LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:34 PM Page 1
No. 44 • December 2015
Leaside Life
Bred in Leaside This is part of a series of occasional articles about famous people raised in Leaside who now live elsewhere.
NANCIE BATTAGLIA
leasidelifenews.com
The Chief honoured Page 20
What this environmentalist learned at Northlea school Bill McKibben is an author, educator and environmentalist listed as one of the world’s 100 most important global thinkers. He’s perhaps best-known as the 2014 winner of the Right Livelihood Prize (the ‘alternative Nobel’). He’s the author of the world’s first book about climate change for a general audience (The
End of Nature), and founded the first global grassroots climate change movement (350.org). Spearheading the resistance to the Keystone pipeline, 350.org organized more than 20,000 rallies in every country in the world except North Korea. MCKIBBEN, Page 2
LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:35 PM Page 2
Leaside Life, December 2015
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Though today McKibben lives in Vermont with his wife, author Sue Halpern, he spent several of his childhood years in Leaside, when his father took a job as Canadian bureau chief for Business Week magazine. Living in a house on Brentcliffe, McKibben attended Northlea Elementary School a year ahead of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Leaside Life recently caught up with McKibben to ask some questions: What was it like to live in Leaside as a child in the 1960s? It was a really wonderful place. I remember every night getting together with the other kids in the neighbourhood for epic games of Red Rover and British Bulldog, with no parents around – just hours of playing. Lots of street hockey too, of course. And the parks were the glory of the neighbourhood. We were near the entrance of Serena Gundy Park. It had what seemed at the time like an endless and steep toboggan hill where we spent many hours on any snowy day. How was your experience of Northlea Elementary?
I was a little intimidated my first day at Northlea – I’d never been in a building with separate entrances for boys and girls, and since I was coming from the States it bewildered me to get in trouble for not taking my cap off. (I was told by the principal that it showed disrespect to the Queen.) But I soon found great friends – David Smith, Bruce Crawford, Roddy Rennick, David Occhapinti, Billy Osborne, and many more. In those days, Northlea had very definite seasons – somehow, for instance, everyone knew the day when marbles season started and stopped. Though you didn’t know Stephen Harper in school, how do you think Canada fared with him in the Prime Minister’s Office? I thought Canada went from being a place that helped solve the world's problems to being a place that helped cause them. Watching him throw out the country's environmental regulations, for instance, because they got in the way of expanding the Tar Sands reminded me too much of the reign of George Bush in my country. I worried that Canada had shifted a lot from my memories of the 1960s (the career of Toronto MCKIBBEN, Page 21
HAPPY HOLIDAYS What better time of year to pause and give thanks, and to celebrate the spirit of giving. Neighbours and friends, I am proud to be part of this kind-hearted community, and I’d like to express my appreciation, both professionally and personally, for your ongoing support. Together in 2015 we made a significant contribution to Moorelands Community Services through Laugh Out Loud in Leaside. I am excited to maintain those efforts to give back in the coming year, focusing both on local projects and on initiatives that serve the larger community. From my family to yours, warmest wishes for a joyful season and a happy, prosperous new year.
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LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:35 PM Page 3
We’ve lost the fight, get ready for Costco Carol Burtin Fripp Co-president, LPOA
just a big box store. It’s a BIG box store. This is an issue that has been in process for some time. When I first wrote a Leaside Life column about it just under two years ago, I noted that, while Costco may be known for their prices, what was proposed to be built on Overlea was no bargain for the communities of Leaside and Thorncliffe Park. While distinct communities from each other, we have much in common beyond our geography and proximity. We are both family neighbourhoods. We support local businesses. We share history. We share certain TTC routes. Development proposals in one area affect the other. This is why a coalition of Leaside and Thorncliffe residents and
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businesses worked together to prevent the Costco being built in the wrong place: a place with maximum negative impact on transit, traffic, local shops, and the businesses in the Leaside Business Park. Some proponents of the development tried to portray the fight as a divisive Leaside versus Thorncliffe issue, which it was not. They claimed that a Costco would create jobs for Thorncliffe residents, although Costco is under no obligation to hire from the community. Indeed, many local jobs may disappear when the small communityoriented shops where residents work close or move away as rents become unaffordable. Those rents are already rising now that the Costco has been approved. All of Leaside will be affected: our streets will bear Costco-related traffic from and to the north and west. The LPOA’s traffic consultant estimates increases of 4 percent to 44.5 percent in Leaside, depending on the intersection.
Leaside Life, December 2015
We had all the accurate facts. We asked all the right questions. We challenged incorrect assumptions from the developer’s consultants, pointed out their reports’ flaws and many omissions to the city’s planners. We raised danger flags about traffic impacts – gridlock, greater air pollution, and dangers to pedestrians, including thousands of school children – if the development went ahead. We pointed out how local shops would be forced out by rising land rents and local jobs would be lost. LPOA, with concerned Thorncliffe residents, also visited City Hall to present this information to councillors from across the city. But once again we’ve been let down by city planning and traffic staff, who approved the development anyway, and by City Council, which approved it 23-7. I’m talking about the Costco warehouse membership store which, following council’s vote in early November, will be built on Overlea Blvd. where the Coca-Cola office and plant used to be. This not
LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:35 PM Page 4
Cheryl Vanderburg
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Leaside Litterati
Leaside Life, December 2015
Car talk became litter talk
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It was the lure of winning a free car that prompted me to respond to Mazda's request to complete a survey on my latest car servicing experience at Gyro Mazda. Most of the questions were a satisfaction ranking. The final question was asking for comments. So I thought… what the heck… why not talk to them about the litter that accumulates from time to time on their properties? After all I had just picked up a grocery bag full of litter on my walk home from Laird to Rumsey, much of it around their lot entrance (never leave home without a grocery bag). And my new approach is to hold people accountable for their own litter rather than feeling like I have to pick up every piece of trash I see. I told my husband what I had done and his comment was, "You'll never win the car now." I'm delighted to report that I received a reply from Gyro Auto Group of Companies a few days later thanking me for taking the time to share my feedback. "We will be working with our team members in looking into ground cleaning and upkeep. We would love our store to look clean and mess-free as much as possible." I suggested that as Laird has such a diverse landscape, auto shops, office buildings, restaurants, retail… it would be nice if there were a BIA (Business Improvement Area), as there now is on Bayview (they are off to a great start) to bring the community together to improve its look and feel and cleanliness. Gyro could act as inspiration and a catalyst for change. And I told them a little bit about my mission to de-litter Leaside and restore the beauty of a community that takes pride in its surroundings. I was heartened by their response. "Of course the community in the neighbourhood (of) the business should work together to make surrounding areas the best it can be. It's nice to hear and we try our best to part take with the community." So the moral of this story is, businesses in Leaside are happy to receive feedback and they want to contribute to our community in a positive way. I'll let you know if I win the car. ■
LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:35 PM Page 5
Kathy Roberts
Leaside Literati
Leaside Life, December 2015
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Leaside is full of authors we don’t hear much about, but would probably like to. If you have recently had a new book published, get in touch: leasidelife@gmail.com.
It’s not easy giving up law for literature By KATHY ROBERTS My debut novel, Six Minutes, has just been published by Burnstown Publishing House. Let me outline what it’s about: It is fiction about three very different people who witness the same horrific event on their way to work. Their lives shaken, each struggles, confused by the past and the decisions they have made. Spanning three years, the story unfolds through each character’s viewpoint of the same events. SIX MINUTES, Page 7
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LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:35 PM Page 6
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6 Deadline for January, December 10
Leaside Life, December 2015
leasidelifenews.com
FREE LISTING SERVICE N orth orthl hea United Chur a 5 minute ek wa nor rht on Bn ntc li f ff ie f Road R from Eg gn nt to on Av ven nue.Ove er th C hris tmas season, w e invit to ou to p plore eo our ei nighbou uh hood ch hurc c h h! Jazz to the World! Sunday, December 6, 4:30 p.m. Put some swing in your Christmas at the Christmas Jazz Service, with guest vocalist Cara Matthew. &KLOGUHQ¶V Christmas Musical Sunday December 13, 10:30 a.m Community children known as the Cool Church Players, present "The Inn Crowd," a contemporary Christmas musical story ± sure to make you smile! Carolling in the Pines ~ Sunday, December 13, 7:00 p.m. ~ Sing with fri r ends and neighbours at this North Leaside annual event! The Metropolitan Silver Band leads the carolling; a special visitor (Ho, Ho, Ho!) will drop in, and the 132nd Toronto Scouts serve KRW FKRFRODWH ,W¶V DQ outside event, lasting about 45 minutes, so dress warmly and bring a flashlight! Please bring a donation fo or the Syrian Refugee Su up pport work off Northlea and other area churches. (Bad weather location ± inside the church!) Candlelight Service ± Sunday, December 20, 7:00 p.m. En njjoy harp music, seasonal readings, Christmas anthems and carols led by the Northlea cch hoir. Christmas Eve Services ± December 24 Family Service ~ 7:00 p.m. ~ Come and enjjoy this Leaside Christmas Eve tradition with your ch hildren, fri r ends and neighbours. Experience the classic Christmas Story in carols and drama, by cch hildren. Children can watch frrom the frront and take part! Costumes provided! Candles and Communion Service ~ 11:00 p.m. p ~ A quiet time to reflect on the season, and welcome Christmas Day.
MERR RY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
HAVE A LOCAL EVENT TO PROMOTE? SEND US THE DATE, TIME, LOCATION AND EVENT NAME
LEASIDE LIBRARY, 165 McRae, 416-396-3835 ADULT and TEEN PROGRAMMING: – Blur: ICM Photography, by Sean Walsh, Community Room. Ongoing, Dec.1-31. – Customer Appreciation Day, hot chocolate and refreshments. Saturday, Dec. 12, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. – Leaside Writer’s Club, Saturday, Dec. 12, 10-11:45 a.m. – Leaside Needleworx Group, knitting and crocheting. Bring your own projects or start something new. Friday, Dec. 4, 10-11:45 a.m. – Youth Advisory group meeting, 13-19 years. Volunteer for community hours. Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING: Christmas tree decorating/trimming, with music. Tuesday, Dec. 15, 4-5 p.m. Drop in. ____ St. Anselm Parish, 1 MacNaughton. – Thursday, Dec. 24: 5 p.m. Family Christmas mass, 9:30 p.m. Christmas carols, 10 p.m. Christmas mass. – Friday, Dec. 25: 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Christmas Day mass. – Thursday, Dec. 31: 5 p.m. New Year’s Eve mass. – Friday, Jan. 1: 11 a.m. New Year’s Day mass. St. Cuthbert's Church, 1399 Bayview. – Carols with Friends followed by hot mulled cider. Monday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m. Admission free with a donation of non-perishable food. Everyone welcome. Leaside Presbyterian Church, 670 Eglinton East. – Christmas Kid’s Club, Dec. 22 & 23, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Activities, Bible stories, music, crafts and baking. Registration by Thursday, Dec. 17. 416-422-0510. $30 per child/day or $40/two days, $50 family/one day or $70/two days (includes snacks & lunch). Special assistance available.Youth and adult helpers appreciated. – Christmas Eve Communion & Candlelight, Thursday, Dec. 24, 7:30 p.m. (Due to renovations in the Sanctuary service will be held downstairs in Silverthorn Hall.) St. Augustine's Church, 1847 Bayview. – Toronto Swedish Folkdancers and Singers with Scandinavian Christmas music Saturday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. Reception to follow with Swedish treats. $25 including reception available at the door. Free for children 12 and under. – The Groove Room Coffee House, Friday, Dec 11, 78:30 p.m. Monthly with live music by local artists. $5 includes coffee and dessert. Proceeds to Syrian refugee aid. Looking for musicians. Augustine@bellnet.ca. Northlea United Church,125 Brentcliffe. – Jazz to the World! Sunday, Dec. 6, 4:30 p.m. with guest vocalist Cara Matthew. – Children’s Christmas Musical, Sunday, Dec. 13, 10:30 a.m. – Carolling in the Pines, Sunday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m., with the Metropolitan Silver Band. Bring a donation for Syrian refugees. Inside the church in bad weather. – Candlelight Service, Sunday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m. – Christmas Eve Services, Dec. 24, family service 7 p.m., candles and communion service 11 p.m. 69th Toronto Scout Group – Christmas Tree sales, Dec. 4-6, Trace Manes Park, 110 Rumsey Rd. trinalfoster2000@gmail. The ArteMbassy Gallery, 28 Industrial, #219. – Group Show of Gallery Artists, Thursday, Dec. 10, 59 p.m.
LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:35 PM Page 7
Six minutes From Page 5
For the first year, it was a wellkept secret. I naively hoped that I would write the book, cross it off my list, and then get back to a law career. But getting a book published is not something that can be done quickly. Unfortunately, you don’t know what you don’t know. It was a long, slow-moving process, but the struggle made the end goal even more satisfying. And the response from family, friends, and neighbours has been even more rewarding than getting the call that the book would be published. In the first week, my children made free bike deliveries throughout Leaside, and friends wrote emails late at night when they finished the book. Recently, Karen Hanning had her Leaside book club read Six Minutes and I attended the evening. What a fun night with a great group of women. I am still adjusting to the new life style. I have gone from one extreme to the other.
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Leaside Life, December 2015
And then, just as they seem set to move on with their lives, something even more shocking occurs that redirects their paths yet again. Though this tale underscores how alone we can be in our perceptions, and how little we can control our reactions, it also reminds us of the depths of strength and courage we can find to battle through it all and build bridges between us. Something about myself and my new life in literature: I live in Leaside, with my husband, two children, and dog. I grew up in Burlington and attended the University of Western Ontario and Osgoode Hall Law School. I practised law for 15 years at McMillan and RBC. Stepping away from a great law career to write a book was not an easy thing to do. One of my lawyer friends actually said, “Please don’t be one of those lawyers who tries to write a book.” It was selfish and terrifying, but also the number one thing on my bucket list.
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LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:35 PM Page 8
Leaside Life, December 2015
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Practising law was a constant bustle of rushing to and from downtown, working long hours, constantly surrounded by crowds, colleagues and clients. Always thinking of the kids at work, and thinking of work at home. And now, at a much slower pace, I am usually in the neighbourhood, spending much of the day in the house, alone, and often thinking of my characters when I’m not writing. But writing has been a lifetime passion, getting a book published was a personal dream, as was having more time with my children, Owen and Jaime, and husband, Steve. That has made this stage of my career the most rewarding. I continue to appreciate the extra time with family and friends as I work away on my second novel. Until the end of this January Leaside residents can purchase the novel from me at a 20 percent discount, for $16. Just contact me at my website, www.kathyroberts.ca, to arrange for pick-up. The book can also be purchased at full price any time from www.burnstownpublishing.com (including six different eversions), and more than 30 eBook outlets. ■
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LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:35 PM Page 9
I thought I would bring this to your attention as it may be happening to others in the neighbourhood. Or you might want to make people aware of the possibility.
LETTERS leasidelife@gmail.com Letters may be edited. On Oct. 29 I received a delivery notice from Canada Post that they had tried to deliver a parcel to C. Vanderburg at 131 Rumsey Rd. and as no one was home it could be picked up at the Canada Post office located in the Shoppers Drug Mart on Bayview. I was not expecting anything. On Oct. 30 I went to pick it up. To my surprise it had already been retrieved by a gentleman named Chris Vanderburg who had citizenship papers with my address on them. There is no one named Chris Vanderburg living with me nor do I know anyone with that name. When I called Canada Post they said there was nothing they could do because the person showed proper ID
and was not representing himself as me. I contacted Toronto Police Services and they too said there was nothing they could do. Someone was using my address as a mail drop and it happens all the time, the police said, since our personal information is accessible online. The police officer suggested I get an unlisted phone number. On Nov. 5 I happened to be home when the mail was delivered so I spoke to the letter carrier to see if he could remember anything. He did not. However he was very concerned so he took the delivery notice to his supervisor. I received a call back and was told that there had been several packages sent to addresses in the neighbourhood, online electronics purchases from BestBuy.ca, which were deemed to be fraudulent and they were intercepted before being delivered. He asked if I had a charge on my credit card between Oct. 15 - 20. When I checked my online statement I had both a large purchase from BestBuy.ca and a small a credit, neither of which I
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Why do you persist in providing a platform for Will Ashworth in Leaside Life? Leaside businesses likely need Ashworth’s advocacy as much as Leaside stockholders need his futile Leaside Stock Index. Your most recent publication would have benefited far more from an article drawing attention to the plight of the homelessness in the city – with an emphasis on what could be done locally to help alleviate matters – than on Ashworth’s heartless takeaway that local retailers should adopt similar guerrilla tactics (conveniently leaving behind the issue of homelessness altogether). In my view, you do a great disservice to your publication by continuing to provide a platform for Ashworth. Julian Jones, Sutherland Dr.
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Leaside Life, December 2015
‘Ashworth does a great disservice’
LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:35 PM Page 10
Leaside Life, December 2015
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Merry Christmas! New Year’s Levee
Join me to celebrate the new year with refreshments & live entertainment!
had made. He suggested I contact my credit card company to report the fraud and have the card cancelled. Both Canada Post and MasterCard continue to investigate. I took my computer into Best Buy in September to be serviced so I'm wondering if information was stolen as part of that process as I've never shopped online from Best Buy nor have I lost my credit card. I don't know if I will ever find out what happened but moving forward I will be much more vigilant about password security and monitoring transactions on my accounts. Cheryl Vanderburg, Rumsey Rd. I play bridge with a group of old men at the Leaside United Church on Wednesdays. Our membership is decreasing as members die or become incapacitated. It's an eccentric group and the camaraderie is more important than the level or ability of play. And it's men only, which is a challenge these days to justify. Is there any way that we could use your community newspaper to tell people about our group? We don't have money to pay for advertising, but I tend to be pretty pro-
lific when it comes to putting things to paper (on the computer). I could write an article, or design an ad. In the past six months two churches in the area allowed us to put a few lines in their bulletins and we have two new members as a result. So there are men out there who, if they knew about us, would find themselves enjoying a wonderful afternoon with some old geezers like us. Jim Krafchik, Glenvale Blvd. This year, Bennington Heights school has a qualified music teacher giving all students a quality music education. All students in the primary grades (1-3) have choir rehearsal during class time each week. All students in grades 4-6 are participating in a band program learning an instrument. I'm a parent and I think it's great to see such a high quality music program back in the school, especially considering the shift over the past decade when the music curriculum was considered a "frill" and math and reading were the only priorities. Kudos to the principal, Anne Johnston, for making the hire. Cara Halpin, Noel Ave.
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LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:35 PM Page 11
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Leaside Life, December 2015
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Ten years on Bayview.
LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:35 PM Page 12
Leaside Life, December 2015
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RECONNECTING WITH THORNCLIFFE PARK
The big gala that Leaside resident Bill Pashby helped organize to pull Leaside and Thorncliffe Park back to close association raised $130,000 on Nov. 19, with help from sponsors that included D&H Corporation of Leaside. Part of the money will help some of the 7,000 children in Thorncliffe and Flemingdon Park attend summer camps in the schools in the area. The money will also go for baby food and diapers for poor families and the Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office’s program to prevent domestic violence. The TNO was celebrating its 30th anniversary. The gala was at the new Islamic Cultural Centre on Wynford Dr., with catering by Mark McEwan and Premier Kathleen Wynne as guest speaker. ■
Our Leaside includes Thorncliffe Park In 1963, when Liz and I were about to marry, we began searching around the east end of Toronto for an apartment to rent. Although we were both U of T graduates, we didn't know the city well at all. Everything east of Yonge and north of St. Clair seemed like darkest 'burbia. The apartment scene in East York also seemed dismal. But then we stumbled on a fascinating new community overlooking the Don Valley: it turned out that the old Thorncliffe Racetrack (which we'd never heard of) was being redeveloped as an apartment complex surrounding an enclosed shopping centre. The semicircular Thorncliffe Park Dr. enclosed about 20 six-storey modern apartment buildings. The outside of the circle was entirely parkland. The shopping centre, Thorncliffe Market Place, had an impressive range of stores. It looked like a good place to live. We leased a very spacious two-bedroom apartment at 52 Thorncliffe Park (Garden Court), thought the rent of $135 a month (including parking
Michael Bliss
Living in Leaside and utilities) was entirely reasonable, and after our wedding that June began our married life there. Thorncliffe in the 1960s was a delightful place to live. We spent many hours rambling in the ravineland below the development, played baseball and golf and frisbee across the street in the parkland, delighted in the pastoral views from our balcony. One day we heard a crash of glass in our living room – a pheasant had flown through the window and lay unconscious on the floor. We called the superintendent, put the pheasant out on the balcony, and it recovered and flew away. We shopped at Steinberg's and Sayvette and the other stores in the mall. When I got a toothache that
first year I went to the young dentist who had just opened a practice upstairs in the building. In the next few months Milton Cohen took out all my wisdom teeth and convinced us that he was the best dentist we had ever known. We were among his earliest and most loyal patients. We learned that the Thorncliffe Park area was part of the town of Leaside, and we soon found our way up Millwood, under the bridge, and into a beautiful residential town of which we had known nothing. Driving around the shady streets, watching the children playing ball at Trace Manes, noticing the beautifully designed and positioned Leaside High School, we realized instantly that this was where we wanted to own a house and raise our children. So in 1969 we left Thorncliffe and bought our first home, on MacNaughton Rd. Leaside lost its autonomy. Thorncliffe Park went its own way as a development, with huge apartment towers being built around its outer ring and its resident population be-
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Leaside Life, December 2015
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coming heavily weighted by newcomers to Canada. Today Thorncliffe is a teeming "gateway" community, heavily Muslim, culturally singular, apparently distinct from Leaside. Liz and I, our children, and our grandchildren, still have all our dental work done at the Thorncliffe Dental Centre, the bustling monument to the good work done by our retired friend, Dr. Cohen. Right up to the catastrophe of Target, I used to disconcert my wife by occasionally buying clothes at the Zellers store in Thorncliffe. More usefully, at the urging of the tireless Bill Pashby, I have participated in several Canadian citizenship ceremonies at Thorncliffe Public School. These are deeply moving events, affirmations of Canada and the values we have in common. We regretted that a conflict caused us to miss this year's gala fundraiser on Nov. 19 to support social services in Thorncliffe. There is no better cause. We may come from different pasts and different cultures, but all of us in these two very wonderfully unique neighbourhoods of Toronto have much the same aspirations. Our future lies with the children of Leaside and Thorncliffe Park, one community. ■
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LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:36 PM Page 15
Serena Gundy may soon be happy again
Leaside Life, December 2015
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Serena Gundy update: So what’s happened with the Rykert entrance to Serena Gundy Park? Back in September we wrote about Serena Gundy probably being unhappy about the unfortunate condition of the grey stone wall there, cut back to allow heavy equipment to access the park, and the concern about a bequest by the Gundy family to the city putting limits on any work on the entrance. The city promised to rebuild the wall as before. Three months later the wall has been rebuilt. So Serena Gundy will be happy now? Not so fast. The stonemasons appear to have done a good job of matching the existing wall in the cuts and placement of the stone. However in colour, not so well. But the city has offered to tint the new part of the wall for as many years as needed.
GEOFF KETTEL
By GEOFF KETTEL
And the bequest? Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff have researched the land transfer and cannot find any record of a bequest regarding the entrance. Director of Management Services Ann Ulusoy wrote to Leasider Rick Price in an email that “There is no reference to any conditions placed on the property other
than it has to be used "‌for the purposes of a public park for the free use, benefit and enjoyment of the citizens of the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, such park to be known as Serena Gundy Park." So will Serena Gundy be happy? I think so, especially if she can get her colour back. â–
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Did this dentist buy all that candy?
Yes, Dr. Bradley Lands, of Midtown Orthodontics on Bayview, bought 105 pounds from parents and their kids who brought him their leftovers from Halloween. He was paying $5 a pound, and then donating an equal amount to help renovate the playground in Trace Manes Park as part of the memorial for Georgina Walsh, the young Leaside girl who died in a traffic accident at McRae and Millwood. It cost him $510 to buy the candy, instead of $525 because some of the candy was donated. He sent $600 to the park project and donated the candy itself to Sarah’s Food Drive. Streets covered with wet, slippery leaves are a special hazard around Leaside these days, especially in heavily travelled areas near schools. Residents are asked NOT to sweep, blow, rake or dump leaves from their driveways and sidewalks onto Leaside roads. “It is illegal,” says Patricia Barrett of City Hall. “(It) can cause slippery road conditions and lead to flooding.” Offenders can face charges. A few city neighbourhoods with lots of trees and heavy accumulations of leaves are offered a service known as mechanical leaf pickup explained a city spokesperson, but added: “Leaside is not one of those areas.” Leasiders are expected to put their leaves “in paper bags or reusable, rigid, open-top containers on regularly scheduled yard waste collection dates.”
The Curious Idler Or, better yet, compost them. Traffic can grind street leaves to a soggy pulp that can clog storm drains, create black ice or dangerous surface ponding and can even lead to nasty basement backups. House-hunters in Leaside are writing personally to homeowners to ask: “Want to sell?” A recent letter read: “We are a young couple looking to buy a home in your area. We are not builders or real estate agents. We just love the area and are looking to privately purchase a home in which to live and start a family . . . “The Idler has received three such letters in recent months. It is a growing trend. Mitch Koyama is pleased the half-finished house at 73 Donegall Dr. is emerging from its legal limbo and may face demolition. A large (and likely aged) dead raccoon – believed to have lived in the eyesore house beside him – was removed by the city. A consulting engineer, who is withholding his name, is attempting to calculate the height of low-flying jets over Leaside. “The frequency of flights is increasing while their altitude is de-
creasing,” he noted, but declined to elaborate. Chocolate-maker Ferrero Rocher has (tastelessly to some) joined the ranks of door-step marketers in Leaside. “We knocked on hundreds of doors and gave away chocolates,” said Alessia Pham, one of several people who promoted the confectionery on Remembrance Day. A house on Bessborough Dr. was decorated with Christmas lights while carollers sang the following day. More chocolates were handed out. A $1.15 million McLaren P1 supercar has been seen in the neighbourhood. (Only 375 are expected to be built.) The exotic car reportedly belongs to the music producer/DJ known as Deadmau5. Several tons of stone dumped on Sharron Dr. near Cameron Cres. baffled homeowners and raised concerns about safe driving at night. No one had claimed the pile after a month; there was no contractor work underway nearby, and City Hall had no roadworks planned. Was it a case of illegal dumping, or a project hit with an unforeseen delay? ■
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A semi-detached house was listed for $1,698,000 What does it say for land prices in Leaside when only five semidetached homes were sold in Leaside this past October for an average of $1,151,000? That high number was caused partly by two semis across from Trace Manes Park, which were listed for $1,698,000 each. More proof that so far there’s no softening of the real estate
Leaside Life Published once a month in Leaside,Toronto ON, by Ruth G. Publishing Inc., 66 Donegall Drive, Toronto ON, M4G 3G5 Circulation 9,000 to every door in M4G PUBLISHER: Lorna Krawchuk EDITORIAL: Harry Goldhar ADVERTISING: Ruth Goldhar GRAPHIC DESIGN: L. Choy
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market in Leaside and Bennington Heights: This past October a total of 20 homes were sold compared to 27 the previous October, with the average price of those 20 homes $1,556,617. That was a whopping 23.6 percent rise in the average price. The increase was even higher for detached homes, up 29.8 percent to an average of 1,731,238. The figures for the current October to October 12-month period are much smaller for average price, only 4.9 percent higher, but the total number of sales was down by 30.8 percent for the previous October to October. See the most recent street sales at leasidelifenews.com. __ Jethro Seymour is a broker at Johnston & Daniel. All figures are from the Toronto Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service. ■
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The lady behind those Leaside websites MEET YOUR NEIGHBOUR She’s the lady behind the Leaside Property Owners’ Association website. Also the Leaside Life website. And websites in Vermont and the Bahamas. And lots of others. Pretty good for a graduate of landscape architecture. But she had moved to the U.S. because her husband, Richard Schreier, found at job at Oregon State University and she didn’t have a work permit. So Paddy Duncan, of Broadway Ave. in North Leaside, taught herself everything about internet technology and became the volunteer web master for North Andover School Department in North Andover, Massachusetts after they moved there. She also did layout, editing and some writing for the Eagle Tribune. And she was busy as a mother of two sons. In 2007, when her husband by then was a design engineer for Analog Devices and decided to relocate
PETER SCHREIER
Leaside Life, December 2015
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back to Toronto, the family settled in Leaside because she liked it. She was brought up in Moore Park but knew about Leaside because her father worked at Honey-
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LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:36 PM Page 19
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We goofed We goofed last month and caused a problem for San Francesco Foods, with headquarters in Leaside. We ran their ad announcing their fourth Toronto location was open on Laird near Millwood. But they sent us an ad announcing a later date – and we missed it. That had them scrambling. They had arranged for a machine that would give free Coca-Cola to everyone on Nov. 28. Coke managed to change a previous commitment and moved up the free offer to Nov. 21. San Francesco hurried up it signage and equipment deliveries and its marketing plan, said marketing manager Chris Holowatyi. Now the location is open. ■
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planting a wider variety and had a more aggressive planting campaign. Favourite places in Leaside? I love some of the older, more original bits of Leaside - mostly in South Leaside these days. I also love the proximity to Sunnybrook Park it’s a great place to walk and absorb a bit of nature. Favourite places to eat out? Kintako Japanese Restaurant on Laird - for the sushi. And there are a couple of sushi restaurants on Bayview I like too (on the west side, so not technically in Leaside). Is there something that people might not know about you? I was on the University of Toronto Archery women’s team during university and continued shooting competitively for a while after graduation. I hope to take it up again soon - it’s a sport that you can do at any age. ■
Leaside Life, December 2015
She also wanted the best schooling after being disappointed with underfunding and cuts to programs in schools in North Andover. She became a community activist there and brought the same concerns here. She’s now a board member with the LPOA. Some answers to questions about Leaside: What do you like most about Leaside? I love the neighbourhood feel like a village within the big city. After growing up in Toronto and then living in small towns in the U.S. for 16 years, I grew to really enjoy the smalltown life, and Leaside has some of that. I like running into my neighbours and friends when I’m out doing errands! What would you change about Leaside? I wish that the Leaside Design Guidelines had legal teeth; we’re fast losing the look and feel of Leaside as more and more overly large stucco and fake stone houses are built. It’s the “graying” of Leaside. I also wish we’d paid more attention to our trees. They’re all the same age and we’re losing them now in vast numbers as they reach the end of their lifespans. We should have been
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JEREMY LEWIS
Leaside Life, December 2015
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George Armstrong, left, and Maple Leaf buddies Mike Walton, Bobby Baun and Eddie Shack.
For the 55 years that George Armstrong, the captain during the Stanley Cup years of the Toronto Maple Leafs and known as The Chief, lived in Leaside he did a lot of community coaching, but shied away from publicity. He gave in on Nov. 20 at the Leaside Sports Hall of Fame induction night and was affable, chatted and joked with many there, signed his autograph, and had his picture taken many times. He had been so well liked during his career that former team members Eddie Shack, Bobby Baun and Mike Walton showed up, as did Cliff Fletcher, Senior Advisor to Leafs president Brendan Shanahan. Shanahan, who was of town, “asked me to be here for George,” said Fletcher. So were many others, waiting for his acceptance speech. Here’s a slightly edited version of that speech. ____ I was told I didn’t have to speak. And I told them why I didn’t want to speak because I’m not very good at it. And I’m just about to prove it to you now. First of all, people are probably
JEREMY LEWIS
Armstrong: Never disappointed in Leaside
Cliff Fletcher says his boss sent him “to be here for George”. wondering, what has he got around his neck up here? And I’ll tell you what it is – it’s a native decoration; it’s like women putting costume jewellery on when they get all dressed up to go out. Natives, we used to put these things on for important occa-
sions like a war dance or a pow wow or things like that. And this is kind of a special occasion. So I wear this on behalf of my mother. In 1960, 55 years ago, I knew that I had to make a move in my life because I had children – Brian and Betty Ann. Brian was six and had to go to school. And the way we were doing it at that time was not ideal. We were putting him into school in Sudbury in September. Taking him out of school in November, putting him in school in Toronto someplace in November, taking him out of school in April, putting him back in school in Sudbury in April to finish the year. So I knew that I had to move to someplace in Toronto yearround so he could go to one school. I had lived in many places – I lived in Stouffville, I lived in Agincourt, I lived at Main and Danforth, I lived on Davisville Ave. – I lived all over the city. I was looking for a place that was close to work – Maple Leaf Gardens – that had good schools, good recreation, and so I chose Leaside to live in. And I must say, I’ve never been disappointed. And now, the cream coming to the top of the milk is me getting inducted into this Leaside Sports Hall
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McKibben From Page 2
Mayor Ford also helped foster those fears). It was a pleasure for much of the world, I think, to watch Canada change course in this last election and go back to its traditional stance in the world. How did your time in Leaside effect your life afterward? I took back to the States a lingering sense of Canadians taking seriously the idea of community. In those days anyway, a kid could cross the street in Toronto just by holding out his hand – you could make a kind of invisible crosswalk. Back in the States that almost got me run over about three times in the first week. It was a wonderful place to grow up, and I think it shaped me in profound ways. I'm awfully grateful to have been there as a 'landed immigrant' for a little while, and always overjoyed to be back for a visit. I'm told my parents should have held on to our little house – that they'd be rich now! ■
Inductees from left to right, Athlete of the Year Reid Humphrey, Tom Irwin (son of inductee Arthur “Laurie” Irwin), Gabby Smyth (granddaughter of inductee Pat (Watt) Friesen), inductee George Armstrong, and inductee Norm “Charlie” Ahier. Inductee Annie Fahlenbock was in Hawaii on her honeymoon. Her sister Meghan accepted the award. And so, when our meetings were over, we’d rush upstairs to the special ticket office to get in line to pick up our tickets to go home so our wives and whoever was going to the game with them could go. And so I got my work done quickly and got upstairs quickly – it was like going through that door over here, and there were stairs right up to the top and then you would line up there. And so, I’m up at the top and I’m about third in line, and things were going kind of slowly, and I’m waiting, and I hear the door downstairs close. I turned around and looked and there was Bobby Baun coming up the stairs. And so he comes over and he stands behind me. There’re no
young kids here (so I can say) I had my hand behind my back, and I kinda give Bobby Baun a little flick in the jewels, kind of thing. And I’m waiting there, expecting to get a punch in the back of my shoulder or in the back of my head or something, and nothing happened, you know? So I turned around and I was going to say something to Bobby Baun, and there’s a guy standing there I never saw before in my life! That is a true story and I will close with that. Thank you very much! ___ You can watch the video of his speech and the video introduction to it at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ZHAqJbjcJP0
Costco From Page 3
Costco originally planned to build a gas bar next to the store, with 18 pumps. Imagine the chaos of cars turning across the HOV lane on Overlea to get to the gas pumps, cutting through Heritage Funeral Home’s property and blocking off customers for Iqbal’s Halal Foods, the largest Asian grocery store in Ontario and the major employer of local Thorncliffe residents. Imagine long delays to the seven TTC routes along Overlea, including the 88 South Leaside buses, as drivers waiting to turn into the gas bar block traffic along Overlea and create further congestion at the Overlea/Millwood intersection. Imagine the air pollution from all of those idling cars waiting for their turn at a pump. Fortunately Councillor Jon Burnside has negotiated with Costco a deferral of any gas bar, at least for another couple of years, until an in-
dependent traffic study and analysis is done once the store has been open for six months. But it’s no certainty that a gas bar can be prevented in the future. LPOA intends to ensure that this traffic study is done properly, looks at ALL of the facts, and is indeed independent. We will work with Councillor Burnside to press the city’s planning and transportation staff to take into account ALL of the data this time around, and to hold public consultation meetings in both Leaside and Thorncliffe. –––– The LPOA board meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month, at the Trace Manes building on Rumsey, by Leaside Library. These meetings are open to the public and we encourage you to attend, with questions, with issues you’d like advice on, or just to listen in. Our next meeting is on Wednesday Dec. 2. ■
Leaside Life, December 2015
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JEREMY LEWIS
of Fame. I don’t know whether I deserve it or not but I sure am happy to get it. Being chosen to go in with such worthy people as were elected to go in today, I’m very happy to be part of that. I’m especially happy and thankful to have fellows such as Mike Walton and Bobby Baun and Eddie Shack and Mr. Fletcher come out here on this occasion. I guess they’ve added a great deal to this event here tonight for you people, I’m sure. I think that’s about all except to say that hockey’s a great game. It’s a very serious sport and we had a lot of fun playing it. And people say, well, as long as you have fun playing … well, the only time I had fun is when we were winning! I never had much fun when we were losing – I’ll tell you that much! And I have one very serious story to tell you before we leave, and it involves one of the fellows who is here now – his name is Bobby Baun. Down at Maple Leaf Gardens on Saturdays before the game we had to go down and fix our sticks and try our skates out at noon and make sure everything was right for the game that night. And after that we’d go and fix our tickets also, because we all used to get a pair of free tickets to go to the game.
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Leaside Life, December 2015
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Streetscape photo winners “My wife will be extremely happy as it was her that keeps telling me to submit pictures,” said Steve Nastos, of Eglinton East, winner of the Leaside Streetscape Photo Contest run by Leaside Matters, the new internet organization that wants to enhance the Leaside community. “I’ve always wanted to try and capture the beauty of Bessborough (above) and this gave me the opportunity to do so,” he wrote. “Thank you!” He wins a Leaside Matters canvas bag. The photo at right, by Sarah Lee, a grade 4 student at Rolph Road school, is the Kids winner of the same contest. She wins a Leaside Matters t-shirt. She took the photo of the rear entrance of the school from Randolph Rd. She likes to take photos with the family’s smart phones. ____ Why a photo contest? Connor Turnbull, co-chair of Leaside Matters, explains: “Leaside Matters wanted to invite people to pause and take stock of what is around them every day and to think about what makes Leaside feel the way it does to the majority of people who live here.” ■
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Verdi Restaurant on Bayview, just north of Belsize, is not the place for teenagers at first glance. “Older, dated,” said Christopher Lexovsky, of Glenvale Blvd. He and teen neighbour Emma Zivot, who said the place was “nice,” say they wouldn’t choose it with their friends because it’s “too upscale” and adult friendly. But, says Emma’s mother, Leslie MacIntosh, it’s a good place for teenagers. Formal (but not too stiff ) dining where they can be exposed to what a nice, good restaurant looks like and what good service is.” The overall experience, say both mothers Leslie and Kimberly, was “excellent”. As for the look of the place: Kimberly: “Quaint, traditional Italian.” Leslie: “Lovely. Beautiful photographs of Italy on the walls. Clean. Nice lighting.”
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From left, Christopher and Kimberly Lexovsky, Leslie MacIntosh and Emma Zivot We give $100 to help pay for a meal for three Leasiders at any restaurant in our area, the M4G postal code, which includes Leaside, Bennington Heights and the Leaside Business Park (known also as the industrial area). Which probably is not what teens want. But there were some raves about the food. Kimberly had the pasta with chicken and sweet peas in a fourcheese plum tomato cream sauce: “At first the portion looked small but
I barely finished it. It had a thick texture but not too creamy with lots of peas and a generous portion of chicken. I loved it.” Son Christopher was just as happy with orecchiette pasta tossed with a slow braised meat sauce:
Leaside Life, December 2015
First glances can be deceiving
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“Pasta was done perfectly – al dente. The sauce was very classic Bolognese. It was very filling. Enjoyed it very much.” Leslie was more succinct. Her penne pasta with double smoked bacon, vodka and creamy mascarpone cheese sauce was: “Excellent.” Emma had the only disappointment of the night with a slow cooked risotto funghi with wild mushrooms and parmesan cheese: “Too many mushrooms took away from the risotto.” There were no complaints about the appetizers and desserts. Kimberly: “The menu had a modern take on the classic dishes by their ingredients. For example, the basket of bread served with the Caesar salad is made with romaine and kale and topped with crisped prosciutto and artichokes. A lovely surprise and a very good choice. “They also offer wild boar sausage. A pasta dish included candied almonds. I found the menu quite interesting and look forward to going back to try some other items.” That was shared. So was the bruschetta: “Traditional, good sized portions. Very good. “We shared two desserts. We
Leaside Life, December 2015
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were limited due to Emma’s allergies, but what we could have, turned out to be very rewarding: “Crème brulee – the portion surprised us. I have never had such a large portion at a restaurant. My only complaint, the bottom part was pretty cold. I am used to having it room temperature, but it was very tasty. Definitely enough to share. “Tiramisu – our favourite. The plating was interesting. It was served in a tall wide glass like a parfait. It was excellent. Again a very generous portion.” Good service, they said. Leslie: “It appeared as if there were some regular diners, the waiter greeting people who had been there before. A good sign.” Kimberly: “The menu had something for everyone.” That includes a large selection of pizzas from a wood oven. Her final comment: “Great company and great food at a great price point. Despite the traditional décor the menu is full of surprises and the experience is one we look forward to repeating. Very much recommend this spot for families, couples, or a first date.” ■
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Why is that roof still hanging there?
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Leaside Life, December 2015
Many Leasiders have been asking the same question about the SmartCentre on Laird: What going on with the ceiling over the driveway connecting the south side of the main parking lot with Commercial Dr.? It’s unfinished – and an eyesore – years after the mall was completed. Despite numerous calls to Sandra Kaiser, who heads SmartCentre’s community relations department, there’s no explanation or information about plans to complete the work. ■
A drive to repair the old tennis courts at Rolph Road school has been started by Leasiders Linda Carte and Stan Flemming, who are looking for $16,000. They hope to raise the funds from the community by the coming spring so the school board can start work by the summer and have the courts ready by the fall. For information or to donate: chair@rolphroadschool.com. ■
CHRIS POOLE
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LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:36 PM Page 26
Leaside Life, December 2015
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Goodbye Markham Ave., hello Stickney Way. Good thing Markham Ave., a short street that runs from Airdrie to Laird, has no addresses on it, so no homes will be impacted. City Council approved the name change last month as a memorial to Dave Stickney, the former Leaside High teacher, local baseball guru and community leader who died earlier this year. â–
LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:37 PM Page 27
OMB doesn’t care if developer ignores orders 27
One thing is clear from two recent Leaside cases before the Ontario Municipal Board, only one of which we won. The OMB is concerned only with planning metrics, with raw impact. It does not care if the developer broke the rules or ignored city orders. The case that LPOA won was the second time, for 73 Donegall, at the OMB. It was notable to us partly because the owner ignored directives from the city. After the owner’s original request for variances was refused on Jan. 22 last year he applied for and received from the city a building permit for renovation of the existing bungalow which required that the two side walls remained in place, and that it would be renovated in such a way that zoning provisions would be adhered to. During construction the walls were removed and extended on one side. The Building department was called and a stop work order was issued. The city now considered the
Leaside Life, December 2015
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73 Donegall: is that really a driveway?
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dwelling to be new construction. At the OMB hearing a letter was placed into evidence that the sides had to be demolished for safety reasons. In his decision the OMB chair stated that “the Board is unconcerned with the reason for the demolition and the Board does not take into account whether a property has already been constructed without permits. Rather the Board assessed the application on its planning merits.” In June 2015, the Committee of Adjustment once more refused the applicant’s variances, which led to the appeal to the OMB. At the second hearing this past Oct. 5 the variance for minimum required side yard setback and minimum required width of a driveway were again key issues, although an integrated garage had been removed and was no longer an issue. However the design included a three-metre extension of an addition at the rear of the house that followed the new setback, though for a shorter distance than the previous application. The new decision says, “What the Board wrote in last year’s hearing for the previous length variances is equally applicable today for the reduced side yard variances in broad planning terms: the design contributes to an already undesirable condition by creating additional built form… that impacts an adjacent resident and which also fails to acknowledge or respond to the overall narrowness of the lot and the general compactness of side by side development between 71, 73 and 75 Donegall Drive.” It seems to me that the case turned on the need to ensure that a mutual driveway continued to function as a viable access by both parties in the way it always had. This is a pretty basic issue but important nevertheless. The wider issues of “fit” and “character” were not the key consideration in 79 Donegall’s second OMB hearing.
WANTED Leaside Life is looking for Leasiders with journalism experience to offer some help each month. We pay peanuts (because we’re small) but there are rewards in spending a bit of time keeping the community informed. Please send a resume to leasidelife@gmail.com. ■
LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:37 PM Page 29
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Leaside Life, December 2015
At 309 Bessborough the case concerned the developer’s appeal of the decision of the Committee of Adjustment to reject the minor variance application to permit the construction of a new two-storey detached dwelling and demolition of the existing house. The case was heard on August 25 and reported in the October edition of Leaside Life. The decision, to allow the appeal and the minor variances, was released Sept. 25. In this case, involving the same chair as in 73 Donegall, the OMB said it “has assessed this application in the context of the planning evidence on file and only Mr. Tinker’s (the planner for the applicant) qualified expertise was persuasive to the Boardâ€?. He also wrote that “To give comfort to the LPOA the Board will continue to assess development applications on their individual merits and it will recognize that not all applications receive Board approval.â€? It is also clear to me that if we really want to ensure that buildings “fitâ€? in our community, we need more sophisticated tools, such as design guidelines that can be enforced, site plan approval, and more listing and designation of heritage buildings and streetscapes. â–
LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:37 PM Page 30
Jon Burnside Councillor, Toronto Ward 26 Don Valley West
Leaside Life, December 2015
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Will we lose traffic lanes on Eglinton? JESSICA, NANCY, NIA
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While most of us have heard the term Eglinton Connects, perhaps not everyone knows exactly what it means and the implications for Leaside. Eglinton Connects is the city's plan for the future of Eglinton Ave. along the Crosstown LRT line. It was approved by City Council in the closing days of its last term (May 2014). Given the number of development proposals on Eglinton, most of us have been focused on the "built form" aspects of the study – the size, height and density permitted for new developments. However, a crucial aspect of the study which seems to have been largely overlooked is the lane configurations on Eglinton Ave., particularly at Bayview Ave. and Laird Dr. The plan is to eliminate one eastbound lane on Eglinton as well as the westbound designated right turn lane at Bayview In both cases, we can anticipate increased traffic cutting through the neighbourhood to avoid congestion at the intersections. Currently, there are three eastbound lanes at Laird with the curb lane used primarily by buses and cars making right turns. While I understand the elimination of the third lane to create bike lanes, there needs to be a designated right turn lane as well. With only two eastbound lanes, through traffic will often be reduced to one lane as the other will be blocked with cars waiting to turn
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LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:37 PM Page 31
right. The same situation can be expected westbound on Eglinton at Bayview. My understanding is that the city's Planning Department was trying to dissuade vehicular traffic but I am concerned that these lane revisions will actually motivate drivers to cut through our neighbourhood. The impact the Eglinton LRT will have on traffic volumes is unknown, but we do know that we already have a serious problem and that we can't take a chance making matters worse. Although the lane configurations were approved as part of Eglinton Connects, I met with our city's Transportation Department as well as Metrolinx. There is still a possibility to adjust both intersections and I am just waiting to hear back about any financial implications. In the meantime, I encourage you to contact Metrolinx to voice your concerns. (416 874 5900, www.metrolinx.com). I would like to extend a special thanks to North Leaside Traffic Committee member John Gaitanakis for bringing this issue to my attention. â–
Leaside Life, December 2015
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LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:38 PM Page 32
939 EGLINTON – 1
Leaside Life, December 2015
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What is the impact of 1,500 new homes? Just another development that Leasiders oppose …same as always? Or is it “100 percent inappropriate” as Councillor Burnside stated in closing the Oct. 27 community meeting called to present and discuss the proposal, for 939 Eglinton East, attended by over 150 people? At 1,500 units this is by far the largest development proposal in Leaside’s history. It’s 40 percent bigger than the previous largest project – the Kosmor development east of Brentcliffe, which was finally approved in 2001, after a bitter battle fought at the Ontario Municipal Board by the East York Council and the LPOA. Let’s look at the proposal by the numbers. There are four towers, two with 19 and 24 storeys connected by an eight-storey mid-rise building, and two having 31 and 34 storeys connected by another eight-storey mid-rise building. There is also some retail and commercial/office space, less than exists on the site now. Kosmor’s three towers (10, 14 and 18 storeys) and Hyde Park townhouses will undoubtably be cited by
velopment. The challenges include dealing with pressure on traffic, water and sewer infrastructure, schools, parks, and other community facilities. Such infrastructure satisfactorily handles the needs of Leaside as a town of almost 7,000 homes and 20,000 people, but can it cope with an influx of 2,400 units and perhaps 5,000 people? Sure the Leaside industrial area now has lots of retail (there’s no food desert here!) but the schools are at capacity, and the parks and community centre/arena are barely adequate now. Of course while these are the “tangible” and quantifiable impacts of large high density developments, there are also the subtler aspects of Leaside and Bennington Heights that we value: the small town feel, the leafy streets, peacefulness, cleanliness, safety, consistent streetscapes and setbacks, good schools, recreation and community facilities, walkability/ bikeability, and ease of access to public transportation and down-
Geoff Kettel
Saving old Leaside Diamondcorp as the precedent to justify their expansive vision of major residential development in the Eglinton corridor section of the Leaside Business Park. They have first-hand knowledge of the Leaside industrial area site; Steve Diamond was the lawyer for Kosmor at the time. But from a planning perspective we need to ask: What is the impact of another 1,500 units (on top of Kosmor’s 1,146 units) in Leaside’s industrial area, along with another 900 upcoming units in the Leaside residential area? These large scale development applications both approved and currently under consideration pose a host of planning challenges for the community that stem from the massive and unprecedented scale of de-
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LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:39 PM Page 33
density is out of scale, and out of character for the area, which includes a low-rise residential community north of Eglinton, Kosmor development farther east, and commercial 33 uses to the immediate west, east and south. This one project, if approved, would create a 22.3 percent increase
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THANK YOU to the residents of Leaside for the opportunity to have served as your representative in the House of Commons. It has been a tremendous honour and privilege. Best wishes to Rob Oliphant as he undertakes his new responsibilities.
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tion has not been considered in any meaningful way. 3. Excessive and Inappropriate Massing and Density While there is provision for office uses on the southern part of the site, the major component of the proposal is for high-rise, high-density residential development. The massing and
Leaside Life, December 2015
town. How will these be impacted by new development? Just another development, or 100 percent inappropriate? What do you think? Here are the LPOA preliminary comments on the development proposal to city Planning. 1. Official Plan Conformity The proposed zoning by-law amendment does not conform to the intent of the Toronto Official Plan’s Mixed Use Area policies for the following reason: The Official Plan envisages a decline in residential density as one goes from the Downtown, to the Centres, to the Avenues, and then to other Mixed Use Areas. As the city generally associates mid-rise development as being appropriate for the areas identified as Avenues, the proposed 19-, 24-, 31- and 34-storey residential “tall building development” is completely contrary to what the Official Plan envisions for Mixed Use Areas, particularly those not designated as an Avenue. 2. Eglinton Connects Planning Context The Eglinton Connects planning work identified the need for a number of Focus Area studies along Eglinton. The Laird Focus area study was to examine the area bound by Laird on the west, Eglinton on the north, Aerodrome Cres. on the east and Vanderhoof on the south, and therefore encompass 939 Eglinton East. Unfortunately the Laird Focus Area study has not begun. We understand that subject to availability of funds, the project may commence in 2016. The absence of the Focus Area study means that the suitability of the site for intensifica-
LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:39 PM Page 34
Leaside Life, December 2015
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in the number of residential units currently in place in the Leaside residential area and Leaside Business Park. Such impacts need to be carefully considered – NOW! 4. Business Park Context The implications of the proposal are difficult to evaluate in the absence of a detailed plan for the Leaside Business Park. The continuing erosion of the industrial base of the Business Park and its conversion to retail “power centres” on the Laird Dr. side, residential on the east side, and “soft commercial” on Wicksteed, negatively threatens the future of the “core” industries of the Park. The city badly needs to consider the future direction of Leaside Business Park in light of these pressures to have a basis for decision-making on individual properties. 5. Traffic The Leaside community is experiencing major increases in traffic on Laird and on local streets near the subject property. With the ongoing construction associated with the Light Rail Transit and the commercial development to the south of it, it is imperative that a comprehensive traffic study be undertaken to ensure that whatever development is permitted on the subject lands will not cause a further deterioration in what is already a tenuous situation. The LPOA made a number of recommendations: • that the proposal be scaled back to one that would be in keeping with the Mixed Use Areas policies; • that the city move to accelerate the initiation of the Laird Focus Area study and expand it to include the west side of Laird, the Eglinton frontage from Sutherland to Laird and the Leaside Business Park; • that a comprehensive traffic study be undertaken to ensure that the area’s existing traffic problems are not made worse We await a response by the developer to the concerns of the community as expressed at the Oct. 27 meeting, and the LPOA. ■
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A South American soccer player who would probably have become an alcoholic was the guest speaker at a Leaside United Church rally last month that raised over $20,000 to help poor and abandoned kids in Honduras. Eduardo Bennett, a graduate of the El Hogar centre, was sent there by his mother who feared for his future. The rally was a car scavenger hunt throughout the community. ■
LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:39 PM Page 35
939 EGLINTON – 2
Will Ashworth The business of Leaside complete the entire development, we’re talking about 890 jobs over those three years generating approximately $107 million (an average of $40,0000 annually per job) in income for hardworking construction workers in Toronto. • On a permanent basis, the retail and office space will create 498 jobs, more than the current building is able to generate. Using the same $40,000 average from above, another $20 million in annual economic benefits would be created as a result of the non-residential components of the development. • An estimated $14 million in onetime development charges will come from the sale of condos. Those funds will go to providing services in the City
of Toronto. • There will be an estimated $2.5 million in land transfer taxes from the initial sale of condos. Future re-sales will generate further revenue for the city. • Add an estimated annual property taxes of $3.3 million and another $1.7 million annually in education funding. So, without looking into the spinoff effects from a development of this size, 939 Eglinton is expected to deliver almost $20 million to the city coffers upfront along with $5 million or more in recurring annual revenue. The federal and provincial governments also benefit from the income taxes paid by both the temporary and permanent employees. These numbers might seem like petty cash for a city Toronto’s size but every penny counts. It could be the difference between more homeless shelters opening in the city, a subject Leasiders understand all too well.
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The planning application put forth by Diamond Corporation in October for the two-hectare property at Brentcliffe and Eglinton, formally known as 939 Eglinton Ave. East, will certainly change Leaside’s landscape forever. While I completely understand why some residents at the meeting were against a 1,500 unit mixed-use development, my role as The business of Leaside columnist is to analyze what this means for businesses currently operating here, those that might choose to open businesses in Leaside as a result of the increased residential population, and those who will benefit directly or indirectly from the construction of 939 Eglinton. For me it’s all about the numbers. Altus Group Economic Consulting prepared a report for Diamond Corporation in 2013 that examined the economic implications of 939 Eglinton. Here are some of the findings: • The construction itself will create an estimated 2,671 person-years of employment. If it takes three years to
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Leaside Life, December 2015
Follow the money trail for this project
LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:39 PM Page 36
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But forget the economic implications for 939 Eglinton for a moment and instead consider the Eglinton LRT and what return the city, province and feds might expect from their multi-billion investment. Including inflation the 30-year Eglinton LRT contract awarded to Crosslinx Transit Solutions in June is valued at $9.1 billion. That number includes a substantial completion payment to the consortium. With 25 stations across the 19kilometre route, both Bayview and Eglinton and Laird and Eglinton have been identified by the city as focus areas where development is needed to support the employment and population growth expected in Toronto. The city can’t ignore Ontario’s growth plan for the Golden Horseshoe after accepting billions from the province to beef up the city’s transit infrastructure. Quid pro quo. Steve Diamond, CEO of Diamond Corporation, stood before all those in attendance at the October meeting at Leaside Memorial Gardens and said he was willing to work with representatives of the community, including Councillor Jon Burnside, to come up with a compromise where everyone wins. I see no reason to doubt him. The Ontario government is going to continue to push to intensify those areas within 500 metres of the Eglinton LRT stations. If not Diamond’s proposal, another will come along that could be even worse. They say a deal is a good one when both parties at the negotiation table feel like they gave up something of value. While I have no way of knowing this for certain, it’s my opinion that Diamond is likely to consider a reduction in the number of units ultimately built in return for cooperation from the community. So, what’s Leaside prepared to give up? ■
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Leaside is growing, and Leaside Life with it. We’re now at a distribution of 9,000 copies. We deliver to all houses in the M4G area through the local firm Accurate Distributing, Laird Dr., and to all condos, apartments and businesses by the Post Office to all of M4G, including the Leaside Business Park, and to a small part of it that’s in the M4H postal area. No other local news publication does that.
LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:39 PM Page 37
This street could win awards for derelict cars Publisher Leaside Life
Ford truck sharing space with a Lincoln arc welder, a cement mixer, a Bobcat, a Case uniloader and a slew of filing cabinets among many other treasures.) The exception to this mess is the rear entrance to All Canadian Self-Storage, which is as clean and swept as its Laird frontage. Another south-side exception is the business of Aris Auto, operating out of a Quonset hut. Aris Stathakos describes himself as an alignment guy, specializing in suspensions and front ends. He’s been in business for 30 years, but here for the last eight years only. People who need his skills find him. There are no big signs out front. The businesses on the north side of the street have their street-side addresses, but there are also several unnamed roads leading into what was the Canada Varnish complex with many buildings in various states of disrepair. On one building there is a new
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garage door, with a sign saying Rushforth Electric. I had wondered where they had gone when the house on Randolph, which had their business in the basement, was sold. The only advertising sign you’ll see at the Laird/Canvarco intersection is one for Ironman. A letter on his door states that he’ll welcome visitors on Saturdays, or before 9 a.m. on weekdays. The letter, dated December/12, says that he’s been in business for 31 years, is proud that his grandfather and father taught him the trade, and he’s proud of his Greek heritage. Another sign outside says, “All welding repairs done on site. Disposal bins.” I was on Canvarco on the search for a kayak business, because of the kayak displayed at Andy Elder’s Grilltime. Found it, and got to talk with Mike Fekete of Kayak Sport Canada, who said the business moved here 10 years ago after operating out of his garage for years. He found the location while riding around on his bike. As he said, “Paddlers don’t like fancy” and this location certainly fits the bill. His specialty now is repairing, but with his son, Dav NemethyFekete, they also sell kayaks, canoes,
Leaside Life, December 2015
I’ll wager not too many of you have been down to the far end of Canvarco Rd., unless you were trying to find a way to loop around the back of what was the Leaside Industrial Area, now the Leaside Business Park, or trying to find the offices of Urban Garden at 25 Canvarco. The street name comes from Canada Varnish Limited, started in 1924, an original occupant of the street. Forty-something years ago you could still hear the carillon from Canada Varnish several times a day. Now it is gone, as is its carillon, but a variety of businesses carry on. At the dead end of the street, Urban Garden is a tenant, having moved here in 2007 for more space. Their surroundings are scruffy, but their office is modern and clean. Their clients are condos or commercial buildings, with some residential. Stanley, the friendly wire-haired dog, gives the office added character. Most properties and businesses on the south side of the street could win awards for the number of derelict cars, piles of tires, disposal bins and odd bits of old industrial equipment on their properties. (I saw an old fire department pump No. 2
LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:39 PM Page 38
Former MP will be interim minister
stand up paddleboards, paddles and other equipment. Mike told me that the four-man crew he was on from the Island 38 Canoe Club won the Canadian Championship in Welland in 1979, with a record that stood for 10 years. What he didn’t tell me was that he is a certified sprint kayak/canoe coach, physical therapist, rehab specialist, strength and conditioning specialist and personal trainer, who studied in Hungary and Canada. â–
Leaside Life, December 2015
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Former PC Member of Parliament David MacDonald, who was minister of communication in the Joe Clark government in 1979-80, is the interim minister at Leaside United Church from Nov. 1 until Apr. 30 while the congregation searches for a permanent replacement for John Smith, who left at the end of October. "I have been an active member of the Leaside congregation for the past few years," says MacDonald, "so this is like getting up from the pew, stepping up behind the pulpit and just taking over. At least for a few months." MacDonald, who lives in the Beaches, was first elected to the House of Commons representing his native Prince Edward Island 50 years ago. He had been a church minister there too. â–
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JON BURNSIDE
Professional Service for over 35 Years
410 Moore Avenue (at Bayview) Toronto, Ontario M4G 1C9
416-480-9856 www.aireontv.com
HOME THEATR E SPECIAL ISTS
COUNCILLOR ward26.ca 416.392.0215 councillor_burnside@toronto.ca
Your neighbourhood travel agency Tours, cruises, travel insurance 1569 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4G 3B5 (416) 485-5057
FOOTCARE
For Over 25 Years!
by REGISTERED NURSE with special training. In your home.
DVA accepted For an appointment call est. 1938
(416) 421-4243
fruit@badalis.ca 1587 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4G 3B5 Tel: (416) 488-4232
LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:39 PM Page 39
OPEN 39
PC Decadent cookies $
1.99
6 pack croissants $
1.99
3lb onion 2 for $
3.00
PC 8 Roll Toilet paper $
2.99
Broccoli 2 for $
4.00
Powerade $
French bread loaf $
PC Cooked BBQ chickens $
FM 3lb Carrots 2 for $
0.99
0.99
8.99
Boneless skinless chicken breast CP $ /lb
3.00
Offers effective from Dec 1 to Dec 24
5.99
Happy holidays from the staff at McDowell’s
1500 Bayview Avenue
416-486-8294
Leaside Life, December 2015
|
7 DAYS A WEEK
LeasideLife issue 44 final_LeasideLifev1 15-11-23 2:39 PM Page 40
40
Leaside Life, December 2015
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Y YE EAR warehouse w wa arehous usse sale ssa a ale le e
TERS. OUTERWEAR. ERWEA ACCESSORIES.
Now w till Dec 12, 2015 MonMon-Fri: Mon 10am-6pm Sat: 10am-5pm Sun: 12pm-5pm
22 Research Road To oronto, ON 416.42 416.421.3773 ext.165
DEC C 2-6 2 6 BUY 3 GET THE 4TH ITEM
FREE FR REE
ENTIRE NTIRE E STORE* STORE STOR *of of equal or lesser value
DEC C 7-9 7 9
20% 0% % OFF OF
ALL LL SW SWEATERS WEATERS
DEC C 10-12 10 12 BUY Y 2 GET 1
FREE FR REE
ENTIRE NTIRE E STORE STOR STORE* *of of equal or lesser value
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@ParkhurstKnits