Spotlight
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DENDogs Calendar: East Enders Support Animal-Related Charities
Inspired by wanting to support a worthy cause and building a sense of community, Julie Glick's DENDogs has changed the types of conversations we are having around animals in our community.
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Ici Paris Spa: Skincare on the Danforth
Walking out from Chester station in the heart of the Danforth lies Ici Paris Spa. You walk in and instantly feel the warmth and relaxation radiating in the space. Just sitting in the spacious, mirrored environment you feel welcomed and you can understand why this spa won Best Beauty Spa for 2017 in Toronto. As other clients enter, they are greeted by name and attended to immediately. Gordana, the spa director, comes out to greet us with her chic bob, black turtleneck, and bright fuchsia lip, and tells us how proud she is of this business. The Danforth Ici Paris Spa has been on the Danforth for 41 years; it…
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In the Pursuit of Board Games: An Adventure on the Danforth
Three tired students go on a quest to have a board game night after a long week of school.
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Metro Movement: A Home for the Dancer in You
Whether it’s to take up dancing professionally, get fit or just have a little fun, owners Phil and Kalie Nero promise all of that and much more at Metro Movement. On my three-minute walk from the Broadview station, I do a quick scan of my surroundings—cozy coffee shops, eye-catching salons, and your everyday food marts. Nestled in-between this thriving community is Metro Movement, a professional adult dance studio that first opened its doors in 1989. As I climb up the stairs to meet Phil Nero, the owner, I hear the notes of the piano from a room on the far end, followed by the excited chatter of dancers and…
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Curly Hair on the Danforth: Urban Curls
At the age of 22, you would think I would have figured out how to take care of my own hair. I know enough to get me through the day without looking like I combed my hair with a rake, but my dry scalp and dead ends often go untouched due to my lack of knowledge on how best to deal with them. It’s hard out there for us curly haired girls living in a world that caters to straight hair. For far too long I just accepted that my hair would be a mystery I spent my life trying and failing to solve. Until I came across Urban Curls.…
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“Writing helped me discover my parents and my legacy”: An Interview with Alexandra Risen
In a nutshell, Unearthed is a memoir, it’s about a garden, it’s about a family. But as you start to sift through its pages, you come to an easy conclusion that Unearthed, above all, is a love letter, from a child to its parents, from a woman to the garden that ultimately heals her. Alexandra Risen had always loved reading and dreamt of writing books someday. But it wasn’t until the past 10 years, when Alexandra—formerly a seasoned corporate executive and currently one of three co-founders of the non-profit online literary magazine Don’t Talk to Me About Love—took writing seriously. And she finally found the words for her debut novel…
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Learning, Connecting, and a Dose of Fun: Support for Newcomer Women
The dedication is palpable from the moment you step onto the premises, where strollers stand parked in a corner and an assortment of children’s books lie stacked on a coffee table. Elsewhere, messages of love and empowerment are pasted over the walls, instilling a sense of hope and purpose in their space, while sounds of happy children drift in from an adjacent room. For the hundreds of women who come through these doors, this is a place of community and support—a place where they feel like they belong. Known as the Newcomer Women’s Services (NEW), this organization offers settlement support to newcomer women from all around the world, and has…
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“I struggle with the word power”: An Interview with Ann Buller
Says Ann Buller, President and CEO of Centennial College, on being named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women. Having assumed the presidency of Centennial College in 2004, Ann Buller has proved herself time and again. From Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (Governor General of Canada, 2013) to President’s/Chancellor’s Award (North American Council for Staff Program and Organizational Development, 2010), Buller added yet another feather in her overcrowded cap when she was recently named Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network—a title given to her in 2010 as well. Buller has been working in the education sector for the past 25 years. And what does the view…
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Blue Cross Animal Hospital: The Best Vet for Your Pet
How much do you care for your pet? For most pet owners the answer to that is a no-brainer—a lot. In most households, pets are treated as family. To some, they are as treasured as children. Having an intense love for your pet inclines you to want a vet that treats them with the best care. The Blue Cross Animal Hospital (BCAH) does just that. On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, I met with Dr. Hazel Eaglesome—who has worked at Blue Cross Animal Hospital for over 28 years and has been the owner for nearly 20—to talk a bit about her practice. The moment I walked in I felt comfortable. It…
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Does The Danforth Have An Identity Crisis?
Nestled between a Starbucks and Holy Name Catholic Church is St. Irene Chrisovalantou Greek Orthodox Church. A former body shop, the space was converted into a church in 1974 in response to members of the Greek community who wanted a place to preserve their culture. However, you would literally miss it in a blink of an eye. “It’s always been off to the side,” said Katy Haralampidis, 42, whose Danforth experience started in the church. The church remains accessible to Greeks who live in the area; however, there is a string of disappointment in its lack of structural development over the years. “I remember going to play with my friends…