July 2019 | Urbanicity Hamilton

Come as you are, and leave feeling even better You might go to a spa to get a manicure or facial and walk out with freshly painted nails and cleaner skin. When you leave The Wax Lounge, however, you are not only revived on the outside, but on the inside as well.

Owner Raine Hewlett knows what it’s like to go to a spa feeling the pressure to dress or look a certain way. In a past life, she worked in the cosmetics industry first as a makeup artist at a well-known international brand and then she eventually made her way to the corporate sector of another international beauty and skincare brand.

As she moved up from promotion to promotion, Raine found herself focused on her appearance, knowing the expectations of the perfect tan, white teeth, and a chic pair of heels. When she would go to get a manicure, she knew she had to maintain that image at the places she visited. Not only that, Raine felt that each place had a cold, clinical atmosphere with black beds and patient-type paper.

Instead of feeling calm and inviting, the bright lights, loud TVs, and chairs of strangers sat side by side were over-stimulating. What was supposed to be downtime in a hectic day turned out to be just another appointment to continues on page 14

THE 10 BEST PATIOS IN HAMILTON FOR 2019 ENJOY A DRINK AT HAMILTON'S BEST OUTDOOR SPOTS

HEAL ON CONCESSION IS HAMILTON'S NEW NUTRITION SPOT A DOG-FRIENDLY CAFE INFUSED WITH HEALTH & WELLNESS

THE MANSION ON TOP OF BURLINGTON HEIGHTS LEARN THE HISTORY OF DUNDURN CASTLE

TOP PLACES TO SOAK UP THE SUN IN HAMILTON YOU DON'T WANT TO SKIP OUT ON THESE

HAMILTON’S LONG HISTORY WITH ROAD WORKS PROJECTS A CONTINUAL WORK IN PROGRESS

BARTON STREET BATTALION MAKE SOCCER FOR ALL A PRIORITY LOCAL SUPPORTERS GROUP GROW INTEREST IN FORGE FC

C O M P L I M E N TA R Y

JULY 2019

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P U B L I S H E R + E D I TO R Robert Cekan robert@urbanicity.com L AYOU T & D ES I G N Ta fa ri A n t h o ny DISTRIBUTION Urbanicity Canada

Urbanicity magazine is wholly owned and published by Urbanicity Canada Inc. All content copyright © 2019 and all rights to distribution are reserved by Urbanicity Canada 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.

DISTRIBUTION 40,000+ readers per month.

Distributed throughout Hamilton, Dundas, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, Waterdown, Aldershot, and Burlington.

12 issues per year.

(905) 531-7778 ADVERTISING INQUIRES robert@urbanicity.com www.urbanicity.com

After an extremely rainy spring, it looks like we’re being rewarded with some amazing, warm summer weather. I couldn’t have been the only one who noticed how the summer solstice seemingly triggered summer temperatures like a switch this year.

Capturing the spirit of summer, our team of writers put together an issue of Urbanicity that takes full advantage of the season we’ve waited so long for.

Summer-themed topics include a list of top places to soak up the sun, activities for when it rains, and a list of our picks for the 10 best patios in the city.

We also have two pieces offering a bit of Hamilton history including the city’s long past with public road works projects and a heritage profile on Dundurn Castle aka the mansion on top of Burlington Heights.

And as always, we speak to some of the individuals that are making waves in Hamilton including The Wax Lounge, the new cafe and nutrition shop HEAL Wellness on Concession, a feature Fringe

Festival show, and the Barton Street Battalion who are supporting Forge FC (and soccer in general) in Hamilton.

Hard to believe that we are now halfway through the year. While most would agree that time appears to go by faster the older you get, in the magazine business this effect appears to be magnified. The end of the month creeps up faster than usual and deadlines have to be strictly followed. There’s a renewed appreciation for having systems and people in place to maximize the most important commodity of them all — time. Especially when the weather is as great as it is and the number of things to attend and experience in Hamilton has never been higher, reflecting on opportunity cost is a frequent consideration. What it does is remind me to savour the moment and enjoy the time I do get to spend with friends and family.

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback and would like to contact me directly, feel free to send an email to robert@urbanicity.com — I always like to hear from you.

Have a great summer!

ROBERT CEKAN

TRIVIA 1. Canada’s largest commercial bakery is a $100-million, 375,000 squarefoot facility on 25 acres of land located on Nebo Road. What is the name of the company?

2. Hamilton is situated on what World Biosphere Reserve?

3. Which pier in Hamilton features an ice skating / rollerblading rink?

4. Stoney Creek is the birthplace of a famous worldwide organization known as the Women's Institute. What historic home was owned by the founder of this organization?

Answers on page 19

JULY 2019

4

Top places to soak up the sun in Hamilton

KARA SAVAS

Kara Savas is a born and raised Hamiltonian; an English and Social Sciences teacher, freelance writer, and sun chaser. Kara is a passionate supporter of local businesses, fresh perspectives, and lifelong learning.

The lazy, hazy days of summer are finally upon us. After this year’s relentless winter, and a decidedly confused spring, Hamiltonians are savouring this season particularly more; we only get a few months of these temperatures. So, it’s no surprise that as soon as it hits the 20's, people are plotting out where to spend their free afternoons and weekends.

Many opt to chase the sun outside of the city and escape to a vacation home, cottage, or resort in the summertime.

However, if you’d rather not spend a mortgage payment’s worth on a cottage getaway, and want to avoid sharing a 400 Series highway with thousands of other disgruntled travelers for five hours, then fear not. If cheap and cheerful is your mode, then shed those sleeves, zinc your sniffer, and make a point of checking out these local spots to soak up the sun this summer.

WILD WATERWORKS Starting off with an obvious one. If you grew up in Hamilton, Confederation Park (or “Confed,” as we all affectionately refer to it) was a summertime staple from youth right through your 20's - particularly Wild Waterworks. I hadn’t returned for many years until last summer when I accompanied my students on a class trip, and was feeling a little skeptical about what kind of experience I would have as an adult. I was happy to note that even at my age (in my students’ eyes, 30-something is practically geriatric), it still held its appeal! The Park is well-maintained, with some upgrades in the last few years. There’s plenty of chairs, pavilions, and picnic tables to situate yourself – if you get there early enough, you can find yourself a spot on either side of the pool that has beautiful daylong sunshine. If you get restless, grab a tube and hit the waterslides. Night Rider,

Blue Demon, and Vertigo are sure to bring you all the laughs, and hopefully not because you lost your shorts on the way down. If it’s mellow waters you seek, hit up the Eazy River and float the day away. The park also has body slides, a Little Squirt Works area, and of course, the wave pool. Even all these years later, I found myself shrieking at the sound of the bell signifying the start of the waves. Be sure to BYOT (towel), arrive early to avoid massive lineups, and bring some change to cool yourself off with an ICEE (surprisingly hard to find these days).

Wild Waterworks is open 7 days a week, from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm until August 12, when the hours change to 11:00 am – 7:00 pm. Park closes for the season on Labour Day.

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STRETCH OUT ON A PATIO

BINBROOK CONSERVATION AREA If you don’t mind a 20-minute cruise, definitely check out the Binbrook Conservation Area for your choice of a lazy or active day of sunshine. Located on Lake Niapenco, or the Binbrook Reservoir, the park includes a splash pad, swimming beach, picnic facilities, and – as of this spring – a treetop trekking course. While the swimming beach is small, it’s quite clean and easy to access; however, it does get quite busy, so come early to park your towel in your preferred spot. The lake is also a popular fishing hotspot, and a 2017 Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority study revealed that the lake boasts a very high quality of fish, including perch, bass, walleye, and pike. If you feel like touring the lake, rent a paddle board and cruise around.

Other visitors opt to kayak or canoe as well and enjoy the calmness of a powerboat-free lake. The Fun Splash Sports Park has been an extremely popular attraction as well, for those who prefer a challenge over laying out on their towel. This water-based obstacle

course is a fun way to work through different challenges, either solo or as a team. The recent addition of the Happy Splash Kids Zone is a similar but smaller and shallower course for kids over the age of 4. Rest assured that these courses are staffed by lifeguards and are easily viewable from the shoreline. Pro tip: if you’re not a fan of the mucky feeling of the bottom of a lake on your feet, bring water shoes for this beach.

Otherwise, pack your essentials and you’re good to go. Don’t want to get your pretty toes wet at all? Try climbing a tree or two in the new treetop trekking area. There are aerial courses (including bridges, balance cables, and net walkways), kids courses for ages 5+, a Treewalk Village, ziplining over the river, a GPS treasure hunt, and team building activities. Binbrook Conservation Area really has something for everyone.

Binbrook Conservation Area is open 7 days a week, from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm.

If you’re living in the downtown core and would rather get your Vitamin D far from the packed parks and pools, keep it simple — hit up a patio. Hamilton has a nice handful of spots for you to choose from in this regard, but there are two that are undeniably sunshine-appropriate. The first one, The Lazy Flamingo, is a Hamilton classic, and holds a special place as a mainstay of Hess Village. Friends and I determined back in university that it was one of the only spots in Hess that actually had all day sun, and we wouldn’t need to rotate tables (or go elsewhere) as the afternoon rolled on. There’s plenty of seating, shady options if you need to tap out for a while, and their menu has something for every taste. Stay for their Open Mic nights every Tuesday.

Next, if you’ve been in the Westdale/Main West area recently, you’ve likely had an afternoon pint at Grain & Grit. Located on Ewen Road, just down the street from Fairweather, this brewery boasts an impressive beer list with an open concept interior that opens up to a sunny patio. If you don’t find a seat right away, fear not – somehow seats here always open up quickly, and people are usually cool enough to squeeze over and fit you in at one of the farm tables. On any given day, there’s a food vendor on-site serving up delicious eats — peep their Instagram for each week’s lineup (if you see Espeto Brazil or Crosta Catering, don’t sleep on it). They often have live music on the patio too, and it’s conveniently located right by the Rail Trail so you can bike yourself home with a nice glow.

DUNDAS DRIVING PARK

ROLLERBLADE, CYCLE, OR WALK THE HAMBUR LOOP WATERFRONT TRAILS While we’ve all heard the jokes and cautionary tales about the Steeltown shorelines, you can still enjoy the view of our waters on a sunny day from a breezier vantage point. The recently coined HamBur loop consists of two paved waterfront trails: the 8 km Hamilton Recreation Beach Trail, and the 7.5 km Hamilton Waterfront Trail. If you’re in the Confederation Park area, hop on the Recreation Beach Trail right by Hutch’s On the Beach (after downing a cheeseburger to fuel yourself up). This trail will take you under the Canal Lift Bridge and into Burlington, where you can cool off at Burlington Beach. If you’re

looking to check out the Hamilton Waterfront Trail, park at Bayfront and cruise along the path towards the Harbourfront. This time, cool off at the Tugboat Playground at Pier 4, stop to watch the Dragon Boat Practises, and maybe try the fish and chips this time from Hutch’s Harbourfront (yes, they’ve got you covered on both trails). Both trails are paved six meters wide, ensuring a smooth and safe pedestrian experience. Unlike many of the other sunny attractions, the trails don’t close on Labour Day, so be sure to return in September to watch the summertime beauty transform into fall.

Unlike some of the aforementioned activities and attractions around the city, this is a spot that might not immediately come to mind when you think of a place to spend a sunny day – but it should be. This treelined gem is tucked away off of Cross Street in the beautiful heart of Dundas; if you weren’t looking for it, you might not even know it was there. I was surprised to learn that the Dundas Driving Park has been around since 1887 (!!), and according to the Dundas Museum, additions dating back to 1913 included “a bandstand (destroyed by a fire in 1949, replaced by a new band shell in 1953), dance pavilion, race track, covered grandstand, log cabin, washrooms, water, lights, benches, and romantic pathways.” Nowadays, visitors to the park spend the days cooking up a feast at the BBQ pits, cooling off in the wading pool or splash pad, hitting a few balls at the baseball diamonds, or strolling the surrounding area to look at some of the gorgeous century homes. Best of all, admission is free. If you happen to be there on a Tuesday, stay to check out the Dundas Concert Band play a show at the band shell — can’t say you’ve had a complete summer day without some music. The perfect cozy spot to spend a summer’s day.

Splash Pad and Wading Pool are open 7 days a week, from 10:00 am – 7:30 pm until Labour Day, and the Driving Park is open 7 days a week, from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm.

JULY 2019

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HEAL

HEAL on Concession is Hamilton's new nutrition spot powders for people and the notion of selling both product lines in the same shop seemed like a natural next step.

ROBERT CEKAN

Robert is the owner and editor-in-chief of Urbanicity. Born and raised in Hamilton, his aim is to connect residents with the city beat and familiarize readers with what makes Hamilton unique.

Having worked as the international spokesmodel for two large sports nutrition companies, Jay Zuccato knows a thing or two when it comes to health and wellness. After Zuccato saw the ingredients in his dog’s pet food, he was determined to create new and improved all-natural options.

He and his partner Jesse Davidson got to work on creating the K9INE brand of dog treats which began selling fast.

Soon after, the duo started Bodhi Nutrition and began creating protein

Their efforts culminated last month when HEAL opened it’s doors to the public offering delicious smoothie bowls, cafe menu items, and a variety of health-oriented products that infuse

THE REAR OF THE BUSINESS HAS BEEN CONVERTED INTO A DOG LOUNGE, WITH A PATIO AND MINI OFF-LEASE PARK

the nutritional products they offer. “It’s a nutrition and wellness centre for both you and your dog,” says Zuccato.

When asked why locate on Concession Street, the owners explained that they were Hamilton-born and wanted to keep

the business within the city’s borders.

The proximity to the mountain brow brings a lot of dog walkers out to the area and situating a dog-friendly establishment near that made a lot of sense.

While the store is dog-friendly, HEAL is not technically a dog cafe since dogs are not allowed to enter inside through the front entrance. However, if you turn the corner at East 23rd Street, the rear of the business has been converted into a dog lounge, with a patio and mini off-lease park.

Now that the owners have got their footing, they’re updating their product lines to be in plastic-free containers with all products being reformulated as plant-based only.

In addition, Heal will also soon be offering all-vegan and gluten-free dessert options on their menu including cakes and plant protein donuts.

While HEAL is currently open to the

public now, they will be holding a grand opening on Saturday, July 13th.

Be sure to stop by with your dog or a friend and enjoy a healthy meal!

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Hamilton’s long history with road works projects

JULIA KOLLEK

Julia found herself playing the voice of a robot in Hell or Tide Water. The rest of the time she has just as much fun running her Hamilton communications business.

If it’s not winter, then it must be construction season. From traffic accidents, to their environmental impact and noise, roads pose a contentious issue. Whether you drive, cycle, rollerblade or walk, roads and sidewalks are part of our infrastructure, and from the early days of transportation, maintaining them has been a necessity.

Canada's first highways were of course, the rivers and lakes used by Indigenous people, and Governor’s Road – the first one to be built in what was then Upper Canada – also followed an Indigenous route.

Military necessity prompted the start of its construction in 1793, and as the original path went through dense forest and swamps, early settlers and soldiers were tasked to clear the way.

If you think going over a pothole is uncomfortable, imagine bumping over a ‘corduroy surface’ — a pathway made from whole trees, laid side by side, with an occasional swamp or quagmire to navigate.

The first road maintenance workers were local settlers: they were legally required to keep roads next to their property in good shape or to work three to 12 days each year to maintain them.

Over time, payment displaced this labour system and the money raised became the first fund to cover the cost of road maintenance.

The lay of the land made a difference early on, too. Roads across the Headof-the-Lake — Hamilton’s name before it became a town in 1812 — kept to level ground, and the boggy northern parts of town areas were avoided.

revolutionary war in the States, some Hamilton roads, like Aikman, Gage, and Land, are named after them.

For a fascinating read, delve into “Hamilton Street Names” and their stories in a book compiled by the late historian Margaret Houghton.

Fast forward to 1914, when work began on the 40-mile (64km) long HamiltonToronto Highway. It would become one of Canada’s first concrete roads, and it opened with an estimated cost of $33,000 per mile ( just over $20,000 per km). That's almost $1 million in today’s money.

All that changed THERE’S MORE TO In case you’re curiwhen shipping ROAD REPAIR, OF ous, the City of Hamand the railways COURSE, THAN ilton’s budget for our arrived: you took WAKING TO THE Roads Program this year what was known EARLY MORNING OF is $75.8 million (about as Lake Road half of the $156.85 mil(later James HUGE MACHINERY Street North) to BEEPING, OR EARTH lion set aside for Police Services). get to the harPOUNDING THAT bour. Roads in SHAKES THE WALLS An unseen and different outlying areas OF NEARBY HOMES. cost is borne at the local expanded with level. Neighbourhoods time, their shape around Locke Street dictated by where South, for instance, have people needed to been undergoing what feels like conget to rather than design. tinual phases of upheaval for months Street names were very simple in the now — even through the winter. No early days, which is why our city’s fun for the workers for sure, and most prominent thoroughfare was with the road down to soil level since just called Main Street. And because the spring, local businesses have felt the British Crown granted farm lots to the pinch, some closing their doors United Empire Loyalists who fled the altogether.

There’s more to road repair, of course, than waking to the early morning of huge machinery beeping, or earth pounding that shakes the walls of nearby homes. Aging sewer lines are replaced or lined, uneven sidewalks updated, benches installed, and the promise of trees to be planted.

But till then, it’s sweaty, heavy, dirty work — and yes, most of it must be done in the summer. Excavation gets complicated in colder weather as water lines are more likely to get damaged and asphalt won’t set.

Road repairs take more than a village of muscle and co-ordination. Teams of city inspectors, for instance, stay on-site to check that the contractor is using the correct materials, the scope of work is being carried out, and that safety measures are being followed.

Not to mention directing pedestrians through a maze of closed sidewalks.

But in the thick of it all, a silver lining does shine through. If you ask residents for an upside to closing their road to traffic, you’ll hear that once construction is done for the day, it’s nice and quiet without the cars going past.

Which is pretty ironic when you think about it.

JULY 2019

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The importance of having a lawyer review a new Condominium Agreement of Purchase and Sale

DAVID IONICO

David is a partner with the law firm of McHugh Whitmore LLP, where he practices real estate and corporatecommercial law. David grew up in Stoney Creek and returned to the area to serve the local community after attending law school and working in Toronto.

When buying a new condominium unit from a builder, there are two primary documents that should be reviewed by a lawyer: the Agreement of Purchase and Sale (the “Agreement”) and the Disclosure Statement. Like any other real estate transaction, the Agreement sets out the contractual terms between the purchaser and the vendor (the builder), including a description of the property being purchased and the price. Unlike other real estate transactions, there is no standardized form of Agreement that builders use. Each builder has their own form of Agreement, which is typically much lengthier and more complicated than the standard resale form of Agreement. The Disclosure Statement, on the other hand, does not include anything specific to any particular purchaser. Rather, it’s a package of documents specific to the development as a whole, intended to provide a purchaser

with information about the development and the condominium that will ultimately be created. When spending a significant sum of money on a new condominium unit (which at the time the Agreement is signed has usually not yet been constructed), it is crucial to retain a lawyer to review and explain the finer details of these documents.

Condominium law in Ontario provides a cooling-off period (called the “rescission period”), which provides purchasers of new condominium units (not resale units) an opportunity to have the Agreement and Disclosure Statement reviewed by their lawyer. Purchasers have ten calendar (not business) days from the time that the builder provides them with both the fully-signed Agreement and the Disclosure Statement to terminate the transaction and have their deposit returned. It’s important that a lawyer be retained immediately after purchasing a unit to review these documents as it will typically take lawyers a few days to do so. It should be noted that if a builder makes any material changes to the Disclosure Statement at any time prior to the purchaser taking ownership of the property, the 10-day rescission period will be re-triggered.

Some of the more significant aspects of the transaction that should be discussed during a lawyer’s review are outlined below.

ADJ USTM E NT S TO THE PURC H ASE PR I CE

the date that the Agreement is signed.

If a cap of, let’s say, $5,000 is placed on this adjustment, a purchaser can be certain that they will not have to pay more than $5,000 in this regard. Without a cap, the buyer’s liability is theoretically unlimited.

Purchasers are often surprised that, unlike in a resale transaction, the purchase price that they agreed to is not the total amount that they will have to pay on closing. There are typically additional charges built into the body HA R MON I ZED SAL ES of the Agreement, which are referred TAX (HST) to as “adjustments” (ie. increases) to the purchase price. Depending on the Whereas there is no HST payable on builder and the nature of the develop- the purchase of a resale home, there is ment, these can result in an extra few HST payable on the purchase of a new thousand dollars to tens of thousands of home (including a condominium unit). dollars — hence why it’s crucial to have Typically, HST is handled by including a lawyer explain it in the purchase these potential price specified in costs during the the Agreement IT'S IMPORTANT THAT A rescission period other than the LAWYER BE RETAINED while the puramount of any IMMEDIATELY AFTER chaser still has HST rebate that PURCHASING A UNIT an opportunity the purchaser TO REVIEW THESE to back out of the will receive from DOCUMENTS transaction. the Canada Revenue Agency Purchasers, with (CRA). Purchasthe assistance ers who move of their lawyers, may attempt to have into the property are entitled to a certain adjustments deleted but more return of a portion of the HST payimportantly, however, are to have able on the purchase – the HST rebate. “caps” (ie. a maximum amount) placed Instead of having purchasers pay this on the adjustments in order for buy- amount and claim a rebate after closing ers to budget properly. For example, from the CRA, builders simply do not Agreements typically provide that the charge this amount to purchasers and purchaser will pay any increases to instead take an assignment of the HST development charges applicable to the rebate from purchasers (ie. the CRA unit that the municipality levies after pays this amount directly to the builder

URBANICITY.COM after closing and the builder applies it to the HST that was payable but not collected).

The result is that, for buyers moving into the property being purchased, they don’t have to pay on closing any HST in addition to the agreed-upon purchase price. However, purchasers buying a property as an investment (ie. not moving into the property on closing) will have to pay to the builder the amount of HST equal to the HST rebate in addition to the agreed upon purchase price — this catches many purchasers who did not have the Agreement reviewed by a lawyer off guard, especially when told they need to pay additional tens of thousands of dollars to complete the transaction days before the transaction is scheduled to be completed. Investors who rent out the property for at least twelve months after closing may claim the HST rebate and a return of the additional HST paid after closing (builders will not accept an assignment in this situation). Investors who do not rent out the property for at least twelve months after closing (like flippers), will not be entitled to an HST rebate.

The above is an oversimplification of the rules surrounding the HST rebate; there are nuances (eg. a purchaser can have certain relatives move into the property and still be entitled to the HST rebate on closing) and certain actions may affect a purchaser’s entitlement to the HST rebate (eg. allowing a third-party renter to occupy the property first), so a purchaser should discuss their intentions with their lawyer to ensure that they do not inadvertently disqualify themselves.

R E NTA L CON T RAC T S The Agreement and Disclosure Statement will provide details as to any rental contracts that a purchaser will need to enter into after closing. For instance, it’s common that furnaces, water heaters, and similar equipment are not included in the purchase price and are not to be owned by purchasers upon closing. Rather, they remain the property of a third-party provider (eg. Reliance Home Comfort) and are leased to the purchaser or unit owner.

In such a case, the Agreement will obligate the purchaser to assume the rental contract(s), and as such, a purchaser should be aware of what they will not own and what their obligations in this regard will be (eg. monthly fees, cost to buyout the equipment, etc.).

ASSIG NM E NT A lot can happen between the time that an Agreement is signed and the completion of construction and the transaction (which is usually a number of years).

For financial, personal, or other reasons, a condo buyer may not be able to or even want to complete the purchase.

In this case, the purchaser would be wise to attempt to assign the Agreement to another purchaser (instead of simply failing to complete the transaction, which would be a breach of contract and expose the purchaser to significant liability). Alternatively, an invest o r- p u r c h a s e r may never intend on completing the purchase, but rather may intend on assigning the Agreement all along — locking in the purchase price, waiting for the unit’s value to increase while the building is being constructed and then assigning the Agreement at a higher price to another purchaser for a profit (ie. the higher purchase price less the purchase price stated in the Agreement). In any event, a purchaser should become familiar with how the Agreement deals with assignments.

Assignments are typically only permitted at the builder’s discretion and upon payment to the builder of an assignment fee. These fees could be a fixed number (usually thousands of dollars) or a percentage of the assignor’s profit.

INTE RIM OCC UPANC Y A N D C LOSING DATE S Buying a condominium unit is not the same as buying a parcel of land in the traditional sense (eg. a house in a subdivision). When an individual purchases and owns a condominium unit, they are in essence purchasing an interest in a legal construct — the condominium — as opposed to an interest purely in land.

Very briefly, the legal construct that is a condominium cannot be “created” until all units in the building are ready for occupancy. In turn, a builder cannot sell a condominium unit to a purchaser

until the condominium itself has been created. However, units in a future condominium building may become ready for occupancy at different times.

Typically, lower floors are completed and ready for occupancy sooner than higher floors.

To avoid having completed units sit empty, condominium law provides for something called “interim occupancy”.

Interim occupancy is like renting the unit from the builder until the entire condominium is created and legal title can be transferred to the purchaser.

When a purchaser’s unit is ready for occupancy, the builder will notify the purchaser and an “interim occupancy closing” will occur, which is really just the builder handing over keys of the unit to the purchaser and perhaps the purchaser paying an additional deposit.

The purchaser will have to pay monthly occupancy fees to the builder until final closing, which are comprised of the estimated maintenance costs, property taxes, and interest on the unpaid portion of the purchase price — this is the builder’s costs of carrying the unit.

In exchange, the purchaser will be able to occupy the unit prior to actually paying the full purchase price and owning the unit. If someone other than the purchaser occupies the unit during interim occupancy, this could affect the purchaser’s ability to claim the HST rebate and this would typically require the builder’s consent. When all units in the building are substantially complete, the builder can “create” the condominium as a legal entity and transfer legal title of the units to purchasers.

This is referred to as “final closing” and is when the balance of the purchase price becomes due.

Understandably, a builder cannot with certainty state when a purchaser’s unit will be ready for occupancy and when the condominium as a whole will be completed. Many aspects of the

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development and construction process are beyond a builder’s control, including delays in municipal approvals and availability of trades. For this reason, a builder’s Agreement will not provide a fixed closing date, whether for interim occupancy or final closing. Instead, the Agreement will provide a “tentative” occupancy date — the date that the builder expects to be able to complete the interim occupancy closing.

Almost without exception there are delays. By law, the builder must provide notice of any such delays in accordance with certain timelines, failing which they’ll have to provide certain compensation to the purchaser (“delayed closing compensation”).

More importantly, the Agreement provides for certain dates by which the builder must provide occupancy of the unit to the purchaser (the “outside occupancy date”) and transfer title to the purchaser. These dates are set out in a schedule to the Agreement of Purchase and Sale called the “Statement of Critical Dates”. By reviewing this Schedule, a lawyer is able to give a purchaser realistic expectations as to when they may ultimately come to occupy and own the unit.

OTHER CON SI DER ATI ON S The matters discussed above represent some of the more significant aspects of purchasing a new condominium unit from a builder. However, there are a number of other intricacies to this type of real estate transaction (eg. early termination conditions, Tarion warranty obligations, restrictions and rules surrounding use and occupation, etc.) that make retaining a lawyer immediately upon signing the Agreement to review the relevant documents a prudent decision. Especially for a first-time purchaser, the complexity of this type of transaction has great potential to lead to surprises both on and after closing without a proper review.

JULY 2019

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What to do on a rainy day?

Far From Home, live action Disney film The Lion King, and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, to name a few.

There are many theatres in Hamilton, but I would recommend Landmark Cinemas at Jackson Square because of their amazing recliner seats. Also good to keep in mind: most theatres offer discounts on Tuesdays.

If Hollywood blockbusters aren’t your go-to and you’re more into independent cinema and art house films, you should definitely check out the Westdale Theatre (1014 King St W) or Playhouse Cinema (177 Sherman Ave N).

This month, the Westdale Theatre is offering up experiences such as an allyou-can-eat-cereal Saturday morning retro cartoon party on July 6th, a Q&A with Ken LeFebour following the movie The Lunchbox on the 10th, Bif Naked live on the 11th, as well as a multitude of Hamilton Fringe Festival shows.

The Playhouse Cinema’s July lineup includes films Tolkien, The Dead Don’t Die (a zombie apocalypse movie with a star-studded cast), The Neverending Story, Wild Rose (a UK country singer wannabe on parole with ambitions to make it big in Nashville), The Fall of the American Empire, Saturday Night Fever, and the list goes on.

KIRSTEN ROESINK

Born in Toronto, raised in the Netherlands, living in Hamilton. Kirsten has a background in communication science and social media. She loves everything food and sports related, making Hamilton the perfect new hometown for her.

Summer has finally arrived. The sun is shining and outdoor activities like hiking one of the many trails, visiting the waterfalls, and patio hopping are all calling our names. Hamilton truly offers some great outdoor fun.

Unfortunately, not every day will be filled with sunshine. There will be the occasional grey, rainy day. But that doesn’t mean you have to stay inside and binge watch Netflix. There are tons of fun indoor activities to do around Hamilton. Here are six ways to spend a rainy summer day.

National Historic Site, Hamilton Military Museum, Fieldcote Memorial Park and Museum, Griffin House Museum, Whitehern Historic House and Museum, Hamilton Children’s Museum, Battlefield House Museum and Park and Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology. Just make sure everyone who’s joining you brings their library card to ensure free entry.

On July 27th and again on August 24th, the Dundurn National Historic Site is holding “MacNab’s Kitchen”, a paid event where costumed staff lead you through over 40 rooms while sharing the history of the MacNab family and servants’ 19th century home. Preregister for the event which also includes a traditional recipe cooking session. Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum is planning a Teen Quilt Academy week-long paid camp starting August 12th.

Whether it’s a paid event/tour or free entry with your library card, why not make it a summer goal to visit each museum?

TAKE A FRE E TR I P TO TH E TROPI CS Don’t let the weather stop you from being connected to nature. Another great free rainy day activity is the Tropical Greenhouse in Gage Park. The new Tropical Greenhouse opened this spring with the spring bulb show as its first big event.

The greenhouse is over 14,000 square feet (1,300 square metres) and features a collection of subtropical plants, unique species, and palm trees. You’ll find ponds with fish, turtles, and water lilies. And for those who are bummed out that they can’t visit one of Hamilton’s great waterfalls, you can also find a few in the greenhouse.

VISIT TH E HAMI L TON FARM E RS MA R K ET

V I SI T A M U S EU M

G O SE E A M OVIE

Of course visiting an outdoor farmers market is the ultimate summer experience. But don’t let a rainy day stop you from getting your local products. The indoor Hamilton Farmers Market is open all year-round.

The Hamilton Public Library offers much more than just books. With your Hamilton Public Library card, you can visit Hamilton’s Civic Museums for free. This includes: Dundurn

What better way to escape the rain than by watching a movie and eating tons of popcorn? This summer brings some promising Hollywood blockbusters: Toy Story 4, Yesterday, Spider-Man:

Over 60 vendors offer local, national and international foods, so you will definitely find what you’re looking for. Don’t forget to check out the food court located on the lower level. I’ve

had some of my best lunches in Hamilton here. Also, the cookies, squares, and tarts at Lina’s are to die for.

Extend your trip to the market by visiting the connected massive Hamilton Public Library Central location (go pick up your library card so you can visit the museums), Jackson Square shopping centre (go see a movie), and Hamilton’s City Center (go bowling at Thunder Alley).

EN JOY A COF F EE A N D A GOOD BOOK My favourite way to spend a rainy day is with a good cup of coffee and a good book. Aside from the many Hamilton Public Library locations, there are plenty of cafes in Hamilton where you can sit down and read for a few hours, while enjoying a cup of coffee and a nice treat. My personal favourites include Paisley Coffeehouse & Eatery in Westdale, Cannon Coffee Co. on Ottawa Street, and Mulberry Street Coffeehouse on James Street North.

For more ideas on great cafes to cozy up in, check out Urbanicity’s top 10 cafes in downtown Hamilton as well as the top 10 cafes that opened last year at urbanicity.com.

If you go to Mulberry, try to get a seat by the window so that you can look up from your book every once and a while and watch the world go by. Or check to see if it has stopped raining.

STAY ACTI V E I N DOOR S Just because you’re cooped up inside doesn’t mean that you can’t stretch the old legs. Go swimming at one of Hamilton’s indoor public pools, take the crew bowling at Mountain Lanes (Concession and Upper Wentworth), Thunder Alley (Hamilton City Center), or Splitsville Hamilton (1525 Stone Church Rd E). Play laser tag at Lazermania (865 Upper James St); or jump around on a seemingly infinite number of trampolines and foam pits at Flying Squirrel (1550 Upper James St).

Don’t forget to keep your brain active, too! For kids and teens, the Art Gallery of Hamilton offers summer camps and family fun days. Not too artsy? Check out a board game cafe such as Mancala Monk (1229 Cannon St E), Gameopolis (223 King St E), Black Knight Games (864 Mohawk Rd E) or Waypoint Games (97 King St W, Dundas).

For a real mind challenge, take your buddies to one of Hamilton’s many escape rooms such as The Crux (287 King St E or 847 Upper James St), Alcatraz (576 and 604 Concession St), Rubix Rooms (75 Lancing Dr), KeyMasters (305 Grays Rd, Stoney Creek), or Escape Canada (151 York Blvd).

URBANICITY.COM

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The mansion on top of Burlington Heights

AYOLT DE ROOS

Recently moved to Hamilton from Amsterdam, Ayolt is a huge fan of sports, craft beer, and good food. Currently loving The Hammer as his new home.

Up on Burlington Heights, off of York Boulevard, sits Dundurn Castle: a picturesque mansion from the 19th century, a steady top 10 TripAdvisor attraction for our city, and a must-visit for both Hamiltonians and visitors from far-and-wide.

T HE SHO R T H IS TO RY O F D UND UR N CAS T L E Let’s go back to the 1830s. On Burlington Heights lives Richard Beasley, one of the first Hamiltonians. His house sits in what is nowadays known as Dundurn Park, where just two decades beforehand a military encampment was established by the British.

Due to recent financial struggles, Beasley is forced to put up his land for sale.

Along comes Sir Allan Napier MacNab, railway magnate and lawyer (and who would later become one of Canada’s first premiers).

He purchases the land and commissions architect Robert Charles Wetherell to build Dundurn Castle on top of the foundations of the brick house currently on the grounds, making sure to incorporate some elements of the original military post into the new villa (such as an original gunpowder magazine from the war of 1812).

After three years and $175,000 spent, the mansion is completed in 1835. All 40 rooms are equipped with the latest conveniences, such as gas lighting and running water.

MacNab and his family would remain in the mansion — restoring and expanding it along the way — until his passing in 1862. All the while he enjoyed life to its fullest, making Dundurn Castle famous across the country for its great entertainment. It also boasted a stunning kitchen garden curated by gardener William Reid for over 25 years.

general public (Tue-Sun, noon-4pm).

By yourself or with a costumed tour guide, you can experience the daily life of the pre-confederation 1850s, the period of MacNab’s peak wealth. You will see how the wealthy family lived their lives upstairs, whilst the servants stayed downstairs, out of sight most of the day.

T H E C ITY OF H AM ILTON STE PS IN

The family’s legacy lives on today as the museum’s royal patron Camilla, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall is the great, great, great granddaughter of Sir Allan MacNab. She famously visited Dundurn in 2009.

After MacNab passed away, the mansion was for a period used as an institution for the deaf before being sold to business man and politician Donald McInnes in 1872 — this would be the last time the house was used as a family home. In turn, McInnes sold Dundurn Castle to the City of Hamilton in 1899 for a rumoured price of $50,000.

Over time a lot of effort has been put into renovations, ensuring that the public gets the best possible experience. The biggest of these came in the late 1960s, as part of the Canadian Centennial, when the provincial and national governments matched municipality investments in such renovations dollar-for-dollar.

In 1984, the site and all its buildings received the designation National Historic Site of Canada, making it just one of the 15 Hamilton sites with such a label.

D U N DURN CASTLE TODAY Nowadays, the Dundurn National Historic Site can be visited by the

There is, however, much more to the site than just the mansion and its famous lineage.

On the grounds, you will also find the Hamilton Military Museum. Here you can see displays on the role of women in the military, as well as battles such as World War I, World War II and the War of 1812. Additionally, you will see one of only two remaining dovecotes in Ontario; the other residing at Auchmar estate on the mountain. Neighbouring the dovecote you will find both the Coach House and MacInnes Stable.

The grounds also house the Cockpit, gardener’s cottage, and kitchen garden.

During the summer you can drop by for historic garden tours. Garden coordinator Victoria Bick sticks to the castle’s 19th century roots, using traditional gardening methods to curate plants that would have been available in Hamilton during that time period rather than simply planting today’s current

trends. Furthermore, the garden hosts over 200 historic varieties of the same vegetables, fruits, and flowers instead of a massive crop of just a single variety.

The vast majority of the home-grown produce stays on site, used to make recipes from the 1800s in Dundurn’s own Historic Kitchen.

These dishes, including pickled veggies and homemade jams, are served to tour-goers throughout the year.

You can also snag a taste by attending a cooking class or social event at the castle. Any leftover crops from the garden are donated to foodbanks. As a fun partnership last year, the garden produced hops that were used in a traditional beer recipe brewed by Valentino’s Restaurant!

If you know you’ll be visiting Dundurn in advance, you can sign up for a preregistered event such as Dundurn at Dusk (a sunset tour on July 19th that involves a view of the Bay through the rarely opened Cockpit building as well as a food sampling from Dundurn’s own gardens), historic cooking workshops (next one is July 21st), or even consider planning your own social gathering at the Coach House, built in 1870.

WAN T TO K N OW M O R E AB O U T D U N D U R N CAS T L E ?

The tour guides at Dundurn Castle are very happy to welcome you and tell you all they can about the history of this beautiful site. Tours run about every 30 minutes and last approximately 1 hour.

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The

Best

Patios in Hamilton

GOW N & G AV EL 24 Hess St S, Hamilton (905) 523-8881

Operating between two converted Victorian homes, this Hess Village patio boasts a duo life as it transforms from a relaxing, peaceful lunch setting to a spicy summer late night party. Sip a caesar or suck back a sangria as you take in the lively Hess atmosphere and beauty of the cobblestone and Victorian buildings.

Gown & Gavel hosts patio parties every Friday and Saturday from May til October with live music. Don't let this patio pass you by.

THE S H IP

23 Augusta St, Hamilton (905) 526-0792

The Ship knows their patrons love a good patio — that’s why they offer two. The front patio offers comfortable chairs, umbrellas, and a great view of Augusta Street (home to several other wonderful patios). The area feels like a small-town, friendly neighbourhood since guests will chat up people in the patios next door or say hi to friends they see passing by on the popular street.

The back patio offers covered booths, high tables, and stools. The hanging string lights and vine-covered wall add to the tranquil ambience of the patio, especially after the sun goes down.

LIM ANI AT FIFTY

1479 Baseline Rd, Stoney Creek (905) 643-7277

With 5,000 square feet of patio, Limani at Fifty is the city's largest patio. Located in Stoney Creek's east end within Fifty Point, those who drive out this far will be rewarded with a beautiful view overlooking the yacht club's marina.

If you're going to venture out this far, why not make a day out of it? Limani and the surrounding marina are part of the larger Fifty Point conservation area which has a rock and sand beach as well as a view overlooking Lake Ontario.

COAC H & L ANTE RN PUB 384 Wilson St E, Ancaster (905) 304-7822

Love architecture and Canadian history? Coach & Lantern’s patio offers that and plenty of character.

The patio sits between two buildings, one of which is the pub itself that was built around 1823 and is the 3rd oldest building in Ancaster. Old stone walls and ivy make for a beautiful backdrop to any meal.

The buildings typically provide plenty of shade for the patio, but for those allergic to the sun there are umbrellas for when the light shines through. During the summer months, they have outdoor live acoustic sets every Sunday evening!

HAMBR GR

49 King William St, Hamilton (289) 389-1212

After a 5 month renovation, HAMBRGR's King William location has doubled in size for both the inside and out. By merging with the former FSH & CHP space, their wrought-iron enclosed patio has widened and for the summer months a secondary wooden pop-up patio is located on the street to allow even more seating. When combined with the seats inside, HAMBRGR can hold 100 people at a time.

Their mantra of well-crafted, locally sourced burgers paired with craft beer has been a winning combination since they opened in 2015.

BL ACK F OR EST I N N 255 King St E, Hamilton (905) 528-3538

New to the scene as of last summer is Black Forest Inn's Biergarten, bringing the classic German restaurant to a stunning outdoor setting. The seating area spans the entire width of the building, offering mature trees, string lights, and a mural to keep you feeling cozy.

The best feature of this patio is the outdoor beer taps and barbecue which is the only licenced outdoor grill that can be used year-round in the City of Hamilton.

The food is all German-inspired, which is a nice break from standard pub fare. Schnitzel, sausage, goulash, cabbage rolls — all staples for this Hamilton icon.

URBANICITY.COM

M OO DY S

ABE RDE E N TAVE RN

107 George St, Hamilton (289) 309-6449

432 Aberdeen Ave, Hamilton (905) 523-7707

Making full use of their outdoor space, Moodys offers great selection when it comes to their patio. There are three sections to their patio, all suiting different customer’s needs.

Aberdeen Tavern’s patio makes for a posh outdoor oasis. The exterior walls are covered in thick vines with birds nests, making for a pleasant bird watching experience as you eat your meal.

Like people watching? Take a table closest to the road to see what’s happening on the street. Like a little more shade and less road noise? A table closer to the front of their building is a great spot for you.

Need more shade or dining with a large group?

There’s a spot for you under their covered patio.

The furniture is made out of sturdy wrought iron, and the chairs are covered in comfortable black and white cushions. Wedged between two multistorey buildings, the patio is naturally shaded in the mornings and evenings with umbrellas providing shade when the sun is directly overhead.

Moodys has plenty of patio space for everyone — not to mention some incredible pizza and fantastic dishes.

Aberdeen Tavern’s patio is ideal for a relaxing dining experience, making for the perfect place to sit in the lap of luxury.

B ARA N G A ' S O N T H E BE AC H 380 Van Wagners Beach Rd, Hamilton (905) 544-7122

Opening its doors in 1992, Baranga’s on the Beach has been a long-time staple in Hamilton’s outdoor dining scene. Only steps away from the beachfront, Baranga’s is known to be a lively place packed full of patrons during the summer months.

Offering one of the largest waterfront patios in Ontario allows for plenty of different seating options. You can go for the traditional tables and chairs accompanied by an umbrella, or take a seat on some extremely comfortable furniture under the covered patio section. With plenty of string lights, greenery, and privacy while still overlooking the lake, this patio can do no wrong.

The above reasons would have been enough to rank Baranga's number one, but this restaurant offers guests even more to cement it as our top spot. One big attraction is the adjacent party area known as the Sands Lounge complete with a stage for live music, a bar, and lounge seating. And if that wasn't enough, the restaurant has a private volleyball court with soft sand to enjoy right beside the waterfront trail.

This is all to say that if you’re heading down to Confederation Park region this summer, Baranga’s on the Beach is a must-visit, especially if you're looking for the perfect place to take someone special who enjoys long walks on the beach — which is everyone, of course!

13

R A DI U S

151 James St S, Hamilton (905) 393-1658

Radius’ patio is one of a kind in the city of Hamilton.

The restaurant operates a multi-level patio, spanning from the ground floor all the way to their rooftop.

There's plenty of seating on their private ground floor patio. Whether you prefer a booth, tables and chairs, or sitting right at the bar, they've got you covered. The atmosphere is relaxed and summer ready — the umbrellas, wooden beams, mood lighting, and waterfall really capture the essence of outdoor living.

The rooftop patio is filled with comfortable backyard furniture and resembles a lounge. Plenty of greenery brightens up the space, while string lights are hung to create a whimsical feeling during nightfall.

JULY 2019

14

CO NTI NUE D F RO M FRO N T PAG E

get over with. “It’s kind of like going to the dentist,” Raine explains. “You just have to do it.”

on a building on Locke Street in late 2018 to allow her to expand The Wax Lounge to better serve the city.

Raine didn’t start her business simply because she wanted to be an entrepreneur. The idea for her own spa began when she thought about what all those previous experiences were missing.

“What if it was dark, with zen music playing?” she wondered. Over time, more ideas came to mind of what the ideal situation would be. Raine wanted to ensure her clients would arrive to her spa feeling calm and finish the treatments feeling relaxed, pampered, and soothed.

In addition to the famous so-relaxingyou’ll-fall-asleep pedicure (it really is that good), her spa offers full body waxing, facials, lash work, massages, and brow microblading. Of course, with rooms as tranquil as these, the Lounge’s Brazilian wax is among their signature services. And with Raine’s background and expertise in makeup artistry, she is renowned for her brow work, both shaping with wax and as a certified PhiBrows microblading artist (the first to be certified in Hamilton!).

Raine says, “It’s more than just applying wax and removing stray hairs; it’s understanding the face and how the brow frames it.”

As the concept materialized, she decided to open her own spot — a holistic beauty bar with high quality, ecoconscious, cruelty-free vegan products.

Natural avocado butter, coconut oil, and essential oils are used in the manicures, pedicures, and massages, along with organic, fair-trade scrub and treatment balms made in-house.

The Wax Lounge opened in February 2014 on Ottawa Street with custom plush heated beds nestled in darkened private rooms with candlelight. Clients were treated to services in ways they had never seen before, including pedicures while laying down, under the comfort of a blanket and an eye mask.

Word spread across Hamilton of her small spot on Ottawa Street with the unique take on beauty treatments.

Appointments booked up so quickly a waiting list started. After a hunt for a new spot, the spa connoisseur settled

For other services, including reflexology, aromatherapy, and microdermabrasion to name a few, Raine hires staff who are experts at their craft. “Everyone only works on services they excel at. Reputation is everything, and we want each client to have only the best at every visit.” Each employee specializes in the service they are performing, so you know you are getting a highlyskilled professional each time. Not only are you getting a top tier aesthetician – you will receive unique and catered services. Since The Wax Lounge does not subscribe to a one-size-fits-all solution, each appointment begins with a personalized consultation to determine how best to suit your needs.

The spa also supports local by offering all-natural beauty products from

female makers in the area for you to enjoy at home or to gift to someone special. The most popular items include soaps, scrubs, bath bombs, deodorants, body butters, lotions, and lip balms.

After over 20 years in the cosmetics industry, Raine truly believes wisdom comes with time. She knows that it’s fine to have a daily beauty routine, but that “It’s about letting go of the need to have our identity tied to our beauty.”

Raine’s goal is to create experiences for clients so that they leave feeling their energy replenished and, as cliché as it sounds, beautiful on both the inside and the outside. And in return, she’s happy just knowing someone has chosen her place to come and unwind or that someone picked The Wax Lounge to buy a gift card for a loved one. “I’m thankful for the community of people choosing to come to our place every day,” says Raine. “If people didn't come back or tell their friends about us, we wouldn’t be here. I’m truly grateful.”

“WHAT IF IT WAS DARK, WITH ZEN MUSIC PLAYING?” SHE WONDERED. OVER TIME, MORE IDEAS CAME TO MIND OF WHAT THE IDEAL SITUATION WOULD BE.

The Wax Lounge has garnered many awards and accolades behind its name.

You can follow their work on Twitter @The_wax_lounge, Instagram @thewaxloungehamilton, or Facebook @thewaxloungelockestreet Raine invites you to take a relaxing self-care moment at The Wax Lounge.

One thing is clear when it comes to the catering provided by Raine and her team of experts: no matter what service you go for or how you look when you arrive, you’ll leave feeling rejuvenated and glowing.

STEFANI SOLIMAN

Stefani is a social media marketer & freelance editor. She's an avid supporter of local businesses, Canadian-made goods & fashion. Along with her love of dogs, punctuation, & the ‘90s, Stefani is a keen recycler and instrument collector. Tell her a corny joke and you’ll be friends for life.

URBANICITY.COM

15

You’re a graduate – now what? professional end goal? What are the steps to get you there?

JENNA YEOMANS

Jenna is a senior marketing student at Mohawk College and an aspiring entrepreneur. She loves creativity, goal setting, and learning new things. She is also a huge supporter of the growing specialty coffee scene in Hamilton.

Graduation: Excitement. Uncertainty.

Relief. Fear. More excitement.

Graduating is equally as exciting as it can be scary. You’ve worked so hard to get to this moment, and truly there’s a wealth of opportunities in store for you, but yet the question often remains — now what? Here are five things to help set yourself up for a successful future after graduation, both professionally and personally. You’ll need a notebook, a LinkedIn profile, motivation, and perserverance.

01. DON’T FORGET YOUR PASSION

Think about the following: What made you go to school and go into that program in the first place? What problems in the world do you want to solve?

What are your dreams? What is your

Staying true to the answers as much as possible and keeping the end goal in mind will help you navigate a lot of decisions: financial, professional (where and what you apply for, how you sell yourself on your resume and in the interview), and even personal ones such as your geographic location.

02. DO SOME JOB SEARCHING AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE

Do you have a company in mind that you’d love to work for? Connect with them on LinkedIn and be sure to write them a personal message when you do.

Interact with their content, like their company page, and make them aware of who you are. You never know what opportunities might come up! If you don’t have any companies in mind, start researching online or through job boards.

While having a solid online presence is a good start, do know that most opportunities are not posted on job boards or online at all – most positions are filled with candidates found through word of mouth. Ask people in your current network if they know of ayone in your field

they can refer you to or connect you with. You should be actively networking by going to events, workshops, panels, and really anything where you’ll be in a room full of people you don’t know as this is an amazing chance to practice your pitch and make memorable impressions. You never know what valuable connections or friendships you might make along the way.

03. GET REAL WITH MONEY

Being “good” with money can be tricky while you’re in school. It’s certainly not impossible and some seem to be really organized with their finances no matter how busy they are or what financial baggage they carry. But if budgeting, saving, and being smart with your dollars isn’t in your wheelhouse, don’t fret! There are many great resources in Hamilton that can help you along the way, including Ambitious Adulting and Paper & Coin, both specializing in Millenial finances.

Take the time now to learn healthy habits that will leave you feeling in control and less stressed in the long run. Afterall, it’s not just about making money, it’s about what you do with it.

04. MAKE TIME FOR YOUR HOBBIES AND EXERCISE

Finding time for hobbies during the school year is hard, I know. And now the hustle is moving from completing schoolwork to starting your career.

Carving out time for both exercise and the things you enjoy can seem difficult, but it’s so beneficial for your mental health and overall enjoyment of life.

Having something you care about to occupy your time outside of work has been shown to improve your work performance, too. Don’t let work make you lose sight of the things you cherish.

05. TAKE TIME TO REFLECT

It can be easy to downplay everything that you’ve achieved and how you’ve grown throughout your education.

However, it’s critical to reflect on it.

Reflection turns experience into learning and thoughts into values. It brings clarity to unhealthy habits, mistakes, and ways you’ve mishandled time.

Conversely, it helps clarify goals, generate ideas, reduces stress, and makes you happier. The lessons that you’ve learned, whether it be self-discipline, teamwork, leadership, or tenacity, amongst many other things, will not go to waste during your career so be sure to take note of them and apply them routinely to your daily life.

“ Gives birth to a brand new star named Jessie Buckley!”

- Globe and Mail

SEE WHAT’S HATCHING AT NEST! Unique Canadian handmade gifts and home decor items for animal lovers.

171 Locke St. S. Unit 2 nesthamilton.com info@nesthamilton.com

JULY 12-21 177 Sherman Ave. North playhousecinema.ca

JULY 2019

16

Onstage and off, one-man show Monster is a full cast of characters

BEYOND JAMES

Launched in 2019, Beyond James is an independent blog focusing on news and reviews of the Hamilton arts community.

Passionate about the power of the arts and culture to unite communities, Beyond James recognizes that great art isn’t confined to one space or one street in Hamilton: it’s everywhere.

From the very start of Monster, the audience is an active participant. During the play’s opening, a voice is heard rudely quieting a neighbour in a movie theatre.

Unknowingly, this one gesture makes the audience complicit to the stories of abuse, addiction, and violence that are woven together through a dozen or more characters all connected to each other through a single event that is the premise of Monster. While this may sound unnerving, creating a collaborative space for audience and actors onstage to explore theatre together is central to the work of Twitches and Itches Theatre, who will be performing Daniel MacIvor’s Monster at Theatre Aquarius’ Studio Space as part of the 2019 Hamilton Fringe Festival.

“There may be one person on stage, but the piece is much less about one person and more about inviting the

audience in and playing with the contract that inherently exists between performers and audience members,” says Colin Bruce Anthens, co-founder of Twitches and Itches Theatre and solo cast member in Monster. “We’re performing a play that is about the people in the space together at that particular moment … and we’re all in this together.”

but also performed in another Daniel MacIvor play, House, with Stolen Theatre Collective. Monster represents an opportunity for a return to acting, and for a fellow-ensemble member to share leadership while Anthens explores new creative freedoms.

To portray that dozen characters and overlapping visions of Monster, Anthens has been studying the script Although Anthens will stand alone on to learn the nuances, faults, and collostage at the Hamilton Fringe Festival, quialisms of each character to transhe’s no stranger to working with an form into each one seamlessly. Addiaudience and large group to create a tionally, Twitches and Itches will rely production. Founded in 2009, Twitches on sound cues to create dreamscapes, and Itches Theatre creates original lighting, and visual elements to mirror a suspension of work through colreality with minilaboration. Dubbed HUMANS ARE mal props to ensure

by Anthens as an EMPATHETIC that the audience’s “actor’s company”, CREATURES, YET awareness of the the St. Catharine’sWE ARE ALSO essentials onstage is based ensemble DRAWN TO DARK heightened. Regardallows actors to grow from their collecSTORIES OF MORBID less of the character he is portraytive experiences as DESTRUCTION […] ing in the moment, they use theatre as a THIS PLAY ASKS Anthens will stay mode of storytelling.

HOW WE DEAL WITH in the same spot on THAT AS A SOCIETY stage for the majorMonster has had a ity of the producprofound impact on Anthens, who originally saw the tion, allowing the world to be built play in 2007, following its nomination and go on around him. As clues are for the Governor General’s Award for dropped and pieces of a tragedy is Drama. “I was in my first year of col- pieced together, the audience will be lege,” he recalled. Since then, Anthens able to make their own judgements. has spent much of his time directing the Twitches and Itches ensemble, “Monster deals with a complex

TWITCHES AND ITCHES THEATRE PRESENT "MONSTER" July 18-28, various dates & times (as part of the Hamilton Fringe Festival) Theatre Aquarius Studio (190 King William Street) HamiltonFringe.ca/tickets

paradox,” Anthens stated. “Humans are empathetic creatures, yet we are also drawn to dark stories of morbid destruction […] This play asks how we deal with that as a society; and what is underneath the way that we operate right now. The questions that are asked through Monster don’t go away. They linger.” There are no definitive conclusions drawn during the performance; instead, audience members draw their own conclusions as facts are presented to them. “The audience learns that it is a lot like the narrator, and that the narrator is like the audience. And it’s uncomfortable and unnerving and we have to ask questions around that. But ultimately, it leaves judgement to the audience.”

URBANICITY.COM

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Barton Street Battalion make soccer for all a priority

SHAWN SMITH

Shawn is a writer from Hamilton. He enjoys sports, music, and reading. His work has appeared in The Globe and Mail and on Bleacher Report, Vice Sports, and Sportsnet.ca

On April 27th, the Canadian Premier League held their inaugural game at Tim Hortons Field, when the hometown Forge FC took on provincial rival York 9.

For weeks leading into the game, the city was abuzz. The Forge FC colours – orange, black and white – were everywhere. It seemed as though you couldn’t go near downtown without seeing a billboard of Kyle Bekker and Kwame Awuah kicking a ball or posing.

But the excitement that had taken root across the city had less to do with the billboards and more to do with the hard work of a growing fanbase. On gameday, the Barton Street Batallion – Forge FC’s supporter’s group – could be heard throughout the entire stadium, loud and proud of their hometown squad.

The CPL made its debut this year as the home for Canadian soccer; a place

where Canadian players can play regular games against competitive sides from across the country, expanding their skills for a potential move to the world’s bigger leagues or create a career right here at home. As well, many of these young players will be looking to impress Soccer Canada for a potential spot on the 2026 World Cup roster for Canada’s national team.

The Barton Street Battalion, formed in early 2016 in preparation for the 2019 season, has been hard at work over the past three years in recruiting members and expanding the city’s interest in soccer. They’ve met regularly to go over ideas and develop game-day songs and banners.

The group has made Section 112 of Tim

Hortons Field a rambunctious place for people of all kinds to feel supported and welcome in the confines of a soccer community. Being a part of the Hamilton community is an important part of what the Barton Street Battalion are bringing to Hamilton — their 2018 Battalion Charity Cup raised $1,200 for Interval House of Hamilton.

And while supporters’ groups often can have negative connotations – many European supporter groups have become known for their vile hooliganism – groups like Hamilton’s Barton Street Battalion are spreading a message of positivity and inclusivity. The group has made it clear that they will not condone and allow racism, sexism, or any other kind of discrimination within their ranks.

THE GROUP HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY WILL NOT CONDONE AND ALLOW RACISM, SEXISM, OR ANY OTHER KIND OF DISCRIMINATION WITHIN THEIR RANKS. As part of Pride month, the group released a special edition Barton Street Battalion flag with the rainbow flag colours in the background and a clear message along the bottom of the scarf: All Are Welcome. The money raised by selling the scarves went to a local LGBTQ charity.

The group has only increased in popularity since the beginning of the season. Sitting anywhere near Section 112 means you’re in for a treat as the group works their way through a collection of clever, well-developed and often hilarious songs related to their love of Forge FC. And if you want to get in on the action, the group is always looking to grow their membership.

For more information, bartonbattalion.ca

visit

JULY 2019

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The story of how the restaurant Jack & Lois came to go concepts and they also know when to pull out and start fresh.

ANONYMOUS

Age 43, Dad. 5 years with the Department of Foreign Affairs. A decade in the film industry and a decade as a restaurateur.

Avid learner of lessons the hard way.

The first time around at Jack & Lois, we did a lot of things right.

We were voted best new restaurant by Hamilton Magazine. We got on the TV show ‘You Gotta Eat Here’, E-Talk Canada, Vice Canada, as well as numerous articles and accolades for our food and our patio.

But I also did a lot of things wrong and humility has been my greatest teacher over the past 10 years. Hopefully I can help some potential entrepreneurs steer clear of some dangers with this next piece.

First off: Recognize your actions and their consequences before you spend all your energy looking at what everyone else is doing wrong. It’s a lot easier to correct a problem when you know that you’re doing things right. Having said that, don’t beat yourself up trying to meet EVERYONE’S expectations.

Find a benchmark and operate based on that.

If you’re going to get into the restaurant business, follow the model of The Other Bird. That group knows good

I didn’t have any model to follow when I fumbled into this. So… here are the things that I found out – the hard way – to be of the utmost importance when going into any business, but especially the restaurant business.

GET A GOOD ACCOUNTANT AND BOOKKEEPER FROM DAY ONE Sit with them. Learn and understand their processes with the intention of being able to do it yourself. When you know what’s happening, it’s like playing a word search in bold print. When you don’t know what’s happening, and the CRA comes knocking, it’s like trying to do a Rubik’s cube in the dark.

Here was my situation: I incorporated while working in film and stayed on top of all of my returns. I used the CRA website and phone line (which were both surprisingly helpful) to learn how to run a corporation. I was my own bookkeeper at the time. Then I opened the restaurant and two months later had twin boys, all while still working full time in film.

My books got behind fast, so I hired a Certified General Accountant (CGA) to take over and his rates were astronomical… so I fired him. That was my first mistake. My second mistake was to hire a series of bookkeepers that were only concerned on catching me up and were not concerned with keeping my remittances current. Hence, I fell further behind and my penalties and interest

were increasing exponentially. Then I was paid a visit from the CRA. We got on a payment plan and I paid off what was owing.

Once that was complete I went back to a CGA. I sat in his office with all of his staff and explained my situation. I told them all that I had just dug out of a hole and could not afford one more mistake with the CRA — I was crystal clear on this. Nine months later I woke up to find that my accounts were frozen and the CRA had seized any available funds. My accountant hadn’t filed my last three quarters of HST. It took them only two days to get all three quarters filed based on estimated numbers. When I asked the assistant why they didn’t do that in the first place, she replied “I don’t know”.

NEGOTIATE A 5+5 LEASE AND HAVE A COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AGENT LOOK IT OVER For a residential lease, the landlord can not increase the rent more than 4% (generally) per annum for the duration of the time that you live in your residence. The rules are completely different for a commercial lease. The landlord has the law on his/her side when it comes to rent increases. You could sign a 1 year lease at $1,000 per month, sink $100,000 of your money into a property to get it operational and the landlord could increase your rent to $10,000 per month on your renewal, with no governing bodies to protect you or your investment.

Here was my situation: I was to pay

for any improvements to the property — aesthetic, structural, electrical. I asked for a 5 year + 5 year lease, but was refused. I was instead given one year. It was a straightforward two page lease at $900 per month with the promise that when we re-signed, the rent increase would be reasonable. I put in about $30,000 of my money into the building the first year. The second lease saw my rent increase around 27%.

I was still responsible for all leasehold improvements and they would not count against my rent. It was another one year.

Every time it rained, my basement would flood. My electrical capacity was 100 amps — half of what a commercial property should be and not enough to run my restaurant. Twice my basement backed up with sewage. This was still on me.

The next few leases were two years in length and twice the landlord texted to inform me that he was increasing the rent mid-term and if I didn’t agree, then there was going to be a problem.

Also, part of my rent agreement was that I had to pay for the water usage for the tenant upstairs as the landlord didn’t want to pay for separate hot water tanks. “Sorry. Just the way it is,” I was told.

Here’s the story of my final lease: After numerous threats of losing my lease to another business, I finally succumbed to the landlord’s demands and threw in the towel. The stress alone was killing me slowly, knowing that I would have to go through this extortion every time

URBANICITY.COM that I needed to renew… and sometimes even in the middle of my lease.

I had accepted the fact that I was losing my business and sent my landlord an email stating that I was pulling out of the race for the lease at 301 James N.

vandalism that occurred due to my proximity to Mission Services, Barton Street & untrustworthy staff, I had only recovered $3,300 from my insurance company. The numbers weren’t good.

BE PRESENT AT YOUR

Two days later I get an email from the BUSINESS landlord informing me that he was going to accept my offer that he had You need to convey your vision through originally scoffed at. He brought me practice and preach. Be there when you a 20 page lease and wanted it signed say you’re going to be there. Follow the that day. I told him that I needed time same rules as staff. Have all of your cerfor a lawyer to look it over as we had tifications. Don’t drink during business only done two page leases in the past. hours!

He told me that he needed it back right away to get some financing from It’s rare to find someone who is going the bank. He said, to take care of AFTER NUMEROUS “It’s just a standard your business lease and nothing has and provide the THREATS OF LOSING changed from the last MY LEASE TO ANOTHER level and quallease.” I trusted him ity of service BUSINESS, I FINALLY and signed on for that you will.

SUCCUMBED TO THE another two years, as There are some LANDLORD’S DEMANDS pretty good fakI was glad to secure my business and I just ers out there AND THREW IN THE wanted the sick feelbut they usually TOWEL. THE STRESS ing of uncertainty out expose themALONE WAS KILLING of my stomach. selves after ME SLOWLY, KNOWING time.

THAT I WOULD HAVE Well… here’s the kicker: he wrote into Here was my TO GO THROUGH THIS page 19 that all chatsituation: When EXTORTION EVERY tels of Jack & Lois we opened the TIME THAT I NEEDED were now property doors on FebruTO RENEW… of him. This is NOT a ary 10th, 2012 standard lease clause! we were only Not in any galaxy. This meant that, operational from Friday to Sunday. I legally, everything that I had acquired was still working in film, but had weekover my 9 years of tenancy belonged ends off, so I could be there during to him. I didn’t realize that until I was most hours of operation. I was able to moving out after Supercrawl. talk to the customers and observe staff behaviours and practices.

So there I am dejected that I have to shut the doors on my business, We moved to six days of operation, exhausted from working 18 hours a my sons were born on April 6th, and day for the past week and now faced I needed to keep my job in film for with the fact that he can keep what- the first year to keep money coming ever he wants of mine. Oh… and to add in. This meant that I had to have the insult to injury, I get a call on Monday utmost trust and communication in my after Supercrawl at 9 am saying that he staff. That’s a very vulnerable position wants to change the locks in three days. for a business owner — do not do as I What a nice way to say thank you for did! your nine years of tenancy and thousands spent on improvements. Yes, he As a business owner, you’re supposed owned the building but I paid for it. to give directives and expect them to And I was walking away with nothing be followed. As I was absent from the but debt. business for a significant amount of the time, I felt like I was asking favours.

By the time I left 301 James St N, Then I was being taken advantage. my rent had increased 500% and My head chef refused to make salI had sunk about $80,000 of my ads, regardless of how many times I own money into improvements. told him that they needed to be on the Of the estimated $90,000 in theft and menu. I couldn’t fire him, because I

wasn’t financially ready to leave the film business… so I just had to take it.

A year later he quit and opened a salad emporium across the street from me.

If you are not there you can expect theft; theft of time and theft of product.

Some people will come in and clock in, then have a cigarette, get changed, talk for 15 minutes, and then start work.

They’ll have 10 cigarette breaks during their shift, then take an hour to do their closing duties that could have been done during their allotted shift time.

Crush a couple beers in the walk-in cooler, have a double whiskey on their way out, and tell the server to put it on their tab. If the server is their buddy, 90% of the time it never hits the books.

The profit margin is very narrow for restaurants and if you add up all of the wasted time and missing product, it will cost you tens of thousands of dollars per year if you are not there.

You won’t know that you have good staff until you’ve experienced the opposite.

When you do finally get there: treat them with respect / keep an open dialogue and make thoughtful improvements to their working environment.

Holly and I are very appreciative of our current staff.

FINAL PIECES OF ADVICE From my experience, if you follow those three major principles then you’ll greatly increase your chances of profitability and success.

And I just want to say this about the City, the big banks, and the Canada Revenue Agency: in all three entities there are good people that truly want to help you. Unfortunately, there are people that don’t, coupled with antiquated processes and laws. I witnessed this in my 5 years with the Department of Foreign Affairs and my time in the restaurant industry. Here are some quick point of advice.

City Hall: If you need something changed in the City, you meet the department heads face to face.

Banks: Branch managers have been stripped of their decision-making powers when it comes to lending and overdrafts. All final decisions come from Toronto and are made by people who know nothing about you, your personal investments, or achievements. Your

1. Canada Bread, owned by Mexican multinational corporation Grupo Bimbo.

2. The Niagara Escarpment.

3. Pier 8.

4. Erland Lee Home, which was designated in 2003 as a National Historic Site.

19

risk is assessed by a grid and in the restaurant industry, you are at the bottom of said grid.

CRA: If you’re the director of a corporation, you are personally responsible for all of the money owed to the Canada Revenue Agency. Even if the corporation dissolves.

IN CLOSING I have so much more to tell about the journey so far, both with Jack & Lois at 301 James N and with our new restaurant Pete & Kay at 946 King St W. I apologize that I’ve not given you much about the fun parts of the business. I’ve focused a lot on the challenges for two reasons: to let people know why we went the direction that we did AND to help people that are going in as naïve as I was. Maybe you can save yourselves some hardship.

It would be remiss if I did not state that there were lots of good times and even GREAT times. There are many cool stories about the people that we met along the way and the parties that were had.

Maybe I’ll pop up again somewhere, or you can come visit at the new resto and I’ll tell you the stories in person.

Huge thanks to Urbanicity for letting me get this off my chest. I appreciate this magazine and the people involved in making it happen.

ABOUT THAT AGCO STORY To answer the cliff-hanger from last issue, what happened was that I called the officer that issued the charge. This is what I said: “I just want to thank you and your officers for the tact and candour in which you all operated last night. I also want to thank you for your leniency and to let you know that I will plead guilty with no contest on November 3rd.”

So for the next three months, the fate of my restaurant hung in the hands of the justice system. I showed up on November 3rd at 10:30 am to the John Sopinka Courthouse only to find that my name wasn’t on the docket. I spoke to the prosecutor and he informed me that there were no charges filed against me.

The AGCO officers didn’t submit the infractions. YESSSS!!!

You always just want to hang out on the same wire. Let’s go somewhere new!

We could try Bayfront?

I always love the patios on George Street or King William — we could go there?

Wait...The Mule has that lovely little covered patio so we’ll still be dry if it rains.

It’s a beautiful, summer-y day.

Where can we get some fresh air?

...you mean like on this wire we’re hanging out on?

OR I heard that Odds just got a giant front window that opens all the way, so there’s lots of fresh air in there.

Or... I guess we could just stay here.

But there’s no beer here.

Tacos. Tequila. Bourbon. And... A Patio!

Your local bar.

Close to you. Close to things you like.

41 king william street open ‘til 2AM, every single day.

164 james street south open seven days a week.