JANUARY 2021
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015
MARTA POZNIAKOWSKI Building Community in Alderwood page 16
www.EtobicokeLakeshorePress.com
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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
Stay Safe, Be Kind
We will get through this... Together, but apart.
For more informatiion on COVID-19 please visit www.canada.ca/coronavirus
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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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
JAMES MALONEY YOU ARE NOT ALONE
JAMES MALONEY Member of Parliament Etobicoke-Lakeshore Photo: Jennifer Hartley
The year 2020 was challenging for many of us, and for our frontline workers, the year resulted in an unimaginable level of stress. Thank you to each and every one of you. Our communities and our country are forever grateful for the personal sacrifices you have made and continue to make for the good of us all. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for putting the interests of your neighbours and your community ahead of your own. We experienced a global pandemic that brought the international community to its knees. It has threatened our health, our economy, and our very way of life. We have also seen acts of senseless violence that have devastating impacts on our communities. However, through the mental, physical, and financial toll of these past 12 months, we have also seen Canadians show strength, resilience, and a willingness to work together. Communities have taken steps to support their most vulnerable, families and businesses have made sacrifices to keep others safe. These actions should inspire us all in 2021. For the foreseeable future, we need to continue our fight against COVID-19 with a renewed sense of hope. Canadians have already started to receive doses of safe and effective vaccines. We have the most diverse vaccine portfolio of any country, and we continue to work with provinces to ensure that all Canadians will have free access to vaccines as soon as possible. We will also keep doing what it takes, for as long as it takes, to support people and businesses through the crisis. We have been through a lot but we have prevailed and will get through this together. As a government, we responded to the pandemic in the best way possible to support all Canadians and quickly created programs to support busi-
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nesses, entrepreneurs, workers, and all Canadians. I think of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Business Account, and the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy to help hundreds of thousands of businesses, charities, and non-profits pay their bills and keep their workers on the payroll. We have also supported Canadians who have lost their income due to the pandemic – including the 8.9 million Canadians who received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit in 2020 – and are continuing to provide income support through new recovery benefits and changes to Employment Insurance. As a community, I have heard countless stories of how residents of Etobicoke-Lakeshore have come together to help those in need. I am so proud and deeply touched by everyone’s generosity. As we move forward, we must take every opportunity to make our country stronger, more sustainable, and more just for everyone. That means building a more inclusive economy and working with our partners to address the systemic barriers that discriminate against too many Canadians, making it harder for them to succeed. It means taking further climate action and investing in clean energy and technologies. In the last year, we have taken some major steps toward these goals and we will do more. As we move forward, I borrow from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s new year message: “We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.” Indeed. I am here to help. Reach out. You are not alone.
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
- James Maloney
TABLE OF CONTENTS JANUARY 2021 PUBLISHER’S NOTE...p8
WELLNESS...p24
Go Small Or Go Home! A new look at the Support Local movement.
Dr. Timothy Kodsi of Mimico Medical dives deep into the often murky waters of the vaccine rollout.
HISTORY...p12
FAMILY LIFE...p26
Long Branch’s Bill Zufelt takes us back...way back to the Renaissance Era.
Kelly Farrell, Director at Oak Learners in Mimico, helps us start the New Year off with fresh eyes.
GOODBYE 2020...p14
HUMBER COLLEGE UPDATE...p28
Check out our retrospective of 2020 covers; bring on the New Year!
Derek Stockley starts us off with a Community Update and his thoughts for 2021.
COVER STORY...p16
YOUR HEALTH...p30
Marta Pozniakowski is building community in Alderwood and supporting local small businesses.
Jonathan Nhan from Shoppers Drug Mart in Long Branch switches gears for the New Year.
ETOBICOKE APPAREL COMPANY...p19
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS is the only
Local start-up sells Hoodies as a tribute to Etobicoke Lakeshore at Espresso Bar Namaste!
LIFE’S UNDERTAKINGS...p20 Everyone’s favourite Undertaker, Brad Jones, kicks off the new year with another poignant article!
A MESSAGE FROM MOYA CEO...p23 Tony Krosel, CEO of Moya Financial, helps to guide us through our finances as we start 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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ETOBICOKE APPAREL Co. Cuddle up in a cozy sweater while we stay home this winter.
Hoodies For Sale
Exclusively at Espresso Bar Namaste: 392 Brown's Line www.apparelco.ca Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE GO SMALL OR GO HOME If we don’t Go Small, they Go Home. It’s a simple formula. I know it’s tough for everyone under lockdown (and especially for those living without a regular income) to consider spending a bit more money buying something down the street than off your phone, but consider this.
ROGER TUMMINIERI
Publisher, Etobicoke Lakeshore Press
etobicokelakeshorepress@gmail.com www.EtobicokeLakeshorePress.com @etobicokelakeshorepress Hello and welcome to the January 2021 edition of the Etobicoke Lakeshore Press! 2021 - still feels weird writing it. After a year most would soon prefer to forget, those businesses left standing need our help more than ever. I know. You’ve heard this over and over before. The message is everywhere.
When was the last time you saw Amazon sponsor our local teams or orchestrate a donation drive for the Daily Bread Food Bank or LAMP? These are the things our local SMALL businesses do. They do it not for the recognition, but because they understand community. They, sometimes more than most, understand that we’re all part of the same socio-economic cycle. If we don’t support them in return by “Going Small”, then...they “Go Home.” That’s why we’re doubling down on our support of small businesses. We’re kicking off the new year by featuring Marta Pozniakowski on this month’s cover. Marta did what not many could (or would want to) do. She opened a cafe / real estate office in the midst of a pandemic. She’s also gone out of her way to support other local small businesses by creating space in her cafe to sell their products. She’s thinking big by going small. Read her story on page 16. I hope you enjoy this edition. As always, thank you for your readership,
But is it hitting home? Maybe you’ve resolved to order more pick-up from local restaurants or cancel your Amazon orders in favour of buying local. But can you do more? Should you do more? We keep hearing the phrase “Support Local” in mainstream media and seeing its corresponding hashtag on social media. It gets used so often that, in my opinion, we might become desensitized to the concept. I’ll be the first to admit, I’m guilty. I use the hashtag on almost all my Instagram posts and I’ve been beating the “Support Local” drum ever since I first started this publication in 2015.
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Maybe it’s time for a new slogan. How about... Go Small Or Go Home (#gosmallorgohome) How does that grab ya? When I think of “Going Small” I think of Colby and Meagan at T.J. O’Shea’s Irish Snug. I think of Nick and Mary at DeCourses Cafe. I think of Mark at Ed’s Real Scoop. I think of Andrei at La Crema Cafe. And I can’t help but think of Daniel and Irina from Trius and aiM (remember them?).
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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
COMMUNITY MASX - A TEAM HERE FOR YOU
We are a part of the Community at
We Offer Modern-Day Employment Solutions Our mission at MASX Employment Solutions is to be one the most respected and dependable companies in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). We offer a wide range of solutions that make us a great resource for all your employment related needs. MASX Employment is extremely proud of the highly skilled, experienced and knowledgeable staff that we have assembled. We are confident in our abilities and dedicated in our efforts to work with you to meet your goals. MOTIVATED - To earn your business and to keep you as our client ATTENTIVE - To the needs you have and to the needs you didn’t even know you had SEAMLESS - In developing customized solutions to meet your specific needs XPERTS - At helping you to reach your business goals Workplace Health and Safety is our number one priority here at MASX Employment. We pride ourselves in taking the appropriate steps to ensure each employee is equipped with all up-to-date training certificates/programs. At MASX Employment, workplace health and safety orientation begin as soon as a worker signs up to be employed with us. At MASX Employment, we understand that each business is unique. This is why we
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offer customized employment solutions to fit each client’s specific needs. Our team has over 30 years combined recruitment experience which helps us to match clients with the right candidates. MASX Employment offers effective permanent and/or temporary employment solutions as well as payroll and human resource services. MASX Employment is proudly 100% Canadian owned and operated! We work with forward thinking companies and candidates in a variety of industries including construction, emergency restoration, demolition, asbestos abatement, geo-technical drilling, property maintenance and much more. We take stress out of all your employment related requirements so that you can focus on generating income for your business. We Are An Organization That Sincerely Cares About People! Office 146 is a great community where we can network with other companies and grow together. Office 146 perfectly fits MASX Employment’s needs with 24/7 access to their facilities. The Office 146 management team is very professional and responsive. GET IN TOUCH 146 Thirtieth St Suite #100 Etobicoke, ON M8Z 3C4 info@masx.work 647-799-3965
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
Ed’s Real Scoop
2370 Lake Shore Blvd W www.edsrealscoop.com
WELCOME TO FLIGHT #2021 Hello, welcome to Flight #2021. We are prepared to take off into the New Year. Please make sure your Attitude and Blessings are secured and locked in an upright position. All self-destructive devices should be turned off at this time. All negativity, hurt and discouragement should be put away. Should we lose Altitude under pressure during the flight, reach up and pull down a Prayer. Prayers will automatically
be activated by Faith. Once your Faith is activated you can assist other passengers. There will be NO BAGGAGE allowed on this flight. The Captain (GOD) has cleared us for takeoff. Destination: GREATNESS. Feel free to share if you’re taking this flight with me...#2021.
AMANDA KIRKLAND Self-Care Coach & Long Branch Resident amanda@bluconsulting.biz
HISTORY HOW TO BE A POLYMATH “If we did all the things we are literally capable of, we would astound ourselves” - Thomas Edison If history has its greatest lesson, it is that we humble human beings can hopefully learn something to nourish those amongst us and ourselves into a better world. After centuries of the Dark Ages, The Great Famine, and The Black Death 1347-51 (reduced the population perhaps by half or more) the Age of Enlightenment was on the threshold. Better known as The Renaissance, it was a fervent period of European cultural, artistic, political, and economic “rebirth” that lasted from the 14th to the 17th century. Heralded to the period was the emergence of the ‘Renaissance Man’. Most notably of the visionary thinkers of the period were Leonardo da Vinci (inventor scientist, artist, philosopher & writer) and his contemporary, Michelangelo (architect, sculptor, artist & mathematician). True, both men are immediately recognized as two of the world’s greatest artists but their immeasurable intellect and ability to think ‘outside of the box’ lead them to be leading polymaths of their day. So, what’s with the extreme metaphorically historical context and the polymaths? 2020 was a crippling year in every domain of epic proportions. For our global community, successfully emerging from 2020’s engulfing dark corners will depend on each and every one of us to engage our inner ‘polymath’ - no mater quality or quantity. A polymath in its most distilled form is an individual whose knowledge and interests span a significant and diverse area of subjects; or as Leon Alberti puts it “a man can do all things if he will.” Becoming a ‘polymath’ is actually quite navigable and even more rewarding but does require one’s fortitude and commitment. 1. Be Curious & Open to Learning Unmotivated by fame or fortune, polymaths want to learn about everything that interests them. The old adage of ‘use it or lose it’ is just as true to our muscles as the grey matter neurones in our brain. Multiple studies have shown that increasing mental stimulation helps with memory retention and decreases the risks of cognitive decline. Applied and illustrated by modern polymaths, such as Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Warren Buffett, ‘knowledge is the NEW money’. 2. Cultivate Multiple Passions & Interests. During the pandemic the interest in music, gardening, woodworking, art, model building,
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home gyms and training, baking, cooking, knitting and yes, Chess, went off the charts! If you were helping your kids with home schooling, rediscovery in all kinds of activities and areas of discipline were rekindled. The point is: don’t stop now, you have invested too much to lose. 3. Don’t Worry About Being Perfect. Despite Gladwell’s 10,000 Hours Rule, you don’t need to be the top of your field to be a polymath. For example, if you are learning to understand the Chinese language and recognize 1,000 common characters, you’re 90% there. If you learn an additional 1,000 characters, your knowledge is in the 97th percentile but your efforts have doubled with only a 7% net increase. While it’s fine to strive for excellence, it is equally important to remember that we mortals have only a finite amount of time and energy. 4. Reject Gatekeepers Has anyone ever planted doubt in your mind that you were not qualified enough? Remember Alberti’s “if there is a will there is a way.” When Benjamin Franklin was blatantly refused by his brother to publish his writings on everything from science to politics, he secretly made up a pseudonym; Mrs. Silence Dogood. Franklyn’s ‘Dogood’ articles soon became the talk of the town. Gatekeepers beware; With today’s accessibility of the internet, the empowerment even to the most timid has cultivated one’s interests to accredited elevations unheard of in modern times. No excuses, you can do this! 5. Set Realistic Goals & Follow Through All polymaths in history had one thing in common: all of them were hardworking with extraordinary levels of productivity. Time management, daily goal-setting, as well as time to unwind and reflection were stalwart traits. A ‘polymath’ is not synonymous with overnight success. Indeed, history reveals that each polymath’s accomplishments were the result of years, if not decades, of dedication to their craft and studies. Thomas J. Wilkie, Colonel Frederick Burton Robins & Marie Anne Curtis Famous Long Branch Polymaths
BILL ZUFELT
Long Branch Resident and Chair of the History & Culture Committee Long Branch Neighbourhood Association bill.zufelt@lbna.ca
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Goodbye 2020 JANUARY 2021
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015
www.EtobicokeLakeshorePress.com
Hello 2021! Wishing you the very best in this new year!
COVER STORY MARTA POZNIAKOWSKI THINKS With risk comes reward. This might not be Marta Pozniakowski’s personal motto, but it may as well be. The busy Alderwood mom decided to do what most of us would never dream of doing during a pandemic - she opened up a new business. Well...two, actually. Already an accomplished Realtor, Pozniakowski thought it would be a great idea to combine two of her passions - real estate and espresso. Hence the launch of Espresso Bar Namaste alongside her RE/MAX Equinox real estate brokerage, both located at 392 Brown’s Line just south of Horner in lovely Alderwood. Not one to rest on her laurels, Pozniakowski worked hard to build her business from a new cafe to a destination for coffee connoisseurs. I told a friend recently that I was writing a feature about Espresso Bar Namaste and his reply was: “Oh, yeah. I know it. I go there all the time now!” Success for small businesses comes in many ways. Sometimes you have the right product, other times it’s your location. Check both for Pozniakowski. But there’s something less tangible contributing to her success thus far...it’s the feeling of community. Pozniakowski doesn’t just own a cafe in Alderwood, she lives there, knows the culture, and is passionate about the neighbourhood. She has also gone out of her way to feature OPP (Other People’s Products - bet you weren’t sure where I was goin’ with that) in her shop, thereby creating a space that supports other local entrepreneurs. Case in point is Pozniakowski’s support of the Etobicoke Apparel Company, a local start-up drawing inspiration from South Etobicoke’s Humber Bay with their Bridge Hoodies; now sold exclusively at Espresso Bar Namaste. “My customer’s love these hoodies!” Exclaims Pozniakowski. “They’re so comfortable. We’re starting to sell a lot of them.” With an eye on supporting other small, local businesses, Pozniakowski is thinking big picture. “We all have to help each other,” she explains. “That’s just community.” Pozniakowski’s vision of combining a cafe with her real estate business is paying off. She chose a great location for starters; a few steps from the new B-Line Condos under construction at the southwest corner of Brown’s Line and Horner. Cont’d on page 18
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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
BIG WHILE SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES MARTA POZNIAKOWSKI
Alderwood Resident and Owner of Espresso Bar Namaste & RE/MAX Equinox at 392 Brown’s Line
Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015
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COVER STORY CONT’D
MARTA POZNIAKOWSKI
Outside her dual cafe / real estate office on Brown’s Line In my experience working to help promote local businesses, I’ve noticed that the ones who do well are the ones who embrace community. They help others around them and aren’t afraid to take risks and try new things. They become the local staple - the place people keep coming back to for more.
ESPRESSO BAR NAMASTE RE/MAX EQUINOX 392 Brown’s Line
@espresso_bar_namaste / (647) 836-9130 @remaxequinox / (416) 746-1551 @marta_pozniakowski
I think you’ll be hearing much more about Marta Pozniakowski as she continues to serve her community and help others along the way.
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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
By: Roger Tumminieri
A TRIBUTE TO ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE
INSPIRED BY
THE HUMBER BAY BRIDGE
Etobicoke Apparel Co. Hoodies For Sale Exclusively at Espresso Bar Namaste: 392 Brown's Line
LIFE’S UNDERTAKINGS PUTTING A CROWN Here’s some trivia to share on your next Zoom call: in Spanish the word “corona” means “crown.”
possibilities. I’m not talking about goggly-eyed positive thinking or rose-coloured glasses.
When you hear that, do you think of Corona beer (shut down because of the pandemic), CoronaCovid (need I say more?) or the head gear of a king or queen (“The Crown” on Netflix is mostly fiction, folks!)?
Although most of the media has moved on, how can any of us look at the holocaust that unfolded in our long-term care homes – and continues to burn – as anything other than criminality and the tangible cost of seeing no profit in prevention?
Maybe my wife is wrong, and I really am a creative thinker, because when I hear the word “corona,” I think Shakespeare. I can thank my teenage kids for introducing me to King Richard the IV and his cry-baby moment about how “uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”
What I’m proposing is a transformation of our minds and actions irrespective of where you fit into society. As family members, community contributors, engaged citizens and compassionate Canadians, this new year is a pivotal point in history. We can truly bring forth the change we wish to see in this ever-shifting world.
Indeed. All of us wear a head on our shoulders filled with visions not of sugarplums but Corona nightmares. Shakespeare’s Henry IV, as with all masterpieces, stands the test of time: what was true then is true now. For the most part. As we stumble and bumble into a New Year, shellshocked by 2020 and its Corona cruelties, it is not only our leaders burdened with making decisions that impact other people. Despite the past year’s events, we are not our leaders’ subjects. It’s good medicine to remember that our political friends and foes are our servants; tasked with carrying out our wishes and acting on our behalf while upholding the greater good. If you just eyerolled a little bit and straightened up a little bit too, good. However did our modern-day kings and queens, our politicians and high-ranking health officials, determine that we have no say or control in what happens next? Yes, Covid is a wild card. And yes, there are decisions being made on behalf of the collective and followed by the individual (us). But in terms of the new world emerging, we have a place and a voice in who and what we become in 2021. For without hope and faith, we are doomed and no vaccine or “bright light at the end of the tunnel” will save us. Our heavy heads must not be matched by heavy hearts filled with fear, division and fingerpointing. Our lives, and our very nature, depend on making choices that reflect a deep belief and commitment to a better, brighter future. So, what is to be done? I see the New Year as a time we reflect on the problems that have defined 2020 and reframe them as potentials and
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The pandemic has shone a dark light on the divide between rich and poor neighbourhoods. The divide between how we value our old and young versus how we protect political office and political/corporate interests. The roaring conflict between prosperity for a few at the cost of prevention and protection of our most unheard, vulnerable, unappreciated and invisible. As a New Year approaches after our No-Noel, there’s now a real opportunity to demand Canada close the gap between who we’ve been shown to be – the good, the bad and the ugly – and who we want to be as neighbours and members of the universal family. The rallying cry “We’re all in this together” has been proven again and again to be untrue or at best unfairly distributed. I’m not advocating for political revolution but I am cheering for spiritual evolution in 2021. Let us truly evolve into braver, stronger humans and families and demand that our servant-leaders usher in a kinder and more equitable age born out of 2020’s suffering and sacrifice. Call your City Councillor, your MPP, the Premier, the Prime Minister’s Office. Tell them what you want and what you expect. Show them the problem and point them towards the potential and solution. Even better? Tell these servants of ours what you’re doing out there in the community and how your actions and creativity are filling the void in our hearts and heads, and making our community better. If you’re overwhelmed by all that’s wrong in the world, choose to zero in on a topic or issue you regularly rant about on your Zoom calls or to your quarantine puppy. Whether it’s protecting our seniors, our Greenbelt or mediating between teachers, parents and students, take action and reclaim that sense of power and self-
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
ON THE NEW YEAR determination been missing.
we’ve
all
Recently I’ve been reaching for more meditative words and works because my band-width for Covid chaos is razor-thin. My newest imaginary friend is the American poet and philosopher Mark Nepo. He refers to surrender as “not giving up, but missing and letting go.” We’ve been missing people and places for almost a year. If you’re grieving the death of a loved one, your journey is even longer and darker. Let us let go of our paralysis. Our focus on our shrinking circumstances. The terror of not knowing what happens next. (That reality, by the way, is not specific to 2020 but to life since the very beginning of time. Welcome to the hard work of being human!) This upcoming year we can find comfort and strength in practising
self-determination and discipline by treating ourselves and others with respect and intimacy. We can show up in our personal lives as authentic servant-leaders: pushing forward for the sake of goodwill and the greater good. Miserable 2020 will eventually be categorized as a time of paralysis and panic. On a worldwide scale we were tasked with retreating from our lives and missing out. But we were also, gradually, forced to reflect inwardly and decide on what and whom matters most. We missed out, we let go and we let in. All 7.8 billion of us, to varying degrees, let go in 2020 of how life should have been, who should still be alive, who should have been protected and saved. Millions of Canadians were forced to let go of those they love heartbreakingly and permanently. Those traumatized families need a world that cradles them and keeps them safe as they heal from breathtaking loss and tragedy.
BRAD JONES
Owner, Ridley Funeral Home
Mystics long ago promised a worldwide shift was coming that would change humanity to its very core. That time is here now, unfolding, like it or not. Imagine if by the end of 2021 we were wearing new crowns; not of despair and burden but the jewels of recovery, hope and the celebration of a new and kinder human: you. 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.
This new year has the potential for re-alignment with our true nature – kind, loving, generous, strong, resilient, creative, problem-solving, tough.
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GOOD-BYE CITY HOLD ONTO YOUR HAT
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. The beginning of each new year is always exciting, but the sugar rush of the holiday season will give way to the reality that we do have about 4 more months of snow. The shorter days and snow give us an opportunity to reflect on the past year and build a plan to move forward. For me, I am reflecting on 2020 in real estate and working to craft an updated strategy for my clients. Every month Grey County is posting strong numbers, a win for us locals who are looking to sell. If you are looking to make a move into the housing market for the first time, hold on to your hat. One downfall of living in the best County in Ontario (in my opinion) is that everyone else wants to live here, too.
Volunteering is part of the Grey County lifestyle just as much as hanging out at the cottage or ski chalet, hiking or biking, and provides food for the soul that is as hearty as Grandma’s chicken soup. What is your cause? What do you enjoy doing? Do you have any skills that you feel a local volunteer organization would benefit from in South Etobicoke? Time is arguably the most valuable resource you can donate. Maybe you feel you just don’t have extra time, or joining a group is intimidating. No problem. I think you will find many groups are finding modern ways to run their organizations and whatever you can give (time, expertise or money) not only helps the people around you, but it makes you feel pretty darn good, too.
Reflection is important, but we can’t change the past. With that said, this time of year we like to focus on New Year’s Resolutions. Every year I make the resolution to leave the community I live in stronger than it was the year before. I know, it sounds corny and manufactured but it is true. In 2017 I got involved with Rotaract and was part of the effort to establish the Rotaract Highlanders Locally. We have done some cool things since we started, and we feel it has made our community stronger.
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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
FINANCE RECOVER FROM OVERSPENDING Start the new year off fresh and debt-free! One aspect of the global economy that makes it difficult to save is consumerism. Difficulty saving can also be attributed to keeping up with the Joneses and ensuring our outward appearance is up to the status quo. An unfortunately common by-product of this consumerism is overspending. Credit card companies and retail brands have made it easy to overspend through impulse buying or by selling an image or a feeling. Granted, once you purchase that item you likely feel good, but as time goes by you may enter the phase of buyer’s remorse. Regret is normal but the effects on your financial situation can add up and recovering from overspending can be an intimidating task. This article will outline several ways you can stop – and recover from – overspending, ensuring that your personal finance journey gets back on track. Reduce Credit Card Use Normally we’d suggest giving your credit card a break after the holiday season and to begin using cash only. But given the current circumstances and the encouraged use of contactless payment, it’s not quite ideal. An easy alternative is to use a chequing account as a cash replacement. Transfer only what your budget allows when you go out and use a debit card linked to that account, and that account only. This not only limits what you spend on your budgeted item at one time but limits the temptation to look around and spend on impulse. Overspending is easy when you have a high credit limit, knowing you’ll still have your cash at the end of the day. If you have a credit card balance, pay it off as quickly as possible. This not only eliminates your debt but also frees up cash flow you can use elsewhere. While using your cards may feel good in the moment, the future can become stressful as your financial obligations increase. Revisit or Build Your Budget If you find that you have overspent, don’t panic – it is certainly not the end of the world, and odds are it will happen again at some point. But positioning yourself in the best possible way to avoid overspending is ideal, and you can achieve this by having a budget in place. A budget is essentially you telling your money where to go. Many times, the cause of overspending is not having a game plan. When building your budget, you can allocate money to unspecified spending, but make sure you also have money to save and to recover from your latest shopping spree. Once you are back to normal, you can begin tweaking your budget to fit your needs a little more.
TONY KROSEL
CEO, Moya Financial
Eliminate Unnecessary Spending With your budget in place and your credit cards destroyed, you can now expedite the recovery process by eliminating unnecessary spending. This includes eating out, purchasing “stuff,” and spending on entertainment. While these items are perfectly fine to have in your budget, the idea now is to quickly recover from overspending and get back to a place of stability. An added benefit to trimming your budget while “in recovery” is that once you have fully recovered, you may look back and find that you in fact didn’t need to spend all that money on food or entertainment, allowing you to eliminate that kind of spending from your life permanently. Overspending can be demotivating, especially if you are serious about obtaining and maintaining good financial health. But you will be able to rebound from 99% of overspending mistakes quickly and get back on the path to financial wellbeing if you first reduce credit cards and then look at your budget and ensure you are sticking to the game plan. Lastly, eliminate all unnecessary spending until you’ve fully recovered. Don’t let a little bit of overspending derail your financial progress. Money management is a marathon, not a sprint. This article is not intended to provide financial or financial planning advice, please come visit Moya Financial in person at their main branch located at 747 Brown’s Line and they will be more than happy to meet and chat in person!
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WELLNESS MANAGING COVID-19 IN 2021
DR. TIMOTHY KODSI
Medical Lead, Mimico Medical 398 Royal York Rd. / 416-201-0836 www.mimicomedical.com
Goodbye, 2020! Hello, 2021! Few could have predicted that in just one year, life as we knew it would never be the same. Within a broader and very complicated geopolitical context, a global pandemic has universally uprooted the human experience, and has charted an unimaginable future for our world. The COVID-19 crisis cannot be viewed and interpreted through a narrow lens. As we deal with this unprecedented healthcare crisis, we are also witnessing life-time highs in political divisiveness, civil unrest, economic hardships, and social disruption. In the Age of Information, it has become very difficult to shield ourselves from the constant barrage of sensationalism. There are certainly things to be hopeful about. It is miraculous that the human race was able to develop, test, distribute and start administering a very effective COVID vaccine in just over 9 months. To be certain, the safety data is overwhelmingly positive, despite the rare and not unexpected case reports of harm after administration. Here, in Ontario, we are well into Phase 1 of a 3-Phase distribution program. Phase 2 should be starting shortly, and there are reports that by Spring 2021 the general public will start receiving the vaccine. There is also preliminary evidence that the vaccine may also provide immunity for some, but not all, of the newer mutant strains that are emerging around the world. What is more, there is something to be said about natural herd immunity, that may be developing in addition to the vaccine, in those who have already contracted and recovered from the disease. It is likely we should anticipate a two-
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step-forward, one-step-back pattern in the right direction as we continue to battle the spread of the virus. As we walk this path, we have to resist the urge to constantly read the news and browse social media in search for the latest updates and announcements. Each report or opinion is inherently biased. As a result, it creates distortions in the way we interpret and react to that information. At every living second, someone, somewhere, with a large public following is fortune-telling, blaming, catastrophizing, negative-filtering, overgeneralizing, black-andwhite-thinking, or making absolute statements. Tragically, the end result is rarely productive, and readers or followers are left feeling helpless and uncertain. I can’t even start to imagine the experience that our local business owners and their employees have had to endure over the past 12 months. Read what you must from reputable sources to stay informed and try to keep it to that. As individuals and together as a Community, we can start to embrace the uncertain future by focusing on the present in a rational and productive way. As individuals, we have no option but to redefine our daily purpose and should do so in a rational, pragmatic, and positive way. This is an opportunity to focus on the simpler things in life, those things that we may have taken for granted in years past. Time spent scouring for headlines and scrolling through social media should be limited. This is a long-term game. Allowing ourselves to get caught up in the sensationalism and minutiae will not help us make it to the end.
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As a Community, we should recognize the socioeconomic disruption that has taken place and begin to support familyowned small businesses and ethically driven large box stores that create jobs and opportunities for our local economy, especially those who have invested in ensuring the safe delivery of their goods and services. Furthermore, we have to remain vigilant and committed to preventing the spread of COVID-19, through continued masking, social distancing, contact tracing, testing, and universal vaccination. This too shall pass. It will go down in history as one of the most trying times our species has ever had to endure. Even after we have beaten the virus, the socioeconomic recovery will linger on, and a new normal will organically start to take shape. In the spirit of our collective health, it is our job to embrace this reality and keep searching for the infinite joys that are hidden there within.
EXPERIENCE
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PHOTO Jennifer Hartley
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FAMILY LIFE SCREEN TIME: SCARY OR NECESSARY?
KELLY FARRELL
Director at Oak Learners; a private alternative school in Mimico located at 394 Royal York Rd. / 416-820-5233 www.oaklearners.ca If you’re like me, you have likely spent your child’s early years making extraordinary efforts to limit screen time and avoid the 80’s “TV Babysitter”. Yet, here we are in 2021 faced with the necessity of doing almost everything in our days on a screen. No longer do we just receive entertainment through a screen, but we are also working on a screen, our children go to school on a screen, we talk to family and friends through a screen and even do most of our shopping on a screen. At this point, we are all asking the same question - How much screen time is too much? The answer is another question - Is the screen time Active or Passive engagement? Passive screen time would be the traditional zombie TV mode. We turn off our brains and let the characters on the screen show and tell us how to feel, when to laugh and when to act surprised. This type of screen time should be limited for everyone, children and parents alike! Active screen time is where the brain is actively engaged in a specific activity or task and the screen becomes the tool rather than the function. This can include some interactive games, learning
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activities and some forms of online learning. When children are actively thinking, answering, learning and questioning, the screen itself is almost entirely irrelevant. The goal of learning should be to develop critical thinking skills, questioning skills, research and reporting skills and collaboration. All of these skills can be facilitated through online learning the difference is active or passive engagement. So, the next time you start panicking because your child has spent all day on a screen and wants to play more computer games, ask yourself one question before saying yes or no - “Is the screen time active or passive?” For active screen time options that are engaging, with small groups and tons of interaction, consider Oak Online virtual classes, designed by real teachers to engage, enhance and enrich every child’s online learning experience. Visit www.oaklearners.ca to learn more.
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HUMBER COLLEGE COMMUNITY UPDATE
HUMBER COLLEGE LAKESHORE CAMPUS
Happy New Year, everyone!
One of the best things about 2020 is that it’s over. I am looking forward to 2021 and a new beginning for Humber Lakeshore and our community. There will be some holdovers from 2020, such as the limited activity on campus and ongoing public health and safety guidelines. We will continue to offer students a comprehensive mix of online and in-person learning and, in some cases, the training to be effective frontline workers. We have weathered the storm of the COVID-19 pandemic together and now, it’s time to embrace what is to come.
They were able to keep up with individual orders, and then Costco-sized orders, because they had planned for expansion. After their spot on BlogTO, the Dragons came calling. A producer invited them to pitch their project. A few weeks later, they did. Every single Dragon - Arlene Dickinson, Jim Treliving, Lane Merrifield, Manjit Minhas, Michele Romanow and Vincenzo Guzzo believed so much in Oat Canada that they were all prepared to invest in the Ambersleys. They accepted Manjit Minhas’ offer in the end.
I think it’s important to highlight the work of our students and alumni who have been part of this community. This month I would like to tell you about Graphic Design graduate Eloise Ambersley’s success which has landed her innovative oat beverage on shelves at four different Costcos in the GTA, earned her business, Oat Canada, a profile on BlogTO and secured a spot on the hit CBC show, Dragon’s Den. The 2016 grad and her husband Janani Ambersley created an oat milk that is good for the planet and those who drink it. Most oat milks contain the same amount of sugar per serving as half a can of Coke. They found a way to make it with zero sugar – at home – and people began to take notice, asking for their own orders of oat milk. Oat Canada was born. In 2019, they jumped feet-first into a gap in the market.
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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
ELOISE AMBERSLEY Oat Canada
Photo: SAMUEL McGUIRE
The brewery entrepreneur was ready to invest $100,000 for 10 per cent, just as the Ambersleys were hoping. Throughout the experience, Eloise found her graphic design background to be invaluable. She designed eye-catching and clever packaging for the product and realized how important her education had been to her path. An entrepreneurship course in her first year of Graphic Design opened her eyes to a whole new world where she could combine entrepreneurial spirit with strong design skills. I look forward to following the Ambersleys’ progress into 2021. Here on campus, we’re getting ready to launch an exciting project – and we want to hear from you. The Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre is seeking artwork for a digital show tentatively titled The Aesthetics of Mental Health, curated by Samuel McGuire.
towards the evolving future of therapeutic design. The show will premiere in late spring. The Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre, like the rest of the Lakeshore campus and wider Humber community, is moving into 2021 with hope and resolve, all the while remembering the people and the work that helped us get here.
For more information about the Call for Submissions, email info@lakeshoregrounds.ca. To learn more about what’s happening at Humber Lakeshore, visit humber.ca/lakeshorecampus or check out our social media accounts, @HumberLakeshore on Twitter and Instagram
Best wishes for 2021, Derek Stockley
The show draws inspiration from institutionalized mental health care and the evolving idea of therapeutic design. When the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital was in operation, for example, the gardens were used as calming spaces. Patients were responsible for the maintenance of the garden spaces as a form of treatment. We know now that garden spaces are excellent ways to calm patients and aid in their recovery, away from harsh noises and demands. The core of this show will focus on the importance placed on beautifying spaces. The artists selected will present works that look
DEREK STOCKLEY
Principal, Lakeshore Campus Senior Dean, Faculty of Social and Community Services Follow on Twitter: @derek_stockley
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YOUR HEALTH 2021 GOALS? non-drug options to help optimize your health. These non-drug options can include healthy eating tips and tips for exercise. Our pharmacists can also help to navigate the healthcare system and provide recommendations for referrals when that may be necessary. If you are at a roadblock when trying to manage your health, our pharmacists may be able to offer you insights and guidance to help you move forward. Another major focus for the year is to get things back on track. The new year is a nice marker that indicates a fresh start or a reset. Realistically speaking, we’re likely still navigating the waters of the pandemic, however, we all have experience on this now and mostly know what to expect. The store team has focused on staying healthy and safe, while ensuring JONATHAN NHAN, RPh, CDE that we are able to provide all the Pharmacist / @nhanjonathan903 products that you want and need. There have been some material changes, but on the whole, we’ve What is your goal for 2021? Have you made been able to maintain some sense of normalcy your resolutions? Or maybe settled on a word when operating the store. for 2021? Over the last month, I’ve decided to change my word from BALANCE to FOCUS. This With all the changes and developments in 2020, I seems more in line with how I want the year to go think another nice thing to focus on is each other. and I know that having focus and being able to Take a step back, in the midst of a pandemic, and evaluate all the positives in your life. How has your focus on goals will help me move forward. perspective shifted? How have your priorities So what is the focus for 2021? At the pharmacy, shifted? I know that at the beginning of 2020, my our focus is always on your health. Did you know perspective was very different than what it is now. that pharmacists are trained in all the body It really makes you stop and think about how you systems, anatomy, and chronic disease states spend your time and what you spend your time on. as well? To understand how medications work for the different conditions, we maintain an The year that everyone is waiting for is finally here. understanding of these disease states. As a result, What will you do to take full advantage of this so we are able to counsel on the best and most that you are taking care of yourself in all dimensions appropriate use of your medications. In addition - mind and body? to that, we take a holistic approach and offer other
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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS