April/May 2013
1
2 April/May 2013
April/May 2013
3
APRIL/MAY 2013 • VOLUME 3 ISSUE 4
Published By FLLC Media PUBLISHER RG DUNDAS publisher@ourvoice.ca
inside
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR DONNA MESSER editor@ourvoice.ca CREATIVE DIRECTOR IRENE OTILANO ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@ourvoice.ca PHOTOGRAPHY Fotografia Boutique www.fotografiaboutique.ca PHOTO SITE LOCATION PROVIDED BY Oakville Auto Salvage www.oasauto.ca
COPYRIGHT 2013. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION WITHOUT EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED.
32
}
CONTRIBUTORS RG Dundas, Donna Messer, Rania Walker, Jane Blaufus, Darrin Robinson, Brandon Forder, Lydia Roy, Wendy Arscott, Amanda Dossett, Gregory L. Jantz, Desmond Jordan, TONE Careless, nICOLA JONES.
Christian Potenza A Long Road to the Short Tracks of "Last Car Standing"
8 RANT - Things I hate vs. Things I Love RG Dundas
12 Spring is Here Time to get Your Body Ready for Summer Darrin Robinson
@oakvillevoice
16 3 Tips to Help a Diabetic Pet Brandon Forder
facebook.com/oakville.voice
20 autism @ work Wendy Arscott 26 The Future of the Automotive Industry and it's Aftermarket Donna Messer 38 Family Friendly Eco-Voluntourism Rania Walker
100% CANADIAN BECAUSE IT MATTERS 4 April/May 2013
40 The United States of Depression Is Canada far Behind Gregory L. Jantz
T
oday I did something completely out of the ordinary… I watched a YouTube video featuring cheeky baby lambs- EIGHT TIMES. Ya I know, that is a little koo-koo and maybe even a time-waster in someone’s eyes. But today, I did not care. After laughing alone every time, I then decided to share it on Facebook, then play it for my son and okay yes..my dog (we wanted to to see what he would do). At this point you may be thinking I have lost it a little… Perhaps I have gone all rainbow/ sparkles with a side of unicorn and pixie dust? You know why I watched those bouncy little bundles of lamb cuteness?? It brought me JOY. You know what doesn’t bring you JOY? Reliving the same drama or victim story over and over again. Or obsessing about your weight…cleaning grout stains…shaving your legs or gossiping on the phone while your kids sitting in the grocery cart waiting for you to notice them. You know what those leaping lambs reminded me of today? Animals are a doorway to peace. Animals know how to really live- when we let them. They express themselves with such integrity and abandon, transcending the need for language they connect us to spirit. These perceptive beings help us recover who we really are through our relationships with them. Find any great spiritual teacher and you’ll certainly find at minimum a pet-lover or even an animal advocate. We may ignore or even abuse them, but animals are astonishingly patient and forgiving. Look at our pets. Relentlessly they try to get us to wake up even after we ignore them for days. When we finally acknowledge them- the respond with a resounding YES!! They are thrilled we have agreed to join them and play in the only moment that really exists: the present.
Animals – Secret Sages and Gurus? Nicola Jones
Recognizing our connection to all sentient beings is part of waking up to the insanity humans have been part of for decades. Who hasn’t looked into the eyes of a pig on a transport truck bound for slaughter and felt a wave of grief? Are we going about our survival the right way? As I write this, my Golden Retriever Blue is intently looking out the window. Eagerly watching the would-be squirrel bandits who dart across our fence line (surely plotting something). Just seeing him there makes me smile. All my dogs have been adoptions from various pounds or rescue organizations and each has taught me how to be a more compassionate and aware being. I feel deeply honoured to have had these 9 years with my boy Blue and his influence on my son is immeasurable. He has been his faithful confidant, soft place to fall and watchful friend.
My son has a deep love of animals thanks to what our Blue has shown him and not what any adult could have “taught” him. All animals have something to teach us if we could just be still and listen for a while. They are so much more than a meat source, in fact that is the least of their value. Sometimes I catch myself in an unconscious pattern of rushing from one thought or chore to the next. When I become aware of that, I often look down to see Blue watching and patiently waiting- for my return to the present moment. Allow yourself the pleasure and honour of an animal’s company today. It may just be a changing day in your life. Nicola Jones is an inspiring, and sought-after speaker.Her Corporate Workshops and Coaching Services cover a diverse range of topics and offer results that speak volumes.
April/May 2013
5
The 18th Annual Oakville Awards
for Business Excellence Winners 2012 The 18th Annual Oakville Awards for Business Excellence Gala Dinner took place on March 27, 2013. Congratulations to all the nominees! The 48 finalists all demonstrated outstanding business acumen and have given back to their community ensuring the quality of life we enjoy in Oakville continues. The 18th Annual award recipients are: Small Business of the Year - SOS First Aid Large Business of the Year - Astound Group Inc. Restaurateur of the Year - Cucci Ristorante Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Tal Dehtiar of Oliberte Limited Professional Services Provider of the Year - Oakville Endoscopy Centre Inc. Hospitality or Visitor Attraction of the Year - Glen Abbey Golf Club Community Builder of the Year - Dufferin Construction Company, A division of Holcim (Canada) Inc. Employee of the Year – Michelle Eglington of Euro-Line Appliances Oakville Business Icon - Ford Motor Company of Canada Ltd.
6 April/May 2013
April/May 2013
7
RANT
RG DUNDAS
THINGS I HATE vs THINGS I LOVE O
ne day I decided to make a list of things that I hated and a list of what I loved. The purpose behind it was to learn to appreciate all the great things that I love in life and to show myself that I love far more things than I hate. It was an experiment to create my own chi. However, when I was finished, I discovered that both lists had the same amount of items. How could this be? This did not give me inner peace at all. After considerable consideration I came up with a solution. I would match items from each list and let them battle it out individually. The following are the results.
Hate: Alcohol Love: Marijuana I know, drugs are bad and addiction is a heart wrenching, crippling disease. Having said that, I believe that alcohol causes far more problems in society than pot ever could. Alcohol is legal and extremely easy to get, but expensive if you don’t have a still in your garage. Alcohol can also make some people aggressive and often hinders the operation of heavy vehicles and clouds judgment. Marijuana is easy to get and it’s cheap. What is more, you can grow it yourself if you are so inclined to. It also causes you to laugh, indulge in snacks and play video games. My biggest issue between the two is that drug cartels can often be extremely violent, cause wars and victimize people, especially children. On the other hand, the government regulates alcohol, never victimizes people, never engages in war, and nobody underage ever drinks… Um, hmmmm. Winner: Rehab.
Hate: Political Correctness Love: Freedom of Expression
When are we all going to get over it? Yes, you are fat. You know it; you buy your own underwear. He is Asian, and that girl is trampy, Jim is a drunk and I am a douche. All cultures, subcultures and individuals have their good and bad sides. We all know this. It’s funny stuff! However, if we should ever say that something horrific happened because it was an individual or group of individuals of a specific race or culture, even if it is true, we are bigots. 8 April/May 2013
We all have to realize the difference between saying things out of cruelty and speaking the truth. We have to let go of the bull. Until we can accept ourselves for what we are and where we come from, we will never, ever improve our society on a local or global level. Get over yourself. Heritage does not define us. Who we are and how we act does. Winner: Freedom of Expression
Hate: World Cup of Soccer (football) Love: The Olympic Games
It pains me, but I will admit it. Soccer players are amazing athletes. They are amazing athletes who play the wimpiest, most mind-numbingly boring sport on the planet. Why anyone would waste ninety minutes of their lives to watch grown men flopping on the ground faking injuries in a 1-0 snoozefest is beyond me. Worse than that is the inevitable car window flags everywhere you go. It is a competition to somehow determine the best country. Apparently the best country on earth plays soccer/football the best. Olympians, on the other hand, are the best athletes on the planet. They train for years for that moment where they compete at the highest level for the title of The World’s Greatest. World and Olympic records can and are set in any event at any time. It is the summit of sports greatness. Country is pitted against country, but at the end of the day it is the athletes who are the heroes. That is the essence of sport. Sport is individual competition, it has nothing to do with countries… nor does life. Winner: The Olympic Games
Hate: Children’s Modeling Competitions Love: Children’s Choirs A little girl covered in makeup and prancing around a stage like a tart to win a ribbon or trophy is appalling. Parents who condone this and expose their child to it are irresponsible and should give their heads a shake. Childhood is incredibly short, why would anyone deny the chance for kids to be kids. Children’s choirs, on the other hand, are beautiful. Hearing a group of young people sing is one of the most uplifting, spiritual experiences life has to offer. Is it only me that recognizes the difference between parading around in a ball gown or bathing suit for recognition and the presentation of song by young people? I hope not. How could we ever accept beauty pageants for children? Is this what we aspire to be? Is this how we still view women? Is this what we encourage in humanity? There is nothing wrong with beauty, as long as it isn’t a rule or a lifestyle. Beauty in childhood is so much different to me than what we collectively view as physical beauty. Do you know what is beautiful about a child? Watching them smile in genuine, amazing happiness. Witnessing true awe and fascination in discovering something new. Hearing a laugh that heals you. Being questioned in a way that shocks and amazes you to your soul and not being offended by it. Absolute, untainted purity. Hearing “I love you”, and knowing it is real. A heartfelt hug. Perfect, peaceful sleep. The feeling of wanting someone to really be themself. What a world this would be if adults gifted the same feelings to each other as children so freely give. Big Winner: Children’s Choirs Hate: Pop Culture Love: Local Artisans
Since I have been born the music industry, radio stations, record producers and television has been telling me and everyone I know what kind of music we should listen to and love. Music is powerful. It brings us together and binds our memories. It is the great common denominator. Art is the same. Local artists are often overlooked and banished to craft shows and local markets to
showcase their wares when they don’t have “a name”. Local artisans are a treasure, plain and simple. No, you don’t hear them 40 times a day on the radio or see them in art museums or read about them in books, but they are creative and infinitely talented. They are often much more mind-blowing than any of the gazillionaire mega groups or well-known artists, or dancers, or entertainers of any sort ever could be. Go out and support them. Listen to something new and unique; appreciate art that was made in someone’s living room and watch plays at community centres. Stop and listen to a street musician. Thank them all for what they do and support their craft, they create what makes the world beautiful. Winner: Local Artisans
Hate: Time Love: Time Standing still
Time sucks. We are all victims to time from our work hours to when our favourite television show is on to when our days begin and end. From the moment we are born sand begins to drop through our individual hourglasses. Nobody knows exactly how many grains of sand they have; it may be many, it may be few. We rejoice or regret the past and anticipate the future and march along our paths as our time fades away. Time is our collective slave master. Time standing still is one of life’s most precious gifts. They are those moments that are so profound that they briefly freeze the universe and allow us a glimpse at the true beauty of existence… A sunset, a kiss, the northern lights. They are very, very rare. Appreciate them when they come, time doesn’t stand still for long. Winner: Time Standing Still
Hate: Tofu Love: Food
Tofu is gross, no matter how you slice it, prepare it, cook it or serve it. Please, please, serve me some tasteless mush with the texture of moist possum inners. I know you want to eat right and live a healthy lifestyle, but why tofu? Bring me some ox privates or bee larvae or something, PLEASE! Good Lord, food is life and we have stooped to tofu? For what, a thin body? Tofu is mushed processed crap. It is un-food. Tofu is coagulated soymilk, which is essentially cheese made from bean juice. Cheese, of course, has texture and flavor, though. Cheese also has purpose, fattening or not. “How would y’all like to go to a nice wine and tofu tasting?” Mmmmmm. Winner: Food
Hate: Texting Love: Hemorrhoids
Texting is the great destroyer of personal contact and communication. Wherever I go nowadays, everyone has their face stuck in a phone. What is the importance of having to be instantly contactable as opposed to actually appreciating and communicating with the people who are right beside you? When was the last time any of us struck up a conversation with a random stranger? I will simply never understand it. It’s true, I would love hemorrhoidsand would happily live with them for the rest of my life if texting disappeared and people began to speak freely to one another in person. I would also welcome a shark attack and being burned alive. Winner: Hemorrhoids Hate: Gangstas Love: Gentlemen
It is embarrassing to be a man at times. We are often stupid and empty when it comes to personal relationships. Some men beat women or leave their own children… good God! We, as a group, commit the most crimes in society. To be honest, many men that I know personally insult me on many, many different levels. I think a lot of that is the male genome. Yup, I think men are hardwired in a plethora of ways, but that is still no excuse. Gangstas are not hardwired. It is not male or female or colour or culture oriented. The mentality, lifestyle, fashion, music and actions of this sort of people is grotesque. You all offend me. Honestly, I see you and hear your destruction of English and observe your body language and am ashamed to be the same race as you. I could go on, but I know none of you are capable of reading this.Learn to be a human being you gun-toting, trashtalking, underwear-showing waste of skin! Gentlemen, give me hope for humanity. They are much more rare to find nowadays, but they exist. Have you ever just met a really nice man? You know the one… that guy that did something honourable or kindly or just carried himself in a certain way? I love that. Don’t get me wrong, I see a gentleman as someone who can defend his opinion and himself if necessary. He is no wussy. He has a sense of humour. He is clever, witty and tough. He is the full package; the real deal… and he can do it in a hat and tie. I may be old fashioned and living in a fantasy world, but I yearn for the days of ladies and gentlemen. Here is to having class. Tie: Hating anyone fixes nothing. April/May 2013
9
Hate: Sundays Love: Sundaes
Everyone seems to hate Mondays. I don’t. Monday is a beginning, the start to the workweek for many. Yes, it’s the first day, but I like beginnings. Sundays are an end to me. The end of the weekend. I enjoy my weekends. Even when I am on holiday, Friday night and Saturday just somehow feel right. Who cares about beginnings and endings, though? A banana split can fix almost anything. Get some ice cream, and nuts and chocolate sauce, fruit and whipped cream and have a sundae in your back yard. Invite friends for a treat rather than wine or beer now and then. Go to a dessert shop with some kids. You will thank me. Winner: Sundaes
not carry some sort of regret with them everyday. What a horrible burden. When I seriously think about it I realize that it really makes no sense. Regret is a waste of time. Why do regrets haunt us so? Why do we torture ourselves by reliving them? Rejoicing seems to be momentary. We experience something wonderful and return to the memory much more infrequently. How sad. One would hope that memory would take us back to joyous moments more than painful ones but the norm seems to lean towards remembering tragedy. I am going to make a conscious effort to correct this in my life. Regret seems pointless. Tie: Work in progress.
Why do we all have to live with regret? I don’t know a single person who does
Lying is awful. We all do it; I am a brutal liar. I don’t even know why, lies just seem
Hate: Regretting Love: Rejoicing
Hate: Liars Love: Rollercoasters
to come out somehow. Why is lying such a fact of humanity? Animals don’t lie. At the very worst they mimic other animals for self-preservation. To me that is not lying, it’s deception. The difference between the two is that lies are often pointless and deception often has purpose. Everyone we know and everything we do is surrounded by lies somehow. We lie to ourselves and to others everyday. It is sad that people aren’t honest. Humans can be a shallow race. I honestly think we are incapable of honesty at times. Rollercoasters are pure. They have a distinct beginning, middle and end. Everyone on the ride experiences the ups and downs and curves and loops the same. Rollercoasters are honest. They are frightening and exhilarating, but at the end of the ride they are true. When you ride them again you relive exactly the same experience. It may be frightening and exhilarating again, but we always start and end up in the same place. We could all learn from rollercoasters. Winner: Rollercoasters
My name is Robert Dundas and I am the publisher of the Oakville Voice. My opinions are mine alone and I am privileged to have the opportunity to be able to Voice them to you.Your input and comments are welcome and encouraged.I can be contacted at publisher@ourvoice.ca. I will reply. Let me hear your Voice. Please support local business.
10 April/May 2013
April/May 2013
11
Spring is here
time to get your body ready for summer
S
pring is in the air, you know what that means? Summer is around the corner! Time to leave our caves and start socializing outside again, patios, BBQs, pool parties, cottage time, you name it. There are a few things you will encounter during this most social part of the year, excess food, excess beverages and less clothes.
Many people think because they are outside more during the summer months that they are more active. Let me inform you that sitting on a patio for hours raising a glass to your mouth is not being active, sitting by the pool or the dock at the cottage watching your kids play is not being active. Often the added physical activity ( mainly walking or gardening for most) through the summer is negated by the bad calories consumed during the summer months. If you don't think I'm right all I can say it's strange that my clients that take the summer off to go to the cottage never come back to me in the fall leaner, they are always fatter. So whats the best way to avoid the summer weight gain and the best way to look great in the summer? To get started on improving your body and metabolism NOW! Often people wait way too late to start getting their bodies into summer shape and end up feeling insecure about their body image at the time of the year that is hardest to hide their shape. 12 April/May 2013
Most people are going to take 3 months to see any major differences in their bodies, its also going to take approximately this time to speed up your metabolism so that you can burn through the odd indulgence over the summer instead of it going straight to your butt or gut. Starting an exercise program with an emphasis on resistance training as well as eating several small meals throughout the day will help change the shape of your body and speed up your metabolism. Just three one hour visits to the gym and small meals every three hours you are awake make a huge difference in your body image. Of course you have to be working out properly for your body and eat the right type of foods and calories with your meals in order to get the desired effect. As I am writing this article it is the second week of April, starting to improve your body now over the next three months would take you to mid July right when the summer is getting into full swing. As someone that loves
the warmer months and someone that has no problem walking around wearing next to nothing I start working on my body in January to ensure I am more than ready for summer and all the social activities it has to offer. Saying that I never let my body fat levels get too far beyond where I am comfortable, staying in shape year round is the best way to be ready for summer or any occasion come to think of it. If you feel lost and dont know what to do in order to get in shape seek the advice of a professional that can set you on the right path. Most of us wouldnt dare try to fix a problem with our cars or computer but all too often people that know little to nothing about fitness and nutrition try to fix themselves to no avail. I can assure you that the human body is just as complex as your car or computer if not more. Darrin Robinson is the owner of Emerge Lifestyle and Fitness Training downtown Oakville. Visit his website for more information on nutrition and exercise as well as many healthy recipes. www.timetoemerge.com
April/May 2013
13
14 April/May 2013
April/May 2013
15
3 Tips to Helping a Diabetic Pet a
D
iabetes is becoming major problem for our pets.
In fact, a 2011 study by Banfield Pet Hospital (which includes more than 800 veterinary hospitals) shows that rates of diabetes have increased 32% in canine patients since 2006, and 16% increase in cats.
16 April/May 2013
The same study also suggests that diabetes can be traced back to obesity in pets – just as it can be traced back to obesity in humans. Here are three tips to helping a pet with a diabetic lifestyle. Keep Records Many diabetic pets will require insulin injections (as prescribed by a veterinarian). In order to ensure all members of the household are on the same page, it is wise to keep a daily injection record. This way, you can prevent accidental (and potentially very dangerous) double doses. Proper Nutrition is Key There are many ways nutrition can help diabetic pets live long and healthy lives. - Keep your pet at his ideal weight. Overweight pets should be put onto a reduced calorie diet (or fed portions appropriate for your pet’s lifestyle), with sufficient daily exercise. - Feeding grain-free and low glycemic diets will greatly help your pet regulate blood sugar levels. This will also limit blood spikes in blood sugar. - Ensure your pet has unlimited access to clean, fresh water. This is very important! Diabetic pets will be very thirsty, especially if their condition is not well regulated. It is wise to have multiple fresh water stations in your home. This way, your pet will avoid dehydration which may lead to serious health problems. In Case of Emergency - In case you need assistance, have the contact information of your veterinarian and an emergency animal hospital handy. - Have a small amount of honey or syrup available in the event your pet ends up in a state of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
T
infoil has many uses. While most people use it for cooking and storing leftovers, there are a number of other uses that make this household product worth adding to your emergency preparedness plans. Here are the top 10 favorite uses.
Who would have thought there were so
many uses for Tinfoil? 1. Sharpen Scissors Yes, you read that right. To do it you will first need to smooth the foil out followed by fold the sheets into strips making several layers. Next grab your scissors and start cutting. Eight or nine passes of the foil sheet should do the trick! 2. Clean jewelry and silverware Line a bowl with aluminum foil and fill it up with hot water. Next add 1 tablespoon of bleach-free powdered (not liquid) laundry detergent. Then simply place the jewelry or silverware in the solution for one minute. After the time has passed remove the items, rinse in water, and then lay out to air dry. The ion exchange chemical process cleans your items all by itself. 3. Keep birds away from your fruit trees Similar to dangling a CD disk from a branch, you can dangle strips of tinfoil from the limbs with fishing line. The light reflections scare the birds so they will simply go somewhere else. My in-laws in Arizona have been using this technique to keep their orange trees bird-free for many years now. 4. Clean your grill After the last burger has been pulled off the grill lay a flat sheet of tin foil over the grill. This will help redirect the heat passing through the grill back through it a second time. Leave the foil on the grill until the next use when you simply wad the foil into a ball and run it back and forth against the tough burnt on grease, like you would with a wire brush. 5. Lure a fish I grew up fishing in a little pond near my home. We would take my Dad’s gear and catch bluegill. The only down side of the trips were when lures would get snagged and we had to cut the line. After a little while we realized this particular fish wasn’t all that smart. We could simply throw in an empty silver or gold colored treble hook (unbaited) and they would still strike. We noticed over time that the brighter the reflection from the hook the more bluegills/crappie would come. Using this concept you could take tin foil and attach small wads near a swivel then run a short leader with your hook or lure of choice. The extra reflection (at least with this species of fish) would bring even more attention to your offering. 6. Keep matches dry Wrap your matches in aluminum foil. Stuff them in your 18 April/May 2013
pack and the next time you need a reliable way to light a fire, pull out the dry matches and get that fire going. No more worrying if the matches are wet from the thunderstorm that just passed. 7. Make a funnel Need to route liquid into a certain spot such as adding oil to an engine block? Sure you can buy a plastic funnel for a couple bucks but you could also tear off 10 inches of foil and mold it into a funnel shape shape and use aluminum foil instead. 8. Make a frying pan Don’t want to lug a heavy frying pan the next time you’re venturing into the great outdoors? Grab a branch that forks, tear off a sheet of ton foil a little wider than the width of the forking branches then wrap the ends around the two limbs to create a flat pan like surface in between the two branches. If the food items you are cooking are not too heavy you can hover the food above the fire, if it is too heavy arrange the burning wood to lay flatter then lower the “frying pan” onto the top logs. 9. Campfire cooking Most people reading this have probably had the privilege of making a tin foil BBQ dinner. If not give this a try! Simply place chicken or ground beef in the shape of a patty in the middle of a sheet of tin foil. Next add carrots, onions, potatoes, other veggies, and season to taste. A helpful tip is to cut the veggies thin so all of the items are good to eat at the same time. Next fold the ends of the foil over the food, encompassing it entirely. Flip the silvery puck over and put another layer of tin foil folding it back over the other way. The multiple layers will make sure the food doesn’t burn. Cook time should be 20-30 minutes in the coals. 10. Build a seed incubator Help jump start your gardening. Line a shoe box or other similar shaped box with foil (shiny side up) making sure the foil extends a couple inches past the top of the box. Next poke a couple drainage holes in the bottom of the foil. Next fill the box about half way with potting soil and plant your seeds. Place the box near a window that gets good amounts of sunlight. It works because the inside layer will redirect heat to the seeds while the foil layer extending past the top of the box will help redirect sunlight back into the box. Thanks to the Ready Store for the tips!!
BE THE CHANGE YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE! Lydia Roy
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world” Mahatma Gandhi What does happiness mean to you? Around the world, people from every culture strive to be the happiest they can possibly be. For some, happiness means finding true love, while for others it can mean supporting their family, gaining wealth and success, or finding the career of their dreams. It’s not always easy to find the things that will make you happy, and that’s why books like “The Secret” have been such a success. The law of attraction tells us the same thing we’ve all heard a million times – you get what you give. It’s why the Beatles sang “the love you take is equal to the love you make.” We know it’s true, so why not apply it to every aspect of our lives? I am very fortunate to have gained the opportunity to travel the world as a business coach and share knowledge with business people from different cultures. I have run programs in Turkey, China, India, England,
and the United States, and this past week I was in Copenhagen, Denmark. As I travel, I find that being open, generous, and giving of you first is what really matters. By opening myself up to meeting different people, I have learned that most people are searching for similar things; to find themselves, to express their passions, and to work in an ideal environment. So how do you attract these opportunities to yourself? If you take advantage of every chance you have to give to others and, at the same time, connect that giving to your own interests, you will organically find connections with others, connections with new opportunities, and a deeper connection with yourself. Because
when you enable others, you enable yourself at the same time. You can have the life of your dreams, you just have to pay attention to what surrounds you and find the energy to learn from it and give to it. When you have this open and giving presence, likeminded people will be drawn to you and new opportunities will arise. Best-selling author Seth Godin recently wrote a blog about the ideal co-worker, boss, or friend as someone who is open, generous, and connected. A generous boss, he writes, would be someone who is “aware that the single most effective way to move forward is to help others move forward as well.” Doesn’t this sound like someone you would love to work for? What about someone who would make a great friend? If you could create your ideal boss or friend, what characteristics would you give them? Make a quick list in your head and then ask yourself honestly if you think you possess the same characteristics. Instead of searching for these types of people, I believe the goal should be to embody the characteristics you value the most and BE the person you want to work for or with. BE the ideal boss, co-worker, or friend, and you will eventually find yourself surrounded by these types of people.
Lydia Roy is an executive coach focusing on leadership, teaching coaches how to coach. lroy@aibn.on.com http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2013/02/open-generous-and-connected.html
April/May 2013
19
Autism @ Work ™ Wendy Arscott, RSSW, B.Ed., M.Ed.
W
ith changes to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, diagnostic classification terms such as Asperger's disorder, and pervasive development disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), are no longer used and have been replaced with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Though the diagnostic terms for autism have changed, still there remains in the community, terms such as Asperger's and High Functioning Autism. People with autism spectrum disorder who are not as compromised are capable of living meaningful, independent, quality lives with minimal support. Only 3 % of persons with Asperger's are gainfully employed. As Temple Grandin states, this is a waste of valuable talent. So how can we support people in accessing quality of life? One way is through a supportive workplace environment.
20 April/May 2013
We know environments can be engineered to support many learning and physical differences through the concepts of universal design. So, too, we can support persons diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in accessing workplace/college/university settings by tooling the space and work area. One of the largest underutilized work concepts is the people that fill that space. Teaching and training co-workers is an effective strategy to support workers/students with autism. We know that many people with autism have impaired typical social skills so anything we can do to assist in enhancing the social arena is embraced by all. Setting up the work/school environment with structured, and clearly delineated boundaries and work areas is one way of clarifying expectations about what should take place in each space. For instance, think of a library. Bookshelves are labelled with specific terms so that patrons may easily find the genre of material they are seeking. Likewise, a work/school space should be easily identified as to what occurs there. The environment should be so easy to traverse that anyone walking in for the first time can navigate to where they are to be without a lot of extraneous deciphering of where to go. Why does this help people with autism? Reducing superfluous executive functioning in the frontal area of the brain reduces anxiety. Reduced anxiety lowers stress levels and fewer stresses ameliorates inappropriate behaviours. To ensure persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder reach their full potential the school/workplace should be designed to minimize distractions, provide a quieter work space, offer work expectations in plain language through concrete tools and templates, and present training opportunities to fellow workers as well as suggesting social skills training to the individual. The result: a dedicated employee who probably does not engage in office politics, performs work to the highest standard, easily follows written policy and protocol, and models a work ethic you may want your other employees to emulate! For further consultation/training/counselling/resource development, please contact Wendy at: 905-788-9891 or contact@anewleafcounselling.com
April/May 2013
21
22 April/May 2013
April/May 2013
23
The Younger
Generation
Wants Hip, Urban, and Green.
T
But Can They Afford To Buy It?
he housing food chain starts with entry-level buyers, and as the economy recovers, builders are hopeful that Gen Y has a strong appetite.
It certainly has the sheer numbers to make a dent in the buffet. Born between 1977 and 1995, the nation’s 70+ million “echo boomers” rival the baby boomer generation in size. And, like their parents, they are rewriting many cultural rules. “Gen Y has demonstrated different values, aspirations, and behaviors through every life stage. In the United States, this is the generation that took down the music industry and supplied the swing vote that elected the president and they are dramatically changing consumer markets. They are all entering the years when young adults typically start applying for mortgages. There is no shortage of research and speculation on what they want in a home. Studies confirm that echo boomers are more ecominded, urban, ethnically diverse, and technologically literate than previous
24 April/May 2013
generations--preferences that will no doubt affect their housing choices. That is, if they can afford to buy a house! First-generation children of immigrants make up a sizable percentage of the echo boomer/millennial cohort, and they tend to fall on the lower end of the income scale. Gen Y employment prospects may be further constrained by the fact that boomers are postponing retirement and lingering in the workforce longer than expected. The lower end of the housing market is showing signs of life and where echo boomers are concerned, builders are likely to see one key difference in entry-level buyers. They are more likely going to be women than men. This demographic may well be a tipping point for the home building industry! It may even be the tipping point across the board!
Gen Y women are earning college degrees at a higher rate than their male counterparts. The average North American woman who works full-time still earns 79 cents for every dollar earned by a man, the gender gap is narrowing. “In US cities with knowledgebased economies like Washington, DC, women earn 107% of what men earn. This is changing the income dynamic. New home buyer preferences for single women and young couples demand energy-efficient homes with flexible floor plans in the 1,300-squarefoot ballpark. And it’s not just about the house; the most desirable homes are in tight-knit communities with shared gathering places such as coffee shops, grocery stores, and dog parks. Will the echo boomers fulfill the prophecy of an urban renaissance? Wait and see. Reuse will be an important topic over the next year or two with current emphasis on infill redevelopment. Housing choices will boil down to affordability and need.
April/May 2013
25
The Future of the Automotive Industry and Its Aftermarket
The Secret? Be Adaptable! Donna Messer
W
Each generation has different interests, attitudes and tastes. How do you determine how to reach each generation when it comes to influencing their needs in the automotive sector? The following information might just help you determine a strategy that will work for you and your franchise. The Silent Generation According to statistics, the Silent Generation is being more careful with spending, and will be keeping their cars longer and driving less. This generation is about 95% retired at this point. They will rely on others for the upkeep of their vehicles. In a few short years they will disappear. The Baby Boomers Again, using available statistics, The Baby Boomers favor reliable Japanese sedans such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord or upscale German cars such as the Mercedes E320. As the oldest of the 72 million baby boomers entered their 50s, (this is when consumers usually spend the most on autos) and this majority prefer Japanese or European cars. As the “Silent Generation (prewar) that makes up the industry's most loyal automotive customer dies off, the mix of cars on the road will slide inevitably toward imports. The older generation, which now buys a third of all cars, will account for just 12% of sales and the after market needs 26 April/May 2013
• • • •
hat’s in the future for the automotive industry and its aftermarket? If we really want to know, perhaps we should look at current population statistics and see what those stats are telling us.
The Silent Generation - 52.5 million people, born 1924-1945. The Baby Boomers - 72 million people, born 1945-1964. Generation X - 61 million people, born 1965 to 1984. Generation Y - 100 million people, born 1985 to the present.
of those cars. Boomers will buy half of all vehicles, followed by Generation X, which is even less inclined than Boomers to buy American. Statistics show that there are 11 million fewer Gen X'ers than Baby Boomers. It’s a noted fact that Baby Boomers are more inclined care for their cars. In 2008, the economy was the boomers! They represented the vast majority of the work force. There were 72 million of them; and they were THE economy. The huge growth in the economy since the 90s was due in large part, to 72 million of them working up to their peak earning and spending years. What were they spending their money on? What kind of cars were they buying? They were buying at the upper end of the automobile market, which showed by the explosion in the popularity of SUVs. They were responsible for the increase in RV sales as retirement and vacations becomes a more important part of their lifestyle. Now here's where the rubber meets the road. And as the number of Boomers begins to decline, there will be alternative prospects available for your automotive franchise businesses. Gen X'ers have very different tastes and consumer attitudes-making marketing to them more intense and focused very differently. Gen X'ers want fuel-efficient cars, which are high tech, fast, powerful and cool.
Generation X To reach Generation X, aim right at them! They love experiences, activities that arouse their sense of adventure and passion. Research shows that Volkswagen appealed to Gen X’ers because they liked the driving experience, and couldn’t afford the BMW. To add value, if they bought a VW they got a Trek Bike as a give away. The results? A 25% increase in sales and a real niche as a Gen X car. This generation has energy, and they have balance in their lives. They are willing to work, but they also expect to have lives outside of the office. Generation X - Do you know how to market to them? They make lots of money. They are educated and they are young. So why is it that many marketing efforts aimed at Generation X don't bring in the dollars expected? The key to success is to walk in their shoes! See who they are, what they do, what they like and how they think! The following 6 points should help to determine how best to reach this market. 1. Understand the Characteristics That Define Them This is the best-educated generation in history. Unlike the Boomers who value spontaneity, Gen X wants things mapped out for them. They like it when they hear, "Do this and you'll get that." 2. Aim Right at Them Advertising that works for Gen X is aimed right at their love of "experiences,"
those activities that arouse their sense of adventure and passion get their business. 3. Market a Truly New Product Customized your product or service to the needs of this group and it will do very well. "Skiing was a Baby Boomer activity. Snowboarding has become the icon for Gen X. 4. Make It Funny Gen X loves a good time and they value humor in ads, put a smile on their face and you’ll really make hit with the Gen X market. 5. Maintain a Quality Attitude Gen X is a quality-conscious group, they are cynical generation, and can spot a fake message. Be sincere. 6. Appeal to Their New Attitude Towards Work This generation has a more balanced view of the role that work plays in their lives. They have the money to buy expensive and top-quality products. Be adaptable.
Generation Y Born during a baby bulge that demographers locate between 1979 and 1994. The new power generation is Generation Y. By 2010 they accounted for 25 percent of the new car market. They're the biggest thing to hit the American scene since the 72 million baby boomers. One in three is not Caucasian. One in four lives in a single-parent household. Three in four have working mothers. While boomers are still mastering Microsoft Windows, their kids are tapping away at computers in nursery school. With the oldest Gen Y’ers barely out of high school, in just a few years, today's teens will be out of college and shopping for their first car. Gen Y responds to humor, irony, and the unvarnished truth. The Internet's power to reach young consumers has not been lost on marketers. These days, a welldesigned Web site is crucial for any company hoping to reach under-18 consumers.
Toyota Motor Corp. noting that 4 million new drivers will come of age each year until 2010, introduced the Echo. With low emissions and a price well below the Corolla, the new subcompact is aimed squarely at Boomers' kids who are buying their first cars. The Scion is aimed at Gen X and Y that live on the Internet. The Scion is marketed through an Internet site where they can build their car and print out the results. The average Scion buyers are 35 years old, 60 percent male and 40 percent Asian or Hispanic -- young and multi-cultural. General Motors Corp. put together a task force to figure out how to appeal to Gen Y. The automaker brings teens and children as young as sixth-graders into car clinics, where researchers probe their opinions of current models and prototypes of future cars. What’s the future of the automotive industry and its aftermarket? It’s simple, to be successful, learn about the different generations, and be flexible when it comes to their needs. Each generation will be reached in a different way. The secret to your success in the automotive market in today’s market is to be adaptable!
April/May 2013
27
Do You Have What It Takes To Be Part Of The Top 200? Amanda Dossett
F
or those of us looking to get involved and make the most of our year at Ryerson, September is a time to be bombarded by emails, applications, and interviews. All at once it seems everyone from event coordinators to student groups, teams, and volunteer organizations, is looking for some sort of commitment.
Always, but this year more than ever, I was watching my email with a careful eye. However, unlike many “rah-rah” 3rd year Retail Management students who know in only a matter of a few months time we will be competing for the same jobs and internships, I was not looking to get involved with just anything for the sake of my LinkedIn profile. There were two key criteria for my 2012/13 extra curricular activities; 1) To improve on skills that would directly impact my personal and career success, and most importantly, 2) to break out of the tight knit Retail program and expand my horizons beyond strictly retail related school involvement. When I saw the headline “Do YOU have what it takes to be part of the Top 200?” pop up on my iPhone my interest was immediately peaked. Top 200? I had never heard of this program before, but what I did know was “at the top” is definitely somewhere I would like to be. So I did my research, filled out the extensive application form, crossed my fingers, and looked forward to a few interesting events, potentially some guest speakers, and maybe even a chance to meet some new friends. Boy, did the program ever exceed my expectations. Now, almost through February, ask me what the best choice I made this year is and my answer is clear: becoming part of the Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM) Top 200 Leadership Program, launched by the Careers & Employer Partnerships centre.
28 April/May 2013
Of course I could go on like an infomercial about everything we’ve experienced so far, but instead here are the highlights that set this opportunity apart. The inaugural Top 200 Summit – I don’t know how many other business students can say they spent a few complimentary days at downtown Toronto’s ritzy Albany Club chatting one on one with key industry professionals and participating in case studies and competitions, never mind enjoying a 3 course salmon dinner with the Dean. The entire summit was chalk full of inspiration, ideas, and concrete development sessions which pushed me outside my comfort zone and proved effective leadership makes an impact anywhere and everywhere. Lumina Learning Workshop– This is the type of thing I had only heard about in textbooks and from executive lectures. After completing an extensive self-reflection psychometric profile tool called Lumina Portrait, I was handed a 65 page binder that described me so accurately it was almost creepy. Understanding not only the type of leader I am but also how I can adapt my style to best motivate and build rapport with others is a skill I started using the minute I walked out of the session. Surrounding myself with the “cream of the crop”– The saying goes if you’re the smartest person in the room, then you’re in the wrong room - now I sincerely get what that means. I have not only met, but also on
a more personal level truly got to know at least 50 of my most successful, bright, and motivated peers from TRSM. Everyday I am blown away by the things the other Top 200 members are accomplishing and have never been more proud to be part of such a forward thinking urban business school. Although I am just over a quarter through the 2-year program, looking back, the Top 200 has already taken me far beyond where I thought I could be. The accompanying opportunities have been endless as I’ve been offered numerous invitations to guest lectures, networking events, and to my complete surprise also one of 15 selected to be set up with a personal executive mentor. Even the chance to increase my professional visibility by writing this very article came out of an event I was invited to by the Top 200! As with every opportunity, what you put in is what you get out. My best advice is don’t just do anything when it comes to extracurriculars, definitively choose something and own it. I strongly believe it is this streamlined mindset that allows you to fully reap the rewards.
How Prepared Would You Be If This Happened To You?
Jane Blaufus
I recently went out West to deliver a speech and decided to take the opportunity to go a few days early to visit some very dear friends. Standing at the Toronto airport on Sunday waiting for my flight, I received an email from my girlfriend. The email started out with, “You are not going to believe this!” From there it went on to tell me that she had been at the hospital all night with her husband as he was suffering from a massive headache that would not subside. They had done a CAT scan, a spinal tap and were searching for a brain aneurism. The hair on the back of my neck and arms stood straight up. I frantically emailed her back, told her that if she needed me to stay in a hotel that night I would, but she quickly came back with a no and said that she or her daughter would pick me up at the airport. I boarded the plane with no further contact and had the longest one-
hour flight of my life to change planes in Ottawa. As soon as I could possibly turn my cell phone back on, I frantically checked for an update and this is what I read. They were transferring him to another hospital to do another CAT scan, which to me meant things were not good. I can honestly say I have never had such an excruciatingly long flight in my life as the one I boarded next. Not being able to find out what was happening had me conjuring up different scenarios with none of them offering up a good outcome. Thoughts were flying through my head and I could not wait to land to find out more news. Part of me desperately wanted the news and another part of me did not. Thankfully, the outcome was better than I had hoped for as she had just dropped her husband off at home and was waiting outside of the airport for
me. What they found was a very serious sinus infection that had caused some unusual things to show up on the CAT scan. The diagnosis brought with it a heavy-duty antibiotic and an order to go home and get some rest. There were lot of things that went through my head on that painfully long flight. If this was you and the outcome was different, would you have been prepared? Would you have: · Recently reviewed and updated your will and pre-estate documents for financial and health matters? · Made sure that everyone who needs to know you have a living will was aware of it and its location? · Had a family discussion and a courageous conversation with the people in your life? Thankfully, the outcome of this particular story was a good one, but that is not always the case. These are typically not the types of things people think about when planning their vacation but they are just as important, if not more important, than your passport and travel documents. To learn more about other things you might need to think about before your next trip, or just everyday life, please visit www.janeblaufus.com, or read my book WITH THE [STROKE] OF A PEN™.
April/May 2013
29
The New Samsung S4.
Puting the "S" in Smartphones
Smart phones are just getting smarter and the Samsung S4 is no exception. With the introduction of Samsungs latest device here are few of the innovative features this phone boasts. Aside from the expected hardware side of this phone it’s lighter, faster, thinner and its bigger; the screen has gone from 4.8” on the S3 to a 5” screen. The trends are certainly leading to a larger screen with people using their phones to watch videos, social media and basic searching. A longer battery life with built in wireless charging is another possible feature that can make the S4 a very attractive piece of equipment. On the software side of the S4 a few of the impressive features include something called “S Translator”; this feature will allow you to ask a question in one language, the device will then read that question out in another language. The examples given were imagine you get into a taxi in Italy and ask the driver a question in English, the device will read the question out loud in Italian allowing the driver to respond in Italian and then the device will repeat his response back in English. Very cool! The S4 camera also has 2 cameras, a 13MP camera in the rear (the main camera) and a 2MP front facing camera. Another fun feature is the ability to share music wirelessly with up to 8 other people. If you are listening to a particular song and other S4 users (up to 8 others) in your area can all hear the same song at the same time or even play games simultaneously even though one person has it and no internet connection is required. The phone has a “hover” feature which allows you to hover your finger about 1-2cm above an email subject line for example and it will bring up the body of the email almost like a transparent overlay rather than actually opening the email; the same idea would apply to the photos as well. Finally this device will allow you to shoot 2 videos at the same time....pretty cool!! It also has a camera inside that is looking at your eyes so when you are watching a video and you look away the video is automatically paused and will resume once you look back at the screen!! http://cnettv.cnet.com/introducingsamsung-galaxy-s4/9742-1_53-50142827. html
30 April/May 2013
Communication Zone Inc. | TELUS Mobility 905.875.9100
April/May 2013
31
RG Dundas
I first met Christian almost a year ago to the day. We were at the Kerr Village 3 on 3 hockey tournament in Oakville. I remember that were partially through a rainy spring day of hockey when he took the microphone to make some announcements. Most people were so engaged in the sport and atmosphere of the day that the announcementsthat had come earlier went somewhat unnoticed. When Christian began speaking, every head and that wasn’t engaged in play spun to see where this incredibly recognizable voice was coming from. His voice was so recognizable it was nearly iconic. Being a self admitted cartoon junkie and pop culture addict, I could think of a half-dozen things that I had heard or seen him in instantly… from commercials to movies to cartoons. “Who is this guy?’ I thought. “How did he just transform a few sentences into this sort of recognition?” He finished speaking and moved on to meet with a group of fans that had gathered, leading with a big, natural smile and casual familiarity. True success in any vocation is a mysterious blend of determination, success, disappointment, strife and humility. It always seems to boil down to self-awareness and the ability to allow you’re true self to come out in your work. This is a particularly difficult task if your job is acting. This is the story of the Christian Potenza, his personal discoveries about himself and how it all led to hosting the Discovery Channel’s “Last Car Standing”.
Born in Ottawa on December 23, 1972, Christian Potenza was self-admittedly shy and introverted as a child. “When I was eleven years old,my family and I had left Sudbury and moved to Sault Ste. Marie and I had an entire summer before startingat my new school. I was always the shy kid and I remember when my family moved there that I was going to start over. I was gong to reinvent myself.” He realized that relocating to a new city opened the opportunity for him change from the reserved kid he had always been. His family moved frequently and that meant always trying to fit in… or always standing on the sidelines. Potenza decided that he would introduce himself as “Christian” rather than “Chris” from then on. He began wearing more flashy clothes and came out of his shell. He began to actively try to become more extroverted, more of a risk taker. “I was a really skinny, bashful kid but I figured out that whenever I did imitations from T.V., or of my dad and brothers, I would get noticed. People would laugh. Girls would find me cute, and guys would want to hang out with me.” Christian was influenced heavily by sitcom comedy in the 70’s and 80’s. Television shows such as MASH, Mork and Mindy and Saturday Night Live captured his attention and he began to imitate the characters played by Alan Alda and Robin Williams and Martin Short.Upon entering grade six in Sault Ste. Marie, he began to notice acting more. He saw the show FAME and realized that he wanted to go to an art school like that. “I did an imitation of Ed Grimley at a school assembly and the place went nuts. I knew then that acting was for me. I wanted to be an actor for a living.” When it came time for high school, Christian joined the drama club quickly. He admits to not being the best student of academics, but he excelled in theatre. Moving away from what he describes as “The Glee Club” the budding actor dug into the artsy subculture of senior high. “A buddy of mine gave me a Sex Pistols album when I was in Grade nine and it blew my mind. There was
the edge to their music that had always been missing in my life. I became more punky, and more “me”. My grades weren’t great overall and I spent a lot of time in detention in first year high school.” He laughed. “We didn’t know about A.D.D. back then. I have it, but the theatre was just somewhere that I could focus and latch on. I felt comfortable there, like I belonged, and even though I had what would now be considered a learning disability, I was engaged and succeeding. Next thing I know high school is over and I am moving back to Ottawa and auditioning for the Ottawa Little Theatre, which is a really big deal. I was cast into my first play “Broadway Bound”,by Neil Simon,playing Eugene Morris Jerome. There were all these pictures on the wall there. People like Rich Little, Dan Aykroyd and Michael Burgess and all sorts of success stories that came out of the Ottawa Little Theatre and I wanted my picture up on the wall too. Potenza enrolled George Brown College in Toronto to study acting. “I realized I was too young. I hadn’t even finished high school so I took a year off and found an agent and started making money playing background extras. After that I went back and finished my two years of theatre school. When I finished at twenty-two years old, the offers started coming in.I decided that I didn’t need the third year of school so I went out to get work.
April/May 2013
33
Potenza immediately landed a role in the CBC prime time soap opera “Riverdale” and he was out of the gates in the realm of professional acting. He played a lot of rookie cops and strung out kids and darker roles when he started his career. “Then I was cast in a commercial for “Salon Selectives”. The role was a regular guy eating cheezies who morphs into a handsome guy while sitting on the couch beside his girlfriend. I had to go to California to get the body prosthetics done for this part. I had never seen the ocean before and I loved it there. That commercial took off and I was on the map doing commercial acting. The big difference was that it was all funny now. No more dark, angry, brooding, violentparts. No more dramatic character work. I reconnected with that world where I found my sense of humour in grade six and for the next five years I acted in commercials. I became the funny guy. Everyone thought I was a comedian. I got to do Movies of the Week, HBO, and Showtime. Then I got a role in the Jimi Hendrix movie as record producer and manager Chas Chandler and a role in “The Tuxedo” with Jackie Chan. They were grooming me to be the next Pauly Shore and I really wasn’t into that.” While he worked in Los Angeles, Christian continued to be successful in commercials where he became a recognizable, rememberable actor because of his trademark laugh and voice. He came back to Canada from California in 2002 and landed a role in the Ken Finkleman movie “Escape from the Newsroom” which earned him his first Gemini nomination and brought him back into the eye of the CBC. 34 April/May 2013
“I was playing a character, but I was playing me.” Potenza explained. “I looked young for my age, so I was in a strange position. I was 30, but people weren’t buying me as 30, but they weren’t buying me as 24 either. Television and film roles began drying up as I was becoming known as the “commercial guy”. I played a toothbrush, a breakfast cereal bar, a hot dog, a quarter, and a guy with a parrot head. Suddenly I was “Kramered”, he joked. “I became a type-cast because of the goofy commercials I did and my signature voice. After you play a big yellow toothbrush, where do you really go from there, right? I couldn’t get arrested on film.” So, he went out and auditioned for a cartoon called “Sidekick”. “My character was a bratty 12 year old, Trevor Troublemeyer, and I used my surfer/ hoser voice that was getting me recognized in commercials. A couple of weeks later I auditioned for a cartoon called “6Teen” and my character was a sixteen-yearold skater dude, Jude Lizowski. I had spent a lot of time with the surf crowd in California while I lived there and I had really caught on to their slow surfer drawl and used it for the popular character in 6Teen.” Two years later Potenza auditioned for three roles in a show called “Total Drama Island” that was created by the same company that produced 6Teen, Fresh TV.
“I totally bombed the auditions. On the way out, Tom McGillis, creator of 6Teen, Stoked, Total Drama and other awesome shows asked me to read a script and think of Ashton Kutcher as I did it.” Potenza landed the role ofChris McLean, host inthe animated Total Drama series that became a global phenomenon. “Out of nowhere I have three cartoons that are doing well and playing three different characters with different mentalities but the same voice. As his popularity grew as a voiceover actor, some kids “hijacked” Potenza’s face and persona and started fake YouTube and Facebookpages, claiming they were Christian himself, in order to gain subscribers. He decided to do his own YouTube channel “TheChristianPotenza” where he would take a camera to work with him and start introducing his fan base to the people behind the cartoon voices. “My fans loved it and send me requests for videos. I started getting work on other cartoons because of my behind the scenes YouTube footage featuringother voice actors.” He landed roles in cartoons such as Jimmy Two-Shoes, Scaredy Squirrel and Stoked.
LAST CAR STANDING Last Car Standing premieres April 22, 2013 at 10et/pt on Discovery Canada. The show pits five real people in brutal head to head automotive battles in their own cars. The loser of each challenge has their car spiked (tune in to see this awesome action). This auto-wrecking elimination series features four grueling challenges with the loser of each round sacrificing their car to “The Spike”. The lucky owner of the sole car-vivor wins $10,000 in automotive upgrades and the title of “Last Car Standing”. At the end of each week the winners are given a further opportunity to keep the $10,000 in automotive upgrades or give it back to enter the season finale where the winners of each episode meet and compete for the title of “The Ultimate Last Car Standing” and $50,000 in automotive upgrades. Christian Potenza earned the role of host of this show and is the checkered flag waving, megaphone-hollering guide for this wild ride. “It’s a great show.” Potenza states. “I am thankful to Discovery (Channel) for the opportunity. Each week features different classes of car… sport, boats, subcompact, 4x4’s etc. They are all beloved beaters that we put through the wringer. What makes it fun is that
“I’ve been doing voice acting in cartoons for almost six years. My Voice became my new face. Doing voiceover work gave me the chance to gain back my career in television. I am extremely grateful for it. Now I have the opportunity to act and can actually choose roles. I still have to prove myself and I still run into roadblocks and hurdles along the way, but at least I have the chance. That’s a great thing.”
April/May 2013
35
every contestant has a co-pilot with him or her who is usually the person who wants to see the Junker destroyed. By the end of the competition, though, the co-pilot is generally the person who is generally cheering for the car the most. It is a show about the people. It’s about passion. These cars are a part of these people’s families and nobody gets left behind.” Potenza is a tireless promoter of Last Car Standing and his cartoon voiceover work and can always be found informing people about what he is up to. “I am ten to fifteen years ahead of where I ever pictured myself being at this point in my professional life.” We asked Christian, “After being typecast, mimicking childhood hero’s, playing the comedian as well as the dark character… and surpassing your career expectations for this age, what do you see yourself as today? Are you more Pauly Shore or Alan Alda?” “Neither, I’m Christian Potenza. That’s the biggest thing I had to learn. How to be myself and be comfortable with me. Nobody can be
36 April/May 2013
She was right. You have to make sure you focus on the things that are real and what matter.” When he was starting his career as a cartoon voiceover artist in 2002, Potenza was informed by a woman he had only been seeing for two months that he was going to be a father.
ruled by ego, and when you start getting noticed at a young age, especially in the realm of acting and become famous on any level, you can fall into that trap. When I was in my twenties I was having a lot of success and people would constantly tell me that I was awesome and other things I wanted to hear. My career was feeding my ego. I have worked hard to get away from that and just be me. Acting for a living is a lot like going to the casino. You can go for years and nothing happens and then one time you go and, BAM, your life changes. You can end up focusing on that big win only, and that’s not what life is about. My daughter helps me stay grounded. Children are the great equalizer. They see the world through eyes that strip away all the fakeness in life. I remember I was talking out loud one time and she heard me complaining. I had not gotten a role I wanted. In my mind at the time, I thought that role would change my career. It was good money and I guess I was whining a bit and my daughter came over to me and said, “Don’t worry Daddy, money is just something invented by people, it’s not even real”.
“It was a rough time. I wasn’t prepared for it. My career was changing because of the commercials I made and I was making a living in a very different way. Everything happens for a reason, though, and I am so happy I have my daughter. Until she came into my life I had gone through all of these transitions. I lived my twenties too big and with too much ego, Rejections, especially professionally, were just crushing me. A lot of my career was tough. When I started doing voiceovers I let my hair grow and grew a beard. It was kind of my time “out in the desert” in many ways when I first became a parent. I didn’t need to be “camera ready”, because I acted with my voice. Somewhere in that time I surrendered from my “I just must” mentality and accepted that I didn’t have to be the best or the funniest or most talented dad, or actor, or man. I could just be me. Now I can see myself moving from actor to individual and get roles for my personality. For years I had been searching for myself and I finally found me. It was there under my nose all this time. Just be you. It’s kind of like “Last Car Standing” I just needed to put myself in a solid 3rd gear and start cruising through everything.
For more information about Christian Potenza visit www.diamondfield.com/christianpotenza or his YouTube channel TheChristianPotenza www.youtube.com/user/TheChristianPotenza For more information on Last Car Standing visit www.discovery.ca Special thanks to: Fotografia Boutique for our studio photos and cover design www.fotografiaboutique.ca Ontario Auto Salvage for allowing us to take location photos on their premises www.oasauto.ca
April/May 2013
37
Family-Friendly Eco-Voluntourism
The Next Generation of Travel
Photo Courtesy: Shannon MacNeil, Global Medic, Clean Water Restoration
Photo Courtesy: Global Volunteer Network
By now most of us have heard of Voluntourism, but in a recent article I wrote about Earth Day, I was introduced to the concept of Eco-Voluntourism. Much like the variety of “sweatequity” type vacations, Missions, or active disaster response volunteer opportunities (think rebuilding and recovery after Hurricane Katrina or Sandy, or the Earthquake in Haiti), Eco-Voluntourism is next generation of conscientious and earth-friendly travel. From Carbon Credits to staying in Eco-friendly Hotels to sticking to the principals of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, there is a growing roster of exciting “green” opportunities to allow you to see the world, learn about a new culture or environment, and all while helping to protect our planet. The website EcoVolunTours.com best describes Eco-voluntourism as going beyond Voluntourism which traditionally involves offering some man hours to provide “much-needed services while offering a very personal cultural exchange, creating longlasting ties between foreign tourists and local community members.” and taking it a step further to “minimize the environmental impact ….(and)…in addition, at least some of the volunteer opportunities are selected to contribute positively to the environment.”. Not for the Faint of Heart But traveling to such far-flung places with limited resources and access is not for the faint of heart. Any time you travel with kids you really need to do your research and think about what you, as a family, hope to get out of this type of a vacation. I am an advocate 38 April/May 2013
Travel the world with your kids while lending a hand and protecting the environment & conserving nature. Rania Walker
Photo Courtesy: The Sierra Club
of really involving kids in the research, planning and preparation, of a big excursion. If there is a lot of resistance before you go, then this is not the type of vacation to push on them. And ‘not now’ doesn’t mean never. If you’re not getting a lot of support for this idea now, consider putting off this type of trip until the kids are older or more willing to participate. What do you hope to get, or give? In researching this option for our family, I came across quite a few really good resources. The folks at www. greenyour.com outline tips on what you need to know and how to prepare to become an eco-voluntourist. To start, I’d suggest having a family meeting and then ask yourselves, as a group, the following questions: 1. Why do you want to volunteer? 2. What do you hope to gain from the experience? 3. Where would you really like to go, see or experience (sights, people, marine-life, etc)? 4. Are resources (medical, communications, food, etc.) easily accessible? 5. Will the project truly benefit a local area? 6. What is the work schedule like? 7. What is the history and experience of the organization hosting you there? 8. Are you prepared to sleep on the ground or do you require a bed? 9. What about your tolerance for extremes of cold or heat? 10. Are you emotionally prepared to see people living in poverty or those in poor health?
Photo Courtesy: uVolunteer
11. What is the minimum age for the destination? 12. What fees and extra expenses should you be prepared for? 13. Are there vegetarian, gluten-free, peanut-free food options? 14. What skills can you offer (research, manual labour), and what are you NOT willing to do? (For a more detailed list of questions you can check out www.travelanthropist.com)
Where to Start Whatever your goal – simply greener travel or lending a hand - there are options for every budget and accommodation preference. Once your family gives you the green light, here is a list of the top 8 family-related Ecovoluntourism websites I found: 1. Habitat for Humanity International Global Village 2. GoEco Family Volunteering 3. Go Abroad 4. Earthwatch Institute 5. The Sierra Club 6. Mother Nature Network 7. uVolunteer 8. Global Volunteer Network
For more Tips and Ideas from WEplusTHREE… or more, go to: http://www.rwspeakboutique.com/ blog/ or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ pages/Large-Family-Travel-Weplusthree-or-More/ Twitter: @largefamilytrav
Rania Walker
is a busy mom of three kids who loves to travel and is always looking for deals and tips to allow her to explore, experience and bond with her "large" family of 5. Through her company R.W. SPEAKBoutique she offers Media Training and On-Air Presentation Skills; P.R., Branding & Marketing Consultation; Media Relations and Corporate Communications.
Gadget Zone Special
The C.Crane WiFi Internet Radio Tone Careless
W
elcome back to the Gadget Zone, the Oakville Voice's regular column on cutting-edge technology. In this special edition, regular columnist James Careless is turning over the reins to Tone Anthony Careless, noted expert on consumer radios and (by biological coincidence) James Careless’ older brother. Here is Tone’s first-hand review of the C. Crane CC WiFi Internet Radio, available for US$ 99.95 at www.ccrane.com:
When we buy goods, we are guided by three considerations: Looks, functionality/operation, and performance. Think of your fridge, vacuum cleaner and car: "It may not look fancy, in fact it looks weird, but it's simple to operate and is reliable." The same thinking applies when one purchases the Internet Radio of their choice: Does it look good; is it simple to operate; and -- does it work? Often we compare a new product with a previous purchase or with what we Google'd about. So too with the CC WiFi Internet Radio, which can tune into thousands of radio stations from around the world, via the Internet. I've owned two Internet radios before, the most recent being the Acoustic Research (AR) ARIR200. It still works fine, but has lost its Internet server support from AR and is out of production, complicating this radio’s ability to connect to many Internet radio stations. This is too bad, because the ARIR200 sets up fine, never rebuffers, has a large LCD display, gets Slacker, AM/FM, the weather, and has a 12 hour internal memory chip plus an external USB port, so you can record the music you're hearing, or play your MP3s. The CC WiFi Internet Radio is small and ergonomically efficient. The controls are clear and simple and easy to operate. The display is small and simple: There’s not much on it and what is there requires close range viewing. This radio’s clock does not default into local time. The radio itself is so small and light, it can easily be brushed
off the bedside table as you press its buttons. The CC WiFi’s audio output is mono, although the sources are stereo. It does have a stereo headphone and line feed jacks. So how does the CC WiFi compare to the ARIR200? Well, the CC WiFi doesn’t come with a built-in AM/FM radio. This radio’s manual is easy to read and the English is impeccable but oddly there is no mention anywhere in the manual about the remote, its battery number, or its activation, or its operation. The CC WiFi will connect to paid Internet music services. But there is no USB MP3 input or output: it does not record programs and will not load them from a memory stick, although there is a "Windows Share" program that links back to your computer. The Internet portal that the CC WiFi connects to for stations — www. Reciva.com – is a great server but oddly it has no Big Band Swing category, unlike other service providers. How does the CC WiFi work when it comes to actual operation? Well, the setup is very straightforward and entering your home network’s WPA/WEP password into the radio is very simple. Rebuffering is rare but each time you power up, the start-up process takes about a minute, which is not what you find on other WiFi radios. When you do turn the CC WiFi back on, you may not get back to the program you were listening to. But you can select it from the My Stuff list of presets you previously set up by going to the Reciva website. Other points: This radio recovers well from a power interruption, except the volume will need to be reset. Using the Line Out jack to your amplifier does not disable the internal CC WiFi speaker. Pressing the remote's mute button cuts that speaker, but not the radio’s Line Out feed. Because the CC WiFi’s LCD is short in height, you only see one Favourite at a time. So, when choosing a station from your list you must scroll frequently -- and be close to the set to read the tiny oneline choice. All that being said, the CC WiFi Internet Radio set offers easy Internet access to a vast range of genres and countries, and the audio is fine for its size and bandwidth. For those of us who started with C.Crane radios to do 1950s-style AM DXing (i.e. listening to distant domestic stations at night, such as 880 WCBS New York) and then onto 1960s-style shortwave listening (to hear the BBC from London), this radio upholds C.Crane's tradition of supporting the avid radio listener. April/May 2013
39
The United States of Depression –
Is Canada Far Behind?
“Unfortunately, those topics have dominated headlines for the past five years. What’s worse, by 2020, the World Health Organization estimates depression will be second most debilitating disease worldwide.” The author of “Overcoming Anxiety, Worry and Fear,” (www.aplaceofhope. com) says these negative emotions along with sustained, excessive stress can lead to depression, which now overshadows other problems for which patients seek help at his clinic.
It’s no wonder nearly one in 10 Americans suffers from depression. “Top risk factors include being unable to work or unemployed; having no health insurance; or suffering from obesity,” notes psychologist Gregory L. Jantz, citing a Centers for Disease Control study.
“Depression can be rooted in a number of problems, and those need to be addressed – simply taking a pill is not usually effective treatment. Anger, fear and guilt can all be underlying causes, even when the person isn’t aware he’s experiencing those feelings.” A holistic treatment approach, which may or may not include medication, helps people overcome a bout of the debilitating illness, and learn techniques to manage it themselves, he says.
People at risk of depression can work at maintaining their emotional equilibrium by counterbalancing negative feelings with optimism, hope, and joy. This is most effective if they do this holistically, addressing the four main categories of human need. “By purposefully feeding the intellectual, relational, physical, and spiritual aspects of your life positive emotions, you can achieve balance,” Jantz says.
He offers these suggestions:
• Intellectual: Be aware of what you’re feeding to your mind. Try reading a positive, uplifting book, and setting aside time in your day to fill yourself up intellectually with constructive, encouraging messages. Be aware of what you are reading and listening to, and seek to counter the negative input we all get with positive influences. • Relational: Think of a person you really enjoy talking to, someone who makes you feel good about yourself or someone who’s just fun to be around. Plan today to spend time with that person this week, even if it’s just for a moment or two. Make the effort to verbalize your appreciation for his or her positive presence in your day. • Physical: Physical activity is a wonderful way of promoting emotional health. Engage in some mild exercise this week. Take a walk around the neighborhood. Stroll through a city park. The goals are to get your body moving and to allow you to focus on something other than yourself and your surroundings. Greet your neighbors, stop at the park and watch someone playing with his dog, or cheer at a Little League game. Intentionally open up your focus to include the broader world around you. • Spiritual Support: Take some time to nourish your spirit. If you are a member of a religious organization, make sure to attend services this week. If you are not, listen to some religious or meditative music. Spend time in quiet reflection, meditation, or prayer. Intentionally engage in an activity that replenishes and reconnects your spirit. If you are not depressed but feel anxious and stressed, have trouble sleeping or find your not content much of the time, Jantz says it’s time to start taking care of yourself. “Depression is painful and as debilitating as any other disease,” he says. “Take steps to de-stress your life and to work on emotional balance before it gets worse.”
Gregory L. Jantz has more than 25 years experience in mental health counseling and is the founder of The Center for Counseling and Health Resources, near Seattle , Wash. He is the best-selling author of more than 20 books, including “When Your Teenager Becomes the Stranger in the House.” If you’re concerned you or a loved one may be depressed, visit www.aplaceofhope.com and click the “Are You?” tab for a self-evaluation. 40 April/May 2013
April/May 2013
41
Desmond Jordan
INVESTMENT COSTS DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL! H
ave you ever wondered what investment services or investment advice really costs? Wouldn’t you like to know the truth? Almost every industry likes to hide the real cost of a product or service behind a veil of jargon and complexity. Here are some from the investment industry;
UP FRONT BUT OUTRAGEOUS – Did you know you could be paying up to 5% up-front for many investments ranging from Mutual Funds, New Issues (IPO’s), Insurance Funds/Segregated Funds, Principal Protected Notes (PPNs), Labour Sponsored/Venture Funds to name just a few. Think about that, from day one only 95% of your money is getting invested. Good luck catching up and getting ahead. PACKAGED AND PAINFUL –Rule of thumb -whenever any two things are wrapped together you can bet the real costs are hidden and outrageous. Look at some of those mentioned above. Even when they appear simple they are not –and good luck reading the small print! Watch out for market-linked GICs, PPNs and anything that blends investment and insurance together, especially those that guarantee income for life. Remember the adage ‘If it seems too good to be true, it probably is’.
GICs HAVE NO FEES! -Think so? Think again. When you wrestle your bank to get better than the posted rate do you think you have won? What they forgot to tell you is that is that through their own broker dealer (stockbroker) or online brokerage account you could have access to over 25 competing banks, insurance companies and credit unions offering GICs at much more attractive rates. Take a look for yourself. In most cases you will even see your own bank’s GICs among the list offering a higher rate than you just got offered from their retail arm. MUTUAL FUNDS -There is a saying among the industry insiders that states ‘buy the firm not the fund’. In many years you would be better buying shares in the investment companies rather than the mutual funds that they sell to you. There is a lot of truth in this old adage, especially when you are paying 2.5% or more EVERY YEAR for funds that
The Financial Literacy Learning Centre provides classroom based courses across the GTA that teach the fundamentals of the investment world and give an unbiased look at the industry. Visit http://www.fllc. ca for more information.
42 April/May 2013
often perform no better than the market average and in many years do much worse. If you want to get the same thing for a quarter of the price look at ETFs (exchange traded funds). They can be a much better alternative. In truth holistic financial planning is not an easy process even for mature, informed and experienced Canadian’s investors. I will leave you with two suggestions to help you along the way. 1. DON’T GO IT ALONE – Take advice from professionals but make sure you take referrals first and do enough research to make sure you can find qualified advisors that genuinely have your interests at heart, are experts at what they do, and are good fit for your overall needs. 2. GET EDUCATED - However you choose to invest or save your money you need to be an informed consumer. There are an infinite number of courses and free resources online. Your bank or advisor will also invite you to as many as seminars you are willing to attend. Just remember to keep asking yourself one key question, ‘Is the information or advice I am receiving coming from an unbiased source?’
April/May 2013
43
44 April/May 2013