MAY 2021
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015
JAMES MALONEY
MP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore with his pup, Walnut, reminds us of the importance of mental health awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Join me for my annual
Mental Health Event We are virtual this year.
We live in unprecedented times that have taken their toll on everyone. Join Dr. Katy Kamkar, one of CAMH's top spokespeople from its Work, Stress and Health Program and Deborah Quiggin Client Support Specialist/Team Lead LAMP Community Health Centre, Among Friends from our Etobicoke-Lakeshore community, as we discuss self-care and mental health survival strategies in these difficult times.
Send questions in advance to james.maloney@parl.gc.ca Join us on Thursday, May 13th at 7:00p.m. on my Facebook Page
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 Long Branch Resident and Personal Development Coach
JAMES MENZIES Life-long Etobicoke Resident & Owner of JEM Window Cleaning
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 Etobicoke Resident & Medical Lead at Mimico Medical
MATTHEW DOUGLAS Long Branch Resident & Lead Pastor at West Edge Church
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE VACCINE ROLLOUT tough times. Read our Support Local feature on page 10. I’d also like to point out an article from Matthew Douglas. Matthew is a Long Branch resident and the Lead Pastor at West Edge Church in Port Credit. His words inspire me and I hope they’ll do the same for you. Read his article on page 12. And, finally, I’d like to wish all the Moms out there a very Happy Mother’s Day. Thank you to my amazing and wonderful wife, Jessica, for all she does to raise our boys and hold down the fort. I’m one lucky guy! Thank you so much for reading this issue,
ROGER TUMMINIERI
Publisher, Etobicoke Lakeshore Press
etobicokelakeshorepress@gmail.com www.EtobicokeLakeshorePress.com @etobicokelakeshorepress Welcome to our May edition. In this issue, we’re featuring James Maloney, MP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore as he draws our attention to the importance of mental health awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many resources available to us, so if you or someone you know needs support, please read our cover story on page 16 for details. There’s been a lot of coverage of the vaccine rollout in the mainstream media. We decided to speak with two of our local healthcare professionals on a recent episode of the Etobicoke Lakeshore Podcast; Dr. Timothy Kodsi, Medical Lead at Mimico Medical, and Jonathan Nhan, Pharmacist / Owner at Shoppers Drug Mart in Long Branch. Both of whom are on the frontlines of the pandemic and they offer some unique perspectives about the vaccine rollout. You can listen to the podcast on our website:
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www.etobicokelakeshorepress.com/podcast To that point, Dr. Kodsi has written a compelling article this month. I encourage you to read it on page 24. As we continue supporting local businesses throughout the pandemic, we’ve featured our favourite local pub, T.J. O’Shea’s Irish Snug. We caught up with their owner, Colby Kriegl, to see what they’re up to these days and how they’re staying ahead of the curve to combat the most recent set of lockdowns. Please do your best to support local and please consider ordering out from local restaurants to help them through these
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TABLE OF CONTENTS MAY 2021 JAMES MALONEY...p3
Tune in on May 13th for info on Mental Health Awareness with CAMH & LAMP.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE...p6
Listen to the ELPod for a great show about the vaccine rollout.
SUPPORT LOCAL...p10 Colby Kriegl from T.J. O’Shea’s in Long Branch gets ready for BBQ season!
INSPIRATION...p12 Matthew Douglas offers inspiring words to help us move forward.
LIFE’S UNDERTAKINGS...p14 Brad Jones says: “Everything Always Works Out”. Will it?
COVER STORY...p16 A Q&A with James Maloney, MP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore.
FAMILY LIFE...p20 Kelly Farrell from Oak Learners offers tips to Staying Healthy & Happy at Home.
GOOD-BYE CITY...p22
Reuben McCallum is back again with words about Spring in the Country!
WELLNESS...p24 Dr. Timothy Kodsi of Mimico Medical begs the question: What is the Answer?
HOMEFRONT...p26 Welcome to our new column headed up by James Menzies, Owner of JEM Window Cleaning.
HUMBER COLLEGE...p28
Derek Stockley celebrates Humber’s screen stars in this month’s Community Update.
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free, monthly magazine that’s focused on life in South Etobicoke. It is mailed to houses in Long Branch, New Toronto & Mimico by Canada Post. Additional copies are available for pick-up at Shoppers Drug Mart in Long Branch and Espresso Bar Namaste in Alderwood. 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 3C4 Follow Us on Instagram @etobicokelakeshorepress #I EL www.etobicokelakeshorepress.com
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SUPPORT LOCAL T.J. O’SHEA’S IRISH SNUG
COLBY KRIEGL
Owner T.J. O’Shea’s Irish Snug Since the start of this pandemic, we’ve been committed to helping local businesses by highlighting them in the magazine and on our podcast show. As the lockdowns drag on, some of favourite establishments need more help than ever. Case in point is T.J. O’Shea’s Irish Snug. Owner, Colby Kriegl, is one of those ‘Salt of the Earth’ kinda guys. Every time a catch up with him, he’s facing a new challenge with a smile. He’s keeping his sense of humour, which I think is a vital survival tool these days for small business owners and anyone, really. During our most recent conversation, I was happy to hear that O’Shea’s is taking the fight to Covid with a few very creative ideas. They’ve shifted their business to include catering options, which I think is an amazing strategy. Their
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social says it all. Check out their Instagram page (@irishsnug) for pics of their catering meals as well as other specials. I dare you not to salivate. They’re also gearing up to bring back a favourite from last summer; the BBQ Box. That’s right, now all your outdoor cooking faves are just a phone call away. “Any support from local would be greatly appreciated,” says Kriegl. Keep on ordering take-out and supporting your local restaurants like T.J. O’Shea’s Irish Snug. They live here and, trust me, they’re supporting local as much as possible, too.
T.J. O’SHEA’S IRISH SNUG www.osheairishsnug.com Instagram: @irishsnug (416) 253-5500
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COMMUNITY HELPING DURING STRESSFUL TIMES Twenty years ago, I worked in the hotel & hospitality industry, which was a lot of fun and such a great experience. Over the years, I noticed that the people checking in were constantly stressed from working, travelling, and from life in general. I didn’t foresee things getting less stressful in the future, so I thought, maybe it would be a good idea to open a massage studio & spa to help save the world, one person at a time! At 24 years old, (still young and naïve), the idea had good intentions, but executing the plan would take a few years to implement. I enrolled at the top massage school in Toronto, called Kikkawa College, and graduated in 2001. I started off working at different massage clinics to gain the experience and knowledge of the industry. By 2020, I noticed stress levels were at their peak for everyone and saw that many massage clinics were actually closing down, just when people needed them the most. So, I decided to take the leap and open my own clinic to help people manage their stress, pain & tension and haven’t looked back.
We are open during lockdown, as per Public Health & Safety Regulations and are following a strict COVID-19 protocol. We also offer direct billing for our clients. Most people have extended health coverage with an insurance provider, so this is a contactless way to bill their insurance companies directly, instead of charging your credit card. Muscle Wellness is also happy to offer a 10% discount off our services to anyone in the community. Just mention this promo at the time of booking and bring this article to your appointment to redeem your discount. This promotion expires May 31, 2021. Terms and conditions may apply. Please inquire for details. For bookings & inquiries, please contact: Terry Samai, Owner Muscle Wellness 152 Thirtieth Street, Suite 50, Etobicoke, On info@musclewellness.ca (647) 463-6665 www.musclewellness.ca
Our clinic, Muscle Wellness offers everything from RMT, Deep Tissue Massage Therapy, Prenatal Massage Therapy, Hot Stone Massage Therapy, and Electro-Acupuncture by RMT.
COMMUNITY THE 3 L’S OF LONG BRANCH Hello, my name is Winslow Homer. Please step into my outdoor studio stretched out on the salty and brisk Atlantic seaside of Long Branch, NJ. A few years have passed since the end of the American Civil War and Abraham Lincoln’s second inauguration (1865) and although my usual subject matter has been painting and engraving for Harpers magazine, the new leisure and recreational lifestyle of common folks to Presidents, that of the new “seaside resorts” today is quite different. I am painting the curious but yet pondering viewpoint of a gentleman from Toronto; Thomas J Wilkie. He tells me he is administrating the completion of the Young Men’s Club Association of Brooklyn New York and steamships from New York to Long Branch whenever he can. He asserts he absolutely loves hearing the laughter of the children on the carousel, the cacophony of eager resort seekers scurrying, and chatting along the wharf, only to be drowned out by the huge crashing of the ocean surf, the scents of baked lobster, cod, clam noted with salt spray, the site of luxurious hotels, palatial cottages, and the colourful parasols and swimming apparel that punctuate the sandy seascape. He admires my realism paintings of Long Branch, too, and hopes that when he returns to Toronto, he
can emulate this invigorating and pleasurable resort experience to share with his fellow Canadians. Unfortunately, I never meet the gentlemen again but did hear from local New Jersey councillors that he was successful in establishing a Long Branch on the shores of what they call ‘Etobicoke’. They say Long Branch north is an idyllic resort and is even blessed with a rich arboreal and aromatic healthy forest of trees to breath in and explore! During the Wilkie years at Long Branch, ON, a Canadian artist, photographer, musician, and composer; William Braybrooke Bayley was celebrating his love of Long Branch through photography and music. His most recognizable and published photos were taken in Long Branch including ‘Neath the Lordly Oak’ (National Archives Ottawa). His joyful piano music (Toronto Reference Library) hints at romantic, playful, and fun times in our Victorian Village of Long Branch. Today and in reading your many comments posted on social media, your love for Long Branch is definitively distilled into the three ‘Ls’: Location, Livability, and Love.
By: Bill Zufelt
INSPIRATION STRAINING following through, not giving extra effort, anger, and unforgiveness. It’s easier to have downward habits but strain for uphill. You likely are in an uphill season of life right now. So you’re going to have to strain and struggle to keep moving upwards! Don’t go down, go up! The reward in Jesus is worth it. What is ahead of you and above you is so much better than what is behind you.
MATTHEW DOUGLAS Lead Pastor West Edge Church
For every person who is feeling down but looking up, I want you to know that West Edge is here for you to encourage you. Reach out to us at info@ westedge.org. Keep straining for what is ahead of you. Inch by inch. Our progress might be slower than we would like right now but we’re still going to move forward. Because that’s what upward people do!
Stay with me. There is a book in the Bible called, Philippians, and in there you will read where a follower of Jesus encourages others to develop the same habit that they have. You’re likely holding this article and screaming out, Take Away: What’s something you can do today “PLEASE TELL ME THE HABIT I MUST that requires straining forward towards your KNOW! Okay, calm down, breathe, I upward call? Matthew Douglas will tell you. That habit is expressed Lead Pastor, West Edge Church when the writer says, “…one thing I www.westedge.org do: Forgetting what is behind (what is chasing me, haunting me, regrets, wrong things I’ve done and the wrong things that have been done to me) and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. That habit is leaving baggage behind me and remembering what’s in front of me. An interesting word is used, straining. Question, have you ever walked, run, or biked uphill? It will strain your physical capabilities. Now, have you walked, run, or biked uphill while carrying baggage? It won’t just strain you it will stop you. You have to let go in order to go up. Your call is upward. The law of momentum says it’s a whole lot easier to go down than it is up. The problem is we have upward dreams but downward habits. Upward habits? Gratitude, trying again, serving others, showing up, keeping your word, doing more than what is asked of you, forgiving others. Downward habits? Making excuses, easily giving up, not asking what you want to do with your life, cancelling on people, not completing things, not 12
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LIFE’S UNDERTAKINGS EVERYTHING ALWAYS If we were all operating with 100% of our good nature and sense of humour, I’d inspire a chuckle if I confessed that Psalm 23:4 is my favourite, especially when times are tough, which they are. Don’t know the verse? I bet you’ve heard “the valley of the shadow of death.” That’s Psalm 23. Some (more southern) undertakers love printing this “I will fear no evil” rallying cry on their business cards. Before judging us as terribly ghoulish creatures, consider what type of person is called to funeral service. For those of us operating in the realm of dying and death, deep faith is a professional prerequisite. How else could funeral directors, much less other “final responders” like palliative care doctors, hospice nurses, and death doulas ever reconcile the beauty and the sadness of birth, life, death, and letting go? Despite almost 30 years of undertaking, I still struggle with baby deaths and those tiny white caskets. I still struggle watching young children attempt to absorb that their parent is never coming home again. And despite our grief-avoidant society’s wish it were true, there is still a terrible struggle when burying the old and infirm, which is not easier or more natural, especially in the time of Covid. Loss is the powerful equalizer that can bring the strongest and cruellest person to their knees as they attempt to alchemize sorrow and sadness into some form of meaning. Forget existential angst about bad things happening to good people. Death forces us to dig deeper and question why we are even brought to life if our final task is leaving all that we love. Deep faith, whether religious, spiritual or a blend of both, is not just a job requirement for people whose life’s purpose is helping the living by serving the dead. A belief in a higher power, or at least a bigger picture, makes us more resilient, compassionate, and steady when life threatens to drain us of joy, peace, and belonging. If you’re resilient, you bounce back quicker from loss and disappointment. If you’re compassionate, you live longer and happier. And if you’re steady at the wheel during life’s storms, you’re a guide to safe harbours. Even as I write that, I think of my funeral home’s baby parents and shake my head. How does one ever “bounce back” from losing a child? They don’t. But the parents I’ve had the privilege and honour of watching as they move from their
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knees to their feet are men and women who believe their child’s legacy is love. Right now each of us is challenged to live from a place of loss or love. When loss of reputation, rejection, adverse circumstances, lack of approval, or other people’s negative behaviour result in hardship, none of us really grows or deepens in faith. “We’re all in this together” are just words unless there’s a level of comprehension that we all want the same blessings from life: love, dignity, freedom, respect, safety, belonging. Now that my wife and I are teaching our kids at home yet again, I’ve discovered the poet Roethke (I have zero idea how to pronounce that name) and his tortured wisdom: “In a dark time, the eye begins to see.” We are living in dark, lockdown times. Yet each of us chooses what to see and whom to become as we navigate strong weather. Perhaps facilitating close to 11,000 funeral services has prepared me for the fallout from 2020 but not for the reasons you think. You see, I’m rarely surprised by people’s behaviour during times of great sorrow and joy. The people who are kind, sentimental, and a touch tipsy at a funeral will behave the same way at a wedding. And if someone is offended and outraged at a funeral, trust me – they’ll find a reason to spread unhappiness at a wedding, too. Dark times show us, and others, what (or whom) we put our faith in. Sadly, the majority of people don’t contemplate what they are to the world until they’re about to leave the rest of us behind. No, not because they’ve won the lottery and are moving to Mars. When end of life is near, people are either content with or terrified by the life they are leaving. My intention as this second dark year drags on is to see beyond the finger-pointing and screaming about lockdowns, mask-wearing, and “to be or not to be” vaccine rollouts. I’m making a point of interpreting events and issues with my eyes and heart wide open. Yes, some days are better than others; we all have our inner angel and our inner demon kicking around inside our skull-sized kingdom. But with the springtime stakes so high, coupled with the systematic push to turn us on one another in the name of the greater good, I am desperate to indulge my better qualities. I want to model deep listening, responding not reacting, and keeping my mouth zippered shut if I have nothing nice to say or can only offer up a complaint rather than a solution or blessing.
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
WORKS OUT
BRAD JONES
Owner, Ridley Funeral Home Am I a saint? Ask my wife. I am not. This much I know to be true: as a new world rolls out before us there’s no harm in me making the intention to cultivate a wise mind and a loving heart. I want to fumble and stumble as I know better and do better for the sake of my kids, my community and yes, my country. When the big picture is revealed in the months and years ahead, and a new world has emerged and shown us the consequences of our actions and inactions, I want to be able to look in the mirror and know in the marrow of my bones that I did no harm; that my thoughts, feelings, and actions were always fuelled by the faith that everything always works out – that we are loved and protected by a bigger picture.
transmitters of loving wisdom. We don’t need to die to realize what makes life beautiful and kind. I wish you a wise mind and a loving heart, and since I’m feeling poetic, forever springtime in your heart. Brad Jones is president of locally-owned, commission-free Ridley Funeral Home (3080 Lake Shore Blvd W.) in Etobicoke. If you’re grieving and looking for support and community, please consider attending one of our free virtual support meetings. You’re always welcome to reach out to Brad with questions or comments by calling 416-259-3705 or emailing him at bradjones@ridleyfuneralhome.com .
So how do we ensure that all is well and working out? We make the intention we’re going to do our very best to act as imperfect but powerful
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COVER STORY CATCHING UP WITH JAMES
JAMES MALONEY
MP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, pictured during a sitting of the Virtual Parliament It is hard to believe it has been over a year since our lives were turned upside down by COVID-19. How has your job changed over that year? The role of government is to step up in times of crisis. It is our job to be there for our communities. For the federal government, it has meant creating brand new programs of support for all the different segments of society. I don’t think anybody could ever have predicted any of this, let
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alone the time frame. However, our supports have been created to ensure that after these tough lockdowns, we will come roaring back when the economy fully reopens. We must punch our way out of the COVID recession. That means ensuring lost jobs are recovered as swiftly as possible, and hard-hit businesses rebound quickly. It has meant procuring vaccinations for any Canadian who wants one and providing them for free.
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
MALONEY, MP
By: Roger Tumminieri the hardest hit by COVID – women, young people, low-wage workers, and small and medium- sized businesses, including those in tourism and hospitality. The Budget proposes to extend the wage subsidy, rent subsidy, and Lockdown Support for businesses and other employers until September 25, 2021, for an estimated total of $12.1 billion in additional support. To help the hardest hit businesses pivot back to growth, we also proposed a new Canada Recovery Hiring Program, which will run from June to November and will provide $595 million to make it easier for businesses to hire back laidoff workers or to bring on new ones. With this budget, we are also proposing to help them to invest in new technologies and innovation with up to $4 billion to help small and medium-sized businesses buy and adopt the new technologies they need to grow. The Canada Digital Adoption Program will also provide businesses with the advice and help they need to get the most out of these new technologies by training 28,000 young Canadians – a Canadian technology corps – and sending them out to work with our small and medium-sized businesses. This ground-breaking program will help Canadian small businesses go digital and become more competitive and efficient. We are all tired, and frustrated, and even afraid. But we will get through this. We will do it together. Vaccinations are progressing and we are on track to meet the September deadline to have anyone who wants one will have it. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Our challenge is also to build a more resilient Canada; better, more fair, more prosperous, and more innovative.
All images by Jennifer Hartley Eighty percent of all COVID-19 supports have come from the federal government. The federal budget was tabled recently. How is that going to help our community? You are right. It was tabled in April. It is about finishing this fight against COVID. It’s about healing the economic wounds left in its wake. I was pleased that the Budget is helping some of
That means investing in Canada’s green transition and the green jobs that go with it; in Canada’s digital transformation and Canadian innovation; and in building infrastructure for a dynamic, growing country. How have you been connecting with constituents throughout all this? You know, it’s been really strange as I have spent more time in the constituency over the last year but I’ve been sitting in my house having zoom call after zoom call, meeting with groups, talking to people on the phone but not actually seeing anyone in the community. I miss that and I look forward to once again going to events and having in-person conversations and having human contact.
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Cont'd on page 18
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COVER STORY CONTINUED
I have also tried to reach people with Facebook live events and, in fact, in May I will have two. This year more than ever it is more important to mark Mental Health Week. So many of us have seen our stress levels double since the onset of the pandemic. The Mental Health Commission of Canada helps explain some of our anxiety. They explain there are three big predictors of how stressful something is going to be: (1) how predictable it is, (2) how much we can control it, and (3) how important it is to us. With COVID-19, we have a situation that checks all three boxes.
james.maloney@parl.gc.ca. Remember: no matter where you are or what you’re going through, you don’t have to go through it alone. On May 18th at 7 p.m., we will honour our small businesses with the GEMS of EtobicokeLakeshore awards on another Facebook Live. Small businesses are the vital heart of our economy and they have been hardest hit by the lockdowns. We will celebrate their contribution to our communities.
On May 13th at 7 p.m., I will have a Facebook As we come out of all this, I am confident we will Live conversation with Dr. Katy Kamkar, who is build back better, stronger, and more resilient. part of the Work, Stress and Health Program at Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Deborah Quiggin from LAMP Community Health Centre to talk about mental health and COVID-19. They will offer tips on how to increase your resilience as well as share their expert advice on coping mechanisms as we move forward. Email questions for them to
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FAMILY LIFE STAYING HEALTHY & HAPPY AT HOME It’s been more than a year that we’ve all been feeling isolated and “stuck” at home and even though the vaccine rollout has been slower than expected, it gives us hope for better days coming soon. During these trying times, it’s important to stay focused on the positive things every day and keep our bodies and minds healthy and happy. Tools to build resilience are the most important skills we can teach our children and lead by example how to overcome hardship. Here are 3 tools to help teach resilience and keep your family healthy and happy at home: 1. Get Outside Everyday! No matter the weather and the daily chores that get in the way, try to spend at least half an hour outside every single day. The fresh air, physical activity, and sunshine that we experience just going for a walk around the block can give us the mental and physical boost we need to carry on for another day. 2. Read, Write and Play Together! Building emotional connections with our children comes from spending quality time together. Make time every day to get down to their level and play with them, read with them, and write or draw with them. These special moments will be the times they remember most. 3. Practice Gratitude! Begin and end every day with statements of gratitude. Highlighting the
KELLY FARRELL
Director at Oak Learners; a private alternative school in Mimico located at 394 Royal York Rd. / 416-820-5233 www.oaklearners.ca
positive moments in our days and in our lives reminds us that there is always a silver lining to every dark cloud. Each family member can share a special moment of the day or something they are proud of. Not only does this give us points of conversation, but helps children build confidence and focus on the positive. To learn more about how Oak Learners is supporting families through in-person and online learning opportunities, please visit www. oaklearners.ca
Happy M her’s Day from your friends at
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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT KEEP IT SIMPLE will be different when we return to our ‘normal life.’ However, we should also take a pause to recognize the positive changes that have taken place through all of this. I for one have never felt more grateful for having had this time to myself for the first time in my life, to reflect, centre, and grow. Let us be gentle with ourselves and with each other. Continue to support each other and support local. Be proud of the way you have come through this pandemic, the way you have supported each other – it all means so much.
AMANDA KIRKLAND
Personal Development Coach amanda@bluconsulting.biz
“The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.” - Abraham Lincoln Take life one day at a time. Live in the present moment and focus on the task at hand without worrying about the future. Do not overthink. Thoughts about the future can be overwhelming. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered almost every aspect of our lives. Couples who had been burying their problems for years quickly had them exposed. Weak and opportunistic friendships got washed out. Fragile careers were broken. Miserable lifestyles replaced. Bad TV shows deleted. But these difficult times do not just expose weakness, they also reinforce strength.
Get vaccinated as soon as possible. Ignore the noise and nonsense. There are a lot of hacks out there making a quick buck spreading bad data about vaccines and more. Follow the science. Please get vaccinated. And just in case you need a reminder... you’re doing great. For now, signing off from a place of calm, joy, and love.
AMANDA KIRKLAND
Personal Development Coach www.amandakirkland.com I am a Personal Development Coach helping professionals get their sh*t together without hundreds of hours of therapy. I will 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. amanda@bluconsulting.biz
Good relationships became better. Important decisions got made. Priorities got straightened out. Empathy for others has replaced apathy. We should have every confidence that life will once again begin to resemble the pre- pandemic days of 2019. Cities will not die. Restaurant, entertainment, and hospitality industries will come back. Just as they have after every pandemic since first recorded in 430 B.C. during the Peloponnesian War (the earliest recorded pandemic happened during the Peloponnesian War in 430 BC and started in Athens. After the disease passed through Libya, Ethiopia and Egypt, it crossed the Athenian walls as the Spartans laid siege. As much as two-thirds of the population died). It can’t be ignored, the world has changed, and we may have expectations of how things
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GOODBYE CITY SPRING IN THE COUNTRY
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.
Ah, Spring in the country! As I am every year, I was excited to see the buds on the trees and the tiny new leaves turning the treeline a bit greener over the last few weeks. For me, I like exploring the woods in the Spring, especially. Each season makes the forest feel so different but there seems to be a special feeling this time of year. Nothing beats a hike through the forest followed by dinner on an open fire surrounded by nature. Leave the cell phone in the house!
limited number of available properties makes the stories of multiple offers and over-asking prices common, and if you have been in the market in the last year, you learned this firsthand. As we head into June and the excitement of summer builds, remember to continue to be safe and support local business. Not intended to solicit Buyers or Sellers currently under contract
The only thing that makes it better is bringing a few friends along, but we all need to keep following the heath guidelines and before we know it, we can enjoy the company of all our friends and family again! Restrictions have been tricky and frustrating, but a lot of us living in the country can count ourselves fortunate just to be able to have space to move around. Spring always fills the air with a bit of freshness and the promise of growth (even if we do get some final flakes of snow) and typically, a renewed Spring Real Estate market. This time of year, it is not unusual to see a bit more inventory on the market as people waited for the nicer weather to list, but the real estate market locally has a mind of its own right now. The continued pressure from buyers on a
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WELLNESS WHAT’S THE ANSWER? When the editor, Roger Tumminieri, first asked me to write an article about the vaccine rollout, it was a few days before the Ontario government announced our third state of emergency since the start of the pandemic. Admittedly, I didn’t anticipate that I would find myself in the midst of another province-wide lockdown while writing this article. Today, news is delivered through social media, force-feeding bite-size information into the palms of our hands, nearly at the speed of light. Our challenge is filtering through it. To know the path forward, we should stop following headlines and start following sources behind them. Truly understanding our situation is more powerful and impactful than blindly marching alongside the masses. One author, one headline, or one publication should not cascade to conclusion. They say hindsight is 20/20, but looking back, I still feel confused about how things spiraled out of control so quickly. In a matter of weeks, the headlines turned from “vaccines 95% effective”
DR. TIMOTHY KODSI Medical Lead Mimico Medical
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to “imminent third wave.” I’m surprised that the latter started emerging around the same time that we had administered at least one jab to the vast majority of high-risk patients. I’m horrified by the subsequent emergence of variant strains that are reported to cause more severe disease in younger patients. How did so many new strains emerge so quickly and become more deleterious as a result? I was never taught this in my microbiology courses. I’m confused by the way we classify COVID deaths, that is, are these surges in ICU admissions directly because of COVID19, or are they due to advanced presentations of other diseases in patients that happen to be COVID positive? Realistically, anyone admitted to a hospital is likely to contract the Co-SAR-v2 virus, so how are we differentiating between cases? I’m saddened to see children held out of daycares and classrooms. How will this affect their development? How are parents able to cope with their children being at home all their waking hours? The answers to these questions matter insomuch as how they can help navigate us back to some semblance of normality. COVID-19 is both new and complex, confounded by geopolitical, economic, financial, and social dynamics, so it’s not easy trying to dissect and understand the dilemma. We must remain united and avoid allowing our frustrations to disrupt our community. While it is within the right of the government to declare a state of emergency if it’s to protect their citizens, the ultimate question remains: Is the cure worse than the disease? Over one year in and there’s no answer in sight.
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Medical Lead Mimico Medical 416.201.0836 www.mimicomedical.com
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HOMEFRONT SOLUTIONS TO A TRICKY QUESTION
JAMES MENZIES
JEM Window Cleaning 3045 Southcreek Rd #11 (427 & Dundas) 416.410.5131 www.jemwindowcleaning.com How often should I clean and is it necessary?
frequently than homeowners.
Living close to Lake Ontario in Toronto, your house is likely covered with black spider webs. Do spiders really spin a black web? Nope!
To create an inviting work environment, most building owners clean the main floors of Toronto’s downtown buildings daily. Restaurants typically clean their windows weekly. Glass and your home’s exterior surfaces are simply not designed to be left uncleaned for very long.
How quickly a spider web turns black is a great example of the level of dirt and pollution which also coat your house. What you might not realize is what all that pollution is doing, other than looking very unsightly. After 34 years of window cleaning, I can tell you it’s actually eating away at your windows and frames. Just like the east coast and west coast of North America where the homes get covered in saltwater, homes in Toronto closer to the lake have their own issues. Oddly, Canadians don’t clean the exterior of their homes as often as people from other countries. Take, for instance, people from Scotland, where monthly cleaning is an accepted practice. Yet they are not the most avid cleaners. In places like Belfast and many other places in Europe, homeowners clean their windows twice a month.
Just like oral hygiene and tooth decay, regular cleaning does so much more than make your home look and feel fresh, clean, and beautiful.
JAMES E. MENZIES
JEM Window Cleaning www.jemwindowcleaning.com 416.410.5131 Celebrating 34 years in Etobicoke Since 1987! Award Winning, locally owned profession residential cleaning company specializing in consistent home maintenance.
Here at home, business owners clean much more
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HUMBER COLLEGE COMMUNITY UPDATE
THE GARDENS
We’re welcoming the sunshine of May at Humber Lakeshore and some positive news. The COVID-19 vaccination rollout has inspired everyone to become a little more hopeful for a summer spent closer to the community. The evolving pandemic has made it challenging to plan for the future, but Humber College is committed to moving forward. As our students navigate the maze of the future, Humber College is building a strong foundation to provide the best possible learning environment and training ground. That work includes providing a safe space to learn, both online and on campus. Amidst the backdrop of the Derek Chauvin trial for the murder of George Floyd and the recent killing of Daunte Wright, we find ourselves once again condemning acts of violence and anti-Black racism. The important work of dismantling systemic racism is a part of our commitment towards building a diverse and inclusive community here at Humber College, and I encourage you to learn more about the work we are doing through our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Taskforce. Humber’s strategic plan puts emphasis on building a diverse and inclusive community for staff and students. The EDI Taskforce works alongside the Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion and includes staff, faculty, administration, and students.
are based on some assumptions about the ongoing vaccine rollout and future public health directives. We will adapt our plan as necessary as protocols change. Before that, though, we’re diving into spring. This year, it is exciting to announce that funding was received from the City of Toronto, Live Green, Waste Management department. The funding will expand the GARDENS education program with our community partner, LAMP CHC leading workshops potentially in-person (based on restrictions) and virtually on how to divert food waste. The year-long program will emphasize saving money, changing behaviour, and rethinking waste. Praise for Humber’s screen stars Many programs from our Faculty of Media & Creative Arts call the Lakeshore campus home, including Music, Comedy and Film Media Production. You can find our graduates performing in legendary Toronto venues, on the evening news, or in the closing credits of
Looking Ahead The Lakeshore campus is still closed to the public, but I am pleased to be able to share some positive news and developments. We are planning for in-person components for most of our programs this fall. These plans
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your favourite blockbusters. This year, Humber students, faculty, mentors, and honourary degree holders garnered 30 Canadian Screen Awards (CSA)! The Lakeshore campus’ proximity to downtown Toronto makes it a great place to launch a career in the arts and in media. Many of our faculty members are currently working in the field, and students have the opportunity to meet and collaborate with industry professionals. One of those students, Allison Hogg, is up for a CSA in the Best Writing, Variety or Sketch Comedy category. You might be familiar with her work on Baroness Von Sketch Show, a popular sketch comedy that pokes fun at pop culture. In the early 2000s, Allison moved from her small hometown to Toronto to attend the Comedy program at Lakeshore. She says that the community helped her transition from her small town to the big city. She met people she still performs with today. You might recognize some of the other Humber talent nominated this year, including Breakfast Television host and Journalism graduate Dina Pugliese and Humber Music mentor, composer Ari Posner. The Screen Awards will be broadcast online May 17. I hope you tune in – we’ll be watching!
Best wishes, Derek Stockley
DEREK STOCKLEY
ALLISON HOGG
Principal, Lakeshore Campus Senior Dean, Faculty of Social and Community Services Follow on Twitter: @derek_stockley
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YOUR HEALTH TAKE CARE people continue to work, and without the promise of these distractions from our life, it sometimes makes you wonder what to focus on. Some of the biggest distractions from dayto-day life right now are the news and social media. How are those distractions for you? There’s a lot of information available these days and it’s important to curate it from a trustworthy source and to understand the full story behind the headline. Now more than ever, the headlines that draw attention are often the ones that make us feel worse, as well. What’s one way to take better care of yourself, then? Start to direct your focus. This is in your control, isn’t it? Focusing on solutions or what you can control will help you move towards taking action in a positive way. You may even find that it’s easier to take better care of yourself when you choose a better focus. Be picky about what information you choose to accept. Spend some time with yourself and see how you are really doing. It’s been a long while and we may be in it for a little while longer. Remember to enjoy the nice weather, the sunrise or sunset, and connect with people again, including yourself.
JONATHAN NHAN, RPh, CDE Pharmacist / @nhanjonathan903
Are you taking care of yourself? A common sentiment that I hear lately is that no one ever imagined that this pandemic could have gone on for as long as it already has. By this time, we would have hoped that things were back to normal, and yet we continue to move on in this “new normal”. One thing that all of these restrictions, lockdowns, changing recommendations, and change to our previous way of life is that it puts into focus things about ourselves that were easier to ignore in the past. So, are you taking care of yourself? When I think back to pre-pandemic life, there was always the mentality of work hard (maybe too hard!) and sacrifice now for something down the road. Whether that is a weekend off, a vacation, or the potential promise of a secure future. The pandemic has really put this model of life into question, especially as it continues on. Many
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