Rita Marley on Bob Marley the day before his 65th birthday

Roots Co-founder, Michael Budman and his daughter Alex, hosted Rita Marley and her eldest daughter Sharon this morning at Roots 100 Bloor in Toronto, Canada.  When Michael asked Rita about Bob she said, 'Bob was the greatest father in the world'. Tomorrow, February 6th, known officially as 'Bob Marley day in the City of Toronto' is also the anniversary of Bob Marley's 65th birthday.

While in Toronto the Marley's will be participating in the 'One Love for Haiti' concert (sponsored in part by Roots) along with Jully Black, Etana, Blessed and others with all proceeds going to UNICEF and Peirspective Entraide Humanitaire.

Rita is also the Founder and Chairperson of the Robert Marley Foundation, Bob Marley Trust, and the Bob Marley Group of Companies. She founded the Rita Marley Foundation in 2000. She has also adopted 35 children in Ethiopia and has assisted over 200 children in Konkonuru Methodist School in Ghana in Africa and made a commitment to positively impact their lives

For more information about the 'One Love for Haiti' concert and to buy tickets click here

Right To Play Launches New Website!

Our friends at Right To Play recently launched their new website! Right To Play is a great organization that supports kids in impoverished situations around the world by teaching them life skills through play.

Roots is proud to partner with Right To Play for the Canada Collection by Roots and the newly launched, Right To Play Collection. Proceed from both collections go to support Right To Play.

To learn more about Right To Play visit their new website.

To see the Canada Collection by Roots and the Right To Play Collection visit Roots.com.

Singer Haydain Neale of Jacksoul Dies at Age 39

At 39 years of age Juno Award-winning artist Haydain Neale of jacksoul passed away Sunday, November 22, 2009 at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, after a very private seven month battle with lung cancer.

With his wife Michaela, daughter Yasmin, brother-in-law Shawn Hudson and friends Davide DiRenzo and Jennifer Hyland by his side, Haydain passed away peacefully.

Throughout his rehabilitation after a car accident in August 2007 and during his illness, Haydain always maintained a positive spirit.

In a statement from his wife Michaela; “Through all these challenges, Haydain’s sense of humour and love of music were ever-present. He constantly brightened the room with his singing and his smile. His joyful presence and beautiful voice will be missed by us all.”

Haydain had been a friend of Roots since 2006 when he participated in the Roots United Football campaign. Haydain will be missed by everyone at Roots.

Jacksoul's final album, SOULmate, is scheduled to be released on December 1, 2009. It will contain 10 new songs written before Neale's accident. All profits from the album will go to the Haydain Neale Family Trust.

Messages of support can be left at jacksoul.com

Special Visitor at the Bloor Street Store!

The Roots Bloor Street Flagship store had a surprise visitor yesterday when newly inducted Hockey Hall of Fame member and former Detroit Red Wings left-winger Luc Robitaille stopped by.

During his 19 years in the NHL Luc played for the Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and won a Stanley Cup in the 2001-2002 season with the Detroit Red Wings. He retired from professional hockey in 2006 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame just this month!

Look Who Made a Visit to the Roots Leather Factory Today!

It was none other than Dan Aykroyd! Dan Aykroyd is an Academy Award-nominated actor and comedian. Most of you probably remember Dan Aykroyd from the movies The Blues Brothers and Ghost Busters and from Saturday Night Live. He's also a screenwriter, musician and most recently a winemaker.

Thanks for visiting us at the Roots state-of-the-art leather factory!

Look Who We Caught Shopping! Jamie Salé and David Pelletier

Figure skating champions Jamie Salé and David Pelletier were spotted shopping up a storm over at our Bloor St. store in Toronto, Canada.

Both Jamie and David are Canadian Athlete Ambassadors for the organization Right to Play.

You can also catch Jamie on CBC's Battle of the Blades where she is partnered with Craig Simpson. Good luck Jamie and we hope you both enjoy your purchases!

Eat. Live. Be Happy.

Eat. Live. Be Happy. That's the motto of our West coast friends, Spud!.

Spud! is North America’s largest organic home grocery delivery service, supporting local, small-scale farmers and suppliers. Customers order their produce and groceries online and have them delivered to their home or office in reusable rubber bins.

Their mission? To be the most socially responsible, environmentally sound and financially sustainable organic delivery company in North America, while simplifying and enriching the lives of our customers, staff, suppliers and community partners.

They're committed to the environment... Spud! buys from local, independent suppliers whenever possible and clearly identifies those products as locally-sourced. And to you... Spud! provides credible information on key food issues, such as labeling, nutrition and animal welfare so you can make the best food decision possible.

Here's a few more interesting bits of information:

• Spud! is the only 100% neutral online grocer. Nice!
• The number of car trips avoided by each delivery van carrying an average of 60 orders - up to 120.
• Spud! buys fresh every day - 95% of the produce leaves the warehouse within 24 hours. Any surplus food is donated to hunger relief charities.
• They're Canadian, started by 1998 by David Van Seters in Vancouver, British Columbia.

So next time you need groceries, give Spud! a try.

Shop Spud! in Canada (Vancouver Island, Vancouver and Calgary)

Shop Spud! in U.S.A (Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles)

Why we need the Walrus

We're adding our voice in support of Canadian culture. We think magazines, movies, music and culture are an important part of life in any country. We hope everyone will take the time to take the time to check out local and national titles as well as the large international names we all know.

Watch the video with Margaret Atwood, Geddy Lee, Broken Social Scene and more show their support for The Walrus or better yet visit their website, www.walrusmagazine.com.

Why We Need The Walrus from The Walrus Magazine on Vimeo.

Megan Fox attends Sierra Pictures ICM Cocktail Party held at Roots 100 Bloor

More from TIFF....  Megan Fox, Michael Caine, Mitch Glazer and others joined Roots Co-Founders Michael Budman and Don Green at the Roots Bloor Street Store on Friday evening for a private cocktail party hosted by Sierra Pictures ICM to promote the movie Jennifer's Body on Friday, September 11. 

Megan Fox at Roots 100 Bloor Street

Photo Courtesy of The Hollywood Minute

Roots Co-founders, Michael Budman and Don Green, with Michael Caine and Shakira Caine,

Maria, the First Mamavation Mom, Rocks Her Roots Hoody on Her Latest Vlog

Meet Maria, the first Mamavation Mom. Watch all Maria's videos as she shares with us her workout routine, food regime, and daily challenges as she changes her life around to create a healthier lifestyle for her and her family. She is totally an inspiration for all of us.

In this video, Maria talks about her new Roots Hoody - the Womens Basic Grassroots Hoody in Grey.

Keep up the good work, Maria!

Your To Do List:

Head to our website to shop for the "nicest, softest, loveliest" hoodies.

Catch Maria's diary as the First Mamavation Mom on Bookieboo.com

Check out Maria's personal blog.

Related Posts:

Walking the Talk - Fitness Regime of Roots Co-Founder, Michael Budman

Getting Started on a Workout Plan

More Superfoods to Eat for Your Health, Brain & Beauty