Faces Magazine - February 2023 Issue

Experience the lifestyle of your dreams at Promenade. Situated in the heart of Barrhaven, this thoughtfully planned community offers easy access to shopping, dining, transit, highways, schools, entertainment and more. With countless amenities within walking distance, Promenade keeps you connected to your wants, your needs and the luxuries of urban living.

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FIND FACES

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.

www.facesmag.ca

Editor In Chief Evan Childerhose Publisher Justin MacKinnon Hank’s Paw Publishing (A Division of 8624771 Canada Inc.) Art Director Sonia Mehour Accounting/Finance Linda Zhang Office Manager Jonathan Rock

Contributors

Steve Warne Dan Lalande Maija Stevenson Alex Grant Grace Whitmann Mason Brown Alex Feeney Jordan Palleck Courtney Wheeler Corey Stone Christopher Lord Molly Burke Garry Thom Mark Steele Ryan Bova Eric MacIsaac Kenzie Murphy Jamie Brown Robert Smith Kate Wright Meaghan Vincent Guillaume Dubois Connor Khonick Todd Hamilton Marc Paul Catheryn Risto Morris Miller

Contributing Photographers

Drake Batherson's Cover Photo: Sean Sisk

Neville Gallimore's photos: BG Football LLC

John E. Sokolowski Jana Chytilova Andre Ringuette Connor Armstrong Taylor Condon Peter Wright Yana Klaiz Lucas Short

Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne, along with Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne, explore the Quantum Realm, where they interact with strange creatures and embark on an adventure that goes beyond the limits of what they thought was possible.

Todd.Morin@ig.ca

FEBRUARY 24TH

The Ottawa2023Awards

Ottawa’s largest annual voting event and the single biggest digital campaign in Eastern Ontario, The Ottawa Awards are the National Capital’s annual celebration of excellence, celebrating the people, places and businesses that make our city world-class. No other event in Ottawa engages all industries and professional levels in one celebration of community, with over 400,000 people in the region casting 1.5 million votes per year.

The Brookstreet Hotel

Proud Canadian on “America’s Team”

In the early 90s, the Dallas Cowboys won three Super Bowls in four years. Since then, they’ve won a grand total of 4 playoff games in 26 years. But the Cowboys won the NFC East last year with 12 wins and they’re in the hunt again this year. A winning culture seems to have returned in “Big D” and that’s thanks, in part, to a massive improvement from the Dallas D.

Ottawa's Neville Gallimore

has been a very large part of that big defence in Dallas – a proud Canadian on the NFL club often hailed as “America’s Team.”

Dallas chose Gallimore – all 6-foot-2, 302 pounds of him – in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Prior to that, the 25-yearold defensive lineman had no less than 30 NCAA programs falling all over themselves, trying to recruit him out of high school.

Gallimore eventually chose his dream school, Oklahoma, where he starred for four years and became the number one Canadian draft prospect for both the NFL and CFL drafts.

The former St. Patrick’s High School student is now in his third season with the Dallas Cowboys, one of the most popular, storied franchises in all of pro sports. His sophomore NFL campaign last year was derailed in August by an elbow dislocation in the first preseason game. Gallimore wouldn’t play again until week 14.

This year, he returned for a new Cowboys’ season, fully healthy. We spoke with the Ottawa native about his career so far, his hometown, and his wedding coming up in March.

By Steve Warne

Absolutely, man. And it's been a great experience. I think the beauty of it is that we're still climbing. We're still constantly grinding to get to that level where we're playing the best ball possible. But I feel like we're taking those steps. And the guys in the group are amazing. Everybody's bought in. We love football, we love the game and we love playing for each other. When you’ve got that and a great coaching staff, the possibilities are endless.

What's it been like to be a member of the Dallas Cowboys with all their history?

When you live in Dallas, when you understand the culture, and the history of what it is to wear that star on your helmet, man, you quickly fall in love with the Dallas Cowboys. The fan base is amazing, like, every game is a great experience. And the opportunities off the field out here are incredible. So I'm definitely proud to wear the star on my helmet.

You’re about to turn 26. Are you at a point where you’re really at home in the Cowboys’ locker room, maybe even a guy that's starting to have a bigger voice?

I definitely feel like it's being called upon me to have more of a voice because it is my third year and my knowledge of the game is developing. So I feel like I'm in a position where I can shed some light, but I'm also still learning in the game. So I'm always open to any information that's given to me. I feel like the beauty of the NFL is that you just get better the more you play. The more you play, the more you get comfortable. So I feel like that's kind of the transition I'm making, and then it's only gonna get better. It's only gonna slow down for me as I keep playing, as I keep developing.

As we’re talking right now in late November, you guys are playing extremely well. It sure seems like all the pieces are coming together in Dallas.

But I will say every game you feel that soreness. Especially away games, because after you just finished playing, you shower, you’re back on a bus and then a three-hour flight. And no matter if it's an early game or a late game, you get back just in time and then you gotta go do it all over again. But that's why I make sure that I'm on top of my recovery, especially around this time of the year, when that body starts to weigh down on you. So you gotta make sure you're getting your hydration, getting your recovery, putting the right stuff in your body. It does pay dividends.

Was it always going to be the defensive line for you? Was there a time when you wanted to play another position like quarterback or running back?

I thought I was going to be a running back. Growing up, I was watching guys like Brandon Jacobs with the Giants, and Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville). I thought I was going to be a running back. And then when I got to high school, my coach at the time (Chris Bromfield at St. Patrick’s) was like, “No, you're going to put your head in the dirt. You're going to be a defensive lineman.”

I was like, “Man, I don't know what you're talking about.” And fast forward, I’ve been in the league for three years and I'm a defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys, so...

I'd like to discuss what it's like being a defensive lineman in the NFL. For example, how does your body feel at the end of a 60-minute game at that position, where you take hard contact on every single play?

If you've given it everything you've got after a game, you should feel pretty banged up. Every position on the field is a tough job, and I’m a little bit biased, but when you're playing the defensive line position, you're 300 pounds taking on about 600, 700 pounds, playing double teams, and every snap you're making contact. But you know, you fall in love with it, you know what I mean?

What’s it like to be in the NFL trenches every Sunday? I'd imagine things get pretty nasty.

It can get real grimy in the trenches. Playing defensive line, there's an art to it. If you don't really understand, it just looks like two big guys clashing every single play. But when you really understand the mechanics, when you talk about pass rush, you talk about hand placement, you talk about footwork, there's definitely an art to it because you know you have to make a decision in a split second.

You have to react based on what the O-lineman or the offense is doing. You gotta make sure your eyes are right where they need to be, because one false step and you could not only mess up the play for yourself, but the 10 other guys. So I feel like it's just paying attention to detail – and obviously that's easier said than done – but I feel like that's what makes the position special. It's not necessarily about the physical. It’s the mental aspect too.

What's the dirtiest thing you've ever seen during your battles with opposing offensive linemen?

I’ve gotten poked in the eye, a face mask grab, I've been tackled by an O-lineman, been picked up. It’s just part of the game when you're in the trenches. It’s kind of expected that you're gonna get somebody and you're gonna get it back. So it's just a matter of balancing back up and being ready to fight the next play.

Let’s talk a little about Ottawa and family back home. Growing up, how did your parents (Carlton and Merdiva) feel about you playing football?

Yeah, they're definitely supportive. They're from Jamaica and didn't really understand it at first – especially my mom with the physicality that came with it. But they understood it was an outlet for me, rather than just kind of running around and being bored at home. So I definitely appreciate them for that. They gave me that opportunity to do something I love and they’ve been very supportive every step of the way – especially when they began to see it as an opportunity to set myself up for the future. Once they bought into that, the rest was history.

Any other family back in Ottawa?

I have two older brothers. Gary and Garry.

Really? What's the story of two kids getting almost the same name?

I'd have to ask my parents. It's funny, it goes Gary, Garry… then Neville.

Were your brothers football players too?

For the most part, I come from a basketball family. My oldest brother had a real interest in basketball and my second brother actually played overseas. So I'm the first one to take that step to pursue football.

What do you most look forward to when you get back to Ottawa?

The food, family and friends. You know, you always got those gems that you grow up eating. Both of my parents are from Jamaica, so getting that home cooked meal, those Mediterranean spots we used to go to, we can go get a cheese pie, a One for One or Gabriel's Pizza, maybe getting a Beaver Tail when it's cold out. I miss doing stuff like that.

What minor football teams did you play for in Ottawa?

I played for the Canterbury Mustangs, which I believe is now the South Ottawa Mustangs. I played for the Cumberland Panthers in the OVFL. I played with them for a year before going to Canada Prep Academy in St. Catherines.

What is your personal NFL highlight to this stage?

I was actually just talking to my fiancé about this. Last year, I was dealing with an elbow injury and my first game back was at Washington. That’s where my fiancé is from. And I actually got my first NFL sack. My first game back. So that was kind of a big deal for me. I felt like I needed to remind myself like, “Hey, you know, I'm in here. I can do this. I got it in me. I'm the guy the Cowboys need me to be.”

Speaking of your fiancé (Chelsie), it was great to see you guys at an Ottawa Senators game in Dallas last season. I’m sure Ottawa sports fans appreciated that you insisted on wearing the Senators’ jersey, even though the Stars came down to your seats and gave you one of their green jerseys to wear.

Man, that was cool. It was dope. I hate to say it, but I've never been to a Senators’ game back home in Ottawa. Hopefully, that'll change soon. So I told Chelsie, “For my first Sens’ game, even though I'm in Dallas, I gotta rep my hometown.” But at the game, they gave me a Dallas Stars’ jersey of my own. So if you couldn't tell, I had a half Senators-half Stars jersey going. And yeah, the fans were loving it. And then they started to get a little hectic like, “Hey, leave the Stars’ jersey on!”

So I was like, “Nah, I still gotta rep the home team.” It was all good fun.

How did you and Chelsie meet?

We met at a house gathering. When I pulled up to the house, she opened the door and instantly I'm like, “Man, this girl's beautiful. She's amazing.” But, you know, I had to play it cool, right? I gave myself a little bit of time.

I reached out to her and we started hanging out. The thing I love the most is that it was just so real. It was authentic. I felt like I’d known her forever. We just came out the gate, talking and cracking jokes. And the conversation was deep. Apart from her being so attractive, so beautiful, I just loved her heart. I loved her spirit. I loved how driven she was. I loved her mentality and the amount of ambition she had. And then it really didn't take long, I’d say about a month or two, to where I was like, “You know what? I need to take this step. We just need to be together.”

And then fast forward to this past summer, I proposed to her. I was able to get our families and friends out to Dallas for the proposal. And now here we are, in my third NFL season and I'm doing wedding planning. We’re getting married in D.C. in March. So I’m definitely looking forward to that.

Dallas Cowboys fans – especially the ones in Ottawa – are hoping that’s not the only ring Gallimore puts on this year.

The words “Black Tie Formal” are an intimidating addition to any event invite—but fear not, the elusive tuxedo isn’t as complicated as you think. While there are a variety of styles to choose from, the good news is that this classic ensemble is relatively foolproof—as long as you know these few key elements.

THE BASICS

Despite their similar cuts, suits and tuxedos are not the same; with the major difference between the two being the use of silk satin that elevates the tux from the simplicity of the everyday suit. This silk material can be seen most prominently on the lapel, button, and side stripe of the trouser, though it can be incorporated elsewhere in the design. Despite popular belief, not all tuxedos are worn with a bow-tie—though it is the most worn addition.

Photo via: Dior.com

Photo via:robertocavalli.com

Photo via: dior.com

THE SHIRT THE JACKET

Truly the unsung hero of the tux is the dress shirt. This long-underrated piece can make or break the look, particularly if you choose to opt for a one that doesn’t match the quality of your jacket and trousers. Invest in two or three different dress shirt styles to wear under your tux and you can completely change the feel without breaking the bank. The most popular styles feature wing tip collars (the most formal, made for a bow-tie), a spread collar (the style you see on most men’s dress shirts), and shirt bibs (a pleated design that runs vertically up the length of the button closure placket).

The small pieces of a tux make a major impact. The finishing decisions of a tux include choosing between a cummerbund, vest, or bare, as well as whether to opt for a traditional tie or a bowtie. A traditional (a.k.a somewhat outdated) tux will feature a cummerbund and bowtie; if you want the most formal option, choose the vest and bow-tie combination, as this presents the most elevated look; for something modern and sleek, opt out of the addition of a cummerbund or vest and choose a standard tie over the classic bow-tie.

The jacket is the most defining stylistic element of the tuxedo, and gives you the most room for self-expression. The customizable aspects of the jacket are the lapel, colour, material, button(s), and whether you wear a single or double breasted style. Don’t let these decision overwhelm you—a classic, formal tux will feature peak lapels (characterized by notches below the neckline that ‘peak’ upwards); classic black in colour (though midnight blue is a style that’s gaining popularity); single-button closure; and made from wool or a wool blend. If you’d like to show some of your personality, consider changing one or two of these features to suit your personal style while still maintaining a formal look.

Photo via: dior.com

Photo via: valentino.com

For Erika Hoffmann, life lately has been a bit of a blur. Maybe it's her whirlwind, overnight success in her favourite sport. Maybe it's her new surroundings, suddenly living and traveling in Europe. Or maybe it's simply the driver's seat view from her race car as she roars past at 230 kilometres an hour.

Hoffmann’s journey began 10 months ago when she was selected to the Formula Woman racing team. Formula Woman is a televised series to find the next female motor racing champion. Hoffmann was one of 1000 women entered and, after considerable testing and evaluation, Hoffmann made the first cut – one of 75 hopefuls invited to Sweden and England for more testing and time trials.

“We literally had just endless testing,” Hoffmann said. “And then they picked a top 15 out of that. I didn’t think I was going to make it through because all these girls knew each other. Most of them were from the U.K. Some of them had YouTube channels. They were a big deal in my head and I was like, nobody knows me. I'm just this random girl from Canada. So, when they announced the top 15, I was pretty gobsmacked.”

Finally, when all the (exhaust) smoke had cleared, everyone knew exactly who Erika Hoffmann was. The affable 26-year-old was named the Formula Woman winner, claiming one of the four main spots on the team. That meant moving to the U.K. and driving one of the team’s powerful McLaren GT4 race cars in the 2022 GT Cup championship.

We caught up with Erika Hoffmann (only because she was willing to slow down for us) to discuss her incredible year.

By Steve Warne Photography by Sean Sisk

Tell us about the moment you got the news you were the Formula Woman winner out of 1000 other competitors.

Hoffmann: Well, we'd been competing the whole previous day in ice driving. We didn't know our own times or anyone else's. The next day they called us, one by one, into a room where we sat down with Graeme Glew, the founder of Formula Woman and professional driver Mia Flewitt. They told me my time on the ice and waited for that to sink in. But I was like, yeah, I don't know what that means. And then they told me I was the fastest.

ERIKA HOFFMANN

I think they were waiting for a bigger reaction, but I still didn't know if that meant I had made the team or not. They had told us that making it wasn't fully dependent on times. But they were like, ‘You were the fastest, so that means you made the team.’

That's when the emotion hit me. I have photos and I literally just sat there with my mouth open. I was not computing. What does this mean for my life now? I FaceTimed my family immediately. My parents were back home in Canada where it was 3:30 in the morning. My sister was in Europe and my brother was in the South Pacific and they all picked up on the first ring. Everyone was there, everyone knew, and they all freaked out. So, yeah, it was a pretty exciting moment.

Let's go back to the beginning of your story. When does your love of auto racing begin?

It circles back to my childhood when I was six or seven. My brother ended up finding a Formula One race on TV and I thought it was a really cool sport. But there was nowhere in Ottawa where you could really watch it. No broadcasts. But my uncle was also interested in Formula One. So he invested in all the fancy satellite dishes and recorded the races for us onto VHS tape. We'd watch it during the week and then put the VHS tape back in his mailbox so he could tape the next race for us.

How did

your first season go this summer?

We did a compressed season this past year because we had to undergo training before we were approved to race at the GT4 level. We improved our results each race, with our highest finish being at Silverstone, where my teammate Jodie Sloss and I took home the highest finish of either Formula Woman car this year.

When I was about nine years old, that's when Lewis Hamilton was in his rookie season and I decided I'm going to follow this guy. This is going to be my driver. That turned out pretty well. Childhood Erika made some good choices [laughing].

When did you go from fan to driver?

As I got older, I just wanted to get behind the wheel. My parents were like, 'Honey, we love you, but we can't fund a go-karting career and bankrupt the family. That's not happening.' But when I was a

HOFFMANN

teenager, after I got my driver's licence, I did autocross, which took place in the Senators parking lot at the CTC. I took my family's Hyundai Accent, a base level, roll down window car, and did time trials there, which was super fun. And that's the first time I got a taste of performance driving and felt like this is what I want to do. Later on, I began to race at Calabogie Motorsports Park.

What kind of cars did you drive at Calabogie?

I was just in my street car. I bought a Subaru BRZ. So I just went with my normal daily driver car. That's how professional I was. And then through that I qualified for their local series. I finished runner up in that series by one point. So, an okay rookie attempt at getting behind the wheel. And then I actually won the Ottawa Sports Car Club Rookie of the Year award.

What was it like going from your Subaru back home, right into a McLaren 570s GT4 race car?

It was pretty mind-boggling. The first ever time I drove it, it was so intense. I was just like, dang, we're gonna have some fun. I loved it. My coaches told me when they first started driving this car – and they've had years of experience – they were terrified. And here I am, all of a sudden, just whipping down at like 230 km/hr, just going for it. So yeah, it was quite the step up.

So you're going that fast for the first time. Is it exhilarating? Or is it scary?

It's both. So to be fast, the car can't be fully controlled, right? If you're driving well within the limits of the car and you feel good, it feels grounded, it’s planted, then you're not driving fast enough. You're not pushing. In my first race, I really focused a lot on not getting overwhelmed, not letting the stress overtake me. All of a sudden, I'm sitting on a grid for my first official race, starting with Lamborghinis and Ferraris around me and I'm thinking, oh my gosh, this is next level.

When the race was over, I was like, I did it. I can do it. This is fantastic.

How are your parents doing with all of this? Maybe some mixed emotio

They're super supportive, really proud of me. I couldn't do it without them. They're a really great support system. But yeah, they do get a little nervous. They came out to my Silverstone race My whole family came, which was super cool, and I got to show off everything. I was like, Dad, look at this. The last time we were racing, you were helping me change my tires on my street car at Calabogie. And now I have 12 mechanics and a garage. So, it was really cool to get to share that with them.

They opted to homeschool you, right? What was that like?

Yeah, it was really good. I think the older I get, the more I really appreciate my mom and dad's sacrifices. My mom's a teacher, so her focusing so much on us was amazing. And also seeing the advantages, because I'm dyslexic and I think I would've struggled a lot more in the public school system. So looking back, it was actually really cool. I don't think I appreciated how cool it was when I was younger.

What's your dream now in auto racing?

Honestly, the dream would be to just be able to race more, be able to race at Le Mans, and to really be successful as a female in this industry, because it's such a male dominated sport. Only 1.5% of racing licences globally are held by women so I'm really passionate about more women getting involved in the sport and really seeing that representation grow. It's such a cool industry because it's a sport where men and women can compete head-tohead, which is extremely rare.

What's the money situation while you're over there racing?

My races are covered by Formula Woman and I rely on sponsorship to pay my bills and cover equipment and expenses. My goal is to get more sponsors on board who want to partner with me long term, and bring them with me as I compete at

bigger and bigger races. My dream is to partner with people and brands who want to go to the top and empower women to compete alongside the best.

Is it automatic that you're back with the Formula Woman team next season or do you have to compete again to reclaim your spot?

I do have a seat secured for next season. They're running the competition again, but it'll look a bit different. They're going to put the winners in a driver development program. But me and my teammate (Scotland's Jodie Sloss) are competing again next year in the GT Cup again and a GT4 car.

What's the date you return for the new season?

Preseason testing starts at the end of February and our first race is April 1st.

So it's safe to say you're loving this ride, even though it's been a little crazy.

I was just a City of Ottawa lifeguard and all of a sudden, I'm here signing autographs in the UK and competing as a race car driver? Yeah, it's been pretty crazy, I'd say.

www.erikahoffmann.com @ErikaDrives

For five busy and successful years, Ostan, the Ottawa-based, privately-owned engineering firm, has been providing consultation, inspection, design, and project management services in both the public and private sectors. The firm’s focus on offering increased efficiency, architectural innovation, and structural solidity while minimizing costs continues to generate generous word of mouth. Ostan keeps the best interests of its clients top of mind throughout the entire process, improving, preserving, and personalizing Ottawa’s homes, condominiums, and office complexes.

“We are big on ‘value for money,’” declares the focused and well-spoken Eze. “We advise on components that significantly influence the cost. For instance, if you wanted to remove a 20ft structural wall in your living room. Splitting a beam with a post in the middle would be more affordable than having a continuous beam. We mention these kinds of price effects to the client as part of the design.”

By Dan Lalande Photography by Sean Sisk

In 2010, Eze made the long trek from eastern Nigeria to Ottawa. While courted by a handful of schools in the U.S., he had settled upon graduate studies at Carleton University. “I was so excited to come to the city,” he bristles. “I had very high expectations—and when I landed, Ottawa exceeded all of them.” There have been sizeable transitions since: from civil engineer to structural designer, from mid-sized consulting firm middle-man to self-made entrepreneur.

Ostan evolved when the aforementioned consulting firm altered its business plan, turning its back on a sector in need of certain services. “Ostan didn't reinvent the wheel,” Eze explains. “We took existing offerings and found more efficient and practical ways to fulfill them.”

Those offerings continue to include the provision of building sciences to needy commercial and residential clients, suggesting ways to extend the life of an existing infrastructure rather than replace its elements, though replacement is sometimes recommended when repair posits itself as the more expensive proposition.

This financially-focused strategizing is accomplished in close collaboration with a deep pool of fellow professionals, from contractors and property managers to architects and insurance reps. “At Ostan,” says Eze, “one of the early changes we made was understanding how our services affect other collaborators and how other professionals affect

our designs. Consider a beam in the basement. A new trend is to have the basement ceiling flush. However, this creates a challenge for running heating and cooling ducts. Hence, if a beam is flush, we have to ensure alternate arrangements have been made for the ducts by consulting the HVAC designer. This is just one example.”

The company also likes to work with the young, maintaining a mission to mentor the industry’s next generation. “We are big on grooming young students,” Eze states proudly. “Being a small firm, we are not able to retain our interns. However, we prepare them adequately for this line of work. We help them learn the work ethic and passion required to succeed. All the students that have interned with us are currently well-placed in various companies in the industry. We also occasionally offer mentorship to high school students in the gifted program who want to study civil engineering or architectural programs. We are proud to be part of their story.”

Small wonder, then, that Ottawa’s homes and buildings are, according to Eze, in sound structural condition. That said, there are always challenges. “In residential buildings, the issues vary by age. Buildings built earlier than the 1940s typically have floor deflection issues. Buildings constructed in some regions of the city known for poor soil conditions typically have foundation issues, which become evident after a long while. New builds sometimes have quality assurance issues related to a

complex network of current problems in the construction industry”—including the legacy of the pandemic, which, for Ostan, has been a mixed bag. “The pandemic affected our commercial services significantly, as most of our clients' businesses were crippled by it and required restrictions. However, it increased our residential services requests, as most people were stuck at home and had more time to make modifications.”

As for the future of the firm, Eze foresees a number of developments. These include working with client-generated design drawings, and greater involvement in sustainable development. “This is not because sustainability has become a buzzword. It’s because it makes practical and economic sense.”

An affirmation that while Ostan will continue to advance the art of structural design, its focus on cost-savvy innovation will remain unaltered.

www.ostan.ca

4 Ways to Improve Your ATTENTION SPAN AND BRAIN HEALTH THIS YEAR

While improving your physical health likely already tops your list of New Year’s Resolutions, the focus is generally placed on the things we can see. This year we’d like to make the case for starting your wellness journey by focusing on the most important (and often overlooked) part of the body: the brain. To start this year on the right foot, we’ve compiled an evidence-backed list of simple daily changes you can make to improve your brain health.

Balance movement and rest

It’s no secret that exercise is good for just about every part of your body––and your brain is no exception. Movement creates oxygen flow to the brain, which encourages the production of new brain cells. Balancing this routine with a consistent sleep schedule so that your brain has time to repair itself in the night.

Supplements

Let’s be honest––even with the best intentions, changes to our diets are often short lived. Supplementing vitamins and nutrients is another way that you can increase your cognitive function and promote longevity for the health of your brain. Perhaps the most effective vitamin for improving and preserving the mind is Omega-3, as it increases blood flow to the brain, effectively supporting memory and decreasing the risk of dementia.

Eat Mindfully

We know that ‘change your diet’ seems to be the advice for every physical ailment––and, as it turns out, that’s because it works. Avoiding overly processed foods like pre-packaged snacks, and anything high in sodium or sugar is

Learn a new skill

Don’t let the fact that this is technically fat scare you off. Omega-3 is a good fat which contributes to overall skin health by maintaining the cell membrane and naturally lubricating the skin with a protective barrier. This is an especially important item to supplement if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, or don’t eat fish often, as omega-3’s are found almost exclusively in fish. This is perhaps the most important to consume, as vitamin C and Beta Carotene (aka retinol in the skin-care paradigm) can both be topically applied for similar results, whereas omega-3’s are absorbed only through consumption.

a good jumping off point for improving long-term memory formation and retention. Incorporating more green leafy vegetables (for their vitamin K and beta-carotene), fatty fish (for Omega-3’s), and walnuts (for ALA), are all simple additions to your daily meals that can make a big difference for long term brain health.

“That’s incredibly relevant to the type of baking we do at Strawberry Blonde Bakery,” explains the one-time post-production practitioner cum specialty baker Jacqui Okum. “To understand how to replace gluten, eggs, and other ingredients, I first had to learn all of their functions in baking. I couldn’t break the rule until I understood the rule. At Strawberry Blonde, we’re always innovating to improve our products and create new, tasty treats.”

Today, Okum is the proud, hardworking owner of that specialty bakery, which has two popular locations: 111 Richmond Rd in Westboro and 767 Silver & Rd Unit 17 in Kanata. Every day, Okum and her equally devoted staff—bakers, cake decorators, service people,

and managers—are up before the sun to ensure that Ottawa’s marginalized food communities can enjoy the culinary indulges their conditions, allergies, religious beliefs, and self-chosen lifestyles wouldn’t otherwise allow.

The business, which also holds down wholesale and specialty responsibilities, began as a series of vegan stands at the Little Italy and Lansdowne Farmers’ Markets, right after Okum gave up her Toronto-based media career to try her luck as a professional baker. “The markets were a great place to start to build up a customer base and get feedback, with very low overhead,” Okum reflects. “I learned a lot about allergies and cross-contamination.I kept experimenting until I decided to get rid of gluten and nuts completely, on top of the already dairy and egg free baking I was doing.”

That was also where she met her future business partner. Together, they started selling treats at specialty food stores, inspiring them to establish their own kitchen.

First, though, they had to secure the funding. “Because it was a new way of baking, funders would say, ‘It’s just a fad.’” After Okum and her partner got the money, however, they were able to prove that pronouncement wrong. “There was an immediate response to our shop,” Okum recounts. “We were doing something completely different, but so needed.”

The original plan was to expand the wholesale line and sell off the extra to walk-in trade—but if

you’ve ever walked into Strawberry Blonde (and if you haven’t, you should!), you can guess what happened next: people were so gratified by the variety of the offerings, retail took precedent over wholesale. After finding an appreciative banker suffering from celiac disease, Blonde expanded to a second location. These days, Okum, the company’s sole owner, divides her time between both venues, creating menus, working with managers, dealing with equipment, and ensuring that the business's core tenets remain in place: friendliness, teamwork, creativity, innovation, and respect. The latter is of particular importance. After all, it’s respect for the needs of the customer that continues to drive the enterprise.

“As a vegan,” explains the sympathetic Okum, “I know what it feels like to feel like the odd duck at a bakery, a restaurant, or a celebration. My goal was always to create a space where those people could go somewhere, pick out anything without fear, and still have it taste and look beautiful.”

strawberryblondebakery.com

“Rules can be broken, but it’s important to understand why a rule exists and how to break it in a way that still works.”

Photo credit: Rothbauer Studio

Photo credit: Rothbauer Studio

Portrait by Sean Sisk

By Dan Lalande

Aperol Sour

Ingredients

50 ml Aperol 30 ml gin

30 ml lemon juice 20 ml sugar syrup

1 egg white Ice, for shaker

Lemon or orange twist, to garnish

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice and shake for 15-20 seconds (it’s key to shake as well as you can here, to make the egg white go frothy).

Pour carefully into a glass and garnish with lemon or orange if you like, we love a twist, slice or peel.

The SpritzRhaenyra

Ingredients

1.5 oz Campari

1.5 oz Sweet Vermouth 1.5 oz Prosecco or sparkling wine

Large ice cube 1 orange slice (optional

Directions

Put a large ice cube in a glass

Pour the Campari and Sweet Vermouth in the glass over the ice

Stir together (do this now since stirring the sparkling wine can cause it to bubble over).

Top with prosecco or sparkling wine of choice. I usually don't measure this out and instead eyeball the right amount. You're aiming for equal parts of everything.

Cupid's Kiss

Ingredients

1.5 oz Elderflower Liquor 2 oz Rosé Vodka

1/4 oz Pomegranate Syrup 1/4 oz Rose Syrup

Lime Seltzer Water

Directions

Add elderflower liquor, rosé vodka, pomegranate syrup, and rose syrup to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake. Pour combination over ice into a martini glass.

Top with lime seltzer water. Garnish with dried rose petals.

Hibiscus Cosmopolitan

Ingredients for Hibiscus Syrup

1 cup water 2 tablespoons dried hibiscus 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Ingredients for Cosmopolitan

Hibiscus Iced Tea 1 1/2 cups vodka Homemade Sour Mixor 1 cup store-bought sour mix 3 tablespoons Cointreau or other orangeflavored liqueur Ice cubes

Directions

Mix together iced tea, vodka, sour mix, and Cointreau in a large pitcher. Working in batches, transfer mixture to an ice-filled cocktail shaker, and shake well; strain into martini glasses.

Every hockey fan loves to dabble in a little hockey trivia. For example, the Toronto Maple Leafs' last Stanley Cup win was in 1967. Daniel Alfredsson was the longest serving captain in Ottawa Senators' history. And the last Canadian team to win the Cup was Montreal in 1993.

For Ottawa hockey historian Liam Maguire, that's child play. Hit him with easy trivia like that and he'll happily give you the answers. But then he'll take you down a rabbit hole, filled with topical trivia that seems to run 50 layers deep, making you wonder if he's just making things up – that is, until you fact check and realize he's right about everything.

Maguire's passion for the sport and its trivia has taken him down a decades-long path, with more than 2500 public appearances all across Canada and appearing on virtually every national radio and TV show including Hockey Night in Canada. He's worked with 65 Hockey Hall of Fame members at numerous functions, fundraisers, dinners and charities.

The Montreal Canadiens, Team Canada, and a cold Molson Export (or ten) all hold a special place in Maguire's heart.

The Rise of Hockey Trivia's One True King

For those that know Maguire, even just a little, his most endearing quality may be this: Few people are ever happier to see you than Liam. When Maguire greets you, he lights up like you're a teammate who just scored the game winning goal. He offers a beaming smile, a firm handshake and with that extra thick, booming Ottawa Valley brogue, he'll almost certainly be excited to ask you, “How's she goin', buddy?”

Things have gone very well for Maguire, who's carved out a nice career as an author, broadcaster and guest speaker, thanks largely to a life-long infatuation with hockey trivia, blossoming from of a hockey-crazy childhood.

“It was hockey cards,” Maguire remembers. “Collecting hockey cards and the information on the back of them. It just became a badge of honour to know your favourite team's players and stats. That's where the hockey trivia began.”

So, how and when did it go from hobby to passion?

“The key guy there was Phil Byrne, one of my closest, dearest friends,” Maguire said. “He came to my school (St. Leonard's) in grade four. He was a Leaf fan, which is ironic because now he absolutely hates them. He's a massive Sens fan. Phil was incredibly gifted, academically – just really, really smart. We used to ride the bus together and on Monday mornings he'd ask me who was leading every NHL team in scoring. And he used to piss me off because I couldn't get them all. But he always knew them all. It was unbelievable.

“He's the one that got me focused. I thought to myself, “I gotta at least match Phil. I can't lose to him every single Monday morning on the bus, which I think I did for like 26 consecutive Mondays or something.

Photography by Sean Sisk

So, it started with the hockey cards, the love of the sport, and then it morphed into something more after I met Phil.”

It's not remotely a stretch to refer to Maguire as the king of NHL trivia, a coronation he informally sought at age 14 when he put an ad in The Hockey News, looking for challengers to his throne.

“Yeah, I put it out there,” said Maguire. “Pre-internet, it was much harder. But I ran that ad for a couple of months when I was 14. The ad read:

Hey, my name's Liam Maguire. I'm from Kars, Ontario. I'm the NHL expert of the world. You want to try and take me on? Write me a letter to this address.

“I thought to myself, this is great. I'm now going to be able to connect with hockey fans all over the world. And my Dad could pay for me to travel to them and I'll go and I'll kick their asses. My Dad said, “Son, I'm not paying you one red dime. Now get out there and shovel that driveway.”

But has anyone ever come close to taking down the king? Claiming the crown? Challenging the chief?

“The best I ever came across was Jerry Rochon from Trois-Rivières,” Maguire said. “It took me a long time to track him down and when I finally got his home number and I phoned him at home I said, 'Jerry, my name's Liam Maguire.' There was dead silence on the other end.

"Finally, he said, 'I knew I was going to get this call eventually.' I basically said, 'Jerry, you sound like a super nice guy, but there's only room for one of us at the top, so we're gonna have to settle this.' He drove down to Ottawa and came on the air with me on my radio show at the time. He came to our place for dinner, he brought my wife a really nice bottle of wine and we had a fabulous dinner.

"The next day, we went to the Ottawa Public Library and we were there for four hours comparing research techniques. He showed me what he did. I showed him what I did and it was fabulous.

Absolutely fantastic. And then we went at it toe to toe on the air for an hour. It was a contest, there was going to be a winner, and it sure as hell wasn't going to be Jerry. There's just no way I could allow it. I had to beat him and I did. But he was really good, man.

“He's the best I've ever come across for sure.”

So, what's the secret of Maguire's success? How does he so effortlessly retain volumes of hockey information that he can call up at the drop of a hat?

“Well, I am blessed with a great memory,” Maguire said. “I inherited it from my mom's side of the family. But my dad had a very good memory as well. So, I inherited those skills – absolutely. And with hockey, it seemed to come easy to me.

“THERE'S

“When I started at 14 or 15 to take it to a pretty insane level, if I wanted to burn something into my memory, I seemed to have the ability to do that, even over and above what the average person with a good memory seems to be able to do.

“There's probably a thousand people in Ottawa with better memories than me. But mine is very good. And when it comes to this one thing, the history of hockey – specifically the NHL – I think I'm as good as anybody drawing a breath.”

Maguire's trivia mind is probably at its sharpest when the subject matter is his beloved Montreal Canadiens. It's hard to imagine a bigger Habs' fan than Maguire, who came up in the 60s and 70s, at a time when Stanley Cups in Montreal came easy. He's befriended a number of players from the 70s dynasty years, including his favourite player, Yvan Cournoyer.

He even found a way to combine his love for hockey with the love of his life, famously asking his ex-wife to marry him at centre ice in the old Montreal Forum. It happened in 1993, the last year Montreal would win a Cup.

“It was a very whirlwind romance,” Maguire remembers. “Things happened very quickly and I was pretty confident she was going to say yes. So, I was thinking I gotta do something here sort of befitting my character. So, I decided it had to be at the Forum.

“We got out to center ice, I got down on one knee and I said, 'I've got a trivia question for you and the answer is yes. I'm the only guy to do that. In the 71-year history of the Montreal Forum, when it was open for NHL hockey, I'm the only guy to propose at centre ice.

Liam and Liz are no longer married but remain great friends and they are the parents of two fantastic children, Rory and Shanna.

If figures that Ottawa's King of NHL Trivia, who's still going as strong as ever, would be the answer to at least one great hockey trivia question himself.

By Steve Warne

Gabriela Lewin MD

It’s a long way from Buenos Aires to Ottawa. That’s the pilgrimage that Gabriela Lewin MD made twenty years ago when her husband lured her from her native home to the capital of Canada. The geographic switch came with a switch in careers, albeit one that took a while to establish itself. Now, though, Dr. Lewin’s eponymous cosmetic medicine clinic, located in the heart of Wellington West, is garnering five-star reviews from a client base ecstatic with the natural results afforded by her safe, advanced techniques in facial rejuvenation.

“I started practicing cosmetic medicine five years ago as a way to do something different and artistic,” Dr. Lewin explains. “After training with the best injectors and mentors from Ottawa and the world, I realized I was ready to open my own clinic. I work with dermal fillers, anti-wrinkle injections, and other treatments to improve the quality of the skin and produce collagen.” The result is a wrinkle-free complexion, subtle but striking facial symmetry, and, inter alia, a visibly renewed spirit.

Dr. Lewin’s twenty-five years of experience in the medical field includes a long and distinguished stint in rural medicine. For thirteen years, she worked at Kemptville District Hospital and Family Medicine Clinic as a family doctor and hospitalist. During that time, she served as vice-chair of the Canadian Task Force on PHC (Primary Health Care). There, she helped to develop preventive guidelines for mammograms, pap tests, colonoscopies, and other investigative procedures.

When the Ottawa-Kemptville commute began to wear her down, she took over a family medicine practice in Westboro.

Then came the establishment of her boutique clinic, Gabriela MD Cosmetic Medicine; Ottawans have looked good ever since. Not only that, but those suffering the effects of excessive sweating, TMJ, weight loss issues, and other vexing conditions are benefiting from the variety of innovative solutions offered at the clinic.

“I have a website and social media (Instagram/Facebook) where my clients can book a complimentary consultation to discuss a treatment plan depending on their concerns,” the passionate and focused Dr. Lewin explains. “Once the treatment plan is discussed and agreed upon, we set up an appointment for the appropriate treatments. That can be anti-wrinkle injections (Botox), dermal fillers for volume loss, changing the shape of certain areas of the face (like lips, cheeks, chin, jawline), full facial balancing using dermal fillers, or fat dissolving injections in the double chin area. I also offer collagen induction therapies like micro-needling and Sculptra injections, skin resurfacing (chemical peels), and medical-grade skin care. I use the safest techniques in the market: an Ultrasound device, which injects in just the right areas to avoid potential complications.”

“I think what makes my cosmetic clinic unique is that I personally see every one of my clients; I take care of them before, during, and after. I’m always available for them for any questions or concerns.”

When not tending to her patients, the busy mother of two pays it forward by teaching residents at the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa. But a lot of her focus goes to the clinic. “My goal is to provide safe, high-quality, and natural results that will boost my patients’ confidence,” she concludes, with, fittingly, complete confidence.

By Dan Lalande

“

February is Black History month, and we’re celebrating with a list of some of our favourite Ottawa Black-owned businesses who make our city great.

From cafes to gyms to retail spaces, Black excellence continues to flourish in the Nation’s Capital.

IZERE COFFEE

This family owned business is run by a mother-daughter duo from Burundi. They aim to connect their two homes through their specialty Burundian coffee, the production of which helps to empower Burundian farmers and rebuild the country. You can shop their products on their website, and a variety of local cafes.

www.izerecoffee.com

STOMPING GROUND

This Bank street boutique sells a wide range of menswear with an emphasis on quality, sustainability, and elevated customer service. Street style musthaves meet perfect-for-work staples to elevate any wardrobe. Their in-house stylists offer full ward-robing services, both locally and virtually.

@stompingground

ANAYA ARTS

This Ottawa-based e-commerce space is a hub for art from a variety of Black artists, whether you’re searching for wall art, apparel, or accessories. They’ve recently expanded their business to include two brick and mortar locations in Ottawa’s Bayshore and Rideau shopping centres. www.anayaarts.ca

THE THIRSTY MAIDEN

This Kanata-based cafe serves locally roasted coffee, as well as a selection of craft beers, baked goods, and meals. Reviewers rave about the atmosphere, service, and selection, citing it as “the best coffee house and bistro in Kanata”.

Food that loves

YOUR HOME IS WHERE HER HEART IS

AAnn Maika-Chartrand should know. The keen and knowledgeable real estate agent is a fifth-generation descendant of Ottawa Valley pioneers. While her brick-andmortar office is located on the main street in Barry’s Bay, she lives in scenic Round Lake Centre. Speaking of both communities, the striking brunette says, “These are lovely properties that offer so much for a fraction of what one would pay in Ottawa. One could sell in the city, buy in the country, and eliminate a lot of debt.”

Good advice—

which, thanks to Ann, more and more people are taking. Ann, a certified Resort and Second Home Property Specialist, sells rural realty, farms, and waterfront estates throughout the aforementioned areas, as well as in Pembroke and Petawawa—and all at shockingly affordable prices ($200,000 –$300,000. Take that, Ottawa!) Many, like her beloved Round Lake area, offer all of the amenities (groceries, post office, bussing, etc.) plus some lovely bonuses, like proximity to beaches and year-round recreational events.

Not that these properties don’t come without concerns: rural zoning, internet reception, and more—but the indefatigable Ann is on top of them all. After all, she’s had the lifelong example of her hardworking father, an ex-paratrooper-cum-welder raised on an off-grid farm. As a small businessman and doting father, he modeled a non-stop work ethic and an instinctive subservience to people’s needs. Both left a deep imprint on his youngest daughter. “I serve rural clients who expect me to show up in a pickup truck wearing boots and plaid to a listing appointment,” explains Ann. “They expect hard work and honesty. Fittingly, those are the core values of who I am.”

Ann came to real estate in 2019, after careers as an Animal Cruelty Investigator and a Carrier Enforcement Officer. Little did she know that those sometimes-surreal tasks, like dealing with an alligator, were imparting skills that would serve her in her next career. “I developed a skill set as a fantastic interviewer and empathetic problem solver,” she reflects.

“I’m also quite adept at understanding the requirements for livestock, which is invaluable when selling or buying a farm. Plus, I’m very adept at interpreting legislation, which is incredibly important as a realtor.”

Since joining Royal LePage, Ann has been consistently recognized as one of that legendary brokerage’s Top Producers. And just last year, she was listed as #3 on Property Spark’s list of the top 20 Ottawa-based agents to follow on social media, the only candidate from the Valley to make the grade.

By Dan Lalande

“Moving to the Ottawa Valley is more than just a move. It’s a lifestyle!”

6 VALENTINES GIFTS FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING

Whether you’re celebrating your husband of twenty years or a new fling this Valentine’s Day, the truth is that buying gifts for men can be challenging (even when you’ve known them for what seems like forever).

Amidst the hundreds of online gift guides recommending beard oil or a utility knife, we’ve rounded up 6 thoughtful gifts that are a foolproof solution to your Valentine’s day woes.

FLORAL ARRANGEMENT CLASS FOR TWO

A KINDLE OR E-READER

, while this somewhat bleak notion isn’t necessarily true, Valentine’s Day does present a perfect opportunity to correct this belief. Rather than sending a bouquet, bring him to a floral arrangement class and spend an hour personalizing a bouquet for each other––an experience-based gift like this is a great solution for that man who has everything.

THERE ARE TWO

TYPES OF PEOPLE IN THIS

WORLD: those who are avid readers, and those who wish they were. A random sampling of New Year’s resolutions would most likely show more than a few examples along the lines of: I’d like to read more books this year. A Kindle Paperwhite or comparable e-reader is an eco-friendly way to show him you’ve been listening. On the off chance he never cracks a metaphorical book spine, it’s a convenient way to read the morning paper or magazine without having to run to the corner store.

AIRTAG OR BLUETOOTH TRACKER

The name of the game when it comes to gifting for men is convenience, and misplacing your keys, headphones, or wallet tops the list for daily inconveniences. If his always digging through his coat pockets for a lost item is an inside joke between you two, then a bluetooth tracker is the perfect gift that’s both useful and personal.

YOU’VE PROBABLY HEARD THE INTERNET OPINION THAT “MOST MEN ONLY RECEIVE FLOWERS AT THEIR FUNERAL”

CRAFT BEER/WINE SUBSCRIPTION

THE PERFECT GIFT

for the man in your life who considers himself somewhat of a connoisseur when it comes to the beer/ wine menu–a subscription service provides monthly deliveries of a curated selection of either drink for him to sample. This is the gift that keeps on giving all year long.

ENGRAVED CHEFS KNIFE SIMPLE SKINCARE ROUTINE

If they love to cook or considers themselves to be a foodie, an engraved chef’s knife or knife set is a personal gift that’s also useful on an everyday basis. Wüsthof and Henckels branded knives are the ones most often used by professional chefs (including Gordon Ramsay), and a set of these is a daily luxury that can feel like too big of a splurge for a home-cook to buy themselves.

If they love to cook or considers themselves to be a foodie, an engraved chef’s knife or knife set is a personal gift that’s also useful on an everyday basis. Wüsthof and Henckels branded knives are the ones most often used by professional chefs (including Gordon Ramsay), and a set of these is a daily luxury that can feel like too big of a splurge for a home-cook to buy themselves.