FEBRUARY 2021
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
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https://JamesMaloney.libparl.ca
MASTHEAD EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS KELLY FARRELL Founder and Director at Oak Learners; Private Alternative School in Mimico
MIKE WIXSON Producer of the Etobicoke Lakeshore Podcast & Owner of The Pod Plant
BRAD JONES HILIARY BREADNER Production Manager & Graphic Design; President & Owner of Ridley Funeral Home in New Toronto Owner of Hiliary Breadner Graphics DEREK STOCKLEY BILL ZUFELT Principal, Lakeshore Campus; Dean, Long Branch Resident and Chair of the Faculty of Social & Community Services History & Culture Committee, LBNA AMANDA KIRKLAND TONY KROSEL Self-Care Coach helping busy people CEO, Moya Financial get organized and simplify their lives. 747 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke JONATHAN NHAN Pharmacist & Associate Owner at Shoppers Drug Mart in Long Branch
JAMES MALONEY Member of Parliamen for the riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore
DR. TIMOTHY KODSI South Etobicoke Resident & Medical Lead at Mimico Medical
REUBEN MCCALLUM Realtor and Grey County Resident; Good-Bye City...Hello, Grey County!
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JAMES MALONEY LET THE GEMS OF E-L SHINE
JAMES MALONEY Member of Parliament Etobicoke-Lakeshore Photo: Jennifer Hartley
Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and our community. You feed us, you entertain us, you keep up safe, keep us clean and healthy. You renovate our homes, provide valuable services, you keep us beautiful and happy. You keep us educated, productive and you’re innovating across sectors. You help the young, the old, and everyone in between.
in and here we are celebrating small businesses.
Traditionally, you have made up 98% of all Canadian businesses and employ eight million hard-working Canadians from coast to coast to coast. In our constituency, we have businesses of all sizes and up until this year, we had upwards of 4,000 small businesses.
One of the aspects I love about our incredible constituency is the way we are there for each other, encouraging and providing opportunities for growth and prosperity.
However, small businesses have been some of the hardest hit during the COVID-19 crisis. As a government, we have created many small business supports that have helped many businesses stay afloat. It breaks my heart to see businesses struggle. Others have thrived and others have redefined themselves and shown a new kind of resilience. However, all of them are heroes in my books. This year, we are bringing back the GEMS of Etobicoke-Lakeshore awards. We will honour businesses throughout our Etobicoke-Lakeshore community, in every neighbourhood. Now more than ever it is time to thank frontline workers who have been working around the clock non-stop to keep us all safe, to keep food on our tables and ensure other essential services have been provided. We cannot thank them enough and so there are new GEMS COVID-19 categories for this year. In the beginning, the GEMS focused on the southern part of the constituency and then they grew and grew to include the whole riding. Business Improvement Area (BIA) after BIA joined
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Our BIAs are incredible organizations, there to help residents and businesses alike. Thank you to all the BIAs and small businesses for your cooperation, support, and for fighting the good fight over the last year in these extraordinary times we live .
At the beginning of the pandemic, I started the Heroes of Etobicoke-Lakeshore initiative which recognizes individuals and business people in our community making a difference during COVID-19. As we move to continue the GEMS of Etobicoke-Lakeshore tradition, let us also remember to honour our community heroes. This year, honouring our small businesses takes on even more meaning in our COVID environment. I hope you will think about a small business or someone who may fit into the new COVID-19 categories in this year’s GEMS of EtobicokeLakeshore. Without them, we would not have gotten this far. We will get through this incredible challenge together. Now get your nominations in! Starting February 15th (what better way to mark National Flag Day) until March 31st . I look forward to celebrating our small businesses, our heroes, in April. Nominations will be available on my website https://jamesmaloney.libparl.ca/
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
- James Maloney
TABLE OF CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2021 PUBLISHER’S NOTE...p8
WELLNESS...p24
Welcome to our February 2021 edition. Show your Love for Etobicoke-Lakeshore!
Dahlia Abou El Hassan helps us to Live La Vida Local.
HISTORY...p12
COVID-19...p26
Robert the Bald Eagle lands in Long Branch..
MPP, Christine Hogarth offers a message of hope at the end of a long year.
LIFE’S UNDERTAKING...p14
HUMBER COLLEGE UPDATE...p28
A poem or punch? Beautiful words deliver grief and joy.
Derek Stockley shares some good news about Humber College in this month’s update. .
COVER STORY...p16
YOUR HEALTH...p30
Join us as we show Love for the greatest place in Toronto: Etobicoke-Lakeshore!
Jonathan Nhan from Shoppers Drug Mart in Long Branch asks: “What’s your word?”
FINANCE...p18
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS is the only
Read the 6 differences between Credit Unions and Banks.
FAMILY LIFE...p20 Kelly Farrell of Oak Learners explores the many secret hot spots in South Etobicoke.
GOOD-BYE CITY...p22 Reuben McCallum talks country life as more city-dwellers look to get out of Dodge in 2021. Published By
free, monthly magazine that’s focused on life in South Etobicoke. It is mailed to houses in Long Branch & Mimico by Canada Post. Additional copies are available at selected local businesses and high-traffic pick-up locations. We capture life in South Etobicoke by highlighting the many positive contributions to our community by local business owners, elected officials, and residents. No part of this publication in any of its forms may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. 146 Thirtieth St, Suite 100, Unit 25, Etobicoke, ON M8W 2C4
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE SHOW YOUR LOVE Love for others or simply Love for community. That’s why we’re launching a new campaign to show our Love for Etobicoke-Lakeshore. We want everyone reading this to feel Loved and show Love. There’s so much to Love about South Etobicoke and so many people have gone out of their way to show Love for others since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. We want to build on that momentum and continue it long past Valentine’s Day. After all, Love is something that should be shown every day, all year long.
ROGER TUMMINIERI
Publisher, Etobicoke Lakeshore Press
etobicokelakeshorepress@gmail.com www.EtobicokeLakeshorePress.com @etobicokelakeshorepress
It’s been a tough go for a long time and a lot of folks need a bit more encouragement to keep on moving forward. It’s not always easy to stay positive and fight a daunting fight, but that’s what we have to do. And we have to do it together. So, with that said, join me in showing your Love for your neighbours, local business owners, and the Etobicoke-Lakeshore community as a whole.
Welcome to our February 2021 edition! Ah, February...the month of Love. I suppose that can be read in two very different ways. One in a positive tone, or another in a ho-hum, not again, I’m not a fan of Valentine’s kind of way. I get it. Valentine’s can be tough for a lot of people. It’s made even more difficult during this pandemic. It is, however, a wonderful reason to show Love -
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COMMUNITY GRANT SPOTLIGHT Grant Spotlight: The New Ontario Small Business Support Grant In partnership with its federal and municipal partners, the Government of Ontario has announced a new grant to help small businesses. The new OSBSG will provide between $10000 and $20000 to help eligible small businesses. According to the Government of Ontario, eligible small businesses include those that: • Are required to close or significantly restrict services due to the Provincewide Shutdown, which began at 12:01 a.m. on December 26; • Have fewer than 100 employees at the enterprise level; and • Have experienced a minimum of 20 per cent revenue decline in April 2020 compared to April 2019. Unlike some other grants, the OSBSG will allow recipients to use the funds in whatever way makes the most sense for them, from employee wages, to rent, to inventory. This grant is also stackable, meaning you can apply for it even if you have applied for other similar grants or funding. Our advice: take advantage and claim what is yours!
KYLE BRUINSMA
Management Consultant, Office146 146 Thirtieth St (South of Horner Ave) kyle.bruinsma@office146.com 416-834-4681 www.office146.com
As a Management Consultant with Office146, myself and a dedicated team of advisors can help. Right now, we are offering a free consultation to discuss grants, tax credits, subsidies, COVID-19 stimulus, etc. that might be available. Call today at 416-834-4681.
DAKOTA’S IS ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY Dakota means allies or friends in dialects of the Dakota language.
2814 Lake Shore Blvd W #2, Etobicoke www.dakotassportsbarandgrill.com @dakotassportbar 647-352-2814
Visit dakotassportsbarandgrill.com for menu and special offerings.
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A fitting name for the sports bar opened by friends Darlene Simpson and Cindy Sabetti - Dakota’s Sports Bar and Grill. The pair grew up and worked in local Mimico bar-restaurants since the mid-1980s and decided to open the doors to their own sports bar at the northwest corner of Lake Shore Boulevard West and Third Street. “We didn’t do this to become millionaires,” Sabetti said. “We wanted it to be a place where everyone could just get together and have a good time.” Dakota’s Sports Bar is all about community, using local products from businesses in the area such a Delicia Bakery & Pastry buns to O’s Hot Sauce. Local artist Sheila Karpis’ ink-and-wash paintings hang on the walls featuring local landmarks that once stood throughout Long Branch, and local bands graced the stage every weekend before the pandemic. “Our local community is important to us.” Simpson explains, “We try to incorporate the community into what we’re doing as much as we can. It’s been a challenging year for sure, with a pandemic and lockdowns having affected our ability to provide the things we love to people – good food, great live music and an amazing atmosphere to meet up with friends and family,” Simpson explained. “But we are trying our best to navigate and keep going.”
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
GIVING BACK FROM A DISTANCE “I will greet this day with love in my heart. And how will I confront each whom I meet? In only one way. In silence and to myself I will address him and say I Love You. Though spoken in silence these words will shine in my eyes, unwrinkle my brow, bring a smile to my lips, and echo in my voice; and his heart will be opened. And who is there who will say nay to my goods when his heart feels my love?” - Og Mandino These are challenging times for us all and as a community, we must now more than ever draw strength from each other. There are many ways to give to others in our community: • You might offer a sincere compliment or review of a local business– who among us does not wish, even need to feel liked? Compliment them on something they put effort into. • There’s no super-virus that’s transmitted through eye-contact. The immediate sense of connection, it produces increases the quality of your “face-to-face” interactions be they in person, separated by a mask, a barrier, 6 feet, or monitor. Take a minute for simple acts of graciousness and polite etiquette, for example: • Say please and thank you. • Show your appreciation. • Strike up conversations. • Share some top picks on your Social Media. • Share promotions being offered. • Share any tips that you may use to get through the day with a smile on your face. Compelling reasons to support your local businesses: • You’re apt to receive better, more personalized service - take the local coffee shop, where if you’re a regular client and you’re greeted by your name and a smile. • You’re supporting the local economy - small business is a boon to the local economy by hiring local residents and working with local vendors. • Many offer higher quality products and services than can be found at large competitors.
AMANDA KIRKLAND
Self Care Coach Blu Consulting Inc.
community strong. Our local businesses are absolutely devoted to serving this community. They have shown determination and commitment to create new innovative ways to survive. They continue to show up every day despite the many hurdles and challenges that have been thrust upon them as a result of this Pandemic and of no fault of their own. Start “doing” more and LOVE LOCAL! Amanda is a Self-Care Coach. I help to guide and support you in creating a healthy mindset and habits that will bring a positive impact to your life, often using my own experiences as a reference point. If you would like to hop on a call and hear more please reach out to me at AMANDA KIRKLAND Self-Care Coach & Long Branch Resident amanda@bluconsulting.biz
Now that many businesses are discovering and implementing new and innovative ways to operate safely and continue providing their products and/or services to us, they need our support more than ever. Love Local by choosing local businesses first,whether it’s shopping online or ordering takeout, as well as showing acts of kindness to keep our
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HISTORY ROBERT LOVES LONG BRANCH in the wild, their lifespan is 25-35 years. They are not bald but rather have white (Balde is old English for white hair) coloured heads and tails. Bald Eagles are monogamous and mate for life. If one should die, and only then, will they seek out a new partner.
“Robert” the Bald Eagle of Long Branch ‘‘Into the Future...” With no disrespect to Kyle Lowry or Pascal Siakam, there is a new Raptor in town and ‘he’ is creating quite the audience. On the eve of Robbie Burns Day, a Bald Eagle was sighted by Pat Rice of Long Branch. Fortuitously, it had perched on his ‘Titan’ - a 250 year old Red Oak Heritage Tree. But before you read any further, I want you to Google “FLY LIKE AN EAGLE” and listen to the song by the Steve Miller Band (or a cover SEAL) and crank it up. For tens of millennia and into the future, Eagles have been heralded as emblems of truth, strength, trust, wisdom, courage, renewal, rebirth, freedom, exploration, honesty, and loyalty for nations, empires, dominions, cultures, and all faiths. Raptor Built for Perfection Starting with a wingspan of up to 7 feet, a body of 3 feet in length (the females are almost 30% lager and have more white on their tails and feather tips), and equipped with powerful razor-sharp talons that can capture sea and land prey, it is no contest that eagles are considered the ‘chief’ over all the winged creatures. (Just for the record and based on male Bald Eagle physiology, I am going out on a limb, and calling him ‘Robert’ in honor of the poet’s birthday). An eagle’s eyes are up to eight times sharper than humans’ hence the timeless cliche: ‘the all-seeing eye of an eagle’. They can also see ultraviolet rays plus many more on the light spectrum. Their large wings allowing them to soar and hunt vast areas with a minimum of effort. The aerodynamics of this super-bird allow it to dive up to 100 miles an hour with pinpoint deadly accuracy. During migration, they travel 400 to 500 miles a day so our spotting of Robert migrating south was auspicious indeed. In captivity, eagles can live up to 50 years but
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Besides being loyal to their mate, they only breed where they were born. The family’s home-nest is the largest of all bird species. The largest eagle nest was discovered in St. Petersburg, Florida. It was about 20 feet deep and almost 10 feet in diameter and weighed 3 tons! That is one incredible tree house and as Pat Rice aptly chuckled: “It is a good thing they don’t nest here in Ontario, they’d need a building permit.” Not as rare, the good news is that populations of Bald Eagles have been increasing in recent years and can be found in all 50 states of the U.S.A and 13 Provinces of Canada. Sightings of the Bald Eagle are becoming even more common in Southern Ontario up to the Algonquin Park. Symbolism and Power According to Trish Philips in her blog on animal symbolism: “When an eagle appears, you are on notice. Eagle Totems appear to inspire (to push) to be courageous and stretch your limits. The lesson is to not accept the status quo, but rather reach higher and become more than you believe you are capable of. Look at things with a higher perspective. In other words, look at the bigger picture. Further, the eagle conveys the powers and messages of the spirit and the divine because it flies higher than any other bird. The eagle brings renewed life and the directions of spring, dawn, and rebirth. Eagles are raptors with a powerful sense of energy conservations and for us humans, messages the wisdom of when to speak or not, when to do or not, when to act, and when to not. An eagle person is destined for mentorship and leadership. Indeed to dream of a flying eagle or one perched high, let alone in real life, signifies good fortune or victory coming your way.” For Pat Rice, his family and, collectively for Longbrachians ‘Robert’s visit was metaphorically a sign that post-COVID is on its way and better heath, prosperity, and a new sense of normalcy are on the horizon. Thanks, ‘Robert’ and you are welcome to perch again in Long Branch anytime soon.
BILL ZUFELT
Long Branch Resident and Chair of the History & Culture Committee Long Branch Neighbourhood Association bill.zufelt@lbna.ca
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LIFE’S UNDERTAKINGS AS WE TIRE, LET US As the slate grey days of winter get longer and brighter, I’m taking Amanda Gorman’s Inauguration Poem “The Hill We Climb” to heart. If a 22-year-old Black American can look into her country from outside the shadow of 2020 and see light and hope, I suppose we can too. “The new dawn blooms as we free it/For there is always light/if only we’re brave enough to see it/If only we’re brave enough to be it.” I know I’m not alone in feeling a tender connection to America’s youngest poet laureate. Her poise and prose eclipsed the superstar singers and even a new president promising America, and the world, an end to this “uncivil war” against decency and dialogue. But what was it about “The Hill We Climb” that touched us so deeply? Why did beautiful words from a beautiful soul feel a little bit like a punch delivering both grief and joy? The majority of us have hit what public health professionals and political pundits are calling a “Covid wall;” we’re sick and tired and we’re still going to take it some more. At a time when few of us feel energetic, independent, engaged, healthy or un-bored, a voice booming from the rooftops promising a new reality startles us out of apathy. Amanda Gorman invited us to dream again. Right now, from behind the wall where we’ve been told to seek refuge, we are starving for wisdom. We’re lost and longing for a path forward illuminated by what this passionate poet promised. “Let the globe, if nothing else/say this is true/ that even as we grieved/we grew/that even as we hurt/we hoped/ that even as we tired, we tried”. I’m far from a Buddhist scholar but I do know they believe that the worst kind of suffering, life’s most destructive force against the spirit, is pain that appears to have no meaning, no purpose, no point. As we lurch and stumble, run and stop into another year dominated by this global pandemic, we’re facing a crisis not just in healthcare and economics but a head-on collision with consciousness. Who are we? Who are we to our family, friends, community and country? How can we ease suffering not just in our own lives but in the lives of others? Passively responding to “stay at home” directives or calling overworked front-liners “heroes” is not the world Amanda Gorman is calling forth. Not
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the future she sees or believes is worthy of us. Before the pandemic we’d lost sight that preferences are not problems. For example, don’t like our prime minister or premier? You’d prefer different. I get it. But here’s the rub. There was an election. You voted. The results are not a problem. They’re an outcome you’d prefer was different. Move forward, brave peaceful patriot! Better luck next time. But now we really do have problems. Big problems that affect 7.8 billion of us, each and every one of our global brothers and sisters, to varying degrees of fear, pain and loss. So how can we transform this breathtaking level of suffering – this chaos – and approach our lives from the same space that inspired words from Amanda Gorman’s heart and reached out to our heads, hearts and hands? The answer is simple: shop local. I am joking. But my point (and yes, I have one) is that change really does start with us and the decisions we make every day. Being told to “shop local” while ordered to “stay at home” is Kafkaesque; the lives we’re living right now are regularly disorienting, illogically complex, surreal and/or nightmarish. (That’s the definition of the term “Kafkaesque,” by the way, rather than a summation of my mental state. Although there are days….) I’m an undertaker. In my line of work – past, present and future – death is the ultimate “support local” enterprise. No matter where you live, death has an office. The door is always open. Now, some of you might groan or chuckle at my attempt at humour but I’m not really joking. Family-owned funeral homes (American corporate ones don’t care – there, I said it) have always invested in their neighbours by supporting local community centres, churches and carnivals, etc. We want you to know us because we don’t want you to be afraid of us. At the risk of sounding Biblical, we know you. And eventually, in the end, you and yours will come into our parlour and know us too. My staff and I “support local” because we’d rather be accepted in life now than only once life ends. At the risk of sounding a tiny bit sad and pathetic,
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
STILL TRY I know exactly why most families at first meeting don’t accept my offer of coffee or tea. They fear me. (That rhymes!) I don’t bring tidings of great joy when we’re clustered around a table, each of us wearing a mask – figuratively and now literally – and we’re deciding how to undertake the hard work of dealing with death, life and legacy. I want to meet my neighbours when they’re happy and engaged by life. I want to explore and enjoy my community when we feel alive and grateful to be alive. Throughout the 100-year history of our funeral home, the year’s best memories always revolve around opportunities we’ve had to support our community. Whether it’s by hosting a memoir writing workshop, competing at the Grilled Cheese Challenge (we won), giving out cotton candy at the Tulip Festival
or guiding the bereaved into a new year at our annual Holidays and Hope service. We support local because we are local. And it’s hard, personally and professionally, to only meet people on what’s often the worst day of their life. Since we’re all having daily pity parties nowadays, please indulge me. Funeral directors are odd, lonely and misunderstood (good-looking) creatures. And not just because we’re the only people still wearing suits in this world! We love people but we’re rarely popular. It’s a real conundrum, let me assure you. I almost feel badly for politicians. At a time when so many of us feel isolated and broken, picking up a torch that illuminates what it is to truly “support local,” whether it’s ordering in, buying online or signing up and showing up to that visitation or service, know this: your presence and support (in other words, your intention, kindness and thoughtfulness) matters to more people than you could ever imagine. Supporting one another is the only way we are going to get through this plague. “We will rebuild, reconcile and recover/and every known nook of our nation and/every corner called our
BRAD JONES
Owner, Ridley Funeral Home
country/our people diverse and beautiful will emerge/battered and beautiful.” May we show support to ourselves and our community so all of us are brave enough to see the light and brave enough to be that light to one another.
Brad Jones is president of locally-owned, commission-free Ridley Funeral Home (3080 Lake Shore Blvd) in Etobicoke. In celebration of Ridley’s upcoming 100 th anniversary, Brad is making the New Year’s resolution to bring back old-school traditions like land-line phone calls, doors held open and not jumping and running away whenever someone sneezes or coughs. You’re welcome to reach out to Brad by calling 416-259-3705 or emailing him at bradjones@ridleyfuneralhome.com.
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COVER STORY I LOVE ETOBICOKE-LAKESHORE. “Of course we need to support local businesses, but we also need to be focused and remember that with each passing day we are one day closer to opening the economy and getting back to business. So stay strong and stay focused and be kind to one another.” Michael Muzzin, President ITEX Barter Exchange Canada www.itex.com (416) 898-5604
“It’s easy to feel down during these times, but remember: Love is contagious. Sometimes it’s hard to feel Love or show Love, but it’s the one thing we can all do to help each other through this pandemic.” Matthew Douglas, Pastor West Edge Community Church www.westedge.corg (905) 867-8336
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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
A CAMPAIGN FOSTERING MORE LOVE FOR LOCAL “I feel so fortunate to be part of the Etobicoke-Lakeshore community. It’s like a village within a city. This is a special place. I want this community to feel more Love. We all need more Love right now.” Mike Wixson, Owner The Pod Plant www.thepodplant.com (416) 315-4475
“My heart’s in Etobicoke-Lakeshore. It’s the best pace in all of Toronto! This past year has been so tough for everyone and especially local business owners. Let’s all show a little more Love for our community... and each other.” Roger Tumminieri, Publisher Etobicoke Lakeshore Press www.etobicokelakeshorepress.com (416) 788-0716
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FINANCE 6 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN US & THEM 6 Differences Between Credit Unions and Banks. Why you should love your local community credit union! When it comes to the products and services they offer, Canadian credit unions are more similar to traditional banks than you might expect. Still, that’s not to say they’re entirely the same. Sure, you can go to either to open a chequing account, borrow money for a loan or mortgage, or even get a credit card. But in their basic structure and ownership, their level of customer involvement, even the rates and fees they offer on savings and investment products, credit unions and banks have several important and meaningful differences. Here’s a point-by-point breakdown to help you better understand how credit unions are different from banks. Structure Banks are businesses that exist to make a profit: they make money off the money held as deposits, typically by loaning it out at a higher interest rate. In Canada, the big five banks are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and profits are directed back to shareholders, some of whom are investors only, not bank customers. Key decisions are made by a board of directors whose members are elected by the shareholders and get paid for their efforts. In contrast, a credit union is a financial cooperative whose primary goal is not to generate profits, but to better serve its members, who are also the owners. If there are profits, they may be invested back into the credit union to improve services, shared among the members, or invested in the local community. No dividends are paid to outside shareholders who don’t belong to the cooperative. Board members are volunteers and are elected to their positions by fellow members. Who’s eligible? Any Canadian with the appropriate identification can become a customer at one of Canada’s federally regulated banks. No membership is required, and it doesn’t matter where in the country you live. At credit unions, however, all incoming customers must become part of the cooperative by purchasing a membership, typically in the form of shares. This fee can range from $5 to $50, depending on the institution, and is a onetime charge. As shareholders, members receive annual dividends and have the right to vote on certain decisions impacting the credit union’s operations. Ownership and voting rights are equal among members, regardless of the amount of their deposits or investments. Safety and security The Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation provides insurance for bank deposits up to $100,000. The Financial Services Regulatory
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Authority of Ontario (FSRA) protects up to $250,000 in deposits held at a credit union. However, any funds held inside a registered account, such as a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or TaxFree Savings Account (TFSA), are 100% protected no matter the amount. For further information on deposit insurance, visit www.fsrao.ca. Fees and interest rates The big banks tend to charge fees for many of their services, whether it’s making a transaction or ordering a new chequebook. Some online-only banks offer fee-free banking, or low-fee banking. At credit unions, fees are often lower than at banks, and many services are free-free. Interest rates on savings and investment accounts, as well as loans and mortgages, are often more favourable at credit unions than at the big banks. In other words, you’re likely to earn higher interest on deposits and pay lower interest on borrowing at a credit union, so check around for the best option before opening a new account or taking out a loan. Products and services Broadly speaking, banks and credit unions offer the same kinds of financial services, from chequing and savings accounts to loans and mortgages, to investment opportunities. However, banks tend to have a wider range of products to choose from, so customers with specific needs may find a better account or credit card option at a bank. At credit unions, there may only be one or two types of accounts to choose from, rather than a full tier of choices. Fewer products, less confusion, and no small print to worry about. The customer experience Both banks and credit unions operate branches, although banks tend to be more widespread while credit unions are generally more local. Both also offer access to a network of automated teller machines, or ATMs. Credit unions across Canada have teamed up to provide their customers with a nationwide network of more than 4,500 fee-free ATMs. Both banks and credit unions offer access to online banking through websites and downloadable apps for mobile devices. Credit unions, however, may not offer the same access to some e-wallet apps, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Finally, if customer service is important to you, you might prefer the small, locally-focused approach of a credit union. Become a member today! Start your application online at www.moyafinancial.ca. 747 Brown’s Line, Toronto ON M8W 3V7 Call: 416 255 1742 Email: main@moyafinancial.ca
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
FAMILY LIFE LOCAL HIKES & HIDDEN GEMS Winter lockdown doesn’t have to mean endless screen time and being stuck indoors. There are plenty of ways to get outside and explore the amazing secret hot spots of nature, art and culture that South Etobicoke has to offer. Here are my top 5 to explore with my own family and our students at Oak Learners! 1. Etobicoke Point, at the tip of the spit at Humber Bay Shores West, this is one of my favourite spots to see the downtown skyline. The bike trail heading out the point is where my daughter learned to ride her bike many years ago because it offered a flat, predictable trail with lots of opportunities to stop and rest. On cold winter nights, my daughter and I still drive out to the point to check out the nighttime views of the city. 2. All year-round, Colonel Sam Smith Park, located on the shores just south of Humber College, the park, trails and waterfront offer beautiful vistas, opportunities for wildlife discovery and so much more! Visit in the spring to see nature emerging from hibernation and visit in the fall to spot migratory birds, butterflies and to see brilliant examples of fall colours. Much of the pathways are protected from the wind during the winter so it is a pleasant family walk any time of year. 3. The hidden trails along Mimico Creek are also some of my favourite spots to take groups of students. Jeff Healy Park and Berry Road Park
KELLY FARRELL
Director at Oak Learners; a private alternative school in Mimico located at 394 Royal York Rd. / 416-820-5233 www.oaklearners.ca
are beautiful hidden gems that provide access to hiking paths and trails along the creek. Jeff Healy Park is one of our favourites because of the playground and the giant musical instruments that make the hills come alive with sound. All of these spots, and more, are on the list of adventures we have lined up for Summer Camp at Oak Learners this year. Be sure to check out www.oaklearners.ca/summer to learn more about our unique approach to camps and summer fun!
Ed’s Real Scoop
2370 Lake Shore Blvd W www.edsrealscoop.com 20
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GOOD-BYE CITY KEEP LOOKING FORWARD
REUBEN MCCALLUM
Sales Representative RE/MAX High Country Realty Inc., Brokerage (519) 477-0418 / www.reubenmccallum.com facebook.com/reubenmccallumrealtor
Reuben McCallum is a Realtor and Resident of Grey County, Ontario. Reuben will be contributing content to the Etobicoke Lakeshore Press to highlight the growing movement of people who are leaving city life behind in order to pursue a simpler, quieter life in the country. Could someone tell me what happened to January? At the risk of sounding like a parrot, the real estate market has churned on and presented us with some truly staggering numbers- again. Finding the balance for clients hoping for top dollar in this current climate can be complex. I continue to work hard in a responsible way and am dedicated to my client’s safety and success. I am REALLY looking forward to Spring. I am excited about the prospect of warmer weather, longer days and maybe even more than that; fresh, local maple syrup. It’s almost the season! Have you ever tried to make maple syrup at home? I remember making maple syrup when I was a kid. We made the best ½ cup of syrup ever made but you will have to take my word for it. It was a week of waiting impatiently for the sap to drip and an afternoon making a small batch with the help of Dad. We only did it once though…not sure why but I am sure it had nothing to do with the mess we made, the hours it took to boil down while making sure it didn’t burn, short attention spans or the disappointment of a full pot turning into just about nothing. It was a fun project we could do as a family. I am going to make it corny by telling you it taught us life lessons I did not appreciate at the time. It certainly gave us an appreciation for the time and effort local producers put into every bottle. Hard work, patience, and dedication can lead to a sweet reward and make everyone better
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as a result. Keep looking forward, be patient, make local business your Valentine, and check in on your neighbours. Keep working hard and stay dedicated, soon we will all be hanging out at the next community event... how sweet will that be?
FEATURED PROPERTY 26 Collingwood Street, Flesherton
$490,000
Welcome to Flesherton! Walk “main street”, grab a coffee, fresh bread, some amazing cheese and a hearty meal. Explore the park, the library, local artists, and the museum. Nature lover? Take a short trip into the Beaver Valley (approx. 10 minute drive) for skiing, hiking, biking and more. A little mix of everything topped off with a strong sense of community. Flesherton is about 1.5 hours north of the GTA but you could make 26 Collingwood Street home base and have easy access year-round for much less than the price of a home in the city and much less driving. Since we can work from home, the weekend retreat isn’t just for the weekend anymore! The 1.5 storey home has 3 Bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a single car attached garage, and a large back yard. Updates since 2017 include steel roof, windows, siding, and interior facelift. Natural gas heat, highspeed internet and a comfortable floor plan round out the full package.
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WELLNESS LIVIN’ LA VIDA LOCAL Hi, I’m Dahlia, your local dietitian, owner and creator of the nutrition company Dahlia Nutrition, based right here in Etobicoke. It’s more important than ever to shop local and what better way to do that than choosing to eat and buy local food? Choosing local food may mean ordering takeout from time to time from an independent restaurant. Ordering from a restaurant in town helps to support the local economy and is a great way to get involved in your community. It’s also an excellent way to try new cuisines and flavours that you may have otherwise not tried. Exposing yourself to new flavours can make eating a special experience and can positively impact your relationship with food. Choosing local food can also mean eating foods that are in season and locally sourced in Ontario. Buying locally-grown food supports local farmers, in turn supports the local economy. As an added bonus, locally grown food taste better, is fresher and is more nutrient dense. This is because there is less transportation time from harvest to our plates. Longer transit times and storage techniques to transport foods can lead to nutrient losses and loss of freshness. Due to our Canadian winter climate it can be challenging to choose foods that are in season, but you may be surprised by how many foods are in season this time of year, some of them being in season all year round. According to Foodland Ontario some foods currently in season include:
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• Greenhouse strawberries • Rhubarb • Carrots • Mushrooms • Potatoes • Squash • Sweet potatoes • White onions
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Along with fruits and vegetables, Ontario also sources meat, poultry, eggs and dairy. Make sure you look for the Foodland Ontario logo to ensure what you are purchasing is locally grown. All in all, eating local is a great way to help local businesses in the community, support local farmers, consume fresher, more nutrient rich foods and have fun by trying something new! At Dahlia Nutrition we strive to help you take control of their life through simple and practical food advice. In just a few sessions our team of dietitians will fully utilize food and nutrition to teach you simple transformative steps to help you manage diabetes, heart disease, stress and anxiety and in general help you become a better healthier you! Struggle to cook healthy meals and want to learn easy nutritious recipes? Dahlia Nutrition also offers virtual cooking classes that can help! To learn more information about how you can book a virtual visit at dahlianutrition.com or email us at dahlia@dahlianutrition.ca. Be sure to check your employee benefits plan as many cover dietitian services.
DAHLIA ABOU EL HASSAN
MScFN, RD Owner of Dahlia Nutrition
LYNDSAY LANG BSN
EXPERIENCE
QUALITY CARE AT
ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS FAMILY DOCTORS PHYSIOTHERAPY PSYCHOLOGY & PSYCHIATRY COSMETIC MEDICINE WWW.MIMICOMEDICAL.COM 398 ROYAL YORK RD. 416 ∙ 201 ∙ 0836
ALDERWOOD’S MARTA POZNIAKOWSKI JOINS US ON THE PODCAST Listen Now: www.etobicokelakeshorepress.com/podcast
COVID-19 HOPE AT THE END OF A LONG YEAR In this time dominated by COVID-19, it’s very easy to become immersed in negative news. Despite the fear and sadness that has come with COVID-19, there are also great signs of hope that all of us can latch on to. The news that vaccines are here is a modern day scientific miracle, which will save lives. The promise from these life-saving vaccines also brings an urgent feeling to get vaccinated. On December 14, 2020, Ontario launched the first phase of a three-phased implementation plan for Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine program. The government’s approach to identifying key populations to receive the vaccine first was informed by science and prioritizes population groups that are at greatest risk of COVID-19 – the basis of the ethical framework for COVID-19 vaccine distribution. In this first phase, the government must work with the small number of vaccines that have been allocated to focus on those priority groups most at-risk. As the rollout of vaccinations continues, Ontario has mapped out the next steps for transitioning into Phase Two and an approach for identifying the next groups to receive the vaccination starting in March 2021, as more vaccines are received by the Province. More vaccination sites are being added to accommodate the anticipated increase in vaccination during Phase Two. Over the course of the coming months, those sites will include mass vaccination sites, hospitals, mobile vaccination teams attending workplaces, pharmacies, clinics, primary care settings and community locations such as community health centres and aboriginal health access centres.
end of July 2021 and Phase Three for the general population could begin as early as August 2021, pending availability of vaccines. The vaccine rollout is achieving its priorities with vaccinations completed in all Toronto long term care (LTC) facilities and with the goal of vaccinating all residents in LTC facilities and staff in the province by mid February. Waiting for vaccines to arrive will test our patience, and this will add to the toll the pandemic has taken on our society’s mental health. One of the critical supports our government has brought in during the COVID-19 outbreak includes $194 million spent to expand access to critical mental health. I urge you all to look after your mental health, help is available. Until we have sufficient vaccine supply from the federal government so that every Ontarian who wishes to receive a vaccine can get one, it remains critically important that we all continue following public health advice to protect our communities and most vulnerable populations, and to stop the spread of COVID-19. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you for doing your part.
Stay safe,
Christine CHRISTINE HOGARTH
MPP ETOBICOKE - LAKESHORE
Phase Two is expected to be completed by the
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You can reach my office at 416-259-2249 or christine.hogarth@pc.ola.org Sign up for my e-newsletter: christinehogarthmpp.ca COVID-19 support link: covidsupports.ca/mpphogarth/
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Ontario Small Business Support Grant
This is a grant, up-to $20,000 to help small businesses that must close or significantly restrict services due to the recent Province-wide Shutdown.
Property Tax and Energy Bill rebates This is a grant that will cover the entire length of time that public health restrictions are in place, for: • municipal and education property taxes • energy costs, including electricity and natural gas (or where natural gas is not available, propane and heating oil)
Main Street Relief Grant: PPE Support This is a one-time grant of up to $1,000 for eligible businesses with 2 to 9 employees. Sectors include retail, accommodation and food services, repair and maintenance, personal and laundry services, and gyms and yoga studios.
Apply today at www.ontario.ca/page/businesses-get-help-covid-19-costs Pour plus d’informations en français, visitez Ontario.ca
HUMBER COLLEGE COMMUNITY UPDATE
HUMBER COLLEGE LAKESHORE CAMPUS February can feel like a long month. It’s the height of winter and, generally, it’s cold. Fortunately, I have some good news to share. Humber College is coping with the pandemic and continues to deliver the best possible polytechnic education to our students, who will graduate work-ready and armed to take on our new – and changing – reality. The Ontario government announced a second provincial emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of the year, but colleges and universities are still permitted to continue to offer limited in-person programming with existing health and safety measures in place. The majority of students and staff will continue to work from home, but those with onsite courses are permitted to travel to and from campus. All Humber campuses are adhering to public health guidelines and government directives. Supporting health and wellness We at the Humber College Lakeshore Campus will be helping students and staff shake off the winter blues through our commitment to health and wellness and various initiatives and activities that are meant to uplift and support our community. I’m excited to tell you about one of those initiatives, happening February 18th. Humber Wellness Talks is a virtual speakers series open to the Humber community and beyond. Our goal in hosting this series is to promote virtual safe spaces for conversations on health and wellness. This month’s speaker is Hamza Khan, a marketer, author and global keynote speaker. His talk, “The Burnout Gamble: Achieve More by Beating Burnout and Building Resilience,” will examine the idea of work/life balance and propose a new framework for the way we think of both. The talk is based on best-selling book of the same title. Khan’s TEDx talk “Stop Managing, Start Leading”
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has been viewed of a million times. He has spoken to hundreds of audiences of all kinds, including employees at PepsiCo and LinkedIn and hundreds of colleges and universities. Anybody can register for the event, hosted on the Microsoft TEAMS platform. Visit humberwellnesstalks.eventbrite.ca to sign up. Connection is so important to the Humber community, especially during the winter season, where everyone feels a little housebound, even without pandemic restrictions. Our students are entering their second month of the semester and we are committed to providing them with opportunities to connect with other students and faculty members in and outside the classroom, from workshops to applied research projects to social media livestreams. Celebrating Black Heritage Month February marks Black Heritage Month and Humber has organized several opportunities for our community to connect with the Black Academic Success and Engagement (BASE) program, which seeks to provide students who identify as Black, African, and Caribbean with community, resources and support to help them fully maximize on their campus experience. The programming is available to Humber and University of Guelph Humber students. This month our news site, Humber Today, will be publishing profiles on Black students who have made exceptional contributions to Humber and the wider community.. One of the student profiles will focus on a student from the Humber Lakeshore Campus, Meshanda Ellis. She has made Humber her home for almost seven years and has completed a diploma program and degree program and is now completing a postgraduate certificate in Alternate Dispute Resolution.
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Photo: SAMUEL McGUIRE
As a single parent and mature student, Ellis faced many challenges in her first few years at Humber. Still, she persevered, with help from the BASE and supportive faculty members.
to two goals: Gender parity (50 per cent) and significant representation (30 per cent) on boards and senior management of underrepresented groups. I encourage you to learn more about Humber’s Having witnessed domestic abuse as a child, commitments to EDI, and in doing so consider she is passionate about community building and joining us at one of our future events. helping others in their recovery. For more information about the Call for Submissions, email info@lakeshoregrounds.ca. Recently, Ellis co-founded a charity called The To learn more about what’s happening at Humber Cycle Ends Now and hopes to open a shelter Lakeshore, visit humber.ca/lakeshorecampus or when she graduates. check out our social media accounts, @HumberLakeshore on Twitter and Instagram In addition to helping people who are struggling due to violence and marginalization, Ellis is Best wishes, Derek Stockley passionate about creating safe spaces for other students. In January 2020, her passion project, the Mature Students Club held its first event. This month, she will help host a second virtual meeting. You can learn more about Meshanda Ellis and her peers at humber.ca/today throughout the month. Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is at the foundation of our efforts to ensure we are a healthy, diverse and inclusive community of students, faculty and staff here at Humber. Our commitment to EDI also includes endorsement of the BlackNorth Initiative CEO Pledge and the Dimensions: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Charter. Humber College has also signed on to the 50-30 Challenge, which asks that an organization aspire
DEREK STOCKLEY
Principal, Lakeshore Campus Senior Dean, Faculty of Social and Community Services Follow on Twitter: @derek_stockley
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YOUR HEALTH YOUR 2021 WORD I am surrounded by wonderful people - staff, customers, and patients. Stepping through this year, it is time for our pharmacy team to take a bigger role in the care we offer to our patients. With many stories about how patients are unable to reach their prescribers, or having altered forms of assessments with their doctors, this may present a gap in care that our pharmacists can help with. In the sphere of managing chronic conditions, our pharmacists regularly collaborate with physicians on drug therapy issues and recommend changes that help to improve the health of our patients. I know that we can do this in a bigger capacity, and can really step into the role of ensuring the safety and efficacy of your medications.
JONATHAN NHAN, RPh, CDE Pharmacist / @nhanjonathan903
How is your One Word for 2021 working for you? Over the last few weeks, I’ve discovered that my initial word of FOCUS was not specific enough, so I changed it to INTENTION. To me, this word encompasses focus, but it’s focus with a purpose! This word feels right, and I’ll be keeping this one with me ongoing. I can already see the impact of the idea of “intention” in my life and in my work. So what is my intention from the pharmacy perspective this year? The intention is to CARE. (Yes, I did pick a word for the pharmacy specifically too! Read on). After almost a full year in “pandemic mode”, we have seen many changes to our lives, and also many changes to how things operate in the world today. Last year, we made adjustments to all the different changes we experienced and have learned a lot. I’ve had it affirmed to me that
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So expect to have conversations with our team where we schedule you appointments to speak with the pharmacist and review your medications. This is the area of our expertise. If you’ve never had a consultation with the pharmacist, you may be surprised at the value we can offer you with respect to better managing your health. At the end of the day, we can best care for others when we take care of ourselves. It is important for all of us to understand what we can do for ourselves and make that a priority. Let’s ask for and accept help from others, because we are stronger together. See you at the store.
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