Fine Lifestyles Winter 2013

WINTER 2013 | VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1

DESIGNED WITH YOU IN MIND

ABOVE ALL BUILDING & SOLUTIONS LOCAL FOOD, LOCAL CHEFS EXPLORING PICTON

KINGSTON

A Little Bit of Italy in the West End of Kingston

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MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS FATHERS, SONS ...

Holiday presents with a style presence.

Quality clothing from designers around the world in a stunningly beautiful shop in downtown Kingston.

matinique / ted baker / seven sandwich / laundry / tiger of sweden bugatchi / strellson autumn cashmere / iris / franco mirabelli

DEFINING CONTEMPORARY STYLE 253 ontario st, kingston www.ChrisJamesKingston.com

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Finelifestyles KiNGstoN

WITH fiNe lifestyles eDitor KaTrIna Geenevasen

I

can’t begin to express how excited we are to be launching this inaugural issue of Fine Lifestyles in Kingston.

As we worked on this issue, we were able to meet some of the Limestone City’s incredible people — and learned just how wonderful this community really is.

Within the pages of this magazine are the stories of your neighbours, friends and family.

In an effort to highlight the city’s gastronomic greatness, we sat down with the Downtown Kingston! BIA to discuss Kingston’s local food economy.

We also met with a young woman who was recently commissioned to create a piece of jewellery for Her Royal Highness Princess Anne of Edinburgh, as well as the organizers behind the Crystal Ball Gala, which is the largest single fundraising event in the region.

Winter 2013 vOLUMe 1 IssUe 1 www.finelifestyles.ca Associate Editors Katrina Geenevasen Lori McKay

In-house Design Lisa Redden Elisa Malfitana Danielle Austin

Staff Writers Rebecca Schneidereit Trina Annand Apolline Lucyk Tori Stafford

Cover Photography

We truly hope that you enjoy reading this first issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

Note from the Publisher

I

t has arrived: the inaugural issue of Fine Lifestyles Kingston. We are so pleased to welcome the Limestone City to the list of Canadian cities in which we currently publish.

From the time we started talking with local business owners, merchants, photographers and artists, I knew we had stumbled upon something really special both in the location and talent of the people here. The reception we have received has been tremendously positive, and we are very grateful. We have assembled an amazing team of local creative professionals that make this magazine possible, and their passion and dedication to the task at hand is evidenced by their quality of work and commitment.

So please, sit back, relax and enjoy the pages of our premier edition.

Cathie Watson, associate publisher Advertising Consultants

Jacqui Lysko jacquil@finelifestyles.ca 613.213.3145

Clare Williams clarew@finelifestyles.ca 613.876.3134

katrinag@finelifestyles.ca lorim@finelifestyles.ca

Stephen Wild

Photography Stephen Wild Amanda Garreau Suzy Lamont Robert Taylor

Anne Blanchard Paul Tohill Julianna Harbec

Contributing Writers Shell Busey Ken Beattie Megan Lust Meredith Heron

Angela Campagnoni Deborah Melman-Clement Christina Bergeron

Associate Plublisher Cathie Watson

cathie@finelifestyles.ca

Distribution & Subscriptions wayne@finelifestyles.ca

finemags

@finemags

FineLifestyles Kingston is published four times a year by FineLifestyles Regina Ltd. We reserve the right to edit any materials chosen for publication including photographs. We reserve the right to reject or accept any article, photograph, image or advertisement. All contents of FineLifestyles Regina Ltd. publications are copyrighted 2013 with all rights reserved, except for original articles submitted to FineLifestyles Kingston, where copyright resides with the author. No other part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of FineLifestyles Regina Ltd. or its writers. The name FineLifestyles Kingston, its logo and material cannot be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. The views and opinions expressed in the expert advice columns herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of FineLifestyles Regina Ltd. or the companies it represents. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

Canada Post Publication Agreement #41818060 Return undeliverables to: 3440 Balsam Grove; Regina, Saskatchewan; S4V 1H1

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What’sInside

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76 110 FEATuRE STORIES 18

Canadian Fashion Icon, Jeanne Beker

76 Local Food Local Chefs Initiative

26 Local Goldsmith Creates Bracelet for Princess Anne

110 COVER: Above All Home & Building Solutions

56 Symphonic Sounds

152 Old World Heritage in Picton

62 Crystal Ball Gala

182 Tesla Model S

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18

56

62 26 DEPARTMEnTS 8

Style

110 House and Home

34 Health and Wellness

163 Business

56 Arts, Dining and Entertainment

178 Wheels

106 Sports, Recreation and Travel

184 Retail Directory

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The Full experience

By Apolline lucyk Photos Stephen Wild and tim ForbeS

J

ames Brett Coiffure offers a consistent atmosphere of professional, highly creative and skilled Aveda trained service providers. As Kingston’s only Aveda Concept Salons, they ground their business in the highest standards of hair, spa and aesthetic services. “All of our guests receive the full Aveda treatment with their hair service,” says owner James Brett, “including an aroma sensory journey to help customize your experience, stress relieving hand and scalp massages and makeup finishing touches to complete the look. James Brett Salons are about experiencing something more.”

James Brett Coiffure has two locations in Kingston, which are both very different, yet retain the same luxurious James Brett ambiance and experience. Both locations pride themselves on keeping a creative

energy focused on leading the market in style and fashion.

The downtown location has a big-city feel and is upbeat and dynamic, always moving and flowing with energy. Guests can momentarily step out of downtown Kingston for a relaxing service without leaving the city centre. The RioCan Centre location has a spacious, modern feel, and convenient, complimentary parking directly outside the salon.

Guests can truly experience tranquility and grooming through day spas at both locations, offering many aesthetic services such as manicures, pedicures and waxing.

Luxurious facial and relaxation massage services can be booked alone or in packages from two to six hours long at either location.

Guest favourites include Artistic manicures

and Elemental Nature facials, which combine high performance skin care and balancing massage focused on wellness.

James Brett Salon uses Aveda’s high performance plant and flower derived products. The line, created without animal bi-products or petro-chemicals, features professional colour and spa products, as well as a full home care selection of hair care, skin care, body care and makeup. Created in 1978, Aveda focuses on wellness and style, while stressing the importance of environmental sustainability. Aveda celebrates ecological and cultural diversity with its responsible ingredient sourcing, creates packaging with an average of 80 per cent post-consumer recycled materials, and uses 100 per cent wind power for production.

OPPOSITE PAGE BOTTOm FrOnT James Brett, owner and Catherine Taylor, manager

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Photo Tim Forbes

rIGHT FAr rIGHT Barbara Thomson, general manager and James Brett, owner

All James Brett Coiffure team members donate their time and services to at least two charitable events annually.

Photo Tim Forbes

James Brett stylists and spa therapists are some of the top professionals in the Kingston area. “Education is an important part of our business, and skill set and knowledge are two details that we strive to perfect,” comments Brett. “All service providers train with Aveda Global artists throughout the year to keep the stylists up-to-date on the latest techniques and fashion trends in hair and makeup.

Our new talent employees are closely mentored by skilled stylists, who check each service to make sure our guests leave feeling beautiful, inspired and rejuvenated.”

The salons also partner with Green Circle Salons to minimize their environmental footprint and keep Kingston green. “We strive to make beauty more sustainable by recycling any materials possible. They are picked up by Green Circle and taken to facilities that properly dispose of the materials,” says Brett. The hair is actually recycled to make oil booms and stored by Green Circle in case of an oil spill. The foil is cleaned so it can be properly recycled, and hair colour is taken to hazardous waste disposals, ensuring it won’t seep

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into and contaminate local ecosystems and water supplies.

James Brett Coiffure supports many Kingston organizations, such as Gilda’s Club and local schools, as well as larger campaigns like Heart and Stroke, Run for the Cure and the United Way. They also organize an annual Earth Day fundraiser, which raises money for clean water in third world countries, and raised more than $13,000 in April 2013, thanks to hard working employees and loyal clients.

James Brett Salon has recently partnered with local television station CKWS to style and colour the on-air personalities.

“We are excited to showcase the creativity of our talented stylists to the viewers in Kingston and surrounding areas,” says Barbara Thomson, the salon’s general manager. The salons have also become a destination for bridal parties, offering skin care and hair colouring leading up to events, up-styling and full makeup applications for brides and bridal parties, and cuts and shaves for men.

They are committed to ensuring this incredibly special day is enhanced with their calming, professional services.

Current focuses at James Brett are the new MindBody system, recently installed on their social media accounts and website. This new cloud-based software will enable customers to book appointments on the go from any social media account, such as Facebook, right from their mobile devices. “We are proud to be the first salon implementing this technology in the Kingston area,” says Brett. “This is certainly the direction our industry is moving toward, and we are so excited to be providing this extra convenience to our customers.”

Both salons are also eager for the holiday event they host every year. “Each year around holiday time we have a guest appreciation event. Inviting guests to share some holiday cheer, we offer complimentary services and product discounts and showcase our beautifully packaged AVEDA gift sets,” says Thomson. “It’s a wonderful time to choose that special gift for friends, family, and your employees, and even treat yourself. Please like us on Facebook and visit our innovative new website to find the details.”

This year, James Brett Coiffure is introducing a special corporate gift giving program for the holiday season. The program will ensure companies enjoy great discounts and easily find the best gifts for those who contribute to their own success throughout the year. Please contact one of their locations or visit their Facebook for details on their corporate discounts and packages.

The owners and team at James Brett Coiffure Aesthetics and Spa firmly believe in the Aveda motto, that “what you put on your body should be as healthy as what you put into it,” says Brett. This is why they promote Aveda products made with gentle plant derived ingredients, which “soothe, invigorate and refresh naturally.”

For a more environmentally responsible, luxurious styling, aesthetic treatment or spa experience, contact James Brett Coiffure today.

James Brett Coiffure Beauty is as Beauty Does.

189 Princess Street Downtown 613.542.2427

764 Gardiners Rd. RioCan 613.634.6427

www.jamesbrettcoiffure.com |

|

Photos this page Tim Forbes

Grooming MAKES THE MAN

BY TOBIE HAINSTOCK

T

hroughout the past century, society has become increasingly obsessed with women’s fashion, hairstyles, skincare and youthfulness.

Lately however, there’s been a turn in the industry: more and more men are taking an interest in their appearance and grooming.

barber of what they want,” says Huhtala.

Currently the old classic hair styles are making a comeback. “If you want to see what’s hot right now, check out what stars like Leonard Dicaprio are wearing,” he suggests. Much to everyone’s relief, Huhtala is quick to point out that mullets are not on their way back.

This shift has been gradually moving its way into our culture since the early 2000s. Popular figures such as Dr. Oz are advising men on how to take better care of themselves and keep themselves looking and feeling great. Programs like Queer Eye for the Straight Guy teach men about fashion, and how to look good no matter what you’re doing. Even family doctors are advising massage therapy for stress and other issues.

Men are even increasingly aware of hair colour options. Huhtala advises that, especially the first time you colour, it is best to consult a professional. “The professional colours are more specific to your personal skin colouring and can be matched up to look more natural,” he remarks.

As a result, there has been an increase in men visiting spas over the past decade.

According to the International Spa Association, men now make up about 29 per cent of all spa-goers in the United States — up from 24 per cent last year.

This trend has been noticeable in Canada as well. What often starts out as a couples’ spa package, soon evolves into a regular or semi-regular visit. Suzanne Pelzer, owner of Spa Cantik notes, “We are starting to see a lot more men coming into the spa and making an effort to take care of themselves.” The types of requested services vary. “More men are coming for a number of different services aside from sport massages,” Pelzer states.

“They are looking for waxing, pedicures, facials and other services.” This increased demand has meant that more and more spas are offering men’s treatment packages among their usual menus.

According to Randy Huhtala of Ragged Ass Barbers, men are also becoming more particular in their hairstyles and the type of look they want when they are visiting their stylists. Gone are the days of the “just a little off the top” request.

“A lot of times guys will come in with a specific look in mind and will instruct the

Huhtala also points out that facial hair is making a comeback. More men are growing beards and moustaches. In time for Movember, Huhtala offers some moustache growth and care tips.

Movember is a global charity where men are encouraged to grow moustaches throughout the month of November. This is done as an awareness and fundraiser to help combat prostate and testicular cancers and mental health challenges.

For more information visit the Movember Canada website at ca.movember.com.

At the end of Movember, if you choose to keep your moustache, Huhtala suggests you keep it trimmed and looking great.

“They look different on everyone,” he says. “Consider the shape of your face, look through some magazines for similar face shapes and style accordingly.” He also states that a chat with your barber is very helpful. “We can help you match up the moustache with the look that’s best for you.”

The growing interest in male grooming and care doesn’t appear to be just a fad that’s passing by. The hair and fashion industry is marketing more to the men in our lives. Long-term, this means that men are more conscious of how they look and feel, building self esteem and better health.

“It’s nice for the men,” comments Pelzer, “and as women, we appreciate it too.”

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Combining Superior Salon and Spa experienCeS

By Trina annand Photos STephen Wild

A

great haircut can inspire confidence and a good salon experience is the perfect way to relax. At Styles & Designs by Janey, clients can experience a salon like no other with one-on-one treatments for the whole family in a relaxed atmosphere.

Janey Thompson has been living her dream as a certified stylist for 22 years. The grad of St. Lawrence College discovered her love of styling early on. “At my high

school we had classes in cosmetology.

I fell in love with it and had a real knack for it. I take pride in my work so I want everyone to be happy with their services.

The best part of my day is when a client leaves with a smile,” notes Thompson.

The stylist has a proven success record with several clients who have been with her for her entire career. “You really get to know people over the years. We talk about their family, what’s going on in their life, we really do become friends.”

The unique one-on-one services mean clients get focused attention in a tranquil one styling chair setting, making service much more personal than the average salon. Thompson is constantly upgrading and learning new skills to stay on the cutting edge of the hairstyling industry.

New this year to Janey’s is a perming technique called a texture wave, which allows for larger loose curls, a strict contrast to the spiral perms of the 1980s.

With a specialty in colouring hair the

ABOVE L–R Tiffany Vieira, Genesis esthetics owner and Janey Beaubiah, owner/stylist

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stylist can find the perfect colour and tone for every client with her certified colour services. Using only premium products from Matrix and Biolage, Thompson ensures clients get great looking healthy hair every time they visit. “Beauty is important because when you have a good self-image you feel better about yourself, it changes your life,” says Thompson.

these products work because I use them myself,” says Vieira. In a calming and tranquil spa room, Vieira offers clients manicures, pedicures, facials, massage, lash and brow tinting, and much more. “I love meeting new people, doing a service for them and knowing that they love it. I am so comfortable at work it doesn’t feel like work at all.”

At Janey’s, clients also have access to in-salon esthetics services through Genesis Esthetics. Providing a hair salon and full esthetics services in one location seemed like a natural choice for Thompson. Certified esthetician Tiffany Vieira ensures her clients receive the best possible skincare by using 100 per cent naturally-sourced products from brands like Moor Spa and Gehwol for pedicures.

“It’s very important to me that I use great natural products. I always care about what is being put on your face. I know

With a quiet and cozy atmosphere, Styles & Designs by Janey is the perfect place to come with the whole family, alone for a quick cut at lunch, or for a relaxing day combined with spa services. “I provide my clients with the best service at a reasonable price. People love to feel pampered and treated and we want to provide that great experience that makes someone’s day,” says Thompson.

Styles & Designs by Janey 1469 Princess Street, Unit 2A, Kingston 613.507.8953

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EXPERTAdvice Clothes Speak …

What are Yours Saying Today?

Jim Adams Chris James 253 Ontario Street Kingston 613.541.0707 info@ChrisJamesKingston.com www.ChrisJamesKingston.com |

DEFINING CONTEMPORARY STYLE

M

ost guys consider clothes shopping a time consuming bother. I’ve spent most of my working life attempting to simplify the myriad of choices thrust upon men by TV movies, magazines and yes, their partners, making it my business to consolidate, edit and inform men on their clothing choices.

Trends May Vary … Style is what You Create for You Today’s world has influenced traditional rules, relaxing and broadening clothing

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options. Eighty per cent of style is having the right clothes for the occasion. It’s not all about trendy stuff; it’s more about how you put the stuff together. I’m a traditionalist.

Innovation based on tradition is where newness comes and today ‘fit is what is defining fashion.’

A well-fitted $500 suit trumps a $2,000 bag all day long.

Fabric

Learn to ‘suit up’ properly; it’s the most important clothing investment you’ll make.

If you’ll own but one suit, make it a medium weight (all season wear) high-twist (less wrinkle) grey suit. Mid grey, banker’s grey, charcoal grey, plain or with a tiny neat pattern. Grey all the way. It works day to evening, plus the jacket can be used as a sport coat with dark trousers or jeans.

Fit

Style

It doesn’t matter if you are in the corporate or creative world; it doesn’t matter if it’s for work, weekend or a wedding; it doesn’t matter if it’s summer, winter or in between — the fact is, a well-fitted suit allows a man to make a statement without saying a word.

Clean, neat, confident and comfortable. The uniform of success. Trim, not tight under the arm, hugging the shoulder, narrower through the sleeve with clean and not so baggy slacks.

In style is a two-button narrower lapelled jacket, with sleeve length allowing some shirt cuff to show, and the jacket length no longer than your knuckles. Plain front slacks are worn shorter than you think. Styles are trimmer, shorter, and cleaner than a couple years ago. Definitely newer, and guaranteed to give you a leaner silhouette. Rock a suit that rocks.

Suits

Clothes Talk … Manage your Message

EXPERTAdvice Why I Love Cashmere

Christine Ray-Bratt Chris James 253 Ontario Street Kingston 613.541.0707 info@ChrisJamesKingston.com www.ChrisJamesKingston.com |

DEFINING CONTEMPORARY STYLE

I

sleep in cashmere. It may sound absurd, but it keeps me warm, it keeps me cool and lets me give fantastic hugs and late night cuddles.

I’ll explain.

We all have, wear, and love our sweaters.

We wear them to work, on errands, and at home; we layer under them, over them, and we all have a favourite. But wait — why does one pill easier than another, or hold its shape better when you hand-wash it?

The answer is that not all sweaters are created equal. You should have an arsenal

Cotton is a staple for those of us who get hot intermittently, and is great for those who are sensitive to wools. It stays cool and is often found in a piece that is meant to layer — think cardigans or wraps.

And so this brings me to cashmere. It is a natural and renewable resource that has kept people warm for centuries. It’s soft and cozy, and can be crafted into lightweight knits and chunkier sweaters that offer style and function. If you invest in it, it will pay you back in years of warmth and quality. I have cashmere sweaters that are 15 years old, and have been worn often and loved much. They’ve been darned and patched along the way, but their functional performance has in no way diminished. So now, I get to sleep in them. After giving back to me for over a decade, the initial investment I made has become pennies per wear.

Wool sweaters make me think of fisherman’s cable knits and my mother’s hand-knit wool socks — warm and substantial at the same time. Merino wool is typically a finer weave and is soft against the skin — think underlayers.

The heaviest weaves are fantastic for holding the heat and keeping you toasty warm during the cold months.

So when you’re picking a sweater, remember function and the reality of your need. Acrylics are great for pieces that will see frequent cleaning, cotton blend cardigans are useful year-round, wools keep you warm, and invest as much as you can in your cashmere for quality and longevity. Eventually you too may be having cashmere dreams.

for different tasks, as each fibre family gives unique properties to each piece.

Acrylic is lightweight, can mimic the feel of other fibers, and is often mixed in to increase the performance of the original, while bringing the cost down. It washes well, tends to be hypoallergenic, and helps to hold shape in items that need to be cleaned more frequently.

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Jeanne Beker

MEET CANADIAN FASHION ICON

BY ANGELA CAMPAGNONI

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I

have always admired Canadian fashion icon Jeanne Beker. She not only inspires others, but has also carved her own niche in television as a powerful and motivating woman, and a game changer in fashion. Beker was the host of Fashion Television for 27 years, judge on CTV’s Canada’s Next Top Model, contributing editor at The Toronto Star, author, and creative director of her own clothing line, EDIT. I am thrilled to bring you the highlights of my recent interview with Beker, who was in Nova Scotia in October for the “Jeanne Beker and Friends” women’s retreat weekend at Oceanstone Resort, which I had the pleasure of attending for the second time.

Guests were treated with fashion shows, beauty and styling advice and, of course, with Beker’s larger-than-life personality.

Angela Campagnoni: Can you tell our readers what drives you, and how you maintain relevance with so much competition in media, television and the international fashion industry?

Jeanne Beker: [I do it] by never really thinking about competition, I guess. I’ve always been adamant about staying true to myself, so I suppose I’m an original, as we all are at our best. Just like life, the only constant in fashion is change. It’s an area that keeps you on your toes.

Fashion is also about looking forward, with a nod to the past, of course, but ultimately it’s about what lies ahead. So because I have a history in the fashion world, a strong frame of reference and continue to write and opine about the subject of style, and most importantly watch and study fashion and consumer trends, I think that helps keep me at the forefront of what’s going on in the industry.

AC: Could you ever have imagined how that first designer interview would take you to where you are now?

JB: Absolutely not! I always loved talking with creative minds… whether they came from the world of music, or film, or theatre, or art, or fashion. I guess I found myself in fashion — or at least covering that scene — after many years in the music world interviewing rock stars. But after a steady diet of that, I wanted to move on, into

a world that felt a little more sophisticated… a little more age appropriate, you might say. I never thought this fashion ride would have lasted this long… And it’s still going strong.

AC: If you were to give advice to a young designer, what would it be?

JB: Far be it for me to give designers advice!

I learn so much from them… about integrity, tenacity and vision. But I would say you have to be prepared to sacrifice a lot. Being a fashion designer is one of the toughest professions I can think of. You constantly have to prove yourself… and rely on customers who can be very fickle.

AC: You now have a fabulous collection of your own, EDIT by Jeanne Beker. Can you tell the readers more about your newest endeavour, how it has evolved, and where is your style philosophy taking you next?

JB: In terms of my association with EDIT, it all started when my dear pal Bonnie Brooks moved back to Toronto to head up things at The Bay. We knew we wanted to do something together, and I suggested that a clothing line might be interesting. After the pitch, The Bay liked it… and so here we are. I’m creative director and work closely with a designer and other stylists in order to refine my vision for the season. I guess after so many years of being in the public eye — with a whole generation growing up watching me, and getting so much of their fashion education from Fashion Television — it felt like what I would do might indeed resonate with women. I can’t be all things to all people, but as EDIT grows and evolves, we’re managing to hone in on just who our “woman” is.

AC: If you had to use words to define your personal style, what would those words be?

JB: The same way I define the style of my line: modern, easy, chic.

To read the full interview with Jeanne Beker, including her favourite accessories, upcoming trends featured in her line EDIT by Jeanne Beker, and life outside the industry, visit www. angelahaliland.com.

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Small City, Big Style Classic Couture at Leigha’s Designer Closet

By Katrina Geenevasen PhotoS stephen Wild

V

alentino, Badgley Mischka, Oscar de la Renta, Mikael Aghal, Dior… all designer names that bring timeless elegance, sophistication and luxury to mind. But all too often, obtaining these items means a trip to large cities like Toronto, New York City and Montreal.

Leigha’s Designer Closet, located just minutes from historic downtown Kingston, has the answer. Boasting 1,200

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square feet of retail space — overflowing with designer goods from all over the globe — this true Kingston gem has attracted thousands of clients from not just Kingston, but Belleville, Trenton, Napanee, Gananoque, Brockville, Lansdowne, Perth and Ottawa.

delighted to find out she was a little girl,” recalls Comis. “All I could see was cream and pink and ruffles and lace. I started importing fine children’s wear into my home. Friends were coming over and picking out pieces for their children and grandchildren.”

The one-of-a-kind business launched eight years ago, when owner Janet Comis learned of the impending arrival of her granddaughter. “I just was so

Before too long, friends were hinting that she should also begin to sell women’s clothing. The lower walk-out half of her home was soon transformed into

Leigha’s Designer Closet, with plush carpeting and cream walls serving as the backdrop to retail space that offers everything from designer clothing and shoes, to luxurious handbags and jewellery.

While inspired by her granddaughter, the store serves as a tribute of sorts to Comis’s Doberman, Leigha, who passed away many years ago. “I would call her a very chi-chi little dog,” laughs Comis.

“She was a show dog who loved to be in the ring and prancing around. She had a collection of very nice collars and leashes, so I thought it was a nice way to perpetuate her memory.”

Leigha wouldn’t be disappointed. At affordable prices — items are at least 50 per cent less than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price — all clients can have a designer experience. “We have thousands of items in stock,” says Comis, who hand picks each and every item herself.

One thing Comis really wanted in starting this store was to bring highend fashion to a wider spectrum of the population. She says that when we dress in an outfit that we know we look good in, we feel better, we carry ourselves in a more confident manner and we are more positive. “And positive attitudes are contagious,” says Comis.

There’s something special about the quality of designer goods that Comis has always found appealing. “I was initially drawn to high-end designer fashion because of the way the products are finished, the fabrics that are used and the unique designs,” she says, holding up a stunning jewelled evening gown to demonstrate her point. “I hear from many clients that as students — myself included — they purchased quantity, not quality. The clothing did not last long before it shrank or fell apart.

After graduation, they were able to purchase quality.”

The designer fashions at Leigha’s Designer Closet are just that — quality.

The thousands of items in stock enable

women to build a wardrobe that will last for years. The essentials of a wardrobe, such as the little black dress, pants, jeans, tops, suits, cocktail and formal wear, can all be found at Leigha’s. These crucial pieces will be in a woman’s closet for years, she says. “These are the pieces that must be quality and classic styling.

Quality designer fashions do not shrink or fall apart. These pieces endure the test of time.”

It’s important to Comis that all women of varying shapes are able to shop at Leigha’s Designer Closet, so she has sizes that range from four to 24.

Meanwhile, shoes come in sizes five to 11. “I hear from women from both ends of the size spectrum that they find it very difficult to shop and that they are unable to find good quality items; I hope to be able to help them,” she says.

An added bonus is that customers can shop whenever they want to. It’s as simple as contacting Leigha’s in advance to book a personal or group appointment for any day and time of the week.

Many clients are repeat customers, speaking to the level of service offered at the store. “Customers love the atmosphere, personalized service and quality of the product,” says Comis.

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“They always say how quiet it is at the store, and know that I am here to help, not pressure,” she continues. “Clients say they are delighted to find unique items at Leigha’s. Otherwise, they would need to travel to a major city.”

Since its inception, Leigha’s Designer Closet has become known as a place where personalized customer service, quality and value are the hallmarks on which its reputation and client loyalty have been built. Leigha’s is a whole new experience in shopping for designer fashions, says Comis, promising customers an amazing shopping experience like none other.

“If you are looking for traditional, knowledgeable customer service and quality … then come lessen your frustration, workload and stress,” says Comis. “Come to Leigha’s Designer Closet in Kingston and leave looking and feeling great!”

Leigha’s Designer Closet 613.530.7392 leighasdesignercloset@hotmail.com www.leighasdesignercloset.com

TOP L–R MODELS Vera and Melanie, Janet Comis, owner

Buying the Perfect Flat Iron and Tips for Winter Hair

ABOVE L–R Anne Kenny, stylist; Natalie Dafnas, salon manager; and Lisbeth Moiseshyn, stylist

Our irons offer features such as:

Lou Petrie and Marie-Claude Tetrault Owners ECHO Hair Studio 344 Bagot Street Kingston 613.542.5069 echo@echohairstudio.com www.echohairstudio.com

Q. Why would I purchase a flat iron from a salon when I can get one cheaper from a ‘box’ store?

A. For one thing, we have eight different varieties of flat irons in stock to suit our clients’ specific needs. Also, we bring in technical representatives to educate our staff on the usage of each iron.

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Temperature settings from 140 F to 450 F. Some irons have sensors that increase or decrease the temperature automatically, to suit the hair’s texture.

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Heat boost technology. Cushioned plates heat up fast, and the temperature won’t decrease as you glide the iron down long hair, unlike some other irons.

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Auto shutoff/on (some models).

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Tourmaline technology to fight static and frizz.

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Negative ions to lock in moisture.

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Infrared heat to minimize damage.

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Nano Triplex to help eliminate toxins.

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Extra long swivel cords.

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Usability on 80 per cent dry hair — great for women in a hurry (some models).

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Worldwide voltage. Automatically calculates the heater anywhere in the world, using only a plug adapter.

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A two-year warranty.

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A variety of iron “types,” including stick wands, bubble wands, crimpers and ribbon wands.

Our irons make perfect Christmas gifts, and your stylist will be happy to offer some hands on tips during your visit.

Q. If I put semi-permanent colour on my hair a while ago, should I tell my stylist? Is it still there? It says it could be gone in four to six weeks.

A. (Provided by Jaime Foley, stylist) Yes! Even semi-permanent colour stays in the hair cuticle long after the obvious ‘show’ of colour is gone. You should always disclose to your stylist any and all history of colour. The benefit? Even, beautiful, shiny hair.

Q. How can I keep my blonde hair from getting dull and losing its shine?

A. (Provided by Oskar Varela, colourist) To keep your blonde bright and sunny through the winter months, add highlights in two or three shades to your hair. One or two of these tones should be warm.

Sometimes, avoiding violet-based shampoos in the fall/winter, or using a clarifying shampoo to remove product and environmental buildup, will help keep your highlights fresh. Remember, in the winter months, your highlighted hair has a harder time staying bright because of the lack of sun. So adding a toner with a slight warm undertone will maintain a sunny, bright look for you.

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Royal Jewels Kingston Designer Creates Bracelet for Her Royal Highness Princess Anne

BY KATRINA GEENEVASEN

U

nlike other little girls her age, Emily Wojna was never interested in setting up lemonade stands during the warm summer months when school was out. Instead, she took her budding entrepreneurial skills one step further, and with her tiny little hands, would carefully create and sell beaded jewellery.

“I’ve always had a fascination with gemstones and metalwork and working with my hands one way or another,” says Wojna, now 23. “I always knew one way or another I had to stick with it.”

Recently, the young Kingston-area goldsmith got the surprise of her life when she was commissioned by the City of Barrie to design and create a one-ofa-kind piece of jewellery for Her Royal Highness Princess Anne of Edinburgh. “I remember the day that I heard I won, I ran outside and started crying, I was so happy,” recalls Wojna with a nostalgic sigh. “When I found out, I had to sit down and figure out how I was going to make the piece, because I never figured I was going to win.”

She got to work in her backyard studio for more than 11 hours every day for several months, aiming to create a piece that would be beautiful enough to leave a lasting impression on a princess.

Made with all Canadian ingredients, the completed bracelet sparkles with yellow gold, sodalite and diamonds. The stunning

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centre medallion resembles a horse’s bit, reflecting both Wojna’s and Princess Anne’s love of horses, and features the motto “Tenacious and Versatile,” from the Grey and Simcoe County Foresters — a regiment ceremonially led by Princess Anne, who is their Colonel-in-Chief.

The end result is nothing short of breathtaking. “I think it really does reflect Canada and the elegance of the royal family with the rich blue and rich gold colour,” says Wojna. “I am so happy.

When you’re designing something, you’re never sure how it’s going to turn out. It’s always a little different, but it’s better than I could have imagined.”

It’s all happened rather quickly for the young Kingstonian, who just graduated from Georgian College in Barrie this spring. Demand has skyrocketed, with clients clamoring to get their hands on her exclusive, one-of-a-kind creations that are, quite literally, fit for a princess.

Wojna remains earnestly humble, though, and isn’t letting her ego get the best of her.

“I feel like my ego is never going to change because of anything like this, that’s the way I’ve always been, but it definitely makes me feel like I can do anything. It makes me feel like all my hard work has paid off. It makes me happy and proud that I can do something with my hands.”

The sparkle in her eye says it all, though.

“Maybe eventually, I’ll be able to get into designing the royal jewels.”

Emily Wojna Photo by Leanna Dawn Photography

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I remember the day that I heard I won, I ran outside and started crying, I was so happy

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Creating Personalized Jewellery from treasured memories

By Trina annand Photos amanda Garreau

E

veryone has that one piece of inherited jewellery that is full of sentimental value, but isn’t quite their style. Kim Snyder is an expert at reinventing jewellery and creating oneof-a-kind pieces that won’t be simply tucked away in a jewellery box or safe deposit box. At his studio, the goldsmith and sculptor uses his 40 years of experience to create pieces that will be treasured for a lifetime.

“My goal is to take sentimental pieces of jewellery that people don’t wear and turn them into something they love now, something they will wear every day. I love making people’s wildest dreams come true,” remarks Snyder. The second generation jeweller has been working with precious metals and gems since he was 15 years old. At 19, Snyder won the De Beers Diamonds International Award. Decades later, he has the skills to make unique pieces of jewellery and achieve even the most delicate repairs.

By completing the work in-house, rather than sending jewellery out of the city or province, Snyder provides clients with personalized one-on-one service from consultation to completion. If a piece does require specialized work, Snyder finds experts nationally or internationally to achieve the highest quality results for his clients. “The jewellery industry is very conservative; almost cookie cutter in its nature, and the art world is very avantgarde. I strive to create something in between these two worlds: wearable art.

Something that is creative and unique that the wearer will love,” notes Snyder.

A hidden gem tucked away on Barrie Street, Kim Snyder’s studio offers by

appointment only hours, as well as set open hours Thursday to Saturday. The limited hours allow Snyder to achieve the complex results of his artistry. Snyder draws his inspiration from exploring museums and galleries, including Paleolithic art, good industrial design and fashion. With unique textures, coloured gold and gems, the jeweller has the perfect gift for anyone. “There is no thing saying you have to have a big white diamond to indicate you’re engaged.

One-of-a-kind statement pieces can often be more personal and meaningful, like a reinvented ring that has been in the family for generations,” says Snyder.

For Snyder, the customer guides his process with their needs; he has even created a new Chain of Office for the City of Kingston, with elements inspired by the local area. The jeweller dedicates himself to each project; the Chain of Office (a ceremonial chain worn by the city’s mayor in the 19th and most of the 20th century), for example, took five months of 12-hour days. Customer satisfaction is the key to Snyder’s business. “Men often come to the studio nervous about purchases for the woman in their lives. I do my best to calm them down, ask them questions to help make the right purchase. At the end of the day, if it’s not the right piece, they can come back and reselect. I want everyone who leaves here to be happy with their jewellery,” remarks Snyder.

Kim Snyder Goldsmith 402 Barrie Street, Kingston 613.549.0509 kimsnyder.ca RIGHT Kim Snyder, owner

Solace in the city

By Apolline lucyk PhotoS Stephen Wild

I

n the heart of Kingston lies a place of ultimate tranquility and nourishment.

Nestled on the shores of the Cataraqui River, Dolce Bella Spa is a place of solace amid the buzz of the city. Located in the historic 19th century Woolen Mill building, the spa offers visitors a wide array of spa and medaesthetic treatments, all in the spa’s luxuriously furnished rooms. The salon, reception and lounge have the perfect view of one of Ontario’s first and only UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Rideau Canal.

Owner Andy Boyd had been in the spa business for seven years before opening Dolce Bella in 2006, and brought a

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“Dolce Bella Spa is a day spa with a destination spa feel,” remarks Boyd.

People often travel from surrounding cities, provinces and even the nearby New York State, for a relaxing weekend of massages, treatments and hair care services at the spa. For those who wish to make their spa visit a getaway, Dolce Bella staff can recommend a number of exquisite accommodations.

treatments they offer, as well as a Swiss shower, hydrotherapy tub and full hair salon. Their medaesthetic treatments include microdermabrasion, laser hair removal, vascular and pigmented lesion treatments, and endermologie. The Swiss shower is a perfect way to warm up muscles before or after a massage, wrap or scrub, and the hydrotherapy tub provides amazing relaxation. “It has 140 jets that start at the back of your neck, and go all the way down to your ankles and then all the way back to your neck,” explains Boyd.

Alongside classic treatments, Dolce Bella also has a variety of medaesthetic

Every treatment at Dolce Bella Spa goes above and beyond. Their facials, for

wealth of knowledge about treatments and services to Dolce Bella Spa, which sets them apart from others in the area.

instance, do not only treat your face.

While you have the mask on, your spa therapist will give you a hand, foot and arm massage, and put hot towels on your feet. They also give you a mini back massage and spread detoxifying, selfheating mud on your back to complete the experience. Finally, the hair stylists are very creative and will always make sure you leave looking your best.

“We work hard to provide a total body experience,” says Boyd. “Whether you are here for an hour or the full day, it’s our goal to provide a haven where our clients can relax, refresh and rejuvenate.”

And Dolce Bella is just that. From the moment you arrive for a package or multiple services, you are given a robe and slippers to wear during your stay and are invited to relax in the spa’s luxurious lounge between treatments, which has a beautiful view overlooking the river. Many of the larger spa packages also include lunch in the lounge, which is catered by the well-loved River Mill Restaurant, located right within the building.

“We have a really great team here, led by spa director Marilyn Lucy,” comments Boyd. Dolce Bella has spa therapists who do all the spa treatments, from facials to waxing and pedicures; registered massage therapists who do the specialized massage treatments; hair stylists; guest managers and a stellar management team led by Boyd.

What could be better than rejuvenating on the shores of the Rideau at Dolce Bella Spa?

Dolce Bella Spa on the Rideau 8 Cataraqui St Kingston 613.544.1166 www.dolcebellaspa.com info@dolcebellaspa.com | top L–R Andy Boyd, owner; Marilyn Lucy, spa director

REACHING FOR THE STARS

BY TOBIE HAINSTOCK

L

ights! Camera! Action! You’ve been bitten by the bug; now what? For 23 years, Mode Elle Model and Talent Agency has been helping potential models and actors realize their dreams.

After working as a model for several years in Toronto, Montreal and Europe, Audra Anderson and her husband decided to move back to Belleville to raise a family.

Mode Elle opened its doors in 1990, offering a variety of services to clients that assist in the development and enhancement of their modelling or acting careers. “I wanted to give local talent a chance to get started in the industry,” she recalls.

Today, Mode Elle has a wide range of clients from various ages and backgrounds. “We have children from age four to tweens, teens and adults,” comments Anderson, “in fashion, we have everyone; including plus size models.”

How to Get Your Start There are a couple of ways that you can become a Mode Elle student or client.

One evening every week from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the agency offers an information session for those interested in modelling, acting or taking a course for imaging and building self-esteem.

The New Face Audition and Information Seminar begins with a presentation about Mode Elle, their models and actors, and what they look for in potential new faces. They will also talk about what it takes to become a model or actor.

Anderson explains that this audition and information seminar is free to attend and parents must be in attendance for those under the age of 18.

What happens at a New Face Audition and Information Seminar? Anderson explains that when you first arrive you will be given an application form to fill out, indicating whether you are interested in modelling, acting, personal development/self esteem

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RIGHT Audra Anderson, owner

or a career in fashion. Two photos will be taken of you; a headshot and a full length shot. There is a 30-minute information seminar, a PowerPoint presentation, and a short video about how great it is to be a part of the Mode Elle experience. “This is a great opportunity for interested people to learn about what it takes to be a model or actor,” says Anderson. “It’s a good way to decide if it’s really what they are looking for.”

Another way to get started in the industry is through scouting. “My staff and I are always scouting for new people,” says Anderson.

“We’re looking for beautiful people with

beautiful personalities.” She goes on to clarify that models and actors who have positive attitudes get rebooked. “Gone is the day of the diva. Being professional by showing up on time and being prepared for your job is very important.”

Once You’re Selected Once on board with Mode Elle the real fun begins. You will learn how to project positive self-esteem and professionalism.

Walk the runway and study proper posture and confident body language.

Learn how to make a great entrance and command attention just by being present.

Photo movement is important for everyone to learn, but especially so for those wishing to be models. Getting to know your face and the different camera angles also helps to build your confidence.

Acting classes are also available. These classes include lessons in improv.

Anderson points out that this is an important tool because improvisation teaches how to think on one’s feet and project personality.

Being Confident You don’t have to be a model or actor to appreciate Mode Elle’s services. Their confidence-building programs are available to people of all walks of life. Whether you are looking to be a better public speaker, or just wish to project a more confident image in the workplace or community, Model Elle’s programs will help you discover the true gem you really are.

Great for people of all ages, parents have noticed differences in their children. Once shy and bashful, kids are able to make new friends more freely and even display more confidence in the classroom.

Take the Step Whether looking for a career or something fun to do on the side, Mode Elle will assist you in reaching your goals.

Mode Elle Model and Talent Agency is conveniently located in downtown Belleville at 291 Front Street. For more information about how you can make your dream come true, call 613.967.0470 or visit www.mode-elle.ca. That’s a wrap!

Mode Elle Model and Talent Agency 291 Front Street, Belleville 613.967.0470 www.mode-elle.ca

Building the Foundation For YouthFul Skin

By Trina annand

M

any people these days are on a personal quest for the fountain of youth, trying the latest lotion, potions and trends. During his twilight years Mark Twain himself shared a unique view on aging, “Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of 80 and gradually approach 18.” Baring a discovery of mythological proportions, the only way to appear more youthful is to take better care of ourselves. The cosmetic industry is full of products that trumpet age-defying, wrinkle-reducing and skin tone-evening breakthroughs.

Healthy skin doesn’t take a lot of work; it is the simplest tools that make the biggest difference.

For clinical skin care therapist Tricia Dauphinee-Bishop, true skin care miracles are not about covering up aging, but about rejuvenating the skin you have. “So many people think that once the damage is done you have to live with it. I always remind my clients that they are 300 billion cells different than they were yesterday. The body is constantly renewing itself; it’s up to us to nurture and protect those new cells,” notes Dauphinee-Bishop.

Cell Restoration The foundation for a healthy youthful appearance is skin cells and they can only truly be helped with clinical strength products — not over the counter quick fixes. Skin damage is caused by a variety of factors; this damage causes free radicals that can be battled through the use of Vitamin C. The cell-restoring properties of the vitamin were discovered during cancer research; though taking Vitamin C orally had little effect on skin cells, it did help fight certain cancers. What makes Vitamin C effective is finding products that are stabilized, and this means looking for products with United States Pharmaceutical (USP) on the bottle. As a volatile vitamin, it needs to be properly treated so its molecules are small enough to penetrate skin. You don’t get the same effects from simply breaking open a Vitamin C capsule and rubbing it into skin.

Vitamin A Another vitamin powerhouse discovered by the scientific world is Vitamin A. As a skin cell normalizer, it helps create healthy skin cells; it is slightly acidic and can make skin sun-sensitive, which is where sunscreen comes in. Dauphinee-Bishop is quick to point out that like Vitamin C, not all Vitamin A treatments are created equal. “Pharmaceutical-grade products have to prove to Health Canada that their products actually do work.

Over-the-counter products can make all the claims they want.

Vitamin A fights free radicals, helps build collagen and lighten pigmentation, but not necessarily in their over-the-counter product,” remarks Dauphinee-Bishop.

Mineral Makeup There is no single magic ingredient that makes skin reverse the tides of time; it is a combination of habit and product. Though cosmetics such as foundations and concealers claim to have skin soothing properties and moisturizers, they are often to blame for irritation and breakouts that can lead to skin damage. Experts recommend a high quality mineral makeup. As an extension of your skin care regime, mineral makeups are actually good for skin; they don’t harbour bacteria and don’t settle into pores like other makeup products. At Landings Surgical Centre, DauphineeBishop recommends Jane Iredale and Colorescience mineral makeup to her clients, “Mineral makeup actually protects skin.

They are amazing for people with rosacea or acne because it sits on skin like shingles, it doesn’t stick together and cause pore congestion like other products.” When you are done putting on your makeup, it is still important to reapply sunscreen; the expert recommends Sunforgettable from Colorescience. The powder product comes in SPF 30 and 50 and can be applied over makeup.

Cleansers How you take products off at night is just as important as what you put on your face in the morning. Experts often say not to put anything harsher than a cotton ball on your face. With layers of makeup, moisturizer, sunscreen and environmental debris from the day, it is hard to imagine a lowly cotton ball doing the work.

Dauphinee-Bishop only uses the soft side of a baby washcloth on her skin; they dry quickly, are affordable enough that you can use a clean one each time you wash and are designed for tender skin. The most important part of cleansing is time, if you took 30 minutes to put on that face, it is not going to come off with a simple splash of water. Cleansers need to be actively moved around the face for at least two minutes to fully do the job. When deciding on a skin care regime, it is often a professional consultation the makes the most difference. They understand the science behind why skin reacts the way it does. “People spend a fortune on skincare and they waste a lot of money on skincare. You really just need someone who can tell you which products will work best for your skin so you don’t waste time and money. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a moisturizer; it’s better to invest in the pharmaceutical products,” remarks Dauphinee-Bishop. The expert is quick to point out the best thing you can do for your skin is religiously use sunscreen every day, even in winter.

A PlAce of Quiet RetReAt And Reflection Sacred Journeys Healing Arts Centre

By Christina Bergeron Photos stephen Wild

T

o take the first step toward a more physically, emotionally and spiritually balanced you is not always an easy one. Yet, as wellness coach and personal growth expert Cheryl Hiebert demonstrates, this sacred journey does not have to be taken alone. Providing an encouraging, guiding light, Hiebert shows how others can also follow their life’s bliss, and how you too can acquire the ever-elusive inner calm we all desperately yearn for.

Hiebert promotes living who we are at our best, living authentically and in alignment

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with our values. Her work is centred on having more ease in our lives and teaches the benefits of self-healing. She carries out a diverse range of health and wellness healing workshops, which are all ripe for fiery inspiration, self-enlightenment and personal progress. These include her corporate workshops, soon available in 2014, centred around her Journey to Authenticity series. This 10-week series provides the tools necessary to better your life, both personally and professionally, so that your deepest truth and core values finally shine. She also provides retreats, one, two or three days

in length, both within and outside the city of Kingston.

The teaching of Gandhi to, “be the change you want to see in the world” is the core philosophy that has guided this captivating wellness coach throughout her 20-plus years of holistic journeying.

From its profound meaning, Hiebert has drawn the strength needed to lead by example in her daily life pursuits. As such, she continually helps and guides others to be the change they want and need in their lives, and in a way that is completely unique to them.

Living life with passion and purpose is at the forefront of Sacred Journeys, and Hiebert has personally discovered the advantages of self-healing. With that, she intuitively senses how others can also reap the benefits to live happier and healthier lives. By studying alongside some of the very pioneers of the holistic revolution, Hiebert’s approach has been enriched with wisdom and resourcefulness, enabling her to dive inside her holistic toolbox and choose techniques and practices best suited for your own personal needs. You’ll learn how each tool she offers can be used to improve your well-being, reassured with constant support and enthusiasm along the way. For Hiebert, “having solid foundational practices helps support us as we navigate through life’s challenges and obligations” and the journey to wellness is truly about, “finding your bliss.”

By tapping into our innate abilities to self-heal, soon enough the muddy waters of wellness will become clear. Such is the belief Sacred Journeys takes, one connection at a time, sharing knowledge and wisdom through conversation and activity. To discover how to achieve your optimal balance and wellness, talk to Cheryl Hiebert at 613.634.8220, or visit her website at sacred-journeys.ca, and begin your sacred journey to live the life you intended.

Sacred Journeys Healing Arts Centre 654 Barnsley Crescent Kingston 613.634.8220 info@sacred-journeys.ca www.sacred-journeys.ca www.journey2authenticity.com

EXPERTAdvice Foundational Wellness Practices: Navigating your Wellness

Cheryl Hiebert Sacred Journeys Healing Arts Centre 654 Barnsley Crescent Kingston 613.634.8220 info@sacred-journeys.ca www.sacred-journeys.ca www.journey2authenticity.com

I

f you’re feeling overwhelmed with all the healthy lifestyle choices available to you, you’re not alone.

Navigating them can be an arduous task. Ask yourself a few questions as you dive into the muddy waters of wellness. What makes you feel good?

What makes you feel great? What makes you feel amazing?

Having a foundational wellness practice is fundamental in guiding my students and clients. It takes time and

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commitment to move oneself toward wellness. We didn’t get unwell or swing out of balance in a day... it took years — so patience and ease are key elements in the process. Devon Cosgrove R.H.N. recently shared a startling statistic as a guest speaker in one on my workshops: “Only 1.7 per cent of the population is in good health. Everyone else has some kind of chronic issue they are dealing with.” When I reflected on the people in my life and work, I would have to say this is true (and shocking).

Our daily foundational wellness practices are what will sustain us and keep us healthy and grounded as we move through our lives. These practices greatly determine how well we age. If you experience low energy, headaches, little joy, anxiety, depression, or even if you are feeling pretty darn good, it is important to employ good daily habits.

The most recent commercials on TV proclaim, “We spend the last 10 years of our life unwell.” The thought of that

is frightening and is definitely not how I choose to live out my last years. Do you?

In this busy world we swing in and out of balance on a regular basis. Aging parents, career, family, fitness, travel, eating well, and meditation... it all takes time. Having solid foundational practices helps support us as we navigate through life’s challenges and obligations. Life throws us curve balls and the ebb and flow of life is a natural part of the process of living. When we know the pendulum will swing and imbalance is a possibility we can learn to swing back to our practices quickly and with more ease.

It takes time to build your repertoire of wellness practices. Be patient with yourself and have compassion — you are in this for the long haul! It is one step at a time while we decide what works for us and what feels amazing to do. It always feels harder to adopt new healthy habits, doesn’t it? It has been said that if you can do something consistently for

28 days you are well on your way to a firmly established habit. When it comes to eating, taste buds in your mouth (tongue) literally change and your body begins to crave the healthier food you have been consuming. Your body will also begin to miss exercise when you don’t take the time.

A few of my daily practices are: I take a few minutes before I get out of bed to say to myself, “I create my day.” I repeat a few positively worded statements to motivate myself instead of jumping out of bed in a hurry. It creates a more peaceful day for me. I do a little Reiki self-treating as I am waking up. Then I do my five-minute energy routine while I’m having some water with lemon. I make a smoothie and meditate anywhere from five to 30 minutes, for sure. I participate in some form of exercise (walking, yoga, running, spin class) every single day.

Before I go to bed I meditate again and do some self-treating with Reiki for a longer period. I do some eye exercises,

repeat some affirmations and fall asleep.

Our daily routines must easily fit into our schedules, be specific to individual needs, and resonate with our truth.

Here are the areas to consider when observing where and how we are out of balance or unwell. I’ve also listed some very basic questions to assist you in recognizing where you may need to focus.

Physically: Are you overweight or out of shape? What do you do daily as your form of exercise? Consider foods you are eating; and when and how you are eating them? Does your body need additional nutritional support through supplementation?

Mentally and emotionally: Are you happy or sad, optimistic or pessimistic?

Are you laughing enough and having fun? Do you feel stimulated or bored?

Spiritually: What is your spiritual practice or faith? What do you believe in? What

sustains you? Are you searching? Is this aspect of you being nourished or requiring more information?

I saw this quote on Facebook recently: “Food is the most abused anxiety drug and exercise is the most underutilized.”

There is so much truth in that statement.

Take a few moments right now and reflect on what you do daily for your wellness. What makes your heart sing, your body feel vibrant and healthy, and your mind challenged and captivated?

What is ONE thing you can do right now — TODAY — to shift your daily routine in the direction of wellness? You are worth it. I am considered an expert in the field of mind, body spirit wellness.

Let me know how I can help you move in the direction of your own fabulous wellness practice.

If you would like to receive regular articles, you can sign up for my weekly newsletter/ ezine on the homepage of my website.

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Perfect Skin and LuxuriouS ServiceS

By Trina annand PhotoS STephen Wild

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e all know that true beauty is not merely skin deep, but we continue to use cosmetics and skincare products without considering the possibility of harmful chemicals being inside them. At Perfetta Skin Therapy & Medi-Spa, sisters Kristine Barker and Amber Ferguson ensure a luxury spa experience, while using the best organic skincare products.

Perfetta’s clients can enjoy a full-service spa with extraordinary service.

“You can really tell the difference between someone who is just doing their job and someone who loves their job. At Perfetta we love our jobs and sharing the secrets of healthy beautiful

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skin. We want to make our clients feel beautiful and happy when they leave our spa,” remarks Barker. The spa’s specialty is their 90-minute facial, which is unlike any other facial many clients have ever experienced and is an affordable $90.

The facial consists of several different treatments to rejuvenate skin and includes a scalp, neck, shoulder, arm, hand and foot massage. Clients leave feeling relaxed and refreshed. The facial is so popular that it is part of Perfetta’s monthly special which includes the facial and another spa treatment.

“We developed a passion for organic skincare. People are always thinking about what they eat, they don’t think

about what chemicals they are putting on their skin. Anything placed directly on the skin is absorbed into your bloodstream, why wouldn’t you be concerned about that?” asks Barker. At Perfetta, the skincare specialists devote their time to teach customers how to properly read labels so they can make the best choices for themselves.

Offering skincare products from Hungarian company Éminence, Perfetta supports the company’s objectives for superior organic skincare and environmental consciousness. Éminence is committed to global well-being by using environmentally-friendly packaging, green energy solutions

and planting a tree for every product sold. Perfetta believes so much in their products that they offer free skincare consultations and samples, as well as testers for every product they sell, so clients can try before they buy. Éminence is not only healthy and ecologicallyfriendly but, affordable and effective as well.

The spa’s staff are experts in skin treatment and carry a Biodynamic line specially created for highly sensitive skin, including people that have thinning or damaged skin. There is an Éminence product for everyone and with a selection of more than 100 products, Perfetta can customize a skincare regimen specifically for each client’s unique skin. Perfetta also offers a variety of laser treatment services. Through this technology clients can receive laser hair removal, skin tightening, rejuvenation and acne treatments. The Light Heat Energy Machine is both FDA and Health Canada approved, which means the technology and results are proven effective.

“Beauty represents how people take care of themselves and how they feel about themselves. Everyone wants to feel beautiful. It is important to address beauty inside and out,” notes Barker.

With a registered massage therapist and CranioSacral therapy, Perfetta offers clients a truly relaxing experience, including manicures, pedicures, body scrubs and organic peels. The talented staff can even provide a one-hour makeup class, make-up applications for a special event or just when a client wants to feel special. With a wide selection of treatments and little luxuries, Perfetta provides the perfect escape for a quick lunchtime facial or a day-long pampering experience.

Perfetta Skin Therapy & Medi-Spa Suite #2, 725 Arlington Park Place, Kingston 613.389.2226 www.perfettaskin.com ABoVE L–R Sharon Stacey, craniosacral therapist; Kristine Barker and Amber Ferguson, owners; Kelly Cordeiro, esthetician; Joy Noble, reception Missing Marie Loignon Picken, registered massage therapist

Graham’s Pharmacy is your ToTal care ParTner

BY Katrina Geenevasen Photos stephen Wild

L

ocated in the heart of Kingston’s historic Springer Market Square, Graham’s Pharmacy takes its customers back in time with an apothecary-like atmosphere.

Solid oak panels line the walls, while graceful chandeliers lend a calming vibe to the unique downtown pharmacy.

David Graham, owner and lead pharmacist, wanted to enhance the oldworld charm the 1800s-era building has to offer, so he filled the former bank

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with antiques and painted the walls a warm yellow.

“When customers walk in, they feel like it’s a throw back in time with the wood and antiques,” says Graham, a born and raised Kingstonian. “We went to great lengths not to make it the usual white, aluminum and sterile environment modern pharmacies tend to use. It’s more of a warm, welcoming environment. It’s in keeping with everything else in the interior. After moving into the building, we knew how historical it was and its

location in Kingston, and realized that there was no point in trying to modernize the look and feel of it.”

The former bank manager’s office has been transformed into a comfortable sitting room for customers, offering the warmth of a fireplace and stacks of magazines and newspapers on side tables. One modern luxury that does exist, however, is a large wall-mounted television in the waiting area playing the news and local weather channels.

On the other side of the pharmacy, a private and secure consultation room offers customers the chance to take advantage of the pharmacy’s one-on-one approach.

“We want to have more of a focus on face time with the clients, and ask questions to see how they are doing,” says Graham.

“When you walk in here, we’re hoping to make this an experience. It’s not just a medications pick up. “It’s like the Cheers of pharmacies, where we go to great lengths to know your name, your history and how you’re doing.

“We’re just trying to be the Cadillac of community pharmacies,” he continued, pointing out the stained oak shelves that are neatly stocked with everything typically found in a pharmacy.

Graham differentiates himself and his pharmacy by being the only pharmacy owned and operated by a certified diabetes educator, a specialized credential few pharmacists have.

“We are constantly reaching out to the diabetic community trying to inform them of our unique services and education sessions for diabetics,” he says.

The distinctive service model comes from Graham’s late father, who was the CEO of Hotel Dieu Hospital for nearly 25 years.

“My dad’s whole motto was to treat everybody like family,” says Graham. “I witnessed that service model growing up, and if you treat everyone like that, people will enjoy being here as it makes it a pleasant environment to work and shop in. His legacy lives on through this pharmacy’s treatment of others.”

It’s proven to be a solid business plan so far. “Month after month, our customer base has been increasing, and it has been great so far. We’re very excited to be doing this. And we’re very privileged to be in this building. It’s a part of the city’s history, and we’re very fortunate to be a part of that.”

Graham’s Pharmacy 328 King Street East 613.542.4111 www.grahamspharmacy.ca RIGHT David Graham, owner

“Simple and Beautiful” 1000 Islands Soap Company’s All-Natural Creations

BY REBECCA SCHNEIDEREIT PHOTOS STEPHEN WILD

S

ome customers follow their noses from Brock Street or Princess Street to 1000 Islands Soap Company, says owner Jackie Marshall — lured by the scents emanating from the King Street storefront. When visitors enter the shop, they’ll discover that the boutique looks as lovely as it smells, with antique décor that conjures a nostalgic, whimsical atmosphere. “[It] brings a lot of memories to many of my customers,” says Marshall.

Across every surface — tables, countertops, drying racks — are scattered 1000 Island Soap Company’s

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wares: not only soaps, but bath salts and scrubs, facial care products, lotions and oils, soy candles, aluminum-free deodorant, and more. And although 1000 Islands Soap Company offers an array of merchandise, “all our product is all-natural,” says Marshall, free of artificial colours and scents.

Marshall herself handcrafts the merchandise. “I do it right in front of you,” she smiles. “It’s a live show… we make products right onsite.” She also oversees the packaging. “I bottle my own [products], and I also design my own labels.” Often, the ingredients are

sourced close to home: “[I] use a lot of herbs from my garden.”

Each of 1000 Islands Soap Company’s scents has its own appeal. “Lavender is very relaxing,” Marshall says; lemongrass, meanwhile, possesses anti-insect properties. “It all depends on what you want.” Some scents rotate by season; autumn’s pumpkin spice gives way to tantalizing holiday aromas such as gingersnap and vanilla walnut.

Speaking of the holidays, 1000 Islands Soap Company is a first-rate source of stocking stuffers; custom Christmas

baskets are also available. “[Customers] put in whatever they want, and I do a free wrapping,” Marshall says. For internet shoppers, 1000 Islands Soap Company also offers a comprehensive online boutique: shipping on orders above $99 is complimentary.

The shop also carries a number of formulations for smaller groups. “There’s a special line that I’ve designed for people that have eczema… and also [a product for] psoriasis,” Marshall says.

Furthermore, “I designed a muscle rub for my mother-in-law that has become our number one seller… it’s not just for pain.

It’s excellent for headaches… colds… activities outside.” Another of Marshall’s specialties is age-specific products. “I have a full line for the baby.” She also makes “belly butter” for mothers-to-be, a “zit zapper,” and even hot flash spray.

Custom orders are welcome at 1000 Islands Soap Company, where Marshall crafts bath bombs and soaps using a local winery’s vintages (the winery sells her creations themselves). Also, Marshall adds, “I made limestone soap for the Kingston information Centre.”

Individual customers, too, can specialorder product ingredients or types — Marshall will even create custom labels on request.

Well-being — both that of her customers, and of Kingston in general — is important to Marshall, who makes a point of “giving back” through means like breast cancer prevention initiatives, the food bank, and the Rotary Club. While creating the Company’s products, Marshall is happy to converse with clients. “I can give them a little bit of education on what we use in our products, and why,” she says. After all, 1000 Islands Soap Company’s philosophy is one everybody will understand: “I keep it simple and beautiful.”

1000 Islands Soap Company 339 King Street East, Kingston 613.546.1700 www.1000islandssoapco.com

TOP LEFT Jennifer Saunders TOP RIGHT Jackie Marshall, owner

Creative expression in a UniqUe spaCe

By Trina annand Photos STephen Wild

C

reativity flourishes when nurtured at a young age; as a result, children are capable of great achievement. At Rhythm Dance Center [RDC], the experienced team of instructors helps children and adults alike attain their creative potential and just have fun with an active lifestyle.

“When I teach children they are not only learning to dance, but how to grow as individuals and how to express

themselves. It’s a beautiful thing to see a child grow up and to be able to support them along the way,” notes owner and instructor Melissa Ward. Introduced to dance at a young age, Ward quickly developed a passion for it and still devotes time to learning new things to share with her students. After teaching for 17 years, Ward was presented with the opportunity to own her own dance studio and I’ve Got Rhythm School of Dance became RDC. The transformation

ensures the same great staff and facility are maintained, as well as their signature creative atmosphere.

The largest dance facility in the city at 8,000 square feet, the space is designed with family integration in mind. The waiting area has large windows, where parents can view their children’s progress in one of three separate studio spaces, and a play corner for the smallest guests. A large kitchen and dining area

function as both a place to grab a meal in between classes and to do homework during a busy day. The clean inviting space features separate change rooms and newly renovated bathrooms as well.

With specially-built sprung flooring that absorbs shock, preventing injury to dancer’s knees, hips and leg muscles, the studio is looking to a dancer’s future.

our students, from those taking one class a week to those taking 10 or more. We work with ADAPT Syllabus in jazz and tap and BATD Syllabus in ballet. Students have the opportunity to take exams to progress to the next level,” says Ward.

They offer a wide selection of dance styles for kids, including jazz, ballet, hip hop and acrodance, tap, lyrical, contemporary, predance, jumps and turns, as well as adult classes. At the end of the year students get the opportunity to perform a full scale production complete with makeup, costumes and lighting for their family and friends. The dance studio promotes a professional atmosphere with a dress code that allows students to truly feel like dancers and can better learn proper forms. Children as young as three can come to RDC and experience dance classes that promote coordination and creative movement. “We are a family oriented business. We strike a balance between learning, competition and friendship. Above all, we want our students to have fun,” notes Ward.

Rhythm Dance Center 45 County Road 6, Amherstview 613.766.1515 rhythmdancecenter.ca | “Being involved in dance can do amazing things for children beyond just dancing.

Dance teaches kids respect and dedication, gives them social involvement, provides good exercise and makes them more aware of the health of their body,” remarks Ward.

At RDC, the team creates a fun family atmosphere with the opportunity to be invited to join a more competitive dance group. Constantly winning awards for team spirit and skill, the group competes four times a year. The school also provides intensive summer programs for dancers looking to focus their skills. “We work to nurture the love of dance in every one of

TOP Stephanie Perrier, Tenay Bartzis, Sarah Burtch, Megan MacHattie, Melissa Ward, Eliza Becker, Kayla Craig, Christine Howson, Lindsay Kaye

2012

Newsweek 15 LEADERS SHOWCASE

BARIATRIC SURGERY

Dr. Pompa was recognized as a World Leader in Bariatric Surgery in Newsweek Magazine TM

ONE OF THE TOP 10 BARIATRIC HOSPITALS IN THE WORLD A Canadian First, Weight Loss Forever Achieves Center of Excellence designation

By Karin Melberg Schwier

By Karin Melberg Schwier

A

fter a grueling two-year review by the American Surgical Review Corporation, Weight Loss Forever (WLF)’s hospital was designated as an International Bariatric Center of Excellence, one of only 18 in the world . WLF met and exceeded stringent requirements and was awarded in three areas: the hospital, the surgeon, and the bariatric program.

Melanie Wildman, President & CEO of WLF, says, “We’re a world-renowned bariatric hospital with exceedingly high standards, excellent patient care and compassionate support. What is at stake is our patients’ health and well being, and our license. It’s our dedication to our patients that make us one of the top 10 bariatric hospitals in the world,” she adds.

WLF’s Chief Bariatric Surgeon is Mayo Clinic-trained Dr. Liza Pompa, MD, Ph.D, AFACS. She is board-certified in the United States and is the first female in the world to be awarded “Surgeon of Excellence” and was recently recognized in Newsweek Magazine as a leader in bariatric surgery.

WLF encourages people to do careful research and has developed the guide How to Research Your Surgeon. Patient safety is the primary consideration.

Their state-of-the-art hospital and medical staff are held to rigorous standards and unannounced, independent inspections, which is the only way for patients to know if their surgeon or hospital is legitimate and safe.

Obesity is the #1 preventable cause of death in Canada. According to the Canadian Medical Association, diet and exercize have not proven to be effective in the treatment of severe obesity. Research shows weight loss surgery is the only permanent and effective treatment of obesity. WLF’s award winning program gives patients the the tools they need to achieve long-term success - a safe surgery is just one part of a life-long solution.

“The risks of bariatric surgery are lower when performed in specialized high-volume centres of excellence” Dr. Mehran Anvari, President of the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons Postmedia News, November 11, 2012

Call 1-877-306-8891

www.weightlossforever.ca facebook.com/WLForever

“Being a surgeon myself, I understood I the surgery I was about to have... and I was very pleased!�

Dr. Jackie Taylor, Nipawin, Saskatchewan

Relax & Enjoy

our beautiful hospital and hotel

A

ll medical care is provided onsite: Ultrasound, x-rays, bloodwork, surgery and recovery. Our hospital features a full intensive care unit, gorgeous state-of-the-art custom-designed and patented operating rooms specially designed for bariatric and cosmetic patients, as well as a radiology department to ensure the highest standards in patient safety.

Our patients are attended by doctors throughout their stay and our specially-trained faciltators are with each patient, each step of the journey.

In addition to our prestigious designation as an International Center of Excellence, we are also rated the #1 private bariatric center in the state and one of the top 10 centers in the world: www.weightlossforever.ca

What You Need to Know About Cosmetic Surgery Research Your Surgeon

Not all surgeons are are created equal or have the same level of training or experience. Think about the game of golf – a weekend golfer will never make the PGA. Plastic surgeons are the same – the more procedures they have done with excellent results, the better their overall outcomes will be. It is also critical that you know their credentials. Verify that they have the training they are claiming and ensure your plastic surgeon is Board Certified. Seeing a certificate is not enough – always check directly!

See Real Examples of Their Work

If you are thinking about a facelift, ask for pictures of facelifts that your surgeon has actually done. If you are thinking about breast augmentation, ask to see pictures of breast augmentations. Be thorough in your research, after all – this is your body we are talking about!

Talk to Real Patients

It’s one thing to see beautiful before and after photos – but what do the people who have actually been through it have to say about their experience? How was the care?

How well did the surgeon explain the procedures, risks and outcomes with them?

How did they feel about their follow up care?

Would they do it again? Would they recommend their surgeon to their own family?

Be Prepared

Leading up to your procedure, take extra care to eat healthy, fresh, low sugar foods that are high in protein. Make sure to drink lots of water and exercise – the healthier you are, the faster your recovery and the better your results will be. And read everything you can about the procedures you are considering. Knowledge is power!

re

befo

Carol Caron’s

Story

After Caro l’s Facelift

“Meeting Dr. Rodas in person to discuss my concerns and my hopes helped me relax and completely trust him,” says Carol. “My husband, Lloyd was with me and he was so impressed with everyone and how they all responded immediately to any questions or concerns he had, too.

Dr. Rodas included him and asked his thoughts when options were outlined.”

Any regrets? Not one! “Lloyd says he can't believe that he is lucky enough to hang out with such a young sexy chick,” laughs Carol. More importantly, she says, “I think I look and feel so much younger - a smaller version of myself at 40.”

Fill out the “Am I A Candidate Form” to Find out if you qualify www.weightlossforever.ca

Put YOU First!

This is your time to pamper YOU! Have someone else cook for you, relax and take it easy. You just had surgery – and your body needs to heal – Doctors Orders! This is a wonderful opportunity to slow down your busy life and find some balance, serenity and ‘you’ time.

facebook.com/WLForever

Dr. Rodas Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Take a Virtual Tour & See Our Hospital

www.weightlossforever.ca

REGINA | SASKATOON | CALGARY | LETHBRIDGE | FREDERICTON

1-877-306-8891 50

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Find out why we are rated one of the best hospitals in the world!

Dr. le Roux

Physician, heal thyself – with help from WLF I’m a family physician. Like many of my patients, I have struggled with weight for a long time, despite trying many diets and exercise to lose weight. I had hypertension, daily heartburn and shortness of breath with any exertion. As a physician, I knew well the health risks of obesity.

Melanie and Dr. Pompa have changed many lives. Now I have had over 100 of my own patients who had surgery through WLF. Having gone through the weight loss surgery myself makes a huge difference in how I counsel patients struggling with obesity.

I understand what hard work it is to go through this process, but patients can also see the difference it made in me. I can more easily discuss with patients my experience with Dr. Pompa and her staff at the hospital. I am also able to help patients through the post op stages. It brings me great joy to see the trust that patients have in me when they realize that I was a patient myself.

It feels good to have patients and friends compliment me on how well I look now. I enjoy having more energy and being able to exercise without limitation. Going up and down stairs is easy!

It is wonderful to be off my blood pressure medication, to have no heartburn (which I had daily before!) and to have a normal cholesterol level again.

Surgery seems like a drastic procedure to lose weight, but doing it with the support of the team at WLF and Dr. Pompa, this has been a success when nothing else worked before.

I am forever grateful for this opportunity to improve my life and health, and to continue to support and counsel my patients who struggle with obesity.

Dr. le

Roux

befo

re

www.weightlossforever.ca

A Medi sPA in the heArt of downtown Kingston Advanced Therapeutic Skin Care Centre

By Tori STafford Photos amanda Garreau

F

rom a young age, we learn that first impressions are important. A kind word, a good handshake and a big smile go a long way.

treatments and practices emerging in the ever-changing world of skin care.

Julia Sloan knows this all too well.

Because of this, Sloan has learned the best practices, and offers a variety of complete and concise analyses, treatments and procedures. Whether you want to know the detailed science behind a persistent, annoying skin condition, or you just want to lie back and have your smile brightened in 15 minutes, Sloan can offer you solutions.

downtown Kingston, it’s hard to believe you are just steps away from the rush and excitement of Princess Street. With a sense of serenity, as well as a sense of humour, Sloan is quick to point out some of the cutting edge technologies she offers — Environ, an intensive, deep-penetrating vitamin A skin care regime; Smile FX, a teeth whitening system developed by dentists and pharmacists; and an array of outpatient procedures overseen by both a nurse and medical doctor.

For more than 20 years, Sloan has studied and tested many of the different

Inside Sloan’s Advanced Therapeutic Skin Care Centre, a medi spa in the heart of

But she is even quicker to point out where everything starts in her spa: with the client.

But somewhere between the perfect handbag and the latest trends in jewelry or shoes, men and women alike often overlook one of the most important accessories of their self-image: skin care.

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“The first thing we do is a very detailed consultation and skin analysis,” says Sloan.

“If you’re coming in for Smile FX, we create a file first documenting your teeth with a specific grading system, so that we have a baseline. That way, we can see the improvements made, and how they hold up over time.”

The main focus of Sloan’s services is skin care.

“Acne, rosacea — people believe these are skin conditions, but they’re not. They are skin diseases and diseases that cannot be eradicated” says Sloan.

“But they can be treated and controlled.

And that’s what we do here.”

Sloan is specific in the type of treatment her clinic and medi spa offers, pointing out the options a client with skin disease faces.

“There are two treatment options for these diseases: One way is with medicine, and the other way is with nutrients,” she explains.

“What we deal with here is treatment through nutrients.”

While Sloan offers a variety of skin enhancements and procedures, such as Botox injections, varicose and spider vein removal, and skin tag removal, Sloan says the first means to ensuring a client is happy with their skin and face is looking at their skin condition.

“The skin analysis is a very important first step. Often times, people just want an enhancement, but we are very honest with our clients,” says Sloan.

“For an enhancement to have the effect you want, your skin has to be in good shape. We do all of that here. We’ll ensure a client’s skin is in good shape, work with them to get it there, and then look at the possibility of enhancement.”

If a client does decide to undergo an enhancement procedure, Advanced Therapeutic Skin Centre offers some of the latest breakthroughs in cutting edge technology.

For just over a year now, Sloan has offered her clients Selphyl treatments,

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Advanced Therapeutic Skin Care Centre would like to offer a featured product promotion to Fine Lifestyles readers.

Purchase an Environ skin care package, which includes: an Advanced Vitamin Skin Therapy (AVST) cleansing lotion, an AVST moisturizing toner, plus an AVST moisturizer customized in an individual treatment plan, and you’ll receive on AVST hydrating exfoliant mask

free!

an incredible technology that uses the patients’ own DNA to rejuvenate their skin through injection procedures.

Selphyl is a process in cosmetic surgery whereby platelets are extracted from the patient’s own blood. Blood is drawn from the patient’s arm, and then spun in a centrifuge to separate the “PRP,” which is then injected back under the patient’s skin to fill out wrinkles, bumps or sagging.

“What it truly offers is an all-natural way to achieve a desired enhancement. It’s also incredibly natural-looking! A client leaves here looking like themselves, and that’s hugely important.”

Selphyl has, in fact, been used in orthopaedic procedures for many years.

Perhaps most famously, Sloan pointed out, golfer Tiger Woods has been reported to have had platelet-rich plasma applied after sustaining an injury that left him laid up in 2011.

“Because it naturally heightens the healing, regenerative and rejuvenating process, he was back on the course in a matter of weeks,” Sloan says of plateletrich plasma.

Sloan offers traditional fillers as well, including Dysport, Botox and Restylane.

“Fillers have their place,” says Sloan.

“But skin condition is of the utmost importance. That’s No. 1.”

Sloan says that her concern for skincare developed when she became interested in her own skin condition, and began studying the science of skin in the 1980s. We all age, but how we age is up to the individual. This is all about taking care of ourselves.

That’s not to say that making the decision to take proper care of ones skin is all there is to it. It’s a commitment, Sloan explains, but one that is very important, and one she is happy to coach her clients through every step of the way.

“Skin is the largest organ that makes up the human body. It is exposed to the elements, and it is exposed to the world,” she expressed.

“You can have all the facelifts, procedures and latest products, but if your skin isn’t in good condition, well-balanced and healthy, it shows.”

Like the same handbag made from highquality Italian leather will always look better and outlast its cheaper, flimsier knock-off, great skin cannot be faked.

And having great skin is the first step to putting your best face forward, and making that perfect first impression, every time.

“When people have healthy skin, it‘s easier for them to be happy in their appearance,” Sloan says.

“That’s what we do here. We work with people to ensure they are happy in their own skin.”

Advanced Medi Spa 388 King Street E Kingston 613.546.5722 www.advancedtscc.com

PICTURED Julia Sloan, owner

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Symphonic Sounds Kingston symphony Launches 2013/2014 season

By Katrina Geenevasen photos Stephen Wild

I

f music is the way to the soul, the Kingston Symphony is right on track.

Celebrating 60 years of harmony, the symphony has successfully established itself as a beacon of culture and grace in the Limestone City. This year will be no different.

Encompassing the full spectrum of musical tastes, there is plenty on offer for even the most discerning of musical palates.

From the Masterworks Series, which features six unforgettable performances, to the Pop Series, which promises four musically-filled Saturday nights, music director Glen Fast has ensured a noteworthy assortment of live music performances for this special milestone season. A series of special concerts rounds out the selection.

“It’s like a huge puzzle that came together,” says Fast of this year’s concert selection process. “It’s a very involved process to come up with a season that

really works, that looks good, feels good, and is going to be appealing to the public.”

“Every concert is like putting together a dinner,” he continued, “the first course, main course, desserts. You really want to come up with a combination of music that makes sense as a whole.”

The season kicked off with a rousing start in late September, presenting two giants of classical music — Beethoven and Brahms — with the astonishing talent of world-famous violinist Scott St. John.

It was only the beginning of what’s to become an incredible milestone year.

Nov. 9 will unleash the gusto of Orff’s Carmina Burana, bringing together the talents of more than 200 musicians on stage for this unforgettable musical experience. Cirque de la Symphonie follows, presenting Kingstonians of all ages with a production that combines the magic of Cirque with popular classics performed by the orchestra on Nov. 23.

“It’s a perfect opportunity to bring kids to the Grand Theatre,” says Fast. “They will be amazed by the Cirque performers, but also be amazed by the orchestra.

It’s a great family event that we’re really hoping is successful.”

The Christmas season will bring Mozart and Beethoven to life with guest conductor Giuseppe Pietraroia on Dec. 1, followed the always-popular Candlelight Christmas at St. Georges Cathedral on Dec. 17 and 18.

“There is snow on the ground, and you have walked by City Hall and people are skating and there is just a magical feeling when people go into the cathedral,” says Fast. “It’s a great way to finally nail down the Christmas spirit, the holiday spirit.”

The New Year will usher in Lights, Camera… Music on Jan. 18, giving audiences the opportunity to relive musical moments from some of Hollywood’s most beloved movies. February offers audiences

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the chance to be awed by Mahler, Ravel and Dvorak as the symphony welcomes back Jan Lisiecki, who has been heralded as one of the greatest pianists of our time.

Later that month, Discover the Symphony will help children learn about the world of classical music. On March 2, Brahms, Mozart and Elgar will wow audiences, as will Mozart’s Requiem on March 23.

“It goes way beyond words,” says Fast of this touching composition. “If you’re worried about your own mortality, or if you lost somebody that’s been a big part of your life, the function of this music is to make it alright.”

Sweet and Hot, featuring New York talent Andy Stein, takes place on March 29, giving audiences the chance to hear a musician that has performed with the likes of Bob Dylan and Emmylou Harris.

April closes out the symphony’s season with Brahms, Schumann and Tchaikovsky on April 13 and David Rogers’ Broadway, My Way, which features a selection of Frank Sinatra hits, on April 26.

This season is not only a great way to celebrate 60 wonderful years, says Fast, it’s a great way to usher in the next 60. “The symphony is a great tradition in Kingston … and Kingston, well, it’s a great city. I really appreciate living here, and I think what makes it special is the entertainment scene, which is really happening. I’m proud and happy to be part of it.”

It’s a bittersweet time for Fast, who, come April, is bidding adieu to the symphony as its music director after 23 years. “It’s hard,” says Fast, as he reflects on his departure. “I have my head pretty much in the sand. I haven’t really dealt with it.”

He points out that he’s not technically retiring; he hopes to continue to work with the orchestra and travel more to work with other orchestras. But after more than two decades of creating the mould of what the orchestra is, he says the mould needs to be broken. “It needs to be renewed. The lid needs to come off and things need to happen, and hopefully, people notice changes.”

To learn more about the symphony line up, and about their Backstage Pass Program for those under 35, visit www.kingstonsymphony.on.ca.

KINGSTON ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR Winter 2013-2014

NOVEMBEr–DECEMBEr November 23 The Kingston Symphony presents Cirque de la Symphonie The Grand Theatre

November 30 Lee Harvey Osmond featuring Tom Wilson The Mansion

November 26 Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal The Grand Theatre

December 1 The Kingston Symphony presents Mozart & Beethoven The Grand Theatre

November 27 Colin James The Grand Theatre

December 2 Frank Mills “A Music Box Dancer” Christmas The Grand Theatre

November 28 The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, The Grand Theatre

December 3 Manhattan Transfer The Grand Theatre

November 28 – December 14 Blithe Spirit Domino Theatre

December 4-8 Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, in Concert The Baby Grand Theatre

November 29 Trailer Park Boys featuring ricky, Julian, Bubbles, randy and Mr. Lahey The Grand Theatre

December 5 An Evening With the Kruger Brothers Sydenham Street United Church

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JANuAry–FEBruAry

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December 5-14 The Sound of Music St. Andrews Presbyterian Church

December 21 Paul Langlois – The Not Guilty Tour The Grand Theatre

December 8 Dancing With Easter Seals Stars The Kingston Banquet and Conference Centre

December 22 Leahy Family Christmas The Grand Theatre

December 11 – December 14 The Lion In Winter The Baby Grand Theatre

January 8-25 Nine The Baby Grand Theatre

December 14 A Quartette Christmas The Grand Theatre

January 9-25 Domino Theatre presents Visiting Mr. Green The Davies Foundation Auditorium

December 17-18 The Kingston Symphony presents A Candlelight Christmas St. George’s Cathedral

January 15 Debra DiGiovanni: The Late Bloomer Tour The Grand Theatre

December 19-20 Ballet Jörgen – The Nutcracker The Grand Theatre

January 16-19 Cirque Du Soleil: Varekai Rogers K-Rock Centre

January 22 Jim Belushi & Chicago Board of Comedy The Grand Theatre

February 3 SPANK! The 50 Shades Parody Grand Theatre

January 25 Blackie & the rodeo Kings The Grand Theatre

February 6-9 Feb Fest Various locations, Downtown Kingston

January 28 Hair The Grand Theatre

February 7 ron James: Take No Prisoners Grand Theatre

January 29 – February 15 Theatre Kingston presents red Baby Grand Theatre

February 8 Dean Brody Rogers K-Rock Centre

January 30 The Barenaked Ladies Rogers K-Rock Centre

February 22 Blue rodeo Rogers K-Rock Centre

January 31 roseanne Cash Grand Theatre

February 26 Chicago Rogers K-Rock Centre

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Gala

Crystal Ball Highlights the Talent of Local Students

By Katrina Geenevasen Photos stephen Wild

D

ripping with crystal and glittering with deep gold and reds, the Rogers K-Rock Centre was transformed on Oct. 19 for the third annual Crystal Ball Gala.

The much-anticipated black-tie event was hosted by and for the Limestone Learning Foundation. Its goal, since being founded in 1999, has been to enhance public education by raising money for unique and creative learning opportunities in the areas of literacy, numeracy, science and technology, the arts, and innovative practice.

This year was no different. In keeping with the high-profile event, a plethora of celebrities, including three members from The Tragically Hip and local singer Emily Fennell, volunteered their time to mentor young students eager to find their way in the musical, visual arts and culinary worlds.

Over the years, the foundation has granted more than $1.3 million to over 500 projects at elementary and secondary schools and education centres throughout the Limestone District.

“I am really proud to be a part of The Crystal Ball,” says Paul Langlois, guitarist with The Tragically Hip. “It is an extremely unique event that not only raises money for much needed projects within our schools, but also creates once-in-a-lifetime experiences for so many kids. From my vantage point I get to see the empowering effect it has on the participating students — and that is priceless.”

In its short lifespan, the star-studded gala has become known as the largest single fundraising event in the region. In 2011, the event raised more than $110,000 for the foundation.

This mentorship was a once in a lifetime opportunity for the students who were chosen to take part, says Leslie Myles, managing director of the Limestone Learning Foundation.

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CLOCKWISE Paige Rombough, Olivia Hughes and Greg Ball. Owen Darrah. Spencer Evans and Kieran Labbe. Paul Langlois, Sierra Da Slilva and Daniel Howells

“There’s nothing else like this in Kingston,” says Myles. “Obviously there are a lot of great things that happen in this city that help and give back. But these mentorships give back in so many ways. It’s giving back to the kids and the mentors at the same time. The mentors get as much out of this as the kids do, and everyone is learning.

“Things happen from this one chance, this one opportunity,” she continued, her eyes filling with tears.

Hundreds of students from Grades 6 to 11 uploaded photos, paintings, drawings and musical auditions to be considered for this year’s gala. The 24 chosen students that attend 14 schools from across the district were announced at a press conference that took place earlier this year.

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Organizers were blown away at the professionalism the students showed from the very beginning. “I’ve been really amazed at the poise and the professionalism of the kids,” says Langlois. “They came ready, they worked hard. They recognized that this was a really great opportunity for them.

So they took it very seriously. And they are so appreciative, not only of the time that their mentor put in, but the community as well.”

For Langlois, nothing quite compares to the opportunities that the mentorships give to the students. “The Crystal Ball is breathing life into the Limestone Learning Foundation’s mandate of learning by doing,” she says. “The actual fundraising event is creating creative learning processes for kids. Not all the extras that we used to have when I was in school are funded anymore, and I think that kids don’t learn one way.

It’s one thing to be shown how to do something, it’s quite another to actually do it. Because as we all know, that’s the real way you learn things.”

Rob Mooy, veteran photojournalist, was keen to take part in the mentorship program. “The Crystal Ball Gala is one of the largest single fundraising events in the city, designed to spotlight the talents of many Limestone District School Board students,” says Mooy, who has worked in Kingston for more than 25 years. “It was such a success last year. At that time, my thoughts went to how I could share my knowledge and love of photojournalism with a few students. A few words of encouragement could lead to a lifelong career for some of these kids.”

TOP LEFT Rebecca Hillis. TOP RIGHT Shelby Plumridge.

BOTTOM Host Bill Welychka with recipiants

Throughout the summer, the students were hard at work with their mentors, recording their performances from The Tragically Hip’s recording studio in Bath for a commemorative compilation CD, and readying works of visual art that were auctioned off the night of the event. Meanwhile, culinary students from two local schools collaborated with the chef at the Rogers K-Centre to see how they could lend a hand.

“It was so amazing to watch these kids walk into a recording studio for the first time, and to see the flicker of ‘I can’t believe I am here’ and ‘This is a dream come true,’” said Joanne Langlois, cochair of the Crystal Ball. “It gives me goosebumps. Honestly, they have all become like my children. I am a heaping puddle of tears watching all this hard work pay off for them.”

“This is what we call ‘learning coming alive,’” says Myles, “for the kids and for the mentors. It’s in action, it’s happening.

Who knows where they will go? It’s that one moment that changes somebody’s life, and empowers them forever.”

It’s all thanks to the more than 450 volunteers who made the evening possible. “The Limestone Learning Foundation is so appreciative and thankful for the generosity and support that is provided to make this event the huge success that it was,” says Myles.

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HOLIDAY DRINKS and A

nice way to garnish a Christmas meal is to serve it with an innovative holiday drink. Follow these recipes for a fun twist on an old classic. If you are having some alcoholic drinks this holiday season, remember to do so safely and never pressure others to do the same. Be safe during this fun and festive season.

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

Holiday Martini 3 oz cranberry cocktail 1/2 oz crème de cassis 1 oz vodka Place ingredients into a shaker with ice.

Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish with a few fresh cranberries.

j

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte 10 tbs of pumpkin puree 8 tbs of vanilla 2 tsp of cinnamon 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice 5 cups of strongly brewed coffee 6 cups of milk 8 tbs of brown sugar Whipped Cream Cinnamon sticks Combine the milk and coffee, and pour into the crockpot.

Whip together the other ingredients, not including the cinnamon sticks and whipped cream. Pour into the crockpot and mix together well Cover the crockpot and cook on high for two hours. Garnish with whipped cream, cinnamon stick, and a dash of cinnamon.

GinGer Apple BourBon

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delicious cocktail with a zesty zing, try this Ginger Apple Bourbon to help keep you warm from the inside out this winter.

Ingredients Fresh non alcoholic cider Ginger beer Bourbon

Preparation Mix cider, beer, and bourbon in a 2:2:1 ratio.

Garnish, stir and serve.

Please remember to drink responsibly.

Beauty Blooms at Chartreuse Flower Works

By Katrina Geenevasen Photos stephen Wild

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t’s a sunny afternoon in Kingston, and Michelle J. Stenson, florist, B.Ed, is bustling around Chartreuse Flower Works gathering a handful of colourful blooms for one of her regular customers.

“I’m just not quite happy with it yet,” she says, plucking a different handful of flowers from her table saw flower display. With a new bouquet artfully arranged, she presents it to her thrilled customer. It’s a day like any other for this energetic and enthusiastic young florist.

With the help of her canine colleagues Belley and Hairy, as well as Goldie the fish, Stenson has established quite a

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reputation for herself since opening the doors to her all-occasions flower shop this spring. When you have a passion for something, says Stenson, it shows.

“I don’t know anything else, nor do I want to,” she says simply. “It’s a wicked medium; the colours, the textures and the people. If you work in a flower shop, people are happy to come and see you,” she says.

Stenson has become known in the Limestone City for her unique design style that utilizes various re-found objects and string. This quirky uniqueness has become her trademark, says Stenson.

“When people are out in the world and see one of my arrangements, they know it’s mine because of the string. I like to use weird stuff that people don’t usually use.” Her birthday cake arrangements have quickly become a customer favourite. “Anybody who gets them freaks out,” says Stenson with a laugh.

While her unique floral design speaks for itself, Stenson has also become known for her dedication to customer service.

You can’t help but smile at her vivacious personality and the way she interacts with each of her customers. “All first time customers will become ongoing

customers,” says Stenson. “When people come in, they directly say to me that this business will do really well and that they’ll be back. And I think it’s because of the service,” she says. “They like the quirkiness of the designs and the quirkiness of me, I think. I’m a very warm, kind, caring person who obviously loves people, and that’s why I’m doing this. And I think people can tell that that’s the case.”

She’s also an avid supporter of other artists, and offers a room at the back of her shop for rent. It’s her dream for it to become a bustling gathering place for professional and aspiring artists alike. She also sells other artists’ work on commission, including glassworks and jewellry.

She says her love of people and work ethic were inherited from her parents, who put customers’ needs before their own. Her mom seldom took a sick day, and her father printed his home, cell and

business phone numbers on his business cards. No matter the time of day or night, he would be there for his clients.

Stenson is the same way. “If someone needs something on my days off or in the middle of the night, I’ll come and work here with my pajamas on,” she says.

Whatever the occasion, Chartreuse Flower Works, the home of exclusive product and design and exceptional customer love, offers endless, unique options for all clients, no matter the budget. “Here, customers will get oneof-a-kind service, and they’re going to get a one-of-a-kind design,” says Stenson.

Chartreuse Flower Works 577 Division St 613.329.9443 www.chartreuseflowerworks.com

above Michelle J. Stenson, owner

FOOD

&WINE g n i r i a P

BY CHRISTINA BERGERON

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s winter winds howl and frosted snowflakes swirl about outside, gathering around the fireplace never felt so comforting. What better way to cosy up indoors, surrounded by loved ones and the excitement of the new year, than to pour a glass of wine that warms you all winter long and embodies this holiday season.

To find such a festive treat, is to find Bergeron Estate Winery’s 2011 Gamay. This medium-body red boasts all your favourite winter tastes and aromas,

ABOVE Christina Bergeron

carrying hints of plum and cherry fruit, white pepper and smoke, while displaying an earthy fig charm and inviting Christmas colour. Exquisite in its execution, superb in its character, this Gamay — only available on the northern shores of Adolphus Reach — is one that will surely enhance your holiday cheer.

To find that perfectly matched dish for your glass, Bergeron Estate recommends a food pairing that highlights both the predominant aromas and flavours in the wine and in the food. Grilled pork tenderloin, stuffed with caramelized onions, pears and aged cheddar, wrapped in delicious prosciutto, is a recipe that will entice your taste buds and leave even the family’s finest connoisseur speechless. Grilling the pork not only leaves the meat moist, but also gives it a smoky flavour that pairs wonderfully with the smokiness found in the Gamay. Likewise, the stuffed pears offer a hint of sweetness, which will bring the Gamay’s notes of fig, cherry and plum forward. The saltiness found in the prosciutto and aged cheddar is balanced superbly with the wine’s strong, white pepper notes. Try this pairing yourself, and discover the taste Bergeron Estate Winery has to offer you and your family this holiday season.

Christina Begeron’s family runs Bergeron Estate Winery in Adolphustown. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Studies, Begeron pursued a graduate certificate in creative writing, where she worked with a professional Canadian author, taking steps toward her first novel.

Prosciutto Wrapped Stuffed Pork Tenderloin • 3 Pieces of pork tenderloin, about 11⁄4 to 11⁄2lbs each • Pure virgin olive oil • 1–28oz. can of slice pears in water (or freshly cut if desired) • 1 Block of aged cheddar (375g-1lb) • 24 Long thin slices of prosciutto • Sweet chilli spice and pepper • Black coarse pepper • 1 Large onion

Preperation 1. Slice fresh pork tenderloin lengthwise nearly 3/4 of the way 2. Rub in sweet chili and pepper spice 3. Spread loin on plastic sheet, cover with another plastic sheet, and using a heavy mallet, pound tenderloin evenly about 3/4” in thickness 4. Spread grated cheese, sliced pear and caramelized onions (for onions, cut into small pieces and fry in pan with olive oil for a few minutes until caramelized) and spread evenly, leaving about 2’’

unstuffed on each end 5. Roll into place and add more sweet chili spice and pepper 6. Wrap prosciutto around stuffed tenderloin and sprinkle with oil and a generous amount of black oarse pepper 7. Can use small pieces of spaghetti to act as toothpicks to hold tenderloin in place

Grilling 1. Clean grilling surface to reduce any flare up, and lightly grease grill with pure virgin olive oil 2. Cook on medium in indirect heat for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, turning every five to six minutes to ensure meat is cooked evenly 3. Using a thermometer, remove meat from grill when temperature reaches 145 degrees 4. Let sit for about eight to 10 minutes 5. Serve and enjoy with seasonal, local vegetables

A Business Built on DeDicAtion

By Apolline lucyk Photos RobeRt tAyloR

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ose Schwager has been operating Wine Kitz Kingston for more than 16 years. During this time, her location has become recognized as one of the top Wine Kitz stores in Canada, for outstanding sales and excellent customer service. “We take what we do very seriously, and value all of our customers,” says Rose.

Care and dedication has won her store many awards and accolades over the years. Her store has just won Kingston This Week’s 2013 Readers Choice Gold

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Award for Kingston’s Best Wine Making Location for the 10th year in a row, making them the only business in Kingston to have won a gold award for 10 consecutive years. This past year, they participated in the Winemaker’s International Amateur Winemaking Competition 2013, and won six medals: two gold, two silver and two bronze, making for a total of 21 medals to their credit over the past four years. The annual competition, held in the U.S., is the largest of its kind in the world; there were 4,564 entries from 50 American States, eight Canadian provinces and

nine countries. They have also won the Director’s Club award for Outstanding Sales and Service three times and were voted Small Business of the year in 2008 by the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Rose has been nominated three times for Women in Business.

Attention to detail is paramount at the store. “It’s all the extra care that you put into what you are doing that really counts,” says Rose. “You can’t rush through the winemaking process, you

must ensure that it’s done properly and that’s what we do.” However, winemaking is still a very small time commitment for the customer. It takes only a few minutes to choose a wine and throw in the yeast, and it takes only 30 minutes to bottle the wine, from sanitizing the bottles and filling them, to labelling the bottles and finishing them with colourful shrink tops.

The entire process is very enjoyable.

The care they take is also evident when customers come to bottle their wine; her store is beautifully kept and spotlessly clean. “Their wine and everything the customer needs is laid out and their workspace is perfectly clean and sanitized. Many customers take pride in choosing their labels and colour coordinating their shrink tops to match, and so we make sure that we have an array of shrink tops available for them choose from,” Rose says. So when you

bottle your wine with Wine Kitz, you take home a beautifully presented bottle of wine.

The Wine Kitz team is very involved in the Kingston community. “We’re a member and sponsor of the Chamber of Commerce, the CFIB (Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses), and CCWA (Canadian Craft Winemakers’ Association),” says Rose.

They also support many local charities around Kingston, often donating prizes for local events, especially those that their customers are involved in.

Wine Kitz offers a wide array of wines from crisp Chardonnays and Rieslings to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignons and rich Merlots. They also have specialty wines such as light-bodied fruity wines and rich, robust dessert wines. There is truly something for everyone.

Each wine kit produces 23 litres of wine made from the highest quality juices and are fully guaranteed. In addition, the store offers all-inclusive wedding packages, which include one batch of wine, corks, custom labels, shrink tops and 30 green 750ml bottles. Clear bottles and keepsake editions are also available. You can personalize your event — or wine cellar — with delicious handcrafted wine from Rose at a fraction of the cost of commercial wines.

Wine Kitz Kingston 2786 Princess St 613.384.5207 winekitzkingston.ca

TOP RIGHT L–R Scott Clayfield, Rose Schwager, owner; Justin Schwager ABOVE customer Samantha

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LOCAL FOOD, LOCAL CHEFS INITIATIVE

Highlights Gastronomic Goodness

BY KATRINA GEENEVASEN

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ith more restaurants per capita than almost any other city in the country and Canada’s oldest continually running farmers’ market, it is no surprise that Kingston has become known as a foodie’s paradise.

This prestigious culinary honour partly owes its thanks to the Local Food, Local Chefs initiative, which was launched by the Downtown Kingston! BIA [Business Improvement Area] in 2008.

Aimed at growing Kingston’s local food economy and spreading the word about the region’s culinary tourism scene, the initiative was originally a partnership between the Kingston Public Market Vendors’ Association, Downtown Kingston! BIA, City of Kingston, Kingston Accommodation Partners, Kingston Economic Development Corporation, Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance and the Ontario Market Investment Fund.

“Basically, we all got together and determined that there was a need for some sort of a local food program,” says Rob Tamblyn, development manager for Downtown Kingston!. “We had a lot of restaurants in the downtown, but there were not a lot at that point that were offering local food options.”

Local Food, Local Chefs’ objectives included increasing sales of local food at the Kingston Public Market, increasing the number of shops and restaurants featuring local food, building regional market opportunities for the local food industry, building the Limestone City as an authentic culinary tourism destination and increasing consumer awareness of local food.

It was a lofty endeavour, but community partners embraced the initiative wholeheartedly. “There was no hesitation on the part of the partners. There was instant recognition that this was a good idea, something that Kingston could excel at,” says Michèle Langlois, general manager and director of marketing for Downtown Kingston!. “So, obviously, opportunity knocked. The city and the vendors were enthusiastic right from the very beginning.”

The first year brought with it two separate websites, one for the Kingston Public Market and another hosted by the Kingston Economic Development Corporation, which served as LFLC’s official website.

That same year, a vendor information and recruitment package was created to attract new sellers to the market, and to provide information for existing members. The database now includes well over 100 local Kingston producers, as well as restaurants, local food retailers and distributors. The website acts as a great resource for locals and visitors alike eager to get information about the initiative, upcoming culinary events, recipes, local restaurants, wineries and breweries.

Highlighting Kingston’s gastronomic goodness are several scrumptious events successfully launched by the Local Food, Local Chefs initiative, including Toast to Tapas, Chef Cooking Demos, Busker Bites, Homegrown Blues Food, Fare on the Square and Farm to Fork Harvest Dinners.

And the tasty movement just keeps on growing. “It’s something that has some longevity,” says Langlois. “I think healthy living and healthy eating is part of it.”

Chefs see the value, as well. “At first there were four local restaurants [serving local food] and now there are dozens,” says Tamblyn. “I’m sure there are some that we don’t even realize are doing it.” It all boils down to the fact that local food simply tastes better.

“Eating an apple from up the highway is going to taste better than an apple from Florida,” says Langlois. “It’s fresher, it’s healthier, you know where it came from. And ideally, you end up having a relationship with the producer; whether that’s at the farm gate or at the market, or even your local grocer.”

Tamblyn says eating local makes more sense, even though for a while we lost sight of that. “The local food movement was not a movement decades ago. It was just the way you lived, and then people got away from that, for whatever the reason. But it’s a throwback to the way it used to be.”

These days, it’s up to individual businesses, farmers and collectives to keep the culinary ball rolling. Funding ran out, but Downtown Kingston! does not see an end in sight.

“Local food just connects you more to where you live,” says Langlois. “It heightens your sense of community, of your ability to say that your food is from down the road.

It’s about people supporting one another, and it’s just a healthier lifestyle.”

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Farm Girl FOOD AND KINGSTON

BY KATRINA GEENEVASEN PHOTOS SUZY LAMONT

ABOVE L–R Peter Bolger Tamara Bolger

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t’s a crisp, fall day in Kingston, and Tamara Bolger — more commonly known around these parts as “Farm Girl” — is curled up on her living room couch with a steaming cup of tea reminiscing about her whirlwind of a summer.

The creative talent behind the one and only Farm Girl Food Co. — the first gourmet food truck in Kingston — Bolger and her husband Peter have been blown away by the response from the city since Farm Girl made her debut this spring.

“It has gone way beyond what we ever expected it to be,” says Bolger with a proud smile. “The Farm Girl foodies are so loyal and supportive, we refer to it as the ‘cult of Farm Girl!’ One of the things that made us so excited was to see how passionate the city was to have a food truck that represented who we are as a community.”

“Launching Farm Girl has at times worn me down to the bone, but I love every

minute of it,” she says, giving Scarlett JoHamson — the Bolger’s pet pig — a belly scratch. “It’s been hard work, and long hours, but we feel very proud.”

While most of the Farm Girl hype surely has to do with Bolger’s delectable food, part of Farm Girl’s success can be attributed to the power of social media.

With more than 1,600 followers on Twitter and 1,400 on Facebook, Bolger’s social media prowess is incomparable. “The social media aspect has become a key part of our business,” she says. “Kingstonians have really gotten to know who we are, and have come to expect my self-deprecating humour. It has been interesting to watch it evolve, and beyond fun.”

A chef for as long as she can remember — she learned the art of cooking at the hip of her Polish grandmother — Bolger is doing what she loves every day, and she does it to perfection and with passion.

From the Buttermilk Southern Fried Chicken to her custom spice blends and Signature Farm Girl BBQ Sauce, Farm Girl has mastered the art of down-home cooking, and Kingstonians are responding in droves. On an average day this past summer, the bright red barn-themed Farm Girl food truck (fondly named Betty Lou), would serve 200 people in a twohour stretch.

More inspiring and meaningful were the heartfelt Facebook and Twitter messages sent from customers who had just finished their lunch. “Each of those kind comments and feedback literally meant so much to me, and it made me work harder everyday,” recalls Bolger.

Now, the chef is taking her talent one step further, and is in the midst of collaborating on a cookbook with local photographer Suzy Lamonts. The cookbook will be a “fun read,” says Bolger, written for and

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inspired by Kingston. It will also have an emphasis on local food and farmers. “We showed up here in our flip-flops from the beaches in Toronto and just tilled a patch of earth. I never would have thought I’d be such a devotee to the local food movement, but it does taste better, and it’s awesome to know where your food comes from.”

The Farm Girl Cookbook book will not be your typical, run-of-the-book either — though nothing, of course, is ordinary when it comes to Farm Girl. “It’s not going to be just a recipe book with photos and ingredients,” says Bolger. “It’s going to have stories of life here in Kingston, and the amazing people we’ve met since moving here. It’s not going to be your typical entrées, salads, mains and desserts. Throughout the whole book, you won’t know what story you’re going to get on the next page, what farmer you’ll be introduced to, what dish I’ll be sharing and how they all come together.”

With the plan to have the book written, photographed and published by the summer, Bolger is in for a busy winter — but she can’t wait to show Kingstonians what she comes up with.

While the recipes throughout the book will surely put delicious dinners on the

tables of many, it will also raise money.

Bolger and her husband Peter both feel it’s important to give back to Kingston. And so, a portion of the proceeds will go the Kingston General Hospital’s Children’s Cancer Fund of Kingston, an organization the Bolgers are all too familiar with. A few months ago, Farm Girl hosted Perogie Day, a fundraiser that had Kingstonians waiting in an hour-long lineup to get their hands on Bolger’s famous perogies. The Bolgers decided to donate 25 per cent of their profits that day to the fund and made 500 of the Polish delights. They sold 490, and ended up donating $700 from one lunch hour.

Since their unveiling in the spring, the couple has raised more than $6,000 for local charities. “We always knew when we started a business that we wanted to do a lot for charity,” says Peter Bolger.

“When you have your own business, you can be more active and you can raise awareness for things. We wanted people to know us for our charity work and what we do for the community, as much as for our food.”

As if creating a cookbook wasn’t enough, Bolger is also planning on placing an emphasis on the catering side of her business during the cold winter months.

“I love working as a personal chef,” says Bolger. “It is what I used to do in Toronto and it really allows me to work on a closer one-on-one basis.”

Farm Girl takes the same style with her personal chef services as she does for each wedding she caters. “I have a very personal, custom approach with each private dinner. I listen to who you are hosting, what food you like, and make it very unique to you and your event. And of course, there is also a story behind each dish. It will almost be like you get a preview of my cookbook right in your dining room!”

The best part: It will all be made with love. “Cooking for other people fills me up,” says Bolger. “It’s like watching people open presents you picked out so carefully on Christmas Day. That’s more fun for me, and I love it.”

Farm Girl Mobile Food Co. 613.328.6132 info@farmgirlfood.ca www.farmgirlfood.ca

Casual Fine Dining in Kingston for almost 30 years

By Apolline lucyk Photos Stephen Wild

I

t’s no wonder Windmills Restaurant and Catering has been a local favourite in Kingston for over a quarter century. When you walk into the restaurant you are instantly greeted by the restaurant’s beautiful ambience, complete with eclectic décor designed by local artists, and a friendly staff who ensure a remarkable experience.

The menu at Windmills changes seasonally. Windmills Café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner weekly, as well as brunch on weekends, so the menu is highly varied. It also has tasty alternatives for people with special

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dietary needs, including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and vegetarian options.

“We have a full bar with many fine wines and great selection of microbrews on tap,” says owner Ed Smith. “We make all of our food from scratch, often using local ingredients, always quality ingredients.”

Chef Adam Martin and his sous chef regularly go to the local market to see what produce is in season, and get inspiration for new menu items. Martin says using fresh ingredients is part of what makes the Windmills experience so special. “The impact it makes on the flavour is incredible,” he remarks. “When

you go to the market and see what they have that’s fresh, that’s really the inspiration. When you get out there and pick and choose, you are hand-picking the ingredients, and it helps form great menus and specials.” In addition to fresh local produce, Windmills also sources local wines, microbrews, and even local meat.

Windmills also runs a high quality catering business, which caters all types of events, from small business meetings of six people to weddings of 300 to 400 people. “We do receptions, home dinner parties, buffets, breakfasts, lunches,

almost anything,” says general manager Denise Moore, “all customized to the customer’s needs.”

Catering coordinator Brian Coghlan has many years of experience in the business and knows what to do to make an event superb. Windmills will even take care of other party arrangements for their guests, including rentals for tents, tables, chairs and dishes, and offers a full serving staff, if required.

The loyalty of Windmills’ employees is reflective in the service they provide to make their guests’ experiences the best they can be. “I’ve worked at the restaurant for 17 years, and there are a lot of wait staff who have worked here for 10, 15 years,” comments Moore.

Next year, Windmills will be celebrating its 30th anniversary for both the restaurant and the catering business, and they are in the midst of planning an event to thank their customers and celebrate the occasion. The restaurant’s new fall menu showcases some delicious new items such as escargot with chorizo in a garlic mushroom cream sauce, and crispy duck breast with maple mashed sweet potatoes, candied cranberries, roasted chestnuts and an orange-infused caramel sauce. There is certainly always something new and exciting going on at Windmills.

Windmills Restaurant and Catering 184 Princess St 613.544.3948 www.windmills-cafe.com denise@windmills-cafe.com | Restaurant catering@windmills-cafe.com | Catering |

ABOVE Ed Smith, owner ABOVE right L–r Denise Moore, manager; Adam Martin, chef

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Spanish FeAst

By Katrina Geenevasen Photos stephen Wild

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mbracing the succulent Spanish tradition of sharing tapas amongst friends and family, Tango Nuevo is quickly making its mark on downtown Kingston’s ever-expanding dining scene.

Having re-opened under new management and a new name, Tango Nuevo now serves a wide variety of both hot and cold tapas, complemented by an expertly chosen selection of local and international wines.

“Spanish tapas is about small plates, sharing plates,” explains Gokhan Cifci,

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Tango Nuevo’s owner. “Tapas get you to spend your time with your friends to share plates, enjoy your time and drink wine.”

It’s a unique concept to downtown Kingston, but Cifci says customers are responding positively to the originality this modern rustic restaurant offers its guests.

“People love it!” says Cifci, as he remarks on customer feedback. It’s something he’s proud of.

“We serve good food, we give good service, and when I see people leaving this restaurant with a smile on their face, and happy, I am proud because that shows me we are doing a good job,” says Cifci, who moved to the Limestone City from Turkey four years ago.

The restaurant’s exposed limestone, dark hardwood floors and local chalkboard art invite customers to sit back and relax — no matter what the time of day.

“I want people to feel at home, to feel warm and welcome,” says Cifci. “People

shouldn’t be afraid to come to this restaurant in the afternoon for a coffee, to read a book. They can come here and enjoy themselves any time of the day.”

Unique and delicious cuisine is what it’s all about at Tango Nuevo. From Carne Piquante (spicy beef with cilantro lime coulis) to chicken empanadillas (savory Spanish pastries stuffed with chicken and roasted red pepper puree), to pan seared scallops, there’s something to suit everyone’s palate. And it’s all freshly prepared and locally sourced.

The meat comes from The Pig and Olive, a company based in Kingston, while fruits and vegetables are supplied to Tango Nuevo by Wendy’s Mobile Market.

“You can go buy lots of things from the big supply companies that get their food from all over the place, or you can support small businesses that are here in Kingston, from people that live here, that have families here, who spend their money here,” says Cifci, who adds that quite simply, fresh food just tastes better.

It goes without saying that the perfect companion for tapas is a great wine — and Joel Lockerbie, Tango Nuevo’s sommelier, delivers with an impressive range of reds, whites, rosé and sparkling wines that will appeal to both the casual sipper and the discerning connoisseur. A selection of fun cocktails rounds out the beverage selection, with everything from cult favourites like mojitos, to original Tango Nuevo creations, such as the Campfire Manhattan (a smoky twist on the classic drink) and a Martini Slider trio of mini martinis to sample, for those who can’t decide on a favourite.

Tango Nuevo 331 King St. E 613.548.3778 www.tangonuevo.ca

top right L–r Joel Lockerbie, sommelier; Dan Cholewa, head chef; Andrew Smyth, sous chef ; and Gokhan Cifci, owner & manager photo by Ted Sheppard

Delectable local FooD in an Exceptional Surrounding

by Trina annand Photos STephen Wild

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ith the growing trend toward eating local, The River Mill Restaurant in downtown Kingston is doing its part to bring homegrown flavour to the table.

“We are trying to be the highest quality food in the city. We truly want people to enjoy their time with us and to experience the great food that the local community and province is producing,” says Colin Altimas, who has been one of the guiding forces behind the business’ success for nearly 30 years.

As part of their eat local philosophy, River Mill had a rooftop garden this summer which they plan to triple the size of next spring, providing a selection of fresh

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herbs and vegetables to the restaurant.

“It is obviously not enough to sustain us, but it’s nice to have food grown here. It is about as local as you can get,” chuckles Altimas. In their new fall and lunch menus, River Mill will be offering local bison in the form of a bison burger and bison potpie. The evening favourite bison rib eye will still be available as well.

For the fish lover there is a wild sockeye salmon that is sustainably line caught on the Stikine River.

While being delighted by the creations of chef Maurice Boire, guests can immerse themselves in the historic dining room located in the 125-year-old former Woolen Mill building. With enormous 11-foot windows that provide views of

the Cataraqui River, River Mill is one of the only waterfront restaurants in the city. The historic setting of the restaurant lends itself to some more traditional menu items such as a tableside Caesar salad offered during the dinner service.

The menu also features an everchanging Table D’hôte four-course meal each night for guests who truly want their dinner to be an event. In the new year, guests will be invited to enjoy the restaurant’s anniversary meal, three courses for only $30.

To ensure no one is left out, the restaurant can handle all food allergies and has a customizable kids’ menu where regular dishes can be split or custom dishes can be created to soothe even the pickiest

eater. Also, their extensive dessert menu includes everything from handmade ice cream to crème brulée.

The River Mill offers a superb selection of local and international wines, including Tawse Winery, Huff Estates and Sandbank Estates — the perfect accent to a quiet dinner or a large private event.

The restaurant plays host to weddings, anniversaries and birthdays, as well as corporate dinners and meetings. With a versatile large space, a completely accessible building and ample free parking — a rarity downtown — anything is possible.

“I love meeting new people every day, getting to share my passion with them,” says Altimas. “I am really happy I have the creative freedom to make the restaurant tailored to the customer’s tastes and our unique vision.”

With a global menu pulling flavours from all regions, The River Mill is a must-visit destination, whether your desire is a quick lunch or a sumptuous dinner.

The River Mill Restaurant 2 Cataraqui Street Kingston 613.549.5759 www.rivermill.ca Top L–R Colin Altimas, owner; Chris Boudreau, lead server Above L–R Mike and Pat Jordan, customers

Waterfront Dining With an eclectic tWist

By Katrina Geenevasen Photos robert taylor

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ith amazing views overlooking the Limestone City’s historic inner harbour, the Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront DOX Restaurant boasts not only a great location, but fabulous menu selections as well.

pastas to filet mignon, there’s guaranteed to be something for everyone. “We offer an eclectic comfort food type menu,” says Ryan. “People want to go out, they want to be spoiled, they are out for an experience.

So it’s our job to provide that experience.”

Jeff Ryan, Director of Food and Beverage for the Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront and DOX’s head chef, wanted to create an innovative menu that would not only have broad appeal, but would leave a lasting impression on guests. With everything from English style fish and chips, to homemade

With a focus on local products, most of the items on DOX’s menu are skillfully prepared from scratch. “That’s what great food is all about,” says Ryan simply. The beef comes from Tweed’s Enright Cattle Company, and has quickly become a customer favourite. “It’s gorgeous beef,”

says Ryan. “All our hamburgers are handmade, all the beef is hand-cut 28day aged Black Angus, Triple A Beef. It’s incredible. Once people have one of our steaks, they come back for another one.”

Meanwhile, the Sunday brunch is a landmark event. For under $20, guests are treated to a delectable spread prepared by DOX’s chefs between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The newly renovated restaurant and lounge — with its bright green decor, comfortable bench seats and rustic wine barrels from Pelee Island — provides a relaxing ABOVE Jeff Ryan, head chef

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environment for cozy, intimate dining for two, or for a large gathering with friends.

DOX’s extensive wine list and clever drink menu are paired beautifully with the food selections, adds Ryan. The knowledgeable, friendly staff tops off the entire dining experience. “It’s very personable service, with the staff serving at the hotel anywhere from two to 25 years,” says Ryan.

An aspiring chef since he was only 13 years old, it seems Ryan is doing what he was born to do. “It’s the freedom, and the artistic aspects of it that I love,” says Ryan. “I think that every chef, in their own way, is an artist. It’s how we define ourselves, we put ourselves on the plate.

It keeps people coming back.”

For Ryan, making good food that everyone will enjoy is a way of life, and he loves coming to work every day. “It’s about going above and beyond, that’s what the Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront is all about.”

DOX, Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront 2 Princess Street 613.549.8400 www.hikingstonwaterfront.com L–R Sarim Sok, Sabastian Rosine, Peter Lachance, Robert Huff, Executive Chef Jeffrey Ryan, Aaron Swanson, Moses Sousa, Sheri Rhines. FRONT Andrew Chambers, David Companion. BOTTOm LEFT Blackened Cathfish with Mango Salsa. RIGHT Seafood Stuffed Shrimp with Lobster and Crab.

ClassiC seafood with a limestone City twist

By Katrina Geenevasen Photos stephen Wild

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ust steps from Kingston’s waterfront, a classic down east seafood shack with elements of Baja Mexico come together in gastronomic glory at Dianne’s Fishbar.

Orange pendant lights hang cheerfully from the ceiling, while maple hardwood floors, exposed limestone walls, barn board accents, aluminum marine chairs and wood tables complete the laidback atmosphere of downtown Kingston’s only seafood restaurant.

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“I’ve always wanted to open an east coast seafood style restaurant in Kingston, but the Mexican twist is new,” says owner Tim Pater, who opened the restaurant with the expert help of chef Dale Jones and manager Laura English.

“I had been researching it casually for years and felt that Kingston’s residents and visitors alike would really enjoy a place like Dianne’s.”

Dianne’s Fishbar is conscious of the dangers our fisheries are facing, and

choose to serve Ocean Wise-certified seafood. The menu boasts everything from Dianne’s Down East Fish Chowder and traditional east coast lobster rolls to handmade authentic Mexican-style tacos. Whether you’re in the mood for familiar east coast classics or are looking for something more adventurous, Dianne’s hits the spot.

There is an ever-changing daily selection of fresh east and west coast oysters.

Prince Edward Island mussels are

available three deliciously different ways; steamed in green coconut curry or Veracruz style or in traditional Old Bay broth. And that’s not all. There’s also a wide selection of other surf options, including halibut, trout and wild salmon.

Turf options include a mouth-watering chili spiced grilled Black Angus strip steak served on its own or with lobster or blackened shrimp. Also available from the land is an Enright Cattle Co. custom beef burger and a grilled chicken supreme with house pasilla chile bbq sauce.

Meanwhile, ceviche is another specialty at Dianne’s, with three impeccably fresh options available, including ‘The Vallarta,’ Alaskan Scallop Aguachili and BC Albacore Tuna ‘Poke’. Try the sampler for a taste of all three. A variety of other appetizers includes Canadian snow crab, fried calamari and sautéed tequila shrimp. Sandwiches, salads, delectable

side dishes and desserts round out the menu.

The restaurant also serves up wine by the glass, on tap. Tim made sure that Dianne’s was one of the first in Ontario to hop aboard the tasty trend, because the wine, which is never exposed to air, stays fresh. There is also a greatly reduced carbon footprint. The response, says Tim, has been incredible.

A large tequila selection — nearly 30 kinds — enhance the overall dining experience at Dianne’s, arguably making the restaurant’s freshly squeezed juices taste even better. Refreshing cocktails including the city’s best margarita and craft beers are also happily served from the stunning zinc bar.

Le Chien Noir Bistro, Atomica Pizza & Wine Bar, and Harper’s Burger Bar

are Dianne’s sister restaurants. Each downtown restaurant boasts its own distinct environment and menu, offering clients a unique culinary experience each and every time. Relaxed and stylish, Le Chien Noir features ‘farm to table’ French bistro classics — charcuterie, duck confit and steak frites. Modern and vibrant Atomica offers fresh Italian food and contemporary cocktails. Meanwhile, Harper’s features flat top seared burgers handcrafted from fresh ‘family farmed’ beef, plus natural chicken, wild salmon, lamb turkey and veggie burgers.

Dianne’s Fishbar 195 Ontario St Kingston 613.507.3474 www.diannesfishbar.com ABOVE Tim and Katrina, owners, with their daughter Harper TOP LEFT AND BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTOS by Scott Adamson

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Putting History on tHe Plate in Kingston

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he team at Jessup Food & Heritage in Kingston take their food, and their history, seriously. “Food and heritage combine like ham and cheese,” says owner Paul Fortier. Fortier began his career in the 70s as a historian working in museums and historic sites for the federal government. He always had a passion for food, and after 20 years of working in government, decided to take on the private sector. His company, Jessup Food & Heritage, took over the food services at Fort Henry 20 years ago and he has never looked back.

“When we started at Fort Henry, there was little more than an over-the-counter canteen serving hot food and snacks to visitors during the summer months,” explains Fortier. Today, food services are a major feature of the fort’s program and guests are welcome almost 12 months of the year with corporate events, reserved period banquets, special holiday dining occasions and new this past summer, the Battery Bistro Restaurant and patio with the most amazing view of Lake Ontario and downtown Kingston.

Not only is Kingston a thriving heritage tourism destination, but Canada’s

first cookbook was published in the community in 1831. “The culinary traditions go back hundreds of years in this city,” says Fortier, noting that Kingston is growing in popularity as a culinary destination. Many of the period recipes used at Sir John’s Public House and Fort Henry are inspired by this historic cookbook and Kingston’s colourful past.

Continuing to keep the heritage in food, Jessup purchased the oldest surviving church structure in Kingston in 2006.

This large stone building was in much

ABOVE Soldier servants at Fort Henry serve in period dining rooms.

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need of repair and renovation. In 2008, the building reopened as Renaissance Event Venue. A renaissance it was indeed, as new life was breathed into this tired old structure. Today, it is a spectacular facility for reserved events, with two salons accommodating more than 450 guests combined, and quickly became the most popular wedding destination in the city.

Shortly afterwards, the company purchased a building in the heart of the historic downtown, which had served as Sir John A. Macdonald’s law office from 1849 to 1860. As a tribute to Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John’s Public House is today a popular, cozy pub, featuring contemporary and traditional Scottish casual dining with a large selection of local and imported draft beers, wines and Scotch whiskies.

“Understanding Sir John’s proclivity for a good drink, it is fitting that this landmark today is a pub,” comments Fortier. When you walk in, it is as though Sir John

himself could turn the corner at any moment. Excellent reviews herald dishes from haggis to nachos. You can even have haggis on your nachos. All agree that the fish and chips is one of the best served in the 1000 Islands region.

The Jessup heritage venues in Kingston are all unique and provide guests with an opportunity to enjoy a great meal, as well as experience a taste of Kingston’s, and Canada’s, past. “I can’t think of better places to showcase the city with guests from out-of-town!” says Fortier.

Jessup Food & Heritage 1 Fort Henry Drive Kingston 613.530.2550 www.foodandheritage.com TOP Battery Bistro provides a spectacular view of Lake Ontario with a light seasonal menu for lunch and dinner. LEFT Interior of Upper Salon at Renaissance Event Venue, 285 Queen Street. RIGHT Staff, photo Amanda Garreau. BOTTOM photo Amanda Garreau

Kingston’s

Local Food Scene By tori stafford

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here is no more organic experience than the family dinner, bringing busy parents and their children together over something they can share: a meal.

And while the family dinner is an age-old tradition, and one that can seem like a part of daily life, this tradition is changing for many. The change isn’t the table, the people around it, nor is it the plates or cutlery. It’s what is on the plate that is changing.

The ‘buy local’ trend may seem a passing fad to some, but for those who’ve committed to a local diet lifestyle change, the idea that it is ‘in style’ couldn’t be further from their minds. It’s the recalled food from major corporations; the plethora of documentaries showing inhumanely raised animals, laden with antibiotics that later become the meat we serve; the ‘little things’ like spraying fruits and vegetables with wax to make them look clean and shiny in the supermarket; and the ‘major concerns’ like genetically modified organisms created in situations more reminiscent of laboratory experiments than farm fresh food from the field.

GMOs — a lot of problems,” says Banks of standard shopping for the food you put on your table. “Whereas, if you get to know your producer you can actually evolve a relationship. Or even through us, you’re going to know how that animal is being kept, or how this produce is going to be grown… you have a little bit more of a safety mechanism in place.”

Eating local not only helps with nourishing the ones you love safely, but it also stimulates the local economy and builds community.

These are the things that can make eating locally sourced food not just a lifestyle, but also a priority. “You’re looking at some huge problems in the whole food industry as far as the safety of our food,” says Wendy Banks, owner and operator of Wendy’s Mobile Market, of the reasons her customers give for wanting to eat locally sourced food. “That one is a big one — knowing where your food comes from and knowing what’s in it.”

Banks’ operation gives consumers in the Kingston area a one-stop shopping option, where local food is the focus. Her website offers information on the more than 50 local producers she works with, and allows clients to order the foods they want and need, which can even be delivered to their door.

This business has led to Banks having insight from both those looking for locally sourced food, and those who produce it.

“You’re looking at production, you’re looking at major Big Ag, you’re looking

“We are very fortunate in Kingston to have such great access to local food, from produce to meat and dairy products,” says Kingston Mayor Mark Gerretsen. “Local food not only supports local farmers and producers, it also builds community. There is nothing like taking your family to one of Kingston’s farmers’ markets and talking to the people who have grown the food you are going to serve at the dinner table.”

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Meat Masters

By Katrina Geenevasen Photos stephen Wild

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iring up the grill takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to the old-fashioned, locally-owned butcher shop, the Pig and Olive.

With a wide range of products, including 11 varieties of stuffed chicken breasts and a mind-boggling 42 kinds of sausage (many of which are gluten free), husband and wife team Danielle and Alan Chater ensure there is no shortage of options for customers to choose from. “We carry almost everything you can get,” says Danielle, pointing out that they also specialize in a variety of local products like beef, lamb, pork, goat and rabbit, as well as exotic products such as elk, crocodile and kangaroo.

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The parents of three young children — Anastasia, Miah and Luke — Danielle and Alan started the business five years ago, and since then, have established themselves as a trusted source for quality meat products and unparalleled customer service. “We often hear back from customers that our staff are very polite, helpful and knowledgeable of all cuts of meat, and which cuts would be best for whatever dish the customer is going to prepare,” says Danielle. “We really aim to please and try to keep our patrons happy.”

Alan has more than 22 years of experience as a butcher, both in the Limestone City and overseas in Australia, while Danielle,

a born and raised Kingstonian, has years of experience in the retail industry. It was a natural progression for them to launch their own business, doing what they know best. “We’re entrepreneurs at heart,” says Danielle.

The business shows no signs of slowing down, and the two locations — one downtown and one in the west end — are regularly busy. “We have one of the largest varieties of meat in town… we have a bit of everything. We have products that customers can’t find in the supermarket,” says Alan. Some of the meat is locally sourced from local farms, including Wallace Meats, Topsy Farms and Hanover Farms.

Recently, the duo added grass-fed beef to the mix, ensuring that customers seeking hormone and antibiotic-free cuts of meat will find exactly what they’re looking for. The prices are comparable to supermarkets, says Alan, and customers can be sure they are buying local. This November, halal will round out the already diverse menu.

With the holiday season right around the corner, the small but mighty Pig and Olive has no shortage of festive favourites, including crown roasts, duck confit, standing prime rib and tourtiere. The list goes on with beef tenderloin and lamb rack. “We have everything you need for a delicious dinner,” says Danielle.

The Pig and Olive 224 Wellington Street Kingston 613.546.4747 www.pigandolive.ca

The PerfecT cuT

By Katrina Geenevasen PhoTos amanda Garreau

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ust minutes from downtown Kingston, Barriefield Market is offering customers more than just mouthwatering quality meats. Great service, local produce and a deli with freshly-made sandwiches served up in a warm, inviting atmosphere are the name of the game at this locally owned and operated butcher shop.

give you what you want, and go that extra mile to make customers feel special.”

a humidor for beef,” he says. “The end result is delicious beyond description.”

Patrons, it seems, are never disappointed, with many first-timers becoming avid regulars and on a first name basis with Greenlees and his staff before too long.

The premium dry-aged beef may have something to do with it.

“Our customers are No. 1, that’s our goal here,” says third generation butcher Tim Greenlees, who opened Barriefield Market in its first location in 1999. “From the moment you walk through the door, my staff is here to please. We’re here to

Starting with the hand-selected Ontario Prime grade beef, Greenlees and his team age the meat in the market’s own dry age cooler, where temperatures and humidity are controlled to yield the highest of flavours. “Think of it as

Greenlees’ now infamous cuts of meat are available in New York strip or ribeye cuts. “If you love steak, then you have to try this. It’s a totally different flavour from what many are used to. The dry aging process enhances the flavours within the beef. It tastes like beef used to taste 30 years ago.”

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Dry aging is a method that’s fallen to the wayside over the years, with many retailers choosing to go the more economic route. Typically, beef is aged in

vacuum sealed bags because it is more efficient and there is very little loss. “At the market, our dry age line is aged for 30 days minimum. During this process, we lose at least 30 per cent waste because we have to trim away the outer layer,” explains Greenlees. Because of this, it costs a little more, ringing in at about $15 for a 12 to 14 ounce steak. The delectable result, though, is more than worth the extra change.

The market also offers items from many local suppliers, including Forman Farms, Limestone Organic Creamery and Ben Acres Lamb, just to name a few. “We believe in shopping local and supporting our local farmers whenever we can,” says Greenlees.

Barriefield Market also offers a selection of both imported and local fine cheeses and is home to a European deli that serves up delectable sandwiches. Prepared with meats cooked each day in-store, they are made to order with a wide selection of toppings. Absolutely everything is made from scratch in-house with only the freshest of ingredients. A variety of salads and heat and serve options are also available, helping to ease the stress of cooking after a busy day. Options include meat or vegetarian lasagna, pasta sauce, meat pies, soup, chilies and fresh fruit pies.

The Barriefield Market offers a unique shopping experience, and the friendly staff and local products make the trip worthwhile. Barriefield Market is located at 760 Highway 15, unit 7-8. For more information, call 613.547.2223, email barriefieldmeat@kingston.net, or visit barriefieldmarket.com Barriefield Market 760 Highway 15, unit 7-8 613.547.2223 barriefieldmeat@kingston.net www.barriefieldmarket.com OppOsite back L–R Anna Greenwood, Marlene Larsen, Tom Haines, Mark Southen, Craig Walen, Tim Greenlees, Mark Hutcheson, Josh Mclaren, Ian Beattie, Amanda Mckenzie, Michelle Gagne FRONt L–R Donna Cameron, Emily Mclaren, Andrea Cassel

LocaL Grown Food Wendy’s Country Market

By Deborah MelMan-CleMent Photos Stephen WilD

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endy Banks found her calling a few years ago while driving the country roads just north of Kingston. “I was looking at the farms and something didn’t feel right. I felt a huge disconnect with the way I grew up,” she recalls.

Raised on a family farm in Lyndhurst, Banks grew up with a well-developed sense of community and a healthy appreciation for the role that agriculture plays in our society. But during her drive, she felt that role diminishing before her eyes. “Seeing family farms disappearing on the countryside, it made me ill,” she says. Then she had an idea.

“I thought it would be wonderful to see little kids running around on farms again.

I made it my mission to make life easier for farmers so we could build back our communities that we’re starting to lose.”

After earning degrees in horticulture and landscaping, Banks and her husband, Rick Trudeau, started a greenhouse and landscaping business on her family farm that kept her busy until health problems forced her to the sidelines.

She decided to treat her condition with natural, locally-grown foods. “It was important for me to be able to trust the food I eat,” she says. “I wanted to know where it came from and how it was grown. I wanted as much of my diet as LEFT Wendy Banks

and Trudeau work hard to keep a steady stream of customers flowing through the market’s doors. Once a month, they host a themed fair, complete with a cooking demonstration from area chefs. They also use the local bounty as the basis for a relatively new addition to the business.

They employ a cook who works out of a kitchen on the property, preparing a constantly-evolving selection of quickserve meals made almost exclusively from local ingredients.

Perhaps the most innovative part of the business wasn’t part of Banks’ original plan. One of her earliest clients, her personal physician, mentioned that she’d appreciate having her groceries delivered to her home. Soon word spread and today Wendy’s Mobile Market delivers countryfresh food to restaurants and households in the Kingston area.

You can check out the store’s website for an up-to-the-minute inventory list and place your order online. “You order your food on Monday and it appears at your home on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday,” Banks says.

ABOVE Rick Trudeau and Chef Grace at Atomic

possible to come from the family farm.”

Knowing she couldn’t satisfy all of her nutritional needs that way, she turned to her neighbours to help fill the void. It was then that she took the country drive that inspired an idea that has changed not only her life, but also the lives of dozens of area farmers.

Banks’ idea came to life in the form of Wendy’s Mobile/Country Market, which began operation out of her parents’ 19th-century schoolhouse in 2007. The market sells foods grown on the family farm and by other producers from within a 100-mile radius.

While many of those producers are regulars at area farmers’ markets, Banks explains that she wanted to give them

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another option. “The farmers’ market has an off-season,” she says. “We’re open 12 months a year. It gives producers an opportunity to think outside the box. They can sell their root crops all winter long and extend their greenhouse seasons.”

Banks and Trudeau choose their suppliers carefully. The store is focused on local producers “who really care about what they’re growing.” Banks meets with them and learns about their growing and raising practices before agreeing to sell their products. “The right processes are as important as the right products,” she says.

About 70 local producers have made the grade and happily reap the benefits of the partnership, which go beyond having someone to sell their wares. Banks

Mobile Market clients include everyone from busy, affluent couples who don’t have time for grocery shopping to young families to people with special dietary needs. What they all have in common is a desire to eat healthy, locally-grown, organic food and support small-scale farmers.

“A lot of people don’t feel that they can trust their food anymore,” she says. “They want to know where it’s coming from. We give them peace of mind.”

The result, Banks says, is a new appreciation for agriculture. “People are realizing how important farmers are,” she says. “I feel like we’re making a comeback.” Just like she imagined on that fateful drive through the country.

Wendy’s Country Market Wendy’s Mobile Market 408 Fortune Line Road Lyndhurst 613.928.2477 wendyscountrymarket.com wendysmobilemarket.com

AMAZONAS U NL E AS H ED CRUISE IN STYLE Cruise Host/Horticulturalist, Ken Beattie

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he travel bug can have a nasty bite it seems, particularly as the weather gets colder and our daylight hours diminish. I know that I am leafing through as many travel magazines, cruise brochures or whatever just to plan a warm vacation somewhere in the world. The fact of the matter is that so many “ideal� travel destinations exist that it becomes rather a full-time occupation trying to find the right fit for you.

Many of my readers associate me with plants and gardening rather than travel, but truth be known, I travel a great deal and often as a host to many global, exotic ports of call. Naturally, if you chose to travel with me there is a heavy plant overtone to all that we do, but I try to deliver the information in a meaningful and interesting way customized to the ports of call, no matter where are destinations are.

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Photos courtesy of Oceania Cruise Lines

Travelling with a host is quite a different experience than travelling on your own.

My responsibilities include ensuring that your expedition is flawless and that your time aboard or on excursion is all that you anticipated and then some. Additionally, as a “family” or community of travellers, we become very familiar with each other, enjoy special perks such as cocktail parties with the senior staff onboard, customized presentations, and access to a specialist for the entire expedition.

Furthermore, travelling with a group ensures that you are comfortable as a single person with the support of a guild of travellers with like interests.

The most current expedition that I am hosting is with Oceania Cruise Lines

and the Canadian Wildlife Federation in March of 2014 for 23 days. We depart Canada gateway cities and fly to Rio de Janeiro overnight. Once rested up, we will enjoy a city tour experiencing the many sites of this famous city for a couple of days before we board Oceania’s Regatta on March 29.

We will see enormous amounts of unbelievable plants and, of course, animals too in this incredible ecosystem. You will experience water, plants, animals and more water in the veritable lungs of the planet. It does seem that we are rather cheating however, as intrepid explorers of the primal jungles of Amazonas because at the end of the day we trek back to the ship, shower (a couple of times) and settle

into world class cuisine aboard Oceania’s Regatta. Let’s keep that a secret!

All in all, please plan to join me on the first of many global expeditions, all which will support the good work in education and conservation that the Canadian Wildlife Federation has here in Canada.

There are a limited number of staterooms remaining and discounts still apply until mid-September.

I look forward to spending time aboard Oceania’s Regatta with you in this spectacular region of the world.

For more information or to book your trip, go to www.cwf-fcf.org/en/do-something/ supporters/special-promotions/ rio-amazon-cruise

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Kingston Frontenacs Begin SeaSon With a hot Start

By Katrina Geenevasen

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he season may be too young to tell, but the Kingston Frontenacs might have what it takes to make it to the playoffs this year. Earning the nickname as the “beast of the east,” earlier this season the black and gold were ranked as the second best junior team in all of Canada.

“It’s been a very good start to the season,” said Darren Keily, assistant general manager, as the team made its way to North Bay for a game against the Battalion. “We have had a lot of home games and we have taken advantage of the good schedule.”

There’s always room to improve throughout the 68-game season, though. Through Nov. 6, their record was 9-5-1-2. “We’re always trying to strive as an all-around team,” says Keily.

“Obviously, we want to really clamp down on goals against us. That is something our whole team wants to work on. We know we’re going to be able to score a lot of goals — we know we have a lot of skill upfront — but we want to eliminate scoring chances and goals against as we prepare for the playoffs.”

He’s confident they’ll make it that far. “We’re going to be a playoff team,” he says. “We’ve had a plan in place the last three years. Our plan is to go deep into the playoffs this year.

It’s not just about making them. We have some

internal goals, so we’re all focused on it… and a deep playoff run is what we’re all eyeing.”

Lawson Crouse, the six-foot-three, 183-pound left-winger, was the Fronts fifth overall pick this year, and so far, he’s working out well, says Keily. “He’s off to a very good start for us, and he’s going to be a very big part of this organization for the next year or so.”

Local support for the Frontenacs has been enormous so far this season — perhaps contributing to the team’s overall success. “It’s been good,” says Keily. “It’s tough to get the fans out when the weather is still good, but we understand that has lots to do with baseball and football being in full swing… but that being said, our crowds have been pretty good so far.”

Friday night games have been drawing crowds upwards of 4,000, while Sunday games — which are generally a harder draw — have been bringing in around 3,000. “I think as the team keeps doing well, and we get into the colder season, I think those crowd numbers will go up even further,” says Keily.

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HOW TO

Love Italy

BY REBECCA SCHNEIDEREIT

M

edieval wisdom held that “all roads lead to Rome,” and centuries later, Italy remains an essential trip for globetrotters of every stripe. From Milan in the north to Syracuse in the south, the historic nation harbours an inexhaustible wealth of things to see and do. “Italy is a feast for the senses. It’s beautiful. It’s tasty. It’s warm. It’s welcoming. I really think there’s something for everybody,” says Rebecca Funk, manager of Thomas Cook Travel.

Really, the biggest problem facing visitors to Italy is where to start. First-

time travellers, especially, must narrow their focus: are they interested in art, food, history, shopping? Louise Gardiner, Carlson Wagonlit Travel Canada’s senior director of leisure travel, can recommend hotspots for each. “Pompeii and Rome for the history, Venice for the romance, Milan for fashion, [the] Amalfi Coast for the view, Tuscany for the vineyards, Naples for pizza, and the food — absolutely everywhere.” But, she warns, don’t take on too much at once. “You just don’t want to feel like a contestant in The Amazing Race. You want to savour every moment you can.”

Roman landmarks such as the Coliseum, the Spanish Steps and Vatican City define the Italian experience in the popular imagination. But even first-time tourists should remember that there’s much to see beyond Rome’s borders. In Tuscany’s capital, Florence, the Uffizi Gallery safeguards treasures such as Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus (“I just about wept, it is so extraordinarily beautiful,” says Funk). “Floating city” Venice, meanwhile, is home to St. Mark’s gilded Basilica, and the Venetian gondoliers are a timeless national symbol.

Wherever else you may venture, make a day trip to Pompeii. Buried under volcanic debris when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, this perfectly preserved settlement provides an uncanny window into an earlier era. “The ash fell, and … captured that moment in time,” says Gardiner. “You feel like you’re actually there … you can see the tracks in the roads where the carriages would have gone.” Rebecca notes that you can even ascend Mt. Vesuvius; many tour buses will take you partway to the caldera.

If you’re a foodie — or, to use today’s more dignified title, a “gastrotourist” — you’ll already know that Italian cuisine is considered the world’s finest. But keep in mind that each region has its own specialties. Northern fare, Funk notes, tends to be “a little heavier. . . as you move further south, it becomes a little more Mediterranean.” In Rome, she

recommends savouring a scoop of gelato at Tre Scalini (the chocolate, of course — it’s so dark, “it’s almost black”) and the custom-made-to-order “extravaganza” at Ristorante Il Gabriello. If you weary of pizza and pasta, Funk also suggests sneaking greens back into your diet at L’Insalata Ricca, a Roman salad chain.

In fact, it’s possible to take a little Italian culinary acumen home with you, says Gardiner. “You can find several cooking tours or cooking classes where you can actually stay in someone’s home, and they will teach you how to cook.”

She recommends Sorrento’s Villa Ida, set among picturesque lemon and orange trees.

Even travellers who usually pride themselves on their self-sufficiency may wish to engage a guide while travelling in Italy — especially if your Italian is less than perfetto. “English isn’t super

widely spoken there,” says Funk. “I do recommend people to hire guides … otherwise, you’re going to be looking at a lot of things, and not necessarily understanding [them].”

Furthermore, as Gardiner points out, a privately hired guide will often possess inside knowledge that can help you jump queues. “They will know exactly where to take you … they’ve got all the ‘ins’,” Gardiner explains.

A trip to Italy can mean so many things — Pisa or Parma, cappuccino or gelato, beach or basilica – but it always means adventure, beauty and culture: those are practically the Italian ABCs. If this is your first trip, don’t worry about fitting everything in. Chances are, once you’ve been there once, you’ll make sure there’s a next time.

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DesigneD With You in MinD

By Rebecca SchneideReit Photos Stephen Wild

I

f you’ve driven down Stonehenge Street recently, you may have noticed number 712. If any house’s façade could “stop traffic,” it’s this new Westbrook Meadows show home: the interior is just as impressive, with a twoway fireplace, vaulted ceilings, walk-in closets and shower, and more. Sound like a place you might like to call home?

That’s possible, thanks to Above All Building & Solutions. They constructed the house at 712 Stonehenge Street,

and their homes and lots are available throughout Kingston and beyond.

Dane Sabourin and Mike Wiskin became friends in high school, and, afterwards, followed similar professional paths. Sabourin enrolled at Algonquin College, where he studied architectural technology. Wiskin, meanwhile, became a CUFCA-certified insulator, sitting building science courses and gathering practical experience on “exterior home designs and retrofits,” he says.

The two became business partners when they founded Above All Building & Solutions in 2010, also incorporating with 1880485 Ontario Inc. (Wiskin modestly credits real estate agent Louis Tavakoli with helping Above All get off the ground: “He sold our first house before it was even built.”) Since then, Above All’s goal has been to construct unparalleled custom homes for clients — structures remarkable for their appearance and workmanship.

ABOVE L–R Dane Sabourin, Mike Wiskin and Louis Tavakoli

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“

Above All came to my place to do some major repairs to parts of my house. It was a pleasure to have them around, as they were so pleasant and friendly, and keen on getting the job done with as little inconvenience for me as possible. They did great work, completed it promptly and left me feeling very happy to have met such engaging guys.”

—Peter Milliken

Kingston’s high architectural standards are an inspiration and challenge to Above All, as Sabourin tells it. “Kingston is a very stylish city, with great architectural features,” he says, but nevertheless, “Our homes don’t just blend in with the rest.

We want them to stand out.” Clients’ visions are another inspiration. “We embrace new ideas and designs that customers bring,” says Sabourin. “We want you to be creative.”

Whatever the job, whatever its size, Above All’s approach incorporates innovation and determination to see the work done impeccably. “We want to be building,” says Sabourin. “Our passion is to build.” Above All also provides all manner of exterior/interior renovations: basements to bathrooms to full additions.

Potential clients need only email or phone Above All, or contact them through their website, to have them visit and prepare a quote. Custom home plans are drawn

up with client input and approved before construction. “Each and every design starts at the owners’ fingertips.”

Above All is selective about its raw materials and tradespeople, choosing “nothing but the best,” says Sabourin.

Often, this means purchasing from, or collaborating with, local establishments.

Companies Above All has relied on include Albert Splinter Excavating, Cataraqui Concrete Forming, Century 21 Champ Realty, DT Splinter Custom Kitchens, Glen Supply Co. Ltd., Kingsbury Plumbing & Heating, Plumbing Plus, Robbs Heating & Cooling, Wisdom Electric, and W J Construction.

Upon acquiring first-rate people and products, equal commitment to excellence is evident in their work. “We treat each home like we’re building our own house, going above the Ontario Building Code Standard,” says Sabourin.

“We have better R-value and RSI values

“

Dane and Mike took exceptional care of us during the whole building process. Care and attention to detail was evident with every aspect of the build. Brandy and I feel that anyone considering building a dream home should definitely consider an Above All Custom Home.

We will definitely build with Above All again.”

—Danh and Brandy

in our insulation, thicker concrete foundation walls, more energy-efficient furnaces and appliances.”

Above All enjoys good relationships with their tradespeople, perhaps because they’re carefully selected. “Above All always uses certified sub-trades,” says office manager Cindy McAllister.

They also account for tradespeople’s construction needs. The building company’s characteristic “open web floor joists,” for instance, enable tradespeople “to run plumbing, electrical, and heating through the floor, without sacrificing ceiling height,” Sabourin says.

Finished Above All homes are Tarionwarrantied (and renovations are warrantied for five years, in addition to product guarantees). Inside and out, Above All builds are innovative and luxurious. Coffered or knockdown ceilings, granite counters, hardwood floors, and porcelain tiling are standard.

And while Above All is architecturally flexible — always accommodating client wishes — “our signature is open-concept designs,” says Sabourin.

Luxury and innovation are combined by the “Smart Home” initiative. This partnership with Best Buy/Future Shop allows Above All to provide home automation bundles (Smart Home Packages) to clients. The packages allow clients to use a single remote to control air conditioning and heat; audiovisual equipment; blinds; lighting; locks, security and surveillance technology; and other accessories and appliances.

Wires and cables can be concealed; speakers and TVs can be mounted on walls and in ceilings.

Smart Home clients, says Best Buy/ Future Shop’s Smart Homes manager Chris Lamont, are guided through their planning by a Best Buy/Future Shop associate. Once details are finalized,

Smart Home automation is built into the home. “All the products are warrantied and guaranteed,” says Lamont, and Best Buy/Future Shop’s services “are available in every community to provide ongoing store-level assistance and support.”

A visit to the Smart Home-equipped Stonehenge Street bungalow can reveal automation’s possibilities; or hop onto Above All’s website to explore their Smart Home Packages.

Despite being a newer company in Kingston, Above All is already “giving back.” This year, they undertook the Annual Child Development Centre Run, which collected $27,000. Above All is also conscious of their environmental footprint. To keep things eco-friendly, they’ve adopted largely paperless office communication; they’ll also suggest lowimpact products to clients.

Often, environmental excellence and excellence in performance overlap, as

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with the spray foam insulation Above All uses in addition to batting. “Two pound spray foam insulation is the best insulation you can get,” says Wiskin. “We use it in hard-to-insulate spots, like rim joists, window headers, and the corners of exterior walls.” Wiskin’s building science courses have left him well versed in combating air loss: “We also acoustic seal and tuck tape all the joints before we even poly the house,” he says.

In future, Above All Building & Solutions hopes to build more homes in Apple Wood (“a new subdivision with access to Loughborough Lake; it’s resort living on a residential lot,” Sabourin says) as well as Johnson’s Point. Apple Wood, says Wiskin, will feature “Dock access, fishing, little trails and paths… there’s going to be a campground atmosphere around the dock area.”

Above All’s new custom homes at Johnson’s Point — for instance, the waterfront bungalow they will be building, measuring over 3,000-square-feet — will be lavish and luxurious, representing some of their most unfettered creativity.

And since Above All has recently made various newly designed homes and packages available to clients, those who decide to build with this local company will find they have countless options for their “perfect home.”

Above All also hopes to return to Westbrook Meadows for further construction; three separate Westbrook Meadows lots are currently being offered to clients. “We would like to eventually build our own subdivision, with large lots, mature trees, and unique home designs,” notes Sabourin. In the meantime, the company is amassing a loyal clientele, enjoying referrals and repeat business.

“People say that they come back because they’re very satisfied with the work,” says McAllister. “They like dealing with Mike and Dane — they’re very easy to approach and talk to.”

Above All 1052 Gardiners Road Kingston 613.767.6852 www.aboveallkingston.com Suits provided by Chris James

Top 10 Things Buyers Notice

My advice to all my clients is to slow down and prepare their home for sale.

The pre-listing time is crucial and the small efforts of a homeowner can expedite a sale.

1.

2.

3.

Tracie Tattrie Sales Representative Tracie Tattrie Realty 640 Cataraqui Woods Drive Kingston 613.484.0225 tracie@tracietattrie.ca www.tracietattrie.ca

4.

5.

O

ver the past several months, buyers have had the advantage in Kingston. The 2013 spring market launched slowly, which was the opposite of 2012, and the listings continued to enter the market place. But where were the buyers? By the end of the summer, the market picked up and improved more quickly than anticipated.

But why do some homes get left behind?

Why are some homes constantly overlooked, with regular showings, but no offer? Yet some homes sell right away?

6.

Curb Appeal — neat and tidy, mowed or shovelled, fresh doormat.

Perhaps a mailbox needs replacing or the front door needs painting.

Buyers start making up their mind before they open the door Front Entrance — clear of shoes.

Fresh clean smell to greet the buyers. (No plug-ins, there are lots of alternatives out there that are much more appealing).

Taste specific decorating — you love your style but once the “For Sale” sign is up, you need to stop seeing it as your home. Buyers need to see themselves in the space. You are moving anyway so you might as was well start packing up your collections, removing knickknacks and clearing off horizontal surfaces.

Paint a Neutral Colour — I love colour, but I would still advise my clients that the next buyer may not appreciate the blue kitchen, pink bedroom and green living room.

Fresh, neutral paint throughout has a high return on investment.

Heating vents, bathroom fans and cold air return — these need to be cleaned or replaced. Dust loves to live here and for a few dollars new ones can make a big difference.

Furnace filter — make sure there is a fresh one in the furnace. I always pull them out to have a look and so do home inspectors. It says a lot about how a seller takes care of the house.

7.

Clean Windows, sills and tracks — these need to sparkle.

8.

Bright and airy — time to take down the dark curtains or valances. Less around the windows is more. Open windows when possible and let the fresh air in. Use mirrors to create a larger and brighter space. Run the dehumidifier in the basement (whether selling or not). Basements need them to stay dry; don’t put them away when selling.

9.

Cupboards and closets — are they organized? Do they show that the buyer will have enough space? Pack away what you don’t need. The clean and organized home wins.

10. Landscaping — this counts for more than the credit it is given. I always encourage my clients to plant trees when they buy a home to create more privacy. Buy some potted plants for the front and back yard and deck if needed. Create an outdoor space that welcomes the new homeowners.

Part of my service is to sit down with my clients and come up with a plan. I have worked with my clients for months while getting their home ready for the market. Being proactive is key and necessary. It puts money in your pocket quicker and reduces the stress of the selling experience.

Visit www.kingstonrealestateagentwhocares.com If you have any questions or comments you can call, text or email me.

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Appeal Adding

& Value with Built-Ins

By Meredith heron

I

often get asked for my top tips for decorating a given room, and usually these requests come with an ona-budget caveat to them. I thought I would turn the tables and talk about my favourite decorating additions when you are looking to invest in your home.

One of the most often-requested items to add to any décor has to be built-ins.

Ironically, these aren’t often actually built-in, but I’m splitting hairs with that.

Whether they are to flank a fireplace or hide a TV and a hoarder’s collection of DVDs, built-ins have instant appeal, and are considered by real estate types as a big ticket feature when selling a home.

Custom built-ins often range in price from about $4,500 up to tens of thousands of dollars depending on detail, size/scale, decorative trim and lacquer finishes. I often specify the addition of wallpaper or mirror into the overall design, which just adds to the cost. I am also obsessed with adding picture lights that adorn the cabinetry — like adding a fabulous pair of earrings to any outfit. Featured here are

built-ins that we recently had made for a client in Toronto. She has a huge collection of china and family heirlooms, and she also was desperate to find a home for an ever-growing collection of books.

The room itself was only about 10 feet wide; it was originally the living room in a narrow Victorian row house. We decided to flip the living and dining rooms; to maximize space, the built-ins became essential. We lined almost the entire room with these cabinets, and opted to put a middle section between two units to act as a buffet, topping it with marble.

Above this buffet section, we used antiqued mirror in a tile pattern with rosettes to visually expand the space.

The antiquing prevents it from being a little too 1980s “glamazon” and softens the reflections. Note the polished nickel picture lights above the bookcases: it’s a great way to add additional lighting to the space to create a sexy evening look, while highlighting the family heirlooms.

It’s an easy way to glam up pretty simple built-ins.

Meredith Heron

I am a huge proponent of custom furniture. It’s the only way to get the perfect fit, the right scale or the exact combination of features that you’re after. Most people get very nervous when you mention custom because they think that it will involve selling a kidney on the black market to be able to afford it.

Not so! Often it’s faster and more practical for me to design a custom piece for a client than to spend the time it takes to source the “close, but not exactly perfect” option.

In this same dining room, we worked with a local artisan to have this dining table made; the dining chairs are also customdesigned-and-made. Both are much cheaper than purchasing some big brand name pieces. The live-edge dining table is black walnut, made to fit the narrow room to allow the maximum amount of seating that the room could handle without making it feel overcrowded.

Another one of my go-to custom items is area rugs, specifically my own collection of hide rugs, which are available through the trade or through our studio (yes, a shameless plug here).

In a project that we just finished in Boston, Massachusetts, I designed a custom hide rug to fit a room that needed a 10 ft. x 14 ft. area rug. Had I opted to find a Persian or Tibetan rug that size, we’d be looking at $25,000. A custom hide rug from my collection is about a one-third of the cost.

Did you notice the two-storey fireplace? You guessed it; we custom designed it and had it made. Worth every penny, don’t you think? 

Colin Davies Custom metal Work

By Deborah MelMan-CleMent Photos aManDa Garreau

T

here are two questions that Colin Davies hears a lot these days. One is: “Do you make horseshoes?”

The other is: “Do you make swords?”

“I don’t,” he says in answer to both, “but I could.”

Davies is a blacksmith, which is not as anachronistic as it seems. Yes, the trade all but died when the car replaced the horse as our preferred way to get around and people decided to stop carrying swords, but there’s still a place for the blacksmiths of this world. In fact, Davies is part of what he calls “a vibrant, supportive community” of blacksmiths across Ontario. That community is dedicated to keeping the trade alive, both for practical and artistic purposes.

So how does one become a blacksmith?

In Davies’ case, it started with a degree in mechanical engineering, followed by a job researching rocket fuel technology. Then a funny thing happened. “I realized I didn’t enjoy research,” he says. What he did enjoy was art, physical labour, metal, and mechanisms. “Blacksmithing was really the ideal profession for me on all counts.”

After studying the craft at Haliburton School of The Arts, Davies set up a workshop in an industrial park on Terry Fox Drive in Kingston’s north end. Setting up the shop was no easy feat. He had to use an engine crane to move in his anvils.

Yes, blacksmiths still use anvils. In fact, he collects antique blacksmithing tools, which he restores using traditional techniques.

Like many present-day blacksmiths, Davies mainly does commission work.

Most of his clients are homeowners who are interested in renovating or upgrading their existing metalwork — gates, railings, screens, and such. Clients often come to him with an idea and trust him to bring it to life. “I’ll flesh out a rough design,” he says. Just as often, he’ll design from scratch. While he’ll take on just about any project, Davies says blacksmithing lends itself particularly well to the Arts & Crafts, Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles. “Those styles began at a time when blacksmithing was everywhere, and they’re perfectly suited to hand-forged work.”

He also works on a smaller scale. He’ll make ornamental hardware such as hinges, knobs, coat hooks and cabinet handles, as well as kitchen utensils, barbecue tools, and even 10th-century Viking-style padlocks.

Although he remains faithful to the traditional tools and techniques of his craft, Davies isn’t afraid to take a more modern approach. “My philosophy is that you should use every tool at your disposal, rather than arbitrarily limiting yourself,” he says.

When he’s not working commissions and making household items, Davies uses his forge for more artistic pursuits. An accomplished metal sculptor, he draws inspiration from his earlier engineering work. “I’ve always been interested in the human form,” he says. “I’m not trying to exactly copy the human body, but I want to use metal to do the same things

that humans do with muscle and bone.”

While earning his degree, he spent time studying mechanics and robotics, which allows him to infuse his work with a lifelike sense of human movement. “That’s the benefit of an engineering education,” he says, adding that his background has also given him a deeper understanding of how hot metal behaves between the hammer and anvil.

Davies believes his mastery of the craft is one of the keys to success in an age where blacksmiths are relatively uncommon. After all, one of the reasons blacksmithing fell out of fashion — aside from the decline of the horseshoe and sword trades — was that it was no longer the most affordable option on the market. As more efficient welding techniques were invented and cheaper imported cast iron made its way onto the market, blacksmithing became something of a luxury. “Today the focus is on quality,” says Davies. “Blacksmithing in this day and age is about artistry. It’s about combining traditional techniques and materials to make products that stand the test of time.”

The other advantage of Davies’ products is that they’re utterly unique. “I never make the same thing twice,” he says.

“Even if I wanted to, I don’t think I could.”

You can find his pieces at craft shows throughout the region, including the Fat Goose Craft Fair, coming Nov. 24 to the Renaissance Event Venue. When he’s not on the road, Davies is usually in his workshop. Although the shop isn’t a store, he’s happy to show you around the forge if you make an appointment. He’ll even let you check out his anvil collection.

Colin Davies Custom Metal Work 304–35 Terry Fox Drive 613.929.5118. www.daviescustommetal.com

One Machine.

FOur SeaSOnS Dyson Hot + Cool Bladeless Fan Heater

D

yson’s new bladeless fan heater heats when it’s cool and cools when it’s hot. It’s a heater and a fan in one.

The inventor (also known for the vacuum cleaner that doesn’t lose suction) Sir James Dyson comments, “It’s frustrating when temperatures fluctuate in a room — you’re warm one minute, shivering the next. So, we created a machine that heats and cools effectively. We increased the output of the brushless motor by 33 per cent, improving cooling performance, whilst maintaining fast even room heating.”

Using Air Multiplier technology and a motor engineered for greater airflow, AM05 draws in 28 litres of air per second via a mixed flow impeller. Air friction is reduced using nine asymmetrically aligned fins, with rows of tiny holes. This helps maintains constant smooth airflow.

In heater mode, two Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) ceramic plates heat the air as it’s projected into the room.

The air is then accelerated through a tiny aperture set within the loop amplifier.

This creates a jet of air, which passes over an airfoil shaped ramp angled at five degrees. Creating an area of low pressure behind the fan, air is drawn in through a process known as inducement.

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Surrounding air is drawn into the airflow in a process called entrainment.

A team of 45 Dyson engineers developed Dyson Hot + Cool. They performed acoustics testing, electromagnetic compatibility testing, airflow modelling and simulated life testing for the equivalent of 10 years. Air fluctuations were mapped with Laser Doppler Anemometry, enabling engineers to make iterative changes to achieve the optimal angle of the airfoil-shaped ramp.

The AM05 has an intelligent thermostat maintains the temperature between 1ºC and 37ºC. When it hits the desired temperature the machine turns itself off, but if the thermostat senses a drop in temperature it turns back on. Its low surface temperatures throughout and no visible heating elements make it safe around little fingers and pet paws. And if tipped over, the machine has been engineered to automatically shut off.

Plus, turning the AM05 on and off, adjusting temperature, airflow rate and controlling oscillation can be done easily from across a room. The remote control is curved and magnetized to store neatly on top of the machine.

It’s whole room heating in the winter and high velocity cool air in the summer.

Available where Dyson is sold.

Available at: www.dysoncanada.ca Bed Bath & Beyond Best Buy Canadian Tire Future Shop Home Hardware Home Outfitters Hudson’s Bay Sears Target Walmart All Dyson authorized independent retailers

Experience the Spa and never leave home

Plumbers on staff for service and new home projects.

Specializing in complete bathroom renovations and custom glass shower enclosures

PLUMBING PLUS Connecting style and price with good advice

Kingston 655 Arlington Park Place 613-389-5724

www.plumbingplus.com

Belleville Northland Centre Hwy 62 613-968-3461

Designing excellence Countrywide Kitchens and Baths Redefining Quality in Kingston

By Katrina Geenevasen Photos stephen Wild

F

or more than 30 years, Countrywide Kitchens has been helping Kingstonians create the kitchens of their dreams.

Family owned and operated since its humble beginnings in 1982, the company has firmly established itself within the community, operating under a simple, yet time-tested philosophy that preserves a balance of quality, service and value. “We take it very personally,” says John Zakos, president of Countrywide Kitchens. “I treat these kitchens like they’re my own.

That’s how we do things here, and I think people sense that.”

Customer satisfaction is achieved through strong leadership, inspirational design, attention to even the smallest of details, and the total commitment of the dedicated team of professionals — some of which have been with the company since its very beginning. This devoted group makes the ongoing success of Countrywide possible, says Peggy Geracimo, Countrywide CEO.

“We have a top-notch team of very skilled, very experienced designers, installers and service people, ably supported by a knowledgeable administration, all working toward making your dream come true,” says Peggy, pointing out that combined, the group has nearly 270 years of experience.

Not surprisingly, this knowledge lends itself nicely to customer education.

“We’re not the only kitchen store, but we’d like people to consider us on their shortlist,” says Peggy, who adds that in-house shop facilities minimize

OPPOSITE DESIgn TEam Steve Blakely, Nancy Howey, Ron Hounsell, Victoria Kirton, Stephen Lang, John Zakos

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inconvenience to the client. “Once they walk in here, they’ll be thrilled. They’ll be introduced to designers who will meet with them and be able to answer their questions in the most credible fashion ever. They know their products, they know design. There is no one more experienced in this community than the designers that work here.”

of talent and products and we want to use Canadian companies. They produce some beautiful cabinetry.”

Countrywide’s design team’s postsecondary education includes degrees from Queen’s University in Urban Planning and Engineering, diplomas from Fanshawe College in Interior Design and business degrees from Ryerson University. Members of the team have also pursued further expertise by attaining Certified Kitchen and Bath Design accreditation from the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

From classic charm to sleekly modern, there is something to suit everyone, no matter his or her personality or taste.

And with all three cabinet manufacturers located within a few hours drive of Kingston, Countrywide can acquire any items needed in a timely fashion.

It all begins during the initial meeting between clients and their designers. At this time, the designer leads customers through the fabulous 6,000-squarefoot showroom that uses state-of-theart displays to explain the many levels, options and variations available from the company’s three Ontario suppliers, Frendel, Deslaurier and Artcraft. Each company stands behind their products, promising 100 per cent customer satisfaction when it comes to warranties and guarantees. “We’re promoting the talent that we have here,” says Michelle Geracimo-Hoyle, vice president of Countrywide. “Canada has an abundance

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“As an Ontario company, what we do creates jobs for others, so we like to use Canadian suppliers,” says Peggy. “There are lots of international companies now, but we like to keep our suppliers Ontario-focused.”

Frendel, of Mississauga, has been family owned and operated since 1986, and operates with the philosophy to build the best possible kitchens and vanities at the best value, in their stateof-the-art facility. Deslaurier, located in Renfrew, utilizes highly developed automated processes in combination with sophisticated software to enable them to reduce their energy consumption and the amount of waste they generate.

Niagara Fall’s-based Artcraft is now a third generation business that is committed to the best practices in the use of materials, production processes and waste management to minimize the impact on the environment.

So many choices can be confusing, but the expertise of the designer will guide the

client through the process. “Our designers not only listen, but hear the client’s ideas,” says Peggy. “They’re always mindful to incorporate the client’s wish list into the kitchen, and they navigate together through the design process.”

With high-tech software, the designer is able to produce computerized renderings and layouts for the client to review and better understand how the end product will look.

Customer satisfaction upon seeing the end result is evident, with many clients returning time and time again for kitchen and bath projects. “We have done kitchens for the same people three and four times because they come to us for their first kitchen, and then their family grows and they move to a bigger house and we follow them around,” says Peggy.

“It is also true on the other side when families start downsizing.”

“It’s a nice feeling, that they have the confidence to come back, because there are a lot of people doing what we do,” says John.

Countless binders filled with hundreds upon hundreds of client testimonials give potential customers an idea of the company’s commitment and what they can expect if they choose Countrywide to install their next kitchen or bathroom.

“Everyone we worked with was just great,” says one client. “The whole team, from the moment we walked in the door, made us feel welcome.”

“The experience was wonderful and I appreciated the time and attention of our designer,” says another client. Staff remains earnestly humble, though.

“We’re only as good as our last kitchen,” says Peggy. “We want to make sure that the ultimate experience is what we intend

it to be, and what customers expect it to be, resulting in happy, satisfied clients.”

There’s nowhere to hide in Kingston, she points out, so nothing can be done halfway. “You see your clients in grocery stores, you see them at church, you see them at the hockey rink, you see them all over the place. So you better do a good job every time if you want to stay in business in this community. Here, clients become like family, we get to know them, we stay in touch, we build relationships.

“At Countrywide, you deal with real people, not computerized answering machines,” she adds, pointing out that for more than 30 years, the company has dealt with Kingston’s premier homebuilders for single and multi-unit construction in the marketplace, and have excellent working relationships with other construction trades and retailers of kitchen appliances.

Furthermore, Countrywide is financially a strong, well-capitalized company that has been a solid corporate citizen in the marketplace, with membership in the Kingston Homebuilders Association and the Kingston Chamber of Commerce.

Over the years, they have continued to support various community organizations, both financially and by volunteering, including the Kingston Hospitals Foundation, the Kingston Symphony Association, the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston and Area, the Limestone Learning Foundation and the Kingston Community Foundation. “We are a proud Kingston Corporation, fully integrated into our community through our giving and our people,” says Peggy.

With almost 20,000 “dream come true” kitchens completed, it’s clear that Countrywide has established a strong

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foothold in the Limestone City, and will only continue to grow bigger and stronger.

After hours and weekend appointments are available to accommodate the schedules of all clients.

Countrywide Kitchens is located at 1407 John Counter Blvd. For more information, call 613.549.8650 or visit their newly designed website at www.countrywidekitchens.com.

Countrywide Kitchens 1407 John Counter Blvd 613.549.8650 www.countrywidekitchens.com

L–R Todd Pearson, Victoria Kirton, Pat Somers, Rastko Vukomanovic, Steve Blakely, Chris Perry, Michelle Cardinal, Stephen Laing, Judi Goldie, Nancy Howey, Ron Hounsell, Paul Yeomans. FROnT ROw Michelle Hoyle, Peggy Geracimo, John Zakos

EXPERTAdvice Ask a Kitchen Designer

unlimited resources on the Internet can be helpful, but easily confusing. How do you put it all together to make it spectacular for your home?

There are a few ideas that we suggest will make it easier for you to get the kitchen of your dreams. Start by making a list of reasons why you want a new kitchen and what you want to change. Do you need better storage, more drawers, perhaps a space for recycling? Do you dream of an island with stools, where you can enjoy a morning coffee while you read the newspaper? What will it look like, traditional or modern, will it be wood or painted, glossy or matte?

John Zakos President, Kitchen Designer Countrywide Kitchens 110–1407 John Counter Blvd.

613.549.8650 www.countrywidekitchens.com

“ Q

Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.

”

uestion: A co-worker just had a spectacular new kitchen installed. I would love to change my old kitchen, but do not know if it’s in my budget. How much does a kitchen cost and where do I begin?

At Countrywide, we understand that undertaking a new kitchen purchase may be a daunting process. Design shows on television, home design magazines and

Next you have to decide on a budget. You may not know what a kitchen costs, but you need to decide what you are willing to spend on your new kitchen cabinetry.

If you have some time, take some pictures of your existing kitchen and a few simple dimensions.

Finally, think about your appliances. A big part of your kitchen space is required for the fridge, stove and dishwasher, in addition to your hood fan and microwave. We suggest you have an idea on the options, yet hold off on the actual purchase until the final kitchen layout is decided. You need to know that everything will fit.

Now it is time for a showroom visit. Drop in to Countrywide Kitchens and take

your time looking at the kitchens, styles and finishes on display. This experience is quite exciting, so have some fun and enjoy exploring the 14 displays designed to inspire you. You will be able to discuss and ask about the next steps with one of our six experienced professional kitchen designers. They will ask if you have thought about what you would like to change and what “your kitchen” will look like when it’s all done. With your list of ideas, you can answer many of the questions being asked.

One of the stickiest points in this conversation will be about price.

Working with three different Canadian cabinet manufacturers, we are able to offer value and quality in a range of styles, from basic kitchens to elaborate kitchen cabinetry, regardless of price.

Countrywide Kitchens has invested in a 20-20 software program that allows us to create your kitchen design on a computer, which you can view on one of our large screen monitors in the showroom, when we meet again. This meeting will also be used to discuss the estimate for the cost of your kitchen, based on the layout shown and the door style you chose at the first meeting.

A deposit and signing of a contract initiates the order process. Seven to eight weeks later, you should be sitting at the island with a cup of coffee in hand, reading the paper and enjoying “your kitchen.”.

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DeDicateD to Making Real estate WoRk foR You

By Trina annand Photos amanda Garreau

B

uying or selling a home can be both a challenging and rewarding event in a person’s life. The process is less stressful when working with a professional on your side. By choosing someone who knows the ins and outs of the industry, clients can shape their own real estate experience. Though Drew Mayhew and Nick Kirkpatrick came from different backgrounds, pro golf and finance, they ended up in the same place: Remax Realty. Both agents discovered a passion for helping clients achieve their

real estate dreams. The key to the team’s approach is educating the client and helping them realize the full potential of this life-changing experience.

By providing sellers a unique system of service and promotion, Mayhew and Kirkpatrick ensure that clients get the best possible offer in the least amount of time.

“We offer staging, professional photos and a dedicated website for each listing.

We promote a client’s home like it is our own. By creating strong relationships

with our clients we can achieve amazing things together,” remarks Kirkpatrick.

“Working with Nick and Drew is fantastic; they really understand the long-term vision of my company. Since we started working with them our sales have tripled and our clients are receiving the professional services they deserve.

Their skill sets complement each other perfectly and they make a great team, we are thrilled to be working with them,” says Luke Field of Bellefield Custom Homes.

Photos taken at Drew and Nick’s upcoming waterfront listing

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By presenting a value added concept of sellers and buyers, the team provides their clients with not only the tools, but education to best complete their real estate transactions. Each client gets the most out of the process with the team’s hands-on approach. “We don’t see each client as a job; we truly care about them.

We are constantly looking for innovative ways to do the best for our clients. By truly getting to know them we are able to find them the best possible solution and help them make the most informed decision,” notes Mayhew.

Custom Homes That Stand the Test of Time Luke Field decided to start his own home building company with a single-minded approach. By combining classic design with eco-friendly features, Bellefield Custom Homes stands out in a crowd.

“I wanted to build the best homes on the market. I create classic, timeless homes with all the style people are seeing in magazines. I then combine it with the quality and efficiency of the modern home,” remarks Field.

By blending old-world characteristics — such as coffered ceilings and trim with a modern aesthetic (like sparkling fixtures), Energy Star appliances and granite countertops — Bellefield homes look as though they have stepped out of time. Focusing on the home’s layout, each home fits like a glove, with an intuitive design created for each client to suit the way they live. “By using traditional elements like trim, built-ins and handcrafted details, people are often unsure of whether the homes are brand new or 100 years old. We build homes to last, far too much of the modern world is disposable,” says Field.

Remax Realty 49 Princess Street Kingston Drew Mayhew Cell: 613.929.3739 Office: 613.544.3325 Nick Kirkpatrick Cell: 613.329.8290 Office: 613.389.7777 www.drewandnick.ca RIGHT Drew Mayhew and Nick Kirkpatrick

Make your Memories and Arrangements Colourful at

Plants and Pots Flowers and Fine GiFts

By Katrina Geenevasen Photos Paul tohill

F

or more than 35 years, the beautiful blooms from Plants and Pots Flowers and Fine Gifts have been bringing smiles to the faces of endless Kingstonians.

Formerly located in the Frontenac Mall, the family-owned flower and gift shop recently made the move to a new and brighter location at 500 Gardiners Road.

The 1,800-square-foot store, with its

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large inviting windows, beckons even the most seasoned shopper to discover something fantastic and unique. After all, Plants and Pots is the largest independent store in the Limestone City, with the greatest selection of gifts, garden and home décor, coupled with a full service floral department.

“When you come in looking for something, we want there to be so much

to choose from that you’ll have a hard time picking,” says owner Hélène Tohill with a friendly laugh.

From professional fresh cut floral designs, suitable for any occasion, to gourmet gift baskets, unique gifts and garden and home décor, every square inch of space is filled with eclectic offerings.

Meanwhile, a wide range of framed prints and inspirational signs — as well as metal

artwork expertly handmade in Mexico — make decorating homes of any size or style a breeze. Cheerful LED décor, stained glass artwork and unique clocks round out the diverse home accessories selection. To sweeten the deal, new and exciting merchandise appears with the changing of every season.

For those with pampering in mind, there is an endless selection of candles from Yankee Candle, Country Home, Bean Pod and Village Candle, as well as Upper Canada Soap products, which are a Canadian-made customer favourite, says Tohill.

With her friendly smile and a fresh sense of humour, it’s easy to see why Tohill and her staff have had such an impact on customers over the years. “As a small business, a strong connection with our customers is very important to us,” says Tohill, who explains that some customers have been Plants and Pots regulars for years. “We know a lot of our customers by name and that makes it really special.”

They go the extra mile to ensure their clients are satisfied every time, by putting ample effort into each custom design.

“We usually ask the sender what the recipient likes, as far as colours and flowers,” explains Tohill. “Also, because we have such a variety of gifts, people often ask for an ‘add on’ with their flowers, whether it be a teddy bear, chocolates, candles or any of many keepsake gifts.”

The small but mighty staff at Plants and Pots feels presentation is equally important. “We want every floral arrangement that is delivered from our store to impress the recipient,” says Tohill. “The best reward we receive is when someone has enjoyed flowers from our shop and they call or stop by to place an order because they were so impressed with the flowers they received.”

“We put a lot of care and effort into designing each arrangement,” Tohill continues. “We know how special it is to receive flowers, so we do all we can to make the whole experience as memorable as it can be. Our customers fully entrust us with their orders and we are committed to satisfying both the customer and the recipients.”

Plants and Pots is located at 500 Gardiners Road. For more information, call 613.547.4882, or visit www.

ABOVE Hélène Tohill

plantsandpots.net. The store also has a Facebook page and Twitter account where you can keep abreast of new arrivals.

Plants & Pots–Flowers & Fine Gifts 500 Gardiners Road Kingston 613.547.4882 www.plantsandpots.net

Cabinets built with You in Mind

By Katrina Geenevasen PHotos Julianna Harbec

F

amily owned and operated for almost 35 years, Cataraqui Cabinets has established quite a reputation for itself, becoming known as a trusted source for homeowners beginning the exciting process of planning new cabinetry.

“If customers want something that’s built well, and built to last, they should come here. We stand by our products,” says Doris Splinter Flynn, who is part of the Cataraqui Cabinets family, along with owner, Sean Flynn.

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Whether customers are looking to design a bathroom, entertainment unit, or a new kitchen, the staff at Cataraqui Cabinets wants to make the process as efficient as possible from beginning to end, while keeping clients informed every step of the way.

From expert design assistance and quality manufacturing to exceptional installation, customers can rest assured knowing they are in good hands. One glance around the showroom — which boasts everything from cabinets and

countertops to unique accessories — will show customers the wide range of choices that are available.

“We pride ourselves on the quality of our craftsmanship, especially our finishes,” says Splinter Flynn, noting that they are also proud of the fact that they’re a local company, with everything built on site. “If you buy a cabinet here, it was built local.

So customers can be confident knowing that something was built here, and built with quality.”

During the initial meeting, clients meet with one of the team’s designers to discuss possible door styles, colours, cabinet layouts, countertops and accessories. Following this meeting, the designers will check measurements, and then provide a preliminary design and a cost estimate. Once revisions are made and the design meets the clients’ expectations, dreams start to become a reality.

It’s all about meeting clients’ customized needs right from the start, says Splinter Flynn. “Everything we build is custom,” she says. “We don’t have a showroom full of premade items. Everything is made to measure for wherever the finished piece is going. Although it is custom, the prices are very competitive. It’s about trying to find out what is in the mind of the customer and building cabinets to meet what they need and what they desire.”

While home design and renovations can spark feelings of anxiety and be somewhat overwhelming, Cataraqui Cabinets helps to ease the burden. “It is an extremely emotional experience to do a renovation, but we are prepared for that,” says Splinter Flynn. “We reassure people that we know it’s a very challenging experience and we try to help people in terms of their decisions and give them different options. It’s about open communication and listening to what the person wants, what their desires are, and how we can meet their needs.”

The quality of the final product speaks for itself. “We build such a good product that customers have come back over the years, when they continue to customize their home or move on. They are still happy with their original purchase as it still looks great,” says Splinter Flynn, who loves coming into work. “To me, it’s a very natural and pleasurable thing to be able to help people and make cabinet dreams come true.”

Cataraqui Cabinets is located at 613 O’Connor Drive. For more information, call 613-389-9295, or visit www. cataraquicabinets.ca. They can also be found on Facebook at /Cataraqui Cabinets Ltd. Cataraqui Cabinets 613 O’Connor Drive 613.389.9295 www.cataraquicabinets.ca |

Where Quality, Style and Beauty Meet Jacob Nathan Home Furnishings and Decor

By Katrina Geenevasen

W

ith its wide range of stylish, one-of-a-kind home décor and furniture, it’s no surprise that Jacob Nathan Home Furniture and Accessories has established strong roots in both Napanee and Kingston.

Owned and operated by husband and wife team Cindy and David Wilkinson, Jacob Nathan is everything but a big box

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store, offering personalized, no-pressure customer service and quality-made products. “We built our business not only by selling quality products at a great price, but by offering after-sales service to our customers. We take pride in our company and products, and our success is evident with the response and support we have received from our customers.”

With more than 16,000 square feet of retail space between the two stores, David and Cindy say they are able to have everything their customers would need or want for their living room, kitchen, dining room, bedroom, home office, or for their outdoor space.

David says he loves to help customers find exactly what they’re looking for. “I like to

ABOVE BACK Linda Thompson, Jacob Wilkinson, Alex Kehoe, Cory Weese, Mitch Keys FRONT David Wilkinson, Nathan Wilkinson, Cindy Wilkinson.

PHOTO Stephen Wild

give customers what they want, instead of what everyone else has,” he says. “I love my job. I have been doing it for 30 years. I still love it like the first day I started. There isn’t much I don’t have for every customer that comes through the doors, from custom, quality, Canadian products, to the top brands in North America.”

Quality brand names at Jacob Nathan include, but are not limited to, Universal, Broyhill and Lane. They also offer Ashley Furniture, which is the No.1 selling furniture brand in North America. “We handpick our manufactures, and they all have to be able to stand behind their products, so we can stand behind our customers. It’s very important,” says David.

Customers rave about the wide selection at Jacob Nathan, which is changing constantly to show every available style choice. “It’s about being unique and

different,” says Cindy. “When people walk through the door, they know they haven’t seen the options anywhere else.”

Customers also love the good prices and excellent service, she adds. In fact, many of their clients refer friends and family to David and Cindy for future purchases.

“We get new customers from our old customers. Word of mouth has always been our best form of advertising.”

In addition to the wide selection of instore products, David and Cindy also offer custom upholstery, as well as consultations within clients’ homes. “We show the customers all their options,” says Cindy. “All the products can be overwhelming for our customers, so we are here with our experience, to help with colour choices for their walls, and furniture and all the accessories to go with them.”

It’s all about what the customer wants and will enjoy, so their house can become a home, explains Cindy. “Our store is named after our two boys, Jacob and Nathan,” she says. “We are all about family, and family starts at home. We want our customers to have a choice that they can live with, not buy something and settle because it’s their only choice. With its true focus on customer service and an unbeatable selection, Jacob Nathan cannot be beat.

You’re going to love this place.”

Jacob Nathan 2776 Princess Street Kingston 613.384.2444 450 Centre Street North Napanee 613.354.3555 jacobnathan@bellnet.ca

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BIG ONE-STOP SHOPPING for Home and Business Owners Alike

BY KATRINA GEENEVASEN PHOTOS ROBERT TAYLOR

I

t has been seven years since locallyowned Clean Freaks made its debut; delivering unparalleled customer service and now a multitude of services, all designed to reduce the burden of cleaning, restoring and maintaining on clients, with services available regionally for home and business.

In 2006, Eric Therrien, fresh from an active career with the Canadian military, began Clean Freaks from the ground up, applying the discipline and skill he developed while serving his country.

Starting small, the consistent and timely provision of exceptional results, combined with the well-earned trust and confidence of his clients have propelled his business forward.

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For this humble entrepreneur, it’s a business that is beyond rewarding.

and mobile power washing components of his business in 2011.

“I like to make a difference; to see people appreciate the talent of my outstanding team,” says Therrien. ”It’s a really great feeling. People are surprised at all we can do. At the end of the day, it gives me great satisfaction knowing we resolved our clients’ problems.”

“A skilled and careful staff makes all the difference,” he says. “Clients should feel comfortable and know they are in good hands.”

More than 10 team members strong, Clean Freaks is the go-to source for a wide range of sparkling services, including timely maid services, car detailing, fleet washing, commercial clean-ups and property maintenance, all offered as individual or ongoing services.

Therrien launched the precision painting

Therrien hires only the best to ensure projects are done right the first time.

Hiring people with the right personality and capacity are the key, the training can be secondary. He admits that the process can be challenging, but finding the right person to fit the Clean Freaks team becomes a reward in itself.

“I am proud to say my staff care, they are here for more than just the takehome,” he says. “I have hand picked and

individually trained each of my fantastic team members. We are a team. We work together, care about each other and are all invested in finding our clients extremely satisfied.”

With thousands of clean homes, and hundreds of regular clients, the success of the business speaks for itself — but so does the 91 per cent client retention rate.

“It’s all because of the quality of work, and the trust between Clean Freaks and its clients,” says Therrien.

“Clients call us with a number of cleaning problems, and we can get everything they need done. There’s no need to call a number of companies. We can do it all in one-package service,” says Therrien.

“We take the time to listen to client needs and do things properly. It’s about keeping people happy, being loyal to our clientele and building relationships.”

Visit www.kingstoncleanfreaks.com or call 613-876-0505 to learn more about Clean Freaks, and why they’re so crazy about cleaning.

“Our clients stay with us because we provide quality work. We are constant. We keep our promises and don’t promise what we can’t deliver. If something can be done better or differently, we will tell them. I’m honest with my clients, so they aren’t investing money in what they don’t need.”

-Eric Therrien

Clean Freaks 764A Baker Crescent Kingston 613.876.0505 info@kingstoncleanfreaks.com www.kingstoncleanfreaks.com

MIDDLE Melissa Reid LEFT L–R Eric Therrien, owner; Stephanie Jolly, office manager

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NatioNal Grocers BuildiNG Home to Unique Artistic Community

By Katrina Geenevasen PHotos stephen Wild

O

n the banks of Kingston’s inner harbour sits the old National Grocers Building. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, the hands of time have weathered its concrete exterior, but inside you’ll find an eclectic group of independent artists breathing life into their creative visions.

Sharing only ideas and resources, the artists — who range from cabinet makers and interior designers to musicians and silversmiths — work in simple, stripped-down spaces, allowing creativity to flow freely.

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It’s modeled after the non-profit Artscape in Toronto, which develops and manages multi-use facilities for artists, entrepreneurs and cultural organizations alike. NGB studios, however, is unique only to the historic Limestone City. “All by itself, the building morphed into an artist colony, with many, many artists. It sort of has a life of its own,” says Ric Barr, the building’s landlord and one of the resident crafters.

“We decided to come here because we really like the feel of it,” says Catherine Hyett, decorator with leclair-hyett designs. “It really is more of an industrial

setting. We did not want to be in a strip mall. We didn’t want that environment.

We wanted to have close contact with artisans.”

Barr bought the buildings with his wife in 2002, and since then, it has become a community all on its own. “It’s classified as a small incubator for small business start-ups. We’re into design and creativity here,” says Barr. “We all help each other, we’re all sort of that ilk. Were not bumping into bankers and financial planners here,” he added with a laugh.

Barr Cabinets Featuring innovative, creative and highquality designs, Barr Cabinets is made up of the best cabinetmakers in all of eastern Ontario. Utilizing up-to-date machinery and old-world woodworking techniques, he creates stunning pieces of work for clients — whether they are commercial or residential — this company sets industry standards high.

From classic elegance to modern minimalism, Barr Cabinets can do it all, says owner Ric Barr, and they do it perfectly. “We cater to a clientele which has fairly good standards, requirements and expectations in what they want to get,” he says.

Because of Barr Cabinets’ unmatchable talent, it has become known as the “go to” company for discerning clientele, from not only Kingston, but cities like Toronto and Ottawa as well, says Barr. “We build from scratch, and we follow the process right through. We have our own finishing room. We have our own installers. We are a full package cabinetmaking shop.

We’re able to design, and we install and we finish off the project to the customers’ satisfaction. It’s a one-stop shop.”

Barr Cabinets 12 Cataraqui Street 613.531.0763 info@barrcabinets.com www.barrcabinets.com

Leclair-Hyett Design Specializing in custom drapery, blinds, upholstery, colour consultations and space planning for residential and commercial projects, leclair-hyett design brings together the talents of Kingston decorators Catherine Hyett and Laurie LeClair.

With more than 40 years of combined experience, this quirky duo zeros in on each client’s design needs, assuring that the finished product accurately reflects personal style and beliefs. “We are listeners,” explains LeClair, a professional colourist, who has designed the interiors and exteriors of some of Kingston’s top restaurants. “Our goal is that when we leave a home we have worked on, each client will have something they are thrilled about.”

“We tend to incorporate one-of-a-kind pieces into our designs,” she further explains. A home, after all, should be a sanctuary, says Hyett, who has a longtime passion for modern design and lighting. “A home should reflect your personality. When you go home, you should experience feelings of relaxation and satisfaction.” leclair-hyett design not only carries hard-to-find C2 paint and offers in-home design consultations to their clients, but is also proud to be the exclusive Kingston dealer for Hunter Douglas’ “Alustra” line, a signature collection featuring unique fabrics and distinctive detailing.

They also focus on providing earthfriendly products for clients, including organic textiles and fabrics from environmentally sustainable sources.

“We are forward-thinking when it comes to impact on the environment, as well as energy efficiency,” says Hyett. “We want to leave a very small footprint when developing design ideas.”

Laurie and Catherine look forward to welcoming you to their studio between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and other times by appointment. leclair-hyett design 12 Cataraqui Street Studio 4 613.531.8155 lhdesign@bellnet.ca www.leclair-hyett.com

Tristan Adams and Associates As a boy growing up in Kingston that built tree houses and sculpture, it comes as no surprise that Tristan Adams has become a talented designer and builder. “I’ve always been creative and known I wanted to work for myself,” says Adams.

Specializing in custom furniture, millwork and renovations, Adams’ work is not only innovative, it can also withstand the test of time.

Adams, along with his younger brother Dylan, mentored for several years under artists Shayne Dark and Mark Thompson, developing unique skills that have allowed them to bring a creative vision to each project. “I feel I have an aesthetic eye and take an artistic approach to the work that we do. I enjoy working with the client throughout the design and building process and executing what they have envisioned whether it be functional or funky.”

Although he has lived and worked in larger cities like Montreal, Toronto and maritime locations like Cape Cod, he has since settled in the Limestone City with his two children and has become known around Kingston for his unique designs.

“I enjoy what I do and I like to have fun,” he says. “I find it a challenge to figure out elegant solutions to ideas and projects.”

Tristan Adams and Assoc.

12 Cataraqui Street 613.329.8888 tristanadams@gmail.com TOP Zoom room cabinet, MIDDLE Credenza BOTTOM LEFT Brock street bowling alley table. BOTTOM RIGHT Tristan Adams

Tim Soper Woodworking Clad in a dusty, dark blue smock, Tim Soper proudly flips through a heavy binder filled with examples of the detailed, exquisite work he has completed over the years. A woodworker by trade, Soper completes unique custom kitchens and cabinets for storage needs of all kinds.

For this artisan, who works collaboratively with fellow cabinetmaker John Weima, it’s all in the details. “I want people to remember me for the special things I’ve done,” says Soper. “I personalize every single thing I do for clients.”

His range of work is broad; from modern chic to classic or contemporary, his talent is beautifully fluid. It’s all about getting to know the clients first, before beginning work on a design that will leave a lasting impression, says Soper. “I make cabinets for the long run, for people who will be in the same house for years and years,” he says, running his hand over the smooth surface of a kitchen cabinet he’s working on.

While wood is his specialty, he is expanding his talent to other areas, creating handmade, multi-purpose leather bags. “I’m shamelessly trying to tap into the modern market with something that is antiquated and appeals to the modern aesthetic,” says Soper. “It’s almost as if I’ve got a view of the world where I live in the present, but I want to draw all the best of what we appreciate from the past and tailor it to modern uses.

Whether it’s storing Macbook Pros in my leather bags, or making a drawer for a rolling pin, I am responding to the modern needs with an old esthetic and approach that is slightly antiquated.”

Tim Soper Woodworking 12 Cataraqui Street 613.650.1512 woodwork@bellnet.ca | tjwoodwork.ca

Cozying Up To

FIREPLACE SAFETY

BY SHELL BUSEY

T

he warm and comforting glow of a fire is a welcome treat as winter evenings bring a crisp chill to the air. Whether you curl up in front of a wood-burning or a natural gas fireplace, it’s important to know how to enjoy your fireplace safely.

Wood-burning fireplace When a wood-burning fireplace is in use, air is continually drawn out of the home and up the chimney. This air must be replaced to maintain the air balance flowing in and out of the home; this is essential for the safe operation of all fuel burning appliances. This balancing act ensures adequate air for complete combustion and ventilation of the flue gases.

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If the air balance is altered because of poor air supply or a blocked chimney, carbon monoxide (CO) and soot can be produced and down drafting can occur. To prevent smoke and flue gases (CO) from entering your home, follow these precautions:

• After the fire is out and the ashes are cold, or when the wood-burning fireplace is not in use, close the damper. This will prevent air and heat loss up the chimney, and cold air drafts from coming down the chimney.

• When a fireplace is in use, an open damper allows the smoke and gases to exit.

The first line of defense against CO is the proper installation, use, maintenance and inspection of all your fuel-burning appliances. The second line of defense is a properly installed CO detector. When you are about to purchase a new CO Detector, make sure it is approved to the latest standards. Look for CSA 6.19 or CSA 6.1901 on the package.

• Ensure an adequate fresh air supply into your home before lighting the fire.

• Some fireplaces come with their own combustion air duct. If yours is not equipped with this, you must have a fresh air supply nearby, such as an open window.

• Keep the fresh air supply open, even overnight, until the fire is completely out.

Consider installing glass doors on your wood-burning fireplace. The doors will prevent heat in your home from escaping up the chimney, saving you money on your heating bill.

You may also want to consider purchasing a draft stopper; they are designed to prevent drafts from conventional woodburning fireplaces when not in use.

Natural gas fireplace Natural gas fireplaces can operate at more than 60 per cent efficiency, whereas a typical wood-burning fireplace operates at 10 per cent efficiency. Efficiency refers to the amount of heat that is extracted from the flame, and is used to heat the home.

Remember to have regular inspections performed on natural gas fireplaces, along with all natural gas appliances.

Types of natural gas fireplaces Fireplace Insert: natural gas fireplace that fits inside an existing masonry fireplace.

Natural Vent Fireplace: natural gas fireplace that has a type-B vent (a four inch manufacturer-recommended venting pipe used to exhaust the combustion gases of fireplaces, hot water heaters and other small natural gas appliances) going up a fireplace chase (the enclosure on the outside of the house that the metal chimney runs through).

Direct Vent Fireplace: natural gas fireplace that uses a single outlet, dual pipe system to draw combustion air and vent exhaust. The vent is typically installed directly behind the fireplace or slightly above and behind.

Free Standing Fireplace: wood stove appearance, with the benefits of natural gas; this can be either natural-vent or direct-vent.

Other Options Pellet Stoves and Inserts. They are environmentally friendly, extremely clean burning and cost effective. Pellets are made from 100 per cent waste sawdust, dried and compressed, creating an ideal heating fuel.

Electric Fireplaces. This is a great option if you live in an apartment, and you want the look and feel of a fireplace when installing a gas unit is simply not an option. While they are not meant to heat a large area, they do provide some added comfort to a room.

For more home improvement information, to send Shell an email, or to watch Shell’s AskShell webcast go to www.AskShell.com.

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Kingston Carpetworld is Committed to your Satisfaction

By Katrina Geenevasen Photos robert taylor

N

early 20 years ago, Cora Rodrigues founded Kingston Carpetworld and made a commitment to customer satisfaction in the Limestone City. To this day, that dedication remains an integral part of this local family-owned and operated flooring business.

Known as one of the largest area rug dealers in eastern Ontario, Kingston Carpetworld boasts beautiful options from all over the globe; some of which are expertly hand knotted in India. At any given time, more than 300 unique

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options are available in-store at every price point. Custom creations are also available for customers.

Once through the doors of Kingston Carpetworld, customers will see the vast array of products that are available in the warm and welcoming environment, including hardwood, laminate, ceramic, porcelain and natural stone, as well as a large range of vinyl products and many styles of carpeting.

With the help of expertly trained staff that collectively possess more than 100

years of sales and installation experience, customers will easily discover everything they need to suit any décor and to add life and colour into any room.

“Our goal is to give good customer service and quality flooring at good value,” says Mark Rodrigues, sales manager. “We’ve always believed in that. We’re going for customers who want expertise and knowledge, whether they just want to purchase the product and are going to do it themselves, or they want us to complete their project from start to finish. We want to make sure people get the right product

“Our goal is to give good customer service and quality flooring at good value” flooring by Shaw, Your Home Style flooring collection and Mercier, a leading Canadian hardwood manufacturer.

The options, says Rodrigues, are literally endless. “We have the biggest showroom ABOVE Mark Rodrigues, sales manager

to suit their needs, and that they’re going to be happy with their purchase.”

For him and his colleagues alike, it’s not all about money. “I couldn’t sleep at night if I just sold something for the sake of trying to make a sale,” he says. “I want to make sure what we are selling is appropriate for what the customer is needing to fit their budget.”

Most of the business at Kingston Carpetworld is referral-based, speaking to the high quality of service, support and installation that the company has become known for in the area. “I think most people, when they have bought from us, definitely come back to see us for their next project,” says Rodrigues.

Aside from the dedicated and experienced staff, Kingston Carpetworld also boasts several exclusive lines that cannot be found anywhere else in Kingston, including HGTV home

in Kingston, and we have been around for a very long time. There is not much that we can’t get.”

Customers can rest assured knowing they are in good hands with Kingston Carpetworld. “It’s the complete shopping experience from start to finish, is what we aim to achieve,” says Rodrigues.

Kingston Carpetworld 2452 Princess Street 613.549.7847 kingstoncarpetworld.ca

Arlington Park Veterinary Services Rehabilitation and Fitness Centre

Improves pets’ QualIty of lIfe

By Katrina Geenevasen Photos robert taylor

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s a little girl, Cherie White never pondered what she was going to be when she grew up. Her love of animals, evident from the time she threatened to run away from home and take the dog with her, no doubt led her to where she is today.

She graduated from Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College in 2000, and joined a busy practice in Ottawa where she

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developed an interest in orthopaedics.

This naturally led her to seek certification in rehabilitative medicine at Florida’s Canine Rehabilitation Institute in 2006.

“It was never a conscious decision, it was just always there,” she says. “People ask me what made me choose to become a vet and I can’t really answer that question. It was not a decision. It was just what I always wanted to do.”

In 2010, White decided to take her love of animals one step further, and opened the Arlington Park Veterinary Services Rehabilitation and Fitness Centre with the help of Christy Fraser, a registered veterinary technician and certified canine rehabilitation practitioner. She is also certified in animal massage therapy.

The standalone facility, the only one of its kind in Ontario, focuses on rehabilitation

ABOVE Christy Fraser, Cherie White

and fitness for dogs and cats. Its goal is to help pets live happier, longer lives by assisting with rehabilitation, weight loss or athletic conditioning. Treatment can be ongoing or short-term, depending on the needs of the animal.

For White, the pet parent of two dogs, it’s a job that is beyond rewarding. “I think my clients are just fabulous people,” she says.

“They are the type that will go above and beyond for their pet. Dogs are with their owners longer because we have been able to make them more comfortable and more mobile.”

Just recently, White met Max, a fouryear-old Golden Retriever, who wasn’t doing well following surgery for a cruciate ligament tear and had pre-existing hip dysplasia. Just eight weeks into his rehab, Max is now happily jumping into cars and climbing stairs.

“Oftentimes I see cases where pharmaceutical pain relief is not enough for them to make a complete recovery, and rehab facilitates their recovery by offering a more rounded, multimodal approach to alleviate discomfort and aid healing,” says White, who recently completed all requirements for certification in pain management.

Dogs with chronic pain that need rehabilitation on an ongoing basis are not cured, she points out, but the therapy certainly improves their quality of life. For older dogs and their owners, it’s a special gift.

“I can think of several cases where we were able to keep an older dog comfortable longer, and that’s really precious time for the owners,” White says.

Clients come to the centre on the advice

of a vet, and over time, a close relationship develops between the veterinarian, pet parent and the pet itself. It’s amazing to be witness to such positive changes in the pets’ health, says White.

“It’s very personally satisfying,” she says. “It’s generally a happy and positive working environment. There is something special about helping an animal that can’t help itself.”

Arlington Park Veterinary Services 675 Arlington Park Place Kingston 613.384.8989 kingstonanimalrehab@cogeco.ca www.kingstonanimalrehab.ca |

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S P E C I A L F E AT U R E

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Small Town Charm, old-world heriTage Picton, The “Heart” of Prince Edward County

By Katrina Geenevasen Photos stephen Wild

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estled along the shoreline of Lake Ontario, historic downtown Picton boasts not only endless recreational activities, but also a wide variety of one-of-a-kind cafés, restaurants and boutiques that will tempt even the most veteran of shoppers.

100,000 visitors with open arms each and every year. Just a short drive away from Kingston, it offers the perfect respite for an escape — the idyllic country roads and tree-lined streets serving as the perfect backdrop to a day or weekend filled with fun.

Renowned for its plethora of local galleries and award-winning wine scene, Prince Edward County attracts more than

“Picton offers excellent shopping facilities and fine dining experiences,” says Lyndsay Richmond, manager of the Picton Business

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SPECIAL FEATURE PICTON

Improvement Association. “The town has an experience for everyone — including exceptional service and warm hospitality.”

Shopping A visit to Picton isn’t complete without visiting the lovely boutique-style shops and clothing stores that line the bustling main street, which feels straight out of an old-world Charles Dickens novel.

ABOVE CENTRE Sheila Hobson and Alexandra Bake, owner Gilbert and Lighthall

With its whimsical selection of classic, romantic and unique items, French Country is a great place to get started. Fully embracing the pleasures of the French countryside, this inimitable boutique has become a “go-to” destination for shoppers, and has even been featured in several national publications.

With its wonderful array of items, from exquisite table linens, to sparkling crystal and luxurious hand-milled French soap, owner Viola Jull ensures the joys of Provence are within reach for every customer. “The thing that I love about this store, is that there is a very warm feeling in here,” says Jull. “And most people can find something here. Even if it’s only $10, I want it to be a special $10 — something unusual.”

Meanwhile, Gilbert and Lighthall, which is located in a stunning 120-year-old landmark building in the centre of Main

Street, is the portal to a world of great design. With a wide selection of furniture, home décor and baby items, the store — with its exposed brick walls — offers an eclectic selection geared toward customers and their needs. “We keep our customers in mind when we’re buying things,” says store owner Alexandra Bake.

“We try to provide the kind of experience that customers will not get at a box store.”

and jigsaw puzzles. “We carry so many different things,” says one of the store owners, David Sweet. “It’s easy to spend time browsing.”

Along with her team, Bake hand picks each and every item that makes its way through her doors, ensuring that style, affordability, comfort and fun always takes precedence.

With your new treasures from the bookstore, be sure to wander under the indoor archway to Miss Lily’s Café.

Specializing in organic coffee and teas, home baked pastries, delicious sandwiches, hearty soups and gluten-free vegan treats, Miss Lily’s Café is the perfect place for a warm beverage on a cold winter day. It even has its own mascot in Pushkin, a friendly grey cat that likes to greet customers. “I think we’ve done a good job of making a cozy spot,” says Sweet.

Just a block away is the independentlyowned Books & Company. With its light hardwood floors and storytelling window displays, the Picton landmark offers everything from stationery, greeting cards and CDs, to a wide selection of new and used books, magazines, children’s games

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And the staff is always more than happy to help, says Sweet. “Everyone here is a reader, and we’re able to recommend books that people might not consider buying on their own.”

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TOP LEFT Jenny Otsuka, Zest Kitchen Shop. BOTTOM RIGHT Susan Hoy, Encore! Encore!

Once you’ve had a snack, head over to Zest Kitchen Shop, which offers a warm and inviting environment filled with everything a chef — experienced or not — may need. From Wusthof and Le Creuset, to Nespresso and Emile Henry, Zest has all your culinary needs covered. “Zest is a fun place to shop for anyone who loves good food, cooking and entertaining,” says owner Jenny Otsuka.

“Every time you turn a corner in the store, there are interesting and useful products that you may not see in other places; and once you see them, you may not want to do without them.”

With your shopping bags in hand, Encore!

Encore! is only mere steps away — in fact, you’ll likely be able to hear the friendly and infectious laughter of the store’s owner, Susan Hoy. Specializing in both new and vintage dining-related giftware that comes from England, France,

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Portugal and Italy, Encore! Encore! has become known to locals as a tiny store with a big heart. Hoy and her husband Michael, a well-known local chef, choose every single item with careful care and consideration. “It’s kind of blossomed into something more than we thought it would,” says Hoy. “It’s quite fun.”

Now, because no dinner party is complete without the perfect outfit, City Revival ensures you’ll be on the best-dressed list. A 4,000-square-foot shopping oasis, City Revival boasts an endless selection of high-end designer clothing for women, men and children. From classically lovely Chanel to luxurious Dolce & Gabanna, City Revival has it.

Because the inventory is constantly changing, every shopping trip becomes a treasure hunt. “There’s no place like ours,” says Faye Graham, owner. “Our

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TOP LEFT Carolyn Gummo, City Revival. TOP RIGHT Gudrun Gallo, Frugal and Company.

BOTTOM RIGHT David Wheatley and Meghan Van Horne, Regent Cafe

customers go to France, and New York, and they all come back saying there is no place like City Revival. It’s a really wonderful, special store. People are totally thrilled by the experience.”

With its vibrant energy and vintage vibe, Frugal & Company rounds out the shopping experience Picton has to offer. “There is something for everyone,” promises store owner Gudrun Gallo. “We have a lot of interesting things that people will want to pick up for themselves or for gift giving.”

The store, staged with refurbished furniture and home décor, also offers gourmet food and bath products. Frugal & Company is an antique store of sorts, but with a little bit of funkiness, and a discerning eye for something more interesting than your grandmother’s antiques. “I like good lines and good

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colours… things that speak to people and that are one-off things, really hard to find,” says Gallo.

Dining Decisions Becoming a popular food and wine region, it wouldn’t be right leaving without experiencing some of Picton’s unique restaurants and cafés.

Always sure to delight customers’ taste buds, the Regent Café serves up a warm and cozy environment with its robin’s egg blue walls and the scent of homemade soup simmering on the stove.

In the morning, the scent of freshly baked pastries fills the air. “Everything is made with just as much love as skill,” says owner and manager David Wheatley, who co-owns the high-end bistro with his wife, chef Meghan Van Horne.

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Shopping Guide Extended holiday hours available for your convenience Books & Company 289 Main Street 613.476.3037 www.pictonbookstore.com City Revival 275 Main Street 613.476.7445 www.cityrevival.com Encore! Encore!

185 Main Street 613.471.2055 www.chefmichaelhoy.com French Country 237 Main Street 613.476.7775 www.frenchcountry.ca Frugal & Company 232 Main Street 613.476.5151 www.frugalandcompany.com ABOVE Roy Pennell and Don King, Portabella

Everything — from the delicious freshbaked goods and gourmet sandwiches, to the delectable dinners served up during the summer months — is made in-store from scratch with locallysourced ingredients. “We get everything from within minutes of the café,” says Wheatley. “We try and stay as local as possible. We like to keep it local, so we can support each other.”

The ‘support local’ message is evidenced throughout the “heart” of Prince Edward.

Portabella, a little further up the street, serves delectable local wines and a menu creatively thought out by chef Siraj Mahmoud with a number of local ingredients. Portabella is known for being a casual restaurant, where everyone is welcome — and for its famous goat cheese soufflé that makes its muchanticipated return each fall. Its fresh,

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made-to-order dishes and its attention to service keep customers coming back.

“We truly want everyone to enjoy their visit,” says Don King, who co-owns Portabella with Roy Pennell. “I think most people would say we are a very friendly, welcoming place and create consistently flavourful dishes.”

The diversity and richness of Picton’s fine cuisine, its full mix of retail and service businesses, and its culture, produce an exceptional quality of life, recognized unanimously by residents and visitors alike, says Richmond. “With more than 35 annual culinary, arts, and cultural events in the region, we guarantee that no two visits to picturesque Picton will ever be the same,” she says.

Gilbert and Lighthall 171/173 Main Street 613.476.3131 www.gilbertandlighthall.com Miss Lily’s Café 289 Main Street 613.476.9289 Portabella 265 Main Street 613.476.7057 www.portabellaonmain.com Regent Café 222 Main Street 613.476.9833 www.regentcafe.ca Zest Kitchen Shop 192 Main Street 613.645.9378 www.zestkitchenshop.com Picton BIA 103–280 Main Street 613.476.7901 ext. 211 info@experiencepicton www.experiencepicton.com

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Images by appointment

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E

PICTON

Luxury EscapEs await in princE Edward county

By Christina Bergeron

“

I

f you want to preserve the past, then you must give it a new life,” says Nora Rogers, co-owner of the Claramount Inn and Spa and The Waring House; two historic luxury getaway locations in the heart of Prince Edward County.

For Rogers, it’s the unique history of the area and the vibrant sense of community that make the county such a wonderful getaway destination, while being conveniently close to the city. With their rich history and distinct character, both the Claramount and Waring House

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balance the charm of the past with the amenities of the present, allowing ‘then and now’ to co-exist harmoniously.

Claramount, on the shores of Picton Bay, is a neo-colonial mansion revived to its former glory. “It was in a major state of disrepair,” Rogers says, shaking her head.

But the labour and heart that went into the building revival ultimately recaptured its original beauty. At the inn, guests can enjoy one of seven stately suites inside the main house or one of three cozy

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rooms in the adjacent carriage house.

Guests can reconnect with themselves, or with a loved one, as they take a stroll in the exotic park-like gardens, enjoy a dip in the heated saltwater pool, watch the boats down by the harbour, or simply relax indoors, surrounded by original Canadian art and beautiful antique furnishings.

The spa offers a variety of cosmetic and therapeutic services, from the traditional to the more exotic. Their unique maple

antioxidant wraps use locally-produced maple syrup and Lomi Lomi (a Hawaiian massage method that uses rhythmic, flowing motions to make you feel as though the ocean is washing over you), which provides the perfect way to pamper yourself. Spend an afternoon de-stressing, and then have dinner at Clara’s restaurant, which serves the finest seasonal and regional foods. You’ll enjoy the perfect finish to the perfect day. So whether on a self-retreat or romantic getaway, the Inn and Spa can guarantee some heart-filled rural hospitality and self-restoration along the way.

The Waring House, also owned by Rogers, is its own community. Those who visit find a virtual village to explore and experience new adventures. You can gather around the table inside one of Picton’s bestknown historic buildings and enjoy fine dining at Amelia’s Garden Dining Room.

Try a locally-brewed beer at the Barley Room Pub. Take a class at the Cookery School, which uses hands-on instruction to teach guests about popular ingredients, techniques, or ethnic cuisines. Enjoy popular local wine against the romantic backdrop of the Waring House’s own vineyard and gardens. The beautifullymanicured grounds, coupled with the large banquet hall, also serve as the perfect venue for a charming country wedding.

To learn more about how the Claramount Inn and Spa and The Waring House can provide you with a luxury, romantic escape, visit www.claramountinn.com and www.waringhouse.com.

Claramount Inn and Spa The Waring House 97 Bridge Street Picton 613.476.7492 www.claramountinn.com www.waringhouse.com.

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A PersonAlized APProAch to Wealth Management

By Katrina Geenevasen Photos amanda Garreau

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nvestment management can seem like a complex and overwhelming task, but the Thériault Wealth Management Team of RBC Dominion Securities is there to help. Offering personalized service that is second to none, Josée Thériault, associate portfolio manager, shares her vast knowledge and insight with each and every one of her clients.

“The core of our business is to help novice investors navigate through the complexities of financial planning and offer clarity and a fresh perspective for those interested in a change to their existing approach. “We take time to get to know our clients and

offer a holistic approach that encompasses the needs of our clients and their families,” explains Thériault, pointing out that clients include a wide spectrum of individuals that range from young professionals to mature individuals. “We do a lot of estate planning and risk management by looking at their wealth and their financial goals and with that in mind, we offer personalized solutions that meet their family’s specific needs and protect their wealth that they work so hard for.”

The Thériault Wealth Management Team of RBC Dominion Securities offers clients customized financial solutions. They

provide a level of advice and detailed service that clients would expect from a boutique firm, backed by the strength and stability of Canada’s largest wealth management provider. “I’m very proud to be a part of RBC Wealth Management,” says Thériault. “RBC Dominion Securities has a strong presence in providing personalized advice and holistic planning that consistently fits each client’s unique objectives.”

The process of holistic wealth management entails a high degree of trust on behalf of the client to feel comfortable disclosing financial and personal details.

The assurance of discrete professional

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service is an important value for our clients, says Thériault. “Trust is at the heart of our business, and knowing your client is key. Building trust and long-term relationships is what we’re about. We are interested to hear your story, learn about your family and become familiar with your bigger picture to identify how we can help.” She ensures the clientadvisor relationship will be a positive one from the very start, and believes it’s important that she be the right fit for her clients. Matching personalities allows the relationship to prosper, she says.

It comes as no surprise that as a result, Thériault has become not only a wealth manager, but a life advisor as well. She wouldn’t have it any other way, and says it’s a career that is beyond rewarding.

“I love my work,” says Thériault enthusiastically. “I love the client relationships. It’s just in my personality.

I’m a people person and care a lot about my clients. Sometimes I care too much, and I take things very personally. It’s just my nature, and it’s who I am.”

Christina Parfitt, associate advisor with the Thériault Wealth Management Team, feels the same way. “It’s the client relationships that I really enjoy,” she says.

“It is a great moment when we complete planning of any type for a client and you see their relief after everything has been put in place. It’s very rewarding.”

A team-based approach is taken with everything they do. “Communication between us is very important,” says

Parfitt, adding that they are very much in sync with what the other half is doing.

“She’s my rock,” says Thériault with a smile. “We balance each other out.”

With nearly 30 years of experience, Thériault has built a successful practice through her down-to-earth approachability and management style.

“We look at the big picture, and clients appreciate that,” says Thériault, noting that transparency, trust, integrity and honesty are important values. Time and time again, this down-to-earth approach sets the Thériault Wealth Management Team apart from the competition.

It’s also about taking time for clients.

For this team, this is of the utmost importance. They want to ensure that each of their clients have peace of mind, knowing that everything has been addressed and properly considered when it comes to the pieces that make up their financial picture. “We listen, we take time,” says Thériault. “We want them to sleep well at night knowing their wealth is protected. We want them to enjoy time with their families. We want them to travel, read a book and go to the cottage, or just take time for themselves. We are here to help them be able to do that.”

Thériault Wealth Management Team RBC Dominion Securities Inc 210–366 King Street, Kingston 613.549.6177 RBC Dominion Securities is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund

THE TRUE MEANING OF TEAMWORK KEDCO Supports Local Entrepreneurs with Specialized Advice, Resources, Assistance

BY KATRINA GEENEVASEN PHOTO STEPHEN WILD

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anked as a top Canadian city for young, talented workers by a NextCities report, it comes as no surprise that Kingston outperforms the rest of the region in job growth, low unemployment rates and educated labour force.

The Kingston Economic Development Corporation has been there every step of the way; supporting entrepreneurs with specialized small business programs that include advice, resources and assistance.

With more than 30 years of experience under his belt, Mark Hanley, KEDCO’s Entrepreneur Centre manager, has coached hundreds of business owners as they make their mark on the Limestone City business sector.

It’s a job that’s beyond rewarding for a man who, on a political level, is always lobbying for more support for small businesses.

“People stop me on the street and talk to me about their business,” says Hanley. “It’s a sense of community that’s really neat when you start to get involved with all these small businesses. I love doing it. I have the best job in the world.”

Using a specialized methodology developed by Australia’s Dr. Ernesto Sirolli, Hanley helps business owners understand that utilizing the talents of others and focusing on their own strengths can lead to a much more successful future in business.

Coined as Enterprise Facilitation, this “trinity of management” business model makes use of three areas of specialization: the person with the idea, another with financial skills, and another with skills in marketing. If one person tries to do it all, says Hanley, there is a chance the overall success of the business will suffer.

“People can’t do everything,” he notes. “They will always gravitate towards their area of business.

Our role is to find people out there, do an inventory

of people in the community, get them together, and make these businesses sustainable and successful.”

Four years underway, Hanley says the program has been “very successful.” In his department alone, they see about 100 businesses start or expand in the Kingston area, and about 200 new jobs formed each year.

It’s about people doing what they’re passionate about.

If they’re not passionate, they aren’t likely to succeed.

And usually, business owners are only passionate about the service or product they are creating.

Contrary to popular thought, the financial manager is not responsible for bookkeeping. That’s like looking in a rearview mirror, says Hanley. Rather, they need to be able to look through the windshield of the business and see the curve that’s coming in the road ahead.

“They have to figure out how to negotiate the business before ending up in the ditch somewhere,” he points out.

Meanwhile, the third member is responsible for promotions and marketing. They help determine who the customers are, how best to reach them and how to actually get the business or service out there.

“As a small business office, we try to attain people in all these areas,” says Hanley. “When a person comes in now, we try to help them find their passion, and to help them work in that area of the business. And the area that they are not passionate about — we find people to work in those areas.”

With 25 million people living within an eight-hour drive of Kingston, the possibilities for entrepreneurs are seemingly endless in the Limestone City, and with the friendly and approachable people at KEDCO, it’s easier than ever to succeed.

All services are confidential and free of charge. For more information, visit www.kingstonentrepreneurs. ca or call KEDCO at 613.544.2725.

Beyond Education

By Christina Bergeron

A

s you walk down the halls of Leahurst College, Kingston’s first and only private secondary school, you walk into a space that immediately looks and feels like an educational utopia. The atmosphere hums with a welcoming warmth and tranquility. Yet there’s certainly no denying the presence of excitable energy, from both the students and faculty. The students are bright and eager, radiating their enthusiasm to not just learn, but to learn at Leahurst.

With more than 23 years of experience in the educational field, founder Elizabeth

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Turcke is overwhelmed with joy at the educational space she has been able to provide. For her, it is truly about the children and setting them up for future academic success.

Leahurst’s teachers are chosen from hundreds of applicants, ensuring only the finest candidates are chosen to lead and inspire its students. The small staff brings a variety of skills and experiences to this co-ed school and their style of teaching reflects Leahurst’s personal mission: “To engage students, one at a time, in a culture of excellence.” Every day, the staff bring their enthusiasm into

the classroom, where class sizes always remain small, to ensure every student receives personalized attention.

Currently in its first year of operation, Leahurst is committed to providing the finest educational experience it possibly can. By offering blended semesters, the students take eight full-year courses, ensuring no valuable knowledge or information is lost between grades.

Leahurst also provides its exclusive enrichment program, where Grade 7 and 8 students can earn a Grade 9 mathematics credit before entering secondary school. Turcke explains how

this allows students to take their senior level courses, which are crucial in the university application process, with “less stress and more learning.”

Leahurst’s Math Methods’ also allows for Grade 9 mathematics to be completed in Grade 8. With six years of specialized teaching at Leahurst, students will become more independent, mature and confident to undertake the challenges presented at the university level. This gives students the opportunity to be better prepared and better equipped for success.

Students will also have the opportunity to prepare for PSAT and SATs, in case a student wishes to attend an American university, Turcke explains. Local students will also have the opportunity to gain invaluable cross-cultural experience, as the school plans on having 10 per cent of its student population composed strictly of international students. “Every Friday we play a different country’s national anthem,” Turcke says, illustrating the college’s goal to ensure their students become well-cultured individuals. Future boarding options are also on the horizon, and with the school already feeling like a home away from home, students may find boarding a preferable and enjoyable option.

Not only do students receive a level of highly structured academic education, but Leahurst’s experiential approach can also allow for a more enjoyable learning atmosphere. From winter camping, sailing, and the benefit of Kingston’s rowing facility right next door, to inspirational guest speakers and the opportunity to attend theatrical productions, Leahurst provides students with activities that combine the sciences and arts to create collective life lessons.

Engaging in these real world activities can give the students a sense of place both inside and outside the classroom.

Leahurst students are enthusiastic about education, allowing the school to partner with various programs at Queen’s University. Turcke explains, “We provide a certain caliber of student

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the university knows it can rely on.” The Leahurst College Summer Job Network, which collaborates with local businesses to provide summer job opportunities, further enhances learning opportunities for students.

With the variety of bursaries and awards available, every attempt is made to ensure that students who will contribute positively to the environment at Leahurst are able to attend and benefit from the excellent programming.

“Finances shouldn’t pose a barrier to a Leahurst education,” states Turcke, who is dedicated to working with parents to ensure the school’s extraordinary environment, leading facilities and enriching education are realistically attainable for all.

Leahurst College presents itself as more than a school, standing out as the example of the type of setting children should be learning in. With welcoming

arms, Leahurst invites you and your child to experience the school first hand at their open house on Nov. 23. You can also join the school Feb. 13, 2014 for a fundraising dinner and silent auction that will include court-side tickets to a Raptors’ game and a Toronto Maple Leafs’ jersey, signed by Phil Kessel. Both were generously donated by Bell Canada.

The College also welcomes any further donations wished to be made towards the auction.

If you’d like to learn more about how your child can become a part of the excellence that is Leahurst, visit www. leahurstcollege.ca or email Elizabeth Turcke at eturcke@leahurstcollege.ca Leahurst College 4 Cataraqui St. #109 Kingston 613.893.0958 eturcke@leahurstcollege.ca www.leahurstcollege.ca

Expert Advice

The Defining Moments The Defining Moments

It was a defining moment for Jerry and Eleanor in March of 2009. “We can’t stand Advice it anymore”, said Eleanor after another bad day in the markets. “It seems as if everything is going to zero – at this rate we will never be able to retire! We need to protect ourselves and get out!”

EXPERT

The Defining Moments

About 9 years earlier the Watsons had a defining moment of their own. Their hard earned savings were quietly chugging along with their existing investment strategy but, apparently, the world knew something they did not. They were missing the boat!! “We need to buy some of those tech stocks and we will be able to retire ten years sooner!”

It is defining moments like these, and how we respond to them, that determine our success as investors.

In our experience as the levels of emotion increase there In our experience, as levels of emotion increase, is an ever increasing chance of making a big mistake. there is an ever-increasing chance of making a big mistake.

We are bombarded daily, by news and opinions from 24-hour newsthe channels, colleagues, friends, cab About nine years earlier, Watsons the internet, responses. a want definingtomoment of their own.

• What the defining moments in drivers and neighbours. Our natural responsehad is to take action – we just can’t helpwere ourselves.

Assante Financial Their hard earned savings were quietly your past? Evaluate the present.

264 King Street East chugging along with their existing • Keep emotions in perspective — are In theseKingston gut-check moments our judgement isinvestment clouded. strategy, We needbut, to recognize emotions are not telling us apparently, that our your current concerns valid in terms of 613.549.8602 what we need to know. Our emotions are in the present; financial are for the It is time to take stock. the world knew our something theyplans did not. yourfuture. daily needs? www.assante.com They were missing the boat. “We need • If uncertain, seek counsel from those to buy some of those tech stocks and we you trust — your financial advisor is Acknowledge the Past will be able to retire 10 years sooner!” there to help you anticipate the future.

- Recognize that our past experiences shape our financial personality and responses • Is this a defining moment? How will It is defining - What were the defining moments in your past? moments like these, and your current actions impact your how we respond to them, that determine future? our success as investors.

• Protect your path to future success — Evaluate the Present do you have a solid financial strategy?

We are bombarded daily valid by news and - Keep emotions in perspective – are your current concerns in terms of your daily needs?

• Again, if uncertain, seek counsel from opinions from 24-hour news channels, - If uncertain, seek counsel from those you trust – your financial advisor is there toyou help you those trust. the Internet, colleagues, friends, cab drivers and neighbours. Our natural In future articles we will continue to dig response is to want to take action — we Anticipate the Future deeper into these areas to assist you in can’t help ourselves.

- Is this a defining moment? How willjust your current actions impact your future? creating strategies for making rational - Protect your path to future success - In do you a solid moments, financial strategy? financial decisions. thesehave gut-check our - Again, if uncertain seek counsel fromjudgment those you is trust sometimes clouded. We Dianne Lackonick and Peter Hartel are need to recognize that our emotions are senior financial advisors with Assante t was a defining moment for Jerry not telling us what we need to know.

In future articles, weinwill continue to“We dig deeper into these areas to assist you in creating for making rational Financialstrategies Management Ltd. Together, and Eleanor March of 2009.

Our emotions are in the present; our financial decisions. they have more than 40 years experience can’t stand it anymore,” said Eleanor, financial plans are for the future. It is after another bad day in the markets. developing strategies and helping time to take stock.

“It seems as if everything is going to their clients succeed. Please contact Dianne Lackonick and Peter Hartel are Senior Financial Advisors with Assante Financial Management zero. At this rate we will never be able a professional to discuss your Acknowledge the Past Ltd. Together, they have over 40 years of experience developing strategies and helping theiradvisor clients to retire. We need to protect ourselves particular circumstances prior to acting • Recognize that our past experiences succeed. to discuss your particular circumstances prior to acting on the andPlease get out!”contact a professional advisor on the information above. shape our financial personality and

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information above.

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WHEN WOMEN COME TOGETHER The power of 100 women is an amazing thing; just ask Lindsay Duggan.

BY KATRINA GEENEVASEN

T

he founder and one of the leading ladies of the Kingston chapter of 100 Women Who Care, Duggan has been blown away by the response Limestone City women have shown as they come together to give back to their community. In fact, after the first meeting, organizers had to rename the philanthropic group 100+ Women Who Care. “We were really overwhelmed at how connected and how excited other people are about getting people to join,” recalls Duggan. “It blew our expectations out of the water.”

expectations — the more they’ll receive, and the more they’ll open their life to positive experiences.

The seed was planted when Kingston resident Christina Prescott heard about the 100 Women Who Care group in London, Ont. and wondered about the feasibility of such a thing taking root in Kingston. Before too long, Jackie Bardana, Meghann Brunet, Carly Stong, and Pam Fountas joined forces with Prescott and Duggan, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The first official cheque was presented to Kingston’s Youth Diversion Program in September. “I don’t think there could have been a better charity for the women to choose,” says Duggan. “These kids are youth at risk that may not have had the best of upbringing and may have made some bad decisions, but the women of Kingston came together and said, ‘you’re worthy and you deserve a second chance and we want to support you.’ And I think that sends a really big message to people in need, that there are people here that care and will give you a chance, and will give you hope.”

It’s a simple — yet brilliant — concept.

One hundred women come together four times a year, each with $100, and make votes to donate to a local charity.

That’s $10,000 instantly raised. “It shows you the power of people and their good heartedness,” says Duggan. “We are bringing women together who really want to make a difference and who have open hearts and who are willing to give.”

It all comes back to her philosophy that the more people give — without

The groups tagline is “Together, Supporting Community” — which is very fitting for a city like Kingston, says Duggan. “It resonates because Kingston has a diverse population. There are people in need and there are people that want to help. The hearts of women who have joined so far have really come together and really want to make this the best place to live.”

The next meeting is scheduled to take place Jan. 15, when the more than 100 women will once again come together, vote, and make a difference.

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the support of my Leading Ladies and the women of Kingston who have come together to make this such an overwhelming success,” says Duggan.

“I look forward to keeping up. I look forward to the challenge of making this a long-standing Kingston charity. I think that’s the challenge now; moving forward to have new people come out and to keep joining.”

Getting the chance to present the donation was the “icing on the cake,” according to Duggan. “Even if we have reached one youth and provided them with hope, than I think we have been incredibly successful.”

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A Home AwAy from Home at the Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront

By Katrina Geenevasen Photos robert taylor

L

ocated in the heart of the historic Limestone City, the Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront promises guests much more than a breathtaking view of Lake Ontario. Exceptional service, state-of-the-art amenities, firstclass dining and gorgeously renovated conference rooms await guests at this tranquil downtown hotel.

“This hotel is the perfect home away from home, as our staff is so incredible,” says Scott Follwell, general manager. “We have many long term stays and many repeat visits, all a testament of the high service levels guests enjoy.”

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Just last year, the sixth floor of the hotel underwent a major transformation in order to offer conference facilities that feature panoramic views of downtown Kingston and its stunning waterfront.

“It’s an amazing space,” says Follwell. “It’s unique in that it’s one of the few spaces in Kingston that has a sixth floor conference centre with magnificent views and a very flexible modern meeting space.”

The 197 completely renovated guest rooms, which include traditional and executive king rooms and two large suites, compliment the stunning meeting space.

Private balconies overlook Kingston’s

vibrant waterfront, while refrigerators and iPod docking stations ensure guest comfort. “After a long day, it is a pleasure to go to your comfortable and spacious guestroom, and also have the ability to sit on your balcony overlooking the water,” says Follwell.

For those wishing to stay fit and active during their stay, there is a naturally lit indoor pool, waterfront gym, sauna and Jacuzzi. During the summer, an outdoor pool welcomes guests to enjoy a cool, refreshing dip steps from the shores of Lake Ontario.

DOX Restaurant and Lounge completes the entire experience, with a casual fine dining atmosphere, a diverse menu and a large patio that offers live music every Friday and Saturday evening during the summer months.

Meanwhile, the location speaks for itself.

The Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront hotel is the closest to Canadian Forces Base Kingston, RMC, Queen’s University, KGH, K-ROCK Centre and many Kingston-area attractions, such as 1000 Island Cruises and historic Fort Henry. “The hotel is perfectly positioned downtown, in the heart of this incredible city,” says Follwell.

“You’re near the best dining, the best shopping, the best everything.”

Whether you are hosting a small gathering or a large event, you can rest easy knowing that a warm, professional staff is ready to accommodate you at the Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront.

Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront 2 Princess Street, Kingston 613.549.8400 www.hikingstonwaterfront.com

Time-TesTed CrafTsmanship, CuTTing-edge TeChnology phoTos RobeRt tayloR

C

hances are you’ve admired PrintFusion’s handiwork — or grown up with it. As of 2013, “We’re celebrating 40 years,” says sales and marketing director Ray Maher. After four decades, PrintFusion knows how to keep customers happy. “Going the extra mile has brought clients back,” says Maher (whose job takes him all over Kingston, meeting customers wherever they desire).

The “PrintFusion” name is a recent addition for the printers, who began in the 70s as Brown & Martin Ltd. Thirteen

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years ago, Brown & Martin joined digital printer Graphics Plus, creating PrintFusion. Graphics Plus/PrintFusion owner and innovator Jeff Thurlby first went into business from his basement.

“The two worlds came together because of Jeff,” says Maher, adding that one time fire chief Bob Thurlby, his father, has also “put out the odd fire” at PrintFusion.

PrintFusion, Maher says, combines “old craftsmanship with the new digital age” — serving high-profile clients (the City of Kingston, McCoy Bus Service & Tours, the Kingston Frontenacs) and

small businesses. Every job is quickly completed to the highest quality.

Turnaround times are exceptional: colour business cards may take just 24 hours.

And you won’t have to leave work to retrieve them, since “PrintFusion has free daily in-town delivery.”

Customer convenience is paramount.

Submit a document once, and PrintFusion keeps it on file. “Some customers rely on us to store files dating back years,” says Maher. (Print jobs may be submitted and paid for electronically.) PrintFusion relies on high-performing Heidelberg

and Xerox presses; they also offer Clear Toner, which can “highlight areas without the extra cost of embossing or gold foil stamping.”

PrintFusion provides customers with three graphic designers; their design department creates clean, modern concepts for print and web. PrintFusion’s stock image library can access more than 1,000,000 quality, affordable images for all business types, plus over 100,000 fonts. With these tools, they create unique start-to-finish designs. Maher says colour control specialist Greg Cole’s “eye for detail and understanding of prepress is invaluable.”

Michael Haaima, PrintFusion’s creative director, possesses an Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design. A St. Lawrence alumnus, he received the Peer Ambassador Award in school. Each year, PrintFusion invites a graphic design “placement” student to join their team; Haaima now selects that student. “This is something I truly enjoy,” says Haaima.

“It allows me to give back to St. Lawrence College and the community.”

PrintFusion can send customers’ orders to the public through their direct mailing service. “We’re a direct mail house, registered partner with Canada Post… both addressed and unaddressed ad mail,” says Maher. He also notes that — since clients choose their initiative’s scale — “It’s affordable for fairly small businesses.”

Over 40 years, many people have had hands in PrintFusion’s success. Bill Hughes, says Maher, “branded the PrintFusion name” while sales manager;

Mark Hanley was likewise an undeniable asset. Jayne Milley and Dinah van Polen (customer service) and Tim Clement (senior Heidelberg pressman) have also played key roles in PrintFusion’s history.

PrintFusion enjoys thanking Kingston for its patronage. “We were print sponsor for the 2013 Scotties in Kingston,” says Maher, adding that the company has supported athletics from youth teams to Kingston FC. In 2013, says Maher, the print shop was “presenting sponsor for the third year” for the K-Rock Centre’s Chamber MegaMixer. That’s appropriate for a company which has supported Kingston for decades — yet continues to improve.

PrintFusion 624 Justus Drive Kingston 613.389.6611 printfusion.ca

opposite L–R Ray Maher, owner; Mike Haaima top RiGHt L–R Jeff, Tim, Dan, Mike, Dinah, Jane, Allison, Ray MiddLe Left Tim Clement RiGHt Ray Maher

Dare to Dream!

Supercar Vehicles Making Inroads

By Paul Sinkewicz

Aston Martin

T

he air is so rarified in this world of bank-breaking vehicles that performance specifications become meaningless — like trying to comprehend a trillion stars in the sky, what does 750 horsepower even mean?

Or, what does going from 0-100 km/h in less than three seconds feel like?

This is an exclusive club of cars beyond the comprehension of most people. The common trait of supercars is their very limited production runs, handcrafted quality and heart-melting beauty. They have more in common with sculpture than they do with transportation.

One of the least expensive, but most popular supercars is the Ferrari Enzo.

At only $670,000 US, it screams performance with its extremely low profile and large rear air scoops. It will reach more than 340 km/h — if you want to risk the jail time.

For a classic sports car look, you may want to dig a little deeper and pay the

L–R TOP–BOTTOM Lamborghini Veneno, Lamborghini Reventon and Bugatti Veyron

$970,000 price tag for the gull-winged McLaren F1.

But for real eye-popping reactions, check out the Lamborghini Veneno. Like something out of a future Batman movie, the car costs $3.9 M and requires a purgatorial stint on a waiting list, as only three are produced each year.

Get behind the wheel For those who yearn to experience the world’s best automobiles, but have limited financial resources, there is a temporary remedy. GTA Exotics in Toronto (gtaexotics.ca) offers a variety of packages that allow members of the public to test drive Ferraris, Lamborghinis and other elite vehicles. At about $400-per-hour it’s an expensive treat, but promises to create fun memories.

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One of its most popular offerings is the chance to drive six exotic cars all in one day for $699. Another package offers the chance to drive a police car in high-speed pursuit on a racetrack.

But be warned, your 1999 minivan probably won’t ever feel right after that day!

World’s Most Expensive Cars Here is a composite list of supercars as judged by the websites digitaltrends.com and thesupercars.org. The list does not include rare vintage vehicles — which may fetch more at auction — nor does it include concept cars or one-off projects.

These are rare cars, but are, or will be, available to collectors with a fat enough piggy bank.

Most ExpEnsivE Cars in thE World 1. Lamborghini Veneno $4M 2. W Motors Lykan Hypersport $3.4M 3. Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse $2.6M 4. Aston Martin One77 $1.8M 5. Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster $1.8M 6. Lamborghini Reventon $1.61M 7. Koenigsegg Agera R $1.6M 8. Maybach Landaulet $1.3M 9. Ferrari Laferrari $1.3M 10. Pagani Huayra $1.3M 11. Zenvo ST1 $1.2M 12. McLaren P1 $1.1M 13. Hennessey Venom GT Spyder $1.1M 14. McLaren F1 $970,000 15. Ferrari Enzo $670,000 16. Pagani Zonda C12 F $667,321

LEFT L–R Ted, Jeff & Jason. RIGHT Ezel Erkan

Limestone Auto Body in Kingston Joins the CARstAR netwoRK

O

perating as CARSTAR Kingston [Limestone], owner Jason Taylor said, “After 41 years of successful business operating as Limestone Auto Body, we decided that the benefits of becoming a CARSTAR franchise partner will enhance our business and match our objectives perfectly. CARSTAR has been a successful and established brand in Kingston and across Canada for many years, so when this opportunity arose, we wanted to be part of it.”

Taylor, who is also the dealer principal at his namesake Taylor Auto Mall, one of Kingston’s largest car dealerships, says that CARSTAR’s brand recognition, training and operating systems — and their strong commitment to their insurance partners — made the choice to join CARSTAR an easy one.

“We have been in the community for many years,” added Taylor, “and our commitment to our customers and the

insurance industry will only be enhanced by this partnership.”

CARSTAR COO Michael Macaluso said, “Jason’s values and aspirations, and those of his managers, Ted and Jeff, are an exact match to what we look for in a franchise partner and we couldn’t be happier that Jason and his team are becoming a part of the CARSTAR family. Like CARSTAR, the Taylor family and their employees are active in their community and have a long history of supporting worthy causes, such as the Salvation Army, Easter Seals and Breast Cancer Action Kingston.”

CARSTAR Kingston [Limestone] will have a staff of 15 and will be managed

by Ted Maloney, while Jeff Noseworthy will act as general manager of the 12,000-square-foot facility.

In addition, CARSTAR Kingston [Limestone] is pleased to announce the opening of the CARSTAR Appraisal Centre,

which will operate out of the 2440 Princess Street location of the Jerome D. Taylor Chevrolet Cadillac automobile dealership.

Ezel Erkan will manage the CARSTAR Appraisal Centre. Erkan brings with him several years of automotive experience with the last five being in the collision industry at the CARSTAR Kingston [Limestone] location. CARSTAR Kingston Appraisal Centre will be open during regular business hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

For more information, please visit www. carstar.ca/carstar-kingston-limestone/ CARSTAR Kingston (Limestone) 152 Hickson Avenue Kingston 613.546.2272 CARSTAR Kingston Appraisal Centre 2440 Princess Street Kingston 613.542.4884 www.carstar.ca/carstar-kingston-limestone/

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Tesla Model s An ElEctric cAr thAt’s ElEgAnt, EfficiEnt, grAcEful

By Katrina Geenevasen Photos stephen Wild

S

imultaneously stylish, sexy and high-tech, it’s hard to believe the Tesla Model S is an electric car.

With features like an all-glass panoramic roof, a charge port hidden in plain sight, a 17-inch touchscreen that provides mobile connectivity, seating for seven, and unprecedented storage space, the Model S is nothing short of remarkable.

Kingston’s Niall O’Driscoll would know.

“I love it,” he says, cruising through downtown Kingston on a Friday afternoon. “I expected I was going to like it a lot, but I like it more than I thought I was going to. The performance is amazing. I’ve had some nice cars before, but the performance is just stunning. It’s quiet, the sound system is great, and it handles terrifically. It’s hard to find anything wrong with it.”

It is, after all, a car that’s honed for performance, agility and grace, and it doesn’t disappoint. Being behind the wheel — or even riding shotgun — is an exhilarating experience that doesn’t compare to anything else. Because the Tesla motor has only one moving piece, the rotor, the acceleration is remarkably instantaneous. In only seconds, the Model S can accelerate 100 km per hour.

“You don’t get tired of the accelerate to it, I’ll tell you that,” laughs O’Driscoll.

He says that typically, most electric cars don’t perform as well as gas-powered vehicles because they have smaller batteries and motors, but with the Tesla,

you don’t get a sense it’s an electric vehicle. “It’s very quiet, and in terms of performance, it’s faster zero to 60 miles per hour than a Ferrari Testarossa. The performance really is just unreal, and the thing that strikes you is when you accelerate it, there’s no noise.”

As a member of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, O’Driscoll wanted to do his part to contribute to a cleaner environment — and a downright gorgeous electric car was the perfect way to do so. “Most of the money that is spent on oil is spent on providing transportation,” he points out. “With this, if I want to put solar panels on my roof, I can generate enough electricity from my own house to handle my transportation needs with that car, it’s that efficient.”

California-based Tesla Motors builds its cars around drivers, offering not only superior handling, but maximum comfort as well. Nothing quite compares. It’s as simple as plugging in the car at the end of the day to any outlet. After just a few hours, the car is ready for a day of driving with a full charge. “I had probably looked at every car in the class with cars like the Model S, but never considered buying one,” says O’Driscoll. “There are a lot of things, I think, that are more fun to want than to actually own. So I looked at other cars in that class, but when I drove the Tesla, it just seemed hands down better in a lot of ways. There no way you can match the simplicity, elegance and efficiency of electric cars.”

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KINGSTON AND AREA

RETAIL MARKETPLACE

DIRECTORY

Reinvent Your Memories into Beloved Jewellery

A True Kingston Gem

Kim Snyder Goldsmith 402 Barrie Street, Kingston | 613.549.0509 kimsnyder.ca

Leigha’s Designer Closet 613.530.7392 | leighasdesignercloset@hotmail.com www.leighasdesignercloset.com

Achieve Beauty from the Root Up

Nurture Creativity Through Dance

Styles & Designs by Janey 2A–1469 Princess Street, Kingston 613.507.8953

Rhythm Dance Center 45 County Road 6, Amherstview | 613.766.1515 rhythmdancecenter.ca |

Create a Smooth Transition to Your Next Home

Graham’s Pharmacy is your Total Care Partner

Remax Realty 49 Princess Street, Kingston www.youronlineagents.com/drewandnick

Graham’s Pharmacy 328 King Street East | 613.542.4111 www.grahamspharmacy.ca

A full service Goldsmith featuring reimagined and reconfigured oneof-a-kind jewellery. Enjoy inherited jewellery for years to come by reinvigorating it or simply by repairing it to insure its integrity.

With 20 years experience, Styles & Designs by Janey provides friendly service and a family-focused approach. The private, spa-like atmosphere of the salon allows clients to relax and enjoy their one-on-one service.

Experts in real estate, Drew Mayhew and Nick Kirkpatrick know how to buy and sell homes. With a targeted strategy, the team puts more money in their client’s pocket and creates a stress-free approach.

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Leigha’s Designer Closet offers 1,200 square feet of designer goods from all over the globe — at prices that are at least 50 per cent less than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.

Dancers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to enjoy a unique dance community at Rhythm Dance Center. RDC supports creativity and camaraderie and creates a family dance experience.

We are a pharmacy first, and a pharmacy only. Old world charm and personal service. Free screening clinics for diabetes, and more.

Free local delivery.

Helping Dogs Walk, Run and Play

Kingston’s Only Gourmet Food Truck

Arlington Park Veterinary Services 675 Arlington Park Place, Kingston | 613.384.8989 www.kingstonanimalrehab.ca |

Farm Girl Mobile Food Co. 613.328.6132 | info@farmgirlfood.ca www.farmgirlfood.ca | | |

Celebrate The Love of Wine

Casual Fine Dining and Upscale Catering

Wine Kitz Kingston 2786 Princess St | 613.384.5207 winekitzkingston.ca

Windmills Restaurant and Catering 184 Princess St | 613.544.3948 | catering@windmills-cafe.com www.windmills-cafe.com | |

Local Flavours, International Recipes

Classic Down East Seafood

Tango Nuevo 331 King St. E | 613.548.3778 www.tangonuevo.ca

Dianne’s Fishbar 195 Ontario St, Kingston | 613.507.3474 www.diannesfishbar.com

Uniquely qualified staff help pets regain mobility and improve quality of life through specialized techniques and equipment. Offering new hope for older pets and assisting injured pets get back on their feet.

We serve wine makers from novice to expert; you’ll find everything you need in our store to ensure you make the best quality wine, all at a fraction of the price you would pay at the retail level.

Prepared with locally grown, seasonal ingredients, the menu at Tango Nuevo is a blend of local flavours and international recipes, complemented beautifully by Canadian and Prince Edward County wines.

From Buttermilk Southern Fried Chicken to custom spice blends and Signature Farm Girl BBQ Sauce, Farm Girl — Kingston’s only gourmet food truck — has mastered the art of down-home cooking.

A local favourite in Kingston for almost 30 years. Kingston’s best-loved restaurant and catering business. Delicious seasonal menus with locally-sourced produce.

Located steps from the waterfront, a classic down east seafood shack meets Baja Mexico at Dianne’s Fishbar. Serving sustainably sourced seafood, all dishes are made using the freshest possible ingredients.

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RETAIL MARKETPLACE

DIRECTORY

Perfetta - Perfectly Natural, Organic and Pure

Simply Natural Soaps

Perfetta Skin Therapy & Medi-Spa Suite #2, 725 Arlington Park Place, Kingston 613.389.2226 | www.perfettaskin.com

1000 Islands Soap Company 339 King Street East, Kingston | 613.546.1700 www.1000islandssoapco.com |

One-stop Shopping for Your Cleaning Needs

Where History and Luxury Meet

Naturopathic focused medi-spa offering services for hair removal, skin rejuvenation, massage and esthetics. One of the world leaders in sales for the luxury skin care brand, Eminence, out of Hungary.

From their superior customer relations to your sparkling clean home and business, one thing is certain: Clean Freaks is the solution to all your cleaning needs.

Handmade soaps, butters, oils, baby care, candles and specialty products. A natural way to care for your body. Handmade on location in Kingston.

Relax at Kingston’s only spa on the water. Enjoy luxurious spa treatments, from facials and manicures to hair care and laser hair removal.

Clean Freaks 764A Baker Crescent, Kingston | 613.876.0505 info@kingstoncleanfreaks.com | www.kingstoncleanfreaks.com

Dolce Bella Spa on the Rideau 8 Cataraqui St, Kingston | 613.544.1166 | info@dolcebellaspa.com www.dolcebellaspa.com | |

Beauty is as Beauty Does

Kingston’s Printer for 40 Years

James Brett Coiffure

PrintFusion 624 Justus Drive, Kingston | 613.389.6611 printfusion.ca |

Exquisite environmentally-friendly salon and spa. Indulge yourself with professional services and a uniquely personal touch. Two convenient locations.

189 Princess Street, Downtown | 613.542.2427 | | 764 Gardiners Road, RioCan | 613.634.6427 | www.jamesbrettcoiffure.com

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PrintFusion has provided Kingston with printing, finishing, binding, graphic design, and direct mailing for four decades. Check out our 24-hour colour business cards.

for

Safety

Choose

Pictured above: Dr. Liza Pompa, MD, PhD, AFACS

Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, World’s First Female Bariatric Surgeon of Excellence Recognized in Newsweek as one of the top 15 Bariatric Surgeons Worldwide.

www.weightlossforever.ca TOLL FREE: 1-877-306-8891

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