Loading...
The URL can be used to link to this page
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Home
My WebLink
About
NA2021_02_04
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2021 Google and Facebook use their monopoly power to pocket 80% of online advertising revenues. These corporate giants benefit from the news content produced by Canadian journalists and publishers –without paying for it. Ottawa needs to act now to protect the future of your local news. Learn more at: levellingthedigitalplayingfield.ca Imagine if the news wasn’t there. dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 | 2 We have a very serious situation in this country. Google and Facebook, two of the richest companies in history, control the onramp to the internet highway in Canada. They decide what we as a sovereign nation see and don’t see in the news. To make matters worse, they take the news produced by Canadians and don’t pay for it. Meanwhile, all Canadian news media companies, big and small, are suffering for two reasons: First, they don’t get paid for their content by Facebook and Google; Second, Facebook and Google take over 80 per cent of all Canadian digital advertising industry revenue. These massive American companies get virtually all of the revenue and don’t pay for content. Movie content doesn’t work that way in Canada. Music content doesn’t work that way. TV show content doesn’t work that way. So why is news content treated differently? We only have to look south of the border to see what happens when real news companies disappear and social media platforms distribute divisive, fake news. We need to support healthy, independent, diverse news companies as the backbone of our democracy. This is urgent. It’s a fact that news companies across Canada are going out of business. COVID-19 is accelerating the decline. Journalism jobs are disappearing. That means real news keeps disappearing and hate and fake news will be all that’s left to distribute. Let’s not let this happen in Canada. But there is good news. Australia has figured out the solution. They created a law that forces the trillion-dollar monopolies to pay fairly for news content. This costs the taxpayer absolutely nothing. We strongly encourage the government to move quickly. Canada needs your leadership. John Hinds President/CEO News Media Canada AN URGENT LETTER TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA Learn more at: levellingthedigitalplayingfield.ca THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2021 Love the Home You Buy Through Me Or I’ll Buy It Back Mike Hogan - Salesperson Re/Max Rouge River Realty. Ltd, Brokerage 905-619-2100 For More Information Please Call: BEST OF THEEF THST OEB DiamondsDiamondsDiamonds EF THST OEB Diamonds EF THST OEB Diamonds EF THST OEB Diamonds EF THST OEB DiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamonds EF THST OEB Diamonds EF THST OEB Diamonds EF THST OEB Diamonds EF THST OEB DiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamonds 2020 DURHAM REGION’S PICK YOUR FAVOURITE REGIONAL ‘DIAMOND’WINNER BEFORE FEBRUARY 21 ST We have taken the Diamond winners in selected subcategories in the divisional Readers Choice Awards in Oshawa/Whitby, Clarington, Ajax/Pickering,Port Perry and Uxbridge. Now we want you to tell us which is your favourite in all of Durham Region! Starting on Monday, February 1st, visit our site to vote and help make your favourite Diamond Winner become a 2020 Durham Regional Readers’ Choice Winner! www.durhamregion.com/readerschoice FIND BREAKING NEWS AND UP-TO-DATE LOCAL INFORMATION ON COVID-19 ONLINE INFORMATION DUR H A M R E G I O N . C O M / C O R O N A V I R U S CREATING A 'MORE ROUNDED SUPPLY' OF HOUSING Royce Baker owns five rooming houses in Durham and feels he is offering affordable housing. See Page 8. Jason Liebregts/Metroland No, the blank front page ofyour newspaper isn't a mistake! Indeed, we did it deliberatelyto raise - in a dramatic way - thefact that local newspapers and lo- cal headlines are disappearingacross Canada.Starting today, we are launch-ing a nationwide campaign to raise awareness that our newspa-pers - and our democracy - are un-der attack.The campaign, which we call "Disappearing Headlines," in-cludes our blank front page and NOTE TO READERS: OUR BLANK FRONT PAGE See OUR, page 16 NEWSPAPERS AND LOCAL HEADLINES ATRISK OF DISAPPEARINGACROSS CANADA BY PAUL RIVETT, Chairman and Co-Proprietor of TorstarTorstarT BY JORDAN BITOVE, Publisher of Toronto Star and Co-Proprietor of Torstar dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 | 4 Abbeylawn.ca | 905-509-2582 On-site Doctor • 24 Hour Nursing Care • All Day Dining INDepeNDeNt & MeMOry CAre suItes AvAIlAble fOr IMMeDIAte OCCupANCy. IN tHese “New-NOrMAl” tIMes we INvIte yOu tO MOve INtO Our sAfe & seCure HOMe, AN eNHANCeD retIreMeNt COMMuNIty. 5 | Pic k e r i n g N e w s A d v e r t i s e r | P | T h u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m @cityofpickering Weekly Community Page February 4 Customer Care Centre 905.683.7575 (24 hour line) customercare@pickering.capickering.ca COVID-19CityResponse GetthelatestinformationonCityservices,closures, businesssupports,communityresources,andmoreat pickering.ca/covid19. Upcoming Public Meetings Date Meeting/Location Time February10 CommitteeofAdjustment Forlocationandmeetingdetailscheck: https://calendar.pickering.ca/council 7:00pm DuetoCOVID-19andthePremier’sEmergencyOrderstolimit gatheringsandmaintainphysicaldistancing,meetingdetailsare subjecttochange.PleasevisittheCitywebsiteorcall905.420.2222 fordetails. ForServicedisruptionnotificationcall1.866.278.9993 Vacancy on Accessibility Advisory Committee TheCityofPickeringencouragescitizenstoparticipateintheir communitybyvolunteeringforoneofourboardsorcommittees. ThefollowingCommitteeiscurrentlyacceptingapplicationsfrom citizenvolunteers: AccessibilityAdvisoryCommittee Role: TheAccessibilityAdvisoryCommittee(AAC)willassistCity staffandprovideadvicetoCouncilaboutthepreparation, implementationandeffectivenessoftheCity’saccessibilityplan. TheAACwillalsoreviewsiteplansanddrawingsasdescribedin Section41ofthe PlanningAct. NumberofVacancies: Three Meetings: 3rdWednesdayofeachmonthat7:00p.m.DuetoCOVID-19and thePremier’sEmergencyOrderstolimitgatheringsandmaintain physicaldistancing,theAACiscurrentlyholdingelectronic meetings. Ifyouareinterestedinbeingconsideredforappointmenttothis Committee,pleasesubmitanapplicationformwhichisavailable atwww.pickering.ca/boardsandcommitteessettingoutabrief descriptionofanyjoborcommunity-relatedexperienceyoumay have. ThedeadlineforsubmittingyourapplicationisMarch4,2021. AdditionalinformationregardingtheCommitteeisavailable ontheCity’swebsiteatwww.pickering.caorbycontactingthe CommitteeCoordinatorat905.420.4660,extension2047orby emailingclerks@pickering.ca. SenioroftheYearAward! 905.683.7575 customercare@pickering.ca Doyouknowsomeonedeserving? TheCityofPickeringisexcitedtobeabletohonourone localseniorfortheiroutstandingcommunitycontributions. Tobeeligiblefortheaward,thenomineemustbea Pickeringresidentover65yearsofage,andhave enriched thesocial,cultural,orciviclifeofthecommunity. Nominationformsareavailableonlineat pickering.ca/civicawards,andmustbereceivedby Thursday,February11,2021at4:00pm. 2020 Civic Awards CelebratingExtraordinaryPeopleinPickering! Submitnominationsforindividuals,groups,andbusinesses whohavemadeasignificantcontributiontotheCityof Pickeringin2020. NominationFormsareavailableonlineat pickering.ca/civicawards,andmustbereceivedby Thursday,February11,2021at4:00pm. 905.683.7575 customercare@pickering.ca Notice of Public Meeting 2021 Budget and User Fees TheCounciloftheCityofPickeringwillholdanelectronicPublic MeetingoftheExecutiveCommitteetoconsiderthe2021Current andCapitalBudgetandUserFeeson: Thursday,March4,2021at9:00am Friday,March5,2021at9:00am(ifnecessary) The2021DraftCapitalBudgetandCapitalForecastwillbemade availableontheCity’swebsiteonMonday,February8th andthe 2021DraftCurrentBudgetandUserFeeswillbeavailableonthe City’swebsiteonTuesday,February23rd. Aspartofthebudget process,theCityisproposingtochangefeesforanumberof planning,recreationandotherCityservices. The2021CurrentandCapitalBudgetandUserFeeswillbe formallyadoptedatanelectronicMeetingofCounciltobe heldon: Monday,March22,2021at7:00pm Membersofthepublicmayobservetheabovemeeting proceedingsbyviewingthelivestreamontheCity’sYouTubepage (youtube.com/user/SustainablePickering). Arecordingofthe meetingswillalsobeavailableontheCity’swebsitefollowing eachmeeting. Membersofthepublicmayprovideaverbaldelegationatthe March4thExecutiveCommitteeMeetingortheMarch22nd Council Meetingviaanaudioconnectionintotheelectronicmeeting. To registerasadelegateforeithermeeting,visit pickering.ca/delegation,andcompletetheon-linedelegation formoremailclerks@pickering.ca. Pleaseensureyouprovide thephonenumberthatyouwishtobecontactedoninyour delegationrequest. AmemberoftheClerk’sOfficewillfollow-up toconfirmyourdelegationandprovideinstructionsonhowyou willbeconnectedtothemeeting. Delegationrequestsmust bereceivedby12:00noononthelastbusinessdaybeforethe scheduledmeeting. Duringthemeeting,theChairwillinvite eachregistereddelegate,onebyone,tojointhemeetingvia audioconnection. Residentsareencouragedtovisitpickering.ca/budgettogain abetterunderstandingoftheCity’sbudget. Ifyouhaveany questionsorneedadditionalinformation,pleaseemailusat Budget2021@pickering.ca Datedthis4th dayofFebruary,2021. SusanCassel,CityClerk StanKarwowski,Director,Finance&Treasurer Summer Concerts Online 2021 Wearenowacceptingapplicationsforperforming atoneofourOnlineSummerConcerts. Applybefore Friday,March12,2021. 905.420.4620 pickering.ca/culture dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m Pic k e r i n g N e w s A d v e r t i s e r | P | T h u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 | 6 200,000 resale and new home listings to search from. Giving you the keys to nding your perfect home. 7 | Pic k e r i n g N e w s A d v e r t i s e r | P | T h u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m Find what you’re looking for, in the location you want, for the price you want to pay! Catch a Great Deal! Browse our inventory of vehicles by Body Style, popular Makes and Models, Province, popular Cities or by Price. Whatever path you choose, you will find the right car, in the right location, for the right price! Right Choice{ } Car Place Price Find what you’re looking for, in the location you want, for the price you want to pay! Catch a Great Deal! Browse our inventory of vehicles by Body Style, popular Makes and Models, Province, popular Cities or by Price. Whatever path you choose, you will find the right car, in the right location, for the right price! Right Choice{ } Car Place Price Find what you’re looking for, in the location you want, for the price you want to pay! Catch a Great Deal! Browse our inventory of vehicles by Body Style, popular Makes and Models, Province, popular Cities or by Price. Whatever path you choose, you will find the right car, in the right location, for the right price! Right Choice{ } Car Place Price dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m Pic k e r i n g N e w s A d v e r t i s e r | P | T h u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 | 8 BROCK ROAD AND 401 PICKERING OPENONLINE WE ARE STILL HERE FOR YOU 905-686-2308 ORdER OnLInE cURbSIdE pIck-Up SHIp TO HOmE Our store may be closed for in-person shopping, but canadiantire.ca is open 24/7. Place your order online and receive your order through our convenient curbside pick-up or home delivery options. Auto Service is Open by Appointment 905-686-2309 Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 9am-6pm. SERVIcE cEnTER HOURS A Pickering man whoprovides affordable hous- ing to anyone, from stu-dents to seniors to peoplejust down on their luck,wonders what would hap- pen if he wasn't able to oper-ate."Renting a room is reallyjust one step above a shel-ter," Royce Baker said. "Ifyou go one step below ashelter, you've got a park bench or the street."Baker spoke at a publicmeeting on the early stagesof a Pickering strategic housing strategy on Thurs-day, Jan. 21. Proper housingfor seniors and affordabili-ty were popular themes. "I have been in this busi-ness for 19 years and as faras I know there isn't any- body in Durham Regionwho provides affordablehousing to the scale that Ido," Baker said. Pickering does allowrooming houses, but somemunicipalities do not, and many of the ones that dohave strict restrictions. Baker's message to Pick-ering was to continue al- lowing them."It's a municipal govern-ment and their bylaws thatare contributing largely to homelessness," he said.The City of Pickering isworking on a 10-year plan to create a more rounded sup-ply of suitable, adequateand affordable housing. The average price of a brand new home in Picker-ing is $961,000, and the aver- age price of a resale home is$699,000. Renters are pay-ing nearly $1,400 per month. Pickering's principalplanner, policy, MargaretKish, said a cashier whomakes $14 per hour would have to pay $728 and a regis-tered nurse who makes $25per hour would have to pay$1,305 in order for their housing to be deemed af-fordable."None of the workers in these examples would beable to afford rental hous-ing in the current market inthe city of Pickering," Kish said.The study plans to iden-tify housing priorities, find the needs and gaps in hous-ing and recommend an ac-tion plan.Baker began renting rooms to temporary Onta-rio Power Generation em-ployees in the early 2000s,and he quickly saw the need for affordable housing."Before you knew it, Ihad six houses," he said. He now has five in Dur-ham and charges far lessthan half of Pickering'saverage rental price. Ward 1 city councillorMaurice Brenner askedstaff if they will consider atype of transitional hous- ing, which provides hous-ing for three months to indi-viduals who need it. Pickering's chief plan-ner, Catherine Rose, saidthe city will look into it. Shesaid many people don't want those who are rentingor in a transitional stage intheir neighbourhood, "and yet these people need aplace to live and they couldbe no different from you or Iat a different stage in our life."The way to overcome thestigma is to remove the bar-riers and "ridiculous quali- fications," Baker said.He said if there is moreavailability and more com- petition, that will correctdeficiencies, and the quali-ty level will increase.Staff addressed ques- tions about the types of housing that will be avail-able for seniors. Rose saidtwo companies are plan- ning to build seniors' resi-dences downtown, bothproposed to include variouslevels of care. When asked about thepossibility of more bunga-lows — a highly sought-af- ter style of home for seniors— Rose said developershave explained that two lotsare required to build one home, which is cost-prohib-itive.Staff will report to theplanning and developmentcommittee on the status ofthe strategy in March.Visit pickering.ca/hou- singstrategy for more de-tails. STORY BEHIND THE STORY: As Pickeringgrows, and the populationages, a wide variety of housing will be needed.Durhamregion.com wantsto share the plans onachieving that. PICKERING WANTS TO TACKLE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING Ward 1 city councillor Maurice Brenner asked Pickering staff if they would consider transitional housing in looking at housing options in the city. Maurice Brenner photo KRISTEN CALIS KCalis@durhamregion.com NEWS CITY OF PICKERINGEMBARKS ONHOUSING STRATEGYTO FIND BALANCEDHOUSING MODEL Right Choice{ } Car Place Price } Find what you’re looking for, in the location youwant, for the price you want to pay! Catch a Great Deal! Browse our inventory of vehicles by Body Style, popular Makes and Models, Province, popular Cities or by Price. Whatever path you choose, you will find the right car, in the right location, for the right price! 9 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m GET YOUR free MENU!18554440650 |HeartToHomeMeals.ca Choose from hundreds of delicious food classics and new favourites – all with free delivery.* The delivered.“Goodolddays” Made for SENIORS! *Some conditions may apply. 1-844-479-2255 733 KINGSTON RD. E. AJAX •905-686-2531 MON-WED/SAT: 9AM-6pM, THURS/FRI: 9AM-7pM SUN AND HOlIDAyS: 10AM-5pM info@macmillanorchards.com macmillanorchards1953Family Owned And Operated Since 1953Family Owned And Operated Since 1953 TERIYAKI CHICKEN MEAL PERFECTLY SAUCED With rice, broccoli, carrots, pineapple, sugar snap peas, and water chestnuts Serves 5-7 *Fully Cooked *Perfectly Sauced *Heat ‘N’ Serve Compare At $15-$20 2.6lbs ONLY $8.95 “FALL OFF THE BONE” Compare At $13-$17 BABY BACK RIBS $9.99/RACK BABY BACK RIBS A month after travelling to the Bahamas despite Ca-nadian and Ontario gov-ernment orders to avoidunnecessary travel, Kevin Ashe stepped down as dep-uty mayor of Pickering. On the same day, Ward 2regional councillor BillMcLean wrote a letter toresidents apologizing forhis decision to also travel during the pandemic.Ashe spoke in an officialstatement on Thursday,Jan. 28 of his stepson's death by suicide two-and-a- half years ago. "It is a profound painthat will never go away for me, my wife Karen, and ourdaughter Keara," he said.Over the holidays, Ashe and his wife went overseasto visit his stepson's ashesand "deal with our ongoinggrief. In making this deci- sion, I believed it was a nec-essary one for the mentalwell-being of our family. But I am also aware of howthis appears, recognizingthat we have all been urgedto stay home in an effort to contain COVID-19."Ashe recently was notre-elected as chair of theDurham Region Police Ser-vices Board. He said in hisletter he did not wish to bea distraction. He said, "To the mayorand my fellow councillors,you have my apology aswell as my gratitude for your steadfast support of both my family and me." Ashe made the an-nouncement on Bell Let'sTalk Day and acknowl-edged the pandemic and re- sulting social isolation have negatively impacted the mental health of many."And as such, I fully ac-cept the criticism of myselfand my efforts to heal abroad, because your struggles over the pastyear... are not lost on me,"he said. "I have heard you. I acknowledge your feelingsof frustration and anger;and I am truly sorry for my actions."He said he intends tocontinue to serve on coun-cil. "I will work hard to re-gain and maintain yourtrust," he said. McLean wrote a letteraddressed to residents to"express my apologies andregret for the unnecessary distractions to our counciland the residents of Dur-ham" regarding his trip toCosta Rica, which he has been open about since heleft on Dec. 27. "While I personally deemed this trip essential,I can clearly see your con-cerns," he said. "I haveheard from Durham resi- dents, many of whom are supportive of me as your councillor, but disappoint-ed in my decision to travel."McLean and his wife travelled to Costa Rica to fi-nalize the construction oftheir eventual retirementhome. Since the pandemic began last March, theypostponed a couple of tripsand managed to get things done from afar. "In November, I foundmyself in a position whereit was becoming critical to be on site to finalize ourproject. I made the decisionto book our travel," he said. "This was prior to the prov-incewide shut down thatwas announced to take ef-fect on Dec. 26." He has been attendingmeetings virtually sincearriving in Costa Rica. "I take the concerns of my constituents and col-leagues to heart and recog-nize their disappointment in my decision," he said. "Iam committed to rebuild-ing your trust by continu-ing to serve our communi- ty as I have in the past." KEVIN ASHE STEPS DOWN AS DEPUTY MAYOR Pickering councillors Kevin Ashe, right, and Bill McLean both travelled outside of Canada during lockdown. Metroland graphic KRISTEN CALIS KCalis@durhamregion.com NEWS ASHE AND COUN. BILL MCLEAN APOLOGIZE FOR TRAVELLING DURING PANDEMIC dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 | 10 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 70 community publica- tions across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council,Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@durhamregion.com facebook.com/newsdurham @newsdurham WHO WE ARE Vice President Dana Robbins General Manager Anne Beswick Director of Content Joanne Burghardt Managing Editor Mike Lacey Director Distribution Jason Christie Director Creative Services Katherine Porcheron CONTACT US Ajax/Pickering News Advertiser 865 Farewell Street Oshawa, ON L1H 6N8 Phone: 905- 579-4407 Newsroom: 905-215-0481 Sales: 905-215-0424 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Fax: 905-579-2238 Web: www.durhamregion.com Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 320 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Published letters will appear in print and/or online at durhamregion.com Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please call 905-683-5117. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT DURHAMREGION.COM So now that all the hoop- la is over, the flashbulbs have gone off and the pro- nouncements have beenmade, what are ground- hogs really up to in Febru- ary? I'm sure it wasn't their idea to have to crawl out of their nice dark burrows, blinking in the sudden light of day, and predict thearrival of spring for North Americans. Incurring blame and ridicule if they happen to get it wrong! In fact, most Ontario woodchucks are still soundly, safely asleep in aden they dug along a fence row near some woods. Their usual body tempera- ture of 37C may be down to2C or 4C, and their heart- beat slowed to five beats a minute. And imagine beingable to survive by taking just one breath every six minutes! Over their five- month retreat they slowlyuse up the two-centimetre- thick layer of fat they start- ed off with in November. While some moms may den up with one of their lit- ter from last year, most woodchucks spend thewinter months in solitude. Their cosy grass-lined bed- chamber is higher than its entrance tunnel, I imagine, to avoid flooding and drafts. And not far off is a side-tunnel latrine, a re-quired home feature for these fastidious mammals. It's true that states of true torpor are interrupted by periods of arousal, and that length of hibernation depends a lot on what's happening weather-wiseabove ground. Males main- tain a higher temperature than females, and tend to emerge about a month ear-lier (perhaps why well- known spring-predictors like Wiarton Willie are al-ways male?). Adult males want to be on hand when receptive females emerge, for early spring is wood-chuck mating season. They all retreat to their home burrows and even go back into torpor if frigid spells recur. A pregnant woodchuck gives birth in about 30 daysto usually three or four helpless, hairless young. By four weeks old they're much cuter, with eyes and ears open, and starting to eat solid food mom delivers underground. Two weekslater they venture out into the world for the first time, playing around the tunnel entrance in the sun and starting to nibble the first greens of their lifelong mostly herbaceous diet. Scientists quibble about what makes for true hiber- nation. Other mammals clever enough to sleepthrough Canadian winters include Richardson's ground squirrels and Thir-teen-lined ground squir- rels, brown and black bears, little and big brown bats and, to some degree,black-tailed prairie dogs. Striped skunks doze a lot, while pikas and chip- munks lay in a larder and sleepily snack their way through winter. Nature queries: mcar-ney@interlinks.net or 905- 725-2116. Durham nature writerMargaret Carney has morethan 4,500 species on her life list of birds, many seenin far-flung corners of ourbeautiful planet. WHEN WILL WOODCHUCKS WAKE? WEATHER PLAYS A ROLE MARGARET CARNEYNOTES THEYBREATHE JUST ONCEEVERY SIX MINUTESWHILE HIBERNATING MARGARET CARNEY Column LETTERS & COMMENTARY THANK YOU FOR SPREADING THE WORD Re: Whitby War AmpCHAMP, 4, gets new elec- tronic arm prosthetic.On behalf of The WarAmps, I would like to thankreporter Tim Kelly for fea- turing Ethan Falzon, amember of The War AmpsChild Amputee (CHAMP) Program.Stories like this helpbring important aware-ness to the many vital pro- grams we offer for all Ca-nadian amputees. Although the associa- tion has provided morethan 100 years of innovativeprograms, there is stillmuch to do to ensure am- putees across Canada havethe support they need.With the public's contin-ued support of The WarAmps Key Tag and AddressLabel Service, our commit-ment remains to improve the lives of amputees, like Ethan, long into the future.DANITA CHISHOLM,EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHAMPPROGRAM,THE WAR AMPS 'SUBSIDIZED RENTAL APART- MENTS' NOT WANTED IN AJAX Ajax residents need torise up! There are multiple proposals for high-densitysubsidized rental apart-ment towers in Ajax in pro- cess right now (e.g. Medal-lion on Rossland and 310Kingston). Surely we don't want to go there. If approved, theseprojects will forever alterthe ambience of our town.Local people struggling fi-nancially deserve helpfinding comfortable shel-ter. It's the exploitation de-velopers are attemptingwith these monstrous com-plexes that we object to. Every resident needs toimplore their local and re- gional councillor to pre-vent Ajax from having tore-learn what many mu- nicipalities have learned totheir regret: that drawingvast communities of peoplewho are struggling at or just above the poverty lineinto postage-stamp-sizedapartments in towering complexes is fraught withlong-term adverse socialconsequences. Never mindthe COVID-19 learnings about keeping a healthydistance between us andavoiding mass transit.When the planning de- partment and council areconsidering these develop-ment applications, in addi- tion to the few local resi-dents needing help, the in-terests of the vast majoritywho have paid many mil- lions in property taxes ev-ery year must be respected. If you agree, email your councillor about this now. KEITH SARRE,AJAX 11 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m Helping Families Since 1985 Harvinder Bhogal Real Estate Broker Cell: 647.218.1980 Bus: 416.289.3333 MyGoodGuy.com hbhogal@hbhogal.com COMMERCIAL DEALS INDUSTRIAL CONDO — BOWMANVILLE $425,000 Clean, Close to 401, 18’ ceiling, drive-in door, office space with Kitchenette and 2 nd floor mezzanine. 3 Phase power, 1,500 sq. ft., Perfect small business space. Call john for details. Early Occupancy! RETAIL GOLD - BOWMANVILLE FOR RENT Smashing retail corner unit, large window display, large signage Possible! ln the heart of Bowmanville next to huge parking lot. Won’t last!! MEDICAL SPECIALISTS WANTED/LEASE SPACE Ideal for selective and specialist practioners. 60,000 sq. ft. building with all modern amenities Next to Lakeridge Health, new relocating, expanding Professionals please contact John. Fully confidential. WOW!! CONTRACTORS OFFICES FROM $550 PER MONTH Clean, good access, outside storage is available!! Bowmanville. Move in tomorrow. Call John SMALL OFFICE SPACE! OSHAWA/COURTICE Clean! Ready to Move-In space. Busy Plaza next to Tim Hortons. Very Budget Friendly. RESTAURANT UNIQUE LOW HANGING FRUIT Excellent heart of Bowmanville Festival area. 100% freshly renovated - thousands $$$ in Leasehold expenses made, new existing kitchen. Available for lease to experienced operators, Now is the perfect time to make a deal. JOHN SHEWCHUK* SaleS repreSentative 905.404.5038 jshewchuk@royallepage.ca Real Estate *Sales representative **Broker ***Broker of record ADVERTISING FEATURE Lighting in a home serves both practical and aesthetic purposes. It’s easy to maneuver around a well- lit home, reducing the risk of slips and falls, and the right lighting can help homeowners create their de- sired ambiance, which typically changes depending on which room you’re in. When choosing lighting for their homes, homeowners must walk a fine line between appearance and functionality. A fixture in the foyer that instant- ly impresses visitors likely won’t prove as awe-inspiring if it’s in- stalled in the living room. When choosing lighting for a home, some general rules about what works in each room can help homeowners make the most informed decision. Kitchen Kitchens are often the busiest room in a home, so lighting here can be especially important. A kitchen often benefits, both practically and aesthetically, from different types of lighting. For example, pendant lighting above kitchen islands can make meal preparation easier and safer, but such lighting likely won’t work in breakfast nooks and infor- mal dining areas in the kitchen. Re- cessed lighting works best in such areas. In kitchens with no island, un- der-cabinet lighting can be used to illuminate countertops and simplify meal preparation. Formal dining room Many people enjoy the look of chandeliers in formal dining rooms, and such fixtures can be installed directly above the dinner table. The interior design experts at Better Homes & Gardens advise hanging chandeliers roughly 33 inches above the table in dining rooms with eight-foot ceilings, adding three inches for each additional foot above eight feet. Darkened dining areas may be ideal in restaurants, but home- owners may want to split the differ- ence at home and choose dimma- ble chandeliers for their dining rooms. This allows homeowners to dim the lights for romantic dinners but turn them up for family gather- ings with lots of people around the table. Living room Adaptability also is important in the living room, where home- owners may host anything from movie nights to book clubs to par- ties for the big game. It can be a tall order to accommodate such a wide range of activities, and many home- owners come down to deciding be- tween recessed lighting and track lighting. If the living room currently has neither style, homeowners should recognize that it will cost considerably less to install track lighting than recessed lighting. Bet- ter Homes & Gardens notes that flexible track lighting provides am- bient, task or accent lighting, and track lights can even be moved to change lighting schemes at any time, making them a budget-friend- ly option for homeowners whose living rooms are multi-purpose spaces. Recessed lighting also works well in living rooms, especially ones with low ceilings. That’s because re- cessed lighting is installed into the ceiling, meaning it does not take up any visual space in the room. That can help living rooms feel bigger. Bedroom The home improvement experts at BobVila.com note that bedroom lighting should provide enough light when getting dressed, but also be able to be toned down as resi- dents prepare for their bedtime rou- tines. Both portable and installed light- ing can be used in bedrooms to serve these various functions. Re- cessed fixtures that dim can ensure there’s ample light to get dressed in the morning, but they also can be dimmed at night as residents try to get ready to sleep. Portable nightstand lights can make it easier for couples sharing a bedroom, allowing one person to stay up and read while the other goes to sleep. Homeowners have many op- tions and many needs when choos- ing lighting for their homes. A pro- fessional consultation with a light- ing expert or interior decorator can help homeowners find lights that provide both practical and aesthetic appeal. — MC How to choose the right lighting inside your home dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 | 12 free professional buyer service: • Find out about the newest homes on the market that meet your needs • Get more informed about the specific areas and how to get the best price • Find out how to get the best mortgage rates and saving programs, plus much more - Call today!! Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated *For Dollar Volume 2017 **For Dollar Volume 2019 ***According to a study of MLS data prepared by an independent auditor for Real Estate Stats for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019. Frank leo & associates DEMAND ToRoNTo LoCATIoN Spacious 4 bedroom bungalow on a 50’ x 120’ Lot, In one of Toronto’s Most Prestigious neighbourhoods. Can Be Made Into The Ideal Family nest, Topped Up With A 2nd Storey Addition or Use It For rental Income. The Walk-out Basement. SoLD FAST FoR 105% oF ASkINg!! ANoThER SoLD CoPPER hILLS detached 4 Bdrm 2 Storey on Premium 53 Ft Lot in Sought After neighbourhood double Garage,Amazing Value & opportunity. $1,10 0 , 0 0 0 goRgEouS uNobSTRuCTED VIEW rarely offered Corner Unit, Bright And Spacious, Large Windows, Maintenance Includes all Utilities! 24/7 Concierge, Close to Major Mall, TTC at door, Subway& Major Highways. SoLD FoR ToP $$$!! PRESTIgIouS bAyVIEW gLEN!!Absolutely Spectacular Modern Masterpiece Situated on LargeEstate Lot!! nestled In A Serene Muskoka-Like Setting, This HomeFeatures over 8,000 S/F of open Living Space, Soaring Ceilings,5 Bedrooms, 7 Bathrooms, Gourmet kitchen W/Centre Island, FinishedW/o Basement, Backyard oasis W/ In-ground Pool & Much More!! $5,99 5 , 0 0 0 LAND DEVELoPMENT oPPoRTuNITy Land For Sale. 70x153’ Lot 0.248 ac. High density Area In north York. right on Main Street near TTC/Subway. Potential For Medical, office, Purpose-Built rental, Condo or Stacked Towns. Approved Projects right nearby. Last remaining Lots on designated Avenue. Call For More Info. $4,00 0 , 0 0 0 LuxuRy TRIDEL AT MoNDEo SPRINgS Spacious 1+1 Bedroom Unit, 685 sq.ft(MPAC) Walkout Balcony. Updated kitchen Counters w/ Undermount Sink, & Updated Bathroom w/ Custom Shelving. Laminate flooring throughout living area. Excellent access to Highways & Amenities. SoLD FoR ToP $$$!! hugE CuSToM buILT oN RAVINE LoT 5+3 Bedroom, 5 Bathroom House with Triple Car Garage and Long, Private drive. over 5,000 sq ft of living space, Spectacular Backyard rouge and Lake Views! 30 mins from downtown, just steps to the lake. SoLD FoR ToP $$$!! ANoThER SoLD TWo RECREATIoNAL LoTS - 114 ACRES Potential To Build Your dream Executive Estate or Weekend retreat, With Miles of Trails. Spring Trout And Fall Salmon Fishing on Graham Creek Which runs Through The Property. Wildlife Including deer, rabbit, Turkey, And Grouse. Bountiful MatureCedar Trees.SoLD FoR ToP $$$!! VACANT LoT IN DuFFERIN gRoVE Create a Unique Custom Build in Toronto’s Vibrant West End. Minutes to Bloor Street West. Large 40x70 lot. Potential opportunity to build or sever. Prime Location surrounded by million dollar homes. Unique opportunity! $1,00 0 , 0 0 0 WEST REALTY INC.,Brokerage BRokER Sponsor of Children’s Miracle Network & Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation •#1 in ToronTo (Central, East and West Combined) By Units of listings Sold For All Brokers and Sales representatives for All Companies*** •#1 rE/MAX TEAM in THE GTA** •#3 rE/MAX TEAM in CAnADA** •#7 rE/MAX TEAM WorLD WiDE** Led by the •#1 IndIvIdual Re/Max agent In the WoRld * ANoThER SoLD ATTENTIoN FIRST TIME buyERS!! Spacious & Beautifully Updated detached Home Situated In demand neighbourhood!! open Concept Layout, Hardwood Floors, Large kitchen W/Breakfast Area, Family room W/ Fireplace, Master Bedroom W/Ensuite, Finished Basement W/ kitchen, 2 Bedrooms & rec room Plus Much More!! SoLD IN 1 Wk FoR 107% oF ASkINg!! ANoThER SoLD ANo ThER SoLD ANoThER SoLD WE’RE GROWING! LookINg FoR 2 MoTIVATED LICENCED REALToRS To JoIN uS. Sky RoCkET youR CAREER AND hAVE A bETTER LIFE. go To JoINTEAMLEo.CoM 13 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m EAST ****Certain Conditions may apply. Not intended to solicit persons under contract. ReMax West Realty Inc. does not guarantee the sale of your home. Exclusively offered by Frank Leo.Copyright©2009 Frank Leo SEE MORE PHOTOS & PROPERTIES: www.GetLeo.com Call Today 416-917-LION (5466) and Start Packing! DESIRAbLE ExCLuSIVE AREA CLoSE To bLuFFS Amazing renovated 3bdrm sidesplit. Modern eat-in kitchen with s/s appliances and granite countertop. 3 bathrooms, Spacious open concept living/dining. Main flr master w/ensuite. Hardwood flrs. Large family rm w/walk-out to fully fenced yard. Finished bsmt w/rec rm + huge laundry rm. Built-in Garage. SoLd In 1 Wk For 117% oF ASkInG RAVINE LoT oVERLookINg CEDAR bRook PARk Upgraded All brick Bungalow, meticulous attention to detail in every room. Top end materials thru-out. Separate Ent/Walkout to secluded backyard. Mechanicals/ roof updated recently. Pride of ownership shines thru-out fabulous opportunity SoLD FoR 100% oF ASkINg!! ANoThER SoLD FREE CoNFIDENTIAL hoME EVALuATIoNS RARE FouRPLEx IN DAVISVILLE VILLAgE Mid-Town 5,000 Sq ft. Plus Full Basement With Potential For 2 More Units. 50x159’ Private Treed Lot. detached 4 Car Garage. This Is AnInvestor’s dream Property. 8 Bedrooms With Potential to add. Estimated$150k net income. 2 Vacant Units. Located right off Bayview Ave. SoLD IN 1 Wk FoR 115% oF ASkINg! ANoThER SoLD TRINITy bELLWooDS!! Spectacular Victorian 2 ½ Storey 10 Ft Ceilings, Spacious open concept layout. 2 Fireplaces, Gourmet kitchen, Backyard oasis, deck, Balcony & double Garage. A must see. SoLD FoR ToP $$$!! PRIME LoCATIoN IN hEART oF ToRoNTo Modern, Bright & Spacious 2 Bedroom, Corner Unit With Breathtaking Views! Massive,WrapAround 169 Sq Ft Balcony,Great For Entertaining. Parking and Locker Included. First Class Finishes Thru-out. Fantastic Amenities. never Lived In! A Must See! buNgALoW & IN-gRouND PooL detached oshawa HomeWith 3 Bdrms 2 Baths,& Separate EntranceTo Basement. Hardwood Floors on Main Level. Updates Include Bathrooms, Pot Lights, Shingles & Pool Liner. Cathedral Ceiling In Living room. Amazing neighbourhood Inside GTA. Go Station Access To downtown. Greats Schools & Large Parks $898 , 0 0 0 $600 , 0 0 0 STEPS To LAkE oNTARIo All Brick 3 Bdrm Bungalow With In-ground Pool! reverse Pie Shaped Lot only 10 minute Walk To The Water. W/o to deck and private backyard oasis. Basement with rec room and workshop. Minutes to Go Train and oshawa Valley Conservation Area. A must see! SoLD IN 1 Wk FoR 176% oF ASkINg!! RARE 3 CAR gARAgE!! Very Charming & Spacious Toronto detached 3 bdrm Home Situated on Large 30’ x 150’ Features Include Large Living & dining Areas, Wood Wainscotting & Crown Moulding, Large Bdrms, Separate Side Entrance To Basement & Much More! Fantastic opportunity SoLD IN 1 Wk FoR 138% oF ASkINg!! ANoThER SoLD ThANk you!! To ALL ouR hEALTh CARE PRoFESSIoNALS, FIRST RESPoNDERS, PhARMACy, gRoCERy, DELIVERy AND ALL ESSENTIAL WoRkERS WE APPRECIATE you!! DuRINg ThIS CoVID - 19 PANDEMIC WE WANT To SAy 3 hoMES IN oNEPerfect Multi-Generational 2 Storey,17 years new. ForThe Large GrowingFamily on 10 Acres. 9000 Sqft Above Grade! 12 Bedrooms 12 Bathroom+ 4 kitchens. Main Home 3000 Sqft 4 Bdrm 4 Bth. East Bungaloft 4 Bdrm5 Baths 3000 Sqft. West Bungaloft 4 Bdrm 4 Bth 3000 Sqft. BeautifulInground Pool. Barn With Horse Stalls. natural Pond! $3,50 0 , 0 0 0 bEAuTIFuL TREED CoRNER LoT Classic solid brick bungalow with 2 car parking. renovate or rebuild, create your dream home. Prime location,close to Subway andTTC,stroll to shops and restaurants on the danforth. Great schools, hospitals, and parks, all close by. SoLD IN 1 Wk FoR 121% oF ASkINg!! ANo ThER SoLD INCREDIbLE CoNDo VALuE Large 1390 Sq Ft Penthouse overlookingThe City! 2 Bedrooms Plus den.2 Full Bathrooms. 2 Parking And Locker Included. Very Well Managed Building With Amazing Amenities. recent renos, Turn-key Unit, Easy Access To Subway, Huge Shopping Centre & Top rated Schools. SoLD FAST FoR 105% oF ASkINg!! ANo ThER SoLD VALuE PLuS!! 3 Bedroom 2 storey in a very family friendly neighbourhood, 2 bathroom, with Cozy finished basement, freshly painted, and beautiful Tranquil backyard to enjoy. SoLD FAST FoR 100% oF ASkINg!! ANoThER SoLD RARELy oFFERED MoDEL detached 5+1 bdrm 2-Storey Home With Main Floor Master. 5 Bathrms. 3,400 Sqft Plus Fully Finished Basement. 74x132 Ft Lot.Amazing Floorplan. Lots of natural Light. Updated kitchen. Hardwood Floors Thru-out. Fantastic neighbourhood,Top rated School district In ontario. SoLD FAST FoR 103% oF ASkINg!! ANoThER SoLD FAbuLouS oPPoRTuNITy!! Elegant 2 storey classic all brick house with 4+2 bedrooms on corner lot,completely renovated kitchen with a butler pantry,formal dining and living area plus family room, finished basement and plenty of storage. SoLd FAST For 100% oF ASkInG!! ANoThER SoLD bRAND NEW LuxuRy 2 SToREyCustom-Built High Quality Home In demandToronto neighbourhood. 50’x206’Treed Private Lot. 4600 Sq ftof Immaculate design Accompanied By Premium Engineering. 4 Bdrms 5 Bthrms. Main Floor office. $$$Spent on Chef’s dream kitchen. Walk-Up Basement. Top rated Schools & Highest rated Area In TorontoFor Safety (Toronto Life) 30 Mins To downtown Via Go. SoLD FoR ToP $$$!! ANoThER SoLD ExECuTIVE 4-bED oN LARgE LoT!Backing onto Green Space on 100’ x 175’ lot, nestled In A QuietPark-Like Setting. Eat-In kitchen with Centre Island, Main Floor office, Separate dining rm W/ W/o to deck, Sunken Living rm, Cozy Family &recreation rm.SoLD FoR ToP $$$!! ANoThER SoLD ANoThER SoLD SuPPoRT LoCAL buSINESS Shop Local MUlti-Million Dollar Sell Your Home Faster and For More Money. guARANTEED hoME SELLINg SySTEM •Your Home Advertised 24 Hours a Day Until Sold • Digital Web Strategy Reaching Millions • Learn the Secrets of Selling Without Ineffective open houses • Our Team of Professionals for the Same Price As Hiring a Single broker • Get Up to $10,000 No Interest for 60 Days**** • Total Service Guarantee In Writing • Your Home Sold Guaranteed, or I’ll Buy it**** • Competitive Rates, Exceptional Service • In Depth Neighborhood Report for Each Property We Sell • Planning To Move Soon Free Consultation • Database Of Qualified Buyers ANoThER SoLD ANoThER SoLD dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 | 14 Modern 1 Level Living – NO Condo Fees! Garage Access - Hardwood Floors – Ceramics – Walk to Downtown Shops! $379,900 – $1,221/MTH** BUY BACK GUARANTEE! BUNGALOW HOMES FREE Exclusive Hot List – Must Sell Bungalows, Private Locations Under $750,000 Free List Includes Pictures, Address and Price Hot List Updates Hourly www.MattsBungalowHomes.com Your Home Sold GUARANTEED Or I’ll Buy It* No Gimmicks! For information on My Exclusive Guaranteed Sale Program, Order a FREE Report by Visiting: www.MattsGuaranteedSale.com Or Call Matt Direct: 905-440-0505 FREE Recorded Message: (Talk to No Realtor) 1-833-606-9487 ID# 4800 MATT’S BUYER PROTECTION PLAN Buy Any One of Our Listings and if YOU Are Not Satisfied in 18 Months I’LL BUY IT BACK! www.MattsBuyerPlan.com Or Call Matt Direct: 905-440-0505 FREE Recorded Message: (Talk to No Realtor) 1-833-606-9487 ID# 5800 FIRE SALE – MUST SELL BUNGALOW! Perfect For Retirees or First Time Buyers! $535,000 – $1,719/MTH** BUY BACK GUARANTEE! Brick Bungalow – 2x Garage with Entry! Stunning Open Concept – California Shutters – Quite Court! $639,900 – $2,056/MTH** OR TRADE! Unique Waterfront Retreat – Come & Relax! Exceptional Lake Views – Large Workshop – 4 Bdrm Eye Catcher! MUST SELL – LEGAL DUPLEX – GREAT CASH FLOW! Raised Bungalow – Live up & Rent Down – Huge Lot - Shared Laundry! $499,900 – $1,606/MTH** BUY BACK GUARANTEE! REDUCED! – 76 Acres of Privacy! Rolling Hills - Very Private – Creek + Barn $629,000 – $2,021/MTH** OR TRADE! Glamorous ALL Brick Bungalow – In-Law Potential! 2,400+ Sqft – High Ceilings – Quiet Street - Commuter Special! $675,000 - $2,169/MTH** OR TRADE! Perfect Country Escape – 11 Wooded & Open Acres! 3,000+ Luxurious Sq on Two Levels – W/O to Huge Deck! $988,977 - $3,177/MTH** OR TRADE! Call Kendell for more info or to view any property 905-440-0505 ACREAGE HOMES FREE Exclusive Hot List – Must Sell Homes on 2+ Acres Lots, Private Locations Under $750,000 Free List Includes Pictures, Address & Price Hot List Updates Hourly www.MattsAcreageHomes.com HOMESELLERS Find out what homes down the street sold for! Free list with pics of Durham Home Sales and Current Listings. Free recorded message (Talk to No Realtor) 1-833-606-9487 ID# 1041 or Visit: www.MattsDurhamSalesReport.com AS SEEN & HEARD ON: *Seller and Matt Cooper must agree on Price and Terms Matt Cooper, Broker Kendell Attrux, Salesperson HUMANE SOCIETY OF DURHAM REGION **MONTHLY PAYMENTS ARE BASED ON 20% DOWNPAYMENT, 1.54% INTEREST FOR 5 YEAR FIXED TERM Royal Heritage Realty Ltd., Brokerage The Matt Cooper Home Selling Team Call Matt Now and Start Packing! 905-440-0505 www.MattCooper.ca $924,900 – x-amount/month OR TRADE! Stunning Modern Bungalow – Prestigious Address! Upgraded Finishes – Open Concept – Finished Basement – Mature Lot! $749,900 - $2,409/MTH** OR TRADE! Custom Bungalow, 45 Acre Estate - Live The Dream! Organic Gardens – Keep Horses – Private Road – Low Taxes! $899,900 - $2,891/MTH** OR TRADE! 10 BEST BUYS FREE LIST with Photos of Available Properties In Your Specific Price Range and Area. FREE Recorded Message (Talk to No Realtor) 1-833-606-9487 ID# 4810 or Visit:www.10BestDurhamHomes.com MATT HAS THE BUYERS! We’ve Got Over 10,000 Buyers In Our Database Looking For A Home In Durham Region. Your Home May Already Be SOLD! Free Search and Match of Your Home to Our Buyers in Waiting! Call Matt at 905-440-0505 or Visit: www.MattHasTheBuyers.com 15 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m To get the best security bundle, call 1-855-821-2004 or visit telus.com/SmartHomeSecurity to learn more. Order now, offer ends March 1, 2021. TELUS SmartHome Security protects your territory like never before. *Customers who sign a 3 or 5 year contract for a TELUS SmartHome Security Control plus Video package receive 2 Door/Window Sensors valued at $30 each, 1 Motion sensor valued at $70, 1 Qolsys control panel valued at $495, choice of 1 camera including slimline doorbell camera valued at $230, and choice of 3 security sensors or smart devices including a smart thermostat valued at $180, a smart lock valued at $230, and a flood sensor valued at $70. Included equipment is provided to TELUS SmartHome Security customers as part of the recurring monthly rental fee. Rental equipment must be returned in good condition upon cancellation of service, otherwise the replacement cost will be charged to the account. Offer ends March 1, 2021. We’ve turned home security on its head. Monitor,secure and control right from your phone. With live video, you can answer the door and accept packages for contactless convenience. Know your doors are locked and your home is secure. Forget to lock the door? Don’t worry, you can lock your door right from your phone and even get notifications to remind you. Keep you and your home feeling cozy. The smart thermostat saves energy and money by automatically adjusting your household’s needs throughout the day. Mighty security at a friendlier price. When you sign up today, you’ll get up to $1,300 of the latest smart technology, on us.* Basil Henny of Ajax has plenty to smile about thesedays.Henny collected $100,000after winning with Instant 5X The Cash."I've been playing thelottery my whole adult life," Henny said. "This ismy first big win. I typicallyplay Lotto Max on Fridaysand Lotto 6/49 on Satur- days. If there are a few In-stant tickets left in thestore, I will buy them." Basil, a father of four,was at home on a Fridaymorning when he checkedhis tickets on the OLG Lot- tery App."I was in disbelief when Isaw how much (I) won," hesaid.The 62-year-old retireeimmediately told hisdaughter and a few close friends about his big win.Basil plans on investinghis winnings."I've always felt like a winner before winning thismoney," he added.The winning ticket wasbought at Becker's on Port Union Road in Scarbor-ough. AJAX MAN WINS $100,000 PLAYING LOTTERY NEWS Basil Henny has 100,000 reasons to be smiling these days, after he won the Instant 5X The Cash lottery game. He plans to invest his winnings. OLG photo An investigation into acrash that claimed the lifeof a Pickering man has led to charges including im-paired driving causingdeath against a motorist.Michael Heron, 63, died at the scene of a crash onCounty Road 40 in Trentonon Jan. 24, according to Quinte West OPP. Heronwas travelling alone whenhe was involved in a head-on collision with another car carrying three peoplearound 7 a.m., police said.Three other people weretaken to hospital with inju-ries ranging from minor toseriousFollowing an "exten- sive" investigation, charg-es were laid Jan. 27, policesaid. Camden Jopp, 48, ofQuinte West, is charged with impaired drivingcausing death and danger- ous driving causing death.He was due to appear inbail court Thursday, Jan. 28. SUSPECT IN AJAX WALMART CLASH BUSTED,SECOND GUN SEIZED An investigation into re-ports of a gun being drawn during an argument inAjax has led to the arrest ofan 18-year-old suspect andthe seizure of two hand-guns.Officers had already re-covered one handgun as a result of the incident,which occurred Jan. 17 at aWalmart on KingstonRoad. There was an argu- ment between two youngmen, during which a gunwas produced, Durham po- lice said.Witnesses said one ofthe men dropped a gun fol- CHARGES LAID IN TRENTON-AREA CRASH THAT KILLED PICKERING MAN SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT DURHAMREGION.COM lowing the confrontation.He picked the gun up andleft the store, police said. Officers, following upon in-formation a suspect hadfled to a nearby wooded ar-ea, conducted a search and located a handgun, but nosuspect.Durham officers work- ing with Toronto cops ar-rested a suspect Thursday,Jan. 28, and seized a secondhandgun and ammunition during a search of a resi-dence, police said.Kyren Reynolds, 18, ofNeilson Road, Toronto, fac-es weapons charges andother offences. dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 | 16 RECEIVE Take-out orders of $30 or more before tax, when paying with CASH! 10 % OFF We offer Vegetarian, Gluten-Free and Vegan dishes too! 24 Years In A Row! Eat InTake Out Catering • Fully Licensed www.mounteverestajax.ca ORDER TODAY For The BIG GAmE This Sunday! 905-686-5553 Open Tuesdays thru Sundays at 11am for Take-out and Delivery. **REGULAR MENU ALSO AVAILABLE** 611 Kingston Rd. W. In Pickering Village At Church, S. W. Corner RECEIVE Order Online Now Through INDIAN RESTAURANTBest FEELTHE LOVE IN FEBRUA RY! Durham’s Premier Retirement Lifestyle Cooking with Love Virtual Demo Thursday, February 11th, 1:00pm - 2:30pm Join us on Zoom and with Chef Robert for this deliciously easy-to-prepare recipe! Kindness and Compassion Tuesday, February 16th, 10:00am - 11:00am Join us on Zoom as Registered Psychotherapist, Mike Stroh, explores why exercising self compassion and cultivating kindness can make us feel more connected and motivated while enhancing personal wellbeing. Escape the Winter Blues Virtual Tour Thursday, February 18th – Saturday, February 20th Discover our spacious suites and modern amenities! Independent Living | Assisted Living | Respite Stays | vivalife.ca To register for these events, please contact: V!VA Pickering | (905) 831-2088 | pickering@vivalife.ca V!VA Whitby Shores | (905) 431-7410 | whitbyshores@vivalife.ca Call for piCkup Daal Roti |1450 Kingston Road (on North side at Valley Farm Rd.) Pickering (905) 420-0404 *Plus tax. Offers expire Thursday, February 11th, 2021. Butter ChiCken & riCe Bowl $999 Chana Masala & riCe Bowl $899 Call to ask about our other AWESOME dishes! OR999 Chana $8 Big g a m e S p e c i a l S ! Daal Roti an Open Letter to Govern-ment on page 2 calling on Ottawa to act quickly to ad-dress this critical issue.Without reliable, trust-ed journalism that informs you and keeps our govern-ments accountable, our de-mocracy will suffer. Newspapers across Can-ada are joining the cam-paign, which is being coor-dinated by News Media Canada, the group that rep-resents almost all news or-ganizations in the country.It costs real money to re-port trusted, fact-basednews. Unfortunately, glob-al tech giants such as Goo- gle and Facebook refuse topay a fair price for contentcreated by Canadian newsoutlets that they use. At the same time, these multinational giants drainoff more than 80 per cent ofall digital advertising reve-nue in Canada. The result is that localnewspapers across Canadahave closed in recent yearsand hundreds of journal- ists have lost their jobs.It's time for Ottawa toact. The best solution is forOttawa to follow an Aus-tralian example and adoptlegislation that allows newspapers to negotiate a fair price for use of theircontent, with massive finesif Google and Facebook re-fuse to cooperate. Importantly, no newgovernment funding, taxesor fees are required for thissolution. We encourage you toread the Open Letter onpage 2. We also encourage youto let your local MP knowyou want Ottawa to levelthe playing field. Thank you. OPINION OUR DEMOCRACY DEPENDS ON TRUSTED, RELIABLE JOURNALISM Continued from front We are launching a nationwide campaign to raise awareness that our newspapers - and our democracy - are under attack. 17 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m Orderonlineor in-storewhile quantitieslast. ChiliConCarne NachoMac&Cheese GardenSalad withLemon/LimeVinaigrette InHouseTortillaChips CinnamonAppleCrisp withHoneyNoChurnIceCream 79.99 Pickupdate: February14th A man who lost hismother to COVID-19 aftershe was transferred from hospital to the Orchard Vil-la long-term-care homewants to know how manyothers died the same way.Determined to remainindependent, Nina Wattlived in an Oshawa apart- ment after the death of herhusband. After severalfalls and a diagnosis of Par-kinson's disease, she was taken to Lakeridge HealthOshawa in the beginning of2020. "March 20, they saidshe's being moved to Or-chard Villa in Pickering,"her son Andrew Watt said, still upset by his loss ninemonths later.He had reservations due to the COVID-19 pandemic."They said everythingwould be fine," Andrewsaid. Hesitant, his motheragreed to be moved tempo-rarily and entered Orchard Villa on March 23.Emailed responses toquestions from Extendi- care and Southbridge, carepartners working togetherat Orchard Villa, said theCOVID-19 outbreak was de- clared on April 9, but thehome was in a respiratoryoutbreak as of March 31. "Admissions do not oc-cur during an outbreak,"they said. "Due to the respi-ratory outbreak, all new admissions were closed asof March 31. Only residentsreturning from hospital would have been readmit-ted during this time."Nina turned 86 onMarch 30. When Andrew called her, she said herroommate had died. An-drew called Orchard Villa to find out how, and staffrefused to divulge privateinformation. The statement from Ex-tendicare and Southbridgesaid, "Residents who test positive for COVID are co-horted, and that remainsour policy." Lakeridge Health wouldnot comment on Watt spe-cifically, but in an email,Lakeridge spokesperson Sharon Navarro said Lake-ridge Health follows allprovincial direction. Nina had also fallen,been transferred to Lake-ridge Health and returnedto Orchard Villa in that time."Ensuring the safety ofthe patient is our top prior- ity and a decision for a pa-tient to return to theirhome in a long-term care setting is done after consul-tation between the careteam and the patient, their family or power of attorneyon a case-by-case basis,"she said. On April 12, Andrew re-ceived a call telling himthat his mother had testedpositive for COVID-19. He said he was told she wasfine and being monitored.On April 15, he received a phone call saying she haddied. Her funeral was on April 24."Her hair looked like itwasn't washed for weeks," Andrew said. "It was filthy.If she saw herself, shewould be heartbroken." He said his mother hadtold him she had troublegetting help in the home. Southbridge and Exten- dicare were unable to com-ment on these claims, butsaid, "We work at all times to provide responsive,quality care to residents."Two weeks after Nina'sdeath, the military was de- ployed to Orchard Villa toassist with the outbreak.Seventy-eight Orchard Vil-la residents ended up dying of COVID-19 between thelong-term-care home(LTCH) and the attached retirement residence. "How could they let mymom get transferred therewhen within a little over a month, the army wasbrought in?" Andrew said.The rules regarding ad- missions and transfershave changed numeroustimes throughout the pan-demic. On April 16, the prov-ince directed hospitals totemporarily pause dis- charging patients to LTChomes and retirement homes. On June 10, the provincestated new admissions canoccur if the receiving home is not in a COVID-19 out-break. "The ministry contin-ues to rely on the advice of the Chief Medical Officerof Health and other publichealth experts to guide our decision-making," Minis-try of Long-Term Care(MLTC) spokesperson RobMcMahon said in an email. The latest directive, is-sued on Dec. 7, states thatwhen a home is not in out-break, admissions andtransfers of existing resi-dents back to their long-term-care home from the community or from a hos-pital can proceed undercertain conditions.The MLTC did not pro- vide information on howmany others died after be-ing transferred from hospi- tal into LTCH and contract-ing COVID-19. CLARIFI-CATION: Nina Watt wastaken to Lakeridge Health Oshawa in the beginning of2020. The original articlesaid she was taken to hospi- tal in March of 2020. Dur-hamregion.com stated themilitary was sent in lessthan a month after Watt was transferred to OrchardVilla. It was a little morethan a month.. Durhamre- gion.com regrets the er-rors. DEADLY TRIP FROM HOSPITAL TO ORCHARD VILLA Andrew Watt lost his mother, Nina Watt, to COVID-19 last spring, just weeks after she was discharged from Lakeridge Health Oshawa and transferred to Orchard Villa Long Term Care Home in Pickering. Nina Watt died at age 86 on April 15. Andrew Watt photo KRISTEN CALIS KCalis@durhamregion.com NEWS NINA WATT WAS ONLY AT THE LONG-TERM-CARE HOME FOR THREE WEEKS BEFORE DYING OF COVID-19 As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, we will be making some changes to our website and newsletter. In regards to Canada’s federal government advising against all unnecessary travel, we will not be promoting any flights, travel deals and travel packages until further notice. But, just because our travel deals have been put on hold, our team is dedicated to providing YOU, our amazing subscribers, with inspiring and informative blog content during this time! If you haven’t done so yet, please sign up for our weekly newsletter so we can keep you up to date! Stay Inside. Stay Informed. Please Visit Travelalerts.ca for fresh travel content, exclusive tips and more! dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 | 18 Toll Free 1-877-987-3964 (24 Hours) info@cremations.ca Serving All of Southern Ontario Provided by Newcastle Funeral Home Ltd www.aquamations.ca Weoffer100%onlinearrangementsforloved ones that have passed away or for those just wanting to plan ahead. This is just one of the ways we are striving to keep our families and staff safe during these difficult times. Feel free to call, email or visit our website for more information. Trevor Charbonneau Owner/Funeral Director Online Arrangements Available $1,993 Total Price Includes: Co-ordination, Documentation, Shelter, Transfer of Remains (any where in Southern Ontario), Coroner, Death Registration, Aquamation, HST. No Funeral…No Embalming…No Casket www.canadawindowsanddoors.com 905-665-1506119 Consumers Drive, Whitby .canadawindowsanddoors.com 905-665-1506 ProudlyServingDurhamSince1991 Glass and screen repairsGlass and Glass and sscreen creen repairsairsGlass and screen repairs Weekday Same Day Service Available!Weekday Same Day Service Available! Glass and screen repairs EMERGENCYGLASSSERVICES ORDERS PROCESSED IN 3 TO 7 DAYS All WindoWs And doors Are mAnufActured in-house by cAnAdA WindoWs & doors And supported locAlly by our deAlers. locally Manufactured •Custom Windows •Custom Doors •Patio Doors •Assortment of Window & Door Hardware Canada Windows & Doors Celebrate Family Day with a chance to WIN 1 of 6 prizes: • One (1) Weekend Cottage Box Deluxe! • Two (2) Mars Bio Med masks and one (1) $50 Amazon Card • One (1) month membership at Live Well Exercise! • One (1) Skip The Dishes Gift Card! • One (1) Whitby Centrum Restaurant Package • One (1) Ring Video Door Bell! Brought to you by:Earn up to 5 bonus entries by referring up to 5 friends! After entering the contest, a sharing link will be displayed.The more you share the better your chances! Visit wonderlist.ca/2021/02/familyday/for your chance to win! Construction of a new Chartwell Bal-lycliffe Long Term Care residence has be-gun on Station Street in Ajax. JUST THE FACTS •The new Ballycliffe will be home to224 residents and will have 134 privaterooms, with the remaining rooms beingsemi-private. •The building will replace the existing100-resident long-term-care home. Thenew building is expected to be completedby the spring of 2023.•The new building will be 142,000square feet and four storeys.•It's designed to the Ministry of Long- Term Care's current design standards.•The cost of the development is $65.2million. •About 200 construction and tradejobs will be created by the project, alongwith 300 permanent jobs in the communi-ty. •Chartwell has partnered with Chan-dos Construction, a builder with long-standing experience in the sector, on theproject. NEWS WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? A NEW CHARTWELL BALLYCLIFFE RESIDENCE IN AJAX Keith Gilligan/Metroland WONDERING WHAT'S GOING ON SOMEWHERE IN YOUR COMMUNITY? VISIT DURHAMREGION.COM 19 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m PR ESENTATION CENTRE 123–1355 KINGSTON RD LEARN MORE AT AMICA.CA/PICKERING CALL STEPHANIE OR RENEE AT 905-839-2323 TO SCHEDULE YOUR PRIVATE APPOINTMENT. O UR PRESENTATION CENTRE IS NOW OPEN Considering senior living, but not quite sure where to start? We’d love to meet you, virtually, to discuss what life will be like at our upcoming residence. We’re here to answer any questions you have about Amica Pickering. There's a new grant de- signed to support smallbusinesses impacted byCOVID-19 and Durham'sbusiness community hadquestions about the pro-gram.The province an- nounced details of the On-tario Small Business Sup-port Grant last month. Itwill provide between $10,000 to $20,000 to eligiblesmall business owners sothey can navigate the cur- rent COVID-19 challengesand continue serving theircommunities once the pan-demic is over. "This is a grant, so you'llnot have to pay it back;you'll just get to keep it. And it's also not really re-strictive. You can spend iton whatever you need tospend it on. Which I know is something we've heard.Everyone's been affected abit differently," said Dur- ham Member of ProvincialParliament Lindsey Parkat the Clarington Board ofTrade virtual overview of the new program.On Monday, Jan. 18,Park answered questionsfrom Durham residents about the grant. Park of-fers these three quick tipson the new support for small businesses.Question: Are newbusinesses that openedjust before the pandemic eligible?Answer: "I think youwant to encourage them to apply. If they can ask thatquestion to themselves:'Have I been restricted or had to shut down totally be- cause of being in the redzone or being in the lock-down?' We want them to ap-ply. My understanding is ... on the receiving end ofthese applications, they'renot looking for technical reasons to not give some-one money. They're tryingto flow the money to sup-port businesses at a time that there's great need."Q: Is the supportamount between $10,000to $20,000 related to howmuch revenue a businesslost?A: "Yes, that's why they're asking that ques-tion of the difference. If it'sgreater than 20 per cent loss, (and) if you have a 40per cent loss, that meansyou've lost more than$20,000; that's how you get the full $20,000. Let's sayyou lost 30 per cent, but foryour business that was on-ly $15,000, you would get the $15,000. The minimum,if you've lost 20 per cent, isyou're going to at least get $10,000."Q: What if the busi-ness revenue loss is lessthan $10,000? A: "As long as you've hadthat 20 per cent loss, you'regoing to get the minimum $10,000. So you can seewhere this is going to dis-proportionately help the smallest businesses. That's kind of the goal of the pro-gram. We've heard everyday about how Costco andWalmart are eating every- body's lunch. The point isCostco and Walmart won'tget to apply for a programlike this. This is actually meant for the smallest busi-nesses and should in someways disproportionately help the smallest business-es."Business can visitwww.cbot.ca for more in- formation on COVID-19business support programsand visit www.app.grants. gov.on.ca/msrf to apply tothe Ontario Small BusinessSupport Grant and more. 'COSTCO AND WALMART WON'T GET TO APPLY’ FOR GRANT JENNIFER O'MEARA jomeara@durham region.com Gather at 51 King St. E. in downtown Bowmanville. Many businesses have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sabrina Byrnes/Metroland BUSINESS Q AND A WITHDURHAM MPPLINDSEY PARK ONONTARIO SMALLBUSINESS GRANT Durham Member of Provincial Parliament Lindsey Park. Office of MPP Lindsey Park photo dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 | 20 Cut out paying more Your only destination for more coupons, more flyers, more savings. #SavingWithSave Get your coupon at save.ca/coupons Save $1.25 on any KIND BARK™ product (102g). Are you an internationally trained professional looking to achieve career success in Canada? Windmill Microlending and Canadian Immigrant have created “The Skilled Immigrant Career Guide” specifically for you! Providing you with the information you need to transfer your skills into the Canadian labour market and learn strategies to help you succeed in Canada! Visit CanadianImmigrant.ca/SkilledImmigrantCareerSuccess today to find all the information you need to achieve your full career potential! windmillmicrolending.org A young Pickering man who has beaten the oddsdoctors gave him as ayoung child is now creating and selling woodworkthat's growing in populari-ty. Georgios Papamanolis is 21 and was diagnosedwith autism spectrum dis-order at age six. Doctorstold his parents their sonwould likely never speak."I proved them wrong,"he said in a phone inter- view.Fast forward 15 years, inhis time off from full-timeschool and his part-time job, and Papamanolis hasbeen making charcuterie boards, Christmas decorand nifty tablet and phoneholders out of the family garage.He created these popu-lar sellers thanks to hismom, who does home workouts displayed on hertablet. "She kept on using myschool textbooks to hold (it)up," he said. "I kept on tell- ing her, 'Mom, I need mytextbooks.' She said, 'Makeme something then.'"Papamanolis took it lit- erally and made her a hold-er. His mom posted her son's work on social mediaand sales took off, even be-yond their social media cir- cle. He created Georgie'sWorkshop on Facebook inOctober, where he displayshis items. In the early days he wasselling about 10 a week, but leading up to Christmas,his orders had doubled andeven tripled. Papamanoli is attendingDurham College for car-pentry and renovation, andreally took up woodwork- ing in the past year whenhe did home renovations with his father. His grand-father was also a contrac-tor."It relaxes me," he said. "It's more like a creativepuzzle to some degree."His Christmas tree shelves became so popularthat even when he had tocut off orders, he was stillmaking them for people to display next Christmas.His favourite items tomake are charcuterie boards."It's a lot of sanding in-volved, but it's been themost rewarding," he said. The family garage is alittle tight to move aroundin, so Papamanolis hopes toopen a physical shop one day."Just believe in your-self," he said. "You can do anything, as long as youput your mind to it."Papamanolis offers de-livery and pickup. Visit his Georgie's Workshop pageon Facebook. PICKERING MAN WHO DEFIED ODDS SELLS POPULAR WOODWORK KRISTEN CALIS KCalis@durhamregion.com NEWS GEORGIOSPAPAMANOLIS, 21,OPENED FACEBOOKPAGE IN OCTOBER Jason Liebregts/Metroland Georgie Papamanolis has discovered a talent for woodworking and is selling his pieces through Facebook. His items have become popular with locals. 21 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m STEVE PAIKIN FROM TVO’S THE AGENDA Democracy is fragile.That’s the thinking behind the Toronto Star and TVO partnership, The Democracy Agenda – an in-depth look at threats facing democracy here and abroad. Tune into TVO tonight @ 8pm or 11pm ET Stream on tvo.org BESTOFTHEEF THST OEB DiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamonds EF THST OEB Diamonds EF THST OEB Diamonds EF THST OEB Diamonds EF THST OEB DiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamonds EF THST OEB Diamonds EF THST OEB Diamonds EF THST OEB Diamonds EF THST OEB DiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamondsDiamonds 2020 DUR HAMREGION’S durhamregion.com/readerschoice PICK YOUR FAVOURITE REGIONAL ‘DIAMOND’ WINNER BEFORE FEBRUARY 21ST The divisional Readers’ Choice Awards were created for you to tell us which local businesses and service providers are the best at what they do. WE WANT YOU TO TELL US WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE IN ALL OF DURHAM REGION! Starting on Monday, February 1st, visit our site to vote and help make your favourite Diamond Winner become a 2020 Durham Regional Readers’ Choice Winner! We have taken the Diamond winners in selected subcategories in the divisional Readers Choice Awards in Oshawa/Whitby, Clarington, Ajax/Pickering, Port Perry and Uxbridge. Now we want you to tell us which is your favourite in all of Durham Region! Introducing our DURHAM REGION’S READERS’ CHOICE BESTOFTHE 2020EF THST OEB DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEF THST OEB DEF THST OEB DEF THST OEB DEF THST OEB DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamondsiamonds There have been 90 CO-VID-19 outbreaks at work-places and communityevents in Durham since May 2020.The Durham RegionHealth Department recent- ly started reporting data onthese outbreaks as pres-sure increases for healthdepartments to be more transparent about how thevirus impacts workplaces. The health departmentin January said that it wasreviewing its process afterToronto announced itwould publicly name em- ployers with significantoutbreaks. Durham's new trackerlists the number of active and resolved outbreaksand organizes them by cat- egory, such as retail ormanufacturing, however,businesses are not named and there are no details onthe scope of each outbreak. As of Jan. 29, there are 13active workplace or event outbreaks in Durham. Retail settings make up26 per cent of the 90 out- breaks reported since May2020, while manufacturingand industrial settings re-present 22 per cent. Eleven per cent of out-breaks were in corporateor office settings and eightper cent were in food and beverage services. The new data shows asignificant increase in workplace and event out-breaks in Durham in thelast three months.From May 2020 to Sep- tember 2020 there were 10outbreaks total. There were seven out-breaks in October, then 22in November, 30 in Decem- ber and 21 in January. A workplace outbreak isdefined as two or more labconfirmed COVID-19 cases in a workplace within a 14-day period that have an epi-demiological link, such as the same shift. A community event out-break is three or more labconfirmed cases from at least two different house-holds within a 14-day peri-od that have an epidemio-logical link. DURHAM SEES 90 WORKPLACE, EVENT OUTBREAKS SINCE MAY JILLIAN FOLLERT jfollert@durhamregion.com NEWS SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT DURHAMREGION.COM dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 | 22 Registered Nurses, Full-time and Part-time Oak Ridges Hospice (ORH) will open this spring, offering compassionate care to people in the last stages of life in a tranquil, home-like environment. We are looking for Registered Nurses, full- time and part-time, who are dedicated to palliative and hospice care. If you are an RN seeking a career that is fulfilling and rewarding, visit our website www.oakridgeshospice.com/ careers for more information. BELL, Karen Marie July 17, 1957 - January 31, 2021 ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Karen on January 31, 2021. Karen passed peacefully at home with loved ones by her side. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 41 years, David; children: Robert (Jennifer), Jennifer (Matthew), Jason (Jenna) and Kristin; grandchildren: Ava, Jack, Sloane and Jace; parents: Otto and Gladys Lansche; sister: Janet (Alan) Bottomley; mother-in-law: Vicki Bell; brother-in-law: Stephen Bell (Terrylee Smith) as well as numerous relatives and friends both here and overseas. Because of COVID- 19 attendance restrictions, Mrs. Bell's live-streamed funeral will be held in the Chapel of McEachnie Funeral Home in Ajax, Ontario on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. Please go to her Obituary on the McEachnie Website for the link. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. Online condolences may be made at www.mceachniefuneral.ca JONES, Zaca Gail ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Zaca Gail Jones died unexpectedly, on the morning of Tuesday, January 26, 2021 with family by her side and the sun glistening through the window at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre after a long month of health complications. Beloved wife of John Jones. Loving mother of Victoria Warner. Dear daughter of Florence and the late Jiri Call. Loved sister of Franklin Call. Zaca will be missed by her family and friends. Private arrangements have been entrusted to the WAGG FUNERAL HOME, 216 Queen Street in Port Perry (905-985 2171). Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at waggfuneralhome.com SERVICING ALL CEMETERIES including Arbor, Mount Pleasant Group and Catholic cemeteries. 8 locations to serve you from North Bay to Lake Ontario. Providing Quality Granite for every budget. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ARE SET IN PLACE. APPOINTMENTS PREFERRED, MAX 4 PEOPLE AT A TIME TO INSURE PHYSICAL DISTANCING. Hours of Operation Monday to Friday 9-5 p.m. 905-427-4366 sanderson.ajax@bellnet.ca 32 Old Kingston Rd, Ajax Ajax/Pickering AREA YOUTH, ADULT CARRIERS WANTED:Paper routes available! If interested in any of the above, please contact: circulation@ durhamregion.com OR customersupport@ metroland.com Celebrate your life’s milestones with an announcement! 1-800-263-6480 or classifieds@metroland.com *Offer valid until March 31,2021 *Some restrictions apply To place your announcement or to get more information, contact us at: 50% discount on your Pleaseenter the code ANN2021 when placingyour ad online at yourclassifieds.ca Anniversary, Birth, Birthday, Engagement, Graduation and Marriage announcements Email classifieds@metroland.com or call 1-800-263-6480 There is always something to be thankful for! Say Thank YouYouY to the special person or people who made your world a little better today. Place your ad online at yourclassifieds.ca Select:Region /Publication /Announcements /Thank YouYouY Notes ToToT get 50%Discount Please Enter Coupon Code THANKYOU Thank Y o u Essential W o r k e r s Thank Y o u Grocery S t o r e C l e r k s Thank Y o u Generous N e i g h b o r s Thank Y o u Farmers Thank Y o u Truck D r i v e r s Thank Y o u Medical P r o f e s s i o n a l s ESTATE / CONTENTS SALE SERVICES! Specializing in estate sales! Also offer: downsizing and trash removal. Will buy: artwork, china, silver, jewellery, mid-century modern items, Teak, & Oriental items. For a free consultation call Hillary (416) 509-9689! HOT TUB COVERS All Custom covers. All sizes and shapes. $375+tax. Free delivery. We come and measure your tub! Pool safety covers. 905-259-4514 durhamcovers.com WE PAY $250 - $6000 for your scrap cars, SUVs, vans & trucks. Dead or Alive. Free 24/7 towing. 647-287-1704 ONLINE ONLY ESTATE AUCTION -ANTIQUES - COLLECTABLES - Beginning Friday Feb. 5 - 9am - Closing Tuesday Feb. 9 - 7pm at MCLEAN AUCTIONS, 2140 Little Britain Rd., Lindsay- selling beautiful antiques, furniture, excellent glass & china, Cranberry, Sterling Silver, jewelry, paintings, vintage toys, sports cards, Comics, records, early Can silver coins & pennies, silver dollars, some uncirculated, proof sets, paper money, stamps, antique tools, farm scale, over 1500 items, MCLEAN AUCTIONS 705-324-2783 photos/ catalogue/revised terms/ curbside pickup times at www.mcleanauctions.com EMPLOYMENT ANNOUNCEMENTSOBITUARIES MARKETPLACE Gone is the face we loved so dear, silent is the voice we loved to hear. One Degree at a Time Celebrate achievements in our Announcements section. Time may heal the broken-hearted, time may make the wound less sore; but time will never stop the longing for the loved one gone before. May the winds of love blow softly and whisper so you’ll hear; we will always love and miss you and wish that you were here. Always so good, unselfi sh and kind, none on this earth your equal I’ll fi nd. Honourable and true in all your ways, loving and faithful to the end of your days, honest and liberal, ever upright, just in your judgment, always right; loved by your friends and all whom you knew, one in a million, that person was you. 1-800-263-6480 classifieds@metroland.comCLASSIFIEDSOBITUARIES | ANNOUNCEMENTS | JOBS | MARKETPLACE GENERAL HELP SPECIAL OCCASIONS THANK YOU NOTES HEALTH CARE/ MEDICAL MERCHANDISE ARTICLES FOR SALE/WANTED COMMUNITY EVENTS AUCTIONS/SALES 23 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m Ajax Gorgeous 4+1 John Boddy Home,spectacular kitchen, 2 fireplaces, hardwood floors, finished basement, gym, heated garage, landscaped yard w/ sprinkler system close to great schools and all conveniences! Edwin Maryuen Remax Crossroads 416-723-3310 AJAX OXFORD TOWERS Spacious apartments, quiet bldg, near shopping, GO. Pool. 2-bedrooms from $1599 + parking. 3-bedrooms from $1699 + parking. Utilities included Call 905-683-5322 or 905-683-8421 835-885 OXFORD ST. 1, 2 OR 3 BEDROOMS 4576 YONGE STREET Large, renovated suites with balconies and hardwood floor, on site card operated laundry facility, vending machines, near schools and shopping; just perfect for families. 1 bd: $1,145 2 bd: $1,254 3 bd: $1,354 Parking: $50 Hydro: extra For leasing please contact Jasmin or Brean Lu at 905-240-0107 or at oxford@davpart.com ALL CITY APPLIANCES Appliances repaired professionally. 40+ years experience. Fridges, coolers, washers, dryers, stoves. Central Air Conditioning and Heating. (416) 281-3030 CONSOLIDATE YOUR DEBT HOMEEQUITYLOANS FORANYPURPOSE!! Bank turn downs,TaxTaxT or Mortgage Arrears, SelfEmployed,BadCredit,Bankruptcy.Bankruptcy.Bankruptcy No proof of income 1st,2nd, &3rd’ proof 3rd’ proof s3rd’s3rd’up to 85% $100,000 ..................$458.13/mth $200,000 ..................$916.27/mth $250,000 ................$1,145.33/mth $300,000 ................$1,374.40/mth Borrow:Payay: LARGERAMOUNTSAND COMMERCIAL FUNDSAVAVAAILABLEVAILABLEV Decreasemonthlypaymentsupto75%!!Basedon3.69%APR.OAC30yr 2ndsstartingat5.99% 705-259-3974 Ontario-Wide Financial (FSCOLicence#12456) www.ontario-widefinancial.com 1-888-307-7799 AskaboutourDon’tPayforOneYearYearY Program YOU MAY BE ENTITLED to receive up to $50,000. from the Government of Canada. All Ages & Medical Conditions Qualify. Have a child under 18 instantly receive more money. CALL ONTARIO BENEFITS 1-800-211-3550 or Send a Text Message with Your Name and Mailing Address to 613-800-6113 for your FREE benefits package. AAA AUTO SALVAGE WANTED: Cars, Trucks & Vans. 24/7. 905-431-1808. **!$$$ !AAAA! AARON & AARON Scrap Cars & Trucks Wanted. Cash paid 7/ days/ week anytime. Please call 905-426-0357. Sincon Construction & Concrete Concrete, Flag Stone, Home Renovation Waterproofing & Interlock 25 years experience Free Estimates Call 416-358-9127 MOBILE SNOW BLOWER REPAIR ** $69** Carborater Clean Out, Tune-ups, Sparkplug Check, 416-841-3808 MOVING HELP Need small moving help, Pick ups, or help with labour? Moving across the city? Need assistance with an appliance or furniture? Moving out of your college/university room? Let an experienced student- run company help you today! (647) 771-3624 MARKETPLACE HOME IMPROVEMENT Work where you live Search hundreds of local jobs Start your new life, in your new home We have buyers looking for your vehicle lease REAL ESTATE HOUSES FOR SALE APARTMENTS FOR RENT SERVICES BUSINESS SERVICES PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES WANTED/ WRECKING FENCE & DECK HOME SERVICES MOVING & STORAGE Stay Inside. Stay Informed. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, we will be making some changes to our website and newsletter. In regards to Canada’s federal government advising against all unnecessary travel, we will not be promoting any flights, travel deals and travel packages until further notice. But, just because our travel deals have been put on hold, our team is dedicated to providing YOU, our amazing subscribers, with inspiring and informative blog content during this time! If you haven’t done so yet, please sign up for our weekly newsletter so we can keep you up to date! Please Visit Travelalerts.ca for fresh travel content, exclusive tips and more! dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m Pic k e r i n g N e w s A d v e r t i s e r | P | T h u r s d a y , F e b r u a r y 4 , 2 0 2 1 | 24 At a time when over 60% of Canadians are worried that false information is being used as a weapon, now’s when trusted local reporting matters most. The Ajax Pickering News Advertiser, Brock Citizen, Northumberland News, Oshawa, Whitby and Clarington This Week, Port Perry Star and Uxbridge Times Journal speak for the community. We are local journalists, reporting and investigating stories in the neighbourhood. We bring an authentic voice to the Durham communities. And there’s nothing fake about that. Local news has a place in Durham DurhamRegion com DurhamRegion com DurhamRegioncom Choose DurhamRegion.com. Show your support and create an account at DurhamRegion.com/register CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY DurhamRegion com