Planning Reform in Long Branch by FIAT LUX MEDIA

ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

ETOBICOKE-LAKESHORE MPP, PETER MILCZYN,

DISCUSSES PLANNING REFORM IN LONG BRANCH page 16 Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015

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MASTHEAD The Etobicoke Lakeshore Press is published monthly by Fiat Lux Media and is mailed to every house in Long Branch by Canada Post. Additional copies are available for pick-up at local businesses along the Lakeshore. Our aim is to capture life in Long Branch by highlighting positive contributions to our community by local business owners, elected officials, and residents.

CONTRIBUTORS We would like to thank the following individuals for their contributions to this edition of the Etobicoke Lakeshore Press: MATTHEW DOUGLAS Long Branch Resident & Lead Pastor at West Edge Church in Port Credit

TRAVIS PERRATON Accredited Financial Planner at RBC in Long Branch

BRAD JONES SONYA ILAGAN President & Owner of Ridley Funeral Prenatal Yoga Instructor at Branch Yoga Home in New Toronto & Wellness in Long Branch JONATHAN NHAN Pharmacist & Associate Owner at Shoppers Drug Mart in Long Branch

MARIA TERZAGHI Pharmacist & Certified Health Coach at Shoppers Drug Mart in Long Branch

JOHN KELLY Local Realtor focusing on Long Branch and South Etobicoke neighbourhoods

PHIL FUDALEJ Long Branch Resident & Owner of Natural Effect Lawn & Garden Care

GET READY FOR PROM AT...

3509 LAKE SHORE BLVD W / LONG BRANCH www.designerconsigners.ca @designerconsigners

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IN THIS ISSUE

NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS

Long Branchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Heritage Tree to be protected.

SPRING PLANTING

Local landscaping expert, Phil Fudalej, offers tips to get your garden off to a great start this spring.

COVER STORY

MPP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Peter Milczyn, discusses planning reform in Long Branch and the abolishment of the Ontario Municipal Board.

BEST OF LONGBRANCH.LIFE See the best local social media posts using #LongBranchLife.

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

ROGER TUMMINIERI Publisher

This month, I’m proud to feature our MPP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Peter Milczyn, on the cover. He discusses Planning Reform in Long Branch in this extended editorial feature. Planning Reform is a hot topic among Long Branch residents and it’s my hope that Mr. Milczyn’s words will help shed some light on this important issue. In local news, we’ve included an article about Long Branch’s first Heritage Tree which will receive recognition by Forests Ontario. Located at Long Branch Ave and Park Blvd, this 200-year-old Red Oak has significant historical importance to our neighbourhood and will be dedicated as such on April 30th at an unveiling ceremony.

expect from the spring market. Is it really as doom and gloom as we hear on the news? Well, we’ve enlisted the help of two local experts to uncover the truth about the numbers. Local Realtor, John Kelly, explains his views on the topic, while Travis Perraton, a Financial Planner in Long Branch, gives his two cents on whether the market is really as cool as we may be led to believe. Living on the edge? Pastor Matthew Douglas wants you to. This month, he writes about the importance of living an adventurous life. Speaking of life (and its Undertakings), Brad Jones from Ridley Funeral Home touches on the importance of faith as a tool to help with grieving. He writes openly and honestly about his own personal trials and how he overcame them, offering great inspiration for anyone going through tough times.

After the unseasonably cold weather this April, planting season is upon us. With that, local landscaping expert, Phil Fudalej of Natural Effect, offers his tips on getting your garden prepped for spring. As part of our commitment to celebrate local arts and culture, we’ve inFor those of you with real estate on the cluded a profile on local visual artist, mind, you may be wondering what to Suzette Castro. She calls Mimico home 6

ETOBICOKE LAKESHORE PRESS

and specializes in custom pet portraits as well as a celebrated series on rockstars. You may have seen some of her work. Several of Castro’s portraits hang on display at Designer Consigner’s in Long Branch.

As we head into May, I’d like to give a special shout-out to all the Moms out there. Happy Mother’s Day!

For those of you who are expecting a new bundle of joy, we’ve included an article about Prenatal Yoga written by Don’t forget to check out the Best of Sonya Ilagan, an instructor at Branch LongBranch.life - our monthly round- Yoga & Wellness. up of the best local social media posts that use #LongBranchLife. I hope you enjoy this edition. As always, your feedback is welcome. Please feel One post in particular caught my eye free to email me. and I wanted to give it special mention. It was written by @masteringfamilylife Thank you for reading, and spoke very highly of last month’s article about in-person parent time ROGER TUMMINIERI by Brad Jones. Thank you for taking Publisher & Long Branch Resident the time to post this and for tagging etobicokelakeshorepress@gmail.com 416-788-0716 #LongBranchLife.

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FRATERNAL GREETINGS FROM THE MEMBERS OF LONG BRANCH LODGE No. 632

Meeting in Mimico Since 1925 23 Superior Ave. 1st & 3rd Tuesdays. Sept to May. longbranchlodge632@gmail.com Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015

NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS

200-YEAR-OLD RED OAK

LONG BRANCH’S FIRST HERITAGE TREE TO BE PROTECTED

On Monday April 30th at 1:30pm, a magnificent Red Oak will be recognized by Forests Ontario as a Heritage Tree and will now be protected by the City of Toronto’s By-law 248-1013. Heritage Trees are a select group, all of which have impressive cultural, social or historic stories, including the aforementioned - Long Branch’s first Heritage Tree located at the northeast corner of Park Blvd and Long Branch Ave.

trees so that we can ultimately identify and protect these valuable trees for the present and a healthy sustainable future,” Ellis explains. The 200-year-old Red Oak will officially be commemorated into the Ontario Provincial Heritage Tree online map and recorded by the City of Toronto in their database. Ward 6 Councillor Mark Grimes is expected to be on hand for the unveiling ceremony.

“Besides being a living 200-year legacy of the history and culture of Long Branch, this stately Red Oak needs full protection so that it may continue to thrive and contribute its economic and environmental benefits for generations to come,” says Toni Ellis, the Heritage Tree coordinator for Forests Ontario.

In addition, faculty and students of James S. Bell Junior Middle School have been invited to the ceremony and plan to engage in the study of trees and their significant environmental, economic importance, life cycles, and sustainability.

“We need more communities like the Long Branch Neighbourhood Association to nominate potential heritage

Visit www.lbna.ca for more on Long Branch’s first Heritage Tree

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I’M A MASON “Aside from marrying my wife, Sarah, becoming a Mason was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Freemasonry has helped me become a better man by helping me build a life based on a foundation of honesty, integrity, and hard work. I’m proud to be a Mason and my wife sees firsthand the positive impact Freemasonry has had on our lives.”

ALEXANDER EWING, 28

Husband, Father, Business Owner & Professor Master of Long Branch Lodge No. 632 Freemason since 2011 inquiries: longbranchlodge632@gmail.com

NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS

ED’S REAL SCOOP

HOMEMADE ICE CREAM ON THE LAKESHORE

Most ice cream shops close through the winter months, but not this one! Ed’s Real Scoop in Mimico offers up homemade treats all year round. Owner, Mark Johnson, serves up an array of hand-crafted creations, including gelato, sorbet, sherbet, and of course, ice cream. Take home a pint (or two) of his famous flavours like Burnt Marshmallow, Pistachio, or Mint Chip (made with real Belgian chocolate).

Ed’s Real Scoop also specializes in hot drinks, chocolates, fudge, as well as seasonal items and gift baskets. The next time you’re craving the good stuff, check out Ed’s Real Scoop.

3583 Lake Shore Blvd W / Long Branch

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Ed’s Real Scoop - Mimico 2370 Lake Shore Blvd W www.edsrealscoop.com 416-259-9595

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26 YEARS OF THE GOLF GALLERY

SWING INTO SPRING Celebrating its 26th year in business, The Golf Gallery offers personal and professional service to get you (and your clubs) ready for this year’s golf season. Located just 15 minutes from Long Branch at Bloor and Prince Edward, The Golf Gallery is the only independent golf shop in the 416 area code. Owner and South Etobicoke resident since 1978, Parrish has managed to build his business despite the onset of big box golf stores. The boutique nature of The Golf Gallery and personal attention given to his customers have most certainly contributed to Parrish’s longevity. When asked about Long Branch and its changing demographics, Parrish’s reply was emblematic of his likeable disposition and sense of humour.

“Hopefully there are some golfers moving in to all the new developments in Long Branch,” he said with a smile. Offering a variety of golf-related items including vintage and antique clubs, The Golf Gallery has made a name for itself as a go-to spot for the golf enthusiast. Looking to update the contents of your golf bag this season? The Golf Gallery buys, sells, and trades clubs and golf gear. Broken clubs? Parrish will repair them for you on-site. Need to get a grip? He’ll help you with that, too.

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The Golf Gallery 2887 Bloor St. W www.golfgallery.ca 416-232-1774

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YOUR HOME // SPRING PLANTING

PHIL FUDALEJ

Owner, Natural Effect

Spring is upon us! Now is the time to start waking your garden up from winter hibernation as well as planning new projects for the yard. Natural Effect specializes in creating outdoor spaces that are beautiful yet functional. We bring passion and enthusiasm to every project. A big focus of ours is having a personal relationship with the client. From original designs to maintaining your property, we have you covered. Let’s craft a landscape you’ll love. Your lawn takes quite a beating over the winter months. It is important to let it breath by dethatching and aerating in early spring. Grass, like any other plant, needs food for optimum health. Top dressing and over seeding as well

as fertilizing will give it the nutrients it needs. Garden beds should also be refreshed by cultivating and cleaning off any debris or dead vegetation, followed by edging. Topping it off with new soil and mulch will do wonders for the healthy life of any plants, shrubs, and trees. You may also want to start thinking about planting new annuals and perennials for the season now that the nurseries are bringing their stock in. Coming home to a garden full of colour and greenery will not only make you feel better, it will keep our community looking fresh and our environment healthy. Before you know it, spring is over and your yard isn’t where you’d like it to be. We can help to get you there sooner than later.

Phil Fudalej

Natural Effect Owner and Long Branch Resident 416-839-5358 info@naturaleffect.ca www.naturaleffect.ca

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Edâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Real Scoop

2370 Lake Shore Blvd W www.edsrealscoop.com 416-259-9595 Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015

REAL ESTATE // THE SKY IS NOT FALLING houses that did not sell and, in turn, caused the number of sales to drop dramatically. Currently, market conditions are great, although the media would have you believe otherwise. Yes, the number of sales are down from last year. There is no possible way the market could match 2017 numbers and may not for a while.

JOHN KELLY Realtor

Right now, there is a lot of talk about the Toronto Real Estate Market. Most notable is that house sales and prices are down. This is true. Over the last 7 years, however, month-over-month prices have gone up, which is very unusual. In 2016, prices started to rise at a faster pace than the market typically sees. In to 2017, home prices rose at a rate that was unsustainable. Then the provincial and federal governments intervened. First, the province of Ontario introduced a foreign buyer tax of 15% in April 2017. Then, the federal government introduced a new mortgage stress test which took effect January 1, 2018. These changes, coupled with rising interest rates, had a significant impact on overall home sales. This caused a lot of home buyers to pause and take a letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s-wait-and-seehow-this-plays-out approach.

Prices are also down from last year. If you look at the numbers, overall prices are still significantly above 2016 prices, though. We are currently in a more balanced market. Looking to the rest of 2018, I believe, as do industry analysts, that the market will improve. I expect the number of sales as well as prices will improve beginning in May right through to the end of the year. This should get the buyers to jump back into the market before prices rise again later this year. If you would like more detailed information about your specific home or community, please feel free to contact me anytime. I would be happy to speak with you all personally.

In the second half of 2017, more sellers put their homes on the market trying to cash out before the new government stress test took effect and, unfortunately, the buyers were not there anymore. There were many 14

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John Kelly South Etobicoke Resident & Sales Representative at REMAX Realty Enterprises Inc., Brokerage 647-244-1053 john@johnkelly.ca www.johnkelly.ca

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LIVE AN ADVENTUROUS LIFE

MATTHEW DOUGLAS Pastor

Do you remember in Kindergarten how exciting Show And Tell was? Can you remember the best thing you brought in? I remember there was a kid named Todd. Todd was, well… odd. He brought in something that was dry, kind of purple, and dirty. He brought in his dead cat from the backyard. We were all screaming and horrified, running away in tears, and shielding our eyes. Most of us collect things as if we will live forever. Instead, why don’t you do something that will live on? We get caught in a cycle where we spend money we don’t have on things we don’t care about just to impress people we don’t even like. We live our life not for Show And Tell but rather Show OR Tell.

tions, or power. It will be the memories of the meaningful moments. Do something that will make for a great story. You were born for more than boring stories. If you live a small life you will only have a small story. So live an adventurous life. It’s the path with the best stories.

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Matthew Douglas Lead Pastor at West Edge Church and Long Branch Resident 157 Lakeshore Rd W 905-274-6564 / @westedgecc www.westedge.org

An adventurous life is one where you don’t just have stuff to show, but rather have stories to tell. Collect great stories to share of a life well lived not a life where you only have stuff to show. When we all come to the end, we won’t be holding onto things, promoShining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015

COVER STORY // PRESERVING LONG BRANCH, PLANNING R We all choose to live in a neighbourhood based on its character, affordability, parks, schools, transit, and local shopping experience. The form of our neighbourhoods is an essential part of how we relate to the place. For many years now, residents in communities all over Ontario, in Etobicoke Lakeshore, and especially in Long Branch have been frustrated with lack of predictability that our communities’ Official Plans or Zoning By-laws provide. To most people, it’s very difficult to understand, or accept, how little certainty existing planning rules really provide for what ultimately gets built. Certainly, all communities do change over time, old buildings come down, familiar businesses or industries leave. In Toronto and Etobicoke, residents are very actively engaged in the planning and growth in our neighbourhoods. However, it has sometimes felt that no matter how engaged you become in these issues, no matter how responsive or supportive the City is to residents’ concerns, the rules are simply too easy to change. That is how I became engaged in local issues. As a lifelong resident of the community, I was getting frustrated with local development. This led me to serving on our municipal Councils in Etobicoke and then Toronto. No matter how hard I worked at the City on these issues, they were sometimes overturned at the Ontario Municipal Board. This needed to change. That is why I decided to run for Queen’s Park. The planning process in Ontario needed to change. As a City Councillor, I fought to make the changes we could achieve at the local level. For four years I waged a battle with City Council to create a Local Appeal Board for Minor Variance appeals. Council was hesitant but in 2014 it finally agreed to the change. After taking several more years to set up, we now have a Toronto-based and Council-appointed body to hear those appeals and to understand them in the local context. I am hopeful this new Board will have a positive impact in preserving the character and form of Long Branch. As your Member of Provincial Parliament, I introduced a Private Members Bill to funda16

PETER MILCZYN

MPP, ETOBICOKE-LAKESHORE location: Len Ford Park, Long Branch

mentally limit the ability of local planning decisions to be overturned. Following my continued advocacy for planning reform, the government acted. That led to the Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act, 2017 (“Bill 139”) which received Royal Assent on December 12, 2017. The regulations required to actually bring this legislation into effect are currently being finalized and at the time of this writing I expect the new planning rules to come into effect on April 3, 2018. Essentially, that means that as of April 3, 2018, the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and its ability to override municipal decisions will end. The OMB is being replaced by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT). The LPAT will have much narrower powers to overturn local decisions. The LPAT is a true appeal panel whose role it

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REFORM & ABOLISHING THE ONTARIO MUNICIPAL BOARD

Bill 139 and the LPAT will fundamentally change Ontario’s land use planning system as we know it. will be to determine whether a municipal decision has followed the City’s own rules and provincial planning policy. Bill 139 contains substantive limits on rights of appeal from municipal decisions on Official Plans and Zoning, By-law amendments (“OPAs and ZBLAs”), and significant procedural changes to the planning appeals process. The appeal grounds for applications for site plan, plans of subdivision, consents and minor variances remain unchanged. Prior to the enactment of Bill 139, the grounds for appeal for Official Plans and Zoning By-laws have been broad and fairly easy to satisfy. The OMB was not limited to determining if the original decision was wrong or unreasonable. Their mandate was to determine if the proposed plan rep-

resented good planning and met all policy tests. The LPAT’s role in assessing proposed OPAs and ZBLAs is much more restricted and is based on very limited grounds for appeal. For appeals of a municipally adopted or approved Official Plan or OPA, and Zoning By-law passed by a municipality, the only basis upon which an appeal can be filed is by showing that the part of the Official Plan which is of concern is inconsistent with provincial policy statements or fails to conform with or conflicts with a provincial plan, or fails to conform with the City’s own Official Plan.

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cont’d on page 18

For appeals of privately initiated applications for OPAs and appeals of refusals of Zoning By-laws, appellants have to demonstrate both: 1. How the existing Official Plan or Zoning By-law is inconsistent with provincial policy statements, fails to conform with or is in conflict with a provincial plan, or fails to conform with the upper tier Official Plan; and, 2. How the requested Official Plan achieves consistency and conformity with the provincial policies and plans and the upper tier Official Plan, as applicable. The grounds of appeal are very limited and no longer allow for the very broad “good planning” grounds previously permitted. This new test requires an applicant to show that the existing parts of the Official Plan or Zoning By-law are inconsistent with and fail to conform to relevant provincial policy and plans. In addition, the appeal periods for the City to not make a decision have been extended. For Official Plan amendments coupled with Zoning By-law changes, the new period would be 210 days. For Stand-alone Zoning By-law changes, the time has been extended to 150 days. This gives City Planning staff and the community more time to review and understand a proposal. There are also circumstances where appeals are no longer permitted. For example, where the City has included policies in its Official Plans identifying major transit station areas and providing for use, height and density policies in these areas, these policies will no longer be appealable, and these policies could not be changed by a developer either unless the City approves. The City’s refusal of an application will NOT be appealable. The City’s Official Plan is the foundation upon which all Zoning By-laws and planning decisions are built. Under the old system, every change to the Official Plan could be challenged and appealed. Every effort by the City to determine what the future of development in our communities would look like, how much new parkland 18

would be required, affordable housing, or preservation of existing communities could be, and often was appealed. This meant that new planning rules would not be in effect for many years, the City was spending millions of dollars on appeals, and generally speaking the rules were always up in the air. With the changes in Bill 139 the Minister of Municipal Affairs approves an Official Plan and there will be no ability to appeal that approval. The Minister’s approval is based upon the City’s plan complying with Provincial policy, not the details of local land use. One of the most notable changes going forward is the “two-phase” appeal process which will apply to Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment appeals. Firstly, the LPAT receives an appeal and can make a judgement whether to conduct a full hearing or just receive written evidence. This will be a huge savings over the current process of often very long hearings including many witnesses. There will be no automatic “de novo” hearings. All evidence submitted will be limited to the application that was actually submitted to the City. Applicants won’t be permitted to change their proposal during the appeal. During the first-stage of the appeal process, if the LPAT finds that there are no grounds for appeal, the appeal will be dismissed. If the LPAT finds that there are grounds for an appeal, namely the City did not follow its own policies, or provincial policy, the application will be returned to Council for an opportunity to make a “second decision”. If Council makes a decision when the matter returns to it, the applicant can appeal to the LPAT again on the same grounds. If Council fails to make a decision within the prescribed time frame, the applicant can appeal to the LPAT on any ground. In relation to the second appeal, if the LPAT determines that the appellant has met the applicable tests, the LPAT may modify or approve the requested amendment. If the applicable test is not met, the LPAT is re-

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quired to refuse the appeal. The government has put in place a transition process for the crossover from the previous system to the new appeal tribunal. Appeals filed before December 12, 2017, and appeals filed before April 3, 2018, if an application was complete before December 12, 2017, will continue under the old process at the OMB. Any applications completed after December 12, 2017, if appealed, are to be dealt with under the new rules and considered by the LPAT. Another key change that has been put into place is the creation of the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal Resource Centre which will be staffed with lawyers and planners and whose role it is to assist residents or communities with understanding how the new appeal process works and advising them how to participate in the appeal process.

about the future shape and growth of our communities. There will be greater fairness and a levelling of the playing field between developers, cities, communities, and residents.

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PETER MILCZYN MPP, Etobicoke-Lakeshore

pmilczyn.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org www.petermilczyn.onmpp.ca

Constituency Office 933 The Queensway Etobicoke, ON M8Z 1P3 416-259-2249

I believe that all of these changes put together will lead to greater certainty for all

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YOUR MONEY // COLD HOUSING MARKET? Spring is here, and the housing market is on fire again, or is it? Conversationally, yes it is. Some factors driving this conversation are as follows: Government regulations are reducing foreign speculation Upward trending interest rates from an all-time low Stress test rates for mortgages,adding 2% for qualifying payments

TRAVIS PERRATON

Financial Planner

A really hot market over the last three years

These are the numbers I want to focus on:

Recent numbers may seem like the market is on the brink of failure. Sounds alarmist...and it is.

Average Detached Home Sale Price. You’ll remember April 2017 was at the peak of crazy growth. Prices went from $700K+ in February 2017, to a peak in April and May of over $900k, resulting in record-breaking growth.

Real estate is still susceptible to ebbs and flows. In fact, real estate is very personal and human, which makes it potentially volatile. Interest rates and stress tests reduce buying power. Government regulation reduces price escalation. This, coupled with the lack of accessibility, all result in a correction. The fear of a correction reduces inventory and the cycle continues.

2018 has easily been above any numbers since 2009 and at par with 2016, seasonally. March 2018 saw the average home sold in Toronto go for $806k. Low? Not really. July 2017’s average was $737k, and January 2018’s was $707k.

Yet people are still moving. Some for work or family reasons. Some are downsizing or upsizing. We also have new Canadians moving. The list goes on. For a very illiquid investment, real estate still has its Spring and Neap tides (variable cyclical changes).

To put things into perspective, do you really think your home is worth less than it was two years ago? If you bought last year, easy…just hold. Stats: Toronto Real Estate Board

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Travis Perraton, PFP Financial Planner, Investment & Retirement Planning RBC at 3609 Lake Shore Blvd W / 416-579-3023 travis.perraton@rbc.com 20

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LIFE’S UNDERTAKINGS // SINK OR SWIM. RESILI Ever heard the saying, “You don’t have a story until something goes wrong”? When life threatens to drown us with bad news, witty sayings about thriving-not-surviving fall flat. Funeral Director Brad Jones knows first-hand that life can throw a lot more than lemons. What happens when life goes so far off track, you’re faced with the fear you’ll never make a comeback and feel happy again? A number of years ago I developed a chronic autoimmune condition that left me with numb, weak hands and painful tingling in my legs and feet. As the mysterious condition escalated, I was forced to use a walker and eventually a wheelchair. Wobbling into a high school arena using a walker to coach my son’s basketball team is a memory no one in my family will forget. My wife would trail after me, pushing an empty wheelchair just in case I fell or ran out of strength mid-game. Looking back, I am grateful for what I still have – the ability to walk again, living painfree – and avoid staying focused on what I lost when illness visited and decided to stay. I know I am not alone on a journey that has completely changed the trajectory of my life. I realize I am grieving. As I have healed and been forced to adapt to this new life, or “new normal,” in the shadow of an unwanted illness that still lingers, I am reminded of C.S. Lewis and his observation that, “No one ever told me that grief felt so much like fear.” As a funeral director for over 25 years, I believed I had seen grief in all its many guises. The stoic, the panicked, the angry, the heartbroken, the resigned; all these emotions and more attend a funeral no matter how sombre or celebratory. (A celebration of life needn’t prohibit sadness.) Yet a death is not the only catalyst for deep grief. Grief appears as tiny signposts when we encounter suffering and disappointment on our journey. When we give ourselves the space and kindness to grieve, we are sending out love notes to our suffering so we can summon healing and transformation. 22

I am often asked if I’ve ever been angry at my body for “betraying” me by getting so sick and weak. My answer is not a surprise to the people who love me; I am not an angry person so never directed anger at my body. But I do remember feeling humiliated by my body’s inability to take care of me, my wife and my children. When you are unable to move, you resist. You deny. And then you are forced to comply. Sounds a lot like grief, doesn’t it? Tears rarely came but when they did – usually at 3 a.m. and alone – they were always triggered by the paralyzing fear that I may never again be the father and husband I wanted to be and the man I had spent my entire life becoming. Today, phantom tears still haunt me. But tremendous reservoirs of strength are now

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IENCE IS MORE THAN POSITIVE THINKING.

BRAD JONES

Owner, Ridley Funeral Home

open to me too. Grief around my health has shone a spotlight on what nourished me then and what continues to guide me now. When we are grieving, whether the loss of a loved one or the heartbreak of a new difficult life emerging, seek shelter in the people who can comfort you. For me, I looked to my wife’s fierce courage and to the notso-distant past. I remembered how my father, wife, sister and I had helped my mother when she was sick. I chose to be gentle toward myself and others, including the few people who extended ill-advised but well-intentioned “think positive!” clichés. Grief doesn’t just take away the brightness of life but adjusts how we see life and our inner sources of light. I have been blessed with deep faith since I was a boy. And that faith only deepened as tough days dark-

ened. If you are grieving look within for guidance. That faith can be found in spiritualism, nature, religion or friendship. But find faith in benevolence and goodness. Look to the future with faith and hope. Grief is a lot like spring. There is tremendous opportunity for growth and renewal if we are able to stop, reflect and rejoice that we are still alive. “Don’t think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It’s quiet, but the roots are down there riotous.” – Rumi Brad Jones is president and owner of locally-owned, commission-free Ridley Funeral Home (3080 Lake Shore Blvd) in Etobicoke. When not coaching basketball, he can be found dreaming of summer while dreading golf game invitations. You’re welcome to contact Brad by calling 416.259.3705 or emailing him at: BradJones@RidleyFuneralHome.com

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WELLNESS // PRENATAL YOGA Whether you have a regular yoga practice or have never stepped onto a yoga mat prior to becoming pregnant, prenatal yoga can be an incredibly beneficial practice to incorporate into your schedule. Prenatal yoga classes are uniquely designed to help ease the aches and pains that often accompany pregnancy, while breath work and visualizations can help prepare you for the physical and emotional journey of pregnancy and childbirth. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a great way to connect with a community of women with whom you can share your experiences. An experienced prenatal yoga instructor knows how to work with pregnant bodies, including avoiding poses that can be risky during various stages of pregnancy. As with any physical activity, check with your healthcare provider first to ensure that prenatal yoga is right for you. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re expecting, you are invited to join us at Branch Yoga & Wellness from 3:00 - 4:15pm on the first Saturday of each month for Prenatal Flow. This class will also provide information on how to safely modify poses you may encounter in other yoga classes.

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Sonya Ilagan Branch Yoga & Wellness 3301 Lake Shore Blvd W. / 647-348-3301 www.branchyoga.com IG: @branchyoga

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ARTIST PROFILE // SUZETTE CASTRO

Self Portrait by Suzette Castro Specializing in Rockstar and Custom Pet Portraits, local artist Suzette Castroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s works can be found on display in local shops like Designer Consigners in Long Branch. Calling Mimico home, Castro has recently been nominated for several Emerging Toronto Artist Awards, including her Self Portrait pictured above. Castro accepts commissions and can be reached at scastro@rogers.com View her collection at www.finartamerica.com/profiles/suzette-castro 26

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Forks of the Credit Inn 1498 Cataract Road, Caledon | stay@forksofthecreditinn.com

YOGA RETREATS CORPORATE EVENTS INTIMATE WEDDINGS Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015

COMMUNITY // BEST OF LONGBRANCH.LIFE @lakesh

ilylife

oregrnd

@masteringfam

Y COMMUNIT WINNER

@noblehound.ca

COMM U RUNNE

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Shining a Light on Local Businesses Since 2015

YOUR HEALTH

JONATHAN NHAN Pharmacist

The SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU. RUN for WOMEN is a national event series that supports women’s mental health programs all across Canada. This year, the Toronto event is taking place on June 9, 2018 at Women’s College Hospital. Come out to support this great local cause and raise awareness through participating in the walk or run. The run helps to advocate the general positive effects of exercise on mental health wellness while raising money to support mental health programs in local communities. Visit runforwomen.ca for more details and to register for the 5K walk/run, 10K run, or 1K Little Steps event for ages 12 and under! We will be sending a team of our staff to participate in this run so help us raise money throughout April and May for this great cause! www.shoppersdrugmart.ca/prescriptions

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Jonathan Nhan, RPh, CDE Shoppers Drug Mart in Long Branch 3730 Lake Shore Blvd W 416-255-5243 / @nhanjonathan www.shoppersdrugmart.ca 30

MARIA TERZAGHI Pharmacist

Diets have always been part of the conversation whenever the topic of “getting healthy” is brought up. Here are two common diets and what each diet specifically entails. Vegetarian diet: Long studied, effects of depriving yourself from animal meat and derivatives have been proven to decrease body weight, maintain healthy body weight and decrease risk of cardiovascular diseases in the long term. Lacto ovo vegetarians include eggs and dairy products in their diets Vegan diet: Followers of a vegan diet do not eat any products derived from animals: no butter, no dairy, no eggs, and no meats of any type. This diet is harder to maintain and follow, a little restrictive and tends to increase the amount of carbohydrates in detriment of protein. If you want to explore more about your options, come see us at our new store for a free consultation!

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Maria Terzaghi, RPh, CHC Shoppers Drug Mart in Long Branch 3730 Lake Shore Blvd W 416-255-5243 / @4betterself www.shoppersdrugmart.ca

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