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Mark Guslits: Bringing affordable housing to Canada
By GERRY POSNER The Guslits name in Winnipeg is widely known. Just scratch a little and you will strike a Guslits descendent. One such Gusilts is none other then Mark Guslits, son of Max and Shirley (Shapera). Born in 1946, raised initially on Atlantic Avenue in Winnipeg’s north end and later on Montrose Street in River Heights, Mark is now old enough to recall when Montrose had newly planted trees, no lawns and milk delivered by horse and cart, but he’s still young enough to own a farm and work with his wife on it in Picton, Ontario. To get there, however, there were a few stops along the way.
Mark grew up in what might be called blessed times and had a group of good friends including: David Cherniack, Joel Greenberg, Morey Bubis, Cliff Corman, Richard Gurevich, Mark Schacter, Joey Hershfield and later, also Don Aronovitch and Brian Morris. He attended Montrose, Robert H. Smith, River Heights and Grant Park Schools before entering the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba in 1964. As he put it, he barely “looked up” until he graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. Included in those six years was time off for travel in Europe and North Africa and work in the UK in the architect’s department of Guinness Brewery. Upon graduation, Mark moved back to England where he had more work with Guinness followed by a few years with a large London based architectural firm where he had the chance to work on the England/France Chunnel as well as Terminal 3 at Heathrow and a a large redevelopment project in Dubai. There are few Winnipeggers (as in none) who can make that statement. But likely the most significant event to occur to Mark during his England days was that he met his soon to be wife, also a Winnipegger – Carolyn Lecker(of the luminous Lecker family). They just celebrated 51 years of marriage.
In 1972, after their marriage, Mark and Carolyn moved to Vancouver and, once there, Carolyn opened a dance studio and Mark joined an architecture firm by the name of Sankey and Associates. That lasted until 1976 when the couple made the decision to return to Winnipeg. Mark joined with a former classmate of his, Eric Barker, to establish a firm called Barker and Guslits. They focussed on low income housing for the Manitoba provincial government. That focus became an integral part of Mark’s career, only in a different location. In Winnipeg, Mark and Carolyn became parents of their daughter Danielle, and not long after her birth, the family moved to Toronto where Mark began work with Harbourfront Cor-poration. Also at Harbourfront was another former Winnipegger, architect and schoolmate: Howard Cohen. Still committed to affordable housing, Mark soon joined a company called Lantana Non-Profit Homes, where he helped dozens of non-profit groups form housing co-ops. Then, in 1986, Mark teamed up with Mitchell Cohen, formerly from Regina, and Mark became a partner in the Daniels Group. This company was soon to become the largest private sector developer of affordable housing in Canada. The company was thriving until Mike Harris became Premier of Ontario and immediately stopped all social housing in the Province of Ontario.
Mark moved to the City of Toronto in 1997 to become head of housing for the City of Toronto. With his team, he built thousands of new affordable housing units. It seemed like a natural step then in 2002 for Mark to join the newly formed Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) as the Chief Development Officer. Five years later, the first phase of the 70 acre redevelopment of an inner city community known as Regent Park was completed and Mark returned to his first love, architecture, when he joined the Toronto office of HOK, a large US-based firm where he led a group responsible for the development of the Athlete’s Village for the 2015 Toronto Pan AM Summer Games.
For a large part of his career, Mark also was a teacher, first at was then Ryerson Polytechnic, later at George Brown College, and for the last eight years, at the University of Toronto – always focused on the theme of affordable housing and equable cities. This clearly is an area where Canada still struggles, and Mark was right in the mix in an area which cries out for help to this day. Guslits also consulted internationally on affordable housing in the UK, Ireland and South Africa. And, all the while, Mark Guslits has done it while dealing with mobility challenges resulting from his bout with childhood polio in Winnipeg in 1953 and a serious car accident in 1965. He walks with a limp and uses a cane now, but he still manages to scare his family daily using his electric mountain bike and scooter on the busy Toronto streets and back roads of Prince Edward County.
Mark (now semi retired) and Carolyn still retain an apartment in Toronto, but they live for the most part in Prince Edward County, 3 hours east of Toronto, where Carolyn tends to 23 beautiful gardens, also where she conducts workshops and holds concerts and art shows. They now have two grandchildren, Molly, 12, ands Zoey, 8, who live not far away with Mark and Carolyn’s daughter Danielle and son-in-law Dave. Mark and Carolyn are quite the package in the county, I say, and if you don’t believe me, come and check them out for yourself in person or on the web at wwwblackwalnutgardens.ca
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BOOK REVIEW: “Fighting the Hate: A Handbook for Jews Under Siege”
Reviewed by MURRAY BENDER “Thinking on your feet”—quickly defending a position in a coherent, persuasive manner—is a situation that many people find challenging and stressful. “If only I had said this.” or “Why didn’t I say that?” Hindsight is always 20-20.
Following the Hamas atrocities of October 7, 2023, it has become increasingly necessary for diaspora Jews to “think on their feet” as they unwittingly face a barrage of tough, sometimes hateful, questions about Jews and their Israeli homeland.
Why is Israel committing genocide in Gaza? Why doesn’t Israel return the land it has stolen from Palestinians? Why are Israeli settlers attacking Palestinian farmers? How is Israel different from apartheid South Africa? Why can’t I criticize Israel without being called antisemitic? Is it true that Jews control the world? The list of potential questions is nearly endless.
Engage or hide? This is the difficult choice that confronts Jews as they look to deal with anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli behaviour. Fortunately, author and journalist Melanie Phillips comes to the rescue with her practical and insightful book, Fighting the Hate: A Handbook for Jews Under Siege.
According to Phillips, the dilemma has no single answer. “People need to decide how to behave in accordance not just with the specific circumstances but also with their own attributes and limitations.”
Some regard engagement with their opponents as a sacred duty. “They believe it is a betrayal of the Jewish people not to uphold Israel’s case.” Ohers may be uncomfortable with such a direct approach, but “those who decide to keep their heads down and avoid any altercation may well find that this leaves them with a permanent sense of regret and even failure,” she says.
As a result, it’s probably a good idea to adopt some sort of balance. And that’s where Phillips’ 150-page handbook comes in.
She starts by providing context around the “crisis of legitimacy and acceptance” from which Jews are reeling post-October 7. On the basis of extensive conversations with Jews from across the U.S., Britain and Australia, the author found that many “were near stupefied by the terrifying hatred and irrationality that was unfolding around them.” Again and again, they asked: “What should we do? What can we do?”
In response, Phillips offers a pragmatic approach to help prepare for the inevitable conversations, including a number of key principles:
- Get smart rather than emotional
- Stop playing defence
- Find common ground
- Be positive and confident
- Keep physically safe
Based on these overarching criteria, she provides an extensive list of quick and clever retorts to a range of different situations, emphasizing that “it’s our duty to our children and grandchildren to fight for truth and justice.”
So, the next time it is necessary to “think on their feet,” diaspora Jews will be able to respond quickly and confidently to those difficult questions about themselves and Israel. And they can thank Melanie Phillips for coming to the rescue.
Fighting the Hate: A Handbook for Jews Under Siege by Melanie Phillips is available online from Amazon and Indigo.
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ESports Meets Casinos: Overview of Bet Sport Gaming
ESports has become part of the interactive entertainment of online casinos. In fact, many fans already have the opportunity to use Dragonia Casino Bet Sport options while watching the matches of their favorite teams. The hybrid entertainment model opens up many possibilities and increases audience engagement. When video games intersect with betting, it creates a unique collaboration where participants have the opportunity to get a completely new experience right in their own home. At the same time, you can continue to enjoy the usual viewing of familiar tournaments and competitions.
How ESports and Casinos Interconnect
ESports has become a multi-billion-dollar industry that attracts spectators. Traditional casinos are focused on luck. But now they are introducing additional methods of encouraging their customers. Among such options, eSports events deserve special attention. Such bet sport offers combine the usual excitement with an element of competition. The structure of the casino entertainment provides participants with the opportunity to test their skills and reveal their own hidden talents. There are several forms of integration of eSports mechanics into the structure of a classic online casino:
- Competitive betting. Online casinos provide the opportunity to bet on eSports tournaments, which is similar to the usual sports betting. In addition, the possibilities are significantly expanded compared to simple viewing platforms.
- Skill-based casino games. Games inspired by eSports encourage players to actively participate in what is happening on the screen. The games reward the player’s results with certain prizes.
- Interactive arenas. Some casinos broadcast eSports events in real time. This allows players to follow the games directly online, which creates a feeling of real participation in familiar entertainment.
- Cross-platform interaction. Online casinos are introducing eSports-style leaderboards and achievements to attract more participants.
Such innovations appeal to new participants. Cultural changes are part of the development of the infrastructure of the classic casino, and eSports fans find a new environment for entertainment and communication.
Growth of ESports Betting
Global eSports revenue in 2025 exceeded $1.5 billion. Each bet sport option has made a significant contribution to the development. Surveys show that over 60% of players will express interest in betting on eSports, which reflects the demand and the need to develop an updated infrastructure for participation.
ESports events attract 15-20% more new participants compared to conventional casinos. The eSports betting market will exceed $20 billion by 2027, according to analysts’ forecasts, which encourages new participants to more actively watch tournaments and participate in various types of activity.
Why Fans Choose ESports
Bet sport gambling is gaining popularity. This is due to several reasons. For example, large casinos in Las Vegas and Macau now host full-fledged eSports tournaments alongside traditional entertainment. Venues are also experimenting with separate fan zones where sports betting and classic gambling are available.
Some of the most popular eSports disciplines are League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Some online casinos even introduce eSports mechanics into slots so that players can try something new.
In short, the intersection of eSports and casinos is a natural development of the industry. Competitive play and an optimized betting system create a comfortable environment for true fans who want to diversify their leisure time.
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Card Game Traditions: Complete Review from Casino Online Lolajack Experts
Card games have been around for centuries. They are constantly evolving and improving. For example, there are now many different formats of online games available. On sites like casino online Lolajack https://Lolajack.com/ca/, you can choose a title according to your preferences and skills. The traditions of card games date back to ancient times. To better show yourself, it is worth familiarizing yourself with these features. This way, you will gain experience, have a good time, and get acquainted with something completely new.
Roots of Card Games
Card games directly reflect cultural identity. They have a unique mathematical structure and thoughtful moves that make even professionals think. Depending on the tradition, the rules differ, but the basic principles always remain similar. Each game has a unique origin:
- Poker. It originated in the USA back in the 19th century. During its existence, many variations of gameplay have appeared. It combines risk, strategy, and psychology; therefore, it requires high skill from each player.
- Baccarat. This game has ancient origins. It appeared in the 15th century in Italy, after which it spread throughout Europe. Now it is the basis of any operator like casino online Lolajack.
- Rimmy and bridge. Card games require the cooperation of participants, so coordinated communication is important here.
- Blackjack. This is the perfect combination of skill and chance. The player needs to learn to make decisions quickly and monitor the circumstances.
Card games have their own origins and characteristics. Currently, they are an integral part of any online casino, offering a wide range of opportunities for participants.
Why Card Games Are So Popular
Experts from casino online Lolajack emphasize the importance of card games in many cultures. For example, poker remains the leader for a reason. There are more than 100 million active players worldwide who compete and work on their skills. Blackjack also does not lag behind the trends. The level of participation exceeds 40% of regular online casino users.
Every year, the level of online card games grows by 10%. This is possible due to digitalization and increased player awareness. In addition, seasonal events also increase the involvement of participants during peak periods.
Traditions of Card Games
Unique events attract the attention of fans. For example, the World Series of Poker attracts not only participants but also millions of viewers around the world. Sites such as casino online Lolajack also give participants the opportunity to try their hand and compete with professionals.
Baccarat is associated with high stakes. This is especially noticeable among the Asian audience, who like to put probability theory into practice. Blackjack also has an appeal among math lovers. The probabilities of the model and observations directly affect the decisions of players. Online casinos strive to ensure that participants have the opportunity to communicate and find an activity option according to their own preferences.
As a result, card games remain the true leaders of the gambling market. They not only entertain, but also develop attention, perseverance, and social skills. A large selection of various variations of classic games allows you to choose the version that suits your preferences. Developers do not lag behind trends and do everything possible to surprise fans.