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.

Like a champagne flute overflowing with celebration, a gleaming façade of glass encases exquisite interior design of imported granite and marble-polished surfaces, top-of-the-line amenities and spacious suites. Future residents are welcomed with a European approach to lifestyle, grand with a swimming pool, an outdoor terrace, a state-of-the-art gym, harmonious winter garden and waterfall to wash away hectic days. In a world fraught with global warming, the Grand Genesis stands tall in its environmental endeavours as a Gold-certified building in The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.

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With its sheer glass design reflecting modernism in the best of light, the Grand Genesis towers revolutionize the way we ought to live. www.grandgenesis.com

Grand Genesis is currently in its registration phase. For more information, please call 289.597.5200 or visit the presentation centre at 9076 Yonge St. south of 16th Ave.

Santina Mariani of Zero 20 Bambini: Everything for Everyone
A landmark in the city of Vaughan for the past 27 years, Zero 20 Bambini is a business based on excellent service, quality clothing and prices that a growing family can afford. Santina Mariani and her sister, Anna Turrin, created a unique destination, an affordable designer boutique that dresses children of every shape and size, from head to toe. It’s a massive store with an endless selection of anything and everything you could possibly need for any occasion.

Zero 20 is not your typical, high-end, expensive boutique. This one-stop shop is like a department store for children. Hard-to-find boys’ and husky sizes are always available. ”We train our staff of 18 to be friendly and helpful, never pretentious or pushy,” says Mariani. They give their customers value for their money, which creates a relationship of trust and has been key to their success.

“We are here every day for our clients. If you are not committed and dedicated to a business, don’t even start,” says Mariani. They were awarded Retail of the Year 2009 by the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, a well-deserved  achievement.

The owners shop the world to fill the wants and the needs of a Zero 20 customer. “The only reason we exist is to give the customer what they need. We listen to every suggestion and try to accomodate them,” explains Mariani. With elegant chandeliers, relaxing couches and rows of beautiful white dresses, girls transform into little princesses as they try on tiaras, gowns and shoes for their big day as a flower girl, or to celebrate their first communion. For the boys, there is another room full of suits, shirts in a rainbow of colours and ties to complement.

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Focusing on formal and religious occasions, Zero 20 has something for everyone. Baptisms for Catholic, Christian or Orthodox ceremonies command a very large department that has everything imaginable, from simple cotton dresses to heirloom quality silk beaded gowns.  “I’m sure we have the biggest selection in Canada, and if we don’t have it, our in-house designer can make it so,” boasts Mariani. For the boys, the silk or linen suits topped with “paper boy” hats are irresistible.

Each child’s individual style is covered. Popular brands – of which there are more than 50 – include Lacoste, Diesel, Geox, Puma, Deux par Deux, Miniman, and Hugo Boss. There are sales throughout the year and all brand labels are cleared at the end of each season at half price. Join the newsletter and be the first to know.

Whether it’s the friendly atmosphere, affordable prices or the convenient hours (five weeknights until  9 p.m.), shopping is always a pleasure at Zero 20. www.zero20.com 905.851.6041

John Di Vittorio of Vinsanto Ristorante:
Enticing the Palates of Vaughan
With almost 20 years of restaurant experience, John Di Vittorio knows how to turn an ordinary dining experience into something spectacular. “Hard work, determination, and a lot of patience,” is what Di Vittorio, the owner of Vinsanto Ristorante, credits for his successful and highly regarded business. Vinsanto has become a favourite in the Vaughan community and continues to impress with its impeccable cuisine and rustic décor. Customers come back because “they love the overall experience of the restaurant – from the food, the service and the ambiance,” says the entrepreneur.

Di Vittorio is no stranger to the industry, having worked at various restaurants throughout his life including Coppi, Rosewater Supper Club, Mercato, and Crush Wine Bar. “The fact that I’ve had so much experience has prepared me for this exciting venture of having my own restaurant,” says Di Vittorio. According to the hardworking owner, the key to success is being there seven days a week and focusing your energy on making clients happy. Over the years, and at many different venues, Di Vittorio has learned how to run a restaurant and host events that boast perfection.

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The irresistible menu at Vinsanto is definitely an appealing factor for many customers. The delicious calamari fritti or unique Funghi di Bosco, which is arugula salad topped with oyster mushrooms, parmigianno, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, is a great way to excite the appetite. For a main course, there are many innovative choices. From the delicious Agnello alla Vinsanto, which contains a beautiful rack of lamb with a pommery mustard demi-glaze, to the exquisite Pappardelle Vinsanto, everyone is sure to find a dish to tantalize their taste buds. Pappardelle noodles, braised veal, shallots, and wild mushrooms with a white truffle sauce all come together to creatively define the exceptional taste of one of Vinsanto’s signature dishes.

The exclusive and mouth-watering selection of food is only one reason why Vinsanto is a hot spot in the community. Di Vittorio expresses overwhelming gratification for the success his restaurant has experienced over the years. “Meeting so many great people in the city of Vaughan and the community of  Woodbridge has made the experience even that much more satisfying.

The restaurant projects an elegance that entices every patron. Passion, ambiance and decadence remains the restaurant’s motto and appropriately defines the overall dining experience you immerse yourself in once you open the doors of Vinsanto. Indulge with a glass of wine at the bar, savour the taste of Italy with homemade Tiramisu, or relax on the patio while sampling the delectable Antipasto Vinsanto.

The overall feel of the restaurant is appropriate for all occasions and attracts people of all ages. Whether you are looking for a trendy atmosphere to celebrate a birthday or a relaxing environment to have lunch with a friend, Vinsanto Ristorante proves to be the perfect location.

The atmosphere is created with an open-concept kitchen that invites guests to share in the excitement and watch the chefs in action. The main dining area is seamlessly decorated with antique chandeliers and is ideal for a variety of functions. Accommodating 60 guests in the main room, 24 in the private dining area, and 30 on the patio, Vinsanto is available for corporate or social events. The versatility of the venue has contributed to its ongoing success, and has made Vinsanto host of many celebrations and group gatherings.

With live music, friendly staff, and impeccable food, an experience at Vinsanto is anything but commonplace. www.vinsanto.ca 905.264.3991

Paul Walker of Paul’s Boot CAMP (PBC) by Integrity Fitness:
Making a difference, one weight at a time.
Standard gyms are often a person’s first go-to method to shed off those extra pounds and bring back health into their lives. Paul Walker, however, had a passion for group training women – because he found they were always more serious about fitness – and found there weren’t too many group training fitness services available that were able to do just that. He decided to take it upon himself to create boot camp classes and a fitness studio called Paul’s Boot Camp (PBC) by Integrity Fitness, where women get a full, personal, effective fitness experience, both indoors and outdoors.

Indoor fitness classes are often offered at gyms but they are indoors. Walker was inspired to present fitness classes outside so that women could enjoy nature and get fit.

“Every summer, on my way to train clients indoor, I would drive by a farm with an old bus advertising their fresh produce. I thought, ‘I would love to bring my clients here and train them outside.’ I could envision them enjoying the summer day while training and exercising. The bus would be converted to store all the equipment I would need. Even better, I could move the location as I needed.”

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Up to the age of 12, Walker – now founder of Integrity Fitness, professional and certified personal trainer, certified sports nutritionist and lifestyle and wellness coach – was overweight and one of the heaviest kids in his class. Through fitness, he found a way to develop numerous skills that continue to help him lead an optimistic life with confidence, determination and leadership.

Walker’s need to interact with people, along with his goal of giving others the tools and instructions needed to stay healthy and live affluent lives, ignited his idea of creating a way to move away from the regular gym concept with its high-pressure contracts and sales and instead provide a way for people to really enjoy and experience fitness.

“I decided to take more of a personal side to fitness. I guess in the end I’m more of a humanitarian – I like to coach and teach, and this is just the way I chose to do that,” says Walker.

“Everyone has different needs. My need is to help people and I get inspired by that,” he says.

Initially, his concept of a gym on wheels (Mobile-Fit) lacked support and few people understood his vision. Walker initially found it difficult to get his revolutionary method of fitness out to people, but he never let that hold him back.

“When I first got Mobile-Fit by Integrity Fitness started, there was nothing like it. What I built was Canada’s only outdoor mobile fitness boot camp studio,” he says.

“I had to work seven days a week with no vacation and I had to surround myself with people who believed in what I was doing.”

But his perseverance and passion to make a difference through fitness paid off and in 2005, Walker opened Paul’s Boot Camp (PBC) by Integrity Fitness – a first-of-its-kind, rigorous training service for women that features a number of intense indoor and outdoor boot camp classes.

In the outdoor classes, the participating women train in an open field in Boyd Park through a variety of challenging and effective exercise activities and routines. His indoor studios also offer an array of boot camp sessions. Both options provide equipment and fun music, so women don’t have to worry about bringing any gear.

With a member base of around 1,500 and two convenient locations at Langstaff and Weston Road and on Hwy 27 in Vaughan, Paul’s Boot Camp continues to present a friendly, uplifting and versatile way to exercise. In addition to his boot camp classes, Walker says he’ll be offering other helpful services to members.

“We’re going to be changing our services and expanding again,” he says. “This will be our fourth expansion in four years and we’re going to be offering things like chiropractic care, pilates, yoga and fusion fitness. We want to offer different types of fitness when people come in as well as the boot camp and training we already have.” www.integrityfitness.ca 905.482.FITT(3488)

Salvatore  and Franca Greco of Mondo Uomo:
Dressing Vaughan in Style
Mondo Uomo graces Vaughan with sophistication, high-end designs, and a warm atmosphere. With two dedicated owners, Salvatore Greco and Franca Greco, this clothing store has maintained an excellent reputation over the years. Known for creating a relaxing shopping experience in a comfortable environment, Mondo Uomo boasts integrity and reliability.

Being honest and direct with customers is what Salvatore and Franca emphasize as the key to their success. “If something doesn’t look right on them we just tell them ‘you know what? Forget it. Take it off,’” says Franca. Finding an outfit that makes the customer look good and feel confident has been Mondo Uomo’s constant goal. This steadfast attitude has built a booming business, and continues to attract new and returning customers.

Hugo Boss, Dolce & Gabbana, Cavalli and Ermenegildo Zegna are just a few of the brands that have enhanced the popularity of the business. Customers leave sporting the latest trends and flawlessly fitted clothing. “When we alter a suit, we make it fit like a custom,” says Franca. The elegant accessories also add a personal touch to every outfit. Mondo Uomo offers anything from cufflinks and shoes to belts and stylish ties. The experts are always there to help put together an outfit that is fashionable, but also reflects the client’s personal style and budget.

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It is not only the impressive merchandise that has contributed to Mondo Uomo’s success but also the one-on-one attention they grant each and every customer. “We always give our full service and that is really what our business is based on,” explains Franca. “It’s not just the product we carry but the service that comes with it from beginning to end.” Accommodating individual needs and different style preferences, Mondo Uomo always tries to make their customers’ experience enjoyable.

At a young age, Franca realized her knack for fashion. This passion pushed her to join Salvatore’s established business 20 years ago, and she has been contributing her hard work to Mondo Uomo ever since. Seeing customers pleased with their purchases and feeling confident in their clothing is what makes the experience worthwhile for Franca. Her charming personality continues to add to the warm atmosphere of the store, and greatly contributes to its ongoing success.

Creating lasting relationships with customers, Mondo Uomo strives to give all of their clientele a personal shopping experience. Dressing young men for their confirmation, and grooms on their wedding day, Mondo Uomo’s fine clothing and impeccable service is what has made them so successful. www.mondouomo.com 905.856.1099

Haigo Derian and Jeff Karadjian of Cupido: Continuing to impress as
Canada’s first retailer of exclusive fashion luxury jewelry
A two-tone Tag Heuer Sports Elegance model was the first watch that Haigo Derian sold. He was just 13. “When you’re that young, it’s tough to convince a customer that you’re reputable, but I knew my stuff,” says Derian, who continues to cater to that same client two decades later. With extensive formal diamond training and years of experience managing his father’s respected company, L’Oro Jewelry, Derian decided it was time for a new venture. In 2007, he teamed up with lifelong friend Jeff Karadjian and opened the doors of Cupido in Vaughan Mills mall. “We wanted to create a concept that focused on a gap in the market – a retail environment that’s fresh, new and that specifically satisfies branded fashion luxury products,” he says. Unlike most traditional jewelry stores, Cupido carries a rare mix of brands from around the world. From DeMaria, Scott Kay and Pandora, to Hermès, U-Boat and Michael Kors, there is a piece that suits every personality. We strive to give every client as much information about each product we sell, says Karadjian. With little else like it in the industry, Cupido has become an instant success.

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Karadjian’s business savvy is a perfect complement to Derian’s industry expertise, which led the pair to create a second location in the trendy Bayview Village Mall. “Jeff is a very creative guy; he’s always on the cutting-edge and loves doing things that aren’t mainstream. We’ve always had a similar vision of doing something that wasn’t the norm,” says Derian, who is proud of how quickly their vision has materialized.“We each bring something different to the table. It’s a perfect business partnership,” adds Karadjian. Despite the initial challenges of relaying Cupido’s unconventional concept to a traditional industry, Derian and Karadjian make it a priority to attend global trade shows and discover new trends before they make it to the marketplace. The pair has lustrous plans to expand the business by opening new locations over the next five years. “I love the fact that every day is different. It keeps things interesting,” says Karadjian.

An inspiring range of mainstream brands is what best characterizes Cupido’s conquest in a competitive industry. While Derian and Karadjian may be naturally enthused to slip on a different watch every day, they are consistently striving to stay ahead of the times. “It’s an evolution. At the end of every day we’re one step closer to our ultimate goal of creating the lead role in this segment which we call fashion luxury,” says Derian. www.cupidodesigns.com, Bayview Village: 647.346.2176, Vaughan Mills: 905.669.8522

Rosalia Fazzari of Tapestry Decor: Bringing Your Vision Into Reality
Whether it is with a bookshelf or a set of customized curtains, Rosalia Fazzari puts a smile on the face of every home and business owner she decorates for.

Fazzari started working as an interior decorator from her home, decorating her own space and putting together many striking and innovative looks. Recognizing that she had a knack for transforming the blandest of rooms into spectacular areas, Fazzari wanted to share the feeling of walking into a place adorned with beauty and elegance with others.

“Working with people and seeing how they react to the transformation of their home is very fulfilling to me,” she says.

In 2004, she opened Tapestry Decor – a décor centre offering full interior design and decorating services to help mesmerize and enhance the appearance of a home or business. Customers can also purchase one-of-a-kind accessories, including antiques, browse through a variety of faux finishes and custom draperies, in-home consultations and full renovations.

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“The idea of Tapestry Decor came to me because a tapestry itself has many faces and colours, along with weaves and prints. I think this reflects all the diverse people and many different styles and textures that they may have when they come to me with their décor needs and visions,” says Fazzari.

For the past 14 years, Fazzari has used her determination to build and establish a business that merges her passion and talent in interior decorating with her desire to help people achieve their dream look.

Lighting, area rugs, paint colours and even the arrangement of your furniture are all elements Fazzari says can express a lot about a room and the people who own the home or business. That’s why Tapestry Décor steps in to help people create their perfect, balanced look.

“People may not have the simplest solutions for arranging certain accessories or colours, whereas someone like myself – I go in and I help them to create that flow and obtain the look they want.”

“Whether it be in the wood I select, or the glass, granite, or finishes that I choose, there’s a huge variety of unique looks that I can create,” she says.

To book an appointment to visit our showroom or have an in-home consultation call 905.264.0635. For more information visit www.tapestrydecor.ca

Top, left: Prospective purchasers and Intercity Realty Inc.’s Lou Grossi, broker, manager; Fernando Giandomenico, sales representative Top, middle: Fortunato Crea, construction manager of Caliber Homes; Colette Pitre, office manager of Caliber Homes; Danny DiMeo, president of Caliber Homes; Lucy Tersigni, administrative assistant of Caliber Homes, and David DiMeo, service manager of Caliber Homes Top, right: Prospective purchasers and Mauro Vani, Intercity Realty broker  Above, left: FROM LEFT: Fortunato Bordin, Sergio DeZen, Danny DiMeo, Mayor Linda Jackson, Vic DeZen, Tony DiMeo
Above, right: Lou Grossi, broker of Intercity Realty; Danny DiMeo, president of Caliber Homes; Alda Neves, director of sales and marketing at Intercity Realty

ABOVE LEFT, LEFT TO RIGHT: Alessandra Piccolo (gala committee chair), Dr. Fabrizio Di Stefano (director), Angelina Macri (president), Father Claudio Moser, Maria Pia Di Maio, Paul Di Lulio (treasurer), Rita Stillo (secretary), Dr. Anthony Testa (vice president), Carmel Quinlivan-Hopkins, Eliana Di Biase. ABOVE RIGHT: Dr. Kristen Terenzi

Every time I’m asked where I’m from I hesitate. I pause because I want to avoid the know-it-all smirk. I equivocate because I don’t want to hear the toxic and discriminative comments that fall from ignorant lips. That’s not fair to me or any other resident of Vaughan who lives life according to the law.

I’m not naive, but Vaughan is primarily a city full of heart, ­not villains. So why do cantankerous mediums continue to pollute our clean air with what appears to be anti-Italianism and acrimonious sound bites?

What alarms me the most is that Italians continue to be easy targets because they prefer not to speak out on issues that concern them. And many people take advantage of that.

Yellow journalism was at its best with a recent feature on Vaughan entitled “The Land of the Rich and Infamous,” written by Chris Nuttall-Smith, former food editor and current freelancer for Toronto Life. Residents of Vaughan found this story – which lambastes 905 developers, Mayor Linda Jackson, Vaughan council and the Italian community – plainly distasteful.

I asked Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Julian Fantino how he feels when his culture or the community he lives in is criticized in the media.

Julian Fantino, Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner

“Most of the critics have an agenda of their own, and very often there are issues that are not properly portrayed or reported,” responds Commissioner Fantino. I think it’s disconcerting … very often the facts are not really known. A lot of it is just sensationalism. The screaming headlines … all of that I think is intended to tear down and disenfranchise not only the community, but the people, unfairly. There’s far too much of that I think, going on in Vaughan,” adds Fantino, who has lived in this community since 1981.

With Vaughan’s 2010 municipal election approaching, the Toronto Life feature raked Mayor Linda Jackson and Vaughan council over the coals. Any charges against Mayor Jackson have not yet been proven in a court of law.

Apart from portraying council members as the “enemies” of the mayor, Nuttall-Smith colours his introduction with a harsh physical description. “She’s 50 years old, with dyed blondish hair and skin that’s often the colour of inexpensive bronzer … It’s fair to say that she carries around a few extra pounds.” This passage raises the question as to whether or not a person’s appearance affects his or her ability to govern a city.

In 2000, years before Toronto Mayor David Miller began an exercise regime to shed his extra weight, he was lauded with an A+ and named best councillor by Toronto Life magazine. For Mayor Jackson, presenting her best appearance comes second to executing her duties as mayor, as she displayed during the endless hours she spent helping citizens in the aftermath of the Vaughan tornado. Mayor Jackson recalls: “The skies opened up, and I said, ‘Don’t give me an umbrella! These people’s homes are destroyed, and all I would be worried about would be an umbrella?”

I have resided in this city for a little more than 20 years, during which time my experiences with some of the
non-Vaughan populace have left me speechless. The media have taken every opportunity to splash its headlines about Vaughan with blood. As a result, the excellence of our city has been spoiled by unhealthy, unbalanced reporting, bordering an obsession with politics, lifestyle and Italian developers. Nuttall-Smith’s story begins with: “Everything about Vaughan – its executive estates, its hectares of malls, its politicians’ aspirations – is big and brash … Its expansion has been orchestrated by politically connected developers who know what they want.”

Toronto Life is published by St. Joseph Communications, which was founded in 1956 by Gaetano Gagliano, who is Italian. As Canada’s largest privately owned communications company, St. Joseph’s corporate communications office is located in the core of the Canadian marketplace – Vaughan.

I wanted to ask St. Joseph’s CEO Tony Gagliano how he felt about the way his heritage and the community he works in were criticized by the very brand he runs. After I made several attempts to arrange an interview with him, his executive assistant sent me this message in an e-mail: “As previously mentioned, I am unable to schedule any time for a call due to Tony’s [Gagliano] schedule for the next few weeks. There is no one else that I can recommend to speak on his behalf. We thank you again for this opportunity. Warm regards, Rose Giorgio.”

I tried to reach the five building magnates described in the Toronto Life story under the subheading, “Developer Kings: The builders of Vaughan’s suburbs are also some of the city’s richest residents.” But John DeGasperis (TACC Construction), Vic De Zen (Royal Group Technologies), Carlo Baldassarra (Greenpark Homes) and Rudy Bratty (Remington Group) opted not to comment. Would anyone who was criticized constantly be comfortable speaking to the media?

The only developer who offered his thoughts was Alfredo (Fred) DeGasperis, founder of the nation’s largest construction company, ConDrain.

While I don’t want to discredit the hard work that Nuttall-Smith did on his feature, he said DeGasperis was a resident of Vaughan, but he is not; rather, he lives in the city of Toronto. “I was upset when I heard about [the story]. We’re very proud of what we’ve done for many, many years. We still keep doing it. We build buildings. I know they [the media] make the problem bigger. They always try to throw dirt on a project,” says DeGapseris. He won a lawsuit against The Globe and Mail in 2000, for which the Ontario Court of Appeal ordered the newspaper and a journalist to pay him $780,000, which he then donated to charity.

Under the headshots of most of the developers, their estimated worth is listed. If money talks, why not explain where some of the cash goes? Every year, all these men, including Fred DeGasperis (“worth $1.4 billion”), donate millions to charities and hospitals.

In just one example, Fred DeGasperis and family donated a staggering $7 million to Toronto General Hospital in 2004 to enhance patient care at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre.

“We believe we should take care of the sick people. We believe that when you work so hard and you make decent money you should give back to charity. We’re very proud of what we’ve done for hospitals,” says DeGasperis, who, like the other developers, has extended his generosity to Toronto institutions like the Hospital for Sick Children, Mount Sinai, Sunnybrook and Princess Margaret hospitals.

“Our very generous donor community, which includes wonderful supporters from the city of Vaughan, allows us to raise funds to deliver breakthrough research, exemplary teaching and compassionate care at Princess Margaret Hospital, one of the top five cancer research centres in the world,” says Paul Alofs, president and CEO of The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation.

Matthew Teitelbaum

TACC Construction recently helped fund the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) services at the Markham Stoufville Hospital with a $1 million gift.

Many Italian developers have also supported the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) with $500,000 contributions towards the Galleria Italia, a sculptural promenade across the front of the AGO. “I’m thrilled because I’ve never been with a group of donors who seemed more excited and pleased with the association and with their ability to make a difference,” says Matthew Teitelbaum, the AGO’s Michael and Sonja Koerner director and CEO.

Cities in Canada and across the world are troubled by scandals, and whether it’s true or not, a dose of equilibrium and a dash of class go a long way in fair reportage.

“We don’t need any more bad publicity about Vaughan,” says Remo Ferri. “I think there’s a great community up here. It’s a great place, and some of us have worked very hard to build what we have. We’re not crooks,” adds the founder of The Remo Ferri Group of Automobiles. Earlier this year, Ferri, who supports a number of charities, opened North America’s largest Ferrari Maserati dealership in Vaughan.

The city of Vaughan is home to multiple ethnicities, living and learning together in one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities.

The issue of Italian culture begins when Nuttall-Smith writes, “The city has more than 250,000 residents today, and the largest concentration of Italian immigrants in Canada. More than 40 per cent of the population claims Italian heritage. Six out of eight of the city’s councillors are Italian; they often campaign in Italian and bow to local Italian-language media.”

Sandra Yeung Racco, Vaughan Councillor.

In instances like this, I’m jaded from having to explain, very slowly, that no, not every Vaughan resident is Italian. “We have a very multicultural and diverse group of residents and businesses,” says Vaughan Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco. I think that makes us very rare. We have a good balance of multiple cultures within our community.”

A surprise to most, the city of Vaughan is just 38 per cent Italian. The rest of the community includes Jewish, Indian, Russian, Vietnamese, French and Romanian cultures, among others. “It is a very interesting and special experience for emigrants that first come to live in Vaughan and are new to the country. For me, Vaughan has everything you need,” says Mimoza Gila, an Albanian who lives in Woodbridge.

I must dispel yet another illusion: that of the housing climate of Vaughan. Guess what! We don’t all live like starlets in Hollywood-style “executive estates” with Roman pillars and multiple garages. “A number of condominium apartments and multiple row houses have been built [in Vaughan] over the past few years,” states the city of Vaughan’s website.

Just take a drive through Vaughan’s major communities – Concord, Kleinburg, Maple, Thornhill, Woodbridge – and you will find families living under the roof of a condominium, duplex or ­– gasp! – renting. Also, Vaughan is not “paved over,” with more than 1,000 hectares of vacant land.

For those who do enjoy the niceties of an upscale life, it all wasn’t handed down to them on a silver platter.

Vaughan isn’t where ”old money” lives and breathes. That kind of currency dwells in Toronto’s lavish Rosedale neighbourhood, where our nation’s wealthiest hold tea parties and clink their crystal in a lifestyle set in the most posh and expensive neighbourhood in Canada.

Maurizio Bevilacqua

Vaughan is a city where immigrants settled many years ago, and instead of being stagnant, grew and expanded. Adding 10,000 new residents each year, Vaughan continues to be one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities. By 2031, it is expected to be home to 420,000 people. How could a city described as a “political mess” with “politically connected developers” continue to attract new residents?

“Vaughan is a city that can in fact become world-class,” explains Maurizio Bevilacqua, a member of Parliament who represents Vaughan. “People [in Vaughan] are entrepreneurial and enlightened in the sense that while they excel at creating economic growth, they also understand their social responsibility. We are willing to share with one another … our focus is to improve the quality of life and standard of living for all Vaughan residents.”

The people of Vaughan were not spoon-fed a great life. They have felt the effects of segregation, communism, fascism and Nazism; they have endured poverty and oppression. But they rose out of hardship and misery; they struggled and sweated and strained to get to where they are today so their children could enjoy a lifestyle they didn’t have. “A lot of people came to this country in the ’40s and ’50s with only the shirt on their back, wanting to make a better life for themselves,” says Mayor Jackson. “They sacrificed … leaving wives and children in other countries to come to this country to make a better life, and they worked non-stop.”

As the innocent and hardworking residents of Vaughan continue to face an unfair reputation, the city’s accomplishments have taken a back seat. “The perception being created is an unfortunate one, but it is one that certainly can be improved by presenting the true nature of Vaughan and the community – its reality, not its mythology,” says MP Bevilacqua.

It’s time to take a stand, so that the next time you venture out of Vaughan, you won’t feel ashamed to say where you came from.