MEL KNOWS …KINDA – Pride In Full Colour: Windsor-Essex Pride Fest 2026

I know the colours of the rainbow are how to celebrate diversity . . . and by the end of this read, you will too! Welcome to Windsor-Essex Pride Fest 2026, where joy, connection, and knowledge meet.

WEPF is a dynamic not-for-profit organization empowering the 2SLGBTQIA+ community through year-round advocacy, peer- facilitated groups, and social programs.

Although it is best known for its annual summer festival — it offers so much more.

Picture this — Windsor, 1992 when a small group met in a parking lot in Walkerville to march along the streets — to today’s weeklong celebration taking over Lanspeary Park with vendors, food, and entertainment, boasting over 8,000 in attendance.

This year’s festival takes place July 31 to August 9, with the main events held August 7 to 9 at Lanspeary Park on Ottawa Street. Friday night is live entertainment and dancing; Saturday features a world-class drag show; and finally, the parade on Sunday travels down Ottawa Street, finishing with a wonderful afternoon of live entertainment. Best of all, a majority of the events are free to attend.

Between enjoying the entertainment and dancing, make sure to walk around the park and check out the almost 100 vendors and activities. You may even see me take the stage for a little hosting!

Although WEPF started as a protest and eventually grew into an annual festival, its impact reaches well beyond a single event.

Windsor-Essex Pride Fest 2026 has become an organization that supports individuals to reach out to each other, fostering belonging through year-round initiatives, social programs, peer-facilitated groups, and special events, creating a social environment that is more accommodating, resilient, and connected to the broader 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the region.

Programs include the QConnect Youth Drop-in (a safe place designed for ages 12 to 18), and the Young Adult Mixer (YAM) for those aged 19 to 29 every Wednesday and Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. Every other Tuesday, the QConnect Plus Social hosts members aged 50 plus for discussions, recreation, and light refreshments. And the 2-Spirit Circle hosts their group every other Monday.

Refer to the website listed below for the latest information on everything happening at their office, 2109 Ottawa Street, Unit 216. In addition, WEPF offers its space for other non-profits and organizations in the community to use including Trans Wellness Ontario and PFLAG.

Windsor-Essex Pride Fest 2026 is run by a volunteer Board of Directors, and its festival and social programming are funded through sponsorship, advertising, and event admission.

There are plenty of ways to get involved — become a sponsor, vendor, volunteer, advertiser or even sign up as an entertainer. Visit: WEpridefest.com to learn more and I look forward to seeing you at Pride Fest 2026!

The post Pride In Full Colour: Windsor-Essex Pride Fest 2026 appeared first on Biz X magazine.

BIZ BITZ – JULY AUGUST 2026 – PET VALU LASALLE; OG PIZZA; TECUMSEH/LAKESHORE & MUSIC ON THE 42

NEW IN BIZ

Attention pet owners! A new location of PET VALU opened June 20, 2026, in LaSalle at The Shoppes at Heritage Plaza, 400-2301 Sandwich West Parkway, just behind the Windsor Crossing Premium Outlets.
The store stocks pet supplies for dogs, cats, small pets, fish, birds and reptiles. This new PET VALU features two beautiful large stainless steel Dog Wash areas for owners to bring in their furry friends for a luxury
shampoo in a user-friendly setting offering top quality products. Pet food delivery service is also available. Owner Guy Pritchard brings with him 30-plus years experience as a business owner and has immersed
himself in this enjoyable new enterprise: “I have always been an animal lover, and I really enjoy meeting pet owners and sharing great stories about their pets. Everyone is in a great mood when they come in to shop for their pets, and it’s an uplifting environment.” Manager Sara Buckley has 10-plus years of experience in the Pet Valu world and has brought with her, long-standing partnerships with local cat adoption groups, pet grooming, pet sitting, and other pet service needs. She and all staff are ready to offer advice and answer any and all questions related to your pet. See snapshots of local pets, read helpful care tips, and product picks on the social media page.

THE RUNDOWN

Original Guys Pizza Pies (OG PIZZA) is proof that good dough and big ambition go hand in hand. Owned by Domingos Braga, his brother Sergio Braga, and Jason Bluhm, the trio has been in the pizza biz for 35 years. They started OG Pizza in 2020 and have grown to 11 locations across the region: Windsor (Walkerville), Tecumseh, LaSalle, Comber, Cottam, Wheatley, Leamington, Harrow, Kingsville, Essex, and Chatham. And they are not slowing down — a 12th location opens mid summer in south Windsor at 2940 Dominion Blvd., Suite 100. And by the end of the year, they’ll hit lucky 13 in Belle River! To view their
menu and all contact info, visit their website.

The Town of Tecumseh and the Municipality of Lakeshore, in partnership with the Tecumseh Business Improvement Association (BIA), recently launched their joint commercial area branding. New roadside banners highlight the unique identity, character, and vibrancy of the Manning Road/Amy Croft commercial corridor and the three commercial districts in the Town of Tecumseh, including: Lesperance North, Lesperance South, and Main Street. Unity and connection are the defining elements of the district brand, “Where Everything Comes Together.” These districts are places where people and businesses come together to create good times and great shopping. All banners and branded elements will be installed in the four districts later this year. “Small businesses are the heart of our commercial districts, and these new banners celebrate the important role they play in bringing people together,” says Eddy Hammoud, Chair, Tecumseh BIA. “The collaboration between the Town of Tecumseh, the Tecumseh BIA, and the Municipality of Lakeshore demonstrates the strength of working together to promote our region as a destination for shopping, dining, and local experiences.”

DATES TO REMEMBER

The 2026 Summer Concert Series, Music on the 42nd, is hitting the Amphitheatre in Seacliff Park in Leamington in full force — and yes, it’s completely free to attend! One date you don’t want to skip is Saturday, August 22, 2026 starting at 5 p.m. with Christian Vegh, followed by Rick LaBonte and The Band of Brothers and the headliner, Teaze. The Windsor Federation of Musicians Local 566 has partnered with The Bank Theatre and the Municipality of Leamington to put together the concert and request attendees bring along some canned goods and non-perishable food items. It’s a small way to support local food banks while enjoying a night of live music! For the full lineup of all summer concerts, check online.

The post BIZ BITZ – JULY AUGUST 2026 – PET VALU LASALLE appeared first on Biz X magazine.

HAVE A CUP OF JOE WITH JOE – Wendy Beth Moore’s Human Factor Sales & Marketing Summit

Born in Windsor and raised in Essex, Ontario, Wendy Beth Moore has lived from coast to coast in Canada over the years, before settling in London, Ontario in 1996.

A “Red Raider” alumnus of Essex District High School, Moore enrolled after graduation in the advertising program at St. Clair College, though personal circumstances prevented her from completing it. She then entered the workforce and credits her cross-Canada experience with giving her “access to a wide array of different businesses to hone my developing marketing skills I gained during my time at St. Clair College.”

According to Moore: “I have spent more than four decades working inside marketing and sales systems across healthcare, finance, retail, manufacturing, education, and agriculture both in business-to-business
and business-to-consumer environments, as well as working with various marketing agencies.”

What does Moore have in common with Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook and META), Bill Gates (Microsoft), and Mike Dell (Dell Technologies)?

Well, she is not part of their billionaire club! However, like those three entrepreneurs — each of whom dropped out of university in the early years of study — Moore also stepped away from college to build a
successful career as a prominent marketing and sales strategist. Through her work, she has earned 40 international awards for marketing innovation, effectiveness, and creativity.

The belief that a university degree is the only path to business success is a common misconception. Higher education can provide structure and networks, but it cannot create grit, curiosity, or the ability to read a room.

Many resilient, innovative business owners rely instead on practical intelligence (“street smarts”), innate ability, hard work, and perseverance. These qualities have been central to Moore’s success. In 2010, Moore founded Customer Click, a consultancy and structured framework that combines decision psychology with strategic discipline to help businesses align their marketing and sales functions. Put simply, it enables intricately connected marketers and salespeople to understand what they need to successfully “click” with customers.

Moore’s content-rich website includes a regularly updated blog offering helpful two-to-three-minute reads for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Around the same time, she authored a book titled muddled, meager & messy: Marketing masterclass for entrepreneurs & small business. Available through Amazon, the book’s unusual title reflects Moore’s view “that marketing does not fail because business owners are bad at it. It fails because it is muddled by confusion and noise; meager because small businesses often have limited budgets and attempt limited efforts; and messy because of owners’ frequent knee-jerk responses to everyone trying to sell them something.”

In May 2026, a special 15th-anniversary edition of the book was released. Moore updated the original 2010 version to reflect societal changes, developments in the digital world and, more recently, advances in Artificial Intelligence, along with their impact on marketing and sales strategies. (Note: Kindle and paperback versions are available online. An audio book is offered on Apple Books).

She also hosts The Human Factor Sales & Marketing Summit, an intensive workshop that helps business leaders cut through daily tactical clutter and focus on how customers evaluate options and make buying decisions.

Summits have taken place across Canada and are especially valuable for entrepreneurs, small business owners, sales and marketing leaders, and anyone responsible for revenue-driving decisions. Participants gain tools to improve effectiveness, reduce wasted spending, clarify strategy, and better understand customer decision-making.

The Summit is now making its way to the Windsor area on September 23 and 24, 2026. Moore will host the event at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Windsor East — Lakeshore, 14 Amy Croft Drive.

This two-day workshop combines both teaching as well as interactive participation and includes a provided lunch for participants on both days. So, what can you expect to walk away with?

• Discover how customers truly see your business.
• Identify how your own style may be holding your marketing back.
• Understand the biases customers bring to every decision.
• Learn what makes marketing work.
• Recognize customer decision styles through language and behaviour patterns.
• Stop guessing and gain confidence in your marketing decisions.
• Build a plan you can put into action immediately.

“The Human Factor Sales & Marketing Summit changes how you do business,” Moore explains. “It’s two days of intense work distilling your business to what customers care about and how they make decisions. It gets you focused on what matters in everything you do to gain new customers and keep the ones you already have.”

Tickets are limited to maintain a productive working environment. To reserve a seat, please visit online. You can then link to the Eventbrite page. Biz X magazine is proud to sponsor this important event and wishes all attendees two terrific days of learning, networking, and new connections!

The post Wendy Beth Moore’s Human Factor Sales & Marketing Summit appeared first on Biz X magazine.

Stay, Play & Explore Windsor Essex & Chatham Kent . . . A Summer Full Of Family Favourites

Rising gas prices and the soaring cost of — well, everything — has families rethinking summer plans, but staying close to home doesn’t mean settling for boring. This year’s staycation season is all about rediscovering what’s right in front of us — in our own backyard of Windsor Essex and Chatham Kent. Turns out the best “vacation” is the one where no one asks: “Are we there yet?”

From quick day trips to overnight escapes, we’ve rounded up just a small sample of familyfriendly ideas that prove adventure doesn’t require a long drive or a big budget!

We also include a handful of local picks just for kids, including lessons, classes, and easy outdoor options.

Float, Paddle, Paint, Splash & Smile . . . Together

If your family is all about trying something new, and spending quality time together, then Urban Surf Co. at 55 East Pike Creek in Tecumseh is where you need to be!

They offer stand-up paddleboard, kayak, and pedal kayak rentals on Lake St. Clair and Pike Creek. Families can enjoy exploring the canals, spending time on the lake swimming, or relaxing on their beach patio.
Plus, their shop carries a mix of beach and lake lifestyle products, including paddleboarding accessories, apparel, hats, sunglasses, stuffies, jewellery, and more.

This summer, they also launched FlowState Nordic Spa, an outdoor sauna and cold plunge experience. Mom or dad can come alone for a relaxing time or invite a few friends for a quick break from a hectic
family life!

For families who are more artsy, Sketch Pottery & Painting Studio offers an enjoyable and creative hands-on option for all ages . . . with a waterfront view!

Guests choose a piece of pottery — such as a mug, bowl, planter, or figurine — and paint it however they like. It’s then glazed and kiln-fired, making it food-safe and ready for pickup a few weeks later!
There are also pottery wheel classes. No experience is needed, making it a great activity for families, friends and visitors looking for something unique to try.

“Whether you’re paddling on the water, painting pottery, enjoying a drink around the fire with live music, or relaxing with a smoothie on the patio, we aim to create a fun, welcoming space where families and
friends can make lasting summer memories,” indicates Dani Chevalier, Co-Owner of Urban Surf Co. “Our staff is incredible; they are hard-working and excited to help you feel comfortable on a paddleboard,
make yummy smoothie bowls, or take family photos for you here in our space.”

Paddleboard, single kayak, pedal kayak, and canoe rentals are $25 per hour, and double kayaks are $35 per hour. Pottery painting pieces typically range from $25 to $40, depending on what you choose to paint. FlowState Nordic Spa sessions start at $40 to $50 per person. For more ways to drift into a good time and their hours of operation, paddle on over to: UrbanSurf.ca.

For an easy, no-cost day by the water, head to any of Essex and Kent counties’ many gorgeous beaches, such as Colchester Beach in Essex, Cedar Island Beach in Kingsville, Holiday Beach Conservation Area in
Amherstburg, Erieau Beach in Blenheim, or Mitchell’s Bay in Dover Centre.

There’s free swimming available on certain days at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre in Leamington, Kingsville Recreation Complex, and Atlas Tube Recreation Centre. Be sure to review websites
and municipal calendars for specific info.

As well the City of Windsor has multiple splash pads, outdoor swimming pools and Adventure Bay Family Water Park to help stay cool and beat the heat.

Splash pads are also available in area towns at Seacliff Park, AKO Park, Farrow Riverside Miracle Park, Fontainebleau Park, St. Mary’s Park, Vollmer Complex, Lakeview Park Splash Pad, River Ridge Splash Pad,
Austin “Toddy” Jones Park, Kingston Park, Talbot Trail Place, Tilbury Splash Pad, and more!

FIND MORE ADVENTURES BY CONTINUING TO READ THIS STORY WHICH ALSO FEATURES: GREENVIEW PARK AND ZOO, JACK MINER MIGRATORY BIRD SANCTUARY, THE HARROW FAIR, CAMPERS’ COVE CAMPGROUND, THE CEDAR HOUSE, PELEE ISLAND, SARAH PARKS HORSEMANSHIP, LAZEE G RANCH, URE’S COUNTRY KITCHEN & MINI GOLF, THE VISITCK ICE CREAM TRAIL AND PLENTY MORE! TURN TO PAGE 28 NOW….

The post Stay, Play And Explore Windsor Essex & Chatham Kent appeared first on Biz X magazine.

Windsor Road Construction Updates – Closures, Lane Restrictions & Detours (July 2026)

Key Highlights (July 2026)

• E.C. Row overnight closures (June 30–July 8)
• Multiple full closures: Langlois, Giles W, Peter, Chilver, South, Caron, College
• Wyandotte E/W lane reductions
• Ottawa Street intersection disruptions
• Norman/Olive closures through month‑end

Current Construction Zones

Chilver Road Closure Update

Chilver Road will remain closed from Assumption Street to the cul-de-sac for watermain installation as well as milling and paving work. Full closure during paving operations ongoing until Monday, July 20, 2026 (weather permitting)

Lane Restrictions for Road Repairs

The following roadways will have lane restrictions for road repairs Tuesday, July 7, until Tuesday, July 28, 2026:

• Lauzon Parkway between Hawthorne Drive and the VIA Rail tracks
• Lauzon Road between Yolanda Street and the VIA Rail tracks
• Tecumseh Road from Jefferson Boulevard and Lauzon Road for road repairs.

Peter Street and South Street Closures for Watermain and Road Work

Peter Street will be closed from Mill Street to Brock Street for watermain and road construction work from Tuesday, May 19, to Friday, July 10, 2026 (weather permitting)

South Street will be closed from Peter Street to Bloomfield Road for watermain and road rehabilitation work from Tuesday, May 19 ongoing through Monday, August 3, 2026 (weather permitting). Roads to be fully closed with access for local traffic only.

Dominion Boulevard and Ojibway Street Lane Restrictions

Dominion Boulevard will be reduced to one lane between Northwood Street and Ojibway Street, and Ojibway Street will be reduced to one lane between Dominion Boulevard and McKay Avenue for preparation and placement of final surface asphalt from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, to Thursday, July 23, 2026 (weather permitting)

City of Windsor asks you to learn how to use the Zipper Merge.

Caron Avenue Road Closure

Caron Avenue will be closed from Wyandotte Street West to Elliott Street West for road and watermain rehabilitation work from Thursday, June 4, until Friday, July 31, 2026 (weather permitting).

College Avenue Road Closure

College Avenue will be closed from Lena Avenue to Brock Street for watermain construction work from Monday, June 1, until Friday, July 31, 2026 (weather permitting).

Norman Road and Olive Road Closures

Olive Road and Norman Road will be closed to through traffic along Kinsmen Norman Park for approximately two months for lot servicing from Monday, June 8, until the end of July 2026 (weather permitting).

Rescheduled: Norfolk Street Lane Restrictions

Norfolk Street will be reduced to one lane between Dandurand Avenue and Bruce Avenue for milling and paving work from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, to Wednesday, August 12, 2026 (weather permitting)

Construction Work at Two Signalized Intersections in Windsor

The intersections of Erie Street West/Victoria Avenue and Ouellette Avenue/Ellis Street will have intermittent lane restrictions and limited crosswalk access during traffic signal infrastructure installation and curb/ramp realignment from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, July 20, until Friday, August 21, 2026 (weather permitting)

Intersection Road Closure for E.C. Row Expressway Interchange and Corridor Improvements

Intersection Road will be closed east of Banwell Road to all traffic. Access between Intersection Road and Banwell Road/the NextStar battery plant will be closed to accommodate watermain and storm sewer installation as well as road reconstruction. E.C. Row Expressway, Lesperance Road, and Manning Road will remain open from 7 a.m. Monday, July 20, to 6 p.m. Friday, August 28, 2026 (weather permitting)

 Construction Resumes on University Avenue

Following a break for the winter, construction has resumed on University Avenue West for road rehabilitation work. The following areas are impacted ongoing until fall 2026:

• University Avenue West is closed from McKay Avenue to Wellington Avenue as well as from Elm Avenue to Oak Street.
• From Oak Street to Salter Avenue, traffic has been shifted to the south side of University Avenue West, while the north side of the road is closed for construction.

On-street parking and bike lanes are not available for the duration of the construction. Please follow posted detour signage and use caution while driving, riding or walking in the work zone.

Riverside Drive East Intermittent Lane Closures

Riverside Drive East will have intermittent lane closures near St. Rose Avenue for the queuing of trucks during construction of the St. Rose Pumping Station, ongoing intermittently, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, until October 2026 (weather permitting)

Giles Boulevard Road Closure

Giles Boulevard will be closed from McDougall Street to Parent Avenue for road and watermain rehabilitation work from Friday, June 19, until Friday, September 4, 2026 (weather permitting)

Find out the latest road conditions on the Ontario 511 website.

Wyandotte Street/Drouillard Road VIA Rail Bridge Rehabilitation

Both Drouillard Road (from Edna Street to Riverside Drive East) and Wyandotte Street East (from Cadillac Street to Albert Road) will be fully closed for VIA Rail bridge rehabilitation. As well, the Drouillard/Wyandotte intersection will be fully closed to all traffic, including local traffic from 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 14, until Friday, October 23, 2026 (weather permitting). This will be a continuous day-and-night closure.

Lane Restrictions for City-Wide Streetlight Pole Replacement

Watch for brief intermittent lane restrictions around Windsor this summer and fall for the removal and installation of 123 streetlight poles.

There will be no full road closures related to this project, but drivers are asked to follow posted construction signage and drive with caution in the impacted areas. Pole replacements at each location will take approximately three to six hours to complete at various locations from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday, June 29, to Friday, October 30, 2026 (weather permitting)

The post Windsor Road Construction Updates – Closures, Lane Restrictions & Detours appeared first on Biz X magazine.