Helping Kenyan children be children By Anna Killen
Volume 45 No. 5
May 3, 2016
PLAY IS a child’s work – it’s how they explore the world they are in. This well-worn tenet is often cited in the context of early education – Maria Montessori popularized the phrase, although it has early philosophical origins – but the value play provides children goes well beyond the classroom. Just ask Beacher Morgan Livingstone, a child life specialist whose life’s work has focused on improving the lives of children here in Toronto and also abroad. She’s currently working with another Beacher and
child life specialist, Carolynn Darrell Cheng, to fund raise money for educational, durable toys that can be used as part of a budding child life program at a large public hospital in Kenya (generosity.com/medicalfundraising/help-bring-toys-to-child-life-program-inkenya). Livingstone has spent the better part of the last decade building child life programming in Africa – particularly at the Sally Test Pediatric Centre in Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya.
Kenyan children continues on Page 3
Notre Dame dance crew finishes top in Dance-off Aliza Dela Reyna of Notre Dame High School’s dance crew Avidity performs during the 10th annual Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) Dance-off at Notre Dame on April 22. The competition saw 14 schools from across the city show off their dance skills. Avidity finished in first place, while Mary Ward’s Adrenalyn finished second and Chaminade’s Vivacious finished third. Dela Reyna was also awarded this year’s dance shcolarship from the TCDSB. This year’s judges included dancer/ actor Ofilio Sinbadinho, dancer Diana “Fly Lady” Reyes, and choreographer Apolonia Velasquez. PHOTO: PHIL LAMEIRA
Residents, developers butt heads over ravine condo proposal By Anna Killen
A SKEPTICAL and at times vocal crowd packed Beach United Church on April 25 to hear plans for a proposed seven-storey development that would face Kingston Road at Beech Avenue, backing onto the Glen Stewart Ravine. Before the meeting even began, opposition to the 29-unit development was building, with a petition created by Friends of Glen Stewart Ravine in circulation and online discussion taking place several days prior to the meeting. Ward 32 councillor Mary-Marga-
ret McMahon said as she opened the meeting, “Glen Stewart Ravine is near and dear to many of our hearts. As a big environmentalist I’m very anxious to hear what Toronto Region and Conservation Authority (TRCA) has to say about the application. In this case, we’re lucky we have another eco-layer of protection to this area, in addition to forestry, and we don’t always have that with our areas.” City planner Leontine Major said that the city has had the developer’s rezoning application since June of last year and it has been circulating through city departments, as well
as TRCA. When TRCA reviewed the initial submission, they said they would not recommend the development as it was submitted. The city would not generally proceed with an application TRCA objects to, explained Major afterwards, because the developer would require a permit from TRCA, obtained at the time of a building permit. Since last year the applicant, Martin Rendl Associates on behalf of owner Gabriele Homes Ltd., owned by Frank and Rick Gabriele, has been working with TRCA as well as city ravines staff to change their proposal to make it more com-
pliant with city standards and best practices with regards to environments like the Glen Stewart Ravine. Major said that while TRCA and ravine staff have not submitted formal comments yet, they are encouraged by the changes made to the proposal and call them a significant improvement over the initial submission. Their formal comments will be included once the developer incorporates further feedback, including comments from the April 25 community consultation, and submits their next proposal. As presented by the developer’s
architecture firm Alliance Architects at the meeting, the development features ground floor retail and six floors of various-sized residential units on top, with a green roof and levels of balconies and rooftop spaces. Two floors of underground parking – 29 spaces – would be accessed using a car elevator. Landscaping developed in accordance with the conservation authority, preserving a large oak tree, would make up the back slope of the property that backs onto the ravine. Condo continues on Page 2