Happy & Safe Holidays - 2020

NOVEMBER 2020

SUPPORTING LOCAL & SAFE HOLIDAY SHOPPING

ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015

Georgia & Stefan Graci Gear Up For The Holiday Shopping Rush at TheStockRoom.ca - Etobicoke’s Local, Safe, Fun & Easy Solution to Pandemic Holiday Shopping!

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www.EtobicokeLakeshorePress.com

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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

MASTHEAD EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS KELLY FARRELL Founder and Director at Oak Learners; Private Alternative School in Mimico

MIKE WIXSON Producer of the Etobicoke Lakeshore Podcast & Owner of The Pod Plant

BILL ZUFELT Long Branch Resident and Chair of the History & Culture Committee, LBNA

BRAD JONES President & Owner of Ridley Funeral Home in New Toronto

DEREK STOCKLEY KAM SARAN Principal, Lakeshore Campus; Dean, South Etobicoke Resident and Faculty of Social & Community Services Community Lead at Office146 AMANDA KIRKLAND DR. MELANIE DECUNHA, ND Self-Care Coach helping busy people Naturopathic Doctor and Founder of get organized and simplify their lives.

ONE Health Services in Long Branch JONATHAN NHAN Pharmacist & Associate Owner at Shoppers Drug Mart in Long Branch

JAMES MALONEY Member of Parliamen for the riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore

DR. TIMOTHY KODSI South Etobicoke Resident & Medical Lead at Mimico Medical

REUBEN MCCALLUM Realtor and Grey County Resident; Good-Bye City...Hello, Grey County!

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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

FREE 3-DAY PASS +1 HOUR

BOARDROOM CREDIT

To redeem this offer please contact our Community Manager by email (info@office146.com) phone (416 855-4142) or stop by for a free tour!

SUPPORTING ESSENTIAL THROUGH COVID-19 FOLLOW USSERVICES ON Ř @OFFICE146 FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @OFFICE146

JAMES MALONEY CANADA REMEMBERS

JAMES MALONEY Member of Parliament Etobicoke-Lakeshore

As we continue to navigate the unsettling waters of COVID (as I write this, the numbers keep going up), I am reminded that our world has been through many challenges. We will get through this together, but we need to work together.

COVID is not going anywhere and while we all are experiencing some COVID fatigue, we must remain vigilant as it is a relentless opponent. So, please, continue to wash your hands, sanitize, wear your mask, stay six feet apart and follow the health guidelines.

The holiday season is upon us and I know that this year things are going to look and feel different.

When our kids are older, they won’t remember every Christmas, but they will remember this one.

So let’s not focus on what we can’t do and focus on what we can do and celebrate with style and make it one they want to remember.

Before we get to the holidays, we mark another very important milestone. This year is the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and from November 5th to the 11th during Remembrance Week, we honour those who have served Canada, past and present in times of war, military conflict and peace. Between 1939 and 1945, more than one million Canadians and Newfoundlanders served around the world during the Second World War, helping restore peace and freedom. From Normandy to the North Atlantic to the Pacific, on land, at sea and in the sky, and on battlefields across the world, more than 45,000 gave their lives.

will live on in all of us.

While we will be limited by restrictions on in-person commemorations, I encourage you to visit the veterans.gc.ca website. It is an incredible resource where you can learn about the battles and wars Canada has fought in, where you can hear from veterans themselves in the podcast, Faces of Freedom. From the Battle of the Atlantic to the Liberation of the Netherlands and the battles in between, discover their stories and those of others who served and sacrificed for our country.

Every year, we wear a poppy as a symbol of remembrance for war dead. It became the symbol not only in Canada, but in the countries of the British Commonwealth and the US. The flower owes its significance to the poem, In Flanders Fields, written by Major (later Lieutenant-Colonel) John McCrae, a field surgeon in the Canadian artillery, in the midst of the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium in May 1915.

You can learn more about his life on the veterans.gc.ca site.

This year, more than ever, we need to come together to remember those brave Canadians who fought for our freedom. Thank you to each one of them. #CanadaRemembers. #LestWeForget.

Stay up to date on the COVID-19 pandemic at www.canada.ca/coronavirus and download the COVID Alert App.

Veterans are passing the torch to the Canadians so knowledge and memory of their sacrifices will continue and grow and the values they fought for

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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

- James Maloney

TABLE OF CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2020 JAMES MALONEY...p6

PERSONAL FINANCE...p23

Etobicoke-Lakeshore MP, James Maloney kicks off this edition with a message of Remembrance.

Our friends at Moya Financial on Brown’s Line offer tips to creating (and sticking to) a Holiday Budget.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE...p8

FAMILY LIFE...p26

Welcome to our November Edition. Wishing all a very Safe and Happy Holiday Season!

Kelly Farrell, Director at Oak Learners in Mimico, encourages us to find local teachable moments.

COMMUNITY...p10

HUMBER COLLEGE UPDATE...p28

Amanda Kirkland offers some helpful tips for your Pandemic Holiday Celebrations.

Derek Stockley talks about the importance of community connection in this month’s update.

WHAT’S NEW...p11

YOUR HEALTH...p30

Alderwood resident, Marta Pozniakowski, launches Espresso Bar Namaste in the midst of a pandemic.

Jonathan Nhan from Shoppers Drug Mart in Long Branch takes a positive approach to the pandemic.

LET THERE BE LIGHT...p15

ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS is the only

Working from home? How’s the lighting in your new “home office”? Not sure? Read this article!

COVER STORY...p16 TheStockRoom.ca - Etobicoke’s Local, Safe, Fun & Easy solution to Pandemic Holiday Shopping!

LIFE’S UNDERTAKINGS...p18 Brad Jones talks candidly about this year’s (virtual) Holidays and Hope Celebration of Life.

Published By

free, monthly magazine that’s focused on life in South Etobicoke. It is mailed to houses in Long Branch & Mimico by Canada Post. Additional copies are available at selected local businesses and high-traffic pick-up locations. We capture life in South Etobicoke by highlighting the many positive contributions to our community by local business owners, elected officials, and residents. No part of this publication in any of its forms may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. 146 Thirtieth St, Suite 100, Unit 25, Etobicoke, ON M8W 2C4

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All Rights Reserved

WE REMEMBER WE GIVE THANKS

You can reach my office at 416-259-2249 or christine.hogarth@pc.ola.org Sign up for my e-newsletter: christinehogarthmpp.ca

Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE HAPPY & SAFE HOLIDAYS

ROGER TUMMINIERI

Publisher , Etobicoke Lakeshore Press

etobicokelakeshorepress@gmail.com www.EtobicokeLakeshorePress.com @etobicokelakeshorepress Welcome to our 2020 Holiday Edition.

Obviously this is going to be a very different Christmas and Holiday season than last year. I hope you make the best of it. If you’re looking for some neat tips on how to re-envision your Holiday, check out Amanda Kirkland’s list of ideas on page 10. Some thoughtful insight here that I hope you’ll be able to use to benefit your family this year.

As James Maloney, Member of Parliament for the riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore points out in his article on page 6, November is a month of reflection and remembrance - a time to honour our war heroes for their sacrifices so we can live in a peaceful and free Canada today. When I think of what it would have been like for men like me to have to leave their wife and children, board a ship, and travel halfway across the world to live and fight in a cold, muddy trench for years, somehow this pandemic doesn’t seem so bad. At the best of times, Remembrance Day puts life into a proper perspective for me. This year, we observe the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Ironic, I suppose, that we’re fighting a new global enemy in the form of a virus. But, as Mr. Maloney says in his article, “We will get through this together, but we need to work together.”

In the spirit of staying safe and supporting local businesses this Holiday season, we’re featuring TheStockRoom.ca on this month’s cover. Read this inspiring story of entrepreneurial perseverance and dedication to community on page 16.

Consider buying some of your Holiday gifts from the local husband-wife team behind this unique business.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Safe Holiday this year!

READ OUR NEW DIGITAL MAG w w w. E t o b i c o ke L a ke s h o re Pre s s . c o m

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

How It Works

Your local ITEX office in South Etobicoke is award-winning and makes bartering for your business professional and easy!

Work with ITEX reps in person, online or over the phone so you can barter what you have, for what you want without spending cash and improve your cash flow!

Trade your services, your goods, seats in your restaurant, office or apartment space and more!

Some of our local barterers include: Office146 The Pod Plant Ford Performance Centre Osmow’s Pina B’s Salon and Spa Minute Muffler TWM Compuserve

Custodia Senior Support HumbleandFredRadio.com Z103.5 Thrive Organic Global Alliance Chauffer Services Etobicoke Lakeshore Press And More!

Find us on Facebook at ITEX Barter Canada or visit unlimitedbarter.com or call 416.898.5604.

COMMUNITY A HAND UP FOR TENANTS

As we tread lightly through the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses are succumbing to the pressures of debt and loss of operating income. Some, because they’ve been forced to shut down again. Others, because they can’t afford to keep staff, pay rent, or keep the lights on.

Enter Office146.

The co-working space on Thirtieth Street has become a home-away-from home for so many local entrepreneurs - many of whom continue to fight the good fight.

KAM SARAN

Community Lead, OFFICE146 146 Thirtieth St (South of Horner Ave) BOOK YOUR FREE TOUR kam@office146.com / 416-855-4142 www.office146.com

Well there’s a light at the end of the Covid tunnel.

It comes in the form of 3 months of free rent for office space at Office146.

At a time when many landlords refuse to help their tenants, Office146 is doing the opposite.

They’re digging in and lending a hand up. Kudos!

‘NORMAL’ LIKELY AN ILLUSION THIS HOLIDAY “What’s normal for the spider is chaos for the fly.”

- Charles Addams, American Cartoonist

Many of us have images in our minds of what the normal holiday should look like. The holiday season isn’t cancelled — you’re just likely going to be doing things differently this year.

As the pandemic looms on, and we roll into the holiday season, many families are starting to wonder what this year’s holidays may look like. For some individuals, big family events seem out of the question. For others, traditional travel plans may be up in the air. For now, no one really knows what the holidays will look like but it’s definitely not too early to start planning.

Thinking ahead might help ensure you’re still able to create a fun, memorable experience for the whole family. Let go of what you think should happen and be realistic.

When you ask people what they love about the holidays, it’s often the simple things — enjoying a meal with loved ones or sitting by the fire with a significant other — yet we tend to spend more of the season fulfilling obligations than enjoying those little pleasures.

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Some ways to keep continue with regular holiday traditions: - Go for a romantic hot chocolate infused walk with that someone special - Reminisce about past holiday traditions while making new ones with family and friends.

- Organize a Holiday House Decorating contest in your neighbourhood - Make a Holiday Playlist - Virtual Holiday Decorating - Host a Cookie Decorating Contest - Arrange a Virtual Gift Exchange between family, friends, co-workers - Send Goodie Boxes - Book a Virtual Winter Cocktail Party for your remote office team There are many Apps offering games and video/ chat conference call services available at no cost to make these activities accessible for all.

Remember in-person activities should still follow the current social distancing protocols.

More important now than ever: love where you live, shop local, and give local!

AMANDA KIRKLAND Self-Care Coach & Long Branch Resident amanda@bluconsulting.biz

ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

WHAT’S NEW ESPRESSO BAR NAMASTE Alderwood resident and local Realtor, Marta Pozniakowski decided to open an espresso bar at a time when most people are not taking risks.

The Dream: Open a real estate brokerage with an espresso bar in front.

The Reality: See above.

Pozniakowski purchased the old laundromat in the same plaza as local landmark, Il Paesano Pizzeria, on the west side of Brown’s Line just south of Horner Ave. A wise choice, as B Line Condos are currently under development next door.

With hundreds of potential customers a few feet from her front door, Espresso Bar Namaste is set to reap the benefits of that old adage: Location, Location, Location.

The name ‘Espresso Bar Namaste’ was inspired by the Hindi word, Namasté, which is a way to see and honour the reality of others. One of the most common translations of namasté is: The divine light in me bows to the divine light within you.

“I usually coordinate the dates of incorporating my businesses and names with numerology, explains Pozniakowski. “It is important to me that everything aligns energetically with the purpose and its mission. The name was the most compatible from all of them and it resonates with my passion for yoga, spirituality and just leaving my life grounded and by being conscious about every step and breath I take. Plus, in a time of social distancing, Namaste is just a great way to greet people!” Laughs Pozniakowski.

Espresso Bar Namaste has enjoyed great feedback from the Alderwood neighbourhood thus far, with flowers and gifts given to Pozniakowski from other local business owners.

“We’ve enjoyed terrific support from the community!” Exclaims Pozniakowski.

If you’re thinking: “Hey, I recognize her!” Maybe it’s because Marta Pozniakowski started a not-forprofit organization called Ekran Toronto Polish Film Festival in 2008.

“The future of the festival is bright even against all odds,” states Pozniakowski.

The organization became a registered charity which means the festival can seek support from corporations and businesses and offer tax receipts.

“This year we are planning virtual screenings,” she explains. “Like many other festivals, Ekran is exploring opportunities to connect with their audience via online platforms.”

MARTA POZNIAKOWSKI Owner, Espresso Bar Namaste Broker of Record, RE/MAX Equinox 392 Brown’s Line, Alderwood 647-836-9130 In times like this, running a business is a challenge to say the least. You have to be on top of local news and government regulations.

“These are not normal times,” says Pozniakowski.

“In one day the whole world, my schedule, kids’ schedules, business plans went to garbage. The first two weeks I thought: ok I got it, I can do it,” she continues. “I homeschooled the kids, even though they had online schooling it was a fulltime job attending to them.”

Like so many other parents, finding balance during this pandemic has been a battle that not everyone is winning. But Pozniakowski seems to have a handle on it now.

“After the past few months juggling my business, new venture, film festival, busy household with very active children, and still keeping myself healthy and fit and sane,” she explains. “I really feel like a super woman!”

ESPRESSO BAR NAMASTE

392 Brown’s Line Instagram: @espresso_bar_namaste 647-689-6044

Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015

By: Roger Tumminieri

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STAYIN’ ALIVE 9ROUND ETOBICOKE As COVID-19 prevention measures continue to threaten the livelihood of small businesses, we caught up with Marc Foto, owner of 9Round Etobicoke in Long Branch to see how his business is fairing.

Is 9Round still operating?

Unfortunately, in order to flatten the curve 9Round has been shut down by the Ontario government until at least November the 7th.

Is 9Round still offering online workouts?

We are offering FREE online workouts to all our current members. If you want to sign up for our free online membership you will get a FREE month when we open back up inside our club.

Why is 9Round closed?

We haven’t even had one case of COVID at any of our locations nationwide. We truly believe our workouts are the safest workouts in the city with our new COVID-19 protocols.

We open back up on November the 7th and it’s two days away from our 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!

We will be offering our BEST PRICES EVER!!

Charter Membership pricing from November 7th to 22nd. That’s $118.00 a month on a 6 month membership.

We can’t wait to see the amazing community back in our clubs. Thank you to everyone involved in our success and thank you for continuing to support 9Round Etobicoke.

9ROUND ETOBICOKE

3411 Lake Shore Blvd W.

www.9round.ca/fitness/etobicoke-on-lake-shore-blvd

647-689-6044

How many people can work out at once in 9Round?

We only allow 5 Members on the floor at once.

This gives a distance of 12 ft per member. We also clean every round every 3 minutes so you are always using a fully sanitized round!

What gym do you know that follows you around cleaning up your sweat as soon as you are done?

We do that for all our members. It’s incredible!

MARC FOTO Owner of 9Round Etobicoke Photo: Mike Wixson, The Pod Plant

HELPING OTHERS DAILY BREAD FOOD BANK

BRENDA TZANNIS & MICHELE BAKSA From Forest Hill Real Estate Etobicoke Celebrate 706 lbs worth of non-perishable food items donated to the Daily Bread Food Bank thanks to the generosity of Alderwood residents.

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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

GREAT GIFT IDEAS FREIBURGER WELDING

Since we’re all spending more time at home this year, and quite possibly next, why not take this opportunity to beautify your abode with a touch of country charm?

Pictured above is a custom-made, handcrafted, one-of-a-kind piece manufactured by Freiburger Welding.

Based in Walkerton, Freiburger Welding was started in 1946 and is family-run to this day. With a focus on craftsmanship and customer service, Freiburger’s business (and products) have stood the test of time.

We caught up with Krissy Freiburger, granddaughter of the company’s founder and daughter of its current owner, Ken, to talk about why her family’s business should become part of your family this Holiday season.

Customers have the opportunity to see a digital proof before their designs are made and Freiburger Welding will ship your order right to your door upon completion or you’re welcome to pick it up at their shop if you need an excuse for a beautiful country drive.

In an era where just about everything is made in China, why not support a small, family-run business and go with made in Ontario this Christmas?

ORDER YOUR CUSTOM ONE-OF-A-KIND GIFT

www.freiburgerwelding.ca krissy@freiburgerwelding.ca Instagram: @freiburgerwelding (519) 881-1932

“Our pieces are made to order and we can customize just about anything you’d like,” she explains. “From welcome signs and home decor items, to custom fire pit rings...if you can think it, we can make it.”

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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

By: Roger Tumminieri

LET THERE BE LIGHT LIVING LIGHTING

LIVING LIGHTING ETOBICOKE-KINGSWAY

Your Local Lighting Experts 4242 Dundas St. West / 416-236-3611 www.livinglightingetobicoke.com

Photo courtesy of Kichler Lighting

Even as I write this, I’m giving very little thought to the lighting in my home office. Well, maybe a bit more thought since I’m writing about a local lighting shop. What’s the lighting like right now as you read this article?

As one who’s not thought much about lighting, I was amazed and intrigued by my conversations with Lara and Marko Borys, Owners of Living Lighting Etobicoke-Kingsway, leading up to the publication of this edition. We spoke about the importance of light in a home or office space and the different lighting requirements one could have based on the intended use for a space.

And here I am thinking you just plug in a lamp or screw in an incandescent lightbulb and away you go. Maybe that’s why I squint a lot when I work and often wear two different coloured socks.

After a recent conversation with Lara, I learned that people need different light for different reasons - be it task lighting, ambient lighting, or layered lighting. She works directly with customers, specializing in home consults. From whole home projects to small makeovers, Lara gives personal attention to find the right lighting for a space.

She offers one-hour appointments in the showroom during showroom hours or by private appointment. Lara also provides advice to customers based on their electrical plans to make sure they’re getting the right lighting from appropriate sources to ensure the end results they desire.

Marko, a certified lighting specialist, has been running the business out of the same location for the past twenty years. He’s also the head buyer and ensures they stock exciting pieces that are different and stylish; keeping up with trends in home decor while balancing the classic look of the old Etobicoke homes that surround the shop.

“Our showroom carries everything from recessed LED lighting, to fans, lighting fixtures for indoor and outdoor to landscape lighting,” explains Lara. “We are up to date on LED technology, but we carry both LED & socket based fixtures as well as LED bulbs that we can assist customers with.”

Now I don’t know about you, but pandemic life has me working from every little nook and cranny in my house as I try my best to avoid my two boys who are home all the time now. I try not to avoid my wife, but sometimes I think she prefers it.

Having said that, more and more people are using spaces in their homes for work or school that were traditionally not designed for such tasks.

Lara and Marko find themselves busy these days consulting with families to recommend the right lighting solution for their new “office” at the kitchen island, the new “virtual learning hub” in the TV room, or the new “home gym” that was once a storage space.

“We can help make sure the fixtures lend themselves to the various tasks that are happening in a space,” Lara states. “It’s so important to have the right light for the job.”

Living Lighting Etobicoke-Kingsway 4242 Dundas St. W. 416-236-3611 www.livinglightingetobicoke.com @livinglighting_etobicoke

Covid-19 showroom hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday & Monday CLOSED Shop On-Line, In-Store & By Appointment.

Curbside Pick-Up available.

By: Roger Tumminieri

So, what can one expect upon a visit to the showroom?

Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015

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COVER STORY SHOP LOCAL, SHOP SAFE THIS I’ve been writing about the importance of shopping local for years now. In fact, since 2015 the entire focus of this publication has been to support local businesses in South Etobicoke (since before #SupportLocal was a thing). Now, as we wade through yet another season of pandemic life, it’s no longer enough to just shop local - we have to shop safe, too.

It’s no wonder, then, that local businesses like TheStockRoom.ca have enjoyed great success and are poised to thrive throughout the Holiday shopping season.

Owned and operated by lifelong Etobicoke residents, the husband-wife team of Stefan and Georgia Graci are the brains behind this hidden gem. With their warehouse located on Advance Rd, between Kipling and Islington, the Gracis are changing the pandemic retail landscape...and having fun doing it!

It wasn’t all fun, though. Recalling their early days, the Gracis burned the candle at both ends and lost a fair bit of sweat (and tears) to get to where they are today. Like true entrepreneurs, however, they kept their heads down and just worked until it worked.

“We had many sleepless nights at the shop,” the couple explain. “Brainstorming and trying to make ends meet - a lot of tears, a lot of fear, but it was all worth it. This is a labour of love and we are proud that we never gave up.”

This Millennial “Ma & Pa Shop” runs like an oldschool auction - well, the online version thereof.

TheStockRoom.ca has attracted a dedicated following of return customers. Why, you ask?

Because their online auctions are fun, that’s why!

Oh, and you can buy top name products at a fraction of the cost you’d pay at traditional big box retail shops.

“Our customers love the bidding process,” explain the Gracis. “It adds a little excitement to online shopping and people walk away with incredible deals! No extra fees aside from applicable tax. What you bid is what you pay!”

Sounds difficult, right? Nope! It’s super easy!!

Local, Safe, Fun, and...Easy! Yeah, you got it.

That’s how I’d sum up TheStockRoom.ca if I had four words with which to do it. If I had another four words, they’d be: Perfect For The Holidays!

Halloween has come and gone and without much fanfare, unfortunately, but rightfully so.

Let’s not let Christmas get away from us, too.

So, how do you get set up at TheStockRoom.ca?

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Well, I mentioned it was Easy, right? Yes, I did.

So easy in fact, that the Gracis’ client base keeps on growing. With that said, signing up for their online auctions is as simple as hopping on their website and walking through the registration process. In fact, I just did it.

There’s a nice digital camera on there that I have my eyes on.

Say, for example, your bid is accepted and you’ve just purchased something super cool for yourself (‘cause you deserve it) or a friend or member of your family (or social bubble). Now what?

ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

HOLIDAY SEASON AT THESTOCKROOM.CA Shop Local, Safe, Fun & Easy This Holiday at South Etobicoke’s TheStockRoom.ca!

Pictured in the foreground are Owners, Stefan & Georgia Graci with their trusted staff in their warehouse at 66 Advance Rd.

Here comes more of the Safe stuff...

Local, Safe, Fun & Easy.

Your items will be shipped to you or you can select curbside pick-up at TheStockRoom.ca warehouse. How much is shipping? Free, when you spend over $200. Not too shabby!

Say it again: Local, Safe, Fun & Easy :)

What types of items are typically available for auction? Quite a few from many different categories, actually.

“Whether it be electronics, clothing, baby items or home goods, we have you covered,” state the Gracis. “We always have seasonal items. We ran a Halloween costume auction and we have exciting plans for Christmas!”

TheStockRoom.ca is not just a great place to buy your Holiday gifts, it’s an experience perfect for pandemic Holiday shopping. Spread the word!

THESTOCKROOM.CA

66 ADVANCE ROAD, UNIT A, ETOBICOKE admin@thestockroom.ca / 416-910-8956

Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015

By: Roger Tumminieri

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LIFE’S UNDERTAKINGS HOLIDAYS AND HOPE They want to cancel Halloween. Boo! A lot of us are shivering and shaking as we look toward the future. What new nasty trick will Covid hand out next, especially with the holiday season timidly sneaking into town?

Wouldn’t it be a delicious treat if everything could return to normal? Kids could go out trickor-treating.

We’d greet each other with handshakes and hugs. Coughing or sneezing would inspire a friendly “bless you” rather than a frightened stare.

Sadly, we cannot return to “normal” when we’re feeling lost. Ask anyone who’s experienced a deep loss, whether an epic disappointment or tragic death, and they’ll assure you there’s no way we can travel back in time to a place when our lives were simpler, easier, happier, healthier.

Worldwide we are united but not unique. All 7.8 billion of us are suffering the effects of separation and isolation from the people we love and cherish.

Who ever thought we’d grow nostalgic about going to the grocery store without a mask. Eating inside a restaurant. Dancing at a family wedding.

Singing in church.

Dropping off food and lingering with a grieving neighbour or friend.

I believe some of us are so socially starved we’re even starting to miss our in-laws and those terrible in-person work meetings!

The social distancing and social shut-down happening on a global scale are new forms of collective grief and grieving: we miss our people and we want to hear them, touch them, laugh with them, love them.

Our longing for normal is always a longing for love.

For those of us who’ve experienced the death of a loved one, whether this past year, this decade or 50 years ago, the longing for connection diminishes and eases, but never vanishes entirely.

Just as fear is a virus so is love. The people who’ve died we still love. Actively.

The burden of being human is that the world spins forward irrespective of how lonesome or heartbroken we may feel.

A common rallying cry these days is the promise we are in this fight together; fighting the virus, stopping the spread.

As darkness falls and a new cold season beckons, I wonder if we’d all benefit from reframing the

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conversation around what we’re fighting against and consider what we stand for: what do we need to protect and nourish so we remain kind, compassionate and brave? How can we best develop grit and character when we’re under tension and strain?

For me, I look to community beyond my circle of family and friends. If there’s one thing the bereaved have taught me in the 30 years of working with them and for them is that suffering is alleviated when we allow others to carry our burdens as we struggle to rebuild ourselves.

For the first time in 21 years, our funeral home will host our annual Holidays and Hope Candlelight Service of Remembrance virtually. We will meet online rather than our traditional gathering at Assembly Hall.

This year my staff and I will not see familiar faces.

There will be no handshakes or hugs. None of those famous desserts and coffee chitchats.

When we light the candles representing Companionship, Vision, Humility and Courage for those living and dead, the candles will light an empty chapel.

ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

IN THE TIME OF COVID but I argue it’s a war for who we want to be now and later.

The pandemic will end. Life will go on. There will be no turning back to “normal.” The world spins forward.

How we face these new curves and curfews will not only shape our holiday season but our ongoing season of sorrow. We’re being brought to our knees, again and again, by an invisible microbe.

Now more than ever the invisible ropes of community, friendship, collaboration, generosity and honesty can pull us out of deep, desolate waters.

There’s such tremendous power and comfort in practising self-care.

Making the time this winter to reflect quietly, remember lovingly and cry softly or loudly opens us to brighter, better days.

We are not alone. And we are not broken. Times of darkness always imply there is no growth or change happening. The arrival of spring proves this dismal worldview wrong year after year.

BRAD JONES

Owner, Ridley Funeral Home

You will watch from home. We will livestream from our (funeral) home. And each of us will be alone.

Or will we? Hope is often defined as belief in a better future that eclipses what we’re experiencing or suffering in the present.

But hope and faith when shared and supported by community, in-person or virtually, strengthens our resolve to lighten our private and collective suffering.

The recovery movement promises we are only as sick as our secrets. By acknowledging our loss and grief, and taking steps to honour those feelings through the lens of compassion and community, we transform heartbreak into loving-kindness for ourselves and others.

On December 2 nd we will light a candle not just for you but for everything good and strong growing within you and waiting for the warm light of community, compassion and love.

Brad Jones is president of locally-owned, commission-free Ridley Funeral Home (3080 Lake Shore Blvd) in Etobicoke.

This year’s Holidays and Hope service will be a live online event Wednesday, December 2nd at 7:00 p.m.

Please join us virtually for comforting messages, live musical performances and the quiet opportunity to reflect on your loved one’s life and legacy.

Please RSVP to 416-259-3705 or contactus@ridleyfuneralhome.com

Our funeral home has stood and served this community for 100 years. These walls could talk of suffering from the lingering effects of the Spanish Flu, the horrors of two World Wars and the boom-bust cycles of commerce.

This year’s Remembrance Day is a poignant reminder that on some level we are facing a war,

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GOOD-BYE CITY HELLO, GREY COUNTY!

REUBEN MCCALLUM

Sales Representative RE/MAX High Country Realty Inc., Brokerage (519) 477-0418 / www.reubenmccallum.com facebook.com/reubenmccallumrealtor

Reuben McCallum is a Realtor and Resident of Grey County, Ontario. Reuben will be contributing content to the Etobicoke Lakeshore Press to highlight the growing movement of people who are leaving city life behind in order to pursue a simpler, quieter life in the country.

Is community spirit on your shopping list?

My office is located in Grey Highlands. It’s a municipality in Grey County that is made up of several small towns and villages and together create a rural community vibe like no other.

COVID-19 has impacted everyone, but there is something to be said about rural life and community when times are tough that just can’t be found anywhere else.

You may have found yourself contemplating a move to the area - drawn by scenery, space and a lifestyle that country living offers. Maybe if you are one of those people who were able to get in on a purchase in this crazy real estate market, you’ve already made the move! Have you been enjoying your new country lifestyle?

Trails, forests, ski hills, lakes, rivers, and quiet country roads are all amazing features of Grey County, but what about the Community Spirit?

Where does that rank on your list of wants and needs for your country home purchase?

Growing up here, it’s easy to take for granted how powerful having a strong community really is. Luckily for me I bump into clients around town all the time who are more than excited to fill me in on how welcoming the neighbours have been or how someone helped them out of a tight spot when they didn’t know where to go for help.

Which reminds me…that is community spirit.

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If you look closer, you will find community spirit all over the place around here.

Community spirit is at the fall fair where you can still find the award-winning canned good, pie or home grown vegetable competing for first place using tricks and tips passed down for generations.

Community spirit can be found at a local shop where proud owners, artisans and producers bring those same locally-produced and award-winning products to market.

Community spirit can be found in our local community service groups as they volunteer their time to the local hospital, rec. centre, that fundraiser for a good cause, or holiday food drive for those in need.

If you are ever caught in need, there is a good chance that someone is going to be there, willing to lend a hand.

When you consider a country property… whether it be now or in the future, let me introduce you to my home town. When you do come to explore, watch for our community spirit. It will be found in the person greeting you with a warm heart and a big smile.

ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

HISTORY LOCAL CAN BE GLOBAL If there ever was a maxim understatement for 2020, it’s that “Nothing stays the same.”

Indie and crossover artist, vocalist and animal activist is Stephanie Bee.

In the global performing arts community it has been a gregarious journey of heavy lifting, reinventing and to the point where ‘reset’ seems like a distant dimmer of hope.

Two of our guitar master team members, Ryan Boisselle and Dan Liberatori, travelled to Japan to teach English. They found love, stayed, and the rest is history!

My Sherway Music Academy’s heritage (Sherway Gardens Music Store - 1970s) was founded on dedicated and accredited music instruction and seasoned with centuries-old, ‘one-to-one’ or oldschool personal music tutelage.

Dante Mantas has become a successful performer, composer, artist and producer with much of his catalogue available on APPLE iTunes and Spotify.

Luckily many of my colleagues in the music education field (local and abroad), survived the first wave. But now deeply into the second wave, the Academy has had to make a fiscally accountable decision to leave our traditional teaching in our ‘bricks and mortar’ location.

The good news and thanks to incredible communication technology, ‘online music instruction’ from Australia, North America to the European Continent is now the world mainstream of learning and enjoying the ancient muse of music.

Interestingly, our main online student enrollment is still local but our longtime nurtured connections to students, dedicated teachers and coaches is taking on a new form in the truest sense of the word; ‘a world web’ in music education. It allows us to vortex the best teachers for our students anywhere the web carries us!

Before I provide more details on our online platforms, I’d like to acknowledge in retrospect the many accomplished Sherway Academy Teacher Alumni.

First is Katie Simpson. Katie was one of our vocal coaches to the YTV acclaimed Triple Threat Popchops. Today she is a foreign correspondent of CBC News based in Washington. Yes, you’ll be seeing a lot of her during and after the Presidential Election.

Next and in no particular order, is Juno and Jazz nominated trumpeter extraordinaire, Alexis Baro.

Over almost two decades our students have become doctors, MIT graduates, graphic designers, engineers, corporate managers, animation and video game designers, teachers, entrepreneurs, and artist musicians.

The countless inspirational contributions of these esteemed and dedicated teachers to their students have been recognized with no less than six GEM Of The Lakeshore nominations for our Academy.

As founder of the Sherway Academy since 2002, I am deeply humbled and gratified with the accomplished record of inspiring the joys of music to well over one thousand students and adults in the South Etobicoke community.

Have someone in your family or perhaps yourself itching to enjoy music? The next step is easy; contact us at sherwaymusic@gmail.com to learn more about our enhanced online learning experience. By supporting local businesses and services your patronage can spawn opportunities that may lead to worldly adventures.

In finishing, I’d like to quote one of my favorite entrepreneurs: Ed Mirvish.

“Just don’t stand there, buy something!

BILL ZUFELT

Long Branch Resident and Chair of the History & Culture Committee Long Branch Neighbourhood Association bill.zufelt@lbna.ca

In the Circus world are Elisa, Samantha and Julie De Angelis - sister founders of their awesome circus school A2D2 in Mississauga.

Just recently married, is Country Artist and nominee sensation ‘Leah Daniels’.

In the world of Juno nominated Indie and now Country is our Rock’s Cool Champaign multi-instrumentalist, Simon Lukasewich.

In the Jazz niche of female vocalist, violinist and bassist is Jazz nominee, Lauren Falls.

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MICRO ECONOMICS CIRCULAR ECONOMY Creating a change in where and how we spend our money can massively impact where it matters.

Your home! Some ways we can become more conscious consumers are by supporting your local businesses, researching where your products are produced, and understanding which of those products are made using materials that will break down quickly.

KATRINA WOOD

Owner, Eco-Refillary eco.refillary@gmail.com www.eco-refillary.ca What is a conscious consumer? A person who considers the social, environmental, ecological and political impact of buying and boycotting products.

Christmas 2020 will look a little differently this year and so will our shopping habits. Most consumers will choose to shop online this holiday season and choosing to shop online with a local, small, independent business is essential.

For a lot of us when we spend our money, very little thought is given to the impact those dollars actually have on our choice in the future. When we choose to shop at a local store that purchases local, sustainable products, we have the say to support a business that helps the local economy flourish.

When we make the choice to consider where our products are made and how they are made, essentially we are saying we want more of this. Purchasing products manufactured overseas creates a large carbon footprint, can deplete resources unethically, are made very cheap to appeal to the frugal buyer and the majority of these items don’t last which creates an enormous amount of waste in landfills.

Reducing our consumption is an ideal way we can also make a change. One way we can reduce our impact is by creating a circular economy. A great example of this is buying second hand or using items you already have at home and giving them new life somewhere else. Bringing your bags to the grocery store, bringing empty bottles to stores that offer refills are other great ways to reduce our footprint and consumption. Every dollar spent is a vote for what you believe in.

EXPERIENCE

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QUALITY CARE AT

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS FAMILY DOCTORS PHYSIOTHERAPY PSYCHOLOGY & PSYCHIATRY COSMETIC MEDICINE WWW.MIMICOMEDICAL.COM 398 ROYAL YORK RD. 416 ∙ 201 ∙ 0836

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www.apparelco.ca

ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

PERSONAL FINANCE HOLIDAY BUDGETING It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Between food and family there are many things to be happy about. However, it’s important to focus on your financial wellbeing during the holiday season as well. You’ve worked hard all year to save and budget, only to have the most difficult challenge face you at the end, and that is holiday spending.

For many, that means putting it on a credit card and worrying about it later, but that only extends the problem. During the holiday season, having a budget is even more important because you don’t want a few weeks of spending to destroy a year’s worth of solid budgeting.

Structure The first reason to have a holiday budget is the structure it can give your finances. Typically, people spend using their savings, incoming cash flow, and credit cards. Without a plan in place, reckless spending is more likely to occur and this can cripple your finances.

To implement structure, take stock of your overall savings for the holiday season and allocate those funds – but only these funds – as you see fit. Doing so not only helps you spend only what you have, but also gives you peace of mind when spending.

Prevent Debt The second reason to have a holiday budget is that it helps prevent you from going into debt – or further into debt. Credit card companies and stores make it extremely easy for you to obtain a credit card. Not only that, the likelihood that you will return to a store increases when you open a credit account there.

Creating a holiday budget outlines what you can spend. Having a high credit card limit means you can spend and not feel the pain of losing the money (until later). Having a cash-only budget, on the other hand, will reduce financial stress.

Cash Is King It has become increasingly easy to tap your card to pay and be on your merry way. However, using cash and only cash emphasizes the structure of your budget and prevents debt. When you have structure in your budget, you know what you can spend. Combining a good budget with using cash only gives you a greater chance of staying on track. Just be sure to double-check if the retailer you’re shopping at is currently accepting cash. If not, transfer your budget into a Chequing Account and use your debit card as a cash replacement.

labelling them for the individuals you have on your gift shopping list. If you know you’re only shopping for three people on a particular day, take only those allotments of cash with you. Try this method and you’ll be surprised at the results.

Overall, the importance of having a holiday budget cannot be stressed enough. If you find yourself struggling to budget throughout the year here are a few tips: Open a holiday savings account. This will allow you to put money away throughout the year and will give you an incentive to grow the account.

Typically, there are limitations on when you can withdraw funds without penalty, which also motivates you to retain your money.

Use a sinking fund. A sinking fund is when you take small amounts of money and save them over a period of time. Keep an envelope stashed away and put cash in it throughout the year. Small savings over long periods can work magic on your budget.

Automate the savings process. When you automate the savings process, you limit the time you have to spend the money. Set up simple deposits into a savings account and use that money only for holiday shopping.

Don’t let the holiday season ruin your financial progress. Stick to the structure of your budget, don’t go into debt to purchase gifts, and use cash when possible. If you take these steps you will position yourself well to survive the holiday spending frenzy.

This article is not intended to provide financial or financial planning advice, please come visit Moya Financial in person at their main branch located at 747 Brown’s Line and they will be more than happy to meet and chat in person!

Ready to invest?

Call or make an appointment with a Financial Advisor.

Call: 416 255 1742 ext. 208 Email: invest@moyafinancial.ca Visit moyafinancial.ca for more information.

When you shop, take with you only as much cash as you want to spend. If you only have $50 in cash, you are only able to spend $50 and nothing more. You can use a system of cash envelopes,

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WELLNESS EMOTIONAL WELLBEING Here at ONE Health Services, we continue to offer virtual visits for our counselling and naturopathic services. We are also operating with the highest standard of safety and cleanliness for our in-person services. Rest assured that each and every one of our staff and practitioners have your safety as their highest priority and will do everything to keep you safe.

Unwind with a relaxing massage, give your neck and back some relief with chiropractic care or enjoy a blissful and rejuvenating acupuncture session.

DR. MELANIE DECUNHA, ND

Naturopathic Doctor Founder, ONE Health Services 3515 Lake Shore Blvd W / 647-748-4884 It’s hard to believe that we’ve arrived in November and the holidays are just around the corner! With the holiday season looking a little different this year, one thing I’ve noticed is a lot of fear and anxiety creeping up in people, particularly regarding the health of themselves and loved ones. So I just wanted to give you a little reminder that there are SO many things you can do to take care of your mental and emotional wellbeing!

If you have benefits, a reminder that most insurance plans turn over at the end of December, so you don’t want them to go to waste! We offer direct billing for most insurance companies and appointments can be booked online at: www.onehealthservices.janeapp.com We continue to operate by appointment only, so make sure to book ahead as spots become limited around the holiday season. And finally we just wanted to say THANK YOU to all those who have supported our local small business during such a challenging year. It means the world to us and just reaffirms how amazing the Long Branch community really is!

PHOTO Mike Wixson, The Pod Plant

ICYMI: BRAD JONES ON THE ELPOD

Brad Jones Celebrates 100 Years of Ridley Funeral Home

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ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

FAMILY LIFE SUPPORT LOCAL LEARNING The Pandemic has taught us to value many local resources we may previously have taken for granted. We have been forced to shop local, eat local and enjoy the hidden gems in our community. These experiences have also provided a great opportunity to pass these lessons on to our children. Here are 3 ways to bring local gems into learning at home‌ 1. Exploring new local educational resources and curricular program providers (like Oak Learners).

Many of these establishments are run by members of the community and provide a tailored learning experience for children both online and in small pods.

2. Make meal time special by picking up meal kits from local restaurants that you can make together as a family. Many local restaurants are using kits as an affordable way to stay afloat during these times. Kids can learn about Math through measurements and quantities, they learn about Literacy through reading recipes and menus and they naturally learn about nutrition and meal planning by experiencing new dishes.

3. Local scavenger hunts are a great way to teach children about local geography and history. Our students at Oak Learners love games where they can map landmarks in the community and discover new ways to get places. Word games with store signs and street signs are a fun way to make local errands more exciting, too.

The lessons that 2020 has provided will be everlasting if we take time to listen and learn together.

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KELLY FARRELL

Director at Oak Learners; a private alternative school in Mimico located at 394 Royal York Rd. / 416-820-5233 www.oaklearners.ca

ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

HUMBER COLLEGE COMMUNITY UPDATE The holidays are a time to come together as a community, with this time of limited face-to-face connection making community connection even more important.

I want to continue to stay connected to our Lakeshore community as we move into the winter season and begin planning for the Winter 2021 semester.

Our focus at the Lakeshore Campus and the wider Humber community has been health, safety and providing excellent polytechnic education.

As we shift gears and move into the Winter term, our programs will continue to be either fully online or have a mix of online learning and limited in-person components. This past fall we had just under a thousand students on our campus and I don’t imagine that number changes very significantly next term.

Many employees will continue to work from home during the semester, including faculty, support staff and administration. Some students and Humber staff will be at the campus, but unfortunately it is still closed to the public.

Don’t worry, though – there is still so much happening!

Lakeshore campus was supposed to be one of two Nuit Blanche locations this year, until COVID-19 forced the organizers of the event to get creative with the annual exhibition.

As an organizational partner we moved forward and hosted five art pieces on the Humber Galleries website.

The pieces included #WeAreIndigenous, which you may have viewed on campus. #WeAreIndigenous is an exhibit developed by the Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre and Indigenous Education and Engagement which includes 45 minutes of footage of a round table discussion with Indigenous artists.

Humber’s new Cultural Hub, though currently beginning construction at the Lakeshore campus, has the potential to host major future exhibitions like Nuit Blanche. It will also facilitate the growth of the creative community beyond downtown, into our Western corner of the city.

We have planned an online community update for November 26 th . If you have questions in the meantime, please email culturalhub@humber.ca.

The Cultural Hub is part of a larger, more overarching creative focus at Humber.

You may have noticed the wealth of art created and displayed at Lakeshore over the years. Part of our efforts to develop community is develop-

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DEREK STOCKLEY

Principal, Lakeshore Campus Senior Dean, Faculty of Social and Community Services

ing the idea of our campus as a canvas, where we can all see our identities reflected and celebrated.

Humber has also been involved in many food security initiatives since COVID-19 made its appearance, such as our ongoing support of GlobalMedic’s local aid initiative, during which volunteers and staff sorted and distributed low-cost grain and pulse products to food banks.

The latest initiative is on our own campus and it benefits our students.

Food services are reduced at both Lakeshore and North campuses, so the student government, IGNITE, is taking its pay-what-you-can soup bar in a new direction.

Each campus now has a fridge stocked with soups and frozen meals, free to those who need it.

The food comes from Humber’s culinary labs and classes. The initiative reduces food waste and benefits students in our community who may experience food insecurity.

The soups are packaged in one-liter containers and contain several servings. In the first week of the initiative, IGNITE stocked 300 soups between both campuses. By Friday, there were only 20 left.

Finally, I’d like to highlight one of our campus’ successes: Lakeshore’s Fairtrade Campus designation.

Humber College Lakeshore has been a designated Fairtrade campus since 2017, when it became the first college in Canada to attain the standard.

Not satisfied to rest on their laurels, the Office of Sustainability is attempting to secure an even higher designation next year.

A Fairtrade campus is required to carry products that meet certain fair-trade benchmarks, including economic, health and labour regulations. The

ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

standards help to guarantee that products were produced without child labour or unfair labour practices.

To attain the Silver designation, the department will be coordinating with food producers and providers on campus, offering more and different types of products and increasing efforts to communicate and reach out to students.

We will continue to support initiatives like the Fairtrade and food insecurity work our students are spearheading.

Lakeshore’s own GARDENS project wrapped up a few weeks ago, and volunteers and partners have completed the Fall harvest, which was donated to the Daily Bread Foodbank. As co-chair of this group I was delighted to see such a strong turnout at our Annual Harvest Party. This year’s efforts to reduce the number of pods and limit the number of people working on them resulted in another safe and fruitful year of this great Lakeshore initiative.

Some of our feathered friends have begun their commute to warmer climates and the leaves have disappeared. We’ve focused on making sure the journey of our winged friends is a safe one by installing thousands of reflective dots on the top floor of our Welcome Centre. So while it’s in our nature to get cozy, find comfort and hibernate, we would love for you to reach out and connect.

Ed’s Real Scoop

2370 Lake Shore Blvd W www.edsrealscoop.com

You can find us on Twitter and Instagram: (@HumberLakeshore).

I look forward to catching up in person someday soon, and I hope you stop when our paths cross on my walk out to Whimbrel Point, or while skating around the paths of the Colonel Samuel Smith Skating Trail.

Derek Stockley Principal, Lakeshore Campus Senior Dean, Faculty of Social and Community Services Follow on Twitter: @derek_stockley

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YOUR HEALTH POSITIVES OF THE PANDEMIC

JONATHAN NHAN, RPh, CDE Pharmacist / @nhanjonathan903

As many things change, many things still stay the same. We are now past Halloween and moving as quickly as ever towards the end of the year. For a year that may have seemed to drag on and on, as the end of the year approaches, it’s almost as if 2020 will be in our rear view mirrors before we know it.

Now I know there are many things that we may wish could be different, but if you really take the time to reflect, I bet you could think of some positives throughout this whole year, that may not have occurred if it weren’t for the situation that we are in now.

There are many positive things that I can recall from this year. On a personal level, I’ve grown so much in many facets of life. I’ve been able to refocus and grow many existing and new interpersonal relationships. I’ve also picked up a few new skills!

On a professional level, I have witnessed an amaz-

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ing team come together under arguably the most pressure we’ve seen in a retail environment in my time here and continue to step forward with their best foot every time. There have been tough times of course, but looking back at how every member has really worked hard to contribute and do what is best for our community, I believe it is something to be proud of.

In addition, I have seen how great a community of people can be - in hearing stories of conflict in other parts of the country or world, I know that the immediate community that I observe is cohesive and together as one. I’ve said it before, but it really is a privilege to be part of this community. As we continue throughout the rest of the year, looking to support you with all your daily, weekly, and healthcare needs, we will continue to do our best to serve you in the best way that we can. All of this is to say that, in a year of seemingly many downs, it’s great to have the ability to choose to be kind to one another, and take care of one another.

ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS