FineLifestyles Saskatoon Winter 2011 by Fine

FineLifestyles SASKATOON

winter 2011 || VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4

Chef Gordon Ramsay And the New British Invasion

Roger Christian Hollywood in Saskatchewan

CHEF MICHAEL SMITH RECIPES KEN BEATTIE ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE CHRISTMAS SPIRITS © Hotshotsworldwide | Dreamstime.com

Marketing Saskatoonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Finest Properties

Dan Bader 371-7760

Clark Dziadyk 227-2036 Ron Baliski 221-0421

Reagan Baliski 290-7377

Ron Baliski Realty Inc. 250-1820 8th Street East 306.242.6000 ronbaliskirealty@sasktel.net www.saskatoonassociates.com

Affordable Luxury For All The Special Women On Your Christmas List

EXQUISITE FASHION JEWELRY BOUTIQUE Suite 207 - 3521 8th St, East, Saskatoon • Directly across the street from Zellers 8th St. 306.933.2030 • www.optionsbytrishjewelry.com • Thursday to Saturday 10am - 5pm

First Word WITH FINE LIFESTYLES EDITOR THOM BARKER

FineLifestyles SASKATOON

Winter 2011-2012 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 4 www.finelifestyles.ca Editor Thom Barker editor@finelifestyles.ca

Associate Editor Is it my imagination or do things just keep getting better in Saskatchewan?

Quinn Bender quinn@finelifestyles.ca

Voters certainly seem to be optimistic about it. Without making any value judgements, a 49-9 resounding victory for the Sask Party is a pretty good indication the vast majority of us figure the province is on the right course.

Lori Gallagher lori@finelifestyles.ca

And, in this issue of Fine Lifestyles, there are stories that point to continued prosperity. B’nai B’riths fundraising efforts (featured in a photo essay by Fine Lifestyles contributor Pete Yee) keep getting bigger. The same can be said for just about every charity in town. People are feeling generous. And when people are feeling generous the whole community benefits. Also, Quinn Bender, our new associate editor writes about W. Brett Wilson’s Pitch Party IV, which drew more than 1,000 aspiring entrepreneurs and business students angling for an opportunity to pitch ideas for home-grown enterprises to Saskatchewan’s favourite rich guy. That’s a far cry from several years ago when our biggest export was people. Now, they’re staying home and even coming back in droves. According to the most recent estimates, our fair city has topped 260,000, something that wasn’t even predicted when the last census was released just five years ago. With the population growth, Saskatoon is being rejuvenated. Areas that had slipped into decay are being spruced up. In November, Mayor Don Atchison cut the ribbon (actually Councillor Darren Hill’s tie standing in for a ribbon) on a new cultural centre in the 200 block of 20th Street. The Two Twenty is the brainchild of Saskatoon power duo Curtis Olson and Carrie Catherine and part of the transformation of that area through combined private and government participation. Basically, Saskatchewan is the new Alberta. So, despite the fact the city is now blanketed with snow, all indications are it is going to be a green Christmas, albeit a different kind of green. Appropriately for this time of year, when all of us indulge a little more in fine dining and drinking, this edition of the magazine is chock full of recipes. And they’re from some of the best chefs around. Laurier Gordon Ramsay, Chef Gordon Ramsay’s new dining room in Montréal was kind enough to provide a couple featured in the cover story. We have the ongoing series of offerings from Canada’s own celebrity chef, Michael Smith’s new book and a couple of new twists on some old favourite Christmas cocktails. Cheers!

Graphic Design and Layout In-house Design Joni Gaudette joni@finelifestyles.ca Tracy Hahn tracyh@finelifestyles.ca Ashley Bundus ashley@finelifestyles.ca

Cover Photography Hotshotsworldwide | Dreamstime.com

Photography Candace Epp www.candaceepp.com Heather Fritz www.heatherfritz.com Pete Lawrence www.pete-lawrence.com Pete Yee www.peteyee.ca

Contributing Writers Alexandra Walld Karin Melberg Schwier Ryan Holota Tammy Caeser

Ashleigh Mattern Ken Beattie Rebecca King Tammy Robert

Candace Fox Penny McKinlay Suzanne Huber

Advertising Consultants Cathie Watson cathie@finelifestyles.ca Crystal Reich crystal@finelifestyles.ca Jason Booker jason@finelifestyles.ca Meagan O’Flanagan meagan@finelifestyles.ca Nicole Kehrig nicole@finelifestyles.ca

Publishers Randy Liberet 540.3320 randy@finelifestyles.ca Wayne UnRuh 541.3365 wayne@finelifestyles.ca 3440 Balsam Grove, Regina, SK, S4V 2S4 Fine Lifestyles Saskatoon is published four times a year by Fine Lifestyles Regina, Ltd. We reserve the right to edit any materials chosen for publication including photographs. We reserve the right to reject or accept any article, photograph, image or advertisement. All contents of Fine Lifestyles Regina, Ltd. publications are copyrighted 2011 with all rights reserved, except for original articles submitted to Fine Lifestyles Regina, where copyright resides with the author. No other part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Fine Lifestyles Regina Ltd. or its writers. The name Fine Lifestyles Saskatoon, its logo and material cannot be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. The views and opinions expressed in the expert advice columns herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Fine Lifestyles Regina Ltd. or the companies it represents. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

What’sInside

54 103

115 138

70 93 FEATURE STORIES

DEPARTMENTS

14 B’nai B’rith Gala

Wheels

Sports/Recreation/Travel

Fashion World with Rebecca King

42 Ken Beattie

34 House, Homes and Properties

54 Cover: Chef Gordon Ramsay and the New British Invasion

59 Health and Wellness

70 Brett Wilson: Moving Saskatchewan Forward 93 Roger Christian: Hollywood in Saskatchewan 100 Entertainment Calendar 103 Chef Michael Smith Recipes

93 Arts/Entertainment/Dining 107 Business 115 Special Section: Fine Shopping Saskatoon

What Will they think of next.

Over the next decade, the automotive world will undergo more change than it has this past century. We at BMW intend to lead this evolution. From our EfficientDynamics innovations that deliver more performance with less fuel to our ConnectedDrive technologies that keep drivers better connected to the road and their lives, we engineer our vehicle lineup to be the most advanced on the road - today and tomorrow. And with the soon-to-be released BMWi3 and i8, we have further pushed the limits of both efficiency and power - redefining vehicle mobility for the future. Because out goal is not to be ahead of the curve; we are determined to be ahead of everything else on the road.

innovation accelerated.

thank you Saskatchewan! I would like to personally express my appreciation to you; our valued customers for your support over the last two decades. Thanks to you, BMW is the number one selling premium segment brand in the Saskatoon market. The success of Bema Autosport BMW is determined by our customers. They are at the heart of everything we do. The results of all our activities must be valued in terms of the benefits they will generate for our customers. May your holiday season and the new year be filled with much joy, happiness and success from all of us at Bema Autosport BMW and MINI Saskatoon. cheers! retailer, leslie fenyes

What Bema autosport BMW customers have to say... “My family owns four vehicles from this very friendly dealership, two of which were bought this year. Sales and financing are a pleasant experience. I have always received excellent parts and maintenance service over the years for my 2001 BMW 540i with 250,000 km which is still going strong. Five stars in all aspects of customer service.” -alan downing, architect.

dip. arch. Mraic. Saa

“The quality and efficiency of the service department at Bema Autosport is first-class. They deliver personalized treatment with expertise that well exceeds expectations.” -Gregory Walen, Q.c.

“For the past 15 years, my relationship has continued to grow in exceptional measure with Bema Autosport BMW in Saskatoon. Now on my sixth vehicle, the support and service has been beyond industry expectations. Models 318, 328, 528, X5 4.4, X5 4.8 have been enjoyed and appreciated throughout our many seasons here in Saskatchewan. Les and his team of professionals have been outstanding in providing an environment of first-class BMW ownership pride!” -roger J. Schmid, realtor, century 21 conexus realty ltd.

“As a car enthusiast BMW is an obvious choice. I have been delighted with the sales and service experience I have received from Bema Autosport BMW. The sales staff are knowledgeable and have been willing to win my business. I find the service department is friendly, efficient and obviously well-trained. It is a pleasure to drive these fabulous cars and have the support of a great dealership looking after you.” -Scott Mcdonald, investment advisor “Les and his crew at Bema Autosport BMW do make every effort to keep this ultimate driving machine in top condition. Their service is excellent. The staff is very friendly and well informed. The fact that I am with them for over 20 odd years is in itself a testimony of customer satisfaction. The fellows in the service department are courteous, friendly and provide exemplary workmanship.” -dr. U.k. Bhalerao, MBBS; frcPc

What Bema autosport BMW customers have to say... A couple of years ago, I purchased a 2002 Mini Cooper S. My son and I have always loved the Classic Minis, and their huge influence on virtually all of modern car design (e.g. the first massproduced car with transverse-mounted engines began in 1959 Minis and is now ubiquitous in FWD autos). The BMW Mini has been fun to drive, and the service at BEMA has been friendly and always with good advice. Dave, Les and all the folks at BEMA share the design, sales and service passion of BMW and MINI. Sir Alec Issigonis would be pleased! darrell corkal, P. eng., Saskatoon When looking to replace our vehicle we came to BEMA Autosport. Les Fenyes and his staff have treated us with courtesy and professionalism. Our BMW has been fun to discover and drive. BEMA staff from sales to service, besides being knowledgeable of their product, have been extremely helpful and accommodating to our needs. Thank you Les and BEMA staff.

My husband and I have owned many BMWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s over the years and have always had exceptional service. The BMW experience is positive from start to finish, not only from the sales aspect with knowledgeable staff that assist in choosing a model which fits our lifestyle, but also from the service standpoint. A large part of owning a vehicle, is the security that comes with knowing you will be taken care of should any problems arise. The Service Department at BEMA Autosport goes above and beyond expectations in that regard. Not only do we love the ride and the safety of the vehicles, but we love the security that comes with the way BEMA Autosport support their product and their customers. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we keep coming back! Uta Stewart, aud doctor of audiology, Saskatoon

Patty corkal, Saskatoon In my financial services business, I try to educate my clients and provide them with a high quality experience and result. I find the same thinking at Bema Autosport. The sales process was informative and educational. The service experience is first class. They get the job done right the first time with no adverse surprises. It is a pleasure dealing with professionals. I would highly recommend this dealership as a provider of a great quality product and a high quality of service as well. Michael topola clU, chfc, Saskatoon

We are extremely happy with the service we have received from Bema Autosport BMW in Saskatoon. BMW customer service has always taken very good care of us and our cars. We are very pleased with the excellent BMW products. It is a great pleasure to be part of the Bema Autosport BMW family and recommend that you experience the quality service and products from the team at Bema Autosport BMW in Saskatoon. Keep up the good teamwork and excellent customer service. We are looking forward to coming back to do more business with you. Johnson Jabagun regional Manager environmental Services north Battleford adetoun Jabagun Specialist Mental health Practitioner Bsc. (hons) north Battleford

EXPERTAdvice automotive tiger automotive Photos by Heather Fritz

By Myron Meier Tiger Automotive 815 Circle Drive East (Corner of Circle and Millar Avenue) 306.665.7766 myron@tigerautomotive.com www.tigerautomotive.com

t’s the season that keeps on giving— cold weather, that is! The staff at Tiger Automotive will help you with any questions you may have regarding remote starts, box covers, accessories aplenty, and we can even offer up great Christmas gift ideas to warm you up.

In the hot seat When you have had to get into a cold vehicle, and don’t have time to let it (or yourself) warm up, it makes for an uncomfortable drive. Don’t put it off any longer, and ride in comfort for the winter months. Auto Start, Glacier Start, and Astro Start are all popular brands, and some can be used from over a mile away, and the key fob will

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tell you if your vehicle started or otherwise. The newest thing is a Smart Start feature that can be downloaded to any I-Phone, BlackBerry, or Smartphone, so you can start your car in between instant messaging and playing Angry Birds! Remember that some AutoStart or AstroStart systems also feature theft deterrents, and other safety features.

guys all the time, and a gift idea that is perfect for these people are garage mats. Garage mats protect the floor from oil or anti-freeze, and ice, snow and salt that gets trekked in. All the mess stays contained neatly, protecting the floor from dirt and corrosion, with low maintenance clean up. Two size options are available, depending on the size of vehicle and garage.

Storage wars

Something for everyone

No more fighting over space in the cab of your truck with your spouse! Box covers provide alternative storage for tools, fishing gear, and more—plus they keep the snow out of your box. Retractable, hinged, roll-up and tool box styles are all available choices, with a variety of brands to choose from at the Tiger. For installation and models available, come visit us today!

It’s not just guys who are coming into the store anymore. Women love their cars, trucks, or SUVs, and want accessories to spice them up too. No matter what your level of knowledge is—man or woman— when it comes to auto accessories, the Tiger staff can help. Everything is ready for Christmas with price points for everyone. Tiger Automotive has the largest accessory stock in Canada, so whether it’s a gift for yourself or someone else, I’m sure we have the right creative component for you! Visit us today! FLS

Keep it clean Know anyone that is over-the-top about keeping their garage clean? We see these

EXPERTAdvice RECREATIONAL VEHICLES Buying an RV Online: What You Should Know

By Ron Graham 8th Street RV Saskatoon 306.244.RVRV (7878) Toll Free: 1.866.953.7878 rvrv@sasktel.net www.rvrv.ca

ccess to information has never been easier for today’s buyers. With the world’s biggest supermarket at their fingertips, RV lovers can now research and purchase their new or used options online. Of course there are a number of factors to consider when purchasing an RV over the internet. In this column I will help you make the right decisions. First off, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Many online marketing techniques are used to capture the buyer’s interest. Read closely, phrases such as winter package, polar package, extreme weather package, may sound the same, but the options listed may vary widely. Call the dealership and talk directly with a sales professional. Ask questions and make sure you are clear about what you

are purchasing and what the final price will be for that particular RV. Never purchase an RV via instant messaging or text messaging; if you do not know from whom you are purchasing the RV, there is a high likelihood that someone will take advantage of you. Ask for referrals and ensure due diligence is done before purchasing. It is important to take extra time in researching the dealership, making extra phone calls, checking online testimonials or contacting the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Ensure you are purchasing from a legitimate and reputable dealership. If the price seems too good to be true, well, it probably is. I have seen many cases where customers have travelled long distances to purchase an RV, only to be disappointed when they get there. Compare local products to the units you are looking at online. Many customers are drawn to the seemingly-low prices of American dealerships due in part to the struggling economy of the US. But you need to consider the hidden costs such as

shipping, inspections or warranties which will bump up the final figure considerably. For example, if you find your camper in Indiana, what is it going to cost to drive 3000 km each way if you are traveling to pick it up? Fuel, hotel rooms, meals, lost wages from work, wear and tear on your vehicle, breakdowns and inclement weather are just some of the factors to consider. Are you actually saving any costs over purchasing locally? Another factor is warranty. Ask a lot of questions as to who is certified to conduct warranty work, and which dealerships are willing to work on products they do not normally sell. In the end, it pays to take your time to research all the variables included when purchasing your RV online. Take your time to find the right floor plan and size to fit your budget then shop around to get your best deal. Ask questions, and ensure you know who you are buying from and that the final price really is the final price. Remember, buying locally helps the local economy in many ways. FLS

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Bob Fawcett gets ready to address the crowd after accepting the 2011 We Are Proud of You award.

FAWCETT HONOURED BY B’NAI B’RITH AT ANNUAL GALA By FLS Staff. Photos by Pete Yee

Lee Hallows, TD Asset Management, presents Bob Fawcett the 2011 We Are Proud of You Award

he longest-running, consecutive-year fundraising gala in Saskatoon just keeps getting bigger. On November 15, 876 men—almost 100 more than last year—packed the grand hall at TCU Place for the 57th Annual B’nai B’rith Silver Plate Dinner. For $200 a chair, the attendees were treated to an open bar, some of the finest scotch in the world and TCU’s famous melt-in-yourmouth roast beef dinner. Emcee David Katzman credited ticket chairman Arnie Shaw and Dr. Steven Goluboff, the most prodigious of the ticket sellers, for the record-breaking turnout. But while the party is an opportunity for the who’s who of Saskatoon’s business and volunteer community to suit up, blow off some steam, and bid on some great prizes in the silent and live auctions, it is always evident what the event is really about.

Mayor Don Atchison (r) and Morris Smysniuk, G.M., TCU Financial

Mike McKague and Randy Penner (r) show off their fashionable footwear

And that is helping the community. Specifically, in the case of the local B’nai B’rith lodge, Agudas Israel, helping children and youth. Before the meal, Agudas Israel president Randy Katzman presented the lodge’s commitments to the FineLifestyles SASKATOON

Bill Stampe (l) and Greg Keller announce 50/50 winners

From closest - Arnie Shaw (ticket chair), Ron Waldman, Cantor Neil Schwartz, Randy Katzman (president), David Katzman (dinner chair, emcee)

Larry Monette and Dan Kemmer

Doug Richardson

U of S Student Health Centre ($15,000), The Saskatoon Preschool Foundation ($15,000), Care and Share Holiday Lunch ($3,500), King George Community School ($2,000) and the Saskatoon Regional Heritage Fair ($1,000). The main event of the evening is the presentation of the “We’re Proud of You Award” honouring an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to Saskatoon without receiving his due recognition. This year’s recipient was retired 31-year veteran of the Saskatoon Fire Department Bob Fawcett.

L to R: Clint Johnson, Josh Walchuk and Paul Werezak

“For over 30 years, Bob has served and led in too many organizations to list,” said his long-time friend Doug Richardson, “but in the past year alone he served in 14 different organizations, including the Mike Babcock Day Committee, WHL Ride for the Kids, United Way of Saskatoon Cabinet, Denny Carr Secret Santa, and the Kinsmen Inner City Hockey League.” B’nai B’rith was founded October 13, 1843 for the purpose of providing support to widows, orphans and the sick, roles traditionally performed by Jewish societies in Europe. Next year, the Silver Plate will be held on Wednesday November 14. FLS 16

FineLifestyles SASKATOON

Lionel Lewko (with tickets) and Randy Singler

Cliff Wiegers and John Raynor

Auctioneer Ken McCulloch

Doug Goertzen and Edward Hauck admire the BMW show car

Troy Berdahl

STYLE REINCARNATION GAINS FOOTHOLD IN VINTAGE MOVEMENT

Saskatoon designer Rebecca King says recycling has just as much of a legitimate place in the world of fashion as anywhere else. Transformation means much more than just taking up or letting down a hemline; it may turn a sweater into a handbag or a leather jacket. Vintage enthusiasts are finding all sorts of fabulous pre-loved, high quality items that can be brought back to life.

Fashion World

hen a Fine Lifestyles reader called me to say there was a big estate sale underway on Saskatchewan Crescent, I jumped in the car and went straight over. To my delight, there were racks of old clothes, shoes, bags and accessories. I was in vintage heaven! I found a gorgeous Melton wool orange coat and happily paid $5 for it. In fact, for $90 I left with an armful of gems. I just finished transforming the orange number into a tailored, military-inspired winter coat that is bang on every trend of the season! It used to be that thrift store and garage sale clothing was just purchased by people who had to stretch their budgets or by those über-environmentally conscious people who could not bear to see things end up in the landfill. Today, old clothing is not only being proudly worn again, but it’s also being re-worked, up-cycled, and re-purposed. Pre-loved sweaters morph into mittens, skirts and scarfs. I’ve seen old road maps and leather coats turned into handbags and broken watches turned into hair pins.

Before

After

Vintage is new. A whole range of stores have opened up and you can find great stuff not only in the traditional church thrift shops. There’s everything from those small charity shops to Value Village to upscale stores that sell only re-worked vintage clothing. There are even places that will buy your old stuff to resell. You have to know what you’re looking at, but in many cases there is a quality to these clothes that’s hard to find nowadays. Like Grandma used to say, things just aren’t made the way they used to be. If you want to see exquisite detail like beading, pleating, fabric and pattern manipulation and good quality fabric today, you have to buy high-end designer lines to get it. Those qualities were what people used to get in the more affordable lines; quality was just how things were made. Today, we tend to buy clothes like tissue paper, use it and then discard it. Manufacturers know they don’t need to invest in good quality if the customer is going to get rid of it fast. I am a sucker for buying vintage for this reason. When I’m digging through a box of old stuff at a garage sale, I look at the workmanship. And I know how much

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work it takes! When I saw the orange coat, I thought, “Great colour! Wool like new, good pockets, yoke seam and double-breasted button up to work with. Never mind that you can’t buy the fabric for what it costs to buy a garment already made, new or vintage. In my last column about the world of haute couture, I talked about the trickle down theory and how high fashion can influence everyday lines. Well, the world of Vintage gives you a good example of the trickle up theory. The design world is influenced by what is seen worn on the streets. The trend that was started by young people who thought they were too cool and hip to follow any fashion trends has now gone mainstream. That ‘rejection of fashion’ ironically has become the hottest fashion trend of the season.

Before

After

One accessory that’s usually a ‘must have’ if you’re going to wear vintage is a good seamstress! It’s only rarely that you can find a great vintage piece that fits and looks great right out of the pile. Often the cut is still off-trend or it needs a bit of a change up to look good. Remember the fashion world is good at recycling styles, but changing them just enough so that you have to buy it again to stay in style. You can do the same with your great vintage finds; buy big so you have fabric to work with. This ‘80’s coat needed a slimmer sleeve, new buttons, belt buckle, slimmer body, shortened four inches and most importantly, that wide yoke piece had to turn into a funky, shoulder sleeve detail. I was selling my work at a market place recently and an older woman picked up one of my boldest designs–a bright yellow coat that many mistake for a dress and fell in love with it. I said, “Yes, I love it too. But It’s a little loud’.” She said, “I don’t think it’s loud. People just don’t have as much fun as they used to!”

Before 20

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After

The fun thing about dressing Vintage is you can dress in any era, loud or quiet! Hemlines are all over the place, mini, midi, maxie, your choice. Whether you’re going for flapper, ‘50s housewife, ‘60 Jacqueline Kennedy, or ‘70s Janis Joplin, it all works. Every decade is in style right now! Wear whatever you want. Our culture today encourages people to be individuals so start hitting the thrift shops and garage sales. You’ll not only save money, but with a little tweaking, you may end up with a fun wardrobe that will last a lifetime. FLS

HEATHER FRITZ IS “THE GIRL TO GET” Photographer captures unique settings, moments and personalities BY KARIN MELBERG SCHWIER

Brett Wilson

“S

top the car!” Heather Fritz cries out and husband Rob knows the routine.

“Just look at that!” Rob follows her admiring gaze to a rusty dumpster and a nondescript doorway. “It’s a rusty dumpster and a doorway,” Rob says. “I know,” Heather breathes. “Isn’t it beautiful?” Having an eye for the beautiful, interesting and unusual both in settings and within her subjects is only one of the reasons Heather Fritz is a wildly sought-after wedding and lifestyle photographer. Known for having a fresh and entirely original approach, Heather has a distinctive take on what makes a memorable photograph. It has nothing to do with posing people, but everything to do with capturing what makes people unique and making their photographs singularly special. Specializing in engagements, nuptials, family and baby portraiture, she treats each shoot as a journey of discovery. Storytelling probably best describes her photographic style and its no surprise given her journalism studies at the University of Regina, and in television in media arts at Lethbridge College. Her entry point to every shoot is an investigation of her subjects. What is their story? How does

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Shannon Tweed

she make them feel at ease and confident enough to let her get a real glimpse inside? Whether she’s spending a day at the multi-million dollar mansion in Beverly Hills for the Shannon Tweed feature (Saskatoon Fine Homes, Fall 2011; see her blog for many more unpublished photos) or soothing a new mom and days-old newborn for a precious family portrait in Saskatoon, Heather is adamant that each assignment is equally special. There is absolutely no difference in her approach to an elaborate wedding for 600 and one where it’s just her, the bride and the groom.

Everything that I look at is a potential photograph, a potential photo idea, a new possibility.” The result is fresh and intimate images that never look the same way twice.

Heather’s photographic career took off in southern Ontario where she became a mainstay in the wedding industry. Now an in-demand, high-end photographer, she provides breathtaking, unrepeatable images of exceptional quality with worry-free customer service.

“I always carry a sewing kit on a wedding shoot,” she laughs. “I’ve stitched up wedding dresses. I carry Tide pens. I’ve taken huge red lily stains off a wedding gown just before the bride walked down the aisle. I’ve sewn up pants and sewed buttons back on. I’ve done a bride’s hair when her hairdresser didn’t show. Someone once called me the extra bridesmaid,” she grins. Having photos done should never be a chore, no matter what the occasion, and Heather is always gratified when people describe the experience as enjoyable and fun.

“Once you hire me for whatever occasion,” she promises, “whether it’s for your wedding, a 50th anniversary, the birth of your baby, a family portrait, you don’t have to worry about anything. Not location, or weather, or if you’ll end up with a photo album looking like everyone else’s.” Not only is Heather ultra-prepared on every shoot and knows her equipment inside and out, she also guarantees “your photos will be absolutely unique. Even when I don’t have a camera to my face, I think I look at the world a bit differently.

Although she’s often asked to recount Bridezilla stories about stressed-out brides, Heather has none to report. Being ultra-prepared allows her to focus entirely on making sure the bride and groom are relaxed, happy, and confident. It’s obvious that her talent extends well beyond photographic creative and technical expertise.

“When I work, there’s no stress about gear and equipment, preparation or technique,” she says. “I take care of all that so when we’re out in the world taking pictures, we can relax. People know ‘this girl’s got it covered’ so I can

really focus on drawing out who people really are. We have a rockin’ good time!” Her photojournalism background is evident in the collection of photos she created after traveling to hurricaneravaged New Orleans 100 days after Katrina. She was selected by Habitat for Humanity Canada to document the devastation. Her training results in images that never look stiff or posed, no matter what the subject matter. Her work has appeared in Wedding Bells and Today’s Bride magazines, on WeddingRing. ca, and was featured on the cover of the 2009 “Your Wedding Portfolio.” Never willing to rest on her considerable laurels, Heather teaches photography workshops (details on her website), but she also nurtures her own ongoing education. She recently took a workshop in Calgary, led by the renowned photographer Michael Colón. “As long as I’m alive, I won’t stop learning,” she insists. “If I ever say, well, I know how to light every shoot, then that’s when I will stop creating something new and beautiful. It’s not about keeping up with trends. It’s about keeping things amazing.” Putting people at ease and capturing the unique moments when people are truly being themselves is a specialty that makes Heather “the girl to get.” When

Heather gets the shot, it is that one in a million. It’s just that after seven and a half years, she keeps getting them because she never goes for the ordinary. She keeps going after the story in a new way. “I don’t want you to hire me because I did great photos for your sister. I want you to hire me because I’m going to shoot amazing photos for you.” Heather says keeping her photographs fresh and inspired calls for a willingness and readiness to capture the unexpected. She recalls not long ago, a man called to arrange a family portrait. His father had aggressive Alzheimer’s, he explained, so having it done soon was important. “He can get a little tough to deal with,” the son warned. “Let’s see how it goes,” Heather assured him. “We can always try again if it’s not a good day.”

The shot? “I got it,” Heather says. “He was so comfortable that I was able to get some beautiful family pictures. It was so much more than just getting the shot. More importantly, I got to do that. I got to be part of that family’s very special moment and they were so happy.” Her eyes fill and she rubs her arms. “It still gives me goose bumps.” FLS Heather Fritz Photography is based in Saskatoon but travels anywhere. Contact her at (306) 292-2323 email: heather@heatherfritz.com and visit: www.heatherfritz.com.

The family arrived, and after a few pictures, the father walked over to a couple of old cream cans she had used in a previous shoot. Heather watched as he studied the cans for a long time. Finally he looked up and said, “I used to have these on the farm.” “Why don’t you have a seat on one?” Heather asked. He smiled, sat down and looked at his wife. She smiled and then he threw back his head and laughed. He was himself again in that moment.

Heather Fritz

SASKATOON GOES MAD FOR HIGH END SHOE BOUTIQUE By Jenn Sharp. Photos by Candace Epp

econd to none, except perhaps diamonds, shoes are undoubtedly a woman’s best friend. There are no words to describe the feeling of discovering the perfect pair, and the hunt is sometimes better than the find. A pair of local entrepreneurs has brought the best of the shoe world to Saskatoon and shoe lovers couldn’t be happier. Alice and Mike Delaire opened Mad Soles in the Centre Mall last September with the intention of bringing the brands and styles previously only found in larger

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centres to this city. The business partners, who are also siblings, were inspired by Gravitypope, one of the largest and hippest shoe stores in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Women will delight at the varied range of both affordable and high-end brands instore. Everything from Chinese Laundry to Nine West, Steve Madden, Kenneth Cole and the city’s largest selection of Guess shoes can be found. Casual kicks range from Converse and Vans Off the Wall editions, as well as, other limited edition shoes, to a wide assortment of the latest

Uggs styles. Sparkly heels are currently gracing the gleaming store shelves, along with riding boots and platform wedges. Gentlemen will also be pleased to find nearly half the store is devoted to their footwear options. You won’t find boxy skate shoes here but you will find a wide assortment of sleek and slick styles that easily transition from day to night. Lacoste has been one of Mad Sole’s biggest sellers after making a huge comeback in recent years. In addition to the lightweight, comfortable shoes, the

store also carries Lacoste watches, belts and wallets. “There’s always guys who love Vans or Converse so we carry them but we expanded on that with some limited edition shoes; shoes that are impossible to find anywhere else,” explains Alice. She feels that men often get lost in the shuffle when it comes to shoes and wanted to provide them with ageappropriate options that suit a variety of careers and lifestyles.

Alice wanted to create a boutique atmosphere in Mad Soles and a place that is instantly inviting. Large leather ottomans replace traditional (and usually uncomfortable) shoe store furniture and crystal chandeliers provide ambient lighting. It’s easy to forget you’re in the mall.

are unhappy. It’s all about listening and getting feedback.”

The Delaires haven’t forgotten about children’s footwear needs either. Trendy picks from Lacoste, Vans, Converse, Uggs and Sanuk are all displayed in glass cases separate from the other lines so kids can browse at their own pace.

“We started this because I couldn’t find a pair of Lacoste shoes anywhere in Saskatoon for Mike for Christmas and had to order them from Calgary. So we said ‘let’s bring it all here—Saskatoon deserves it!’” FLS

Accessories for both women and men are impressive at Mad Soles. Fashion-forward ladies’ bags and headphones are all instock and sunglasses are on their way soon. And Mad Soles may be the only place in Saskatoon to stock a wide range of Goorin Bros hats. The company has been handmaking stylish hats since 1895.

Sanuks recently exploded in Canada and were some of the hottest shoes this summer. Keep them in mind if you’re travelling abroad this winter. Made with a yoga mat sole, the handmade shoe conforms to the foot and provides much better support than traditional flip flops.

The Delaires have a long history in Saskatoon business. Mike opened the reputable and style-conscious Northshore Outfitters 12 years ago and Alice formerly managed the family’s three Extreme Pitas. A deep-seated love of fashion and trends encouraged her to make the switch from the restaurant world to retail.

Customer service is always a top priority at Mad Soles. Alice says she bases much of her inventory on suggestions she hears from customers. Alice’s commitment is evident as she says many brides were looking for a ‘something blue’ shoe this past summer so she brought in a number of blue shoes.

“Mike has a good grip on what Saskatoon needs and wants and helped me with the concept and idea,” she says.

“I’m getting a feel now for what they want. I’m running with styles they like and changing it up if our customers

Ultimately though, Mad Soles provides a better selection of the brands you would normally have to go to larger cities to find. The mall location is ideal and provides free underground heated parking.

Mad Soles Alice Delaire 390 - 3310 8th Street E (in the Mall at Circle Centre and 8th) 306.373.7653 Check us out on facebook FineLifestyles SASKATOON

FIND YOUR LOOK By FLS Staff

aulette Schumacher always wanted to be in business for herself. And she had tried many different cosmetics products, but always came back to Merle Norman. “I sat behind a desk for 12 years,” Paulette said. “I was looking for a change and Merle Norman was something I knew and I knew I could make it work.” And make it work, she did. Two years at the Bessborough and 21 years at the Scotia Centre later, Merle Norman is a mainstay of Saskatoon’s business community. People would rightly credit Paulette’s dynamism, hard work and determination for her success, but she credits Merle Norman. “It is a top-of-the-line product with a middle-of-the-road price,” Paulette says. “It wears well, it’s long-lasting and we have something for every skin type.” Every skin type and every kind of application. There is the full Merle Norman complement of makeup appropriate for everything from casual everyday to professional business to glamourous evening looks. Brand new are the glamourous Hussy collection created to celebrate Merle Norman’s 80th anniversary and the smokey winter colour collection designed to help you make a dramatic entrance this year. Of course, a great look starts with great skin and Merle Norman has you covered with a quality lineup of cleansers and makeup removers, toners, moisturizers, masks, exfoliators, serums, oil/blemish controllers, and eye and lip care. Add sun protection, self-tanning and body care for the complete Merle Norman experience. They even have a line of skin care for men. Then there are the fragrances. The seductive Hussy Eau de Parfum will drive your man wild while the more subtle floral

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bouquet of their popular Décolleté makes a statement of its own. But it doesn’t end with the vast array of products because Merle Norman is a full-service salon. With professional staff providing manicures, pedicures, relaxation massage, Shellac (curable polish and gel nail applications, ear and nose piercing and full-body waxing, you can have someone else pamper you while you get all the products you need to pamper yourself at home. Celebrate 80 years of North America’s signature brand with one of Merle Norman’s free makeup lessons at: Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio Scotia Centre 123-2nd Avenue South 653.4696 www.merlenorman.com

Paulette Schumacher Photo by Quinn Bender

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M E R L E N O R M A N . CO M

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AT SASkAToon’S SexieST new bouTique By Tammy Robert. Photos by Candace Epp

alking through the doors of Modern Dame, one of Saskatoon’s newest and most unique women’s clothing boutiques, is like taking a step back in time. Greeted by the soft croonings of Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Vera Lynn, Peggy Lee, or Doris Day; surrounded by racks of lush, richly-hued vintage-inspired dresses, Modern Dame emanates a classic, stylish femininity that’s hard to come by these days. Modern Dame’s owner, 24-year old Megan Paul, stands at the counter, tall and strikingly beautiful in any one of her boutique’s retro designs, from a formfitting pencil dress to a circle dress with its wide, round skirt enhanced by a crinoline, resplendent in fullness with just a sneak peek at its sexy white satin trim. “I’ve always loved it... my entire life,” responds Megan, when asked about her passion for the 1940s and 50s. “I grew up watching old black and white movies with my family. I loved the clothing, the hairstyles, the makeup. We would travel to Edmonton to shop along places like Whyte Ave., which have been home to vintage-inspired boutiques for years.”

owner, megan Paul

Back home in Saskatoon, Megan knew others were interested in the same clothing, often shopping online for retro goods. Born and raised in Saskatoon and a psychology graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, she knew that opening a local vintage-inspired boutique was her true calling. With the help of Saskatoon’s Praxis School of Entrepreneurship she did just that, and Modern Dame opened its 3rd Avenue doors in September of 2011.

Vintage-inspired but definitely brand new, Megan carries newly-minted clothing lines from designers that combine the best of pinup-era style with modern fabrics, shapes and fabulous detail like pleating, netting, embroidery, ribbon and applique. “The clothing is definitely retro, with those important authentic touches like metal zippers and pockets,” explains Megan. “However, today’s fabrics are lighter and have more stretch—they smooth you out. Older fabrics were also synthetic, but weren’t breathable. They were very binding and heavy.” Think of the HBO hit Mad Men—it’s easy to see many similarities between the styles Modern Dame carries and the fashion that appears on the show. The boutique’s biggest supplier is Bettie Page, a vintage-inspired designer based out of Nevada. Modern Dame currently carries thirteen different clothing lines—you’ll find something for business, casual, and definitely for the winter holiday party season. “Dressing in this way is modest, but sexy,” says Megan. “It’s a different type of sexy; the focus is on the fashion. It’s more about what isn’t revealed than what is. It’s about curves—the style looks good on every woman, particularly with a traditional hour-glass feminine figure. Both women and men love the clothing because it’s not too short or too tight. It’s still seductive, but in a more feminine way. Men seem to really like the retro, more covered up look. It’s still really sexy.”

One need not worry about being a certain size, or having to go head-to-toe in a retro look in order to pull off any one of Modern Dame’s dresses or Jackie O-style separates, pencil skirts and jackets. “We carry a full size range,” explains Megan. “The clothing is form-fitting, but we carry XS to 4X, and try to accommodate every woman.” As for how retro one wants to appear? “That totally depends on the individual,” says Megan. “How modern or classic you wear your hair, your jewelry... whether or not you’re wearing stockings, even the style of shoe. Two people can look totally different in the same outfit.” Bringing you the best in timeless, feminine, and vintage-inspired fashion, Modern Dame’s wares offer exquisite detail and versatility so you can mix them up and wear them time and time again. You can’t go wrong—these clothes will rise to the occasion. FLS

Modern Dame Boutique Megan Paul 107 - 3rd Avenue North 306.653.0550 megan@moderndameboutique.ca www.facebook.com/moderndameboutique FineLifestyles SASKATOON

Photos By Creatively Speaking Photography

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WIN a $50 gift card! Already like us? You are already entered www.facebook.com/ParamountBoutique Draw Date: Dec 31, 2011 Clothing Lines: • Lucian Matis • Renuar • Soya Concept • Desigual • Kenneth Cole • Pools • Oxmo • Katherine Barclay • Lili Bleu • hello! Skinny Jeans • Lavand • Dolcezza Jewelry Lines: • Karley Smith • Arts & Crafts • Bhawana Clark • Loranne Kettlewell Handbags: • Michique

Paramount Fashion Botique 702 - 2nd Avenue North 306.242.5655 www.paramountdayspa.com

Photos By Heather Fritz

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owner, bob Miller

Fashionable and pracTical, all in one place By Tammy Ceaser. Photos by Candace Epp

have a list of stores for my selfdesignated shopping spree when I strike it rich. The list just got longer: fine leather, shiny buckles, playful buttons. I am in heaven.

I felt positively sinful as soon as I walked into TRAXX—and I was there for workrelated purposes, I swear. It’s changed a lot in the last ten years, and for the better. With over 75 brands of blissful boots and sassy shoes, TRAXX has morphed from work boots and steel toes to fashion footwear for the working girl. It’s not what you think it is; many people walk in and are delightfully surprised. “Wow, the selection is huge! I didn’t know this store had purses! Catering to the ladies, now, this isn’t just a work boot store anymore! I can’t just pick one pair, its impossible!” Take it from someone that was a plus-size girl: shoes save you when you hate the way everything else looks on you. So what if those jeans give you muffin top? Shoes always fit. Are always pretty. Always help you feel more fun, or sophisticated, or elegant....or sexy. And what woman doesn’t want that?

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The winter days just got warmer Yes, TRAXX still has the smart wool socks in a ton of colours that will keep your feet the perfect temperature, even in fashion boots. But that’s not the only thing we’re talking about. TRAXX is ready to hit the beach! Cruise wear is on the scene, with a variety of styles and colours just waiting for you to pluck it off the shelf and take it to the sunshine! So what if a visit to TRAXX is going to require more room in the suitcase for shoes? You’re going to look great. Thanks, Bob!

Get rid of skeletons in the closet. You need space for Miz Mooz With every hue of the rainbow—and maybe even a few more, the variety of colours and styles are abundantly clear as soon as you walk in. What’s better than finding a standard black boot? Finding it in plummy purple, forest green, or racy red, of course! And the brand names, oh my stars! “We have customers from Toronto that come here and tell us we have the best selection of brands anywhere in

Canada,” says store owner Bob Miller. “They can get all these shoes in Toronto, they just have to go to eight different stores. We’ve got them all right here!” The brand names pop from various angles, shelves and displays: Miz Mooz, Tsubo, En Tour En Ville, DKODE... the list goes on and on. Each pair tells a story. Soft gray ankle boots invite me for a coffee date, red heels take me back stage to a Journey concert, sparkly kaleidoscope heels twinkle with playful mischief at a black tie soiree. New shoes make a bad day better... but a visit to TRAXX makes everything better. Oh, and they still have men’s shoes and boots aplenty. So bring your hard-working man along.... just make sure they know it’s their treat. FLS

Bob Miller 23-2105 8th Street Grovenor Park Mall 306. 956.2272 bob@traxxfootwear.com www.traxxfootwear.com “Like” us on facebook today!

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Fashion Beyond Expectations . . . The Common Thread

WESTRIDGE HOMES Setting the standard for premium product and service in Saskatoon By Candace Fox. Photos by Heather Fritz

Entering the Westridge offices is more like admiring the finished product of a beautifully built show home highlighting custom finishing and a well thought out floor plan. With its dual purpose - the house is literally called ‘home sweet home’ to Regan Tameling, Westridge’s managing partner. With the company’s offices downstairs the space is a perfect example of what quality workmanship Westridge Homes creates for their customers. Moulding the two most important factors of a quality home - function and design, a Westridge finished house stands out among the bevy of mass new builds in the city. The company builds smart utilizing every opportunity to create a finished product that suites the homeowner. From floor plan layout to customer preferred design materials the company re-establishes what a custom build actually means.

A recognized team Combining a wealth of experienced and educated professionals, dedicated to providing a finished product not only their customer can be proud of but that they too are happy to stamp their name on, has been the recipe of success for Westridge. Regan Tameling admits, “We want our customers to be happy announcing Westridge built their home and that the experience was a positive and enjoyable one”. With word of mouth a legitimate source of marketing in Saskatoon, the company is proud with the respect and notoriety attributed to the Westridge name and brand. Education and experience combine to give the Westridge team an edge in the building world. “The advantage of having an educated staff with experience comes in to play each and every day in those moments when decisions need to be made and we can rely on our expertise and industry knowledge” insists Tameling. The company has two journeyman carpenters on staff with Construction Manager, Mark Mitchell and Site Supervisor, Aaron Keays both of whom play important roles in every building project with Westridge. The two are a staple presence during the building process – leading the onsite construction ensuring the whole process is done to Westridge’s quality standard. Included on staff is the company’s designer Tara Lefebvre, whose education

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and experience lends itself to the interior finishing. Working closely with clients choosing the right materials, Lefebvre has a keen understanding for the perfect balance between functionality, style and budget. Last but certainly not least is Westridge’s managing partner Regan Tameling, with a diploma in architecture, and twenty years of experience, building homes is as much instinctual as it is a science for the team leader.

Quality vs. Quantity To make a quality home the way Westridge believes it should be done means putting limits on how many builds they can realistically complete in a year. With 40 percent of their homes custom designed and built for a specific client, the company spends a lot of time working with homeowners on the specifics and meticulously going over details. The remaining 60 percent of Westridge built homes are custom spec homes. These homes are still uniquely designed and each an original built to suit the lot as well as appeal to the future customer’s lifestyle and design aesthetic.

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Quality is not just a concept to the Saskatoon building company. Instead Westridge has reinvented the word to fit a higher level of building standards, in turn creating a better quality product to satisfy their customers. In every aspect of the building process from hiring the best trades people, close monitoring of each site daily and the implementation of their own quality control systems, Westridge ensures the finished product not only looks beautiful but is built right the first time.

Clients who already have their own lot can also call on Westridge as the company to work with to ensure their new home best utilizes the lot and is designed, built and finished for the way they live. Trying to provide for homeowners preferring a quicker turn-around time on the new home front, the company also maintains a level of inventory under construction – as their intent is to always try to accommodate the customer.

Parent company, the Westridge Group of Companies, is one of Saskatchewan’s veteran builders. While celebrating 20 years of successful commercial construction in the province, Westridge Homes – the residential building side has taken off over the past ten years not only in Saskatoon but in Regina and Deer Valley.

Westridge Homes is a widely recommended builder in Saskatoon, whether it is from previous customers, current clients, real estate agents or industry experts. The company has situated itself well as a leader in quality standards, custom builds and most notably their level of customer service and satisfaction. With a long list of testimonials, referrals have been a driver of new business for Westridge as their past clients are there best advertisers and sales people.

With a substantial amount of building sites for customer to choose from, Westridge has premiere homes in Saskatoon’s newest neighbourhoods.

“It’s a huge compliment when we get phone calls from new clients who have just toured a friend of family member’s house we built, and now want

Success in Saskatchewan

us to build their dream home” says Tameling. “We really commit ourselves to the process, from start to finish we need to do things right – we establish relationships with our customers and they trust us and our product, and I think that is a big selling feature, not just the finished product but the experience”.

Parade of Homes Highlight As a supporter of the Children’s Wish Foundation and the Children’s Wish Home Lottery, Westridge Homes was a participant in this years’ Parade of Homes. The home located at 122 Lucyk Crescent in Willowgrove is a custom built 2,440 square foot house, including a finished basement. The spacious home is meticulously designed with finishing details you would only expect to find from a Westridge build. Combining modern luxuries with a hint of traditional charm this home could easily suite a young professional couple or a modern family. The materials chosen are aesthetically pleasing while still able to endure the wear of a busy life – by all accounts this is not just your typical beautifully built show home, practicality and functionality are present at every corner. The kitchen boasts beautiful maple two toned cabinets, framing the kitchen giving it an elegant and sophisticated feel while offering a large amount of storage space. Quartz countertops are found throughout, planking the furniture style island to ensure unison and consistency. Undermount sinks provide a streamlined look, giving the kitchen a more contemporary feel with clean lines to match the modern appliances. A large walk through pantry provides unique storage space and an additional entrance into the area. Hardwood flooring is found throughout the kitchen, continuing into the dining area as well the great room. The open concept design creates an inviting space and allows for optimal sunlight to enter throughout the main floor with large windows in the kitchen, great room and dining area. Main floor laundry is also an additional feature, along with a mudroom that includes custom built lockers tying in Westridge’s insistence of practical elements to make the home function the way people live.

The Lucyk home includes 3 spacious bedrooms and an office or den space to utilize in the finished basement. The master bedroom located on the 2nd floor is a homeowner’s retreat with a large walk in closet, and an ensuite bathroom with heated floors resembling that of a mini in home spa. The dual sink vanity is surrounded by porcelain tile, which is also used throughout the shower. An inviting free standing soaker tub completes the bathroom, and is ultimately the centre piece in this beautifully designed space. Additional features of this Westridge show home include a custom media area in the finished basement – built in audio system, surround sound and a 50 inch flat screen television to entertain family and friends. The basement includes a full 3 piece bathroom with jet tub. The

home’s modern high efficiency furnace and tankless water heater are located in a neatly organized mechanical room out of sight. With 3 ½ bathrooms, a 3 car drive through garage, landscaped front yard, and the highest grade of exterior materials to top off the list, this Westridge home is sure to lead to another ecstatic homeowner. For those who admire beautiful workmanship, great design and real functionality in a home; expect to find nothing less from a Westridge built home. Westridge Homes Saskatoon 306.652.9974 www.westridgehomes.ca

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Grape Hyacinth P5099-63

COLOUR

Truly In Love P5143-75D

Quality interior makeovers in a single stroke

Big Shot P5195-44

PARA Paints Key Colours: For winter 2011:

By Tammy Robert. Photos by Heather Fritz

o you spend thousands of dollars renovating or decorating your home for the holiday season, only to be disappointed with the results? Do you want to start 2012 with a new look and feel to your decor, but don’t want to invest a large amount of your money and time? At Saskatoon’s Blended Jive Paint & Decor, owners Brandy and Joline want you to know just how much of an impact new interior colours can have on your space. “Winter colour trends are soft greys, smoky taupes and dark, bold colours,” says Brandy. “Introduce them throughout the home by using a monochromatic scheme, or by incorporating dark, bold, rich hues with neutrals through colour blocking — an easy, sophisticated way to highlight a feature, or simply dress up an empty wall.” Joline adds, “You can apply the technique in your home with paint, or by adding textures and patterns with wallpaper. Bring a chic look to your bedroom space with one bold accent-wallpaper pattern to emphasize the headboard wall. For a soft subtle nursery or dramatic wall space in the living room or dining area, create your own look with textured paintable wallpaper.”

“By incorporating a few new paint colours, whether in an accent area or an entire room, a fresh coat of paint remains the most economical way to enhance and modernize your interior,” says Brandy. Quite simply, paint is the homeowner’s ultimate decorating tool, altering the appearance, the impression of size and even the perception of temperature for as little as $50. Better still, it requires less than an afternoon of your time. Bold hues or neutrals, Blended Jive knows these colour trends will have you reaching for your brush and roller. FLS Blended Jive Paint & Decor 3-2210 Millar Avenue 384.JIVE (5483) blendedjive@live.ca www.blendedjive.ca

Trendsetting Style P5220-24, Coin Silver P2146-04, Snappy Dresser P5221-24, Stoneware Tint1 P206201, Weathervane P2139-03, Teeter Totter P5161-75D, Fresh Avocado P5174-85 and Her Majesty P514985.

For 2012: All shades of purples, from the smoky mauves of Big Shot P519544 to fruity Grape Hyacinth P509963. Darker burgundies shine with a hint of raspberry in shades like Truly in Love P5143-75D, or smolder with one of the darkest purples in the Para palette; Little Black Dress P519585. Other trends include optimistic yellow hues of Sun Flowers P505852, Absolutely Beaming P5052-52 or the dramatic Saffron P5055-73.

The trend for interior doors this season is to paint them in a dark contrasting colour to the casing and moldings. This brings life to the entryway and to each space within the home.

Joline and Brandy, Owners FineLifestyles SASKATOON

Jenn and Kim Two agents for the price of one By Tammy Robert. Photos by Candace Epp

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“S

We’ll continue to work together as a team so that we can each be successful with both our careers and families, always keeping the two balanced.

askatoon Century 21 real estate agents Jennifer Allen and Kimberlee Matheson’s partnership is truly unique—it goes back to the third grade. “It didn’t take our teachers long to figure out that we couldn’t be placed in the same classroom,” says Jennifer. “We were inseparable, and that included a little bit of troublemaking.” “We did everything together,” laughs Kim. “I think we had sleepovers every weekend. We were so close, and there is a connection that has been there for so long, we have a lot of history together.” Fast forward twenty years and the two women are still working side-by-side. Instead of causing trouble, today they’ve formed a dynamic duo that has taken the Saskatoon real estate market by storm. “Both Jennifer and I are married with young children,” explains Kimberlee. “Working together allows us each to blend our commitments to our families and our clients, ensuring one of us is always available for those in the market to buy or sell their homes, while the other can see to the needs of her family. People see the value of having two realtors working for them and we do too. Everyone wins.” “We value our time at home, as well as our relationships with our clients and the need to grow our individual careers,” continues Jennifer. “I have been in the real estate business in Saskatoon since 2006, and with this experience has come different types of teams, being on my own, and changing brokerages. I have taken the lessons learned from those experiences and implemented them, but teaming up with Kimberlee is the best decision I’ve made in my real estate career.”

to our clients but to each other, which is great for staying motivated and keeping ours goals on track.” Jenn and Kimberlee are proud of what their team has to offer. When clients sign on for their services in selling a home they can feel confident in the girls’ unique marketing strategy. Jenn and Kim do not double-end their properties—should a buyer contact them directly looking to write an offer on a home they’ve listed, that buyer is referred to their buyer’s agent, Leslie Christian. This process ensures sellers can rest easy, knowing that only their best interests are being taken into consideration. “People really like that fact that there is a team of people working for them,” says Kim. “Many realtors have started advertising as ‘teams’ but don’t really work as one. For example, the week that Jenn had her baby, we listed two new houses and had one buyer sale. That work fell mostly on my shoulder, but there has been times when she has done the same for me and will do in the future. Jenn and I really do share everything. It’s great because we can still have things going on in our personal life (babies, vacations, time off) but our clients don’t have to suffer, they know that they will still be taken care of by one of us” Jenn is as satisfied with her personal growth as she is with her professional. “As a professional, there are certain

”

expectations that are placed on you,” she reflects. “I have grown into a woman I once never believed I could be. I believe my personal triumphs are very much thanks to my profession, and I am a successful realtor because of my personal growth. It’s been a wonderful cycle.” What does the future hold for Jennifer and Kimberlee? “Jenn and I both look at this as a long-term commitment,” answers Kim. “In the future we’d like to expand our team to include more like-minded, familyoriented, success-driven realtors.” “2011 has been successful beyond anything I could have ever imagined,” continues Jenn. “I see Kim and I working together for many years to come, continuing to assist families from their current home into their new home. We’ll continue to work together as a team so that we can each be successful with both our careers and families, always keeping the two balanced.” FLS

FUSION

703 Circle Drive East 653.8222 Jennifer Allen 241.2229 jenniferallenc21@hotmail.com Kimberlee Matheson 717.1663 kmathesonc21@hotmail.com

Slightly newer to the industry than Jenn, Kimberlee credits Jennifer, as well as, the team at Century 21 for their fantastic training and mentorship philosophy. “It’s truly a family feeling—people are actually there to help each other succeed,” she says. “I’ve learned a tremendous amount because I’m surrounded by so many great people. As for Jenn and I, being selfemployed we’re accountable not only FineLifestyles SASKATOON

AMARYLLIS JUST NEEDS A LITTLE TLC By Ken Beattie

for one enjoy the barrage of festive plants that hit the garden centres and floral departments nowadays in early November. Among the most reliable of the festive offerings is the Amaryllis. This behemoth bulb hails from South Africa but for the last couple of decades it has been popularized in many other countries. The content of many fundraising efforts, the boxed bulb, is a sure fire and usually foolproof bloomer, redeeming many a black thumbed recipient. The kits typically contain a moderately sized bulb, soiless medium and a pot so that even the most novice of gardener, upon following the instructions, should enjoy success. Better garden centres will carry bulk bins full to brimming with enormous Amaryllis bulbs in a vast array of colour options. Safe to say that the bigger the bulb, the more blooms you’ll enjoy, so purchasing softball sized bulbs will afford you several stems that will proudly support four to five flowers each. One suggestion for using smaller, gift packaged bulbs is to plant several of them in one container, the results are spectacular. Amaryllis bulbs, hailing from a tropical climate, like to be warm. As simple as this statement is, remarkably, many bulbs are left in the car while someone finishes shopping or stored in the garage hidden from the intended recipient. Oddly, these bulbs tend not to bloom! If you must store your Amaryllis, keep it dark and at room temperature and no moisture. Once the bulb gets even a hint of water, it will start to grow. Container size is also important. The rule that I use is to select a pot (with drainage holes) that will allow me to place a finger snugly between the bulb and the edge of the container. The reasoning behind this is that a pot that is too large is typically kept too moist for the bulb and rot can set in. The Amaryllis doesn’t need a great deal of nutrient as the flower bud is already formed and the bulb itself is the food storage unit to support the blossoms. Given this fact, fertilizer is not required at least at

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Ken Beattie, affectionately known as Canada’s Favourite Gardener, is a graduate of the prestigious Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture and is currently Director of Horticulture for Assiniboine Park, one of North America’s largest urban parks, in Winnipeg. As a TV host, radio contributor and author, his easy exuberance and playful personality are well-known to enthusiasts from Saskatchewan to the Philippines.

this stage of growth for your Amaryllis. The most popular way that you will see these plants growing, is with approximately 1/3 of the bulb above the soil line in the pot, much like an onion in your vegetable garden. The bulb enjoys the heat and in its native surroundings, the sunlight on the bulb itself. A bulb that is buried too deeply often flowers very weakly and tends to rot quickly. After an initial watering to settle the bulb into the medium, allow the mix to dry before watering again. Overwatering at the early stages of root development can cause no end of fungal problems later on. You will notice that the roots of the bulb can be dried and wizen or white and fleshy. The juicy ones are alive and ready to be grown, the rest can be removed if you wish. The papery skin of the bulb drives the “neat ‘n tidy” gardeners to near distraction as they want to pick and pull until the bulb is perfectly smooth and clean. This is unnecessary but generally not harmful to the bulb if you are careful. After planting you can expect to see the flower bud emerging within about two weeks, often ahead of the foliage. Do not panic if the foliage emerges first and reaches for the ceiling! The leaves of the Amaryllis are long and strap-like, often requiring support. The more typical appearance is for the flower bud and stalk to emerge and grow at an alarming pace. This race for the sky provides considerable amusement for folks as they measure the growth rate, photograph their “Jack and the beanstalk” and reserve bragging rights of course with others. It is not unwise to stake your flower stalk in anticipation of the enormous flowers to follow. I have seen the result of an over exuberant Amaryllis that was not staked, and it is not a pretty sight believe me. I suggest that you rotate the plant so as to maximize its exposure to sunlight, this helps keep the flower stalk straighter also. The stalks are hollow, so avoid manipulation or tying the stakes too tightly as they can break; this is also another good reason for leaving the plant in one place in your home, they don’t travel well. Once the flowers have passed and new foliage starts to appear (about six to eight weeks), you can commence a

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feeding program for your Amaryllis. Understanding that the intensity of light from January until March is fairly low, the plant will not require massive amounts of food. The object here is to increase the size of the bulb for next seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blossoms so using a ration with a higher middle number is effective.

foliage to dry back. This natural ripening process allows the leaves to pump food into the bulb and signal the flower bud to start forming again. A rest period of at least eight weeks in warm, dry and dark conditions will prepare your bulb(s) for the next round of winter blooming.

Generally the plant will not bloom again indoors, but often, if planted into the garden will bloom in the summer. I used to grow Amaryllis in my Regina gardens annually and yes, this did turn a few heads when they are in bloom along side the Rhubarb. Lift the bulb(s) in the fall and store them warm and dry allowing their

This season try Amaryllis for the first time or if you have had them before, attempt a new variety, a larger bulb or plant several into one container. Measure your success, take lots of photos and amaze the neighbours with a spectacular show of Amaryllis next summer. Happy Holidays and good growing. FLS

EXPERTAdvice yard renovation don’t Just Hibernate over Winter; Use the time to Plan yard reno

Photos by Heather Fritz

have drainage problems or an inefficient irrigation system. Whatever the case, use the winter to line up a chat with a landscaping company like ours to talk about transforming your yard.

Wish It, Picture It

By Luke Rempel, B.Sc. Horticulture, B.Comm. City Gardens Landscape Construction and Irrigation 306.551.4535 luke@city-gardens.ca www.city-gardens.ca

here’s a Little Red Hen, tuck-in-for-thewinter feeling that comes from tidying up your gardens and yard in late fall, and a certain smugness in getting it all done before the first snowflakes fall. Everything is cleaned up, mulched and battened down for cold season; the yardwork is done. But if you’ve been thinking about doing a yard renovation, especially on an older property, you’d be wise to spend at least some time this winter deep in thought, if not snow. The reasons for a renovation on a veteran yard are pretty straightforward. It increases and enhances your living space, and adds value to your outdoor spaces. Those spaces may need some creative juices injected. Some hardscaping may improve the usability of your space. You may

You need to give some thought to a plan. A lot of people will bring a file to me with magazine pictures; it really helps give me an idea of the feel they’re going for. If you come across something you like, it might not work for your area but it’s good to get the wheels turning. Do a bit of research about the kind of plant material you’d like, what sort of hardscape might work, what do you want to use the area for? When you do talk to a landscaper, you’ll have something concrete to help them understand your vision.

Waste Not, Want Not It’s usually not necessary to clear the decks. Working with established plant material and trees could be a bonus. Some people want to wipe out the whole thing, but you need to be strategic. Determine which trees are good and might just need a bit of pruning to give them their own identity and shape. If your first inclination is to take out big trees, don’t just wake up one morning and grab a chainsaw.

Got Water? Address any water problems or grading issues that are chronic. Digging out your foundation for repair is work that goes hand in hand with a yard renovation. You’re in a

mess anyway. Think about your irrigation system. Sometimes it’s better to put in a new system rather than trying to integrate an old one. With limited seasons, most landscape contractors prefer a larger, more complete project rather than a piecemeal approach.

Extreme Makeover A lot of people will focus on the back because generally that’s where they spend a lot of time. Think about the front yard curb appeal. Depending on a homeowner’s budget, sometimes they will use that front and back yard dividing line. ‘Okay, this year it’s the front yard, next year we’ll do the back.’ But others want to get everything taken care of so they can be done with it and enjoy the new landscaping.

Line Up Some Estimates Getting a good design done gives you time to adjust and tweak. You have time to work on your budget, and get some estimates so you get a jump on the work when things warm up. At City Gardens we provide our customers with quality workmanship in a prompt, professional manner. We specialize in the integration of walkout basements with proper landscape design. Our customers receive creative consultation, quality construction, and a beautiful and lasting result. If you’re interested in renovating your yard to enhance your landscaping and increase the value of your property, contact us for an estimate. FLS

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owner, Khadijeh Ahmed

Home decor For everyone on your liSt By Ashleigh Mattern. Photos by Candace Epp

Finding the perfect gift can be challenging You want to give something useful and memorable, not something that will find its way to next spring’s garage sale. And of course, your personal budget always plays a factor.

Luckily, Frenzy Home Décor has tons of great gift items for every occasion, every budget and every individual. Owner Khadijeh Ahmed stocks her store with a wide range of home decor items, from individual chopsticks to five-foottall floor lamps, not to mention jewellery and accessories for good measure. No matter who you’re buying for, you’ll find something that fits their home decor needs.

Stocking stuffers and small gifts (under $15) Home décor doesn’t have to be boring, as proven by the fun Fred and Friends line, which takes an entertaining approach to common place items, such as salt and pepper shakers in the shape of stacking dolls (the salt shaker actually fits inside the pepper shaker), to measuring spoons in the shape of diamond rings (“Will you measure me?”), to coasters in the shape of records.

Other items include ice trays in odd shapes, like dentures, magic wand salt and pepper shakers, and training chopsticks topped with a fortune cookie or a cute character. If you’re looking for a great stocking stuffers, or a birthday present for a friend, you should definitely pick up a birth-year history booklet. These booklets are thin enough to fit into an envelope, but they’re packed with fun information from the year you were born, like popular fashion trends, important events, and the costs of common items.

Small price, big impact (under $30) The best gifts are the ones that the receiver didn’t expect to get, but absolutely loved once they did. An inspiring message can surprise a friend and bring a big smile to their face. Frenzy has some beautiful plaques and picture

Gift Cards Available

frames on which inspirational messages have been written. If that isn’t your calling, there is also a wide variety of traditional, yet stylish frames to choose from. A photo of a happy, personal event can be just as uplifting as any inspirational message. While not exactly a message, they also have wall art words, like Thanks, Live, Memories, Welcome, Stretch, Love, Laugh, Joy, Relax, and Create, among others. For the fashionista on your list, pick up a jewelled scarf. These soft, colourful items have pretty pendants in the shapes of flowers, feathers, butterflies, and hearts. “In the winter, you can’t really wear a necklace with your big jacket, but this you can wear and it still keeps you warm,” said Ahmed.

Frenzy also has trendy wallets and purses from Espe, Buffalo, Roots, and Nine West.

make even picky people happy ($50 and up) Some of Frenzy’s most impressive items carry a slightly heavier price tag, but they’re worth the cost. For around the $50 mark, you can find gorgeous vases, smaller pieces of metal wall art, and unique, large candle holders. The store also carries filler for the vases, as well candles in every colour of the rainbow. Ahmed and her staff love giving decorating tips, and will help you pick the right filler to complement the vase. For around $100, you can purchase the larger pieces of metal wall art, any one of a great selection of paintings and a funky floor or table lamp.

Ahmed stocks her store with luxurious items, and that goes for the accessories as well as the home decor. They recently started carrying Nine West bags. These beauties won’t break the bank, but they are a little more expensive than your average purse, so save them for someone special. Or treat yourself! FLS

Khadijeh Ahmed 3510 8th Street East (in Circle Centre Mall) 306.651.6995 Lawson Heights Mall 382-1460 www.frenzydecor.ca FineLifestyles SASKATOON

A prAirie boy goes coAstAl

From harvested flat lands to sparkling oceanfronts by tammy ceaser. photos by Heather Fritz

ahahual, the newest vacation destination in the Mexican Caribbean is absolute paradise, and as soon as you get home, you’ll wish you were going back again. But why call a resort when you can own your own piece of property year round? A golden location, Mahahual is a quaint coastal Caribbean fishing town, much like the dreams Cancun or Playa Del Carmen were built on. These dreams are coupled with enterprising developers to make a tropical tourist location that will turn profits like no other. With Mexican government development plans and infrastructure investments, prices are expected to double over the next few years and will continue to rise. It’s not too late to invest in your own reasonably priced beachfront property; in fact this may be your last chance to own a piece of paradise before it becomes out of reach. The only thing better than a wise investment is to be enjoying your wise investment with a little bit of sand and sunshine! Located on the southern coast of Quintana Roo State just north of Belize, Costa Maya features 80 miles of coastline and thousands of acres dedicated to tropical

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forests. Often called the “last frontier,” Costa Maya is situated at the heart of Mayan history. For investors and nature lovers alike, Mahahual provides beautiful natural beaches, internal lagoons, cenotes (sinkholes) in the middle of the jungle, wildlife all around, and a colourful, lively reef.

Port to call home Cruise ships rolling in years ago provided the spark for Mahahual to become a much-loved tourist destination. Press Releases include “Costa Maya Celebrates Two Million Passenger Milestone in Less Than Five Years,” proving that this government-sponsored initiative to rejuvenate the economy is working, and fast. For years Mahahual has attracted shoppers and travelers from Belize. At the first sign of real estate taking off in the Costa Maya, development in Mahahual began to take off. A $100 million dollar project has been approved to build an international airport in Tulum, just an hour away. It will be more than double the size of Cancun’s airport and passengers will be able to fly directly there from Saskatoon. Three new docks for cruise ships have

been constructed as well, as ships began the tourism boom in this small centre. More and more, Mahahual is proving to be the new focus of tourism and real estate, following Playa Del Carmen’s example. “By the time they realize anything, we’ll be sitting on a beach, making twenty percent” Many people who are interested in investing want to understand Mexico’s real estate potential. It is very promising, once you comprehend the growth patterns. All the most popular tourist

Mike Delaire

destinations have the highest real estate values, and every hotspot started because of the Mexican government’s wise investments.

include roof tops terraces, open air balcony doors, concrete block walls, white stucco and slate tile finishing with hurricane resistant construction.

Consistently this administration brings opportunity and growth to the Caribbean, with shining examples like Playa Del Carmen, Cancun, and Cozumel. Following the government’s lead in real estate has proven to be a wise move. Just imagine the people fortunate enough to purchase property in Playa Del Carmen years ago; they would be experiencing a huge return on their investment today. Make it happen for you and your family. It’s easier than you think to own property in Mexico.

Where do I sign

All the comforts of home... and more So now that you can see yourself basking in the sun, it’s time to add your home base into that equation—and starting at only $99,000, for a full ownership and titled property, that is one pretty picture! These condos have it all, inside and out. The interiors feature granite countertops, travertine flooring, solid wood cabinets and doors, six appliances, furniture packages, and, of course, for us northern folk, air conditioning. Exterior provisions

The most picturesque part of it all: dealing with a great local guy. Mike Delaire is a former business owner and has family in Saskatoon and area. Investing in an amazing property on the ocean with someone you know is as relaxing as a day at the beach. A large part of interest so far has been from Saskatoonians, and Delaire wants to keep it that way, “When you travel, even though you’re visiting an exotic and exclusive location, many of the faces may be the same ones you would see at the coffee shop here.” Experience the magic and relaxed way of life in this small town. Experience Costa Maya Living. FLS

Caban Condos Getting Saskatoonians oceanfront views of the crystal blue Caribbean Regal Property 306.262.4126 mike@regalproperty.net “Like” us on facebook today: cabancondos! FineLifestyles SASKATOON

Chantelle Butterfield with Dr. Bill Patterson

FROM ODDLY 1980s RENO’ED TO MODERN KITCHEN TRANSFORMED Designer decorator and homeowner reclaim space, function, beauty By Karin Melberg Schwier. Photos by Heather Fritz Dr. Bill Patterson earned his doctorate in geology at the University of Michigan with a little ditty called Stable isotopic record of climatic and environmental change in continental settings. Now a faculty member in Geological Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan, his research focus is the application of light stable isotope geochemistry towards questions of paleoclimate, modern and paleo hydrology/meteorology, life history studies of a wide variety of animals and plants, and sediment diagenesis. So obviously when it came to renovating the kitchen of his 1927-era home on Saskatoon’s prestigious University Drive, he knew he was way, way over his head. He called in someone smart. Interior decorator and kitchen design specialist Chantelle Butterfield of Funktional Space calls Bill a “perfect 50

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client.” She could envision a new space within half an hour.

solid oak, but the countertop was cheap and peeling up.”

“He had a clear vision, too, and it was obvious this space needed some opening up in order to breathe,” says Chantelle. “After a poorly done 1980s remodeling, the space was cramped and impractical. I sensed that Bill wanted real. He’s got a beautiful handmade dresser and something like that provides a lot of inspiration. I knew that we needed an airy feeling, lots of earth tones and natural materials. He trusted me to make it work.”

Shopping for granite with a geologist was “the best experience ever!” laughs Chantelle. “We didn’t want anything like a man-made quartz; it had to be real stone. Bill was telling the supplier what type of rock it was, where it came from, and what the red flecks were. I learned so much more about granite!”

A lot wasn’t working in this 2,400-square foot two-storey with its outdated appliances and exposed radiator pipes. “The old kitchen was pieced together over the last 80 years or so,” says Bill, who bought the house in 2004. “Cabinets where probably installed in 1984 in nice

In the time it takes a mortal homeowner to research materials and products, Chantelle can complete the shopping to renovate an entire room. Bill was impressed from the get-go. “Right away, she showed up on time, always does, and we got right to work,” he says. “We visited stores and outlets that I didn’t know existed. I wanted a natural look, nice

stone and wood that both matched and contrasted.” Chantelle’s advantage is that shopping takes her a fraction of the time and energy, and she knows who to go to for what and for the best price. “I’ve been doing this for 11 years so suppliers and businesses on my preferred list are those who provide quality products and good customer service,” she says. “When I take on a new business, I do a lot of research. I take pride in good work and efficient service to my clients. They deserve the best results.” To reclaim the space and rid the kitchen of that closed off feeling, Chantelle called in Bert Poth of Poth Home Solutions to remove the wall and insert a support

beam. The nine-foot ceiling was dropped four inches to hide the radiator piping. The rads were removed, sandblasted and powder-coated to look like new. The original oak hardwood was matched in the kitchen area. Walnut was the first choice in cabinets for a warm, masculine look. Custom Drapery Shoppe Hunter Douglas blinds created an elegant, sophisticated look. Leanne of The Urban Wall warmed up the space with decorative painting and Venetian plaster work. Appliances from Kitchenz Etc. followed Chantelle’s design for a much more efficient and spacious work area with a peninsula with raised bar and stools from International Furniture Warehouse for casual dining.

a dream client and was so trusting that I understood what he wanted. I think he got it and I learned a bit in the process, too!” Bill is so pleased, and the geological references can’t help themselves. “The stone is a garnetiferous migmatite that everyone loves,” he says, “and matches perfectly with the solid black walnut cabinets. The black granite sink, stainless steel appliances, and red oak hardwood flooring contrast those features. It wouldn’t have been nearly as nice without Chantelle’s help!” For your décor and cabinet needs, contact Chantelle Butterfield, ph. (306) 227-3008 or visit: www.funktionalspace.com. FLS

“The airy openness we ended up with is just great,” Chantelle says. “It’s warm, comfortable and beautiful. Bill was such

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Mo and Staff at Unique Lighting

BROUGHT TO LIGHT By Tammy Ceaser

rriving at a store that dazzles you the way Unique Lighting does, one might expect uppity staff. Instead, Mo Elbardo and his team greet everyone with genuine hospitality. “I tell my staff to treat our customers like a guest in your home. I never want anyone to leave without their questions being answered well.” Mo’s staff is like a family; they are amiable, real, smart, and stylish... they “get it.” Serving Saskatoon since 1989 and specializing in new housing and renovations, customers can have any stress eased by this team of design specialists.

Decisions decisions With two levels of showroom space

that sparkle into next week, customers will find exactly what they need. Staff members ask all the right questions to provide choices, then narrow it down to individual tastes, taking into account functionality as well. The quality and selection at Unique Lighting will blow you away. Accompanying chandeliers and lamps are dining room sets, coffee tables, accent furniture, decorating accessories, and striking wall art. ”We have everything and anything to beautify your home,” staff member Jesse says.

Space to work with Designing and building the store himself, Elbardo took a risk, but today his success equals the selection and quality of stores

in Milan and London, among others. Elbardo’s keen eye is put to task when attending buying shows with designers from across the globe, but with his finger on the designing pulse of Saskatoon and constant study of top designers, Unique Lighting features the largest showroom in Saskatchewan with styles to suit any taste. “We provide beautiful product for a great price, we build on our strengths, that’s my 101,” says Mo. That’s serious enlightenment for me, how about you? FLS Unique Lighting Owner, Mo Elbardo 1403 B Idylwyld Drive North 306.934.1945 www.uniquelighting.ca

bonnie bothner

Silk bedding Where luxury and comfort meet practicality By Ashleigh Mattern. Photos by Candace Epp

onnie Bothner’s first experience with the luxury of silk bedding was on a trip to Shanghai. While touring the ancient water city of Zhou Zhuang, Bothner was drawn to a little stall in the market. “Four people were pulling white silk floss,” she described, “stretching it until it was the size of a duvet. They would continue with these layers of silk in a crosshatch pattern until the desired weight was achieved, then insert the filling into a cotton shell.” She bought one of these duvets on the spot, and fell in love with silk. “Each time I went back to visit, friends asked me to bring duvets back for them,” Bothner said. Her duvets became so popular, she went into business as Green Leaf Bedding. As the sole owner of this Saskatoon-based business, she met the people who make

the bedding, hand-picked the highest quality materials, and watched the product being made. Green Leaf labels are prominent on each item. Silk is 100 per cent naturally hypoallergenic, resistant to mould, mildew, and dust mites—great for allergy sufferers. It’s gentle on sensitive or irritated skin, hydrates the skin, and can keep facial lines at bay. It’s good for your hair, too. Because of the many layers of silk, the duvets and pillows are extremely breathable. They regulate to your body core temperature. The 100 per cent longstrand mulberry silk will not separate or bunch as is typical of down. The traditional method of cleaning silk-filled duvets is to sun cure them by simply airing them out in the sun a few times a year. Green Leaf Bedding’s silk duvets, pillows and pillowcases are undeniably luxurious and have many great practical qualities,

but in the end, comfort is what counts. “The silk duvet drapes your body, like a cloud settling over you,” described Bothner. “A good portion of your life is spent in bed, so why not drape yourself in luxurious comfort!” Green Leaf Bedding is available in high-end bedding stores in Calgary and Victoria, and in her online store at greenleafbedding.com. FLS

Green Leaf Bedding Bonnie Bothner 306.651.2122 bonnie@greenleafbedding.com www.greenleafbedding.com FineLifestyles SASKATOON

CHEF GORDON RAMSAY And the new British invasion In the 1960s North America was smitten by four lads from Liverpool and an ensuing “invasion” of British rockers who changed the face of popular music. Today, the new rock stars emanating from the old country are celebrity chefs. Most prominent among them is the shorttempered, largerthan-life, “man who put the ‘F’ in food.”

By Thom Barker

amsay, often caustic, always driven to the most exacting standards of his trade, has brought more aspiring chefs to tears with his foul-mouthed trantrums and pot-throwing antics than he has by chopping onions. Ramsay once famously ejected London Times and Vanity Fair food and television critic Adrian Anthony (A. A.) Gill from his restaurant, leading Gill to comment that “Ramsay is a wonderful chef, just a really second-rate human being.” Ramsay maintains he didn’t mind Gill criticizing his food, but would not tolerate a personal attack.

In the two-part, 2011 season finale of the American version of his show MasterChef, Ramsay said goodbye to third place finisher Christian Collins, a stay-athome dad from Georgia, by saying, “You arrogant [bleep].” Collins shot back: “You arrogant [bleep],” to which Ramsay replied, “You have the right to tell me that when you’ve won three Michelin stars.” A three-star rating from Michelin is arguably the most coveted and respected culinary accolade in the world. Even a one-star Michelin rating, indicating “a very good cuisine in its category,” is an

achievement, as the company only rates top restaurants. Two stars represents “excellent cuisine, worth a detour.” Three-star ratings, meaning “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey”, are very rare, with only 90 given out worldwide last year. Ramsay has won a total of 13 stars, although in 2011 only his flagship dining room, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea (London), managed to retain its three stars, with his Claridge’s location dropping to two. Of course, these days Ramsay spends more time on TV than in the kitchen. With top-rated shows Hell’s Kitchen, MasterChef and Kitchen Nightmares

to complement his string of Michelinstarred restaurants, Ramsay has built an empire worth $118 million according to the London Sunday Times Rich List. More important than any of that, at least in the eyes of his daughters—Megan (13), Holly (11) and Matilda (9)—was his recent TV appearance on The Simpsons (Fox, November 13). “I have three girls,” Ramsay explained in a behind-the-scenes promotional video for the episode. “First I was the coolest and then they started getting excited about boys. Now that I’m on The Simpsons, I’m back as the coolest dad in the world.”

Celebrity pedigree While Ramsay is undoubtedly the most visible of today’s British celebrity chefs, he certainly was not the first. That honour has been credited to several people including Ramsay’s mentor Marco Pierre White—also known as l’enfant terrible for his Ramsay-like tyrannical disposition. In 1994, at the age of 33, White became the youngest chef to ever be awarded three Michelin stars for his dining room at the former Hyde Park Hotel named The Restaurant Marco Pierre White. During that time, White had numerous protogés who would later go on to be superstars in their own right, such as

Ramsay, Eric Chavot, Heston Blumenthal, Brynn Williams, and Phillip Messy— the youngest sommelier to gain three Michelin stars at age 21—just to name a few. Five years later, when White retired from commercial cooking, he solidified his bad-boy reputation by giving back his Michelin stars saying, “I was being judged by people who had less knowledge than me, so what was it truly worth? I gave Michelin inspectors too much respect, and I belittled myself.” Nevertheless, White had paved the way for the new British invasion by putting contemporary British cuisine on the map and inspiring a generation of chefs including the likes of Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and Daniel Green, whose TV shows and books Canadians and Americans cannot get enough of. But the love affair goes back much further than White, Ramsay, Oliver and Lawson. Graham Kerr’s Galloping Gourmet— which was taped at CTV’s Ottawa affiliate CJOH—became an international hit in the late 1960s and early 1970s. And who can forget Two Fat Ladies, the BBC Two show starring Clarissa Dickson-Wright and Jennifer Paterson that ran from 1996 to 1999 and was spoofed on Saturday Night Live by Brendan Fraser and Darrell Hammond?

While all of those shows shook up the television chef genre with their conversational tone, and by taking the viewer along on road trips and the like, they were still more or less traditional instructional cooking shows airing for the most part on specialty networks or during off-peak hours. It wasn’t until Ramsay combined cooking with realitystyle competition that food exploded into prime time and chefs became bigger than The Beatles. One of Canada’s own most celebrated chefs, Michael Smith, says the innovation is good for the industry. “The bottom line is that reality-driven food programming has expanded Food Network’s audience dramatically, so I’m all for it,” he said. “More and more people are engaging with food, enjoying food programming and I think that’s positive all around.”

Welcome to Canada Three years ago, there was wild speculation that Jamie Oliver was opening a restaurant in Canada. The rumour was primarily based on an interview with HELLO! Canada in Toronto during which he said, “I’d love to do something in Canada, for sure, probably Toronto, to start with. It’s a lovely country and the guys here have always been incredibly FineLifestyles SASKATOON

Chef Guillermo Russo

supportive, so it’s a bit of payback time, I think.” Nothing has yet to materialize from Oliver’s camp, but this year it was Ramsay who cashed in on the British celebrity chef caché with Canadian audiences by opening a new restaurant in Montreal. Laurier Gordon Ramsay is a rebranding of the historic Rotisserie Laurier BBQ, which operated from 1936 until early this year. The kitchen is led by Chef Guillermo Russo, a native of the trendy and upscale French neighbourhood of Outremount, meaning “beyond the mountain” where Laurier Gordon Ramsay is located. Russo has his own pedigree, having worked in some of eastern Canada’s most recognized dining establishments including Lucien Restaurant (Toronto), the Black Hoof (Toronto), Aroma (Ottawa) and Olivieri (Montreal). 56

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As with his show Kitchen Nightmares— in which Ramsay rescues failing restaurants—he hasn’t so much created something new in Laurier Gordon Ramsay as update and refresh both the menu and the décor. The new menu features both classic favourite dishes and new comfortfood staples. Quebec-raised, grain-fed rotisserie chicken is prepared using the traditional restaurant recipe that dates back 75 years. Burgers and smokey ribs share a billing with grilled salmon on a wood plank, shrimp and crab rolls and a porchetta sandwich with aioli and arugula. The renovation maintains the restaurant’s history, with some enhancements. The main dining area has three distinct elements: banquettes for family and small group dining, a theatre-style kitchen area for larger groups, and a brand-new bar area with a wine cellar. A spacious private dining room for corporate and larger group events is located on the second floor. “Montreal has such a vibrant culinary tradition, and it is both exciting and challenging to be part of a local institution that has defined dining out for generations of people,” said Ramsay, who serves as a consultant to Laurier Gordon Ramsay and oversees the development of its menu. “Laurier Gordon Ramsay is about good food, friendly service and a

brilliant atmosphere. We’re the ultimate casual dining destination in a city that’s passionate about what’s on the plate.” So far, the reviews for the restaurant have been mixed. Despite Ramsay’s reputation for being a perfectionist, it seems he has a practical side as well. In order to appease the many loyal customers of the iconic, previous incarnation of the restaurant, Ramsay kept the desserts unchanged. “Dense, big, and not all that flavourful, the Laurier’s mocha cake may be famous, but it’s hardly delicious,” wrote Leslie Chesterman for The Gazette. “Nostalgia could be the only explanation of why this clunky pastry has remained one of the restaurant’s best sellers.” Russo is unapologetic. “I think I can find a middle ground between the old and new crowd,” he told Chesterman. “Simple food can please both. There’s something here for everyone, including kids, which were always a big part of this restaurant.” There is no indication the Ramsay brand will be coming to Saskatchewan—or anywhere else in Canada—any time soon, but Chef Russo was kind enough to share a couple of recipes with Fine Lifestyles readers. (See following page). FLS

ROASTED CHICKEN Serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

Recipe courtesy of Laurier Gordon Ramsay:

PREPARATION:

• 1 each Whole Chicken, Grain-fed & free-range preferably

1. Ask your butcher to truss the chicken for you if you are unable to do so yourself.

• 1 teaspooon Thyme, picked

2. Preheat your oven to 400o F.

• 1 1/2 Tablespoon Kosher Salt • 1/2 teaspoon • Cracked Black Pepper • 10g Butter

3. Pat chicken dry, inside and out. Season the inside of the chicken with a tablespoon of kosher salt and the cracked blacked pepper. 4. Place the chicken in a roasting tin and season the outside lightly with the butter, the remaining kosher salt and thyme. 5. Roast in the oven for approximately one hour, or until the juices run clear when the chicken is pierced in the thickest part of thigh. If you have a thermometer, cook until it is 180°F at the thigh. FineLifestyles SASKATOON

HELLO DOLLY SQUARES Yields 12 Squares

INGREDIENTS: • 56 g Unsalted Butter • 87.5 g Graham Crumbs • 175 g Coconut, Shaved • 160 g Walnuts, Chopped

Recipe courtesy of Laurier Gordon Ramsay

PREPARATION: 1. In a pan melt the butter and add the graham to form a crust. 2. Spread the crust over a rectangular mold and place the shaved coconut on top followed by the chocolate chips and then the walnuts.

• 1/4 Can of Condensed Milk

3. Pour the condensed milk over the whole preparation and cook at 400o F for 30-40 minutes.

• 160 g Chocolate Chips

4. Allow to cool and cut into squares of 2 x 2 inches.

FineLifestyles SASKATOON

BRINGING HEALTHY BACK How Patients Are Discovering Health, Hope and Happiness

An interior shot of the Weight Loss Forever LIMARP Hospital

If you suffer from obesity, you might be a candidate for the new, innovative program with Weight Loss Forever. Based in Saskatoon, Weight Loss Forever is the only company of its kind in Canada and offers a permanent solution to obesity. It specializes in a procedure called the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG), or the “Sleeve.” Currently the simplest, most-effective weight loss surgery available, its safety and success rates are making it the fastest-growing bariatric surgery in the world. “Our program offers pre-operative and post-operative care and support, including support groups, patient facilitators and nutritional guidelines. Our team includes nurses, psychologists and nutritionists in order to ensure our patients have the support they need each step of the way,” says Melanie Wildman, CEO of Weight Loss Forever. Wildman started Weight Loss Forever after having the procedure in April, 2009 and losing over 100 pounds from her highest weight. Melanie chose weight loss surgery after talking with her family about options and heard about the Sleeve from her sister-in-law, Dr. Marla Lujan. As a professor of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University, Lujan studies women

and obesity and was familiar with the procedure and its successful results. After losing her weight, Melanie became Mrs. Saskatchewan and Mrs. Canada 2011, representing our country internationally. “It’s incredible what you can achieve when you have the tools you need to succeed,” Wildman says.

From A Doctor’s Perspective Before Weight Loss Forever patients can be approved for the surgery, they receive an in-depth pre-operative information package and are required to attend an information session on the risks and benefits of bariatric procedures. Patients also go through a medical assessment to ensure they’re healthy enough to undergo surgery and must correct any issues before approval. Doctor Carl le Roux, who practices out of Blairmore Medical Clinic in Saskatoon, first heard about the Sleeve when a patient brought her facilitator to an appointment to discuss the possibility of getting the bariatric surgery. “By the time patients see me, they’re in a high-risk group because of obesity. In my opinion, the surgery is almost

Dr. Liza Pompa, MD, PhD, AFACS

lifesaving because of the risk reduction and health benefits,” le Roux says. “Many patients have problems with diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure or heart disease, but because of the weight loss, those things improve significantly. And the way patients change psychologically is unbelievable.” Dr. le Roux says every patient he has followed up with is very impressed with the facility and with the care they recieved. “I haven’t had one patient come back with problems yet and they’ve all done really well with recovery,” he says. “I’m very impressed with the post-operative care and support provided by Weight Loss Forever.”An interi

“The surgery is almost lifesaving because of the risk reduction and health benefits,” Dr.Carl le Roux, MD

For more information, or to speak with a real patient, call (306) 352-8446 or email patientservices@weightlossforever.ca Regina Office Location: 136-1621 Albert Street, Regina, SK S4P 2S5 | www.weightlossforever.ca or facebook.com/WLForever FineLifestyles SASKATOON

BRINGING HEALTHY BACK How two patients discovered hope, health and happiness John’s Story

John Grimsdale’s battle started when he was in high school. His weight started climbing and he ballooned up to 285 pounds. He tried to counter the gain with dieting and would lose weight but each loss was quickly followed by an extreme gain—over the last 30 years, he’d gone down and back up six times and it got to the point where his health was affected by his weight problem. “I was on five prescription drugs for diabetes, a couple for my cholesterol and a few for my blood pressure. My doctor was threatening me to do something; I had lots of risk factors and there was a good chance I’d drop dead one day,” says John. The 56-year-old had heard of Weight Loss Forever but had never considered it. Once his health was at risk, he started investigating Weight Loss Forever, the Sleeve and the other procedures.

“I’m the same guy; I’m just happier.” 60

FineLifestyles SASKATOON

“If they told me to do a by-pass, stomach stable or Lap-Band, I would have said no—I knew a guy that had a stomach staple and he’s in worse shape today than before, and I didn’t like the thought of the Lap-Band, putting a plastic inside me. I knew exactly what I would and wouldn’t do,” says John. “I liked what I saw at Weight Loss Forever. I talked to people and thought about it for awhile. The cost was restricting but I decided that I had to weigh the costs for the rest of my life.”

his health and eliminating prescription drugs. What he realized on his journey was that his weight loss and resolution of comorbidities were directly related.

When John decided to get the Sleeve, his family doctor was 100 per cent on board. He had researched the surgeon himself and said she was in the best class in the industry, which put John at ease when he went for his procedure on May 2, 2011.

“For me to be down to a couple of lightweight medications, from being on 14 a day, I met and exceeded all my goals,” says John. “I don’t realize how much I’ve changed but other people tell me. I’m the same guy; I’m just happier.”

John has lost 107 pounds from his highest weight —20 pounds more than he hoped he would—and is down to a svelte 178 pounds. While John was successful with his weight loss, his main goal was regaining

HIGHEST WEIGHT: 285 lbs CURRENT WEIGHT: 178 lbs TOTAL LOST: 107 lbs

John is down to one prescription drug for his blood pressure and another for cholesterol—with half the dosage—and expects to be off both drugs soon. He is also on a prescription for acid reflux but no longer needs diabetes medication and has much less knee pain.

Gay’s Story put her health first. Recently married, Gay wanted a long and healthy retirement with her husband and she found the tool she needed. “I knew if I continued to gain weight I’d have problems. My sleeve helps me control eating; it’s not the be-all and endall answer but it’s the tool that helps you maintain the lifestyle you’ve always wanted. Before, I would eat a big meal and be hungry 15 minutes later. I knew I shouldn’t but I would eat anyway. In the blink of an eye, one piece of pie turned into 30 pounds.” Down 101 pounds since getting sleeved on March 8, 2011, Gay is just 13 pounds from her goal of reaching a normal BMI.

Since she was five years old, Gay Hoffman felt overweight. She was teased by classmates and began dieting. Over the years, she tried many methods but they all yielded the same result: a loss of a few pounds followed by gaining double back. The weight kept piling on until she reached 244 pounds. “I couldn’t maintain it. It seemed I could lose a certain amount but had to be totally dedicated. I couldn’t go anywhere or eat because I knew I would gain,” says the 58-year-old. “I knew how to diet and exercise but I didn’t know how to maintain the lifestyle to keep it off.” She heard about the Sleeve and Weight Loss Forever last December from a friend who had the procedure. Intrigued by the idea of a permanent weight loss solution, Gay researched the company, surgery, surgeon and facility. She went to Weight Loss Forever’s support group meetings, listened to patients’ stories and decided to

“If I don’t make those 13 pounds, I’ve gone from a size 22 to an 8. My hands shrunk three sizes, my feet shrunk one size, even my head’s shrunk! I want to tell everyone about it!” Gay attends bi-weekly support group meetings and says the group has opened a realm of friends who don’t judge. The group laughs together, they cry together and helps each other . “When I first phoned Weight Loss Forever, I didn’t know what to expect. They answered every question and took away every fear. Weight Loss Forever is an amazing company and the people working there are remarkable. They take time to listen, do a follow-up with you and spend hours just giving of themselves,” says Gay. “When you walk into that office, they stop what they’re doing and come celebrate with you. They help you if you’re struggling; if you have a problem at any time, you can find someone to help you. They laugh, they cry, they’re part of your family. There’s nothing they won’t do for you.”

HIGHEST WEIGHT: 244 lbs CURRENT WEIGHT: 143 lbs TOTAL LOST: 101 lbs

For more information, or to speak with a real patient, call (306) 352-8446 or email patientservices@weightlossforever.ca Regina Office Location: 136-1621 Albert Street, Regina, SK S4P 2S5 www.weightlossforever.ca or facebook.com/WLForever FineLifestyles SASKATOON

Cosmetic Surgery

Why Weight Loss Forever? Hear what our patients are saying about dr. rodas: “The care I received was incredible and my own doctor in Saskatoon was so impressed with my results. Dr. Rodas is just wonderful and I am thrilled with the work he did - I feel years younger and I’m proud to say that at 73, my body is sleek!” Donna Garman, Saskatoon

“My family doctor marvels at my surgical lines and says it’s the most beautiful work he’s seen in his practice. I finally reflect on the outside how I always felt on the inside. Thank you Weight Loss Forever!” Kim Heddon, Meadow Lake

Dr. Marcus Rodas, MD, Ph.D Dr. Rodas, Weight Loss Forever’s Chief Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon, has over 17 years of experience. Dr. Rodas is a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. He also has a fellowship in body contouring and novel techniques.

“I love, love, love my new breasts! You can’t even see the scars and the recovery was so fast! Not only is Dr. Rodas a terrific surgeon, he made me feel safe and secure about choosing to have plastic surgery. I tell everyone how fantastic my experience was!” Stephanie Dinsdale, Prince Albert

As low as

67*

Per Month

* OAC Only. Based on a 5 year term with $1000 down payment. Rates may vary.

SASKATOON LOCATION 15-901 1st Ave N, Saskatoon Next to Liquidation World 1-306-665-8891

REGINA LOCATION 136-1621 Albert St, Regina In the Regina Crossing Building 1-306-352-8446

Weight Loss Forever LIMARP Hospital Weight Loss Forever’s beautiful and modern hospital is an International Center of Reference and is designated as an International Bariatric Center of Excellence.

CALGARY LOCATION 39-4620 Manilla Road SE Calgary, Alberta T2G 4B7 1-403-243-6333

LETHBRIDGE LOCATION 8-1274 3rd Ave S Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 0J9 1-403-381-3181

SPA AHAVA A moment like no other mbracing a pure, traditional approach to spa therapy, Spa Ahava has become the benchmark of the Saskatoon day-spa experience. Spa Ahava specializes only in spa therapies, without the distraction and traffic of hair stylists and beauticians found common at salon-spas. “We focus on only what we do best, and that is spa,” says owner Melissa Hampson. And the spa philosophy here is that hands are the best tools; there is little to no interference of automated technology.

Photos by Lisa Landrie

As for products, only the Ahava line, enriched with minerals, are used and are imported from the Dead Sea. Guests are assured maximum benefits from this quality product; whether for facials, massages or full body wraps. Following a mineral body treatment, guests indulge themselves with a cleansing soak in a jet-air tub. With the holidays then Valentine’s Day fast approaching, the staff at Spa Ahava invite couples to book early for the popular relaxation packages for two; a side-by-side massage experience like no other. “It’s about experiencing something together,” Melissa says. “And if it’s the man’s first time coming into a spa, he’s at least coming in with his spouse so he’s not too nervous. I often see a man coming in with his spouse, but then coming back by himself.“ A full menu of services for men has been customized to suit the male sensibility. Whether for him or for her, gift cards are available to treat someone you love to a relaxing experience with the highly-trained professionals at Spa Ahava. Each staff member has undergone a unique training program to ensure couple and group appointments are completed in tandem, and to guarantee consistency of service for repeat customers. “Everyone here has their own touch and personality, but you know that each time you come in, the service will be done the same way,” Hampson says. Arrive a little early, or stay a little late, to browse the Spa Ahava gift shop, featuring a selection of products, as well as popular lines of jewellery, hats, purses and accessories. FLS

Spa Ahava 720 Broadway Avenue Saskatoon, SK. 306.978.8111 Email: spaahava@shaw.ca www.spaahava.com Melissa Hampson Spa Ahava

facial treatments

Ahava Advanced Facial (1 hr) - $68 Ahava Purifying Facial (1 hr) - $68 Ahava Anti-Age Facial (1.5 hr) - $78 Ahava Time-Line Facial (1.5 hr)- $88 Four Layer Facial (1 hr) - $95

Toe Nail Tune Up – (1/2 hr) - $35 Basic Pedicure (1 hr) - $50 Spa Pedicure (1.5 hr) - $60 Spa Ahava Signature Spa Pedicure (1.5 hr) - $64

Extended Bikini (1/2 hr) -$32

Hand Treatment - $12

Brazilian Bikini (1/2 hr) - $47

Foot Treatment - $12

Maple Pecan Spa Pedicure (1.5 hr) - $64

Underarms (15 min) - $17

Facial Mask Treatment - $12

Blueberry Cheesecake Spa Pedicure (1.5 hr) - $64

Full Arms (1/2 hr) - $32

Back Paraffin - $12

Sides of Face (15 min) - $15

manicure treatments

Lip (5 min) - $11 Mini Manicure (1/2 hr) - $25

Chin (10 min) - $14

Basic Manicure (1 hr) - $40

Brows (15 min) - $15

Spa Manicure (1.5 hr) - $50

Face (Inc. brows, lip, chin, cheeks) (1/2 hr) - $34

Spa Ahava Signature Spa Manicure (1.5 hr) - $54

Nape of Neck (15 min) - $15

Peach Blossom Spa Manicure (1.5 hr) - $54

Full Back (1/2 hr) - $37

30 Minutes - $38 45 Minutes - $48 60 Minutes - $58 90 Minutes - $78 Hot Stone Therapy 30 Minutes - $52 45 Minutes - $62

Chest (1/2 hour) - $37

60 Minutes - $72

Stomach (15 min) - $22

90 Minutes - $92

Shoulders (15 min) - $22

Massages

Shellac/Gelish Manicure- (1.5 hr) -$60

Toes (one or all) (15 min) - $10

Relaxation Massage - $50

Shellac/Gelish Pedicure- (1.5 hr) - $70

Toes & Top of Foot (15 min) - $13

30 Min. Relaxation Massage - $37

Shellac/Gelish Removal- (1/2 hr) - $25

Treasure Trail (15 min) - $15

Couples Relaxation Massage - $94

Brow Tint (15 min) - 15

Men’s Facial (1 hr) - $68

French Manicure Polish Add $7 to the price of a manicure

Shellac/Gelish Application- (1/2 hr)- $40

Full Leg (1 hr) - $47 Full Leg with Bikini (1 hr) - $57 Half Leg - upper or lower (1/2 hr) - $32 Half Leg with Bikini (1/2 hr) - $42 Bikini (15 min) - $22

tinting & perming

shellac & gelish

Registered Massage TherapyIncluding Prenatal Massage

Women’s Lower Back (15 min) - $15

Nail Polish Change (15 min) - $15

body waxing

registered massage therapies

Half Arms (15 min) - $22

Minty Mocha Spa Pedicure (1.5 hr) - $64

Lash Tint (30 min) - $22 Brow and Lash Tint (45 min) - $32 Lash Perm/Tint (45 min) - $45

men’s menu

pedicure treatments

Derma New Facial (1 hr) - $88

Toe Nail Tune Up (1/2 hr) - $35 Turbocharge Pedicure (1 hr) - $50 Quick Fix Manicure (1/2 hr) - $25 Monkey Wrench Manicure (1 hr) - $40

tanning

Tanning 100 Minutes - $28.95 200 Minutes - $48.95 300 Minutes - $58.95 400 Minutes - $68.95 500 Minutes - $78.95 1000 Minutes - $128.95 Single Session (max 20 min) - $10.00 Sun FX Spray Tanning Full Body Tan - $50 Waist and Down - $35 Waist and Up - $35

Hydrotherapy- (15 min) -$20 (30 min) - $25 Austrian Moor Herbal Bath (1 hr) - $40

Dead Sea Mud Wrap - (1.5 hr) -$93

Tahitian Vanilla Body Scrub - $73

Awakening Body Wrap - (1.5 hr) - $103

Pink Lotus Orange Body Scrub - $73

Muscular Body Wrap - (1.5 hr) - $113

Frangipani Scrub - $73

Coconut Mango Body Wrap (1.5 hr) - $100

Champaka Body Scrub - $73

Chocolate Dream Mud Wrap (1.5 hr) - $100

Ahava Refresher (2 hr) - $110

Dead Sea Salt Scrub - $73 Japanese Cherry Blossom Scrub - $73 Coconut Lime Scrub - $73 Coconut Mango Scrub - $73

spa packages

body scrubs

body wraps

Minty Mocha Body Scrub - $73

combo packages

Ear Candling- (30 min) $40 Manicure & Pedicure Combo (2 hr) - $90 Spa Manicure & Spa Pedicure Combo (3 hr) - $110 Raspberry Chocolate Spa Manicure & Spa Pedicure (3 hr) - $116 Childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Manicure and Pedicure Combo (1 hr) - $50 Manicure/Pedicure/Facial Combo (3 hr) - $158

Ahava Spa Special (2 hr) - $160 Ahava Sampler (3 hr) - $150 Serenity Search (3.5 hr) - $205 Chocolate Spa Binge Package (4 hr) - $260 Total Indulgence (4.5 hr) - $210 Bliss (5 hr) - $240

couples packages

alternative therapies

Face & Neck Refresher - $25

Synergy For Two - (2 hr) - $200 Escape from Reality - (2 hr) - $236

A Day to Remember- (6 hr) - $320 The Ultimate Spa Package (7 hr) - $365

306.978.8111

Taking You To The nexT LeveL

Owner/Operator, Kelly Riou

et access to Saskatoon’s top training facility dedicated to changing its members’ lives and helping them reach their fitness and athletic goals. Owner Kelly Riou and his staff encourage and support members while facilitating body and lifestyle changes. This well thought out training facility is designed to accommodate a variety of fitness needs from extreme weight loss to enhancing athletes’ strength and endurance.

As the choice facility for many of Saskatoon’s executives and elite, Next Level Training also works with up-andcoming athletes across western Canada. With a strong reputation in the hockey community, Kelly and his team have helped develop some notable Canadian World Juniors and NHL drafted players including Carter Ashton, Jared Cowen, Cody Eakin, Blair Jones, Brayden Schenn, Luke Schenn and Braden McNabb along with many more talented young athletes.

With such emphasis on meaningful results, membership is limited to ensure attention is given to all clients.

The team Kelly Riou and his late business partner Chad Martin set out to create a training facility that was less pretentious and more results-oriented. As both led very active lives, played their respective sports professionally and spent endless FineLifestyles SASKATOON

By Candace Fox. Photo by Candace epp hours in the gym. They had a clear vision of the services they wanted to provide. That vision echoes with their choice of staff—passionate, educated and fitnessfocussed individuals. • Kelly Riou – Owner/Operator, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS); Kinesiology degree from U of S, Internationally Accredited • Chad Martin – Late Co-Owner, Professional Strength Coach • Kim Nelson – Director of Facility and Client Services • Dayna Kopp – Vinyasa Yoga Instructor; National Health Practitioner of Canada: Massage Therapist (NHPC); Currently studying and training under Baron Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga. • Scott Richardson – Professional Mixed Martial Artist/Strength Coach, Fight Instructor and holds a Black Belt in Karate • Becky Bayda – Front End Supervisor, student at the University of Saskatchewan studying nutrition • Brandi Pozniak – Certified Distance Running Coach/Professional Trainer After suffering an injury that prevented him from continuing his professional 68

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hockey career, Kelly’s passion is now dedicated to the individuals that step into his training facility wanting a change. “We have helped people lose 200 pounds; we have multimillion dollar NHL players expecting to become better athletes; and we have some reputable people in the community here, there is no option – we have to provide results,” Riou states. With a focus on wellness solutions, Next Level strength coaches will transform their clients’ bodies through custom fitness and diet plans. “The clients do all the work, we just give them the tools to get there,” Kelly says. That hard work pays off as members not only reach their goals but feel better about themselves which resounds positively in all aspects of their lives.

Custom top to bottom Consider this exclusive training facility ‘fully loaded.’ Every area of the Next Level Training centre has been well thought out, planned and customized to suit the needs of members. Creating a veritable oasis setting with a stone waterfall in the entrance, this centre caters to its clients. Spacious men’s and women’s change

rooms are complete with private rain showers, leather seating, and plenty of locker space. Fine touches include towel service available in each locker, Aveda products free to use for all members and a relaxing steam room. For their athletes, Kelly insisted on including an ice tub—which assists with recuperation. Immaculately clean, and designed to enhance their members’ experience, the change rooms are just the first point of interest in the rest of this impressive training centre. Custom-made equipment is found throughout. Fabricated and modified to adjust to various users and movements, the equipment is designed to enhance every member’s workout safely and effectively. The centre’s imported springloaded floor from Sweden provides the perfect surface for members/athletes to workout, condition and train on. All materials are functionally fitnessfocussed with consideration on how they influence the body or vice versa. The facility also includes an outside area to do drills, and a spacious yoga room that can be curtained off and heated with

their indoor 14-foot stone fireplaces. Incorporating yoga was important to Kelly as he admits it is an essential component to everyone’s balanced fitness/training regime. To ensure their clients are enjoying themselves and well entertained the custom music and video system is set up to stream in every room. Mounted along the walls are 50-inch flat screens, a must as all clients enjoy watching the centre’s athletes perform on television. Visually, the fitness centre is a well-balanced mix of style and function, to stimulate not only the eye but members’ motivation to push themselves to their next level.

Member focus Whether you are an athlete aspiring to become the next greatest, a professional wanting to look and feel great or someone ready to get serious about changing your body and lifestyle, Next Level Training will help you achieve those goals. With a four-month commitment to the program and the idea that ‘progression is addiction’ clients will reach whatever their goals, large or small, and ultimately better themselves and their lifestyles. With endless support, members meet with their trainers once or as many as five times a week to monitor progress and to adjust diet and exercise accordingly. With all areas visible via the open concept design and one-way, glass-infused office walls, members can be assured if they need assistance staff will be available at all times.

With limited membership and a cap on how many new clients are taken on, this exclusive fitness facility ensures quality service to every client. Dedicated attention to members and athletes is part of the success in seeing results and reaching goals. Offering lifestyle and nutrition advice, they staff ensures members will be improving their total self and will become the healthier individual they are aspiring to be. Seeing many clients and athletes attain their goals and reach their fitness peak continues to be a rewarding experience for Riou and his team. With nothing else like it, Next Level Training is a truly unique training centre. Offering clients exclusivity and the results they want to take their personal, professional and athletic abilities to the next level. Contact Next Level Training and speak to Kelly Riou or one of his staff to learn more about how to become a member. FLS

Next Level Training 200 Jessop Avenue Saskatoon, SK 306.979.6587 nltss@shaw.ca

WILSON

RALLIES NEW PROVINCE BUILDERS Graduates no longer Saskatchewanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading export By Quinn Bender. Photo by Heather Fritz

Photos by Dean West

W. Brett Wilson

is unapologetic about trading his Saskatchewan roots for a Calgary home. Like thousands of other university graduates of the time, there were few other options. But that’s not the case today. On Nov. 16 hundreds of U of S students crowded into Prairieland Park for an entrepreneurial networking and pitch party searching out opportunities right here at home. And Wilson, a charismatic amalgam of personalities— part motivational speaker, part mogul, part mentor—isn’t just offering business advice, he’s throwing his hard-earned business dollars back into the province he said goodbye to decades earlier. “There’s no question that Calgary really is a bedroom community for the wealthy university graduates of Saskatchewan. It was from a time when graduates were, sadly, the largest export of Saskatchewan.

Certainly myself included. But now we have the perfect storm with agriculture, mining, metals, natural gas—everything. There’s just so many opportunities in Saskatchewan that exist now, but didn’t exist when I was a graduate.” Wilson, celebrity entrepreneur and Saskatchewan darling, was again seizing a crowd of 1,000 hungry young entrepreneurs and Saskatoon business and community leaders, as host of Pitch Party IV. The annual event was organized by the Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence, which Wilson founded to promote entrepreneurialism among all disciplines, with a vision for becoming one of Canada’s pre-eminent centre for entrepreneurship. The event was billed

as one of Saskatchewan’s largest and most effective networking events for University of Saskatchewan students venturing into Wilson’s vocation. “Any degree program is not there for you to learn, it’s there for you to learn how to learn. Because learning doesn’t end when you graduate. The learning just begins in another chapter.” A U of S Top 100 Alumni, and recipient of the Order of Canada for his business and philanthropic achievements, Wilson FineLifestyles SASKATOON

Photo by Quinn Bender

is best known as the lead deal-making panellist on CBC’s Dragons’ Den. Though he was cut from the show and makes little effort to conceal his disappointment with the unrealized potential of the program, he lauds Dragons’ Den for its effect on Canadian youth. It set them ablaze with entrepreneurial thinking, giving them licence and confidence to pursue their ideas regardless of age. It was for this reason Wilson accepted a new role on his own reality show, Risky Business, which was screened at Pitch Party IV to coincide with the broadcast premiere. Wilson landed the role just days after his dismissal from CBC, when a casting call was issued for a Brett Wilson-like entrepreneur to host a new realityinvestment program. “I thought, well, I’m like Brett Wilson. Why don’t I give them a call?” 72

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Wilson hopes the new show will continue to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs, but, unlike the Dragons’ Den format, he aims to highlight the process of investment and showcase the outcome for the benefit of budding entrepreneurs, particularly those attending Pitch Party IV. “Today this province has a tonne of opportunity and the right mind-set to take advantage of it. It comes from the cold, harsh prairies that turn out a pretty high calibre of people. They understand adversity; they understand that the value of a hard-day’s work is how you eat. There’s very little second- or thirdgeneration wealth here—no sense of entitlement. Saskatchewan was built by the original entrepreneurs: the hunters, the trappers, the fur traders, the farmers. These weren’t people who had pension plans and family wealth. They came out

here to stake their wealth. That’s really the essence, the bloodstock, that’s continued in Saskatchewan. “Too many people misunderstand entrepreneurship as risk-taking. For me, entrepreneurship is a way of thinking. And it’s as relevant from the Prime Minister’s office, as it is to a church, as it is to running the military, and as it is to business and academia. You don’t assume someone else is going to do it; you look for a competitive advantage in how you’re going to accomplish something. A lot of people, especially in the academic world, have combined small business and entrepreneurship as two words that go together. Small business is how many entrepreneurs start, but when Murray Edwards bought half a billion dollars of oil sand, then put a $5 billion or $10 billion plant on top of it--that’s entrepreneurship. That’s not small business.” FLS

TAKE YOUR LIFE TO A BETTER P.A.C.E. By Tammy Ceaser. Photos by Heather Fritz

o call P.A.C.E. a “gym” is a vast understatement. This isn’t a place where you show off your new yoga pants or shoot the breeze with a smoothie. It is for serious, goal-oriented people to stay on top of their game, perfect their skills, continue conditioning and further their sports education. The skate machine alone—the largest of its kind in the world—can correct a variety of bad habits, and features a large mirror so students can watch their form. The coaches also write notes directly on the mirror, so you have constant reminders in front of you listing what needs tweaking or correcting. There is ample space for team training as well, with a large garage door letting in sunshine and fresh air. Every staff member is approachable, positive, and energetic—you feel recharged just being there!

The face behind P.A.C.E. Of course, a dynamic place like P.A.C.E. doesn’t just happen by accident. Owner and coach Tiffany Armstrong is an elite athlete in her own right. Travelling across the world first playing then coaching soccer, Armstrong was continuously learning, taking in techniques from other coaches and players. Coaching in Red Deer, she propelled her team to greatness in Denmark and Sweden.

Armstrong holds a designation as a Youth Leadership Facilitator for CAAWS, the Canadian Athletic Association of Women in Sport, and she also worked with Hockey Canada. Despite all her credentials, and accomplishments, though, the thing that is perhaps most inspiring to her young protogés is that she is always energetic, happy, and the epitome of cool. The drive and faith she has for her youngest athletes is prominent and she positively beams talking about them. These kids have found a mentor, and there’s no one else like her in Saskatoon. “I think the skate treadmill is a great

way to get ready for hockey season, and there’s a lot of things to do here, like weight and conditioning workouts,” says Tyler, a 13-year-old hockey player. “I think it’s great that it helps me improve my skating and at the same time we’re really having fun.” “I love working with kids and educating them,” Armstrong says proudly. “It’s great working with parents, and showing them what their kids’ goals are, and how they can achieve them. Kids can’t wait to get here, they are excited about it all. Some can barely sleep the night before they’re so excited. It’s awesome! They have great FineLifestyles SASKATOON

motivation and we work them really hard. We’re not easy on them!

Elite company It also doesn’t hurt that P.A.C.E. has some very high profile clients, specifically Tiffany’s brothers, Colby Armstrong, Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Riley Armstrong, who also plays professionally with the Winnipeg Jets’ AHL affiliate team, the St. John’s Ice Caps.

P.A.C.E. stands for: Power - Agility - Conditioning - Endurance

The Armstrong Family: L to R: Wayne Armstrong, Tiffany Armstrong, Colby Armstrong, Riley Armstrong. Colby is assistant captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Riley plays for the Ottawa Senators AHL affiliate farm team Binghamton Senators.

“In the short time P.A.C.E. has been open I have been able to elevate my training,” says Riley. “A facility like this would have been beneficial to my growth and development as an athlete when I was younger. P.A.C.E. is on it’s way to being a one-stop-shop for the Saskatoon athlete.” Their work doesn’t stop at the gym floor. On the first visit every athlete has to do a fitness test. After this initial test, they meet with coaches then have additional access to a massage therapist, mental trainer, and dietician. “The coaches, therapists, and dietician are all here because we have similar values, we’re all driven to help everyone who comes through the door,” Armstrong explains. “Our goal is more than getting kids fit, it’s making it more fun so they want to keep doing it. Our rules are simple: to have fun, learn something new every day, and gain strength.” Kids are even given homework, small exercises to help them reach their goals outside the weight room. It could be anything from improving posture to staying positive in a stressful situation. “I feel like I’m doing this for myself more than the kids; I love to see the kids succeed, and I’m so proud of them,” Armstrong says. She even goes to their tryouts, encouraging them from start to finish. She doesn’t see a day that that will change; she intends to have a lifelong clientele. FLS

P.A.C.E. is ready to kick things up a notch in your life with team training and boot camps that will wake up your body like never before! P.A.C.E. has state-of-the-art free-motion weight machines, incumbent bikes, and treadmills all purchased at Flaman. Call today for your membership to a life-changing place – P.A.C.E.!

Feel the HEAT – High Energy Athletic Training A boot camp for adults that allows you to progress at your own level. This is a work out that promises to be challenging, and with continued attendance you can expect to achieve total body strength and endurance. Feel like a member of the team and get pumped up in the process!

Learn to Train Geared for 7 to 10 year olds, Armstrong designed this program to improve general skills, and help kids adapt to motor development. This program includes balance and agility exercises, and medicine ball activities. With the focus on improved coordination and better movement, the class proves to be popular before sports try-outs, or for any child in the so-called “awkward phase.”

Owner and coach- Tiffany Armstrong Pace Athletics

Teen to Train For any teen who aims to take their skills to higher heights, this is the class for them! Focusing on sport-specific development, each day brings power, speed and agility to the forefront. With hands-on coaching, athletes receive a combination of resistance training, aerobic workouts, and multi-directional development.

Girl power Dr. or

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PACE ATHLETICS 337 EDSON ST.

Clarence Ave. S.

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Lorne Ave.

Trainers at Pace Athletics: Nolan Carrier, Brett Novak and Kara Lackie Registered Massage Therapists at Pace Athletics: Karlyn Serby, Lindsey Bean and Casey Galenzoski

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The “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” session! This hour sets the foundation for a life of confidence, leadership, and happiness. Girls will learn how to conquer body image issues or weight concerns with their peers. These sessions include help from P.A.C.E.’s dietician, mental trainer and fitness coach. Young women can gain camaraderie and receive pointers to stay active with or without organized sport.

Stonebridge West The Willows

PACE Athletic Training Centre 337 Edson St. Saskatoon, Sk. 306.974.2134 www.paceathletic.ca

Beaver Scout Sleep over

L to R: Sean Peters, Phil Fredette, Megan Kasper

Annual Duck Launch

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AT ITS FINEST Hillcrest Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home gives back to Saskatoon By Jenn Sharp. Photos by Pete Lawrence

illcrest is located at the end of 8th Street East just past the Briarwood subdivision and prides itself on offering exceptional service for families. Thanks to the extensive industry expertise of managers, Phil Fredette, Terry Bokshowan and Sean Peters, along with their staff, families benefit from over 100 years’ of combined experience. Hillcrest accommodates many requests, from small private graveside services, to elaborate services for several hundred people. The professional staff at Hillcrest is able to provide guidance and services to families who are facing the loss of a loved one, such as funeral, chapel, cremation, cemetery and full reception facilities, all located on their picturesque, tree-lined cemetery.

Art shows and community events Art shows with wine and cheese or estate planning seminars guided by experts offering sound advice may sound 76

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like invitation-only endeavors, but not at Hillcrest. A successful business is about more than the business itself; it’s about giving back to the community. In addition to their outstanding reputation of providing compassionate discreet care, Fredette explains they wanted to give back to the community, while inviting people to view the facility in a warm and friendly environment. They recently began hosting art shows showcasing the work of local artists whose art has been on display within the Hillcrest foyer and reception centre. Evening events are held every two months on the first Thursday of the month and include complimentary wine and cheese receptions. Afternoon art shows on the following Sunday include complimentary afternoon tea while visitors browse the art and may purchase at their leisure. The next art shows will be held in the evening of January 5, 2012 from 7pm – 9pm and the afternoon of January 8, 2012 from 1pm

- 3pm featuring the work of “Art Quest” - local artists whose work is currently on display. In addition to the art shows, Hillcrest hosts a variety of complimentary community events with topics ranging from banking and cooking, to home fitness and home security. Both Fredette and Peters have found families they serve are looking for information on Estate Law. Since they aren’t experts on the topic, they have arranged for educational seminars for these families and the community at large. “We have a lawyer who comes to speak and helps people get their affairs in order and plan for the future,” explains Fredette. In addition to the Estate Lawyer, a Financial Planner, Licensed Funeral Salesperson and a Funeral Director all attend the estate planning seminars.

Annual duck launch Sometimes giving back to the community is as simple as provoking a smile on a

n Kasper

, Bertha O’leary, Mega L to R: Phil Fredette

child’s face. For the past 10 years, Hillcrest has held its Annual Duck Launch. Each year Hillcrest distributes 20 ducklings in pairs, sending each pair to 10 different Grade 2 and 3 classrooms in Saskatoon schools. Each class raises their ducks for up to one month, learning how to care and nurture them. The ducklings are then returned to Hillcrest and the classrooms are invited out to the cemetery for the Duck Launch where two members from each class will have the opportunity to release their ducks into the beautiful pond. After the ducks have been released into the pond, the children are provided with lunch and a snack as they watch the ducks in their new home. “We encourage the teachers to talk to the kids about cemeteries and their importance. It’s a very non-threatening way of introducing kids at a young age to the purpose of a cemetery and why it’s here,” Peters explains. The children often return to the cemetery with their parents to feed the ducks while at the same time they can visit any loved ones who are interred at Hillcrest. Hillcrest’s facilities are available to the general public to use for events such as: meeting rooms for service clubs or community associations and charity luncheons. One of the more unique uses of our Reception Centre has been a Beaver Scout Sleep over. Sean Peters began the

sleep overs because of his own children’s involvement in the local Beavers Colony. Tents are set up inside the reception area at Hillcrest in a campfire theme near the fireplace. An evening full of arts and crafts, games, snacks and fun is completed with a movie shown on the big pull down screen. The sleep over ends with breakfast the following morning. The sleep over is now in its third year and has proved to be a huge hit with both the children (aged five to seven), their parents and the staff at Hillcrest. Other annual events hosted at Hillcrest are memorial services held on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, as well as a Christmas Memorial Service. This year’s Christmas Memorial Service will be held Sunday, December 4th at 2 p.m. at Hillcrest Funeral Home. 2012 will be a momentous year for Hillcrest. They will be commemorating 60 years in Saskatoon as well as the tenth anniversary of their on-site funeral and reception facilities. A number of charity fundraising events are being planned to celebrate these two special anniversaries in the coming year. FLS

“The wonderful staff at Hillcrest really created an opportunity to showcase my artwork. They assisted with me with the set up, invitations, offered in serving the food, and providing a two-piece orchestra for my event. They were able to convert their reception area into a wonderful gallery for me to exhibit it! It was a huge success, and I was able to sell many of my pieces. Its wonderful to know that the Hillcrest staff are so committed to giving back to the community, and people like me!” ~ Bertha O’Leary

HILLCREST UPCOMING EVENTS 8th St E., first right past Briargate Road Please RSVP for each event 477-4400

HILLCREST ART SHOWS with complimentary wine & cheese January 5, 2012 – 7pm to 9pm March 1, 2012 – 7pm to 9pm May 3, 2012 – 7pm to 9pm September 6, 2012 – 7pm to 9pm

HILLCREST ART SHOWS with complimentary afternoon tea January 8, 2012 – 1pm to 3pm March 4, 2012 – 1pm to 3pm May 6, 2012 – 1pm to 3pm Sept 9, 2012 – 1pm to 3pm

HILLCREST ESTATE SEMINARS with complimentary tea December 15, 2011 - 6:30 p.m. February 23, 2012 - 6:30 p.m. April 19, 2012 - 6:30 p.m.

MINI SEMINARS - 2012 Home Fitness - January 25 - 7 p.m.

Hillcrest Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home Cemetery, Funeral Home, Cremation & Reception Centre 8th Street East, 1st Right Past Briargate Road, Saskatoon 306.477.2236 www.hillcrestmemorial.ca

Banking - February 29 - 7 p.m. Cooking For One - March 28 - 7 p.m. Home Security - April 25 - 7 p.m. First Aid - May 30, 2012 - 7 p.m. Basic Auto Maintenance -June 27 - 7 p.m.

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HILLCREST MEMORIAL GARDENS & FUNERAL HOME ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S A PERSONAL CHOICE. MAKE A PERSONAL STATEMENT The latest, innovative ways to memorialize can be as personal as your reasons for choosing cremation... An engraved natural rock nestled amongst the daffodils, regal marble benches or the timeless beauty of a tree planted in tribute - Hillcrest can show you how to offer a much more creative and personal statement than just urns and flowers

CALL FOR YOUR FREE INFORMATION KIT: 306. 477. 2236

HILLCREST MEMORIAL GARDENS & FUNERAL HOME Cemetery, Funeral Home, Cremation & Reception Centre 8th Street East, 1st Right Past Briargate Road, Saskatoon www.hillcrestmemorial.ca

A New Year... A New You!

Fitness Focus offers many group classes to choose from!

• No contracts to sign • Affordable childcare rates • Personal training by Wawryk Training

1250 Ontario Avenue 306.244.6413 • www.fitnessfocus.ca

Photos By Heather Fritz

PHYSICAL THERAPY NORTH OF THE 49 By Suzanne Huber. Photos by Heather Fritz

he team at North 49 Physical Therapy has only one goal, to improve the health and wellness of people throughout the province. Conveniently located in Grosvenor Park Centre, North 49 therapists encourage their patients to take an active role in their recovery, while providing expert advice and all the necessary tools to do just that— recover. Walking into their office you will immediately notice the modern décor and relaxing atmosphere, an unusual experience in a healthcare treatment facility. With highly trained staff, you can be assured will receiving quality treatment from the caring professionals at North 49.

A brief history North 49 founder Kregg Ochitwa grew up in Saskatoon and is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan. Aside from a brief period of time working in Iceland, Kregg has been providing physical therapy services in the province for over 16 years. Fifteen of those years were spent with one of the largest rehabilitation companies in Canada - a valuable experience. He however realized that in order to continue to grow professionally and challenge himself he had to leave and start his own

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practice. In August of 2010, North 49 opened it doors.

teams, and has performed venue-therapy coverage for local sport tournaments.

Experience shows

Joining the team

Over the years, Kregg has received several international designations, one of them being a credentialed McKenzie trained therapist, specializing in the treatment of neck and back pain. Kregg’s history and experience in treating patients is diverse. He presently treats fee-forservice patients referred by their family physician, helps patients with balance and dizziness disorders and is a member of multidisciplinary assessment and treatment teams. He has also been the team therapist for several local sports

Kregg initially hired Tamara Kowal as the clinic kinesiologist (exercise therapist) when the clinic opened back in 2010. He felt their combined experiences and training would provide a better service for the patients. Prior to working at North 49, Tamara had served as a personal fitness trainer, having also worked with braininjured patients, varsity sports teams and those recovering from motor-vehicle and work-related accidents. She also performed ergonomic evaluations, so she was a natural, good fit with North 49.

Given the facilityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continued growth, the need to hire another full time physical therapist became necessary. In January 2011 Amanda Petrie joined the team. She also had specialized training, treating patients with dizziness and balance problems. In addition to this, she has assisted patients recovering from musculoskeletal injuries due to car accidents, work-place injuries, sports injuries and life style habits.

Balance and dizziness Dizziness can be caused by many factors, but the most common inner ear problem, called BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), can have a rapid resolution of symptoms with immediate treatment. Both Kregg and Amanda believe that individuals with dizziness should not have to wait to have their condition addressed and will adjust their schedules to see these patients. With todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aging population and the negative impact that a fall can have on someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quality of life, Kregg and Amanda also provide fall-risk assessments. Based on the results of the assessment, strategies are initiated to reduce the risk of a fall. These assessments have also been utilized on patients who

have neurological conditions, like stroke and Multiple Sclerosis.

Relief from jaw pain As the North 49 team continues to expand their list of services, they are excited about the recent opening of a temporomandibular clinic. This is for individuals suffering from pain associated with their jaw, or the muscles around their jaw.

Educating the community North 49 not only educates their patients in how to manage their condition, they also provide services for educating other healthcare practitioners, such as family physicians, nurse practitioners, optometrists and dentists. They also speak to small and large companies in the greater Saskatoon area about the prevention of workplace injuries. FLS

North 49 Physical Therapy Grosvenor Park Centre Bay #19 - 2105 8th Street East Saskatoon, Sk. 306.343.7776 contactus@north49therapy.com www.north49therapy.com FineLifestyles SASKATOON

FOR LOVERS ONLY, FOR EVERYONE By FLS Staff. Photos by Candace Epp

Sex

We all want it. We all enjoy it. And it’s good for us. At For Lovers Only, couples’ intimacy is more than just a healthy activity, it is an activity deserving of exploration, and regular engagement. For Lovers Only’s speciality is selection: from games for couples to games for bachelorette parties; from soothing bath products to items catering to more niche desires, such as massage oils to light whips; and from erotic media to educational videos. “Yes, adult toys can be a taboo topic, but we really try to take the stigma out of the equation when you enter our store,” says Sarah, the daily operations manager. “We’ve had a lot of people come in who were shy, but then said how happy they were with the experience as they left.

There are those who want to browse alone, and we respect that too. We try to make things as comfortable as we can for each person and couple.” In Europe, where attitudes have traditionally been a little more relaxed, discerning lovers have had access to the finest in intimate lifestyle products for decades. Now, at For Lovers Only, Saskatoonians can also enjoy that full range of luxury. Personal vibrators, for example, run from daring and conventional items to highly stylized, silicone pleasure objects, such as the Lelo product line, the benchmark of sophistication and quality. That’s not to say,though, that the shop doesn’t cater to the fun and whimsical. You will find a full complement of novelty items on the shelves as well.

And recognizing that playful intimacy is not reserved for particular body types, For Lovers Only also carries a full range of garments from sizes XS to 6X. The variety in sizes is matched by price and quality, satisfying the most whimsical shopper to couples enticed by garments of the highest calibre, with everything from lingerie and men’s wear, to role-playing costumes and leather. “A lot of the things we sell help couples open up in a non-threatening way,” says Sarah. “To explore different fantasies and learn more about each other.” FLS

For Lovers Only 250 Idlywld Drive North 306.934.2100 www.forloversonly.ca

EXPERTAdvice natural health expert

years. By the time she’s 40, it’s about one per cent a year and, after menopause, the decrease accelerates even more. Fortunately, there is a proven treatment that may actually help your body generate collagen resulting in smoother, more elastic and younger-looking skin. BioSil™ containing the active ingredient chOSA has been shown in clinical studies to reduce wrinkles by a statisticallysignificant 30 per cent in subjects compared to their counterparts who took a placebo.

PICTURE BY KMP PHOTOGRAPHY

By Lovie Wesolowski Spicer Owner Nature’s Health Center 48 Grosvenor Park Mall 306.373.5322 natureshealth@shaw.ca

all it what you will. Laugh line. Crease. Mark of experience. But a wrinkle is a wrinkle is a wrinkle. Common knowledge says it is an unavoidable part of aging. Or is it? Left to its own devices, your skin will develop lines because by the time we are adults collagen production starts to decrease. Collagen is that wonderful stuff that, along with elastin, gives your skin thickness and elasticity, or “bounceback.” The thicker and more elastic your skin, the less wrinkles. Unfortunately, after the age of 21, the thickness of a woman’s skin decreases by approximately seven per cent every 10

The study also showed that ch-OSA increased skin elasticity by a statisticallysignificant 89 per cent over the women taking placebo. It does not end there, though. Also important to keeping skin looking fresh and young is moisture content. Your skin’s “moisture magnets” are called GAGs (Glycos-Amino-Glycans). GAGs are essential for keeping skin well-hydrated. And how do you get more GAGs? Here’s where collagen comes in again. You find GAGs housed in between collagen and fibres. It’s really very simple: More collagen means more GAGs, which means better skin hydration.

The third option floating around the market now is eating collagen in the form of powders and pills. The story is that if you ingest collagen, you’ll increase collagen. But the truth is, your body breaks the collagen down and uses it as food. By contrast, BioSil’s clinically-proven, patented ch-OSA complex, helps your body to generate its own collagen through the natural collagen-generating pathways.

Bone health It is not just your skin that relies on collagen. Bones are made up of 30 per cent collagen. Collagen works in tandem with calcium to maintain ideal bone strength and flexibility. Too little collagen leads to brittle bones. BioSil, containing ch-OSA, has over $10 million dollars of research and development, and a track record of more than 10 years in the market proving it delivers statistically significant, clinically relevant and meaningful results. FLS

Not all collagen treatments are created equal Of course, there are many options for treatment on the market. But just because something says ‘collagen’ on it doesn’t mean it will be effective. Cosmetic companies instruct you to “rub it on.” Plastic surgeons simply say “inject it.” It’s easy to understand how neither of these choices helps your body generate the collagen it needs to support genuine health and beauty. FineLifestyles SASKATOON

A NEW YEAR, A NEW YOU Without diets, hours at the gym or invasive cosmetic procedures By FLS Staff

t’s New Year’s resolution time

again and one of the top perennial goals is to finally drop those extra pounds. For the ladies, it’s lose the love handles, tone the tummy and thin the thighs. For the men, in addition to the love handles and tummys, it’s time to bust the man boobs. But the prospect of diets and treadmills or invasive surgeries and procedures can be overwhelming, which is why so many resolutions for this year turn into next year’s resolution. If only there were an easier way? There is. Sandy Foord, along with Dr. Cynthia Nave of Ultrashape Saskatoon are thrilled to be able to offer an alternative to invasive procedures or surgeries such as liposuction or tummy tucks and it’s so easy! The Ultrashape machine is intended to be used as a body contouring procedure for trouble areas on the body.

This revolutionary procedure uses ultrasound waves to penetrate fat cells, break them down, and then our body removes fat cells metabolically. With a series of three treatments, two weeks apart, clients will achieve a visible and permanent loss of fat and tighter skin. Treatment does not require anesthesia, and is described by most patients as a painless and comfortable experience. The professionals at Ultrashape Saskatoon help clients decide what procedure may benefit them. Offering the newest, proven technologies, Ultrashape Saskatoon provides non-invasive cosmetic procedures to achieve a youthful, healthy face and body. Of course, it’s not always about losing weight, sometimes you need to fix the results of losing weight and the signs of

Pre-Treatment

aging. Endymed is a non-invasive skin tightening procedure that uses radio frequency waves. These waves are delivered into the deepest layer of the skin, stimulating collagen production. Collagen is the component of skin that gives it fullness and elasticity, but generating collagen decreases as we age. Endymed is most popular to fight the signs of aging. The most frequent areas treated are jowl and neck, various areas of the face (similar to an actual facelift) and post-baby belly. Several treatments are required to achieve desired results, but it works wonders on cellulite at any location on the body, and often people see results after a single session. Painful tummy tucks and facelifts are a thing of the past, and you don’t have to worry about recovery time. Have a treatment and go on with your daily routine afterward.

Ultrashape provides a pain-free, pleasant experience. Offering revolutionary and proven technology to improve your face and body, Ultrashape Saskatoon is located in the Lakeview Medical Clinic, providing non-invasive cosmetic services, including Ultrashape, Endymed, Botox and Latisse, a prescription to encourage eyelash growth. The staff at Lakeview are available to answer any questions, providing complimentary consultations to discuss the correct treatment for every individual. FLS

3 months Post treatment

Ultrashape Saskatoon Lakeview Medical Clinic #13 – 1945 McKercher Drive 306.244.5100 www.ultrashapesaskatoon.com

Before

After Pre-Treatment

Post treatment

** No retouching done on photos ** FineLifestyles SASKATOON

EXPERTAdvice EXPERT OPTOMETRISTS Are you a good candidate for refractive surgery?

safer, more effective and has a greater number of applications. What didn’t look like an option in the past may now be the ideal solution.

More effective

By Dr. Barb Patterson Atrium Eye Care A Division of FYidoctors 306.652.4374 407 1st Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK, S7K1X5 atrium@fyidoctors.com www.atriumeyecare.com

eople with poor eye sight really appreciate the improved vision provided by glasses or contact lenses, but it’s nice to have some freedom from them. If you long for the day when you will no longer need them, it’s time to investigate refractive laser surgery. “I had worn strong prescription glasses or contact lenses since I was in Grade 2. I had laser refractive surgery 15 years ago, and I’m so glad I did.” You may have considered refractive surgery in the past but decided it wasn’t appropriate for you. When the procedure was first introduced, it had fairly limited application, but there have been significant innovations in the past few years. The surgery is now

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Refractive surgery improves vision by changing the shape of the cornea, or front surface of the eye. In order to do this, the surgeon must temporarily remove the outer epithelial layer. In the past, this was done by burning off the epithelial layer. The cells grew back quickly, but it still took a longer time to recover. The advent of Lasik surgery enabled surgeons to create a flap which could be peeled back for treatment, then they replaced the intact epithelial layer (flap) to cover the treatment zone. This was an improvement as the eye healed much faster. However, the procedure is now even better. Intralase uses pulsed energy to break the bonds between the cells, so it’s no longer necessary to use a knife to create a flap. As a result, it heals more quickly, the treatment area is smoother, the flap is thinner, and even people with thin corneas may be eligible for the procedure.

computer software can lock onto identifying landmarks on the iris. Because of this, if your eye moves, the surgery is halted until your eye returns to the correct position. In addition, the procedure can be customized in order to smooth out naturally-occurring distortions. The treatment (with wavefront technology) is very individualized. It’s not a cookie cutter approach any longer. This typically provides better high definition results.

Greater number of applications

Safer

I encourage people who have looked into refractive surgery in the past but ruled it out to take another look. Thanks to more advanced technology, refractive surgery can be used in a wide variety of different situations. The surgery still works best for people who are near-sighted, but it can also help people who are far-sighted or have astigmatism.

There is some risk with any kind of surgery, but refractive surgery is now safer than ever before. Improved technology provides checks and balances. For example, the

Your optometrist can provide you with a detailed explanation of the procedure and examine your eyes to see if you are a good candidate. FLS

EXPERTAdvice Ask the RD (Registered Dietitian)

Q: I love the holidays, but I find it hard to resist all the rich food. How can I avoid gaining weight over the holidays? A: You can enjoy holiday dinner parties and social events and still eat healthfully. Festive food can make healthy eating a challenge, but it’s still possible. Here are a few pointers on how to survive your festive feasts with your waistline intact.

Practice Portion Control

By Noelle Tourney, BSc RD (candidate) Noelle Tourney Nutrition & Wellness Consulting 306. 260.8040 noelle@noelletourney.com www.noelletourney.com

Specializing in: weight loss, emotional eating, sport nutrition, general well-being and workplace wellness.

Special occasions offer foods we don’t usually indulge in. Instead of denying yourself these special holiday foods, focus on portion control; it’s all about how much you eat of your favourite dish. A great way to do this is to plan ahead. If you’re heading out to a party, have a nutritious snack beforehand and grab a glass of water when you arrive to fill up and keep hydrated. If you skip meals to save up all your calories for the party, you will be starved by the time you arrive and it will be difficult not to overindulge.

Focus on Your Company More Than the Food Your holiday celebrations don’t need to focus solely on food. Take your mind off the food and focus on the conversation with loved ones. Remember, one of the great things about the holidays is spending time with friends and family.

Get Active! Get off the couch, outside and in motion. Guaranteed, a little fresh air and activity will leave you refreshed. Better yet, get the whole family out and active. This could be a new holiday tradition.

Don’t Give Up! Don’t give into the all-or-nothing thinking and continue to make poor choices once you’ve indulged once or twice. You are in control. You have the power to make your next choice a healthy one. Holiday weight gain isn’t inevitable. An impressive and appetizing holiday meal can still be healthy. The key is to indulge in small portions of holiday treats while giving family favourites a healthy new look.

You’re the Boss

About Noelle

If you’re hosting the festivities, you are in charge of the menu. Try to think beyond the typical holiday fare. Choose natural, unprocessed foods prepared simply but tastily with herbs and spices. Don’t be afraid to serve lots of fresh fruits and vegetables; people love them.

Noelle has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and is a Registered Dietitian (candidate). She works with individuals, groups, sports teams and businesses in various areas of nutrition and wellness, including weight management, emotional eating, general well-being, sport nutrition and workplace wellness initiatives. Her approach to nutrition counselling is customized, realistic and sustainable. She doesn’t believe in diets but in learning healthy, balanced eating habits that will energize and enhance your health. FLS

Create healthier versions of favourite family recipes. Small changes can add up to a big difference. This can be as simple as serving steamed vegetables instead of creamy vegetable casseroles or serving fresh fruit as a dessert.

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Here are some signals that an older loved one’s care needs are changing:

Alzheimer’s or other memory loss, it can be a challenge to sort through the junk mail and ads that show up in the mailbox, and to be sure bills are paid on time.

• Your loved one is “letting herself go.” Untrimmed nails, body odor, poor oral hygiene, or soiled clothing all might indicate that personal care is becoming a challenge. It may be difficult to get in and out of the bathtub, use the washing machine, or remember to perform the daily tasks once taken for granted.

• Your loved one has been a fraud victim. Con artists often target seniors who live alone, especially those with confusion and memory loss. Scammers sell the names of likely targets, so look for increased sweepstakes and charity mailings in the mail, unexplained large telephone charges, or multiple new magazine subscriptions.

• Your loved one’s home is not kept up. Arthritis and osteoporosis, visual impairment, memory loss and or other health conditions can present a challenge to performing the usual household tasks. If you notice clutter and dirt when your loved one has usually been a good housekeeper, this can be a sign that help is needed.

• Caring for your loved one is a growing challenge. Are you experiencing “caregiver burnout”? Are you losing sleep worrying about your loved one’s increasing needs? Are you part of the “sandwich generation,” simultaneously providing care for both minor children and elders?

fine—when in reality, living independently is becoming difficult for them.

EXPERTAdvice Ten Signs Home Care Could Benefit Your Loved One

Deanna Birdsall

Retire-at-Home Services 306.384.HOME (4663) dbirdsall@retireathome.com www.rahsaskatoon.com

ometimes when a senior experiences a stroke, heart attack, hip fracture, or other sudden change of health condition, family immediately realize their loved one needs assistance with the activities of daily living. Or, perhaps a particular event serves as a wake-up call. Reports one family caregiver, “Dad left a dishtowel on the burner and then turned the stove on. Luckily I was visiting that day and was able to put out the blaze. That incident helped everyone in the family see that Dad’s memory loss was making it unsafe for him to be unattended at home.” But most commonly, a loved one’s needs change slowly, without us noticing. Especially when we live out of town, our parents might assure us that everything is

FineLifestyles SASKATOON

• Your loved one isn’t eating well. Is he having trouble maintaining a healthy weight? Does he mostly eat prepackaged meals? Do you notice scorched pans or spoiled food? Does stroke, arthritis, or another health condition make it hard for him to prepare food or eat? • Your loved one has fallen, or is afraid of falling. Seniors are sometimes hesitant to discuss falling, but this is an important conversation to have. Talk with your loved one about falls. Does she seem unsteady on her feet? Have you noticed bruising or other injuries? Is she having trouble navigating stairs and walkways? Does she avoid exercise because it seems safer to be inactive? • Your loved one is having trouble managing medications. Failing to take medications correctly can have a serious impact on seniors’ health. Is your parent forgetting to take medicines? Are the instructions confusing for him? Does he leave pill bottles open? Are there medicines which are past the expiration date? • Your loved has cut back on outings and activities. The old term “shut-in” used to be applied to almost any senior with mobility issues. Staying in the house was taken for granted. But now we know that inactivity and isolation lead to depression and further decline. It’s important to know why your loved one is less active, and to take steps to help her be as engaged as possible with activities she enjoys. • There are piles of mail on the table, and overdue bills. When a loved one has

• Long-distance caregivers are feeling increasing concern. Keeping in touch by phone, email, and occasional visits may no longer provide adequate assurance about your loved one’s well-being. If one or more of the above signs describes your loved one’s situation, elderly care services at home could be the right solution to keep him safe and comfortable. Beginning with a health care needs assessment, a professional in-home care agency can provide services that include: Personal care: assistance with bathing, dressing, oral hygiene, using the bathroom, and incontinence care. Light housekeeping: vacuuming, dusting, cleaning floors, organizing drawers and closets, and sorting mail. Medication management: medication reminders, organizing medications, and watching for side effects. Nutrition support: meal planning services, including grocery shopping and cooking, and help with special diets. Transportation: to healthcare appointments and the pharmacy, to social events and activities, or just “out and about”—a great way to help your loved one be active and engaged. Companionship: helping your loved one avoid isolation and depression, and providing watchful protection for seniors with memory loss. Reassurance for family: an extra measure of peace of mind, knowing a caring presence is at hand when they can’t be. FLS

MRI & CT scans – without the wait. • MRI and CT scans within 48 – 72 hours • Results sent to referring physicians within 48 hours • State-of-the-art imaging technology • Healthcare in a welcoming and comfortable environment

Calgary, Alberta For more information call 1.877.4CT.4MRI www.mayfairdiagnostics.com

Every celeb has clear, soft, smooth skin and a sun-kissed glow!

EXPERTAdvice

If you have blemishes and redness, use a professional and guaranteed product recommended by a qualified aesthetician at Angles. For a quick fix to more serious acne, you could have a treatment with a certified BBL laser technician. This treatment will target the bacteria that are causing the acne, a truly safe and effective procedure with instant results.

HAIR AND BEAUTY Bring out the celebrity in you this holiday season Treat yourself this holiday season. You deserve to feel like a Hollywood star! Europe’s great spas were destinations for only the wealthy. Today there is a pampering treatment for every budget. Massages, facials and pedicures are by far the most popular spa treatments. Be restored and left feeling like the star you are after a dayspa experience. Hollywood stars are often seen with an entourage. What a great idea; make a night of it, book a group pedicure for you and friends.

By Tammy McLean Angles Salon & Spa 201 1st Ave S (Main Door Midtown Plaza) 306.653.4247 www.anglessalonspa.com WALK-INS WELCOME

Get away without going away While maybe it isn’t in your budget to travel to such luxurious celebrity places like Paris, or the Greek Islands, make it a priority to escape for a few hours, an afternoon, or a full day at a local spa. The luxurious spa upstairs at Angles is conveniently located in the heart of Saskatoon tucked away in a mezzanine level to give that much needed escape from reality. In the 19th century,

FineLifestyles SASKATOON

Glamorous Hair and Beautiful Nails It is important to trim your hair every six to eight weeks to avoid split ends, and keep your nails filed and well groomed. A maintenance program is always less expensive than a major overhaul twice a year. Try something new and glamorous with your hair—get it cut or coloured differently; try layers, a fringe, and/or a side part! Find out which style and colour would work best with your face shape and skin tone. Plan your makeover on a day you have a Christmas party or holiday get-together, then ask your stylist to dress up your new do with some Hollywood waves, curls, or a loose and sassy updo! As for the nails: keep them a shorter length and painted a dark solid colour, or if you like a longer nail, french-tipped! For extra healthy skin, hair and nails, try a Gano Café served and Sold at Angles as a healthy coffee alternative. Along with the extra strength and a healthy glow it gives your hair and nails, it offers many other health benefits. Packed full of many antioxidants, and tons of energy you will be dancing the night away at that holiday party.

Although shaving your legs and underarms may give you the instant smoothness you desire, waxing and threading gives you longer lasting effects, and, if it fits in your budget, laser hair removal will give you a more permanent result. Make sure to follow up with a good hydrating lotion all over your body. Remember, you cannot drink enough water to hydrate your hair, skin, and nails totally. This is why a good professional conditioner, cuticle oil, and body lotion is so important. Lastly, get a healthy glow. You can tan safely using an indoor bed, or as an alternative use a bronzing lotion or powder for that natural, healthy glow.

Have a professional make-up artist do your make-up for your big night out! Okay, so you can’t have Bobby Brown on hand every morning before you go to work, but even celebrities don’t use their makeup artists every day. But for big events? Yes they do, and you can too! You can look red carpet perfect before events by getting a professional make-up application. Makesure during your service you ask about application tips and tricks you can use at home. Remember, though, if you want that particular look or make-up trend it may be hard to duplicate with the makeup you currently have, so leave something in your budget to top up your collection with possibly a new lipstick, foundation or shadow or two. And don’t forget any makeup application looks better with a fresh brow wax! FLS For extra healthy skin, hair and nails, try a Gano Café served and Sold at Angles as a healthy coffee alternative.

ArE you fEEling

Lost

soMEwhErE in ThE TrAffic of lifE?

Caught bETwEEn cArEErs, fAMily And rushing AbouT? Wondering why pEoplE rEspond To you As ThEy do?

You

This is your personal invitation from me, Mable Elliott, to simply “just be…”

am so passionate about what I do, I want to share that excitement with you. Everyone has challenges throughout life that they work to overcome, as have I. Moving toward my vision and goals of how I think my life will look, through the good, the bad and, yes, the ugly, I have discovered some gems I wish to share with you. I have learned that the best teachers are those who are authentic and real, teaching from experience. God made me a cowgirl and I’ll share what I have learned along the way. It’s time to put your boots on, wear your hat proudly and ride out of the training pen with me. From a lifetime of working with and learning from horses I have discovered they are some of the best teachers that can be found. Horses think and respond instinctually with honesty, clarity and express love unconditionally. There are skills to understanding non-verbal communication and body

language when working toward building a productive relationship with people, horses and all animals. Guess what? Your body sends instant messages to every living thing that you contact. As people, we have just not kept up the skills of understanding what we are seeing and sensing or the messages that our body is telling others and one’s self.

At Mable’s Guest Ranch horsemanship programs are designed with more to them than just sitting in the saddle with your heels down and thumbs up. Real horsemanship and riding skills are real life skills. Yes, it is about your relationships, with your horse and others… but also, and most importantly, it is about finding the authentic YOU. Here at the ranch we help you to experience a deeper connection and love for yourself. You are worth the time and effort it takes to find more of the authentic you. So, Share the Passion for Horses and build the passion for you and your life. At

Mable’s you are in a safe place to learn and grow from the inside out. You will experience for yourself that Horses Do Give Great Hugs.

Mable Elliott Horsemanship Services and Guest Ranch 306-283-4805 www.MableElliott.com Visit Mable Elliott on Facebook

a Saskatchewan Treasure By appointment All ranch services may be viewed at

www.mableelliott.com

Gift Certificates and Christmas Gifting available for those you love, including yourself.

Photo By Judy Wood

EXPERTAdvice Pets Happy Dogs Acres

Check out my new Omnijore™ Joing System! Me and my owner are having so much fun!

By Brent Arstall, Aiden and Polly Happy Dog Acres Urban Center 140 - 105th Street East 306.978.7278 www. happydogacres.ca

on’t miss out on dog-walks because of low temperatures and icy sidewalks. Rescue dogs Aiden and Polly are here to tell you about Ruffwear™, and how it can help train your dog and keep exercise going throughout the long Saskatchewan winter. From the booties to backpacks to warm jackets, it can all help make Father Winter a little easier to bear.

Bark ‘n Boots Polar Trex Boots ™ Aiden here.... I uh, well I really like those boot things.... they stay on my paws and protect them from the cold and snow. Not that I can count, but they come in boxes of four, and I always have a spare... aren’t we all supposed to have three legs?! I also look sharp in my Ruffwear™ jacket, it’s called the “Climate Changer”. It’s made for short haired dogs like me, and fits snug so I stay nice and cozy. The chicks dig it, and they always wanna borrow it ‘cause they’re cold, 92

FineLifestyles SASKATOON

*Please note “An Evening for PAWS” fundraiser has been postponed until February 10, 2011. If you would still like to be a part of this event, call Happy Dog Acres today! and I just tell ‘em, girl, you gotta get your own, I’m not sharing! And now, Polly to tell us about Ruffwear’s Palisades Backpack™ and Boots... Well, I can hike like the best of them, and if I have my backpack on, I can carry my own water and treats! It’s a fantastic workout, so much better than being on guard for the mailman! I also know another dog that pulls on the leash, and the backpack gives him a job, and makes him tired faster, his master loves it! Plus when he’s thirsty, he can have a drink from one of the water packs, and lighten his load! And you should hear the snoring from him when we get home! ...And

the booties! I am so excited when it snows so I can wear them! The Polar Trex™ boots give me good traction and keep my feet toasty. Even tho Aiden has a spare for me, I never worry about them coming off, ‘cause there’s a buckle at my ankle and an e-cord higher up. Beautiful! To use the Palisades™ backpack correctly, talk to a Happy Dog Acres Staff member. The Cloud Chaser™ jacket can be worn under the pack for optimal winter walking. Happy Dog Acres is the exclusive Ruffwear™ dealer in Saskatoon, providing solutions to train your dog, help special needs dogs, and have fun the entire time! FLS

Roger Christian has worked on some of the most landmark films in numerous genres over the last several decades including Star Wars, Alien and The Life of Brian. Last month Fine Lifestyles contributor G.H. Lewmer caught up with the director in Regina on the set of his new film 13 Eerie.

Hollywood in Saskatchewan

Roger Christian with model of R2D2 from the film Star Wars. ©Melissa Munroe

How did you first get your start in film?

How old were you at that time?

A: Hard..(laughs)...Very hard. I came from a town where there was no theatre and my father gave me strict instructions to be a doctor, a priest, or an architect and that was it. I had zero contacts to the film industry. I think I was putting up marquees one summer and we were next to Pinewood Studios. I got under the fence, went in and that was it. There was the world I wanted to be in.

A: About 17. I had to first finish art school first and then they’d hire me. I wrote letters everywhere and anyone who wrote back, which were very few, were mostly refusal letters. One guy who wrote back said I think you can get into the film industry through the art department because I received my diploma in art. In this wild kind of passion to get into film I applied to Oxford school of architecture and got accepted. I did

two years at Oxford then I didn’t want to do it anymore because I wasn’t going to be an architect. Hitchhiking led to a job with John Box—who designed Doctor Zhivago [and] Lawrence of Arabia—one of the greatest designers of all time. Would you consider him your mentor? A: John was my mentor. This architect who I thumbed a lift with introduced me to Charlie Bishop. He designed the whole ice palace sequence on Dr. Zhivago. FineLifestyles SASKATOON

Charlie saw me with my folder and he said, “I’ll take you on but I’m just finishing a TV series.” Charlie phoned John Box and after three months of waiting and working in London and unpacking dresses and doing whatever I could just to stay alive, I was called and taken on in the official position of Tea Boy on the movie Oliver. I made the tea and the coffee for an Art Department. John mentored me throughout that film, he was wonderful. John Box was absolutely brilliant. Even now, as a Director, I use finishes that he taught me on Oliver. One of your most famous films is Life of Brian. How did that come about? A: I set decorated Star Wars in Tunisia and [Monty Python] decided to make Life of Brian in Tunisia. They made it there because the budget was pretty small—all Python films were. I knew Terry [Gilliam] from way back so I took them down to Tunisia. I took them to where we shot the crucifix scenes in Marta, that’s where we shot Luke’s homestead, the exteriors of it. We spent about three months on it, designing it, Gilliam and

Roger Christian with George Lucas on the set of Star Wars. ©Lucasfilm

I, getting everything done. Then, Lord Delfont who was financing the film read the script and cancelled it. He said, “This was blasphemous, I can’t make this.” The film got cancelled and they started Alien. I was suppose to work on Alien, they wanted me on it. I was the only one who could do this technique of buying scrap and breaking it down and making it work. Ridley [Scott] phoned me about two hours after Life of Brian collapsed and said “get your ass down here now” so I went down and signed on that day. They didn’t want to lose me on Life of Brian so I was kept on a kind of retainer, and then right at the end of Alien, Life of Brian suddenly kicked off and we went straight back onto it. When you started work on Star Wars, did you have any idea it would become the cultural phenomenon that it ended up becoming? A: I had an intuition about this film. The budget was so small. They said they could make it in England because it was half the cost in America and it was only $4 million at that stage, which was absolutely

nothing. John Barry, the production designer of Star Wars, was my other mentor. John was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. I was called out as an addition to the art department on Lucky Lady in Mexico and the Lucky Lady writers who helped George write some of Star Wars, they said “you better come down and see these sets.” I always loved myth, magic, I got through my childhood with Arthurian legends and stories, so I’d connected to the story as soon as I read it. To me it was like Arthur in space. I was dressing a set with the boys in Mexico and George came out to see me then and spent a few hours with me talking and it was like joy to my ears. He said he wanted this real and oily. That’s how a ship should be. I knew the language that he wanted and I knew there was something there. George to this day says there were only four people who stood by his side throughout that entire film. That’s me, John Barry, Les Dilley and Norman Reynolds in the Art Department. You’ve been a working Director now for over 30 years. Did your work in the Art Department influence your Directing?

A: Huge. And when I think, Ridley Scott was an art director, Hitchcock was an art director, Kurosawa was an art director. (Laughs) All the directors I love were art directors. Michael Powell was an art director. All of these, they all came from that side of it, the visual side is very important. There’s such a shorthand that I’ve now become quite well known for putting massive screen value on screen for the budgets. That’s because I know what I can get away with now. What we need. I can read stuff very fast, very quickly. Locations I can just go out and see it, I can make a decision very fast and most directors can’t do that. You’re here in Regina right now about to embark upon a film entitled 13 Eerie. Tell me a bit about the film. A: I love zombie films and I don’t see that many good ones. There’s a few classics, 28 Days and 28 Weeks Later were pretty damn good; occasionally Romero, who invented the genre, he’s got it right, Land of the Dead, the remake of Dawn of the Dead. All the fan bases want these kind of violent tales, with a really good interesting story in it. We’ve got all of that in this one. I’m doing it more visceral documentary-style, so again I want reality. That’s the game on this, I want everything real—as if I’m plunging an audience into an absolute horror situation where these forensic students are going to placed. What are your impressions of Regina and Saskatchewan since you’ve been here? A: It’s going to suit this movie because the old abandoned zoo we’ve got to shoot in is an ideal place. Pasqua, this other location, is the ideal horror town. I’ve got a very very good crew and we’re having to make this again with not enough money, but it’ll never betray that. I think the crew is really excited by it. The script has got something and everybody’s excited so I can feel that energy. I wish your downtown was a bit more vibrant. Weekends it’s me and about ten homeless, and that’s about it. (Laughs) FLS

Photos on this page by G.H. Lewmer on set with Roger Christian in Regina.

FROM THE BIG DOME TO THE BIG SKY Credit Union Centre’s new director excited to be part of ‘vibrant’ Saskatoon community By Ashleigh Mattern

ill Lofdahl, the new executive director at Credit Union Centre, is in the business of making memories. “We’re in the event business, but more importantly, we’re in the business of making positive memories. Our job is to make sure our patrons leave with a good warm feeling in their hearts, and if we’ve done that, in my mind, we’ve done our job.” Lofdahl started his new position at the end of October, coming to Saskatoon from Atlanta, Ga., where he served as the assistant general manager of the Georgia Dome. “The Georgia Dome has 71,250 seats. I didn’t count them all, but that’s what they told me,” he said. One might think that managing the 15,000-seat Credit Union Centre would be a breeze after the Georgia Dome, but Lofdahl says each place comes with its own challenges. An arena like CUC often changes events daily, with a hockey game one night and a concert the next. Still, he says, there are a lot of similarities between the two facilities and the two types of venues. For example, although Georgia’s game is football, and Saskatoon’s is hockey, both facilities host a large number of games. Despite growing up in Phoenix, Ariz., and spending the last four years in Atlanta, Lofdahl is no stranger to Saskatoon and the prairie winters. His mother is from Weyburn, and his grandfather spent most of his life in Saskatoon.

FineLifestyles SASKATOON

“The city has grown since I’ve been here last; there’s lots of construction,” he said. “Down in the States with the economy the way it is, you don’t see that. It’s nice to come to a place that’s vibrant and growing.”

“The Credit Union Centre has been successful in its first 23 years, and we want to keep that success going to the future.” FLS

Lofdahl has been managing arenas and stadiums for over 20 years, and is looking forward to working with the staff at the CUC.

Will Lofdahl #101-3515 Thatcher Ave 306.975.3150 www.creditunioncentre.com

The last little while has been quite a run…

…and there’s more to come!!

IL DIVO

…and much more yet to be announced www.creditunioncentre.com

www.ticketmaster.ca

Something different… Something round… Something Sphere-LiciouS Celeste Bodnaryk

By Suzanne Huber. Photos by Heather Fritz

fter reading about chocolate cake balls on a social media website in 2009, Sphere-Licious founder Celeste Bodnaryk decided she wanted to try out a recipe herself. After making a few test batches, she decided she would share her tasty creations with her friends at boot camp, to see what they thought of the low-calorie treats. The reception from the women in her group was so positive that she decided to start making larger batches. Getting a supportive push from her first loyal customer, her boot camp instructor, she decided to pursue chocolate cake balls as a profession and made it official with a business licence for Sphere-Licious in October of 2009. Celeste soon began receiving enough orders that she had to seek out a new space for production. Finding a commercial kitchen in Saskatoon was initially a challenge, but Celeste found that the Legion and the company of the seniors in there, was the perfect spot for her to begin making bigger batches and making new friends. Sphere-Licious recently won the coveted Saskatoon’s Finest Mompreneur of 2011. This opportunity allowed Celeste to try retail space and ramp up production with high visibility in Centre Mall. As the winner, she was awarded a kiosk as her grand prize for three months and an article in the Mompreneur newsletter. Organizing cake ball production to facilitate demand and hiring a part-time employee helped Celeste reach out to more people, helping her move toward achieving her goal to

have everyone in Saskatoon sample one of her chocolate cake balls. Sphere-Licious’ largest order to date was for a batch of 6,000 chocolate cake balls for a theatre company. Celeste remembers her initial thought “How the heck am I going to hand roll and hand dip 6,000 chocolate cake balls?” Up for the challenge, Celeste hired help to assist her in the mass production of chocolate cake balls and she successfully made her deadline. Celeste is now very experienced in filling larger orders, especially during wedding season. This year alone she has already done 15 weddings, indicating the rising demand of the little treats. Sphere-Licious chocolate cake balls are a delicious combination of scratch cake mixed with homemade icing and dipped in a rich chocolate. The mini creations are guilt-free ranging from only 70 to 90 calories. From vanilla cream to holiday flavour themes such as chocolate candy cane, you never know what kind of cake ball Sphere-Licious will come up with. Experimenting with palate-friendly flavors, Celeste continuously works on developing new distinct varieties to

offer to her growing clientele throughout Saskatchewan. “They are a unique conversation piece for dessert,” says Celeste.

for a minimal charge. Next time you are thinking of dessert, think of SphereLicious creations to satisfy and delight your sweet tooth. FLS

Each order is decorated and placed into an elegant gift box perfect for giving. Celeste says: “They are a great personalized treat to help celebrate occasions such as someone having a baby, a hostess gift, a friend’s birthday or simply to have at home for a nice dessert to share with your loved ones over a glass of wine.”

Flavors include:

Sphere-Licious also takes custom orders for corporate events. Individualized packaging and branding make for a memorable takeaway or a simple, yet satisfying dessert. There are no limits in her ability to adapt to a company’s request. Celeste has even prepared little green and white colored cake balls with green foil to help keep Rider pride going strong in the province. Affordably priced with plenty of choice for flavours, all that is required is a 24-hour phone call in advance of your standard order of elegant little chocolate cake balls. Convenient delivery services are available

• Christmas flavour-choco candy cane • Egg nog cake with cinnamon icing dipped in white chocolate • Orange Chocolate • Fruit Cake • Carrot cake mixed with cream cheese, dipped in white chocolate • Spiced Rum Cake • Coconut Bar • Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake • Cookies and Cream • Vanilla Cream • Saskatoon Berry Sphere-Licious Saskatoon, Sask 306.290.5365 www.chocolatecakeballs.ca FineLifestyles SASKATOON

SASKATOON ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

winter

2011 / 2012

DECEMBER Dec 2-4 SUNDOG ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FAIRE

Dec 7 SASKATOON SYMPHONY PRESENTS HANDEL’S MESSIAH THIRD AVENUE UNITED CHURCH, 7:30 P.M.

Dec 9 DISNEY LIVE! 3:00 P.M. AND 6:00 P.M.

Dec 10 SASKATOON SYMPHONY HOLIDAY SPECIAL 7:30 P.M.

saskatoon jazz society Dec 16 Dec 7 STUART MCLEAN 7:00 P.M

Dec 8 PAUL BRANDT IN CONCERT 7:30 P.M

MAURICE DROUIN’S JAZZY CHRISTMAS WITH THE HOLIDAY STRINGS THE BASSMENT- 9:00 P.M.

Dec 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE CABARET PRAIRIELAND PARK

JANUARY Jan 7,8 RORY ALLEN’S—A TRIBUTE TO THE KING DAKOTA DUNES CASINO 8 P.M.

Sept 30- Jan 8 MICHELE MACKASEY: FACE A NOUS MENDEL ART GALLERY

Jan 15 SSO, SOUVENIRS FROM CHILDHOOD DELTA BESSBOROUGH

Jan 19 THE JIM CUDDY BAND TCU PLACE 8 P.M.

saskatoon jazz society Jan 13 THE BASSMENT BIG BAND THE BASSMENT 9 P.M.

Jan 13 UKRAINIAN NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER AND DANCE WITH WALTER OSTENAK, DAKOTA DUNES CASINO, 8 P.M.

Jan 28 THEORY OF A DEADMAN TCU PLACE 7:30 P.M

Jan 25- Feb 8 THE 39 STEPS PERSEPHONE THEATRE

FEBRUARY Feb 4 CONEXUS POPS SERIES: AT THE MOVIES— A NIGHT OF OSCARWINNING MUSIC TCU PLACE

Feb 8 THE MIGHTY CARLINS BACKSTAGE STAGE REMAI ARTS CENTRE 8 P.M.

Feb 17-19 SASKATCHEWAN EQUINE EXPO PRAIRIELAND PARK 10 A.M. TO 8 P.M.

Feb 22 DIERKS BENTLEY TCU PLACE 7:30 P.M.

saskatoon blues society

Feb 23-26 Feb 11 SSO—MASTER SERIES: FROM LARA WITH LOVE, TCU PLACE, 7:30 P.M.

Feb 11 to 19 THREE, THE REFINERY VARIOUS TIMES

SASKATOON BLUES FESTIVAL VARIOUS VENUES

Feb 23-26 LA GRANDE VAGUE (THE BIG WAVE) THE REFINERY VARIOUS TIMES

HONEY MUSTARD BARBECUE BAKED BABY BACK RIBS

The secret to great-tasting ribs infused with barbecue flavour and so tender they’re falling off the bone is time—lots of it. Ribs are incredibly tough, so it takes long, slow, patient cooking to coax out their flavour and render them tender. A brightly flavoured barbecue sauce doesn’t hurt either!

Serves 4 INGREDIENTS • 2 racks of baby back ribs • 1 cup (250 mL) of orange juice • 1/2 cup (125 mL) of honey • 1/2 cup (125 mL) of yellow mustard • 1/2 cup (125 mL) of ketchup • 1/2 cup (125 mL) of cider vinegar • 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of Worcestershire sauce • 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of soy sauce • 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of your favourite hot sauce

PREPARATION Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Arrange the ribs in a large roasting pan or baking dish.Whisk together the remaining ingredients and pour over the ribs, turning the meat once or twice to evenly coat it. Cover the pan as tightly as possible with foil. Bake the ribs for 3 hours. Remove the foil and continue baking for another hour, turning the ribs a few times to baste them with the flavourful barbecue sauce. Arrange the ribs on a serving platter. Pour off any fat that has accumulated with the sauce and pour the sauce over the ribs. Serve and share!

KITCHEN TIP

From: Chef Michael Smith’s Kitchen by Chef Michael Smith. Copyright © Michael Smith, 2011. Reprinted by permission of Penguin Group (Canada), a division of Pearson Canada Inc. Food Photography: James Ingram, Jive Photographic.

Because of the long cooking time, it is important that no moisture escapes from the pan—if it does, the ribs will eventually dry out. If your pan is wider than your foil, you can fashion two sheets into one larger one. Lay one sheet directly on top of a second sheet. Carefully and tightly fold one long edge over twice, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) each time. Open up the two sheets like a book, flatten and crease the middle seam with your finger, then tightly cover the pan. You’ll have plenty of foil to tightly crimp the edges and protect the ribs during their slow, moist braise.

THYME-BAKED CHICKEN WITH MUSHROOM RED WINE SAUCE This is a classic group of flavours that any cook coming up the ranks in a French-inspired kitchen will learn. I never tire of the hearty flavour of thyme-scented roast chicken with earthy mushrooms and aromatic red wine.

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS • 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts • 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of olive oil • 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of dried thyme • A sprinkle or two of salt and lots of freshly ground pepper For The Sauce: • 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of butter • 8 ounces (250 g) of thinly sliced mushrooms • 1 onion, chopped • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 1 cup (250 mL) of chicken broth • 1/2 cup (125 mL) of your favourite dry red wine • 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of water • 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of cornstarch • 2 tablespoons (30 mL) or so of chopped fresh parsley

PREPARATION Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with folded paper towel.Toss them into a bowl and splash in the oil.Toss until evenly coated, then evenly sprinkle on the thyme. Lightly season to your taste with salt and pepper. Arrange in a baking dish and bake until cooked through but still juicy, about 25 minutes. The chicken is perfectly cooked when a meat thermometer inserted in its thickest part reads 165°F (72°C). Meanwhile, create the sauce. In your favourite sauté pan or frying pan, melt the butter over medium-high

heat until it sizzles and lightly browns.Toss in the mushrooms, onion, and garlic and sauté until lightly browned and deliciously caramelized, 15 minutes or so. Pour in the broth and the wine and bring to a rapid simmer for a few minutes.Whisk together the water and cornstarch, then pour the slurry into the sauce, stirring gently until the sauce is evenly thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley. Season to your taste with salt and pepper. Serve with the chicken and share!

KITCHEN TIP Cornstarch thickens hot liquids quickly, but if it continues to simmer it will lose strength over time. The molecular bonds that it initially forms to thicken the sauce will fracture and break, leaving the sauce watery. The key is to add the cornstarch just before serving, then take it off the heat.

unLimited income? if you’re already making over $100,000/year at your current job, you may not be interested in what we have to offer... on the other hand, even if you are, we offer the following to our sales people: unlimited income potential Professional training and support chance for advancement/shares in our rapidly-expanding company Professional support materials, such as testimonial videos and those based on solid research 3 Freedom to “be your own boss” 3 deal with every sector imaginable 3 Fun! 3 3 3 3

Please send cover letter/resume to: Randy@FineLifestyles.ca (We’re also on the lookout for entrepreneurial photographers, writers and designers)

Getting Into The

Christmas Spirits By FLS staff

et’s face it, we all tend to imbibe just a little more around the holidays. And there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as noone gets hurt. Health Canada has some tips to make your holiday entertaining fun and safe for both you and your guests.

Food first May seem a bit obvious at this time of year, but always offer some kind of nibbles because people get drunk more quickly on an empty stomach.

Offer alternatives Have non-alcoholic drinks featured just as prominently as the alcoholic ones and mention it when offering people a drink.

Don’t push it Wait until your guests’ drinks are empty before refilling and if someone says ‘no’ to a refill, don’t insist.

Be prepared If someone does go overboard, make sure you have phone numbers for cabs ready. You may alternatively appoint a designated driver (teenagers with a full licence are great candidates for this). Also, make up your spare room so someone can stay overnight if they need to.

None for the road Put on the kettle and coffee pot and offer some tea, coffee or hot chocolate to your guests before they leave. Here’s hoping your holiday season is joyous and safe. Try out the following holiday twists on some old favourite cocktails. FLS

Irish Cream Egg Nog 6 lg eggs, separated 2 Tbs sugar 1 1/2 C whole milk 1 C whipping cream 1 1/4 cups Irish Cream Fresh grated nutmeg Cinnamon sticks Beat egg yolks and sugar together until thick and lemon coloured. Set aside. Beat the egg whites stiff. Beat milk and cream until thick. Gently fold cream into egg whites, and then fold both of them into the egg yolks with the Irish Cream Chill Pour into cups and garnish with cinnamon stick, whipped cream and nutmeg

Christmas Martini 3 oz cranberry cocktail 1/2 oz crĂ¨me de cassis 1 oz top shelf vodka Place ingredients in a shaker with ice Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass Garnish with a few fresh cranberries

d3h Pays It Forward d3h Hotels is a management company for 9 hotels in Western Canada. We are extremely proud of the product and value we are able to offer our guests but this wonderful guest experience could not happen without the caring nature of the people we have working for our company.

built relationships with these workers in our properties. On April 10th, Candy McBride, Chief Human Resources Officer for d3h, and her husband travelled to the Philippines to meet several of the families and friends of the foreign workers who work for d3h Hotels.

d3h is a company that values its employees and we believe that it is our responsibility to provide all employees with a positive and supportive work environment where they can feel valued and respected. Our goal is to work together as a team to provide our customers with a stay experience that makes them feel like they are at home. However, our goal is to not only provide our guests with a feeling of family and home but our employees as well.

After 27 hours and multiple plane rides, they were met with the intense heat and humidity unlike anything felt in Canada. In that moment, they felt what it must have been like for the foreign workers to arrive in Canada, especially if arriving during a cold winter snap.

We would like to share a few of the ways our staff and management enriched their lives and the lives of others throughout the 2011 year. d3h Hotels has brought over several foreign workers from the Philippines due to labor shortages that were occurring throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta a few years ago. In that time, we have 108

FineLifestyles SASKATOON

They toured Tagtay to look at the Taal Volcano, visited the De La Salle University where many d3h workers have attended school and enjoyed fresh seafood and Starbucks! It was a life changing trip for the pair as they had the opportunity to visit not only the tourist areas but also the impoverished areas of the Philippines. They were able to visit an orphanage and brought soup to 400 children in a squatter village. They also had the chance to visit a church where the congregation had only 150 people and yet they have been able to

build a school where they teach children English and have also started plans to build an orphanage. The one common denominator in the Filipino culture is that no matter how much or little they have, they are always willing to share. The couple were embraced and welcomed with open arms and it was evident that community and family were an important part of the Filipino heritage. It was an experience that made them think of how individualistic we live our lives in Canada and how we could learn the important lesson of valuing community and family. Since then, d3h Hotels has â&#x20AC;&#x153;Paid It Forwardâ&#x20AC;? this year in bettering other peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives. Upon seeing the pictures of the Philippines and hearing the stories of how the church wanted to also build an orphanage, the staff and management of a d3h hotel raised funds to help support the new orphanage. We have been involved in raising money for Childhood Cancer this year in which our group of hotels sold teddy bears

(L to r): Helena Borges, GM of days Inn – Calgary airport, denie Burski, GM of Motel 6 – red deer, Chris regier, GM of days Inn – regina, Zelia silva, GM of days Inn – Edmonton south, Bianca dutton, GM of Homesuites – regina, Natalie Cherry, GM of days Inn – regina airport west, Carolyn Genest, CFo of d3h Hotels Inc, Jesse tiefenbach, training specialist, Candy Mcbride, CHro of d3h Hotels Inc., Lance Homstol, GM of days Inn – red deer, Leslie squires, GM of days Inn – Medicine Hat, Melissa davies, GM of Motel 6 – Medicine Hat, don rosten, CEo of d3h Hotels Inc.

and 50% of the proceeds were donated directly to Childhood Cancer. Through the sale of the bears and other fundraising efforts, such as Customer Appreciation BBQ’s and donating $1 per room rented for a week in September, d3h Hotels were able to raise close to $10,000 for Childhood Cancer. In October of this year, a group of Owners and Managers of d3h Hotels recently had the opportunity to come together for our own d3h Conference in Vancouver. We rolled out many new and exciting initiatives for the upcoming year that will positively impact on our staff and guests and we also had a chance to engage in meaningful team-building activities. One of these activities was donating our time to one of Canada’s busiest soup kitchens, the Salvation Army located on East Hastings Street. The Salvation Army’s promise “Giving Hope Today” is more than just a saying. Rather, it’s a promise that draws 1.5 million Canadians to The Salvation Army for help every year…and it’s what keeps them coming back every day. Within a short time, we successfully

served 367 meals to Vancouverites in need. The real miracle is that once service was completed, the director of the Salvation Army mentioned that they happened to be 14 volunteers short that day, which was the exact number of people in our group. On the cab ride back to the hotel, our group felt so wonderful about donating their time that each manager was already making plans to do team-building activities in their own communities by volunteering at their local soup kitchens with their staff. One of the cab drivers, overhearing the conversation, would not accept a tip because he was so touched by what we had done. The staff of d3h, from Housekeepers to Front Desk Agents to Administrators and Maintenance, all work extremely hard to create a positive experience for every customer that walks in the door but have also created a family culture at the properties where they work together. The ownership group of d3h would like to say thank you to all the staff members this year for their unwavering commitment to bettering the lives of others, whether it be our guests, the community or each other.

HOME INN & SUITES

We would appreciate your support by staying at any d3h Hotel so we can continue our outreach to people all over the world and within our communities through the donation of our time and money. In 2011, we certainly understood the meaning of “Tis better to give than receive” and are looking forward to continuing our commitment to bettering the lives of others in 2012. FLS

d3h Hotels 1139 - 8th Street E. Saskatoon, SK 306.249.2882 www.d3h.ca OUR FAMILY OF HOTELS Days Inn – Calgary Airport: 403.250.3297 Days Inn – Edmonton South: 780.430.0011 Days Inn – Medicine Hat: 403.580.3297 Days Inn – Red Deer: 403.340.3297 Days Inn – Regina: 306.522.3297 Days Inn – Regina Airport West: 306.584.3297 Homesuites – Regina: 306.522.4434 Motel 6 – Medicine Hat: 403.527.1749 Motel 6 – Red Deer: 403.340.1749 CoMING sooN Home Inn & Suites – Swift Current Home Inn & Suites – Yorkton FineLifestyles SASKATOON

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Your Venue should be the least of your worries. You already know TCU Place creates great experiences. Let us help you make more...

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Student, Lauren McCarthy with mentor Aaron Fornwald

CREATING BETTER BUSINESS PEOPLE ONE PROTEGE AT A TIME: PART 2 By Ashleigh Mattern

mentorship is one of the few experiences that can change the course of someone’s life.

Mentorships are about making new connections and staying connected, about giving back and learning.

For students participating in the Edwards School of Business mentorship program, the guidance and advice of their mentor will influence their career choices and shape their futures.

In this issue of Fine Lifestyles and the next, we follow two mentors and two proteges to examine the mentorship experience, and discuss the effect it has on their lives.

But there’s also value in it for the mentor. The mentor shares her knowledge about her work experience, but the protege also shares his knowledge of what they’re teaching in the classroom.

Aaron Fornwald and Lauren McCarthy Aaron Fornwald has been involved in the Edwards School of Business mentorship

program for five years. For Fornwald, who is the senior director of human resources at PotashCorp, the value for both mentor and the protege is in the transfer of knowledge. “When you’re getting as old as I am, there’s some built up knowledge there that would be good to impart on somebody,” he said. “I also learn stuff, all the new theories of what’s going on in the classroom. Things have changed. To me the classroom setting is where you talk about the best practices, what’s happening. We all want to know the best practices.” FineLifestyles SASKATOON

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His protege, Lauren McCarthy, is a third year management student with a human resource focus. For her, the mentorship is all about getting some real-life experience, rather than just trying to learn from a textbook. “I’m kind of a learn to do by doing instead of just reading the textbook and listening to lectures,” she said. “It’s been really great just to get together and chat with someone who’s been doing the career that I’d love to do down the road.” One meeting, Fornwald interviewed her as though she were an applicant, pausing now and then to give her tips. He also invited her to sit in on real interviews for potential employees. “It was fun to be on the other side for a change,” she said. They also have plans to bring her to an arbitration hearing. “What I’m trying to do is give Lauren access not just to talk to me about things, but to experience things,” said Fornwald.

Richard Azinwi and Chantelle Miller When Richard Azinwi came to Canada in 2004, he didn’t know anybody. “The only way I could understand what it takes to get a job, what it takes to succeed in Canada, was to make friends or have mentors that could give me that inside information.” Now he’s an account manager in commercial financial services with the Royal Bank of Canada, and returning the favour by mentoring others. Chantelle Miller is working on a bachelor in commerce with a management major focusing on finance. After taking a break from university for a few years, Miller said she had a new-found appreciation for first-hand experience. This is her second year in the mentorship program. She had such a great experience her first year, that she decided to sign up to participate again this year, in her last year of university.

“The university environment is a little fish bowl sometimes,” she said. “I don’t have much family that’s in the corporate world or in the same field that I am, so I’m really looking for Richard’s insight, his experience, and his perception of things.” Azinwi and Miller have discussed her career options, and talked about courses she can take that will help her earn some exemptions when she takes her CMA. He’s arranging for her to job shadow some of his colleagues at the bank, and he’s looked over her resume and references. “At every point in your career you’re looking at moving to the next stage. And if you look at moving to the next step, there’s somebody who’s ahead of you and can help you to get there,” said Azinwi. “And behind you, there’s always somebody who’s looking at getting to where you are, so you can look back and translate that information to somebody else.” FLS

Mentor, Richard Azinwi with Student, Chantelle Miller

EXPERTAdvice INSURANCE Purchasing Mortgage Insurance? Know your options

What exactly is mortgage insurance?

By Jeff Rask Jeff Rask & Associates Financial Services Inc. 475 - 1st Ave N 306-649-4000 ext 107 jeff.rask@sunlife.com

The bank’s mortgage insurance is also known as Creditor Protection. What this means is that the beneficiary of the insurance policy is the bank. In the event of death, the bank is repaid the mortgage loan but surviving family members receive no funds from the insurance (except for a mortgage-free home). Depending on your mortgage and personal situations, it may not be in your best interests to pay off your entire mortgage. Concerns about property taxes and income may force your family to sell the house.

Important Facts about Mortgage Insurance

ortgage insurance is one of the most important decisions when buying a new home, but, unfortunately, many people do not consider it carefully. Many mortgage representatives at the big banks will always tell you to get mortgage insurance. Stressed, vulnerable and without having shopped around for insurance, many new homeowners say “yes” without a second thought. After all, insurance is meant to protect you, right? Not quite.

• Bank mortgage insurance is usually more expensive than the same product through an independent insurance advisor. • It may be cancelled at the bank’s discretion if you move to another financial institution, default on or pay off your mortgage. The insurance is also not guaranteed at your mortgage renewal. • The insurance only covers the value of your mortgage. For example, if you pay

off your $400,000 mortgage to $250,000, upon death, you will only receive $250,000. However, the premium stays the same and does not decrease in conjunction. • The banks perform “post claim underwriting” meaning medical issues are explored on the claim (i.e. after a person dies), leading to a higher chance of a claim being denied.

What is a better alternative? The right type of life insurance product can ensure that your beneficiaries have enough funds to take care of your mortgage, property taxes and other financial needs as they arise, as well as the flexibility to use the funds as necessary. When in the market for a house, apply for insurance outside of the bank right away (and waive the bank’s mortgage insurance) to protect your home and family. In addition to dealing with realtors, mortgage representatives and a home inspector, when buying a new home, include a licenced insurance advisor who can help you with this. For a no obligation quote on your existing Mortgage insurance please email jeff.rask@sunlife.com or call our office. FLS

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DIG allows you to focus on profIts, not problems 3 Take a Pro-Active approach to saving your systems, reducing downtime, and increasing your bottom line with our award winning Kaseya Managed IT Services.

3 24/7 HelpDesk: Don’t wait for that tech to come to your site at their convenience.

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web site creation, implementation, and maintenance from creative and innovative graphic designers that understand what it takes to create effective search engine optimized sites.

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114

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priced monthly fee which then provides unlimited responsive and reactive IT assistance with custom monthly, easy to read, status reports letting you know how your computer is doing in terms of system health. DIG’s team of cre8tive web designers build custom sites that reflect your needs and the unique aspects of your business to ensure you stay miles above the competition and stand out from the crowd. FLS

Discovering IT WWW.DISCOVERINGITGLOBAL.COM

Discover Your World Safely Sales/General: 1.855.DIG.SALZ 24/7 HelpDesk: 1.888.286.7716* Managed Services: 1.855.DIG.TECH*

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Beginning with Discovering SHE.com, an empowering website composed of Canadian inspiring columnists, Discovering Enterprises Inc., located within Saskatoon SK, once again has developed another “Discovering” company built on this same premise of empowering YOU to be the best you can be. Discovering IT Global is an information technology company that reflects accountability, reliability and outstanding computer services in a pro-active system, rather than the old standard of re-active measures. DIG offers outstanding Managed IT Services along with affordable and creative website design.

rather than risk the chance of lost data, downed employee time, and pay for a technician, at an incredibly high price per hour, to fix issues in a re-active manner. Discovering IT Global offers Managed IT Services globally, using remote and on-site technicians. DIG services large corporations to small business owners and even individual computers for at home purposes. DIG can service your IT needs no matter what size or issue your current IT concerns are, or where you are located. We offer an extremely competitive

FineShopping SASKATOON

Special Feature

Featuring

South China Jewelry Diamond Hunters, World-Class Jewelers, Home-Town Prices Model Melanie Wildman courtesy of Masala Model, Talent & School of Personal Development

By Jenn Sharp. Photos by Heather Fritz

uying jewelry is one of life’s more daunting yet delectable tasks. Whether you’re selecting that perfect engagement ring, a commemorative anniversary piece, or a luxury Rolex timepiece as a treat for yourself, you’ll want to ensure you’re making the best choice possible while getting the most value for your dollar. Locally owned and operated, South China Jewelry has been an international importer and manufacturer of high quality jewels and gem stones for over 30 years. Offering custom jewelry at factory prices comes easily to owners Canny and Terrence Yeung. Canny travels the world in search of the highest quality stones at the best prices to pass along to his customers here at home. Thanks to his incredible buying power he is able to buy more effectively. Prices at South China are usually far less than one would expect to pay anywhere else in the world for the same product.

The Yeung family began their adventure into the jewelry business in Hong Kong 42 years ago. Canny’s first store opened in Lanigan after the family of goldsmiths immigrated to Canada in 1985. Many of his relatives went to larger urban centres, but Canny felt the time was right to stay in Saskatchewan. All of his pieces are stamped with the letters LJCY, Lanigan Jewelry Canny Yeung, signifying both his family’s entrepreneurial spirit and livelihood. Some might say the fourthgeneration store in the Midtown Plaza has now become known as the most dangerous corner in Saskatoon, as beams of glittering light catch the eye of passing pedestrians and lure them into the store.

“After examining thousands of different gemstones thoroughly, I will only purchase the ones that meet my expectations in quality and price,” he says. “Sometimes I will purchase all of them and the other times, none.”

South China is proud to have the largest inventory of gems in the province, with over 1,000 certified diamonds, in addition fine-coloured stones and unique pieces. The newest additions to South China Jewelry are the Wonder Cut and Meteor Cut diamonds. The Meteor Cut’s celestial shape is inherently striking thanks to points and prisms of light that shoot out from the stone. An incredibly unique investment, only 100 of these stones have been made and the only 10 in Canada are featured in South China’s exquisite settings.

Canny says Jewelry is always a worthwhile investment especially with today’s volatile markets and economy. “Jewelry is the one thing that remains constant or increases in value, and it continues to please the owner. Compare the price of gold from a few years ago. Wealthy people know.”

Diamonds are the gift that last a lifetime and South China features everything from classic engagement rings to custom pieces. Patrons are welcome to shop to their hearts delight in the gleaming store where only real diamonds are on display, not cubic zirconias. South China is also the

perfect destination for creative types in search of their own glittering testament of love. The store carries a dazzling inventory of flawless diamonds of up to two carats. A unique ring can easily be designed with the guidance of South China’s thoughtful staff. Also, keep in mind the staff are experts at redesigning older pieces in modern settings, or repurposing your favourite gemstones. Larger stones are GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certified. Established in 1931, GIA is known as the world’s authority on all gemstones, pearls and diamonds. GIA provides lab services, research and education to the public. South China is happy to show buyers how to read and understand an appraisal. As we travel more often, and travel to places farther from Saskatoon, returning home to South China Jewelry is a delight. It’s refreshing to have such a high caliber of merchandise right in our own backyard. Canny has been told his store is more than capable of competing with those in Los Angeles, New York or Las Vegas. He’s not going anywhere, though, because his main mission is to make the ladies and gentlemen of Saskatoon sparkle. FLS

South China Jewelry Midtown Plaza 306.931.3328 www.southchinajewelry.com

Custom Design Diamond Dinner ring

Meteor Cut Diamond

1.9 Carat Total Weight

exclusive to South China Jewelry

Heart Shaped Yellow Diamond

Custom Design Diamond and emerald ring

1.02 Carat with Surrounding Diamonds

South Sea Pearl and Diamonds Diamond with Halo Setting

Diamond with Halo Setting

Tanzanite and Diamond ring 2.53 Carat Tanzanite and 130 Surrounding Diamonds

Midtown plaza 306.931.3328 www.southchinajewelry.com

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Cultured Pearls rose Colored gold

italian Tri-Color gold

Diamond necklace and Pendant Custom Design Sapphire Star Pendant

Precious Stone Pendants

Midtown plaza 306.931.3328 www.southchinajewelry.com

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Fancy Diamond earrings

Diamond rings and Bracelets

Diamond earrings

Midtown plaza 306.931.3328 www.southchinajewelry.com

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Lighting

Cabinets

Accent Furnishings Cookware Glassware Faucets Cabinet Hardware Counter Tops Large Appliances

Chairs

Home Accents Windows

Fireplaces

Cozy Chairs

Couches Christmas Presents

Ottomans Coffee Tables

Rugs

Flooring

Almost everything in this home came from DirectBuy Why wait until boxing day to save? This year, buy SOONER Buy SMARTER Buy BETTER! Request your complimentary Visitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pass today!

Saskatoon, SK 306.683.0008 www.directbuysaskatoon.ca

Bold and Bright, SCented and SeaSonal Partner that with value and quality, and you’ve got serious flower power By Tammy Ceaser. Photos by Candace Epp

usy days, we all have them. Forget a special occasion? Don’t make that mistake twice! Grower Direct invites you to set up your own Floral Calendar. All you have to do is provide the list of dates that you would like to send flowers: birthday, anniversary, Valentine’s Day, and perhaps a few “Just Because” bouquets. When your loved one receives a Grower Direct special delivery, YOU, my friend, look like a rock star. This can also be done on the corporate scale, for special dates and events.

Straight from the farm Just like it says in the name, owners Quinn and Kim receive their flowers direct from

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the grower. This is part of the reason why they can follow through on their freshness guarantee. Quinn explains, “We know when our flowers were cut in the field, and they’re delivered right to our door. We don’t have to go through a wholesaler, and that’s a luxury many flower shops don’t have. We’re locally owned and operated, with value that can’t be beat.” “It also helps to educate the customer,” says Kim, “We send home the flower food, but it needs to be mixed properly.” Quinn explains further, “The flower food contains anti-bacterial and sugar agents. Our flowers are shipped and stored at 3 to 4 degrees celsius, and that keeps them in a dormant state. When you take them

home and they are displayed at room temperature, bacteria can set in. Use the flower food, less chance of bacteria.” Kim adds in,”Flowers should last. We’ll be adding roses or lilies to an arrangement, and the client will say, ‘Oh, don’t use roses, they won’t last,’ and we say ‘Really? Because they should.’ There are some common misconceptions out there, and that’s why we stand by our freshness guarantee.”

Colour from coast to coast Grower Direct can deliver to loved ones world-wide. Just provide all the necessary

Grower Direct can deliver to loved ones world-wide

information for your aunt in Germany, and they make it happen. The alternative is much less appealing: trying to search for a florist in Germany, THEN finding one that speaks English (your German is a little rusty), THEN providing your coveted credit card information? It’s much easier to visit Quinn, Kim and staff, place an order, and let them take care of it – all with free parking! Customers are also welcome to order online.

Christmas cheer...without the hangover The Christmas season brings opportunity for special hostess gifts, parties and gatherings. This season, send merry arrangements by the staff of Grower Direct. Christmas centrepieces can last for a month; the greenery is hearty and provides that scent of pine that your fake Christmas tree doesn’t. If the flowers don’t last as long, you can always pick up a few more accent flowers closer to Christmas Day. “We can also add pinecones or

seasonal decorations. It will last through New Years,” says Quinn. Another wonderful gift idea – or treat for yourself – is flowers for a year. With different price points, you can enjoy seasonal arrangements delivered to your door on a weekly or monthly basis. Or give a gift card that the recipient can use at their convenience. Enjoy the scents of summer year round with Quinn and Kim at Grower Direct. Poinsettias have a reputation of being touchy. But, like people, they can be just as resilient as the next guy. Receiving some education from Kim and Quinn, I learn that the similarities to the average person don’t end there: Poinsettias don’t like drafts (check), they don’t like direct sun for long periods (check), and they don’t like too much water (check). Gee, seems like common sense now. Kim smiles, “That’s why we have the sign, “Flowers, not Rocket Science.” FLS

102 – 2100 8th Street East 306.956.3307 103 – 294 Venture Crescent 306.956.0600 growerdirect@sasktel.net www.saskatoonflowers.com

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Arctic Spas By Jenn Sharp. Photos by Candace Epp

alking into Arctic Spas is like stepping into a tropical oasis. A respite from the cold winter temperatures, the showroom displays a wide range of products in a vibrant environment, making it easy to dream of warmer days. Arctic Spas strives to manufacture the most environmentally friendly and energy efficient hot tubs available today. They continuously research new green initiatives to make their products greener than ever, resulting in the lowest running costs possible. Arctic Spas patented rotating jets provide a range of massage and the health benefits of relaxing in hydrotherapy spa waters are indisputable. Additional options range from stereo systems to waterproof TVs. Spas are available in a wide range of maintenance-free cabinet colours and 10 beautiful acrylic shell colours.

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Arctic Spas is the only company in Canada to be certified in 2010 and 2011 for manufacturing and service. This certification ensures customers they are dealing with a reputable business owner and buying quality products. The certification is provided by Spa Retailer, which audits businesses to ensure they meet the stringent qualifications. Next year Arctic Spas will also be Pool Certified once they begin to carry in-ground pools in January. Arctic Spas opened in Saskatoon in 1994. Current owner Chuck Walker purchased the store in 2005. The store is in the midst of its third move to a location on Faithfull Avenue that is more than double the size of their previous spot on Millar. One of the reasons for the move is to accommodate the company’s growing service department. They will repair anything Arctic Spas sells in addition to outside products. If products can be

moved, customers are welcome to call ahead and book a service appointment. If not, Arctic Spas has a fleet of service vehicles for house calls at its disposal. Walker says servicing is a vital component of keeping hot tubs in top condition as they are generally running all year. He adds that it can take time to properly repair a spa or hot tub and have it functioning properly again. “We try to get (malfunctioning) spas ready as fast as possible because we know they’re a stress reliever. Getting them serviced shouldn’t be a stress causer.” Walker recommends people do their research before purchasing a new spa because a good deal doesn’t always translate to money saved down the road. Many sub-par products will need thousands of dollars in repair work because they weren’t built using quality

components in the first place. He says the best place to become educated on the different brands and what will suit your lifestyle is a spa trade publication such as www.spasearch.org. Arctic Spas sells far more than spas, such as infrared saunas, Theramist steam showers, massage chairs and outdoor kitchens. Walker says outdoor kitchens are one of the fastest growing segments of their business. “We’ve done a lot of research to make sure they’re going to stand up to our climate. Materials like plastic polymer will not survive. We’ve made sure to use the proper materials,” he says. Theramist steam showers offer a relaxing everyday escape and are made to be used as both a shower and a steam sauna. The products contain luxurious features such as a stereo system and telephone and most models are on display in the Arctic Spas’ showroom. The Arctic Ocean has been extremely popular with fitness and swimming buffs. Measuring eight by 14 feet, the spa allows users to run, swim, row and use resistance bands. Jets can be adjusted to provide the best workout of one’s life, strengthening the core muscles and balance control. Walker says it’s amazing for endurance building and has many clients suffering from physical ailments request an Arctic Ocean. The spa also features a relaxation end with four seats and targeted jets. If you’re already the proud owner of an Arctic Spa or are soon to become one, there’s an iPhone app for you. Linked wirelessly to your hot tub, it allows users to do everything from controlling the water temperature and turning on individual pumps, to regulating how much power the spa uses throughout the day. FLS Arctic Spas 2-2345 Millar Avenue 306.668.1801 1.800.268.7277 chuck@arcticspassaskatoon.com www.arcticspassaskatoon.com

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AUNTIE B GETS FRESH By Tammy Ceaser. Photos by Candace Epp FineShopping Feature

Owner,Brenda Weninger

ou know how we always hear someone say a restaurant is different and unique? Well, this time it’s more than accurate. Walking in Auntie B’s homey ambiance, it smells like real food, not grease. No deep fryer on site — the owner insisted it be removed before she took over the restaurant. Everything is made from scratch, with fresh ingredients of the highest quality. Of course, all of the meat is fresh too, and most is cooked on site. When you order turkey, it is turkey, not a processed “tastes-like-turkey-roll”. The same applies to the beef. Auntie B’s was created for the love of food, and for the sharing of that love with others. Raised on healthy, homemade cuisine, owner Brenda Weninger recalls making fresh perogies and pasta with her grandma. Using reliable recipes with wholesome ingredients still holds true today in her restaurant and catering business. Nothing is made in an assembly line, and there are no short cuts here. All baking is done daily by Brenda herself. She even orders her brown sugar from a company that has it shipped from out east, because “you can’t use just any brown sugar... this brand I use is much easier to bake with, it does what I need it to do, and works great.” Now, if you think this is being particular or fussy, perhaps you should try one of her cinnamon buns. Then you’ll understand why the right ingredients make such a difference.

Veggie and fruit trays can also be ordered, accompanied by original homemade dips. You can also inquire about additional menu items for lunch orders. As long as Brenda feels the food will travel well and taste just as good upon arrival, it can be done. Only interested in putting her best efforts forward, Brenda opens Auntie B’s for breakfast at 7 a.m. Her breakfast bunwiches and wraps are worth getting out of bed for. Remember, everything is fresh here, and those buns came out of the oven just an hour earlier. But then again, when you smell the spices in the air, those cinnamon buns may be calling your name instead. Brenda has tried many different approaches to the food business, and has finally found the secret ingredient that works for her: quality and consistency. Although she receives special catering requests all the time, if she feels the quality of her meals cannot be preserved, as with catered breakfasts that get soggy and cold, she will politely save her customers from the unsavoury expense. With a keen eye for detail in every aspect of her food, Brenda conducts random taste tests to ensure everything is just right. If it doesn’t stand up to her standards, “it will have to be remade, it has to be done right.” Auntie B’s is open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are closed weekends and holidays. FLS

Catering to you The name “Auntie B’s” says so much for this place, because it is warm and comfortable just like your auntie’s house. The food is consistently fresh, and guests are surrounded with like-minded people who crave the homemade cuisine – you can just tell it was made with care and thoughtfulness. And with this reasoning, Auntie B’s catering service has become popular too — ordering lunch to the office has never been easier, and the wow factor is definitely there. For groups as small as 10 or as large as 100, soups, salads, sandwiches and chilli can be delivered in a timely fashion to your office door, complete with positively sinful desserts.

111 – 2750 Faithfull Avenue Heritage Business Park Saskatoon, SK 306.244.BUNS (2867) www.auntiebs.ca

PERSONAL CARE FOR

YOUR VISION Lensmatic does it better By Tammy Robert. Photos by Candace Epp

or Saskatoon’s Lensmatic Optical owner Mubashar Hussain, the decision to open his own eye care outlet was simple: “I love this business,” he says.

needs special consideration. It’s a fashion issue, and more importantly, it’s about your vision. It’s the reason I opened my own business—to serve each and every client at the highest possible level.”

After graduating with distinction from Toronto’s Seneca College, Mubashar, a licensed optician and contact lens fitter who has a long history in the health care profession, spent five years working both as an optician and a retail eye care management professional in Canada.

A family business, Mubashar is joined in the store by his wife Asia. Lensmatic Optical stocks fashionable eyeware for adults and children, as well as, the highest of quality lenses. In addition to eyeglasses, Mubashar and Asia also fit and dispense contact lenses.

But, he knew he could do it better.

Along with in-store service, Mubashar stresses the importance of proper aftercare. “We stress our warranty program, which applies to any purchase. If the client goes home and has any issues— blurred vision, the glasses aren’t sitting

“Eye care should never be an in-and-out or over-the-counter service. Every pair is custom made, every prescription is unique,” explains Mubashar. “Every client

correctly, anything— Lensmatic Optical will take care of it.” The future is bright for Mubashar and Lensmatic Optical. The location has underwent extensive renovations, and he has another round planned for the near future, as well as the addition of an inhouse optometrist. “Our bottom line is that we provide each and every client the highest quality service and product, but not at the highest prices. It’s about building a client base for life.” FLS Lensmatic Optical 2036 Quebec Avenue 652.5100 lensmaticoptical@yahoo.ca

MENTION THIS AD AND RECEIVE A $25 DISCOUNT! Mubashar Hussain

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NO GIMMICKS, JUST QUALITY AND VALUE FOR YOUR PEACEFUL NIGHT’S REST Wiseguys: Making you an offer you can’t refuse By Tammy Ceaser

he holidays are upon us, company is coming, and you need to purchase a bed for the spare room. Although comfort and durability are the main concerns, Mark Stevens, owner of Wiseguys Mattresses asks you, “How long do you really want your company to stay?” Five years ago, Saskatoon finally received the opportunity to have a fantastic sleep, and still have money left to hide under the mattress. In contrast to larger centres that gouge buyers, Stevens keeps the price point and process much more relaxed. Wiseguys considers your aches and pains, if you sleep alone or with a partner—even pets. All these factors determine what you need to experience an extraordinary rest. To enjoy quality with a pleasurable price, Wiseguys features the real deal for buyers. Savvy shoppers are up for fact finding , and Mark and Steve will lead them through all important questions one needs to ask themselves when purchasing a mattress. Some education for all mattress shoppers out there: Never assume that just because a mattress has a famous “brand name”

Photo By Heather Fritz

that the mattress is a quality mattress! All companies make high and low end beds. Some chain stores have coils that are only made for their chain, so you can’t shop and compare because it’s “exclusive” to them. Some stores have 50 per cent, 60 per cent and 70 per cent off sales; “Super ‘whatever’ weekend” every weekend; or add in “free” products. If a bed retails for $2,000 at their store and it’s 50 per cent off, but it retails for $700 at another shop, did you “save” anything or “get something for free?” Shoppers at Wiseguys don’t fall for this type of slick advertising, and that’s why Wiseguys is the only mattress store given the “thumbs up” by Trustedsaskatoon.com. “We sell the real beds the companies make, that anybody can sell if they wanted to, not the chain store versions,” says Stevens. The only dealer in Saskatoon that carries Serta’s Top line, the “Perfect Day,” featuring the company’s top model, “The Heston,” Mark has hand-picked each model from each brand to give you the best bang for your buck. “If it’s not on my floor, that brand or model is not up to my quality standards,” he says.

Owner, Mark

Stevens ck Bench Pr oductions

Photo By Bla

With no hidden charges or disguised delivery fees, people travel from across the province to get a great deal with fantastic service. Where else can you find a queenly comfortable new bed at a $399 price point? And that’s including tax and delivery! All the “ThankYou” cards from customers are a true testament that sleep no longer has to elude you. FLS

6 – 405 Circle Drive East 306.652.1212 mstevens67@msn.com “Like” us on Facebook today!

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FRESH FISH FINDS AT CHARLIE’S SEAFOOD MARKET By Candace Fox. Photos by Heather Fritz

Owner, Charlie Wong

hey may not be throwing wrapped fish to customers and yelling out orders like they do at traditional seaside fish markets, but Charlie’s Seafood Market has been keeping busy serving Saskatoonians for the past 26 years. Owner and operator Charlie Wong started out as seafood lover himself, who simply found a gap in the local market— he wanted fresh fish and more options. So he decided the best way to get it was to

provide it himself. Keeping his business and fish philosophy simple, Charlie insists his success is due to two things: the best quality product, and the best possible service.

From sea to Saskatoon As a staple presence in the market and a familiar face to his customers, Charlie personally tries every product that enters

his store. “Quality is everything. How can I possibly sell something I haven’t myself tried, to ensure it meets our standards?” says Charlie. Encouraging customers to ask questions, the staff has no qualms about letting customers get a closer look, or even smelling the fresh seafood on ice. With an abundance of recipes on hand, some research skills and a perpetual desire to get creative in the kitchen, Charlie is happy to recommend a tasty main course or an easy appetizer for customers perusing the store. They can satisfy their craving for under-thesea food-fare at Charlie’s with plenty of options, from frozen scallops to fresh boneless fillets.

The notorious sushi case As the first in Saskatoon to offer takehome sushi, Charlie’s has seen the market and popularity grow in the city, noting the influx of demand especially over the past 5 years. Begining in 1989 with a small display of a few sushi options, Charlie’s Seafood Market has since expanded

FineShopping Feature

its cooler, housing anywhere from 30 to 40 varieties of sushi. Frequent fans of the sushi counter can attest to this recommendation: get there early! With the Top 3 sushi choices being tempura dynamite, California rolls and spicy salmon rolls, it is well worth beating the lunch crowd and after-work rush just to ensure your favourites are still available.

Specialty and new items Due to the unavailability of some Japanese and Asian products in Saskatoon, Charlie’s Seafood Market also provides speciality items for customers. “I know if I am looking for an item and I can’t find it, I am probably not the only one,” says Charlie. Often using customer suggestions and feedback as the motivator for new items, much attention is paid to food trends both within Saskatoon and around the world. With the increasing popularity of do-it-yourself, at-home sushi preparation, Charlie’s keeps a well stocked sushimaking section, which includes various soy sauces, rice, seaweed paper and spices. Other speciality items include

Miso soup, Japanese spices, mixes and all-natural pure green tea. New items the take-home customers will want to try at Charlie’s include the steal trout tar tar. The preparation is minimal, just defrost and serve. The escargot, still in the shell, is also quite simple to prepare, going from the freezer, to the oven to the dinner table. Those interested in Scandinavian cuisine will be excited to learn Lutefisk is already in stock for the Christmas season. Of course, as it’s the standard every holiday season, fresh smoked eel and shucked blue point oysters will be available. Family chefs planning their holidays in advance will be happy to learn that few new items will be arriving later in the season—that’s because most everything is already in stock.

Call it in Realizing the holidays are a busy time at Charlie’s Seafood Market, the staff encourages customers to call in their

“must have” items ahead of time. Reserve any of their boneless fillets, live lobster, mussels, oysters, jumbo shrimp, or anything else in the store you might need for your special occasions. Large sushi or shrimp platters for Christmas parties and other special occasions can be made with some advance notice. The staff will accommodate any date and timeline. Customers should note they can reserve their favourite items year round, including their favourite sushi rolls. Call before the rush to save yourself time and to avoid any lines. Staff at Charlie’s will be happy to set aside anything you might need. To accommodate lines during the holiday season, Charlie and his staff are extending their evening hours. For more information about hours of operation, reserving items or for inquiries about platters call or visit Saskatoon’s number one seafood destination. FLS Charlie’s Seafood Market College Park Mall 3929 8th Street & McKercher 306.955.7127

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FineDestinations Bora Bora: Other-world romance By FLS Staff

rench Polynesia. It is a bastion of civilization deep within the South Pacific, evoking an otherworldly state of mind, seducing honeymooners, romantics, and adventurers for more than 150 years. Many islands are crowned with jagged peaks while others float mere metres above the breaking waves. Spread over an area as large as Western Europe, of the 130 islands within five archipelagos, none testify to this state of mind quite like Bora Bora. Under a one-hour flight from the island of Tahiti, Bora Bora, is surrounded by a barrier reef, with a lagoon resembling an artist’s palette of greens and blues. To this dramatic setting, romantics from around the world have laid claim. Lush tropical slopes and valleys blossom with hibiscus, while palm-covered motu circle the lagoon and white-sand beaches give way to waters where colourful fish and manta rays animate the coral gardens. This could easily be described as the centre of the romantic universe, where luxury resorts and spas dot the island with over-water bungalows and thatched-roof villas. The hotels and resorts offer a perfect combination of experience, service, dramatic views, cuisine, ambiance, and accommodations. Bora Bora lies as close to the middle of nowhere as one can travel, but within easy range of air carriers. Near the geographic centre of the Pacific Ocean, in the Leeward group of the Society Islands, getting to Bora Bora is an easy, one-hour’s

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flight from Tahiti, which is serviced by daily, non-stop flights from Los Angeles. Quite possibly the most romantic island in the world, everything in Bora Bora equals a 10 on the romance scale. Resorts have been welcoming couples for over 40 years and their special amenities have been fine-tuned to perfection. From sunrise to sunset, each resort has designed its own blend of unique experiences for their guests to choose from—most notably the spas. Canadians today are learning what Polynesians have known for centuries— Bora Bora is really like one huge, natural, 24-hour spa. But for the most refined spa experience, there is none more engaging than the Deep Ocean Spa by Algotherm, at the InterContinental Resort and Thalasso. The deluxe spa is the world’s first to use deep sea water in therapy treatments. Thanks to the bathymetry of the surrounding ocean, the hotel is able to pump in mineral-rich sea water from a depth of over 3,000 feet, which is then reheated for the spa. Past volcanic activity of the area has infused the water with minerals and vitamins that give it revitalizing and restorative properties. Possibly the only rival to its spas is Bora Bora’s dining experiences. The cuisine of Tahiti is internationally renowned for its fresh fish and exotic fruits and vegetables, prepared with Polynesian influence and a touch of French flair. It is also loved for its delicate sauces, which often incorporate home-grown vanilla and freshly squeezed coconut milk.

Poisson cru (ia ota) is the national dish of Tahiti, and can be found in most restaurants. This melt-in-your-mouth entrée consists of raw fish and diced vegetables soaked in coconut milk and marinated with lime juice. Chevrettes, another popular Tahitian dish, are tasty freshwater shrimp which can also be found throughout the native islands. Les Roulottes, located near the wharf, are a great way to experience Tahiti’s local cuisine and culture. These roulottes, or rolling restaurants, are colourful, electrically lit vans that offer the most authentic fare. However, for that special meal, five-star dining is never out of reach. French Polynesia still has the same qualities that enchanted Melville, Darwin, Zane Grey, Somerset Maugham, Nordhoff and Hall. It is a place of romance, legend and magic. Visitors can enjoy landfalls unchanged since the voyage of the great navigators, beaches and turquoise waters as beautiful as Robert Louis Stevenson observed from his yacht. The welcoming faces and colours of the island group are as vivid today as we see in the paintings of Paul Gauguin. With such exquisite beauty, even the most taciturn of visitors agree that these islands are as much a state of mind as romantic paradise. The scenery, the flowers, the laughter and the fun of Tahiti still thrive. These, and the Polynesians themselves, are the South Pacific’s legendary assets. FLS

A new cAr, or A new erA for cArs?

The BMW i8 delivers on car of the future promise By Quinn Bender

hen BMW prepared to unveil its Vision EfficientDynamics hybrid concept car at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show, critics and journalists gathered ‘round with lukewarm enthusiasm. It was an unremarkable event, as every year auto manufacturers reveal their visions of the future with an ultimately impractical, un-roadworthy amalgam of expensive technology and impractical design. However, BMW changed this perception at their unveiling. Every leaked rumour about this super car turned out to be true. “This is an extremely dynamic automobile combining the performance of a sports car with the fuel consumption levels of a compact,” said Dr. Klaus Draeger, BMW development. “The big thing... is this car gets its power from the mains, ideally in the shape of green energy from regenerative sources.” The hybrid luxury sports sedan proved so popular, BMW made the rare move to slate it for mass production. The German car manufacturer had achieved this success by asking itself serious questions about the future of mobility: the consciousness of environmental sustainability, the love for high performance and their buyers’ reluctance to sacrifice any one for the other. Their conclusions were embodied in what’s now the BMW i8 Concept, a fiercely luxurious piece of technology, purpose built for the changing attitudes of the 21st century. In short, they branded it as the car of the future, a synthesis of style, performance and practicality. What’s odd about this is that their lofty claim might actually be accurate. For the moment, let’s forget about the i8’s 328 hp turbocharged gas/electric engine. Let’s overlook the hybrid power train’s ability to catapult a driver from 0 to 100 kilometers in under five seconds, while stretching its fuel consumption to 3.8 litres per 100 kilometers. Ignore the laser headlights, the perfect 50/50 weight distribution and the 3D, high-resolution information display. Instead, let’s just stare at it. This is the real emotional hook of the i8. The design embodies a synthesis

of technology and aesthetic allure. Its sweeping lines and flat silhouette lend the vehicle a strikingly dynamic appearance even when standing still. With transparent doors and dome, the so-called greenhouse affects an extraordinary feeling of lightness, highlighting the exceptional efficiency of this vehicle. It’s this allure that matters, because unique design alludes to unique technology. There have been plenty of cars branded as the car of the future, only to fade from memory along with the hype. But somehow the i8 appears aptly deserving of this designation. BMW certainly extended its imagination to do away with the smooth lines of conventional bodies, and instead gave the exterior a layered effect, like an assemblage of functioning parts stacked one on top of the other. With a crisp colour scheme of black, silver and

blue, and mixed textures of transparent and solid carbon fibres, the i8 isn’t just stunning, it looks purpose built—as the car of the future should be. The construction concept is known as LifeDrive architecture. An aluminum chassis houses the powertrain, and the passenger compartment consists of high-strength but extremely lightweight carbon fibre-reinforced plastic. The lightweight material cuts out most of the extra weight added by the batteries. This means superior driving dynamics combined with significantly increased range using electric power. Alongside a purposeful design, the car of the future must also embody vision and possess practical innovations that set it apart. The drive systems are integrated into both axles; an internal combustion

By all appearances, their claim of ushering in a new era for auto manufacturing is embodied in the i8. But the flagship sports car is still just that—a car. And like any luxury vehicle it must satisfy the owner with a unique driving experience. That is, what does it feel like to sit behind the wheel?

engine powers the rear, and a 164 kW/220 hp electric motor powers the front, increasing traction. Its batteries are stored inside the energy tunnel, a structure similar to a central transmission tunnel. Both axles therefore combine with the passenger compartment to form a functional unit, which adopts not only load-bearing responsibilities but extensive crash functions as well. The energy tunnel also gives the vehicle a low center of gravity. This careful positioning results in a perfect 50/50 weight distribution.

$100 million to expand BMW i’s range of innovative mobility services.

The two drive units reach a top speed of 250 km/h, as the computer alternates between its gas and electric motors for optimal performance for a driving range of more than 400 kilometres. The car can also run purely on electric power for approximately 35 kilometres, with a recharge time of just two hours at a standard power socket.

“The BMW i brand comprises vehicles and services developed since 2007 as part of project i, a BMW Group think tank exploring sustainable mobility solutions,” Robertson said. “There is a widespread desire in megacities for solutions which intelligently combine the benefits of various mobility concepts in a single package.”

The i8 is not merely a new hybrid to satisfy market demand, but the flagship model of an entirely new sub-brand of the BMW group. The i-series made its official debut in Los Angeles in November with the i8 and i3, a fully electric compact suited for city driving. Their expected production date of 2013 will be followed in 2015 with a mid-level i5.

Surely, BMW has packed a lot of substance and promise into the i-series.

More than $555 million was put toward BMW’s plant in Leipzig for i-series production, while BMW i-Ventures, a venture capital company in New York City, was founded with an investment of

BMW’s commitment to innovation was borne on global population trends, which crested 7 billion earlier this month. By 2025 it’s expected 1.8 billion cars will be on the road. In Munich last February Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said the i8 embodies the vision for an entirely new concept of mobility—all with a focus on sustainability.

According to its makers, the i8 delivers a level of driver focus beyond that of any BMW Group vehicle before it, immersing the driver fully. Driver-relevant functions such as the gearshift lever, start-stop button and parking brake are arranged around the driver on the center console and are graphically, strongly geared towards the driver’s seat. The threedimensional displays are extremely clear and flash up the relevant information for the situation at hand. The transparent doors and roof will engage drivers with their environment like never before. The i8 is a high performance vehicle purpose built around the driver, without subtracting comfort from the other three seats. It steals our attention with its beauty, while halving its emissions with its intelligence. BMW calls the i8 the sports car for a new generation—pure, emotional and sustainable. They may be right, but there also exists a legion of car enthusiasts who have waited decades for an auto manufacturer to deliver on this promise. To this end, the i8 is a car not for a new generation, but a new era. FLS

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SHOPPING TIMES Monday 9:30 – 5:30 Tuesday 9:30 – 5:30 Wednesday 9:30 – 9:00 Thursday 9:30 – 9:00 Friday 9:30 – 9:00 Saturday 9:30 – 5:30 Sunday 11:00 – 5:00 Extended holiday shopping hours begin December 1, 2011. The best shopping in Saskatchewan with over 130 stores and services. 201 – 1st Avenue South, Saskatoon 306.653.8844 www.midtownplaza.ca