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CARTER YAKEMCHUK Ready for the NHL

Cassandra Prosper Her Road to the WNBA

DR. SEAN SMITH Inside a Growing Plastic Surgery Practice

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ISSUE NO. 98

IN THIS ISSUE

MAGAZINE

P.40 Dr. Sean Smith One of Ottawa’s leading plastic surgeons, Dr. Sean Smith reflects on the experiences that shaped his approach and the growth of Smith Plastic Surgery at The Ottawa Clinic.

P.50 Carter Yakemchuk After two years of knocking on the door, Senators prospect Carter Yakemchuk enters training camp with his best shot yet at an NHL job.

P.60 Cassandre Prosper Former Ottawa prep star Cassandre Prosper reflects on the belief that carried her from Capital Courts to the WNBA.

P.76 Dr. Avi Shelemay Dr. Avi Shelemay takes us inside Capital Periodontics, where advanced training, bone regeneration and digital technology are expanding treatment options for patients with severe bone loss and complex dental implant needs.

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ISSUE NO. 98

IN THIS ISSUE

MAGAZINE

P.56 Fall 2026’s Trend Report A look at how interiors are shifting toward warmth, texture, and atmosphere this season, with designs that prioritize comfort, intention, and visual depth.

P.66 When in Rome One of downtown Ottawa’s newest arrivals, Carletto brings a modern Italian trattoria to Laurier Avenue with fresh pasta, pizza and an all-day approach to dining.

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September/October 2026 - Volume 98 FIND FACES Faces Magazine is distributed bi-monthly and offered free at select locations across Ottawa and in cities across Eastern Ontario. Full issues are also available online. Faces Magazine is a non-traditional print medium with a strong brand presence on social media.

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IN GOOD HANDS Dr. Sean Smith has become one of Ottawa’s most recognized plastic surgeons. Now, he’s focused on what comes next for The Ottawa Clinic. Photography by Nicolai Gregory

The story of Dr. Sean Smith’s career has an unlikely beginning. Today, he is one of Ottawa’s most recognized plastic surgeons, an educator at the University of Ottawa and a key figure in the growth of The Ottawa Clinic. His eventual career in medicine was far from a given. Smith grew up in Wakefield, Quebec, the son of a science teacher and an art teacher. In retrospect, it seems an unusually fitting combination for someone who would eventually choose a specialty that requires both technical precision and an eye for proportion. Smith was rejected from medical school on his first attempt, then again on his second. On his third try, he was accepted. “Getting rejected was crushing at the time,” Smith says. “When you want something that badly, it’s difficult not to question yourself.

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But I still knew medicine was what I wanted to do, so I kept working and applied again.” Looking back after 10 years in practice as a plastic surgeon, Smith credits those early setbacks with teaching him resilience and patience, qualities that would stay with him throughout his career. Smith went on to earn his medical degree and complete his plastic surgery residency, followed by advanced fellowships in both aesthetic and craniofacial surgery. Eventually, he returned to Ottawa to practise and build a clinic of his own. Building a large practice, however, was never the original plan. “My goal wasn’t to become well known or to build a large business,” he says. “I simply wanted to become the kind of surgeon that patients trusted enough to recommend to their family and friends.”

I S S U E

Dr. Sean Smith, founder of Smith Plastic Surgery and co-owner of The Ottawa Clinic, combines his growing aesthetic surgery practice with teaching the next generation of plastic surgeons at the University of Ottawa.

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“Technical skills can be taught. Character is much harder to teach.” That is, in large part, what happened. Over the past several years, Smith’s name has become increasingly familiar in Eastern Ontario. His practice, focused on aesthetic surgery of the face, breast and body, has grown largely through referrals and word of mouth. “Everything we’ve built has really grown one patient at a time,” he says. For Smith, earning those referrals depends on more than the surgical result. “Patients remember how they were treated from the first phone call to their final follow-up,” he says. “They remember whether they felt listened to, respected and cared for.” Smith spends considerable time during consultations discussing realistic outcomes, recovery and the limitations of surgery. He is also comfortable recommending against an operation when he does not believe it is appropriate. “I don’t believe everyone who comes to see me needs surgery,” he says. “Sometimes the most important thing I can do for a patient is to tell them that I don’t think they need an operation.” It reflects the philosophy that defines his approach to aesthetic surgery: clarity about what surgery can achieve, restraint in deciding how much to change and a focus on results that will continue to look natural over time.

look like the best version of themselves, with results that still feel authentically theirs.” For Smith, some of the most meaningful outcomes are the ones that eventually fade into the background of a patient’s life. “The best outcome is when the surgery eventually becomes something the patient doesn’t think about very much,” he says. “They feel more comfortable, and they get on with their life.” As the practice has evolved, so has Smith’s role within it. “Early in my career, I thought my job was to become the best surgeon I could be,” he says. “I still think about that every day, but now I realize I’m also responsible for the culture around the patient; the people we hire, how we treat each other, how we make decisions, and what standards we set for our clinic.” That has influenced the way Smith builds his team. “Technical skills can be taught,” he says. “Character is much harder to teach.” Smith’s role as a mentor also extends beyond the clinic through his work teaching plastic surgery residents at the University of Ottawa. Teaching remains one of his favourite parts of medicine.

“The best plastic surgery shouldn’t announce itself,” Smith says. “It’s about helping someone FACES MAGAZINE

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Depending on the patient, that may involve face and neck lifting, abdominoplasty, breast surgery, arm and thigh lifts or other bodycontouring procedures. Smith expects post-weight-loss surgery to become an increasingly important part of plastic surgery over the next five years. At the same time, advances in skin treatments, fat grafting, energy-based devices and less invasive technologies are creating new possibilities for patients and new reasons for physicians to distinguish promising science from marketing. “Aesthetic medicine can be particularly susceptible to hype,” Smith says. “Being first isn’t necessarily the same as being better.”

“I love teaching,” Smith says. “When a resident asks you why you do something a certain way, ‘because that’s how I’ve always done it’ isn’t a very good answer. Teaching forces you to keep questioning yourself and your approach.” That willingness to question established approaches matters in a field changing quickly, with one of the most significant recent shifts coming from somewhere outside plastic surgery entirely. The rapid adoption of GLP-1 medications has begun to reshape aesthetic surgery. As more patients achieve significant weight loss, Smith is seeing growing demand from people looking to address the loose or excess skin that can remain afterward.

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That willingness to question trends has become particularly relevant in the age of social media, where filtered images and rapidly changing aesthetic ideals can influence what patients see and ask for. “Good plastic surgery should respect the person’s anatomy and identity,” Smith says. “You want people to notice that someone looks great, not immediately know that they’ve had surgery.” That balance between embracing what is changing and knowing when to hold back will help shape the next stage of The Ottawa Clinic. Smith’s vision is for The Ottawa Clinic to continue evolving into a comprehensive destination for aesthetic medicine and surgery. That means expanding its surgical capabilities and medical aesthetics offerings, attracting exceptional physicians and healthcare

I S S U E

“The best plastic surgery shouldn’t announce itself.” professionals, and selectively investing in treatments supported by strong evidence. But as the organization becomes larger and more sophisticated, he is equally focused on preserving the culture and patient experience that helped build the practice. For someone who once simply wanted to become a surgeon his patients would recommend to their families, the scope of the job has changed considerably. Smith is now thinking not only about the patient in front of him, but about the people he hires, the surgeons he teaches, the treatments the clinic adopts and the kind of organization he wants to build. Five years from now, he hopes The Ottawa Clinic will be recognized not only for surgical results, but for the experience surrounding them. “Growth is exciting, but reputation is still earned one patient at a time,” Smith says. “If five years from now we’re larger, more sophisticated and able to offer our patients more, but people still walk through our doors and feel genuinely known and cared for, then I think we’ll have succeeded.”

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The Latest What’s New In Local Living

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The Glebe Named One of Canada’s Trendiest Neighbourhoods The Glebe has been ranked the seventh trendiest neighbourhood in Canada by Airbnb based on summer travel bookings. The annual list highlights destinations seeing the biggest growth in visitor interest, with the Glebe earning recognition for its walkable streets, vibrant local shops, independent restaurants, and easy access to Lansdowne Park and the Rideau Canal.

Ottawa Considers Major Urban Expansion Ottawa could be on track for one of its largest suburban expansions in years. A new city planning report recommends adding more than 27 square kilometres of land to Ottawa’s urban boundary to accommodate future population growth and help meet provincial housing targets. The proposed expansion would open new areas for residential development in Kanata, Stittsville, Riverside South, and Orléans over the coming decades.

Ottawa Uber Riders Among Canada’s Least Forgetful If you’ve ever left your phone in an Uber, you’re not alone, but Ottawa residents are less likely to do it than most. Uber’s 2026 Lost & Found Index ranks Ottawa among Canada’s three least forgetful cities for the second consecutive year, alongside Toronto and Calgary. While phones, wallets, and keys remain the most commonly forgotten items nationwide, Ottawa riders managed to misplace some more unusual belongings, including a red bathing suit and a gold-star trophy.

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The Latest What’s New In Local Living Canada Named the World’s Best Country for Hiking Canada has been ranked the best country in the world for hiking, according to a new study analyzing the top-rated trails on AllTrails. The report placed Canada ahead of Switzerland and Italy, awarding it a perfect 10/10 beauty score. Canadian trails earned an average user rating of 4.73 out of 5, with more than 4,400 reviews Findley Creek - The Faces.pdf 3 8/6/2026 11:43:59 AM per trail.

Canada Loses Its ‘Most Polite’ Crown Canadians may be famous for saying “sorry,” but a new global survey suggests we’ve been knocked off the top spot. According to a study by Remitly, Japan is now the world’s most polite country, with Canada ranking second among 26 nations surveyed. The good news? Canada was also named the friendliest country in the world.

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Carter Yakemchuk’s Search for an NHL Job

BY STEVE WARNE PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLAI GREGORY

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As the Ottawa Senators open their 2026 training camp this fall, the progress of 20-year-old defenceman Carter Yakemchuk is sure to provide one of the team’s most compelling storylines.

I S S U E

“I want to go in there and try and earn a job and an opportunity to play on the big team.” Two years ago, the Senators selected Carter Yakemchuk—a Fort McMurray, Alberta native— seventh overall, which is an NHL draft position that comes with great expectations. In the past 15 years, the Sens have only had a pick that high on three occasions and they managed to turn all of them into gold: Tim Stutzle (3rd in 2020), Jake Sanderson (5th in 2020), and Brady Tkachuk (4th in 2018). Yakemchuk made an immediate impression at his first camp following the draft, leading all Ottawa skaters in preseason scoring. He remained with the club until the very end of camp before becoming one of its final cuts. Last fall was a little different. With Yakemchuk putting more emphasis on developing the defensive side of his game, the offence didn’t flow quite as freely. But once again, he pushed his way deep into training camp. And once again, he was one of the Senators’ final cuts.

Now, as he prepares for this year’s camp, Yakemchuk is hoping the third time is the charm. And he has good reason to be hopeful. For one, he’s now had two years to develop his game, first with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen after returning to junior in 2024, and then last season in the pro ranks with the AHL’s Belleville Senators. But just as importantly, the Sens’ blue line changed over the summer. Nick Jensen has moved on, creating a glaring opening on the right side behind Artem Zub and Jordan Spence. Yakemchuk wants that job. The Senators want him to have that job. But is he ready for that job? His offence certainly is. He got into his first live fire NHL action last season, making his debut in Detroit, scoring a goal and adding an assist in an important late-season Senators victory. The Sens called on him again during a Stanley Cup playoff game, and he responded with two assists. No one doubts that Yakemchuk can provide offence from the back end. It’s a matter of continuing to work on skating and decisions on defence, and that’s been a major part of his development over the past two years. After his first season of pro hockey in 2025-26, he spent some time at home in Calgary but was back in Ottawa by mid-summer, skating five days a week and working with Sens skating coach Shelley Kettles. There’s no guarantee he’ll be wearing a Sens jersey on opening night. But that’s absolutely the goal.

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“I think this is going to be a big opportunity for me this year at camp,” Yakemchuk said. “I mean, I want to go in there and try and earn a job and an opportunity to play on the big team.” With training camp approaching, Yakemchuk sat down with Faces to talk about that opportunity, his NHL debut, growing up with two older brothers, his summer in Ottawa, Burger King, and why his first NHL goal puck is apparently missing in action. What has changed for you from draft day two years ago to the person and player you are now? Well, I’d say I’ve probably matured a little bit since then, just getting more confidence both on and off the ice. Especially this year being my first full season as a pro, I’m trying to become more of a professional and less of a junior player.

And then we slept, woke up and there was no pregame skate or anything. Just at the hotel meetings. And then, yeah, I think I was nervous the whole day. But I think in the car on the way there, me and Jorian were pretty excited. We were making calls to our family and friends. It was fun to experience the whole thing. And your family managed to get to Detroit in time for the game? Yeah, I told them I was playing and they found a way to be there, which was awesome. My parents, my brothers, my uncle came too. And you got your first NHL goal. Do you still have the puck?

You’ve already had a couple of special NHL moments. Can you take us through the day of your NHL debut in Detroit? When did you get the call?

I don’t actually have it. It’s somewhere. I don’t know. I think I lost it. I hope not. I don’t think I got it back yet. It’s probably still at the rink just sitting in my stall [laughs].

Yeah, I got the call during the game the night before. I think they were in New York. And then a couple of guys went down in the game and then I got the call that me and Jorian (Donovan) were both going to go play in Detroit. It was literally 20

You also got to play your first Stanley Cup playoff game. Was that even more nerve-wracking than your NHL debut?

“As soon as you step on the ice, it’s easy to get your head into hockey and forget about the outside noise.” 52

minutes after we got the phone calls, we were in a car driving to Detroit, drove all night, got to the hotel at like 3 am.

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Yeah, it was. Just going in and then I think when we got on the ice, like, before the anthems, how loud it was, I mean, the building was shaking. But then as soon as you step on the ice, it’s easy to get your head into hockey and forget about the outside noise. Were there Senators players who took you under their wing when you arrived? I think Ridly Greig did for sure. It was helpful seeing him away from the rink. I think Jake and Chabot both helped, even at training camps, they’d watch me play and give me pointers.

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“My oldest brother, Connor, he’s like a big, big guy. And then Keeling, he’s not as big. So I feel like I can at least take him in fights.” I think in that first game, everyone was trying to help me and Jorian out. They knew we were both nervous and also excited, so they were helping both of us out and trying to make it easy on us.

Tell us about your mom and dad (Tammy and Robin) and their involvement in your hockey career to this point, getting you to all your games and practices.

You’ve spent part of the summer in Ottawa. What’s your setup here?

Both of them were pretty involved. My dad probably more for sure. But my mom would always volunteer for all our teams. Growing up, every year she would get our teams involved in something to do with the community, trying to help out. So she was big into (my hockey) too.

Yeah, I’m staying with Ridly at his place and skating every day, and in the gym and it’s been good so far. It’s nice to be here with the staff and the support they have. You grew up with two older brothers, Connor and Keeling. How much did chasing them around help you athletically? Yeah, and you just always wanted to do what they were doing. If they were playing street hockey with their friends, I wanted to play with them and wanted to be out there no matter what sport or what they were doing.

What do they do for work? They own Burger Kings in Fort McMurray. Burger Kings? How many? They own two right now and are just getting started on a third. And naturally, you’re a Burger King guy?

I always wanted to be hanging out with them.

It’s alright.

And I’m betting you beat the tar out of each other over the years.

If Yakemchuk has it his way, he’ll finally crack Ottawa’s opening-night roster this fall.

Yeah. My oldest brother, Connor, he’s like a big, big guy. And then Keeling, he’s not as big. So I feel like I can at least take him in fights [laughs].

The big young defenceman has spent the past two training camps pushing right to the finish line, only to come up just short.

But it’s been great to see all the support they’ve had for me.

With any luck, a full-time NHL job will be easier to find than that missing souvenir puck.

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IN STYLE

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The Fall 2026

Trend Report As the seasons change, interiors are embracing a richer, more layered aesthetic. This fall, the focus is on timeless materials, expressive details, and homes that feel collected rather than perfectly coordinated. Warm finishes, tactile surfaces, and thoughtful craftsmanship continue to shape spaces that are both inviting and enduring.

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01 Monochromatic Layering

Monochromatic interiors are moving beyond a single paint colour. Designers are layering similar tones through wood, stone, textiles, and decorative accents to create spaces with subtle depth and dimension. By combining a range of textures and finishes within the same colour family, these rooms feel rich, cohesive, and sophisticated without relying on bold contrasts.

02 Warm Wood Millwork

Warm wood is taking centre stage throughout the home. Rich walnut, medium oak, and natural wood finishes are appearing on cabinetry, built-ins, shelving, and even ceilings, bringing depth and character to modern interiors. Rather than overwhelming a space, designers are balancing these warmer tones with painted cabinetry, soft neutrals, and natural stone to create rooms that feel inviting, timeless, and beautifully layered.

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03 Warm Contemporary

Contemporary interiors are becoming noticeably warmer. Clean-lined architecture is being softened with natural wood, textured stone, earthy tones, and comfortable furnishings that create a more inviting atmosphere. Rather than relying on stark contrasts, designers are layering organic materials and subtle textures to achieve a look that feels modern, balanced, and effortlessly livable.

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Ottawa’s History Revisted

Two remarkable stories hiding in Ottawa’s history.

The Man Behind the Château Laurier Died on the Titanic

Matthew Perry Was Ottawa’s #2 Junior Tennis Player

Railway executive Charles Melville Hays commissioned the Château Laurier as part of his ambitious expansion of the Grand Trunk Railway, but he never saw it open. While returning from England in April 1912, partly to attend the hotel’s opening, Hays boarded the RMS Titanic. He died when the ship sank on April 15, and the Château’s opening was postponed. It eventually welcomed its first guests in June 1912, with Sir Wilfrid Laurier in attendance.

Long before Friends, Matthew Perry was one of Ottawa’s top young tennis players. By 13, he was ranked No. 2 in the city and later became nationally ranked before moving to Los Angeles at 15. His Ottawa childhood also produced another famous story: Perry attended school with Justin Trudeau and later admitted that he and a friend beat up the future prime minister in Grade 5, joking that jealousy over Trudeau’s athletic ability may have played a role.

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Matthew Perry in 1985. Photo via Brent Perniac/AdMedia /MediaPunch

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Cassandre Prosper, a former Cairine Wilson and Capital Courts standout, represented Canada at the Paris 2024 Olympics before starring at Notre Dame and being selected 19th overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2026 WNBA Draft.

FROM CAPITAL COURTS TO THE WNBA,

Cassandre Prosper Always Believed 6060 FACES FACES MAGAZINE MAGAZINE

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“Being the first brother and sister born and raised in Canada (to both be drafted) and also being of Haitian descent, it comes with a lot of pride and history.”

For most young athletes, a professional career in the sport they love is something beyond their wildest dreams. But for Cassandre Prosper, it was a dream she never doubted. She believed it long before she was drafted by the Washington Mystics back in April. She also believed it before she starred at the University of Notre Dame, and before she spent three years playing basketball in Ottawa. Prosper and her older brother, Memphis Grizzlies forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper, both believed it, and made a little Canadian basketball history along the way. They’re the first Canadian-born brother and sister to be drafted into the NBA and WNBA. Reaching this level never seemed like some far-fetched idea for the Prosper kids. “For us, that was always the plan,” Cassandre said. “We always believed that he was going to be in the NBA and I was going to be in the WNBA.” After so many years of hard work, practicing and training, her draft night provided a moment of release.

“When my name was called, it was just a feeling of being able to breathe,” Prosper said. “Honestly, it was probably the best night of my life.” As Prosper settles into the next stage of her career, Faces connected with the 21-yearold to ask about her time in Ottawa, her family, draft night, adjusting to the WNBA, and a few thoughts about life outside the game she loves. You grew up in Montreal, but what brought you to Ottawa as a teenager? I decided to go to a prep school there called Capital Courts Academy. I really loved Fabienne Blizzard, who was my coach, and Merrick Palmer, who was the director of the program and was also involved in development. They were great people, and they recruited me to come to Capital Courts. The main reason I decided to go to Ottawa was because I didn’t feel like I was being challenged enough in Montreal. I spent grades 10 through 12 there, and I went to Cairine Wilson High School.

By Steve Warne

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What were those early basketball battles with Olivier-Maxence like? Has he been a support to you in your career? Earlier on, I feel like it was a lot of me looking up to him. He’s still my role model and someone I’ve always looked to as an example. He’s always been super supportive. Now that we’re both adults and both at the professional level, we have a really strong relationship built on mutual respect. He’s just a great older brother who really wants his younger sister to be successful. You and Olivier-Maxence became the first Canadian-born brother and sister to be drafted into the NBA and WNBA. Has that sunk in yet? For us, that was always the plan. We always believed that he was going to be in the NBA and I was going to be in the WNBA. But being the first brother and sister born and raised in Canada (to both be drafted) and also being of Haitian descent, it comes with a lot of pride and history. I feel like it’s also a responsibility, but it’s an amazing opportunity to put Canada on the map, and put Haiti on the map. Who were some of the people in Ottawa who had the biggest impact on you? The two biggest ones would have to be Fabienne Blizzard and Merrick Palmer.

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They were the two people who really took me in and helped develop me.

My family was there with me. My brother was next to me, along with my mom and my dad.

I lived with Coach Fabs and two other teammates, so she really took care of me. She came to my draft, she came to see me play at Notre Dame, and she’s always been a big part of my life, bigger than just a coach.

When my name was called, it was just a feeling of being able to breathe. Then being able to celebrate with everybody was amazing.

If you could go back and talk to the teenaged version of yourself, walking the halls at Cairine Wilson, what would you tell her?

Honestly, it was probably the best night of my life.

I would tell her to keep trusting her intuition and to enjoy the moment.

What have the first few months of being a professional basketball player been like?

“I would tell her to keep trusting her intuition and to enjoy the moment.”

I feel like the Mystics are the best team I could have been on because we have a lot of young players. We’re all kind of figuring it out together.

But I would also tell her to be present and recognize that those moments go by really fast.

It’s tiring, don’t get me wrong. I don’t think I’ve ever been this tired in my life. But I’m enjoying it.

Take us inside WNBA Draft night. What went through your mind when you heard your name called by Washington?

This is a dream. This is what I’ve always wanted to do.

For me, it was a big decision because I still had a year of college eligibility left. But the WNBA had always been a dream of mine, and I felt like it was time for me to continue growing.

The first few months have been about giving myself grace and allowing myself to learn. Are you loving it? I really am. I’m loving all the traveling and the experience.

You represented Canada at the last Summer Olympics. What does putting on a Canadian jersey mean to you? Playing for Canada always makes me proud.

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When I played in the Olympics in Paris and heard the national anthem... there’s just this deep recognition of what it means to represent your country. Being Canadian is a big part of who I am. Getting to represent Canada the right way is always a privilege and something I take with a lot of responsibility. If you come back to Ottawa to visit, what’s the first place you’d want to go? I’d probably go either to Capital Courts, the training center, or Cairine Wilson to see some of my teachers.

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But there’s also a really good cheese pie place nearby that I loved, so I would probably have to go there too.

Twenty years from now, when people in Ottawa mention Cassandre Prosper, what do you hope they’ll say?

Away from basketball, what are some of your hobbies or passions?

I think they’ll say that I was someone who inspired them to love themselves.

I love being outside. I feel like that’s my biggest thing.

That’s something that really matters to me.

I love reading. I love cooking. Oh my gosh, I love cooking.

I want the people I interact with to leave feeling like they love themselves more, and I hope everyone who knows me loves themselves a little bit more.

I also love getting flowers and doing things that make me slow down. Things that are completely different from basketball.

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WHEN IN ROME

Carletto brings a modern Italian trattoria experience to downtown Ottawa. Ottawa is getting a new taste of Italy this summer. Opening August 21 at 161 Laurier Avenue West, Carletto is a modern Italian trattoria designed to carry guests from business lunches and afternoon cocktails through to long dinners and late evenings. The restaurant comes from the hospitality team behind Ottawa’s Cocotte Bistro and Old Montreal restaurants Jacopo and BEVO, with Executive Chef Simon Brière leading the kitchen. The menu centres on dishes made in-house, including fresh pastas, oven-fired pizzas and generous plates designed for sharing, complemented by cocktails and an Italianminded wine program. The setting is equally central to the concept. A large bar anchors the room, surrounded by 120 indoor seats and a 25-seat terrace, giving Carletto the energy of the urban trattorias that inspired it. Whether it’s a quick lunch, aperitivo at the bar or dinner that stretches well into the evening, Carletto is bringing a little of the Italian way of dining to the heart of Ottawa.

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One Destination Endless Memories Book your round this summer! Or connect with our team to start planning your event. (613) 839-5401 greatday@lochmarch.com

These naturally beautiful 18 holes are perfect for your next tee time or dream event. Enjoy scenic fairways, flexible event spaces, room for up to 200 guests, and an experienced team focused on thoughtful execution. Every celebration is handled with care and every round is one to remember.

B O O K Y O U R T E E T I M E O R L E A R N M O R E AT G O L F N O RT H . C A / LO C H M A R C H

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A Modern Farmhouse Whole-Home Renovation in Ottawa A home that finally matches the family who lives there.

Before reaching out to CPI Interiors, these homeowners had already transformed their backyard into a beautiful outdoor retreat where family and friends naturally gathered. Inside, however, the home felt disconnected from that lifestyle. The interiors were dark and dated, the staircase felt heavy, and the kitchen was closed off from the rest of the main floor. For a family that enjoys cooking together and entertaining, the layout simply wasn’t working. They wanted a home that felt brighter, more connected, and better suited to gathering.

Creating A More Connected Home From the first walkthrough, CPI Interiors recognized that the renovation would require more than replacing finishes. Early in the design process, the team confirmed that the walls between the foyer and dining room and between the kitchen and dining space could be removed. Opening the floor plan allowed natural light from the large patio doors to travel throughout the main floor while creating a stronger connection between the interior and backyard. Continuous flooring helped unify the newly opened spaces, while structural beams clad in white oak became architectural features.

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The reimagined kitchen and dining area creates an open, connected space for cooking and entertaining, with a large central island, custom storage and warm white oak details throughout.

The Kitchen Becomes the Heart of the Home At the centre of the renovation was a completely reimagined kitchen. The original peninsula created a bottleneck and made it difficult for multiple people to use the space. CPI Interiors replaced it with a large island that became a natural gathering place for family and friends. Custom pantry storage was added on either side of the refrigerator, corner drawers made use of awkward spaces, and a dedicated coffee and microwave station with floating shelves added convenience. White oak was also carried onto the support post between the cabinetry, tying it into the surrounding beams. The result is a kitchen where family members can cook together and guests can remain part of the conversation.

Designing for Everyday Life The staircase retained its original shape but was updated with white oak treads, white risers and black spindles, connecting with the engineered white oak flooring throughout the main and second levels.

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In the mudroom and laundry room, custom cabinetry, a built-in bench and hooks added practical storage, while shiplap walls brought texture and durability. The main bathroom was redesigned to improve storage and features textured blue shower tile against the home’s neutral palette. In the powder room, a custom white oak vanity and matching framed mirror continue the design language of the main floor. A Warm and Timeless Palette The finished aesthetic is bright modern farmhouse, with white oak providing warmth and texture, soft paint colours keeping the home light and black accents adding contrast. CPI Interiors also furnished the dining room around the family’s love of entertaining, pairing a statement dining table with soft, sculptural seating. Why Planning Matters The project progressed without major construction surprises or significant changes to the scope of work. Major decisions were made before demolition began, creating a clear roadmap for the renovation.

As the homeowners later shared: “Working with Natalie Cox and the CPI team on our home renovation was an excellent experience from start to finish. They made the process feel easy and nearly stress-free, guiding us through every step with professionalism and expertise.” The Finished Result The kitchen experienced the biggest transformation, evolving from a cramped and isolated space into the heart of the home, but the change extends throughout the house. The spaces are brighter, the layout is more connected, entertaining is easier and daily routines function better. Most importantly, the home now reflects the warmth and personality of the family who lives there. The renovation feels natural, as though the home was always meant to work this way.

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Charging a Plug-In Hybrid Another common misconception is that buying a Plug-in Hybrid means immediately installing a dedicated charger at home. Lexus Plug-in Hybrids can be charged from a standard 120V household outlet. Drivers who want faster charging can install a Level 2 home charger, and Level 2 chargers are also available at many public charging locations.

ELECTRIC MADE EASY

ChargePoint’s Home Flex is a Level 2 home charger that can deliver up to 50 amps when hardwired, with adjustable output to suit the vehicle and the home’s electrical capacity.

For Ottawa drivers looking at electrified vehicles, Tony Graham Lexus offers several ways to make the switch, from traditional hybrids to Plug-in Hybrids and fully electric models. Part of the Tony Graham Automotive Group, Tony Graham Lexus has served drivers across the Ottawa region for decades, with both sales and service teams dedicated to the Lexus brand. As more drivers consider electrified vehicles, one of the most common questions is also one of the simplest: which type actually fits the way I drive? 72

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For many Ottawa drivers, a Plug-in Hybrid can be a practical answer. A Lexus Plug-in Hybrid combines a larger battery and electric motor with a gas engine. When the battery is charged, the vehicle can use electric power for shorter everyday trips. Once the available EV range has been used, it continues driving as a hybrid using its gas engine and electric system. That setup can make sense for someone commuting around Ottawa during the week but regularly driving farther on

For someone with access to an outlet at home, plugging in overnight can become a simple routine. The vehicle starts the next day with electric range available for commuting and local driving. And if you forget to plug it in, or use up the available EV range during the day, the vehicle does not leave you stranded. The gas engine remains available and the vehicle continues operating as a hybrid.

weekends. Local errands and daily commuting can make use of electric power, while trips to Montreal, the cottage or elsewhere don’t have to be planned around charging stops. Regenerative braking also captures some of the energy normally lost during braking and uses it to help recharge the battery while the vehicle is being driven.

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Plug-in Hybrid ownership may also require less adjustment than some drivers expect. Lexus Plug-in Hybrids can be charged using a standard 120V household outlet, meaning a dedicated home charger isn’t necessarily required. A Level 2 charger can be installed for faster charging and is also available at many public charging locations. For regular commuters, charging overnight at home can make electric driving especially convenient. And because a Plug-in Hybrid still has a gas engine, drivers don’t have to plan longer trips around charging stops.

Top: Lexus RX 450h+ Plug-in Hybrid, pairing EV driving capability with a gas-electric hybrid system for longer-range flexibility. Bottom: 2026 Lexus RX 500h F SPORT Black Line, a performance-focused hybrid with DIRECT4 all-wheel drive and F SPORT tuning.

An Easier First Step That flexibility is one reason Plug-in Hybrids can appeal to drivers who are interested in electric driving but aren’t ready to move to a fully electric vehicle. There is no need to change how longer trips are planned, and the everyday driving experience remains familiar. Owners can simply use electric power when it suits their routine and gasoline when it is needed. For drivers comparing their options, the Tony Graham Lexus team can explain the differences between Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and Battery Electric Lexus models based on commuting distance, access to home charging and the types of longer trips they regularly take.

The support also continues after purchase. Tony Graham Lexus has five Lexus Master Technicians on its Service team, with Lexus-trained technicians equipped to inspect, maintain and service Lexus electrified vehicles.

For Ottawa drivers who want to use electric power more often without relying on it exclusively, a Plug-in Hybrid offers a straightforward middle ground between a conventional hybrid and a fully electric vehicle.

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THE ART OF THE HEAD SPA Ottawa’s first Japanese head spa combines centuries-old techniques with modern scalp care, creating a restorative experience that goes far beyond a traditional salon visit. Long before head spas became one of the fastest-growing wellness trends on social media, Capital Head Spa & Hair introduced the concept to Ottawa. Founded by Carmen Elias in 2020, the business became the city’s first Traditional Japanese Head Spa in 2021, bringing a treatment rooted in relaxation, scalp health, and overall wellbeing to a fast-paced city.

More Than a Spa Treatment With more than 25 years in the beauty and wellness industry, including over 15 years specializing in trichology, the study of scalp and hair health, Elias created Capital with a holistic

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philosophy. Every treatment is designed to blend relaxation with results, helping clients pause, reset, and reconnect while supporting long-term scalp and hair health. The signature Japanese Head Spa experience includes a personalized scalp analysis, massage, cleansing rituals, and advanced treatments that leave guests feeling refreshed long after the appointment ends.

A Complete Hair Wellness Destination Capital has continued to evolve beyond the head spa experience. In 2025, the business expanded with the addition of its Hair Boutique, led by stylist Jasmine, whose decade of industry experience complements the clinic’s wellness-first approach. Alongside Traditional Japanese Head Spa treatments, Capital also offers scalp-focused services including microneedling and low-level laser therapy, creating a full-service destination where relaxation, haircare, and scalp health come together under one roof.

Photography by Amarah Creative Studios

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Dr. Avi Shelemay & Capital Periodontics: The Science Behind a Smile

Inside Ottawa’s Capital Perio, where advanced periodontal care, bone regeneration and digital technology are changing what is possible for patients. Dr. Avi Shelemay knew early that dentistry suited him. Scientifically inclined and drawn to precise work with his hands, he pursued dental school before completing a hospital-based residency, where treating patients with complex needs introduced him to the world of specialty care.

Periodontics ultimately offered the combination he was looking for: science, surgery, problem-solving and the biology of healing. Today, after three decades in practice, Shelemay is the periodontist behind Capital Perio, an Ottawa specialty clinic treating everything from gum disease and recession to advanced bone loss and complex dental implant cases. While most of us are familiar with what a dentist does, periodontics is a distinct specialty requiring an

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Photography by Nicolai Gregory

additional three to four years of full-time accredited residency training, often alongside a master’s degree, followed by a fellowship examination. General dentists oversee a patient’s overall oral health, while periodontists specialize in the structures supporting the teeth, particularly the gums and jawbone, as well as dental implant treatment. At Capital Perio, many patients arrive through referrals from their dentists, particularly for complex cases, although a referral is not required. The clinic also welcomes patients directly and sees many who have been recommended by existing patients. “A reputation is not built through promotion or a few successful cases,” Shelemay says. “It is earned gradually through consistent work, honest communication and treating patients and colleagues with respect.”

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That reputation has increasingly made Capital Perio a destination for patients dealing with severe gum or bone loss, challenging anatomy or multiple interconnected problems involving their teeth, bite and appearance. The clinic works collaboratively with general dentists and other specialists, looking at the mouth as a complete system rather than treating individual teeth in isolation. One of Shelemay’s particular areas of expertise is bone regeneration, something that can fundamentally change the options available after tooth loss. When a tooth is lost, the gum and bone that once supported it can gradually disappear. Without sufficient bone, placing a dental implant can become difficult or, in severe cases, seemingly impossible. Shelemay travelled to Budapest to study under Professor Istvan Urban, an internationally recognized leader in bone regeneration.

Dr. Avi Shelemay, founder of Capital Periodontics, has spent three decades in specialty practice, including years of advanced international training that he now draws on as both a clinician and lecturer.

From its Ottawa clinic overlooking the Greenbelt and Gatineau Hills, Capital Periodontics treats patients with severe gum and bone loss, gum recession and complex implant needs, including cases referred by other dental professionals.

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After completing an intensive three-month program, he continued returning to Budapest for further training and conferences. Today, Shelemay also lectures and shares his own clinical experience using the techniques Urban pioneered. “The greatest reward is being able to help patients who were previously told that dental implants were not an option because they lacked sufficient bone,” he says. Modern regeneration combines a better understanding of how the body rebuilds tissue with specialized grafting materials and highly precise surgical techniques. Rather than applying the same solution to every patient, Shelemay emphasizes matching the approach to the individual anatomy and type of bone defect. His philosophy is surprisingly low-tech for someone who works with some very high-tech equipment: new tools are only as effective as the person using them. That same philosophy shapes one of Capital Perio’s most technologically advanced treatments. For patients who have lost, or are at risk of losing, most or all of their teeth, full-arch implant treatment can replace them with a fixed set supported by dental implants. In appropriate cases, failing teeth can be removed, implants placed and temporary fixed teeth provided all on the same day. The work begins well before surgery. Using 3D imaging, digital scans and photographs, the team studies everything from the patient’s bite to facial proportions and aesthetic goals. Implant positions and the new smile are planned digitally before the procedure begins. On surgery day, Capital Perio uses a fully digital workflow and 3D printing technology to create a customized temporary restoration within hours. The teeth are refined to suit the patient’s appearance, bite and facial features before being secured to the

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implants, allowing them to leave later that day with fixed teeth rather than a removable denture. The temporary smile also serves an important purpose. Over the following months, while the bone and gums heal, the team can assess its appearance, speech, comfort and function before creating the final teeth. To coordinate these complex cases, Capital Perio established Arch Alliance, bringing its surgical expertise together with the restorative dentist and dental laboratory from the earliest stages of planning through surgery, restoration and long-term care. “The technology is exciting,” Shelemay says, “but the real innovation lies in combining it with sound biological principles, experience and a truly collaborative approach.” That collaborative approach extends throughout Capital Perio. Shelemay is quick to shift attention from himself to the people around him. Every member of the clinic is expected to understand not only what is being done, but why, allowing patients to receive consistent answers and support from their first call through surgery and long-term maintenance. “Great treatment is never the work of one individual,” he says. “It depends on a team with the right expertise, a shared philosophy and a sincere commitment to making every patient feel that they are in capable and caring hands.” It is the same idea Shelemay had when he first opened Capital Perio: to create the kind of specialty practice he would trust with someone in his own family. Technology has changed dramatically since then. What hasn’t changed is the standard he uses to judge it. If an innovation doesn’t ultimately produce better, more predictable care for the patient, it doesn’t belong at the centre of the conversation.

“The greatest reward is being able to help patients who were previously told that dental implants were not an option because they lacked sufficient bone.”

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OLD MEETS NEW

Inside the modern evolution of one of Montreal’s most storied hotels.

Across 21 floors and 950 rooms, The Queen Elizabeth combines its mid-century heritage with contemporary design and amenities, the result of a $140-million transformation completed after the hotel closed for a year in 2016. Its history runs deep: in 1961, a corridor connecting the hotel to Place Ville Marie became the first section of Montreal’s Underground City, while during Expo ’67, 50 of the 60 visiting heads of state stayed there. 80

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For Ottawa travellers, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth hardly needs an introduction. It’s been part of the city’s landscape since 1958, and has witnessed some remarkable moments in the city’s history. Today, following a $140-million transformation, much of what made the property iconic remains, but it has been reimagined for a new generation of travellers.

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Its most famous chapter lives on in Suite 1742, where John Lennon and Yoko Ono held their 1969 Bed-In for Peace and recorded Give Peace a Chance. Rather than recreating the room as it was, its redesign incorporates artwork, archival material and interactive installations that tell the story in a contemporary way. Elsewhere, guests will find three floors dedicated to Fairmont Gold, a redesigned wellness centre and 123 works by Canadian and Quebec artists. The Queen Elizabeth is also the first Montreal hotel to receive five Green Keys from Green Key Global for its sustainability efforts.

Rosélys is the hotel’s modern bistro, combining

Parisian elegance with touches of English style. Head Chef Edgar Trudeau-Ferrin works with local suppliers on a seasonal menu, complemented by a daily changing slate, dishes to share and a raw bar. Beyond dinner, Rosélys has become a destination for its expansive Sunday brunch and weekend Afternoon Tea, served every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.

The hotel’s Moment Spa brings a quieter experience to the heart of downtown Montreal, with Zeninspired interiors, marble floors, eight private treatment rooms and dedicated manicure and pedicure stations. Guests can extend the experience into the hotel’s redesigned wellness centre, home to a 24-hour gym, virtual training studio, indoor pool, Jacuzzi and saunas.

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The Paloma

The Cocktail Without a Creator

Unlike many classic cocktails, the Paloma has no confirmed inventor. Its story appears to begin around the 1950s, when grapefruit soda became available in Mexico. Squirt, which was created in the United States in 1938, arrived in Mexico in

1955, although the brand had already promoted mixing its grapefruit soda with tequila as early as 1950. Somewhere along the way, that simple combination took hold in Mexico and evolved into the Paloma we know today.

The Core Structure At its simplest, a Paloma is tequila and grapefruit soda served long over ice. The version that became established in Mexico adds lime and salt, creating a balance of agave, bitterness, acidity, sweetness and carbonation. Unlike a Margarita, where citrus and sweetener are carefully measured around the tequila, much of the Paloma’s balance is already contained in the grapefruit soda. That makes the choice of soda surprisingly important: its sweetness, bitterness and carbonation can change the character of the entire drink.

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Blanco or Reposado? Blanco tequila is the traditional choice and keeps the drink bright, crisp and agaveforward. Reposado, which spends time aging in oak, brings softer vanilla, spice and woody notes that produce a richer Paloma. Neither changes the basic structure, but the choice can noticeably shift the drink from sharp and refreshing toward rounder and more spirit-forward.

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Why Grapefruit Works Grapefruit brings something other citrus fruits do not: bitterness. That slight bitterness complements tequila’s earthy, vegetal agave flavours while acidity provides brightness and sugar rounds off both. Carbonation then lengthens the drink, making the Paloma lighter and more refreshing than many shaken tequila cocktails. It also explains why replacing grapefruit soda with grapefruit juice isn’t quite a straight substitution. A fresh-juice Paloma typically needs soda water and some form of sweetener to recreate the sweetness and carbonation already supplied by grapefruit

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Founder Denis Analytis comes from a lifelong culinary background, growing up around his father’s restaurants in Montreal before pursuing a career as a chef in Ottawa and eventually launching Meal Prep Ottawa in 2018.

Made Here Real Food,

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As Meal Prep Ottawa grows across the city, its focus remains surprisingly simple: real food, made fresh by real people. Photography by Sean Sisk

Meal Prep Ottawa looks very different today than it did when Denis Analytis prepared his first orders from his own kitchen in 2018. What began as a one-man operation has grown into a full production facility, two Ottawa locations, city-wide delivery, a cafeteria operation at Transport Canada and a growing network of smart vending locations. At its core, Meal Prep Ottawa is a local prepared-meal service built to take the work out of eating well. Its Ottawa kitchen produces fresh, ready-to-eat meals each week, with options ranging from balanced everyday meals and nutrition-focused plans to family dinners, breakfasts, snacks and à la carte dishes. Customers can have meals delivered, pick them up in-store or increasingly find MPO products in workplaces and other locations around the city. But according to Analytis, the most important parts of the business have not changed. “From the very beginning, I wanted Meal Prep Ottawa to be more than just convenient,” he says. “The meals still had to taste good, use quality ingredients, and be something I would feel good serving to my own family.”

Prepared meals can still carry some old assumptions: that they are highly processed or sacrifice flavour for nutrition and convenience. Analytis argues that prepared food does not have to mean any of those things. “A good prepared meal is simply real food that has been cooked for you and is ready when you need it,” he says. At MPO, meals are developed, cooked, portioned and packaged by its own Ottawa team. Fresh vegetables, proteins, sauces and seasonings form the foundation of a menu that now stretches well beyond traditional meal prep. Customers can choose from several meal plans, à la carte dishes, family meals, breakfasts, snacks and juices, with nutritional information available for those tracking specific goals. As production has increased, so has the machinery and technology needed to keep the operation moving. But much of what happens inside MPO’s kitchen remains remarkably human. Behind each order are people chopping vegetables, cooking proteins, preparing sauces, portioning ingredients, checking labels and packing meals.

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Meal Prep Ottawa offers several meal plans alongside à la carte dishes and family meals, giving customers variety from week to week while providing balanced portions and nutritional information for those working toward specific dietary or fitness goals.

“A customer may only see the finished meal, but behind it are many people checking ingredients, cooking temperatures, portion sizes, presentation, packaging, and accuracy,” Analytis explains. Maintaining that consistency at a larger scale requires standardized recipes, training and checks throughout production. For Analytis, efficiency means finding better ways to work rather than finding shortcuts. “We have never wanted to become a factory that simply pushes meals out the door.” While that philosophy has remained consistent, where customers encounter MPO is changing. Beyond home delivery and its Jamie Avenue and Westboro locations, the company now operates the cafeteria at Transport Canada and has expanded into smart vending, including a location at Bayshore Shopping Centre. 86

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The technology allows MPO to stock fresh meals, salads, sandwiches, snacks and drinks in places where people already spend their day, without requiring them to place a traditional delivery order. It is part of a larger effort to make prepared food more accessible while continuing to invest in packaging and production technology that can improve freshness and consistency. For Analytis, however, growth itself has never been the end goal. “There are many opportunities to expand our corporate meal programs, smart vending locations, retail presence, delivery service, and product selection,” he says. “At the same time, I want the growth to be thoughtful. I don’t want us to expand simply for the sake of becoming bigger.”

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“When they order from us, they are receiving real food made by a local team that takes pride in what it does.”

Behind Meal Prep Ottawa’s weekly menu is a coordinated production process, with the kitchen team preparing thousands of portions across multiple recipes for home-delivery customers, retail locations, corporate programs and smart vending.

Ultimately, his measure of success is considerably simpler. “I want people to trust Meal Prep Ottawa,” says Analytis. “I want them to know that when they order from us, they are receiving real food made by a local team that takes pride in what it does.” For a company built around making life more convenient, that human element may be the one thing MPO has no plans to automate.

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25Years of On July 26, Fratelli Kanata celebrated a milestone few restaurants ever reach: 25 years in business.

Staff, family, friends and longtime customers gathered at the Kanata restaurant to mark the occasion, turning the evening into a celebration not only of Fratelli’s longevity, but of the people who have been part of its story.

“Twenty-five years goes by pretty quickly when you’re busy running a restaurant,” says owner Richard Valente. “Having everyone together gave me a chance to stop and appreciate how many people have been part of this place over the years.” For those unfamiliar with Fratelli, the story begins with the Valente family and

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Fratelli Kanata a connection to food and hospitality that stretches back generations. The original Fratelli opened in the Glebe in 1996, founded by Valente’s parents, Louisa and Pasquale. Richard and his late brother Robert grew up surrounded by the family’s background in food and wine before eventually bringing Fratelli west to Kanata in 2001.

At the time, the move was a gamble. Kanata looked very different than it does today. Richard remembers a farm with horses and cows across the street, with the Ottawa Senators’ arena visible in the distance. The restaurant also opened shortly after September 11, during an uncertain period for businesses and families everywhere.

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Still, Fratelli found its audience. Over the next quarter-century, the community grew around it and Fratelli established itself as a destination for Italian dining in Ottawa’s west end. Its menu became known for Italian favourites, generous portions and wood-fired pizza, something that remains a cornerstone of the restaurant today. “The key is in the crust,” says Richard. “As long as the dough is good, everything else works.” That philosophy extends beyond pizza. Fratelli has evolved without changing simply for the sake of change. Familiar dishes remain when customers continue to love them, while the chef has freedom to experiment through specials and new additions. The same balance can be found behind the bar. The signature Fratelli Martini remains a longtime favourite, alongside classics like the Negroni and Aperol Spritz, while the wine list continues to introduce guests to new Canadian and international selections. But on July 26, the clearest example of Fratelli’s longevity was not found on the menu. It was found among the people celebrating. Fratelli has retained an unusually longstanding team for the restaurant industry, with several employees having spent 15 to 20 years with the business. Tanya Aramouni has been part of that story for more than two decades and has helped open five locations with the Valente family. “Truly, I couldn’t see myself anywhere else,” says Aramouni. “I’ve been through so many wonderful times, some hard ones too, and no matter what happens it always feels like home.” For Richard, having longtime staff together for the anniversary made the evening particularly meaningful.

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“You don’t make it to 25 years on your own.”

“Some of these people have been beside me for such a huge part of my life,” he says. “We’ve watched each other go through marriages, families and so many milestones. After that many years, they’re not just people you work with.” The same can be said for many of Fratelli’s customers. Some have been visiting since the early years, returning for birthdays, anniversaries, family dinners and celebrations of their own. “When you’re open for 25 years, you see people at so many different stages of their lives,” says Richard. “Then you start seeing their kids coming in, and sometimes their kids have kids. That’s pretty special.” That relationship with its customers has become one of the defining parts of Fratelli’s story, and Richard is quick to credit both guests and staff for allowing the restaurant to reach its silver anniversary. “You don’t make it to 25 years on your own,” he says. “There have been ups and downs, but our staff and our customers kept showing up for us. Celebrating with so many of them in the same room really put that into perspective.” As for the future, Richard knows his own role at Fratelli may eventually change. He may not always

be as present on the restaurant floor, but he has no intention of leaving the story behind. “Twenty-five years is something to celebrate, but it doesn’t feel like an ending,” he says. “I want to be part of Fratelli for as long as I can.” For one night in July, however, the focus was on how far the restaurant had already come. What began as a risky move to a very different Kanata in 2001 has become 25 years of Italian food, familiar faces, longtime staff and generations of customers, all worth raising a glass to. FACES MAGAZINE

IN WELLNESS

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WELLNESS TRENDS

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THE JAW RELEASE Jaw massage is emerging as a wellness treatment for the tension many of us don’t realize we’re carrying. Jaw clenching and teeth grinding can leave the muscles responsible for chewing feeling tight, sore and overworked. That has helped bring new attention to jaw massage, sometimes called masseter or TMJ massage, a technique increasingly appearing alongside traditional massage, facial treatments and other forms of hands-on wellness.

Where We Hold Tension

The masseter is one of the primary muscles used for chewing, running along the side of the face between the cheekbone and lower jaw. Like muscles in the neck or shoulders, it can become sore and tense when repeatedly contracted. Massage typically focuses on the masseter and surrounding muscles using pressure and small movements along the jaw and temples. Some practitioners also offer intraoral massage, performed with a gloved hand inside the mouth to reach muscles that are more difficult to access externally.

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What The Science Says The technique has more than relaxation behind it. Manual therapy has long been studied as a conservative treatment for temporomandibular disorders, a group of conditions affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. Research suggests it can help reduce pain and improve jaw movement and function for some people with TMD. A 2026 review of 51 randomized trials similarly found that physiotherapy approaches, particularly manual therapy and therapeutic exercise, were generally associated with short-term improvements in pain, mobility and function.

More Than A Facial

Part of jaw massage’s new appeal is that it sits somewhere between a wellness treatment and physical therapy. Releasing a tight masseter can provide relief for people who unconsciously clench their teeth, although the evidence is strongest when manual

therapy is used to address actual jaw pain or dysfunction. Persistent clicking, locking, pain or difficulty opening the mouth should still be assessed by a dentist or other qualified healthcare professional.

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The EP STORE A Family Fixture More than four decades after his parents opened The Electrical & Plumbing Store, Jim Sourges is carrying an Ottawa family business into its third generation and a new chapter of growth. Photography by Nicolai Gregory

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For Jim Sourges, The Electrical & Plumbing Store has never simply been a place of work. It is the business he grew up in. The story began in 1980, when Sourges’ father, a master electrician who operated Ottawa Valley Electric, saw an opportunity to move into retail. His mother handled purchasing and administration, and before long, their son was spending Saturdays at the store alongside them. Sourges was just 12 when he began learning the business from the inside. After earning an economics degree from Princeton University, Sourges ultimately chose to come home and continue what his parents had started. More than three decades later, he leads a business that has grown to two Ottawa locations, at 1080 Ogilvie Road and 31 Northside Road in Bells Corners, with his son Nick now following the same path into the family business. “I grew up in the business and have never done anything else,” says Sourges. “My son, who will be the third generation in the business, got involved the same way.” Today, the EP Store, as it is commonly known, serves everyone from contractors and renovators to homeowners taking on projects of their own. Its showrooms bring plumbing, lighting, flooring and renovation services under one roof, something Sourges says can still catch first-time customers off guard. 97

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“The huge assortment of products we sell and services that we offer” is often the biggest surprise, he says. That assortment is about to get even bigger. The company has been expanding its Bells Corners operation, adding 2,000 square feet of showroom space along with another 2,000 square feet dedicated to receiving and warehousing. The project significantly increases the footprint of a location that has become an important part of the EP Store’s Ottawa business.

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“I admire any private business that has, through hard work and determination, succeeded in competing against large national chains.” For a company that began as a family-run electrical business more than 45 years ago, the expansion is another step in an evolution that has been happening for decades. Through big-box competition, online retail and changing trends in how Ottawa homeowners renovate, Sourges has remained focused on the principles his parents established. His advice to someone trying to build a business in Ottawa today sounds remarkably similar. “Your best chance for long-term success is to be an expert in whatever you do and make sure you

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provide the best service and value to all of your customers every time.” Sourges has particular respect for other independent Ottawa businesses that have managed to do the same. He points to The Butchery in Bells Corners and SuzyQ Doughnuts as examples of local companies that have built loyal followings while competing with much larger national players. “I admire any private business that has, through hard work and determination, succeeded in competing against large national chains,” he says.

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It’s a challenge Sourges understands firsthand. The EP Store has spent more than four decades establishing a place in Ottawa by offering something difficult to replicate at scale: extensive product knowledge, selection and service from people who have spent their careers learning the industry. Even Sourges’ favourite restaurants follow a similar formula. His family’s first choice is Al’s Steakhouse, with Cabotto’s earning an honourable mention. “I’ve never had a bad meal at either place and the service is always exceptional,” he says. That emphasis on service runs through Sourges’ own approach to business. The products and showrooms have changed considerably since he first accompanied his parents to work as a child. The company has expanded, renovation services have become a larger part of the operation and another generation is learning the business. But the principle behind it has remained remarkably consistent: know what you do, do it well and give people a reason to come back. Now, with a larger showroom and a third generation coming up behind him, Sourges is making sure the business his parents started in 1980 has plenty of room for what comes next.

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InSpirits A look at Canada’s changing drinking habits.

DRINKING LESS, MORE OFTEN In the last two years, 29 per cent of young Canadians reported having no alcohol in the previous year, up from 23 per cent in 2015. The change is particularly pronounced among young men. Among those aged 18 to 34, the proportion who didn’t drink nearly doubled, rising from 12 per cent to 23 per cent over the same period. Even those who continue to drink are doing it less frequently. Among women aged 18 to 34 who drink, the proportion consuming alcohol at least monthly fell from 76 per cent in 2015 to 62 per cent in 2024. For young men, it dropped from 86 per cent to 73 per cent.

Beer sales by volume have now declined in Canada for nine consecutive years.

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Alcohol sales by volume fell 3% in 2024/25, marking the fourth consecutive annual decline in Canada.

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WHAT CANADIANS ARE DRINKING Sales tell a similar story. Alcohol sales by volume fell another three per cent in 2024/25, marking the fourth consecutive annual decline. Canadians of legal drinking age purchased the equivalent of about eight standard drinks per week, compared with 9.7 a decade earlier. Beer has experienced an even longer slide. Once firmly entrenched as Canada’s drink of choice, beer sales by volume have now declined for nine consecutive years.

WHY THE CHANGE? There isn’t one clear explanation. Statistics Canada points to greater awareness of alcohol’s health effects, changing social attitudes, economic pressures, immigration and the legalization of cannabis as possible contributors. Meanwhile, the rapid expansion of alcohol-free beer, wine and cocktails has made going without alcohol easier in traditionally drinking-focused social settings. The numbers also reveal an interesting divide. Among 18-to-34-year-olds who still drink regularly, heavy drinking has returned to roughly pre-pandemic levels. Canada isn’t simply becoming a nation of moderate drinkers. Instead, more people are choosing not to drink at all, while others are drinking less frequently. FACES MAGAZINE

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Roshene Lawson, chaplain and spiritual care provider at Bruyère Health, works alongside patients as part of their care teams to support the human side of illness, helping create meaningful experiences that reconnect patients with their identity, passions and sense of purpose.

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Beyond the

Bedside

At Bruyère Health, chaplain Roshene Lawson is helping redefine patient-centred care by listening to what matters most, then finding unexpected ways to make it possible. Photography by Nicolai Gregory For many people, the word chaplain brings to mind religion, prayer and clergy at a patient’s bedside. Those things can be part of Roshene Lawson’s work at Bruyère Health, but they are only one part of a much broader role. As a spiritual care provider, Lawson works alongside a team of physicians, nurses, allied health professionals and other hospital workers, supporting patients and families through some of the questions medicine alone cannot answer. A serious illness can change someone’s independence, relationships and even their sense of identity. Lawson’s role is to understand the person experiencing those changes: what gives them strength, what they are holding onto and what still gives their life meaning. It’s work that has brought Lawson full circle. Her connection to Bruyère Health began in 1979, when she spent a summer volunteering at SaintVincent Hospital before starting Grade 9. She later volunteered at Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital’s newly established palliative care unit while attending the University of Ottawa. After studying theology at

Trinity College and completing Clinical Pastoral Education placements, she eventually found her calling in hospital chaplaincy. Today, at Bruyère Health in Ottawa, that calling can lead in some unexpected directions. Recently, Lawson was speaking with a patient who had received difficult news about a change in his medical condition. She asked whether he wanted to talk about the news or about something he had always wanted to do but hadn’t been able to. His answer came immediately: he wanted to go to a heavy metal concert. His health made attending a concert in the community impossible. So Lawson brought the idea to the unit manager, who offered another possibility: if he couldn’t go to a concert, perhaps the concert could come to him. Lawson started making calls. Her search led her to Scott “Scotchy” McClinton of the Dominion Tavern, who helped bring Ottawa heavy metal band The Sceptre to Bruyère Health for a live concert. FACES MAGAZINE

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“Even when we can’t change the course of a disease, we can still help people experience meaning, purpose, joy, and connection.” The concert may be unusual, but the thinking behind it is not. The ideas come from listening, Lawson explains. When a patient nearing the end of her ALS journey found comfort in recordings of birdsong, Lawson learned they reminded her of mornings spent in her backyard with a coffee. That conversation eventually led to Henry, a real budgie who moved into her hospital room. He became such a meaningful companion that he remained at the foot of her bed on the day she died and was later mentioned in her obituary. Other conversations have led to equally unexpected initiatives, including Hallways of Hope, where patients explored hope and resilience through art with renowned Canadian artist Christopher Griffin, and tattoo initiatives with Glen Paradis of Barnstormer Studio, that allowed patients to reclaim their identity, honour loved ones and tell their stories. A new Smash Room also grew from conversations around anger, grief and loss. What these experiences share is a focus on the person behind the diagnosis. Illness can take away independence, routines and abilities, but Lawson believes experiences like these can give patients opportunities to make choices, express themselves and reconnect with parts of their identity that illness has not taken away. Making them happen takes an entire community. Lawson has seen bedside caregivers, physicians, volunteers, housekeeping staff, managers, families, donors and community partners rally around an idea, considering both what is meaningful to the patient and how it can be accomplished safely.

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Donor support is particularly important. While healthcare funding focuses on clinical care, philanthropy gives Bruyère Health opportunities to create moments of connection, comfort and joy that might otherwise be impossible. They may never appear on a medical chart, but their impact can stay with patients and families long after their time at Bruyère Health. For Lawson, the concerts, tattoos and other unusual projects are ultimately expressions of something much simpler. “Patients have taught me that caring begins with presence,” she says. At Bruyère Health, that means treating the illness while continuing to see the person living through it, and asking a question that can sometimes lead somewhere unexpected: What matters most to you right now?

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Stopping Alzheimer’s in its tracks “For the first time, we are seeing that it is possible to slow the cognitive and functional decline of Alzheimer’s disease.” - Dr. Andrew Frank, Researcher, Cognitive Neurologist Bruyère Health

Be part of the breakthrough.

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InTravel The numbers behind modern manners.

Should You Recline Your Seat on a Plane? Few etiquette questions create as much disagreement. In a survey of 3,000 Canadians, 58% said reclining your seat is acceptable, while 42% said it isn’t. Canadians were nearly as divided over whether you should warn the passenger behind you first: 59% said yes and 41% said no.

Can You Take Your Shoes Off on a Plane? Comfort or complete social violation? A YouGov survey found 55% of Americans considered removing your shoes on a plane unacceptable, but attitudes varied considerably by generation. Baby Boomers were particularly opposed, while Millennials were more likely to consider it completely acceptable.

How Much Should You Talk to the Stranger Beside You?

The Top 3 Airplane Etiquette Rules People Disagree About Good manners used to come with fairly clear rules. Today, some of the simplest social situations can divide a room.

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Airplane small talk has no universally accepted rule either. In one survey, 35% preferred exchanging pleasantries and leaving it there, while 32% were happy to have a little conversation. Another 15% preferred not speaking to their seatmate at all.

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A Smile Designed Around You Smile Transformations at McAllister Dentistry. A beautiful smile is never one-size-fits-all. At McAllister Dentistry, every smile makeover is thoughtfully designed by Dr. Jessie McAllister, Award-Winning Cosmetic Dentist & Practice Owner.

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For families with a child receiving medical treatment far from home, comfort can make all the difference. That’s the role Ronald McDonald House Ottawa has played for decades, providing families with a welcoming place to stay while their children receive care. When Ronald McDonald House Ottawa expanded its home to serve even more families, La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston was proud to help furnish the space with comfortable furniture designed to make it feel like home. This partnership highlights the impact Ronald McDonald House Ottawa has on families across Eastern Ontario, and how La-Z-Boy helped create spaces that offer comfort during life’s most challenging moments.

About Ronald McDonald House Ottawa

Bringing Comfort Beyond the Showroom:

The Ronald McDonald House story began in 1974, when former Philadelphia Eagles tight end Fred Hill partnered with co-founder Dr. Audrey Evans to create a place of support for families while their children were receiving medical care at nearby hospitals.

La-Z-Boy Furnishes Ronald McDonald House in Ottawa

While the organization began in the United States, it has since expanded internationally, including across Canada. Ronald McDonald House Ottawa first opened its doors in 1984 and is now part of a network of 16 Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada.

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Ronald McDonald House Ottawa’s newly expanded home near CHEO now accommodates up to 36 families while their children receive medical care nearby.

According to Christine Hardy, Chief Executive Officer of Ronald McDonald House Ottawa, the original home accommodated 14 families. Following its recent expansion, the newly renovated house now welcomes up to 36. “We maintained a lot of the warmth, the comfort and the love our original house had, while adding some new benefits that families need today,” she says.

Ronald McDonald House in the Ottawa Community Imagine learning that your child needs specialized medical treatment available only hours from home. Along with the diagnosis come long drives, time away from work, financial pressures and the challenge of being far from home. Ronald McDonald House Ottawa helps ease that burden by providing comfortable accommodations close to the hospital, along with warm meals, gathering spaces, entertainment areas and opportunities to connect with other families facing similar circumstances. As Christine says, “When your child is sick, home isn’t just where you live. It’s where you feel supported.”

La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston Brings Comfort to Families in Need When La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston learned about Ronald McDonald House Ottawa’s expansion, the local team knew they wanted to help create spaces where families could truly relax together. According to Cecile Panet-Raymond, Sales Manager and La-Z-Boy Designer for the Ronald McDonald House project, La-Z-Boy and Ronald McDonald House have partnered in Ottawa for more than 17 years. During that time, La-Z-Boy has donated more than 16,000 pieces across 150 Ronald McDonald Houses in Canada and Internationally. FACES MAGAZINE

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La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston furnished the expanded home with recliners, sectionals and accent chairs from collections including Finley, Tahoe, Maeve, Allegra, Paxton and Meyer.

One of Cecile’s priorities was ensuring the new spaces worked for every member of the family.

A Family’s Stay at Ronald McDonald House Ottawa

“Not just the parents. Not just the children that are ill and going through what they’re going through, but also the siblings that are healthy.”

The impact of the newly renovated home has already been felt by families like Tanya and her son, Seth.

To better understand their needs, Cecile also worked closely with Carol Harper, Director of Operations at Ronald McDonald House Ottawa.

Seth was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at 15 years old. While treatment initially brought him into remission, the cancer returned two years later, requiring the family to begin the process all over again.

“She provides comfort and love daily, so she really knew what the families were going to need.” With that insight, the design focused on spaces to recline, cuddle with a child, stretch out with a book, play games or simply gather together after a difficult day. Throughout the home are pieces from the Finley, Tahoe, Maeve, Allegra, Paxton and Meyer collections. “I think I speak for everyone in the organization when I say we cannot express the pride and joy we felt being part of such an important project in our community. There are no words,” Cecile says.

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Living in Beachburg, Tanya and Seth faced a twohour drive whenever Seth needed treatment at The Ottawa Hospital. Thanks to Ronald McDonald House Ottawa, they were able to stay close to the hospital for two months during his treatment. During their stay, Tanya spoke about the warm welcome from staff and the inviting common spaces. “We even had a family dinner one night with four other families in the new large kitchen they built in the expansion, and all the kids and adults all ate together. It felt like home,” Tanya says.

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“When your child is sick, home isn’t just where you live. It’s where you feel supported.”

What’s Next?

Seth enjoyed the gaming room, whether playing NHL 26, challenging his mom to ping-pong or catching up with friends back home in one of the quiet spaces. For Tanya, having comfortable spaces to rest together provided moments of normalcy during an incredibly difficult chapter. “This place gives you that sense of security and that sense of safety where you knew you had a space that was here for you that didn’t feel like a hospital,” she says. Overall, while Tanya and Seth missed being at home, Ronald McDonald House gave them a place that truly felt like a home away from home.

By helping furnish Ronald McDonald House Ottawa’s expanded home, La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston helped create welcoming spaces where families can find comfort while staying close to the care their children need. If you would like to support Ronald McDonald House Ottawa and the families it serves, visit the organization’s website to learn more about its work or make a donation. If you’re looking to bring that same sense of comfort into your own home, visit one of LaZ-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau or Kingston’s showrooms or book an appointment online. Virtual appointments are also available. To see more stories highlighting local partnerships and inspiring design projects, explore La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston’s Design Stories.

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Try “Cognitive Shuffling” When You Can’t Fall Asleep

By The Numbers Research-backed hacks to boost life and work.

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A sleep technique getting new attention in 2026 involves deliberately imagining random, unrelated things when your brain won’t switch off. Developed by Simon Fraser University cognitive scientist Luc Beaudoin, “cognitive shuffling” might mean choosing a word and picturing unrelated objects beginning with each of its letters. Early research suggests the technique can help interrupt problem-solving and worried thinking by mimicking the disjointed thoughts that naturally occur as we drift toward sleep.

Eat With Your Non-Dominant Hand to Break Mindless Eating Research published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that eating with your non-dominant hand can disrupt mindless eating. Habitual moviegoers ate similar amounts of fresh and stale popcorn when using their dominant hand, but became more responsive to taste when forced to switch. Researchers concluded that disrupting a familiar eating routine can pull us out of autopilot and make us pay more attention to what we’re consuming.

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Morning Milestone

CTV Your Morning Ottawa marks its first anniversary and looks ahead to year two.

On September 15, CTV Your Morning Ottawa marks its first anniversary, a milestone that represents hundreds of early mornings, countless local stories and a year spent building a new daily routine for viewers across the National Capital Region.

BY CATHRYN WHEELER PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEN JOLDERSMA FACES MAGAZINE

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“A lot of the time we all have different perspectives, but the respect for each other is always there, which makes it more about learning from one another.” At the centre of it are Melissa Lamb, Will Aiello and Rosey Edeh, three familiar Ottawa media personalities who came together last fall to lead CTV’s local morning show. Over the past year, the trio has covered the serious and the lighthearted, from breaking news, weather and traffic to local businesses, charitable causes, food, health and the stories getting people talking. For Lamb, one of the biggest changes has been the pace and presentation of the show itself. “The new format is the high-paced, fast-moving energy and the fresh, updated look and feel,” she says. “It feels more dynamic and modern, keeping viewers engaged while reflecting the way audiences consume news and information today.” For Aiello, the opportunity has also meant covering the city he calls home. “Being able to put a spotlight on all of the unique businesses and local news in my hometown while loving what I do has been a dream,” he says. Edeh points to another defining part of the first year: what she calls “the dynamic trio.” Hosting alongside Lamb and Aiello, she says, has given her the freedom to “smile, share and laugh” each morning, supported by a team both on camera and behind the scenes that arrives ready to bring its A game. Part of what has defined that trio is that the hosts do not always approach a subject in the same way.

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“A lot of the time we all have different perspectives on our subjects, but the respect for each other is always there,” Aiello says. “It makes it more about learning from one another.” Lamb believes those differences are precisely why the chemistry works. She describes Edeh as bringing experience, professionalism and wisdom, along with a perspective shaped by her career as an Olympian. Aiello, meanwhile, is the team’s “freespirited energizer bunny,” bringing enthusiasm and positive energy to the desk. “Together, we each bring something different to the table, and I think that’s what makes the dynamic work so well,” Lamb says. That chemistry has also left plenty of room for the unpredictability of live television. When asked for a moment they would never forget from the first year, Lamb and Edeh independently chose the same one: Aiello splitting his pants live on air during an exercise segment. The moment went viral online, while Lamb quickly came to the rescue with a jacket. Behind the lighter moments, the first year has given the team a front-row seat to the people and organizations shaping the city. Here, all three hosts arrived at a similar conclusion about Ottawa: people show up for one another. “What stands out to me about Ottawa is how closeknit our community is,” Lamb says. “There is so much good happening across our city, from the incredible organizations and volunteers to the everyday people who are always willing to lend a hand.”

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“The community shows up and shows out for their city,” adds Edeh. Aiello has witnessed it through the many community events and charitable organizations featured on the program. “Each and every time, this community steps up to help those in need,” he says. One of those experiences carried particular significance for him. Eight years ago, Aiello worked on the promotions team helping set up the Your Morning Ottawa food drive behind the scenes. This past year, he returned to the event in a very different role, this time as one of the show’s hosts. “To be a full part of it with this amazing team was a pinch-me moment,” he says. As Your Morning Ottawa enters year two, the goal is to build on the balance established during the first: giving viewers the information they need to start their day while creating a show that feels connected to the city. 116

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Edeh hopes it continues to be what she calls a “soft place to land” for viewers, alongside its breaking news, local stories, weather and traffic. Lamb sees room to keep experimenting with how those stories are told. “I think there’s an opportunity to keep pushing the show forward, finding new, creative ways to tell stories, have fun and showcase the people and places that make our community so special,” she says. Most of all, the team wants the connection established during its first year to keep growing. As Lamb puts it, the goal is to keep taking risks while making the show feel “fresh, authentic and genuinely connected to Ottawa.” One year in, that connection may be the clearest measure of what Your Morning Ottawa has built. Lamb, Aiello and Edeh bring different perspectives to the desk, but every morning, the focus remains the same: Ottawa and the people who call it home.

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The Toronto Edit Where to stay, dine and unwind this fall.

Toronto rarely needs an excuse for a weekend away, but the city continues to give Ottawa travellers new reasons to return. This itinerary keeps things simple: stay downtown, make dinner the event, and leave time for a few hours dedicated entirely to slowing down. Stay: Soho Hotel

Fresh from a 2026 renovation, SoHo Hotel Toronto offers a boutique alternative to Toronto’s larger luxury hotels. The Canadianowned property sits in the Entertainment District, within walking distance of the CN Tower, Rogers Centre and much of downtown, with notably spacious guest rooms as well as luxury apartments available for shorter stays. The hotel pairs its central address with the amenities of a much larger property, including personal concierge service, two restaurants, room service, meeting and event spaces, a saltwater pool and an extensive health club. For travellers staying longer than a standard weekend, the apartment-style accommodations add another option without giving up hotel services.

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Dine: FK Restaurant

On St. Clair West, FK is the work of chef Frank Parhizgar and co-owner Shawn Cooper, the husband-and-wife team originally behind Frank’s Kitchen. Parhizgar’s cooking is rooted in French classics but driven by seasonal ingredients and modern Canadian influences, with much of the menu made in-house and changing regularly. In it’s 16th year, FK continues to achieve a high level of recognition annually as being a Michelin Recommended Restaurant, winner of the Dirona Award of Excellence and the Wine Spectator ‘Best of’ Award of Excellence. Known for it’s changing seasonal menu, warm and informed service and beautiful high-level tastings, it’s a local and international destination with food lovers and celebrity clientele.

RESET: Body Blitz Spa

Founded in 2005, Body Blitz Spa was created as a women-only urban waters spa, bringing the centuries-old European tradition of “taking the waters” into downtown Toronto. Guests move between hot, warm and cold at their own pace, and can add a massage or water-based body treatment. At the centre of the experience is its Therapeutic Waters Circuit: a warm Dead Sea salt pool, hot Epsom salt pool, cold plunge, eucalyptus steam room and infrared sauna. FACES MAGAZINE

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