Summer 2015_ LowRes PDF

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freeON THE

SUMMER 2015danforth

DANFORTH

DINING GUIDE

How-tosucceed

with social media!

GET YOUROnC o o l C o C k t a i l s t o B e a t t h e h e a t

DRINK

Toronto Hosts the

PAN AM GAMES :Wh at Yo u Ne e d

to kN oW

VSeast westYo u r Ma p to t h e da N f o rt h

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We are proud to be Ontario’s1st Certified Organic Retailer!

As Ontario’s leading certified organic retailer, we believethat organic is the best choice for our plates and our planet!

Canadian worker-owned store since 1983. Specializing in local, organically grown, Non-GMO and environmentallysafe products.

Natural Food Market 416.466.2129 Organic Produce • Bulk • Grocery • Dairy • Raw Foods • Locally Raised MeatVegetarian Café • Appliances • Books • Paraben Free Body Care Department

Wholistic Dispensary 416.466.8432 Vitamins, Minerals & Nutritional Supplements • North American, Ayurvedic& Chinese Herbal Remedies • Professional Product Lines • Professional Staff

Organic Juice BarFresh Juice • Smoothies • Shakes • Teas • Fair-Trade Coffees Espresso Drinks • Grab&Go Soup Salads • Sandwiches

Vegetarian Cooking Classes

Free Nutritional Store Tours

Free Thursday Evening Seminars

348 Danforth Avenue [1 Block West of the Chester Subway]

Monday-Friday 9-9 • Saturday 9-8 • Sunday 11-6

www.thebigcarrot.ca

Ingredients: 4 tbsp extra virgin organic olive oil

2 organic medium cooking onions (chopped)

2 organic medium Yukon gold potatoes (diced)

2 organic squash (acorn, kabocha or butternut)Cut into 1 inch pieces.

1 bunch of fresh organic sage (finely chopped)Save a few whole leaves for garnish!

1 head of organic garlic (roasted)Squeeze roasted garlic out of each clove. Discard the skins.

3 litres organic vegetable stock

salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Sauté onions in olive oil over medium heatuntil onions start to caramelize.

Add vegetable stock, squash, potatoes, androasted garlic into a soup pot.

Simmer until squash and potatoes are tender.

Add sage, salt and pepper.

Purée the soup in a blender in small batches,garnish with a sage leaf and serve.

Recipe provided by John Robertson

Organic Squash Soup

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Private piano lessons from a professional, classically trained instructor with over 17 years of teaching experience. Encouraging, fun and stress free learning, providing structure and direct teaching styles for students.

Multiple genres, from classical to modern, are included in the curriculum.

Flexible after-school hours are available for children.

Aiding in Royal Conservatory of Music exam preparation.

A typical lesson includes fundamental skills - theory, ear training, improv skills, working on performance anxiety, building self-esteem and rapport with the audience.

“Michelle likes music. She is an ener-getic person who is active in music. She approaches the children in a natural way so that they feel comfortable in opening up and being their true selves during the lesson.”

-A MOTHER OF ONE OF MICHELLE’S STUDENTS

PIANO LESSONSMICHELLE LECCE-HEWITT

647-345-4067416-570-3886

OR EMAIL: [email protected]:

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ON

TH

E

dan

fort

h Publisher: Sheima Benembarek Associate Publisher: Kayla Gallant

EDITORIALEditor-in-Chief: Jenny Wilson

Managing Editor: Nadira ChandSection Editors: Davina Sinnatamby, Rebecca Brown, Kayla Sippel

Chief Copyeditor: Hilary RothCopyeditors: Ryan Tuzyk, Maria Plummer, Anuraag Seshadri

CREATIVECreative Director: Nikki TurnerArt Director: Marina Stamatakos

Production Manager: Laura McReynoldsGraphic Designers: Davina Sinnatamby, Rebecca Brown

SALES AND MARKETINGSales Director: Sarah Zoschke

Sales Coordinators: Natalie Morel, Oyindamola AffinnihSales Representatives: Marina Stamatakos, Laura McReynolds, Nikki Turner

Events: Helena Kyriakou Distribution: Natalie Morel, Oyindamola Affinnih, Andrew Dewey

WEB (onthedanforth.ca)Editor-in-Chief: Beatriz Sanchez

Managing Editor: Shruti JamadagniOnline Editor: Anissa StambouliWeb Designer: Sofia Vargas Nessi

Social Media Manager: Sabrina Pignataro

On the Danforth is published twice a year by the students of the Publishing: Book, Magazine and Electronic program at Centennial College. This magazine would not be possible without the support of the faculty of the Publishing Program.

Copyright 2015 Centennial CollegePrinted by Thistle Printing.

Cover Photo by Anna Sklavos.

Chair and N

ecklaces Photos by Nikki Turner, D

rinks Photo by Anna Skavlos.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

6 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

8 HUMANS OF THE DANFORTH 9 SOCIAL MEDIA AND BUSINESS 12 EAST VS. WEST 14 GEEK CHIC 16 DIY: SIT IN STYLE

FASHION

18 FASHION FILES 20 ACCESSORIZE YOURSELF WITH PRETTY THINGZ 21 SUMMER MUST HAVES

FOOD & DRINK

23 WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE 25 DINING ON THE DANFORTH 28 SUMMER DRINKS 30 SWEET TREATS 31 VEGGIE DELIGHTS

OFF THE DANFORTH

33 COMEDY 101 35 FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE 37 LET THE GAMES BEGIN 40 EVENTS CALENDER

Chair and N

ecklaces Photos by Nikki Turner, D

rinks Photo by Anna Skavlos.

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CONTRIBUTORS

Working on the summer issue of On the Danforth was a jovial experience – I was able to work on a magazine that represented my favourite season, forgetting all about the winter. As the managing editor, I was able to dabble in all aspects and pillars.— Nadira Chand

My favourite part of the Danforth is a tie. I love the food! You can always find a restaurant for any craving and the unique choice is what I love. I am also in love with the community, the Danforth makes you feel welcomed. — Sarah Zoschke

Working on On the Danforth has been one of the coolest learning experiences. The best part of my job was getting to be the link between

our team and the printers. It was really enlightening to be able to talk to professionals in the printing business to get answers.

—Laura McReynolds

The Danforth is a community. Living here, going to school here, its almost like I never left my small town up-bringing for the daunting city of Toronto. I can get everything I need in such a small vicinity

and everyone is friendly. It’s definitely got the small town vibe.— Nikki Turner

Special thanks to: Ashley Lesiak and Eléonore Giraud

Managing Edito

r

Creative Director

Production M

anager

Sales Director

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CONTRIBUTORS

Special Thanks to:Anna Sklavos, Madjouline Hasnaoui and

Louis Aguirre

The Danforth has this incredible energy. There’s always something going on, whether it’s a Paint Nite event at Pappas Grill, a concert at The Danforth Music Hall or a cooking class at The Big Carrot. The streets are constantly buzzing with excitement.—Hilary Roth

Having grown up on the Danforth it was both challenging and fun to explore the area from a new angle for the magazine. I took it as an opportunity to share the diversity and culture that exists in a place that I’ve called home for over 20 years.—Marina Stamatakos

By far the most beautiful part of On the Danforth is its ability to bring a community together. My favourite part was watching On The Danforth grow from story con-cepts to the printed-and-bound book we now read, which will always be a project of which I am very proud. —Kayla Sippel

My favourite part of the Danforth is the Greek food. I love the restaurant Astoria—it has the best tzatziki I’ve ever had and the flaming saganaki is a fun table-side treat. I recommend ordering Astoria’s Award Winning Pork Souvlaki, you will not regret it! — Rebecca Brown

Chief Copy Edi

tor

Section Editor

Section Edit

or and Desig

ner

Art Director

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6 O N T H E D A N F O R T H . C A

Letter from the EditorI wasn’t born in Toronto and I’m not a Toronto native, so when I moved here six months ago I knew relatively nothing about the Danforth. Although I’m still not a Toronto expert, the Dan-forth has quickly become one of my favourite spots in the city.

When I was out work-ing on Humans of the Danforth (pg. 8) I interviewed many locals about what their favourite part of the Danforth was, and I con-sistently got the same response: Community. That’s what it’s all about, and you can tell when you’re walking down the street. Many people stop to talk, say hello to one another or flash a friendly smile. The Danforth has that cozy, small-town vibe, and that’s the tone we tried to con-vey in this issue of On the Dan-forth.

We wanted to take the magazine back to its roots and focus on the best the Danforth has to offer. It should represent the community of the Danforth, the people who live and work here, and the businesses that make the Danforth home. We also wanted to make it fresh. Because this magazine is published every year by a completely new group of people, we needed to find new and exciting content or spin something old in a new way. For that reason, and because it’s finally summer, we tried to look at what’s new and hot right now.

When you flip through these glossy pages, you’ll find a myriad of fun and interesting reads to take with you anywhere. We hope this issue inspires you to get out on the town and take advantage of the weather and the amazing community that is the Danforth.

JENNY WILSONEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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JENNY WILSONEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Ballet, Ballroom, Bollywood, Burlesque, Ginga, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Nia, Salsa, Tap, Zumba, and much more....

www.joyofdance.ca 416-406-3262

Learn it!Love it!Live it!

ü Kids & Teens Program

ü Adult Program

ü Drop-in classes

ü Registered classes

ü Private lessons

ü Summer Camp

North America’s onlyBallroom DanceTeachers College

Phot

o by

Mad

joul

ine

Has

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Lou

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re.

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LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

8 O N T H E D A N F O R T H . C A”“

“I do love the people, and that every-thing is walkable. The subway is right there. It’s like a small town in the big city.” – Robb Dagenais, Moss

We wanted to be in Toronto and in an area with lots of fun people, and great places to go. It’s a hidden gem that attracts people from all over the GTA.– Roger Kanda, Pretty Things: Accessorize Yourself. “Very real neighbourhood with small businesses that are great for strolling, and a great place to work. It’s a community.” – Jessie Silverstein

“It’s a great neighbourhood. It’s friendly, there’s lots of parks, and it’s so down to earth. It’s close to everything you need. The people are so genuine, and it has a really mellow vibe. It’s a pretty safe area too.” – Jamie Reeves

“There is a really progressive and open minded atmosphere. We fit here perfectly with our mission of fair trade.” – Neil Jalaladeen, Ten Thousand Villages

“I’ve always worked on the Danforth. It has such a family vibe, with a tight-knit community.” – Jessie Silverstein

I work in the neighbourhood. I like that it’s hippie central. It’s nice to be in an area where there’s different cultures. There’s the Greek on one side and Vegetarian on the other side.– Savaun Jamieson

HUMANS of the

DANFORTH

“”

All

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.

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LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

9O N T H E D A N F O R T H . C A

“There’s something about being in a clothing store for women that is very special,” says Jennifer Ziliotto, the designer and owner of Ziliotto Inc., a women’s clothing store located near Pape Station. Her store is beautiful, and the environment is welcoming and supportive, a safe place for women to come and try on clothes, share their stories and feel good about themselves. Toronto’s Danforth area exudes this amazing feeling of camaraderie, but in the era of the Internet, businesses exist beyond the four walls of their stores and even the boundaries of their communities. Social media websites, such as Face-book, are no longer exclusive to individuals. It has become a common and expected practice for a business to have a presence on at least one social network. For small businesses, it can sometimes be a daunting task to create an online presence, especially for those who feel confident in the community surrounding their store. However, local businesses like Ziliotto Inc. demonstrate that it is possible to expand their physical community into an online space without sacrificing integrity.

As social networking for business becomes increasingly important, “the biggest hurdle for small businesses is the notion of re-sources,” says Chris Conrath, an instructor in Centennial College’s Corporate Communica-tions and Public Relations program. The pri-mary resources he refers to here are time and personnel. Corporate behemoths like Taco Bell or Starbucks have dedicated teams who handle social media nationally and sometimes even internationally. For small businesses, however, there are often a limited number of employees who are in charge of their social media sites. One strategy Conrath suggests to avoid the time drain of constantly creating new content is to use existing, related content via retweets or reposts. This keeps clientele interested and in-formed while also keeping the page current. Another approach mentioned by Con-rath is for the operator to take ownership of the brand and engage with customers on a personal level, as is the case at Ziliotto Inc. Ziliotto men-tions that she posted a photo on her anniversary on the Ziliotto Inc. Facebook page because she designed her own wedding dress, and the post

garnered the most likes she has received thus far. This is a great example of pairing the business with the personal, and she knows it. “The thing is that I am the brand. So people want to know about me,” Ziliotto explains. When using this method of social networking in a small business, it is always a balancing act between providing interesting content for consumers and maintain-ing a comfortable level of privacy. Not only does Ziliotto use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, the crowning glory of her social media landscape is YouTube channel featuring weekly videos. The first video was posted in January 2010, following a friend’s suggestion. Ziliotto says that after working in the business for years she realized there are many people who don’t have a natural talent for putting outfits together, and people are always eager for advice that makes their lives easier. Es-sentially, the videos feature Ziliotto explaining a featured product or theme and providing sug-gestions on how to incorporate that product or theme into simple outfits that look fabulous. “I hear nearly every day how much people like the videos … from all age groups,” she says. The

SOCIAL MEDIA: CONNECT

AND RECONNECT

LAURA MCREYNOLDS

All

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10 O N T H E D A N F O R T H . C A

videos are fun and playful but also brief and in-structional. Ziliotto says that to continue to im-prove her videos, she watches TV personalities, such as Jamie Oliver, and tries to incorporate their passion and friendly attitude. The videos and Ziliotto’s other social networks provide a way for her to expand the physical community she has on the Danforth to an online community. Her online presence replicates the safe, support-ive and instructive space that her store provides for women.

Donna Lindell, coordinator of Cen-tennial College’s Corporate Communications and Public Relations program, is both a friend and self-proclaimed “number one customer” of Ziliotto. Lindell highlights the community aspect of Ziliotto’s networking strategy. She refers specifically to an instance where a cus-tomer came in wearing a great outfit by Ziliotto, and Ziliotto took a picture of the customer and posted it on Facebook. “I have that dress, but I don’t have that cardigan … maybe I need to go buy that cardigan,” Lindell says. Lindell explains that this type of social networking works for the business in numerous ways. Firstly, the custom-er in the picture gets to feel a small level of fame in this online community, resulting in her for-

warding the photo to her family and friends, and thus generating promotion for the store. Secondly, it’s consumer-generated advertising. Ziliotto doesn’t have to hire a model to wear the clothes. Instead, they are shown on the custom-er who then allows others to see what outfits

are available and how they look. Finally, since the customer isn’t a model, it provides a sense of authenticity and is relatable to the other con-sumers. Other customers see the clothes on this woman and aren’t intimidated by the qualities

that typically define a model.

Another Danforth-based business, Blue Cross Animal Hospital, located near Broad-

view Station, maintains a blog on their website, Facebook and Google+ pages, a Twitter account and Pinterest board. They update their various social media accounts with a combination of original content and relevant repurposed and client-generated material. The aim of the Blue Cross Animal Hospital’s social media presence is twofold: “We try to feed the channel with a combination of material that both informs them but also that entertains and engages and creates that sense of gathering, of community, of be-longing,” says Janet Taylor, who is in charge of all social networks for the animal hospital. Tay-lor explains the network of any business should always be hoping to expand. In addition to main-taining their community, they also use their so-cial networks as a way to present their practice online, with a very honest and clear look at what they do and what is important to them. Blue Cross Animal Hospital is com-mitted to making their online space somewhere that their clients can go for information regard-ing the safety and happiness of their pets. When it comes to their blog posts regarding pet safety, the content is written by one of the seven in-house veterinarians, allowing readers to have complete confidence in the accuracy of the in-

“Toronto’s Danforth area exudes this AMAZING feeling of camaraderie, but in the era of the Internet, businesses exist beyond the four walls of their stores and even the boundaries of their COMMUNITIES.”

741 Broadview Avenue, Suite 304(just south of Danforth Ave.)Tel.: 416 405 [email protected]

www.craigscott.ndp.ca

My Office is Here to Help. We can assist constituents experiencing difficulties with federal government department and agencies, including:

• Citizenship and Immigration Applications• Canada Pension Plan• Old Age Security• Problems and delays obtaining a Canadian

passport or a Visitor Visa• Employment Insurance• Taxes• Canada Student Loans

Craig Scott, M.P. Toronto-Danforth

Κρέιγκ Σκώττ 施國亮

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11O N T H E D A N F O R T H . C A

formation provided.These blog posts are driven almost entirely by the calendar year, so when it’s getting hot out, clients can ex-pect to find tips on the Blue Cross blog and social networks to help keep their pets safe and cool. Their network is also concerned with all pets in the area, and if a pet is ever lost or found, Taylor will post a photo and any information they have to all their social networks. Even for people who aren’t clients at Blue Cross Ani-mal Hospital, their pages are a great online resource for anyone in the Danforth area, particularly if they love animals. In addition to informational content, Taylor also makes a point to post adorable animal stories and pictures of cute pets. “We’ll have a great puppy visit and think, ‘Oh my God! We need to share this — these little

guys are amazing!’” she says. On the whole, Blue Cross Animal Hospital has done a fabulous job of taking the environment they love and transferring it to an online platform. They have made their online space just as loving and educational as the practice itself. Often consumers may feel surrounded by faceless cor-porations in the online business world. Yet, as social networking becomes a must for all businesses, large and small, the local stores are starting to really shine and carve out a place of their own on-line. Both Ziliotto Inc. and Blue Cross Animal Hospital are fab-ulous examples of how to use social media in a positive way. It’s clear that even without dedicated social media team, small busi-nesses can create and maintain a welcoming community online as

well as in store.

Ziliotto Inc.

Website: Ziliotto.comFacebook: Ziliotto Inc. | 678 likes Twitter: @ziliottoinc | 1,881 followersYouTube: ziliottodesign | 85 subscribers; 87,208 total viewsInstagram: ziliottoinc | 69 followers Pinterest: pinterest.com/ziliottoinc/ | 16 followers; 26 boards; 623 pins Store location: 752 Danforth Ave.

Blue Cross Animal Hospital

Website: bluecrossanimalhospital.caFacebook: Blue Cross Animal Hospital | 679 likes Twitter: @BCAHToronto | 197 followersGoogle+: Blue Cross Animal Hospital Toronto | 207 followers; 274,004 total viewsPinterest: pinterest.com/bcahtoronto/ | 84 followers; 26 boards; 493 pins Store location: 132 Danforth Ave.

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12 O N T H E D A N F O R T H . C A

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

DANFORTH AVE .

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reated by Nikki Turner.

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13O N T H E D A N F O R T H . C A

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

DANFORTH AVE .

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SANDRA MUSHALE BAGS

RAILS & ALES

SARAH’S CAFE & BAR

DANFORTH BOWL

WHEELS & WINGS HOBBIES

CARTER’S ICE CREAM

GREENWOOD STATION

COXWELL STATION

WOODBINE STATION

FOOD & DRINK

TTC SUBWAY

SHOP OR ACTIVITY

Map C

reated by Nikki Turner.

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LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

14 O N T H E D A N F O R T H . C A

GEEKCHI

CIS NERDY THE NEW COOL?

I was just 11 years old the first time I walked into a comic book store. It was quiet and empty; I held my dad’s hand for comfort. There was one other guy in the store in his mid-40s. He was overweight, wheezing and probably hadn’t showered in at least a week. Comic book stores and geek culture have come a long way since that day over 10 years ago. With the introduction of TV shows like The Big Bang Theory, geek culture has crept into mainstream pop culture. In the show, the characters accept their geekiness and the people around them accept it too — for the most part. The show is funny and widely popular, even though the four main characters are self-deprecating of their dorky hobbies, and the way they “nerd out” is often received with strange looks from their “cool” neighbour Penny. The Big Bang Theory isn’t the only TV show jump onto the geek bandwagon in recent years. AMC’s hit TV series The Walking Dead was adapted from comic book series, and shows like True Blood, Doctor Who and Buffy the Vampire Slayer have spawned popular comic book series. These multi-media franchises now dominate the memorabilia sections of comic book specialty stores. Even Game of Thrones, which doesn’t have a comic book series but originated as a book series by George R. R. Martin, has mer-chandise in these specialty comic book stores. There’s a reason these shows have become so prominent in comic book stores: fandoms. Fandoms, like the Game of Thrones fandom, have be-come hugely popular — and hugely marketable. If you can think of a product

to do with the franchise, you can buy it, whether it’s an HBO-licensed product or a fan-made creation on Etsy. Game of Thrones fandom member Trevor DeHann states, “Whenever I see things out like coffee mugs or notebooks or anything covered in Game of Thrones paraphernalia, I have to buy it.” To him it isn’t even an option, and that’s how it feels to many fans. Whether it’s waiting for an April issue of a comic book or for a new action figure, the fan is the same: excited and engaged. People aren’t secretive about their fandoms anymore. You’ll see shirts, pins and bumper stickers everywhere of people who want to share their fandoms publicly.

A decade since I first walked into a comic book store, a lot has changed. Walking into a comic or specialty store now has a totally different vibe. I’m more comfortable and confident in my love of all things geek, and I feel like there are a lot of other people like me now.

NIKKI TURNER

“WHETHER IT’S WAITING FOR AN APRIL ISSUE OF A COMIC BOOK OR FOR A NEW ACTION FIGURE, THE FAN IS THE SAME: EXCITED AND ENGAGED.”

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LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

15O N T H E D A N F O R T H . C A

IS NERDY THE NEW COOL?

A HERO WITHOUT A CAPEANURAAG SESHADRI

Away from the hustle and bustle of the Danforth, nestled among the other homes on Pape Avenue is Atomic Age, a comic book store you almost wouldn’t notice. Atomic Age’s owner and sole employee, Gene Lee decided to turn his love for comics into a business. Atomic Age offers a wide variety of comic books with everything from vintage comic books to graphic novels to the newest releases. Plus you’ll find the personal service you won’t get with online retailers. Augustin Scimeca, a regular at Atomic Age, says, “Shopping online obviously has its benefits but having the personal service that Gene provides along with his excellent selection make it my preferred choice. Gene’s always willing to special order anything not in stock.”

Having spent close to a decade on Pape Avenue, Atomic Age has become a part of the community. “The local comic shop really is integral for promoting youth literacy and a sense of creativity and imagination,” says Scimeca. “Having a local shop like Atomic Age really promotes more of a sense of community and camaraderie.” Gene is aware of the trust the community has in him and aims to live up to this great responsibility. From giving away free comics on Halloween, to donating prizes for silent auctions and fairs at local schools, Gene makes an effort to give back to the community. Gene doesn’t wear a cape, but that doesn’t make him any less of a hero to the folks of Pape Avenue.

Photo “01/05/2009 (Day 3.121) - O

Superman” is copyright (c) 2007 A

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LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

16 O N T H E D A N F O R T H . C A

A guide to repurposing your own indoor-outdoor furniture

At the beginning of every summer, looking out at your backyard, you see the remnants of the patio set you bought last summer from your local hardware store. Not only are they not built to last through the winter, but they aren’t

built to last, period.

Why not create your own seating? Repurpose some old furniture you have in the house, you find at a second-hand store or even a neighbour’s

curbside leftovers.

Here are some easy steps to reupholster seating that can be used outdoors during the summer and doubles as indoor seating the rest of the year:

1. Remove any existing fabric unless it’s clean, in good shape and has no piping.

2. If the foam or stuffing is in bad condition, remove it and replace it with new foam. (If it’s clean and in good shape, you can upholster over it.) Cover the

foam with quilt batting to soften the hard edges.

3. Lightly sand the wooden legs or skeleton of the chair and apply a coat of primer. If the wood is very intricate or you do not want to sand, use a cover

stain, which doesn’t require sanding. (Chairs made of wood like teak will work better outside.)

4. Paint your finishing coat. It may take a couple of coats to achieve your desired look.

5. Once the wood is painted, it’s time to add your fabric.

6. Measure each section of the chair at its widest spot in each direction, and remember to measure around the edges of the seat. Add an extra five to six

inches to allow for manipulation of the fabric when stapling.

7. Start at the centre of the seat front and back and work each direction by pulling the fabric taunt. If you use a pattern or stripe, make sure the pattern is

centred and straight.

8. Trim any excess material after all pieces are stapled in place.

9. Apply piping or use a decorative trim to hide any staples that appear on the surface. .

- chair - foam block

for seating - quilt batting

- sandpaper- no-stain primer (e.g. cover stain)

- outdoor fabric with a print of your choice

- staple gun

Sit In Style

Supplies

you’ll need

D.I.Y.

AFTER

BEFORE

NIKKI TURNER

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NIKKI TURNER

3 MONKEYS FITNESSADVERTORIAL

Q&A With Alex Eid, President and Head Trainer at 3 Monkeys Inc.

“We’re very light-hearted about our approach, but we’re very professional in what we do.” – Alex Eid

Yoga, fat loss, nutrition, body building: no matter what you’re into, 3 Monkeys has the staff, equipment, and expertise to help you reach your goals. Alex Eid has been 3 Monkeys’ Head Trainer since 2003. Bringing a deep knowledge of exercise physiology and an appre-ciation for fun, Eid and his trainers excel at helping people reach the next level in their own personal fitness journeys.

What should I look for in a personal trainer?

In personal training, the most important word is “per-sonal.” If you don’t feel a connection to a trainer, then it will never work for you long term. For our trainers, it’s not about just building muscle—it’s about the client’s working life, their family life, and all those reasons and experiences behind why they’re not where they want to be. Having that understanding is really important to helping someone achieve their goal.

How important is nutrition to personal fitness? What can a nutritionist do for me?

Nutrition is vital, absolutely vital. I would say that 90% of the game is input. It’s food. If you put garbage in, you’re really going to have garbage out. So nutrition plays a vital, vital role.

The world of fitness changes so quickly. How do I know which workouts are best?

In this business, everyone is so busy chasing the latest and greatest fads, and at 3 Monkeys we purposely don’t do that. What we do is a little bit of old school fitness with a modern education and understanding, but we do the tried-and-true, tested approaches. 3 Monkeys is unique in that we don’t promote fads at all. It’s really just the real deal.

3 Monkeys offers assessments, personal training, nutrition services, group training and coaching. For more information, please visit it the 3 Monkeys website!

3 Monkeys • 1123 Broadview Avenue • 416-3MONKEY (416-366-6539)

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Toronto, Paris & ManchesterMANCHESTER CALLINGIt’s time to revamp your wardrobe with some British inspira-tion. I recently returned from Manchester, England and have learned that Manchester’s style differs from Toronto’s. With a grungy party vibe and classic red brick architecture, Manches-ter is the ultimate mix of rebellious and refined, and here’s where you can find it in Toronto.

PUNKThe modern punk of young Manchester is more spiked running shoes than it is an endless supply of safety pins.Think subtle leather jackets, skinny jeans and cartoon prints — with a little plaid thrown in for good measure. Hit up Body Blue on the Danforth for black skinny jeans to pair with some silver kicks, and some rad patterns, like the ones seen on the runway at the Hayley Elsaesser show during World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto last fall.

THRIFTED Manchester style is most likely inspired by the large student population. Fashion staples include slightly oversized sweaters with inexplicably odd designs and warmth-reducing holes. Not to mention T-shirts with references so old your parents would struggle to place them. Find items at Kind Exchange and Value Village.

ENGLISH ROSENo one dresses like a Bennett sister to get groceries, but classic British sophistication still shines through. Plaids, decidedly undamaged sweaters, buttoned-up blouses and colourful circle skirts can keep you comfortable and proper. Try Fiveoseven for lighter knits and anything floral, and Parade for classic lady-like garments.

GRUNGEIf I’m looking to add a little grunge to my style, I head into Black Market for some attitude-infused tees or some awesomely ugly sweaters. For the thrill of the hunt, I scour the racks at Tribal Rhythm, where I have made some stupendous vintage discoveries. My favourite place to spend money I don’t have is Holt Renfrew. Call me out of touch or spoiled, but there is something so magical in the design and craftsmanship of the garments. Not to mention the restaurant in the flagship makes

amazing mojitos!

Fashion Files

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FROM PARIS WITH STYLE

Summer in Paris resembles Manet’s painting The Luncheon on the Grass: bunches of people laying down by the Saint-Jacques Tower or Parc Monceau’s hundred year old trees, dressed in a stylish yet casual way.

PARISIAN BOHOTo achieve this Parisian summer style, you’ll need a light cotton blouse with carrot pants and peep-toe pumps. Or try pairing a black jacket, a simple top and a geometric pattern skirt with minimalist or graphic jewelry, thin black eyeliner and red lip-stick. For your hair, try a messy negligee bun leaving strands of hair on the sides of the face.

As a fashion capital, Paris has many places to shop, such as the Châtelet and Saint-Michel areas for basic shopping, the stores Galeries Lafayettes and Printemps for high-end items, and Avenue Montaigne for the completely unaffordable. However, if you want to shop like a Parisian, I advise shopping in an area known as The Marais. This picturesque quarter has the oldest buildings in the city. It is made of village-like narrow streets with tiny shops of very trendy brands like Vanessa Bruno, Chloé, Manoush, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Marc Jacobs and more. You will also find Pierre Hermé’s macarons and the Mariage Frères tea company — so chic. This quarter is the essence of what we call here “bobo” — a contraction of “bourgeois” and “bohemian” that defines many Parisians in life and style.

TorontoDuring my time in Toronto, I came to love second-hand clothing, a combination

of charming originality and low prices. I recommend Value Village, The Salva-

tion Army and other charities, as well as independent vintage shops. I found an

amazing Hugo Boss skirt on Bloor Street for only $15, and it is now one of my

favourite pieces in my wardrobe. I also got two amazing pairs of cowboy boots

for just $40 each at 69 Vintage. This was an experience I could have never had in

Paris since vintage clothing there has just started to become fashionable and is

usually expensive.

Ashley Lesiak & Eléonore

Giraud

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A stroll down the Danforth will provide you with a wide variety of shops and restaurants; everything from classic gyro shops, to clothing boutiques, to children’s hair cutters, to big chain stores, to small town bakeries can be spotted here. Pretty Thingz, a Danforth gem, should not be overlooked in this multitude of local businesses. The small jewelry boutique at 450 Danforth Ave, sticks out like a rose in a field of daisies.

The shop invites passersby in with its gorgeous window displays and charming exterior. Venturing inside, the interior is effortlessly chic filled with rows upon rows of necklace-busts decorated with the most modern, and fashionable pieces. There is something for everyone and most pieces are under $30!

The selection can be overwhelming at first but pieces are all grouped according to gemstone colour and the type of metal materi-al. The store has something for everyone, from bold and chunky to refined and classic. All their jewelry is sourced from around the world, and they carry special collections such as Alex and Ani, Hera, LaVie Lockets, and Swarovski.

The clerks are extremely helpful and want to assist you in finding the perfect piece for your special occasion. They’ll guide you to the ideal trinket for work, a formal occasion or a night out with the girls. And it’s not just jewelry; crave your fashion-appetite with a whole manner ofaccessories including scarves, clutches, gift baskets and gift cards, for when you just can’t decide what to get.

Pretty Thingz should be a staple in any fashionista’s shopping arsenal, and it’s a definite must-see on the Danforth. So if you’re wandering around the Danforth this summer in need of respite, come into Pretty Thingz and accessorize yourself.

ACCESSORIZE YOURSELF on the Danforth

Exploring Pretty Thingz JENNY WILSON

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Every fashion lover knows that a new season means a new wardrobe. Summer is a magical time of year. It’s warm out, everyone’s happier and it’s the best season for shopping: the clothes are smaller and somehow this justifies buying double and triple the amount of clothes you’d purchase in the winter. However, summer also (shockingly) comes with its stresses. Though retail therapy is good for your soul, it is not good for your bank account and even worse for the tiny space that you had left in your closet — if you had any to begin with. If the urge to buy an entirely new wardrobe isn’t hard enough, as the sun starts coming out, so do all of the clothing boutiques — literally. The streets of the Danforth fill with not only the buzz of people sitting on patios drinking cold frappé, but with racks of clothing for on-the-go shop-ping that’s hard to pass up.

Luckily, Kind Exchange has the perfect solution to all of your problems. As the “Buy-Sell-Trade-Donate” sign suggests, Kind Exchange gives you the opportunity to purge your closet in order to sell, trade or donate items, and pur-chase new items all in one place. Located at 439 Danforth Ave., the store is always accepting clothing donations. In most cases they are looking for clothing for the following season, and the donations must be washed prior to their delivery. The “buy” counter hand-picks the most fashionable items they think suit the store and their customers, which range from designer labels, to vintage, to basics.

Kind Exchange then offers to buy your clothes off of you, paying cash on the spot. You may also consider making a trade, which includes a credit note to the store, or you can donate your clothing and the proceeds will go to a charity.

MARINA STAMATAKOSSHOPPING SECRETS ON THE DANFORTH.MUST-HAVESSUMMER

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Kind Exchange is extremely selective about the pieces they want to resell, making it more fashion forward than a typical thrift store. The average price for a piece is $18, which is in most cases is much cheaper than the orig-inal retail price. Since the clothes are donated, bought and sold by locals, the store is an eclectic representation of the neighbourhood style. At Kind Exchange you can look stylish while balancing your budget and managing your closet space — there’s some summer shopping you don’t have to stress over! Even if you aren’t looking to buy, I dare you to try and resist their outdoor summer sales. Another Danforth gem is the irresistible outdoor sale rack put out by Fiveoseven Clothing, located at 496 Danforth Ave. It’s impossible to walk past this store without taking a glance at the gorgeous pieces blowing in the summer wind with that bright red sale sign on top. It’s even harder not to venture inside. Fiveoseven is ideal for those in search of a more polished and refined look — and those willing to spend a little more cash. It is more of a boutique, high-end shopping experience, but there are always good deals to be found on their quality clothing. You can top off a polished look bought at Fiveosev-en, or any look for that matter, with the striking yet afford-able jewellery at Pretty Thingz, located at 450 Danforth Ave. Read more about Pretty Thingz on page 22.

MORE FASHION FORWARD THAN A TYPICAL THRIFT STORE.

Most commonly recognized as Toronto’s Greek-town, the Danforth’s fashion potential is sometimes over-shadowed by the tasty Greek food lining its streets. But the area has a lot more to offer than just gyros, which becomes particularly evident in the summer as clothes start appearing on the streets on sale racks. Kind Exchange, Fiveoseven and Pretty Thingz are only a few of the amazing shopping oppor-tunities that can be had on the Danforth. Just one quick stroll in the sun will prove it.

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744 Danforth Avenueone block east of Pape Ave.

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lasharrugs.com

Rug Cleaning & RepairWe offer our customers guaranteed cleaning and repair services with

additional discounts available for rugs that were purchased at our store!

Free pickup & delivery!

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WAKE UP&SMELL THE COFFEENot much has changed within the Pape Village over the past few years. According to Anna Michaelidis, real estate broker and co-owner of Goat Coffee Co., it was obvious that “893 Pape Ave need[ed] a new life. It was just very shady, and a lot of folks would cross the street to walk around. The stroller moms were not interested in the Cash for Gold (the previ-ous business), so as we were walking through the building I said to my client, ‘You know what would be really neat here? A really great café.’ So that was about a year ago, and here we are now.”

Goat Coffee Co. has gracefully and successfully opened its doors on Pape Avenue, priding itself on its food, coffee and atmosphere. Michaelidis and her husband, Damien, have established the perfect location that easily hosts a business meeting or study break, all the while providing delicious and nutritious meals. Fortunately, Michaelidis spared me a few minutes to discuss the upcoming plans for the Goat and the reasons they have already become a community staple.

Nadira Chand: Did you guys have a specific vibe or atmosphere that you wanted to give off?

Anna Michaelidis: Yes. Well, I think ultimately our goal was to pro-vide quality espresso. We put a lot of thought into sourcing out the right coffee, making sure we’re aligning with the right brand. One thing for us is we’re an indie place. We really want to support local. So even our juice — we have this amazing cold-pressed juice — it’s a local lady that does it. We just want to support local businesses and help each other, and I think the neighbourhood really responds to that. So our focus was definitely [that] it needs to be amazing, kick-ass coffee. And then food — we knew we needed good food. We knew we needed wholesome, quality food. It helps to have a chef in-house.

NC: It’s delicious and it’s affordable. This also speaks to students: you come in to get a coffee with a sandwich and a salad for less than $15. You go anywhere else and it’s more expensive.

AM: And the quality of it, it’s not like some frozen sandwich that’s sitting there.

NC: Exactly! We really appreciate that. Which sandwiches have been the most successful so far?

AM: I think the chicken and goat cheese has been a huge favourite, and the avocado BLT for sure — and people love the burger. We have people commenting on Twitter “The best burger!”

NC: Are there any plans to expand the menu and include pastas?

AM: Menu expansion — yes, so one thing we’re waiting for is the patio. We’re going to have a huge patio year-round. We know we just kind of missed the season. By the time we opened, you know, snow was already falling. We’ll kind of see what folks want. We’ve been taking the menu as we go, just to accommodate the response we’ve been getting from people.

NC: Even the accommodation for soups, people want certain soups all the time.

AM: It’s really cute because we asked for people’s suggestions for the soups and then we actually make it, and people who made the suggestion are actually shocked that it’s being offered that day. Everything is made in-house, and nothing is bought and served full of preservatives.

NC: So apart from everything being fresh and homemade, did you guys have any more thought processes behind the menu?

AM: Delicious. That’s what we were going for.

NC: Do you have any personal philosophies regarding customer service or satisfaction? Because the service is phenomenal.

AM: I think we just care. I think that’s a huge thing, and we try to convey that through the rest of the staff. If I’m not here or Damien’s not here, it still needs to be the same consistency. All the girls are amazing — with-out being prompted they’ll come up to customers to see if everything is OK, if they need anything, and I think that comes down to that homey kind of vibe.

GRAZE AT THE GOAT NADIRA CHAND

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NC: For sure. I love the fact that you can stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner — it’s a little bit of everything. Students use this place for study-ing or meetings. Were you hoping that this would become that kind of staple in the community?

AM: Yeah, we’re hoping to accommodate all of the locals. Obviously there’s this huge amount of students at Centennial, a lot of stroller moms — that’s why we made sure there’s a lot of clearance. Because we’ll get like three or four strollers in here at a time, you have to make sure you can park them somewhere. The door swings both ways. I don’t know if you saw the two little munchkins that were here. We have twin girls and I have the huge double stroller and it’s a pain in the butt to get it in and out, so we put a lot of thought into the door.

NC: We also love the “GRAZE” sign that you have on the wall. Is there a meaning behind this?

AM: Yes! We want our customers to come in here and, you know, graze and eat a little bit of this, [a] little bit of that. Right now, or hopefully towards the summer, we will be expanding our grazing menu. It’s funny, we’ve had people come in and say, “I drove past and I saw your sign, so I turned around because I had to see what the heck was in there.”

NC: There are also a lot of little homey touches, like the table, and the sign and the lights. They’re very unique and you don’t really see it in a typical restaurant or anywhere else.

AM: All of the wood in here is actually from the Distillery. It’s from the 1800s. It used to house the whisky barrels. So Damien, my cute little barista there, he’s actually a carpenter by trade, so he milled it and he built it all. The bench you’re sitting on, all of the counters, the huge wooden table … the tin — that’s the original tin from the ceiling here. We peeled off like four layers of drywall and it was underneath, horribly painted over, so we had it all sprayed. And the brick wall, there was like three layers of drywall over it. It looked horrendous; we had it all sand-blasted and exposed.

NC: So it’s almost back down to its natural state.

AM: Yes, we really wanted to maintain as much of the natural, old integ-rity and the character of it as we could. And we wanted to keep with the vintage of the building; it’s from the early 1900s. So everything we did, like the Edison bulbs, we just wanted to keep that vibe going.

The Goat has been exceptionally well-received by locals in the area, students at Centennial and the editorial staff at the magazine. We would like to thank Anna and Damien for the interview and for all of the coffee and sandwiches!

“Delicious. That’s what we were going for.”

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The Danforth, known for its unique and tasty fare, offers a variety of cul-tural eats all on one street. Here is your complete dining guide, covering numerous restaurants to try on the Danforth.

ALLEN’S 143 Danforth Ave.

The welcoming atmosphere at this Irish pub will have you feeling right at home. At Allen’s the food is cooked fresh, and they offer the finest options with portions that will keep you satisfied. This is a great place to come on a date or just to treat yourself to a well-cooked meal.

PANTHEON RESTAURANT407 Danforth Ave.

Be prepared to immerse yourself in Greek culture the moment you walk through the door. At Pantheon you’re given many different courses throughout your meal, even before the main course arrives — all part of

the Greek tradition. Make sure to ask for the saganaki (flaming cheese) to partake in its exciting custom. The cuisine here is authentic, and their generous portions will have even the hungriest eater full by the end of the meal. Pantheon is definitely a treat for a night out on the Danforth.

BURGER STOMPER GOURMET BURGER & MILKSHAKE BAR 364 Danforth Ave.

Burger Stomper offers homemade burgers with the choice of a glu-ten-free bun. Pair your burger with fries and a milkshake for what we’d consider the best meal ever! Each gourmet burger comes with the choice of a variety of delicious toppings. A fan of Nutella? Then make sure to try their Nutella milkshake. Burger Stomper is the perfect place for a quick meal or for a night out, and it will definitely have you craving more.

IL FORNELLO576 Danforth Ave.

DINING ON THE DANFORTHDELICIOUS RESTAURANTS THAT WILL KEEP YOU COMING BACK FOR MORE.

SARAH ZOSCHKE

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Il Fornello combines great Italian cuisine with a stunningly romantic atmosphere. Enjoy delicious pasta dishes with tasty bread to start. You can also look forward to pairing a fantastic glass of wine with your meal. This restaurant has the perfect atmosphere for those going on a romantic date night.

KATSU SUSHI 572 Danforth Ave.

Katsu Sushi, an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant, has great service and tasty options. Come by for lunch or dinner and enjoy an amazing sushi feast. This restaurant offers delicious beef teriyaki and their sushi is made promptly. Their speedy service allows you to order more as you receive your food. Katsu’s menu has affordable options for everyone and is a

great option for those in a time crunch.

MESSINI AUTHENTIC GYRO445 Danforth Ave.

Messini is great place to find affordable Greek cuisine. Try their tradition-al gyro and we promise you’ll be coming back for more. There are plenty of delicious menu options; our favourite is the Greek fries. Choose to dine in or take out and enjoy Messini’s delicious fare.

Their quick service and affordable prices make this a great place for those in a hurry or on a budget.

BITE ME GRILL730 Danforth Ave.

For some amazing breakfast and dinner options, stop by Bite Me Grill. This restaurant is set up like an old-school dinner and has a perfect view of the Danforth. Be sure to come for breakfast — their heaping portions will keep you full for the rest of the day. Their menu is very affordable and the Grill is easily accessible, located near Pape Station. It’s also a great place for those looking for a quick bite.

PULP KITCHEN565 Danforth Ave.

With summer in full swing, healthy foods containing fruits and vegetables are on our minds. We suggest trying out Pulp Kitchen, with their wraps are prepared fresh daily and their food made right in front of you. Their drinks are healthy and full of fresh fruits that will have you in love at first sip. Prices here are very reasonable and affordable for those on a budget. Pulp Kitchen is a friendly place that reinvents the term “fast food.”

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MR. GREEK526 Danforth Ave.

For those looking for a quick meal or some traditional Greek food, you’ve come to the right place. The staff at Mr. Greek are very friendly and the food choices are numerous. Prices here are reasonable and you get a lot for what you pay for. Mr. Greek is a great place to pop by for

lunch or to bring the whole family.

ATHENA BAKERY598 Danforth Ave.

Athena Bakery is a great place not only for sweet treats, but also for freshly baked lunches, like spanakopita. Their menu is affordable and their staff is happy and helpful, which makes this the perfect place to please any sweet tooth.

PIZZERIA LIBRETTO550 Danforth Ave.

The customer service at Pizzeria Libretto is outstanding, and so is the at-mosphere and, most importantly, the food. The menu is so class it’s kind of daunting, consisting of fancy Italian appetizers and main course 10-inch pizza pies. We recommend the margherita pizza, a delicious take on a classic. The pizza is cooked to fire-roasted, thin-crust perfection, with patches of delectable mozzarella and basil. The decor here is charming, woodsy and effortlessly chic. A highly recommended Danforth spot.

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GET YOURDRINK ONBLUE HAWAIIAN

1 cup (250 ml) pineapple juice2 oz (60 ml) blue curaçao2 oz (60 ml) coconut rum1 oz (30 ml) sweet and sour mix1 fresh chopped pineapple wedge2 fresh maraschino cherries

Combine pineapple juice, blue curaçao, coconut rum, and sweet and sour mix into a margarita glass. Garnish with chopped pineapple and maraschino cherries. Serve and enjoy.

OASIS

6-7 blueberries1½ oz (45 ml) silver tequila¾ oz (22 ml) lemon juice½ oz (15 ml) simple syrup¼ cup (60 ml) iceSplash of club soda1 fresh lemon wedge

Muddle blueberries in the bottom of the glass. Add tequila, lemon juice and simple syrup. Stir well. Top with ice and let sit until some of the mixture has melted. Top with a splash of club soda and garnish with lemon wedge. Serve and enjoy.

JENNY WILSON

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SEA MIST

1 oz (30 ml) coconut rum1 oz (30 ml) triple sec1 oz (30 ml) pineapple juiceSplash of blue curaçao1 fresh chopped pineapple wedge

Combine coconut rum, triple sec, pineapple juice and a splash of blue curaçao. Mix together and garnish with pineapple. Serve and enjoy.

PURPLE RAIN

1 ½ oz (45 ml) vodka1 ½ oz (45 ml) blue curaçao4 oz (125 ml) cranberry juice1 fresh lime wedge

Combine vodka, blue curaçao and cranberry juice. Stir and garnish with lime wedge. Serve and enjoy.

BOB MARLEY

1 cup (250 ml) strawberry daiquiri mix4 oz (125 ml) light rum2 cups (500 ml) ice¾ cup (150 ml) chopped fresh mango3 oz (85 g) sweet and sour mix1 oz (30 ml) blue curaçao

We’ll start with the red portion of the drink first. Combine strawberry daiquiri mix, 2 oz rum and 1 cup ice in a blender. Blend and pour into the bottom of your glass.

Now for the yellow layer. Combine 2 oz rum, chopped mango, sweet and sour mix, and 1 cup ice in a blender. Blend and pour half the mixture on top of the red layer, pouring slowly to ensure layers don’t mix. Pour blue curaçao into the remaining yellow mixture in the blender and blend to create the green portion of the drink. Pour on top of the yellow portion in the glass. Serve and enjoy.

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JENNY WILSON

t’s summer and it’s hot. It’s stick-to-the-chair, heat-ris-ing-from-the-pavement, 35-degree, instant-sunburn kind of hot. The kids are restless, and they grew tired of the garden hose a long time ago. They need a little boost and

so do you. It’s time to satisfy that sweet tooth. Head down to Maple Leaf Dairy at 2861 Danforth Ave. for a touch of nostalgia and some amazing ice cream. With over 40 flavours in stock at any one time there’s lots of selection, which makes it difficult to choose. Don’t worry — the scoops are cheap at $2.25 for a child scoop and $3 for a single scoop, so you can get more than one! Don’t be fooled by the names of the scoops, though; a child scoop is the whopping size of a tennis ball, and the single scoop is the size of a soft-

ball. Get here in the summer months, because once the season is over Maple Leaf Dairy closes its doors for winter. Luckily you can still find amazing ice cream next door at the St. Clair Ice Cream Factory in tubs year round, but Maple Leaf Dairy is a Danforth must for hot days and summer nights. If Maple Leaf is too far out of your way, visit Carter’s Ice Cream at Woodmount and Danforth Avenues, just a block west of Woodbine Avenue. Walking into Carter’s is like walking into the happiest and most colourful daycare you can imagine. The white, green and pink colour scheme is splashed across

the store, and the walls act as an easel for tons of children’s drawings. Carter’s sources its ice cream locally from Kawartha Dairy and offers generous scoops. There are about 20 differ-ent flavours, including most of the traditional favourites. They even have homemade ice cream cakes in-store and offer an ice cream catering service. Head here for your next birthday cake or milkshake craving. If ice cream isn’t your thing, or if you’re lactose intolerant, head down to Sugar Mountain at 582 Danforth Ave. You may need your sunglasses when you walk in. The bright, colourful walls and decorations are a blast from the past, and every candy imaginable is on display. They sell both bulk and domestic candy here, and the bulk allows you to mix and

match for the same price! They even have options for diabetics. If candy is your thing, then Sugar Mountain is your place on the Danforth. Looking for something a little more Greek? Hit up Athena Bakery at 598 Danforth Ave. This bakery has been open just under 15 years and is run by roughly six staff members. The huge selection of Greek delicacies, pastries and desserts are made fresh, on-site daily. To satisfy your sweet tooth, try the baklava or the cream horn. Athena has one of the biggest selec-tions for Greek pastries on the Danforth — so don’t miss out!

SweetSatiSfying your Sweet tooth on the Danforth.

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Veggi e Delights:A Gu i de to th e Best Vegetarian Food on th e Dan forth.

Cheese. As a vegetarian, the only thing I expected to be able to eat on the Danforth was cheese. Even if it’s flaming and accompanied by a loud “Opa!” I wanted more variety — and nutrition. Determined to find qual-ity vegetarian food beyond coagulated milk, I set out to discover the best restaurants for vegetarians on the Danforth, and I didn’t need to travel far to find a delicious vegetarian meal. Local Danforth restaurants serve diverse vegetarian cuisine — and they even cater to vegan and gluten-free diets. Each veg-friendly eat-ery has its own specialties and insider tips. With dietary restrictions and healthy eating on the rise, vegetarian restaurants are no longer just for vegetarians, and these restaurants prove it.

THE BIG CARROT 348 Danforth Ave. The Big Carrot, Toronto’s first certified organic health food store, has an amazing vegetarian deli. The selection of fresh food available at The Big Carrot has grown tremendously since its most recent renova-tion. The vegetarian deli now offers 50 organic vegetarian dishes, baked goods and desserts prepared in-house every day.

The menu changes daily but always includes a mix of hot and cold starches, vegetables, soy-based meat alternatives, fresh salads, soups and quiche. The wide variety is what sets this eatery apart from others. You can choose a filling, high-protein meal, like the vegetarian butter “chicken” (surprisingly tender and tasty), or something light and fresh but big on flavour, like the beet salad. Customers can also decide to fill their plates with one dish, or mix and match to sample many dishes. “It’s amazing to see the combina-tions that people create for themselves,” says Sarah Dobec, The Big Car-rot’s public relations and education outreach coordinator. The most pop-ular dishes include the pad Thai, potato leek soup and Cobb salad topped with “facon” (tempeh bacon), says Dobec, but her favourites are the fla-vourful curries.

Though the food isn’t necessarily cheap, there are many rea-sons to feel good about shopping at The Big Carrot. With food standards that prioritize local, organic, GMO-free and sustainable, fair trade prod-ucts, you can be certain your purchases are socially responsible as well as healthy. “We do a lot of research with our nutritionist on staff to make sure we have the answers,” says Dobec, “and the right answers too, because there’s a lot of misinformation about health out there.” The Big Carrot is also committed to contributing to the neigh-bourhood, donating 10 per cent of its annual profits back to the commu-nity. “The store is very successful so there’s actually quite a bit of money to give back,” says Dobec. “We’re really proud of that.”

JEAN’S VEGETARIAN KITCHEN1262 Danforth Ave. The exclusively vegetarian menu offered at Jean’s Vegetarian Kitchen focuses on delicious, healthy, organic Thai cuisine. The mango sal-ad is light and fresh, finished with cashew nuts and shredded coconut. Cus-tomer favourites include the tom yum soup, pad Thai and curries, available with mock chicken, shrimp or duck made from soy and whey protein. The food is colourful, aromatic and flavourful; service is fast and friendly; and prices are reasonable. The original owners, Jean and Harry Seow, opened Jean’s Veg-etarian Kitchen after closing their other (non-vegetarian) Thai restaurant nearby. “A lot of people kept asking for vegetarian dishes,” says Ernest Wong, current chef and owner. They saw there was demand for vegetarian food in the area and decided to fill that need.

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STRICTLY BULKThe Bulk Food Emporium

“BECAUSE YOU DON’T EAT PACKAGING”

638 Danforth Ave416-466-6849

924 Bloor St. W416-533-3242

2389 Bloor St. W416-766-3319

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32 O N T H E D A N F O R T H . C A

Wong worked for the Seows years earlier, but had since opened his own restaurant in Barbados. After moving back to Toronto last Septem-ber, Wong ran into the couple, who were looking to retire. Wong decided to take over the restaurant but stayed true to Jean’s original menu, which had already built a loyal fan base.

Since changing ownership, the restaurant continues to thrive. Wong enthusiastically describes why he thinks the restaurant has become popular. “Here [our menu] is only vegetarian,” he says, “so vegetarians can be confident in their food.” With healthy eating becoming increasingly trendy and vegetarianism on the rise, vegetarians come and bring their friends. But ultimately they return for the quality, tasty fare. Customers can count on delicious, healthy and purely vegetarian meals. “As a chef, I really like that the people enjoy the food here — that’s the main thing,” says Wong.

MAGIC OVEN798 Danforth Ave.

Magic Oven is a pizza and pasta place for people who can’t eat pizza and pasta. Using ingredients like spelt, gluten-free rice flour, and vegan and lactose-free cheese, Magic Oven “can serve pretty much any common dietary restriction — vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, lactose-free, paleo or carnivorous,” says founder Tony Sabherwal. Magic Oven has seven locations across Toronto, but its first location was on the Danforth, where Sabherwal and his wife settled after emigrating from India. “Nothing artificial” is how Sabherwal defines Magic Oven’s mis-sion: “No room for artificial colours, additives or ingredients in our food. No room for insincere service.” The same mantra describes the restau-rant’s relationship with the neighbourhood. Magic Oven gives back to the community by supporting local schools and youth programs, participating in local events and donating products, services and money to charitable causes. The award-winning restaurant is known not only for its fresh, local and organic ingredients, but also for its delicious and creative menu. Don’t be afraid to try the wholegrain, organic spelt or gluten-free crusts; they make the thin crust even crispier. Popular menu items also include the cauliflower lasagna, kale-hummus wrap and Rainforest Magic pizza, topped with tomato, spinach, caramelized onions, figs and mozzarella.

With floor-to-ceiling windows and a zen atmosphere, Magic Oven is perfect for a sit-down meal, although it does offer take-out, pizza by the slice, online ordering, and event hosting and catering. The restau-rant is fully licensed and has a party menu including a variety of appe-tizers, mains and desserts, making it the perfect place to go with a large group.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

There is plenty of great vegetarian food to celebrate in our own backyard — you just need to know where to look. No matter your taste or dining preference, there is something for every vegetarian on the Dan-forth — even if it does happen to come with cheese.

The Big Carrot

Jean’s Vegetarian Kitchen

Magic Oven

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33O N T H E D A N F O R T H . C A

The Second City Training Centre’s modest, black awning doesn’t make much of a statement against the bland

brown brick building on the corner of Peter Street and King Street West, but behind the plain glass door and down the pale tile stairs, skill and humour flourish. At The Second City Training Centre in downtown Toronto, handfuls of budding comedy writers study language, structure and form in the hopes that one day they too may be funny. But what does it take to become a comedic writer?

I thought I’d ask Adam Cawley, writer, performer and co-creator of the hit series Guidance. An unstoppable force in the Canadian comedy scene, Cawley is a graduate of The Second City’s Improv and Conservatory programs. He’s also one of the brilliant minds instructing fledgling writers at The Second City. I open with a joke about Cawley’s 2006 appearance on MuchMusic’s edgy, comedic critique of pop culture, Video on Trial. Since then, Cawley has watched one of his own TV co-creations on screen and has pitched two more concepts to some of the largest Canadian networks in the industry. This is, of course, on top of performing in the local improv troupe MANTOWN and teaching several writing classes at The Second City Training Centre.

But every shooting star has to start somewhere. “I think I knew early on that I wanted to be an actor or performer. Then I kinda went back and forth with what that meant,” explains Cawley, thinking back on his younger years. “I remember doing impressions of different teachers and my family very early on. Then, when [Disney’s] Aladdin came around I was like, ‘Oh man, the Genie. That’s what I wanna be!’”

Growing up in Pickering, Ontario, Cawley kept his passion for performance alive by participating in the Canadian Improv Games, an annual nationwide theatre festival that brings high school students of all skill levels together to compete in improvisation games. On average, over 300 teams compete in the festival, the top 25 of which compete in the finals in Ottawa. Five teams then face off in the championship. Cawley never made it to the final five. “But we made it to Ottawa both years I played,” he adds.

Cawley’s passion for improvised comedy convinced him to enrol in the Comedy: Writing and Performance program at Humber College in 2002. One improv class per week with 25 other students wasn’t exactly the ideal environment for Cawley’s strong and sincere desire to perform comedy. He needed more. Fellow classmates at Humber introduced Cawley to The Second City. He quickly fell in love with the school and its history, deciding that this was where he would turn his passion for improv into a career. He enrolled in two improvisation classes per week while maintaining study at Humber College. “If I was going to get good enough to be at Second City, I had to start doing it all the time,” says Cawley. “I was just kind of triple-timing it just to get as much improv in me as I could.” Add one part unfaltering ambition to one part unwavering commitment to the craft, and you’ve got Adam Cawley. “A lot of it is just learning what’s possible and then being like, ‘Ok, let’s try being awesome at that thing,’” he says. Second City alumni, co-creator of Guidance and long-time friend Robert (Rob) Baker had only sweet things to say about Cawley. “Our whole journey at Second City was together,” Rob remembers. “He does not stop. He’s going all the time, and I think all of us could learn from that.”

HOW TO BE FUNNY ACCORDING TO ADAM CAWLEY

Kayla SippelCOMEDY 101

“I think writer’s block is just fear: you’re scared that

your idea isn’t good enough or that your writing isn’t going to be worth anything.”

KAYLA SIPPEL

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In addition to regular live performances, Cawley has appeared in seven TV series including Warehouse 13 and Spun Out; voiced characters in animated children’s shows like Beyblade and Looped; and written, performed in and produced BiteTV’s Guidance. Guidance, a series chronicling the misadventures of three inept guidance counsellors, is the brainchild of comedic stars Rob Baker, Pat Smith, Jared Sales and Adam Cawley. Originally pitched to BiteTV as a web series, the show was so popular that Bite insisted they repackage the show for not one, but two full TV seasons.

According to Cawley, it was his training in improv that helped him write the majority of the episodes. “If we had the bare bones of a scene, [Rob Baker] and I would often improvise it and go back and forth taking on a character each,” he explains.

Rob Baker appreciates writing in groups as well. “I need people because people are who make me funny and bring me joy,” Rob admits. “[Cawley and I] both like working together because we get a lot done,

we do it efficiently and the end product is really good.” Not even writer’s block can shake Cawley’s confidence. “Writer’s block doesn’t exist,” Cawley tells me confidently. “I think writer’s block is just fear: you’re scared that your idea isn’t good enough or that your writing isn’t going to be worth anything.”

Like muscles in the body, writing is a skill that must be used regularly in order to work well. Cawley recommends free writing as a way to combat that paralyzing writer’s block. To free write, simply start writing for 15 minutes about anything that comes to your mind — as long as you write steadily for the full 15 minutes, anything is acceptable.

“If you get nothing else out of [free writing], you’ve got the habit that you can just start writing anytime,” suggests Cawley Understanding that the creative arts industry in Canada can be very tough to find success in, Cawley offers one more piece of

advice. “Find people who want to do it as bad as you do,” he says. “They are a great support to have and a great motivation.” As a veteran comedian with more than a decade of experience and the recipient of three Canadian Comedy Awards, Cawley possesses a wealth of advice and support for beginning comedians. His generosity is as constant as the smile on his face, and I can tell that, if nothing else, Cawley is happy to be sharing his craft with another hopeful comedienne-to-be.

“What’s it like to be so sick-wicked awesome?” I ask in as innocent a voice as I can muster. He laughs at this, and I find a satisfied grin growing on my face too. Then, with that natural humility that so many find admirable, he answers, “I like it.”

THINK YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH? The Second City Training Centre in Toronto offers a variety of

courses all year long.

CLASS: Improve Level A

AUDITION REQUIRED? No

DESCRIPTION: Be introduced to the fundamentals of improv as well as scene basics, location work and emotions.

CLASS: Writing 1

AUDITION REQUIRED? No

DESCRIPTION: Learn to brainstorm ideas, create environment, write dialogue, work with story, write for the stage and more — essential for

writing comic scenes in Second City tradition.

CLASS: Conservatory 1

AUDITION REQUIRED? Yes

DESCRIPTION: Use your improv and writing skills together to create and perform in a Second City mainstage show. This class focuses on: ensemble improvisation.

Photos by Nikki Turner.

Kari Allen, B. Hum, LL.B. Barrister, Solicitor and Notary Public 286A Danforth Avenue Toronto, ON M4K 1N6

� Real Estate � Family Law � Wills and Estates

Call 416-461-7531 for a free consultation www.allen-law.ca

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35O N T H E D A N F O R T H . C A

FOR A BRIGHTER FUTUREThe challenging yet rewarding journey of the international student.SHEIMA BENEMBAREK

As a recent Canadian permanent resident, I approached the topic of immi-gration with my own heavy baggage: my exhaustion with almost 10 years of visa applications, constantly constricted travel plans, nostalgic feelings and confusion over whether what I have gained in Canada justifies what I have left behind in Morocco. Writing this article has become a means of understanding my own mixed identity and making peace with my past and the process of immigration. Immigration involves leaving one’s country of citizenship to re-side permanently in another country for any number of reasons. As de-veloping countries continue declining in political and economic stability, there is a noticeable increase in the number of international students in Canada. In 2014 alone, almost 31,000 international students came to Can-ada with the hope of building lives here and taking advantage of opportu-nities that simply do not exist back home. The Canadian International Student Program identifies interna-tional students as one of the most valuable categories of immigrants. With the Canadian Experience Class, Quebec Experience Class and Provincial Nomination Program as potential immigration avenues for international students who complete a minimum of two-year post-graduate studies, Canadian policy actively seeks to retain young immigrants. Moulding these minds through Canadian studies helps to integrate them into the country, both socially and economically.

Note to self: Stay alive, you’re on your way to take a giant leap towards change.

The biggest sacrifice immigrants make is not physical or quanti-fiable. Precious experiences with loved ones are left behind — a sentimen-tal truth quietly held in the heart and mind of every immigrant. Alexandra Betancourt-Gil, former international student at Concordia University and recent Canadian citizen originally from Venezuela, tells how she watched this loss of time appear on her parents’ aging faces: “I’ve noticed every new wrinkle or freckle, each change in them. And to me it was just…I just missed so much.”

Alexandra Betancourt-Gil

Photos by Nikki Turner.

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Betancourt-Gil’s first year in Canada was a difficult transition. It was hard to get accustomed to the cold winters, the independent nature of the country and the linguistic differences. She was miserable, but she used the same empowering phrase her parents had used when they let her go: “Everything is fine,” she told herself.

Fortunately, time has a way of helping the immigrant adapt, find a routine and eventually feel as though this reality is all that they have ever known. Betancourt-Gil explains that after 10 years in Canada she feels like a tourist when she visits Venezuela. She has become accustomed to the Canadian lifestyle. “I don’t have to go through the hassle of removing my jewelry or watching out for my bag,” she says, things she claims Canadians take for granted. She now finally understands, and is grateful for, what she has gained. Moving to another country at a young age and leaving behind all the comforts of cultural and social familiarity is a difficult decision. In addition to government institutions that are set up to aid immigrants with integration, universities and colleges also invest in international student support. As Centennial College international student adviser Jennifer Ca-bell explains, one of her roles is to aid these students in finding success academically, but she also helps them feel confident calling Canada their home. According to Cabell, Centennial provides a comprehensive sup-port system comprised of counsellors who are always ready and willing to help manage culture shock, depression and other mental health issues. Although it’s common to experience culture shock, it often goes unno-ticed because “it is not easy for a student to acknowledge that this is taking place,” says Cabell.

Do not throw in the towel. People would kill to be in your place.

International student advisers also have their limitations. In some extreme cases, counsellors can only observe and find better ways to assist in the future. Cabell insists on reminding international students to ask for help. “No question is a stupid question. Understand and find out about all the services your school offers,” she says. Cabell reassures that in her experience, the number of students that receive their Post-Graduation Work Permits far exceeds the number that do not. Anuraag Seshadri, a current Centennial College international student, left India for the first time in August 2014 for Canada to pursue his post-graduate studies. The night before his flight, he sat down at his desk in what had been his home for the past 20 years, and wrote himself a letter to refer to in times of difficulty. It begins with, “Note to self: Stay alive, you’re on your way to take a giant leap towards change.”

Seshadri has been living happily in Toronto for the past nine months and plans to apply for permanent residency. Although he has not had to refer to his letter yet, a list he created for himself remains in his

journal just in case. As he pushes through the culture clash, the wonderful new experiences, confusing systems and growth opportunities, this list reminds him to always:

1. Find happiness in little things. 2. Do not fret and fume.3. Take chances and learn from mistakes. 4. Explore new places and experiences. 5. Spend wisely. 6. Stay in touch with family and friends. 7. Live healthy.8. Cry and move on. 9. When you think things are tough, remember how tough they were a year ago.

Seshadri shares his journal with me, and a sentiment on the last few pages stands out: “Do not throw in the towel. People would kill to be in your place.” This notion of having a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity generates both pressure and drive for Seshadri. The choice to immigrate is an absurdly heartbreaking dilemma: leave your country, your culture, your home, your friends, your family and your future for a chance at a better life. Whether political, social or eco-nomic reasons propel them, international students leave their lives behind to be moulded into adults, assimilating into a new reality. The immigrating international student is tested over and over, emerging as the definition of courage. Seshadri embodies this courage as he thoughtfully ends his letter to himself: “Even if you come back home, you will come back a wiser man and a stronger human being. Live well.” In a world filled with economic, political and social strife, it is a blessing to find a welcoming country that opens its doors to members of other countries. Betancourt-Gil suggests that new international students “be open and take in this experience,” despite the difficulty of leaving ev-erything behind. Remain determined and you just might live the Canadian dream.

”“Anuraag Seshadri

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LET THEGAMESBEGIN

REBECCA BROWN

The Games are coming! This summer, Toronto will host the Pan Am Games, the world’s third largest international multi-sport games. Draw-ing a wealth of attention to the city, the Games will serve as a source of excitement and buzz throughout the summer; however, their true mean-ing will come from the lasting impact they’ll have on Toronto and its sur-rounding communities for years to come. The Pan American/Parapan American Games, a summer sport competition for athletes and para-athletes from the Americas, occurs ev-ery four years in the year prior to the Olympic Summer Games. Fulvio Martinez, communications and media relations coordinator for the Pan Am Games, sums up the scale of this event nicely. “The Games will be one of the biggest events Toronto has ever hosted,” he says. “Approximately 7,600 athletes from 41 nations in the Americas will put their years of intense training, persever-ance and sacrifice to the test in a world-class competition in 36 Pan Am sports and 15 Parapan Am sports at the Toronto 2015 Games.” Running from July 10 to 26, with the Parapan Am Games from August 7 to 15, the Games will spread across 16 municipalities in southern Ontario and take place in over 30 venues. As the Games draw nearer, the excitement is growing. Andrew Weir, vice president of communications for Tourism Toronto, acknowl-edges that the local community is starting to catch on to the spirit of the Games. “People are starting to recognize the size of the event, the scale

of the event and the opportunity of the event,” he says. In terms of the type of crowd the Games will draw, Weir predicts a combination of locals, tourists and amateur athletes will be in attendance. “This is a chance to see some of the absolute elite, best athletes in the world in their sport. It’s a chance of a lifetime,” he says. With the Games set to run over three and a half weeks, combined with the surrounding celebrations, Weir believes the Games will be at the forefront of our attention for the entire summer. The scale of this event makes it impossible to ignore its eco-nomic, social and sport legacies. “Ontario expects to receive approxi-

mately 250,000 additional visitors [this] summer, which is in addition to the number of visitors Toronto already gets during a normal summer,” Marti-nez says, highlighting the enormity of the event. The crowds, the new devel-opments and the attention drawn to Toronto and its surrounding areas all contribute to the significance of the 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. The Games will have a huge

economic impact throughout the region. “The Province of Ontario es-timates the Games will create 26,000 jobs and grow the province’s real GDP by $3.7 billion from 2009 to 2017,” says Martinez. With the anticipa-tion of growth in additional visitors this summer, the tourism market will benefit as well. Weir describes how travellers from Brazil and Mexico, two important growth tourism markets, will be “seeing Toronto at its diverse, sizzling, vibrant best during the Games.” Images from both tourists and journalists will be sent back to these markets, providing a great opportu-nity to highlight Toronto as a future tourist destination.

How Ontario’s 2015 Pan Am Games hold more than just Entertainment Value.

“Ontario expects to receive approximately 250,000 additional visitors [this] summer, which is in ADDITION to the number of visitors

Toronto already gets during a normal summer.”

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For Torontonians, the new infrastructure will also benefit the neighbourhoods that surround them. The Athletes’ Village is being built in the West Don Lands area to serve as a home for athletes and coaches during the Games; however, these units will also be available as residential and retail spaces upon completion of the Games. Nicole Martin, neigh-bour of the Athletes’ Village, describes how the area around her building has increasingly developed with condos and retail shops as a result of the Village. “It’s definitely going to help in terms of property value for us,” Martin notes, describing how the development has already brought in a lot of new business to her area. It’s definitely hard to ignore all the new developments cropping up around southern Ontario, and the opportunity for economic growth will be substantial. The Games will also have an important social impact on the citizens and communities in which they occur. The fact that the Games span across such a wide region, including venues in Welland, Hamilton and Markham, provides an opportunity for greater exposure for a variety of locations outside Toronto. “We’re excited about the opportunity for people to experience different parts of the des-tination,” Weir says. “I think it’s a great opportunity both for visitors and for tourism businesses to benefit from the wide region [and] the larger footprint to the Games.” The venues and facilities that are developing will also impact these communities for years to come. “These venues will serve

the communities where they’re located. Community use and sport legacy is baked into their design. It’s not an afterthought,” says Martinez, stress-ing this social relevance. Before the Games begin, Martinez points out that over 45 sports competitions are already taking place in Pan Am ven-ues. Martinez describes the social impact of the Games as huge: “23,000 trained volunteers who are engaged in making their communities better places to live and work; youth who have amazing leadership opportunities; and closer knit, more inclusive communities that are happier

and healthier.” Martin, one of these com-munity residents, describes how the Athletes’ Village development has bettered her neighbourhood. “It was definitely a bit of a rougher area before, and I think this attention to the Athletes’ Village and the Pan Am Games has definitely added a sense of

class and sophistication, and a safety level that didn’t exist [here] necessar-ily before,” she says. Altogether, 10 new sport venues have been built and 15 exist-ing facilities have been upgraded, with the majority of these having been completed in fall 2014. “They’re a dream come true for Canada’s best summer athletes who will finally have access to world-class venues that operate year-round on home soil,” Martinez says. To note, the Etobicoke Olympium has been renovated to include an Olympic-sized swimming

“These venues will serve the COMMUNITIES where they’re

located. Community use and spor t legacy is baked into their design.

It’s not an AFTERTHOUGHT.”

Photo “Archery W

orld Cup” is copyright (c) 2012 R

ick Bolin made available under a A

ttribution-Noncom

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cial-Share Alike License.

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39O N T H E D A N F O R T H . C A

pool, and the Toronto Pan Am Sport Centre has been dubbed “the single largest investment ever made in amateur sport development in Canada.” Weir describes the long-term benefit of developing and improving upon these sports venues. “[As] some of the new venues are built, it enables us to bid on future major sporting events that we couldn’t have bid on before because we just didn’t have the venues and we couldn’t meet the requirements of the international sport federations,” he says. As the Pan Am Games require these venues to be built to the highest international standards, Weir says this has put Toronto “in a position to elevate the whole

sport tourism business and [to] bid on events that we never could have bid on before.” Increasing our presence in the sport tourism market, already a $3.6-billion a year industry in Canada, can only grow from the infrastruc-ture created for the Pan Am Games.

Kicking off on July 10, 2015, the Games are sure to be an unri-valled experience. With many of the sports also appearing in the Olympic Games, it is anticipated that the majority of the Pan Am sports and all of the Parapan Am sports will serve as Olympic qualifiers for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. “You don’t always have [the] chance to see some of the elite athletes or some of the elite para-athletes compete so close to home,” says Weir, highlighting the uniqueness of this event. The opportunity to come out and support the Games as well as the opportunities that will arise as a result of the Games for years to come are undeniable. Under-standing the benefits to Toronto and its surrounding communities is cru-cial to truly appreciating the Games for all they are. Now, let the Games begin!

Join us at our Danforth location!

409 Danforth Ave(@ Chester)WWW.THE10SPOT.COM

or call 647-349-1600

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“You don’t ALWAYS have [the] chance to see some of the elite

athletes or some of the elite para-athletes COMPETE so close

to home.”

Photo “Archery W

orld Cup” is copyright (c) 2012 R

ick Bolin made available under a A

ttribution-Noncom

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Feast in the East 39July 5, 2015A food, music and art series held on the first Saturday of every month. Each month features a different array of food, music and art. Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition June 12–13, 2015This event is drastically different from the stuffy art exhibitions in galleries. Wander the outdoor exhibits with over 500 artists to feast your eyes on! TD Toronto Jazz Festival June 18–27, 2015 The soothing sounds of jazz brought to you by some of the biggest names in the industry. Performances take place different venues across Toronto, with the heart of the festival at Nathan Phillips Square.

Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) Aug. 21–Sept. 7, 2015 This annual event is a family favourite! The perfect blend of carnival treats, games and rides! The Interna-tional Marketplace also showcases goods and products from across the world. Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Sept. 10–20, 2015 End your summer by attending a film premier with your favourite celebrities. Incredible films are pre-miering all over the city.

Summerlicious July 3–19, 2015 Enjoy tons of great eats across with affordable prix fixe menus at restaurants across Toronto. Several restaurants along the Danforth also participate in the annual event. Toronto 2015

Pan Am/Parapan Am Games

July 10–26, 2015/Aug. 7–15, 2015

Athletes from across the Americas

come together to compete after years

of intense training. Events are hosted

across Toronto.

Krinos Taste of th

e

Danforth

Aug. 7–9, 2015

We’re sure y

ou’re excite

d for

this! Toronto looks fo

rward

to munching on the grea

test

gyros, loukoumades a

nd baklava

in the city.

EVENTS 2015

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Centennial College brings learning to life.

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