Humber Happenings, Winter Issue

HUMBER HAPPENINGS A Community Publication by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association

WINTER ISSUE 2011

WINTER WONDERLAND Local holiday shopping is on the horizon.

GOOD COOKING

Gourmet recipes from local chefs.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Tis the season for giving.

SOUL FOOD

Food Pantry nourishes the community.

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in this issue

HUMBER HAPPENINGS A Community Publication by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association

A Community Publication by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association

19

Features 7 Haunted hounds Photos from Paws on the Shore Charity Zombie Dog Walk.

16 Humber heroes Food Pantry at Christ Church St. James nourishes the body and mind.

19 cover story Our picks for the local merchants you should visit for your shopping needs this season.

24 got space?

Space saving solutions that can organize and improve the look of your condo.

27 taste of humber New spices peak at Everest Indian Cuisine and Kothur in 2012.

29 Good cooking Chefs from Rocco, Pulcinella and Café du Lac share their secret recipes.

our community 6 president’s message New HBSCA president’s strategies.

11 Condo taxation part II

24

27

A look at the obstacles in the near future.

14

photo contest winners The results are in!

regular columns 4

Welcome

By Megan Ng

32 winesights

Humber Happenings A Community Publication by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association

winter issue 2011

Winter WonderLand Local holiday shopping is on the horizon.

Good CookinG

Gourmet recipes from local chefs.

HoLiday GiFt Guide tis the season for giving.

SouL Food

Food Pantry nourishes the community.

Cover photo by Marian Dragiev Marian began taking photos only two years ago.

When he first discovered the view in this photo, he was astounded. “I was struck by the fantastic winter scene created by water and powerful cold turning these branches into an ice sculpture. I started to snap photos with the hope to show the magical view of ice, crisp light, gradient blue sky and deep blue lake.”

By John Switzer

34 vitality to the core

By Guy Dufour

36 eco logic

By Jim Lord

38 BROTEN BULLETIN

By MPP Laurel Broten Humber Happenings I Winter 2011 3

welcome Winter Issue 2011

Happy Holidays!

Let it snow, let it snow. Lots of local events and fundraisers are sure to warm your hearts this season.

by Megan Ng

W

elcome to our final issue of Humber Happenings for 2011. We can hardly believe how fast the time has passed since partnering with HBSCA to produce Humber Happenings.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us and provided feedback to make this a better magazine for you.

Please remember to visit humberhappenings.ca to fill out our Reader Feedback Survey, so we can make content more catered to your interests and concerns in 2012 and beyond.

If you didn’t get the opportunity to visit the newly landscaped skating trail at Colonel Samuel Smith Park last December, this winter is the time to check out the scenic trails. Even if skating is not your forté, the walking path adjacent to the skating trail makes for a beautiful walk during the day or in the evening with the city lights in sight.

There are many plays and fundraisers taking place in the downtown core and in our area. Highlights include The Nutcracker, produced by the National Ballet of Canada, and You Better Watch Out, a concert put on by Etobicocke Collegiate Institute.

In this issue, our team spotlights gift ideas from some of the local retailers and businesses in the neighbourhood. We hope they help you out in that last minute pinch for a gift idea, a hostess gift 4 HumberHappenings.ca

or simply to treat yourself. Additionally, Jim Lord mentions in Eco Logic a number of creative ways to give without having to spend or be wasteful. One such suggestion was to volunteer as a family at a local charitable organization.

Christ Church St. James (featured in Humber Heroes) has a terrific Food Pantry that runs three times a month and hosts a Toy Mountain that allows families to choose their own gifts. The church can always use a helping hand and will welcome any additional assistance in this busy and eventful time of the year.

If you happen to be hosting your own party or attending a potluck during the holidays, there are some recipes from chefs and restaurants in the area that will help your dish standout and become the main attraction of the party.

Whether if you are spending the holidays in town or away on a warm sunny beach, everyone at Humber Happenings wishes you and your family all the best this holiday season and for the new year.

Looking forward to hearing more from you all in 2012! HH

Megan Ng is the editor of Humber Happenings magazine and can be reached by email at humberhappenings@ mediamatters.ca or by phone at 905-370-0101.

Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association

Board of Directors President Jim Reekie, Palace Place Vice President Don Henderson, Bal Harbour Treasurer Jay Perry, Nevis Secretary Laura Nash, Marina del Rey-Ph. I, II, III Past President Leo Blindenbach, Grenadier Landing Jim Lord, Palace Pier, Judi Richter-Jacobs, Players Club Director Tom Arkay, Palace Pier Director Don Henderson, Bal Harbour Director Sharon Jazzar/Angelina Chiu, Newport Beach Director David St. Pierre, Grenadier Landing Director Tim Owen, Grand Harbour Director Jay Perry, Nevis Director Simone Purboo, Explorer Director Milai Sousa, Waterford

Strategic Planning Initiative Coordinators Planning & Infrastructure Jim Reekie Building Community Sharon Jazzar Communications & Outreach Jay Perry Email Board Members at hbscaboard@rogers.com

Humber Happenings produced by Managing Editor Megan Ng Copy Editor Ryan Potts Art Director Daniela Luberto Writers Laurel Broten, W. Mike Dineen, Guy Dufour, Marianna Keselman, Jim Lord, Jim Reekie, John Switzer, Muska Ulhaq Interns Nahad Imanirad Sr. Marketing & Business Director Joe Plati (289) 800-1835, jplati@mediamatters.ca

Media Matters Inc. President Darryl Simmons VP of Marketing Joe Plati VP Industry Relations Gloria Mann Editorial Director Mike Davey

Media Matters Inc. 645 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6G 3T6 t. (905) 370-0101 f. (866) 868-7072 e. humberhappenings@mediamatters.ca Humber Happenings is published four times a year.

Volume 4 Issue 4

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president’s message

We Can Preserve While We Grow

Working together, we can balance all of our needs.

by Jim Reekie

A

s I take on my new role as president, I would like to thank Judi Richter-Jacobs for all her hard work and the leadership she has shown for HBSCA. I have been involved with HBS for seven years and have seen many things get accomplished. I believe that the association is becoming a stronger committee each year and hope more residents will volunteer and become more involved in the activities. It takes lots of hard work and hundreds of volunteer hours to make the HBS the great place that it is.

As president I will provide strong leadership for the development and preservation of our vibrant community as we continue to grow. We will continue to work with our local elected officials to balance the needs of Humber Bay Shores with the broader community.

Some positive news we received recently is that the long awaited street lights on Lake Shore Boulevard at the streetcar tunnel are coming soon. Our city councillor has promised they will be installed by the spring of 2012.

One of the other issues HBSCA has been tackling recently that affects our condominium community is the issue of property tax inequity.

In order for change to take place, the combined efforts of all levels of government and the community will be required.

6 HumberHappenings.ca

Provincial Commitment Amend provincial legislation to create separate classes for condominiums and townhouses and provide a timeframe for when amendments would be introduced. Indicate how they would facilitate implementation by municipalities e.g. working with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario to assist with a phased in approach.

Municipal Commitment Publicly recognize the contributions made by condominiums toward the growth and development of the city. Demonstrate buy-in for change and be committed to fairer treatment of condominium owners as taxpayers. Encourage local elected officials to advocate for change by supporting provincial amendments, lobbying for improved services to HBSCA condominiums and assuring that existing services will not be eroded.

Community Commitment There are 800,000 voters living in Ontario condominiums. Make your voice heard on this and other condominium issues. Be familiar with the facts, lobby and advocate in numbers and relentlessly push for change at all levels through effective and ongoing communication.

I wish you all a very happy and safe holiday season and very much look forward to working with you. HH

“I will provide strong leadership for the development and preservation of our vibrant community.”

Jim is now the HBSCA president after being on the board for over seven years.

He is retired from a career working for the Toronto District School Board.

pet places

Howl

of a good Time

Paws on the Shore’s monthly group dog walk and fundraiser gets zombified for a costume contest and zombie dog walk at the Powerhouse of Terror Charity Haunt in Colonel Sam Smith Park.

Prizes and sponsors from local businesses supported the event.

The zombie dog walk prepares to take over Colonel Sam Smith Park.

Milo sniffs at what’s for lunch in the Quarantine haunted house.

Waiting to enter...

Zombie family affair.

Witch way to go home?

Tactical unit takedown.

Support for the undead.

Chance looks worried.

Starbarks puppy scared.

Zombie dog’s first victim.

A bloody good time.

Organizer Nicole Richer.

HumberHappenings I Winter 2011 7

news

Palace Place Comes in Second for Condo of the Year The Toronto Condominium Institute (CCI) and area chapter awarded Palace Place condominium second place in the prestigious “Condo of the Year” annual competition. The award ceremony took place on October 12 at the Toronto CCI and area chapter’s annual general meeting and was held at the Gibson Ballroom in the Novotel North York Hotel.

Humber Bay residents Bill Wilcox, Jim Reekie, Fiona Maarhuis and Robin Clay attended the event to receive the award.

Corporations were judged on many factors, including: good governance, energy initiatives, communications, consistency, forward thinking, environmental concerns, effective use of committees and the corporation’s affects on the social fabric of the community.

The CCI Toronto Membership Committee selects four condominiums as finalists. Each winning condo receives a feature in a quarterly issue of the CCI CondoVoice magazine. The grand prize winner for 2012’s “Condo of the Year” will be selected by the public relations committee and announced in the fall of 2012.

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[L-R] CCI president Bill Thompson, Bill Wilcox, Jim Reekie, Fiona Maarhuis, Robin Clay and CCI chair Vic Persaud.

If you would like to submit your condominium for “Condo of the Year”, please contact the CCI at: ccitoronto@taylorenterprises.com. We live in a beautiful community and it is a great way to promote and share Humber Bay properties and landscapes with others. To learn more about what Toronto CCI does, please visit: ccitoronto.org.

news

LAMP CHC’s AGM with Architecture Critic Sheds Light on Toronto’s Future LAMP Community Health Centre’s (CHC) annual general meeting featured noted architecture critic and Toronto Star columnist, Christopher Hume, this past September at The Assembly Hall. It was standing room only at the AGM, with many local residents attending to hear Hume speak about the organization’s recent initiatives.

Hume spoke on what elements make a city liveable and called on the audience to get involved in decisions about how our city works. In his speech, he noted that the public has to become more educated to play a part in their region. Hume gave the example of the Mimico Waterfront Project and

Keynote speaker Christopher Hume addressing the audience.

how in the past the public didn’t care about creating sustainable space and beautification of areas.

“What is happening on the waterfront is fascinating. For a long time nobody cared, and then the public banded together with the government to move the waterfront project forward.” Community engagement and action is the key to a livable city. For more information on LAMP, visit: lampchc.org.

Free Skate at Colonel Samuel Smith Park Open Until March 2012 The long-awaited skating trail at Colonel Samuel Smith Park opened on November 19 after the grand opening took place last December.

Located at 3131 Lake Shore Blvd. West, it has already attracted a number of skating novices and experts. Evergreens and snow mounds surround the 250m trail and change rooms, washrooms and sitting areas are on-site. Unfortunately there are no rental skates available. The hours of operation are open from 9 a.m. -10 p.m. every day until it closes in March 2012.

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Humber Happenings I Winter 2011 9

news

Darling, remember that dinner?

Eyeswear Store Sets Its Sights In The Queensway Photos courtesy of Arnold Caylakyan/SNAP Etobicoke.

[L-R] Philip Lang, Henry Chow, Mher Arakelian.

Some of the staff and guests at Pearle Vision’s grand opening.

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Pearle Vision officially opened its doors to the public on November 16. The store is franchised and owned by Henry Chow, Mher Arakelian and Philip Lang.

The Queensway location is the first of six locations Chow, Arakelian and Lang would like to establish in the GTA. “We were introduced to the Queensway location by the Luxottica retail franchise group and fell in love with the location and people in the area,” Lang said.

Lang and his colleagues pride themselves in exemplifying the philosophy of Dr. Stanley Pearle, the pioneer of the Pearle Vision franchise. “To provide the customer with the best available vision, the most comfortable vision and the opportunity to have fun with their vision.”

Pearle Vision is located at 125 The Queensway in the Sobey’s Plaza next to the Ontario Food Terminal. See ad details on an exclusive Humber Happenings promotion for Pearle Vision on page 24.

The optometrist on site is Dr. Beatrice Wong. To request an appointment, please contact the clinic at 647-823-6786. The hours of operation are: Monday - Wednesday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Thursday - Friday from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday from 12 p.m - 4 p.m. To contact the store, please call: 647-823-3937.

our community

Condominium Taxation: Part II

A look at the challenges ahead for balancing the scale of taxation inequalities for Toronto condominiums.

Photos courtesy of ©istockphoto.com/Geoffrey Holman.

by Muska Ulhaq edited by W. Mike Dineen

T

here are certain inherent differences between living in a private house to living in a townhouse or condominium high rise. The question on the mind of so many condominium and townhouse owners in the Toronto region (not to mention Burlington, Cambridge, Hamilton, Waterloo, Brantford, etc.) is precisely why the taxation rates do not reflect those differences. Take garbage removal, for example. A condominium consisting of 200 homes would only require one

garbage pickup; yet, if these 200 residences were houses on a street, the municipality would have to make 200 stops. And garbage removal is just one of many services that differ from private homes to condominiums and townhouses. Other services to consider are sewer system maintenance, snow removal, street lighting, fire hydrant inspection, road maintenance, sidewalk maintenance, etc.

The Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI)—which operates at a national level and is potentially one of the most important bodies addressing the

issue—hopes to solve this problem of fair taxation for condominium owners. The Fair Tax Campaign asserts that, even though condominium owners pay property tax for services like garbage pickup, they are often contracted privately. One of the reasons for private garbage pickup in condominium high rises and townhouse complexes is the narrow passages and tight corners that garbage trucks refuse to negotiate. One particular line of reasoning put forward by the CCI questions how a municipality that permits the construction of a structure with limited access to its garbage compactor

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Humber Happenings I Winter 2011 11

our community

can continue to tax that same structure as though each unit received individual garbage pickup.

The CCI’s proposed changes would ideally result in an amendment to the Assessment Act of Ontario. As of June 1, 2011, the Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario’s (ACMO) legislative committee in participation with the CCI Toronto Chapter submitted a brief to the Government of Ontario asking for changes to The Condominium Act, 1998. The brief recommends the establishment of two new residential condominium property classes/classifications for municipal assessment and taxation purposes: one for high rises and one for townhouses.

Some American states have made similar amendments to their taxation assessment processes and could offer a precedent to Ontario’s situation. Maryland, for example, is the only state with a

statute explicitly allowing municipalities to assist their respective associations and reimburse costs for services not rendered.

Rhode Island is currently in the process

“The issue of unfair taxation is no insignificant matter, especially for politicians.” of adopting the standards of New Jersey, a state which requires municipalities to provide services to condominiums or

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Similar fights for fair taxation are occurring elsewhere in Canada, particularly in the provinces of Nova Scotia and Manitoba. Other condominium corporations in Ontario, like the MATCO in Markham, YCC in the York Region and the Golden Horseshoe Chapter of the CCI—representing cities from Oakville to Waterloo to Niagara—are taking similar stances as Toronto. Most of the recommendations are essentially the same; however the Golden Horseshoe notes that receiving municipal services would be preferable to being compensated for them.

The reason being that compensation may not be equal to the cost condos spend for private services. For example, a municipal-

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our community

ity may have 10,000 fire hydrants to test at a cost of $1.00 each. But when a condo gets five to 10 hydrants serviced, the cost could be much more and municipalities might use the latter to calculate compensation.

With 800,000 voters in Ontario living in condominiums, the issue of unfair taxation is no insignificant matter, especially for politicians. The CCI would like to encourage the emailing of council members to voice your stance on the issue and to ask their advice on how to achieve fair tax goals. They also recommend submitting requests for the creation of separate taxation categories for condominiums and townhouses.

The position of Toronto mayor, Rob Ford, was indicated during a debate prior to his election. In the debate he kept his distance from the controversy, referring to the matter as a provincial one. Prior to the provincial election that saw a Liberal victory, PC leader

Tim Hudak said he would review The Condominium Act if he was elected, vowing to amend it “to reflect modern realities.” A survey launched by the

Many of the residences that make up Humber Bay Shores condos.

Minister of Consumer Services in late July of 2010 was intended to collect information regarding the experiences

of condominium owners—3,100 owners have reportedly completed the survey to date. John Gerretsen, the Minister of Consumer Services, says he’s open to recommendations concerning the Act, stating, “I am always pleased to learn the industry’s views about Ontario’s Condominium Act, 1998, as the province is committed to protecting the condominium market.”

The process of change is one that is slow and full of legal obstacles and governmental hurdles. However, now that the ball is rolling, condominium and townhome owners have a small but bright light at the end of their unfairly taxed municipal tunnel. As more and more urban dwellers call high rises and townhouse complexes home than ever before, it becomes more and more difficult for politicians to ignore their recommendations—which have been fairly and reasonably laid out. HH

Humber Happenings I Winter 2011 13

photo contest

t

1s

Pla

Humber Bay

ce

in the

moment Humber Happenings thanks our sponsors: Pulcinella Ristorante Italiano, Everest and Kothur Indian Cuisine and Canadian Fine Health Food (CFHF). Most importantly, thank you to all of our participants for their beautiful submissions.

Eric Chudnoff  

Prize: $50 to Pulcinella, $25 to CFHF

This photo was taken on a path by Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat. What interests me about this landscape is the juxtaposition of native plants and wild life with the new, modern construction that is sprouting up along these shores. Both environments, at first, seemed to me to be at odds with another. However, they remarkably complement each other.

Jerry and Kumar join the rest of our staff in wishing you a Happy Holidays!

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A proud member of the Humber Bay Shores Community for over 14 years.

Located at the corner of Lakeshore & Parklawn.

14 HumberHappenings.ca

photo contest

d

nd

3r

2

Pla

ce

ce

Pla

Tomas Rose

Fraser Connell

Prize: $25 to Everest, $25 to CFHF

The photo, entitled “When the Autumn Weather Turns the Leaves to Gold,” was inspired by a Frank Sinatra tune: But the days grow short when you reach September When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame I previously lived on Thirteenth Street which is parallel to the path where the photo was taken.

Prize: $25 to Kothur Indian Cuisine

The photo was taken by Sunnyside Beach in the lakeshore area at the foot of Roncesvalles Avenue, overlooking Lake Ontario. What inspired me about this photo was the beauty and peacefulness of the landscape that is so close to the hustle and bustle of the city. The stillness of the lake is a rare and beautiful sight to capture.

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humber heroes

Neighbourhood

Nourishment

by W. Mike Dineen

How a food bank feeds the mouths, hearts and souls of a community.

Church property manager and one of the chairs of Stonegate Ministry, Gord Glandfield [centre] and volunteers.

A

s the holiday season comes blowing in with the chill, we are reminded of the gift of a warm home and a hot meal. This is the sentiment that guides the volunteers at Christ Church St. James. Serving upwards of 800 folks, the church’s aptly named Food Pantry operates three times each month, supplying groceries to those in need in the Humber Bay area.

With approximately 75 volunteers sharing responsibility over the numerous days of operation, the Food Pantry is designed to be a neighbourly, accepting experience. HBS resident, Father Murray Henderson has been with the church for the past three years; however, the program has been in place for over 20 years.

Father Murray strives to “create an inviting, warm environment.” The program welcomes families and individuals of any faith and any culture.

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humber heroes

“Clients can shop for food rather than being arbitrarily given an assortment,” describes the program’s administrator, Loretta Carnahan.

Volunteers, like Barbara Patterson run a nursery for the little ones—providing parents an opportunity to select their groceries. The Food Pantry operates less like a charity and more like a community event.

“It is up to us to prevent feelings of embarrassment,” describes Gord Glandfield, the church’s property manager and one of the chairs of Stonegate Community Ecumenical Ministry. The volunteers understand that food is an essential requirement, but trust and sense of community are of equal importance.

When folks register they provide details about monthly expenses and number of family members. To be qualified for the program, participants must live in the Humber Bay area and demonstrate a financial need for help.

“Seventy to 75 per cent are in the neg-

ative,” says Glandfield, meaning that the majority of participants are over-qualified to receive food. The Stonegate Thrift Store, a farmer’s market and the PACT (Participation, Acknowledgement, Commitment, Transformation) Village Garden are among the charitable events organized by the ministry.

Christmas is an important time for the Food Pantry. When the pantry is closed for the holidays, food vouchers are given to clients, which can be used at local grocery stores. Through donations and food bank funds, the church is also able to give out Maple Lodge Farms whole chickens.

Toy Mountain—not to be confused with the gift exchange program of the same name put on by CTV—provides families with the option of choosing donated toys and gifts for their children.

The exchange is as much about learning as it is about providing food. Father Murray recounts an elderly man who approached him “with tears in his eyes” to

Father Murray and Loretta Carnahan.

give thanks for their services. The Food Pantry is more than a place to obtain food, it is a beacon of hope and generosity for those who attend and for those who graciously volunteer their time.

Contributors to the Food Pantry include Cobs Bakery, Daily Bread Food Bank and Second Harvest.

Donations to the Food Pantry and Toy Mountain, particularly premium canned meats and pasta sauces as well as gently used or new toys, are greatly appreciated. HH

Season’s Greetings Wishing you a Happy Holiday and all the best in the coming year Please let me know if I can be of assistance in any provincial matters

Join me at my annual

New Year’s Levee

Sunday, January 29th, 2012, 2:00 pm–4:00 pm Polish Alliance of Canada Hall, 2282 Lake Shore Blvd West

Laurel Broten, MPP Etobicoke-Lakeshore

701 Evans Avenue, Suite 100, Etobicoke M9C 1A3 416-259-2249 | lbroten.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org www.laurelbroten.onmpp.ca

Humber Happenings I Winter 2011 17

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Just to your left...

a great French bistro!

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ppy g a Ha Wishin hy Holiday lt & Hea on to All! our Seas

ry ared fo Be prep Resolutions! r’s a e Y w Ne

Our weekly specials The Café serves...

Toronto’s BEST gourmet poutine • in-house charcutière, bread and desserts • Dinner hours: 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm • Prix Fixe Tuesday – 3 course meal for $25 • BYOW $5 uncorking fee on Wed./Thurs. • Live jazz/blues every Friday • Saturday – chef-tasting menus • Montreal-style Sunday brunch featuring crêpes, 3 styles of eggs benedict (ham, lobster and smoked salmon), omelettes and more...

Call to register at 647-288-1028

Prix fixe New Year’s dinner! $50 pp.

Two seatings – menu online, book early!

A culinary extravaganza featuring game meats, fish, duck, lamb, patés, desserts, breads and so much more. View menu online.

2350 Lake Shore Blvd. West, Etobicoke • 3 blocks west of Parklawn, north side reservations: 416.848.7381 or info@cafedulac.ca • catering • private parties

18 HumberHappenings.ca CDL_HH_WIN_2011.indd 1

Free Nutritional Seminars

23/11/11 6:24 AM

Kingsway Health By The Lake 2405 Lake Shore Boulevard West (Lake Shore and Superior)

Holiday

Gift Guide 11 20

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his season, Humber Happenings urn Rd athb traveled across the Humber RBay 12 area and beyond to find the best 10 2 8 W picks for our first holiday gift guide r St Bloo made especially for you. The hunt 4 for the right gift can be an arduous task, but we have made it easy this season and you don’t need to travel far and wide to find it ei5 3 ther. All of our selections are a short 10-15 minute s s 7 e r 11 y Exp swa ardiner drive away, easily accessible by TTC or even just ueen G he Q T brisk walk from your condo doorsteps.

6 We also love that all of our twelve selections 1 Humber are independently owned retailers that support Bay communities in the Humber Bay, Bloor West VilPark West dW lv B re lage and The Queensway areas. Most of our reSho Lake tailers provide locally made and organic goods as well, so shopping can be good for your wallet, environmentally conscious and directly support the Colonel Samuel Smith Park local economy.

Whether it may be a last-minute present you’re Marie Curtis Park searching for, a hostess gift or if you just need to treat yourself during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we have got you covered for any occasion this season.

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Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/cclickclick

Tis the season to give!

Our picks for last minute gift ideas and places to treat yourself this season.

Humber River Exhibition Place

Shopping Index 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Birds & Beans Coffee Bloor Village Flowers Canadian Fine Health Food Cheese Boutique Cruise Holidays /Humber Bay Travel Fahrenheit Tanning Max’s Market Oddjects Scout Vineyards Estate Wines Wiesia Spa Write Impressions

Humber Happenings I Winter 2011 19

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1

3

A 1lb bag of Birds and Beans certified birdfriendly coffee. They also feature organic, fair trade and rainforest alliance certified coffees in bold, mild and decaf blends.

Giving your body added vitamin C is especially important during cold and flu season.

2

4

A woven basket tied with a ribbon can add a warm touch to fresh flowers.

1 Birds & Beans Coffee 2413 Lake Shore Blvd. West 416-913-9221 birdsandbeans.ca

The gift of great taste and conservation. In addition to its exquisite flavour, a pound of certified Bird Friendly® coffee preserves about 150 sq. ft. of bio-diverse habitat and provides sustainable living for farmers. Need a cozy retreat? Warm up to an organic latte and homemade cookie, and catch up with an old friend or good book here too.

Hand-selected items in ready-to-go baskets are now available behind the counters at Cheese Boutique.

3 Canadian Fine Health Food 1 Marine Parade Dr. 416-901-1395 canadianhealthfood.ca

Out-of-town guests can appreciate traditional Canadian goods like maple syrup and honey offered at Canadian Health Food. You can also stock up on vitamins that you’re missing from over-indulgence and lack of sun. Brazil Acai berries ($129.99 for 240 soft gels) are excellent for boosting the immune system, cholesterol control and weight loss—the perfect supplement for the winter season.

2 Bloor Village Flowers

4 Cheese Boutique

Looking for a last minute hostess gift? A bouquet or floral basket is a simple and thoughtful way to say thank you. It’s also a great pick-me-up to brighten any room this season whether you are hosting a party or attending one. Bloor Village Flowers has a mix of grab-and-go bouquets from as inexpensive as $9.99 to more elaborate arrangements starting at $29.99.

A Toronto culinary landmark, this place is not just about cheese, it’s an international culinary station of meats, pastas, sweets and so much more. Pre-made gift baskets are chock-full of goodies and not just stuffed with styrofoam fillers. They range from $30-$150, but customers can customize to their budget. Gift certificates in any denomination can also be purchased.

2208 Bloor St. West 416-763-5682

20 HumberHappenings.ca

45 Ripley Ave. 416-762-6292 cheeseboutique.com

cover story

5

7

Cruise Holidays gift certificates come in any denomination you wish and never expire.

[L-R] Butternut tart, red velvet cupcake, mixed green salad, stuffed panzerotti, smoked salmon and vegetarian quiche.

6

8

One of the tanning-bed rooms at Fahrenheit Tanning.

Stand-up tanning rooms are also available.

Independently designed candleholders, jars and candelabras are a small glimpse of what Oddject offers.

5 Cruise Holidays/Humber Bay Travel

7 Max’s Market

Cruise Holidays and Humber Bay Travel offer a wide variety of great getaways, including cruises, all-inclusive resorts and gift certificates. They’ll even take care of the gift wrapping! Whether it is a cruise for yourself or the gift of travel, you can simplify giving this year and celebrate in style. Call your travel experts: Karen, Marianne or Krista for getaway deals.

Potluck and dinner party problems are solved here. Foodies will love the freshly prepared dishes, salads and pastries. With locations on The Queensway and Bloor West Village, this local grocer also sells global and organic culinary and food products. Spinach and feta quiche, smoked salmon, broccolini salad and pastries are some of their most popular party dishes.

6 Fahrenheit Tanning

8 Oddjects

A pre-tan is always a good idea before exposing your pale skin while on your tropical getaway. And if you can’t get away to the tropics this season, you can still make it look like you did. Gold, Silver and Bronze packages range from $0.56/min. to $0.99/min. of tanning with 50% off lotions with Gold packages.

Quirky and fashionable designs, home décor and jewelry are what will you find here. With five locations in Toronto, this is the shop to stop at for unique gifts and art aficionados. Decorative place mats are reasonably priced at four for $25 and iron cast candleholders ranging from $35-$50 can set the right ambience for your home this holiday.

88 Palace Pier Ct. 416-236-2266 cruiseholidaysnow.com

2401 Lake Shore Blvd. West 416-251-7654

935 The Queensway 416-551-6297

2260 Bloor St. West 416-792-7737 oddjects.ca

Humber Happenings I Winter 2011 21

cover story

9

11

Handcrafted, Toronto-made vases, flasks and ceramics by one of the local artists Scout features products from.

The pedicure and manicure room at Wiesia Spa is perfect for unwinding and pampering.

10

12

Wine accessories like a decanter can be added to your Ontario wine gift basket.

9 Scout

405 Roncesvalles Ave. 416-546-6922 iheartscout.com

Fraser Fir

by Thymes line features wintergreen candles that fill any room with holiday cheer.

11 Wiesia Spa

2121 Lakeshore Blvd. West, Unit 8 416-255-5772 wiesiaspa.com

New to Roncesvalles, Scout features Canadian designers with a splash of international designs. Letterpress greeting cards, one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry, housewares, bags and lots of great stocking stuffers from $5.00-$30.00 are available for the holiday season. There are also specially selected items for babies and new mommies. You’re bound to find something special for friends, family and yourself.

De-stress with a little pampering before you head out to the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Spa packages start at $65.00, manicures at $27.00 and hair styling at $50.00.

December promotions include 15% off any 2 products purchased, 20% any 3 purchased and 40% off Elos laser skin rejuvenation and hair removal. Gift certificates are also available for your special someone.

10 Vineyards Estate Wines

12 Write Impressions

Buying local and providing quality service to help you select the perfect wine is the idea behind this Ontario-only wine store. Gift-wrapped packages start at about $25.00, but customers can make their own baskets, adding wine accessories and/or glasses. There is a terrific selection of store picks for reds and whites under $20 as well as monthly tastings and promotions.

The place for luxurious gift-wrapping and stationary. There are also lots of classic home accents that make the perfect gift for anyone on your list. Fraser Fir bath and body line is one of the store’s top sellers, with lotions, soaps and household products starting at $8.00, these items make the perfect stocking stuffer or part of a homemade gift basket.

2273 Bloor St. West 416-766-8654 vineyardsestatewines.com

22 HumberHappenings.ca

2215 Bloor St. West 416-768-1261 write-impressions.ca

If you have any questions or concerns on Municipal matters, please call my office at: Phone: 416.397.9273 Fax: 416.397.9279 E-mail: councillor_grimes@toronto.ca Website: www.markgrimes.ca

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Humber Happenings I Winter 2011 23

Feature

Got Space?

A convertible ottoman for storage, sitting and serving guests.

Custom designs tailor-made to your space for better, more organized living.

by Marianna Keselman

O ©2011. Pearle Vision. All Rights Reserved.

ne drawback to condo living can be space, or, rather, the lack of it.

When space in condos is prime real estate, residents can benefit from products that maximize any given space.

A great way to do this is by purchasing furniture that have dual uses, for example purchasing a stylish cabinet system that

can also be used as a coffee table or a cushioned stool for your living room that can also store extra blankets or pillows.

Some other tips: 1. Labelling your boxes or using transparent boxes for your odds and ends can help ease the frustration of looking for small, hard to find items.

2. Installing floating shelves or hooks to

hang items on your walls has become a huge trend.

3. Many people are also mounting their televisions to the wall to save space.

If D.I.Y. solutions are not meeting your organizational needs, you may want to consider custom designs to work with the space in your home. There are many companies that specialize in interior design and space saving techniques for condos.

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24 HumberHappenings.ca

Feature Gliding Shelf Solutions is a Canadian company that specializes solely in the design, manufacturing and installation of a gliding shelf system. Their design specialists provide a free consultation, measurement services and advice on the right number of shelves to maximize your space. Installation can be completed within just a few hours.

Gliding shelves may be an alternative to a complete kitchen renovation, giving you accessibility, eliminating time look-

Kitchen cabinets transformed by Gliding Shelf Solutions.

ing for items in the back of the cupboards and offering renewed independence to seniors as well as individuals with physical challenges and/or disabilities. These systems come with full-extension rails and can be applied to kitchen cupboards, bathroom cabinets, linen closets and other difficult to access areas.

Retrofit designs are manufactured with high quality Ontario materials and can be customized to the precise measurements of the original cabinets. Each gliding shelf can hold 100 lbs and open easily with a touch of a finger.

They can also be finished to complement your existing cabinetry.

California Closets has specialized in custom-design and installation of storage space for over 30 years and has established locations all over the world. They create storage space in any room in your home— from the bedroom to the laundry room.

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tion with a design consultant, who will take measurements and assess your spatial needs and frustrations. The design consultant creates a 3D virtual tour of what can be done to your room based on your feedback and gives you a realistic view of the finished product. The manufacturing of products are catered to the specified dimensions and are completed before the final installation.

For information on any of the products listed, please visit glidingshelf.ca or call 1-877-895-9766 or visit californiaclosets.com or call 905-669-1599.

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Thursday & Friday: 10 am ~ 7 pm

Saturday: 9 am ~ 5 pm

Sunday & Monday: (pre-arranged appointments only)

Humber Happenings I Winter 2011 25

26 HumberHappenings.ca

taste of Humber

Customer favourite, tandoori chicken marinated in yogurt and fresh spices.

[L-R] Chef Venkatesh Seenivasan and chef Gopalraj Kannan. Chef Seenivasan making naan bread using a tandoor oven.

A typical customer order at Everest (clockwise): naan, samosas, dosa, chicken tandoori sizzler and butter chicken.

Indian Spices Peak at Everest 2356 Lake Shore Blvd. West • telephone: 416.253.5047 • www.everestindiancuisine.com mon-thurs 11–3pm, 5-10pm • Fri-sat 11–3pm, 5-11pm • sun 12-9pm

E

verest Indian Cuisine is one of the longest standing authentic Indian cuisines in the Mimico area with seven years of operation in the community. Rashmi Ravi, a former Humber College student and now part-time server, tells me that when she moved here from India to study, Everest was her “home away from home” because of the authenticity and home style cooking created by owner and chef Venkatesh Seenivasan.

Everest has built a steady clientele of regular customers, but Seenivasan hopes that local residents who haven’t sampled his tastes of India or are hesitant about trying spices will stop by for a taste. In January 2012 there may be even more reason to dine at Everest as Seenivasan will be updating his menu with a Chinese flair. In fact, a few of their most popular starters at the restaurant, gobi Manchurian and chicken Manchurian, are Indo-Chinese dishes and indicative of what is to come.

For main courses, a variety of meat, seafood and tandoori sizzler dishes are offered and, with portions being quite large, going in a small group is best so you can sample multiple dishes. The mains are multi-faceted, with dishes such as butter chicken and the vegetable

tandoori sizzler showcasing the savory and spicy side of Indian cuisine.

Eager to please any palate, Seenivasan is more than willing to cater to the most selective taste buds and has a personal philosophy of never saying “no” to a customer. It’s the same attitude he impresses on his staff, each of whom are equally friendly and warm upon entering the cozy restaurant. Seenivasan has even reopened his kitchen after hours at the request of a regular customer who wanted to have a small dinner party.

With about 32 seats at the 2356 Lake Shore Blvd. West location, weekends are usually fully booked for dinner service and require reservations. Week nights are also quite busy, so take-out or delivery might be a better alternative for an affordable after-work meal.

Lunch service is also available from 12 pm-3 pm and features most of the dinner menu for under $10.00 a meal.

To coincide with Everest’s menu revisions in January 2012, Seenivasan is opening his third Indian restaurant, Kothur Indian Restaurant (his second restaurant of the same name is located at 649 Yonge St.), that will be a blend of northern and southern Indian cuisine. Korthur will be located next to the Valu-Mart at Lake Shore Blvd. West and Superior Ave. and seat approximately 45 guests. HH Humber Happenings I Winter 2011 27

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Your Passport to International Delights Specializing in gourmet prepared food, quality products and great customer service. Holiday and catering orders available.

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28 HumberHappenings.ca

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935 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 1P3 South east corner of Queensway and Islington.

good cooking

Winter Warm-Ups What better time to indulge in culinary delights than the holidays? In a special tribute to good eating and good company, Humber Happenings brings you three easy to prepare recipes from some of the best chefs in our community. Cheers!

Piece of Flake Shrimp & Feta Flaky Puff Pastry Rocco’s chef Sana’s quick and easy starter is a favourite of Rocco patrons. An elegant and easy dish to prepare, this delicate pastry can be prepared made in as little as 15 minutes if prepped beforehand. Chef Sana uses ready-made puff pastry shells that can be purchased at any grocer to save time. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also make your puff pastries from scratch using phyllo sheets.

2 puff pastry shells Shrimp stuffing 12-16 tiger shrimp (other types of shrimp can be used as well) 2 tbsp feta cheese 1 tbsp seedless diced tomatoes 1½ tbsp vodka 1½ cups white wine A pinch of chopped tarragon

Rocco Restaurant telephone: 416.251.5100 2083 Lake Shore Blvd. West www.roccorestaurant.ca

Created by chef Iqbal Sana

Garnish 10-12 spinach leaves 10-12 radicchio leaves Sliced lemon (for seasoning) Honey Garlic Dressing 4 tbsp lemon juice 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ½ tsp of chopped garlic 1 tbsp honey Salt and white pepper to taste

Method 1. Bake puff pastry shells in the oven for 10 minutes at 375F. 2. Whisk together your lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, honey and seasoning for your dressing.

3. In a sauce pan, mix the white wine, tarragon and vodka. Bring the mixture to a boil and poach the shrimps in the pan for about 30 seconds.

4. Put the shrimp, tomatoes and feta cheese on top of the pastry shells and place shells back into the oven at 375F for 15 minutes.

5. Julienne the spinach and radicchio and place on plate with a slice of lemon for seasoning.

6. Place shrimp and feta pastry on top of the spinach and radicchio. Sprinkle dressing on top of pastry and serve.

Serves 4 people (half a shell per person)

Humber Happenings I Winter 2011 29

good cooking

That’s A’mare!

Linguine A’Mare

Pulcinella Ristorante telephone: 416.253.9959 3687 Lake Shore Blvd. W. www.pulcinellatoronto.com

Created by chef Philip Del Grosso

For most Italians, the big event of holiday feasting takes place on Christmas Eve and seafood is often used in dishes to mark the special occasion. Chef Del Grosso adds mussels to this Pulcinella favourite, but you can also leave them out. One of the best ways to serve a large party is to prepare a pasta dish since it is easy to make and very satisfying.

6 tbsp olive oil 4 garlic cloves, chopped ½ cup chopped flat leaf parsley ½ bunch basil, leaves torn plus 4 leaves to garnish

30 HumberHappenings.ca

½ cup dry white wine 2 cups pureed tomatoes 1 500 g box linguine 16 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined 12 oz bay scallops 6 whole calamari, cleaned and cut into rings 2 lb P.E.I. mussels, scrubbed and de-bearded Extra virgin olive oil for finishing

Method 1. In a large pan, fry garlic over medium heat until golden brown.

2. Add all seafood to pan and sauté for about 4 minutes. Deglaze pan with white wine. Once the liquid is reduced by half, add tomato puree.

3. Cook for about 7 minutes and turn off heat.

4. In the meantime, cook linguine as per instructions and drain.

5. Remove seafood pan from heat and add linguine, chopped parsley and torn basil to pan. Toss well and distribute evenly to 4 warmed plates.

6. Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and garnish with a basil leaf.

Serves 4 people

good cooking

Easy As Pie

CafÉ du Lac telephone: 416.848.7381 2350 Lake Shore Blvd. West www.cafedulac.ca

Tarte au sucre (sugar pie) Created by chef Damon Ulmi

Sugar pie is a traditional confection almost as old as Québec itself. The version featured below is the most widely used and traditional. Despite its name, it is, surprisingly, not overtly sweet. It is like pecan pie without the pecans—and yet, because there is no corn syrup, sugar pie is not quite as sweet as pecan pie. Top with whipped cream, vanilla coulis and some fruit if you wish.

Note: If you use extra large eggs, instead of large or medium eggs, you may need to get a deep-dish pie crust, rather than a regular crust. The filling will still be fine, but extra large eggs can put the filling a tiny bit over the edge of a shallow crust.

The filling is heavy and fluid. If you are going to make this in a foil pie pan, put the pan on a cookie sheet before you fill it. Otherwise, the weight of the filling will cause the foil to buckle when you lift the pan, and a lot of the filling will pour out.

9-inch pie crust, unbaked (see notes) 2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed 2 tbsp all-purpose flour Pinch of salt 2 eggs 1 cup evaporated milk 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tbsp melted butter

Method 1. Preheat oven to 400F. 2. In a bowl, combine the sugar, flour and salt, blending thoroughly. In another bowl, whisk eggs until frothy.

Whisk in milk and vanilla. Add egg mixture into sugar mixture, stirring until smooth. Whisk in the melted butter. Pour into pie crust.

3. Bake in the centre of the oven at 400F for 10 minutes, then reduce to 350F. Continue baking for an additional 30 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and filling is set. Let pie cool.

4. Can be served plain or with unsweetened or lightly sweetened whipped cream.

Serves 8-12 people

Humber Happenings I Winter 2011 31

WineSights

Vintage Selections to Ring in the New Year The holiday wine picks for your dinner party and hostess gift.

Text and photos by John Switzer

W

ine can play prominent roles during the holidays. It may help a sipping guest keep conversation lively or be a perfect accompaniment for your canapés. A special wine can be carefully selected as the ideal hostess gift, matched to each course of the celebration dinner or be the bubbly that makes New Year’s Eve memorable.

The December 10 Vintages release at LCBO stores features several wines that should be considered in your latestage planning for holiday events. I will highlight some wines from this release which will be a hit when served throughout the holiday season.

For your special seasonal dinners, consider a Pinot Noir from Ontario.

Two wines from exceptional local makers are offered in the December 10 release: the first is Le Clos Jordanne Talon Ridge Vineyard 2009 ($40.00 per bottle). Big and fruit-forward, this wine will please those who appreciate old world Pinot Noir. The second wine is Closson Chase Closson Chase Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 from the highly-regarded winery in Prince Edward County ($39.95 per bottle). This wine is also old world in style with a mineral texture, earth, cherry fruit and juicy acid.

A special gift wine you may wish to buy for a wine lover who likes things big is the Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin 2007 32 HumberHappenings.ca

magnum ($99.95 per bottle). A magnum is 1.5 litres in size, a true celebration format. This wine is an exceptional Bordeaux style red from the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia and will age well for the next 10-12 years.

The Osoyoos, like the other two wines featured on the right, are part of A glass of Okanagan Osoyoos is like a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

the LCBO’s Vintages Essentials program. These wines are reliable and kept in supply on a constant basis.

New Year’s Eve isn’t the only time to serve bubbly. Bring out the sparklers when the buffet is served at your house or greet guests with a glass of sparkling rosé as they come in the door. These wines are always popular and set a nice

tone as an aperitif. They are also versatile enough to stand up well to any main dish that is put on the table.

The best value sparkling wine in the December 10 release is the Gloria Ferrer Brut from Sonoma Valley in California ($24.95 per bottle). An exceptional wine from Niagara is the 13th Street Cuvée 13 Sparkling Brut Rosé, which is bright, dry and has delicate bubbles ($24.95 per bottle). It is the hallmark wine of 13th Street Winery.

For readers who only accept champagne, there is a very fine small grower wine in this release. It is the 2004 Brut Millésimé Champagne from R. Dumont & Fils. It is from a reliable maker whose wines are full-bodied, richly-flavoured and crisply acidic. It is a great value at $54.95 per bottle.

Please remember to consume with moderation over the holidays. Insist your guests take a taxi home and be sure to do the same for yourself when you are out for a party or dinner. Best wishes for happy and joyful holidays! HH

John is the founder of Winesights Inc. For more information about Winesights, please visit John’s blog at thewinesightsreader. wordpress.com

WineSights

VQA Beamsville Bench Thirty Bench Riesling 2010 Thirty Bench Winery has excelled for years and this wine is a blend made of grapes from each of its three single-vineyard Rieslings. It is the best-value quality Riesling in Ontario with a palate of honey, lime, spice, green apple and melon with stony minerals and bright acid.

Price: LCBO General List 24133 - $18.95 per bottle.

VQA Okanagan Valley Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin 2007 This wine is one of the best examples of Bordeaux style red wine in Canada. A blend dominated

by Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, you will find concentrated flavours of stewed plum, bramble, cassis, green leaf, smoke and leather. Harmonious and deep, this wine is a keeper.

Price: LCBO General List 626325 - $45.00 per 750 ml bottle.

VQA Niagara Peninsula Cave Spring Indian Summer Riesling 2009 Lovers of icewine may want to try this delightful dessert wine. It is sweet, but has high acidity so it is clean and crisp. It has flavours of lime, green apple and honey and has a long, bright finish. This wine will be a great match with crème brulée, blue cheese or foie gras.

Price: LCBO General List 415901 - $24.95 per 350 ml bottle.

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Humber Happenings I Winter 2011 33

Vitality to the core

Younger this Year: 8 Tips to Turn Back Time

What you need to know about becoming a healthier, better you.

by Guy Dufour

W

hat is the secret to staying young? We all wish to retain our youth. Only when our joints and muscles are aching do we appreciate a healthy body.

With the new year approaching, many of us will make resolutions and a good number of those may be health related.

The following tips serve as a guideline to help you reach your fitness goals.

Tip #1: Have a plan Approach this goal with the same attention and focus you would to a new business venture. Have a strategy and be objective to ensure a realistic approach.

Tip #2: Get the help of professionals If you were starting your own business for the first time, you would probably seek the assistance of someone that has been there.

For example, you may hire a consultant or or an accountant to keep track of your books. Seeking the help of people that have been through the process can instantly raise the probability of you reaching your goals.

Your body is the same. If you have never trained before or it has been a

Use lighter weights when you combine weight training with cardio.

34 HumberHappenings.ca

while since your last workout, then seek the help of a trainer or speak to someone who is familiar with workout equipment and the physical condition.

If you have any injuries, seek the help of a health professional and find out what you need to improve your physical condition. Don’t assume you know the answer.

Tip #3: Weight training Weight training is a fantastic way to lose weight, add muscle and strengthen your body all at the same time.

A combination of cardiovascular exercise and weight training will get you the results you want faster than if performed individually. When focusing on weight loss, lift weights first and then perform your cardiovascular training.

Tip #4: Embrace technology Smart phone applications often count calories or track how many calories you are burning. There are also web sites that offer online training customized to your health history and goals. We are surrounded by countless tools that can make our lives easier and healthier.

Tip #5: Accountability Research has shown that if you share your goals with the people around you, you are more likely to persevere and reach your objective. Sign up for group classes or find a training partner. When you are liable, you are much more likely to show up.

Tip #6: Consistency Although it is possible to make great gains in a short amount of time, regularity and a consistent schedule is the key to reaching and maintaining a healthy, strong and young body.

Tip #7: Dynamic stretching Studies show that dynamic stretching before training is more beneficial than static stretching. Static stretching in-

volves elongating the muscle and holding the stretch for a period of time.

Doing static stretching will make you immediately weaker, less powerful and it has not been proven to prevent injury. If you enjoy stretching or want to improve your flexibility, do static stretching after your workout.

Tip #8: Eat breakfast This is one of the easiest things you can do to improve your life. If you are not eating breakfast, you are not serious about fitness and your health.

More than half of your neurotransmitters are made in the gut, meaning the first thing you ingest in the morning will set up your brain and body for the day. Eating breakfast increases your metabolism from fasting over night, creating a greater calorie burn than if you don’t eat anything.

There’s significant evidence that people who eat breakfast are leaner and have better insulin health. The importance of the right start to the day cannot be overstated.

Good luck and remember that enjoying the journey and not the end goal will increase the likelihood of making your New Year’s resolution a reality. HH

Guy Dufour is the founder of Corefit Training. He is a certified personal trainer, strength coach and has a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Guy’s philosophy is that overall health and fitness is for life and can be achieved by everyone. He can be contacted via email at guy@corefittraining.ca.

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Give Green All Year Long

Tips to reduce your carbon snowprint.

by Jim Lord

T

he holiday time tends to be a season of over indulgence. So how can you reduce your environmental impact over the holidays?

We will provide you with tips to reduce your impact. Always remember the 3Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle.

Applying the 3Rs to gift-giving: Some out of the box thinking can create a smile on Christmas day. In terms of finding the “right” gift for your special someone, there are a lot of environmental choices. For example, planning some family time and volunteering together at a local food bank or charity is a good way to enjoy quality time together, while helping others in the process.

Some families agree not to give gifts altogether, but in the spirit of giving you can make a donation to a charity like the David Suzuki foundation on behalf of a friend or family member. It is a gift that is sure to be appreciated by any recipient.

The environment can also be a good excuse to re-gift items you no longer use.

There are also some great stores in Toronto like Fashionably Yours on Queen Street West that sell previously used clothing at a fraction of the retail price.

Being sustainable will also save you money. And remember: if you are disposing old clothing or household items there are many organizations and churches in our community that would be pleased to receive your unwanted items.

Applying the 3Rs to food and drink: You can always use the reduce rule when it comes to food but that wouldn’t be any fun. Maybe a bit of moderation would be good. Buying local is a great place to start when it comes to food and drinks. The LCBO carries many local wines including some that are also organic.

I had the chance to tour Southbrook wineries earlier this year and was very impressed with the quality of their wines.

They have also taken it to the next level by having their facility certified to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standard.

To avoid the food buying rush, companies like Front Door Organics will deliver fresh organic food to your door, and in many areas they will deliver by bike.

Keeping in mind the 3Rs during the holiday season not only saves you money but can be a fun way to exercise some creative brainstorming. Happy Holidays to you and yours. HH

Jim is one of the founding principals of Ecovert Sustainability Consultants.

He helps organizations achieve their sustainable goals through green building certification, green product certification, greenhouse gas inventories and sustainable policy development. ecovert.ca

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The Broten Bulletin

Working for Fair Taxes

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Progress is being made to modernize the governance and management of Ontario condos.

by Laurel Broten

C

ondominiums have become an increasingly significant part of our housing mix in Ontario and where many Ontarians choose to live.

Over 150,000 condominium units have been built across Ontario since 2003, including thousands right here in Etobicoke-Lakeshore.

In September, I participated in a meeting hosted by the Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI), Toronto and area chapter. Several members of the HBSCA were in attendance.

CCI is a non-partisan national organization committed to providing education and advocacy on behalf of the entire condominium industry. In Ontario, CCI represents over one million people who live in condominiums.

One of the central topics of discussion was the significant changes that have impacted the condo industry since the Condominium Act, 1998 was last implemented and examined.

The current Condo Act does not reflect major changes that have taken place in the housing market. Building on our recent survey of condo owners, our government is looking to modernize the Condo Act, ensuring that it better protects buyers and owners.

We will engage with owners, condo boards, property managers and developers in a full consultation process that 38 HumberHappenings.ca

will allow every interested party to have a chance to contribute their ideas and recommendations. With everyone’s input we aim to gather the most accurate information possible in order to get a proper solution.

Condo boards, which are run by volunteers, look to their condominium managers to manage what can be multimillion dollar budgets.

Licensing and regulating a condominium manager by implementing a licensing systems is necessary so residents can be assured their manager meets the highest standards of professional excellence.

As outlined in Condominium Taxation article, condominiums are very efficient in their use of public services and utilities, such as sewers, street lights and waste disposal. Yet condos are taxed at the same rate as single family homes.

A separate property tax class for condominiums will enable municipalities to set a different property tax rate for condos, in recognition of their unique characteristics. This is a necessity given the rise in condos being built throughout Ontario.

These and other issues are sure to be examined in the mandate ahead. We will continue to work towards a solution and commit to modernizing the Condo Act, along with the governance and management of condos in Ontario. HH

“Significant changes have impacted the condo industry since the Condominium Act, 1998 was last examined.”

Laurel Broten is the MPP for the Etobicoke-Lakeshore area. Broten is also the Minister of Children and Youth Services and Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues. laurelbroten.onmpp.ca

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