FURNITURE BANK BUILDS NEW WORKSHOP PROGRAM THANKS TO GRANT FROM ONTARIO TRILLIUM FOUNDATION

Toronto, ON (May, 2015) –  Diane Sigouin Daniel with the Ontario Trillium Foundation congratulated Furniture Bank on becoming the recipient of a two-year, $169,400 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Funds will be used to formalize the charity’s latest furniture workshop program. Working with volunteer and paid instructors, the program will train participants from Furniture Bank’s Leg Up employment program in the art of furniture repair, upholstery and woodworking.

“I am delighted to have Furniture Bank as a neighbour in my riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore, tackling issues around poverty and homelessness,” says Peter Milczyn, MPP (Etobicoke--Lakeshore). “I am very excited that their new Furniture Workshop program will offer invaluable employment training, skills and supports to marginalized youth.”

In addition to giving participants an opportunity to learn additional skills, the furniture workshop will soon enable Furniture Bank to provide a repair service to damaged items of furniture, allowing the charity to redistribute even more furniture to its clients. Since 1998, Furniture Bank has diverted over 11,000 tonnes of used furniture from landfills and into the homes of individuals transitioning out of homelessness and displacement.

“Through our Leg Up employment program, we offer employment every year to over 20 socially marginalized youth, empowering program participants to pay bills, save money and identify goals beyond daily survival,” says Dan Kershaw, Furniture Bank's Executive Director. “The new furniture workshop will not only teach participants a valuable skilled trade, it enables the re-insertion of damaged pieces of furniture into our donation stream, increasing our environmental and social impact.”

About Furniture Bank: Furniture Bank has been helping people in the Greater Toronto Area establish their homes since 1998 by enabling the transfer of gently used household furnishings from donors to individuals in need. The organization operates a year-round furniture removal service – picking up furniture from donors and delivering items to clients transitioning out of homelessness or displacement. Visit furniturebank.org for more information.

About Ontario Trillium Foundation: A leading grantmaker in Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investments in community-based initiatives. An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities. 

Visit otf.ca for more information.

Live La Dolce Vita with Trafalgar’s Hot Deals to Italy this summer including Milan, Sicily and Cinque Terre

 Offering immersive guided vacations with fantastic savings of up to $1378 per couple

Travellers can reignite their passion for living with an unforgettable trip to Italy and feast on fresh food, explore magnificent architecture, indulge in incredible shopping and enjoy world-renowned wines. Trafalgar (www.trafalgar.com), the Insider of guided vacations offers 20 unique itineraries and six different trip styles to Bel Paese (the beautiful country). As the largest global tour operator year-round, Trafalgar offers the most comprehensive and in-depth trips to explore everything Italy has to offer and with our Country Explorer trip style, travellers will be able to meet locals who will share their stories, giving guests a deeper appreciation of the destination’s people and culture.

Trafalgar’s Italy Insider expert, Wolf Paunic, vice-president of sales for Trafalgar Canada has travelled to Italy more than 100 times and with each visit is still enthralled by the country’s charm and stunning beauty. With Trafalgar, we are delighted to be able to offer trips where guests can explore all aspects of Italy through our variety of programs and right now, it is a great opportunity to highlight this popular destination, especially during the high summer season.


“Italy is our number one European destination because Canadians have had a long standing love affair with this incredibly captivating place and Trafalgar reveals its iconic sites, culinary delights and wonderful locals,” says Paunic. “We are passionate about exploring the entire country and have over 25 Hot Deals to Italy between now and October so guests need to book fast as we have added capacity, but limited availability.”

WayHome partners with Taste of Toronto and Drake Hotel Properties to create ultimate summer festival experience

TORONTO, May, 2015 /CNW/ - WayHome Music and Arts is excited to announce a partnership with world-renowned restaurant festival, Taste of Toronto and Toronto-based hospitality darling, Drake Hotel Properties, for the 2015 summer music festival. Set amongst the backdrop of a beautifully restored 1920s barn beside the main stage of the festival, the WayHome Music and Arts VIP experience will feature a series of Taste of Toronto­-style mini-restaurants by the Drake Hotel, Drake One Fifty and Drake Devonshire Inn. Earlier in July, Taste of Toronto visitors will enjoy a live music stage curated by WayHome Music and Arts.

Drake will offer its foodie 'classics with a twist' to VIP guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner (and everything in between) from five different mini-restaurants: Drake Café, offering breakfast and lunch items including favourites like Drake granola and the classic Drake burger; Fish Camp, a brand-new Drake concept for summer 2015, will be popping up at all of its properties and WayHome Music and Arts, featuring seafood like fresh oysters, shrimp & grits and crispy clams; Drake Fiesta, offering made-to-order tacos, grilled corn and other Mexican-inspired dishes; Drake BBQ with grilled classics like pork ribs, chicken thighs, and all the fixings; and Drake Snacks, serving tasty treats like ice cream sandwiches and freezies. The Drake mixology team will also be on hand to shake up thoughtfully crafted cocktails and pour premium wine in festival-safe carafes for guests.

"The culinary experience is a critical component of our vision for WayHome Music and Arts so to have internationally renowned restaurant festival Taste of Toronto partner with us on our VIP experience is very exciting," said Shannon McNevan, Executive Director, Republic Live. "The Drake has long been known for delivering hospitality in the most unique and creative ways at a world class level; this was a defining factor for us when we collectively chose them for this special activation."

"We have a long history of working closely with musicians and music festivals, so the opportunity to work with both WayHome Music and Arts and Taste of Toronto to come up with a fun, creative way to give VIP guests a Drake culinary experience was a no-brainer for us," said Ted Corrado, Corporate Executive Chef, Drake Hotel Properties. "We're excited to debut delicious some new menu items to festival goers and enhance their experience at one of the coolest music festivals of the summer."
In addition to the WayHome x Taste of Toronto x Drake partnership, the music festival's VIP ticket-holders will enjoy an impressive experience including the closest stage viewing; festival boutique shopping; massage lounge; Way Beauty Bar; sneaker cleaner; photo booth; air conditioned executive washrooms and complimentary showers; cool down and refreshing stations; charging station; complimentary coffee, beverages, fresh fruit and private cash bar. The VIP area will also look and feel "like Drake" with the Drake team curating the art and décor, including several site-specific works by artists like Analog Preservation Network, Confetti System and Alicia Nauta. Other VIP conveniences include premium parking or camping located in close proximity to the main stage, expedited traffic lanes and bag checks. This summer from July 24 to 26, VIP tickets are currently available for $599.99 at www.wayhome.com/vip.
"As two of the city's most anticipated summer festivals, the WayHome x Taste of Toronto x Drake collaboration allows us to offer a first-class experience at both events," said Meghan O'Hanlon, Event Director, Taste Festivals Canada. "Bigger and better than ever in our second year, stay tuned for the full lineup of the live music stage at Taste of Toronto, curated by WayHome."
The only North American edition of the internationally celebrated Taste Festivals, the second annual Taste of Toronto festival is coming to Fort York National History Site, July 2 to 5. Ticket-holders will enjoy outstanding signature dishes from some of the city's top restaurants, including the Drake restaurants, as well as the unique opportunity to interact with local and international top chefs at live cooking classes and demonstrations, set to live music curated by WayHome Music and Arts in the background. Full music lineup to be announced soon. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit tasteoftoronto.com.

About WayHome Music and Arts
Republic Live, in collaboration with AC Entertainment, co-founders of the Bonnaroo Music Festival, will be hosting WayHome Music and Arts at Burl's Creek Event Grounds, just ten minutes north of Barrie, July 24 to 26. The festival will include headliners Neil Young + Promise of the Real, Sam Smith, Kendrick Lamar, Alt-J, Modest Mouse and Hozier with an additional 60 plus artists performing over the 3 days. The festival offers 4 stages, a variety of late-night spectacles and experiences, original art installations, fine international and local cuisine, an on-site farmers market, and more. WayHome Music and Arts will inspire fans to explore their own creativity while giving them a powerful, unforgettable, and eye opening experience using music and art as a catalyst. All ticket offerings include tent camping or parking and are on-sale exclusively at www.wayhome.com/vip.

About Taste
Taste Festivals, an IMG event, is considered the world's greatest restaurant festival. The festival concept began 12 years ago in London, England, and has rapidly grown into an international event with festivals in 22 cities around the world including Dubai, Amsterdam, Milan, Paris, Melbourne, Dublin, Sydney, and Johannesburg, to name a few. Everywhere it goes, Taste represents a gourmand's dream come true: delicious food created by the city's greatest restaurants, world famous chefs, superb drink and outstanding entertainment, set in stunning outdoor surroundings. Taste of Toronto general tickets start from $19, youth (6-15) tickets are $15 and children under 5 attend for free. VIP and Premium ticket packages are also available. To purchase tickets or for more information, sign up to receive regular Taste of Toronto updates at tasteoftoronto.com.

About Drake Hotel Properties
Drake Hotel Properties is an arts and culture-driven hospitality brand with a commitment to providing design-focused, boutique hotspots to eat, drink, sleep, shop and play. Properties include The Drake Hotel (Toronto), Drake One Fifty (Toronto), Drake Devonshire Inn (Wellington, Prince Edward County) and Drake General Stores (Toronto, Ottawa). Each property reflects its unique neighbourhood by extending Drake's celebrated cultural and hospitality mandate to welcome local and out-of-town visitors alike. For more information, visit www.thedrake.ca.
SOURCE WayHome Music and Arts

For further information:
Republic Live: Laura Kennedy, Director of Public Relations, 705.300.7734 ext. 306 or laurak@republiclive.com; Drake Hotel Properties: Abigail Van Den Broek, Senior Manager, Public Relations, 416.531.5042 x268 or abigail@thedrake.ca; Taste of Toronto: Megan Leahy, rock-it promotions, inc., 416.656.0707 ext.109 or megan@rockitpromo.com

Massage Therapy @ Body and Soul - two locations!!

http://www.bodyandsoultherapy.ca/promotions.html

Toronto Location

2195A Bloor Street West

Toronto, ON M6S 1N2

Phone: (416) 761-9000

Fax: (416) 761-9350

info@bodyandsoultherapy.ca

Etobicoke Location

1 The East Mall Cres. #201A

Etobicoke, ON M9B 6G8

Phone: (416) 237-0005

Fax: (416) 237-0006

etobicoke@bodyandsoultherapy.ca

No need for national drug plan in Canada

Focus should be on supporting individuals slipping through the cracks, not subsidizing those who don't need it By Bacchus Barua Senior Economist The Fraser Institute

Contact Bacchus VANCOUVER, BC/ Troy Media/ - Calls for a national drug insurance program, commonly referred to as Pharmacare, can regularly be found in Canada's media. While access to prescription drugs is an important component of any well-functioning healthcare system, there's little evidence that an expanded government-run single-payer program is either necessary or ideal. When it comes to concerns about access to medical goods and services, it makes sense to first examine those groups that are most vulnerable, such as low-income and chronically ill Canadians. Interestingly, a review of provincial drug programs reveals that such Canadians already have comprehensive prescription drug insurance coverage. While the levels of coverage vary by province, lower-income Canadians have access to at least catastrophic insurance for prescription drugs (limiting out-of-pocket costs to a small percentage of income), while those on social assistance have coverage at very low or zero cost. Coverage under current plans also tends to be more generous for lower-income children and seniors than for non-senior adults, particularly those without children. Faced with these realities, and limited government resources, the case for expanding public drug insurance loses steam. This is especially true when we consider the fact that middle and higher income Canadians likely have effective private insurance through employment or direct purchase. That being said, it's certainly possible that some groups of Canadians may be slipping through the cracks. In such cases, public policy should focus on identifying and supporting these individuals, instead of subsidizing those who don't need it. However, some may still point to public drug plans in other countries and say "Well, if they have it, why don't we?" Aside from the major questions of cost and efficiency, it's vital to understand how drug plans in other countries actually work. For example, take a look at Switzerland and the Netherlands - two countries with well-respected universal healthcare systems. Neither country has opted for a government-run insurance scheme for pharmaceuticals (or, incidentally, for healthcare in general). Instead, they both provide universal access for all healthcare services (including pharmaceuticals) through private insurers in schemes which involve health insurance premiums as well as some cost-sharing in the form of co-payments or deductibles. Low-income citizens and those exposed to high drug costs still have access to pharmaceuticals, however, through premium discounts, cost-sharing exemptions, and other public-safety nets. So, while there is merit in pursuing policies to expand access to those legitimately in need, the Dutch and Swiss models demonstrate that several avenues exist between a government-run single-payer program and the current decentralized approach in Canada. Importantly, before we get into hypothetical estimates of how much a national drug insurance system will cost, it's critical to understand the status of current coverage already available to low-income Canadians. If, as research suggests, these groups are already well covered, we should focus on whether further expansion of government drug coverage to all Canadians (whether they need it or not) would be a sound use of taxpayer dollars. As with the case of surgery, this is likely a situation where it's prudent to use a scalpel instead of a baseball bat. Bacchus Barua is a senior economist in the Fraser Institute's Centre for Health Policy Studies.

Troy Media Marketplace © 2015 - All Rights Reserved

Sherway Farmer's Market

Every Friday - 8 am to 2 pm

FURNITURE BANK TO BENEFIT FROM LIFT PHILANTHROPY PARTNERS’ INVESTMENT

For Immediate Release Venture Philanthropy approach will help grow social enterprise Toronto, ON (May, 2015) –- Furniture Bank today announced that it has received an agreement for significant support from venture philanthropy organization LIFT Philanthropy Partners. LIFT will focus on helping the charity increase revenue from its social enterprise and identifying other revenue opportunities. Over an 18-month period, LIFT will provide a combination of management support, business expertise from its extensive partner network and other resources to help build Furniture Bank’s capacity and scale its programs for greater impact. Increasing revenue will enable Furniture Bank to expand its employment program, which provides work experience, life and skills training, and employment opportunities in the charity’s operations to youth, newcomers to Canada and other individuals facing barriers to employment. The creation of new job opportunities makes Furniture Bank a strategic fit for LIFT, whose portfolio is focused on social purpose organizations tackling skills development and employment for people facing barriers to employment, in addition to health and education issues. - “Furniture Bank is doing transformative work with vulnerable populations in the Toronto area,” says Bruce Dewar, President and CEO of LIFT. “We believe we can help position them for even greater financial success and sustainability, so that they can increase their impact on both individual lives and the community as a whole.” - “The time is right for all Canadians to realize they can play a role in helping to alleviate homelessness. It’s our goal that when people buy new furniture, they call us to remove the used furniture and distribute it to the tens of thousands who need it,” says Dan Kershaw, Furniture Bank Executive Director. “We think working with LIFT can be a game changer, helping us scale our social enterprise and charity across Canada and allowing us to achieve the full meaning of our mission of helping people permanently get off the floor.” About Furniture Bank: Furniture Bank has been helping people in the Greater Toronto Area establish their homes since 1998 by enabling the transfer of gently used household furnishings from donors to families and individuals in need. The organization operates a large furniture removal service in the community year-round - picking up furniture from donors and delivering items to clients to establish their new homes. Visit furniturebank.org for more information. About LIFT Philanthropy Partners: LIFT invests in not-for-profits, social enterprises and other organizations with proven results addressing health, skills development, education and employment in Canada. It provides hands-on management and pro bono contributions from its national network of business experts to help social purpose organizations to build capacity and scale their programs, so they can help more vulnerable and at-risk Canadians. Visit liftpartners.ca for more information. Media Contacts: Lisa Dooling Dan Kershaw Director, Communications Executive Director LIFT Furniture Bank 778-327-5170 (office) 416-934-1229 (ext. 720) (office) 778-840-5170 (cell) 905-806-8246 (cell) ldooling@liftpartners.ca dan.kershaw@furniturebank.org

Cleansing Juice

INDERMICA At NuSkin+ Estetika

INDERMICA At NuSkin+ Estetika

http://www.nuskinplus.ca/
4129 Dundas Street West | Etobicoke,  (416) 207-0320 
 info@nuskinplus.ca

Etobicoke ~ Hair Trend

416-233-1781



Hair Trend for Complete Hair Care Services and Products
 3854 Bloor Street West, Etobicoke, M9B 1L1
Just west of Kipling on the north side.

  3854 Bloor Street West,
Etobicoke,  M9B 1L1

416-233-1781

Montgomery’s Inn Farmers Market

Every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Buy direct form local farmers and food artisans. Organic fruit and vegetables, cheese, bread and prepared foods as well as ethically raised meat, honey and more! Free.

Mark your Calendar

Basic Greens- Green Smoothies

Give Your Mother the Gift of Pain Relief!

There is no limit to the number of gifts you can give, so why not surprise your mother, grandma, your special aunt, or any other precious person in your life with the most thoughtful gift ever: The Gift of Pain Relief -Topricin! 30% OFF Special Offer TO ORDER USE PROMOCODE: BESTMOM30 Offer Expires May 11th, 2015 Made in the U.S.A, Topricin Pain Relief and Healing Products Offer Safe, Effective, and Ideal Pain Relief for Moms' Aches and Pains! Pains & Muscle Cramps of the Back, Neck, Shoulder, Legs, Hands & Feet First Aid for Simple Trauma (Bug Bites, Bruises, Minor Burns, Cuts, Strains, Poison Ivy) Arthritis and other Joint Pain  Moms are special....and they deserve special treatment. Gift her with Topricin, and she'll thank you all year long!

Mandarin MS Walk

WHO: Over 14,000 participants will come together to celebrate a future  free of multiple sclerosis at Mandarin MS Walk events across Ontario in 2015. WHAT: The Mandarin MS Walk is a family oriented, community-supported event that raises funds in support of ending MS. Participants can choose from varying route lengths, including a wheelchair accessible route for participants using mobility aids. More information is available online at: mswalks.ca/ontario WHEN: Sunday, May 3, 2015; check-in and start times vary by site WHERE: Various locations The Mandarin MS Walk takes place in 57 communities across Ontario - with 44 events taking place on Sunday, May 3, and the remainder on April 26, May 24 or May 31. For a complete list of events, please visit mswalks.ca/ontario. WHY: Funds raised from the Mandarin MS Walk support innovative r esearch into the cause, treatment and cure of MS as well as  valuable services and programs for Canadians affected by MS.   PHOTOS: - Spokespeople and participants who live with or are directly affected by MS - Teams consisting of family, friends and co-workers walking together - Homemade banners and outfits in support of loved-ones living with MS - Energetic start/finish lines with a wide variety of community-driven activities CONTACT: Lindsay Gulin, MS Society of Canada 1-800-268-7582 ext. 3245 Lindsay.gulin@mssociety.ca

© 2015    500 - 250 Dundas Street West Toronto, Ontario M5T 2Z5 Toll-free to reach your nearest MS Society office: 1-800-268-7582