Honest to Goodness: Reputable Charities

It’s the season of giving, not the season of guilt. While the Santa you see at the busy intersection might actually be a Grinch in red velour clothing, that’s usually not the case. Then again, what’s one or two dollars? When it comes to more serious donations, it might be a good idea for us to clear the air about where your charitable donations are going. The following organizations get our nod of approval.

FH CANADA
Of all major charities, FH Canada has one of the lowest rates of revenue funds allocated to administrative fees. One of the quotes it stands by is, “Managing poverty is big business, eradicating it is revolutionary.” As Clarissa Youssef, director of communications for FH Canada, explains, “FH Canada is committed to upholding the highest standards of financial integrity and stewardship.” For every dollar donated to FH Canada, $0.88 is spent on Read more

Skin Vitality: Reshape Your Life

Eleanor Welsh, owner of Skin Vitality.

They say perfection is impossible, but that’s because they haven’t been to Skin Vitality. It starts with a feeling, and that feeling is confidence. “Confidence is the single-most important trait a woman can have. Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent,” says Eleanor Welsh, owner of Skin Vitality. Skin Vitality offers the best cosmetic technology in the world today, with a special emphasis on non-invasive procedures. Some of the more popular non-invasive procedures offered include FDA-approved Vela Shape and Skin-Tightening treatments, as well as Fotofacials. Skin Vitality may not have the fountain of youth, but it does have a cascade of transforming procedures at your disposal.

While expanding Skin Vitality into five luxurious locations – with two more coming soon – across southern Ontario, Welsh became familiar with the daily stresses that can bring a person down. Today, she has made it her life’s work to help people achieve the glow and strut of a confident person with safe and effective treatments. Read more

Colourtrenz Paint & Decor

Arthur Infusini followed his dreams and opened ColourTrenz Paint & Decor Centre on Sept 20, 2010. Located at 8000 Hwy 27 at the corner of Zenway Blvd. and Hwy 27, ColourTrenz offers a full line of Pittsburgh Paints, Sico Paints, Sikkens Exterior Stains and a wide array of products and tools to help the everyday painter and paint contractor complete their projects quickly and precisely. Its customers are treated like family members because in their eyes, life is the colour you paint it. www.colourtrenz.com

Above – With his newly opened Vaughan location, Arthur Infusini ensures that all your painting projects are stress-free and spectacular.

Woodbridge Dermatology & Laser Centre

As much as we say “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” there are equally strong and contradicting messages from society at odds with such moral statements. Individuals often choose surgery to actualize their desires for beauty, but for wary skeptics, a less abrasive and intrusive alternative is found in dermatology.

For 20 years, Dr. Gail Nield has provided local residents with comprehensive and caring service at her Woodbridge Dermatology & Laser Centre. The first to offer laser hair removal in the area, Dr. Nield is an expert in both medical and cosmetic dermatology. Utilizing modern techniques and procedures, such as the Soft Lift makeover – a combination of Botox and Juvéderm treatments – Dr. Nield has the abilities to rejuvenate and revitalize your skin. “I think everyone is very concerned about how they look,” comments Dr Neild. “If they look good they feel good, and this is possible Read more

Real Shopping Experience

Holiday bells ring as the door to a local shop closes behind you. Out of the cold and into the warmth of a festive storefront, you’re greeted with a pleasant smile. A shop owner guides you around, giving personal attention and expert knowledge on exclusive products rarely seen in big-box stores. Making suggestions as she walks with you, she picks an item, showing you the fine details and superb craftsmanship that make it so special. Once you’ve decided on your purchase, the shop owner personally wishes you the best during the Holidays as she gift-wraps your purchase. In a modern world where time is a constant factor, we lean towards the routes that save the most time and ignore the community around us for the quickest answer. But consider this: If we only decide to window-shop, vacant storefronts with “For Lease” signs hanging in windows will be all that’s left where a local business once stood. Read more

The Canadian Tenors

Performing for world leaders, royalty and spellbound audiences across the world, a time-strapped 2010 hit a high note for the multilingual Canadian Tenors. Presenting rich and soulful falsettos to also support philanthropic action, the vocal quartet visits the broken region of Bulembu, Swaziland to cultivate awareness for the charity Voices for Bulembu. Working with the legendary likes of David Foster, the Canadian ambassadors for Toronto’s 2015 Pan American Games reflect on an explosive year.

Fraser Walters, on giving back
It’s very difficult to top our performance on the Oprah Winfrey Show when Celine Dion surprised us halfway through our song, but I would give equal billing to our return to Africa this summer. We had absolutely life-changing experiences working with the children of Bulembu, as well as our work with Free the Children Read more

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

The heart of Mistura is celebrity chef and owner Massimo Capra. He is responsible for the delicate dishes that are guilty of being too delicious. At Mistura, the food, the décor and the charm are all taken care of – the only thing left to do is enjoy the people eating with you. www.mistura.ca

Terra D’Algi Tolos and Tatone are powerful wines from Abruzzo, Italy. Their dark ruby red colour and rich body are matched with the taste of ripe red fruits and sweet spices. For product inquiries visit www.vinaiocanada.com

When people die and go to cheese heaven they end up at the front door of Cheese Boutique. This heavenly chunk of love is St. Agur. If you’ve never tried St. Agur, Cheese Boutique can help you become a better cheese lover. Read more

The Competition Bureau and the Toronto MLS

The ratification of an agreement between Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and the Federal Competition Bureau on Oct. 24, 2010, has the public, media, and members of real estate speculating on the impact this agreement will have on the real estate industry.

For an agreed fee and with the aid of a realtor, a homeowner now has the opportunity to post his or her property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a member-based database that manages 90 per cent of Canada’s residential housing market. At a glance, this appears to be empowering for a homeowner. “When one carefully investigates the process, it is clear that homeowners need to approach this with caution,” says Vivian Risi, Broker of Record and Founder of Royal LePage – Your Community Realty.

Risi sheds an interesting perspective on this issue Read more

Safehaven Project for Community Living

Committed to using her passion for design as a tool to raise awareness, interior designer Moe Razi of Razi Design donated an entire living room to Safehaven, an organization that provides respite and residential care for children with disabilities and medical needs. Valued supporters were struck with the magnificent sight of a fully furnished living room at the Safehaven fundraising gala, which was held at Bellvue Manor on Nov.5, 2010. www.safehavenproj.org

Left – Interior designer Moe Razi lends a helping hand.

One October Night – Jazz concert

The Jazz Performance and Education Centre (JPEC) – a charitable organization dedicated to the continuation and development of jazz music in Canada – presented a remarkable tribute gala at the Toronto Read more

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