City Life Magazine Vaughan Toronto June/ July2012

THE CONDO BOOM

THE MEAT AND POTATOES

ROW THE BOAT

HITS VAUGHAN

OF A BUTCHER’S LIFE

WITH A SUPER ATHLETE

INSIDE

HOW TO AVOID SUMMER BRAIN DRAIN BREAK FREE FROM YOUR FEARS

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CONTENTS 28

A Prognosis on Vaughan Hospital

June/July 2012 Volume 10 Issue 3

ON THE COVER 28 A Prognosis on Vaughan Hospital: The wait time on an anticipated health-care facility FEATURES 50 A Job Well Done: The meat and potatoes of a butcher’s life 62 In Fear and Trembling: Experts turn the light on our fears and phobias ENVIRONMENT 56 Time to Talk Tomatoes with Frankie Flowers: Our guest garden editor digs deep into your summer plot 75 A Grip on Gridlock: Guest environment editor Rick Smith on the consequences of the GTA West Corridor

50

A Job Well Done

42

The New Era of Vaughan

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 32 A Backyard Bash: Michelle Hinckley shares her do-it-yourself tips as guest home décor editor 58 The Big Picture of Picasso: Get into a creative frame of mind at the AGO FOOD & DRINK 34 Celebration of Tomatoes: Chef Jamie Kennedy shares his recipe for a delicious summer salad 49 Cupcake Craze: Uncover the palm-sized dessert trend from scratch 54 Bottoms-up: Local breweries offer refreshing tastes for you to sip on FINANCE 76 Q & A with Jeff Rubin: The economist discusses The End of Growth as we know it

24

Easy Breezy

32

A Backyard Bash 8 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

FASHION 24 Easy Breezy: Suit up in style for all your summer events 26 Fabulous White Canvas: Surround yourself with this fresh seasonal hue BEAUTY 65 More Than Skin Deep: Dermatologist Cheryl Rosen unveils the truth about the sun

49

Cupcake Craze

FAMILY 60 Have You Heard: A father shares his story of perseverance in the murky world of autism 61 A Step in the Right Direction: A school and therapy centre offers a giant step in specialized learning 80 Summer Brain Drain: Keep your kids fixed on fiction over the break REAL ESTATE 38 Spaces in High Places: Discover the GTA’s newest developments 42 The New Era of Vaughan: A forthcoming downtown shakes up our rural beginnings 46 The Condo Uprise: Who will lay down the law?

SPORTS 66 Golden Moments: Paralympic Super Athlete Victoria Nolan 78 Above Par: Guest health editor Dr. Stephanie swings away golf injuries PHILANTHROPY 64 Paw Prints on Your Heart: Find your next furry friend at the Vaughan Animal Shelter AUTOMOTIVE 70 Mazda CX-5: A compact look at the 2013 SUV IN EVERY ISSUE 12 Publisher’s Note 16 Editor’s Note 18 People & Places 74 Readers’ Survey: Win these fabulous products for a leisurely summer 82 Horoscope: Find out what’s in store for you

22 Bright-Eyed Girl

26 Fabulous White Canvas MORE STORIES INSIDE ...

www.citylifemagazine.ca

PUBLISHER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michelle Zerillo-Sosa • michelle@dolce.ca MANAGING EDITOR Simona Panetta • simona@dolce.ca DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & MARKETING Angela Palmieri-Zerillo • angela@dolce.ca ART D E PARTM E NT CO-FOUNDER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR Fernando Zerillo • fernando@dolce.ca SENIOR DESIGNER Christina Ban GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Amy Yang, Patrizia Antoniali WEB PROJECT MANAGER Steve Bruno EDITORIAL BEAUTY & TRAVEL EDITOR Angela Palmieri-Zerillo FASHION & HOME DECOR EDITOR Michelle Zerillo-Sosa COPY EDITOR Simona Panetta PROOFREADER Simona Panetta WRITERS Michael Hill, Madeline Stephenson, Athaina Tsifliklis CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Frank Ferragine, Dr. Stephanie Estima Galanis, Michelle Hinckley, Rick Smith, Richard Ravenhawke INTERNS Amanda Storey, Cassandra Tatone CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Amanda Calouro, Jo Dickins, Jesse Milns PUBLISHER

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Photo by Amanda Calouro City Life Magazine • Volume 10 • Issue 3 • June/July 2012 City Life Magazine is published bi-monthly by Dolce Publishing Inc. 111 Zenway Blvd., Unit 30, Vaughan, ON L4H 3H9 T: 905.264.6789 • 1.888.68.DOLCE F: 905.264.3787 info citylifemagazine.ca • www.citylifemagazine.ca Subscribe online at www.citylifemagazine.ca or by calling 905.264.6789, TOLL FREE 1.888.68.DOLCE. City Life’s yearly subscription fee is $13.80. We accept Visa, MC & AMEX. Send cheque or money order to Dolce Publishing Inc. 111 Zenway Blvd. #30, Vaughan, ON, L4H 3H9 Publication Mail Agreement No. 40026675 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Dolce Publishing Inc., 111 Zenway Blvd., Suite 30, Vaughan, ON L4H 3H9 All rights reserved. Any reproduction is strictly prohibited without written consent from the publishers.

DISTRIBUTION AND CIRCULATION Inquiries about where City Life Magazine is available for sale should be directed to: Transmedia Group Customer Service: 905.428.7541 ISSN 1206-1778 Next Issue: Aug/Sept 2012 The opinions expressed in City Life Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or advertisers. Dolce Publishing Inc. does not assume liability for content. The material in this magazine is intended for information purposes only and is no way intended to supersede professional advice. We are proud to be a Canadian company that has successfully published magazines for the past 16 years without any government funding or financial assistance of programs to cover editorial costs. It has all been possible thanks to the wonderful support of our readers and advertisers.

©2012 Dolce Publishing Inc. • Printed in Canada

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

“Faith is like electricity. You can’t see it, but you can see the light.” ϐ Chiesa Madre church bell, southern Italy.

– Author Unknown

WE ALL NEED TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS GOOD AND BAD IN ALL OF US.

I

have a confession to make: When it comes to religion, I am a bit confused. I grew up in a small town in the southern part of Italy, where one could hear the church bells ring throughout the day, and where a reminder of that sense of peace was found when entering church on Sunday. Today, many years later, I long for the sound of those church bells and that priest who gave a special meaning to having faith – a faith that over the course of humanity’s history has been challenged with a question of where is God? Where was God on 9-11 when the towers collapsed? Where was God 70 years ago in the concentration camps of Nazi-occupied Europe? A question that we posed to various religions within our community.

I think that in order to go on with life after these types of tragedies, one must believe that humanity, as a whole, is good.

There is good and bad in all of us, and learning how to have the good supersede the bad is a lifelong struggle that each of us must face. Believing otherwise would mean we would stop living and never leave our house out of fear of others. So, we forgive and live life by turning the other cheek.

barbeque for your family and friends, flipping those burgers and steaks, and you bask in your grilling glory, you might have renewed respect for your butcher, given the personal service he or she offers you while fending off the big box stores with might.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue of City Life Magazine, and continue to believe in the goodness of humanity.

Michelle Zerillo-Sosa Publisher/Editor-In-Chief

@dolcetweets

Feel the C-force.

For those readers who do not belong to any particular religion, I hope you will tolerate this piece with the same approach you would when singing our national anthem. “God keep our land glorious and free”. Or when you travel across the border and are left with a few U.S. dollar bills that read, “In God we Trust,” and are reminded to believe.

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Life would be very different if we lived without rules, if we did not need to worry about any consequences following an evil act, or as some of these religious representatives say, we did not believe our quality of life would be affected.

Staying with the topic of belief, we know that many Vaughan residents hold to their faith that one day soon they too will have a hospital here in the city they love. So we took it upon ourselves to shed some light on the darkness that has descended upon the fate of this development, almost like a curtain at the end of the first act. Except, we don’t know when Act 2 will begin, nor who the new cast members will be (see story on p. 28).

As you continue reading, you might recognize the familiar faces of those community icons that are the regular recipients of thankful compliments in “A Job Well Done” (p. 50). As you

12 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

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As you read p. 72, whether you choose to believe or not is entirely up to you, and in no way are we trying to convert anyone with this article. I know that some of the perspectives as to where God was on those dates made me feel a little bit better about believing.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

INTRODUCING THE JUNE/JULY

The Possibilities of Summer

GUEST EDITORS Simona Panetta Managing Editor

L

onger days are ahead of us, and with that comes summer BBQs in our backyards, pool lounging and fun ways to heighten our cultural experiences. And isn’t it a fortunate stroke of serendipity that we’re feeling our best these days? I’m personally excited about attending the Picasso exhibit at the AGO, the only venue in Canada to host a selection of the iconic artist’s work (see story on p. 58). How we find the time to engage in after-work pursuits is anybody’s guess, but when the season turns to summer, everyone is much more perceptive and giving of their time and patience. Picture the forthcoming potential the City of Vaughan will express when its new downtown core begins to connect us in ways we never imagined (see story on p. 42), or the difference the Vaughan Hospital will make to how we receive care once it opens its doors. All these possibilities have been made possible by individuals who live their lives with a half-glass-full attitude, even when weathering a storm of obstacles. Whether you’re looking to dip into a fresh tomato salad with chef Jamie Kennedy, adopt an abandoned pet at the Vaughan Animal Shelter, or row across the finish line through the eyes of a Paralympic athlete, this issue of City Life is full of golden moments.

“SUN IS SHINING. WEATHER IS SWEET. MAKE YOU WANNA MOVE YOUR DANCING FEET.” — Bob Marley

Whether you’re holding a backyard party or growing your own garden, our guest editors share great leads for all your summer activities.

MICHELLE HINCKLEY HOME DECOR Create the perfect summer party using thrifty finds and limited resources. Interior design blogger Michelle Hinckley shows us how in “Backyard Bash” on p. 32.

FRANK FERRAGINE (FRANKIE FLOWERS) GARDEN With tomato season right around the corner, gardening authority Frankie Flowers gives City Life readers ripened advice in “Time to Talk Tomatoes”, p. 56.

RICK SMITH ENVIRONMENT A prominent author, environmentalist and executive director of Environmental Defence, Rick Smith discusses the consequences of constructing a highway on agricultural land in “A Grip on Gridlock”, p. 75.

DR. STEPHANIE ESTIMA GALANIS HEALTH Get in the game with Dr. Stephanie Estima Galanis. In “Above Par” p. 78, the Toronto chiropractor explains how to avoid golfer’s elbow with your best swing yet.

Simona Panetta Managing Editor

16 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

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PEOPLE & PLACES

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1. BRANDAN’S EYE RESEARCH FUND Brandan’s Eye Research Fund (BERF) hosted its first-ever Blast from the Past event, an 80s-themed dinner-dance fundraiser at La Primavera Hospitality & Convention Centre in Woodbridge. BERF is dedicated to raising funds for international eye research, with hopes that it will lead to a cure for blindness. The event was sold out, with 500 guests showing up in retro 80s costumes. Prizes were handed to the best female, male and couple costumes.

Guest appearances included Gene Simmons and Michael Jackson impersonators, along with Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. TSN’s Michael Landsberg from Off the Record was the emcee, while The Lost Boys Band provided live entertainment. Guests also had the opportunity to take photos with the Stanley Cup and former Maple Leafs player Ron Ellis. A total of $115,000 was raised. Inquire about BERF’s next tournament fundraiser at the Copper Creek Golf Club on Aug. 29, 2012. www.berf.ca

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2. ROMANCING THE SPRING Brought to you by the Lioness Woman’s Club and Inspirational Lifestyles was this year’s Romancing the Spring event at Ciao Restaurant. Participants Embraced the Lace and shared inspirational moments at the lively networking event. An improv lesson from Aurora Browne, acclaimed Canadian comedian, also took place to add some entertainment to the evening. The event was a success, thanks to Jenny Katkova-Brown and Diane Di Donato. www.lionesswomansclub.com, www.inspirationallifestyles.com

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1a: Adam and Denise Faracassa pose with the Stanley Cup 1b: Celebrity impersonators get into character 1c: Ron Ellis, former Maple Leafs player, Rosemary and James Cescolini, founders of the charity, Michael Landsberg, emcee and host of TSN’s Off The Record 1d: Di Cerbo Family Ambassador 2012 speaks to the crowd 1e: Emcee Michael Landsberg entertains guests at the 80s-themed dinner dance.

2a: Irana Tulneva, Koryn Greenspan, Farida Kasimova, Jenny Katkova-Brown, Angel Man, Dasha Bosaya and Irena Lasker 2b: Galina Kelesch, Evgenia Klavir and Miki Nathmani. 3: Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua with Civic Hero Award recipient Hugh Cook.

4a: Riders begin the journey for a great cause 4b: Kirk and Kris Tobias, sons of Karen Tobias and creators of Ride for Karen.

5: La Paloma co-owners Carmelo Giannone and Maria Giannone, with co-owners Caterina Giannone and Salvatore Giannone.

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18 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

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Photos By Diane Richards

Photo By City of Vaughan

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3. THE CIVIC HERO AWARD On April 3, 2012, at the Committee of the Whole, Ward 1 resident Hugh Cook received the Civic Hero Award, which is presented to individuals who show outstanding community involvement. A long-time resident, Cook’s contributions include volunteering in local amateur sports and a continued dedication to preserving the history of Vaughan, especially through his work with the Vaughan Historical Society. www.vaughan.ca 4. RIDE FOR KAREN September 9, 2012, will mark the 11th Ride For Karen at Joan of Arc High School in Maple. Brothers Kirk and Kris Tobias created the event in 2002 after their mother, Karen Tobias, died of breast cancer. In celebration of her life and generosity, they decided to come together to make a difference. “We saw how hard the journey was with our mother and could not imagine how difficult it would be with a child,” says Kirk. Over the past 10 years, Ride for Karen has raised more than $1 million. This year’s funds will send children with cancer to camp to improve their quality of life and provide them with hope. www.rideforkaren.com

5. LA PALOMA YORKDALE Established in 1967, La Paloma has served the GTA with an authentic Italian dessert experience. With over 40 years in the business, La Paloma has provided its loyal clientele with an unparalleled taste of Italy. Approaching the production of gelato with passion, creativity and dedication to quality, this family run gelateria and café is introducing a brand new location at Yorkdale Shopping Centre’s Dine on 3. The grand opening on June 2nd, 2012, welcomed La Paloma regulars, supporters, family and friends. www.lapaloma.ca www.citylifemagazine.ca

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PEOPLE & PLACES 6

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6a: Organizers of the 3rd Annual Vaughan Chocolate Ball, Elvira Caria, Joey Cee and Nadia Cerelli-Fiore 6b: Joseph by Dolcini hard at work, sculpting a chocolate masterpiece. 7: Cheryl Amar, team captain of top fundraising team Kakis Krew, with son Jason Amar.

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7. MS WALK The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada would like to send a heartfelt thank you to the participants, volunteers, donors and sponsors of the Richmond Hill-Thornhill-Aurora MS Walk, which took place on April 22, 2012.

More than 400 walkers raised $86,000 in pledges to support vital programs and services for people with MS in York Region, as well as fund research into the cause, treatment and cure for this unpredictable disease. www.mswalks.ca, www.mssociety.ca

8 9 8a: Frank Scarpitti, mayor of Markham, and Michael Bowe, founder and former chair of the Multimedia Film Festival of York Region 8b: Patrick Lake, executive director of York Region Children’s Aid Society, Olga Ferro, principal of York Catholic District School Board, and John Watson, winner of the Best Drama Award 8c: Garfiend Minott, painter of the official painting of the Multimedia Film Festival of York Region 9: Vivian Risi accepts her award for Philanthropic Business Person of the Year.

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6. CHOCOLATE BALL The 3rd annual Vaughan Chocolate Ball was attended by more than 400 guests, who gathered to celebrate all things chocolate at the Bellagio Boutique Event Venue on May 3, 2012. From savoury food samplings to delectable desserts, guests treated themselves to chocolate-infused cakes, pastries, candy, and dancing. Actress Tonya Lee Williams also made a celebrity guest appearance. The night was held in support of Giant Steps, a school and therapy centre aiding children with autism. www.thechocolateball.com

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8. MULTIMEDIA FILM FESTIVAL OF YORK REGION The Multimedia Film Festival of York Region (Rich Tapestry/Mosaic Fragments) is an annual festival that runs for two weeks in May and culminates in a much-anticipated, region-wide awards and closing gala. It recently held inspiring screenings from unique and diverse communities around York Region under a range of meaningful topics.

The event is a significant cultural experience celebrating the talent of our neighbouring communities and the joys of film. Rich Tapestry speaks to the varied diversity of those within the region, as well as that of our geography, while Mosaic Fragments speaks to the vibrant pieces that represent us as a whole. www.yorkregionfilmfestival.com 9. ANNUAL BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENTS AWARDS On May 10, 2012, at La Primavera Hospitality & Convention Centre, guests, business people and philanthropists gathered for a special event. It was the Annual Business Achievement Awards held by the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce. Among the recipients was Vivian Risi of Royal LePage – Your Community Realty, who was honoured with the Philanthropic Business Person of the Year award. Risi is the chair of Yellow Brick House’s Second Shelter – Second Chances Capital Campaign, as well as an avid supporter of various hospitals and foundations. www.vaughanchamber.ca

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10. TAO CONDOS GRAND OPENING Feng shui master Paul Ng brings harmony to a new Richmond Hill development, as well as a prediction that in 10 years, buyers will see their investments double in value. On June 2, 2012, SigNature Communities held a grand ceremony to unveil Tao Condos, a seven-floor boutique residence. With tao meaning “path” or “way” of living in Chinese, SigNature Communities gives residents a balanced and peaceful lifestyle. www.signaturecommunities.ca

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10a: Members of SigNature Communities, councillors of Richmond Hill and feng shui master Paul Ng come together to celebrate the grand opening of Tao Condos. 10b: Nick Papa, Sebastian Mizzi, Nick Di Battista, Giulio Di Battista, Vito Satafora, Paul Ng and Tony Di Battista 11: Participants rev up their engines for SickKids hospital on July 15, 2012.

20 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

11. REV IT UP FOR SICKKIDS Save the date! On Sunday, July 15th, 2012, motorcycle enthusiasts will come together to raise money for the Hospital for Sick Children in an elite and scenic motorcycle ride. Starting in Vaughan and riding through the Niagara Escarpment with a monumental stop in front of SickKids hospital, motorcyclists will raise funds towards research and treatment for cardiology and brain tumours in children. Celebrity appearances, a wine tour and promotional draw will all be part of the action. With the help of visionaries Salvatore Oliveti, Joe Linardi, Joseph Manzoli, Loredana Oliveti, Alex Lombardi and Lisa Arena, this is sure to be a grand success. www.revitupforsickkids.com

12. VAUGHAN CYCLING FORUM Vaughan held its inaugural meeting of the Vaughan Cycling Forum (VCF) on April 11, 2012, for residents that have an interest in cycling. Eleanor McMahon, founder of the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, discussed the importance of establishing cycle-friendly streets in Vaughan. The forum focused on cycle facilities and programs in Vaughan today, and participants shared their needs and suggestions to encourage cycling. www.vaughan.ca/cycling

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Á TAKE A BOW Dress up your little man in a plaid bow tie that’s fun for him and classy for you. www.etsy.com

Ï BRACE YOURSELF This sterling silver Scott Kay bracelet is not for the faint-hearted.

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Ï SUIT YOURSELF A matching shorts and jacket set is a fun summer alternative to the traditional workplace uniform. www.netaporter.com

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An outfit in neutral colour combinations is much more laid-back, and just as sharp. www.iccompanys.com

BUTTON-UP Å You can never go wrong with a cool cardigan and a good pair of jeans. To switch up this casual look, expand your wardrobe palette with a pale yellow. www.iccompanys.com

Ï BETWEEN THE LINES Lounge around all you want in this pretty dress. The cosy fabric and careless feel is perfect for those much-needed days off. www.soakedinluxury.com

24 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

For summer styling, simple but sophisticated goes a long way.

Written By Cassandra Tatone

Á IN THE BAG Perfect for a beach day or shopping at the market, this handbag is big enough for all of your summer essentials, and its two-tone colour is easy and versatile. www.anthropologie.com

Á TO THE BRIM Hats off to a summer must-have that protects you from the sun’s harmful rays. www.anthropologie.com

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City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

25

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Fabulous WHITE

7

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CANVAS Written By Cassandra Tatone

This quintessential summer shade brings about the freshness we seek on those warm, sunny days. Whether you prefer it in a pretty lace dress, crisp bedding or sexy heels, we’ve selected a range of ways to be white-hot this summer.

8 10

1. Aldo “Kohara” sunglasses, $12. www.aldoshoes.com 2. Aldo “Macer” handbag, $45. www.aldoshoes.com 3. La Paloma cappuccino gelato, $4.20 (small cup). www.lapaloma.ca 4. Barr-Co. eau de parfum, $38. www.anthropologie.com 5. Design Darling blogs about the versatility of a classic white shirt. www.mackenziehoran.com 6. Aldo “Cardiel” heel, $90. www.aldoshoes.com 7. Antiqued Bird Iron Clock, $22. www.pier1.ca 8. Ivy Eyelet Mini Dress, $278. www.anthropologie.com 9. Terracotta wall mount, $201. www.potterybarn.com 10. Georgina Bedding, $58 – $398. www.anthropologie.com 11. Aldo “Droy” slip-ons, $90. www.aldoshoes.com

26 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

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27

The 35-hectare parcel of land at Major Mackenzie Drive and Jane Street, Vaughan, allotted for the city’s first hospital.

A PROGNOSIS

WE’RE USED TO HOSPITAL WAIT TIMES, BUT HOW LONG WILL THIS ONE BE? Written By Madeline Stephenson With files from Michael Hill

enormous promise is entrenched in an otherwise vacant 35-hectare field at Major Mackenzie Drive and Jane Street. “Future Home of Vaughan’s First Hospital” reads the conspicuous blue and white sign that’s weathered a few more storms than expected. In the background, the vibrant colours of Canada’s Wonderland offer a unique parallel to a far less amusing theme: for the City of Vaughan, it’s been a roller-coaster ride to the realization of a premier health-care facility.

The ups and downs were set in motion in 2003, when Vaughan Council decided it was time Canada’s largest municipality without a hospital finally built one. The city has swelled significantly since then, yet it’s faced with an empty stretch of land, a recently relinquished healthcare foundation, a contentious $10 million federal grant that’s slipped out of grip and a sign that’s getting stale.

With a major player out of the race, conflicting opinions about the final date of fruition and a population that’s projected to climb to more than 400,000 by 2031, some are getting weary over an indefinite wait time.

28 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

The now non-operational Vaughan Health Care Foundation (VHCF) was a non-profit organization enacted on Jan. 16, 2004, by the City of Vaughan as a separate entity to help bring a hospital and ancillary services to a burgeoning municipality that could never wholly depend on itself for superior health care. Former mayor Michael Di Biase initially chaired the charity (a role later assumed by local developer Michael DeGasperis) which was, at the time, comprised of civic and community figures such as Michael DeAngelis and Angelo Baldassarra. Their task would not be a small one. While the province would be responsible for coming up with 90 per cent of the $1.3 billion cost, the city would have to acquire the land and the VHCF would have to help raise approximately $200 million for construction and equipment costs.

From there, a private, not-for-profit corporation called Vaughan Health Campus of Care (VHCC) was established in November 2007, with a mandate to coordinate the development and establishment of health-care programs and services, garner government approvals and help determine a hospital site, as the province would

only get involved once the lands had been secured. DeGasperis was named chair of the VHCC, and construction insurance businessman Sam Ciccolini sat on the board and transitioned to become chair of the VHCF. “We started our fundraising, we started our galas. We started fundraising with third-party events within the city,” says Ciccolini.

In April 2007, a few months prior to the VHCC’s establishment, Ontario’s then health and long-term care minister, George Smitherman, announced that the provincial government would encourage and support the development of a hospital in Vaughan. “Planning for new hospital services in Vaughan needs to happen,” he asserted at the grand opening of Kleinburg’s Villa Colombo centre for seniors. Six months later, he provided a capital planning grant to the Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) to commence planning of hospital services. If all were to go as planned, shovels would be in the ground by 2011, and doors would open soon after. “Needless to say, that has not happened, and in my opinion, won’t be happening in the near future,” says DeGasperis, who www.citylifemagazine.ca

Photo By Amanda Calouro

ON VAUGHAN HOSPITAL

believes that Smitherman was sincere and committed to his role in bringing the project to life.

Spawning from a vision proposed in the 2005 Health-Care Facility Planning Report, the VHCC explored options for the development of an economic biocluster of buildings and infrastructure surrounding the hospital. It would consist of a network of amenities such as a long-term care facility and assisted living for seniors, and provide links to health-related providers, research, and educational institutions. “You have to be a visionary, and you have to think ahead and have a foresight to what’s going to happen for the future and what kind of services we’re really going to need,” says DeGasperis, adding that his involvement was strictly volunteerbased and that he made it clear from the outset that he would not be bidding on the tenders of the project. The VHCC moved along with its mission to locate an ideal site for the hospital and its supplementary services.

And so they did. “The [VHCC] approached no less than nine owners of parcels of land within the area of the City of Vaughan, and at the end of the day, they felt that perhaps the lands on the north side of Wonderland would probably be suited best to build the hospital and this cluster of care,” says Ciccolini. On June 30, 2009, a Contribution Agreement was signed on behalf of the city by former mayor Linda Jackson, as well as the VHCC, where the VHCC entered into an agreement of purchase and sale to acquire lands, “that appear, after the undertaking of due diligence, to be appropriate for the future location of a hospital.” Vaughan taxpayers would dole out $80 million for land and development costs, forming a significant slice of the local share. The city also intended to transfer ownership of the property to the VHCC when the project was in the third stage of the provincial approval process, so that building could proceed.

With the intent of expediting the project, Ontario’s Ministry of Health told the VHCC to align itself with www.citylifemagazine.ca

Maurizio Bevilacqua, Vaughan Mayor.

Sam Ciccolini, former Vaughan Health Care Foundation chairman.

“WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT OUR EFFORTS TO BRING A LIFE SCIENCES CAMPUS OF CARE TO VAUGHAN HAVE BEEN OBSTRUCTED AND AVERTED.” – Michael DeGasperis

Michael DeGasperis, Vaughan Health Campus of Care chairman.

Julian Fantino, Vaughan MP.

Greg Sorbara, Vaughan MPP.

York Central Hospital (YCH), striking a collaboration agreement between the two parties in October 2009. The hospital would now be built under the guidance of YCH, not the other way around, and the foundations would be encouraged to merge. “We were in so many words told by the government of the day that unless we partnered with York Central Hospital, we would not have a hospital in the City of Vaughan,” says Ciccolini, who reluctantly obliged.

In March 2010, the YCH Board of Trustees opened itself up to members of the VHCC, including DeGasperis, Ciccolini and others. “We went along, and right from the offset, there was some friction,” Ciccolini says. At least on paper, that friction seemed to be manageable. In fact, in a VHCC media release dated Feb. 9th, 2011, DeGasperis sounded optimistic, touting that “together, YCH and VHCC are committed to working with elected representatives, community leaders and health service partners …

If we continue to all work together, we will achieve our collective goals very quickly.”

Controversy arrived a month later on March 16, 2011, when newly elected Vaughan MP Julian Fantino announced that the Federal Economic Development Agency (FedDev) would grant $10 million through its Prosperity Initiative to the VHCC to support its life sciences economic cluster. To some, it was deemed a big accomplishment at the time, but others were quick to point out their concerns over federal money being granted to a private cluster of care instead of directly to the hospital. It should be noted, however, that FedDev Ontario does not provide funding for hospitals, as that falls under provincial jurisdiction. This gift came wrapped in a ribbon of obligations to be met by the VHCC; ribbons that would later tie the campus’s hands due to an unanticipated change in direction.

For DeGasperis, VHCC’s tipping point came a few months later in the form of a letter from Vaughan MPP Greg Sorbara on June 24, 2011.

City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

29

Rendering of Vaughan Hospital by Parkin Architects Limited, architectural consultants for the hospital’s development project.

“Since the mandate for the hospital development now rests with YCH, the model contemplated by the agreement between the city and the VHCC no longer is relevant or necessary for hospital purposes,” Sorbara wrote to Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua.

His words did not sit well with the VHCC. “MPP Sorbara basically intimidated York Central and the City of Vaughan to do things his way. You know what, he basically threatened them that it’s either going to be his way or no hospital,” says DeGasperis.

“Well, that’s just not true,” Sorbara contends. “The fact is, what I did is advise the VHCC, the City of Vaughan, that yes, we’re going to have a hospital in Vaughan, it will be by way of the expansion of the mandate of an existing hospital in Ontario … I also think that planning around those surplus lands has to be consistent with the hospital, because the land belongs to the city,” he adds.

Soon after, though not expressly related, the city held a meeting and advised it would no longer be transferring the Campus of Care Lands over to VHCC and would work towards renegotiating the terms of the Contribution Agreement. All seemed to be well for a while and it appeared

30 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

as though the YCH and VHCC were eager to develop a partnership that would prove to benefit all parties. A few months later, however, on Dec. 15, 2011, the VHCC wrote a letter to the Vaughan council and staff, expressing its belief that the city wished to pursue a different strategy with the YCH for the Campus of Care Lands. As a result of this, the VHCC expressed that it was “reluctantly acquiescing to the city’s desire to terminate VHCC’s involvement in the development of the Campus of Care Lands,” sparking an inevitable winding down of the agreement. Feelings on the subject are still firm today. “We are very disappointed that our efforts to bring a life sciences campus of care to Vaughan have been obstructed and averted. The city was manipulated and intimidated to believing that the hospital is just around the corner, and that the VHCC was not the appropriate organization to advance the planning and servicing for the Campus of Care Lands,” says DeGasperis.

The change in direction has put the $10 million in jeopardy. In March 2012, the VHCC informed FedDev that it would no longer be able to proceed further with the project since it could not secure a land transfer and

the $20 million contribution from the city. “As a result, FedDev Ontario is working with the VHCC to terminate the contribution agreement for the project,” a spokesperson from FedDev Ontario wrote in an email, adding that once the termination agreement is negotiated, remaining funds will be de-committed and allocated to other projects being considered. “We were on the right track to be in the ground and working on infrastructure, at this moment,” says a disappointed DeGasperis.

Like a row of dominoes, the VHCF soon took a hit when Ciccolini was informed that YCH had plans to incorporate a foundation of its own for a similar purpose of raising funds for a Vaughan hospital. “I said, ‘you’re kidding? Why would you do that when there’s already a foundation?’” The YCH stands by its belief that foundations are a vital vehicle to raising funds. “We’ve been working with the Vaughan Foundation, we’ve been working with the York Central Foundation, to make sure those local share dollars are there for not just the Vaughan hospital, but we’re obviously a large enterprise,” says YCH president and CEO Altaf Stationwala. This decision was enough for the VHCF board to unanimously decide to remove itself from the equation in May 2012.

“In light of the impending incorporation of the new foundation and in order to minimize any confusion that may occur within our community, I felt that it was time to give it up. We’ve become a persona non grata within the system,” says Ciccolini.

Minister Fantino also chimed in. “This is discouraging news for our hardworking community volunteers who have dedicated so much time, energy and resources to bring high-quality health-care to Vaughan,” he wrote in an email in regards to the disbandment of the VHCF. Stationwala says YCH was shocked by the news, but will be moving forward with plans to introduce an integrated and aligned brand for the hospital. “We’re hoping the brand launch is going to be targeted for some time in late June,” he says. Bevilacqua respects the foundation’s decision and www.citylifemagazine.ca

commends its accomplishments to date.

“I’m sure they came to that conclusion based on some very well-thought-out and intelligent discussion they had.

And that is why I’m very grateful for the work that they have done,” says the mayor, adding that he remains focused on the ultimate objective to bring a hospital to Vaughan. The $12.3 million raised by the VHCF will be put into a Vaughan Hospital Building and Equipment Trust Fund that will aid the city and YCH as it latches onto the baton.

As it stands today, the province has approved Vaughan’s hospital and aims to issue tenders for proposals from private sector partners in 2014-15.

“This project is currently in Stage Two Planning, which allows the YCH to define the size and scope of services at the new hospital, identify bed numbers, service volume projections, and technical parameters used by architects to develop and refine the architectural plan and prepare the tender documents,” says Health

Minister Deb Matthews. Quite significantly, Vaughan’s was the only major hospital project that was spared in Ontario’s recent budget cuts. In the meantime, Vaughan Council has hired Cole Engineering and planning firm Malone Given Parsons (formerly hired by the VHCC) to support the city in moving forward with a comprehensive precinct plan for the development of the hospital site.

There may be a medley of conflicting views surrounding plans for the 35-hectare field of dreams, but there is a shared belief that one day, all eyes will fasten its gaze on Vaughan’s very first hospital. “There’s going to be a rollout in the near future of exactly when the hospital is going to be built,” says Bevilacqua. Stationwala estimates that the completion timeframe is between 2018 and 2019.

While DeGasperis and Ciccolini view the recent events as a setback, they both remain passionate about carrying out commitment No. 15

in the Contribution Agreement, which is to make all reasonable efforts to advance the establishment of a Vaughan hospital. “As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter how we get the hospital. Even though I’m not involved in raising the funds for the hospital, I live in the City of Vaughan.

Let’s do it. Let’s put the shovel in the ground. Let’s end all these flowery things,” says Ciccolini, who dedicated himself to philanthropy after losing his 10-year-old daughter to a bone marrow complication. “We really wanted to set up an entire Campus of Care that was going to benefit many people. It was a big vision, but certainly achievable,” says DeGasperis, adding that the VHCC will continue to operate and support the city’s health-care initiatives through various projects.

“I often say that the spirit and generosity defines us,” says Bevilacqua.

Even in the debris of the hospital debate, the city’s philanthropic pulse never ceases to beat.

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City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

31

After Michelle Hinckley transformed this empty space with thrifty finds and household items.

HOW TO

CREATE YOUR OWN

Before

Bash

A BACKYARD

1

Consider using jars, bowls and containers that may not be typically thought of as food-serving dishes.

2

Create visual interest by displaying food in clear glass containers, which allow guests to see exactly what is being served.

3

A pot-luck style gathering will help cut down stress on the hostess. If you are going for a cohesive look, ask your guest to bring a specific item. Let them know that you’ll be transferring their item onto a dish so you don’t have an assortment of mismatched tableware.

4

Let the experts be the experts.

Cooking and baking isn’t my most favourite thing to do.

Instead of slaving in the kitchen and having your goodies turn out mediocre, visit your favourite bakery and buy an assortment of desserts. Not only will the treats make for eye candy, it will be one less thing you need to do.

5

Bring out a bar cart full of drinks so that your guests may help themselves.

6

Use fun food labels to unite all your dishes together.

Written By Michelle Hinckley

By

way of limited resources, I was able to pull together a backyard bash for a family celebration. It was held outside because our house was undergoing a complete renovation, but with a bit of ingenuity, it all came together seamlessly. First, we hauled our table and a few chairs from our storage space to create a pleasant dining area. Next, I dug up some vintage frames purchased at garage sales and thrift stores, spray-painted them white, and placed them onto the brick façade of our home.

The lunch was meant to be light and refreshing, with chicken salad croissant sandwiches and fruit. For dessert, I served an array of candies, cookies and cupcakes. Plain water and lemonade were served as drinks, but I kept things interesting by adding cucumber and lemon slices. I also found small glass bottles, which I filled with milk. I then added some cookies on top for a fun treat – which the children and adults enjoyed equally.

The menu was not fancy by any means, but the presentation eclipsed

32 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

the simplistic carte du jour by creating an elegant, relaxing atmosphere. Normally reserved for flour and sugar, I placed the salad and the fruit in glass jars with lids for a functional way to keep the insects out. Cupcakes and cookies were displayed on simple white long platters, while candies were featured and served in eclectic containers.

By simply reinventing ways to use everyday items, outside-the-box thinking will have your family smiling in no time.

MICHELLE HINCKLEY GUEST HOME DECOR EDITOR With a long-time passion for interior design, this wife and mother of three boys began a blog to express her love of all things décor. For over five years, Michelle Hickley has been sharing her do-it-yourself projects with readers, and catching the eyes of design-savvy people everywhere.

Her home projects have been featured in magazines and television shows. www.4men1lady.com

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Photo By Wondertime Photography

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City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

33

Celebration of TomatoesKennedy

with Chef Jamie One of summer’s greatest pleasures, and something we grow so well in Ontario (and in our backyards), is fresh tomatoes. Here’s a recipe for Jamie Kennedy’s delicious tomato salad.

RECIPE BY JAMIE KENNEDY FOR THE DRESSING: 2 egg yolks 1 tbsp/15 ml fresh lemon juice 1 tsp/5 ml white wine vinegar 1 tsp/5 ml Dijon mustard 2 tbsp/30 ml fresh basil leaves 5 tbsp/75 ml sunflower oil 2 tbsp/30 ml 35% whipping cream Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste FOR THE CELERY ROOT: 1/2 cup/120 ml julienne of celery root 1 cup/240 ml sunflower oil Salt to taste

FOR THE TOMATOES: 6 fresh tomatoes of different heirloom varieties 12 fresh cherry tomatoes 12 arugula leaves Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Use a food processor to make the dressing. Process the egg yolks, lemon juice, vinegar, and mustard. Add the basil leaves and continue processing.

Slowly add the sunflower oil. Season with salt and pepper. Trickle in the cream. Set aside the dressing.

Heat the oil for the celery root to 165 C (325 F) in a small saucepan.

Fry the celery root until crispy and golden. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon. Season with salt.

Reserve on a piece of paper towel.

Wash the tomatoes and slice into thick rounds. Season with salt and pepper and place on a tray.

PRESENTATION: Pour a little pool of dressing on each of the six plates. Arrange the tomato slices in a pleasing pattern. Sprinkle with fried celery root. Garnish each plate with two leaves of arugula.

Enjoy!

Serves Six

Jamie Kennedy has been instrumental in shaping our culinary landscape with his commitment to sustainable agriculture and advocacy of local food. His leadership was rewarded at the inaugural Governor General’s Awards in Celebration of the Nation’s Table in 2010, and he soon became a recipient of the Order of Canada.

He cooks up his innovative approach at Gilead Café + Bistro, Jamie Kennedy Event Catering, Jamie Kennedy at the Gardiner Café, and Windows by Jamie Kennedy in Niagara Falls. www.jamiekennedy.ca

34 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

www.citylifemagazine.ca

Photos By Jo Dickins

CHEF JAMIE KENNEDY

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Expanding on its existing niche of deluxe fruit arrangements, Edible Arrangements is implementing a new product line that will enrich your everyday meal choices. Offering fresh fruit smoothies, juices, parfaits and salads, the Vaughan location of Edible Arrangements is the first and only store in the GTA to offer these delicious and healthy treats. With bikini-body season upon us, Edible To Go couldn’t have come at a better time. “This is a healthy twist to the products that we already provide. Sometimes people come in and they don’t want the entire big arrangement, but they want our fruit,” says Vaughan storeowner Tiziana Cannella. The benefit of sipping on an Edible To Go smoothie lies in its ingredients: it is prepared with fresh fruit, sweetened with agave, and does not contain any frozen products. “A lot of places sell smoothies, but we offer fresh fruit smoothies,” says Cannella.

36 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

The Vaughan location of Edible Arrangements offers fresh fruit smoothies and salads, juices, parfaits and chocolate-covered treats.

With a storefront refreshed from a recent renovation, Edible Arrangements will be serving clients with healthy choices and fast service. Bursting with nutritional value, the new products will live up to the standards of the 13-year-old brand. “Our fruit experts can open up a fruit and just by looking at it, are able to tell whether it is good enough to be included in one of our arrangements.” Using the same quality of fruit that they use in their baskets, the Vaughan location will create fruit salads of various sizes to accommodate one person or a family picnic.

As the weather warms up, outdoor social gatherings with friends and family are expected. Edible Arrangements can add a special touch without the fuss. “People get together for pool parties, and on their way, they stop by and pick up one of our baskets,” says Cannella. Skilled Edible Arrangements staff make pre-ordering or walk-ins easy and enjoyable. The store is known for customizing baskets and lavishing clients with superb service. “Based on the number of people that you’re

“A LOT OF PLACES SELL SMOOTHIES, BUT WE OFFER FRESH FRUIT SMOOTHIES.” – Tiziana Cannella having at an event, as well as fruit preferences, we are able to accommodate your needs and tell you exactly what size basket you need.”

There’s nothing better than a refreshing snack that is also beautifully arranged.

Colourful fruits in grand arrangements complement summer parties, while fresh fruit smoothies and parfaits on-the-go give you one more reason to visit the impressive Edible Arrangements location in Vaughan.

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37

SPACES IN HIGH PLACES FROM CONDOS TO FIVE-BEDROOM HOMES, THIS REAL ESTATE GUIDE WILL HELP YOU FIND A SPACE THAT’S JUST RIGHT FOR YOU. Written By Athaina Tsifliklis

1

TAO CONDO 1. TAO CONDOS Feng shui master Paul Ng creates a balanced and harmonious space in this seven-floor building. The Richmond Hill sanctuary is complete with a yoga studio and airy design, lifting stress away from residents every time they walk in. www.signaturecommunities.ca 2. KING OAKS A luxury home in a humble community is the ideal place for a family. King Oaks estates are spacious four-to-five bedroom homes conveniently surrounded by public and private schools, recreational parks and the Go train station. www.aspenridgehomes.com 3. VAUGHAN VALLEY Located west of Weston Road in Woodbridge, Vaughan Valley consists of townhomes and detached estates from 2,000 to 5,000 square-feet. The exquisite architecture projects a luxury look and fills these homes with character. www.aristahomes.com

KING OAKS

2

3

VAUGHAN VALLEY

UPPER GLEN

4

4. UPPER GLEN With a high level of architectural design, Century Grove Homes proudly introduces Upper Glen Abbey Estates. These four-bedroom homes are located in Oakville and surrounded by greenery, making suburban living even more appealing. www.centurygrovehomes.ca

5. UPPER UNIONVILLE A step away from Main Street Unionville is a new development by Arista Homes. Upper Unionville is perfect for new families who are looking for a pedestrian lifestyle in a quaint community. www.aristahomes.com

5

XPRESSION CONDOS

UPPER UNIONVILLE

8 7

THE FOUNTAIN

6

6. XPRESSION CONDOS With a modern design complete with a rooftop patio and fitness studio, residents won’t want to leave Xpression Condos. Located on Richmond Hill’s bustling Yonge Street, this residence is walking distance from a shopping mall and popular restaurants. www.zancorhomes.com 7. GRAND PALACE In the summer of 2014, three 15-storey buildings are set to make a grand entrance in Richmond Hill.

Future residents will be enveloped by luxury amenities, which include outdoor tanning decks, a swimming pool, yoga facilities, and more. www.grandpalace.ca 8. THE FOUNTAIN Watch your wishes come true at The Fountains.

With environmentally conscious construction and chic design, this new Liberty Development is bringing luxury living to Thornhill. A water theme is carried throughout the buildings, creating a peaceful environment for residents. www.libertydevelopment.ca

GRAND PALACE

38 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

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39

ADVERTORIAL Vivian Risi warmly embraces granddaughter Sofia after receiving the Philanthropic Business Person of the Year award. Her charitable work includes the support of disadvantaged women and children.

A GUIDING LIGHT IN THE

Communit y

On

Award-winning realtor Vivian Risi takes home a top prize for her philanthropic efforts.

the evening of May 10, 2012, the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce honoured community stars at the Annual Business Achievement Awards.

While the accolades praised individuals in fields from business to media work, the moment that capped the night was when Broker of Record Vivian Risi of Royal LePage – Your Community Realty received the Philanthropic Business Person of the Year award for her charitable work.

“What inspires me is helping people – vulnerable people – who are not as fortunate as I am,” says Risi. As chair of Yellow Brick House’s Second Shelter – Second Chances Capital Campaign, she has helped raise awareness and funds of $4 million for an additional YBH crisis shelter. Alongside her efforts in helping abused women and children find refuge, the award-winning realtor is also an avid supporter of various hospitals, which include Southlake Regional Health Centre, York Central Hospital, the Hospital for Sick Children, and

40 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

foundations such as Lupus Ontario and Amnesty International.

On how she manages to balance her humanitarian work with professional responsibilities and family life, the receiver of 2012’s Richmond Hill’s The Mayor’s Award for Business Excellence jokingly replies that she simply doesn’t sleep. “I prioritize,” she continues in a serious manner. “I have

with humility and a smile. She stands next to her family while the mayor of Vaughan delivers a speech on her benevolence. “[Vivian Risi] is a woman who embodies the very best qualities of what humanity ought to be about,” says Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “In life, you can choose the path of least resistance, or you can choose the road less travelled. Vivian Risi [took] the road less travelled; she understood that we collectively have a responsibility to one another. The real lesson of Vivian Risi is that there’s no greater purpose in life than to be of service to one another, and more importantly, to be of service to the most vulnerable,” adds the mayor, while presenting her with an unexpected donation to the Yellow Brick House: a $10,000 cheque from proceeds raised at the 2011 Mayor’s Gala.

When it’s Risi’s turn on the podium to accept her award, she thanks her family and colleagues for their inspiration and partnership in making the Yellow Brick House a haven for struggling women and children. “Just thinking of the women and children who will walk through the door of the shelter, how their lives are going to be repaired, their broken dreams restored … What we take for granted when we go home at night is something they just dreamed about,” says an emotional Risi. An outstanding leader in the community, Risi recently extended her efforts beyond Vaughan, helping to organize Oprah Winfrey’s Toronto tour stop in

“WHAT INSPIRES ME IS HELPING PEOPLE – VULNERABLE PEOPLE – WHO ARE NOT AS FORTUNATE AS I AM.” – Vivian Risi a fantastic structure: a lot of support from my family and everyone around me contributes. I start my day positive,” says Risi, a YMCA Peace Medallion recipient.

As her name is called at the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce awards ceremony, held at La Primavera Hospitality & Convention Centre, Risi answers the standing ovation

her role as fervent contributor of The Power of Women speaking circuit.

As the celebrations draw to a close and the spacious hall empties, the energetic vibe makes it clear that Risi’s giving spirit ignites a passion for philanthropy in each guest. “We all need to take care of each other,” says the mayor. “Vivian learned early on that we’re all in this together.” www.yourcommunityrealty.com www.citylifemagazine.ca

SMILE MAKEOVER The best investment you’ll ever make

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41

The master-planned community of Expo City will include condominiums swimming with luxurious amenities.

THE NEW ERA OF

VAUGHAN

The imminent Vaughan Metropolitan Centre will transform the way we live and play.

Written By Staff Writer

T

he memory is all-too-familiar: sitting in the backseat of the family car with your elders, listening to them reminisce about the past while proudly pointing to residential or commercial areas that were once plains of nothingness. Press the fast-forward button to the near future and you’ll soon be extending your hand towards the unprecedented growth of Vaughan: towering skyscrapers, an integrated subway network and a bubbling metropolitan centre.

“The generations coming up are going to drive their kids around and say, ‘you know, when we were younger, this was just fields and no buildings,’ which is sort of the same thing my dad did with me when he drove to some of the sites he was developing,” says Peter Cortellucci, deeply involved in the development industry since he was a teenager. As vice-president of the Cortel Group, a diversified development firm building sustainable residential communities across the GTA, Cortellucci, 25, is palpably young, but somehow formulates words of wisdom when discussing the approaching intensification of Vaughan.

A place of barren fields, soil and weed, Vaughan was once an agricultural community comprised of historic villages and hamlets. It was incorporated into a city in 1991, and became one of Canada’s fastest-growing municipalities when its population increased

42 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

by 80 per cent between 1996 and 2006.

The current population is estimated at just over 300,000; a figure projected to weigh in at over 400,000 by 2031. This same year a highly anticipated development project will expand its mixed-use environment on more than 179 hectares of land, providing thousands of jobs and development opportunities. Considered the city’s biggest initiative to-date, the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre will be the focal point of a forthcoming downtown that will shake up our rural beginnings. The project will bring about advantageous opportunities for the citizens of Vaughan, exponentially impacting the way we live and play against a backdrop of new connections, achievements in urban design and green space. www.citylifemagazine.ca

DISCOV YOUR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL DISCOVER THROUGH THE STUDY OF MARTIAL ARTS. THROUG

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A subway network and social areas encourage a pedestrian lifestyle at the forthcoming Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.

“IF YOU LOOK IN THE PIAZZAS OF ROME OR THE BOULEVARDS OF PARIS, PEOPLE ARE THE PRIORITY, AND THEIR PRIORITIES ARE TO WALK, CYCLE AND UTILIZE TRANSIT SYSTEMS.” – Peter Cortellucci With its command centre at the axis of Highway 7 between Jane Street and Highway 400, the metropolitan hub will draw people together with retail spaces, offices, condos and entertainment options that will make heading to Toronto to indulge in these pleasures a thing of the past. Vaughan has a vision, and it’s to become a leading city. “One of the things we’re trying to do is create complete communities and complete neighbourhoods here with a wide range of office, residential, retail, cultural and civic uses,” says John MacKenzie, the City of Vaughan’s commissioner of planning. “We want to recreate a distinct and vibrant downtown by 2031. It will have the tallest buildings in Vaughan, and the most intense concentration of development.”

If you haven’t heard of the transformation Vaughan is headed for, now’s the time to get on track. By 2015, the city will welcome a robust public transit infrastructure that will ease the congestion suffocating the city’s thoroughfares, with an emphasis on Vaughan’s main transportation artery. “Highway 7 already operates at beyond its capacity, and the only way you’re going to fix it is with transit and the subway,” explains Cortellucci. The crossroads of Jane Street and Highway 7 will provide a gateway to the upcoming 8.6-kilometre subway network, connecting Vaughan to downtown Toronto’s Union Station and financial district, cities within York Region, Go Transit and an influx of Viva bus stations. Financed by three levels

44 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

of government, the $2.6 billion investment towards the subway will also go towards supporting the nearby Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. Apart from providing Vaughan residents with the opportunity to leave their cars at home, MacKenzie explains that the city isn’t stopping there in terms of preserving the environment. “We’ve got this subway station, we’ve got this bus terminal, we’ve got rapid transit and we want to have a mix of uses with a really nice open space and public realm system. Part of that includes some of the natural features like Black Creek, which is right now just a ditch along Jane Street. We want to restore and enhance this area so that people can enjoy green space in the future.”

An integral figure planting seeds of smart growth in our community, Cortellucci envisions gridlock-free horizons akin to a European lifestyle.

“If you look in the piazzas of Rome or the boulevards of Paris, people are the priority, and their priorities are to walk, cycle and utilize transit systems.” Cortellucci is leading the way in building Expo City, a fastidiously planned pedestrian community set to conclude by 2017 at the heart of Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. “One of the most important things – and where the city is moving very quickly towards – is trying to have excellence in urban design. We want to have quality building and more sustainability, but really, having a high-quality of urban design in our downtown,” says MacKenzie. Concentrating on sustainable living, Expo City will sprout with townhomes, offices, shopping, an entertainment scene and a five-tower residential development (two have already launched) offering 40 types of suites. “Vaughan has always been one of the leaders in the GTA when it comes to growth, and I think people are really going to start identifying that they live here,” says Cortellucci, a visionary raised to look beyond the present moment by his father, Mario Cortellucci, founder and president of Cortel Group. And if there’s anything the past can teach us, it’s that when one envisions the future, the rest is history. www.expocity.ca www.citylifemagazine.ca

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City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

45

CONDO

THE FRUSTRATED CONDO OWNERSUPRISE MAY FIND RELIEF IN NEW LAW REFORMS.

Written By Michael Hill

T

he condominium scene has exploded: There are roughly 525,000 units housing over one million residents in Ontario, and that number is on the rise. The concrete jungle grows thick with these popular homes, reshaping the city skyline and how urbanites experience the metropolitan milieu. This chain reaction has also sparked here in Vaughan, where new developments are breaking ground across the city.

But while projects rush upwards, and eager townies flock, complications emerge. “Right now, there are few consumer protections in place for condominiums, especially when it comes to preconstruction,” says Todd Hofley, a condo owner and president of the Liberty Village Residents’ Association.

He explains how many residents are forced to move into buildings with unfinished corridors, accept substituted features of equivalent value and wait years for promised amenities to be finalized.

While Hofley acknowledges that many honest, fair and great condo developers operate in the GTA, the condo boom has attracted both good and bad players

46 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

to the development game, cultivating a range of standards throughout the industry.

Hofley points to contracts rife with obtuse legalese as the culprit, burying caveat clauses that grant developers freedom to alter projects without notifying owners. These legal documents, often-dense labyrinths built on page after page of complex jargon, leave naïve buyers vulnerable to opportunistic developers. “You can walk into a sales centre and they can show you the glossy marketing, but what they

don’t say is it doesn’t have to necessarily look like that at all, and there’s very little recourse because it doesn’t fall under the Consumer Protection Act,” he says.

It’s an unnerving prospect; particularly when considering that the price of many downtown dwellings easily crack seven figures.

Trinity-Spadina MPP and NDP party member Rosario Marchese says complaints from his riding are a regular occurrence. “There are many problems related to the construction of condo buildings,” he says, noting frustrations www.citylifemagazine.ca

over smaller-than-indicated balconies, rattling pipes, faulty air conditioning and conked-out elevators after only one year of operation are just the tip of the iceberg.

Rosario Marchese, member of the NDP and MPP for the Trinity-Spadina riding.

‘‘

RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE FEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS IN PLACE FOR CONDOMINIUMS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO PRECONSTRUCTION.

‘‘

Bill 72, the private members bill Marchese is championing, aims to rectify these and other issues afflicting owners by amending the current and outdated Condominium Act. These reforms include instating a review board, which behaves like a tribunal, so owners can quickly and inexpensively resolve disputes with developers; restructuring Tarion, the private corporation responsible for regulating builders and overseeing the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act for greater consumer advocacy; licensing and regulating property managers; and implementing a “duty of fair dealing”.

This means contracts must be written in a “good face language”, so what developers market is what buyers get when they move in. He’s researched and pushed this reform for the past five years, but because of a Liberal majority, the bill hasn’t made it past a legislative committee, he says. This year marks his fourth attempt.

– Todd Hofley

Both Hofley and Marchese explain that the only recourse for frustrated owners is the court system. The problem, says Marchese, is litigation is highly expensive, deterring consumers and leaving problems unresolved. And developers know and take advantage of this.

“I think we desperately need a reform in many ways,” says Sandra Rinomato, host of HGTV’s Buy Herself. She explains the lifestyle, affordability and security condos offer are ideal for city living, especially for women. While granting developers some flexibility to alter plans is essential to finalize projects, she feels that freedom should be put on a leash.

“We need more control,” she says.

Still, while contract language can often be one-sided, consumers need to take some onus. “I think it’s really easy to walk in and buy and say I’ll deal with it later,” she says. “I don’t think they understand the ramifications of the www.citylifemagazine.ca

Sandra Rinomato, host of HGTV’s Buy Herself.

rules and regulations that go with the condo.” For buyers, she suggests getting everything in writing, taking the time to read contracts and turn to an expert, like a condo lawyer, if anything is unclear.

Steve Christodoulou, vice president of the Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario (ACMO), also agrees amendments are needed, but feels Marchese’s approach is too narrow.

“We want it to be a broad-base opening when rewriting the act,” he says. In 2011, ACMO and the Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI) put forth a legislative brief providing in-depth recommendations for the condo act. The 100-plus-page report hits a range of topics, including description requirements, telecommunications agreements and false, misleading statements, among others. “Although we support the efforts, we don’t necessarily support that particular bill,” says Christodoulou.

Gerry Miller, managing partner at Gardiner Miller Arnold Barristers & Solicitors, a condo specialty law firm that represents condo buyers and sellers, feels all the political posturing is simply deterring the process. “There absolutely needs to be some sort of reform,” he says, “but you need to have contributions from all the various stakeholders and find a way for the government to balance it.” Any reform needs input from all parties involved – developers, property managers, condo lawyers and, of course, consumers.

Miller says Marchese’s bill simply doesn’t dig deep enough. Consumer protection certainly needs reinforcing, but he feels most of Marchese’s points are superficial, and won’t generate real impact. One of Miller’s biggest concerns is that developers are single-purpose corporations with no assets. This issue could be rectified if every developer was financially accountable for a project right to the end of the process.

“So it doesn’t matter if a company goes bankrupt, there is some security and some way the consumer will be protected all the way to the very end,” says Miller.

While no time line can be confirmed because of the uncertainty of the political process, and despite the discrepancies f rom various parties, Marchese remains optimistic that reform is on the horizon. More and more condo owners are coming forward, demanding government intervention. And when the public makes demands, the government starts listening. “And the time has come, I think,” says Marchese.

City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

47

ADVERTORIAL

e c i v d A

ON THE

HOUSE

Mortgage broker Cristina Piccirillo of Dominion Lending Centres brings hot topics home.

Q: I am thinking of purchasing a property in Florida. Is pulling equity from my home the right thing to do?

A: The answer to this relies on the circumstance. If, for example, you are thinking of purchasing as a rental income property, then yes, it could be beneficial to pull equity from your home. This will help carry the costs to maintain the property, such as mortgage, property taxes, condo fees (if purchasing a condo), property management, etc. If, on the other hand, you plan on buying a vacation home for pleasure, be mindful of the additional costs to maintain the property, which could run up to $20,000 annually. It’s important to think about what your intention is and ensure that you have the money at your disposal to comfortably purchase the property.

Q: I have approximately $40,000 of outside debt and my mortgage is renewing soon. Should I consolidate the debt within my mortgage?

A: I would recommend looking at the interest rates for each debt. If they are significantly higher than your mortgage rate, it could be beneficial to include this in your mortgage. It could save you thousands of dollars in interest and significant savings on your monthly costs.

48 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

Q: My mortgage is renewing, should I stay with my current bank?

A: You are in a position of negotiating power. If your bank is not willing to give you the best rate and product, then you have the power to expand your options by shopping around. We can help you do that. By pulling just one credit bureau, we have access to several different lenders and the best rates and products for you. We can lock in the rate 120 days prior to your renewal, and if rates drop during that time frame, you always get the lowest rate. As mortgage brokers, we work for you.

Q: I am getting divorced and my spouse and I own our matrimonial home. How do we determine the split, mortgage, etc.?

A: First, the home will need to be appraised at market value. You can call us for recommendations and referrals.

Once appraised, value is determined by subtracting the eventual costs of selling,

which include commissions, closing costs and mortgage payout; the figure that results is the equity to be split by both parties. If you choose to stay in the home, you have two options to pay your ex-spouse out: you can refinance your mortgage and withdraw cash, or you can obtain a second mortgage. While you may be qualifying without your spouse’s income, child support or alimony may be considered as stable income. In a situation like this, we strongly suggest you seek legal advice, which we’d be happy to refer.

If you have a question you’d like Cristina Piccirillo to answer in an upcoming issue, please email her at cpiccirillo@dominionlending.ca or contact her at 416.801.8853.

Visit her new location in the heart of Woodbridge for all your mortgage needs: 281 Woodbridge Ave., on the southeast corner of Kipling and Woodbridge avenues.

CRISTINA PICCIRILLO With over 15 years of experience in the financial services sector, Cristina Piccirillo is passionate about opening doors for her clients, whether they’re purchasing or refinancing.

As an experienced mortgage broker at Dominion Lending Centres’ YBM Group, Piccirillo takes pride in educating clients about one of the most important decisions of their lives. www.cristinapiccirillo.ca

www.citylifemagazine.ca

To find out more about how these sweet businesses came to be, visit ccitylifemagazine.ca

CUPCAKE CRAZE Written By Cassandra Tatone

LAVISH CUPCAKES

WE BAKE IN HEELS With Catherine D’Agostino developing recipes and Adrienne D’Amico handling operations, this is a match made in cupcake heaven.

New favourite: S’mores cupcake www.webakeinheels.com

ENCHANTED CUPCAKE

SWEET LADY MANPREET A cake-decorating class turned a hobby into a full-blown love affair for Manpreet Bhogal, who bakes with healthy ingredients.

Her specialty: Key lime pie cupcake Call 416-843-3335

Photo By Prints By Rita

The attention ention to detail and unique name names given to these cupcakes show th the creativity ity and imagination that goes into Diana Aravena’s ravena’s work. Most excl exclusive: Pain D’Ore French Toast cupcake c www.enchantedcupcakeboutique.com

Red velvet, classic vanilla and chocolate are all flavours we’re familiar with, but when you venture into one of these boutiques, you’ll experience the craze that’s hit North America. With a history rooted in the late 18th to early 19th century, the treats aren’t new to the sweet scene, but as of late, specialty cupcake shops have been popping up across Toronto and the GTA, prompting competition that has inspired intriguing new flavours. From clever options like s’mores and blueberry champagne, we’ve found Vaughan’s most delicious spots to satisfy your cupcake cravings.

Crissy De Masi’s keen business eye and love of baking sparked an online business, which eventually flourished into a boutique in Woodbridge.

Best known: Red Velvet cupcake www.lavishcupcakes.com

CALL ME CUPCAKE

JUICY DESSERTS

PINK LEMON BAKESHOP

A fun activity between Diana Ponte and her children developed into requests from friends, and finally resulted in a much-loved cupcake shop. Try out: Call Me Colada cupcake www.callmecupcake.ca

Crowned a winner last year in a Food Network Challenge, Josie Bancheri takes pride in her unique creations. Customer favourite: Chocolate Caramel Toffee Crunch www.juicydesserts.com

With three storefronts and over 2,000 followers on Facebook, these freshly baked sweet treats are loved by everyone.

Bite into: Blueberry Champagne cupcake www.pinklemonbakeshop.com

www.citylifemagazine.ca

City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

49

WITH BARBEQUE SEASON HEATING UP, WE VISIT SEVERAL PROMINENT VAUGHAN BUTCHER SHOPS TO SERVE YOU THE STORY BEHIND THE MEAT. :ULWWHQ E\ 0LFKDHO +LOO 3KRWRJUDSK\ %\ -HVVH 0LOQV

&LW\ RI 7RURQWR $UFKLYH )RQGV ,WHP

A JOB WELL DONE

Frank James at Butcher Shop, 1921.

ohn Zagaria nods towards a black and white photo hanging by the register in his Vaughan butcher shop, Dolce Lucano. “That’s my father, Rocco,� he says, pointing to a youthful face standing behind a slain cow.

He’s surrounded by a handful of beaming family members posing in a dilapidated, old-world setting – conditions that simply wouldn’t cut it

50 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

by today’s strict sanitation standards. “That’s as crude as it gets,� Zagaria adds as he gazes fondly at the roots of his craft.

Much has certainly changed since Zagaria’s father ďŹ rst learned how to wield the weighty cleaver that was once a standard tool of the butcher’s trade.

That cumbersome blade – one only the brawny, dexterous hands of a master

could brandish – is proudly displayed as Zagaria’s business logo. It’s both a nostalgic mark of the art’s evolution, and the time-honoured traditions that made butchers such integral parts of the community.

We could all use these reminders, especially as summer comes into stride.

Soon backyards and barbeques will sizzle with life once again; for many, www.citylifemagazine.ca

they may already have. And as we savour these moments with mouth-watering meats – racks of ribs, succulent chickens, and of course, thick tenderloins – it’s time to remember the faces behind the counter that ensure these cornerstones of backyard gatherings make it to our grill.

While butchering’s old-fashioned methods have progressed with the times, open displays piled with assorted steaks, ribs, breasts and shanks have thankfully gone the way of the dodo – replaced, of course, with today’s hygiene-focused procedures. Zagaria explains that some things just never change. Personal customer service, for one, is irreplaceable. “It’s like when you find a good barber,” he says. “You tend to stick with them.” Through years of repeat visits, Zagaria grasps the tastes and preferences of his customers. Unless they want something specific, he knows their order the second they step through the door – a trait honed from years behind the counter.

His meat-cutting tutelage began at the ripe age of nine. It started with trimming bones in his father’s shop at Dufferin Street and Eglinton Avenue, where he worked for 24 years before moving to his Vaughan location 12 years ago.

“My mother always says that as soon as she could let me go, I was always with my dad,” Zagaria says, describing father-son trips to local farms or the old stockyards down at Weston Road and St. Clair Avenue. “I spent so many days in that place,” he reminisces.

Like many modern entrepreneurs that embrace the family trade, Zagaria explains that becoming a butcher isn’t something you just walk into – it’s in your blood. “You don’t get up in the morning and say, ‘I want to be a butcher.’” It’s a calling, and it takes a certain dedication to stick with the messy job of preparing our meat.

When it comes to summer barbequing, Zagaria feels nothing beats a good steak.

“Steak is almost foolproof,” he says, but with so many different cuts of beef available, how can you make a searing impression on guests? “Tomahawks are www.citylifemagazine.ca

“YOU DON’T GET UP IN THE MORNING AND SAY, ‘I WANT TO BE A BUTCHER.’” – John Zagaria

ό John Zagaria, butcher and owner of Dolce Lucano, leans on the hefty cleaver, a traditional butcher tool that’s also his company’s logo. ϐ Rows of salami hang during the curing process at Dolce Lucano.

really popular,” he says while grabbing the wrapped, axe-like piece of meat. The bone-in, rib-eye steak is dramatic to the eye as it is on the taste buds.

Zagaria’s shop, which also provides various types of meat to roughly 90 top restaurants throughout Toronto and the GTA (I’ve assured him no name-dropping would touch the page; he prefers the anonymity), is recognized for its unique, specialty cured meat as well. From a mildly seasoned wild boar called cacciatorini to a more spicy Calabrese, Zagaria makes over 20 varieties of salami in-house. “It’s not like I have a research and development division. It’s pretty much trial and error,” he says as he describes the process. He works backwards with new recipes, conceptualizing a particular taste and reverse-engineering it from there.

“To dry cure a product, it’s not made today and sold tomorrow. It entails sometimes six, eight, or anywhere up to 24 months, depending on how we’re curing it.” It’s a specialty no mammoth, big-box grocery store replicates, and one that keeps Dolce Lucano busy with both discerning clientele and the city’s leading chefs. “It’s great when

you go to a restaurant and you see your name on the menu,” he says. “It’s the biggest compliment.”

Across town, on the city’s northeast side, Sam Totera, co-owner of Totera Fine Foods, is carving a niche as well. Even with goliath supercentres breathing down his neck, Totera and his brother and partner, Mike, feel that the personal service independents offer trumps the size and scope of big-box.

“We stress giving good service, giving people something different than what they can’t find anywhere else,” Totera says. It’s a timeless attitude, adopted from their parents who started in the meat business over 30 years ago.

The brothers grew up in their parents’ shop, helping where they could, learning the ins and outs of retail, the do’s and don’t’s of the trade. “We had a passion for it so we kept it going,” says Totera.

“We carried it forward.”

City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

51

“WE HAVE CUSTOMERS WHO COME IN AND THEY’LL SAY, ‘I WANT TO BE SERVED BY SO-AND-SO,’ AND THEY’LL WAIT FOR FIVE, 10 MINUTES UNTIL HE’S NOT BUSY, AND THEY’LL GET HIM TO CUT THEIR MEAT.” – Sam Totera

“I DO EVERYTHING, WHEREVER I’M NEEDED. THAT’S BASICALLY HOW IT WORKS WITH FAMILY BUSINESS.” - Ambrogio Loconte Ambrogio Loconte, butcher and employee at his family’s shop, Loconte Meat Market, prepares a hunk of meat for cutting.

ό Sam Totera, butcher and co-owner of Totera Fine Foods, is hard at work at his trade, slicing meat that he serves to his dedicated clientele. ϒ The counter at Totera Fine Foods offers more than just meat. These selections of cheeses and salads complement the preferences of this establishment’s discerning clientele.

But much like the butchers of the not-so-distant past, the Totera brothers have adapted to the shifting climate. In the good old days, buying a large hunk of meat and having it cut into smaller pieces to take home was the norm for regular clientele. You wouldn’t see them for a couple of months, Totera explains. Today’s shoppers, however, crave freshness. Patrons regularly visit, generally on a weekly basis, to ensure the food they serve family and friends is as fresh as possible.

The hustle and bustle of today’s world has also fostered a market for ovenready products. From elegantly prepared mushroom caps and stuffed peppers, to a variety of kabobs, customers will find many in-house prepared items. They’re traditional creations, pulled from Totera’s mother’s recipe book, but taken to the next level. “Back in the day, it wasn’t as popular, but now I think because society’s getting to be very busy with both

52 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

parents working, there’s a need for it,” Totera says.

They’ve also heeded concerns for quality.

More customers desire local produce, and the Totera brothers have listened.

Carrying a variety of Mennonite-grown meat, including lamb and veal, as well as antibiotic-free pork, organic chicken and nitrate-free sausage, the pair meets the needs of conscious consumers. “A lot of children in the area can’t have any gluten,” Totera adds. “They need a lot of gluten-free products, so we cater to that.”

The lively shop, which opened in 2007, also features a unique setup where butchers work behind glass – a transparent concept that keeps customers involved in the process.

This openness continues to foster the atmosphere of olden times, when your butcher was a prominent community figure. “We take pride in that. We have

customers who come in and they’ll say, ‘I want to be served by so-and-so,’ and they’ll wait for five, 10 minutes until he’s not busy, and they’ll get him to cut their meat,” says Totera. “There are a lot of relationships here.”

For summer get-togethers, Totera leans towards a premium cut of Angus steak, but many customers enjoy their lamb spiducci and porchetta. “The whole www.citylifemagazine.ca

pork roast,” he explains, “can be served at room temperature. They just slice it, pair it with bread and you’re good to go.”

Renato Stalteri, butcher and owner of Siderno Quality Meat, stands behind the counter of his Maple business. He opened his first Toronto location over 20 years ago before eventually moving to its current location.

Ambrogio Loconte is also walking in his family’s footsteps, keeping their business, Loconte Meat Market, alive and well. “We’ve been in business for over 40 years,” he says with pride. His grandparents began the brand with a focus on fruits and vegetables before his father introduced meat into the equation, which remains at the core of their business today. From beef, such as Asado ribs and AAA steaks, to veal and pork to chicken and spiedini, it’s all local fare. “It’s all Mennonite-grown meat, stuff my father buys live once a week at an auction,” says Loconte. Unlike the boxed-and-shipped cuts found at big-box groceries, their meat comes from farms just down the road, and that focus on local goods is essential. “We make our customers understand that the stuff we have here is the stuff we take home,” he adds.

Like the others, Loconte worked at his parents’ store from a young age.

“I was born and raised in it,” he says, describing days of washing dishes, cleaning counters, stocking shelves or taking meat off the bone.

It’s a business of six – at most seven – family members, and this tight-knit clan has learned to pick up the slack where necessary. “I do everything, wherever I’m needed,” he says of his role at the shop. “That’s basically how it works with family business.” This traditional, down-to-earth attitude has cultivated a dedicated following of regular clientele, all of whom appreciate the personal attention and welcoming atmosphere.

“We know a lot of our clients on a firstname basis; they are people who’ve been coming here for years,” says Loconte, who prefers a nice barbequed rib-eye steak for summer dining.

“When you go into the small independent stores, you get not only the product but you see them putting their heart and soul into it,” says Marylou Stalteri, who, along with her husband, Renato, own Siderno Quality www.citylifemagazine.ca

Meat. “They’re proud, and there’s that personal touch.”

You want to make sure it’s 150 per cent before you give it to someone,” she adds.

Renato emigrated from Italy in 1983, opening his first Toronto store on College Street in 1988 when he was 23. After relocating to another College site, Renato opened a second location in Maple. The husband-andwife duo eventually closed the College location to focus on their Maple store.

“We liked it because it was a small community, it wasn’t a big city, and most of the customers became friends,” says Marylou, a statement affirmed as she socializes with a regular popping by for some fresh eats.

They’ve watched children grow, delivered groceries to those who needed assistance, and provided for church and community events. It certainly isn’t rare, either, to see staff members – some who have worked at Siderno since it first

opened 15 years ago – socializing with customers over an espresso. “You have to enjoy working with people,” she says, explaining how they encourage staff to develop one-on-one relationships with customers.

And that sums it all up right there. While meat is, well, the meat of their business, the backbone is always the customer.

People who smile every time you walk through the door; people who know your likes and dislikes, and prepare your request exactly to the letter; and people who ask, “How’s the family?” long before they ask for your order. Gone may be the old-world ways of preparing meat, but the people remain the same. And that’s something that will always be a prime priority.

Dolce Lucano: 133 Regina Rd., Woodbridge 905.265.8445 Totera Fine Foods: 2414 Major Mackenzie Dr., Thornhill 905.879.8325 Loconte Meat Market: 200 Marycroft Ave., Woodbridge 905.856.0024 Siderno Quality Meats: 2354 Major Mackenzie Dr., Maple 905.303.1600 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

53

BOTTOMS-UP Want more from your beer? Local craft breweries offer a refreshing departure from the commonplace.

Written By Michael Hill

N

othing beats a cold beer on a hot summer day. The thin layer of foam capping a frosty mug; the refreshing, hoppy taste kissing your lips and fighting off the relentless heat – it’s a welcome relief from the sweltering midday sun. Indeed, beer is the go-to drink for many Canadians, especially when the summer hits. But while we’re quick to grab a two-four from the big -name brands, a little exploration

cracks open a world of novel beers and rarely experienced flavours, courtesy of local craft breweries.

Phil DiFonzo, brew master at Nobelton’s King Brewery, feels the palate of Canadian beer drinkers is evolving towards flavour-forward blends that deliver more than just inebriation. “There’s a beer drinker out there that thinks the best beer is the cheapest beer,” he says, explaining

how many shop with an as-manybeer-for-as-cheap-as-possible attitude.

However, that breed is dying. “We’re now getting everything from young adults to middle-aged people saying, ‘You know, I’m just tired of that and I really want something better.’”

Like the eminence of Niagara wines, DiFonzo, who’s been practising the art of brewing for 25 years, feels Ontario craft brewers are developing styles that

FOR OTHER GREAT LOCALLY BREWED BEERS, TRY THESE FLAVOURFUL SUMMER BEVERAGES.

ORANJE WEISSE PREMIUM WHITE AMSTERDAM BEER Before popping the top off this citrusy, unfiltered white beer, give it the “Weisse roll.” Gently roll the bottle on its side to stir up the yeast and liven up the flavour. Serve with a slice of orange to further enhance its taste. www.amsterdambeer.com 416.504.6882

54 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

CRAZY CANUCK PALE ALE GREAT LAKES BREWERY For the more adventurous Canadian, this variation on the West Coast pale ale is an enjoyable trip. It starts with a distinct, hoppy scent that turns into a lively taste, with a light malt flavour and a bitterness that sticks. Try it with curries and other spicy dishes. www.greatlakesbeer.com 416.255.4510

KING PILSNER KING BREWERY For the person who likes to indulge in flavoursome foods, King’s Czech-style Pilsner is the perfect choice. With a bittersweet combination, this beer complements a spicy dish and satisfies your taste buds with every sip. www.kingbrewery.ca 905.859.5464

LEMON TEA BEER MILL ST. BREWERY Now here’s a unique beer. Brewed with orange pekoe and earl grey from Toronto’s Metropolitan Tea Company, this light, tasty and fruity blend is a thirst-quencher. Try it with citrusy vinaigrettes, grilled fish, chicken or even sushi. www.millstreetbrewery.com 416.759.6565 www.citylifemagazine.ca

While the German-style Dark Lager, winner of the People’s Choice award for dark lagers at the 2011 Ontario Brewing Awards, has an excellent, robust flavour with hints of chocolate, coffee and nuts, DiFonzo feels the Vienna and Pilsner are the ideal summer brews. The Vienna, which won gold at the Ontario Beer Awards for top amber lager in 2011, is a sweeter, malty Austrian-style beer that’s approachable and goes great with

‘‘

I TRY TO GIVE A VARIATION OF COLOUR AND FLAVOUR.

‘‘

rival international favourites. King Brewery, which was founded in 2002, currently produces three beers, each offering unique experiences. “I try to give a variation of colour and flavour,” DiFonzo says, describing his Dark Larger, Vienna Lager and Pilsner.

– Phil DiFonzo

burgers, ribs and barbequed sausage.

The Czech-style Pilsner starts with a touch of sweetness that derives from the malt, followed by a bitter tang.

“That’s the refreshing element of the Pilsner,” DiFonzo says, explaining how the bitter aftertaste takes the bite off hot, spicy foods.

In the U.S., craft brewing is steadily growing, and DiFonzo hopes the Canadian market will experience similar success. While the challenge of distribution is always present and competing with heavyweights is no easy task, DiFonzo feels the work he and his fellow craft brewers are doing will turn these little independents into household names. “There’s good blue skies for all of us,” he says.

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55

TIME TO TALK es!

o t a Tom

Get in the garden with Frankie Flowers.

Written By Frankie Flowers

T

he taste of a juicy tomato freshly plucked from the garden is one of my favourite summer-gardening moments.

Undoubtedly the world’s most popular fruit grown in the vegetable garden, tomatoes come in all shapes, colours, sizes and flavours. From cherry tomatoes, slicers and plum tomatoes, to colours of red, yellow and purple – believe it or not, all require the same growing conditions. Here are some quick tips to get your perfect tomato garden growing this summer.

Make Them Feel Hot, Hot, Hot Tomatoes like it hot and sunny, requiring at least six (but ideally eight) hours of direct sunlight – preferably in the afternoon – for optimum growth.

The hottest summers produce the best tomatoes.

Feed Your Soil Whether planted in the ground or in a pot, tomatoes require rich and well-drained soil. In pots, I recommend using specialized products like Nature Mix Container Soil or Nature Mix Vegetable and Herb Soil for gardens.

At minimum, I always recommend amending the soil in your vegetable garden each year with a generous top dressing of manure (I prefer sheep).

56 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

Pluck Those Suckers Suckers, which are clusters of leaves where the branch and stem meet, should always be removed. They don’t bear fruit and take energy away from the plant. Remove suckers from tomato vines by pinching them between your fingers. When your plant grows to a height of 65 to 90 centimetres, remove its lower leaves from the bottom 25 cm of the stem as they’re the first to develop fungus problems.

in a paper bag with a few green ones.

The ripe tomato releases ethylene gas, helping speed up the ripening process.

Finally, and most importantly: tomatoes should never go in the refrigerator.

Chilling a tomato does not increase its shelf life, and can actually decrease its flavour. Happy growing!

Feed Them, and They Feed Us Tomatoes like to eat, too. For maximum output, fertilize twice monthly after watering with water-soluble fertilizer such as Plant Prod Tomato and Vegetable Fertilizer.

Water Wisely Water in the morning, targeting roots and not foliage. I recommend using a soaker hose to avoid watering foliage.

Remember that during early developing stages a regular, thorough watering is essential, especially on summer’s brightest and windiest days.

Ripe is Ready Flavourful tomatoes are a direct result of ripening on the vine. If you’re stuck with green tomatoes at the end of growing season, place one ripe tomato

Currently available where books are sold, Pot It Up is Frankie Flowers’ newest book, which teaches readers how to add some life to their gardens with the use of colourful containers.

FRANK FERRAGINE GUEST GARDEN EDITOR Frank Ferragine, a.k.a.

Frankie Flowers, is arguably Canada’s most trustworthy garden and weather expert.

The author of bestselling gardening books Pot It Up and Get Growing, he reaches more than one million viewers each week on Citytv’s Breakfast Television, CityLine and CityNews. His family business, Bradford Greenhouses, is one of Canada’s largest combined greenhouse/garden businesses. www.frankieflowers.com

www.citylifemagazine.ca

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City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

57

One of Picasso’s muses, Dora Maar, is represented in La Femme qui Pleure, 1937.

Femme a L’Oreiller, 1969, combines Picasso’s self-portrait, Autoportrait au the nude female body with Chapeau de Paille, 1938, provides a Picasso’s love for cubist shapes. glimpse into the artist’s abstract mind-set.

THE BIG PICTURE OF

PICASSO

Delve into an enigmatic mind at AGO’s enlightening Picasso exhibit.

T

he exhibit begins with a small hallway of photographs. Some may bypass the section, but if you stop to look you’ll see Picasso, the man himself.

The photographs of the artist featured in the exhibit show an ordinary chap enjoying a day at the beach and a drink with some friends. But it’s the art – the paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings – that reveal the extraordinary talent that was Pablo Picasso.

On May 1st, 2012, Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris debuted at the AGO in Toronto, the only Canadian venue to receive the touring exhibit, which includes 141 masterpieces from the French museum’s 5,000-piece collection.

As the first major Picasso display to land in Toronto since 1964, visitors from across the city have been flocking to the exhibit before it makes its exit on Aug. 26.

58 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

The AGO is the only Canadian venue to host the Picasso exhibit.

The exhibit unfolds as a diary does, beginning with the mastery of the human form Picasso achieved in his earliest work. The changes in his character begin to unfold as he experiments with shape and form, to arrive at the iconic style that defines him.

This art form is known as Cubism, and you’ll recognize it as you enter the room showcasing two abstracted

masterpieces: Man with a Guitar and Man with a Mandolin. Cubism combines multiple perspectives of a subject onto one canvas, and at first, it’s difficult to see how all of these lines can be connected to any real-life subject.

Yet upon closer inspection, a mustache becomes visible and the curves of the instruments appear. Shiralee Hudson Hill, interpretative planner at the AGO, explains that these little clues are like “visual breadcrumbs”, allowing us to grab a hold of the bigger picture, and in turn, the man behind it.

“Ultimately, in a way, every Picasso painting is about Picasso. It’s about him, it’s about his subjects, and it’s the way he responded to them,” says Hudson Hill. The exhibit shows the man himself in the photographs and self-portraits of the painter, but most importantly, it shows the genius mind people have been fascinated with since the turn of the 20th century. www.ago.net www.citylifemagazine.ca

Photos By © Picasso Estate SODRAC (2012) © RMN/Jean-Gilles Berizzi

Written By Cassandra Tatone

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City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

59

HAVE YOU HEARD

3KRWRJUDSK i -HQQLIHU (OGUHGJH 6WHOOR

Arthur and Carly Fleischmann have not only introduced a world of possibilities with Carly’s Voice, but also the strong bond between a father and daughter.

The parent of an autistic child describes the abyss between hope and despair. :ULWWHQ %\ $UWKXU )OHLVFKPDQQ

G

reeks used myths to explain phenomena they couldn’t rationalize. For all the answers we’d gotten as to why Carly was as she was, a myth would have been as useful.

I didn’t blame the doctors for their lack of specificity. How could I? Carly couldn’t engage in many of the diagnostic tests they tried. She didn’t follow multi-step instructions or tasks nor could she speak to explain what was going on inside her body. On occasion she cooed when held and cuddled by Tammy and me, and often giggled and laughed with her sister.

Most of the time, she was content to be adrift in her own world, sitting on the periphery of ours.

As we dragged her from doctor to clinic to lab and back again, day after day, it occurred to us that perhaps we were merely trying to label and identify her. How many more needle pricks

60 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

would we make her endure? Sleepless nights with electroencephalogram leads attached to her little sweaty head?

Evoked potential, hearing, and sight exams? Skin and muscle biopsies? The repetitive narrative of providing oral history to each subsequent doctor, nurse, and resident was enough to make us want to call it quits. Through her early childhood, we had learned nothing that was helping her come back to us, nothing that made her play with other children or even play meaningfully by herself, nothing that would help her noisy mouth form intelligible words.

We had diagnoses, but little insight into what could be done to help Carly escape the whirlpool.

We were beginning to feel that enough was enough and decided there would be no more physical suffering on account of science. “If it’s just information for information’s sake and no cure will come from it, then it’s time to stop,” Tammy said to me

one evening, her body slumped on the couch, defeat on her tear-streaked face.

We no longer held out hope that we would discover a specific part of Carly that was broken and could be easily fixed. Global developmental delay, pervasive developmental delay, autism, oral-motor apraxia – all conditions, but none of them specific ailments. Had she had cancer, we’d have known what to do. Had she incurred brain damage or had a stroke, we would understand her condition. But Carly’s affliction was like a blob of mercury: visible and dense and real, but try to grab it and it jumped from our grasp.

Despite what doctors described in her medical records as “valiant efforts by her caring and deeply committed parents,” we would never receive an a-ha moment, much as we craved one. One dead-end street led to another. Somehow, life had to move on. Our other kids were growing and developing. We were running out of referrals and recommendations. And while our medical system is public in Canada, many of our therapies and consults were beyond coverage and had pushed our credit line to the brink. “I feel like there’s a button in her brain we just need to switch on,” Tammy said.

But that button would remain out of sight, out of reach. In our hearts, we had hoped to find a magic pill that would turn Carly into someone else; someone who could speak, play, and be with us.

But that folly had to come to an end.

It’s not that we would give up on our daughter, but it was time to stop asking why, and start asking now what?

ϒ This gripping, honest account of a father’s dedication to his extraordinary daughter scales the peaks of hope.

From CARLY’S VOICE by Arthur Fleischmann with Carly Fleischmann.

Copyright © 2012 by Arthur Fleischmann.

Reprinted by permission of Touchstone Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

www.citylifemagazine.ca

A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION Putting one foot in front of the other at Giant Steps School in Thornhill.

Written By Cassandra Tatone

The listening centre mak reading fun and interact es ive.

Literacy skills are strengthened in the library.

nce a previously neglected room used only as a meeting space, Giant Steps’ new library now flourishes with the latest technology for autistic children. Touch-screen white boards, iPads and an Xbox Kinect are some of the innovative tools this school and therapy centre has incorporated to help build the communication, academic, social and lifestyle skills of its students.

Howat Noble, president of Giant Steps, believes that adopting these modern technologies has made the library unique. “It engages the child,” he says, “and once you’ve got the child engaged with this technology, you can really accelerate communication skills.”

As social interactions improve, so too does the child’s connection with friends and family.

From the room’s colours to its seating areas, the library is designed with features specific to the children’s needs.

Using the Smart Board, a touch-screen www.citylifemagazine.ca

New technology enhances the learning experi ence at Giant Steps.

whiteboard, children learn a range of academic and social skills, while systems like Xbox Kinect teach them how to interact with other students.

The result is a space that is, as director of development Joanne Scott-Jackson says, “certainly one of our kids’ favourite places at the school.”

Andre, a student at Giant Steps, exemplifies this enjoyment. When asked what his favourite features of the library are, his father, Yves Gadler, answers, “It’s got everything he loves in the world: music, books and technology.

Especially the technology part.”

With an app called Proloquo2Go, technology like the iPad has opened up a world that Yves and his wife, Deidre, never dreamed of for their son.

“He’s got a voice now. It’s changed our lives because I know what he wants,” Gadler says. Storing a wealth of information such as images and photographs, Proloquo2Go allows Andre and other students to string together a sentence by navigating various menus and selecting pictures that show what he wants to communicate. The

elps ention h ntial. te -one att One-on reach their po students

valuable results continue to shock his proud parents.

“He’s eight years old so he’s a developing child but he’s delayed, he’s got mental challenges. But there’s so much going on inside of him that we wouldn’t know, so the technology part is one big part of how he’s really been able to open up his world,” says Gadler.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurological condition that typically appears within the first three years of life. One in every 88 children have ASD, with boys four times more likely to have the condition than girls. It impacts normal brain development and has no cure. According to the Autism Society of Canada, limited professionals and funding for autism are obstacles that need to be overcome.

With government support, the help of dutiful parents and generous sponsors such as the Bridle Bash Foundation, Giant Steps has been able to provide kids with the attention and resources they need to integrate them into the school system. www.giantstepstoronto.ca City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

61

IN FEAR AND TREMBLING

City Life Magazine shines a light in the realm of fears and phobias, from needles, driving and flying, to dentists, dogs and the dark.

Written By Madeline Stephenson

S

prawled out on a lakeside dock, you revel in the sun as it warms your body. A tall glass of lemonade with crackling ice cubes sits next to you, beckoning another refreshing sip. With a page-turning book in hand, you absorb the words found beyond the lines of everyday life in a faraway land called cottage country.

Slightly sensationalized perhaps, but we can all relate to that idyllic sense of escapism that can’t possibly be marred by anything. Right?

For most, this is true, but for some, this seemingly perfect scenario can be curtailed by one itsy bitsy encounter.

For the latter group, an eight-legged creature can creep through the cracks and kill the entire experience. In fact, it can go further than that, preventing you from ever putting yourself in situations where the presence of spiders is probable.

No more dock-side lounging, no more bug-enticing drinks outdoors, no more reading by the water, and in some cases, no more cottage country at all. Suddenly the magic of summer slips right through your sweaty palms. Specific phobias are

62 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

intense, irrational fears of objects or situations that can span from spiders, needles and dogs, to driving, flying and the dark. For approximately 12 per cent of North Americans, the fear can be incredibly crippling, often accompanied by a slew of panic-related symptoms like perspiration, a racing heart, heavy breathing, nausea and an urgency to escape. “A lot of people have fears of different things and they don’t care; it doesn’t come up often.

It’s only a phobia if it interferes with your life in some way,” says Martin Antony, professor and chair of Ryerson University’s psychology department.

As the author of multiple panic-related books, including Overcoming Animal and Insect Phobias: How to Conquer Fear of Dogs, Snakes, Rodents, Bees, Spiders and More, Antony has dealt with several phobic individuals in the GTA and surrounding areas throughout his 25 years in the field. He recalls his sessions with a 16-year-old girl who was so terrified of spiders that she would sleep fully clothed throughout the summers on the top floor of her non-air-conditioned home. Her

window would be sealed shut and she would cocoon herself in a heavy duvet.

The fear permeated other areas of her life, preventing her to work effectively at her part-time job since she would avoid certain areas where she had previously spotted a spider. “If she saw a spider on TV she had to change the channel. If she saw one in the newspaper she’d have to close her eyes. Her family avoided vacationing in certain places because of spiders, so it was affecting a lot of different areas of her life,” says Antony, who treated another patient whose fear of spiders became life-threatening when she jumped out of a moving car with her boyfriend in the passenger seat.

The former individual overcame her phobia in just two sessions of exposure therapy, an evidence-based technique that involves bringing the phobic person into a safe environment where their fear is systematically integrated.

“So they start off maybe standing 20 feet away from the spider, then gradually they get closer and eventually they are able to hold a jar that has a spider in it. Next, they’re able to hold the jar with the lid off and eventually www.citylifemagazine.ca

we dump the spider in a bin and they essentially tap it with a pencil, and then they tap it with their finger, and then they hold the spider and they kind of just move through it step-by-step,” says Antony. He cautions the DIY method of orchestrating surprise scenarios where the fear is involuntarily imposed.

“If you force people to do things, than it just becomes another trauma. You need to find ways to motivate them to give it a try, and sometimes with kids we use little rewards like an ice cream cone or a dollar.”

While animals are one of the most prevalent fears among the general population, other common ones include needles, driving, heights and flying.

“I’ve seen a real estate agent who had a fear of heights, and couldn’t work in certain environments because some of the houses she’d be selling might not be fully built yet and she wouldn’t be able to get to certain places or she wouldn’t be able to sell condos in tall buildings,” he says. Luckily, advancements in technology have taken exposure therapy to new heights. While fear of flying can require real-life practice, today it can actually involve virtual reality, which uses computer-based simulations to make people feel like they’re actually on an airplane.

Beth Koren, an occupational therapist at Metamorphosis - The Toronto Psychosomatic Clinic, employs a different approach with her fearstricken fl yers and needle phobes: hypnosis. For the cynics who’ve seen too many episodes of The Twilight Zone, Koren urges people to look past the stigma of hypnotic therapy.

“We’re not going to try to control someone in some draconian way.

That’s unfortunately what authors did to make books sound interesting,” she says. Instead, Koren aims to bring people into a deep state of relaxation, where they’re able to explore their subconscious mind while being fully aware of everything that’s happening.

“That’s what I always tell people when they first come in, especially if they’re skeptical: you’re going to hear absolutely everything I say.” www.citylifemagazine.ca

If you have an intense fear of flying, it may not matter how many people tell you it’s safer to be in a plane than a car; your conscious mind will skirt reality and redirect you to a collage of exceptions. “When the conscious mind – the naysayer – is relaxed, the subconscious mind is much more open to suggestion,” says Koren. While it may sound far-fetched, this is precisely what occurs when we read books and watch movies. Everyone remembers that scene in Forrest Gump where his metal leg shackles fall to the ground in a spontaneous fit of fear and fervour.

A proponent of exposure therapy to treat fear and phobia, Martin Antony chairs the department of psychology at Ryerson University.

“I KNOW PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY COMFORTABLE JUMPING OUT OF PLANES, BUT THEY’RE NOT COMFORTABLE FLYING ON PLANES.” – Martin Antony “Run Forrest, run!” Jenny yells in slow motion, as an unwavering band of bicycling bullies are hot on young Gump’s trail. As an audience, we’re staunchly committed. Strapped to the edge of our seats, rooting for a young boy who’s figuratively losing his inhibitions with every unthinkable stride. The rush of adrenaline and bone-chilling empathy that’s unleashed into our veins while watching such emotionally charged sequences makes no real sense at all, but for some reason, we helplessly allow it to pulse through us. “You’re suspending reality, you know darn well that this whole thing is scripted, you know those are paid actors,” she says.

“The subconscious is able to take the movie or book and really internalize it so that these emotions come up. And that’s what we’re capitalizing on – the

ability of the subconscious mind to be able to either take in or reframe the scenario the way it should have been, so that the person can then go on with their life.” Koren finds that she’s typically able to help someone overcome their fear within two sessions if they can identify the root cause, but with cases of an increased seriousness, she advises her clients to explore exposure therapy with the aid of a psychiatrist.

While studies are still in the works, there is no solid evidence that connects specific phobias and fears to specific personality traits. “People can be really confident in every area of their life but just afraid of dogs,” says Antony, who believes 90 per cent of people with a specific phobia will experience significant relief following exposure therapy. “I know people who are very comfortable jumping out of planes, skydiving, but they’re not comfortable flying on planes,” he adds.

It’s best to be proactive and start young.

If you’re a parent who panics at the sight of a dog, complains before getting a needle or constantly voices your aversion of flying, then your child can potentially inherit these same fears. Instead, Antony encourages parents to do the opposite and take advantage of opportunities to gently expose children to fear-inducing objects and situations.

Living a life of fear can have its consequences. If they’re intense enough, these consequences can be far greater than not being able to relax on a lakeside dock or jet off to Paris on a whim. Imagine what would life would be like today if some of history’s greatest masterminds had been inflicted with phobias: if the Wright brothers were afraid of heights, if Jane Goodall was averse to animals; if Christopher Columbus was terrified of the sea; if Frederick Banting fainted at the sight of needles. Just like Forrest Gump and his once-constricting leg braces, there is hope that people with specific phobias can eventually break free from whatever’s holding them back.

For more information or to seek help with your fear or phobia, go to anxiety.stjoes.ca City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

63

s t n i r P ON w Pa

YOUR HEART Written By Athaina Tsifiklis

Since it opened its doors last year, the Vaughan Animal Shelter has provided a safe haven for homeless dogs and cats.

They have been given a place to run, play and meet their human soul mates. “When we’ve done everything possible to raise and protect these animals and then they get into a good

1

I am a pretty low key guy with a soft orange coat. I will always brighten your day!

2

I love exploring, but not by myself. Come visit me and we’ll instantly be friends.

3

I am a sweet girl who loves kids, but would prefer a home with no other cats.

4

I am an American eskimo that needs a family to keep up with my high-energy level.

5

home, that’s a success story,” says Tony Thompson, director of enforcement at City of Vaughan. With a gymnasium where animals can exercise and many dedicated volunteers, the shelter is taking good care of your next family pet. www.vaughan.ca 905.832.8505

MELVIN

KILLER

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AIDEAN

REDFORD

WHO AM I? MATCH THE DESCRIPTION TO MY PHOTO AND FIND OUT IF I’M THE RIGHT PET FOR YOU!

I am a gentle and calm beagle who loves relaxing outside in the sun.

FORD

ODEN

BOJANGLES

6 7

I am an affectionate and playful cat looking for a family to love!

8

I am a large breed with a big heart! I love going on walks and can never say no to a treat.

9 10

I am a wonderful girl who is looking to become your next neighbourhood watch cat.

I am a handsome little chihuahua who enjoys going on walks.

I am a friendly dog who needs a family to train me and give me lots of love.

CLOVER

NIKKI

ANSWERS: 1. Redford 2. Melvin 3. Nikki 4. Snowy 5. Bojangles 6. Ford 7. Clover 8. Aidean 9. Killer 10. Oden

Raise Me Up This vintage pet bed is made out of a 1950s suitcase and patterned pillow. Raised up by legs, your dog or cat will feel like royalty. www.etsy.com

64 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

The Fine Print Available in an array of colours, this spin-off of a British print is the perfect gift for a dog lover or new pet owner. www.etsy.com

Works Like a Charm Add some personality to your dog or cat’s collar with this silver metal pendant. www.etsy.com

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ϒ Cheryl Rosen, national director of the Canadian Dermatology Association’s sun awareness program.

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ime isn’t the only thing that ages and changes your skin. The sun is a major culprit when it comes to fine lines, wrinkles and altered pigmentation. “A person should look for an SPF of at least 30 and it should say broad spectrum, which means that it covers UVA, as well as UVB radiation,” says dermatologist Cheryl Rosen, national director of the Canadian Dermatology Association’s sun awareness program. “They can both damage DNA and they can both cause skin cancer.” The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends reapplying sunscreen every two hours, which is especially important during long periods of sun exposure. On how to prevent sunspots, Dr. Rosen suggests playing it safe. “Wear a hat, seek shade, and play your tennis game at nine in the morning instead of noon.”

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City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

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Photo by Mike Ridewood/CPC

Photo by Rowing/Canada/Aviron

1

2 1. Victoria Nolan at home in her sport, adaptive rowing. 2. Patrice Simard takes hold of the ball in wheelchair rugby. 3. Cyclist Jaye Milley makes Canada proud. 4. Wheelchair racer Diane Roy powerhouses down the track. 5. Fencer Pierre Mainville on the attack.

4

Photo by Benoit Pelosse

GOLDEN 3

Photo by Matthew Murnaghan

MOMENTS

Paralympic rower Victoria Nolan proves she’s a ‘Super Athlete’ with her competitive spirit and unwillingness to give up.

Written By Cassandra Tatone

he buzzer sounds and for three and a half minutes Victoria Nolan pulls on her paddles with all her might, feeling the tension of the water through her arms. A year of intense training has led up to this crucial moment, and soon she’ll have her victory.

T

Dedication and perseverance are common words in Nolan’s vocabulary.

Diagnosed with an eye disease at 18, she discovered that she had been gradually losing her eyesight for years. With the birth of her two children accelerating her condition, Nolan was left with three per cent of her vision. As a result, she became withdrawn. “I was afraid to even leave the house by myself.”

“To come out and win gold, you realize that this is what it takes, and it was all worth it,” she says of her and her team’s triumph in the adaptive rowing event at the 2010 World Rowing Championships in New Zealand. She has maintained this philosophy of hard work while training for this year’s adaptive rowing event at the London Paralympics.

Her story, however, is one of a fighter.

Deciding to face her disability headon, Nolan turned to sports. But her eye condition often made her seem clumsy, and no one, including Nolan, thought athleticism was the right course.

After discovering that Toronto’s Argonaut Rowing Club offered a program for people with disabilities, the

66 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

prospect of support drew her in. It was a perfect fit.

“When I started rowing, I just took off – I was a natural,” she says with a laugh.

After starting off as a pastime, Nolan soon embraced her competitive spirit.

She was determined to become faster, stronger and to win. It helped to push her limits and earn enough success to restore hope. Within a year, she strove for and achieved a position on the national team.

“Rowing has been an outlet where I am really able to see what I am capable of and really excel,” she says.

Although rowing came easy, her life is not without its necessary adjustments. www.citylifemagazine.ca

Photo by Benoit Pelosse

“Every [Paralympian] has an amazing story before you get to their sport.

They’ve all had to overcome something,” Nolan says. “The Paralympians who are at the top of their game are training as much as Olympic athletes.”

5

“WHEN I STARTED ROWING, I JUST TOOK OFF – I WAS A NATURAL.” – Victoria Nolan

Brian McKeever, Super Athlete and Paralympics cross-country skier, has been a particular inspiration for Nolan. As another athlete with a visual impairment, she admired his achievements, which further inspired her along the path to success.

“It’s a triumph of the human spirit, training, competition and athleticism,” says CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee Henry Storgaard. All it takes is reading the profiles and stories of these individuals to realize that the title ‘Super Athlete’ is truly the right fit.”

To learn more about the Super Athletes Campaign, visit www.paralympic.ca/superathletes

A wife, mother, teacher and athlete, Nolan has learned to balance her four roles. Training three to four hours a day, six days a week, Nolan finds time for rowing before going home to be with her husband and two children. “It’s difficult,” she says of the balancing act.

“It’s been a really tough year.”

To manage, she turns to friends and family. “You have no idea how much that gives you energy and motivation to do what you do,” she says. As her No. 1 supporter and biggest fan, Nolan’s husband has been there through her bleakest moments and continues to encourage her throughout the journey.

Nolan’s two children are also behind her every step of the way, serving as her main motivation. They often come to her training camps and plan on being there in London, England to cheer her on.

Nolan is also one of 18 “Super Athletes” going to London this summer. The Super Athlete Campaign celebrates the hard work and achievement of Canada’s winter and summer Paralympians, and seeks to raise awareness and national support for the upcoming games. www.citylifemagazine.ca

City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

67

GIRO 2012 Compassionate citizens of Vaughan hit the streets for a cause.

Written By Amanda Storey Photography By Jesse Milns

1 Fundraising cyclists support Villa Charities’ family of causes, which include care for the elderly and mentally challenged adults.

T

he crowds are wild. The sky brims blue, and Milan’s rigid, snow-capped mountains are reduced to mere blurs as bicyclist Ryder Hesjedal zooms over the finish line of Giro d’Italia, becoming the first Canadian to ever win the prestigious race.

Across the pond, a pursuit is pulling Vaughan’s citizens to the streets. The air buzzes with excitement as jerseyclad riders make their way to Villa Charities’ fourth annual Giro cycling event. While the crowds aren’t in the millions, and the prize isn’t a swirling golden trophy, community members beam with generous hearts.

Like Hesjedal, it was Nick Sanci’s first time reaching the finish line, and like his fellow Canadian champion, Sanci’s race began long before May 27. Sanci, who belongs to Team Rosehaven, began collecting donations weeks prior to hitting the track, striving to meet his $15, 000 goal. Today, Sanci and his fellow participants celebrate their victory with a neighbourly version of Giro d’Italia – a symbol that remarkable goals can be reached with restless passion and some body-crunching effort.

Offering an invigorating day with a zap of culture, Giro 2012 featured Italian-themed “Mangia” rest stations,

68 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

1. Frank Ciccolini Jr., Giro 2012 committee member; Pal Di Iulio, president and CEO of Villa Charities; Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, honorary chair of Giro 2012; Concetta Torchetti and Gabriele Torchetti of lead sponsor York Lady Foods. 2. Giro 2012 cyclists help to raise over $100,000 for Villa Charities.

the other nine top fundraisers combined, Sanci’s incredible perseverance prized him with Giro 2012’s Pink Jersey.

2 complimentary refreshments and, of course, the Maglia Rosa (Pink Jersey) awarded to the top fundraiser. “One of the great things about this ride is that it’s inspired by an Italian event,” says Silvio Guglietti, co-chair of Giro 2012.

“We have stops with espresso, gelato, power bars – [it’s] a fun, relaxed ride.”

The difference between the original Giro d’Italia and its humble relative rests at its core: Rather than the promise of a hefty prize, it’s a community passion that keeps Vaughan riders putting one pedal in front of the other. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” says Anne Simone, executive director of Villa Charities Foundation.

Sanci raised over $16, 000, beating his own goal by over a thousand dollars.

With his efforts earning nearly as much as

A net total of over $100,000 was raised for the various organizations Villa Charities houses. These include include Villa Colombo and Villa Colombo Vaughan Di Poce Centre, Vita Community Living Services and Mens Sana Families for Mental Health, Columbus Centre with its athletic and cultural programs, and its cluster of homes providing independent and assisted care services to seniors and adults with intellectual disabilities.

While Giro 2012 raised funds and the heart rates of citizens, its successful finish was sweetened when Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua presented Villa Charities with $10,000, a donation from proceeds raised at the 2011 Mayor’s Gala. “The City of Vaughan is very happy to be hosting this incredible manifestation of the spirit of generosity here in our community,” says the mayor, honorary chair of this year’s event. “To help seniors is such a fantastic cause; their generation has given so much to the community, so much to our country.” www.villacharities.com www.citylifemagazine.ca

Good-bye waxing, Hello Sugaring!

Get Smooth, Silky Skin Naturally at Sugar Blossom

By Karen Stemmler

What’s so sweet about sugaring? It’s all natural for one thing and WAY less painful than waxing. Now that’s the kind of sweet something you like to hear!

Professional Sugaring is a natural alternative to facial and body hair removal that refines your hair, leaving your skin smooth, supple and softer every time. Sugaring is so gentle, that even your very tender and sensitive areas can become hair-free with ease; an important fact when you want to stay smooth down there.

Sugaring has been all the rage in Europe and is taking off here in North America in recent years.

Sugar Blossom salon not only offers this sweet treatment; it’s all they do! The room-temperature sugar mix is applied directly onto the skin, by one of Sugar Blossom’s certified sugaring experts, then flicked off with a swift movement of the hand. This means no wooden sticks that run the risk of double-dipping (ewww!), nor the prospect of tender burnt skin from ‘too-hot’ wax. It just gets sweeter, because the hair is pulled out in the direction of the growth, so there’s no more dealing with those bumps that come as an unwelcome bonus with your normal waxing routine. All you’re really left with is soft, smooth, glowing skin.

With all the skin smoothing buzz, get rid of the fuzz at Sugar Blossom Salon! Sugar Blossom is your destination for smooth, bikini-worthy, hair-free skin you can revel in.

Sugar Blossom Inc. • 905-832-2964 • 9222 Keele St. Suite 17, Vaughan www. sugar blossom salon.com • sugarme@sugarblossomsalon.com

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Adheres to live skin cells and hair increasing the risk of skin tearing the skin. Risky to use use in sensitive in sensitive areas. areas.

Applied atrequires Sugaring room temperature shorter hairbygrowth a (1/16”” or Professional Certified 2mm) ensuring Body hairSugarist. has less -establish strong growth. This means less pain and less time to deal with unsightly hair re-growth.

Wax needs Requires longer to be hair verygrowth hot in for adhesion, order to melt it. permitting This can lead stronger to severehair burns, re-growth. especially More in hair to pull sensitive areas off which like the means face MORE and bikini.

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City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

69

The CX-5’s lean body and chiselled features are a sharp contrast to the wide grins and stout figures of its bigger brothers, the CX-7 and CX-9.

MAZDA CX-5 A sporty and impressively fuel-efficient addition to the compact SUV segment.

Written By Michael Hill

seems like every automotive maker is racing towards the compact SUV segment as of late.

It’s become a crowded party, but arguably not the most exciting.

Mazda is looking to change all that by tossing some “zoom zoom” into the mix with its brand new CX-5.

This compact SUV is Mazda’s attempt at breathing life back into the tired Tribute, and the Japanese are giving it their all. It’s the first Mazda fitted with the entire range of the automaker’s new SkyActiv Technology, which includes new engine, transmission, body and chassis designs that are meant to increase fuel efficiency while strengthening safety and maintaining a dynamic, fun-to-drive feel.

Under the hood, the SkyActiv-G, 2-Litre engine powering the CX-5 delivers a modest 155-horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. But what really cranks heads is the engine’s impressive 13:1 compression ratio – the world’s highest for a mass-produced vehicle.

Essentially, this means the CX-5 milks every drop of petrol for all its worth.

Combined with its lightweight body and chassis – it weighs just under 3,000 pounds – its fuel efficiency is astounding. In fact, Mazda boasts that

70 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

the CX-5 generates best-in-class highway fuel economy. At 5.7 L/100 kilometres on the highway (where you’re playing in hybrid leagues), and 7.8 L/100 km in the city, Mazda has plenty of bragging rights.

The fuel efficiency does come at a price. Off the line, you’re not getting that familiar Mazda pep, and when your foot’s down at cruising speeds, it’s more of the same.

Not to say that it’s slow, because once it gets moving there’s satisfying speed, but it does feel like the CX-5 lacks the urgency of its kin. With fuel economy that strong, however, this point is easy to look past. Especially when rolling by the staggering prices at the pumps, which you’ll do repeatedly in this economical crossover SUV. It’s light yet stiff suspension also handles with surprising agility. The CX-5 glides in and out of corners phenomenally well, especially for its class.

But how does it do in the looks department? While most compact SUVs tend to be more stylistically reserved, the Honda CR-V and Volkswagen Tiguan are just two that instantly come to mind, but that isn’t the case with the CX-5. Similar to Ford, which gave a much-needed facelift to the 2013 Escape, the CX-5 is a sharp contrast to the aging Tribute that it’s replacing. Adding to the CX-5’s lists of firsts,

SPECIFICATIONS Mazda CX-5 Mazda CX-5 Compact Crossover SUV Engine: SKYACTIV-G 2.0-Litre Horsepower: 155 Torque: 150 lb. ft.

Fuel economy L/100km: City/Hwy 7.8/5.7 Transmission: SKYACTIV-Drive 6-speed automatic transmission Base MSRP: $22,995

www.citylifemagazine.ca

you won’t suocate in the second row.

With the windows up, the ride is quiet like a whisper.

Inside, you’ll ďŹ nd a sporty esthetic, with metallic-looking accents. Its touch-screen is also user-friendly with navigation and satellite radio as available options.

Mazda has fashioned it with its new “Kodo – Soul of Motion� theme. I’m not completely sure what that means, but compared to some of the cartoony, over-sized grins of other Mazdas – like the recent Mazda3s and Mazda5s – the CX-5 appears much more professional.

The smile is smaller. The eyes are slightly mischievous. Compared to the childlike faces of the 3 and 5, the CX-5 looks like an athlete primed for the big game.

Even when placed side-by-side with its big brothers, the CX-7 and CX-9, it champions ďŹ tness and aggressiveness.

Its cheeks are sharper, not as chubby as the aforementioned mid- and full-

size crossover SUVs, and its physique is leaner. Indeed, this is a sporty looking compact.

Inside, you might be thinking that “compactâ€? means sacrificing space, but the CX-5 is actually deceptively capacious. The truck provides impressive cargo room, and when the 40-20-40 backseats are folded down, which is easily done thanks to nifty remote release levers – an industry ďŹ rst, according to Mazda – you’ll gain nearly double the storage. The seating is also very comfortable, especially in the front, and even with a taller driver

Stylistically, the interior looks great in most areas, while others, like the doors and passenger-side dash, lack the personality exuding from the rest of CX-5. The steering wheel maintains the sporty esthetic, and the metallic sheen of the driver-side dash is a nice touch; although, I could see the right gauge, where you’ll ďŹ nd the fuel metre, to be a bit busy for some. The 5.8inch touch-screen is also user-friendly, with available navigation and Sirius Satellite radio.

As for the cherry on top, the CX-5 was named the “Top Safety Pick� by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

If you can look past it’s shortcomings, there’s plenty to love about the new CX-5: it looks poised and certain, handles beautifully, and is exceptionally light on fuel. www.mazda.ca

##

"#!& % ! ! ( !# '$# !# #( # & ))

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We are pleased to announce receiving the 12th consecutive Acura Client Excellence (ACE) Award Selling price and payment include freight/PDI, EHF tires and ďŹ lters, A/C tax, and OMVIC fee, and exclude taxes. *Selling price is $43,070 on a new 2013 Acura RDX (Model TB4H3DJN). Price includes $1,945 freight and PDI, EHF tires ($29), EHF ďŹ lters ($1), air conditioning tax ($100) and OMVIC fee ($5). License, insurance, registration, and taxes (including HST and tax for fuel conservation, if applicable) are extra. †Limited time lease offer 2013 Acura RDX (Model TB4H3DJN) available through Acura Financial Services on approved credit. Representative lease example: 3.5% nominal lease rate for 36 months.

Monthly payment is $398 with $6,495 down payment, and with $1,945 freight and PDI, EHF tires ($29), EHF ďŹ lters ($1), air conditioning tax ($100) and OMVIC fee ($5) included. First monthly payment and security deposit due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $20,823. 20,000 km allowance/year; charge of $0.15/km for excess kilometres. Retailer may sell/lease for less. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. ††2013 RDX city fuel economy of 10.7 litres/100 km and highway fuel economy of 7.3 litres/100 km. Based on 2012 EnerGuide Fuel Consumption Guide ratings published by Natural Resources Canada. Transport Canada approved test methods used. Your actual fuel consumption will vary based on driving habits and other factors – use for comparison only. While quantities last. Offers only valid for Ontario residents at Ontario Acura dealers. Vehicles are for illustration purposes only. Offers subject to change without notice. See your Acura retailer or acura.ca for full details.

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City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

71

OPINION PIECE

1

2

3

HAVE

A LITTLE FAITH Photo Courtesy of Kadampa Librayr at KMCC

4

THERE MIGHT BE MORE TO HUMANITY THAN WE THINK.

5

Written By Amanda Storey Photography By Amanda Calouro

1. Rev. Robert Royal of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Maple. 2. Sage Mahindra Tiwary of the Toronto Hindu Dharmic Sabha in Etobicoke.

3. Member of Muslim faith Aslam Daud of Baitul Islam in Maple. 4. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, founder of the New Kadampa Tradition of Buddhism and author of The Bodhisattva Vow: The Essential Practices of Mahayana Buddhism. 5. Father Donatello Iocco of St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church in Woodbridge.

W

hen asked where you were on 9-11, your answer will be ready on the tip of your tongue. The memory, no doubt, still swims in your mind, pulsing and stubbornly vivid. But what if you’re asked where God was on the day the Twin Towers fell? Where was goodness?

Where was peace? Where was he on

72 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

the battlegrounds of the world wars, or in the concentration camps of 70 years ago? Is he there in the ghettos that line the dirt roads of Third World countries, or in the home of an abused child? Few know the answers to these questions.

The concept of God, of a Higher Power – a symbol of eternal peace, happiness, and fulfillment – contrasts so strikingly with the broken world in which we

live in that it’s becoming a terrible challenge to keep faith in our grasp. For many, the idea of having faith seems pointless if you’re serving a faceless God, a God who never seems to appear when he’s needed most. Confronted by the differing faces of religion, many become overwhelmed and surrender to the seemingly solid and definite floor of Atheism. Others wander from faith www.citylifemagazine.ca

Despite the science that roots against religion, humans can’t deny the restless tug that turns their eyes to the sky.

For those who have soldiered through the confusion and now house a vibrant faith, religion is more than a set of guidelines and “thou-shalt-not’s” – it’s a celebration of the fact that humans don’t only exist as physical beings, but as spiritual ones as well. “There are two sides to our nature,” says Mahindra Tiwary, a Hindu sage at the Toronto Hindu Dharmic Sabha in Etobicoke.

“One is physical and the other is superphysical. The super-physical is in the spirit in all of us.” Though Tiwary’s words are rooted in a Hindu perspective, his awareness of the non-physical side of humanity is a knot of truth that connects with all other religions: while flesh, muscle and bone comprise our physical bodies, it’s the soul that makes up our spiritual bodies. The former is nourished with food and drink; the latter is fed with faith.

Perhaps this hidden spiritual body is the source of that mysterious tug. Are we being warned of the starvation occurring from lack of spiritual nourishment – from lack of faith? “Without faith, human beings will be just like animals living in the jungle without rules,” says Aslam Daud, national general secretary for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama at Canada. “Society is defined by faith; it gives the definition of the good, the bad, and the evil.”

In light of the world’s current economic and moral struggles, this statement hits harder than ever before. In the midst of a repression, a worldwide obsession with material wealth, and an accelerating thirst for violence, it is clear that humanity has been depriving itself of that spiritual enrichment that is essential for survival. A human needs something to believe in; otherwise, the spiritual body will take ill, so to speak – and the void it leaves will make room for hatred, violence, and immorality. www.citylifemagazine.ca

“

REACHING OUT TO OUR COMMUNITY IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE. WHEN ONE IS LOOKING FOR FRIENDSHIP AND A WELCOMING CHURCH HOME, WE OFFER THEM A WARM ATMOSPHERE OF CHRISTIAN HOSPITALITY.

“

to faith, seeking answers and identity, gathering different pieces of belief here and there but never quite finding fulfillment.

– Rev. Robert Royal “Revival of religion is needed,” says Daud. “It is a complete way of life – it is a message of peace and tolerance.”

It’s also a continuous reminder of what our priorities in life are, says Rev. Donatello Iocco of St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Woodbridge. “Faith helps society focus on what’s important: God, and our neighbour,” he explains. “It helps us make good and right decisions that can benefit the well-being of society.” And these words don’t stand strictly for the Catholic faith. Countless religions carry their own translations of the Golden Rule: “Treat others the way you wish to be treated”; “think of your neighbour first”; “turn the other cheek”.

This “golden” state of mind stretches from religion to religion, allowing faith communities to take on a familylike feeling bursting with selfless love.

When people gather in prayer, worship or meditation, among them blossoms a tightly knit bond that allows for a peaceful environment of genuine care. This is voiced in the words of Rev. Robert Royal of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Maple. “The Christian mission is characterized by

a quote from Jesus in the Bible’s New Testament: ‘A New command I give to you: Love one another,’” he recites.

“At St. Andrew’s, reaching out to our community is of utmost importance.

When one is looking for friendship and a welcoming church home, we offer them a warm atmosphere of Christian hospitality.” In our society’s rushing, pushing race through the everyday, the haven of spiritual enrichment and care found in church communities such as St. Andrew’s could act as a defibrillator to a faltering soul.

Indeed, one may find that by stepping into a spiritual community – even if just for a few hours – they will leave with an enhanced understanding of morality and a deeper respect for humanity in general. Once coming face to face with the possibility of a Higher Power, and encountering the lovebound community of believers that stands beneath it, one may experience a renewed sense of wholeness they hadn’t known was possible.

Of course, tending to our spiritual halves doesn’t simply result in a polished, Heaven-worthy collection of morals; committing to a string of beliefs is the start of a lifelong journey of learning, improving, and of course, discovering. “It is human nature to want to understand everything,” says Tiwary.

“We want to know the how’s and why’s.” While the focus on morality is a large piece of religion’s puzzle, the road to self-discovery is another significant part. Religion helps us to get to know our creator, to cosy up to our purpose in life. “By believing in a higher power, [we can] reflect on who we are and where we came from, why we are here and where we will go when our life on Earth concludes,” continues Tiwary. “A person’s belief in religion can explain a lot of those things that we can’t ourselves. It gives meaning to life and a way of how it began.” Giving some attention to the spiritual body may act as an emotional awakening.

Enriching your faith won’t only open your eyes to a completely different view of life in general, but of your own existence as well. Religion will make City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

73

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you look at yourself in ways you never did before; through spiritual eyes, you will see yourself as a being with a true purpose. “Without faith, everything is mundane,” says Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, founder of the New Kadampa Tradition of Buddhism. “We are blind to anything beyond the ordinary and imperfect world we normally inhabit, and we cannot even imagine that pure, faultless beings, worlds or states of mind exist.

Faith is like pure eyes that enable us to see a pure and perfect world beyond the suffering world.”

The contrast among religions may be as striking as day is from night, but every faith speaks words of truth. Spirituality hands us the key to unlocking life’s most rusted secrets, and leads us down the path to discovering what humanity is. It helps us to realize that God, an abundance of goodness and a wealth of purpose, is hidden in each of us. God emerges in glimpses as people let the goodness within them shine. By treating a homeless person to a meal or lacing up for a charity marathon, God is given a face in each of us. He resides in those who take the time to appreciate the intelligent beauty of a butterfly’s wings or the simple fascination of dusk.

God was there on the day the Twin Towers fell. He was crashing through the rubble in the form of a firefighter who was risking her life to save the people buried beneath. He was there handing out care packages to the victims’ families, and volunteering to clear the carnage from the streets. He was the man who ran from the safety of the sidewalk, dropping his suitcase to help a bleeding being onto a stretcher and into an ambulance.

In the middle of this perplexing abyss of belief or non-belief is one undeniable truth represented in all religions: human beings were designed to believe.

Amanda Storey holds to the Christian faith and studied English literature and psychology at Tyndale University College & Seminary in Toronto, Ontario.

The opinions expressed herein do not reflect the opinion of Dolce Publishing Inc. or promote the act of converting. They are simply the opinion of the author.

74 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

www.citylifemagazine.ca

A GRIP ON

k c o l d i r G Written By Rick Smith

If

you’ve ever tried to take Highway 400 out of the city on a long weekend, you might have noticed that the Greater Golden Horseshoe is growing fast. With an exploding population that is expected to reach over 11 million by 2031, we really need to look forward in planning development for the fastest growing area in Canada. Accommodating new growth with the sprawling low-density developments that are rampant throughout this area will only mean bad things for our quality of life and our environment.

Luckily, Ontario has a Greenbelt, created in response to the uncontrolled sprawl Ontario has seen over the last decade.

In numbers, the Greenbelt is very impressive: it is the largest in the world, protecting over 720,000 hectares of countryside, including agricultural land, wetlands and green space. When you think about the Greenbelt, it might conjure images of hiking or horseback riding, but the scale and importance of the land reaches far beyond recreation.

The ecological services of the Greenbelt are many. It is essential for providing clean air and clean water to cities, with its trees acting as air filters and rivers and streams being the sources of www.citylifemagazine.ca

drinking water for millions of people.

A recent study has illustrated that the value of the Greenbelt’s measurable ecosystem service is estimated to be $2.6 billion annually.

While the successes of the Greenbelt are many, some elements within the

The other challenge is that laying down highways just moves sprawl a little further out. It does not prevent poorly planned, low-density neighbourhoods – it just places them over the Greenbelt, increasing gridlock and reliance on cars, and adding to air and noise pollution.There is no question that the Greater Golden Horseshoe has a major gridlock problem, but creating more highways will create more congestion, not less.

“THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THE GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE HAS A MAJOR GRIDLOCK PROBLEM.” legislation are failing it. For example, the proposed GTA West Corridor Highway is permitted within the legislation, but its effects on the Greenbelt will be devastating.

The impact of the project appears to be easy to measure. Construction of the highway will eat up about 4,800 hectares of agricultural lands. But this is only one piece of the puzzle.

Ecological systems are only functional if a whole system is preserved. If you pollute the headwaters, you are polluting its streams. When a highway cuts through the Greenbelt, as the proposed GTA West Corridor will do, it fractures the essential systems that the Greenbelt is meant to protect. Carving the Greenbelt into pieces with highways challenges the overall integrity of what the Greenbelt is meant to do.

According to University of Toronto researchers Gilles Duranton and Matthew Turner, “roads cause traffic.”

Their study, The Fundamental Law of Road Congestion, concluded that road construction can never keep pace with road congestion.

The issue of gridlock will not be solved with more highways and less Greenbelt.

What we need is more complete communities and less drivers.

RICK SMITH GUEST ENVIRONMENT EDITOR Rick Smith is executive director of Environmental Defence and co-author of the bestselling book Slow Death

by Rubber Duck: How the Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Life Affects Our Health.

He created the bold campaign Toxic Nation, which tested pollutant levels in the bodies of well-known Canadians. www.environmentaldefence.ca

City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

75

QA &

JEFF RUBIN

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WITH

The former chief economist of CIBC World Markets talks about his new book The End of Growth. ,QWHUYLHZ %\ 0LFKDHO +LOO

Q The basic theme of your book seems to be that economic growth requires affordable fuel.

Essentially, the issue isn’t running out of fuel, but of running out of affordable fuel.

A We’re never going to run out of oil in some absolutely geological sense.

There’s 170 billion barrels of the stuff in the tar sands alone, and more in the Orinoco heavy oil belt in Venezuela. But that stuff doesn’t flow at prices that we would like to fill up at the pumps. If we know anything about the performance of the global economy over the last 40 years, we know this: feed it cheap oil and it runs like a charm, but ration expensive fuel and it seizes up literally over night. Every major global recession we’ve had in the last four decades has oil fingerprints all over it.

Q Do you see a role reversal between China and the U.S. in the near future?

A We’re seeing that right now. We thought we were going to be selling our oil to the U.S. through the Keystone XL, but right now, it looks like Enbridge wants to build the Northern Gateway, and that oil will go to China.

And that’s probably the right call.

A When you sell oil to China you get the full-world oil price, and we’ve been basically subsidizing the U.S. to about $20 a barrel. And secondly, U.S. oil consumption has peaked and it will decline, whereas China is an economy that has gone from consuming about 2.5 million barrels a day circa 1985 to already 10 million barrels a day. If China is going to increase its oil consumption in a world where oil supply is hardly growing at all, or growing very slowly, it means that somebody else is going to have to decrease consumption. And that somebody else looks like it’s going to continue to be the U.S. Q You also mention that even though growth may be slowing, there is a silver lining. You feel recession is actually the best way to tame runaway carbon emissions, correct?

A That’s right, and we’re going to find that even our inexorable path to environmental self-destruction is going to run out of fuel. That we’re not going to emit half the carbon that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate

Change predicts we will. Not because of any actions that governments take, but simply, our economies stop growing, we stop admitting. Just look at the U.S. – emissions fell in 2009, not because of anything President Barack Obama did, certainly not anything congress did. They fell because the U.S. GDP shrank. When the Soviet Union collapsed and Russia de-industrialized, Russia’s emissions fell by almost 30 per cent, and Moscow wasn’t even targeting carbon emissions at the time. I’ll put my money on the economy and lack of economic growth over 1,000 Kyoto-type agreements.

Q What are the long-term implications for Canada as growth slows?

A I think we’re going to find that the big fault lines that run in Canada aren’t between east and west, and isn’t between English and French-speaking Canadians, rather, it’s between those that have oil and those that don’t. And you’ll find that already oil has totally redefined Canada’s fiscal landscape. Ontario used to be the country’s wealthiest province and the banker to equalization cheques paid to poorer regions of the country.

[But] oil has made Ontario a have-not province. At the same time, the same oil prices have made Newfoundland, perennially a fiscal basket case, into a have province. And I think that’s only the beginning of the kinds of reversal of fortunes that triple-digit oil prices can bring to different regions in the Canadian federation.

JEFF RUBIN Recognized for his bold predictions on oil prices and their effect on the global economy, Jeff Rubin is the author of Why Your World Is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller and The End of Growth. He is a renowned energy expert and former chief economist at CIBC World Markets. www.jeffrubinssmallerworld.com

Above is an edited transcript of a conversation I had with Jeff Rubin. For the full interview, go to www.citylifemagazine.ca

76 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

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77

ABOVE PAR

Get ahead of your game as you leave injuries behind. Written By Dr. Stephanie Estima Galanis

translates to better control of the golf ball. Short back swings generate the same club head speed at ball impact as a longer back swing does, so you are actually not generating any more

But what goes into developing a powerful swing while avoiding injury?

Most golfers will tell you that the controlled power you can generate from your swing is the key to a great game.

Generating this maximal force while minimizing the impact on your joints is important. If you have poor posture and body mechanics, you are leaving yourself open to injury that will last beyond golf season.

The best swings produce massive power but minimize the torsional (twisting) forces in the body, and specifically the torsion in the lumbar spine. In fact, the best swing doesn’t come from how much you can twist, but what you can create in the hips. Professional golfers do this by creating “elastic energy”. Elastic energy is achieved by creating a short, quick stretch of the muscles without a lot of rotation in the lumbar spine. It gives you more control of the golf club and club head through the swing, which

78 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

Dr. Stephanie recommends a good stretching regimen with internal rotation stretches for your hips.

force by twisting the spine on the back swing. Elastic energy reduces twisting on the lumbar spine, which allows you to play more games during the season without relying on aspirin to get you through it.

In golf, the major muscles involved in creating this elastic energy are initially the latissimus dorsi and the gluteus maximus in the back swing, and later through the rotator cuff muscles in the

shoulder. If there is any restriction in the hips, pelvis or any of these muscles, the tendency is to hyperextend the low back in order to complete the swing. Over the course of the season, this causes compensatory movement patterns to emerge, and places major stress and trauma on joints and muscles.

That’s when you end up in my office with golfer’s elbow, low back and sacral pain.

My best recommendations during golf season are to make sure your hips are free of restriction with a good stretching regimen, as well as following a diet high in green leafy vegetables, flavonoids, bromelain and omega-3 fish oil.

Prevention and maintenance of proper function of your hips and pelvis are not only important to your golf game, but your ability to perform activities in your daily life without pain.

DR. STEPHANIE ESTIMA GALANIS GUEST HEALTH EDITOR A chiropractor with over 14 years of experience, Dr. Stephanie, a former fitness competitor, is always in tune with the needs of her athletic patients. Her sub-specialties include sports injury prevention and rehabilitation, as well as pregnant women and children. Her approach to chiropractic as it pertains to sports and fitness is simple: to prevent the injury before it starts. www.thehealthloft.ca

Photo By Marina Degteva

G

olf is an extremely athletic sport that requires almost every joint in your body to move in a coordinated dance, which starts from the back swing to the follow-through. Precision, power and flexibility are what separate good players from the great ones.

www.citylifemagazine.ca

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79

r e m m SuBRAIN DRAIN

A break from school doesn’t have to mean a vacation from learning.

Written By Athaina Tsifliklis

W

A focus on literacy during the summer will ensure that your child is ready for a higher level of learning in September.

hen the final school bell rings on that hot day in late June, students bolt out of their classrooms.

After 10 months of formal instruction, they are ready for a break. But what happens when elementary and secondary level students burn their books for nine weeks?

assessment scores are higher in June than they are the following September.

With these worrisome findings, parents may want to be proactive and build a summer action plan. Continued education in the summer months is a solution, but it doesn’t have to imitate the academic rigor that occurs during the school year.

There are varying opinions about modifying the academic calendar to include a shorter summer break, but what experts do agree on is the need for sustained learning between the months of June and September.

“THEY NEED TO FOSTER A LOVE OF LEARNING PARTICULARLY A LOVE OF READING.”

The “summer brain drain” refers to that gap in knowledge that occurs during the summer break. Kids fall behind and forget what they have learned, putting them at a disadvantage when they ring in the new school year. “There is literature out there that speaks to the ‘summer learning slide’”, says Drew McNaughton, principal of community and international education services at York Region District School Board.

“The data lets us know that students can lose one to three months of learning over the summer.”

According to McNaughton, Canadian schools have found that some reading

80 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

– Dr. Paul Cappon “We recommend an informal learning process,” says Paul Cappon, president and CEO of the Canadian Council on Learning. He suggests a program that incorporates familial interaction, where children are actually supported by their parents to read during the summer. Adult-child conversations about books should also be sparked around the dinner table to enhance reading comprehension and oral communication. Doing so from a

young age is vital, as children can establish good habits to carry them through life. “They need to foster a love of learning – particularly a love of reading,” says Cappon. “This is especially important for boys because already by Grade 3 there is a significant gap in reading skills between girls and boys.” Choosing reading materials that will capture their attention is important when trying to create a positive learning experience.

Despite socio-economic status, parents have the power to create strong students. “If they encourage reading in the earlier grades, those barriers of income can be overcome,” says Cappon.

Taking an active role in a child’s education outside of school makes a huge difference in their academic performance. Even as an advocate for many summer programs, McNaughton believes that in-home learning can be as effective when developing literacy skills. For working parents, a plethora of options are available across Vaughan.

From educational camps that help build foundations, to secondary level literacy programs, students in our communities can avoid being braindrained this summer.

Find a reading program near you at www.vaughanpl.info/programs www.citylifemagazine.ca

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horoscope

By Richard Ravenhawke

st ars

The

this month!

Cancer JUNE 21- JULY 21

Ringo Starr turns 72 on July 7th.

Leo

If you are planning a trip, make sure that you have everything carefully planned. Tiny things can sometimes be overlooked, and the last thing you want is to be thinking about something at home while you are absent. The extra bit of time will pay off in more ways than you realize.

JULY 22 - AUG 22

It looks like full steam ahead with business and career plans. If you play your cards right, you may be in for a pleasant and unexpected surprise in the near future.

People are watching you, and the right ones are starting to take notice. Take your time as you forge ahead – you don’t want to be tired when you reach your goal.

Virgo

AUG 23 - SEPT 22

The time is approaching to see who is capable of standing up to the plate. Watch for revealed secrets, exposed falsehoods and politics involving people trying to win your attention. There is a prominent Aquarian figure that is very sincere and hopes that in the end, you will see things for what they are and follow your heart.

Libra

SEPT 23 - OCT 22

It’s easy to forget who we are and what we stand for at the core. Take some time out and look inwardly. The waves that can develop from a single stone being dropped in the water can be quite fascinating, if not entertaining when viewed from the other side.

Scorpio

OCT 23 - NOV 21

All you seek could be yours in a very short period of time. Watch for people who have the right advice at just the perfect time, and also for unexpected connections to form where previously there weren’t any. Have

82 City Life Magazine Jun/Jul 2012

faith and all that is supposed to happen will prevail.

Sagitt arius NOV 22 - DEC 21

If you find frustration getting to you, it may be time to question what you have been doing for the people around you, and what it is that you are getting in return. Running around like a hamster on a wheel can get tiring, and it may be time to take a moment for some quiet time on your own.

Capricorn

DEC 22 - JAN 19

Loose ends are beginning to come together.

Opportunities are coming your way that, although making you feel busy, will reap awesome rewards if you play your cards right. Family members are beginning to step up, and you may find yourself feeling more social than usual. Now is a good time to plan a trip or a mini getaway.

Aquarius JAN 20 - FEB 18

Love may be in the air as planetary energies open up and shine in your favour. Watch for an Aquarian figure that may be falling in love with your smile. It is time to whiten those teeth and get out your Sunday best, as you may soon be hitting the town in a big way!

Pisces

has been tension for a while, you can see the bubbles from the water starting to boil. Stand up and walk with strength. You knew it was coming, and now is the time to face it.

Aries

MARCH 21 - APRIL 19

Someone from your past is thinking of fond memories spent with you. Watch for old connections to resurface and invitations from those you least expect. A time of merriment and reunion is closing in on you, and it is time to take a break from the mundane and live a little. Eat, drink, and tomorrow you may diet!

Taurus

APRIL 20 - MAY 20

If money seems to be going through your hands at a quick rate, it may be time to sit down and figure out the cause. Sometimes we don’t notice it as much when it’s a little bit here and a little bit there, but overtime things can add up in a big way.

Gemini

MAY 21 - JUNE 20

Take some time to look inside to decide what it is that you want. There are many around you who seem to think that everyone has a right to his or her opinion, but what is yours? In the end, you are the one who is responsible for your own choices and long-term happiness. Stand and be strong!

FEB 19 - MAR 20

Ups and downs in your personal life may be coming to a head soon. Where there

Richard Ravenhawke 416.898.HAWK (4295) O richardravenhawke@yahoo.com

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