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Martin Gurvey: a very flexible guy
By GERRY POSNER One clear objective of a chiropractor is to improve flexibility. Well, Martin Gurvey has taken that concept well beyond his career and applied it to his own life. He had to be flexible to make the kind of major life change that he and his wife Brenda undertook in 2011, when he left his practice, friends, activities and history to move from Winnipeg to Toronto.
The good news is that Martin is the epitome of flexibility. He has adapted.
Born in Winnipeg in 1957, Martin grew up in the south end of Winnipeg as the oldest of three children to Evelyn and Harry Gurvey. Montrose, Herzlia Academy and Grant Park were the schools he attended. To say he was competitive would be somewhat of an understatement – a characteristic was evident as far back as elementary school. When you talk Martin Gurvey, you talk of the gold medal winner for 14 year olds in the 400 meters at Grant Park High School. Track and field was one of of many sports in which Martin competed. Others included football, baseball and hockey – both as a teenager and later as an adult. Gurvey not only played sports, he coached them as well. He can boast that his team, the Crescentwood Grizzlies, which also included his son, won a city football championship. Even to this day, living in Toronto for the last 10 years, Gurvey remains a steadfast and ardent supporter of the Winnipeg Jets and Blue Bombers.
Aside from his work, Martin Gurvey says that music is his passion, starting with the Grant Park High School orchestra, in which he played violin for six years, later focusing on voice. He starred as Conrad Birdie in “Bye Bye Birdie” and was a member of the barbershop quartet in the Rady Centre’s production of “The Music Man”. Gurvey can be described as a Barbershop fan… or is it a fanatic?
He got hooked in high school and joined the Golden Chordsmen quartet, with whom he sang from 1982- 2011. In fact, Gurvey lays claim to being the recipient of the Barbershopper of the Year, also the Dorothy Castleman Lifetime Achievement awards in 2010.
Upon his move to Toronto, Gurvey sang with the Megacity Chorus and later the Harbourtown Sound, a group that is the second ranked barbershop chorus in Canada. Gurvey also completed in two international competitions in Oregon and Florida.
And, not to be forgotten, Gurvey sings with both the Toronto Jewish Chorus and Resa’s Pieces (with whom I also sing, and where he is a booming bass while I am a trembling tenor). Finally, in a way that combines his vocation with his avocation, Gurvey sings with the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College Choir.
Gurvey has had a full career as a Chiropractor since graduating in 1982. Some readers might recall he had an office at the corner of Main Street and Cathedral Avenue for 29 years, and later a second office in Morris, Manitoba. Gurvey also led the professional regulatory body serving as the Registrar for the Manitoba Chiropractors’ Association for eight years. He was also a board member of the Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation for 27 years – an organization is a leader of research in the area of (get ready for this one) neuromusculoskelatal health.
Moreover, Gurvey has contributed to the curriculum and taught at Robertson College, where he was honoured to deliver the keynote address to the graduates one year. He has been the recipient of the Canadian Chiropractic Association Award of Merit for outstanding service to the profession. Since his move to Toronto, Gurvey has taught at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, which takes up to about 75 percent of his time, he says. He also acts as a resource clinician, mentoring interns at the college clinics. As well, Gurvey is still in active practice with a small home-based office house call service. He also does locums for colleagues taking time away from their practice. In short, Gurvey is in the groove.
It is clear that Gurvey has made a success of his moving to Toronto. In addition to being close to the three children and their spouses, Martin and his wife Brenda are proud grandparents to three grandkids with a fourth on the way in June. He has adapted seamlessly to his new roles of father-in-law and his personal favourite, Zaida. Yes, Gurvey has adjusted well to Toronto. I recall vividly when Martin and I used to walk around the track at the Rady Centre in 2010 and we would discuss the possible move to Toronto for each of us. Martin made the first move and he has successfully shown to be as flexible in the making of this transition as is the flexibility which he promotes for his patients. I call him “Mr. Flexibility”.
Features
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.
Features
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.