April 2008 - Good News Toronto

2 April 2008 Good News Toronto VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3Good News Toronto VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3April 2008 3Dear Reader,Welcome to the third editionof Good News Toronto:Our Everyday Heroes and tothe journey into a glimpseof the lives a few more ofour fellow Torontonians.You may have seen thesepeople on your commuteto work, shopping forgroceries, or picking up alatte at your favourite coffeespot, because they areyour neighbours. However,they are being recognizedin this paper for makingchanges. They have eithermade changes in their ownlives or facilitated changesin other people’s lives. Theheroism is in taking therisk of acting on the decisionto make a change.Each of the wonderfulindividuals in this issuehas used her or his skillscreatively to impact ourcommunity. Whether it isthrough media or music,humour or hockey, counsellingor cooking, theyhave each extended beyondthemselves to reach othersin their realm of caring. Iextend my admiration andgratitude to each one forhelping to make Toronto acommunity.Spring is finally upon us.As we come out of hibernation,we can start to see it,smell it, hear it. We beginto venture out from thosecramped spaces. This isthe time to begin to stretchout our bodies, minds,and spirits. Let’s examinewhich parts of our lives wecan expand a little more,which parts of our lives wecan extend out to our world— to our family, friends,and neighbours. Then, likeeach of our heroes, let’s doit — let’s act on it. Let usplay with our children, letus say hello to our neighbours,let us clean up ourcommunities, and thenlet us reap the rewards.Like the powerful air currentthat the flutter of abutterfly wing can create,so, too, can our mindful,positive actions producemomentous results in ourcommunity.I hope our EverydayHeroes are a source ofinspiration to you. I can’twait to feel the results of allyour kindness as a wave ofgoodness covers Toronto,making it an even more exemplaryplace to live, work,play, and belong.In appreciation,Eva KarpatiPublisher/Editor“A Glimpse of Toronto” by Jason PrupasLetters to the EditorHello Good NewsGood News Toronto offers stories about the multitude of diverse,generous, caring, and inspiring people who live in Toronto, withthe goal of motivating all of us to continue to make this a cityrich in everyday heroes.Good News Toronto is a monthly newspaper distributed throughoutthe Greater Toronto Area.Good News Toronto is a not-for-profit endeavour committed topublishing works by aspiring and experienced writers and artists.My sister sent me a copy of your inaugural issue and I found it a very good read.It’s marvellous to read the stories of people using their own special talent toimprove the world in some way. I wish you the best of luck in spreading the happynews that heros are all around us.Thanks for doing what you are doing.Finally, some Good News!GOODNEWSTORONTOSend us yourheroesReport acts ofkindnessGive us yourcommentsJoin our GNTteamInquire aboutadvertisingVisit our websitefor more informationShare your favouritephotographsof Toronto.Share thisnewspaper withyour family,friends, andneighboursKaren YamazakiMarch 16thRohan BaderMarch 25thI wanted to let you know about the wonderful neighbourhood in which I havelived for 30 years. In this Pape and Queen Street area neighbourhood of 22 homeseveryone watches out for each other. Even though this has been such a hardwinter with all the snow, someone from the neighbourhood comes around every2 hours to make sure my walkway is cleared as well as anyone else housebound.This has been the case for years. I had surgery a few months ago and myneighbours have been very helpful in getting me to various appointments and thatI am looked after. In the warmer months we have neighbourhood BBQ’s and oftensit with each other on our porches to have tea or a beer. We help each other withhandywork as well. People often wonder why I don’t move into an apartment but Idefinitely do not want to leave my neighbourhood community.LouisePublisherEva KarpatiGraphic DesignerIllustratorHye Kyong SonCopy EditorEmmanuelle HertelGNT Team:Robin BondSabina BuninKate de FreitasNicole Georges-BennetDavid KatesRosa Soo Young ParkJason PrupasAndi RétiJuli SmollanSamia TecleEmily Walker ThorntonTroy WhiteAlexandra YeboahMarni ZaretskyContributors:Ali AbbasMarsha BarberNora Mular-Richards416 661 2556info@goodnewstoronto.cawww.goodnewstoronto.caMusic for OthersNora Mular-Richards and her studentsFront Row: Johnny Choi, Amy Lu, Maria Ning, Maliha Hossain, Betty XieBack Row: Jimmy Chu, Peter Zhuang, Shiping Shen, David Wang, Jamie Li, CathyZhang, Helen Wang, Stefan ChanBy Nora Mular-RichardsInstead of sitting in frontof video or computerscreens on ProfessionalActivity days, music studentsfrom Dr. NormanBethune have discoveredan alternative way to spendtheir time. They have beenentertaining patients, theirfamilies, and seniors at anumber of care facilitiesin Toronto. The first P.A.day found the students atToronto General HospitalIrv Helpert’s Jokers Wildand Humour GroupBy Emily Walker ThorntonThere is a group who always meetEach month, the last We’nsday,We impart humour, such a treat,And each one has his say.We get together for some fun,To relieve us of life’s tensions,Some come in pairs, some one by one,And most of us on pensions...performing in the lobby ofthe Munk Cardiac Centreand the De Gasperis Atriumfor patients, families,and staff. The studentsperformed for two and halfhours and were eager toreturn. “Being in the hospitalis really depressing. Ithought it was awesome tobring happiness to them.”said Amy Lu, 16.On the next P.A day, ensembleswent to BelmontHouse, a seniors’ home,where they performedThis is how the song“The Joke’s On You,”penned by JokersWild and Humour Groupmember Sonny Walerstein,begins. The group has beenrunning since 2001, thoughfounder Irv Helpert initiallyconceived the idea in 1999.“Well, what happened,”Irv says, explaining thegroup’s beginning, “I putan ad in the paper. I had noparticular objective and noparticular goal. I just decidedI’m gonna see if I canget some people together,and maybe make some newfriends or something — justtell some jokes, just casual.”There was no response tothat ad, but he tried againand got one phone call. Irvthought that if there wasone person calling, theremust be more. And therewere more. One caller confidedto Irv that she hadn’tbeen feeling herself — shewas extremely depressedfor the residents. MahaliaHossain, 16, spoke of hermotivation for these events,saying, “The fact that elderscan take pleasure inhearing us [the ensemble]makes me happy.” Recently,the students went to SunnybrookHospital K-wingto perform for veterans,their family members, volunteers,and staff. Theirperformance was extremelywell received. Again, manymembers of the audiencerequested a repeat perfor-and just wanted to go toa place where she couldlaugh and meet people. So,with four people on board,Irv decided to find a placeto meet, finally settling inat the Antibes CommunityCentre near Bathurst andFinch, where he’s been eversince. “I had no idea whatwas going to happen, andno sense of direction,” hesays. “I just did it.”Members begin totrickle in a little beforethe meeting’s 7:30 pmstart time, notebooks inhand, ready with the jokesthey’ve prepared. The numberof participants variesfrom meeting to meeting,and while newcomers arewelcomed and encouragedto keep coming back, thereare regulars, like Tom whocomes from Georgetown,and Marvin, Irv’s brotherin-law,who monitors themeetings. Three dollarsIrv continued on 11Reader’s Submissionmance. Some of the audiencemembers were formerToronto District SchoolBoard staff members, whopraised the performance.The students do notperform in order to accumulatemore volunteerhours. These students havealready each accumulatedan average of 200 hoursof volunteer time. Whenasked if he was expectingsomething in return for hisgood deed, Johnny Choi,16,exclaimed, “Of course not!It is just to bring joy tothem [war veterans]. Theyhave already served thecountry. We are just here toserve them back. They’veraised us up. It’s time for usto do the same.” This is anopportunity to share theirlove of music with peoplewho are not able to attendperformances outside oftheir present dwellings.One of the groups thathas been performingplayed at the McMichaelGallery at the beginningof March. This group hasbeen practicing and performingas an ensemble forfour years, and this was anopportunity to representDr. Norman Bethune in thegreater community. FormerBethune student, flutistChristopher Lee, workedwith the students, assistingthem in their preparationsfor the concert. ChristopherIrv Helpert sharing a jokeLee will be performing withthe Bethune Band as part ofthe school’s spring concert,May 28, at Markham Theatre.This is anopportunity toshare their loveof music withpeople who arenot able to attendperformancesoutside of theirpresent dwellings.Another part of theirbusy schedule involves aconcert at Good ShepherdChurch on Friday, April 25.The choir, jazz ensemble,and chamber ensembleswill present a concert aspart of the church’s concertseries.The music students fromDr. Norman Bethune arebusy in large and smallensembles performing forthe community, enrichingboth their lives as well asothers.Nora Mular-Richards isa retired music teacherworking part-time at Dr.Norman Bethune School

Date Feb 4, 2008 Flat Size 7.95"w x 4.375"h April 2008 Good News Toronto VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3Good News Toronto VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3April 2008The House that Mothers BuiltServing Dinner and CommunityBy Nicole Georges-BennettDr. Patricia Keith, apsychologist andordained chaplain,does some of her best workin jail. Dr. Pat counsels andministers to young offenderswho have fallen prey toa life of crime or who havebecome entangled in theCanadian justice system.Dr. Pat founded the BreakFree Family Centre, whereshe offers counselling andsupport to families andyouth, but she has a biggerdream: to establish atemporary home for youngmale offenders in order torehabilitate them for re-entryinto society as productivecitizens. She plans tocall the home “The Housethat Mothers Built.”“All I do is listento these boys andtell them they canchange their lives;they can have afuture and hope.”Dr. Pat’s background is innursing, but she says she’salways wondering whatpeople feel emotionally aswell as physically. “As acounsellor, I am still lookingat people’s bodies, butI’m interested in how bodyand mind works together.”During her nursing career,Dr. Pat became an ordainedminister and began workingpart time in the justicesystem. She found herown niche as a Chaplainat detention centers in theGreater Toronto Area. Inparticular, she counselledyoung male offenders, andwas horrified at the numberof black youth enteringthe centers on a daily basis.Many of them were firsttimeoffenders or drugaddicts.“When boys come intothe justice system and getsent to jail, they learn howto become better criminalsfrom the long-term inmates.They come out of jail angryand more hardened thanwhen they went in,” Dr.Pat observes. Despite thereluctance of some of theseyoung men to accept counselling,she perseveres. Shealso has experience workingwith recovering drugaddicts. Her efforts haveattracted the attention ofher colleagues. “SometimesI’m asked, ‘What do you sayto these guys? They alwayscome out of your officecrying!’ All I do is listen tothese boys and tell themthey can change their lives;they can have a future andhope.”In 2003, Dr. Pat openedThe Break Free Family Center,offering cheaper ratesfor her services. From thefirst day of operations shewas overwhelmed withcalls from parents withkids in trouble. “I’ve beencalled to homes to dealwith kids who are high ondrugs and a threat to theirfamilies; I’m constantly incourt advocating for clientsI counsel, and I’m called allthe time by defence lawyersto speak on behalf of theirclients.”Dr. Pat is a firm believerin redemption. “I counselcriminals, because they’rehuman and they’ve mademistakes, but they don’thave to keep going in thedownward spiral. Theyneed mentors, and someonewho cares about them.Even if they take drugs, youcan reach them at certaintimes. I’ve had these big,tough boys ask me to prayfor them, while they sitwith tears running downtheir faces.”“We can savethese boys.”She adds that there isan urgent need for placesfor young offenders to goto when they have servedtheir time. “I’ve had boyscall me from jail sayingthey don’t want to return totheir old neighbourhoodsand lifestyle, asking me ifI have some place for themto go.”The psychologist is hopefulthat philanthropic donorswill help her establishThe House that Motherswww.greenparkgroup.caGreenpark continues to be inspiredby all of Toronto’s everyday heroes.Your extraordinary contributionsmake life better for all of us.Dr. Patricia Keith creating productive citizensBuilt. “I want to work withthese kids in a home withopen custody: there’s atwenty-four-hour watchover the youth, under thesupervision of responsibletrained people.They will be educated, rehabilitated,and counselledover six months to a year, toget them ready to re-enterthe community. I’m workingon a fundraising campaign,but I’m praying someonewill donate a house to us,some place on the outskirtsof Toronto, away from theurban centers.”The name of the homeis inspired by Dr. Pat’smother-like status to herclients. “Even when I walkthrough the jails, they callout, ‘Mom can I talk to youtoday?’ It seems to me thatit is mostly mothers takingresponsibility for kidsthese days.”Dr. Pat looks to the futurewith hope. “It’s mostrewarding to see youngpeople get out of the justicesystem, and go on to dogreat things. We can savethese boys.”Dr. Pat is a mother offour and grandmotherof six. She is seeking topublish her doctoral thesis“Reclaiming the Lost Yearsof Addiction.”Nicole Georges-Bennettis mother to Justin andDominique and a freelancewriterToronto’s theatredistrict is second in sizeonly to New York CityTronto is as far southas the French RivieraToronto has the onlyreal castle in all ofNorth America(Casa Loma)Toronto is the mostmulticultural city in theworldBy Troy White“How are you todayPascal?” asks ScottHall, General Managerof Celestin. Pascal Ribreauwheels into the MountPleasant restaurant heopened in 2003, arriving toprepare for dinner service.His face is the perfectionof deadpan. “Oh you know.Still paralyzed, but surviving.”Pascal does not pretendto hide his disability; theacceptance of his conditionis the result of dauntlesspersonal courage and anuncompromising vision.“We have to challengeourselves in every degree,”Pascal says. “If we don’tchallenge, we can lose ouressence of life.”It is this essence of lifewhich courses throughPascal. He switches topicsfrequently — a conversationrunning from ancientGallic sects inhabitingthe Pyrenees, to selectedmethods of curing, to armydrinking-stories. Eachtopic Pascal alights uponis seized by his passionand returned eagerly to hislisteners.Pascal excels at makingthe world felt. “It is veryimportant to be connected.With courage, motivation,and by surrounding yourselfwith good people, itis possible to do the rightthing,” he says.The role of a chef carriesHOLISTIC DENTISTRYIn North Toronto1520 Steeles Avenue West,Ste.#120(northwest corner of Dufferin & Steeles)Orthodontics-ALFRelief of TMJ-Migranes/HeadachesHolistic treatment remedies for gum diseaseProfessional herbalist on staffAdvanced one hour teeth whiteningNon-mercury fillingsDr. Leon TregerB.Sc.,D.D.S.with it a social component.Food culture requires thevisibility of its practitioners:a chef must be seen inhis kitchen, and in controlof it.For Pascal, being in hiskitchen requires muchforethought. He createdCelestin after his accidentand the restaurant was laidout as an exercise in accessibility.The aisles are wide,the floors level, and hisstation is configured to theheight of his custom-builtwheelchair, which allowshim to work from a standingposition. Before dinnerservice, Pascal works fromhis lap, cutting vegetablesfor his sauces with a cuttingboard across his legs.“We share ahope for a betterworld.”As dinner approaches,Pascal transfers himself tohis machine. Tying him atthe feet, knees, and chest,the chair rises and becomesvertical, lifting Pascal toa commanding height. Hesteers himself with thejoystick at his thumb, turninghis chair through thekitchen with an easy gracebuilt from much practice.With an apron tied aroundhimself and a kerchief athis neck, he resembles amad scientist from latenightfilms. To taste hisdrltreger@rogers.comHYPERLINK “http://www.DRLTREGER.com”www.DRLTREGER.comHYPERLINK “mailto:info@drltreger.com”info@drltreger.com905-660-5129Pansfood is to know that he isindeed equal parts artistand scientist. His saucesand emulsions are balancedand unexpected, straddlingthe world’s culinary traditionswithout pretension.They are the work of anindividual, never compromised.His station is an assemblageof enamelled saucepots and copper pans laidout close to hand, ruledby an order that escapescasual observation, butnever misplaced. He tendsto these delicate sauces ashe controls the progress ofthe kitchen.Working directly with hishand-picked team, Pascalemanates confidence, hiskitchen quiet and easygoing,even on the busiestof evenings. The brigadesettles into a patois ofconversation and adoptedslang. The team has workedclosely for years — theirtransitions between candidatesfor greatest rockalbum of all time and thestages of each dish areGNTseamless. Laughter is neverfar behind cries of “ovening!”(called as dishes aregiven their final momentsin the oven) or the recountedmerits of Led Zeppelin’sfirst four albums.“Healing is notjust about thebody.”It is this sense of belongingand communitythat first drew Pascal tocooking. Born in Paris in1961, his first memoriesof food are linked to thethirty people who sharedhis grandmother’s table inFrance’s Languedoc region.The road to Celestin,Pascal’s first Toronto venture,followed his recovery.“Healing is not just aboutthe body,” he says. “Supportand love help. They are necessary.Before, I used to docharity work,” he explains,“but it was not as direct. Ihad no connection to it. Ithas a different meaningHelp us spread the Good NewsAdvertise your business herefor advertising inquiries, contactadvertising@goodnewstoronto.casince I’ve been hurt. I nowtake spinal cord injury toheart.”Pascal works with the CanadianParaplegic Association,Toronto RehabilitationInstitute, and the CanadianMarch of Dimes. “I do alot through peer support,talking to people in need.It is not something I takelightly, on a personal andprofessional level.”“Six years ago,” hecontinues, “I met a chef.He had a bad spinal virusand was in a coma for fivemonths. He was a lot worsethan I was. I was called tohis bed. I told him to taketime and conquer what hefaced, trying to give hope,but trying to be realistic aswell. I told him he had tohave the right support andbe true to himself. Thiswas my first true insight tomy role.”Troy White is a Torontobasedfreelance writer andwaiterPlease share the GOOD NEWS – pass it on!Please share the GOOD NEWS – pass it on!

April 2008 Good News Toronto VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3Good News Toronto VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3Children’s HeroesA Day in the Life of Two ParamedicsBrian and Shaq getting ready for their shiftBy Sabina BuninAs I step into one ofToronto’s EmergencyMedical Service(EMS) stations, I meet BrianKelly and Shachar Gabay,two eager paramedics whoare starting their day withwashing their ambulance.From that moment, anyonecan see that these two areproud of what they do, andthat, as best friends, they’reable to work together.At 7:00 am, it’s the beginningof a twelve-hour dayshiftfor the paramedics ofEMS 16 Station. After theysip their coffees and have acouple of laughs, Brian andShachar (who is known asShaq around the station) gettheir supplies ready. Theyfill out a mandatory controlled-substancetrackingform — “the drug sheet,”as they like to call it. Thispaper helps the governmentregulate the quantityof medications loaded onthe ambulance daily. Aftereverything is checked, theShaq filling out anelectronic ambulance callreportguys set out on standby,waiting for the first call ofthe day. They try to lightenthe mood by telling methey have their own song,and then they blast “CanYou Read My Mind” by TheKillers — fitting for theirday’s work.Brian started his career asa paramedic after he graduatedfrom Humber College.He had already completeda Physiology degree and aBachelor of Science, andhad spent some time workingat Sick Kids Hospitalas a genetics researcher,but he realized he wantedmore of a hands-on job. Hisyounger brother had beenlooking into becoming aparamedic, and introducedhim to the idea. Ironically,Brian became a paramedicand his brother took a differentroute.Each ambulance containstwo paramedics; the requiredtraining comes inthree levels. Basic Life Supportambulances containtwo Level 1 paramedics.If they contain two Level3 paramedics, or a Level2 and a Level 3, then theyare an Advanced Life Supportambulance. Brianjust completed his Level 3training and was partneredwith Shaq, a Level 2 medic.After arriving from Israel,Shaq graduated fromCentennial College withprior knowledge from havingserved as a medic inthe Israeli army. “I had allkinds of jobs when I movedhere,” he says. “I became afirst aid instructor, and itunfolded from there.”At 9:10 am they get theirfirst call of the day. Eachcall is labelled by priority:Alpha is the least severe,followed by Bravo, Charlie,Delta, and Echo. Echo callsare often fatal. This callhappens to be a Delta. Arrivingat the scene, Brianand Shaq discover a seniorwoman having respiratoryproblems. After doing vitaltests, they call anotherambulance with medicstraining for Level 3 positions,in order to give themsome experience. Shaqand Brian can easily takethe call without help, butthey know how valuablehands-on experience is fortrainees.In the ambulance, thereare four medics trying torevive the patient. Afternumerous attempts atresuscitation, we arrive atthe hospital and are rushedinto an emergency roomwhere a group of doctorsand nurses also attemptto revive her. While all thisis going on, Brian talks toa doctor about the patient.Unfortunately, after a longstruggle by both medicsand nurses, the patient ispronounced dead.Fifty minutes later, Shaqenters his ambulance tofind a trainee cleaning andorganizing supplies usedduring the last call, a wayfor the trainee to showappreciation for calling atraining ambulance in forexperience. While Shaqhelps the trainee clean,Brian is in the hospitalfilling out an AmbulanceCall Report, a form usedfor EMS files, hospital files,and billing purposes.At 10:45 am, the patient’sson approaches the guysfor a handshake and heartfeltthank you. Despitethis man’s loss, despite hismourning and anguish, hemanages to acknowledgethe sheer effort that theparamedic team demonstrated.Saving lives is only a smallpart of the job. What thepublic rarely hears about ishow much paramedics likeBrian and Shaq affect thelives of family membersas well. When a patient isin pain, it is not only himor her suffering: the familyand friends are alsohurting. “You can’t look ata patient as someone whomay die,” Shaq explains.“They’re merely anotherEMS continued on 10Brian filling out a written ambulance call reportShaq loading the ambulanceThe team entering the second call of the dayChildren’s HeroesPROJECT OF ST. EDMUND CAMPION Grade 5 ClassSt. Edmund Campion is a multi-cultural school located in Scarborough,with children from a range of socio-economic backgrounds. At St.Edmund Campion we pride ourselves on how well we come together asa community to support and celebrate one another. That’s why it wassuch a wonderful opportunity for us to write these articles. We werevery eager to participate in the newspaper’s vision to inspire peopleof Toronto into recognizing this city is truly a wonderful place to be.The kids at this school make this a realization; their words about theirordinary heros in Scarborough are quite touching.Jennifer De Freitas — teacherFor their complete stories, please visit ourwebsite: www.goodnewstoronto.ca

Monthly Feature “My Hero” April 2008 Good News Toronto VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 Butterflies Butterflies teach us possibilitiesHow grey can become spun red and gold How strictures, muddy cocoons can becomewing span, flight, grace.By moving from dark into lightGood News Toronto VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3April 2008butterflies teach us that Nothing we think we know is real That beauty can spring fromgrey weavesdark filaments and murky places,that prisons aren’t what they seemthat cocoons areall about becoming. © Marsha Barber, 2008 “My greatest hero was my father, who took mehiking, camping and fishing from childhood on andtaught me the most important lesson, which was tolove nature.” - David SuzukiMaking Homeless Youth Feel ValuedBy Juli SmollanThere is a special placefor homeless andstreet-involved youth,and it is called Sketch. Thismagnificent space of 6,000square feet is on the topfloor of a revitalized brickbuilding in the upscale andtrendy neighbourhood ofKing Street West.Sue Cohen was once ahomeless teen. She is nowthe Community Arts ProgramCoordinator at Sketch.Her smiling face and deepblue eyes exude joy, pride,and passion as she speaks ofthe wonderful work done atSketch, which offers off-siteactivities as well as in-studioprograms. Whether the kidsare using the multi-mediastudio, which includes painting,drawing, music, woodworking,and print-making,or sewing torn knapsacksor clothes, using a computer,or just having a meal, it isa safe place for them to takerefuge from the streets for afew hours.Sketch was the brainchildof Phyllis Novak in the early1990s, stemming from anidea that a communal artspace could help and inspireat-risk street youth whenthey became involved in acreative process.It is a safe placefor them to takerefuge from thestreets for a fewhours.Her hunch proved right,and the results showed thatwhen these young peoplewere suddenly engaged inthe arts, they became partof the community, and nolonger felt cut off from civicparticipation.Sue benefited greatly asone of Phyllis’ early participants.From her positive experiencesthrough art expression,she was able toimprove her life and get offthe streets. “Without havingfound arts practice, I wouldbe a different person. Accessis everyone’s right. To findmaterials and informationis important to help find optionsin the world. For peopleenduring trauma, not havingbasic needs met is wearingon them and presents suchchallenge.”After a few years, Sue realizeda need to branch out andtry other areas of employment.She felt it gave her thetime and space to find herright path in life. It was importantto Sue to ensure thather motivation as a communityartist was still true andpure and that her own issuesdid not interfere.Stories about Sketch allshare the common denominatorof valuing the artspace and what it offers tothe homeless and at–riskyouth of Toronto. Some kidsSue Cohen at Sketchwho normally begin their alcoholicbinging early everymorning will actually stopdrinking on days that theyplan to attend Sketch. Thereis a zero-tolerance policy onany form of violence, racism,sexism, homophobia,or any other negative behaviourthat could impede anybody’scomfort in accessingLet’s help clean upour communityon April 19ththis space and its resources.This takes amazing powerand control, but eventuallygives these at-risk individualssome problem-solvingabilities to help them improvetheir situations.Juli Smollan is a freelancewriterished a marathon in Hawaii.Her future includes continuingto work in Africa,which has changed herlife dramatically. She saysthat her father, who passedaway seven years ago, wasa great role model for doingcharity work. Her wishlist includes having herown talk show where shecan bring forth issues andstories that people shouldknow about. She is also amotivational speaker whoshaped herself into a humanitarianbecause of herexposure to Africa. Hercharity work varies a greatdeal and it was a surpriseto learn that it extends tomotorcycles. For the lastfour years, along with herfriend, radio host John Der-Susan continued from 1 ringer, she was the honoraryparade marshal for theBAD (Bikers Against Distress)Ride in Toronto. Thischarity raises money forvarious distress centers.Approximately 1,400 peopleparticipated in a ridethat raised over $230,000.She rode the entire route asa passenger with Sid Rochwerg— another Good NewsToronto hero.It was a fitting finale toour interview when shesaid, “Through my job,which is [now] my career, Ifound my way and it shapedme. I love Toronto and mycareer, but I am still thegirl from North Bay.”Goal continued from 1QuoteAndy Réti is a retired pensionerinvolved in writing,lecturing about the Holocaust,and motorcycling“We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the smalldaily differences that we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that weoften cannot foresee.”Marian Wright Edelman, lawyer, educator activistRehab Centre is knownworldwide for its excellencein a vast range of inpatient,outpatient, and communitybasedprograms. It serviceschildren who suffer fromconditions such as CerebralPalsy, Muscular Dystrophy,and Spina Bifida, to name afew. Many of these childrenare without the use of theirlegs.“Some other people don’thave what we have,” saysGianluca, one of the topearners in this amazinginitiative. “We just wentdoor-to-door, and asked ourfamily and friends. It wasfun.” His teammate Ryanagrees: “I’d do it again, yeah,for sure!” They both glanceback towards the ice, wheretheir teammates are playinghockey as never before.The rules to Sledge Hockeyare the same as every otherhockey game. The onlydissimilarity is that thekids are not in skates but insleds, making it possible forthose unable to walk to glideacross the ice with ease.These ten-year-old boyscannot possibly fathom howvaluable their effort was. Allthey seem to be concernedwith is getting back outthere on the ice and playinghockey in a sledge they’vehelped to ensure will stillbe there tomorrow.Arnold Lopez, a recreationaltherapist at Bloorviewand a coach for theBloorview Sledge Hockeyteam, knows the value, andhis gratitude is more thanevident. “It costs anywherebetween six- to eighthundreddollars per sled.Then there’s hockey sticksPlease share the GOOD NEWS – pass it on!and helmets — so yes, thisis a significant amount,” hesays, grinning. “For a lot ofthem, this will be the onlytime they are a part of ateam. You can see they’reproud when they play. Theybring their friends andtheir siblings to play on theteam.”Near the exit of the arenasat a few gifts that wereexchanged between the twoteams. One of them was at-shirt that read “One Goal.”Thanks to heroes such asthe Vaughan Rangers AtomA team, kids like Jesse Scimeand the others who play forthe Bloorview Sledge HockeyTeam have been promisedat least one more goal.Jesse’s smile may not havemelted the ice, but, as longas he can play hockey, itmost certainly will continueto melt hearts.Robin Bond is a mother,freelance writer, andaspiring author

Where great work andgreat people come together.Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLPMONTRÉAL OTTAWA TORONTO CALGARY VANCOUVER NEW YORK CHICAGO LONDON BEIJING blakes.com