SEPTEMBER 2020
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015
BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION
Humber College Lakeshore Campus Goes Back To School With A Mix Of In-Person & Online Classes
www.EtobicokeLakeshorePress.com
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MASTHEAD EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS KELLY FARRELL Founder and Director at Oak Learners; Private Alternative School in Mimico
CHRISTINE HOGARTH Member of Provincial Parliament, Etobicoke-Lakeshore
BILL ZUFELT Long Branch Resident and Chair of the History & Culture Committee, LBNA
BRAD JONES President & Owner of Ridley Funeral Home in New Toronto
DEREK STOCKLEY KAM SARAN Principal, Lakeshore Campus; Dean, South Etobicoke Resident and Faculty of Social & Community Services Community Lead at Office146 AMANDA KIRKLAND DR. MELANIE DECUNHA, ND Lifestyle Coach helping busy people Naturopathic Doctor and Founder of get organized and simplify their lives. ONE Health Services in Long Branch JONATHAN NHAN Pharmacist & Associate Owner at Shoppers Drug Mart in Long Branch
JAMES MALONEY Member of Parliament, Etobicoke-Lakeshore
DR. TIMOTHY KODSI South Etobicoke Resident & Medical Lead at Mimico Medical
MARK GRIMES Toronto City Councillor for Ward 3 Etobicoke-Lakeshore
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JAMES MALONEY COVID SUPPORT UPDATE August has come to a close and back-to-school is high on the minds of parents across the country. While it would ordinarily be a stressful time of the year trying to get everything sorted before the beginning of class, back-to-school during a pandemic brings with it a whole new to-do list, like getting your kids equipped and used to wearing a mask and stocking up on hand sanitizer. The federal government recently announced an additional $2 billion to provinces and territories to help get kids back to school safely. Ontario will have the flexibility to spend funding according to their education sector’s priorities. This may include supporting areas such as: - Adaptation of learning spaces; - Improving air systems in schools; - Increased hand sanitation, hygiene, and testing; - Additional cleaning supplies for frequent cleaning and disinfection of common touch surfaces and transportation environments; - Procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) for students and staff; - Support for remote learning; and - Health and safety training for staff. This is good news for families. For other people, income remains a concern. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) was an important and necessary temporary response to support Canadians who had to stop working due to the pandemic. As we safely restart Canada’s economy, the Government will be transitioning to a simplified Employment Insurance (EI) program, effective September 27, 2020, to provide income support to those who remain unable to work and are eligible, and introducing a new suite of temporary and taxable recovery benefits to further support workers. While the Government prepares for this transition, and to ensure support continues for Canadians whose employment has been impacted by the pandemic, the CERB will be extended by an additional four weeks, providing a new maximum of up to 28 weeks of benefits. Canada Recovery Benefit We heard from many Canadians who work in the gig economy who had issues accessing CERB. We have created the new Canada Recovery Benefit which would be effective from September 27, 2020 for one year and would provide a benefit amount of $400 per week for up to 26 weeks to workers who are not eligible for EI, mainly the self-employed and including those working in the gig economy. These individuals may still require income sup-
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JAMES MALONEY Member of Parliament Etobicoke-Lakeshore
port if they continue to be unable to return to work due to COVID-19 or had their income reduced relative to pre-COVID-19 pandemic. The benefit will be available to residents in Canada who: - are at least 15 years old and have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN); - have stopped working due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are available and looking for work; or are working and have had a reduction in their employment/self-employment income for reasons related to COVID-19; - are not eligible for Employment Insurance; - had employment and/or self-employment income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in 2020; and, - have not quit their job voluntarily. Workers would apply after every two-week period for which they are seeking income support and attest that they continue to meet the requirements. In order to continue to be eligible for the benefit the claimant would need to look for and accept work when it is reasonable to do so. The benefit is taxable. Parental/Maternity Benefit We are also supporting expectant mothers looking to take maternity/parental leave who do not have enough hours for EI due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn all the details at canada.ca/coronavirus for these and all other programs. Stay safe and remember, I am here to help. - James Maloney
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
TABLE OF CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2020 JAMES MALONEY...p6
MOYA FINANCIAL...p20
Etobicoke-Lakeshore MP, James Maloney kicks off this edition with a COVID Support Update.
Taras Komarnytski, Certified Financial Planner at Moya Financial writes about education savings.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE...p8
DEVELOPMENT...p22
This edition is overflowing with content. so much so, we’ve published a new Digital Mag for you!
First Capital REIT’s 2150 Lake Shore project breaks new ground in the community engagement space.
COMMUNITY...p10
FAMILY LIFE...p26
Long Branch Resident, Amanda Kirkland launches her new Lifestyle Coaching business.
Dr. Timothy Kodsi addresses the question: To Homeschool or not to Homeschool?
MARK GRIMES...p12
LIFE’S UNDERTAKINGS...p28
Ward 3 Councillor Mark Grimes writes about Back To School Safety measures taken by the City.
Brad Jones offers a unique perspective on Back To School in the age of social distancing.
CHRISTINE HOGARTH...p14
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS is the only
Etobicoke-Lakeshore MPP, Christine Hogarth outlines a new funding plan for Long-Term Care.
COVER STORY...p15 It’s Back To School at Humber College. Here’s what to expect on the Lakeshore Campus.
NEW BIZ FEATURE...p19 This is one of those, “I wish I had thought of that” businesses: Uncle Pat’s Mobile Auto Service. Published By
free, monthly magazine that’s focused on life in South Etobicoke. It is mailed to houses in Long Branch & Mimico by Canada Post. Additional copies are available at selected local businesses and high-traffic pick-up locations. We capture life in South Etobicoke by highlighting the many positive contributions to our community by local business owners, elected officials, and residents. No part of this publication in any of its forms may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. 146 Thirtieth St, Suite 100, Unit 25, Etobicoke, ON M8W 2C4
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE BACK TO SCHOOL?
ROGER TUMMINIERI
Publisher , Etobicoke Lakeshore Press
etobicokelakeshorepress@gmail.com www.EtobicokeLakeshorePress.com @etobicokelakeshorepress Welcome to our 2020 Back To School Edition. This year’s a bit different than last, to say the least. Summer’s all but over and it still just feels like it’s Wednesday. As you’ll soon discover, this edition is chock full of content. It’s overflowing, in fact. So much so that I’ve created a new Digital Mag to capture all the great content I couldn’t fit in the Print version.
You’ll find more articles about local businesses, like the story behind Trius + aiM; who were recently forced to close their doors on Brown’s Line but have popped up elsewhere in the neighbourhood to continue serving Chef Daniel Ansu’s amazing food. We’ve also featured some of our fave Long Branch restaurants; DeCourses Cafe and T.J. O’Shea’s Irish Snug. They’ve both had to make changes to their businesses and hope to come back stronger in Phase 3. Bill Zufelt who contributes our History features will anchor the Digital Mag with his piece on the Long Branch Continuation School (now James S. Bell). Go back in time to pre-pandemic 1915 (Spanish Flu, that is) and read what it would’ve been like to go back to school in Long Branch a hundred years ago. And for those road-trippin’ stay-cationers, I’ve included articles that will help you discover Grey County, Ontario - including one written by a good friend of mine, Brian Glassey, about pheasant hunting in Dundalk. It’s the first in a new series called Stories From The Field. Good luck to all those heading back to school, whether you’re masking up and going in-person or if you’ll be attending virtually. Stay safe! Thanks for reading the Print Mag and please check out the extended content in our new Digital Mag. Just pick up your phone and head on over to our website now. In fact, why not add our site to your homescreen!
READ OUR NEW DIGITAL MAG w w w. E t o b i c o ke L a ke s h o re Pre s s . c o m
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COMMUNITY
It’s time to get back to business. We know many businesses are ready to find their new normal. That is why we have worked so hard to make sure you have many options to accommodate your needs. If you are looking for a meeting room to book, a one-person office to get away from home distractions or space to bring your team together, we have you covered. We have flexible options to help you find the best solution that fits your needs.
KAM SARAN
Community Lead, OFFICE146 146 Thirtieth St (South of Horner Ave) BOOK YOUR FREE TOUR kam@office146.com / 416-855-4142 www.office146.com
Some features included as a member are tea/coffee made fresh throughout the day, printer, internet, business advisory support, cleaning service, free marketing assessment, front reception, delivery notification, dog-friendly and so much more. Contact us for your free one day pass to experience the Office146 culture first hand.
IT’S TIME TO GET ORGANIZED “For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.” - Benjamin Franklin
There’s a slight chill in the air and the stores are promoting back-to-school-specials — it’s that time! But this time it’s different. You and your family have likely had minimal exposure to the outside world for the past five months while attempting to “navigate” the changes brought about by COVID-19. So how do you make the shift back to school smooth? As a parent, you might be starting to feel overwhelmed with all the daily things that you’re now going to need to start doing again - keeping up with your job, housework, meal planning, food shopping, making meals, play dates, your to-do’s and errands, exercise, “you” time and more. Do you want to be relaxed, on top of things, and have plenty of time? Time for what needs to get done and time for the things that you want to focus on - hobbies, exercise, relationships, and being present with your kids. Let’s start! Make a plan. Create a daily or weekly schedule that prioritizes what’s most important to you while still meeting deadlines and staying on top of
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things. Create space for what you WANT to do. Free up mental space and energy for your kids, your partner, your ideas, or yourself. Here are the first steps in getting organized: 1. Get everything out of your head and onto a consolidated list 2. Categorize tasks so your list is easy to read at a glance 3. Prioritize tasks so the most important things get done first and on time 4. Make sure you cross everything off your list each day 5. Celebrate your wins and create motivation no matter what 6. Stop feeling overwhelmed by the size of your list. You have enough time. At the end of every week, review the list and use it to plan the week ahead. Select what you want to work on taking into consideration priority, time and sequence and then schedule these time in your calendar.Feeling overwhelmed is a natural part of life but it’s a feeling that can be overcome. Remember, you don’t need to do everything today! AMANDA KIRKLAND Lifestyle Coach & Long Branch Resident amanda@bluconsulting.biz
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
Shop Local! Shop Safe! Shop with Confidence! Support Ontario made products
Christine
HOGARTH MPP ETOBICOKE –LAKESHORE
You can reach my office at 416-259-2249 or christine.hogarth@pc.ola.org
For the latest COVID-19 updates please visit my support link: covidsupports.ca/mpphogarth and sign up for my e-newsletter on my website at: www.christinehogarthmpp.ca
THE BRIDGE COLLECTION
COMING SOON TO A LOCAL SHOP NEAR YOU
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INSPIRED BY THE HUMBER BAY BRIDGE MADE IN ONTARIO Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015
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MARK GRIMES BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY
Over the last several months, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused us all to make major changes in our lives. But as we slowly progress to a new normal, we must not take for granted the sacrifices that we have made to help fight this virus. We must continue to follow the advice of our public health professionals, wear a mask, physically distance, and practice good hand hygiene. Be sure to sign up for my weekly eNews at www.markgrimes.ca to learn about what actions the City is taking to fight COVID-19. Now that we have entered Stage 3 of the Province’s Reopening Plan, many of our local businesses are cautiously opening their doors and some City services are returning to normal. While the Province and the School Boards are navigating these unprecedented times to determine what education will look like for the foreseeable future, we at the City are busy making sure that our kids are safe outside the classroom.
Automated Speed Enforcement Recently, the City began using Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) to help crackdown on speeding around schools. These ASE cameras capture license plates of vehicles travelling higher than the posted speed limit and the owner of the vehicle will receive a ticket in the mail, regardless of who was driving. No demerit points are applied with the use of these machines. There are two ASE cameras per Ward, and they rotate every 3 to 6 months, and can only be placed in Community Safety Zones near schools as per provincial legislation. There are other criteria for site selection which include provincial guidelines, available data (including collision history, speed, traffic volume, etc), characteristics of the road (curvature, slopes, obstructions, etc), among a few other factors. For more information on this program please visit www.toronto.ca/ASE.
School Safety Zones
Crossing Guard Program
In 2017, we began installing “School Safety Zones”. These zones are a dedicated stretch of roadway near schools that feature new signage, flashing beacons, pavement markings, and permanent “Watch Your Speed” signs. City staff will be installing these features at every elementary and secondary school across the City, with the goal to install 80 School Safety Zones per year until every school has received them.
The School Crossing Guard program will be ready to go once schools are open. All crossing guards will be equipped with masks, gloves, and any other protective equipment necessary, and will be expected to maintain a physical distance from those crossing the street.
If you notice instances of drivers speeding near a school that doesn’t have its safety zone features yet, please contact my office by email at councillor_grimes@toronto.ca to request the installation of a temporary “Watch Your Speed” sign. These temporary signs rotate around the Ward every 2 to 3 weeks to locations requested by residents.
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You can learn more about the program and view a map of all crossing guard locations at www.toronto.ca/schoolcrossingguard. While these are just some of the initiatives that are being undertaken, there is a lot more that’s being done to address traffic safety in Etobicoke-Lakeshore. If you have a traffic safety concern or another municipal issue that needs to be addressed, please contact my office at councillor_grimes@toronto.ca or 416-397-9273.
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
TRANSFORM YOUR BACKYARD
INTO AN OASIS
020 THE 2 ION N I D RE DIT FEATU GARDEN E E& HOM
Frank Soave, Long Branch Resident & Owner of North Star Landscaping Inc. Can Help You Take Your Backyard To The Next Level
NORTH STAR LANDSCAPING INC. 1273 St. Mary’s Ave, Mississauga / 905-990-7778 www.northstarlandscaping.com
CHRISTINE HOGARTH LONG-TERM CARE The Time for Action Is Now - Building Long-Term Care in Etobicoke-Lakeshore A new funding model will change the game for the development of long-term care homes in Ontario. Help is on the way for long-term care, a sector that saw only 611 new beds built between 2011 and 2018. Many long-term care homes were constructed before 1970, and outdated rooms are in dire need of redevelopment.
For example, in Etobicoke-Lakeshore, where the availability and affordability of land is a barrier to development, operators will receive what they need to secure the loans and real estate they need to get building.
Etobicoke–Lakeshore is served by the Toronto Central and Mississauga Halton LHINs (Local Health Integration Networks), which together have 10,040 long-term care beds, a waitlist of 5,455 vulnerable seniors, and a median wait time of 191 days for admission.
As of today, an application has already been submitted to upgrade 192 older beds in our own backyard. If the application moves forward, this modernized funding model would help make the project a reality and provide local long-term care residents with a new, modern place to call home.
Governments of all stripes have talked about solutions and tried for two decades to build longterm care but have failed. They have rebranded the same financial model time and again without producing any significant results. Yet, no one thought to ask, “Why isn’t this working?”
Our modernized funding model is one key part of repairing the cracks in our aging long-term care system, addressing our growing waitlist, building healthier and safer communities, and getting us closer to ending hallway health care.
Our government is taking historic steps to improve the lives of our seniors. Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care, has spent the past year meeting with the long-term care sector in order to remove barriers to building long-term care homes in Ontario. Earlier this month, Premier Ford and Minister Fullerton announced a new modernized funding model that our government is applying to the building of new long-term care homes and upgrading of older homes to modern standards. Designed around the specific needs of different regional markets, this model is going to incentivize long-term care operators to invest in building and renovating homes in all corners of Ontario, including right here in Etobicoke-Lakeshore.
By making smart investments to modernize longterm care, we can build a stronger system and ensure our loved ones have access to the care and comfort they deserve, now and in the future. The sector told our government what they needed to get shovels in the ground and deliver care for our seniors, and we listened. This innovative new model will help get the job done faster and get aging Ontarians the care they need sooner.
Putting our government’s historic $1.75 billion investment in long-term care capacity growth to work, this funding model will increase upfront funding and cover key development charges, making it easier to get projects off the ground and get more residents the care they need, fast. The model is tailored to overcome localized barriers and meet community needs in each of four market segments (based on population size): rural, mid-size, urban, and large urban.
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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
COVER STORY BACK TO SCHOOL AT HUMBER
Social distancing measures will continue for the 20% of students returning to campus
From the outside looking in, the Humber College Lakeshore campus isn’t the hive of activity it usually is in September. Look a little deeper, though, and you’ll find that the academic and community programs the Lakeshore neighbourhood has come to know still exist and thrive – online. The COVID-19 pandemic encouraged both Humber campuses to close mid-March and staff, faculty and students have been adapting and innovating ever since. “Through it all, safety comes first,” said Lakeshore Campus Principal Derek Stockley. “People come to Humber for the hands-on experience and that happens best face-to-face in an ideal world. A gradual return allows us to make safety a priority.” A mobile app called Guardian App has become an integral part of Humber’s plan for a return to campus. Humber College’s Department of Public Safety recently released the app for Apple, Android and Blackberry smartphones. The Guardian App allows staff, students and faculty to access safety and securing resources, emergency contact information and a safety toolbox. Anyone visiting campus must complete a self-screening assessment to be allowed access to the facilities.
The community may also notice new signage encouraging safety, and amped-up cleaning procedures at the Lakeshore campus. “We look forward to seeing the community” Stockley is hopeful that neighbours, partners and the general public will enjoy the Lakeshore campus soon. Some commuters have been using the nearby bike paths and people continue to flock to the trails to take in those beautiful water views. “What we’re hoping is to see great success in safety procedures put in place so we can look at bringing the community onto the campus and into those spaces like the gym, fitness facilities, the theatre. We look forward to seeing the community and we want to build up to that,” he said. In addition to leading the Humber Lakeshore campus, Stockley is here to answer the community’s questions: Q: How has Humber Lakeshore engaged the community over the past few months? DS: We’ve created a Lakeshore Quaranteam to keep people informed and engaged. Staff have put together an online resource at humber.ca/lakeshore highlighting wellness initiatives. It curates ways to focus on community and connection. You can even join wellness challenges and find tips for working from home. Lakeshore campus also recently offered space to the annual Rib Fest, an event spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Etobicoke. The drive-through was located on our campus. It’s such a pillar of the Etobicoke community. Cont’d on page 16
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COVER STORY HUMBER COLLEGE LAKESHORE Given the important work Rotary does in fundraising, it’s great to see this – not only for the people who came together, but some of the proceeds will also go to COVID-19 relief in our area. Q: When will the Lakeshore neighbourhood be welcomed back to campus? DS: Campus remains closed to the community until further notice. You will see much fewer people walking around. Only the students and staff that need to be in our specialized labs for hands on learning will be allowed to be there. While it won’t be alive as we’re used to having it in the fall, there will still be some activity on campus. It will just be much more subdued this year. Q: How are the students at Humber’s Lakeshore campus faring? DS: I am so proud of the students and how they’ve shown resiliency. I’ve often said that if I can give out another credential in resiliency, I would. Staff and faculty have worked hard to adapt to this new world and support students. That has been impressive over the past six months. It gives me hope for the next six months.
DEREK STOCKLEY
Principal, Lakeshore Campus Senior Dean, Faculty of Social and Community Services
Building Culture Humber Lakeshore recently held a virtual community update about the Humber Cultural Hub which attracted many community members. The campus is already known as one of the largest historic restorations in the City of Toronto and the Cultural Hub is the next step in that revitalization.
Twenty per cent of Humber’s Lakeshore programs will return to campus this month, and only those which require hands-on learning and training that cannot be taught virtually.
It will be unlike any other space at any college in the province. The Cultural Hub will also replace the last of the outdated learning facilities on campus.
The rest of our students will be learning virtually, as they did at the end of the Winter 2020 semester and through our Summer 2020 term.
Humber College has consulted with the community and values its past and future engagement, because the space will be a hub for students and the greater Lakeshore community.
Stockley notes that many projects have continued and grown while the world has been adapting to life during a global pandemic. The Humber Cultural Hub, a future focal point of the Lakeshore campus, has moved forward from development to construction which is expected to be complete by 2024.
The current performance space on campus is outdated and needed upgrading so audiences can enjoy an enhanced cultural experience. The Humber Cultural Hub will house two performance spaces – one will hold an intimate audience of approximately 150, and the other will have an up-to600-person capacity.
Sunset over the Lakeshore Grounds Photo: Eakansh Bedi
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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
CAMPUS GOES BACK TO SCHOOL AMID COVID The venues will provide a new destination for west Toronto cultural activities like festivals, concerts, and arts programs. Students will benefit tremendously. The Centre for Creative Business Innovation (CCBI) will be housed in the Cultural Hub and is expected to be a powerful economic force, helping businesses and the community reap the benefits of creative innovation. Industry-Infused Learning Spaces with additional classrooms and computer labs and an Indigenous classroom will all be part of the new build. A film and media learning space will connect students and faculty to industry and professional-
Light is emphasized in the design in the 360,000 square foot space which was created with the community in mind. Many people use the campus as a through-way, or a part of their commute. A courtyard is designed that will allow people to pass through greenspace for public enjoyment. Instead of taking away, the Cultural Hub will create slightly more greenspace than there was before. Adapting the GARDENS project Humber Lakeshore is a partner on the annual GARDENS project, in collaboration with the GARDENS Advisory Council and LAMP Community Health Centre. It has evolved with the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the local food bank in the
CULTURAL HUB RENDERING The Exchange
Humber will combine decades of experience in creative arts, media and business to help companies grow and capitalize on opportunities.
area and persons in need will still receive the harvest from garden pods placed around Etobicoke. The project includes 9 pod sites – fewer than last year due to the restrictions of COVID - that are planted, cared for, and harvested by Humber partners and community members.
Local businesses and students will benefit from the expertise and support. Humber’s focus on experiential learning will allow them to gain professional experience and grow their entrepreneurship attitudes that lead to success.
Organizers have followed Toronto Public Health guidelines in planning this year’s project. Historically, five people were on site for each planting day. Since the global pandemic began, just one person has been allowed to maintain at a time.
The Humber Cultural Hub will also shine as an example of sustainability on campus. The project is targeting LEED Platinum certification and zero carbon emissions.
The GARDENS project enhances food security in the area and allows students to find experiential learning opportunities.
grade multimedia production, post-production facilities, and more.
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Cont’d on page 18
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COVER STORY GARDENS PROJECT
Gabi Hentschke cycles to work at the GARDENS project pods – the basket is helpful during harvest!
“I’ve been working from home overseeing social media, doing some communications and outreach to the community,” said Gabi Hentschke, the Project Coordinator for Operations. She also visits the four pod sites she oversees at Birds and Beans coffee shop, Storefront Humber, Humber College near the Fashion Institute, and at the Lakeshore Environmental Gardening Society (L.E.G.S) garden at Daily Bread Food bank. This year, much of the upkeep is performed by Humber College students who are completing internship or work-placement hours, and paid student-employees like Hentschke, who is entering her third year in the Bachelor of International Development degree program. Her experience with the GARDENS project also earned her half of the required work-placement hours required for her program. She works with two more Project Coordinators whose jobs are funded by Canada Summer Jobs and the Office of the Principal. Four student-volunteers are serving as Site Operations Coordinators and their experience will also count towards fulfilling work placement hours. “I’m learning a lot about working in the community, all the different stakeholders – and any community member, really. We have to ensure we are always communicating with people around the pods,” said Hentschke.
ing their gardening experience. “Everyone in the community adds so much. They all have different skills and knowledge. I love working in food security,” she said. “I definitely have a passion for working at the grassroots level, because that’s where things start to happen and where you feel the change.” Three Film and Media students are also fulfilling placement hours through the GARDENS project. They will be creating a short documentary about the project, its impact, and how it has adapted in the time of COVID-19. With fall comes a new harvest for the GARDENS project and a new school year for Humber College. This year, as the leaves change, so will Humber Lakeshore. Staff, students, faculty and the community are all making adjustments that will carry the campus – and the neighbourhood - through a difficult and evolving global situation.
HUMBER COLLEGE LAKESHORE CAMPUS 3199 Lake Shore Blvd West
The raised beds at the Daily Bread Foodbank are shared with the L.E.G.S, whose members have been advising the project coordinators and shar
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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
416-675-3111 www.humber.ca
MOYA FINANCIAL EDUCATION SAVINGS
TARAS KOMARNYTSKI
Certified Financial Planner Moya Financial 416-255-1741 ext. 216 taras.komarnytski@moyafinancial.ca
Introducing Taras Komarnytski, Certified Financial Planner with Moya Financial
Taras has over 10 years’ experience in cashflow, credit, investment, taxation planning, and business planning. Throughout the ongoing and dynamic financial planning journey he will work with members to understand their unique and changing financial circumstances, along with goals and objectives. He focuses on key areas and will develop a financial plan that delivers the right solutions for each individual. You can connect with Taras over the telephone, in person, through teleconferencing and e-mail. The Best Way to Save For Your Child’s Education
With the high cost of post-secondary education these days, and given that your children and grandchildren need an education to compete in our competitive world, what is the best way to save for their future educational needs? If someone told you that for every dollar you saved for them, the government would give you 20% automatically, would you be interested? Where else can you get a 20% bonus? Well, it’s true. With a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), the government will add 20% to your contribution. Here’s how it works.
You can open a RESP account for your children or grandchildren (or just about anyone for that matter, but let’s stick to the first two for explanations). You can contribute a maximum of $2,500 per child per year and the government will add 20% to the total. So, a contribution of $2,500 gets you an additional $500 from the government. That’s 20% right away with no need to wait. You can invest the money in a variety of vehicles, including savings accounts, mutual funds, stocks, and more.
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The money that you earn in this account continues to grow tax-free for the entire period that it is invested. It will be taxed on withdrawal, but it will be taxed to the beneficiary (the student), who will most likely be in a lower tax bracket and in turn pay a lower tax rate. The contributor (subscriber) does not get a tax deduction for their contributions, but the money’s growth is tax sheltered while it is in the account, until it is withdrawn for educational purposes. The lifetime maximum government grant is $7,200 per child and you can contribute a lifetime maximum of $50,000 per beneficiary. There are different types of plans that cater to different situations. For instance, a family plan can include more than one child, and you can allocate monies to any of your children depending on how much they need for school. There are rules for withdrawals, but as long as the monies are used for education as intended, there are no penalties. 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! www.moyafinancial.ca
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
ITEX Barter Exchange is your local Etobicoke source for your business to business barter needs.
Your local ITEX office in South Etobicoke is award-winning and makes bartering for your business professional and easy! Work with ITEX reps in person, online or over the phone so you can barter what you have, for what you want without spending cash and improve your cash flow! Trade your services, your goods, seats in your restaurant, office or apartment space and more! Some of our local barterers include: Office146 The Pod Plant Ford Performance Centre Osmow’s Pina B’s Salon and Spa Minute Muffler TWM Compuserve
Custodia Senior Support HumbleandFredRadio.com Z103.5 Thrive Organic Global Alliance Chauffer Services Etobicoke Lakeshore Press And More!
Find us on Facebook at ITEX Barter Canada or visit unlimitedbarter.com or call 416.898.5604.
CHEVAPS
signature dish
MY SECRET KITCHEN
316 Lakeshore Rd E / 905-990-2057 www.mysecretkitchen.ca
ROYAL MEATS BAR/BEQUE 710 Kipling Ave / 416-251-1144 www.royalmeats.ca
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DEVELOPMENT 2150 LAKE SHORE; FORMER
Artist rendering of First Capital REIT’s 2150 Lake Shore Development in Humber Bay Shores
On Thursday May 28th, 629 people attended a Virtual Town Hall online in the middle of a pandemic to hear an update from the First Capital REIT team about the plans to redevelop the vacant 28-acre former Mr. Christie property in Humber Bay Shores. Although previous in-person public meetings had also drawn hundreds of interested residents, this Town Hall reflected the ‘new normal’ of public engagement in 2020 due to social distancing and government restrictions on large gatherings. After watching brief pre-recorded presentations by First Capital’s Jodi Shpigel, Transportation consultant Alun Lloyd of BA Group, and Allies & Morrison architect Alfredo Carabello, the scene changed to show emcee, Cyndi Rottenberg-Walker of Urban Strategies Inc. explain that the four of them would spend the next half hour answering questions from the community in real time. Shpigel, Lloyd and Rottenberg-Walker answered questions live from a studio practicing safe social distancing filming in Toronto’s east end, while Mr. Carabello was livestreamed in directly from his flat in London, England. Consulting with the community is a requirement as part of the Planning process. More significantly, First Capital stated from the day it first announced the purchase of the vacant factory site that they would work closely with the City and the community as they plan and deliver the redevelopment of this massive property. The Master Plan was submitted in the Fall of 2019 after a few years of community consultations, analyses and intensive study by an International team of expert consultants. The proposed mixed-use transit-oriented development includes new residential towers offering a mix of housing typologies and affordable options, office buildings, a retail galleria, new community amenities and services, a large park and significant transportation investments in new
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roads, cycling and pedestrian paths and a highly sought-after transit hub centred on a new Park Lawn GO Station. Prior to the pandemic, both First Capital and the City were planning conventional-style public meetings in the spring of 2020 to ensure interested residents could receive updates on the project since the last public meeting in November 2019. First Capital has held two Idea Fairs and informational public meetings at a banquet hall in Humber Bay Shores in 2018 and 2019 to engage with local residents and gather feedback to help inform their Master Plan. These events were attended by hundreds of people as were the two City-sponsored public meetings held in the fall of 2019 after First Capital formally submitted its Master Plan application. First Capital’s online approach to the Virtual Town Hall was a direct consequence of the COVID-driven ban on large public gatherings, though now it may serve as a catalyst in accelerating the evolution of typical in-person public consultation to include a more inclusive way to engage with the community. The online platform not only provides the ability to reach a more diverse audience via digital channels, but also brings greater diversity and accessibility to the consultation process. The First Capital team, eager to connect with the community after their submission of a revised OPA, a new Zoning By-Law Amendment, and Draft Plan of Subdivision, initiated an engagement process that would far surpass the reach of the conventional approach to public consultations. “As we geared up to submit a revised Master Plan and new applications related to zoning and planning the site in more detail, we knew that we had to make sure that we maintained our commitments to the community to keep them informed of our activities and make every effort to connect with the list of over 600 people that have signed on to
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
MR. CHRISTIE’S PROPERTY our contact list over the years” said Jodi Shpigel, First Capital’s Senior Vice-President. “Fortunately, our team was not only up to the task, they were able to transform a challenge into a significant achievement.” Lux 9 Inc., a Strategic Marketing & Communications Firm in Toronto, was responsible for facilitating the Virtual Town Hall, helping to reach 77,456 people via FCR’s social media channels. “We were completely prepared to switch gears and go entirely social, and were proud to host the first interactive Virtual Town Hall in Toronto. We had already established a very informative website and First Capital had a social media presence that we could easily leverage to engage a broad audience,” says Kate Driscoll, founder of Lux 9. Save the Date notices were sent to nearly 1,000 email contacts within the 2150 Lake Shore email database and included a short project video, links to the submitted planning application materials online, and access to a digital platform for providing questions to the Project Team over a two-week period that straddled the live Virtual Town Hall event. During that span, 146 questions were submitted by the community on a range of topics: the impacts of COVID-19 on the planning and design of the development; the size of the park and public squares; concerns about density and traffic congestion; the potential for schools and other community services and amenities; even questions about residential unit sizes and technical questions on a range of topics from wind to solar studies. All of the questions were answered in full by the Project Team and posted online for public viewing. While many can understandably assume that a pandemic could make it more difficult for developers to engage with their neighbours and other
By: Roger Tumminieri
2150 Lake Shore Engagement May to July 2020
63,583 Views on the Project Video 146 Questions Submitted & Answered 629 Attendees at Virtual Town Hall 12,650 Visitors to the Website 77,456 People Reached via Social Media
stakeholders about their plans and intentions, there are a range of digital tactics and strategies that support more inclusive, diverse and accessible engagement practices. Online engagement facilitates a broader reach of communication within the community and beyond to ensure all voices are heard during the consultation process. Although there are some community members who aren’t fully engaged online and prefer face-to-face discussions, digital platforms provide a deeper consultation experience and more in-depth information sharing, and will continue to play an increasingly more prominent role in this connected world of ours – quarantined or not. The pandemic not only significantly augmented public engagement on an important project, but has defined a new path that will shape the future of community consultation across the City.
Artist rendering of proposed Parklawn Station
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WELLNESS PREPPING FOR BACK TO SCHOOL big decisions on the horizon. I know many parents, teachers and support staff have been quite focused on the return to the classroom and in particular, whether or not to send kids back. Regardless of the decision you make, there are things you can do to help prepare both yourself and your kiddos mentally and physically for the return to school. The summer tends to throw routines out the window, but particularly with the quarantine period preceding the summer, give yourself lots of extra time to get back to a regular routine. Try practicing regular sleep/ wake times, structured activities and regular meal times/meal prep. This is also a great time to focus on mental health for the whole family. Practicing self-care both alone and together and setting aside time for meditation is a great practice to get into.
DR. MELANIE DECUNHA, ND
Naturopathic Doctor Founder, ONE Health Services 3515 Lake Shore Blvd W / 647-748-4884 Well if you can believe it’s been over 5 months since the pandemic was declared, and I don’t think when this all started ANYONE believed how long it would last and the impact it would make. But here we are, arriving in September with an opening economy and
Notwithstanding the pandemic, the start of September and that gradual transition to Fall (cooler temps, less daylight, unpredictable weather, cold & flu season, etc.) is a time I always work on boosting the immune system with my patients. Supplements go a long way, but don’t underestimate how far good sleep, optimal nutrition and nature can take you. Whether you’re going to be homeschooling, back to work or school, or continuing working from home, I wish you the best of luck with the changes that these next weeks bring!
THE SYDNEY GRIND
2883 Lake Shore Blvd W IG: @thesydneygrind facebook.com/TheSydneyGrind
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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
JAMES MALONEY HEROES OF E-L EXPERIENCE
QUALITY CARE AT
Our next nomination for Heroes of Etobicoke-Lakeshore goes to the Canadian-Tibetan community. The Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre is located in Etobicoke-Lakeshore and members of this community have time and again shown their compassion and generosity to fellow Canadians. Since the start of this pandemic, this community has prepared free hot meals for front-line workers and people facing difficult times. So far, over 3,000 meals have been served...with more to come! Thank you to this selfless community. Instagram: @james.maloney
ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS FAMILY DOCTORS PHYSIOTHERAPY PSYCHOLOGY & PSYCHIATRY COSMETIC MEDICINE WWW.MIMICOMEDICAL.COM 398 ROYAL YORK RD. 416 ∙ 201 ∙ 0836
PHOTO Mike Wixson, The Pod Plant
MARC FOTO ON THE ELPOD
9Round Etobicoke’s Marc Foto fights back against COVID
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FAMILY LIFE BACK TO SCHOOL ANXIETIES A Mindful Approach to Calming Back to School Anxieties It’s no surprise that anxiety and mental health concerns are top of mind for Back-to-School season in 2020. This year has been full of stops and starts and so much uncertainty. When our own worries about health and safety are skyrocketing, how can we help our children stay balanced and calm? The answer lies in building emotional regulation skills by adding a daily mindfulness practice into our routines.
Wake up with Gratitude Keep the mornings peaceful by acknowledging gratitude. Starting a family Gratitude Jar during breakfast can be a great way to express shared appreciation and start the day with positive thoughts.
Acknowledge the Ups and Downs Each Day After school or work, begin a practice of acknowledging that everybody has good things that happen during a day and things that could have gone better. Sharing these ups and downs can help foster a supportive home environment where emotions are accepted and strategies for overcoming challenges are shared.
Calm Bodies = Calm Bedtimes Establish a calming bedtime routine that includes sensory calming activities like a warm bath, warm milk or snuggles followed by a short body-scan meditation to teach children to feel the sensations of diff-
KELLY FARRELL
Director at Oak Learners; a private alternative school in Mimico located at 394 Royal York Rd. / 416-820-5233 www.oaklearners.ca
erent parts of their bodies and calm each part individually to prepare for sleep. For guided body scans and sleep meditations, try the Calm.com App! At Oak Learners, we believe in introducing mindfulness techniques to children from a young age and integrating the practice into our teaching throughout the day. Students are taught to recognize different feelings in their body, both emotionally and physically, which help to increase self-awareness and resilience habits. The result is happier, healthier and more functional children and families.
FEATURED BIZ UNCLE PAT’S AUTO SERVICE what works and what doesn’t. They put their heads together and just a short time later Uncle Pat’s Mobile Auto Service was rolling down the road, full steam ahead. What is important to us…
“UNCLE” PAT CAMMISULI
Owner & Head Technician Uncle Pat’s Mobile Auto Service IG: @unclepats_auto / 647-501-2049 www.unclepatsauto.com How it all started…
Having amassed over 15 years of knowledge, experience, tools and equipment, Uncle Pat knew that he needed to put it all to better use. He wasn’t looking to open a brick and mortar business, but rather wanted to offer convenience. His wife, Ashley, was the one who said “Why don’t you do it mobile?” Having had her own mobile business, Ashley was able to advise Uncle Pat on
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That you are treated like family; before we service your vehicle, while we service it, and even after we service it. We also want to ensure that you’re completely satisfied with the repairs and service and that your vehicle is fixed properly, the first time. Lastly, we want you to feel like you paid a fair price for the level of service that you receive. Where did the name come from… It can be quite a challenge to think of a name for a new business. Uncle Pat’s nephew, Sam, absolutely loves cars and tools and he often asks “What’s Uncle Pat fixing? What’s Uncle Pat working on?” This led to the birth of Uncle Pat’s Mobile Auto Service. Of course, the name was also suggested by Uncle Pat’s wife, Ashley. Another example of why women are more creative than men.
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
TO HOMESCHOOL OR NOT TO HOMESCHOOL
DR. TIMOTHY KODSI
Medical Lead, Mimico Medical 398 Royal York Rd. / 416-201-0836 www.mimicomedical.com
To homeschool or not to homeschool. That is the question. In the midst of the most far-reaching pandemic of a millennium, many parents have toiled with the idea of their children returning to the classroom. As families struggle with making well-informed decisions on how to educate our future generation, the novel coronavirus is so new that medical literature is just beginning to uncover the vast amount of information we seek. Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer. Each family has a unique and complex dynamic comprised of countless inter-related factors. For example, occupational obligations, financial situations, support networks, parental risk tolerance, local demographics and infrastructure, school safety measures, high-risk social contacts, among many other elements combine to create a specific situation for each family. In making the critical decision about how to educate their children in the middle of a pandemic, the reality is that no size fits all.
Well, we know that in children who are infected the outcome is almost never death or disability. We also know that the vast majority of children with the virus show very mild or no symptoms at all. Furthermore, these mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic carriers can transmit the virus through aerosolized droplets after a sneeze or cough or physical contact with the mucous membranes of others (i.e. eyes, mouth, nose). We know that the virus can be passed on from unclean surfaces, although this accounts for a minority of transmissions. We have learned that the worst outcomes are associated with advanced age, frailty, obesity and diseases that compromise the immune system. Finally, we know that there is a very robust international effort by leading expert pharmaceutical companies to create, validate, verify the safety of, and distribute a vaccine most likely sometime in 2021. And yet there is so much more left to be learned. One glaring example of a gap in knowledge is the uncertainty regarding how long antibodies last after an infection or what the risk of re-infection is after recovering from an initial infection. In general, viruses epitomize the extent of uncertainty and the unknown that still exists in the realm of modern medicine. Be that as it may, in the face of vast unknowns we are blessed as human beings to possess the gift of reason, by which rational and unique decisions can be made despite these unchartered territories. In the spirit of our best attempt at informed decision-making, I leave you with my suggestion for what the overriding question should be for parents who are thinking about the future of their children’s education: “With all the information that we do know, and despite all of the uncertainty surrounding COVID19, when are we, as a family, ready to send our children back to school?” Take your time to think it through, discuss and decide, and then be at peace with your decision.
So what do we know about the Co-SARS-V2 virus and its properties and how can that help us make the most well-informed decision possible?
“Best Breakfast” in Long Branch
3232 Lake Shore Blvd W (West of Twenty Second St) IG: @decourses / 416-855-1362
Avo Benny w/ Bacon
Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015
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LIFE’S UNDERTAKINGS BACK TO (SOCIALLY Right now my wife and I are celebrating our youngest, Emma. No, not because we’re putting a birthday cake in front of her, she just finished cleaning her room or she’s decided to boycott her iPad. (A father can dream.)
That hula hoop bumped into everything and everyone, and thanks to watching that YouTube video, now whenever I look at my kids I imagine them wearing a hula hoop at school and everywhere.
Emma is #1 in the Jones household these days because Emma is 9 – old enough, just like her five older siblings, to wear a mandatory mask to school.
How will Jody and I keep our kids safe in this brave new world? How will you?
Jody and I are over-the-moon grateful not to live in the Twilight Zone that parents with younger children are facing as September slinks forward: will my mask-free child stay healthy at school? Will our household stay COVID-free as our children return from places that once centred on curriculum not contagion? How can I best protect my children and my loved ones this fall? These are questions each of us, in varying degrees, have been forced to ask and answer since life went sideways over five months ago. There are no easy paths forward, especially for young families with young children. My gratitude for Emma’s mask-wearing age is matched by my empathy for parents tasked with making decisions so big and odd they’re unfathomable: Am I sending my kid(s) back to school in September? Will I form a small “educational pod” with other families to protect my child’s welfare? Are we willing and able to homeschool our kids? Thanks to the global pandemic and wishy-washy, seat-of-our-pants policy makers, the clock is ticking as families evaluate their values, finances, risk-tolerance and weighing the likelihood of exposing their child to a virus guaranteed to merge into homelife and “bubble” living. Like the majority of us, I long for the days when buying back-to-school outfits (“No, you are not wearing that!”) and scheduling a CNE visit (“No, I am not buying that!”) were the biggest parental decisions we faced as summer faded. Socially-distant schools aren’t the only gathering spaces being re-evaluated as COVID delivers more and more tough lessons. We’re rethinking all spaces and places with wellness in mind whether it’s the inside of our homes, parks and playgrounds. Speaking of playgrounds, remember in mid-April when that Toronto writer and artist created a “social distance machine”? Daniel Rotsztain donned a giant hula hoop around his neck which jutted out two metres (six feet) in all directions, proving that social distancing in an urban setting of congested downtown streets, narrow sidewalks and packed parks was both alarming and comical.
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The lessons learned from this pandemic are legion but if there’s one overarching theme it’s the vulnerability of our kids and old people. Those in the morning of life and dusk of life are only as protected, safe and cherished as the structures that surround and support them. All spring and summer schools have been as quiet as tombs. This spring nursing homes, longterm care facilities and hospitals resembled screeching nightmares. These places are now deathly quiet with visitors still heavily restricted, people facing treatment without a companion and souls still dying alone. It’s a cruel, cruel summer. But soon children and young adults will be reunited to play, learn and bond. That’s good news so rarely contemplated when we look to September this year. I am grateful our kids, yours and mine, will have more of an opportunity to feel a sense of community and belonging among peers. Kids and young people are famously resilient and yes, notoriously defiant, too. I believe in the character and grit of parents and the family vision they’re figuring out before the school bell rings. We will all find a way forward this fall but unlike previous years our roads will not diverge in a wood but a school yard. This year parents shoulder the burden of making decisions on behalf of their children (and/or their elderly parents) that impact every aspect of family. My hope is that as we move into the future cautiously and with the intention to teach our young how to live well and prosper, we model those lessons as we make personal choices and demand political changes that honour and cherish our sick, dying and dead. This global pandemic has taught that each and every one of us is a vulnerable and tender creature. It’s up to us, not just parents and politicians, to look after our youngest and most innocent as well as our sickest and oldest. The days of loving vigil and celebrated passage
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS
DISTANT) SCHOOL are slowly returning and for that I am grateful not just as a funeral director but as a father, husband and son. The love and care we shower on our kids at the beginning of their lives never wavers. Perhaps another lesson this pandemic has shown us is the desire for love and care never wavers at the end of life, either. My hope is both schools and hospitals stop sounding and looking like tombs and once again be filled with happy hellos, ringing laughter and loving goodbyes.
Brad Jones is president of locally-owned, commission-free Ridley Funeral Home (3080 Lake Shore Blvd W.) in Etobicoke. After spending five months locked in with his six kids, Brad and his wife are contemplating throwing a parade as their kids march out the door masked and ready to face a new world. Brad is available to chat at 416.259.3705 or by email at BradJones@RidleyFuneralHome.com
BRAD JONES
Owner, Ridley Funeral Home
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YOUR HEALTH A NEW BEGINNING
JONATHAN NHAN, RPh, CDE
Pharmacist / @nhanjonathan903
It’s September! In previous years, it signified the end of summer, and a return to routine. This year, it is like another new beginning. Some things are different, especially if you are returning to school, or have family that still go to school. On the cusp of another change in a year full of changes, how are you feeling now in the midst of it? As things continue to open up and settle in to an equilibrium, this is the perfect time to reflect on self care. With respect to your health, how have you taken care of it over the last number of months? You may be on the cusp of realizing that there are some things that you would want to address. What can we do, from the pharmacy perspective, to help you along that journey? We continue to reach out to our patients to ensure their pharmacy profiles are up to date and accurate. Having all your medications at a single
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pharmacy definitely helps reduce confusion if you have multiple prescribers, and allows that pharmacy to maintain a proper medication record for you. You may not have realized, but the pharmacist is always on duty, whenever the pharmacy is open. This time of change has brought on the need to innovate in the time of the pandemic. Throughout the early pandemic, pharmacies continued to remain open to ensure you had access to important medications and information that you required for your health. It is a privilege for us to be able to serve you throughout this time. As the times change, we will continue to move and flow with it. Our goal is to provide you the best patient-centred care. Remember that we’ve moved through many obstacles to get to this point, and we’ll all continue onward.
ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS