VOL 14 JULY 2021
Kim’s bold and balanced plan for Edmonton here: A vibrant and connected city Economic recovery and growth Core services and maintenance Supports for our most vulnerable
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July 2021
ICONIC
LE MARCHAND TOWER
1103, 11503 – 100 AVE DOWNTOWN AND RIVER VALLEY VIEWS 2 BED | 2 BATH | 2 PARKING | 2,092 SQ FT $850,000
ALISON MURRAY HOME & CONDO SPECIALIST ALISON@INFOEDMONTON.CA | 780-619-9812
INFOEDMONTON.CA
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Highlights Note Editors Notes 6 Profile More Than a Coach – Kavis Reed 10 Women’s Fashion A Lesson In The Bold And Bodacious Expression Of Oneself - Moe 16 Men’s Fashion Bona Fide Street Fashion: Anton Atienza 22 Decor Devonian Botanical Garden - Sunsets, Selcusion & Sips 26 Art Play That Sax! - Jeff Hendrick 32 Auto Collector At Heart - Kevin Kuypers 38 Lifestyle Summer Reads - For our long sunlit days 44 Health & Wellness Loveyourbody Fitness 48 Food Food Trucks - A sample of YEG’s freshest flavours 60 Drinks 6 Beers to Try This Summer 76
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July 2021
“ Summertime is always the best of what might be. - CHARLES BOWDEN
”
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Editors Note As we head into the hottest month of the year, we
Nothing speaks of summer like lazy days. Get rid of
hope the easing of all provincial restrictions are not just
those long ‘to-do’ lists, and take some time for self-care
a mirage on a heated, desert highway. So how will you
and reflection. If you manage to squeeze in a few of
make the most of those sunlit hours and warm, starry
those magical days, check out the recommended
nights? What are your July vibes? Full steam ahead,
summer reads by Sarah Chan, Teresa Spinelli and Cory
zero to sixty in 3.0? Or will you coast in gingerly, dipping
Christopher.
your toe into the shallow end of the pool? Whatever path you choose for optimizing this long awaited time
So swap out that ‘to-do’ list for a ‘bucket list’ of our city’s
on the prairies, we have vested interests in making this
amazing local sights. Make sure to include the botanical
a summer of endless possibilities.
masterpiece in Parkland County’s University of Alberta
This is Modern
Luxuria, summertime issue.
Botanic Garden, as their events open up; designed to allow you to truly enjoy this breathtaking green space.
Just in time for some Fast and Furious inspiration, we visited Kevin Kuypers, a vintage car collector, as he
Fashion inspiration this month comes from a local
shared some interesting tales of these rare and mighty
content creator and influencer, Anton Atienza, and hair
machines.
stylist Moe Linton. Kavis Reed, offensive coordinator with the Edmonton Wildcats talks about his journey in the
Sipping a cold, fizzy beer on a hot day sounds like a
football world, and the importance of coaching, equity
perfect way to celebrate our hot temperatures, and we
and being present in the moment.
bring you some of the local favorites from Sea Change and Longroof Brewing - refreshing, award-winning,
We hope you’ll enjoy the July edition of Modern Luxuria,
crisp, easy-drinking summer brews.
with a cold beer in hand, and inspired to explore our vibrant city.
Heidi & Jelena
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July 2021
PUBLISHED BY MODERN LUXURIA LTD. FOUNDER Elsa Amorim ART DIRECTOR
CONTRIBUTORS
Andrea Noye
Brandy Belitsky Mona Butler
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
Joe Gurba
Jelena Bojic
Jelena Kovacevic
Heidi Johannson
Jessica Laccetti, Ph.D Lisa Petkau
COPY EDITOR
Lyndsay Touchings
Margaret Crowe
Trevor Tsoi
Lucie Oosterveld
Troy Wassill
BRAND AMBASSADORS Marlenie Arana Gordana Bosiocic Serap Ozturk Tracy Sestito
VOL 14 JULY 2021
COVER Photography by Trevor Tsoi
EDMONTON’S PREMIER DIGITAL GUIDE TO LUXURY AND LIFESTYLE
ADVERTISE WITH US TODAY HELLO@ MODERNLUXURIA.COM | PHONE 780-906-7235
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July 2021
Beauty is
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fun lively radiant H A I R T R A N S P L A N T S U R G E RY C O S M E T I C D E R M ATO LO GY M E D I C A L D E R M ATO LO GY L A S E R R E J U V E N AT I O N
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July 2021
WORDS BY JELENA BOJIC PHOTOGRAPHY BY JELENA KOVACEVIC
More Than a Coach Dedicated to players’ lifelong success – Kavis Reed When Kavis Reed got the call to join the Edmonton Wildcats, he didn’t hesitate for a moment. Edmonton has been a home to him and his family since the 90’s, and while he worked all over Canada in the last 20-something years, Edmonton remained a home. Today, Kavis brings his expertise and years of experience as a coach, player and a member of the administrative team to the Edmonton Wildcats.
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July 2021
Tell us about your journey, how did you start a career
time to move on to something else. I had no desire to
in football?
move into coaching, and coach Rich Stubler, who was
It started somewhat as a dare. I started playing football in grade 10, basically on a dare by a friend who said I wasn’t tough enough to play the sport, so I accepted that as a challenge. I was able to turn that interest into a scholarship, and so in 1995, straight from the university in South Carolina, I came to Edmonton and joined the Edmonton Elks. In 1999, I had the misfortune of having to lay off the field for a while, and realized that it was
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a defensive coordinator with Toronto Argonauts at the time, called me after I had a year off, and offered me a position as his assistant. I was quite reluctant to do that, but after a few weeks of him giving me the pros and cons, and the fact that I had high respect and admiration for Coach Stubler, I decided to do it. It was supposed to be for a few months, and those few months have turned into an almost twenty-year coaching career.
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How did you make your way back to Edmonton, and
reason you’re doing something. That kind of insight
to Edmonton Wildcats?
allows them to appreciate the process more. Also,
I never got into coaching looking for accolades for myself, I got into coaching so I can contribute to people’s lives. You listen to athletes today when they speak at award ceremonies and interviews; back when I was growing up there was so much praise going to
when they understand this, they can become teachers of the game later on. What is the most rewarding part of the coaching career?
your coaches because of the impact on your life…now,
It’s the relationships you build with the players, being
even on the amateur level, it seems so transactional,
able to talk about life, laugh and joke, share the life
focused on what can you do for me on the field, not
journey, knowing their kids and spouses’ names, all
how much can I invest in your life and make you a
those life experiences you share during the season, and
better person, support you to be a more conscientious
during the off season – building lifelong friendships. I
citizen, on and off the field. Those were my reasons for
still talk to my high school coaches. My first high school
wanting to be a coach, and now this is my opportunity
coach is still a great part of my life, and I have the
to give back at a level where young people are more
utmost respect for him. Seeing the career paths the
impressionable and are looking for mentorship and
players take, talking to them – those are indescribable
guidance. They are enjoying the sport and what it
rewards of coaching from the coach’s perspective!
can give them, and I enjoy being a part of that. At a 10,000-foot level, you see the number of things that are needed, and you don’t have the ability to make those changes, but now, in my current role, I have the ability to help fill the gaps aønd support the players in a more wholesome way.
Edmonton has always remained the headquarters for you and your family, but your work has taken you all over Canada, and the city changed so much since you first moved here. What are some of the changes you noticed when
What is the role of an offensive coordinator, and what do you enjoy the most about it?
you came back here full time? Obviously, it’s far more metropolitan now, more diverse,
As an offensive coordinator, you are in charge of the strategy of scoring points. I had the luxury in my career to coach on all three sides of the ball, offense, defense, and special teams. This is one of the few things I haven’t done full time so it gives me an opportunity to challenge myself but also to be able to impart knowledge, to help the players understand the ‘why’ as it’s very important for the players to understand the
the overall feel of the city - big city with a small-town mentality. I really enjoy the neighbourly approach, with very friendly people who rally together for the community and good causes. The city expanded tremendously. When I first came here, the population was between 500-600,000, and now we’re well over 1 million.
The
infrastructure
expanded
with
the
population too, so we definitely evolved in a major transformation as a city.
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July 2021
Tell us more about your involvement with
Another lesson would be that sports are, or should be,
Youth Unlimited?
a great equalizer. One of the things I see, in some sports
Youth Unlimited is a not-for-profit group that works with at-risk youth, and the work that these men and women do is incredible, they are true heroes and heroines. They are committed to supporting a very vulnerable part of our population, young people that are going through various challenges and obstacles, and provide emotional and physical support. To watch them work, and be a part of the Board of Directors and a volunteer has really touched my heart. I’ve always had a passion for the youth population and for seniors, so another organization that I have a privilege to support is Operation Friendship – they work with a cape on their shoulders, supporting other vulnerable
more than others, is that socio-economic status can determine the path of the player, and I believe we need to work harder to make sure sports are accessible and available to everyone. We need to do more and provide stronger infrastructure so that everyone can participate – including older men and women. There are so many benefits, mental, physical, emotional, so we should not stop participating in sports, regardless of our age. I truly believe that, although we do a good job in comparison to some of the other places I’ve been to, we need to do more to ensure sports are more accessible. What makes a great football player?
demographics, seniors who are facing homelessness.
Most of the game is played from the neck up. When
They work hard to make Edmonton a better place to
you have a player that wants to understand the game,
live and that’s a part of the Edmonton culture – people
and the coaches teach that way, I think it’s critically
rally to help each other.
important that we teach the players more in the classroom than on the field. This game has become so
With such a rich career in football, what are some of
sophisticated due to the technology, cameras, and
the biggest lessons you learned along the way?
artificial intelligence we use to pull a lot of different
Never take anything for granted. The way my career as a player ended – one play decided the path…We become burdened with everyday challenges, that we really don’t enjoy the moments. I’d taken a bike ride today through the river valley and Fort Edmonton Park, those are the moments when I wish I’d taken more time to enjoy them, to break up some long office hours. We need to take time to enjoy our lives.
information. It’s so finite, and we need to focus more on the mental aspect of the game and the emotional development of the players. How does a player manage success and how do they handle disappointment? That tells a lot. Favourite thing about Edmonton? Being a newly elected member of the Edmonton International Film Festival (EIFF) Board of Directors, I
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have to mention the organization; I’ve always had an interest in arts, classical music, architecture, old buildings, sculptures, anything creative that appeals to the senses, I’m infatuated with. This for me is an opportunity to assist a great organization get its message out and grow. Edmonton was a part of creating an Oscar-winning film, so that’s an international claim, and we don’t see that broadcasted enough. This opportunity really helps me be a more well-rounded person, as I believe we all have to work hard on being well rounded. What are your top three luxuries? I’ll start from the third one. Living in many provinces in Canada, sports have afforded me with an opportunity to travel and see the richness of this fascinating country. A very diverse population, innovative people, rich culture – we should all be proud thinking about what this country represents around the world. Second, it’s the platform the sport has afforded me, meeting so many different people, and having an opportunity to impact people’s lives on a great scale. And first, my family, who also had an opportunity to travel with me. And my kids who experienced life through football, learned how to manage disappointment, how to communicate their feelings, and how to ignore the noise that sometimes comes from people who don’t understand that the game should be left on the field. Being able to impart on them a lot of lessons that I’ve learned as a coach and administrator, seeing how they accepted it and grew to become very conscientious citizens, is the greatest luxury of all.
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July 2021
A Lesson In The Bold And Bodacious Expression Of Oneself The role that hair plays in our sense of self is not to be diminished. It’s our personality; our mode of self-expression; our crown. If there is one person who could teach a class on being unapologetic in how to express oneself, it’s Moe. With a sense of rebelliousness from a young age and desire to make a statement set aflame by the punk scene of Northern Ireland in the late 70s, status quo was never her style.
WORDS BY MONA BUTLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JELENA KOVACEVIC
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July 2021
Jeans - Top Shop Overshirt - Zara Earrings - Clay Jems by Jo (Local)
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“I was exposed to fashion, music and culture unlike any I had witnessed before. During that time, the U.K. was miles ahead of Canada in terms of fashion and style. Being so close to England when designers like Dame Vivienne Westwood were dominating the punk rock fashion scene, and France where designers like Yves Saint Laurent were shaping the fashion that would become Studio 54 staple looks, had a great influence over my style,” said Moe. Mentors in Ireland and Edmonton have influenced the detailed and deeply personal approach she takes with each individual who sits in her chair. Personality and precision are paramount. “Here in Edmonton, Marie Mclellan, former owner of Esthetic Hair, taught me the importance of precision and creating a unique look for every client. I still find it incredibly important to ensure that my clients’ haircuts are all tailored to them as individuals.” At her new studio “SHORT by Moe”, the consultation process is just as important as any tool or product. It’s a learning process for both client and stylist, and an opportunity to foster trust. Face shape, head shape, body type, personal aesthetic, hair growth patterns as well as hair goals all are taken into account. These all play a part in educating the client and setting up clear lines of communication so that the cut can be executed with extreme precision, ensuring that it will look good even after it’s left her care. “Establishing that trust is what affords me the ability to determine the direction of my clients’ hair Burgundy Set - Top Shop Gold Sandals - Asos Earrings - Zara
for their future visits. Most of my long-term clients don’t tell me what they want anymore, they just tell me to do my thing.”
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July 2021
Green/Black/Blue Set - Zara Black Heels - Nordstrom’s Earrings - Asos
Pink Satin Dress - Reformation Pink mules - Zara Earrings - Flavour Upstairs (Victoria, BC)
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Doing her thing is Moe’s specialty; in hair and fashion. Having built her fashion foundation with 70s punk influences, lately, she’s taking cues from African American hip-hop to inspire an unabashed boldness with her style and hair. Adding to the pillars of her personal style, men’s fashion trends have been a greater influence in her wardrobe. Don’t let that fool you into making any traditional male fashion assumptions, however, you’d be hard-pressed to find any neutral tones here. “Other than some black pieces, most of my clothing is very vibrant. I also love structured pieces and unusual shapes. I love wearing monochromatic looks, especially all pink and green.”
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July 2021
Island Green Button Shirt - The Frankie Shop White shoulder Pad Tee - Artizia Skinny Leather Pants - Charm/Artizia Converse - Browns
Bona Fide Street Fashion: Influenced by Anton WORDS BY JELENA BOJIC PHOTOGRAPHY BY JELENA KOVACEVIC
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‘‘ It started about 10 years ago when I was at MacEwan and did my first field placement in Toronto.
’’ Anton Atienza is serious about style. Having started a
while favoring unisex pieces that speak both fashion
fashion and lifestyle inspired Instagram page as one of
and casual language, and designers that fit his
Edmonton’s original fashion bloggers over a decade
lifestyle.
ago, Anton has built a recognizable brand with a carefully curated page of graceful photography and
Remembering how he started his career, Anton says
original content. He describes his style as “very casual, a
it happened as a bit of a felix culpa. “It started about
lot of oversized pieces and athleisure.”
10 years ago when I was at MacEwan and did my first field placement in Toronto. A blog was one of
When I met Anton many years ago at the Jubilee
the requirements of the program to keep in touch
Auditorium during a musical performance, one of the
with my instructor and other students.” In these
first things he asked me was if I had an Instagram
early years, before social media became what it is
profile. “You have to be on Instagram,” I remember him
today, Anton was writing his own copy, taking
saying. So the next day, I found myself in this mythical
photos, attending events and curating all this
land of fashion and style, and he was my first ‘follow’.
content to present it once he was back in Edmonton.
Anton’s page, constructed by his analytical eye, was
That’s when he started getting really invested in
well designed, influencing others before he became
social media, particularly after meeting Marielle
an actual influencer.
TerHart, a plus-size, ethical fashion and lifestyle content creator, as they worked together at a social
Now, years later, Anton collaborates and creates
media agency and on various projects in the city.
content with global brands like Jo Malone London,
And from there, it snowballed. He started styling
Timex, Amazon Fashion, as well as local ones like
people for photoshoots, growing into a visual
Kaavish Spa and Londonderry Mall. His style is evolving,
merchandising role, and developing meaningful
still keeping those clear-cut and precise elegant lines,
relationships with local and international brands.
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July 2021
When he reflects on developing his style and brand in the digital world, he says it was a lot of trial and error. Once he started finding his own style as a teenager, his go-tos were People Magazine and Teen People. Today, he looks at celebrity stylists like Maeve Reilly to find inspiration. “Maeve really gave Hailey Bieber a 360 with her image. From the typical LA rich girl to a very polished woman with amazing street style and red carpet fashion.”
Taupe Blazer - The Frankie Shop Archer Pants - Artizia Sea Salt Puddle Sandal - Bottega Veneta
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His absolute favourite item (right now) is a Frankie Shop blazer; so oversized, you can dress it up or down, perfect for any occasion, and just as importantly, it has perfect quality. “Their gender-neutral pieces are everything right now,” says Anton about Frankie Shop, a brand that’s being worn by celebrities all over the world, putting them in their realm right now. As an influencer, he finds it flattering when people try to recreate his style, as fashion is all about echoing various styles and influences you surround yourself with. His favourite social media personalities?
Locally, Linda
Hoang who is always doing exciting stuff and offers the best advice on local eateries. Globally, Maeve Reilly, of course. He loves her way of revamping the styles of celebrities. If he was to offer advice to other influencers, it would revolve around being authentic, talking to the community you’re trying to build, and being consistent with your image and content. Anton’s top three luxuries? “Travel. I actually love going back to the old places I’ve been to. NYC is a perfect example - I get to visit my family there, shop around at Soho and go to my favourite café. Feels so good to be back. Next, it’s skincare, mixing and matching products from affordable to higher-priced; I love finding great products to incorporate into my regime. And finally, Butter Faux Leather Blazer The Frankie Shop White Ribbed Tee - H&M Blue 90’s Jeans - ZARA White Air Force One “A “ Necklace
health and wellness – being able to work out and eat good food.” - 27 -
July 2021
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The Whimsical, Timeless and Romantic Tale of Haiku Lane Inspired by a trip to Maui in 2011, Haiku Lane Jewelry was born when former childhood educator Lindsay Kelloway realized that she couldn’t find any jewelry pieces that truly spoke to her. WORDS BY BRANDY BELITSKY PHOTOGRAPHY BY LYNDSAY TOUCHINGS
In 2011, Lindsay Kelloway was visiting her home-away
Influenced by local island artisans using elements from
from home at her Grandparent’s house in Maui. Taking
the island such as seashells and gemstones, Lindsay
in the scents, culture and people, it was here she
began to design her own jewelry as a creative outlet.
discovered that this was the place her soul was meant
This newfound passion quickly evolved into making
to be. Haiku Lane Jewelry was completely inspired by
pieces that not only looked pretty, but also held
this magical island. The name “Haiku” comes from
meaning. It was important that her customers felt
Lindsay’s love for an old sugar mill in Maui that dates
connected to her pieces. She wanted to create something
back to 1860 called “Haiku Mill”.
that would transport her clients back in time to a favourite moment or experience.
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July 2021
Each piece of Haiku Lane Jewelry begins with a simple
small, family owned manufacturing plants in Thailand
sketch. The ideas for each design come from Lindsay’s
and India. Each collection is beautifully crafted from
own stories and loved ones. These sketches are then
sterling silver and vermeil, and features unique motifs
turned into a 3D rendering and are lovingly made in
and precious gemstones in intricate settings.
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When asked what a day in Lindsay’s life looks like, this full time Mommy of two finds her days centered around her daughters. On days she has childcare, Lindsay can be found answering emails, working on orders, dreaming up new designs, and working on her social media platforms. - 31 -
July 2021
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Lindsay’s vision for the future of Haiku Lane is to expand
You can find Lindsay’s collections in her online shop at
into more boutiques across North America. She’s currently
www.haikulane.com and at various shops across
dreaming up a future bridal collection and will be launching
North America.
a zodiac collection soon.
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July 2021
Collector at Heart Fast, powerful and hard to come by - the collection of rare vintage cars by Kevin Kuypers There’s an old saying that we should have three hobbies we love: one to make us money, one to keep us in shape, and one to be creative. Driven by curiosity and adventure, Kevin Kuypers had a starting point years ago when he found his first car and unwittingly launched a new hobby, one that makes money and brings joy to the whole family. In 2010, the exchange rate for the Canadian dollar was fantastic, and Kuypers realized that the cars were a smart way to invest, so he purchased his first car in the United States. Unlike stocks, the value of these cars doesn’t drop, and you get to enjoy spectacular weekend drives; what more can you ask for?
WORDS BY JELENA BOJIC PHOTOGRAPHY TREVOR TSOI
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July 2021
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Over the next few years, it became a passion and a big area of interest, as the chess game was going on in his spacious garage, moving and adjusting parking spots to make room for new additions. The garage was an add-on to the Kuypers’ beautiful home in Sherwood Park, as his family had to maneuver their way through the existing garage in order to get in and out, on the way to school and hockey practices. Today, ten cars fit perfectly in a custom built garage, and “potentially, we can fit one more” says Kuypers, giving a slight hint to wife Kerry and kids Krista and Colton. Where does one look for muscle cars? Auctions, private sales, always keeping an eye on what’s out there. That’s how the orange 1971 Dodge Challenger made its way to Kuypers. The first sighting happened in Las Vegas, and it was being sold by someone from Devon. He couldn’t buy it then, and the car disappeared for about five years, then showed up again on Facebook. This time, he was determined to buy it, and learned the owner was in Edmonton which made things a lot easier. When he shared the photo of his newest addition, his Facebook page blew up with comments from other car guys; everyone wanted to know where it came from and it felt like a mystery solved. Kuypers likes Mopar as they offer very limited numbers, and in the vintage car game, the rarer the better. He started honing in after the really rare cars and that’s why he was interested in the Challenger; the only one ever built in that configuration. “Even the orange stripe was built in the factory, and if you see another one like that, it’s fake”, says Kuypers. And there’s a lot of that in the market, so you have to have all the pedigree with the cars; the paperwork and build sheets, as you want to make sure you’re only buying originals. The cars often require restoration and work, and Kuypers looks for people who are meticulous and experienced.
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July 2021
During the summer months, usually on Fridays and Saturdays, there are lots of meets that Kuypers attends. Typically, muscle cars are owned and driven by males, so when his 20-year-old daughter Krista goes to the meets, people are impressed, and she enjoys breaking the stereotypes. Car shows are time consuming, so Kuypers keeps it to one or two per year. One of his favourite events was a show organized by the Edmonton Mopar Association show at Castrol Raceway that took place in 2019, with over 400 phenomenal cars, and he is looking forward to seeing that event come back in the future. One of his favourite moments as the collector? Seeing three of his cars driven by family members on the highway. These are special cars with distinguished pedigrees, great performance and exquisite aesthetic, and for the Kuypers family, it’s a luxury that everyone gets to enjoy. Aside from enjoying the cars, Kuypers truly enjoys the people he meets through this hobby. People are genuine and passionate, and all they want to talk about is cars; whether it’s a person that has one car or a multi-million dollar collection, everyone is treated the same way in this car community. This fall, his family is joining him in Chicago for an upcoming show, an event everyone is looking forward to. As we’re chatting on the driveway, looking over the colourful collection, Kuypers offers to do a burnout on the driveway, and our photographer Trevor, who’s a huge fan of the cars, enthusiastically agrees, always aiming for the perfect shot. The tire marks are there, so it’s not the first time this is happening; it brings a smile to everyone’s face as he revs the engine and does a little show in one of their favourite cars – the one of a kind yellow beauty.
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July 2021
WORDS BY HEIDI JOHANNSON
A Novel Idea! The long lazy days of summer are finally here and one can’t help but to relish the thought of basking in the sun with the perfect summer read. The crack of the spine and the smell of fresh paper - a new book can take you to places undiscovered. It’s an opportunity to turn strangers into friends or possibly, foes. Or perhaps your book of choice is an old acquaintance, a literary keepsake. With an earmarked page, a sentence underlined, it’s like sitting down to dinner with a lifelong companion. Whatever your preference, our long sunlit days are meant for reading and relaxation. Meet a few standout Edmontonians who share their favourite books so we can get started on what’s promising to be a summer to remember.
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SUMMER READ
MIDLIFE SARAH CHAN Pianist, Writer, Social Advocate Book Available at Audreys Books Ltd 10702 Jasper Avenue | audreysbooks.com PHOTO BY RYAN PARKER
This July, I am partial to enjoying Midlife, an anthology
This book is witty, sharp, funny, and moving; featuring
of essays written by friends I met at the Gateway
an equal representation of men and women contributors.
student newspaper. I am a writer, co-publisher and
No matter what your age, reading Midlife will connect
co-editor of this book!
you to yourself and to a community of creatives.
Created as a gift amongst friends during the
Midlife’s contributors all love reading and writing, and
pandemic, Midlife takes you through personal reflections
recognize that literacy is a privilege. Most of us have
on self-discovery, growth, ambition, infertility, family
careers that are heavily focused on communication,
illness, parenthood, and health.
which is one of the gifts of reading. The ability to express yourself and to extract comprehension and meaning
Midlife is a passion project fuelled by the desire to
from what you read is a beautiful thing. I love celebrating
reclaim our creativity, particularly in a time when our
the work of these talented friends and writers in the
lives feel like they are narrowing. A true labour of love
sun - in my garden.
via a reunion of these friends, and a gift to each other and the community during a time when connection is more important than ever.
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July 2021
SUMMER READ
WORLD WITHOUT END TERESA SPINELLI President, The Italian Centre Shop Book Available at Audreys Books Ltd 10702, Jasper Avenue | audreysbooks.com PHOTO SUPPLIED
No Wifi, no distractions, just plenty of time spent at the
about the past and how it came to be, the more we
lake, it’s my favourite place to read. And although I love
understand and the better prepared we are at making
all types of books, I am really looking forward to World
decisions for the future. I’m hopeful that I will get
Without End by Ken Follett. I spent last summer
through his second book this summer, learning about
immersed in The Pillars of the Earth, the first in the
serious issues and the in-depth personal perspectives
trilogy. Simply, it’s a story about the early centuries and
about the life and times of these characters. I’m already
the building of cathedrals. There is significance in the
anticipating the summer of 2022 when I can finish off
hierarchy and challenges faced by each of the
the trilogy with A Column of Fire.
characters. Yes, it’s fiction based on historical facts but there are still many lessons to learn. The more we know
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“Buon Estate!” - Teresa Spinelli
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SUMMER READ
THE ORIGINS OF OUR DISCONTENTS CORY CHRISTOPHER Entrepreneur and Designer Book Available at Audreys Books Ltd 10702, Jasper Avenue | audreysbooks.com PHOTO BY MAT SIMPSON
The pandemic has forced many of us to take a moment
As someone constantly on the go, I can often be found
from our hustle-and-bustle lives and sit often even
listening to an audiobook while driving. Though I have
uncomfortably with our own existence. Isabel Wilkerson’s
dreams of sitting under an oak tree and turning the
thought-provoking exploration of racism in the United
pages with a fresh glass of lemonade, the convenient
States is a masterpiece. Perhaps not a light summer
combination allows me the opportunity to experience
read, but a necessary one, it weaves detailed analysis,
and enjoy so much more literature than I could ever
impactful stories and moving reflections into a constant
imagine. It truly brings me so much happiness and
page turner. It is a captivating read for anyone seeking
listening to a story somehow reverberates differently
enlightenment and deeper understanding of the
than simply reading it myself. But who knows, an oak
systemic societal structures that so easily suppress
tree on a summer day might be in my summer reading
minority groups. It is laced with ‘Aha’ moments and
plans, one should never rule it out.
shocking accounts of a country at a crossroad, needing to reckon with its history. Whether reading each page or listening to the audiobook, I hope you find this read as impactful and insightful as I did.
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July 2021
FACTORY STYLED STEEL & GLASS DOORS / PARTITION WALLS
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CUSTOM DESIGN | CUSTOM SIZING | SINGLE OR DOUBLE PANE | HINGED DOORS | BARN DOORS
www.modernluxuria.com - 44•-T5S 2W3 • 780-488-4001 • WWW.ASIPRODUCTS.CA 17704 118 AVENUE NW • EDMONTON • ALBERTA
WORDS BY JOE GURBA
Rare Wine Report Many Albertans outside of the drinks business don’t realize how good we have it here for wine selection. We live in one of the best wine markets in the world. Every week we see a new wave of lovely and limited wines appear in our shops, however briefly, until those in the know snap them up.
This is a small sampling of the terroir driven wines you need to hunt down this month, wines made on small farms by true vignerons with that rare gift for gently translating nature into art. These wines are nourishing and artful records of another lap around the sun. As the Anchorman famously said, “it’s so hot out… milk was a bad choice.” You can say the same of big red wines. But with new vintages landing, now is the time to collect for your cellar so you’ll have those perfectly aged drops ready to comfort you when the long cold nights return. Here are three red wines you could drink this winter or lay down for several winters to come.
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July 2021
Hiyu 2017 Corvus Chardonnay. Champagne AVA Oregon, USA $125 Still available at: Crestwood Fine Wine
www.modernluxuria.com
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Nate Ready of Hiyu Wine Farm in Oregon
All of Ready’s Hiyu cuvées are thought provoking
stands among the most innovative vignerons
and palate bending experiences. He and his
in the world, crafting wines that marry
wife China (responsible for drink and food,
the most abstract explorations of history
respectively) farm fourteen acres of vines,
and nature with a host of innovations in
four acres of field and pasture, half an acre
natural poly-farming and minimalist cellaring
of market garden, four acres of forest, and a
techniques. While reinventing his cuvées into
duck pond. The rest of their acreage is being
dozens of configurations each year, his Corvus
fallowed into natural food forests for foraging.
is perhaps his proudest and rarest of wines.
Aside from a little work beneath the vines with a scythe, there is no mowing or tilling in the
If you turn this gorgeous bottle around, you’ll
vineyards. Instead, the control of vegetation
see a sketch of a scallop shell, the symbol of the
is done by their pigs, cows, chicken, ducks, and
Camino de Santiago. This is because the Corvus
geese that are strategically released among the
cuvée is a pilgrimage in a bottle, a dark and
vines during different parts of the vine’s annual
bloody and mystical wine that testifies to that
lifecycle. Nate and China direct the diversity
famous medieval journey while also exploring
of plants on the site by seeding directly into
the genetic ancestry of its chief grape. This wine
the dense growth or behind the pigs as they
comes entirely from a miniscule plot of only
root around in search of food. They only make
one acre where Ready removed the buds from
a single cut of their vines at pruning—there
old vines and hand-grafted a field blend onto
is no hedging, green harvest, leaf pulling, or
each vine trunk, consisting of Cabernet Franc
other interruption of the vines’ growth cycle.
and several of its genetic ancestors, much rarer
This is all in pursuit of a farm that completes
indigenous grape varieties that still grow in
its own ecological continuum. As counterintuitive
lesser known Spanish appellations that dot the
as it sounds, the result has been fruit of
pilgrim’s path from the Abbey at Roncesvalles
overwhelming complexity and singularity.
to Compostela de Santiago, grapes including Mencía, Abouriou, Brancellao, Manseng Noir.
Only 25 cases made and only 12 bottles in
Farming these and harvesting these as a whole
Alberta, you must get your hands on this wine
and then vinifying them without separation,
and anything else by Hiyu (a.k.a. Smockshop
a pre-industrial field blend is achieved that
Band, a.k.a. Tzum). Grab two if you can! One to
accesses the genetic underpinnings of that
open this Thanksgiving (and be sure to decant
beguiling fruit we call Cabernet Franc.
for a good eight hours before drinking!) and one to lay down in your wine fridge for another 4-6 years of development.
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July 2021
Succés Vinícola 2017 El Solà Trepat 100% Trepat Conca de Barberà DOP, Spain $50-$53 Still available at: Highlands Liquor
www.modernluxuria.com
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Not only a new producer but a new region to
most readers, I will say the wine shares certain
our market—in fact a whole new grape variety
features with single varietal grenaches like
to Alberta—this introduction is by no means
those of Comando G and with the austere
entry level. From an appellation two hours
chestnut aged reds of the Penedès like Suriol,
west of Barcelona called Conca de Barberà,
while also bringing a certain Barolo like
from a single vineyard called El Solà, from an
character to bear in its savoury mushroom
indigenous Catalan grape called Trepat, from
qualities and silky yet prominent tannins
vines planted in 1900, comes a micro-cuvée
over generous acidity. It’s a full bodied drop
of only 300 bottles, farmed and vinified with
at 14.5% and would be a treat to visit again
minimal intervention by husband & wife
after another five years of cellaring.
duo Albert Canela and Mariona Vendrell of upstart cellars Succés Vinícola.
Mariona and Albert are two upstart vignerons who met in winemaking school in Priorat.
On the nose, this wine has much to unfold
They bootstrapped space in a cooperative
as it decants (and a long decant is indeed
cellar and took up farming and buying organic
advised), showing a nose of red currant,
grapes in this lesser known appellation where
crunchy plum, potters clay, wet rocks,
Albert himself had been raised by grape
petrichor, light roast cold brew, chestnut
farmers. The two of them work hand in hand,
spread, whole wheat, and enoki mushrooms.
creating a number of lovely everyday wines
The juice was fermented 40 days on its skins
at excellent prices, but their single vineyard
before being pressed into barrel for fourteen
micro-cuvées are the ones to hunt down and
months of ageing, then bottled and aged a
lay down. Do it now, they just might cost a lot
further two years before release. At the risk of
more down the road. It’s not like 120-year-old
blurring with comparisons, as a new grape for
Trepat vines are in generous supply!
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July 2021
Sainte Cosme 2018 Côte-Rôtie 100% Sérine Conca de Barberà DOP, Spain $120 Still available at: Crestwood Fine Wines
www.modernluxuria.com
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Ah the roasted slope, the holy grail of most
many other examples their extra floral kick
acolytes of Syrah. The vines of this famously
(and give somm’s an important clue when
steep appellation of only 224 hectares cling
blind tasting). And Barruol is not alone, many
to the south facing bend of the Rhône where
of the best producers in the area who boast
they struggle nobly each year to ripen the
the oldest vines have done away with the
inky, peppery, floral, savoury, black-fruited,
Viognier as well. Sérine, as you’ll see, really
t-skinned indigenous grape of pride, Syrah.
doesn’t need it—it’s already packed with its
But as you’ll note above, this wine purports to
own notes of freshly picked violets.
a different variety: 100% Sérine. Do not be alarmed!: Numerous growers in the Côte-Rôtie,
This wine was farmed on some of the steepest
including Louis Barruol of Saint Cosme,
vineyard inclines in France, reaching 55%
have been arguing that the oldest vines
inclination, in four lieu-dits planted on the
of Côte-Rôtie are in fact an ancient and
famous schist based soils of the Côte Blonde
hyper-localized variety of Syrah that is markedly
half of the appellation, known for the more
different from modern clonal selections. In
elegant expressions that are less heavy on the
their words: “Sérine is not synonymous with
classic bacon fat note that rewards bottle age
Syrah; rather, Sérine is synonymous with Côte-
and more of that mystifying peppery velvety
Rôtie.” If you’d like to assess this difference
violet aspect that makes Syrah (ahem, Sérine)
for yourself, you can’t go wrong with Sainte
lovers swoon. Lay this down for a decade if
Cosme’s stunning example.
you can, though I’ve tried a vertical of 2014 through 2018 and even in its youth this wine
Besides being farmed biodynamically and
packs a powerful punch of fresh fruit without
vinified elegantly with a minimalist approach
too much tannin to be enjoyed now, though
that reveals this unique terroir beautifully,
you’d be remiss not to give it a good eight
Barruol foregoes the uniquely Côte-Rôtie
hours decant first.
addition of roughly 5% Viognier that gives
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July 2021
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Fueling Edmonton’s Culinary Scene Food Trucks and Talented Traders are the Perfect Summer Combination
WORDS BY JESSICA LACCETTI, PH.D PHOTOS: ROKA PIZZA BY ROKA PIZZA OHANA DONUTERIE BY KYLE KOZEL BOTTLED BRONCO BY VW VAN - GH PHOTOGRAPHY WHITE HORSE TRAILER - KYRA JASMAN PHOTOGRAPHY CONGA LINE - DALLAS OLGA PHOTOGRAPHY & FILM TRUCK KEG STAND - SHANTELLE LOUISE PHOTOGRAPHY BLUE HORSE TRAILER - JOY BREITKREUTZ PHOTOGRAPHY
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July 2021
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If you’ve explored around the #YEG area lately, you can see the changes. There are new businesses, new faces, and new foods to tempt your taste buds! You might be craving traditional wood-fired Italian pizza, or how about a Salted Caramel Espresso doughnut, or, what about a signature cocktail to cool you off?! Here’s a little sample of some of the freshest flavours we have found that are hand crafted and made locally! On the #T4X scene for five years and about “20,000 pizzas,” Rōka Wood Fired Pizza is living their adventure. Flavor-purveyors Rob and Karen Shortreed were in Arizona, escaping from the Alberta winter, and had their epiphany for a “wood fired pizza trailer.” If it could be done in Tucson...why not their home town of Beaumont? Having lived there for 25 years, they thought it would be the perfect place to start this adventure. As they say, “nothing ‘ad’ventured, nothing gained.” Karen, a Journeyman Machinist, and Rob, a Journeyman Mechanic, were looking for something to do when they weren’t wintering in warmer climes. They had their vision and immediately ordered a pizza oven from Portugal and then took a year to perfect their dough and the cooking for the pizza. Rob and Karen bought a trailer in the USA, drove it home and then tweaked it how they saw fit! Today, Rōka Wood Fired Pizza focuses on using the freshest quality ingredients and reasonable pricing so that “everyone can enjoy [the] pizza.” Add Rōka Wood Fired Pizza to your food truck hit-list; you won’t be disappointed!
www.facebook.com/rokawoodfiredpizza
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July 2021
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Continuing the foodie scene in the Edmonton area, let me add Ohana Donuterie to your list of sweet treat faves. Now, this legend on the sweet scene began as an idea in 2016 and after 18 months of perfecting the craft of a 130 year old recipe, founder Adam Biel was ready to share with the community. It took over 2000 tries of the same doughnut but on the 6th of June in 2017, Ohana served their first doughnut (a “perfect vanilla cream-filled original donut”)! The food truck was a hit and barely six months later, Ohana Donuterie opened their brick and mortar location in Old Strathcona. When asked why bring traditional Hawaiian doughnuts to #yeg (that’s malasadas by the way), the founder responds, “because YEG is who we are, it’s where Adam was born and where, after years of travel and working abroad, he kept coming back to...it’s where our family is, we are Ohana after all.” Now, if that deep tie to family and community doesn’t win you over, flavors like Salted Caramel Espresso will or how about the Father’s Day edition featuring Dadeo’s Southern Fried Chicken?! Why not add Ohana’s “signature drink;” the Macadamia Macchiato and you’ll be wondering how you made it this long without it. If you don’t see something on their long list of flavour combinations, Ohana is “always open” to custom orders (I might have asked about garden parties and weddings). The founder is active in the community and excited to collaborate with local businesses. Adam’s favourite quote sums up their ethos: “Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind - or forgotten - Lilo and Stitch.” If you’re ready to elevate ohanadonuts.square.site
your taste buds, get to Ohana where every family member can find their perfect match.
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July 2021
Inspired by mindless internet scrolling, The Bottled
Danielle explains that they can set up anywhere that a
Bronco’s founder Danille found herself something she
vehicle can go. There are some stories to tell, including
could do while heavily pregnant. Danielle Vogler was
when owners have taken down sections of their fence
used to “heavy labour jobs” and while pregnant, wasn’t
to get The Bottled Bronco set up in the back gardens.
able to work. Enter the internet and the idea to convert
Like their guests, Danielle and Janel and their husbands
horse trailers into mobile bars. Serendipitously, Danille
who have been roped into the running of the business,
has a cousin, Janel, who is a certified event planner.
love to bring the “unexpected.” They get “people out of
Together, The Bottle Bronco was born.
their seats” and always offer signature cocktails and lawn games.
As you might have guessed from the name, this is a cocktail-forward enterprise. This business is comprised
The Bottled Bronco has been featured at birthday
of two horse-trailer cocktail bars, a truck box cocktail
parties, open houses, graduations, weddings, and even
bar for smaller spaces, a tapped truck to serve kegs,
babies’ first birthdays! While Danielle might be a
and a guest favourite: a VW van converted into a
“tequila girl,” she works with clients to create bespoke
photobooth
drinks and an ambience that will give a unique vibe to
(thanks
to
Curtis,
of
Fotovon,
mastermind behind this Instagrammable fave).
the
your event. Now that’s something to ‘Cheers’!
www.thebottledbronco.com
www.modernluxuria.com
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6 Beers to Try This Summer If there is ever a perfect season to enjoy beer, it is undeniably the summer season. Our high, beer-friendly forecasts inspired the team to look for local hits at two of our city’s breweries, and we couldn’t pick just one, but bring you a selection of brews from Sea Change Brewery and Longroof Brewing that you should be trying this summer.
1. PRAIRIE FAIRY | BLACKBERRY WHEAT ALE - 5% ABV
4. NEPALI HAZY | PALE ALE - 4.9% ABV
In collaboration with Fruit Loop Society, a YEG
This hazy pale ale is a low ABV fruit bomb and is
LGBTQ2+ community non-profit organization, this
big on flavor featuring New Zealand Hops. Think
simple, clean malt bill features Alberta wheat and 2 row
grapefruit and clementines when sipping this
barley providing a perfect backdrop to the refreshingly
respectfully defiant brew. This beer is perfect for
tart explosion of blackberries and raspberries. A
a summertime patio!
portion of proceeds are proudly donated to Fruit 5. GLIMMER OF HOP | PALE ALE - 4.9% ABV
Loop Society.
Refreshing and sociable. Low abv, big on flavour.
2. THE WOLF | HAZY PALE ALE - 5.5% ABV
Tastefully hopped with Cascade. This could be your
This New-England style pale ale is our back-to-back
go-to summertime pale ale!
gold winning flagship beer. Brewed with oats and wheat for that famous NEPA haze, the hops’ presence is a big player with pineapple, passionfruit, stonefruit, citrus aroma and flavor. It is medium bodied with a smooth mouthfeel thanks to the oats. Very little perceptible malt character.
6. YE OLDE LOCAL | DARK MILD - 4.1% ABV This dark mild is our take on a traditional English Ale. It is a light malt forward beer with slight caramel flavours for that touch of restrained sweetness. It is a refreshing dark beer on a hot summer day!
3. DEATH WAVE | LIGHT LAGER - 4% ABV This approachable offering won the Gold for Best
www.longroofbrewing.ca
Light Lager at the Canadian Brewing Awards 2020. It
www.seachangebeer.com
is light, crisp, dry and refreshing. A Mexican-lager, Euro-Pilsner hybrid brewed with corn, Alberta 2 Row and German Pilsner malt. Classic, easy-drinking lager flavour with a light body, low bitterness and a super clean yeast profile.
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July 2021
4552 - 99 Street Edmonton, AB T6E 5H5 www.rsvpdesign.ca
www.modernluxuria.com
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WWW.SCANDIAFURNITURE.COM • 13513-156 STREET • EDMONTON, ALBERTA
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July 2021
www.modernluxuria.com
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Play That
Sax!
“The minute I heard R&B and Soul, I knew it was always going to be a part of my musical world.” WORDS BY HEIDI JOHANNSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY TREVOR TSOI
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July 2021
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‘‘
The combination of the two, singing and saxophone, makes me a unique entity when I play around the city. It’s pretty amazing - the power of music.
’’ It’s a ‘Mr Holland’s Opus’ type of story. A young boy growing up in Onoway, Alberta, inspired by his music teachers. Edmonton musician, Jeff Hendrick credits them, and his supportive parents for his lifelong, soul filling relationship with music. We’d be amiss to forget those fervent records by Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins and Motown artists, all of which were the impetus into a life of Rhythm and Blues. Hendrick’s musicality spans from singer/songwriter to keyboard player but it was that brass, single-reed, woodwind instrument that landed him a spot at McGill University in Montreal. He was one of five saxophone players from across the country selected into their elite jazz music program. A learned experience studying classical to jazz couldn’t compete with his deep rooted connection to R&B. After graduation, Hendrick headed home to the prairies, to reconnect, regroup and refocus. It wasn’t long before growth and opportunity had Hendrick hitting the coasts of LA and New York. He found himself on the steps of Def Jam Records and Queen Latifah’s office in New Jersey. Performances included shows at The Time Warner Center, SOB’s, Billie’s Black, and The Sugar Bar. “New York changed my life; I love it there but the music industry is tough. This was long before artists like Robin Thicke and Justin Timberlake. They didn’t know what to do with me, they didn’t know where I fit.”
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July 2021
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As time marched on, the music industry evolved and so did our city. Along with the internet came a worldwide audience for Hendrick, selling 25,000 independent copies to a fan base in over 12 countries. And not unlike another movie, it was Hendrick’s moment in time to ‘Pay It Forward’. Raised in a family of educators, it was a natural progression to take a position at Norquest College as an ESL teacher. An important aspect to his personal fabric is culture. He teaches students from Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia, often bonding over their love of music. He is now helping them navigate life in a new country while they teach him so many things about theirs. “It’s a really rewarding component of my life that complements my music career.” Having entertained all over the world, Hendrick now calls Edmonton home. He’s witness to the emerging diversity and demographics that deeply influence our city’s music scene. It’s essential to keeping the arts alive and he’s hopeful for the future. He shares that there are a lot of innovators working hard to bring life to our city. An undercurrent of fresh ideas is just waiting for the perfect moment to surface. Do yourself a favor and grasp any opportunity to see Jeff Hendrick entertain. Performing citywide, from the historical Yardbird Suite to the new JW Marriott Lounge, or as part of the tribute band, ‘The Payback’, his talent of bridging the old with the new is not to be overlooked.
www.jeffhendrick.com
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July 2021
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Welcome To The New Goal Of Fitness: Balance First, Looks Second
WORDS BY MONA BUTLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY TREVOR TSOI
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July 2021
The fitness and nutrition industries have long suffered a problem: the continuing existence of one-size-fits-all, the smaller-the-better mentality. For as long as anyone can remember, the point of exercise has been thinness and how to get there the fastest way possible. Thanks to personal trainers like Micaela however, a healthier version of these quick-fix filled industries is emerging. Micaela’s journey first began as an epiphany during a rough patch. Inactive and likely depressed, she found herself in need of a change. A client at Micaela’s sales job took her for a tour of the gym she owned and it sparked a complete 180. “I learned how to exercise. I learned how to run. I learned how to eat better. I started to feel better mentally. I felt accomplished, and for the first time in a long time - I felt confident.” Her lifestyle change didn’t stop there either. Eventually, her new lifestyle needed to evolve. In the beginning, she began exercising with aesthetics in mind, mainly because -like most- she did not know any other benefits. But her motivations have since rounded themselves out. Aesthetics are a lovely bonus, no one can deny that, but it’s no longer her main source of motivation. It’s no secret that the fitness industry is fraught with unhealthy and unsustainable diet and exercise extremes that leave most people worse than when they started. Having fallen into those extremes and realizing their dangers, and saying enough is enough, Micaela found balance, rediscovered the joy of working out, and the joy of food once again, “There is
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pressure in the fitness industry, as a female, to look like you could grace the cover of a fitness magazine every day. So, when I was younger and still just starting, I placed these unrealistic expectations on myself. I finally got to the point where I realized no matter how much weight I lost, it was never going to be good enough.” In the spirit of these beliefs, there’s something found on most trainers’ websites and social media that you will rarely find on hers: Before and After photos. Having pages of client pictures, in Micaela’s mind, is hardly a way to measure the success and skill of a trainer. Weight loss isn’t bad, but thinness isn’t an indicator of success when there are countless other benefits and successes of training to be celebrated! It’s this desire to celebrate fitness without the weight loss obsession that sparked ‘Love Your Bod’. “Many of the other online programs that already existed were all about ‘beach bodies’ or ‘bikini bodies’ and to me, I just didn’t like the insinuations the marketing was making - that every woman’s goal should be to look like a bikini model. Not to mention, some of these programs were leading people toward disordered eating behaviours and unhealthy exercise habits.” Having an online training platform has enabled Micaela to reach more people than she ever could in person. Micaela can say, without a hint of exaggeration, that her message of balanced exercise and nutrition has gone global. “I recently had an email from a woman in Bulgaria, and I just thought, how cool is that that I am training someone all the way in Bulgaria!”
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July 2021
MICAELA’S TOP FIVES Top 5 Indulgences
• Potato chips drizzled with hot sauce • Pizza (shoutout to High Dough!) • Corona beer • Chips and guacamole • Ribeye steak with all the toppings! Top 5 Healthy Choices
• Smart Pop • PC frozen fudge bars • 5 % Greek yogurt (the high fat keeps you full for longer & they are so thick & creamy!) • Baby carrots with hummus • S liced Cucumbers with lime juice and tajin (it’s a Mexican thing I grew up with!)
Micaela’s Tips for Sticking with It
• D on’t be “all or nothing”. 20 minutes of exercise is better than no exercise. Eating one healthy meal a day is better than no healthy meals per day
• F ocus on the positive changes, and just forget about it when you fall off the wagon. Aim for 2-3 sessions per week, and focus on incorporating healthy foods into your diet. If you mess up, no big deal - tomorrow is a new day
• D on’t wait until Monday to begin - all we have is the present day, and each new one can be a fresh start.
www.modernluxuria.com
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July 2021
The Top of Your Summer Bucket List Sunsets, Seclusion, & Sips from the U of A Botanic Garden WORDS BY JESSICA LACCETTI, PH.D PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED
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Think flowing fountains, still pools, sunken flower beds and “breathtaking vistas.” This is the time to whip out your summer bucket list and add the 240 acres of the University of Alberta’s Botanic Garden to the top. This must-see award-winning plant paradise features tree-covered paths, exoctic butterflies, the Kurimoto Japanese Garden, the Aga Khan Garden, the Indigenous Peoples’ Garden, waterfalls, and more. Dating back to 1959, this living laboratory is the perfect escape from busy work days and city life. For new visitors, consider exploring the award-winning, 4.8 hectar Mughal-inspired garden - the Aga Khan Garden - gifted by His Highness the Aga Khan. Kerry Mulholland, Communications & Marketing Coordinator for the University of Alberta Botanic Garden refers to it as “an 11-acre jewel that is a contemporary interpretation of historic Mughal design, and the northernmost Islamic garden in the world.” Think flowing fountains, still pools, sunken flower beds and “breathtaking vistas.”
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July 2021
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Ready for more adventure? How about the Indigenous Peoples’ Garden that was created in 1980 and features plants that have deep traditional ties to the Indigenous. Mulholland notes too, there is an “extensive Collections area” for visitors to delve into. Two little known spots that even #yeggers might not be aware of: in the beloved local botanical gardens are John’s Folly - a “castle” with views of the rose garden and Connie’s Secret Pond which resides in the North Alpine Garden. Of course, after all that adventuring, appetites are whetted and the U of A Botanic Garden has just the thing to help you “relax and rejuvenate” - picnic boxes! In fact, booking is live on the website to pick a time for a Twilight Picnic or choose a brunch box. Both options come with fantastic local food but the Twilight Picnic provides live music and amazing sunset views. Plus, as Mulholland explains, “new licensing rules mean guests can sip a glass of wine or local craft beer anywhere in the Garden while they stroll.” This sounds like the perfect way to disconnect from your everyday life. Here’s to ticking off that summer bucket list and making memories.
botanicgarden.ualberta.ca
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July 2021
Amber Victoria Prepchuk Model: Grace Panganiban
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Makeup Artist
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