Gift ideas For Him

Happy Socks
High quality unisex socks made from combed cotton.
www.gsmen.com

Checkmate Alf Ramsey Jacket
Inspired by the classic jacket worn by legendary England manager Sir Alf Ramsey, the Checkmate is one of a series of one-off jackets we’ve designed to add a colourful edge to one of our classic creations.
www.umbro.com

Patagonia Rostrum ‘62 T-Shirt (Medium) – Product Number 5023-469
An organic cotton T-shirt, commemorating the golden days of Yosemite climbing. The front graphic features Warren Harding, climber and inventor of B.A.T. or “Basically Absurd Technology” products, on the first ascent of the North Face of the Rostrum.

• Made from 100% organically grown cotton.
• Front graphic photo by Glen Denny, circa 1962.
• Patagonia Regular Fit.

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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

Fuel, Food and Inflation

Stacey Unsworth, a 36-year-old actor and independent contractor, is squeegeeing the windows of his Dodge Caravan at a gas station on Highway 7 in Vaughan. The cleanliness of his car is something he still has control over; the soaring cost to get from A to B however, seems inexorable these days. What once cost him around $50 for a fill-up is costing him nearly $75 today. “I live in the suburbs and commute, which millions of people do every day. Unfortunately as much as I would like to throw my hands up and start biking, like a lot of Torontonians or people in the GTA, we’re held captive by the oil companies. We have no choice but to drive,” says Unsworth. Though he’s bitter about the spike, Unsworth knows that he’s not the only one suffering from what’s been referred to as ‘pain at the pump.’ “I feel that oil prices are grossly inflated for no real reason at all, but I think that’s the general consensus of a lot of people,” Read more

Acheson’s Gifts & Decorative Accents

The royal wedding may be unfolding across the pond, but Orangeville, Ont. is closer to Britain than you think. You can thank Dianne Acheson for that.

Her eponymous boutique will lavish guests with all-day tea, finger sandwiches and scones as it broadcasts the elaborate nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton in the wee hours of April 29.

Not on the guest list? Watch history unfold at the Orangeville location of Acheson’s Gifts & Decorative Accents as it hosts a royal wedding get-together on April 29, starting at 5 a.m.

The perfect setting for a momentous union, Acheson’s Gifts & Decorative Accents is replete with British-inspired vignettes and Union Jack home décor; seafaring pictures and Read more

motionball: A Golden Movement

When three men are throwing back beers in downtown Toronto, you might not expect to hear them discussing ways to enhance Canada’s Special Olympics. If you walked past the Etherington brothers as they gathered at Bier Market in the fall of 2001, you probably wouldn’t have believed your ears – because that is exactly what they deliberated over drinks that evening.

Shortly thereafter, Mark, Sean and Paul Etherington breathed life into a non-profit organization benefitting Special Olympics Canada. Motionball, designed to integrate supporters and the athletes they support in a social setting, was founded in hopes of getting the ball rolling with the next generation of philanthropists.

This year’s Motionball Toronto gala, named Decadence, celebrated a decade of advocacy and raised $250,000 for Read more

Support for Our Troops

Since 9-11, I went from your average news consumer to a raging news-oholic. I start my day with a little The Huffington Post and The Gazette. Before my night’s end, no one delivers the news better than The National’s Peter Mansbridge. The only cable network news channel that I stay away from is Fox News. I take a glimpse here and there but my forehead becomes exhausted from the eyebrow-raised eye-rolling. It seems to me that mainstream news media rarely allows a glimpse into the humanitarian endeavours of my country’s, or our neighbours to the south’s troops.

Gripping images of war and its residue put such a negative spin on the selfless acts our service men and women are doing overseas. I realize that the most important part of the Canadian mission was to contain and destabilize the Taliban. Even if it is the most important part, there’s more to the story. If we saw the other Read more

Falling Whistles: Democratic Republic of Congo Exposed

Rich orange flames dance across a striking African savannah in the continent’s heart. Serge Kaptegaine is trapped inside a burning house. The doors are locked, windows bolted shut. The only thing he’s certain of is that there is no escape. His fate lies miles away in the hands of the Western world, but no one can hear his cries. He clings to his only hope that someone, somewhere, is calling 911. “This is a small picture or idea that I can give you about the war,” says Kaptegaine of his psychological experience in the resource-rich, conflict-ravished Democratic Republic of Congo. “When I’m talking about fire, I’m talking about realities where you are tortured. I am talking about realities where for days you don’t even think about war, you don’t think about food. The only thing on your mind is ‘how am I going to be tomorrow or the next five minutes?’” Murder, rape and young children being used as human shields are ongoing impunities of a crisis that’s been deemed Africa’s World War. Read more

Naughty or Nice: Gift Guide 2010

Cottonfield
For a modern and handsome look, check out the latest winter-wear from Danish designer, Cottonfield. A classic lambswool pullover covers a cotton plaid shirt, completed with an attractive blazer and a soft wool, acrylic scarf. Have him looking sharp for those brisk winter walks in these traditionally-styled outfits.

Keurig Coffeemaker
Small and stylish, this modern coffeemaker quickly brews your favourite blend in just minutes. Utilizing the patented K-Cup system, you can be sure the perfect amount of any rich and delicious beverage is brewed every time.

Hostess Gift Bag
A hostess gift bag is a thoughtful and personal way Read more

Organ Donation: You Decide Where Your Organs Go

In Ontario, someone on a waiting list for a vital organ dies every 72 hours. A tragic figure, especially when one organ donor can save up to eight lives and enhance up to 75 more. Right now, there are more than 1,500 desperate individuals on waiting lists in Ontario. These are mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, and maybe, you. And guess what? There aren’t nearly enough donors.

When someone requires an organ transplant for a second chance at life, a whirlwind of medical tests and procedures sends families on an emotional roller coaster ride of despair and often enough, tragedy. At the age of 19, Eddie Sabat was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition where the muscle of the heart thickens and enlarges, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood. Sabat desperately needed a heart transplant to live a life he barely started. “There’s anger, frustration, nervousness. But when Read more

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