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LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:14 PM Page 1

No. 5 • April 2012

Leaside Life

A big show at school __ P-27

Petition against plans on PO site By ANDREA VILLIERS

A flyer circulated to nearby residents quickly gathered more than 60 signatures. The new owner of the property had requested the removal to make room for a garage at the back of the property. On Aug. 19 last year a city by-law inspector visited the site and determined the tree could be destroyed because of a problem where the trunk splits into two branches. The Silver Maple measured about 18 feet in circumference at its

“I am trying to be proactive,” says Deni Papetti, a Malcolm Rd. architect who lives next door to the former post office on Laird Dr. Concerned about the proposed redevelopment there Papetti knocked on doors on Krawchuk Lane, Malcolm and Randolph Rd. with a letter outlining the proposal and a petition in hand. He got 56 neighbours to sign. Many of them expected townhouses to be built, he said. Their biggest concerns are “height, scale, density and traffic”. The site borders four streets: Millwood Rd., Malcolm, Laird Dr. and Southvale Dr. Knightstone Capital proposes to build seven-storey, 96-unit residential condominiums with a retail component at ground level. Two levels of underground parking are included. The plan exceeds what the zoning and planning standards allow. “The best way to reach out to immediate neighbours is to give an understanding of the change,” said Papetti. “It is important for the community and its councillor to be actively involved. If the community is well informed throughout the process the development will work better with the existing neighbourhood.” The redevelopment will change the character of one of the key entry points into Leaside, Papetti says. The condominium will be one of the first buildings people see coming from Millwood Rd. Built without consideration for the character and scope of other such buildings in Leaside could lead to an eyesore. How this project moves forward will affect Krawchuk Lane. The

TREES, Page 7

PETITION, Page 20

A Tree Falls in Leaside … and a big stink breaks out on the street By ANDREA VILLIERS If a tree falls in Leaside does anyone care? It certainly seems so. A massive heritage Silver Maple was taken down by the city in October last year on private property on Southvale Dr. near Hanna Rd. As the tree came down over a two-week period neighbours started questioning why there was no notification or community consultation. Consequently the neighbourhood group Leaside Trees was formed by concerned citizens, most of whom live near the site.

LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:14 PM Page 2

Looking for a BIA 2

Leaside Life, April 2012

Some Bayview Ave. merchants concerned about fierce competition from the power centres on Laird Dr. believe forming a Business Improvement Area would provide the muscle to bring them more customers. Trae Zammit of Smokin’ Cigar says a big benefit of a BIA is “working with the city to give the merchants a unified voice. We must have foresight. We are seeing a lot of turnover as rents are getting higher. It was business as usual for a long time but now we need to be more creative with the future of business on Bayview.” However, he says, “Nobody wants to step up. Can someone in the neighbourhood take the lead?” But not every merchant is in favour of a BIA. Richard Byford, of Bonnie Byford Real Estate, says, “People think it will automatically happen, but it’s a lot of work to have a BIA. It’s always a lot of work.” He believes merchants of Bayview can boost traffic and bring more customers “without the city taking money out of our pockets”. For example, he says, “We got the Green P parking lot without a BIA.”

Since the late 1980s there have been several attempts at forming a BIA. The most recent was in the spring of 2010. BIAs are a formal association of commercial property owners and tenants. Funding comes from a levy on all commercial and industrial properties within the BIA boundary. Members work with the city to make shopping areas attractive. They can create marketing campaigns, street beautification programs and crime prevention strategies. The city matches the funds raised for streetscape beautification. Financial assistance is also available to help with mural projects and commercial façade improvements. Rhonda Fruitman, owner of Whatever Lola Wants, is concerned about the financial implications of a BIA. “I’m financially maxed out with expenses with the building and there’s not an ounce of wiggle room for a BIA,” she says. “Rents and property taxes don’t reflect the lack of business on Bayview.” BIA, Page 14

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LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:14 PM Page 3

Trying to grow urban farming in Leaside

TIM SULLIVAN wants to 'dig up' fellow growers in Leaside. “There’s nothing quite like being able to go out into your own backyard and pick your own vegetables,” says Sullivan, “especially when you consider that most produce you buy has been brought in from hundreds of kilometers away by truck, ship or plane.” Growing your own food is also the best way to guarantee that it’s truly organic. And then there’s the issue of taste, “Freshly grown food just tastes better and it’s more nutritious,” he explains.

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Leaside Life, April 2012

Attention Leaside farmers. Local urban farmer and environmentalist Tim Sullivan is tracking down anyone in the community who’s growing vegetables (or fruit) in their backyards. Sullivan wants to establish our first Leaside Urban Farmers group. His first step is to “dig up” who’s growing what and then organize a farm tour this spring with fellow urban farmers to share knowledge and start building a network. “We need to connect with the community first,” he says. “This will tell us what knowledge we have, what additional expertise we need.” Sullivan’s first step in organizing the community was to join the Leaside Garden Society and make his pitch at the March meeting. He immediately got the names of five interested members. Once his urban farming group is in place, the whole neighbourhood will benefit: Sullivan’s big picture plan includes local events, tours, education, and of course, fresh produce, grown in Leaside.

At 24, Sullivan is passionate 3 about organic market gardening and composting. He’s certainly no stranger to the world of gardening. Pete, his father, has run a landscaping business in the area for over 25 years. “Just start small,” he advises anyone new to the idea, “There’s possibility anywhere to grow something, perhaps in a planter, or a small bed of lettuce, even a single tomato plant. And it doesn’t have to be a lot of work.” Sullivan also suggests trying different plants to see what works rather than worrying about what soil you have. Sullivan grew up in Leaside, attended St. Anselm’s, then graduated as a Environmental Technician. Environmental technology is the study of how industry interacts with the environment. Apart from farming his parent’s backyard, he also works at an Urban Forestry company. Anyone who currently grows vegetables and/or fruit in their Leaside garden is encouraged to contact Sullivan at timsulli@sympatico.ca ■

By BETH PARKER

LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:14 PM Page 4

Worries about post office site plans Leaside Life, April 2012

When the March edition of Leaside Life went to press, we did not have the date of the city’s statutory public meeting regarding the proposed SmartCentre North on Laird and Wicksteed. We have just received confirmation that the meeting will take place on Thurs., March 29, in the William Lea Room of Leaside Community Gardens (7-9 p.m.). Please try to attend! This massive mega-shopping centre development, if approved, would have huge traffic and development implications for Leaside. Moving on to another development issue, the site of the former Leaside Post Office (2 Laird Dr.) has been bought by Knightstone Capital Development. They propose to build a seven-storey residential condominium with a retail component at grade: 96 residential units of one or two bedrooms, with 114 parking spaces in two underground levels accessed from Malcolm Rd. The LPOA was approached by one of the nearby residents on Malcolm Rd., who has been working with his neighbours to try to get

Carol Fripp Vice-president, LPOA

more information. Regrettably, although the city’s planning department and our councillor have met with the developer, there has been no involvement of the community other than a last-minute, earlymorning meeting with several Malcolm neighbours. We have had a brief look at Knightstone’s plans, and are acquiring the reports submitted to the city to examine them in more detail. Among our initial reactions: • It would have significant visual and shadowing impacts on both Malcolm and Krawchuk Lane; also, every floor has an exterior terrace/balcony overlooking rear yards, creating privacy concerns; • It’s really eight storeys: seven occupied floors plus a large full-floor garden penthouse, possibly with recreational or amenity space on the penthouse level;

• The proposed height is excessive for this location (our official plan mandates only four storeys), and the proposed density is an excessive 3.7 FSI; • There is virtually no setback on Malcolm, Millwood, or Krawchuk Lane; this is a gateway entrance to the community, and would be a massive visual intrusion there; • Since the only driveway access is off Malcolm, a short one-way northbound street, imagine the traffic impact along Malcolm, complicated by its proximity to Millwood/ Laird/Southvale turning traffic; • Since the current access to the rear lane would be eliminated, emergency vehicles such as fire services would also be limited to this single access point on Malcolm. LPOA will be working with the nearby residents, who want to hold a meeting with Councillor Parker in the near future, before the planning process gets so far advanced that it’s hard to correct. Stay tuned! LPOA, Page 13

LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:14 PM Page 5

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LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:14 PM Page 6

Lorna Krawchuk Publisher Leaside Life

Leaside Life, April 2012

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One of the things that makes Leaside such an attractive place to live is the large numbers of trees lining the streets. Unfortunately, some of them were planted enough years ago that they are coming to the end of their natural lifetime, and if we don’t continue interspersing new trees among the older ones, we’re going to be feeling very hot and disgruntled a few summers from now when there’s no canopy. It makes a difference when you’re cooling your house in the summer, and when you’re walking along our streets. Just try and imagine what that famous block of Bessborough between Millwood and McRae would look like without that beautiful archway of trees. Trees beautify your property, and at the same time, increase your property value. There are environmental virtues to be had with trees as well. They play a significant role in reducing runoff after a rainfall, take out air polluants, and release carbon into the air. According to Dean Hart, manager of Forestry Operations in the Urban Forestry Branch at the City of Toronto, the aim for tree canopy citywide is a 40 per cent target. While the city-wide canopy now is 26 per cent, we in Leaside are fortunate to be at 35 per cent. Keep your eyes open, though, as you’re walking the neighbourhood, and you’ll see portions of our streets with no mature trees, and no new saplings either. If you live on such a street, I’d encourage you to order a tree from the city. It’s free. While you can’t order one for someone else’s front yard, you can have a conversation with neighbours to encourage them to make that request, via the internet or telephone. www.toronto.ca/311 gets you to a page with graphics for all sorts of city services, including trees. Just click on the section, and you can easily work your way through the ordering process for the front of your property. If you don’t have a computer, simply phone 311 with your request. ■

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TREES, Page 8

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base. The canopy measured more than 100 feet and covered more than 7, 000 square feet. The Leaside Trees website quotes from two independent arborists’ reports (2007 and 2011) that say the tree was “structurally and botanically in fair condition”. Some deficiencies were noted such as small stem cavities and watersprout growth in the lower trunk. And, if the tree were kept, it would “benefit from support cable installation in its crown to help with structural stability”. Residents complain there should have been public notification and consultation. Some say there could be a loophole in the by-law that allows Urban Forestry to unilaterally issue a permit with no public notification if a tree is deemed to be in poor condition. To remove a tree on private property owners must get a permit from the city and pay a non-refundable $300 fee. The owner must also obtain a professional independent arborist’s report on the status of the tree. Normally, the city posts a notice on the property and gives the com-

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munity two weeks to comment. Based on community response the matter is referred to the councillor’s office and Community Council for further review. Neighbours say this was not done. Jody McDonnell, who lives on Southvale, says, “Obviously there is a flaw in the process. Unfortunately, it is the trees that are the losers.” When the tree came down says Beverly Crandall, a former owner of the property, “I was devastated, I literally started to cry. It was such a beautiful tree. The tree provided shade for at least five houses on Southvale and Leacrest.” The City of Toronto passed a tree by-law program in 2006. The by-law says in part: “In particular, the City recognizes that long-lived, large-growing, tree species are an important component of a healthy, diverse urban forest. These trees are, therefore, regarded and recognized as a priority for protection and staff will work in communities to encourage responsible development that protects these and other significant trees.” Neighbours and Leaside Trees say they would like to know why “there is no clarification coming

Leaside Life, April 2012

Trees

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LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:14 PM Page 8

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Leaside Life, April 2012

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Trees From Page 7

from the city as to why they cut down the tree” without public notification or consultation. Councillor John Parker wrote two emails to Leaside Trees. On Nov. 6 he wrote: "I reviewed the file with senior forestry staff for our district. I am told that the tree could have been stabilized and kept viable through various measures at considerable expense, but absent those measures the tree was not viable. “It is not city policy to impose an obligation on an owner to undertake the measures indicated. Accordingly, the tree fit the city's criteria for removal. “I have no opinion of my own on the matter and accept the advice of staff in this case.” On Nov. 10 he wrote: “The City of Toronto has a comprehensive policy of tree protection and a strong commitment to increasing and strengthening its tree canopy in the years ahead. “I cannot comment on the circumstances surrounding each inTREES, Page 10

"Karen took the time to determine what I was looking for and made sure I looked in areas that were safe and would fit my lifestyle and budget. The second day I was in Toronto, she took me to see many houses and the last one was to be my perfect home. Of course other people wanted it as their perfect home and there were multiple offers. With Karen's expertise and guidance we secured the house. I consider myself very lucky to have had Karen as my real estate agent. She not only knows the market and what it takes to compete, she takes the time to know exactly what you need in terms of your new home. Buyers in Toronto who have Karen as their agent should consider themselves very fortunate. I know I do." Patricia F.

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Leaside Life, April 2012

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stance of tree removal. I can confirm, however, that the removal of all trees – public or private – is subject to the city’s policy. “By copy of this reply I invite Dale Kirby of the Forestry department in our district to fill us both in on the tree removal activity currently underway in Leaside.” Leaside Life calls to Urban Forestry about this subject were not returned. ■

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LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:15 PM Page 11

One of just a few female contractors 11

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOUR good care of their houses. I also love the parks, being able to walk everywhere, the schools, being close to downtown, and the Bayview strip. Anything in the community you don’t like? Navigating through the intersection at Eglinton and Brentcliffe. What are your favourite places to hang out? Every day I talk a walk through the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery and up Bayview Ave. back to North Leaside with my friend Sheree. Favourite eating places are Vero, Riz and Fukui Sushi. Favourite activities? Apart from project managing home construction, renovating people’s bathrooms, kitchens, etc., I love reading, cooking and, of course, socializing. This means spending time with the five women in my book club and the 10 women in my dinner club, all Leaside neighbours! ■

Leaside Life, April 2012

Patty Rulli is a North Leaside resident and one of only a handful of female contractors in Toronto. She’s been building homes, renovating houses and landscaping in Leaside for 10 years, recently completing a home on Divadale Dr. and one at Rumsey and Donlea. Her husband, Lou, is a director of Metro (formerly Dominion stores). You may have seen him checking out the Leaside location during its recent makeover. The Rulli daughters, Sarah and Stephanie, both attended Northlea Public School and Leaside High. Sarah skated with the Synergy Synchronized Skating team. How long have you lived in North Leaside? 23 years and “never moving from here”! How many homes? This is our fourth, but we’re here to stay. We’ve got a ravine lot, and a lovely, quiet street. What do you like about Leaside? Everyone’s gardens and the fact that Leaside residents take such

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LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:15 PM Page 12

Season 60 for Pashby ball team

Leaside Life, April 2012

By ALLAN WILLIAMS

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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The Leaside Atom Baseball Association (LABA) is happily celebrating its 60th season, but with a memory that brings a bit of sadness. Dr. Tom ‘Doc’ Pashby, a wellknown Leasider, began sponsoring an LABA team in the 1960s. Sons Bill and Bob Pashby coached the team during the 1970s ‘80s and ‘90s. When Jon Burnside took over as coach in 2003, the team, now named for the Sports Safety Fund that Pashby founded, hadn’t won the championship in many years. “Doc Pashby was now into his 90s and we were determined to win it while he was still alive,” said Burnside. “We almost made it. Pashby died in August 2005 and the team named for him won the championship three weeks later.” The LABA is a hardball house league at Trace Manes Park for boys 9 to 11. Games are played in May and June with playoffs held after the summer break in September. By the mid ‘50s there were already enough boys registering each spring to field eight to 10 teams a year. The size has remained but with a peak of 12 teams during the “Jays fever” of the early ‘90s. “Every child gets a chance to play,” says convenor Norm “Charlie” Ahier. “It’s great to watch nine-yearold ‘rookies’ evolve into more mature, skilled and confident ‘veterans’ by their third year”. Twelve-yearolds graduate to the Leaside Baseball Association, whose games are played at Talbot Park. All coaches, umpires and league executives are volunteers, with many of them having started as players. Many Leaside families have now been involved for generations. Ahier’s father, for example, was league convenor for many years, Norm has been convenor since 1989, and his sons also played. Many Leaside businesses sponsor teams: Gyro Mazda, Tidy’s Flowers, Sports Safety Fund, Johnston & Daniel Realtors, Leishman Landscaping and Peter Sullivan Landscaping, some of them for decades. Stanley’s Cleaners has been a sponsor since the league’s inception in 1953. Registration for boys born in 2000, 2001 and 2002 closes on March 31 and is available at: www.leasideatombaseball.com. ■

LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:15 PM Page 13

LPOA From Page 4

To contact us, write to LPOA, Sunnybrook Postal Outlet, Box 50055, 660 Eglinton East, Toronto M4G 4G1, or come to our meetings (first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.) in the Trace Manes Building at Rumsey/ Millwood). ■

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This will be the seventh year for Leaside’s Spring into Action diabetes cure fundraiser, to be held Sat., April 21, starting from Northlea United Church, 125 Brentcliffe Ave. You can walk, bike or run two, five or 10 K through Sunnybrook Park and then enjoy a post event celebration, local vendor market place and BBQ lunch at 11 a.m., all organized by Barry Samuel’s Insideout Studio. Registation at 9 a.m. 416-8494765 or insideoutstudio.ca/action on Facebook for more information. ■

Leaside Life, April 2012

Seventh year for diabetes

LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:15 PM Page 14

BIA Leaside Life, April 2012

From Page 2

Grant Allardyce, co-owner of The Source for Men, says, “The street definitely needs a BIA. It’s more than improving streets, it’s all about creating events to drive traffic to your street. “People argue it is just another tax grab but it is a minimal cost when you see what can be driven to the area”. A BIA is run by a volunteer board elected from members who serve a four-year term concurrent with the term of city council. The board must be approved by council. The levy is based on the proportionate value of every property’s commercial or industrial assessment. The funds are collected by the city and then given back to the BIA board to manage. There are 72 BIAs in Toronto, the largest number in North America, representing 27,000 businesses. Leaside Life called 64 Bayview merchants to ask their opinion about a BIA. There were 24 who said yes and seven no, six were undecided and 24 did not reply. ■

Leaside Paint Centre 1525 Bayview Avenue www.leasidepaintcentre.com 416 489 7900

LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:15 PM Page 15

Leaside Life, April 2012

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There’s still a lot of work that needs doing Leaside Life, April 2012

THE TEAM behind the fundraising for the new Leaside arena rink (from left, fundraising chair Charlene Kalia, expansion chair Paul Mercer, arena board chair Brooke Biscoe and Councillor John Parker) are not resting on their laurels after recently getting city funding. Kalia explains why they still need more money. “First, we don’t yet know what the final bids will be. Second, some costs are not part of the tender, such as the donor recognition wall in the new rink, and third, every dollar we can raise now is one dollar less that we have to borrow, which will reduce financing costs and keep ice rates down into the future.” Mercer expects the bids for construction to come back in mid-April and the contract to be awarded to one of the six pre-qualified companies shortly afterwards. “Once that happens, we’re optimistic that construction on the new rink can begin in the early summer,” he says. Kalia organised the third annual Laugh out Loud in Leaside comedy fundraiser which drew a full house to

ALLAN WILLIAMS

the William Lea Room at the arena Feb. 24 and raised $40,000. The annual Leaside Girls hockey tournament, held the weekend of March 9-11 drawing 131 teams from across Ontario and beyond, raised more than $30,000, also for the new rink. “We are tremendously grateful to the more than 900 individuals, families and businesses who helped raise the $2.5 million we had committed to raise locally here in the Leaside com-

munity in order to get City Council approval,” says Mercer. If you have not yet contributed to the project you can visit www.leasidearena.com for details on how to do so. Kalia also noted that area residents will shortly receive a letter thanking the local community for its role in getting the project to this stage. “People can also use the reply envelope in that mailing to make their donation,” she added. ■

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Leaside Life, April 2012

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Leaside Life, April 2012

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LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:15 PM Page 19

By BETH PARKER Bessborough School has many stories to tell, including why there’s a safe hidden under one of its stairwells. Back when the school was first opened in 1924, Bessborough’s basement was the location of the local town council. The safe held the wages for those who worked for the town. This is just one of the few pieces of information uncovered as one of Bessborough’s teachers, Bill Shizas, embarks on an archival project for the school. So far his collection of memorabilia includes old report cards, graduation programs, award medals, banners, and a thick album full of priceless photos from the past. “Miss Pepper was the school’s first principal,” he says, pointing to the apparently “photo shy” woman in a group picture in front of the school’s first location at the corner of Laird and McRae. “Miss Pepper started out as both the principal and the only teacher.” At that time, the school had two classrooms, an auditorium and about 50 students. Also in the group is a student, Phil Levett, photographed when he attended in 1948. Levett went on to become one of the original members of the famous boy band of the ‘50s, The Diamonds. Shizas, who’s taught at Bessborough since 1998, took on the archival project two summers ago. He’s tracking down students, teachers and/or their relatives by reviewing the original attendance records still held at the school, as well as looking at lists such as those who served in World War II. Although it’s mostly focused on the early years of Bessborough’s history, the 1920s and ‘30s, Shizas’ collection will be getting material from the ‘40s and ‘50s as he extends his search and people contact him. As the project progresses (and funding is available), Shizas creates displays of what he’s collected, for example, a tribute in the school to Walter Newel, a Bessborough student who died in World War ii, as well as a photo he framed of Earl Bessborough himself in the front entrance way. SCHOOL, Page 29

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Finding school ‘secrets’

LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:16 PM Page 20

Leaside Life, April 2012

Deadline for May, April 10 leasidelife@gmail.com Canadian Federation of University Women Leaside-East York, Thurs., April 19, monthly meeting, Nortlea United Church, 125 Brentcliffe Rd., 7.30 p.m. Guest speaker Daniela Monaldi on Marie SklodowskaCurie. Visitors and new members welcome. www.leaside.org/cfuw St. Cuthbert’s Church, Spring Sale, Sat., April 28 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1399 Bayview: books, stamps, jewellery, treasures, home baking, kitchenware, toys, boutique, hand-knitting, crafts, “art” gallery, odds & ends and small electrical goods. Coffee & donut stop and BBQ. Free games for kids on the Green. 416-485-0329, www.stcuthbertsleaside.com Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury (Anglican) Holy Week Services, 1847 Bayview at Broadway: Maundy Thursday, April 5, 7 p.m. Simple Supper and Maundy Thursday Liturgy. Good Friday, April 6, 10:30 a.m. Liturgy of Good Friday, 3 p.m. Stations of the Cross. Holy Saturday, April 7, 8 p.m. Great Vigil of Easter. Easter Sunday, April 8, 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Easter Eucharist. Leaside Garden Society, April 12, 7:30 p.m. at Leaside Library, 165 McRae Dr., Jeff Mason, horticulturalist: Xeriscaping - Drought Tolerant Gardening. Mason successfully grows over a dozen varieties of perennials in sandy soil at Mason-Hogue Nurseries in Uxbridge. 7 p.m. refreshments and a social time. www.leasidegardensociety.org North Leaside Women’s Group, Northlea United Church, 125 Brentecliffe Rd., Tuesday mornings 9:30 a.m. April 03: Van Ness Florists, April 10: Comedian Dave Sparrow, April 17: Reiki, April 24: Author Marina Endicott. Fees and babysitting information, www.northleasidewomensgroup.com Kilgour Estates condo, 21 Burkebrook Place, Organic Make-over Fair, April 28, 1-4 p.m. Professional makeovers and mini-spas using only organic products. A charitable event for Women's Healthy Environments Network (WHEN). Minimum $5 entrance and several draws for personal make-overs. 416-421-0230, fran.maclure@rogers.com

Petition From Page 1

building is much higher than the townhomes thus creating a potential lack of sunlight. And, when people on Krawchuk Lane open their front door the condo is the first thing they’ll see. This project could bring another 200 people into the street creating a potential for traffic problems and street parking. ■

LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:16 PM Page 21

How we deliver This is the fifth edition of Leaside Life. We want you to know that we’re trying our best to make sure that every house, apartment, condo and business in M4G gets a copy delivered each month. It’s not as straightforward as you might think! Our printer delivers the 8,500 copies to our distributor, who then takes about 4,000 of those to the new location of Postal Station R on Wynford Dr. We pay Canada Post to deliver these copies to the businesses, apartments and condos. The distributor is paid to have his crews deliver to the houses. He also leaves a bundle in the reading room at the Leaside Library. So, if you’re not receiving your copy, and live within our distribution area, or know someone in the area who is also not getting it, please let us know at leasidelife@gmail.com/ ■

Leaside Life, April 2012

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Leaside Life, April 2012

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LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:16 PM Page 23

Trying to make Bayview even more enticing |

John Parker

come feature to our many seniors 23 and parents with young children for whom Bayview is a place to get some fresh air and exercise and meet up with friends, as well as a place to go shopping. As I have noted before, the ponderous planting boxes will not be coming back. Instead, Bayview will be enhanced with new trees that are planted directly into the ground. The long asphalt patches that you see at various places along the sidewalk mark the trenches where the new trees will go. Discipline will be brought to the rules concerning newspaper boxes. Instead of the current random assortment of boxes located wherever they can be fastened to a fixture, newspaper boxes will be limited to particular locations and fastened to a few "corrals" to be provided for the purpose. Bike rings are a story in themselves. The old bike rings are to be replaced by new installations of a new design. But the new models are not ready yet. Meanwhile, the contractor that did the sidewalk installation conscientiously retained a few of the old bike rings and reinstalled them in the fresh concrete of the new sidewalk. What to do, what to do? Stay tuned as the new rings are made available and we figure out where to install the new ones and what to do with the old ones that were reinstalled unexpectedly. â–

Councillor, Toronto Ward 26 Don Valley West

Next step is to enhance the pedestrian experience with what the city calls "street furniture": garbage bins, benches, etc. It turns out that installation of street furniture is an exercise that is distinct from replacing the sidewalk itself. It involves different city officials and different private suppliers. Each step in the process is a separate project. Accordingly, residents can expect the story to unfold on a step by step basis over the weeks to come. First step in the process was to replace the waste bins that were removed when the old sidewalk was torn up. We have now installed the replacement bins. But I want more than we had before. The extra bins are on order and should arrive later this spring. In all we should have a total of nine bins on our side of Bayview between Millwood and Parkhurst. A good day's outing often benefits from a place to sit and rest for a while. For that reason I have ordered the installation of 10 benches along the same stretch. I have specified small benches so that we can maximize the total number, providing as many separate sitting locations as possible. I am hoping that this is a wel-

Leaside Life, April 2012

One of the attractions that Leaside offers its residents is the experience of strolling along the Bayview sidewalk and dropping in on the many and diverse shops on both sides of the street. Over recent years, the casual observer might think there was a campaign afoot to test the determination of our local pedestrian shoppers: utility cuts into the sidewalk making a patchwork quilt of the walking surface, tree planters blocking the path of pedestrians, newspaper boxes located randomly along the curbside, etc. Through it all, however, Leaside residents continued to frequent their local shops and the businesses on Bayview continued to thrive. Well, I want to make the Leaside neighbourhood shopping experience improve and I want to help the local businesses do even better. Last fall the first major step to this end was taken when the city replaced the sidewalk on our side of Bayview from Millwood to Parkhurst. (The stretch from Parkhurst to Eglinton will be replaced later this year.) This was done at no cost to the taxpayer, as city staff and I were able to prevail upon the utility companies themselves to cover the full cost of the project. We also negotiated their agreement to replace the full sidewalk from storefront to curb, rather than merely restore the damaged areas only. This has given us a full new sidewalk down the full length and width of the area in question.

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LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:16 PM Page 24

Leaside Life, April 2012

ROXY ANTSYFEROVA

MAYOR ROB FORD was at the Laughing Out Loud show in February to help raise funds for the new rink at Leaside Arena. From left, Toronto Budget Chief Mike del Grande, Ford, arena fundraising chair Charlene Kalia, Councillor John Parker, and Ward 29 Councillor Mary Fragedakis.

In our Hood By BETH LOTS of smiles at the Annual Laugh out Loud February event benefiting Leaside Arena expansion. Supporters were entertained by an evening of stand-up comedy by David Sparrow with auction prizes that ranged from a ride on a Zamboni to a trip to the Caribbean. Despite a rough week of TTC differences, Mayor Ford accepted Councillor John Parker’s invitation to bring greetings to the crowd and extend his support for this kind of local public-private partnership. Ford applauded the community for its fundraising. The evening was hosted by local real estate agent Charlene Kalia. WHAT in the world is a cheesery? It’s a good time to find out. Our newest restaurant, Millwood Melt Grilled Cheesery, opened Feb. 14 at 901 Millwood Rd. The family business, run by Stephen D’Amico and Aniko Zocs, features various forms of grilled cheese fare made with all natural, wholesome ingredients. Items bear names like Hamelot and Green Machine (you can tell the owners used to be editors and teachers!) Aniko grew up in Leaside and is happy to be back serving “comfort” food for Leasiders. CONGRATULATIONS. Northlea Public School was awarded nine Gold Awards at this year’s Kiwanis Festival and for the second time Northlea Junior Choir won the Best Elementary School Ensemble.

LEASIDE is growing famous members! Garden society member Alice Carriman has been chosen as the recipient of the Agnes Macphail Award. Carriman is described by fellow members as “an active, cheerful participant in our society” and a “spirited, generous woman”. The ceremony was to be held March 24 at 7 p.m. in the True Davidson Council Chambers of the EY Civic Centre. ANOTHER Garden society member, Marilyn Sanders, proudly attended this year’s Genie Awards. Her filmmaker husband, Ron Sanders, was nominated for Achievement in Editing for his film A Dangerous Method. TRAFFIC cones again on Millwood Rd.? Despite a five-year moratorium on digging on Millwood, apparently there are exceptions if Enbridge Gas needs to do new installations or emergency repairs. A PUBLIC meeting will be held on Thurs., March 29 with the developer and City of Toronto planning concerning the SmartCentre application to develop the site at 70 Wicksteed. The meeting will be at the William Lea Room. BESSBOROUGH Public School is going for gold—gold “Eco” status that is. The TDSB EcoSchools program focuses on four themes: waste minimization, energy conservation, school ground greening, and ecological literacy. Plans are now in place at BPS to support these areas, with programs and actions that range from finding ways to reducing photocopying, get students gardening and mulching outside, and developing lesson plans and various activities to improve ecological literacy. ■

LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:16 PM Page 25

When Leaside celebrated its 75th birthday, Alderman Edna Beange organized a celebration dinner in the William Lea Room for the occasion. She wants to be in on the planning of the celebration for Leaside's 100th birthday in 2013. So do Geoff Kettel, John Parker and Lorna Krawchuk. What sort of commemoration appeals to you: street parties, art show, heritage conservation, reenactments, formal events? Are you interested in being involved? You can send your ideas to John Parkers, 416-392-0215 or councilor_parker@toronto.ca. ■

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LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:16 PM Page 26

Money & Brains: almost a quarter of us Leaside Life, April 2012

This third look at Leaside, excerpted from the Environics Analytics study using 2006 Statistics Canada figures, shows the category Money and Brains represented 21.71 per cent of the households (not including Bennington Heights). The Young Digerati represented 41.75 per cent and the Urbane Villagers 22.07. The residents of Money & Brains seem to have it all: high incomes, advanced degrees and sophisticated tastes to match their credentials. Many of these Canadians are empty-nesters or married couples with university-aged children who live in older fashionable homes in urban and suburban neighbourhoods. With nearly 40 percent holding university degrees, Money & Brains consumers exhibit cultured sensibil-

Live

Here Live Better e

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how we’ve changed! ities in the marketplace. They have high rates for going to the theatre, symphony, art galleries and the ballet. At home, they read lots of books, listen to classical music radio stations and subscribe to business, news and travel magazines. A politically active cluster, residents here rank high for working on community projects, serving as volunteers and writing letters to public officials. They also support a long list of philanthropic causes, exercising their well-developed social conscience with both their time and money.

Money & Brains is one of the top clusters for buying financial products. These savvy Canadians invest in virtually every kind of mutual fund available. But these households are also home to a significant proportion of young adults living with their parents, and surveys reveal the popularity of a number of youth-oriented activities -- from skiing and doing aerobics to patronizing nightclubs and rock concerts. But all ages enjoy going to health clubs, basketball games and community theatres. To reach Money & Brains consumers, marketers typically place ads in business and travel publications, during TV golf shows and in the programs of music festivals. The residents of Money & Brains like to cultivate both mind and body. ■

LEASIDE: No better place to live

As all of us Leasiders know, we live better, eat better, relax better, exercise better, know more, think better, earn more money, breathe better air, love better… whatever, than the average number of people who live in Toronto. Well, there’s gotta be some reason for why we appear to live longer and we’ll just leap to that conclusion, thank you. Here’s our ‘proof’. Environics Analytics did an update on its figures for 2011 for Leaside (again not including Bennington Heights) that shows that our population of 15,161 has 11.73 percent of us 75 years or older who are household maintainers. In the notorious wasteland that surrounds us, Metro Toronto, that percentage is only 8.66. What’s more, we beat them in all ages from middle and up. In the 45 to 54 year old age group, the largest segment of our population, we hit 26.73 percent, compared to only 24.8 in Toronto. In the next most populous group, 55 to 64, we’re ahead 19.95 percent to 17.38. We don’t do as well from 65 to 74, only 9.94 to 9.68, and Toronto cleans our clock in the younger group, 35 to 44, hitting 22.59 percent while we slump to 17.75.

But we’d rather live longer, wouldn’t we? And what’s more we have more

LEASIDE TORONTO % Housing owned % Housing rented % Single detached home % Semi detached home % Apartment % Home built before 1946 % Home built 1946-1960 % Home built after 2008 % University degree % In management % Walk to work % Bicycle to work Average household income % Total visible minority

72.26 27.74 52.54 13.26 32.93 40.93 37.03 1.79 49.75 14.83 7.81 2.37 $164.658 11.23

68.64 31.36 42.26 7.62 37.51 9.85 12.54 11.52 29.29 7.86 4.74 0.92 $99,661 45.89

of our young kids living at home, have more homeowners than renters, have more university degrees, more managers, and a higher average income. We don’t seem to stay married and living together quite as much and we have a higher percentage of widows, but we’ll counter that with a higher percentage who commute to work on bikes or just walk. Some interesting figures: About one third of the households in Leaside have just one person and are part of the highest category, 33.41 percent (Toronto 23.28). The next group is of two people, 26.44 percent (27.22). Our happy households (married not separated) hit 56.32 percent, compared to Toronto’s 56.69, and 6.24 percent of us are divorced (5.35). The widow count is 6.35 percent compared to Toronto’s 4.92. But our 25 years and over kids are about twice as likely to move out than in Toronto, 7.6 to 14.36 percent. ■

LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:16 PM Page 27

Leaside Life, April 2012

PHOTOS BY ALISON ROCKWELL

THEY WERE YOUNG, but the kids at Bessborough school put on a dramatic show at the March 2 Cabaret event before a packed auditorium at Leaside High. Among the 52 acts of singers, dancers, comedians and short acts were, from left, Maddy Freeborough, Tara Hymus, Tahryn Dunlop, Jaime Rockwell and Jaycee Comish (with their faces in view below). Cabaret has been a mainstay of the school’s spirit and fundraising efforts for many years. The event co-chair, Jennifer Comish, working with the other co-chair, Alison Rockwell, said it was heartening to see how much effort the participants put into the show, how much the school, volunteer parents, and the entire Leaside community puts into supporting the night. “We also really appreciate the high school for allowing us to use their auditorium, and provide a fantastic student lighting crew that worked the whole show,” she said. Next big school event is Mayfair, the annual family funfair in May.

LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:16 PM Page 28

LETTERS leasidelife@gmail.com

Leaside Life, April 2012

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I am delighted to read the editions of Leaside Life from cover to cover. As a 60-year resident of Leaside I care that we keep in touch with one another. As a long time member of Toronto Council on Aging with a mission to support the “experience of aging” I instinctively check how user friendly a publication is. Could I suggest that a policy be developed to ensure clear sans serif, reasonable size font with good background contrast? It’s frustrating to encounter small items in tiny type. I know space is of great concern but if clarity is a firm policy maybe you can set an example. The CNIB has an excellent booklet, Clear Print Accessibility Guidelines. I would recommend it to anyone concerned with written communication. Edna Beange, Bayview Ave. Congratulations on the early issues of Leaside Life. You are occupying a comfortable niche in being very focussed on a well defined community. The editorial and advertising content is not always possible from the larger community newspapers. Keep digging for interesting news and features. Barry McDermott, Heather Rd.

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LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:16 PM Page 29

Check

www.johnparker.ca

GARY GRAY

FIRST PRINCIPAL of Bessborough school was Mary Pepper, third from left. Rest of the staff, about 1934-35, from left, are Leonard Hill, Ilene Siegner, Lillian Beatrice Milburn, Willis Wright, Ethel Whitely and Hattie Turner.

School From Page 19

Bessborough School started as Leaside Public School in a building at McRae and Laird in 1920. The building (replaced by the current CIBC building) was provided by Canada Wire because most of the students were from families working at the plant. It soon became apparent that the community was growing too fast and a proper school needed to be built.

Leaside Public School opened on its current location in September, 1924. When Rolf Road school opened in 1938, Leaside Public School wasn’t the only Leaside school, so the name was changed to honour Canada’s 14th Governor General, Earl Bessborough. The Bessborough archival project is being financed by funds from the home and school and the Perkins family, which has provided four generations of students at Bessborough, including a granddaughter, currently in kindergarten. To help: shizasbill@hotmail.com/ ■

Leaside Life, April 2012

for news and updates

Councillor

John

Parker WARD 26 · DON VALLEY WEST

councillor_parker@toronto.ca Toronto City Hall 100 Queen Street West, Suite A13 Toronto ON M5H 2N2 www.johnparker.ca

LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:16 PM Page 30

By BETH PARKER Parents down the street, cousins together at daycare, aunts and uncles ‘round the corner—not only does everyone in Leaside know one another, many of them are also related! “We knew it was where we wanted to raise a family,” says Courtney O’Leary, who grew up on Rykert Cres., where her parents still live, and now lives with her husband Eamon on Randoph Rd. with their three children. Courtney started with a bungalow that she bought as an investmentl. The couple has since turned it into a two-storey house to accommodate their growing family. Eamon, who’d “never heard of Leaside,” is now almost more passionate about the neighbourhood than his wife. A few years ago, Eamon’s sister and his brother bought homes a few blocks away. “Plus my sister is now back in the neighbourhood in a home on Killdeer,” adds Courtney. “There are cousins everywhere.” Why move back within blocks of parents and inlaws? At the top of everyone’s list are the schools, followed closely by the nature of the community and the good memories growing up here. “We stayed in the ‘bubble’ of Lea-

Leaside Life, April 2012

The lure that brings ‘em back to Leaside

side,” explains Matthew McKenzie, another returned Leasider, “When my wife and I started looking at homes we went through a checklist and quickly realized that everything we had growing up was what we wanted for our own children.” Matt and Celine first met at Bessborough school when she joined with the influx of kids in Grade 7 from Parkview Hills. They reunited again after university and following marriage moved into a semidetached home Celine had already bought on Glenvale. Matt and Celine recently moved into a larger home on Airdrie, literally a stone’s throw from his parent’s home. “The benefits here are endless,” says Matt, who still hangs out with

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many of his former Leaside High classmates. “It’s safe, good schools, convenient for getting downtown, the ravine, the big box stores....” Without a doubt, purchasing even the smallest Leaside home is a stretch for young couples, who may have to wait a while to get “back” into the community or move away in order to realize what they’ve left behind. Lisa and Brock Jones first bought a home in East York even though she’d grown up in North Leaside. With a new baby on the way, the couple was determined to see what they could manage. Last spring they moved into a home on Donegall. Their three-yearold son attended Mrs. Parks Nursery School (where Lisa also went) and starts junior kindergarten school this fall at Bessborough School. “At first I didn’t want to stay here, but eventually we realized how great we’d had it growing up,” says Lisa. “It meant we had to really stretch ourselves, but it’s well worth the trade-off.” Plus, like the other couples, there’s usually ready-made babysitting close by. “My inlaws live in Burkebrook Place and my parents on Roxville,” both in North Leaside, she adds. ■

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LeasideLife issue 5_LeasideLifev1 13-12-03 11:16 PM Page 31

Come in and judge for yourself! We sell AAA Angus Beef and an nd cut all meat in in-store. store. A butcher W is onsite until 8pm each day for special cuts. resh e fish is deliver re ed daily d fresh delivered by leading suppliers. Our fr

bread in–store. n–storre e. Our br ead is baked daily in–stor produce oduce is deliver delivered red e fr fresh esh daily daily.. W We Our pr e also bring in specialty produce oduce each day dir direct ect fr from ro om local gr growers. owers. pr

Fr Fresh esh goods, gr great eat service and str strong ong pricing. You Y o will be ou b glad you shopped at T Tremblett’s! remblett’s! Conveniently located at 1500 Bayview A Ave.,on ve.,on the cor corner ner of Bayview and Davisville. Lots of fr free ee parking for a big shop or a quick stop for delicious prepared icious pr repared foods to go. Proudly President’ss Choice® Pr Products oducts (416) 486 - 8294 Pr oudly selling President’ Tremblett’s T remblett’s may be a smaller stor store e but we have amazing selection including items that you just can’ can’tt get at other Leaside gr grocery ocery stor stores! es!

Try T ry r this one - Only at T Tremblett’s! rem emblett’s! Grainstorm pr products oducts ar are e easy to use baking mixes made with Ancient Grains and other ingr ingredients edients you can feel gr great eat about! T Try ry ry a muf muffin, ffifin, pancake or coo cookie mix today! Buy any Grainstorm pr product roduct o for $6.99 and get a free fr re ee 500g LIBER LIBERTÉ TÉ Y Yogurt o og gurt ((approximate (apprroximate o value $ $4.99). Coupon Valid untilMar April Coupon V Valid alid a until March ch12/12. 12/12.

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Tremblett’s T remblett’s valu-mart has built its business based ased on fresh esh the highest quality fr produce meat, pr oduce and seafoo seafood.

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Leaside Life, April 2012

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