February 2013 by Vaughan Today

FEBRUARY 2013

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9 AWARD WINNER Rossanna Burgos named Civic Hero for Ward 4. 4 ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S A GAMBLE Would a casino in Vaughan leave the city flush or on skid row? 8 NEW AND IMPROVED The skinny on Vaughan Millsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; renovations.

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francis crescia/vaughan today

CRAP SHOOT: The idea of a casino in Vaughan has many people excited about the jobs and the money it could bring to the local economy, but many are also worried about the potential negative impacts a gambling facility could bring.

Place your bets Is a casino in Vaughan worth the gamble? By Lori Connor

epending on city council’s decision, Ontario Lottery and Gaming could be betting it all on Vaughan. The city is one of several on a list of GTA locations for the province’s newest casino, along with downtown Toronto, Markham and Mississauga. While the matter is under discussion, mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua warns that planning is still in the early stages. “Council has to vote on whether they want to open the door to the possibility of hosting a facility,” Bevilacqua says. “We don’t have a date yet, as we are still gathering information. Once we make a decision, we will inform [Ontario VAUGHAN ToDAY February 2013

Lottery and Gaming].” He says that bringing the $3.3 billion-a-year casino industry to Vaughan will have an impact on the city’s economy. “[Ontario Lottery and Gaming] has preliminarily projected that an integrated entertainment complex will produce approximately $1 to $1.5 billion dollars in capital investment, approximately 3,000 construction jobs for three years and create 8,000 to 10,000 direct jobs,” Bevilacqua says. “The revenues that would be coming to the city are yet to be determined.” If council chooses to throw its chips in with the casino plan, Ontario and Lottery Gaming spokesperson Tony Bitonti says his organization will begin the process of getting qualified gam-

ing operators and capital investors on board. “If a municipality decides that they’re willing to be a host, it doesn’t guarantee that they’re going to get a casino,” he says. “Ultimately, a private sector operator will have to say where they would want it. So if we give them the options — if we say Toronto, Vaughan, the other ones — then they can … do their homework to decide where they would like to be.” Bitonti says that the casino initiative stems from high demand for gambling and a lack of gaming locations in

“The revenues that would be coming to the city are yet to be determined.”

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Steven Del Duca, MPP francis crescia/vaughan today

CATCH A SHOW: Proponents of a Vaughan casino say that most of the site would be devoted to non-gambling activities.

southern Ontario. “[OLG Slots at] Woodbine has about 3,000 slots and, on many weekends, there are two people deep waiting for those slots,” he says, adding that people who want to play poker, blackjack, or roulette have to drive at least an hour outside the GTA to casinos in Rama, Brantford or Niagara Falls. “The facility that we’re proposing for the GTA really stems from an underserviced gaming market.” Local public opinion seems to be turning in favour of a casino in Vaughan, too. The city held a casino referendum in 1997 which saw 72 percent of respondents voting against locating a casino in the community. But a fresh poll conducted by Ontario Lottery and Gaming in August found 55 percent now support the idea. “I am not precisely sure what the drivers of the change in attitudes are,” Bevilacqua says. “But in Vaughan, there has been major change in social, economic, cultural, as well as in the political milieu.” And a facility in Vaughan would be much more than a casino, says Vaughan MPP Steven Del Duca. “These things don’t get built in isolation,” Del Duca says. “Whichever proponent comes forward is not just planning to build a gaming operation. It’s a complex that would only include a gaming floor roughly 10 percent of the total footprint of the project.” The other 90 percent, he predicts, would be made up of convention centre space — something Vaughan is sorely lacking. CONTINUED Page 6

Vaughan

Happy Family Day! You’re invited to join me at my…. Family Day Public Skate Sunday, February 17, 2013 from 1:30pm to 2:30pm Al Palladini Community Centre, 9201 Islington Ave.

Constituency Office of MPP Steven Del Duca 9587 Weston Road, Unit #9, Woodbridge, ON L4H 3A5 905-832-6630 | sdelduca.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org www.stevendelduca.onmpp.ca | @StevenDelDuca Facebook.com/StevenDelDucaMPP February 2013 VAUGHAN ToDAY

Kathleen Timmis

Linett & Timmis Personal Injury Lawyers 1867 Yonge St., Suite 1004, Toronto

416-366-5100 1-800-363-5100 www.linett-timmis.com ktimmis@linett-timmis.com

: My 8 year old child was injured in her gymnastics class at school. She fell off the

pommel horse in the middle of an exercise and fractured her arm in two places. The gym teacher did not have any spotters in place. Is it possible to sue the school for my daughter’s injuries?

: The school may be responsible for your child’s damages if the physical education

francis crescia/vaughan today

other ONE services to your daughter or have experienced JUST MORE PULL: Addiction researchers warn that opening a new casino near recovering problem gamblers could lead them to relapse. a loss of her companionship. Kathleen Timmis, a partner in the personal injury law firm of Linett & Timmis, has been practicing accident and insurance litigation in Toronto for over 21 years. Her firm has established a solid reputation, representing thousands of injured victims and their families throughout Ontario.

Kathleen Timmis

Linett & Timmis Personal Injury Lawyers 1867 Yonge St., Suite 1004, Toronto

416-366-5100 1-800-363-5100 www.linett-timmis.com ktimmis@linett-timmis.com

: My 8 year old child was injured in her gymnastics class at school. She fell off the

pommel horse in the middle of an exercise and fractured her arm in two places. The gym teacher did not have any spotters in place. Is it possible to sue the school for my daughter’s injuries?

: The school may be responsible for your child’s damages if the physical education

instructor was negligent in his or her supervision of class activities. As your child is a minor, an action could be brought by you on her behalf. You may also be entitled to damages personally under the Family Law Act if you have provided nursing or other services to your daughter or have experienced a loss of her companionship. Kathleen Timmis, a partner in the personal injury law firm of Linett

& Timmis, VAUGHAN ToDAY February has been practicing accident2013 and insurance litigation in Toronto for over 21 years. Her firm has established a solid reputation, representing thousands of injured victims and their families throughout Ontario.

Cont. from Page 5

“Here we are in Vaughan, 300,000 people, a new downtown city core being built, a hospital on the way, a subway under construction, [and we] don’t have a convention facility at this time,” Del Duca says. “How much more business could we draw to our city if we could host some of the significant conventions that come to this part of the world?” The complex could also include theatres, restaurants, stores and hotel space. But not everyone is behind the plan. Nigel Turner, gambling studies researcher at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, says a casino in the GTA could have severe ramifications for its population of problem gamblers. “Availability is a particular problem for people with an addiction,” he says. “That’s just as true for [alcohol] or tobacco as it is for gambling. People who live closer to a casino tend to be the most at risk for developing a problem, because it’s harder to get away from it. If they drive by it, they’re triggered by a desire to go back

and recapture some of that excitement.” Turner says that people who have had difficulties with gambling addiction in the past are at a very high risk of relapsing, especially if a casino pops up nearby. But he admits that it’s difficult to foresee the exact outcome of a casino being installed in the GTA. “It doesn’t happen enough that we can get a really good estimate of the measurement,” he says. “Right now, Toronto has one of the lowest problem gambling rates in Canada. That’s because it doesn’t have a casino. That will change ... if it gets a casino.” An increase in gambling addictions could overtax key resources, such as the prison system, if desperate gamblers turn to crime. “There are quite a large number of people with gambling problems in the criminal justice system already,” Turner says. “Right now, there’s very little in the way of treatment services for people who are incarcerated.” Bitonti says Ontario Lottery and Gaming recognizes the risks that come with casinos. He cites

the province’s $40 million responsible gambling program, as well as the $13 million Ontario Lottery and Gaming spends on education. Potential GTA casino operators will have to agree to measures such as facial recognition systems and responsible gambling resource centres. “When slot machines were introduced 20 years ago, that was something new and we did see a spike in problem gambling,” Bitonti says. “But then it tapered off.” Bevilacqua says that the question of problem gamblers is just one of many factors council is taking into account. “If the entertainment cultural district with a casino would be detrimental to the city’s quality of life and its standard of living, it will not go ahead,” Bevilacqua says. “The issue needs to be examined holistically and that’s what we are doing.” For now, they’ll continue gathering information. A full report is expected in March. “Change is very constant in our city,” Bevilacqua says. “Ultimately, the citizens will decide.”

Betting on the future Provincial gaming head says system must modernize By Eric Emin Wood

efore Christmas, Rod Phillips, president and CEO of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, visited Vaughan Today to outline his organization’s plans for the future of gambling in the province. In March, 2012 the corporation conducted a strategic business review which concluded that despite the organization’s profits — it provided the province with just under $2 billion in revenue last year — its business model was failing. For example, he said that 10 years ago the casinos along the U.S./Canada border earned around $800 million in profits. This year they’re projected to earn the province less than $100 million. Ten years ago, one in three adults over 45 played the lottery regularly. Today, that number is around one in 14. As a result, the organization has announced a modernization plan — which prominently includes a new gambling facility in the GTA that could be located in Toronto. Phillips emphasized that no location has been chosen yet and that the corporation is holding discussions with community leaders and potential facility operators to ensure that the new casino is located in the right community. “We want to talk to as many people as we can,” he said. “We’re going to do that through every means we can.” When asked about his organization’s commitment to promoting

“We want to talk to as many people as we can.”

responsible gambling, Phillips said he’s organized a group of advisors made up of problem gamblers, which he meets with four times per year. He also noted that the first groups consulted about the modernization process were those involved with problem gambling like the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Paul Pellizzari, the organization’s director of policy and social responsibility, said Ontario Lottery cooperates with the province’s Ministry of Health to spend $28 million on free addictions counselling every year, which it makes available in every community with a casino. Each of the organization’s gambling facilities includes an addiction resource centre run by the Responsible Gambling Council, an independent not-for-profit, he said. When planning its responsible gambling initiatives for the proposed GTA casino, the corporation has utilized what Pellizzari called an “adaptation model,” knowing that problem cases might shift from other parts of Ontario to the GTA. “When you introduce a new form of gambling to a population there will be a short-term spike in the cases of problem gambling,” he said. “Over time it sort of levels off.” Meanwhile, the organization has enhanced its self-exclusion program for admitted gambling addicts by installing facial recognition technology at each of its casinos that detects people, including problem gamblers, whenever they enter a site. “We can never eliminate risk,” Pellizzari said. “Risk is part of gambling, [but] we can add the seat belts and air bags and crumple zones.”

eric emin wood/vaughan today

CASINO COMING: Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation CEO Rod Phillips, right, says his office is in the midst of consultations with community members and stakeholders over the location of the planned GTA casino.

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February 2013 VAUGHAN ToDAY

Vaughan Mills makeover By ann ruppenstein

alling all shopaholics and Lego lovers. Vaughan Mills shopping centre is set for an $87-million redevelopment and expansion, which will see the addition of 50 new retailers as well as interior and exterior upgrades. “We are thrilled to bring the exceptional shopping experience at Vaughan Mills to a whole new level,” general manager of Vaughan Mills Stephen Gascoine said. “In addition to enhancing the centre’s interior appeal, we are especially excited about welcoming new retailers who share our vision of Vaughan Mills’ potential.” On Jan. 16, property management and development company Ivanhoé Cambridge, which built the mall in 2004, announced the project, which includes renovations to the common areas and food court, a new entertainment court and entrance, 450 additional parking stalls, and a design that will build off of the existing Discover Ontario theme. Construction on the site, which sees roughly 13.5 million shop-

pers a year, is slated to begin this spring. “As one of Ivanhoé Cambridge’s iconic properties, Vaughan Mills reflects the success of our operational platform and our expertise in property management and development,” vice president of retail development at Ivanhoé Cambridge, central region, David Baffa said. “We are committed to investing and adding value to our properties and to capitalizing on growth opportunities.” Once completed, Vaughan Mills will feature a total of 19 major tenants and 250 stores, including a LegoLand Discovery Centre, which is scheduled to open on March 1. Specifically designed for families with children from 3 to 10 years old, the interactive and educational indoor centre will feature over three million Lego bricks and house several interactive features like play areas, a 4D cinema, master classes from Lego model builders, rides, special party rooms and Miniland, a recreation of Ontario landmarks all made out of Lego.

It’s in your genes

PETER KENT MP THORNHILL Serving the constituents of Thornhill

Feel free to write me or visit my office for: * passport applications * immigration questions * federal government services assistance * communications with me I also welcome all queries on the everyday issues that matter most to you

Hon. Peter Kent, MP - Thornhill 7378 Yonge Street Suite 41B Thornhill, ON L4J 8J1 Telephone: 905-886-9911 Email: Kentp@parl.gc.ca www.peterkent.ca

More local news and views at

www. VaughanToday.ca VAUGHAN ToDAY February 2013

photo courtesy Vaughan Mills

Why some loose weight while others don’t

ave you ever wondered why some people are able to easily burn off that cookie easier than others? Or why two people can be on the same diet with the same body type, with the same goal of either losing or gaining weight and have totally different results? There are many reasons why this can happen. In part it might come down to what’s been called nutritional genomics. Nutritional genomics describes the interactions between a person’s genes and the food they ingest and how their body responds to it. So two people with different genetic make up can both eat chocolates and maybe only one of them will pack on the extra pounds. Nutritional genomics looks at two key areas: 1. Nutrigenetics, or how your genes can influence the activity of nutrients entering into your body through: Absorption rate: How much and how quickly your body will absorb nutrients like vitamin C. Nutrient use and metabolism: How quickly substances are metabolized in the body. Nutrient requirements: Because people have different absorption and metabolism rates, everyone requires a different amount of key nutrients. Food and nutrient tolerances: Our genes may influence our tolerance to certain foods such as dairy or gluten.

2. Nutrigenomics, or how nutrients influence the activity of your genes. All food and substances entering your body can affect your existing genetic make up through: Gene mutation, which can be a natural process, that may make you susceptible to some forms of disease. Gene expression, which can be a good thing or bad thing. Some genes we want expressed (like those that suppress tumors) and some genes we don’t want expressed (like those linked to cancer). This research is fairly new but discoveries are being made, including a possible connection between the consumption of red meat and colon cancer. According to research, if an individual has a mutation in the “NAT 2” (N-acetyl transferase) and “CYP1A2” (cytochrome p450 1a2) they have a higher risk for developing colon cancer from eating red meat. Those without these gene mutations can eat red meat without the added risk. However, to construct a diet plan based on an individual’s genetic make-up a sample of the person’s genome is taken, which can be very expensive. It also may open up your genome to access by insurance companies. Overall, this may be the future of understanding the relationship between your diet, genetic make-up and the development of disease. — Michael Appugliese is a certified personal trainer at Paul’s Boot Camp in Woodbridge.

She’s our hero Rossanna Burgos recognized by city for her efforts at Herbert H. Carnegie school By Che Perreira

or Maple’s Rossanna Burgos, receiving a Civic Hero award has been a rewarding, yet emotional ride. “I started to cry when I found out,” she says. Burgos received the award for Ward 4 from Vaughan Council for her volunteer work and leadership of the parent council at Herbert. H. Carnegie Public School. Living in Vaughan has been a blessing says Burgos, who has resided in the community for over four years with her husband and two kids. “We wanted a community with a good school, good neighbours and safety,” Burgos says. “We have found all of these in Vaughan.” Ward 4 councillor Sandra Yeung Racco says she appreciates Burgos’ commitment to the school. “She exemplifies what a true volunteer is,” Yeung Racco says. “She spares a lot of her time, despite being a parent of two, to make sure the school community is a healthy one.” As part of her parent council duties, Burgos helps organize family events such as bingo, sports, movie nights and fundraisers. “I do it for the kids, I love seeing them smile,” Burgos says. “This is the beginning of the future for them and it is important to show them that there are people who care.” One of her most recent successes was an initiative she organized to encourage parents to have their kids walk to school. Yeung Racco says this is crucial because encouraging kids to walk eliminates traffic gridlock and keeps kids active. “It’s not that kids don’t like to walk, it’s just sometimes their parents don’t feel it is safe for them to do so,” she says. “[Burgos] helped assure parents that it would be safe for their kids to walk to school.” There have been a large number of students walking as a result of this initiative, says Yeung Racco, which has made the school eligible for a crossing guard. “We have met it because of [Burgos’] efforts,” she says. Burgos was also instrumental in collecting toys for CTV’s annual Christmas Toy Mountain drive, an event she describes as an overwhelm-

Transit info centre opens By Nicole Witkowski

s rapid transit projects speed ahead in Vaughan, York Region has decided to open an information office to answer any questions residents have regarding either the subway expansion or the new Viva rapidway. The office, at Jane Street and Highway 7, will be staffed by community liaisons answering questions ranging from construction, schedule and traffic details to specific property concerns. The office is also a meeting place for project members, like engineers, to look over drawings and plans, says York Region Rapid Transit spokesperson Dale Albers. For those who can’t make it to the centre during office hours, Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon and Wednesdays from 2 to 6 p.m., announcements and construction updates will be available via email to those who request them at the project’s website.

Already open for a couple of weeks, Albers says about a dozen people have come in. As the two projects dig deeper into the future, he says the centre will extend its hours, allowing more people to visit. Albers says the public is excited for these projects to be finished so commuting in and out of the city will be smoother. “There’s a huge amount of anticipation for the subway,” he says. The subway extension will lengthen the TTC’s Yonge-University-Spadina line from Downsview Station to the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and will include three stations serving Vaughan. The first phase of the York Viva rapidway will run on a dedicated lane along Highway 7 for 3.5 kilometres from Interchange Way and Edgeley Boulevard east of Keele Street including three new stations. The office is expected to remain open until the rapidway project is completed in 2018.

photo courtesy Rossanna Burgos

KUDOS: Rossanna Burgos has been named Ward 4’s Civic Hero.

ing experience. Burgos says she looks forward to continuing her work with the parent and city council. “I am going to keep doing what I am doing,” she says. “It has worked so far.” Another priority of hers is meeting and working with more residents in the area. “If we get to know each other better, we can continue to grow as a community,” she says. Yeung Racco says she is also excited about working with Burgos and commends her dedication. “I admire her energy and tenacity, her willingness to go above and beyond,” she says. “She is someone we treasure. She can’t move anywhere else,” the councillor says, before chuckling. It appears Vaughan may have this gem for the long run. “I love this community,” Burgos says. “I can’t see myself leaving here.” The Civic Hero award is given each year to a resident from each of the city’s five wards for their contributions to the community. This year’s winners also included Hugh Cook of Ward 1, Daniela, David, and Matteo Leggieri of Ward 2 and Linda and Merilyn Braude of Ward 5. The winner from Ward 3 has yet to be named.

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February 2013 VAUGHAN ToDAY

Speaking through art Artist helps those with Alzheimer’s to communicate again By Eric Emin Wood

photo courtesy Kathleen Downie

BRIGHT IDEA: A meeting with the cousin of her partner set artist and teacher Kathleen Downie on a course to create a watercolour painting program for those with Alzheimer’s. Downie says her goal is to get her students to “speak” through their art.

photo courtesy Kathleen Downie

BIG CHANGE: Program participant Lowell Jenkins, who is in the late-middle stages of Alzheimer’s, has been helped greatly by the art classes says his wife Julie Foley. “I’m blown away by how much it did for him,” she said.

10 VAUGHAN ToDAY February 2013

Meeting her partner’s cousin in 2008 not only changed Kathleen Downie’s life, but the lives of many others as well. “She was in her early 60s and had frontal lobe dementia,” Downie says. “You could see that she really wanted to communicate with us, and was struggling.” As an artist, Downie was all too familiar with the feeling of struggling to communicate as she was facing a creative block at the time. “I started to think of myself as someone with aphasia, a neurological condition where you can’t speak,” she says. “It was terrible.” When Downie returned to Canada and began studying for her master’s degree in adult education, she decided to focus on people with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Last year, as part of her thesis, Downie conducted a 10-week watercolour painting program for seniors with dementia at Senior Peoples’ Resources in North Toronto (SPRINT), a community support organization. It was followed by an exhibit of her students’ work in August. “I think creativity and well-being go hand-in-hand,” Downie says. “Creating art ... taps into emotions, and it’s through emotions that learning is facilitated.” She’s quick to differentiate her program from art therapy, whose practitioners encourage their patients to explore their psychological issues through art. Instead, Downie encourages her students to “speak” through art. “I would teach them techniques,” she says. “One person might say, ‘I really liked what we did last time. Could we do more of that?’ ” “Another woman repeatedly created diagonal short lines — it almost looked like raindrops across the page,” Downie says. “She said to me, ‘Kathleen, all of my paintings are the same! I just keep doing the same thing over and over again.’ And I said, ‘That’s what artists do. Eventually you’ll probably do something else.’ ” Downie’s SPRINT students included

Lowell Jenkins, whose wife Julie Foley describes as being in the “late-middle stages” of Alzheimer’s. “I’m blown away by how much it did for him,” Foley says. “Not only the time he enjoys actually doing the work, but the lasting impact — he will come home and sit and contemplate the work that he did, and talk about it.... It’s really quite remarkable.” Downie remembers asking Jenkins every week which colours he’d like to use, saying that his choices influenced the subjects he drew. “He would begin painting shapes of people, or objects, and say, ‘oh, that looks like the mountains in Colorado,’” she says. “And then he would start telling me a story about his life in Colorado.” Downie notes that many people mistakenly identify her students as “patients,” but is happy to correct them. “They’re people with Alzheimer’s,” she says. “They’re not defined by their Alzheimer’s. They’re only patients in a clinical space.” Downie has two other upcoming programs: a sixsession painting program for people with Alzheimer’s at the Alzheimer’s Society in spring, and a similar class that will be part of Baycrest’s adult day care programs in the summer. In her day job, Downie’s a grade 5 teacher at Deer Park Public School. The impending grey tsunami will require society to reconsider the value of its aged, Downie says, including seniors with dementia. “When people with Alzheimer’s experience greater function and agency they may be included more broadly in society,” she says. “These are individuals who have contributed throughout their lives, within professional and personal spheres. They have lived long and interesting lives.”

“I’m blown away by how much it did for him.”

Food&Dining

OJ isn’t just for breakfast Juice forms sauce for fish dish

hoosing a nutritious meal doesn’t have to be a chore - in fact, a little sweetness can be just the trick to boost the flavour and nutrients in an otherwise uninspired dish. Incorporating fresh fruit and juices into a lunch or dinner can help improve their taste and nutrition. A half cup of orange juice added to a recipe enhances flavour and provides an excellent source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps regulate the absorp-

tion, transport and storage of some forms of iron. “Citrus fruit and juices deliver a substantial amount of nutrients per serving,” says registered dietitian, Lydia Knorr. “Orange juice contains a host of phytonutrients that can help fight disease, support good health and be easily incorporated into ordinary meals to add that extra kick.” This recipe incorporates Florida orange juice into a delicious sauce for a healthy fish dish.

905.893.4888 www.villaggio-ristorante.ca 110 Nashville Road, Unit #11 KleiNbURg, ON l0J 1C0

Roasted halibut with tomato Florida orange butter

Place halibut pieces in a large bowl. Drizzle with butter and sprinkle with

fennel, garlic, salt and pepper. Coat fish well. Place on parchment paperlined baking sheet and roast in a 425 °F (220 °C) oven for 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily. In saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in Florida orange juice and sundried tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook for five minutes or until tomatoes are softened. Stir in parsley and pepper. Spoon sauce over halibut to serve. Makes 4 servings. — www.newscanada.com

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LOCAL LOCAL NEWS www.VaughanToday.ca VIEWS

February 2013 VAUGHAN ToDAY 11

4 thick pieces of halibut (about 1.25 lb/575 g total) 1 tbsp (15 mL) butter, melted 1.5 tsp (7 mL) fennel seeds, crushed 1 large clove of garlic, rasped or grated 1/4 tsp (1 mL) each salt and ground black pepper 3 tbsp (45 mL) butter, softened 1/2 cup (125 mL) Florida orange juice 2 tbsp (30 mL) chopped sundried tomatoes 1 tbsp (15 mL) chopped fresh parsley

CoolStuff FLIGHT OF FANCY: If your sweetheart is an aviation buff, why not jet off to Vancouver where the two of you can experience piloting a 767 in a professional flight simulator followed by a night at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport hotel.

Need to make up?

So Valentine’s didn’t go as planned, you’ve still got time to make it right By Liz Campbell

kay, so Valentine’s Day didn’t go quite as planned. But take heart, there’s still time to redeem yourself in your sweetie’s eyes. Here are three cool ideas that should warm up that cold shoulder: How about waking up to a latte or macchiato? Start with a Bosch Tassimo machine beside the bed. Just pop in the Tdisc — anything from Gevalia Macchiato to Tim Hortons waker upper — and hit the button. The machine does the rest. There are even T-discs with milk for your latte. What could be more romantic? And the best part is that those T-discs are recyclable. Visit www.terracycle.ca for details. The Bosch Tassimo usually retails for about $99 but watch for specials. Tdiscs generally work out at about 45–75 cents per cup, depending on the brand. Make a tech savvy his and hers fashion statement. The Scottevest Fleece 7.0 Jacket features cool details such as a quick 12 VAUGHAN ToDAY February 2013

draw clear touch pocket that allows you to access your smartphone through the clear touch fabric in your hand warmer pocket. You can plug it in to your wired in headsets or use Siri and FaceTime right through the clear touch fabric, without ever removing your phone from your pocket. The men’s jacket has 19 pockets and the women’s 15 including a new iPad/ pad pocket opening orientation, an in and out pocket (so you can access the interior pocket from the exterior of the jacket), and a back panel pocket to hold your sleeves when you take them off to turn it into a vest. There’s even an improved document pocket with a locking zipper for extra security during your travels. Available in standard black and a limited edition red, it sells for MSRP of $160 at www. scottevest.com. Now that you’ve got your travel vests, take a cosy

weekend for two to new heights. This one’s pricey but you can make your honey the pilot in command aboard a Boeing 767 in a 60 minute flight simulation at Canada’s premier airline training facility, normally reserved exclusively for training and testing professional airline pilots. After your customized session, you’ll return to a luxurious Fairmont Gold room at The Fairmont Vancouver Airport with access to concierge service and the Fairmont Gold Lounge and a deluxe continental breakfast

for two. Rates start at $999 per night for this package for two and of course, you’ve got to get to Vancouver. But it’s an unforgettable experience and you’ll have a hard time getting any higher. Visit www.fairmont. com/vancouver-airport-richmond for details.

Home&Garden

Green thumb getaways City Gardening

Lorraine Flanigan The weather in the GTA in winter is a big tease. One day it’s a balmy 12 degrees and the next we’re plunged into nose-nipping minus temperatures. Brrrr. It’s enough to make a person long for greener gardens. And that’s exactly what I’ve been doing for the past few weeks; I’ve been planning my next trip. While most folks head for the languor of a Caribbean island, perhaps not surprisingly, I look to where there are lots of gardens. And because garden travel seems to have grown in popularity faster than dandelions in a lawn, I don’t have to look very far for inspiration, and neither do you. Are the gardens of Italy calling out to you? Then, take a trip hosted by gardening guru Marjorie Harris (travelspecifics. com). Always wanted to check out the Chelsea Flower Show? You’re in luck, because this is the show’s centenary year and there’s a veritable cornucopia of trips lined up, including one by local landscape designer Sara Katz (cruisenet. com), icangarden.com’s Donna Dawson (gardeningtours.com) and Kitchener/ Waterloo gardening columnist David Hobson (travelspecifics.com). Heck,

even I can’t resist hosting a garden tour (Watch out, here comes the shameless plug…). Next January, I’m leading a trip to visit the many beautiful gardens of New Zealand (cruisenet.com). No matter where you decide to go, take it from a globe-trotting gardengazer. To get the most out of the trip, you’ll want to be prepared. Here are some garden travel must-dos and don’ts. Must-Dos 1. Check the fine print. Not all tours are created equal, so ask for and comb through the day-by-day itinerary to see if meals are included, transportation to and from airports etc. And visit the websites of the hotels to get a good idea of the class, level of comfort and amenities. 2. If you travel with electronics (and who doesn’t these days?) bring any converters, adaptors and chargers you might need. If you’re carrying iPods, iPads, smartphones or tablets, be sure WiFi is available at your hotel or nearby. Charge all devices nightly — there’s nothing worse than running out of power when you need it most. (And bring extra memory cards for cameras — I always take more photos than I think I will.) 3. Serious photographers use a tripod, but the professionals know how to get around plant material safely. Instead of chancing any damage, steady your camera with a uni-pod (it’s easier to pack than a tripod, too), and better yet, perch

lorraine flanigan/town crier

STOCK UP SHUTTERBUG: An important tip for anyone heading out on a garden tour vacation is to bring extra memory cards for your camera as you’ll take more photos than you think, says columnist Lorraine Flanigan.

the camera on a nearby wall or rock or simply brace it in your hands by bending your elbows and hugging them into your waist. 4. Pack a sun hat that folds easily; rain gear (skip the fashion outfits in favour of warm and waterproof); vest or pants with plenty of pockets for batteries, notebooks, pencils etc.; a few photos of your own garden (to show your travel companions as well as homeowners of the gardens you’re visiting — gardeners love to see the gardens of others); a collapsible day pack — you’d be surprised how heavy your handbag, camera and other paraphernalia become by mid-day. Must-Don’ts 1. Step into the flowerbeds: This seems like such a common sense rule, but it’s often too tempting to try to get a closer look at a beguiling plant. Instead of trampling the flowers, though, use your digital camera’s viewer and zoom lens for a close-up or to hone in on a

label bearing the plant’s name. Better yet, ask your guide or the garden owner for the name of the plant — in many cases you’ll be rewarded not only with the name, but tips on how to grow it, too. 2. Peer into windows: It’s a privilege to be invited into a private garden. Respect the owner’s privacy and curb your curiosity. You’re there to admire the garden, not the living room furniture. 3. Set up a tripod in the flowerbeds: Yes, you might think you’re carefully positioning the legs of the tripod in bare patches, but there may be some preciously rare ephemeral plants lurking beneath the soil in a dormant stage. Now, the hard part begins — deciding where in the world you want to go! Consulting 1001 Gardens You Must See Before You Die, Lorraine Flanigan writes from her home in the South Eglinton neighborhood of Toronto.

235 Trowers Rd. Unit 4 • Woodbridge L4L 5Z8 Tel: 416.798.7097 - 905:850.2052 Email: uav@look.ca

February 2013 VAUGHAN ToDAY 13

Travel

Five reasons to love Virginia’s Roanoke Valley By Liz Campbell

he license plates say: Virginia is for lovers. They could have added: of history, of wine, of nature, and so much more. And nowhere are all these brought together more forcibly than in the Roanoke Valley. In the heart of the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains, this valley was a hub of travel for trail blazers like Daniel Boone who chopped their way through the wilderness to Kentucky, as well as for the earliest pioneers crossing the wide expanse of America on the Great Wagon Road, in search of a better life. A young George Washington passed this way in 1776 to inspect the frontier forts. Standing on the top of Mill Mountain in the City of Roanoke, one gets a panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the calmly flowing Roanoke River. One can almost picture lines of covered wagons slowly making their hopeful way west. At the top of this mountain is a giant star, perhaps in tribute to the stars which guided the early pioneers through this valley. But the star might guide you here for a host of other reasons. Here are five I found most compelling: Reason 1: The wineries Most wineries offer tours, but in this area, there’s food, music and even star gazing. At Virginia Mountain Vineyards, we sample some lovely wines — my favourite is Trinity, a full-bodied blend of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot — dine on chili and bagels (where’s the lox?), then head outside to get close-ups of the moon and stars, courtesy of the Roanoke Astronomy Club and their telescopes. A good reason to visit the Blue Ridge Vineyard is a chance to meet its feisty owner and winemaker, Barbara Kolb. Her idea of a wine tour includes generous samplings of laughter along with the wine. In the barn, I sip a glass of their Big Bear Red, a bold Cabernet Franc blend, and devour a big plate of pulled pork and beans, while my toes keep time to bluegrass rhythms of Blinky Moon. Food, wine and music are a regular feature throughout the warm months. At Château Morrisette, take the time to do a proper tasting and tour, then sit under the umbrellas in the warm sunshine for an afternoon of music. Their oak aged Cab Franc is a must try.

Spectacular views and fine wine abound

trip for

lovers

NO NEED TO WORRY: At first glance it may seem like the woman on the ledge at the Taubman Museum of Art may be in danger, but in fact, as a sculpture, she’s just where she’s meant to be.

14 VAUGHAN ToDAY February 2013

Reason 2: The Blue Ridge Parkway Running for 750 kilometres through the Southern Appalachian Mountains, this highway meanders its way along, offering dozens of spots along its length that offer spectacular views of mist-shrouded mountains, wildflower strewn pastures and even waterfalls. Hiking trails along its route beckon and we tackle the gentle Roaring Run trail near Eagle Rock, a short distance from Roanoke. Crossing footbridges in easy stages we find ourselves at the splendid waterfall whose torrent gives this area its name. With each season, the trees offer a changing panorama of colour, from the soft greens of spring to the vibrant reds and yellows of the fall. But this trail offers history too. Near its start is a

BLUEGRASS AND RED WINE: Blue Ridge Vineyard’s tour not only includes generous samples of its signature vintages like Big Bear Red, but also pulled pork and traditional mountain music courtesy of Blinky Moon.

furnace built in the mid-1800s to extract iron from hematite. Iron was needed then for the rapidly growing country for everything from farm machinery, tools and wagon wheels to muskets. Long since abandoned, Roaring Run is one of the few remaining furnaces standing on public land. Reason 3: Roanoke Roanoke started life as Big Lick, named for the large outcropping of salt that drew animals to the area. It was — thankfully — renamed Roanoke in 1882. This pretty, bustling town is small enough to walk around comfortably, though there’s a free shuttle bus that circles the centre should your energy flag. My favourite spot is the central market square and the still thriving farmer’s market. The Saturday market is so large it spills onto the streets in joyful enterprise, and with so many nearby boutiques and restaurants, I find myself wanting to take home too many things that simply won’t fit in my airline bag. In an effort to restrain the shopping gene, I head to the nearby Taubman Museum of Art, a few steps away. An eclectic collection of old and new, the Taubman seems to foster new, young artists by giving them an outlet for their creations. By the way, look up from outside and your heart will stop. It seems as if there’s a young girl, her hair blowing in the wind, perched on the edge of the building. She’s a sculpture! Also near the centre of town is the Virginia Museum of Transportation. One of the earliest American railways, the Norfolk & Western Railway, linked the coast to the city of Roanoke which

became a hub. At the museum, a fascinating blend of history and big, big trains capture my attention. And there are little trains too — racing around the biggest, most exciting model railway complex I’ve ever seen. It’s for the kid in all of us. Probably my favourite museum of all time is the O. Winston Link museum which features the photography of this pioneer of the art. Link was a railway aficionado and went to extraordinary lengths to capture his passion in photos. It’s a must-see. Reason 4: The Hotel Roanoke The days of the grand hotels are gone. But a few of these elegant ladies remain to remind us of a bygone age. This is one. Built in 1882, it started life as a Queen Anne building but the popularity of all things Tudor in the 1930s saw it remodelled with massive Tudor beams. Today it stands foursquare, at the top of a rise, dominating the landscape of downtown Roanoke. If you can’t manage to stay here, take the time to visit the grounds and the beautiful palm court, another throwback to the early part of the 20th century, when afternoon teas and a palm court orchestra were the order of the day. The Regency Dining Room at the hotel is a must and your meal here must start with their famous peanut soup and spoonbread. For the cautious, chef Billy Raper makes a miniature taster served on a small board. I’m surprised to find I really enjoy this specialty. Reason 5: Shopping Now I’m not talking about malls

GREAT OUTDOORS: There are many beautiful, natural sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway including the waterfall at Roaring Run.

and outlets. And the city market is just the start. An iconic spot in this area that draws people from around the world is Black Dog Salvage. In the charming Town of Grandin, this spot really is a salvage centre with 3,700 square metres of architectural treasures, stained glass, antiques, junk and most importantly, Sally, the black lab for whom the whole operation has been named. I only manage a couple of hours but one could easily spend a contented day exploring this place. Historic Grandin also boasts a great

second hand bookstore which rejoices in the name, Too Many Books and two spots for the foodie. Pop’s Ice Cream bar is serving pumpkin ice cream the day we visit — yum — and sports the irreverent sign, “You’ve got a friend in cheeses.” Around the corner, Viva la Cupcake offers us a taste of gorgeously light, airy cupcakes in incredible flavours. There’s even a Guinness stout with a Jamieson glaze for the Irish tippler. Check their website if you don’t believe me. Virginia is definitely for lovers. I have to say, I loved it. February 2013 VAUGHAN ToDAY 15

Families warm to

Clockwise, from top left, TASTY: Alexis samples the cotton candy at Winterfest held at the Thornhill Community Centre in early February. COOL: Alexis’s sister Sophia poses with a wintry sculpture at the festival’s ice zone. KING OF THE HILL: Nicholas Lotta climbs high atop a mountain of snow while his mother Natalie waits in line for the Ferris wheel. VROOM, VROOM: Julian Marcoccia sits behind the wheel of a fire truck with a little help from his father Stephan.

By Francis crescia

16 VAUGHAN ToDAY February 2013

Vaughan’s Winterfest

Clockwise, from top left, PEEK-ABOO: Three-year-old Alya Hemdar and her father Shawn having fun in the snow park. ICY ART: Sculptor Baron Walla uses power tools to create a penguin out of ice. IT’S SNOW FUN: Jared, left, and Jonathan didn’t need the rides and attractions to have a good time. WEEEE! Young and old alike enjoyed the midway rides at Winterfest.

By francis crescia

February 2013 VAUGHAN ToDAY 17

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Sports

Checking hockey injuries francis crescia/vaughan today

HARD HITTING: With news of the long-term impact sports-related concussions can have on players several leagues, including the Greater Toronto Hockey League, are reviewing their policies on bodychecking to ensure the safety of their players.

GTHL looks at the health impact of hitting on its players By Perry King

hen Matthew Singerman was 15, a check during a hockey game knocked him out cold. After passing the puck out of his end, Singerman was looking away from the play when he got planted, hitting his head on the ice. “I don’t remember this, but supposedly I was down for five-ish minutes,” said Singerman, 26, who played single-A hockey for the Vaughan Rangers, Toronto Penguins, and other Greater Toronto Hockey League teams for over a decade. “I had to take almost a month off, I want to say, a lot of dizziness and nausea and whatnot.” Fortunately for Singerman he was able to recover. Incidents like these aren’t common, but can have dire consequences. The GTHL, a league representing more than 40,000 kids, realized this and began to address these concerns in 2011, using a survey to help better mould their policies on player safety. This month, the league is once again looking at these questions through a similar survey to provide a chance for players, parents and organizations to add further feedback. “In this instance, our main initiative was to poll about our change in the rule related to ‘free agency,’ for lack of a better term,” said Scott Oakman, the league’s executive director. “At the same time, we thought we would evaluate whether there’s been any change in public opinion related to the bodychecking issue.” Currently, the GTHL bans bodychecking at the Initiation, Novice and Atom levels. The skill is introduced and taught at the Peewee level — around the age of 11. Randi Chapnik Myers, whose son, Aaron, begins

Peewee AA hockey with the Toronto Aeros this fall, applauds the GTHL’s move. “I think it’s really important to be connecting with hockey parents to be able to talk about the issues that are going on on the ice,” said Chapnik Myers, who blogs about hockey mom topics at Stix and Pux. “It’s not just any other sport, it’s very physical, can get very violent, kids grow up playing it, they create friendships with a lot of teammates, parents create friendships with other parents. “It’s a real world onto itself.” With the players born in 2002, parents and players have their fair share of choices. They can opt for non-contact hockey, which would mean leaving the GTHL for a non-contact equal, or prepare for the physicality of the league. Aaron Myers is more than motivated to get started, and is expected to begin training this spring. “The conversation with my son would be ‘Aaron, I’m really worried about checking next year,’ ‘Too bad, Mom,’ ” recalls Chapnik Myers. “ ‘Well, I’m thinking maybe you should think about non-contact, I’m worried about concussions,’ ‘Too bad, Mom, I’m checking. I’m going to AA, Mom.’ ” Also, as Chapnik Myers points out, referee standards may need to be looked at as well. “If they take bodychecking out of the sport altogether, I’d be okay with that, too,” she said. “If they’re going to leave it in, they should be putting their minds and their dollars into really reffing the sport properly.” Singerman would support lowering the age for introducing bodychecking, as the kids are naturally drawing contact as they age. “Some kids might be bigger than others because of puberty and how quickly they’re growing,” said

Singerman. “But, the earlier you introduce it, and actually, in practice, teach the kids how to properly hit and take a hit, the better it is for the kids.” These are the precise dilemmas local clubs endure. In Vaughan, where many kids play for either the Vaughan Panthers, Kings and Rangers, each organization does train and prepare its kids for when they qualify for Peewee. “My belief is a lot of the injuries happen because kids don’t realize or don’t [prepare themselves],” said Toros Assadourian, president of the Vaughan Panthers, who have 280 kids on their teams. “They do the standard thing of coming away from the boards instead of going up to [them]. They think they’ll get hurt if they go to the boards, not realizing if they take a step away, that’s where a lot of the injuries will happen, when there’s body contact — even incidental contact.” Apart from a few concussions and some broken bones over the years, the Panthers have been good about instilling discipline on the ice. Assadourian doesn’t know if bodychecking should be removed, but a rules review is welcome. “It’s not a question of ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,’ ” said Assadourian. “What we have to teach them is they’re not professional hockey players, this is an opportunity to play the sport. “You have to be taught what a bodycheck is. The purpose is to separate your opponent from the puck, not take him into the board and rub him out and watch while he’s injured. That’s not what it’s all about.”

“It’s very physical, [it] can get very violent...”

February 2013 VAUGHAN ToDAY 19

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