1. Electric or gas.

2. Plug-in or rechargeable. Batteries have come a long way, baby; battery-powered trimmers can now operate at peak level for 35 minutes. You’ll lose some maneuverability due to increased weight, but you won’t have to do battle with the extension cord.

3. Two-cycle vs. four-cycle gas-powered trimmers. Gas-powered trimmers work a little harder relative to their heft and offer unlimited operating time. The two- cycle/four-cycle dilemma largely comes down to taste: two-cycles have more muscle, while four-cycles are quieter and vibrate less.

4. Curved vs. straight shaft. Less expensive trimmers often come with a curved shaft; good for lighter jobs. Straight-shaft trimmers offer less vibration and more flexibility in type of trimmer heads and brush blades.

5. Trimmer line. Trimmer line diameters range from .060 for electric trimmers up to .155 for heavy brush removal; the most common width for grass trimming is .080. The diameter will also dictate the type of trimmer head you’ll require. Be careful with some of the thicker line or be prepared to apologize to wounded trees and fence posts!

6. Engine size. Engine sizes range from 21.5 cc (smaller curved shaft trimmers) to 56.5 cc (heavy-duty brush cutters). Most homeowners won’t need the heavy weaponry for everyday lawn care. For multi-duty applications, consider investing in a larger engine to avoid heartbreak (or heart failure) when using heavier- gauge trimmer line or brush-cutting blades.

7. Combination units. Most manufacturers offer the option of buying the power head separately from the attachments, which allows the user to add additional tools at a much lower cost. Make sure you buy a unit with a superior quality connection system between the power head and the attachments, and you’ll have the Swiss Army knife of trimmer on your hands.

8. Attachments. You can purchase attachments for grass trimming, brush cutting, hedge trimming, cultivating, pole pruning, edging, blowing and brushing. Additionally, you can add extension poles to increase your reach up to 15 feet. No more risking life and limb climbing ladders with heavy tools for hedge trimming and pruning!

Maintenance is important to ensure the trimmer will start easily and operate properly when needed. Change the air filter and spark plug annually, use fresh gas (less than three months old) and ensure you use the proper mix of oil and gas.

Safety is paramount with these tools. Always wear eye and ear protection and wear long pants. Your shins will be enormously appreciative.

There are many options on the market and getting advice from your local independent dealer can make the difference between years of enjoyment and years of chiropractic treatment.

Fusion landscaping is a modern trend in yard and garden design that creates lush, colourful gardens using eco-chic flowers, plants and trees.

Begin with a vision of your garden.

1. Imagine your ideal garden and the size, shape and elements you would like it to include.

2. Observe how your landscape is influenced by shade, sun, wind, rain and snow. These elements should guide your plant selection.

3. Choose plants with the colours and textures you like including a range of perennials, bulbs, shrubs and trees. Perennials and bulbs bloom every year after their winter dormancy. They are an affordable, eco-friendly alternative to annuals which have to be purchased and planted every spring.

Next, create your garden. Visit watersmartpeel.ca for step- by-step instructions to help build your fusion garden with ease. Once planting is complete, be sure to water your plants regularly. After the four-to-six week establishment period, natural rainfall will be enough to take care of them, provided you have followed proper mulching techniques, such as covering all exposed soil with three inches of mulch to retain moisture, which prevents water loss due to evaporation and discourages weed growth.

If you would like guidance creating a fusion garden, sign up for a free fusion landscape consultation. Peel Region offers consultations from May through August, where trained advisors will visit your home and show you how to achieve your own fusion garden oasis. The process is explained in easy steps and the water-efficient benefits of fusion landscaping are highlighted for you.

Cook for a cause!

Distinctive Appliances is starting an interactive dinner series to raise funds for the Credit Valley Hospital Foundation (CVHF).

The first event is next Tuesday, May 28 at the International Centre beginning at 7:00 and ending at 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $40 and includes a four-course meal with wine pairings and a cooking class in front of a studio audience. The class will be led by Chef Mirella Damiani and will feature fresh and rustic Italian cuisine, perfect for summer and dinner parties.

You can purchase your ticket here. To make a donation to CVHF, visit their donation page.

The Streetsville BIA offers free historical walking tours to all residents who want to learn more about the quaint village lying in the west of the city.

The three-hour tour takes visitors along historic Queen Street to see both historical residential and commercial buildings, and to hear the ghostly tales that go hand-in-hand with each building.

The first tour is this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. If you would like to join, you can meet your tour guide, Kay Matthews, outside of the Streetsville BIA office at 280 Queen Street South for 1:00 p.m.

At a Glance: AtWater Condominiums
Location:

Forget Donald Trump: Rod is a hands-on builder who lives in Port Credit with his young family and is active in the community. He sees himself as a squadron leader who has assembled a team of professionals to create AtWater Condominiums, coming to the corner of Cawthra Road and Atwater Avenue, just north of Lakeshore Road.

Project architect Michael Spaziani has his office in a historic yellow-and- white house on Helene Street North in Port Credit. Wide pine plank floors creak with the sound of history and traditional design that was built to last. Spaziani’s list of awards dates back to 1977, and reflects his interests in both contemporary architecture and historical preservation. The boardroom displays his guitars because he’s a musician as well as an architect. “Good architecture is harmonic, melodic and rhythmic,” he says. “It’s a series of natural progressions, just like a beautiful piece of music.”

AtWater’s design reflects that philosophy, gracefully wrapping around its corner location with a sequence of peaked roofs, expanses of glass and the percussive elements of brick keeping the beat.

Planning is another strong suit for Windcatcher. Planner James Lethbridge praises it “for letting the site dictate the planning rather than trying to shoehorn the biggest possible building into it.” Most developers try for maximum height and suite count, says Lethbridge, “but Rod is respectful of the community, reasonable about expectations for the site and sensitive to environmental issues.”

Windcatcher agreed from the outset not only to preserve trees on the site, but also to limit the building height to four storeys, to create the best site planning possible. “It’s been a pleasure to work on this project,” says Lethbridge, “as I have never had to compromise to satisfy the developer. That corner is the right location for a four-storey building, it’s already served by transit, we’re leaving lots of trees at the west side between us and the neighbours and there’s already higher density development across the street.” The result is a project that satisfies both Mississauga and Ontario Planning Guidelines in terms of enhancing the site, the neighbourhood and the community.

The natural environment is landscape architect Michael Presutti’s domain. He is responsible both for the extensive foundation plantings and for the treed streetscape that will be created along both Cawthra and Atwater. He has also designed not only the landscaping that will greet residents and guests in the entrance courtyard area of the building, but also the extensive tree preservation program planned for the site.

“Because almost half of the site is open landscape and trees, Windcatcher has chosen to preserve and enhance the natural woodlot that occupies the west end of the site, rather than clear-cut it,” explains Presutti. “They have given us the mandate to improve that woodlot further with additional plantings of both deciduous and evergreen trees, and to create a pathway system through the revitalized woodlot for the benefit of residents. It’s an unusual and far- sighted decision, one that benefits both AtWater residents and the community at large.”

Turning Point: Rod Male
“It suddenly struck me one day when I was on a whitewater canoe trip—an experience that really clarifies your thinking—that I could either go on building condominiums and townhomes for other people for the rest of my life, or I could do my own developing and building, adhering to my personal principles of responsible planning, environmental awareness and sustainability, and contributing to the community by doing so. With AtWater Condominiums, I’m realizing that goal.”

This 5 km walk supports the MADD chapters and community leaders in their efforts to support and educate the community on the dangers of impaired driving. Communities across Canada will be hosting their own events, campaigns and walk-a-thons.

Your local walk will be held at 9:00 a.m. at JC Saddington Park. There will be a 1 km and 5 km walk. To register online with the Running Room, click here.

Donate here to MADD and Strides for Change. For more information, call 1-800-665-6233 or visit MADD Canada’s website.

At a Glance:

The key to operating a successful business can be awfully simple:

1. Give your customers a good product.
2. Price it reasonably.
3. Make sure everyone knows about 1 and 2.

It’s this common sense approach that has put Amadio’s on the map for those in search of the perfect pizza.

The Port Credit–based business has long outgrown its “local legend” status and now has become a destination point for those across the GTA seeking to enjoy the finer things—for there is pizza, and then there is Amadio’s.

It’s no fluke that Amadio’s is a highly rated and consistent award winner, earning the top rating of five stars by TripAdvisor and ranked the 8th best restaurant in all of Mississauga by the same organization. It’s a result of hard work and passion.

“We’re good because we work hard at being good,” says owner Joe Leroux. “There’s no magic formula. We put in the time, we make sure we do things right and we listen to our customers.”

Much of “doing it right” is in the ingredients, Leroux explains. The dough is created fresh on-site in a way that allows the hidden flavours to come through. Then there is the mozzarella, Canadian- made with no added preservatives. The sauce? Made from freshly packed tomatoes, not from concentrate. And the rest of the ingredients? Purchased from local stores.

As for the cooking methods, the pie is hand-tossed and then placed in a traditional stone oven—the way a pizza is supposed to be made.

“It makes all the difference in the world,” explains Leroux. “Fresh ingredients make it taste better, and preparing it the old-fashioned way, with a stone oven, gives you the best results. Once you take a bite, you can tell the difference.”

Of course Leroux makes it sound so simple, but there is 38 years of experience, experimentation and fine- tuning that makes it all work. He says he puts in long hours and is demanding of his staff, but that’s what you need to do to stand out in a competitive market filled with chain stores and franchises backed by big advertising budgets.

Leroux isn’t afraid of a little competition and his grassroots marketing approach keeps the Amadio’s name active in the community.

A sponsor of numerous hockey teams over the years, Leroux knows that you can build your name and reputation by being a good community member. As such, he is a proud donor to dozens of charitable events including those at schools and churches throughout the Lakeshore corridor. He even feeds the volunteers for the Southside Shuffle free of charge. “It lets people know I’m here, that I’m one of them, that I’m part of this community,” he says. “The payback is that they remember me.”

And remember they do, as the customers at Amadio’s Pizza keep coming back for more.

Turning Point: Joe Leroux
All businesses have their loyal customers, but Joe Leroux didn’t fully realize how popular Amadio’s Pizza was until it became a determining factor in a real estate deal.

Leroux says several years ago he was surprised when he was asked to sign off on the purchase of a home. It seems the buyer wouldn’t agree to the deal unless the realtor could prove the home was within Amadio’s delivery area.

“They actually came to me and wanted me to sign papers as proof,” explains Leroux. “The people wouldn’t buy the house unless we delivered to his street.”

And so it goes with Amadio’s.

This week’s video is a hilarious commercial for car transmission services from Arlen’s Transmission in Burbank, CA.

Watch this video on YouTube.

And if you need a bit more to get you “refocused” on work, check out Taylor Swift‘s “Trouble” music video featuring the Screaming Goat.

Like our picks? Disagree? Let us know in the comment field below! 

At a Glance: PwC Epic Tour Halton

It’s not a good idea to let opportunity pass you by. The trouble is, not everyone can recognize it. Michael Merrall recognizes it. He also packages it and makes it better.

A long-time executive in the sports and entertainment marketing and management field, Merrall has led the pack in turning opportunities into popular staged events that have lifted sport and celebrities to greater levels of recognition.

Stars on Ice, the Telus Skins Game, the Wayne Gretzky and Friends Invitational, Skate the Nation and the Canadian Pro Figure Skating Championships are all events that he played a major role in creating.

Now, as President of High Performance Marketing Inc., Merrall is banking on an opportunity again, this time in the world of cycling, which he believes is on the brink of a major upswing in North America.

“We can see a real growth in the area of cycling,” he says from his Lorne Park office. “We’ve seen it happen in baseball, figure skating and golf. I think cycling is the next wave.”

To catch the wave, Merrall and his team have created the PwC Epic Tour Halton, a one-day cycling event that takes place September 8 starting in Milton, but covering most parts of Halton Region.

With varying course lengths and routes, PwC Epic Tour Halton is designed for cyclists of all ages and capabilities, with the expectation that it will become an annual major touring event that will attract participants from across the globe. Not a race, the Epic Tour is more of a journey that will allow cyclists to enjoy the natural scenery while participating in a large group activity with people who share a passion for the sport. Ridership will be capped at 5,000 and Merrall expects that it will include regular cyclists as well as those just being introduced to the activity.

“We are going all in on this event,” Merrall explains. “We want to make it a major attraction for this area. With the way people have embraced cycling, I think this is a natural fit and it has already created a lot of excitement in the cycling world.”

With a career as extensive as his, Merrall has learned an event cannot be truly successful unless there is some “giveback” into the community. At the end of the day, he says the success of PwC Epic Tour Halton will not only depend on the participation rate, but also on the community benefits. To that end, Halton Healthcare has become the official charity partner of PwC Epic Tour Halton and will receive proceeds from various financial aspects of the event. As well, all riders are invited to collect pledges to support Halton Healthcare. The event will also support the 2015 Pan Am Games velodrome in Milton.

These partnerships, including PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the title sponsor of the event, and other sponsors will ensure success for the tour and help to make it epic. “The support and participation so far has been tremendous and the potential for growth is there,” he says.

The next wave of athletic participation has arrived.

Turning Point: Michael Merrall
Is cycling really the new golf? “It sure is,” says Michael Merrall.

According to Merrall, where once business was conducted on the golf course, now much is being accomplished on touring rides and in events like GranFondos, where the participants can challenge themselves physically, yet have time to connect on a personal level within a group setting.

“It provides common goals and experience and is often done in a great setting. It can be a wonderful team-building exercise,” he explains.

Merrall says it’s not uncommon now to see business groups heading out on the road. A typical 60 km course can be completed in two or three hours of healthy connecting time.

Words by Leo Graziani

One of the first things you notice when you walk into Star Academy is that there are no locks on the lockers. “We work on the trust system here,” says Principal Belinda Bernardo.

You’ve walked into a different educational world.

Star Academy is a private school, started 17 years ago by Bernardo and Vice Principal Pam Rennie. They wanted to create a school where children didn’t have to conform to an overly rigid system (whether private or public) that wasn’t delivering to them. Instead, their philosophy was for the school to conform to the child—the educational experience becomes far more personalized, bringing learning into the 21^st century.

It’s an inquiry-based school; children are engaged in active learning rather than just regurgitation of facts. The teacher functions not as a deliverer, but as a facilitator. “It’s a broader, more robust way to teach,” says Bernardo. “It’s about respecting children. When you expect them to do well and you tell them that you believe in them, they will always live up to it. Children want to do their best, they really do.”

What Parents Need to Know
Many people think private schools are elitist, yet Star Academy isn’t a preppy private school. “A lot of private schools take in A students and churn out A students,” says Bernardo. “But our measure of success is ensuring that a child demonstrates continuous improvement, so we’ll get A, B, or C students, but they’ll develop and graduate well prepared and ready for high school.”

Classrooms are kept at a strict 10:1 ratio. As soon as there are 11 students in one class, there are two Ontario-qualified teachers in the room. Maximum capacity in the school is only 95, so there is a lot more in the way of one-on-one learning and small group collaboration. “We know intimately what every child needs in all areas of their learning, and can deliver it personally and individually,” says Bernardo.

Five Pillars
The central educational philosophy of Star Academy rests in its “Five Pillars,” which are interwoven throughout the curriculum daily.

• Academic. A strong academic foundation with high but realistic expectations.
• Physical. Connecting physical activity to academic success. (See “Physical Literacy,” below.)
• Social. Developing social intelligence and learning the value of positive social interactions.
• Emotional. Developing empathy, compassion and a sense of perspective.
• Global. Enhancing awareness of community and social responsibility, without losing sight of individuality.

Physical Literacy
A number of years ago, students in grades 7 and 8 had math first thing in the morning. Some were tired and lacked focus, and their marks suffered. A change in scheduling was made, with their first class of each day being phys-ed. Grades, attention and self-esteem all went up. Why? Research has shown that exercise improves executive functioning in the brain.

“The executive functioning skills are core student skills,” says Vice Principal Pam Rennie. “So aside from the academics, they’re your ability to sit and attend, to plan, to organize, to take initiative and to switch tasks confidently.” As a result of observed improvements over the last few years, all Star students participate daily in a 40-minute specialized phys-ed program.

“It’s interesting that physical activity and the development of related skills improves cognitive processes and academic success,” Bernardo smiles.

Formative Years
The time to think about the direction of your child’s education is in junior kindergarten. The elementary years make all the difference and will set the standard for the rest of their educational lives. There are options available when it comes to education. Find one that’s a good philosophical match for you and your family.

1587 Cormack Crescent
905-891-1555
staracademy.ca

You know the drill: ticketholders (tickets can be purchased here for $60), will be notified of the secret meeting place 48 hours prior to the event. On the night of, you and your taste buds will be whisked away on a culinary adventure in the heart of our beautiful city!

Restaurant destinations are kept secret, but you can follow @DishcrawlMISS for clues to the destinations.

If you have any questions, concerns or special dietary requests, contact your Dishcawl Ambassador Christina!

Words by Tara Pepper

A few weeks ago, I mentioned my love of John Catucci’s show You Gotta Eat Here on Food Network. Bobby and I were driving around yesterday and pulled up to a roadside attraction and he had the idea that we should do a series of “You Gotta Stop Here!” articles. We both cracked up and decided it was a great idea to write about the great finds we discover while we’re out exploring. Here’s the first installment—I hope you like it!

We were driving up Winston Churchill Boulevard and Bobby mentioned the chip truck that he’d heard about when he was filling up the propane tank for the BBQ. I asked him where it was and he said “back there on the corner.” I have a thing for chip trucks—they are a huge guilty pleasure of mine and I’ve been known to drive a long way for a fix. And imagine, there’s one right here on the border of Mississauga and Oakville and we were—gasp—driving the wrong way! Of course we had to turn around, and were so happy that we did!

At the intersection of Royal Windsor Drive and Winston Churchill Boulevard, in the coin car wash parking lot, you’ll find Chippy’s Fresh Cut Fries, owned by Matt Flewelling. What a great guy! He seemed to really enjoy answering our questions and sharing information about his business. He’s been open since last September and although the winter was slow, he’s developed quite a following amongst those who work in the surrounding industrial area.

Chippy’s offers burgers, hot dogs, sausages, poutine, frozen treats and soft-serve ice cream, but I’m all about the fries. I’ve been very disappointed on occasion with limp, undercooked and greasy fries at some of the trucks I’ve stopped at. Not here though! Matt cuts them from whole russet potatoes and they were crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside with huge potato flavour and not greasy at all! If a french-fried potato could be called perfect, these certainly were. Yummy!

Another diner came over to our picnic table as she was leaving with her kids and told us that we had to try the Deep-Fried Oreos. She said they were wonderful. Well, who am I to pass up something like that? Bobby ordered one for me and I excitedly waited to see what this was. (Matt didn’t give us just one; he gave us one each. How nice!) It’s an Oreo cookie wrapped in batter (like a pancake) and deep fried. A gooey mess, you think? No! It was a perfect little package with an incredible taste. I mean, anything deep-fried is sinfully delicious, right? So take that crunch of deep-fried goodness and add to it the Oreo cookie which became soft and moist inside with the deep chocolate of the cookie and the sweetness of the cream filling. It was exceptional! I’ve never tasted anything like it!

Matt said he came up with the idea after making deep-fried Mars bars—I’m going to go back soon to try one of those soon. As we were leaving, Matt handed us a sample of his Razzle; think of Dairy Queen’s Blizzard, only about 100 times better! It was wonderfully rich and creamy. I’m going back for one of those too!

So get in your car and go to Chippy’s—you’ll be glad you did! Tell Matt that Tara and Bobby sent you. And stay tuned for the next installment of “You Gotta Stop Here!”

’Til next time,

Tara

chippysfcf.ca

]]> http://www.mississaugalife.ca/2013/05/taras-tales-and-tastings-34-you-gotta-stop-here/feed/ 1 http://www.mississaugalife.ca/2013/05/taras-tales-and-tastings-34-you-gotta-stop-here/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mississauga_life/~3/mB0RGjeyuQM/ http://www.mississaugalife.ca/2013/05/spirit-of-enterprise-fitness-that-fits/#comments Tue, 21 May 2013 15:07:43 +0000 MLMBlog http://www.mississaugalife.ca/?p=6355 At a Glance: Destination Fit
Location: Serving Mississauga, Oakville and Etobicoke.
Employees: Three qualified instructors.
Services: Custom rewards program offering gifts and prizes. Programs developed for small groups in small studios. Running programs for individuals or teams. Personal nutrition plans.
Website: destinationfit.ca

Alicia Jones knows there’s more to it than just plain old excuses.

She knows people are busy. She knows there aren’t enough hours in the day. She also knows many don’t want the typical box gym experience.

She also knows the solution. She will come to you.

The owner/operator of Destination Fit, Jones has carved out a niche for herself in the competitive world of health and fitness with a business plan that is simple, yet so effective that it can fit into almost anyone’s lifestyle.

Jones says her clientele is comprised of people from all walks of life, with different demands placed upon them and all with varying goals. She says businesspeople, firefighters, teachers and stay-at-home parents are all clients she has developed customized programs for, citing that unique needs demand a unique approach.

She also finds that many people are looking for a private, personal experience that a typical gym cannot offer. She says these clients may not want to exercise in a crowded room, or are shy or face self-esteem issues. The comfort and convenience of training at their own home just suits their style.

“I understand what people are up against,” she says. “They’re not being lazy, they just don’t have time to do everything that needs to be done and that includes a fitness regimen. It makes it easier if I go to them. They want to feel empowered and I can help them do that.”

In particular, Jones says women often find themselves pressed for time as they work, raise children and generally run the household. They don’t want to head to the gym, yet they want to be healthy. When she arrives for an appointment she often finds that her timing is perfect.

“When I come by, it’s just the break they needed to relieve some stress,” Jones says, “but it’s not so long a break that it takes them away from their homes. That’s important to them.”

Because her work is so personalized, Jones says she develops strong bonds with her clients which gives her extra incentive to help them increase their levels of fitness. “Helping them feel better, so that they can keep up with their busy lifestyles, is part of the reward for me,” she says. “If they reach their goals, then I have reached my goal.”

Jones believes that everyone can improve their health with the proper approach that comes with expert advice. She says she and her staff of qualified instructors are constantly upgrading their skills and know what really works and what’s just a fad. Because nutrition makes up so much of a healthy lifestyle, she also helps her clients adjust their eating habits—it’s all part of getting her clients back on the road to being fit.

“We are committed to helping our clients achieve their goals, whether it’s weight loss, improved overall health, increased energy or renewed self-esteem,” she says. “We set timelines and guidelines and keep our attention focused on making these goals achievable.”

Turning Point: Alicia Jones
Alicia Jones cites two clients, a husband and wife, she began training six months ago. She said the wife had type-2 diabetes, was on medication, slept most of her days and was on leave from her work.

“Her exact words to me were ‘you are our last chance to get healthy,’” explains Jones. “I gave them a consistent eating plan and exercise regimen and helped them follow it. Now she is no longer showing signs of her diabetes. She is off her medication and back at work.”

With results like these comes job satisfaction—Jones couldn’t be happier and is even more motivated. “These weren’t just clients improving their lives; they were my friends improving their lives,” she says.

At a Glance: Light Emitting Design

Performance: LED Lighting Design, installation, and consultation since 2005.
Flexibility: Customized lighting for your space and your taste.
Reliability: Quality products and superior service.
Eco friendly: Eliminates bug swarms!
Website: lightemittingdesign.ca

Recent breakthroughs in the lighting industry have opened up new opportunities in lighting design for homes, stores and offices, both indoors and out.

Light emitting diodes (LEDs), are lighting’s answer to the digital revolution and have moved from a niche product to the mainstream in only a few short years. From the tiny red and green blinking lights on appliances to stunning residential lighting and all the way up the CN Tower, LEDs allow a level of versatility and creativity that never existed with traditional lighting sources.

Scott MacKinnon of Light Emitting Design speaks from experience when he talks about lighting. He has been in the lighting industry for over 25 years, as a lighting designer in film and television before starting his business with his partner Pam Carnell. “I read a small story in the paper one day about LEDs and a light came on,” explains MacKinnon. “We saw an opportunity not to simply sell a product but to provide a service that seemed to be missing in the marketplace. LEDs offer a level of versatility that didn’t exist before. Lighting is becoming another art form in itself.”

LEDs, because of their unique technology, come in several different shapes and forms. They fit into spaces conventional lighting never could, bending into corners or around curves, embedded into stair nosings and tucked under kitchen cabinets with little or no valences required. LEDs emit no UV rays and much less heat compared to conventional lights, making them ideal for display cabinets, wine cellars or artwork.

Perhaps the most beneficial use of LEDs is outdoors. Again, because of the technology, LEDs are a directional light source. “We waste a lot of light and electricity lighting up the empty sky,” says MacKinnon. “LEDs allow me to light the objects and surfaces, much like lighting a film set. I can take 25 watts and spread it around a deck or backyard, and allow people to see much better than they could with their standard 60-watt porch light.” No heat also means no bugs. And the directional nature of LEDs means light pollution is greatly reduced.

Lighting is a critical component of any space, inside or out. 80 percent of the information our brain receives is through our eyes, and our eyes need light to be able to work. “A critical part of design is balancing the light levels so your eye doesn’t have to work as hard to be able to see,” says MacKinnon. “A good design will give you proper light levels and a superior look while reducing energy consumption and waste.”

Further, and with pun purely intended, LED has a bright future, says MacKinnon, as innovation heads into new areas of design and greater efficiencies. LEDs are only the start of the lighting revolution!

Turning Point: Scott MacKinnon
While the versatility of LEDs allows a far greater customizable approach to lighting, LEDs alone aren’t the cure.

“People can use LEDs the wrong way too,” explains MacKinnon. With one restaurant client, he found that old lighting sources were causing the food to look… not quite right. “Even though they were using LEDs, they were using yellow ones. The food looked fine in the kitchen, but when it was brought to the customers it looked off because the colour of light was all wrong,” he says. “Customers kept sending back the food and the chef couldn’t figure out why.”

The instant he walked in, MacKinnon saw the problem. “We simply replaced the LEDs with the right colour and the problem was solved,” he says. “Needless to say, the chef was thrilled.”

If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so at westerngtasummit.ca. You can also see the agenda for the summit on the home page of the site. The summit is also looking for volunteers, such as facilitators and scribes. To volunteer, contact Darryl Wolk at darrylwolk@hotmail.com. All volunteers should meet at noon on May 21 at the Mississauga Convention Centre.

For more info beyond the main website, check out the summit’s Twitter and Facebook accounts for updates over the weekend.

And now, here are some short videos to help you get a better handle of what the summit’s all about. First up, the press conference and media launch:

Watch this video on YouTube.

Next is Mayor McCallion talking about the importance of the summit:

Watch this video on YouTube.

And here’s Oakville Mayor Rob Burton:

Watch this video on YouTube.

And finally, Caledon Mayor Marolyn Morrison on how we can thrive:

Watch this video on YouTube.

Carassauga makes it super-easy to buy passports. You can get them directly from the site (which is here) or at several satellite locations (see chart below). It’s just $10 in advance or $12 a the door. All of these locations are in Mississauga, except O2 Salon and Spa—that’s in Brampton.

Carassauga
at the Hershey Centre
5500 Rose Cherry Place
905-502-9100
hersheycentre.com
carassauga.com

Hours
Friday, May 24: 7:30 p.m.–midnight
Saturday, May 25: 1:00 p.m.–midnight
Sunday, May 26: 1:00–7:00 p.m.

Mayor McCallion

Mayor Goldring and Chair Carr join Chair Kolb (Peel) and Mayors McCallion (Mississauga), Fennell (Brampton), Morrison (Caledon) and Burton (Oakville) as honourary co-chairs of the upcoming 2013 Western GTA Summit on May 21. The organizers of the Western GTA Summit are pleased to have the participation of both Halton Region and the City of Burlington.

Mayor Burton

The summit is also pleased to announce the addition of new citizen co-chairs, including: Brian Crombie (Mississauga), Principal, Crombie Capital Partners; Michelle DiEmanuele (Mississauga), CEO, Trillium Health Partners; Peter Van Sickle (Brampton), CEO, Brampton Downtown Development Corporation; Tayler Parnaby (Caledon), former CFRB Business Editor; Jeff Zabudsky (Oakville), President, Sheridan College; and Alf Zeuner (Burlington), President, AXYZ Automation. Each of these chairs is a leader in their community and will bring a great deal of insight and perspective to the summit about the needs of their municipality and region.

Mayor Morrison

“When talking about the issues that face the municipalities of the Western GTA, it is critically important to have the representatives from each municipality at the table,” says Co-Chair Crombie. “Chair Carr and Mayor Goldring are excellent additions to our Summit and will ensure that the voices of all residents in the Western GTA will be heard at this Summit and beyond.”

“Halton Region is advocating for support from all levels of government in the form of long-term, predictable funding in order to ensure that Halton’s taxpayers are not burdened with the cost of growth,” says Chair Carr. “We look forward to the Western GTA Summit to lend a stronger voice on these issues.”

Mayor Goldring

“The Western GTA Summit serves as a platform to talk about solutions to issues like transit and our economic future,” says Mayor Burton. “Everyone should attend, listen and be a part of the discussion.”

The Western GTA Summit will discuss the dominant issues facing the over 1.6 million people living in the Western GTA, such as whether we are facing economic gridlock and what can be done to change the way we live, move, thrive and prosper in the 21^st century. Each municipality shares similar challenges with respect to growth, congestion and unemployment.

Mayor Fennell

More importantly, each city has a citizenry that wants a say in the important issues facing their communities and the larger region. To satisfy this strong desire, the Western GTA Summit will convene the political, business and community leaders of the Western GTA and charge them with finding common ground for a discussion about the solutions to these pressing concerns.

The event is free and all residents are encouraged to register. To do so or to find out more information, please visit westerngtasummit.ca, call 416-371-8806 or e-mail media@westerngtasummit.ca.

Seats are limited, so get your tickets to Mondello’s fabulous Ghost Pines Wine Tasting! Contact Jessica or call 905-819-1727.

Don’t forget to check out Mondello Ristorante’s can’t-miss-it events:

Gary Beck Acoustic Guitar show: May 23, 6:30—9:30 p.m.

Mondello’s Two-Year Anniversary Bash with John Paul Chiarot and the Dirty Truth: May 30, 8:00 p.m. Come out and enjoy an evening full of ’60s, ’70s, Funk, Motown and R&B!

Boasting a 1380 square feet venue featuring audiovisuals like projectors, a screen, climate control and wifi. The venue is also licensed and offers catering including continental and hot breakfast options, creative breaks, lunch and dinner menus all of which can be customized for you and your guests!

Available on weekdays, evenings and weekends, Pier 10 can hold up to 60 people in their space (see capacity chart below). Complimentary underground and street level parking is available.

To check availability or to book a space, call Port Credit Retirement Residences at 905-274-6864.

Capacity Chart
Theatre—60
U-Shape—30
Boardroom—24
Classroom—24
Hollow Square—40

]]> http://www.mississaugalife.ca/2013/05/pier-10-more-than-just-a-space/feed/ 0 http://www.mississaugalife.ca/2013/05/pier-10-more-than-just-a-space/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mississauga_life/~3/_9EuQ1lSWrs/ http://www.mississaugalife.ca/2013/05/fitness-fridays-with-alicia-jones-3-fat-burning-pills-waist-slimmers-and-back-pain/#comments Fri, 17 May 2013 12:15:26 +0000 MLMBlog http://www.mississaugalife.ca/?p=6293  

Welcome back to Fitness Friday with Alicia Jones! Every Friday, she’ll be answering your questions about health, fitness and nutrition! Here are today’s questions from city residents.

Sexy.

1. How do “fat-burning” pills like Lipozene work? 

Let me start by cautioning you. There is no substantial evidence that Lipozene “burns fat.”

However, the main ingredient in Lipozene, glucomannan or konjac root, is touted to create a sensation of satiety. Glucomannan is a fibre that comes from a root tuber. Fibre in our belly makes us feel full. Specifically, the fibre glucomannan can swell up to 17 times its original volume. As a result, we feel full longer and we eat less.

To date, there is insufficient and conflicting evidence to prove that glucomannan will make you lose weight. As a result, there is no evidence that Lipozene will make you lose weight either!

Fact: the clinical trial Lipozene uses to prove its effectiveness does not actually use Lipozene at all! It uses glucomannan. The study was conducted for only eight weeks and performed on 20 people. This is not a long enough trial period and doesn’t use enough people to make a conclusive decision about the product!

2. What are some good workouts to slim the sides of my waist?

Pilates is fantastic for the waist. Pilates elongates the waist area creating a svelte and toned appearance!

Don’t you wish your fat would just get up and walk away? See ya!

My favourite Pilates waist exercise is called Spinal Lateral Flexion:

1. Start in a standing position with your feet hip width apart.
2. Lengthen your torso (pretend there is a string attached to your head. Pull the string upward, creating length in your spine).
3. Raise your right arm over your head as you bend your spine to the right.
4. Hold this position—lengthen the spine.
5. Repeat with the opposite side.

You should feel a nice stretch along the side of your elevated arm and a slight pressure on your opposite side. The goal is to keep length in the spine as you bend.  To make sure you’re doing this, place your free hand thumb on the very bottom of your ribcage and place your longest finger on your hip bone. The distance between the thumb and the long finger should remain exactly the same, even during the bend. If the distance gets smaller, you know you have collapsed the side and the muscles aren’t working!

3. My mom has major back pains, especially in her lower back. What are some casual, easy exercises/stretches she can do easily at home and work? 

Oh no! Major back pain—I feel concerned! Exercises for people with major low back pain should be avoided until a chiropractor or physician has given permission to adhere to a program.

Why? Because the area could be inflamed! Exercises could aggravate an inflamed area and make the problem worse! If your mother’s major back pain is simply from underusing her muscles, one simple stretching exercise a day could make a difference. She could:

• Lie back down with your feet flat on the floor;
• Inhale and elevate one bent leg and place your hands around that thigh (the area under the bent knee);
• Exhale as you use your hands to bring the thigh towards the chest. Hold for 30 seconds; and
• Repeat 6 times on each side.

Alicia Jones is the owner of Destination Fit and can be reached via e-mail or by calling 647-233-7827. Don’t forget to check Alicia out in the May/June edition of Spirit of the City in our first Spirit of Enterprise issue!  

Submit your questions to jordan@mississaugalife.ca.