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Why people wear a mask: Most often, it's about them, not you. They may be sick and worry about coughing and sneezing – they don't want to spread what they have. They may have a health condition where they must be extremely cautious to avoid getting common flu or cold (e.g. they are on immune-suppressing drugs due to having an organ transplant). Or they have anxiety around their health and would rather be overly safe to avoid catching something. 

Even though music might be regarded as something frivolous, it has long been an intrinsic part of human culture. Starting from the time we are young children, some would even say within the womb, music has many benefits for our well-being. And there's increasing research showing the many benefits of having music in our lives.

How music benefits children: Advocates of music in schools have collected research showing that music and playing musical instruments helps children's language development, memory, physical co-ordination, imagination, creativity, teamwork and self-confidence. It has also been said that playing music improves math skills, but on this point, research is inconclusive. 

Music helps your brain: Playing a musical instrument has many beneficial effects, not just for children but for adults too: verbal memory, spacial reasoning, faster neural responses, and literacy skills are all enhanced by learning music. It has also been shown that music is helpful for people with Parkinson's and those recovering from strokes. 

How music benefits seniors: Music training is considered a possible effective way to protect brain function from cognitive decline but more research is needed. Other studies have shown that people even with severe Alzheimer's Disease "are able to learn and play novel songs". 

In First Nations and Indigenous communities, drumming has also been linked to health: "Results of the qualitative analysis show that the Aboriginal women’s involvement in hand-drumming circles has many health promoting benefits and builds on strengths already existent within their community."

Music makes people of all ages happy, gives them relief if they are burdened by stress or sadness, and provides skills and accomplishments when learning to play a musical instrument. In short, music boosts health and well-being. Music is medicine, just not the kind that comes from the pharmacy.

Here's a video that summarizes what's going on in your brain when you listen to music:

Sources: 
National Association for Music Education 2014
http://www.nafme.org/20-important-benefits-of-music-in-our-schools/ 
National Association for the Education of Young Children 2012 (PDF):
https://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/201201/Geist_Patterns_of_Music_Jan012.pdf 
Research paper "Music as a Memory Enhancer in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease"
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2914108/

Interested in learning more?
This is Your Brain On Music (book by Daniel Levitin ) 
Brainpickings 2015 (article)
The Guardian 2016 (article)

A new study of 2,072 Canadians aged 21 to 36 across Canada between July 6 and August 31, 2016 done by Environics’ Research shows that Canadian millennials have similar concerns to past generations of their age group (worried about financial security), seek better work/life balance, and, despite the stereotype of being apathetic, they do follow politics, current events, and are involved in causes.  

The report also identifies six different millennial 'tribes'. Many millennials will no doubt resent being labelled and boxed into a tribe or sub-group. Nonetheless, here are the six groups from the study's executive summary:

• Bros & Brittanys (32% of Millennials): Avid risk-takers, seek excitement, enthusiastic consumers; work hard to get paid in order to pursue their chosen lifestyle; embrace technology and social connections.
• Diverse Strivers (20%): Priority to 'make it' and have material success; are driven in their careers and personal challenges; want to inspire respect in those closest to them; care about their appearance, latest gadgets and toys. 
• Engaged Idealists (17%): Sociable, energetic, experience-seeking, idealistic; contribute to their relationships, careers and communities; believe that their actions matter and shape their lives and the world around them; they want interesting, meaningful careers that let them express themselves and their creativity; quality of their work experience is a higher priority than high pay; seek to have fun and a happy, balanced life.
• Lone Wolves (16%) Skeptical of authority, lack strong social and emotional connections, solitary, aim to keep life simple/straightforward; rarely involved in community events, low-key but not hostile, not aggressive or discriminatory. 
• New Traditionalists (11%): Religion a big part of lives and identity; have conservative family and gender roles; value traditional etiquette, appropriate dress, manners, respect for elders, authority figures; strong sense of duty and identification with family roots.
• Critical Counterculturists (4%): Engaged and critical; sometimes build businesses or pursue groundbreaking online activism, progressive values (like Engaged Idealists) but place high value on rationality; reject status and authority if it's seen as illegitimate or superficial. 

Check out the full infographic here by Environics’ Research 
 
Read the full report here: environicsinstitute.org/institute-projects/current-projects/canadian-millennial-social-values-study  

Press release here: www.newswire.ca/news-releases/new-survey-reveals-the-diversity-of-canadas-millennial-generation-through-their-social-values-613786623.html

The Vancouver Edition of My Help Book BC (My Opportunity & Help Book) will be published in December 2016 and available in January 2017. In it you will discover key community resources in 1000+ listings (organized by topic) that cover every aspect of important community and government resources at the national, provincial and local level. Extra articles and checklists include: What to do if you’ve lost your ID, a moving checklist, fraud prevention tips, self-advocacy tips & more. Customize your copy: add emergency numbers page 5, important dates page 75, and use the blank lined end pages for additional personal entries. 

Check back in January 2017 to find where to get a free copy or purchase a copy. Online or app version coming soon. 

Here is the Table of Contents (much information from My Help Book is also posted in the blog section of this website):
EMERGENCIES 6
CRISIS LINES 7
ANTI-BULLYING 7
NON-EMERGENCY POLICE 7
VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE 8
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT   9
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT 10
HEALTH 11
Info Lines & Support Groups 12
Health Rights 15
Mental Health 16
Addictions & Harm Reduction 18
Dental Health 19
Sexual & Reproductive Health 20
End of Life and Bereavement 21
HOUSING 22
LEGAL 23
Power of Attorney & Trustee 24
Legal Information 25
Community Advocates 26
Human Rights 27
Civil Liberties 28
Corrections & Prisons 29
CONSUMER INFO & RIGHTS 30
DEBT & BANKRUPTCY & Insolvency 31
SMALL BUSINESS 32
EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING 33
Employment Rights & Unions 34
Restaurant Workers’ Health & Safety 35
UNEMPLOYMENT & WELFARE 36
VOLUNTEERING 37
EDUCATION 38
MUNICIPAL & COMMUNITY 40
ABORIGINAL / FIRST NATIONS / MÉTIS 41
DISABILITY 44
Disability Rights 46
FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN 47
CAREGIVERS 48
NEWCOMERS / MULTICULTURAL 49
SENIORS / ELDERS 50 
WOMEN / MEN / LGBTQ 52
YOUTH 53
FOOD & FARMING 55 
UTILITIES 57
RECYCLING & COMPOST 58
SAFETY INFO & TRAINING 59
Natural Gas Safety 59
Carbon Monoxide Safety 60
TRANSPORTATION 61 
Collision Checklist 63
TOURISTS & TRAVEL 64
SPORTS OPPORTUNITIES 65
ANIMALS 66
FRAUD PREVENTION TIPS 67
LOST OR STOLEN ID CHECKLIST 69
MOVING CHECKLIST 70
SELF-ADVOCACY TIPS 72
SELF-ADVOCACY LETTERS 73
OTHER RESOURCE GUIDES 74
UPSTREAM RESOURCES 74
BC STATUTORY HOLIDAYS  75

It is not uncommon to hear stories of people who have had their lives turned upside down because they unknowingly hired an unscrupulous mover. If you are planning to move and want to find a reliable mover with a great reputation and one that fits your budget, The Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) can help. They recommend that you do your research, learn about your rights and responsibilities, get in-home estimates and book your move early.

The best movers get contracted quickly so do your homework and avoid scams by following these tips to help protect your family and possessions:

1. Hire a reputable mover, one that you know. Check Consumer Protection BC, the Better Business Bureau and CAM before you contract a mover to ensure they are members in good standing.
2. Read Industry Canada’s Consumer Checklist for Choosing a Moving Company on CAM’s website, www.mover.net.
3. Get in-home estimates from movers as this is the only way to get an accurate estimate on your move and will alleviate cost disputes later on.
4. Take the time to validate the mover’s reputation and their affiliations. Don’t make your decision based on the mover’s advertisement, verbal promises or slick website as these are no guarantee of professionalism.
5. Beware of lowball quotes or movers offering to waive the tax. Low prices are often altered on moving day with additional fees and only a disreputable mover will avoid collecting tax.
6. Get a written explanation of the mover’s liability for loss or damage while in transit.
7. Rogue movers have vague contact information on their web site. If there is only a cell or toll-free number listed, avoid them. If it does list an address, take the time to drive by their facility to ensure they have a warehouse, trucks and equipment to service your move.
8. Beware of movers who charge up front for a move. Reputable movers collect at time of delivery.
9. Remember above all - always get promises and quotes in writing. Don’t accept a verbal agreement or over-the-phone estimate. A verbal commitment or promise is not binding and cannot be proven in a dispute.

Contact CAM to help you find a reputable mover. As Canada’s moving industry association, CAM sets strict admission requirements for membership and monitors movers’ performance. Members must adhere to CAM’s code of ethics and commit to mediation in the likely event of a dispute. Visit www.mover.net for more information.