urbanicity
Novemburger 2014, Complimentary
ARE YOU READY FOR THE
ULTIMATE BU RG ER
FESTIVAL?
NOVEMBURGE R IDEAS | ISSUES | EXPERIENCES | EATING OUT | EVENTS / HAMILTON
Ideas Impact Investing pg. 04
Ideas The New Cool pg. 09
Humour Diatribe on Ducks pg. 15
Haunted Hamilton My Haunted Museum pg. 19
URBANICITY.CA
urbanicity EDITOR & PUBLISHER MARTINUS GELEYNSE editor@urbanicity.ca
M A N A G E R O F O P E R AT I O N S Kristel Bulthuis
FROM THE
EDITOR
P RO DUCER Scott Summerhayes LAYO UT & DES IGN Jessica Johnstone A DVERTIS ING SA LES Ashley Coles PRINTING Canweb Printing DISTRIBUTION THAAT Co-op urbanicity Omnimedia Cover by Photograph by Valentyn Volkov Volkov, 123rf.com urbanicity magazine is wholly owned and published by MGI Media. All content copyright © 2014 and all rights to distribution are reserved by MGI Media. As a forum for ideas, issues, and experiences, the views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Publisher, Editor, other contributors, advertisers or distributors unless otherwise stated. P R I N T C I R C U L AT I O N 10,000 copies per month. Distributed throughout the greater city of Hamilton. 12 issues per year. One copy per reader. ADVERTISING INQUIRES (905) 745-0765 ads@urbanicity.ca www.urbanicity.ca
Nearly everyone that I have spoken to agrees: October 2014 was a long, difficult, roller coaster of a month that seemed to stretch on far past what feels like 31 days. Throughout the month, Canadians found themselves confronted with incidents that challenged our ideals and identity. In Hamilton, we spent most of October in the final throes of a municipal election. For some, the results were a reason for celebration. For others, the public decision was a difficult pill to swallow. Regardless, elections are intense times of civic discourse and debate as candidates jockey for position and the future of the city is discussed. In the midst of the Ontario municipal elections, however, Canadians found their very security attacked as Warrant Office Patrice Vincent was intentionally struck by a vehicle in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. He died of his injuries. Then, only two days later, on October 22nd, Canada was stunned by the shooting death of Corporal Nathan Cirillo on Parliament Hill. Members of the government caucus barricaded themselves in their chambers as a lone gunman was shot to death in the halls of Parliament itself. While the nation mourned, Hamiltonians lined the streets by the thousands to pay tribute to a young Argyll that many in the community knew personally.
Finally, happening concurrently with all of this, CBC radio personality Jian Ghomeshi, formerly an individual thought by many to embody everything great about our national identity, dramatically fell from grace as multiple allegations of sexual assault and abuse surfaced about him. The stories that have emerged about Ghomeshi are revolting and sad. October was a long month. A difficult month. For Hamilton and for Canada. Now, we’re into November. Ultimately, I believe that we as a country and as a city have emerged from October as stronger, more serene. We emerged — we’re still here. Now it’s time to regroup and move on. That’s going to require some dialogue about difficult things: local politics, national security, sexual abuse. We, in Canada, are capable of having this critical dialogue. That’s part of what makes our society strong and free. Together, with diverse ideas and strong opinions, we can and must move on, into November.
M A RT IN U S GEL EYN SE ED I TOR
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Please allow me to clarify some aspects of Heritage Hamilton Limited’s involvement in the Sandyford Place saga that appeared in the October issue of Urbanicity. Some price figures were cited that imply that Heritage Hamilton Limited offered the developer $90,000 for Sandyford, that the offer was insufficient, and that the City eventually bought it for $360,000. The message is that the citizen-funded attempt to buy was pathetically low-ball. Far from it! Heritage Hamilton Limited responded to the developer’s offer to sell and exceeded the agreed asking price. The truth is somewhat complicated. First, these prices seem paltry by today’s standards, but are huge when the Consumer Price Index change from 1973 to 2014 is considered. Second, the developer had purchased (a few months earlier than our offer), three of the four units of Sandyford and The Duke of Kent apartment building next door; to save Sandyford, we had to buy The Duke of Kent as well, and it was valued at more than the three Sandyford units. Our little company was in the process of being formed to buy ordinary houses of some heritage value, rehabilitate them and resell them. Sandyford Place (as your article and photograph makes abundantly clear!) was no ordinary house. But we felt that we had to respond to the developer’s challenge made to me at the City’s Board of Control meeting in late June, 1973: “If you architectural conservation people want this property, then pay us what we paid and you can have it.” “Oh, and by the way you have thirty days.” The task: raise what is today in the neighbourhood of a million and a half in 30 days. For myself, the president of the regional branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario and my wife Brenda,
the principal fund-raiser for this project, there was little sleep. The provincial charter for the new Heritage Hamilton Limited was rushed through, a board of directors was created, fund-raising was a whirlwind. Heritage Hamilton Limited was able to meet and exceed the developer’s price in several ways. More than fifty families bought shares... and these were not all families that could well afford it. Five families advanced the money to buy from Heritage Hamilton a unit or part of a unit in Sandyford (at least two mortgaged their homes to do so). And Heritage Hamilton was able to assume a mortgage from National Trust. The developer had laid out approximately $70,000 for the properties in late 1972, leveraging it through a mortgage to $219,756. Heritage Hamilton Limited raised $89,000, leveraging it through a mortgage to approximately $238,000. This price gave the developer a 27 percent profit in approximately eight months. Heritage Hamilton Limited, through an excruciating thirty days, had met the developer’s public challenge. That the developer refused to honour it had, over the next few years, a considerable positive impact on the cause of architectural conservation in this City and the Province: no, Heritage Hamilton did not get the building, but Sandyford Place did get restored and back into an esteemed use, the City began to take architectural and heritage conservation seriously, and the Ontario Heritage Act became law. This would all take more work. I guess I would have to say that the effort was worth it. Grant Head former President, Heritage Hamilton Limited October 11, 2014.
| 03
URBANICITY.CA
urbanicity EDITOR & PUBLISHER MARTINUS GELEYNSE editor@urbanicity.ca
M A N A G E R O F O P E R AT I O N S Kristel Bulthuis
FROM THE
EDITOR
P RO DUCER Scott Summerhayes LAYO UT & DES IGN Jessica Johnstone A DVERTIS ING SA LES Ashley Coles PRINTING Canweb Printing DISTRIBUTION THAAT Co-op urbanicity Omnimedia Cover by Photograph by Valentyn Volkov Volkov, 123rf.com urbanicity magazine is wholly owned and published by MGI Media. All content copyright © 2014 and all rights to distribution are reserved by MGI Media. As a forum for ideas, issues, and experiences, the views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Publisher, Editor, other contributors, advertisers or distributors unless otherwise stated. P R I N T C I R C U L AT I O N 10,000 copies per month. Distributed throughout the greater city of Hamilton. 12 issues per year. One copy per reader. ADVERTISING INQUIRES (905) 745-0765 ads@urbanicity.ca www.urbanicity.ca
Nearly everyone that I have spoken to agrees: October 2014 was a long, difficult, roller coaster of a month that seemed to stretch on far past what feels like 31 days. Throughout the month, Canadians found themselves confronted with incidents that challenged our ideals and identity. In Hamilton, we spent most of October in the final throes of a municipal election. For some, the results were a reason for celebration. For others, the public decision was a difficult pill to swallow. Regardless, elections are intense times of civic discourse and debate as candidates jockey for position and the future of the city is discussed. In the midst of the Ontario municipal elections, however, Canadians found their very security attacked as Warrant Office Patrice Vincent was intentionally struck by a vehicle in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. He died of his injuries. Then, only two days later, on October 22nd, Canada was stunned by the shooting death of Corporal Nathan Cirillo on Parliament Hill. Members of the government caucus barricaded themselves in their chambers as a lone gunman was shot to death in the halls of Parliament itself. While the nation mourned, Hamiltonians lined the streets by the thousands to pay tribute to a young Argyll that many in the community knew personally.
Finally, happening concurrently with all of this, CBC radio personality Jian Ghomeshi, formerly an individual thought by many to embody everything great about our national identity, dramatically fell from grace as multiple allegations of sexual assault and abuse surfaced about him. The stories that have emerged about Ghomeshi are revolting and sad. October was a long month. A difficult month. For Hamilton and for Canada. Now, we’re into November. Ultimately, I believe that we as a country and as a city have emerged from October as stronger, more serene. We emerged — we’re still here. Now it’s time to regroup and move on. That’s going to require some dialogue about difficult things: local politics, national security, sexual abuse. We, in Canada, are capable of having this critical dialogue. That’s part of what makes our society strong and free. Together, with diverse ideas and strong opinions, we can and must move on, into November.
M A RT IN U S GEL EYN SE ED I TOR
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Please allow me to clarify some aspects of Heritage Hamilton Limited’s involvement in the Sandyford Place saga that appeared in the October issue of Urbanicity. Some price figures were cited that imply that Heritage Hamilton Limited offered the developer $90,000 for Sandyford, that the offer was insufficient, and that the City eventually bought it for $360,000. The message is that the citizen-funded attempt to buy was pathetically low-ball. Far from it! Heritage Hamilton Limited responded to the developer’s offer to sell and exceeded the agreed asking price. The truth is somewhat complicated. First, these prices seem paltry by today’s standards, but are huge when the Consumer Price Index change from 1973 to 2014 is considered. Second, the developer had purchased (a few months earlier than our offer), three of the four units of Sandyford and The Duke of Kent apartment building next door; to save Sandyford, we had to buy The Duke of Kent as well, and it was valued at more than the three Sandyford units. Our little company was in the process of being formed to buy ordinary houses of some heritage value, rehabilitate them and resell them. Sandyford Place (as your article and photograph makes abundantly clear!) was no ordinary house. But we felt that we had to respond to the developer’s challenge made to me at the City’s Board of Control meeting in late June, 1973: “If you architectural conservation people want this property, then pay us what we paid and you can have it.” “Oh, and by the way you have thirty days.” The task: raise what is today in the neighbourhood of a million and a half in 30 days. For myself, the president of the regional branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario and my wife Brenda,
the principal fund-raiser for this project, there was little sleep. The provincial charter for the new Heritage Hamilton Limited was rushed through, a board of directors was created, fund-raising was a whirlwind. Heritage Hamilton Limited was able to meet and exceed the developer’s price in several ways. More than fifty families bought shares... and these were not all families that could well afford it. Five families advanced the money to buy from Heritage Hamilton a unit or part of a unit in Sandyford (at least two mortgaged their homes to do so). And Heritage Hamilton was able to assume a mortgage from National Trust. The developer had laid out approximately $70,000 for the properties in late 1972, leveraging it through a mortgage to $219,756. Heritage Hamilton Limited raised $89,000, leveraging it through a mortgage to approximately $238,000. This price gave the developer a 27 percent profit in approximately eight months. Heritage Hamilton Limited, through an excruciating thirty days, had met the developer’s public challenge. That the developer refused to honour it had, over the next few years, a considerable positive impact on the cause of architectural conservation in this City and the Province: no, Heritage Hamilton did not get the building, but Sandyford Place did get restored and back into an esteemed use, the City began to take architectural and heritage conservation seriously, and the Ontario Heritage Act became law. This would all take more work. I guess I would have to say that the effort was worth it. Grant Head former President, Heritage Hamilton Limited October 11, 2014.
| 03
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HAMILTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
04 | NOVEMBER 2014
The Mustard Seed Co-operative grocery store.
IDEAS
Impact Investing With the Hamilton Community Foundation Hamilton is a city on the move. After many years of economic turbulence, we are rediscovering our roots as an ambitious community. This is reflected in an explosion of creative social enterprises and endeavours. Hamiltonians are building new organizations - and even new ways of organizing - that create value and build community. Hamilton is a city that embraces the mantra of doing well by doing good. Hamilton Community Foundation has always supported “doing good” but recently, we’ve been playing an increasing and evolving role in supporting these endeavours. Traditionally, the foundation receives endowments from donors, investing the money to produce a return. The
investment profit goes into grants that support local charitable initiatives and programs. That’s a sound approach to developing community, but we have been eager to put more of those assets to work. Recently, we’ve moved into “impact investing,” offering three new tools that allow us to go beyond traditional granting to align our assets with our vision, mission and values. The first tool is the Hamilton Community Investment Fund, a $5 million fund that makes loans to charities, notfor-profits and social enterprises in the Hamilton area. We’re not trying to take the place of a bank, but for organizations that have sound financials and responsible development plans, we can help bridge the financing gap to support their project. Look around town and you’ll see the results, starting with a bridge loan to Hamilton Artists Inc. to complete their new gallery and resource centre on James Street North and Cannon Street. More recently, we made a loan to the Mustard Seed Co-operative, the innovative new member-owned nonprofit grocery store at York Boulevard and Locke Street North, which provided working capital through the store’s start-up phase. As we speak, we’re in the
process of a very important project: a mortgage to develop 47 units of much-needed supportive affordable housing in Hamilton. In all cases, as the borrowers pay back their loans, the money is returned to the Hamilton Community Investment Fund, in effect, recycling the capital to be loaned out again for additional projects. Our second and third impact investing tools have been built with the assets of The Young Fund whose advisor Bill Young Jr. is a major contributor to the advent of impact investing in Canada. A direct impact investing fund of $7 million makes conscious investments in funds and organizations that have a social or environmental purpose in addition to generating a financial return – companies that endeavour to do well while also doing good.
Today, there is a movement globally around impact investing that is developing tools to measure social and environmental impact as well as financial return. The first direct impact fund we have invested in is Sarona Frontier Markets Fund, which has the dual objective of earning financial returns and providing community benefit in emerging and frontier markets. Our third tool is a $30 million public market fund that gives consideration to investments in corporations with sound environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. This fund works to encourage corporation to institute better ESG practices. Today, there is a movement globally around impact investing that is developing tools to measure social and environmental impact as well as financial return. Reporting standards are being developed internationally on how we measure that impact. These new impact investing funds are managed with the same rigour and careful oversight as our traditional portfolio. Investments need to pass a meticulous due diligence process by a committee of experts who evaluate the investees’ mission and financial returns as well as assessing the level of risk. For direct loans via the Hamilton Community Investment Fund, we partner with a charitable financial institution called the Community Forward Fund, which does the due diligence, a process which loan recipients have found very beneficial. As Mustard Seed president Graham Cubitt says, working with Hamilton Community Foundation and the Community Forward Fund “forced us to refine our business plan and project our needs as thoroughly as possible.” Impact investing is a relatively new area, so our expansion is evolutionary. In fact, Hamilton Community Foundation was one of the first community foundations in Canada to adopt impact investing as a strategy to put more assets to work. Impact investing will never replace our core mission of granting, but it serves as an important additional vehicle through which we can help support community building in a way that is consistent with our mission and the creativity of our city. TERRY COOKE is president & CEO at Hamilton Community Foundation, which is celebrating 60 years of driving positive change for Hamilton. ANNETTE AQUIN is Executive Vice-President of Finance and Operations, and is responsible for HCF’s impact investing program.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HAMILTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
04 | NOVEMBER 2014
The Mustard Seed Co-operative grocery store.
IDEAS
Impact Investing With the Hamilton Community Foundation Hamilton is a city on the move. After many years of economic turbulence, we are rediscovering our roots as an ambitious community. This is reflected in an explosion of creative social enterprises and endeavours. Hamiltonians are building new organizations - and even new ways of organizing - that create value and build community. Hamilton is a city that embraces the mantra of doing well by doing good. Hamilton Community Foundation has always supported “doing good” but recently, we’ve been playing an increasing and evolving role in supporting these endeavours. Traditionally, the foundation receives endowments from donors, investing the money to produce a return. The
investment profit goes into grants that support local charitable initiatives and programs. That’s a sound approach to developing community, but we have been eager to put more of those assets to work. Recently, we’ve moved into “impact investing,” offering three new tools that allow us to go beyond traditional granting to align our assets with our vision, mission and values. The first tool is the Hamilton Community Investment Fund, a $5 million fund that makes loans to charities, notfor-profits and social enterprises in the Hamilton area. We’re not trying to take the place of a bank, but for organizations that have sound financials and responsible development plans, we can help bridge the financing gap to support their project. Look around town and you’ll see the results, starting with a bridge loan to Hamilton Artists Inc. to complete their new gallery and resource centre on James Street North and Cannon Street. More recently, we made a loan to the Mustard Seed Co-operative, the innovative new member-owned nonprofit grocery store at York Boulevard and Locke Street North, which provided working capital through the store’s start-up phase. As we speak, we’re in the
process of a very important project: a mortgage to develop 47 units of much-needed supportive affordable housing in Hamilton. In all cases, as the borrowers pay back their loans, the money is returned to the Hamilton Community Investment Fund, in effect, recycling the capital to be loaned out again for additional projects. Our second and third impact investing tools have been built with the assets of The Young Fund whose advisor Bill Young Jr. is a major contributor to the advent of impact investing in Canada. A direct impact investing fund of $7 million makes conscious investments in funds and organizations that have a social or environmental purpose in addition to generating a financial return – companies that endeavour to do well while also doing good.
Today, there is a movement globally around impact investing that is developing tools to measure social and environmental impact as well as financial return. The first direct impact fund we have invested in is Sarona Frontier Markets Fund, which has the dual objective of earning financial returns and providing community benefit in emerging and frontier markets. Our third tool is a $30 million public market fund that gives consideration to investments in corporations with sound environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. This fund works to encourage corporation to institute better ESG practices. Today, there is a movement globally around impact investing that is developing tools to measure social and environmental impact as well as financial return. Reporting standards are being developed internationally on how we measure that impact. These new impact investing funds are managed with the same rigour and careful oversight as our traditional portfolio. Investments need to pass a meticulous due diligence process by a committee of experts who evaluate the investees’ mission and financial returns as well as assessing the level of risk. For direct loans via the Hamilton Community Investment Fund, we partner with a charitable financial institution called the Community Forward Fund, which does the due diligence, a process which loan recipients have found very beneficial. As Mustard Seed president Graham Cubitt says, working with Hamilton Community Foundation and the Community Forward Fund “forced us to refine our business plan and project our needs as thoroughly as possible.” Impact investing is a relatively new area, so our expansion is evolutionary. In fact, Hamilton Community Foundation was one of the first community foundations in Canada to adopt impact investing as a strategy to put more assets to work. Impact investing will never replace our core mission of granting, but it serves as an important additional vehicle through which we can help support community building in a way that is consistent with our mission and the creativity of our city. TERRY COOKE is president & CEO at Hamilton Community Foundation, which is celebrating 60 years of driving positive change for Hamilton. ANNETTE AQUIN is Executive Vice-President of Finance and Operations, and is responsible for HCF’s impact investing program.
06 | NOVEMBER 2014
URBANICITY.CA
PHOTOS BY MARVIN CAPLAN
my dry-cleaning day. I’m only wearing Prada.” Prada suits start at around $3,500 while the opening price point for Tom Ford’s collection is around $4,000. My interest in the Ford boutique wasn’t the price point, but the point of view. Not a trend follower, but a trend setter, at the forefront of fashion, Ford’s line is at once beautifully crafted and distinctive. The suits are tailored in Switzerland. Shoulders are padded, a touch wider, and finished with a distinct ridge - called a rope shoulder. The chest is fuller giving the silhouette a V shape. One detail was fascinating; the sleeve bottoms on the jackets were not completely finished so that they could be completed with functioning buttons or “surgeon’s cuffs.” Much of the collection in this area was black and dark, but Gibran told us that for spring a “denim” influence would be felt through the line. He explained that brighter jewel tones and textured fabrics like linen and denim would be in the collection. Never having perused the Prada line, Judi and I found our way to the shop on the first floor. There we met sales associate Jack Banks. His soft plaid patterned suit showed off the more classic styling and detailing that is typical of the Prada collection. Single pleats on about half the trousers in the boutique and even cuffs are shown with more traditional flannels and tweeds. Jack told us that for spring Prada was predicting a return of classic double breasted styling. It also seems that brighter jewel colours are also on the spring palette of Prada. I would not want to leave the impression that Prada was stodgy. While the coat in this picture is a runway piece and not part of the regular collection, it does show flair, originality, and drama. I wish I had the space to tell you about what else we saw at the other boutiques in Harrods. The suit from Gucci is an example of the strongest silhouette being shown by many designers. Viewing über luxury clothing at exorbitant prices was fun, but also educational. Some practical things I learned were: 1. In shirts, wide spread collars are virtually the only style being sold and worn on London streets. 2. Checked patterns were incredibly popular, eclipsing stripes as the fashionable choice. 3. Neat patterned shirts were still being shown, and at least one maker was showing pin collars. 4. Two button jackets were the overwhelming choice, many an inch shorter than those of a couple of years ago...
From left to right: Coat by Prada and suit by Gucci.
STYLE
London Calling The high fashion of Harrods
5. Aside from the most conservative dressers, plain fronts not pleats on trousers. 6. Not many vests on the racks at Harrods, but a fair sprinkling on well-dressed men on the streets. 7. Heavier-soled shoes, often with brogue styling were in evidence in many collections. 8. Ties continue to be around 2” wide.
London, England is one of the most exciting and cosmopolitan cities in the world. It is also the home of four of our grandchildren. My wife Judi and I recently went for a visit. On the last full day of our trip we went to visit the famous Harrods’ men’s clothing department. Share with me a bit of my visit. All of Harrods is set up in individual boutiques. Some, especially in the women’s wear departments are as small as a couple of racks and a small shelf or two. I am not a stranger to higher priced clothing. That is, higher priced clothing by Canadian standards. I did experience “sticker shock” at Harrods. Our first stop was at the Hermes boutique. The tie I turned over to check the price tag on was £180.00, around $325.00 in Canadian dollars. Things didn’t get much better.
When I asked a sales clerk about the clientele who paid these prices, he answered that the majority of the clients were Middle Eastern, East Asian, and Russian. The majority of the most exclusive men’s shops are on the ground floor. The sub-ground floor (Basement is hardly a word one would use at Harrods) has the food courts – worth a story on their own – and brands like Hugo Boss, Paul Smith, Valentino, Canali and Brioni. As the former buyer and merchandise manager for Harry Rosen (the Toronto-based chain of better men’s wear), I travelled to Europe to review, and often buy these brands; when they were available in Canada, I often carried them in my own shop. I really wanted to see the Tom Ford collection. Gibran is the sales associate in the area devoted to Tom Ford. I noticed that he wasn’t wearing a Ford suit – his response “Today is
Now, rather than just read my column, if you would like to hire me as your personal shopper at Harrods…I’m available, and I’ll even fly economy.
MARVIN CAPLAN was the proprietor of Marvin Caplan Gentlemen's Apparel a forward fashion, high quality men's clothing store in downtown Hamilton from 1978 until 2003. He served on City Council representing Ward 1 for 9 years. He is now a Real Estate Broker with Coldwell Banker Pinnacle Real Estate where he works with his wife Judi as "the Caplan Team". Marvin can be reached at marvincaplan@gmail.com
FINANCE
From Here to the Future Why don’t we just ask for directions? I think the days are gone when people can make jokes about why men don’t ask for directions. The truth is, almost everyone has a maps app on their phone, GPS in their car, or access to the mobile internet – and we have become accustomed to using these tools. It’s completely common to just look up directions on our phones when we are trying to get somewhere we’ve never been before. The funny thing is, our lives operate under exactly the same concept. Yet most people don’t stop to ask for directions especially when it comes to managing their money. Imagine this; you pull out your smartphone and type in a destination into the maps app. You then drop a couple pins in place to mark some stops you need to make along the way. Then you hit the “current location” button for the point of origin. In an instant you’re provided with a couple options of how to get where you want to go. Now, imagine that the destination you’ve entered is your lifestyle once you’ve retired (Not only your age when you retire, but also how you want to live once you’ve stopped working for a paycheque). Let’s say that the “pins”
you’ve dropped are key events in your life between now and retirement; maybe it’s the kids going to university, maybe it’s starting your own business, maybe buying a house… you get the idea. Your “current location” is exactly that, where you are today. If I were to do the same exercise, my destination, stops along the way, and current location would all be different than yours. So, if my destination is different than yours, and my current location is different than yours, why would our directions be the same? Of course our road maps would be different. So, our directions for managing our money should be different too! This is why you need a plan. The truth is, your life is yours. No one else (aside from your spouse/partner) gets to determine your desired destination, or the stops you make along the way. No one else has the exact same starting location you have. Why would you accept someone else’s directions to navigate your life? Making a plan for your finances is more important than money—it’s about life. We all know that nothing in life goes exactly to plan. Life is fluid, we all experience major changes as years go by (marriage, divorce, kids, inheritances, career changes), and for most of us, even our desired destinations change along the journey. This is why you need to revisit your plan at least once a year. A good financial plan helps provide the roadmap to get you where you want to go; a great financial plan also helps protect you against the unplanned detours along the way. Whether it is a job loss, a disability or a severe health issue, navigating the tough times is where your complete plan becomes invaluable. A complete financial plan encompasses looking at everything from your income taxes, to managing debt,
| 07
interest rates, inflation, pensions, monitoring changing legislation, markets, managing risk, and estate planning. Sound a bit complicated? If you try and tackle this on your own, it can be incredibly daunting. This is why getting some outside advice is so important. Ok, I need a plan. How do I get one? The best place to start when trying to make a plan is to get some help from a professional you trust. Some institutions charge a fee to develop a full written plan; others work with you to prepare a plan free of charge. No matter where you are in your life, the best thing you can do is to check your current trajectory. Take the time to sit with someone and look at your plan, or if you don’t have one, start one. But just like you wouldn’t just take a guess on directions when taking a long road trip, don’t leave this to chance and don’t take someone else’s directions. Your destination is your own; your road map needs to be yours too. As always I’ll say the best advice is to get some advice, and if you have any specific questions you can always send me an email. Also if there are specific topics you would like to read about in future issues, please drop me a line and let me know. AARON WEAFER has been interested in the world of finance since the days of Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties. So it makes sense that he grew up to work as a Consultant with one of the most respected financial planning companies in Canada. You’ll most often find him in one of Hamilton’s great local coffee shops engaged in conversation about one of his many passions or with his nose buried in a book. Have a question? Need some free advice? Email him at: aaron.weafer@investorsgroup.com
06 | NOVEMBER 2014
URBANICITY.CA
PHOTOS BY MARVIN CAPLAN
my dry-cleaning day. I’m only wearing Prada.” Prada suits start at around $3,500 while the opening price point for Tom Ford’s collection is around $4,000. My interest in the Ford boutique wasn’t the price point, but the point of view. Not a trend follower, but a trend setter, at the forefront of fashion, Ford’s line is at once beautifully crafted and distinctive. The suits are tailored in Switzerland. Shoulders are padded, a touch wider, and finished with a distinct ridge - called a rope shoulder. The chest is fuller giving the silhouette a V shape. One detail was fascinating; the sleeve bottoms on the jackets were not completely finished so that they could be completed with functioning buttons or “surgeon’s cuffs.” Much of the collection in this area was black and dark, but Gibran told us that for spring a “denim” influence would be felt through the line. He explained that brighter jewel tones and textured fabrics like linen and denim would be in the collection. Never having perused the Prada line, Judi and I found our way to the shop on the first floor. There we met sales associate Jack Banks. His soft plaid patterned suit showed off the more classic styling and detailing that is typical of the Prada collection. Single pleats on about half the trousers in the boutique and even cuffs are shown with more traditional flannels and tweeds. Jack told us that for spring Prada was predicting a return of classic double breasted styling. It also seems that brighter jewel colours are also on the spring palette of Prada. I would not want to leave the impression that Prada was stodgy. While the coat in this picture is a runway piece and not part of the regular collection, it does show flair, originality, and drama. I wish I had the space to tell you about what else we saw at the other boutiques in Harrods. The suit from Gucci is an example of the strongest silhouette being shown by many designers. Viewing über luxury clothing at exorbitant prices was fun, but also educational. Some practical things I learned were: 1. In shirts, wide spread collars are virtually the only style being sold and worn on London streets. 2. Checked patterns were incredibly popular, eclipsing stripes as the fashionable choice. 3. Neat patterned shirts were still being shown, and at least one maker was showing pin collars. 4. Two button jackets were the overwhelming choice, many an inch shorter than those of a couple of years ago...
From left to right: Coat by Prada and suit by Gucci.
STYLE
London Calling The high fashion of Harrods
5. Aside from the most conservative dressers, plain fronts not pleats on trousers. 6. Not many vests on the racks at Harrods, but a fair sprinkling on well-dressed men on the streets. 7. Heavier-soled shoes, often with brogue styling were in evidence in many collections. 8. Ties continue to be around 2” wide.
London, England is one of the most exciting and cosmopolitan cities in the world. It is also the home of four of our grandchildren. My wife Judi and I recently went for a visit. On the last full day of our trip we went to visit the famous Harrods’ men’s clothing department. Share with me a bit of my visit. All of Harrods is set up in individual boutiques. Some, especially in the women’s wear departments are as small as a couple of racks and a small shelf or two. I am not a stranger to higher priced clothing. That is, higher priced clothing by Canadian standards. I did experience “sticker shock” at Harrods. Our first stop was at the Hermes boutique. The tie I turned over to check the price tag on was £180.00, around $325.00 in Canadian dollars. Things didn’t get much better.
When I asked a sales clerk about the clientele who paid these prices, he answered that the majority of the clients were Middle Eastern, East Asian, and Russian. The majority of the most exclusive men’s shops are on the ground floor. The sub-ground floor (Basement is hardly a word one would use at Harrods) has the food courts – worth a story on their own – and brands like Hugo Boss, Paul Smith, Valentino, Canali and Brioni. As the former buyer and merchandise manager for Harry Rosen (the Toronto-based chain of better men’s wear), I travelled to Europe to review, and often buy these brands; when they were available in Canada, I often carried them in my own shop. I really wanted to see the Tom Ford collection. Gibran is the sales associate in the area devoted to Tom Ford. I noticed that he wasn’t wearing a Ford suit – his response “Today is
Now, rather than just read my column, if you would like to hire me as your personal shopper at Harrods…I’m available, and I’ll even fly economy.
MARVIN CAPLAN was the proprietor of Marvin Caplan Gentlemen's Apparel a forward fashion, high quality men's clothing store in downtown Hamilton from 1978 until 2003. He served on City Council representing Ward 1 for 9 years. He is now a Real Estate Broker with Coldwell Banker Pinnacle Real Estate where he works with his wife Judi as "the Caplan Team". Marvin can be reached at marvincaplan@gmail.com
FINANCE
From Here to the Future Why don’t we just ask for directions? I think the days are gone when people can make jokes about why men don’t ask for directions. The truth is, almost everyone has a maps app on their phone, GPS in their car, or access to the mobile internet – and we have become accustomed to using these tools. It’s completely common to just look up directions on our phones when we are trying to get somewhere we’ve never been before. The funny thing is, our lives operate under exactly the same concept. Yet most people don’t stop to ask for directions especially when it comes to managing their money. Imagine this; you pull out your smartphone and type in a destination into the maps app. You then drop a couple pins in place to mark some stops you need to make along the way. Then you hit the “current location” button for the point of origin. In an instant you’re provided with a couple options of how to get where you want to go. Now, imagine that the destination you’ve entered is your lifestyle once you’ve retired (Not only your age when you retire, but also how you want to live once you’ve stopped working for a paycheque). Let’s say that the “pins”
you’ve dropped are key events in your life between now and retirement; maybe it’s the kids going to university, maybe it’s starting your own business, maybe buying a house… you get the idea. Your “current location” is exactly that, where you are today. If I were to do the same exercise, my destination, stops along the way, and current location would all be different than yours. So, if my destination is different than yours, and my current location is different than yours, why would our directions be the same? Of course our road maps would be different. So, our directions for managing our money should be different too! This is why you need a plan. The truth is, your life is yours. No one else (aside from your spouse/partner) gets to determine your desired destination, or the stops you make along the way. No one else has the exact same starting location you have. Why would you accept someone else’s directions to navigate your life? Making a plan for your finances is more important than money—it’s about life. We all know that nothing in life goes exactly to plan. Life is fluid, we all experience major changes as years go by (marriage, divorce, kids, inheritances, career changes), and for most of us, even our desired destinations change along the journey. This is why you need to revisit your plan at least once a year. A good financial plan helps provide the roadmap to get you where you want to go; a great financial plan also helps protect you against the unplanned detours along the way. Whether it is a job loss, a disability or a severe health issue, navigating the tough times is where your complete plan becomes invaluable. A complete financial plan encompasses looking at everything from your income taxes, to managing debt,
| 07
interest rates, inflation, pensions, monitoring changing legislation, markets, managing risk, and estate planning. Sound a bit complicated? If you try and tackle this on your own, it can be incredibly daunting. This is why getting some outside advice is so important. Ok, I need a plan. How do I get one? The best place to start when trying to make a plan is to get some help from a professional you trust. Some institutions charge a fee to develop a full written plan; others work with you to prepare a plan free of charge. No matter where you are in your life, the best thing you can do is to check your current trajectory. Take the time to sit with someone and look at your plan, or if you don’t have one, start one. But just like you wouldn’t just take a guess on directions when taking a long road trip, don’t leave this to chance and don’t take someone else’s directions. Your destination is your own; your road map needs to be yours too. As always I’ll say the best advice is to get some advice, and if you have any specific questions you can always send me an email. Also if there are specific topics you would like to read about in future issues, please drop me a line and let me know. AARON WEAFER has been interested in the world of finance since the days of Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties. So it makes sense that he grew up to work as a Consultant with one of the most respected financial planning companies in Canada. You’ll most often find him in one of Hamilton’s great local coffee shops engaged in conversation about one of his many passions or with his nose buried in a book. Have a question? Need some free advice? Email him at: aaron.weafer@investorsgroup.com
URBANICITY.CA
| 09
IMAGE PROVIDED BY TED VALERI AND RUDI SPALLACCI
Living right downtown, there’s more of an awareness of what’s going on and connections with like-minded people.
Artist renderings of the finished Royal Connaught.
IDEAS
The New Cool The Royal Connaught and the changing demographics of the core Kathy Tally (56) just gave her 26-year-old son, who lives at home, his two years notice. She has been a good mother, paid for and maintained a home for her children, and been a diligent employee working in a downtown office since her kids were in diapers. But Kathy’s ready for a change, and that’s why she recently bought a new home in the freshly renewed Royal Connaught. Ten or even five years ago, the idea of living steps from Gore Park was not ideal. The buildings along that stretch
of King Street have not all been treated well over the years. And still, many today suffer from crumbling bricks and warping window frames, begging for redevelopment. It may not be fair to completely credit the revival of the Connaught for the sprouting positive mentality of living next to the Gore. After all, the Pigott Building, steeped in equal history was also saved several years ago and converted into condos. But with more than 70 percent of the 122 units sold in
just four months, the success and grandeur of the Connaught begs the question: are affluent people really ready to flock downtown again? I’m not talking about young people specifically, or professionals necessarily—but people who may have the means to instead buy homes elsewhere in the city; perhaps in “cleaner” neighbourhoods with lower crime rates, and backyards. Is owning property in the bulls eye of Hamilton’s core becoming cool? For 25 years, Tally has worked for an insurance company located in the CIBC building on the corner of King and James. Her home is near Gage Park. Raised in Hamilton, Kathy says she has lived in several different neighbourhoods, on the fringes of the city, and in areas just bordering on downtown. While studying at Humber College she lived in downtown Toronto. “It’s never really been my cup of tea to live in a big city,” said Tally. But she is both excited and anxious to be moving into the Connaught in 2016. “Not in a bad way, though. I’d move in next week if I could,” said Tally. She’s anxious because she expects it will be very different from what she has become use to, taking care of a full home and yard. “It’s a lot of work and upkeep living in a house,” she said. “[Now] I can just go home and put my feet up.” She’s also anxious for what one could call the renaissance of a youthful or adventurous spirit, living in such close quarters with her neighbours, sharing elevator rides, lounging on the terrace, and enjoying cocktails in the lobby. But that’s also what is exciting. “Living right downtown, there’s more of an awareness of what’s going on and connections with like-minded people.” Kathy noted recognition of the “unpleasant crowd” that hangs around Jackson Square, after all, she’s worked in the area for quite a while. But she is confident that the youthful and ambitious new downtown residents will trigger a dynamic change, and cause a ripple effect refreshing the image of that area. “Everyone I talk to about it has an extremely positive reaction… they think [moving to a condo downtown] is an amazing thing.” No doubt there has been a resurgence of hope and renewal in both our minds and in physical form over the last 10 years. Just between 2010 and 2014 more than 1000 new jobs came to the downtown core, and downtown office vacancies decreased by nearly three and a half per cent in that last year alone. These numbers are all well and good, but perhaps we could even be reaching a tipping point; one that could, by all measures, flood the core with even more young, educated minds. A recent study by Better Homes and Garden Real Estate showed that a primary goal for most post-millennials (people aged 24 and under) once they enter the job market is to own their home. In fact, they even said they would be willing to give up social media or double their homework load if it guaranteed home ownership sooner. Maybe that’s why Anna D’Angela, a 23-year old McMaster MBA student from Maple, Ontario also just bought a
URBANICITY.CA
| 09
IMAGE PROVIDED BY TED VALERI AND RUDI SPALLACCI
Living right downtown, there’s more of an awareness of what’s going on and connections with like-minded people.
Artist renderings of the finished Royal Connaught.
IDEAS
The New Cool The Royal Connaught and the changing demographics of the core Kathy Tally (56) just gave her 26-year-old son, who lives at home, his two years notice. She has been a good mother, paid for and maintained a home for her children, and been a diligent employee working in a downtown office since her kids were in diapers. But Kathy’s ready for a change, and that’s why she recently bought a new home in the freshly renewed Royal Connaught. Ten or even five years ago, the idea of living steps from Gore Park was not ideal. The buildings along that stretch
of King Street have not all been treated well over the years. And still, many today suffer from crumbling bricks and warping window frames, begging for redevelopment. It may not be fair to completely credit the revival of the Connaught for the sprouting positive mentality of living next to the Gore. After all, the Pigott Building, steeped in equal history was also saved several years ago and converted into condos. But with more than 70 percent of the 122 units sold in
just four months, the success and grandeur of the Connaught begs the question: are affluent people really ready to flock downtown again? I’m not talking about young people specifically, or professionals necessarily—but people who may have the means to instead buy homes elsewhere in the city; perhaps in “cleaner” neighbourhoods with lower crime rates, and backyards. Is owning property in the bulls eye of Hamilton’s core becoming cool? For 25 years, Tally has worked for an insurance company located in the CIBC building on the corner of King and James. Her home is near Gage Park. Raised in Hamilton, Kathy says she has lived in several different neighbourhoods, on the fringes of the city, and in areas just bordering on downtown. While studying at Humber College she lived in downtown Toronto. “It’s never really been my cup of tea to live in a big city,” said Tally. But she is both excited and anxious to be moving into the Connaught in 2016. “Not in a bad way, though. I’d move in next week if I could,” said Tally. She’s anxious because she expects it will be very different from what she has become use to, taking care of a full home and yard. “It’s a lot of work and upkeep living in a house,” she said. “[Now] I can just go home and put my feet up.” She’s also anxious for what one could call the renaissance of a youthful or adventurous spirit, living in such close quarters with her neighbours, sharing elevator rides, lounging on the terrace, and enjoying cocktails in the lobby. But that’s also what is exciting. “Living right downtown, there’s more of an awareness of what’s going on and connections with like-minded people.” Kathy noted recognition of the “unpleasant crowd” that hangs around Jackson Square, after all, she’s worked in the area for quite a while. But she is confident that the youthful and ambitious new downtown residents will trigger a dynamic change, and cause a ripple effect refreshing the image of that area. “Everyone I talk to about it has an extremely positive reaction… they think [moving to a condo downtown] is an amazing thing.” No doubt there has been a resurgence of hope and renewal in both our minds and in physical form over the last 10 years. Just between 2010 and 2014 more than 1000 new jobs came to the downtown core, and downtown office vacancies decreased by nearly three and a half per cent in that last year alone. These numbers are all well and good, but perhaps we could even be reaching a tipping point; one that could, by all measures, flood the core with even more young, educated minds. A recent study by Better Homes and Garden Real Estate showed that a primary goal for most post-millennials (people aged 24 and under) once they enter the job market is to own their home. In fact, they even said they would be willing to give up social media or double their homework load if it guaranteed home ownership sooner. Maybe that’s why Anna D’Angela, a 23-year old McMaster MBA student from Maple, Ontario also just bought a
10 | NOVEMBER 2014
URBANICITY.CA
COUNTED!
URBAN GROWTH The question of whether or not downtown's resurgence is reaching a tipping point is common. Is the core growing? Are there more jobs to be taken, more offices to work in? Do the streets continue to be vibrant or is the vibrancy wearing off? Here are the most recent numbers
Artist renderings of the interior of the finished Royal Connaught condominium project.
SCOTT SUMMERHAYES After moving to Hamilton in 2011 to study journalism at Mohawk College, Scott quickly became a keen member of the city’s media community. Currently, Scott works for MGI Media and sits on the executive board of the Hamilton Media Guild as their Events and Workshops Coordinator.
25000
TOTAL JOBS APPROX. 24 700
FULL-TIME JOBS APPROX. 18,000 PART-TIME JOBS APPROX. 6,000
2014
2012
2010
20000
SEASONAL JOBS APPROX. 800
2013
Retail and Entertainment
Finance, Insurance, Real estate
Creative Industries
1,645
1,335
2,905
2,120
2,875
2,765
3,935
Government Jobs
3,735
20 1 3-20 14 JOB GROW TH & D EC L I N E
5,945
condo in the Connaught, covering the down payment with money from an inheritance. She’s lived in Hamilton for almost six years and has decided this is the city she wants to continue living in for at least the next five years while she finishes her Master’s degree and begins her career in health sciences, a growing field in Hamilton. “I like the vibe that [Hamilton] has, and the amount of change it is currently going through is exciting,” said D’Angela. Her main reason for loving living in Hamilton is—as the shirt says—that you can do anything in Hamilton. “You really feel like you can make a difference,” said D’Angela, who is currently living in cooperative housing in Westdale. The developers of the Connaught, Ted Valeri and Rudi Spallacci said they’ve equally sold units big and small throughout the building and estimate they will be sold out by the first quarter of 2015, which was unexpected. They thought it might take longer. “There’s no one specific demographic,” said Valeri. People that are nearing the end of their careers are buying because they want to settle down in a smaller home with less maintenance. Young people who are starting to establish their careers in Hamilton are also buying – getting into the market early. “The young people are being more up front about being frugal… they’re making their money work for them,” said Valeri. Spallacci added, “They’re seeing the value. They fall in love with the whole idea of living downtown… Hamilton is seeing that for the first time in 30 years.” For years, the Connaught stuck out like a sore thumb as an empty shell of a formerly beautiful building, and now it’s sticking out in the completely opposite way—as an attractive home and a beautiful piece of history. “Urgency is what we’re finding,” said Spallacci. “People want to get in on the ground floor [of Hamilton’s recent condo boom]. The Royal Connaught is the nicest building in Hamilton and it’s the first one [of the boom].”
TOTA L JOB S
5,840
IMAGES PROVIDED BY TED VALERI AND RUDI SPALLACCI
we could find, dated September, 2014. Decide for yourself!
Non-Profit/ NGO
2014
“The decline in the Creative Industries sector can be attributed in part to a reported reduction in seasonally employed actors, set builders and support staff at Theatre Aquarius, and changes at First Ontario Place and Hamilton Place by new operator Global Spectrum.”
CO M M ER C IAL STO R EF RO N TS / U N ITS
VACANT 16% (151) OCCUPIED 84% (811)
D OW N TOW N OFFI C E VA CA N CY RAT E 2010
13.2% 2012
12.8% 2014
11.8% Source: Hamilton Economic Development http://www.investinhamilton.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2014-Downtown-Urban-Employment-Survey.pdf
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10 | NOVEMBER 2014
URBANICITY.CA
COUNTED!
URBAN GROWTH The question of whether or not downtown's resurgence is reaching a tipping point is common. Is the core growing? Are there more jobs to be taken, more offices to work in? Do the streets continue to be vibrant or is the vibrancy wearing off? Here are the most recent numbers
Artist renderings of the interior of the finished Royal Connaught condominium project.
SCOTT SUMMERHAYES After moving to Hamilton in 2011 to study journalism at Mohawk College, Scott quickly became a keen member of the city’s media community. Currently, Scott works for MGI Media and sits on the executive board of the Hamilton Media Guild as their Events and Workshops Coordinator.
25000
TOTAL JOBS APPROX. 24 700
FULL-TIME JOBS APPROX. 18,000 PART-TIME JOBS APPROX. 6,000
2014
2012
2010
20000
SEASONAL JOBS APPROX. 800
2013
Retail and Entertainment
Finance, Insurance, Real estate
Creative Industries
1,645
1,335
2,905
2,120
2,875
2,765
3,935
Government Jobs
3,735
20 1 3-20 14 JOB GROW TH & D EC L I N E
5,945
condo in the Connaught, covering the down payment with money from an inheritance. She’s lived in Hamilton for almost six years and has decided this is the city she wants to continue living in for at least the next five years while she finishes her Master’s degree and begins her career in health sciences, a growing field in Hamilton. “I like the vibe that [Hamilton] has, and the amount of change it is currently going through is exciting,” said D’Angela. Her main reason for loving living in Hamilton is—as the shirt says—that you can do anything in Hamilton. “You really feel like you can make a difference,” said D’Angela, who is currently living in cooperative housing in Westdale. The developers of the Connaught, Ted Valeri and Rudi Spallacci said they’ve equally sold units big and small throughout the building and estimate they will be sold out by the first quarter of 2015, which was unexpected. They thought it might take longer. “There’s no one specific demographic,” said Valeri. People that are nearing the end of their careers are buying because they want to settle down in a smaller home with less maintenance. Young people who are starting to establish their careers in Hamilton are also buying – getting into the market early. “The young people are being more up front about being frugal… they’re making their money work for them,” said Valeri. Spallacci added, “They’re seeing the value. They fall in love with the whole idea of living downtown… Hamilton is seeing that for the first time in 30 years.” For years, the Connaught stuck out like a sore thumb as an empty shell of a formerly beautiful building, and now it’s sticking out in the completely opposite way—as an attractive home and a beautiful piece of history. “Urgency is what we’re finding,” said Spallacci. “People want to get in on the ground floor [of Hamilton’s recent condo boom]. The Royal Connaught is the nicest building in Hamilton and it’s the first one [of the boom].”
TOTA L JOB S
5,840
IMAGES PROVIDED BY TED VALERI AND RUDI SPALLACCI
we could find, dated September, 2014. Decide for yourself!
Non-Profit/ NGO
2014
“The decline in the Creative Industries sector can be attributed in part to a reported reduction in seasonally employed actors, set builders and support staff at Theatre Aquarius, and changes at First Ontario Place and Hamilton Place by new operator Global Spectrum.”
CO M M ER C IAL STO R EF RO N TS / U N ITS
VACANT 16% (151) OCCUPIED 84% (811)
D OW N TOW N OFFI C E VA CA N CY RAT E 2010
13.2% 2012
12.8% 2014
11.8% Source: Hamilton Economic Development http://www.investinhamilton.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2014-Downtown-Urban-Employment-Survey.pdf
| 11
ABERDEEN TAVERN
ACCLAMATION
ANCHOR BAR
BACI RISTORANTE
THE BRASSIE
CEILIDH HOUSE
COACH AND LANTERN
FISHER'S
The McConaughey
Acclamation Burger
The Anchor Chicken Burger
The TaubenBURGER
Chicken Fried Steak Burger
Turkey Dinner Burger
Holy Trinity patty (beef, veal and pork), bacon jam, pickled red onions, deep fried tempura banana peppers, and smoked Gouda on a brioche bun. $18 Chefs: Mark Cliffe and Steve Buchanan
Seasoned AAA ground beef topped with house bacon, braised pork shoulder & applewood smoked cheddar with a creole style dijon aioli. Served on a grilled potato scallion brioche bun brushed with roasted poblano pepper butter. $15 Chef: Jordan Kovacs
10 oz. Breaded chicken breast stuffed with mozzarella cheese, topped with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle mayo served on a fresh ciabatta bun. Do it the Anchor Bar Way and toss your chicken breast in any of our famous sauces: Mild, Medium, Hot, Suicide, Abandon Ship, Spicy Hot BBQ or Maple Honey Garlic. $13.99 Chef: Shaina Eva
Well-seasoned, all-beef burger married with blue cheese fondue, a fig chutney and tender mushrooms served on a onion bun. $13 Chef: John Taubenberger
Bourbon BBQ Bacon Apple Brie Burger
Chicken fried steak patty topped with house made corn relish, creamy gravy, dijon mustard, tomato, onion and pickle on a jalapeño cornbread bun. $13 Chef: Rennie Chotalal
6 oz. Turkey patty, apple and sage stuffing, cranberry mayo, on spring mix and a toasted rustic kaiser. Accompanied with sweet potato fries tossed in sage butter. $15 CHEF: George Bearman & Andrew Yates
Messytache Sweet Heat Thai Burger with jalapeno goat cheese
FOOL AND FLAGON
GALLAGHER'S
THE GEORGE HAMILTON
GOWN AND GAVEL
JACK & LOIS
THE UNDERMOUNT
ONE DUKE
THE PHOENIX
It is an 8 oz. beef and pork patty basted with bourbon BBQ sauce, topped with bacon, beer battered apple rings, warm brie, lettuce, onion, and pickles, on a potato scallion kaiser. $13.95 Chef: Tom Simser
In-house made burger infused with Thai spices topped with Pesto mayo, and a sweet heat Thai salad, consisting of cucumber, red pepper, jalapeño lime, olive oil, ginger and a mixture of fresh herbs. $15 Chef: Kristine Holloway
THE ULTIMATE BURGER FESTIVAL It's time! For the month of November, 30 of the best restaurants across Hamilton have created special signature burgers for you to enjoy! At the end of the month, we'll crown the best Novemburger as determined by your ratings! It's pretty simple: just ...
EAT
RATE
WIN
Alabama Hammer Burger
Jalapeno Business
Carolina Sticky Cheeseburger
The G&G Burger
Pigasus Burger
Chipotle Cheddar Cheeseburger
Aristocrat Burger
Deep Fried Poutine Bacon Burger
Rosemary infused waffle buns, Artisan Farms local antibiotic and added hormone free 80/20 chuck, sweet and spicy aioli, cheddar cheese, Southern fried Canadian bacon, lettuce, red onion, tomato. $12.95 Chef: Mark Nethercot
(Pronounced, "H'allUpInYo Business") VG ground beef mixed with Dawson's Garlic-jalapeño sauce, topped with Jensen cheese curds & chipotle mayo, on a Turtledoves gluten-free cheddar jalapeño bun. $10 (for 2 sliders) Chef: Michael Ashdown
In-house made beef patt, secret Carolina sticky sauce, cheddar-mozza blend, lettuce, onion, tomato on a brioche bun. $11 Chef: Paul Gonneau
Sirloin patty charbroiled to perfection topped with cheddar, onion rings, lettuce, tomato, BBQ sauce, chipotle mayo on a pretzel bun. $13 Chef: Kyle Donnelly
Ground Pork/Italian sausage patty, aged cheddar, creamy coleslaw, roasted peameal bacon and berskshire double smoked bacon on a toasted garlic bun. And love. $13 Chef: Eric Bowden
Homemade patty with cheddar cheese, crispy and fried onions, lettuce, tomato and ancho chipotle sauce on a cheese bun. $9.75 served with potato chips. Sides range from $1.59 Chef: Calvin
AAA Canadian Sirloin patty, no breadcrumbs, no filler, just flavour, premium blue cheese from Thornloe Ontario, garlic, basil oil, roasted red peppers on a rosemary ciabatta bun. $14 Chef: Courtney Macqueen
Brioche bun, 8 oz. beef patty, caramelized onions, deep fried poutine bites, bacon, gruyere cheese and gravy. $11.95 Chef: Kevin Lafontaine
RANKIN'S
RAPSCALLION
RAY'S PLACE
SLAINTE
SNOOTY FOX
STAXX
TAILGATE CHARLIE'S
TAVERN ON GEORGE
Rankin's Messy Chicken Wing Burger
Dirty Burger
Stuffed Blue Cheese Burger
Le Snob Burger
Coyote Burger
Staxx Surf 'n turf burger
Turkey Lurkey Burger
Smoky Chorizo Double Burger
Ground duck burger, herbed goat cheese, picked and candied onions, spinach, lime mustard aioli, seared foie gras dipped in veal jus on an english muffin toasted in foie gras fat. $17 Chef: Mike Hutchinson
Stuffed blue cheese burger with caramelized onions, bruschetta and bacon. $13.95 Chef: Richard Mitchell
Fresh baked bun from Pan del Sole, Kobe beef, fois gras, deep fried battered triple cream brie, organic spring greens. $15.95 Chef: Alisha Reed
Chili-spiced beef patty, pico de gallo, jalapeños, melted Monterey Jack cheese, cilantro lime mayo. $13 Chef: Joe Bogdan
Ground prime rib, buttered lobster, spring mix, jalapeño bernaise sauce on a challah bun. $18.50 Chef: Alain Cloutier
Turkey burger, cranberry mayo, brie and kale. $11.70 Chef: Georgette Mercer
Chorizo patty, pico de gallo, house-baked bun, chimichurri mayo, queso blanco. $13 (plus tax) includes plaintain chips Chefs: Kyle Ferreira and Tyler Downer
AT ANY PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS Take a look at the burgers, and make your plans! We've got 30 burgers and the month has 30 days, so get busy! Remember, $1 of every Novemburger you eat goes straight to the United Way to fund programs right here in Hamilton!
HELP CHOOSE THE BEST NOVEMBURGER! Each time you enjoy a Novemburger, head to the website to rate it! Taste, presentation, and creativity all factor in determining the best Novemburger of 2014!
Homemade chicken patty tossed in your choice of our famous wing sauce, topped with celery, carrot and blue cheese slaw and crispy deep fried chicken skin strips for a nice crunch. The bun is deep fried and drizzled with wing sauce for a finger licking great burger, just like wings! $13.95 Chef: Louise Rankin
$1 of every Novemburger you eat goes straight to the United Way!
WAIT, $250 FOR MY THOUGHTS? Each time you rate a burger, we enter you into a raffle for a $250 gift card to the Novemburger restaurant of your choice! The more burgers you try, the better your chances are of winning!
HAPPY #NOVEMBURGER
United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton raises money to provide funding to 126 programs and services that support those in-need in our community.
THE SHIP
THE WORKS
THIRSTY CACTUS CANTINA
WEST TOWN
WINCHESTER ARMS
STONEWALLS
The Bat Out Of Hell
Gettin’ Piggy With It
Cactus del Fuego
Wild West Burger
House of Parliament Burger
Dirty South Chicken Burger
Specially spiced meatloaf burger topped with sweet house made tomato ketchup glaze and crispy fried onions. $14 Chef: Paul Upper
Beef patty topped with peameal bacon, thick cut bacon, cheddar cheese, crispy onions & bacon ketchup. $14.99 Chef: Al Beattie
Lettuce, tomato, roasted pablano, cactus and corn relish, Monterey Jack cheese, tequila battered jalapeños house made chipotle ketchup, tomatillo aioli, blue and white tortilla straws, 6 oz. beef on a fresh kaiser. $15 Chef: Pete Mitropoulos
Goat leg, lamb leg, turkey thigh patty, portbello mushrooms, smoked mozzarella, toasted potato bun. $14.95 Chef: Walter Roper
Onion bun, homemade burger, peameal bacon, cheddar and caramelized onions tossed in HP sauce. $12.99 Chefs: Cliff and Jackie
Chicken breast soaked overnight in buttermilk, double-breaded and deepfried golden brown. Topped with cheddar cheese, bacon and drizzled with our in-house made dirty southern heat sauce. $13.99 Chef: Greg Kulig
Dollars raised in the community are allocated to local agencies that bring help and support to those in need, consistently and fairly, with proven performance and results. The money raised by Novemburger will stay here in our community! Visit uwaybh.ca to learn more!
Brought to you by
urbanicity To learn more visit novemburger.ca
ABERDEEN TAVERN
ACCLAMATION
ANCHOR BAR
BACI RISTORANTE
THE BRASSIE
CEILIDH HOUSE
COACH AND LANTERN
FISHER'S
The McConaughey
Acclamation Burger
The Anchor Chicken Burger
The TaubenBURGER
Chicken Fried Steak Burger
Turkey Dinner Burger
Holy Trinity patty (beef, veal and pork), bacon jam, pickled red onions, deep fried tempura banana peppers, and smoked Gouda on a brioche bun. $18 Chefs: Mark Cliffe and Steve Buchanan
Seasoned AAA ground beef topped with house bacon, braised pork shoulder & applewood smoked cheddar with a creole style dijon aioli. Served on a grilled potato scallion brioche bun brushed with roasted poblano pepper butter. $15 Chef: Jordan Kovacs
10 oz. Breaded chicken breast stuffed with mozzarella cheese, topped with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle mayo served on a fresh ciabatta bun. Do it the Anchor Bar Way and toss your chicken breast in any of our famous sauces: Mild, Medium, Hot, Suicide, Abandon Ship, Spicy Hot BBQ or Maple Honey Garlic. $13.99 Chef: Shaina Eva
Well-seasoned, all-beef burger married with blue cheese fondue, a fig chutney and tender mushrooms served on a onion bun. $13 Chef: John Taubenberger
Bourbon BBQ Bacon Apple Brie Burger
Chicken fried steak patty topped with house made corn relish, creamy gravy, dijon mustard, tomato, onion and pickle on a jalapeño cornbread bun. $13 Chef: Rennie Chotalal
6 oz. Turkey patty, apple and sage stuffing, cranberry mayo, on spring mix and a toasted rustic kaiser. Accompanied with sweet potato fries tossed in sage butter. $15 CHEF: George Bearman & Andrew Yates
Messytache Sweet Heat Thai Burger with jalapeno goat cheese
FOOL AND FLAGON
GALLAGHER'S
THE GEORGE HAMILTON
GOWN AND GAVEL
JACK & LOIS
THE UNDERMOUNT
ONE DUKE
THE PHOENIX
It is an 8 oz. beef and pork patty basted with bourbon BBQ sauce, topped with bacon, beer battered apple rings, warm brie, lettuce, onion, and pickles, on a potato scallion kaiser. $13.95 Chef: Tom Simser
In-house made burger infused with Thai spices topped with Pesto mayo, and a sweet heat Thai salad, consisting of cucumber, red pepper, jalapeño lime, olive oil, ginger and a mixture of fresh herbs. $15 Chef: Kristine Holloway
THE ULTIMATE BURGER FESTIVAL It's time! For the month of November, 30 of the best restaurants across Hamilton have created special signature burgers for you to enjoy! At the end of the month, we'll crown the best Novemburger as determined by your ratings! It's pretty simple: just ...
EAT
RATE
WIN
Alabama Hammer Burger
Jalapeno Business
Carolina Sticky Cheeseburger
The G&G Burger
Pigasus Burger
Chipotle Cheddar Cheeseburger
Aristocrat Burger
Deep Fried Poutine Bacon Burger
Rosemary infused waffle buns, Artisan Farms local antibiotic and added hormone free 80/20 chuck, sweet and spicy aioli, cheddar cheese, Southern fried Canadian bacon, lettuce, red onion, tomato. $12.95 Chef: Mark Nethercot
(Pronounced, "H'allUpInYo Business") VG ground beef mixed with Dawson's Garlic-jalapeño sauce, topped with Jensen cheese curds & chipotle mayo, on a Turtledoves gluten-free cheddar jalapeño bun. $10 (for 2 sliders) Chef: Michael Ashdown
In-house made beef patt, secret Carolina sticky sauce, cheddar-mozza blend, lettuce, onion, tomato on a brioche bun. $11 Chef: Paul Gonneau
Sirloin patty charbroiled to perfection topped with cheddar, onion rings, lettuce, tomato, BBQ sauce, chipotle mayo on a pretzel bun. $13 Chef: Kyle Donnelly
Ground Pork/Italian sausage patty, aged cheddar, creamy coleslaw, roasted peameal bacon and berskshire double smoked bacon on a toasted garlic bun. And love. $13 Chef: Eric Bowden
Homemade patty with cheddar cheese, crispy and fried onions, lettuce, tomato and ancho chipotle sauce on a cheese bun. $9.75 served with potato chips. Sides range from $1.59 Chef: Calvin
AAA Canadian Sirloin patty, no breadcrumbs, no filler, just flavour, premium blue cheese from Thornloe Ontario, garlic, basil oil, roasted red peppers on a rosemary ciabatta bun. $14 Chef: Courtney Macqueen
Brioche bun, 8 oz. beef patty, caramelized onions, deep fried poutine bites, bacon, gruyere cheese and gravy. $11.95 Chef: Kevin Lafontaine
RANKIN'S
RAPSCALLION
RAY'S PLACE
SLAINTE
SNOOTY FOX
STAXX
TAILGATE CHARLIE'S
TAVERN ON GEORGE
Rankin's Messy Chicken Wing Burger
Dirty Burger
Stuffed Blue Cheese Burger
Le Snob Burger
Coyote Burger
Staxx Surf 'n turf burger
Turkey Lurkey Burger
Smoky Chorizo Double Burger
Ground duck burger, herbed goat cheese, picked and candied onions, spinach, lime mustard aioli, seared foie gras dipped in veal jus on an english muffin toasted in foie gras fat. $17 Chef: Mike Hutchinson
Stuffed blue cheese burger with caramelized onions, bruschetta and bacon. $13.95 Chef: Richard Mitchell
Fresh baked bun from Pan del Sole, Kobe beef, fois gras, deep fried battered triple cream brie, organic spring greens. $15.95 Chef: Alisha Reed
Chili-spiced beef patty, pico de gallo, jalapeños, melted Monterey Jack cheese, cilantro lime mayo. $13 Chef: Joe Bogdan
Ground prime rib, buttered lobster, spring mix, jalapeño bernaise sauce on a challah bun. $18.50 Chef: Alain Cloutier
Turkey burger, cranberry mayo, brie and kale. $11.70 Chef: Georgette Mercer
Chorizo patty, pico de gallo, house-baked bun, chimichurri mayo, queso blanco. $13 (plus tax) includes plaintain chips Chefs: Kyle Ferreira and Tyler Downer
AT ANY PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS Take a look at the burgers, and make your plans! We've got 30 burgers and the month has 30 days, so get busy! Remember, $1 of every Novemburger you eat goes straight to the United Way to fund programs right here in Hamilton!
HELP CHOOSE THE BEST NOVEMBURGER! Each time you enjoy a Novemburger, head to the website to rate it! Taste, presentation, and creativity all factor in determining the best Novemburger of 2014!
Homemade chicken patty tossed in your choice of our famous wing sauce, topped with celery, carrot and blue cheese slaw and crispy deep fried chicken skin strips for a nice crunch. The bun is deep fried and drizzled with wing sauce for a finger licking great burger, just like wings! $13.95 Chef: Louise Rankin
$1 of every Novemburger you eat goes straight to the United Way!
WAIT, $250 FOR MY THOUGHTS? Each time you rate a burger, we enter you into a raffle for a $250 gift card to the Novemburger restaurant of your choice! The more burgers you try, the better your chances are of winning!
HAPPY #NOVEMBURGER
United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton raises money to provide funding to 126 programs and services that support those in-need in our community.
THE SHIP
THE WORKS
THIRSTY CACTUS CANTINA
WEST TOWN
WINCHESTER ARMS
STONEWALLS
The Bat Out Of Hell
Gettin’ Piggy With It
Cactus del Fuego
Wild West Burger
House of Parliament Burger
Dirty South Chicken Burger
Specially spiced meatloaf burger topped with sweet house made tomato ketchup glaze and crispy fried onions. $14 Chef: Paul Upper
Beef patty topped with peameal bacon, thick cut bacon, cheddar cheese, crispy onions & bacon ketchup. $14.99 Chef: Al Beattie
Lettuce, tomato, roasted pablano, cactus and corn relish, Monterey Jack cheese, tequila battered jalapeños house made chipotle ketchup, tomatillo aioli, blue and white tortilla straws, 6 oz. beef on a fresh kaiser. $15 Chef: Pete Mitropoulos
Goat leg, lamb leg, turkey thigh patty, portbello mushrooms, smoked mozzarella, toasted potato bun. $14.95 Chef: Walter Roper
Onion bun, homemade burger, peameal bacon, cheddar and caramelized onions tossed in HP sauce. $12.99 Chefs: Cliff and Jackie
Chicken breast soaked overnight in buttermilk, double-breaded and deepfried golden brown. Topped with cheddar cheese, bacon and drizzled with our in-house made dirty southern heat sauce. $13.99 Chef: Greg Kulig
Dollars raised in the community are allocated to local agencies that bring help and support to those in need, consistently and fairly, with proven performance and results. The money raised by Novemburger will stay here in our community! Visit uwaybh.ca to learn more!
Brought to you by
urbanicity To learn more visit novemburger.ca
14 | NOVEMBER 2014
PHOTOGRAPH BY DMITRII KISELEV, 123RF.COM
EXPERIENCES
The Thief A personal reaction to theft They said it would happen and they said it with such confidence, such conviction, so sure of their statement. They said I would get robbed. I didn’t believe them, I refused to believe them. It didn’t happen to me directly, but close enough. I’m mad. Not irate, but almost livid, and not really sure it’s an anger that the crime justifies. Not violated, worrisome mad, but plain stinking mad. I hope it wasn’t you, although the person who did this deed likely can’t read. Too harsh, perhaps, but I’m not clear when I get mad. I want to hurt the person, if not physically, then to belittle them, guilt them, shame them.
Unfortunately, it’s not likely you, so my anger is misplaced. Yes, someone I know was recently robbed right here in Hamilton. It’s not the first person I know who has lost something, but this one hurt because the person just doesn’t deserve it. It wasn’t anything major, it wasn’t something irreplaceable, not even life changing; but an inconvenience to one who can’t afford an inconvenience. A bike. Not even a bike, but just a bike seat. Nothing major, nothing irreplaceable, nothing life changing; but inconvenient — why? I understand all the reasons, the excuses that people
use to justify their actions and perhaps I can’t understand the depths to which one may sink, but you have a choice to decide the next level you want to take things. The direction is your choice because you always have a choice. If you need help, support, guidance or mentorship, Hamilton is the place for you; Hamilton has the services for those in need, those on the bubble. The hard part is connecting those in need with those services available. Ask for help, give help. Seek support, give support. Swallow your pride, harness your courage and do the right thing. I don’t buy that you don’t know what is meant by doing the right thing. But this is not about those in need, truly in need, this is about those who make excuses, who don’t care for others and are selfish. To the thief, the fence or the receiver of stolen goods, I’m not sure what to say. I suspect you would be one of the biggest vocalists if it happened to you. I’ve met you. You are indignant, you feel entitled, you have attitude. Truthfully, grammatically or politically incorrect as it may be, you are a loser and look bad to all those around you. Look in the eyes of someone who cares about you, or someone you care about if you are so lucky to have such a person in your life and tell them you’re a thief. Generally I’m an eye for an eye type of person, but have recently seen that just perpetuates the problem; escalates it, in fact. I wish I knew what to offer such individuals to help, support, guide or mentor, but I’m not big enough to show such grace. There have been those who take things that are not theirs since the beginning of time. Generally, the innocent pay for these transgressions, with their own money and time. The innocent are left to navigate the frustration and inconvenience on their own. Thanks to you. Ill-begotten goods; don’t accept them. I’m proud of this city and the changes it is making. Its image — it is changing, and changing for the better, but it is a slow monstrous process in which we all have our part. I am not so proud of the individuals who have no respect for others, or themselves. Are they making an effort to change, to stop the cycle? Am I talking to you? You know who you are. An eye for an eye may not be the answer but if you are feeling some shame right now then you need to consider change. And if you take that step I may applaud your efforts — perhaps that is an eye for an eye. If you know who you are and feel no shame, well then I pity you on one level but even that is too kind. Think of the kid out there who paid for their own bike and now can’t ride it. Feel good? Sound like one of your own memories? Your choice, I wish I could say more.
S. JOHN THOMAS spent four years in England before moving to Hamilton and has been living within a 40 km radius of downtown ever since. While most of these years were spent on the fringe, he recently moved to the 'core' where he is immersing himself in the city with his wonderful wife.
STEFAN HOLM, 123RF.COM
URBANICITY.CA
HUMOUR
A Diatribe on Ducks When duck, duck, goose runs afowl A visitor from Brazil once asked me, “Do Canadian people worship the ducks?” I asked, “Why would you say that?” She said, “Because in Brazil, people are very Catholic and almost every house has a picture of Jesus somewhere. But here, visiting so many Canadian houses, I see almost no pictures of Jesus. But every house in Canada, I’ve noticed, has a picture of a duck.” I said, “I don’t have a picture of a duck here.” “Yes, you do. In your bathroom.” “I do?” So we walked to my bathroom. There, on the wall over the towel rack, was the picture I’d forgotten I owned: a laminated plaque depicting two flying, flatbeaked, feathered fowl. I’d got it at Toronto’s Honest Ed’s for my first apartment and, ever since, had dragged it from place to place. I said, “Those are Canada geese, not ducks.” She gave me an odd look, saying, “Ducks, geeses. What’s a difference?” “Geese are slightly larger.” “So?” “All right, I guess they are basically the same thing. But not every Canadian has a picture of one in their house.” “I think so.” “My parents don’t.” “Your parents are immigrants. I mean people who were borned in Canada.” I mentioned a few local people we both knew. In each case, she told me exactly where in their house they had a depiction of waterfowl. Apparently, she’d been collecting evidence for her theory for a while, snooping through the homes of each host who invited her over, avidly hunting for duck imagery. She described her finds: the many framed, oil-paint portraits of wetlands with feeding ducks (sometimes also depicting a hunter pointing a firearm at the waterfowl); the artistic photos (like the one in my bathroom) of ducks/geese in flight; the statues of waterfowl, in various aesthetic modes; the lampshade with a flying-duck pattern; the shoe-horn
with a duck-head handle; etc. She concluded her rant with, “So that’s why I think Canadians must have a religious worship for the ducks.” I had to admit that she made a good argument about ducks being considered holy animals in Canada. Despite all the duck-themed art, few Canadians eat duck — just like very few Indian Hindus eat cow, their sacred animal. On Canadian highways, you’ll often see cars with DUCKS UNLIMITED stickers on their rear bumper. From what I can gather, Ducks Unlimited is a shadowy, well-funded organization of hard-core duck-boosters, trying to turn all of Canada into a giant amusement park for ducks. This radical pro-duck agenda has surprising public support. Like the sacred cows in India, allowed to wander freely throughout the land, the sacred birds of Canada are indulged with lives of privilege and luxury. Huge herds of Canada geese roam our parks and waterfronts, dropping huge amounts of grass-green poop, 99% of which will eventually be stepped in by humans. If you’re walking and meet a Canada goose walking the opposite direction, it will expect you, the lowly human, to step out of its way. Refusal to do say may result in Canada’s sacred bird hissing at you and flapping its wings until you step off its path. But our relationship with ducks is more than just spiritual. Ducks also have a huge cultural importance. During the previous century, Walt Disney created the iconic cartoon character Donald Duck, along with his girlfriend, Daisy Duck (no blood relation), and three mischievous nephews — Huey Duck, Dewey Duck and Louie Duck — and a frugal uncle from northern U.K., Scrooge McDuck. Despite Donald’s speech impediment and notoriety for refusing to wear pants, the Duck/ McDuck family’s celebrity status was Kardashian-like, with popularity far surpassing that of their rivals, the ambitious Mouse family (Mickey and Minnie). Donald, a turbulent genius known for indulging in wild temper-tantrums at the slightest frustration or set-back, represented the Freudian subconscious, or “id,” of mass North American culture, according to the committee that awarded him the Nobel Prize in 2011, which also pointed out that several of Donald’s homespun catchphrases — e.g. “Aw, phooey!” and “Hiya, toots!” and “Boy oh boy oh boy oh boy!” — have entered our cultural lexicon. While the Duck/McDuck family dominated the Golden Age of Hollywood, the medium of TV was ruled by that other quacking colossus of art, Daffy Duck. Offstage, Daffy was a mild, thoughtful, somewhat shy fellow, fond of reading Germanic philosophy (Hegel, Kant, etc.) and playing bridge. However, like his drama protégées Robert DeNiro and Philip Seymour Hoffman, Daffy could fully transform himself for an acting role. After his stage entrance — “Overture, cut the lights / This is it, the night of nights” — this normally reserved and dignified individual would start to bounce randomly around, both of his eyes rolling in different directions, shouting “Hoo-hoo!” and spinning his beak in complete circles around his head. Or Daffy would play a shallow, scheming jerk, convincingly pretending to be jealous of his co-star Bug Bunny, even going so far as to accuse Mr. Bunny of being “desthpicable!” Occasionally, Daffy even played himself sympathetically. With such phenomenal acting talent, it is no surprise that this thespian icon was recently knighted by the Queen of England — as Sir Daffy of Buckingham Pond. The greatest musical hit of the 20th Century was either “Disco Duck” by Rick Dees or “Rubber Ducky” by Ernie. And in the heartwarming ‘80s teen drama “Pretty in Pink,” the Molly Ringwald character’s best friend is
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a charming man-child of ambiguous sexuality, known only as “Duckie.” Someday, perhaps, historians will look back and rename the 20th Century as the Duck Ages. (To be fair, not all 20th Century ducks were as successful as Donald Duck, Daffy Duck, Disco Duck, Rubber Ducky and “Duckie.” For example, Howard the Duck, the star of a self-titled 1986 film that opened to hostile reviews and poor ticket sales, is now working as an assistant manager at a Taco Bell in Mississauga, also attending weekly Narcotics Anonymous meetings. While failing to make it big in Hollywood, Howard had turned to crack — or, as he tearfully confessed to Rob Ford at a tear-drenched N.A. session, “All day long, man, I’m thinking of nothing but quack! I’ll still do anything for quack! My name is Howard and I’m a quack addict!”) Today, in 2014, are ducks still at the core of our cultural identity? To answer that question, I visited the new Homewood Suites by Hilton Hotel on downtown Hamilton’s Bay Street. The Hilton name is synonymous with taste and fashion. On the wall of the Hilton hotel lobby, I found a plaque featuring a large portrait of a duck. I asked the woman behind the counter about it and she explained that “Lewis the Duck” is the mascot of these Hilton hotels. Lewis is also the central character in a series of children’s books, I was told. He had recently appeared, with his wife and their ducklings, in New York’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Lewis is the latest in a long line of celebrity ducks. Ducks are still hot – I mean, just look inside your toolbox. You probably have a couple rolls of duck tape in there, don’t you? Look in your bathroom cabinet – isn’t that a bottle of Toilet Duck cleanser? When you’re partying in the VIP section of Hamilton’s hottest nightclub – what else would you order but Grey Goose vodka? Or just go to any local playground and listen: you’ll hear kids playing a chanting game – as they have for generations – that goes “duck, duck, goose!” Open the sports pages – the NHL Anaheim Ducks are flapping towards another Stanley Cup this season. Turn on the TV – hey, it’s those lovable, bearded “Duck Dynasty” idiots! Don’t call it a comeback – because the ducks ain’t never been gone. Before I conclude this discourse on ducks, I have to address a disturbing topic. Anyone under 18 years old, please stop reading and go to another, less controversial page of urbanicity. Thank you. Now — how do I politely say this? Well, I’ll just be blunt — readers, during my research for this article, I learned that there are sick perverts out there with an erotic interest in waterfowl. I was shocked and disturbed to encounter websites featuring explicit images of humans attempting to make love with geese and/or ducks. The confused-looking birds wear skimpy lingerie ... or nothing at all ... The offensive motto of these pervs is, “It’s fun to **** a duck!” Call me old-fashioned, but I find this shocking and so, so wrong! I may be passionate about ducks myself, but just as friends — never more than just friends. So, in conclusion, the government needs to step in and ban that foul waterfowl porn, because all ducks deserve dignity.
Don’t call it a comeback—because the ducks ain’t never been gone.
MARK COAKLEY lives in the Ainslie Wood neighbourhood in West Hamilton. He's the author of Tip and Trade: How Two Lawyers Made Millions From Insider Trading (2011) and Hidden Harvest: The Rise And Fall Of North America's Biggest Cannabis Grow Op. He blogs at markcoakley.wordpress.com
14 | NOVEMBER 2014
PHOTOGRAPH BY DMITRII KISELEV, 123RF.COM
EXPERIENCES
The Thief A personal reaction to theft They said it would happen and they said it with such confidence, such conviction, so sure of their statement. They said I would get robbed. I didn’t believe them, I refused to believe them. It didn’t happen to me directly, but close enough. I’m mad. Not irate, but almost livid, and not really sure it’s an anger that the crime justifies. Not violated, worrisome mad, but plain stinking mad. I hope it wasn’t you, although the person who did this deed likely can’t read. Too harsh, perhaps, but I’m not clear when I get mad. I want to hurt the person, if not physically, then to belittle them, guilt them, shame them.
Unfortunately, it’s not likely you, so my anger is misplaced. Yes, someone I know was recently robbed right here in Hamilton. It’s not the first person I know who has lost something, but this one hurt because the person just doesn’t deserve it. It wasn’t anything major, it wasn’t something irreplaceable, not even life changing; but an inconvenience to one who can’t afford an inconvenience. A bike. Not even a bike, but just a bike seat. Nothing major, nothing irreplaceable, nothing life changing; but inconvenient — why? I understand all the reasons, the excuses that people
use to justify their actions and perhaps I can’t understand the depths to which one may sink, but you have a choice to decide the next level you want to take things. The direction is your choice because you always have a choice. If you need help, support, guidance or mentorship, Hamilton is the place for you; Hamilton has the services for those in need, those on the bubble. The hard part is connecting those in need with those services available. Ask for help, give help. Seek support, give support. Swallow your pride, harness your courage and do the right thing. I don’t buy that you don’t know what is meant by doing the right thing. But this is not about those in need, truly in need, this is about those who make excuses, who don’t care for others and are selfish. To the thief, the fence or the receiver of stolen goods, I’m not sure what to say. I suspect you would be one of the biggest vocalists if it happened to you. I’ve met you. You are indignant, you feel entitled, you have attitude. Truthfully, grammatically or politically incorrect as it may be, you are a loser and look bad to all those around you. Look in the eyes of someone who cares about you, or someone you care about if you are so lucky to have such a person in your life and tell them you’re a thief. Generally I’m an eye for an eye type of person, but have recently seen that just perpetuates the problem; escalates it, in fact. I wish I knew what to offer such individuals to help, support, guide or mentor, but I’m not big enough to show such grace. There have been those who take things that are not theirs since the beginning of time. Generally, the innocent pay for these transgressions, with their own money and time. The innocent are left to navigate the frustration and inconvenience on their own. Thanks to you. Ill-begotten goods; don’t accept them. I’m proud of this city and the changes it is making. Its image — it is changing, and changing for the better, but it is a slow monstrous process in which we all have our part. I am not so proud of the individuals who have no respect for others, or themselves. Are they making an effort to change, to stop the cycle? Am I talking to you? You know who you are. An eye for an eye may not be the answer but if you are feeling some shame right now then you need to consider change. And if you take that step I may applaud your efforts — perhaps that is an eye for an eye. If you know who you are and feel no shame, well then I pity you on one level but even that is too kind. Think of the kid out there who paid for their own bike and now can’t ride it. Feel good? Sound like one of your own memories? Your choice, I wish I could say more.
S. JOHN THOMAS spent four years in England before moving to Hamilton and has been living within a 40 km radius of downtown ever since. While most of these years were spent on the fringe, he recently moved to the 'core' where he is immersing himself in the city with his wonderful wife.
STEFAN HOLM, 123RF.COM
URBANICITY.CA
HUMOUR
A Diatribe on Ducks When duck, duck, goose runs afowl A visitor from Brazil once asked me, “Do Canadian people worship the ducks?” I asked, “Why would you say that?” She said, “Because in Brazil, people are very Catholic and almost every house has a picture of Jesus somewhere. But here, visiting so many Canadian houses, I see almost no pictures of Jesus. But every house in Canada, I’ve noticed, has a picture of a duck.” I said, “I don’t have a picture of a duck here.” “Yes, you do. In your bathroom.” “I do?” So we walked to my bathroom. There, on the wall over the towel rack, was the picture I’d forgotten I owned: a laminated plaque depicting two flying, flatbeaked, feathered fowl. I’d got it at Toronto’s Honest Ed’s for my first apartment and, ever since, had dragged it from place to place. I said, “Those are Canada geese, not ducks.” She gave me an odd look, saying, “Ducks, geeses. What’s a difference?” “Geese are slightly larger.” “So?” “All right, I guess they are basically the same thing. But not every Canadian has a picture of one in their house.” “I think so.” “My parents don’t.” “Your parents are immigrants. I mean people who were borned in Canada.” I mentioned a few local people we both knew. In each case, she told me exactly where in their house they had a depiction of waterfowl. Apparently, she’d been collecting evidence for her theory for a while, snooping through the homes of each host who invited her over, avidly hunting for duck imagery. She described her finds: the many framed, oil-paint portraits of wetlands with feeding ducks (sometimes also depicting a hunter pointing a firearm at the waterfowl); the artistic photos (like the one in my bathroom) of ducks/geese in flight; the statues of waterfowl, in various aesthetic modes; the lampshade with a flying-duck pattern; the shoe-horn
with a duck-head handle; etc. She concluded her rant with, “So that’s why I think Canadians must have a religious worship for the ducks.” I had to admit that she made a good argument about ducks being considered holy animals in Canada. Despite all the duck-themed art, few Canadians eat duck — just like very few Indian Hindus eat cow, their sacred animal. On Canadian highways, you’ll often see cars with DUCKS UNLIMITED stickers on their rear bumper. From what I can gather, Ducks Unlimited is a shadowy, well-funded organization of hard-core duck-boosters, trying to turn all of Canada into a giant amusement park for ducks. This radical pro-duck agenda has surprising public support. Like the sacred cows in India, allowed to wander freely throughout the land, the sacred birds of Canada are indulged with lives of privilege and luxury. Huge herds of Canada geese roam our parks and waterfronts, dropping huge amounts of grass-green poop, 99% of which will eventually be stepped in by humans. If you’re walking and meet a Canada goose walking the opposite direction, it will expect you, the lowly human, to step out of its way. Refusal to do say may result in Canada’s sacred bird hissing at you and flapping its wings until you step off its path. But our relationship with ducks is more than just spiritual. Ducks also have a huge cultural importance. During the previous century, Walt Disney created the iconic cartoon character Donald Duck, along with his girlfriend, Daisy Duck (no blood relation), and three mischievous nephews — Huey Duck, Dewey Duck and Louie Duck — and a frugal uncle from northern U.K., Scrooge McDuck. Despite Donald’s speech impediment and notoriety for refusing to wear pants, the Duck/ McDuck family’s celebrity status was Kardashian-like, with popularity far surpassing that of their rivals, the ambitious Mouse family (Mickey and Minnie). Donald, a turbulent genius known for indulging in wild temper-tantrums at the slightest frustration or set-back, represented the Freudian subconscious, or “id,” of mass North American culture, according to the committee that awarded him the Nobel Prize in 2011, which also pointed out that several of Donald’s homespun catchphrases — e.g. “Aw, phooey!” and “Hiya, toots!” and “Boy oh boy oh boy oh boy!” — have entered our cultural lexicon. While the Duck/McDuck family dominated the Golden Age of Hollywood, the medium of TV was ruled by that other quacking colossus of art, Daffy Duck. Offstage, Daffy was a mild, thoughtful, somewhat shy fellow, fond of reading Germanic philosophy (Hegel, Kant, etc.) and playing bridge. However, like his drama protégées Robert DeNiro and Philip Seymour Hoffman, Daffy could fully transform himself for an acting role. After his stage entrance — “Overture, cut the lights / This is it, the night of nights” — this normally reserved and dignified individual would start to bounce randomly around, both of his eyes rolling in different directions, shouting “Hoo-hoo!” and spinning his beak in complete circles around his head. Or Daffy would play a shallow, scheming jerk, convincingly pretending to be jealous of his co-star Bug Bunny, even going so far as to accuse Mr. Bunny of being “desthpicable!” Occasionally, Daffy even played himself sympathetically. With such phenomenal acting talent, it is no surprise that this thespian icon was recently knighted by the Queen of England — as Sir Daffy of Buckingham Pond. The greatest musical hit of the 20th Century was either “Disco Duck” by Rick Dees or “Rubber Ducky” by Ernie. And in the heartwarming ‘80s teen drama “Pretty in Pink,” the Molly Ringwald character’s best friend is
| 15
a charming man-child of ambiguous sexuality, known only as “Duckie.” Someday, perhaps, historians will look back and rename the 20th Century as the Duck Ages. (To be fair, not all 20th Century ducks were as successful as Donald Duck, Daffy Duck, Disco Duck, Rubber Ducky and “Duckie.” For example, Howard the Duck, the star of a self-titled 1986 film that opened to hostile reviews and poor ticket sales, is now working as an assistant manager at a Taco Bell in Mississauga, also attending weekly Narcotics Anonymous meetings. While failing to make it big in Hollywood, Howard had turned to crack — or, as he tearfully confessed to Rob Ford at a tear-drenched N.A. session, “All day long, man, I’m thinking of nothing but quack! I’ll still do anything for quack! My name is Howard and I’m a quack addict!”) Today, in 2014, are ducks still at the core of our cultural identity? To answer that question, I visited the new Homewood Suites by Hilton Hotel on downtown Hamilton’s Bay Street. The Hilton name is synonymous with taste and fashion. On the wall of the Hilton hotel lobby, I found a plaque featuring a large portrait of a duck. I asked the woman behind the counter about it and she explained that “Lewis the Duck” is the mascot of these Hilton hotels. Lewis is also the central character in a series of children’s books, I was told. He had recently appeared, with his wife and their ducklings, in New York’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Lewis is the latest in a long line of celebrity ducks. Ducks are still hot – I mean, just look inside your toolbox. You probably have a couple rolls of duck tape in there, don’t you? Look in your bathroom cabinet – isn’t that a bottle of Toilet Duck cleanser? When you’re partying in the VIP section of Hamilton’s hottest nightclub – what else would you order but Grey Goose vodka? Or just go to any local playground and listen: you’ll hear kids playing a chanting game – as they have for generations – that goes “duck, duck, goose!” Open the sports pages – the NHL Anaheim Ducks are flapping towards another Stanley Cup this season. Turn on the TV – hey, it’s those lovable, bearded “Duck Dynasty” idiots! Don’t call it a comeback – because the ducks ain’t never been gone. Before I conclude this discourse on ducks, I have to address a disturbing topic. Anyone under 18 years old, please stop reading and go to another, less controversial page of urbanicity. Thank you. Now — how do I politely say this? Well, I’ll just be blunt — readers, during my research for this article, I learned that there are sick perverts out there with an erotic interest in waterfowl. I was shocked and disturbed to encounter websites featuring explicit images of humans attempting to make love with geese and/or ducks. The confused-looking birds wear skimpy lingerie ... or nothing at all ... The offensive motto of these pervs is, “It’s fun to **** a duck!” Call me old-fashioned, but I find this shocking and so, so wrong! I may be passionate about ducks myself, but just as friends — never more than just friends. So, in conclusion, the government needs to step in and ban that foul waterfowl porn, because all ducks deserve dignity.
Don’t call it a comeback—because the ducks ain’t never been gone.
MARK COAKLEY lives in the Ainslie Wood neighbourhood in West Hamilton. He's the author of Tip and Trade: How Two Lawyers Made Millions From Insider Trading (2011) and Hidden Harvest: The Rise And Fall Of North America's Biggest Cannabis Grow Op. He blogs at markcoakley.wordpress.com
16 | NOVEMBER 2014
Trust your instinct, don’t ever lose your identity, and don’t lower your standards for anyone.
C O C K TA I L S W I T H K B
SHENDAL YALCHIN General Manager, The Hamilton Club
PHOTOGRAPH BY SCOTT SUMMERHAYES
Three words to describe Hamilton. Can I change that to one word? Quilt. I know, it sounds cheesy but it’s how I picture our City. Hamilton is made up of a patchwork of communities that when apart are unique in detail on their own, but together we make something spectacular.
One of my favourite things to do is have a cocktail with a friend, or someone who will become a friend by the time the glass is empty. Cocktails with KB is a monthly column that allows you to get to know some of Hamilton’s most exciting people! So, pour yourself a cocktail and enjoy! I have had the privilege of knowing Shendal Yalchin, General Manager of the Hamilton Club for a few years. She is a person I have looked up to, admired and respected since the day I met her. She carries herself with grace, class, elegance and confidence. To have a chance to sit and have cocktails (Chardonnay for Shendal, a cosmopolitan for me) was a major highlight for me. Her advice, the way she leads her team and what she believes is important for our city have stayed with me and have popped into my mind quite frequently since we sat and chatted at the Hamilton Club on a sunny Tuesday afternoon. I am so happy that the cocktails with kb column provides an opportunity to get to know so many exceptional people in our city. So, pour yourself a glass of wine, or a cocktail and be as inspired by this fabulous Hamiltonian as I have been.
LIGHTNING ROUND WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED THESE DAYS? The vibe in Hamilton,
there is so much excitement about the changes being made. B EST GI F T YO U ’ V E E V E R R E C E I V E D ?
My kids.
FAVOURITE BAND? The BeeGees.
What’s the worst thing about what you do? Dealing with the repair and maintenance of a building that’s almost 200 years old! There can be a lot of surprises; one small repair can lead to a big job. We always knock wood before we start any new project. I’d rather spend a little and make a big difference, sometimes it doesn’t take much to make an impact. Spending money where members can see it is always more exciting than behind the scenes. What’s your motto? Whatever you do in life, be the best at it. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, be proud of what you’re doing and be the best. Do the best possible job, regardless of what everyone else is doing, because at the end of the day, it’s you that’s going to get ahead. What’s the best thing about 2014? Ask me when the year is over - we still have time! But, for me; I’m not a football person, but the best thing I did this year was purchase my Ti-Cats season tickets. My thought process was; this is my community, we have a CFL team in our hometown, and a brand new stadium let’s support that. It’s exciting to go to the games and see your friends, feel the electricity in the air; you’re proud to be a Hamiltonian, you’re proud to be a part of the game. What has been the biggest learning experience of your life? Always be yourself. Trust your instinct, don’t ever lose your identity, and don’t lower your standards for anyone. Always surround yourself with good people and good things will happen.
FAVOURITE SOLO ARTIST? Bryan Adams. FAVO U R I T E CO LO U R ?
Is black a colour? L E AST FAVO U R I T E CO LO U R ?
Why Hamilton? Hamilton is my home. I’ve been here since I was 2. I was brought up in Stoney Creek, now I live in Dundas. I have always worked in Hamilton. I’ve been involved with my community in terms of fundraising and sitting on boards for probably almost three decades. I feel so connected to our City. Hamiltonians really do support each other. When we fall we help each other, and we are the first to celebrate our successes - together. I don’t know if I would ever feel as connected to anywhere else. I really don’t think if it is like this everywhere. I like to think that Hamilton is special in that way.
What’s the best thing about what you do? I work with a great team here – our staff and our members. They make me happy to come to work every day – I actually look forward to coming to work! I’m also very lucky to be in a position where I can make a difference. We’ve [The Club] been here for 141 years, but we can still be ahead of the trend in our industry. We have to stay relevant but remain connected to our heritage, it really is a fun challenge and I love the fact that we are accomplishing that.
HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR COFFEE?
Black. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? The Best advice I’ve ever received and advice I give to others: “Never burn bridges.” Hamilton really is a small town in a big city. You never know where fate will lead you. Sometimes it’s right back to where you began. It doesn’t matter what situation you’re in, you leave on good terms, or you try to mend and resolve whatever situation you had and then you move on. People can grow and change, so always give someone another chance.
What does Hamilton need? Strong leaders with vision. We are a community of hard workers that’s for sure; we just need strength and leadership. Show us the way and we will come together and get it done. I find there can be too many personal agendas. We need to come together as one big ego. It’s not about you making the difference; it’s about US making a difference.
Orange. B EST WAY TO DE CO M PR ES S ?
How can the Hamilton Club continue to be a strong presence in the community with this new generation of leaders? The younger generation is eager to connect with our community leaders and we like to help make that happen. It’s very rewarding when you can connect people. I see the younger members meet and mingle with our older members and then see big things come out of those connections. It’s great to know we have played a small but important role.
A good bottle of wine with friends. I F YO U R L I F E W E R E A S O N G , W H AT WO U L D T H E T I T L E B E ?
You should be dancing. FAVO U R I T E H O L I DAY ? Christmas.
KRISTEL BULTHUIS is the Manager of Operations for urbanicity Omnimedia, and the Assistant Director for the Hamilton 24-Hour Film Festival. Known for her energy and love of fine designer fashion, Kristel lives in Durand with Chanel, her shorkie. Get in touch at kristel@urbanicity.ca
16 | NOVEMBER 2014
Trust your instinct, don’t ever lose your identity, and don’t lower your standards for anyone.
C O C K TA I L S W I T H K B
SHENDAL YALCHIN General Manager, The Hamilton Club
PHOTOGRAPH BY SCOTT SUMMERHAYES
Three words to describe Hamilton. Can I change that to one word? Quilt. I know, it sounds cheesy but it’s how I picture our City. Hamilton is made up of a patchwork of communities that when apart are unique in detail on their own, but together we make something spectacular.
One of my favourite things to do is have a cocktail with a friend, or someone who will become a friend by the time the glass is empty. Cocktails with KB is a monthly column that allows you to get to know some of Hamilton’s most exciting people! So, pour yourself a cocktail and enjoy! I have had the privilege of knowing Shendal Yalchin, General Manager of the Hamilton Club for a few years. She is a person I have looked up to, admired and respected since the day I met her. She carries herself with grace, class, elegance and confidence. To have a chance to sit and have cocktails (Chardonnay for Shendal, a cosmopolitan for me) was a major highlight for me. Her advice, the way she leads her team and what she believes is important for our city have stayed with me and have popped into my mind quite frequently since we sat and chatted at the Hamilton Club on a sunny Tuesday afternoon. I am so happy that the cocktails with kb column provides an opportunity to get to know so many exceptional people in our city. So, pour yourself a glass of wine, or a cocktail and be as inspired by this fabulous Hamiltonian as I have been.
LIGHTNING ROUND WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED THESE DAYS? The vibe in Hamilton,
there is so much excitement about the changes being made. B EST GI F T YO U ’ V E E V E R R E C E I V E D ?
My kids.
FAVOURITE BAND? The BeeGees.
What’s the worst thing about what you do? Dealing with the repair and maintenance of a building that’s almost 200 years old! There can be a lot of surprises; one small repair can lead to a big job. We always knock wood before we start any new project. I’d rather spend a little and make a big difference, sometimes it doesn’t take much to make an impact. Spending money where members can see it is always more exciting than behind the scenes. What’s your motto? Whatever you do in life, be the best at it. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, be proud of what you’re doing and be the best. Do the best possible job, regardless of what everyone else is doing, because at the end of the day, it’s you that’s going to get ahead. What’s the best thing about 2014? Ask me when the year is over - we still have time! But, for me; I’m not a football person, but the best thing I did this year was purchase my Ti-Cats season tickets. My thought process was; this is my community, we have a CFL team in our hometown, and a brand new stadium let’s support that. It’s exciting to go to the games and see your friends, feel the electricity in the air; you’re proud to be a Hamiltonian, you’re proud to be a part of the game. What has been the biggest learning experience of your life? Always be yourself. Trust your instinct, don’t ever lose your identity, and don’t lower your standards for anyone. Always surround yourself with good people and good things will happen.
FAVOURITE SOLO ARTIST? Bryan Adams. FAVO U R I T E CO LO U R ?
Is black a colour? L E AST FAVO U R I T E CO LO U R ?
Why Hamilton? Hamilton is my home. I’ve been here since I was 2. I was brought up in Stoney Creek, now I live in Dundas. I have always worked in Hamilton. I’ve been involved with my community in terms of fundraising and sitting on boards for probably almost three decades. I feel so connected to our City. Hamiltonians really do support each other. When we fall we help each other, and we are the first to celebrate our successes - together. I don’t know if I would ever feel as connected to anywhere else. I really don’t think if it is like this everywhere. I like to think that Hamilton is special in that way.
What’s the best thing about what you do? I work with a great team here – our staff and our members. They make me happy to come to work every day – I actually look forward to coming to work! I’m also very lucky to be in a position where I can make a difference. We’ve [The Club] been here for 141 years, but we can still be ahead of the trend in our industry. We have to stay relevant but remain connected to our heritage, it really is a fun challenge and I love the fact that we are accomplishing that.
HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR COFFEE?
Black. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? The Best advice I’ve ever received and advice I give to others: “Never burn bridges.” Hamilton really is a small town in a big city. You never know where fate will lead you. Sometimes it’s right back to where you began. It doesn’t matter what situation you’re in, you leave on good terms, or you try to mend and resolve whatever situation you had and then you move on. People can grow and change, so always give someone another chance.
What does Hamilton need? Strong leaders with vision. We are a community of hard workers that’s for sure; we just need strength and leadership. Show us the way and we will come together and get it done. I find there can be too many personal agendas. We need to come together as one big ego. It’s not about you making the difference; it’s about US making a difference.
Orange. B EST WAY TO DE CO M PR ES S ?
How can the Hamilton Club continue to be a strong presence in the community with this new generation of leaders? The younger generation is eager to connect with our community leaders and we like to help make that happen. It’s very rewarding when you can connect people. I see the younger members meet and mingle with our older members and then see big things come out of those connections. It’s great to know we have played a small but important role.
A good bottle of wine with friends. I F YO U R L I F E W E R E A S O N G , W H AT WO U L D T H E T I T L E B E ?
You should be dancing. FAVO U R I T E H O L I DAY ? Christmas.
KRISTEL BULTHUIS is the Manager of Operations for urbanicity Omnimedia, and the Assistant Director for the Hamilton 24-Hour Film Festival. Known for her energy and love of fine designer fashion, Kristel lives in Durand with Chanel, her shorkie. Get in touch at kristel@urbanicity.ca
URBANICITY.CA
| 19
H A U N T E D H A M I LT O N
My Haunted Museum A peek inside my real-life “Museum of the Paranormal” and what it’s like to live surrounded by creepy curiosities and haunted oddities. Everyone has a ghost story to tell. Whether or not you believe in ghosts is beside the point because at the core of every spooky tale is the knowledge that either, a) it came from a trustworthy, legitimate source, or, b) you have personally witnessed this paranormal occurrence first-hand. It is these kind of stories that pique my interest. When something so significant happens that it forces people to step out of their comfort zone, to question their beliefs and well thought-out ideologies. This is the kind of stuff that someone can hold on to for years, even decades, but within the blink of an eye have such a profound paranormal experience that in that instant, a whole new world of possibilities comes to light.
HAUNTED OBJECTS & CURSED CURIOSITIES...
SPOOKY SURROUNDINGS... This is usually where I step in. I have received several donations over the years where quite frankly, people are just too creeped out to keep the object in their house. I also collect haunted artifacts from various spooky places all over the world. Mostly from my own travels, and boy, have I been to a lot of eerie places over the past 15 years of running Haunted Hamilton! My home has now become the new re-incarnation of my very popular “Museum of the Paranormal” that I once co-owned and operated in Niagara-on-the-Lake a few years ago. Since then, most of the items in my haunted collection have found their new home on my walls, within the shelves and under glass domes in my creepy abode. Here are just some of my favourite things that I have on display. Take a peek, if you dare! Stay Spooky Hamilton!
PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE LECHNIAK
You’ve heard of haunted objects, possessed dolls, cursed artifacts and bizarre collector pieces. Some people shy away from these kinds of items, but I live every day surrounded by curiosities like these. My life is far from normal ( just the way I like it!) and the fact that I live in a real-life paranormal museum only adds to the mystery that a true “Spooky Queen” should revel in. There are however, times when a particular acquisition can cause a little too much trouble. Moments where I hesitate even accepting, purchasing, or receiving an item that seems to be causing more harm than good. Some believe that a spirit can attach itself to an object that they once loved in life. A favourite brooch, a piano, a certain chair, or even an old piece of clothing, all perfect candidates to become a “possessed” item if the owner had been very fond of it.
Just as memories can be tied to a place in time (why we celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, etc.), they can also be attached to a physical, tangible item. Happy memories, when imparted onto an item, can absorb pleasant, warm recollections and vibes until the end of time. If that is true, then something must be said for the reverse, when a spirit becomes restless for any number of reasons and their frustrations and negative energies can be channeled into one of these “haunted” items as well.
Hamilton's very first LANTERN
Post Mortem PHOTOGRAPHY
Ventriloquist DUMMIES
This unusual lantern was found in the very back of an old antique shop in downtown Niagara Falls back in 2002. We had never seen a glass globe with a design on it before, let alone one with an outstretched bat on it. I still can’t figure out why a bat would be put on this globe so I welcome any kind of information my readers might have! All I can find so far is that it was meant to perhaps ward off and repel evil spirits. Traditionally, a bat symbolizes death and re-birth. Bats are also known as “Guardians of the Night”. In native tradition, from the womb-like caves it emerges every evening at dusk. And so, from the womb it is reborn every evening. Old European lore associated bats with vampires. Bats, however, are not always portrayed as evil in world mythologies. In Chinese folklore, for example, bats are a symbol of good fortune and luck!
After the invention of tin types (daguerreotype), the memorializing habits of Victorian people changed and post mortem photography became more readily available and affordable. In a time when the infant mortality rate was high, sickness and death run rampant, and a Civil War that drove brother against brother, photos such as this were commonplace. They were never intended to be morbid or distasteful. Quite the opposite in fact, because these photos served as the only visual reminder that they had of their deceased loved one.
The fear of ventriloquist’s dummies is known as Automatonophobia. People who suffer from tension, emotional upset and stress while in the presence of such marionettes will do anything to avoid triggers. Famous puppets such as Mortimer Snerd and Charlie McCarthy were the creation of comedian and ventriloquist Edgar Bergen, is often cited as a trigger for this phobia.
STEPHANIE LECHNIAK is Founder and Owner of Haunted-Hamilton, a strangely unique business that operates Haunted Tours and Bus Trips to spooky locations all over Canada and the US. Stephanie is also Host & Producer of “Haunted Hamilton’s Ghost Stories” on Cable 14 and “The Haunted Hamilton Radio Show” on 93.3 FM CFMU. She has also appeared on OLN’s “Creepy Canada” and YTV’s “Ghost Trackers”. www.Haunted-Hamilton.com | www.facebook.com/HauntedHamilton
URBANICITY.CA
| 19
H A U N T E D H A M I LT O N
My Haunted Museum A peek inside my real-life “Museum of the Paranormal” and what it’s like to live surrounded by creepy curiosities and haunted oddities. Everyone has a ghost story to tell. Whether or not you believe in ghosts is beside the point because at the core of every spooky tale is the knowledge that either, a) it came from a trustworthy, legitimate source, or, b) you have personally witnessed this paranormal occurrence first-hand. It is these kind of stories that pique my interest. When something so significant happens that it forces people to step out of their comfort zone, to question their beliefs and well thought-out ideologies. This is the kind of stuff that someone can hold on to for years, even decades, but within the blink of an eye have such a profound paranormal experience that in that instant, a whole new world of possibilities comes to light.
HAUNTED OBJECTS & CURSED CURIOSITIES...
SPOOKY SURROUNDINGS... This is usually where I step in. I have received several donations over the years where quite frankly, people are just too creeped out to keep the object in their house. I also collect haunted artifacts from various spooky places all over the world. Mostly from my own travels, and boy, have I been to a lot of eerie places over the past 15 years of running Haunted Hamilton! My home has now become the new re-incarnation of my very popular “Museum of the Paranormal” that I once co-owned and operated in Niagara-on-the-Lake a few years ago. Since then, most of the items in my haunted collection have found their new home on my walls, within the shelves and under glass domes in my creepy abode. Here are just some of my favourite things that I have on display. Take a peek, if you dare! Stay Spooky Hamilton!
PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE LECHNIAK
You’ve heard of haunted objects, possessed dolls, cursed artifacts and bizarre collector pieces. Some people shy away from these kinds of items, but I live every day surrounded by curiosities like these. My life is far from normal ( just the way I like it!) and the fact that I live in a real-life paranormal museum only adds to the mystery that a true “Spooky Queen” should revel in. There are however, times when a particular acquisition can cause a little too much trouble. Moments where I hesitate even accepting, purchasing, or receiving an item that seems to be causing more harm than good. Some believe that a spirit can attach itself to an object that they once loved in life. A favourite brooch, a piano, a certain chair, or even an old piece of clothing, all perfect candidates to become a “possessed” item if the owner had been very fond of it.
Just as memories can be tied to a place in time (why we celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, etc.), they can also be attached to a physical, tangible item. Happy memories, when imparted onto an item, can absorb pleasant, warm recollections and vibes until the end of time. If that is true, then something must be said for the reverse, when a spirit becomes restless for any number of reasons and their frustrations and negative energies can be channeled into one of these “haunted” items as well.
Hamilton's very first LANTERN
Post Mortem PHOTOGRAPHY
Ventriloquist DUMMIES
This unusual lantern was found in the very back of an old antique shop in downtown Niagara Falls back in 2002. We had never seen a glass globe with a design on it before, let alone one with an outstretched bat on it. I still can’t figure out why a bat would be put on this globe so I welcome any kind of information my readers might have! All I can find so far is that it was meant to perhaps ward off and repel evil spirits. Traditionally, a bat symbolizes death and re-birth. Bats are also known as “Guardians of the Night”. In native tradition, from the womb-like caves it emerges every evening at dusk. And so, from the womb it is reborn every evening. Old European lore associated bats with vampires. Bats, however, are not always portrayed as evil in world mythologies. In Chinese folklore, for example, bats are a symbol of good fortune and luck!
After the invention of tin types (daguerreotype), the memorializing habits of Victorian people changed and post mortem photography became more readily available and affordable. In a time when the infant mortality rate was high, sickness and death run rampant, and a Civil War that drove brother against brother, photos such as this were commonplace. They were never intended to be morbid or distasteful. Quite the opposite in fact, because these photos served as the only visual reminder that they had of their deceased loved one.
The fear of ventriloquist’s dummies is known as Automatonophobia. People who suffer from tension, emotional upset and stress while in the presence of such marionettes will do anything to avoid triggers. Famous puppets such as Mortimer Snerd and Charlie McCarthy were the creation of comedian and ventriloquist Edgar Bergen, is often cited as a trigger for this phobia.
STEPHANIE LECHNIAK is Founder and Owner of Haunted-Hamilton, a strangely unique business that operates Haunted Tours and Bus Trips to spooky locations all over Canada and the US. Stephanie is also Host & Producer of “Haunted Hamilton’s Ghost Stories” on Cable 14 and “The Haunted Hamilton Radio Show” on 93.3 FM CFMU. She has also appeared on OLN’s “Creepy Canada” and YTV’s “Ghost Trackers”. www.Haunted-Hamilton.com | www.facebook.com/HauntedHamilton
20 | NOVEMBER 2014
> PLUG
URBANICITY.CA
| 21
The
URBAN DINING GUIDE
Bella of Ancaster Bella of Ancaster is Located in the Historic Philip Shaver House. We have a warm elegant atmosphere in a beautiful country setting. We offer a seasonally inspired menu utilizing the freshest ingredients which we source locally. We offer both lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday. Live Music Friday and Saturdays 1034 Garner Rd West, Ancaster 905-648-5225 Bellaofancaster.com | @dineatbellas Facebook.com/bellaofancaster
Fisher’s Eatery and Sports Lounge At Fisher's Pier we do it right: fresh food, friendly staff, and an atmosphere you'll want to come back to. Our newly renovated bar and dining room makes for a great experience whether you want to come with the family or watch the game. Come see for yourself! 544 James Street North (905)-526-9622 www.fisherspier.com
152 King Street West thegeorgehamilton.com www.facebook.com/pages/ The-George-Hamilton/ 355185164523936?ref=br_tf
Readers: We’re excited to offer you our new dining guide as a source of inspiration for those evenings you’re looking to try something new. If it’s on our pages, you can be sure we’ve vetted it, and that we’ve come away impressed! Restaurateurs: If you’re looking to promote your hot new spot to a large urban audience that likes to be out and about, here’s your chance! Not only do you get a generous printed ad for a low cost, you also receive an online profile on the new urbanicity.ca! For advertising inquiries please email ads@urbanicity.ca
Burrito Boyz Burrito Boyz is a fine Mexican restaurant located in gore park. They serve burritos and quesadillas and are open late night on weekends. The portions are big but the prices are small. The staff are friendly and fast, and the food is delicious. Accessible parking available in front of the Royal Connaught. 66 King Street East 905-529-2699 burritoboyz.ca
Bistro Parisien Located at 150 James Street South, Hamilton in the heart of the Durand neighbourhood, a transformed stone terrace home lends its graceful elegance to the Bistro. Chef Steven Soloduk leads our team of talented chefs as they cook authentic, thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented bistro fare for lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesdays. 150 James Street South www.bistroparisien.com 905 546-0003
Two Black Sheep We offer light fare of oysters, with a variety of garnishes; charcuterie and salumi; a selection of cheeses; and other offerings of pickled vegetables and crisps. We have wine that you will love and cocktails that aren't typical. Our favourite beers are served by the bottle. 163 John Street South 905-525-1001 twoblacksheep.ca
The George Hamilton Affordable quality in the heart of downtown Hamilton. If you're sick and tired of pre-packaged franchise food at places with a pre-packaged franchise feel... welcome to your new home. The George Hamilton features quality, house-made food, a cozy atmosphere, and down-toearth prices. Cocktails at the bar? We do that. Casual dining? We do that. Office lunches? We do that. Family dinner? We have a great kids menu. Private room? How about a private bar? Yep, we do that too.
Baci Ristorante For those craving inspirational Italian cuisine you're in for a treat at Baci Ristorante is the place to indulge the senses. Masterful wood oven pizza, pasta and veal dishes will be complimented by a wide selection of premium Tuscan, California and Niagara wines. All five senses will be taken for a memorable adventure when you join us at Baci Ristorante! 1530 Stonechurch Road 905-381-9811 | baciristorante.ca
Visit urbanicity.ca for our full list of restaurants and reviews.
Made for You by Madeleine At Madeleine, our baking is delicious AND good for you. By stone-grinding organic grain on site, our unique process yields flour with all its natural nutrients and flavour. We invite you to visit our open-kitchen bakery for a treat! Take-away and catering available. 51 King William Street, Hamilton 289-389-5100 www.bymadeleine.ca
Acclamation Bar & Grill Enjoy fine dining with a Portuguese flare in our front dining room, or grab a beer and burger while watching the game in our sports bar! Offering a great menu of apps, entrees, pastas, salads, seafood, pizzas, and more, Acclamation has something for everyone. Free parking is available on-site! 191 James Street North 905-523-7269 www.acclamation.ca
Rapscallion At Rapscallion, we have a love for food and pushing the limits. Our skilled and passionate chefs will do it all, whether it's curing, salting, boning, stuffing, wrapping, charring, braising or just leaving the meat raw. We get a joy out of food and offer our guests menu items that they are unlikely to find at other local restaurants such as: oxtail, and pig's head. 61 Young Street 905-522-0088 rapscallionrestaurant.com
30 Days. 30+ Burgers Introducing the ultimate burger festival: Novemburger! Presented by urbanicity, 30 restaurants across the city have added one special burger to their menu for the month of November. Try as many burgers as you can and vote for your favourite at www.novemburger.ca! Don't forget $1 from every burger goes to United Way.
For advertising inquiries please email ads@urbanicity.ca
20 | NOVEMBER 2014
> PLUG
URBANICITY.CA
| 21
The
URBAN DINING GUIDE
Bella of Ancaster Bella of Ancaster is Located in the Historic Philip Shaver House. We have a warm elegant atmosphere in a beautiful country setting. We offer a seasonally inspired menu utilizing the freshest ingredients which we source locally. We offer both lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday. Live Music Friday and Saturdays 1034 Garner Rd West, Ancaster 905-648-5225 Bellaofancaster.com | @dineatbellas Facebook.com/bellaofancaster
Fisher’s Eatery and Sports Lounge At Fisher's Pier we do it right: fresh food, friendly staff, and an atmosphere you'll want to come back to. Our newly renovated bar and dining room makes for a great experience whether you want to come with the family or watch the game. Come see for yourself! 544 James Street North (905)-526-9622 www.fisherspier.com
152 King Street West thegeorgehamilton.com www.facebook.com/pages/ The-George-Hamilton/ 355185164523936?ref=br_tf
Readers: We’re excited to offer you our new dining guide as a source of inspiration for those evenings you’re looking to try something new. If it’s on our pages, you can be sure we’ve vetted it, and that we’ve come away impressed! Restaurateurs: If you’re looking to promote your hot new spot to a large urban audience that likes to be out and about, here’s your chance! Not only do you get a generous printed ad for a low cost, you also receive an online profile on the new urbanicity.ca! For advertising inquiries please email ads@urbanicity.ca
Burrito Boyz Burrito Boyz is a fine Mexican restaurant located in gore park. They serve burritos and quesadillas and are open late night on weekends. The portions are big but the prices are small. The staff are friendly and fast, and the food is delicious. Accessible parking available in front of the Royal Connaught. 66 King Street East 905-529-2699 burritoboyz.ca
Bistro Parisien Located at 150 James Street South, Hamilton in the heart of the Durand neighbourhood, a transformed stone terrace home lends its graceful elegance to the Bistro. Chef Steven Soloduk leads our team of talented chefs as they cook authentic, thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented bistro fare for lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesdays. 150 James Street South www.bistroparisien.com 905 546-0003
Two Black Sheep We offer light fare of oysters, with a variety of garnishes; charcuterie and salumi; a selection of cheeses; and other offerings of pickled vegetables and crisps. We have wine that you will love and cocktails that aren't typical. Our favourite beers are served by the bottle. 163 John Street South 905-525-1001 twoblacksheep.ca
The George Hamilton Affordable quality in the heart of downtown Hamilton. If you're sick and tired of pre-packaged franchise food at places with a pre-packaged franchise feel... welcome to your new home. The George Hamilton features quality, house-made food, a cozy atmosphere, and down-toearth prices. Cocktails at the bar? We do that. Casual dining? We do that. Office lunches? We do that. Family dinner? We have a great kids menu. Private room? How about a private bar? Yep, we do that too.
Baci Ristorante For those craving inspirational Italian cuisine you're in for a treat at Baci Ristorante is the place to indulge the senses. Masterful wood oven pizza, pasta and veal dishes will be complimented by a wide selection of premium Tuscan, California and Niagara wines. All five senses will be taken for a memorable adventure when you join us at Baci Ristorante! 1530 Stonechurch Road 905-381-9811 | baciristorante.ca
Visit urbanicity.ca for our full list of restaurants and reviews.
Made for You by Madeleine At Madeleine, our baking is delicious AND good for you. By stone-grinding organic grain on site, our unique process yields flour with all its natural nutrients and flavour. We invite you to visit our open-kitchen bakery for a treat! Take-away and catering available. 51 King William Street, Hamilton 289-389-5100 www.bymadeleine.ca
Acclamation Bar & Grill Enjoy fine dining with a Portuguese flare in our front dining room, or grab a beer and burger while watching the game in our sports bar! Offering a great menu of apps, entrees, pastas, salads, seafood, pizzas, and more, Acclamation has something for everyone. Free parking is available on-site! 191 James Street North 905-523-7269 www.acclamation.ca
Rapscallion At Rapscallion, we have a love for food and pushing the limits. Our skilled and passionate chefs will do it all, whether it's curing, salting, boning, stuffing, wrapping, charring, braising or just leaving the meat raw. We get a joy out of food and offer our guests menu items that they are unlikely to find at other local restaurants such as: oxtail, and pig's head. 61 Young Street 905-522-0088 rapscallionrestaurant.com
30 Days. 30+ Burgers Introducing the ultimate burger festival: Novemburger! Presented by urbanicity, 30 restaurants across the city have added one special burger to their menu for the month of November. Try as many burgers as you can and vote for your favourite at www.novemburger.ca! Don't forget $1 from every burger goes to United Way.
For advertising inquiries please email ads@urbanicity.ca
22 | NOVEMBER 2014 THE TEN LIST
MAYORS OF HAMILTON Hamilton's 10 most recent Chief Magistrates
Fred Eisenberger 2014+ • First 2-term mayor of the amalgamated city of Hamilton • Will be installed as Mayor December 1st 2006-2010 • 3 terms as alderman from 1991-2000 • Spent 2 years as CEO of Canadian Urban Institute
Bob Bratina 2010-2014 • Play-by-play voice of the Hamilton Tiger Cats and Toronto Argonauts for a total of 20 seasons; never missing a broadcast for more than 500 games • Named Liberal candidate for Hamilton East Stoney Creek in October 2014
William Powell 1980-1982 • Was ward 4 alderman for 10 years • Won an upset election against incumbent, serving for 1 term
John MacDonald 1977-1980 • Youngest alderman every elected (age 22) in Hamilton • Elected citizen of the year in 1972, and elected mayor 4 years later
Vince Agro 1976-1977 (acting mayor) • Acting mayor; assuming the position after Victor Copps had to retire early. • Served as alderman for Ward 2 from 1970-1976 and again from 1978-1997
Victor Kennedy Copps 1963-1976 • Won a seat on the Board of Control in 1960 and became deputy mayor • Was forced to retire early after suffering a heart attack during the Around the Bay Race in 1976
Larry Di Ianni 2003-2006 • Served 6 terms in Stoney Creek until amalgamation • First Italian Canadian mayor in Hamilton History
Robert E Wade 2000-2003 • First served in Ancaster for 22 years; 16 years as mayor • After 1 term as mayor of the new city of Hamilton, he retired from public life
Robert Maxwell Morrow 1982-2000 • Longest serving mayor in Hamilton • In 2004, he was appointed as citizenship judge, retiring in 2010
22 | NOVEMBER 2014 THE TEN LIST
MAYORS OF HAMILTON Hamilton's 10 most recent Chief Magistrates
Fred Eisenberger 2014+ • First 2-term mayor of the amalgamated city of Hamilton • Will be installed as Mayor December 1st 2006-2010 • 3 terms as alderman from 1991-2000 • Spent 2 years as CEO of Canadian Urban Institute
Bob Bratina 2010-2014 • Play-by-play voice of the Hamilton Tiger Cats and Toronto Argonauts for a total of 20 seasons; never missing a broadcast for more than 500 games • Named Liberal candidate for Hamilton East Stoney Creek in October 2014
William Powell 1980-1982 • Was ward 4 alderman for 10 years • Won an upset election against incumbent, serving for 1 term
John MacDonald 1977-1980 • Youngest alderman every elected (age 22) in Hamilton • Elected citizen of the year in 1972, and elected mayor 4 years later
Vince Agro 1976-1977 (acting mayor) • Acting mayor; assuming the position after Victor Copps had to retire early. • Served as alderman for Ward 2 from 1970-1976 and again from 1978-1997
Victor Kennedy Copps 1963-1976 • Won a seat on the Board of Control in 1960 and became deputy mayor • Was forced to retire early after suffering a heart attack during the Around the Bay Race in 1976
Larry Di Ianni 2003-2006 • Served 6 terms in Stoney Creek until amalgamation • First Italian Canadian mayor in Hamilton History
Robert E Wade 2000-2003 • First served in Ancaster for 22 years; 16 years as mayor • After 1 term as mayor of the new city of Hamilton, he retired from public life
Robert Maxwell Morrow 1982-2000 • Longest serving mayor in Hamilton • In 2004, he was appointed as citizenship judge, retiring in 2010