City Life Magazine Vaughan Toronto FebMar 2011

DANCE WITH TRÉ AR M STRONG

THE THINGS TO LOVE IN 2011

SYNC OR SWI M

IN THE DIGITAL SEA

INSIDE BABY BOOMER GENERATION AWASH WITH THE SILVER TSUNAMI

Brett

Publication Mail Agreement 40026675

THE METAMORPHOSIS OF

WILSON

p. 44

FEB/MAR 2011 $4.95 Display in Fashion/Lifestyle until Apr 15

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PRECONSTRUCTION LIMITED TIME OFFER LUXURIOUSLY APPOINTED SUITES FOR 2011 OCCUPANCY. Maps not to scale. Prices & information are correct at time of printing and subject to change without notice. All illustrations are artistsʼ concepts only. E. & O. E.

CONTENTS 44 Brett Wilson

10

Real Estate

ON THE COVER 44 Brett Wilson: Talking life with a kind-hearted Dragon FEATURES 24 Who Cares? The environmentally damaging effects of consumer habits 48 Another Side to the Story: Behind the bullets, our troops perform great acts of good will 56 Crazy Like Me: The Silver Tsunami Part 2: Alzheimer’s Disease ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 64 Brightening the Blues: Boogie-woogie with Canada’s smooth-talking piano man Michael Kaeshammer CITY GIRL 34 Tré Armstrong: So you think you can dance?

Armstrong will be the judge of that

42

Food & Drink

BEAUTY 36 Love is in the air: Let the sweet scents of spring melt away your winter frown STYLE 16 The Things to Love in 2011: Enliven your year with great finds

Feb/Mar 2011 Volume 9 Issue 1

34

City Girl

AUTOMOTIVE 32 The Avante Way: Staying ahead with Avante Mazda 38 Infiniti QX56: The beast from the east HEALTH 22 Dare To Be Disciplined: Northern Karate Schools 52 Too Young to Die: The tragedy of ALS 65 Treating Seasonal Allergies Naturally: Make the most of the outdoors with Faryl Luhar, ND IN EVERY ISSUE 8 Editor’s Note 12 People & Places 63 Readers’ Survey: Amazing prizes to be won!

66 Horoscope: What do the stars say about you?

FOOD & DRINK 42 Shopping Cart: Revive your run-of-the-mill grocery list with these fresh foods 62 The Top New Restaurants: Delicious dining options for those with discerning palates

38

Automotive

REAL ESTATE 10 The Refined Elegance of Regency Estates: Move into a manor with exclusive broker Vivian Risi GENERAL INTEREST 28 Navigating the Digital Sea: Prepare to sink if you can’t ride the wave 30 U-Box-It: Think outside the box with North America’s award-winning disposable junk removal bin

4 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011 2011

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Things to Love www.citylifemagazine.ca

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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

Delivering Oscar-winning performances, the stylists at L.A. Hair Design produce a captivating show as they fashion looks fit for a Hollywood starlet. Sparkle under the soft lights of the marquee with a dazzling hairstyle, courtesy of L.A. Hair.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Fernando Zerillo • fernando@dolce.ca ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR Susan Bhatia SENIOR DESIGNERS Christina Ban, Omar Cushnie WEB PROJECT MANAGER 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 James Morrison, Simona Panetta WRITERS Vito La Giorgia, Michael Hill, Madeline Stephenson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Faryal Luhar, D.T., Melissa Teodoro CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Richard Dubois, Andrew MacNaughtan, Mayo Clinic, Valeria Mitsubata, Dean West PUBLISHER

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OFFICE MANAGER Lina Posteraro ACCOUNT MANAGER Laura-Lee Filosa OFFICE ADMINISTRATORS Sasha Pelonero, Melissa Teodoro FRONT COVER Brett Wilson Photography By Dean West Makeup artist: Rhia Amio City Life Magazine • Volume 9 • Issue 1 • Feb/Mar 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

David Grossi , Creative

Director/Owner

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: Apr/May 2011

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2535 Major Mackenzie Dr., Vaughan, Ont. www.lahairdesign.ca • 905.832.2590

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.

©2011 Dolce Publishing Inc. • Printed in Canada

A N E X C L U S I V E E S TAT E C O M M U N I T Y O N B OY D PA R K

GRAND OPENING

luxurious living awaits in woodbridge Find elegance in an exclusive collection of only 34 estate manors Opulence transcends everyday living at Regency Estates – the newest prized enclave in the most prestigious area in Woodbridge. Located across from beautiful Boyd Park, stunning architecture and elegant design inspires first-class living in this executive community of estate manors.

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◀ As Brett Wilson gets some final touches before his photo shoot, he takes the time to talk shop with City Life Magazine’s editor-in-chief, Michelle Zerillo-Sosa. ▶ The citylifeTV.ca film crew captures the subtle nuances of Wilson’s compassionate nature – even when he’s off camera.

EDITOR’S NOTE

THIS 2011,

E

‘‘

Brett Wilson’s good friend Lisa Ray shares a laugh with award-winning photographer Dean West.

Life is not lost by dying; life is lost minute by minute, day by dragging day, in all the small uncaring ways.

’’

– Stephen Vincent Benet

Stylish and photogenic, Wilson provides Dean West with an array of fantastic shots – this is just one of our favourites.

PRACTISE MINDFULNESS

veryone makes promises to make changes to their lives – even if it means we don’t keep many of those resolutions past the third week of January. Which means by now, most of you will already have given into half of those things you promised and swore to change come the new year. What now? Well, like you, I too had a few things on my list. Now, where did I put it? Excuses aside, I may have found a way to stick to the changes one sets out to make in life – to be more mindful. It may seem a simple thing to do, but I invite you to try it and you will be surprised that it is not that simple.

On the day of our photo shoot with Dragon’s Den’s Brett Wilson, I was impressed by his state of awareness. Here is a man who has had to face a few major obstacles in his private life, which would stop most people in their tracks. Not Brett. In fact, he is more alive and mindful today after facing and overcoming his battles with divorce and cancer. Brett radiates with so much love for life, to the point that it is truly intoxicating (in a good way), making him an incredible role model. Although, we could not ignore his role as a Dragon and ask him a few questions on business and finance: he really is a symbol of health and happiness. This is a fantastic reminder for all of us that life is an incredible gift that needs to be cherished.

As we worked on this issue, we found more stories of courage (read about Durwin John Cadeau’s battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease on page 52).

Alzheimer’s disease is yet another example of how a disease may rob us of our most precious thing – our minds. Memories, love, and later your life, is a succession of events that are afflicted. This is a global concern, says Dr. Ronald Petersen, director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) at Mayo Clinic in the U.S. “As baby boomers now reach 65 – those born in 1946 – vastly increased numbers of individuals are at risk of Alzheimer’s disease, solely by virtue of age.” (See story on page 56).

So while researchers dedicate their lives to finding cures for diseases, we can practise being more mindful about the way we choose to live our lives as gifts.

Being more mindful also means making small changes that have a direct effect on the environment and our quality of life. Recent reports of heat waves, droughts and floods plaguing the planet – not to mention birds falling out of the sky – are a direct reminder that global warming is cause for great concern (see story on page 24).

Until next time, practise being healthy, happy and … mindful!

Namaste.

8 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

www.citylifemagazine.ca

Vaughan Mills 905-660-9993 – Markville Mall 905-477-1273

The Refined Elegance of Regency Estates

“Regency Estates is like getting your

custom-built home without the stress.”

Ami Tamam, Beaverhall Homes, Regency Estates.

– Vivian Risi, owner of Royal LePage – Your Community Realty, Exclusive Broker of Regency Estates.

R

esting in glorious country settings, an emerging neighbourhood gives way to elegant estate living. Drawing on architectural grandeur and exquisite amenities, the manors of Regency Estates incorporate luxurious achievement with the finest quality materials. An impressive feat developed by builderextraordinaire Ami Tamam of Beaverhall Homes, Regency Estates boasts an inimitable collection of 34 customized manors built to surpass every shade and gradation of perfection.

Endurance and superior craftsmanship is evoked with impressive metalwork, stone accents, graceful curves and oblique rooflines that house harmonious interior beauty.

Recognizing the hardship of finding the perfect home, Risi guarantees that Regency Estates delivers fine estate living in a coveted community. “The workmanship and care given to Beaverhall Homes’ Regency Estates is like getting your custom-built home without the stress.”

Oak strip hardwood flooring and flawless porcelain tiles greet you at the door and carry you through awe-inspiring 10 ft. ceilings. A vast foyer gives way to fine-crafted cabinetry, gleaming granite countertops and upper

10 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

www.citylifemagazine.ca

A tribute to quality living. Exquisite crown and ceiling mouldings define dimension as fully caulked, decorative windows and a garden door make for easy access to the outside world.

Q& A

cabinet crown mouldings fashioned to a gourmet kitchen where culinary victoryy is achieved.

The crown jewel of every Regencyy Estates manor is the master ensuite..

The ultimate in luxury, lavish marble dances across countertops and floors,, while rectangular undermount sinks,, frameless glass shower stalls and floating tubs sink you into sumptuousness.

The compilation of estate homes are built to perfection with quality in mind. “[Tamam] is a hands-on builder every step of the way, and he is very diverse with his experiences – everything from high-rise townhouses to single-family dwellings. Tamam pays great attention to quality finishes and builds every home as if it were his own,” says Risi.

Exuding a “people-come-first-and-it shows” motto just as Tamam, Risi delivers the best housing options for those looking to settle into sophistication and comfort.

Leading 11 successful Royal Le Page – Your Community Realty offices across southern Ontario and over 650 realtors, Risi has her finger on the pulse of the housing market.

1.888.9LEPAGE(53-7243) www.yourcommunityrealty.com www.beaverhall.com

A gourmet kitchen with all the right ingredients. Granite breakfast counter and countertops complement fine-crafted, extended cabinetry.

www.citylifemagazine.ca

WITH

VIVIAN RIS RISI,

Owner of Royal Le Page – Your Community Realty, Exclusive Broker of Regency Estates

Surpassing expectations with her expertise and flair, Vivian Risi introduces a new way of living for homeowners.

Q What sets Regency Estates apart from other communities?

A Regency Estates is the last infill subdivision in Woodbridge. The quality and workmanship sets it apart. Its location is unique, as it is nested in a county style environment across from Boyd Park, which has walking and riding trails, family picnic areas – all steps away from modern amenities.

Q What kind of experience can homeowners expect from a Beaverhall Home?

A Built with both entertainment and family living requirements, homeowners can experience a luxurious experience with exquisite custom finishings that suit their personal lifestyles.

Floor plans are well-designed and modern architecture exudes 10 ft. ceilings. The model home itself is grand and welcoming, with helpful and informative staff on-site.

Q Is location a defining factor of Regency Estates?

A Absolutely. The site itself is a well-known landmark throughout the community.

Nestled in one of the highest income brackets in the GTA, Woodbridge is a well-known and prestigious residential community.

City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

11

PEOPLE & PLACES

Produced By Angela Palmieri

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1a – Donna Trella, founder of Reach for the Rainbow and partner Clive Hobson. 1b – Rita and Milo Vassallo, former Consul General of Malta, with fashion designer Chako Setoyama and James Matsumoto. 1c – TV personality and Reach for the Rainbow’s official spokesperson Susan Hay with partner Randy Marshall. 1d – Kenny Loggins performs at the 2010 Crystal Ball.

1. REACH FOR THE RAINBOW’S CRYSTAL BALL On Nov. 13th, 2010, the 24th annual Crystal Ball was celebrated in grand style and black-tie sophistication at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Staying true to its advocacy roots and message of inclusion, the over 1,200 guests spent an entertaining evening celebrating the children of Reach for the Rainbow while they danced the night away.

This year’s Crystal Ball raised $800,000, which contributed to 40 per cent of the charity’s annual budget. “We depend upon the corporate support given at the Crystal Ball to continue to help families caring for children and young adults with disabilities,” says Donna Trella, founder of Reach for the Rainbow. “We would like to match or hopefully surpass our 2010 total when we celebrate our 25th anniversary in November so that our integrated programs and opportunities can continue to maintain our roster of over 700 participants and 39 partner camps!” Sponsors included Capital One, Scotiabank Group, Air Canada Kids’ Horizons, National Post and Tech Data Canada.

2

-a

2

-b

Reach for the Rainbow is a not-for-profit organization that is committed to serving individuals with a complex range of support requirements, by helping to integrate children with disabilities into traditional summer camps and year-round programs across Ontario. www.reachfortherainbow.ca

2. BRANDAN’S EYE RESEARCH FUND 6TH ANNUAL FUNDRAISING DINNER EVENT On Nov. 12, 2010, La Primavera Banquet Hall hosted the sixth annual Brandan’s Eye Research Fund Gala, a delightfully sold-out affair. Live performances from incredibly talented performers and silent auctions, which included a trip to the Dominican Republic, enlivened the night. The fund reached its staggering goal of raising $1 million for the SickKids Foundation, which will support much-needed eye research. To donate or learn more about this cause, go to www.brandanseyeresearchfund.ca or call 905.738.3837 3

-a

3a - Leslie Rivas Taranto, founder of L’Image De Femme. 3b – Corporate director Lora Boem, centre, with guests.

3

2a - Brandan Cescolini, after which Brandan’s Eye Research Fund is named, and Christina DiMaria, SickKids patient, present cheque to Dr. Elise Heon, chief ophthalmologist at the Hospital for Sick Children. 2b – The McDonald family: Karina (on tambourine), Kaylee (on guitar), Rory (on piano).

4 - Design guru Cobi Ladner’s furniture collection emanates comfortable living.

4

-b

3. GIRL’S NIGHT OUT On Nov. 26, 2010, L’Image De Femme, a cross-marketing company for female business owners and hosts of GNO Events, held its inaugural GNO event at Paradise Banquet Hall. Sponsored by What-A-Bloom Flowers, Dolce Publishing,Trade Secrets & 2Can Play Entertainment, women were treated to a Zumba class, fashion shows and dancing while raising money for Road2Recovery. www.imagedefemme.com

4. COBISTYLE Known to more than two million readers as Canadian House & Home magazine’s former editor-in-chief, Cobi Ladner is turning her inherent design adeptness into something slightly more tangible.

On Jan. 18th, Ladner unveiled her new furniture collection cobistyle to an interior design crowd at Décor-Rest in Vaughan. Often seen laying down design laws on CBC’s Steven and Chris, Ladner’s lineup of furniture, accessories and ready-to-wear drapery and fabric underscore the impact of self-expression. In a world of pretentious pillows and rococo armoires, cobistyle is a breath of fresh, colourful air. www.decor-rest.com, www.cobistyle.com

12 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

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r

e

up

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Visit us online to view our handcrafted homes • Cathedral or vaulted ceilings in each model • 10’ ceilings on main level • 9’ ceilings on secondary level • Custom designer kitchens with made-to-measure estate grade cabinetry • Granite kitchen countertop • 3” x ¾” hardwood flooring throughout • 7 ¼” baseboards throughout • 1 ¾” Pallazzo series doors • Marble or limestone flooring in master ensuite

• Complete central air conditioning and electronic humidifier • Optional elevators • 3-car garage, 9’wide doors, underground option available • Optional wine rooms or wine bars as per plans • Optional loggias, lofts or 5th bedrooms on some models as per plans • Oak handrails & open riser staircase from main to second level • Choice of wood pickets or wrought iron pickets

A NEW LEVEL OF LUXURY HOMES FROM $1.4 MILLION

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FRIDAY: CLOSED SATURDAY, SUNDAY, HOLIDAYS: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. www.citylifemagazine.ca

10995 Highway 27, Kleinburg

City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

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PEOPLE & PLACES 5

-a

Produced By Angela Palmieri

5

-b

5. TORONTO MONTESSORI SCHOOLS’ 50TH ANNIVERSARY Toronto Montessori Schools (TMS) celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Montesoirée gala held on Nov. 26, 2010. Over 500 guests helped raise $150,000 in support of the TMS Learning for Life Capital Campaign. Local dignitaries joined TMS families, staff, and community partners in celebrating this milestone with the school’s founder, Helma Trass. For more information on TMS, visit www.tmschools.ca 6. KLEINBURG RESERVE “on the boulevard” With over three decades of development and construction experience, the principles of Quintessa Homes Corporation have built “a new level of luxury” home. On Dec. 12, 2010, the company exemplified this standard with an exclusive model home presentation from its latest set of luxury residences, Kleinburg Reserve “on the boulevard.” In the spirit of the holidays, guests experienced the stunning 5,600 sq. ft. property while drinking hot chocolate and watching a festive tree-lighting ceremony. The esteemed enclave of handcrafted properties is nestled next to a lovely golf course and the Humber River ravines. www.quintessa.ca 5

-c

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-d

5a – TMS board member Phi Campione and board chair Michael N. Durisin. 5b – TMS founder Helma Trass. 5c – Montesoirée’s emcee, Frank Ferragine of CityTV. 5d – TMS ambassadors with college head Sheila Thomas.

6

7. FUNDRAISER FOR GIUSEPPE INSERRA IN HIS FIGHT AGAINST MS A Multiple Sclerosis fundraiser will be held on Friday Feb. 25, 2011, for Giuseppe (Pino) Inserra, who has lived with one of the most aggressive forms of MS for over 30 years. With hopes to reverse his chronic symptoms, a wheelchair-bound Inserra travelled to Poland to undergo a surgery unavailable in Canada and uncovered by health insurance. Tickets are $100 and include dinner, dance and open bar. Proceeds will help raise money for Inserra’s surgery and treatment in his fight against MS. If you are interested in attending or making a donation, please contact Stefania Inserra at 416.994.3299 or msfundraiserforpinoinserra@gmail.com

6 - Designed by Pat Buccilli, this custom model home kitchen translates the beauty to be found in every Kleinberg Reserve “on the boulevard.” 7 - MS fighter Giuseppe Inserra with his wife, Janet, and their children Stefania, Salvatore and Alessandra.

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8. CHRISTMAS IS FOR KIDS On a white night in mid-December, The Royalton Hospitality Inc., together with Knights of Columbus Cardinal Carter Assembly in Vaughan, extended a holiday hand to more than 500 people during its 6th annual Christmas is for Kids event held at The Royalton on Weston Road in Woodbridge. The event reaches out to children who are unable to indulge in classic Christmas celebrations, providing them with a resplendent buffet-style holiday feast, donated by The Royalton.

Father Bressani Catholic High School band and student volunteer elves greeted the children and their families who participated in exciting activities like face and nail painting and were joyfully surprised to meet the big jolly man in red and Frosty the Snowman. Generous corporate sponsors included: Masters Insurance, TD Bank, RBC, Sunlife Financial, Kruger Paper, BlueRiver Trading, Standard Life, Pizzaville, Bisceglia & Associates, Novascape Contractors, LIUNA Local 183, Rentex Realty Inc., DMR Automotive and Emery Village BIA. www.theroyalton.ca, 905.851.2325

-b

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8a - Mario DeCicco, event coordinator, Joe Genova of Knights of Columbus and Tony DeCicco of The Royalton. 8b - Three happy clowns amuse crowds of children with jokes and joyous jubilee. 8c - The smiles say it all. Christmas is for Kids.

14 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

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www.citylifemagazine.ca

City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

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▼ SULTRY STYLE Spruce up your current style.

IC Companys brings forth a selection of fashion-forward brands to cherish. www.iccompanys.com

THINGS TOLove FOR 2011 Produced By Michelle Zerillo-Sosa Written By Melissa Teodoro

From cosy pillows to unique accents for your home and wardrobe, enjoy life’s simple pleasures this year.

▼ BLUSH PLUSH Lipstick-red, and oh-so-cuddly, the perfect pillow from Pier 1 cushions your head after a long day. www.pier1.com

SECRET GARDEN ▶ ▼ SOFA, SO GOOD Kick back and relax in this old-fashioned couch with modern details. Add colouful pillows for a staple look in your living room. www.pier1.com

Inspired by crystal tear catchers from 19th century Europe, this richly scented floral garden scent will have your pulse points blooming. www.anthropologie.com

◀ BOOK SMART This emotional tale by Andrew Smith takes you through a young woman’s passionate story of hardship and love during Liverpool’s blitz of World War II. The drama ensues when her Italian neighbours are deported to Canada after Benito Mussolini declares war on Britain. www.edithswar.com

▼HIGH FAS FASHION Spring is just around the he corner and you know what that means – time to we wear adorable open-toe shoes once again! www.hm.com

16 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

BIRD'S EYE VIEW ▶ Display this gladiator bird atop brass vintage binoculars in any room to make an artistic statement. www.anthropologie.com

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THINGS TOLove FOR 2011

You don’t have to twist the modern-day man’s arm when it comes to these charming items. Comfort, style and class are key.

ALPHA MALE ▶ IC Companys provides classic pieces with a modern twist for the contemporary man. www.iccompanys.com

◀ REFINED RECLINE Haven’t exactly gotten over the winter blues just yet? No problem. Sit back and relax in this comfortable leather recliner. www.pier1.com

▼ SLICED RIGHT Give your taste buds something to smile about. Try Pingue Prosciutto’s authentic Italian meat delicacies. www.pingueprosciutto.com

ONE FINE FAUCET ▶ Moen Canada is proud to present the future of safe, convenient, and esthetically pleasing kitchen faucets.

The revolutionary new ShowHouse Modern Pot Filler is the sleekest kitchenn product on the market today. The double-jointed extendable arm has 24 inches of flexibility and sleeps serenely against the wall when not in use. www.moen.ca

18 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

◀ SPARKLING FLAVOUR By introducing novelty European items in Canadian bakeries and gourmet shops, Molisana Imports ensures true European flavour with every taste. www.molisana.com

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The best investment you’ll ever make

Patrizia was unhappy with her smile. Her upper front teeth were uneven and her two upper lateral incisors were too small compared to her other teeth.

Dr. Paul Sclodnick restored Patrizia’s smile with minor orthodontic tooth alignment and two porcelain veneers on the small lateral incisors. The treatment was completed in just a few months and created a much fuller, more even smile.

Hair and makeup by Salon Amado. Photograph byy Laura May Photograph ap y.

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Thinking of a makeover? Why not start with your smile!

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THINGS TOLove FOR 2011

◀ LAY IT DOWN Let this be the year to modernize your domain with unique designs and a mixture of intriguing colours and styles. www.pier1.com

◀ LIGHT IT UP Illuminate your work or reading space with this unique table lamp, fitted with black lacquered steel and an oak centre. www.avenue-road.com

GRILLED TO PERFECTION ▶ Calling on all food lovers: Feast your eyes (and your stomach) on this stainless steel masterpiece. Enjoy the spacious cooking area for your spring soiree. www.weber.com

◀ VERSATILE STYLE

Photography by: Richard Dubois

As a winner of the World Combined Hairstyling Championship and the 2011 Contessa Ontario Hair Stylist of the Year, Gianpaolo Colombo provides clients with unique, award-winning styles in a warm, upscale atmosphere. www.hairafter.ca

ROSEBUD ▶ Let spring flourish in your own home with this unique floral vase. www.pier1.com

◀ GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT Pop in a romantic comedy this Friday night with the girls and toast the night away with Colio Estates wine. www.girlsnightoutwines.com

▲ BRIT’S NEW HIT With her new single causing all the rage among fans for its unique sound, be sure to grab a copy of her latest album, expected to be out this March. www.britneyspears.com

◀ IT SUITS YOU STEP ON IT ▶ This well-known label prides itself on its authentic tennis gear.

Whether or not you play tennis, you will enjoy the feel of this comfortably stylish shoe. www.lacoste.com

20 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

For work or for play, H&M has got you covered. Tailored suits to trendy pieces, H&M aims to satisfy every personality. www.hm.com

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475,000 Vehicles Serviced • 43,000 Vehicles Sold 325 Employees • 8 Premium Dealerships 1 Automotive Supplier

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If you’re looking for a luxury, sport or quality automobile, look no further than The Remo Ferri Group of Automobiles. Through his 8 dealerships and over 35 years experience, Remo Ferri is pleased to offer the most extensive selection of luxury, sport and quality automobiles in the city.

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Dare to be

Disciplined Written By Michael Hill

L

ooking for a great physical workout that also develops discipline and mental focus? Do you want an activity ideal for the whole family? Then Northern Karate Schools has the answer.

Established in 1972 by internationally renowned martial arts champion Cezar Borkowski, Northern Karate maintains a traditional philosophy of respect for others, and a practice of self-discovery and positive change. “It’s not just about punching and kicking. We’re about personal development.

Once they start, our students are far more focused and tend to do better in school,” explains instructor and sixth-degree black belt Kyoshi Cos Vona. “I’ve had many, many families tell me they see a huge difference in their kids after just six months of karate.”

Under the guidance of Borkowski, Vona’s disciplined attitude, strong work ethic and over 35 years of martial arts experience translates into a serious and successful school. “Unfortunately, a lot of places people go to are more about leisure and not about learning. But here, there’s nothing watered down – we teach the same curriculum to a child as we do to an adult.

We’re serious about what we teach, and that’s what people really like,” says Vona.

On top of traditional group classes, seminars and workshops, Northern Karate offers a plethora of special programs, including a variety of traditional Okinawan weapons (Kubodo) training, self-defence classes such as Bully Proof® for kids and the street-oriented Reality Check®. Catering to families and individuals regardless of age or experience, Northern Karate offers a safe venue to relieve stress, aggression and develop focus.

Although they’ve accumulated enough experience to fill several lifetimes, the instructors at Northern Karate are constantly working to enhance their abilities and improve their schools. “We get together and train with our head instructor, [Borkowski], every couple of weeks. We’re consistently training, honing and improving the curriculum,” says Vona.

“We’ve been doing this since 1972. You can’t think of very many places – gyms or martial arts schools – that have been around for that long.”

For more on the phenomenal establishments, head over to the website or stop by one of 10 Northern Karate Schools throughout the GTA. www.northernkarate.com Aurora: 905.726.8886 / Maple: 905.303.5202 / Rutherford: 905.265.7777 Richmond Hill: 905.508.5811 / Woodbridge: 905.856.4047

22 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

www.citylifemagazine.ca

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Heat waves, droughts and floods plagued the planet last year, while birds recently fell out of the sky. In the end, it’s not our future, right?

WHO CARES? Writte Wri ttenn By

By Mich chael ae H ael Hill

I’m

bemused by North American’s attitude when it comes to the environment. All this selfish, narrow-minded and ignorant garbage about new cars, big screen TVs and steak on the barbeque is deplorable.

When are we going to wake up, take responsibility and recognize the problems we cause?

year where temperature records were shattered across the globe – including here in Canada where, according to Environment Canada, our national average temperature was three degrees above normal, making 2010 “the warmest year on record since nationwide records began in 1948.” Furthermore, out of the 10 warmest years on record, four have occurred within the last decade. But who cares, right?

This past year, the Earth was rocked by a wave of natural disasters that were greatly intensified by climate change.

These included mass heat waves across the globe, droughts in Russia and flooding in Pakistan, China and Australia – the You can dispute the figures all you want, but let’s be real, the list goes on. There were 950 natural disasters way we conspicuously and uncontrollably recorded, well over the decade’s average of “There’s going to be consume energy is absolutely, indisputably 785, and the second-worst year since 1980. natural fluctuations irresponsible. How can we expect our Of course, disasters like earthquakes and and natural disasters unchecked and unrelenting devouring of tsunamis are out of our hands, but with our resources and our continuous spewing of whether the climate planet’s rising temperature, other disasters emissions to be a benefit to the planet? are being amplified and wildlife is at risk. is warming or not.

There is a dangerous, short-sighted and Who cares, right?

But what’s happening far-too-common paradigm in Canada that believes that because we are blessed is the extremes are “There’s going to be natural fluctuations with the privileges of democracy we have nudging upwards.” and natural disasters whether the climate the “freedom” to do whatever we want.

– Danny Harvey is warming or not. But what’s happening is It’s this ignorance that will be our, and the extremes are nudging upwards,” explains Danny Harvey, consequentially, the environment’s, undoing. a professor of geography and energy policy expert at the University of Toronto. “If you look at what’s happening to Actually, with the massive amounts of animal deaths in the the success of lows, they are edging up. And if you look at the news, the environment has been a recent hot topic. The highs, they’re starting to edge up over time.” thousands of dead birds in Arkansas; the millions of dead fish washing up on the shores of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, Harvey first heard the phrase “global warming” back in as well as Brazil and New Zealand; and thousands of crabs 1978. Yep, that’s right, over 30 years ago warnings were littering the shores of Thanet Coast in the U.K. – these global vocalized about the consequences of our rampant and carefree fatalities have caused concern for the delicate balance that is habits. Yet, here we are, coming off a blisteringly hot the world’s eco-systems.

24 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

www.citylifemagazine.ca

“While these very dramatic events are alarming, and they definitely draw the attention of the media and the public, the reality is that the unravelling of eco-systems and food webs is happening every single day all around us,” says Dr. Faisal Moola, head of the terrestrial team at the David Suzuki Foundation.

Although there is still speculation to the specifics of the above-mentioned animal deaths, they are still examples of the fragility of eco-systems. In fact, if we continue to dump emissions at the current pace, 20 - 30 per cent of all animal and plant life will go extinct prematurely, and this could happen within the next few decades.

“While these very acute occurrences do happen, and sometimes they’re actually happening because of natural reasons, the reality is that there is a widespread endangerment of plants and animals and that’s happening as a direct consequence of human activity, and that includes things like climate change,” says Dr. Moola.

It might be difficult to think about the future with today’s tough economic climate, but such a position creates a missed opportunity. “It’s in our own economic interest to actually take action on climate change,” continues Dr. Moola. “If we don’t invest, for example, in renewable and energy efficient technology and make Canada a net exporter of renewable energy, we are going to lose out on the global competition to become the new energy leader.”

Let’s not place the blame squarely on the public. We’ve been raised with consumerism as an ideology for decades.

Everywhere you look, there are commercials and ads telling you that buying the newest product is not only a good thing, but the right thing – but we forget constant entropy is created, and needed, to keep consumerism and industry alive. And I mean, you still need to buy that 50” TV, right?

Our government, both federal and provincial, is not making things easier either. By not providing the proper infrastructure and services to allow individuals to make conscious decisions, our current government hinders any progress that could be made. Combine that with our unwavering resistance to change and our obsession with comfort and entertainment, and I see little reason to be optimistic that things will improve.

The problem is, as a nation, we simply don’t care. We cringe at the word “sacrifice,” but that’s what responsibility entails.

That includes not driving gas-guzzling SUVs, limiting urban sprawls, improving the energy efficiency of buildings, and higher taxes on gas to act as a disincentive for wasteful fuel consumption. But, in the end, it’s not your future; it’s only your children’s. So who cares, right?

urally Nat

Treating Seasonal Allergies Written By Faryal Luhar, ND

The

splendour of spring that most of us look forward to all year is finally here. However, for many Canadians, the upcoming seasons bring unwanted symptoms of sneezing, itchy watery eyes and runny noses.

Many allergy sufferers resort to treating their symptoms with over-the-counter or prescription medications. While these medications may address and relieve symptoms temporarily, many of them can lead to undesirable side effects and sometimes even worsen certain symptoms with prolonged use.

If you have suffered from allergies chronically, adding some natural therapies to your arsenal may prove to be helpful. It is wise to see a naturopathic doctor to identify, address and treat your allergies, as well as to ascertain any potential interactions with other medications.

THE FOOD CONNECTION Identifying food allergens and removing them from your diet will go a long way to modulating your immune response towards common environmental allergens. As an example, it is not unusual for an individual who is allergic to birch to also have intolerances to apples, celery and some nuts.

Dairy, wheat, corn and soy are common allergens that are mucus-producing and can trigger or amplify allergy symptoms.

Foods and supplements containing plant sterols and antioxidants are also important to quell allergy symptoms. Quercetin is one such substance that is abundant in red wine, grapefruit, onions, and apples. It is available in supplement form and acts directly to inhibit histamine release.

BOTANICAL BOOSTERS A variety of herbs and herbal formulas have been shown to be effective against symptoms by inhibiting mast cells from releasing histamine, decreasing inflammation, soothing mucus membranes and essentially enhancing immune function. Among these are herbs such as chamomile, stinging nettle, butterbur and eyebright (euphrasia).

HOMEOPATHIC HELPERS Other natural therapies involve the use of acupuncture, nasal flushing and major dietary and lifestyle modifications. With the help of your health-care provider or naturopathic doctor, you can “stick it to your allergies” this spring and summer and make the most of the outdoors!

HEALTHWISE WELLNESS & REHAB CENTRE

Dr. Faryal Luhar

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

For those who care, read more of humanity’s harmful impact at www.davidsuzuki.org.

4250 Weston Road, Suite 101, Toronto, Ont. 416.742.7246 www.healthwisecentre.ca

26 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

www.citylifemagazine.ca

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Navigating

The Digital Sea

Written By Michael Hill

With smartphones, tablets and WiFi-enabled devices and appliances quickly becoming a standard, physical media is on the decline while digital content continues to the fore.

As

we plunge into the unknown expanses of the future, we must navigate the alwayschanging waters of the digital sea. Growing and multiplying at an ever-accelerating rate, technology is constantly evolving in both looks and functionality. There was a time when technology changed infrequently – a time when typewriters were used for typing, cameras took pictures and calculators calculated. But ever since the introduction of the consumer computer, technology has increased its pace, leaving consumers adrift in the wake of obsolete devices, software and formats.

It’s no secret that technology is always on the move. Devices and hardware we once thought to be ideal, important and perhaps even “cool” eventually become obsolete. We’ve recently seen this through pagers, fax machines, physical maps, VCRs and more recently, DVDs. With the popularity of Facebook, who even prints photos anymore? But these are obvious examples. With the increasing availability and decreasing cost of smartphones, tablets and other WiFi-enabled devices (which now include videogame consoles, Blu-ray players and TVs), what other common devices will soon be phased out?

“I think physical media,” explains tech expert Marc Saltzman.

“The idea that you have to rent or buy something on a piece of plastic, like a videogame or a movie, is going the way of the Dodo Bird, and quicker than we think.”

As a journalist, author and TV/radio host, Saltzman is a leading Canadian expert on consumer technology. Although physical media is in decline, Saltzman is hesitant to say it is obsolete. “I wouldn’t say obsolete, but right now we’re starting to see digital sales creeping up. I think over the next couple of years it will eclipse traditional paper sales.”

Saltzman’s view of the future is certainly accurate, and we only need to look at consumer’s consumption habits to see why: CD sales are down while digital downloading of music continues upwards; Blockbuster filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. while on-demand, digital streaming services like Netflix expanded; sales of e-Reader devices, like the Kobo and Kindle, are constantly growing; and BitTorrent, an online company specializing in software that makes it easier to transfer large files over the Internet, hit 100 million members in 2010. With the increasing power and decreasing size of computers, the digitization of media and information is the way we’re headed.

For Saltzman, this is part of the second stage in the evolution of consumer electronics. The first being products dedicated to a single task, like printers, early cellphones and cameras. “The second major trend was when we saw convergent devices – one product that did multiple things. All-in-one printer, scanner, copy, fax machines with memory card readers. And then, smartphones that let you check your e-mails, chat via IM or text messages, surf the web, play games, navigate city

28 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

www.citylifemagazine.ca

streets, listen to music, watch movies, take pictures – it became this all-inone device,” explains Saltzman.

With so much media and information accessible for smartphones and tablets, and their various functions, we are entering the third major step in consumer technology’s evolution: connectivity. “I’m a firm believer that in a couple of years we’re going to have multiple tablets laying around our homes; sub $100 devices that are all connected wirelessly that let you read e-mail, surf the web and access your media … that’s where I think we’re going,” explains Saltzman.

Imagine the Possibilities

Imagine the power to control the world around you with a single device: start your stove from the office while it constantly keeps your tablet informed of its temperature; wirelessly turn off the lights if you forget to do so; or even stream movies, music or other media from your hard drive at home (or some other source) while on a long road trip. In fact, much of this technology already exists, although not quite in the mainstream (for example, Bell TV’s Remote PVR feature).

Saltzman predicts – which I believe to be correct – that we will start to see “ecosystems” of technology form around us, all communicating, supplementing and complementing each other. But what happens when these systems break down? How do I access my media when my computer stops working or that format stops being supported (just like VHS tapes)? What happens when 100 years from now a historian picks up a CD and can’t access what’s on it? Unlike physical media such as books, printed music or stone tablets, digital information is under constant threat of deletion, hard drive crashes and format changes. Just think about that computer you had 10 years ago; where is it now? Physical media may one day become obsolete, but its durable attributes will see it last longer than that photo album on your Mac. As consumers, all we can do is stay the course and navigate the choppy waters of the ever-changing digital sea.

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“When you’re running a business, it’s important to give the customer what they want. If you can follow this rule, it doesn’t matter what business you’re in – you will do well,” says marketing director Domenic Augurusa. Though U-Box-It is spreading convenience across the GTA, Toronto’s the Beaches (East York) neighbourhood is soaking up most of the brand’s sales right now,

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U-Box-It: ™

A Give-and-Take Philosophy

‘‘

Antonio Mammone

Produced By Michelle Zerillo-Sosa Written By Madeline Stephenson

While most entrepreneurs are thinking inside and outside of the box, I focused my efforts on the box itself,” says Antonio Mammone, founder of the revolutionary waste management company U-Box-It. An industry veteran and creator at heart, Mammone’s 100 per cent recyclable concept has been hailed by Bloomberg Businessweek and won bronze at the 2008 International Design Excellence Awards in Washington, D.C. “A mini bin that was recyclable was unheard of. I just knew that there was something there,” he says, of what’s become North America’s first disposable junk bin.

Born into a thriving disposal business, some might say Mammone was destined to follow his father’s entrepreneurial footsteps. “My dad has always been more of an innovator, and I think I took after him … I’ve always tried to think differently, try new things, come up with new ideas,” says Mammone, who invented U-Box-It to fill a gap in the commercial and residential waste removal market. The industry was evolving and with the rise of mini containers and massive metal bins, a niche revealed itself for a cleverly designed concept that would help reduce our carbon footprint.

Brought to life in 2005, the versatile U-Box-It system has become the preferred choice of do-it-yourself consumers seeking eco-conscious solutions for office junk, storage, renovation scraps, yard waste and seasonal cleanup. Delivered by the U-Box-It team in a flat, easy-to-assemble cardboard box, customers are able to order and fill as many containers as they wish and demand pickup at their own pace, whether it’s days, months or even years down the road. Because of its unique size, U-Box-It has the heightened advantage of diverting the disposable materials to appropriate recycling facilities.

30 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

EXAMPLES OF ITEMS THAT CAN BE DISPOSED: Seasonal sports equipment Renovation waste Clothes and shoes Office supplies Furniture Household junk Children’s toys If in doubt of junk to be loaded, please call 1.877.782.6948

mostly due to the high concentration of tight spaces. “In the Beaches, space is limited and with most other systems you have to wait for the pickup truck to back in and load up, but our system is designed for tight areas and can go into 99 per cent of locations,” he says, adding that 75 per cent of the business is repeat clientele.

In the interim, Mammone is in the process of cutting deals with major retailers and establishing franchises with local entrepreneurs eager to take on the environmental company. With U-Box-It already garnering interest in emerging markets around the globe, Mammone’s long-term goal is to see his brand cross borders. “I see it as being a major player in the junk removal business within the next five years or so. I see it going further than just the U.S.,” says the optimistic founder.

His entrepreneurial advice is equally compelling. “You can’t give up … You need to take criticism constructively and as long as you know in your gut that it’s a good idea, you have to push forward.” www.uboxit.com www.citylifemagazine.ca

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“Thank you to all, many more years of honest service to come”— Frank Serpa, President, Avante Mazda

10414 Yonge St., Richmond Hill (Yonge and Major Mackenzie) Tel. 905-780-9999 | 1-888-AVANTE8 (1-888-282-6838) | avantemazda.com

Avante Mazda

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The

Written By Michael Hill

Serpa has been in the auto industry all his life. Starting in 1977, at age 15, he worked his way up the ladder from a simple clean-up boy to mechanic, parts and service manager, and eventually to owner in 1995. Raised in the industry, Serpa fostered a resolute desire for customer satisfaction. “After being in the business from ’77 to now – 34 years – when a customer leaves my dealership with a car, whether new or used, and are extremely happy, I still get those little goosebumps that make it all worthwhile.”

A fan of the modern design and meticulous quality control of Japanese automotives, Serpa feels the key to his success stems from repetitive business and client referrals that are based on the company’s philosophy of transparency.

Serpa cuts no corners when it comes to satisfying customers. With several great promotions, including an Avante Loyalty Program that gives repeat customers half off their brake pads for life, as well as a three-to-five per cent price reduction for civil workers, Avante Mazda does what it takes to help customers afford the car they desire.

“The economy made everybody shift to smaller payments so we accommodated,” explains Serpa. “We’ve approached our banks and communicated with them properly to make sure each customer can afford their car.”

Serpa’s company philosophy and phenomenal staff have also garnered the praise of the Canadian Automobile Dealer Association’s president and CEO Rick Gauthier as one of the most

32 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

AVANTE MAZDA TEAM Avante Mazda’s courteous staff is handpicked by its passionate owner Frank Serpa. Making no sacrifices when it comes to customer service, Serpa’s team treats every customer with the utmost respect. trusted names in the car industry. “We have always been greatly impressed with him (Serpa) as an individual and with his company,” says Gauthier.

“I always say, as a business owner, if I was looking for a car I would buy from my staff,” exclaims Serpa. “Our staff will treat your mother the way they treat their own mother; that I can guarantee you.” Stop by Avante Mazda for more on the reliable, value-packed automotives they carry, and be treated the way a customer should be. www.avantemazda.ca 1.888.AVANTE8 www.citylifemagazine.ca

Photography By Valeria Mitsubata

In

the heart of Richmond Hill there is a dealership fuelled by a passion for automotives and reinforced by a transparent, customerfirst philosophy. This dealership is Avante Mazda. And under the compassionate guidance of owner Frank Serpa, Avante Mazda has grown into one of the most trusted dealerships in Canada, and is certain to have the right car for you.

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CITY GIRL

Tré g n o r rmst

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Produced By Michelle Zerillo-Sosa Written By Vito La Giorgia

T

racey (Tré) Armstrong was born in Toronto and raised in Mississauga.

On So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Armstrong is the judge who exudes rational cognition, which transfers into eloquent speech, and she is never more communicative than when she is on the dance floor choreographing for the hit show.

Five years ago, she was living in Toronto community housing, barely able to pay her rent. Now she is an internationally acclaimed dancer, actress and choreographer. She credits the development of her dancing gene to her mom, who she refers to as her “sexy mamacita.”

“I feel sometimes when you pass a certain plateau, or even a notoriety, some people get protective of their past, but personally I am very open with it because I’m normal. I went through debt, homelessness; I’ve been through an abusive family and it just goes to show when you persevere and you fail a few times but you’re passionate about your goals, you will succeed.”

Star dancer and judge Tré Armstrong reveals new talent on the hit show So You Think You Can Dance Canada.

FUN FACTS: ∎ The male celebrity who really made her star struck – Magic Johnson. ∎ Favourite part about Italy – the men. ∎ Dancing ... “Allows me to be free and express myself without speaking.”

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Armstrong’s rise from obscurity started with a documentary called The Making of a Hip Hop Dancer. Her breakout moment occurred after seeking out hip hop queen Missy Elliot.

The world-renowned artist immediately recognized the up-and-comer and gave her a place on an international tour.

I asked the divine dancer what happens when you meet a guy who can’t dance.

“Good question,” she says. “It depends where I am. If I’m in the club and he can’t dance, it’s great. I just get to smile and swing his hand.

But if I’m judging and if you can’t dance, unfortunately I have a job to do.”

34 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

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The audition tour for So You Think You Can Dance Canada is complete and the hit show will return to the air later this year for its fourth season. If you are interested in Armstrong or her philanthropic endeavours, visit www.tre-lystikz.com for more info.

You can catch Armstrong in her latest movie “Sons 2 The Grave,” which was filmed in Toronto and will be coming out soon.

A model Torontonian, Armstrong had a dream, she struggled, but she found a way to succeed through hardwork and perseverence. www.tre-lystikz.com

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36 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

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City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

37

Infiniti pushes the boundaries with its gargantuan SUV. Written By D.T.

In

t oday’s quest of lessening one’s carbon footprint on the automotive landscape, most manufacturers tend to shy away from the full-size SUVs and offer instead downsized and improved fuelefficient vehicles. Infiniti on the other hand, continues to play in the premium full-size body on-frame SUV segment with its second generation QX SUV. Larger and more imposing than before, the all-new QX56 boasts loud styling, big power, lots of bright work and high-end equipment to satisfy the most discerning buyers. This niche segment is made up of players from Cadillac with its Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, Lexus LX570 and the luxuriously appointed military gradestyle Mercedes G-Wagon. There’s other large SUVs, like the Mercedes GL and Audi Q7, which are more car-like thanks to their unibody type construction.

The all-new QX was developed in conjunction with the Nissan Patrol, a model not sold in North America.

They both share componentry, which is a good thing as the Nissan Patrol, a traditional body-on-frame SUV, has proven serious off-road credentials and ruggedness. When playing in

the full-size body-on-frame luxury SUV segment, nothing less than a high-power V-8 will do. The QX has this covered as it shares the same sophisticated V-8 with the Infiniti M56 sedan. The variable valve timing, direct-injected 5.6-litre V-8 makes an astounding 400-horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Together with the seven-speed automatic transmission, this 5,850 pound luxury SUV can easily hit 100 kilometres an hour from a standstill in under seven seconds if the driver chooses to do so! If towing is required, the 8,500-pound capability

will be more than sufficient. Heavy fuel thirst is expected and very unfriendly to the wallet, but most folks getting into this type of vehicle won’t be surprised by this fact.

As with vehicles of this nature, a sophisticated full-time, four-wheeldrive system is standard with a computercontrolled transfer case and limited slip differential. With the availability to select 4WD Lo setting, the QX56 should be able to traverse over challenging terrain with ease. Located on the centre console is a silver knob that controls the

Tastefully appointed cabin includes Tri-Zone Automatic climate control, Bose premium audio, heated steering wheel, and so much more.

38 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

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In keeping with the luxury theme, the suspension is designed to keep the big Infiniti from rolling around too much in the corners, thanks to the use of its Hydraulic Body Motion Control System. In the past, most body-on-frame SUVs utilized a beefy solid rear axle for strength and ruggedness but in the interests of better handling and ride, the QX uses a rear independent control-arm suspension.

When viewed in person, the full-size QX56 can be somewhat mesmerizing. All the required “bling” is present in the form of super-sized diameter wheels at 20-inches, heavily chromed front grille and lots more chrome accents adorning various bodywork jewelry. If that’s still insufficient, there’s a wheel-size upgrade to optional 22-inch wheels! Interestingly enough, the V-8 powered QX56 wears a three port-hole trim piece on its front fenders, which usually signifies a six-cylinder power plant.

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Lots of supple leather and wood trimming adorn the classy interior. As expected, the QX is packed with just about every feature you can think of. From a wireless rear-seat DVD system and heated seats in the first two rows, to power-folding third-row seats and second-row seats you can fold and tumble from the front seat with the push of a button. A hard-drive navigation system is also equipped with a Zagat restaurant guide. There are always folks out there who demand a vehicle like the QX and they will not be disappointed with all the high-end features and capability the QX56 delivers. www.infiniti.ca

40 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

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HOW TO TAME A DRAGON While some Dragons demonstrate their power through commanding intimidation, Brett Wilson has evolved his character and chooses to offer a supporting hand as opposed to a controlling claw.

‘‘

With great power comes great responsibility.” The first time I encountered this phrase I was seven years old with my nose buried deep in a Spider Man comic. At the time, I had absolutely no idea what it meant, just that it sounded pretty

1 City 44 CityLife LifeMagazine Magazine Feb/Mar Feb/Mar 2011 2011

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Make-up Artist Rhia Amio

Written By Michael Hill / Interview By Madeline Stephenson Photography By Dean West

cool. Indeed, power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely – guess that’s where the responsibility comes in. There are many men tempted and corrupted by the seductive allure of financial conquest and the power it brings. Entrepreneur and television star Brett Wilson once walked this dangerous path, but unlike his ferocious fellow constituents, W ilson has evolved as an individual and become a beloved and big-hearted philanthropist known for his generous exploits and business prowess.

you’re going to do differently. I see corporate social opportunity, in other words, corporate philanthropy, as an incredible opportunity to change the world … The opportunities are so many, I find amusement when I hear people say, ‘Oh yeah, but with great wealth comes great obligation.’ No. With great wealth comes great opportunity.”

This ability to sniff out gifted entrepreneurs and “great opportunities” has been a key to his success. But for those looking for a quick handout, be wary: Wilson doesn’t write cheques for just anybody. He hunts for individuals with that certain business sense; that entrepreneurial savvy that few leaders possess, even those from charities.

“I took a chance on people. That, I call, socially responsible investing, or philanthropic entrepreneurship. The flipside, which is my passion, [is that] I’m encouraging charities to think more entrepreneurially. So, I call it philanthropic entrepreneurship, but there’s also entrepreneurial philanthropy.

In other words, charities not just saying, ‘we’re a good cause give us the money.’

No, no. Show me why and I’ll show you the money.”

Today, Brett Wilson is a highly successful Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist and all-around good guy. He’s the business mogul who co-founded both Wilson Mackie & Co. and FirstEnergy Capital Corp., making millions off these highly successful entrepreneurial ventures. But it wasn’t until he joined the cast of CBC’s Dragon’s Den – currently the highest-rated Canadian entertainment show on TV – that he became a household name. His kind yet confident persona has made him a fan favourite, dishing out more deals than any other Dragon on the show.

The multitude of business offers he so generously tenders stems from his good spirit and desire to empower, as he wants to provide more than just cold hard cash.

Wilson is a wanderer, testing his foot in many pools. He owns stakes in a range of successful businesses, sports teams as well as a multitude of charities, including Little Warriors – an organization that strives to prevent the sexual abuse of children – and Boomer’s Legacy – an organization named for the late Cpl. Andrew James Eykelenboom that provides aid for women and children in Afghanistan. Going one step further, Wilson recently joined Canada’s Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay in Afghanistan, touring military bases and giving the troops his thanks. “Someone jokingly called me a serial philanthropist, where I work with a cause and move on,” laughs Wilson, who’s climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice, once raising money for Alzheimer’s disease. “I find causes that resonate with me and there’s no simple answer. People keep asking me what is my criteria.

I don’t have one. It’s clearly annunciated but it’s something that has to catch my interest.”

“It’s not expensive. It’s empowering,” says Wilson. “We should be doing entrepreneurship in a more philanthropic way … I put value on changing people’s lives.” With a welcoming smile, Wilson goes on to explain how his $5,000 investment in an “Elvis costume” company tripled its annual income, bailing the previously ailing entrepreneur out of Heartbreak Hotel. “She’s moved her sales from $50,000 to $150,000; two part-time employees to two full-time employees. She’s changed her life. Five grand, and a little exposure on Dragon’s Den. Didn’t cost me a lot.”

But Wilson’s generous ways are not necessarily a risk. In fact, the Elvis costume business has been just one of the many diamonds in the rough he has uncovered and cashed in on. “Anything you do from a sense of opportunity, www.citylifemagazine.ca

City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

45

Although Wilson has become a great success today, he once scorched a self-destructive path that distanced him from family and friends, and saw the end of his marriage. “Anyone that puts a single-minded devotion into business without balance jeopardizes other relationships, whether it’s family or friends,” Wilson recalls. “Certainly in building my business, building my career, building my wallet, I didn’t see a lot of my family. And the harsh reality came along, and suddenly they [his children] started leaving home.

The good news is they were still in middle school when I had the epiphany and chose to put a focus on getting some time with my kids.”

‘‘

I FIND AMUSEMENT WHEN I HEAR PEOPLE SAY, ‘OH YEAH, BUT WITH GREAT WEALTH COMES GREAT OBLIGATION.’ NO. WITH GREAT WEALTH COMES GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

’’

– Brett Wilson

Unfortunately, it wasn’t just his family life that was affected; his personal health became a casualty of his relentless business crusade. Soon after his divorce, Wilson was struck with a tragic blow, being diagnosed with prostate cancer. But his iron will, steadfast determination and “mental toughness” gave him the strength to forge ahead on this perilous journey. Conquering that ominous obstacle, Wilson rejects being labelled a “survivor.” He prefers the term “cancer graduate.” “If you come out alive you’re a graduate of the cancer program, because there’s so much that you learn,” says Wilson.

“Cancer gives you an opportunity to re-evaluate your time, your commitment to your physical health, your emotional health, your intellectual health. As you come through cancer, you’re bound to be smarter on all of those fronts.

I think the concept of a cancer graduate is more empowering.”

Through both a disheartening divorce and graduation from a life-threatening disease, Wilson has gained a new perspective on life. He’s not looking to make another million, pass on a legacy or build an empire. He simply wants to make the world a better place. “No act of charity is too small, so you never belittle any action of any kind and always encourage any action.”

A practitioner of “pay it forward,” Wilson doesn’t want you to compare your deeds to his. The sheer fact that an individual takes the time to make a difference is what truly matters. “I don’t have to work full-time, I can do this stuff. Other people, when your working full-time with the family and three kids, you know what, spending the evening cleaning up a local park or taking your kids to an old folk’s home on a Sunday morning to read or play checkers, those all count, they all count. I’m impressed by people who take time.”

He’s now a man of simple tastes. A man who enjoys the odd horse ride across the Prairies, playing with his dog Maja and spending time with his family, who he is so proud to see walk their own path and traverse the world on their own accord. “A lot of billionaires, a lot of wealthy people, see the legacy of their name continuing, their empire growing and the family expanding with this great wealth. I don’t buy it, I don’t get it, it doesn’t make sense to me,” divulges Wilson. “I shouldn’t impose upon them [his children] to look after the wealth I’ve made, they’ve got their own lives. Isn’t that why I created them? I didn’t create them to by my tools, my employees, my legacy – they are my legacy, but they don’t have to live my life.”

As any great man of action, Wilson has seen his share of ups-anddowns. He’s amassed a great fortune, but more importantly he’s found happiness through helping others. “Wealth and happiness don’t go hand-in-hand – it’s nice to have wealth, but it’s much nicer to be happy.” I guess power doesn’t always corrupt. www.wbrettwilson.ca

46 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

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The men and women of our military perform humanitarian acts on the front lines, but with little coverage from mainstream media, these acts go unnoticed. Right: Canadian icon Don Cherry, centre, with Canadian troops in southern Afghanistan.

Photo By Canadian Army

Another Side to the Story

People who support our troops don’t necessarily support the war. After learning more about the heroic humanitarian efforts that our service men and women do on a daily basis, maybe you will too.

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

S

ince 9-11, I went from your average news consumer to a raging news-oholic. I start my day with a little The Huffington Post and The Gazette. Before my night’s end, no one delivers the news better than The National’s Peter Mansbridge. The only cable network news channel that I stay away from is Fox News. I take a glimpse here and there but my forehead becomes exhausted from the eyebrow-raised eye-rolling. It seems to me that mainstream news media rarely allows a glimpse into the humanitarian endeavours of my country’s, or our neighbours to the south’s troops.

Gripping images of war and its residue put such a negative spin on the selfless acts our service men and women are doing overseas. I realize that the most important part of the Canadian mission was to contain and destabilize the Taliban. Even if it is the most important part, there’s more to the story. If we saw the other side, then maybe images of a fallen soldier’s face next to their name, a coffin draped with a Canadian flag, death tolls and the blazing bullets that made it all possible would actually have more value to someone like me who has no connection to the military. I want to see

the other side of our mission in Afghanistan without having to go to the Department of National Defence’s website.

One thing that could brighten our night after a long day at work could be stories of good will. This should occur more often, especially when the setting for the story is Afghanistan.

Since 2001, Canadian troops have been helping the majority of the population in Afghanistan whose views run contrary to the minority (Taliban) who look to oppress them. The majority of the population yearns for peace, seeks stability and strives to be free from the ideas of a violent few. Their courage is commendable and their requests are simple. Our troops are there for the innocent children, for the men who deserve to be called men and for women who desire a better life.

Canadian troops have strengthened the Afghan Ministry of Education by developing curricula, training teachers and increasing access to education for students, not to mention training health workers, including doctors, nurses, midwives and community health workers. In 2009 alone, along with the World Food Program (WFP), Canada provided more than 275,000 tons of food to nine million Afghans in need. In the province of Kandahar, Canada has helped build, expand or repair 26 schools to date, with the goal of completing 50 by 2011.

Positive stories like these occupy a dark corner in my mind. From what I have seen, troop-friendly organizations are ignored by mainstream televised news. Their selective spotlight misses the people spreading peace and prosperity; maybe that’s why they call them “light bearers.” Possibly, we have a better chance of supporting troops and their families than discovering what lies in Rupert Murdoch’s closet.

To jump-start the awareness cycle between the masses and the mainstream media, we need to show our support by volunteering and creating new organizations, which will hopefully develop a new voice that echoes throughout the country and maybe even into the boardrooms of network news stations. What may start as a simple good

48 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF COUNTRYWIDE HOMES

deed has the potential to flourish like a single nourished seed. Unfortunately, the kind of people who actually plant seeds are as limited as the ones who actually volunteer. Hopefully that changes after hearing the story of Carolyn Blashek, Rick Hillier, Don Cherry and Wallace Burnett-Smith.

Few outside of the U.S. military have heard of Blashek. The day of the 9-11 attacks, the self-described “housewife,” a 46-year-old mother of two, decided to enlist. She was turned down but was determined to do something positive. As they say, when fate closes the door, try the window.

The turning point in Blashek’s story of benevolence occurred when a soldier approached her while she volunteered at a military lounge at Los Angeles International Airport. With a look of dismay, he spoke about his mother’s recent funeral, his wife leaving him and the death of his only infant child. Blashek recalls him saying, “I’m going to a war, and I know I won’t make it back, but it doesn’t matter this time because no one would even care.” That’s when Blashek said to herself, “I care!” She started asking folks in her neighbourhood if they knew anyone in the military. Once she accumulated a handful of names, she assembled care packages filled with American items (magazines, snacks, etc.) to remind them of the great country they are working to protect. The most important item in the package was a personal letter. Some soldiers keep the message folded under their helmet. I guess it offers them a certain raison d’être amidst the new world they were ordered to change.

Since 2003, Operation Gratitude (opgratitude.com), with the persistent Blashek at the helm, has sent over 600,000 care packages to individual soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and military ships worldwide. And it all started with Blashek, who decided to care about the brave men and women who she had never seen and who had never seen her. Through her tireless efforts, she touched the lives of over 600,000 military personnel and earned the Minerva Award for outstanding humanitarian contribution – past winners include Oprah Winfrey.

When asked whether there needs to be more media exposure on the positive stories played out by troops in the U.S. and Canada, Blashek responded with enthusiasm, saying, “We never hear those stories. Any regular person in the public has no idea by watching the news or reading the newspaper that there really are incredible positive and humanitarian things that are being done.” When asked why the media doesn’t cover more positive stories, she respectfully decided not to answer. Blashek mentioned that she does not let her political views get in the way of her support. Regardless of the answer, there are troops out there who could use a smile, and that’s all Blashek really cares

World War II veteran Wallace Burnet-Smith, age 88, seen here in a vintage Lancaster heavy bomber aircraft.

about when she writes her messages and ships off her care packages.

As for Canada, on the volunteering front we also have light bearers like Blashek illuminating the hearts of Canadian troops and their families. Project Hero (projecthero.ca) is one example. This unique program offers a special fouryear undergraduate scholarship program to children of fallen Canadian soldiers.

General Rick Hillier is the chairman of Project Hero and former chief of Canada’s Defence Staff. Hillier calls for more support, on the Department of National Defence’s website his remarks include: “Without the benefit of being volunteers, our families serve, silently, in defence of Canada. Our wives, husbands, children, are the ones whose births and birthdays, first steps and first words are missed, who fear the evening news, or who start kindergarten in one province and grade one in another province—or in another country.” Hillier is inspired to give what he can to the families who truly desire and deserve support for their service.

50 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

As well, this past Christmas, along with Defence Minister Peter MacKay and other Canadian dignitaries, hockey commentator Don Cherry journeyed to Afghanistan to show his support and inspire hope for the brave men and women serving our country. Spreading some much-needed holiday cheer, posing for photographs and signing autographs, Cherry raised the spirits of the mostly French-Canadian soldiers stationed at outposts across southern Afghanistan. It is this kind of generosity that shows our thanks and lets our soldiers know they are still in our minds. We can disagree with Cherry’s unwavering and unapologetic stance on the war, but his support and love for our soldiers brings hope to the men and women who face a violent and grim landscape.

Wallace Burnet-Smith, 88, retired in 1973 after 33 years of service for the British Royal Air Force. He offered a fresh perspective on the matter of military service, heroics and a brief comment on Canada. “We always have [a] service to our country and to our preservation. The ones in Afghanistan and all over the world are trying to preserve what we consider as our right and our destiny; that’s what they are fighting for. I just consider liberty one of the prime goals in anybody’s life, whether they be rich or poor, or black or white, whatever. They keep calling us heroes, but it’s the comradeship that I have cherished all my life. If you have that comradeship you don’t want to let the side down, or your country down, the squadron or the people beside you. You wouldn’t do anything ghastly or cowardly. If you’re told to do something you do it without fear or favour. I’ve been a serviceman all of my life, I would still stand up and fight.” In regards to Canada, Wallace had nothing but praise. “If I was young again I think I would be over here and make a life for myself. You’re all very lucky to live here. I love Canada.”

Does it not seem fair to support the troops that place themselves in harm’s way so that we can enjoy liberty, which gives birth to the greatest gift of all – opportunity – a present we take for granted? If so, raise Canadian troops’ spirit and support them directly or their families. www.forces.gc.ca www.citylifemagazine.ca

Old World Recipes Meet New Age Flair

Elegantly fashioned and artistically prepared, Vinsanto Ristorante offers decadent Italian cuisine that radiates with unrivalled esthetic. These fabulously assembled entrees fuse contemporary style with delicious, traditional Italian flavour. Indulge in the inviting, classically styled décor inspired by timeless Florentine design while you enjoy an unforgettable meal, courtesy of Vinsanto.

PLEASE NOTE: VINSANTO WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING EXPANSION 28 Roytec Road at Weston Road 905.264.3991 www.vinsanto.ca www.citylifemagazine.ca

City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011 Monday - Friday : Open for lunch • Monday - Saturday : Open for dinner • Sunday : Private functions only

51

T

Too Young

wo of Dr. L orne something for others to know Zinman’s patients how much turmoil and emotional die of Amyotrophic devastation it was for Durwin to L ateral Sc lerosis know at 26 years old that you are (ALS) ever y week. This going to die … I know Durwin rapidly progressive felt assured that he was loved neuromusucular disease that tremendously and his son [Noah] is commonly associated with would be loved by all of us so very baseball legend Lou Gehrig, much,” she says. and more recently with the loss of former Canadian While Dr. Zinman struggles Football League star Tony with the loss of his patients, Proudfoot, has no known he’s optimistic that the disease Produced By Michelle Zerillo-Sosa / Written By Madeline Stephenson cause or cure in most cases. will soon fall victim to advanced “It ’s a ver y complicated research and technology. “With disease … it appears that an area of cells in the brain or more attention, more awareness, there’s no question we’re spinal cord start to commit suicide, which then spreads going to get there,” says Dr. Zinman, adding that major to the rest of the body resulting in paralysis or death,” advances are already being made in the detection of genetic says Dr. Zinman, director of Canada’s largest ALS clinic abnormalities in familial cases, making it easier to figure out at Sunnybrook Hospital. A fatal disease that affects the pieces of the puzzle. As devastating as it is to have to be a between 2,500 to 3,000 Canadians, ALS is most common daily bearer of bad news, Dr. Zinman is continuously touched in individuals over the age of 55 and causes an array of by humanity. “It’s really amazing to see how courageous these symptoms from muscle weakness, cramping and twitching, patients are. They’re the bravest people that I’ve ever come to speech and respiratory problems. into contact with and that’s unbelievably inspiring.” www.alsnetwork.ca Durwin John Cadeau’s case was much different than most.

The 26-year-old father suffered from a rare form called 15 MINUTES OF FAME, BY FREDA RITSMA familial ALS, a highly hereditary strand that makes up only I’m sure you’ve heard the saying everyone gets 15 minutes five to 10 per cent of all cases. Having witnessed several family of fame, well here’s mine. The only thing is that I’m already members die from ALS, Cadeau grew up with the nerve- dead. My name is Durwin John Cadeau, I am 26 and I have racking awareness that there was a 50 per cent chance his life ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease. would also be cut short. “We already knew what to expect having a mother, sister and two brothers pass away before Maybe 15 minutes from now lots of people will have read this Durwin, and a sister living with ALS at the same time. It was and my story will help make more people aware of ALS. I had really tough,” says Cadeau’s mother, Freda Ritsma. After an a funny feeling from the first time I had a cramp in my leg incredible fight, Cadeau died on July 3, 2006. Ritsma wrote that it was ALS. I remember telling my mom I had cramps the memoir below from the perspective of her son after his and when I started limping on my right leg she would always death in hopes of coping and restoring his legacy. “I wanted say, “It can’t be ALS, you’re only 26.”

TO DIE:

THE TRAGEDY OF ALS

52 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

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53

You see ALS runs in my family: my grandma, one of my aunts and two of my uncles all died from ALS. I also have an aunt living with ALS right now. My mom thinks I’m too young and I guess she was praying that I would not have it. After a series of tests the doctor confirms our suspicions – I have ALS. I ask my mom to fly me to London for my second appointment. I want to go alone. I still want some independence. I love road trips; I will never forget the places I have been and the great people I’ve met and friends I have made in my travels.

“It’s really amazing to see how courageous these patients are.

They’re the bravest people that I’ve ever come into contact with and that’s unbelievablyy inspiring.”

– Dr. Lorne Zinman

It makes me sad that I will never have a relationship with my son. I never thought before how it must have been for my grandma to say goodbye to her 11 children. I now know. I am 26, I love to play basketball and watch UFC with my friend, my favourite TV show is The Sopranos. I love to listen to music, especially Jim Morrison who ironically died on the same day as me at the same age. “Riders of the storm, into this world we’re thrown,” seems to fit exactly where I am right now.

I have lost so much weight that my head appears big in comparison to the rest of my body. My fingers are permanently curled. I have no use of my legs or arms and they dangle limp when somebody tries to sit me up to reposition me or to straighten my bed. I can no longer cough on my own. My younger brother and sister are having a lot of trouble dealing with my illness. I ask my sister not to cry so much.

I am embarrassed to ask for help. I like to look and smell nice. I love Joop cologne. Every day I notice a change in my body and with this I rely more on my mom and a few close friends. I can no longer shave, bathe or toilet myself.

I am in Iroquois Falls Hospital now with pneumonia, I have always had asthma so I’m really having trouble breathing, and the nurses suction my lungs every few minutes. They try to be gentle, but even

Twenty-six-year-old ALS victim tim eau Durwin John Cadeau ah. with son, Noah.

thering me more. my bedsores are bothering i i me trouble bl My feeding tube is giving and I am so hungry for my mom’s lasagna and Caesar salad. I feel genuine compassion from a nurse. She treats me like somebody with thoughts and feelings and her kind words touch me.

I know I am a tough patient sometimes and I tell her, ‘I know if you would have known me before you would have liked me a lot – I am a good guy.’

I tell my friends from church that God is waiting for me in heaven and explain how I dreamt that one of my uncles said to the other, ‘you’re going to be surprised who just came to heaven.’ I know my mom will comfort my son as he grows up and let him know how he was loved.

She will show him photos of me when I was little and then photos of him and me together. I know she will always be a part of his life. When he graduates from Grade 8 and wants to go on his first date she will give him a bottle of Joop cologne and tell him that was his daddy’s favourite. She will save some of my old ball caps for him to wear and give him the cross that I wore around my neck.

I am in the final chapters of my “manual end-of-life issues.” My doctor knows as well that I am there; he sits by my bedside and speaks to me sincerely

54 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

and respectfully. He tells me of my choices of resuscitation. The hospital must know my decision in the event of respiratory failure.

I have chosen a DNR (do not resuscitate) order to be noted on my charts. I know my pain will soon be gone and I will be reunited with my other family members.

My mom promises to tell my son how much I love him and that I will always watch over him.

It I is July 3, 2006. Today everyone is still celebrating Canada Day D while I quietly pass away in my sleep. It’s been a mere six si months since I have been diagnosed.

It will be six months d later when my mom receives la my m autopsy report, telling her that th they found two significant findings about ALS because of my autopsy.

So here I am again one last road trip, but this time it is in the back of a hearse, going to the London Health Science Centre. I have agreed to donate my brain and spinal cord to research, hoping that it may help find a cure for ALS and save my family. I want a cure to be found, especially because my little boy may already be carrying this deadly gene with him as he plays carefree in the sand.

My doctor asks my brother and sister if they would like to be tested for ALS. After a lot of thought they decide not to. My sister says it would be like a black cloud over her head if she was to test positive, as there is nothing medically anyone can do. There is no cure and it will appear when you least expect it.

My mom doesn’t need to be tested. She now knows that she too has the familial ALS gene. I don’t want my family to lose out on living because they are so worried of getting sick. I want my brother and sister to live and love life, and when they hear the song “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw, I know they will stop and think of me.

For Ritsma’s full story visit: www.alsont.ca/stories www.citylifemagazine.ca

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CRAZY LIKE ME:

Part 2: Alzheimer’s Disease With the graying of worldwide population, experts reveal the anticipated surge of a permanent and progressive disease.

Killing the brains of our grandmothers and grandfathers, our mothers and fathers, our brothers and sisters, Alzheimer’s seems not to forget our loved ones. While every case takes hold differently for each individual diagnosed, many symptoms are common and steadily progress. The condition is permanent.

My grandmother’s private purgatory burned with some of the hallmark signs of this fatal brain disorder forgetfulness that disrupted her daily life, an inability to complete daily tasks, visual and spatial confusion, a struggle with vocabulary.

More than 500,000 Canadians live with a diagnosis of dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. The most common and aggressive form of dementia (a cognitive disorder characterized by memory, executive functioning and changes in mood), Alzheimer’s disease is expected to increase dramatically as baby boomers approach their retirement years. According to Statistics Canada, all baby boomers in Canada will reach age 65 between 2010 and 2031. “With the aging of all societies around the world, the biggest risk factor with Alzheimer’s disease is age,” says Dr. Ronald Petersen, director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) at Mayo Clinic in the U.S. “As baby boomers now reach age 65 – those born in 1946 – vastly increased numbers of individuals are at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, solely

56 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

Photo By Cindy Gold, The

E

very once in a while, our minds dip into the past, sifting through the vast files of our temporal lobes for the memories and moments that shaped our early days. When I think of my grandmother, I think of a hot summer afternoon, the air so thick the kitchen walls seemed to melt onto the linoleum floor. I remember the crackling noise eggs make in a frying pan, the red of ripe tomatoes perspiring against fresh basil. She stared emptily at the vacant wall before her, glancing at her plate and eating reflexively, her tight white curls matted to her head. Midday came and went. Rimmed red, her glistening green eyes pleaded for help. A flurry of words escaped her mouth, her arms flailed about. She had not eaten, she said, she was left to starve. I didn’t know then not to feel a ripple of burning hurt freezing my insides. I didn’t know then that the woman who stood before me was dying while living, her brain being ravaged by synaptic failure. All I knew was that a strong woman who had borne a brood of children that went on to have their own children barely knew her own name, much less her own legacy. In memoriam, I travel through my memories into the present day. Why did my grandmother, a woman so virtuous in spirit, get this mental illness?

Women’s Conference

Produced By Michelle Zerillo-Sosa / Written By Simona Panetta

Alzheimer’s advocate Maria Shriver inspires at her annual 2010 Women’s Conference, which raised more than $300,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association. Her father, Sargent Shriver, passed away from Alzheimer’s in January 2011.

by virtue of age.” Dubbed the “Silver Tsunami,” Alzheimer’s is an impending crisis that is a cause of concern for leading global experts. “This is just the beginning of what’s going to be a tidal wave of individuals who may develop Alzheimer’s disease,” says Dr. Petersen.

Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia in Canada, a recent report by the Alzheimer Society (funded by Pfizer Canada, Health Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Rx&D), predicts that 1.1 million Canadians (2.8 per cent of the population) will live with dementia by 2038. To put it in perspective, one person will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or related dementia every two minutes. “There are other ways to devastate populations but we’re heading into some realities … this is sort of now, as we move towards say 20 per cent of the population being over the age of 65. Symbolically, this is www.citylifemagazine.ca

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Photo Courtesy of Mayo Clinic

World-leading Alzheimer’s expert Dr. Ronald Petersen, director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Mayo Clinic.

the boomer era of senior citizenship,” says Dr. Sandra Black, Brill chair in neurology at the University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

“Even right now, more and more people know someone with Alzheimer’s … it’s going to be around, causing more and more challenge to our ability to take care of people. I think it is something that does require a concerted strategy of both research and care delivery in a way that will allow us to cope and find ways of preventing it,” adds Dr. Black.

During this time, the economic burden of dementia in Canada will rise from $15 billion in 2008 to $153 billion in 2038. Unlike Australia, Norway, the Netherlands, France, Scotland and the United Kingdom, Canada has yet to make Alzheimer’s a countrywide priority by creating a national strategy on dementia. The U.S. recently passed the National Alzheimer’s Project Act into law. “I think it’s absolutely critical; the numbers are totally frightening,” says Dr. Black, who is part of The Canadian Dementia Action Network (CDAN), a group dedicated to eradicating Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

“I feel strongly that Canada needs to invest more in Alzheimer’s research, to find cures and new approaches to treatment.” Since 2006, the Canadian government has invested $88 million towards Alzheimer’s, and is pursuing a national strategy.

Knowledge of Alzheimer’s has grown significantly over the past two decades.

Current medications and early detection help to treat and steady the progression of this neurodegenerative disorder. Experts of the disease hope for a cure but, on the immediate horizon, remain pragmatic.

A solution to the underlying course of

the disease has yet to be uncovered, yet recent advances in biomarkers have made it possible to detect the disease in the living brain. This extends a hand in early diagnosis. MRI imaging can now reveal and measure a brain shrinking from Alzheimer’s, and “image” in a live brain the protein believed to be responsible for Alzheimer’s: beta amyloid (A-beta).

While this protein is present in “normal” brains, higher quantities usually signal a case of dementia. “The key problem in Alzheimer’s disease is that abnormally high amounts of A-beta accumulate in the brain, overwhelming the enzymes and other molecules whose job it is to

10 WARNING SIGNS SIGN 1 Memory loss that affects day-to-day abilities SIGN 2 Difficulty performing familiar tasks SIGN 3 Problems with language SIGN 4 Disorientation in time and space SIGN 5 Poor or decreased judgment SIGN 6 Problems with abstract thinking SIGN 7 Misplacing things SIGN 8 Changes in mood and behaviour SIGN 9 Changes in personality SIGN 10 Loss of initiative Provided by the Alzheimer Society of Canada

clear away,” writes Dr. Jack Diamond in his published study entitled A Report on Alzheimer’s Disease and Current Research.

When A-beta molecules bunch together, they form tiny toxic collections called oligomers. From this, dense deposits, referred to as amyloid plaques, form and proliferate throughout the brain. Neurons extinguish when synapses stop firing messages to them. “Many researchers believe that the amyloid deposits not only make the nerve cells sick, but they somehow promote the development of tangles, and it is probably these that actually kill the nerve cells,” writes Dr. Diamond. Normal nerve cells contain tangles, which are made of a protein called tau. In Alzheimer’s, tangles thicken and impair nerve function. Plaques and tangles are the defining characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease. The reason why those

58 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

living with Alzheimer’s have problems remembering recent information is because part of the brain that encodes information is impaired by the disease process. It takes longer for the disease to disconnect distant memory, as those have already been stored in the recesses of our brain.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada’s website, Alzheimer’s is categorized into three stages: early, middle and late. Symptoms vary and develop quickly. Dr. René Desautels, medical chief of the geriatric psychiatry program at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, explains that additional mental illness symptoms such as anxiety and depression can also occur in a person living with Alzheimer’s.

Psychosis commonly develops later.

Those living with early-stage Alzheimer’s require minor assistance with daily routines. Impaired long-term memory and changes in mood may occur in middle-stage patients. In the late-stage form of the disease, the quality of life for a person living with Alzheimer’s is heavily contingent on caregivers.

“The important point to make about Alzheimer’s disease is that it’s actually incubating in the brain gradually, slowly, over many years,” says Dr. Black. All that was left of my grandmother were bits and pieces of her identity, stolen by this brain killer.

A common misconception with Alzheimer’s is that once a person is diagnosed, his or her life is over. “Quite a number of things can be done in terms of treatment,” says Dr. Desautels, who recommends geriatric psychiatry for those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in their later years.

For caregiver Julie Foley, 59, Alzheimer’s has resulted in several yet mild modifications to the life she shares with her spouse, Lowell Jenkins. He was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s at 73. While Jenkins is cognizant of his condition and continues to volunteer his time at a rehabilitation hospital in Toronto, he is no longer able to drive or ride the TTC. A friend or family member keeps him company when Foley, www.citylifemagazine.ca

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59

a social worker, attends business trips. To appease his short-term memory, she’ll draft a note in the daily diary they use to remind him of her whereabouts. “There’s lots of need for repetition and reminders of what’s going on today, what day it is, what time I’ll be home.” By the time her yoga class is done, he’ll have read her entry. However, there have been times of confusion, his memory loss getting in the way. “There’s been many adjustments,” she says. “He often needs help dressing – getting his sweaters on the right way – but he’s perfectly able handling his personal hygiene. It’s important to know where help is needed and where people are still quite able to function because it’s important not to treat the person like they’re totally incapable because that’s not true.” However mild her husband’s case is, Foley’s voice catches. “There are times when the impact – particularly the emotional impact – just suddenly can be overwhelming in terms of a real rush of grief and a sense of loss.”

This debilitating, mind-blowing disease may also impact the well-being of caregivers. Up to 50 per cent may suffer from depression, says Dr. Desautels, who is also the medical chief of Moe Levin, a Douglas-specialized unit for treating dementia and neuropsychiatric troubles.

Caregivers also face an unprecedented, long-time burden, with Rising Tide predicting caregivers clocking in 756 million hours of informal care in less than 30 years.

Alzheimer’s is often considered the second-most feared disease after cancer.

Nothing chills the core more than knowing your most private thoughts, your mind, your memory and experiences can slowly be stripped away by this mental illness. “Once you have the disease … you don’t come back from it – it’s a relentlessly progressive disorder that ultimately takes your life. An unflattering term thrown around, according to Dr. Petersen, is that “there are no Alzheimer’s survivors.”

While there is a five-fold risk of Alzheimer’s developing after age 65, it is important to recognize that the normal part of aging does not include Alzheimer’s. In other words, while age does present the most

significant risk factor, some people in their 40s and 50s have the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

Petersen admits that in the past 10 years, he has seen an increased number of people with Alzheimer’s and people coming in at an earlier age asking, “Is this the beginning of Alzheimer’s?” Startlingly, he reveals that in the early on-set familial form, “there has been people reported in their 20s and 30s with [Alzheimer’s].”

In these cases, the disease usually presents itself more aggressively, making it unlikely for a person to live 10 – 20 years with it. There have been instances where Dr. Petersen has diagnosed senior patients with late-stage Alzheimer’s two decades ago and they have managed to battle the condition. “People who are in particularly good health and cared for well into the disease – and for whatever reason in that individual it’s not particularly aggressive – can go on for 20 years.” Other possible risk factors include vascular disease. While a co-occurrence may occur because they are both age-related, says Dr. Petersen, there are actual shared biological associations between these diseases on a mechanistic basis. The predominant genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s is apolipoprotein E (e4). “People who are carriers are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. It doesn’t mean they are going to get it … and it doesn’t mean that if you don’t have it that you will not get it; it just increases the risk,” says Dr. Petersen. He also mentions that more women are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, probably because they live further into the age of risk.

The possibility of Alzheimer’s can also increase if it resides in your family history – just like any other inheritable disease. According to the Public Health Agency’s website, “fewer than 10 per cent of Alzheimer’s disease cases show an obvious inheritance pattern; these usually occur before age 60. However, genetics is believed to play some role even in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.”

A world-leading expert on the disease, Dr. Petersen diagnosed former U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1994 at the age of 83. The president and his

60 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

wife, Nancy, were long-time patients of Mayo Clinic. While he can’t comment directly on the president’s condition due to doctor-patient confidentiality, Dr. Petersen explains that upon his diagnosis, there was a “boost in the arm in terms of awareness, and that did lead to some increase in funding in the ’90s, but there’s been a drought of funding since then.”

Dr. Petersen appeared in award-winning journalist Maria Shriver’s stirring fourpart documentary series The Alzheimer’s Project (HBO) in 2009. The former first lady of California, Shriver has become a beacon of hope for the families that grapple with the disease’s symptoms.

Her father, American statesman and Peace Corps founder Sargent Shriver, battled Alzheimer’s for eight years.

Shriver would re-introduce herself as her father’s daughter during every visit.

“There’s always that moment when you have to let it sink in that your mother, your father, your grandma, your grandpa, doesn’t know who you are. I don’t think anybody gets to used to that,” says an emotional Shriver in The Alzheimer’s Project’s episode entitled Grandpa, do you know who I am? Her father succumbed to the disease on Jan. 18, 2011. He was 95.

Canada, along with the rest of the world, faces a looming epidemic of dementia.

At this time, recognizing the warning signs of the Silver Tsunami is critical.

An early diagnosis, heart-healthy diet and an active, intellectually stimulated lifestyle may help alter the expression and strength of the disease. “It was becoming apparent in the months leading up to the diagnosis,” recalls Foley, “when we looked farther behind there were warning signs as long as two years before [the diagnosis].”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Alzheimer’s disease affects 18 million people worldwide. This tremulous statistic is projected to nearly double to 34 million by 2025.

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Born and raised in the world-famous Italian destination Sorrento in Naples, Nino Cioffi brings his superb cooking prowess to Vaughan, opening Sorrento Ristorante North. This classically styled dining establishment exudes an authentic Italian feel and serves traditional Neapolitan cuisine that will give you a little slice of the renowned town.

TERESA ITALIAN FINE DINING 289.304.9485 www.dine.to/teresas Combining old-world Italian favourites with an elegant modern setting, Teresa’s Italian Fine Dining has 50 years experience in the dining realm. Recently opening its latest location in Vaughan, Teresa’s tried-and-true menu serves hearty and fresh homemade pasta, as well as a variety of Italian cuisine that is sure to leave you satisfied.

Sparing no expense for food or service, e11even’s menu takes North American classics and ignites them with modern passion. Housed in the Maple Leaf Square just beside the Air Canada Centre, e11even holds fine wines in the heart of its dining experience, supplementing its spectacular streak, seafood and other house specialties.

The

TOP NEW RESTAURANTS Neapolitan cuisine, metres of pizza and North American classics are just a few of the many surprises you’ll find around the GTA. Written By Michael Hill

ROMANO’S CLASSIC ITALIAN CUISINE 905.850.9604 www.romanoscuisine.com Bask under the soft glow of candlelight in the warm and inviting surroundings of Romano’s Classic Italian Cuisine. Deep and rich woods line the walls and ceiling, complementing the spectacular traditional menu that’s been a part of Vaughan for 16 years. Savour mouth-watering antipasto, pasta and other delicious Italian delights in the intimate setting of this romantic restaurant.

PIZZA AL METRO 905.265.2222 www.pizzaalmetro.ca THE COUNTER 416.601.3533 www.thecounter.ca “The good times are back” at The Counter – a contemporary re-imagining of the classic diner.

With daily specials, full-service bar and a late-night menu that consists of a range of timeless menu classics, including burgers, macaroni and cheese and an all-day breakfast, The Counter is sure to bring back fond, youthful memories.

Based off a concept that began in Italy, Pizza Al Metro has guests order pizza – you guessed it – by the metre. Utilizing only the freshest ingredients and preparing the perfect crust, Pizza Al Metro offers a unique and delicious twist to this classic entree, all under the roof of a contemporary dining atmosphere.

62 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

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City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

63

Brightening up the Blues Canada’s triple threat Michael Kaeshammer earns critical acclaim and a growing fan base with his piano virtuosity, vocal abilities and boyish charisma.

Photo By Andrew MacNaughtan

Written By Vito La Giorgia Interview By Simona Panetta

Q&A

MICHAEL KAESHAMMER

A

sleek black Yamaha grand piano is positioned in the centre of Michael Kaeshammer’s Toronto loft: a fitting location for a young man who has built his life around this musical instrument. “I’ve never had a different job in my life,” says Kaeshammer, who is set to debut his seventh album Kaeshammer in April 2011.

“My dad was a huge jazz fan and when I was a kid that’s all I knew … without him I wouldn’t be playing the piano.”

The charismatic pianist ended last year successfully. He performed with sultry vibrato Jill Barber, and was the under card in Anne Murray’s tour across Canada last year. “I was so impressed that [Murray] would go out and have so much fun performing and it was all sincere.”

His sixth album Lovelight has critics calling it his best work to date. The up-beat tunes on the album seem to stem from his current state of inner happiness. “I wake up in the morning

and I really am excited for the day. I feel like I’m in the best spot in my life.” The melodic rhythms, fused with boogie woogie, blues, jazz and fresh vocals, deliver a much-needed injection of “real” music into the electronically dominated sounds in the pop scene.

A child prodigy, Kaeshammer began to study classical piano in Germany at age seven. “I was playing some boogie woogie stuff one time, and my teacher was getting a coffee and he came in and he goes, ‘you can’t play that, don’t play that kind of stuff.’ I quit my lessons because of that, I was 13.” By 16, he was playing professionally in European jazz clubs. The budding artist and his family moved to British Columbia when he was 18. He developed his talent in front of live Canadian audiences. The next landmark on his musical journey proved to be the most important. At age 26, he visited friends in New Orleans. What was supposed to be a one-week vacation turned into a year-long occupation.

Kaeshammer effortlessly claims, “I got offered a gig with a local gospel and jazz group and I decided to stay.” This experience forever changed his career.

64 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

Q: When I watch you play, your hands are magical but it also looks like your feet are dancing, why is that?

A: “I get really hyper when I sit at the piano. I’m usually a calm guy but when I sit at the piano I turn into the “octopus.” I want to be part of the instrument.

Q: What price do you put on inner joy?

A: “It’s priceless. If you don’t have that, the rest of it is not worth it – whatever you do.”

Q: What are you reading right now?

A: “I’m reading Keith Richards’ autobiography. I was a huge Rolling Stones fan as a kid, and I still am.”

“Being down there for that year and hanging out with those people, I learned that it’s not about the music as much as about the message and about the feeling you get from it, so the music is really just a vehicle to get you through what you’re trying to express. Before that I was just trying to impress people with my piano playing ... it all changed for me there.” www.kaeshammer.com Catch Michael Kaeshammer at Toronto’s Massey Hall on April 30, 2011. www.citylifemagazine.ca

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City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

65

horoscope

By Richard Ravenhawke

st ars

The

this month!

Pisces FEB 19 - MAR 20

If energy ups-and-downs find you not as driven as you normally are, it may be time to look at your diet or exercise routine. The ways in which life’s trials and hurdles affect us can be very profound indeed, and it is time to make a stand and take back what is yours. The time is at hand to work toward balancing the body with the spirit.

▶Singing sensation Rihanna celebrates her 23rd birthday on February 20.

Aries

MAR 21 - APR 19

Crossroads can be a very interesting place, especially when there is no right or wrong. Spending too much time trying to think things through, however, can very quickly, lead to missed opportunities. Ask yourself what is important and then make a decision and be prepared to stick by it.

March forward and be prepared.

Taurus

APR 20 - MAY 20

Physical health may be raising concerns in the near future. Be it your own or perhaps family, you may want to consider making health consciousness a priority. Take more walks, eat the proper foods and try to develop a healthy stress/anxiety management regime. You have what it takes.

Gemini

MAY 21 - JUN 20

It is time to make a stand in your love life!

There are decisions that have to be made that cannot be put off any longer, be it for the good or for the bad. You know what needs to happen, and for the heart to be at peace, you must walk in your strength.

Your big test is coming and you don’t want to be standing on only one foot when things count the most.

Cancer

JUN 21 - JUL 21

Remember that there are people who love you. Sometimes when we are caught up in our own issues, we can tend to isolate the people around us who care and really

Scorpio

OCT 21 - NOV 21

want to help. Now is the time to see who loves you for who you are. Watch for a Taurus figure that may have some very welcome advice.

Leo

JUL 22 - AUG 21

It is time for a change – a break from the normal humdrum of day-to-day life.

This could come in the form of a trip or perhaps a new social scene. Either way, it is time to create the feeling of a new you! Take an honest look at your time management skills and ask yourself what it is that you can do to balance work and play more effectively.

Virgo

AUG 22 - SEPT 21

Sometimes the best thing to do with stubborn people is to ‘let the baby have its bottle.’ You can spend all of your time beating your head against a brick wall, but at the end of the day, the reason should be obvious as to why you may feel the effects of a concussion. Let people learn their own way and embrace your inner peace.

Libra

SEPT 22 - OCT 20

It’s time to slow down, take a breath and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. There are many things beyond work and surface desires. Smiling faces may beckon you to have fun, and it may be a good time to consider! Laughter and light-heartedness is the cure for feeling light and full again.

66 City Life Magazine Feb/Mar 2011

Investment projects for the long-term are looking as promising as the short-term – if you play your cards right. If there was a time when thinking carefully and applying wisdom were important, it’s now! An Aries figure waits to provide the missing link.

Sagitt arius NOV 22 - DEC 21

Just as the universe has a way of showing us when we should be on a path and when we shouldn’t, it also has a way of testing our integrity. If you play your cards correctly, you will be exactly where you should be in the very near future.

Capricorn

DEC 22 - JAN 19

In order to be whole, we need peace of mind, body, spirit and emotion. Once things on the surface seem good, look inwardly and ask, ‘how is my heart?’ Opportunities in the future may be presenting themselves, lending you the opportunity to find peace where it counts most.

Aquarius JAN 20 - FEB 18

It is time to reap the rewards from what you have sewn. Relax and take a welldeserved break once the waters begin to flow – you’ve earned it! Think ahead to the future and see your vision of where you want to be … your destiny will take you there.

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

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