City Life Magazine Mar/Apr 2024

Sarah Grossman & Tamara Green

TELL US WHAT TO EAT TO GET HAPPY!

ONE

PRESENTATION

ELEVATING HOME ELEGANCE: UNVEIL LUXURY IN EVERY STROKE

Nestled in the heart of Toronto, a city brimming with artistic flair and charm, Paint Mastery was brought to life through its’ founders’ revolutionary concept — that every home has the potential of a blank artist’s canvas. They aspired to redefine the residential painting world and create transcendent sanctuaries for their clients and aimed to create a paradigm shift in the industry. They discovered that homeowners craved more than just repainted living spaces; they longed for an experience in which a seamless blend of excellence, distinctiveness and quality touches would intertwine to transform homes into artistic creations. It was this that laid the foundation for Paint Mastery.

Paint Mastery isn’t simply about painting walls, it’s about bringing the story of a home to life. They collaborate with leading designers and use quality, eye-catching materials because they recognize the importance of the space as a haven, a place of solace, and a platform for personal expression. Their process is different: they work with top tier interior designers and use materials guaranteed to last and give your walls rich and full colour. Beyond aesthetics, they embrace community

and sustainability through eco-friendly initiatives and neighbourhood support. The group as a whole personifies Paint Mastery and is the epitome of expert craftsmanship.

More than a brand, Paint Mastery is a promise: a promise of quality, of excellence, and of an experience that goes beyond mere brushstrokes. Their goal is to transform homes into treasured retreats where each room exudes a sense of understated grandeur and the walls tell tales of exquisite beauty, spaces where every wall speaks a tale of elegance and every room pulses with a sense of sophistication, giving life to ordinary walls through colourful designs and paintings depicting your feelings towards your home. Watch the enchantment unfold as tentative brushstrokes transform into assured renderings of your most ardent wishes. Imagine taking a step back to see your room as a lively representation of who you really are rather than just a nicely painted space.

When you are looking for elegance, quality, and craftsmanship, Paint Mastery is your first choice for design and painting services — it’s beyond painting and design!

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

is, by taking care with what we put in our mouths! The foods we eat directly corelate to how we feel, not just physically but emotionally. Yes, “good food” can put us in a good mood. We’ve all certainly heard the expression “You are what you eat,” but we sometimes forget that “what we are” includes our mental outlook and how we feel, and that as well as supporting physical health, good food can improve our mental health and stabilize our moods.

To learn more, we caught up with the cover stars of this edition of City Life Magazine, Sarah Grossman and Tamara Green, the authors of Good Food, Good Mood (published by Appetite by Random House). They want to teach readers how healthy eating, including through adding protein and lots of colourful vegetables to every meal, can support a healthy gut and brain.

As you read through this issue you’ll also learn that good food isn’t the only thing that help to nourish a good mood — we should all also help ourselves to a few generous servings of the arts. In fact, a recent study by the Canada Council for the Arts found that 52 per cent of Canadians who participated in 15 arts, cultural and heritage activities — such as attending live music performances, art and cultural festivals, theatre and comedy shows, going to art galleries or even just reading books — were more likely to report very good or excellent mental health than those who didn’t, according to Michael Tibollo, Ontario’s Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addiction.

Michelle Zerillo-Sosa Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Fernando Zerillo Co-Founder/Creative Director

THE GREATEST ACT OF LOVE IS SELF-CARE

The more you love yourself, the more love you have to give!

If you are anything like us, the above statement might make you uneasy — especially if you, like us, come from a generation of people who have always been used to putting others’ needs before our own. Whether it’s our kids, our parents, our spouse or even our jobs, we know what’s required of us and what needs to be done.

But when are we going to start taking better care of ourselves and make our own well-being and happiness a priority? If frequent flyers have learned anything, it’s the flight attendants’ announcement: put your oxygen mask on first before you try to help anyone else around you. So, OK, but how do we begin on our own particular journey of physical, mental and spiritual wellness?

We can start by moving from the outside to the inside — that

Another great read is our interview with Master Certified Coach Joshua Freedman, who discusses why he thinks people are suffering rising levels of stress in both their personal and professional lives. More than ever, we need to pay attention to our emotions and develop our emotional intelligence, he told City Life, and we can do that by taking just six seconds to reflect, grow and learn, his “six-second rule.”

Last but not least is our interview with Dr. Jeremy Zoch, whose latest book, Life Lived Well, highlights how to find our calling and inspires us to be the best we can be. He advises us all to slow down and change our outlook on life, and to recognize that some of the challenges we face and difficult events in our lives are what forge our characters and provide us with the most valuable lessons — and the most positive growth.

So, dear friends of City Life Magazine, you can see that we have compiled stories for this issue that will help you take care of yourself in every way. We hope you enjoy this edition and that you’ll support our work by sharing it, whether that’s your print or digital copy or through social media, with your family and friends.

Until next time, stay well and be kind to others — and to yourself!

Michelle Zerillo-Sosa Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Director

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PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michelle Zerillo-Sosa • michelle@dolce.ca

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Angela Palmieri-Zerillo • angela@dolce.ca

CO-FOUNDER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR Fernando Zerillo • fernando@dolce.ca

ART DEPARTMENT

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Christina Ban

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Soo Jin Oh

SENIOR UI/UX DESIGNER Yena Yoo

WEB DEVELOPER Jordan Carter

UI/UX DESIGNER Mariia Korolenko

DIGITAL CONTENT DESIGNER Marco Schirripa

MULTIMEDIA ASSISTANT Massimo Sosa

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT

FASHION & HOME DECOR EDITOR Michelle Zerillo-Sosa

BEAUTY & WELLNESS EDITOR Angela Palmieri-Zerillo

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Marc Castaldo, Isha Sharma

Rick Muller, Cece M. Scott, Josh Walker

COPY EDITORS & PROOFREADERS

Samantha Acker, Barbara Feldman, Rob Tilley

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Shannon Laliberte, Lismery Loyola, Emad Mohammadi

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS & CONTENT CREATORS

Valentina Concu, Amanda Palazzo

PR MANAGERS & EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS

Marc Castaldo, Anastasiia Horbulova

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Holly Potts

VIDEO DEPARTMENT

VIDEOGRAPHERS Lismery Loyola, Emad Mohammadi

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DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Angela Palmieri-Zerillo • angela@dolce.ca

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FRONT COVER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Shannon Laliberte

CITY LIFE MAGAZINE • VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 1 • MAR/APR 2024

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SPRING SMILES WITH OUR ORTHODONTIC EXPERTS

905.553.7778

3611

416.901.7778

2085

tasiosortho.com

Tasios

Tasios welcomes all members of our community to visit their nearest location and experience a friendly environment ready to give you the smiles of your dreams. New patients are welcome with no referrals necessary.

COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATIONS

We offer complimentary consultations for patients to learn about our various orthodontic pathways and to assist them in choosing the best treatment for them.

CONVENIENT OFFICE HOURS

Our office hours are flexible to best accommodate patients’ busy schedules. Our office has availability on weekends and evenings to find a time that best suits your needs, with two convenient practices located near major highways in Vaughan and Toronto.

WAITING ROOM & AMENITIES

Our office has been thoughtfully designed to welcome patients into a comfortable and modern space. Decorated with lush greenery, modern fixtures and flowing waterfalls to soothe any nerves. We also offer a variety of amenities, including coffee, snacks, a gaming area and a newly added outdoor mini golf patio!

AFFORDABLE INTEREST-FREE PAYMENT PLANS

We offer personalized interest-free payment plans with low monthly payments. Our team will assist patients in choosing the best route to suit their budget. Ensuring customer satisfaction is important to us. We take the time to determine patients’ insurance benefits to maximize coverage.

DESIGN NEWS

A careful selection of home essentials and décor that add style and character

TEXT BY MARC CASTALDO

SOTENÄS

Hakebo yellow armchair that exudes youth, joy and comfort. www.ikea.ca

SMEG ’50S STYLE RETRO TOASTER

Add some iconic and classic mid-century flair to your kitchen with this four-slice toaster.

www.bestbuy.ca

BRUNSCHWIG & FILS’ TOPAZ

A part of the Celeste collection, this unique wallcovering pattern and palette adds charm to any space. steelespaint.com

Creates a lit-from-within effect as light streams past the beautifully sculpted metal leaves. shop.primalighting.ca

ASPIRING FASHIONISTAS

Decorating kids’ rooms shouldn’t feel like a chore. HomeSense offers children art, décor and furniture they'll love.

www.homesense.ca

CHERRY COCOTTE

The classic casserole dish is excellent for frying and slow cooking and is a true kitchen aesthetic piece. www.indigo.ca

BISTRO GARDEN TILE COLLECTION

A mosaic-style collection that features an espresso cup and saucer inspired by Parisian-boulevard cafés. Check out the whole collection.

www.anthropologie.com

LEMON VINE IRON WREATH

Welcome visitors to your home with the sunny spirit of a citrus grove.

www.shopterrain.com

DESIGN NEWS

BESIDE THE SEA

THE WATER/WHISKY TUMBLER

This 500-piece puzzle from Galison is perfect for puzzling fun and, once completed, completed, is ready for framing.

www.indigo.ca

THE GRAFF SOSPIRO TWO-HANDLE

A flawlessly designed two-handle kitchen faucet that showcases its contemporary style.

www.canaroma.com

THE FIAMO

A state-of-the-art outdoor pizza oven that caters to the needs of culinary beginners and seasoned chefs alike.

www.ciaobellapizzaovens.com

WILLIAM SIDE TABLE

It features a beautiful circular elmwood top with a smooth stainless-steel trim in a brass finish for a distinguished feel. zillihome.com

DISNEY PRINCESS COLLECTION

Introducing Happily Ever After, which celebrates enchanting fairy-tale magic — a collection of everyday items that give kids the royal treatment.

www.potterybarnkids.ca

CANAROMA TILE

Over 40 years of bringing technology, performance and utility together to connect function and opulent design. canaromatile.com

A TRADITION OF DEDICATED DENTAL SERVICES

Dr. Soroosh Khalilinejad and his team at My City Dental fill their hearts through loving patient care

Often referred to by his patients as “Dr. K.,” Dr. Soroosh

Khalilinejad of My City Dental clinic was determined to become the most trusted and comprehensive dental care provider since earning his general dentistry degree in 2007, simply because of his love for the Vaughan community.

“I love my area and the people here. I’ve been practicing dentistry in multiple offices for several years but always wanted my clinic here,” says Dr. Khalilinejad.

His journey in dentistry led him to Germany, where he earned his Master’s Degree in Implantology. This specialization has allowed him to bring advanced implant techniques to My City Dental, providing comprehensive solutions for patients seeking to restore their teeth and regain their confidence.

“The most rewarding aspect of my job is that I can help them find their problems and provide options to have better oral hygiene.

Most of my patients have come to me for a second or third opinion because heard things from other dentists and they want to make sure they’re making the right decisions,” says Dr. Khalilinejad.

For a long time dental treatment has been daunting to some patients, those who fear the pain and process. But at My City Dental patients can’t stop smiling. The clinic is designed to help children and adults be relaxed and entertained. With dedicated children’s playrooms and operatories for adults, patients look forward to their appointment times and are happy to be there.

My City Dental’s exceptional, friendly staff is its greatest asset. One of those is office manager Teresa Rapp, who has proudly worked alongside Dr. Khalilinejad and shares the same pride and joy in providing care for families living in the York Region.

“Our patients are very open to our suggestions for treatment plans because we

treat them with confidence and they trust us. We’re compassionate, empathetic and always thorough with patients because we want to give them the best care possible,” says Rapp.

My City Dental is your trusted, personalized and affordable family clinic, meant for you whether you are seeking emergency dentistry, general services, cosmetic treatment, endodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics or sedation dentistry.

One office for all of your dental needs because a healthy smile is priceless

BEAUTY

Show your

DESIRED LOOK

TEXT BY MARC CASTALDO

BIGSHOW

HYDRAPLUMP PLUMPING LIP GLOSS

Finish with dewy lips using a pink lip gloss to complement the rosy flush.

annabelle.com

RETINOL

AND HPR CERAMIDE CAPSULES SKIN-RENEWING SERUM

Reduce unwanted wrinkles and spots and improve the firmness, texture and tone of your skin.

annabelle.com

SUBTL BEAUTY’S LIP BALM TRIO

LUMINOUS630

Your new go-to daily moisturizer will hydrate, nourish and strengthen the moisture barrier, leaving your skin looking and feeling smoother.

www.nivea.ca

Say goodbye to lip dryness and welcome phenomenal hydration and

DYSON SUPERSONIC HAIR DRYER

Sophisticated heat control accompanied by styling attachments for your desired look.

www.dysoncanada.ca

L’ÉVIDENCE - EAU DE PARFUM

A fresh and vibrant fragrance that is sure to ‘‘wow’’ your special someone.

www.yvesrocher.ca

ROSEMARY

PRE-WASH OIL

A revolutionary hair care solution designed to soothe your scalp and strengthen your strands with rosemary oil and essential vitamins.

www.briogeohair.com

A

FUN AND INSIGHTFUL DOCUMENTARY ON THE ‘PERFECT HAIR’ JOURNEY

With elements of adventure, personal stories and medical research, CBC’s “Hairy Tales” dives into untangling hair dilemmas

WRITTEN BY ISHA SHARMA

Weall struggle to get that “perfect hair” that can make or break an entire look. From hair loss to genetic issues, the troubles are endless. And let's not forget the “bad hair day” concerns we all deal with on an everyday basis. But not anymore. CBC’s The Nature of Things has come up with a new documentary, “Hairy Tales,” to resolve all our hair-related predicaments.

The film is written, directed and produced by Leora Eisen, who is known for her perceptive and gripping storylines. Co-directed by Chris Strikes, “Hairy Tales” will be available on Thursday, March 7, on CBC Gem and broadcast on CBC TV at 9 p.m. ET (9:30 p.m. NT).

Delving into the science of hair, the insightful yet entertaining film is about

a hair-raising journey that starts in a salon, proceeds to a lab and finally finds itself at a circus. Hosted by Anthony Morgan and Sarika Cullis-Suzuki, the documentary looks at hair issues facing people around the world.

Bringing her passion for science communication and meticulous attention to filmmaking, Eisen has created “Hairy Tales” to dive deeper into the science of hair dilemmas. There are wide-ranging causes, including hair loss, genetic predispositions, and dry and weak hair that contribute to humanity’s hair misery. The film features the hosts exploring all these struggles and what most of the world's population experience to get perfect hair.

The documentary debunks many myths and unravels some new research around hair. The film takes viewers on an insightful journey, drawing examples from the hosts’ personal lives — CullisSuzuki dealt with postpartum hair loss after the birth of her sons and Morgan has a family history of receding hairlines — and meeting with family members and a childhood barber to understand how hair colour, texture and growth are influenced by genetics.

Medical professionals, geneticists, top researchers and even the Guinness World Record Holder for the world’s strongest hair make appearances and share insights into the not-sostraightforward science of hair.

The amazing growth process generated by each of our scalps’ 100,000 follicles is explained by experts, including Dr. Carolyn Goh, a renowned specialist in hair loss who has been bald since she was three years old. Dermatologist Dr. Renée Beach explores the scientific and sociological aspects of hair and explains why do-it-yourself hair hacks popular on social media are so dubious.

Adding adventure to the fun, biological anthropologist Tina Lasisi leads Morgan on a desert expedition to uncover the evolutionary significance of hair as revealed by a prehistoric human scalp. To illustrate the extraordinary strength of human hair, materials expert Marc Meyers challenges him to a “thin hair vs. thick hair” combat.

Stress certainly seem to affect hair growth and contribute to hair loss, but does it? The film features one Canadian researcher who is trying to find out if stress genuinely can cause hair to turn grey, and another scientist who is venturing into “barren territory” by studying the use of stem cells to create a “Botox for baldness.”

Hair concerns are literally top-ofmind and pervasive in today’s world. Taking care of our hair health is not only important for our looks but also for our body’s overall well-being. “Hairy Tales” debunks myths, informs us about recent scientific approaches to vexing hair problems and helps us find a path on our journey to “perfect hair”in a fun and informative way. If you want to embark on a fun adventure and gain a whole headful of insights into the science of hair, add “Hairy Tales” to your bingewatching list for March 2024!

PHOTO COURTESY OF CBC

PHOTO BY LAUREN REINE NEWMAN

From going grey to going bald, Hairy Tales exploration with doctors, geneticists, leading researchers, and even a Guinness World Record holder for the world’s strongest hair suggests that the science of hair is anything but cut and dry

A BETTER FUTURE DESIGNING

Canada’s annual design festival, DesignTO, brought people together from all across Toronto to celebrate the creative minds behind the artistry

WRITTEN BY MARC CASTALDO

Canada’s largest and leading annual design festival never fails to impress. As trends, social issues, and talent emerge, the DesignTO festival celebrates bringing design and people together to create a sustainable, just and joyful future.

DesignTO Festival 2024 was momentous, featuring over 500 artists and designers and welcoming over one hundred and sixty thousand visitors. The festival happened online and in person at venues across Toronto, bringing the city and its homegrown talent into the spotlight.

The popularity of this festival is just one aspect of its significance: What are we without design? Thoughtful design promotes comfort, sophistication, and creativity. Beyond any art or craft, it is the heart and soul of innovation.

DesignTO Festival continues to thrive and inspire attendees and the next generation of designers. City Life Magazine is excited to share a select list of this year’s exhibits that left a lasting impression. Each exhibit was unique in its form of expression. However, the overarching message with all of them was that a world without design is a world without imagination.

designto.org

@designtofestival

AJUGANDO A SANAR

series of sculptural pieces by Nadira Narine explored themes of childhood trauma and “dopamine decor” and their relationship to each other. The award-winning Panama-born artist expressed her innermost feelings in this series by incorporating objects and memories from her childhood into her art, creating a whimsically lighthearted yet emotionally driven experience with the hope that we’d reflect on our childhoods with touches of nostalgia, healing and positivity.

@hyperprecious

AROUND STRANGE PHOOL’S TABLESCAPE

Mimosa Haque, a BangladeshiCanadian, chose the floating lobby of the Ace Hotel Toronto to set an intricate tablescape installation that explored otherworldly gardenscapes and newfangled floral design, inspired by nature’s imperfections and the architectural elements of the space.

@acehoteltoronto

CALL EYES ON YOU

Athought-provoking mirror installation by Anna Pogossyan explored the profound connection between selfreflection, perception, and the human experience. Its goal was to ask the provoking question: What are you in your eyes and the eyes of others? Inspired by Carl Jung’s model of the psyche, this young award-winning artist believes that eyes are more than just our source of sight — they are mirrors of our soul, conveying an array of emotions and behaviours. Pogossyan has garnered notable showings for her artistic work, and her potential is limitless.

annpogossyan.com

@annpogossyan

elebrating the creative process behind the international award-winning “Juliet” seating collection, this exhibit comprised a dining chair, counter stool, and bar stool, every element thoughtfully considered to offer an exceptional user experience while maturing beautifully with time. Crafted in Verona, Italy, these pieces draw inspiration from the tale of Romeo and Juliet. In this spirit, Juliet: A Journey from Verona was a celebration of the passion, innovation, and artistry of product design.

www.republicofiibyiv.com @republicofiibyiv

BOUTET STUDIO SHOWCASE

The narrative of this exhibition was created by carefully observing the margins and intersections of the fabric of society — people’s needs and skills that are often overlooked. DESIGNwith aims to bring traditional methods of creating and alternative approaches to design — that consider the whole person, such as humancentred design, design for accessibility and design for care — to the forefront.

www.designwith.ca @designwith.ca

JULIET: A JOURNEY FROM VERONA

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY WORK

reated and curated by Sean Hazell, this exhibit highlighted artifacts from the recent past, present, and future of work. The showcased items, both real and fictional, evoked themes of identity, inequity, and motivation. From stress balls to smartphones, what may seem to be ordinary objects are symbols of the intricate forces at our workplace. Moreover, they tell stories of our forever-changing work life and how they are changing us.

www.museumofcontemporarywork.com

@museumofcontemporarywork

AT WHAT POINT DOES IRRATIONAL THOUGHT BECOME RATIONAL?

Eric Lachance spent three months collecting as many chairs as he could to present the process of a recurring action in sculptural form. For him, chairs take on a profound significance when viewed through a larger lens as members of the family household, they hold emotions, traditions and experiences. Lachance is a Toronto-based artist known for his work in spatial, furniture, and product-design media, which explores the intersection of human activity and the built environment — its historical significance and iconography.

@the.chance

WALKING TOUR OF FOUR MODERNEST HOUSES

Architect Kyra Clarkson, coowner of MODERNest Inc., led a walking tour to highlight four houses built by MODERNest. Designed and developed by architects, the houses were within a ten-minute walk of one another in the Trinity Bellwoods/Queen West neighbourhood. Each home was designed for a family to thrive in the cultural life of downtown, and all feature good spaces, lots of light, modern detailing, energy efficiency, solid construction, natural materials, and family-friendly and healthy living environments.

BOUTET STUDIO SHOWCASE

Francois Boutet’s collection was a forward-thinking reimagining of classic pop-art subjects. He designs and makes all of his characters completely from scratch in a variety of media, rendering their individual dispositions with impressive delicacy. The Quebec artist’s work has been highly acclaimed both in Canada and internationally for more than 22 years.

www.boutetstudio.com

@boutetstudio

An interactive art installation by Chaimi Design Collective that collected moments, feelings, and thoughts of individuals and tried to find the thing that connects us all. The bubble tea store was more than just a home to the “Bubble Wall,” it celebrated the culture that produced it. Participants were able to scan each bubble to read others’stories and thoughts and share theirs.

GREAT FRIENDS

www.modernest.ca

@modernest_inc

Acollection of colourful oversized friendship bracelets by multidisciplinary designer Laura Carwardine, who produced them using the same techniques as typical bracelets but with much larger materials. Known for her fun colour combinations and for finding interesting colour palettes in everyday life, with “Great Friends” she brought fun patterns and vibrancy into interior spaces, playing on the nostalgia of making and exchanging bracelets

@thebobaroom

FURNISHING EXCELLENCE

York Region’s most trusted furniture destination, Zilli Home Interiors celebrates its 15th anniversary of personable, dedicated and professional service

For Natalie Papia, President of Zilli Home Interiors, the past 15 years have flown by because of her hard work, passion, and dedication.

Although she grew up in a family-owned furniture-upholstery business, she recalls the unsettling nerves she had all those

years ago when she transitioned from the manufacturing industry to face-to-face customer retail.

“March 2009 was a whirlwind! With three young kids and a business to open, my life was utter craziness. I think back to the rushed days of work and family and now

cherish those special memories so much,” says Papia.

Her initial fears soon dissolved because of the great mentors who eased that transition. But most of all, what laid the foundation for Papia’s success was her simple mantra of always being true to herself.

The easiest way to face challenges is with authenticity. With honesty comes compassion for others as well as yourself

“The easiest way to face challenges is with authenticity. With honesty comes compassion for others as well as yourself,” says Papia.

Zilli Home Interiors is a 22,000-squarefoot three-floor showroom containing more than 70 gorgeous coordinated and fully furnished “rooms to inspire,” from family rooms to kitchens to bedrooms and home

offices. Through the years of success, lifestyle trends and product selections have certainly evolved but what has remained is the Zilli Home mission: a firm commitment to offering the ultimate home-furnishing experience to its amazing long-standing customers.

It is more than just creating beautifully furnished spaces - it’s about creating family memories! The Zilli Home Interiors team doesn’t just foster trustful relationships with returning customers. That trust has been transmitted to the next generation, too, to the children of those customers, who are now starting families of their own and are eager to create their first homes.

As they continue to listen and cater to their clients’ needs, Zilli Home Interiors’ internal operations have grown. The company now has a robust online and social media presence, which it uses to showcase its deep knowledge of its product lines, its understanding of the latest trends and its bespoke services.

“In the next 15 years, I want to continue to do what we do and to grow it beyond just Vaughan, expanding in terms of servicing deliveries outside of the Greater Toronto

Area or setting up another storefront location. Also growing ourselves individually to maintain our vision for our customers well into the future,” says Papia.

The dedicated team remains available seven days a week for all your home furnishing needs, whether that means when you go into their store to explore their three floors of inspiration, they pay you an in-home visit to help you make your space a reflection of your style or you peruse their online offerings from the comfort of your home. No matter what, they are there for you.

“I love my staff. They each possess such passion and heart, who know just how to brighten our everyday lives,” says Papia.

Today, Natalie Papia the entrepreneur, wife and mother of three still gets charged with an adrenaline rush out of achieving her personal best - which, for her, means balancing her work and her family life in a way that perfectly feeds her soul and spirit.

HONOURING DESIGN HISTORY AND ITS FUTURE

The Interior Design Show 2024 celebrated the best in global and Canadian design in its 25th edition

WRITTEN BY MARC CASTALDO

The 25th edition of the Interior Design Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre was nothing short of spectacular. Design lovers were treated to a truly immersive experience, with the “wow” factor in play throughout, from the emerging designers’ booths to those of the legacy brands.

Since 1999, IDS has become a catalyst for Canadian design, and, during the past two decades, innovation and inspiration have been at its heart and soul. Solving the problems of tomorrow and crafting seamless functionality fused with comfort have always been its guiding pillars.

But as society is changing, so are the issues of the world! And, Canadian designers feel a deep responsibility to create products that are also transformative.

Companies like Roche Bobois, whose boldly colourful and simplistic Bombom outdoor furniture caught the eyes of all who walked by, evoking sense of happiness and wonder. Montauk Sofa’s jungle-style collection wrapped guests with a unique feeling of Amazonian warmth. Signature Kitchen Suite appliances that combine purposeful design, precision and luxury were put to the test with a live cooking demonstration courtesy of celebrity chef Mark McEwan.

Among the many prominent attendees at the show, Alison Brooks, the founder and creative director of Alison Brooks Architects in London, U.K., honoured City Life with an exclusive interview. She delved into her roots and shared her thoughts on how the design world has done a better job of being more sustainability-conscious.

“It’s great to see the sort of homegrown talent and the manufacturing and design happening in Canada. We’re headed in a direction, which focuses much more on the process, in terms of sustainability. We have begun to change the way we extract materials and how we process them,” says Brooks. “This is an optimistic time for designers as their work is a response to our time’s social and environmental issues.”

When Brooks was growing up in southern Ontario, her mother always pointed out beautiful historic buildings and farmhouses in the countryside. Little did she know that those shared moments of appreciation would deeply resonate.

At 16 years old, when Brooks put

pencil to paper in her architectural design and drafting course, she knew design was the work she could happily do for the rest of her life. She had found her true calling.

With her keen eye for space and form, she soon learned that design goes beyond appreciation for the aesthetic. Rather, it has the power to move people emotionally and psychologically.

“Making life beautiful through design is the quest every architect and designer is trying to achieve,” says Brooks. “Design is like art. It’s possible for a chair or a rug or a lamp or a building to open people up to new experiences and see the world differently.”

Because of that, history and memory are a critical part of the creative design

Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos designed the bold and candy-shaped Bombom sofa collection for Roche Bobois for indoor and outdoor use

process. For people to respond and believe in something, the creation is dependent on the cultural memories of the time or location it embodies.

Brooks adds, “Cultures sort of spring from a certain place. I always start with a lot of research and use that as a source for reimagining what a place could be, how it operates and how it connects with that unique collective memory.”

That is what the Interior Design Show is all about. It is an invitation to see how design history has influenced what the future will hold and how it will change our lives.

interiordesignshow.com

@idstoronto

www.alisonbrooksarchitects.com

@alisonbrooksarchitects

This year showcased a resurgence of nature and natural forms of wood architecture and design that create an ambience of softness

REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR WELLNESS WITH OSTEOSTRONG’S SPECTRUM TECHNOLOGY!

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GHOSTS OF CANOE LAKE: NEW WORK BY MARCEL DZAMA

ENDS ON JUNE 9, 2024

Winnipeg’s Marcel Dzama uses ink, watercolour — and root beer! — in his series of delicate and deeply moving drawings. Inspired by the memories of the time he spent as a child in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, his unique visual language conveys folklore fantasies and captures the wonder of a child’s imagination, which

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COBALT: A MINING TOWN AND THE CANADIAN IMAGINATION

ENDS ON APRIL 21, 2024

This exhibition showcases the work of the artists who visited Cobalt, Ont., between the First and Second World Wars after most of the silver, cobalt and nickel deposits had been depleted. In its heyday, the story of Cobalt was known around the world, and the town attracted miners, scientists, scholars and, of course, artists. Artists including Isabel McLaughlin and Dr. Frederick Banting became inspired by Cobalt, a stark and beautiful example of rapid industrialization and the settler relationship with the natural world.

@mcmichaelgallery

BROKEN HEARTS GALA IN SUPPORT OF CARDIAC CARE AT ST. MICHAEL’S HOSPITAL

On Valentine’s Day, Montecassino Event Space proudly hosted the supporters of cardiac care at St. Michael’s Hospital. Those who attended this celebratory and heartwarming philanthropic event included Premier Doug Ford, and the Hon. Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. In addition, further honours were celebrated as the 2024 CIBPA Community Leaders Award recipients Mr. Aldo Di Felice of TLN Media Group and Mr. Joseph Vitale from Italpasta, were in attendance. A special thank you to the CIBPA committee, CIBPA President Tony Cocuzzo, CIBPA Vice President Sabrina Marrelli, CIBPA Treasurer Tony Cipriani, CIBPA Education President Robert Sacco, CIBPA Education Director Marina Di Battista, Senator Toni Varone, Unity Health Toronto Board Member Elio R. Luongo, FCA, all of the members, sponsors and guests for making it an extraordinary evening.

1

. From left: Tony Cocuzzo, President, CIBPA, Aldo Di Felice, TLN Media Group, Premier Doug Ford, Joseph Vitale, Founder and Owner of Italpasta

2. Tony Cipriani, Treasurer, Bob Sacco, President of the CIBPA Education Foundation, Tina Consales, President of Ladies Auxiliary, Tony Cocuzzo, President, CIBPA, Sabrina Marrelli, Vice-President, CIBPA, Stan Cappadocia, Executive Vice-President, CIBPA Education Foundation

still counting!

through the CIBPA Education link below for St. Michael’s Foundation https://toronto.cibpa.com/article/bursary-program-129.asp

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Ahow to effectively grow your wealth.

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Along with Sugi, Associate Wealth Advisor Michelle Rowe, Wealth Advisor Paul Mannu, and Client Associate Angela Diamanti pride themselves on their affluent client base, team chemistry, bespoke investment advice and portfolio construction.

“We have always lived by pride, leadership, and joy. We are proud of the work we doeveryone on the team is a leader and we have fun doing it,” says Sugi.

Paul adds, “As a team, we are very cohesive because there is no overlap with what we do. We all stick to our strengths and each of us brings out our best.”

Their clients continue to rely on them because of their unwavering commitment to their three-pillar investment philosophy of helping to grow assets: strategic asset allocation, a disciplined investment approach and conservative, tax-efficient income strategies.

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PHOTO BY EMAD MOHAMMADI

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Studies have shown that exposure to art and creative experiences can have a positive impact on mental health and well-being

HEALTH THROUGH THE ARTS

Mississauga Arts Council presents a two-year Pilot ArtsCare Social Prescription Program to benefit mental health

WRITTEN BY RICK MULLER

Whether we admit it or not or even realize it, we have all incorporated calming strategies into our daily lives to deal with the sometimes-frenetic pace of our obligations, activities or life patterns. Some of us curl up with a good book or listen to classical music or white noise apps on our phones. Others cook or find that a rigorous physical workout does the trick, and walking the dog or even shamelessly binge-watching an admittedly silly television series can calm the nerves and centre us for the challenges ahead - all are strategies that might personally work for us and our mental health. As John Lennon once sang, “Whatever gets you through the night, it’s all right, it’s all right.”

You may notice that none of these strategies involve medications or pharmaceuticals. That’s the idea behind the Mississauga Arts Council’s new twoyear Pilot ArtsCare Social Prescription program, designed to let participants enjoy creative experiences and to unleash the power of the arts to improve our mental health.

In late November last year, the Mississauga Arts Council (MAC) presented the proposal for a Pilot ArtsCare Social Prescription Program written by art psychotherapist Haley Toll to the Honourable Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. This pilot program is the next step in furthering MAC’s ArtsCare initiatives that make creative experiences and activities available to residents as a non-pharmacological way to improve mental health. The goal is to enhance individual and community health and well-being and foster resilient, sustainable, creative community support and health services for diverse populations. ArtsCare aims to reduce public health costs by implementing preventive measures and innovative services that will have long-term impacts, improving access to care and focusing on a patient’s natural strengths, at a time when many in our society are struggling with mental health challenges.

shown the power of the arts and other creative experiences to enhance mental health strategies. In his New York Times article of February 3, 2024, titled “Art Can Make Us All Better People,” David Brooks wrote, “Paintings, poems, novels and music help multiply and refine the models we use to perceive and construct reality. By attending to great perceivers,” that is, artists, “we can more subtly understand what is going on around us and be better at expressing what we see and feel.”

“In Mississauga, a strained public health system has left many children, youth and adults dealing with mental health crises without adequate support,”

aware of the various concerts, community events and festivals, painting exhibitions and other cultural activities that may be held in our neighbourhoods throughout the year. The ArtsCare prescription is to incorporate these into your daily life and experience creative events in addition to your daily jog or other strategies that work for you. The message is clear: don’t stop what you’re already doing - simply add the arts to the equation and reap the powerful added benefits.

“If you knew of a low-cost, proven effective therapy for a multitude of mental health obstacles, a solution without side effects that was guaranteed to make participants feel better, wouldn't you seek to make it widely accessible?” says Mike Douglas, executive director of MAC. “The ArtsCare Program will help make people feel better while delivering health-care savings.”

“In a study based on a 2016 Statistics Canada General Social Survey, the Canada Council for the Arts found that 52 per cent of Canadians who participated in 15 arts, cultural and heritage activities were more likely to report very good or excellent mental health than nonattendees and participants,” says Associate Minister Tibollo. “This study looked at activities such as live music, art galleries, reading books, art and culture festivals, theatre and comedy shows.”

“There has never been a time when new mental health services were needed more,” according to the Ontario Provincial Mental Health Support Report released in February 2021. Extensive research has

says Toll, former president of the Canadian Art Therapy Association. “Recognizing the need for innovative solutions, The Mississauga Arts Council and Mass Culture initiated a collaborative project to design an arts prescription model,” she explains, finding research through a datathon and connecting leading professionals in the field of arts in health through focus groups and a conference. Called “ArtsCare,” MAC’s new model is a social prescription program for creative therapies designed to provide a spectrum of care to meet the diverse needs of people experiencing isolation, mental health challenges and various forms of distress. The two-year comprehensive program, introduced initially in Mississauga, has the potential to expand across Ontario. ArtsCare is simple in its approach yet may be groundbreaking in improving mental health and well-being through the power of arts and creative experiences. We’re all

As the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe observed in a September 2019 report, “arts interventions are often low-risk, highly cost-effective, integrated and holistic treatment options for complex health challenges to which there are no current solutions.”

Whether it’s yoga or tai chi, boxing, biking, long-distance swimming or crosscountry skiing, all are healthy endeavours for the body, mind and soul. You should consider adding the calm of painting, music, reading or even attending art and music festivals, live theatre or comedy shows - all are proven to be effective strategies to add to your personal tool boxes, strategies to enhance your personal health and well-being. The MAC ArtsCare Social Prescription Program is a worthy initiative for improving your mental health while enjoying yourself at the same time.

www.mississaugaartscouncil.com

@mississauga.arts

Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Michael Tibollo (L) and MAC Executive Director Mike Douglas at the ArtsCare Program launch

PHOTO COURTESY OF MISSISSAUGA ARTS COUNCIL

Master Certified Coach Joshua Freedman explores the power of emotional intelligence in his new book, FeelIttoHealIt .

People are suffering rising levels of stress in both their personal and professional lives. At the same time, there is a serious decline in strong and meaningful social connections today — ever wonder why? More than ever, we need to pay heed to our emotions and develop our emotional intelligence.

Joshua Freedman, master certified coach, CEO and co-founder of the nonprofit Six Seconds, highlights the value of emotions and practicing emotional intelligence as a way to move forward in life. He describes his experience of working as an administrator and teacher at a school that put a strong focus on social and emotional development. To his surprise, students were much better at expressing their emotions than adults.

Freedman explains the reason for his organization’s name: “Emotions are messenger chemicals that regulate every living cell of the body. Chemicals last in the bloodstream for six seconds. One can imbibe a value in six seconds. Similarly, if one wants to change a certain feeling, that can also be done in those six seconds.” Those six seconds, therefore, become a time to reflect, learn and grow. The NGO, which operates in over 150 countries, has conducted mentorship sessions on emotional intelligence for many reputable organizations, including Amazon, TEDx, Microsoft, Qatar Airways and the U.S. Navy.

When collaborating with U.S. Navy officials, Freedman noticed that they addressed their emotions only indirectly, he tells City Life, and used what was almost a coded language to put across feelings. He applauds pop sensation Taylor Swift for owning her emotions and dealing gracefully with the recent frenzy around her AI-generated images.

Freedman notes that in a world that is becoming fake and superficial, Swift comes out as a real person. She is not trying to portray a rosy picture of life, he

PHOTO BY PATTY FREEDMAN

Joshua Freedman, CEO and co-founder of

Swift possesses a phenomenal ability to identify feelings and make sense of things. Instead of reacting to the fake images haphazardly, she chose a non-attacking response. This is a win for emotional intelligence - think beyond the moment and utilize your influence towards a better future

plane full of young Swift fans on their way to her L.A. concert had described the strong sense of community the young women shared to Freedman. One of Swift’s big achievements, he says, has been creating an exciting space for women to come together and form such connections.

According to the data Six Seconds obtained in a survey of people in 140 countries to determine whether men or women are better at maintaining emotional intelligence, Freedman says, women are recovering while EQ in men seems to be declining. Younger people, especially girls and non-binary individuals, also face adverse mental health conditions.

“The digital age is not inherently lovely,” he adds, but that concrete steps coupled with emotional awareness will take us a long way. Companies today have strong organizational hybrid/ remote structures. The best part is that we can always learn emotional intelligence skills to make a difference in both our personal and professional worlds. Emotional intelligence affects every facet of an individual’s life. Emotions have both an inner and outward-facing social function that helps us build valuable friendships, teams and relationships.

Asked about the best piece of advice he has ever received, Freedman says “Give yourself space to feel. Then, if you need help, take it and move forward. Feel it to heal it. There’s a tendency in today’s time to rush things - ‘Go fast,’ ‘do it, do it’ - but it is important to take a moment to feel and then move ahead.”

says. Her songs are about loss, heartbreak and still trying to find direction - even when stuck, she finds strength from her experiences, an incredible life lesson especially for women and young girls, he says. A friend who had been on a

A lesson that he learned the hard way, and is crucial for the world, he says, is that taking care of ourselves is among the major goals we must have in life.

www.6seconds.org

@6secondseq

Six Seconds

THE GOOD FOOD, GOOD MOOD MANTRA

THE POWER THAT FOOD HAS ON OUR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

ISchocolate bar or running to the local barista for a hit of caffeine part of your lateafternoon itinerary?

If so, you are not alone.

So many of us either skip lunch or eat at our desks from containers of takeout food that has more bulk than nutrition and gives us a blood-sugar spike and then energy crash that deplete us well before our day is done.

It is well known that “you are what you eat,” and good food can improve mental health and stabilize moods as well as support physical health

So the question we need to ask ourselves is, can the types of food we eat affect and improve our moods?

“Our gut is our second brain,” says Sarah Grossman, who, along with coauthor Tamara Green, has penned a new book, Good Food Good Mood: 100 Nourishing Recipes to Support Mind & Body Wellness (published by Appetite by Random House), which is being released in March of 2024. It is a book that the two initiated shortly before the start of the

COVID-19 pandemic; as it wore on, they became even more aware of food-mood correlations, and especially attuned to the benefits of eating “supportive foods” and the effect they could have on our moods and mental health.

“Blood sugar levels are highly important to be aware of, something that we talk a lot about in the book,” Grossman says. “The stability of our moods is related to either our balanced or elevated blood sugar levels, which can

INTERVIEW & WRITTEN BY CECE M. SCOTT

In 2010 Tamara Green (left) and Sarah Grossman graduated from Toronto’s Institute of Holistic Nutrition, then founded their company, The Living Kitchen, that same year

PHOTOS BY DANIEL ALEXANDER SKWARNA

PHOTO BY SHANNON LALIBERTE

affect the mood equation, making us feel tired, anxious, stressed or irritated.”

Both graduating from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition in Toronto in 2010, Green and Grossman founded their company, The Living Kitchen, that same year. One of the partners’ first jobs was conducting classes for outpatients at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), to provide them with an overview of how healthy food can make a significant difference to one’s mental health.

From there, the entrepreneurs branched out to meal-delivery services in the Toronto area and a private-chef service. Their international clients range from celebrities to couples looking to make easy dinners, from families with picky eaters to women experiencing

anxiety as a result of infertility or giving birth, and from those struggling with depression, dementia or debilitating gut issues to cancer patients and their caregivers. In fact, the authors’ first book, The Living Kitchen: Nourishing Whole-Food Recipes for Cancer Treatment and Recovery (Appetite by Random House, 2019), provides achievable eating solutions to be used in conjunction with cancer treatments and protocols.

The authors’ mission in writing Good Food, Good Mood was to provide nutritious food solutions for readers that are accessible, affordable and delicious, as well as provide practical, adaptable tools for living according to their “Good Food, Good Mood” mantra.

“We wanted to ensure that readers understand the link between food, moods

‘‘

and mental health. Our hope is that readers, by following the suggestions in this book, which include adding protein to every meal as well as including an array of colourful vegetables and plants, can make a difference in their lives both physically as well as mood-wise,” says Grossman. “It is important to eat in a way that supports our brain and gut health.”

But don’t worry, bons vivants, foodies, epicureans, hedonists, foodaholics, connoisseurs, gastronomists, gourmands and gourmets, your palates will still be happily intrigued and bellies satiated by the diverse and colourful menu choices offered within the pages of Grossman and Green’s book.

“The more variety of plants we eat feeds the microbes in our guts and helps form our neurotransmitters,” Grossman

42 CITY LIFE MAGAZINE Mar/Apr 2024 www.mycitylife.ca

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says. “In fact, microbes help support our brain function. Neurotransmitters also have an impact on our mood — they can make us feel happy, motivated, focused and alert. And while eating good food isn’t the only component to positive mental health, protein-rich foods can be building blocks to create neurotransmitters.”

The bountiful microbiota in our guts are believed to be engaged in an ongoing two-way communication with our brains in a conversation that flows upwards. As such, the state of our gut health can be a positive or negative influence on our mood and memory.

“Challenges inside the gut affect communication within the brain,” Grossman says. “If there is an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut this may cause inflammation, depression, anxiety and stress, and in turn impacts our appetite and our moods.”

Importantly, good gut health helps free nutrients from the food we eat, facilitates digestion, produces vitamin

K, promotes healthy immune systems and acts as a detoxifier. And just as important, the nerves that connect our guts and our brains send signals to our brains that can affect our moods — the practice of eating good food will manifest itself in a good mood — and conversely, when we experience those late afternoon energy crashes, more often than not it is the result of low blood sugar because we haven’t eaten the kinds of foods that fuel our systems in a replenishing way.

There are three main food components that Grossman emphasizes need to be included in our daily meals. The first is protein, which ideally should be eaten at every meal. Secondly is a colourful array of vegetables and other plants, including lentils, nuts and seeds, which contain important nutrients for our body. The third component important to add to our daily food choices is fermented foods, which support the microbes in our gut.

“Protein acts as a building block to help develop our neurotransmitters and

foster feelings of happiness and focus; it also helps to stabilize our blood sugar,” Grossman says. “And, as far as plants and vegetables, the more colour variety we include in our vegetables, the better our gut microbes are supported and fed, which, in turn, positively affects our mood.”

Grossman says vegetables make a positive impact on our health, and recommends that people eat 30 or more servings of plant-based foods in a week.

“It is easier than you think, when you add in chickpeas, a variety of nuts and grains,” she says. “And vegetables also help build micro-diversity in the gut and neurotransmitters in the brain.”

Cognizant of the sometimes prohibitive cost of produce, Grossman suggests buying produce that is in season and plan meals to include what is available at any particular time of the year. If recipe items such as kale or spinach are too expensive, she recommends swapping in other leafy vegetables. Root vegetables such as sweet potatoes and beets are good fill-in ingredients, as is cabbage, which is usually more affordable and available.

Fermented food such as yogurt can be added as a dip or sauce to so many recipes, and for those who are dairyintolerant there are non-dairy yogurt options available. Fermented pickles and other vegetables are also good options.

“We encourage our clients to do a plate check, to look at their plate and assess whether there is enough protein, healthy fat — one to two tablespoons per meal is all that is needed — and that a large part of the plate has vegetables,” Grossman says. “It is important to make sure that, ideally, all of these food components are a part of every meal.”

As we all know, resolutions are easy to make and even easier to break, so the authors have included several tips and advice on how to start on the path to eating “good food” and how to maintain that resolve on an ongoing basis.

“Tamara and I definitely understand the challenge of planning meals, so we included recipes that are easy to make and don’t require a long list of ingredients — most of which readers have in their home,” Grossman says. “We also wanted to make sure that none of the recipes would take a long time to prepare. For

Many recipes in Good Food, Good Mood are easy, fun and quick to make

‘‘ ‘‘

START WITH THE SMALLEST POSSIBLE THINGS THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR EATING HABITS

instance, some of the quicker recipes take as little as 5 to 10 minutes, but most take about 30 minutes, with some being a bit longer.”

Grossman advises that, in order to develop good habits that are sustainable, choose recipes that don’t feel overwhelming, and start with what feels like the easiest and friendliest to make.

“It is OK to start with one, two or three recipes — it doesn’t have to be a lot. And for leftovers the next day, you can double the recipes that you like.

“Tamara and I always tell our clients that if they need to buy some prepared food throughout the week, it is quite all right. You don’t have to make everything from scratch. It is more important to have nutritious food than to skip a meal.

“Basically, we recommend following the 80-20 rule, which is to eat well at least 80 per cent of the time and it’s OK if 20 per cent of the time you allow yourself some flexibility.”

The recipes listed in the index are cross-referenced with various tags, making it easy for readers to find any of the diverse benefits they might be looking for.

“For instance, a reader might be looking for some help around feeling more energized or focused, and so Tamara and I flagged higher protein and fibre-based recipes so readers can access and prepare the foods that fulfil those needs,” Grossman says. “We also suggest adding a variety of nuts and seeds, such as walnuts and hemp seeds, which contain healthy plant-based omega-3.”

almond-butter blondies, dark-cherrywalnut muffins, berry-apple gummies, chocolate-chunk-miso-oat cookies and coconut-fired green bananas, to name just a few.

The authors’ favourite taste profiles are guided by Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Asian influences, and they have developed their recipes for a variety

of tastes including for those with a sensitive palate.

Some of Grossman’s favourite recipe choices (two of which are shared in this article) include, for breakfast, the miso-savoury oats with soft-boiled eggs option and the shredded veggie fritters with probiotic yogurt. For her mains, Grossman loves the one-pan miso braised cod and leeks and the crispy chickpeas and cauliflower over lemony tahini yogurt. Some of the snacks she recommends sound downright yummy, including the miso-maple sticky nuts and the easy seedy flax crackers, which contain healthy fat and protein and are

Important questions to ask ourselves as we begin this new journey of integrating good food into our daily regime include: “Am I eating every meal every day?” and “Am I set up to eat breakfast, lunch

Once we have answered those questions, we can start assessing our food choices by asking ourselves questions like “Am I including protein at

“Start with the smallest possible things that will make a difference in your eating habits,” Grossman recommends. “Tamara and I hope that when people read our book and make our recipes they feel empowered to make choices that support their moods in a way that feels doable, and that makes a difference in their lives.”

www.goodfoodgoodmood.ca

@livingkitchenco

Excerpted

PHOTO BY SHANNON LALIBERTE

BEYOND DENTISTRY: WE ARE FAMILY

For Dr. Vageesh Sabharwal and his team at West Vaughan Dental, family and community are the same

After more than 20 years of passionate care for their patients, Dr. Vageesh Sabharwal’s West Vaughan Dental has become a longstanding pillar with family ties that spread across the York Region. A family-oriented clinic emphasizing complex dental services while also operating as a general practice.

The clinic has an unwavering focus on advanced dental rehabilitations via orthodontics and implant dentistry that is computer-guided. Above all, its priority has always been to build a family relationship with the community.

This would not be possible without West Vaughan Dental’s very own Mary Carnovale, Office Manager, Neelam Chauhan, Senior Administrator, and Surinder Briaana, Junior Administrator.

An intimate connection is felt by patients the moment they are welcomed by the warmth and positivity of the staff. That intimate

connection is developed from them taking the time to get to know their patients for who they and their families are ... so much so that Surinder herself, who joined the team last year, was a patient of Dr. Sabharwal for close to 20 years. “It’s special to work with someone that I knew from before. He knows my whole family, and he remembers everything that he’s asked me over the years,” she says.

“We care about patients beyond their dental health. We care about them on a personal level,” says Mary.

That personal touch has led to 90% of all West Vaughan Dental locations having longstanding patients. Most have been with the clinic since 2001 when Dr. Sabharwal was a promising associate dentist.

“I have been working with Dr. Sabharwal for the last 13 and a half years and I have seen with my own eyes how West Vaughan Dental has grown because of our dedicated customer service and dental care. We always greet

The power of positive relationships that blossom organically, and in the most unexpected ways, is something special. The West Vaughan Dental team does not take that for granted. Of course, they are known for delivering impeccable smiles through outstanding crowns, bridges, implants, fillings and orthodontic work. Most of all, everybody gets along so well. Patients are offered freshly baked goods regularly - in fact, they have been known to call ahead of time to ask what treats they are getting on the day of their appointment.

Simply put, it is a fun work environment that carries over to the patient experience.

“We spend a lot of time together at the clinic so it’s like a second family to us. We work and laugh together. We laugh a lot! And it gets radiated down to the patients, so much so that they want to know what’s so funny,” says Mary.

The West Vaughan Dental team has an exciting future ahead. They are poised to expand and will continue to provide exceptional service to all their patients. Also, they are happy to collaborate with organizations and groups to offer free oral health screenings and hygiene instructions to the public. West Vaughan Dental will also take part in the new Canadian Dental Care Plan initiated by the Government of Canada, to ensure that as many barriers to optimal oral health and overall well-being as possible are reduced for all.

5100 Rutherford Rd. Suite 28, Woodbridge, Ont. 905-893-3368

www.westvaughandental.ca

www.sabharwaldentalgroup.com

@westvaughandental

Surinder Briaana (left) Neelam Chauhan (centre) and Mary Carnovale (right) are knowledgeable and friendly, eager to give you the personalized attention and healthy, gorgeous smile you deserve

For Dr. Sabharwal, it is an honour to work alongside his team of dedicated professionals

PHOTO BY VALERIA MITSUBATA

Jim Anagnostopoulos, Clinic Director, President and CEO of Access Rehab

LIVING WITH BACK PAIN?

Consider Decompression Traction and Class 4 Laser Therapy for Back Pain

Access Rehab Injury Clinic is regarded as North Toronto’s premier physiotherapy and rehab clinic because of its long-standing commitment to quality patient-recovery and treatment.

What is Spinal Decompression?

Spinal decompression works by gently stretching the spine to create a vacuum effect that allows the herniated discs of the spine to slide back into place, while also increasing blood and nutrient circulation, which promotes healing.

Class 4 Laser Therapy and Spinal Decompression Therapy

Class 4 Laser Therapy and spinal decompression is a non-invasive treatment for patients suffering from chronic lower back pain that uses a Class 4 Laser for precision targeting, an innovative approach to spine treatment that will relieve pain and restore your quality of life.

Jim Anagnostopoulos, Access Rehab Injury Clinic’s director, says, “We believe combining spinal decompression with Class 4 Laser Therapy to be an effective, non-surgical and pain-free alternative.”

What Can Spinal Decompression Treat?

• Sciatica and pinched nerves

• Herniated, bulging discs

• Degenerative disc disease

• Spinal stenosis

• Facet syndrome

Is Spinal Decompression Therapy Effective?

Yes. A study documented by MRI shows a 90% reduction of disc herniations in 10 out of 14 cases. Other studies have reported that most ruptured-disc patients achieved good to excellent results after spinal decompression therapy.

If you suffer from chronic lower back pain, we encourage you to call our office today to make an appointment to find out whether you are a candidate for the latest, state-of-the-art therapy of Class 4 Laser and Spinal Decompression Therapy.

York Major Medical Centre

191 McNaughton Rd. East, Suite 303, Vaughan, Ont. 416-987-8092 | www.accessrehab.ca | @accessrehab.ca

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EVERLASTING SUCCESS AT LUMINATO

A global search has brought in Australia’s Olivia Ansell as the new artistic director of Luminato Festival Toronto

WRITTEN BY RICK MULLER

For almost 20 years Luminato Festival Toronto has been a “one degree of separation” for the city, bringing a diverse collection of artists together in a spirit of connectivity. Unrivalled as one of the world’s most renowned arts festivals, it is now poised to reach new heights of imagination and creative inspiration.

Leading that ascension will be Olivia Ansell, recently named as Luminato’s new artistic director after an extensive

global search. Ansell, the current festival director of Sydney Festival and former head of contemporary performance for the acclaimed Sydney Opera House, was enticed to the Northern Hemisphere to spread her creative and curatorial talents.

“I work in the arts because creativity has the power to challenge and inspire people,” says Ansell. “I am honoured to join Luminato and curate for a renowned multidisciplinary festival at an international scale. Toronto is

a remarkable city, and I look forward to fostering creative exchange among artists, organizations and communities, locally and worldwide, to amplify the vibrancy of this city’s identity through cultural storytelling and ambitious public play.”

“Public play” is an apt description of Luminato. Creatively speaking, almost anything goes for the festival, which is a convenor and catalyst for big, bold contemporary works of art displayed

Bringing bold ambition and an international track record of success to Toronto, Ansell assumes her new duties in 2025

each June. In welcoming the world to Toronto, Luminato commissions, produces and presents exceptional Canadian and international artists in a collective display of imagination and artistry, perhaps needed now more than ever.

It is supported in this quest by its founding government partner, the Province of Ontario, its major partners the Government of Canada and the City of Toronto, along with its government partners the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts.

Throughout the year, Luminato works with artists from diverse cultures and communities in the Toronto region, supporting creative development and bringing their art to the world stage. Toronto is often called the world’s most diverse city, and perhaps no other time is that diversity on better display than at Luminato. The festival connects local voices with global conversations and grounds its work in equity, inclusion, accessibility and sustainability. Luminato’s guiding light, its driving force, is its belief in the power of art to start conversations and inspire audiences. With that mandate, a global leader in creativity would be the perfect fit for it to achieve greater heights.

“I am filled with immense excitement and enthusiasm to welcome Olivia as our artistic director,” says Celia Smith, CEO of Luminato Festival Toronto and noted city-builder. “Ansell’s dedication to cultural storytelling, audience engagement and animating place will help deepen Luminato’s impact as a cultural city-building organization. She has a natural talent for understanding the pulse of a city and presenting it in an authentic manner.”

Ansell is a highly accomplished arts curator and executive, with experience ranging from performer, choreographer and director to executive producer and curator across non-profit and commercial art ventures. “I think that arts festivals play a really important role in making sure they ignite culture and collaborate

Creative Catalysts, helping to elevate the cultural landscape of that city while providing rich opportunities for people to rediscover and re-experience the city in new and unexpected ways.

In the midst of the global pandemic she fearlessly guided the Sydney Festival through a period of uncertainty, recovery and rejuvenation as its festival director. After a remarkable year in 2023, Sydney Festival surpassed its box office goals while significantly growing new audiences. In recognizing her exceptional leadership, Sydney Festival extended Ansell’s tenure through to 2025, when she will move to Canada. Ansell will be curating her inaugural program for Luminato Festival Toronto next year, which will be the festival's 19th year.

She has a natural talent for understanding the pulse of a city and presenting it in an authentic manner

The extensive local and international talent search to identify and then secure Ansell’s services was led by Caldwell Partners, a globally recognized executive talent provider that considered worldclass local, national and international candidates. “In the next few years, Luminato Festival Toronto will celebrate 20 years of animating and delighting this great city,” says Douglas Knight, C.M., chair of the board. “Adding Olivia’s innovative artistic vision to Celia Smith’s exceptional organizational leadership establishes a new era for our festival to keep growing our impact and enhancing the experiences of people living in and visiting Toronto.”

Ansell’s vision for Luminato is bold and confident, reflective of her own personality. “What I envision over the next few years for Luminato is to be known as that experiential intellectual arts festival with a bold personality and an appetite for taking risks,” she says.

deeply with artists so we can retain that sense of cool in places that we live and work,” says Ansell.

She certainly did that by leaving her mark on Sydney, where she was voted one of Vivid Sydney’s Top 100

Given Olivia Ansell’s accomplishments and considerable talents, from her roots Down Under to her new heights at the very top of Luminato Festival Toronto beginning in 2025, creativity in Toronto should strap in and enjoy the ride.

luminatofestival.com

@luminatofestival

Luminato CEO and noted city-builder Celia Smith was part of the team undertaking the worldwide search that landed Ansell

FADES ‘ N ’ BLADES

INTRODUCING CITY LIFE’S BARBER SERIES!

FAVOURITE BARBERSHOP PICKS THAT WILL HAVE YOU LOOKING AND FEELING YOUR BEST

WRITTEN BY MARC CASTALDO

The origins of your local barbershop are rich with history, and barbershops as social institutions have been around for centuries — going as far back as ancient Rome, when Emperor Nero was served by his personal barber.

Today, barbers with flair keep up with and deliver ever-changing styles for clients of all ages and walks of life and even inspire male grooming rituals.

The barbershop has traditionally been recognized as a haven for men, a place to gather and socialize. It’s a judgment-free zone where men can vent, curse and express commentary that may otherwise be considered politically incorrect.

Barbers offer more than just a fresh style and steady razorwielding hand. They are modern-day Renaissance men, knowledgeable about various topics because of their years of developing relationships with the people who sit in their chairs.

Whether the topic of discussion is sports, politics or societal issues, barbers are listeners, advisers and members of the community who reserve judgment wholeheartedly because they know that will encourage expression.

Above all, their greatest satisfaction is to serve the communities that have been so loyal to them.

If you’d like to see your go-to barbershop featured in future editions of City Life, email us at info@mycitylife.ca

Anthony ‘Ando’ Del Maestro and his crew at I Barbieri do more than trim, fade and style ... they inspire

LIFE IS SHORTER THAN A FADE

Walking into I Barbieri is no different than walking into your living room … the ambience feels like home. The only difference is razors are gliding, hair trimmings are falling, and the smiles of community members are glowing in and out of the door. I am welcomed by the owner Anthony Del Maestro — known to many in the North York community as “Ando,” as he meticulously perfects his client’s mid-fade.

Ando was born into a hardworking Italian family in London, England, that fostered honesty and creative expression. Ando’s roots in barbering are wellestablished: His father was also a barber. Although Ando initially aspired to follow his passion for music and embrace the rock ‘n’ roll life, he was encouraged to give it a try.

“Why not?” Ando recalls telling himself.

I Barbieri was formed to recreate a welcoming, unrushed atmosphere in a modern setting. Knowing that you can walk in, take a seat, relax and then step back out into the world more confident than ever is to anticipate a pleasure that will always be fulfilled. Today, Ando leads his fellow barbieri, or barbers, with respect and passion.

“The camaraderie here is based on friendship and respect. We’ve known each other a long time, and I trust them implicitly. I don’t like to call this ‘my place’ because it took all of us to make it right. This is ours and, especially, the community’s place,” says Ando.

What separates Ando and his fellow

barbieri — Mauro, Akram and Simo — from others is that their process is more detail-oriented than at other quick-cut places. Their services do not follow the one-cut-fits-all 10-minute affair, and their perfectionism is reflected in the quality of their shaves. Secondly, they are dressed to impress with ties and tailored suit vests because they understand and preach that how you present yourself is an indication of your self-respect and the respect you wish to receive from others. Most of all, what has clients coming back week after week is I Barbieri’s defining energy, which lets clients be themselves and learn more about themselves and the world solely through the power of meaningful conversation.

“This is not about cutting hair; this is more about building relationships than anything else. We need to be expressing ourselves in one way or another, right? I find that when you can find your true expression, that’s when you’re going to be closer to happiness than if you don’t. That’s why I love what I do, and I hope to inspire others,” says Ando.

After my first experience as a client, I can confidently say that the gentlemen of I Barbieri remind us that life is beautiful with their modesty, honesty and distinguished charm.

Each master barber respects the natural growth pattern of his clients’ hair, allowing their true style to emerge

PHOTOS BY EMAD MOHAMMADI

THE WAYS OF THE OLD SCHOOL NEVER DIE

What started as a joke, as Frank Minicucci humbly describes it, opening one of the first stand-alone one-man barbershops in Kleinburg and casually operating it on Thursdays and Fridays, Kleinburg Barbershop has become one of the town’s most well-respected barbershops, known for its old-school aesthetic and character.

Photographs of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali cover the walls of the decades-old basement barbershop. The brewing espresso machine fills the room with a beautiful aroma. Clients enter with comfortable smiles and bold jokes as they greet Minicucci and his fellow barber, Milorad “Miki” Raičković.

“Pursuing barbering kind of just fell in my lap,” says Miki, who made a

strong first impression on Frank with his talent, focus, and natural ability to build relationships with clients. “Me and my buddies would mess around and cut each other’s hair as teenagers and I just had a knack for it. The more I kept doing it, the more I liked it. It’s a good feeling when you see clients smiling in the mirror after their cut.”

A few clients are there for a quick trim and shave and the rest stop by to shoot the breeze. One thing is certain: the moment you walk in you never want to leave. Charismatic personalities abound and swagger and wisecracks fly in every direction. Above all, no one is trying to be someone they are not.

“This place is an anomaly because we’re that type of barbershop that shares that camaraderie with all our clients. We can openly talk about anything and through those conversations we learn

For Frank Minicucci and Milorad

‘Miki’ Raičković of Kleinburg Barbershop, nothing beats oldschool traditions

how small the world is. We recognize that the small things in life matter the most,” says Minicucci.

Forget those monotonous barbers who take an hour and a half to come up with the same styles. At Kleinburg Barbershop the job is done in thirty minutes and then clients spend an extra hour afterward to unwind and enjoy the atmosphere.

Everyone is treated the same whether you walk in with dirty boots or sporting

a Rolex — for Minicucci and Miki, it doesn’t matter. Having met them myself, I can attest that they are both class acts.

kleinburg-barbershop.business.site

10525 Islington Avenue

Kleinburg, ON L0J1C0 @kleinburgbarber @miki.raickovic

www.mycitylife.ca

SCAN THIS QR CODE FOR OUR INTERVIEW WITH FRANK AND MIKI

Clients show up to be groomed and stay for the company

Those who sit in their chair become a part of an honourable tradition, that of the gentlemen’s social club

THE FOUNDERS THAT SHINE

Jess Hunichen and Emily Ward, co-founders of Shine Talent Group, use their entrepreneurial talents to elevate the talent of others

INTERVIEW BY MICHELLE-ZERILLO SOSA

InNovember 2015 Shine Talent Group was born. With a boutique touch, Shine gives social talent and potential influencers the resources they need to work with a global network of PR agencies, one-on-one talent management and campaign strategy consulting while taking the time to understand their clients’ individual needs. Today, Shine has successfully expanded to represent social talent globally and has offices in Los Angeles, Toronto and London.

Co-founders Jess Hunichen and Emily Ward took time to sit down with share their journey with City Life and the lessons they have learned that make them shine today.

Q: What advice would you give to those wishing to embark on a career related to social media and influencers?

EMILY: For creators, look first into what you are doing in your life that people naturally come to you for advice on. Then look at the things you are most often searching for answers to online that you aren’t finding solutions for. These are both great ways to start defining your brand pillars and figuring out what you can offer to your followers.

JESS: For people looking for a career in social media, immerse yourself in the space and network. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a company or person for a coffee date to learn more about what they do, regardless of if there is an opportunity on the table. People love to share their journey, and you can learn so much from them through their experience.

Q: What are the biggest lessons you have learned over the years about feeling fulfilled in your work or at home?

EMILY: I am lucky to have embraced early that you can’t hold onto anything too tightly. Success comes with growth, and growth requires change. If we still tried to operate the business the same way we did in 2015, we wouldn’t be able to operate in today’s landscape. We learn something new every day and need to give ourselves, and our team, the grace to change our minds and move into a different direction, if necessary, to reach an overall goal.

JESS: As cliché as it sounds, love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life. We work extremely hard at Shine, but there is an ease that comes along with it for the people who are fit for the role. I am extremely grateful that I was able to find a career that leans into my strengths - so hard work is fulfilling, regardless of the outcome.

Q: How important is it to give back to the community?

EMILY: It’s vital, and not just in the philanthropic sense. We need to give back with our time and mentorship to those who need it.

JESS: Agreed. I mentor several people and speak often to the next generation of people coming into this industry. Holding back knowledge and experience is not how we get ahead. We have tried to lead by example by sharing and giving opportunities for others to rise.

Q: What is your secret to happiness?

EMILY: Jess gave me the Five-Minute Journal in our first year of business. I love the principles of what it stands for and have raised my children by asking them similar questions in the morning and at night to help guide conversations and focus our perspectives. It’s easy to stay with the lens that everything is hard and happening to you, but it’s much more fulfilling to train your brain to look at all the amazing things that happen in a day that can so often go overlooked if we don’t take a moment to see them.

JESS: Surround yourself with the best people. We are a product of the seven people we spend the most time with in our lives. I am constantly inspired and motivated by mine.

Q: What is your favourite thing to do on your days off?

EMILY: These days, I’ve been spending as much time as possible at Blue Mountain with my family. We are a blended family of seven with kids ranging from 10 to 23 years old. Skiing/snowboarding is something we all enjoy and can do together.

JESS: I love exploring new hikes and trails whenever I go with my husband and dog, Toast. When we’re in Toronto you’ll often find us at High Park. When we are in L.A. we’re typically hiking at Griffith Park or climbing the Beachwood Canyon stairs.

Q: If you could change anything about society, what would it be?

EMILY: More awareness of how connected we all are. I think there would be greater accountability for actions and decisions made if we truly understood this.

JESS: There is a huge disparity in the opportunities people are afforded by the way they grew up. I would like to see more equality in what people have access to.

Q: Definition of success?

EMILY: Success to me, personally, is to feel like I’m always evolving and am surrounded by people and opportunities that enable this to happen. In business, success to me is the ability to take what is presented to you and find the opportunity to keep moving forward.

JESS: Success to me is flexibility and fun. Being from Australia, having flexibility in how, when and where I work was always a priority, so I would be able to go back home and see my family. And, of course, fun. Enjoying what you do is everything.

www.shinetalentgroup.com @shinetalentgroup

A year after co-founders Jess Hunichen (left) and Emily Ward launched Shine Talent Group in Toronto, the influencer industry was worth about $1.7 billion. Today, just eight years later, it is worth more than $10 billion

BY CITY LIFE STAFF WRITER

serve a purpose greater tha

Taking shape in the form of a children's day camp, Mario Ferri collaborated with other community volunteers to offer 100 local children day camp activities weekly during the summer. As this camp caught the attention of residents, it became quintessential to expand its base to provide other activities for family members to enjoy. The day camp was designed to serve as the bedrock for community engagement in a developing area. As a community advocate, Mario Ferri expanded the program, developing it into MapleFest, SantaFest, street festivals, and a youth employment program through funding from the federal government. Through all the outstanding efforts and triumphant successes demonstrated by the community, their eagerness for more revealed the strength of community bonding from its wisest and most dedicated members.

In the heart of Vaughan, a vibrant city that continues to grow and evolve, there lies a rich history of dedication, determination and leadership ensuring the well-being of its residents, with seniors in particular. This commitment has been sculpted over time as the city bears witness to a remarkable ongoing transformation of services, shaping a legacy of care that defines Vaughan’s respect for its residents. This vision is something that Mario Ferri, an advocate for the well-being of the

enjoy. The day camp was designed to serve as the bedrock for community engagement in a developing area. As a community advocate, Mario Ferri expanded the program, developing it into MapleFest, SantaFest, street festivals, and a youth employment program through funding from the federal government. Through all the outstanding efforts and triumphant successes demonstrated by the community, their eagerness for more that revealed the strength of community bonding from its wisest and most dedicated members.

As a new chapter in seniors' programs unfolded in the early 2000s, an opportunity to grow the existing network of advocacy and programming for seniors across aughan became more prominent. Now elected to regional office, Local and Regional Councillor Ferri’s jurisdiction extended well beyond the borders of Ward 1. Advocacy for seniors' communities across the city culminated in the creation of a platform that could appreciate seniors and permit them to speak on their own behalf. This ideology became the inception of the Seniors Association of Vaughan Initiatives (SAVI). This seniors' umbrella group founded by Regional Councillor Ferri interconnected a variety of seniors' clubs that would otherwise never cross paths, providing them a platform for advocacy and respect.

activities and cultural events. This generated urgency within the hearts of residents to establish a mechanism for senior’s advocacy. Recognizing this imperative, and fueled by direct interactions with seniors, the need for change became essential.

community, was well aware of and played a pivotal role in forging its foundation. Mario Ferri saw it as his duty to lend a helping hand in the journey towards building a city to serve the needs of all residents. This was accelerated in the early ’80s with an influx of new residents to Maple and Vaughan. As a newcomer to Maple himself, he saw the need to connect this community of strangers, facilitating interaction that fostered opportunities, generating support networks, turning strangers into friends, and providing chances for the community to serve a purpose greater than themselves. Taking shape in the form of a children’s day camp, Mario Ferri collaborated with other community volunteers to offer 100 local children weekly day camp activities during the summer. As this camp caught the attention of residents, it became quintessential to expand its base to provide other activities for family members to

Throughout the 90s, seniors in the Maple communities sought opportunities for activities. In cooperation with the City of Vaughan, Mario Ferri began his work with seniors' clubs and initiated the inaugural senior ’s fest in Maple. A small but heartfelt gesture that began paving the way for more to come in the story of Vaughan becoming an age-friendly city. This transition from early connections made between

Throughout the ’90s, seniors in the Maple communities sought opportunities for activities. In cooperation with the City of Vaughan, Mario Ferri began his work with seniors’ clubs and initiated the inaugural senior’s fest in Maple. A small but heartfelt gesture that began paving the way for more to come in the story of Vaughan becoming an agefriendly city. This transition from early connections made between neighbours to active involvement between the city and community marked the genesis of a powerfully transformative era. In the late 1990s, as Mario Ferri was elected to the office of local councillor in Ward 1, he continued to meet with community residents and businesses to gather their input to better capture the pressing needs of the community. One striking realization was the need to prioritize support for seniors in particular. In their older years, it became apparent that the city the elderly residents built could not adequately provide the services they needed. There was a clear need to develop further opportunities for community growth and engagement by way of social programming, recreational

SAVI’s ability to connect seniors gave them confidence to aim for further change. SAVI’s diverse cultural members strategically served together to extend their need to advocate at the local, provincial and federal level Towards that end, SAVI successfully organized and held four Summit on Seniors (S.O.S.) events, a mechanism which attracted upwards of 1000 seniors at each event. Those summits brought seniors needs and concerns directly to elected representatives. One of

It is well known that a thriving community is one that cherishes its elders, leading the residents of Vaughan to embark on a mission ensuring that senior residents were not only heard but actively supported. Within this framework, Local Councillor Ferri’s commitment to amplifying the voices of seniors laid the foundation for transformative initiatives in Vaughan. As a new chapter in seniors’ programs unfolded in the early 2000s, an opportunity to grow the existing network of advocacy and programming for seniors across Vaughan became more prominent. Now elected to regional office, Local and Regional Councillor Ferri’s jurisdiction extended well beyond the borders of Ward 1. Advocacy for seniors’ communities across the city culminated in the creation of a platform that could appreciate seniors and permit them to speak on their own behalf. This ideology became the inception of the Seniors Association of Vaughan Initiatives (SAVI). This seniors’ umbrella group founded by Regional Councillor Ferri interconnected a variety of seniors’ clubs

that would otherwise never cross paths, providing them a platform for advocacy and respect.

SAVI’s ability to connect seniors gave them confidence to aim for further change. SAVI’s diverse cultural members strategically served together to extend their need to advocate at the local, provincial and federal levels. Towards that end, SAVI successfully organized and held four Summit on Seniors (S.O.S.) events, a mechanism which attracted upwards of 1000 seniors at each event. Those summits brought seniors’ needs and concerns directly to elected representatives. One of these summits resulted in the creation of a province-wide property tax rebate, formed to benefit seniors who owned property, granting them access to funds they previously would not have, a legislative outcome that would later be echoed across the province of Ontario.

Throughout the course of its existence, SAVI, with the support of the City of Vaughan, improved the quality of life for seniors within the city. This partnership generated annual education and information workshops for seniors, allowed renovations

to contributing back to the community.

In the mid-2010s, York Region Council established the York Region Senior Strategy Task Force. The purpose was to consider how the region could best serve seniors in collaboration with their community partners. The overarching goal was to position York Region to be capable of initiating agefriendly city programs where seniors could not only live comfortably but flourish within. Upon its establishment Local and Regional Councillor Ferri was appointed by the regional chair to lead the task force.

Currently, Vaughan has been designated as an age-friendly city at the provincial and federal levels.

In response to the Regions Seniors Strategy, the City of Vaughan established its own Older Adult Task Force. Its goal was to consult with community partners to define and implement the framework to make Vaughan an age-friendly city. In 2018 twenty-eight priorities were identified and unanimously supported by council that could systematically improve the lives of senior residents.

and upgrades to facilities hosting local seniors’ clubs to provide improved spaces for social gatherings, while joint programs and trips to places of interest enriched their lives. However, understanding the power of their group, these ambitious and active seniors recognized that there was more to be done than just reaping the rewards of their good fortune. In giving back to the community, the advocacy group positioned itself to become a champion of community causes. Through various initiatives, SAVI collected 230 bins of food and $8,000 for the Vaughan Food Bank, donated $10,000 to the Vaughan Hospital and contributed $3,000 to other causes within the City of Vaughan. Currently embarking on its 21st year of operation, SAVI is still dedicated

In 2022 the Older Adult Task Force transformed into the Age Friendly Vaughan Advisory Committee (AFVAC). Building upon its predecessor, AFVAC ensured that the recommended priorities outlined by the Older Adult Task Force took concrete steps to become a reality. The City of Vaughan is currently moving forward with these initiatives, identifying key departments to take accountability as well as generating infrastructure capable of sustaining key changes.

Today, Vaughan stands as a beacon of exemplary seniors’ programs, a city that recognizes the value of its elderly population and celebrates the contributions they have made throughout their lives. In essence, Local and Regional Councillor Ferri’s vision for an age-friendly Vaughan created a legacy of community, gratitude, and interconnectedness.

From humble day camps to the intricate network of SAVI, for many the seniors’ programs have not only evolved but have become the standard of care and appreciation for those who contributed to Vaughan’s vibrant community fabric.

Vaughan’s next major steps include applying for a WHO designation as an age-friendly city, initiating a municipal York Region age-friendly working group, launching an age-friendly Community Action Plan, developing a framework to continue to advance medium- and

long-term goals and completing annual community success reports. While the community has made many strides in helping people to thrive in this city, there is much more to be done; efforts will be made to continue working towards the goal of further developing an active, engaged and inclusive age-friendly city that will serve all residents for generations to come.

ILLUMINATING THE TRUTH AND BEING AUTHENTIC

We all have emotions, and that cannot just stop when you’re doing an interview. When you’re telling a story, it comes from the heart

empathy to my work. For me, that’s been an advantage. In some of the most painful interviews I’ve done, the other person was open to sharing their story because they knew that I was there for them. I was emotionally available,” says Shanelle. “We all have emotions, and that cannot just stop when you’re doing an interview. When you’re telling a story it comes from the heart. Of course, we want our reporting to be neutral and not one-sided, but it is OK to feel.”

Shanelle is now based in New York City, reporting to the CBS News Special Events and Newsgathering units. Additionally, her incredible work can be seen on CBS Mornings, the CBS Evening News, the CBS News Streaming Network and Newspath.

Every day on the job, she aspires to be the kind of role model and mentor she admired as a young girl. She brings gratitude to every situation because of her loving family, culture and position in an industry where few South Asian women have cemented their careers.

The beautiful, authentic and exuberant 33-year-old teaches us how hard work, passion and being yourself can lead to a beautiful life. Although she is an avid traveller, no matter where she is, Canada is proud to call her one of its own. www.shanellekaul.com

Shanelle proudly takes on her responsibility to make a difference by telling stories that elevate underrepresented voices and diversity

Marketplace

ZERO 20 KIDS: EVERYTHING FORMAL

We carry the biggest and best selection of formalwear for boys and girls of all ages, from newborn to preteen. We have so many options for Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Flower Girls and Ring Bearers and other special events. Visit us today and let our knowledgeable staff help create the perfect look. Our on-site tailoring ensures the perfect fit.

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VAUGHAN LASER & ANTI-AGING MEDICAL CLINIC

Throughout the past 25 years, Vaughan Laser & Anti-Aging Medical Clinic has continued to distinguish itself as a leader in the field of medical aesthetics by providing clients with safe and effective professional treatments in a relaxed non-intimidating environment. Call us today for a complimentary consultation, 905-850-2878.

@vaughanlaserandantiaging vaughanlaserclinic.com

CREATIVE ZONE/LVS MARKETPLACE AND HEALING CENTRE

Introducing Creative Zone/LVS Marketplace and Healing Centre, a new business dedicated to supporting mental health. Founded by Bianca Giordanella in honour of her mother, Sandra, who battles severe ADHD and anxiety, the center raises funds for mental health foundations. Sandra volunteers and fundraises, finding solace in the positive environment. Visit us at 2677-2 Bur Oak Ave., Markham, ON, for gifts, baked goods, spiritual and floral services. Your support is appreciated. Contact crisholisticjourney@gmail.com for more info. God bless.

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ZERO 20 KIDS: DISCOVER MAYORAL

Originating in Spain, Mayoral has quickly become a designer kids clothing brand recognized by many all around the world. It offers a full line of coordinating, stylish pieces for boys and girls, newborn to size 18 preteen. For every and any occasion, Zero 20 Kids is proud to offer the biggest selection in Canada in one convenient location. Also available 24/7 at zero20kids.com. Come and discover Mayoral for yourself!

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CASA NOSTRA: PUTTING OUR OBSESSION ON ICE

The original Pizza Nostra is a neighbourhood pizza shoppe founded in Mississauga in 2015 by brothers Andrea (a pizzaiolo) and Marco Grande (an artisan butcher), and Marco’s wife Lilly. After years of perfecting their brand of New Jersey-style pizza, they released Casa Nostra, their gourmet line of frozen pizzas, while still serving their delicious fresh pizzas out of the storefront.

@itscasanostra

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B.J.S. MEATS

Founded in 1984, B.J.S. Meats has a long-standing reputation of providing high-quality cuts of mouth-watering meat and seafood products to top-tier restaurants, banquet halls, hotels and golf courses all across the GTA. Committed to offering premium quality and service, B.J.S. Meats now delivers restaurant- and steakhouse-quality products directly to your doorstep so that you can confidently and conveniently enjoy premium meats and seafood in the comfort of your home.

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AN INVITATION TO INTENTIONAL LIVING

Following the release of his book, LifeLivedWell , Dr. Jeremy Zoch opens up on success, perspective, and being inspired by his grandfather

WRITTEN BY JOSH WALKER | INTERVIEW BY MARC CASTALDO

PHOTO BY CHRISTINE ONISHI

Many people spend a lifetime trying to find their true calling. Dr. Jeremy Zoch’s book, Life Lived Well, released in October 2023, is “an invitation to embrace a life that is intentional, active and treasured.” The book, a project Zoch began after

a trip to Africa, is a collection of tips, insights and inspirations that encourage readers to reflect, celebrate and forgive.

“When I was in Africa we had a chance to really disconnect,” he says. “There was a little bit of WiFi but for the most part you get up and follow the path

of the animals. There was enough time and we were far enough away that I got the chance to unwind.”

On that trip, he heard the guides talking about how they usually work for two months before having two weeks off. Since it had been several years since he himself had taken two weeks off, it was a call to action that he should be doing things differently. “I wanted to take more time off and be more intentional about things I kept saying I was going to do. Some were simple, like playing more tennis. I also wanted to start writing a book.”

For five months, Zoch told no one he was writing that book. He’d get up early

Dr. Jeremy Zoch’s life has been a tapestry of diverse experiences that have made him the leader he is today

As I was writing and looking back at those events, I noticed most of my growth happened in my most challenging times. People helped make an impact. Leaders, mentors, families and friends. As I put it together, I felt it was a powerful story that should be shared with others

and put everything that came to mind on paper in an attempt to learn how he ended up as the person he is today. “As I was writing and looking back at those events, I noticed most of my growth happened in my most challenging times,” he says. “People helped make an impact. Leaders, mentors, families and friends. As I put it together, I felt it was a powerful story that should be shared with others.”

Since its publication Zoch notes that feedback has centred on one consistent thought: This book arrived for people at the right time. He shares how readers with medical diagnoses have reached out to say it’s uplifting, inspiring them to do what they want to do. “Whether it’s chair yoga, meditation or a simple walk through the house, it’s inspiring them to be the best they can be, and for that to be enough.”

With that in mind, he says the book is intended for those who believe they’re doing well and finding success in many areas but also want to slow down and take a deeper look at other areas in their life. “It’s a gift for you to spend time on yourself, to be at your best and look through a broader lens,” he notes.

attended through his church over 30 years ago. “After we’d been so focused on career, just starting out, it felt like such a different opportunity to slow down, reflect and say, ‘Who are you?’”

All of this has prompted him to change his approach to challenges and his outlook on life, as well as his definition of success. Today, he believes it’s not about winning or grabbing the gold medal but instead pursuing excellence by doing your best.

“Success is also taking on challenges that feel like a big job, but [that] you’re able to do successfully. Whether it’s an Iron Man run or a 100-mile road race, it’s being able to sign up and have all those butterflies in your stomach, saying, ‘I don’t know how to do this,’ but working methodically and intentionally to show up on the day of the race at your very best.”

For all the successes Zoch has achieved, he’s quick to emphasize the influence of others, whether mentors, friends or people like his grandfather. That is perhaps why, when asked what he cherishes most, he says it’s the time he spends with people.

An executive, teacher, athlete, musician and family man, Californiabased Zoch has an impressive résumé. In addition to working at leading healthcare institutions including Johns Hopkins and the Mayo Clinic Health System, he’s completed 40 marathons in over 30 American states.

Sharing that he had a childhood filled with love and a lot of backyard baseball, he says he was always encouraged to dream and to pursue his ambitions to be a professional athlete or musician.

When asked who made the greatest

impact in his life, Zoch says it was his grandfather, a carpenter who also served in the Second World War. “In his midto-late twenties, he had a stroke that left him paralyzed on the left side of his body and didn’t expect the doctor to tell him he wouldn’t be able to walk again,” Zoch shares. “He walked the entire time I knew him. He’d do his best to be active, walk and continue his carpentry. In that time, he built the house we grew up in, working side by side with my father, who’s also a carpenter.”

Another driving force Zoch gives thanks to is a young-couples group he

“I can go through a lot of challenges but in most of my marathons I run side by side with my brother. I know in the 100mile race, if he wasn’t by my side I would have lost interest and done something else. It’s togetherness, relationships and being present. It doesn’t have to be a large party - as I found out through the pandemic, you don’t have to be doing anything at all. Being with the people you love is what’s most important to me.”

www.jeremyzoch.com

@lifelivedwellzoch

Life Lived Well is a catalyst for positive change, inspiring readers to reach their full potential, overcome obstacles and craft lives that radiate vibrancy and meaning