Thunder Bay Business September 2012-4

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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS SEPTEMBER 2012

The 121st Murillo Fair

By Sherry Aalto One hundred and twenty one years of ongoing planning, preparing, budgeting and recruiting volunteers can only mean one thing…you’ve got to be doing something right! The Oliver Agricultural Society of Murillo Ontario have been doing it right for all these years and they want everyone to continue to come out to their country fair and have the best family times of their lives.

When it comes to family, friends and fun, The Murillo Fair welcomes everyone near and far to join in, Country Fun for Everyone! This year’s country event was

held on August 25th and 26th in Murillo and as always, many activities, especially for children, were featured.

If you attended this year’s country fair, then you were probably not disappointed that country is what is was all about.

With events such as the Racing intermission for the Antique Tractor Parade of Power, Murillo Ranch Rodeo, All Breed Horse Show, Milking Competition, All Farm Animals Display and Entries, Rabbit and Poultry Farm, Children’s Activities and Petting Zoo, well you know its country.

Homemade favourites to satisfy your taste

buds, was also available by many participating vendors and on Saturday from 3:00

track which awed the crowd!

One could say , ‘Aaah. It’s just another

– 7:00 pm, a full home cooked dinner was offered in the Main OAS Hall. There was live entertainment and a chance for the youngers to be a star in the Children’s Karaoke Contest.

The weather was perfect! The food was great! The fun for all was another memory maker! And let’s not forget that no country fair would be complete without Horse

fair!’ but you try and do something for 121 years and keep it interesting! As long as you keep coming back, they will keep putting on the fair for you and let you sample a style of living and fun that you just can’t get everywhere, anytime. And we all know nothing is a success without your support! Hope you had a great time!

Keep coming back and bring the whole

Racing and that, for many, stole the show!

Skilled cowboys and cowgirls test their best in these big events out on the race

family! See you next year in the quaint, little, friendly community of Murillo, Ontario!

Prosperous Future

“Working with business for a sustainable and prosperous future.”

409 George Street Thunder Bay, ON P7E 5Y9 Tel: 807.623.6000 raffej@parl.gc.ca

John Rafferty, MP. Thunder Bay - Rainy River New Democrat Critic for Forestry

www.johnrafferty.ndp.ca

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS SEPTEMBER 2012

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Off To The Fair!!

By Sherry Aalto 2012 Westfort Street Fair, another successful yearly event!

The good news is the Westfort Street Fair, Thunder Bay, is perfectly scheduled

around other community events so you won’t ever have to miss out. The Westfort Village Association was proud

to present their 30th annual street fair.

The fair is always free to attend and it is comforting to know that the familiar ven-

dors, events and Westfort merchants are always there for you.

The street fair has consistently, for 30 years, provided the opportunity for family and friends to gather together, meet new faces, get painted faces, sample tempting entrees, indulge in ice-cream

and other sweet delights and take advantage of the famous sidewalk sales, showcasing merchandise ranging from clothing and jewellery fashions to cultural crafts and accessories for practical and fashionable wear to interesting creations in art and home decor.

The street fair which was held on August 25, 2012 reported a notable crowd, ranging in ages from new born to somewhere around 100 years of age. Frederica Street in Westfort was closed to motor vehicles from just west of Brown Street, going far east as Ford Street. Bicycles, baby carriages, strollers, walkers, etc. were certainly welcomed, but the average skateboarder or those with roller blades, found it a little difficult to negotiate a path as the street was busy with patrons and

maybe an alien or two. Who knows?

Street-side musicians, busking, magicians, clowns and other forms of entertainment free of charge were enjoyed by those sauntering along the street. Cuisine featured from the different cultures that help make up the wonderful diversity of

our city, were also part of the traditional offerings that were enjoyed by many. As well, refreshments were also widely available along with the ever popular pizza which still is a steadfast pleaser amongst the fair goers.

Continued Next page

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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2012

Is Your Home Based Business Insured? © 2012 Brian Babcock Your home based business may not be adequately insured unless you have purchased commercial insurance coverages. Home insurance excludes most or all losses related to business activities (the policy terms vary, adding to the risk of confusion). All business operators, even home based, need advice from a qualified broker. Though less dramatic than other flood related losses, I could not help wondering how many home based businesses suffered uninsured losses.

Legal Matters Some insurers offer homeowner policies which cover specific levels or types of business activity. In other situations, the issue may be whether the business activity “materially changed the risk to the insurer” from what was disclosed when purchasing the policy. Those situations end up in the courts,

which is not what you want when you buy insurance.

Dozens of coverages might apply depending upon your situation. An experienced commercial broker knows the risks and the markets to insure them. As a lawyer, I would never advise a client about what coverage is available to them. Certain basic types, though, are most common.

Legal liability insurance is included in most home owner’s packages, but few people even notice it, worrying mostly about the fire and theft property coverage. If a courier or customer is hurt on your property, your home owners’ coverage might not respond. A commercial liability package may also insure other risks related to your specific business, from product liability to defamation, depending on the coverage obtained.

Your home owner’s policy will likely also

not insure business assets from fire, theft or other damage. So to replace everything from tools to electronics to inventory to the data on that hard drive, talk to your commercial broker.

Loss of money coverage is very limited in home owner’s policies, so if you keep a float of cash, or other valuables, that needs specific coverages.

You also need to consider business continuation coverages. This is simply not included in a home owner’s package. If you can no longer do your business from your home, how will you replace that income?

We buy insurance for peace of mind. It is never a good day when I have to tell a client after their loss that they did not buy the coverage they needed. It is far better if you talk to your broker before you end up in a law office.

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2012

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Easter Seals Drop Zone Event Big Success

BY SCOTT A. SUMNER

Thunder Bay BUSINESS The scene near the corner of Balmoral and Beverly Street was an interesting one on August 20th as you saw people repelling down the 14-storey building all for a good cause. “ The Easter Seals Drop Zone is an inaugural event in Thunder Bay but has been going on across Canada for the last 7

Top: Laura Zaina Above: Lindsay Gaw- Martin

years. We wanted to do something special this year being Easter Seals Ontario 90th Anniversary so brought the event to Thunder Bay,” said Rhonda Harrison of Easter Seals Thunder Bay. “ We have 30 people repelling 14 stories down Maplecrest Condominium, brave souls.

They worked hard raising pledges in support of Easter Seals Kids. It is scary but they are overcoming their fears.

Everything has gone so well. I would love to do this again if the people let us.”

Remote Access Technology( RAT) is the company based in Nova Scotia that does these types of events for 2 months

in the summer across Canada. They have the technical expertise to allow the event to happen.

Laura Zaina, CKPR Morning Show Radio Host, was a participant in the event and came down Maplecrest Condominium. “ It is frightening when you are up there getting the instructions.

The part where you first put your foot over the edge of the building is the most frightening. Just getting your feet on the edge of the building is the worst part.

The guys talking you through it is great because they tell you exactly what to do with your hands, “ smiles Laura Zaina. “ You are controlling your descent but if you happen to let go you might drop just a bit but it won’t be much because your equipment locks. These guys are the company that clean the CN Tower which made me feel better.”

Laura has a fear of heights so this was huge for her who told me she had trouble standing on a third storey balcony.

It took Laura 8 minutes to come down. “

I decided I wouldn’t look around until I got to the 3rd floor. When I got going down it was good but it was counting the floors. It was exhilarating I’ll say that much but I was glad to be on the ground,” said Laura. “ Some of the people raised way more than they were required to which was $1500 per person.

I talked to some people who came up to me and said they would do it next year because they knew how scared I was and accomplished it.”

Lindsay Gaw- Martin was another participant in the Easter Seals Drop Zone

and dressed as Robin of Robin and Barman fame for the occasion. “ I heard of the event months ago on the radio when they first started advertising it and just decided I wanted to go and help the cause. I work with kids in the school system and really want to give something back and I though this would be a great opportunity,” said Lindsay who raised $1600 just by asking everyone she knew. “ I had to go all out and get dressed up as Robin as well. I’m excited!”

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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2012