to handle misery, failure and suffering, but would need to learn how to handle more happiness, joy, love, appreciation, fulfilment and financial success. It’s the idea that “Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure.” Indeed, I believe that the more important an action or project is to us and our evolution, the greater the resistance we are likely to experience. I get people to see their resistance as a pointer.

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Q What do you think the number

running your own business is the best personal growth seminar on the planet Q Do you think a career transi-

tion can be made gradually?

I think it must be a transition. I A know of very few people who finish one career and start a new business in a fully formed way. I don’t think it should even be that way. I am a great advocate of creating transitions, and transitions that may take years. I think we all create success by being willing to take baby steps, by doing small things regularly and then succeeding and failing, learning and growing. We reclaim and recover our creative and entrepreneurial spirit a step at a time.

I like the idea that running your own business is the best personal growth seminar on the planet, so the growth and learning are always ongoing. All success is created through baby steps. Trouble is, our mind often thinks that baby steps are unsexy. “I am a grown person not a child anymore, this won’t get me where I want to be, so what is the point?” Too often as adults we are afraid to be beginners again. We want to be masters, but we forget that mastery comes from being rubbish to begin with.

relationship, I love being on the radio, I love creating products and programmes. And one of the joys of my life is that I get to do all of those things and more, but only some of the time.

I also talk about being a renaissance soul – there were times in history when it was a normal and natural to do a number of things and be good at them, and no one told you to go and get a “proper” job. Doing several things need not make you a jack-ofall-trades – it can make you extremely interesting. you have any live events Q Do scheduled for 2012 in North America? present, I have really cut back A At on foreign travel so no, at the moment, no plans to be in North America – but I am doing my first global streaming event in on January 26 to launch my latest book, Resisting the Soul, so I am giving a live talk in London, and people from around the world can join in and participate in it live from wherever they are. is your biggest goal for Q What 2012? create a community of spirituA To ally intelligent entrepreneurs – mainly in London to start with, and then potentially in other locations.

And to a write book about what it means to be a spiritually intelligent entrepreneur.

Contact Nick at nick@inspired-entrepreneur.com or Twitter: @nickwilliams1

Q Can you describe what a Port-

folio Career is?

Many of us have multiple interA ests and multiple passions and we find the idea of trying to squeeze all of them into a single job or outlet unpalatable. I have a mantra: “There are lots of things I love doing, but none of them would I want to do every day.” I love the solitude of writing at times, I love the buzz of speaking to 200 people live, I love the intimacy of a one-on-one coaching

Sharon Lechner is a certified master life coach and owner of Reach for the Stars Empowerment in St. Thomas.

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LIFESTYLES TIME ON MY HANDS

Wishful thinking might be involved or plain old denial

Maintaining a fantasy at what price?

Should we face up to our “can’t do” list?

by Duncan Watterworth

My mother wants a new wheelchair. It’s up to me. I might say “No.” She is 91, in a nursing home, and totally bed-ridden since she fell out of her wheelchair and broke her leg 16 months ago. Her eyesight and hearing are poor, and her world is very small. On her left is the nurse call button, and on her right is her phone, with both sons on speed dial.

Now she wants a more specialized wheelchair – one she won’t use.

She has always tried hard to keep on rolling. When she gave up her dri-

30

ver’s license and Mustang sports car in 2002, she said, “Two things a woman hates to give up – her heels and her wheels.”

Three and a half years ago, after two broken hips and an unsuccessful hip replacement surgery, she ended up in a nursing home. From a wheelchair, she could watch TV and slowly make her way to the dining room.

Then, the broken leg. After ten months of lying in bed, the surgeon said my mother could try sitting in a wheelchair again. It seemed like a chance to turn back the clock.

The old chair was no longer suit-

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able, so a more specialized chair was arranged on a trial basis. If it didn’t work out, mom didn’t have to buy it.

For fear of her brittle bones, broken leg and non-functioning hip, it took three staff, including the physiotherapist, to transfer mom from her bed to the chair. Twice a week was scheduled. But when the team showed up, mom usually said, “Not today. It’s not a good day.” The long months in bed had taken their toll.

Five weeks slipped by with the chair unused. We had to either buy it or return it. The decision was to be made at a meeting with my mother, brother and the professional staff.

The day before the meeting, mom said to let the chair go. But at the meeting, she was adamant about buying it. Even if she didn’t use it much, she said, she would like to keep it available. And perhaps my brother or I could use it some day.

She also said, looking right at me, “If you can go on a trip to Morocco, then I can have a wheelchair.” Ouch.

A couple of days later, she told me that, even if she didn’t use the chair, letting it go would be like admitting her life was over.

To my surprise, the store gave us more time to make a decision. Now two more months have passed. The chair sits unused in her room. Mom

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can’t remember much of the discussions, or even whether she bought the thing or not.

Aging is the extending of the list of things we can’t or won’t do anymore.

But when it’s time to add another item, we might not admit it or even realize it. Wishful thinking might be involved or plain old denial.

Now I must decide for my mother: Does it make sense to drop $2,500 to prolong her fantasy of returning to a wheelchair?

One of the difficulties of watching my mother decline is the regular reminders that I am on the very same path. Three years ago I bought a new kayak. I have only used it once. I still use my tripping kayak, but the new one is more of a creek boat and it now seems those days are behind me.

Now I have to do something about the wheelchair – and the kayak.

Duncan Watterworth is recently a retiree and emptynester in St.Thomas.

March, 2012

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