the brant advocate, issue 8, april 2012

7/28/2019 The Brant Advocate, Issue 8, April 2012

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www.brantadvocate.comfacebook: The Brant Advocate

twitter: @BrantAdvocateApril 2012 Please Take One

www.brantadvocate.comfacebook: The Brant Advocate

twitter: @BrantAdvocateApril 2012 Please Take One

Brownfield sites exist in a city's

industrial section on locations with

abandoned factories or commercial

buildings or other previously

polluting operations. ~ Wikipedia

PhotocourtesyofTiaRobinsonPhotography


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January 2013www.brantadvocate.com Facebook: The Brant Advocate Twitter: @BrantAdvocatePage 2

Its tough not to yell.

After years of living in a community that has be

hard hit by the decline in manufacturing both in

the 1980s and in the last five years, I get why people

feel the need. Even if you and yours have survived

the economic turmoil that has repeatedly pounded

the people of Brant, there has been plenty of misery

to go around.

Growing up in 1980s Brantford in a house run by

two high school teachers, I never felt the impact of

the losses of industries like Massey-Ferguson. I

was too young to understand that something waswrong, too young to care that so many had been

hurt by job losses.

The 1990s brought the years of teenage angst. I

often looked at my friends and with the most gruesome

tone of discontent I whined that there was never

anything to do here. It felt as if this community

was so boring; that the bright lights of the big city

would have so much more to offer.

When I moved back here in 2002 after finishing

university in London, I looked around this

community and saw the same wretched features

that I had walked away from years earlier. In spiteof the growing number of smiling faces that were

beginning to don the streets of Brantford, the

pathetic images of a depressed city still stood out

among the happiness.

I pounded the depressed pavement looking for

work. Angry, upset, frustrated looking at a town

that reflected the same. I wanted to bitch, yell,

scream, and shout, blasting anyone and everyone

about the disgusting site I saw in front of my face.

Instead, I chose to volunteer. I decided to put my

current skills to good use and try to get better. I

went down to Rogers TV and truly began my

career in broadcasting. Learning about the

community from behind the camera made me

quickly realize two very important things. The

good I saw in the community was actually great,

and the bad I saw in the community was actually

horrific.

A few months in to my career at Rogers TV Brantford

I was faced with two elections: municipal and

provincial. During both campaigns the loudest of

the loud, the angriest of the angry, and the most

devastated of the utterly devastated lined up for theopportunity to be heard. Leading up to both

campaigns, people kept yelling. As the campaigns

drew nearer to election day, people kept yelling

even louder.

I spent years following those campaigns trying to

find a way to make the yelling stop. But it didntmatter what the issue was. It didnt make a differenceif some people thought a decision was for the best.No matter how great something was for Brantford,Brant County, or Six Nations, the yelling neverstopped. They wouldnt stop They couldntstop

I began to wonder if anyone understood what theywere yelling about. Passion for a point of view onan issue shouldnt have to lead to yelling. At leastnot all the time. At least not when you are tryingto make a point. At least not when you are tryingto make someone understand.

But I was wrong. The voices of discontent in this

community just kept yelling But the time has

come to stop.

In case you hadnt noticed, this whole yelling thing

isnt working for anyone. Progress is not being

made, and we have to have progress. Nothing is

changing, but it needs to change. No one is listening,

but they need to listen.

This month, in the Advocate, we begin to show you

that the time for yelling and screaming is officially

over. Now is the time for education, inspiration,

and real, thoughtful debate. Now is when those

who used to yell begin to find a better way to help

us understand why they have been so angry for so

long.

It starts with a man named Stephen Morris. A well-

educated, thoughtful, and intelligent man who, up

until now, has chosen to yell and scream out of

frustration as his ideas got shot down one by one.

When he spoke, others spoke over him. So he got

louder, and louder, and louder.

A few months ago during former NDP leadership

hopeful Romeo Saganashs trip to the Woodland

Cultural Centre, Stephen approached me to discuss

participating in the Advocate. I knew Stephen, and

I understood the basics of the information that he

wanted to present. I didnt know how he was going

to pull it off. I simply looked at him and said

educate me. He had similar conversations with

Advocate co-owners Lucas and Marc and both had

a similar message.

I was really hoping that Stephen would take what

we had said under advisement and produce an

article for this publication, but weeks went by withno response. Then suddenly there was a Facebook

message, and an article was produced. I was

excited, and yet, scared. Yes, I have turned down

submissions to this publication. People have written

toxic material and it has been rejected. I was hoping

that Stephen would be the exception.

He was.

In this months edition, we present a story by

Stephen Morris that looks at the science behind

brownfield remediation. It examines how we may

be able to use nature to clean up the toxins found

in the Greenwich-Mohawk site in Brantford.

Read the article. You dont have to agree, you just

have to try and understand.

The time to yell in Brantford, Brant, and Six

Nations is over. Now is the time to speak with avoice that educates. One voice to promote understanding

and acceptance.

One voice that makes our community great.

------------------------------------------------------------

Special thanks to Bethany Schultz, Evan Cham-

pagne, and Juno award nominee Craig Cardiff. I

wrote this editorial while being inspired by the

sounds of their live performance presented by the

Advocate. Thank you.

Its tough not to yell Editorial by Andrew Macklin

Photo courtesy of Tia Robinson Photography

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CHICKEN PARMESAN

A PANKO ENCRUSTED CHICKEN BREAST OVEN BAKEDWITH OUR ZESTY TOMATO SAUCE AND MOZZARELLA CHEESE.SERVED WITH OUR SEASONAL VEGETABLES AND SPAGHETTI.

SHRIMP PRIMAVERA ON ANGEL HAIR PASTA

SHRIMP SAUTED WITH JULIENNE VEGETABLES IN OURWHITE WINE AND HERB GARLIC BUTTER TOSSED WITHANGEL HAIR PASTA AND TOPPED WITH PARMESAN CHEESE

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GRILLED ALL BEEF PATTI TOPPED WITH SLICED ROMA TOMATOES,LETTUCE, FRESH MOZZARELLA, DOUBLE SMOKED APPLE WOODBACON, SUN-DRIED TOMATO AIOLI WITH ALDENTE MAC & CHEESE

:


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January 2013 www.brantadvocate.com Facebook: The Brant Advocate Twitter: @BrantAdvocate Page 3

Brownfield sites exist in a city's

industrial section on locations with

abandoned factories or commercialbuildings or other previously

polluting operations. ~ Wikipedia

As we walk around Brantford, let us open

ourselves to the ways of nature around us. Many

living things make a stand, and live or die in a

relationship with their environment.

They do not have the luxury to move away: they

feed us, clothe us, and provide us with fuel and

shelter. Plants and living organisms in the soil

reach out for their sustenance to the soil, the sun,

the rain, the air, and everything they can draw from

these four elements that surround them.

From the sun they take energy in abundance, and

with an efficiency that we would love to copy.

From the rain they take their main ingredient, H2O.

From the air they take nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and

sometimes pure oxygen, to build their cells. From

the soil they vacuum water, and everything in the

water, at a molecular level. Osmosis allows all of

this to pass through a plant's root's semi-permeable

membrane by diffusion.

Plants do not discriminate much about what they

take on board. To a degree they regulate the uptake

of electrically charged (ionized) atoms to protect

against excessive potassium ion uptake. That is all.

Still they uptake all ions, just in a more regulated

way. Chelating agents can be added to the soil, if

wanted, to aid in the uptake by plants of heavy

metal ions faster. These chelators are not poisonous.

They cost about fifty cents a pound. The chelator

agent product, EDTA, is made of only the mainthree elements in air: hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen.

It is harmless.

As water transpires from the upper part of a plant

in the heat of the sun, the water keeps flowing

upwards from the roots, and with it, the molecules

and atoms that entered the root system with the

water. These molecules could be fertilizer or

calcium or other minerals, or they could be cutting

oil thrown out the back door of Massey's every

Friday afternoon on the

ground. These molecules can be diesel fuel, PCB's,

heavy metals, and any other of over one hundred

contaminants that might be found on our brown-

fields in Brantford.

Scientists call this process phytoextraction. Usually

plants degrade these contaminant molecules into

harmless constituents by breaking covalent anddivalent bonds to provide energy and building

materials for the plant. Scientists call this process

phytodegradation. Phyto is Greek for plant. What

a plant cannot use, including heavy metal, gets

sequestered in nodes and vacuoles in the green part

of the plant. Scientists call this phytosequestration.

We can call it Fixing Brantford.

Sunflowers were famously used after the Chernobyl

nuclear incident to successfully pull radioactive

isotopes out of the ground. People are living there

now. Scientists have now identified over 400

Scientists call thisphytosequestration.

We can call it fixingBrantford.

species of plants that will thrive in contaminated

soil and pull up the contaminants, including PCBs,

and heavy metal like lead, arsenic, mercury, cad-

mium, and all the rest of these nasty chemicals.

Scientists call these plants hyperaccumulators.

Phytoremediation comes highly recommended by

Environment Canada, the Environmental Protection

Agency, the USDA, the United Nations, and all

kinds of other organizations and professors. Plants

can harmlessly sequester the lead and mercuryfrom the battery and ammunition companies of

Greenwich-Mohawk brownfields. Heavy metal is

corrosive. It sticks to the Myelin sheath of their

brain and nerve cells. It corrodes a hole and the

electrical impulses leak out to the side and do not

make it to the next cell. This causes brain and central

nervous system damage that is permanent and

accumulative. It is also carcinogenic.

White Farm has been down for 23 years now, yet

all the ground is sealed up with cement. Sternson's

has been down for about 10 years now. Most of

that ground remains sealed in cement. The rainwater

goes through the cracks and under the cement and

pushes the pollution plumes along, underground,

under the cement. Scientists call using plants to

stabilize pollution plumes, by reducing water flow,

phytostabilization.

Some people say that natural soil remediation

would take too long. It would take 8 -10 years todo a great job with chelating agents to speed up the

uptake of metal ions. Professor Greenberg of the

University of Waterloo has documented cases

where it has taken 6 years.

It would be thorough, effective, and cheap. Where

plants did not thrive, a small city backhoe could

excavate and the hot spot could be dispersed to

lower concentrations, so plants could work.

Artificial soil remediation is well over one

hundred times more expensive then practicing

natural soil remediation for 8 10 years with

chelation. Nature works for free, but we have tohave a little patience. I want to see a solution for

the Greenwich-Mohawk that is safe for future

generations, and is also cost- effective. If we practice

natural soil remediation at Greenwich-Mohawk

brownfield the resulting development will be better,

less dense and less contaminated then it would

otherwise be.

After we have taken down the buildings, I hope we

finally take up all the cement and asphalt and let

in the air and the sun. This decision is ours to

make. I believe that we should take it upon

ourselves to raise our own awareness, and our

friends awareness, of the choice ahead of us.

No one can take this decision away from us. We

have to give it away or keep it. I believe that if we

give this decision away to other people then the

people who make this decision for us, will make it

based on other factors then we would use, in our

thoughts on the subject.

I believe in the benefits of natural soil remediation,

to the soil, to our own bank accounts, to house

values, to the future development there, to our carbon

footprint for Global Warming and most importantly,

to the lives of the children who will live there.

Top photos courtesy of Empirical Photographic ArtsBottom photo courtesy of Tia Robinson Photography

Sunflowers werefamously usedafter the Chernobylnuclear incident tosuccessfully pullradioactive isotopesout of the ground.

People are livingthere now.


4/12


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20min up the road, less timethan driving across the city

Thirty six hours is what stands between twoworlds. These two worlds have their beauty and

their misery, and their own struggles and triumphs.

These two worlds are connected more than you

would think thirty six hours would allow.

36 hours is what it took for me to travel to East

Africa in January.

My mother, my sister, and I were fortunate enoughto be able to participate in a safari that gave us a

taste, perhaps a glimpse, into that area of the world

to witness its hardships, as well as its resilience and

beauty.

This trip was so overwhelming in a number of

ways. I have been struggling to write this piece

since I returned in February. But I think I needed

some distance to be able to sift through my feelingsand my thoughts in order to translate my experience

into words.

This was truly, as the clich says, a trip of a lifetime.

How can you ever recreate the dazzle of walking

beside zebras, or the witnessing of a birth of a

wildebeest and its first steps, or how we were held

to our seats completely mesmerized by elephants

grazing ten feet away from us? My mind often

replays the snow cap of Mount Kilimanjaro as it

peeked out of the clouds, and the cascading waters

of Ndoro Falls. It gives me chills just remembering

those moments. By far my favourite memory had

to be falling asleep out in the open at the Ngorogoro

Crater listening to a lion roaring in the distance.

I struggled with a lot of guilt for taking such an

extravagant winter holiday. Some of this guilt was

eased by the idea of ethical travel. The companywe booked with supports community projects

through their tourism. All of the campgrounds we

stayed at used the camping fees to fund their

initiatives. For example, Snake Park operates a

free health clinic, and the campground in Tango

runs a Sea Turtle egg observation project.

Travel really does widen our world. I am extremely

thankful for the privileges I have had in my life to

be able to see what I have seen, and I am fully

aware that these are not experiences afforded to

everyone. What traveling always brings home for

me is that this world is extremely small, which is

an important lesson in compassion and consumerism.

The second campsite we stayed at houses a

womens weaving cooperative. They spin their

own wool and dye it with vegetables. It employs

725 women. This initiative pays the women a fair

price for their labour and it allows the women to

work at home with their children. We tried to

purchase our gifts for people back home at this

place because we knew the money was going to

the workers and not some foreign owned company.

One of my most excited moments of the trip was

when I learned that I have been buying from this

co-op for two years at our local soap store in Port

Dover. 36 hours away and here I was buying what

I buy at home.

There are so many stories I could share that

happened 36 hours away from here. It is hard to

know where to start and where to end. There are

so many stories that need to be heard here in southern

Ontario because of our thread in that story. I

encourage you to find out about the slave market

in Stonetown in Zanzibar and how that space has

been reclaimed so that the merchants of the

enslaved are not the only ones to own that history.

Look up the Mnarani Sea Turtle conservation pondin Zanzibar that we visited on one of our last days,

so you can be inspired by a small step that has

made a big impact on local wildlife.

How can you everrecreate the dazzle of

walking beside zebras, orthe witnessing of a birth

of a wildebeest.

The beauty, the resilience, the compassion and the

strength of East Africa is overwhelming. As we are

aware there are many struggles there, and many

ways we can support them even though we are 36

hours away.

You can buy fair trade tea and coffee, or purchase

from 10,000 Villages who purchases from several

collectives in Kenya. Fair Trade can be, but it is

not always, more expensive, but it does make a life

of difference.

Even a simple act of listening or watching BBC

World news or following global news on the internet

sites, so that you are aware of the struggles and

triumphs of that piece of the world, is an act of

solidarity and understanding because it can create

opportunities for you to give support by donation

or letter writing through non-governmental organ-

izations such as Doctors without Borders, Oxfam

or conservation projects.

36 hours is a very short distance. It is four hours

short of a pay cheque. It is driving to Ottawa and

back three times. 36 hours is not enough hours for

us to think we are in two different worlds and notconnected. I would love for everyone to be able to

travel 36 hours so they could feel their heart race

watching lions basking in the sun or feeling the

Indian Ocean rolling on the shore over their feet.

Or to feel weak by acknowledging the timeless

history of footsteps on the same piece of Earth you

are walking on and to not even begin to comprehend

the number of stories that have taken place. 36

hours is a privilege that I will forever been thankful

for having had in my life.

Thirty-six hours By Carrie Sinkowski

The sun was shining Easter morning of 1987. As a

10 year old, I faked my way through being

surprised by where that darn Easter Bunny had

hidden the same cracked plastic eggs for mysibling's sake. When it was over, my parents sat

my brother and I down and told us there was something

else they'd like to give us. They presented us with

2 objects that would change our lives: matching,

tan, Rawlings baseball gloves brandishing the bold

"The Finest in the field" statement. Rawlings was

the glove we saw our favourite Toronto Blue Jays

using, and now it was right there... in our living

room. Putting the mitt on my left hand was a spir-

itual experience. It made my spirit leap and

breathed hope into my major league dreams.

I became a Blue Jays fan in the fall of 1985 as

George Bell dropped to his knees celebrating their

first ever pennant. In '86, Jesse Barfield took the

majors by storm, not only by hitting 40 home runs,

but by his cannon-arm reaching its pinnacle. I

began examining my brand new highly-treasured

object. I saw HIS name on MY glove. The man

who made diving catches then threw out thosedamn fools who dared to take an extra base... Jesse

Barfield. George Bell would hit 47 homeruns that

season and become my favourite player. But

Jesse's name was forever on my weapon.

We played baseball daily. We played it as soon as

the sun came up, before the heat of the day in our

schoolyard tennis court. We played it in backyards.

We played Brantford Minor Baseball too. We

played it in the sun and we played it in the rain.

My parents would holler at us about getting our

leather wet, but it was no use. There were so many

benefits of the rain! It worked it in better, it made

our hands smell like leather so we could continue

smelling like the game we loved later, and hey...

why stop playing baseball just because of a little

water. The ball was just a bit heavier. Today, the

insides are torn and worn from those rain games

but it still fits like a glove.

In 1991, I took a baseball road trip to watch the

Blue Jays at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium with

my good friend. We followed the Jays around

malls and tracked them down in hotels to get

autographs on our home white hats. We waved

those hats around tauntingly, much to the chagrin

of the O's fans whose team was HORRID in the

long summer of '91 before they moved to Camden

Yards the next year. My hat was ink-loaded, but I

held out my glove autograph for one man. Kelly

Gruber. I was playing 3rd base that year and I

loved how that chiselled Texan attacked balls,

springing to life like a fox terrier and launching the

sphere to John Olerud as if it was shot from abazooka. After game 2 of 3, we waited outside of

the visitors gate until we saw his blond locks

dancing out of the tunnel. He said nothing, barely

looking at us on his way to the waiting bus, but he

DID sign my glove. That season, I looked down at

his name before every pitch. It reminded me to get

down low in my crouch and have my glove touching

the dirt. The felt blue marker is still VERY faintly

visible to the eye, but I don't have to SEE it to

know what it looks like.

In 2000, as a young married man, I traveled to

Ghana with visions of becoming to West African

Baseball what Cool Runnings was to Jamaican

Bobsledding. I had the amazing opportunity tocombine sharing God's love for mankind with

being a part of the National spark of what is now

an active Ghanaian baseball program. During one

of my rural baseball exhibitions, my then 13-year-

old glove's leather laces broke for the first time.

No other glove would do for me, so I asked some

of the ex-professional Japanese ballplayers that

were being paid handsomely to coach baseball in

the wealthier Accra schools what to do. One, who

was a friend of Hideo Nomo (who had become the

first Japanese player to reach the major leagues 5

years prior) took my glove and me off to the busy

market and bought some local leather. He cut it

into small strips, and fixed my worn Rawlings up.It wasn't perfect surgery, but each time I pull the

African leather additions tight, I remember the

purpose and passion of my equatorial adventures.

My baseball glove is now 25 years old. I cant wait

to play catch with my son this spring, using the

only glove I've called mine in a quarter century. It

hangs in my den near my desk. When I need to

escape from the world for a minute, I'll put it over

my face, lay on the couch and inhale its history.

My baseball glove By Dave Carrol


5/12


The faculty and staff of the Advocate would like to thank allof the businesses and organizations across Brantford, Brant and SixNations that generously support us by distributing our publication everymonth.

At the request of our readers, and as a thank you to thosewho support us, here is a list of all of the locations where you can pickup a copy of the Advocate each and every month.

WEST BRANT

Mac's Milk, Goo's, Sammy's Rec Room, Kingswood Diner, Mr. Chips , Doug'sDonuts, West Brant Coin Laundry, Happy Variety, Duey's, Maria's Pizza, PetCrazy Express, Pita Pit, Pizzaville, Twighlight Tanning Salon, Cathy's Nails,Starbucks

PARIS / TOLLGATE

Happy Days Mini-Mart, Sonia's Variety, Happy Nails, Tito's Pizza, Girls Den,Olde School House

CHARING CROSS / ST. PAUL

Euro Convenience, Pizza Roma, Don Warrener's Martial Arts, St. George &Grand Mart, Empirical Photo, Nova Vita, Metro, My Thai, Shaks Shwarma,Jammit Music, Meatsauce Pizza, McGonagall's

EAGLE PLACE

Stan's Confectionary, Emilie's Mini Mart, Crystal's Hair Care, Sun Milk Conven-ience, Used Appliances, Used Clothing, Wingmaster, Eagle Place Laundry,Dozer's, Over Easy, The Hair Salon - Salon 81, Joe's Variety, Bain's Max Mart,In Season Living, Woodland Cultural Centre, Carolyn's Home Baking, SimplySoy Candles, Unique Peace Home Furn., Hill's Computer Service, Mac's Con-venience, Family Pizza, Big Top Submarine, Eagle Place Variety, Eagle PlaceVideo and Con., Doug Snooks Community Centre, Petro Canada, ClarenceSt. Dental, Workforce Planning Board GE

ECHO PLACE / COLBORNE EAST

Kreative Khaos, Tip Top Health Shoppe, Palace Submarine, La Bella DonnaHair Stylists, Grand River CHC, Why Not, Maple Convenience, Mohawk Col-lege, Liberty Cleaning Services, Brantford Music Centre, Maria`s Pizza,Bouncing Buddah Tattoo, H and S Discount, Pet Valu, The Dutch Shop, Army,

Navy, Air Force , Sital Hairstyling , Natural Nail Care , Bismillah Daily Basket, Mario's Pizza, Mohawk Convenience , Addison's, Quality Inn & Suites, RockUniverse , Medichair Cowell, Just Friends, Big Bear Food Mart, Echo PlaceCoin Laundry, Telly's Convenience, Echo Place Family Rest., Seniors Re-source Centre, Mario and Sam's Auto Service, Maple Convenience 2000,Pizza Spot, Sherwood Motel, Sherwood Restaurant, Nicol Florist, ColborneAuto Detailling, Bell City Motel, Scott Veterinary Clinic, Shanghai Restaurant,H&H Tackle, Husky, Pencar, Mrs. Fries, Crossroads Flea Market, Toki Loft,Brooks Signs

FAIRVIEW / WEST

Skin Care Essentials, Station Coffee House, Rogers TV, Fairview Drive PetHospital, Dundas Variety, Enterprise Brant, Dorsey Group, Strodes

DOWNTOWN

Tropical Paradise Tanning, Harry's , Admiral's Submarine, Brant Communica-tions, Crazy Bill`s, City Taxi, Al's Shoes, Brant Art Shoe, The Habit, King Laun-dry, The Queen's Closet, Dr. Vic Schacher, Dolphin Variety, Contact Brant, ImperialSubmarine, Cesars Barber Shop, Custom Colour T Shirts, Manifest Yoga,Sanderson Centre, Piston Broke, Williams Downtown, Business ResourceCentre, Pita Plus, Cobby`s, University Pharmacy, Hamachi Sushi, GrandRiver Employment, Urban Hookup/Wright's, Tait Quartermain Optical, Cae-sar's Place, Brostock, SACAP, Brant Ass. Comm. Treat, Cdn. Mental Health,Stylo Family Hair, Brantford Public Library, City of Brantford, Beckett AdultLeisure Centre, Just Like New, Inity Fashions, Essential Physiotherapy, MPDave Levac's Office, Aboriginal Health Centre, Warmington's Bistro, ToounSalon, Children's Aid Society, Laurier Brantford, The Ring, Brant Native Hous-ing, Jebbo's Computer, Pasquale`s Meat & Deli, Bob`s Tobacco and Maga-zine, Brant Stereo, Lonnie`s Restaurant, Market St. Dental, Brando's, TwoDoors Down, Express Submarine, Oriental Restaurant, Alexanders Tavern,

Stormy`s Variety, Mario's Pizza, Brant Mini Mart, The Mixdown, Harmony Grill,Coffee Culture, Brantford Arts Block, Strodes Express, Freedom House, Dr.Sokoloski

STANLEY / GREY

Lucky's Coin Laundry, Lucky's Variety, BYO Breweries, Super Cycle Coin Laundro-mat, Daisy Mart, Goodfellas, Mr. Paws, Kneaded Care, Rawdon Automotive,Cormier's Confectinery, Steelworkers Action Centre, Brant Taxi, RossiniLodge, Marconi's Diner, Alternate Icons

CASINO / FARMER'S MARKET

Just 4 You Nails, Jumbo Dragon, First Choice, Action Medical Home Health,Subway, Ontario March of Dimes, Legal Clinic, Brantford and District LabourCentre, Brantford Food Bank, Community Resource Services, Swan's Pro-duce, Brantford Farmer's Market, Brantford and District Civic Centre

HOLMEDALE / BRANT AVE.

Daisy Mart, Vic's Variety, Holmedale Coin Laundry, Holmedale Mini-Mart,The Brantford Bookworm, Serenity Country Candles, Indecks Skateboards &Clothing, Total Convenience, Viet Thai Basil, Brantford Collegiate, Blue DogCoffee Roasters, Sexual Assault Centre, Hair Dresser on Fire, Arthur's ByThe Grand

KING GEORGE ROAD

Stan's Variety, Toppers Pizza, Casey's Bar and Grill, Blessings Eatery, PitaPit, Microplay, Global Pet Foods, Williams Caf , S & H Health Foods ,Williams Caf , Al Dente, Lexton's Tap and Grill, Shawarma King

NORTH END

Digital Duck Inc., Culligan Water, Brantford Tourism Centre, Big Ben's FamilyDiner, The Sugar House, Woodview Childrens Centre, Broasters Chicken,Tito's Pizza, Duey's, Carmen's Homestyle Pizza, The Perch and Wing Eatery,Frankie's, Luciani's Pizza, New City Church, The Print Shoppe, Silver Dragon

PARIS

Sobey's, Pharma Plus, Paris Library, Divalicious, County of Brant Office, ParisRealty, Remax Heritage, Chocolate Sensations, Three Blind Mice CheeseShop, Wendy's General Store, Jade's of Paris, 2 Rivers Restaurant, GreenHeron Book Shop, Brown Dog Coffee, Paris Bakery, Steve's Place, The CedarHouse, The Canadian House, Paris Variety, Camp 31 Bar-B-Q, Paris By TheGrand, Home Hardware, Caf Europa, Amelia Biscuit Company, Friendly Un-tied Discount Variety, Cobblestone's Public House

BURFORD

Burford Bakery, Godfather's Pizza, Burford Market, Foodland, Esso

ST. GEORGE

Richi Milk, The Rustic Mug, Brown Dog Coffee Shop, St. George Arms, Food-land

SIX NATIONS

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When I was 5 years old I used to carry

around my ghetto blaster and interview

everyone in my family, including

my cat Ming. I have fond memories

of interviewing family members

and the family cat thinking one day

Im going to be on TV. Its actually quite

surprising that I knew so early on what I wantedto do with my life. In elementary school I was

outgoing and ready to get involved in everything. It was

in Grade 8 that I was given the opportunity to take an

Enrichment Class in

Media at Farringdon

School. Mr. Hagey

led the program

and took the time

to work with me to

learn as much as I

could during the

week that I was

there. At the end

of the session he

said to me,

Kiddo, you need

to take my class

when you come to

PJ. I want to see

you there in a few

years. Youre anatural.

When I started

high-school at PJ I

became shy. I was

not outgoing and

was weary of getting

involved in any

extracurricular ac-

tivities. I studied and

achieved good grades and

in Grade 10, I took the Grade 11

English Media Class. I had just turned 15 and I remember walking into the

room that was filled with 17-20 year olds and feeling like I was going to die.

I was painfully shy but I really wanted to be in this media class. Mr. Hagey

was thrilled when he came into the classroom and saw me sitting there shaking.

Amazingly, this class of older kids welcomed me and I became the person

that never had a problem finding a group to work in.

It was near the end of the term when Mr. Hagey pulled me aside and said,Are you going to take a co-op for this? I had no clue what a co-op was and

he explained that I could go to Rogers TV and do a placement to learn more

about TV. I looked up to Mr. Hagey and he gave me the confidence to apply

for a co-op. I was accepted and started my placement in February of 1993.

My placement went well and I was hired part-time in September of 1993,

and here it is, 2012, and Im still at Rogers TV as a Producer.

My experiences here have changed my outlook on our community. I have

been in the position of reporting on a variety of community stories that ranged

in happy stories to disturbing stories. I have covered local events, news, politics

and the list goes on. The most exciting part of my job has been working with

local people and organizations that are doing what they can to make Brantford-

Brant an amazing place to live, work and raise a family. I have personally

become involved as a volunteer with organizations that accessed Rogers TV.

Over the years, I have been particularly proud of the access that Rogers TV

gives to local causes. We offer everyone the opportunity to promote their

charity, cause or tell their stories. We also produce programs that are

completely created by community members. Every day Im working with

new volunteers from our community, as well as veteran volunteers that have

been with us for many years. Rogers TV is also a training ground for co-op

students and college interns. We show

students exactly what its like to work

in TV. We provide free training, and

volunteers and students can learn anything

from reporting and writing to videography, editing

and directing. The opportunities for learning are endless.

We produce a daily talk show called Inside Brant which

is a place where organizations can come on and talk aboutlocal fundraisers, issues and events. Our Talk Local is

produced in partnership with the Brant News and Sean

Allen is the host. This program offers an in-depth look

at issues in Brant.

One of the more

exciting things

that I work on is

what we call

Access Programs.

Access Programs

are ideas that

come directly from

the community.

Local people pitch

their show ideas

and essentially

become the host of

the show. During

the past year, we

have focused ongrowing these

programs and I

have had the

opportunity to

work on an Early

Learning and

Development Se-

ries, two series on

local seniors and

the issues that they

face, and a program that

focuses on political issues.

I continue to work within the community to encourage people that have stories

to share, or ideas for programs, to come forward and propose a program.

I have to say that every day is fun and exciting and there are not a lot of dull

moments. Having the opportunity to be on the front-line in the community

offers me a chance to meet many wonderful people, hear a lot of amazing

stories but most importantly I get the chance to produce programs that evoke

emotion in our audience. From heart-warming stories to political issues; itchanges every day.

Im looking forward to continuing my journey here at Rogers TV. Hundreds

of volunteers, co-ops and interns have been through our doors and many have

gone on to get jobs in TV. Having a role in teaching these students is by far

one of the most rewarding parts of my work. Im often called the Mom of

the office and I wear that badge with pride!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you have ever wondered what its like to work in TV or if you have a show

idea, please get in touch with me! I would love to hear from our community

about shows that they would like to be a part of. Visit our website at

rogerstv.com to propose a show or to book an appearance on a current show.

If youre feeling the TV calling, then Rogers TV is the place to be. We are

continuing to look for new show ideas and recruit new volunteers all year.

You could be the next local TV star!

The Impactof Community

TelevisionBy Patti Berardi

If you, or someone you know has been diagnosed with Celiacdisease or a sensitivity to Gluten we can help. Always fresh.

From our table to yours. 100% Gluten-Free.

Sophias Bakery & Caf. Coming soon tothe corner of King & Colborne, downtown Brantford.


6/12


L ightingBl indsWal lpaperDraperyPaint

405 St. Paul Avenue, Brantford.

Showcasing Local Talent by Laura DuguidPart of being an Advocate for Brantford is

the ability to look past the obvious. To see

the beauty of the city we live in and the

potential of the people and the places thatsurround us. The same can be said for my

friend Paul Smith. Look past the obvious

fact that he's young and see what he sees in

our community.

There is no truer phrase for a photographer

than in the eye of the beholder. But in

Paul's case it means something a little

different. At 25, Paul is an active member

of the Board for the Brantford Arts

Block and enjoys contributing to some

great causes throughout our region with and

without his camera. Some of Paul's greatest

photographic acheivements are a photo shoot

with the Brantford Symphony Orchestra at

W. Ross MacDonald School, as well as the

beautiful book BCI Forever" commemorating

the 100 year anniversary of the school.

If you look, you will see something a little

unexpected for a young photographer. You'llsee a professional who has been inside some

of Brantford's most prestigious clubs and

concert halls, trusted by some of the city's

most influential people to take some of the

most classically beautiful shots you've ever

seen of our home. In his own words:

I started taking photographs when I was 13

with my grandfather's camera. The poetry

of simply creating something was what

drove my curiosity, and holding something I

made was a true affirmation of self.

Although I found myself fascinated with

famous fashion photographers like Helmut

Newton, Richard Avedon, and Irving Penn,

my first big photography book was James

Nachtwey's Inferno, so I was fortunate to

have a broad perspective of the photographic

medium from a young age. After gaining a

formal education in photographic arts, I

worked for a brief time in the industrybefore opening my own studio here in

Brantford.

To me, behind every awful cliched pho-

tography quote is a sincere sentiment about

our universal desire to understand the world

around us. Photography as a medium is my

way of understanding that unique human

experience.

If you want to get to know Paul visit him at

his website: www.photohouse.ca


7/12


S A R A H S T . A M A N D

I N T E R I O R D E S I G N

stamanddesign.com | [email protected]: studio | 519.802.6328: mobile

Showcasing

Local Talentby Lucas DuguidI'd like to introduce you to some very creativeand talented friends of mine: D'Arcy ElliottMcNeil of Empirical Photographic Arts andLynda Vanderstelt of Serenity Candles.

The first time I set foot in Serenity Candlesit felt like I'd walked into a scene from aHarry Potter film. I spent the first five minutesstanding in the middle of the room turningslowly; trying to take in not only all thethings to look at but also the amazingsounds and smells. My friend Lynda, theowner, handed me a hot cup of flavouredcoffee and the experience was complete.

As a graphic designer, I love being

reminded that creativity has many faces.My creative projects are almost exclusivelyvisual, whereas with Lynda, it's an experiencethat requires all five senses. As I sat amongstall the hand-made treasures, listening to themusic and nature sounds and enjoying mycoffee, I realized this was Lynda's versionof graphic design and I was enjoying theresults of her creative process.

Now, it's one thing for me to use words todescribe my experiences at Lynda's store butthere is no substitute for seeing it for yourself.Take it from me; there is no better way toappreciate beauty than through the eye of aphotographic artist. This brings me to myfriend D'Arcy.

I've had the pleasure of working withD'Arcy for the last three years. He is a

second generation photographer who hasbeen in the business for almost 20 years.After our numerous discussions on the subjectof photography the one thing that stands outto me is the subject of intent. D'Arcy'sphilosophy is that photography is less aboutthe equipment you use, or the settings onyour camera, and more about the intentbehind the photograph. "You can take aphotograph, then hand someone the cameraand have them shoot the same picture withthe same settings. What's different? Intent.

Late last fall after a visit to Lynda's store,D'Arcy decided to embark on a personalproject. After experiencing her place muchin the same way I had done months earlier,DArcy decided to capture Lyndas artistrywith his own. Some of the results of thatwork are showcased here in the pages of theAdvocate.

As we move forward with this publication,we will continue to find ways to show theartistic talents of people from throughoutthis community. With Lynda, and DArcy, itwas an opportunity to show two very differentabilities in one forum.

To find out more about the incredible workdone by these two artists, visit DArcyspersonal website at www.darcyelliott.ca, orhis professional website atwww.empiricalphotographicarts.com, andLyndas website atwww.serenitycountrycandles.ca.


8/12


EXCAVATION BOBCAT SERVICES HAULAGE

All Aboard By Marc Laferriere"Canadians won't work those jobs. They're too

{insert your preferred adjective here} for that."

It's a common phrase, one I heard a lot growing

up. There's some truth to it too. There absolutely

are many Canadians who won't work those jobs we

instead see employing migrant workers in our

region; farming, field work, picking tobacco and

other kinds of work like it. Its back-breaking stuff,

but good honest work for a good honest day's pay.

While there is a bit of truth to it the phrase always

struck me as a bit off too. Frankly, there are some

able-bodied folks who just won't work any job no

matter how cushy it might be. Yes, there are lazy

people out there and I'm sure everyone reading this

could point out an example of someone they know

who cheated the system, who scammed the

government, who lives on our dime. Having done

extensive anti-poverty work both nationally and

locally, I've heard that common frustration.

"Those welfare bums are the reason my taxes keep

increasing."

"I have to work every damn day while they sit at

home."

"Why don't they just get a damn job?"

On the other hand, there are many unemployed

people in our region who would work those jobs.

Then why aren't they? What barriers might they

face? I've heard the stories of those families who

genuinely struggle, faced with barriers of

generational poverty, lack of education and

opportunity. One of the most common obstacles?

Transportation. We live in a spread out, car-filled

part of the world. There are definite issues with our

public transportation system in the city but at least

there is public transportation. If you live in the

County, Six Nations or New Credit, its non-existent.

Further, we dont have public transportation thateffectively and cheaply links our communities.

During an educational trip to Niagara a few years

ago, I learned about a program there that I

think would work very well here.

In Niagara at the time

there were 12

municipalities

in the region

and very

poor links

between the

communities

in regards to

public trans-

portation. At

the same time there

were a large number

of people who were

undergoing long-term

unemployment. Inparts of the region

there were jobs to be

had at the wineries, at

the floral nurseries and

in tourism sector, but these

jobs werent accessible to

the people in the region

who needed them. A

fragmented transportation system

wasnt doing anyone any favours. Businesses were

having to employ, transport, house and feed

migrant workers at great cost to meet the needs of

their various enterprises, while local residents were

on the Ontario Works program.

Fragmented transportation systems. Long-term

unemployment. Extra costs for employers. Vast

distances between where the jobs were and wherethe people who needed them lived. How did

Niagara achieve employment outcomes for local

people in need? How did they save businesses and

taxpayers money? How did they overcome

this barrier? They created The Job Bus.

In 2005, Port Colborne was

selected as a target community.

They held Job Fairs in the

areas of highest need,

and they created

agreements with

employers and

employees to

share the

costs of

providing a

bus from

Port Colborne

and Wellend

to Niagara Falls.They targeted single

adults, families and

youth and, in six months,

saved a quarter of a million

dollars from the Ontario

Works budget. The program

spread. I went on a tour of a floral

nursery whose employees were made

up of many who were happy to use the

Job Bus to get off of Ontario Works. I spoke to

one employee who told me he had been unem-

ployed for 3 years before the program enabled him

to have access to this, and that he couldnt access

the job if the regular public transit system was his

only option. He was now making more money than

he ever could have on assistance and was looking

at getting a vehicle so he could take some overtime

shifts. Another employee talked about how itwasnt only better for him because he had more

money for his family, but because he also made

friends he wouldnt have made otherwise.

Later, I spoke to a manager who told me they had

been able to cut down on costs by paying for a

share of the Job Bus instead of housing, feeding

and transporting migrant workers. I spoke to a

municipal councillor who told me the investment

in the Job Bus saved the municipality lots of

money because it was just a fraction of the cost of

keeping people on a public welfare system.

In Brantford, we have to think of new ways to get

people employed. I would have worked at a farm

growing up but would have needed a car to do so;

but I needed the job to afford a vehicle. These systems

can get us stuck and keep us stuck. But creative

solutions like a job bus can be a win, win, win scenario

for all involved.

Think about it, talk to your government representatives.

Turn them on to an idea like this where Brantford,

the County of Brant, Six Nations and New Credit

can work together with businesses and job-seekers

to find paths to greater employment and reduced

costs. When youre thinking that theres got to be

a better way, sometimes there is. They found that

in Niagara. Could Brantford and the surrounding

area adapt an idea like this one to meet our needs?

Lets hope.

It takes a community to raise a theatre By Kevin MageeIf youve ever wondered who the guy is that is

accountable for everything that happens at the

Sanderson Centre, its me. My name is Kevin

Magee and Im the current Chairman of the

Management Board of the Sanderson Centre for

the Performing Arts. Its a volunteer gig so the pay

is lousy, the hours are long, the workload is over-

whelming, the challenges sometime seem

ins urmountable, the accolades are wanting and

yet, to me, its the best job Ive ever had.

There are few places in this world more important

to me than the Sanderson Centre. I grew up there.

Many of you reading this probably did too. To

those of us that did, its not just a majestic old

building, its a time machine. Its a place wheredreams come true; where memories live and stories

come to life. Its an integral part of our past and an

essential part of our future. And for those of us

who love her, its our responsibility to both ensure

and enable that future.

I can tell you first hand its a big responsibility.

Making a 1,125 seat historic theatre work in a city

the size of Brantford is not easy. Yet when I stand

in the darkness at the side of the theatre and watch

an audience enjoy a performance, greet patrons in

the lobby and see they are just as swept up in the

experience as I am, meet the volunteers and staff

who truly make the magic happen and they smile

because they thoroughly enjoy their work, and see

my own children catching the theatre bug and

growing up there too, I know that my time and

energy is well invested, not spent.

There are, of course, plenty of naysayers. As

Chairman Ive heard it all. Ive heard no many

more times than yes. Ive heard the word

impossible more times than lets do it, and

Ive heard every imaginable permutation of why

and how we cant be successful. How I respond is

always the same: I listen and learn first, and then I

place the onus on fixing the problem squarely

where it belongs; on all of us. Here is a small sample

of the most common objections I hear, and also

how I generally respond:

No one at the Sanderson Centre will ever listen!

Im listening right now. I want to hear what you

have to say; uncensored, unvarnished. Give it to

me straight up. I can handle it.

Theres never anything good to see there.

So lets create something awesome and go see it

together.

Its too big and expensive for local groups to

perform there.

Then lets seek partnerships and collaborations

that will overcome these obstacles together.

They only put on the shows that they want to

see.

We need to stop thinking in terms of them and

us. Anything can happen if WE work together. So

whats my vision for success? We need to create it.

Together. And its working

A great friend of both the theatre and mine, Bob

MacLean, defined what many of us have been trying

to express for quite some time now. At a Board

meeting last year he summed it up when he said:

Its our theatre. It belongs to every one of us.

In the spirit of our newly adopted motto of Our

theatre, we have taken steps over the past year to

make the Sanderson Centre a more open, transparent,

collaborative and inviting organization. We are

focused on creating a culture of innovation, co-op-

eration and inclusiveness. Weve thrown open the

doors and invited in individuals and groups, from

all walks of life, to share their dreams, visions and

also grievances. Why? Because I believe that trust

is earned over time. Partnerships are not just

created. they evolve through commitment and that

culture eats strategy for breakfast. Those are the

values with which I lead by and that I hope become

my legacy as Chair.

I can tell you first handits a big responsibility.Making a 1,125 seat

historic theatre work in acity the size of Brantford

is not easy.

Yet values only become real when we live them.

To that end, this month the Sanderson Centre

announced a pilot program that I feel best

expresses and demonstrates these core values in

action. With a generous donation from the private

sector, we are announcing a pilot grant program for

our upcoming season that will enable local

performing arts groups to successfully mount

productions in the Sanderson Centre. Derek Bond,

Bob Wyatt and Bob MacLean from our board led

this initiative and I could not be more appreciative

and proud of their efforts in doing so.

The problem we seek to solve with this program is

that often for local groups its only a few thousand

dollars that stand in the way of developing and

presenting performances on our stage. With this

pilot grant program we have an opportunity to

demonstrate the power of partnerships to solve

problems, and also to create opportunities. In this

case, the private sector, not-for-profits and the

theatre partnered together to overcome these

obstacles and enable local performances that

otherwise would not be possible.

And the timing could not be better. As the Sanderson

Centre approaches its 100th anniversary, this mile-

stone represents a great opportunity to think long

term. Im excited at the prospect of what we can

learn from this project and how it can be applied

to create a permanent and lasting fund, organization

or further partnerships to continue this work well

into our next hundred years. Thats right, were

almost a hundred years old and were only just

getting started!

So come visit and lets talk. Online or in person,

whatever works best for you is fine. Its our theatre.

Its our responsibility. Its our future to create

together. Your ideas and opinions do matter and

your voice will be heard. You have my word on it.


9/12


People ask: what should municipal governments

do?

It's a difficult question to answer because of the

variety of business services that municipal

corporations provide. All municipalities, effectively,

are holding companies with a selection of

business units. Brantford, I was told once, has

82 different business service units in its corporation,

offering everything from social services,

policing, library service, residential care, water

treatment and electrical power.

This certainly is one way to see municipal

government, in corporate terms. But because

municipalities are a unique kind of corporation,

instead of asking what municipal governments

should do, it's better to ask how they should act.

People are concerned about how all governments

act. We understand that government actions

affect us. We feel we should be able to affect the

process of decision making most, and protect

our interests best, when decisions are madelocally. Because local government is closest to

us, we feel that municipal corporations have the

greater responsibility to act to secure the common

good and increase our sense of well-being, to

keep our homes free of worry.

People have a specific interest in how municipal

corporations act financially. We feel we should

have an effect in managing our common wealth;

the community chest. We're affected by the

amount of individual wealth each of us

contributes to that fund and how it is spent.

Ultimately, we're concerned because municipal

government, like any government, involves the

democratic management of the common good

and the common wealth.

When a community decides what their common

good and common wealth should be, they look

to their corporation to see how its going to act

on that decision. It's not surprising then that thisis where the discussion of municipal corporate

finance becomes most political. It's important in

these discussions to remember that each

community owns its municipal corporation. We

fund the services, we benefit from them. They

wouldn't exist if we weren't here. As shareholders

in these corporations, we exercise our ownership

rights regularly, through election of the directors,

at public meetings of the corporation, and even

when we express privately our feeling that we're

not getting the same dividend that we used to.If politics focuses on who gets what, where and

how, then democratic politics demands that the

people who are affected, the people who own

these municipal corporations and their business

units, have an equal say in deciding how their

corporation should act. Of course, given that

there are many different interests to balance in

making a decision on how, and in whose interests,

the municipal corporation should act, the politics

of local decision-making can get messy and confusing.

But because municipal corporations are founded

on democratic principles, everyone knows we

should all have an equal share in setting the

balance of a decision. And we also know that

from time to time people have to act to make

sure that the balance is equitable.

The discussion on how to change that balance

has been happening everywhere in municipalitiesaround the world. Locally, these discussions

have been taking place within a smaller circle

of corporate staff and among the corporate

directors. That circle is widening.

It's important now to have an effect in framing

discussions around how our municipalities act

financially. It's time to reframe the debate. The

discussion of costs has dominated the discussion

of municipal corporate finance since at least the

1980s. This is not to say that it hasn't been an

effective or necessary discussion, but it is only

one way of apportioning value in municipal

corporate services. In any case, it's now clear

that the underlying premise in the cost argument

(that municipal corporations and all of their

affiliates exist to increase shareholder value) is

insufficient. This cost-based value argument

fails because it cannot actually deal with the rising

costs of governance. The causes of rising costs

are beyond a municipality's area of control. It'sa fact that's frequently ignored in local politics

everywhere, but the inescapable truth is that the

local costs of governance will always rise.

A much more important and fruitful political

discussion would focus instead on the way that

municipalities act to grow and raise revenue.

This discussion will include decisions on who

gets what, where and how, and can occur in a

manner where everyone has an equal say inthose kinds of decisions. At the moment, this

discussion does not take place nearly enough.

Part of the reason for this is that not everyone

has an interest in having that discussion. For

example, Ontario municipalities are tied to a

property tax system where the amount of land

you own and what you intend to do with it

trumps the democratic principle that everyone

owns an equal share in decisions. But because

there's more shareholders than specific interests

in a municipal corporation, we can have this

important and fruitful discussion now. We can

begin that discussion by talking about how

municipalities should act, and in whose interests

they have been acting.

It's important to keep in mind that it's a democratic

principle that's ultimately at issue in discussions

of municipal corporate finance. Too often

people forget that municipalities are more thancommercial corporations, perhaps because we're

so used to seeing our relationship to a municipality

in terms of a service/client arrangement. We

forget that a municipal corporation's power to

pass laws comes from a different understanding

of what's common, and what's good. Elected

directors need to be reminded of that by the

shareholders when discussions of municipal

corporate finance take place.

Where municipal corporations are truly open to

discussing public spending, this is more than

just another effort to help people let off steam

without really having an effect on how decisions

are made. Where there is an underlying commitment

to value and understand municipal corporate

finance as the management of the common

wealth, better efforts at change can take root

before things have a chance to go back to the

way they've always been.

Communities that have

truly embraced the princi-

ple of a common wealth

and a common good

have acted to make it

clear that if it's

public, it's ours. It

asks a lot of a

community to do that, but it has happened,

mostly where people resist efforts to limit the

public's inalienable right to affect change.

Typically, this hasn't been the tradition in

Ontario. We've had a different tradition here,

perhaps a relic of our colonial past, where access

to decision-making has been limited and

hierarchical. In other places, there's a tradition

where the bylaws of the corporation are

pre sented by the people for ratification by their

elected directors. Because of recent changes in

the management of municipal corporations in

Ontario, there's much to recommend such an

approach. Our failure to set the agenda for

municipal corporate finance in the face of

downloaded change has been profound. Down-

loading changed not only the way in which

decisions about who gets what, where and how,

are made locally, but also how those discussions

occur between municipalities and the provincial

government that creates, regulates and still

funds them.

The lesson is clear. Unless a community asserts

its ownership of a municipal corporation, they

will lose their ability to affect how that corpo-

ration acts. Fortunately, it is possible for any

municipality in Ontario to adopt practices in its

bylaws to promote this, consistent with the

legislation that governs them all. Because public

corporations are owned by their communities, if

the community sees the need for reform they can

set the tone and agenda for that

reform whenever they

want.

How should municipal corporations act? By James Calnan

Mindfulness ByTina DraycottI recently went to a workshop hosted by the

Grand River Community Healthcare Centre on

Mindfulness. It was an opportunity to networkwith other people in the people-business

discussing mindfulness, and the therapeutic

applications based of the concept. We discussed

how we can use certain techniques in order to

better help the people we deal with every single day.

It was definitely eye-opening for me, but in a

way I did not plan on.

During the workshop we discussed what mind-

fulness can do for us. Even doing some exercises

in how to use some of those techniques to help

centre ourselves allowing us to be more

engaged and focused when dealing with people

in high stress situations.

However, it was after the workshop that the

wheels and cogs in my brain really kicked into

gear. Mindfulness as a technique is so helpful.

But where does it come from and where has it

been all my life? As usual, I consulted my

favourite expert Google and in typing mind-

fulness into the search engine I received a mere

thirteen million nine hundred hits. This wasntgoing to be easy.

It was definitely eye-opening for me, but in away I did not plan on.

So what I have learned so far is that mindfulnessis a Buddhist practice that had become quitepopular in the Western world over the last 35years or so. It is an invitation to observe what ishappening around you in a way that allowscomplete engagement and awareness. Learningto be in the moment is a technique that, throughpractice, urges the mindful person to becomepart of what is happening around them in aserene, patient, open manner.

And mindfulness isnt just for those who spenttime at ashrams in the sixties. It has some heavy-

weight professionals singing its praises.Psychology Today recognizes it as a state of

active, open attention on the present. Whenyou're mindful, you observe your thoughts andfeelings from a distance, without judging themgood or bad. Instead of letting your life pass youby, mindfulness means living in the moment andawakening to experience.

Closer to home Dr. Zindel Segal, Head of theCognitive Behaviour Therapy Clinic atTorontos Centre for Addiction and MentalHealth, has been quoted saying that mind-fulness-based cognitive therapy was just aseffective as anti-depressants when it came topreventing depression relapse.

Okay then. So if mindfulness is so natural andfree, why is mindfulness so foreign to so manyof us? I think its because weve forgotten wherewe came from. In a world where technologyrules supreme, we live in a time where beingpaper-based could lose a lucrative contract to a

company where paper-less is the goal forproductivity. Technology comes to us as a

helper and a friend, but psychologically, if welet it, can be no better than an albatross around

our necks - a heavy, plastic, and silicone one atthat.

So we have to break free of being wired-in 24/7.We have to unplug and open our minds to whatis happening inside our heads and bodies. It isokay to be technologically advanced, as long aswe remember where we REALLY need to pluginto on a daily basis; the world around us, andourselves. We must remind ourselves that we area part of nature. To (as a very smart woman saidrecently) be gentle with our own selves.

Mindfulness, as a concept, has rather blown mymind in a very good way. I am on my very first,very tentative, steps of my own mindfulnesspath now. One in which I hope to find serenityand peace. A path I hope to be on for the rest ofmy life.

And when I find even the smallest level of

mindfulness and serenity, I will be sure to tweetyou and let you know.


10/12


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Stephen King once said that he gets paid to write

about his nightmares. I awoke on a cold morning

from a nightmare myself and it spawned thisarticle. It was not a nightmare about ghouls,

demons or zombies. It was a nightmare about

celebrity status and cursed egos.

In the nightmare, the production team was waiting

with growing anxiety. The writers were making

last minute changes to the script. The lighting

crew was casting the perfect light. Everybody

was eager to make this celebrity shine under

their professional gaze. The celebrity, however,

was outside having a smoke simply to make a

point. They can wait, he said, I am the real

star of this show, let them wait.

On March 2, 2012, I attended the Canadian

premiere of a new documentary about Twitter

called Twittamentary . The screening was hosted

by the Personal Computer Museum at the

Wilfrid Laurier Research & Academic Centre.

The PC Museum made history on February 20,2010 by sending a Tweet using a vintage Commodore

VIC-20. The Twitter documentary explored

the lives and bonds of the interconnected communi ty

that make up this

real-time social net-

work.

After the show, I was

invited to have a few

beers with some of

the local tweeps

(folks on twitter) that

make up the social

media landscape of

the area. As we were

walking to the bar,

one jokingly said that

the one with the highest

klout score had to

buy the first round.

To many, klout still remains an inside baseballterm. For those within the twitter community,

klout is perceived as a measure of influence on

the social media landscape. Having a high klout

score is supposed to come with social influence

(klout), and in this case, social responsibility

(beer).

As we compared our klout scores, many in the

group already knew I had the highest klout score

in the city. Being a recent immigrant to Brant-

ford from Toronto, that was not necessarily a

hard thing for me to achieve. Toronto is rather

large and it can be easier there to plug into social

networks. However, in our midst was another

out-of-towner with fifteen times (+40,000) more

followers than I have. He would clearly have a

higher klout score than mine and the contents of

my wallet would be safe. To our surprise he did

not have a higher score than me and a lengthy

debate over the merits of the klout algorithms

and connected network activity ensued. You can

check it for yourself at Klout.com.

When all is said and done, my high klout score

has given me plenty of perks. I have been

invited to attend media night premieres oftheatre releases and stage productions. I have

been given complimentary passes to major event

launch parties and sporting events. I have partied

hard, ate bacon, and

drank Jack and Coke

with the cast of Epic

Meal Time. I have

been to conferences

to see the likes of

Seth Godin, Mitch

Joel, Guy Kawasaki

and many other notables

for the price of a blog

entry. I have also

recently been asked

to be a panel speaker

at Tweetstock 007

mostly based on my

social influence. But

what does all that

klout matter? I am writing this post in myminimally heated basement studio. It is the tail

end of a Canadian winter and it is cold. The

wind outside is howling from the tornadoes

currently flattening farm land south of me in the

United States. I live in a city with a high

unemployment rate, a high poverty rate, and ahigh homelessness rate. It is cold, windy and did

I mention a Canadian winter. All I wanted this

morning was a warm shower without thinking

about the increase to my hydro bill.

My story has been moreof a riches-to-rags story

of humility than a rags-to-riches promise of wealth

All the klout and celebrity status in the world

means nothing. NADA! Many may use it as an

excuse to flaunt their perceived power over others.

Many renowned singers have gone from touring

with the greats to living in a car. Many A-list

celebrities have lost it all in the search for the

new high and quick fix. Many high-falutin business

folks have seen their $50 burgers and $200

steaks being replaced by a Big Mac they can

only afford with a coupon in this economy. Status

is an illusion that can disappear as quickly as a

new influence algorithm is coded.

I gave up all the big lights and big money of the

big city. My story has been more of a riches-to-

rags experience in humility than a rags-to-riches

promise of wealth. I moved to this city because

I knew I could do social good by bringing my

knowledge and experience to a city that needed

it. While I may have brought along a high klout

score with me in the process, it is not my klout

score than matters to those in need of a better

life and economy. Those with real power and

influence have a responsibility to leave their

egos at the door and focus on those who wish to

work with them for a better tomorrow.

I recently drove into Toronto for an executive

meeting in a fancy boardroom with expensive

artwork and impressive accolades adorning their

walls. The high rise view was stellar and it left

a lasting impression for all the wrong reasons.

You see, they laughed out loud when I informedthem that I drove in from Brantford for this face-

to-face meeting. I was reminded that many still

perceive this city for all the negative sentiments

associated with it. They still see Brantford as the

Telephone City of wires, steel, and retired

hockey greats. I recently read a tweet that

described Brantford as the skid mark of Ontario.

Well I see this city for what it truly is and what

it is destined to become. I often refer to this

vision for Brantford as Telephone City 2.0. In a

world plagued with two hour commutes and

escalating fuel costs, the future of Brantford is

clear. This city is destined to become the hub for

telecommuting in Southern Ontario. What better

place than Brantford, which made history with

the first distance telephone phone call to Paris,

Ontario.

What better place than Brantford to shine as acost-effective solution for financial prosperity

in the modern social economy. In a world where

every tool you need to operate your business is

available on the Internet often for free. In a

world where a single tweet can land you a six

figure contract. In a world where your collaborators

span the globe. In a world where projects start

off in Paris, France and finish in San Diego,

California without leaving your basement studio

in Brantford, Ontario.

The future is clear. Those who embrace the

community lifestyle of Brantford and telecommute

to the world will have the last laugh. As the high

rises crumble under the weight of bureaucracy,

office politics and excessive costs, the future of

Brantford will shine as an example to the world.

My friends with their high klout score shook

their heads when I made the decision to move

to Brantford. We shall collectively remind them

that Telephone City 2.0 is where the puck isgoing to be.

The klout of social media By Robert Lavigne

Finding success as an entrepreneur By Michael St. AmantI recently dropped by Tik-Tok Media to discuss

a project with Trevor Cherewka who owns the

business along with his partner Kevin Wynne.

As I sat across from Trevor, I could not help but

notice how busy he was multi-tasking. As we

talked, he was busy answering the phone, re-

sponding to e-mails and making adjustments to

his printing machine. Two thoughts crossed mymind. Trevor is not unlike many of the other

small business owners and entrepreneurs I have

encountered here in Brant and how much I

admire their work ethic.

Being a small business owner is not easy and

chances of success are difficult. During the past

year, the Brantford-Brant Business Resource

Centre reported that 231 master business

licenses were registered at the BRC through

Service Ontario. Of these, 55% were in the service

sector, 18% retail, and 23% construction.

According to the Institute for Competitiveness

and Prosperity, nearly 50% of these firms will

be out of business in three years, and 70% will

have disappeared within six years. The majority

of the people who start-up small businesses

would be between 35 and 54 years, have a post-

secondary education, want to be their own boss,

and are interested in developing a business that

will provide them and their families with a comfortable

income. The majority would have had experience

in the sector they have established their business

and many would have undertaken the enterprise

as an alternative to unemployment or because it

has a low cost of entry. They are, however, the

backbone of our economy, and small business,

firms with fewer than 100 employees, accountfor 97.8% of all firms in Canada.

Trevor and Kevin established Tik-Tok Media in

2009. Trevor, who is 40, was a graduate of the

Toronto Business Schools Restaurant and Hotel

Management Program. After six years working

for a furniture rental company and eight years

with Ball Media where he was involved with the

business-to-business media sector, he decided

he wanted to be his own boss. Since then, he

says that it has been an on-going learning expe-

rience in which he could afford few mistakes.

One of the things I learnt very quickly is that it

is not about being your boss, he recently told

me. In fact, you end up replacing one boss with

a whole bunch bosses who have expectations

that you will meet their requirements on time

and at a price that they can afford. I quickly

learnt that you can over-stretch yourself and that

that you have to work smarter. Your focus has

to be on how you can make a profit while meeting

customer expectations.

Trevor points out that there are many pressures

on the independent small business owner. In the

case of Tik-Tok, the partners are the marketing

and sales department, they order the supplies

they need, price the jobs, carry out the production,deliver the end product and even take out the

garbage. At the same time, he says that it is

important to balance family responsibilities. His

wife, Tabitha, is also a small business owner and

they have four children. His family is very

supportive and he feels that Tabitha provides

him with balance both with respect to his family

and his business responsibilities. By helping to

keep him the straight and narrow, he says that

it has forced him to work smarter.

When he first started his business, Trevor did

everything which meant that he worked long

hours and was very focused on providing his

clients with what they needed. Part of the learning

curve he pointed out. Over the past four years,

he has established a network of self-employed

media professionals who have expertise that he

can draw from. This means that Tik-Tok can be

more flexible in the services that it offers its

clients and can meant their demands for quick

turnaround on projects. It also allows Trevor

time to do what he does well, market and provide

creative input. It also allows him an opportunity

to experiment with other projects such as Tweet-

stock and Grandelicious, both of which benefit

Brantford. Tweetstock promotes the use of

social media and Grandelicious is an upcomingfood and wine fair that promotes restaurants,

wineries and microbreweries from the communities

along the Grand River.

In many respects, Trevor reflects the thriving

small business community in Brantford. It is

built on talent and a capacity for hard work. It

is also community oriented. So, as I watch

Trevor, I believe that he will beat the statistical

odds. I suspect that he knew what the odds were

because the printing and media sector is very

competitive. I also believe that he has enough

confidence in his own abilities to ignore the

odds and march on success.


11/12


Im warning you right now that this story will

tug on your heart strings. Im serious, Im about

to give a voice to a program that gives young

people a chance: a chance to do somethinggreat, a chance to get a post secondary education

and a chance to become a part of a community.

Our community.

When I started high school at Brantfords own

North Park Collegiate, I tried extremely hard to

get involved in as much as I could. This led me

to join the Students Council and work with a

group of other students to plan dances, themed

days and any other events we could think of. But

once I attended post secondary school, I didnt

feel like I would have enough time to join a

committee on top of my studies, volunteering

and social life.

However, I recently met a group of Laurier

Brantford students who not only put me to

shame but, do all of that and more, to better their

school and our community.

WUSC stands for World University Service of

Canada and the Brantford Chapter was kick-

started about four years ago. There are currently

sixteen active members who all do their part

organizing and volunteering at fundraisers and

information booths. WUSCs main goal is

promoting diversity and international development

awareness throughout their school. This pastyear, the group took on their biggest challenge

yet bringing a Kenyan refugee student to

Brantford.

Many Canadian universities have been involved

in the Student Refugee Program, but the

students of WUSC werent able to make it a

reality for Brantford until just last year. Fast

forward through a campus-wide referendum and

countless paperwork and you have Laurier

Brantfords newest and first student refugee

undergrad: Abdikarim Hussein Osman.

Many schools will offer the student one year at

the university. Laurier Brantford sponsors the

student for the full four years. To be eligible, the

students must meet the English language

requirements, go through rigorous health testing

and be at the top of their class. A lot of them

work for this opportunity their entire lives and

cant wait to become a part of our society so that

they can give back to their new hometown. To

learn more about the program, I talked with

Kasey Furry, the president of WUSC. Shes

extremely enthusiastic about the success of this

years student and proud to be the first coordinator

of the Student Refugee Program. Anyone candonate, but this you can visually see happening

and its a lot more exciting, she said during our

conversation last month.

Kasey explained how interesting it is to work

with the students in the programs because

theyre extremely bright and independent

individuals. However, they need to be shown

how to go about what we view as simple, daily

tasks. They have to learn how to adapt to our

public transit system and how to maneuver

through one of our grocery stores.

When Abdi arrived in Brantford in August, he

was taken to the Gretzky Centre so he could

touch snow for the first time! Its the small

things that make him feel like hes settling into

Brantford. He loves the Grand River especially

because it reminds him of the river back home.

Helping Abdi integrate into the school and the

city has really been a community effort. He

works with the Brantford Immigrant Settlement

Services and volunteers with English Language

Services. Kasey stated that most people actually

know him before he meets them and he was

welcomed by everyone in the residence. So what

is the future of the Student Refugee Program?Well, next year it will be hosting two new students.

The students will continue to live in the

residence to get the full college experience, and

because its a fantastic way to meet new students.

When students move here with the program,

they come here for life. I think Brantford is the

perfect place for them to continue to learn and

grow. It will be exciting for us all to continue

seeing new students become a part of the Brant-

ford family.

In preparation for writing this story I attended a

meeting for WUSC where one of their ideas was

to organize a trip for the group to go play laser

tag together. Seeing each and every one of the

members try to explain what laser tag is to Abdi

really was the highlight of this whole experience

for me. The atmosphere of the meeting

completely changed. Suddenly they werent

overly stressed university students trying to get

through yet another meeting, but a group of

friends. And to me, thats what we can all offer

to a newcomer in our community fr iendship.

Student refugee program By Meagan Porter

I fear the era of ripped jeans and mens sweatpants

is passing.

Im graduating from university, but it means far

more than the discontinuation of lectures. Ill be

celebrating my achievement,

the brant advocate, issue 8, april 2012

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