Happy Holidays Everyone

Happy Holidays Everyone!!


Looking for that perfect gift to get for some one over the holiday season or special occasion!!!!

Our new supply of different coloured hoodies in all sizes have arrived $29.99 each!! (If we run out we can reorder in 1 week)

We also have just received more brand new C.J. Skateboard Park & School Gift cards. They come in $25 and $50 card values.

Last Holiday Camp information!
Holiday Camp run from 8:30am to 4:30pm each day.

We all had a blast during the first session of the winter camp, filled with holiday spirit and many happy faces!! We would like to thank our wonderful volunteers, fantastic staff, and all the kids for sharing a fun and safe skateboarding experience!!


We are on to the second session of the 2009 Winter Holiday Camps, and they will run from December 28th though to the 30th. The camp will have the same format as our summer and PD day camps. Registration is open and there is limited space, so don't delay!!! Cost for camp session is $145.00!! Best deal in town!!

Full payment must be received in advance or a surcharge will apply!!!

Here are some comments we have received from a few of the parents in the past little while;

”Wow I can't believe how much self confidence our son as now"

“My husband and I were afraid our son would not make any friends but since your lessons and camps he has lots of friends now and is doing much better in school as well"

"You guys are doing miracles over at CJ'S!! Our daughter loves the program and your staff is great with kids. It’s t he best camp she's ever been to!!!"

"My wife and I are very impressed with you facility and your programs Jay!!! We never thought that the sport of skateboarding could do so much for ones self esteem and increase his focus at home and at school"

Special BMX Announcement!!

We will be open for AN EXTRA NIGHT EXCLUSIVE FOR BMX on DECEMBER 28th from 5:00pm – 10:00pm and will be priced at $15 for the evening!!!

HOLIDAY HOURS:
(Excluding day camp)

Saturday, December 26th: Regular Hours

Sunday, December 27th: Regular Hours

Monday, December 28th: Exclusive BMX Night 5:00pm – 10:00pm

Tuesday, December 29th: 5:00pm – 10:00pm

Wednesday, December 30th: 5:00pm – 10:00pm

Thursday, December 31st: 12:00pm – 6:00pm

New Years Day – Friday, January 1st: Closed

We are working on a brand new website, and one of the many new features will give parents the opportunity to arrange car pooling with other families, for your convenience. In the interim, we would ask that you call the park (416-259-6888) or email eric@cjskateboardpark.com giving us your address, phone number and permission to match your family up with another from the same region. This will be a great way for families from Brampton, Burlington, Hamilton, Guelph, Whitby, Barrie, Orangeville, Oakville ,West End Toronto, East End Toronto, North Toronto etc. the chance to make it down to the park and cut down on organizing un-needed trips back and forth.

Holidays & Hoodies

Hi Everyone,

Looking for that perfect gift to get for some one over the holiday season or special occasion!!!!

Our new supply of different coloured hoodies in all sizes have arrived $29.99 each!! (If we run out we can reorder in 1 week) We also have just received brand new C.J. Skateboard Park & School Gift cards. They come in $25 and $50 card values.

Holiday Camp information!
All Holiday Camps run from 8:30am to 4:30pm each day.

The first session will run from December 21st through to the 23rd. The second session will run from December 28th though to the 30th. These camps will have the same format as our summer and PD day camps. Registration is open and there is limited space, so don't delay!!! Cost for either camp session is $145.00!! Best deal in town!!

Full payment must be received in advance or a surcharge will apply!!!

Here are some comments we have received from a few of the parents in the past little while;

”Wow I can't believe how much self confidence our son as now"

“My husband and I were afraid our son would not make any friends but since your lessons and camps he has lots of friends now and is doing much better in school as well"

"You guys are doing miracles over at CJ'S!! Our daughter is loving the program and your staff are great with kids. It’s the best camp she's ever been to!!!"

"My wife and I are very impressed with you facility and your programs Jay!!! We never thought that the sport of skateboarding could do so much for ones self esteem and increase his focus at home and at school"

Special BMX Announcement!!

We will be open for AN EXTRA NIGHT EXCLUSIVE FOR BMX on DECEMBER 28th from 5:00pm – 10:00pm and will be priced at $15 for the evening!!!

HOLIDAY HOURS:
(Excluding day camp)

Monday, December 21st: 5:00pm – 10pm

Tuesday, December 22nd: 5:00pm – 10:00pm

Wednesday, December 23rd: 5:00pm – 10:00pm

Thursday, December 24th: 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Christmas Day – Friday, December 25th: Closed

Saturday, December 26th: Regular Hours

Sunday, December 27th: Regular Hours

Monday, December 28th: Exclusive BMX Night 5:00pm – 10:00pm

Tuesday, December 29th: 5:00pm – 10:00pm

Wednesday, December 30th: 5:00pm – 10:00pm

Thursday, December 31st: 12:00pm – 6:00pm

New Years Day – Friday, January 1st: Closed

We are working on a brand new website, and one of the many new features will give parents the opportunity to arrange car pooling with other families, for your convenience. In the interim, we would ask that you call the park (416-259-6888) or email eric@cjskateboardpark.com giving us your address, phone number and permission to match your family up with another from the same region. This will be a great way for families from Brampton,burlington,Hamilton, Guelph, Whitby, Barrie, Orangeville, Oakville,West end Toronto,East end Toronto,North Toronto etc. the chance to make it down to the park and cut down on organizing un-needed trips back and forth.

New Hoodies, Special BMX Night, Holiday Camps & Hours

Looking for that perfect gift to get for some one over the holiday season or special occasion!!!!

Our new supply of different coloured hoodies in all sizes have arrived $29.99 each!! (If we run out we can reorder in 1 week) We also have just received brand new C.J. Skateboard Park & School Gift cards. They come in $25 and $50 card values.


Holiday Camp information!
All Holiday Camps run from 8:30am to 4:30pm each day.

The first session will run from December 21st through to the 23rd. The second session will run from December 28th though to the 30th. These camps will have the same format as our summer and PD day camps. Registration is open and there is limited space, so don't delay!!! Cost for either camp session is $145.00!! Best deal in town!!

Full payment must be received in advance or a surcharge will apply!!!



Special BMX Announcement!!

We will be open for AN EXTRA NIGHT EXCLUSIVE FOR BMX on DECEMBER 28th from 5:00pm – 10:00pm and will be priced at $15 for the evening!!!



HOLIDAY HOURS:
Monday, December 21st: 5:00pm – 10pm
Tuesday, December 22nd: 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Wednesday, December 23rd: 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Thursday, December 24th: 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Christmas Day – Friday, December 25th: Closed
Saturday, December 26th: Regular Hours
Sunday, December 27th: Regular Hours
Monday, December 28th: Exclusive BMX Night 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Tuesday, December 29th: 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Wednesday, December 30th: 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Thursday, December 31st: 12:00pm – 6:00pm
New Years Day – Friday, January 1st: Closed


We are working on a brand new website, and one of the many new features will give parents the opportunity to arrange carpooling with other families, for your convenience. In the interim, we would ask that you call the park (416-259-6888) or email eric@cjskateboardpark.com giving us your address, phone number and permission to match your family up with another from the same region. This will be a great way for families from Brampton, Guelph, Whitby, Barrie, Orangeville, Oakville etc. the chance to make it down to the park and cut down on organizing un-needed trips back and forth.

December 7, 2009: Special Announcement from CJ Skateboard Park & School

This past Friday, we had the pleasure of having over 75 kids for our PD Day Camp!!!

Looking for that perfect gift to get for some one over the holiday season or special occasion!!!!

Our new supply of different coloured hoodies in all sizes have arrived $29.99 each!!(If we run out we can reorder in 1 week) We also have just received brand new C.J. Skateboard Park & School Gift cards. They come in $25 and $50 card values.

IMPORTANT DATES TO KNOW!

We will be CLOSED to the public for our holiday camp days.

The first will be from December 21st through to the 23rd. The second session will run from December 28th though to the 30th. These camps will have the same format as our summer and PD day camps. Registration is open and there is limited space, so don’t delay!!!

Full payment must be received in advance or a surcharge will apply !!!

However, on December 23rd and 30th , we will be open for BMX (exclusively) from 5:00pm – 10:00pm. Both of these evenings will be priced at $15 for the night!!!!

We have another great monthly event to start this coming up Saturday, December 12, 2009.

THE GREAT ROCK N ROLL FLEA MARKET at the CJ SKATEBOARD PARK & SCHOOL It will feature: LIVE MUSIC


AC-DC tribute "FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK".

Not only does this singer nail the Brian Johnson and Bon Scott vocals but the visual show is Like a mini AC-DC concert complete with ANGUS in the school boy shorts. AC-DC has been around since the late 70s and is still the most powerful force in meat and potatoes Rock n Roll today!


ROSEDALE (www.myspace.com/rosedalemusic) Hailing from Brampton Ontario, Rosedale, is presently being scouted by SONY and knocking people out at major showcases such as the Opera House and El Mocambo.

Awesome pop punk !

FOREVER CIRCA (www.myspace.com/forevercirca) & BLUNT FICTION (www.myspace.com/bluntfiction) Two local Etobicoke favorites that will rock your socks off !

MINESEYE, The female fronted "Mineseye" play cool alternative rock with a 90s vibe. A great Mississauga based act.


Please make sure that you bring a dark t-shirt Was Concrete wave magazine will have their t-shirt transfer machine and will be printing shirts for FREE!

Click following link for sign up. This will open Facebook and sign up is on the top of the page!!!

The Great Rock N Roll Flea Market

Some great new videos now online!

Check out these three videos, featuring C.J. Skateboard Park & School as well as yours truly.

Global TV: Susan Hay “Making a Difference” November 18th:
Global TV Video

Here is one of the latest you tube videos someone has made on CJ on the skate park:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk9ZYhTgufs

My latest TV commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFmwN8UUtSE

Field Trips, PD Days, Holidays Events and More at CJ Skateboard Park and School

Hi Everyone,

This past Friday we had the pleasure of having Mr. Roger Blinoff's class along with some other fellow students from the Wexford Public School here for a skateboarding field trip!

We all enjoyed a fun filled day packed with morning stretch, lessons, lunch, skate demo, games, and great skateboarding all day long!

Special thanks to Roger Blinoff and Principal Gregory Martin for choosing CJ for their field trip.

To inquire or book your school for a field trip or outing, or any inquiries, please contact Nicole at: nicole@cjskateboardpark.com

Please join us next Friday on December 4, for another great PD Day camp!!! Registration is open and ready for sign up!!!

Please don’t delay, as we are 50% booked already and expect this to be sold out soon.

We have just received brand new CJ Skateboard Park & School gift cards. They come in $25 and $50 increments

The perfect gift for your family or friends!! See PDF here.

To book your corporate event, please contact Jay at: jay@cjskateboardpark.com

We are having 2 Holiday camp sessions starting in December. The first will be from December 21st through to the 23rd. the other session will run from December 28th though to the 30th. These camps will have the same format as the summer and PD day camps.

Please click here for more details. Registration is open and there is limited space, so don’t delay!!!

Have a look at our finalized NEW PROGRAM LIST!!! Some new programs include; "Recession Session Mondays," where you can rent the park out for your own private party!!! We have a new Skate and Study Program, along with a new "Pizza Party Friday" nights and other programs as well!!

We have another great monthly event to announce just 2 weeks away:

THE GREAT ROCK N ROLL FLEA MARKET at the CJ SKATEBOARD PARK & SCHOOL on SAT.DEC.12

It will feature: AC-DC tribute, "FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK" plus MINESEYE, and ROSEDALE



Click this link for sign up. This will open Face book and sign up is on the top of the page!!!


A special thanks to all our volunteers and riders for keeping us busy!!!

Join the CJ Skateboard Park & School facebook.com group and get the updates and new photos

Thanks,

Jay Mandarino
President / Founder
C.J. Skateboard Park & School
A division of Canadian Skateboard Park & School Association
A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPERATION
60 Horner Avenue
Etobicoke,ON M8Z 4X3 Canada

T:416-259-6888 ext 244
E: jay@cjskateboardpark.com
W :www.cjskateboardpark.com

New Faces, PD Day Camp, Events and More!

We would like to welcome some new faces to the staff here at CJ Skateboard Park & School!!!

We have 2 more woman to add to our already amazing team at CJ!!

Nicole Walker has joined us as Human Resources and Administration Manager. We also welcome Jackie Manteiga, helping us with Administration and Reception. Also Josh Benoliel as a new instructor has joined as well.

We just had our largest PD Day camp ever this past Friday with over 95 campers. We all had an amazing day, filled with lessons, games, arts & crafts and lots of skateboarding! Thanks to all of the instructors, volunteers, and campers for making it a wonderful day at the park!!! We even had Jay and Greg at the park all day teaching as well!!!

Please join us on December 4, 2009 for another great PD Day camp!!! Registration is open and ready for sign up!!! Please don’t delay, as we expect this one to be sold out soon.

To book your corporate event, please contact Jay at: jay@cjskateboardpark.com

We have just given the reception area and upstairs viewing area brand new tables and chairs!!! No more standing and watching all the action; bring your paper and a coffee and have a seat and relax while your kids are skating!!! All tables and chairs have generously been donated from the great people at Contract Supply.

We also have brand new tables, chairs and desks in the Universal Studios Canada Lounge, donated by Nienkamper.

We are having 2 Holiday camp sessions starting in December. The first will be from December 21st through to the 23rd. the other session will run from December 28th though to the 30th. These camps will have the same format as the summer and PD day camps.

Please click here for more details. Registration is open and there is limited space, so don’t delay!!!

Have a look at our finalized NEW PROGRAM LIST!!! Some new programs include; "Recession Session Mondays," where you can rent the park out for your own private party!!! We have a new Skate and Study Program, along with a new "Pizza Party Friday" nights and other programs as well!!

Please click here see the entire program list!!!

We only have a few tickets left for the Camera giveaway at The Great Rock N Roll Flea Market!!! Hurry in and get your tickets for only $3.00 for a camera valued at $700!!! Tickets are available for sale at the reception desk at CJ Skateboard Park & School.

Please click here for more details!!

We have another great monthly event to announce:

THE GREAT ROCK N ROLL FLEA MARKET at the CJ SKATEBOARD PARK & SCHOOL on SAT.DEC.12

It will feature: AC-DC tribute, "FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK" plus MINESEYE, and ROSEDALE Please open the fourth attachment to find out about the details for this amazing upcoming event!!

Click this link for sign up. This will open Face book and sign up is on the top of the page!!!

A special thanks to all our staff, volunteers and riders for keeping us busy!!!

PD Day Camp, Gatorade & The Rock 'N Roll Flea Market

Hi Everyone,

We just had our largest PD Day camp ever this past Friday With over 95 campers. We all had an amazing day, filled with lessons, games, arts & crafts and lots of skateboarding!!

Thanks to all of the instructors, volunteers, and campers for making it a wonderful day at the park!!!

We even had Jay and Greg at the park all day teaching as well!!!

Please join us on December 4, 2009 for another great PD Day camp!!! Registration is open and ready for sign up!!! Please don’t delay, as we expect this one to be sold out soon.

We had our first corporate event with over 50 people from Gatorade’s Marketing team. We customized a program to meet all their needs!!

They enjoyed a brief breakfast at 8:30am followed by presentations on the Gatorade Vert Ramp. We had chairs tables, a projector and a screen so they could do their power points

Then we had lunch in the Universal Studios Canada lounge.

Then we did a group stretch and broke out into smaller groups and did lessons.

Then we did lots of games that did not involve a skateboard so everyone could participate and team build together.

This was an amazing event, and we are all looking forward to doing some more of these in the near future. To book your corporate event, please contact Jay at jay@cjskateboardpark.com

Have a look at our finalized NEW PROGRAM LIST!!! Some new programs include; "Recession Session Mondays," where you can rent the park out for your own private party!!! We have a new Skate and Study Program, along with a new "Pizza Party Friday" night as well!!

Please open the first attachment to see the entire program list!!!

We have another great monthly event to announce:

THE GREAT ROCK N ROLL FLEA MARKET at the CJ SKATEBOARD PARK & SCHOOL on SAT.DEC.12

It will feature: AC-DC tribute, "FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK" plus MINESEYE, and ROSEDALE

Click following link for sign up. This will open Facebook and sign up is on the top of the page!!!

The Great Rock N Roll Flea Market



A special thanks to all our staff,volunteers and riders for keeping us busy!!!

Halloween Contest Winners, Upcoming Events and More!

Here is the list of the winners from our 1st annual Halloween mini ramp Contest this past October 30, 2009 co-sponsored with Junction Skateboard shop. We had 225 people and 72 competitors who enjoyed watching some great skateboarding from some of Ontario's top riders. Once again, special thanks go out to Rick Liliani from Junction Skate shop for organizing the donation of prizes for the winners. Also thanks to our judges for the competition; Paul Liliani, Adrian Tulving-Blais from junction and Matt Creary from CJ.

Also special thanks to our local volunteer and skate dad Ulf Bein who shot everything which will be posted on our new website coming soon!!!!!

And a huge congratulations to all our kids who entered our contest!!

You all did great and its never about winning just about having fun and skating safe!!!

Best Costume winners from the competition were:
Cheyenne Gnomes Griffen Douglas Jack Cohen Jamie Barkway Savannah Bein Shane Morgan

Girls all ages:
1st Place: Sierra Bein
2nd Place: Alisha Stevens
3rd Place: Baily MacDonald

12 years & under:
1st Place: Andre Young
2nd Place: David Palazze
3rd Place: Ethan Revera

13 - 18 years:
1st Place: Evan Cook
2nd Place: Ryan Warrington
3rd Place: Graeme Leung

19 years and over:
1st Place: Ben Patterson
2nd Place: Brian Macsuga
3rd Place: Chris Vacca

Best Trick in mini ramp area; $100 prize:
Curtis Nicholson
360 pressure flip

Best trick on 4 foot; $50 prize;
Sebastian wakefield

We had the pleasure of having 50 people from Gatorade's Marketing team here at the park for our private corporate team building event on this past Thursday, November 5, 2009. They enjoyed mornings worth of presentations (which were held on the Gatorade Vert Ramp, very cool), a group lesson, and lots of games!! This was an amazing event, and we are all looking forward to doing more of these in the near future. To book your corporate event, please contact Jay at; jay@cjskateboardpark.com

We can customize a program to any group regardless of age and ability!!!

Please contact us to get more information on how to win a brand new $700.00 OLYMPUS EVOLT-E520 digital camera!!!!!


We have another great monthly event to announce:

THE GREAT ROCK N ROLL FLEA MARKET at the CJ SKATEBOARD PARK & SCHOOL on SAT.DEC.12
It will feature: AC-DC tribute, "FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK" plus MINESEYE, and ROSEDALE

Please contact us find out about the details for this amazing upcoming event!!

Click following link for sign up. This will open Facebook and sign up is on the top of the page!!!

http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/pages/Etobicoke-ON/THE-GREAT-ROCK-N-ROLL-FLEA-MARKET/155226461447 Call now or drop by the park to register for the upcoming PD DAY CAMP on NOVEMBER 13, 2009. Join us for your day off school from 8:30am until 5:00pm.

$39.00 includes: Morning lesson (before skate park opens), pizza lunch, drink and snack, and open skate in the afternoon.

Only 20 spots left so book soon!!


Check out this great video of the park by John Andrew Morrowitz, it features all the new, amazing updates we have been working on!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk9ZYhTgufs


Special announcement:
We will be open this coming Monday, November 9th, 2009 for the Peel / York region PD day. We will be open from 12:00pm – 6:00pm.

A special thanks to all our volunteers and riders for keeping us busy!!!

Join the CJ Skateboard Park & School facebook.com group and get the updates and new photos http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=cj&init=quick#/group.php?gid=54035193227

Digital Diversions

As with all things, tradition will always have a place in the rapidly evolving business of printing, even as progress hurtles us toward an unimagined future. But the advent of digital printing as an eminently superior method of applying ink to page cannot be downplayed. Here at CJ, our digital printing division is one of the fastest-growing parts of our business—and we couldn’t be more pleased.

CJ Digital is the newest arm of our company, and it’s been a going concern since it launched four years ago. We just hired two new programmers to keep up with the demand, and to sustain for us the considerable advantage this division confers upon CJ.

Here, we can combine cutting-edge digital printing solutions with a deep well of traditional printing expertise to produce short-run jobs that hit every target. From brochures, flyers, newsletters, business cards and posters to folders, reports, labels, booklets and stationery, we can turn around every project for which timing, versatility and—natch—quality are the order of the day.

Digital printing offers a new ability to print exceptionally small runs cost-effectively, compared to traditional methods. This bit of progress also comes with a lower pricetag than its forerunner, thanks to the elimination of most of the setup time and materials associated with litho. And because there are so few “overs” with this precise printing method, the environment suffers less waste.

Our digital printing equipment is top of the line, and is headed up by our Xerox iGen4 colour digital printer with variable data. This beauty can accommodate—swiftly and impressively—images as large as 14.25” by 22.4”.

We’ve got other toys in our digital toybox, too, including a Xerox 7000 colour digital printer with variable data; specialty variable imaging/data software; a Xerox 470st; a Xerox Nuvera 144; a Xerox DocuTech 6135; Polar 45” and 30” guillotines; a Nagel Robofeeder for Saddle Stitching; a Pitney-Bowes D1950 mail inserter; a BPQ260 Perfect binder and a GBC AP-22 Altra Punch.

Courtesy of our investment into this important evolutionary curve of the printing world, we can provide on-line solutions for clients like never before. Customers need only convert their documents to PDFs, upload them to our site and approve the low-res solutions we produce in response. We’ll have the finished job in their hands in turnaround times no one dared imagine until very recently.

What’s more, our digital printing division eliminates the need for customers to keep printed material in stock. Freed from the restrictions of minimum quantities, useless pallets of out-of-date flyers cluttering up backroom storage spaces are increasingly things of the past. And our variable printing capacity means orders can be personalized magnificently, with text and imaging. Highly focused marketing pieces can suddenly speak to an audience of one, and the return on investment from this targeted, smart marketing is exceptional.

CJ Digital is all about short-run, low-cost, high-quality colour printing across a range of applications. Our customers need only think it up—we’ll take it from there.

Wheels down

Lots of skateboarding news under the blazing sun.

For one, a bunch of us grabbed our boards recently and descended on Wakestock 2009 to host a couple of really amazing skateboarding competitions. Held at Collingwood’s Millennium Park this year, this annual festival featured the usual celebration of all things wakeboard, to say nothing of the live music, beer gardens, bikini contests and the like that wrapped around it.

All told, some 10,000 people made the trip to watch wakeboarders rip up the waters of Collingwood Harbour.

But the best bet for my money were the two skateboarding contests the CJ Skateboard Park & School headed up. We set up this amazing skateboard park in the midst of all the action, and doled out a whack of prizes—including CJ decks, t-shirts, stickers and passes to our park—in recognition of some really boss boarding.

Then last weekend, we were very graciously invited to participate in the Hamilton Skateboard Assembly’s 17th annual competition at Beasley and Turner Parks in that city. Our demo team competed impressively, and we came home in the company of a bit of bling for our efforts: On the first day, at Beasley, we won best-trick-over-the-gap and got an honourable mention for old school; on the second day, at Turner, we won first place in the under-15-in-the-bowl contest and third place in the over-16-streets competition.

Material recognition aside, the best thing about being part of the HSA’s amazing event—to say nothing of the chance it afforded us to taste the phenomenal new skateboard park at Turner—was the camaraderie and openness of the Hamilton people. What a great group of participants.

Something there is about a skateboard, methinks, that simply makes the world a better place.

Making a Bid for Summer

Summer is on its way out. Going once. Going twice. Gone.

Such has been the ephemeral down season of 2009. But it isn’t disappearing without incident.

I’ve been part of a whack of great auctions this summer. Among the best was the Rally for Kids with Cancer, this star-studded gala to raise money for the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and Padres Contra El Cancer. Run by Solutions with Impact, out of Toronto, this was a killer sit-down dinner for 500 at a private mansion in Bel Air whose genuine highlight, for me, was sharing the stage with Eva Longoria (of Desperate Housewives fame) and Adam Rodriguez (from CSI Miami).


At one point, I organized this spur-of-the-moment little comedy bit on stage with Eva and Adam that went over really well with the guests. The crowd went wild.

For this one, I auctioned off various travel packages and one-of-a-kind specialty items, like red-carpet walks for movie premieres, and weeks at interesting houses in exotic locations. When the dust settled, we had raised some $400,000 for this amazing cause.

Then there was the annual oyster festival at Rodney’s Oyster House in Toronto. This one’s a fundraiser with proceeds going to Environmental Defence. This year’s event, given a CSI-inspired title, Lemons and Oysters: Special Eaters Unit, included the highlighted addition of a dunk tank. The head of Environmental Defence was one of the guys who got dunked, as was Rodney himself. Twenty people tried before I stepped up and dunked him in one. He hasn’t talked to me since.


I auctioned off different packages for Rodney's cause, including a wine vacation to Niagara-on-the-Lake and a trip to an oyster festival in PEI, with airfare and lodging. More than 700 people came out for it.

The other event was an auction at the Ontario Science Centre—the LG Innovators Ball. The theme this year was Femme Fatale, an Evening of Intrigue. Seamus O’Regan from Canada AM, dressed as James Bond, was the master of ceremonies, and Ben and Jessica Mulroney served as honourary cochairs. There were 464 dinner guests and 845 attendees for the party that followed. We raised over $100,000 for the Science Centre.


I do some 65 auctions for registered charities every year, free of charge. Another among them was this year’s Canadian Film Centre party. Eugene Levy was the emcee and I was the auctioneer (see photo). In his intro, Eugene told the crowd that some 20 years earlier, he emceed an amateur comedy festival in Toronto whose featured acts included Jim Carrey, Howie Mandel and a young man named Jay Mandarino. What an honour it was to share a stage with him—then, and now.

Going, going maybe… But not yet gone.

Staining the Future

It’s easy to paint certain industries with a broad brush. I’m keen to slip out from beneath the one that’s swept across the printing trade in recent times.

Reams of paper, barrels of ink, the two coming together in a spectacular display of wastefulness and environmental irresponsibility. I’ll be the first to admit that the whole printing game doesn’t set a guy up to look like a hero. But once a bad scene does not ever a bad scene make. And an industry with a backwards way of doing things is the most responsive to a turnaround.

CJ Graphics is one of the most environmentally sensitive printers in the world.

Momentarily, we’ll have completed a project that’s seeing the erection of a couple of small windmills out front of our main facility. Working with Village Energy, we’re putting these windmills up to get the power necessary to operate all of the servers inside the shop.

In addition, we’re in the process of testing some inks that contain absolutely no volatile organic compounds. Currently, CJ uses soya-based inks, and these little pots of magic, with their low VOC content, are already better than lots of what’s out there. But the new inks will eliminate the bad stuff all together.

More and more, the paper we use is FSC certified. And we offer customers the option of waterless printing, and at the same price as conventional offset printing.

Waterless printing is a printing method that bypasses the traditional slop of chemicals that’s applied to a printing plate in favour of a printing process that relies on temperature control, instead. The elimination of these chemicals is not only more advantageous for the print quality it produces, but more environmentally kind, too, for the gallons of water it saves.

And there are other rewards associated with engaging in conscientious printing. CJ was just notified that it is one of seven Canadian printers, out of 5,000 entries worldwide, to win a Benny Award, this one for a job we printed for Mercedes Benz—waterlessly.

GREAT NEWS AT CJ'S!

Hi Everyone,

Big news!!!
We will be appearing LIVE ON BREAKFAST TELEVISION this coming Monday AUGUST 10, 2009; live from 7:00am-9am here at the park. Anyone that is registered for the camp session August 10 – 14 is welcome to be here at 7:00am and will be on TV with Jay Mandarino and the CJ Staff. We are really excited to have the opportunity to do the show and it will be an awesome time and a great experience. So come on out and be on TV!!!!!

We have a new mural located in the mini-ramp room. It is done by “Bubblz” from the Tribal Bridges Crew. It looks amazing and really gives the space some great color and awesome vibe.

The construction is complete on the snake-run-roller, and everyone has been having a blast on it all week. It really adds a different dynamic to the street course and is fun, but challenging at the same time.

The Video-Replay system should be completed by the end of this week. This feature will allow you to perform a trick, stand clear of the obstacle, and then watch the playback, of your trick, on one of the three jumbo flat-screen televisions.

We are now offering a camp session for the week of AUGUST 31 – SEPTEMBER 4 2009 as there are no other programs running during that week, so we have decided to open our doors and run an additional skateboard camp week to accommodate all your kind requests.

Hope to see everyone at the park!!!!

Skate on Past Toronto Garbage Strike

It ain’t no secret that the scene in Toronto these days stinks.

But the ever-lovin’ public employees’ strike that’s stung our nostrils, junked up our parks and deprived our children of summer care since June 22 doesn’t make the entire season a wash. Indeed, necessity being the mother of invention, fantastic alternatives to city-run daycamps have surfaced spectacularly in recent weeks.

And prominent among them is my baby: the CJ Skateboard Park & School.

Demand for the CJ Skateboard Park & School summer camp has spiked dramatically in the last little bit, as frustrated parents come to accept that the city camps they signed their little darlings up for ain’t materializing. Before the strike, we were 50% full; today, we’re more than 90% sold out. Last week, we hired on another instructor to handle the demand.

The CJ Skateboard Park & School is a not-for-profit corporation that’s among the largest indoor skateboard parks in North America. We just opened this year, and the weeklong daycamps we offer (for kids aged four to 16) are our first. I call it the cheapest daycare service in the city.

And if your child hasn’t got a set of wheels, fear not. He or she (20% of our campers are girls) can rent or purchase skateboards from the park, along with safety equipment. 



So trash the garbage strike, say I, and send your kids to a camp where the confidence they’ll score from mastering the quarterpipe and the nosegrab will endure long past this city’s toxic fumes have dispersed.

Check out the camp and how to register for it at CJ Skateboard Park