The Ontario harness racing world was turned upside down on Friday when it was announced that three of the country’s top drivers were fined and suspended for reportedly conspiring to fix races.

Drivers Brad Forward, Gene Piroski and Kevin Wallis are accused of affecting the outcome of horse races at the Windsor Raceway.

Forward, who led all Canadian drivers with 374 wins this season, received a five-year suspension and a fine of $5,000. The 39-year-old Woodstock native won the national driving title in 2009 before going on to represent Canada at the world championship later that year.

Piroski, of Cottom, Ont., received a 10-year suspension and a $100,000 fine for his alleged role in the scandal. The 37-year-old won 105 races this season and had 1,611 career victories.

Maidstone native Wallis was hit the hardest, though. He received a 12-year suspension and was fined $100,000. Wallis, 53, ranks 12th on the all-time win list and has made a reported $42.9 million in earnings over his long career.

Read the full story at http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/HorseRacing/2010/09/04/15250216.html

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ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES
 
Come and see what has happened in the  First Year at REACH
See what we have planned for the year to come!

 
 
 
 
 
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR REACH HURON:

Melanie Prosser, BSc(Agr), DipAdEd, BHSAI
Director of Program Services
REACH Huron
Box 248
169 Beech Street
Clinton, ON   N0M 1L0
www.reachhuron.ca
519 482 3998, x1480
director@reachhuron.ca

So, How do YOU use social networking?  To chat with friends, to keep up to date with old aquaintences?

How about to network, look for jobs or even as an online resume.

“Digital resumes” are the way of the future and one of the easiest ways to allow possible empoyers to view your experiences and skills is to go online and view your digital resume for themselves.

An easy way is to use FACEBOO for your social network (friends, family and casual fun) and open up a LinkedIn account (free) for your professional network.

Looking for tips on creating a professional online presence? 

READ HERE:   Social Networking for Job Seekers.

The University of Guelph has received $2 million from the E.P. Taylor Equine Research Fund to support clinical research in the health and performance of racehorses. The announcement was made Thursday during the second annual Equi-Challenge, which brings together some of Canada’s most notable equestrians.

“This generous gift is an investment in the future of the equine industry and the future of the Ontario Veterinary College,” said president Alastair Summerlee. “We’ll be creating and disseminating new knowledge through research and teaching at OVC, helping the equine industry grow and prosper.”

There are more than one million horses in Canada, with nearly half of them in racing and breeding. The country’s equine industry generates $3.5 billion a year, including $1 billion in Ontario with its more than 6,600 equine farms.

“The E.P. Taylor Equine Research Fund was established to honour the enormous contributions of E.P. Taylor to the horse-racing industry in Canada and, indeed, worldwide,” said longtime trustee Robert McMartin. “This donation marks our belief in Guelph and its vision to build a centre of excellence for equine performance and reproduction. We believe clinical research is an essential part of this vision.”

The E.P. Taylor Equine Research Fund has been supporting graduate student and faculty research conducted through the University, OVC and Equine Guelph (a partnership between U of G and the equine industry) since the mid-1970s. It has sponsored more than 100 research projects that are central to the health and well-being of horses, from studies on debilitating diseases in foals to preventing pregnancy failures in broodmares and research on respiratory ailments.

“We take this latest gift as a vote of confidence that we are on the right track with our plans to support and improve the health and performance of Ontario’s racehorses,” said OVC dean Elizabeth Stone.

“This donation will help fund unprecedented new research and allow our equine experts to advance and improve equine medicine, surgery and husbandry. It will significantly impact the well-being of racehorses and the racing industry and will generate a lasting legacy in the name of E.P. Taylor.”

Results of the University’s equine performance research will be put into practice at a new Equine Sports Medicine and Reproduction Centre being planned for the U of G campus. Proceeds from the annual Equi-Challenge are going to help build the facility.

The centre will focus on application of the latest discoveries, including those made possible by the E.P. Taylor gift. It will offer direct access to top equine specialists and the latest technologies and help attract top students and veterinarians interested in equine research.

Services will include advanced gait, respiratory and cardiovascular evaluation and cutting-edge diagnostics for performance and health. The reproduction facility will offer sophisticated services such as fertility evaluation, artificial insemination and embryo transfer.

The new centre is part of the University’s multi-year plan to enhance existing OVC facilities and services.

There IS a way to build a successful business plan that works for you and that plan is often a key part in your success and financial security.

Reaad more by clicking on the link below for a great article by Elisabeth McMillan.

The Horse | Why the Horse Business is Different and What to Do About It.

If It’s Not 100% True, It’s a Lie:  Take Care with the Truth on Your Resume

We’ve all heard the sad and sometimes sensational stories on the news about people who have lost high-profile jobs due to a lie that is discovered on their resume or job application–sometimes from as many as 20 or more years ago. When clients ask me about saying something that is untrue on their resume, whether they consider it to be just “fudging a little” or “a little white lie,” my advice is simply, “Don’t do it!”

The trust of others and our good reputation are two of the most precious things each of us has. In addition, being untruthful quickly becomes a slippery slope, as so many hapless and embarrassed politicians have found in recent months.

One of the most common questions surrounding this issue is whether it is OK to represent to a potential employer that you are still employed when you are not. Sometimes people think they can get away with this by just telling the employer their resume’s last job entry says “X Year to Present” only because they did not have time to update it. Even if some employers might buy this, think about what it says about you that you couldn’t take the time to change one word on your resume before sending it to them!

Posted by Laurie Smith, Creative Keystrokes Executive Resume Service

A Message from HorseJobs.ca:  Remember,  The horse industry is a small world.  We meet at the show ring, on the circuit, at various equine related events and even at the tack shop.  Most times, some one in our barn knows of someone else at someone else’s barn…

Surely, You can see where I am going with this.    It is a pretty tight knit community and your reputation as a reliable and trust worthy employee is at stake.. Why risk it with a white lie… or even a great big whopper (because we have sseen those on resumes too!) ~  Sarah, www.HorseJobs.ca

Do you carry your SIN card in your wallet?  Do you know when and to whom you should provide your SIN number without putting yourself at risk of fraud or identity theft?

Your Social insurance number (SIN) is confidential and there are some important guidelines that explain when and where your SIN number should be given out.  Protect yourself by learnign a little more on the subject:

Who can ask for my SIN and when don’t I have to provide my SIN?

The most common uses of your Social Insurance Number (SIN) are for:

1. your employer
2. your income tax information
3. financial institutions from which you earn interest or income (for example, banks, credit unions, trust companies)
4. Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or Régie des rentes du Québec (RRQ) benefits
5. Employment Insurance (EI) program benefits
6. Canada Education Savings Grants (CESG) and Registered Education Savings Plans (RESP)
7. Child Tax Benefit
8. Canada Student Loans
9. Goods and Services Tax (GST) / Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) claims
10. Social assistance benefits
11. Veterans benefits and programs
12. Workers Compensation benefits
13. child support payments.

For a complete listing and brief description of the federal legislation and programs which are specifically permitted to use the SIN.

When don’t I have to provide my SIN?

Some private-sector organizations may ask for your SIN. This practice is strongly discouraged, but it is not illegal.

Here are examples of when you don’t have to give your Social Insurance Number or show your card:

1. proving your identity (except for specific government programs)
2. completing a job application before you get the job
3. completing an application to rent a property
4. negotiating a lease with a landlord
5. completing credit card application
6. cashing a cheque
7. applying for a video club membership
8. completing some banking transactions (mortgage, line of credit, loan)
9. completing a medical questionnaire
10. renting a car
11. subscribing to long-distance or cellular telephone services
12. writing a will
13. applying to a university or college.

Employers – What You Need To Know About Social Insurance Numbers

The following information will help you understand the importance of your responsibilities related to the Social Insurance Number (SIN), and the leading role you play in protecting your employees’ personal information and in preventing fraudulent activities.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Request and examine each new employee’s Social Insurance Number card within three days of when they start to work.

• You must view an employee’s SIN card and record the name and number exactly as they appear on the card. Every person working in Canada must have a SIN. This number is used to administer government benefits under the Income Tax Act, the Canada Pension Plan Act, and the Employment Insurance Act.
• If a new employee does not have a SIN and is eligible to work in Canada, instruct the individual to apply for a SIN at one of our Service Canada offices – tell them it’s fast, simple and secure! If the employee’s application and identity document(s) are in order, he or she will receive a SIN in one visit and be able to provide you with a written confirmation.
• If you would like to confirm the SIN of a current or former employee, please contact Service Canada’s Social Insurance Registration office at 1-800-206-7218 and select Option “3″. If calling from outside Canada dial 506-548-7961 (long distance charges apply). You will need to provide your business number (issued by Canada Revenue Agency), along with appropriate information to verify the identity of your company as well as the employee.

Ensure that employees’ Social Insurance Numbers beginning with a “9″ have not expired.

• If an employee has a SIN beginning with a “9“, you must verify that the date on the SIN card has not expired. SINs that begin with a “9” are issued to temporary workers who are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents. These SINs are only valid until the expiry date that is printed on the front of the card. The expiry date corresponds to the date on the document from Citizenship and Immigration Canada which authorizes a person to work in Canada.

Protect your employees’ personal information, including their SIN, from theft and inappropriate use or disclosure.

• Store all sensitive personal information in a secure area or on an encrypted computer system. Only allow access to it on a need-to-know basis.
• If you become aware that an employee’s SIN has been stolen or is being inappropriately used or disclosed, take the following steps to minimize the negative impact that could result: (1) assess the damage (2) inform the employee(s) concerned (3) if any criminal activity occurred, contact the police (4) contact Service Canada and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, and (5) contact anyone else affected.

Inform Service Canada if you suspect that a Social Insurance Number is being used fraudulently.

• You play a leading role in detecting and preventing SIN fraud. Two main examples of this type of fraud are illegal employment and income tax evasion.
• If you have any reason to suspect that a SIN is being used fraudulently, report the situation immediately to Service Canada.

For more information on how to protect the SIN, please see our publication, Your Social Insurance Number: A Shared Responsibility!
(SC-237-12-06).

How to reach us

CALL 1-800-206-7218. Select Option “3″.
Agents are available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (your local time), except statutory holidays.

If you are calling from outside Canada, the number is (506) 548-7961 (long distance charges apply).

CLICK http://servicecanada.gc.ca
For more information on how to contact the Government of Canada and access the full range of Government of Canada programs and services.

VISIT the nearest Service Canada Centre http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/cgi-bin/hr-search.cgi?app=hme&ln=eng
 or call 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) TTY 1-800-926-9105.

You can also write to us at:

Service Canada
Social Insurance Registration Office
P.O. Box 7000
Bathurst, New Brunswick E2A 4T1

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) Program is delivered by Service Canada – the Government of Canada’s service delivery network that brings a range of federal services and benefits together to meet your needs. Service Canada offers easy-to-access, one-stop, personalized services – on the Internet, by telephone, in-person or by mail

Job seekers AND employers should familiarise themselves with the social insurance number code of practice.  The code of practice outlines your responsibilities and answers many of the frequently asked questions concerning the S.I.N.

 We have included a link for you here: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/about/reports/sin/cop/toc.shtml

How many of these have you read?  Here we go again, but this time I am concentrating on those matters which have emerged over the last two to three years, that we often neglected or failed to use in the past;  mainly it’s to do with new technology.

1. Get a professional email address.

Ditch the babyangel@gmail.com. Now is the time to “professionalise” yourself, use your proper name or professional name.

2. Google yourself.

Sounds egotistic doesn’t it?  But just in case you wrote something many years ago, and it raises it’s head to bite you in the foot, it is better to check what is out there on you in cyber space.  Also, while we are at it, blog your email address, telephone number and address as well, all these can leave a digital footprint exposing yourself to other information .

3. Add your email address to your resume.

How many times do I see this omission? AND if you keep a professional, industry related, blog.  add that to your resume too.

4. Start blogging.

This is a free way of getting yourself known and building your profile.  A blog can become a digital resume of sorts.  I know of a groom who blogs about her contract workat shows and includes photos of the braiding and clipping that she has done.  It’s a great way for a prospective employer to visualise her level of skill not to mention the obvious enthusiam she has for the industry.

5. Register on online job sites.

There are many: www.horsejobs.ca,  www.workopolis.ca aand also check out your local newspaper online listings.

6. Use social networking sites to your advantage.

Make a special professional Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Bebo etc account specifically to your work environment, keep your personal social networks to your friends.  Link your blog (if you have one) to your social network for maximum exposure

7. Network.

Join societies, organisations and clubs associated to your career. Volunteer at local horseshows and events.  Check out the Yellow Pages and online directories to see what is available, then network with these people.

8. Specialize – Become a Subject Matter Expert.

A sophisticated society has many specialist roles, therefore, the more specialised you are or can become, the more expertise you can provide, and more value to an employer’s team. But don’t forget to be a generalist in all areas connected with your career.

9. Lead from your strengths.

If you know what you are good at, or above average, or just brilliant at … then move from that area first. If you are good at public speaking then use that as your primary form of accentuating your strengths.

10. Mitigate your weaknesses.

Similar to number nine. Play down your weaknesses. Avoid (especially in those first couple of meetings) those things that you are not so good at, or generally don’t like doing.

This article has been edited from tit’s original version:  Paula Stenberg, 2009 http://www.cvstyle.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paula_Stenberg

Edits by Sarah Pratt of www.HorseJobs.ca

Attention all farriers, interns, apprentices and students:  Attend this FREE farrier clinic for demonstrations on fitting straight, egg and heart bar shoes.

WHEN:  Saturday September 18, 2010  9am SHARP

WHERE: 3510 Bowen Road, Stephensville, ON

COST: Nada, nothing, zilch…it’s free!!

So what better day to take a look at  “A bad luck guide to Friday the 13th.”  Courtesy of those stunning images from LIFE magazine’s archives.

Do you have any superstitions?

http://www.life.com/image/50453538/in-gallery/36602/a-bad-luck-guide-to-friday-the-13th

Did you know that The fear of Friday the 13th is called friggatriskaidekaphobia? 

frigga, meaning “Friday” and triskaidekaphobia, or paraskevidekatriaphobia, a word derived from the concatenation of the Greek words Paraskeví (meaning “Friday”), and dekatreís (meaning “thirteen”), attached to phobía (from phóbos meaning “fear”).  Thanks to the folks at Wikipedia ^{(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_the_13th)}