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TO ALL FRONTLINE AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS,
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Caroline Dagenais, RPN, at the Brewer COVID-19 Assessment Centre
In support of
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In This Issue Sports
86 JESSE PALMER Ottawa’s NFLer-turned-reality TV star of The Bachelor Jesse Palmer catches up with us in 18 questions.
22 NEVILLE GALLIMORE Ottawa’s Neville Gallimore revists the moment he found out he was going to be a Dallas Cowboy.
JULY/AUGUST 2020
74 STEFAN KEYES With important discussions on racism in Canada taking place, we sat down with Stefan Keyes to hear his prescription for change and key insights from his own experiences as a black man in Ottawa.
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CHRISTO BILUKIDI
PAMPHINETTE BUISA
We caught up with Christo Bilukidi to speak about his time in the NFL, growing up in Ottawa, and what he learned from making tough decisions early on in his career.
With Tokyo Games delayed, Ottawa Olympian Pamphinette Buisa turned to activism and community service.
Entertainment
37 RYAN REYNOLDS Ryan Reynolds discusses his Canadian quirks, his recent projects, and some Ottawa history.
66 HOWIE MANDEL Amid a global pandemic, we checked in on Canada’s comedian and admitted germophobe who’s hit icon status in Hollywood.
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Photo by Marcia Fernandes
THE COVID 19 socially distanced summer activity
Masks on
Online booking/ waivers, Touchless payment
game’s on !
All staff masked
Reduced capacity, Physical distancing
Increased cleaning & Health procedures
Lanes cleane after each used
Steps from the Bayview LRT station, above Beyond the Pale & Art Is In
w w w . l u m b e r j a x e . c o m (613) 702-8209
250 City Centre Ave. #232-230, Ottawa, ON
ottawa@lumberjaxe.com
A collection of Canadian art from over 40 famous Canadian painters. View the collection at: www.canadianlithographs.com
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Health
5 of the most common nutrient deficiencies in Canada.
Page 72
Issue 62’s
Expert Panel We’ve curated advice from Ottawa’s foremost professionals over a wide range of topics.
Michael Prittie
CFP, CIM FCSI, CIWM
Diana Tebby
Real Estate, Wills and Estates Law, Mann Lawyers LLP
Working From Home: How To Boost Productivity Page 44
Preparation vs Panic, Revisted
Today’s article holds preparatory words to a new problem looming in the not too distant horizon. It will catch many off guard and its effects are equally destructive to building wealth. Taxation! If you think for one second that we are not going to pay for all the much needed stimulus and the billions of dollars of government bailouts – you are very mistaken. Now is the time to consider the changes to capital gains inclusion rate, tax credits and income tax rates generally. Page 43
The Importance of Conditions Within an Agreement of Purchase and Sale In today’s market, properties are coming onto the market and buyers are so eager to purchase that they do not protect themselves with proper conditions in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. Let’s take a look at these conditions in a bit more detail to show why they are important.
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Your 2020 Summer Cottage Buying Guide Page 93 FACES MAGAZINE | 13
July/August Volume 62 FIND FACES
Editor In Chief Evan Childerhose
Faces Magazine is distributed bi-monthly and offered free at select locations across Ottawa and in cities across Eastern Ontario. Full issues are also available online. Faces Magazine is a non-traditional print medium with a strong brand presence on social media.
Publisher Justin MacKinnon Hank’s Paw Publishing (A Division of 8624771 Canada Inc.) Art Director Courtney Wheeler Vicky Sun Associate Editors
www.facesmag.ca
Jake McGregor Colin Fawcett Sarah Powers Operations Manager Lucy Dong
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Accounting/Finance Linda Zhang
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Event Info www.facesmag.ca/awards To request our event sponsorship packages, please email info@facesmag.ca. For all other information regarding our events, please call or visit our event website. Suite 101-105 Schneider Road Kanata, ON K2K 1Y3 Sales advertising@facesmag.ca Submissions echilderhose@facesmag.ca
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Contributors Alex Feeney Catheryn Risto Lucy Dong Morris Miller Tayna Gautier Meaghan Vincent Steve Warne Hunter Knight Max Polizi Steve Warne Kate Wright Todd Hamilton Stewart Clarke Liam Fox Ryan Bova Trevor McIssac Kenzie Harrison Rebecca Neilson-Crowe Sumayyah Quraishi Chloe Adams Arial Bolten David Ablett Billie Macdonald
Contributing Photographers John E. Sokolowski Jana Chytilova Andre Ringuette Connor Armstrong Taylor Condon Peter Wright Yana Klaiz Lucas Short
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CADIEUX INTERIORS 1280 Old Innes Rd. - Ottawa - 613.745.1230 - cadieuxinteriors.ca
LIVING - BEDROOM - DINING - HOME OFFICE - RUGS - ALL NATURAL MATTRESSES
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F A C E S
M A G A Z I N E
O T T A W A
SUMMER 2020
WHAT TO DO YUK YUK’S COMEDY @ THE DRIVE-IN EXPERIENCE
July 3 Wesley Clover Parks It’s been a hard year; you deserve a laugh. Yuk Yuk’s Comedy is coming to you via a drive-in experience at Wesley Clover Parks. Featuring the talent of Rob Pue, Andrew Albert, Jenn Labelle, and Dan Allaire, this outdoor show will give comedy lovers a new way to experience stand-up.
OTTAWA CHAMBERFEST Until August 6th This summer, Ottawa Chamberfest is bringing vibrant ensembles and solo performances to your computer screen. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 2 p.m. through Zoom, these 45-minute episodes will combine conversation with pre-recorded and live performances and feature guest artists and lecturers from all over the world.
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CANADAPERFORMS AT THE RBC BLUESFEST DRIVE-IN July 31 - August 8 Zibi, Rue Jos-Montferrand, Gatineau Don’t worry, Bluesfest won’t be missed this year. The National Arts Center and RBC Bluesfest are teaming up to bring you an unforgettable drivein experience. For more information on where you can catch the performances and the line-up, go to their website at canadaperforms. ottawabluesfest.ca.
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OTTAWA BOAT CRUISES The Hull Marina As of July 1, Ottawa’s boat cruises will start the process of reopening for summer trips. You and the family can enjoy a day in the sun sightseeing, starting at the National Gallery of Canada and going through popular spots like the Supreme Court of Canada, Rideau Falls and Canadian Museum of History.
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL CHARITY CLASSIC The Canadian Golf & Country Club September 2020
PORT ELMSLEY DRIVE IN 333 Port Elmsley Rd, Perth Miss the excitement of going to the movies? Maybe it’s time to give the old-fashioned drive-in movie theatre another chance. The Port Elmsley Drive-In is still thriving, continuing to broadcast new and old movies for all ages. Perfect for a date night or a family outing.
Ottawa’s premier golf tournament returns to the Capital this September, where 144 golfers will compete for the National Capital Cup against Ottawa’s pro athletes, media personalities and entertainers. Early bird prices are available until August.
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F A C E S
M A G A Z I N E
O T T A W A
SUMMER 2020
WHERE TO GO
THOUSAND ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
HOG’S BACK FALLS Developed in the 1950s, this beautiful national park is the perfect place for a quiet family picnic, a long trail hike or an afternoon relaxing beside beautiful artificial waterfalls.
The Thousand Islands National Park has been gradually and slowly reopening amid COVID-19 restrictions. As of June 1, access to the trails and day use areas were permitted and, on June 17, camping was officially reinstated with precautions. More will be reopening in the coming weeks including boat rentals and dock use.
DOW’S LAKE HEART LAKE, BRAMPTON ON Running out of romantic spots with your significant other? Why not a lake shaped like a heart? The Heart Lake Conservation Area offers a variety of activities to explore while you’re there, including boat rentals and fishing, to 14 different picnic areas to relax with friends and family.
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Trying to stay cool this summer? The manmade Dow’s Lake is still offering boat, canoe, and paddleboat rentals to those who are looking for a small adventure on the water. Social distancing precautions are still in effect and everyone is asked to take these important measures seriously while using any facilities.
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JAMES TAYLOR & HIS ALL-STAR BAND April 24th Canadian Tire Centre
OISEAU ROCK TRAIL, QC This 5km hiking trail up through the forest leads to one of the best natural lookouts on the Ottawa River. The trail also guides you through the history and culture of the Algonquin people with its history-rich guided panels. Oiseau Rock is one of the most important rock art sites in North America, 150 metres above the Great River, and a breathtaking view of the Valley that is well worth the steep hike up.
LONG SAULT PARKWAY, SOUTH STORMONT This summer destination is an 11-island series created from high points of land left after the flooding of the St. Lawrence River during the construction of the Seaway in the 1950s. Now, the Parkway is open for camping, fishing, and exploring the reconstructed shoreline with its deep and unique history, only an hour from Ottawa.
STARS ON ICE TICKETS
April 26th Canadian Tire Centre Watch the world’s best figure skating athletes perform the Stars on Ice tour at the CTC.
JIMMY EAT WORLD KINGSTON, ON
April 29th Bronson Centre Music Theatre
With a great waterfront and beautiful and historic downtown, Kingston makes for the perfect getaway from Ottawa.
ALGONQUIN PARK Moose, bears, and countless lakes, trails and campsites await you for a weekend at Algonquin Park. North of Ottawa, Algonquin Park is a tranquil getaway for those looking to portage, camp-out among the pines, or go birdwatching.
OTTAWA POUTINE FEST 2020 April 30th - May 3rd Ottawa City Hall
Indulge in 15+ of the most savoury poutiners in the city and celebrate the creation of the “canadian salad”
PALOOZA BEER PONG FESTIVAL April 25th CHEO Foundation
Grab a partner and participate in the world’s largest beer pong tournament - raising funds
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SENS VS PENGUINS
F A C E S
M A G A Z I N E
O T T A W A
Donate, Support, Educate Canadian Organizations Fighting For Change B l ac k Y o u t h H e l p l i n e BYH is a Canadian-run organization that offers accessible, safe, and culturally-appropriate resources to youth of all backgrounds. Its services begin with a helpline, but include professional, culturally relevant youth and family assessments and intervention, stay-inschool initiatives and referral assistance, helping black youth overcome barriers to accessing social services in Canada. blackyouth.ca 1-833-294-8650
B l ac k H e a lt h A l l i a n c e
Dalon P. Taylor, a PhD candidate at York University and President of BHA
BHA is a community-led registered charity working to improve the health and well-being of black communities in Canada. They help to improve the lives of black communities through systems change, health promotion, research and public policy convening, collaboration and capacity building, and championing health equity
fundraising. BHA is also a great resource for information, research and statistics on the health, wellbeing and overall status of black communities in Canada.
B l ac k L e g a l A c t i o n C e n t r e A non-profit community legal clinic that provides free legal services for low or no income Black residents of Ontario.
Ontario, and to push for a legal system that is more reflective of the real experiences of black people-one where racial equity and full participation of all black people in society is achieved.
Based in Toronto, Ontario, the BLAC was created to challenge and eradicate individual and systemic anti-black racism in
BlackLegalActionCentre.Ca 1-877-736-9406
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Recommended Reading
Top titles recommended by educators and activists on issues surrounding racism in North America.
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness Michelle Alexander
Civil rights litigator and legal scholar Michelle Alexander explores racial discrimination in the criminal justice system in the United States. It’s been dubbed the “secular bible of a new social movement,” paving the way for the beginnings of the Black Lives Matter movement in the late 2010s.
So You Want To Talk About Race Ijeoma Oluo
Race Talk And The Conspiracy Of Silence Derald Wing Sue
Race Talk is a great read for those looking to better understand how to approach race related discussions with family, friends, children and colleagues. It looks at common misconceptions and myths surrounding ‘race talk’ that have led to mass colourblindness, and explains why silence is not the best option for navigating today’s race-related issues.
So You Want To Talk About Race is a practical, modern and straightforward text that deconstructs the most pressing racial issues in North America today, including privilege, police brutality, intersectionality, micro-aggressions, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the “N” word - offering tangible advice for bridging the racial divide in our communities.
White Fragility Robin Diangelo
White Fragility explores the social structures that allow white people to dissociate from race-based issues. It unpacks some of the most common assumptions about racial inequality and helps readers to understand their role in maintaining racial inequality in North America.
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EVILLE
GALLIMORE
EVILLE
Many Canadians love the fact that Canadian football has its own set of rules that differ from those used in United States colleges and the National Football League. While the Canadian rules provide many young athletes here the ability to play football professionally in the CFL, these rule differences do put many Canadian athletes at a disadvantage, should they want to pursue their dream of making it to the National Football League. The words of Oklahoma Sooners Head Coach Lincoln Riley drive home this point, when Riley described his first impression of Gallimore to the Boys and Girls Podcast: “Coming from Canada, when Neville first got here, it was almost like bringing in an 8th Grader in terms of how much exposure he had to (American) football. He was very raw… he worked hard, but he was just so far behind…” Where others in his situation might have given up, Gallimore just worked harder and quickly changed minds. He became a dominant player during his last 2 years of college football, and a legitimate NFL prospect heading into the spring of 2020. In April, the Dallas Cowboys selected Gallimore in the 3rd round of the NFL Draft. Gallimore would become just the third player to grow up in Ottawa and be drafted – and the first player born and raised in Ottawa to be drafted to the NFL. It’s an achievement that wasn’t lost on Gallimore in the moment, which he made sure to mention in his NFL Draft Video. “It means the world to me… not only to represent Canada, but to represent my city – Ottawa, Ontario… Ottawa’s my city, that is where my heart’s at.” The 23 year old’s journey to be drafted to the NFL is complete, but another one is just beginning. While Neville Gallimore prepares for his first NFL training camp, he is joining the most talked about, debated and valuable sports franchise in the world: The Dallas Cowboys.
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“WORK THAT MUCH HARDER WHEN PEOPLE TELL YOU THAT YOU CAN’T DO SOMETHING. DON’T EVER LET ANYONE DETERMINE YOUR SUCCESS.” -Neville Gallimore, Dallas Cowboys #75
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J U L Y / A U G U S T
You grew up in Ottawa, but your family is from Jamaica, which you represent proudly. What are some aspects of Jamaican culture that really define the way you live? It’s like the language you speak... the morals, you know? When you’re Jamaican, respect and loyalty is everything. And on top of that, even in terms of the culture and the music that we listen to, the food that we eat, just really everything. That’s something that’s always been a part of my life. I’m Canadian, born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada but I was raised in a Jamaican household.
What are some of your favourite memories of the city? I have a few spots...half my life in Ottawa I spent living in the west end and the second half, from age eight or nine till about the time I went to college, I lived in the south. Rideau Canal, the Rideau Centre, Herongate Mall...they took that down but that used to be the hangout spot after school. South Keys, all the Caribbean restaurants I used to go to... I didn’t branch out much when I was in highschool. I was playing football, playing my sports and I was a homebody.
Are you a Leafs fan or Sens fan? I have to go with the Ottawa Senators. That’s my city, I gotta rep them no matter what.
When did you know that football was what you were destined for? I mean I’ve always loved football. I was playing since I was in the fourth grade. But it actually wasn’t until the 9th grade where like, I made a decision that I was going to devote literally everything to football. I stopped playing basketball, I was really heavy in that and I made a decision to just do football. You know, take it on 100% and devote everything - my training and whatever I did - to playing football.
I know your parents have played a huge role in your becoming the person you are today. What has it been like for you to be able to go to them and show them just how far you’ve come? It’s everything. My parents have made a lot of sacrifices. It was an awesome feeling, getting to work so hard and have my dreams come true. It’s not only my dream—in some sort of way it’s the dream of my parents for me to be able to have this success or to have this jumpstart at having success. It’s huge, and big for the city of course.
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Tell us about the moment that Jerry Jones called you, and you realized that you were going to be a Dallas Cowboy. What did that feel like? I was just sitting around, you know like every other ball player who was part of the draft, just waiting for the call. That’s when Jerry Jones reached out to me, and long story short he told me that he wanted me to be a Cowboy. It was a surreal moment for me. I forgot how to breath for a few seconds...I just didn’t know what to say. You know, the whole draft process... it’s tough and it sucks till it doesn’t. Nobody knows when their name is gonna get called unless you’re like the top three picks or whatever the case might be. You never know. So, to be in that position and then to have such a prestigious football program like that call me, it was everything. A lot of guys that are in the league and a lot of my friends say that’s the team that you want to be a part of. Just because it’s so rich in tradition. So to be a part of that is huge.
Does playing for such a high profile team excite you? Or are you a bit nervous about the media spotlight when training camp gets going? Has anyone given you any advice about handling media?
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F A C E S
M A G A Z I N E
O T T A W A
“
“
I’M CANADIAN, BORN AND RAISED IN OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, BUT I WAS RAISED IN A JAMAICAN HOUSEHOLD.
Yea I’ve gotten a lot of advice. But nah I’m not nervous. Obviously this is a big opportunity. I was actually training out here already, I’ve been living in the Frisco-Dallas area since January, so I had already fallen in love with the city. It’s just funny because I wasn’t ready to leave, and obviously things worked out. God had a plan and I was able to stay here. As far as media, I feel like I’ve never been a person that’s head over heels for the spotlight or the limelight. Being part of a big-time football team, that will come with it. But it’s how you approach it. You gotta do it with class, you gotta do everything in moderation, and you have to be mindful.
You are joining a Cowboys Defensive Line with some new faces, including another former Oklahoma Sooner, Gerald McCoy. Have you spoken to some of your new teammates? Yea I’ve spoken to a couple of guys and I’ve been blessed to have talked to guys like Gerald McCoy, Tyron Crawford, you know a fellow Canadian. It was just cool to see those guys reach out to me and show love, that
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meant a lot. They’ve helped me to prepare and to make sure my mentality is right. It’s all about keeping that work ethic and enhancing it. Just come ready to work. It doesn’t stop here. It’s a whole other beginning.
Tell us about what life is like for you away from the field. Who are your favourite artists? I gotta say my favourite artist right now: Pop Smoke, rest in peace. That’s probably one of my favourite artists to come out. Pop Smoke, Fivio Foreign, Sheff G. But I’m Jamaican in my blood so I listen to a lot of reggae, a lot of dancehall, a lot of afrobeats… you know the kinda music that you find your body moving to and you don’t even know what’s going on, you know?
If you could give one piece of advice to a young kid growing up in Ottawa that wants to follow in your footsteps, what would you tell them? I’d say that it’s never a problem to dream, but what you gotta be able to do with that dream is put it
into action. And really work, work that much harder when people tell you that you can’t do something. Don’t ever let anyone determine your success. All of that is determined by you. Do everything with a positive but determined mindset. It’s okay to be hard on yourself, but you also have to give yourself more credit if you’re really putting in the work. And that’s between you and you. You know how much work you’re putting in and how much value you’re putting into your craft. If you’re having faith and living it, everything else will take care of itself.
As you prepare for your first NFL training camp, what is your goal for this upcoming season? You know I’ve been asked that a few times, and I’m not really one to speak about what I want to do. My goal is to just make sure I’m coming in. Full throttle. I’m in great shape and just ready to compete, earn my spot and show that I’m a dominant ball player. That’s the biggest thing that I’m trying to show. @Path2greatwork
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FACES MAGAZINE | 27
F A C E S
M A G A Z I N E
O T T A W A
CITY SCENE
Ottawa’s Best
Farm 2 Table Restaurants The connection between people and food holds a distinct power whereby the consumer possesses an ability to support small providers and boost the local economy. Thanks to Ottawa’s abundance of locally farmed and foraged produce, dairy, wild game and livestock, farm-totable dining options are sprouting up like seedlings throughout our urban cityscape. We’ve rounded up the best restaurants that provide fresh and local farm-2-fork food.
Wilf & Ada’s 510 Bank St
This quaint scratch diner is an homage to the couple who served breakfast and lunch at the Bank Street institution for 21 years before retiring and selling the business in 2013. The mom & pop eatery was given a hefty facelift and today 1335 Wellington St. W. you’ll see tables adorned with jars of homemade marmalade, vinegar Ranked fourth in enRoute magazine’s 2013 list of best bottles of house dressing and mason new Canadian restaurants, this stylish venue in the jars of raw sugar. Featured on the heart of Wellington West hasn’t lost a bit of its mojo Food Network’s program “You Gotta seven years later. Casual and cozy, this spot continues Eat Here” in 2016, the menu is chalk to generate excitement and rave reviews among diners. full of a refined take on the classics It’s hard to pass up an evening that begins with shared and everything is made from scratch oysters on the half shell while enjoying the homemade using fresh, locally-sourced, quality bread and specialty butter that are promptly delivered ingredients whenever possible. Look to the table. The menu, which they change often deto the bottom of the menu and pending on what is available to them from local farmers you’ll find a comprehensive list of and suppliers, is short and sweet with light and vibrant local suppliers and producers. Dig raw bar items, veggie focused starters, rustic pastas in without question knowing that and a couple of rich mains. They have also proudly is made using cagepartnered with Transparent Kitchen, a digital farm-to- Tees Up your Foromelette A New Decade free poultry from Beking’s Farm, table platform, “where you can learn more and connect your sausages come from rare and with the craftsmen and craftswomen who ceaselessly Photography Jesi Cason heritageby breed pigs at Perth Pork help elevate your dining experience with us.”
Supply & Demand
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Products and your burger is straight from O’Brien Farms, a fourth generation beef producer. Oh and that java topped up at exactly the right moment on repeat? It’s ethically sourced and direct-trade from local roaster Happy Goat Coffee Company. A much loved restaurant in Ottawa, the weekends can certainly get quite busy, and you may see wait times up to an hour. With the option to leave a name and number in order to receive a call or text when your table opens up, enjoy a stroll in the downtown core while you work up an appetite for a top-notch breakfast. Summing it up perfectly, the Food Network claims, “Wilf & Ada’s is certainly one of the cutest breakfast diners this country has to offer.”
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Albion Rooms 33 Nicholas St
Tucked inside the Novotel Ottawa, this trendy restaurant exudes comfort and class with wooden tables, cozy leather chairs and lavish couches. A warm and intimate 86-seat dining room was a welcome addition in 2017, decorated modestly with burgundy velvet, dark walls, oak tables and library sconces. A member of Savour Ottawa, which is an initiative that provides instant recognition for the use of local agricultural products, chef Jesse Bell’s breakfast, lunch and dinner plates showcase our growers, producers and artisans through an eclectic menu. As charcuterie boards go, the Albion Rooms serves one of the city’s best, according to The Citizen. Try the house smoked wild boar from
Trillium Meadows in Vankleek Hill or a variety of Seed to Sausage options including an appealing red wine calabrese salami. Balance out the board with award-winning cheese options like the Bleu D’Elizabeth from Warwick (Quebec) or the Glengarry Fine Cheese aged gouda. The exclusive and flavourful entrées, like the Elk Steak and Grilled Veal T-bone along with the Pot Roasted Cornish Hen for two, are pricey but melt in your mouth and are certainly worth every penny. With local craft beers on tap and interesting signature cocktails, The Albion Rooms is the perfect spot to indulge in local flavour.
Aiana
50 O’Connor Street The latest addition to Ottawa’s restaurant scene, Aiana has taken over the space that formerly housed Hy’s Steakhouse. With the help of architectural and design firm Linebox (the company behind Shopify’s offices), this sleek space provides diners with an elegant backdrop - all grey and teal colour palettes, with textures like stone, tile and pale wood, according to Ottawa Magazine. Offering a diverse, multi-culturally focused menu, the farm-to-table restaurant sources from local suppliers that include Juniper Farms, Backyard Edibles, Mariposa, O’Briens Farms, Brome Lake Duck and Chantal Plante from the Parkdale Market. Bringing Canadian heritage to your plate coupled with the culture of their native Somalia, Aiana features an a-la-carte menu and diners can expect to find items like roasted bone marrow, bannock, tourtières, terrines, house-cured charcuterie, a twist on the classic poutine and homemade preserves, pickles, vinegars and ferments. Their craft beer list includes brews from Overflow Brewing Company, Bicycle Craft Brewery, Dominion City Brewery, and Orleans Brewing Co and the restaurant also offers a tasting menu on select nights in the private dining room that seats 20.
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F A C E S
M A G A Z I N E
O T T A W A
HEALTH
A Guide To Poisonous Plants Your socially-distant summer probablyhasyouswappingyour city-digsfor somethingmorerural. Withall that natureonyour agenda, wethought arefresher onskin-irritatingplantsmight be of use.
The most common allergy in North America is poison ivy. A whopping 11 million people annually are expected to develop an environmental contact allergy from poison ivy alone.
Poison Ivy If you’ve internalized any prior warnings about this plant, you’ll remember three leaves, and a red stem. That’s mostly true. Poison ivy is a leafy shrub or vine that can be identified by the leaves growing in groups of threes, the middle leaf usually will have a slightly longer stem, and the smaller leaves on opposite sides will usually have a mitten shape. The plant will have red stems and possibly white berries in the spring, but may be completely green in the summer. It may also have small, white, five-petal flowers on it. The edges of the leaves can be either jagged or smooth, and the top may appear glossy. 30 | FACES MAGAZINE
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HEALTH
Poison Oak Similar to poison ivy, poison oak’s green leaves grow in groups of three from the vine. Their leaves can be jagged, oak-like or smooth and glossy on top, and the plant can grow as a shrub, bush or vine. The key identifying mark, though, is that pattern of three leaves growing from a single stem, with the middle leaf jutting out farther, and two smaller leaves on each side.
Poison Sumac Poison sumac grows as a shrub or small tree, with reddish branches/stems that may fade later in the year to a brown or grey. Poison sumac shrubs are sparse rather than bushy, and the leaves will appear in groups of two along a stem, parallel to each other. As a poison sumac tree or shrub grows, the leaves may be distinctively pointed upwards. Poison sumac leaves are smooth around the edges, not jagged.
Poison Parsnip If you get wild parsnip on your skin and expose it to sunlight, you could develop a rash or burn that you’ll regret for days. This plant slips under the radar all too often, because it resembles the dill plant, or golden alexander with its distinctive yellow flowers at the end. The difference will be in the leaves: poison parsnip has green leaves arranged in pairs that are toothed and shaped like a mitten. Dill and golden alexander also have leaves, but dill leaves are generally smooth, and golden alexander will be smaller. If you run into this plant, make sure to avoid the sun until you’ve had a chance to wash off.
Honourable mention: Poison Hemlock and Spotted Water Hemlock While these plants won’t cause any skin irritation, their seeds are highly poisonous to animals and humans. This plant resembles water parsnip and Queen Anne’s Lace, but if you see this plant growing on your property, be sure to do your research on how to safely remove it. FACES MAGAZINE | 31
HEALTH If I use SPF60, I’ll get double the amount of sun protection than if I were to use SPF30, and can stay out longer. False. The amount of UVB rays blocked by sunscreen isn’t correlated directly with its SPF number, the differences are marginal. SPF15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF30 blocks 97% of UVB rays, and SPF50 blocks 98% of UVB rays. So, while a higher SPF is better (it provides more SPF with less product, and helps to ensure you are getting adequate protection) it is not double the protection, and you shouldn’t stay out any longer than the recommended time for that day.
If I start to burn, I’ll go inside. That’s how you can tell if your skin is being damaged. False. Both burning and tanning are signs of sun damage. Any change in the melanin in your skin, which causes the tan, can increase your risk for sun cancer. Sorry to say, but there is no such thing as a healthy sun tan.
5 Myths About
Sun Damage Debunked
Summertime shine: Our love-hate
relationship with the sun isn’t anything new, and its certainly not seasonal. But, since summer is the season of tans, T-shirts and long days outside, we’re revisiting the rules on sun protection. Spoiler alert: these rules can’t be bent.
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Sun damage isn’t possible on cloudy, windy or overcast days. False. The risk of sun damage on a given day is not determined by heat, and windy days may give the impression of a lower UV index, causing people to stay outside longer than recommended. Cloudy days can also have a very high UV index; the sun easily reflects off of cloud cover and may actually magnify in intensity. So, don’t judge your risk level by wind, temperature or cloud cover. Make sure to look up your local daily UV Index and follow recommended exposure times.
Darker skin tones are not at risk for skin cancer. False. Naturally darker skin tones do run a lower risk of developing skin cancer than lighter tones, but the risk is still there. Dark skin tones can suffer from overexposure and sun damage. Data suggests that cases of skin cancer in darker-skinned men and women have a higher chance of going undetected for longer, so it’s important to regularly check your skin for any changes and abnormalities.
My face, back and arms are where to check for skin cancer. False. While skin cancer can appear anywhere on the body, sun-exposed areas are a prime target. Your face, back and arms are a great starting point, but other common areas to check (and to limit exposure to) are the ears, neck, hands and legs. For men and women with darker skin tones, a common place for melanomas are palms of hands, soles, and nail beds.
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J U L Y / A U G U S T
5 Foods That Help With Focus When getting going is next to impossible and the task at hand is just not getting done, a quick fix might seem like the most tempting option. But did you know that a brief detour to the kitchen could be a much healthier alternative? The latest research shows a healthy diet and lifestyle can improve the functioning of our brains and certain nutrients found in everyday foods play a part in improving brain power, focus and energy - helping you tackle the day’s to-do list, no chemicals added.
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Avocado Not only is it a staple brunch item, avocado is also an excellent source of monounsaturated fats, which can help promote blood flow, preserve memory and improve brain functioning. “Avocado can be used to create blood sugar balance to add in addition to low glycemic carbohydrates,” says Daphne Olivier, a registered Dietician and Nutritionist. Top off your avo toast with an egg, full of vitamins B6, B12, folates and choline, which recent research suggests may prevent brain shrinkage and delay cognitive decline. Salmon “Wild caught salmon is a great source of protein and is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which can balance blood sugar and decrease inflammation in the brain,” says Olivier. Research has also found that omega-3 fatty acids provide more oxygen to the brain helping to improve cognitive and intellectual functioning. Not a fan of salmon? Try tuna or herring - they are also known to be beneficial to brain health. Leafy Greens Vegetables like spinach, kale, and collard greens contain a variety of nutrients including vitamin K, a nutrient known to enhance brain function, and B vitamins such as vitamin B6, B12, and folate, which are essential to nerve and brain activity. Furthermore research from The Journal of Neurology found that people who ate leafy greens daily showed the same mental focus as someone five years younger than they. Whole Grains
Green Tea Coffee isn’t the only drink that’s known to give its consumers a bit of a buzz. “Caffeine in green tea can energize you and help you focus,” says Lauren Harris-Pincus, a registered Dietician and Nutritionist and founder of Nutrition Starring YOU, where she specializes in weight management and prediabetes. Furthermore, a study published in The Journal of Pharmacology found that green tea increases the brain’s effective connectivity, leading to an improvement in cognitive performance and memory. Plus the age old East Asian brew contains an antioxidant called EGCG that fights off degenerative diseases and helps with memory and spatial learning.
Studies have found that children who ate a high fiber, complex carbohydrate breakfast performed better in school, showing a 20-percent improvement on memory tasks. “Whole grains provide a source of sustained energy and digest more slowly than refined grains,” says Harris-Pincus. “If possible, go for whole grains like oatmeal that are less processed than wheat bread.” Adding ground flax, a seed rich in alpha-linolenic acid (a type of plantbased omega-3 fatty acid) to your oatmeal can also help control blood clotting, build cell membranes in the brain and reduce inflammation.
AN INTERVIEW WITH
RYAN REYN OLDS It is too much of a cliché to say that Ryan Reynolds has typically Canadian virtues? He’s polite, modest, and endlessly self-deprecating. He also remains a deeply loyal Canadian who often returns to visit his native city of Vancouver where he has shot two of his massively popular Deadpool films. Playing the sarcastic, somewhat twisted superhero turned Reynolds’ Hollywood career around and it was the actor himself who developed and produced the billion-dollar film franchise. The massive popularity of those movies - each film grossed nearly $800 million at the worldwide box office - has given Reynolds new found bankability that spilled over into the success of recent films such as 2017’s The Hitman’s Bodyguard and this year’s smash Netflix hit, Underground 6.
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EFFORTLESSLY POLITE, WITTY, AND DEEPLY UNIMPRESSED WITH HIS CELEBRITY
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eanwhile, during the coronavirus ep- idemic, Reynolds, together with his wife Blake Lively, has joined the relief effort in his native Canada by donating $1 million to be split between the organizations Feeding America and Food Banks Canada. “Covid-19 has brutally impacted older adults and low-income families... If you can give, these orgs need our help,” Reynolds wrote on Instagram. “Take care of your bodies and hearts. Leave room for joy. Call someone who’s isolated and might need connection.” In addition, Reynolds has stepped up to help another Canadian city - Ottawa - with a surprise $2000 donation to the Ottawa Food Bank via its GoFundMe page. It turns out that Reynolds spent a year living and working in the nation’s capital around the age of 13 while he was shooting the second season of the 1991 TV series “Hillside” (AKA Fifteen) in Ottawa at the CJOH studios. “Blake and I are so happy to give back to a country that’s given us so much,” said Reynolds in a message posted in early May on the Ottawa Food Bank’s Instagram page. “I used to live in Ottawa (in Vanier). It holds a special place
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in my heart. So happy to donate to your amazing food bank.”
After a fan Tweeted a photo of the high rise complex, Reynolds replied: “That’s it!”
In the meantime, Reynolds appeared on The Interview Dudes podcast which is hosted by three 11-year-old boys who live in Ottawa. While answering questions on the show, Reynolds reiterated his appreciation for Ottawa as being “kinda my city too...I love Ottawa as well. I feel like Ottawa and Vancouver are my two homes.”
Apart from his Canadian charity donations, Reynolds has also declared that 30% of the sales revenues from online sales of his Aviation Gin company will be donated to the United States Bartenders Guild to support American barkeeps who have been left jobless during the pandemic.
On top of that, the Canadian heartthrob gave a shoutout to Ottawa’s Mayor: “Mayor Jim Watson... he’s a fantastic guy,” he said. “He’s a really interesting guy, he’s one of the most interesting mayors I’ve ever heard of. I’ve read a lot about him; I think he’s doing a good job.” Thanks to some alert Ottawa fans, Reynolds even helped pinpoint via Twitter exchanges where Ryan lived during his time shooting the TV series. “I lived in a high rise. There were three in a row. I thought they were called, ‘The Vanier Towers.’ I looked it up and they now seem to be business towers. My memory‘s a little foggy. I was around 13 yrs old at the time but I wasn’t particularly bright for my age.”
In the meantime, Reynolds is preparing to suit up as Deadpool again in the third instalment of the franchise. But like so many other Hollywood projects, preparations for the film have been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic as has the release of Free Guy, which is now expected to unspool in September. This action adventure comedy stars Reynolds as yet another bumbling would-be hero who is charmingly incompetent at saving the world. That kind of tendency to poke fun at himself is characteristic of Reynold’s own personality. He’s one of the few Hollywood stars who refuses to take himself seriously. Whether it’s calling Hugh Jackman a “fraud” who only “pretends to be Australian,” releasing a TV ad for his Aviation American Gin company that features the Peloton Wife actress, or carrying on
a social media feud with his own wife, Reynolds delights in sending up a celebrity world that he finds manifestly absurd. “It’s been a blast getting away from the traditional concept of the leading man...which is not something I’ve ever been really that great at, to be totally blunt,” Reynolds says. “When I started in this business, my highest goal was to be the wacky neighbour on a sitcom. [My career] took a much different path... and I’ve managed to find projects that give me a chance to a play characters that are much truer to who I am and my own sensibility.” Reynolds personally lobbied 20th Century Fox for over a decade to make the original 2016 Deadpool film. The slick, self-mocking action comedy was a perfect outlet for the Canadian’s relentlessly self-mocking sensibility. The two Deadpool films rank as the highest grossing R-rated films of all time. In real life, the 43-year-old Ryan Reynolds, born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, is happily married to actress Blake Lively. They live in Bedford, New York, together with their three children, James (a girl), 4, Ines, 2, and a new baby (name and sex still undisclosed) born in August. In person, the 6’2” Reynolds is effortlessly polite, witty, and deeply unimpressed with his celebrity.
REYNOLDS ON BEING CANADIAN
GROWING UP IN VANCOUVER AND HAVING A VERY CANADIAN MENTALITY HELPED ME LOOK AT THE BUSINESS IN A MORE PLAYFUL WAY. “I found that I was less driven and not as worried by success or failure. I think Canadians are generally more polite and self-effacing and that kind of attitude made it easier for me to adjust to things.”
J U L Y / A U G U S T
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REYNOLDS ON EVERYTHING ELSE
Your latest film 6 Underground has earned terrific reviews and attracted a huge audience on Netflix. What was it like working on a Michael Bay movie? It’s chaos. Like it’s just chaotic. You never know when you are supposed to be shooting or what you are supposed to be doing or where you are supposed to be going or what you are supposed to be saying. But somehow, some way [Michael Bay] and his editors make it all kind of come together on the screen and you get this unbelievable spectacle of a movie that’s muscular and a huge event. There is a rhyme to his madness.
Does Michael Bay like to be very active on the set while he’s conducting all the chaos? He’s really hands-on. I mean, he’s filming a lot of the stuff. I’d say that half the movie it was just by his hand - he’s handling the camera and throwing it in these weird places and doing all kinds of stuff. I mean, it’s wild. There’s a reason that his camera is called “The Bayhem.” That’s what it is. It is mayhem.
Your screen image these days is pretty much that of someone who doesn’t take himself or life that seriously. Was it your idea to infuse your Deadpool character with some of your own natural sense of irony and cynicism? There was a lot about his sense of humour and way of looking at things [from the comic book] that I related to. He doesn’t take himself seriously and I’ve never been someone to take myself seriously, either. That’s been a side of me that I think has come through in many of the characters I’ve played and I knew exactly how I could take Deadpool in a very different kind of direction than you’ve ever seen any superhero take.
How does it feel to look back on the days when you were starting out as an actor? Did you ever imagine doing anything else with your life? No, not really. My father was a cop and so were two of my brothers and I was thinking of becoming a fireman. I had actually started studying for the entrance exam but then a friend told me that I didn’t have a chance because the fire department had a mandate to hire women and visible minorities.
Since I didn’t qualify in either category, I decided that I would move to L.A. and try to make my dream of becoming an actor come true. I think I was also rebelling against my family profession. It was either that or drive forklifts or work at Safeway. When I drove to California, I didn’t even tell my boss at Safeway that I was leaving. I didn’t tell my parents either, so they were shocked when they found out what I was doing and that I wasn’t planning on coming back home.
How did you first get involved in acting? You grew up as the son of a policeman? Things were sometimes pretty intense at my home and my father was pretty tough on me and my three older brothers. That built up a desire in me to find a way out of the house and be on my own. I took drama classes in high school and I got to do a lot of improv which I discovered I loved to get involved in and be very adventurous and wild. One day casting directors from Nickelodeon showed up in town and asked every high school drama teacher to send their four best drama students to audition. I didn’t get picked at first, but I kept on auditioning for the show until I eventually got hired and I was on a plane to Florida. (The series, Fifteen, lasted four seasons).
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Later you went to college but then you decided to quit and move to L.A. to pursue acting full-time? I was getting bored in college and one day I just thought I should drive down in my Jeep to L.A. and see what would happen. I spent a lot of time auditioning and expecting that everyone would be ready to hire me. I found out pretty quickly that it wasn’t going to be like that and that I was competing against a lot of very talented people who had exactly the same ambitions as I had.
What made you stay the course? You’ve got to be willing to tough it out, but I thought acting was a lot more interesting than driving a forklift or any of the other odd jobs I had done up to that point.
Was it a struggle at the beginning or was it a source of great satisfaction to be a teenager who got to cut school and hang out on film and TV sets? It was generally a lot of fun although there were some moments where you’re not exactly doing the most creative work and you want to be somewhere else. But looking back I think it was a pretty cool experience and I was probably very lucky that it was a slow process before I had some real success and knew that I could make my living at it. I think I benefitted from the fact that I was able to adapt to the kind of life
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O T T A W A
you lead as an actor and dealing with the attention and your own expectations about what you want to accomplish. It was disorienting at times and it took me time before I was able to figure things out on a lot of different levels. But overall I’m very grateful for the way things evolved.
Does being Canadian give you a different perspective on the industry as opposed to how Americans experience life in Hollywood? I found that I was less driven and not as worried by success or failure. Growing up in Vancouver and having a very Vancouver or Canadian mentality helped me look at the business in a more playful way. I think Canadians are generally more polite and self-effacing and that kind of attitude made it easier for me to adjust to things. I saw [acting] as an adventure and I wanted to enjoy the ride. I didn’t want to be one of those actors who lives or dies with every role - and I’m lucky I didn’t take that attitude, of course! [Laughs] So not taking myself too seriously has always been a quality that I’ve tried to maintain and not let go of.
That attitude is very much in evidence in the way your Aviation Gin company took advantage of the negative public reaction to the Peloton ads and featured the same actress, Monica Ruiz, who was mocked in social media for her appearance in the TV commercial?
I thought the viral negativity was unfair and she was in a situation that I’ve been in many times before. You put it out there, and it doesn’t quite work, and you feel a little alienated and stuff. So, I had tremendous empathy for her in that moment. Doing the Aviation Gin ad sort of gave her some authorship over some of this conversation, which I loved. And she’s, she’s the best. She’s really funny, really smart.
You later tweeted “exercise bike not included.”? That was the kind of line you couldn’t resist! [Laughs]
How do and your wife Blake Lively juggle your respective careers? It’s not that difficult. We don’t allow our film schedules to overlap and we are very conscious of being very present as parents. I come from a big family and so does Blake and we both want to create a very warm and happy environment for our children.
Do you ever get used to not sleeping a lot while raising young children? Blake and I are convinced that your children are allergic to sleep!
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I SAW [ACTING] AS AN ADVENTURE AND I WANTED TO ENJOY THE RIDE.
W E A L T H P A R T N E R S
PREPARATION VS PANIC (REVISTED) A year or so ago, I wrote about the difficulty of finding value as an equity investor. After all, investors had enjoyed a pretty good run since recovering from the 2008-09 global financial crisis. The point of my article was that perhaps it was time to rebalance and prepare for the next market pullback. I certainly had no idea what the catalyst would be, but Covid-19 proved to be a good one. Those who reviewed their asset mix, took profits from over valued stocks, rebalanced with a tilt to more income-oriented investments and perhaps added some private investments, have likely fared quite well this spring. Others likely panicked during the Covid-19 pullback…selling their wonderful positions in proven companies like McDonalds, Visa, Berkshire Hathaway, Canadian banks or mutual funds holding similar names, only to miss the significant rally since the low on March 23rd. Today’s article holds preparatory words to a new problem looming in the not too distant horizon. It will catch many off guard and its effects are equally destructive to building wealth. Taxation! If you think for one second that we are not going to pay for all the much needed stimulus and the billions of dollars of government bailouts – you are very mistaken. Now is the time to consider the changes to capital gains inclusion rate, tax credits and income tax rates generally. Consider what would happen if OAS claw back thresholds were lowered, a wealth tax was implemented, or a tax on estates over a certain value was imposed? The latter is another layer of tax resulting in double taxation since all assets are already “deemed sold” and taxed at the time of death. Given the heavy burden on RRSP/RRIF values, capital gains etc., at that time, this may be especially punitive. Could you take advantage of income splitting through a spousal investment loan…perhaps gift or loan money to adult children if both are in lower tax brackets?
Do you need more RRSPs? If not, look at insurance products or non-registered assets. There are still very good fixed income investments that are currently tax preferred (Corporate Class and Total Return) and if the laws change on these, they are liquid and can easily be sold to engage in other strategies. Tax planning for retirement and estates will be very important in the coming years. The message here is that even if you did not rebalance and your quality equity holdings felt the downdraft in March, history proves all broad-based declines are temporary and followed by a new high – if you stayed invested and did not panic and sell. However, the lesson here is that while markets declines may be temporary, a higher tax obligation is not. It is permanent loss of capital! Review your family holdings now and speak with a Chartered Financial Planner, Tax Accountant or similarly accredited advisor team to find out where you are vulnerable and how you might protect your wealth when the taxman comes calling. They are not far away and….they ring until they are satisfied. Michael Prittie, CFP, CIM FCSI, CIWM is a Portfolio Manager and Branch Manager with Mandeville Private Client Inc/Capital Wealth Partners in Ottawa. Mandeville Private Client Inc. is a member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (“IIROC”) and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (”CIPF”). Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses may be associated with investments. Products are not guaranteed; their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Please read the offering documents before investing.
www.michaelprittie.ca
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LIFE
Working From Home How To Boost Your Productivity This Summer Seek Out Natural Light
Working from home can be a breeze, right? If you’re settling in for a summer of WFH (the newest modern-day acronym), here’s our best advice.
You’d be surprised how natural light can boost your mood and cognition. Try moving your work space to a place where your eyes can absorb (not look directly at or blind your computer screen) natural light while you work away. Making sure your office hours are filled with natural light can also help to reduce eye strain and headaches that are associated with those long hours sitting at a computer, according to a 2018 study published in The Ergonomics International Journal.
Feeling Out Of Focus? Back Away From The Coffee Caffeine is a great tool (if not the holy grail) for boosting focus when working, but don’t mistake the feeling of dehydration for a caffeine craving. Coffee and tea can be very dehydrating, and this can lead to that feeling of unfocus and grogginess. Before work, make sure to get a good dose of water, and set timers throughout your work day to continue getting that much-needed hydration. It’s an essential part of your WFH success.
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Work Your Best Hours Distracted By Even The Smallest Of Noises? You Need More Noise Have you ever had those days where your brain is distracted by any small noise that passes by? It can be exhausting. The trick to overcoming that feeling? A steady stream of consistent noise at a mid to low volume. It’s why coffee shops are scientifically proven to boost productivity: all those machines humming and muffled voices make for a soundtrack of steady, predictable sounds at a low level. So next time you feel your brain becoming a runaway toddler, flip on an instrumental playlist and play it on low volume, not on your headphones, so that it becomes the background noise. It will absorb any of those surprise noises that, once upon a time, were your WFH demise.
There’s no proof of those golden hours that unlock max productivity for every human being. If you’re a night owl, and work better at night, then you’re with about 30% of the population on that (60 - 80% of people work best in the morning). But, studies have noted that our moods are predictable during the day. We tend to be in a better mood in the morning, with a better attitude about work that peaks around noon, according to the British Journal of Psychology. Your logic and reasoning skills are generally sharper in the morning, too, so it’s a better time for decision making. If reason rules the morning, creativity is better at night. Keeping those tasks that require creativity to the afternoon is a good idea, and may explain the night owl phenomenon. Cheers to you, creative types.
You Need A Closed Door Policy A host of studies (according to the Globe and Mail) show that open-door policies not only stunt productivity, but lead to irritability and frustration at the workplace. Don’t let this happen at home. Being available for distractions can be almost as distracting as the distractions themselves. If you haven’t adopted this at home yet, try it out and see the results. If your home is too small for a closed-off space, then headphones and a do-notdisturb is the way to go.
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The MLB’s Return And Why The Blue Jays Could Compete By Liam Fox
Canadian baseball fans rejoice. Major League Baseball (MLB) is officially taking steps towards a return and it will start on Canada Day. The Toronto Blue Jays as well as baseball’s 29 other major league teams will begin training camp on July 1. After weeks of tumultuous negotiations surrounding salaries and the number of games that could feasibly be played, the league and players association finally agreed on a format that worked for both parties. The official season schedule has games starting on either July 23 or 25. Depending on the MLB’s ability to follow that schedule and the actions of other leagues like the NHL and NBA, baseball could be in line to be the first North American pro sports league to play games since mid-March. With more than two months of time lost due to COVID-19 shutdowns, the 2020 MLB season will consist of only 60 games compared to the usual 162. As with everything this year, safety concerns will dominate discussion surrounding the early points of the revived season. It is unclear what health conditions will be and what steps the league office and teams will take in keeping players and staff safe. On Wednesday, it was reported that several members of the Blue Jays organization had tested positive for coronavirus a week before they are supposed to gather for training camp. There will be nearly 900 players on 46 | FACES MAGAZINE
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opening day rosters, not to mention the countless coaching, training, and operation staff members. There are several baseball managers and coaches that are in their 60s and even 70s, putting them squarely at-risk of potential COVID-related harm. Unlike the NHL and NBA, the MLB will not be utilizing hub cities and will instead utilize several stadiums – it is unclear how many – without fan attendance. It appears unlikely the Blue Jays will be able to play in Canada at least to start the season. Answers to safety and location-related questions will have to wait, but it is clear baseball will be played this summer and the Blue Jays have the chance to compete given the shortened schedule. With 100 less games to weed out the true contenders from pretenders, virtually any team could have the opportunity to make a playoff run. For the Jays, it will come down to their head-to-head matchups with their AL East compatriots who represent one of the strongest divisions in baseball. 40 of their 60 games will be against division rivals. That means 10 games each against the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and Baltimore Orioles. There is reason for hope with the promise of young hitters progressing and the glamour of a new starting pitcher with playoff pedigree. The Blue Jays have a stable of young and talented hitters on their roster with much hype surrounding them, including Vlad Guerrero Jr. (21 years old), Bo Bichette (22), and Cavan Biggio (25). From the early-season hype for Guerrero to the late-season hitting explosion by Bichette, all showed flashes last season perhaps beyond what was expected of them so soon. The question is whether they can sustain over the course of even a shortened season. All in all, eight of Toronto’s top nine hitters last season were under the age of 30 and all will be back this
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season. The talent is there, the pedigree is not. Following last season, Toronto needed a boost in pitching – especially with the progression of the young hitters potentially moving up the timeline for contention. The Jays were bottom four in the MLB in quality starts (i.e. when a starter pitches at least six innings and allows three earned runs or fewer) and in the bottom third in total team ERA. New faces in Tanner Roark and Chase Anderson were acquired by the Blue Jays in an attempt to re-make their rotation with an influx of pitching talent. But those moves pale in comparison to the crown jewel of their offseason. The shiny new piece for the 2020 season is ace pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu, who the Jays scooped-up from the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency. Ryu led the MLB in ERA last season – besting the likes of Cy Young Award Winner Jacob deGrom – and has been a stalwart in a competitive Dodgers pitching rotation for many years. He will likely be the opening day starter and relied upon as the team’s top arm this season. The value of an ace pitcher in a shortened season cannot be overstated. Ryu’s ability to deliver on his contract in 2020 will be the defining storyline for the Blue Jays. Manager Charlie Montoyo will certainly have a lot of talent to work with in year two at the helm but it remains to be seen whether the Jays can put it all together in a consistent fashion. In a traditional 162-game season, they would have been a fun team that put up runs and at times punched above their weight in matchups with the AL’s true contenders. In a 60-game season, everything is on the table. The importance of each and every game has been expanded exponentially this MLB season. If the Blue Jays can stay healthy and progress in the way that fans hope, they could find themselves competing for a spot in October baseball.
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Retail (The Back End) While brick and mortar needs are scaled back, businesses are busy shifting to meet the needs of their customers through online platforms. This creates new positions for selling, customer service and engaging with customers through online platforms. Tech-savy individuals may be able to find themselves helping a local business adapt to e-commerce or, joining a large company expanding their online operations.
Procurement and Supply Chain Managers Many businesses are adjusting to new supply chain models. With COVID19 restrictions, their buying needs have changed, too (think PPE). Companies will look to hire help for adapting to this shift, needing people to plan, implement and manage new supply chains.
Logistics and Warehousing While demand shifts and people begin to order more online, it’s not just ecommerce that will need more hands on deck. Shipping, inventory, and order fulfillment are all areas that will see a spike in hiring to help meet the needs of an online customer base. Businesses will need help meeting inventory demands, and products will shift to warehouses, rather than stores.
Social Media
So... Who’s Hiring? It’s true, job postings and positions fell over 40% at the beginning of the pandemic. But as the country looks to reopen, where will your next job opportunity be? Here are some of the departments and fields where hiring is on the upward.
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Health & Safety Administration As businesses adapt to COVID19 restrictions for an unforeseeable amount of time, their needs for managing these restrictions are increasing. There will be a need for coordinating rollouts, implementations and compliance of these new policies across large organizations and on many different levels, opening up a new line of work.
Companies are changing rapidly, and they want to let people know. The best way to do that? Investing in their marketing. As things move online, companies will need more help with their social media game, and people who understand it will be poised for success. Businesses will look to expand their marketing and communication teams, or outsource them to marketing agencies (who will do the hiring instead).
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With Tokyo Games Delayed, Ottawa Olympian Pamphinette Buisa Turned To Activism And Community Service. By Liam Fox
Many Canadian athletes were put in limbo by the delay of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. There will be no chanting crowds, no fiery competition, no medals won or lost this summer. The world has been too busy trying to control the Coronavirus pandemic for luxuries such as athletics. The time off affords those with a public platform, however, the opportunity to focus on impacting Canadians beyond what they would see during an Olympic event. For Ottawa’s Pamphinette Buisa, that has manifested in different ways as she has spent her time giving back to her community. Buisa is a 23-year-old Rugby Sevens player from Gatineau who is a member of Canada’s national team. She helped Canada to the gold medal in the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru and had her sights set on competing for the podium in Tokyo this summer. When she isn’t suiting up for Canada, she plays for the Ottawa Irish Rugby Club and splits her time largely between Ottawa and Victoria, where she attended school. In June, Buisa organized a well-attended ‘Peace Rally For Black Lives’ in Victoria, B.C. According to Buisa, over 9,000 people were there in person to support the movement and 10,000 tuned into the live stream of the event.
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“With the Olympics being postponed, I have looked at it as an opportunity to reflect, to recalibrate, and to refocus. I feel like I have put things into perspective, and it has made me appreciate this journey so much more. This experience has only strengthened my drive towards excellence, made me so grateful for my support systems, and also highlights the importance of not taking things for granted. People are so busy in their day-to-day lives, so being in such uncertain times, I am choosing to look at the positives and the opportunities that this time has granted me,” said Buisa. “We have a lot of allies and a lot of people that want to learn. That is a testament of progress. I remember on Monday there was a guy who
Photo by Marcia Fernandes
was yelling profanities about what we were doing and then I saw him on Sunday at the front [of the gathering] quiet and crying. Because he saw change. If I can be a part of helping someone realize that change within a week, then I can only imagine what we can do in the months and years from now on.” The idea for the event sprang from a text received early Monday morning from Vanessa Simone, a friend and track athlete at the University of Victoria, about hosting a peaceful rally to protest the ongoing treatment of Black and Brown Canadians. It is part of a larger international movement for equality prompted by the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
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Close to 1,000 people showed up on Monday, but Buisa says they wanted to turn their attention to something bigger for later that week. They got to work promoting for a second rally on social media. “We are coming together as one, we allow the opportunity to stand together as a single human race, to combat interlocking systems of oppression, and to prevent any black and brown people from becoming a hashtag. Enough is enough. To be pro-black does not mean you were anti-anything. We simply want to shed a light that expresses and emphasizes that black experience, black excellence, and black lives are valid and matter,� said Buisa in a powerful Instagram post promoting the event. Photo by Stephanie Roussinos
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“WHEN YOU MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, IN DIVERSE COMMUNITIES, THEY REMEMBER YOU AND THEY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT.” Photo by Stephanie Roussinos
Buisa and the other rally promoters leaned on social media platforms to get the word out but she is confident her ties to the community was the driving force in bringing people together for the rally. The rally was community-focused, built by individuals who cared about challenging the way things are and the way things could be for Canadians. “When you make connections with people in the community, in diverse communities, they remember you and they know what you are about. I think that is what was so beautiful about. It wasn’t just the social media aspect of it.” The announcement that Canada would not allow its athletes to compete at the Games was expected but still a 52 | FACES MAGAZINE
disappointment for the many Canadian athletes it affected, including Buisa. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) made the only rational decision available to them, delaying the Tokyo Olympics and tentatively setting the date for the Games for July 2021. The culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice for hundreds of athletes worldwide had to take a backseat. “When I heard that Canada had pulled out of the Games, I was pretty upset. Five years of my life was organized around it happening in the summer of 2020, so I quickly had to figure out what my next steps would be,” said Buisa. “I think my biggest fear was the fear of the unknown, and not knowing what the next steps where. At the same time, I was relieved that the
Canadian Olympic Committee took a proactive approach to keep Canadian athletes safe.”
The effect of COVID-19 on people worldwide has been enormous as countries scramble to tackle the public health and economic impacts brought on by the pandemic. To help alleviate those affected in Victoria, Buisa launched her own community-based charity initiative in support of those affected financially by COVID-19. She took action with a teammate of hers, Caroline Crossley, as well as other community members to establish the Vancouver Island Steps Up – Community Relief Fund (VISU), which “is aimed at supporting low-income residents of Vancouver Island who have
been affected disproportionately by the COVID-19 crisis”. “Our goal is to support those who have fallen through the cracks and do not have their needs adequately met by the current standardized governmental aid programs, in efforts to bridge the gap,” said Buisa. VISU is accepting donations and redistributing the funds to applicants that have been impacted by business closures. By early May, VISU had already reached its initial fundraising goal of $15,000. More information regarding the initiative and its mission can be found on the VISU website. The timeline has changed to 2021
for Buisa but staying in shape for the Tokyo Olympics remains paramount. High-performance training has been difficult for many athletes during this period of physical distancing, restricting Olympians like Buisa from practicing with teammates and working out with professional coaches and trainers. “With the physical distancing regulations put in place, I am not able to play rugby with my teammates or work on the contact aspects of the sport. However, I have found creative ways to train while in isolation,” said Buisa. “The main thing that is reassuring is that the whole world is in the same boat, we all have to adjust, and it is important to remember that this is not the time to
get to my physical peak. The main focus for everyone should be to stay safe, stay healthy, and do their part in reducing the spread of COVID19.” The Olympics may have to wait until the turn of the calendar, but summer 2020 will hardly be lost time for Pamphinette Buisa. Tokyo will be there waiting for her and the entire Canadian women’s rugby team to compete for a medal in 2021.
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CHRISTO BILUKIDI Christo Bilukidi’s dream of playing in the NFL came true when he became just the second person from Ottawa to be drafted to the NFL in 2012 by the Oakland Raiders. But by 2016 the 6’5” defensive end had lost his love for the sport, and instead of playing for the paychecks, he made the difficult but admirable decision to walk away and find a different passion. 56 | FACES MAGAZINE
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Bilukidi returned home to Ottawa where he found a way to have much more impact off the field. He became a champion for children in low-income housing, and an entrepreneur with a diverse real estate portfolio. We caught up with Christo Bilukidi to speak about his time in the NFL, growing up in Ottawa, and what he learned from making tough decisions early on in his career. You were born in Angola and lived in both France and Brazil before coming to Canada. What are some of your favourite memories of your time growing up in the Ottawa area? When we came to Ottawa we settled in Russell Heights, Ottawa Community Housing. Growing up there was full of fun memories. There were a lot of kids from immigrant backgrounds, you’d see a lot of kids of refugees, too. All of the kids would be outside playing, and it made me realize at a young age that in these low-income housings, everybody’s outside socializing, especially during the summer time in comparison to some suburban neighborhoods that I used to go to with some of my school friends. Some of my fondest memories were definitely growing up in that neighbourhood.
You didn’t start playing football until your senior year of high school. What finally made you give football a try? I was always an athletic kid. My first competitive sport was soccer and I played it for over eight years. But I also did track and field and played basketball, too. At
the end of my high school year a buddy of mine convinced me to play football just to stay in shape for basketball season, and I started really liking it and started getting really good at it and my whole career started.
In this issue, we are also going to be interviewing Jesse Palmer and Neville Gallimore. You, along with the two of them are the only players from Ottawa to ever be drafted to the NFL. What does it mean to you to be part of such an exclusive group of athletes from this area? It’s a small alumni (laughs). I think we’re opening the floodgates for a lot of kids to realize that they can do it, even if they’re from a small city like Ottawa. And Ottawa is honestly becoming a bigger city now and there’s a lot of athletes that are coming from here which is great. It’s an honour just to be part of such a small alumni, but I think the most important thing is allowing kids to realize that they can do it as well.
What are your memories of being drafted into the NFL? What are some of the highlights when you look back?
Getting drafted was the main highlight, because obviously there’s not many of us that do get drafted. The entire city knew about it, and obviously I got a lot of congratulations from a lot of people that I know and grew up with, including my head coach from college. He really believed in me. He gave me a scholarship, so having him congratulate me was huge. He played in the NFL for 10 years and won the first ever Superbowl, too. So that was very memorable. Another highlight was just getting to play on the field with some of the best guys that we see today and that have played in the past. Those are the memories I will never forget. Although you’re very competitive on the field, off the field you get to talk to some of these guys, and they’re real stand-up guys. That will always be very memorable.
You walked away from the game of football in 2016 at age 26. What changed for you? How did you know it was time? Talking to a few people that I’ve met throughout the years in my football career…
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...not only people that play football, but some of the professionals I had met too, they gave me the idea of getting into different businesses. There obviously was a lot of travelling and going from team to team that was definitely one of the factors too. I just asked myself, what position do I want to put myself in in the future? This is where I found real estate. Towards the end of my career I started investing in real estate, and understanding real estate as a whole, so that was what really helped me to realize that I really wanted to transition careers.
You’ve been in real estate ever since. How is it going for you? It’s going great. I got my license in the summer of 2019, and obviously I’ve been servicing my client’s listings, doing a few listings here and there and meeting with buyers’ agents, but my main thing is being an investor in real estate properties. I have a few of my own currently right now, and I just want to keep building my portfolio. I want to continue being a real estate agent because that’s fun to me, I’m a really personable guy and people tend to like me so, it’s easy for me to sell, so that’s definitely the height of my career right now. It’s a good career, I love it, and I just want to continue on moving forward with it.
After leaving football, you returned back home to Ottawa where you channeled your work ethic and abilities into business and charitable endeavours. Tell us about your latest initiative. I’m working with Ottawa Community Housing very closely. I’m an ambassador for tenants
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with Stefan Keyes from CTV News. Obviously the COVID19 situation has had it on hold, but my next endeavour is to teach financial literacy to kids in these low-income communities. We’re watching everything that’s happening with the pandemic and when things slow down we’ll continue moving forward with it.
It’s been written that your community work makes your mom very proud. Tell us about your relationship with your mom, and how important a role she’s been in your life? My mom’s been my number one support since day one. Unfortunately I didn’t grow up with my father. It’s really tough for a single mother to raise two kids; I have an older sister as well and my younger brother came after when my stepdad came into my life. The relationship between my mom and me has been great. I try to do everything to make sure that she’s supported. One of her proudest moments was obviously to see her kid do something very special like get drafted to the NFL. But she knows that I don’t stop, so although the NFL is not in my life anymore I still continue doing things that are meaningful and that are a good example for everyone who’s coming after me.
In June, Ottawa saw a peaceful protest in support of the BLM movement. What did that turnout mean to you, and what are your thoughts on the discussions taking place today around racism? It’s unfortunate that it took a few black men’s lives for people to start a protest and for people to understand that
there is a lot of inequality happening especially down south. I think it’s everywhere in North America, but I think it’s more prominent down south. And it’s great that people are uniting and people are banding together now from all races. Everyone, not just black people, are seeing that this issue needs to be addressed and needs to be dealt with. The way I do my part is teaching kids in low-income housing financial literacy. A lot of kids here in Ottawa and in Canada from low-income communities are kids of colour. So for guys and girls like myself to have that knowledge to pass it down to the next generation is a way that we can solve inequality. Because obviously those are some of the things that weren’t taught to us growing up, because obviously my mom didn’t have the resources to teach us financial literacy. So I’m going to do my part to help make sure we are equal financially, because I think that is one of the biggest separations between kids of colour and kids that are white.
Favourite Restaurants in Ottawa? I love Preston Street; it’s my favourite area. My top three on Preston for some good drinks: I love to go to Pub Italia; they have that beer bible that you can choose all types of beers, and anytime I have a friend coming into town I bring him there. If I want to do fine dining I do Mati; it’s on Preston Street as well. Some really good food there. I know the owners there too; they also own EVOO Greek dining which is also really good. The last place my business partner owns a food truck called Northern Bites. it’s a nice little poutine stand on Preston Street too.
He just opened that up a few weeks ago. Really good food. They do a lot of fairs during the summer. Pub Italia for drinks, Mati for fine dining, and if you want some street food I definitely suggest going to Northern Bites.
You obviously made some hard decisions in your 20s. What’s your best advice for people in their 20s looking towards their future? Don’t be afraid of the grind. I feel like your 20s is when you have to do all the grind work, because you just don’t know. You think you know, right? Everyone in their 20s thinks they know everything, but obviously you don’t know everything. As you go through your grind stage - whatever you’re doing in your life.... sports, your career, schooling - just embrace it. Enjoy the grind stage. And listen to your elders. That’s something that definitely helped me out. I always listened to people who were older than me. The experience that your elders have is going to be very useful to you. They say a smart person learns from his mistakes and a wise person learns from someone else’s mistakes. That’s something I’ve taken into account and I use that in my everyday life.
“THE WAY I DO MY PART IS BY TEACHING KIDS IN LOW-INCOME HOUSING FINANCIAL LITERACY.”
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SPORTS
Now This
Surprising finds from the world of research.
Study Shows What Ottawa’s Weather Will Look Like In 2050 In an effort to begin preparing for and mitigating the possible effects of climate change, a new study done by CBCL Limited was commissioned by the City that models Ottawa’s weather patterns in the 2030s, 40s and 50s under moderate to high-level climate change. The key findings forecasted that, under high levels of climate change, Ottawa will experience winters that are five weeks shorter by the 2050s, with snowfall decreasing by 20%. A warmer climate (the annual average temperature is forecast to increase by 3.2°C under this model) will also be a wetter one, according to the study, which found that Ottawa would see annual precipitation increase by up to 8%. The increased precipitation would, in turn, lead to tornadoes, storms and cloud cover increasing.
Top ESports Gamers Share Same Mental Stamina As Olympians In one of the first studies of its kind, researchers at the Queensland University of Technology compared the mental stamina and stresses experienced by elite esport gamers to that of top athletes. The study found that the mental endurance and coping mechanisms experienced by these gamers was at the same level as today’s top olympians. The findings of the study suggest that sports psychology intervention techniques used on real athletes to improve their performance and ability to handle the stressors of elite sports will work with top-tier gamers
as well.
You Start Becoming Your Dad At Age 37 A study done by Omaha Steaks in advance of Father’s Day surveyed over 2,000 men with close relationships and regular interactions with their dads. The study asked participants questions related to Father’s Day gifting, time spent with their dad, and their own experiences with aging. The study found that men are most likely to begin modelling more of their father’s behaviours (like falling asleep on the couch and telling corny jokes) at age 37. Almost all of the respondents felt that with each passing year, they became more and more like their fathers.
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SPORTS
Year ONE
YEAR ONE
The road to the Stanley Cup is always difficult. But this year, in the haze of COVID-19, the NHL has been fully
Reviewing DJ Smith’s First Year on the Job
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By Steve Warne @tsnsteve
he road to the Stanley Cup is always difficult. But this year, in the haze of COVID-19, the NHL has been fully lost on it - still trying to safely make its way home. This week the league unveiled what they hope will be a reliable map for their return to play, finally unhitching the wagon carrying the Ottawa Senators (one of the NHL’s 7 worst teams) and what’s left of its regular season. With the 2019-20 season now officially over for the Senators, it’s time to review what they did over the winter. Did they truly take a step forward and improve? 62 | FACES MAGAZINE
Are they really on track to realizing their own promise of unparalleled success? They certainly appear to be. Sure, it’s all baby steps right now, but that’s because the cornerstones of this franchise are, in fact, babies - including the high end assets they’ll pull out of this year’s draft. Nudging the infant metaphor just a little further, every kid needs someone to properly teach and lead them. Despite his own inexperience, Ottawa Senators’ head coach D.J. Smith showed this season that not only can he do that, he loves that. “It’s the opportunity to make kids better,” said Smith. “The opportunity to get up every day and do something you love absolutely energizes me.” Smith and the Sens finished the abbreviated season with 62 points, almost what they had (64 points) the season before – a season that cost Guy Boucher his job. But Boucher’s bunch (and later Marc Crawford’s) had the advantage of playing 11 more games and could chuck over the boards players like Mark Stone, Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel. While the
improvement under Smith wasn’t headline-grabbing, the change in culture was apparent to everyone around the team. “He instills winning,” says Senators’ play by play man Dean Brown, who’s seen every coach come and go. “Everything is about winning to him. Seeing who can unwrap their gum the fastest is a thing with DJ because it’s just another thing to win.” Smith made it clear on arrival there are no shortcuts to winning. “I’m a guy that’s going to hold the players accountable. I’m a coach that’s going to make the guys work hard. I’m intense, but I’m also going to be a players’ guy in a way that they’re going to know I trust them. But they’re also going to have to do it a certain way. Players don’t need a friend, they need a coach, but they also sometimes need a pat on the back and I’ll be there to do that. I get to know people first, then coach them second.” Smith also wants guys who can find another gear in big moments. “Ultimately, those are the guys that are going to stick around, the guys who can push through some adversity and willing to play tough,
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hard hockey. It doesn’t mean hitting or fighting. Being able to hold on to pucks, go to the net, be willing to get crosschecked, be willing to keep guys off our goalie. These are the things that are going to check the box.” One of the great stengths of any first year coach is that he’s someone different; a fresh voice. Coaches obviously get fired because their team is losing and there’s nothing more tedious for a player than hearing the same guy, day after day, delivering coaching sermons and game plans that fail. To most observers, communication with his players emerged this season as Smith’s biggest strength. Boucher was also an elite communicator, saving his best for the media, delivering masterful daily hockey dialogue in both languages. But he didn’t exactly invite input from the players.
Smith just turned 43 this month and had his own eight year professional playing career so he knows a thing or two about talking to today’s players. “He’s a communicator,” says Brown. “He talks to everybody abut everything all the time. Players today want open, honest communication. They get that from D.J.” The most important evaluation always comes from the guy with the power to fire you. GM Pierre Dorion was thrilled with Smith’s first season in the league. “DJ’s done a tremendous job,” said Dorion in a Zoom media scrum this week. “First and foremost, he makes it a pleasure for all of us to get to the rink every day. I don’t think I’ve met a person with more positive energy. As a coach, he brings great structure. He’s a fantastic communicator - he knows how to talk to the older players; he knows how to talk to the younger players. He knows how to get the maximum out of them. If we can give him the right pieces here, we know he’s going to help make this a championship calibre team in a very short span.”
SPORTS
Smith chose two former NHL head coaches to be his assistants this season in Jack Capuano (former New York Islanders head coach) and Davis Payne (former St. Louis Blues head coach). If you’re an insecure coach, you’re probably trying to avoid a setup like that - bringing in people who can not only do your job but have way more experience at it. Smith didn’t blink at that. He’s boisterous, confident and approachable, and very much a disciple of the notion that if you surround yourself with the best people possible, you’ll be that much more successful. So, was the 2019-20 season a success? It’s often said, you are what the standings say you are. But that doesn’t apply to a team in rebuild; one that decided on a full gut job less than three years ago and now slowly rebuilding with new, superior parts. The 30th place Senators deserve to be where they officially finished this week but the entire season was a learning and maturing process; figuring out how to play the NHL game the right way with the right work ethic. That said, whenever it is the Senators start playing hockey again, expectations for Smith and the team now rise considerably next season. If the record doesn’t improve, fans and media will be far quicker to criticize. That changes nothing for Smith. “So many people say they don’t read (the criticism), but they do,” says Smith. “I really don’t. I don’t have Twitter. The only thing I’ll do is go on TSN and check the highlights. Even if I did (read the criticism), I believe in myself enough to just keep doing what I’m doing. There’s no time to be filtering negativity, you just gotta keep pushing on.” Given every great coaching asset that Smith brings to the rink, you’d have to think that, if the rebuild fails, it won’t be because of coaching.
Photo: DJ Smith and wife Christie Bezaire take a walk downtown Ottawa. Photography by Mathieu Brunet.
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Here’s How To Find The Perfect Sunglasses For Your Face Ever notice how easy it is to spot the sunglasses that don’t look good on you? Try a different approach next time you’re looking for new shades. Here are the sunnies that do look good on you, according to your face shape.
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STYLE Square
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Triangular
A square face has very distinct angular features, and is generally the same width from forehead to chin. The last thing you want to reach for is any shape similar to a square. Find curvy frames that contrast those sharp lines and chiseled mug of yours. Make sure the frames are thin, because a bold or wide frame will look too harsh. You want to make sure your shades are wider than the widest part of your face.
Gucci Round-Frame Acetate Sunglasses
Triangle faces are widest at the jawline. Because the width of your face is on the bottom, adding width up top is the way to go. Think cat-eye frames and frames that are thicker on the browline. Whatever shape you choose, make sure it is slightly wider than the width of your jawline.
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Round A round face has almost no flat lines, widening at the cheekbone with a round chin. Rectangular/square frames or D-frames will work to break up those curves and elongate your face. You want to add some angles, so experimenting with any shape that has distinct lines will work. Just no round frames! Always make sure your frames are wider than the widest point on your face, no matter what your shape.
Heart-Shaped A heart-shaped face will be the widest at the forehead. Because the width of your face is all on top, you don’t want to add to this by choosing bold and thick frames. Go for light-coloured frames or thin frames, and no over-sized glasses. Don’t go too round, either. Glasses that have bolder lines on the bottom work best. Aviators and D-Frames look great on heart-shaped faces.
Oval
Cartier Eyewear Panthère de Cartier Aviator-Style GoldTone Mirrored Sunglasses
The widest part of an oval-shaped face will be your cheekbones, with a rounder chin. Because the width of your face is focused in the middle, the focus is naturally drawn to your eyes already, and any shape will look awesome.
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Happiness is a great way to strengthen your immune system, so try to stay active.
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ONE OF THE BIGGEST CANADIAN COMEDIANS TO REACH MAINSTREAM STATUS IN HOLLYWOOD,
TREASURE.
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HOWIE MANDEL IS SOMETHING OF A NATIONAL
e’s the guy whose career took off by chance in 1979, when a friends’ trip to L.A. found him in the right place at the right time. Dared to take a swing at amateur night at a downtown comedy club, Howie’s performance was seen by a Hollywood producer who was in the audience that night. He was hired on the spot to appear on the comedy game show “Make Me Laugh.” The next few years of Howie’s career saw talk show appearances and his six-year role as Dr. Wayne Ficus on NBC’s “St. Elsewhere.” The rest is history.
Howie Mandel’s struggles with OCD and ADHD have been well-documented throughout his career. He’s an admitted germaphobe, something that the A-list comedian has been able to make sense of through his work, which includes a 2009 New York Times Best Selling memoir titled “Here’s The Deal: Don’t Touch Me.” So how is Howie holding up in a pandemic-plagued world? He’s managing like everyone else, but maybe a bit more. Previous to the film freeze on America’s Got Talent, where he has spent over 11 seasons as a judge, Howie
How are you and your family holding up during these challenging times? My life and my issues have always been challenging anyways. So I’m holding up as best as could be, like everyone else, but my way of living hasn’t changed that drastically. It feels like the whole world is coming to Howie’s world now. I am always concerned about a pandemic. I always think there is one, so the fact that it actually exists now is something that I perceive as more normal life to me than the other way around, but I know it’s not. I can’t wait for it to end. I just wish everybody health and happiness and let’s get through this together. What advice do you have for others who may be triggered about talks of viruses or are dealing with the same thoughts as you? Well, my best advice has always been distraction. You know, staying really busy with work, or finding a hobby, or doing something where your mind doesn’t wander into dark places. Just stay distracted, stay in contact with loved ones, and just try to take it one day at a time. That’s what I’ve tried to do every day of my life, ever since I got into therapy. This virus is
was spotted coming to work in a full hazmat suit. Although filming for the show is beginning to start back up, Howie usually slates about 100200 stand-up shows every year, all of which have been postponed amid COVID19 restrictions. At least, he says, Tik Tok helps him to stay connected with his audience in an unscripted way. We caught up with the Toronto native about quarantine life, America’s got talent, and what’s next the comedic giant after 40 years in the business.
very dangerous for a lot of people, so all I can say is get outside, listen to the rules, abide by the rules. I think your mindset is a big part of how you cope with anything, you know, mind over matter. Find ways to relieve your stress and relieve your fear, because I imagine if you stay hyper and fearful the entire time, your immune system will eventually be depressed. Happiness is a great way to strengthen your immune system, so try to stay active. In times like this, as a comedian, how important is comedy as a tool to support one another, to stick together and to help keep us sane? You know that’s the paramount. I think we need to be supportive and caring, and understanding... we are all in this together. Nobody is in this alone. If you feel like somebody is alone, you need to reach out to them. I think it’s scary for people who don’t have a lot of people around them. Hopefully they can surround themselves with friends and neighbours and if you know that somebody is alone, reach out. Make sure they are okay, text them, call them, do something nice for somebody. It will make you feel good, too, it kind of takes the pressure off of what is going on.
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I always adhere to Nike’s philosophy of “Just Do It” You regrettably had to cancel your tour dates. Yes, and stand-up comedy has been my main thing for 40 years. I still do 100 gigs a year always. I am out there more than anything I do, that’s my one sign of freedom. When you stand up on live television or are hosting or whatever, there are lines to recite or learn or marks to hit. But with stand-up, I can do anything. Obviously, right now, dates have been cancelled. I am taking it one day at a time. You know, they say if you can just make one person laugh, you’re doing your job. Well, now I am home alone and I’m laughing. The unexpected! I never know what I am going to do. Obviously through the years I have built a buffer of material to choose from, but I like to be taken off the beaten path. If you’ve been to any of my shows, they are very interactive. And each night is somewhat unique… maybe somebody will yell something out, maybe there will be a technical glitch, maybe something is happening that day. And that is what I crave, just to be taken off that beaten path. I look at it like a giant party and I am just trying to be the centre of attention. Right now, I am not allowed to attend any giant parties with more than 10 people. I invited 11 people over for dinner tonight and the president just announced that there will be no gathering with more than 10, so I have to pick somebody to disinvite. Living in LA, what are a few things you miss from when you were living in Toronto? My family and shovelling the driveway. I do miss it, but that doesn’t mean I don’t do it. I was just out this morning shoveling the driveway. There’s no snow or anything... but it’s just an old back home habit.
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You have been a judge on America’s Got Talent for several seasons now, how has it been being able to see people chase their dreams on the show and helping them receive recognition for their special gift? I always adhere to Nike’s philosophy of “Just Do It”. Somebody that was way smarter than me once said that 99 percent of making it is just showing up. And here we are on season 15 and people keep showing up, bigger and better than ever from all over the world. To be able to watch someone who has a dream and has never had the opportunity to just show up, be 10 seats away and have their lives change forever and their dreams come true, there is nothing more exciting in the world than being able to sit there. It doesn’t even feel like a job. And now this year more than ever, we have a brand new panel. My good friend Heidi is back sitting beside me. Sofia Vergara and Simon and I have been buddies for years now, and Terry is like the best host on TV. So it just feels like a dream, you know? Going in each and every day and just watching it. And there is no question as to why we are the number one show on television every summer for 15 years and going. How is it working with Simon? Him and I have been friends for years. I go over to his house, we are friends off camera. He is one of the smartest, funniest, most heart-warming people you’ll ever want to meet. He loves animals and children. He’s become an amazing father. I know he has the reputation for sometimes being, you know, as people say, he is harsh. I think he is just incredibly honest. What you don’t see and I’ve got to see once I started working with him is that sometimes he’ll give somebody criticism and he feels like they took it hard. As soon as we cut cameras and we go to commercials, he goes up and makes sure that they leave the building feeling great and feeling like they’ve got really good constructive criticism. He won’t hurt anybody’s feelings. He wouldn’t step on a fly. He is the most generous person I have ever worked with, he really is.
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Tell us about your experience on the Ellen Show just a few months ago. You arrived under the impression that you were a guest on the show, but once you arrived you found out you were expected to host. How were you able to prepare on the spot? It taught me a lesson to listen to my messages. Obviously, I’ve been in the business for 40 years so they said “hey, you’re the host.” So I spent a couple of minutes explaining that I didn’t know I was the host. (Laughs) I am comfortable in front of an audience and 99 percent of hosting is letting other people be entertaining anyway. We had a good guest lineup and I had fun with people. I love everybody over at production at Ellen and I am going to be doing some guest hosting again next time. Along with seeing you on America’s Got Talent, we can also find you in David Drobrik’s vlogs these days. How is working with Dobrik? It must be a blast making videos with him. Well David also is a friend and hangs out in our office. From working with David and Tik Tokers, I love social media. I love the ability to kind of create something in the moment and just post it and then bang! Millions of people are seeing it. That’s what I find even in these times, it’s a great distraction for me. So I am always trying to post or collaborate with somebody. And people like David Dobrik and Casey Neistat and all the Tik Tokers I work with, you know they have brought me to a whole new medium that didn’t even exist when I started off. I love it, I love the freedom and I love that nobody tells you what to do, you just post it and it’s out there. It’s like having an audience without having to leave your home, get on a plane, travel thousands of miles, have production. It’s just real, pure entertainment. You are a husband and a dad of 3 children. How do you manage your work-life balance? I think it’s the advantage of work. Today is my 40th wedding anniversary. It’s quite the celebration we are having in the midst of this pandemic. I want it to be just us, and it is just us! And I actually posted on Instagram, my anniversary celebration is up now so people can join in and wish me well. People ask us what makes it work. She will tell you that what makes it last is the work-personal life mixture, that I am not
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with her a lot of the time. Hopefully we can last through this pandemic. Now we are spending more time together than we ever have. I will be honest, I am annoying... I think I’m fun on social media and TV, but to live with me is a totally different story. Being successful in show business for over 30 years, what would be the best advice you can give to those who wish to have a long term career in the industry? Just say yes! Just keep saying yes, no matter how ridiculous the offer sounds or whatever, just say yes. I always say people overthink everything and the couple things that I say no to were properly wrong. You can always find a reason not to do something or why you don’t think it’s your lane. But look at the different things I did, I started as a standup comic, then I ended up on a drama, then I ended up on Saturday morning, then I ended up as a game show host, and now I am a judge. No is the first two letters of nothing, n o. But yes, even if the yes you say to fails, you are working, and if you’re busy working on something that fails, it teaches you something. So just say yes! What’s next for you? Just more. Just keeping it going, just more of the same. Just more. I am never done and when I am done, it won’t be my decision. Another decade of yes!
I will be honest, I am annoying... I think I’m fun on social media and TV, but to live with me is a totally different story. FACES MAGAZINE | 69
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AT HOME
Skills At Home How To Make Your Bed, Hotel Style
Miss the feeling of climbing into a perfectly made hotel bed? We may not be able to travel this month, but staying at home provides the perfect opportunity to learn how to bring hotel-style comfort to our bed at home. Here’s some hacks your favourite hotels use to achieve the perfect make, every time.
Get That Crisp-Sheet Feeling You know the feeling of getting into fresh, crisp sheets? Recreate that feeling by making your bed when your sheets aren’t 100% dry. Grab your sheets when they’re still slightly damp (not so much that they won’t dry by the time you go to bed at night). This will help the sheets to settle perfectly for that clean and crisp feeling.
Say Goodbye To Your Fitted Sheet Most hotels don’t use a fitted sheet on their beds; instead, they place an oversized top sheet on the bottom and tuck it in tight with hospital corners. If you can’t achieve this at home with what’s in your closet, no worries. Remember that the tag on your fitted sheet will always go on the bottom left corner.
The Details That Count
In the 1990s, a research team for Westin Hotels found that white bed sheets help to make a room feel more luxurious, and the industry hasn’t looked back since. - The CHARGE Consortium Genome-Wide Association Study., 2015
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If your top sheet or quilt (that cozy layer between your cover and sheets) have a pattern, make sure you make your bed with the pattern side down. When the bed is made and you fold back the top of your sheets near the pillows, the pattern will be exposed, which is exactly what you want.
Keep It Wrinkle Free One of the reasons your hotel bed looks so fresh is because it’s usually wrinkle free. Once you’ve made your bed, banish any wrinkles by spraying your duvet with some water. It’ll help the sheets settle for that crisp look and feel. All that’s left is to check in to your room for a great night’s sleep.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CONDITIONS WITHIN AN AGREEMENT OF PURCHASE AND SALE BY DIANA TEBBY Even in light of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, summer time in Ottawa brings rising temperatures and with those rising temperatures the real estate market really heats up. In today’s market, properties are coming onto the market and buyers are so eager to purchase that they do not protect themselves with proper conditions in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale (the “Agreement”). Before signing that Agreement, you definitely want to take a good look at the conditions, if any, within the Agreement because once signed and all of the conditions have been waived or fulfilled, the Agreement is a binding contract between the buyer and seller which cannot be changed unless both parties agree to do so. Typical conditions listed in an Agreement of Purchase and Sale include; financing conditions, home inspection conditions, if you are looking to purchase a condominium, a condition for the review of the Status Certificate and related documentation, and another popular condition is that a lawyer has reviewed and approved the terms of the offer. Let’s take a look at these conditions in a bit more detail to show why they are important. A financing condition allows a buyer to terminate the Agreement of Purchase and Sale if the buyer(s) does not qualify for financing. In today’s market, many buyers’ should obtain a pre-approval from a bank or mortgage broker before beginning their property search. While this is a highly recommended first step, you will need to remember that the house also needs to be approved from your lender as well. It is ideal that both you and the potential property have qualified for financing before you should waive the condition. The risk of not having a financing condition could lead you to purchasing a property you cannot afford.
A home inspection condition gives the buyer(s) an opportunity to hire a home inspector to ensure there are no major problems with the property. Depending on how the condition is worded, if the buyer(s) was not satisfied with the inspection report they may asked for the deposit to be returned and walk away from the Agreement. The purpose of status certificate condition is to allow potential buyers of condo units to have as much information as possible about their unit as well as the physical and fiscal situation of a building. The status certificate is a document that provides information concerning the financial status of a unit and of the condominium corporation. Its main focus is to inform a prospective buyer of the monthly common fees, any arrears or liens that a particular unit might have, comment on the budget for the fiscal year, and of any special assessment that is being contemplated by the board.
Failing to include conditions puts the buyer(s) in a precarious position as they are at the mercy of the “Caveat Emptor” clause applied to real-estate purchasing. This is frequently translated to “buyer beware”. The Latin phrase is actually taken from a much lengthier Latin phrase “Caveat emptor, quia ignorare non debuit quod jus alienum emit” which translates literally to “Let a purchaser beware, for he ought not to be ignorant of the nature of the property which he is buying from another party”. What this means is, unless the seller intentionally hides a known defect from the seller, the buyer is responsible for identifying any defects and ascertaining the condition of the property they are purchasing before they agree to purchase.
Accompanying the status certificate, will be the condominium’s declaration, bylaws, budget, reserve fund, insurance confirmation, rules, minutes of the last annual general meeting, and mention of any lawsuit involving the corporation. There is no legal obligation that you obtain and review a status certificate when considering purchasing a condominium unit. However, agreeing to buy a condo unit without doing so is quite risky and unwise. As noted above, there is very important information you should be aware of before signing the papers, and you may be taking on some unwanted issues. The bottom line is that a condo status certificate will illustrate any additional or unanticipated liabilities that come with purchasing the condo. As a buyer or seller, if you require any of these conditions, it’s extremely important to make sure that they are present before you sign, and that you fully understand what you are agreeing to.
Diana Tebby is a member of the Real Estate and Wills and Estates team at Mann Lawyers LLP, a full service law firm operating in Ottawa's Hintonburg area.This article is not intended to provide legal advice. Should you require legal advice, please contact Mann Lawyers LLP at 613.722.1500 or visit mannlawyers.com.
Bankruptcy | Business | Commercial Litigation | Employment, Human Rights and Labour | Family | Franchise Law | Litigation Personal Injury | Real Estate | Services for Professionals | Wills and Estates FACES MAGAZINE | 71
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5 Common Nutrient Deficiencies in Canada Our bodies rely on an abundance of nutrients to function optimally. While eating a regularly balanced diet will keep your risk of developing a serious nutrient deficiency mostly at bay, studies have shown a prevalence for some deficiencies according to age, pre-existing health conditions and the country and culture your diet comes from. Here are five of the most common nutrient deficiencies among Canadians.
Iodine It’s estimated that one third of the world’s population doesn’t get enough iodine. Iodine is needed to create thyroid hormones, which control the body’s metabolism (energy), and aids in brain function and healing. Eggs, iodized salt, and yogurt are among some of the foods that are high in iodine. An iodine deficiency can cause weakness and fatigue, weight gain, shortness of breath, and most commonly, a swollen thyroid gland (enlarged neck).
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Iron Deficiency Iron helps your body’s red blood cells circulate oxygen in your body by aiding in the production of hemoglobin. If your body doesn’t get enough iron, hemoglobin levels drop and so does your red blood cell count, which leaves your body with less oxygen than it needs. The result is anemia, which leaves you feeling tired and weak, and can also disrupt cognitive function. Because iron also helps regulate your body’s temperature, low iron levels can also make you feel colder. Lower levels of red blood cells will also make you more pale. There are plenty of good sources of iron, including red meat, beans and lentils, and dark leafy vegetables. Because the body absorbs two to three times more iron from animal sources than from plants, vegans and vegetarians are at a greater risk of developing an iron deficiency, as are women ages 15-45. Too much iron can be dangerous, so it’s important to consult your doctor if you think you suffer from an iron deficiency and are considering supplementation.
Magnesium Magnesium is a key nutrient for cellular function. It is found in every cell in our body, and is a huge component in the synthesis of protein and conversion of energy. It’s estimated that over 43% of Canadians don’t get the dietary magnesium they need. Because magnesium is so fundamental on a cellular level, symptoms of a deficiency can take many forms. Headaches, fatigue, muscle cramps are some of the most common. Other symptoms include numbness, low appetite, muscle twitches and irregular heartbeat. Almonds are an incredible source of magnesium. Other high-scoring foods include dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, popcorn and peanuts.
Vitamin C Western diets are abundant with Vitamin-C rich foods, and yet this deficiency is still one of the most common in North America. It’s especially prone in people who don’t eat fresh fruit and vegetables regularly, and those who smoke and/or drink excessively. Symptoms of a deficiency include weakness, dry skin that is slow to heal, bleeding gums, and a weakened immune system.
found that modern diets can lead to an imbalance of over 20:1 Omega-6 to Omega-3, leading to an increased risk of heart disease among other long-term problems with joints, eyes, brain, skin and nervous system.
Omega-3 Omega-3 is an important nutrient for every part of your body. The problem is that our bodies don’t produce Omega-3 fatty acids, and so we rely on our diets to get our daily intake. Omega-3 is found in fatty fish, and some seeds and nuts. Western diets are loaded with Omega-6s, but not enough Omega-3s. This creates a huge imbalance in the Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratios in our bodies. Studies have
Symptoms of Omega-3 deficiency include dry skin, anxiety and mental fogginess, joint discomfort and fatigue. It’s important to ensure you are getting enough Omega-3 in your diets, and supplementation with Omega-3 oils is an easy way to get more in your diet. While reported side-effects of Omega-3 supplementation are mild, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor about any changes in your diet.
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STEFAN KEYES DISCUSSES RACIAL INEQUALITY AND RACISM IN OTTAWA
ight now, important conversations are happening around racism in Canada, police brutality and white privilege. What do you think the media’s role in these conversations is, or has been? Do you think it needs to change? Objectively speaking, the role of the media is to understand the pulse of society and report the issues that are current, significant, and new. Racism in and of itself is not new. Unfortunately, perhaps that is why people are so comfortable in believing it doesn’t exist. Every incident of racism is not reported. However, the heightened and renewed calls to put an end to it most certainly is news. The media is an all-encompassing word that can apply to various forms, but when it comes to news media
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the ideal role is to keep people informed of both sides of the conversation. In doing so, people can formulate their own opinions. It is still a dangerous dance that flirts with bias when news outlets may feel it is their job to persuade the public of one thing or the other. At times, if the conversation feels one-sided it is often because those with the unpopular or opposing views do not want to share them so publicly – fearing backlash. As a reporter, you’re trained and experienced in navigating uncomfortable conversations to get at the heart of issues. What have these conversations been like for you, as you’ve led them on CTV, and participated in them on various platforms on social media these past few weeks?
Admittedly, the conversations feel much more personal now. Desensitization to issues is a well-understood conditioning that comes following years of doing the job. Nonetheless, getting at the heart of this issue also means I can’t escape becoming personal and vulnerable to shed light on the truth of it all. There is certainly discomfort in vulnerability but there is also fulfillment in being able to share experiences of racism, prejudice and discrimination that have been compartmentalized and tucked away for so long. In hindsight, perhaps it has even been therapeutic to engage in uncomfortable conversations that end up being rewarding and (seemingly) helpful to the greater good of such a humanitarian issue. What are some tips for people hoping to approach these conversations about racism and white privilege with friends and family?
M AGA Z I N E N A M E ( M A S T E R PAG E )
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“Honestly, it has been my main motivation for being in front of the camera. I have fought for visibility and to portray an image of a black man that goes against all stereotypes.�
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don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions or approaches to any conversation. Everyone responds differently and may need to break the ice differently when it comes to discussing such a sensitive topic. Still, I think the very best advice I could offer is willingness to participate in the conversation and listen. Lean not on your own understanding for the things you haven’t experienced first-hand; but have an open heart and mind towards those who are victims of being made to feel inferior. Acknowledgement and not getting defensive through denial is the first step.
allowed in. It appeared it was the fitted athletic caps that were the problem. We stopped wearing those…and then were told our Timberland boots weren’t up to code. We started wearing dress shoes and were still rejected at the door. We couldn’t win though we were willing to play by the rules. It was close to becoming cultural genocide of urban culture just to try and get through the door. I have had a former colleague refer to me as “the help.” It was a Freudian slip that she couldn’t even correct after it had slipped from her lips.
One of the key messages you have for others is that the first step to change is acknowledgement. Can you share with us some of your experiences with racism as a black man in Ottawa? My mother and I have been called the N-word on more than one and separate occasions. But my first introduction to that hateful language was as a child going to visit my aunt who owns a home in Bells Corners. A white father with his child looked at us and said something to the effect of look at all these “n-words moving into our neighbourhood with their n***** children. In elementary school, my French teacher pulled me by my hood while going up the stairs after recess to force me into single file. The zipper pinched the skin on my neck. She didn’t use her words. She used her hands. And the physical aggression was only shown towards myself – not my white friend who was also not in single file. In my innocence, I didn’t realize just how differently she generally treated me. At the time, I thought she just didn’t like 76 | FACES MAGAZINE
me…but I must wonder if the colour of my skin made her treat me like a troublemaker though I was an A+ student. I have been followed in stores by retail workers who didn’t offer help or any form of customer service but only felt compelled to stalk my whereabouts. I have been stopped by police leaving the downtown core without an apparent reason just to be told my plate sticker would be expiring soon, though it hadn’t expired yet. As a university student we used to joke that the Byward Market dress code for clubs was a “black code”. It didn’t matter how compliant we were in clothing attire, we were denied access. It used to be no hats, but we started to notice all the white patrons wearing trucker hats were
Early in my career, while lesser known, I went to emcee an event and one of the attendees handed me her coat for coat check assuming I worked at the hotel and couldn’t be attending such a prestigious affair and seemed frustrated and perturbed when I refused to take it. Later when she realized I was not only attending but the master of ceremonies for the night, she apologized. In all honesty, believe it or not, this is just the short list. How has your identity as a black man, shaped your career decisions or has guided you to being where you are now? Honestly, it has been my main motivation for being in front of the camera. I have fought for visibility and to portray an image of a black man that goes against all stereotypes. In some ways, I sacrificed aspirations in entertainment for that very reason. As a student, I worked at a call centre and told a work peer I hoped to climb the broadcast journalism ladder and become
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a news anchor. They laughed and suggested Ottawa wasn’t ready for a black news anchor. I’m pretty stubborn and don’t enjoy others dictating what I can and cannot do. I chose to steer my own ship and take control of my destiny. But it was hard and it was slow. It took the biggest exercise in patience as I watched those who came after me advance before me though I was more than capable.
Being such a successful, highly respected actor and journalist, you’ve been on the forefront of this issue for quite some time. But is there anything new you’ve come to realize or learn from the conversations that are taking place this month?
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It feels like the entire world has our back and it is beautiful. What needs to happen, or what can people do on an individual level, for change to happen? Generally speaking, many need to take risks and break out of their comfort zones. Don’t rely on your black friends or the black people you are comfortable with to become your educators. Read a book. The history is readily available. And don’t start at slavery and don’t end with the civil rights movement. You will be robbing yourselves of today’s truths.
I could have stayed behind the scenes as a producer. I could have attempted to make a climb in a role more closely linked to management but truly felt that without visible diversity, I would have missed my opportunity to help create a paradigm shift in the nation’s capital. People often can’t believe what they don’t see. So, if they didn’t see me doing the job well … they wouldn’t believe that anyone else who looked like me could be in this role.
Start at the very beginning of gold resources and intricate plumbing systems that existed on the continent of Africa well before people were stolen from their lands and ripped from their families.
You live on the forefront of news and breaking stories and issues. Why, in your opinion, is this conversation happening on such a worldwide scale?
Make sure you finish with today’s plights claiming prejudice and mistreatment -- not just south of the border -- but right here in Canada.
I think it ties in to my last response. Legitimately, there are those who need to see it to believe it. So when black individuals are claiming this is happening, it is easy to make them feel as though it is not the case and that it is only through their worldview (i.e. sensitive black lens) that such an atrocious dynamic can take place. The cellphone footage is providing the proof….and the maliciousness of kneeling on someone’s neck for nearly nine minutes as they beg for mercy and vocalize they cannot breathe is something the entire world cannot find an excuse for or rationalize.
Learn about the destruction of Africville in Nova Scotia.
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I will say this: For generations, members of the black community have become accustomed to fighting their own battles with little to no help. As this goes global and solidarity protests have crossed multiple borders it truly feels like a turning point. Seeing those in attendance risking their own health during a pandemic because they recognize the overwhelming need to end racism once and for all, is extremely touching. For the first time, it not only feels as though we are fighting solely for ourselves.
Educate yourself on the history of Queen’s University and the fact that it can only exist today because a black man, Robert Sutherland, left his entire estate to the institution that was in dire financial trouble at the time. Understand that we all have a role to play when it comes to embracing black history. It is human history that we all need to know so history doesn’t repeat itself and we treat one another with the dignity we all deserve. @Stefan_Keyes
As this goes global and solidarity protests have crossed multiple borders, it truly feels like a turning point.
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LIFE Black If you’re daring, then adding black into the mix (with a lighter colour in equal measure) can capture a super modern and trendy look in your bathroom that is crisp and not too overbearing. It will make your tile and fixtures pop, and add some contrast and depth. It’s a look that was one of 2019/2020’s top bathroom trends.
Worst: Gold Tones Goldish yellow or beige is a major commitment for a bathroom, because it doesn’t work with a lot of tiles and finishings. Many designers choose gold-toned beige as their worst choice for bathrooms for this reason.
Olive Greens Or Muddy Browns These two colours will not only make your bathroom smaller, but their very similar in shade to mould and mildew. A few years down the road, it’ll be harder to spot buildup in your bathroom and may lead to problems being caught too late. Creating dark corners will also hide dirt more easily, making it harder to get a thorough clean.
Best: Bright Whites
The Best (And Worst) Colours To Paint Your Bathroom Did you know that the average person will spend a year and a half of their lifetime in their bathroom? Besides your kitchen, it’s the one room in your house that you’ll actually visit every day more than once. Here are today’s best and worst colours to paint your bathroom, according to experts.
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Bathrooms are usually one of the smallest rooms in the house, so any dark colours will make the space feel smaller. Dark shades can also distort light, which creates problems for people needing clear light to do their hair and makeup. Clean and bright whites will open the space up. They’re timeless, clean, and work with almost all tiles. Whites on walls can help stains to show more easily. It’s important to choose paints with a washable finish to help ensure that the white stays bright and beautiful.
Blue-Gray If you’re looking for a neutral that isn’t white, is warmer than grey but isn’t brown, grey-blue is a great compromise. It’s airy, but not as light as powder blue, so it’s still tranquil. It’s not overpowering, but it’s still a statement, and makes white accents pop.
Pantone 448C, a muddy brown shade known as “asopaque couché”, was actually voted the world’s “ugliest” colour; proven to dampen mood, according to Time Magazine. After this discovery, cigarette companies like Marlboro actually started printing their packaging in this shade to discourage smoking. If that isn’t enough fair warning to avoid this colour in your bathroom, we don’t know what is.
Red Or Orange Red is an exciting and unique colour to put in your bathroom, but it really only goes with white tile. It’ll also become dated extremely quick. Research has actually proven that oranges and bright reds are overstimulating to the mind (hence why we see a lot of reds and oranges in fast food). So while the colours may be perfect for the bathroom at your local gym, red and orange walls in your home won’t help to relax you, which is really what you want in your bathroom.
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Four Ottawa Athletes Share Their Best Summer Fitness Advice
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TAKE A PERSONAL APPROACH Brendan Gillanders #25 Ottawa Redblacks Part-Time Strength Coach
G Sustainability Sam Barber Fitness Coach, @buildwithbarber
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hatever nutrition or exercise program you are following, ask yourself, “Could I follow this every day for the rest of my life?” If the answer is no, this plan will not yield the long term results you’re looking for. When trying to get into shape, people have a bad habit of doing too much, too fast. If you’ve never worked out before, is it likely that you will stick to a plan that has you in the gym six times a week? Probably not. Be realistic and set yourself up for success and then continuously build on that success. Don’t be shortsighted by just focusing on this summer. Instead, think about every summer to come.
Set a Realistic Daily Goal For Your Favourite Body Weight Movement Jessica Chiarello Head Coach, Move Camp Canada
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or example, I currently put out a challenge on my social media (@jessichiarello) to complete 100 squats daily. You can start with a lower number that is doable for you depending on your current fitness level such as 30 repetitions and gradually build that up by adding five repetitions per day. If you’d like more of a challenge and want to keep the number higher, your can split your repetitions up into multiple sets throughout the day. I.e: 25 when you wake up, 25 before lunch, 25 before supper and 25 before bed. Get your significant other or friends involved so you can keep each other accountable! A couple of my other favourite body weight exercises you can try this with are: Pushups (my hubby has been doing 50/day) Plank to failure (try beating your record everyday)
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etting fit should be a personal endeavour in which you seek out the most optimal workout and diet plan pertaining to YOU. Your level of adherence to a workout and diet plan will ultimately determine your results. Choose a sustainable diet which allows you to continue to eat foods you love. A caloric deficit will always be the most important factor when trying to lose weight and macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) should be adjusted based on personal preference. Remember, a caloric deficit of 500 calories per day will yield a weight-loss rate of one pound per week. Choose a workout plan which is outcome oriented yet allows you to enjoy the process. Athletes should focus on compound multi-joint movements and transferability to sport, people interested in bulking up should focus on the total volume of work targeted muscles are getting whereas individuals interested in shedding some extra pounds through exercise should focus on their caloric expenditure throughout the workout ie. circuit training. Finally, if you are considering investing in a professional make sure they have your individual goals in mind and do not be scared to ask questions. Asking questions shows that you are taking an interest in your fitness journey, will allow your trainer to show his/ her expertise (or lack thereof) and will ultimately lead to an understanding of why your diet and exercise programs are structured the way they are - hopefully allowing you to become much more independent, knowledgeable, and self-sufficient in the future.
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Make Training Fun And Get An Accountability Partner Moton Hopkins 2016 Grey Cup Champion
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he best thing about playing on a football team is having teammates, coaches, and staff there to keep you accountable on the days you are sore, tired, or becoming complacent. Make sure your partner is someone you can count on, someone who has the same fitness goals as you, and has available time. Here’s what you do:
4 Ottawa Athletes Share Their Best Summer Fitness Advice
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Build a Schedule Consistency is one of the most important aspects of fitness. Stay accountable to each other. Make sure you build in days of rest and active recover. Working out breaks down muscle so you must give it time to heal and get stronger.
Find or Create a Fitness and Nutrition Plan Make sure your workouts match your level of fitness so you are challenged enough. Make sure to chart your progress together and adjust the workouts accordingly to keep your body guessing/challenged. Make sure you build in days of rest and active recover. Working out break down muscle so you must give it time to heal and get stronger. Have Fun Workouts don’t have to be torture to be beneficial and change your body for the better. FACES MAGAZINE | 81
STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE POPSICLES One of the best ways to use fresh strawberries in the summer, this sweet and simple recipe is sure to be a favourite. Makes 4 popsicles.
5 Strawberries Stems removed and cut into quarters. 21/2 Tablespoons Yogurt (Plain or Vanilla) 21/2 Tablespoons Apple Juice 1 Tablespoon Honey Blend ingredients and pour into popsicle mold. Freeze for 10 hours.
Five Ottawa Chefs + Bartenders Share Their Top Summer Recipes
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Iptilicae nicaveh enitides SUMMER COCKTAILS CAJUN CAESAR
Daniela Crocco @bymmmchef
For the Caesar mix... 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional) 1 1/2 tbsp BBQ sauce 1 tbsp pickle juice ( or lemon juice works too!) a few shakes of tabasco sauce sprinkle of garlic and or onion powder cured pepperette stick Cajun seasoning for the rim pepperoncini peppers.... Garnishs (Optional)
Directions
celery sticks bell pepper sticks pickeled jalapenos 4 extreme beans lime wedges 2 pickles cut in half lengthwise olives
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Combine 2 cups of ice, 6 oz of vodka (check out Top Shelf @tsdistillers out of Perth - a clean gluten-free local vodka that I love) and the Caesar mix from above in a glass. Top with Clamato juice and don’t forget to rim with cajun seasoning! Garnish with as many toppings as your heart desires!
ASY WHITE WINE SANGRIA Chantal Sarkisian, @chantsy
Equal parts white wine and grapefruit juice, in a tall glass filled with ice. Garnish with fruit.
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ANANA COLADA
1.5 White Rum .5 Coconut Cream Half Muddled Banana 2oz Pineapple Juice
Shake, Double Strain Into Rocks Garnish With Nutmeg And Fun Piece of Pineapple Sheldon Jackson Bartender The Rabbit Hole
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Ottawa Chefs And Bartenders Share Their Top Summer Recipes
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UMMER RECIPES: STOUT BARBECUE SAUCE Rawan Al Wadaa Head Chef & Events Rebels In The Kitchen
Ingredients
Directions
1 can Stout Beer 2 tbsp. Tomato Paste 1⁄4 cup Water 1⁄4 cup Brown Sugar 1⁄2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar 1⁄2 tsp. Garlic Powder 1⁄4 tsp. Onion Powder 1 tbsp. Molasses 2-3 drops Liquid Smoke
1. Pour the stout in a sauce pan on medium heat and reduce to half the amount of beer. 2. Add the rest of your ingredients into the sauce pan and whisk until combined. 3. Bring to a boil and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 4. Allow to cool before putting in a clean & dry mason jar. 5. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for 2 weeks.
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Note: For chicken wings: coat the raw chicken wings in corn starch, lay them out on a baking sheet and bake them at 400F for 30 minutes. Once the wings are out of the oven, toss them in the Stout BBQ sauce and enjoy!
RILLED PEACH SALAD WITH PROSCIUTTO & GOATCHEESE Ingredients
4 just ripe peaches 5 fresh rosemary Leaves finely chopped Olive oil 1 tables spoon red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon natural yogurt 8 slices of Parma prosciutto 4 cups of arugula Half cup of crumbled goat cheese
Chef Ozzie Osman Executive Chef Sala Group, Oz Cafe
Directions Preheat bbq to approx 400 degrees, cut peach in half and twist to remove stone. Put into a bowl with finely chopped rosemary and a splash of olive oil, sprinkle sea salt and pepper. Grill peaches approx 2/3 minutes until charred but not burnt. Pour vinegar into a bowl, add 3 times the amount of extra virgin olive oil and the fresh yogurt, add a pinch of sea salt and pepper. Lay your prosciutto across the plate in different directions not letting it be flat on the plate, place the grilled plums over the prosciutto, toss your arugula in your dressing and place on top of your peaches, Add your crumbled goat cheese on top, finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt and enjoy. FACES MAGAZINE | 85
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Jesse Palmer Talks Football, TV, and Ottawa
Former New York Giant, and Hollywood’s first professional athlete and Canadian to ever appear on The Bachelor, Jesse Palmer discusses his Ottawa roots, NFL career, and how he transitioned to a successful career in broadcasting.
He played a very instrumental role in my football journey. He helped foster my love and passion for the game. He would take me to CFL games, he coached my youth football teams, and was always able and willing to throw the football outside on our front lawn, and talk about life, the game, and my future. You were the first Canadian born and raised Quarterback to ever start an NFL game. What did it feel like heading out to start your first game? Did you get to enjoy the moment at all? One of the best moments of my life. I experienced a wide variety of emotions that night. Excitement, anxiety, pride and gratefulness. I thought a lot about my journey, the hard work, and all of those that helped me along the way, and who I got to share my experiences with. My best friends from Ottawa flew to New Orleans to watch the game, and they hung a Canadian flag from their seats at the top of the SuperDome. I remember jogging onto the field at the start of the game, seeing them, and smiling because I knew I wasn’t alone.
You were born in Toronto and raised in Nepean. What was your childhood like growing up in Ottawa? Ottawa was the perfect place to grow up. It’s such a beautiful city, multicultural, with warm people. I have a lot of happy memories growing up in PineGlen (neighborhood), playing sports with my friends at the park, and of course Rough Riders games with my family at Landsdowne Park. Rockwell’s in the Merivale Mall was our hangout in high school. Your dad played for the Ottawa Rough Riders. How instrumental was your dad in shaping your journey in football?
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Neville Gallimore, who will also be featured in this issue, became just the third player from Ottawa to be drafted into the NFL, joining you and Christo Bilukidi. What do you think of Neville as a player, and what impact he could have with the Cowboys? Does it give you a sense of pride to see another hometown kid get drafted? I’m so happy for Neville. I’ve been a big fan of his, watching him play every weekend from our ESPN headquarters in Bristol, CT over the past four years. I think Neville can have an immediate impact for the Cowboys. He possesses rare athletic gifts that athletes his size aren’t often blessed with. If he continues to work, I think the sky’s the limit for Neville.
Looking back to when you first began your transition into broadcasting from football, what was one of the most surprising lessons that you learned? After the 2006 CFL season, my first TV job was doing color commentary for the NFL on FOX, which meant of course that I was broadcasting my friends’ games throughout the league. I remember at first feeling awkward having to at times be critical of their performance, but I learned that in order to fully serve the viewer at home, I was expected to do my homework and offer my own professional opinion. It is probably the hardest part about being a broadcaster, but I believe the best generally don’t get caught up in the emotion, and don’t make things personal. I’ve always tried to remain impartial and unbiased. You’re a huge Game of Thrones fan. What’s one thing you didn’t like about how the series ended? My biggest criticism would be that they tried to fit too much storyline into too few episodes, and everything felt rushed! There were some major events that felt glossed over. The Long Night episode was about as epic as it gets, though. You’re currently the host of DailyMail TV. How has this role helped to shape your development as a TV personality? What’s it like working with this team? I feel very fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to host Daily Mail TV, as it’s really enabled me to stretch and challenge myself in the Entertainment/ News industry. I love “quarterbacking” the show, it’s fast-paced; we cover a wide variety of topics with correspondents all over the globe. I’m very lucky to work with such a talented and hard working team.
In 2019, DailyMail TV took home a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Entertainment News Program. How much did this win mean to you and your team? To win an Emmy in only our second year is a testament to all the hard work and commitment my colleagues show on a day to day basis. Our show is very challenging to produce and pull off, but with our talented staff and some amazing resources, we’re able to bring our viewers the stories they want in a timely manner. You live in NYC now. What’s a typical (non-COVID19) day like for you in the Big Apple? Wake up and grab an espresso and read Daily Mail articles for our rundown that day. Head to the studio around 9 am, tape the show, finish around 2 then head to the gym. I love eating out as NYC has some of the best restaurants in the world. During the football season I’m watching lots of tape and traveling back and forth to Bristol, CT for ESPN college football coverage. We’ve all had a lot of downtime amid coronavirus lockdowns...what’s a skill you’d like to learn or have been trying to learn? I’ve started meditating which has been very helpful. I’m usually always on the move, and living in the “city that never sleeps” it’s important that I’m able to slow down from time to time.
Out of all the roles you’ve had in both your sports and television careers, is there one accomplishment or position that you felt you went out of your comfort zone for, and were able to surprise yourself with what you could achieve? When I was asked to host Recipe to Riches on Food Network Canada, I felt a little bit at first like a fish out of water because I’m not a chef and I haven’t been formally trained in any culinary arts. Was I qualified to host this show??? I do however love food, and I love being around passionate people, so I found myself getting more and more comfortable, just being myself, and finding my niche throughout the season. I owe that show a lot because it
has led to other roles hosting shows on the Food Network in both Canada and the US, which obviously is a much different TV genre than I was accustomed to at the time. What is the best piece of advice you ever received when you got into broadcasting? Say yes to things. Don’t immediately dismiss opportunities because you feel under qualified or because they don’t feel like the perfect match. When you try things out, you learn a lot about yourself and your own capabilities, and oftentimes get rewarded by opening up windows/opportunities for yourself down the road.
Social media. Love it or hate it? Like it. Our ability to access information, interact and socialize with people has grown exponentially because of it, but I don’t want to live on it, or lose too much of my own privacy because of it. Do you ever return to Ottawa? Any favourite spots you like to go to when you’re back in the city? I’m usually home twice a year. I love feeling nostalgic, so I usually go for a walk around the Parliament buildings and the Market. Afterwards, I love spending time at my best friend’s house; he and his family live on the canal. Our friends come over, we eat and laugh for hours.
A LOT OF PEOPLE TOLD ME THAT I WOULD NEVER PLAY IN THE NFL BECAUSE I GREW UP IN OTTAWA, WHERE FOOTBALL WASN’T TAKEN AS SERIOUSLY AS IN THE US. THEY UNDERESTIMATED MY HUNGER, DRIVE AND WORK ETHIC.
Last fall, you got engaged to your fiance Emely Fardo. Where did you meet and was it love at first sight?
I met Emely at Rumble Boxing here in NYC. It was love at first sight for me, although I’m pretty sure she didn’t even notice me, so I definitely had a lot of work to do! Who was the first person you called when you got engaged? Why was it important for you to call them first?
I called my parents first, they brought me into this world, so it felt like the right thing to do! We can only imagine how many bad “You’re still a Bachelor” jokes you’ve had to hear over the years... Do you have fond memories of that show and do you still watch it?
Great memories of the show, easily one of the wildest and fun experiences of my life. I don’t watch the show too often today...but I did binge watch Netflix’s Love Is Blind. What advice would you give to a kid from Ottawa reading this that wants to follow in your footsteps – whether it’s as an athlete, a broadcaster – or maybe even someone reading this who is an athlete but fears what to do when their career ends?
Anything in life is possible, regardless of where you are from. A lot of people told me that I would never play in the NFL because I grew up in Ottawa, where football wasn’t taken as seriously as in the US. They underestimated my hunger, drive and work ethic. If you want something bad enough and are willing to sacrifice for it, then you can achieve anything you set your mind to. @JessePalmerTV
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Ivanie Blondin Ottawa’s Own Speed Skating World Champion chats record-setting season. Ivanie Blondin is one of Ottawa’s own Olympians and decorated World Cup Champions in International Speed Skating. She has had a tremendous 2019-2020 season, setting four new personal records and becoming one of only five Canadians to ever reach the podium at the World Cup, grabbing a gold medal in women’s mass start, single distance and finishing 2nd overall.
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Given the upward swing of her season this year, it’s hard to believe that Blondin ever thought her career on the ice had peaked after competing at Pyeongchang in 2018. Fighting a battle with depression that affected her performance on the track, she found her stride once again and has made headlines for winning gold across five different disciplines, something that has never been done before by any skater on the international circuit. We caught up with Blondin to chat about her season’s success, her summer plans and her best advice.
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You grew up in Ottawa. Tell us about your childhood, some of your favourite memories from Ottawa, and your favourite places to go in the city? My favourite childhood memories growing up in Ottawa revolve around skating on outdoor rinks. My dad used to build a skating rink behind our house in the field between St Louis Drive and the St Louis residence. This is where I learned how to skate at the age of two. Grabbing a Beaver Tail on the Rideau Canal is always my number one recommendation for people who visit Ottawa during the winter. You got into skating at a very early age. When did you discover your passion for speed skating? I began skating when I was two and joined a learn to skate program shortly after. I started in figure skating but unfortunately I wasn’t very graceful and only wanted to go fast, so my figure skating coach at the time – Sheila
– suggested that my parents put me in speed skating. I tried speed skating at the age of six and never looked back; the speed and competitive aspect of the sport really drove me to where I am today. You were on the junior national team by age 14. What was it like for you as a teenager, balancing a demanding sports schedule with school and normal teenage life? To be honest, I didn’t have much of a teenage life. My entire life was skating and training already by that point, and that was how I wanted it to be. I was so highly competitive that the fact I didn’t have a very big social life didn’t phase me. School always came somewhat easily to me; I wasn’t a straight A student, but I also never let my grades slip. I prioritized skating maybe a bit more though, as the talent was there and the results were also there.
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In your early 20s you faced some challenges as an athlete: five concussions in three years, and a mononucleosis diagnosis. Looking back on those times, how hard were those years for you and what do you think is an important thing to remember for anyone facing a challenge or setback in their career or life? While those years were some of the hardest in my life, I feel they made me the athlete and person I am today. I learned from the hardship and grew to be stronger. You’ve had an incredible season, taking home a World Cup title and becoming a 3x gold medalist, including your first 5km world cup win. How did it feel for you to see all of your hard work pay off this season? This past season has been incredible. All the hard work that I put into this season made me feel accomplished again. I had a bit of an off year after the 2018 FACES MAGAZINE | 91
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Olympic Games in PyeongChang, suffering from depression which affected my performances on the international circuit. I had wondered if I was over the peak of my career, though this past season confirmed that I am not yet there. Knowing I can continue on the upward path is such a satisfying feeling. Looking back over the last two or three years, what is one accomplishment that you are extremely proud of? One of my biggest accomplishments came in November of this past season during the 3rd and 4th World Cup events. I had a gold streak in five different disciplines – 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, Mass Start and Team Pursuit. This had never been done before by any skater on the international circuit and that is something I am extremely proud of.
While those years were some of the hardest in my life, I feel they made me the athlete and person I am today. I learned from the hardship and grew to be stronger. What about Netflix recommendations? Do you have any pre-race rituals? Favourite meals, songs, etc?
I’ve most recently watched Money Heist and Ozark and would highly recommend both!
I don’t necessarily have any prerace rituals; my music playlist varies quite a bit as well. As for food, I do enjoy Shepherd’s Pie, or any kind of red meat really; preferably steak and potatoes. I like to keep myself calm and relaxed the night before a race, usually watching TV shows, sharpening my skates and keeping my mind busy with other things.
You recently celebrated your 30th birthday. What advice do you have for anyone in their 20s?
How do you stay active in quarantine? Any at-home fitness tips for this summer?
Ivanie as a young speed skater in Ottawa.
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I’ve been passing the time by doing a lot of gardening and cooking. Those are two things I’ve always loved doing. Healthy, home-cooked meals are the best fuel for athletes. I’ve also been doing a lot of running with my dog Brooke; in the month of April we ran 163km! We are back at full training now, of course not as a group, but I am fortunate to be able to train with Brooke and my boyfriend Konrad Nagy who is also a speed skater competing for Hungary. Cycling, inline skating, running and imitation skating drills make up most of our training.
Life’s too short to not take any chances; you should live your life to its fullest. You have a long list of outdoor hobbies you enjoy. What’s something most people don’t know about you? I have a love for the great outdoors and a huge soft spot for animals. We have Gizmo, our African grey parrot and Brooke our St. Bernard Pyrenees cross. Fostering animals with the Cochrane Humane Society has also helped me overcome my post-Olympic depression and get back on top of the podiums. What’s next for you? Hopefully returning back to the ice in the near future. I know this might be further away than expected, but dreams are what keep me alive! I have my eyes set on the 2022 Beijing Olympics, along with bringing home some hardware for our country.
IN SEASON
Cottage Weekend Ball, UCO Softshell Ice Cream Ball Pint, French Press, Stanley Classic Stay Hot French Press 1.4L Kitchen, Hauser Outdoor Patio Kitchen Firepit, Outland Living Propane Fire Pit Lake Float, Ozark Trail Rapid Rider Iv Water Tube
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MUSIC
AN INTERVIEW WITH...
ALMYR JULES 15 Questions with singer-songwriter Almyr Jules
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Tell us about your childhood. I was born in Montreal, Quebec. We moved from Montreal to Windsor, Ontario then to Calgary, Alberta. My childhood was full of love. We were never rich, we never really did vacations and we would most years go through six months or more of no heat, hot water, or electricity in the home. We had and still have lots of downs but, I have always been happy in life. I have seven siblings (four sisters and three brothers). We are one of the most tight-knit families. I spent my teen years in Calgary Alberta learning things and growing and finding myself but, I always remembered my parents teaching. My mom is my rock on this earth; through her eyes I have learnt to see, love, care, and teach others. My childhood was a rough time due to the stresses of life but we as a family have always had each other’s back.
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MUSIC Who were some of your first musical influences? I was first influenced by Micheal Jackson. I used to spend hours watching videos of Michael Jackson dancing and singing and I would try to copy his moves and singing; his videos are the reason I know how to dance. I was also influenced by heavy R&B artists like Chris Brown, Usher, Nelly, Shaggy, Akon and so much more. Music has been the biggest thing in my life and that will never change.
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What is your favourite thing about performing live? The fans. It all boils down to them. My band and I work hard on making and creating our craft and it’s all because of the fans. We hope that every song we write touches our fans and that will be our vision every time we write a new song. I also love the stage; being on stage is one of my favorite places to be.
Photo: Sean Sisk
When did you know that you wanted to be a singer/ songwriter? My entire musical career has been because of the women in my life. I learned guitar to impress a girl, and I kept on playing because of a woman. The day I knew I wanted to keep writing was when I met one of my ex-girlfriends. We had dated for a year and a half and I thought she was the one. My plan was to propose and live my life with her. A couple of months after our year and a half mark, she messaged me and said that she had cheated on me and that she was pregnant. When I received the news I was heartbroken, I didn’t know who to turn to and how to cope. I decided to write a song about it. The song was called “First Time” and I wrote the song start to finish in three hours. Few people have heard the song but it’s a song that I will always keep in my heart.
How has isolation affected your songwriting? Do you feel more creative, or do you feel that it’s harder to write and create music? I found that it has boosted my creativity. I have been fired up to learn how to produce and market my upcoming music. I have a single in the works that will be released super soon - I will posting the release date soon as well - that was written all because of the pandemic. I have had more motivation and drive ever since this started.
In June, Ottawa held a peaceful demonstration of solidarity for the Black Lives Matter Movement and against Police Brutality towards persons of colour. As a black artist in Ottawa, what does this movement mean to you?
The fact that is was a peaceful protest warms my heart. I have followed these events closely. I have myself been on the side of police discrimination; I was once pulled over and asked to step out of my car just because the police officer thought I stole my own car. I find it super inspiring that a nation can come together with the rest of the world and fight for the same cause I wish that happened more often in this world. I am a true believer, that all lives on earth matter, from animals to people.
What is your best advice for a non-black person looking to be a better ally? The advice I would give is to learn about our culture, traditions and people. For years the world has pictured black people as scary, mean, violent people. It’s been said that the biggest percentage of people in jail are blacks and due to that reason we are all bad FACES MAGAZINE | 95
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people but, that is not the case at all. I am a Haitian black Canadian man and I can tell you I was raised to treat everyone the same, no matter the colour or gender. If others just learnt of us I promise the world would fall in love with who we really are. You wouldn’t be scared of black people because we wouldn’t be pictured as scary to you anymore. All we have ever wanted is to get the same treatment and advantages as any other person could get; if we can change our racist triggers we can all get past this and live as one. Tell us about Sing For The Shot? Sing For The Shot is an opportunity I have always wanted to be a part of and I cannot wait to do it. My favourite thing is that we will be singing just original music and that will give me a chance to showcase my talent not just as a performer but as a songwriter, too. It’s a great opportunity and not one I want to waste at all. What is your favourite song that you’ve written? What was
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it inspired by, and where can people go to listen to it?
How would you describe your style as an artist?
My Favourite song has to be my song “For Today“. The song is about a couple that is going through a divorce. The point of the song was to illustrate what happened to both sides during a divorce and how they live it through their eyes. The song was inspired by two of my friends who
I describe it in one way, Shawn Mendes + Alec Benjamin + Leon Bridges = ME. If you like these artists, then you will love what I bring to the table.
went through this and myself as a storyteller had to write this story. You can listen to the acoustic version on SoundCloud. The official song won’t be released until after Sing For The Shot. I cannot wait for the world to hear it when it comes out. Although events have been cancelled for the foreseeable future, how do you plan on staying connected to fans and continuing to share your music? I try to every day. I have a series called “Living Room Jam”. It’s a video I shot of myself in my living room doing a cover for everyone. It was intended to be a collaboration thing; I was going to invite other artists to join and sing but I started it one week before the COVID pandemic hit hard and everything shut down.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? That I can solve a 3x3 Rubik’s Cube in under two minutes and a 4x4 in under five.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? My best advice was to stop trying to make a hit song and make whatever you like. That advice changed the way I viewed music and brought me back to the first song I ever wrote. That time all I wanted to do was write about my pain and it was raw, so staying on course with this advice, I will always do what I like when it pertains to my songs.
How do you stay focused, motivated and positive in the face of challenges?
I make a plan. I am a man who needs to draw it out so that every day I see my goals and know exactly where I need to go, that is what keeps me moving and progressing.
Lastly, what’s next for you? Music to be released. I will be releasing music really soon and I hope that everyone loves it.
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LIFE
OTTAWA
IN FOCUS A look through the lens of some of Ottawa’s most talented photographers.
Photo By: Noorulabdeen Ahmad @noorulabdeen
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