Behind the Scene: The GIANT is Coming!

This Saturday, May 28th the Brant United Way will be hosting their 14th Annual Giant Warehouse Sale at the Lions Park Arena. Each year the event offers community members a chance to stock up on lots of items, save some money on their shopping, and help raise some much needed funds for the Brant United Way.

On Tuesday, May 24th, I had the chance to look Behind the Scene at this fun event and check out all the items available for sale. Brant United Way’s Executive Director, Sherry Haines, took me on a tour of the arena to see all the items. For those of you who haven’t had the experience of going to the sale, it’s quite a sight to see all the boxes and tables on display.

This year, the Brant United Way was very grateful to receive 316 skids of items, which is up from 203 skids last year. As Sherry and I moved from the so-called candle land, to laundry land, and then into shampoo land, it was clear to see they had lots to offer. From toilet paper and razors to games and pet supplies, there was something there for everyone in the family.

One of the big differences to this year’s event will be the wristband policy. In order to save people from standing in line, Brant United Way staff and volunteers will be giving people specifically numbered wristbands so that they can return in groups of 100 without waiting for so long. People are asked to check the Brant United Way’s Facebook and Twitter pages for updates during the day. People can also get their wristbands anytime starting on Friday at 6pm until Saturday at 3pm.

Sherry and the Brant United Way are also very grateful to everyone who has supported them again this year. This event can’t run without the support from donors, sponsors, and over 400 volunteers. This year, the Brant United Way hopes to break last year’s total of $165,000 raised and has set a goal of $170,000. But seeing all the support and items around the arena, they’re hoping they can reach $200,000!

Make sure to Be Seen supporting the Brant United Way while shopping for your favourite items this Saturday at the Giant Warehouse Sale!

Submitted by: Jason Freeze

Brantford Food Bank Golf Tournament A Huge Success

We took a swing and soared straight down the fairway! TheBrantford Food Bank held their 10th annual Drive to Survive Golf Tournament on Friday, May 20th. It was smooth sailing all day long: beautiful weather, energetic teams, exciting contests, and a giving spirit overall.

This year’s tournament raised just over $17,500 and 436 pounds of food to support the services of the Brantford Food Bank. This contribution makes an incredible difference! It positively impacts their services and clients alike.

Every weekday throughout the year, the food bank is open to the public to provide an emergency food hamper of two to three days worth of food. The food bank serves 1,200 households in Brantford and area each month. That’s 2,650 people, 35 percent of which are children.

Many people don’t realize the bravery it takes for someone to walk in to the food bank, and tell them they cannot feed themselves or their family. It takes a tremendous amount of courage for anyone to admit that they need help. The funds raised at this annual golf tournament make certain that the food bank is available when someone takes that humbling step.

The tournament’s success year after year can only happen with the support of the community, sponsors, participants and volunteers. Every swing helped feed those who need it most. Thanks to this year’s major sponsors: Charles Jones Industrial and Millards. This tournament helps ensure that people have nutritious meals to feed their families, support through difficult times, and hope for the future.

Submitted by: The Brantford Food Bank

Photography: Dean Ellis of DellisartPhotographix
&
Ida Adamowicz of Wonderful Ida

BScene by Dean: Friday Night Comedy at the Rose & Thistle

The night was billed as a Comedy Roast Battle, something new to the Brantford area. Well it started out that way but then it began to mutate into something different. It’s hard to describe what was going on but it was pure entertainment for everyone present.

First little oddity was when an audience member ended up doing a bit of ‘roast battle’ with the host Chris Jarvie and they were quite good together. The next ‘thing’ was a comedian on stage to do battle but his opponent wasn’t there so he just did some stand-up until the missing combatant walk in the door and joined in the festivities on stage. The final pair to ‘get it on’ for us got so caught up in what they were doing there was just no stopping the avalanche of verbal stabs and jabs that were coming out of them. There was no way to decide who was the winner here except for us the audience, because the ‘battle’ between these to comedic veterans then morphed into the final act of ‘Tag Team Comedy’ that had everyone in stitches.

There was no true winner in the battle tonight but it sure was something to experience anyway.

Make sure to Be Seen at The Rose And Thistle for some great food and even greater laughs!

Submitted by: Dean Ellis
To see more of his work, please visit:https://www.facebook.com/DellisartPhotographix/?fref=ts

Alex Iarocci at Starving Artist – May 20th

Alex Iarocci thrilled the audience at the Starving Artist Gallery Cafe on Friday, May 20th with his performance. He performed his rendition of Pinball Wizard, by The Who, and various Beatles songs. The place was rocking and it was a#BRANTastic night!

Make sure to Be Seen at the Starving Artist enjoying the local art and performances happening every week!

Photography by: Belinda J. Clements
To see more of her work, please visit: Belinda J. Clements Photography

The Station Coffee House and Gallery Presents: Thursday Night Comedy

The Station Coffee House And Gallery House hosted their famous Thursday Night Comedy night on Thursday, May 19th. It was a supportive environment, filled with lots of laughs. Comedy at The Station has been an ongoing event for close to three years. It has been a place for many hilarious comedians to perform and interact with the locals. The host of the night, Michael Moses, engaged the audience by relating to many of the people in the crowd. The outstanding comedians of the night were Michael Moses, Mike Mitchell, Josh Kemp, Manolis Zontanos, Chris Jarvie, Jason Rouse, and Joelle Bolton-South. The performers all had different comedic styles which kept the evening exciting and fun. The comedians were all very happy to be doing what they love at The Station, and the audience received that well. It was great to see the local people, supporting local comedians, at The Station. The Station will be celebrate their last Thursday Night Comedy event on Thursday, May 26th so I hope you’ll Be Seen!

The Station Coffee House and Gallery was the first place that many comedians performed so the comedy nights will be greatly missed. Come out and support them on Thursday; to give them one last hurrah!

Submitted by: Valerie Sawicki
Photography: Dean Ellis

To see more of Dean’s work please visit: DellisartPhotographix

BScene by Dean: LAUGHING OUT LOUD AT THE Starving Artist Gallery Cafe.

Submitted by: Dean Ellis

To see more of his work please visit: DellisartPhotographix

Behind the Scene – Dream Healing

Located at 189 Erie Ave is Dream Healing. Family owned and operated, this ‘gem’ sells all sorts of incredible items of interest. From gem bracelets and necklaces to salt lamps and soapstone carvings, we’re certain you’ll find something you’d like to take home. Recently relocated, the new location is cozy and has a great vibe. Staff are friendly and excited to have you visit, so the next time you’re in Eagle Place make sure to Be Seen at Dream Healing.

JCI Brantford Partners with Junior Achievement – Company Program Returns to Brantford

JCI Brantford‘s mission is to “empower young people to create positive change,” so it doesn’t stop with local projects. Once a need has been assessed in a local community, it is often partnerships with other community organizations that make lasting sustainable change in a community. When we found a need in the Brantford community for more positive learning opportunities for youth, JCI Brantford member Aaron De Mille was reminded of the impact that Junior Achievement (JA) had on his life and picked up the phone. Little did he know that JA was already looking for opportunities to expand their programming to Brantford and South-Western Ontario. A perfect match echoed by the enthusiasm of Junior Achievement of Waterloo Region President and CEO, Karen Gallant.

It wasn’t long after that call that a committee was formed in JCI Brantford and Karen was invited to present the Company Program to JCI members at their April 6th General Members’ meeting. Karen Gallant, the President of JA Waterloo is an amazing presenter with professional experience at the business incubator, Communitech based in waterloo. Karen shared some of the amazing points of impact that the Company Program makes around the world, some especially interesting facts are highlighted below:

75% percent of Achievers stated that JA has had a significant impact in the development of their financial literacy and decision-making skills. JA inspires students to stay in school and prepares them to succeed in tomorrow’s jobs. Through our programs, students learn how to translate their interests and skills into successful careers. They also develop practical job skills in such as interviewing, communications and critical thinking.

65% of Achievers stated that JA has had a significant impact on their decisions to stay in school and enroll in post-secondary education. Graduates from JA programs save more and borrow less than the average Canadian. In our financial literacy programs, students learn how to create and manage wealth. They develop real-world skills that they can apply to their lives immediately – such as budgeting, investing and aligning their financial choices with their goals.

JA graduates are 50% more likely to open a business. JA graduates are more likely to launch businesses and create jobs. Through our entrepreneurship programs, students gain firsthand experience in running a business. They work with mentors from their local business communities to create strategies and manage companies. Many business leaders cite JA’s Company Program as the catalyst that gave them the ambition to launch a business and the skills to do so successfully.

So what is the Company Program? (From the JA Waterloo Website)

The after-school Company Program is designed to help young people appreciate and better understand the role of business in our society. With the support and guidance of local business professionals high school students get the opportunity to build their own business enterprise.

While operating their business, Achievers will have the opportunity to:
Incorporate and capitalize by selling shares
Organize a Board of Directors and elect a management team
Produce and market a product or a service
Establish production and sales goals for their company, and monitor progress toward goals at regular company meetings
Maintain and analyze financial records
Compile an annual report for shareholders, pay a dividend and liquidate the business
Through this after-school Company Program Junior Achievement of Waterloo Region seeks to:
Link students with mentor Advisors in the form of volunteers from our community who are knowledgeable about business operation and may be working local businesses or operating their own.
Oversee the integrity of the ventures through robust policies
Ensure the safety of products and services
Develop lasting relationships that bring students, mentors, and the business community together for mutual benefit.

JCI is already forging partnerships with the Grand Erie District School Board and the City of Brantford to bring the JA Company Program back to Brantford. For more information, contact member Aaron De Mille who is leading the JCI efforts relating to this innitiative.

BScene by Dean: Comedy Car Crash – May 17th

Make sure to Be Seen at Club NV – Brantford – ON for their Comedy Car Crash events and some great laughs.

Photography by: Dean Ellis
To see more of his work, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/DellisartPhotographix/?fref=ts

BScene by Dean: The Comic Strippers @ The Sanderson Centre May 12, 2016

This one was for the ladies in the house and they knew it. The laughter started about 30 seconds after the introduction was made and these gentlemen (all named Chip) bounced on stage and it never really stopped until the show was finished. These gents were entertainment pure and simple and the ‘volunteers’ were having as much fun as the audience. Strippers are not really ‘my thing’ but these guys were pure slapstick fun and I found myself having to re shoot because I was laughing too much to get a clear image of the action, I think my fellow shootist Luvern was having the same problem at times as well.

I know I said strippers were not my thing, but I would watch this show again because it was just plain fun. Ladies, next time you hear about these guys, get out there and go see them as well, I think you’ll like them and their antics on and off stage.

Submitted by: Dean Ellis

To see more of his work please visit: DellisartPhotographix