Technology: Wrapped in Wicked Wires

Our connected world heavily relies on Internet access, but with the weighty costs of connectivity, Canadians might want to switch out the leather and tighten their belts with an Ethernet cable.

According to studies by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the cost of Canadian Internet access is substantially higher than other developed nations (see sidebar). With the tight data caps imposed by major internet service providers, costs to Canadians are becoming constricting.

Through Bell, for example, data caps range from 2 gigabytes (GB) of downloading for $28.90/month, up to 75 GB for $62.90/month. A standard 25 GB package goes for $38.90/month. Varying download speeds aside, you’re paying roughly $14.45/gig on the bottom and $0.87 on the top end. Read more

The Quality of Sapore by Zafferano

For the discerning tongue of a critical gourmand, quality is a special word. It encompasses an unwavering posture towards high standards, exceptional creations and gastronomic excellence. For restaurateurs, it means never settling on a second-rate product and always delivering the best meal possible, one that exceeds the expectations of guests that crave quality.

“Quality is No. 1,” says local restaurateur Steve De Vittoris, owner of Sapore by Zafferano, Sapore North, Spumante and Zafferano. “We buy only top-quality ingredients for all the food that we make. It’s something that I pride myself on.”

A veteran of the Toronto dining scene, De Vittoris believes that a quality meal begins with ingredients. This means ensuring all his establishments serve, at minimum, AAA-grade meat, Read more

Plastic Money Makes perfect Sense

This November marks a historic first for Canadian currency, as the Bank of Canada (BoC) begins rolling out the latest $100 banknotes, the Polymer Series, acquainting Canadians to plastic money.

If money is power, these polymer banknotes are king. Lasting 2.5 times longer than cotton-based bills, these plastic notes utilize a biaxial-oriented polypropylene substrate developed by Australian manufacturer Securency International.

This innovative substrate, known as Guardian®, has already shown its face in 32 countries since the Reserve Bank of Australia embraced it in 1988, and will denote the first time anything other than paper is fully used for Canadian notes. Read more

Chef Sylvain Clissa’s Back-to-School Sandwich Recipe

Ingredients:
1 rotisserie chicken, about 2 1/4 pounds
3/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4  cup finely chopped celery
2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 thin slices of Panera Bread Country loaf (If you don’t have a Panera Bread Country loaf, try Panera Bread Sourdough Rolls or thinly sliced white whole grain, honey wheat or rye loaf.)
6 leaves romaine lettuce, torn Read more

N’b Tween Kidz

N’b Tween Kidz is a world of luxury for your tween. This stylish shop that’s geared to girls and boys size seven to junior adult, is quickly becoming the next fashion-forward boutique for modern families.

The unique concept of N’b Tween Kidz has proven successful, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents who have trouble getting their kids into stores that feature babyish clothes. The sophisticated décor creates a comfortable and contemporary atmosphere. From crystal chandeliers that illuminate elegant dresses, featuring top lines like Sara Sara, Un Deux Trois, Jessica McClintock and David Charles, to the lavish plum ottoman that provides boys with a relaxing spot to lounge on while choosing their next stylish suit from brands that include Ike Behar, DKNY, Enrico Spago, Michael Kors and Talia. Kids love the freedom of shopping for back-to-school outfits, from trendy fashion houses all Read more

Everlasting ‘I Dos’

In times when true love is considered hard to find, and even more difficult to hold onto, there are couples that inspire the beauty and sanctity of marriage. On July 26, 2011, 30 Villa Colombo residents aged 79 to 101 renewed their wedding vows in front of family and friends in a beautiful display of love and commitment. Read more

Live Green with Bottle Bin

Forty per cent of recycled glass ends up in landfills because mixed or contaminated glass cannot be recycled. In order to decrease waste and protect our planet, it is crucial that 100 per cent of recycled glass is recycled properly. Bottle Bins is a simple yet innovative way to ensure that you are productively recycling. Each bin holds 18 standard spirit or wine bottles, or 48 beers bottles. The bin prevents bottles from breaking and the simple system allows you to sort your bottles by colour to ensure each item does not end up in a landfill. Made of 100 per cent recycled materials, Bottle Bin demonstrates how highly the Beer Store regards environmental initiatives. By making it so convenient, there is no reason to not partake in this green movement. If reducing your environmental footprint isn’t reason enough to recycle, the Beer Store financially compensates those who return bottles with a deposit fund. Read more

People for Good: Be Nice

Canada is known around the world for having some of the nicest people. However, we too can forget to be kind, bogged down by busy schedules and stressful situations. Now there’s a group of Canadians embarking on a social movement – all as a reminder to be friendly.

Who are they you ask? They are you and me, and it’s as easy as flashing a smile to a stranger before you’re hooked on paying it forward with positive deeds. People for Good, an organization diligently thinking up pain-free ways of making someone’s day, is getting fellow Canadians rallied up about creating opportunity to do some good.

Be prepared to witness them pick up paper towels off the floor of public restrooms and offer their seat on the subway. Pass them on the street and they’ll wish you a good afternoon Read more

10 Years Younger with David Clemmer and Skin Vitality

How many times have you heard someone say, ‘I want to look 10 years younger?’ It is a wish that is made by most women, and it has finally been granted. With five successful locations and two decades on the scene, Skin Vitality has been helping clients drop years off their appearance.

“We help you be the best you can at any age,” says Sherline Anderson, a registered nurse and medical consultant at Skin Vitality’s Yorkville location. Going above-and-beyond this promise, Skin Vitality organized a “Look 10 Years Younger” contest. Five lucky winners were awarded makeovers that gave them youthful and show-stopping looks. With $10,000 worth of treatments, the ladies underwent non-invasive procedures, including Fraxel laser skin resurfacing, Skin Tightening, FotoFacial, VelaShape, Read more

Under Rowling’s Spell: The Power of Potter

Love it or hate it, there is no denying the massive worldwide phenomenon that is Harry Potter. It’s more than just a children’s book, it’s an international juggernaut that made J.K. Rowling the first author to earn a billion dollars; one of only five self-made female billionaires in the world. It’s a book series that reintroduced a generation to literature, a collective that shamelessly aligns itself under the “Generation Hex” banner; spawned a mountain of spinoff products, including films, toys, video games and an amusement park attraction at Universal Orlando Resort; and its guaranteed Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. a financial monster every year it released a new Potter film. But how did this first-time author living on government welfare mange to enchant a global audience with the tale of a simple orphan-turned-wizard? Read more

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