There was a time when it seemed as if we were all progressing towards truly harnessing human potential to its fullest. Yet, outside of North America and Western Europe, only the fortunate few make meaningful progress. When we look closer to home and in our own local communities, we see many caught in cyclical patterns where successive generations are barely making ends meet. Will the children get the opportunity to truly achieve their potential? If not, what are we losing when that potential is not realized?The Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) is doing as much as possible to see that everyone in Toronto reaches their full potential. TCBN helps equity seeking groups, diverse individuals and organizations gain access to opportunities to grow and thrive in their communities. TCBN has already been successful in achieving Community Benefits with the Eglinton Crosstown project. This massive project will realize the dream of improved public transit for tens of thousands of Toronto residents across Eglinton Ave and beyond. Thanks to TCBN, we are now starting to see residual benefits with real jobs for residents living along the Eglinton Crosstown LRT building site.Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) are successful because everyone wants to work - human dignity is found in work. TCBN is currently considering several projects across Metropolitan Toronto to support and put communities front and centre in CBAs. When TCBN member organizations tap into previously hidden local talent in a community, everyone wins. Improved infrastructure and local jobs mean communities benefit through shared prosperity.TCBN envisions Toronto as an inclusive, thriving city in which all residents have equitable opportunities to contribute to healthy communities and a prospering economy. Through formal and informal arrangements, TCBN is engaged in setting the conditions for economic growth and intensification of urban areas around a network of mobility hubs and other infrastructure projects. TCBN believes that all Torontonians should have access to the opportunities stemming from infrastructure investments. TCBN is a coalition of organizations and individuals working in direct partnership with other grassroots, community, labour and anti-poverty organizations to build a strong community benefits movement in Toronto.
Toronto Housing Price Boom: Anat Papp Answers It All
By: Giovanna Loureiro and Rhiannon Moller-TrotterThe housing market in the GTA continue to get higher while listing availabilities only gets lower. For the past few years we have been seeing housing prices go up, with nearly half of Ontario’s population living in the Greater Toronto Area. 2016 was a hot year for the housing market in many Canadian cities, but the GTA will be the strongest market in 2017.Many people wonder why prices keep rising and the main explanation is that there is a greater demand than there is supply. The most hopeful economists expect the market to cool down a little bit, but no one can deny that it will remain strong overall. With factors such as the strong investments of Asian and Persian home buyers, rising numbers of millennials hunting for a home, buyers competing amid a scarcity of listings, and the continuous fall of business investment in Ontario, many wonder when Toronto’s housing market will crash. The average home price in the GTA has not fallen since 1996, but they have increased by almost 20% in 2016 compared to 2015, meaning the market conditions in 2017 are extremely tight.The biggest issue, however, is that first-time homebuyer will face more difficulty buying a home. With the mortgage rules changing, they will be expected to give a bigger down payment while qualifying for higher mortgage rates. The reason behind this math is that the government reduced the number of mortgages that could be insured and, therefore, lenders want to compensate for the added risk by charging consumers a bit more. Many argue that whoever plans to buy their first home in 2017 might have to forgo their dream house and buy a cheaper home or, in the worst-case scenario, will have to continue to rent.Luckily, Anat Papp, Broker, can find you a solution by helping you decide which neighbourhoods and towns to focus on. If you’re a seller and you’re wondering if you’re going to miss the biggest payday of your life by not selling, she will also be able to help you.What should you do in order to keep ahead of the price increase? If you saved up to 30% of your gross annual income towards a down payment for a house you would have to make $130 an hour just to keep up with the price increase. It sounds insane, doesn’t it? So, we suggest a two-step approach:
- Meet with Anat and voice your questions and concerns
- Set a plan and follow through with it
With Anat’s guidance, the market will seem a less daunting. You can do it with her help! Contact Anat Papp today to rid yourself of all your housing worries.Anat Papp, Broker of RecordGreenfield Real Estate Inc, Brokeragemobile: 416-712-6807phone: 416-226-1020fax: 416-398-1021http://AnatPapp.com
Preparing to Sell Your Home: Tips from Anat Papp
**ADVERTORIAL**By: Giovanna Loureiro and Rhiannon Moller-TrotterAre you selling your home but don’t know where to begin? Remember, first impressions and implementing a plan to enhance your property are very important factors in making your home look attractive to potential buyers.Making sure your home is appealing enough to stand out from the competition is key. First impressions are about giving a potential buyer a good feeling when they initially step into the home. They have to imagine what it would be like to live there. Therefore, with simple improvements you can help hopeful new owners realize that your house is perfect for them.Planning requires a checklist. Write down everything that needs to be done. Imagine it’s your first time walking through your door. What would you dislike? What would you fix? Improvements do not necessarily mean spending a large sum of money and repairing problems that you consider insignificant can make all the difference to potential buyers.The interiorThe home must be clean. Get some disinfectant wipes or use vinegar, soap and water, and wash down the walls, baseboards and surfaces. Cutting the clutter and making your closets look spacious will pay off. A new coat of paint (use a neutral colour) helps freshen up the home. Deep cleaning, or even changing, your carpet will help sell your home faster. Finally, make sure minor repairs are done well and that any leaks or moisture problems are fixed.The exteriorIf you want to increase your home’s value, a newly painted exterior is always an asset. Have the windows washed on the outside and on the inside (you can hire a company or you can do it yourself). Washing the windows can give potential buyers the impression that the house is well maintained.Lastly, the exterior is an invitation to the interior. If it is appealing on the outside, people will assume it is also appealing on the inside. Clean your yard and enhance the landscape with some new plants, flowers and even trees (depending on your budget and space). Your front door welcomes people in, therefore, the entrance should look attractive. Cleaning, painting or even buying a new door will give a good impression to potential buyers. Putting a new welcome mat adorned with flowers on the front steps will make the home more welcoming.Keep yourself organized by creating a checklist of everything you need to clean, repair and improve. This way you can check things off as you do them and tackle the list that will make sure to sell your home for the best possible price.For more expert advice contact:Anat Papp, Broker of RecordGreenfield Real Estate Inc, Brokeragemobile: 416-712-6807phone: 416-226-1020fax: 416-398-1021http://AnatPapp.com
Mr. Digital Photo Lab: New location, same great service
**ADVERTORIAL**By: Rhiannon Moller-Trotter and Giovanna LoureiroWhen we first walked into the new Mr. Digital Photo Lab location, we were speechless. On November 26, in a much bigger studio on the same corner of Jane and Finch, Mr. Digital Photo Lab moved next door to its old unit.When asked what motivated the move, Arunan Vijay, who has been capturing moments through his lens since 1993, said that he needed a bigger space to satisfy a greater amount of customers. Since many stores closed down, a larger number of people began looking to use his services.On top of all the infinite number of services already offered in these past 24 years, Vijay could not hide his happiness when mentioning that they had already started to take pictures of newborns at the new location. Among the services offered by Mr. Digital Photo Lab are: studio photography, business cards, print flyers, metal panel print, banners and posters, canvas print, wide enlargement photos, laminations, and custom craming. Not to mention scans, copies, faxes and ink refills.While going around the new studio, we could not help but to notice the great amount of photo frames being sold in the new location. With a new updated machine that does all the digital work, the quality increased and the price stayed the same. Meanwhile, as we admired the updated space, the door opened every minute with customers coming in. Known for its passport photo service, Mr. Digital Photo Lab received great and spontaneous feedback from those who have witnessed its growth and who have chosen its services since the very beginning.If you ever consider customizing mugs and plates or metal panels, Mr. Digital Photo Lab is the place to go! Are you looking for electronics such as professional cameras, smart watches, TV’s or phones? Would you like to do a photo shoot with your significant other? Go to 2001 Finch Avenue West. When taking passport pictures for a family of four or more, DPL offers a complementary 8x10 inch family portrait. Are you still not sure if you should pay them a visit? They guarantee affordable prices for high quality products with exceptional customer service. It is perfect for your busy schedule because they offer instant service, so you can be in and out in quickly. For your next photo or business needs, do not hesitate to check out Mr. Digital Photo Lab -serving the community since 1993.Digital Photo Lab is located at 2001 Finch Avenue West. Check their website www.digitalphotolab.ca or call 416-746-0006. The store is open Monday to Sunday, 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM.
Mathan Makes Tax Season Less Taxing
**ADVERTORIAL**By: Giovanna Loureiro and Rhiannon Moller-TrotterIt’s that time of year. There you are, scrambling around your home looking through drawers, and sorting through endless piles in order to get your taxes done on time. No one likes dealing with it, except there is one man in Downsview who loves it, and wants to deal with it for you. With 29 years of experience at the same location, right next to Aizen Academy, Thava, who named the company after his son, Mathan, is excited to help community members get the best return.He tirelessly explains every detail of how individuals can maximize their benefits this tax season, so that one knows exactly how it all works. As soon as you walk into his office, you are greeted with a wide smile and a plethora of information. Unlike other tax services that seem to want you in and out, where you might leave more confused than when you had entered, Thava’s personal demeanor is a warm change, and any questions you have will be answered.Helping up to 5,000 clients a year, Thava not only works with Business and Income tax, he is a Mortgage Broker and Real Estate Broker as well. Having clients from all over Ontario and even some from the United States, Thava has an abundance of relevant knowledge where your money is concerned.Thava is offering a minimum of 15% off for community members who bring in a copy of THIS PAPER! He also offers 50% off to the self-employed or businesses during their first year working with him, and 25% off of their second year. You even get benefits if you refer multiple clients, which after meeting with Thava and receiving his services, you will be sure to do!As tax season approaches at the end of February, Thava wants to ensure that community members do not feel overwhelmed or scared to begin the process. He encourages showing up in the month of February so that clients may receive benefits more quickly, and states that the earlier one visits, the more time he will have to converse over any and all concerns that you might have. Even if you have not done your taxes in years, you may find that you are still eligible for refunds!Many people are not aware of deductions and benefits that can be claimed, but Thava is here to inform you of any and all ways that one can maximize their savings annually.Here are just a few things that you can claim on your taxes: daycare expenses, RRSP contribution, moving expenses, support payments and more -Thava can explain how all of them work and what you will get versus what you have spent.Thava’s Pre-Visit Checklist (Bring What Is Applicable/What You Have):RRSP InformationT4s, T4Es (all income slips from employment or unemployment)DividendsT4AOAS (Old Age Security)T4RIF (Retirement)RC-62 (Universal Child Tax)T4PS (Profit Sharing)Student Specific List:T4sT2202A (Tuition Payment)T4A (Scholarships, Bursaries, Grants, etc.)Remember, consultations with Thava are completely free. Come for advice and with questions, stay for the quality service. The earlier the better!Mathan Tax Services is located at 1290 Finch Avenue West, Unit #23. Reach Thava at www.mathantaxservices.com or 416-665-4756.
Digital Photo Lab: Offering Honest Service in Downsview
By: Giovanna Loureiro and Rhiannon Moller-TrotterShopping local is important for business owners and residents in the community. It grows our local economy and provides good, honest stores that are close to home and convenient to shop at.In 1993, a few blocks away from Jane and Finch, Arunan Vijay opened Mr. Digital Photo Lab. The business is located at 1997 Finch Avenue West and is expanding its physical structure. Vijay mentioned that at the beginning of December he “will offer even better service to customers.”Devotedly passionate about photography, Vijay understands that times have changed. People take pictures but they don’t print them as much. We forget how valuable printed photography is.With a smile and pride in what he has accomplished, Vijay shares a few stories which he will never forget. He remembers a high school teacher that first came in just to take a passport photo. The teacher came back, but this time he brought his family along so that they could take a family portrait. They were so satisfied with the wonderful service, that Mr. Digital Photo Lab was hired to take pictures at the first birthday party of their newborn child. This same family comes all the way from Brandford, Ontario every time they need any photo service.Observing Vijay’s incomparable customer service for even a few minutes assures you how he’s established such strong relationships between him and the loyal customers that come in. Vijay is so confident in his work that he says kids “never cry when they are at Digital Photo Lab.” He calls his customers by name and even prints 35 mm film stock –which is a hard service to find!He remembers every photo vividly. He presented a picture of a young girl and reveals that she is now all grown up. Since taking that photo, Vijay has photographed her wedding and did a photoshoot of her first child. He is so proud to capture important moments and memories for people of all generations.“You can’t find photo studio stores that easily anymore”, says Vijay. Due to this difficulty, he believes that this would explain why people want to get all of their photo services done at the same place. After 23 years of service, Vijay still aims to offer an even better service to his customers on a daily basis.With promotions coming after November, Vijay always gives his customers a gift: if you take four passport pictures at Digital Photo Lab don’t hesitate to ask for a 5x7 portrait, FREE!From printing on glass and metal, to portraits and one-hour passport photos, Vijay is always willing to put a smile on his customers’ faces.Say cheeee-ese!For more information contact Mr. Digital Photo Lab today!Website: http://digitalphotolab.ca/Facebook: Digital Photo LabAddress: 1997 Finch A W, North York, M3N2V3Phone: 416 746 0006
Preparing to Buy a Home
Buying a home is one biggest financial decisions you can make. It includes thinking about location, affordability, a mortgage term and rate and a few other things. You will also need to deal with a real estate agent, a lender, a lawyer and the seller, among other people. It can be both exciting and stressful. Fortunately, there are a number of tools that can make the process of buying a home a little more enjoyable, one of which includes a mortgage pre-approval.What is a pre-approved mortgage?When you plan to buy a home you want to secure a mortgage amount at a guaranteed rate (for fixed-rate mortgages). In order to do this you need to know your credit score, provide proof of down payment, assets and job details. Many banks will help you find out if you are allegeable for a mortgage (based on the information they have and you’ve provided). These terms are subject to change and nothing is set in stone until you make a purchase.What is your budget?Knowing your budget allows you to shop confidently and provides the security of negotiating a house price that falls comfortably within the budget. Having your mortgage financing arrangements in place indicates that you are a serious buyer.In order to purchase a home you will need the following items:
- Personal identification, for example: driver’s license
- Details of your job, in letter form, from your employer that includes confirmation of salary
- Any other sources of income
- Information and details on all bank accounts, loans and other debts
- Proof of all financial assets
- Source and amount of down payment and deposit
- Proof of source of funds for the closing costs (these are usually 1.5% of the purchase price)
- T1 General and Notice of Assessment for the last 2 years.
Knowing what you can afford makes buying a home less stressful and more enjoyable. Before shopping around and falling in love with a home, make sure you know how much you can afford, shop around for the best rate and enjoy the experience.For more information contact Anat Papp today!Anat Papp, Sales RepresentativeGreenfield Real Estate Inc, BrokerageIndependently Owned and Operatedmobile: 416-712-6807phone: 416-226-1020fax: 416-398-1021http://AnatPapp.com *Advertorial*
Zodiac: A Life Changing Experience for your Child
How many people can say they love what they do because it helps people? Rick and Ellen Howard are two of those people! Their passion for creating a safe and fun space for children and their families has been their dream and is now their reality.Zodiac Swim School first opened its doors to the community in 1978 and Zodiac Camp opened in the summer of 1998. Over the years, Zodiac has grown to become one of the largest private swim schools in Canada.Zodiac programs have earned the confidence and respect of thousands of families in the community. Countless children and other participants have gained aquatic skills, self-confidence and a love of water through high-quality, low ratio programming. “We are parents of three amazing kids and plan for, care about and treat other people’s children as an extended part of our family,” said Ellen.Aside from Zodiac’s reputation for providing excellent aquatic learning, the name also represents quality care in summer camp programs. Camps provide an enjoyable, unique and challenging opportunity which appeal to children and their parents. “Camps, swimming and so much more…we love helping children (and adults) develop skills, build self-confidence and make memories to last a lifetime,” said Rick.Zodiac’s day camp was the first to offer shorter one and two week sessions. While younger campers enjoy a multi-faceted, variety-based program, older campers get to experience Zodiac’s unique specialty program. Campers in the sessions for seven to 12 year olds get to choose to focus on the arts, sports and discovery, while still getting exposure to a wide array of other activities. Zodiac’s renowned leadership program for 13 to 15 year olds provides a terrific training experience and transition to becoming a Zodiac staff member!Many families also enjoy an amazing experience at Zodiac’s beautiful Muskoka overnight camp, Camp Tamarack. There is a large number of children participating in day and weekend introductory experiences at Tamarack and others becoming full-fledged campers at Tamarack for long or short sessions.“The confidence and faith that Zodiac families place in us is never taken for granted and appreciated more than it is possible to express,” said Ellen.Zodiac’s goal is to provide all participants with an exciting experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. The school offers age-appropriate programming that builds each child’s self-esteem and confidence, while enhancing his/her personal growth and development. Zodiac provides a safe and welcoming environment for children to learn and play in. The highly qualified and caring staff view and treat each child as a unique individual with distinct needs, goals and ways of learning.“We truly love what we do,” they said.If you are looking to enrol your child in a high quality program that will benefit them for life or to register, contact Zodiac today!Web: http://www.zodiackids.ca/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zodiaccampswim/Twitter: @ZodiacSwim, @ZodiacCampPhone: 416.789.1989*ADVERTORIAL*
Your Child can Love Learning too!
After a summer of running around and generally driving you crazy, your kids are finally back in school. But now that they’re in school, you remember that they need some help with their learning habits, or maybe they need more stimulation than they’re getting from school. In either case, there is a business in Downsview geared towards helping your child achieve their very best, all while having a great time.Last October, Mathan Thava started teaching the UCMAS Mental Math Program at the Aizen Academy. UCMAS mental math is a program that teaches children to do high level calculations mentally.Learning mental math is a great skill that helps children develop better short term memory, focus and control. All this while boosting their general confidence as they continue to succeed and improve in the classroom and beyond.One of the greatest benefits of enrolling your children in UCMAS, is that you won’t need to fight to get your children there in the first place. When speaking to Thava he says the kids can see the benefits they are getting. “It’s not a program that they don’t want to go to, the kids really do love it. It’s so rare to have programs where the children love learning”. In classes at Aizen Academy, students can challenge each other and see their peers succeed. This is an important factor, as it allows kids to see that if their friends can accomplish these tasks, they can too.One example of the success that the Aizen Academy has had with the UCMAS Mental Math program comes from Vraj Patel, a 7-year-old student from Derrydown Public School who won a Merit Award at the 11th Canadian UCMAS Mental Math competition recently held in Mississauga. After being enrolled with Aizen Academy for just 8 short months, Vraj improved his mental math skills and was able to answer 82 questions correctly, in 8 minutes. Each question constitutes 7 rows of numbers that require functions of addition or subtraction.Thava emphasized the incredible accomplishment it takes for children even to compete at this level, but the work is worth it he says. “It helps them face a lot of challenges and fears going into it”. Going through this program allows children to use the more creative parts of their brain to help them solve more logical tasks. Practising mental math helps children efficiently deal with the problems in front of them.Enroll your child today for the September sessions!Call: (647) 990-0864, open 7 days a week.Or stop by for the Aizen Academy’s official UCMAS launch on:September 17th, 20161290 Finch Ave W Unit 2210AM-3PM*Receive a FREE UCMAS Student Kit (valued at $35 plus tax) by presenting a copy of this article before September 17, 2016.
If you like coffee, sandwiches and homemade dessert, Cafe by Kwin is the place to be!
Café by Kwin first opened in July 2015. This friendly neighbourhood café was created by J. Kwin and is a family business involving both parents and their three children as well as an aunt. The children work after school or on weekends and enjoy working while balancing their school and social schedules.The family works well together and they share bonding moments too. Working with family is, according to them, “a real pleasure.” The business schedule can be adapted to each individuals schedule making it easy to manage.Cafe by Kwin’s priority is to stick to good quality, healthy and fresh product at affordable prices –and they are great at making you feel comfortable. They provide great customer relationships and delicious food –can’t go wrong!It all started because J. Kwin is a coffee lover and a cooking devotee, so he came up with the idea of a cafe where he could work with his family. He did a lot of research and invented his own recipes to make good, healthy, fresh and homemade food. He also decorated and designed the café’s layout. The room is spacious which provides different areas that fit several groups of people and they even have outdoor seating!Their menu includes a variety of sandwiches, coffees, salads, cheesecakes (from The Cheesecake Factory), Belgium waffles, ice cream, and much more. Tu Anh Nguyen (J. Kwin’s wife) is fond of drinks, so J. Kwin also created a variety of drink recipes. I personally recommend the strawberry banana smoothie, which is very fruity and refreshing.Café by Kwin is a great place to meet with friends, to study or have a meeting. They provide a great atmosphere and friendly, respectful service along with good quality food. It is located at 1 De Boers Drive, 400 meters from the Downsview subway station.So, do not hesitate anymore, and come enjoy a delicious coffee with a slice of homemade cheesecake sooner than later!For more information visit: www.cafebykwin.comEmail: mail@cafebykwin.comPhone: 647-352-5558Facebook: Cafe by KwinInstagram: @cafebykwin