OTHER COLUMNISTS

By Lauren Walker What a lot of work and time spent! For the second year in a row, I helped to organize the Oshawa Artist Association Juried show at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery. What is a Juried Art show? For those of you unfamiliar with a Juried Art Show, it is when artists submit their work to a gallery for judging by a selected pair or individual. These judges are reputable and professionals in their field. If your work is selected, it will be included in an exhibition at

LAUREN WALKER Special to The Standard Let's take a closer look at how our emotions and physical health are connected and how we can improve that connection. Let's dive into some healthy habits. Whether it's taking a half hour to go for a walk, taking an art course or meditation. An activity that allows you to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with yourself. Exercise You knew I'd get here sooner or later. Movement is a natural high which releases happy hormones i

TINA Y. GERBER-MCCURLEY Special to The Standard I have said this many times, God didn't promise you a life without pain, struggle or hardships. He did, however, promise to give you strength to get through it. It is important to keep those parts working properly by remaining active. Keeping body parts active as you age is essential to maintaining your independence, helping to reduce pain, and preventing further injuries. Since my visit to the hospital, last December, I will ad

by Lauren Walker My favourite go to snack is apples dipped in peanut butter. I don't mind bruises on my apples, I'll happily gobble them down any time. They may be flawed on the outside but just as sweet on the inside. The so called 'imperfections' on the outside can effect how we see ourselves and effect our physical wellness. Let's look into the mind and body connection. Emotional Wellness - There are those who find it difficult to make meaningful change because of unresolv

by Tina Y. Gerber - McCurley Every generation has its own battles; our parents and grandparents went through war, famine, and grew up in the middle of a worldwide economic meltdown. They struggled with high costs, job insecurity, and political conflicts. Things have not changed, and many are still overwhelmed today, as most media wants to keep us scared and agitated. Sometimes, life doesn't make sense. There are moments when the path ahead feels uncertain. Faith means believi

by Shawn Lackie “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Dickens wrote this in A Tale Of Two Cities, in 1859, but it could have been written yesterday. Need proof? Take a wander through any of the social media sites and check out the finger pointing and name calling. It is astounding; and a huge amount of the bitterness is around political beliefs. Even the Winter Olympics couldn’t escape the wrath of the political effect. The great divide comes from whether you

By Shawn Lackie Over the last 22 years, I have had more than a few clients looking to buy a new (to them) home. Some have been easy to please. Some not so much. But for the most part, it was an enriching and rewarding process. I take great pride in matching the right buyer with the right house. That’s not always easy. In fact, it is seldom easy, for a myriad of reasons. Wrong size home. Wrong size lot. Don’t like the area. Needs too much work. Why is that street light there?

by Lauren Walker "Whether you are a beginner or seasoned artist, don't make the same mistakes many artists make. It's imperative to keep your skills sharp and know how to value your work. 1) Never Under Value Your Work I start with an hourly rate, and price my work based on that. I take in to account my time, effort, and materials. Your hourly rate should reflect your skill level. Price per hour × hours to complete painting, + materials, + travel time (if required for materia

by Shawn Lackie In one of my previous missives, I talked about having crazy neighbours and ended the piece by mentioning we were fortunate to have neighbours like Ross and Debbie, who weren’t afraid to help out. That means a lot. One of the big things about Port Perry has always been that the town is home to a great number of people who genuinely care. For the welfare of the community, the buildings, the environment and the people who inhabit the area. Take a look around at w