September 1, 2006

A week in the world of Roots

Issue 54 – September 1, 2006

BEHIND THE SUCCESS

PHOTO: ILICH MEJIA

Roots factory in Toronto delivers the goods as ‘The Flats’ become the biggest hit in the company’s history of leather bags

Issue 54 - September 1, 2006

Leather stitcher Elizabeth Mawyin, who this week celebrated her 31st anniversary working at the Roots factory, is one of the people behind the incredible success of ‘The Flats’

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I N S I D E I S S U E 54 MEETING THE DEMAND An inside look at the making of the Flat bag phenomenon

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS A guide to Toronto Film Festival events Roots is participating in DOING THE RIGHT THING The latest example of Roots people helping others NO MYSTERY BEHIND TOP MARKS Roots store in Nova Scotia scores high in “mystery shopping” program BAD GUYS BEWARE West Coast store gains more crime awareness knowledge GREAT MOMENTS IN RETAIL Spotlighting the top-performing stores in August HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE Roots seals Banff Bag deal

Departments FRESH INK NEW AND NOTEWORTHY GUESS WHO JUST DROPPED IN SPREADING THE WORD OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS MOMENTS THAT MATTER GREEN TIPS HEALTH TIPS STAYING POWER

Publishers Michael Budman, Don Green Editor Robert Sarner Editorial Assistant Paulomi Patel

The Source is published every week by Roots Canada Ltd. We welcome letters from readers for publication. Please address all correspondence to The Source , Letters to the Editor, Roots Canada, 1400 Castlefield Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M6B 4CR or by email to rsarner@roots.com Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

Each issue of The Source is also available, in an abridged version, on the Roots website at www.roots.com Issue 54 - September 1, 2006

PHOTO: ILICH MEJIA

THE PEOPLE BEHIND ROOTS Elizabeth Mawyin celebrates her 31st anniversary at the leather factory

SPECIAL DELIVERY A selection of recent letters from the world of Roots LOOKING GOOD Just received Issue 52 of The Source with the cover story on the new concept Roots store in Toronto that opened recently on Yonge Street. Based on what I saw in The Source, I can’t wait to visit it myself. The store looks amazing with such a beautiful presentation of the products.

I must admit I’m very jealous.

I can only hope that when the planned renovation of our store takes place in the coming year that we will look half as good as Roots Rosedale and that will be spectacular.

Erick Hiller Store Manager, Belleville, ON

THANKS FOR HELPING On behalf of the organizers of the recent XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto, we want to express our sincere appreciation to Roots for its tremendous support of the event.

The wealth of positive comments we received indicate the Conference was a great success and its impact will be felt for a long time to come. The Global Village (including the Youth Pavilion), the Engagement Tours and the Lounge for People Living with HIV received glowing reviews. They provided an excellent platform to showcase the ability of community to work together and build solidarity among community organizations. Further examples include the well-attended Cultural Activities Program, Viral Culture,

the community dinners at The 519, and the AIDS 2006 International AIDS Vigil at YongeDundas Square.

Praise has also been received from the international community of clinicians, researchers, health professionals and other health workers, activists and political leaders, for the number of highly interactive sessions that allowed for the free and frank exchange of ideas and lessons learned. We saw renewed optimism around new classes of drugs and prevention technologies.

We could not have achieved our goals without the help of our many donors, especially the generous support of Roots. Together we can all share immense pride at having achieved a successful meeting, one whose impact will make a difference to our work.

On behalf of the AIDS 2006 Toronto Local Host and our colleagues at the International AIDS Society, please accept our heartfelt gratitude for the support of Roots for this Conference in the global fight against AIDS. Darryl Perry, Ron Rosenes AIDS 2006 Toronto

ALL IN THE ROOTS FAMILY I just returned from a vacation that unfortunately was cut short.

In early July, I traveled to Lebanon and was scheduled to fly back to Canada on July 30. A week after I arrived, the war between Hezbollah and Israel

broke out. During the fighting, the Beirut airport was bombed and shut down along with most land routes out of the country.

As a result, me, my family, and thousands of others were trapped in Lebanon with no way of escaping the horrific war. At the same time, staff at the Roots store where I work in Windsor (Ontario) were calling my parents to make sure I was okay.

My manager, Christine Crowe, would call my parents every day for the latest on where I was and how I was doing. She would then post the update on the back-room bulletin board to keep the rest of the store informed. Christine also offered my family whatever help she or Roots could offer.

When I finally arrived back to Canada in early August and heard how Roots had reacted, I felt honoured and proud to be a Roots employee. I was thousands of miles away and Roots did not think of me as just another employee but as a family member who they cared for and were worried about. This is a feeling not every part-time sales associate in other businesses has the chance to feel. At Roots you’re not another worker, you are family and family always comes first.

Serein Makkawi Windsor, ON The Source wants to hear from you.

Please send your letters to Robert Sarner at rsarner@roots.com. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

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MEETING THE DEMAND

PHOTO: ILICH MEJIA

To keep up with the sales of The Flats - the biggest hit in the history of Roots leather bags - the factory in Toronto is showing its real colours

The Roots state-of-the-art leather factory on Toronto’s Caledonia Road is an intrinsic part of the Roots identity.

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y now, the success of the Emily Bag. “With every trend there is a Roots Flats collection is counter-trend,” says Jennifer no secret. Indeed, we Taylor Weeks, Merchandise already reported on it several weeks back in The Source (see Planning Manager for Leather.

“Flat bags are the counter-trend Issue 51). What is new is that to the extra-large, bulky overthe popularity of the bags consized handbag trend. Flat bags tinues to soar, reaching new evolved from the need heights. and desire of many Each week, thouwomen for hands-free sands of Village accessibility while out Packs, Village Bags, shopping or running Small and Large errands. Many women Venetian Bags, and sport large work or Venetian Village gym totes during the Bags are flying off day and on the weekthe shelves at Roots ends step out with a stores with the Venetian Bag sleek flat bag such as leather factory in the Village Pack, not only for Toronto having to work at full style but for comfort and ease, capacity to meet the demand. too.”

The Flats have now become Flat bags earned their name the biggest hit in the history of because they are literally flat.

Roots leather bags, surpassing Continued on next page even the success of last year’s Issue 54 - September 1, 2006

Henry and Karl Kowalewski are justly famous for playing a seminal role in the Roots leather program (including running the factory) since the company began in 1973.

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PHOTO: ILICH MEJIA

The details matter: Ensuring quality and great style while stitching a Flat Bag.

shore, leather bags of such quality and reasonable price Within the construction, there are still being made in Toronto. are no gussets (meaning the The handmade craftsmanship front panel and back panels for which Roots has long been are sewn directly together known is essential to the Flats’ without any leather sewn in success. Details matter at between). All styles are also Roots and it shows -- in the designed to be worn slung high quality thread used for over the body; no hands are topstitching, the thread colour, needed to carry these styles; the hardware size and colour, and they all lay flat against the and the lining, to say nothing body.

The design is the result of a of the texture and tone of leathers used. These are all collaborative effort involving aspects that make resident leather the quality of expert Karl Roots bags.

Kowalewski, The success of Roots Co-Founder the Flats is the culMichael Budman, Village Pack mination of a prochis wife Diane Bald, and Denyse Green, wife ess that began many months before. Last spring, Karl of Co-Founder Don Green.

Kowalewski traveled to Italy Each brings something differto source and select the best ent to the table. Together they leathers to be used for the are a formidable team.

Flats. He then designed and Like with all successful developed a paper pattern for products, there’s a lot more the first prototype of the bags than meets the eye when you before making a few samples see a Flat bag. Many factors and testing them at the retail have contributed to their suclevel. Based on feedback and cess. Fine design is vital, yet input from customers and staff, not enough. Something may Karl and his team made the look great but if it’s not made necessary changes and correcwell, forget it. In creating new tions. products, Roots has always After that, it was time to understood that, and it’s most tool up with cutting dies for evident with the Flats. production. Next, Karl and his Many people are amazed brother, Henry Kowalewski, when they learn that in 2006, who is equally essential to the when so much is made offContinued from previous page

Issue 54 - September 1, 2006

production of Roots leather goods, trained the group in the factory that they selected to make the Flats.

Once production is underway, Karl and Henry have to constantly monitor what’s being produced to ensure the necessary quality and to make any needed improve-

ments during production.

Lastly, as they always do, Karl and Henry inspect the finished product before packing and shipping it to the nearby Distribution Centre for delivery to stores.

“The flats have become such a hit because they are practical and easy to wear,” says Karl. “The zip pockets and flat compartments allow you to store the new high-tech devices. The shoulder straps are wide, comfortable and allow for hands-free movement.

Given that the Flats work so well for women, I see no reason why there can’t be a flat bag for men.”

Leather has pride of place at Roots. The two are inseparable. Leather is part of the soul and DNA of Roots. Original leather goods have been at the heart of the company since its inception in 1973 when Roots began by making negative heel shoes.

Leather is what first put Roots on the map. Today, 33 years later, judging by the phenomenal success of the Flats, it’s still an important part of what makes Roots…Roots.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND ROOTS It takes skilled craftsmen like Elizabeth Mawyin to make Roots bags so good

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he woman on the front cover of this issue of The Source was photographed at the Roots leather factory in Toronto while making the Village Pack.

Elizabeth Mawyin reflects the quality of people who make Roots genuine leather goods. She is a gifted leather worker who has further developed her skills since she joined Roots shortly after moving to Canada from South America.

This week, she celebrated her 31st anniversary working at the Roots factory. When she began in 1975 and Roots was barely two years old, her first job was to make the negative heel shoes that first established Roots. Thanks to people like Elizabeth who has kept up with the evolution of Roots leather products, the factory is such a productive force. Over the years, Elizabeth has made shoes, bags and jackets. Today, she’s part of the team making only Flat bags due to the incredible demand.

“I enjoy working at Roots,” says Elizabeth, 55, who grew up in Ecuador. “I’ve learned so much since I’ve been here. It’s always interesting to see the development and success of new Roots products.”

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DOING THE RIGHT THING The latest in our series on Roots people helping others

Deeva Green during an Arctic expedition this summer.

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ext weekend, while Toronto will be abuzz with countless movie screenings, show biz parties and other special events connected to the 31st Toronto International Film Festival, several thousand people will be involved in something different: The Weekend to End Breast Cancer.

Among those taking to the streets as part of this initiative will be Deeva Green, daughter of Roots Co-Founder Don Green. Starting on Friday evening (Sept. 8), participants

will walk 60 kilometers across the city before the event ends on Sunday. Net proceeds will support breast cancer research, treatment, and related services.

“One of the main reasons I decided to do the walk this year is because the mother of a close friend of mine passed away this spring from breast cancer, leaving her three children and husband,” says Deeva, 17. “It really hit home why we must do everything possible to find a cure for this disease that affects so many women.”

Deeva, who also lost her grandmother to breast cancer, agreed to raise at least $2,000 but she has set her personal goal at $3,000. To that end, she has sent out letters and email to scores of people soliciting donations for the cause. So far, she’s been quite touched by the support she’s received and is continuing her fundraising efforts up until she begins the walk.

“I think this walk is a fantastic way to bring together both women and men from across the province in a challenge that will be both physically and mentally rewarding,” says Deeva, who has been doing a lot of walking and hiking during the summer to train for the walk.

According to the National Cancer Institute of Canada, approximately 20,500 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and about 5,500 will die from the disease.

• Those wishing to make a donation to Deeva’s efforts should go to her personal fundraising page at: <http://www.endcancer.ca/site/ TR?px=1283116&pg=personal&fr_id=1120>

HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE Roots seals Banff Bag deal with rock band Steely Dan

Donald Fagen Walter Becker of Steely Don

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ot only are Roots bags currently a huge hit at the stores (see cover story), but they are proving increasingly popular in the entertainment industry. This week, following the custom orders for Roots bags in recent months for the tours of U2; The Rolling Stones; The Eagles; Crosby, Stills, Nash and Issue 54 - September 1, 2006

Young, Roots provided leather bags to Steely Dan and their organization.

The order was timed to mark the end of the band’s highly successful concert tour that began two months ago.

Formed in the early 1970s, Steely Dan is known for its distinctive blend of jazz, rock, R& B and pop, produced by

its core members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.

Roots shipped 45 Banff Bags to St. Louis, Missouri, the final stop on the band’s tour. The bags will be used as gifts for band members and the crew. Coordinated by Celso Afonseca of the Business-toBusiness Department, the leather bags were made in the Roots leather factory in Toronto and come with the Steely Dan symbol and the Roots logo.

SPREADING THE WORD Guide to new ads appearing this week and next

• Current until Sept. 21- Ongoing ad campaign using ‘outdoor transit’ featuring the ‘Roots Anatomy of a Great Sweat’ theme. In Toronto, the ads will appear on the subway, on streetcars, buses and bus shelters. In Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, the ads will be featured on bus shelters.

• Thurs., Aug. 31 - Now (Toronto) magazine. Full-page colour ad featuring Roots Venetian Bag, also mentioning Roots as a sponsor of the Toronto International Film Festival and highlighting new Roots Rosedale store.

• Sat., Sept. 2 - Globe and Mail.

Half-page horizontal ad in Style section featuring Roots Venetian Village Bag (red) in vegetable-tanned leather.

• Sat., Sept. 2 - National Post.

Full-page colour ad on back cover of Toronto section featuring Roots Venetian Village Bag (red) in vegetable-tanned leather.

• Thurs., Sept. 7 - Hello magazine. Full-page colour ad featuring Roots Venetian Village Bag (red) in vegetable-tanned leather.

• Thurs., Sept. 7 - Eye Weekly (Toronto). Full-page colour ad on back cover featuring current Roots products.

• Thurs., Sept. 7 - Now (Toronto) magazine. Full-page colour ad featuring current Roots products.

• Sat., Sept. 9 - National Post.

Full-page colour ad on back cover of Toronto supplement for current Roots products.

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THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS

STAYING POWER

Roots to be highly present at Toronto Film Festival

Saluting those who go the distance

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ith less than a week to go before this year’s Toronto International Film Festival opens, Roots is readying its participation in the 10-day film extravaganza, including at the following events: • Sept. 9: As part of its annual tradition, Roots is helping organize the star-studded Saturday afGeorge Christy ternoon lunch for entertainment columnist George Christy at the Four Seasons Hotel, a staple of the festival for the past 20 years.

Roots will provide 100 Village Pack leather bags for guests at the event.

• Sept. 9: Hello! magazine will be having an official launch party for its new

weekly Canadian edition.

As the official supplier, Roots will provide 100 large Venetian Bags as gifts for the VIP guests including Hollywood stars. Custom-made at the Roots leather factory, the bags are specially designed in red, the official colour of Hello! and come with embossed logos of the magazine and Roots.

• Sept. 10: The Canadian Film Centre will be having a BBQ for nearly 1,000 festival guests, hosted by celebrated film director Norman Jewison. Roots will donate a Banff Bag

to be used as a raffle during the event and provide 700 key fobs for gift bags for special guests.

• Sept.

7 - 16: Roots will supply Norman Jewison some 300 leather key fobs to be given to festival guests at the Queer Lounge, hosted by the alternative Toronto newspaper Eye Weekly.

GUESS WHO JUST DROPPED IN… Taking attendance of special guests at Roots stores

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his month, many Roots employees marked major anniversaries of their time at the company. By ‘major’, we mean benchmark achievements as in 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years spent at Roots. We invite anyone celebrating such an anniversary at Roots to send the relevant information to The Source.

Congratulations to the following employees in the Leather Factory and the Distribution Centre for their huge contribution and enduring loyalty to Roots: (Listed according to seniority at Roots) Virginia Ferreira, Stitcher, Leather Factory, 10 years Kevin Smith, Floater, Leather Factory, 5 years Omadai Tahal, Picker Packer, Distribution Centre, 5 years Aifen Yan, Administration, Distribution Centre, 5 years

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THE NUMBERS In the development of the just-launched Roots fragrance Roots Spirit Man, not one animal was used in the testing of the product. In keeping with Roots core val ues which include respecting nature, the environment and wildlife, the specialists preparing the ingredients of Roots Spirit Man and researching its safety and aroma did not utilize any animals in their tests.

THE HOT LIST

A fast look at what’s flying off the shelves at Roots stores Based on the latest sales figures from all Roots stores in Canada and the US, here are the 20 top-selling products:

Dan Aykroyd, James Marsden and John Oates (above); David Duchovny (below)

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elebrities have long made a point of shopping at Roots. Here are the latest sightings of prominent figures from the world of entertainment and sports who visited Roots stores recently: · Toronto (100 Bloor Street) – Dan Aykroyd, Canadian comedian and actor, and a good friend of Roots, visited the store. Among others in the store this week were American actor James Marsden, who is in town for the shooting of Hairspray and John Oates of the musical duo Hall and Oates who performed at the Hummingbird Centre. · Robson (Vancouver, BC) – David Duchovny, Golden Globe Award-winning American television and film actor most famous for playing the character of FBI agent Fox Mulder on The X-Files TV series, shopped at the Roots store.

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1. Men’s Elk Island Polo 2. Women’s Printed Thermal Kanga T-shirt 3. Men’s Cooper Zip Polo 4. Men’s Basic Cooper Pant 5. Women’s Stadium Fleece Hoody 6. Women’s Natural Graphic Tee 7. Women’s Classic Fleece Kanga Hoody 8. Women’s Stadium Sweatpant 9. Baby’s Warm Up Hoody 10. Baby’s Yaz Colour Block T-shirt 11. Baby’s Smoothie 12. Roots Bottled Water 355 ml 13. GA Backpack 14. Roots Eco-Bag 15. Havaiana Flip Flops 16. GA Kids Backpack 17. Crocs Beach Clogs 18. Village Pack Tribe Leather Bag 19. Village Bag Prince Leather Bag 20. Large Venetian Prince Leather Bag The Source 6

ON THE MOVE New appointments and promotions at Roots (in alphabetical order) • Sarah Cacilhas, promoted to Keyholder, Robson Kids, Vancouver, • Terry Crosby, promoted to Assistant Store Manager, Station Mall, Sault Ste. Marie, ON • Jayne Panttila, promoted to Keyholder, Station Mall, Sault Ste. Marie, ON • Lauren Price, appointed Assistant Store Manager, Square One, Mississauga, ON Linday Harding, Sabrina Hoskins, Elizabeth Whitman and Holly Nelson

NO MYSTERY BEHIND TOP MARKS

Store in Nova Scotia comes up big in test of retail businesses

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oots stores have long been known for their excellent customer service and inviting store environments.

Recently, this reputation has been further enhanced as several locations have received official recognition in independent programs that grade retail businesses.

The latest to win approval from a thirdparty source is the Roots store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia which just captured top scores in the Mic Mac Mall “mystery-shopping” program. As part of this initiative, mystery shoppers visit various stores incognito to assess their standards and provide independent evaluations of customer service and store appearance.

Earlier in the summer, as part of their research, an undercover shopper came into the store and was attended to by Assistant Manager Sabrina Hoskins who had no idea that this was no ordinary customer. Sabrina’s top-notch manner and professionalism obviously made a strong impression.

It earned the Roots store an 85-plus score from the mystery shopper who commented: “Sabrina was very pleasant, well groomed and polite. She was walking around the store constantly, tidying up merchandise, watching for customers to enter, and giving me eye contact now and again to see if I needed her assistance. She was assertive but not pushy, courteous and friendly.”

Sabrina, who joined the Roots team at the Mic Mac Mall a year ago, says, “This would not have been possible without the team effort of the entire store staff and the great training that I received at Roots. I love working here and Roots is a great company to work for.”

The mystery shopper also described her shopping experience as very good, adding, “The store was extremely clean, not a thing out of place, uncluttered and organized, very tastefully done.”

There’s no mystery behind how Roots stores earn such praise.

MOMENTS THAT MATTER Big developments in the life of Roots staff (in alphabetical order)

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ongratulations are in order to the following people on the occasion of…

• Joel Cottingham, Keyholder, Robson Kids, Vancouver, BC, married his fiancée Amy. • Tina Fraser, Keyholder, Fredericton, NB, will be married to fiancé Jordan Trethewey next week.

• Lindsay Russell, Store Manager, St. Catherines, ON, recently gave birth to a baby girl named Clover Elizabeth Russell.

- Please send us details of similar good news and we’ll be happy to publish it in The Source (email: rsarner@roots.com) Issue 54 - September 1, 2006

FRESH INK A selection of recent media coverage Toronto Star, Aug. 31. Roots turtleneck sweater dress featured in Fashion Section spread on knit sweater dresses.

Life & Style magazine, Aug. In article on model Christie Brinkley, she is photographed wearing several Roots “Stop Global Warming” bracelets.

The Westender, Aug. 31. Vancouver’s weekly fashion/lifestyle paper featured the Roots men’s Milano Bag prominently in its most recent issue. See below.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS Join the team at our impressive new Roots store in the West Edmonton Mall The Roots West Edmonton Mall location is looking for great Full-Time Sales Associates, 3rd Keys and Assistant Managers to work at this store for a minimum of two weeks starting next week. This could lead to bigger opportunities such as a 1-year contract.

If you are interested, please contact Rosemary Eisenhut @ 416-856-8621 or Samara Snyder @ 780-710-0367 without delay!

Flight, accommodations and food allowance will be included. Details will be communicated directly.

Come spread your wings with Roots The Source 7

GREAT MOMENTS IN RETAIL

GREEN TIP #20

Spotlighting the top-performing stores in August ing in at 234 percent over its sales budget. For its part, the Vaughan Mills outlet in Toronto captured top honours for the ‘Roots 73’ locations, finishing the month 120 percent over budget.

Congratulations to Store Managers Nathalie Giroux of the Chateau Frontenac store and Glenys Hepplestone of the Vaughan Mills outlet, along with their respective teams, for their impressive performances.

Store Manager Nathalie Giroux, (left), with Keyholder Fanny Tremblay.

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he monthly sales figures are now in and this time it’s the Chateau Frontenac store in Quebec City that won the title of the ‘Store of the Month’ for company stores, com-

Store Manager Glenys Hepplestone, (centre), with Keyholder Marla Dolowitz, (left), and Sales Associate Leanna Rizzi, (right).

BAD GUYS BEWARE! West Coast store attends crime awareness seminar

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n an effort to keep involved in the community and better understand loss prevention issues faced by merchants in the city of Richmond, British Columbia, two members of the local Roots store recently attended a community crime awareness seminar at the local RCMP detachment.

Store manager Barry Rooke and full-time Keyholder Sean Wiens took part in the half-day seminar along with officials from the RCMP, the Security Manager for Richmond Centre mall, the head of Loss Prevention (LP) at the Gap, and LP representatives from several local merchants including Sears, The Bay, Home Depot, and Best Buy. There was no shortage of issues for the specialists to address — identity theft; credit card fraud; preventative measures to stop shop theft; personal safety; and increased communication between mall security and stores.

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Barry Rooke, (left), and Sean Wiens outisde the Roots store in Richmond, BC.

“The seminar was highly informative,” says Barry, who has been working at Roots stores in BC since 1999. “It was also a great opportunity to build on our relationship with our mall security and learn from the best in the industry.

Other related seminars are planned for the future.”

Such crime-prevention issues are an inescapable part of running a major retail business today, and it obviously helps for store employees to be as informed as possible.

“I encourage participation in these kinds of seminars,” says Julie McCahon, Director of LP at Roots. “They’re usually held through a local community policing centre or mall security office. I have attended several such seminars myself and have always come back with something new to help prevent losses. It’s important to stress that we always need to be safe and act in accordance with both the law and Roots policies and procedures.”

Julie adds that if any retail staff attend such seminars and have questions on how the information relates to Roots, they are encouraged to contact the LP Department at the Head Office.

The latest in our series of easy ways to help the environment To bag or not to bag: Next time you go grocery shopping, think twice before getting your purchases bagged.

Did you know it takes one 15to 20-year-old tree to make enough paper for only 700 grocery bags? Bring cloth bags when you shop (such as the Roots Eco-Bag), and if you forget, put your purchases in as few bags as possible.

Paper or plastic? Plastic bags are more convenient than paper but they’re not biodegradable. Plastic bags often wind up in the ocean and kill marine animals that get tangled up in them or swallow them. Paper bags are biodegradable but are often made from virgin paper because, manufacturers say, heavy loads require the long fibers in virgin pulp.

Provided by Zerofootprint, an innovative Toronto-based organization that helps companies and organizations reduce their environmental impact.

See www.zerofootprint. net.

HEALTH TIP #17 The latest in our series of easy ways to help you stay healthy Fail to plan and you plan to fail: Because exercising and eating right are important but not urgent, they can easily take a back seat to issues that are seemingly more urgent (important or not). Proper planning allows us to spend more time doing what makes us happy and healthy, while eliminating much of the time that we might spend doing things which ultimately don’t provide us fulfillment.

Provided by Jeff Hirst, a professional trainer, co-owner of Training Zone, and a former Olympic diver. Jeff is an acclaimed sports instructor (who was the captain of the University of Toronto swim team) and is highly knowledgeable about health and fitness. He can be reached at trainingzone @hotmail.com

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NEW & NOTEWORTHY A guide to just-launched Roots products With cooling temperatures in late summer and the arrival of autumn just around the corner, Senior Designer Jules Power has created three stylish women’s products for the new fall season. Arriving in stores by this week’s end, the three fresh outerwear items are complementary to every back-to-school wardrobe.

HERITAGE TOGGLE CARDIGAN Trendy Ivy League fashion helps bring up the cool factor

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his season, it’s all about the Ivy. The late 1950s preppy look, which is said to have originated on Ivy League college campuses, has come back with a new Roots flavour. Featured alongside other Ivy-inspired items in the new fall collection for women such as the Stretch Rugby Polo, Halftime Rugby Hoody, and the Sidney FT Blazer, Roots is adding this cardigan, made from 100% soft lambswool.

This coat features genuine leather trim with toggle closures, and is available in walnut, grey heather, and port.

Additional features include two big patch pockets in the front, and the new Roots Academy inside label and hang tag.

Available in Roots stores, in sizes XS-XL. Retail price: $88

CHINOOK QUILTED VEST

HURON SWEATER COAT

For ladies with distinctive style

Keeping warm with Canadian flair

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ou vest it! Roots has combined comfort and style yet again in this warm, lightweight quilted vest made of nylon and polyester filling.

Featuring cool corduroy trimming, felt appliqué and print graphic on the back, the unique styling of this vest makes it great for early fall layering.

Available in warm honey with walnut trim, and walnut with tofino trim, additional features include patch pockets on the front, and custom Roots snap closure.

Available in select Roots stores, in sizes XSXL. Retail price: $108

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anadiana is another Roots theme this season.

Made from a soft cotton and wool blend yarn, this long and slim Canadianastyle sweater coat is warm, cozy and cute.

Available in vintage white and black, it features an intricate cable design on the body and sleeve.

The coat also features colourful woven trim attributes on the hood and back, a handicraft reflection of designs Aboriginals used to make.

These details make it both a stylish fit, and ideal to wear as a coat in mild fall weather.

Additional features include genuine wood buttons, and a wood beaver hang tag.

Available in Roots stores, in sizes XS-XL. Retail price: $128 The Source 9

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