Etobicoke Lakeshore Press: May 2023

BU S I N P A R T Y

E S S UP F RO N T I N T HE B A C K

P A T I 0 O P E N

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BLUE BOX

My last name always reminds me I was born, “one starry night”, in the Netherlands. However I am proud to call Canada my home!

The Netherlands produce a high average of 2500 kg per person of waste, (720 kg in Canada), but the Dutch also recycle 1700 kg, (75%) of that total. They also use the highest % of recycled materials in their manufacturing processes. In Canada we only recycle 30% of our waste.

They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Consider this please. I am always gobsmacked at how many receipts I’m presented with when I shop locally. If I want them or not, they get printed and if I refuse to take them, they end up in the landfill.

Imagine no receipts. How many trees could be saved? How much less CO2 would be produced? How much landfill saved? An error made by a salesclerk two days ago

produced, for me, a receipt of nearly TWO FEET!!

Of the three R’s please remember that REDUCE is the most important.

JOHN VAN GOCH

MASTHEAD FIAT LUX CONTRIBUTORS

Roger Tumminieri, Publisher

etobicokelakeshorepress@gmail.com

Instagram: @etobicokelakeshorepress

(416) 788-0716

Single Copy: $1.50 Annual Subscription: $54

Kira Bauer

www.linktr.ee/kirabauer (Health & Wellness)

James Maloney, MP

www.jamesmaloney.libparl.ca (Community)

June MacDonald-Jenkins www.humber.ca

(Humber College Community Update)

Amanda Kirkland

www.amandakirkland.com

(Personal Development)

John van Goch

johnvgoch@gmail.com

(Thinking Outside The Blue Box)

Jonathan Nhan

www.curateandupgrade.ca (Wellness)

LIFE’S UNDERTAKINGS THE PODCAST

Brad Jones, the funeral director believes this spring we’re all travelling toward new beginnings and positive potentials. You can listen to Life’s Undertaking Podcast wherever you listen. You may even hear a story or two about his Purple and Yellow VW Camper.

Brad Jones’ 1971 VW Camper, which always represented spring break, family vacations and joyful adventures.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE ARTS & CULTURE

Welcome to our Arts & Culture edition! I’m excited to showcase work from an artist based in Toronto who also spends part of her time in Grey County - Carolyn Graziani.

Her work strikes a chord with me. For years, I’ve been focussed on supporting local in South Etobicoke neighbourhoods and now, towns and villages in Grey, Bruce, Dufferin, and Simcoe Counties. The locations Carolyn choses as the backdrops for her pieces seem to dovetail perfectly into the focus of my labours. Her subjects are iconic, recognizable visuals that showcase these respective locales. I’ve featured just some of her work in this issue, but you can find more of it on her website:

www.LocalesDesign.com

Thank you to our Editorial Contributors and, of course, thank you for reading!

Roger Tumminieri

Publisher, Etobicoke Lakeshore Press

etobicokelakeshorepress@gmail.com

Instagram: @etobicokelakeshorepress

www.fiatluxmedia.com

(416) 788-0716

YOUTH SPORTS TORONTO DRAGONS RFC

TRY RUGBY

For more info on joining, visit: www.torontodragonsrugby.ca

By: Roger Tumminieri

Words

I’ve always had an affinity for Toronto neighbourhoods. Growing up in the city (Agincourt, to be exact), I developed a passion for the uniqueness and diversity of every distinct pocket of Toronto - which is effectively a city of neighbourhoods.

I’ve been ‘Supporting Local’ with my work since 2015 when I started the Etobicoke Lakeshore Press (even before that, if I take into account the first magazine I published back in 2006 for West Queen West) and have carried that passion with me ever since.

After moving from Long Branch in South Etobicoke to the village of Flesherton in Grey Highlands, I began to view our new country communities through that same lens - seeking the subtle and not-so-subtle differences between places like Meaford

and Thornbury, Southampton and Duntroon, and even Markdale and Collingwood.

How happy was I when I stumbled upon Carolyn Graziani’s social media accounts: Instagram: @totesplustoronto Facebook: @totes+toronto

Her illustrations of Toronto neighbourhoods and locales across Grey-Bruce-Simcoe struck a chord with me. So much so, I was inspired to profile a collection of her work as the feature story in this month’s Arts & Culture edition.

If you’re a fan of locally-inspired art, consider ordering a print featuring your own town or neighbourhood.

All work credited to Artist: Carolyn Graziani

www.LocalesDesign.com

Listen to “Meet Me At The Albatross” on the new EP from local band, So Dirty The Flamingos dropping May12!

The song was inspired by their favourite haunt on the Lakeshore; The Albatros Pub.

Check it out, along with other Americana songs of great quality!

www.sodirtytheflamingos.com

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS

Habits, along with many other experts believe that it all comes down to one thing: our habits.

Our brains are wired for us to do what feels good; to be rewarded, even if it doesn’t serve our best interests (i.e., binge eating processed foods). Because these habits lead to a positive stimulus or outcome, they keep us stuck in a state that isn’t aligned with what our body truly needs to thrive.

Habit Change for Health

By: Kira Bauer

When it comes to feeling well, there are three main areas of focus that many of us require: eating nourishing foods, exercise, and getting adequate sleep. These pillars, when functioning optimally, are the foundations of vibrant health. And yet we have never been more sick, sedentary, sleep deprived, and dis-eased as we are today. So where do we start?

James Clear, respected author of Atomic

A valuable evidence-based tool that you can implement today for your health is called ‘habit stacking’. First, identify a current habit you already do each day, and then stack your new behaviour on top. For example: after you brush your teeth, go for a 10 minute walk.

And remember... small changes make for big rewards!

Looking for support in sustaining these changes? Let’s get in touch: kbauercoaching@gmail.com

One of the aspects of Lakeshore Campus that I am most proud of is the sense of community we have built.

Lakeshore does not exist in its own little bubble – we are an active part of the Etobicoke Lakeshore community. Being connected to the people who live and work in the area, including our staff, students, and faculty, is particularly important to us. We are always looking for ways to deepen these relationships and strengthen our community ties.

I think about a few of the events we have hosted over the last several months that have brought people together on our campus. The Black Heritage 365 Panel: From Resistance to Resilience panel discussion was presented by the office of Etobicoke–Lakeshore MPP Christine Hogarth in partnership with Humber Lakeshore. It provided a platform for prominent Black members of the Etobicoke Lakeshore and Humber communities to share their stories of excellence and success.

At this event we were so fortunate to welcome the Honorable Dr. Jean Augustine, who made history as the first Black woman to be elected to the House of Commons as MP for the Etobicoke-Lakeshore riding. She served as the Minister of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women in the Cabinet of Canada from 2002 to 2004 and was the Parliamentary Secretary to

The panelists’ stories were inspiring and thought provoking, and I know many in the audience, myself included, were moved and left the panel discussion with ideas for change and innovation.

In early April, we hosted a screening of the documentary STEADFAST: The Message and the Messenger. This film follows the life and career of the Honorable Dr. Augustine and her unwavering determination and commitment to fighting for the rights of Canadians on a national and universal level.

The film moved through various locations in Canada, the UK and Grenada, documenting Dr. Augustine’s journey from Happy Hill to Capitol Hill. The film highlighted her motion in 1995 to recognize February as Black History Month in Canada and featured her current work through the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment.

Dr. Augustine joined us for the screening as did her daughter Valerie Augustine, who produced the documentary. After the film, Dr. Augustine shared a few words about the film and her journey before posing for photos with some of those in attendance.

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien from 1994 to 1996.

By: June MacDonald-Jenkins, Principal

I was surprised and incredibly honoured when she gifted both myself and Humber College President and CEO Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan with a STEADFAST coffee table book.

Along with the above events, our Lakeshore Interpretive Centre continues to inspire us with their ongoing exhibits. The most recent exhibit which just closed was titled “Soul Existence” and featured work by local artist Susannah Smith and was on display in the Third Floor Gallery at the Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre. On April 13, we celebrated Smith’s work and success with a closing party, which welcomed staff, students and community members to view the work for the last time and speak with the artist about her process and inspiration.

We have also have a new exhibition launching May 8 featuring the work of local artist Courtney Carstens. “Florals, Naturally” is an exploration of Ontario flora through water colour paintings that reflect the intricacy and detail of Ontario’s botanical bouquet. Through an examination of permaculture and sustainable gardening practices, Carstens shares her perspectives and expertise with all members of the Etobicoke Lakeshore community and beyond.

Did you know you can propose an exhibition as the Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre features solo and group art shows and welcomes contributions to its bi-annual exhibitions. Themes must connect to one of the Centre’s four guiding pillars of Indigenous heritage, mental health history, educational heritage, or ecology, and/or highlight the local history

-

Lakeshore Campus

of the Lakeshore Grounds region. Submissions are encouraged both from community members and students. Artists of all experience levels are supported.

You can find out more by visiting the Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre’s website at www.lakeshoregrounds.ca/upcoming-exhibitions

Beasts of the Southern Wild A First Hand Account of Automotive Culture Down South This Winter

By: Robert Iantorno

Vehicles project the paradigm of their owners -thus, car culture varies widely from place to place, and changes based on the people who inhabit the area and animate the machines. This past winter Down South was a fascinating exploration of this phenomenon.

St. Augustine Beach is a pleasant, surfy seaside strip on the North East side of Florida. It was home to the Timicua, and was then conquested by the Spanish in search of The Fountain of Youth. The long, slim strip of land is now home to a cohort of retirees from the Northeast US, mostly in search of the same. Sunsets are beautiful, people are friendly, and you can ride bicycles on the Sandy beach. Here, I saw plenty of old vans covered with kooky stickers, curtains on the windows and surfboards lashed to the roofs. All the vans were poorly maintained with squeaky brakes and dried out gaskets, but they just weren’t about that, man.

On a brief sojourn to New Orleans (I tried a Sazerac, ate beignets at Café du Monde, and found the city to be filthy and delightful), I spotted this buttercup yellow Thunderbird -ratty and fun; itself a filthy delight.

In rural Western Florida, the “No Trespassing” signs read, “POSTED”. The insinua-

tion is, “This here sign is POSTED. I have POSTED it and letting you know so that I can legally shoot you on my property.” People down in this part of the world are forthcoming and unapologetic about their politics and religion, and the machines are the same.

This nasty yellow Frankenstein of a Studebaker spotted in the parking lot at Coney Island Hotdogs in Webster. This, kids, is what we call a “Deathtrap” -a tube framed, fibreglass bodied dragster on slick tires. The big, jovial owner tells me that it’s been totalled twice, sawn apart and welded together repeatedly, and that it’s currently powered by stroked 390 Chevy engine making I-don’t-know-how-many horsepower (it doesn’t matter -it’s a lot). It’ll do 0-60 in 2.1 seconds, and it sounds and smells like it wants to hurt you. The owner has grease under his fingernails, wears suspenders and has a huge smile across his face as we talk about carburetors and zoomie headers. We each said, “you got

ROBERT IANTORNO

that right, Brother” more than once, then slapped high five. Then I proceeded to smash 2 foot long hot dogs and a Texas Chili burger. Things down here are straight forward.

The many RV Resorts in Florida host “Snowbirds”, a term broadly applied to transient or seasonal peoples who live in wheeled domciles. This way of life has a far reaching comaraderie and a culture of lending a hand and exchanging stories. At one of our RV resorts, I had the pleasure of attending Cars and Coffee each Wednesday with some gentlemen Snowbird gearheads, where we would sit for hours and geek out about our love of valve actuation, body lines and fuel delivery systems. My new buddy, Jim is originally from Illinois, and is a retired Master GM Mechanic with a profound connection to machines. Jim and his wife are “Full Timers”, meaning that they embrace RVing as a way of life. Doing so in this case required the humility to leave behind the physical manifestations of a love of vehicles, and instead opting to carry only the beautiful memories. Above is a spread of Jim’s personal vehicles, includ-

ing Jim astride his 1987 GSXR-1100 (this is significant, as I once owned a blue ‘86), complete with matching Dainese leathers and Shoei helmet -even a period-correct moustache.

I wrote this account while pulled over in our Vixen21TD (pictured bottom left), somewhere in North Carolina. Birds are singing, there’s a light rain, and we have begun the long trek back home having added thousands of miles and memories to the odometer. So what does this peculiar 1987 fibreglass RV project about us? I guess it’s that we don’t give up, that normalcy doesn’t cut it, and that we can’t help but ramble on down the road.

Canada has made a remarkable recovery from the COVID recession. Our economic growth was the strongest in the G7, 830,000 more Canadians are employed than before the pandemic,inflation has fallen for eight months in a row, our unemployment rate is near its record low. Inshort, we are in good shape.

With these strong economic fundamentals, our Made-In-Canada Plan Budget 2023, recently tabled in the House of Commons, builds on this important progress. Budget 2023 comes at an important moment for our country - and at an important moment for the world. In the near-term, we must contend with a slowing global economy, elevated interest rates around the world, and inflation that is still too high.

At a challenging time in a challenging world, there is no better place to be than Canada.

The Budget includes initiatives on many different aspects of life and priorities for Canadians.Here are just a couple, ones that I have heard from constituents about over the last few months.

Health Care Budget 2023 investments include:

- Providing an additional $198.3 billion over 10 years, including $46.2 billion in new funding;

- An investment to provide dental care to Canadians who need it, with $13 billion over five years, and $4.4 billion ongoing, to implement the Canadian Dental Care Plan. This plan will begin to roll out in 2023; - $158.4 million over three years to support the implementation and operation of 988 with Canadians able to call or text 988 at any time to access immediate mental health support by November 30, 2023; and,

- $359.2 million over five years to support a renewed Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy.

Climate Action

Today, the world’s major economies are moving at an unprecedented pace to fight climate change, retool their economies, and build the net-zero industries of tomorrow. Canada is in an ideal place to take advantage of the opportunities of a green economy. Budget 2023 presents our Made-in-Canada plan and is underpinned by a new federal toolkit for investing in the clean economy: a set of clear and predictable investment tax credits, low-cost strategic financing, and targeted investments and programming, where necessary, to

respond to the unique needs of sectors or projects of national economic significance.

Budget 2023 delivers:

- A suite of new investment tax credits designed to attract and accelerate investments in clean electricity, clean technology manufacturing, and clean hydrogen;

- Labour requirements to investment tax credits to ensure government support for businesses to grow providing workers with good wages and apprenticeship opportunities;

- $3 billion dollars over 13 years to support clean electricity programs;

- A clean electricity focus for the Canada Infrastructure Bank, with investments of at least $20 billion to support the building of major clean electricity and clean growth infrastructure projects; and,

There are many other initiatives, such as the introduction of a new grocery rebate which will deliver target relief for 11 million Canadians who need it most, or how we are helping small businesses by lowering credit card transaction fees.

You can learn more by visiting: www.budget.canada.ca