Winter 2017 | modernmississauga.com | $5.95
Get Fit Like A FIREFIGHTER ARTS
FOOD & DRINK
Winter 2017
The Future of Mississauga lifestyle
MONEY
technology
Port Credit COMEDY FESTIVAL transportation
TRAVEL
Mississauga’s Maple Syrup Festival is Back! Mississauga’s favourite maple tradition returns to the Bradley Museum for March Break. Learn how to tap a tree then follow the sap lines to the kitchen where maple treats await. March 11 – 19, noon to 4 pm daily Bradley Museum, 1620 Orr Road
Head to mississaugaculture.ca/maple for more details.
Enrich your Life with Art!
Owner, Co-Publisher/Managing Editor Bil Kanawati
SHOW
Fine Art Show
Owner, Co-Publisher/ Director of Marketing & sales
April 8 & 9th 2017
Jay Kana
Sat. & Sun. 11 am to 5 pm
WATERSIDE INN
Port Credit
15 Stavebank Rd. S.
5 Admission at the door
$ 00
Visit us at:
ArtsOnTheCredit.ca
art director Elizabeth Wise (Wise Idea)
coNTRIBUTORS Marko Furlani
Tyler Hehn Brigitte Hasbron Jay Kana Bil Kanawati Kimberley Langen Phil LeConte John Murray Lewis
Advertising Sales
sales@modernmississauga.com 416.629.5295
For all other inquiries:
email: info@modernmississauga.com web: modernmississauga.com twitter: @mdrnmississauga facebook: modernmississauga
Modern Mississauga is proudly printed in Canada by Point One Graphics. Modern Mississauga is published six times a year and distributed by Canada Post and AdMill Group. Issues are also available at all 18 Mississauga libraries. All images are licenced under Creative Commons Zero unless otherwise indicated. Š 2017 Modern Mississauga Media Ltd. All rights reserved.
4
Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
in this
The New Mississauga PAGE 16
ISSUE WINTER 2017
ARTS Mississauga Culture: iAM Project What can culture be? Artist Profile: Marcelo PazĂĄn technology Tech trends for 2017 travel Marvellous Montreal turns 375 Enjoying Ottawa in 2017 FEATURE Mississauga's future-forward transformation TRANSPORTATION 2017 Lincoln Continental MONEY Modern Entrepreneur: Sue Quinn of Kamp K-9 lifestyle Get fit like a firefighter Market-focused housing renovations The more things change Port Credit Comedy Festival food & drink Restaurant Profile: Apricot Tree CafĂŠ Restaurant Guide
7 10 12 16 18 20 22 28
Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
5
m oder nMISSISSAUGA
Editors' Letter Welcome to the exciting first issue of 2017 from your city’s premier magazine! Happy belated New Year! Mississauga certainly has come a long way in the past 43 years. We’re the sixth largest city in Canada, we’re becoming a hotspot for large businesses to set up shop, we have one of the largest malls the country, we have awardwinning buildings, a great waterfront, and much, much more. As we look forward, our city is becoming more vibrant, exciting and connected. We’re starting the transformation from an already great city into a world class city. In this issue, we’ll explore some of the transformations ahead of us, including the Britannia Farm project, Rogers M City
development, the Hurontario LRT and more. We chat with the talented and local champion of the arts, Marcelo Pazan, and learn about upcoming tech trends for 2017. If you’re looking for adventure that’s close to home, our Travel section has great reasons to visit Montreal, and we take a look at how Ottawa is getting ready for Canada’s 150th anniversary. On the automotive side, Lincoln has resurrected the iconic Continental brand and we give you a comprehensive review of this lavish luxury vehicle. Read about local entrepreneur Sue Quinn (who appeared on Dragon’s Den) and her success story behind Kamp K-9. Looking for some fitness inspiration? Learn how our heroic firefighters keep fit and healthy. Our expert contractor from Urbanest
Construction tells us how to boost the value of your home through specific renovations, and we profile a popular local restaurant that’s recently expanded, The Apricot Tree Café. As always, our talented John M. Lewis shares the lighter side of Mississauga’s transformation since he came to town in 2003. As we transition into year two at Modern Mississauga, our goal is to both continue to be Mississauga’s premier magazine and improve upon last year’s many successes. We want to connect and engage with you, so please feel free to drop us a line. Here’s to a prosperous and exciting 2017!
Bil & Jay
Escape to Tamarack ... A real vacation, close to home The Tamarack, Ellicottville’s slopeside condominium/hotel is just a 1 hour scenic drive south of the Peace Bridge, yet you’ll feel a world away. The possibilities are endless - Ski on our 58 slopes, 4 terrain parks, glades and cruisers, indulge at the Ellicottville Oasis Spa, swim in the outdoor heated pool and hot tubs, enjoy a wide selection of craft brewed beers or single malt Scotches at John Harvard’s Brew House, poke around the charming and delicious Village of Ellicottville or do absolutely nothing ... the choice is yours.
Plan ahead for a winter adventure! Midweek ski & stay packages 2 Kids Stay & Ski Free 716.699.7000 holidayvalley.com 6
Holiday| WINTER Valley2017 Resort Modern Mississauga
Route 219
Ellicottville NY
holidayvalley.com
800.323.0020
modern ARTS
Experience the Mississauga Culture
i A M P ro j ect
From February 4 to April 16, come to Bradley Museum, located at 1620 Orr Road in Mississauga, for a storytelling experience expressed through audio and still images created by newcomer youth. The iAM project focuses on exploring the concept of home and aims to open conversations on human rights stories through art. Youth from Syria, Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia took part in mobile photography workshops with Toronto-based artists. While you’re at Bradley Museum, share your own story of home and what it means to you in the interactive video booth in the Anchorage House. The iAM project is presented by JAYU. JAYU’s founder, Gilad Cohen, is an artist and human rights advocate. Feeling the need to raise more awareness in his own community, Gilad launched JAYU in 2012, using art as the main vehicle. He is currently the co-host of The Hum Podcast, a weekly human rights show featured on iTunes and Rabble. Gilad and JAYU are committed to providing empowerment projects that provide arts based mentorship and education to communities that lack access.
Exhibition Hours:
Monday to Wednesday: by appointment Thursday to Sunday: noon – 4 p.m. For more information visit mississaugaculture.ca/museums
What Can Culture Be?
This is an exciting and important time for the future of arts, culture and heritage in Mississauga. The City of Mississauga is working on a Culture Master Plan that will provide the City with a 10-year plan that will grow and strengthen arts, culture and heritage in Mississauga. We want to hear from you to help create a shared vision that includes what you want for your city.
Get Involved!
There are lots of ways to share your ideas. 1. Attend a community meeting at Clarke Memorial Hall, 161 Lakeshore Rd W February 7, 6 pm and March 4, 10 am 2. Join the conversation on Twitter on February 22 @SaugaCulture, 11am-1pm 3. Take a survey mississaugaculture.ca/survey and share the survey with your 10 best friends 4. Spread the word using #SaugaCulture For more information email culture.masterplan@mississauga.ca
photos courtesy of City of Mississauga Culture Division Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
7
m oder nARTS
Modern ARTIST: Marcelo Pazán One of Mississauga’s most well-known artists, Marcelo Pazán, owner of Pazán Gallery, has been a bright beacon for the local art scene for many years. Impressively, he was accepted into the Ontario College of Art and Design twice in the early nineties, but both times, the timing wasn’t right. With a passion for painting, he continued doing so in his spare time as he wanted to remain connected with it. He then was accepted into the University of Toronto for architecture and after one year, he knew it wasn’t the career path that he truly wanted. Knowing that art would always be a focal point for him, he learned the art of graphic design and landed a job at the Toronto Star, which lasted nearly 20 years. Sensing that the graphic design world was changing, he saw an opportunity to pursue his passion full-time and after careful consideration, Marcelo decided to open his own gallery in October 2011 as a way of reinventing himself. Between 2009 and 2011, he became increasingly immersed in the art world and acquired new skills, which included photo restoration, appraisals, custom art pieces, framing, among others. It also allowed him to devote more time to creating art through painting. As with all entrepreneurs, one of his biggest obstacles was fear of the unknown. “Going from a steady, unionized paycheque to making the leap away from that certainly wasn’t easy,” says Marcelo. In the same breath, he says “I love that I did it and I see success in my decision every day through making clients happy and creating and sharing my art.” Coming up on his one year anniversary at the new location at 6 Brant Avenue in April 2017 (he spent the first 7 years at 3 Benson), Marcelo enthusiastically gives credit to his wife, Gloria, who has recently taken over the Lakeshore Art Trail. “She’s my muse and support system… we love
8
Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
by jay kana
contributing to the community.” While there have been several high points during his career, one that stands out is his participation in the recent (and incredibly successful) InSitu event, where he was the Director of Marketing and Communications. He’s a tremendous proponent of both collaboration and increasing the amount of art in our community, so being deeply involved in InSitu was a natural fit for him. “I realize that I was only one cog in a big wheel but I was thrilled to participate and offer advice and guidance.” In addition to running a popular and successful gallery, Marcelo is also involved in supporting other art projects, such as Arts On The Credit and working with his wife on the Lakeshore Art Trail. He knows he can’t engage in everything (even though he wants to) so he’s carefully selected what he can invest his time in to yield results instead of saying yes to everything and having some commitments fall between the cracks. Regarding the future of the arts community, Marcelo says, “the more incubators for the arts we have, the stronger the community will become. Careful financial investments will allow the artists to flourish.” Looking forward, he will continue working with local artists to help them flourish and expand and will make time to do what he loves, which is to paint, sometimes with a glass of wine close at hand. His vision is to provide classes, further art education and to provide a collaborative environment for artists to help them thrive. “I will continue working with the community going forward. We’re here to help… if anyone has questions, please come visit and talk to me.”
Competition is Not Just for Sports Enthusiasts
modern ARTS
by kimberley langen, CEO & co-founder, Spirit of Math Schools ®
“…and pencils down.” The contest is over. The room erupts with excited chatter. In the large hall, over 200 students from grades 3 to 12 have just completed writing one of Canada’s largest series of mathematics contests. These Spirit of Math students have opted to miss a morning of school just for the opportunity to compete in something they can get excited about – math. So many programs out there simply show students the answers to the questions or teach them how to calculate quickly in their heads. How many programs look at all the problems, determine the skill sets that are needed to solve them, and teach according to those skill sets? Are they effectively developing logical thinking and critical analysis skills so that multitudes of mathematical ideas and questions can be tackled? Knowing how to do this takes an unusual expertise, and has been perfected over the course of more than 25 years in the Spirit of Math program. The results of this method of teaching are outstanding.
With close to 900 placements on national mathematics honour rolls this year alone – an outstanding feat – Spirit of Math makes a great case for not just teaching to the test. From doctors to physicists to engineers, Spirit of Math alumni are changing the world as leaders in their communities. Although the foundational concepts of the Spirit of Math program are being taught in several prestigious private schools, including University of Toronto Schools and Crescent School, Spirit of Math is also offered to students in an after-school setting. Students studying with Spirit of Math, taking just one class a week, are propelled far beyond most parents’ expectations. In one parent’s words: “Just by sending my son to Spirit of Math once a week, his thinking has boosted him far above other students in his day school. I can’t believe what he can do.” Kimberley Langen is the CEO and Co-Founder of Spirit of Math® Schools. For more information about Spirit of Math, and to find a campus near to you, go to www.spiritofmath.com.
Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
9
m oder nTEC HNOLOGY
Tech Trends for 2017
by bil kanawati 2017 feels like the year when various technologies that have been around for a while but weren’t ready for prime time finally hit their stride. Here are six trends to watch for over the next several months.
VOICE CONTROL
This has been around for years, but was brought into the mainstream when Apple debuted Siri on the iPhone 4S in 2011. Siri has been lagging, though, with new competitors like Amazon’s Echo line of products (not available in Canada yet) and Google Home (only kind of available in Canada unofficially) bringing natural language interfaces to the
10 Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
masses. Even Microsoft is getting into the game with its own virtual assistant, Cortana, found on every Windows 10 PC. The ultimate goal is the voice-activated computer from Star Trek, which can be called up from anywhere and asked to do anything, and we’ve never been closer to that goal than we are now. The real reason 2017 is the breakout year for voice assistants is that they finally actually work – in my experience with the Amazon Echo, it understands me every single time with little to no effort on my part. At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, almost every product boasted integration with either Amazon or another company’s voice assistant; look for this technology to go from novelty gimmick to default interface in no time.
“SMART” EVERYTHING
Yes, this is the year of the “smart” toothbrush, garbage can, shower head, hairbrush, or anything else you can think to stick a wireless transmitter into. Did you want to use an app or voice commands to yell at your garbage can to open and close? Simplehuman has a model that meets your needs. What about a Wi-Fi/ Bluetooth hair brush that can analyze your technique and let you know what you’re doing wrong? Meet the Hair Coach, a hairbrush/ technology collaboration between L’Oreal and Withings. If these things sound ridiculous, that’s because they are, but that’s not going to stop every marketing division of every company from slapping Bluetooth on their products and calling it a day. Just because
something is a trend, doesn’t mean it’s a good trend. Nobody needs a Wi-Fi garbage can.
THE CONNECTED HOME
Here’s where “smart” devices actually make sense – not in a toothbrush – but in a light bulb, garage door opener, thermostat, or television remote control. Imagine a world where your thermostat knows that you’re nearing the end of your commute (thanks to your smartphone’s GPS) and it automatically turns your house to the desired temperature. As soon as you pull into your driveway, your garage door opens. You walk into the house and your lights come on. You sit down on your couch and say, “Alexa, turn on CNN,” and your TV turns on, switches to the correct input and changes the channel. This isn’t some far-flung Jetsons future, this is possible right now. Nest and Honeywell both make thermostats that connect with your phone and a variety of other connected home devices. Chamberlain makes a smart garage door opener, and Phillips has an entire assortment of smart light bulbs under the Hue line. As for the voice-activated CNN scenario, Logitech’s Harmony Hub can integrate with your smartphone, your TV remote, and an Amazon Echo to provide exactly that kind of functionality. Even Apple is trying to get into the home automation game by tying together all these products from different manufacturers under its HomeKit initiative, which lets you use your iPhone and/or Siri to control all your connected stuff. These kinds of things used to require professional installation and would cost thousands of dollars, but in 2017, you can pick up everything you need for a few hundred bucks from your local Best Buy.
HDR makes brights look brighter, darks look darker, and colours look deeper and more natural. It makes everything on your TV look not just “clearer” but more real, and it’s far more noticeable than the extra pixels you get with just 4K. If you’re in the market for a TV in 2017, don’t buy one that doesn’t have HDR.
VIRTUAL & AUGMENTED REALITY
2017 is the year that virtual reality finally goes mainstream. Last year we had complex, expensive products like the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive that required high-end computers and cost thousands of dollars for a serious rig capable of good VR. Now, we have mainstream, affordable options like the Sony PlayStation VR, and even smartphone VR accessories like Google Daydream which adds a VR headset to your phone for only $99. The really interesting stuff, however, is augmented reality, with devices like Microsoft’s HoloLens letting you alter your perception of the physical world around you. Look for a lot of improvements very quickly in this space.
TRULY WIRELESS EARBUDS
We’ve had Bluetooth earbuds for a while, but 2017 is the year when truly wireless earbuds – that is, earbuds that are two separate pieces with nothing connecting them – finally break into the mainstream. Yes, they look a little silly, reminding me of Bluetooth earpieces from the early 2000s that made everyone who wore them look like a jerk. But once you get used to the freedom of using them, it’s hard to go back. European companies like Bragi were early to the market with expensive options that weren’t all the way there, but with the release of Apple’s AirPods, expect a slew of competitors to pop up in no time.
HDR Television
Forget about 4K. You’re not going to notice the difference, no matter what desperate TV makers try to tell you. Just like 3D (a gimmick which is now thankfully on its way out), 4K is a solution in search of a problem. The real leap in TV technology is a thing called HDR, or High Dynamic Range. In simple terms,
I love my parents, but my life hasn’t been the same since I became their caregiver. I wish wi someone could care for mom and dad the way I do.
We offer three Pillars of Caring to help you determine the support your loved ones need:
Taking Care
Friendly visits, delicious meals, and light housekeeping.
Enriched Care
Comfort at home and support with life’s essentials.
Vital Care
Comprehensive daily, live-in, nursing, and end-of-life caring.
Call today for a FREE Caring Consult.
(905) 582-3742
www.nursenextdoor.com | making lives better®
Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
11
m oder nTRAVEL
Eat, drink, be merry i n
m a r v e l o u s
M o n t r e a l
by jay kana | photos courtesy of montreal toursim With Montreal’s 375th birthday happening this year, the city has come alive with a variety of attractions and events to celebrate with. There are indoor and outdoor activities, hotspots all over the city, arts and culture exhibits, sports celebrations, food and drink aplenty, historical sites, along with several other independent activities. The city has evolved into a world-class attraction for alcoholic beverages with several local microbreweries and distilleries and cocktail bars serving delicious and creative drinks for any palate. For those who enjoy absinthe, or want to learn more about the drink commonly referred to in historical literature as The Green Fairy, Le Sarah B., located in the upscale InterContinental hotel, boasts an incredible selection of this prestigious liquor. During a tasting session, I sampled various types including the popular Grand Absente, Lucid, La Clandestine, Absinthe Bourgeois and many others. I learned that the traditional absinthe ritual is to pour it into a specific type of glass with a special absinthe spoon on top and to place a sugar cube on the spoon. Then, iced water is slowly dripped over it so that the absinthe is diluted into five parts water. This method affects the taste as it enables herbal aromas to be
12 Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
released and is the truest way to enjoy absinthe. Featuring a selection of over 500 different bottles, Le Lab is the brainchild of Fabien Maillard and his nearly two decades of experience as a master mixologist. The intimate atmosphere is warm and inviting and the staff is knowledgeable, friendly and will create anything either on or off the menu. Balancing careful measurements, consistency and a flair for presentation, Maillard’s creations can easily be interpreted as an art form. He aptly refers to himself and team as “labtenders” and is passionate about making customers happy, regardless of how selective their tastes are. They even have their own brand of syrups, bitters and vermouth as well as recipes on their extensive website, labproduitsartisanaux.com. Cirka Distilleries, who create handcrafted artisanal spirits, are the first in Montreal to use a “non-GMO grain to bottle” method. Offering top quality vodka and gin, they were awarded the Quebec distiller of the year in 2016 in the New York International Spirits Competition. Their site tour is comprehensive and it’s clear they are passionate about what they do. Romain Cavelier at Cirka, in partnership with Invasion Cocktail, created Montreal’s 375th signature cocktail, named the Jeanne Mance, after the co-founder
photo: fabien maillard
photo: montreal tourism
In between meals, immerse yourself in the arts with musical, theater & dance performances & circus arts of Montreal. It consists of 2 oz. of Cirka Gin Sauvage, 1/2 oz. of Le Lab’s vermouth, 1/2 oz. of Sivo blackcurrant cream and 3 dashes of coffee bitter somber and amer febris, all in an old fashioned glass with an orange peel garnish. Impressively, all the ingredients are made by local entrepreneurs. Montreal also has wonderful craft breweries, one of which is the recently opened Brasserie Harricana and offers a wonderful selection of ales, IPAs, ciders, along with 41 beers on tap, not to mention a delicious lunch buffet. The service is tremendous and it's on my "must revisit" list the next time I'm in town. Boswell Brasserie Artisanal offers 21 different craft beers on tap and was one of my favourite stops on my three day visit. There’s a sampler menu for those who want variety and the service scored high marks with me. The food selections include classic fish and chips, burgers, duck prosciutto and many others that all have an appropriate beer pairing, which is carefully explained by your server. Brasserie Soeurs Grises is another special, artisanal microbrewery with 9 lines of amazing house beers, with my favourite being the Marquis de Vaudreuil, which combines hazelnut and caramel flavours. With equally delicious food, I strongly suggest the Reuben Smoked Meat sandwich and the Smoked Chicken sandwich, which is marinated with beer vinegar, hot peppers and their homemade Tabasco. In addition
to brewing on-site, they also have their own smokehouse! Montréal en Lumière Taking place from February 23rd to March 11th, the world-renowned Montréal en Lumière festival is one of the largest winter festivals in the world. Celebrating its 18th year in 2017, the festival attracts over 1.4 million visitors who come to experience and enjoy Montreal through unique and exciting programs that combine performing arts, gastronomy, free outdoor family activities, and a full night of exquisitely original discoveries! The foundation of Montréal en Lumière is the culinary aspect, which offers a plethora of culinary activities for every taste and budget, including tastings, workshops and conferences. In between meals, immerse yourself in the arts with musical, theater and dance performances and circus arts from established and new artists that are both local and international. The captivating, interactive and luminous display of art called Illuminart is a definite highlight of the festival this year for the 375th anniversary of Montreal and features nearly 1,000 projectors on a selected path. There’s also a free outdoor site with several activities for people of all ages. Other free attractions include free outdoor shows, ziplines, curling, slides, and a ferris wheel among many others. The wildly popular La Nuit Blanche event happens on Saturday, March 4th, which sees
over 300 activities spread out over 140 sites to engage in. There’s even a free shuttle service with animation aboard! With over 600 artists, 300 activities, 37 venues/ stages and more than 20 countries being represented this year, a buffet’s worth of dining options and fun for singles, couples, families and friends of all ages, it’s easy to see why this festival continuously grows in attendance and popularity. When you go, consider taking Via Rail as your transportation method. It’s about a five-hour trip (which is nearly the same travel time as driving) and it lets you relax during your journey. From a guy who loves driving as much as possible, I was happy to sit back and enjoy the comfortable ride and got caught up on some reading on the way there and some writing about my Montreal experience on the way back to Union station. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, I recommend the InterContinental Montreal. The rooms are clean and upscale, the on-site facilities are excellent and it’s close to both the subway and bus lines. With Canada’s 150th happening this year and Montreal’s 375th, it’s an exciting time to visit our neighbours to the east that are steeped in history and have transformed their city into one of Canada’s most exhilarating attractions. Visit 375mtl.com for a long list of available activities and attractions.
Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
13
m oder nTRAVEL
LIVING WATER RESORT WEDDINGS Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. From intimate to extravagant, traditional to the unexpected, you can be confident that our WPIC (Wedding Planner Institute of Canada) Certified Event Expert will transform your wedding day dreams into a beautiful reality. As a year-round resort in Collingwood, the property offers views from Georgian Bay’s only waterfront venue all the way to an excellent view of the Blue Mountains. Living Water Resort & Spa combines contemporary ambiance, customizable all-inclusive packaging, affordable accommodations and several beautiful venues under one resort. Before the big day, indulge yourself at the Living Shore Spa, Collingwood’s only spa to offer the exclusive AquapathTM Treatment,
a hydrotherapy treatment with 8 unique aqua stations to relax the mind, body and soul. Don’t miss out on our immaculate manicured greens for a round of golf at our 18-hole award winning Cranberry Golf Course, finishing with a bite to eat and drinks on the patio at the only waterfront restaurant in Collingwood, Lakeside Seafood & Grill. Imagine yourself walking down the aisle as the sun sparkles upon the Georgian Bay shore. The Bear Estate is the only waterfront venue in the area and boasts floor to ceiling windows allowing the natural light to pour in and gives you a view of the magnificent willow trees for a truly inspiring and peaceful setting. If you’re looking to say “I do” at a waterfront setting, this one-of-a-kind venue is perfect and holds up to 220 guests. “From the moment my fiancé and I toured the grounds we were sold. In all fairness, Margo, the coordinator warned us after we saw this place we wouldn't need to see anything else. She was right for a few reasons.
The Wedding Coordinator: Margo was honest and prompt with her responses which puts any questions or concerns you might have to rest really fast. She is extremely organized and SUPER helpful the day of. Simply put, she was wonderful.
The Accommodations: With a variety of $ point rooms and styles they can accommodate all tastes and styles for all your guests.
The Venue: Bear Estates has a simple and classy decor style, which makes decorating for your vision extremely easy. The views are spectacular and although we didn't get to utilize the outdoor space near the tree lined marina due to rain, the indoor ceremony was memorable and beautiful.
The Food: Both Friday at our rehearsal and Saturday at the wedding no one left hungry or disappointed. Exceptional food and service. We had an amazing wedding at an amazing venue with amazing people. Maybe I'm biased - but I would be honest if something went wrong, and really nothing did!” – Jake & Terri After Your Wedding Relax and celebrate your evening in a one bedroom condo with a complimentary chilled bottle of sparkling wine and strawberries topped with rich chocolate sauce. Our Memories Dining Room can be reserved for breakfast to say goodbye to your family and friends. livingwaterresort.com
14 Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
Enjoying Ottawa in 2017 Being an Ottawa native, I enjoy the city's captivating and multifaceted beauty year round. With so much to see and do, here are a few (of many!) reasons to visit Ottawa in 2017. Embracing the Seasons Ottawa’s splendour is not limited to one season; it rewards locals and tourists alike in spring and summer with its scenic bike paths and walking trails, with many along the tranquil Rideau River. The Changing of the Guard ceremony is a must-see and performed every summer morning. Witness the feel and intensity of colourful drills while enjoying the well-choreographed regimental musicianship. In autumn, visitors are elated by the colourful tapestry offered by Gatineau Park’s Fall Rhapsody. The spectacular changing foliage is a short jaunt from downtown. Winter in Ottawa has a glowing romantic charm. Streets and parks are illuminated by thousands of glowing lights as part of the magical Christmas Lights Across Canada tradition. Canada's 150th Anniversary Canada’s 150th birthday definitely warrants a visit to Ottawa with amazing festivities in place for the entire year! The Ottawa 2017 taskforce’s mission is to "allow all residents and visitors, from Canada and abroad, to celebrate our past and our identity while getting local residents and businesses to be inspired in building our future." Ottawa’s captivating culture and remarkable history will suit nearly everyone via the numerous activities and events to be discovered. Ottawa2017.ca has a plethora of information for planning your visit.
by brigitte hasbron | photos courtesy of ottawa toursim
Ottawa's Diverse Food Scene Our food scene has grown in wonderful ways and is one of Canada’s best. With the empowering movement of 'farm to fork' concepts, chefs and local producers work side-by-side to provide exquisite locally sourced meals. From fine dining establishments to 'Mom and Pop' shops to award-winning restaurants - all can be enjoyed in Ottawa. Riviera boasts a gorgeous 70-foot bar where master mixologists concoct a variety of cocktails, and their open-concept kitchen consistently provides memorable culinary experiences. From a succulent steak to rich, homemade pasta or remarkable seafood, Riviera excels by offering a casual yet elegant experience. Feast + revel opened in late 2016 in the new Andaz and pays homage to all things Canadian. They combine “old world traditional methods and flavours from France and England with wildlife from Canada’s rugged landscapes” through Canadian inspired dishes. Guests can enjoy the culinary action by sitting only a foot away from the open concept kitchen. Amazing Accommodations While Ottawa has many splendid accommodations, the new Andaz hotel is one of the best. This charming 200 room boutique hotel oozes chic without being pretentious. Guests at the hotel will be immersed in Canadian culture and history as every floor of the 16-story pet-friendly hotel characterises a Canadian province or territory. It hosts the tallest rooftop bar in the city, Copper Spirits & Sights on the 16th floor, and offers guests both an open-air and an enclosed area. Brigitte Hasbron is a graduate from Le Cordon Bleu Institute and proudly owns The Food Tease, Ottawa's only combined culinary and travel blog.
photo: brigitte hasbron
m oder nFEATURE
photo: the city of mississauga
The Transformation The city of Mississauga is at an inflection point in history. While people all over the GTA grapple with the choice between living in suburban or exurban bedroom communities or the concrete jungle of Toronto, Mississauga is charting out a third way – one that eschews the endless strip malls and parking lots of suburban sprawl without plunging into the cold intensification of mile-high shoebox condos disconnected from the communities that surround them. While there are a number of infrastructure projects all over the city aimed at bringing Mississauga into the future, we look at three that will have the most striking impact in the near future.
Hurontario LRT
Any transformation of a sprawling, car-centric suburb must have mass transit at its foundational core. The Hurontario LRT – an ambitious multi-billion dollar project that will run from Port Credit all the way into Brampton – will serve as the spine of our city, with a dedicated right-of-way and 22 stops with connections to GO Transit’s Milton and Lakeshore West rail lines, Mississauga MiWay, Brampton Züm, and the Mississauga Transitway BRT. In speaking with the Toronto Star, Susan Burt, Mississauga’s director of strategic community initiatives, touted the Hurontario LRT as essential to the success of initiatives like the development of the “Exchange district,” an area that reclaims part of the massive Square One parking lot and turns it into walkable blocks of boutiques, cafes,
16 Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
and other hallmarks of a vibrant and thriving downtown core. These types of changes require a massive shift in public perception of a space from one that is designed for cars (i.e. a massive parking lot) to one that is walkable and accessible by mass transit (i.e. a world-class LRT). In addition to connecting residents to other transit options and Mississauga’s rapidly and dramatically intensifying downtown core, a number of areas along the route are targets for significant revitalisation. “Vision Cooksville,” for example, aims to totally reshape the intersection of Hurontario and Dundas, with cosmopolitan community spaces, parks, and urban plazas supplanting strip malls and other indicators of traditional sprawl, and major updates to the Cooksville GO terminal lands in the area.
Britannia Farm Master Plan
One of the crown jewels along the LRT route will be the 200-acre Britannia Farm area, hewing to a Master Plan for revitalization that some say will turn the property into Mississauga’s own version of Central Park. Divided into five unique “zones” (plus a sixth “zone” consisting of a trail system that loops around the entire property), the area will retain its character as a vital collection of ecological areas while incorporating a development parcel at a scale that complements the Farm and the surrounding neighbourhood.
photo: norm li
of Mississauga The Historical Zone - including the Gardner-Dunton House, Conover Barn, Britannia Schoolhouse, Britannia Farmhouse – will help teach future generations about life a 19th century rural community. The Riparian Zone will feature the restoration and enhancement of a section of Cooksville Creek that will offer opportunities for education, habitat restoration, and recreation, along with the restoration of two vestigial wetlands to provide additional habitats for further study. The Ecological Zone is intended to provide a respite from human-created landscapes and offer examples of nature’s beauty, from meadowlands to wooded areas and much in between. The Agricultural Zone could offer an homage to the history of the Britannia Farm, demonstrating approaches to urban agriculture and growing market crops, fostering a sense of land stewardship and connection to what we eat. A 99-year lease of the Development Zone – a 32-acre parcel at the northwest corner of Hurontario & Bristol – will provide much of the revenue required for the careful stewardship of the rest of the Britannia Farm property. Mixed-use, mixed-scale development at this location will become some of the most sought-after property in the city, given its five-minute commute to downtown Mississauga via the LRT and its adjacency to the Britannia Farm green spaces.
M City
With the striking design of the Absolute Towers in Mississauga’s
downtown, our city got a taste of truly iconic architectural design. Now, Rogers Real Estate Development Limited is looking to up the ante with its ambitious $1.5 billion M City project, with 10 towers and over two acres of public parkland across a 15-acre, 4.3 million square foot area at the southwest corner of Burnhamthorpe & Confederation. In addition to reshaping the Mississauga skyline, M City will prioritize public spaces and parkland. "These new planned developments by Rogers are consistent with the City of Mississauga's commitment to build a livable, walkable city, home to mixed-use residential and commercial developments that are connected to an extensive public transit network," says Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie. Key M City community features include extending existing city streets on a unique, angular plane to create a fine-grained network of blocks, enabling a pedestrian-friendly environment. Typical residential blocks will provide two-way roads with on-street parking, generous sidewalks and residential frontages. The project, designed by the award-winning team at CORE Architects, will break ground on its first building - an undulating tower that rotates seven typical floor plates in repetition as it rises 51 storeys – between now and next year. The ten towers will ultimately comprise over 6,000 units for sale or rent, housing an anticipated 15,000 residents upon completion, which is expected to take the better part of a decade. Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
17
m oder nTRANSPO RTATI ON
Continental 2017 LINCOLN
by jay kana
It has been a long 15 years since the Continental brand was last bestowed upon us. As one of the first luxury offerings to be mass produced, the Continental brand has experienced ups and downs since its inception in 1939. Between 2002 (when the offering was removed from the market) and 2017, the luxury market has seen sweeping changes and tremendous offerings from nearly all manufacturers. Bigger, faster, stronger, more and more and more luxurious looks and features have constantly evolved every year. Deciding that their time had come to inject new life into the luxury market, the all-new, 10th generation Continental replaces defunct MKS (as of mid-2016) as Lincoln's flagship sedan, and after spending some time behind the wheel,
it’s certainly been worth the wait. Upon first glance, the Continental’s smooth and flowing design lines are prominent, mainly due to their “E-Latch” door handle, which is absent of the traditional pull/lift mechanism. Instead, this clever design offers a stationary handle seamlessly built into the top of the door with a release button inside the handle and goes well with Lincoln’s digital welcome mat (their logo projected onto the ground a step or two away from the door). The raised trunk lid and high beltlines are presented well and the new, large mesh grill is highlighted by the Lincoln Star logo and overall upscale and luxurious look and feel to the exterior design. Powering Lincoln’s latest offering is one of two engines, both offering a six-speed
automatic transmission and via all-wheel drive. The first is a 2.7 L twin-turbo V6 (available on both the Select and Reserve trims) offering 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft. of torque, with fuel ratings at 14 and 9.5 L/100 km city/highway. The alternate is a 3.0 L twin-turbo V6 (only available on the top Reserve trim) serving up a whopping 400 horsepower and an evenly matched 400 lb-ft. of torque (which is what my test vehicle had) and fuel ratings chime in at 14.4 and 9.7 under the aforementioned metrics. Driving impressions registered quite high for me. Even with only six gears (as others are closing in on 10) the Continental’s transmission responds well and while it’s not made for raw power, it specializes
Re v i v a l in a refined and smooth ride. Yes, you can squeeze the throttle hard and the RPM will race up and move you in a hurry but for the majority of driving conditions between urban and rural worlds, there won’t be any guesswork gear-wise and you’ll experience tremendous drive quality. For such a heavy car (over 4,500 pounds) the Continental handles quite well and maneuverability for such a grand vehicle has minimal sway through twists and turns. Instead of a predictable “growl” from the engine at higher speeds, you’ll be treated to an aggressive “purr” beneath the hood. Once inside, you’ll realize that Lincoln’s design team spent most of its time finessing the interior to compete with other highclass offerings. Starting with the available 30-way power and ventilated front seats (only on the Reserve model) that are incredibly comfortable and will contour to nearly any body shape/size, these seats are the most comfortable I’ve experienced in years, with only a certain Swedish company coming close. I have long legs and arms along with a stocky mid-section,
o f
a
c l a s s i c
so the 30-way seats gave me a perfectly comfortable and safe position. Bonus marks for having the seat controls on the door by the release latch and on the touchscreen. The Select comes with a 10-way seat, the Reserve with 24, in case you’re wondering and all seats are made with the ultraluxurious Bridge of Weir Deepsoft leather. Oh, and there’s even an available massage functionality. The all-digital customizable dashboard adds elegance to an already beautiful interior, which includes ample amounts of wood trim but not too much to make it look and feel overwhelming. The easy to use and innovative SYNC3 infotainment system is presented through an eight-inch touch screen and there’s an available 19-speaker Revel Ultima audio system that is one of my favourites. What makes this system stand out are three main audio modes: stereo, on stage, and audience, each providing a unique listening experience. There’s a rear seat package option available which offers rear passengers nearly all the luxuries that the front two occupants have, including audio and climate control, adjustable sunshades,
reclining, heated, cooled and massaging seats. Simply put, the Continental’s interior is loaded with lavishness in every corner. On the safety side, Blind Spot Monitoring, Cross Traffic Alerts, Front and Rear Park Assist come standard, and available options include Lane Keep Assist, 360 degree camera, Pre-Collision Assist, Pedestrian Detection, Enhanced Active Park Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control. With the Continental arriving fashionably late to the luxury sedan party, there’s much work to be done to move buyers away from its competitors. Despite a 15-year absence, Lincoln’s resurrection of this iconic nameplate has been worth the wait. As their flagship, full-size sedan, Lincoln proudly pronounces that the all-new Continental is “an elegant, effortlessly powerful, serene sedan that delivers quiet luxury to the industry’s most discerning customers.” By offering a beautifully upscale vehicle that radiates luxury and elegance throughout, the 2017 Continental is well positioned to have the competition checking their rear view mirror.
Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
19
m oder n MONE Y
Modern Entrepreneur:
S ue Q u i nn
of
by tyler hehn |
photo by shannon eckstein
If there was somebody destined to work with dogs, it would be Sue Quinn. Although growing up she didn’t have a dog, and was in the banking industry for over 30 years previously, her passion directed her toward Kamp K-9 - A multi award winning, everything dog-related day-care. There isn’t much a dog owner can’t do with their pet at Kamp K-9. It’s a deceptively massive facility fit with wash stations, a training area, two different outdoor play areas, dozens of rooms for overnight stays, and a 24/7 staff attendant to care for them around the clock. It wasn’t an easy road for Quinn, but now her life with dogs is a walk in the park. “Like most young girls I wanted to be a veterinarian and to do that you have to make money to go to school. So I started in the bank with my parents - 32 years later when you have seniority, and you have vacation, and you have benefits and everything, you think, should I or shouldn’t I,” said Quinn.
20 Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
Other than bring your dog to work day, dogs don’t really belong in a banker’s chair. Dogs are notoriously bad with numbers and will continually invest in tennis balls because of “high return rates.” “This is always what I’ve wanted to do. This was my passion; the bank was not my passion.” Long story short, banking and dogs do not mix, but banking and making a living do. Quinn waited for the perfect opportunity to get her paws on a big open facility. She eventually found one and had big ideas for her business which required some help. Quinn worked up the courage to wander into The Dragon’s Den in hopes they would dip into their pot of gold (or whatever mythical riches dragons typically safeguard). No suit of armor, no glimmering sword, instead Quinn enlisted the help of two of her kampers, Bailey and Kahlua, to do some tricks and dance. “Although I did not get any money out of them, they were not as wise-cracking as they could have been,” Quinn said with a smirk, “Kevin [O’Leary] was even nice to me!”
“Dogs are IT for me. That’s all I can say about wanting them to be happy.” Quinn left the Den with only minor burns, but again found herself at square one. With her head held high, she tried and tried to find somebody to believe in her vision like she did. She says this was without a doubt her biggest challenge. “As much money as you think you need to start your new business, you need at least 10 to 20 times more money than that to start it up. You don’t realize this until after you’ve started it.” It wasn’t too long before she barked up the right tree and Kamp K-9 was born. Doors opened more than four years ago, but they must be dog years because it’s as if it’s been around for 10. Initially just a place for dogs to stay and play while owners are away, it became a place of training, grooming and wellness, with lots of room still to grow. Whatever you do, don’t throw Sue Quinn a bone. The dogs swarm her enough as it is and a bone at her feet would cause a riot. A small, cute, slobbery riot of adorable dogs. On second thought, maybe throw two or three bones; who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?
Enriching LivEs. changing Tomorrow. As people age and are less physically able to manage their personal health and hygiene, personal care is an affordable solution to remain in your home. Your loved ones deserve a homecare solution that’s not only affordable, but backed by a team of healthcare practitioners who truly care. Our variety of services makes it easy to get started and find the best solution for you and your loved ones, no matter the situation. Why Choose Our Services? Our healthcare professionals are carefully matched to each client to ensure compatibility and we do our best to make sure you have the same care provider, or when necessary, create a consistent team of care providers.
Your Partner in Home Care
Our personalized care is tailored to each client’s unique needs and preference. We support you or a family member to live your best life possible. In order to assist you in getting the proper care, one of our care coordinators can visit your home and perform a detailed care assessment together with you and your loved ones. Following that, a care plan is created that fits your needs. Our Personal Support Workers provide the following services: • Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care • Bathing/toileting • Dressing/grooming • Feeding • Light Housekeeping • Medication cueing • Appointment accompaniment • Meal preparation
Call us now for your complimentary in home assessment. 2810 matheson Blvd E., suite 100 | mississauga, on, L4w 4X7 (905) 268-1074 | gtahomecare@closingthegap.ca Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
21
m oder nLIFEST Y LE
GET FIT LI K E A
FIREFIGHTER
by tyler hehn
‘I don’t have time.’ ‘Everybody will judge me.’ ‘I’m healthy enough.’ ‘I don’t know what to do.’ These are examples of some of the barriers to physical activity, but as some of Mississauga’s fine Firefighters will tell you - working out is fun, easy, and good for you! These three buff superheroes work 24 hour shifts, so the excuse of having no time is just that. Demian Allik, Kevin Frizzle and Steven Giancola are three buff superheroes who work 24 hour shifts. They are firefighters who, despite having taxing and time consuming jobs, have commitments off duty as well. If they can find time to exercise, anybody can! Working up the motivation to get to working out can be the most difficult part. There are a couple of different ways to psych yourself up before going to the gym. The simplest way might be to tie the knot right away, in a pair of sneakers. “The biggest thing to get motivated, the hardest part about working out (mentally), is just getting changed. Get into your shorts and your running shoes because once you’re there and you got your gear on you’re good,” said Allik. Giancola says it is a beautifully slippery slope to feeling good, and more importantly (less importantly), looking good. “I try to find time by working out first thing in the morning.
22 Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
We finish work here at 7 AM. I get home, I get the kids to school and then hammer out a quick workout to get the blood flowing. I feel like once you get into that routine then you want to work out and then you'll see, it becomes addictive.” “Everybody has time for something in the day besides work so you might have to prioritize it over something else,” said Allik, emphasizing that exercise doesn’t only take place in a gym. Exercise can be anything from walking the dog to playing a sport. What gets lost in the stereotypes of working out are the health benefits. Big muscles, heavy weights and grunting are the ‘Pumping Iron’ version of gyms, the movie scripts, but they are not the reality. Everybody at the gym is looking to get healthier. Everybody can be more healthy. Whether that means improving their endurance, strength, balance or flexibility, there shouldn’t be a ‘good enough’ in terms of health. On the flip side, humans are naturally competitive, so it’s easy to look at the person to the right and make some comparisons. The gym is not meant to be something to be intimidated of, although it can be intimidating. “For most gyms, people that are in there just doing something,
that’s great,” said Frizzle, “If you’re strong, weak, overweight, underweight it doesn’t matter. Honestly people tend not to care [about that]. The fact that you’re there doing something to better yourself, that’s all that people care about, like ‘hey, thumbs up, right on!’” After battling the demons of time and motivation the battle becomes the workout itself. Now Google has a lot of answers, but your physical fitness is not among them. What the internet is useful for is giving ideas of new exercises or modifications. Search engines and video hosting websites are not paid professionals that are dedicated to your health. “If you’ve never worked out before, never done any sort of exercise, have no idea where to start and are completely intimidated - go to the gym and sign up for a few personal training sessions,” said Allik. “This person will get you at least going.” Allik, Frizzle and Giancola experience all barriers but one, an individual’s attitude. Exercising doesn’t require a monumental life change, but it does require a small amount of motivation and dedication. Maybe these brave firefighters can take a break from putting out flames and ignite a passion for healthy living!
GoodNeighbourProgram_ModMiss_17023_f.pdf
1
1/12/17
photos courtesy of tyler hehn
9:03 AM
Be A Good Neighbour, Clear Your Walk Shovel Your Way to Safety for All
Help Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities mississauga.ca/snow Follow us:
@mississaugasnow
m oder nLIFEST Y LE
How to take advantage of the
housing market by marko furlani
We hear about it in the news every single day - record home sales, sold over asking, and multiple offers. It’s a great time to be a home seller, but less favorable for those who are looking to buy. With the current state of the housing market, it only makes sense to sell your home if you’re planning to downsize. If you’re planning to move to a larger home, you know you’ll pay well above market price or be forced to move North, East or West of the city. These are some of the reasons why there is such a shortage of inventory in the market. But no need to stress about it! There are ways one can take advantage of this situation and capitalise. With the market the way it is and housing prices soaring through the roof, there is a very good chance that the equity in your home has increased, possibly by a significant amount. Curious to find out by how much? Well, one trick I have used in the past is to surf through realtor.ca to see what’s going on in your surrounding neighbourhood. Check out who is selling and see what their listing prices are. Another option is to request an appraisal from your mortgage provider or financial institution. Sometimes there can be a small cost associated with this
24 Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
service, but you will be provided with an official value estimation of your home and have a good idea of how much equity you have in your home. One way to force some equity into your home is with a renovation. Now that you know the value of your home, you might have an opportunity to apply for a Line of Credit or Loan based on the equity. If you received a formal appraisal from your mortgage provider or financial institution, this will be used to establish the amount of credit available. With this money, you could now complete the renovations you have always wanted to. Keep in mind that kitchens, bathrooms and finished basements can bring the highest return on investment. Here are some options that I would recommend.
KITCHEN: This area has become
“home base” in many homes and the focal point for entertaining guests. Kitchen renovations often offer the highest return on investment (ROI) compared to any other room in your home. You could choose to go big and do a complete tear-out and re-build. This type of renovation can be costly, but can also offer you a great return on investment when you are ready to sell. On the other
hand, a simple reface of cabinet doors and new counters can also make a big difference. Changing door handles, faucets and light fixtures for a fresh “face-lift” or maybe upgrading your appliances can still bring a lot of additional value to your home. Any of these options will work in your home’s favour.
BATHROOM: Sometimes overlooked,
a bathroom renovation is another great way to increase your home’s value. Bathroom renovations are generally not as costly or as complex as a kitchen renovation and can often cost much less. Simple renovations such as changing the tiles or the vanity in a powder room are a good start. A larger scale renovation like remodeling the master bathroom may be more costly but can definitely be more appealing to future buyers! After your renovations are complete, you would have the choice to go to market or wait and enjoy your beautifully upgraded home. Either option is a good one – depending on the state of the market and just how much you love your new home! Marko Furlani is the owner and President of Urbanest Construction.
modern LIFEST Y LE
The More Things Change A Loo k B a c k o n 1 4 Y e a r s i n M i s s i s s a u g a by john murray lewis When I moved to Mississauga in 2003, I was an 18-year-old student with a restless heart and a crazy dream— to earn a diploma in Sexual Healing from Mississauga's premier institution of for-profit higher education, Everest College. Born in Toronto, raised in Niagara, I had always assumed that "Mississauga" was just that gas station/ Tim Hortons near Mississauga Road and the QEW. Now, as a grizzled 31-year-old man, I realize how wrong I was. Mississauga is so much more—countless gas stations/ Tim Hortons, in fact. And when I stop to think about how much has changed in 14 years, I am truly filled with wonder and cravings for a honey cruller. Here, in no particular order, are the top 9 people, places, and concepts that have changed the face of this city 2003-2017. 1. MUNICIPAL LOGO Back in 2003,
willingly handed over the reins to her young scion/clone? 5. MORE OR FEWER BIKE LANES. MAYBE THE SAME AMOUNT?
Honestly, I can't keep track. Do people even ride bikes anymore? Don't we have cars now? 6. A BEAUTIFUL, EFFICIENT TRANSIT SYSTEM Finally, after years
of promise, we have a gorgeous new LRT to connect our bustling downtown with our lovable-but-misunderstood neighbour to the north, Brampton; a noble public utility that provides inexpensive, environmentally-friendly, efficient transportation to a rapidlygrowing populace that no longer considers a personal vehicle an essential part of the hegemonic "Canadian dream." Ha ha! Just kidding!
7. EVERYBODY'S SKIN Do you know
Mississauga's logo was a weird-looking boat sailing on a wave of progress to the glistening shores of the future. The modern take is a bunch of overlapping triangles or something. In my opinion, it looks like the work of some two-bit graphic designer with a “degree” from UTM. But what do I know? It's not like I have an official for-profit career college diploma hanging on my bedroom wall or anything...
we shed approximately 1.8 pounds of skin every year? In 14 years, that means that the population of Mississauga has created nearly 18 million pounds of repulsive epidermal particles! At least that explains the horrifying Shadow Mississauga that thrives deep in the caverns beneath us, haunting our dreams each night.
2. VERTICALITY There was a time when Mississauga stretched
8. THE GAPING HELLMOUTH OF KARÛM-KAMÂR The Town of
3. THE CLIMATE There's no two bones about it: climate change
9. EVEREST COLLEGE'S CREDENTIALS What? My glorious alma mater had its credentials revoked by the government in 2015, and my diploma in Sexual Healing is now useless?? Unbelievable. No one could have predicted that for-profit education would turn out to be poorly managed and unreliable!
4. -1 HAZEL/+1 BONNIE (NET CHANGE = 0) As a former outsider,
Fourteen years in Mississauga. Wow! I almost feel like a native. And though many things have changed, it's comforting to remember that some never will—like the pain of betrayal, the faithless love of a man named Craig, or Wally's.
across the plains of Southern Ontario like an invasive lichen, devouring picturesque communities and converting their raw energy into a fractal network of sprawling subdivisions. But now that the city has consumed all it can upon the surface, it must look upward: to the M City condo tower and beyond, not resting until there is a Kaneff-branded strip mall on the moon itself. is here to stay in Mississauga. I, for one, welcome a world where we can dispense with the unnecessary seasons of Spring and Fall and skip right to the good stuff: a blistering, unliveable Summer and sentient, malevolent Winter.
I can tell you that the only thing non-Mississaugans know about our fair city (besides that great gas station/Tim Hortons combo) is our former mayor, Hazel "The Silver Rapscallion" McCallion. Who would have thought that we, mere mortals, might live to see the day that she
Mississauga was formed by provincial decree in 1968, but many people forget that among the founding communities was Karûm-Kamâr, a yawning, bloodstained portal to the underworld. You could hear the wailing of the damned all the way in Malton! In 2003, the hellmouth was still spewing forth the chthonic waste that would later congeal into Kevin O'Leary, but lately it's been filled-in and replaced with a golf course.
Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017 25
m oder nLIFEST Y LE
a l: omedy Festiv C it red C al Port
! n w o D e s u o H e h t g n i r B o t g We're Goin 5th Annu
by Phil LeConte
Going into its 5th year, the annual Port Credit Comedy Festival will celebrate stand-up and variety comedy, bringing the unique talents of acclaimed performers from around the world, February 23-26 2017. Coming to the stage to tickle your funny bone is Mike Bullard. Bullard accomplished something no other Canadian had before: hosted Canada's first truly successful nightly talk show. Running for six unprecedented seasons, "Open Mike" (1997) was one of the longest running late-night talk shows in North America. The Gemini award-winning series was the most-watched late-night talk show in Canada's largest market, comparable in popularity and success to late-night heavyweights Letterman and Leno. One of Canada's most recognized celebrities, Mike Bullard is a multi- disciplinary comic who has published a book, Open Book: Little Thoughts from a Big Head (Doubleday), and has also recorded a CD, Stick 2 Comedy (BMG). 2017 Port Credit Comedy Festival goers won’t want to miss another stellar lineup that will also feature:
26 Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
Graham Chittenden, Phil Hanley, Chad Daniels, James Mullinger, Elvira Kurt, Alex Falcone, Chris Robinson, Miss Behave, John Higby, and Greg Tarlin. Since its beginnings in 2013, the Port Credit Comedy Festival has partnered with The Compass, a non-profit volunteer organization that serves the Mississauga South community. Attendees are encouraged to make a donation to The Compass at each show.
For more information of the festival schedule, lineup & venues: Website: portcreditcomedy.com/ Twitter: twitter.com/PtCreditComedy Facebook: facebook.com/PortCreditComedyFestival Port Credit Comedy Festival Executive Producer Phil LeConte Telephone: 519-897-4997 EMAIL: phil@pc-comedy.com
Fresh & Creative Italian Cuisine Paired with Genuine Hospitality. 127 Queen St. South, Mississauga, ON. L5M 1K9 (905) 819-1727 | mondelloristorante.ca
BROWNS SOCIALHOUSE ERIN MILLS Unit 2b, 2525 Hampshire Gate, Oakville p. 905.829.2727 | f. 905.829.5434 brownssocialhouse.com
m oder nFO OD & DRINK
Modern Dining Apricot Tree Café
The Apricot Tree Café, a beautiful Europan inspired restaurant, has been nestled in the heart of Sherwood Forest since 1993 and is a popular spot for diners of all ages and walks of life. Owned by Esther and Franz Hochholdinger, they put a strong emphasis on consistency in both their food and service, along with serving fresh, delicious homemade food to the community. Whether it be their famous crêpes, wiener schnitzel, or anything else from their delicious menu, The Apricot Tree Café is definitely worth a visit or few.
Signature food items One of the most popular items on the Apricot Tree menu is their famed Weiner Schnitzel, which is cooked to perfection and served with roasted potatoes, mixed greens, lemon and lingonberry jam. Equally as popular are their savoury crêpes. From the “Crêpe Denmark”, which has whipped cream, chocolate blossoms, and warm chocolate sauce to the Palatschinken, consisting simply of apricot jam and apricot ginger ice-cream, there are many delicious offerings. With the larger location, they’ve recently revamped their menu, which has plenty of tasty offerings. Signature drink The Apricot Tree’s signature “Apricot Martini” tastes great and is popular with both loyal and new clients. SHORT description Unique, fresh and consistent food and service quality. Seating capacity 100 inside and 56 on the patio. Type of food European inspired, homemade and home styled food.
28 Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
Chef’s bio Franz is the pastry chef; he has over 35 years of baking experience and was trained and educated in Austria. He recalls that from an early age, part of an Austrian tradition said that they had to have a cake every Sunday and Franz was interested in making the cakes. He loved it so much that he turned it into a successful career. His wife, Esther, is responsible for all of the wonderful soups, sandwiches, salads, main courses and everything else on their menu. She’s an expert in taste and flavours and her natural intuition helps create wonderful menu items. Self-taught through a passion and love of cooking, her exquisite craftsmanship and dedication shine through with everything she prepares. Head Chef Ed Lejano, trained at George Brown and with an Asian influence and background culinary-wise, has been with the Apricot Tree family for over 20 years and has been at the helm for over close to 15 years.
Price range Mid-range price for very high quality food. Specials & Events They have a popular “Crepe-Fest” and “Lobster-Fest” as well as a “Schnitzel-Fest” that’s in the works. Now that they’ve expanded their square footage, it will allow for opportunities to add to their specials and events. Name origin In lower Austria, where Franz is from, the apricot tree is quite popular and he wanted to incorporate a part of his heritage into the restaurant. They had a beautiful painting of an apricot tree on one of the walls when they opened in 1993 and it’s still there today.
What can customers expect? Consistently delicious and quality food, fresh ingredients and standout service in a comfortable, inviting atmosphere.
Type of clientele Esther and Franz strive to make The Apricot Tree’s atmosphere approachable and inviting to everyone and as such, they have a wide clientele from millennials to boomers. There’s a strong mix between the long-time clients who visit often to those (both local and outside of our city) who visit for special occasions and many variances in between.
TAKEOUT/CATERING Yes and yes.
905.855.1470 | apricottreecafe.com 1900 Dundas Street West
moder nFO OD & DRINK
Restaurant Guide
WHERE TO EAT IN MISSISSAUGA
Mississauga boasts a wide array of dining options to suit nearly any taste. Our Restaurant Guide features remarkable local restaurants that are ready to welcome you and provide a memorable dining experience.
THE BROGUE INN
Stepping into this warm inviting family run Irish gastro pub has something for all to enjoy. A great food program, AAA steaks, fresh fish & seafood, pasta, burgers, chicken wings. and the best Irish pub fare in Port Credit. Offering the finest import, domestic & craft beers on tap, and a fine selection of wines, spirits & Irish whiskies. The Brogue only offers you great food & hospitality. Live Irish music every Thursday. Breakfast brunch every Saturday & Sunday. You can also book the party room for your next business or family gathering. From your home to our home, it’s all at The Brogue. Winner of the Reader’s Choice Award in 2016.
136 Lakeshore Road East 905.278.8444 thebrogue.ca
INDIAN CUISINE BY THE LAKE
Indian Cuisine By The Lake is a new generation Indian restaurant that offers a casual dining experience in a relaxed atmosphere. Their expertise, ambition and talent ensures your dining experience is memorable as they utilize the freshest ingredients and serve aromatic spice infused curries from different regions in South Asia. You can also easily order online! They've been recognized for their dedication to serving top quality food by winning the 2016 Readers Choice award for the best Indian restaurant in Mississauga. The entire team is flattered with this wonderful award and look forward to continuing to serve the best Indian food in our city.
THE WILCOX GASTROPUB
The Wilcox Gastropub is modern restaurant serving elevated contemporary comfort food. Headed by Executive Chef Humberto Sanchez, a chef’s menu is featured weekly with exciting seasonal food.
30 Eglinton Ave. W. 905.568.1122 thewilcox.ca
GOLD
56A Lakeshore Rd. E. 905.891.3333 indiancuisinebythelake.com
Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017 29
WINTER IN THE CITY Across 2. Recently revived Lincoln model 5. Ward 3 Councillor Chris _______ 7. Support pillar 8. Very unusual 10. Teeth cleaner 12. Video game parlour 16. Put a spell on 20. Quebec city celebrating its 375th birthday this year 22. Ran off to marry 23. Edmonton hockey team 26. Site of Mississauga's new LRT 27. One of the great lakes 28. Smell 29. Restaurant profiled in this issue, _______ Tree CafĂŠ 30. At all times Down 1. Place of safety 3. Newspaper opinion piece 4. Business bigwig, for short 6. Actor Schwarzenegger 9. Part of OCAD 11. Apple's voice assistant 13. Chooses by voting 14. Super Bowl LI city 15. Wandering one 17. Canine animals 18. Cooking area 19. Warned of danger 21. Court defence 24. Number of years in an American presidential term 25. Canada's capital
For puzzle solutions, contact us via social media like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, then send us a message requesting the answers!
30 Modern Mississauga | WINTER 2017
CROSSWORD & SUDOKU BY BIL KANAWATI
OUR HELP. YOUR HOME. A Closing the Gap Personal Support Worker can give you the relief you’re looking for by alleviating the stresses of caring for your loved ones alone by providing the best care possible.
FINDING PERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL HOME CARE HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER.
What can Closing the Gap Healthcare do for you? Bathing/toileting Dressing/grooming & more Feeding Alzheimer’s & Dementia care Meal Preparation Medication cueing Light housekeeping Appointment accompaniment
24 HOUR SERVICE 365 DAYS A YEAR CALL US NOW FOR YOUR COMPLIMENTARY IN HOME ASSESSMENT www.closingthegap.ca
905-268-9968
100-2810 Matheson Blvd E. Mississauga, ON L4W Modern Mississauga | WINTER4X7 2017
31