Villa Charities Partners with Eataly Toronto for Virtual Pizza Night Event
Earlier this year, we announced our partnership with Eataly, the largest Italian retail and dining experience in the world, having been selected as one of their official charities of choice. This partnership provides our two prominent Italian organizations with an opportunity to collaborate on initiatives bringing unique cultural programming and events curated by Villa Charities to Eataly’s customer base and the GTA at large. Partnering with Eataly also allows us to continue strengthening our partnerships with companies who are aligned with our mission and who are industry leaders with an enthusiasm to further drive awareness and engagement with the Villa Charities organization.
 
While our on-site operations were suspended, we worked with Eataly Toronto as part of our efforts to help support our seniors during COVID-19. Eataly generously donated traditional colombe Easter cakes, which we distributed to the residents in our seniors’ apartments. They also supported the frontline workers and staff at our affiliate long-term care home Villa Colombo Vaughan, by delivering complimentary pizzas.
 
We are excited to announce our next collaboration with Eataly Toronto, happening this summer. We will be hosting a virtual class and pizza party on Sunday, August 23 at 6pm. Enjoy a three course meal with a selection of salumi and formaggi and, using the freshest Eataly ingredients, participants will learn how to make traditional Pizza al Padellino Margherita from one of Eataly’s chefs. You’ll be shown how to masterfully combine all the right ingredients for making Eataly’s signature Pizza al Padellino dough and then bake simultaneously with their Scuola Chef, while getting an answer to all of your pizza questions. Finish off with a little house made treat from Eataly’s Pasticceria after your cooking lesson.
 
Each participant will receive a kit in advance that includes a Salumi and Formaggi tray, Pizza kit (Manitoba flour, buratto flour, brewer's yeast, salt, extra virgin olive oil, pizza dough, house made mozzarella, tomato pizza sauce), Raspberry Pannacotta for dessert, menu and recipe card, Villa Charities Foundation branded pizza cutter, and more. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to Villa Charities Foundation, to support the Villa Charities’ COVID-19 Response Initiatives that continue to keep our more than 700 seniors safe during the pandemic.
 
Tickets for this event will be on sale soon - stay tuned for further information!
Last Chance to RSVP for the Villa Charities Virtual Community Open Forum
Don’t miss your opportunity to join us for a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, July 28 to discuss highlights from the Villa Charities Annual General Meeting and the new Villa Charities Strategic Plan. The meeting will be hosted on the GoToMeeting platform and will include separate sessions with a brief presentation and Q & A for Villa Charities Inc. and each of the Affiliate organizations. If you would like to participate, please RSVP by Friday, July 24 to csimpson@villacharities.com and confirm which sessions you would like to join. We will send you the individual meeting links to use

Learn About Our Safety Measures in New Protocols and Procedures Digital Guide
Be sure to read our “New Protocols and Procedures” digital guide before we welcome you back to the Villa Charities campus! View or download the digital guide now for a summary of what patrons, visitors, tenants and staff can expect as our on-site operations resume, and the measures we have put in place to keep the Villa Charities community safe while enjoying our programs and services.

Share an Italian Bedtime Story with Your Child in New Storia Della Note Series
Enjoy a collection of classic Italian bedtime stories and fairy tales, narrated by Violante Binazzi. Stories are suitable for children ages 3 and up. The first story, A Me Gli Occhi written by Maria Loretta Giraldo & Nicoletta Bertelle, is now available our website. Listen now!

Columbus Centre Athletic Club Prepares to Reopen
At the Columbus Centre Athletic Club, we are working hard to prepare our facility for your safe return, and we have put all the necessary signage, distance markers and health and safety protocols in place. Our entire team is devoted to ensuring we meet our commitment to the health and safety of our members and staff going forward. Click on the link below for a preview of what you can expect when the Columbus Centre Athletic Club reopens to our members once again.

Cool Off this Summer at the Columbus Centre Athletic Club Pool
The Columbus Centre Athletic Club Pool is now open with strict guidelines and a limited class schedule. Members have been emailed a login and password to access online booking at columbuscentre.antaris.ca . For individuals who currently do not have a valid email address registered with the Columbus Centre Athletic Club, please contact the Aquatics Department at (416) 789-7011 ext. 215 or email fitness@villacharities.com to request a time slot. Visit our website to see our updated Pool schedule.
 
Spaces Are Still Available for Columbus Centre Summer Camp
It’s not too late to register for Columbus Centre Summer Camp! Our camp programs are now running with limited spaces available in four full day camps, including Art & Crafts Camp, Multi-Media Camp and our Ultimate Experience Camps. Additional camps may be opened in August. We are complying with all provincial COVID-19 guidelines for summer day camps and have implemented the appropriate health and safety measures. Give your child a memorable retreat where they can interact with others in a fun and exciting environment. Register today!
 
Spend the Day Painting Outdoors in “En Plein Air” Art Workshop
Join us outdoors “En Plein Air”, with professional artist and instructor Sam Paonessa. Sam will demonstrate, provide helpful instruction, individual attention and constructive critique. These art workshops are recommended for participants with some previous experience. The next session will be held on Wednesday, August 19 from 9:30am to 4:30pm, with a 1-hour lunch break. We have implemented the required COVID-19 safety measures in compliance with public health recommendations and provincial guidelines. Register today!
 
Early Bird Registration Extended for DanzArts Toronto Fall Programs
We are happy to announce that we have extended our Early Bird Registration period for fall dance programs at DanzArts Toronto, running from September 2020 to June 2021. Register online or by phone until Friday, July 24 to receive early bird pricing for our 2020/2021 season, beginning this fall. There are 4-week, 6-week, 8-week and 10-week package options available. Book early and save on classes for all ages including kinderdance, ballet, jazz, hip-hop and more.
 
Our Impressionist Painting Program Returns with Outdoor Workshops
Join us outdoors, as you try your hand at impressionist painting with these fun and interactive workshops. The first session will be held on Thursday, July 30 from 4:00 to 7:00pm, where we will be painting “Hot Sun in the Fields of Tuscany.” We have implemented the required COVID-19 safety measures in compliance with public health recommendations and provincial guidelines. Register today!
 
Book Your Next Event at the Columbus Event Centre
Columbus Event Centre is committed to servicing our current and future clients. Although our on-site event planning and services have resumed, we are also available through telephone, email, and virtual event consultations. New this year, we have added Petite Weddings and Virtual Events to the services we offer. We continue to accept new bookings for the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Room and Ristorante Boccaccio. Please note, we are not accepting new bookings for our Sala Caboto Ballroom at this time. Visit our website for the full list of health and safety measures for our events. Book your event today!
 
Award-Winning Italian-Canadian Film “From the Vine” is Now Available On-Demand
From the Vine , a multiple award-winning Canada-Italy co-production starring Emmy Winner Joe Pantoliano ( The Sopranos , Bad Boys , The Matrix ), is available on-demand across Canada now! From the Vine is a story of a downtrodden CEO experiencing a moral crisis who travels back to Italy to re-calibrate his moral compass. He discovers new life by reviving his Nonno's old vineyard, offering the small town of Acerenza a sustainable future and reconnecting with his family in the process. Combining magic realism and Italian neorealism, and set against the backdrop of wine country Italy, the film is about finding your roots in your family when you're at the bottom of the barrel. Starring Joe Pantoliano, Paula Brancati, Wendy Crewson and Marco Leonardi. Directed by Sean Cisterna, adapted from the novel "Finding Marco" by Ken Cancellara. Watch it on-demand today!