Holiday Train is Coming to Town

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train hits the rails, tomorrow (November 28) for it's three week journey cross-country collecting food and money for local food banks and raising awareness in the fight against hunger. 

The decorated train will be in Windsor at 5:30 pm on December 3rd at the CP yard at Erie St W & Janette St.

To entertain those in attendance will be Doc Walker and Kingston native, Miss Emily who has recently performed at Ottawa Bluesfest and Bobcaygeon Big Music Fest where she shared the stage with The Tragically Hip, Sam Roberts Band and the Trews.

Please bring non-perishable food items.

The following is a list of the most needed food items (source:  Food Banks Canada)

Most needed food items

• Pasta products & Rice 

• Canned meats and fish

• Dry and canned soups & stews

• Canned fruit & vegetables

• Breakfast cereal

• Peanut butter

• Canned/Powdered milk

• Fruit Juices

• Pasta Sauce

• Beans & Legumes

• Baby Food

Black Friday, eh?

Black Friday is the name given to the day following the American Thanksgiving.  Traditionally it's the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.  On this day, most major retailers open extremely early and offer promotional sales to kick off the holiday shopping season, similar to the post Christmas Boxing Day sales here in Canada.  It has routinely been the busiest shopping day of the year.

The day's name originated in Philadelphia by the Police Department, because the heavy and disruptive pedestrian and vehicle traffic which would occur on the day after Thanksgiving.  The term has been in use prior to 1961 and began to see broader use outside of the Philadelphia area around 1975.  As time went on, the term received an alternative explanation.  Black Friday began to indicate a point at which retailers begin to turn a profit, or as bookkeepers call it, be "in the black".

As Canadians in a border city, this explanation should help make our decision easier to keep our money in this city.  Knowing now what the term "Black Friday" means, which merchants would you like to see "in the black", the ones across the border or the ones in your own hometown?

Let's make our own Black Friday  a success.

Happy shopping Canada, eh!

O Canada eh, Clip Art by Phillip Martin

Black Friday Shopping: Local vs. State-side

In today's Windsor Star, they ran a poll asking whether Windsorites will be shopping locally or going stateside on Black Friday, which is November 23.  It's called Black Friday because that is when retailers expect to sell enough merchandise to put their business "in the black".  Some merchants count heavily on this day for their survival.

Personally, I would shop in Windsor as I always do.  I like getting to know the retailers and putting my money back into my community.  It surprised me however, to see such a large number of the pollsters opting to take their money across the border.  Of the 46 who voted,  over 41 per cent selected shopping in the U.S.  Of the people I know personally who shop in Michigan, the reasons vary from cheaper goods to bigger selection.  I suppose it depends on what you want and how selective you are with the quality of the goods.

If you were to answer the question,  "Are you going to shop here of go to the U.S. for Black Friday?", what would your answer be and what are the reasons behind your answer?

Happy Thanksgiving

"Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year -- and then discover once a year is way too often." Johnny Carson

All kidding aside, I want to wish each and every one of you and your loved ones, a very happy Thanksgiving.

Party in Pink Zumbathon

October 5, 2012
Teutonia Club
55 Edinborough St.
Windsor, Ont.

Visit the event page for more information.

IT'S BACK!!! After a stellar turnout and feedback last year and back by popular demand is Studio Kelani's 4th Annual Healthy Halloween Hunt.

What is a 'Healthy Halloween Hunt'?

The Healthy Halloween Hunt started in Ioana’s (owner of Studio Kelani) home four years ago when she decided trick or treating was not an ideal activity for her daughter who had a multitude of allergies and intolerances. It simply was no fun to collect items and tell her daughter she couldn’t consume anything. Instead, Ioana devised a ‘hunt’ in her home where she hid a bunch of non-food items and her children proceeded to hunt for them. They LOVED it! AHA MOMENT! An idea was born!

The next year Ioana decided to expand, find a venue and add more children to the mix. The idea took off and spread like wildfire. Children from all over the Windsor-Essex community attended the hunt at the awesome Monkeytown for various reasons:

* allergies
* didn’t go trick or treating outdoors
* wanted a fun event to go to
* loved treasure hunting
* still wanted to dress up

The turnout was amazing. The year after that was even bigger as word began to spread.

This year, Studio Kelani has chosen a venue even larger to cater to all the lil’ munchkins! The gorgeous HighJinks (used to be Jungaroo) has expanded its repertoire of activities and ‘fun stuff to do’ while offering a comfortable chillout zone (including WIFI) for adults.

Sunday- November 4th, 6-8pm for only $5 (cheaper than what a child would pay for open play) adults and children can enjoy the following activities:

• Treasure hunting
• Trick or treating (all non-food items)
• Balloon making
• Face painting
• Henna tattooing
• Exercise equipment
• And a WHOLE lot more in a healthy, child friendly, allergen friendly, baby safe facility

THERE’S ONLY ONE CATCH! SPACE IS LIMITED and participants NEED to pre-purchase tickets or Studio Kelani cannot guarantee entry on the night of the event.

For more info please contact ioana@studiokelani.com or call 519-995-7659.

Have safe and  healthy Halloween!

If order of precedence doesn't change, Monique Taylor, MPP (Hamilton Mountain) will be moving Bill 110, Ombudsman Amendment Act (Children's Aid Societies), 2012 to Second Reading shortly after the House Resumes in the Fall. If you feel there is a need for accountability of Ontario's Children's Aid Societies, please help us fill the Ontario Legislature for this important event! Date: Thursday, September 27, 2012. (Tentative) ... Time: Afternoon Session 12:45 PM EST. Location: 111 Wellesley Street West Toronto, ON M7A 1A2 Have a Question? Please Ask!! Please contact your local MPP using the form below asking they support oversight of Hospitals, Long-Term Care, Children’s Aid Societies, School Boards, Universities/Colleges, or the independent Police Review. http://ontariocfa.com/demand-the-ombudsman-investigate-the-mush-sector/ See More

Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Main Legislative Building, Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario M7A 1A8

View Map · Get Directions

I am so honored and flattered to be, once again, part of the Biz X Awards' distinguished list of nominees. I am no economist or financial expert; however, in an economy so volatile, I believe it is key to support our local businesses and community. I personally love the momma and poppa shops! I always go back to the sitcom ‘Cheers’ and remember the intro song “sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name”, and I think of that in comparing my experience at big box to ‘momma and poppa’. I love the warm fuzzy feeling of walking into a place, whether it be my local organic grocer or café and a being greeted by my first name by the same one or two people every time. We chat about life, share stories and often times brighten one another’s day. It makes me feel like a person not just a statistic, and there is undeniable value in that.  

I am not sure if we (momma and poppa shops) are a dying breed. I certainly hope not, although it is so hard to keep up with the multi-million dollar corporations. The Biz X awards and Biz X magazine in general have a huge hand in helping to keep us alive. They bring ‘us’ to the forefront in events such as the prestigious annual Biz X awards ceremony, monthly Biz X mixers, promoting local events etc. Often times even I, as a business owner, am unaware of local businesses in my own neighborhood and Biz X introduces me to them. I firmly believe that our strength lies in supporting one another (‘united we stand, divided we fall’) and I thank Biz X time and time again for playing a huge role in keeping this awesome network alive and kicking.

I can’t wait to party with my fellow business owners at the fabulous Biz X gala…see you there!

http://www.bizxmagazine.com/nominations.php

The Anxiety Whisperer

Introducing: The Grand Illusion Do you ever feel like Emotions are running you? Are you tired of being overcome with sadness, fears, and anxiety? Have you been going through a difficult time? Attend this very informative show on the topic of how emotions are just a Grand Illusion in your body. Find out how your body reacts to emotions, and how to detach and rid yourself of negative emotions for good. After 25 years of studying the human response to emotions, The Anxiety Whisperer has developed a technique that enables you to live your best life and be free of the grip of negative emotions.

The Anxiety Whisperer
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Studio Kelani Pilates & Polynesian Movements
3774 Walker Road
Windsor, Ontario.

Absolute Chiropractic Wellness Centre (Lower level)
Commitment: $25.00 a ticket
Space is Limited
Please pre register with Ioana at 519.995.7659

Earth Hour 2012

About
Earth Hour 2012 - Dare the World to Save the Planet. Switch off your lights on Saturday 31 March at 8:30pm to be part of the world's largest voluntary action for the environment

Mission
Earth Hour is a universal message of hope and action to protect the one thing that unites us all – the planet. Together our actions add up.

Join the world for Earth Hour 2012 by switching off your lights at 8.30pm on Saturday 31 March and sharing the positive action you will take for the planet beyond the hour.

Overview
Earth Hour calls on individuals, businesses, communities and governments to go beyond the hour by committing to a positive action for the planet and celebrating that commitment with the people of the world by switching off their lights for one designated hour.

From its inception as a single-city initiative – Sydney, Australia - in 2007, Earth Hour has grown into a global symbol of hope and movement for change. Earth Hour 2010 created history as the world’s largest ever voluntary action with people, businesses and governments in 128 countries across every continent coming together to celebrate an unambiguous commitment to the planet.

In 2011, Earth Hour’s iconic global ‘lights out’ event which has seen some of the world’s most recognized landmarks, including the Forbidden City, Eiffel Tower, Buckingham Palace, Golden Gate Bridge, Table Mountain, Christ the Redeemer statue and Sydney Opera House switch off their lights, will again bring the world together in a global celebration of the one thing that unites us all – the planet.

Earth Hour 2012: 8.30pm, Saturday 31 March, celebrate your action for the planet with the people of world, and add more to your Earth Hour. Sign up to earthhour.org, switch off your lights for the hour, and share the positive actions you will sustain for earth beyond the hour.

Earth Hour