The Brant Advocate, Issue 26, October 2013

BRANTFORD | SIX NATIONS | PARIS | ST. GEORGE2

MORELL KELLY PERSONAL INJURY LAW

THE BRANT ADVOCATE WOULD LIKE TO THANK

JONO & LAYNIE PHOTO + FILM, THE BRANTFORD ARTS BLOCK, THREE BLIND MICE CHEESE & SOPHIA’S BAKERY & CAFE

FOR HELPING US CELEBRATE TWO YEARS OF PUBLICATION AND THE LAUNCH OF ADVOCATE TELEVISION!

(PHOTO BOOTH COURTESY OF JONO & LAYNIE PHOTO + FILM) Photo Courtesy of Ida Adamowicz

BRANTFORD | SIX NATIONS | PARIS | ST. GEORGE 3

We all remember waking up the morning of Friday, June 21, and seeing the pictures of thefloods in southern Alberta. Videos of houses being swept down the Bow River in Canmoreand of cars floating away in downtown Calgary could be found all over the Internet. But lesstold is the story of those who were in the middle of it all, whether they were fighting for theirhouses and livelihood, or struggling to reopen their places of work. While the floods haverescinded and Calgary is slowly getting back to normal, there are still years left of damagerepair to be done.

Darryl Barnes woke up Thursday morning before the flood, and went to work at the TalismanCentre, a gym in Calgary, just like every other day. He got off at 2 p.m. and it was raining,but that’s nothing new. It’s Alberta; raining during the summer is what happens. But shortlyafter he got home, he received notice that the Talisman Centre was closed due to mandatoryevacuation. Still, the last thing anybody thought would happen was a massive flood. By thenext morning, there was no doubt.

“As I was watching the news Friday morning before work, I saw that right in front of ourwork the streets were flooded so much it looked like a river,” Barnes said. This was the realityfor a huge portion of Calgary’s workforce that morning.

There is no worse place for a disaster like this to strike than in the downtown of a major city.Many people had to shoulder the panic of losing their homes and places of work, and yetkeep calm enough to find a solution. “I got the call Saturday morning to come down to work.My boss gave me directions. It normally takes 15 minutes but it took over two hours to getto work,” Barnes explained. When he arrived at work, the whole park behind the buildingwas under water, and the building had no power. From the surface, it looked like the buildingwas untouched. “The whole basement, where all the hot water, air handling, pool filteringequipment and two large hot water boilers were located was covered in about four feet ofwater,” Barnes said.

Buildings all around the city were damaged in this way. It wasn’t just the houses in certainneighborhoods, or downtown streets. The water viciously poured into important buildingsand made its way to the basements, destroying foundations. The Scotiabank Saddledome,home of the Calgary Flames, was filled up to the tenth row with water. While the rest ofCanada was rejoicing over the rains stopping and the water levels retreating, for the workersand citizens like Barnes, the real test was just beginning.

“The next few days consisted of getting diesel fuel to power the emergency generator. Wehad to do this five times a day to fill it up,” Barnes said. In addition to getting fuel, Barneswas tasked with directing contractors to get the water out of the basement. The water wasremoved in two days. For the next two weeks the workers had to remove all the machinesthat were damaged, while electricians and engineers helped get the power back on and drawup plans to get the facility reopened. Motors were removed, and new ones were put in. Barnesand the workers were able to maintain the water in one swimming pool but two other majorpools along with two hot tubs and a children’s pool were drained.

The basement was cleaned over time and all things that had been destroyed by the water wereremoved. It’s not pretty work or inspiring, but it is the kind of stuff that went on behind thescenes in the flood ravaged areas.

The resiliency of Calgarians has stood out throughout all of this. Mayor Naheed Nenshi hasbeen widely praised for how well he showed calmness as a leader, and how he very famouslyannounced that the Calgary Stampede would still go on, even though there was less than twoweeks until the Stampede was to open and the entire grounds were covered in water. Butnevertheless, the stampede did go on, and it was just as successful as ever.

The whole city came together to help. It was not just a matter of workers and governmentofficials. On Monday, June 24, around 2,500 volunteers showed up at McMahon Stadium tohelp people settle back into their homes. “This is Calgary folks. This is the spirit of thecommunity,” Nenshi said.

Not every business downtown was heavily damaged, but that does not mean they did nothave a tough time. Lots of restaurants, coffee shops and service shops suffered merely becausethey had no customers. This was a tragedy where nobody in the city was unaffected.

“We were able to open the gymnasiums, weight and cardio areas of the building around lateJuly. A few weeks later we were able to open the pool that still had water in it along with onehot tub,” Barnes said. Some of the air-handling units work, but most are still being workedon. One of the two boilers is now working and provides hot water for the facility. A lot ofwork remains on the pumps that control showers and pool circulation.

“The building has gotten back to some normality but there is a long way to go. I would estimatethere are still months of work left to do before we can say we are back to 100 per cent,”Barnes said. The city, its citizens, and all of southern Alberta have certainly been dealt a badhand, but they refuse to quit. Like Barnes, they just get right back to the job, doing the dirtywork, and doing all they can to restore their city to its rightful state and their lives back to normal.


It’s odd to me that in 2013 there is still debate around harmreduction. After all, there have been numerous studies thatclearly show the positive effects it has had. The twobiggest are curbing the spread of Hep C/HIV and savingcountless lives, mine in particular. When I decided to writethis article, I was just going to write the typical “harmreduction is good and this is why”. However, to truly getmy point across, I feel that if the readers were able to relateto an addict, to see his life through his eyes, then theymight be, with an empathetic heart, more open to hearingthe pro argument for harm reduction.

After much self-debate, I’ve decided to put my own storyout there for all to see. In the hopes of putting face toaddiction and trying to help you understand that addictionis not a choice and “our” lives are worth saving. Sure, itwas a choice at first, but then itconsumes you, eats at you,drives you to sell your own soulto get your next fix. After awhile, it becomes as much of achoice as breathing does. Sharingmy story isn’t easy but there’s asaying in 12 step groups, “weonly keep what we have by giv-ing it away.” Addicts are “mypeople.” They were there for mewhen society wasn’t. There isnothing more important in mylife than trying to save theirlives, in turn saving my life.What keeps me clean today ismy passion to help others.

I was raised in a dysfunctional home where I wasphysically, psychologically and emotionally abused. Havingbeen born and raised in Regent Park, Canada's oldest andlargest social housing project, I grew up surrounded bypoverty and violence. In the first 18 years of my life I’veseen and witnessed more trauma than most people facetheir entire life time.

My Mother was a very violent woman and the beatingsmy brothers and I took were just that: Beatings. She didn’tspank. No, she preferred to use weapons. Belts, hockeysticks and my dad’s wooden cane are a few examples. Myearliest memory of abuse was when I was about six yearsold and in grade one. My friend and I decided not to goback to class after afternoon recess and just hang out inthe school’s playground instead. When I got home, mymom was waiting for me with a belt in her hands. BeforeI even got in the door she grabbed me by the hair, pulledme in and started whaling on me. When she finallystopped I ran upstairs, closed the door, and hid under mybed for what seemed like hours. Crying that cry little kidsdo when they can’t catch their breath. I remember lookingup at the doorknob in terror whenever I heard footstepshoping it was my dad and not the monster. In the eyes ofthis little boy, this is what she became. You see, my dadwas my hero, my nurturer and my protector.

The beatings became a common occurrence not just forme, but for my brothers as well. She, the monster, was alsovery violent towards my dad. I would often witness herthrowing knick-knacks, dishes or ashtrays at him. Itseemed we had new ashtrays in our house every week. Mydad and I don’t know how he did it but he never once

retaliated. Not once did he raise a hand to her. Sometimes,deep down, I wish he would have if only to stop the abuseshe inflicted on me and my brothers.

When I was around the age of ten, my aunt let my familyuse her cottage for couple of weeks. The second week in,my cousin was over for a visit. He, along with my youngerbrother (who is 18 months younger than myself), and Iwent looking for something to do. We noticed that my dadwas burning some garbage in a big oil drum. There was agas tank sitting beside it that I assumed my dad used to ignitethe fire. We came up with the idea of putting some gasolineinto a beer bottle and set it atop of the fire. In seconds itburst into a very cool explosion. Then someone came upwith the idea of putting a lid on the bottle filled with gas.It was set back into the fire, the top of the bottle aimed

right towards my brother. In secondsthe lid blew off and a stream ofignited gas drenched my brother.The screams were horrific. Ididn’t know what to do. Myfather came running out of thehouse and ripped the flamesoaked shirt off my brother,taking pieces of flesh with it.

My brother was rushed to thehospital while my cousin and Iwere left there alone, both onlyten years of age, and terrifiedthat we would be blamed. We de-cided to run away but a neighbour

caught up to us and kept us at his place until someonecame and got us. My brother was in the hospital for manymonths with 3rd degree burns over forty percent of hisbody, from his head down to his mid torso. My mothertook me to visit him a couple of days later and the imageof his hairless, swollen, burnt face still haunts me to thisday. I was the older brother and should have known better.It was my job to protect him.I’ve carried that guilt aroundall my life.

Just after my brother got homefrom the hospital tragedystruck again. My father wasdiagnosed with cancer. Iwitnessed my hero go from a280 pound man to nothing butskin and bones. It was a longyear of which he either spentin the hospital or in his bed.However, after a yearlongfight he was able to beat it. The day he was released fromthe hospital he and my mother decided he needed to getaway. He wanted go and spend time with my oldestbrother who lived out of town. It was to be the last time Iever saw my hero again.

Just shortly after my dad went to bed he suffered a massivestroke. He was rushed to the hospital but didn’t make it. Iwas devastated; 12 years old and my whole world hadcome to an end. I was told by my mother that I couldn’tgo to the funeral but I begged my aunt to drive me the 200miles to where it was being held, only to be sent home bythe monster upon arriving. I couldn’t believe that she waseven denying me the chance to say good-bye to my owndad, essentially telling me I wasn’t allowed to grieve.

Shortly after that I tried my first drugs, pot and alcohol;we were a match made in heaven. They took much of thatpain away. For a short while, that is.

After my dad’s passing the beatings got worse. I’m notsure if it was her way of coping or not, but to add salt tothe wound, she started using my dad’s walking cane as herweapon of choice. The very thing that I had enjoyedlooking at because it brought back warm memories of himwas now being used to violate me. The last beating wasso severe that my sister could hear my screams from outsideand came running in and pulled her, the monster, awayfrom me. I was almost 14.

When she realised I was too big to beat on, she decided tothrow me out of the house whenever she felt like it. HereI was, 14 years old, living in a pup tent in the middle ofRegent Park. I would often let the heroin addicts shoot upin my tent in exchange for food money and cigarettes.They would also keep an eye out for me during the night.This went on for most of my teen years. My older brotherKevin, who was 2 years older than me, would be the oneto come get me when mom had a change of heart.

At 18 I was living at my girlfriend’s house. I remembergoing to bed early one night as I was getting up to go andlook for work. I was awoken by a bad dream in the middleof the night. Someone, (and I never did see who it was),got shot in the side of the head. It seemed so real and itscared the heck out of me, making it very hard to get backto sleep. The next morning I headed down to a tempagency to try and find a day job. After sitting there a coupleof hours with no jobs to be had, I decided to leave. I hadthis uncontrollable urge to visit my older brother Kevin.This was strange as I never went to visit him, but somethingtold me I had to. I got to his place and knocked on the door.A female answered. I said, “Hi I’m Randy, Kevin’sbrother. Is he home?” Just then I see her eyes tear up. Myheart sank as she goes on to tell me that Kevin was in a

serious car accident and thathe didn’t make it.

My brother and two friendswere drinking and taking pillsthat night. I don’t know whostole it, but they went for a joyride in a stolen car. My brotherwas at the wheel. He miscalculateda bend and crashed into aguard rail on the DVP. Hewent head first through thewindshield and head first intoa lamp post, killing him instantly.

I took his death really hard. I looked up to my brother. He,like my dad, looked out for me. A few weeks after the funeralwhile staying at my moms, I decided I had had enough. Iswallowed a bottle of my mom’s anti-depressants, laid onthe couch and waited to fall asleep. My younger brothernoticed the emptied bottle and called an ambulance. I wasin ICU for 3 days. Within weeks of being released fromthe hospital I went from smoking weed and drinking toinjecting cocaine, speed and smoking crack. Using drugswent from being a choice to needing it to survive myemotional pain. The pain and trauma of my childhoodbecame too much to bear straight.

To be continued….

Harm Reduction: How it Saved my Life - Part Oneby Randy Roberts, Twitter: @RandySRoberts

“My Mother was a very violentwoman and the beatings mybrothers and I took were just

that: Beatings. She didn’t spank.No, she preferred to use

weapons. Belts, hockey sticksand my dad’s wooden cane

are a few examples.”

“Just after my brother got homefrom the hospital tragedy struckagain. My father was diagnosed

with cancer. I witnessed myhero go from a 280 pound manto nothing but skin and bones.”


In April, 2007, the year I graduated from University, myparents drove to my university town and helped me movethe contents of my residence room to a basement apartmentnot far from campus. At that point, Brantford became adecidedly distant memory in my young mind. I bought ablazer and set out to become who I am.

Two years, four internships and one "real job" later, Imoved back to Brantford where I took up a new venturein outpatient treatment at the BGH and Avenue MedicalCentre. I traded my blazer for the single sundress that Ibrought home in a backpack. I'd buy all new clothes inBrantford.

Being diagnosed with anorexia was not a shock for me. Iknew I was anorexic and so did everyone else in my life,presumably (at least those who got close enough to see mewithout my signature scarves and layers of sweaters). Inever looked in the mirror and saw a fat girl staring backat me like The Mirror PSA. I saw bones. I moved homebecause I wanted to fix it, and I didn't know where to start.I write this article not because I want to tell you how hardmy recovery was, or to prove how serious eating disordersare. I write it because I hope to set an example for otherpeople who are closeted by an eating disorder. There areso many women who are affected (between 150 000 - 600000 in Canada, and that number is on the rise), but silencedby shame. That silence is keeping us ill. We're not helpingourselves or each other by staying invisible. We help eachother by supporting each other. If you live in Brantford,there are some fantastic opportunities for support. (Seebelow.)

"Actions happen before thoughts change" is a commontenet in ED recovery, one I believe in, and it starts at yourdecision to find help. Until we are willing to have an opendialogue about eating disorders, until we can talk aboutthem like we talk about our anxiety, our depression, ourmigraines, they will stay the shameful, misunderstood andsilent killers they are at present in our culture. Yourcoming out of the closet, or not, could mean the differencebetween life or death - not just for you, but maybe evenfor the next girl with an eating disorder.

According to the Journal of Psychiatry, eating disordersare the mental disorder with the highest mortality rate. 4%of those with anorexia, 3.9% of those with bulimia, and5.2% of people with an eating disorder not otherwise specifieddie of heart failure, organ failure, malnutrition or suicide.For those with eating disorders who don't die, their bonesmight, their fertility might, their relationships, theircreativity, and souls might.

Eatingdisorderhope.com states, "Basically, she transformsinto a completely different person. How can this notnegatively impact relationships with friends and family?"Being honest to yourself, to your loved ones, and professionalstrangers is hard, but so is letting the bat-shit crazy voicein your head run your life.

Here's some good news: when I started talking about thebat-shit-crazy voice in my head in treatment, somethingamazing happened - I stopped being afraid of it. I startedto master it, just by giving a voice to it. I proved to myselfthat having an eating disorder doesn't make me a lunatic.

(For the record, nor does it mean you are attention-seekingor superficial. If it was about being skinny, Portia DeRossiwould have rejoiced when the scale hit 82 lbs. LindsayLohan would be writing self-help books by now.) Thedoctors in Brantford get it.

I'll leave it up to “Wasted” author Marya Hornbacker toexplain what I always felt but didn't know how to articulate:"there were ... countless outlets that could have channelledmy drive, perfectionism, ambition, and an excess ofgeneral intensity, millions of ways in which I could haveresponded to a culture that I found highly problematic. Idid not choose those ways. I chose an eating disorder."

Some people choose pot. Some choose Facebook. Somechoose calories. In a culture that equates thinness with selfworth and takes every opportunity to sell us on the ideaby stoking the fires of our self loathing, the latter isdangerously easy to do, especially if you happen to havesuper-driven-intense-perfectionist genes. You don't choosethat cocktail, and that's nothing to be ashamed of.

You can choose to stop channelling your energy into aneating disorder, though. When you make that decision, youcan channel it into something you do choose. Anythingyou want to choose. Your life can be full of possibility.Here are some of the services in Brantford that can help:

- Brantford General Hospital Outpatient NutritionCounselling: Brantford General Site 519-751-5544,extension 4267 http://www.bchsys.org/bchserv/Amb-Care/NutritionCoun

- Willett site 519-442-2251, extension 6332

- EDS Brant. To arrange a private intake consultation withregistered nurse and counselor Marilyn Clarke, call 519-752- 5468. (To get to know Marilyn a little better, checkout this great article written by Heather Ibbotson for theBrantford Expositor, http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2009/02/07/many-reasons-can-be-behind-eating-disorders)

(The Trellis Institute http://www.trellis.on.ca/en/ used tobe the go-to place in Brantford, but they recently changedtheir services to include only Waterloo Region andWellington County.)

The counselors and nutritionists in Brantford helped mefind the words to give a voice to my thoughts. There ispower in understanding, and there is power in words. I amindebted to them for helping me become who I am -human. That's pretty sweet.

Skeletons in the Closet: On Being Honest about Eating Disordersby Anonymous


90 Morton Ave East Brantford • 519.757.1800 • www.handcraftedwood.ca

The shadow self was brought to light by Carl Jung. “Whatyou resist persists” describes how shadowy aspects of ourselvesare always lingering on the edges of our being, trying toget our attention in an effort to be healed. They are mostalways thought of as being nega-tive, dark parts of our self that wewant to hide from. These frag-mented parts can include anger, ad-dictions, loneliness, jealousy,insecurity and deep hurts. Unfortu-nately, the positive parts of our selfcan also be hidden and need to beembraced and expressed. Maybe itis time to concentrate on the posi-tive aspects of ourselves and givethem equal exposure; all of our pos-itive parts need to be embraced sofull expression of our personalityhappens. I believe this is a big part of my spiritual journeyin life – to tap into my entire being and, as such, fire onall cylinders.

These positive parts may have been pushed aside as a resultof not being encouraged and embraced by parents, caregivers,or educators. They can include artistic interests and behaviours

such as showing assertiveness or nurturing, relaxing orramping things up. A good guide to finding out what hasbeen denied or pushed aside in terms of our positiveshadow self would be to ask yourself the following question:

What qualities do I like best, admirein people, and wish I had? The answersmay reveal to you parts of yourselfthat are lying dormant but want toemerge. Why not make it a priorityto unleash hidden talents andbehaviour that has been ignored,which in turn will help to providea balanced life?

A good friend of mine was alwayspunished in subtle ways for beingoutgoing and vivacious. He wasput down and sometimes given not

so subtle looks of disapproval when he spoke up. As a resulthe always gravitated to people who were energetic and fullof life. Meanwhile, after doing some work on his shadowself, he realized he, too, was alive and started acting inways he never had before. For example, he started singingout loud in front of people in a fun way. He also smiledmore and talked more often when around groups of people.

Soon he discovered he was just as vivacious and expressiveas those he orbited around. He became the person peoplewanted to be around. While doing this work he called thisdisowned part of himself, “Outgoing Oliver”. Wheneverhe faced a situation in which he would normally shut downand go within, he called upon Olly. He was fun andgregarious and a part he had deeply submersed. Ollybegan to come out more often and before long he wasacting from the full spectrum of his being. He could beoutgoing or introspective, whichever suited the situation,whereas before he was only expressing or operating fromhis more introverted self.

While doing this work, a cut-off portion was tapped into,and as a result I was encouraged to write this article. Myinner writer had been downtrodden and hidden away formany, many years. I am so glad that this buried part of me,which I like to call “Writing Wanda,” has come to thesurface. I feel more whole and alive as a result. I ambeginning to fire on all cylinders. If you are interested indoing this work I have found Debbie Ford’s, “21-DayConsciousness Cleanse” and “The Dark Side Of The LightChasers, Reclaiming your power, creativity, brilliance anddreams” to be very enlightening. It can be tough work attimes, but worth it.

The Shadow Self Does Not have to be Dark and Forebodingby Holly McDonald, M Ed, MSW, RSW

“What qualities do I likebest, admire in people, and

wish I had? The answersmay reveal to you parts of

yourself that are lyingdormant but want to

emerge.”

The beauty in nature has led conservation biologists, researchersand nature lovers alike, to contribute to the conservationof our Canadian landscape. Every year thousands ofvolunteers, ranging from families and students to birdersand scientists, contribute to an annual mission. For overone hundred years, that mission has been to assist speciesat risk and enforce conservation action. Birds are greatpredictors of the state of our environment. It is crucial tobe aware of and address both the needs and threats to ourlocal birds and habitat. Organizations such as Audubon,Bird Studies Canada, and Ontario Nature have signifi-cantly contributed to the awareness and assessment of ourbird population’s health status.

Wildlife census by field observations has collected significantdata, offering valuable information into the scope ofenvironmental challenges. Christmas Bird counts and Bird

Feeder counts are among the many programs that provideimportant information for bird conservation on a locallevel. Volunteers and scientists have extensively added tothe State of Canada’s Birds Report, while also contributingto the long-term study of the health and status of birdpopulations in North America. These long-term perspectivesare vital to our environment and species, allowingconservationists to prevent, protect, and to be proactivein identifying environmental issues. Annual bird countscollect data that provide awareness of local trends in birdpopulations and habitat. The field data that is collected cansignal many threats such as local contamination andclimate change, as well as identify rare species. Reportsare then used to help scientists and policy-makers push forchange. Here are seven things that have become knowndue to bird counts, according to the Audubon website: thebald eagle is back, the Endangered Species Act works,

familiar birds are in serious decline, more hummingbirdsare staying in Canada and the US over the winter, housefinches have been moving west for 60 years, the spread ofWest Nile virus can now be determined in speed anddistance, and birds indicate environmental problems thatcan affect people. All the efforts made by bird counters,compilers, and regional bird count editors, through theannual mission to protect and conserve our birds andnatural habitat, are truly appreciated for their dedicationand contribution. There is currently no Brantford ChristmasBird Count, however; it is in the works. In order to spearheada count in Brantford, it is required that local ‘CitizenScientists’ volunteer in the conservation efforts to getBrantford on the map! For more information on Brantford’seffort to spearhead a Christmas Bird Count, visit AmandaKelly on Twitter @AJaquesKelly.

Bird and Habitat Conservationby Amanda Kelly, Twitter: @AJaquesKelly


I saw Justin Lukach in a loincloth in Papua New Guineabefore I met him in person.

I saw him surf across the floor of a busy mall in Japan ona foam board, sleep in a wooden tree fort a few feet abovea pack of lions in Zambia and force himself to throw upto make his travelling partner, Scott Wilson, feel betterabout his drunken heaving outside a bar in Whitehorse.

But when I finally meet Lukach, a day before his pickuptruck is stolen from his place in British Columbia (it wasfound a day later – the culprit took Lukach’s stereo), helooks different. His hair, brown and spiked to perfect tinypoints, is a strange sight when I’m used to seeing hismessy blonde surfer flow secured with a bandanna onDepartures.

Before Departures, a TV show in which former Brantfordresidents and high school friends Lukach and Wilsontraveled the world, Lukach had never been farther east inCanada than Montreal or farther west than Ontario. Hishumour – witty and slightly sarcastic – stayed with himon his journey around the world, but sitting in the BlueDog on Brant Avenue, I learned something else about him:Lukach is a little conceited. “I laugh at my own jokes,” hetells me. “You have to understand my sense of humour,[it’s] like you have to visualize what I’m saying becausewhat I’m saying doesn’t make sense. I might say some-thing really stupid, but if you listen to what I’m saying,I’m actually really clever.”

But under his jokes, his worldly experience and his fame,Lukach feels insecure about where he’s headed in life. “Iregret not pushing harder after Departures to make some-thing else happen,” he says. Since the show ended in 2010,Wilson embarked on the diving show Descending, whichbegan airing in 2012. Lukach, on the other hand, left hiscore network of friends and family around Toronto andmoved to Vancouver, which he says caused his career tocome to a halt.

Before his adventure around the world began, Lukachworked at Blue Bird Corporation, the bus manufacturer.Despising the job, he went to Seneca College in Torontofor Fire Protection Engineering and then moved to LasVegas before finally settling in Hawaii as an engineer.Meanwhile, Wilson was presenting Departures to anetwork with someone else as his travel partner. WhenWilson’s partner chased a girl to New Zealand and marriedher, Wilson began searching his MSN contacts for a suitablebackup. Lukach dropped his job in Hawaii and eagerlyfilled the spot.

The first few episodes of the show’s first season took placein Canada. Lukach’s mother, Donna, wasn’t happy withthem due to the amount of drinking and swearing. Lukach,on the other hand, boasts that the show’s parental advisorywarning was mostly his fault. “They were thinking theywere gearing to young people,” Donna says. “They justhad to clean up their act a little bit because it’s not justgeared for the young people; it was geared for all kinds ofpeople.”

Lukach did a lot of stupid things on Departures, such asclimbing the Atlas Mountains in Africa in jeans. AndreDupuis, the cameraman, pushed Lukach to keep climbingwhile he complained about his altitude sickness. WhenLukach got to the top, he says he didn’t feel like hedeserved to be there because he believed he gave up. “Meand Scott were like, ‘This is a travel show, not a fuckinghiking show, why do we have to climb a mountain to feellike we accomplished something?’” he says. “We’re notfucking mountaineers.”

Despite the arguments and hard work, Lukach was letdown when Departures came to an end after three seasonsand Wilson and Dupuis parted ways with Lukach to work

on Descending. “After Departures was probably the hardestyears of my life because you travel around the world likea rock star, living it up … and you just don’t know whatthe fuck to do afterwards,” he says.

He is currently working on a new show about search andrescue efforts in Las Vegas’s Red Rock Canyon, which hehopes to release this year. Naturally, I was curious if therewas any competition between him and Wilson. “If eitherof us had the chance we would be working with each otheragain,” says Wilson. He says Lukach is the most loyalfriend he’s ever had, and some of his best memories comefrom being Lukach’s roommate on the road. “At the endof the day, if you were totally exhausted or pissed off orhomesick or whatever it was, it was kind of like having abrother there,” says Wilson. Wilson explains he andLukach are completely different people. “Hewants to do, see and say everything Idon’t,” says Wilson. When I told himLukach felt Departures depicted himselfas a goon and Wilson as the brains, Wilsonlaughs. “There you go, our answers arecompletely different.”

But the word different doesn’t begin to describethe array of things left over from Lukach’s tripsaround the world I encounter in his bedroom. Myeyes dart to a Tibetan monk’s mask resting on adesk. The mask stares at the ceiling with anintricately carved toothy grin and stands outamong an old computer monitor, a bottle ofbaby powder and Gucci cologne. Among themany bottles of alcohol on the desk, includingpisco from Easter Island, is a water bottle. It’swrapped in paper that sports a caricature ofLukach wearing his signature bandanna but anot-so-signature disproportionate grin andbutt-chin. Under Lukach’s face are the wordsLukach Energy, and beside his face are thewords non-alcoholic.

Lukach shows me a blow dart gun fromthe Amazon. It belonged to the deceasedfather of a chief he had met, whosefuneral Lukach attended in the middleof the jungle. I hoist the weapon –about the size of rolled-up poster –to my face to inspect it, in awe thatit has actually been used to killpeople. He dumps the contents ofa bag from his closet on the bed: afuzzy pink bunny suit whose feetare worn in. It was supposed to bea Halloween costume. When he first sawit, though, he knew it had another purpose. “I’mfuckin’ taking this to Easter Island.”

And like the waters surrounding Easter Island, Lukachstill feels the effects of Departures rippling around theworld. Many fans write to tell him he has inspired a roadtrip or a backpacking trip. Yet despite this success,Lukach says he doesn’t feel relevant anymore, and hefeels people have moved on. He says he is at a selfishpoint in his life where he needs to accomplish hisgoals and acknowledges he needs a “swift kick inthe nuts every once in a while.” “Having dreams,that’s what life’s all about,” he says. “If you don’thave that, then that’s just a shitty way to gothrough life. You’ve given up on yourself.” ButLukach knows his purpose is to entertain people,and no matter where he is in the world, he iscapable of that.

The traveller Who is Lost in the Shuffleby Layla Bozich, Twitter: @laylabozich


Three years ago I started a journey with no end. I didn'tknow that at the time, and if I had, I'm not sure I wouldhave had the courage. That first step took me headlonginto a storm that hit the publishing industry by surprise. Itwas a revolution of sorts, a transformation from somethingold into something new.

The storm I'm speaking of is self-publishing: the act oftaking your writing and publishing it on your own withoutthe help of a big publishing company. Authors have beenself-publishing their work since the first books hit the market.If you had enough money, you could get anything intoprint. So what changed?

Everything, really. In days gone by, the only way to getwide distribution of your work was by contacting a publisherand convincing them that your work was commercially viable.They would then take your story, edit it, put a cover on it,print a bunch of books, and distribute them to book stores.You would get a small slice of the profits (called royalties)which usually amounted to 10%. This form of publishingis referred to as traditional publishing.

At some point in the last few years, several companies decidedto take out the middle-man. Amazon, CreateSpace, LightningSource, and a number of other companies introduced servicesthat allowed a person to write and publish their own bookswithout having to deal with traditional publishers. Thissimplified the process, and made it accessible to everyone.Suddenly, anyone could publish a book and get it out in

front of the masses of readers who were looking for thenext great masterpiece.

When I started writing, I knew nothing about the publishingindustry. I've been writing stories for years, but onlyenough to fuel the plots of the games I played. I'm atwenty-year veteran role-player, and in order to keep playersinterested in your games, you have to have an interestingstory.

In November of 2010, I sat down at a keyboard and startedwriting my first full-length novel thanks to a personal challengecalled National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo forshort). The goal is to write fifty thousand words in thirtydays, which is a daunting task, even after writing threebooks. I didn't succeed that year, but I did go on to finishthe book. The problem was that I was faced with a question:Now what?

I had a manuscript, and no inkling of what to do with it.All I knew is that I wanted it to be made into a book. So Idid what anyone in the Internet generation would do: IGoogled it. My initial results turned up the nearly impenetrablebrick wall that is traditional publishing. Stories about peoplewho worked away at their stories for five, ten or moreyears trying to get a publisher to accept it. I'm not a patientman, so this was out of the question for me. The momentI started reading about it, I knew traditional publishingwould move too slow for me.

There were a number of other options out there. I couldtry getting a smaller independent publisher to notice me,which was also a daunting task. There was also vanitypublishing, which is basically a publisher set up to publishyour books to a wide audience if you pay them gobs ofcash. I found out later that these options are often scamsand do little for your reputation as an author. The final optionI explored was something new: Self-publishing. Learn todo it myself? Now we're talking.

This sounds like the easy road, doesn't it? Hardly. Ratherthan an impenetrable wall blocking you from all the peoplewho know what to do and how to do it, you have to learnhow to do it all by yourself. Writing, editing, proofreading,cover design, formatting, conversion, publishing, and ofcourse marketing. Traditional publishers have teams ofpeople who do most of these tasks for you. When you self-publish a book, you're on your own. It can be very over-whelming.

I wasn't the only writer out there who chose this path.Thousands of others joined me in this journey, saturatingthe market with brand new books that were produced by--most of the time--a single person. Some of these weregood books that wouldn't have otherwise been published.More commonly, however, these books were sub-standardand poorly edited, with terrible cover art. The market wasvery quickly saturated.

The flood of bad books created a stigma around self-publishing.Every new industry goes through growing pains, and thiswas excruciating. It can take hundreds of hours of workto put together a quality book (I average around 600hours), and this stigma that appeared very nearly made merun the other way. Why would I want my quality workgrouped in with what was being referred to as publishedslush?

Somebody needs to work to change that stigma, and it'svery slowly going away. Self-published authors are gainingrespect in the new publishing world because we're learningthat producing quality work is more important than quantity.

I publish my books under my own publishing company,called DragonWing Publishing. I have logos, a brand, awebsite, consistent marketing, and I certainly don't do itall by myself. I rely on a small team of people, includingmy wife, a hired editor, and a team of beta readers to helpme produce the best books I can. If you're considering self-publishing your work, I urge you to do the same.

Oh, and if you're wondering if this is a lucrative business?It's getting there. Three years later, and I'm now receivingmonthly royalty payments from Amazon.

The Publishing Revolutionby Thomas A. Knight

“The storm I'm speakingof is self-publishing: theact of taking your writingand publishing it on yourown without the help of abig publishing company.”


Photo Essayby Paul [email protected]

It was a brisk evening in winter. A fewclose friends and I lounged comfortablyin the living room at a fondue party. Ican’t remember who thought of the idea,but I can remember counting on myfingers the number of people I knew thathad beards. The title followed naturally,beards of Brantford. The inevitable questionbubbled up in my mind. Why? Whywould anyone care about beards? Then Iasked a more important and provokingquestion. Why not?

The list of potential projects for anyartist is always a long one. For me, theones that seem the most emotionallyrewarding become a reality. One of myfavourite artists is Jeanne-Claude andChristo. Their art often consisted ofwrapping fabric around very largethings, or placing thousands of colourfulumbrellas along a highway. Why?Because it was cool. Their art had nopolitical or social meaning weighing itdown, it didn’t pander to any particulardemographic of people, and most importantlyto me, it embodied the idea that artprovokes thought and stimulates discussionabout the world we live in.

Tomorrow it may be single parents, orcancer survivors, or same-sex couples,but today it’s beards. Much of the projectis based on the idea of individuality andexpression. Beards are as diverse andunique as the people who wear them.And beyond the meaning of it all, they’recool.

When the project started it consisted ofone shoot and a gallery at the end of thisyear. Once the project grew legs Ithought 100 beards was a nice roundnumber to strive for (Or 99 to be true toBrantford). So, this is a call to all Beardsof Brantford. If you are interested inbeing a part of this project please contactme at [email protected]


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Authorized by the CFO for the Brant PC Association.

Orientation week last year sort of let me down, but in itsdefense, that may be partially my fault.

I mean, it was cool seeing Shawn Hooke and Down WithWebster. That day in O-Week was my first concert ever,and although I debated if I would still enjoy DWW afterall these years, I’ll never debate it again. It was prettymuch a high school music overload.

When I heard of a venture to Earl Haig Fun Park / WaterPark on the itinerary for the week as well, my hopes shotback up. When I got there, I found out the few water slidesthere were closed and I ended up socializing with peoplewhile floating down a lazy river for a couple of hours.Again, that was fun, but not all I expected it to be (someZumba on my part may or may not have been involved).Then came Club NV. Now, that was pretty much what Iexpected, about equivalent to the level of party that Iexperienced at some dances back in high school. Thenwhat else can I remember from O-Week? Well, nothingunfortunately. So why do some friends I have from LaurierBrantford still post about “how amazing O-Week was”? Imean, I’m actually kind of confused by that. What did Imiss? I guess a fair bit, and I think I know where. I wasn’tsocial enough.

At the beginning of the week I feel like I made some goodfriends in my dorm, some of which I’ll probably remainfriends with at least until the end of university, if notlonger. The problem was that I stuck with them for the rest

of the week and got to know them really well, these threeor four people. We later started hanging around our residenceinstead of doing some of the O-Week activities we hadpaid for, because we felt back then (and I still feel thesame) that the alternatives wouldn’t be as much fun. Iknow now that the activities, in fact, may not have beenwhat made O-Week what it was; it was being around somany new people that struck a chord with my otherLaurier Brantford students.

As much as you may try and as much as you say youwon’t, chances are that as soon as you start universitysome of your high school friends fade to the back. Possiblyshort-term, probably for longer. During the first week ofuniversity all of the first-years are together, not solely justto have a fun time in activities, but to meet the people whothey’re going to spend the next four (or five) years with.During this time you should meet as many people as youcan, see who you have some similarities with, see who’sin your program, see who you may want to avoid fromnow on (I assure you there will be a few), but in generalmeet as many people as possible. Maybe, just maybe,that’s why I didn’t think O-Week was that cool, or evenall that fun, because I didn’t take that time to meet as manypeople as possible.

Startling realization: I like talking, a lot, to as many peopleas possible. The result was I ended up meeting a fairamount of people at Laurier this year, regardless of myO-Week non-participation. Of course, there are a lot of

people who don’t do O-Week or who do partake in it, nottalk to a single soul and still have a great time. Mypersonal belief as to why I didn’t think O-Week was coolwon’t be the same from person to person. After all, it’s justmy opinion. But I think I know one other reason why itdidn’t live up to my expectations: they were way too high.

Maybe it’s partially due to the fact that Laurier Brantfordis a smaller campus than the mother ship that is the Lauriercampus in Waterloo, or maybe every school just has adifferent angle to what they want to do for their OrientationWeek. But, what I’m getting to is that every school myfriends go to had different O-Week activities than Iexperienced, and some seemed a lot cooler. Wait a second,no they didn’t. They seemed about the same.

One friend at the University of Guelph told me excitingtales of decorating pillow cases, while a friend at Univer-sity of Toronto told me stories of getting up at 5:00 a.m.to do some cheers. Thrilling. I guess I’ve come to therealization that I knew I would. O-Week just isn’t coolanymore. Some people honestly have a blast, but I thinkit’s more so those people trying as hard as possible to ensureit’s the best week of their university experience, which ofcourse, isn’t a problem. Kudos to them, and to the onesorganizing it – of course they’re doing the best they canto make it amazing, and first years should be grateful. ButI wouldn’t have said “no” to a day at Canada’s Wonderlandlike University of Toronto Mississauga had

Is O-Week Still Cool?by Cody Groat, Twitter: @Sputnik_News

As a kid, I hated gym class.

Summersaults were the enemy I feared; I became dizzyand sick to my stomach. Then, as an adult, I started towonder what was wrong with me? My balance wasbecoming worse and my ability to perform certain functionsstarted to become a challenge. I had trouble playing tennis,squash, running and doing aerobics. Most heartbreaking,though, was the realization I could no longer ride a bike.Growing up in Toronto I had riddenmy bike everywhere, and living inBrantford I looked forward to ridingour beautiful trails. Trying to ridemy bike now is a challenge as mybody begins to shake and I cannot,with any consistency, keep the bikeupright.

A CAT scan revealed recently thatmy father is suffering from a degenerativecerebellum disorder, which could be passed genetically tohis children. This gave clarity to my balance issues. Sobegan my research into what all of this meant. Those physicalactivities, or pushing myself too hard, caused my speechto become slurred. Strangers make assumptions. I remem-ber walking across the deck of a cruise ship as it was being

tossed in the waves. I must have looked a sight because awoman said to me, “well, you have had a couple.” Lovely.

When I began working for the Alzheimer Society of BrantI tried to empathize with what it must be like to haveAlzheimer’s or Dementia, also a degenerative braindisorder. I participated in a virtual dementia tour thatmimicked what someone suffering with Dementia feelslike. It was gut-wrenching. I leaned against the wall and

went dead silent. I panicked andcouldn’t wait for the simulation toend.

What I now realize is that manydisabilities are not obvious to thepublic. If you see someone in awheelchair you know they cannotwalk or may need assistance. If aperson carries a white cane or walkswith a guide dog, it is obvious that

his or her vision is impaired. However, people oftenassume a person is drunk if he/she trips going up the stairs.At a corporate function in a dark movie theatre, I wastrying to hold onto my popcorn and pop, but without ahandhold I fell to my knees. Just like on the cruise ship, Iheard a man say, “Oh, look at that, too much to drink.” I

was so very upset and embarrassed. I had skipped dinner– not the best idea - and I had so looked forward to mypopcorn, which now was scattered, along with my pride,on the stairs.

I am an assertive woman and don’t have problems explainingmy actions. It’s not the same for Alzheimer and Dementiaclients. While trying to pay for purchases, or conduct theirbanking, they may become confused. Even the simple taskof counting change becomes daunting. What if they can’tremember their debit or credit card pin? Errands can bevery difficult. How many of us forget where we parkedthe car or what entrance we came in? It is unnerving tothem, and most often inappropriately labeled by others. Itis too easy to rush to judgment.

We can make a difference. We can learn to recognizedegenerative brain disorders and offer solutions, notcriticism.

My goal for Brantford is to continue to build awarenessabout Alzheimer’s /Dementia in hopes that we soon willbecome a ‘Dementia Friendly Community’ to strengthenour tolerance and understanding of those who, through nofault of their own, no longer function at their previouslevels.

It May Not Be What it Appearsby Angee Turnbull, Facebook: Angee Turnbull

We can make a difference.We can learn to recognize

degenerative brain disordersand offer solutions, not

criticism.


We were both so looking forward to our yearly weekendaway, just the two of us. The children were set up for a funweekend with their grandparents and Tim and I were off.We have done weekend trips to Niagara (several), StJacobs and Elmira, and decided to go further afield to NewYork State where we'd be anonymous and our cell phoneswould not be so tempting since we weren't going topurchase roaming packages, and wouldn't want to incurthe hefty out-of-country charges. I even left my phone athome and pledged not to read the news or use social mediaat all, to truly disconnect from work and technology. I hadasked Tim to consider doing the same, but he felt morecomfortable having it turned off and with him “just incase”.

So we set off on a Friday morning, giddy at having threewhole days ahead to do whatever we wanted, eat leisurelymeals in restaurants at any time of day, sleep in until wewere rested (our boys routinely get up at 5am) and enjoy-ing time together away from the demands of work, familyand chores. I'm sure other parents of young children canrelate to the fact that time alone together, even a few hours,can do so much to recharge and renew your relationship,and also your energy level. So, the prospect of three dayswas a big deal to us!

We crossed the border uneventfully after an hour longwait. It's funny how sitting at the border in the car, listeningto the radio, and chatting uninterrupted was enjoyablebecause there was no worry that the children would begetting bored and whiny, that they'd need to use the toiletimminently or would be melting down due to hunger as itwas approaching lunchtime.

After a meal of Buffalo wings and beer I was beginningto feel unwell. I thought the spicy, greasy wings were

disagreeing with me and that I'd feel better in the morning.I woke up early (no sleeping in) feeling worse. I thoughtthat a piece of toast and some tea would settle my stomach,and though Tim said he'd hop in the shower and join me ifI waited 10 minutes, I decided I couldn't wait as I wasfeeling rotten. I went down to the hotel breakfast bar andhad toast and tea and continued to feel worse. When Ibegan peeing blood and having terrible pain, I knew itwasn't just a rich meal that was the problem. I went backto the room and I knew I needed medical attention as soonas possible. Tim suggested we drive back across the borderto a Niagara Falls, Ontario hospital, but I was in such painI knew I wouldn't be able to cross, especially if there wasa lineup at the bridge.

The hotel directed us to the nearest hospital and we droveright over. I was ushered into Patient Registration and thenseen by the triage nurse within a few minutes. When thenurse found out we were from Canada she told us she wasalso Canadian and had been crossing the border to workat the American hospital for 26 years. I remember hertelling us how much better the American health care sys-tem was as I was ushered to a bed in a curtained off areaby wheelchair. I kept her comment in mind throughout mystay at the hospital.

Tim was sent to make payment arrangements with thebilling department and returned feeling anxious about thecost as we didn't have our travel health coverage informationwith us. This is where he having his phone came in handy;he was able to email his colleagues to get the number forour benefits.

I was seen quickly by a doctor and had blood taken andan IV inserted. The doctor thought the need for an MRIscan was indicated, but all I could think about was the

potential cost and how an MRI in Canada could not beordered up just like that, unless it was a real emergency. Iopted to get some IV antibiotics and painkillers and see ifthat helped. Luckily it helped a great deal and so an MRIwas avoided. It turned out that I had a hemorrhagic bladderinfection that came on quickly. It was treated with a courseof IV antibiotics. At the end of the day, I was ready to bedischarged, having had my fill of fluids and medicine andHGTV. Before we could leave the nurse told us she neededto present us with our Super Bill. I laughed, assuming shewas joking, but apparently that's what it's really called.And was it ever super! I felt extremely privileged, gratefuland relieved at having extended health benefits, knowingthat my mortgage would still be paid, and food still bebought, on account of our benefits.

Though an MRI was ready at a moment's notice if I hadneeded it, I will have to disagree with the nurse that theAmerican system is better than ours. Even though ourhealth care system is far from perfect, it has many positivebenefits. The stress and worry during out trip over anunexpected illness was difficult enough, but the concernover the potential cost of the hospital visit made it a muchdifferent experience. As it turned out, out benefits coveredthe entire cost of the Emergency visit and the subsequentprescription, and they would have also paid for a follow-up visit had one been required.

We cut our getaway short and came home early the nextday, happy to see our boys and relieved to be back inCanada where, for most people, a trip to the hospital does-n't mean deciding between putting food on the table andgetting medical attention. It was a disappointing trip, butwe both came away with an appreciation for OHIP and afeeling that our tax dollars are of very good value, indeed.

Thank Goodness for Travel Insuranceby Alex Felsky, Twitter: @alexfelsky

A P

OEM

BY

HER

B H

AR

KER

The other night I had a dream, and felt the hand of GodA little child was in my sight, the aged on his rightHe ordered me to read the writings there of every bookThen behold, the task was done, before my very eyes.“Tell me now of what you read, and answer me with truth”Spoke the word within the dream; I answered him with dread.

While searching for a piece of gold within the pens of manThere is no word that can be found, by eye of any one.Wisdom hidden in the words, and oh, how they do playDancing in a rhyming myth, that flesh can never slay.Be they false; said I too God, that’s written by the penFor all be knowledge handed down, from pen to pen to penWhat we think we know we know, we never know for sureDuty bound the pen of man, the pen of men a sword}.

All is false, except the letters, making up her nameIn the desert where she fled, there be an open doorThere upon a road so steep that’s crooked and abhorredThere she waits with open arms by love she is adoredWisdom is the bride of God; with love she bides her timeRiding on the mists of all the Spirit ever calledFor all be one and one is all within the God you knowFather /Spirit / then the Son, were sent to tell you how.

There be for sure a plan was stamped, but tell me if you can;Where is love and where is man who walks that hallowed plan?All is dead and all is lost with flesh upon our bones, here andthere and everywhere we built our self a home.Here on Earth we changed the world with silver and withgold, cutting off the hand of God from all that you have sownWords of love and promises, upon the face of man}Tell me man what have you said, and don’t you realize?All the things I’ve sent to you are not for burnished sand.There will be a nation built and there upon the gateChosen; from the land of men, a change of heart instead.Justice here and justice there, completely different things.{In the morning I did wake and gazed upon the war, gazed upon thePoverty that men of Earth have borne. Gazed upon the hopelessnessOf children everywhere, here am I a useless wreck within the sands of time.Communism/Socialism runs their banner high, Liberals/Conservativepie within the sky. Capitalism, all the rest, designed to blind the eye.Son of God when will you, then, descend to show us how? Shalom


WWW.SOPHIASBAKERY.CAWWW.SOPHIASBAKERY.CA

I have had the privilege of working and living in Brantfordfor the last eight months through a teacher exchangeprogram. When asked to share some of my experiencesand observations, I readily agreed! It is my way to saythank you to the people of Brantford for their warmwelcome and also to share Brantford with you through a“fresh” set of eyes.

I will never forget my first snowfall - it literally took mybreath away. To other people, snow may just be part of thenatural cycle of seasons, but I live in Adelaide, SouthAustralia which experiences very hot summers and mildwinters. Snow is only seen on postcards. My neighbourshere in Brantford thought I was crazy….. out in mypyjamas videoing the flurries and the snow plough. Thestaff and students at my school laughed when I made asnow angel in the snow, but through my eyes it was abrand new experience full of wonder and joy. It was notlong, however, that the cold and snow began to lose someof its appeal, especially after shovelling it from the drive-way a number of times and driving through it!

This brings me to my next major adjustment, driving onthe “wrong” side of the road. The steering wheel is evenon the other side of the car and I cannot count the times Ihave put on the wipers instead of the turning light. Evennow, I still go to the passenger door when I am about todrive. The all-stop intersections were also something new.We all stop, but who goes first??? So many times I havebeen waved on with a smile. Thank goodness for that I say,or I may have never made it to school in that first week ofdriving in Brantford. A big apology also to those driverswho have had the unpleasant experience of seeing mecoming towards them on the wrong side of the yellow line.Rest assured, it was not a pleasant experience for me eitherand thankfully rarely occurs now. It would be remiss ofme not to also mention my first experience of driving onicy roads. Suffice to say, I arrived in one piece, having per-formed some fancy pirouettes- ice skater style.

The challenges that faced me on my arrival all seem solong ago, but in truth each day I experience somethingnew. Here are some that have made each day new and exciting:

• Canada is banana lover’s heaven. They are reallyinexpensive here and I love bananas!

• Milk is sold in bags! That is not the end of this unusualpractice….. There are four litres divided into three bags.There’s a Maths conundrum for you.

• Fire hydrants are yellow not red.

• Really hot is 30 degrees Celsius not 40 + as in Adelaide.I have adapted the famous quote from Crocodile Dundee“That’s not a knife” to “That’s not hot!” Also, the humidityindex adds to the heat. I must admit humidity and heat arenot my favourite weather conditions.

• Canada is really big! I have travelled East, South andWest and still have not even scratched the surface of thisbeautiful country.

• Forgive me, but I cannot really understand the fascinationwith Tim Horton’s coffee. I even snapped a photo of thecars lined up on a Monday morning …….. Only atMcDonald’s in Australia have I seen such a line and thatwas for hamburgers, not coffee. Sorry, but after a sampleof the coffee, I have decided to keep drinking my instantcoffee from home.

• I still hold up the lines in supermarkets trying to countout coins for the cashiers. Yes, I recognise Toonies andLoonies but still am baffled why the ten cent is smallerthan the five. Thank goodness, the penny has been phasedout or I am not sure I would ever be able to go the super-market again.

• Drive Thru Banking- What an excellent service toprovide in the cold winters! I have seen people use it in

summer too, but I am still of the old school and love to goin the bank and have a chat with a real person.

• There have also been many conversations lost intranslation- sweater vs jumper; bathroom / toilets; shoppingcart /shopping trolley; thongs / thongs (much hilarity whenI told my students that all Australians wear thongs to thebeach! I found out once the laughter stopped that thongmeans underwear here and I should have said flip flops.)

• Squirrels and chipmunks delight me as they run fromtree to tree. A black bear sighting was a highlight of a roadtrip and I am determined to spy a moose before I leave! Atour bus driver has even taught me how to call one…..“Here Moosie, Moosie”

I have also discovered that each part of Canada is uniquewith local sights and nuances. One thing that I havenoticed is common throughout Canada however, is thefriendliness and welcoming nature of all Canadians. Onthe East coast, the smell of the Atlantic and quaint fishingvillages reminded me of home. In the West, the rugged andmajestic Rocky Mountains held me in their awe and in allplaces people willingly have shared their home and communitywith me.

As I stated before, I have been made to feel welcome andpart of the community of Brantford. In many ways Brantfordhas the feel of Adelaide back home. It is a small city withall necessary services but has a relaxed friendlyatmosphere. It has been a rare weekend that I have notbeen able to find something to do both in Brantford andsurrounding areas. I loved the spring gardens-Adelaide isknown for its green spaces and gardens but Brantford, youdo yourself proud! The colour and mass plantings havedelighted me since spring and the growth of these flowerbeds has been phenomenal. I have learned that Brantfordis the birthplace of Wayne Gretzky-a hockey player that Ihad not even heard of prior to coming here. Interestingly,I asked my students what Brantford was famous for andthey said at once Wayne Gretzky but made no mention ofAlexander Graham Bell or Pauline Johnson. Just as inAustralia, sport seems to be an integral part of communityidentity. On the subject of hockey, I have experienced alocal game but must admit I find it all a bit confusing. Yes,I understand that the aim is to shoot that black thing pastthe guy with more padding than a bomb disposal technician,but why do you have to slam the opposition into the wall?Hopefully, with a new season around the corner, I will beable to go, cheer with the rest of them and understand whatI am cheering about.

So, I return to a new school year after an amazing summerbreak full of amazing sights and experiences. I have onlybeen able to touch on some of my experiences so far but Ihope you have gotten a sense of your country andcommunity through another’s eyes. It is often through neweyes we can become more thankful for what we sometimestake for granted in our own home and community. I, too,am learning to appreciate Australia all over again as I readall about the experiences of my exchange partners livingand working back in Adelaide. I look forward to theexperiences that are to come and am extremely thankfulfor all the sights I have seen and the people I have met.Brantford, Canada-eh? A beautiful and friendly place to be.

Brantford & Beyond - Through the eyes of an Aussie from Down Underby Heather Brooks


From Grassroots to Deathstar- We’re with you every step of the way -

Last week I met with a new business owner. He was somewhat reserved andreluctant to talk with me, even though he was referred from another businessowner client. This is an unfortunate public view as our predecessors in thepast, painted the lowly insurance advisor as the person who knocks on yourdoor and sells you a product that he or she wants to sell you because it paysthe highest commission. The fact of the matter is, times have changed, ruleshave changed how we run our practice can't be further from how things weredone.

Our discussion starts the same for all businesses no matter of their size, tenureor what they sell. There's a general timeline for all businesses. Discussingthis timeline gives our prospective clients some insight into what hurdles toexpect and how we can help remove the worry and issues that these hurdlesinflict.

• Years 1 to 3 - this is the most crucial time period for any business owner.Cash flow is limited, debts are high and vulnerability to creditors is a majorissue. Insuring yourself against potential loss is the first recommendation.You should have some form of life insurance to pay your debts and disabilityinsurance to protect your income. Creditor protecting your investments is akey item here as well. Investing in Segregated Funds will ensure that if yourbusiness were to be attacked by creditors -- your investments will not.

• Years 3 to 7 - this is where the business has seen some positive growth.Cash flow is stable but you still have the same hurdles as in the first threeyears. You still need to protect your business from you dying, becoming crit-ically ill or disabled. Protecting your assets is also a must because there's stilla great chance that the creditors could come knocking. During this time, youmay have employees and perhaps "Key Employees" who you do not wantto lose. These key people are now an asset to the business and you must treatthem as such. Building a wall around them by implementing Group Health,Dental and Savings plans is a great option in lieu of an annual salary increase.You also need to protect your key employee investment from the same Death,Critical Illness & Disability issues that you are subject to. Lose one of thesepeople and you have to start the investment of training them all over again.

• Year 7 and Beyond - your business is well established. Cash flow is consis-tent and the hurdle of the health of you and your employees is always goingto be an issue. Group Plans are in place and key people investments are pro-tected. At this stage you are looking at how you can start using your businessfor your pending retirement and succession planning is the topic of the day.That "Key Person" you started investing in years ago now has the knowledgeand financial ability to buy you out. Protecting your company and the assetsyou have worked hard to grow is the strategy here. The discussions will focuson investing in your company so that the day you do sell, all assets are re-tained by you but the operations of the business transfer to the new owner.

One of the things I most enjoy about being a Financial advisor is being therewhen our clients take their businesses from the grassroots and watching themgrow. By using the multitude of resources at our fingertips and in ourrolodexes we work with you through every step of the way while you buildyour empire. We feel very strongly that business protection planning is anarea where professional advice is a necessity. If you wish to explore how wecan help you secure your business please give us a call, we’re here to help.

Alford & Associates is a family owned and operated financial practice inBrantford. For over 25 years we have helped our clients secure their financialgoals. First and foremost we help you secure your greatest asset…Your Family

ALFORD & ASSOCIATES INCInsurance & Investment Advisors, 254 Brant Ave., Brantford,

ON N3T-3J5 Ph: (519) 751-0901 Fx: (519)751-0522Cell: (519) 758-4224

Email: [email protected]: www.alfordandassociates.ca

LinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/mikeeh

If you’ve been in Brantford over the last fifty yearsor so, names such as F. C. Bodley, Wes Switzer,Louise Dawson Ernest and Verginnia Barrie wouldhave been synonymous with photography. Thesewere some of the local photographers and membersof the Brant Camera Club. The club which wasfounded in 1957 went by the name of the BrantfordGuild of ColourPhotography. Atthat time theclub’s focus wascolour slide pho-tography becausethat was the interestof many of itsmembers. TheGuild or Clubwas very popularin their approachto educating theirmembers andgetting them outtaking pictures.Outings and field-trips were held ona regular basis which took members to local sitesand scenery to photograph and enjoy an afternoonin the outdoors. Guest speakers and inter-clubcompetitions were part of the club’s regularprogramming during the year.

Meetings were held at the Glenhyrst Gardens forseveral years, and then more recently, the EaglePlace Community Centre. With swelling membershipand more interest from the community the club wasforced to pull up sticks and move to more accom-modating digs. Starting September 3rd, meetingswill now be held in the basement of the SydenhamUnited Church. This new location is more suitableand better equipped to handle the growingmembership. Over the years, the interest of the clubmembers grew to include colour and black andwhite prints, however; by the end of the 20thcentury membership was dwindling as was theinterest in colour slides. With the advent of digitalcameras and digital photography people were startingto look towards this new technology.

With this new modern and exciting technology, theclub had to keep up or get steam rolled by the digitalera. In 2003 the executive made some changes, oneof which was a name change from the BrantfordGuild of Colour Photography to the Brant CameraClub. Some of the older members have becomemore tech savvy, and are very helpful to new members.

The focus of theclub has alwaysbeen the same: toeducate, and forits members tohave fun. Theclub has beenenjoying a steadygrowth over theyears and hasbeen welcomingphotographers ofall skill levels, aswell as varioustypes of equipment.New programsare always beingimplemented by

the executives, and this season is no different.Guest speakers are booked every month, coveringtopics from Photoshop techniques to table topphotography, lighting to landscape photographyand just about everything in between. Members oldand new will have several field trips to choose fromthis year. Clinics and workshops are also part of theprogramming.

The clinics are friendly competitions where memberscan have their images critiqued by a panel ofjudges, and ribbons are awarded according to apoints system. There are no negative remarks, butjudges will make suggestions on how the image orimages can be improved. The field trips are usuallyto local or surrounding area sites which can includewaterfalls, entertainment centers, sporting eventsand a chance to photograph star trails. The BrantCamera Club always welcomes new members of allskill levels. You do not have to be an establishedphotographer or have the priciest and newest equipment,but you must be prepared to meet new people withshared interest, and to have fun.

The Growth of a Camera Clubby Errol Anderson

“If you’ve been in Brantford overthe last fifty years or so, names suchas F. C. Bodley, Wes Switzer, LouiseDawson Ernest and Verginnia Barriewould have been synonymous withphotography. The club which wasfounded in 1957 went by the name

of the Brantford Guild ofColour Photography.”


13 MOON CALENDARSkywoman fell through the hole near the tree

Came to the earth when it was covered with seaOn her turtle-shell home, a design would appear

13 x 28, makes a full yearYou can still see the marks on the turtle’s shell

The calendar from when the Skywoman fellVisiting women 13 moon times a year

With the promise new life will always be here.The waves and the water, the rains and the tides,

It’s her power that guides us; it’s she who decidesWhen to plant or to harvest, when gardens will grow,

The birth of new babies, how high waters will flowSkywoman gave birth to a daughter who grewAnd when she got older the Skywoman knew

The Thunder beings’ visit and the message he sentTwin boys, that’s what the crossed arrows meant

Sky woman’s daughter died leaving to growCorn, beans and squash, our sisters to sow

They got help from the soil and Eldest Brother, the SunHer life brought “Holder of the Heavens”

and “Mischievous One’The twins were then given the job to find

Names for the plants and breathe for mankind,Grandmother stepped in when her grandsons would fight,

And now it’s her spirit that guides us at night.We still remember the first women here

And give thanks for their duties and gifts every yearThat’s why we gather in the spring, near June

To give thanks for our celestial Grandmother Moon

THE GOOD MINDThe teachings of the Good Mind have taughtWe should give thanks for what we have gotWhen we tap the maple treesOr feel the warm spring breezeWhen we see the stars glistenWhen the thunders roll, we listenWhen we see the sun or moonOr pick strawberries in JuneWhen we plant our seeds all in a rowAnd have the strength to water and hoeWe give thanks for this but that’s not allWe give thanks for the harvest in the fallThen we come together as one and givethanks for all that’s been doneWe give thanks for all of the seasonsAnd many more, so many more reasonsWe give thanks when a new baby is bornBut know we’ll have days when we’ll have to mournBut still we give thanks for what our lives bringAnd keep giving thanks for everythingThe teachings of the Good Mind aregifts that we can only repayBy conducting ourselves in a Good- Minded way.Dignity, kindness, honor, respect and loveAre the ways of the Good Mind that we must think ofAnd the young who remember to behave in this wayAre doing just what the teachings would sayThe teachings of the Good Mind have taughtWe should give thanks for all that we’ve got.

To balance the female role of Grandmother Moon, thegood-natured twin created the sun. He returned to the SkyWorld and asked the Skywoman’s eldest brother if hewould agree to this role. For this reason, the sun is knownas our Eldest Brother.

The sun would be a leader and walk across the sky to pro-vide guidance, warmth and structure. Men are responsiblefor providing that sacred fire to their family for warmth asthey gather to learn their teachings and values. The fire isused by councils, aiding them as they discuss, deny or rat-ify decisions for the people. The fire also provides a placewhere meals are cooked and nurturance is provided.

The people are to remember the roles of our GrandmotherMoon, who represents the power of water, and also EldestBrother the Sun, who represents the power of fire. We seethat they have remained distinct in their roles and duties.One does not try to become the other, nor interfere withthe other’s duties. The people are warned of the conse-quences of such actions. Women and men are to rememberthat this balance is to be reflected throughout life and re-

main distinct in strength to ensure balance. Water can over-power the strength of a fire and likewise, fire can over-power water. However, balance is essential.

Both twins were able to create people but only one wasable to breathe life into them. The better-natured twin didoblige his brother and would breathe life into the peoplewhom he had created. They used a variety of natural thingsfrom the earth to make people, causing some difference intheir appearances and natures. The people lived togetherfor a while but because of their behaviour, the people couldnot get along, so the island was divided, ultimately sepa-rating the people across the whole earth. This was to lastuntil they (the people) could get along. (Pangaea? - a West-ern science ‘super-continent’ incorporating all major land-masses on earth.)

The twins continued to fight. It was decided that theywould compete to finally resolve who would rule theirhome. They played various games including the bowlgame, lacrosse, dice, and even wrestling. All of theirmatches resulted in a tie.

Because their challenges were taking so much of their en-ergy, they would have to negotiate an end to their diffi-culty. The better-natured twin then took a deer antler andstruck his brother, causing an imbalance in power. Hecould now tell his brother how the day would be split.

It was decided that the day would be split in half. The bet-ter-natured twin would rule the day and be with the EldestBrother the Sun, while his brother would rule at night, ableto be with his Grandmother again.

An ongoing series to promotepeace through story sharing

by Elizabeth Doxtater


Cynicism & The LawThis month I would like to discuss cynicism and the law.Ask anyone and it is quite probable that you will find themsuspicious of lawyers, that they consider them a necessaryevil, maybe more ominous than the dentist but in the olddays people died from cavities.

The most innocuous would probably be real estate lawyers,generally having a pleasant association with buying and sell-ing properties. The corporate lawyer mysterious but boringmany of us not appreciated or interested in the intricacies ofcorporate law. The highest degree of skepticism I would pro-pose is reserved in equal shares for personal injury lawyers,criminal lawyers, matrimonial lawyers and civil litigators.

The public has no difficulty calling personal injury lawyersambulance chasers and is largely brainwashed by the insur-ance industry to believe that they should be suspicious ofclaimants and that fraudulent claims are the reason that in-surance costs so much. At the same time the public ironicallyholds steadfast to a belief that their insurer will look afterthem if they have a claim.

Matrimonial lawyers and civil litigators are notorious forhaving their fees exceed what is in dispute between the par-ties. It is commonly said after these disputes that the lawyerswere the only winners. In fairness this is not the fault of thelawyers as they must navigate their client's through a legalsystem that is essentially broken riddled with inherent delayand cumbersome procedures frequently taking years foreven a preliminary adjudication.

Criminal lawyers have the difficult task of trying to portrayunsavory and often sociopathic client's in a favorable andforgiving light. Reading articles this week one counsel wassuggesting that a compensation order against his client a "fi-nancial advisor"who had defrauded many of her "friends"of their retirement savings to reflect the fact the institutionsshe had defrauded were partially responsible for not detect-ing the fraud.

Despite these negative perceptions on the positive side manymany lawyers are cognizant of the systemic barriers to jus-tice and are pro-active advocating for changes to the Rulesof Civil Procedure and legislative changes. Further there aremany initiatives in the direction of alternative dispute reso-lution which are being embraced and welcomed by lawyerswho recognize that the interests of their clients are being ir-reparably harmed by delay. On the criminal side of thingsthe creation of a Gladue court in Brantford is very admirable.

Despite public perception lawyers are needed and many areworking tirelessly as advocates, politicians and in a com-munity advisory capacity to improve public and professionalimages, serve their clients and find creative ways to dealwith institutional delay.

Lisa Morell KellyMorell Kelly Personal Injury Law515 Park Road NorthBrantford, Ontario N3R 7K8 (519) 720-0110

Brant County has a rich agriculture history because of itsgood farmland and great climate for growing food.

The Problem: disappearing farmland and rural and culturalheritage in Brant County.

There has been a lot of publicity about the farmland graband related tensions in Brant County, and in the Six Nationscommunity. With “leapfrog development” developers andlandbankers jump over the boundaries of the OntarioGreenbelt and gobble up land just outside of its boundaries.Brant County, in particular, is known as the “relief value”for the Ontario Greenbelt. As much as one fifth of BrantCounty’s foodland has been purchased or is being eyed forfuture development by developers, land bankers and theCity of Brantford. There is also a mad scramble to convertfarmland to gravel pits. Rural communities throughoutBrant County are losing farmland and their rural heritagebuildings.

In recent weeks, there has been a whirl-wind of in-camera meetings between Brantford and Brant County, guided byProvincial Economic Development facilitator Paula Dill.Brantford wants more than 12,000 acres of mostly farmlandin Brant County, to the west, north and east of the cityboundaries. This “Land grab” or “boundary adjustment”must be settled before thebeginning of 2014(municipal election year),or it is no deal.

The Solution: Food securitymeans that we haveenough food to eat. Foodsovereignty means that wehave enough farmland togrow food for theBrantford/Brant Countycommunities, that we havea say in how food is grown (e.g. non-GMO, organic) andthat we are not dependent upon shipping in food fromCalifornia and far-away places. Food sovereignty ensureslocal, healthy food.

Organizations Working on Solutions: The Brant FoodSystems Coalition (BFSC) is dedicated to ensuring foodsecurity and food sovereignty. The BFSC is made up ofconventional and organic farmers, food researchers, healthprofessionals, representatives from local advocacy groupsand food banks, and councillors from both Brant Countyand Brantford. The BFSC is working to ensure that foodplanning is a key component of the Official Plan for ourarea.

Sustainable Brant is an advocacy group working to protectfoodland and to ensure that Brantford grows up, not out.SB recommends that Brantford redevelop its greyfields(e.g. former shopping centres) and brownfields (formerfactories) instead fostering sprawl or “greenfield” developmenton foodland. SB is dedicated to protecting the “permanentagriculture” ribbon that encircles Brantford. This greenribbon was created in 1980 by the Province, Brantford andBrant County under Provincial Bill 120. See Story and maphttp://sustainablebrant.blogspot.ca/2011/05/brantbrantford-greenbelt-development.html

The Langford Conservancy protects foodland and rural andcultural heritage. We aim to protect foodland as thecommons, provide long-term leases to organic farmers onland that we protect, and foster the development of an organicfarmers’ co-operative. Part of our fundraising involves“Saving One Farm at a Time” through the sale of communitybonds, which will be available for purchase soon from ourwebsite http://langfordconservancy.wordpress.com/.

In September 2012, we purchased the historic one-roomLangford Schoolhouse. This summer we hosted the FirstAnnual Langford SOS Fest to raise funds to fix up theSchoolhouse and to make it accessible. We run the LangfordSchoolhouse as a community centre, hosting community

events and renting it out for the community’s use. We areplanning a community garden and community kitchen. TheLangford Conservancy has also proposed to protect theOnondaga Community Centre and welcome any supportersfor this project. LC has teamed up with Treks in the Wildto propose Voyageur canoe runs, edible wild meals andworkshops on local history. Local artists have found thespot to be very attractive for drawing and painting riverscenes, and for hosting workshops.

Since the SOS Festival, various members of the communityhave come forward to support the efforts of the LangfordConservancy. Some want to provide financial support bypurchasing $10,000 community bonds, while others wantto help by sewing curtains, building a ramp to make thebuilding accessible and helping with the repairs to thebuilding. A number of local musicians have offered theirsupport including James Gordon, Fred Eaglesmith andGarnett Rogers.

James Gordon played at the SOS Fest. He is returning onOct. 5th to perform the acclaimed new one-man musical“Stephen Harper: The Musical” at the Langford School-house, 1694 Colborne St. East, as a special benefit for theLangford Conservancy. Gordon’s new play examines ourcurrent Canadian political climate and, in particular, our

Prime Minister StephenHarper. James usesh u mour, politicalcommentary, pathos, 18original songs, spokenword, hundreds ofp r o jected images,audience participation, apuppet, and an activist’spassion “to show wherewe are and where we cango as a nation”.

Gordon’s musical spent a week with rave response lastmonth at the Canadian Theatre Festival in Hamilton, anddebuted in the spring in James’ hometown of Guelph.

James Gordon notes that “so many Canadians are feelingthat their voice is not being heard under the ‘HarperGovernment’”. Through his musical he asks, “What canwe do about this?” His inspiring play will help the audiencesfind out, and have a fun theatrical evening.

James Gordon is a well-known singer-songwriter, with 40albums to his credit over a thirty year international career.His current CD “Coyote’s Calling” reached #2 in Februaryon the Canadian national roots radio airplay charts, and thealbum includes some of the songs from “Stephen Harper:The Musical”. His plays “Hardscrabble Road”, (abouthomeless and globalization issues), “Nastee´ Business”,(about the bottled water scam), and “Tryst And Snout”, (ahillbilly adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream)established him as a skilled playwright with an eye forusing musical theatre as a vehicle for pointed socialcommentary. A resident songwriter for 12 years with twoCBC radio shows, “Basic Black” and Ontario Morninghoned his comedy skills, and twenty years with the CanadianFolk Trio Tamarack gave him a nation-wide outlet for hismusic about Canada’s Heritage and Identity. Gordon hasbeen very involved with community activist issues inGuelph, and in fact ran in the last provincial election as acandidate for MPP.

Showtime on Oct. 5th is 7:30 pm and tickets are 15 dollarsavailable at the door or online at https://stephenharperthe-musical.eventbrite.ca.

There will also be a free song writing workshop about localthemes of rural identity with James Gordon that afternoonat 2 p.m. James is known for creating plays and songs thatinvolve local members of the community. He has the abilityto weave in very diverse viewpoints, and to work well withmembers of rural and First Nations communities.

Langford Conservancy: Preserving Our Foodlandand Our Rural and Cultural Roots by Ella Haley

“The Solution: Food security meansthat we have enough food to eat.Food sovereignty means that we

have enough farmland to grow foodfor the Brantford/Brant County

communities”

The Brant Advocate, Issue 26, October 2013

Documents

Transcript of The Brant Advocate, Issue 26, October 2013