City Life Magazine Vaughan Toronto Dec/Jan 2010

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CONTENTS

Dec/Jan 2010 Volume 8 Issue 6

CELEBRITY PROFILE 20 The Great Dane Cook: The world-renowned comedian talks love, life and social media

28

Falling Whistles

74

32

Holiday Gift Guide

The Grand Genesis

60

Have Faith

34

FEATURES 24 A Tale of Two Cities: Vaughan and Toronto’s mayoral race 28 Falling Whistles: Guns, gold and grievance 42 Which one of These two Will get Your Organs: Make the right choice 54 Honest to Goodness: Reliable charities that make a difference 60 Have Faith: St. André Bessette

REAL ESTATE 18 The Competition Bureau and the Toronto MLS: Vivian Risi clears things up 72 City Life Realty: Fabulous living spaces in the GTA

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS 32 The Genesis of Guizzetti Developments Inc.: A father’s legacy carries on 40 Skin Vitality: Reshape Your Life 58 That Touch of Youth: Woodbridge Dermatology & Laser Centre

MONEY MATTERS 66 Unwrap the Real Shopping Experience: Keep local businesses alive by avoiding big-box stores 68 Avoiding Christmas Debt: Budget smart for the Holidays

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 74 Naughty or Nice: Find the perfect gift for every member of the family

AUTOMOTIVE 46 The Mazda3: The sporty compact for everyday life

FOOD & DRINK 34 Eat, Drink and Be Merry: Delightful treats and fantastic drinks just in time for the Holidays 36 Sweets In The City: Dolcini by Joseph desserts, and imported cappuccino and Italian eats

SPORTS 50 Another Rough Ride for Leafs Fans: Will a faster team turn a new leaf?

HEALTH 64 Anytime Fitness: A new level of health, conveniently opened 24 hours BEAUTY 52 Santa’s Little Helpers: Add sparkle to your daily routine

Eat, Drink and be Merry

IN EVERY ISSUE 10 Editor’s Note: Michelle Zerillo-Sosa on power 12 People & Places: Community goodness 38 Readers’ Survey: WIN fabulous prizes!

82 Horoscope: How the stars see your Holiday season

70

FASHION 70 Life is Good: The best of Toronto’s LG Fashion Week

46 76 Automotive

4 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

Life is good

10

Editor’s Note

www.citylifemagazine.ca

BEST WISHES FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS

May the special joys of “M

the season be yours today and always. May to the th gifts of the season ... peace, hope, love, health pe and happiness be yours an throughout the New Year.” thr

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michelle Zerillo-Sosa • michelle@dolce.ca DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & MARKETING Angela Palmieri-Zerillo • angela@dolce.ca ART D E PARTM E NT CREATIVE DIRECTOR Fernando Zerillo • fernando@dolce.ca ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR Susan Bhatia SENIOR DESIGNERS Christina Ban, Omar Cushnie WEB DEVELOPER Steve Bruno EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR Simona Panetta BEAUTY/HEALTH & TRAVEL EDITOR Angela Palmieri-Zerillo FASHION & HOME DECOR EDITOR Michelle Zerillo-Sosa SENIOR WRITER AND COPY EDITOR Simona Panetta PROOFREADERS Katie McDonald, James Morrison, Simona Panetta WRITERS Vito La Giorgia, Michael Hill, Madeline Stephenson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alex Consiglio, Melissa Sundardas, D.T. *No animals were harmed in the making of this campaign.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Christian Badanjak, Martin Dee, Anthony Edward Finn, Tina Gill, Ron Lamoureux, Valeria Mitsubata, George Pimentel, Dean West, Annette Wong PUBLISHER

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City Life Magazine • Volume 8 • Issue 6 • Dec/Jan 2010/2011 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: Feb/Mar 2011

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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 14 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.

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H

POWER

ow do you define power?

When looking at successful individuals, one might define power as having the usual Exhibit A for external power.

The watch, the fancy car, the expensive clothes, etc. But, let’s be honest, is that really what being powerful means?

I personally think that actually means being powerless, because most times those things were not purchased as a result of our own likes but, as a means to fit in. Sadly, this only shows how powerless we really are.

My personal definition of power is the grace and courage people show to make things happen. Most will agree then, that Sean Carasso is an incredibly powerful figure (see page 28). For Carasso’s journey through the Congo ignited his passion and life quest to blow the whistle on the atrocity he saw there. He chose to abandon the comfortable California lifestyle behind and made the life-changing decision to make a difference in this world.

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At first glance, the Holidays is that time of year when things can get out of hand by losing sight of the real meaning of the season and looking for it at every retail mall. I am not suggesting you should not show your love by giving gifts to your loved ones. Just remember that being generous should not mean to buy gifts for our immediate family, but to look at the bigger picture. Most importantly, have the power to choose gifts that will make a difference in someone’s life.

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We all have an obligation to stop what is happening right now as you are reading this, or while you are enjoying the festivities of the season to make things happen, to stand for change. What is happening in Congo is not just a conflict in another country.

We all play a part in it. If we choose to stay quiet and do nothing, we are just as guilty. My wish this Holiday season is through the stories we bring to you with this issue, you too will become a whistle-blower on war, or register as an organ donor and thus, have the courage to become that powerful figure the world desperately needs. ’Tis the season.

You have the power to show how it defines you.

Happy Holidays! We hope you enjoy this latest issue of City Life Magazine.

‘‘

When thee ppower oweer of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.

’’

– Jimi Hendrix

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Donate a goat to provide African families with much-needed protein and income. www.worldvision.ca

10 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

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PEOPLE & PLACES 1

-a

1

Produced By Angela Palmieri

-b

1

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1a – Giving Thanks Gala honourary co-chair Julian Fantino. 1b – Board member and special events coordinator Alessandra Piccolo with Maurizio Bevilacqua, mayor-elect. 1c – TOP ROW: Hospice Vaughan’s Angela Macri, Francis Caldarola, Robert Caldarola, Paul Di Iulio, Dr. Anthony Testa FRONT ROW: Lucia Lisozzi, Carmela Sisto, Eliana Di Biase, Rev. Claudio Moser and Alessandra Piccolo. 2a – The Scarborough Hospital Foundation vice president Guy Bonnell (2nd from left) with his daughter, along with Alisha Punjani and her husband, Minaz Punjani, enjoy the festivities of Scarborough Garden Party. 2b – The Scarborough Hospital president and CEO Dr. John Wright addresses guests with a delightful welcome and thank-you speech. 2c – Meher Pavri, Miss India Canada 2007, helps to keep guests entertained by serenading them with a fabulous opera performance.

1. GIVING THANKS GALA Hospice Vaughan’s 2011 programs have a lot to be thankful for after a successful evening at Le Parc on Oct. 1, 2010. The sanctity of life was honoured with a delicious meal and celebrated with guests swaying to great music. The crowd was revved for a good cause with various musical entertainment. Established in 1995, Hospice Vaughan provides supportive care to individuals and their families during the last stage of life. www.hospicevaughan.com 2. THE SCARBOROUGH GARDEN PARTY Under a heated tent at the gorgeous Punjani family estate on The Bridle Path, the inaugural Garden Party hosted more than 300 guests and raised $100,000 for orthopaedics and paediatrics at The Scarborough Hospital on Oct. 2, 2010. The fundraiser celebrated and embraced the richly diverse Scarborough community with exotic food and entertainment from South Asia, China and Greece. www.tsh.to 4

5

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4

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3 – FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Believe Gala committee members Maria Muia, Patricia Tan, Gabriella Di Pietrantonio, Anna Siciliano, Sonia Genovese, Maria Natale, Aaron King, singer Andrea Godin, Maria Muia Jr., Gianluca Muia, singer Dylan James and Mario Ferri, along with SickKids patient Emily Hurd and singer Christan Rocco Boni. 4a - Bowling event chair Lisa Margiotta with committee members Wayne and Ginette McCracken. 4b – The Olive Branch for Children committee members Vanessa, Ryan, Pras and Melissa grab a bowling ball and head to the lanes to score some strikes. 5a - Event founder Steve Roy with a future Mane Event client. 5b - April Maloney, owner of April Maloney Salon, perfects her happening haircuts on every client.

3. THE 4TH ANNUAL BELIEVE GALA The 4th annual Believe Gala was a success once again, raising $25,000 in support of the SickKids Foundation. Guests were treated to the voices of Dylan James, Andrea Godin and Christian Rocco Boni, and graced with the words of Emily Hurd, a patient at SickKids, who spoke of her experience at the hospital. Next year’s event will be held on Oct. 21, 2011 at The Venetian Banquet and Hospitality Centre. www.sickkidsfoundation.com 4. THE OLIVE BRANCH FOR CHILDREN Supporters of The Olive Branch for Children enjoyed a great evening of bowling at Lucky Strike Lanes at Vaughan Mills Mall and raised approximately $11,000 for its future projects. The Woodbridge-based charity was founded in 2005 by Deborah McCracken, the charity’s principal worker in Tanzania. Olive Branch runs beneficial projects, permanent medical clinics, two homes for HIV/AIDS-infected children, and over 20 Montessori junior schools for village children in Tanzania. www.theolivebranchforchildren.org

5. THE 13TH ANNUAL MANE EVENT On Oct. 24, 2010, Solo Bace Salon, April Maloney Salon and Lift Salon & Spa gave clients fabulous cuts for a good cause at the 13th Annual Mane Event. Throughout its history, this well-loved haircutting extravaganza has contributed close to $300,000 towards The Teresa Group’s programs for children affected by HIV/AIDS. Event founder Steve Roy praised salon owners, stylists, merchants and clients for their efforts. www.teresagroup.ca

12 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

www.citylifemagazine.ca

PEOPLE & PLACES 6

Produced By Angela Palmieri

7

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Photography By David Gruggen

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Photography By David Gruggen

6 – Gala director for Dreams Take Flight Anna Donato and Walter Gretzky celebrate another year of success. Gretzky has been a huge supporter of Dreams Take Flight for many years and is on each year’s flight to Disney World. 7 – With his newly opened Vaughan location, Arthur Infusini ensures that all your painting projects are stress-free and spectacular. 8a – Koskie Minsky, LLP, and major supporters of the Jazz Performance and Education Centre stand together to show their appreciation for jazz music.

8b – Humber College music students treat guests in the lobby to a preview of the wonderful music to be heard during the concert. 8c – Honourary Jazz Performance and Education Centre co-chairs Lincoln Alexander and Chief Justice Warren K. Winkler take in the beautiful jazz music performed at the Toronto Centre for the Arts.

6. AN EVENING OF DREAMS Dreams Take Flight hosted its annual An Evening of Dreams gala in October at Toscana Banquet Hall. The spectacular sold-out event was hosted by Canada AM’s Seamus O’Regan and featured amazing entertainment. The event attracted familiar faces, including renowned Canadian astronaut Dr. David R. Williams. By raising more than $100,000, the national non-profit organization is sending a plane full of disadvantaged GTA children to the Magic Kingdom in 2011. www.dreamstakeflight.ca

10

Photography By David Gruggen

11

9a - Performers Alana Bridgewater and Aion Clarke belt out some tunes to help infants and children get the lifesaving cardiac surgery they need. 9b - Mindy Ganz, Webkinz Foundation’s title sponsor for Heart & Soul Un-Gala; Wendy Newman, Save a Child’s Heart (SACH) administrative director; Karen Diamond, SACH president; and Shelley Diamond, SACH board member, proudly support the event. 10 – Inspired by his positive experience at SickKids, cancer survivor Andrew Mizzoni continues to give back to the hospital for years to come. 11 – Corporate sponsor Jolera Inc. had people from its team take part in the Christian Children’s Fund of Canada’s 50th anniversary golden gala fundraising celebration.

7. COLOURTRENZ PAINT & DECOR Arthur Infusini followed his dreams and opened ColourTrenz Paint & Decor Centre on Sept 20, 2010. Located at 8000 Hwy 27 at the corner of Zenway Blvd. and Hwy 27, ColourTrenz offers a full line of Pittsburgh Paints, Sico Paints, Sikkens Exterior Stains and a wide array of products and tools to help the everyday painter and paint contractor complete their projects quickly and precisely. Its customers are treated like family members because in their eyes, life is the colour you paint it. www.colourtrenz.com

8. ONE OCTOBER NIGHT – JAZZ CONCERT The Jazz Performance and Education Centre (JPEC) – a charitable organization dedicated to the continuation and development of jazz music in Canada – presented a remarkable tribute gala at the Toronto Centre for the Arts on Oct. 3, 2010. Dedicated to Ontario’s Chief Justice Warren K. Winkler and benefitting JPEC’s programming and education, the mesmerizing night featured stunning performances and a humorous speech from the Chief Justice. www.jazzcentre.ca

10. ANDREW MIZZONI Diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Andrew Mizzoni underwent extensive treatments and surgeries at the Hospital for Sick Children at a young age. A recovered Mizzoni and his family were so grateful that they have raised over $400,000 to support pediatric cancer research at SickKids over the past decade.

Before his 19th birthday, Mizzoni received his real estate licence, making him one of the youngest real estate professionals in Canadian history. An agent with Homelife Metropark Realty, Mizzoni decided to donate a percentage of his commission from every transaction to support SickKids. www.andrewmizzoni.com

9. HEART & SOUL UN-GALA On Oct. 26, 2010, Drake Hotel welcomed the inaugural Un-Gala in support of Save a Child’s Heart (SACH) – an Israeli-based humanitarian organization that provides life-saving cardiac surgery for children from under-developed countries. Sponsors helped to raise over $320,000 to support SACH, and the evening provided enjoyable soul music with performances by Aion Clarke, Alana Bridgewater, Kellylee Evans, Terence Gowan, Jordan and Prakash John; Jackie Richardson and David Warrack. www.saveachildsheart.ca

11. CHRISTIAN CHILDREN’S FUND OF CANADA The Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (CCFC) celebrated 50 years of helping children in need on Sept.11, 2010. To mark this achievement, CCFC entertained more than 300 guests with an anniversary fundraising gala. Words of appreciation from CCFC’s CEO Mark Lukowski inspired guests. The event raised $150,000 for children. www.ccfcanada.ca Cont’d on page 78

14 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

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Women In Business and Leaders Round Table The challenges women face in business was the hot topic at a Vaughan Chamber of Commerce round table discussion with guest speaker Laureen Harper.

Successful female entrepreneurs discuss the challenges they face with host Julian Fantino.

A

lthough women have made leaps and bounds in the corporate world, there are still challenges that modern businesswomen face. On Nov. 19, 2010, Vaughan Conservative candidate Julian Fantino and Vaughan

Chamber of Commerce hosted a round table discussion with guest Laureen Harper, wife of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, to highlight the great contributions female entrepreneurs and community leaders make in business. The group of 25 women, including Royal LePage – Your Community Realty owner Vivian Risi, also spoke about regular challenges and concerns they face in their leadership positions. The gathering was an extension of the Women to Women meeting held on Nov. 3, 2010, which also discussed the economic contributions women

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s wife, Laureen Harper, with Vivian Risi, owner of Royal Le Page –Your Community Realty.

make in the workforce. www.vaughanchamber.ca

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The Competition Bureau and the Toronto MLS: Industry leader Vivian Risi sheds clarity on how it affects consumers.

T

he ratification of an agreement between Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and the Federal Competition Bureau on Oct. 24, 2010, has the public, media, and members of real estate speculating on the impact this agreement will have on the real estate industry.

For an agreed fee and with the aid of a realtor, a homeowner now has the opportunity to post his or her property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a member-based database that manages 90 per cent of Canada’s residential housing market. At a glance, this appears to be empowering for a homeowner. “When one carefully investigates the process, it is clear that homeowners need to approach this with caution,” says Vivian Risi, Broker of Record and Founder of Royal LePage – Your Community Realty.

Risi sheds an interesting perspective on this issue for homeowners to take heed before committing. “Homeowners, with the intent of saving money, may be putting themselves in a vulnerable situation,” says Risi. A recent heading in a Canadian Business magazine story reads: “Estate Sale: Travel Agents and Stockbrokers are Nearly Obsolete Thanks to the Internet. Are Real Estate Agents Next?” Most certainly not, says Risi. Full-service real estate is here to stay, and here’s why: The buying and selling of a home is nothing like buying and selling stocks or booking a holiday.

Our home is our most valuable asset.

“When I put myself in the position of a homeowner,” says Risi, “I would be focusing on the best in the industry – someone who can provide expert advice to maximize my equity through proper pricing, home-staging

concepts and a strategic marketing plan that will create a demand for my home, increase showings and expose my property to the most amount of qualified buyers. Hiring a professional will save a homeowner from potential legal challenges as well, and will yield them more money for their home. One would have to ask themselves what’s most important: saving commission, or ensuring that the transaction of one of the biggest investments I will ever make is handled with solid professional advice? In my opinion, you get what you pay for!”

The fact that a homeowner has options with respect to the manner in which they choose to sell their home can be positive. Homeowners must have a clear understanding of all the facts, prior to deciding on what level of service best suits their needs.

Industry innovator Vivian Risi is a Broker of Record and the Founder of Royal LePage – Your Community Realty, Canada’s No. 1 Brokerage. Her expertise in market trends, mortgages and real estate management spans over 30 years. With over 650 realtors and 10 offices across the GTA, Risi is a recognized voice and reliable authority in the real estate industry. To contact Risi or one of her realtors with your questions or to locate the nearest Royal LePage – Your Community Realty, visit www.yourcommunityrealty.com 1.888.9LEPAGE(53-7243) For more real estate information, follow Vivian Risi on Facebook and Twitter, or go to her website and send her a question under “Ask Vivian.” www.facebook.com/royallepageyourcommunityrealty, www.twitter.com/VivianRisi

18 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

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Great

COOK O Dane

Produced By Simona Panetta Written By Madeline Stephenson

Photo By Tina Gill

The

D

ane Cook is staring at cover art for his Greatest Hits album.

He’s narrowed the title choices down from 15 to three and his deadline is today. The creative process has caused the sandy haired star comedian to take a scenic route down Memory Lane – long before his Forbes list fortune and arena-filling fame. He’s spent the last few weeks listening to grassroots routines and discovering edits of CDs that he didn’t even know existed. “It’s interesting – watching and listening to the evolution of myself. It’s very, very strange.” He pauses. In that brief silence you can hear the deafening authenticity behind Cook’s quiet confidence.

Ankle-deep in conversation, it becomes refreshingly apparent that one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People hasn’t let sold-out stadiums and Hollywood movie roles alongside Kevin Costner, Kate Hudson and Steve Carell sellout his convictions. Cook still has vivid recollections of what it was like to be a ’90s comedy novice performing skits on Boston stages to pocket-sized crowds.

He conjures up the feeling he had during his first Just for Laugh’s appearance in Montreal. “I remember I was a new face and there was that moment where you’re like, ‘People are going to discover me and how exciting is that? People who don’t know me are going to see me here for the first time and have an opinion about me and hopefully jump onboard and become fans,’ and I loved working towards that moment.” He expresses the anecdote with a bold, magnetic edge – much like his comedic voice.

Offering a sophisticated outlook on his career path, Cook reveals that his listening skills play a critical role in his celebrity and overall business culture. “You have to have your finger on the pulse and put ego aside and realize it’s not always about what you’re doing and how you deliver, but how people want to receive you as well.” So far, Cook’s craft has been very well-received. His album, tour, TV and movie sales have made him one of the wealthiest stand-up stars. Forbes magazine even pegged him as a top-earning comic, pulling in an estimated $21 million in a recent 12-month period. “It really gets me excited everyday to get up and go to set or go to my office and figure out, ‘OK, what is something I can do to challenge myself today that is an offering to my fans?’” says Cook, 38, a back-on-the-market bachelor living in Los Angeles.

“I know that I feel the energy of my mom and dad around me all the time.

I do believe that there’s more after this test: what that is we will have to wait and see.”

Though Cook spent most of his early years divulging his familial, sexual and childhood experiences in a face-to-face format, it was his commanding online presence that actually catapulted him to becoming the industry’s most popular and savviest of funny men. A trailblazer in the Internet movement, the comedian is a prime example of stardom by virtue of social media. Connecting to his audience through means that were somewhat disregarded in their infantile stages, Cook eagerly tackled MySpace and Twitter to glass-case his comedy to the masses. “I really think that there was a simpatico with the way we were all starting to change the way we receive our entertainment and our education, so I was locked into that from pretty early on because I’m a geek and I love computers,” says Cook, who has almost five million followers on Facebook and Twitter, and more than 2.5 million friends on MySpace.

In the future, Cook would like to see technology transform the world in more profound ways. He brings up the avant-garde concept of building digital walls in

20 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

www.citylifemagazine.ca

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places like Haiti, Israel and New York City, so strangers can communicate virtually like they do on Skype. “When we see suffering and when we see somebody who needs help, we want to help them. When we can’t see and we can’t hear somebody’s cries or somebody’s pleas or somebody’s idea, it goes nowhere, it doesn’t travel very far,” he says.

As the topic takes a turn from virtual reality to his own realities, Cook reveals yet another layer – one most people see only a snippet of onstage. His willingness to candidly open up about the recent deaths of his parents marks a tender trait. “I know that I feel the energy of my mom and dad around me all the time.

I do believe that there’s more after this test: what that is we will have to wait and see.” It was Cook’s mother that fuelled his artistic expression and encouraged him to chase his wildest dreams, placing a particular emphasis on the nature of all things wild. She was never embarrassed or ashamed of the fact that her son lived in his imagination he says. “My mother was an empowered woman and she was a dreamer, and that’s the one thing that she always instilled in me, which was ‘Don’t be afraid to stay in that dream-like state.’” Cook regularly brings his parents back to life comedically in his cross-country stand-up routines.

His relaxed, autobiographical style was received with roaring laughter in October when his tour touched down in Toronto.

While expressive and conversational language is a major facet of Cook’s onstage persona, he struggles to find a phrase that fits the sensation he gets from making people laugh. “It’s unlike anything that I’ve felt before … it’s that feeling of just you and nature,” he says. After a journey of self-reflection, it’s evident that nothing keeps Cook on his proverbial toes quite like the capacious world of comedy. “Lately I’m finding myself in that same place, of being that young kid, standing in Montreal saying, ‘OK, I’ve got my wits about me and I’m healthy and I’ve got a few ideas, but what’s next?’ He’s now decided the name of his Greatest Hits album: I Did My Best. www.danecook.com www.citylifemagazine.ca

Journalists scrum down to speak with Vaughan’s new mayor, Maurizio Bevilacqua.

The former federal politician unseats Linda Jackson.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES :ULWWHQ %\ 0DGHOLQH 6WHSKHQVRQ

This December, two Canadian cities will unwrap a new era in politics as the first few pages of a four-year chapter for Vaughan and Toronto begin.

C

ampaigns for change carried two of Ontario’s mayoral candidates to political peaks in municipal elections that pulled more people to debate floors and polls in years. The riveting races of Toronto and Vaughan’s mayoralties are perhaps two of the most captivating political dramas of this decade.

VAUGHAN On Oct. 25th, 2010, Canada’s fastest growing city saw Linda Jackson’s controversial reign come to a heavy halt when she lost her mayoral spot by a landslide to Maurizio Bevilacqua, former Liberal MP. Bevilacqua, who gave up his parliamentary seat after two decades to dive into Vaughan’s mayoral race late last August, is confident that his transition process, along with a mostly fresh-faced council, will be free of obstacles. “I am pretty certain it will be smooth, I’m sure people will cooperate and be very respectful with each other because there is no other way of doing it,” he says. He also crushes the idea of any potential issues of conflict-of-interest – a topic that’s been paramount in Vaughan’s election. “I’ve never had any conflicts of interest, and this is the benefit of a person who’s been in public life for 22 years and has never had conflicts; that tradition will continue in the mayor’s chair.”

24 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

An overwhelming 63.3 per cent of Vaughan residents voted for Bevilacqua’s vision of change and federal experience over Jackson’s efforts to ratify City Hall’s embattled reputation and shine a light on her accomplishments in office. “I have absolutely no regrets. I’ve enjoyed it, I have a lot to look back on, I have a lot of great memories and I move forward and

“

I’m sure people will cooperate and be very respectful with each other because there is no other way of doing it.

”

– Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua www.citylifemagazine.ca

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“

I’ve obviously got some opinions about [Rob Ford’s] platform, but one of the things about this council is that it’s very, very democratic.

Toronto’s 63rd mayor David Miller’s two-term reign comes to an end.

”

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that’s it. It’s very simple,” Jackson told City Life Magazine in an optimistic tone, adding that her bid for re-election came from a desire to let democracy dictate her future. “I ran again for the fact that nobody was going to tell me to go home for the exception of the people.”

Though Jackson could not comment on the charges against her under the Municipal Elections Act from her 2006 campaign, she does say that she wanted to have the opportunity to clear her name before the election. Her trial is not to be held until 2011.

Though her next role is undecided, Jackson plans on spending a lot more time with family in the short-term and isn’t discounting a future in politics. “I love politics, it’s in my blood … I still love it because I know that I can still make a difference, and I’m not going to say never.”

His plans to abolish the land transfer tax and vehicle registration tax were pledged as top priorities, but how soon residents can expect these tax breaks is still unknown. After repeated attempts to contact Ford via phone and e-mail on the date that he agreed to an interview, he could not be reached.

“I’ve obviously got some opinions about his platform,” says former mayor David Miller, “but one of the things about this council is that it’s very, very democratic. There’s lots of members of council who understand that we need to invest in high-priority neighbourhoods, who understand that we need to build public transit, who understand that we have to continue to take active steps to lower our environmental footprint, and I’m sure those kinds of programs will continue.”

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua hopes to mark a new era in politics.

TORONTO Voter turnout was up a monumental 14 per cent in Canada’s largest city where right-wing councillor Rob Ford ran a successful campaign on fiscal responsibility to beat rival candidate and former provincial health minister George Smitherman. With the majority of Ford’s 47 per cent win coming from Toronto’s suburban demographic, the downtown core showed a clear divide from the city’s outskirts. Throughout

26 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

the race, Ford ran an open door platform that focused less on arts and transportation and more on a repeated catchphrase to “Stop the gravy train” at City Hall.

Despite speculation of running for a third term, Miller opted out of this year’s municipal election to spend more time with his children. “I grew up without a father, and one of the things I said to myself was, if I have children, I’m going to be a really good dad, and all of a sudden my kids were 14 and 12 and I’d never been home.

I felt I was letting them down and myself down,” says Miller emotionally, adding that he’s finally been able to see his son’s hockey games and daughter’s soccer games.

“It’s been a really great year for me from that perspective.”

Miller’s new role is already lined up. While he will continue to push for heightened public transit, his next official job will be as an advisor to the World Bank on cities and the environment. As for his political forecast for Toronto’s next four years? “That’s hard to predict. Interesting,” says Miller.

Visit this story online at www.citylifemagazine.ca to watch our interview with David Miller. www.city.vaughan.on.ca www.toronto.ca www.citylifemagazine.ca

The wicked role of the West plays a hand in a conflict that has claimed millions of lives in Democratic Republic of Congo.

FALL NG GUNS, GOLD AND GRIEVANCE :ULWWHQ %\ 0DGHOLQH 6WHSKHQVRQ

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ich orange flames dance across a striking African savannah in the continent’s heart. Serge Kaptegaine is trapped inside a burning house. The doors are locked, windows bolted shut. The only thing he’s certain of is that there is no escape. His fate lies miles away in the hands of the Western world, but no one can hear his cries. He clings to his only hope that someone, somewhere, is calling 911. “This is a small picture or idea that I can give you about the war,” says Kaptegaine of his psychological experience in the resource-rich, conflict-ravished Democratic Republic of Congo.

“When I’m talking about fire, I’m talking about realities where you are tortured. I am talking about realities where for days you don’t even think about war, you don’t think about food. The only thing on your mind is ‘how am I going to be tomorrow or the next five minutes?’” Murder, rape and young children being used as human shields are ongoing impunities of a crisis that’s been deemed Africa’s World War.

Congole refugee Congolese Serge KKaptegaine spreads awareness of his country’s plight.

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Sean Carasso has made it his life purpose to broadcast this message. The 28-yearold’s mission began when he impulsively decided to leave the comfortable confines of California’s coastline in 2007 to explore a new milieu. At the time, he was unaware that his travels to Africa would inevitably impact his life in haunting and compelling ways. Carasso’s journey brought him to DR Congo where he found a military camp that was beating former child soldiers. “Those boys told us that the kids that were too small to carry a gun were being sent to the front lines armed only with a whistle. They were sent out as human shields. The idea is that they

28 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

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would go out and blow the whistle at night to scare away the enemy and in failing that, they were supposed to receive the bullets with their bodies,” says Carasso, who successfully exposed the issue to United Nations. The encampment was later shut down and the boys were released.

Feeling helpless and traumatized upon returning to California, Carasso was unable to conceptualize the idea of other young kids suffering such horror.

He immediately wrote a blog called “Falling Whistles.”

Unable to attend social events without screaming about the atrocities he witnessed, Carasso’s friend bought him a vintage whistle that he found online.

“He put it around my neck and he said no matter where you go, keep those boys alive in your heart.” Instantly, everywhere Carasso went, people would ask about his necklace and profound conversations began permeating Western sound waves. With empty pockets, Carasso and some friends crafted a plan to sell whistles to raise funds for war-affected children in Congolese communities and demand accountability from government officials.

Three years later during a campaign stop in Toronto, the gunmetal whistle wrapped around Carasso’s neck suddenly holds significant meaning. “We’re building a dynamic coalition across the world of young people who won’t quit until they see the end of this war,” says Carasso, who’s Falling Whistles campaign team has met with members of www.citylifemagazine.ca

the White House and is currently working to rehabilitate 267 kids in DR Congo.

“I just want to thank them for what they did; I just want to thank them. I don’t have the words to say,” says Kaptegaine of the work Carasso has done with his Fa l l i n g W h i s t l e s campaign. W hen he arrived in Winnipeg as an Eastern Congolese refugee in 2005, his emotional baggage far exceeded

The best way that I can describe [the conflict] is as a vicious triangle with outrageous violations of human rights.

– James Stewart, law professor. any human’s comprehendible capacity.

Along with his suitcase, the soft-spoken father of two carried nothing other than the mementos of a five-year war that stained his passport with bloodshed and left a humanitarian plight of catastrophic proportions. “I wish that I could have come to Canada as a tourist and not as a refugee because before becoming that refugee, there is a hell that you go through,” says Kaptegaine, 34. For him, that hell was a mineral-fuelled war that sent him to jail for trying to help mothers prevent their children from being used as pawns in unthinkable war crimes and separated him from his daughters.

Despite his immense contentment with Canada, memories of Kaptegaine’s past painfully linger. “Why should I go through it, why? I’m a human being, I have blood in my skin, I have a head that thinks,” his voice cracks as tears take over.

Though the war that broke out in 1998 officially ended in 2003, its aftermath catapulted the country down a dark hole of destruction and atrocity, with rape and murder occurring at exponential rates. As of 2007, the UN pegged DR Congo’s death toll at 5.4 million since the start of the war, which is the highest figure since World War II. More recently, Nicholas Kristof, a columnist for The New York Times and multiple Pulitzer Prize winner who’s kept an investigative gaze on the conflict for years, estimates that the total is now likely closer to 6.9 million, with approximately 1,500 people dying every day from conflict-related causes such as violence, malnutrition and disease.

James Stewart, a law professor at The University of British Columbia, recently presented a report at a conference in The Hague, Netherlands, titled Corporate War Crimes: Prosecuting the Pillage of Natural Resources. “The best way that I can describe [the conflict] is as a vicious triangle with outrageous violations of human rights. You have illicit arms transfers on one periphery and then illegal exportation of natural resources on the other,” says Stewart, a former war crimes prosecutor. It becomes a brutal cycle where imported guns are sold to villagers as a form of false security in exchange for valuable exports that are 3KRWR %\ 0DUWLQ 'HH

Marcus Russell Price, left, stands with Falling Whistles founder Sean Carasso, right. Price gave Carasso the whistle that inspired his campaign.

Award-winning law professor James Stewart focuses on corporate accountability in war zones like DR Congo and Rwanda.

illegally exploited. DR Congo’s “natural resource curse” means that its abundance in valuable exports like diamonds, gold, cobalt, copper, crude oil and coffee make it a hot spot for many North American companies that capitalize on minerals to make high-tech devices like cellphones and computers. One of the questions asked at the conference was how much cellphone costs will rise if people start insisting on legal trade. “I think it’s a good City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

29

Imagine the possibilities

question, but it’s not an ethically difficult question. The question is: How much does your cellphone cost now, not just to you, but to people who pay for it in blood?” asks Stewart. With a longstanding history of violence and the highest mortality rate in the continent, it ’s incontestable that something significant needs to take place in order for change to transpire. “I think what we really need is a clear message from the public to our government that we will not tolerate our companies pillaging natural resources. We as a community, we’re not interested in participating in atrocity,” says Stewart.

Despite each of their distinct experiences, the commonality between Kaptegaine, Carasso and Stewart is the shared conviction that peace is not only within reach, but in the palms of our own hands. “I think that in the end, as consumers, we’re in charge of what our corporations do, and as citizens, we’re in charge of what our governments do.

If enough of us want it, we’re going to get it,” says Carasso. Stewart’s passion is similarly staunch. His will to inform the public about corporate war crimes and provide a practical roadmap for prosecutors of domestic criminal systems is also fuelled by optimism. “I wouldn’t be doing this work if I didn’t see peace there,” says Stewart pragmatically.

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For Kaptegaine, Canada provided an escape, but his crusade to see peace in DR Congo continues. It is here that he’s been able to establish Hand in Hand for Peace and a not-for-profit firm called Ref-Nyota that aids in the reintegration process of refugees. “Let’s work and try to find a solution,” says Kaptegaine, who is thrilled to have voted for the first time in his life this October in Winnipeg’s municipal election. “Without more concern for each of us, and challenging organizations or even our government, then nothing will change. But if we can do that, then I continue to believe: change will come. Change will come.”

www.fallingwhistles.com To watch a full interview with Sean Carasso, log onto www.citylifetv.ca/falling_whistles.html www.citylifemagazine.ca

With a new, state-of-the-art industrial kitchen opening Dec. 1st, Son of a Chef is looking to complement their already outstanding services by offering in-house cooking classes at their new location. Already producing phenomenal off-site catering, including sensational specialty cakes and cupcakes, these comedic cooks have the perfect recipes for the season. Don’t forget to order your seafood platter for all your holiday gatherings.

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ver the past 50 years, Giovanni G uizz etti has worked to build the future he always wanted: an empire based o n h o n e s t y a n d re s p e c t .

Competing only against one person – himself – Giovanni’s labour has paved the way to a conglomeration of success, a legacy he has now passed on to his son Stefano.

President of Guizzetti Developments Inc. Stefano Guizzetti carries his father’s legacy to new heights with The Grand Genesis, a luxury condominium complex set to debut in 2011.

32 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

Today, Guizzetti Developments Inc., which has revolutionized the Yonge S t re e t C o r r i d o r w i t h h i g h - d e n s i t y, mid-sized commercial and residential projects, is a testament to the fortified bond between father and son. “I’ve never been afraid to make sacrifices,” says Giovanni, who left his hometown in Bergamo, Italy when he was 26. Arriving in Halifax on his birthday in 1956, he travelled to Montreal for work where he humbly accepted pay of 80 cents an hour. Patient and inquisitive for opportunities, Giovanni landed a job cutting wood in Timmins, Ont., which increased his daily income from $10 to $40. Looking back, he had no idea he would one day www.citylifemagazine.ca

be at the helm of a transportation, real estate and construction domain creating employment opportunities for others.

When work waned during the cold winter months, Giovanni used his savings to buy a truck. “I was working day and night to make money, hauling and loading wood by hand,” he recalls.

In 1960, he married Luisa, a pretty brunette from Welland, Ont. They settled in Richmond Hill and had three children: Danny, Emma and Stefano. Just four years after landing in Halifax, Giovanni became a partner in The Richvale Garage at Yonge Street and Edgar Avenue. As founder and president of Woodbine Truck Centre Ltd., Giovanni was in the driver’s seat of a number 1 national distributor for International Harvest Trucks. In addition, Giovanni imported Californian grapes and grape juice for winemaking with Guizzetti Bros Importing. In 1980, Giovanni became the president of Central Mack Truck Sales Ltd., which became the number 1 distributor of Mack trucks in the world, and was acknowledged as one of the top 10 companies in Ontario. During this time, the town of Richmond Hill awarded Giovanni for his outstanding performance in business.

Having dabbled in various industries throughout the years, Giovanni has proven his strong work ethic. “I was always on time – I was never late,” says Giovanni, now 80. He still sneaks into the office “to talk to people and pretend he’s working,” he admits with a laugh.

Despite his age, Giovanni’s memory remains muscular, as he vividly recalls his early days as a farmer in northern Italy. When he was drafted to the army in the region of Le Marche, he showed promise and potential. His first mission moved him quickly up the ranks after he successfully destroyed a barn in just one shot.

Throughout the years, his sharp eye never wavered. “He takes initiative and does the best he can in whatever he does,” says Stefano, president of Guizzetti Developments. “He doesn’t do anything mediocre ... he does it or just doesn’t do www.citylifemagazine.ca

Stefano Guizzetti leans on his father, Giovanni Guizzetti, for support. His mother, Luisa Guizzetti, describes her husband as a gentleman with a strong work ethic: “His work is his life.” Ï

it at all. I’ve always admired my father’s integrity – his word means everything.”

To date, the company has acquired over 1 million sq. ft. of real estate. Its latest feat is The Grand Genesis, a luxury condominium of approximately 300 residences on Yonge Street and Edgar Avenue. “I’m proud to set an example of what Richmond Hill requires,” says Stefano. “I take it as a big responsibility.

Our decisions have to take into careful consideration the various goals and objections of both the surrounding local community and the municipality at large.”

The Grand Genesis complex will secure the highest level of certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System with Gold Certification, which helps to better the environment with sustainable green building practices. “I’m so proud of our LEED goal. We are taking initiative by providing a gold standard when it’s not required.”

Attracting first-time buyers, young professionals and empty nesters, The Grand Genesis will debut in the spring of 2011. “What’s most exciting is that we are going to be creating up to 400 jobs in the next few years,” says Stefano.

Apart from increasing employment,

Exuding potential at a young age, Giovanni G Guizzetti made his way to Canada in 1956 to exercise his entrepreneurial spirit. Ï

Guizzetti Developments supports Habitat for Humanity, Rosalie Hall and United Way. Recently, Guizzetti Developments generously donated a home and a substantial donation to Yellow Brick House, a women’s shelter desperately in need of housing for abused women and children.

“Through my father’s hard work over the years – his sweat – I’m grateful for the opportunity to have acquired the real estate that he has, and trusting me to develop these properties, which has enabled me to create Guizzetti Developments.” www.guizzetti.com 905.597.0200 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

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The heart of Mistura is celebrity chef and owner Massimo Capra. He is responsible for the delicate dishes that are guilty of being too delicious. At Mistura, the food, the décor and the charm are all taken care of – the only thing left to do is enjoy the people eating with you. www.mistura.ca

When people die and go to cheese heaven they end up at the front door of Cheese Boutique. This heavenly chunk of love is St. Agur. If you’ve never tried St. Agur, Cheese Boutique can help you become a better cheese lover. www.cheeseboutique.com

Terra D’Algi Tolos and Tatone are powerful wines from Abruzzo, Italy. Their dark ruby red colour and rich body are matched with the taste of ripe red fruits and sweet spices. For product inquiries visit www.vinaiocanada.com

EAT, AND DRINK DRI NK be merry

Celebrate the Holidays in glorious fashion with sensational wines, spectacular cuisine and delightful desserts.

Produced By Michelle Zerillo-Sosa / Written By Vito La Giorgia

The olive fougasse from Ace Bakery is not just a piece of bread, it’s a piece of art that you can eat. Native to the south of France, the olive fougasse is absolument delicieux. www.acebakery.com

It takes seven years to produce the coffee liqueur found in each award-winning bottle of Kahlúa. With each sip, you’re reminded that all good things take time. www.kahlua.com

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and a list of other foodies joined forces on Nov. 20, 2010 at The Carlu in Toronto to create gourmet dishes for the inaugural Chef’s Challenge: The Ultimate Battle for a Curee in support of breast and ovarian cancer research and education at Mount Sinai Hospital. The Pan-fried Sea Bass with Broccoli and Sorrel Sauce is one of the many superb recipes available in Ramsay’s cookbook Family Fare. www.chefschallengeforacure.com

If you love Italy, then you’ll love St. Phillips Bakery. The experience is overwhelmingly delicious. St. Phillips Bakery has a wide range of authentic Italian and European delights, not to mention one of the best hot food and pastry tables in Toronto. www.stphillipsbakery.com

34 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

Son of a Chef is catering with zing. Accepting varied culinary commands and producing tantalizing flavour combinations, indulge in the exquisite presentations of Son of a Chef. Also considered a cooking school, this catering company will be introducing a specialty cake and cupcake section by early 2011. www.sonofachef.com

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City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

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s t e e w S By ITY Written IN THE C

Michael Hill

Dolcini by Joseph In the quaint town of Kleinburg there is a shop of magical delights and fantastic imagination. Filling an historic village with wondrous smells of moist cakes, gooey glazes and mouth-watering treats, Dolcini by Joseph creates decadent desserts with a world-class taste.

Edible Arrangements Artistically sculpted fruit and chocolate are arranged in beautiful ways with these fabulously prepared delights from Edible Arrangements. The ideal centrepieces for any social function, these juicy and delicious displays redefine the way fruit is served. www.ediblearrangements.ca 905.738.4100

As his second bakery, Dolcini by Joseph is the manifestation of Joseph Montinaro’s desire to produce artistically beautiful and progressive pastry. After taking over his father’s business, West Finch Bakery, he soon became bored with traditional recipes. He journeyed to Europe to explore other baking possibilities. Treated to a whole other world of pastry delights, Montinaro experienced an “explosion of ideas.” This new-found inspiration was a key factor in opening Dolcini by Joseph.

“We have a philosophy to be cutting-edge, so we take the opportunity to learn new techniques and ideas from other chefs from around the world, and incorporate that in our pastry,” says Montinaro.

Combining extravagant design with phenomenal flavours, Montinaro and his team create an unrivalled culinary experience. An array of colours and tastes blossom through the always fresh, high-quality ingredients Montinaro insists on using. Never satisfied with sticking to a limited range of recipes, Montinaro welcomes new ideas from demanding clientele.

“My clients demand innovative flavours, innovative looks and textures.

[They] don’t mind paying a few dollars more for the product, but as long as it’s top-notch,” explains Montinaro. “We focus on a range of products – not just one.

Every piece of our work is really done with a lot of passion.”

Stimulated by the exciting world around him, Montinaro’s passion and creativity materializes in marvellous fashion with truly imaginative, tasty desserts. For an unparalleled eating adventure, treat your palate to the enchanting experience of Dolcini by Joseph. www.dolcini.ca 905.893.5499 10462 Islington Ave., Kleinburg, Ont.

Dolce Bombe Alfa Cappuccino Distributing some of Italy’s best espresso and cappuccino products, Alfa Cappuccino has everything you need to brew the perfect cup. With an unbridled passion for coffee, Alfa Cappuccino imports world-renowned blends, including the rich and superb Italian coffee Ionia ... il Caffè. www.espresso.com 1.800.764.2532

For a blast of sweetness in the form of a delicious pastry, look no further than Dolce Bombe. Known for its cream-filled pastries of the same name, Dolce Bombe serves traditional Italian desserts using imported ingredients that will leave your taste buds shell-shocked. 905.265.7841 7611 Pine Valley Dr. Unit 4, Woodbridge, Ont.

Molisana Imports Since 1977, Molisana has been importing the finest foods direct from one of Europe’s culinary capitals. Enjoy real pasta, bread, juice and treats from some of Italy’s best brands.

You can find all Molisana’s fabulous imported brands at your local grocery store. For a complete list visit www.molisana.com or call 416.747.8707

36 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

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38 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

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Zizi Trattoria offers a memorable dining experience in a cosy atmosphere with friendly service Zizi Trattoria 4040 hwy 7 (West of Weston rd.) www.citylifemagazine.ca

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39

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Reach your ultimate level of confidence with Eleanor Welsh, owner of Skin Vitality.

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hey say perfection is impossible, but that’s because they haven’t been to Skin Vitality. It starts with a feeling, and that feeling is confidence. “Confidence is the single-most important trait a woman can have. Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent,” says Eleanor Welsh, owner of Skin Vitality. Skin Vitality offers the best cosmetic technology in the world today, with a special emphasis on non-invasive procedures. Some of the more popular non-invasive procedures offered include FDA-approved Vela Shape and Skin-Tightening treatments, as well as Fotofacials. Skin Vitality may not have the fountain of youth, but it does have a cascade of transforming procedures at your disposal.

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While expanding Skin Vitality into five luxurious locations – with two more coming soon – across southern Ontario, Welsh became familiar with the daily stresses that can bring a person down.

Today, she has made it her life’s work to help people achieve the glow and strut of a confident person with safe and

40 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

effective treatments. Understanding the demographic because she represents the demographic, Welsh applies her positive energy into helping everyone achieve their full potential. “I am motivated to help anyone change the reflection in the mirror and help them build the courage to make changes and feel better and live happier lives,” says Welsh, whose first Skin Vitality opened in Ajax, Ont. with two employees.

Now, her clinic boasts a staff of 110 people, headed by Dr. Lori Martyn and a team of 10 registered nurses, including Lori Pollock, RN. “We deliver the best results in the shortest amount of time by the most qualified injectors in Canada,” says Welsh, adding that Skin Vitality is one of the top 10 providers of Botox Cosmetic and Juvéderm in Canada.

“My staff is definitely my company’s greatest asset. My team at Skin Vitality performs more Botox injections than 99.5 per cent of the doctors in Canada,” says Welsh, who visits her clinics to speak with patients and support

staff daily. One of the best parts about many of the cosmetic procedures Skin Vitality offers is that they’re quick and inexpensive. Take Botox for instance: the injections can start from as little as $75, take less than 10 minutes, and the results can last up to four months.

There is not one second of recovery time and there is no discomfort, bruising or swelling. You can be walking out of the clinic in less than 15 minutes and your frown lines and crow’s feet will have flown away. You might lose half an hour of your lunch break, but you’ll be eliminating the last 10 wrinkly years of your life.

Men are also taking advantage, making up 30 per cent of the total revenue at Skin Vitality. Popular procedures for men include Botox and laser hair removal. With “reshape your life” as her motto, Welsh is changing the way we look and feel about ourselves. www.skinvitality.ca 1.877.356.7776 www.citylifemagazine.ca

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Which one of these two will get your organs?

With only 17 per cent of registered organ donors in Ontario, a sad reality becomes a death sentence for those desperately in need of transplants. In Ontario alone, a person dies every three days because of organ shortages. As hope declines, the opportunity to become an organ donor rests in your hands. 3URGXFHG %\ )HUQDQGR =HULOOR

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Ontario, someone on a waiting list for a vital organ dies every 72 hours.

A tragic figure, especially when one organ donor can save up to eight lives and enhance up to 75 more.

Right now, there are more than 1,500 desperate individuals on waiting lists in Ontario. These are mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, and maybe, you.

And guess what? There aren’t nearly enough donors.

In

When someone requires an organ transplant for a second chance at life, a whirlwind of medical tests and procedures sends families on an emotional roller coaster ride of despair and often enough, tragedy. At the age of 19, Eddie Sabat was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition where the muscle of the heart thickens and enlarges, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood.

Edward Sabat and his family.

42 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

Sabat desperately needed a heart transplant to live a life he barely started.

“There’s anger, frustration, nervousness.

But when they told me that a donor was available it was almost disbelief to a certain extend,” explains Sabat. “I was in a blur.”

Domenico DeBenedictis celebrates his 68th birthday with wife, Assunta, and granddaughter, Isabella Rosanna.

For Luciano DeBenedictis, this unforeseen hardship hit home when his father, Domenico DeBenedictis, was slapped with an expiry date on his life: doctors informed him that he had 12 weeks to live after being diagnosed with idiopathic fibrosis, an incurable lung disease that can only be reversed with a transplant. “This came as a complete shock,” says Luciano. “Weeks before my father was rushed to the emergency

room at Toronto General Hospital, we celebrated the 68th birthday of a healthy man living an active life.

While we waited, our whole hope and faith started to deteriorate as his time evaporated.”

Sabat and DeBenedictis were extremely lucky – both received organ transplants lu aat the 11th hour. However, the vast majority of individuals requiring m ttransplants can wait years before a donor iis found – if one is ever found. Those waiting for a kidney, for example, can wait seven years or more before a donor becomes available. In fact, kidneys are the most sought-after organs in Ontario, and they are in limited supply.

Last year, 221 deceased donors accounted for almost 900 transplants in Ontario, but with 1,500 people on waiting lists, many are doomed to wait.

“The tragedy is all these people’s lives can be saved if we had enough donors.

And we don’t have enough donors in Ontario,” says Frank Markel, president and chief executive officer of Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN). Even if you are on the top of the list for organ www.citylifemagazine.ca

www.citylifemagazine.ca

City Life Magazine Oct/Nov 2010

43

donation there are no guarantees a donor will become available. A multitude of factors determines a recipient’s eligibility.

Everything from blood and tissue type, organ size versus body size, urgency of patient’s illness, time on waiting list and even the distance between the donor and recipient all play a role in receiving an organ.

Organs are in such limited supply a range of tests and interviews are conducted before recipients are eligible to be placed on a waiting list. An entire panel must review your lifestyle choice and family support system to ensure that a recipient is a worthy candidate. Organs are rare and valuable commodities; they cannot be chanced on individuals who may potentially waste a transplant.

Ontarians seem to recognize the importance of organ donation, as TGLN reports 90 per cent of residents support organ donation; yet only 17 per cent are registered donors. Even more shocking: Toronto residents rank in the lowest bracket of registered donors, floating between four and 10 per cent in some areas. Compared to other major cities in Ontario, this figure is startlingly low: 25 per cent in Hamilton, 20 per cent in London, and 15 per cent in Ottawa. Towns in northern Ontario – like Sudbury and North Bay – have registration rates over 30 per cent.

The simplest way to register your consent is when renewing your health card at an Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) office. If you recently renewed your health card and did not register for organ donation, simply log onto the TGLN website (www.giftoflife.on.ca), download the consent form and submit it to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. You can also download the form from the Ministry of Health’s website or the OHIP website.

As the crown agency for organ and tissue donation in Ontario, TGLN works tirelessly through advertising, schools and a multi-faith awareness campaign to foster a greater sense of community in a culturally diverse province. TGLN works with religious leaders from

44 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

various communities. The majority of major religions – including, but not limited to, various sects of Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Hindu – all support organ donation.

Although public support is present, there are still fears that becoming a donor means you will not receive the same care as non-donors, which simply isn’t true. “I think we shouldn’t lose sight that we’re using tissues and even now cell therapy to prolong the lives of many, many people,” explains Dr. Gary Levy, medical director of the Multi Organ Transplant Program at Toronto General Hospital. “Transplantation is a great success story; a great medical success story. It requires the consent and participation of the public to make it a successful venture.”

As Dr. Levy points out, organ donation is a two-way street. Individuals must consent to becoming donors, and even then, strict criteria must be met before deceased individuals are considered for donation. In Ontario, families can veto your decision, so it is vitally important to stress the importance of your choice to become a donor with your family.

Several legislative attempts were made in the hopes of increasing donor rates but with little success. One example, Bill 67, was put forward by NewmarketAurora MPP Frank Klees, entailing Ontario drivers to declare their intent on becoming a donor or not when renewing their licence. However, this bill was faced with stark opposition.

There is the option of “soft-presumed consent ” – the system used in Spain, where organ donation is the default option but families may still “opt-out.” After all, Spain leads the world in donor rates with 35 donors per million. Only 15 out of every million Canadians are organ donors. This number lags far behind other Western nations such as Austria (24), the U.S. (25), France (22) and Italy (21). But this method of presumed consent may be too forceful for a democratic nation like Canada.“I don’t think that fits very well in Canadian society,” comments Markel. “I think it has the possibility

of being disruptive and Trillium doesn’t support it.” However, TGLN, along with Dr. Levy, believe the best way to increase donor rates among Canadians is through education. “I think what we need to do in our society is educate people that we’re not out to harm anyone. If the opportunity unveils itself, we’re just saying to the Canadian public [that] it’s an opportunity to be organ donors,” comments Dr. Levy. As one of the fortunate few, Sabat is unbelievably grateful that someone agreed to organ donation, giving him a second chance at life. “I have a wife and two wonderful kids and I wouldn’t be here without somebody consenting to organ donation and saving my life.”

Much like Sabat, DeBenedictis was also fortunate. He recently received a double-lung transplant hours away from death. “Obviously when you go through trauma and experience it, you start to open your eyes and educate yourself on how easy it is [to become a donor],” says his son Luciano. “It kind of opens your eyes to the shortage of donors there are in Ontario.”

In the end, organ donation saves lives.

By using the opt-in approach, organ donation is always a choice made by the individual. Organ donation is an altruistic act: a decision not formed from obligation or duty, but from the goodness of your own heart.

Being opposed to organ donation is your choice, but know that the little parts that make us whole can rescue a baby that has yet to take its first steps, a teenager who hasn’t had his first kiss, or a mother who has yet to see her grandchildren born. Educate yourself to the benefits of becoming a donor and know that when you part from this world, you can continue thriving in others. “At times life throws us a curveball,” says Luciano, “and we can only give thanks to the individual who made the conscious decision to be an organ donor. That person has given my father the most precious gift – the gift of life.” www.giftoflife.on.ca 1.800.263.2833 www.citylifemagazine.ca

At our firm, protecting YOUR RIGHTS

is the law.

De Rose Barristers & Solicitors has built a reputation as aggressive and tireless fighters for their clients’ legal rights.

De Rose Barristers & Solicitors is a boutique firm of lawyers who are solely dedicated to the practice of personal injury.

We pride ourselves on being successful. You will not pay any legal fees until your case is settled successfully.With the introduction of Alternative Dispute Resolution in the early 1990s, Dominic De Rose’s involvement in the process made him one of its pioneers. Throughout the various changes in insurance law, particularly when the government of Ontario implemented the

no-fault legislation, De Rose continued to protect and fight for the rights of injured parties. We are very proud of our representation in Toronto’s personal injury lawsuits and are continuously encouraged by the appreciative responses of our very satisfied personal injury clients and their families.

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Mazda33 leads lead the segment with outstanding driving dynamics and styling. :ULWWHQ %\ ' 7

it takes is a drive around the parking lot to know that the Mazda3 is not your usual compact econobox. The car in question is the 2.5-litre sedan with six-speed manual transmission. The snug driver’s seat, sporty controls and direct steering give out clues that the Mazda3’s chassis is more substantial. Well, a quick banzai run through some twisty roads reveals the true nature of the Mazda3: it’s a driver’s car and it enjoys an enthusiastic drive. pedal and clutch is ideally designed for blipping when downshifting to lower The steering has just the right amount of feel and feedback from the front tires gears, adding to the driving experience. and combined with the taut suspension, allows the chassis to be entertaining I must admit: the Mazda3 2.5 GT has and fun in the corners. There’s very good body control, which gives lots an ideal balance of power and handling of confidence to the driver. Even the brakes have a nice feel for easy without getting into too much trouble, modulation when driven hard. Equally enjoyable is the smooth-revving as the speeds are not overly high to attract 2.5-L four-cylinder that makes a nice racy growl at high revs. The throttle unwanted attention from you-know-who.

There is, of course, the much more powerful Mazdaspeed3 with its turbocharged engine that can run with much more powerful cars like the BMW 335i or Mercedes C350.

All

Available options include a power sunroof, a Luxury Package of leather seats with power driver’s seat, Sirius satellite radio, Bose audio system, 10 speakers, and automatic headlamp levelling.

46 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

Two body styles are available to choose from: a four-door sedan and five-door hatchback. Then there are three available four-cylinder engines: base models are equipped with 2.0-L, 148-horsepower, as well as higher grades with a 167-horsepower, 2.5-L engine that is also shared with the larger Mazda6 Sedan. The overachiever in the Mazda3 lineup is the hatchback-only Mazdaspeed3 with 263-horsepower from its turbocharged, direct injected and intercooled 2.3-L motor. Two transmissions are available and the popular choice will be the five-speed automatic that has a manual sequential shift mode for added driver involvement.

The enthusiast choice is the slick shifting six-speed manual that is a joy to use, and combined with the light-feeling clutch, transforms the nature of the Mazda3 from an already great www.citylifemagazine.ca

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47

Mazda offers a navigation as well as Sirius satellite radio and Bose audio system.

Intelligent key and pushbutton start are available.

SPECIFICATIONS

Mazda3 Engine: 2.5-L 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve car to a serious sports sedan or hatch, depending on which one of the available Variable Valve Timing body styles the buyer chooses. The manual transmission is the only choice in the Horsepower: 167 Mazdaspeed3. On the safety side, four-wheel disc brakes come with anti-lock Torque: 168 lb. ft. braking, and the 2.5-L and Mazdaspeed3 models also get a Standard Vehicle Fuel economy L/100km: City – 9.29 / Hwy – 6.8 Stability Control System, which is a nice little insurance policy to have as Transmission: 6-Speed Manual or 5-Speed Automatic backup if the driver runs out of talent!

Transmission with Sport Mode Drivetrain: Front-Wheel-Drive In the styling department, Mazda3s stand out with their attractive Base MSRP: 2.5-L GT Sedan - $22,995 / 2.5-L Sport - $23,995 sheetmetal and interesting look. The only area that could be toned down / Mazdaspeed3 - $32,995 is the front facia with the overly large smiley face. The good looks also continue inside the high grade and spacious cabin with an attractively designed dash, seats and door panels. Unlike other cars with simple dash controls, operating the Mazda3’s audio and climate controls takes a bit more concentration.

In the crowded and competitive compact segment, the Mazda3 is also a strong sales performer as it offers style, driving enjoyment and that special something that is absent from most cars in this class. www.mazda.ca

48 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

www.citylifemagazine.ca

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from all of us at Prima Lighting!

lighting furniture

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accessories

City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

49

Another Rough for

Ride

Leafs Fans

After igniting our hopes with four straight wins to start the season, the Toronto Maple Leaf ’s hot streak has fizzled.

Does its new roster have what it takes to get back in the winner’s circle, or will this be another year at the bottom?

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ince the National Hockey League (NHL) lockout in 2004-05, Toronto Maple Leafs fans have had it rough. With horrendous season records, consistently missing the playoffs and a franchise associated with the league’s worst, patience is wearing thin. After acquiring team-building wiz Brian Burke, the Leafs hope to get its beloved franchise back on track, but is this the year?

Although they began with a bang, the Leafs have caught a recent snag, posting a meagre 2-6-2 record in their last 10 games, slowly sliding back down to an all-too-familiar and unsettling position. Currently the Leafs sit last in the division, and 12th in the Eastern Conference. With 12 members of its roster 25 years old or younger, maturity appears to be a factor.

“The biggest problem they have on the ice right now is their lack of experience and their lack of depth up the middle,” comments TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger. “They’ve signed, from unrestricted free agency, young players that they believe will fit into the greater dynamic of the Leafs. Whether or not that materializes is anyone’s guess.”

Well, Brian Burke sure hopes it does. On Nov. 29, 2008, Burke was named president and general manager of the Leafs in the hopes of working his magic on the wilting organization. Burke has made a name for himself as a gifted manager, helping to revitalize the Vancouver Canucks by signing elite players such as brothers Daniel and Henrik Sedin, as well as adding the final pieces to the puzzle with the Anaheim Ducks, winning the Stanley Cup in 2006-07.

50 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

Wasting no time, Burke sought out some much-needed grit for the Leaf ’s ailing roster. After trading Boston its first-round draft pick – consequently, Tyler Seguin – for right-winger Phil Kessel, Burke continued making several aggressive moves. In early 2009, Burke acquired newly named captain Dion Phaneuf in a multi-player swing with the Calgary Flames, also picking up defenceman Keith Aulie and left-winger Fredrik Sjöström in the move. Phaneuf recently suffered a leg laceration to his left thigh after becoming entangled with Ottawa Senator Peter Regin. The gash required surgery and Phaneuf is out for four to six weeks.

Burke also packed more muscle to the blue line by signing defenceman Francois Beauchemin and Brett Lebda, while grabbing some young offensive power in right-winger Colby Armstrong, left-winger Clarke MacArthur and right-winger Kris Versteeg. Armstrong has been missing from the lineup after a tendon popped in his hand during a freak injury against the Florida Panthers last month. He is expected to return soon.

“We’ve seen the signs already that this can be a very entertaining team, and a team that can surprise you with [its] ability to score goals. But there’s a lot of pressure on those young guys,” says Dreger.

It’s no secret that over the last few seasons the Leafs have suffered between the pipes. In hopes of solving its goaltending woes, Burke moved goaltender Vesa Toskala and left-winger Jason Blake to Anaheim for net-minder J.S. Giguère, as well as signing possible future-starter Jonas Gustavsson. Despite the team’s poor record, both tenders have recorded fairly solid numbers. Giguère is currently out one to two weeks with a groin strain, further adding to the Leafs’s recent string of injuries.

“When Giguère was brought in he was brought in for two reasons. Number 1, he was brought in to be the starting goaltender for the Maple Leafs: they needed stability in that position, and Toronto believes he still has enough gas in the tank, and the evidence is there to support that,” explains Dreger. “Although he feels the push from Gustavsson, he also realizes he’s there, and in a small way, to mentor Gustavsson into the goaltender that he can be in the future.”

Significant moves have been made, but the Leafs are still in a rebuilding phase.

It’s not easy for so many new players to instantly meld into a coherent squad, and having such high expectations may be unreasonable this early in its evolution.

Although they have struggled as of late, the Leafs have what it takes to be a threat. “They may find a way to be in the mix, but I still see them on the outside looking in,” concludes Dreger.

“ They may find a way to be in the mix, but I still see them on the outside looking in.” — TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger www.citylifemagazine.ca

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51

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Got the winter blues? Pick yourself up this season with some much-needed sparkle.

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52 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

3 SCRUMPTIOUS SKIN As the winter weather makes its move into town, wrap yourself up in this delicious body lotion to rescue your skin from dryness and cracks. It packs wonderful orange peel and fine chocolate scents, and leaves a rich, soft feeling behind. www.yvesrocher.ca 4 PRETTY POLISH Your nails play an important part of your look. Brush on a high-gloss, no-streak polish in one of these five ravishing, rich metallic colours from MAC’s A Tartan Tale collection. www.maccosmetics.com 5 GLOWING GAL This shimmer lotion’s luscious mixture of shea and mango butters will leave you

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City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

53

HONEST TO GOODNESS :ULWWHQ E\ 9LWR /D *LRUJLD

If we care for only what we see, then let charities be our sight, so that they can help the ones we don’t see.

the season of giving, not the season of guilt. While the Santa you see at the busy intersection might actually be a Grinch in red velour clothing, that’s usually not the case. Then again, what’s one or two dollars? When it comes to more serious donations, it might be a good idea for us to clear the air about where your charitable donations are going. The following organizations get our nod of approval.

It’s

FH CANADA Of all major charities, FH Canada has one of the lowest rates of revenue funds allocated to administrative fees. One of the quotes it stands by is, “Managing poverty is big business, eradicating it is revolutionary.” As Clarissa Youssef,

54 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

director of communications for FH Canada, explains, “FH Canada is committed to upholding the highest standards of financial integrity and stewardship.” For every dollar donated to FH Canada, $0.88 is spent on programs to help the poor reach sustainability, $0.06 is spent on administration and operating costs and $0.06 is invested to generate future income. FH Canada is committed to supporting a community for approximately seven to nine years with holistic development programming. Even a shrewd businessperson can appreciate that this charity is not providing people with fish; it is teaching them how to fish. FH Canada has recently made a difference in Haiti, a country facing an epidemic of cholera. The charity has built a home made of wood and blue plastic for

single mother Edith, who lives in the community of Siloe, an urban slum on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince.

The process focuses on identifying community assets and potential, instead of limitations and problems. FH Canada delivers dignity, respect and hope to community members. Once a community’s strengths have been identified, the community can apply its local knowledge and resources and begin its journey out of poverty.

WOMEN FOR AFGHAN WOMEN Responding to emergencies and sustainability are important building blocks in the helping process but prevention can help avoid the problem in the first place. The ever-present danger of the Taliban regaining control www.citylifemagazine.ca

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CBS news anchor Katie Couric discovered another dark story while reporting from Afghanistan in August of 2010. Shamsia Husseini was on her way to school when a man riding a motorbike in the opposite direction threw acid onto her face. It was a message from the Taliban that women should not be allowed to seek an education. The Taliban society within Afghanistan has tried and will continue to try to institutionalize injustice. The brave high school student explained how her eyes still burn f rom the attack. She told Couric: “I still have nightmares. I will fight these people by continuing to go to school. Last time they threw acid to stop me, but even if they hit me with bullets, I will not stop going to school.”

With the Taliban getting closer to regaining power in Afghanistan, WAW is in crisis mode. Afghan President Hamid Karzai was recently quoted in the Washington Post as saying, “If you had to choose between saving a girl’s life or enabling her to go to school, which would you do first?” Women in Afghanistan deserve both and so much more. WAW is fighting to retain the basic rights that women have fought

56 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

Opportunity is the greatest gift we can give those in need. We are not just giving clean water or medicine that will allow an infant to become a child, we are giving our fellow men and women across the world a fighting chance.

giving funds to reputable “By charities, we are giving them the tools to build a sustainable tomorrow. so hard to achieve and are in jeopardy of losing.

ACTION AGAINST HUNGER The tireless efforts of Action Against Hunger – ACF International have made it a world leader in the fight against malnutrition.

James L. Phelan, senior officer of communications and advocacy for ACF, ensures that $0.85 of every donated dollar directly supports its field programs. In 2009, for example, ACF’s U.S. headquarters managed $35 million in total revenue, 85 per cent of which was dedicated to program services, 12.5 per cent to general management, and 2.6 percent to fundraising expenses.

After a village was raided in Uganda, what was left would be comparable to if someone destroyed your house, took all your money and eliminated your chances of work. Lumaria was a casualty of that real-life scenario. The 16-month-old Ugandan baby lay helpless on the dirt floor as her parents lost everything they had worked so hard for. Weakened by malaria and pneumonia, Lumaria was admitted to the Action Against Hunger Stabilization Center where she received

“

in Afghanistan has the potential for unimaginable horrors for women.

Even at the moment, Afghanistan is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a woman. In light of these recent events, our second choice is a courageous international charity that deserves more attention.

Women for Afghan Women (WAW ) shelters abused and scared women in Afghanistan. WAW was responsible for getting a girl named Aisha to appear on the gripping Aug. 9, 2010 cover of Time magazine. Th e timid 18-year-old Afghan girl is shown from the neck up, missing her nose and ears.

The Taliban approved of her abusive husband brutally disfiguring her after she was caught trying to run away from him and their “marriage.” WAW cared for Aisha and other girls and women like her at a shelter in Afghanistan.

Aisha (a name that means “alive and well” in Arabic), is currently awaiting reconstructive surgery in the U.S.

immediate attention. After six weeks in the care of the organization, Lumaria is healthy again.

By giving funds to reputable charities, we are giving them the tools to build a sustainable tomorrow. Art Taylor, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, makes it his business to know where money is going. In a 2009 CBS interview last preholiday season, Taylor said, “Be smart, give and give generously.” It feels great to spread goodness, so start an event, raise money and support fundraisers.

To find all the details about Better Business Bureau-approved charities, visit the Charity Navigator at www. give.org. The website provides an A to Z list of charities – everything from the annual income of the charities’ CEOs to the dollar trail of where revenues are shared. There’s no reason for paranoia or irrational spats between loved ones during the Holidays over the legitimacy of charitable organizations. All of these charities are only a click away.

www.fhcanada.org www.womenforafghanwomen.org www.actionagainsthunger.org www.citylifemagazine.ca

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much as we say “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” there are equally strong and contradicting messages from society at odds with such moral statements. Individuals often choose surgery to actualize their desires for beauty, but for wary skeptics, a less abrasive and intrusive alternative is found in dermatology.

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Two weeks after receiving the Soft Lift treatment from Woodbridge Dermatology & Laser Centre, Valerie noticed that her wrinkles and fine lines were drastically smoothed, restoring her full and youthful appearance.

For 20 years, Dr. Gail Nield has provided local residents with comprehensive and caring service at her Woodbridge Dermatology & Laser Centre. The first to offer laser hair removal in the area, Dr. Nield is an expert in both medical

58 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

and cosmetic dermatology. Utilizing modern techniques and procedures, such as the Soft Lift makeover – a combination of Botox and Juvéderm treatments – Dr. Nield has the abilities to rejuvenate and revitalize your skin. “I think everyone is very concerned about how they look,” comments Dr Neild. “If they look good they feel good, and this is possible without the use of surgery – a little does a lot in dermatology.”

Woodbridge Dermatology & Laser Centre also presents a broad range of treatments, which include mole, skin tag and growth removal; vein treatments, Juvéderm injections and the always popular Botox. It also offers the brand new Latisse solution, which is the first prescription drug for growing longer, thicker and darker eyelashes. These range of treatments take years off your appearance, giving a youthful look that reflects the resounding beauty within.

Although these procedures alter your appearance, providing you with a natural

Through rigorous medical background checks and one-on-one interviews, the always-cautious Dr. Nield uncovers the treatment that best fits your desires.

Well aware of the societal pressures men and women endure, Dr. Nield is extremely cautious when it comes to appearance, extending a sympathetic hand in the hopes of providing a service that makes customers look as good as they feel in a safe and effective way.

“We’re not aggressive and the important thing is we have integrity. I’m a dermatologist and a woman, and I think I understand a lot of needs that other women have,” says Dr. Nield. “And when they get Botox or Juvéderm or another procedure, they have it done by someone who knows what they are doing.” For the best in medical and cosmetic dermatology, head over to the Woodbridge Dermatology & Laser Centre for an honest discussion about what is best for you.

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he Catholic Church has become a punchline. People hear ‘priest’ and they interpret ‘pedophile.’ Through scandals of corruption and an estimated worth of somewhere between one and two billion dollars, the Vatican is despised by many, including a lot of Catholics.

It is time to get creative and dig a little deeper for the truth that can supposedly set us free. Jesus said in John 8:31 and 32 that, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Is the Vatican really holding God’s teachings? Are the priests acting like true disciples? Maybe not, but there are still role models scattered throughout Catholicism that can teach us universal maxims that can help us discover true happiness.

One of those role models is the recently canonized St. André Bessette.

Seventy-three years after his death, he still gives Catholics a reason to be proud of their religion.

60 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

ABOVE: St. Joseph’s Oratory, built to honour St. Joseph and help millions for futures to come, soars with the lasting legacy of St. André Bessette.

LEFT: St. André: A friend. A brother. A saint.

André was born into poverty in Mont-Gregoire, Que. in 1845 and died in Montreal in 1837. Many people are poor but not many people give themselves to religion like André did.

André was a good representative of his religion. He was a Catholic born into poverty but his spirituality made his weak body gain a strong heart. Instead of falling through the cracks, he planted his spiritual seed with God. Since he was so low on the social scale, his spiritual roots were deeper and grew stronger than that of others. It all started out with prayer, then came the dream.

André worked as a Brother of the Congregation of Holy Cross for over half a century. He washed their floors, he ran their errands, he cut their hair. He did the best a functioning illiterate could do at a congregation of teaching Brothers to be able to stay and pray. Eventually he began helping people with their problems, and thousands claimed to be healed by André. He modestly claimed that “God does the healing, I’m just his pet dog.” Not everyone needs to devote their life to helping others, but it wouldn’t hurt if a few more did.

Almost a century after his death, the St. Joseph’s Oratory, which André founded, continues to tower over the city of Montreal and welcomes over two million people each year.

The Oratory off ers a glimpse into what people can accomplish, even if they are illiterate and frail. At 4 a.m. on Oct. 17, 2010, 1,500 people squeezed into the church – which only seats 1,000 – to watch André be canonized by Pope www.citylifemagazine.ca

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61

Benedict XVI, live from the Vatican.

Five thousand faithful Canadians flew to the Eternal City to rejoice in the celebration. Rev.Charles Corso, a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross was astounded: “The feeling was absolute exuberance – it was like a Canadian athlete defying all odds and winning an Olympic gold medal.”

André certainly defied the odds. As a boy, André was unable to attend school regularly because he suffered from poor health. His father was crushed by a tree and died when André was very young.

By the age of 12, both his mother and father passed away. André once said, “I rarely prayed for my mother but I often prayed to her.” He loved his mother because she tried her best to keep her large family together and care for them until she died. André would go on to make her very proud.

We often doubt our faith but when we hear stories like this, it is important to believe again. It is even more important to find out what helped these unfortunates overcome their adversity.

In André’s case it was prayer, faith and hard work.

After his mother’s death, André stayed with various family members and friends until the age of 16. In those days, this age was old enough to start earning a living. Like many Quebec natives during the 1870s, labour was the main source of employment. But the 16-year-old was frail, which made it difficult for him to earn an income.

• St. André Bessette: Born 1845, Died 1937 • Canonized on Oct. 17, 2010 • St Joseph’s Oratory is the largest church in Canada and largest basilica dedicated to St. Joseph.

• Population of Montreal in 1937: 300,000 • Number of people who attended St. André’s funeral: 1 million a doorman, which gave him a lot of time between greeting parents and visitors to pray. It wasn’t the best job but, as they say, you will never value anything if you don’t make sacrifices.

Parents and visitors started bringing their problems to André. He was a simple man to whom they could open up. He would pray for them and people started to recover quickly. The problems were varied but the solutions were usually the same – pray to St. Joseph, he would say. Small lineups soon turned into crowds of sick people waiting to receive André’s blessing. His faith was 50 years in the making, so naturally he was good at it; he wasn’t just waving a wand around. The Brothers built a little chapel for André and hundreds began lining up daily.

His days were spent with the sick at the Oratory and his nights were spent visiting those whom could not make it to the Oratory. André is said to have tended to the needs of over 125,000 people throughout his life. Rev. Corso said, “He spent his whole life talking to people about God and talking to God about people.”

While André was living in Rev. André Provencale’s Rectory, the priest noticed the young André’s passion for prayer.

Rev. Provencale sent André with a letter of recommendation to the Congregation of Holy Cross at College Notre Dame in Montreal. Because André was illiterate, he was not able to teach. Rev. Provencale knew André couldn’t teach like a Brother, but he could pray like one.

He presented many sick visitors with medals of St. Joseph and anointed them with oil from an oil lamp that burned in the college’s chapel next to a statue of St Joseph. St. André always insisted that the healing was the work of St. Joseph and not himself. St. André said, “The medallion and the oil are an exterior demonstration of the interior faith ... for the person who is coming forward you must have an openness to the possibility that God can help. That is faith.”

O ver a centur y before André’s canonizing, whether through prophecy or coincidence, Rev. Provencale wrote in a letter, “I am sending you a saint.”

For the next 40 years, André worked as

André lived off not much more than bread and water his entire life. There is humble and then there is the kind of humble that lives on in history books: true selfless heroes.

62 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

When André passed away, the Bishop of Montreal decided to remove André’s heart and preserve it in the Oratory so that people could be close to his essence; a ritual that dates back to the Middle Ages. In 1978, thieves stole the container that held the heart. Nine months later, an anonymous tip led police to an abandoned apartment on the south shore of Montreal. Police found the container with the heart still inside and returned it to the Oratory.

It is one of the many interesting sites at the Oratory, along with the wall of canes and crutches left by those who were healed.

With thousands of people claiming that André healed them, scientist Mario Lachapelle, who holds a PhD in medical and biological research, is credited with proving to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints through his master’s thesis that André was indeed a saint. A former priest, Lachapelle is the assistant general of the Holy Cross Congregation in Rome.

The Vatican granted canonization to André after Lachapelle provided evidence that he had performed two confirmed miracles.

In 1958, Joseph Audino recovered from later stages of terminal cancer after praying to André. In 1999, a Quebec boy was hit by a car and was left in a permanent coma with barely any signs of life. Doctors told relatives that their boy would remain in this state until his death. The boy’s relatives began praying to André and anointed him with the oil from the Oratory. The boy came out of the coma and made a full recovery. Sources on the ground in Rome say the young man was there for the canonizing. www.citylifemagazine.ca

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City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

63

ANYTIME FITNESS Commitment and convenience: the Anytime Fitness philosophy that will get you in shape, and keep you that way.

ommitting to a healthy lifestyle is like walking a tightrope: it requires balance, determination, and is easy to fall off. There are plenty of ways to keep you on this difficult path, but even more to pull you off, like that ever-so-tempting fastfood craving. Anytime Fitness will keep you committed by offering a gym that embodies the very definition of “convenience.”

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Tony Caparotta – former owner of Fitness Source – has been in the fitness industry for 27 years. After selling his business, he discovered Anytime Fitness – a U.S.-based, community driven club that strives to be exactly what the name implies: a gym open at “any time.”

“That little key card grants members full access, giving them ownership; they come in here and treat it like it’s their own facility, and it works,” explains Caparotta, who owns the Maple, Woodbridge and Bolton Anytime Fitness centres. “The whole corporate

64 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

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model is keep the club clean, give members the best equipment, and make sure there’s a sense of community and belonging – it’s the closest thing to having a gym in your own home.”

A key component to Anytime Fitness is to truly be opened 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Many gyms claim to be open 24 hours a day, but only during the week. And holidays? Forget it.

Anytime Fitness has a unique system where members are given access to the facility at any time, any day, period.

That’s pretty convenient. As a member, you are also granted access to any of the 1,500 Anytime Fitness locations in the world. “That’s really what we’re all about: the convenience of it ... I never turn my lights off,” exclaims Caparotta, who also owns Athletic Republic, a high-performance training centre for elite athletes.

These client-focused clubs also provide members free access to phenomenal group activities including spinning, Zumba, boot camp, yoga and Pilates.

Anytime Fitness also staffs top-grade

personal trainers to keep you motivated and help you reach your fitness goals.

Security is also a priority. Dozens of cameras, motion detectors and private bathrooms and showers that lock from the inside ensure your safety.

“Because we are truly opened 24/7 we’re never really busy. People have the convenience to workout at 10 p.m. on a Sunday or 10 p.m. on a Monday; it’s never packed. People really like that,” comments Caparotta.

For those looking to make a real lifestyle change and to commit to a healthier way of life, Anytime Fitness is the place for you. As Caparotta explains, “What we provide is the quality of equipment, the quality of classes, the motivation you don’t get at home and the variety of equipment – and that variety will help you stick to a program. That, along with the convenience, will definitely help you change. Remember: attitude is what changes behaviour.” www.anytimefitness.com Bolton: 905.857.8857 Woodbridge: 905.265.7558 Maple: 905.417.2442 www.citylifemagazine.ca

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City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

65

UNWRAP SHOPPING EXPERIENCE the Real

t u o g n i Go of Business

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Small local businesses bring distinct character and charm to our cities, but they sit in the ever-looming shadow of corporate giants that breathe the constant threat of closure.

H

oliday bells ring as the door to a local shop closes behind you. Out of the cold and into the warmth of a festive storefront, you’re greeted with a pleasant smile. A shop owner guides you around, giving personal attention and expert knowledge on exclusive products rarely seen in big-box stores. Making suggestions as she walks with you, she picks an item, showing you the fine details and superb craftsmanship that make it so special. Once you’ve decided on your purchase, the shop owner personally wishes you the best during the Holidays as she gift-wraps your purchase. In a modern world where time is a constant factor, we lean towards the routes that save the most time and ignore the community around us for the quickest answer.

But consider this: If we only decide to window-shop, vacant storefronts with “For Lease” signs hanging in windows will be all that’s left where a local business once stood.

Small business owners struggle to compete with the low prices massive big-box stores so easily display. Although their prices might not be as low as their colossus competitors, they offer so much more. Unlike that teenage stock boy dragging his feet at these mega-stores, small business owners really care about the products and services they provide. They often offer one-to-one service, unrivalled expertise and exclusive goods rarely found in the maze of massive superstores. They are integral parts of our cities, keeping money in the community and adding character to the cold and calculated economical environment that corporate giants tend to foster. Without the help of consumers, local shopping districts would become ghost towns filled with relics of our shopping past, where ancient entrepreneurs once owned their businesses.

With packed parking lots and pushy shoppers crowding narrow aisles and fist fighting over that last popular children’s toy, holiday shopping can be more burden than bravura.

Those that dread these hostile environments ultimately opt

66 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

f online for li shopping h i or tough h iit out in i one quick i k trip i to the h local big-box store.

Much like everything else in our progressively faster digital world, shopping is becoming streamlined. Why brave the cold weather and wait in endless lines when you can grab that new iPhone off a website? We live in a hyper-consumerist society where we want everything 10 minutes ago – and for 50 per cent off. As we continue to adapt to the ever-changing, highly digitized cultural landscape, we learn how to cut corners and increase speed, alleviating the burden of unnecessary and time-consuming chores.

This is the Holidays – the time of year to stop worrying about petty desires and give to others. Explore Unionville’s historic Main Street, taking in the sights and sounds of the centuries-old community. Visit all the distinct and exclusive boutiques lining the streets of Kensington Market, with sights and sounds of the season. Find that hidden treasure in the various shops on Wooodbridge’s Market Lane. Rifle through numerous items as business owners provide you with expert advice on the charming businesses in the historic village of Kleinburg. Stray from cookie-cutter merchandise as you stroll down Queen Street West. Think of the exclusive and less-crowded boutiques that line the local shopping districts of your community. If we took the easy route and poured our money into the large and seemingly bottomless pockets of these massive corporate entities, all we would be left with are giant consumer temples built in the honour of low prices and commercial brands. Don’t just shrug off “going out of business” signs and chalk it up to mismanagement by some inexperienced entrepreneur. Take responsibility and make a conscious decision to keep the heart of our community beating. www.citylifemagazine.ca

Passion, D E C A D E N C E.

Celebrate the joyous Holiday season in an elegant fashion with dear friends, sweet wines and phenomenal food.

www.citylifemagazine.ca

28 Roytec Road at Weston Road 905.264.3991 City Life Magazine www.vinsanto.ca

Dec/Jan 2010/2011

67

AVOIDING

Christmas Debt :ULWWHQ %\ $OH[ &RQVLJOLR

oliday sales often pop up before the snow starts to fall, causing some people to pull out their credit cards before their winter jackets. This Holiday season, the National Retail Federation has estimated a 2.3 per cent increase in sales from 2009, a promising forecast for recession-bitten retailers, but troubling news for cash-strapped shoppers.

H

“Some people are telling us that they’re still paying off last Christmas’s debt,” says Bruce Cran, president of the Consumers Association of Canada. “And they don’t intend to repeat the same mistakes this year.”

According to an October study by Environics Research Group for MasterCard Canada, 48 per cent of Canadians go over their Holiday budget and that’s if they set one at all—one in five Canadians admit they don’t budget for the Holidays.

Less budgeting means more Christmas stress, but having a proper plan can make for a merrier season. “When I sit down with clients to do their cash flow and planning for the year, I always ask them how much they’re planning on spending during the Holiday season,” says Jeanette Brox, a certified financial planner with Investor’s Group for the past 19 years.

It’s what Brox does with her clients’ ballpark figures that save them from stressing over money.

68 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

One in five Canadians don’t set a Holiday budget.

She begins by decreasing her clients’ estimations by 30 per cent. Then, she calculates how much they must save per month to reach that amount—but not before making the monthly goal a range so that her clients “don’t feel defeated.”

By saving and maybe even shopping year-round, Brox says cash will more likely be used to buy gifts than credit cards.

“We should know the perils of using credit cards,” she says.

“People need to be aware [that] not planning and later relying on credit cards will end up costing them double in the longrun.” The MasterCard Canada study suggests relying on one credit card for all purchases because it’s easier to track expenses than using cash. “I don’t think [not using credit cards] is the way to go,” says Cran. “People should seek value and be aware of what they’re doing—if they’re going to go into debt, it should be on a planned basis rather than free spending.”

But the MasterCard Canada research shows 37 per cent of Canadians don’t plan a holiday budget until the end of the year and by then, it may be too late. “In order not to get blindsided [by costs], you must plan for the Holidays on a monthly basis.

Pay cash, set a budget and set limits,” says Brox.

To set a budget with a certified financial planner in your area, visit the Financial Planning Standards Council at www.fpsc.ca www.citylifemagazine.ca

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This vibrant summer dress is perfect for a romantic walk on the beach.

LIFE IS GOOD

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One of those talented designers is Canada’s own Wesley Badanjak. Using his alchemic abilities, Badanjak melds classic essentials of women’s wear with the natural colour of the elements, producing his stunning 2011 spring/summer line, Elemental. “I was trying to take basic elements of the wardrobe and modernize them and infusing them with this theme and this colour story,” comments Badanjak.

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oronto was buzzing with designers, journalists and fashionistas for LG Fashion Week in October.

Several prominent designers included Rachel Mara, Brandon R. Dwyer and Evan Biddell. CitylifeTV.ca host Madeline Stephenson scooped several of the top designers at the prestigious event.

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An array of metallic colours fill Wesley Badanjak’s 2011 spring/summer collection. Stylish yet practical, these outfits are perfect for business, leisure or just looking fabulous.

Also making a splash is Vancouver native and world-renowned designer Angela Chen. Inspired by the film The Blue Lagoon, Chen uses Brooke Shields as her muse to develop her latest line of soft flowing fabrics accented by subtle details. “I drew the colour pallet from the movie itself … kind of reminiscing the ocean and sand colour, and a lot of the neutral pallets,” explains Chen. The fashion industry moves fast and constantly changes. These bright and talented designers continue to evolve, pushing the envelop of fashion and functionality.

Stop by www.citylifetv.ca for more on the phenomenal LG Fashion Week.

70 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

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71

With a prestigious history of crafting sensational custom furniture, Roche Bobois allows your imagination to do the talking, creating perfect furnishings that reflect your personal style. www.roche-bobois.com

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Designed by award-winning Core Architects, the 29-storey Nicholas Residences bring the past and present together, providing modern luxuries with classic living in fantastic fashion. Walking distance from iconic locations such as the esteemed Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood, Royal Ontario Museum and Queen’s Park, this phenomenal building offers 10-foot ceilings, spa-like bathrooms and contemporary kitchens with stone countertops and wooden cabinetry. For modern living in a classic setting, look no further than Nicholas Residences.

Treviso Condominiums, from renowned and award-winning developer Lanterra, combines Venetian and French influences for a truly different and refreshing look. Inspired by the iconic architecture of the Italian city, this luxurious residence boasts a 24-hour concierge service, swimming pool and hot tub and al fresco dining areas for that true Italian feel. Located at Dufferin Street and Lawrence Avenue, Treviso Condominiums is minutes away from Yorkdale Shopping Centre and close to the Lawrence Station for easy access to Toronto’s vibrant downtown core.

Fashioned as a modern five-star hotel, One Old Mill offers a modern and unique living environment with a touch of old-fashioned luxury. High-class amenities cater to your deepest desires, while spacious and elegant living areas are complemented by classical kitchens featuring stone countertops and stainless steel, energy efficient appliances.

Keeping with today’s focus on responsible, eco-friendly living, One Old Mill comes equipped with a green roof and solar thermal panels to help further reduce the environmental impact of modern living.

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72 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

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City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

73

Quo Click on the Glitter Bold purple, blue, silver and black glitter will have you shimmering under the bright lights of those decadent holiday gatherings.

Lincoln Stamp Pillow Pressed with a replicated Abraham Lincoln stamp, this historical pillow is an attention-grabbing addition to any living room, library or office.

Deicing Salts Combat the icy conditions around your home and add a pleasant aroma to your walkway with these wonderfully scented salts.

Simon Chang Dress Ruffled with feathers and dotted with jewels, this flowing black dress by Simon Chang radiates confidence and adds a shade of modishness to an otherwise joyous season.

Childrens Burberry Clothing With world-renowned designers such as Escada, Ed Hardy and Burberry, Designer Kids Wear will have your children dawned in trendy scarves, stylish jackets and other charming winter apparel. Dress your child in the hottest designer clothing, ideal for those frosty winter days.

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Kids Pajamas Soft, warm and adorable, these seasonal polyester pajamas are perfect for those chilly winter evenings. For a personalized touch, have them embroidered with your little one’s name.

Meandering Mums Skirt This delightfully charming flowered skirt is lined with pretty pink blossoms over a polka dot backdrop – an adorable addition to any little girl’s outfit.

Men’s Winter Attire Combining comfort, style and functionality, Peak Performance’s winter wear is the ideal outdoor attire for any avid adventure-seeker. Carve through freshly fallen powder in these vibrantly coloured, award-winning garments.

Lacoste Shoe Showcase your conviction in style with these phenomenal leather shoes from renowned designer Lacoste. White soles and laces emphasize the shoe’s deep green colour, making a confident statement about your appearance.

SOURCE GUIDE: Lincoln Stamp Pillow, Teatro Verde, Toronto, 416.966.2227, www.teatroverde.com; Quo Click on the Glitter, Shoppers Drug Mart,

Vaughan, 905.851.2199, www.shoppersdrugmart.ca; Deicing Salts, Teatro Verde, Toronto, 416.966.2227, www.teatroverde.com; Dress, Simon Chang, Thornhill, 905.709.9998, www.simonchang.com; Children’s Burberry Clothing, Woodbridge, 905.264.7228, www.designerkidswear.ca; Kids Pajamas, Pottery Barn Kids, Toronto, 416.785.7375, www.potterybarnkids.ca; Meandering Mums Skirt, Anthropologie, Toronto, 416.449.6666, www.anthropologie.com; Peak Performance Men’s Winter Attire, Kenmark Snowsports, Richmond Hill, 905.883.5586, www.peakperformance.com; Lacoste Shoe, Lacoste, Toronto, 416.781.8495, www.lacoste.com

74 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

www.citylifemagazine.ca

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Wilse Dress Inspired by the practical styles of the 1940s war era, Part Two’s latest line offers a simple, yet sexy look that displays beauty radiating with intelligence. The Wilse Dress is a comfortable and refined outfit that still manages to create a seductive allure on those curvy feminine bodies.

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76 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

Elf on the Shelf A smart and cute holiday book presents an enjoyable tale that reminds children Santa is checking his list, and you better believe he knows who’s naughty or nice. The charming elf doll keeps an eye on kids during the day, and reports to Santa by night.

Available in shades of beige, Avail nude and pink, create a lovely glow with these luscious lip glosses – the perfect stocking stuffer for the lady in your life.

SOURCE GUIDE: Wilse Dress, Part Two, Denmark, +45.3347.9797, www.parttwo.com; Chopard Ring, L’Oro Jewelry, Vaughan, 905.660.9993, www.loro.ca; Wreath, Anthropologie, Toronto, 416.449.6666, www.anthropologie.com; Elf on the Shelf, Pottery Barn Kids, Toronto, 416.785.7375, www.potterybarnkids.ca; Quo Jewel Lip Gloss, Shoppers Drug Mart, Vaughan, 905.851.2199, www.shoppersdrugmart.ca

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12. ZOHRALI COUTURE The Zohrali Couture brand debuted its chic fashion sense on Oct.16, 2010 – a night fashionistas won’t forget.

Champagne flutes clinked to celebrate the new haven of high-end finds, as DJ Robin entertained and guests savoured hors d’oeuvres from Bistro 299. Zohrali Couture offers red-carpet evening wear for ladies, distinguished French dress shirts for men, and custom tailoring services. www.zohrali.com 13. WOMEN TO WOMEN EVENT On Nov. 3, 2010, the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce held its first Women to Women event. A crowd of over 200 businesswomen attended the phenomenal event, to hear from a panel of successful female businesswomen on the challenges that they face. The panel featured Jo-anne Marr, interim president and CEO of York Central Hospital; Broker of Record and owner of Royal LePage – Your Community Realty’s Vivian Risi; and Jody Steinhauer, chief visionary officer of The Bargains Group Ltd. www.vaughanchamber.ca 14. SAFEHAVEN PROJECT FOR COMMUNITY LIVING Committed to using her passion for design as a tool to raise awareness, interior designer Moe Razi of Razi Design donated an entire living room to Safehaven, an organization that provides respite and residential care for children with disabilities and medical needs. Valued supporters were struck with the magnificent sight of a fully furnished living room at the Safehaven fundraising gala, which was held at Bellvue Manor on Nov.5, 2010. www.safehavenproj.org

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81

horoscope

By Richard Ravenhawke

st ars

The

this month!

Capricorn

DEC 22 - JAN 19

ÅUnstoppable’s lead actor Denzel Washington turns 56 on Dec. 28.

Wise investing is the cornerstone of a stable future. Watch for opportunities in the financial department and do your research so you can make educated decisions. Risks that are calculated are far better than blind faith, but then again, Capricorn wouldn’t have it any other way.

Aquarius

Virg o AUG 22 - SEPT 21

JAN 20 - FEB 18

Opportunities are still beginning to look like the light at the end of the tunnel.

Patience is a true virtue, and obviously, a continual challenge! Focus on things to take your mind off of the inevitable – your rise to world domination! It may be a good time to put more focus and effort into hobbies and creative pursuits.

Pisces

FEB 19 - MAR 20

When was the last time you went for a long walk or a nice country drive? Stress management is a very important part of your daily regime if we are to remain mentally and emotionally fit to handle life’s daily blows. Have a hot bath and a warm hot chocolate – it will make the world of difference.

Aries

MAR 21 - APR 19

It is time to speak little and listen closely. Stories can be good – really good – but sometimes there is more to be learned from what people don’t say then by what they do say. Sometimes what people ‘say’ and what people ‘do’ are two separate things. It is time to watch and observe carefully to separate fact from the fiction.

Taurus

APR 20 - MAY 20

Excitement is on the horizon and it is about time. Put work away and be prepared to get your groove on.

What is your pleasure? There are fast-

82 City Life Magazine Dec/Jan 2010/2011

approaching people and projects that could prove to be quite interesting.

Watch for an Aquarius person who has a lot of fun ideas!

Gemini

It is time to consider taking a break.

Everything may not seem as it should be, and this is quite typical of what happens before someone takes a big leap into elevation. Slow down and enjoy the changes.

If you look inwardly, the answers to your questions may be more obvious than you think. Most people, when they ask a question, already know their answers on the inside, they just need someone else to tell them. So what would you like to know Gemini? Don’t ask me… ask the mirror.

When we are in front of the buffet table, everything seems delicious. Too much of something and before you know it, your tummy doesn’t feel too well. The same is true in life with all the pots in which we dip our fingers.

MAY 21 - JUN 20

Cancer

JUN 21 - JUL 21

Family comings-and-goings may have you shaking your head in wonderment or confusion. There is a Taurus figure that seems to be trying to tell you something or perhaps not telling you everything.

People will always be people by nature.

God gave us a sense of humour so that we can laugh.

Libra SEP 22 - OCT 20

Scorpio OCT 21 - NOV 21

Opportunities may be presenting themselves and if you don’t take your time, you could end up veering from your path. You have worked hard to get to where you are, and it is certainly worth a second look before making your final choice.

Leo

Sagitt arius

Keep your mind focused and your eyes straight. There are important issues over the next little while which will need attention – especially in your personal life. Sometimes the lover has to be the fighter as well. Having more than one skill set can only help balance out your potential in the long-run. Charge forth and conquer!

Watch for travel plans in the near future.

It is long overdue, and with the stress levels that have been building up lately, you owe it to yourself! There is an Aries figure who loves your style, so watch for an interesting proposal.

JUL 22 - AUG 21

NOV 22 - DEC 21

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

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