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Fine Dining in Kanata’s Distinctive Heritage Building
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In This Issue SPORTS
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NICK PAUL Nick Paul talks World Championships, his favourite things about the Capital, and his hopes for the season ahead.
Drake Batherson by Claus Andersen/Getty Images
JENNIFER BOTTERILL
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Hockey Night in Canada Analyst Jennifer Botterill on career highlights, her transition to broadcasting, and her favourite aspects of the fast-paced industry of sports media.
Shawn & Mira on their career highlights, transitions to the boardroom, and how the they continue to purse their dreams in the Ottawa community.
SHAWN SIMPSON & MIRA YASIRI
We got to know the Ottawa Redblacks new Head Coach both on and off the field: including his journey to coaching and his aspirations for the season ahead.
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Our four top picks for mixed drink recipes that are both summery and simple.
5 Summer Skincare Myth & Tips
Summer is here and with it the risk of sunburn and skin damage. Here are five of the most common misconceptions about your skin and the summer, and what to do about them.
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A Guide to Health & Happiness Summer Edition Every issue, we find five lifestyle changes that are so simple, so surprising, and so successful that they are sure to spark a massive difference in your health and happiness.
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Faces Readers and Followers Name the Toughest Golf Hole in Ottawa
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July/August Volume 68 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 Operations Manager Courtney Wheeler Accounting/Finance Linda Zhang
@facesottawa @facesott @facesottawa
Contact info@facesmag.ca (613) 591 - 6093
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
Contributors Alex Feeney Catheryn Risto Morris Miller Corey Stone Christopher Lord Alex Dobsky Tayna Gautier Meaghan Vincent Steve Warne Max Polizi Kate Wright Todd Hamilton Stewart Clarke Liam Fox Ryan Bova Trevor McIssac Kenzie Harrison Connor Khonick Shiyao Liu Jordan Palleck Gary Cassidy Jennifer Marwick Guillaume Dubois Allison Dupuis Trever MacIsaac Ryan Bova Kenzie Harrison Dave Rock
Contributing Photographers Cover Photo: Sean Sisk John E. Sokolowski Jana Chytilova Andre Ringuette Connor Armstrong Taylor Condon Peter Wright Yana Klaiz Lucas Short
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JULY MOVIE RELEASES BLACK WIDOW
Tells the story of Natasha Romanov (Scarlett Johansson), the female avenger known as Black Widow, from her troubled and dangerous past as a USSR operative to her new identity in New York City.
July 9th
JULY Here’s How to Make the Most of this Month
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Take a walk with Dad on July
SPACEJAM: A NEW LEGACY
For National Father-Daughter Take A Walk Day
In this long-awaited sequel, Shaq returns to team up with Bugs Bunny and the rest of the gang for some classic ‘Toons vs. Goons’.
July 16
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Drink a Mojito on July 11 THE NIGHT HOUSE
Beth (Rebecca Hull) grieves her husband’s death alone in the eerily secluded lake house that he built for her. But a series of mysterious events, visions, and dreams begin to unravel terrible secrets that she could have never imagined.
July 16th
ESCAPE ROOM: TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
Teaming up with the two survivors of Escape Room’s prequel, a team of 6 are unknowingly pitted against each other in a game of survival.
July 16
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For National Mojito Day
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Things You Didn’t Know About The Mojito
The Mojito is one of the oldest known mixed drinks. While its origins are relatively unknown, the mixture of rum, lime, and mint has been around since the 1500s.
Pirates were some of the first Mojito drinkers. They’d make the mixture (with an earlier version of rum known as aguardiente) to treat scurvy and dysentery.
Mojito’s are James Bond-cool. You can thank the resurgence of Mojito ‘moxie’ on the 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day, when James enjoys a Mojito on the beach. It caused a reported spike in Mojito sales and kickstarted the Mojito madness we enjoy today.
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The modern day Mojito is proudly from Cuba. Cubans are super proud of the roots of the modernday Mojito. If you go there, you’ll be able to enjoy one in almost every tourist location.
JULY MOVIE RELEASES
Grab a golden potato string in celebration of
National French th Fry Day on July Did you know? The original name for French Fries was French Frieds. As the popularity of these tasty taters soared in the 1960s with the rise in fast food, french fries became a slang term that eventually eroded the use of its original name.
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July 23rd
Part With Something Taking Up Space In Your Home for National
STILLWATER
Give Something Away Day on July
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OLD
M. Night Shamalyan returns with a gripping tale of vacationing families who discover a hidden gem of a beach. After spending a few minutes on the beach, they discover that they can’t leave, and time seems to be elapsing in years, not minutes. They fight to uncover the secrets of the beach before it’s too late.
When his daughter is arrested for murder in Europe, an all-American dad (Matt Damon) heads across the pond to fight for his little girl.
July 30th
Did you know? By ridding your home of clutter, you’re eliminating up to 40% of your regular housework. Via *GoodWill Industries
Wine and Cheese-IT
For National Wine and Cheese Day on July Hang Around
22 on July
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National Hammock Day
Did You Know?
A new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease has shown that eating cheese and drinking red wine in moderation daily can actually protect cognition long-term. The study analyzed over 1,700 people in their 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s over a 10 year period. Specifically, the study looked at each person’s Fluid Intelligence Test– their ability to think quickly, as well as each participant’s diet.
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After ten years, the study found that cheese was the strongest predictor of positive FIT scores over time, showing a protective effect against age-related cognitive decline. Next on the list was red wine. Those who drank a glass of red wine daily scored better on average on their 10-year FIT score. The other high-scoring food was a weekly serving of lamb, and it was found that a high-salt diet had the opposite effect and posed a risk factor for lower FIT scores over time.
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AUGUST MOVIE RELEASES SUICIDE SQUAD 2
Back, and with an even more dangerous mission than before, the Suicide sequel features new faces Pete Davidson and Michael Rooker.
August 6th
O T T A W A
AUGUST Here’s How to Make the Most of this Month
Celebrate
FREE GUY
National Watermelon Day On August
Ryan Reynolds is back in another rule-breaking adventure movie. This time, he plays a bank teller who discovers that he’s a background character (NPC) in a violent open-world video game. Tired of going through the motions of the game, he decides to take on the villains and write his own story.
August 13th
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3 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THE WATERMELON WATERMELONS ARE CLASSIFIED AS GOURDS. DON’T BREATH (THE SEQUEL)
Years after the deadly home invasion that shook his city, Norman Nordstrom is living a quiet and hidden life away from turmoil. That is, until, the trouble he was running from finally finds him.
August 13th
REMINISCE
In this mind-bending thriller, Hugh Jackman plays a scientist who discovers a way to relive your past, and uses his new technology to search for a long lost love.
August 27th
While they are known as fruit due to their sweet taste and seeds inside, farmers consider them vegetables because they grow from the ground just like their other summer crops. They are technically gourds, and are closely related to Pumpkins, Cucumbers, and Squash.
Though we’re used to our classic pink watermelon, there are tons of different varieties of the fruit around the world. For example, the Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon is a bit smaller in size with a pale yellow inside and a sweeter taste.
YOU CAN EAT THE ENTIRE WATERMELON In many countries, Watermelon rinds are used in stir fries or pickled, and in others, the seeds of the Watermelon are roasted like pumpkin seeds. So while we typically find ourselves eating just the sweet part, the entire Watermelon is not only edible, but nutritious.
Celebrate
International Beer Day On August
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THERE ARE OVER 1200 DIFFERENT KINDS OF WATERMELON.
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Did you know? Ottawa has over 24 local breweries to choose from to celebrate International Beer Day. In Ottawa-Gatineau, this number doubles to 50 craft breweries.
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Toast to a Middle Child for National
5 FACTS ON THE MIDDLE CHILD
Middle Child Day On August
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MIDDLE CHILDREN ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY RARE. In the 1970s, the average family household had four children, meaning middle children were usually equal in numbers. However, today’s average household only has one or two children.
MIDDLE CHILDREN ARE PEACEMAKERS Modern-day psychologists who have studied middle-children have found that their middle-ness has helped them to develop skills like diplomacy, resilience, compromise, and independence.
OVER ½ OF US PRESIDENTS WERE MIDDLE CHILDREN 52% of US presidents in history were neither the oldest or the youngest in their families. Other famous middle children include Bill Gates, Madonna, Walt Disney, and Martin Luther King Jr.
Spend Time With Your 4-Legged Friend for
National Dog Day On August
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Celebrate Lefties On August
THE LOW-DOWN ON LEFTIES 5 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THE LEFT-HANDED Lefties make up 12% of the population. Only one percent of the population is truly ambidextrous.
23% more men are left handed than women. 40% of the world’s top tennis players are left handed.
Left-handed people are 11x more likely to suffer from allergies, 2 ½x more likely to suffer from an autoimmune disorder, and 2x more likely to suffer from migraines.
Lefties are typically more creative. More painters/ musicians are left handed than right, and architects seem to be more often left-handed than in other professions.
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For National Left Handers Day
Did You Know?
Cross Breeds now take the top spot among Canadian dog owners, thanks to a spike in pet adoptions and rescues. Labs were ranked #1 in Canada for the past 25 years, and only now take the second spot on this list. Labs grew in popularity due to their smart and gentle natures.
They have a history of helping, as aids to medics in the first world war, and more recently as a top choice for seeing eye dogs. Labs are smart, caring, loyal, and communicative, which makes them a perfect fit in any family and a popular choice among Canadians. Following the labs are Golden Retrievers, Shih Tzus, and German Shepherds.
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hether you’re an Ottawa Senators fan or not, you simply can’t help but be happy for Nick Paul as a person and a player. Six years ago, on July 1st, 2014, Paul was a 19-yearold player in the Dallas Stars system, who probably thought he had time to develop and grow on the team with little or no expectations as a 4th round pick. Suddenly, he was seen as the key to a package that was traded for one of the greatest players in Ottawa Senators history, Jason Spezza. The Mississauga native went from playing in relative obscurity with little pressure, to being matched with a rabid fanbase that placed high hopes and expectations on him because of who he was traded for. Paul struggled to find his game at the NHL level. You can imagine what the fans were saying, what management might have been thinking as he struggled to stay in the NHL lineup. Many would have forgiven him if he simply gave up on his NHL dreams due to the immense pressure.
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But Nick Paul didn’t give up. He kept working and fighting each summer to improve. Suddenly, something clicked. Paul began to have success at the NHL level, and this injected him with a confidence that grew with each passing game. Fans and media alike began to notice that Nick Paul had not only established himself as an NHL player, but the kind of player that would get invited to represent Canada at the World Championships. That accomplishment alone would have been great, but Paul was not even close to being done yet. He not only made the team, but scored the golden goal to win the World Championships for Canada, a goal that will be forever remembered by hockey fans from coast to coast. The goal is a storybook ending to a journey of incredible perseverance. But Nick Paul’s story isn’t over, it’s just beginning, and Ottawa Senators fans should be excited about the next chapter coming this season. We had a chance to catch up with Nick Paul to talk about the World Championships, his favourite things about the Capital, and his hopes for the season ahead.
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How does it feel to be a few days off of your gold medal goal, one that will be remembered in Canadian history forever? It’s an amazing feeling. Thinking back to the tournament and the experience we all had, it really is unbelievable. Everyone has been reaching out to me through social media. Now that I don’t have to be at the rink, I’ve had time to sit back and reminisce on the last three weeks. The goal was set up by your Senators teammate Connor Brown. How special it is for you to have been able to share this moment with him? Brown is an unbelievable guy. Off the ice we are really close. On the ice, he is such a skilled and smart player. I feel like this year he really found himself, and his scoring ability. He has always been an unbelievable player on D and on the power kill, making offensive plays, but I think that this year he really took a step to becoming an offensive threat. We have a great bond, and great chemistry as well. We were on the PK together and we loved to push the pace of the offensives who are on the PK to create turnovers and chances. Going into the tournament, we were on the power kill again. We didn’t end up on the same line, but we knew that the PK would be our time to score in the gold medal game for a 3 on 3. We had a good feeling. When I put it over to him, I knew he was going to handle it and give it back, so it was just an unbelievable feeling and I’m so excited and happy that it was with him. Canada started off in a bit of a slump, going 0-3. What was the mentality of the team at that point? How did you come together?
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It was really frustrating at the beginning. We felt that we played better than the outcome we had. We knew that we had the guys in the dressing room and on the ice that were good enough to beat those teams and push through the tournament. I think the best thing for us was coming together as a group by having meals and playing cards in the hotel room. There wasn’t one guy that was left out. At a non-COVID tournament, it’s hard to get the whole group to go to the same restaurant. But in the hotel, everyone was together, and everyone connected, no one was left out. Coming together in the hotel and at practices really helped to build our chemistry and helped us pull through.
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I’M GLAD I WAS ABLE TO GAIN THAT CONFIDENCE WITH THE COACH AND I’M HAPPY FOR THE MINUTES THAT I PLAYED. I’M GOING TO BUILD ON THAT NEXT YEAR.
Did you stay in touch with your family while you were there? Who was the first person you called whenever you got your phone back after the gold medal? I called my mom and my dad. They’ve been there through everything. They’ve supported me through my ups and downs. My dad is my biggest fan, and he’s sacrificed everything for my mom and me. I had to give them a call to show them the gold medal, and the room was cheering. My brother was over at the same time with his wife Kelly and their newborn, so that eliminated another phone call. It was a really nice call and it was really important for me to get them on the phone. You’ve now finished one full season in the NHL. Tell us about this past season with the Senators. What was it like for the players to play in front of no fans? It was definitely weird not having any fans. The only fan noises we’d hear would be through a speaker. It was an adjustment, but once we got used to it, it was fine. It was weird during intermission, there was just no atmosphere. You can hear absolutely everything on our bench. It was a good season for me as it was my first full season, and coming from the AHL, it gave me a lot of confidence. Again, it didn’t start off the way we wanted either, but we found that core group of guys and pushed through and had a heck of a finish. We were one of the hottest teams in the NHL at the end of the season. We’re super excited for next year. For me personally, I’m glad I was able to gain that confidence with the coach and for the minutes that I played. I’m going to build on that next year.
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THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE, AND I DIDN’T THINK I WAS GOING TO GET TO THE OUTCOME THAT I HAVE NOW. BY STICKING TO IT, AND PUSHING THROUGH, AND NOT TAKING NO FOR AN ANSWER, YOU CAN DO A LOT OF THINGS. THE MIND IS A VERY POWERFUL WEAPON, SO DON’T LISTEN TO ANYONE ELSE AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.
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Tell me about the guys on your team, off the ice. Who would you say is the funniest guy on the team? Who is someone who is funny, but they don’t try to be? For me it would be Chris Tierney. He doesn’t seem like a funny guy, but his mannerisms and the way he jokes around will make you laugh. Colin White is up there too, but Tierney is the guy that you can always chirp and go back and forth with. Who is the best dressed guy on the team? Who is someone who needs to improve their fashion game? We have a lot of guys who may not own a mirror (laughs)… it’s tough to say, especially this year, because the guys would mostly come to the rink in sweats. But I’ll be nice and give it to Chabby. He likes to spend a little bit on his clothes, so I’ll give it to him. For worst dressed, I really couldn’t tell you this year because everybody’s been wearing sweats. Who’s in charge of the music in the dressing room? The music in the dressing room is always unreal, mostly because I run it (laughs). I start off the music, but once we start warming up everyone just plays around with the radio. It’s a team effort, and the mood always switches up depending on what we’re feeling that day. You do a lot of work with The Royal Ottawa. Why is mental health such an important cause for you? Mental health is really important to me. When I was in high school, one of my good friends took his life, and it is something that has impacted me deeply. I knew that once I got a platform and was able to make a change, that I wanted
to get involved. I started my own charity when I was in the OHL called ‘Points for Paul’. I started out with the North Bay Foundation. When I came to Ottawa, I was up and down in the AHL with Ottawa, Binghamton, and Belleville. Once I got my platform in Ottawa, I worked with The Royal and they’ve been absolutely amazing. We have a lot of cool things coming up… the last 50/50 draw went to The Royal for mental health. My girlfriend and I just bought a house here in Ottawa, so we really want to be a part of this community, we want to make a difference and we’re very excited for the opportunities to come. Now that you’re home, what are you looking forward to most? Is it hitting the fairways or a certain patio in Ottawa? I think I will definitely be going to the golf course first. I’ve been missing that. I’ve been watching a lot of golf videos, so hitting the links is definitely first on the list. What is your favorite thing about Ontario in the summer? Probably patios. Patio season is huge. I love eating in the sun, and a nice cold beer always goes down better on a patio. Do you have a pet? Or did you have a pet growing up? I had a husky growing up. And we have a husky-shepherd rescue who is a year and a half old from Freedom Dog Rescue. Social media. Love or hate?
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Do you like to cook? If you do, what is your favorite dish to cook on a night off? Absolutely. My girlfriend and I actually cook a lot. Our favorite dish is salmon with a pistachio horseradish crust. What is your favorite thing about Ottawa so far? Probably walking around downtown. We love Tavern on the Hill; we’ve gone there with our dog a few times. It is a beautiful park down there. I come from Mississauga, and it’s always so packed to go downtown. But here, you take a 15-minute drive, and you’re at a trail, it’s nice and convenient. Nick, if you could give any piece of advice to a young hockey player looking to follow in your footsteps, what would it be? It would honestly be to never give up. People say it so much, and you can take it how you want. But at the end of the day, if you really want to do something, you can do it. There were times when I thought it was impossible, and I didn’t think I was going to get to the outcome that I have now. By sticking to it, and pushing through, and not taking no for an answer, you can do a lot of things. The mind is a very powerful weapon, so don’t listen to anyone else and believe in yourself.
Photography by Sean Sisk
Depends on if I had a good game or not (laughs). Just kidding. It’s good and bad. When you’re killing time it’s nice to scroll through, but sometimes that scrolling can turn into an hour. So, it is a love-hate relationship.
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KEEP YOUR DESK SUNSAFE Home offices should have plenty of natural light, but make sure none of it is directly hitting your skin while you sit for your work hours. Windows filter out the sun’s UVB rays (which cause you to burn), but NOT UVA rays, which can lead to aging and sun damage.
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O T T A W A
GUIDE: Health & Happiness Summer Edition
Every issue, we find five lifestyle changes that are so simple, so surprising, and so successful that they are sure to spark a massive difference in your health and happiness.
THE ULTIMATE SUNBURN SOOTHING HACK Take your organic aloe gel and fill an ice cube tray. Keep the tray stocked and in the freezer all summer long. When you have a burn, grab an aloe cube. The aloe, combined with the cold, will give you ultimate summer sunburn relief.
LOOK FORWARD TO PUTTING ON YOUR SUNSCREEN By storing it in the fridge (not freezer). On hot summer days, you’ll look forward to reapplying because of the coolness that comes with it. Users of this hack swear by its ability to make you look forward to being sun-safe!
BANISH BUGS FROM YOUR BARBECUE If you’re cooking on the grill or fire pit, throw some sage, rosemary, or basil on the fire once you’re done cooking. The aromatic smoke will ward away bugs while you eat.
STOP BUG BITES FROM ITCHING EASILY If your bug bites are irritating you, run a metal spoon under hot water, and press the spoon onto the itchy area for a few minutes. It’ll soothe the bite, calm the itchiness, and counteract inflammation.
6081 HAZELDEAN RD, STITTSVILLE SUN-MON 12 - 6 TUES - THURS 12 - 8 FRI - SAT 11 - 9 84 | FACES MAGAZINE
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ennifer Botterill, a familiar face on Hockey Night in Canada, has enjoyed every step of her dynamic career in both sports and sports media. Now a Studio Analyst and Keynote Speaker, Botterill’s hockey career started at 13. Growing up, she watched her brother play for Canada at the World Junior’s. This, she says, was one of the biggest inspirations for her to pursue excellence in hockey. And she did just that. Botterill is the career leading scorer of US college ice hockey, where she played for Harvard University. She went on to play for Team Canada
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after school, and is a 3x Olympic Gold Medalist. Her incredible career on the ice had a photo finish at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic games, where she assisted Marie-Philip Poulin on the gold medal-winning goal. Today, Botterill channels her ambition into her broadcasting career and family life, as a mother of three young daughters. We caught up with the Ottawa-born analyst to discuss her career highlights, her transition to broadcasting, and her favourite aspects of the fast-paced industry of sports media.
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Jennifer Botterill F A C E S
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You were born in Ottawa, but you grew up in Winnipeg. How long did you live in Ottawa?
We moved to Winnipeg when I was just a year old. My parents talk about Ottawa and those early days very often, and I’m fortunate enough to travel to Ottawa quite frequently for speaking events. I’m usually there a few times a year. Every time I visit the city, I love it. And it certainly brings back a lot of good feelings knowing that it’s the city that I was born in. You come from a very successful and athletic family. What was life like growing up?
I was very fortunate that the people that I was surrounded by, my mom, my dad, my brother, were all very accomplished. What I feel very grateful for was that there wasn’t any pressure on us to do something. We never had to try to make Team Canada. It was just a really supportive environment where both of my parents encouraged my brother and I to be active, to get involved in sports, but to be great students at the same time. To work really hard and to be dedicated to our schoolwork.
From a young age, it was encouraged to pursue excellence in a lot of different ways. And I think both my brother and I look back and feel very thankful that we were in that environment, and to have learnt those lessons. We had positive, unconditional support. My parents really taught us everything about having the right motivations, and doing things for the right reason, and making sure that you were bringing your best, but also making sure that you bring out the best in the people around you as well, in every capacity.
It was a huge inspiration for me to see him wearing that Team Canada sweater with our family name on the back. I just thought that was so special, and that I would love to be in a situation similar to that at some point down the road.
Looking back on your career, one that included being a 3-time Gold Medalist, a 5-time World Champion, and one of the best NCAA athletes in history, what accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
You graduated from Harvard University, where you had one of the most successful NCAA careers in history. Was it hard for you to balance academics and hockey?
That’s a tough question. I am so grateful for my journey, but if I did have to pick one, it likely would be my Vancouver 2010 gold medal. It was the Olympic Games in my home country and our team performed so well. It was special on so many levels. To this day, when I see pictures or footage from that game or the moments just before or just after the game, I still get really emotional. I get chills.
It was busy. There’s no question about that. But it compared to the environment that I grew up in in that it was still about the pursuit of excellence. I remember going on visits to various universities and calling my parents from Harvard Square to tell them this was the place for me. To be in an environment, surrounded by so many people who were driven to be their best, was something that I really respected. I wanted to be a part of it in any capacity. It was very demanding, because I set very high standards for myself in school, and for being the best hockey player that I could.
That was always a constant for me. I wanted to be the best hockey player that I could be, but also wanted to make sure that I was more than a hockey player. I think I really had to learn how to balance those demands. The key was to remain in the present, to stay focused, and to make sure that I was efficient with my time and in my pursuit of excellence. I’d have, what I called, these moments of appreciation. Sometimes I’d walk right from the classes over to the rink and I would often try to take a moment to appreciate the busyness. To think that although it’s demanding, it’s a pretty special place to be.
Do you remember the first time you played hockey? What was it about the sport that attracted you to it at a young age?
There’s a photo of my brother and I playing basement hockey. I remember very clearly in our home, we would go down to a little basement and play ball hockey all the time. That’s my first memory. At the end of our street, there was an outdoor rink. I also played ringette from a young age. So I just played ball hockey and street hockey, and organized ringette. I didn’t switch to hockey until I was 13 years old. My parents said they knew as soon as I started playing the sport that it was something really special because they could see my smile through my cage. They could tell I was beaming when I was playing hockey.
I started because friends of mine were playing. I had a great group of friends. And that’s really how I fell in love with the game. I also had the chance to watch my brother, who continues to be a huge inspiration for me. I remember that shortly after I started playing hockey. I had the chance to watch my brother compete at the World Junior Hockey Championships and represent Canada. 28 | FACES MAGAZINE
“That was always a constant for me. I wanted to be the best hockey player that I could be, but also wanted to make sure that I was more than a hockey player. I think I really had to learn how to balance those demands.”
I was an athlete who dreamed about being in the Olympics from a young age, watched the Olympics on television, and then had the chance to compete in Canada. A dream come true. We’d worked so hard for that moment. We felt the people, literally from coast to coast, that were following along and watching. We felt like every Canadian really was a part of it. After your retirement from hockey, you made the transition into broadcasting. When did you first start to consider this as a career? What were some of the challenges you faced when you started?
Shortly after I retired from my competitive career, Hockey Canada reached out to me because of some upcoming broadcasting opportunities with the Women’s World Championships. They asked if I was interested and I said absolutely. So it started slowly, with a few opportunities each year. I realized that I did really enjoy it, that it was a chance to stay involved and to stay connected to the sport, just in a very different capacity. It’s always a challenge when you enter a new phase of your life and you transition.
I felt ready for new adventures and to have the time and the energy to focus on new things. But it was still an adjustment. I was used to being an athlete, my focus had been on being a hockey player. So there was a learning curve, a shift in focus to now trying to be the best in that situation as a broadcaster. To make the games more intriguing, more interesting for viewers and for fans. It’s been an evolution. Do you find any similarities between playing hockey and broadcasting?
That’s a great question, because I do find a lot of parallels. I was surprised at how many connections I could draw from all of my years playing. I was now instead a performer in the broadcasting world. There was similar adrenalin, preparation, and game time. There were the same moments and opportunities to showcase the game and people closer to the action and closer to the athletes. I think I’ve drawn on my past experiences as an athlete many times and very often in terms of preparing myself and trusting myself to do well. As an athlete, you
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talk about your ideal performance state and what it feels like to perform at your best. And I feel like I draw on that now in the same capacity. What was your experience like entering into broadcasting, a very male-dominated industry, as a woman? Do you feel there are still barriers for women in this industry?
I think we’re taking strides, and my focus is to try to do my very best in this role and with these opportunities so that it helps others have choices down the road. That’s something that many females in hockey, whether it’s broadcasting or journalism or production or coaching roles or executive roles, take pride in. I think we want to do a great job so that it opens the door for others. And that’s how I see hockey, too. Not every girl in North America has to play hockey, but I really love that in many communities it’s now a choice for girls. I would hope it is the same for all of those roles that I mentioned, broadcasting, executive roles, coaching, player development… these roles should be an option regardless of gender. Your discussion with Kevin Bieska over the Tom Wilson incident got a lot of attention on Twitter. What are your thoughts on the response it received?
This is very much connected to the last question you asked, in that everybody I have worked with has been amazing and super supportive. I had the chance this season to work with the New York Islanders and it was the same. The network there, my colleagues, the people I was on the air with, all were amazing to work with. It was never a gender issue, it was just people supporting people to help them do well. And so it’s just very much the same for me with these opportunities with Rogers, SportsNet and CBC, they’re all great. I feel super thankful that they’ve been incredibly professional and supportive and encouraging in terms of my role and my involvement in the discussion. Yes, it did create quite a lot of feedback from people. What I appreciated about that discussion that we had on Hockey Night in Canada on the segment that they call ‘In Conversation’, was that it gave us each a chance to share our perspective. And I know that each of us respects each other. And it was a platform for each of us to provide some insight into what we believe and why we believe that. And so, again, I just want to reiterate that I have the utmost respect for everyone on the panel. And I think it’s an important topic of conversation. It allowed us the chance to voice our opinions and to share those perspectives. This issue will be out in July, when the Stanley Cup finals will be taking place. Do you have any bold predictions as to who will be in that cup final?
Well, I did have to submit my prediction to SportsNet. I picked Colorado to make it to the final. If you look at their offensive talent,
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their top line, including Mackinnon, Rantanen, Landeskog, and then their defenseman Cale Makar, one of the best defenceman in the league right now. They’re going to be tough to beat.
If you could give advice to a young woman reading this that wants to follow in your footsteps, what advice would you give her, based on your experiences so far and what you’ve learned?
What is a typical game night like for you? Are you able to enjoy the games at all? Are you told to watch certain players? How do you choose what topics to talk about in the intermission?
One would be to believe in yourself. I think that is just so important, to have self-confidence, and the belief that you can do it. It does take a lot of hard work, but be determined along the way. You may need to make different choices than your friends if you are dedicated to what you want to do to reach your dreams.
Yes, we’re watching the game. So we go to a different studio, that is very spacious right now due to COVID. We enjoy the game, but we’re very focused. We pick our own topics. Each panelist is there watching the game and we work with the production team to mark segments and to mark clips and put them together. And so often that evolves as each period goes along. But we’re the ones that are communicating with the production team so that we each come prepared for the intermissions with the clips and the plays and the segments that we want to break down and bring to the intermission show. What are your thoughts on the Ottawa Senators this season? Do you feel that the playoffs are a realistic possibility for them next year?
Yes, absolutely. Great story, right? I mean, they had a rough start to the season. But if you look at their record after those first 12 or 13 games, they were great. And if you think about the young talent, I mean, there is a lot of reasons for Sens fans to feel optimistic and to feel excited with the level of talent that we saw from them. So when you’ve got Stützle and Tkachuk, Batherson and Norris, and Chabot, I feel like these are guys that are going to be really cornerstone players for your franchise and they are still so young. So yes, my summary is absolutely, Senators fans, you should be excited. No question, they have the potential to be competitive and to make the playoffs very, very soon. You have 3 young daughters. How has your life changed since becoming a mom and what’s something that motherhood has taught you?
It’s been the best gift that I feel the ultimate gratitude for. It’s taught me what is most important. I think that’s the ultimate source of inspiration for me to be the best person that I can. It’s very busy and they’re high energy and happy, but I think that’s really my source of motivation every day. I’ve always loved and respected my mom. I think she’s the ultimate inspiration for me, how she continues to be as a person and as a mom and how she raised my brother and I. She’s someone that I look to often, and she provides the same love and support and the same positive environment and encouragement for my kids. They are young and energetic, but it’s the ultimate joy. I am highly thankful.
I think the ultimate advice I would give is to to believe in yourself. I know I received that advice from my parents when I was 15 and they said, well, why not you? When we talked about the Olympics, they said, well, somebody else will do that, why can’t it be you? And that shifted my perspective and my internal belief system and my self-confidence. So for all of those girls with big dreams and those fun choices that lie ahead of them, that’s what I would say. Why not you? It’s important to believe in yourself. @JenBotterill
“That’s something that many females in these roles and in any capacity in hockey, whether it’s broadcasting or journalism or production or coaching roles or executive roles, take pride in. I think we want to do a great job so that it opens the door for others.”
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5 Summer
SKINCARE
Myths & Tips with Ottawa makeup artist
Corey J. Stone.
Summer is here and with it the risk of sunburn and skin damage. Here are five of the most common misconceptions about your skin and the summer, and what to do about them.
IT’S OKAY TO PUT NOTHING ON YOUR SKIN Winter is over; we may not wear heavy moisturizers but that doesn’t mean no product at all. Going completely bare leaves skin vulnerable to dehydration and UV rays. Use a lightweight gel moisturizer to keep skin hydrated.
SUNSCREEN IS NOT NEEDED ON CLOUDY DAYS Even when cloudy, damaging UV rays penetrate our skin, leading to premature ageing. During summer, apply SPF 30 when outdoors. Treat a cloudy day just as you would a sunny one.
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About Corey J. Stone
DARKER SKIN DOESN’T NEED SUNSCREEN
Corey is an Ottawa-based
freelance make up artist with over 10 years experience. He holds certificates in make up design from Barret Palmer International, and in hairstyling from Versailles Academy. Corey trained with theatrical make up and special effects artist Lizzie Ciesluk and worked as a beauty advisor specializing in make up and skin care for Clinique, Make Up For Ever, Sephora, MAC and Estee Lauder. He teaches photography and runway make up at Models International Management and has extensive experience in make up for: high definition video and film, including music videos; professional multimedia and promotional photo shoots; weddings; runway modeling and the theatre.
Regardless of skin pigmentation or the darkness of your tan, everyone needs to wear sunscreen. Melanin (the skin darkening pigment) offers some natural protection but only equivalent to or less than SPF 13. The recommended minimum protection is SPF 30.
IT’S OKAY TO FORGET ABOUT YOUR LIPS
Social: Instagram: @coreyjstone Facebook: Corey J Stone
Like any skin, lips can be damaged by sunburn. Use a moisturizing lip balm with a minimum of SPF 30 to protect them.
SUMMER SKINCARE IS MOSTLY ABOUT SUNSCREEN AND SPF Nourishing skin from the inside is important. To help protect skin, eat foods such as fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants. While such foods aren’t a substitute for SPF protection, when UV rays hit our skin antioxidants move into the dermal layers to form a protective shield, similar to sunscreen but beneath the surface.
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PAUL LAPOLICE Meet the Ottawa Redblacks New Head Coach
As the CFL looks to reopen for a 2022 season, the Ottawa Redblacks will have a new leader. Though Paul LaPolice has been the team’s head coach for over a year and a half, he has yet to coach his first game in the Capital. LaPolice was born in New Hampshire and is an alumni of both Plymouth and Western Connecticut State Universities. He has had a decorated coaching career that began as early as his college years. He’s spent over 20 years in the CFL. In that time, he’s held several positions with the Toronto Argonauts, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He’s won two Grey Cups, as the Receiver’s Coach for the Sas-
katchewan Roughriders in 2007, and as the Offensive Coordinator of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2019. Coming off a Grey Cup win and into a year of COVID-related shutdowns, LaPolice admits that his work is cut out for him. He has yet to meet most of the players, and is working with an all-new coaching lineup. Building a team culture from the ground up will be his first priority. But, he believes Ottawa, both as a team and a city, fits the mold for success. Ottawa is a city that loves football, and as long as that is at play, he knows that he can bring value to the team and make an impact in his first year on the field.
Photography by Sean Sisk
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You were born in Nashua, New Hampshire, named ‘The Best Place To Live’ by Money Magazine (in 1987 and 1998). Tell us a little about the town. Yes, I wasn’t living there in 98’ but I was there in 87’. Nashua is a city of around 100,000 people… there’s a bunch of other cities around it. It’s called the ‘Gate City’ because it’s right on the border of Massachusetts. You can be in Boston in an hour at a Red Sox game, and you can also go an hour and be on the seacoast. There’s a small part of New Hampshire that is on the ocean. You can also go skiing, if you drive 2 hours north you’ll be right in these beautiful, scenic white mountains. So, New Hampshire was a little bit of everything, which really made it an outstanding place to live. You received your Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education while playing football. Did you originally have aspirations to be a teacher? Did you even think about coaching during your time at school? I went to college and thought of doing a Business Degree, but the more I was playing football, I just didn’t think that mathematics and managerial accounting were really my passion. I did, however, have a passion for the game of football. I sat with this girl who was in all of my classes with me and she kept saying ‘why do you keep drawing up plays? What is that ever going to get you?’ I always laugh when I see her and say, “Maureen, look! I’m getting paid!” So, it started in college. While I was still playing, I actually started the process to build a resume. I worked college football camps at Boston College and Northeastern University. I actually worked at Tom Coughlin’s football camp when he was the head coach of Boston College years ago. So really, college did make me think about coaching. Who were some of the coaches you looked up to during your football career (or as a fan), and what made them such good leaders? My high school coach was a gentleman named Kent Paradis. He was a legendary coach in the community who had won a lot of football games. When Coach Paradis would talk to you it would be a big deal. I remember as a young player, I had a really good game and he came up to me and congratulated me, and if that happened, you would be in awe just because 36 | FACES MAGAZINE
of how revered he was by his players. My brother was a very successful player, he was what was called the ‘Gatorade Player of the Year’ in New Hampshire during his senior year and got a full scholarship to Boston University as a kicker, so that certainly pushed me into football a little bit more. I was just fortunate enough to have good coaches in a number of spots. Some of my head coaches, Bill Bowes in New Hampshire, Joe King at RPI, and then my CFL guys. It’s a weird business because you start out with these guys and you’re all making four thousand dollars a year, with five guys sharing an apartment. And now, I’m a head CFL coach. One of the guys on the staff is working for the Buffalo Bills, another guy was the offensive coordinator for Penn State and Minnesota… just to see everyone branch out into different spots. I was fortunate enough to go back to the University of New Hampshire, my home state, to coach for a couple of years. We had a really good program and Chip Kelly, who was on the staff was with the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, UCLA; it’s just the experience of growing up in the business and seeing all the guys I’ve worked with moving up to different levels. It’s been very inspirational for me. You’ve spent just over 20 years in the CFL as a coach. What is the biggest difference between your approach to your career today and the day you walked on your first CFL coaching job? When I first got into the business it was more about ‘do it this way because I’m telling you, I’m the coach’… where nowadays, I always try to teach the ‘why’ to my players. I ask them their opinions, and I really try to make them a part of the process. At the college level, it’s very much ‘my way or the highway’. At this level, I want it to be more collaborative. I want to promote leadership. I want them to be leaders, and the only way to do that is to let them have a voice, a say, and to take ownership. On game days, how much of the play calling is directed by the offensive and defensive line coaches, versus you? What is the balance between the coordinators and you calling the shots during the game? I’ve got a very veteran staff, both of my coordinators have been head coaches in the league, Bob Dyce and Mike Benevides, so it’s comforting that there’s a lot
of situations that they’ve been in already that they can help me, which I think is a great thing. Put it this way: there are things we want to do for Redblacks defense, our core, and what we do in certain situations. We’ve come to agreements on what we do. And it is the same with Bob on special teams. Once you’ve gone over those parameters with the guys it becomes more okay to let them do their thing and give them that freedom. Whether it was fate, push, or pull that led you to become the head coach of the REDBLACKS (or a bit of all three), why did you personally accept the challenge of becoming the team’s coach, following a disappointing 3-15 season in 2019? When you take a job like this, you certainly need to believe that you have the ability to win football games. Looking at the roster and looking at some of the things that they were deficient in, and the areas that I think are strengths of mine as a coach, I felt there were things that I could help to fix. I had good conversations with Marcel and his staff about what they needed to do and what they wanted to do. Once you get those priorities aligned, you throw in the fact that Ottawa as a city really cares about football. It has a great game-day atmosphere. People love going down to the stadium. That gives me a great feeling that we can continue to build on that because it is an environment that loves the game. I’ve been in the West for a long time where Saskatchewan bleeds green and white, and Winnipeg is very passionate, and after winning a Grey Cup, it was the right time to move on to take the next challenge.
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PLAYERS WANT TO BE ABLE TO SEE
YOU AS A THE COACH STAND UP IN FRONT OF THEM AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE THE GUY WHO IS GOING TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO BE
SUCCESSFUL. THAT’S WHAT PLAYERS EXPECT FROM COACHES. MY JOB AS A LEADER IS TO DEFINE THE
REALITY THAT THEY ARE IN AND THEN GIVE THEM HOPE.
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At the time of this interview, there is optimism that there will be a CFL Season in 2022. What are you most looking forward to as Head Coach this season?
entire life, and she was the cheerleading coach of the Blue Lightning. She said the other night, that she can’t wait to start watching football again on Friday nights.
one would be Ad Mare. But if we’re downtown, we’re obviously a fan of Joey Lansdowne because it is so close by. Another one would be Feleena’s Mexican on Bank Street.
The thing I’m most excited about is being with players again. With my teaching background, I really enjoy the process of guiding players; going over the game plan, building the culture that we want. That is what I miss. Then, obviously, the competition that goes with building a team. I’m looking forward to starting to build relationships. It has been strange being the coach for a year and a half and only meeting about five guys in person.
You mentioned that you are a father of three. Do you see any similarities between coaching a team of football players and raising children?
If you could recommend one Netflix show or movie, what would it be?
What is the biggest challenge you are facing in your new role? The biggest challenge would be that we are all new staff. We have to introduce a lot of new things to a new group of guys. If you look at the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, they have the same look; the same coaching staff, a majority of the roster, and they are bringing everyone back. Our team will be new to the system. So, this is the main challenge we will face especially if there are no preseason games. We need to educate the players on what to do within our system. How instrumental has your wife been in your success? First and foremost, especially in this business, you have to have a significant other who is very understanding of you and of the hours that go into football. It is important that they have some sort of independence or are comfortable with independence because once football starts, you don’t have a lot of days off. Tina certainly is all of that. She has had to take on doing all the chores, and picking people up from practice… We have three kids. She’s also been a football fan her
Whether it’s your kids or players, you’re just trying to impart knowledge to them. I know from a player standpoint, players want to be able to see you as the coach stand up in front of them and know that you are the guy who is going to give them a chance to be successful. That’s what players expect from coaches. My job as a leader is to define the reality that they are in and then give them hope. How are you enjoying Ottawa? Do you remember your first impression of the city? We actually moved in the middle of the pandemic, so it has been a different scenario. Normally, it would have been in the middle of the season and my family would have come out in July. We had learned about Calabogie and going skiing in Packingham, so it actually gave us more time to learn about the city and the community. One thing I love about Ottawa, and that I am most impressed with, would be the outdoor atmosphere, meaning the pathways are always cleared so people can go for walks, bike trails are ready to go, and people really just care about outdoor activity and the city promotes it very well. It has been a lot of fun being able to do all these things with my family. Favourite restaurants in Ottawa so far? One thing that I’ve learned is how many food trucks there are in the greater Ottawa area. Our favourite
Cobra Kai, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Yellowstone. Finally, what is the best piece of advice you could give to anyone looking to follow in your footsteps? The first thing I would say is, are you willing to pay the price? To move every three years? Do you want to start out at a job that pays very little, have a year-to-year contract? There are many steps and you’ve got to pay your dues. You have to be willing to work hard. I was telling my daughter this the other day; you don’t just have to work hard, you’ve got to be able to work with people. It doesn’t even matter what business you are going into. When someone asks, ‘would you recommend working with so and so?’, you need those people in your corner who would say positive things about you. Overall, I think that if you work hard, are confident in what you’re doing, and work well with others, then you have a chance at being successful.
OTTAWA AS A CITY REALLY CARES ABOUT FOOTBALL. IT HAS A GREAT GAME-DAY ATMOSPHERE. PEOPLE LOVE GOING DOWN TO THE STADIUM. THAT GIVES ME A GREAT FEELING THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THAT BECAUSE IT IS AN ENVIRONMENT THAT LOVES THE GAME.
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Top Picks For
4 Mixed Drink Recipes That Are Both Summery and Simple All recipes make one cocktail. Multiple by the number of desired servings as needed.
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SPICY WHISKY & WATERMELON COCKTAIL 1 oz of Whiskey 2 oz of Watermelon Juice 1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice ½ oz Simple Syrup 3 Basil Leaves Optional: Spicy Salt (Chipotle or Smoked) Directions: Add all ingredients (not salt) into a shaker with ice and mix. Rim a glass with your favourite spicy salt (if desired) and strain shaker into the glass.
ICED TEA MOJITO 1 cup of preferred tea, brewed & cooled. 2 tablespoons simple syrup. 1 lime slice for garnish 6 mint leaves 1 oz rum Directions: Muddle mint leaves in a glass. Mix all ingredients (not lime) into shaker with ice. Mix and strain into glass over ice. Garnish with lime and enjoy.
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LEMON BASIL GIN SMASH 3 Fresh Basil Leaves ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice 2 oz Gin Seltzer/ Sparkling Water As Desired Lemon Peel Swirl Directions: Muddle basil leaves in a glass. Combine other ingredients (not Lemon Swirl) in a shaker on ice and mix. Pour over ice, garnish with lemon swirl, and enjoy.
PEACH WINE COOLER ¾ cup Soda Water ¼ cup Peach Juice ¼ cup Dry White Wine ½ Tablespoon Honey 1 Peach Slice Directions: Add all ingredients into a wine glass with ice and enjoy.
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SHAWN SIMPSON & Mira Yasiri I
n 1986, Shawn Simpson was the top goalie prospect heading into the NHL Draft. He would be the first goaltender taken in the Draft, 60th Overall, by the Washington Capitals.
Though a shot at the NHL would be a great fit for Simpson, many would miss the insight, humour and analysis that he brings each day to TSN Mornings with co-hosts John ‘JR’ Rodenburg and Matt Hamer.
He represented Canada at the World Junior Championships (arguably the most infamous tournament in history when Canada and the Soviet Union were both disqualified for the ‘Punch Up in Piestany’).
Shawn now lives in Ottawa with his family. His girlfriend, Mira Yasiri, is one of only three CIBC Business Development Managers in Ottawa and the only female in the role. She regularily connects business owners with experts to help them achieve their financial goals. Mira’s success with CIBC can be attributed to her own entrepreneurial experience. Mira was running a successful business by the time she was only 24. After two decades of leading her own company, she switched her focus to her two sons, and began a career with CIBC to provide the support to other business owners she wished she had during her own forays in entrepreneurship.
Simpson was on a path to NHL stardom until injuries derailed his promising career in 1991. He was only 22 years old when he played his last game in professional hockey. Even more admirable than his accomplishments on the ice was his rebound from what others would consider a significant setback. Shawn became one of the brightest young minds in the NHL in the 1990s, serving as a scout until he was promoted to Director of Hockey Operations for the Washington Capitals before he turned 30. Over the next decade, he would work for the Capitals, the Leafs, and go to the KHL as Director of Hockey Operations for the Dynamo Minsk. In 2012, Simpson came to Ottawa and immediately became a favourite of many Ottawa Senators fans for his insight and analysis on TSN 1200. Over the last 9 years, many fans have been calling for him to get into hockey ops with the Ottawa Senators.
Mira and Shawn have been together for 5 years, and continue to challenge each other to grow within their new careers. We caught up with Shawn and Mira to discuss Shawn’s early career highlights, his transition from the ice to the boardroom, and how the couple continue to pursue their dreams in the Ottawa community.
Photography by Sean Sisk
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You were drafted 60th overall by the Washington Capitals in 1986. Tell us a little about the day you were drafted. Did you have a feeling it would be Washington taking you? This was definitely long ago but certainly some great memories. I played a year of Junior Hockey in Sault Saint Marie, which was a pretty long year. I was rated as #1 by Central Scouting, so I had a pretty good idea that I was going to be drafted. I had previously met with Washington going into the draft. It was a neat experience for me because I grew up as a Montreal Canadiens fan, and the draft was in Montreal itself. I had a strong idea that I was going to become a Washington Capital leading up to the draft and with that I sort of became a fan of the team. It was an extremely exciting day, and a really big deal to be there live. Going down to the draft table and getting to put a jersey on is a really tremendous memory. Unfortunately, you had to retire quite young due to injury, but you quickly transitioned into television broadcasting for the Capitals. What was that transition like for you? It’s actually really interesting… back in the day, Baltimore was the American League affiliate for Washington, and when I was the third goaltender, I did some colour commentating on the radio. I didn’t necessarily have a dream of that, but I did end up becoming a huge Washington Capitals fan. I felt like a fan doing TV; I knew all the players, they were all my buddies. I got to travel with the team and do TV at the same time, it was always a lot of fun. You weren’t even 30 years old and you became the Washington Capitals Director of Hockey Operations. What were your main responsibilities in the role? My main responsibilities when I started were scouting and running the summer development program, and I moved up from there. I was fairly young at the time, but I was basically the assistant GM in Washington, meaning I was heavily involved in all amateur scouting and contract negotiations. I was also the General Manager for Portland at the time, in the American Hockey League. I was very fortunate to get that opportunity, it was quite the job and the title. I was really proud to have been a part of the Washington organization from ‘86 to ‘04. You also worked as a Scout for the Leafs, then again as a Director of Player Personnel in the KHL and President of an IHL team. With that resume, do you have any aspirations to one day get back into management? Or have you found your true passion now with broadcasting?
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Absolutely I’d love to. If the right opportunity came along at some point, and made sense from both a personal and professional standpoint, then for sure. I’ve been back in Ottawa for exactly ten years now and if I look at my life, my job, and where I’m at now; I am extremely happy. I’m not necessarily looking around for it, but if the right situation came along, I would consider it. But I feel very lucky to be where I’m at right now. In 2016, your former co-host Ian Mendes wrote a very touching article about your relationship and a conversation you shared where you opened up to him. Tell us a little about your time working with Ian Mendes. Ian was great. I ended up learning so much as a broadcaster, professionally and personally. He is such a respected person: both in the industry and as a human being. There was no doubt that we had really hit a nice stride when working in the afternoons and we had quite the following. So, it was a little bit of a shock when things switched up. I must say, sincerely, between Ian and J.R, who I work with now; you are talking about two of the best broadcasters in all of Canada and I don’t just say this because I’ve worked with them. It’s a simple fact. So, I’ve really been blessed to have worked with both of them. For the job I do and the experience I bring in, you couldn’t have asked for anything more, and I’ve been very fortunate. Let’s talk about the Ottawa Senators. Would you give DJ Smith another season as Head Coach? Absolutely. It’s certainly been a learning experience. I think he’s been given a lot of responsibility: in picking players, who dresses, tactically… and this past year I think he has learned a lot and made adjustments. The real key is that last year, all the young players played, and they’ve all improved. No matter who you talk to, the guys certainly love playing for him. So yes, without a doubt. For where the Ottawa Senators are right now, he’s a great choice as a coach. And much like the young players, the young coaches involved are improving and I expect that to continue next year for both the coaching and the players. So, absolutely he deserves to be back. Would you trade Logan Brown? My philosophy with Logan is that he missed so much time and was injured so much, that at this point, if you’re moving him there’s going to be a lot coming back. I have a preference to stay patient and stay the course with a player like that. I hope he can have a good summer and stay healthy, and I would bring him back to training camp next year. That is still a big question mark for the Ottawa Senators Center Ice, and he’s a young man with a lot of skill, who has not been able to stay healthy. But no, I would not move him at this point.
You have Matt Murray locked in for another 4 years, after what has (to this point) not been a great season for him. What are you doing about the Goaltending? What I would do, towards expansion, is that I would actually protect Gustavsson. Only because I don’t think Murray would be taken and then from that standpoint, you lose somebody. They’ve made their bed with Matt Murray and I think that a lot of the fortunes of the franchise, short and long term, rests with Murray. In the next three years, he will be making twenty-one million dollars, which is an average of seven million dollars per year; he quite simply has to be a top ten goaltender starting next year and really for the remainder of his contract. To be quite honest, I don’t know if there’s anything more pivotal for this franchise than where he’s at now. I don’t mind Forsberg as a backup, Gustavsson, Sogaard, and Daccord will be good; but if we’re talking about a team trying to get close to a playoff, get into a playoff and trying to win, like I said, in the next three years, it’s going to be all about Matt Murray. So, it will be absolutely critical that he be much better than he was this year. Who is your Team Captain and why? I would lean towards Brady Tkachuk and I would also say that I think Thomas Chabot would be tremendous. I think someone like Connor Brown is not bad, but I think this is a two-horse race at this point. Thomas is a tremendous leader, a good young player. It’s really nice that he’s a Francophone; I do think it might weigh on him a little bit. I’m not big on captains in Canadian markets, I think it does more harm than good at times, and puts undue pressure on these guys. But in Brady Tkachuk’s case, I think he can handle that, I think he’d be great with it and boy, I haven’t seen many natural leaders like him in all my years in hockey. It really feels like he’s got the pulse of the group, brings the group along and I think he’d be very deserving to be the captain no matter what kind of contract he is on going forward.
“I think we all tend to focus on the negatives and the failures, but I’m just very thankful for the entire life that hockey has given me.”
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What do you like most about this Senators team, and what troubles you the most about them moving forward? What I really like is that it is homegrown talent. I love the way thwey’ve drafted, the way they’ve developed, and how they’re developing; like the Ottawa Senators in the late 90s and early 2000s. It’s an identity. Fans know from draft day that they’ve got talent up front, talent on the blue line, talent in goal. I just like the way the process is going. I like the patience that they’ve shown so far, and I hope they continue. What don’t I like? There’re still some questions about the center ice and more than anything, I just hope they can stay patient with it and that they don’t rush things and try to make Duchene-style trades or Bobby Ryan-style trades and just continue to stay the course; draft, develop, be good. I think they’ve really got volume both in quality and quantity, they are in a very good spot. My biggest fear is that they’ll try to push things to win now and to sell tickets; but I think that if they are patient, I think we could have something very special here in Ottawa. Let’s talk about your life away from work. Tell us about your girlfriend, Mira Yasiri. How did you meet? Mira and I met at a Redblacks game through some mutual friends. That’s coming up on five years and it’s been absolutely tremendous. We were both divorced. To meet somebody that I fell in love with, that I respect, and who is also my best friend, to be quite honest, I don’t think there’s much more I can ask for. I’ve been back in Ottawa for 10 years and personally and professionally, in the last five years in particular, things have just really come together where I’ve been able to sit back and enjoy. In this phase of my life, both personally or professionally, I feel fulfilled. I mean, you always want more on the professional side, but personally, I feel just very thankful to be where I am and to have her in my life. You’ve been together for over 5 years. What is your favourite thing about her? Honesty. That’s probably the greatest thing. I just find her to be such a salt of the earth, directly honest person in the kindest way, and I just really respect that about her. Finally, Shawn, you’ve had an incredible journey with your career changes, your experiences with divorce, losing your job at one point, and more. Tell me about how you overcame those, and what advice you have for anyone going through something similar?
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I think any phase of life can bring some ups and downs, I recently took a little time off work in the last few months. It’s important to be prepared and understand that things can happen that you can’t always control, professionally and personally. I think the biggest thing is to have yourself in a good place, to have a good network of family and friends so that when everything comes down it’s not the end of the world. I think the real message I would give to men at any age, especially over 50, is to never be afraid to seek professional help. Never be afraid to understand how the right medication can work on people. That true understanding of reaching out is a step forward. Educating yourself so that when resources do go south, you know there are things available to you that can help you out. I certainly understand this now from working and having gone through it, that there’s a lot we can do to make ourselves better. I think there’s a lot of men out there that need to not be so stubborn and need to reach out for help when needed.
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Mira, what are your favourite things about Shawn? Mira: One of my favourite things about Shawn would be his sense of humour. He always makes me laugh. He makes fun of himself and takes things so lightly. Life is easier with him around. I also love his honesty and compassion. I never have to wonder what is on his mind. He knows what he likes and doesn’t and is honest with himself and me. He is a wonderful human being and a great role model for my boys. I am blessed to have my little family. Tell us about your two boys. What is your favorite thing about being a mother? The boys are amazing. They are super inI don’t have one favourite thing about being a mother. I appreciate that I get to watch them grow. Then, I sit back and enjoy the show as they become their own little people. They make me a better person and fill my heart with love. They are my little piece of heaven. They are super intelligent, compassionate, athletic, and ambitious. And of course, great looking! I love their generation’s outlook on the world; they want to make the world a better place for everyone. So many of our conversations are about the importance of inclusivity and acceptance. There is no room for hate, exclusion, or judgment in our hearts. I am so proud of them every day. Zach is thirteen, the teenager. He has grown up so fast. He’s only 6” away from being my height, and we often measure (laughs). We are friends and talk about so much. He’s athletic, but his passion is his education. He is very dedicated to school, and going into grade eight next year, he is already discussing Majors and University. He hopes to get into an ivy league school one day and is working on a path to make it so.
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Sometimes, I also help connect Business Owners with experts that can help them achieve their business and financial goals. Now I am completing my MBA to enhance my skills and develop my career to help clients and organizations achieve their objectives. When you’re not working, what are your favourite spots in Ottawa to go out and eat at? That’s a tough one. There is so much we like to do. We often get in the car, go for drives, and see where we land. For food, we love to eat Tapas style: little plates, and we share. In the city, our favourite places are: - Tavern on the Falls at sunset. Just beautiful. Enjoy a drink, have the fire going, and just perfect - Most recently, we have loved Zizi’s in our Riverside South Neighborhood, of course. I mean, YUM!. It’s even been a great place for dates with the boys. Great family location. - Chucks at the Trainyards and Nicastros, great sandwiches for picnics. - Merivale Fish Market, just try their lobster, you will see. - The Wood on Wellington, The Wellington Diner and Broadways are perfect pubs. Exactly the feeling we want in a pub. Friendly, good beer, delicious food, and great guys there. But I feel we must recognize all the restaurants in the city. They have done a fantastic job pivoting during COVID, and we can’t wait to be out again enjoying all they have. Do I ever miss going to Sens and Redblacks games. I can’t wait for that day again. I’ll want to hug everyone, just like that Excel Commercial. That is 100% me.
Matthew, who prefers to be called Matty, is eleven. Like Shawn, Matty is also a hockey goalie, and Shawn has been giving him pointers. When COVID19 is over, Shawn’s promised to be on the ice with him! Matty’s smile lights up the room and he’s the best hugger. Fun fact about Matty, ask him a sports stat and he will have the numbers for you and his future endorsements. He and Shawn often debate what they think teams should do with players and trades. Tell us about your work at CIBC? Having been an entrepreneur myself, my position as Business Development Manager at CIBC has allowed me to maintain my entrepreneurial spirit while playing an integral role in helping business owners navigate their way in the banking world and ease the pressures of running their own business. FACES MAGAZINE | 47
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Summer Serenity: 3 New Ways For Wellness This Month Summer is best spent outdoors. Most of us have our summer favourites, the activities we love to do on our vacations and days off. For the adventurous, here are three summer suggestions for trying something new and reaping unexpected rewards.
BURNOUT? TRY BOATING Every boater will tell you that being on the water is relaxing. Your brain loves it, too. Studies have shown that our brains are drawn to the colour blue over any other colour. Research also shows that being on the open water does more than just help you de-stress, it can boost creativity. Boating gives us a rush of endorphins and other ‘feel-good’ chemicals that can clear the mind, an especially sought-after effect for those of us who struggle with burnout.
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BACK PAIN? TRY HAMMOCK SLEEPING
FITNESS GOALS? TRY A MORNING SWIM
There is a dedicated group of people who have thrown away their mattresses forever in favour of sleeping in a hammock. While you may opt to keep your bed, summer is a great time to spend a few nights sleeping under the stars. It’s not just for a change of pace, either: sleeping in a hammock boasts impressive results for people with neck and back pain. Because hammocks suspend you from the air, there are no pressure points working to force your muscles into any one position for the duration of the night. Hammock sleeping can also promote a night of deeper sleep, and has been shown to cure insomnia in people who would otherwise be restless in their modern-day mattresses.
Some call it a morning swim, others a ‘polar dip’. Taking a quick dip in the morning is a great way to kickstart your morning (and your metabolism), get your workout in, and promote both energy and focus for your day at the home office. With a morning swim, you’ll burn more fat during breakfast (and throughout the day), crush your daily workout before anything else, and get a rush of endorphins to help boost your creativity and productivity.
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15 years ago, over discussions at the hockey rink while watching their sons play on the same team, Brad and Mitch made an interesting discovery. Bonding over beer, their kid’s hockey, and coffee in the morning, they started to realize that like any dad, they were passionate about their kids and supporting their families, but something KERRY was missing in theirMOHER’S lives.
The pair started hobby brewing in Mitch’s garage, and bottling the beer in Brad’s basement. The hobby turned into a passion, and the passion turned into a dream. Both Brad and Mitch decided to follow that dream to launch their own brewery. The name Overflow was chosen for the significance of the word “flow”. For Mitch and Brad, who have UNIQUE GOLF GLOVE pegged one of the businesses’RAISES core values as ‘FindON Your SUBSCRIPTION BOX $30,000 Both were high-level IT exFlow’, the word means to be DAY 1 OF KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN ecutives who saw a ceiling in ‘in the zone’: doing what you their respective careers. They love to do. It captures the A unique business that golfers didn’t seem to have a rea- model feeling of provides being so immersed and alike with a high-quality, son to leap outdeserving of bed in youth the in something that you cannot affordable glove has significant morning to go to work:golf somefocusgarnered on anything else. “When thing they both yearned someone finds theironflow, interest in itsfor. first few days of launching they are usually being chalKickstarter. “We connected on the lenged to their highest limits same level, had a lot in and using 100% of their skills,” common, and knew there says Mitch. “Much like we do was a lot more to life.” when we are downhill skiing, by Sean Siskor wakeboarding.” Says Brad. “It’s notPhotography every dirt biking day that you come across It was the pursuit of this feelsomeone who is in the exing that led Brad and Mitch act same place and has the on the journey to launching exact same aspirations as Overflow Brewery. you.”
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ike many, Ottawa business owner and entrepreneur Kerry Moher loves the game of golf. An active member of Ottawa’s business community, his love for sports has always found a way into his career. As early as age 13, he was selling sports cards at the Stittsville Flea Market. Moher went on to get a golf scholarship to Kentucky State University where he would study business. Throughout his life, it seemed that sports and business would always find themselves together in some way. As an avid golfer, especially during last year’s pandemic shutdowns that saw many flock to the fairways, it was then, says Moher, that he realized how little attention he paid to his golf gloves, compared to his other pieces of gear. “I realized that I spent an awful lot of time and money on golf in general: but very little on golf gloves. I didn’t value gloves as an essential piece of equipment.”
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Kerry didn’t just go on instinct, he talked to his long-time friend and pro golfer, Brad Fritsch, about the idea. Fritsch is the only person from Ottawa ever to play on a PGA tour. “A golf glove allows players to grip the club with the confidence that their hands won’t slip during their swing.” Says Fritsch. “Golf is a hard enough game without having things like that to worry about!” Kerry and Brad’s research into the use of golf gloves found that over 85% of amateurs and 95% of professional golfers play with gloves. While pros like Brad Fritsch never needed to worry about their next golf glove, amateurs seemed to be both overplaying and over paying for them. “We’d be standing on the tee box of a 250 yard par 3, we’ve paid $150 to play this really nice course, and here would be Kerry trying to hit this shot with a glove that looked like he bought it when he was 14 years old.”
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After extensive research into the industry that would eventually lead to a trip to Indonesia, the golf glove hub of the world, Kerry found a traditional distribution system that was over inflated with way too many middle men. It was a model that could easily be redesigned to put the consumer first. “I felt like golf gloves were something that I could produce as well as the top brands. I was a little less skeptical that I could make a really good driver at a reasonable price.” Kerry designed a high quality, professional-grade Cabretta leather golf glove, working directly with the same manufacturers as today’s top brands. “Over that 10 days I visited with a number of glove makers and asked as many questions as I could. I got to walk the shop floor and talk to their designers and seamstresses and find out all the nuances of golf glove production. A golf glove touches more than a dozen people and close to 20 steps during the sewing process. It’s really an art form.” Cutting out middlemen, distributors, and retailers allowed him to offer the same quality of product at a significantly lower price. But the real innovation was how he planned to deliver the gloves to his buyers: via a subscription service that ships directly to the buyer, with the shipping cost included. It was an innovative idea that directly addressed the problem most golfers face: they simply never remember to replace their golf glove. “The subscription can be paused, increased, or decreased at any time. The premise is that golfers can’t be trusted to change their glove on their own.
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J U L Y / A U G U S T They need a glove to arrive in the mail as a gentle reminder that it might be time to get a fresh glove in play. I know that I needed the prompt.” Though the model, price, and customization of the business was ready to go, Kerry had one last addition to his subscription golf glove model. He wanted to make sure that the proceeds of each sale gave back to the game of golf in some way. “The game of golf has been really good to me. I played college golf on a scholarship. I’ve played courses around the world. A lot of my close friends play the game. I get a lot of joy from the game: it’s like therapy for me. So, I’d love to give back to a game that’s given me a lot. I felt the best way to do that was to work with organizations that are introducing youth to the game for the first time, to help make that experience positive and memorable.”
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For each glove sold, a glove will also be donated to youth across Canada to help boost their confidence and foster interest in a new generation of golfers. Kerry’s goal is to provide 5000 young golfers with gloves this summer. Complete with a high quality product, innovative distribution model, and a noteworthy social cause, Kerry founded Red Rooster Golf Inc. The company launched on kickstarter on Monday, May 10th, and hit $30,000 in pledges in their first day of going live. “The goal of our campaign is to get a free glove on the hands of 5,000 youth that will be introduced to the game of golf this summer through our Play It Forward Partners: First Tee Triangle, First Tee Ontario and Kevin Haime Golf Centre. That means we need to raise more than $100,000. We are really thankful for the early support. But we’ve got a long way to go to reach our goal.”
For Brad, the charity aspect of the business model is what sold him on becoming a partner in the business. “It’s always been incredibly rewarding to work with kids on the driving range or golf course, and if we can keep them engaged as a result of them taking something home with them (their very own golf glove), then maybe we have a better chance of them returning to the range one more time; and that can lead to two and three times, and maybe a few of them will fall in love with the game like we did.”
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THE TOP 5 MOST COMMON
GROOMING MISTAKES for men
With Ottawa’s award-winning barber
Christopher Lord
Overdoing it with Products There’s a fine line between a man who’s well groomed, and a man who’s just doing it all wrong. Less is usually more, and that’s accurate when we’re talking about your products. Whether that be too much pomade in your hair, or too much cologne, the idea is to make an effort and look well groomed, without making it obvious.
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Dandruff You’ve got dandruff? Many men do. It might not be your fault, BUT it is if you don’t take care of it. The changing of the seasons can often lead to dry, itchy scalps, but there are solutions. You can reduce the products you’re using, and get a good quality anti-dandruff shampoo that can be incorporated into your everyday regime. Keep in mind, your individual physiology plays a huge role in how you deal with this, but rest assured, there are products available to you.
Trimming Your Neckline Too High This is a common issue, one that most men who have a beard have faced. If you’re trying to maintain a certain length, or have plans to keep growing your face fur out, you have to be careful on where you place the bottom line of your beard. There are two ways to find out where your neckline sits well: by tilting your head down and finding where the underside of your jaw meets the top of your neck, you’ll see a crease. Put your finger on the crease, straighten up your head and boom, voila, this is where the neckline should be. Or, you can place two fingers above your Adam’s apple, and watch where your fingers point. That is the bottom of your neckline.
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Countering Hair Loss by Growing More Hair If you’re balding, or your hair is receding, growing it out isn’t necessarily the solution. This can be a tricky topic because there are definitely varying degrees of hair loss. Picking the right style of hair can go a long way in drawing the eye away from the “problem” Area. There are products readily available to add volume, or even thickness to the individual hair strands themselves. Your barber is a professional and should know the best course of action. Keeping it short and closely cropped to the scalp is always the best solution.
Updating your Deodorant When it comes to deodorant, or even antiperspirants, we tend to gravitate towards products that catch our eye. We will use the same brand or style until we’re prompted to do otherwise. The problem with this, aside from being boring, is that our bodies tend to adapt to a product in as little as three months. It can become obsolete, which no one wants. Our choices in how we smell can change, just like seasons. Picking the right scent or product for your armpits should be considered carefully, especially in terms of how we need it to work. Take the time to shop around, and switch it up, you’ll be grateful you did.
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ABOUT Christopher Lord Christopher Lord is an award-winning Barber, and the owner and founder of the Ottawa-born brand King’s Own, a barbershop and line of all-Canadian, premium grooming products. (Kings Own Reserve Premium Grooming Goods) that includes three beard balms, and a beard wash on the way. Chris has recently expanded to include a new managing partner, Jeremy DeMerchant. Kings Own Barbershop, opened in 2019, offers an authentic barbershop experience with premium products and an elevated grooming experience. Chris was voted Ottawa’s Best Barber in the 2019 Ottawa Awards by Faces Magazine, as well as named among Narcity’s Top 15 Barbers. Kings Own Reserve is a 100% Canadian, locally-owned business that strives to help its community. For every product sold, Kings Own Reserve donates $1.00 to We Live in the Shadows (Shadow Ottawa), a collective consciousness group that focuses on helping the homeless, less fortunate and marginalized in The Capital. Chris is also a dedicated member of Hair Donation Ottawa, a cancer research fundraiser, and volunteers his time to cut hair for the homeless. @capcitychris @kingsownreserve @kingsownbarbershop Www.Kingsownreserve.com Www.kingsownbarbershop.com
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Get Nhude Ottawa’s Jennie Condie is the founder of an ethically made, sustainable line of swimwear. We chatted about growing up in Ottawa, launching her brand, and the importance of sustainability and ethics in fashion today.
Photography by Sean Sisk
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Did you grow up in Ottawa? Who were some of your biggest influences growing up? I was born and raised in Ottawa! I adore this city, and it will always feel like home to me. Though, there is something telling me that I would prefer living somewhere where it is sunny all year round. In a perfect world, I’d be living somewhere on the coast of Malibu, seconds away from the beach. Ultimately, I would love to continue exploring and visiting new places before I begin settling down. The first person I ever looked up to would be my Aunt Lynda. Her style is so eclectic and free, she always shared that with me. Her passion for photography interested me at a young age and definitely inspired me to discover my own creative outlets. I love that she wasn’t a trend follower, but rather stuck to what she loved. As for my fashion influence growing up, I was obsessed with every pop icon in the late 90’s/ early 2000’s. From the Spice Girls, Paris Hilton to Gwen Stefani. Of course, I grew up watching every Britney Spears music video, vying to get my hands on anything she was wearing. In my opinion, those trends were so iconic and I’m so excited to see that some of the styles are coming back! The mini purses, hair clips, flared jeans, colorful eyeshadows- I’m here for it all! When did you realize that you wanted to go into fashion? Growing up I had always wanted to be involved in the fashion industry. I began modeling at a very young age. Once I entered that world, I began to fall in love with all other aspects surrounding me aside from the camera. I had such an appreciation and love for the chaos happening behind the scenes. The long hours on set were always so rewarding after it all came together. I was able to work alongside like-minded individuals and was fortunate enough to be able to learn so much from these experiences. It was my happy place. I loved seeing the designers/creative directors/ MUAs’ visions come to life. I just knew that one day I wanted to be on the other side of it. I wanted to work in a space that allowed me to be myself and most importantly to make others feel beautiful. Tell me about your swimwear brand, Nhude. Why did you start it, and what was one of your biggest challenges when you began? Where do I even start… the thought of working in an office for the rest of my life was the most terrifying idea to me. I knew I didn’t want to settle into a position where I was comfortable. I wanted to be in a cre-
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ative space where I would be constantly growing and challenging myself. The idea clicked a few years ago when I was on vacation in LA. Being in such an inspiring city, I was introduced to some of the most talented and confident people I have ever met, it instantly lit a fire under me. I knew I needed to start creating something that was all mine, something that I could be proud of. I’ll never forget the happy tears streaming down my face while driving along the coast of Malibu...the 16-year-old me had always dreamt of being there. I just wanted to stay in the sun forever! Quickly after that, I tied together my love for fashion and being in the sun. Instantly I knew I needed to start designing bikinis. I started brainstorming what I could create as a new opportunity for myself. I wanted to bring that feeling back to Ottawa. The moment I got back; I spent many sleepless nights researching manufacturers, reaching out to designers and marketing professionals. It felt like I blinked, and then my first collection was designed! My biggest challenge was the initial launch – I had never built a website, sold my own products, designed clothing, anything! I went into it blind but trusting I would work hard and learn from my mistakes along the way. Not to mention, I did this all during a global pandemic! Why is ethical and sustainable manufacturing important to you? It was important for me to choose ethical and sustainable materials because it’s a topic that is finally being acknowledged on a global scale. New businesses are beginning to embrace sustainable practices to protect the world that we live in. At the end of the day, I knew that my brand had to support ethical and sustainable practices, as I would not feel comfortable knowing that my brand was potentially bringing harm onto others. I knew I didn’t want to be like many other manufacturers, so I chose someone who donates proceeds from every bikini designed to an organization that supports the environment, women’s access to education, health, and business development. Quality was the most important aspect when I was searching for a sustainable manufacturer. I fell in love with an Econyl yarn that I was able to get imported from Italy, the fabrics used to make our bikinis are from recycled waste materials found in our oceans. I’m so happy I took the time to do my research and find a manufacturer that met all my needs. Your brand supports a local charity, DIFD. Why is this such an important cause for you, and for your brand to reflect?
When launching Nhude, I wanted it to be more than just a bikini brand. I wanted to use my platform to raise awareness and add to the discussion around mental health. I have personally seen how negative mental perceptions can cause significant damage at a young age, and I have been wanting to be able to improve the lives of others who have suffered from these same issues. Daron was a beautiful girl who was taken by suicide at the age of 14, she had touched the lives of so many people in our city, including myself . I saw an opportunity to give back to her foundation. What are your goals for Nhude? My goals for Nhude are to not only be known for trendy sustainable bikinis, but also to generate a healthy online community that makes a positive difference on social media. I want to create an authentic space where you can hear the stories behind that “picture perfect day”. A trendy platform where you can connect to your favorite influencers, celebrities, musicians, CEO’s on a deeper level that we can all relate to. We’re all guilty of comparing ourselves to others’ “highlight reel” and sometimes it’s hard to differentiate what’s real or not. Our goal is to close that gap between consumers & influencers online, highlighting the fact that whoever you are, we all have a story that someone else can relate to. I’m currently working on some really exciting things with mental health specialists that will offer resources. We have a donation page on our website where people can donate to DIFD to help raise awareness for youth mental health! What is your best advice for any entrepreneurs looking to follow in your footsteps? There is never a right time to follow your dreams. People will tell you ‘you’re not old enough’, ‘you don’t have enough experience’, ‘you don’t have enough capital’; but if you wait for the right time, you’re going to be waiting forever. As long as you are passionate and driven about your work, I truly believe that you can succeed. It won’t be easy, and you better be ready to fail, but for every time you’re knocked down, and get back up (Chumbawamba style), you will be one step closer to your dreams! @jennniecondie
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We’re all guilty of comparing ourselves to others’ “highlight reel” and sometimes it’s hard to differentiate what’s real or not. Our goal is to close that gap between consumers & influencers online, highlighting the fact that whoever you are, we all have a story that someone else can relate to.
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F A C E S
M A G A Z I N E
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Ottawa’s Award Winning
B
oth Chelsey June (métis, Algonquin Cree) and Jaaji (Inuk and Mohawk from Nunavik) grew up surrounded by music. While both come from musical families, and Chelsey began singing at the age of 4, it wasn’t until age 20 that Jaaji picked up a guitar. The pair would trade places in their ascension to becoming the artists they are today: it would be Jaaji who would go on to carve a career in music before Chelsey. When the pair met in 2014, the connection was instant, and Chelsey eventually left her government job to accompany Jaaji on his tour in Nunavik. Though their relationship began as artists, it quickly developed into a romantic one as well. The pair are now happily married, and are known as the musical duo Twin Flames.
They’ve gone on to be two of Ottawa’s most awarded Indigenous artists, making music that bridges culture, styles, and continents. They’ve toured across Canada and the Arctic, honouring their ancestors through song in English, Inuttitut, and French. They are 2x Canadian Folk Music Award recipients for Aboriginal Songwriters of the Year, and 3x Native American Music Award winners. In total, they have over 29 music award nominations and have played over 1000 shows across Canada, Greenland, the US, Australia, and France. The pair are proud to call The Capital region home, and have continued to share their love for music with fans around the world, despite COVID shutdowns. Their first in-person events are now
being scheduled, with a tour in the late fall (COVID permitting). Despite a more quiet year in the music industry, the pair have taken home three awards at the Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards this year. Their album Omen won Pop/Rock/Alternative Album of the Year, their single Battlefields won Single of the Year, and their song Grace Too won for Music in the Arts. Outside of music, the pair work with school boards across Canada to further education in the arts and reconciliation with MASC. We caught up with the duo to discuss the early stages of their relationship as both artists and lovers, some of their career highlights, and what’s next for them.
Photography by Sean Sisk
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Tell me about your childhoods. When did you know that you wanted to get into music? Chelsey: I grew up surrounded by music-loving parents. I was introduced to so many different genres. I figured out that I loved to sing really young, around the age of 4. I liked the way singing made me feel. I was obsessed with all the Shirley Temple movies and the Wizard of Oz. I remember wishing I could be in movies and sing like them. Jaaiji: Music has always been in my heart and blood. I was surrounded by it on both sides of the family. I was a great listener, and grew up with the Folk and Rock of the 70s. It wasn’t until I was 20 that I picked up the guitar. Because I was a cop back then, with 2 small children, the guitar playing was short-lived. In my mid 30s, I picked up that guitar again and started writing right away. I was inspired by other artists around me, and had deep urges to go up on stage one day!
Since then, your music has gone on to receive multiple nominations and awards. Tell me about the moment your music reached #1 on IMC. What was that like for you? Chelsey: It was just near both of our birthdays in June when Porchlight hit number one. It was such an incredible feeling. We were finally being recognized for our music and all our hard work was paying off. It is for sure a moment when you reflect on life. I remember being filled with gratitude and awe that it was actually happening. I was also so happy that our song was serving as a way for people to heal, according to all the incredible messages we received. Jaaji: It was pretty neat. We love playing music and to know that our music is loved somewhere is always cherished. We also know that charting always helps us run into other opportunities in the industry. It helped solidify our goals for grants and invites. We did a radio takeover this past winter on Sirius XM of channel 165 on the Multicultural Channel.
Tell me about the opportunity to write the official UNESCO song to celebrate 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages. What was the creative process like for “Human”? Chelsey: It was really scary at first! We were worried we wouldn’t have enough time, but the song ended up coming very naturally. Jaaji got to work on his amazing melodies and catchy hooks, and when I came upstairs to where he was playing the chorus, I started on other lyrics and spoken word. Our producer helped us narrow it down and come up with a cool structure. It really feels like sometimes the songs we write come from the stars. It was a great honour to be able to represent Canada on an international scale and for our thoughts to be shared through this song. Jaiiji: When we were invited to have a phone call with Angus Finnaen, Executive Director of Folk Alliance International, we were pretty stoked. He asked us if we’d like to be involved with the 2019 FAI as artists in residents and paired with UNE-
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SCO. We would be writing a song to help commemorate 2019 being the Official Year of Indigenous Languages. UNESCO sent us to France for the official launch and that was pretty amazing. Hashtag “honoured”.
physical copies of our albums along with other items in our virtual store found on our website. Sometimes we get the occasional troll and our fans are right there to stick up for us. That part is pretty funny, because it’s pretty juvenile of trollers, but we have too much love from our fans to let trolls cramp our style. #Love.
Tell me about your recent video for Giants. What was the inspiration behind the song, and the video?
Finally, what’s next for you?
Chelsey: The song took on so many forms, but the lyrics and chorus stayed the same. The chorus “You are bigger than mountains, taller than giants, braver than lions you are, you are” was a really important message for both of us to share. So many people are hurting and trying hard to hang on. (I myself have been there) Our hope was that if someone was feeling like life was getting too difficult, they could put on this song and remember to continue on.
Chelsey: We are still actively working with school boards across Canada to further education in the arts and reconciliation thanks to MASC. We are also planning another album that we will record in our new home studio. We are writing a series of children’s books and will continue our acting and modeling pursuits. We can’t wait to start touring again in Fall 2021 on the East Coast. We have a few in-person shows this summer, if all goes well.
What do you miss most about touring?
Jaaji: We have a French EP that we have to release like, yesterday, but that is ongoing. We’ve had to make some changes in our studio that have caused a little delay, so we are currently fixing up a new space to record. We are also constantly writing and thinking of new ideas to prepare for the next release. We have some live in-person shows, COVID permitting, in July, and we have a Sept/Oct East Coast tour for a total of about 22 days presented by the Atlantic Presenters Association. We’re planning to tag in a Northern Labrador Healthy Living Tour that is in the planning stages, again COVID and W.H.O. protocols permitting.
Jaaji: Human contact. Stage feeling and energy from the crowd. Seeing the world. We’ve been very lucky. We’ve seen places like Paris, Australia, Greenland, some US cities (namely Florida and NY) and every province and territory. We’ve even played some gigs in Cuba (impromptu, mind you).
How has COVID affected your work as artists? Do you find it challenging to connect with fans virtually? Chelsey: In the beginning it was really hard, and very scary with all the unknowns. I am grateful that with technology, we are able to continue working. It is weird performing only to a camera, but when we see photos posted after our shows or engage in Q&As, it’s so cool to see how many people are watching right there with us. Jaaji: We definitely had to get creative. Thanks to Canada Council for the Arts, we built a home stage and bought equipment to have the best sound and video possible. These past 2 weeks are the first time we haven’t had any virtual shows… and therefore have had some much needed rest. As the days go by, it does get easier to perform to a camera. We are grateful to be able to continue to live off of music.
You’ve said before that your greatest achievement has been your fanbase. Tell me about the support you’ve received from your fans. Chelsey: Our second album Signal Fire was almost completely funded by our fans. At the time, we did not have much knowledge of grants, so we started a Gofundme and the support we received was phenomenal. When COVID first hit, our fans donated to keep us afloat. We still feel that our fans are the reason why we have achieved the success we have; we are forever grateful for all who believe in us and support our music. They help us live our dream. Jaaji: Our fans are the greatest. We have grown gradually since we started 6 years ago. Now we have fans from all over the world who message us on a daily basis and give us words of encouragement. They have supported us by purchasing
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@twinflamesband
We still feel that our fans are the reason why we have achieved the success we have; we are forever grateful for all who believe in us and support our music.
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THE TOP 3
GOLF HOLES Most Challenging
in Ottawa
In June, we asked: which golf hole is the toughest to play in Ottawa?
#1
HOLE 2
@ The Marshes A resounding winner among golfers in Ottawa, Hole #2 at The Marshes in Kanata’s Business Park is also the longest hole in the region. It measures a whopping 581 yards from the white box, and 530 from the red. The hole remains narrow as it curves around a small pond, and stays wet on the right all the way to the green. On the left, several trees line the edge to close in the narrowly curved fairway. Oh, and it’s a par 5 (which few golfers can accomplish).
The survey of readers and followers names an almost resounding winner, with two distinct runner’s up. Here are the top three most challenging golf holes to play in the Capital.
#2
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HOLE 7 @ Equinelle
This par 4 hole at Equinelle Golf Course in Kemptville ranks number two in Ottawa for its challenge. Water surrounds the putting greens here, and just before them, a sharp jut of rocks to the left makes the approach not so simple. The hole is 400 yards from the white box and 325 from the red.
#3
HOLE 15 @Eagle Creek
Eagle Creek, a Club Link course in Dunrobin, is a par 3 hole that measures 157 yards from the white and 125 from the red box. Like every hole at Eagle Creek, a thick crop of tall trees completely surrounds the fairway, up to the putting green, where you’ll find three distinct bunkers on each side. This makes this short and narrow hole a challenge for most golfers.