March 2023

Save the Date – Universal Company Picnic –
Saturday, July 8th!!!

Time to start planning for summer fun – we want to invite everyone from near and far to attend the 2023 Summer Event at Bruce’s Mill in Stouffville, Ontario.  Bruce’s Mills is a beautiful facility just north of the city of Toronto.

The Events Committee is planning a fun filled afternoon of Food! Games! & Entertainment! – so clear your schedule and come out and have a great time!  Stay tuned for more details!

Mark your calendars – Saturday, July 8th!

Employee Education & Engagement

Our 2023 Employee Education & Engagement Program will consist of 3 Presentation Topics (New Employee Orientation and SpeakUP Session; Use of Microsoft Excel; Benefits Package – Canadian Employees), our standard Canadian CSS Study Sessions and our new U.S. CSS Study Sessions.  In addition, we are excited to introduce our Health and Wellness Days and Team-Building Days.

The date, time and format for all Presentations and Study Sessions will be announced prior to the event – Health and Wellness, and Team-Building days will be announced one month prior. 

Something’s Brewing
Contributor: Alice Yan

Transition your Skincare from Winter to Spring

The dry, cold air outside and the warm, dry heat inside can do some major damage to your skin during the winter.  But come spring, the changes that occur with temperature, sun exposure, and humidity levels can also cause irritations, breakouts and other aggravating skin problems.

Here are some skincare tips to better protect your skin with the impending transition of seasons!

Gradually Lighten Up Your Moisturizer:  Although you’ll still need moisturizers with humectants like ceramides and glycerin to pull moisture into the skin and create a protective barrier, as spring rolls around, the humidity in the air increases, decreasing our need for thick creams which can create oily skin and acne breakouts, especially in the daytime.  Try starting your switch with a light face oil, or gel cream in the morning.

Always Wear SPF (Sun Protection Factor):  While you should always be using SPF (UV rays don’t cease to exist just because it’s cold out!) it is important, now more than ever, to make sure you’re using your daily SPF with the sunnier warm weather.  Even if you dislike the idea of slathering on sunscreen, at least use a moisturizer that contains factor 30 SPF.  It is essential to shield your skin from UV rays to stave off premature ageing and skin cancer.

Exfoliate Away the Winter Layers:  To help your skin recover after the winter, you should start by exfoliating your skin no more than twice per week to remove any build up of dry, dead skin cells that linger on the surface of your skin.  However, hold back on those scrubbing exfoliating products, as skincare professionals are now recommending using a quality chemical peel in place of scrub exfoliants.

Hydration Beyond Your Face:

	Swap out your body soap and shower gel for a cleansing oil.
	Always keep the lip balm and hand cream handy!
	Get a foot cream that contains lactic acid or urea if necessary.

Special Tips for Men’s Skincare:  The tips above apply to both women and men, however, most men tend to take a more nonchalant approach to skincare.

On average, men’s skin produces more sebum than women’s skin, which can lead to an increased chance of suffering from acne like blackheads or whiteheads.  Here are some extra skincare tips for men!

Men Also Need a Skincare Routine – All men should at least follow a basic skincare routine that includes 2 to 3 steps to protect your skin.  Start with cleanser, then a simple treatment, moisturizer, and finally sun protection (which can be a combined step with moisturizer if it has SPF in it).  To accommodate for the different seasons and weather changes, it is definitely necessary to use more than just one product.

Be Prepared for Shaving – Your facial hair will be softer after a warm or hot shower, so cleanse first.  Then following with a good shaving cream (or gel) is a must.  It’s especially crucial during the winter months, when your skin is already more vulnerable to dryness and irritation, as shaving improperly can exacerbate these concerns.

Post-Workout Skincare is Important – Alongside the buildup of sweat on your face, your skin can also accumulate dirt, dust, and bacteria from your workout.  Wash your face with a mild facial cleanser in lukewarm, not hot, water.

 Question: Which of the substances listed below do you think can be added to skin care products or cosmetics?

A. Caviar & Snake Venom
B. Mink Oil & Cochineal Beetles
C. Platinum & Diamond Dust
D. Only a. & c.
E.
All of them

Click on the question above, submit your answer to Sharon, and you’re eligible to win!

Submission deadline
Friday, March 31st (Noon)

Prize
$25 Tim Hortons, Starbucks or Amazon gift card for the 2 winners
(If more than two contestants have the right answer, we will pick the winning names out of a hat)

Kudos Corner

Kudos Corner is a forum where Universal employees can recognize the efforts of their co-workers.  Bring forward candidates for Kudos Corner at your next Team Meeting or simply drop your Manager a line whenever you feel someone’s efforts should be recognized in Universal & You.

For this issue we received the following entry submitted by Wendy Nigro of our Client Relations team:

“Maryam Mehrdad of our IT Solutions team at Head Office is a ray of sunshine to work with.  She listens to your concerns without judgement and is always very responsive.  With her skillset, I, on a very personal level, believe that she can help guide us in moving forward in this ever-changing technological world.”

Book Buzz
Contributor: Barbara Mulatinho

The Maid by Nita Prose

Molly Gray is not like everyone else.  She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others.  However, she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid.  Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job.  But Molly’s orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself dead in his bed.

Before she can process what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanour has the police targeting her as their lead suspect in the murder.  She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle.  Fortunately for Molly, her friends, which she never knew she had, unite with her in a search for clues as to what really happened to Mr. Black.  Will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?

A Clue-like mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different.  This story reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connections to the human heart.

Culture and Entertainment
Contributor: Barbara Mulatinho

Television Adaptations

Since the dawn of filmmaking, filmmakers and screenwriters have looked to their favorite books and games for inspiration.  Some of history’s most classic films were inspired by literature.  Despite critics’ grievances over Hollywood’s decline in creativity, 2023 will be showcasing plenty of works originating from diverse media sources.

The Last of Us
Available on HBO & Crave – Sundays at 9:00 PM

Widely considered a masterpiece of the video-game form, The Last of Us boasted a story whose strong characters and disturbing moral conflicts had all the makings of a buzzy television drama — so much so that The New Yorker asked, in its preview of the series, “Can a Video Game Be Prestige TV?” The answer is, obviously, yes.  Before it premiered in January, critics had already crowned The Last of Us the best video-game adaptation ever made.

The series is set in 2023, twenty years into a global pandemic caused by a mass fungal infection, which forces its hosts to transform into zombie-like creatures and collapses society.  The series follows Joel (Pedro Pascal), a smuggler tasked with escorting the teenage Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across a post-apocalyptic United States.

Guest stars include Nico Parker as Joel’s daughter Sarah, Gabriel Luna as Joel’s younger brother Tommy, Merle Dandridge as resistance leader Marlene, and Anna Torv as Joel’s smuggler partner Tess.

Daisy Jones & The Six
Available on Prime Video – Fridays

Based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s best-selling novel of the same name, this limited series will detail the rise and fall of a fictional ’70s rock band and its enigmatic frontwoman Daisy Jones.  In 1977, Daisy Jones & The Six were on top of the world.  Fronted by two charismatic lead singers, Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne, the band rose from obscurity to fame.  And then, after a sold-out show at Chicago’s Soldier Field, they called it quits.

Now, decades later, the band members finally agree to reveal the truth.  This is the story of how an iconic band imploded at the height of its popularity.  The book is uniquely structured as the script of a music documentary, with the band members reflecting on their glory days 20 years later, so it should be interesting to see if the show follows the same format.

The series premiered on Amazon Prime Video on March 3, 2023, with new episodes released every week until March 24th.

The Last Thing He Told Me
Available on Apple TV+ – Fridays

After being published in May 2021, Laura Dave’s The Last Thing He Told Me spent a whopping 48 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List.  The novel follows Hannah, who is left with her teenage stepdaughter, Bailey, in the wake of her husband Owen disappearing during an embezzlement investigation.  With Jennifer Garner and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau playing the leading couple, it’s sure to be a hit.

The series will debut globally, with the first two episodes of the seven-part series streaming on Friday, April 14th on Apple TV+, followed by new episodes every Friday through May 19, 2023.

Health and Lifestyle
Contributor: Veena Ramesh

On the Trail with Nature: All About Shoes

As spring and summer approach, days are longer and brighter.  It’s like an invitation to go out more, enjoy the sunshine, and get a start on outdoor activities like walking, hiking, running and camping.

That being said, I’d like to introduce On the Trail with Nature – a 3-part series to help you prepare to enjoy whatever outdoor adventure you set upon in the coming warm weather months.  This first issue is All About Shoes.  Shoes are one of the major necessities to consider when taking long treks.

In part 2, we’ll be looking at camping accessories and pre-made snacks for hiking.  In the final part, I will highlight some fantastic trails and places to venture out to.

Picking the correct footwear makes all the difference when pursuing activities like hiking and running.  Here are some reasons why investing in a good pair of shoes is important:

	Injury Prevention:  Running and hiking puts a lot of strain on your feet and joints.  Wearing shoes that are designed for these activities can help absorb the shock and prevent injuries such as shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and stress fractures.
	Comfort:  Good running/hiking shoes are designed to provide support and cushion your feet.  Shoes with adequate cushioning can reduce fatigue and discomfort, allowing you to enjoy your activity for longer stretches of time!
	Performance:  The right pair of shoes can enhance your performance.  Running shoes with good grip and a lightweight body help with speed and efficiency.  Hiking shoes with good traction will help with navigating difficult terrain with ease.
	Durability:  Investing in a good pair of shoes is a money-saver in the long run – no pun intended.  Higher quality shoes provide durability that outlive those of cheaper options.  This means you won’t have to replace shoes as frequently, especially shoes that will experience all that mother nature has to offer.
	Fit:  When choosing your shoe, make sure that they are not too tight or too loose – either factor can lead to blisters, discomfort, and other injuries.  Proper running and hiking shoes are designed to fit the foot well which also helps to prevent blackened or ingrown toenails.

There are factors to consider when choosing shoes, such as foot type, activity, and terrain.  Consulting with a specialist at a sport or outdoor equipment store can help you navigate the many options, and find the one best suited to your feet and needs.

For the budget-conscious runner, affordable does not necessarily mean that the shoes are bad.  Most brands make at least one reasonably priced pair of shoes that offer top-tier performance.  Here are some great budget-friendly brands and their options:

	Brooks:  Brooks offers a range of running shoes at different price points, with the Revel series being a good option for affordable running shoes.  The Cascadia series is a great option for affordable hiking shoes.
	Skechers:  Skechers is both affordable and stocked full of some of the most comfortable shoes. See their GO RUN series for options suitable for both running and hiking.
	New Balance:  New Balance has a reputation for producing high-quality athletic shoes at reasonable prices.  The New Balance Fresh Foam series offers comfortable and supportive running shoes at an affordable price, while the New Balance 410v6 Trail running shoes are a good choice for hiking.
	ASICS:  ASICS offers a wide range of running and hiking shoes at different price points.  The ASICS Gel-Contend series is a popular choice for budget-friendly running shoes, while the Gel-Venture series is a great option for affordable hiking shoes.
	Saucony:  Saucony offers a range of affordable running shoes, with the Cohesion series being a popular choice for budget-conscious runners.  The Saucony Peregrine series is a great option for affordable hiking shoes.

Remember that the best shoe for you is the one that fits YOU the best.  Try on several pairs and talk about it in-store to help you determine which pair is the perfect fit for your feet!

Educational Achievements

“Knowledge is what can separate you from the pack. It can take you as high as you want to go if you put it into action.”

The employees of Universal Logistics regularly receive industry training that is paid for by the company.  We are proud to recognize the achievement and success of our latest course and program graduates.

Susan Sok (Head Office – Customs Consulting Services) Completed C.S.C.B. Introduction to Canadian Customs and Border Procedures Course.

Congratulations Susan!

Yoona Lee (Head Office – Freight Pricing) Completed second portion of CIFFA Certificate Program – Essentials of Freight Forwarding on Demand.

Congratulations Yoona!

IT Corner

Slam the Scam – Protect Yourself from Fraud

It’s tax season, so it is once again time to remind you that this is a popular time for scammers to try to get money out of unsuspecting people – scammers are more sophisticated now than ever before.  Many of their phishing methods are so good that it is often hard to tell that they are fake.  They will use email, text, or phone calls, some threatening, to get you to pay ‘taxes’ that you owe.

The following are a few things that the CRA will never do:

	Give or ask for personal/financial information by email or text.  This includes any links to forms asking for personal and financial details.
	Send you an email with a link to your refund or any monetary compensation.
	Demand immediate payment by Interac e-Transfer, bitcoin, prepaid credit cards or gift cards from retailers (e.g. iTunes, Amazon, etc.)
	Threaten you with arrest or a prison sentence.

If you receive an email, text, or phone call similar to any of the above it’s a SCAM.  Here is a link to the CRA website with more information on this and what you should do if you suspect a scam.