Valley Associates Group: Supporting Our Troops

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been the largest threat to our Canadian Forces and have accounted for a large proportion of the deaths of many a brave soldier.  This is often a reality that the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters of the Canadian Armed Forces grapple with every day, and why our support – both at home and afar – is, and will always be, of the utmost importance.

“In any conflict, it’s all about measures versus countermeasures,” explains Michael Martin, president of Valley Associates Group, one of Canada’s largest independently owned provider of equipment to the Canadian military. “There was a certain level of threat when the Canadian Forces went into Afghanistan. They went in with a certain level of protection, and the insurgents – the Taliban – learned how to defeat that level of protection. They upped their game Read more

Backyard Escapes with Andrew Richard Designs

If summertime barbeques and backyard parties are on your menu, don’t just settle for the traditional passé plastic of big box store furniture – add some style and comfort. And where better to liven up your alfresco living space than at Andrew Richard Designs (ARD).

Founded by brothers Andrew and Richard Bockner, the team at ARD feels backyards and patios are extensions of the home and should create the same comfortable feelings as any other room in your dwelling. “It’s about lounging and enjoying it, having the space to do so, letting your mind go, distressing and relaxing. That’s what I believe outdoor living is about,” says Andrew Bockner.

Striving to refurnish dated outdoor memes, Bockner crafts furniture for the modern individual who craves tranquil feelings from their outdoor seating. “The way to go is to get some Read more

In Case of Emergency

As much as we might not like to admit it, disasters happen. And much like the provinces mentioned above, Ontario isn’t immune to perils – need I remind you of the tornado that struck Vaughan in 2009? In response to these recent calamities, John Saunders, the Canadian Red Cross’s provincial director of disaster management for Ontario, provides advice on how to best prepare for Canadian disasters and emergencies.

“What we encourage people to do, first of all, is identify what the greatest risk that they are facing is,” says Saunders, who explains that in Ontario, this includes severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flooding, snow and ice storms. Next, plan to meet in the safest place in your home. If a hurricane, tornado or severe blizzard hits, Saunders notes, “That would usually be as low as you can go, against the strongest wall, and away from any windows.” Read more

App Yourself: Helpful smartphone apps

Since the launch of the iPhone, “app” has become a buzzword all-to-familiar with today’s wired generation. To complement your connected life in the city, we’ve compiled this handy list of essential apps to keep your thumbs busy.

Bump
Kiss those piles of business cards goodbye and say hello to Bump. A quick means of trading information, Bump allows users to swap everything from phone numbers, emails and photos, or even become Facebook friends. Bumpers simply select what info they wish exchanged and gently “bump” phones together. Presto! Information exchanged. This free digital Rolodex also allows free texting between users. Read more

Simon Waterson: International Man of Fitness

Right from the parkour-inspired opening of Casino Royal, it was clear Daniel Craig was a new breed of Bond. Recklessly smashing through walls on a hectic construction site, viciously dragging a bomb maker through an embassy-turned-war-zone, and strutting around bare-chested, showing off his ripped new bod, it was obvious we were seeing a state-of-the-art 007. This brawny, muscle-bound Bond was thanks in part to Craig’s off-screen work ethic, but a nod certainly has to go to the insatiable drive and expert guidance of his personal trainer, Simon Waterson.

A former commando of the British Royal Navy, Waterson’s resolute determination, unrelenting motivation and incorporation of military philosophy into exercise has made him a leading man in Hollywood personal fitness. “That kind of philosophy suits the film business very, very well, because they’re very, very similar,” Read more

Backyard Escapes with Gib-San Pool & Landscape Creations

Have you always wanted to spend your summer days in a lush tropical lagoon instead of an ordinary backyard? This longing need not remain a mere fantasy – you can transform your yard into a sultry oasis with a breathtaking pool as the focal point.

“It’s like having your own waterfront property,” says Ed Gibbs, president of Gib-San Pool & Landscape Creations. The world’s first ISO-certified pool company and a member of the coveted Master Pools Guild, Gib-San is more than just a pool-builder. For over 40 years, it has been designing and creating pristine properties, renovating backyards into little pieces of paradise. “You really have to have designers and architects involved if you want to achieve something more than an average backyard and pool,” he adds. Read more

Life in Our City — Vaughan

Sweet and stylish summer offerings from across the municipality

We LOVE Cappuccino
Warm your heart with the rich blends of Ionia … il Caffè and fall in love with coffee all over again.  www.alfacappuccino.ca

We Scream for Ice Cream
Renowned for its cakes, pastries and breads, St. Phillips Bakery also scoops out soft and creamy ice cream for a refreshing mouthful. www.stphillipsbakery.com

Hitting the Jackpot
Light and breezy, this flowing white top is a soft contrast to the vivid pink of these casual shorts from Jackpot. Read more

Digging In — Frank “Frankie Flowers” Ferragine

Coming home from school one summer, Frank Ferragine realized something very simple yet extraordinarily important about himself. For years, he had his sights firmly planted on becoming a lawyer with dreams of judicial grandeur dancing through his mind. He fast-tracked through university to speed up the process while also gaining acceptance to Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. But something was amiss. Something just didn’t feel right.

Ferragine took the year off to help his parents open their new garden centre in Barrie, Ont., – his hands in the dirt and the fragrance of fresh foliage wafting through his nose. It was during those days that he came to a blunt and obvious conclusion: “I really don’t like paperwork.” In that single moment of existential epiphany, Ferragine’s true passion began to actualize and low-and-behold, his true calling was budding right before his eyes: gardening. Read more

Selling Democracy – Election Again

Here we are again, the fourth election in seven years. Once more, it’s time to batten down the hatches and brace ourselves for the storm of constant campaigning that drowns us in a flood of political rhetoric and opposition bashing. Each candidate is firing on all cylinders, making his or her case to Canadians as to why they’re the ideal individual for the job. They slap us across the face with public appearances, on-air interviews and those notorious campaign ads.

Oh, the campaign ads! We’ve already seen a slew of these political sales pitches that take howitzer-size shots at the competition. You may have sat through the Conservative’s commercial proclaiming Michael Ignatieff  “didn’t come back for you,” or perhaps the Liberal’s deceit-abuse-contempt ad targeting the scandals of Stephen Harper’s administration, or even Jack Layton’s diagnosis on Harper’s “not so great” health-care plan. Read more

UFC: The Face of Things to Come

Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war. The Earth will tremble under the colossal weight of the approaching goliath that is the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The drums of battle will rumble throughout the city streets, as the various factions of modern-day samurai descend upon Toronto to engage in glorious battle. UFC 129 is coming to town, and there’s one thing that’s certain: it’s going to be big.

“I think it will be a benchmark event,” says Joe Ferraro, Rogers Sportsnet’s UFC analyst. Already, the sheer scale of UFC 129 has shattered the previous attendance record of just over 23,000, set at UFC 124 in Montreal, by selling 55,000 tickets and raking in $11 million. These figures will make the crowd at UFC 129 the biggest paid audience to ever witness a mixed martial arts (MMA) event in North America – a benchmark indeed. Read more

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