MSM Highlights: April 2010

Release a balloon day.

Pick your favorite color of balloon; write the name of the person you have lost due to cancer on the balloon and at exactly 6 PM EST- release that balloon at the end of your driveway! Let's fill the sky with color for all those who fought, and are fighting Cancer. Let's show them that we will NEVER forget their courage. PLEASE pass this along!

Jason Stoner, The Beacher Café

This month Chef of Merit welcomes Jason Stoner of “The Beacher Café.”

The Beacher Café is located in Toronto Ontario has been around since the mid 80’s- it is one of the favourites in the area, if you are there in the summer months, you will be able to tell that very quickly, by the line ups.

Along with the regular fare of burgers and pizzas you will find full service breakfasts, week end brunches, and wonderful entrees from seafood to pasta.

What impressed me was their variety of foods for such niche clients as vegetarians, offering an amazing Pita Zucchini Bianca, fruit plate, and other menu items for the vegetarian or the health conscious, and being a vegetarian, I was not disappointed with the selections or the taste!

Chef Jason Stoner, joined The Beacher in 2008, before that Jason was the Executive Chef at the Bungalow Café, also in Toronto. Watching the many faces, it was easy to tell that the customers where enjoying the food, and that many of them were regulars.

Peter Martineau, owner, calls The Beacher, The Landmark Beach restaurant, as they have been there now for over 25 years, it does not take you long to discover why people keep coming back, not only does Jason do a great job with the food, but the restaurant itself is very laid back and comfortable, often with great Jazz music to accompany your meal.

I highly recommend The Beacher Café the next time you are in Toronto!
5 STARS!!

The Beacher Café, 2162 Queen Street East, Toronto. http://www.thebeachercafe.com/

~Tilly Rivers~

© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises
As seen in the April Issue of Main Street Magazine.
Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

If you would like to find out how to receive your FREE copy of MSM go to www.mainstreetmagazine.net

Healthy Relationships

The cycle of violence in domestic abuse

Domestic abuse falls into a common pattern, or cycle of violence:

§ Abuse– Your abusive partner lashes out with aggressive, belittling, or violent behaviour. The abuse is a power play designed to show you "who is boss."

§ Guilt– After abusing you, your partner feels guilt, but not over what has been done. There more worried about the possibility of being caught and facing consequences for their abusive behaviour.

§ "Normal" behaviour– Your abuser does everything they can to regain control and keep you in the relationship. They may act as if nothing has happened, or they may turn on the charm. This peaceful honeymoon phase may give you hope that your abusive partner has really changed this time.

§ Fantasy and planning– Your abuser begins to fantasize about abusing you again. They spend a lot of time thinking about what you’ve done wrong and how they'll make you pay. Then they make plans for turning the fantasy of abuse into reality.

§ Set-up– Your abuser sets you up and puts their plan in motion, creating a situation where they can justify abusing you.

Your abuser’s apologies and loving gestures in between the episodes of abuse can make it difficult to leave. They may make you believe that you are the only person who can help them, that things will be different this time, and that they truly love you. However, the dangers of staying are very real.

Recognizing the warning signs of domestic violence and abuse

It's impossible to know with certainty what goes on behind closed doors, but there are some telltale signs and symptoms of domestic violence and abuse. If you witness any warning signs of abuse in a friend, family member, or co-worker, take them very seriously.

General warning signs of domestic abuse

People who are being abused may:

§ Seem afraid or anxious to please their partner.

§ Go along with everything their partner says and does.

§ Check in often with their partner to report where they are and what they’re doing.

§ Receive frequent, harassing phone calls from their partner.

§ Talk about their partner’s temper, jealousy, or possessiveness.

Warning signs of physical violence

People who are being physically abused may:

§ Have frequent injuries, with the excuse of “accidents.”

§ Frequently miss work, school, or social occasions, without explanation.

§ Dress in clothing designed to hide bruises or scars (e.g. wearing long sleeves in the summer or sunglasses indoors).

Warning signs of isolation

People who are being isolated by their abuser may:

§ Be restricted from seeing family and friends.

§ Rarely go out in public without their partner.

§ Have limited access to money, credit cards, or the car.

The psychological warning signs of abuse

People who are being abused may:

§ Have very low self-esteem, even if they used to be confident.

§ Show major personality changes (e.g. an outgoing person becomes withdrawn).

§ Be depressed, anxious, or suicidal.

§ Signs of sudden drinking, smoking or drugs use

§ Negative self talk (e.g. oh, you wouldn’t want me to spoil your good time anyway, I’m such a dummy)

If you suspect that someone you know is being abused, speak up! If you’re hesitating—telling yourself that it’s none of your business, you might be wrong, or the abused person might not want to talk about it—keep in mind that expressing your concern will let that person know that you care and may even save a life.

Talk to the person in private and let them know that you’re concerned about their safety. Point out the things you’ve noticed that make you worried. Tell them that when and if they want to talk about it, you’re there for them. Reassure them that you’ll keep whatever they tell you between the two of you, and let them know that you’ll help in any way you can.

Remember, abusers are very good at controlling and manipulating their victims. Abused and battered victims are depressed, drained, scared, ashamed, and confused. They need help to get out, yet they have often been isolated from their family and friends. By picking up on the warning signs and offering support, you can help them escape an abusive situation and begin healing. The best thing to tell them is that you are not judging, that abuse happens to so many, and that it is in ‘silence’ that it grows! One should never be ashamed of being in an abusive relationship no matter how long it has been going on, and that there is always hope for a safe, abuse free life.

Peter Davis

As seen in the April Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

If you would like to find out how to receive your FREE copy of MSM go to www.mainstreetmagazine.net

Gizmos and Gadgets

Spring has arrived, and for a lot of us that means ‘playing’ in the mud again, a phrased borrowed from a friend, or otherwise known as gardening. Be it flowers or vegetables, growing gardens seems to be back ‘in’ style. This month, we have focused on two garden gadgets that we hope you will love!

Protect your lawn and landscaping from erosion and washouts with the RainDrain system. RainDrains help to direct rainwater away from your home and safely into your yard.

With the RainDrain, the rainwater gradually drains out of the spout through an extended tube instead of coming out in a rapid flow. This unique water extension product also provides protection for your foundation and basement or crawlspace.

It has a straightforward and effective design. Simply attach the RainDrain to a downspout. When it rains, the force of the water opens the RainDrain as the water flows through the perforated holes. The RainDrain then completely unwinds, up to 46” inches in length. When the rain stops, the RainDrain rewinds and conveniently self-stores.

To clean and flush out, simple detach the plastic fastener off of the RainDrain and flush out any debris.

This rainwater delivery system is made from UV inhibited vinyl, which provides great durability and flexibility.

Choose from White, Tan, Dark Brown, and Green to match the exterior of your home.

RainDrain Features and Information:

 Extends to 46”

 Made with premium UV inhibited vinyl

 Effective rain removal system for keeping water away from foundations

 Easy to install

 Gasket and clamp included

 Fits standard downspouts with measurements: 2”x 3”, 3”x 4”, and 4” round

 Store during the winter to keep durability and pliable softness for the next year

Soap Dispenser

Use this ingenious Soap Dispenser together with Spiralflow hose pipe and one of Darlac’s telescopic poles to clean upstairs windows, greenhouses, conservatories caravans and horseboxes! This dispenser can also be used with a garden hose for fertilizer.

~Debra Young~

As seen in the April Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in

Canada

, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

If you would like to find out how to receive your FREE copy of MSM go to http://www.mainstreetmagazine.net/

Legal Beagle

Ontario Closing Costs Buying a Home or Condo Land Transfer Tax

*Please note, “Legal Beagle” articles are general legal guidelines and are not meant to replace legal counsel. Please see your local Paralegal, or Lawyer for detailed case-by-case information.

There are several items that need to be attended to prior to closing a real estate transaction in Ontario. These include certain items imposed by the government; certain items that lending institution require as well as certain items that should be attended to in order to ensure clear title to the home or condo that you buy. In general, home buyers should budget up to 5% of the purchase price of their new home or condo to cover these various items. While these vary depending on the situation, typical costs include:

Survey

In most cases, the agreement of purchase and sale will have a clause asking for the vendor to provide a survey to the purchaser at their cost within a certain period of time. If the vendor does not provide you with an acceptable survey, you may need to obtain a new survey. Approximate cost: $650 . In most cases however, the survey is provided by the vendor.

Title Insurance

A title insurance policy can eliminate the requirement for a new survey. Title insurance is an insured statement of the condition of title or ownership of real property, at the time the policy is issued. Approximate cost: $250-275 (residential).

Title to Property

Title is the legal term for ownership of property. Buyers want "good and marketable" title to a property - good title means title appropriate for the buyer's purposes; marketable title means title the buyer can convey to someone else. Prior to closing, public records are "searched" to determine the previous ownership of the property, as well as prior dealings related to it. The search might reveal, for example, existing mortgages, liens for outstanding taxes, utility charges, etc., registered against the property. At closing the buyer expects property that is free of such claims, so normally they must be cleared up before closing. For example, the seller's mortgage will be discharged and outstanding monetary expenses (such as taxes and utility charges) will be paid for (or adjusted for) at closing.

Sometimes problems (or defects) regarding title are not discovered before closing, or are not remedied before closing. Such defects can make the property less marketable when the buyer subsequently sells and, depending on the nature of the problem, can also cost money to remedy. For example, the survey might have failed to show that a dock and boathouse built on a river adjoining a vacation property was built without permission. The buyer of the property could be out-of-pocket if he is later forced to remove the dock and boathouse. Or, the property might have been conveyed to a previous owner fraudulently, in which case there is the risk that the real owner may come forward at some point and demand their rights with respect to the property.

Who is Protected With Title Insurance?

Title insurance policies can be issued in favour of a purchaser (on new/resale homes, condos and vacation properties), a lender, or both the purchaser and lender. Lenders will sometimes require title insurance as a condition of making the loan. Title insurance protects purchasers and/or lenders against loss or damage sustained if a claim that is covered under the terms of the policy is made.

Types of risks that are usually covered under a title insurance policy include: survey irregularities; forced removal of existing structures; claims due to fraud, forgery or duress; unregistered easements and rights of-way; lack of pedestrian or vehicular access to the property; work orders; zoning and set back non-compliance or deficiencies; etc. For a risk to be covered, generally it has to have existed as of the date of the policy. As with any type of insurance policy, certain types of risks might not be covered, for example, native land claims and environmental hazards are normally excluded. Be sure to discuss with your lawyer what risks are covered and what are excluded.

The insured purchaser is indemnified for actual loss of damage sustained up to the amount of the policy, which is based on the purchase price. As well, some policies have inflation coverage, which means that if the fair market value of the property increases, the policy amount will also increase (up to a set maximum).

How Long is the Insurance Coverage?

In the case of title insurance covering the purchaser, title insurance remains in effect as long as the insured purchaser has title to the land. Some policies also protect those who received title as a result of the purchaser's death, or certain family members (e.g., a spouse or children) to whom the property may have been transferred for a nominal consideration.

In the case of title insurance covering a lender, the policy remains in effect as long as the mortgage remains on title. A lender covered under a title insurance policy is insured in the event the lender realizes on its security and suffers actual loss or damage with respect to a risk covered under the policy. Lenders are usually covered up to the principal amount of the mortgage.

The premium for title insurance is paid once (at the time of purchase). Generally speaking, in Canada the purchaser of the property pays for the title insurance, though there can be situations where the seller pays for it. Some policies automatically cover both the purchaser and lender; others will cover both for a small additional fee.

Protection and Peace of Mind

Title insurance can help ensure that a closing is not delayed due to defects in title. And, if an issue relating to title arises with respect to a risk covered under the policy, the title insurance covers the legal fees and expenses associated with defending the insured's title and pays in the event of loss

Land Transfer Tax

The Land Transfer Tax is payable on all purchases. The tax is calculated on the purchase price of a home according to a specific formula.

Visit: http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/tax/ltt/index.html

Legal Fees

Legal fees will vary according to the lawyer. Shop around, this should be $600 to $800, plus Disbursements.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs that you lawyer will have to pay on your behalf, such as registration fees, photocopies, etc. Approximate cost: $400 to $600.

Statement of Adjustments

The purchaser and the vendor are each responsible for their share of taxes, fuel, and utilities. These costs will be reflected in the statement of adjustments which the lawyer puts together. Approximate cost: Varies depending on type of property (condo vs. freehold) and time of year.

Home Insurance

Home insurance premiums will vary from one insurance company to another and according to your insurance needs. In a condominium, the building insurance is included in your maintenance fees and does not form part of the closing costs, unlike a house purchase. Approximate cost: Varies

Mortgage Application

Your lending institution may charge a fee for processing your mortgage application. Approximate cost: Varies

Mortgage Appraisal

Approximate cost: $200. This may be waived depending on how you negotiate.

Home Inspection

Prior to buying a home, you should have a home inspection performed to identify any significant structural, electrical or plumbing problems with the home. Some lending institutions require that you have a home inspection completed before approving financing. Approximate cost: $200 - $450 tax.

Status Certificate

Prior to buying a condo, you should request a Status Certificate. This document provides detail on the Condo Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, as well as Finances. Any In-suite restrictions or common element restrictions are also detailed in the Status Certificate. Most importantly, it includes information on the condo's Reserve Fund, which is the amount the condo corporation has set aside to cover unexpected expenses. The Status Certificate is usually paid for by the seller. Approximate cost: $100.

Be prepared for all of the above fees ahead of time and know your budget in advance to avoid headaches, or worse, a deal falling through.

~Donna Kaye~

As seen in the April Issue of Main Street Magazine.

Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

If you would like to find out how to receive your FREE copy of MSM go to http://www.mainstreetmagazine.net/

Main Street Music Scene

MUSIC’S FRESH NEW VOICE:

INTRODUCING MS. NADIA DENNIE

She hails from the West end of the GTA, yet her voice has already travelled around the world! Music’s fresh new voice of 2010 is the one and only Ms. Nadia Dennie.

The newest member to Toronto’s, Flux Media Group Records, Nadia Dennie has already released a #1 Hit Single titled *LIFE* feat. Flux Media Group CEO and International Dancehall Artist, Mr. Flowas.

“Life is what you make it. Don’t be afraid to try. Anything is possible, you can touch the sky!” This powerful message from her new hit single “LIFE” is exactly the kind of message the world needs to hear right now.

A powerful, young role model, Nadia Dennie and *LIFE* are being widely received around the world. *LIFE* encourages all age groups that’s its never impossible or too late to turn your life around and reach for the sky!

To hear *LIFE* and find out more about Ms. Nadia Dennie, please visit:

www.reverbnation.com/fluxmobb

D'Anise Marie

As seen in the April Issue of MSM

Canadian ISSN: 1920-4299

If you would like to find out how to receive your FREE copy of MSM go to www.mainstreetmagazine.net

Save Some Green by Going Green with Your Grocery Shopping

“We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once.”
~Calvin Coolidge, former United States President

Perhaps you haven't yet started recycling the many containers that package food purchases. And, maybe you have limited access to some of the "greener" food products on the market. Yet there are things you can do if you're interested in a "greener," more environmentally friendly household. Read on for some easy steps you can take right now. They also will save you money, adding a little extra green to your wallet!

1. Size matters. When choosing between a large container and several small containers that add up to the same volume: Consider whether buying the large container would serve the same purpose and save you money? For example, do you really need to buy individual boxes (and more packaging) of juice if they all are drunk in the same week and at your kitchen table?

2. It's in the bag. While we could all carry our own reusable shopping bags when we go shopping, if we don’t we can reuse any plastic grocery bags we might accumulate to line small wastebaskets. Put a few bags in the bottom of the waste basket BEFORE you line it, so there’s another one ready to use after one is filled.

3. Gotta have a plan! Plan ahead and shop less often for groceries or shop in conjunction with other errands taking you near a grocery store. The result is a reduction in the use and cost of fuel needed to transport food.

4. Practice the 3 Rs. Produce less waste AND save money by practicing the 3 Rs of reduce, reuse and recycle.

Here are three examples in relation to throwing away leftover food. Not only does tossing leftovers waste money, it also wastes the energy resources and packaging materials associated with the tossed food.

§ Reduce the amount of leftover food tossed by serving smaller portions of foods that frequently produce leftovers OR …

§ Reuse leftovers by serving them again in a day or two or freezing them for future use, OR …

§ Recycle leftovers into a different type of meal; for example – add that extra rice to a soup the next night.

5. Don’t be a "spoil"-sport. Throwing away spoiled food is related to tossing leftovers. Reduce the amount of spoiled food that gets tossed through such practices as:

§ Read labels for "use by," "expiration," or "best if used by" dates.

§ Refrigerate and freeze foods at recommended temperatures -- 0 degrees F or lower for freezers and 40 degrees F or lower for the refrigerator section. An appliance thermometer assures your refrigerator/freezer is maintaining these temperatures.

§ Follow recommended storage times for foods. For example, some containers may specify a recommended time frame in which to eat a food after it is opened.

§ Avoid buying so much food in bulk that it spoils before you can use it.

6. Drink to this. Buy a reusable water bottle and fill it with tap water. Your investment soon will pay for itself.

7. Bulk it up. Some products purchased at the grocery store, such as hand soap, can be purchased in big bottles that are used to refill a smaller bottle size. Reduce the cost and the packaging by refilling the smaller bottle.

The next step: For more things you can do to live a greener lifestyle and reduce energy expenditures, visit the Environmental Protection Agency's Website and calculate your "carbon footprint" at www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.ht

~Alice Henneman, MS, RD and Lorene Bartos, MS, Extension Educators~

As seen in the April Issue of MSM

Canadian ISSN: 1920-4299

If you would like to find out how to receive your FREE copy of MSM go to http://www.mainstreetmagazine.net/

April

Welcome my kittens to my garden once more. This month we have a hunky fighter to play with.

Canada

’s very own…Georges St-Pierre

This 27-year-old Canadian Ultimate Fighter Champion is considered to be the #1 ranked 170 lb (77 kg) fighter in the world. But alas, if watching UFC is not your thing, St-Pierre is making his way over to film. He’ll be in two upcoming martial arts films soon. So, when your partner wants to go to the movies- ask if Georges "Rush" Saint-Pierre is the star- and join him, while he is enthralled over the martial arts moves, you can swoon over the body performing them! This born Saint-Isidore, Quebec,

Canada

, native is often referred to as GSP, a Canadian mixed martial arts fighter and the 2007 UFC Welterweight Champion.

The tattoo on his chest means that there are two sides to him. "I can be very rude and I can be very nice. I like to be rude when I fight," St. Pierre has been quoted to say. I don’t know about you ladies, but he can whisper ‘rude and suggestive’ ideas in my ear, I would even be up for a ‘tussle!’

Kara Elsberry

As seen in the April Issue of MSM

Canadian ISSN: 1920-4299

If you would like to find out how to receive your FREE copy of MSM go to http://www.mainstreetmagazine.net/