Issuu

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No. 1 • December 2011

Leaside Life

A message from publisher Lorna Krawchuk Page 22

$900 a year for heat, water, drying

Green house looking for a buyer By Alison Rockwell Like most owners preparing to list their home for sale, Peter Goulimis has taken the usual steps, hiring experienced agents and keeping his home presentable for viewings. Unlike most sellers, however, Goulimis’ custom-built Leaside home has a uniquely green appeal, and a problem. The large 4,192 square foot house was designed from top to bottom to include as many eco-friendly and energy efficient options as possible, making his home one of the “greenest” in the neighbourhood, if not well beyond. But these benefits often come with a cost, evidenced not only in the $1.995 million asking price, but also by the fact the home is still for sale, weeks after being listed. It’s a slight surprise given 32 Parkhurst’s prime location in South Leaside, steps from Leaside High School, elementary schools and the popular shops on the Bayview strip, but Goulimis acknowledges his sale depends in large part on potential buyers understanding what they are getting out of an environmentally sound home. “You can’t compare this house to others of similar size in the neighbourhood,” says Goulimis, owner of Goulimis Construction Ltd., which builds eco-friendly custom homes. “My costs [for a family of four] are $900 to heat our house, our water, and dry our clothes, for an entire year,” and he has the records and ratings to prove it. Building a home as green and energy efficient as possible has entitled See AMONG, Page 4

CYNDA FLEMING

Peter Goulimis in his $1.995 million house on Parkhurst.

By Beth Parker

Million bucks kicked off fundraiser

All Leaside’s public schools as well as St. Anselm Catholic School are bursting at the seams, at or over capacity. And Bessborough, Rolph Rd., Northlea and Bennington Heights expect increased enrolment. With Toronto’s population predicted to expand exponentially over the next decade and full day kindergarten coming in the next two years, principals are challenged to find space they don’t have. “Our postage stamp lots can’t handle the growth,” says one Bessborough parent, “We just don’t have the property.

One family’s donation of a million bucks would be a pretty good kick-start to a fundraising campaign, even in a community larger than Leaside. But when that happened here last year, more than a decade after the Leaside Gardens arena decided to do something about the shortage of ice skating time to meet strong demand, the result was surprising. That huge anonymous donation has more than doubled already, to almost $2.1 million. That’s in contrast to the usual long talk-talk-talk until 2009 when Toronto decided to buy the former

Our schools are bursting

See MANY, Page 6

See COST, Page 14

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Montreal-based Dollarama’s confirmation that they have signed a multi-year lease at 1531 Bayview, the former home of Shoppers Drug Mart, is garnering a mixed reaction from residents, and generally positive responses from nearby store owners pleased about the likelihood of increased foot traffic. Some Leaside residents have expressed fear that a dollar store would take away from the specialty-shopand-dining feel of the street and cheapen the area as a whole. But even detractors admit that being able to purchase inexpensive seasonal décor, birthday items, arts and craft supplies, and kitchen necessities nearby isn’t lost on them. It is a misrepresentation to think that Dollarama caters only to a lowincome consumer says Stephane Gontheir, COO of the publicly traded company. “We attract customers from all walks of life, though we do know our average consumer is female, between the ages of 25 to 54” and many, he says, come from homes with a high household income.

Leaside Life, December 2011

By Alison Rockwell

Dollarama: Mixed feelings “It’s a fact that, in many of our stores, BMWs will outnumber bikes or customers who arrived by bus. “Our focus on seasonal items, our high import standards — we regularly audit and inspect our overseas suppliers — and offering quality goods at the right price point,” says Gontheir, sets them apart from other dollar stores. “Customers can’t find our products anywhere else, or if they can they can’t find the assortment we have, or enjoy the same shopping experience.” The store, with its unmistakable yellow and green block-letter signage, is expected to open in late spring next year, barring any last-minute contract disputes between the discount store and the building’s owner, according to Chris Brawn, Vice-President, Real Estate for Dollarama. Dollarama’s forays into supporting community initiatives may help any lingering disappointment, says Gonthier, citing a recent Lobster Festival sponsorship in Shediac, New Brunswick which was sponsored in part by the chain, as an example of how some Dollarama stores support local events. ■

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The Leaside Business Park Association is considered the gold standard of community-based business associations, according to one of its directors. “The LBPA gives us something we need more of across the city—the connection between the community we work in and live in,” says Leslie Kellen, operations manager at All Canadian Self Storage on Laird Dr. “It allows us to be kept abreast of the continued changes and challenges that Leaside faces.” Dag Enhorning, president of the LBPA, explains some of those challenges—the ongoing issue of the encroachment of the park from commercial, retail and residential interests, and the effect of the city’s new Harmonized Zoning Bylaw. Post amalgamation in 1998, there were approximately 30 bylaws “left over” from the former municipalities. These are currently being rewritten to be consistent but it means changes that could affect future operations.

“Zoning changes,” says Enhorning, “can have a serious impact on how you handle issues in an industrial area.” Fortunately, the LPBA has forged good relationships not only within its membership, but also with various levels of government who view it as an important voice. As Kellen notes, “The local councillor, John Parker, attends every meeting and constantly advocates for us here in Leaside.” With its situation as a manufacturing area set next to a residential community, keeping a good connection is a priority for the association. “It’s a dynamic that happens”, says Enhorning, “But manufacturing employs a lot of people, people who need a place to work as well as have a place to live.” “There’s a bit of misunderstanding of what is done in an industrial park,” says Enhorning, “Some think an industrial park is noisy or smelly. In fact, the standards today are so tightly controlled these days that companies exceed the standard set, by a long shot.”

Dag Enhorning, President LBPA: Zoning can have a serious impact.

A quick tour through the park confirms his observation. These are not the industrial plants from years gone by. The park includes a variety of industries, from traditional manufacturing activity at Lincoln Electric (with a history in the community that dates back to the 1930s) to the high tech visual communications company, TI Group. Even Enhorning’s company, Siltech, breaks the myth of a chemical company. Siltech develops and manufactures siliconebased compounds used in the personal care industry, that is, the kinds of products we put on our skin and apply to our hair.

Kathleen W Wynne, ynne,

See THERE ARE, Page 18

M MPP PP

Member of Provincial P Parliament arliament for Don Valley Valley West West

Congratulations to Leaside e Life on your first issue! Best wishes hes for a successful publication. 795 Eglinton Ave East, Suite 101 TToronto, oront o oronto, ON M4G 4E4 TTel: e el: 416-425-6777

www.kathleenwynne.onmpp.ca www w..kathleenwynne.onmpp.ca .kathle

Leaside Life, December 2011

By Beth Parker

Business Park set a gold standard

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the house to qualify for a soughtafter EnerGuide certification (used also to gage energy efficiencies of household appliances, etc.), which fewer than 5 percent of new or retrofitted homes in the country have achieved. The other differences found in this environmentally sensitive home are numerous. All paint used was non-VOC, the walnut flooring was obtained from reclaimed forests, ultra high insulation was used to reduce heat loss, rainwater is re-used for landscaping purposes and HEPA filtered fresh air moves throughout the house. These are the elements potential buyers may not see, though the quality of the custom work throughout the home is obvious. It’s not just a passion for inspired building that drives Goulimis, it’s also a passion for the world we live in, and will leave behind for future generations. “This house is 10, 15, 20 percent more efficient than most new houses

Leaside Life, December 2011

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“Given that most of our schools are older buildings on smaller properties, the question everyone is asking is, ‘Where will we put the students?’” Bessborough Public School is expected to surpass current enrolment of approximately 453 students to reach 564 by 2014. Concerned Bessborough parents were told by theToronto District School Board that the solution includes adding portables and removing day care space. Many don’t believe that is a viable solution. Some even fear that the number of porta-

Leaside Life, December 2011

From Page 1

Many parents don’t want more portables bles won’t stop at five. This October, parents were further alarmed when the third portable on the property (which some thought was to be taken away), was hooked up again for use. In response, Bessborough parents created the Building a Better Bessborough Committee last year. Their focus is to rally support and get everyone involved in coming up with an informed choice about what will happen. Carrie Freeborough, chair, has been involved since June. “Our school is already about 12 per cent over capacity,” says Freeborough. “As a group we’re trying to say that we’re not happy with the solu-

Carrie Freeborough, Bessborough: ‘Our school is already about 12 per cent over capacity.’ CYNDA FLEMING

tion being more portables.” Her daughter is in Grade 1 and she wonders what the future holds. “We’re asking questions like, Where would we put the other portables? They can’t go on the field… that would eliminate outdoor space. How are property values affected? What does this mean for the day care space?” The committee has been in conversation with Toronto school board trustee Gerri Gershon, who shares concern for the challenges of space. Following a recent Trustee Forum, Gersham agreed to meet with the committee late last month (after our deadline) with the school principal and superintendent. See OTHER, Page 16

Three issues are having an effect on schools in our community. Over the next 20 years, Toronto’s population is expected to rise to 3 million. Our expanded numbers will be accommodated by what the Official City Plan (adopted in 2006) refers to as “intensification” along our main corridors, that is, more people in lower rise housing along the city’s central corridors. Leaside also continues to attract families and couples seeking an attractive community with good schools. And by 2014, all schools in the province must operate with full day kindergarten, meaning that space can no longer be shared between morning and afternoon programs—each class will need its own room. ■

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Leaside Life, December 2011

The 3 reasons our schools are growing

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Leaside Life, December 2011

The long talks that led to Leaside Village With this column I am pleased to contribute to the first issue of Leaside Life with a few words on the most visible land development project currently under way in our community: the new shopping at 85 Laird Dr. I have written elsewhere on the history of the site and the heritage status of the main structure located on it: the enormous red brick Canadian Northern Railway shed located at the east end of the property. Let me now cast some light on the recent history of the site and the development currently under way. For most of its existence the property at 85 Laird was home to various manufacturers of packaging materials. After the last such operator – Winpak – closed its doors, the site was acquired by the Roy Foss organization in hopes of establishing a cluster of four car dealerships there. (New features in the Toronto Official Plan introduced in 2002 made zoning for certain non-industrial uses possible for the first time in the history of the property, something that I hope to discuss in a future column.) The Foss group drew up plans for its proposed car dealership operation, achieving formal rezoning approval during the last Council term. But we all know what happened to the economy generally and the car industry in particular at exactly the same time. Foss eventually abandoned its plans, sold the property to the current owner, a subsidiary of First Capital Corporation. This new owner is a large Toronto-based retail landlord with many properties throughout Toronto and across Canada, including Liberty Village

In our hood By Beth Celebrations this November included Leaside Garden Club’s 25th anniversary, which was a pot luck dinner Nov. 10 at Trace Manes Park as part of its annual meeting. When she was an alderman at East York Council, Edna Beange advocated for a garden society in Leaside. There’d been a society founded in the ‘50s that closed around 1974. Dave Money then came forward and agreed to found a revived Leaside Garden Society in 1986. “That first year was a struggle,” said Money at the anniversary celebration, “Part of the problem was that there wasn’t a paper back then in Leaside to help spread the word!”

First Capital Realty drawing of 85 Laird Dr.

John Parker Councillor, Toronto Ward 26 Don Valley West

and the large shopping centre at Leslie and York Mills in Toronto. First Capital came to me in the fall of 2009 with plans for a conventional shopping centre with about 180,000 square feet of retail space and 928 parking spaces. I promised the community that I would not support such a development at that location. I told First Capital that as well. I also told First Capital that I was looking for a more inspired design than the one they put forward. I told them that I would be hard to be satisfied with a typical sea of parked cars surrounded by retail boxes. I asked for the new built forms to be designed to complement both the existing heritage rail shed and the surrounding community. I also told them that I wanted their help in advancing my plan to beautify the Laird streetscape gener-

ally, including my plan to construct a landscaped median down the length of the street itself. First Capital turned out to be very cooperative in each of the above regards. After long discussions with me and with city planning staff, they came back in the winter of 2010/2011 with a completely new site design reduced to less than 112,000 square feet of retail space and 420 parking spots. The structures proposed for the site will make use of red brick and sandstone features that reflect the character of the rail shed and some of Laird's other venerable buildings. The overall site design, rather than feature a vast parking lot, will lay out the shops in a village-like setting with interlacing roadways and "street" parking. The proposed name of the centre, Leaside Village, underscores the concept underlying the new layout. Leaside Village is on track to open in the summer of 2012. Confirmed tenants to date include Longos, Linen Chest, CIBC, Pet Valu, and a restaurant. ■

The society now boasts over 100 members. Money and Beange were both on hand to greet new incoming president Nora Campbell. In honour of their 25th anniversary, the LGS has donated a garden bench set up by the entrance of the library. Society members raised the money and a plaque will be added after the bench is installed.

Cheryl Bannier buys from Annabelle Lawetz at the St. Cuthbert Church’s annual Christmas sale

Kudos to Leaside resident, Michèle Hozer, co-director and writer for a new film, West Wind: The Vision of Tom Thomson, which premiered in Toronto Nov. 9 . The film, produced by White Pine Pictures, captures an important piece of Canadian history.

Famous faces spotted around Leaside of late include Canadian author Margaret Atwood (Bennington Heights Public School), hockey legend Paul Henderson (Leaside Arena fundraising with the Henderson Jersey Homecoming Tour) and actor David Calderisi of WordMusic fame. Other celebrities spotted include Mickey and Minnie Mouse (actually, Leaside High students dressed in costume for a day to raise money for this year’s annual charity, the Dreamcatcher Foundation). ■

Who didn’t attend Mrs. Park’s Nursery School? For half a century Joan Park’s school has been a mainstay in the neighbourhood. On Nov. 12, grown up alumnae came to celebrate 50 years in Leaside.

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Leaside Life, December 2011

The incredibly strong pull of Leaside It’s a great pleasure to offer a few thoughts in this inaugural edition of Leaside Life. I extend my congratulations to Harry and Ruth Goldhar for this exciting initiative and applaud your intention to provide a regular forum for “telling the stories” of Leaside. I hope you have a long and successful run. First let me say what an honour it is to represent this great community as your Member of Parliament. One of the joys of running for office is the opportunity to knock on doors and speak with people individually, on their home turf. Despite the intrusion, more often than not, I have been greeted warmly and I’ve heard some wonderful stories. One theme that has come through over and over again on the doorsteps of Leaside is the incredibly strong pull that this neighbourhood exerts on anyone who has ever lived here. It’s a stronger sense of community than I’ve seen anywhere else in Toronto. Many of you have told me you grew up here, live elsewhere while in university or early in your career, but always knew you would eventually return.

John Carmichael MP, Don Valley West

I believe this is a testament in part to the community-building role of the institutions – the schools, churches, newspapers and local businesses, among others – that make Leaside such a great place to live. Let me illustrate this point through one example. I’ve been involved for the past year – even before getting elected – in helping to raise the community portion of the funds necessary to build a second rink at Leaside Gardens. What better example of an institution that helps build a sense of community than the local hockey rink? Generations of Leaside boys and girls have spent countless happy hours within its walls learning much more than simply how to skate or play hockey. They’ve learned about teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship. They’ve made friends and laid down memories that last a lifetime. How appropriate then, as the need for more local ice is acknowl-

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edged by everyone, that members of the Leaside community who have benefited from the arena in the past are stepping up to make sure that future generations of Leaside kids – and others from across the city – can skate and play hockey there for years to come. I want to thank on your behalf Expansion Committee Chair Paul Mercer, Fundraising Chair Charlene Kalia, Arena Board Chair Brooke Biscoe and all the others who are working so hard to make this new rink a reality. And I’d also like to acknowledge the hard work of my colleagues from the other levels of government – Councillor John Parker and MPP Kathleen Wynne – both of whom I know have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to find creative and innovative ways to make it happen. When our grandparents’ generation decided that Leaside needed an arena, the community came together and got it done. This is happening again today with the arena expansion project and I encourage all Leaside residents to get involved. It’s exciting! And it’s what communitybuilding is all about. ■

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It was an honour to be re-elected as your MPP on Oct. 6. It is a great privilege to represent the diverse riding of Don Valley West, including the beautiful community of Leaside. I will continue to work closely with the community and advocate on your behalf at Queen’s Park. As Leaside Life launches its first edition, it is a great time to reflect on the progress we have seen in Leaside and on the work that we will continue to do moving forward. There has been a phenomenal community effort to raise funds for the expansion of the Leaside Arena. I have lent my support to the local fundraising campaign and I continue to be impressed by the community effort to improve the neighbourhood. Together, the community is raising $2.5 million to top off the municipal funding. I look forward to seeing the new and improved resource that this will bring to Leaside. Many of you have likely noticed the soil testing that is being done along Eglinton Ave. for the EglintonScarborough Crosstown LRT. The Eglinton LRT is a 25-kilometre rapid transit project that will benefit the

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Leaside Life, December 2011

We are building together

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It was a great year for our cross country runners

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Leaside Life, December 2011

By Alison Rockwell Northlea Elementary & Middle School is celebrating another successful year of cross country after three runners from the school, Josh McGillivray and brother-sister duo Liam Rivard and Lexy Rivard, earned titles of city champions for their grade and gender at Toronto’s 2011 cross country championships . Northlea’s 60-strong team did so well on the wet and hilly course at Centennial Park in Etobicoke at the end of October that they added five team grade championships. Leaside’s other elementary and middle schools also fared well. Northlea has a history of grooming exceptional athletes. In both 2011 and 2009, four members of Leaside High School’s bronze-medal winning OFSAA cross country teams were former Northlea students. “I don’t want to give away too many of our secrets,” parent coach Lisa Vanexan said with a laugh, “but,

Leaside Life Published once a month in Leaside,Toronto ON, by Ruth G. Publishing Inc., 66 Donegall Drive, Toronto ON, M4G 3G5 Circulation 8,500 to every door in M4G PUBLISHER

Lorna Krawchuk EDITORIAL

Harry Goldhar ADVERTISING

Ruth Goldhar 416‐486‐7387 leasideliving@gmail.com CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE

Alison Rockwell, Andrea Villiers, Beth Parker, Charlene Kalia, Cynda Fleming, Linda Lord TYPESETTING

L. Choy

we start early in the season, run practices five days a week, and while the focus is to have fun and be social, we also want the kids to come out and work hard at the same time. It sets great habits for life.” Vanexan, who, along with 26 other parent volunteers and many teachers, coached close to 300 students at Northlea this year. “There’s an energy about being part of the cross country program,” says Vanexan, “and it really builds on itself from practice to practice.” Bessborough’s talented team included Will Wright, who placed fifth overall for Grade 2 boys in the city, and Remy Cattell, who was eighth for Grade 5 girls. Another brother-sister team, Bessborough’s Samantha and Jared Horwood, placed 15th for Grade 3 girls and 32nd for Grade 6 boys. At Rolph Road, parent volunteers Andrea Bunker and Jennifer Hastings oversaw a team of 100. That’s over a quarter of the school’s students.

Top left: Freya Daigle and Jack Bunker. Top right: Josh McGillivray. Left: Jared Horwood.

Three of them, Leah Aspden and Jack Bunker in Grade 4 and Freya Daigle in Grade 6, qualified for the city finals. The benefits of cross country go beyond personal achievements, says Pam Horwood, the popular parent coach at Bessborough. “Great life lessons are accomplished with cross country, including enhancing school spirit. Children came up to me a couple of weeks after our program ended to say ‘Bessborough Rocks!’ To me, that says ‘mission accomplished’.” ■

‘We were all a little naïve’ approving off-leash park By Andrea Villiers A much sought after dog off-leash park area (DOLA) that opened in South Leaside just over a year ago has some residents barking mad. Virginia Aikenhead, who has lived on Leadale Ave. adjacent to the DOLA for 20 years and is a dog lover, says, “I think we were all a little naïve in the beginning. We didn’t realize this would be an invitation for everyone in the city to use the park.” Some residents of Leadale, which runs just north of Sandy Bruce Park, which is across the street from the Moore Ave. Loblaws, complain about increased vehicular traffic, commercial dog walkers and dogs barking from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Upset residents met with city officials last July 6. Carol Cormier, Manager Parks Standards and Innovation, says, “We are working with Toronto Animal Services and Toronto Transportation to enforce the bylaws. And bollards have been installed on Leadale Avenue near the entrance to the park.” Angry residents have asked for another meeting. No date has been set. It took four community meetings over many months with the city Parks Department, Councillor John Parker, local residents and dog owners to decide on the size, shape and location within the park for the off leash area. Sandy Bruce has a children’s play area with a large sandbox and exercise equipment. A baseball diamond doubles as a skating rink and there is a small toboggan hill. In configuring the fenced-in DOLA, all these well-used areas were left intact. “We are committed to working with the community to make it a successful off leash area,” says Cormier. ■

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Cost will be $9.5 million plus From Page 1

Leaside Life, December 2011

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Ontario Film Review Board property adjacent to the arena. The donation from the family, which was eager to get things started, led to the hiring of an architect and working with municipal planners even before the city approved the proposal. The new rink is estimated to cost over $9.5 million, with the city putting up about $7 million as a loan. City approval came last February for what will be the first new rink built in the city in more than 30 years. Many local businesses jumped in to help raise funds, as well as hockey hero Paul Henderson, who was at Leaside Gardens last September with a memorabilia exhibit. Tremblett’s Valu-mart had the BBQ and Mountain Bean Coffee was there too. That event raised $70,000, which included a match of donations from SmartCentres. Major donations have come from Greenwood College School on Mt. Pleasant Rd., Lexus on the Park, City Buick, Scotia Bank and Trem-

blett’s. The Leaside Rotary club has pledged $50,000 and delivered all but $10,000 so far. The money has come mostly from Leaside residents enjoying the annual fund-raising Rotary corn roast at Trace Manes, says George Hurst, the man who signs the Rotary cheques. The Leaside Skating Club, Leaside Hockey Association and Leaside Toronto Girls Hockey Association, which together account for more than 95 per cent of prime-time ice usage, got heavily involved in fund raising. So did Fox and Fiddle, which donates part of its income to the arena project with the aim of raising $25,000. The fund raising campaign, chaired by realtor Charlene Kalia, started this past March and has so far raised $100,000. “It is only appropriate that the local community, which will benefit most directly from the second rink, be asked to raise a portion of the cost of building it,” says Kalia. “Please contact me at the email/number below for more information on naming opportunities within the new rink, donor recognition plans, or with any questions or comments.” Email: charlene@charlenekalia.com or 416-953-1226 ■

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Patiently waiting for a buyer From Page 4

being built right now,” he says. “Besides the financial benefits to a homeowner, which are obvious, think of the savings in tons of greenhouse emissions being realized with those efficiencies.” What Goulimis is patiently waiting for is an educated buyer who realizes purchasing a “green home” gives off a boomerang effect. Those higher costs outlaid initially are eventually returned, saving not just money, but a little piece of mother earth, too. ■

Carol Fripp Vice President, LPOA

urge all Leasiders to contribute. It’s important that LPOA, a voluntary incorporated organization, be able to seek expert advice and act in defence of the community, even if there are sometimes costs involved. Your financial support is a vital indicator to government that we speak for you, and act for you, whether at the OMB, or at City Hall, or at the Committee of Adjustment. In future columns I’ll be reporting on upcoming local matters such as transit and development. If you have an issue (large or small!) which concerns you, or questions, please contact LPOA either through this column or c/o our mailing address: Sunnybrook Postal Outlet, 660 Eglinton Ave. East, P.O. Box 50055, Toronto M4G 4G1. We also meet at 7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month in the Trace Manes building near the Leaside Library and tennis courts, and invite you to attend as a deputant or an observer. ■

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Leaside Life, December 2011

Most Leasiders will be aware of our two-year-long-fight to preserve the heritage-designated Talbot Apartments located on a one and a half block length of Bayview just north of Sutherland. After many appearances at city committees, we fought off appeals by the would-be developer and appeared as a party at the Ontario Municipal Board and then at Divisional Court. Demolition of the Talbot buildings would have been a tragic loss to Leaside’s housing, architecture, and history, and a dangerous precedent for Leaside’s residential stability. In the end, we were successful. The OMB decision has been hailed as a hugely important landmark decision by the conservation community. The leadership of the LPOA was recognized in the 2010 Heritage Toronto Awards – we were awarded the community heritage award AND the People’s Choice award. But we incurred considerable and essential expenses, in order to hire expert witnesses: heritage architect Chris Borgal, planner Paul Dilse, and lawyer Karl Jaffary. Thanks to many hours of volunteer efforts by many dedicated individuals, and thanks to the financial donations of hundreds of Leasiders, we have been able to cover a large portion of the professional fees incurred. However, significant costs are still owed to the architect, and so the LPOA is now embarking on a second fundraising campaign in an attempt to raise the $15,000 still unpaid. You may receive one of our fundraising appeals in the mail this month; whether you do or not, we

Paying for the long fight

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Leaside Life, December 2011

Other schools

White House Meats

From Page 6

Leasideâ€™s other public schools are also working hard at coming up with answers. Northlea Home and School chair, Wilmar Kortleever, has talked informally with some of the Bessborough parents. Northlea has about double the enrolment of Bessborough (843 students) and less property. With two portables already there, the school could only accommodate one more. Northlea Elementary Middle School is a dual track school from Junior Kindergarten through to Grade 8 and offers French Immersion from Senior Kindergarten. Currently, Northlea offers six kindergarten classes in the morning and six in the afternoon. Full day kindergarten would double the space needed. The only school guaranteed to stay the same physical size is St. Anselm, because the property is so small that a boundary cap was put on its enrolment several years ago. St. Anselmâ€™s current enrolment is about 345 students. According to Planning Services at the Catholic school board, full day kindergarten will be implemented there in 2014. â–

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Sunday, Nov. 27 â€“ 3 pm

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Wednesday, Dec. 7 â€“ 7 pm

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

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Friday, Dec. 16 â€“ 7 pm

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Monday, Dec. 19 â€“ 7 pm

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From Page 11

to continuing to work with the committee and I encourage anyone to get engaged in this conversation. On a final note, ensuring a strong public education system is one of the cornerstones of our government and a great priority of mine as the former minister of education. I will continue to work closely with our school board trustees and local parents to address concerns around the aging schools in Leaside and to ensure that all of our schools are equipped to adopt full-day kindergarten by 2014. I invite you to contact me any time. I am here to listen and to represent you at Queenâ€™s Park. We have come a long way in the past eight years and we have more to do. Progress requires engagement at all levels of a society, so I welcome the opportunity to work with all of you to continue to build the strongest community, riding and province in Canada. â–

Visit Bell Jewellers and give a gift with a personal touch this holiday season. We offer a fine selection of elegant gold, platinum and gem-set jewellery for any taste and budget. We also carry a wide selection of watches including Movado, Tissot, ESQ, Swiss Army, Swatch, Roots, Casio and more. We specialize in creative remounts of classic, contemporary and original jewellery designs, and almost all our gifts can be personalized by engraving.

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Leaside Life, December 2011

I will still be working with schools

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There are lots of green spaces

Van Nes Flowers Limited Shop locally Live colourfully

Leaside Life, December 2011

From Page 3

There are also areas of attractive green space, in most cases provided by the various industries as landscaping and for employees. This past November, Marant Construction on Wickstead, for example, was given the annual Community Award from the Leaside Garden Society for the most attractive garden in the neighbourhood planted by a business or organization. The LBPA was originally formed over 50 years ago to address the mutual interests of the various industrial businesses within the park and “to promote the Leaside Business Park as a desirable location to conduct business”. It keeps its members up to date on all affairs that affect their use and enjoyment of the park. In recognition of the importance of keeping a community connection strong, the LBPA holds various events through the year to support local charities, and organizes and participates in community clean-up days. ■

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How to choose an orthodontist CITY ORTHODONTICS winning smile can take you far in life and whether you are 7 or 77 it is important to choose an orthodontist who will provide patients with the smile they deserve. Orthodontists are certified specialists who help children, teens and adults achieve a straight, beautiful smile naturally by providing orthodontic solutions tailored to suit lifestyle and personal preferences. More than 1.3 million people begin orthodontic treatment each year, and one out of four are adults. Many would never consider traditional braces but are now happily and comfortably improving their smiles with Invisalign. Great smiles change lives and Invisalign has truly revolutionized orthodontics, opening the door for many adults to seek the smile they’ve always desired. Invisalign is the clear way to straighten teeth without braces, using aligners to allow people to maintain a professional image. Aligners are designed to meet patients’ needs, they are removable and virtually invisible, which means it is possible to straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. The aligners can be taken out to enjoy a meal and to brush and floss normally to maintain healthy gums and teeth. There are no wires, metal or braces. Patients can always

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feel confident showing their smile, even while wearing aligners. The Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends that children visit an orthodontist for evaluation no later than age 7. If a child’s teeth are beginning to look crooked or unevenly spaced, it may be time to talk to an orthodontist about treatment. Fixing minor dental problems before they become major is one of the most significant investments you can make in a child’s health. According to the CAO, not treating a “bad bite” can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, chewing difficulties, speech impairments, tooth loss and even dental injuries. Just like any other medical professional, orthodontists are not all the same. Trust your smile to an orthodontist who combines their own experience, innovative technology, advanced education and personal care to bring you all the treatment options available. For more information: City Orthodontics Willy Dayan & Pablo Kimos, Orthodontists 4025 Yonge St., Suite 211 416-222-3223 www.cityortho.ca • info@cityortho.ca

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Skaters host world qualifier

Leaside Life, December 2011 Absolute Beauty by Nancy Penny has been part of the fabric of the Leaside community for over 20 years. Nancy, Jessica and Amber are certified skin care professionals who love to provide outstanding service and products to our valued customers 7 days a week. Try our award winning facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, electrolysis, lash extensions, cosmetic tattooing (eyebrows and eyeliner), etc. in a friendly, clean safe environment. Gift certificates available.

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The Leaside Synchronized Skating Teams will host the largest synchronized skating competition in Canada at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga January13-15 with teams attending from all over Canada in a world junior qualifier. Leaside started hosting on a more local level with their annual Showcase where they unveiled their 2011-2012 programs, along with four guest teams, on Nov. 27 at the Scarborough Ice Galaxy on Ellesmere Rd. The local club this year is fielding four teams, the elementary, juvenile, novice and junior and has 66 girls from the Leaside area and surrounding neighbourhoods. The Junior team kicked off their competition season in Kalamazoo, Michigan in mid November and the other teams join the juniors in Stratford, Ontario on Dec. 10 and 11. This year’s teams are working towards podium placements provincially (elementary/juvenile) and nationally (novice/junior). Last season the novice team was National Bronze. ■

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Julius A. Humphrey Founder of the Humphrey Funeral Home

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St. Augustine of Canterbury Anglican Church, 1847 Bayview Ave. All About Diabetes, Thursday, Dec. 1, 1:30-3:30. Information about Ministry of Health Programs & Resources. This is part of the Healthy Aging Program at St. Augustine's. Contact Suzanne Parsons for more information: 416-429-6680. Family Eucharist and party, Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24. 7 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25. 10:30 a.m. Leaside Property Owners' Association. Trace Manes Community Centre, 110 Rumsey Rd. Monthly meetings are open to the public. Wednesday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m Bessborough Home and School/School Council is looking for a community representative to attend their general meetings, in the evening at Bessborough School in the Library: Meeting dates: Dec 6, Feb. 7, April 3, May 1, June 5. For more information: http://bessboroughhomeandschool.com/. Bessborough School: Holiday Winter Concert, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m. School carolling every morning from Monday, Dec. 19 to Friday, Dec. 23, 8:10–9 a.m. School holidays start Monday, Dec. 26. School resumes Monday, Jan. 9. Leaside High School, Grade 8 Open House, Thursday, Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m. North Leaside Women’s Group, Northlea United Church, 125 Brentcliffe Rd. Gift ideas for the impossible to buy for. Forum. Dec. 6, 9:30 a.m. Evening holiday social and a Yankee Gift exchange. Dec. 8. Host, Susan Cuthberton. South Leaside Monday Group, Trace Manes Centennial Building, 110 Rumsey Rd., 9:15 a.m. Speaker Catherine Bunting, Mastermind Toys. Dec. 6. Speaker Robin Lightfoot, Epoca Hair Group, Dec. 12. Holiday gift exchange, Dec. 7. Leaside Presbyterian Church Kid’s Club, 670 Eglinton Ave. E.ast . Kid’s Club for children JK to Grade 7, Fri., Dec. 9, 9-4. $30 per child or $50 per family of 2 or more. Hot lunch and snacks provided. Grade 8-12 youth volunteers appreciated. (Special assistance available for the registration fee.) 416-422-0510. Leaside United Church, 822 Millwood Rd. Recreational badminton Tuesdays and Thursday, 8-9:30 p.m. in the gym. $5 a night or $75 for the season, October to April. Leaside Public Library, 165 McRae Dr. Jingle Bell Time singalong for children 3-7 and their parents/caregivers. Sat. Dec, 10, 2-2:45. Drop in. Christmas Tree Trimming, all ages. Christmas stories, a festive film and lots of fun. Make a decoration for the library Christmas tree plus one to take home. Sat. Dec. 17, 10:3011 a.m. Drop in.

was the first woman named to the Disarmament Committee. After defeat as an MP in 1940 she was elected MPP for York East in 1943, one of the first two women in the Ontario Legislature. She lost in 1945 but served again from 1948 to 1951, years while she lived in Leaside. Donations for the plaque can be sent to the East York Historical Society, 10 McKayfield Rd., East York ON, M4J 4P7. Donations will receive a tax receipt. ■

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The East York Historical Society plans to install a plaque at the Leaside home of Agnes Macphail, a leading Canadian feminist and reformer who was the first woman elected to the House of Commons. Macphail, born in 1890 in Grey County, Ontario, lived in Leaside

from 1948 until her death in 1954. Her house on the north-west corner of Millwood Rd. and Donegall Dr. was built in 1937 in the Modern style and is being considered for historical designation. Macphail’s political career was one of many firsts. First woman elected to the House of Commons in 1921, she won five consecutive terms in Parliament. The first Canadian female delegate to the League of Nations in 1929, she

Leaside Life, December 2011

Macphail home to get plaque

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Leaside Life, December 2011

Now tell us what you really think of us So, what do you think? We really do want to know your impressions of this first issue of Leaside Life. Our intention is to create a monthly newspaper, with free distribution throughout Leaside to all residences, and businesses – both commercial and industrial. We want it to be something you actually read, enjoy and find useful and entertaining. What made you choose Leaside? I know there are a lot of second-generation Leasiders. Are any of you third-generation adults? There must be good reasons you chose to come back to where you grew up and went to school, and we’d like to hear your stories of why Leaside is your choice of home. Or maybe you’re like me. When Ted and I moved into our house as a young married couple, we had no idea of how great a community this would turn out to be. We knew and liked that there were large trees on the front lawns, it was close to downtown – and that the large rug from our apartment could be made to fit into the living room of our new home, and that was all. Were we lucky!

Lorna Krawchuk Publisher Leaside Life

Why are we doing this? Quite apart from real estate hype about Leaside being such a great place to buy a home, we really feel that Leaside remains a real community within the much larger City of Toronto. There originally was a Town of Leaside, founded in 1913. We think that feeling of a town can continue even now, but needs a bit of nurturing. I’ve been thinking a lot about what community means lately. I was involved with a Silent Auction, and was approaching local merchants for donations. Many were very gener-

ous, but not all. At the same time, I was reminded that this is a two-way street. We, as members of this community need to support our local businesses too. In particular, with this newspaper being delivered free to your door, our advertisers are a very important part of the package. Please let them know that you appreciate their support of this endeavour when you shop with them. Another aspect of community is how connected we feel we are to others around us. When the snow comes, would you help a neighbour shovel? If the power went out for an extended period of time, would you be checking that others nearby were okay? On a broader level, do you give some of your time to volunteer in some way locally? ■

There IS It’s the Leaside Life FREE GARAGE SALE ads. something Got something in your home you’d like to sell for $100 or less? We’ll run it for FREE if you live in our coverage area. in Life Send us your ad with up to 20 words. Include your M4G phone that’s number as one of the 20 words. FREE! leasidelife@gmail.com

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Patrick Rocca broker