J U LY 2020
Leaside Life
Golfer Ty Stansfield Page 4.
leasidelife.com
No. 98
Jessica Boase, Isabella Markham and Zhen Park-Vandal
LEASIDE
GRADS Cole VanWiechen
WE CELEBRATE THEM IN A TOUGH YEAR pg 16
Lily Petick
Kate Hull
Sebastiรกn Correa Diaz
Adam Tietz
BE SAFE, LEASIDERS, AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND OUR VALUABLE ADVERTISERS
Are we there yet?
Leaside Life • July 2020
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WE’RE OPEN!
900 Don Mills Road (at Barber Greene Blvd)
416-646-2439 www.UrbanNatureStore.ca
What parent hasn’t heard this familiar question from a child wondering when a car trip will ever, ever end? But now, it seems we’re all asking this question. Are we there yet? In late May and June, the province of Ontario cautiously started reopening parks and patios, businesses of various stripes, and services... but not so fast in Toronto where the COVID-19 pandemic numbers continued to grow. However, as we welcome July, even Toronto is feeling the love. And that means shoppers, wearing some imaginatively designed masks (many created by Leaside’s finest), are finally taking to the streets and showing their appreciation for Leaside businesses. It’s an understatement to say it’s been a tough road for local establishments, even more than for those us working from home and perfecting our Zoom style. These businesses have wondered if they’d be able to pay the rent, reopen with new safety and health protocols in place, retain or rehire staff, and
Jane Auster Editor Leaside Life
more importantly, if they’d even have customers to welcome back. Leaside Life columnist Suzanne Park took to the street to speak to some of Leaside’s best-known businesses to find out. Most echoed what Cheryle Challe, owner of Write Impressions, said. “This hasn’t been easy.” But despite acknowledging the extreme challenges imposed by the pandemic, they were also grateful. As Sandy Beach at Dolce & Gourmando said, “We’d like to thank Leasiders for being patient, kind and continuing to shop with us.” Leasiders are fortunate to live in a neighbourhood with so much to offer. As Toronto continues to open up, let’s show Leaside businesses the love. We may not be there yet...but we’re getting close. Happy Canada Day, everyone! ■
HAPPY CANADA DAY!
#WeAreInThisTogether
Chairman’s Award for Top Level Sales Performance SALES REPRESENTATIVE www.AtHomeInLeaside.com charlene@charlenekalia.com
416.925.9191 | charlene@charlenekalia.com www.CharleneKalia.com
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Shop where you love – Leaside!
SUZANNE PARK
What do you love most about Leaside? The friendliness, the community feel, strolling tree-lined streets, shopping for a wide variety of goods and services close to home? Hard to choose. Yet when we can finally return to strolling along Bayview and the surrounding streets, just how many of the current businesses will have survived? Will our favourite restaurant, service business, gift or clothing shop still be thriving? We’ve all seen or been in the lineups at Valu-mart and LCBO, but how are other businesses faring? We spoke to several merchants to take the pulse: Cheryle Challe, owner of Write Impressions, conceded, “This hasn’t been easy. Our reopening was delayed until June 2nd. We incurred extra expenses as we cleaned, san-
itized and installed barriers. We lost irretrievable sales on Mother’s Day and Easter, usually our best events. We’re hoping graduation and Father’s Day gifts boost sales. Regardless of our troubles, we are so appreciative of Leasiders continuing to shop and we remain cautiously optimistic that the future will be brighter.” Similarly Andreas Voulgaris, owner of The Olive Oil Emporium, said, “A dip in business has meant a scaling back on staff and personally logging many extra hours to ensure we meet client requests while ensuring we remain compliant with all safety requirements. We’ve had additional cleaning, shipping and promotion costs as this lockdown stretches into summer, yet we’re thankful to all Leasiders shopping local.” For restaurants this has been an especially trying time. Kiran Kaur
at Freshii said, “We’ve remained open for takeout, and after a significant initial drop in sales thankfully our regular customers are pre-ordering and picking up meals more frequently.” Some businesses are relieved to be thriving. If you guessed food and health stores, building and garden supplies, you’d be right. Stanley Janecek, owner of White House Meats, commented, “We’re among the lucky businesses. Thankfully customers have been extremely supportive and responsible regarding safety. We typically have only two customers at a time and our six-foot glass counter is a great barrier keeping staff and customers apart. Our business has always been required to meet rigorous cleaning and sanitation regulations so we’ve only had to add masks and even more handwashing.” Craig Sandy, owner of Rack Attack Toronto, said he and his team are busy. “Our main challenge is managing expectations and our time. We love and thank SHOPPING page 9
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Leaside Life • July 2020
by SUZANNE PARK
Leaside golf wiz can now beat his dad by SUSAN SCANDIFFIO Eloquent. Humble. Confident. Focused. Ambitious. Golfer Ty Stansfield is all of these and more. The Grade 11 student from Crescent School had an incredibly successful 2019 season, which saw him climb the golf ranks at a consistent upward trajectory. He capped off the season with a top 5 finish at the Ontario Finals in a tightly contested tournament. With the 2020 season currently on hold, Stansfield is doing what he does best, continuing to focus on his training and conditioning, both physically and mentally. The left-handed golfer picked up the game for fun at the age of 5 playing with his dad, and five years ago started playing seriously, training with the Lead Coach at Golf Performance Coaches, Jeff Overholt. Legendary golfer Arnold Palmer once commented that “success in this game depends less on strength of body than strength of mind and character.”
Stansfield plays a lot of golf, but in order to develop his “strength of mind,” he spends time away from the course watching and analyzing games on TV, as well as reading about various golf strategies.
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While these strategies include golf skills such as driving and putting, they also include the mental side of the game. Stansfield studies and practises meditation and comments that it’s extremely important to “be in your own bubble,” to succeed in the game. In terms of his physical conditioning and skill training, Stansfield works with Overholt year-round both indoors and outdoors, and plays and practises with the golf team at Crescent, and with his dad at the Thornhill Golf Club. He also worked out at Pure Gym and at home where he has a golf net in the backyard. Coach Overholt notes that “Ty’s athleticism and work ethic are definitely his superpowers when it comes to golf. His previous time in other competitive sports such as hockey has provided him a wonderful foundation to apply within the sport of golf.” He adds that he has “no doubt that there will be many more top finishes in (Stansfield’s) future in both the junior and collegiate landscape.” The young golfer has reached out to golf coaches at U.S. colleges in hope of combining his sport and studies. He would love to work one day in the financial sector as both his parents do. Perhaps his greatest point of pride to date, though? (With a humble smile), “yeah, I can now beat my dad.” ■
L: TARA STANSFIELD R: GOLF ONTARIO
Leaside Life • July 2020
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Leaside Life • July 2020
THANKS LEASIDE FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Burritos. Bowls. Salads. Wraps. Soups. Smoothies. Juices. Froyo and more…
Buy one chef-designed entrée, get one chef-designed entrée
FREE! Limit one per guest. Free entrée must be of equal or lesser value. Proteins excluded. Valid in store only. Coupon must be surrendered at time of purchase. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Taxes extra. Valid only at Freshii Leaside and Freshii Danforth locations. Expiry July 31, 2020.
45 Wicksteed Ave. (SmartCentre Plaza) 647•417•1716
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MEET A LOCAL BUSINESS
Floored! The Floor Shop has graced Leasiders’ homes for more than three decades
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Peter Schultz hasn’t always been in the flooring business, but he has spent his entire adult life in retail. Now, he owns 154 Wicksteed Drive, the current home of The Floor Shop, which has been a Leaside landmark for more than three decades. Many of you know the location – in the second block of Wicksteed east of Laird, where as a driver you have to make a bit of a turn, or you’ll end up inside his showroom. It was originally a company called Floorco. Peter went to work for them, and ended up buying the business and the property. It is such a nice location, though, that Peter is in a partnership to redevelop the site into The Innovation Centre. You will have seen it mentioned in Leaside Life by both Geoff Kettel (February, 2020) and Glenn Asano (March, 2020). This general location in the Leaside Business Park is ideal for a flooring business, according to Peter. For one
LORNA KRAWCHUK
Leaside Life • July 2020
by LORNA KRAWCHUK
thing, there’s no competition. So, after he decided to redevelop the site, he searched for a local property he could use for The Floor Shop. As luck would have it, he found something, just down the road at 196 Wicksteed.
We are here to help and proud to serve our community! Bayview & Fleming 1601 Bayview Ave. Toronto, ON M4G 3B5 416-489-1873 8am - 10pm* Bayview & Broadway 1860 Bayview Ave. Toronto, ON M4G 0C3 416-482-9841 8am - 8pm* *
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He is putting his COVID-19 time to good use – getting the new showroom and warehouse ready for when he can greet customers again. He has the help of his son, returned from Germany and interested in learning the business. Also, during this time, his company is able to continue working on new home and renovation projects that were far enough along that they were allowed to continue, under appropriate precautions. The Floor Shop now has three locations – one in Etobicoke that is a showroom only and another in Mississauga that is also a showroom and warehouse, but not as large as the Leaside location. Ninety-five per cent of people buying from him also have the installation done by his crews, who are prepared to work not only locally, but far into cottage country as well. They can also give advice on whether resanding and refinishing already existing floors will work, based on the original quality and how often the floors have been worked on. As Peter says, “we don’t turn anything down.” While the showroom featured many different hardwoods and hardwood laminates, Peter makes a point of stressing that anyone in the market for a new floor take samples home to see them in the proper light. He used to enjoy asking people visiting his showroom to choose which of two samples of floors he had displayed that they liked best. They always had a favourite. The joke was that the woods were identical – only the light was different. ■
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MEET A LEASIDE BUSINESS 8
Celebrating three decades of cool music learning A generation ago many kids hated music lessons, which often involved a stern-faced teacher beating time while you played endless scales, all in the hope of passing the dreaded Level 4 Conservatory exam. Music shouldn’t be like that. It should be fun. And for the past 30 years at Yellow Dog Music — “the Doghouse” to kids and adults alike — it has been. The moment you hear the name Yellow Dog Music you suspect that this is going to be music with a difference. And it is. Yellow Dog is a place for students to be free of the handcuffs of traditional conservatory learning. When pianist Katrina Anderson, founder and director, began enrolling students in 1990 she wanted to create a music studio that was fun, casual, creative and cool. There was no other school like it in Toronto at that time. This year Yellow Dog is celebrating
Teacher Dan Pitt and student Sam Civil its 30th anniversary in the heart of Leaside at Bayview and Moore Ave. As she explains on her website, the name Yellow Dog popped into her head “out of the blue” one day when she was stopped at a red light while driving home. The moniker, with its colour and relatable animal image, “sounded right” to her, All Stay new li info sting s rme d – have V Get i on t rtual T he w ours . aiti ng l ist!
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especially springing up, as it did, so spontaneously. There are about 70 to 80 students of all ages at Yellow Dog from preschoolers to seniors, and even some doctors looking to relieve work stress. All receive inventive instruction from working/performing recording artists. “Lessons are individualized to each student’s passions, abilities and natural learning pathways,” she says. Yellow Dog lessons are also now available online, a vital source of income during the coronavirus pandemic as parents look for ways to keep their kids’ lessons going. As she outlines on her website, besides learning to play and read music, students can access an exciting opportunity: the chance to document and share audio/video performances of their work, whether rock, pop, jazz, blues, hip hop, classical or show tunes. “What I find most rewarding is one of our classic scenarios: a young teen arrives at Yellow Dog as a last attempt to find a way for them to enjoy lessons. They have reached an age where they hate the traditional, structured approach to lessons – ones that follow method books, require exams, etc. “We tell them they can put away their books for a while, we teach them songs by ear, how to listen and learn songs on their own, how to just PLAY their instrument without it having to make sense all the time. We encourage them to compose, record, jam, share their music with YELLOW DOG page 9
KAT ANDERSON
Leaside Life • July 2020
by KEN MALLETT
Shopping... From Page 3
Yellow Dog... From Page 8 friends and family.” Yellow Dog started with a one-ofa-kind, think-outside-the-box bent. Throughout 30 years, Katrina has often been reminded that she had the right idea: “Sometimes students get back in touch. They tell me that Yellow Dog not only taught them music, but that we shaped how they think, who they are and how they live.” Music to her ears. For more information visit www. yellowdogmusic.ca. ■
BEAUTY PROFESSIONALS
WHEN WE’RE ABLE TO OPEN WE ARE PREPARED
Leaside Life • July 2020
Leasiders. They’re active, and this summer most are biking and paddling locally and many require a rack. We’re providing curbside pickup, maximum two people in the store to choose products and installing by appointment, so patience is key.” Sandy Beach at Dolce & Gourmando echoed the good fortune. “We’d like to thank Leasiders for being patient, kind and continuing to shop with us. We had an initial dip in sales yet once we kept the door open, despite cold March winds, customers realized we were open because our product mix includes a lot of specialty foods. Many of our customers live alone and appreciate and visit often for a leisurely chat.” Gary Choe, general manager of Bayview Natural Food, commented, “As an essential service we’ve been open throughout COVID-19. Our sales dropped right away, then returned to almost previous levels within a few weeks. Customers have been patient and polite as we permit only a few in the store and one at the cash.” Celeste Blackmore, national director at Access Storage, expressed her appreciation of Leasiders for “shopping local and shopping and storing Canadian.” Businesses want to serve, workers want to work, and we all want a flourishing community. So, let’s continue to shop local. Pre-order or wait patiently in line, respecting social distance and styling a statement mask, then let Leaside Life know your favourite businesses and we’ll pass along your good wishes. ■
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Stanley’s
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Leaside 1523 Bayview Avenue 416-488-2004
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Leaside’s Coulter Woodmansey gets the call from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats At 6’5” and 325 pounds, Coulter Woodmansey might not be someone you’d want to run into in a dark alley. But I would. Woodmansey may be imposing, but he’s a truly kind and gentle person. And he’s an excellent football player. On April 30th, the Leasider was drafted fifth overall by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League (CFL) draft. Woodmansey started playing football with the Junior Argonauts in the spring of Grade 7 and continued to play while a student at Northern Secondary School. He quickly flew up the ranks as an incredibly skilled offensive lineman, honing his playing in the fall with the school team, and with the Argos in the spring. The offensive line position requires a great deal of intelligence, speed, agility, and size. Success at the position also requires a lot of hard work and determination.
LEASIDE SPORTS
GRYPHONS FOOTBALL
Leaside Life • July 2020
by SUSAN SCANDIFFIO
Woodmansey credits his parents for their support in moulding him into the player and person he is today. His mom, personal trainer Johannah Jackson, has spent a lot of time with Coulter in the off seasons, working with him on speed, strength, and mental focus. She is also his greatest cheerleader. Father Geoff Woodmansey is someone, Coulter says, who has the best work ethic of anyone he’s ever known. For as long as Coulter can remember, his father has worked 80 hours a week as a firefighter and as the owner of his own construction and renovation company, GPW Construction. Yet despite all the hours his dad works, Coulter notes that his father is still at every game he, and his three brothers, ever played. From Northern, Woodmansey was wooed by several universities, and settled on the University of Guelph. Studying in the Bachelor of Commerce, Real Estate and Housing program while playing football for the Gryphons left little time for other pursuits. Yet Woodmansey helped organize his teammates to work regularly at a local food bank. This past year, younger brother Curtis played his first year on the defensive line at the University of Guelph. This meant the two lined up against each other at every practice. Ever the supportive big
brother and never one to boast about his own talent, Coulter says that “Curtis works harder than anyone.” Woodmansey’s offensive line coach, Mike MacDonald, notes that Coulter put in “hard work in the gym, and dedicated himself not just to learning as much as he could about his own position, but also football scheme concepts on both sides of the ball. He always sought extra one-on-one coaching and film work with me during the four years I coached him at Guelph. He is a coach’s dream since he is a sponge to learn, committed to his craft, a total team player, a leader, and a good person. He was one of our most active players in community volunteerism. One of the very best I have ever coached. I am very proud of him as I know how much work he put in to transform himself into the first-round draft choice he is today.” What of his future with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats? Coulter was thrilled to be drafted by the team as it’s known for developing good linemen. He notes that since the draft, multiple coaches and players from the team have reached out to welcome him. While he is unsure of when a starting position might become available, Woodmansey remarks, “If I show up and do the best I can, there will be opportunities and when it’s time to play, I’ll be ready.” ■
MacFAB reopens
For 65 years, the name macFAB (formerly MacDonald-Faber) has been well known in Toronto’s fashion, fabric and home décor scene. macFAB, located at 1685 Bayview Ave., has emerged as one of the city’s leading designer fabric and home décor retailers. Although the current COVID-19 crisis caused the store to temporarily close its doors, the virus could not keep this tenacious retailer down and on June
25th, the store reopened. Partners Dale Sonier and Patrick Kennedy are thrilled once again to offer their personalized home décor and interior design services. Through a related company, also located in Leaside on Canvarco Rd., Soft Options Upholstery, Sonier and Kennedy can also reupholster your existing favourite sofa or chair or will work with you to custom design a piece for your home. ■
Contact us anytime to discuss your real estate needs! info@bonniebyford.com 416-483-4444
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Leaside Life • July 2020
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Some good news on the retail front: A Bayview Ave. institution reopens its doors
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P.A.W. Construction Ltd.
Leaside students start business to train local youth
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Leaside Life • July 2020
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Fit sessions are high energy, fast-paced, and fun!
One of the key elements to starting a new business is to identify a gap in the market and create a solution to fill this gap. This is exactly what several Leaside High School students have decided to do this summer as the restrictions surrounding COVID-19 have forced Leasiders to stay home. Spencer Chang and friends have started a fitness business, Infinity Fitness Plus, offering personalized and small group, affordable sessions for kids ages 7-14. Half day, one-on-one sessions will cost you $65 whereas small group sessions with three participants cost $50. All trainers, aged 16-18, have 5+ years of experience in their individual sports — ranging from track & field, baseball and football to soccer, basketball and hockey. Sessions will be held within Leaside and social distancing protocols will be adhered to. For more information or to book a session online visit: infinityfitnessplus.com. ■
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How about “liking” these other local Facebook pages? If you’re a Leasider on Facebook, I’ll bet you’re also a member of the Leaside Community Facebook page. Currently, there are 7,555 members – most of whom live in Leaside. Lots of traffic on this site – 2008 visitors last month alone. It’s the site that along with the requests for a plumber, or where to buy a rhubarb plant, has many, many different people offering masks for sale locally. But how about some of the other FB sites in our area? If you haven’t checked them out, you may want to: Bennington Heights Community Page On a different scale is the Bennington Heights Community Page, with 222 members, and 20 posts in the past month. Cailey Heaps Estrin, its administrator, set up the site as “a great place to post information about community events, garage sales, babysitting needs, etc.” There aren’t commercial postings, unless it is a young person in the community starting out. It became the way to get the word out a few years ago when the now famous inflatable Christmas moose initiative was being launched in the neighbourhood. Community Kindness 2020 Created in March, Community Kindness 2020 purposely does not have the word “Leaside” in its name. Becky Allen White, who set up the site, wanted the idea of spreading kindness in these difficult times to flow beyond our borders. She also set up the group as “public” so anyone can see who’s in the group and what they post. Postings run the gamut – how you can contribute to a new housing initiative for homeless people close to us on Broadway near Yonge – or a video showing parents and children taking out the trash in costume – or photos of artwork on a local fence. Leaside Cares Another newbie public site is Leaside Cares. Andre, Karen and Alianna Craig came up with the original site and name at the end of March. Just as it was launching, Cynda Fleming was intending to launch a similar site, after getting “training” from her sister, who runs a site in Barrie. They teamed up, and along with Wilmar
Kortleever, are the admins. Their aim is to foster positivity and helpfulness. This includes a bit of fun, as shown by the opportunity to practise Monty Python Silly Walks if you are walking along Hanna near Millwood. Leaside Community Forum The oldest community group may be the Leaside Community Forum, established in April 2012 by John Carr and Ross Hair, with a simple mandate: “a community forum for Leaside with no sales, politics or bad manners.” This private group has 1,559 members and published 128 posts in the past month. Leaside Chit Chat Ann Brown’s Leaside Chit Chat is “for reminiscing and sharing stories about life now and in the past in the community of Leaside.” It has members from far afield – a few in Singapore and Australia, for example. Ann’s childhood home was on Randolph Road near Rolph Road School, and she still lives in Leaside. Lots of memories! One thread I was following centred on
the fish and chips store that was on McRae near Airdrie. Amazing what people remembered, and how long the conversation kept going. Leaside Moms Leaside Moms was founded in 2015 by Dr. Emel Arat, a local orthodontist who was looking for a way to connect with other local moms and allow the sharing of information on child care support, housecleaning, summer camps…. She really enjoys the contacts she’s made and finds the feeling we’re not alone is “therapeutic.” With 949 members and 112 posts in the last month, she is very happy with the site’s success. And of course, we can’t NOT mention our own site – Leaside Life. It isn’t a community page because we are listed as a Media/ News Company – but we certainly invite you to like/follow/ share whenever we appear on your Facebook feed. ■
WE ARE BACK & OPEN!
1685 Bayview Ave. Toronto • 416-922-6000 info@macfabfabrics.com
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Leaside Life • July 2020
by LORNA KRAWCHUK
Waiting, waiting for his hair-raising experience
Leaside Life • July 2020
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It’s July. I’m really hoping that by the time you’re reading these words, I will have had a long-overdue haircut. But I’m not convinced this blessed event will yet have happened. My fingers and all other available appendages are crossed. Now I know that the state of my hair is hardly a burning priority in the face of a dangerous pandemic. But I’ve worried plenty about COVID-19 and it still weighs on me as it does on us all. So, consider my coiffure concern to be a brief and welcome respite from the daily sad corona tidings. When you’ve had short hair for decades — aided and abetted by a receding hairline and expanding helipad on top — having long hair again is a pain. It wouldn’t be so bad if I had a lovely soft and manageable mane that cooperated with my explicit styling instructions. Alas, that is not the case. I have what my longtime haircutter describes as Bozo hair. Lucky me. He means that on the sides, if untethered by some kind of restraint product like gel or, in a pinch, bacon grease, my hair bows out in great arcs trying to break free from my head. This boy
Terry Fallis Columnist
bouffant look makes my cranium appear much larger than it is — and my head is not small to begin with! I have a great relationship with my hair guy. He even called me in the midst of the pandemic to calm my frazzled nerves and offer some Bozo mitigation tips. He also said he hoped to be open again soon, though no word as of the time I write this. And it’s not just my hair. But as I’ve aged, I’ve found my eyebrows growing at a staggering pace. (And let’s not get into what’s happening in my ears.) I know I made a passing reference to my bushy brows in last month’s column, so imagine what they look like now. I figure I’m a week or two away from French braiding my eyebrows, or by then, eyebrow. All right, enough hairy
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$60 IS ALL IT TAKES TO FEED A FAMILY OF 5 FOR 1 MONTH. THORNCLIFFE & FLEMINGDON HAVE SOME OF THE LOWEST INCOME PER HOUSEHOLD IN TORONTO WITH APPROXIMATELY 50,000 PEOPLE LIVING IN HIGH DENSITY APARTMENTS. MANY ARE STRUGGLING TO ACCESS FOOD.
ITEMS HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW ARE THE PRIORITY ITEMS NEEDED
OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP: - DROP OFF FOOD AT OUR DROP-OFF LOCATION - DONATE TO OUR CANADA HELPS SITE - HELP OUT AT THE WAREHOUSE OR WITH DELIVERY
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observations for one column and on to more important musings. No summer camp! This pandemic has had deep and far-reaching impacts, and not just on our health, employment, and the economy. In May, the Ontario government announced that summer camps would not operate this year. To many, this news meant little. But for kids who consider those two or three weeks to be among the highlights of their year, it must have been a devastating blow. I’ve written in this space before about the impact summer camp on an island in Lake Temagami had on my brother and me. If you attend the right camp at the right time in your life, it can have very positive, life-altering effects. I think it did for us. So, I’m a little torn up thinking about the kids who won’t be seeing friends they’ve missed since last summer, or experiencing the wilderness and the water, singing those camp songs, quietly gaining leadership skills that will serve them well as grown-ups, and enjoying camp life in a country perfectly suited for it. Camp also gives parents something they have precious little of during the year, and particularly in the last few months. And that’s time to recharge their batteries and for one brief shining three-week span, think about something other than their children and enjoy a little wellearned “me time.” I regret that this will be a lost summer for campers, parents, and camp staff across the province and beyond. But you know and I know that we’ll get through this. We have to be smart about it and do the right thing, which is a pretty good formula for living our lives. Be smart about it and do the right thing. Late breaking newsflash! I’ve just been in touch with my hair guy and he’s coming over in a few days to shear my hay bale tresses in our backyard. Yeeehaaa! My locks are so long, he’ll be able to cut them while maintaining social distance. So, when you do read these words, my head will have a new lease on life. Yes! Stay safe everyone. A two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, Terry Fallis grew up in Leaside and is the award-winning writer of seven national bestsellers, including his most recent, Albatross, all published by McClelland & Stewart. ■
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Natasha Rossos
Nathan Cassie
Leaside Life • July 2020
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Pierre Rivet Kennedy Bier
Congratulations,
GRADS
Not the high school grad year send-off they had in mind, but we celebrate their resilience and accomplishments and wish them all good things on the road ahead! Maren Julian
Caroline Karnay
Emma Farag
Miya Karatsu
Leah Aspden
Beth Walkington
Ethan Williams
Andrew & James Baird
Leaside Life • July 2020
17
Sean Crane
Yi Lian
Emily Sorensen
John Wood
Julian Wong
Stephanie Scala
Matthew Daigle
Jeffrey Leong and Emma Quirin
Justin Ducheck
Does the Leaside library add value to your life?
Leaside Life • July 2020
18
What is the most important asset in Leaside? Silly question…it’s the people that make up our community, of course! But, what if I were asking you to choose from Leaside’s set of physical public assets? The community centre in Trace Manes Park, Leaside Gardens, our great schools, our parks…? If you're like many, you might be tempted to choose the 75-year old Toronto Public Library (TPL) branch on McRae. Back in 1944, the Leaside Public Library Board was incorporated after the people of Leaside voted overwhelmingly to establish a public library. In 1948, the Leaside Town Council approved plans for a new library in a section of Trace Manes Park that opened on March 8, 1950. Why is the TPL on my mind? Because I’m eagerly awaiting the release of TPL's new five-year strategic plan (2020-2024). I know, boring life you say, but somebody needs to ask some questions now and again. In 2014, when the current strategic plan was conceived, the world we know today was just emerging. After five years, I’m curious to understand TPL’s vision and plan to deliver increased value to its many stakeholders. Why?
Glenn Asano The Business of Leaside
31% of people surveyed did not use the library in the past year To start, the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL) research task force commissioned a study in 2015 and found “77% of Ontarians felt that, hypothetically, a local library closing would have more impact on the community than on themselves and their families.” That is to say, they acknowledge the library is important to many, but not necessarily to themselves specifically. This is interesting because it shows that the TPL’s current purpose and set of services may not be meeting the needs of families living in Leaside (the publicly available data do not parse out results by branch). Further, the study found that 31% of all people surveyed had not used the public library in the past year (although most confirmed they had used it in the past). Fifty per cent said the reason for non-use was that they get information elsewhere. My concern from a Leaside perspective is that the statistical averages of the sample may not be a true reflection of how we think and feel about our branch and the opportunities and challenges it might uniquely face. I wondered how many of us shared a similar opinion. The 2015 study also found, when compared to the previous five-year period, that overall, “in-person library visitors are engaging in fewer activities.” There were declines in usage for each of the top four cited reasons for personally using the library (in order of importance): “borrow books, CDs, DVDs or other materials” (down 6%), “get information on a topic of personal interest” (down 20%), “read or study” (down 17%), “access the Internet using library computers” (down 15%), and to “relax or socialize” (down 26%). The Toronto Public Library generates $5.63 in benefits for every $1 invested I look forward to reviewing the data from the 2020 study to see if these trends accelerate. But even now, we can begin to formulate a Leaside position. Without a doubt, libraries are important. If you take an economic view, according to a 2013 report by the Martin Prosperity Institute at UofT, the TPL generates $5.63 in direct tangible benefits for every $1 invested. That represents a 463% return on our investment. Just LIBRARY page 30
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Midtown needs more from ActiveTO by HOLLY REID Leasiders hoping to take advantage of the quiet streets, car-free zones and maybe some new protected bike lanes as promised by ActiveTO are bound to be disappointed. The program, announced on May 6th, is designed to help people effectively physically distance while getting around safely as the city begins to recover. Three strategies were put in place: quiet streets closed to local traffic for more space to walk, bike and roll; major roads next to popular trails and parks closed to vehicles on weekends to relieve pressure; and acceleration of the Cycling Network Plan to encourage safe active transportation, particularly along major transit routes as a “relief valve” for the TTC. Despite numerous recommendations from a wide range of sources – residents’ groups, community organizations, cycling advocates and many, many individuals, ActiveTO is mostly missing in Leaside and other midtown communities. As of midJune, the only installation nearby is the closure of the curb lane to vehicles on Mount Pleasant Rd. between Moore Ave. and Merton St., near Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
CITY OF TORONTO
Leaside Life • July 2020
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What’s wrong with this picture? Plenty to cheer about elsewhere Make no mistake, closing lower Bayview as well as sections of Lakeshore Blvd. to the east and the west to traffic on weekends is fantastic. And 15 km of protected bike lanes running from Dawes Rd. on Danforth Ave. to Runnymede Rd. on Bloor Street as an alternative continuous active transportation corridor that mirrors the Bloor/Danforth Line 2 subway is a game-changer. But if active transportation makes sense on Bloor and Danforth, why not in midtown on Yonge St., the busiest transit route in the city?
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The obvious choice is Yonge The Yonge St. portion of Line 1 carried 450,000+ passengers each day before COVID-19, but as the economy reopens, transit capacity will be greatly reduced to preserve physical distancing. Temporary bike lanes mirroring this route could provide a safe alternative for people heading uptown, downtown and around midtown. Numerous quiet streets connect to Yonge making it easy to comfortably access a Yonge St. bikeway. For those in Leaside, it’s only a few kilometres to Yonge on quiet residential roads or through the Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Temporary bike lanes can be installed cheaply and easily and provide the opportunity to test and tweak. As Mayor Tory said, and the Bloor Street bike lanes proved, “Bikes bring business.” With bike lanes on Yonge, retailers and restaurants would have many more potential customers at street level. And to help these businesses recover, Cycle Toronto Midtown (Wards 8 & 12), Cycle Don Valley Midtown (Wards 15 & 16) and Cycle Toronto are running Bikes Love Yonge, a promotional campaign to bring more people to shop and dine by bike. ActiveTO for real change People who haven’t ridden a bike in years are discovering the value of safe cycling infrastructure as well as joy in getting around under their own steam. ActiveTO holds real promise for real change but we need more for midtown. A Yonge Street bikeway would be a good place to start. Holly Reid is a recreational road rider and cycling commuter. An advocate for safe cycling, she is a member of Cycle Don Valley Midtown, Cycle Toronto’s advocacy group for Wards15/16. ■
Leaside Life • July 2020
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Twins tackle the COVID-19 teaching challenge by JANIS FERTUCK Even as children, Leaside twins Kimberly and Laura Malouin knew they wanted to be teachers when they helped their aunt set up her classroom. Now, with their years of preparation and varied experiences, they are facing their most challenging assignment: teaching online during the COVID-19 pandemic. After attending Bessborough Public School and Leaside High School, Laura and Kimberly pursued their dream in the Trent-Queen’s Concurrent Education Program, graduating in 2013. Both started in the TDSB as supply aquatics instructors, then became occasional teachers and obtained their permanent contracts in 2018. Currently, Laura is back at Bessborough teaching a variety of courses in Grades 7 and 8, primarily History, Geography and Language. Kimberly is teaching a Junior/Intermediate Autism Program at Bedford Park Public School. This was Kimberly’s second year in the autism program, and she used Google Classroom as a platform to deliver her “intensive support
Kimberly and Laura at work.
MARIANNE FRENCH
Leaside Life • July 2020
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program” starting in April. Because consistency is key for her students, she allocated specific subjects to each day of the week and posted activities for the students to complete each day to maintain a routine. She and her child and youth worker also used Google Meet to continue their regular morning meetings to guide and support the class. Her approach worked well, judging by the appreciative feedback from parents. Since Laura’s classes were already using Google Classroom as part of
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Bessborough’s technology initiative, the transition to online learning was easier for the students. For most of her classes, she posted lessons and assignments on Monday to be completed by the end of the week, allowing the students to follow their own schedules. She also conducted Google Meet with her homeroom twice a week to maintain a sense of connection and address common questions. Both teachers spent their days planning lessons and activities, marking assignments, providing feedback and taking part in video meetings. Their work clearly had positive outcomes, as the sisters report that the students were dedicated to learning and completing their tasks. The sisters were impressed by the students’ resilience in adapting to the changes, and said that most of them did very well, though some found it difficult to focus on their work. But as Kimberly said, “During this time, handing in assignments and meeting deadlines was not the number one priority; rather it was the students’ mental health and well-being.” While both the students and their devoted teachers were thankful for the chance to connect on Google Meet, they found it a challenge not to be able to see each other in person to discuss their work and everyday events. Kimberly missed “cheering her students on and witnessing their ‘aha’ moments,” while Laura added, “Everyone has now realized the importance of face-to-face interaction even in our technological world, and has come to value it more.” Both sisters feel they’ve learned more about themselves as educators, have become more flexible, and have improved their technology skills over the past few months. Still, they will never again take for granted the sheer pleasure of going to school every day. ■
Pivoting. MakerKids goes virtual
Lynda Gorges Broker
ASA Accredited Senior Agent
STEVEN SAVARD
TM
by JANIS FERTUCK MakerKids, the “maker space” specializing in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education for children, located at 1661 Bayview Ave., held its first virtual class on March 18, just days after public schools were closed due to COVID-19. Owner Aimee Savard reports that since all of their programs are computer-based, the transition to virtual classes was quick and smooth. Students are now able to join virtual classes in their regular programs in Coding, Robotics and Minecraft in Grades 1 to 8. They can see, hear and share screens with instructors and other students in the class. Depending on students’ age, classes are one or two hours long, and the groups work on projects together, focusing on key concepts. Instructors monitor the projects and chat with the students to engage and guide them. Participants can attend their virtual classes at the same time as before with the same classmates and instructors, thus creating continuity with their regular routine. In addition, there are new options in the schedule, including weekend times, for a total of 25 different classes. They also offer multi-day programs, private and semi-private classes and online birthday parties. Savard says the staff have “adapted really well” to the new classes. They are recent graduates or students with backgrounds in engineering, science and technology with “a passion for teaching.” With the current demand, and anticipating a few more months
of virtual classes, MakerKids is now looking to hire additional staff. For their part, the staff are enjoying the new format and have seen an increase in students’ participation levels and communication skills. They have praised the benefits of the program in creating a “tightknit community,” with the students getting to know each other better and receiving more help from the teachers. Savard reports that the classes have received “overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents and kids.” Parents are impressed by what the children are able to learn virtually and appreciate the fun and engaging activities that provide stimulation and alleviate boredom. She says that MakerKids will continue to offer virtual classes for as long as necessary, through June and potentially longer. They’re also planning virtual summer camps. Savard thinks it will be a slow process back to pre-pandemic operations with a “blended approach as we transition students back into physical classes and continue our virtual programs.” One of the strengths of the MakerKids program is the fact that it combines STEM education and social skills development, says Savard. While the children are learning about the properties of electricity, for example, they are also “learning how to problem-solve, collaborate with peers, use computers properly and responsibly and think critically about the world” – skills that are becoming increasingly important in our challenging times. For more info, visit www.makerkids.com/leaside. ■
“Sending Our Love & Appreciation to Frontline Doctors, Nurses & All Essential Workers” 416-486-5588 Lynda.Gorges@gmail.com www.lyndagorges.com
Leaside Life • July 2020
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Aimee’s “class” at home with Sebastian, Leo and baby Delphine.
LETTERS
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Leaside Life • July 2020
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Say yes to the mask! I read with interest Glenn Asano’s article in Leaside Life about Darren Sampson and NovoMask. On April 11, I ordered one dozen masks from Darren after reading his post on Facebook. Thinking that ‘down the line’ we would be asked by politicians and retailers to wear masks in the community, I ordered them for me and my husband and my son and daughter’s family. My son and daughter-in-law were doing all our groceries and errands for us and I wanted them to be safe. I wanted to help out a guy who was out of work and who had the guts to start out on this enterprise, never guessing that his business would explode. I took a chance and sent him an e-transfer to his personal account, hoping that I wasn’t throwing away money. Darren sent me his draft website and also asked me to post my (masked) photo on FB. I did this with trepidation because I rarely post and was Councillor Jaye
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a bit shy doing so. Again, I did it to help him out. You ‘get what you pay for’ with Darren’s masks. They are very comfortable; with two hearing aids as well as eyeglasses, I find the head strap design works for me. In fact, my identical twin (with the same hearing loss) asked me recently to get some for her. Living near Peterborough, she is now getting compliments. I then ordered more for my daughter (in a FB group of women doctors across Canada and has posted Darren’s masks). I get a lot of compliments on my masks. In fact, I am waiting to order a couple more for summer – just waiting for new fabric choices to be posted on his website. Elaine Snider Re: Northlea Blood Donor Clinic I want to thank you very much for including the article on the Northlea Blood Donor Clinic. Suzanne did an outstanding job of capturing the essence and community spirit of this biannual event. From its very beginning in 2003, the clinic had an unprecedented response of people wanting to donate to help two young children with their leukaemia diagnosis. Leaside Life does an incredible role with binding our community spirit today, as we feel the compassion more than ever in our village of Leaside. With gratitude and appreciation, thank you for all you do for bringing out the best in people and for bringing them together. We appreciate your promotion of the clinic that will now likely have to be postponed until October due to COVID-19. We await the plans for school reopening. Anne Murray An example of true community spirit I was born and raised in Ontario but had to move in 2016 to start my life over in safety (I am a domestic abuse survivor), but that’s a whole other story. This move took me out of Leaside and away from my parents. While being miles away, I have enjoyed reading your publication as it keeps me connected to my roots. I am really impressed by the sense of community your publication exudes. Your covering of the COVID situation and how it’s impacted residents and local businesses has been informative and inspiring, highlighting how Leasiders have been coping and supporting each other. Enter Barrig Hagopian-Hayward.
We have been friends since the 70s (having attended St. Anselm’s School). She exudes community spirit. When my maternal grandfather, Ken Stovell, died in 2018, I was many miles away but desperately wanted to help my parents with the preparation during this extremely difficult time. I sent a quick message to Barrig (as she is the administrator at St. Anselm’s Parish) and boom! – plans were in action (on her day off, no less). She made an emotional time significantly easier. Her support and compassion were very appreciated by my family. Fast forward a year and a half and here’s COVID. With my parents being seniors, I have been extra worried about them. Phone calls are not the same as being there, and though I have tried, they are not on social media so no Facetime. Enter Barrig. She and her family return from holidays, and while self-isolating, she reaches out to my parents to check on them (she cannot check in on them in person). This woman is incredibly considerate. She has once again made a stressful time easier to contend with. She is the epitome of community spirit and a true friend. Kathleen Ware Re: Sandy’s Bikes and Books I read Lorna Krawchuk’s article about the now-closed Sandy’s Bikes and Books, and I greatly appreciate Leaside Life’s coverage of the store’s closure. Last year, when I lived in the Wynford–Concorde area of North York, I made it a point to visit Sandy’s once a month or so, and as I was in the process of downsizing prior to a major move, I donated dozens of books to the store. Sandy was a generous man who gave my mother several old books and magazines for free with her purchases. When I visited Sandy’s in September, Sandy made no mention of the store’s imminent closure, so I was heartbroken a few weeks later when I found paper covering all the windows. I was especially dismayed because I think that I accidentally gave him my high school yearbooks during my last donation, and there was no way to contact him. I was wondering if Leaside Life would be willing to provide me Sandy’s contact info so that I can express my thanks and inquire about the yearbooks. I tried looking up his name elsewhere, but I was unable to locate him. Please let me know. Thank you. [Leaside Life does not have contact for David/ Sandy, if anyone does, let us know!] Jason Greenberg
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by HOLLY REID News flash for expectant grandparents – most of what you took as gospel in baby care doesn’t apply anymore. If you don’t want to be that grandparent who endlessly defends old-school practices to your son or daughter with, “well you survived, didn’t you?” consider signing up for the grandparents’ course offered monthly by the DAN Women & Babies Program at Sunnybrook Hospital. Learn what’s different and why My last baby was born 33 years ago. Now he and his wife have just had their first. And full disclosure, I’m not new to grandparenting – I have two charming grandgirls from my eldest son. But as a mother-inlaw, I try to step lightly and not ask too many questions. I signed up for the grandparents’ course scheduled for March. Then came COVID-19. By April, Sunnybrook had transitioned all pre-natal courses, including the one for grandparents, to run online. Over three hours, Patient Educator Leslie Chandler provided us with an overview of how and why the hospital experience and newborn care have changed, along with a timely update of COVID-19 protocols. Changes thanks to the pandemic Leslie, who has been a childbirth educator for 30 years, reviewed how the birth experience has evolved, including shortened hospital stays and midwife care. Because of COVID-19, only one other person can be there during labour and delivery and he or she must be symptom-free. Visitors are prohibited. As a result, all of the grandparents in my course were resigned to meeting this grandchild on their smartphone.
Stuffies may be banned from the crib, but that doesn’t mean your grandchild can’t have some! Evidence-based practices Leslie explained what’s new in baby care and the science behind it. Take sleeping, for example. Swaddling is discouraged and babies now sleep in a sack on their back, blankets, toys and pillows are banned from the crib, and in the early weeks and months it’s a good idea for babies to sleep in the same room as their parents. All these practices are thought to reduce the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. No one was arguing against that. Virtual support also available According to Leslie, post-natal support at Sunnybrook is being provided remotely, and the Breastfeeding Clinic is accessible by phone or online. Virtual classes and clinics could be with us for some time and, as Leslie points out, they aren’t always optimal. “People like to connect with others, share their thoughts and hear what others are thinking. This doesn’t always happen online.” And she reminded us that our kids may turn to the internet for advice and the importance of consulting reliable, evidence-based sources. One question to ask Knowing what has changed in baby care and understanding the science behind it will help make us the supportive grandparents our kids and grandkids really need. New parents are still exhausted and often overwhelmed, especially in those first few weeks. If there is one question I plan to always ask, and ask often, it’s “How can I help?” Learn more at https://app.bookking. ca/sunnybrookpub/courses. ■
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A self-guided walking tour of Leaside Part 3 – Bayview Institutional Lands
28
Alternate Route
Start 8
3a 1
2
3
4
5 7
KILGOUR RD
6
KILDEER CRES.
SUTHERLAND DR
GLENVALE BLVD
RUMSEY RD
BAYVIE W AVE
Start: Bayview Ave. and Kilgour Road Stop 1: Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and pedestrian bridge Stop 2: Kilgour Estate (residential) Stop 3: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Stop 3a: Daphne Cockwell plaque Stop 4: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (UHN Rumsey Centre) Stop 5: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (UHN Lyndhurst Hospital) Stop 6: Gates of Sutherland Stop 7: Bellwood (EHN) – former Donwood Institute/Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Stop 8: North (top of bank) trail
BROADWAY AVE
by GEOFF KETTEL The third guided walking tour of Leaside deals with the institutional lands accessed from Kilgour Rd. This is north of Glenvale and south of Burke Brook. But is this Leaside? The historical boundary of the Town of Leaside was the lot line at the rear
of the properties on Glenvale, so it is not technically part of Leaside. However, it is possible to consider Burke Brook as the “natural” northern boundary for Leaside. As Jane Pitfield1 wrote: “On the north, Sherwood Creek (Burke Brook) with EGLINTON AVE E 9 the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and other LAIRD DR
Leaside Life • July 2020
Walking Tour Route
health-related institutions, effectively delineates the end of the residential area.” And we will see that Leaside has always taken an interest in the ravine and the park-like setting of the institutional lands, and the institutions generally reciprocate when developments are planned. The walk begins at Bayview and Kilgour and proceeds east, taking in the five health institutions (CNIB, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Rumsey Centre, and Lyndhurst Hospital, and Bellwood), and Kilgour Estates, a multiple unit residential development east of the CNIB. The second part of the walk, to return to Bayview, traverses the public trail marking the “top of bank” beside the steep ravine slope of Burke Brook. This trail affords a window into the “back yards” of the institutions, many of which have planned spaces there such as the Daphne Cockwell Spiral Garden at the Holland Bloorview and the Fragrant Garden at the CNIB. The route follows Kilgour Road until it terminates at Rumsey, and continues, following the edge of the parking lot to Sutherland (Stops 5 and 6). Since the grounds of the Bellwood are temporarily closed to visitors due to COVID19, to get to Stop 7, instead of continuing in an easterly direction, you head south on Sutherland to Glenvale Blvd., turn east and then north on Brentcliffe. You can view Bellwood from Brentcliffe through the entrance. ■ 1
Jane Pitfield, Leaside, 1999, page 134
Supporting neighbours through the pandemic tario.ca and volunteertoronto.ca. If you are looking to make a donation, please visit toronto.ca/DonateTO. ■
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Jaye Robinson Councillor
at over $100,000. The community’s donations were used to make 3,000 hampers – 1,600 of which have already been distributed to at-risk families in the Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood. Whether you donated directly to the TNO Food Drive or worked with any other cause to support our City’s most vulnerable populations, I would like to sincerely thank you for your contribution. The support our communities have shown one another will remain a lasting legacy of this challenging period in Toronto's history. If you are interested in getting involved, please visit the COVID19 Resources and Support page on my website, jayerobinson.ca. You can also find additional volunteer opportunities by visiting sparkon-
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Leaside Life • July 2020
In a matter of months, the COVID19 pandemic has turned our world upside down, forcing many of us to adapt to a new normal where our houses are no longer just our homes, but also our offices and schools. In some communities, the pandemic has also introduced challenges related to food insecurity, as well as job and income loss. As your city councillor, I’ve had an opportunity to witness Leaside’s unparalleled community spirit in action. This neighbourhood is home to many outstanding philanthropic and community-based organizations dedicated to helping Torontonians in need. In these unprecedented times, Leasiders have stepped up to support our neighbours in a big way. For nearly 20 years, the Leaside Toy Drive Committee has worked to provide a Christmas gift to each child at select primary schools in Flemingdon and Thorncliffe Park, as well as raise money to send children to The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO) summer camp programs. While the committee had already set an ambitious 2020 target of providing $20,000 worth of toys to four primary schools, they quickly shifted gears and set their sights even higher in the face of COVID-19. Since the outset of the pandemic, food insecurity has been identified as a primary concern in the nearby Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood. In an effort to help those facing food insecurity, TNO quickly mobilized a food drive to feed 600 families deemed at risk, including more than 200 seniors. Upon learning about this cause, the Leaside Toy Drive Committee saw an opportunity to make a difference and set out to help support the initiative. While TNO worked quickly to address food security concerns and the needs of these 600 families, the Toy Drive Committee donated $5,000 of committee funds and asked neighbours to contribute what they could. With the community’s support, the Toy Drive Committee’s GoFundMe campaign quickly surpassed their goal of $10,000 by more than 50%. At the time of writing, they have raised more than $15,000 to support our neighbours in Thorncliffe Park. In addition to the money raised through GoFundMe, the Leaside Toy Drive has also helped secure food and material donations valued
Leaside Life • July 2020
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Development is NOT on hold in Leaside! We’ve all had a lot on our minds during this pandemic, staying at home, living our lives “virtually,” and being socially distant. So much about COVID-19 is unpredictable and unknown. It almost seems as if our lives are on hold. But property development is NOT on hold. While our attention has been otherwise engaged, the provincial government has been actively fast-tracking development. Special actions known as Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) have allowed Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark to decide how a piece of property can be used or zoned, with no public hearings. Or appeals. The province’s official justification is that MZOs are needed to speed up the economy. Public scrutiny and the “red tape” involved in the normal municipal planning process, which could slow projects, are eliminated. This is happening throughout Ontario, including the city of Toronto. One MZO close to Leaside allowed for the expansion GREETING CARDS • STAMPS
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of Sunnybrook Hospital. MZOs elsewhere have sped up the process for more infrastructure and construction. Still others have permitted large housing developments, building on protected wetlands, and constructing a new retirement community on farmland. One recent newspaper report stated that some of these even contradict the province’s own existing policies. Although many MZOs permit projects that the affected local municipalities’ councils support, the point is that the normal planning process, with its built-in safeguards permitting public involvement and comment, is being circumvented. Meanwhile, our attention has been focused on, and deflected by, the pandemic. We do not think that developers should be provided with ways to fast-track their applications. Especially when there is no right of appeal against an MZO. As readers will know, developers find Leaside a highly desirable area. The Leaside Residents Association is frequently called upon to become involved in examining and commenting on development proposals. We ask questions of both planners and developers, and encourage residents to become involved. We attend hearings, and if necessary appeal decisions at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT). It all takes time to protect and enhance our community, but it’s time well spent. Holding our monthly board meetings in public is an important commitment of the LRA. We hope that we will soon be able to hold in-person meetings again. Thanks to technology, we can at least maintain accessibility to our meetings via Zoom. During this period of social distancing we want to continue to be as accessible as possible. If you wish to depute or be part of a deputation to the LRA’s next online meeting, on July 8th at 7:30 p.m., please contact us by that date at our website, lpoa.ca, and we will supply you with the link information. Please do not hesitate to contact us. ■
Library From Page 18 how much do we invest, you may be wondering? City Council documents confirm that the TPL’s 2020 operating budget is $215 million spread across 100 branches. As expected, salaries and wages represent the largest line item at 73% with facilities & IT (15%) and library materials (10%) next. Using these data and performing a few back-of-the-napkin calculations, one could argue that Leaside’s branch has a $2 million budget and generates $10 million in tangible value. The bottom line is this: the TPL is in the process of unveiling its 20202024 strategic plan. In advance, more than 5,000 Toronto residents and partners participated in the consultation process to share ideas about what TPL can do to support them and their communities now and into the future. Seven “areas of challenge and opportunity to explore” were identified: What unique value can the library add in these seven focus areas? 1. Decline in affordability and increase in the cost of living in Toronto 2. Increase in vulnerable populations (e.g. newcomers, seniors, low-income families and youth) and their needs 3. Lack of access to public and community spaces 4. Changing demographics and increasing population density 5. Rapid pace of technological change and the related disruption 6. Responsive programming that better addresses the changing needs of Torontonians 7. Leveraging partnerships to deliver public service more effectively and efficiently Do you use the public library, and for what? What do you wish gets included in the forthcoming TPL 2020-2024 strategic plan? If you were to reimagine the library, what do you see as its role in Leaside’s future? Let us know at leasidelife@ gmail.com. Stay tuned for Part 2 in our August issue. 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. ■
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Leaside Life 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. 416-504-8047
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Leaside Life • July 2020
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