Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Searching For A Multicultural Hero

The Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County is now accepting nominations for the annual Herb Gray Harmony Award. The Herb Gray Harmony Award honours individuals and/or organizations whose efforts support and encourage a harmonious society.


This year’s deadline for nomination is Friday, January 14, 2011 by 5 pm.

If you know an individual, a business or an agency in our community who contributes to the spirit of multiculturalism, the Herb Gray Harmony Award is an excellent opportunity for recognition.

The nomination form is attached and a writeable version can also be found on the MCC’s website: http://www.themcc.com/events/HGnomination.php

The Harmony award, along with the Champion Award which celebrates the significant contributions first generation Canadians make to our community, will be presented at the 9th Annual Herb Gray Award Gala on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the Ciociaro Club.

Please contact Laura Peters, Special Events Coordinator

Tel: 519.255.1127 ext. 191 l
lpeters@themcc.com if you have any questions!



by Deborah Jones Publisher Biz X Magazine

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Advice on Potential Travel Fees to Expect

by Deborah Jones Publisher
Biz X Magazine


Southfield, MI – Forty-two percent of Americans plan to travel for the holidays this year according to a survey conducted by the world’s largest travel site, TripAdvisor. Based on recent survey results, TripAdvisor projects that among those traveling between the Christmas and New Year holidays this year, 22 percent will spend more than $2,000 on their travel expenses alone. In 2009, AAA estimated that 87.7 million Americans traveled more than 50 miles over the holidays.

To help travelers prepare for expenses and prevent last-minute surprises, BBB recommends that consumers review the list of travel-related businesses below that may charge additional fees. In addition, to confirm whether or not a travel product or service company is trustworthy, BBB offers consumers a mobile website with online business reviews at: m.bbb.org.

BBB recommends that consumers prepare for potential extra travel fees from the following types of businesses:

Airlines
Bag fees: Some airlines charge to check bags, so carry on one bag to cut down on this expense. Keep in mind that even if bag check-in is free, if your bag is over 50 pounds, you could still be charged an overweight fee.

Pet fees: Most airlines will accept pets if they are kenneled, but there is a charge of around $100. If you want your pet in the cabin with you, make a reservation, because generally, there is a limit on how many animals can be in cabin on a single flight.

Ticket changes: Plans can change, but keep in mind that your travel cost was determined by your original departure and arrival times. Changing these can cause you to pay more, especially during the holiday travel season.

Airport food and beverage vendors:
As flights are often delayed or canceled at the last moment, consumers should be prepared to purchase food and beverages as needed from the airport vendors. Bring a backpack with extra clothes and snacks to prevent additional expenses.


Hotels
Room Service: It is convenient, but if you can avoid ordering room service, it could save you a few dollars compared to eating out or packing something you can heat in your room.

Telephone and Internet Usage: Use your cell phone to make calls and check your hotel agreement before plugging into an Internet connection or accessing a wireless network. Sometimes fees for Internet access are billed by the day or by the hour.


Vehicle Rental Companies
Additional Drivers: You have to let the rental company know who will be driving the vehicle, but they may charge to have extra drivers on the rental agreement.

Fuel Fee: Most companies ask you to return their vehicle with a full tank of gas, or at the level it was before you left their lot. If you fail to do so, you may be charged later, and perhaps more for the inconvenience, when the company has to fill up the tank.

GPS and Car Seats: Even if your rental car comes equipped with GPS, you may be charged extra to use it. The same goes for child safety seats if you are traveling with young children. Make sure to ask the company about these fees before you begin your road trip.


Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Seniors' Gift Wish List Includes The Practical & The Unique

The holiday season is upon us...Our blogs offer some tips to stay safe, what's going on at the Devonshire Mall and also shopping for seniors (yours truly here!)

When shopping for a senior this holiday season, whether it is your parent, grandparent or neighbour, your gift will be a success if you purchase something practical or unique for your loved one. Some seniors have very specific gift requests.

“While socks and pyjamas tend to be the old mainstays, we work with seniors and their families all the time, and know that many seniors have special needs,” says Colleen Jershy of Home Instead Senior Care®. Home Instead Senior Care provides home care and companionship services for seniors in their home and in care facilities, and has 29 locations across Canada.

An analysis of thousands of senior gift requests conducted by the Home Instead Senior Care network reveals that the most popular holiday wishes of older adults are items such as blankets, slippers, pyjamas, and robes. You also can’t go wrong with food or homemade gifts, such as cards or holiday ornaments.

Be a Santa to a Senior®, the popular campaign that Home Instead Senior Care started seven years ago, has delivered 1.2 million gifts to 700,000 deserving seniors throughout North America. The campaign is gearing up again this holiday season and it is coming at a time when seniors need more of the bare necessities to get by.

Home Instead Senior Care makes Be a Santa to a Senior a reality by partnering with local retailers, non-profit agencies and volunteers from the community to ensure that isolated and less-fortunate seniors receive gifts and companionship during the holiday season.

“People naturally think of kids during the holiday season, but it’s easy to forget about seniors, some of whom can be lonely and isolated, and with no family members.” says Jershy. “Many seniors aren’t as mobile or nimble as they used to be, and find it difficult getting around in their own home or doing things in the kitchen. And then others have issues with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. For them, good gifts would be such things as hand-held electric can openers, neck pillows, and a wide variety of mind games to keep those brain cells active – video games, word puzzles, jigsaws, and memory games.”

Jershy is collecting names of seniors in the Windsor area and Essex County who are alone and otherwise unable to exchange gifts with friends and loved ones during the holiday season. She hopes to collect and distribute gifts on these seniors wish lists before Christmas.

“Seniors shouldn’t be alone at any time of year, but especially during the holidays,” adds Jershy. “Gifts that accomplish more than one action – such as a gift card to a restaurant that provides not only a meal but an excuse to go out – will benefit your loved ones in a big way.”

While seniors’ needs for the basics have increased this year, so has the generosity of those who are giving gifts to older adults, according to the Home Instead Senior Care analysis.

Although seniors may not openly admit, some prefer to receive unique gifts that they would otherwise not receive during the year instead of the practical necessities. Gifts seniors may want include items such as large-button phones, favourite perfumes or gift certificates for personal care such as a relaxation massage.

In Canada, there are 29 independently owned Home Instead Senior Care offices, including the one in Windsor-Essex. Services include companionship, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and escorts for errands and shopping. Home Instead Senior Care services are available at home or in care facilities from a few hours per week up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Thank you to Home Instead Windsor for collecting gifts for seniors--the community appreciates all you do!


by Deborah Jones Publisher Biz X Magazine