City Life Magazine May/June 2023

SHARES HIS PERSONAL AND INSPIRING ACCOUNT OF SELF-FORGIVENESS & HEALING

For over 18 years, Villaggio Ristorante’s award-winning Mediterranean-Italian dishes have exceeded guests’ expectations. Featuring only the freshest ingredients coupled with a contemporary fine-dining atmosphere, Villaggio has quickly become one of the top restaurants of Vaughan’s competitive dining scene. Come for the food, stay for the memories. Villaggio Ristorante.

Maple Children’s Montessori School programs include

CASA : Ages 2 – 6 years

LOWER ELEMENTARY: Grades 1 – 3

SUMMER CAMP: Ages 2 – 9 years

Incorporated within our Montessori program, we offer enriched specialty classes such as, French, Music, Art and Physical Education.

“At Maple Children’s Montessori school we offer a full Montessori program. We are committed to creating an individualized, comprehensive program to help students achieve their full academic potential.”

— Mr. Carrera, Principal

Create the educational foundation and love for learning within your child that will last a lifetime.

EARLY TREATMENT The Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children have an orthodontic examination as early as age 7 to monitor dental development and jaw growth. An early visit to Tasios Orthodontics can reduce the need for invasive procedures and prevent dental concerns from escalating as your child grows.

CONCERNS TO LOOK OUT FOR :

• Crossbite between the front and/or back teeth

• Thumb-sucking habit that impacts jaw development

• Early or late loss of baby teeth

• Inadequate space for the erupting permanent teeth

OUR NEW CHURRASCO BURGER IS HERE

#RealGood GET READY TO SAVOUR THE SIZZLE!

Angus beef patty glazed with fresh chimichurri, smoked white cheddar, portobello mushrooms, tomato, lettuce, crispy onions and creamy chimichurri aioli on a sesame poppyseed bun.

DESIGN NEWS

EVERGREEN AESTHETICS

Spruce up your plants’ appearance with gorgeously designed pots that will liven up your home.

www.homesense.ca @homesensecanada

NATHALIE LÉTÉ CHARMANTE DINNER PLATE

Overflowing with un charme français, this plate — designed by Nathalie Lété — makes a beloved accent to a dinner place setting or dessert spread.

www.anthropologie.com

@anthropologie

‘CIRCA 703’ STEREO

This Electrohome amplifier/receiver delivers crisp-quality sound that will have you lost in the music in seconds.

www.gufffurniture.com

@gufftoronto

INDOOR GARDEN

Bring new colours and textures into your home with pots that make room for your best, most joyful life.

www.homesense.ca @homesensecanada

NATHALIE LÉTÉ VELVET THROW BLANKET

This so-soft throw blanket is adorned with whimsical woodland motifs inspired by themes of fantasy, humour, and childhood memories.

www.anthropologie.com @anthropologie

You deserve the best for the summer season. Get ready with our list of gift ideas, aesthetic must-haves, and relaxing décor!

WRITTEN BY MARC CASTALDO

SUV-TURNED-STATEMENT PIECE!

The legacy of carrying the title of your greatest inspiration comes with an elevated sense of accomplishment. With a series of 48 hairpin turns at 9,000 feet above sea level, this iconic northern-Italy pass thrills and disciplines the brave motorists who accept its challenge. In turn, it lends its name to only the most daring of vehicles: the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a continuation of the legendary nameplate — every bit as regal, rebellious and relentlessly powered. The Stelvio continues to entice with every bold stroke, chiseled curve and signature Italian elegance. Performance-driven and tech-infused solutions remain at the forefront of the Stelvio design and aesthetic. The 2023 Stelvio satisfies one singular urge — the need to go fast. With decades worth of racing history, expect our prized SUV to go even faster.

TURN YOUR DREAM INTO A REALITY.

LAVISH LIVING

There is no better place to call home

TEXT BY MARC CASTALDO

FIRST AVENUE

WILSON WEST CONDOS

This 12-storey condominium provides residents with a perfect stepping stone towards a strong, connected community with greater convenience and more opportunities. You can easily navigate around the Greater Toronto Area for work or an exciting night out downtown. With a wide variety of available suite options ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms, Wilson West Condos truly offers you the next step you need to level up and move ahead.

www.wilsonwest.ca

@firstavenuedevelopment

TRIDEL

LAKEVIEW VILLAGE

architectsAlliance and II BY IV DESIGN have designed the two remarkable, eye-catching buildings with a series of stepped setbacks, all connected by a vast courtyard. Located right on the shores of Lake Ontario, Harbourwalk intimately connects you to the waterfront, providing you stunning views of the city, water, and courtyard all year around.

www.tridel.com

@manalboutros_

SOLMAR DEVELOPMENT CORP.

ORO

AT EDGE TOWERS

Expect nothing but the highest-quality features and finishes in every suite. Luxurious interiors come with smooth ceilings, doors with brushed nickel hardware, and energy-efficient doubleglazed windows. The City of Mississauga is an ever-growing and largely populated area with endless nearby amenities. Experience both nature and city living with several cultural hubs and parks right outside your door.

www.solmar.ca

@solmardevelopmentcorp

GC&CO

AND MED SPA, THE ULTIMATE BEAUTY EXPERIENCE

Gianna Ugolini and Cathy Korbis make up the best-friend duo that took their passion for the beauty industry to the next level. Ugolini and Korbis knew that their combined talents and experience would be an asset to the Vaughan community so, in 2012, they partnered up and opened GC&Co Salon and Med Spa and have been providing the community with luscious locks and supple skin ever since.

Korbis originally comes from Montreal, working as a hairdresser for over 25 years

and continuing her training all over, including in New York, California and Toronto. Throughout her time in the industry, she has become well-known for her “invisible layering” technique, which removes weight and adds movement to the hair while keeping its length. Along with their industry-leading haircolouring techniques, GC&Co also excels in providing unique treatments.

“We are known for our hair Botox, a deep conditioning treatment that repairs, smooths and strengthens damaged hair

for a frizz-free look. We also love that it cuts your blow-dry time in half! It’s our No. 1 chemical treatment and lasts four to six months,” says Korbis.

Korbis is a balayage and hair-cutting specialist who is also a certified technical educator for an industry-leading brand. This allows her to learn, expand and share her passion within the industry. Ugolini is a master facialist and skin-care coach who has been in the industry since 1995. She is renowned for her facial contour massage and lymphatic drainage technique, both of which are featured in all her facials.

Gianna offers a variety of facial treatments, the most popular being the NEW JLo Glow Facial. “I am a Hydrafacial Provider and when I found out that Jennifer Lopez partnered with Hydrafacial to develop a booster serum for that perfect glow factor, I was so excited!! So I created the JLo Glow Facial and wanted it to be a game changer in my treatment room ... it’s a combination of the Hydrafacial, my signature facial, RF skin tightening along the jawline, microcurrent for muscle tightening and, of course, my contour massage featuring my White Jade Gua Sha tool ... a combo like this leaves skin looking fresh and insanely gorgeous!!” says Ugolini.

What makes GC&Co Salon unique is the incredible feeling of family that clients get when entering the salon. Clients feel that they are part of the GC&Co family. With their 27-plus years of experience in this industry, Ugolini and Korbis know that customer satisfaction comes first. “We try to make everyone feel as comfortable as possible and listen to all their needs for each of their services,” says Ugolini.

Driven by the upcoming trends and techniques, both Ugolini and Korbis travel abroad at least once a year to get trained on the latest and greatest skincare and hair-care trends.

The combined expertise of the GC&Co Salon and Med Spa leaders is carried throughout the team. GC&Co Salon and Med Spa offers the best in the business when it comes to hair, skin-care and body treatments.

GC&Co Salon and Med Spa offers the best in the business when it comes to hair, facial and body treatments

Introducing Gianna Ugolini and Cathy Korbis … the specialists in beauty

ORDER NOW

Available at SHOPDOLCE.CA

FAMIGLIA ZERILLO IS PROUD TO BRING YOU PREMIUM EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL FROM THE ADRIATIC COAST OF ITALY.

Zerillo Oil is crafted to perfection by more than three generations of olive growers. Reinforced by the grandeur of the ancient olive trees, Famiglia Zerillo honours our family’s heritage and legacy afforded by its founding members by serving you an elevated farm-to-table experience.

Much more than a brand of olive oil, Famiglia Zerillo symbolizes generational aspiration, passion, connection and humility toward the craft of making olive oil.

ZERILLO.CA

AVAILABLE AT

samoras.com

TORONTO’S LATEST CONTEMPORARY FASHION HOUSE

From Y2K to Space Cowboy Core: Ahiri Launches Its S/S ’23 Collection

WRITTEN BY MASSIMO SOSA

With an escapist mentality, desire for adventure and a sense of freedom, Ahiri has launched its 2023 Spring/Summer collection.

e Toronto-based fashion house that was built from its inception on elevating wardrobe essentials with a contemporary twist has brought the city some exciting looks for summer!

is playful take on Y2K fashion features a collection of 41 pieces carefully curated in an array of pastels, featuring hues of pinks, blues and soft purples.

Launching exclusively online, the collection makes use of holographic prints and two-tone yarns to create engaging garment illusions and fun silhouettes.

e collection is the rst of its kind, with the brand venturing into the change of season, bringing dynamic designs and a fresh take to the S/S fashion scene.

With a moody and mysterious esthetic, tactile fabrications and signature Ahiri air, the eye-catching collection tells the story of a feminine escape tailored to each individual’s beauty.

Michael Ja ne, head of design at Ahiri, spoke about the new line. “We always strive to maintain an attentiongrabbing between hard and soft.” In keeping with the brand’s esthetic, he

shares how Ahiri is solidifying its image and crafting a signature formula for each of the brand’s looks. “ is season, we’ve carried forward key motifs from our debut collection and presented them in innovative ways. An example of this is the space cowboy inspiration from Fall/

Winter ’22. We took Western elements from our previous collection and elevated them with traditionally feminine colours and silhouettes.”

With a commitment to crafting quality garments, Ahiri has introduced longer-lasting pieces that make use of natural bres and materials, such as 100 per cent cotton, and denim products made of only TENCEL fabrics. Featured favourites include the black and white Western Tennis Shirt Dress, Sheer Shirt and Pleated Midi Skirt in pink. From a fashion editor’s point of view, shoppers should de nitely keep an eye out for the Square-Neck Long-Sleeve dress print reintroduced in the form of two new knit dresses, a knit skirt and a top.

Excellently crafted with the Canadian consumer in mind, Ahiri’s collections make up a very realistic dayto-day wardrobe that can be dressed up or down with a premium feel and an a ordable price tag. e exibility of the designs is easily integrated into today’s fashion and can be worn from season to season, with the ability to be layered at the same time.

Look out for more to come from upcoming designer Ja ne and his collection of designs for Ahiri.

We always strive to maintain a grabbing juxtaposition between hard and soft

Pictured from left to right: co-founder of Ahiri, Ahnaf Ali, and head designer, Michael Jafine

PHOTO COURTESY OF AHIRI

Ahiri’s S/S ’23 collection explores new silhouettes, refreshing colours and a commitment to quality fabrics

THE RIPPLE EFFECT

Homeless at 14 years old, Rae Ripple had been struggling to survive and working at reconciling her childhood trauma. As a single mother, she went on to hold many jobs back then, working as a waitress, tow-truck driver, Walmart associate and firefighter. Today she is a world-renowned metal artist, author, actress and stunt rider

Rae Ripple is not shy when it comes to sharing her life story. She remains committed to the belief that everything in her life has happened “by accident, through surviving and just going straight.” When she was growing up, she identified as the funny, weird and theatrical girl at school who always made a strong first impression on everyone. However, nobody knew at the end of the day that she was returning to an abusive home.

As a student, she struggled with academic subjects to her dyslexia and often spent her school days aimlessly doodling in her notebooks. She even aspired to be a dancer and hoped to one day dance alongside Britney Spears on stage. Not wanting to return home right away each day after school ended, she’d stay for a while and spend her time there dancing to all the music videos she had seen on MTV.

But her path took a different direction.

As a single mother she worked as a tow truck driver and waitressing to make ends meet. On her own time, she would pick up a paintbrush, and each brush stroke stimulated her creativity. But she soon found that neither simple sketches, nor bending wire and cutting sheet metal, were satisfying enough — she needed more of a release and to create something that was a truer expression of herself and her vision. She eventually picked up a plasma cutter and began welding.

Little did she know that her towtrucking job would become the first

instance of the ripple effect of her artistry and success. “I would show up to all these crashes, and then I would take home body parts of cars, and I would cut them up. It transitioned into my artwork by complete accident, by just doing what I was doing on the job,” says Ripple.

She then began creating metal -art sculptures that captured the eye of everyone around the world, creating magnificent chairs, murals, and art pieces in the shape of armadillos, butterflies, rabbits, and recreating the bodies of cars.

Most notably, she was commissioned by a client to work on a 1949 Chevy Deluxe he found in his mother’s barn. Once her work was complete, she took the Chevy to one of the biggest art car parades in the United States, known as the Houston Art Car Parade, and was honoured with an award.

As her Instagram following began to grow and the posts of her artwork continued to wow viewers, she was

The 1949 Chevy Deluxe

WRITTEN BY MARC CASTALDO

Ripple has always created her pieces out of a place of emotion

messaged over Instagram and invited to be a contestant on Netflix TV’s metal art competition series, Metal Shop Masters.

“I have always been an insecure person, so whenever I went to do the show, I was very insecure as an artist. I did not feel like I belonged there — I did not feel like I was in the same category as these people. I felt very amateurish and not ready, but I was just honoured that they asked,” says Ripple. Despite her nerves and insecurities, she went the distance

and finished the show as a finalist.

For Ripple, “Failures are not failures. They are redirections.” She explains that whatever it is that you are doing or trying to do — if things do not work out the way you want them to it is because there are other plans in store for you. Trusting the process of failing is crucial to truly discovering one’s calling.

Rae Ripple has been featured on the Down to Business podcast, Monster Garage on Discovery Channel and has

been published in Welder magazine. She is partnered with AlumaReel, Hypertherm, Lincoln Electric, Fastcut CNC, Flame Technologies and Benchmark Abrasives. She has painted murals all over Texas and has installed metalwork all over the world. She currently lives in Big Spring, Texas, with her fiancé and two children.

www.raeripple.com

@raeripple

Whereas some people enjoy collecting stamps, Ripple enjoys collecting skills

I have always been an insecure person, so whenever I went to do the show, I was very insecure as an artist. I did not feel like I belonged there I did not feel like I was in the same category as these people. I felt very amateurish and not ready, but I was just honoured that they asked

THE JOURNEY OF HEALING & GROWTH

not the case, and, unknowingly, adverse childhood experiences can show up and repeat themselves in adulthood.

Q: Can you expand on the Changed by Mary coaching program?

A: This coaching program is available to individuals, couples and other therapists who want to elevate their life, relationships and business. It took me many years to realize that change is possible. Working with me is not for the faint of heart. It is up-close-and-personal and we leave no stone unturned.

Q: Can you expand on your “relationship intensives”?

A: Relationship intensives are phenomenal experiences. For these intensives and any coaching option, you do not need to be in a crisis. Many people and couples will join me in these programs to enhance their life and their connections. However, when a relationship is in crisis, the intensives are specifically tailored to stabilize the relationship and the couple’s connection.

Q: Are relationship intensives different from couple counselling?

Mary Marano has helped hundreds of individuals and couples navigate life’s challenges. She has helped her clients weather infidelity, trauma, addiction, and restored their hope by guiding them safely toward positive change. Her mission is to transform the way we think, feel and communicate in our relationships. Sometimes a bit of support goes a long way.

Q&A WITH THE OWNER OF LIFE & FAMILY COUNSELLING, MARY MARANO

Q: What is your approach to therapy?

A: My approach to therapy is eclectic, meaning that therapy is not a onesize-fits-all journey. I look at the client through a biopsychosocial-spiritual lens to understand if they are dealing with illness, disease, chronic pain, trauma, how an individual is socialized, their culture and their belief systems to understand a person in their full context. This is where I investigate the past and make connections to their present-day situation.

Q: When is it best to start counselling?

A: Counselling should not be considered a last resort because of a crisis, which often brings people into therapy initially. It could be a proactive measure of self-care; it will enhance your relationships, help you to learn about yourself and change old patterns. Perhaps you are having difficulty with parenting or simply want to self-improve — therapy is a great option.

Q: How can people work with you?

A: There are many options for people to work with me, through individual therapy, couples therapy, relationship intensive workshops and my elite coaching program.

Q: Why is relationship work important?

A: Relationship work is important because we are always in relationships — and, let’s be honest, no one teaches us how to be in a relationship. If you were lucky to have good role modelling and safe attachments growing up, relationships can be less stressful to navigate. Unfortunately, for many people, this is

A: Yes, intensives are a greater financial investment but less expensive than a divorce. They allow us to process deeper and propel the relationship forward, especially during a crisis period. An individual session can feel like starting new each time and therefore, requires couples to do work outside of session the way it is intended for better success.

Even through what appears to be life’s most difficult challenges, Mary Marano is dedicated to opening a space for individuals to experience therapy in a non-threatening way. Stay up-to-date with @lifeandfamilycounselling and @changedbymary to learn more about how you can guide yourself through therapy to promote positive mental and emotional health.

Supporting self-discovery, enhancing relationships and moving from contemplation into action, Life & Family Counselling takes you on a journey where you will gain a renewed sense of hope

PHOTO BY VALERIA MITSUBATA

Life & Family Counselling offers a safe and trusting environment that supports selfdiscovery and enhances relationships

aesthetic providers. Whether you are looking to get laser hair removal, Botox or PRP®, selecting an experienced and established clinic is a must.

Canada MedLaser Clinics offers a multitude of services, treatments and procedures that will have you looking — and feeling — your very best. These include laser hair removal, CoolSculpting ®, cosmetic injections such as Botox® and Dysport®, PRP® Hair Restoration and skin treatments.

Indulge in the intersection of beauty, aesthetics, confidence and self-care in a safe, comfortable and inclusive environment. Since 2014, Canada MedLaser has been proudly serving clients across Ontario with over 12 locations, offering easy access to premium medical aesthetic services. It is recognized as the top medical aesthetic provider in Ontario and has the most trained medical aesthetic team in the GTA.

THE FUSION OF AESTHETICS, TRANSFORMATION AND CONFIDENCE

Medical aesthetic treatments have become incredibly popular, thanks to celebrities and public figures highlighting the incredible results that can be achieved from these procedures. Long gone are the days of secrecy around cosmetic augmentation. We are now welcoming, embracing and celebrating all the incredible results these services have to offer. With aesthetic

treatments now being advertised to the public in full transparency, there is an influx of spas and clinics offer a variety of services. Here is the takeaway: do your research. It is essential to do your due diligence when it comes to medical aesthetic services, treatments and their respective providers. Canada MedLaser’s commitment to excellence, superior results and positive experience are what differentiates the company from other

Margarita Frumin, a Medical Aesthetician and Growth and Development Manager at Canada MedLaser, has been working in the industry since 2011. With superior expertise and a deep passion for all the treatments offered at Canada MedLaser, she has been instrumental in the success and leadership of the brand.

Canada MedLaser Clinics has become known for its variety of services, including laser treatments. “Lasers are capable of doing so much more than just hair removal,” says Frumin.

Other treatments recommended by Frumin are micro-needling and fractional skin resurfacing, both drastically improving the overall look, texture and feel of the skin. Both treatments have been around for a while and continue to be popular with many clients due to how effective they are. By safely inflicting dermal injury barely noticeable to the visible eye, you trigger a natural response of collagen rushing to the surface to begin self-repair, and, by doing this, you have naturally self-induced collagen production. Frumin recommends these treatments to anyone looking for a natural way to improve their skin’s appearance.

Canada MedLaser Clinics also offers Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP®) Therapy, which is used for both skin rejuvenation and hair restoration. PRP ® Therapy

Canada MedLaser Clinics is a medical aesthetics clinic franchise whose reputation is as incredible as your results

Margarita Frumin is the Growth and Development Manager at Canada MedLaser Aesthetic Clinic

uses injections of a patient’s own platelets, which, in turn, accelerates and promotes healing.

According to Frumin, anyone can benefit from PRP® Therapy, even those with healthy skin and hair. The therapy is a natural and healthy alternative to filler and yields natural-looking results. Microneedling, fractional skin resurfacing and PRP® skin rejuvenation provide the most dramatic and natural results that many patients are looking for.

Canada MedLaser is on trend. In the clinic, they have successfully incorporated more natural, self-healing treatment methods and protocols, while “using machines and devices to naturally manipulate your body into doing what is intended,” Frumin shares. Their top-selling treatments, such as micro-

needling and CoolSculpting® are perfect examples. These treatments provide incredible results, all non-surgical and minimally invasive, as well as free of injection and foreign objects in the body.

Equally hot on the market and desired by many clients, Canada MedLaser is a proud provider of medical cosmetic injectable services, such as filler, Botox® , Dysport® and Belkyra®, a new, exciting treatment that is used for eliminating and reducing skin fat and double chins.

Visiting Canada MedLaser in person is a must. Their philosophy is more than just being service providers. They are the skin and body game-changers. It is about passion, collaboration, goal-setting, experience and real, lasting results. “The

most rewarding part of this career and industry is seeing satisfied clients, both new and returning,” says Frumin. She also shared how instrumental and evocative patient testimonials are. “We have had people write testimonies that we have changed their lives and helped them improve their confidence,” says Frumin.

Looking to the future, when choosing a medical aesthetic service practitioner, it is crucial to opt for one that uses FDA- and Health Canada-approved technologies. Do not cut corners when it comes to your body and beauty.

Whether you are interacting with the company’s Customer Care Team, Clinic Director or Medical Aestheticians, you will be provided with a five-star experience. The company values certification, experience and expertise in its selective hiring process. They choose only qualified medical aestheticians and

registered nurses, beyond Canadian legal requirements.

Canada MedLaser has expansion plans. As industry leaders and game-changers, Canada MedLaser is committed to remaining at the forefront of the industry, continually updating its services and meeting the evolving needs and wishes of its clients. With a team that truly cares about its clients’ satisfaction and wellbeing, Canada MedLaser is poised for continued success in the years ahead.

THE MOST REWARDING PART OF THIS CAREER IS SEEING SATISFIED CLIENTS COMING BACK. WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE WRITE TESTIMONIES THAT WE HAVE CHANGED THEIR LIVES AND HELPED THEM IMPROVE THEIR CONFIDENCE

Going above and beyond the industry standard, all the staff at Canada MedLaser are certified medical aestheticians and registered nurses

The clinic provides a large range of services, including body contouring, cosmetic injections, laser hair removal, hair growth, skin and other treatments

It’s All About the Results Their incredible team will be able to help you get your desired aesthetic results

WORDS FOR THE WORLD

Ben Johnston is making words speak volumes with his impressive wordplay and mind-bending works of art

WRITTEN BY MASSIMO SOSA

Ben Johnston is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in the field of typographic designs and murals. Known best for his bold textbased murals and fine art pieces, the Toronto-based artist’s work can be found worldwide, sprawled across the walls of buildings in many local communities and neighbourhoods. Johnston consciously integrates his work to complement and adapt to each environment surrounding the mural. To spread messages of love and positivity, he makes use of creative phrases and affirmations that easily connect with and inspire those who pass by.

Growing up, Johnston experienced a unique cultural upbringing, having moved from Canada to South Africa when he was just three years old. The supply of good weather in a country where life is mostly lived outdoors

inspired his decision to shape his career in arts with a modern twist, taking unassuming city walls and transforming them into his canvases. Reflecting on his experience, he shared what his early adulthood was like. “Growing up in Africa is pretty fun. There is a big push to have a very creative culture, whether it’s in fashion,

arts or design.” Johnston tells City Life about his admiration for the amazing people he met while living there, and his early steps toward becoming a street artist, adding, “Working as a freelancer was not that rare. A lot of friends would work together and get studios to share. It was a nice way we could grow and learn from each other as we were getting into the industry.”

While experimenting with his interests in the arts, Johnston worked for multiple advertising agencies until he decided to embark on a change. The young artist sold all his possessions and moved back to his hometown of Toronto. During his early years back in the city, he maintained a number of full-time jobs in design as he took on freelance work, which ultimately landed him success and garnered him the reputation as a street artist he holds today. Fast-forward to the present day, and it has been 10 years

I see the world as a place to create new and engaging artwork

PHOTO BY JAMIE JANX

Pictured with the final piece titled ‘Together’ Johnston references the scale of his work

since he has been back living in Canada.

Johnston answers the question of how he found his calling and what it took to solidify his image in the field: “It has been a natural progression of change — believing that everything will come together and finding a rhythm of sorts has helped back my efforts.”

His main goal is to find innovative ways to spread messages that will relate to people in the community in which his art resides.

Through the use of ambiguous word choices, like “forever” or “together,” phrases that are open-ended and up for interpretation, Johnston easily forms personal connections with locals and visitors that, in turn, leave lasting impressions. The result is a poetic experience that produces a cathartic release through his works. Johnston explains, “I paint for the people in the community. I’ll never really see it again; it’s about the locals loving that piece.”

With the continued support of local community members and his latest residency on the streets of Yorkville at Taglialatella Galleries, Johnston has expressed his utmost gratitude for the admiration and appreciation his work receives. As the artist told us, “It’s been fun to have a supportive gallery like Taglialatella and to have a city that embraces street art like Toronto.” He shares the impact that the city’s openness and free expression have on his creativity: “People embrace it here; they make me want to paint murals in the street.”

PHOTO BY RYAN EMBERLEY

Johnston is constantly reinventing himself through his works. His latest feat, a 20-piece body of work, titled “Wordplay,” recently showcased at Taglialatella Galleries. Through this series, Johnston expands on his signature motifs previously established in his street art, now bringing the emotive potential of typography to new heights with a mix of 14 paintings and six sculptural pieces. His sculptures carry thought-provoking attributes that challenge viewers to observe the pieces through a different lens and decode the messages hidden within the warping cylindrical twists of his resin casts. His paintings carry the

same signature DNA with an array of vibrant hues and pastel tones to create jumbled-up words and phrases that challenge the viewer to find the message being conveyed.

With his continued efforts to consistently challenge what can be reimagined and interpreted by audiences, Johnston has captivated the masses both visually and intellectually. His keen eye for detail and poetic takeaway has firmly established his name in the art world and undoubtedly given him a platform to leave his mark.

www.benjohnston.ca @ben_johnston

Ben Johnston pictured with select works from his latest show ‘Wordplay’

EMBRACING ENGAGEMENT IN A SWIPE CULTURE

The million-dollar question is…how do we change our behaviour? By understanding it. Swipe shows us how to re-engage, escape the “hamster wheel” trap, and attain our ambitious goals

WRITTEN BY MARC CASTALDO

Dr. Tracy Maylet CEO of DecisionWise,

psychologist,

professor

When the going gets tough, why do we give up? We all know what it is like to quit or to make excuses for why we failed. There are even times when we find ourselves put in situations outside our comfort zone, and we pursue trivial distractions to make it easier for us to endure; e.g., by sticking our noses in our smartphones.

So why do we disengage from the important things in our life? How do we change this behaviour?

organizational

researcher, speaker, and university

Tim Vandehey Journalist, columnist and New York Times bestselling ghostwriter of more than 65 non-fiction books

We often resort to scapegoats to blame for why we give up on our goals. We blame our company, technology, the boss, our colleagues and so on

Dr. Tracy Maylett and Tim Vandehey provide a comprehensive explanation and solution to this daunting universal human behaviour in their new book, Swipe: The Science Behind Why We Don’t Finish What We Start.

Dr. Maylett is the CEO of a global consulting firm, DecisionWise, which focuses on employee experience design and evaluation. With his background in organizational development, organizational change, experience design and assessment, industrial psychology, executive coaching, HR and psychometric assessment, he routinely advises leaders throughout the world on employee engagement strategies and organizational effectiveness.

In addition to teaching at Brigham Young University and at Pforzheim University in Germany, he has authored previous award-winning books, including two bestsellers: The Employee Experience: How to Attract Talent, Retain Top Performers, and Drive Results and Engagement Magic: Five Keys for Engaging People, Leaders, and Organizations.

Co-author Tim Vandehey is a journalist and New York Times bestselling ghostwriter with an array of works in such genres as business, finance, advice, outdoor adventure, religion, memoirs, parenting and health. He has won several awards, including multiple Axiom Business Book medals and Independent Publisher Book awards.

Their new book, Swipe: The Science Behind Why We Don’t Finish What We Start, is a self-help and business book that thoughtfully combines neurobiology, organizational psychology, business statistics, journalism and storytelling. It is written with the goal of helping readers understand and then escape the current “swipe” phenomenon.

Maylett and Vandehey have identified the swipe as a reflex that is a result of our evolving high-tech culture. They describe this phenomenon as a self-destructive “hamster wheel” of disengagement that is hindering our

human growth within our workplace, our family life and our social life. Defeating the swipe is all about being more human.

The swipe poses a crippling barrier between the employer and the employee. On-the-job swiping occurs when the employee feels overwhelmed, unsupported, incapable or disrespected. Naturally, one of the jobs of the employer is to bring the best out of his or her team. However, the employer cannot force the employee to engage,

but they can create an environment in which employees choose not to swipe. Ultimately, swiping should be understood as a preconditioned impulse or reflex to refuse, reject or disregard something or someone. It is not a choice.

The meaning of “engage” or “engagement” differs from person to person. Maylett says, “Our definition of engagement is that it’s an emotion in which people choose to dedicate their hearts, spirits, minds and hands in what they do. The hearts being that love they have for the job. The spirit being the passion that’s there, that flame. The hands being the actual, physical work piece of this. And the minds being, ‘I’m thinking about this. This is part of me. This is part of what I want to do.’ That's really the basis behind our concept of engagement.” (Profitable Happiness™ podcast, hosted by Dr. Pelè.)

Maylett and Vandehey propose a solution to counter this disengagement: “MAGIC,” which stands for Meaning, Autonomy, Growth, Impact and Connection. Maylett explains that if we find meaning in what we do beyond just the job itself then this will get us excited about our work and give us something to look forward to. Autonomy should be understood as the power to shape the world in front of you in a way that is going to allow you to use your talent to succeed. Growth is essential in every facet of our lives. If we are not growing, we are stagnating and will fail to engage with what is in front of us. Impact is the feeling of knowing your work is making a difference and serves as a reminder of the results of our hard work. Lastly, connection is a sense of belonging to something beyond us. Whether that connection is to the people with whom we’re working or the tasks we perform, there is a reason why we are a part of it.

Swipe: The Science Behind Why We Don’t Finish What We Start was released on March 21, 2023, and is available at Indigo and on Amazon.

www.swipethebook.com

Swipe: The Science Behind Why We Don’t Finish What We Start, written by Dr. Tracy Maylett and Tim Vandehey

[ Engagement ] is an emotion in which people choose to dedicate their hearts, spirits, minds and hands in what they do

6

EDITOR’S PICKS

WRITTEN BY MARC CASTALDO

From wood-burning pizza ovens to ’80s-inspired American sneakers, these summer picks are selected just for you!

1

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3. DOLCE STYLE

Sophisticated and elegant, these signature Dolce t-shirts are made from 100% cotton and are fairly produced. www.shopdolce.ca |

4. BOLD FLAVOURS Martelli Foods’ Arrabiata Cherry Tomato Sauce is prepared according to a traditional Roman recipe and made with a Sicilian twist by using cherry tomatoes. The combination of two different regional culinary specialties foretells an excellent sauce. www.martellifoods.com |

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This book explores revered Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s bestknown and most spectacular series

the Infi nity Mirror Rooms

5. RECOMMENDED READS

and their infl uence on the course of contemporary art over the past 50 years. www.amazon.ca |

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6. ADVENTURE AWAITS

The Maeve Silky

1. GODDESS MATERIAL

Striped Button-Down was inspired by a purple fl ower, a Greek goddess, and a beautiful Irish warrior queen. Its structured yet delicate design represents beauty and power, perfect for standing out in the best of ways. www.anthropologie.com |

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The Ginkgo

2. A FUNCTIONAL ACCESSORY

Double Compartment Dish by Michael Aram is inspired by his passion for nature in its purest and most personal form. Functionality is infused into its form, making it perfect for the most elemental moments in our daily lives. www.williamashley.com |

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7. LUXURIATE Sink into comfort with the stylish curved Forge Lounge Chair. Its distinctive shape and curved edges make it a perfect addition to your living room. www.eltemkt.com |

8. MOBILE FREEDOM The NANO 2-in-1 Balance Bike will give your little ones confi dence with their basic mobility skills by using their legs for balance and movement without the need for pedals or training wheels. www.cocovillage.com |

@cocovillage 9. GETAWAY ESSENTIALS Enjoy the most-loved cosmetic products in carry-on sizes, plus a free iconic pouch from L’Occitane en Provence. The set contains, Almond Milk Concentrate, Almond Shower Oil, Almond Delicious Hands, and Shea Ultra Rich Lip Balm. www.loccitane.com |

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@loccitaneca 10. REVIVING STYLE Delivering style and comfort, Autry’s ’80s-heritage-inspired sneakers are made using modern technologies and have become coveted around the world. www.harryrosen.com |

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12. NATURAL WELLNESS The Mother Earth Diffuser Blend Collection by Saje brings the fresh smells of Sky, Earth, and Sea in. www.saje.com |

11. SILKY SMOOTH The GIVENCHY 4G Monogram Silk Scarf is made in Italy from 100% silk and features an all-over monogram pattern with an iconic GIVENCHY border. www.holtrenfrew.com @holtrenfrew

13. DIGNIFIED STYLE The ring-pull lion dates from the Victorian era but is neoclassical in spirit. This antique piece will add a dignifi ed look to any piece of furniture. www.thedoorstore.ca @thedoorstore

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BROKEN AND BEAUTIFULLY CANDID

The multi-platform entertainer and author of A Little Bit Broken, Roz Weston shares his journey from dreaming big in a small town to manifesting those dreams in the big cities, and the life-changing hurdles he overcame along the way

WRITTEN BY MARC CASTALDO | INTERVIEW BY ESTELLE ZENTIL

He is a college dropout, a Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards winner, a New York Festivals Radio Awards winner and a Canadian Screen Awards winner. In 2013, Hello! magazine named him one of the 50 Most Beautiful Canadians. Known for his signature witty humour, charisma and honesty, Roz Weston is so much more than the entertainer we know him to be.

Growing up in the small town of Acton, Ont., where everybody knows everybody, he was only motivated to get out. From childhood to his teenage years, he saw big cities by watching television, and he spent most of his time forming plans for how to get out of Acton.

Although, after finally moving out and going to college for a year and then moving to New York City and later Toronto, he graciously gives credit to Acton. After he met different people

who didn’t come from small towns, he realized that Acton had provided the foundations for his uncommonly courteous and ethical behaviour towards others. “One thing about growing up in a town like Acton, where everybody knows each other, is that you learn very, very early that how you treat people matters," he says.

In 2011, Acton expressed its own pride in Weston by naming a street after him. As Weston describes it, Roz Weston Lane is “the most small-town Canadian thing ever it’s an alley that runs behind and connects the Tim Hortons to the Beer Store.”

Although he grew up with aboveaverage confidence and was a popular kid who could make friends easily, Weston grappled with incredibly low self-esteem. Wait one second — how is this possible?

“I realized years later that confidence comes from people telling you you’re great, [but] self-esteem is built by doing things that are great,” he recalls. “It took

me a long time to realize that, that I was living a life where I was so terrified to put myself out for anything, not because I didn’t think I was talented enough or because I didn’t think I had the skills but because I was just so terrified to fail. And my goal when I was growing up, I thought that I would be a success if nobody ever saw me fail. So I didn’t take any chances, and I didn’t start to take chances until way later in life, way later than most people would. I sort of had to play catch-up.”

Weston’s No. 1 national bestseller tell-all memoir, A Little Bit Broken, is a deeply personal and inspiring account of, as he describes it, “the whole story I never shared before.” He reveals an array of bad decisions he has made and reconciled with and, without question … he has made them all.

For Weston, the importance of passing on family stories to the generations that will follow him stems from the fact that his father’s passing

PHOTOS BY KATHERINE HOLLAND

Tonight Canada , Roz built an audience and turned it into a family

left him with unanswered questions. “Part of the reason I wrote the book was my dad died when I was in my 20s. And there’s no real permanent record of him. I don’t have any videos of him. There’s no audio, I don’t remember what his voice sounds like. And I think that you are your family’s storyteller. And these are the stories that we tell. And I realized that when I’m gone, so are his stories. So, part of writing this book was a way to leave a permanent record of him because he was so wonderful. He was also a great storyteller.”

Feeling the need to fill a certain lack that was lingering in his soul, Weston was motivated to sit down and write the book for his teenage daughter, Roxy. That way, she would not have to endure the same level of grief and doubt. “I wanted to give to her the thing that I wish my dad gave to me, which is an unfiltered truth of who I am. She doesn’t have to read it. But if at some point she does have questions, all the answers are in that book,” says Weston.

For anyone who’s fighting like hell, just hanging on or putting the pieces back together when you’re broken, fixing things becomes an obsession

I WANTED TO GIVE TO HER THE THING THAT I WISH MY DAD GAVE TO ME, WHICH IS AN UNFILTERED TRUTH OF WHO I AM”

Grief is one of those things that you can never prepare for. It affects everyone differently, and the ways we manage grief differ from person to person. Weston reminds us that life is too short and precious to be taken for granted. We should cherish the moments we have with our loved ones to the fullest.

“When my dad died, I felt guilt. I felt that I was too young, and I was too slow, and that he was going to die having never seen his hard work pay off with me. Because, when he was alive, I was always on my way to becoming

something, I was never that thing,” says Weston. “I just didn’t have it in me and, when my dad was dying, I killed him off before he was dead. I had a moment with him when he was going through chemo and radiation, and I said goodbye to him while he was still alive. But for the last few months, while he was still alive, I didn’t talk to him. I wouldn’t return his phone calls … I robbed myself and I robbed him of the opportunity for the two of us to say goodbye to each other.”

Although he had been raised in a

home that celebrated emotions and was encouraged to express them, Weston found himself internalizing a multitude of raw emotions that began to boil. Not a big reader in general and unfamiliar with the extent to which other memoirs typically reveal the truth, Weston decided not to hold back when writing his. He told the world about a sexual assault that happened to him when he was younger and how that 10-minute incident would eventually shape him into the man he is today.

“I didn’t realize how much it had

“It never gets better, but it does get easier” that’s the first thing Roz says to anyone who asks him for advice

changed my life at the time. It was only years later that I realized I always remembered that event happening. I was in my 30s before I realized that it shouldn’t have happened. It took a long time to process. So many of the decisions that I made throughout my life were based on that one day,” says Weston.

Moving forward, Weston shines a light on the fact that young men are resistant to freely expressing their feelings of guilt and trauma. Since it is mostly young women

who are sexualized, demonized and body-shamed, young men who are similarly targeted are often left out of the conversation everybody just presumes that such things never happen to them, to the extent that many of the young male victims themselves pretend that those issues don’t exist when they very much do. “I almost destroyed my liver, taking diet pills when I started working in television, because one boss I had said one sh---y thing about my body, and I almost killed myself trying to prove him wrong,” says Weston.

Self-harm was something that Weston was familiar with from the age of 14 to when he was 30. Although he admits he was never suicidal, he never understood why he would burn himself with matches as a teenager. All he knew was, “It became the thing that I loved and hated the most in my life. I would do everything I could to hide the scars from it,” says Weston. Although mental health was not an openly discussed mainstream topic in society then as it is today, he explains that it did not mean people were not compassionate.

I ROBBED MYSELF AND I ROBBED HIM OF THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE TWO OF US TO SAY GOODBYE TO EACH OTHER”

No. 1 national bestseller tell-all memoir, A Little Bit Broken , is a deeply personal and inspiring account of Roz Weston’s life story

They were simply not as equipped then to take on people with that type of problem and to determine exactly what help they needed.

Fortunately, the mental-health narrative has changed since he was a teenager, and Weston loves it. A TV series on Netflix, Ginny and Georgia, even presents Ginny Miller as an angsty 15-year-old who we learn self-harms by burning herself and is eventually discovered and confronted by her mother, Georgia. Weston says, “I love that sort of content … people are just so in tune with that type of conversation. It takes people who are not afraid to have this conversation to move it forward, where I never would have done this when I was that age.”

Throughout Weston’s memoir, he candidly shares the entirety of the many low moments in his life. However, he brings smiles, shock and happiness to readers and fans around the world when he includes his marriage proposal to his then long-term girlfriend, Katherine, at the end of the book.

Weston admits that after 17 years of being together, he knew he was going to propose but did not know if anybody had ever written an entire book just to propose to the person they love. “I wanted to be one of the first, and I thought it would be cool because marriage was something that we’d never really discussed with any sort of seriousness before,” says Weston. Weston adds that they never talked about marriage because they were so comfortable, and there was so much love. But he knew she was not opposed to it.

He reveals that the very first chapter he wrote was the proposal chapter. He says, “I wrote the book on the couch, right? Katherine was sitting beside me and Roxy, and I would finish a chapter, and I would take my computer off my lap, and I would say, ‘Hey, Katherine, do you have five minutes?’ And she would say, ‘Yeah,’ and so I would put the computer on her lap, and she would proofread a chapter. So she read this book multiple times before it was

finished, but never saw that chapter.”

Weston strategically sold the book without the written proposal because what was most important to him was for the book to hold up based on the rest of the story rather than selling the book as a stunt. When he began submitting chapters to his editor, the proposal chapter was never seen until the moment the final manuscript went to the publisher, when he included it. Although doing so understandably dismayed his editor and publisher, it was essential for Weston to give away

person in the room, he says — was his stamina and motivation, both of which enabled him to work longer hours and take on harder tasks and more pressing deadlines. “I could outwork everybody,” Weston says.

Being the first person in Canada employed by two major and competing companies and after being on ET Canada for 17 years and on the radio for 14 years and counting took its toll on Weston physically and mentally. More importantly, it took time away from his family.

“I was working so hard to make sure that my kid had everything that I started to fear that, in my quest to make sure that we were taken care of, that would lead to her waking up one day, realizing that she got ripped off. That started to haunt me. My desire to protect us and make sure we were good was actually doing harm. I remember with my dad, the only thing that mattered was just kicking it with him. Just him being present. I realized that the one thing that I wasn’t was present,” says Weston. Money and status are not the defining elements of professional success. For Roz, success means putting himself in a position where he can say “no” and have it respected.

the ending. He explains: “I released the proposal chapter and the video before the book came out because I knew that this story, this book, is a tough read. I needed people to know that there was a happy ending, and I wanted people to go into this book with optimism.”

Before stepping down from Entertainment Tonight, Weston would reportedly wake up at 3:50 a.m. to get to work by 5 a.m. to start recording for The Roz and Mocha Show from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Then he would go on to tape ET Canada from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., finally arriving home by 6:30 p.m. Weston adds that during his younger days, what made him bankable — despite not being the smartest

After stepping down from ET Canada with 17 incredible seasons under his belt, Weston has embraced knowing when to say “no” and being more present with his family. He spends his days making millions laugh on The Roz and Mocha Show and coming home as the househusband for the rest of the day. He says, “I have dinner ready for the girls when they get home. They walk into the house and I’m in an apron.” For those who want to know what’s cooking in the Weston home, pasta, tacos and burgers are their favourite goto dishes. Afterward, the family happily kicks back on the couch with their four cats.

I NEEDED PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THERE WAS A HAPPY ENDING, AND I WANTED PEOPLE TO GO INTO THIS BOOK WITH OPTIMISM”

THE SWEET LIFE

The founder of cookie brand Annaretti Biscotti opens up on the company’s beginnings, gratitude and baking in her nonna’s memory

WRITTEN BY JOSH WALKER

Anna-Maria Rumeo is the founder of Annaretti Biscotti

If anyone understands the relationship between food and family, it’s Anna-Maria Rumeo. With a mother who’s an avid cook and a nonna who was a prolific baker, the recipes passed down through her family are more than instructions. They’re memories, moments and treasured experiences that keep the tradition of food alive.

Rumeo was always connected to cooking. Throughout her career as a flight attendant, she would spend layovers looking at recipes to make when she returned home. Whether it was the inspiration for the next meal to share with her husband, something for a family dinner or exploring the tastes of a different culture, Rumeo’s passion rested in culinary experiences.

But it was after being let go from that job during the pandemic, which she’d been working in for eight years, Rumeo decided to take the recipes that originated with her nonna and do something with them. “I began baking some of our most cherished recipes from my nonna, mom, myself, and what I thought was going to be a little hobby during COVID turned into a fully sustainable business,” she says.

That business is Annaretti Biscotti. Specializing in baked goods that balance artistry with Nonna-approved flavour, the name of the brand is inspired by her late nonna, Anna, and her love of Amaretti.

“When somebody receives a box of Annaretti Biscotti, they get a little taste of culture and tradition, something that’s maybe lost in our modern world,” Rumeo continues. “To me, it’s so much more than a business. It’s about sharing traditions, family time and bringing back to life something I no longer have with my nonna.”

While the recipes are those that

have been passed down and perfected over time by her nonna, there are still technicalities and instincts that Rumeo has to apply. “Every season, I have to gauge the recipe and base because sometimes it needs a little less egg white or more almond flour,” she says. “That’s one of the biggest challenges. As much

as I’m consistent on paper and with numbers, you have to know with your hands what’s the right consistency.”

With Rumeo’s baked goods available in retailers across the GTA, including Speducci Mercatto in North York, Petti Fine Foods in Toronto, Vici Bakery & Cafe in Woodbridge and Garden Foods and Longos in Bolton, and their reputation spreading through word of mouth and constant referrals, Annaretti is in a good position for growth. No matter where the brand ends up, Rumeo is committed to staying grounded. “The most important thing in doing what I’m doing and continuing to do it at this level is I never forget where I came from,” she says. “Gratitude is No. 1 for me. The relationships I’ve made along the way with such wonderful people I never would have imagined,” she notes. “They were complete strangers that continue to send me beautiful compliments and referrals, and that’s one thing that really keeps me grounded.”

It’s these thoughts that direct both Rumeo and her brand today, and she’s someone who enjoys giving back. She shares how she donates money to “Fetch + Releash” and “The Dog Go Project” in the hopes it will help and inspire someone else to save an animal’s life.

This gratitude also directs her views on the future. “When I think about expanding, all I think about is how I can continue to do this and love it as much as I do at a higher level. That’s my No. 1 priority. To remember where you came from, be humble and be grateful for everything you’ve learned — failures, successes, everything.”

@annaretti_biscotti

Whenreceivessomebody a box of Annaretti Biscotti, they get a little taste of culture and tradition; something that’s maybe lost in our modern world

Rumeo decided to launch the business during the pandemic, when she was let go from her job as a flight attendant

SIMPLE ROASTED BEET SALAD WITH Fresh Burrata

This simple roasted beet salad will soon become one of your favourite recipes to make. Filled with complex flavours made with just a few simple ingredients, starring creamy Ontario burrata.

Serves: 6 people

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 15–20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1 Ontario burrata ball

2 cups yellow candy beets

2 cups purple beets

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp salt

1 tsp ground pepper

1 tbsp parsley, chopped

2 tbsp pomegranate molasses or balsamic glaze for drizzle

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven at 375F/190C

Wash and peel beets and cut into quarters. Toss in olive oil and salt and pepper

Evenly spread beets on a prepared baking tray and bake for 20–30 minutes

Place roasted beets onto a serving platter, top with chopped parsley

Lay Ontario burrata ball on top. Drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper to taste

Drizzle pomegranate molasses over the salad and serve.

FROM PASSION TO CAREER

Ottawa-based Yin & Vinyasa yoga instructor, YouTuber, author and the face behind Yoga with Kassandra, Kassandra Reinhardt has been inspiring millions over the past decade to harness their inner peace

WRITTEN BY MARC CASTALDO

One of the first yoga instructors to embrace online teaching, Kassandra Reinhardt has dedicated her life to guiding students toward a path of peace and wellness for the mind, body and soul. With the recent release of her I Radiate Joy: Daily Affirmation Cards as well as My Yoga Journey: A Guided Journal , Kassandra honoured us with an invitation to speak with her about her journey and her work.

Kassandra’s journey down the path of teaching yoga began in 2008 when she decided to book a yoga class because a friend recommended it. Already participating in dance and constantly suffering from injured hamstrings, she decided to give it a try.

Although her first class was not the typical “transformational” moment in her life that people assume, she still felt great after her that class and, over time, she eventually found the right style of yoga and the right teacher that clicked for her. From there, she discovered a newfound appreciation and understanding of what the practice had to offer. Since then, she has not looked back.

Her passion for yoga evolved into online teaching through her YouTube channel, Yoga with Kassandra, where she has attained 2.21 million subscribers to date.

Q: Before saying to yourself, “I want to pursue yoga professionally,” what

was your original career game plan at the time?

A: Around the time I started getting into yoga I was 18 years old, but a few years later, I ended up getting a job with the municipal government of the City of Ottawa. I was there for maybe five years, and I enjoyed that. But I did both, I was working full-time hours and just hustling on evenings and weekends trying to get Yoga with Kassandra off the ground, and I did that for three years until I was ready to take the plunge and leave the city job to do this full time.

Q: For anyone who is hesitant about taking a yoga class or is skeptical about the benefits of yoga, what would you say to them as an encouragement to give it a try?

PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER MALCOLM

Although Kassandra did not fall in love with yoga immediately, from the beginning, she could see that it enhanced her balance, strength, and flexibility. Eventually she learned that yoga is a phenomenal mindfulness practice

A: Online is the best way to go about it. The beauty of taking an online class is that you can start with just a 10-minute yoga class. In studios, you pretty much have to do a 60-minute class, minimum. There isn’t any flexibility with the time, and that can be daunting for a lot of people if they're not sure this is for them. In a private setting, it’s a lot easier. There’s no judgment. You can do whatever you want, and you have the freedom to try a million kinds of teachers and yoga styles to see what works for you.

Q: Your I Radiate Joy: Daily Affirmation Cards deck was released this past January. Can you tell me more about it and what inspired you to create it?

A: I originally learned about affirmations through Louise Hay, and it’s been this full-circle moment to now have my own affirmation cards deck. I wanted it to be reflective of what I am about – something that can be used along with your yoga practice. We did four suits, all surrounding health – physical health, mental health, emotional health and spiritual health — just simple affirmations that people can use during their practice. I think this is my greatest accomplishment.

Q: Can you tell us how the idea for My Yoga Journey: A Guided Journal came to mind? What is the best approach to using the journal?

A: The journal is meant to be used two minutes before your session and two minutes after your session. It is meant to get people to tune in more to their yoga state of mind, to hold onto that mindful space we worked so hard to create. In the beginning, there are a few prompts, and then you do your session, and then there are three additional questions after your sessions to help you reflect.

Q: Do you have a special moment you remember that you had with one of your students, when you learned that your teachings helped them overcome a certain challenge?

A: Oh, my gosh … there's been such an influx. It’s overwhelming. That was the most eye-opening moment, especially when I first started teaching online. Receiving those emails and messages that say, “I am able to sit down and stand up unassisted for the first time in a decade.” Little things like that, that we take for granted. The fact that they were able to start small at home — for me, that was very powerful.

Q: What do you think the future has in store for you? Is there anything you can share with me and your students about upcoming plans or goals?

A: One idea that I have for potentially this year is Life with Kassandra, the podcast that I’ve been kind of dreaming about because I do have a lot of other interests and passions outside of yoga that I feel like I want to share. So, I’ve been trying to figure out what is the best vehicle and venue for that.

Q: If you had a positive message or affirmation message of the day for our readership, what would you say to them?

A: My favourite affirmation of all time is “All is well and I am safe.” It is an affirmation by Louise Hay. That’s the one that comes to mind. But, in terms of a message, my main message as a teacher is “It doesn’t have to be overly complicated or strenuous to be effective.” Give yourself permission to start small and do what works for you, and that’s how you will really find consistency and hopefully some kind of fulfilment.

www.yogawithkassandra.com

@yoga_with_kassandra

At the end of the day, I didn’t do anything. The students are the ones doing the work every day. It's a symbiotic relationship

Kassandra always strives to create a positive atmosphere when she teaches so that her students feel nurtured, safe, and understand clearly what they are doing and working towards

how she maintains long-term relationships with her patients.

A resident of King Township, Dr. Contino is dedicated to the community in which she lives, participating in and sponsoring numerous events and speaking at schools annually. When she is not at the clinic, Dr. Contino spends time with her three children, as well as cooking, baking, and practicing yoga.

Her love of science and passion for helping people led Dr. Contino to pursue a career in healthcare. Dentistry was the ultimate fit because it allowed her to work with her hands, appealing to her creative side. Dr. Contino especially takes pride in helping patients overcome their apprehensions about dental offices and dental procedures.

A PASSION FOR SMILES

There is uncompromising perfection when it comes to the healthy smiles that Dr. Diane Contino helps achieve for her patients. She skillfully merges her expertise in cuttingedge dental techniques with the fine art of aesthetics to integrate dentistry and business.

Since the inception of Dr. Contino’s practice, one of her unwavering goals has been to create an environment that reflects the exceptional level of work performed at her clinic. Combining her artistic talents with her skillful mastery of dental care

procedures and techniques, she has helped thousands of patients of all ages to achieve their desired smile.

Dr. Contino, who earned both her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Surgery degrees from the University of Toronto, is passionate about people and dentistry. She firmly believes that dentistry should be gentle, high-quality, and personalized for each patient. After graduating from dental school, Dr. Contino was an associate at multiple dental offices in the Greater Toronto Area. Developing positive connections through her practice is

Nobleton Family Dental has been providing dental care to patients in the surrounding area since 1995. However, it was not until 2017 that the space was purchased by Dr. Contino. The dental clinic offers and performs a wide range of dental services under one roof, including dental hygiene and cleaning, children’s dentistry, fillings, root canals, extractions, crowns, bridges, implants, dentures, whitening, Invisalign, and full smile makeovers!

The team at Nobleton Family Dental is dedicated to every single patient who enters their clinic and is devoted to creating gorgeous smiles that boost patients’ confidence and transform lives. With their patient-centred practice, Nobleton Family Dental offers comprehensive dental care with an equal commitment to preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry.

Nobleton Family Dental is always happy to welcome new patients. Schedule your next appointment today and experience the importance of comfort and high-quality dental care.

Nobleton Family Dental boasts an atmosphere that is both welcoming and professional, where everyone goes home with a confident and healthy smile

Dr. Diane Contino’s passion and hard work not only puts a bright smile on our faces but hers, as well

CANADA GOES TO THE MOON

Canada's leaf will be worn proudly on the arm of Jeremy Hansen as humans return to the moon in 2024

WRITTEN BY RICK MULLER

The Canadian flag has been to the four corners of the world, to every country on the planet, to the top of Mount Everest and the deepest crevices of the ocean. With the April 3 announcement of the crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission, the Canadian flag will now go to the moon.

Jeremy Hansen, of London, Ont., was named Mission Specialist, one of the four astronauts who will venture around the moon on Artemis II, scheduled for November 2024. This will be the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence on the moon for science and exploration, with the goal of eventually using the moon as a base and gateway to humankind’s journey to Mars.

Hansen, 47 years old and a married father of three, served for 5 years as a fighter pilot and has a bachelor of science in space science and master of science in physics. He was named alongside Mission Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover and Mission Specialist Christina Hammock Koch to become first humans since 1972 to return to the moon when they lift off on Orion, the most powerful rocket in history, to orbit the moon on a 10day mission 19 months from now. The

Artemis II mission will pave the way for an eventual moon landing in late 2025 or early 2026.

Born in London, Hansen was raised on a farm near Ailsa Craig, Ont., until moving to Ingersoll for his high school years. His aviation journey began at age 12 when he joined the 614 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in London, and he earned his Air Cadet glider pilot wings at age 16 in Trenton, Ont. He began officer training for the Canadian Armed Forces at the Royal

Military College Saint-Jean in 1994. He graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston in 1999 and then served as a CF-18 fighter pilot until being selected as one of two recruits by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) through the third Canadian Astronaut Recruitment Campaign. Upon graduation from Astronaut Candidate Training, Hansen worked at mission control as “capcom” — the voice between the ground and the International Space Station. On Artemis II, Hansen will now be on the receiving end of those transmissions.

Hansen’s stature within the international space community was underscored in 2017 when he became the first Canadian to be entrusted with leading a NASA astronaut class, in charge of training astronaut candidates from both the United States and Canada. It is perhaps only natural that Hansen is among those selected to take this next “giant leap” when humans return to the moon.

There is perhaps no human alive today on Earth who has stared at the moon in the night sky and not thought, “Wow, we’ve walked there.” For those who were alive during the 1960s and during the race to the moon between the United

All four astronauts will represent the best of humanity as they explore for the benefit of all

States and the former Soviet Union, it was a wondrous, almost magical time of exploration and science.

Yes, it was the height of the Cold War, and, yes, it was a politically motivated goal set by President John F. Kennedy when he declared in his famous 1961 speech that America would, by the end of the decade, land “a man on the moon and return him safely to the Earth.” Although the real goal was to beat the Soviets in this astonishing task to prove whose system was better, the result was something even more impressive: close to a half-million workers pulling together, exploring science, making advances in technology and pushing

the limits of human ambition, curiosity and advancement.

When Apollo 11’s Eagle spacecraft carrying Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin touched down upon the lunar surface on July 20, 1969, it did so with less computing power than a single smartphone possesses today. What took us there so many decades ago still drives humanity today — our inescapable need to explore. As our ancient ancestors first showed, we will always have that curiosity to leave the safety, warmth and security of our campfire and journey over the hill to see what is on the other side.

“For the first time in more than 50

years, these individuals — the Artemis II crew — will be the first humans to fly to the vicinity of the moon,” said NASA Director Vanessa Wyche. “Among the crew are the first woman, the first person of colour and the first Canadian on a lunar mission, and all four astronauts will represent the best of humanity as they explore for the benefit of all.”

Next stop, Mars. The absolute wonder of discovery and the possibilities of human space travel have begun anew. We can all look up at the moon again and know we are returning there soon.

Jeremy Hansen (right), Reid Wiseman (bottom), Christina Hammock Koch (left) and Victor Glover (top) form the crew of Artemis II

MORE OR LESS: AN EXHIBITION THAT REDEFINES DENIM

Denim brand G-Star RAW has collaborated with Dutch artist, designer and fashion stylist Maarten Baas to create pieces that question our problematic relationship with consumption

WRITTEN BY JOSH WALKER

A 15-metre jet crafted from recycled demin challenges the viewer to think about our approach to consumption

Both brands and consumers of today are in a tough spot when it comes to balancing commercialization with the climate crisis. The exhibition “More or Less,” which opens to the public at Milan Design Week from April 18 to April 23, seeks to explore that predicament.

Housed in the 17th-century church of San Paolo Converso, the exhibition features a collection of cabinets designed in the shape of jeans. As functional as they are experimental, the pieces are made of denim that has been collected from recycled G-Star jeans from stores across Europe via the brand’s “Return your Denim” program. The denim itself was designed by Danish textile innovator Kvadrat Really, which upcycles end-oflife textiles into materials suitable for interior projects.

However, the star of the show comes with the introduction of a 15-metre jet. It stands bold and looming, and it was crafted by Baas to challenge viewers about our need for less.

“Every year in Milan, I witness the tragicomic dialogue between green design and mass consumption,” says Baas in a statement. “When G-Star approached me to collaborate, it was the perfect opportunity to focus on this relevant dilemma. After all, we are all part of the same puzzle: we enjoy our prosecco next to this private jet made from recycled materials.”

Working across the disciplines of product and interior design, architecture, public art and performance art, Baas has pieces in galleries including the MOMA, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Rijksmuseum, and has won many accolades, including “Designer of the Year” at Design Miami/ Basel.

“At G-Star, we believe that there is no limit to what denim can do,” says Gwenda van Vliet, CMO of G-Star RAW, in a statement. “In this case, we’re spotlighting what our denim waste can become. And how we can change waste material into something meaningful that stands out; and that makes you wonder and think. Because we all want more, but our planet needs less.”

This isn’t the first time G-Star has turned its take on denim to sustainability. In 2022, it launched The Art of RAW, a platform where international design talents from both within and outside the world of fashion are challenged to transform denim waste and dead stock into something new. Later this year, the brand will also launch its own secondhand platform, allowing customers to trade pre-worn items.

“Yes, we are constantly aiming to reduce our impact on people and the planet, but, at the same time, we realize we encourage consumption, as well,” the statement from van Vliet continues. “That symbolizes the balancing act of being both a responsible and a successful business at the same time.”

“More or Less” is open to the public for free from April 18 to April 23 at Chiesa di San Paolo Converso, Piazza Sant’Eufemia 1, Milan, in Italy.

www.maartenbaas.com

@maarten.baas

Every year in Milan I witness the tragicomic dialogue between green design and mass consumption

Denim used in the project comes from recycled G-Star jeans via the brand’s “Return your Denim” program across Europe

Animal Rights Versus Human Rights:

When Does One Set of Rights Supersede the Other?

Regan Russell’s passion for animals and her concern for how they were being treated ultimately led to her untimely and tragic death

WRITTEN BY CECE M. SCOTT

Have you ever believed in something so fiercely that you’d be willing to risk your life for it?

Meet Regan Russell, a passionate advocate for all things animal-related, who was run over and killed on June 19, 2020, by Andrew Blake, a transport-truck driver employed by Brussels Transport Ltd., who was delivering a load of pigs to Fearmans Pork processing plant, which is owned by Sofina Foods and located in Burlington, Ontario.

The 65-year-old Regan was peacefully protesting Bill 156, the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act. The law had been passed by Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government on June 17, 2020, a mere two days before Regan was killed. Police charged Blake with careless driving, which to many felt like a complete travesty of justice.

“‘I’m going down to the slaughterhouse today,’ Regan told us matter-of-factly that June day,” recalls Bill Russell, Regan’s father, who, at 92, is

also an activist. “Advocating for animals is just what Regan did, but she never mentioned how dangerous it was. The animal-processing plants used to allow protester two minutes to approach the stopped transport trucks so that they could provide water to the pigs through the truck slats. The drivers, of course, didn’t like it much because it held them up, so they’d rev their motors. But the group of protesters had timers and when the two minutes were up, they would get out of the way.”

Bill can’t say for sure what happened that June day except for the fact that Regan was killed by the truck Blake was driving.

The remembering is the hardest part for Bill and his wife, Pat, Regan’s mother.

“The funeral director told Pat and me that they’d done the best that they could. All we could see was Regan’s head — we recognized her hair — but there wasn’t much else left. It was horrific. And it’s been horrific ever since without her,” Bill says, the quietness in his voice

a testament to the kind of grief that is hard to imagine, let alone live with.

“Regan was always there for me,” says Shannon Russell, Regan’s younger sister. “When the chips were down she always defended me.”

When Shannon first heard from Regan’s husband, Mark, what had happened, she didn’t believe it could be Regan. “I thought to myself it could be anyone. And because Regan was the most visible and well-known activist at the pig vigils, I thought it was just presumed to be her. That day is a complete blur to me. I don’t even remember my husband, Jon, coming to my parents’ house. I was in complete disbelief. But then we saw Regan at the funeral parlour, and all I can say is, it was awful.”

From the time she was a child, Regan was crazy about animals. A Toronto native, by the time she was 23 Regan was volunteering in Winnipeg with Greenpeace, the renowned worldwide network of independent organizations founded in Canada in 1971 to expose

global environmental issues. She also actively worked to oppose the Canadian baby seal slaughter in the late 1970s.

A teacher with The Kindness Club, Regan worked in Northern Quebec, teaching humane education in schools on First Nations reserves.

“My first protest was the one I attended with Regan at the Eaton’s fur salon in Toronto during Christmas week of 1987. The head of security called the police, who took us in paddy wagons to the central police station in Toronto,” Bill says with a small laugh.

Shaun Monson, an American film director, producer and activist for animal rights and the environment, remembers hearing the news of Regan’s death. “I was in Los Angeles the morning I heard that Regan was killed and I was stunned. How could that happen?” Monson asks.

Funded by a group of private donors, Anita Krajnc, the founder of Animal Save Movement (formally known as The Save Movement), commissioned Monson in 2020 to film and produce a short documentary, There Was a Killing, as a way to inform the public about the events that occurred the day Regan died. Krajnc wanted people to understand the courage and unshakeable dedication it takes for activists such as Regan to bear witness to the conditions that pigs experience on their way to slaughterhouses and processing plants.

“I didn’t know if I could put it together into a visual piece, but how could I say no? A woman had lost her life needlessly,” Monson says.

In the film, Monson describes, based on eyewitness accounts, what that fateful June Friday was like as protester approached the transport trucks to give water to the pigs, actions described by one activist as “moments of compassion.”

“It was a sunny day with blue skies. Regan would have been hard to miss. A former model, she had a full head of white hair and was almost six feet tall,” Monson says. “When I saw some of the footage that was taken that day, the first thing that I noticed was that Regan’s water sprayer was lying at the crosswalk. Regan had been standing there — we have a shot of that – but her body was dragged the full length of the transport, which was about

70 feet long, and her blood trail is evident near the crosswalk and going toward the booth that was inside the plant gates.”

Seeking clarification around Bill 156, Monson paid a visit to his attorney father, Robert Monson, to get his legal perspective on this Canadian bill. At its heart is the issue of the fundamental right for people to assemble and to enjoy the hard-won right of freedom of speech, he was told.

“There has never been a case like this before, and currently no precedent for this situation,” Robert says in There Was a Killing. “But precedent will be made with this case.”

The intent of Bill 156, as stated on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario’s website, is to “protect farm animals, the food supply, farmers and others from risks that are created when trespassers enter places where farm animals are kept or when persons engage in unauthorized interactions with farm animals. The risks include the risk of exposing farm animals to disease and stress, as well as the risk of introducing contaminants into the food supply.” These animal protection zones are identified as “farms, animal processing facilities and other prescribed premises on which farm animals may be kept or located.”

In fact, a key clause of Bill 156 — one that is specifically meant to keep protesters away from transport trucks carrying livestock to processing plants — is detailed in Section 6 of the Bill: “Section 6 prohibits persons from

If everyone bore witness, this injustice wouldn’t happen Anita Krajnc

PHOTO BY TORONTO PIG SAVE

The late Regan Russell holding a Toronto Pig Save sign at the vigil

interfering with a motor vehicle that is transporting farm animals and from interfering or interacting with the farm animals in the motor vehicle without the prior consent of the driver of the motor vehicle.”

The fines that might be levied on protesters and trespassers who contravene the Bill under Section 14 of the Act, including a fine of “not more than $15,000” for first-time offenders and “not more than $25,000” for any subsequent offences, no way defused Regan’s passion and love for animals, a fact that is championed by Krajnc. A former activist who participated in a global Greenpeace action in the Great Bear Rainforest in B.C. (in 1997), Krajnc established Toronto Pig Save in 2010 along with her adopted beagle, Mr. Bean, whom she lists as a co-founder.

“After I got Mr. Bean, we would walk along the lakeshore and during the morning rush hour we would see seven or eight trucks transporting pigs. The pigs’ snouts would be sticking out through the slats in the trucks and they looked so scared. Seeing these beautiful animals in distress made me realize that I wanted to do something to actively help them, to save them. And so I founded Toronto Pig Save.”

With a master’s degree in political science and environmental studies and a PhD in politics, Krajnc is an intelligent and committed activist who knows how to advocate for causes she believes in. Her research into how pigs are slaughtered and processed only heightened her passion and compassion for these animals.

“For the first six months after I established Toronto Pig Save I, along with others, did some undercover investigation. We’d go along the railway lines where there were windows that opened onto the pen area and the kill floor,” Krajnc says. “The pigs were squealing their heads off at 112 decibels while being jabbed with electric prods, along a corridor that was closed off so they couldn’t escape. It was brutal to see these animals so terrified and abused. They were herded two and three at a time into an elevator that was lowered into the basement, where they were then poisoned with carbon dioxide. But these gas chambers don’t actually kill the pigs, they only stun them — the processing

plants want the pigs alive so their hearts can continue to pump the blood after their throats are slit and their bodies are hung upside down.” Krajnc took video footage and posted it on social media platforms to show the public the brutal ways in which these animals are slaughtered for human consumption.

In 2011, Krajnc started her Toronto Pig Save three-times-weekly “bearwitness vigils,” where she and other volunteers would stand outside slaughter plants and offer water to pigs through the parallel guard slats of the transport trucks.

“Our vigils helped build the movement to save pigs,” Krajnc says. “At first people didn’t want to go to the slaughterhouses, as they thought it would be too upsetting. But within a few months, after they saw their friends joining our vigils, others decided to join us. People came from out of town, from places like New York City, and then a group in Australia heard about us and started their own movement called Melbourne Pig Save.”

While at first the public might have perceived the actions of these pig activists as those of a sort of out-there fringe group, what started out as a singular movement grew within the first five years to 35 groups, and has now spread to hundreds of groups throughout the world, including in Colombia, New Zealand, Argentina, India, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Uruguay.

In fact, public support for pig activists has been so strong that after Krajnc was charged with criminal mischief in 2015, for giving water to pigs that were in a transport truck waiting to drive into a slaughterhouse plant, two lawyers, James Silver and Gary Grill, worked pro bono to win her 2017 acquittal.

There is no denying that Regan’s death has had a significant impact both nationally and globally. On the first anniversary of her death, vigils in her memory were held across more than 60 cities as far away as New Delhi, Rome and Buenos Aires.

A specially designed Canadian commemorative postage stamp with Regan’s photo and the legend “Go Vegan for Regan” was also effected by Adrienne George, who described herself as having been an “armchair activist” until she became a weekly slaughterhouse protester after Regan was killed.

And while it wasn’t just animals that Regan advocated for — she and Bill had participated in a protest against Bill Cosby in Hamilton, Ont., over his abuse of women — it was animals that were uppermost in her mind.

To that end, and as a testament to Regan’s memory, on Dec. 5, 2020, Bill wrote a letter to Premier Ford begging him to repeal Bill 156.

His letter states, in part:

“On June 19th, 2020, my beloved daughter Regan Russell lost her life during a protest against the passing of the

PHOTO BY TORONTO PIG SAVE

Group shot of fellow activists holding a “SHUT IT DOWN” banner along the fence of Fearmans pig slaughterhouse on Harvester Road after a vigil

Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, a.k.a. “ag-gag” Bill 156. She dedicated her life to ending animal oppression and her life was so unjustly taken in the process. The Bill passed despite warnings from dozens of legal experts from across the country that the legislation is unconstitutional and violates rights to free expression and peaceful assembly.

“I plead with you on my 92nd birthday on December 6, 2022, to repeal the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act in memory of vegan activist Regan Russell.”

Of course, as with any controversial issue, when passions and perspectives collide, there are other opinions, other rights that need to be considered.

Keith Currie, past president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), an organization that is one of the main agricultural stakeholders behind Bill 156, states that the agricultural industry was looking for clear lines around protecting livestock owners and livestock transportation companies from increasing and aggressive activism.

“Bill 156 is about that important balance between giving protesters the right to protest but also giving the justice system, the court system, and the police system the tools they need to help look after farmers’ livestock and properties, livestock transportation companies, abattoirs, and meat processers from trespassing and harassment, as well as protecting the safety of food,” Currie says. “Bill 156 addresses this in a meaningful way because not only are we farmers, this is where we live, this is where our families live, this is where our employees work, and this is where are our livestock graze — there are a lot of biosecurity protocols involved that are under threat with protesters who trespass and breakand-enter private dwellings.”

Currie unequivocally states that what happened to Regan was an extremely unfortunate accident and a tragic outcome for her family and friends. He also states that he absolutely supports people’s right to peacefully protest, but that there is also a lot more going on under the surface that people who live in urban areas might not understand.

“It is about fairness on both sides,” Currie says. “The bottom line is some

of these protests are not about animal husbandry, but rather that protesters want people to stop eating meat. I don’t care whether a person wants to switch to a plant-based diet rather than eat meat — I am a farmer, I grow plants, too — but it is not fair to inflict personal opinions onto agricultural stakeholders and then create a scene around a farm because you don’t like eating meat. Protesters are typically from urban areas and they don’t have an understanding of what is actually proper animal husbandry, or of the impacts they are having when they stomp through our fields, such as our sunflower fields in the summertime. Their footwear often carries weeds and invasive species on their soles, which are then introduced onto our properties. In all seriousness, where else can you just walk onto another person’s property uninvited and make what are ultimately false claims? Bill 156 was introduced to help address the situation without removing the right to protest.”

In June of 2022, two years after Regan died, her partner, Mark Powell, filed a $5 million civil lawsuit over her death, naming Andrew Blake, Brussels Transport and Sofina Foods as co-defendants.

The lawsuit alleges that “negligence on their collective parts led to the death of Regan, including that the driver failed to keep a proper lookout and made an unsafe and improper turn; that Brussels Transport failed to take steps to ensure the driver was competent; and that Sofina Foods failed to provide safety for pedestrians around Fearmans.”

As well, Pat, Bill and Regan’s sister, Shannon, are launching their own $3 million lawsuit.

The hope of Regan’s family, her partner, Mark, and the thousands of Regan’s supporters who were impacted and influenced by her activism and advocacy is that the actions of Blake and the culpability and accountability of Fearmans Pork processing plant and Sofina Foods will come under the microscopic scrutiny that Regan’s death deserves.

Regan’s spirit lives on in the hundreds and hundreds of people she has touched, many of whom she had no idea she had influenced from afar.

“We have a Facebook page called Go Vegan 4 Regan, and on it we’ve been inviting people to write letters for Bill’s birthday, which is in early December, and that Christmas greetings be sent to Bill and Pat,” says Krajnc, who has become a close friend of the Russell family. “Regan’s loss has been extremely difficult for Bill and Pat because Regan lived with them and took care of them. It was a rare and incredibly loving relationship. And so to know that the international community is thinking of them and sending their love is important because they feel that Regan is living through these people. In fact, a number of people have become active organizers because of Regan and, as such, they are saving a number of animals’ lives, including dozens and dozens of lambs, goats, chickens and pigs who have been rescued in her name.”

Heartwarmingly, Bill reports

All-day vigil at the front gates of Fearmans pig slaughterhouse in Burlington, Ont., where Regan Russell was run over and killed

PHOTO BY AGNES CSEKE

that he and Pat have received cards and letters from across the globe, including from Uruguay, Mexico, Scotland, Germany and the country of Georgia, to name just a few.

There is no question that it is difficult to embrace a lifestyle that is so different from the one that many of us are used to — Sunday family get-togethers marked by roast beef dinners dripping in beef gravy, steaks on the grill on balmy summer evenings — but there are ways to ease into a plant-based diet for those who are interested in embracing a new kind of lifestyle.

“A fair and just plant-based food system allows us to build a brighter future and tackle the climate, ocean and biodiversity crisis in a meaningful way,” says U.K. activist Nicola Harris, Animal Save Movement’s communications director. “We can prevent future pandemics and major health crises as well as stop

the untold suffering of and violence against trillions of sentient beings. Regan’s passing lit a fire inside of me; her death was a huge loss to the animal justice movement. Her courage and long history of activism inspired me to do more to continue her fight — she cannot have died in vain.”

Harris suggests that an easy way to get started on a vegan diet is to sign up for a free program such as Veganuary, Veguary or Challenge 22, with a whole community’s support of resources and tools.

“Many of the foods we eat can simply be swapped for plantbased versions, and ultimately it provides a great opportunity to try new cuisines. As well, eating a healthy whole-foods diet can improve gut health and reduce inflammation as well as lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. Studies have shown that a whole-food plant-based diet is linked to healthier moods, high productivity and boosted energy levels,” Harris says.

Before Blake pleaded guilty, Currie said that he believed that the outcome of the charges against the driver would depend on how the presiding judge viewed the circumstances of what happened and whether Bill 156 would be interpreted in light of the sensitivity surrounding the events that transpired. “The driver didn’t see Regan — she was on the side of the truck where she shouldn’t have been,” Currie says. “Regan was a lifer as far as activism goes. Should she have known better? I don’t know,” he added. “I talked to some people who know the company that the driver worked for — they said he was absolutely devastated by the accident. That is why it was so important to include the

It is not fair to inflict personal opinions onto agricultural stakeholders and then create a scene around a farm because you don’t like eating meat

Keith Currie

livestock transportation industry as well as the processors under Bill 156.”

Pat says that Regan firmly believed that “where women can speak up and protest, animals cannot — we are their voice. Regan used to say, ‘I’m trying. I don’t know if it does any good, but I know doing nothing does no good, either.’ And so Bill and I had that engraved on Regan’s headstone.”

In a Feb. 1, 2023, letter Premier Ford sent to Bill and Pat he writes that, being a father of four, “I can only imagine the suffering you’ve endured. While I know there are no words that can ease the pain, I do hope you find some comfort in family and friends and the memories of Regan that you hold dear in your heart. I welcome your insight, and have shared your letter with the Honourable Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Minister Thompson or a member of her team will respond to you as soon as possible.”

Blake appeared in court on March 27, 2023, and pleaded guilty to the charge of one count of careless driving causing death under the Highway Traffic Act. He was fined $2,000 and sentenced to one year probation, during which time he is permitted to operate a vehicle only for work and to get to and from his job.

What the video evidence had ultimately shown was that the driveway into Fearmans slaughterhouse plant sloped downward, and that Regan was standing at the lower part of the gradient, holding her hand up to indicate “stop.”

“She wasn’t visible to the driver, whose hood and windshield was apparently obstructing his sightline and thus blocking his view of Regan. The driver admitted that what he had done was wrong, but he stated that he didn’t see Regan because of the road’s gradient,” Bill says. “So how can you fight the fact that the two individuals involved didn’t see each other?”

“I just wish that someone would take responsibility for the impact that Regan’s death has had on all of our lives,” says Shannon. “And the shock! My mom and dad and I have talked about dealing with the shock. People can tell you what it is like, but until you actually go through it you just don’t know what pure hell really feels like.”

If there is one comfort from Regan’s tragic death, Bill has found it.

“Regan’s death has energized interest in animal rights all over the world,” he says. “I think now it is more important for Pat and me to expend all of our energies on what Regan wanted, which was to stop the oppression of animals and repeal Bill 156.”

Bill poignantly observes that now the animal rights statement of “Justice for Regan” needs to be changed to “Justice by Regan” — “because of all the animal-rights converts she’s made who haven’t known her and who are carrying her torch.”

Sofina Foods did not reply to requests for an interview or comment.

www.earthlings.com

@earthlingsfilm

SECONDARY WILLS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

What is it?

A secondary will is a private estate planning document that directs how your business interest in a privately held company will be handled after you pass away. It protects your business assets that cannot be viewed by the public. Simply put, it keeps business owners’ businesses private.

Who is it for?

Meant for all business owners who own an incorporated business or who are shareholders of a privately held family business that is incorporated. A business owner should not wait until middle age to draw up a will. A death or disability at any age could effectively cripple the company and might result in severe financial difficulty for the entire family.

How does it work?

A secondary will needs to be set up through a Wills & Estates lawyer. A secondary will clearly defines who gets the shares of the business, what happens to the building the business operates out of, and who is going to be put in charge of the business. This can help the business end up in the right hands and make the transition smooth.

What are the benefits?

• A secondary will separates you from your assets.

• It provides privacy protection for the specifics of the will.

• It is a good way to pass on generational assets to business owners’ desired beneficiary or beneficiaries. A properly drafted will give executors some flexibility in holding and operating a business upon the owner’s death.

• It is used to help reduce the amount of Estate Administration Tax (EAT) that needs to be paid after one’s passing to ensure more of their assets end up with their surviving family and friends.

Financial protection and privacy are the pillars of a successful business

Together, Sugi and his team are dedicated to providing clients with easy-tofollow advice that is actionable

PHOTO BY FARZAM

EARLS KITCHEN + BAR

STRIVES FOR EXCELLENCE AT ITS NEW YORKDALE LOCATION

Earls Restaurant Group aims to enhance the future of casual fine dining at the new Toronto flagship location at Yorkdale Shopping Centre with the help of Corporate Sommelier David Stansfield and Chef David Wong

WRITTEN BY MARC CASTALDO

Earls Restaurant Group is committed to offering an affordable yet fine-dining restaurant experience to all those with an empty stomach. The grand opening of its new Toronto flagship location at Yorkdale Shopping Centre showcased the stunning design of the restaurant, which was inspired by and tailored for the Yorkdale demographic.

Earls Yorkdale will be joining the five other locations in the Greater Toronto

Area and the 59 other locations across Canada.

The Earls menu was meticulously created by renowned Chef David Wong. The menu is inspired by world travels and offers guests a balance of healthy and indulgent dishes created with quality ingredients.

Chef Wong’s culinary journey is an interesting one, to say the least. With a bachelor’s degree in social work, he travelled abroad with his wife and

unexpectedly fell in love with the food of Europe, which quickly inspired him to pursue the culinary arts. He eventually enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at Vancouver Island University.

Q: Many tasks require your guidance and input both in the kitchen and on the business end. Was there a learning curve for you to be able to balance both at the beginning?

A: For me, those two are the same. They

As the Culinary Development Chef for nine years at Earls Kitchen + Bar, Chef David Wong is committed to discovering and delivering unique flavours

both must work together. I think every chef will tell you that you can’t run a successful restaurant without knowing how the business works. My focus is on making sure that the dishes we create are delicious enough to be ordered again. We have a great team of people who make sure that the dishes are executable.

Q: How has the process been leading up to the grand opening of Earls Yorkdale?

A: The process has been amazing. I’ve been super-excited. As soon as I knew that we were going to have a location at Yorkdale, I was just thrilled. We wanted to make sure that the guests here have something unique to gravitate toward, to get excited about. A beautiful location, which was key to it all, ensures that we create an awesome experience for the guests.

Q: What do you think guests are going to be most excited about?

A: I think the guests are going to be excited about being able to go somewhere with their family or partner and have a cool, casual and fun experience. That’s really what it is all about. It has to be social and enjoyable from top to bottom. I’m excited for them to try the Bangkok Bowl, the seafood tower and Yuzu Tuna Tataki.

Q: What is on the horizon for Earls? What goals have you set?

A: The future of Earls is to innovate and to find new international trends that we think our guests will love. That is non-stop. But [we want] to also really focus on massive, memorable and bold flavours.

Revered Sommelier David Stansfield meticulously developed the wine list featuring select quality wines from across Ontario and abroad. Sommelier Stansfield, an Italian and French wine scholar as well as a wine writer and educator, has worked in all facets of the wine industry – from cellar to sales to service. As a teenager, he worked as a cellar hand, assisting the winemaking production from processing fruit through fermentation to finishing and maturing wine. It is safe to say this man knows his wine.

Q: What was your pairing process when forming the Earls wine menu with the food menu?

A: I thought a ton about how people like to eat at Earls, which is coming with friends and having pizza and sushi on the table. You might have something spicy or a classic steak. So, I wanted to have a wine menu that can go with anything — wines that are versatile, fun, delicious and from all over the world.

Q: Do you have a favourite wine region?

A: Everyone loves asking sommeliers this question. I've got two kids, and that’s like asking which one is my favourite kid. If I was stuck on a desert island, and I only had one wine, I would go with a sparkling wine. I love champagne, of course. But I also love Canadian sparkling wine. On our menu, my favourite wine is the

Q: Earls is an evolving casual, fine-dining restaurant with growing popularity. What goals did you have in place when being appointed Corporate Sommelier?

A: Earls is a massive institution in Canada and now North America. I felt a lot of responsibility. Honestly, my goals were humble. I wanted to put delicious wines on the menu. Goal No. 1 was to include drinks that people love, and, then goal No. 2 was to put my own personal stamp on it. That way maybe people can learn a little bit about what I love in wine. So, I snuck in some cool natural wines, as well as organic, biodynamic and sustainable wines. That was important to me as well.

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Benjamin Bridge Brut from the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia.

Knowledgeable and kind, Sommelier David Stansfield keeps the drinks flowing and the smiles glowing

Grilled to perfection

Residential Design

CAPO COUNTRY HOUSE RESIDENCE AMAZES IN QUEBEC

AtelierCarle has designed a stunning stone cottage high above the St. Lawrence River

WRITTEN BY RICK MULLER

The natural landscape of Earth has always brought forth innovation and imagination from humans about where, and how, they might inhabit our planet. Some of the most seemingly inhospitable places are somehow our homes, such as the rocky cliffs high above the St. Lawrence River near Baie Saint-Paul in the Charlevoix region of Quebec, the location of CAPO, a stunning cottage and country house imagined

and designed by architect Alain Carle of AtelierCarle of Montreal.

In a location that would seem almost impregnable to most mortals, Carle has created what surely must be one of Canada’s most remarkable residences, which fits perfectly within its natural environment, while emphasizing the most perilous limits of habitability within its spectacular location.

The 3,200-square-foot residence sits high upon a cliff reached through natural

Stone pathways and staircases throughout the home connect all the interior spaces

Stone is the predominant design feature of this residence atop a rocky cliff

All interior spaces feature spectacular views from high above the St. Lawrence River

pathways that wind and climb through different landings to the structure. Carle therefore played off these natural features by including stairways and pathways that connect both the inside and outside living spaces.

CAPO was built in 2022 and was designed to accord with a pre-existing organic path of circulation on the very difficult site. Carle’s imagination resulted in a project that settled into the unstable nature of living, with a view that a body is always in motion, thus steering away from the usual conventions of spatial planning. Movement is thus central, both in its presence in the design of the project and in the dramatic diversification of the points of view it provides.

The residence reflects movement as it is fragmented into living areas of varied shapes and orientations, all the while positioning the spectacular views of the river as among the main features of the home. The large panoramic terrace overlooking the St. Lawrence River is complemented by other outdoor spaces with direct access from the interior.

The residence’s circulation unfolds from the top of the site, where the main entrance is located, characterized by a loggia opening onto the river. This loggia allows one to cross the home to access the terraces facing the river without having to enter the building, another demonstration of the flexibility of movement that Carle envisioned, as free as if one was exploring the nearby forests.

Further down the site, at the end of the staircase and exterior terraces, a final space opens onto a natural plateau, surrounded by the cliff and the large century-old pines that make this area of the St. Lawrence River so popular with nature lovers. This space connects to the end of the pre-existing natural pathway that so dominates the site.

The impressive masonry was completed by Maçonnerie Charlevoix and more than the distinctive location, it is the design anchor of the home. The residence was built in a specific and

unique manner by the owners themselves, slowly and over a long period of time. This left Carle and his team with a great deal of design flexibility during the construction process and allowed them to consciously integrate the owners into the design process. The end result of this collaboration was to allow the owners to question their way of life and to examine several stereotypes of living.

CAPO is a highlight of Alain Carle’s journey over more than 25 years as a leading and respected architect. This year, Carle joined forces with five key collaborators to become AtelierCarle. Formed by creative and daring minds,

the firm’s team presents projects where the specificity of place, the precise work of materiality and diversified construction techniques play an integral role in the creative process, so evident at this home outside of Baie Saint-Paul, Quebec.

The first thought upon seeing this rocky cliff above the St. Lawrence might be “How can anyone live here?” Upon the CAPO residence revealing itself, that initial thought might quickly switch to “How can anyone not live here?” alaincarle.ca