All posts by SHLF

Customize your meal at Innisfil’s Pastaplus

It’s 9 a.m. on a Wednesday morning, and Anthony Abate, along with his wife Nancy, and teenage daughter Elizabeth, are busily chopping vegetables and frying up breaded eggplant in the kitchen of their Pastaplus restaurant in Innisfil.

“Today is vegetarian lasagna day, so it’s a bit hectic for us,” said the cheerful restaurateur, as he took a break from his culinary duties to chat with a visiting reporter.

The eight-year-old eatery offers a homey atmosphere, and specializes in made-from-scratch food with a European flare, served up café style. “Pastaplus is an à la minute (prepared on the spot) pasta bar,” he said.

Guests can choose their size and type of pasta, the sauce they want, and if they want to add vegetables, meat or savoury toppings. Salads, naan breads, desserts, various daily features and more are also on offer.

“The whole idea is to give customers exactly what they want,” he explains. “So if they don’t want mushrooms in their pasta, they don’t have to pick them out, because everything is made to order.”

The concept also caters to vegetarians and vegans.

The idea for Pastaplus came from build your own omelette bars, admits the 48-year-old who, prior to opening Pastaplus, worked in food and beverage management at various Canadian venues, including Banff’s Chateau Lake Louise, Vancouver’s Pan Pacific Hotel, Kleinburg’s Doctor’s House, the Toronto Congress Centre, and more.  

“I thought, if you can create custom omelettes, why not do the same with my favourite food — pasta?”

With that concept in mind, the couple left their former jobs and opened Pastaplus. “We had been living in the Alcona-area for years, and thought it would be nice to run a family business together, and not have to commute anymore,” he said.  

Their two teenage daughters, Madelin and Elizabeth also help out.

Popular menu items include all of the pastas, the meatballs, veal, the rib-eye sandwich, the Mediterranean salad, and the garlic bread. Lasagna days are also very popular, Wednesday is vegetarian lasagna, and Friday is meat lasagna.

“Our food philosophy is fresh and honest,” said Nancy.

Both Nancy and Anthony describe themselves as self-taught cooks. “I grew up in an Italian family and my Nonna taught me how to cook, and I also picked up a lot of things along the way in my food and beverage career,” said Anthony. Nancy, who is from a Macedonian background, says her mother started teaching her culinary skills when she was nine.

While the 32-seat restaurant, and takeout service is only open from Tuesday to Friday, Pastaplus does have a bustling catering business and opens for private parties on weekends. They also do offsite catering for up to 350 people.

Pastaplus is also known for its amazing coffee.

Why the name Pastaplus? “I’m a pasta junkie,” he says with a laugh. “Growing up, every meal we ever had always started with pasta, so I have always had a complete love for the pasta. We added the plus, because we definitely offer more than just pasta — we’re a pasta bar with a twist.”

Avery Konda – Barrie Ward 1

I have been avidly involved in local politics through organizations such as Georgian College and RVH, ensuring that two of our largest employers in Barrie create opportunity, and continue to build economic growth.

However, I have noticed less and less focus on Ward 1 over these years, and a need for more of a fair share for our community.

Through Georgian College, as GCSA president,  I worked to foster a community of changemakers, the opportunity for students to become entrepreneurially active, and become leaders in their communities.

As a member of the Georgian College Changemaker Committee I worked diligently with a diverse team of faculty, staff and senior leaders to become the first Ashoka designated Changemaker College in Canada, and one of 250 schools in the world with this designation.

I was also a champion in the $25,000 donation to the RVH Mental Health Youth Wing that provided youth mental health support in Simcoe County.

Through my leadership at the college, I was selected as the recipient for the HBEC Student Entrepreneur Award, Employee Entrepreneurial Award, and 1 of 3 leaders in Canada to receive the CiCan Leadership Excellence Award.

I currently work at Georgian College as a program assistant, and volunteer for numerous organizations in the community such as Startup Barrie, Christmas Cheer, the Georgian College Pow Wow, and more.

Through my volunteering, I have been a proponent in creating business and entrepreneurial opportunity through Georgian College, providing food aid to local residents through Christmas Cheer, and promoting a culture of inclusion within our Ward.

My background allows me to quickly step into the role of councillor for Ward 1, and to create action to bring my platform of “Fair Share” to each of our residents.

Through my Fair Share platform I will champion three main issues:

1. Infrastructure Challenges, with road repair and rehabilitation to target and prioritize aging infrastructure within our community.

2. Community Safety, with positive actions to reduce speeding on our roads and in our neighbourhoods to keep families, seniors, and residents safe.

3. Smart Growth and Not Forced Growth, to create a Smart Growth Plan for our Ward to prioritize future repairs and developments, ensuring our Ward does not become left behind in the City of Barrie’s future.

To see a more in depth explanation of my #FairShare platform, please check out my social links, website, and contact information.

Website:

Phone number:

Connect with me:

Facebook page:

Twitter profile:

Instagram profile:

LinkedIn profile:

Open audition for Innisfilm actors in Innisfil

Innisfilm is looking for actors for its upcoming production.

Innisfilm is a fledgling non-profit organization that wants to create movies showcasing area talent and has a script ready for the cameras.

Four females are needed to play Ashley (17 to 19 years old), Melissa (20 to 30 years old) Sandra (40s) and a grandmother (over 60 years old).

Four men are needed to play a police detective, a businessman, a mobster and a delivery man.

The open auditions take place June 23 at the Innisfil IdeaLab and Library’s Lakeshore branch from noon until 3 p.m.

The rehearsals are July 14 and 28, from 3:30 to 9 p.m., with filming dates in Innisfil all day Aug. 5 and 6, and on Aug 11 and 12 from 3 to 10 p.m.

Clearview aviation business park gets extension for planning conditions

The proponents of an aviation business park will be able to keep their subdivision approvals until 2033.

Clearview Township councillors approved granting Clearview Aviation Business Park (CABP) an extension on the draft plan of subdivision for all three phases of the 285-acre project located beside the Collingwood Regional Airport.

The proponents had been looking for 15 years from the current lapsing date of the approvals, taking it until 2036 for Phase 1, and 2037 for the second and third phases; municipal staff recommended extending the draft approvals for Phase 1 for another two years, and one year for Phases 2 and 3, to 2022 and 2023, respectively.

After the decision, CABP spokesperson Paul Bonwick said the extension provides the project with stability.

“I think council understands the uniqueness of the project. There’s really one driving theme behind the request: to create a long-term stable environment to attract industry,” he said.

Several council members spoke in favour of extending the lapse date until 2033, notably Deputy Mayor Barry Burton. Burton noted that although he is typically loath to approve draft plan extensions to projects, he would be willing in this case because, he said, “I realize five years is not enough time” to develop the property.

Bonwick said CABP remains committed to its investment in the property, which he said is in “the millions of dollars.”

“It has taken us four years to go through the official plan, the draft plan, zoning. I appreciate the comments and concern about the long-term implications, but there has been many millions of dollars invested in the property,” he said. “At every turn, when the development group has been asked to make actions, they’ve done so.

“They’re not doing this to keep it rented out to the farmer who’s growing corn on it right now. That’s not the intention of investing that many millions of dollars.”

Bonwick said if the draft conditions lapsed in 2022, there could be a new provincial government in place by that time, “and a whole new set of rules and regulations and changes in planning policy.

“How do you spend $20 million in servicing on that risk?”

Robert Bortlisz — Wasaga Beach councillor

I grew up spending a lot of time in the beach. My parents moved and then retired here as did I.  

The sandy shores and natural beauty drew people just like you and I here. We brought our energy, skills, expertise and slowly but surely built businesses, tourist attractions, cottages and homes. We grew into a town.

Together we built a good community. Some years were better than others. We moved forward, often named as one of the fasted growing towns.

But in the last 20 years a number of self interest groups came here telling us “we’re doing it all wrong.” They come with outside experts (that often we have paid for) to convince us of this. They talk of Monaco and Miami Beach. They wanted you to sell your hydro.

They promise “big change.” They do not value your expertise and experience.

If we want to move forward then we have to get back to being a fun, friendly, relaxed community, where you can raise a family, do business or retire, have a garden and enjoy the natural amenities.   

We need to stay diverse, open to all cultures, income levels and remain an affordable town where young people can find a good start in life.

We need to make it easier to start or operate a business to create jobs and wealth. We need to get the best value of services for our tax dollars. We need to start thinking like a small tourist town again, not a big city!

I believe if ‘we’ do things wisely, issues like a high school, better medical access, parks and recreational facilities can be tackled, improved and resolved. Prudent financial planning has worked for us in the past. Prudent financial planning will take us where we want to be in our future.

I look for your support. Web contact and information at;

Let’s move forward in the right direction.

Thank you.

Alliston’s Jared Nolan enters plea

The former manager of corporate communications at Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston has pleaded guilty to luring a child over the internet in a Bradford court Friday July 13.

Jared Nolan, 36, of Alliston stood dressed in a suit and tie in front of the judge and pleaded guilty to one count of luring a child over the internet for the purposes of obtaining child pornography.

Nolan was arrested Nov. 16, 2016, after the father of a high school girl noticed his daughter was engaged in online sexual conversations with Nolan.

The teen was 16 when she applied for a high school co-op position at the hospital and said she was planning to take nursing in college.

She did not hear back from the hospital, but Nolan, who held his position at the hospital for two years, messaged her privately on Facebook and told her he could help her, court heard.

Over months their conversations became more friendly and eventually became sexual, court heard. Nolan sent her $250 in gift cards for her 17th birthday. Later he offered her money to send him nude pictures of herself. She did, but he then refused to pay her. He also sent her a photo of his penis.

After her father called police. A search of Nolan’s computer turned up 50 images and five videos of child pornography, showing young teens in various sexual acts, court heard.

Through their investigation, police uncovered further computer evidence and allege Nolan had been similarly involved with at least three other teens – one in Ireland, one in England and one in Waterloo, Ont. Those charges are expected to be dropped at the sentencing hearing which is set for December.

Wasaga-based film fest cancels gala, but awards go on

The curtain has fallen on this Saturday’s gala event for the annual South Georgian Bay Film Festival — but the show will go on.

Festival board chair Kevin DeAbreu said a decision was made on the weekend to cancel the gala due to poor ticket sales.

However, a view-and-vote event at Country Life Resort on July 11 will proceed, and the winners will be announced on July 14 after viewer votes are tabulated with the judges’ scores.

The event, now in its second year as the South Georgian Bay Film Festival, received 35 entries and held a view-and-vote event at the Simcoe Street Theatre on the weekend.

“We will revisit the gala scenario for next year,” DeAbreu said. “We take it in stride, and we view everything as a learning experience.

“The qualities of the films are amazing, far improved from previous years with many repeat entrants,” he said. “We truly do believe that the South Georgian Bay Film Festival is well on its way to becoming an ‘established stop’ for both national and international film makers, as well as local youth.”

For more on the festival, go to .

What’s happening at the corner of Midland and Hugel avenues?

Construction crews have started preparing a parcel of land on the corner of Midland and Hugel avenues in downtown Midland. The property, known as , will be the site of a three-storey, 10-unit condominium. The building is just down the street from the Beer Store and across the street from the Advanced Foot and Orthotic Clinic.

Just the facts:

• The vacant lot currently houses a mobile fast-food truck.

• The property has approximately 21 metres of frontage along Midland Avenue and 50.5 metres of frontage on Hugel Avenue.

• The proposed building will have 16 parking spots with 11 of those spots in a partial basement.

• Access to the parking garage is proposed off of Midland, while access to the five other spots will be off Hugel.

• Residential units will be on storeys two through four and accessed via an elevator and stairwell.

• A building height of 13 metres will be permitted even though previous zoning regulations only allowed for 11 metres.

• The lot was rezoned to permit residential use, as previous zoning required the first floor to be commercial use only.

• The entire building will have a total gross floor area of 1,673 square metres.

• All exterior lighting on the building will be shielded so that it does not infringe on adjacent properties.

• The top floor would be smaller than floors two and three and include a rooftop patio.

• There will be four units on floors two and three and two units on the fourth floor.

Great Clips comes to Orillia

Great Clips has been building a following since opening at the County Fair Plaza in late November, said manager Ann Dawson.

“It has been very, very busy.”

Located next to Zehrs, the salon and its staff of eight offers haircuts, shampoos and styles.

“No chemicals here,” said Dawson. “We don’t do any colours or perms. We keep it chemical-free.”

Customers can check-in online, by downloading a Great Clips app on their phones for free, she added.  

“It will hold them for an hour,” Dawson said. “It will tell you how busy it is. If there is an hour wait, it will tell you on the app that there is an hour wait and you can pop your name in next in line.”

Floyd Pinto — Adjala-Tosorontio mayor

I have always been actively involved with my community since moving here with my family over 16 years ago. I have served two terms on council, work for CLASS and have been on various committees during my term which gave me an understanding of the operation of the township.

My education, experience and skills sets — B.A. in commerce specializing in business management, a diploma in computer programming and employed as a computer programmer, were crucial in uncovering the problems with the township accounts. My resolve for accountability and to act in the best interests of the community resulted in an OPP investigation which led to the reduction of post retirement benefits from 80 to 65 years of age, saving the tax payer $644,470 (audited statements) to date. I have also uncovered issues with mileage payments and the budget itself, and have brought these concerns to the public’s attention through my blog, newsletters and articles in the paper.

My campaign

Keep taxes affordable, address the current $3.5-million debt. Stop taking on more debt ($15.4 million) to benefit developers.

Immediately address residents’ concerns with development, gravel pit, unaffordable water and sewer rates, speeding complaints, high speed internet.

Cancel — OPA 15

Tax increase must be justified with better services to residents.

Stop wasting tax dollars — $260,000 spent on tenders for Everett sewer plant, then cancelled.

Salary raises should be based on productivity.

Pave roads, obtain infrastructure grants.

Development must follow Ontario Municipal Board/ Local Planning Appeal Tribunal approvals.

Will not force existing residents to hook up to the new sewer systems.

Promote businesses, including farmers market.

We are elected by residents and should work with the residents as your taxes pay our salaries. The OPP and integrity commissioner’s reports indicated policies, procedures and bylaws not being followed. This needs to stop. I have always stood by the residents and will continue to do so. I humbly ask residents to elect me as your mayor.

Contact:  / /