Why You Should Never Turn Your Back on the Sea

 In our continuing series on the Canadian Coast Guard we look at some rescues and learn some valuable lessons about the power of the sea. “Never turn your back on the ocean” is an old Hawaiian saying. It is sage advice for any mariner. Most sailors are aware that the

The Most Valuable Commodity in Health Care

 In Oliver Stone’s 1987 film Wall Street, Gordon Gekko, the ruthless corporate raider played by Michael Douglas, explains that when picking stocks, “the most valuable commodity I know of is information.” This same mantra should apply when it comes to the serious business of making health care decisions — but

Johnny Vegas Announces Big Band Show

 By Johnny Vegas I’m sending this out to let you know about a fantastic show I’m putting together as part of The Gladstone Theatre’s One Night Only series this summer. The July 20 show features The Johnny Vegas All-Star Band with very special guests The Stan Clark Orchestra. The night

Bucket List: Spending a Day at the Races

 My mom and I had the pleasure of joining Big Ranch Sanctuary and Max Keeping on the evening of Sunday, June 23 for the 10-year anniversary celebration at the Rideau Carleton Raceway. It just so happened that this was the perfect timing of a charity event for me, because spending

Counting Down a Career: Alfredsson’s 11 Best Moments

 On Sunday, the Ottawa Senators drafted forwards Chris Leblanc and Quentin Shore in the sixth round of the NHL draft, marking their final two selections in a crop of seven prospects. What are the odds that either plays even a minute with Ottawa’s NHL lineup? Slim, as is the case

Putting the “Science” in “Science Fiction”: Lightsabers

 The lightsaber is the primary weapon of the Jedi Knights and their Sith counterparts, and one of the most iconic weapons in science-fiction. The lightsaber shares traits of sci-fi technology with the romantic idea of the saber duel, using advanced technology to create a weapon with a blade of pure

The Unsung Hero of Public Health: A Canadian’s Success in the Global Fight Against Child Malnutrition

 M. G. Venkatesh Mannar is a leader in global health with 35 years of experience in pioneering effective international nutrition and development initiatives focused on the world´s most vulnerable citizens. As president of the Ottawa-based Micronutrient Initiative (MI), Mannar oversees the organization´s mission to develop, implement and monitor cost-effective and

An Actor’s Life Bonus Disc: It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad (Film) World

 Life's like a play: it's not the length, but the excellence of the acting that matters. – Lucius Annaeus Seneca   I'm just looking for the best story being told by the best people and the best part that I can find. If those things add up, I want to

Following in the Footsteps of Sverdrup: An International Team’s Mission

 Reliving history offers the perfect opportunity to rediscover an important explorer. More than a century ago, a Norwegian shipmaster failed to circumnavigate through Baffin Bay, forcing him to overwinter on Ellesmere Island. During his time there, he explored countless fjords and passageways on the western part of the island, mapping

Mortgage Industry Leaders Offer Insight into the Changing Landscape of Canadian Home Financing

 What are the worst-case scenarios? Why are you seeing them? What can be done? By Gretchen Casey You’re behind on credit card payments, mortgage payments, property taxes and/or utilities – as a home owner, this is a worst-case scenario. As a mortgage agent, we’re here to evaluate the situation and

Say ALOHOG to Summer

 You’ll Go ‘Coconut-ty’ For HogsBack’s Latest Limited Edition Seasonal Beer A taste of the tropics comes to Ontario this summer with the release of ALOHOG Coconut Pale Ale - the latest in a series of Limited Edition seasonal beers from Ottawa’s HogsBack Brewing Company. ALOHOG Coconut Pale Ale is spectacular

Indie-Pop Duo Making Their Mark in Canada

 Indie sensation the Heathers will perform songs from their recent album starting at 10:30pm on Thursday June 27th at Café Dekcuf on Rideau Street. The alternative pop duo, which is growing in popularity in Canada, consists of twin sisters from Dublin. Garnering widespread acclaim internationally among fans and media for

The Rosé That Might Just Change Your Mind…

 Back in 2008, I went to a lunch for a tasting of Château d’Esclans wines… the centerpiece of this tasting were four rosés and that might come as a surprise to many. First off, you don’t usually see a winery centering its production around pink wine, and secondly, they were

Putting the “Science” in “Science Fiction” – Daredevil

 Matt Murdock, the man who would become the costumed superhero named Daredevil, started life as an ordinary man. One day, Matt saw a truck about to run over an old man who was crossing the road. He leapt into action and pulled the man out of the way, but as

Join the Conversation between Canadians and Aboriginal Peoples

 Poverty, lack of education and almost no consultation in important decision-making processes have contributed to the deeply rooted colonial relationship that exists between Canadians and indigenous peoples. In discussing nation-to-nation responsibilities, treaty rights, treaty responsibilities and personal commitments, the series aims to build a dynamic that can move towards decolonization

Woodworking in Ottawa: How One Man Stumbled Upon A Niche Market

 Vincent and Robert Millaire, Ibuildfurniture If you cannot find the style of furniture you are looking for, why not build it yourself? That is how Vincent Millaire, founder of Ibuildfurniture, stumbled upon a niche market in Ottawa. After months of searching for a coffee table, Vincent faced the fact that

One This Afternoon, One This Evening

 People often ask me if there really is such a thing as afternoon wines and evening wines.  The simple answer is no, you can drink whatever you like at any time you want, but there are some wines that make better sense at certain times of the day. For instance,

Bucket List: Spend a Day at the Spa

 It was finally Friday, and my boyfriend Jeff and I were zipping along Highway 5 to begin our day at the spa. We arrived at Le Nordik Spa (16 chemin Nordik, Old Chelsea, Quebec) and were immediately transported to a purely natural world. After waiting comfortably for a few minutes

Doing it Right: Ottawa Football’s Newest Franchise

 Ottawa football fans should embrace the CFL’s newest franchise, the REDBLACKS, not because it is a distinct brand name, but because of what it represents for Ottawa sports fans and the former Ottawa Renegades and Rough Riders. The official June 8 ceremony unveiling the team's new name and logo sparked

Weber Updates Your Grill

 Do you have a passion for grilling but are stuck with an old, used grill? Are you in need of a new grill because your current one is not working properly? Weber wants to help you this summer by providing you with the opportunity to win a brand-new grill just in time for the August long

Not My Mother’s Corolla

 There has been a great deal of excitement since Ottawa Life Magazine tweeted from the launch party of the 2014 Toyota Corolla at the Museum of Science and Technology earlier in June. Just before the launch, OLM test drove the last of the 2013 models. It was great to discover

I Do’s and I Don’ts of I Do: Wedding Etiquette Part II

 “If you are a New York bride, it's all about the Plaza in June.” Such is the sappy sentiment of contemporary wedding flicks Bride Wars and Sweet Alabama. More than 50 years earlier, Bette Davis got into marital hijinks in the 1948 film June Bride. In North America, June brides

A Healing Recipe: Five Bean and Vegetable Salad

 Summertime and the cooking is easy. Sometimes, it's too darn hot to start working the oven or stove at home and cook warm meals. We may not really feel like eating them either. Why not cool off this summer day with some fresh locally grown vegetables by turning them into

Paint the Town Red: Two Amazing Women Who Are Changing the World

 Our lives are full of lessons, and it seems that I’ve been reminded a lot lately that no matter what cards we’re dealt, there are always two choices: you can opt to give up, give in and fold, or you can strive to make a difference in the lives of

Dental Care a Gaping Hole in Our Health System

 Across Ontario, going to the dentist is financially out of reach for many people. This dilemma is well-known to physicians — many of us regularly care for patients who have terrible dental problems that we are powerless to address. We see people who have delayed seeking dental care that they