France and Anka.

ANNIE SILVESTER/Bullet News Niagara

ST. CATHARINES – As the warmer weather approaches lots of us shift into high gear about exercise, nutrition and doing what it takes to look our best in summer attire. But for optimum health and beauty it takes a little more effort to get maximum results.

Enter St. Catharines establishments Confident Image Chez France and Realm of the Senses, two complementary businesses offering woman a one stop shop for all their mind, body and health needs.

France Di Paulo, owner of Confident Image, Skin Care Professional and a Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Nominee 2010 sat down and talked about her revolutionary clinic that focuses on permanent hair removal and age management systems for women. She starts off with the hair removal which isn’t the painful procedure it used to be.

“The industry is constantly changing and now we have Soprano Laser Hair Removal which is virtually painless because it uses laser that is in motion instead of stationary so it gradually heats up an area where there is hair follicles to 45 degrees Celsius. By heating up the area you are actually destroying the hair which will draw the laser to it when it is rich in melanin.”

Di Paulo says any area of the body can be treated with this system when someone has dark hair. If that is not the case modalities must be switched and electrolysis is used instead which is 100 percent permanent hair removal. When both systems are used properly it is the end of the razorblade forever!

Another major obstacle many women face in their quest for beauty is to fight the signs of aging. Di Paulo swears by the youthful effects of microdermabrasion which she calls “highly effective in anti-aging but also beneficial for younger clients who have specific concerns with their skin like acne or acne scarring”.

The procedure involves a wand like apparatus that literally sandblasts the dead layers of skin away at the surface with a crystal infused head “promoting healthier cells in the derma or deeper layers of skin.”

It sounds brutal but in fact is a very gentle procedure that helps bring oxygen and revitalization to the skin “creating a healthy and youthful glow which is what we all want to have!”

Other treatments she offers her clientele wishing to turn back the clock include everything from a non-surgical facelift to treatments for hyperpigmentation.

At the more internal level of the spectrum Anka Brckovic from Realm of the Senses focuses on reflexology. She says that “reflexology is one of the healing modalities that have the concept that all your organs and your reflexes are found in your feet, your hands and your head.”

Brckovic adds that the main thing with reflexology is that it promotes circulation and helps de-stress you and when you are de-stressed your immune system, organs, and lymphatic systems all function a lot better.

The treatment usually involves a 30 minute session where the feet and calves are rubbed down and she says everyone benefits from the procedure whether they’re kids or a lot older.

An hour long appointment can also be booked which includes the head and hands being treated as well.

Another aspect to her practice is aromatherapy and it’s amazing how the power of scent can affect our well-being.

Aromatherapy is a treatment of essential oils that are made from things like plants, barks and herbs which have chemical compounds in them that actually work with our bodies. Certain essential oils work with the muscles, the ligaments, etc. and she works with them according to the patient’s individual needs.

Brckovic says “it comes down to an aroma therapist knowing how to blend the oils and apply them using massage or inhalation.”

As a combination treatment she offers aromo-flex which combines reflexology with the aromatherapy.

Overall, the relaxing and professional ambience brought together at Confident Image Chez France and Realm of the Senses are the perfect choice for any women who is willing to devote a little time and money to be her absolute best and aren’t you worth it?

For more information on Confident Image Chez France located at: 569 Ontario Street, Unit 1, St. Catharines please go to:

www.confidentimagechezfrance.com

For Realm of the Senses call: 905-933-7900.

Special to Bullet News

The 2012 Edition of the David Chevrolet King of the Crates Series for the Original Pizza Logs DIRTcar Sportsman kicked off with Cody McPherson out battling his older brother Tyler in winning the 40-lap special at Merrittville Speedway Saturday.

In other Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series action, Todd Gordon made a return to Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Victory Lane with Rocco Conte, Rob Murray and Josh Sliter also winning the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder, Hoosier Stock and J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Features.

“This is the best feeling ever,” said Cody McPherson after out dueling his older brother Tyler in the opening round of the David Chevrolet King of the Crates Series 40 lap Sportsman Feature, “I’ve been waiting for five years for this.”

Older brother Tyler returning for a full season in 2012 after a year away from weekly competition appeared to have checked out on the field until his younger brother reached the runner up spot on lap 27. The question was could anyone catch the leader? The next lap the answer took shape as a caution on lap 28 slowed the field for the first time.

On the restart, it was Tyler back out front – enjoying the luxury of a couple lap cars between the leader and the rest of the field. Once Cody cleared them another caution on lap 32 again closed the gap relaxing the four wide racing in the pack for position.

With the two brothers on the front row on the restart – the family feud had no clear leader with one final caution on lap 35 setting up one final run to the checkered flag. Neither one was giving an inch with the two side by side … back and forth until Tyler slingshotted around Cody taking a clear lead until the white flag appeared on lap 39.

Crossing the start finish line Cody would jump out to a half car lead – an advantage he would enjoy the entire lap until the checkered flag.

“There was nothing left out there,” answered Tyler who ran much of the race in the high groove, “we were up as high as we go … I thought I had the momentum going … but great job bro!”

Tyler took control of top spot entering Turn 3 of lap 3 – threading the needle between the two previous leaders – Mark Chiddy and Brent Begolo who had a spirited battle in the early going. Quickly Brad Rouse landed in the runner up spot with Chiddy holding on to third by lap 10.

Soon after leading the field into lap traffic Tyler would not be slowed before the cautions nor would Cody – setting the stage for the late race sibling showdown. Gary Lindberg would make a late race charge to take third – spoiling the sweep for the extended family with the McPherson’s cousin BJ Willard fourth and their brother-in-law Brandon Easey rounding out the top 5.

In the 358 Modified, veteran Fred Carleton was looking for a win of his own in his tribute to the team – skating off to an early lead in the 35 lap Feature.

Carleton showed his breakaway speed by opening up a huge lead by lap 10 before being whistled down with a caution on lap 11. Taking control on the restart was Todd Gordon with Travis Braun and Mike Bowman quickly joining the rush in taking over the top 3 spots.

Quickly another caution stopped the clock on the Lucas Oil Live Leaderboard with Travis Braun the new leader. Braun was surely looking to celebrate his Birthday with his first win of the season drove away to a huge lead by lap 20 with Chris Steele taking second spot from Gordon.

Three laps later, officials called for a debris caution after a car lost an aluminum wheel disc along the front stretch with Gordon back out front on the restart. Braun would almost lose control of his car out of Turn 4 of lap 26 but made the save but lost second to Steele.

Two drivers looking to have their say were Pete Bicknell and Tim Jones who were racing hard for fifth as was Steele for the lead. Down the frontstretch of lap 31 Steele would edge ahead of Gordon with the two back and forth for top spot in the closing laps.
At the finish … Gordon would breakaway to a couple car lead over Steele with the Bicknell and Jones battle finding Jones scoring third over Bicknell with Braun settling for fifth.

“It’s been a long time,” said an emotional Gordon in Victory Lane, “running the outside was tricky tonight … but I kept my cool and stayed focused – thanks so much to my crew … my dad and my girlfriend.”

With the original start for the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders called off – the second attempt saw front row starters Brandon Iudiciani and Rocco Conte side by side the entire first lap.

Conte took control of top spot with Iudiciani and Chris Laskey settling into the top 3 early. By lap 5 the top 3 broke away from the pack somewhat. Just as the field seemed to be catching the leaders caution on lap 10 really narrowed the gap after Laskey lost control in Turn 4.

With Conte back out front ahead of Iudiciani, Rob Overholt and Rick Beales were challenging each for third. As the laps wound down a pack of 6 or 7 cars would be racing for a top 5 finish with Conte holding off hard charging Beales and Overholt who took the top 3 spots. Rookie Tyler Lafantaisie also made a late race charge for 4th with Iudiciani holding on for fifth.
After Terry Ronning was the initial leader of the 20 lap Hoosier Stock Feature – a lap 6 caution was not what James Thompson and Brad Sheehan wanted. After the two got by Ronning – the two opened up quite a comfortable lead on the field with Sheehan in
control at the yellow.

Sheehan set the pace once again until a lap 9 incident found Rob Murray in the runner-up spot behind his stepson. The restart had Murray as the new leader but the one to watch was Kevin Knapp.
Knapp was able to overtake groups of cars on his way to the front and after catching the leaders … took the lead himself on lap 13. Murray was able to stay with Knapp until an incident on lap 15 slowed the field once again.

In the final laps Murray was able to hold off Knapp with Sheehan settling for third. Thompson would hold on to 4th with Jim Lampman making a late race charge to round out the the top 5.

Kory Howe was first to lead the 20 lap J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Feature before rookie Dillan Sliter took control. Sliter’s lead was brief however as second year driver Derek Wagner was setting the pace by lap 4.

Wagner would keep top spot for some 10 laps before defending champion Josh Sliter was the new leader on lap 15. Almost right away Sliter and the field were under a red flag after early leader Dillan Sliter mildly rolled his car in Turn 2 of lap 16. So mildly that once back on all 4 wheels – he was able to drive away and rejoin the field.

With the younger Sliter’s uncle Josh back out front on the restart through to what appeared to be his first win of the season, unfortunately his car failed post race technical inspection.

Sliter will keep the win but will receive no points or purse money. In second was Wagner with Shawn Sliter, Paul Klager and Jeff May closing out the top 5.

INSIDE TRACK MOTORSPORT NEWS PIT NOTES
Two drivers were honored with the first two B&C Truck Centre Mack Canada Driver of the Week Awards of 2012. Kevin Knapp (April 28th) and Mat Williamson (May 5) were presented awards by B&C’s Terry Huffman prior to qualifying action.

DAVID CHEVROLET KING OF THE CRATES ORIGINAL PIZZA LOGS DIRTcar SPORTSMAN FEATURE – (40 laps) Cody McPherson, Tyler McPherson, Gary Lindberg, BJ Willard, Brandon Easey, Justin Sharp, Paul Gaboury, Rob Knapp, Greg Panunte, Brad Rouse, Mark Chiddy, Adam Leslie, Jason Moore, Brent Begolo, Jim Johnstone, Austin Wood, David Flannigan, Robert Baker, Jason Farraway, Travis Miller, Larry Czinege, Paul Williamson, Paul Jorgensen, Don Spatarico, Jesse Penner, Joey Mastroianni, Ron MacAulay, Chris Bellamy.
BOBCAT OF HAMILTON DIRTcar 358 MODIFIED FEATURE (35 laps) Todd Gordon, Chris Steele, Tim Jones, Pete Bicknell, Travis Braun, Scott Wood, Ken Cosgrove, Mike Bowman, Larry Lampman, Erick Rudolph, Mat Williamson, Fred Carleton, Tommy Flannigan, Rob Pietz, Mark D’Ilario, Bill Bleich, Rick Richner, Dave Small, Steve Schumacher, Kenny Winnfield, Shayne Pierce, Chad Chevalier.
TURN 4 COLLISION 4 CYLINDER FEATURE (15 laps) Rocco Conte, Rick Beales, Rob Overholt, Tyler Lafantaisie, Brandon Iudiciani, Tony Kelly, Jeff Hill, Greg Wilson, Jason Coutu, Chris Laskey, Garnet Wilson, Mike Giberson, Chris Sheppard, Kourtney Kocarik, Kyle Pelrine, Jeff Larmet, Mike Sadusek.
HOOSIER STOCK FEATURE (20 laps) Rob Murray, Kevin Knapp, Brad Sheehan, James Thompson, Jim Lampman, Charlie Lynch, Devin Habiuk, Jason Fontaine, Mark Fawcett, Aaron Wiley, Richard Champigny, Vince Fargnoli, Chris Crawford, Ken Sargent, Cory Turner, Tyler Anderson, Billy Hogue, Bryce Richardson, Kameron Kocarik, Evan Curtis, Chris Schneider, Jeff Dayman, Pete Reid, Terry Ronning, Billy Bleich.
J&S HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING MODIFIED LITE FEATURE (20 laps) Josh Sliter, Derek Wagner, Shawn Sliter, Paul Klager, Jeffrey May, Randy Hollingshead, Kory Howe, Rob Goulding, Jason Corless, Ray Sliter, Dillan Sliter, Rick Koabel, Philip Wilson, Blair Young, Greg Mills.

As a North American country consisting of ten provinces, Canada is a glorious place to explore. Frozen landscapes combine with luscious forests, geologically active volcanoes and one of the world’s most voluminous waterfalls – Niagara Falls – to make this a diverse and versatile holiday destination.

Canada also boasts numerous claims; being the second largest country in the world with the largest number of lakes, the longest coastline and the longest border (the common border which lies between the country and the United States of America).

All of these features make it a great place to explore, even for native residents – but what travel advice should Canadians follow when looking to travel around their home country?

1. Start local

The easiest way to begin exploring your own country is to start with what you know – your local environment. Many people who live in close proximity to key tourist areas, such as Ontario in Canada or London in the UK, often fail to visit the area’s main attractions.

If you are lucky enough to live close to these areas then make sure you give them the attention they deserve and take a short holiday. For most tourists, starting with the main attractions and working your way to smaller, lesser known, regions is the logical way to work. This allows you to see your country’s best features before taking a look at the hidden gems.

2. Plan in advance

Another important piece of advice is to make sure you plan your trip as far in advance as possible. Just because you are staying on home soil doesn’t mean you can afford to be lax with your preparation and having a clear idea of what you intend to do will help your holiday run as smoothly as possible.

Remember that popular areas will book up quickly during peak times when both national and international visitors flood to the area. Visit experts such as Hayes and Jarvis to get advice on the best places to stay and look at their extensive list of suitable hotels and holiday accommodation in your chosen area.

It may also be worth considering how you intend to travel to the destination and whether a self-drive option would be best. You could always combine the trip with a tour of the country or even cross the border into the United States if you fancy a more adventurous holiday.

3. Go further afield

Of course, if you have already travelled extensively within your own country then you may fancy going a little further afield. Whilst the United States would be the next logical choice, there are plenty of other options and luxury Dubai holidays would provide a unique contrast to the Canadian landscape.

As a country which is known for its arctic conditions, Canada could not be more different to Dubai – although surprisingly both destinations are home to ski slopes with Ski Dubai (the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East) proving to be a great attraction for winter sport lovers.

Other destinations, such as holidays in Caribbean, would also provide an interesting change for Canadians, offering the chance to relax in luxury on some of the world’s most beautiful and exotic beaches.

Three top tips for Canadian travellers from itravelnet.com – Travel Directory