S E P T E M B E R 20 18
Leaside Life leasidelife.com
No. 76
We want our own sign! Street chic...Page 18
Dogwalker Alison Smith with her own dogs Baker and JD. Story on page 2.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
GEOFF KETTEL ON MINING IN LEASIDE?! • PG. 26
HANNAH MCGROARTY CREATES SOFTWARE • PG. 8
THE SHEER DETERMINATION OF ALEX SHERRET • PG. 6
COUNCILLOR BURNSIDE ON POLITICAL BOUNDARY CHANGES PG. 3 BACK TO SCHOOL REPORTS PG. 10 GARDENS OR LANEWAY SUITES? PG. 14 GARDENS OF DISTINCTION PG. 28 AND MUCH MORE!!
VISIT US AT LEASIDELIFE.COM: COMMUNITY DIRECTORY • UP TO DATE EVENTS • ARCHIVED STORIES
ROBIN DICKIE
It’s a dog’s life for Leaside’s canines
It’s a dog’s life for Leaside’s canines
2
900 Don Mills Road (at Barber Greene Blvd)
416-646-2439 www.UrbanNatureStore.ca
whose business is walking the dog. The permit, which costs $272 Queen Victoria’s favourite prime a year, allows a professional dog minister, Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of walker to walk four to six dogs Beaconsfield, Viscount Hughenden simultaneously...provided the walker of Hughenden – affectionately has $2 million in public liability and known as “Dizzy” to his friends – property damage insurance, and the famously advised his political dogs themselves are licensed. colleagues: “Let sleeping This may seem a precarious dogs lie.” livelihood, but there is a Nobody in Toronto is steady demand, especially in taking his advice. Leaside. There are at least five Instead we insist on major dog walking services in rousing Fido from his our community and surroundafternoon nap, and drag ing neighbourhood (see him out for a little run in sidebar for just a few) the park. Or more likely, and many more indihire somebody to do it viduals who quietly for us: the professional work from home. dog walker. A long-standing and This is a relatively well trusted service is new occupation, but Leaside Dog Walkers, Baker it is growing rapidly. A started seven years ago by quick Google search on the Alison Smith, a public relasubject returns 349 million tions and marketing executive who hits in less than a minute. And last dumped the corporate rat race year the City of Toronto issued 344 commercial permits for people DOGWALKERS, Page 7
ROBIN DICKIE
Leaside Life • September 2018
by KEN MALLETT
Last second changes to council Jon Burnside Councillor, Toronto Ward 26 Don Valley West
The new ward of Don Valley West (DVW) is the amalgamation of parts of three current wards: 56 per cent of the voters are currently represented by the incumbent councillor from Lawrence Park and the Bridle Path (Ward 25), 9 per cent are from Ward 22 (Bayview to Mount Pleasant and Merton to Broadway), and 35 per cent are from the area I represent (Leaside and Thorncliffe). The obvious question raised is “What does this mean”? From a purely electoral standpoint, it means that incumbents from their respective wards will be facing off against one another. Since amalgamation, Ward 26 has always elected a councillor from Leaside; in the new larger ward, Leaside and Thorncliffe will no longer represent the majority of voters.
LEASIDE
Patrick Rocca bro ker
The stated impetus by the province was to save money (their estimate is $6 million per year) and make city decisions more efficient. I will leave it to others to discuss potential monetary savings. Regarding the improvement to decision-making, I don’t think this change will have the desired impact. I have long maintained that the major weakness of our current system is that councillors are generally elected on local issues but then decide citywide issues such as the Scarborough subway, TTC and public housing. Without a dedicated research team, there is often a lack of detailed understanding of each issue, which results in poor decisions and little accountability. A far better system would be in the same vein of pre-amalgamation whereby some councillors would be elected by local constituents to handle local issues and others elected on citywide ones. Council could be cut to 25 “local” councillors while eight could be elected city-wide. Not only would this reduce council’s number to 33 (from 47) but would vastly improve the system. councillor_burnside@toronto.ca ■
3
Leaside Life • September 2018
Although the beginning of the municipal election season started off quietly, changes introduced by the provincial government on the final day of candidate nominations will make it anything but. The recent ward boundary review conducted by the city resulted in the addition of three councillors, bringing the total to 47. This was necessitated because of Toronto’s uneven population growth, which has eroded the constitutional principle of voter parity – that is, everyone’s vote carrying roughly equal weight. In deciding to move from 44 to 47 councillors, council rejected the option of following provincial boundaries and reducing its number to 25. However, changes introduced by the province at the end of July promise to do exactly that. What does this mean for Leaside and the rest of Ward 26? Our ward gets divided in two, each becoming a smaller part of much larger wards. Flemingdon and Wynford Heights become part of Don Valley East, while Leaside and Thorncliffe become part of Don Valley West.
Leaside Life • September 2018
4
LEASIDE PEOPLE • MEET YOUR NEIGHBOURS
Leaside Paint Centre’s Raymond Gork and his serendipitous career by LORNA KRAWCHUK Many of you will remember Allen’s Home Hardware on the east side of Bayview a few stores north of Millwood, and many more will remember how in 2005, it was renamed Leaside Paint Centre. Since 1979, in both iterations, the owners have been Raymond and Carmel Gork. Raymond Gork hails from Krugersdorp, near Johannesburg, South Africa. His only summer jobs were in his father’s hardware store, where he started as soon as he was old enough to operate the cash register, followed by a degree in architecture and a career in quantity surveying. But by the time the Gorks’ eldest child, a boy, was 13 and their daughters were 11, 9 and 6, they realized they couldn’t stay in South Africa. “I couldn’t put my son’s life in danger for a system I couldn’t approve of” was how Raymond described life
there during apartheid, with conscription for all males into the army at age 18. A casual conversation at a backyard party led to a connection with a senior official at Vanbots Construction Corp., where he was soon offered a job in Toronto. Raymond jokes that he “came to Canada for the weather.” He stayed with Vanbots for two years, and, describing himself as “unemployable,” happened to see a small ad in a newspaper about a hardware business for sale. In no time, he found himself the owner of Allen’s Home Hardware on Bayview. The family decided to keep the Allen’s name until in 2005, they realized the space was too small to house a
The Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy opened in the summer of 2013 as a place of learning for adults living with dementia. The Academy is unique, in that we hire professional artists, and we practice arts-based relational caring. In our Academy, art is used as a catalyst to develop authentic relationships and engage in creative discussions using diverse artistic mediums. Our artists encourage expression of self through various visual arts, theatre, music, dance, and yoga.
proper a hardware store, but there was an opportunity for an independent paint store. Since the time the original Gord Davies Hardware store opened on Bayview in 1933, part of the product line has always been Benjamin Moore paints, so it made sense to continue with a known and respected product line. Leaside Paint is known as much for
Call us to schedule a FREE trial (416) 486-8731
GORK, continued the train set in the windows as the Moore paints inside. The train set is part of the serendipity that seems to underscore Raymond Gork’s life. He was glancing through Craigslist when he saw an ad for a train setup. It turned out to fit exactly in his front window, and one of the buildings that came with it was for Moore and Company. The set used to be a feature only during the Christmas season, but now, by request from children of all ages, it is now in the window year-round. The store also sells t-shirts with the train motif as a fundraiser for Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Now it's time for the Gorks’ next chapter. While the younger Gorks all spent time working in the store, none of them was interested in taking over. More serendipity, another Benjamin Moore dealer approached Raymond with an interest in buying the Bayview location. So, at the end of August, the ownership of The Leaside Paint Centre will be transferred. Raymond will stay on parttime. Current staff will also remain. Raymond is pleased, as “it would have broken my heart to see the business end.” Never mind all the loyal customers! ■
Leaside Life • September 2018
5
I’m not number One...
YOU ARE! Call me for a complimentary evaluation of your home. I look forward to discuss with you what you can do to prepare your home for sale and how to get top dollar. I am a full service Realtor® that has specialized in our neighbourhood for almost 20 years! SHEREE CERQUA SALES REPRESENTATIVE
416 275 5224 direct 416 487 5131 office
Ultimate Realty Inc., Brokerage
sheree@shereecerqua.com Not intended to solicit properties currently or in the process of selling with another brokerage.
Independently owned and operated
Leaside Life • September 2018
6
LEASIDE PEOPLE • MEET YOUR NEIGHBOURS
Alex Sherret’s can-do attitude propels a budding hockey career by SUSAN SCANDIFFIO The “Little Engine That Could” is often cited as an example of persistence and resiliency. Speak to 19-year-old Alex Sherret, and you’ll find that we have our own Little (6 ft.) Engine right in our neighbourhood. This Leasider has “I Think I Can”-ed to great heights in the hockey world with a humble, yet determined, attitude and strong work ethic. When he was 13, Sherret’s parents had never been able to coax him to skate. His mom and dad, Henny and Chris, note that when they used to put Sherret on the ice, he would lie, “like a wet noodle,” and refuse to move. But in Grade 7, Sherret watched hockey with friends and was immediately hooked. To his parents’ surprise (read: shock!), he expressed a desire to play the game. In Grade 8, Alex took skating lessons and in the following grade,
WE’RE NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
COME SAY HI. Grab a coffee, enjoy a scone, drop of your dry cleaning, enjoy your time here.
1595 BAYVIEW AVE, TORONTO, M4G 3B5 | 416.923.2500 WWW.CREEDS.COM | WWW.CREEDSCOFFEEBAR.COM
LEASIDE SPORTS
his hockey journey began. When someone begins playing hockey at such a late age, there’s an almost 100 per cent chance that person won’t progress far in the game. But “can’t” isn’t a word Sherret uses. In Grade 9, Sherret earned a spot on the Leaside Select team and focused daily on improving his play. The next year, Sherret was moved to the Select B team and it was at this point that he met, and was coached by, Ian Mackenzie. Mackenzie, says Sherret, “made me believe in myself.” The young hockey player went from scoring six goals in his Grade 9 season to over 40 goals in the next. The following year, Sherret was offered a spot back with the Select A team but chose to stay with the B team to continue to work with Mackenzie. “Alex,” says Mackenzie, “is one of the only people I have ever met who has no glass ceiling above him. With his work ethic, drive and focus, there is nothing he can’t accomplish or achieve. He just keeps his head down and makes his goals become realities.” In Grade 12, Sherret made the leap to the GTHL and played his last year of high school hockey at the A level with the Toronto Shamrocks. At this point, practically every hockey expert would have told Alex to find an intermural or “beer league” team to play with. Players who progress to university hockey usually have at least been playing AA if not AAA hockey for several years. But Sherret wasn’t done. With the goal of playing hockey at a U.S. university, the right-winger continued his drive to improve his game. Alex contacted the head coaches at Liberty University at the end of Grade 12 and requested a tryout. Although he was told the university’s scouts had already lined up prospects for tryouts, Sherret used the evidence of how far he had progressed in such a short time to persuade the coaches to give him a chance. For the next two months, he worked doggedly to do all he could to arrive at the tryouts in peak condition. SHERRET, Page 9
Dogwalkers... for the more psychically-rewarding business of working with real animals. “I can’t say exactly when dog walking began as an industry,” she says, “but it makes sense that it would have been about the same time as the rise of dual income families. “Often nobody is at home during the day to care for the dog, and the dog is considered to be an important part of the family.” Find the right walker Choosing a new friend for your best friend can be a tricky business. “Anyone can purchase a dog walking licence,” says Smith. “There are no legal qualifications. So, the public must do their research when hiring a dog walker.” She suggests three major requirements: • Make sure the person you hire is insured and bonded, • Ask if they have pet first aid certification, • And make sure they have experience working with dogs, especially if they are taking dogs on group walks. They will be responsible for caring for your pet in a group of dogs who do not know each other. Getting a commercial dog walker’s permit is no guarantee of competence. “There are some really great dog walkers out there,” says Ms. Smith, “and some others that have no skills and are really very scary.” “We only offer private walks,” she says. And those private walks are often an extension of the dog training she offers through a separate company, A1-K9 Training Toronto. That is one of the things she says differentiate her from other walking services. “There are two key things that set me apart,” she says. “The first is that I am a dog trainer. I am knowledgeable about, and comfortable handling, all types of dogs and dog temperaments and I am always available to share this knowledge with my staff. “For clients who need both training and walks I can ensure that the skills we are working on in training sessions get reinforced while out on walks. “The second thing is that I only offer private dog walks. This means that 100 per cent of my attention is
M
MAX LAGACE BROKER
focused on each client dog. The only time we will walk more than one dog at a time is when they are from the same family. Our client dogs are never at risk of being placed in a group of dogs that they may not get along with.” And that’s nothing to woof at. ■
Exceptional Service. Outstanding Results.
A sampling of dog walking services in the Leaside area: Leaside Dog Walkers 647-783-4946 Davisville Dog Walkers 647-297-4696 My Leaside Dog Walker 416-500-3938 Bayview Dog Walking 647-975-7560 A Walk Apart 416-434-1502 Go Leash Go 416-998-2897
COMPLIMENTARY MARKET EVALUATION & HOME STAGING CONSULTATION *some conditions may apply
PRIVATE DOG WALKS Davisville Dog Walkers
• Tailored to your dog’s needs • Groups of 3 for socialization • Visits and potty breaks • Friendly & fun in-home boarding First aid & dog walker certified Insured and bonded
davisvilledogs.com sue@davisvilledogs.com
647.297.4696
RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL | CONDOS
416.424.1300 www.MaxLagace.com www.PropertiesUnlimited.ca
This is not intended to solicit Buyers or Sellers currently under contract with a Brokerage
Leaside Life • September 2018
7
From Page 2
LEASIDE PEOPLE • MEET YOUR NEIGHBOURS
Hannah “Striives” for entrepreneurial excellence by JANIS FERTUCK According to her father, Kevin, Hannah McGroarty, co-founder of a new software company called “Striive,” has always had an “entrepreneurial spirit,” even as a child when she made and sold bookmarks and walked dogs in Leaside. It is not surprising, then, that after graduating from St. Patrick Catholic Secondary School, Hannah headed off to Laurier University to pursue a degree in business administration with co-op. In her two placements with SoCIAL LITE Vodka at their Toronto office, she created, among other things, a grassroots marketing campaign, and trained an ambassador team. Her next placement this fall is with a start-up company in Waterloo called BridesMade, which rents out bridesmaids’ dresses. She will also be the don for the entrepreneurial floor in her residence. All of these experiences prepared Hannah at the age of only 21 to start her own business with fellow students Etai Mizrahi and Andrew
Andrew McEwen, Etai Mizrahi and Hannah McGroarty. McEwen, based on their shared interest in gyms and being active. While working on another project, Etai noticed a problem with turnovers at gyms. Inspired by the motivational qualities of Fitbit, the team came up with Striive, “a gym-incentive app to reward members for their fitness accomplishments by providing them with discounts to a variety of fitness-related brands.” With the help of the LaunchPad program at Laurier, which encourages students to start their own busi-
Need Housing Advice? Buy, Sell, Lease... Call me today for a con�dential discussion of your real estate needs!
Monica Stanway Sales Representative
Direct: 416.873.1053 Office: 416.487.5131 mstanway@rogers.com 1739 Bayview Avenue Toronto, ON M4G 3C1 mstanway.com
MARTHA STEVENS
Leaside Life • September 2018
8
nesses by providing them with office space, mentors and grants, the partners conducted research and made contacts before field-testing the app and officially launching it in June. By the end of July, the app had just under one thousand users. Here’s how it works: Once a client downloads the free app from the App Store or Google Play, the app registers each visit to a specific gym. The client then completes personal goals and gym-wide challenges in order to earn points that can be exchanged for rewards for their favourite fitness products. As Hannah explains, each group benefits from this arrangement. The gym-goers are more likely to remain engaged in the gym community to earn rewards. The gym-owners pay fees to receive data about client habits and advice about effective ways to motivate their clients through challenges, thus building their community and reducing their attrition rates. Finally, Striive enables fitness brands, again for a fee, to “market directly to their target customers as well as increasing the use of their coupons and promotions” through studying the habits of their customers. Some of their brand partners are MVP Meals, Drink Juice Co., Goodvibes Juice, Magic Oven, Teami and Revitasize, as well as other clothing and health brands. Her clients are very loyal to the app and use it regularly. The three partners hope to work for Striive full-time once they graduate next year, and look forward to seeing how it develops. Hannah says she is very proud of the work they have done. “Running a business while I’m in school can be challenging, but I am learning so much that it is worth the late nights and hard work.” ■
Sherret... 9
Alex recounts his father’s advice, “Have focused attention, not passive. Think of what your goal is to be and purposefully erase your thoughts of failure.” With the help of Mackenzie and trainer Daryl Devonish, Sherret kept a steady focus on success and improvement. “Alex,” says Mackenzie, “has spent countless hours in his backyard shooting pucks (and breaking windows).” He also works many hours a week at the Amsterdam Brewery at Harbourfront to pay for his training. His work has clearly paid off. Alex played his first year at Liberty University in Virginia on the Division 3 team and in his second year managed to make the D2 team. He is hoping to progress to the D1 team this, his third year. Alex Sherret is a humble, polite, and kind young man. He speaks of the importance of team, of running his own business in the future, and of the importance of family. He’s shown that with determination and focus “I think I can” can become “I knew I could.” ■
TAIZÉ Candlelight, prayer, meditation, music
Leaside Life • September 2018
From Page 6
Explore our premium features: Heated Drive-Up Units New, Clean Facility
Moving Supplies Helpful Staff
Receive your first 4 weeks free!
205 Wicksteed Ave.
(Located in Wicksteed's newest business park beside Canada Post)
Phone: 1.855.620.3809
8:00-8:45 pm Wednesday Evenings September 19 ˜ October 10 ˜ November 14
Join us for a quiet evening of reflection in the Northlea United Sanctuary. Northlea United Church 125 Brentcliffe Road, Toronto 416.425.5252 www.northleaunited.ca
For Leaside’s Newest Storage... Visit Access Storage! CANADIAN OWNED AND OPERATED.
Leaside Life • September 2018
10
Farewell By GERRI GERSHON TRUSTEE, DON VALLEY WEST It’s hard to explain what an honour and absolute pleasure it has been representing the Leaside community on the Toronto District School Board. After 33 years of being a school trustee – and loving it – I have decided not to seek re-election. When I began this journey there were no computers in the classrooms, Leaside was part of the independent Borough of East York, staff and students smoked in and around schools, same sex marriage was illegal and I had brown hair (well, I still do thanks to Miss Clairol). My three children were still in elementary school. There have been many changes. Technology of all kinds now underpins almost all of teaching and
learning. It has enriched our classrooms and opened new vistas in lifelong learning. Not only is smoking now banned in our schools but the education system has opened its eyes to concerns such as anxiety and depression and as a result is focusing on wellness and mental health. Homophobia and bullying are major challenges in our schools and that is one of the reasons that the enlightened sexual health curriculum must continue – but that’s a column for another time. Now my seven grandkids are in the public system. They have been blessed with caring teachers who stimulate them to do their personal best. The education system is becoming more complex, but these changes are progressive improvements. Leaside children and parents have shared a part of their lives with me and I consider that a precious gift. The education of our young people is a priority in our community, and by challenging me, confiding in me and sharing their hopes and dreams with me, Leaside has given me memories that I will cherish forever. Thank you. IMPORTANT MEETING Transportation improvements and infill construction have resulted in concerns over space in our neighbourhood schools. On September 17, I am hosting an info session led by demographers to inform our community of pressure points of school accommodation in areas such as Don Mills & Eglinton, Eglinton in the Leaside area, Yonge & Eglinton, Leslie & York Mills, and Bayview, Don Mills, and Wynford/Concorde. Parents and ratepayers are welcome. For time and location email me at gerri.gershon@tdsb.on.ca. ■
Back to school: what it means to me Call, email or drop into our office! 1536 Bayview Avenue 416-483-4444 info@bonniebyford.com
The Real Estate Tradition
www.bonniebyford.com
by ROB OLIPHANT, MP, DON VALLEY WEST When I was young (or younger!) the summer seemed like a time of endless possibility – visiting family, riding my bike, tennis and swimming lessons, lazy cottage days and a myriad of adventures to be shared with my friends. At the end of June, Labour Day seemed lightyears away. Eight or 10 weeks seemed like an eternity. Now that I am old (or older!), I blink and summer is over. My parents had warned me of this when
I was a child, but as the days shorten and the cooler air slips in around us and Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte is now available as of August 28, I still can’t believe that it is “back to school time.” For me, it will be back to Ottawa after a great summer in the riding visiting people, knocking on doors and sitting on more than a few front porches discussing life, politics and the Rogers Cup. For young people in Leaside, it is back to school, perhaps the first day at Rolph Road or St. Anselm or Northlea. Or a new start at Bessborough or Leaside High School. Or it is a return to a familiar school but with the chance to make a new start with new teachers, some new classmates and new opportunities. For some of our young people, it is time to take off for college or university close to home or far away, with all the anxiety and excitement that can cause. Regardless, for all of us the fall brings possibilities for a fresh start. For most of us it is really more of a new year than January 1st. Even as the trees begin to turn colour and the gardens are put to bed for the winter, we sense that it is a time of renewal and rebirth. Fall offers us the chance to learn something new, to develop a new skill or create a new opportunity for ourselves or for our friends, families or neighbours. This summer I spent time visiting a variety of organizations, faith and other charitable groups and businesses that have received funding through the Canada Summer Jobs program. Over 60 such groups received funding to hire summer students to help young people at day camps like Pawsitively Pets and Pedalheads in Leaside, work in research and care at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab Hospital, or do creative environmental work at the Summerhill corporate offices in the Leaside Business Park. An impressive group of older high school, college and university students are now making their way back to school after productive summers learning skills that will further their careers and, at the same time, make a difference in the world. I wish all young people returning to school a fun, safe and inspiring year back at school. And to everyone, I hope that this fall is an opportunity to learn something new and continue to build the Leaside community. ■
BACK TO SCHOOL = MORE ACTIVITIES THE ALL-NEW LEXUS RX L WITH 3RD ROW SEATING
RX 350L 7 Passenger
• Available in 6 or 7 passenger configurations with 3rd row seating • Standard Lexus Safety System+ • Voice-activated HDD Navigation System with 12.3-inch Display and Remote Touch • Power Tilt Moonroof • Heated & Ventilated Leather Front Seats • Panoramic View Monitor
$
68,950 COMPLETE PURCHASE PRICE CALL FOR CURRENT PROGRAM DETAILS
www.LexusOnThePark.ca
SALES 647-953-9906 SERVICE 647-955-7116 1075 LESLIE ST., TORONTO Vehicle shown for illustration purposes only.. Complete Lexus Price includes freight/PDI ($2,075), EHF Tires ($29), EHF Filters ($1), A/C charge ($100), OMVIC Fee ($10), and dealer fees ($728). 1 year tire/rim coverage, nitro, 5 year theft registration included. Taxes, license, registration, and insurance are extra. Limited time offers only apply to retail customers at Lexus on the Park. Dealer order/ trade may be required. Offers are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Offers expire Sept. 31, 2018. Please call for current program details.
So long summer, hello school! Great to be back! I’ve already written in this space about just how excited my twin brother and I were as kids as the final days of June dragged by and the summer beckoned. My powers of concentration were never more impaired than they were when it was hot and humid outside and the cicadas were buzzing. We could barely contain ourselves in anticipation of summer vacation. Here’s where it gets a little strange. Despite being so excited to have two months off, by the time the first week of September rolled around, I could hardly wait to get back to school. I don’t claim this as a universal phenomenon. In fact, I suspect many of our Bessborough and then later Leaside High classmates might even have suggested I needed some kind of psychological counselling. Now to be clear, I don’t think this curious eagerness to head back to school was driven by the promise of classes, homework, tests, projects, and the other daily trials of primary and secondary education. Rather, it was the prospect of seeing classmates and other friends who’d been away for the whole summer that was the culprit. And even so, the feeling wore
Terry Fallis Columnist
off, usually around 2:00 p.m. on the first day back to class. When I cast my mind back to my childhood in Leaside, there was a lot wrapped up in that shopworn phrase “back to school.” It meant Tim and I would be dragged to Fairview Mall for an annual visit to buy school clothes. Over the course of the summer, we’d usually have outgrown the previous year’s ward-
robe. I understood the need to wear clothes that fit to school, but it was seldom a fun outing. However, I did enjoy our yearly shop for school supplies. I liked shopping for new pens, notebooks, rulers, erasers, highlighters (which were a whole new thing back then), Duotangs, and if we were lucky, a new box of felt tip markers. In public school, where we had our own desks, I would very carefully set up mine so it was neat, tidy, and suitable for a photo spread in Better Desks and Bookshelves magazine. I’d already swept out the pencil sharpener shavings and eraser morsels left by my predecessor, so everything was pristine. Then, slowly, or sometimes quite quickly, a mess would move into my desk like a squatter in an abandoned building. I seemed to recall one year losing a sandwich in the debris sometime in early September. I eventually discovered it when the overpowering odour of decomposition nearly triggered a classroom evacuation in early November. I obviously had very good intentions in my youth, but lacked something in the follow-through. In high school, I was also keen to get back in September. I was working in the summers, and returning to the classroom meant I wasn’t spending eleven hours a day, six days a week, pumping gas at Don Verity’s Esso on the southeast corner of Bayview and Millwood. It was a great job, but it usually left me exhausted and soaked with enough unleaded gasoline to be a fire hazard. My mother claimed she could still smell the gas on me after a third shower. School had its own drawbacks, but smelling like a refinery wasn’t one of them. September in high school always brought with it student council elections. In 1978, our final year at Leaside, Tim and I decided to run for President and Vice-President. I don’t remember much about our platform, other than a vague promise to deliver Leaside gym shorts that weren’t nearly so baggy. We were obviously trying to shore up our base of support among skinny students. We had a blast running the campaign, but we clearly should have targeted a larger demographic because we did not win the election. Nor did we come second. Nor did we…well, I think I’ll quit while I’m behind. Even as I make my way through middle age, when the days of August wind down, I seem to gain some energy for what feels like the start of a new year. ■
SHUTTERSTOCK
Leaside Life • September 2018
12
Luxury Condominiums & Town Homes Located at Eglinton Ave. & Brentcliffe Rd. from the low $1 Millions
Magical backyards: gardens or laneway suites? The choice could be yours Toronto has been slow to begin taking advantage of its approximately 250 kilometres of laneways as a viable housing alternative. But, on June 28th our City Council adopted the Official Plan and zoning bylaw amendments permitting laneway suites in the Toronto and East York District – a 100 sq. km. area. Which means that laneway suites are a new housing typology that will be coming to Toronto. Last month Debora Kuchme, our Leaside Gardener columnist, wrote an article titled “Is there magic in your backyard?” Which got me thinking…Perhaps there may be a bit of magic in mine because our home backs onto Krawchuk Lane. Only the magic I was thinking about was the greenery you can take to the bank. In our January issue, Lorna Krawchuk wrote about the six laneways we have in Leaside. Sounded to me like this change in our city’s bylaws might represent an opportunity for some Leasiders to tap into the potential of an under-valued asset in our backyards.
Glenn Asano The Business of Leaside
ISTOCK
Leaside Life • September 2018
14
The city of Vancouver began investigating this form of housing in 2006 as a solution to several of the city’s housing challenges (highest costs in Canada, low vacancy rates, etc.). Subsequently their city council voted
to allow the building of laneway suites in 2009. Today you can build a laneway house on lots 32 feet or wider that back onto a laneway, so long as the location-specific zoning allows it. The Vancouver Sun reported this June that more than 3,300 permits for laneway suites have been issued since the program was introduced in 2009 and the city forecasts about 4,000 new laneway suites will be built in Vancouver over the next decade. So, what exactly is a laneway suite? The City of Toronto’s website defines a laneway suite as a self-contained residential unit located on the same lot as a detached house, semi-detached house or townhouse, and generally located in the rear yard next to a laneway. Laneway suites tend to be smaller in scale and completely detached from the main house on the lot. Laneway suites may provide new rental housing opportunities within established neighbourhoods, providing a wider range of low-density housing options while enhancing neighbourhood and community character. A quick review of various builders and design websites revealed typical laneway suites range in size from 525 to 850 square feet. The benefits are many, but the relatively key ones (IMHO) are: (1) a potential source of rental income that can also increase resale value for a homeowner; (2) contribution to alleviating the rental housing crisis, especially for young families or professionals who might otherwise be priced out of the city; (3) an opportunity for downsizers or older children who do not want to leave a neighbourhood or live in a condo; (4) paving the way for multi-generational families where the children may take over the responsibility of the main home while the parents get to live next to their child’s family; (5) helping get tired-looking laneways somewhat ‘cleaned up’ while preserving the primary character of a neighbourhood; and (5) providing a new source of tax revenue for the city. Do we really want “bunkies in the backyard”? That’s a phrase coined by Patrick Rocca, one of the expert individuals I spoke to when first exploring the possibilities laneway suites might present for some individuals ASANO, Page 19
Apple Fest 2018 2
0 3 9
Join us on Bayview Ave, from Davisville to Soudan as we celebrate the apple. Embrace that country feeling with ciders, pies, live music, art and so much more!
B AY V I E W L E A S I D E
w w w. B ay v i e w L e a s i d e B I A . c o m
GYMNASTICS CLASSES AT
GymKats
Leaside Life • September 2018
16
Why the “Memorial” in Leaside Memorial Community Gardens by RAY WHITE
Learn gymnastics • Play • Be active
THIS YEAR AT GYMKATS! Located in Leaside, we offer gymnastics classes for 1-12 years old, including Baby Gym, Intermediate and Tumbling Classes. Register Now at www.gymkats.ca or call 647-227-5231
The original Leaside Gardens was completed in 1951 just six short years after the end of World War II. All across Ontario and Canada, it was common to see hockey and skating rinks erected at this time. After all, we needed recreation facilities for the Baby Boomers born right after war’s end. Leaside was no different. By 1963 the local service clubs looked for a way to honour and memorialize the sacrifices made by Leaside servicemen during the war. The then new arena and facilities were dedicated to the memory of 17 servicemen from Leaside who made the ultimate sacrifice during WWII. An impressive stainless-steel plaque featured the 17 names inscribed on it and the facility was named The Leaside Memorial Community Gardens in their honour. The plaque was affixed to the wall in the original lobby area
Looking for a meaningful volunteer experience? Volunteers play a vital role in creating a world of possibility for kids with disabilities. Volunteers are needed for the following openings: • Bloorview School • Music and Arts • Summer and March Break camps • Therapeutic Recreation • Swimming and so much more! Learn more about Holland Bloorview’s volunteer opportunities please visit: www.hollandbloorview.ca/volunteer
100%
recommendation rating amongst current and former volunteers!
of the William Lea room, past the main entrance and onto the viewing area of the facility as we now know it. The average age of those 17 men was just 22 years. When the new facility construction meant the removal of the plaque and reconfiguration of the William Lea room, the board knew immediately that when construction was finished the entire new facility incorporating the original would need to be rededicated. The original plaque was carefully removed and tucked away for safekeeping and refurbishing while awaiting rededication. During that time a remarkable opportunity presented itself. In 1963, when the memorial plaque was struck, the name of Walter Newel was unfortunately misspelled and remained so for 50 years. At last this could be corrected. On November 8, 2013, 50 years after the original dedication and on the 100th anniversary of the Town of Leaside the Leaside Gardens board rededicated the beautiful new combined facility. In attendance were several family members of three of the men for whom this memorial is named: the Lazier, Newel and Wilbur families. It was my distinct honour and privilege to hold the Silver Cross presented to Flying Officer Walter Newel’s mother, Lillian, on that day. The plaque has now been relocated to the most easterly perimeter wall near the flag stands. There you will find the names of the brave and selfless Leasiders. This year we are in the process of working with Veterans Affairs Canada to have the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens added to the National Inventory of Canadian Military Memorials, housed on a website repository of memorials and monuments located in communities across Canada. Currently there are more than 7,500 memorials included in the inventory. The board is also considering establishing a Remembrance Day observance at the rink. We certainly hope that on your next visit you will pause for a moment to read the names and give thanks. Ray White is Vice Chair, Leaside Memorial Community Gardens Board of Management. ■
ERS M TT A
Leaside Gate
leasidelife@gmail.com
17
ITED
Re: Bennington’s beloved letter carrier It’s a dog’s life. The summer is flying by and it seems like yesterday was my last working as the Bennington Heights’ mailman. On that beautiful day back in June I started my walk and I couldn’t believe my eyes. Starting at Lexi’s with all the orange banners, then to Laci’s and Chelsea’s, everyone had their mailboxes and doorways decorated with balloons, goodbye cards and notes with “We will miss you, Dan” and “Happy retirement,” mostly handmade by the kids and families at each house. It was the same over at Stevey’s and around to Lola’s on Garden Circle, to Jeffron’s, to Erin, Frances and Isabella’s on Orchard Green, to Lilly’s on Brendan, Charlie’s on Moore, to Faye and the Sweetlands on Burnham to Milli and little Leo on Lumley, over to Chief, Duke and Bailey’s place on Heath, around to Blue and Fergus’s house past Rev. Falbys, the Glebes, then Tina’s house, past the awesome mail shoebox at the Boelaars to the Bowmans and around the corner to the miracle workers, the Windsors, and to Iris and Maureen’s on Bayview. The party continued past Barb and David’s and Walter’s place all the way past Stef’s on Bayview Heights along Moorehill and the home of the official Mayor of Bennington, Mr. James Dufton and wife Susan, across to his neighbour and guest columnist Sue Barrett (thank you, Sue, for the article in July’s Leaside Life) and Bobby boy too, from the Ratchfords, to Faye’s, past Dillon’s and Penny’s, over to Casper, up and down Red Oaks with Bela and Harper, over to Sydney, Lola, Mulligan, Copper, Harlow, Lilly and Poppy, Sky, Stella, Massi and Stretchy on Bennington, not to mention the homes on Noel...shout out to Poppers, Cali and Sophie. Barbara Burak and Faye Caswell with help, organized everything including the goodbye party at the school where I was presented with a gift and cards...and delicious cake! It was awesome. Thank you, everyone. Love, Dan Thornback ■
Leaside Life • September 2018
Y
ED
LETTERS
8Ǚ 9Z 0UNT
Seniors’ Condos and Life-Lease Units for Sale in Leaside Ask Roy to put you on his waiting list for any of these 3 buildings designed for seniors
This can only be done if you are not under contract with another REALTOR®
Sahil
Roy St.John Broker &VP
416-569-5036
froystjohn@gmail.com www.seniorscondos.com
Bethel Green
not intended to solicit parties in an agency agreement
Kathleen Wynne MPP Don Valley West
Best wishes to all students for the 2018/19 school year
Constituency Office 795 Eglinton Avenue East, Unit 101 Toronto, ON M4G 4E4 416-425-6777 | www.kathleenwynne.onmpp.ca
18
Street chic: why can’t Leaside have a unique street sign brand?
Leaside Life • September 2018
by SUSAN SCANDIFFIO When I was growing up in Toronto, the city was divided in my mind into the following areas: the SkyDome, the Eaton Centre, the CNE, Yorkdale, and Maple Leaf Gardens (yes, I’m dating myself). As far as I was concerned, those were the neighbourhoods of Toronto. Toronto, I have since discovered, is a city of 140 neighbourhoods. And as far as Leaside resident and artist Brandon Steen is concerned, “it’s time that Leaside gets a chance to celebrate its uniqueness” in a way that other Toronto areas already do. Travel around Toronto and in many neighbourhoods, you’ll notice colourful street signs indicating the name of the area, with catchy slogans and bits of history. Corktown. Little Portugal. The Junction. Each has its own history, and they all boast street signs reflecting their identity or story. Corktown’s signs indicate the fact that it was an original part of Old Town Toronto as laid out in plans by John Graves Simcoe in 1793. Little
Portugal’s neighbourhood signs have green on the left side and red on the right to mirror the Portuguese flag, while The Junction’s signs sport railroad tracks to indicate the intersection of four railway lines in the area. Leaside, Steen proposes, should have its own street signs to celebrate its history and
i d e n t i t y. And he’s gone one step further: the artist has created a design with green as the main colour to pay homage to the tree canopy of Leaside along with the date of 1829, the year William Lea settled and built his home. (Steen does acknowledge, though, that the year on the signs could be 1880, the year that Leaside became a postal town, or 1913, the year in which Leaside was incorporated.)
If this project is to take flight, a number of steps would need to be taken. While the city would most likely not provide funding for such a project, Councillor Burnside is definitely interested in the proposal. He is currently working with Steen to determine if there is sufficient interest in the signs and if the funds necessary to have them produced could be raised through either private or public sources (or a combination of the two). Toronto is absolutely more than the sum of its parts. It’s a city which has been ranked #4 in a list of the most livable cities in the world. But the parts which make up this great city are each special and unique. Leaside has a wonderful identity, character, and history that we should all be so grateful to be a part of. Brandon Steen proposes that we shout our pride from the rooftops. Or at least through our own unique street signs. What do you think? Should Leaside sport its own special street signs? Let us know at leasidelife@gmail.com. ■
+ home redefining the customer experience
Serving Homeowners, Builders, Interior Designers, Architects and Contractors Visit our 10,500 square foot showroom to see our selection of brand name hardwood, luxury vinyl, laminate, carpet, area rugs, vanities, kitchens and appliances.
Our partners include:
143 Bermondsey Road, Toronto
•
(416) 755-6555
•
FLOORINGANDHOME.COM
info@FlooringAndHome.com
RBC Dominion Securities Inc.
Men, Kids & Youth 864 Millwood Road (416) 485-2807
Asano... From Page 14 in the neighbourhood. Despite the ballpark numbers of initial costs between $270,000 and $350,000, rental income between $1,400 and $2,000 per month, Rocca was quite adamant that he’d prefer to have his backyard all to himself and his family for their personal enjoyment, maybe the neighbours’ too. Although I thought the idea was worth researching, there is also a bit of an OBSTACLE that stands in the way. A call to Councillor Burnside’s office confirmed that there is currently no plan in the works for laneway suites in Leaside. Do you think the benefits of a laneway suite outweigh the costs? Should we lobby to adopt the same zoning and bylaw amendments made by Toronto and East York? Let us know at leasidelife@ gmail.com. Leasider Glenn Asano is a partner and principal consultant for the strategy and business development practice at Centred Performance. He is also an instructor with the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University. ■
RBC Dominion Securities proudly serves the Leaside community—and we’re looking for experienced Investment Advisors and Portfolio Managers to join our team. We give you everything you need to reach your professional goals: incredible training programs, opportunities for growth, and the strength and resources of RBC, Canada’s largest financial institution. We’re committed to wealth management, which means your clients will get access to comprehensive, expert services at every stage of their lives. For more information, contact: Mike Ricafort Vice-President & Branch Manager 45 Wicksteed Avenue, Suite 210 416-699-4420 mike.ricafort@rbc.com
We value diversity in the workplace, are committed to Employment Equity and will provide reasonable workplace accommodation to applicants with disabilities. RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ®Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. ©RBC Dominion Securities Inc. 2016. All rights reserved. 16_90451_003
Leaside Life • September 2018
Women
Join Canada’s wealth management leader, right here in Leaside
19
It’s back to “old school” for gardeners! The Lea family dedicated most of their farmland to growing apples, but they grew some other seasonal crops too. They would have planted a few lilacs close to the house and not just for the beauty and fragrance but more to observe the timing of the leaf expanding away from the bud. That meant it was safe to plant some beans and when the lilac reached full bloom, the soil was warm enough to plant those tomatoes. To our early settlers, their lilac was just one of the indicator plants observed for valuable information. Our native oak and Canadian thistle along with the dandelion were others, as there were many clues to alert a crop farmer to a safe planting schedule, pollinator activity, and warnings of pest cycles. Observations from plants and wildlife through seasonal changes have been used in agriculture for thousands of years. In science this is known as phenology. To a crop farmer and gardener, it’s simply the key to working with nature for the best outcome. Unfortunately, many gardeners today work without this information and have no idea what an indicator
The Leaside Gardener: Debora Kuchme Columnist
Mary’s garden: can you see the robin?
DEBORA KUCHME
Leaside Life • September 2018
20
plant is. Few know why the timing of birds and pollinators matters or can tell the difference between a weed, companion or invasive plant. With climate change accelerating, it’s time to revisit some old school wisdom because we (the gardeners) play an important role in helping
Play safe! We make sportsguards At Laird Eglinton Dental we have a dedicated team providing a full range of services. Most procedures are done in-house using the latest technology. New & Emergency patients welcome • Free parking • Direct insurance billing • Orthodontic treatments available
213 Laird Drive Toronto ON M4G 3W8 • 416.333.0707 www.lairdeglintondental.ca reception@lairdeglintondental.ca
Open s Evening and ds Weeken
our environment adapt to these new changes. I spoke with Mary Newel of Leaside about this because in my eyes, she is a native plant hero. More than that, I’ve never met anyone who observes nature quite as she does and that’s what phenology is all about. Mary comes from a long line of gardeners who can be traced back to the early 19th century so gardening is definitely in her genes. But she didn’t always feel connected to the garden. When her parents bought their south Leaside home in 1952 they started a garden that was very different from what it is today. Ella (her mother) loved colour and exotics while Desmond (her father) cared more about growing fruits, vegetables and his cherished lawn. But then along came Mary. “As a child, I didn’t connect to some of these garden choices, I see beauty in common things.” According to her, the interest in native plants started at the very bottom or as she says “through the back door” with the simple curiosity of underdog weeds. This fascination led to field guides and local ravine walks which exposed her to native plants and natural ecosystems. It wasn’t long before Mary inspired her mother to embrace more native plants, including trees, shrubs, sedges and grasses. Each year the lawn got smaller as the garden beds grew bigger with more native plants. Today, that lawn is just a narrow curving path and the native plants far outnumber the few imports. But she also knows that at this time, going all native may not be wise. With our changing climate, some native plants will adapt, some will migrate but others will die. The hostas, yews, balloon flower, globe thistle, weigela, rhodo and Ligularia in this garden blend beautifully with the natives but are also positive additions. Some may even adapt better to our future weather conditions. I wish that I met Mary years ago because she would have been my native plant guru. Unfortunately for me and all of Leaside, Mary Newel and her husband Chris Aylott are planning a move. This means another treasured Leaside garden may be at risk. I hope the buyer will embrace this garden for its value. Visit leasidelife.com for the extended version of this article along with Mary’s top 10 list for connecting to the natural world. ■
TAIM AIM NSINS VITV
HERBS HERBS
S P I CE S OR S P I CE S OR
GNF GNF GAGANI BLU K LK NI C BCU
GAIANATURAL NATURALFOODS FOODS GAIA Vitamins,Organic OrganicBulk, Bulk,Herbs Herbs&&Spices Spices Vitamins,
Best Prices Prices Best Everyday! Everyday! FALL SALE
Permanent Haircolour Gel
20% OFF
The ULTIMATE in probiotic protection!
Magnesium Bisglycinate 200
20% OFF
20% OFF
A premium magnesium Ideal formula for supplement that provides SALE ENDS NOVEMBER30, 30,2017 2017 improving digestion, SALE ENDS NOVEMBER 200 mg of pure, boosting immunity elemental%magnesium %% and supporting 20 20OFF% OFF OFF 20 %% 20 OFF %% 20 OFF per capsule in a highly 20 20 OFF OFF MAGNESIUM 20 overall health. OFF MAGNESIUM VITAMIN C % VITAMIN C % BIS-GLYCINATE absorbable form. 20 OFF BIS-GLYCINATE Helps protect cells PERMANENT 30 in & 60 vcaps Helps protect cells PERMANENT PROBIOTICS 20OFF 1.5 PROBIOTICS 200 GENTLE FULL SPECTRUM 200 GENTLE from free radical SPECTRUM HAIRCOLOUR GEL 240 vcapsFULL from free radical HAIRCOLOUR GEL URGENCY URGENCY 200mg of Elemental A gentle odorless formula tested on sensitive skin.
damage. damage.
- 300 vcaps - 300 vcaps
Helps reduce acute Helps reduce acute infectious diarrhea infectious diarrhea and risk and thethe risk of of antibiotic-associated antibiotic-associated diarrhea. diarrhea.
Advanced B Complex
20%
OFF
Supports energy, Stress, Metabolism and Nerve 180 vcaps
- 30 vcaps - 30 vcaps
A gentle odorless A gentle odorless formula tested formula tested onon sensitive skin. sensitive skin.
200mg of Elemental Magnesium. Magnesium.
MegaFood One Daily Multivitamins
15%
CURCUMIN CURCUMIN
- 120 & 240 vcaps - 120 & 240 vcaps
OFF
- 30 & 60 liquid sgel
- 30 & 60 liquid sgel Bulletproof Brain Octane
$25.99 & $46.99 Effective in providing increased brainpower, reduced brain fog and enhanced energy. 473ml & 946ml
Made with the best whole foods and a unique Slo-Food Process to create real good-for-you supplements. %% 15 OFF MEGAFOOD BABY ME 15 OFF MEGAFOOD BABY && ME 30 & 60 tabs With nutrients their safe With nutrients in in their safe
Bulletproof coffee 340g $19.99
and gentle whole food and gentle whole food form, this comprehensive form, this comprehensive prenatal formula is gentle prenatal formula is gentle the stomach. onon the stomach.
Korean Red Ginseng - 120 tabs. Also available - 120 tabs. Also available - Baby & Me Herb Free Baby & Me Herb Free
6-year-grown Korean Red Ginseng root
100 caps
KOREAN RED GINSENG KOREAN RED GINSENG g free with any purchase 3030 g free with any purchase ofof 5050 gg 100 caps. oror 100 caps.
• Boost the immune system, energy & stamina 20 20%OFF%OFF • Fights fatigue EASYMULTI EASYMULTI SUPER SUPER 45+ MEN & WOMEN Boost immune system, enhance 45+ MEN & WOMEN immune system,healthy enhance blood circulation • Promotes 30 G FREE WITH Boost BUY 1 Heart, Bone Immune physical energy, support bodily Heart, Bone && Immune energy, support bodily Support. ANY PURCHASE OF 50 Gphysical GET 1 FREE endurance memory functions. function Support. •and Supports memory endurance and memory functions. - 60 & 120 sgels - 50 g and 100 caps - 50 g and 100 caps
- 60 & 120 sgels
GAIANatural NaturalFoods Foods GAIA
864Eglinton EglintonAve. Ave.E., E.,East EastYork, York,ON ON(Leaside) (Leaside) 864
647.347.4491 647.347.4491
Like Facebook! Like UsUs onon Facebook!
gaianaturalfoods gaianaturalfoods
Laird Laird Dr. Dr. Laird Dr.
SALE ENDS September 30, 2018. We price match! Simply bring the flyer with the listed price and item description. Valid for local Canadian stores only.
Eglington Eglington Ave.Ave. Eglington Ave. EE E Canadian Canadian TireTire Canadian Tire
* While quantities last. The information in this advertisement is for information purposes only. Consult your doctor healthcare practitioner prior trying a new regime. * While quantities last. The information in this advertisement is for information purposes only. Consult your doctor or or healthcare practitioner prior to to trying a new regime.
EVENTS
22
Leaside Life • September 2018
ATTENTION RUN CLUBS The 7th Monster Dash Halloween Run Sun., Oct. 28th. Group rates and club promotions available. Enjoy chip timing, accurate courses, great food, drink, swag, finisher medals, a charity partner with an epic post-race party indoors. Check out www.monsterdash.ca.
ST. AUGUSTINE’S CHURCH 1847 Bayview Ave.
Lynda Gorges Broker
416-486-5588 Lynda.Gorges@gmail.com www.lyndagorges.com
Passionate about helping my Clients
Family Fun Fair Sunday, Sept. 9th, 12-2:30pm. Free for all ages. Bouncy Castle and games for kids. Free hamburgers and hot dogs. saintaugustine.ca. Listen to great live music by local artists and have a coffee and dessert with friends. The Groove Room Coffee House is Friday, Sept. 14th, 7-8:30pm featuring Tim Stokes Rees. Cost is $5 with proceeds to the Flemingdon Park Food Bank. We are looking for performers. Contact Augustine@bellnet.ca
CANADIAN FED. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN LEASIDE-EAST YORK
GREETING CARDS • STAMPS
The Power of Women Working Together. Monthly meetings at 7:30pm, beginning Thursday, September 20 at Northlea United Church, 125 Brentcliffe Road. We’ll introduce our groups for you to join and our speaker: Patricia Adamson, PhD Candidate at UofT, speaking on Who’s in Charge? Making Plans. Visitors and new members are welcome. Visit www.cfuwleasideeastyork.ca or email joincfuw@gmail.com.
A PRESENTATION ABOUT CONCUSSIONS
We wo u to welc ld like ome a n e doctor to our t w e a who is m accepti n g patient s!
OPEN SATURDAYS FREE Delivery all over GTA ALL Drug Plans Accepted BLISTER PACKS
795 Eglinton Ave. East Toronto, ON M4G 4E4 Tel: 416-422-0186 Fax: 416-422-0185
Sept. 27, 7-9 pm, at the Leaside Arena with Dr. Michael Hutchison, a Leaside fellow and MD, PhD at St Mike’s and U of T. Michael is well respected for his research and presentations and speaks from personal experience. Limited seating available. https://concussionclinic.eventbee.com
LEMONADE FOR TERRY FOX 3rd annual lemonade stand to raise money for the Terry Fox Foundation. Sept 16th, 10am until noon. 76 Bessborough Dr.
TORONTO LEASIDE ROTARY CLUB CORN ROAST 25th Anniversary. Sun., September, 16th. Trace Manes Park, Noon to 5pm. New for 2018: A dog show 2-3pm. All dogs welcome • free entry. Prize winning categories. Plus favourite annual offerings of fresh corn, bbq hotdogs, desserts, music, games, motor scooters, face painting, bouncy castles, and slides.
NORTHLEA UNITED 125 Brentcliffe Road www.northleaunited.ca 416-425-5252
Annual Welcome Back Community Corn Roast! Wednesday, Sept. 12, 5-7:30 pm. Suggested donation: $5 per person, $15 per family. Net proceeds go to Northlea United’s General Fund. Info: call or email office@northleaunited.ca Taize: Candlelight, prayer, meditation and music, 8:00-8:45 pm. Wednesday evenings September 19, October 10, November 14. Join us for a quiet evening of reflection in the Sanctuary.
LEASIDE LIBRARY 165 McRae Drive, 416-396-3835. Royal Weddings from Victoria and Albert to Meghan and Harry Join Carolyn Harris, author of Raising Royalty: 100 Years of Royal parenting, for a lively history of royal weddings. Wed., Sept.19, 2-3pm. Drop in. Games Night Teens/Adults. Enjoy an evening of cribbage. Other board games and puzzles available. Drop in. Tues., Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25, 6:30-8:15pm Leaside Needleworx Group Knitting and crocheting at the library. Bring your own projects or start something new. Drop in. Everyone welcome. Fridays, September 7, 14, 21, 28, 10:00 am - 11:45 am Leaside Writers Group Adults/Seniors. Are you looking for a creative place to meet with other like-minded individuals? Join us. Drop in. Everyone welcome. Saturdays, September 29, 10:00 am - 11:45 am Zero Waste Kit Breakdown Join Sophi Robertson, Zero Waste Events Manager for great info about minimizing trash and keeping it simple. Part of TPL’s Our Fragile Planet program series. Registration required. Call or visit the branch. Wed. Sept. 26, 7-8pm. Discover Your Heritage Explore Ontario of yesterday and today with Barry Penhale and special guests. Contact Marjorie McLeod at 416-4251392. Tues., September 18, 25, 2-4pm Paintings by Sonia Perrin Ongoing throughout September
LEASIDE GARDEN SOCIETY Thursday, Sept. 13, 7:30pm: Meeting: Planting Containers for Fall. Speaker: Ian McCallum. Guests welcome. Saturday, Sept. 15: Annual Flower Show: 1:303:30pm. Free admission. Email: leaside@ gardenontario.org. Send us your free listing for October by September 10th leasidelife@gmail.com ■
Cheryl’s top 6 back-to-school litter-free tips
Leaside Litterati
Emilie gets down to business at Trace Manes.
front of your house and along your street. I usually do this the evening of garbage day as things can become a little messy when the receptacles are emptied 4 Adopt a favourite green space and keep it litter free. We are so fortunate that Leaside has a number of parks and hiking trails for all of us to walk, jog, bike and play. I take a walk about Trace Manes Park on Sunday evenings to pick up leftovers from weekend merriment. 5 Report litter issues to 311 or Councillor Burnside’s office. The City can help by enforcing bylaws, adding additional waste receptacles and cleaning up as needed. 6 Reduce your use of litter-producing items like plastic beverage bottles, take-out coffee cups, Styrofoam and plastic takeaway food containers, single use straws, paper napkins, etc. Drink our yummy City of Toronto water from a reusable bottle, get takeout coffee or tea in a reusable to-go mug and ask for a straw-less cold drink. Happy “plogging”! ■
Now accepting new registrations for the
2018/2019 Dance Year! Classes in jazz, acro, ballet, musical theatre and more! 7 studios— 9,500 square feet! Conveniently located at 3300 Yonge St. (Yonge and Fairlawn) Register at www.tandemstudiostoronto.com or give us a call at 647-348-4953.
REGIST ER TODAY !
23
Leaside Life • September 2018
Cheryl Vanderburg
ROBIN DICKIE
In April I received an email from Emilie Chodat, a 16-year-old student who lives in Leaside. “I have read many of your articles on the trash littered around Trace Manes Park and many other parts of Leaside. I have always been frustrated by seeing all of the garbage polluting the planet and have made some effort to collect it. I was on an island in the Bahamas for March break, and one day my friend and I were walking along the road by the shore and noticed beer bottles, plastic bags, cigarettes, and dozens of plastic straws scattered along the water, and floating in the water. I turned back, went to the cottage we were staying in, got a few garbage bags, and spent an hour walking and picking up the litter. In the end we filled two large garbage bags. Seeing that appalled me. I would like to help make a change. Please let me know of any way I can help. It is our generation’s turn to step up and help make a change before it is too late.” Emilie, thank you for writing and for inspiring this article! Here are six simple things that you (and everyone!) can do to keep Leaside green and clean: 1 Set an example by not littering and remind others to do the same. I guess it all comes down to treating our community spaces like you would treat your own home and thinking WWMMS (What Would My Mother Say). If you take your lunch to school, make it litterless or boomerang the remains home. If you go to a local takeout spot, use their litter receptacles. If you’re watching a ball game at Trace Manes or Talbot Park and enjoying an ice cream or cold drink, use the litter receptacles rather than stashing your trash under the bleachers. If you play on a sports team, do a sweep of the dugouts and field before you leave. If you’re hanging with your friends in the school yard, don’t pitch and ditch your stuff. I think you get my drift. Littering is not cool. 2 Pick up one or two pieces of random litter each day. When I’m out walking in the neighbourhood I bring a bag with me and pick up any lost litter souls I see. Today at the park I was joined by two children taking a lunch break from Pedalheads. As they were picking up handlebar streamers they told me that their coach biked through a pile of dog poop that morning. Funny and sad all at the same time. 3 Each week, pick up the litter in
24
Can we have safe, connected cycling routes in Leaside?
Leaside Life • September 2018
By HOLLY REID That’s the question Cycle 26 will put to council candidates in what is, as of August 13th, Ward 26 and one that safe streets advocates from across the city will be asking their candidates as well. Cycle 26 is part of Cycle Toronto’s ward advocacy program, which helps local residents campaign for better cycling infrastructure in their community. In the lead-up to the municipal election, the push is on to “Build the Grid” – essentially get the City to step up the implementation of the Cycling Network Plan to create safe and connected cycling routes in every ward. Slow progress, poor connections Approved two years ago by City Council, the Cycling Network Plan has seen spotty progress. For example, here in Ward 26, new bike lanes are currently being installed in the Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park communities, but the connector, Overlea Blvd., is being left as is, forcing cyclists into busy, fast-moving vehicle traffic and inhibiting travel by bicycle between communities and local schools. Other local concerns include the pinch-point on Millwood Rd. under the railway bridge and the poorly designed boulevard trail on the east side of Bayview between Nesbitt and Moore. Getting connected cycling routes where everyone feels safe is something that Cycle 26 is working on. Advocacy through Cycle 26 Cycle 26 is co-chaired by Louis Fliss, chiropody lead at Flemingdon Community Health and former CanBike instructor, and regular
Leaside Life columnist Geoff Kettel, a long-time cyclist and environmentalist. In addition to reviewing and providing input to the City’s cycling infrastructure plans and identifying issues and concerns for cyclists in Ward 26, Cycle 26 organizes local participation in Bike-to-Work Day, held annually at the start of Bike Month. Heading into the municipal election campaign, they will be organizing an All Candidates Ride and asking all council candidates the following:
that 80% of Torontonians support building protected bike lanes. The random survey was conducted LVED GET INVO HOW TO t Geoff PContac m) or gmail.co (gkettel@ gmail.com) iss@ Louis (lfl to at cle Toron PJoin Cy te in ip partic a d n a a .c cycleto advocacy city-wide s Ride Candidate ll A n A P tch for rks – wa o w e th is in nd plan to details a join in!
Cyclists are advocating for safe and connected cycling routes in every ward. • Will you be a champion for building safe connected bike routes in our neighbourhood? • Will you support building protected bike lanes on main streets? (Both Laird in Focus and EglintonConnects propose separated bike lanes.) • Do you support accelerating the City’s 10-year Cycling Network Plan to be completed in the next four years? A recent survey conducted by EKOS Research Associates reports
across the city, included all age groups, and 75% of respondents were primarily drivers. Still, councillors are accountable to their constituents and that means that if you want safe, connected cycling routes in Leaside, you need to make your voice heard. Holly Reid is a recreational road rider and cycling commuter who has lived and worked in Leaside for 30 years. An advocate for safe cycling, she writes the Ask a Cyclist column for Cycle Toronto (cycleto.ca). ■
REGISTRATION OPEN Scouts Canada Programs for boys, girls and young adults. Ages 5 and up
Volunteers (all ages welcome!)
The 132nd Toronto Scout Group Leaside’s largest and most active youth group www.132nd.com 416.425.6881
The fun and adventure starts today.
join@scouts.ca
Scouts.ca
choose your caregiver
Leaside Life • September 2018
25
Serving the senior community since 2000 Please contact Living Assistance Services for home care services at 416-483-0070 or www.LAServices.ca
Celebrating 17 years of outstanding service
Call today at 416-483-0070 for a complimentary Nurse’s in-home care assessment.
www.LAServices.ca
���."88�-��-����-�&!a.���tes��-tes�.'68��
Step bacltinto tbc 194o's
'fri()ay, September 21, 2018
J\s tbe 'l(Jwanis Club of 'East Yorlt Celebrates its 75th 5\uui\Jcrsary. join us at 'Jbe 'Birches ('The 'Latvian Canaclian Center) 4 Creclit 'Union 'Dr. 'foronto .:M� 2:N.8 ('for <lirectioos cbeclt their map: bircbescateriog.com/ coo tact-us)
'lleception 6:oo p.m. 'Dinner 7:00 p.m.
1'
• Cash 'Bar • 4o's music • 'Prizes & Silent J\uctioo , .,, • :Mystery guest speal{_er
'fic]tets $100
;\vai1ab1e, july 15, 2018 on 'Event'Brite or by contacting eyltjwa11is75@gmai1.com
'Procee<ls use<l to support our community projects.
Mining Laird Station? Mining Laird Station? Yes, Laird Station is being constructed using a mining method known as Sequential Excavation Method (SEM), one of only three stations employing SEM. The other 12 underground stations, including Leaside Station, are being constructed using the “cut and cover” method. SEM involves two stages: the first is support of excavation (shoring), with the installation of steel piles, and the second involves excavation of manageable segments in a planned sequence. The station will be constructed within the mined area. The Laird Station is a one of the longest, approximately 500 metres in length to be mined, in order to accommodate special track to store a Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) between the tracks, or for a LRV to change direction in the event of service disruption. Recently, members of the Leaside/ Laird Station Community Liaison Committee were given the opportunity for a walk-through of the Laird Station mining operations. The July 27 excursion took us down a flight of scaffold stairs to the large pit excavation at the site of the main station entrance (southwest corner of Laird and Eglinton), through the station
awed by the huge scale of the project. Massive, no other word for it. The project is proceeding 24 hours a day seven days a week for a late 2021 completion. Let’s hope that this time around, a change of provincial government does not result in cancellation of the Eglinton rapid transit project!
Geoff Kettel
Saving old Leaside
Upper East Side Village (Leaside that is)
GEOFF KETTEL
Leaside Life • September 2018
26
area being mined, and along the tunnel connecting to the secondary entrance (east of Laird on Eglinton) and back up scaffold stairs to the surface. Whether standing at the bottom of the pit and looking up, or entering the cavernous mine, one is
White House Meats
Your neighbourhood butcher for over 16 years! Top Quality Meats and Great Service. 1523 Bayview Ave. Toronto 416-488-2004
It would be hard to miss the large “Upper East Village” postcard in your mailbox; it seems to arrive about once a month. The development application that used to be known only by a street address (939 Eglinton Ave. East) has become a high-profile condo marketing campaign built on the “Upper East Side” moniker, an allusion to a wellknown upper-class neighbourhood in New York City. A 48-page glossy magazine “Celebrating Toronto’s Upper East Side” went out to area residents earlier this year, featuring “10 Reasons to Love The Upper East Side” (as well as “5 Poses to Prevent Back Pain”), and the top 10 reasons to love Toronto’s Upper East Side from “Eat Drink and Be Merry” to “Leaside Locals,” noting famous past and present Leasiders from Stephen Harper to Doug Gilmour. It even offered up cocktail recipes “with an East Side twist,” such as a gin-citrus blend called the Upper East Ender, and the beer-based Upper East Side Walkerk promising to “raise the bar on your hosting game.” And it gave shout-outs to an array of local establishments like De La Mer and Hollywood Gelato on Bayview. “In my four decades developing neighbourhoods throughout the GTA, never have I encountered a space with more character and opportunity than the charming community of Leaside. Taking into consideration the magnetism of an area that attracts those with a zest and vibrancy for life, with its abundant green space and interconnected parklands and trails, its many cafés and quaint shops, not to mention some of the city’s most coveted public and private schools, it’s no wonder that this plentiful location has developed into Toronto’s very own Upper East Side,” enthuses David Feldman, president and CEO, Camrost Felcorp, also responsible
KETTEL continued
Kiwanis Club of East York: 75 years of service to others Check out this column by Susan Scandiffio on our web site at leasidelife.com
27
Indian & Nepalese Cuisine
FREE ENTRÉE
Buy one entree and get the second (valued up to $12.99) FREE Mt.Everest Restaurant 804 Eglinton Ave.E Coupon must be presented. Dine-in, take-out &Delivery. Can not be combined with any other offer.Delivery has to be atleast $25 after discount
SERVING TORONTO SINCE 2004
TH 2018 EXPIRES SEP. 30 30, EXPIRES OCT 2015
647-748-8849 804 EGLINTON AVE. EAST TORONTO
www.mteverestrestaurant.ca
Rob Oliphant, M.P. Don Valley West
Wishing all of the students in Don Valley West my very best for the new school year! Rob.Oliphant@parl.gc.ca roboliphantmp.ca Like on Facebook
416-467-7275 1670 Bayview Ave. Suite 310
Leaside Life • September 2018
for upscale projects like Imperial Village at Avenue Rd. and St. Clair Ave. W. and Yorkville Private Residences of the Cumberland Tower and Suites. So, there we have it – while suite size, price, amenities and architecture are important, more and more, a building’s neighbourhood is considered the ultimate draw. Sure, but why Upper East Side, not Leaside? Will Leaside disappear into the Upper East Side haze? No mention of Leaside’s history as an independent municipality for over 50 years from 1913 to 1967, its distinctive town plan designed on garden city principles in 1912 by Montreal landscape architect Frederick Todd, its rich railway and industrial history, its wide diversity of housing types. Not to mention the amazing story of the development’s site beginning with the Leaside Aerodrome, followed by wallpaper manufacturing (and possible camouflage for wartime defence industry activity), and post-war Davis and Henderson financial services manufacturing. Time will tell whether “Upper East Side” will prevail, but it’s interesting that this is not the first time the moniker has been used in Toronto. Back in 2012 writer Suzanne Wintrop dubbed the Sheppard East area as Upper East Side in an article in the Financial Post. When you think about it, the Sheppard subway project stimulated development along Sheppard in similar fashion to that of Eglinton Crosstown along Eglinton. We will see if other hot condo projects farther east adopt the moniker, like at Leslie and Don Mills. No sign of this yet. ■
Leaside Life • September 2018
28
W ILLS & E STATES
Eight “Gardens of Distinction” Recognized in Leaside
Lawyer
House calls
Eve & wknd. appts. Flat fees "Important choices made easy."
W ILLS . T RUSTS . E STATES . 647-360-9519 www.lifeplanninglaw.ca
Several front gardens in Leaside are the recipients of the Leaside Garden Society 2018 “Gardens of Distinction” awards. These awards are a tribute to the loving care that Leasiders provide to create interesting, beautiful, and welcoming gardens that all can enjoy viewing. Only the front yards are judged! This year’s eight Gardens of Distinction were selected by a nine-member volunteer committee of the Leaside Garden Society. You can spot the gardens by the sign in front of each one. The garden society encourages everyone
Find out why people love to live at Kilgour Estate!
to have a look, but please respect the privacy of the owners by not walking on the property. Congratulations to this year’s winners that include: 5 Heathbridge Park 444 Heath Street East 215 Divadale Drive 105 Rykert Crescent 11 Divadale Drive 175 Hanna Road 34 Heather Road 143 Airdrie Road
For further information contact the Leaside Garden Society at leaside@gardenontario.org or visit www.leasidegardensociety.org. ■
ANTIQUES WANTED Cash Paid For:
Let my proven track record in condo sales work for you! STEPHEN FRAZEE, Broker Kilgour Estate Resident & Owner since 2007 RE/MAX Ultimate Realty Inc., Brokerage 1739 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4G 0A1 Office: (416) 487-5131 Cell: (416) 518-6533 sfrazee@rogers.com
Silver plate • sterling • coins • gold • jewellery • watches, etc. Teak • furniture • paintings • Doultons • fancy cups and saucers • medals • military • bronze • jade • Chinese • Japanese • fine art and quality smalls. 30 Years Experience
Professional & Courteous 416-231-9948
DAVID MCDOUGALL ANTIQUES
Accurate, the #1
.
co
ST
DI
416-429-9102
m
Door-To-Door Distributor in Toronto
RIB U TIN G Since 1930
Promote In Your Neighbourhood with our
“SPECIAL PACKAGE DEAL” s ed o P 00 ibut
5,0
str oor i D tedo&or-to-D n i r P D
$ Y ONL
Package Includes
s d r a tc ” 6” xt g6loss
0 6 7
14p
• Design • Printing • Door-to-Door Distribution
49 Laird Dr, Toronto ON M4G 3T4
accurateltd@gmail.com
www.accuratedistributing.com
Leaside Life • September 2018
The LPOA will be holding a municipal candidates’ meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 2nd. We’ve booked the William Lea Room at Leaside Gardens, and (so far) have sent invitations to mayoral candidates John Tory and Jennifer Keesmat. We await decisions and news on the race for local councillor, and who’s running where. The changes to the City of Toronto Act and the municipal election announced by the Ford government have led to more uncertainties and questions than answers, and, at the time of my writing, talk of lawsuits and challenges. Without wishing to get political here (tempting though it is!) I can assure you that as things develop we at the LPOA will do our best to adjust and keep everyone informed and up to date. Meanwhile... A traffic signage change is about to happen on Southvale Drive where it becomes Moore Ave., at the crescent-shaped intersection of Astor Ave./Mallory Cresc. The alignment of the roadway makes this intersection danger-
Carol Burtin Fripp Co-president, LPOA
ous for pedestrians who want to cross safely, given the amount (and sometimes, speed) of east/west traffic. Whether you’re a young person trying to get to Rolph Road School from your home in the southernmost part of Leaside or a would-be transit rider needing to cross Southvale or Moore to get to a TTC stop on Sutherland, there is no really safe place to cross in the long stretch of Moore/Southvale
ab
Still on the always fertile subject of traffic, the LPOA Traffic Committee is aiming for a late autumn public meeting on our traffic calming recommendations for both North and South Leaside. We are all keen to hold this event as promptly as possible! Once we have details, we’ll post information on the LPOA site and in Leaside Life, as well as by flyer distribution.
For all your health and beauty needs, come and visit our TWO convenient locations. Bayview & Fleming 1601 Bayview Ave. Toronto, ON M4G 3B5 416-489-1873 8am - 12am* Bayview & Broadway 1860 Bayview Ave. Toronto, ON M4G 0C3 416-482-9841 8am - 10pm* Excluding Holiday Hours
*
between Bayview Ave. and Rolph Rd. In hopes of making this intersection safer, and at the suggestion of Councillor Jon Burnside, the City’s transportation staff will be moving the westbound stop sign currently at the corner of Southvale and Astor a few feet farther west. This will allow installation of a marked north/south crossing for pedestrians. Only the westbound stop sign will be moved. The eastbound sign will remain where it is now. The flashing red light atop the eastbound stop sign will remain – but the flashing light atop the westbound sign, in the new location, will only be installed one or two months later, as staff need to request power connection from Toronto Hydro. And they can’t request power until staff receive confirmation from the contractor that the sign installation and wiring are complete. Will the delay in replacing the light make the westbound stop sign less visible and lead to driver confusion during that time period? We’ll find out soon, since the work is scheduled to start by Labour Day.
ab
BRIAN MOK My staff and I are proud to serve our community!
Our next LPOA board meeting is on WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 5 at 7:30pm, in the Trace Manes building. We invite you to attend, whether for help on local matters, to share your opinion or give advice, or just to hear more about what is happening in our community. Contact us anytime via our website, lpoa.ca. ■ No part of the editorial content of this publication may be reprinted without the publisher’s written permission. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher. No liability is assumed for errors or omissions. All advertising is subject to publisher’s approval. Such approval does not imply any endorsement of the products or services advertised. Publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising that does not meet the standards of the publication.
SHUTTERSTOCK
Politics and traffic – the beat goes on
30
Your Old Home Movies On DVD LEONARD TAM PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
416-623-9479 www.manicmedia.ca VHS Betamax 8mm MiniDV Film
ACCOUNTING/TAX LATE FILING BOOKKEEPING BUSINESS CONSULTING Proud Leasider since 1998
LEONARD TAM, CPA, CGA PRACTICE DIRECTOR & TAX ACCOUNTANT
leonardtam@leonardtam.com 416.783.2222 416.783.4521 www.leonardtam.com 1670 Bayview Avenue, Suite 306 Toronto, ON M4G 3C2
Local Leaside Business
The Leaside Painter Quality Interior & Exterior Home Painting call Mike at:
416-917-6504
• • • @ Fax (416) 481-5275 Phone (416) 481-1146
1552 Bayview Avenue Toronto, ON M4G 3B6
L H He a l t h St u d io • Massage Therapy • Reflexology • Shiatsu • Hot Stones 1699A Bayview Ave. 416-800-3938 W e a c c e pt i ns ur a nc e
High School English Tutor Improving written fluency, reading H comprehension, study skills, and critical thinking. Contact me: Vivien Young at: 647 226-8997 vivienyoung@townofleaside.com
High School English 416 425-3979
Leaside Life TutoTutor (416) 425-3979
Published once a month in Leaside, Toronto ON, by FH Publishing Inc., 1444 Dupont St., Unit 11A, M6P 4H3 • 416-504-8047 Circulation 10,000 to every door in M4G PUBLISHER: Lorna Krawchuk EDITOR: Jane W. Auster GRAPHIC DESIGN: Robin Dickie
ADVERTISING: Karli Vezina • leasidelifepublishing@gmail.com ph. 647-978-4487 or 416-504-8047 leasidelife@gmail.com
www.leasidelife.com
SALES,SERVICE & INSTALLATION
Professional Service for over 35 Years 410 Moore Avenue
(at Bayview)
Toronto, Ontario M4G 1C9
HOM THEA E SPEC TRE IALIS TS
416-480-9856 www.aireontv.com
Two well appointed offices (10 x 10 each) for rent in
1670 Bayview Ideal for a professional or small business. Asking $1,100 each.
Please call 416-895-9374
31
Leaside Life • September 2018
Let us digitize your �lm and video to DVD or File.
ronstreecare.com For instant contact, text or email Ron at
416-822-3148
Tree removal & trimming Hedge removal & trimming Pruning & shaping Cabling, bolting & bracing Storm & wind damage Tree planting • Fertilizing • spraying Toronto arborists • Arborist reports Dead wooding • Stump removal Ash tree removal Our fully insured service is the one to call for all your tree care needs. We look forward to working with you.
It doesn’t have to be a jungle out there...