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#PIGTRIAL: INSIDE THE COURT CASE THAT’S CHANGING TORONTO’S DIET
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VOLUME 14 ISSUE 6 | DEC/JAN 2016/17
CONTENTS ON THE COVER
54
66 50
20
THE MIRACLE MAN: After the accident that almost took his life, Vaughan businessman Carmelo Calabro keeps beating the odds
58 38 NEW (YEAR’S)
58 RAINBOW GIRL:
50 2017 HONDA RIDGELINE:
66 THE QUEENS OF
RESOLUTIONS: Psychologist and professional goal-smasher Nicole McCance on the resolution revolution Zooming into the new year with Honda’s most adventurous vehicle yet
54 WHEN PIGS FLY:
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Dec/Jan 2016/17
12
Anita Krajnc, the Toronto animal rights activist who’s making international headlines
The multicoloured personality that sparked a cancer-fighting social media movement
QUEEN STREET: Meet the belles behind Queen West’s most treasured clothier
More stories inside … www.mycitylife.ca
In addition to our delicious menu, Sarpa proudly introduces vegan options. This includes dishes like our porcini crusted tofu on a bed of mushroom risotto and spiced tomato soffrito, with roasted king oyster mushrooms AS SEEN ABOVE.
This Yonge Street eatery is a York Region hotspot. Sarpa’s cosy, relaxing vibe is the perfect se�ing for family dinners, lunch dates and corporate and private events. Come and enjoy a mouthwatering menu inspired by Chef Paul’s memories of his work in Veneto, Piedmont and southern Calabria.
13311 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, ON | 905-773-2188
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8199 Yonge St. Thornhill, Ont.
150 Jozo Weider Blvd. The Blue Mountains, Ont.
1959 Avenue Rd. Toronto, Ont.
Dec/Jan 2016/17
City Life Magazine
9
PUBLISHER’S NOTE PUBLISHER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michelle Zerillo-Sosa • michelle@dolce.ca
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS …
E
ver wonder why some people are such pessimists and others are so optimistic? What makes these people tick? What would you do or say to your loved ones if you were given only a few months or a few days to live, or no warning at all? I think that depends Michelle Zerillo-Sosa, on how you view life and your place in Publisher/Editor-in-Chief it. I have always been a believer that one cannot appreciate a sunny day unless one knows the feeling of a cloudy one. After all, a rainbow can only be seen after a storm. How can we know the difference between happiness and sorrow if we have not experienced both? While we don’t go through life trying to minimize our own personal storms, whether we like it or not troubles are a part of life and self-growth. Personally, I have always admired individuals who are constantly looking at the positive side of things. To them, the glass is always half full! One such character is Carmelo Calabro, our cover man for this edition of City Life Magazine. Here is someone who, after a tragic accident, could have been consumed with anger and hate toward life, the world, and for what happened to him the day of his accident. Yet he made the choice to look at the positive side of that ill-fated day and focus on how lucky he is … for it could have been much worse. His outlook is that he was given a second chance at life. His actions and approach to life today are a testament of a man who counts his blessings and not his shortcomings. In an era where bad news makes the headlines and scandals and tabloids become the trendiest of topics on social media, we instead wanted to bring you a story of courage, overcoming adversity, and — timely for this time of year — generosity (even though this trait should be practised all year long). See story on page 20. We hope you enjoy this issue of City Life Magazine, our final issue of 2016. This is the one edition that allows us to look back while also looking forward. This is when we can reflect and sigh over the things we weren’t able to achieve this past year, but hope to do better next year. As we raise our glasses at the stroke of midnight (glasses that are half full, of course), let’s fill our hearts with the conviction that next year is going to be a better year for all. As you read the many stories of triumph and courage in this edition, my hope is that you too will mentally prepare to be a better, kinder, more positive version of yourself come 2017. Peace and love is the message we want to share with you and your families, so count your blessings — not your sorrows — as you prepare for the New Year. Never lose hope or despair when faced with life’s challenges, for you are never alone; you’re always part of a community. And a community can achieve great things if it unites and strives to include peace, love and gratitude as part of its 2017 resolutions. Wishing you much love and clarity this holiday season, and in the New Year to come.
Michelle Zerillo-Sosa Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
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DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Angela Palmieri-Zerillo • angela@dolce.ca ART D E PARTM E NT CO-FOUNDER / CREATIVE DIRECTOR Fernando Zerillo • fernando@dolce.ca WEB PROJECT MANAGER Steve Bruno SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Christina Ban JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Axl Valdez WEB DESIGNER Yena Yoo WEB DEVELOPER Jordan Carter E D ITO R IAL D E PARTM E NT FASHION & HOME DECOR EDITOR Michelle Zerillo-Sosa BEAUTY & TRAVEL EDITOR Angela Palmieri-Zerillo PROOFREADER Nina Hoeschele WRITERS Rebecca Alberico, Amanda Storey CONTRIBUTING WRITER Alessandra Micieli CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Robin Esrock, Geoff Fitzgerald, Carlos A. Pinto SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Sarah Kanbar VI D E O D E PARTM E NT VIDEOGRAPHER Carlos A. Pinto PUBLISHER
ADVERTISING T: 905-264-6789 info@mycitylife.ca DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Angela Palmieri-Zerillo • angela@dolce.ca DIRECTOR OF NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Susan Bhatia SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER Mario Balaceanu ACCOUNT MANAGER Christina Bono OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Alessandra Micieli FRONT COVER Carmelo Calabro / Photo By Geoff Fitzgerald City Life Magazine • Volume 14 • Issue 6 • Dec/Jan 2016/17 City Life Magazine is published bimonthly by Dolce Media Group, 111 Zenway Blvd., Suite 30, Vaughan, Ont. L4H 3H9 T: 905-264-6789 • F: 905-264-3787 info@mycitylife.ca • www.dolcemedia.ca Subscribe online at www.mycitylife.ca or by calling 905-264-6789. City Life Magazine’s yearly subscription fee is $24.00. We accept Visa, MC & AMEX. Send cheque or money order to Dolce Media Group, 111 Zenway Blvd. #30, Vaughan, Ont. L4H 3H9. Publication Mail Agreement No. 40026675 All rights reserved. Any reproduction is strictly prohibited without written consent from the publishers. DISTRIBUTION AND CIRCULATION City Life Magazine reaches 342,342 readers per issue through household distribution, newsstand sales and event partnerships across Canada. City Life is also available to over 100 million digital consumers of Magzter Inc. and Issuu. Inquiries about where City Life Magazine is available for sale should be directed to Dolce Media Group: info@dolce.ca or 905-264-6789. ISSN 1206-1778 Next Issue: Feb/Mar 2017 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 Media Group does not assume liability for content. The material in this magazine is intended for information purposes only and is in no way intended to supersede professional advice. We are proud to be a Canadian company that has successfully published magazines for the past 20 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. ©2016 Dolce Media Group • www.dolcemedia.ca • Printed in Canada @citylifetoronto www.facebook.com/citylifemagazinevaughan @citylifemag www.mycitylife.ca
For the Chef at Home
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Holiday GIFT GUIDE
From retail to entertainment, local luminaries share what tops their gift list, their wish list, and the priceless presents that money can’t buy Interviews By Rebecca Alberico and Amanda Storey
GIFT LIST
LISA TANT | Vice President, Fashion Editor at Holt Renfrew
“Grace: The American an Vogue Vog e Ye Years by Grace Coddington, on, the former creative director of Vogue” .indigo.ca www.chapters.indigo.ca
“One of the most treasured gifts I’ve ever received was given to me by my partner on our first Christmas together. I had been named the editor-in-chief of Flare that year, so I had bought myself a simple gold ring studded with diamonds — which was accidentally flushed down the toilet soon afterwards! Andy asked his 13-year-old daughter to play sleuth, so one day she and I went to Birks to try on rings ‘for fun.’ And that Christmas I was gifted with the exact ring that I had lost. I’ve worn it every day since — even 12 years later.”
ooches — a “Vintage jewelled brooches or each of handful of these for orate their my friends to decorate favourite winterr coat” online.co om www.bittersweetonline.com
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“A spa day wou would be heavenly!” www.stea t www.steannes.com
“A city bike w with a basket for an my new dog — shopping and p g to get a puppy in I’m planning n year!” the new www.bikes www.bikesonwheels.com
PHOTO BY CARLOS A. PINTO / DOLCE MEDIA GROUP
“Gift certificates for brunch” ronto.com www.colettetoronto.com
WISH LIST
LISA
TANT super-colou “A super-colourful pair of Nikes he — I love my heels, but I live in s comfy sneakers” www.capsul www.capsuletoronto.com
www.mycitylife.ca
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* Selling price is $42,190 // $46,790 // $53,690 // $65,790 on a new 2017 Acura RDX (TB4H3HJNX) // model shown, a new 2017 Acura RDXX EElite (TB4H7HKN) // a new 20177 Acura Ac MDX (YD4H2HJNX) // model shown, a 2017 MDX Elite (YD4H8HKN). Prices exclude $2,045 freight and PDI, fees, license, insurance, registration, and taxes. †Limited time lease offer based on a new 2017 Acura RDX (TB4H3HJNX) // model shown, a new 2017 Acu Acura RDX Elite (TB4H7HKN) // a new ew 2017 Acura MDX (YD4H2HJNX) // model shown, a 2017 MDX Elite (YD4H8HKN) available through Acura Financial Services on approved credit. Representative lease example: 0.9% // 0.9% (2.38% effective APR) // 2.9% // 2.9% (3.49% effective APR) lease rate te for 36 // 36// 48 // 48 (36 // 48 payments). Monthly payment is $428 // $520 // $578 // $754 with $3,750 // $6,300 down payment. 16,000 km allowance/year; charge of $0.15/km for excess kilometres. Total lease obligation is $19,158 // $22,470$ // 34,044 // $42,492. Lease payment includes freight and PDI off $2,045, $ Holiday Bonus of $1,000 // $0 and applicable fees but does not include lien registration fee of up to $70.75, and lien registering agent fee of $5.00, which are due at time of delivery. Taxes, insurance, license and registration fees (all of which may vary by region) are extra. $1,000 // $0 Holiday Bonus on includes applicable sales taxes. ‡$2,500 // $1,000 Cash Rebate (CCR) is available on new 2017 Acura RDX Tech (TB4H5HKNX), and 2017 RDX Elite (TB4H7HKN) models // new 2017 Acura MDX Navi (YD4H4HKNX), MDX Tech (YD4H6HKN) and MDX Elite (YD4H8HKN) models when registered and delivered before November 30, 2016. Total incentives consist of: (i) $1,500 // $1,000 that cannot be combined with OHDVH oQDQFH RIIHUV DQG LL +ROLGD\ %RQXV WKDW FDQ EH FRPELQHG ZLWK OHDVH oQDQFH RIIHUV $OO LQFHQWLYHV ZLOO EH GHGXFWHG IURP WKH QHJRWLDWHG VHOOLQJ SULFH DIWHU WD[HV +ROLGD\ %RQXV LV DYDLODEOH RQ DOO QHZ 5'; PRGHOV ZKHQ UHJLVWHUHG DQG GHOLYHUHG EHIRUH 1RYHPEHU +ROLGD\ %RQXV FDQ EH FRPELQHG ZLWK OHDVH oQDQFH RIIHUV DQG ZLOO EH GHGXFWHG IURP WKH QHJRWLDWHG VHOOLQJ SULFH DIWHU WD[HV 6RPH WHUPV FRQGLWLRQV DSSO\ 0RGHOV VKRZQ IRU LOOXVWUDWLRQ SXUSRVHV RQO\ 2IIHUV HQG 1RYHPEHU DQG DUH VXEMHFW WR FKDQJH RU FDQFHOODWLRQ ZLWKRXW QRWLFH 'HDOHU PD\ VHOO OHDVH for less. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. While quantities last. Certain features only available on certain trims. Visit acura.ca or your Acura dealer for details. © 2016 Acura, a division of Honda Canada Inc.
Holiday GIFT GUIDE
GIFT LIST
GIUSEPPE THE MC | Comedian
WISH LIST
“The most meaningful gift I’ve ever received was my Shure Wireless Microphone. My wife’s parents and sisters gave it to me as my career as an emcee and performer started to grow. Every time I use it, it reminds me of how much support I have in chasing my dreams.”
“The Canon EOS Rebel T5i EF-S camera” www.henrys.com
“The Speak Out game from Hasbro — I have no clue who I’ll give this to, but someone in my family must have it!” www.hasbro.com
“Oster 76076-010 Classic 76 Professional Hair Clipper from TBBS” www.tbbs.ca
“IDO3D Vertical Five Pen 3D Art Set for my kids” www.ido3dart.com
“Nespresso VertuoLine for my wife Rose Marie” www.nespresso.com
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PHOTO BY CARLOS A. PINTO / DOLCE MEDIA GROUP STYLED BY PER LUI AND HAIR BY THRONE BARBERSHOP
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Dec/Jan 2016/17
City Life Magazine
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Holiday GIFT GUIDE
LISA RESNIC | Marketing Director, Hillcrest Mall
“The Whistling Scatter catter Dot Tea Kettle by Kate Spade New York with some m DAVIDsTEA” tea from m, www.davidstea.com www.thebay.com,
“686 Enterprises erprises Women’s Gossip Softshell Pant” www.sportinglife.ca sportinglife.ca
“The Large ge Banff Bag Tribe from rom Roots” www.roots.com w.roots.com
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Dec/Jan 2016/17
WISH LIST
“I have to say the most meaningful gift I ever received was when I was a little girl — Barbie. I appreciate that t a it isn’t particularly p y meaningful g at face value, but I do remember the joy. And I’d still be thrilled to receive one today! Also, a coffee table book about Audrey Hepburn, who I would have loved to meet.”
“Liya Torn jeans by Citizens of Humanity” www.a www.aritzia.com
LISA C I R ES N
PHOTO BY CARLOS A. PINTO / DOLCE MEDIA GROUP
GIFT LIST
“The Kensington Parka in black “T The eK by Canada Goose” www.sportinglife.ca ww
“The Chocolate “T The he C hocolate Bar Eyeshadow h Collection by Too Faced” Col www.sephora.com w
www.mycitylife.ca
holiday entertaining... the possibilities are endless a fresh, smart & unique shopping experience At Garden Foods you can find all your needs for the perfect holiday celebration. With a vast selection of products to personalize your gift basket, we can please the most scrupulous palate. Whether you are hosting or looking for the perfect hostess gift, you can be sure to find it at Garden Foods. For your catering needs we specialize in deli, cheese, vegetable and fruit trays and hot foods from our Prepared Foods Department. For the sweet tooth, we offer the best cakes and pastries guaranteed to satisfy all.
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Dec/Jan 2016/17
City Life Magazine
17
Holiday GIFT GUIDE
ANDRIA ZANCHIN | Senior Vice President, Zanchin Auto Group GIFT LIST
“The most meaningful gift I’ve given was to my daughter. I gave her a gold ring with a little heart on it that I wore for many years when I was younger. It’s now been two years since she received that ring and it’s her favourite — not because it is the most stylish, but because she feels like I am with her when she has it on. Many other rings have come and gone, but she takes such good care of her heart ring. She wears it every day.”
WISH LIST
‘Signature Caviar’ Mini “Lagos ‘Sig Rope Bracelet” Oval R www.nordstrom.com www.no
“Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses — always a staple!” www.europeanoptical.ca
“Professional photographs of my children, because they grow so fast” www.gsrstudio.ca
“A A ffamily am mily vacation vacat to Cap Juluca Resort in Anguilla” www.capjuluca.com www.cap
“A truckload of toys, water and baby items to the Ronald McDonald Donald House. I make my kids deliver it so they can see first-hand and how their kind actions are appreciated” www.toyscubed.com ww.toyscubed.com
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PHOTO BY CARLOS A. PINTO / DOLCE MEDIA GROUP
AND ZAN RIA CHIN
“Lunch at Café Boulud at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, and a Healing Bam Bamboo Massage hotel’s spa” at the ho www.fourseasons.com/toronto www.fourseaso
www.mycitylife.ca
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www.mycitylife.ca
THE
MIRACLE MAN
Just over a year ago, Vaughan businessman Carmelo Calabro was nearly crushed to death on a job site. After a recovery that was nothing short of miraculous, he’s made it his mission to give back while always moving forward
P
Written By Amanda Storey | Photography By Geoff Fitzgerald
Just over a year after the accident that almost claimed his life, Vaughan resident Carmelo Calabro had wowed doctors and his community with an incredible recovery
www.mycitylife.ca
olice Constable William White thought the email was spam. The sender was Carmelo Calabro — a name he didn’t recognize. And the subject line: “Thank God I’m Alive.” It was only after he reluctantly clicked on it that he realized what, and who, this was. And he felt like he’d just received a message from beyond the grave. The accident had happened five months earlier. On Sept. 25, 2015, Carmelo Calabro was working on a National Sports parking lot in Pickering, Ont. As the president of Vaughanbased asphalt company C. Valley Paving Ltd., the 59-year-old was used to the roar of his machines, but when his phone rang, he turned his back on the commotion to answer it. That’s when the six-ton skid-steer rolled over him. By the time the driver heard the screams of the other workers it was too late. Calabro had been run over not once, but twice, with the truck’s rubber tracks crushing his body diagonally from his legs to his head. By the looks of him, his team thought he was gone. It was around this time that P.C. White was in the area, working out of uniform on an investigation. Seeking a half-hour of solace, he drove into the nearest parking lot — National Sports’ — for some quiet time. As he emerged from his car, he was greeted with the farthest thing from it. “I caught the tail-end [of the accident] and went straight to Carmelo, who was in really rough shape at the time,” recalls P.C. White, who serves on the Durham Regional Police Service. “I’ve been a police officer for 10 years and I’ve never Dec/Jan 2016/17
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21
Since having almost his entire body reconstructed in 2015, Calabro has trained for and completed five cycling marathons to raise money for the Humber River Hospital Foundation
“
I ACTUALLY SEE LIFE A LOT DIFFERENT THAN I USED TO BEFORE. I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING HAS A MEANING
” 22
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— Carmelo Calabro
www.mycitylife.ca
seen anything like it.” Calabro was alive, but barely. P.C. White put a rush on an ambulance, and when the two paramedics arrived they realized they both needed to tend to Calabro in the back. P.C. White, who had never driven an ambulance before, took the wheel, and recalls narrowly avoiding plenty of accidents as he drove along the shoulder of the 401, rushing to the nearest hospital (he explains with a chuckle that it was only upon their blunt arrival that the vehicle literally crashed into the canopy of the E.R., injuring no one). As Calabro’s broken body was whisked into the depths of the hospital, P.C. White was sure he’d never see the man again, convinced that it would take a miracle to survive such an injury. The doctors thought the same. “I kind of surprised everybody,” says Calabro. It’s now a sunny autumn day at the business owner’s Kleinburg home where he lives with his wife Milena and young son (they also have four grown sons who work with Calabro). It’s a day not unlike the one that was almost his last, and the look in Calabro’s eyes says he’s vividly reliving that afternoon as he and Milena explain the events of his accident. “When I got the call, I didn’t know what to think,” Milena says. “But when I saw him, despite the condition he was in, I knew in my heart that he wasn’t going to die. I knew it.” After being swiftly delivered to Sunnybrook Hospital, Calabro underwent emergency surgeries to rebuild almost his entire body — his feet, ankles, legs, pelvis, ribs, lung, arm, cheeks, even his right eye. It took him a swift two months in the hospital to relearn how to walk and talk. And it wasn’t only his miraculous survival that earned him his status as a medical marvel and the talk of Sunnybrook for years to come — it was also the fact that just half a year after the accident, he was cycling a 127-kilometre marathon in the Italian mountains for charity (more on that in a minute). Calabro is right — he certainly did surprise everybody, and his story is still a baffling one over a year later. When asked to divulge his secret to such a remarkable recovery, Calabro admits he’s at a loss. But he does offer up some guesses, the first being his medical team, who quite literally transformed him into an iron — if not bionic — man, fixing his shattered limbs with titanium plates, rods and screws. (“It’s a joke every time I go through customs,” he says.) Then he thanks his bike. Luckily, in the year before his accident, Calabro had taken to exercising on his bicycle instead of hitting the gym, over time building up the strength that would ultimately save his body from being destroyed in the accident. Today, “Cycling is the only thing that doesn’t hurt,” says Calabro. Every Sunday morning he and a group of friends meet at The Cookie Crumble in Kleinburg to embark on a 70-, 80- or sometimes even a 100-km ride through the city streets. And, of course, there are the five marathons he’s cycled in the last year, including the tumultuous Gran Fondo Ride in Terracina, Italy, which he and 78 friends (“Team Revolution”) completed to raise $500,000 for the Humber River Hospital Foundation, and another 160-km ride in Miami in November 2016. “Carm was such an incredible inspiration throughout www.mycitylife.ca
Dec/Jan 2016/17
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the training process for all these races,” says Rob Fallone, a longtime friend of Calabro’s and a fellow rider for Team Revolution, which has raised a whopping total of $1.7 million for the hospital. “He’s even better at cycling than he was before the accident. It’s a real testament to the fact that with your mind, you can overcome anything.” And then there’s P.C. White — Calabro’s personal lifesaver. “He saved my life,” says Calabro, who invited P.C. White to his 60th birthday in May of 2016, which he explains was more a celebration of life than of turning another year older. Guests were asked to donate money to the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital in lieu of gifts (and ended up raising more than $107,000). P.C. White was the guest of honour at the party, sitting next to Calabro at the head table. “I was in absolute shock when I heard from Calabro after those six months — it was like getting an email from a ghost,” says P.C. White. “But it reminded me that things really do happen for a reason.” P.C. White doesn’t know what prompted him to choose that National Sports parking lot that afternoon, but he says that as much as his timely rescue helped Calabro, it also helped himself. He had been in the midst of his own season of challenge and change, having a few weeks earlier been one of the first responders on the scene of a gruesome accident on the 401 in Ajax that claimed six lives. Shortly after that, he and his wife separated. Discovering that Calabro had made it after all was a poignant experience for P.C. White, and reuniting with him after they had both endured very different struggles marked the end of the storm in his personal life. It’s fitting, then, that Calabro’s fourth and final survival secret is the positivity he’s gripped since the moment he opened his eyes at the hospital. The first thing he saw was his wife, and she made him a promise: “Don’t worry about it. You were in an accident. But you’re going to be okay — you’re going to be even better than before.” “Never tell yourself, ‘No, that’s not going to happen’ — you have to tell yourself you’re going to do it,” says Calabro. “You can’t stop your dreams, and you can’t stop willpower. So don’t stop until you have the strength, even if it’s only to lift a finger.” While Calabro still suffers from chronic pain due to the amount of metal in his body, he’s been able to wean off his morphine patches at a quick rate, and he aims to soon be rid of them completely. But for now, this miracle man has accomplished enough by owning his accident, rather than letting his accident own him — an accident that, as his wife promised, left him as an even better man than he was before. And with each statistic he defies and each marathon he tackles, he further inspires his community, just like he inspired the police officer that helped save his life. “Most people look at [my accident] as such an unfortunate day, but I look at it more like, ‘What a lucky day I had,’ because it could have been a lot worse,” says Calabro. “I don’t look at what I lost, I look at what I gained. I actually see life a lot different than I used to before. I appreciate everything, where before I would take things for granted. Everything has a meaning.” @theteamrev www.mycitylife.ca
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Dec/Jan 2016/17
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A DV E R TO R I A L
The “Athleisure” Movement
Victoria and Robert DiGiammarino founded UGOSporty in the fall of 2016 with the goal of introducing fresh, unique athleisure pieces to the Vaughan area
I
t’s official: athleisure is the new black — and it’s just as flattering. This is one of the many reasons why Victoria DiGiammarino fell in love with the trend after becoming a mother. After discovering first-hand the magic of athleisure — how “chic” and “sporty” come together in the comfiest, sexiest fusion that women never before thought possible — she and her husband decided to launch their own shop, UGOSporty, in the heart of Woodbridge. But this isn’t your average big-box yoga-wear shop that pumps out seethrough tights and overpriced sports bras (you know the place we’re talking about). The goal of UGOSporty is to carefully curate high-quality athleisure pieces not only to ensure that Vaughan residents are dressed their best even while working out, but also to introduce diversity to their drawers of gym clothes. “A few of our clients are fitness instructors, and they’ve said that in each of their classes, everyone is wearing the same bottoms,” says Victoria, who opened the shop with her husband, Robert, in September of 2016. “I want
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to make sure my clients have authentic pieces, so I only bring in three or four of each item.” The boutique’s pristinely kept shelves and racks are stocked with unique brands, many of them imported from California, like Alo Yoga (whose “Moto” leggings are a favourite of the Kardashians), Varley and Vimmia. And on
“
I want to make sure my clients have authentic pieces, so I only bring in three or four of each item
”
— Victoria DiGiammarino
top of emphasizing diversity, Victoria is passionate about confirming the quality, wearability and value of each brand she brings in. Unlike many larger stores, Victoria tests each product herself before unveiling it to her customers. Though the boutique is still young, Victoria and Robert have already
introduced men’s and children’s lines, as well as accessories and must-haves like yoga mats and flasks from Namaka. All of this long-awaited goodness is wrapped up in the gorgeously decorated boutique, which reflects the essence of the athleisure style — fashion-forward, functional and oh-so-inviting. “I want to give people a beautiful selection of workout clothes that can transition easily into their errands — or even their nights out!” says Victoria, an avid yogi and jogger. “We bring in pieces made from silky, soft, breathable, moisture-wicking and durable performance fabrics that still have a unique and gorgeous look to them.” What’s also refreshing about UGOSporty is its “all are welcome” attitude that’s rarely present in active lifestyle shops. “No matter your size, you can still find an outfit here that’ll make you feel beautiful, even if you’re just beginning your workout regime,” says Victoria. “You can start from a sexy spot, a great spot, and work your way up to exactly where you want to be.”
51 Jevlan Dr., Unit 6, Woodbridge, Ont. 905-850-2222 www.ugosporty.com www.mycitylife.ca
PHOTOS BY CARLOS A. PINTO / DOLCE MEDIA GROUP
UGOSporty is Vaughan’s new go-to for all things athleisure
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City Life Magazine
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The team at Tasios Orthodontics is known and loved for treating every patient like family and customizing their treatments for the ultimate orthodontic experience
A DV E R TO R I A L
Brace Yourself
New year, new you — but where to start? Tasios Orthodontics demystifies the world of braces and explains why your pearly whites make a great first move toward your best self
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“
We make every effort to ensure that patients have the ultimate orthodontic experience
”
— Dr. Bruce Tasios
solution for everyone. Invisalign combined with Acceledent is a popular treatment option for mature patients, as it allows them to perfect their teeth in the subtlest and fastest way possible. Dr. Tasios is also a premier provider of Damon Braces, an innovative brand of braces that focuses on maximizing facial esthetics in addition to simply straightening teeth. Regardless of what brings each patient to the warm and welcoming ambience at Tasios Orthodontics, they will all
Dr. Bruce Tasios and Dr. Suzanna Lekht, the orthodontists of Tasios Orthodontics
experience the benefits of orthodontic treatment: improving overall oral health, enhancing self-confidence and enriching smile esthetics. “Our treatment philosophy uses the latest research to maximize the beauty and longevity of a smile,” says Dr. Tasios, who with his orthodontic team sponsors many sports teams and community events throughout the year. “We make every effort to ensure that patients have the ultimate orthodontic experience.” As the new year glides closer, add a visit to Tasios Orthodontics to your 2017 to-do list — because a polished smile makes the perfect accessory for starting fresh.
www.tasiosortho.com 3611 Major Mackenzie Dr., Woodbridge, Ont. 905-553-7778 www.mycitylife.ca
PHOTO BY CARLOS A. PINTO / DOLCE MEDIA GROUP
O
ne of the most rewarding parts of Dr. Bruce Tasios’ job is the look on his patients’ faces when their new smile is unveiled. “There is no greater feeling than seeing their excitement when they see their brace-free smile for the first time,” says Dr. Tasios. “We really love what we do here.” From teens to adults, more and more Vaughan folks are turning to Tasios Orthodontics — voted as the city’s top orthodontic clinic in 2015 and 2016 — to invest in their smiles. The team prides itself on creating a positive orthodontic environment where patients are treated like family, receiving fully personalized care. Stocked with the latest technologies in the industry and driven by a team of seasoned, passionate dental professionals, Tasios Orthodontics has revolutionized the patient experience and redefined what it means to have a brilliant smile. With such a diverse array of options, Tasios Orthodontics offers a smile
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CELEBRITY
ON TOP OF HER GAME As the Toronto Raptors’ in-game and digital host for the past five years and captain of the team’s Dance Pak for the last 10, Kat Stefankiewicz is just getting started
P
erched atop a table at a sports shop inside the Air Canada Centre, Kat Stefankiewicz looks quite in her element in a limited edition blue Huskies jersey, sparkly Adidas joggers and sky-high heels. The unusual ensemble is a standard example of Stefankiewicz’s courtside uniform — and also of her quirky-cool on-camera presence. As the in-game and digital host for the Toronto Raptors for the past five years and the captain of the team’s Dance Pak for the last decade, she’s mastered the meshing of her inner tomboy and her outward girly-girl. “When you can wear sweatpants and ball caps to work, you’re going to go with it,” jokes Stefankiewicz, beaming as the camera flashes. “I call my style ‘tomboy chic’ — I love the contrast of mixing things that don’t necessarily go together and making it work.” It’s four days until the start of basketball season, and the young host is ready for the Raptor rapture. This photo shoot is like a test run for the 30
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commotion that’s about to ensue as she enters another six months of courtside interviews, high-voltage dances and long, loud hours, and that’s just the way Stefankiewicz likes it. There was never a time when Stefankiewicz wasn’t smitten with sports. There’s no anecdote for her to divulge when asked for her to describe the moment she first started down this path, because it’s the one she’s always been on. As a kid, her “when I grow up” dream was to perform and to play — two passions that came together 10 years ago when she first entered the sports entertainment realm, trying out for and snagging a spot in the Raptors Dance Pak (which is essentially the coolest cheerleading squad this side of the border). Stefankiewicz eventually graduated to the Pak’s captain, and soon after was handed a microphone. “Oh, yeah, I remember my heart pounding,” she says, reminiscing about her first-ever in-game hosting gig. “I remember the ‘Three … two … one … Go, Kat!’ But now it’s different. I still
get that rush of adrenaline, but it’s a good kind of anxiety.” After 10 years, the basketball court feels more like her home-not-so-faraway-from-home than her workspace. Even here, in the ACC’s sports shop, she knows employees by name, and when a curious shopper sidles sheepishly up to the star, she enthusiastically helps scour the racks for his perfect jersey. Her realness is one of the reasons why the fans love her almost as much as they love the team itself. She’s Toronto’s cool big sister and the leader of the Raps tribe — a coveted queen of this redand-purple wonderland that she danced into a decade ago and got hopelessly, happily lost in. www.mycitylife.ca
PHOTOS BY ROBIN GARTNER
Written By Amanda Storey
Kat Stefankiewicz sports a limited edition Huskies jersey — the original suit of Toronto’s team, before they were the Raptors
This past season was the team’s most successful yet as they made the top four in the playoffs, and it’s ditto for Stefankiewicz. She found herself in the middle of a Toronto-positive movement and a cherished part of one of the country’s most-loved teams, and those roles come with a full schedule. From working 16-hour days to being whisked off to Cleveland in a blink, 2016 was a breathtaking, breakneck and beautiful year for Stefankiewicz. And smack-dab in the midst of it all was the iconic NBA All-Star Weekend in February, which she says was the most important few days in her career so far. “I think my big moment was being a part of [that] the first time it came www.mycitylife.ca
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“
JUST TO BE A PART OF [THE NBA ALL-STAR GAME] WAS MAGICAL. AND IT WAS A LOT OF HARD WORK
”
Combining her acting background with her love for the game, Kat Stefankiewicz nails her role as the Raptors’ coveted in-game host
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to Canada in the history of the NBA,” says Stefankiewicz. “I was able to host the Rising Stars Challenge, All-Star Saturday Night and then the actual NBA All-Star Game. Just to be a part of that production, to be able to be right in the scene with the greatest players of the moment after years of watching it from my couch — it was magical. And it was a lot of hard work.” Even when she’s off the clock she doesn’t stop. This year she became a spin instructor at Spokehaüs in Toronto (“Again, it’s so rewarding to leave people happy and high-energy”) and in the summer she plays softball for two different local leagues (“It’s basically a part-time job”). And then there’s her other forte, acting — which she hasn’t had much time for since her appearance in The Incredible Hulk, but she plans on revisiting that passion soon. Like many young city dwellers, Stefankiewicz has learned to balance her life like a basketball spinning on her fingertip, somehow managing to rock her job while actually maintaining a personal life. Her secret? The burbs. She prioritizes heading home to her family in Burlington, Ont. — which she’s dubbed her “Hamptons” — as often as her schedule allows, to slow down for a few days. Of course, getting there is a tough feat for the young professional, whose hours are as unpredictable as this season’s NBA champion. As the Raptors kick off a fresh series of games, and Stefankiewicz is again carried off into her beloved, athletically charged whirlwind, she — along with the rest of the city — is bracing herself for another spectacle of a season. After three years in a row of making the playoffs, and inching closer to that win each time, the team and its #WeTheNorth mania are already taking the world by storm. And Stefankiewicz is happily part of the frenzied family. “It’s wild. We’ll be shooting until midnight, running out of here around one a.m., catching a flight at six a.m.,” says Stefankiewicz. “But you love it. Like, you do it, right? You’re on this high. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.” www.katstefankiewicz.com @matterofkat www.mycitylife.ca
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Dec/Jan 2016/17
City Life Magazine
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I Want Your Job
DOROTHY LIN, AGE 18
Lin says attending an arts high school helped to cultivate her creativity
Where would you be today if you had dedicated enough time to your passions as a kid? City Life picks the brains of four young musical geniuses Written By Rebecca Alberico
T
ouring Lisbon, Portugal, violin in hand; trumpeting in Shanghai, China, with a wind orchestra; performing for a live-streamed international piano competition in Salt Lake City, Utah — I can assure you, this is not what occupied my teenage years. My greatest accomplishment was a “champion” ribbon won at a school talent show when I was 12 — that glory was short-lived when I quickly realized they handed those out to everyone. 34
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“Just don’t call me a prodigy,” says 18-year-old Dorothy Lin, violinist for the National Youth Orchestra of Canada’s 2016 season. But she is. After over a decade of dedication to her instrument, the humble violinist is nothing short of a sensation. Lin can pick up her violin and play in the middle of a busy intersection like it’s nobody’s business — throughout our photo shoot I spot several cars lowering their windows to catch a listen, and passersby stand gazing in awe. The sweet melody, flowing more passionately with each swift stroke of the bow, is paralyzing. Maybe it is because Lin has an emotional attachment to the building behind us. One of her most memorable performances was at Roy Thomson Hall, while she was still performing with the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, where she had the opportunity to perform side-by-side with a member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO). Lin has been playing since the tender age of five, but admits that she didn’t always want to take it this far. “When my parents stopped forcing me to practise, I realized how much I actually missed it and wanted to play,” says Lin. Like all great musicians, Lin has a well-rounded musical palate and often looks to the work of other esteemed violinists to improve upon her own skill set. “I draw inspiration from what I think is the best rendition of what I’m working on,” says Lin. American classical violinist Sarah Chang is a musician Lin says she aspires to. For now, the Western University student is studying fulltime with a double major in business and music studies. In the future she hopes to explore a career where she can incorporate both of her passions, as an executive of a musical organization or a similar role. For Leonid Nediak, music represents his present and future — he is the definition of a prodigy, in every sense of the word. He’s brilliant. Thirteen-year-old Nediak first began playing the piano at the age of four. He composed his first piece of music at the age of six — inspired by the rhythm of his father’s voice. Now, fresh into his teenage years, Nediak is wowing audiences with the likes of Chopin, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff, to name a few. Yet he’s humble about his success, utilizing humility as his tool to strive to do better. “If you work hard, then you will be rewarded,” says Nediak. “It’s like climbing a high mountain, climb daily, and eventually you will reach the summit.” He practises up to five hours a day, though the young pianist admits it can often get overwhelming. It came as no surprise when Nediak told me he is currently trying out the www.mycitylife.ca
PHOTOS BY CARLOS A. PINTO / DOLCE MEDIA GROUP
Musical Prodigies
ALED & MATISSE BLUNDELL, AGE 14 & 16
LEONID NEDIAK, AGE 13
The duo’s younger sister, Maslin, also plays the trumpet and they often perform as a trio
Although he’s focused on the piano right now, Nediak hopes to also be a computer scientist in the future
“ IT’S LIKE CLIMBING A HIGH
MOUNTAIN, CLIMB DAILY, AND EVENTUALLY YOU WILL REACH THE SUMMIT
”
— Leonid Nediak
“Pomodoro Technique” to optimize his practice time without becoming too overwrought. Essentially, the time management method suggests working at a task in 25-minute intervals and taking short three- to five-minute breaks in between. The 13-year-old is wise beyond his years and speaks to his passion with a profound confidence. Self-awareness and selfdiscipline are surely traits that these four musicians have in common. Undoubtedly, to inherit these skills as a child is quite the advantage, as these habits generally take decades for most of us to master. One of the most important performances of Nediak’s career to date is coming up on January 11 and 12, and, at the moment, his nerves are getting the best of him just thinking about it. He will be performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 27, K. 595, with Maestro Peter Oundjian, at the TSO’s Mozart @ 261 Festival. www.mycitylife.ca
Trumpeting duo Aled and Matisse Blundell are an incredible support system for one another and never let their stage fright get the best of them. “Performing is a mix of adrenaline and fun,” says Matisse. The siblings have been playing since they were six and seven respectively. Matisse shares that E.B. White’s The Trumpet of the Swan initially sparked her interest in the brass instrument, and younger brother Aled followed in her footsteps. The two currently play together as student fellows for Orchestra Toronto, under the baton of Maestro Kevin Mallon. There’s a definite upside to performing with your sibling: “we know each other’s playing so well that it’s really easy to work together,” says Aled. “But it’s also really hard because we’re siblings and we’re competitive,” says Matisse, the two snickering at each other in agreement as she finishes his sentence. This friendly competition is what keeps the sibling duo fresh and inspired. The Blundells are dedicated to their musical talent and are driven by the joy performing brings them, “especially when you’re playing with a whole orchestra — you’re part of something greater than yourself,” says Matisse. But whether you’re playing with an orchestra or solo, to play an instrument is to experience the beauty of life through sound and to tune into the emotions it evokes. These young prodigies are fortunate to have the support of their parents, teachers and organizations behind them, encouraging them to live the dream. www.nyoc.org www.tso.ca www.orchestratoronto.ca Dec/Jan 2016/17
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www.mycitylife.ca
A DV E R TO R I A L
Yevi and Mimoza Kollari, founders of Kollari Institute of Music
The Gi� of Music from the Kollari Institute of Music Vaughan’s newest music school is already getting national attention with its state-ofthe-art facility and top-class education
T
here is no gift greater than music — and this year, the freshly unveiled Kollari Institute of Music celebrates that truth in more ways than one. Firstly, it celebrates its immensely gifted students. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Mimoza and Yevi Kollari, Kollari Institute of Music boasts the intimacy of a boutique learning centre and the presence of an internationally renowned institution. “With us, students learn how to become musicians, not just how to play a song,” says Mimoza, who plays piano and violin, while her husband, Yevi, has a PhD in music and specializes in piano, trombone, saxophone, drums and many more. “Instead of memorizing, we teach them to understand what they play. We make sure that all the teachers are working together to create joy in their lessons, and we want to have confident, comfortable and happy students.”
www.mycitylife.ca
Since branch ing out from the franchis of Music ha e s created w aves in the G system, Kollari Institute broad educat TA and beyo ional options nd for its and talented students
Despite the newness of Kollari Institute of Music, the school is actually backed by more than 65 years of educational experience — until 2016, the Kollaris were the heads of the Maple location of a franchise system. It was this year that they decided to take the leap and create a learning space that was all their own. The state-of-the-art facility boasts a gorgeous property and thoughtful design, and is filled with soundproofed rooms dedicated to any instrument one could imagine. Kollari offers lessons in everything from piano, string and wind instruments to vocals and percussion, plus group lessons in band, choir, theory, string orchestra and more. With such a well-rounded menu of options for learners of all ages, it’s no wonder their students have landed some incredible feats — like Martina OrtizLuis, the Kollari student who was hired
full-time to sing the National Anthem at the Toronto Maple Leafs’ home games. And with many other students regularly making prestigious accomplishments, the school is renowned for its goldmedal-winning student body. And how else is Kollari Institute of Music celebrating the gift of music this year? By offering these programs to anyone who wants to learn more about music, no matter their skill level or age. A package of music classes from Kollari Institute of Music makes an ideal gift for all professional and aspiring musicians. “We do believe strongly that music plays a very strong key in people’s lives,” says Mimoza. “So we want to bring more music to our students and their families, because this is the way we will bring new music into the world.”
Kollari Institute of Music 2620 Rutherford Rd., Maple, Ont. 905-832-9980 Dec/Jan 2016/17
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WELLNESS
Nicole McCance M.A., C. Psych.
Statistics show that only eight per cent of people successfully complete their New Year’s resolution, so what are the other 92 per cent doing wrong? Written By Rebecca Alberico
I
f you’re anything like us, you’ve long abandoned your New Year’s resolution for 2016 and now find yourself riddled with feelings of disappointment, as December 31 is mere weeks away. You ponder at your incomplete “to-do” lists and empty food logs, or stare blankly as you begin to remember that thing you said you would do but didn’t. Now, as the feelings of guilt set in, you find yourself discouraged from even bothering to set a goal for the coming year. Take a deep breath, because we’re not going to let you do that. City Life enlisted the expertise of Toronto-based psychologist and TV personality Nicole McCance to shed some light on the reality of our resolutions and how we can make our best effort to succeed. McCance offers up some of the advice she shares with her clients, and she has us confident that we’ll be sticking with that new, or not-so-new, New Year’s resolution. And if you did stick with your resolution this year, we’re proud of you — even still, this advice may just make things a little easier with your goals for 2017. JANUARY 1 DOESN’T WORK Research suggests that people are most successful at reaching their goals if they start on a Monday. Although according 38
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to McCance, it’s not actually the day, it’s what Monday signifies. Monday is the first day of the week — that “fresh start,” if you will. This coming year, January 1 will fall on a Sunday, and McCance says this is all the more reason to avoid beginning your resolution right away. “You are going to be tired from the night before because you brought in the New Year with a bang, and some will be hung over (let’s say the majority),” says McCance. “And we’ve also just gone through holiday stress, so we’re wiped by January 1.” McCance recommends starting the next day, or better yet, even a week later. We set ourselves up for failure when we set unrealistic goals, and waking up bright and early on January 1 to hit the gym is one of them. PICK A SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE GOAL “Rather than saying ‘I’m going to get fit,’ or even more specific than that, ‘I want to lose 10 pounds,’ I’d like people to start saying, ‘I’d like to lose a pound a week’ because that’s very measurable,” says McCance. When Sunday rolls around and you see that you have reached that smaller, more measurable goal, you will be more inclined to continue. Alternatively, if you haven’t
reached that goal, you will be able to backtrack and analyze where you may have gone wrong in those seven days. Regroup. Keep pushing. ACCOUNTABILITY IS KEY Share your goal with a partner, friend or co-worker. Even if you aren’t working toward the same goal, having the support of someone close to you will influence your success. McCance warns that this influence can also have a negative impact, so choose your resolution partner or gym buddy wisely. If you become too dependent on that other person for your own success, this could ruin your progress should they back out on their goals. “Rely on that person for motivation, not action,” says McCance. Pro tip: put it on social media! But McCance admits it’s totally risky, because a lot of us are “closet goal setters,” so we rarely share our resolutions in case we fail. “If you take the risk and say, “Hey guys, I’m committed to getting back to a size 6 or whatever … there is something about that, because the truth is we care what people think,” says McCance. STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES “Strive less, drive less and enjoy more,” says McCance. This is a goal she is Cont’d on page 41
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Cont’d from page 38
encouraging her clients to consider. It may be unusual for a psychologist to recommend that her clients strive less, but it’s actually counterproductive to overwork yourself, with a lasting negative impact on your mental and emotional health. McCance says she learned the importance of slowing down after the recent birth of her twin boys. It comes down to making the decision to make happiness a priority, and it’s not as easy as it sounds. We live in a world that makes it nearly impossible to detach from our schedules and smartphones to dedicate even a moment to channelling our energy into our well-being. We can’t compromise on this. “Choose something to focus on, relish it and be grateful,” suggests McCance. “The happiness is instant.” As productive humans, we are run by our subconscious minds that are comprised of thousands of neural pathways. From the moment we open our eyes in the morning, brew our coffee and drive to work, as scary as it is to think about, we are pretty much on autopilot. “To do something repetitively, again and again, for 21 days will actually create a new neural pathway, where your task just becomes second nature,” says McCance. Similarly, it will only take a day or two off course to jeopardize the creation of these new pathways. “Your conditioning to the bad habit has probably been very ingrained,” says McCance, “so it’s so easy to go back to your comfort zone, rather than to push through those 21 days.” “Good things take time.” “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” “If it’s worth it, it’s not going to be easy.” As cheesy as these cliché quotes are, they aren’t wrong. Your goals are going to take hard work and dedication to achieve, and this is no secret. Daily affirmations are among the best ways to keep you motivated. “Remind yourself of why you even wanted to do this,” says McCance. This is the year we join and grow the eight per cent! www.nicolemccance.com @nicolemccancepsychology @nicole_mccance www.mycitylife.ca
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t takes 21 days to form a habit, so why wait to start until January 1? There’s no time like the present to get a jump on your New Year’s resolution. At Integrity Fitness, our resolution is to help you achieve total fitness. Ida, a devoted Paul’s Boot Camp attendee and star client, encourages beginners to be ambitious but to start with small goals and trust the process. She began her fitness journey with her daughter, who was in search of a workout companion. Today, Ida can’t get enough, and her workouts have become a part of her daily routine to get fit, de-stress and constantly challenge herself. Star client Louisa is no stranger to a challenge, as she too has embarked on the fitness journey of a lifetime. Since joining the Integrity Fitness METCON30 program, Louisa has lost 20 pounds and nearly five inches off her waist, but what she has gained in confidence far exceeds the measurable results. Ring in the New Year stronger, leaner and more confident than ever, and know that your journey has just begun.
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A DV E R TO R I A L
FIVE-WEEK PLAN WEEK ONE Chiropractic Assessment and Treatment Chiropractic Follow-Up and Treatment WEEK TWO One-Hour Massage Therapy Session WEEK THREE Chiropractic Treatment WEEK FOUR Physiotherapy/Exercise Session WEEK FIVE Naturopathic Consultation After five weeks of a truly customized health experience, the team recommends clients come in to evaluate the progress and alter the course and frequency of the treatment plan if necessary. Admittedly, changing your lifestyle may be easier said than done, but at The Centre for Health, Drs. Gagliardi and Machiella zealously practise what they preach. The couple lives a balanced and mindful lifestyle that resonates with their team and the clients they treat. “The new year is the perfect opportunity to think about how you will create the best version of yourself,” says Dr. Machiella. “Try something new and inspiring that will have you setting new health goals.”
New Year, New You — From the Inside Out The Centre for Health inspires a healthy change that starts on the inside, not the outside
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The new year “ brings inspiration for new beginnings
”
— Dr. Domenic Gagliardi
a ‘Self-Care Program’ that will have you feeling your best ever.” The Centre’s “Self-Care Program” will set you on the right path from your initial consultation, with each program custom tailored to suit the individual needs and goals of each client. Because the doctors take a bespoke approach to creating treatment plans, a great deal of emphasis is placed on the mental and emotional well-being of each client. Drs. Gagliardi and Machiella ask all the right questions to be able to fully assess the current state of your health and aid you in striving for better. Keeping in line with their firm belief in balance, a typical self-care treatment plan may look like this:
PHOTO BY CARLOS A. PINTO / DOLCE MEDIA GROUP
W
hen it comes to making New Year’s resolutions, losing weight and quitting smoking are sure to top most lists. This year, instead of focusing on eliminating that excess weight or cutting those unhealthy habits, try shifting your focus towards gaining – balance of the body, mind, spirit and total health. Drs. Domenic Gagliardi and Claudia Machiella of The Centre for Health and Rehabilitation believe that total health is not achieved when we are satisfied with our physical appearance, but when the well-being of our insides sings in perfect harmony. The husband-wife team owns and operates two offices in Vaughan, with a third in the works. Their main objective is to get clients to experience a new level of health and feel in control of their bodies. There’s no better time to start treating your body better than the present, although the new year seems to wipe the slate clean and inspire a fresh perspective. “The new year brings inspiration for new beginnings,” says Dr. Gagliardi. “Start the year by getting on
The Centre for Health and Rehabilitation 1160 Clarence St., Suite 6, Woodbridge, Ont. 905-652-4811 2640 Rutherford Rd., Suite E-201, Vaughan, Ont. 905-553-4814 www.chrehab.ca
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WORK IT
� Avoid ambiguity by making SMART goals that are specific, measureable, attainable, realistic and timely. � Resolve to take daily action, no matter how simplistic. For example, instead of overhauling your diet, start with hydration — focus on drinking your body weight in ounces of water each day and track your compliance. � Expect to fail sometimes — aim for 80 per cent compliance.
Already overwhelmed by your fitness goals this new year? Stick to this expert-curated checklist by Vaughan fitness hub Life Time Athletic and you’ll never find yourself procrastinating on that workout again!
� Schedule it in and create a detailed plan. It’s harder to make excuses when you’ve specifically made time for your workout. � Reflect on what you were able to accomplish in 2016, rather than your downfalls. This will give you the motivation to tackle 2017 with positivity and energy. � Try something new, like Pilates or swimming. www.lifetimeathletic.com/vaughan
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Dec/Jan 2016/17
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fitness
BUNS OF STEEL
Some of our favourite yogis, gis, barre teachers and Pilates experts erts shed light on how to achieve your our best butt in the new year Interviews By Alessandra Micieli
S
ay goodbye to the conventionall squat, and say hello to your yoga mat — or the Pilates studio — or the balletinspired barre! If one of your resolutions esolutions is to fine-tune your glutes, City Life chatted with ith five local pros to find out how their methods can make ke it happen.
CAROL ATKINSON YOGA TEACHER
HEALTHLETICA HOT YOGA + WELLNESS healthletica.ca
“When practising yoga in a room heated by infrared rays to normal body temperature (35 to 37 degrees Celsius), the heat is easily absorbed without it being overwhelming. 46
City Life Magazine
The heat has the he Hold while breathing benefit of penetrating etrating slowly for 30 to 60 muscles, permitting tting seconds.” deep, therapeutic tic stretching to enhance nhance flexibility and also lso raising the heart rt rate when working to tone muscles. An effective fective way to tone the e gluteus muscles is Utkatasana atasana (‘OOT-Kah-TAHSHSanna’), also known own as the Chair Pose:: from a standing position on with feet parallel, both oth arms reaching forward, ard, bend your knees, sitting ting back and down, working king to align your knees es over your ankles, shifting ifting weight into your ur heels. Dec/Jan 2016/17
www.mycitylife.ca
“OUR R GLU GLUTES ARE ACTUALLY MADE UP OF THREE THR REE MUS MUSCLES: SCLES GLUTEUS MAXIMUS, GLUTEUS MEDIUS AND GLUTEUS MINIMUS” M — Marco Racco, Olive Tree Yoga & Pilates
www.mycitylife.ca
MARCO RACCO YOGA AND PILATES TEACHER
TINA DILEO BARRE INSTRUCTOR AND TRAINER
OLIVE TREE YOGA & PILATES olivetreeyoga.com
BODY BARRE FITNESS bodybarrefitness.ca
“Want a toned tush? Yoga can be the vehicle to take you there. Our glutes are actually made up of three muscles: the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. This muscle group works synergistically to move and stabilize the pelvis. Yoga’s Warrior Poses are excellent at targeting your glutes, strengthening and stretching them in various ranges of motion. Imagine a warrior: powerful, focused and poised … with a great butt.”
“In barre class, the focus is always about balancing the muscles in our lower body, especially the glutes! We want to build a booty without bulking the legs. The difference between the way we work our glutes as opposed to the traditional training methods is we combine full-range movements with small, intricate, isometric holds and pulses that target all the muscles in the lower body like no other. Some signature moves that you will always find at Body Barre Fitness classes are tons of pliés in different ballet positions, side leg abductions, oysters, curtsy lunges and our favourite bootyburning exercise, ‘The Jane Fonda.’ No matter your size or shape, you’ll walk out with a toned, sculpted and lifted seat!”
STACEY FALBO FALB PILATES INSTRUCTOR INST
LIVE LOVE PILATES
“An effective Pilates routine allows you to strengthen and increase your body’s overall lean muscle m including your mass, includin glutes. A strong stro core go and strong glutes gl hand. Some hand in hand essential Pilates Pila gluteal exercises exerci include two to three single-leg or sets of single hip rolls double-leg hi and hip dips. These exercises add fire to the glutes while engaging the core muscles and back stabilizers. Other Ot exercises include inc multiple sets of single- or doubledou leg kicks and pelvic curls, which ttarget the outer thigh inner and out muscles but also a help create toned, shapely buttocks.”
CARLOS SALAS TRAINER
BODY BY CHOSEN bodybychosen.com
“Toned glutes don’t just come from working out that specific area. Cardio and resistance exercises go hand in hand to help strengthen and tone. For that reason, it is important that when thinking about glute and leg toning, you take into account the fat-burning aspect too. Some of the best glute-toning exercises combine both elements. Simply walking more and going up stairs are good ways to start thinking about it. Combining this with squats, lunges, kickbacks, donkey kicks and using resistance bands will increase muscle and help build more toned glutes.”
Dec/Jan 2016/17
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food
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Britain’s celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has brought his love of Italian food — and childhood health — to Canuck soil
5 QUESTIONS WITH
Jamie Oliver
City Life caught up with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver at Jamie’s Italian in Yorkdale Shopping Centre — the restaurant’s first location in North America Interview By Amanda Storey
CL: Why did you choose to open your first North American location of Jamie’s Italian in Canada, rather than the States? JO: Because I’m definitely more at home here! CL: What was the inspiration for some of the signature dishes here? JO: The way Italians eat is so beautiful. And for the Brit in me, we love picnics — we love going out and having a picnic, and the Italians do the antipasti. I love it. CL: You’re extremely passionate about child health. Have you made the amount of progress in that area that you were hoping to? JO: I think how you judge the movement depends on your life, if you’re philosophical, whether you get the bigger picture or whether you can think long-term. The conversation is important. Definitely things are changing. I think companies are having to behave more. Ultimately, I guess, if you were to put child health at the heart of everything — businesses, government — then you’d have a very different country, and the economy would probably be much stronger because of it.
CL: If you had the opportunity to create menus for families around the world to follow, would you be interested? JO: Absolutely. I think definitely there should be some guidelines to help. I’m very much the kind of person who thinks there should be some hard rules. But people still want choice at the same time — you’ve got to have flexibility. I honestly think that if you gave the public good, clear information, they’d make really good choices. At the moment we’re just not getting the new information. CL: There’s talk of Canadian schools implementing culinary classes as early as elementary school. Why do you think it’s important for kids to start learning about food and health from a young age? JO: I think the appropriate time to plant that seed is as soon as you get pregnant. I did a Facebook Live stream the other day in which I addressed Canada, and seven out of 10 commenters said we need to get Canadian kids’ food education in schools, we need to teach them how to grow, how to cook and not just for health reasons, but for cultural reasons as well. www.jamieoliver.com www.mycitylife.ca
PHOTO BY DAVID LOFTUS
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Dec/Jan 2016/17
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auto
2017
Honda Ridgeline Get to know the newest addition to the Honda family, with the strength of a pickup and the smoothness of a sedan Written By Amandalina Letterio
In
2014, Honda announced that the Ridgeline would be taking a two-year hiatus to let them redesign the second generation of the vehicle. As promised, in June 2016, Honda revealed the revamped 2017 Ridgeline. This time, the company modelled the pickup after the Honda Pilot SUV, which has given this truck a more car-like feel. The designers made a number of
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modifications to the Ridgeline in order to achieve that feeling, like crafting it using a unibody design, making the vehicle lighter and smoother. This suave performance is delivered by the 280-horsepower, 3.5-litre V-6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission (with 262 lb-ft of torque). As a result, the competitors in its class don’t come close to the Ridgeline’s quality of ride. The interior is another category in
which the Ridgeline’s competition falls short. Adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and assisting, forward-collision and automatic braking, and multi-camera blindspot monitors are among the many technological advances the Ridgeline has acquired. Of course, it also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The inside of the truck feels extremely spacious and luxurious, and the flip-up rear seat offers www.mycitylife.ca
2.9 cubic feet of storage underneath seated passengers. The Ridgeline has gained some space externally as well, with the bed growing 4 inches longer and 5.5 inches wider — making it longer than most of the other pickups in its class. The Ridgeline does trail behind its competitors when it comes to tow capacity — but Honda isn’t exactly concerned. In fact, according to the company, this was the intent. Honda claims that less than 10 per cent of midsize truck purchasers tow more than 5,000 pounds. So, the company made sure the Ridgeline was able to pull a maximum of 5,000 pounds, keeping its appeal to the other 90 per cent. Some might call the Ridgeline’s inability to tow over 7,000 pounds (like its competitors) a downfall, but Honda feels as though this was a smart move — and so do we. It’s clear that over the Ridgeline’s two-year break, a lot of thought was put into the craftsmanship of this vehicle. It is unrivalled in comfort, smoothness and technology. It has gained 30 more horsepower and a more handsome and rugged look. The new Ridgeline’s most unique asset is the huge trunk that sits underneath the floor of the bed, which has a drain for beverages sitting on ice. Added to that storage space is a 400-watt power inverter for recharging power tools — or, perhaps, connecting a television on camping trips or at tailgate parties. The new audio system includes six “exciters” inside the bed walls, which turn solid objects into speakers, giving you more reasons to do some outdoor entertaining. The new and improved Ridgeline was built with power for working hard and characteristics for playing harder. www.honda.ca
The 2017 Acura MDX has a newly designed diamondshaped front grille and restyled headlights, giving the vehicle a more glamorous and high-end look. This SUV also received some new and improved interior features — which, surprisingly, did not result in a hefty price tag. An electronic parking brake was added along with an improved all-wheeldrive system, which gives it agile handling. Also included is the AcuraWatch suite of active safety aids as standard equipment, as opposed to years past when it was considered an upgrade. This year, Acura decided to introduce a derived MDX model called the Sport Hybrid, which gets better fuel economy and is more powerful than the regular MDX. The new MDX is a stylish way to drive your kids to school with comfort and spaciousness. But the best part about this three-row luxury crossover has to be its exceptional crashtest scores and overall high safety rating. Combine that with its panache and you have the perfect vehicle for any parent. www.acura.ca
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A DV E R TO R I A L
COMFORT AND JOY
Wrap up 2016 with luxuriously cosy blankets from Italy’s Marzotto Group
A
fter a very challenging 2016, we could all use a little comfort and joy. Give your loved ones the gift of warmth this holiday season by wrapping up a duvet, throw or blanket from David’s Fine Linens. The Marzotto Group is an Italian brand that’s redefined “cosy” since its foundation in 1836. Immensely luxurious yet so simply delightful, its blankets are crafted of either cashmere or a blend of cashmere, silk and mohair, ensuring that you and yours are wrapped in
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David’s Fine Linens carries some of the world’s most prestigious brands for the bedroom, including the iconic Marzotto Group from Italy, founded in 1836
happiness as you celebrate the dusk of one year and the dawn of the next. And for the duvet lovers, the cloudlike creations by St. Genève and Brinkhaus will instill serenity for years to come, staying as fresh as the day they were brought home. Everyone deserves to enter 2017 with a sense of peace. Whether you’re treating yourself or spoiling a friend this holiday season, these timeless pieces
can help achieve it. Find yours at David’s Fine Linens, the GTA’s linens authority.
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Woodbridge-based Versai Salon approaches its fourth birthday, master hair colourist Jerry Rosa has joined the salon’s respected stylists Fabio Recchia and Jordan Siasat. Rosa brings over 15 years’ experience to the team, welcoming loyal and new clientele. This winter, Rosa recommends visiting the salon to tone down that faded balayage colour and explore warmer caramel tones. Versai Salon is also the largest Moroccan Oil salon in Vaughan, so Rosa and his partners will ensure your luscious locks are prepped for the winter season. In the new year, Versai Salon is thrilled to announce the expansion of their space into two floors to include a spa and colour bar. To add to the excitement of this new beginning, the trio is looking for exciting new talent to join the team, and encourages those interested to stop by and apply. Check out Rosa’s work on instagram @hairbyjerry.
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P OTO COURTE PH PHO COU SY OF T TORO ON NTO P NT PIIG S SAVE VE
Activism
Toronto Pig Save was founded by retired Queen’s University professor Anita Krajnc in 2010, and has since exploded to almost 100 groups of its kind across the globe
When Pigs Fly Written By Amanda Storey
I
’ve never seen a complexion like Anita Krajnc’s before. Despite a grey and weepy sky, the 49-year-old is luminous as she walks toward the gathering of 10 animal activists outside Fearmans Pork in Burlington, Ont., where they meet
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biweekly for morning vigils. Framed by silvered strands of hair, Krajnc’s face tells stories of sadness and hope without her lips moving at all. And damn, is her skin ever perfect. It’s admittedly a shallow first impression of the now famous founder
and lead organizer of Toronto Pig Save, but my meat-eater’s mind can’t help but wonder off the bat if perhaps the vegans are right — that a plant-based lifestyle really is better for you, inside and out. But I soon learn that it’s not only the health benefits of veganism that have www.mycitylife.ca
PHOTOS BY CARLOS A. PINTO / DOLCE MEDIA GROUP
In 2015, Anita Krajnc was arrested for giving water to thirsty pigs being transported for slaughter. But the charge backfired, inspiring thousands around the world to join her movement. Today, as she awaits her final verdict, Krajnc celebrates the rise of the movement that the world never thought would catch on
charges laid on Krajnc had backfired catastrophically. Anita says that while the charges were most likely laid to try and scare the Save Movement and make a statement out of her, the opposite happened inspiring the movement to gain incredible momentum. National news channels and papers all picked up the story of the woman who was facing jail time for showing compassion to
“ IT’S KILLING
OUR PLANET, IT’S KILLING OURSELVES AND IT’S KILLING THESE INNOCENT CREATURES THAT WANT TO LIVE
”
— Anita Krajnc
PHO PHOT P PH HO O CO OU URTE RTE ES SY Y OF TO ORO ONT ON NTO P PIIG SA AVE V
instilled this glow in Krajnc, who has a PhD in political science. It’s the emotional valour that comes with being a champion for her growing cause. You’ve probably heard of Krajnc, or at least of her brainchild, the Toronto Pig Save, whose mission is pretty selfexplanatory. It’s the group that initiated the global Save Movement, which fights peacefully but passionately for the fair treatment of all animals. But as wellknown as the Toronto Pig Save has become, it really gained momentum in June of 2015, when Anita was charged with criminal mischief for giving water to thirsty pigs that were being transported for slaughter. It was a hot summer morning and things were going as usual for Krajnc. She and her group were gathered at this very intersection, waiting for the arrival of the trucks, each one filled with 200 terrified pigs. The trucks came, and as they were stalled at a red light the group flocked to them, as usual. Through the holes in the metal, the creatures were foaming at the mouth, frantically pushing their way toward their visitors so they could catch a sip of water or even just a friendly face. Krajnc obliged them. And that’s when the truck driver parked his vehicle, right there in the middle of the intersection, and emerged, yelling profanity-strewn threats at Krajnc and her group. After the heated exchange, the driver got back into his truck and carried on, and Krajnc didn’t hear anything of it for a few weeks. Then a police officer knocked on her door with a summons to court — she was facing a $5,000 fine and up to six months in jail for the altercation. “I invited the officer into my home to show him some of our videos,” she says. “He was reluctant at first, but finally he came in, and when he saw our footage he basically said, ‘I have to be neutral, but this is going to be big news.’” He was correct. By the time fall rolled around, the www.mycitylife.ca
After being criminally charged for giving water to thirsty pigs in June of 2015, Krajnc’s mission has gained international attention, prompting #PigTrial to trend on social media
dying animals — and that coverage soon snowballed into the global media. It’s over a year later, and while some trials have taken place, Krajnc’s final court hearing won’t happen until spring of 2017. None of the Crown’s allegations against her have been proven in court. For now, she’s happy that her movement has sparked more than 80 other Save groups around the world —
with 21 in Britain alone — and that her cruelty-free mission is catching on. It’s a feat that, 10 years ago, was unheard of. Fast-forward to this rainy autumn day where, despite the chilly weather, Krajnc and her 10 activists are happy to be here — cheerful, even. Holding signs that have photos of puppies and pigs and read, “Why love one but eat the other?”, they’re not obnoxious. This isn’t a protest. Krajnc explains that this movement is about sending a lovebased message. Soon, the first truck rolls up. As the 18-wheeler stops at the red light, Krajnc and her group flock to its side, water bottles in hand, and tend to the pink snouts poking out of the holes in the metal. Peering in, one can see a quivering mass of bleeding pigs, all of them foaming at the mouth from fear and dehydration, with a look of very human terror in their eyes. The Save members murmur words of reassurance to the creatures, who gratefully lap up whatever water they can. As they work, the Save members tell their little friends, “We see you, we love you and we promise to fight for you.” Then the light turns green, and the truck disappears behind the smoke-spewing fortress of the slaughterhouse. “Our main strategy is bearing witness,” says Krajnc. “Tolstoy said that when the suffering of another creature causes you to feel pain, don’t succumb to the usual desire to flee from the suffering one, but on the contrary, come closer, as close as you can, and try to help. And that’s the definition of bearing witness.” Like most vegans, Krajnc used to be a meat- and dairy-eater. And like most carnivores, she lived the first 20 years of her life completely oblivious to the reality of the animal farming industry. It wasn’t until the early ’90s, when she watched a documentary called The Animals Film, that veganism became not only her lifestyle, but her passion. “That film changed my life,” she says. After earning her PhD, she became a professor at Queen’s University, Dec/Jan 2016/17
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killing these innocent creatures that want to live.” In 2003, University of Cambridge professor Donald Broom released a study called “The Evolution of Morality and Religion” in which he assessed the cognitive abilities of domestic animals like cattle, sheep and pigs. According to Professor Broom, pigs have the intellect of a three- to four-year-old child. “They have a language,” says Krajnc. “They have 40 vocalizations, and if you combine their facial expressions and body posture, they have over a hundred
One of the signs used during the Toronto Pig Save’s weekly vigils
“ DO NOT SUBMIT
TO THE INITIAL DESIRE TO FLEE FROM THE SUFFERING ONE, BUT ON THE CONTRARY, COME CLOSER, AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN, AND TRY TO HELP
”
— Leo Tolstoy
different types of communication.” And then there are, of course, the health benefits of a plant-based diet. One look at a longtime plant-eater and it’s clear that there’s something deeply detoxifying about removing meat from your meal plan. Studies show that vegans are less likely to suffer from obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, strokes and other health problems. And the amount of cash vegans save by cutting pricey chicken, beef and pork from their menus is probably enough to make them glow on the inside and out, too. Throughout the two hours we spend at that intersection outside the slaughterhouse, 12 trucks roll by, each one eventually reappearing empty. But despite the seemingly unstoppable system, and despite the challenges that have been tossed in her path, Krajnc is steadfast, always meditating on that gem of a line from Tolstoy: Don’t flee from suffering. Draw closer to it and bear witness. A few weeks after our interview, Krajnc has another court date in Burlington, during which an expert witness, Professor Tony Weis, testifies on the planetary destruction caused by animal agriculture. Coincidentally, it’s also World Vegan Day. Hundreds gather outside the courthouse, where Toronto Pig Save stages an all-day vigil, complete with cruelty-free refreshments, talks from experts and even a celebrity appearance from Maggie Q. The emotionally charged gathering is a testament to the reach of the Save Movement, which has expanded beyond Krajnc’s — and most vegans’ — wildest dreams. Veganism tackles an issue that challenges humanity’s most primal tendencies, providing a voice to the voiceless and educating people on the many little-known downsides to their cheeseburger. It’s a worldview that was once seen as radical — but as Canadians and folks around the globe continue to embrace the truth behind the movement, it’s becoming more possible that one day, we’ll all glow the way Krajnc does. www.thesavemovement.org @torontopigsave www.mycitylife.ca
PHOTO COURTESY OF TORONTO PIG SAVE
teaching youth the ins and outs of triggering and coordinating social movements. It wasn’t until 2010, when she adopted her beagle-whippet mix Mr. Bean, that the Toronto Pig Save came to fruition. Krajnc and Mr. Bean were out for a walk one morning in downtown Toronto when a truck of pigs rolled past them on Lakeshore Ave., en route to a now-closed slaughterhouse. Having caught a glimpse of the truck’s innards, Krajnc was shocked. Her shock quickly turned into disgust — and an intense desire to do something. And that was when the idea for the Save Movement was born. While Krajnc’s mission originated in saving the pigs, the organization has since expanded to support other farm animals, too: the Toronto Chicken Save hosts vigils in north Toronto every Thursday evening, and the Toronto Cow Save meets every Tuesday morning near Keele St. and St. Clair Ave. All under the umbrella of the Save Movement, these groups are stirring up the public’s awareness of animal cruelty, and opening eyes to the fact that slaughterhouses aren’t the only problem — it’s the production of any animal byproduct, from eggs to milk to cheese. According to the United Nations, going vegan is one of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gases and pollution, to halt reforestation and to conserve resources. For example: researchers from the University of California, Riverside determined that getting a single charbroiled burger to your plate causes as much pollution as an 18-wheeler being driven for 230 kilometres. On the flipside, Loma Linda University researchers found that vegans have the smallest carbon footprint of all, producing 43 per cent less greenhouse gases than meat-eaters and 13 per cent less than vegetarians. “What is wrong in our current world is the 70 billion land animals that are going to slaughter and the trillions of sea creatures that are being killed each year,” says Krajnc. “It’s killing our planet, it’s killing ourselves and it’s
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COMMUNITY
Jordana was adored by younger brother Laurence and older brother Lucas, pictured here with parents Alison and Luciano Fiorini
Rainbow Girl
J
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(DIPG) cut her life short — four short months after her terminal diagnosis. Chances are you haven’t heard of the deadly tumour. DIPG is an extremely rare, highly aggressive, inoperable tumour that is found at the base of the brain. The survival rate is essentially zero per cent. “I was so angry, because I had no idea what the doctors were saying to me,” says Alison Fiorini, Jordana’s mother. “My husband and I had never heard of such a thing.”
The limited awareness of this deadly form of brain cancer, and lack of research funding, is likely why the hunt for a cure is coming up empty. Only approximately 3.5 per cent of the federal cancer research budget is allocated to childhood cancers — and DIPG researchers in specific may only ever see a small portion of this support. Although her physical presence has left this Earth, Jordana’s family and friends have made it their mission to ensure this angel’s true colours www.mycitylife.ca
PHOTO BY CARLOS A. PINTO / DOLCE MEDIA GROUP
Written By Rebecca Alberico
ordana Fiorini had a heart of gold and an old soul. Her parents describe her as being a true angel on earth, always putting her brothers and others before herself. The 10-year-old appreciated the beauty of the world and never quite understood hate. Jordana’s happiness often relied upon seeing a smile on the face of all those she encountered. This angel earned her wings in January 2016, when Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma 58
Jordana’s Rainbows receives awe-inspiring support from the community in the fight against childhood cancer
www.mycitylife.ca
“ LIFE IS GOING
TO THROW YOU CURVEBALLS, BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT LIFE’S ABOUT
”
— Alison Fiorini
PHOTO BY CRIMSON PHOTOS
continue to shine through the clouds. The Fiorini family began an awareness initiative, Jordana’s Rainbows, after Jordana’s passing. Unlike what they were forced to do throughout Jordana’s illness, the Fiorini family refuses to sit on the sidelines and watch yet another innocent child and family suffer at the mercy of this monster. “Life is going to throw you curveballs, because that’s what life’s about,” says Fiorini. “It’s a temporary journey and what counts is how you honour that journey.” Since their daughter’s passing, the family been committed to raising funds for DIPG research through Jordana’s Rainbows. Fiorini says the social media chronicle came about quite organically and has gained the attention of supporters worldwide. Expect to see a lot of rainbows. “Jordana was obsessed with rainbows,” says her mother. Through a series of emotional stories, inspiring rainbow sightings and social media “challenges,” the initiative’s Instagram and Facebook pages have begun to successfully fulfil the two main objectives of Jordana’s Rainbows: ensuring no child fights alone in the battle against DIPG and allowing Fiorini and her husband to honour their rainbow girl the way Jordana would’ve wanted. Similar to the popular ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, a “Random Acts of Kindness” challenge and “Cupcake Smash” were among the first initiatives, earning the support of local businesses and personalities, including Toronto FC star Sebastian Giovinco. All proceeds raised go through the SickKids Foundation directly to Dr. Peter Dirks, neurosurgeon at The Hospital for Sick Children, and his research team. Dr. Dirks was part of Jordana’s care team at SickKids. “In children, cancer is the most common cause of death (after accidents), and brain tumours make up most of those,” says Dr. Dirks. SickKids has a talented team of researchers that are working to identify essential determinants of DIPG cell growth and treatment resistance. “This project will lay the conceptual
Jordana’s life was cut short by DIPG in January 2016. Velmar Downs Park, in Woodbridge, is slated to get a facelift and be re-named after Jordana
and pre-clinical groundwork to identify new targets for DIPG treatment,” says Dr. Dirks. He developed a special bond with Jordana and her family throughout her illness, and is just as determined as the Fiorinis to fight the devastating childhood cancer. Eva Avramis, manager of gift and estate planning for the SickKids Foundation, also works closely with the Fiorini family to manage incoming donations. Avramis says that Jordana’s Rainbows has taken on a life of its own since its inception. “I admire how the Fiorini family is utilizing Jordana’s Rainbows to bring colour and light to this devastating disease,” says Avramis. Through her daily chronicling
of those not-so-coincidental rainbow sightings, Fiorini feels her daughter’s presence around constantly. On particularly rough days, she finds the inspiration to push forward in the form of endearing messages from her followers — family, friends and often even perfect strangers. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m doing the right thing, or maybe I’m being too aggressive,” says Fiorini. “On those days I’ll get messages from random people saying, ‘I just wanted to share this rainbow with you, I thought of you and your daughter.’” Local businesses are even chiming in to offer special rainbow promotions in support of Jordana’s Rainbows. One salon promises $5 from every rainbow-inspired manicure to DIPG research, while local florists are selling multicoloured roses to support the worthy cause. One of the most beautiful dedications to Jordana that you may have spotted on some wrists is the rainbow wish bracelet. The seven vibrant colours available are representative of the spiritual chakras, and each bracelet is appropriately adorned with a heart of gold. Proceeds from all sales are donated to Jordana’s Rainbows. “It’s the worst kind of suffering to lose a child,” says Fiorini, “but I’m not the first, and I won’t be the last if we don’t do something about this.” To date, the Fiorini family has helped raise over $270,000 for the SickKids Foundation. Funds raised will go toward Dr. Dirks’ search for a cure. “Jordana’s Rainbows is an integral component to our family’s multipronged approach at bringing to light the inspirational lives of these magnificent warrior children battling DIPG,” says Luciano Fiorini, Jordana’s father. “Together, we’re going to make a difference.” Each single raindrop during a storm makes its own rainbow, but it takes millions of raindrops for us to see one in the sky. Quite poetically, the millions of raindrops are the good Jordana has inspired in so many, collectively representing the unconditional kindness and purity of her sweet soul. @jordanasrainbows #jordanasrainbows #dipgawareness Dec/Jan 2016/17
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People & Places Mens sana 25th anniversary Gala
On Oct. 6, supporters and special guests of Mens Sana gathered at Famèe Furlane in Woodbridge for a night of fundraising and mental health awareness. Mens Sana is a non-profit charitable organization started by families of adults with chronic mental illness. Notable speakers included mental health advocate and Olympic athlete Clara Hughes, executive director Adam Smith and co-chair of the Mens Sana Fundraising Committee Sam Ciccolini. www.vitacls.org
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1. From left to right: Mens Sana fundraising committee member Tony DiNardo; Olympic athlete Clara Hughes; and Mens Sana fundraising committee member Probhash Mondal 2. From left to right: Vita Mens Sana executive director Adam Smith; Mens Sana fundraising committee co-chair Sam Ciccolini; and Vita Mens Sana executive assistant/office manager Rose Castronovo 3. Mens Sana fundraising committee co-chair Vito Bianchini, and his wife, Letizia Bianchini
On Nov. 18, over 600 members of the ItaloCanadian community and guests gathered at Riviera Parque for a fundraising gala to wrap up Lazio Week — proceeds dedicated to the Amatrice Earthquake Fund. This year, the annual gala honoured Pontinia, Italy, as City of the Year, and honoured four notable Laziali who have distinguished themselves in the community: Barbara Collins, Remo Ferri, Andrea Iervolino and Art Saccoccia. www.lazialionline.org 1. Laziali dell’Anno Remo Ferri, Barbara Collins and Art Saccoccia; Sabrina Baldesarra awarded the Humanitarian Bursary in memory of Leopolda Restaini; Dr. Fabio Varlese accepting on behalf of Andrea Iervolino, Laziale dell’Anno 2. Consul General of Italy Giuseppe Pastorelli; Mayor of Pontinia Carlo Medici
photos by gregorio riccio
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photos by AncAster pope & MélAnie roy
annUal laZiO Gala
MaCKenZie vaUGHan HOsPiTal UPDaTe
Set to open its doors in 2020, the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital is already receiving significant contributions from Vaughan’s prominent families. Vic De Zen of ZZEN Group and family have pledged $10 million to the new facility, the largest donation to date. The main lobby will be named the Vic De Zen Family Welcome Centre, in recognition of the incredible donation. In addition, the Sorbara family has gifted Vaughan’s new health hub with a generous $5 million. Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will be Canada’s first hospital with fully integrated “smart” technology, maximizing information exchange and improving the patient experience. www.mackenziehealth.ca
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1. From left to right: Mackenzie Health Foundation chair Enzo Morini; Sergio De Zen; Mackenzie Health president and CEO Altaf Stationwala; Exceptional Care Belongs Here Campaign cabinet chair Greg Sorbara; Angelina De Zen; Libby De Zen; Vic De Zen; Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua; and Mackenzie Health chair Tony Ianni 2. Top: Mackenzie Health president and CEO Altaf Stationwala; and Mackenzie Health medical director, neurology and stroke Dr. Vince Basile Bottom: Edward Sorbara; Mackenzie Health Foundation president and CEO Ingrid Perry; Marcella Tanzola; Mackenzie Health Foundation Exceptional Care Belongs Here Campaign cabinet chair Greg Sorbara
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www.mycitylife.ca
photos courtesy of MAckenzie heAlth
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People & Places
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15 annUal OaK leaf Gala TH
This year’s Oak Leaf Gala raised over $100,000. The annual event, benefiting Villa Leonardo Gambin, took place at Famèe Furlane in Woodbridge on Oct. 15. Since opening in 2004, the long-term care residence has replaced 56 manual beds with electric beds. This year, the fundraiser was focused on purchasing another 120 beds with the generous donations from guests and sponsors in the community. The theme was Bourbon Street, with New Orleans flair from floor to ceiling. Guests enjoyed the lineup of live entertainment that included Toronto’s own Turbo Street Funk, Swamperella and Simply Grand. www.villagambin.com
photos by sAbrinA frAncescut
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1. Tony Carella, Mayor Bevilacqua, Jerry Buligan, Matthew Melchoir 2. Amber Whitehead and Joanna Bulatao 3. Performers, Turbo Street Funk
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sT. MarGareT Mary CHUrCH fasHiOn sHOw lUnCHeOn The 2016 Fashion Show Luncheon hosted by St. Margaret Mary Catholic Parish in Woodbridge drew in crowds on the afternoon of Oct. 6 at Chateau Le Jardin. The theme, “Fall into Fashion,� featured some of autumn’s most coveted pieces and staples to ring in the cooler weather ahead. Local vendors supplied clothing from various high-end designers and brands, such as Ines Di Santo, Brian Bailey, Edit by Jeanne Beker and Zero 20 Kids. The afternoon was an exchange of socialization through food, shopping and amazing door prizes. www.stmargaretmaryparish.com Top Rocco Grossi, Anna Brancatella, Mary Grossi, Nina Bertolo, Fr. Rony D. Grayda, Olga Bressan, Mary Duca Bottom Emily Grossi, Miriam Sorrentino, Virginia Stirpe
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People & Places Planning a Party or Corporate Event?
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On Sept. 24, family, friends and former students of the Montessori School of Kleinburg gathered to celebrate 15 years of excellence in education. Children enjoyed a petting zoo, delicious food and treats, face painting, a temporary tattoo station and fun jumping castles. Father Giacomo of St. Peter’s joined the celebration and gave the school a special blessing. www.msk2002.com MSK principal Enza Marzano-Pellegrini and her father Domenic Marzano, Eliana DiBiase and councillor Michael DiBiase
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There wasn’t an empty seat at Harbourfront Centre’s Fleck Dance Theatre on Nov. 6, for the world premiere of Roberto Campanella’s Fearful Symmetries and Ontario premiere of Robert Glumbek’s Diversion. The double bill of new works by the famous choreographers was well received as some of the best dancers took to the stage. www.proartedanza.com
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The Store On Queen is Toronto’s own fashion fairy tale, chock-full of designer romance and the best friendship in town to boot
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(90 min.) *INCLUDES: • DEEP CLEANSING • EXTRACTION FOR COMEDONES • MASSAGE FOR FACE, STARTING FROM SHOULDER, DÉCOLLETÉ, EAR $ AND SCALP • FACIAL MASK
60
One-Day Spa* (4 hrs.)
178
$
*INCLUDES: • FULL BODY SCRUB • BODY MASSAGE • FULL FACIAL • MANICURE OR • HAND PARAFFIN WAX
YOUTH ENHANCING TREATMENTS with DiBi & Bruno Vassari Products GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE
OTHER SERVICES Eye Treatment • Waxing Service Professional Make-up Service Permanent Make-Up • Mole Removal Slimming and Toning Treatment
Mon - Fri 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sat 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
3190 Steeles Ave. E, Unit 101 Markham, Ont. (Steeles Ave. East and Victoria Park) www.jennywongbeautygroup.com
905-940-6238 66
City Life Magazine
The Queens of Queen Street
Dec/Jan 2016/17
Written By Amanda Storey
A
nyone who’s strutted down Toronto’s trendiest street has passed this iconic shop — and probably gawked at the contents of its bay window, which range from lacy For Love and Lemons ensembles to ultra-chic looks from Mikhael Kale. City Life thought it about time to get
to know the two fashion-forward filles who co-founded the little boutique that could (get the whole GTA to fall hard for it, that is!), so we sat down with co-owners Angela Phung and Vava Valentina to chat about what’s in store for winter and being the hottest shop on the coolest block.
CL: Tell us the story behind TSOQ. AP: On a magical leap year day in 2012, Vava and I met through a mutual friend and decided to get to know each other over lunch. Afterward I offered to drive her home, and as we drove down Queen we passed a little storefront that said “For Rent.” Not even knowing each other’s last names, we said, “Let’s do it!”
staying stylish in a Canadian winter? AP: We never dress based on the weather! LOL! I’ll be in open-toed shoes and Va will be in a sheer dress in the middle of winter!
CL: Describe TSOQ’s style in two words. VV: Bold and trendy. CL: Some favourite trends for winter 2017? AP: Layers, layers, layers and mixing patterns. CL: Favourite piece that’s currently in store? (You can pick three.) VV: If we could only pick three ... the Evianna pant, the Drusilla jacket and the Fira dress. CL: Can you share your best tips for
CL: Which celebrity would you love to style? AP: Va would love to style Cameron Diaz. I would have loved to style Kim Kardashian, but Kanye beat me to it! CL: Whose style do you admire the most? AP: I personally have two sides. I love Daphne Guinness and Nick Wooster with a bit of Lenny Kravitz! Va loves Anna Dello Russo. CL: What do you love the most about Torontonian fashion? VV: We love that it’s a bit of everything. You will see everything and anything in the different pockets of the city. www.thestoreonqueen.com @thestoreonqueen www.mycitylife.ca
THE FOOD. THE DRINKS. THE VIBE. HAVE IT ALL AT XXI CHOPHOUSE
STEAK • SEAFOOD • FINE WINE AND SPIRITS
www.XXIchophouse.com www.mycitylife.ca
info@XXIchophouse.com
905 893 CHOP (2467) Dec/Jan 2016/17
City Life Magazine
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City Life Magazine
Dec/Jan 2016/17
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