Besides the grit and grime of what is considered the biggest sporting event of the year, the Super Bowl also provides a platform of exposure for a multitude of corporations. Millions of dollars are invested in advertising campaigns, promotions, products and apparel, with this year’s record-breaking cost for a 30-second commercial on NBC priced at an average of US$3.5 million. Whether you like football or not, an expected 100 million people will be tuning in for the halftime show action, with veteran pop star Madonna performing alongside M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj.

The Patriots, led by the legendary Tom Brady, enter the competition having won 10 straight games, with an overall record of 15-3. The Giants, with quarterback Eli Manning shouldering the outcome, are currently at 12-7 games, with five consecutive victories.
www.superbowl.com

Super Bowl XLVI airs Sunday Feb. 5 at 6:30 EST

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www.audio-one.ca

Photos: Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua with Audio One founders Carlo D’Ascanio, Gino D’Ascanio and Anthony D’Ascanio; Anthony D’Ascanio, Carlo D’Ascanio, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Gino D’Ascanio celebrate 25 years of success; Guests mingle at Audio One’s 25th anniversary celebration.

Deluce gestures warmly towards his office where to the left of his uncluttered desk rests a pile of framed portraits that chronicle his roots and achievements in the aviation industry. Despite their significance, they emit an unpretentious display as they rest on the floor stacked against the walls.

He’s particularly amused by Mr. Porter in the room, a playful figure of the company mascot fashioned with leftover parts and pieces from Bombardier. The model was a gift from the aircraft company when it delivered Porter’s 20th Dash 8 Q400 turboprop back in 2010. In an advertising world saturated with puppies and bunnies, the raccoon seems an unlikely choice to represent a corporate brand, but Deluce applauds the curious creature for its persistent personality. “I think we have a lot of individuals who can be equally thought of as Mr., Mrs. or Miss Porter within our organization. I think they are quite determined, and they manage to find ways around the little challenges or speed bumps … they seem to come out on top in achieving the end-result.”

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Born to aviation parents in a family of nine children, the Deluce name has been a fixture in the industry for more than five decades. Deluce’s father, Stanley Deluce, was a Hawker Hurricane fighter pilot for the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II before launching White River Air Services. The company eventually purchased Austin Airways, one of the oldest airlines in Canada to connect people to remote communities before its interest was sold to Air Canada in 1986. The family patriarch also broke new ground when he established air-ambulance jet service in Ontario. Deluce nostalgically selects a frame of his father from his collection, where the family patriarch is dressed in a tuxedo for his induction into the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame in 2008.

As former executive of the family business Air Ontario (which was sold to Air Canada), Deluce is well aware of the trajectory new entrants endure in a sky monopolized by travel juggernauts and unpredictable fuel prices. Six years after Deluce resigned as its CEO, Canada 3000 took an unexpected nosedive due to a decrease in passengers in a post 9-11 world. Other airlines stuck in the rut of the shaky airline scene include Skyservice Airlines and Roots Air, a start-up that closed the same year it opened.

Internalizing the unrelenting qualities of his company’s furry face, Deluce has steered the regional airline of Porter through some difficult terrain. Long before the financial meltdown of 2008-2009, a strategic yet controversial bridge that would connect passengers to the island airport was proposed by the Toronto Port Authority (TPA), but later cancelled by the city after former mayor David Miller, who opposed the project to preserve Toronto Harbour, was elected in 2003. “The bridge not going ahead probably helped us in the end. It allowed us more time to put together a stronger management team, and to probably attract significantly stronger financing … It took us a couple more years to get ready and to do the alternative plan, but things happen for a reason, and we really haven’t look back,” says Deluce, who received an undisclosed amount of compensation after settling a lawsuit against the city of Toronto and the Canadian Federal Government. Privately owned Porter, which has suspended an initial public offering, is waiting for an appropriate market and financing requirement to go public.

After the bridge setback, Deluce turned towards improving access to the airport, which resulted in two new ferries financed by the TPA. The romantic route to the airport arrives every 15 minutes and takes 90 seconds to reach the island airport, where there are two departure lounges. As early as next year, construction on a $45-million pedestrian-only tunnel proposed by the TPA will commence. “Sometimes you’re given a lemon, and sometimes you have to turn it into lemonade,” he says. However shy and polite in his manners and conversation, Deluce is not one to be miscalculated when it comes to getting what he wants.

Since its inception, Deluce has shrewdly readied his course against major competitors such as Air Canada and WestJet, tightly controlling Porter’s breathing space in a climate stifled with volatility. “He’s setting out to run a very successful airline,” comments Joseph R. D’Cruz, a professor of strategic management at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. In the same year that Porter Airlines launched, Air Canada was ejected from the island airport by the Deluce-owned Regco Holdings Inc. (now Porter Aviation Holdings), which purchased the terminal being used by Air Canada Jazz. This allowed Porter total domination at Billy Bishop – up until now. After an enduring court battle, Air Canada returned to the island earlier this year, operating 30 takeoff/landing slots compared to Porter’s 172. But Deluce doesn’t mind having his enemies closer: as the landlord of the airport’s operating bases, Air Canada has to pay him terminal fees. “Air Canada really played into Deluce’s hands because it treated the airport very poorly. Porter actually rescued the airport from bankruptcy. Firstly, [Porter] bought the terminal buildings from the airport, which improved the airport’s cash flow, and secondly, it signed a long-term, very favourable contract with the airport. Air Canada brought those problems onto itself because it refused to sign a long-term contract,” says D’Cruz, who doesn’t foresee Air Canada’s presence as a major threat to Porter.

Apart from the challenges, the licensed pilot, whose description of flying parallels his business approach, remains an optimistic leader. “It’s actually quite pleasant popping through the cloud and have nothing but sunshine up above.”

To date, Porter has flown over five million passengers in its short history, with more than 200,000 of its passengers originating from Toronto’s 905 area code. This year marks the fifth anniversary for the regional airline, whose number of employees has significantly risen from 200 to 1,300 since its first scheduled flight to Ottawa in 2006. Catering to a monied, corporate crowd, Porter will have attained its 26th  fuel-efficient Bombardier turboprop by the end of this year. It is also considering increasing its five U.S. destinations to include Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., and introduce packaged vacations in 2012. The low-cost airline currently travels to 13 major Canadian cities, including Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins – areas that were hard to get to affordably before Porter came along. “I think that defines our success – the fact that we regularly now carry in excess of 200,000 passengers per month, whereas our predecessor, Air Canada, when they were here at this airport in their last 12 months of operating from Toronto City Airport, they only carried – now I’m not talking about a month now but in their last 12 months – they only carried about 20,000 passengers. In a single month we are now carrying better than 10 times what they carried in a full year.” Air Canada continues to be the nation’s largest airline, with air transport to over 180 destinations.

Sometimes good things can come in small packages. The compact airline delivers an all-round pleasurable experience for its time-sensitive business travellers, with free bottled water and soft drinks, specialty coffee, muffins and sandwiches in its lounges. Onboard service includes complimentary beer and wine served in glassware as you sit back on leather seats with extra legroom. “It’s a different experience when you come here, maybe it’s a bit shorter for a person to get to [Toronto] Pearson [International Airport], but it’s a much more complicated experience,” relates Deluce.  The early days of flying are further evoked with flight attendants fitted in retro outfits and pillbox hats – a look recently emphasized with the explosive popularity of the TV series Pan Am.

Deluce acknowledges that a strong business plan and financial backing were key factors to confronting the tumultuous airline industry, as well as adhering to the company foundation blocks of “speed, convenience and service.” His son Michael Deluce is Porter’s chief commercial officer, part of a seasoned management of over 70.

While service and business savvy have contributed immensely to the success of Porter Airlines, Deluce’s origins play an integral role. Deluce recalls his first memory on a plane: sitting on a cushion on a seat next to his father, who would allow him to fly while the plane was in flight. Aviation was in his blood long before earning his wings as a commercial pilot or signing off on corporate deals. “There’s lots of things I’ll never forget about him,” says Deluce of his mentor. “I think that the basic business philosophy in terms of treating individuals the way you would want to be treated yourself – that’s probably something that I can remember him always sort of using as a basic guiding principal in terms of how he dealt with individuals in a fair manner. And I think we try to do that here, too.”
www.flyporter.com

No doubt you’ve probably already embarked on several of these adventures, crossing friends and family members off your list; but there always seems to be that one person you can’t find the right gift for – that finicky friend or special someone who needs the perfect present.

Finding those final gifts can be a challenge, but not to worry. We’ve explored the city to put together our yearly Holiday Wish List to help you wrap your way through the Holidays!

You’ll find gifts for everyone in your life, from the outdoor adventurer and trendy fashionista, to the wired techie and home decorator. Oh, and you might find one or two surprises you hadn’t thought of. Happy Holidays!

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Cute, cuddly, hand-knitted bear and made for custom order. (www.etsy.com/shop/GregoryPatrick, prices vary)

Record your off-road adventures in crisp 720p HD video with Liquid Image Impact Series HD Digital Camera MX Goggles. (www.thesource.ca, $280)

Like a cherry on a sundae, the Stitched Scarlet Cloche tops off a colourful outfit. (www.anthropologie.com, US$58)

Your little fairy will pirouette over the sweet scent of Philosophy’s Sugar Plum Frost shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath and high-gloss lip shine. (www.sephora.com, $23)

For the diver in your life, the 3H Oceandiver 52 is stylish, sporty and water-resistant up to 150 metres. (www.cupidodesigns.com, $595)

A 16-hour, built-in rechargeable battery makes the Tivoli Audio iPal Radio ideal for the on-the-go music aficionado. (www.baybloorradio.com, $199)

Brimming with art deco charm, the Henley couch is a classically stylish throwback. (www.decorium.com, $3,000)

The Cozy Cable Throw is a soft and warm relief when reading on those chilly winter days. (www.chapters.indigo.ca, $69.50)

Made from organic cotton, Frank & Fishcer’s Bibba Pig cuddle cloth is soft on your baby’s skin. (www.missm.ca, $21)

Eau de LaCoste’s three different scents are perfect for the powerful, fresh or elegant gentleman. (www.sephora.com, $62)

Sparkling diamonds on 18-karat white gold – the Vanesa is sure to make her smile. (valentejewellers.com, $2,500)

Stay warm and in-style with the faux fur of this lightly padded jacket. (www.hm.com/ca, $60)

The Nest Thermostat learns your in-home habits, programs itself and even saves energy. (www.nest.com, MSRP $249)

Capture those precious holiday moments in vivid detail with the Nikon D3000. (en.nikon.ca, $350)

The festive Capri Blue Mercury Glass Candle is a homemaker’s delight. (www.anthropologie.com, US$25)

Simple and cute, the High Gloss Teapot will cap off those holiday feasts. (www.chapters.indigo.ca, $24.50)

Make the Natural Bay Leaf Garland a pretty pastoral piece in your festive decorating. (www.potterybarn.com, $90)

Tap into the mind of Apple’s co-founder in Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. (www.chapters.indigo.ca, $35)

Spheres of twigs sparkle with rustic charm on the Little Twig Globe. (www.potterybarn.com, $90)

Start your holiday mornings with a warm espresso using the Brasilia espresso machine. (www.molisana.com, $150)

Blackberry, plum and a hint of coffee form the medium body of Tilia’s Malbec. (www.lcbo.com, $13)

The Juliaca Knit Stocking is a playful departure from traditional Christmas stockings. (www.anthropologie.com, $38)

No home can go without a tree. This faux evergreen radiates with merriment. (www.potterybarn.com,  $389 –$519)

This personalized printable poster is perfect for your little one’s room. (www.etsy.com, US$15)

A simple leather band carries a spherical glass stone on this versatile bracelet.  (www.pandora.net, $115)

It’s over-sized eyes make the Owl Christmas Ornament a wise addition to any tree. (www.etsy.com, US$13)

Race the Silverlit Interactive Bluetooth Remote Control Enzo Ferrari using only your iPod, iPhone or iPad. (www.apple.com/ca, $80)

Will you answer the Call? The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, that is. (www.futureshop.ca, $60)

It’s the king of tablets and every tech lover’s dream. It’s the iPad 2. (www.futureshop.ca, $520)

Simple and sophisticated, this bold peacoat is a smart standout. (www.cartise.ca, $365)

Give the gift of hope with World Vision gift cards. (www.worldvision.ca, $30 – $200)

Glamorous yet festive, this metallic pillow is made for the holiday diva. (www.chapters.indigo.ca, $29.50)

Classic winter design with a sharp shawl collar from H&M. (www.hm.com/ca, $60)

The end of the year often calls on us to reflect on our life and commit to change. But while our trivial promises to eat healthy or become active may serve personal goals, there are those who look to expending positive change to the world around them. Whether or not you conceive or forget your resolutions, the following list of individuals and organizations will inspire you to do more – to be that change that Gandhi asks of all of us.

1.  Robin Sharma
Authoring 11 bestsellers and the founder of Sharma Leadership International Inc., Robin Sharma delivers inspiring and motivational talks to rooms filled with employees from Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft and Nike.

2.  Moe Alameddine
O.Noir is among unique dining experiences in the world: patrons eat their entire meal in the dark. Owner Moe Alameddine feels dining in the dark allows customers to appreciate both their food and their sight even more. Fitting, as Alameddine’s entire staff is blind.

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3.  Nelly Furtado
“I feel like a student of life,” said Nelly Furtado during a recent on-stage appearance at the We Day Toronto event. The Canadian songstress excitedly announced how inspired she was after a visit to Kenya, and how her $1 million donation to international charity Free the Children would help fund two novel programs and a boarding school for girls in Africa. Free the Children co-founder Craig Kielburger applauds her work. “Nelly is a very passionate, authentic, kind-hearted person that wears her heart on her sleeve … We value Nelly as an ambassador to the organization, and are looking forward to working with her to continue to empower youth around the world.”

4.  Gilda’s Club
Those touched by cancer know the turmoil it causes. Gilda’s Club provides a social community for those with cancer in their lives, bringing a range of people together to help alleviate emotional burden and build support.

5.  Diane Dupuy
Diane Dupuy is the founder and president of the Famous People Players, a theatre troupe that uses puppetry to pay homage to celebrated artists. Her production employs individuals who are developmentally challenged, believing everyone can and should contribute to society. Dupuy has been appointed to the Order of Canada for her work.

6. Eva Karpati
Eva Karpati knows a good story when she hears it. The Toronto resident created and founded Good News Toronto: Our Everyday Heroes, to celebrate inspirational community individuals and the city’s vibrancy. She writes on her website that her publication “encourages us to look at our neighbours as heroes rather than villains, and to treat each other with respect and understanding.”

7.  David Rocco
The David Rocco’s Dolce Vita star serves his dishes with a side of philanthropy. He recently joined celebrity foodies at the charity cook-off Chef’s Challenge in support of Mount Sinai Hospital, but not before hosting Brunch for a Cure, an event raising funds for the Toronto hospital’s breast and ovarian cancer research department.

8.  Remo Ferri
Remo Ferri of Ferrari Maserati of Ontario has helped to raise close to $2 million with his Annual Rally in support of the SickKids Foundation.

9.  Phyllis Novak
Phyllis Novak founded the Toronto art studio Sketch 15 years ago because she felt homeless youth needed more than just food and shelter. For Novak, creative expression not only includes homeless youth in the artistic community, but also boosts self-esteem and a desire to develop.

10.  Sarah McLachlan
Raising her voice in the name of philanthropy, Grammy award-winning Sarah McLachlan was conferred an honorary degree of doctor of fine arts by Simon Fraser University this year. In 2003, she founded The Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach Program, which enables inner city youth in Vancouver access to free music classes. Over the years, she has participated in benefit concerts and a telethon to raise funds for AIDS sufferers, women’s charities and tsunami relief efforts in Southeast Asia.

11.  Peter Wixson
Even in our more prosperous country, poverty is still present. Peter Wixson has been involved with the Vaughan Food Bank for over two decades, and its executive director for 16. His dedication to feeding those in need recently garnished him with the City’s Ward Civic Hero Award.

12.  David Foster
Committed to supporting Canadian families with financial support, the eponymous David Foster Foundation sheds awareness on a medical crisis that has more than 4,000 people in Canada awaiting life-saving organ transplants. In Ontario alone, someone on a waiting list for a vital organ dies every 72 hours. The legendary producer has also participated in Celebrity Fight Night to benefit Muhammad Ali’s Parkison Center, and Andre Agassi’s Grand Slam for Children.

13. Ontario Trillium Foundation
Since 1982, the Ontario Trillium Foundation has been working with volunteers from across Ontario to build and improve the communities they inhabit. Providing roughly 1,500 grants annually, this not-for-profit has provided the financial backing that allows communities to flourish.

14.  Jack Layton
There’s a reason why his name was repeatedly mentioned at The Good Neighbours’ Club’s annual day for the homeless this past summer. Whether he was fighting for Canada’s seniors, the sick and the destitute, his voice continues to be heard for those who can’t speak for themselves.

15.  Richard Braudo
Enduring 50 major depressions, Richard Braudo focuses on the willingness to be willing to pursue life to the fullest. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) volunteer is a spokesman of brain disease, giving motivational talks that help to better understand illnesses that are often plagued with stigma. With inspiring words, Braudo extends hope. “If you just allow yourself to keep breathing through it all, whatever your circumstances, you too can find a way to stable wellness.”

16.  Franca Carella
When all hope is lost, there is Franca Carella. The local woman is a champion of compassion, having founded a non-profit organization that has helped to rebuild the lives of individuals and families shattered by substance abuse since 1987. Over 15,000 people have walked through the doors of the Vitanova Foundation in Vaughan, and Carella, who bestows the rare quality of turning sorrow into happiness, has welcomed all with open arms.

17.  Hospice Vaughan
Both an organization and a philosophy, Hospice Vaughan provides counselling and support to families faced with fatal illness and loss. Its work has helped many handle heartache and cope with grief; giving hope and meaning to lives afflicted by tragedy.

18.  Arcade Fire
Arcade Fire’s ethereal, Grammy-winning sound not only demonstrates the power of Canadian artists, but that honesty and heart overrides today’s commercial world. The band pledged $1 million to charity after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

19.  Alex Jadad
A senior scientist and physician at the University Health Network, Dr. Alex Jadad travelled the world, visiting 94 countries to create a global conversation on what kind of healthcare people need, as opposed to what the system delivers. His resulting Staircase of Support is meant to create a health-care system that builds stronger communal support and extends beyond the hospital. Dr. Jadad is the chief innovator and founder of Centre for Global eHealth Innovation at the University of Toronto.

20. Emmanuelle Gattuso
In May 2009, Emmanuelle Gattuso, with the support of husband Allan Slaight, gave an exceptionally generous gift to The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. Donating $12.5 million spread out over several years, the pair continues to donate by matching every dollar raised for The Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre.

21.  Carlo Baldassarra
Owner of Greenpark Homes, Canada’s largest home building company, Carlo Baldassarra has built an empire over the 44 years it’s been in operation. But Baldassarra is also a man of the community, donating millions to local causes, including $1 million to the Markham Stouffville Hospital.

22.  Heather Reisman
After merging her company, Indigo Books and Music, with Chapters in 2001, Heather Reisman formed the largest book retailer in Canada. In 2010, she started an online petition to save Sakineh Ashtiani, an Iranian woman, from being stoned to death.

23. Harbinger Foundation
Active in Toronto since 1995, Harbinger Foundation strives to fund registered Canadian charities that help improve the quality of life on the global stage. Its work has brought access to clean water in poverty-stricken areas around the world.

24.  K’Naan
Best known for his celebratory hit Wavin’ Flag, Somali-Canadian rapper K’Naan became an ambassador of hope to the Horn of Africa Crisis this year, rallying support and giving voice to millions of residents living in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania as they fight to survive the worst drought in 60 years. The humanitarian-activist, whose thought-provoking lyrics bring world issues to the forefront, also took part in the charity concert Hope Rising!, which benefits the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

25. Susan Hay
Not only has Susan Hay’s sunny smile brought both weather and news to Global Television’s audience, but her charitable work has also brought shelter from the storm. She’s the spokesperson for organizations that include Toronto’s Ronald McDonald House, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.

26.  Cathy Bertucci
Elementary school teacher Cathy Bertucci improves her Grade 5 class at Our Lady of Family Catholic School with an innovative approach that has been featured in Natural Curiosity: Building Children’s Understanding of the World Through Environmental Inquiry, which is available in school libraries across Ontario.

27.  Michael Bublé
The cool, classic crooning of Michael Bublé has charmed audiences the world over, catapulting him to the pinnacle of pop music stardom. He’s sold over 30 million albums, won three Grammy Awards and numerous Junos.

28. Eryn Waltman
Using her renowned choreography talents, Eryn Waltman synchronized her dance company, Conteur, with the charity Three To Be and So You Think You Can Dance Canada alumni for the State of Mind event, raising money for research on children’s neurological disorders.

29.  The Gerry & Nancy Pencer Brain Trust Centre
As one of North America’s leading brain tumour facilities, The Gerry & Nancy Pence Brain Trust Centre provides the resources, support and treatment those suffering with a brain tumour need. Its groundbreaking research and innovative programs have drawn the attention of hospitals the world over.

30.  George Stroumboulopoulous An icon of Canadian television and host of George Stroumboulopoulous Tonight, his edgy yet light-hearted nature and critical eye has made him a favourite of audiences young and old. He’s won numerous Geminis, including best host three times, and is heavily involved in charitable endeavours and environmental campaigns.

31. Deepa Mehta
Her directorial dexterity has filled our film reels with powerful moments and moving cultural stories – sweeping accounts that have received industry and critical praise throughout her career. As of late, the Indian-born Canadian director of films such as Oscar-nominated Water (2005) and Midnight’s Children (2012) has received a Lifetime achievement award from the Canadian Centre for Diversity, which gives Canadian youth a platform to move beyond stereotypes and lead positive social change.

32.  Justin Bieber
Teen heartthrob Justin Bieber has heart. He recently launched Believe Charity Drive, which directly benefits the Make-a-Wish Foundation, City of Hope, Boys and Girls Clubs, and more. Proceeds from every purchase of his holiday album Under the Mistletoe will go towards Believe. The Canadian music export has also auctioned off his pet baby boa constrictor to raise funds for non-profit organization Pencils of Promise, a leader in global education space.

33.  Ray Zahab
Once a-pack-a-day smoker, Ray Zahab transformed his life, becoming an ultra-marathon runner and adventurer. His epic journeys have taken him across the Sahara Desert on foot in 111 days, in an effort to raise awareness on Africa’s water crisis.

34.  Habitat for Humanity
For over 25 years, this organization has built or repaired over 500,000 homes for more than 2 million people across the globe.

35.  Jann Arden
Her career has nearly spanned two decades, producing 17 top 10 singles, winning eight Juno awards and receiving a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. Jann Arden is a Canadian music icon.

36.  Heart & Stroke Foundation
Childhood obesity has become a prominent issue in society. In response, the Heart & Stroke Foundation launched Spark Together For Healthy Kids. Its mission is to fund local communal groups that foster physical activity and provide access to nutritious food for children.

37.  Fauja Singh
This past October at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, the 100-year-old Fauja Singh proved age isn’t a factor when he became the oldest person to ever complete a marathon. The over-eight-hour run exemplified his refusal to never give up.

38.  Neil Pasricha
With so much unrest in the world, we sometimes forget to look for those little joys. Neil Pasricha’s The Book of Awesome, and follow-up The Book of (Holiday) Awesome, asks readers to stop, smell the roses, and remember how awesome that is.

39.  Charles Peart
Charles Peart was born without arms – a debilitation that would undoubtedly leave many stifled. But Peart’s drive is unyielding. He trained rigorously throughout his life, and refused to quit – even in the face of diversity. Today, Peart is a martial arts master, role model and testament of the human spirit.

40.  Donna Trella
Donna Trella was brought to tears while being recognized on stage at the 25th annual Crystal Ball fundraiser in November. As founder of Reach for the Rainbow, Trella has been giving disabled youth, like her inspiring daughter Dove, an opportunity to be involved in summer camp programs.

41.  Helen Ching-Kircher
Downtown Fine Cars Inc. CEO Helen Ching-Kircher drives right into the heart of what matters. Her proven entrepreneurial feats in a male-driven industry are just pit stops on her road to success, as she avidly supports organizations such as Ontario’s Trillium Foundation, Ronald McDonald House and Mount Sinai Hospital. She may live in the fast lane, but slows down for those in need.

42.  Jen Plyler-Danch
When women endure physical violence and abuse, their world falls apart. Jen Plyler-Danch refused to sit by and let survivors be victims. She coordinated the Shape Your Life boxing program to heal body and mind, improve self-esteem and build confidence in a safe environment.

43.  RBC Foundation
In 2010, RBC invested nearly $57 million to various charities in hundreds of communities around the globe. Focusing on six key areas: education, health and wellness; social services, civic, environment and arts and culture, the RBC provides the financial backing that important organizations need to operate.

44.  Samantha Nutt
War Child Canada has been working to increase education, decrease poverty and build protective environments for children in war-torn regions for over 15 years. It all started when Samantha Nutt saw first-hand the horrific conditions war created. Ever since, it has been her passion to alleviate this suffering.

45.  Rona Maynard
The former editor of Chatelaine magazine and author of My Mother’s Daughter (McLelland & Stewart Ltd., 2007), Rona Maynard tickles the soul as much as the heart. Her female readers resonate with her heartwarming stories, which have blossomed into an online community of women who, as Maynard, share private, beautiful moments of their lives on her website.

46.  Fred Fox
Picking up the torch his brother so courageously carried, Fred Fox, the director of the Terry Fox Foundation, keeps Terry’s message burning by speaking at schools and communities across the country. He believes it’s the power of volunteers that have kept Terry’s dream alive, and why over $550,000 has been raised in his brother’s name.

47.  Rob Dyer
Losing his mother, grandmothers and best friend to cancer, Rob Dyer had much loss to grieve. But he refused to be swallowed by sorrow. He started Skate4Cancer, a journey that would see him skateboard from Los Angeles to Toronto to raise awareness and proceeds, and bring hope to skaters the world over.

48.  Drake
Rapper-singer-songwriter Drake was awarded with the Allan Slaight award for his noteworthy impact in the fields of music, literature, film, visual or performing arts, innovation, sports or philanthropy at this year’s Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards. The accolade included a $10,000 honorarium, which Drake dutifully donated to Dixon Hall, a social service agency that provides community support on multiple levels. “He’s an inspiring example to all,” said Canada’s Walk of Fame founding director Peter Soumalias in a press release. The chart-topper has also raised awareness for Jake’s House for Autism, the MS Society of Canada, Friends of Music Therapy at SickKids and someonelikeme.ca.

49.  Vivian Risi
Through conviction and hard work, one can scale great heights. Over the last 30 years, local real estate broker and industry innovator Vivian Risi has become an expert in market trends, mortgages and real estate. She is a broker of record and the founder of Royal Le Page – Your Community, which has 11 offices across southern Ontario and 815 realtors.

50.  Guy Laliberté
Humans can’t live without water. Many, however, struggle daily to find this invaluable resource. Thankfully, there are organizations like One Drop – an initiative of Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté – to help. One Drop has worked in regions like El Salvador, Haiti and India to ensure more people have access to clean, drinkable water.

51.  Hal Jackman Foundation
Art is an essential part of society – a maxim the Hal Jackman Foundation holds on to wholeheartedly. Over the past 20 years, this organization has bestowed more than $13 million to over 200 artistic groups and institutions in Toronto, providing support for expression and creativity.

52.  Beverly Thomson
Journalist and co-host of CTV’s Canada AM, Beverley Thomson is extremely active with Canadian charities. She’s the honourary chair and spokesperson for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, and the honourary chair for the York Central Hospital Foundation. In 2006, Thomson received the Gemini Humanitarian Award for her efforts.

53.  Brittney Kuczynski
At the young age of 19, Brittney Kuczynski felt too many children around the world were lacking adequate healthcare. She began the prestigious Oceana Ball to raise money for the Herbie Fund, which in turn pays for various children across the world to receive essential medical treatment from Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children.

54.  Domenic Condo
Although legally blind, Domenic Condo has never let his lack of vision slow him down. He works with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, raising awareness and support for others with impaired vision. He also captains Soundwerx, a highly successful recording studio where artists like Nelly Furtado and Finger 11 have recorded songs.

55.  Silvana Frammartino
Local award-winning photographer Silvana Frammartino sees the world differently. Her vision of society is one where everyone is equal and homelessness and poverty don’t exist. Frammartino goes beyond capturing these issues with her camera, creating events like the Toronto Homeless Drive, where she prepares and delivers meal bags to those in need.

56.  Ed Mirvish Family Charitable  Foundation
The founder and owner of Honest Ed’s in Toronto, Ed Mirvish was a businessman known for his philanthropist efforts and revitalization of Toronto’s dwindling theatre scene. This charitable foundation honours his memory by supporting the performing arts, and various Jewish organizations.

57.  Joseph Manzoli
President of Colourfast Custom Coating Ltd., Joseph Manzoli has been involved in numerous charitable endeavours, chairing or co-chairing many over the years. One of his more notable initiatives includes the Ride for SickKids, which combines his love for motorcycles and desire to give back.

58.  Izzy Camilleri
When renowned fashion designer Izzy Camilleri was asked to create a coat for The Toronto Star journalist Barbara Turnbull, a quadriplegic, she didn’t realize just how different her needs were. Through this experience, Camilleri opened IZ Adaptive, a boutique carrying the IZ Collection: the world’s first line of adaptable clothing for her “seated” clientele.

59.  Serge Kaptegaine
Serge Kaptegaine has an intimate understanding of the daily atrocities that take place in his native land of DR Congo, where millions have being killed over a mineral-fuelled war. In 2005, he found refuge in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he established two not-for-profit organizations: Hand in Hand for Peace, which educates Canadians about the conflict in DR Congo, and the Canadian Centre for Refugee Employment, Inc., which aids in the reintegration process of newcomers.

60.  DeGasperis family
The DeGasperis family has been in the construction and home developing business for decades. Michael DeGasperis, founder of Arista Homes, has been dedicated to giving back, sitting as the chair of the Vaughan Health Campus for Care and as director of the Vaughan Health Care Foundation.

61.  Lights
The success of her new album Siberia may be adding new followers to her digital realm, but it’s the real world that hits home for electric pop singer Lights Poxleitner. Earlier this year, the 24-year-old, along with radio host Jian Ghomesi, travelled with World Vision Canada to the Philippines, where she spent time laughing and singing with school children in the area. Her World Vision “30-Hour Famine” video, which encourages people to overcome hunger and help save lives, has thus far received close to 12,000 hits on YouTube.

62.  Linda Frum
Representing the province of Ontario, Senator Linda Frum has a vast portfolio of volunteer work. The former vice chair of the Board of Upper Canada College and recipient of the Golda Meir Leadership award will soon join The Sandbox Project, an organization that promotes childhood health and safety. Past positions include honourary chair of Zareinu, a school for physically and mentally challenged children, and board member on the Canada-Israel Committee.

63.  The Michaëlle Jean Foundation
Youth-focused programs encourage Canadians to become agents of change by way of creative expression. The Foundation is co-chaired by former governor general Michaëlle Jean, UNESCO’s special envoy for Haiti, who will become the chancellor of the University of Ottawa on Feb. 1, 2012.

64.  The Teresa Group
The Teresa Group has been providing services to hundreds of children and families affected by HIV and AIDS since 1990. For the past 14 years, they have been hosting the Mane Event Fundraiser, joining salons from around Toronto in support of this noble cause.

65.  Philip Lyall
Philip Lyall is a filmmaker from Vancouver who co-directed and produced the documentary 65_RedRoses. The film, which follows Eva Markvoort and her day-to-day battle with cystic fibrosis, sheds light on the struggle of combating the deadly disease.

Most people would go on to become a doctor after getting a double degree in microbiology and biochemistry, but as you’ll soon discover, Kaplan is not like most people. Instead, the University of Toronto graduate decided to turn his talents as a caricaturist into a career and hit the Yellow Brick Road in pursuit of pursuing the celebrities he grew up celebrating. His affinity for the famous began at adolescence, when a young Kaplan would sit in front of a bunny-eared television set and draw portraits of his favourite stars from Hollywood Squares, The Brady Bunch and The Lucy Show. “I think sometimes things are innate, I mean who tells a seven-year-old to start sketching Charlie Chaplin or Lucille Ball?” says Kaplan, who began studying and corresponding with legendary caricaturist to the stars, Al Hirschfeld. “I thought, ‘I want to be like him, I want to do what he does.’ That’s when I started to draw caricatures a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, like all the time!”

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Kaplan began pitching his cartoons to local newspapers and was almost immediately syndicated in Canada. As his success snowballed, he proceeded to push his “Where are they Now” column to nearly 60 newspapers in the U.S. that picked it up. His idea to send cartoons directly to celebrities was probably one of his greatest. “You never know what’s going to happen, so if you don’t try anything, nothing will happen,” says Kaplan, who had to resort to phone books and mail in a pre-dot-com era. When he started getting positive feedback and thank-you letters from people like George Michael, John Travolta and Quentin Tarantino, Kaplan became captivated. One instance of gratitude particularly rings a bell: “I answered the phone and someone said, ‘Please hold for Bono.’ I was like, ‘what!?’”

Eventually it got to a point where Kaplan wanted the people he sketched on paper to come to life. He wanted to meet them face-to-face. He started pitching TV concepts to production companies and eventually, Totally Tracked Down got picked up in 2010. “I was pitching it as a producer and they said, ‘Well, why don’t you host it?’” So the offbeat, spikey haired, self-proclaimed “nut bar” from Woodbridge set out to Los Angeles to track down stars like Seinfeld’s Estelle Harris and The Brady Bunch’s Christopher Knight. Sometimes he’d have to jump through hoops and harass family and friends, while other times he’d just happen to be at the right place at the right time. “You have to think positive and you attract positivity. Here I am, I have this affinity towards celebrities, and I bump into them,” says Kaplan, which was the case when he spotted Lindsay Lohan outside the Beverley Hills Hotel on one of his days off. “I saw her walk in and followed her … the whole time we were talking she held my hand, she never let go of my hand once and she always looked me right in the eyes, sweet as can be.” Totally Tracked Down was cancelled when a new production company came in, but Kaplan was consoled when his show was posthumously nominated for a Gemini award.

When Kaplan looks back on his career, he’s proud of the decisions he’s made. His cartoons are still published between 400 – 500 times a year in various North American newspapers, and his mind permeates with new show concepts he hopes to create. As for his time spent studying sciences in university? He would never erase those years; it’s there that he fell in love with his wife of 21 years, Frances. The couple has three children. “Follow your heart, that’s the first thing. Do whatever you want in life because if you do what you want you’ll be successful because you’re happy.”

www.marshallarts.ca

It’s the artistic hand of Bartolo “Buddy” Valastro Jr. – a man who speaks with such Joe Pesci-like bravado that he may seem more street tough than master baker – that produces this lip-smacking beauty. “We really enjoy using our creativity to design custom cakes,” says Valastro, a fourth generation baker who heads the kitchen at Carlo’s Bake Shop, his family’s bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey. “It’s a merger of traditional methods of decorating and using new technologies to do things like make them spin or light up.”

Originally opened in 1910 by Carlo Guastaffero, Carlo’s Bake Shop was purchased by Valastro’s father, Bartolo Valastro Sr., in 1964. When the senior Valastro passed away in 1994, it was up to 17-year-old Buddy to pick up the torch and carry on his father’s legacy. With his mother and four older sisters, Valastro grew Carlo’s into an internationally recognized bakery and television phenomenon.

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Mixing various types of cake with his “dirty icing” technique and multi-coloured fondant, Valastro has baked and frosted everything from a scaled-down replica of Walt Disney World’s Cinderella Castle to a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, complete with fireworks and a ring of fire; to a life-size model of his wife, Lisa. Valastro’s imagination simply knows no bounds.

With the release of his second book, Baking with the Cake Boss: 100 of Buddy’s Best Recipes and Decorating Secrets (Free Press, 2011), Valastro gives readers a taste of that creativity, providing a tutelage that progressively guides readers from baking basics to cake mastery. “This book is all about the process of making a cake,” says Valastro, who recently attended the inaugural Canada’s Baking and Sweets Show in Toronto, and toured the GTA to share stories and techniques featured in his new book.“In Baking with the Cake Boss, I get to show people how to make some of our signature store cakes.” From cookies to pastries to cakes, Valastro gradually kneads the essentials into readers’ repertoire, so they’re primed for even the most demanding recipe. You can try your hand at a Valastro cake with the Snowflake Winter Wonderland recipe (p.60) that’s featured in his book.

While Valastro’s modern techniques are rich with originality, he never strays from the basic ingredients that built his family’s business. “I use all of our original recipes – we prefer our traditional methods, because they’ve worked for over 100 years.”

www.carlosbakery.com

Snowflake Winter Wonderland Cake
MAKES ONE 9-INCH CAKE

For this cake, you will need two 10-inch Bundt or Bundt-style pans, 3 inches deep. Note that they should be aluminum, and must not be nonstick or the cakes will collapse while cooling.

Two 9-inch cakes, filled with your choice of filling
4 cups white Decorator’s Buttercream (see “Decorator’s Buttercream”) in a pastry bag fitted with the #7 interchangeable tip
3 pounds baby blue fondant
6 ounces white fondant
1/2 cup crystal or coarse sugar
Pearl luster dust

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT - Snowflake cutters or plunger cutters, assorted sizes Paintbrush Steamer

1  Prepare the cake: On a turntable, prepare a double-layer cake on a doily-lined cardboard circle, filling it with the filling of your choice and dirty-icing it without the tip (see “Dirty-Ice the Cake”). Note: After dirty-icing, keep the buttercream in the bag for affixing design elements to cake and creating the shell border.

2  Cover the cake: Drape the cake with baby blue fondant, smooth it in place with the smoother, and trim it (see “Apply the Fondant to the Cake”).

3  Make snowflakes: Roll the white fondant out to a 10-inch square, 1/8 inch thick. Use a small snowflake cutters or plungers to make 18 to 20 snowflakes. Use a small brush to paint the flakes with luster dust.

4  Apply frost to the cake: Steam the cake and sprinkle 1/4 cup of the sugar to make a 1-inch border around the top edge of the cake; steam it in place. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup sugar around the bottom of the cake to make a 2-inch border, then steam it into place.

5  Apply the snowflakes to the cake: Pipe buttercream dabs onto the top and sides of the cake and use it to affix the snowflakes to the cake.

6  Pipe kisses: Use the same bag to squeeze-and-pull kisses around the cake.

Buddy’s Techniques – DECORATOR’S BUTTERCREAM
7 1/2 cups powdered (10X) sugar
2 1/4 cups vegetable shortening
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
1 1/2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cold water

1 Put the sugar, shortening, butter and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and paddle at low-medium speed until the mixture is smooth, with not lumps, about 3 minutes.

2 With the motor running, add the water in a thin stream and continue to paddle until absorbed, about 3 minutes.

The buttercream can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Buddy’s Techniques – DIRTY-ICE THE CAKE
“Dirty-icing” is Carlo’s Bake Shop-speak for what most bakers call a “crumb coat.” It refers to a thin layer of Decorator’s Buttercream that’s laid down as a frosting to help fondant “stick” to the cake. The proper name, “crumb coat,” refers to the fact that you can see crumbs through the icing. It’s not important that your dirty-icing be perfect, just that it be thin and cover the entire cake. To dirty-ice a cake, first ice it as you usually would. Then use a piece of poster board to finish the job, getting as close to the cake as possible. After dirty-icing a cake, refrigerate it until the buttercream stiffens, 30 to 60 minutes.

Buddy’s Techniques – APPLY THE FONDANT TO THE CAKE
1 Set the rolling pin at the far edge of the fondant circle and roll it back toward you, spooling the fondant up onto the pin and gently knocking off any excess cornstarch.

2 Bring the pin over the cake, unspooling the fondant and lowering it over the other side, letting it drape over the sides and onto your work surface. Smooth the top with a smoother, then pull and press down gently on the sides to make the fondant taut all around.

3 Caress the fondant with your hands to smooth it against the cake, stretching and pulling it tautly over the top and down the sides, turning the cake and using your fingers to be sure it’s smooth all over.

4 Use a pizza cutter or sharp, thin-bladed knife such as a paring knife, to cut around the base and remove any excess fondant. Lift the excess ring up and over the cake. Ball up the excess fondant and return it to its storage bag; it can be reused.

5 Put the cake on a turntable. Use a smoother to smooth out the fondant on the top and sides. Inspect the cake; if you find any dry spots (they will appear arid and veined), rub a little vegetable shortening over them, then smooth with the smoother.

1. Lago

2. Minto WaterGarden
Inspired by the tranquility of nature, the Minto WaterGarden’s six-storey building wraps around a serene garden, creating an inspired esthetic. Located in Old Thornhill, residents enjoy contemporary one-and two-bedroom suites. www.minto.com

3. Beach club lofts
Embracing an open, modern concept, Beach Club Lofts put residences within walking distance of Toronto’s historic The Beach community. Ceiling-to-floor windows afford a spectacular view of the waterfront and city skyline. www.beachclublofts.com

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4. The Fountains
With an immaculate European-styled fountain at its core, The Fountains rise in the heart of Thornhill, glistening with modern style, luxurious amenities and environmentally conscious construction. www.libertydevelopment.ca

5. Spectra
Glowing with cosmopolitan chic and detailed with a rainbow of colours, Spectra residents will enjoy all the perks of the bright, upscale urban life of downtown Toronto. www.cityplace.ca

6. Twenty One Clairtrell
Mingling flawlessly with the charming tree-lined streets of Bayview Village, Twenty One Clairtrell’s handsome design and spacious terrace create a welcoming environment for relaxing and entertaining. www.twentyonecondos.com

7. One Sherway
Across from the west-end mall Sherway Gardens, One Sherway is a community of four stunning towers that places the city’s pleasures at residents’ fingertips. www.onesherway.com

8. iSell Realty Inc.
Sell your home on your own terms with a virtual brokerage firm that offers massive online exposure while saving you thousands in commission fees. www.1feesale.ca
iSell Realty Inc., Brokerage
1-888-760-1076

9. Alto at Atria
Contemporary elegance and artistic architecture shape the esthetic of Alto at Atria. Parks and terraces give the community a sociable atmosphere, while access to highways and downtown is nearby. www.tridel.com

10. The Terrace on Rouge Creek
Brimming with classic style and surrounded by Stouffville’s lush idyllic backdrop, The Terrace on Rouge Creek stands with dignified posture – ideal for those with refined tastes. www.theterracecondos.ca

When Joey’s right shoulder began shooting with pain in the summer of 2009, a torn rotator cuff was thought to be the source. A visit to the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), however, revealed the tumour causing his duress, and Joey was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer.

Many may have despaired, being caught in cancer’s grasp, but not Joey. “We made it very positive,” he says, describing how he and his mother often spoke of staying optimistic and making the experience one to remember. “We tried to make it the most memorable year ever and it was a year that will be in our hearts until the end of time,” says his mother, Maria Mazzucco.

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Over the next 12 months, Joey lived at SickKids, undergoing a marathon 16-hour surgery to remove the cancer. He lost half his body weight and all his hair due to the chemotherapy and other treatments. “I don’t like being bald,” he says, explaining his lack of hair was why he first sported an iconic fedora. “I don’t really wear another. I love it. It’s a cool hat.” Even through these hardships, Joey found solace in his positive attitude, hosting, for example, chemo parties everytime he or one of his friends was scheduled for treatment.

“He’s a remarkable kid, mature beyond his years,” says Dr. Paul Nathan, staff oncologist at SickKids. “I think he has an incredibly positive outlook, but he’s also a born performer,” he says, recalling how Joey, wearing his unmistakable hat, would often be found visiting others in the hospital, spreading cheer.

Today, nine-year-old Joey is back home and living life to the fullest. He recently gave an inspiring speech at the Rally for Kids with Cancer event in Toronto this past September. Joey has also found a new passion: acting. “I’m doing a Willy Wonka play right now,” he says enthusiastically.

When asked what message he would give to others faced with similar adversity, Joey replies, “I would always tell them to stay positive and think positive, I think that’s a really good strategy. It’s very hard for us [those with cancer], but I would just say never give up.”
www.sickkids.ca

01. Exercise daily.
02. Get serious about gratitude.
03. See your work as a craft.
04. Expect the best and prepare for the worst.
05. Keep a journal.
06. Read The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.
07. Plan a schedule for your week.
08. Know the 5 highest priorities of your life.
09. Say no to distractions.
10. Drink a lot of water.
11. Improve your work every single day.
12. Get a mentor.
13. Hire a coach.
14. Get up at 5 a.m. each day.
15. Eat less food.
16. Find more heroes.
17.  Be a hero to someone.
18. Smile at strangers.
19. Be the most ethical person you know.
20. Don’t settle for anything less than excellence.
21. Savour life’s simplest pleasures.
22. Save 10% of your income each month.
23. Spend time at art galleries.
24. Walk in the woods.
25. Write thank-you letters to those who’ve helped you.
26. Forgive those who’ve wronged you.
27. Remember that leadership is about influence and impact, not title and accolades.
28. Create unforgettable moments with those you love.
29. Have 5 great friends.
30. Become stunningly polite.
31. Unplug your TV.
32. Sell your TV.
33. Read daily.
34. Avoid the news.
35. Be content with what you have.
36. Pursue your dreams.
37.  Be authentic.
38. Be passionate.
39. Say sorry when you know you should.
40. Never miss a moment to celebrate another.
41. Have a vision for your life.
42. Know your strengths.
43. Focus your mind on the good versus the lack.
44. Be patient.
45. Don’t give up.
46. Clean up your messes.
47.  Use impeccable words.
48. Travel more.
49. Read “As You Think”.
50. Honour your parents.
51. Tip taxi drivers well.
52. Be a great teammate.
53. Give no energy to critics.
54. Spend time in the mountains.
55. Know your top 5 values.
56. Shift from being busy to achieving results.
57.  Innovate and iterate.
58. Speak less. Listen more.
59. Be the best person you know.
60. Make your life matter.

Robin Sharma is the author of the #1 international bestseller The Leader Who Had No Title (Simon & Schuster).
www.robinsharma.com