Vision Reimagined: The Monocle Optometry

WORDS BY BRANDY BELITSKY PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

Where eye care meets warmth, fashion, and community

Located in the heart of St. Albert, The Monocle Optometry is not just a clinic but a place where personalized eye care meets home. The brainchild of Dr. Lauren Zaiffdeen, this optical boutique has been transforming the way residents receive eyecare since its inception in November 2021.

Dr. Lauren Zaiffdeen, the owner and visionary behind The Monocle, is a graduate of the University of Alberta with a BSc in Biological Sciences. Her journey led her to achieve a Doctorate of Optometry from Nova Southeastern University, Florida. Her extensive training equipped her to diagnose and manage various ocular diseases, fuelling her passion for ocular health.

After spending eight years in an overly corporate practice, Dr. Zaiffdeen's dream of creating The Monocle Optometry became a reality. What distinguishes The Monocle is its commitment to personalized service, transforming the clinical environment into a welcoming space simmilar to a cozy living room. A beautiful fireplace, for example, juxtaposed against a backdrop of frames fosters comfort and helps to ease anxieties patients may associate with eye care.

Stepping into The Monocle means stepping into a community where clients are treated like family. Dr. Zaiffdeen's personalized approach ensures that clients receive undivided attention and thorough care. The clinic's eyewear specialist collaborates closely with clients to select the perfect pair of glasses, seamlessly blending style and functionality.

The eyewear collection is a testament to The Monocle's commitment to both fashion and individuality. The clinic showcases a beautiful selection of independent, fashion-forward brands, many of which are handcrafted in Europe and Japan. The emphasis lies not in brand names but in making clients feel great about their choices.

Dr. Kirstin Stayer, who recently joined the team, brings fresh perspectives while enabling the clinic to accommodate more patients. An exciting Myopia Management program has been introduced for children to prevent future eye issues, and the upcoming 2-year anniversary promises a noteworthy eyewear sale.

Dr. Zaiffdeen's vision extends beyond St.Albert, as she aspires to open an Edmonton location allowing her to expand the business and it’s unique approach to eye health and community connection.

WWW.THEMONOCLE.CA

WORDS BY TOM SEDENS PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

Panamera has always set itself apart from the masses, its silhouette and proportions unmistakably Porsche. Athletic, streamlined and with a contoured, muscular stance, it will never be mistaken for anything else.

Is it possible to create a true sports car with four doors while still retaining the dynamism of the Porsche brand? Absolutely.

The Panamera combines sporty, supercar performance with world-class comfort in the sleek confines of a 4-door sedan.

The GTS models are easily recognizable thanks to the use of contrasting black trim. The side window trims, the side air outlets, the badging and the tailpipes are all finished in High Gloss Black. The lower section of both front and rear fascias are finished in Satin Black, while the taillights and the rear light strip are tinted.

Lowered by 10mm, the GTS’ 20-inch wheels are shod with massive tires—275/40 in the front and a steamroller-like 315/35 in the rear. porty, supercar performance with world-class comfort in the sleek confines of a 4-door sedan.

As with any Porsche, it’s what is underneath that counts. The space under the long hood is home to a twin-turbo 4L V8, putting out 473 HP and 457 lb-ft of torque, the latter available from 1,800 RPM. Paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and an active all-wheel drive system, the Panamera GTS slingshots its occupants from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.

The Sport exhaust system emits a vicious bark when the car is fired up and settles to a menacing rumble. Under acceleration, the frenetic roar of the V8 is like a drug, where dipping into its prodigious power reserves becomes addictive.

Drivers choose between four driving modes— Normal, Sport, Sport Plus, and Individual—that impact engine responsiveness, steering, handling and even the exhaust note.

But it is not just about jaw-dropping straight-line performance. The Panamera’s newly tuned chassis and clairvoyant adaptive air suspension allows it to effortlessly master the delicate balancing act between sport and comfort.

When it comes to safety, there are a variety of driver assistance systems to make driving safer and more relaxing without being intrusive. The massive 6-piston brake calipers at the front and 4-piston brake calipers at the rear make quick work of bringing the Panamera back down to earth, even from ludicrous speeds.

Inside, Porsche has fused sophisticated sports car ergonomics with its ascending centre console and the flat dashboard—and of course the analog tachometer in the centre of the instrument cluster is a nod to tradition.

In the driver’s seat, everything is focused on you and your next destination. And yet, all around you there is generous space for passengers to ride in supreme comfort.

From supremely crafted seats to an intuitive touchscreen system to the staggering 1,455 watt, 21 loudspeakers Burmester sound system to a dual panoramic roof, every detail makes for an extraordinary journey.

Whether you are behind the wheel or occupying one of the passenger seats, every drive feels like sport, not transport.

Even practicality is not lost on the Panamera. A large luggage compartment lives under the wide tailgate. Folding rear seat backrests allow even larger objects to be transported as well.

With the Panamera, Porsche has consistently gone their own way. By staying true to their roots and injecting Porsche DNA into the luxury sedan segment, they have created a masterpiece of driving performance and comfort.