Perspective

 For fall, we have what is an absolutely packed issue for you.  As the largest issue that we have ever published, we are covering all of the bases. We take a look at the two flagship vehicle models that could not make it into our Pursuit Driving Event this past summer; we deliver all of the info you need for fall fashion; and to top it all off, we give you what is the only one-on-one interview that the Toews family gave with Mr. Serious (as his teammates call him) himself—Jonathan Toews.

 I don’t think that they were prepared for the onslaught of requests that came his way over the summer. He took all of it in stride, even with a bit of a bum knee. We heard some rumblings that he was not showing up at events for as long as first thought, but we have to keep in mind that if he does not show up rested and ready for the NHL season, it is his team that will be upset. I think that for all of the requests he had, he handled them quite well and with class. There is really nothing that can prepare someone for the year that Jonathan has just had and what would happen off the ice. I am sure he is somewhat relieved to get back to his “office,” where he can get back to his normal routine.

 In my publisher’s note for our summer, issue, I gave you a project—to take a couple of days off and relax with the kids, the family or on your own. So….did you do it? I made sure that I could say “yes” and took a couple of Fridays off to spend with the kids. I also set up a monthly lunch with three good friends so that we can get together and just have a conversation. It is a great way to make sure to get out of the office for lunch and stay caught up with friends. With many of us living in an online world, it is so easy to stay in there that actually getting “out of the box” today means going offline and having real conversations with friends, family and colleagues. I hope you were able to spend some of the time you wanted to this summer with people who matter to you.

 Make sure you check out the feature, both in print and online, that we did on Bridgwater Forest (part of the Waverley West development) in our Dream Spaces section, on the flipside of Winnipeg Men Magazine. Last year, Dream Spaces was published as its own magazine and was very popular, but we wanted to provide you with a complete “guide to living local”–our new slogan– so we rolled Dream Spaces back into the magazine since our homes are such an integral part of our lives.

 We are also helping to launch the first Virtual Renovations Parade. This is a new initiative that we worked on with the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association. With many people doing renovations, we know you are looking for ideas and inspiration as well as which companies to call on for help. This feature will give you great information. See page 58 on the flip side of this issue for more information.

 Finally, with Oct. 27 set as the civic election date for city councillors and mayor, please make sure you get out and vote. These are the people that make decisions for us each day. For your voice to be heard, you need to vote. It is a only few minutes of your time that does not come around again until 2014. A lot is happening in our city and you need to make sure that the people you want representing you are sitting around that table at City Hall.