Leaside Life Issue 87 August 2019

AU G U S T 2019

Leaside Life

Why not in Leaside?

Page 2

leasidelife.com

No. 87

A story of new beginnings ends with a thriving Leaside business.

COUNCILLOR ROBINSON ON ROAD SAFETY • PG. 20

LEASIDE’S TOP SCHOLARS • PG. 5

See page 6.

CYCLING WITH MP ROB OLIPHANT • PG. 12

LORNA KRAWCHUK PROFILES JOHN BURNS PG. 4 FUNDRAISER BALL HOCKEY TOURNEY AT THE LOCAL PG. 10 HOW LEASIDERS CAN COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE PG. 18

VISIT US AT LEASIDELIFE.COM: COMMUNITY DIRECTORY • UP TO DATE EVENTS • ARCHIVED STORIES

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Speed kills!

Leasiders’ campaign to lower speed limits

Leaside Life • August 2019

by CAROL BURTIN FRIPP We all complain about speeding drivers, no matter where in Leaside we live, and we’re all concerned about safety. But some people actually decide to take action. Since midMay, almost 1,500 Leasiders have signed a petition initiated by Rosa Spizzirri and Judy McKenna calling for a reduction in the speed limit from 40km per hour to 30km, on all of Leaside’s local streets.

Rosa and Judy are local residents who contacted parent councils, daycares, retirement homes, condos, business storefronts, and the Leaside library. Everyone they talked to had tales to tell about accidents and near misses caused by drivers going too fast. Everyone they spoke to wished that something could be done to make Leaside safer.

When Rosa and Judy did some research, they found that lowering speed limits across entire neighbourhoods (not just on selected streets) results in fewer accidents and less serious injuries. They looked at the experiences of other cities, such as

Boston, and neighbourhoods here in Toronto where this approach has been successfully implemented, like the Beaches and Lawrence Park. Why not Leaside as well?

Implementing a constant speed limit has been shown to have a positive impact on driving patterns, enhancing a larger sense of community. Rosa describes this as Leasiders “taking our streets back.” Safer for pedestrians, cyclists, children, seniors – and other drivers, too. She notes that the current 40kph speed limit encourages cyclists to use sidewalks instead of the roads, making the situation even more dangerous.

Neighbourhoods all around Leaside have 30kph speed limits. If you look at the map, Leaside stands out as the exception, a speed zone with 40kph.

Rosa and Judy asked a basic question: why are we not like those other neighbourhoods when it comes to traffic speed, considering we are like them in so many other ways?

They see support for this initiative as an opportunity for Leasiders to foster a greater sense of community and safety: not just on one’s own street, but throughout all of Leaside.

Yes, some drivers continue to ignore other kinds of signs like turn restrictions during peak periods, Rosa says, but if residents “lead by example,” acting proactively, there will be greater compliance.

At a June meeting held by Councillor Jaye Robinson to discuss traffic issues, attendees unanimously supported reducing the Leaside speed limit to 30kph.

The City requires 25% of local households to support a petition before next steps are taken. This level was reached by early summer, so further discussions are underway. ■

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Leaside Life

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Leaside Life • August 2019

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LEASIDE PEOPLE • MEET YOUR NEIGHBOURS

Leasider John Burns – the voice of the CNE Warriors Day Parade

by LORNA KRAWCHUK Meeting L Col John Burns, I did not feel that I had to stand up straight and salute, but I did enjoy getting to know some of the facets of his life – especially his connection to the annual Warriors’ Day Parade at the Canadian National Exhibition – taking place this year on Saturday, August 17, starting at 10:30 a.m.

At that event, his will be the voice announcing each of the participating groups – military, paramilitary, marching contingents and bands, veterans’ contingents, fire and first responders and military-themed living history/ reenactor contingents from Canada, the US and other allied nations. More than 5,000 are expected to be marching in this, the 98th parade, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion and the 76th anniversary of the beginning of the Italian Campaign.

COLIN ROWE

Leaside Life • August 2019

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The parade started in 1921 with members of the World War I Canadian Corps marching to celebrate and commemorate victory and remember those lost and injured during the war. It has continued since then with rare exception: 1942-1946 during World War

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II and 2003, when a massive power failure in Southern Ontario closed the CNE for the weekend.

John’s own military life started when, as a late teenager, he turned from Boy Scouts to the military, joining the Governor General’s Horse Guards, Canada’s Senior Reserve Armoured Regiment. He rose to be their commanding officer.

At the same time as he was pursuing this military avocation, he was also pursuing communications, particularly in radio and marketing. One of his jobs was as the announcer for band concerts the City of Toronto held in High Park.

This led to his being asked to be the announcer for the Warriors’ Day Parade, and now to being the Immediate Past President of the Warriors’ Day Parade Council of the Canadian National Exhibition Association.

John Burns is a relative newcomer to Leaside, but he is not a newcomer to Toronto, where he was born and raised in the Harbord Collegiate neighbourhood. After living for 20 years in Richmond Hill, he and his wife, Rochelle, wanted to be closer to the activities they enjoy. They chose Leaside.

With John’s strong interest in military history, and Rochelle holding a PhD as a social historian, their collaboration on an evening at the Flato Markham Theatre to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 2017 was a natural. Rochelle provided a script, John recruited an orchestra to play music of the era, and, naturally, did the announcing. The event even included a trench dinner, served at long trestle tables.

Whether you yourself have the connections to be part of the parade, or simply want to honour those who have, check out this year’s Warriors’ Day Parade, and know that the announcer is a fellow Leasider. ■

EVENTS SEE LEASIDELIFE.COM FOR AUGUST EVENT LISTINGS

Congratulations to Leaside’s top scholars of 2019!

Sylvia Gehring Sylvia Gehring is the winner of Ryerson University’s prestigious President’s International Entrance Scholarship in Accounting and Finance, worth up to $40,000 and based on academic performance, leadership abilities and creativity – qualities that Sylvia demonstrated throughout her high school career. In addition to capping off a strong academic record with a final average of 96%, she was co-founder

Matthew Hohner For Matthew Hohner, it is “an honour” to be a recipient of the coveted Queen’s Chancellor’s Scholarship in the Commerce Program. The scholarship has

a value of up to $36,000 and is awarded for community involvement, leadership and original thinking. He was nominated by LHS because of the wide breadth of his activities, including being the founder and president of the Investment Club, the president of the Leaside Athletic Association and a founder and co-president of the Leaside Deca Chapter, which this year doubled its number of qualifiers for provincial competitions. All of these activities helped Matthew to develop time-management, leadership and team-building skills, which he also honed last summer as part of a group of “innovation analysts” with RBC. In addition to earning a 96% average this year, Matthew was chosen by his peers as valedictorian and won four other academic and leadership awards.

Inspired by his father’s interests and support, he plans a career in finance and investment banking.

SCHOLARS page 13

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Leaside Life • August 2019

Every spring the halls of Leaside High School are filled with exciting news about university acceptances and scholarships. According to Denise Wilson, curriculum leader for guidance, most of this year’s graduating class got into their first choice of program and school.

She describes this class as a “focused and goal-oriented group of high achievers.”

Here are four outstanding graduates who exemplify these qualities:

of the Vex Robotics all-girls team, the trip and team manager for the Vex World Championship team, co-founder and president of the Toastmasters’ Club, president of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Club, and co-president of the LHS Deca Chapter, a business case study club.

Sylvia somehow found the time to take part in a variety of athletic activities, too, such as karate, skiing, basketball and badminton, earning a silver athletic letter. Her future plans include a master’s degree or MBA, and a career that combines her passion for business and technology, while encouraging other women in these fields.

ALL PHOTOS JANIS FERTUCK

by JANIS FERTUCK

Leaside Life • August 2019

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“Sabaidee” from Inthisorn Foods on Vanderhoof

by KEN MALLETT When he was two years old, his parents bundled him into a small canoe in darkness and they floated from Laos to a refugee camp in Thailand where he spent the next seven years of his life. Now Kemp Inthisorn is an awarding-winning sauce maker in the heart of Leaside.

He arrived in Canada in 1990 with his parents and two brothers, who were born in the camp.

His company, Inthisorn Foods, recently won the distinction of being named one of the city’s top 20 sauce makers by Toronto Life magazine. It was a milestone for the new company he founded and runs with his wife, Jeanette, from a small commercial kitchen on Vanderhoof Ave. The startup is a prime example of the changing nature of business in Leaside and the diversity and inclusivity of our community.

Inthisorn became interested in the sauce making business about four years ago after missing his mother’s cooking, and tried to recreate dishes from the recipes she would send him.

“It took us just over a year to research the food industry and stan-

FROM THE COVER

dardize our recipes for larger scale production. We incorporated in 2016 and started producing the sauces commercially that summer,” he said.

Laos, unlike its neighbours, is landlocked and historically has always had very limited food sources.

“Out of necessity, people were

forced to be more creative with their meal preparations. The lack of variety is completely redeemed by the bold and flavourful sauces guaranteed to transform an ordinary meal into an unforgettable meal.

“I realized certain sauces that were hard to find here were a key component of many of the meals I used to eat growing up. Not being able to find them on the grocery shelves here was what led me to share these sauces with the community,” he added.

The family fled strife-torn Laos under cover of darkness in 1979.

“Hoping that we would not be discovered, my parents and my uncle took a small canoe and slowly floated down and across the Mekong River into Thailand. A Thai villager saw us crossing the river, and when we reached the other side, he offered to help but instead robbed us and threatened to hand us over to the Lao-Communist authority. Luckily, we were turned over to the Thai authority. After pleading our case, we were processed and placed in the Napho refugee camp,” he explained.

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Leaside Life • August 2019

From Page 6

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“We arrived in Canada together as a family of five in 1990, and lived in Leamington, Ont. with our sponsor.

Once we were able to adjust to life in Canada, we moved to London and then to Huron Park, Ont. I attended university in Ottawa before moving to Toronto where I met my wife Jeanette. My parents moved back to London briefly before relocating to Holland, Michigan for work.”

Both of his parents are still alive.

After over 30 years of being away, they have since returned to Laos to do missionary work.

With his mother’s recipes in hand, Inthisorn turned his attention to reproducing her delicious sauces.

“We were looking for commercial kitchens that were available for hourly rental. As soon as we saw Manning Canning – on Vanderhoof – we knew the facilities were ideal and it was close to where we live in Don Mills. (See June 2015 issue of Leaside Life for more about Christine Manning.)

“Manning Canning is a wonderful commercial kitchen, and a great information resource for local food startups. They don’t call themselves an incubator, but I would,” he added.

“They are much more than just a space to cook in. Christine Manning has been a great consultant when we were unsure of our next steps, helping to illuminate our path forward. She is years ahead of us in the food industry with a line of wonderful drinking vinegars and preserves, and she never hesitates to help connect people to the resources they need, before they know they need it.”

In Laos, known as a tiny, laidback and friendly Southeast Asian country, the word sabaidee (pronounced sa-bai-dee) is very important because it is not only a form of greeting but also an active practice of reinforcing positive thinking. It describes your state of well-being: good health, state of mind, free of stress and relaxation. When greeting someone with sabaidee, the implication is that you wish “sabaidee” for them.

For this reason, the Inthisorns decided that there is no better word to embody their company’s vision than: Sabaidee!

Inthisorn sauces are available from their own website at www.inthisornfoods.com and at McEwan’s gourmet grocery stores in Toronto. ■

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Set your hockey equipment free!

by SUSAN SCANDIFFIO In my house, there are a few rooms (possibly one) that are completely devoid of clutter. But then, there is THE room where clutter truly reigns – the place where things we planned to someday sort have been left to languish unforgotten. The furnace room.

It’s basically the Bermuda Triangle of Casa Scandiffio.

The Leaside Flames 2005 AA hockey team hopes that you, too, have such a room, which holds, among other items, good-condition hockey gear no longer being used (rather than the selfie-toaster and strawberry stem remover we may, or may not, have on our shelves).

In October of this year, the team is headed to Manitoulin Island to participate in a community skate and an inter scrimmage game against the Wiky Hawks of the Wiikwemkoong First Nation. The trip was the brainchild of one of the Flames’ moms, Tabatha Bull, a Leasider who is Anishinaabe and a member of Nipissing First Nation.

But playing hockey will be just one aspect of their trip.

LEASIDE SPORTS Susan Scandiffio Columnist

On Sunday, August 25th, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., the team will be hosting a ball hockey tournament in the parking lot of The Local at 180 Laird Drive. The team will be collecting hockey equipment in new or reasonably used condition (no holes, tears, mould, etc.,), hockey bags (which are perfect for delivery), as well as sticks. (Socks and jerseys are not accepted). The equipment will be donated to the Wiikwemikoong First Nation, and any extra equipment will be provided to other First Nation communities in Manitoulin.

Want to register to play in the tournament? Youth from 11 to 16 are welcome (and encouraged) to join in.

Contact Jill Briggs (Jillbriggs@rogers. com) to get in on the action.

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Leaside Life • August 2019

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The Local has generously donated food for a barbecue, while Steam Whistle is kindly providing beer.

Cloud Nine AV and Patrick Rocca are sponsors for the event, and a raffle will be held.

Proceeds from the event will help to cover the costs of a team bus (which will also serve as a vehicle to transport the equipment), pay for the ice rental in Manitoulin, and provide laces and helmet screws to make sure all gear is usable. Any additional money received will be donated for upgrades to the Wiikwemkoong First Nation arena (https://wiikwemkoong.ca). The team will also happily accept cash donations on the day of the event.

According to Bull, the trip is a valuable way for the “boys to learn about volunteering, the feeling of giving, and to understand that not all children are as lucky as they are.

It’s important to educate both the families and boys on the culture and history of First Nations in Canada – this is a key part of reconciliation in the country. And of course, it’s always great to make new friends.”

According to head coach Rob Stanley, the team is “really looking forward to this trip! We hope to collect as much equipment as we can to contribute to the Indigenous community on Manitoulin.”

If you have any questions about the event on August 25th or the trip to Manitoulin, or you’d like to make a donation, contact Tabatha Bull tabathabull78@gmail.com. ■

EGLINTON CROSSTOWN UPDATE

LESLIE STREET CLOSURE RESTRICTIONS From July 1 to September 1, Leslie Street will be closed to vehicles travelling between Leslie Street and Eglinton Avenue East in order to build the LRT guideway in the middle of Eglinton Avenue and install railway track.

Eglinton Avenue will remain open in both directions at all times and Leslie Street will otherwise function normally.

Pedestrian access between Leslie Street and Eglinton Avenue will be maintained. The TTC’s 51 Leslie bus will loop at the bottom of Leslie. Route 54 Lawrence East will detour on Don Mills Road.

Leslie St Pedestrian Routes Crosswalk Sidewalk Closure

Public vehicle turn-around facility

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Access to all businesses on Leslie Street will be maintained.

Turn restrictions were lifted at Bayview Avenue and Eglinton Avenue in June, and Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue in late June, both prior to the start of this work.

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A ride for “the good, the bad and the ugly”

by HOLLY REID Empathy is often described as being able to put yourself in another person’s shoes or, in this case, on their bike! To let our local politicians experience what it’s really like to bike on our local roads and trails, Cycle Don Valley Midtown has initiated “the good, the bad and the ugly” rides. The idea is that with greater understanding, policymakers will support making cycling safer where we live.

Missing connections Don Valley West MP Rob Oliphant was first to sign up, gamely agreeing to a Saturday ride not long after recovering from an appendectomy.

Peter Low of Cycle Don Valley Midtown organized the route in consultation with Rob’s office, and several Leasiders joined in for the ride. Beginning at the East York Town Centre, both “the good and the bad” were experienced simultaneously. While new bike lanes installed last fall on Thorncliffe Park Drive are good, the missed opportunity to connect them to schools and Flemingdon Park via protected bike

CYCLE DON VALLEY MIDTOWN

Leaside Life • August 2019

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Rob Oliphant MP, Don Valley West and Cycle Don Valley Midtown members Carmen Jones, Holly Reid, Peter Low and Bruce Rayment in Serena Gundy Park.

lanes on Overlea Blvd. was indicative of “the bad” and the chronic problem with cycling infrastructure in Toronto – missing connections.

Not a “quiet” route Leaving Thorncliffe Park, the group rode along Beth Nealson Drive and Wicksteed Avenue to Brentcliffe Road amid busy Saturday traffic. Wicksteed is sometimes labelled as a “quiet street route,” but those of us who live, work or bike here know that is not the case. Any cycling infrastructure in this area needs to offer protection for cyclists as well as accommodation for the many large trucks which rely on this route.

Better than good!

Leaving the roads for trail riding was an opportunity to experience not just the good, but also the great!

The group rode down from Rykert Crescent to Serena Gundy Park and then north to Edwards Gardens via the Wilket Creek Park Trail. The latter is currently under construction and closed during the week, but once completed this will provide an excellent connection between Leaside and Don Mills.

And now for the ugly…

CYCLING page 19

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From Page 5 Skye O’Shell Skye O’Shell will be pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian next year.

With the assistance of Ms. Wilson, she was excited to discover that in the U.K., many schools offer a five-year undergraduate degree in veterinarian medicine rather than requiring another degree first. With her final average of 92%, she will be attending the top-ranked University of Bristol, renowned for its veterinary school. Skye has always loved animals and been interested in medicine. She wants to improve the health of animals around the world and is “fascinated by the link between livestock and world health concerns.” Her desire to be a vet was heightened by some health issues her own dog was experiencing, and she set out to get into as many animal-related volunteer positions as possible to learn more, and to ensure her admission into vet school.

Since 2014, Skye has worked in

pet daycare and grooming establishments, been a dog-walker, and had placements in several clinics such as Laird Animal Clinic.

She also shadowed vets at a stable to gain large animal experience. Even her job as a butcher at Cumbrae’s provided valuable lessons in anatomy and livestock health. After earning her degree, Skye plans to return to Canada and open her own clinic, ideally for both domestic and farm animals.

Sophie Song With a remarkable average of 97.9% in nine Grade 12 courses, Sophie Song had the highest average in the school, earning her the Governor-General’s Academic Medal, the Norman McLeod Scholarship and three subject prizes. Her record of academic excellence was one of the reasons she also won a Major Entrance Scholarship to McGill University worth up to $12,000. She will be pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree, T:6.875” because of its and she chose McGill excellent program and French envi-

ronment, which will enable her to maintain her French skills. Another part of the scholarship application was a description of a life-changing experience. For Sophie, it was her participation in the 2017 Yale Young Global Scholars Program in Politics, Law and Economics where she was a member of the group focusing on economic inequality. The last requirement for Sophie’s scholarship was superior extracurricular activity. Not only was she a writer and editor for the school newspaper, but she was also involved in two plays for the National Theatre School competition, taking on roles in writing, stage managing, directing and music composition. In addition, she acted as a peer tutor in math and played competitive table tennis. Sophie’s goal is to become a bilingual lawyer working in the field of environmental remediation.

Not surprisingly, all of these exceptional students had high praise for LHS with its welcoming atmosphere, diversity of activities and leadership opportunities, supportive peers, and dedicated and encouraging teachers and counsellors. ■

13

Leaside Life • August 2019

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Is it time for a Leaside Neighbourhood Council?

The importance of citizen participation in governance is an essential ingredient for our democracy. Just this past year we were witness to both a provincial and a municipal election, and we’re now gearing up for a federal one. Notwithstanding the complexity of today’s issues, various conspiracy theories, and the rise of potential influencers such as ‘botnets’ that can obfuscate our individual decision-making process, I believe it is our individual duty to get out and vote. Having said that, never have I felt more insignificant and powerless living within our governance system – and I do spend a great deal of time participating. So why do I feel this way?

During my tenure as a business columnist for Leaside Life, I have mostly focused on suggesting ideas that strengthen our community, often from the perspective of strategic or value-creating initiatives we can undertake with an eye to the long term. There was a rant about the city-calculated neighbourhood equity score, the call to realize our potential for the live-work dream, the need to attract more innova-

materialize if they are simply left to collect dust.

Glenn Asano The Business of Leaside

“Whatever you do may seem insignificant, but it is important you do it.”

Mahatma Gandhi tive and future-oriented businesses, the importance of a home ‘BIA’, the desire for a neighbourhood watch, and even our very own community currency – the Leaside dollar – to name but a few. However, beyond espousing the need and subsequent benefits of each, the challenge of actually establishing and growing these initiatives is daunting. Never mind the fact we do not have any dedicated resources, we do not even have an organization that can coordinate such a considerable effort.

So, basically, these ideas will never

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Leaside Life • August 2019

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We need to establish our own self-governing body That feeling existed until now. One of the first books on my summer reading bucket list was Teardown: 100 Remedies for a Broken Democracy by Toronto’s own Dave Meslin. The vaguely familiar concept of the ‘neighbourhood council’ jumped out. Indeed, there has been a renewed interest in the benefits, especially after the number of governing wards went from 47 to 25 in this city.

With our councillors doing overtime and their staff stretched to the limit, how could it ever be expected by us residents that there would be time enough to conduct adequate planning and direction at the most local of levels – our individual neighbourhoods? I have come to believe that the only individuals who care about Leaside are those of us who live and work here. If we are ever going to get things done, and done right, we're going to need to establish our own self-governing body to plan, coordinate, and implement the things we can agree on that will benefit Leaside.

For those unfamiliar, a neighbourhood council is a governmental or non-governmental body (often elected, sometimes funded) that serves as a point of contact between the central city government and local residents about the community's needs. Typically, they take the lead in the planning and management of neighbourhood projects and strategic initiatives. There are models in the literature that inform the idea of citizen participation that brings neighbourhood councils and city agencies together in a collaborative partnership. More readily, you can view real living examples of neighbourhood council programs to help you determine what might work best for us. I encourage you to check out a few: Edmonton (federation of community leagues), Los Angeles (department of neighborhood empowerment) New York (community boards), London (borough councils), and Hamilton (neighbourhood action strategy) are all a good starting point.

Let’s not wait for the city, we can get ahead of the curve The Leaside Neighbourhood Council is something I believe can benefit us all. In fact, you can do

a search on your own to see that several neighbourhoods are coming to that very same conclusion and are garnering support in the media.

Relatively known names in the city have spoken out in favour at one time or another (e.g. Tory, Keesmaat, Matlow, Nunziata, Smitherman).

Impressively, Edmonton’s program started in 1917, and they have 159 community leagues. Hamilton’s “NAS is focused on helping neighbourhoods be great places to live, work, play and learn. NAS supports community planning teams as they develop and implement action plans that build healthier communities...[and] aligns existing resources and supports new relationships that help these neighbourhoods meet their goals.” Just for interest, I read a 76-page Neighbourhood Action Plan for Beasley (randomly selected) that was submitted to Hamilton City Council for endorsement. In it they identified four broad goals: (1) Improve Neighbourhood Design, (2) Increase Sense of Health, Safety & Security, (3) Improve Social & Cultural Connections, and (4) Strengthen Business & Economic Opportunities. Sounded to me like a fair start.

Regardless of whether the City of Toronto goes down the path of neighbourhood councils, there is nothing to stop Leaside from getting a head start. Pulling another idea from Dave Meslin’s book, to effect real change, we need to meet ‘faceto-face’ about our plans to establish our own neighbourhood council.

Although the various community Facebook pages are a useful tool, real community engagement needs to be ‘old school’. We need to shake some hands and break some bread together. This idea is worth it. No longer do I want to feel insignificant, and most certainly not on my watch. ...Otherwise, I just might move to Beasley.

Could a Leaside Neighbourhood Council help create a better community for all? Would you participate in a community-wide meeting to get things started? What community-based organizations should take the lead? Would you become a member? Let us know at leasidelife@gmail.com.

Leasider Glenn Asano is a partner and principal consultant for the strategy and business development practice at Centred Performance. He is also an Instructor with the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University. ■

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15

Leaside Life • August 2019

COUNCIL continued

Leaside Life • August 2019

16

Baseball on a Leaside summer night Growing up in leafy Leaside yields many benefits beyond the close proximity to great Bayview shopping, excellent schools, a wonderful public library, and quite a few parks. When you lived exactly one short block from Howard Talbot Park, one of the community’s true summer glories was strolling down the street in the evening, the warmth still rising from the pavement, to take in a ball game. As a kid living just up the street, all was right with the world when they played baseball in the park.

A sure sign of a ball game was the tractor driving around the infield in the afternoon dragging the mesh screen behind until the tiny grooves in the dirt were parallel and pristine. The white lime lines were meticulously laid down using this magical wheeled contraption that I always wanted to try. And finally, the brighter-than-white bases were hammered into the ground on the points of the diamond. It was almost game time. The teams would warm up tossing balls to one another in the outfield. Eventually, each team in turn would claim the infield so the

Terry Fallis Columnist

coach could hit grounders. When we could see the field lights and hear the crackle of the PA system from our backyard, we knew it was time to head to the park.

Not that we needed any more evidence by that stage that baseball would be played that night, but the other incontrovertible evidence of a game was the ageless Howie Birnie parking his car in front of our house and sauntering toward the diamond. To say Howie has been a fixture around the Leaside Baseball Association imbues the lowly word “fixture” with far too much solidity and longevity. Howie Birnie has been president of the LBA since 1973. Yes, you read that right, 1973! He is Leaside baseball and always will be. Howie would play any number of roles during

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the games of my childhood, including umpiring, coaching, staffing the refreshment booth, and even passing the old coffee pot during the seventh inning stretch to raise money, one quarter at a time, for the association. It’s no wonder Howie has been inducted into the Leaside and Toronto Sports Halls of Fame, and the Ontario Baseball Hall of Fame.

What I loved most about those summer nights was when my dad would come down to the park with us to watch a few innings. My father was six foot six – most of it leg. He would walk towards the park at what to all outward appearances seemed like a normal, stately pace, while my twin brother Tim and I would literally trot beside him to keep up. Some nights we’d just stand at the top of the hill and watch. Other nights, we’d walk down the grass hill (well, Tim and I would invariably roll down the hill, the young kid’s standard mode of locomotion when grass hills were involved) and grab a bench in the bleachers for a closer perspective on the game.

If the constellations were aligned, Dad would underwrite a visit to the refreshment booth for a Coke or a Lola (and if you’re not familiar with Lolas, I’m afraid that deserves an entire column on its own!).

All these years later, that distinctive crack of bat against ball (or, for that matter, mention of the word “Lola”) immediately transports me back to those idyllic Leaside summer nights. I’ve already written in an earlier column about some of our other childhood baseball exploits, including the infamous peeled-potato trick that both my brother Tim and I had a hand in. (I don’t think Howie Birnie was umpiring that night, but I’m sure he was there for it. Certainly not our proudest Leaside baseball moment.)

Our father passed away in January.

This may explain why I’ve been thinking about those nights more often, now that the Leaside baseball season at Talbot is in full swing. I know I’ll find my way to the park at least a few times in what remains of the summer, to enjoy a 73-year old tradition of Leaside baseball.

I’ll sit in the bleachers and immerse myself in the flood of memories it will all bring. Perhaps I’ll bring my own two sons. Maybe brother Tim will come with us, but I promise we won’t roll down the hill as we used to. We’re older now and stopped doing that months ago. ■

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Leaside Life • August 2019

17

Leaside Life • August 2019

18

Is your garden contributing to climate change?

With 100 members in the Leaside Garden Society and the Toronto Botanical Gardens at our doorstep to educate and inspire our many green thumbs, I would bet that Leaside has the largest number of skilled and informed garden enthusiasts to rival any other neighbourhood in Toronto.

Like most gardeners, I consider myself to be a steward of the land, a guardian of nature and devotee of beauty who cares deeply about the environment. Yes, I’m proud to be a gardener.

But a special report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has me seeing through a new lens.

As expected, the report shows that the burning of fossil fuels and cement production have been responsible for almost two-thirds of our global warming. The other third comes from our unsustainable land use, such as roads and buildings, deforestation, the removal of wetlands and loss of habitats.

But I wasn’t expecting to find gardening on that list.

No gardeners want to learn their

The Leaside Gardener: Debora Kuchme Columnist

“You need nature more than she needs you.

It’s not an equal relationship.

Serve her well and she will look after you.

Abuse her and everyone loses.”

– Monty Don efforts have contributed to climate change or that their love of the land has actually harmed the environment. That really hurts!

Unfortunately, the evidence is clear that in so many ways, gardeners and certain garden practices have both harmed nature and played a role in climate change.

Here are some ways we gardeners may have contributed to climate

change: • If you have a love of the lawn (which many Leasiders do), you should know that using a gas lawnmower for one hour can generate as much greenhouse gas emissions as 11 cars. The nitrous oxide emitted by lawn fertilizers has 300 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide that can linger in the atmosphere for years. Swept into the waterways, nitrogen fertilizers can strip water of oxygen. Then of course, there is the other obvious water abuse.

• Power tools of any kind, including blowers and trimmers which burn fossil fuel or electricity generated by fossil fuel, contribute to climate change.

• Do you water your garden frequently with tap water?

• Peat or potting soil that contains peat such as triple mix is harming the peat bogs that are home to diverse wildlife.

Peatlands also store a lot of carbon, which gets released when harvested. I’m personally guilty of this one.

• Synthetic fertilizers and pesticides harm the environment, and factories producing these products are major polluters.

• Buying garden furniture or other garden products made from woodland which has been destroyed contributes to climate change. Right now, I’m looking at my oversized deck, my many fences and a lot of lattice.

• Do you use a patio heater or heat your pool?

• Gardeners are responsible for extra carbon dioxide when we buy garden products which have been transported by vehicles powered by fossil fuel. Guilty!

As gardeners, we have inadvertently contributed to climate change.

As gardeners, we can help to make things right.

Start by reducing greenhouse gases from our gardens and encourage the absorption of carbon dioxide by way of soil, trees and plants.

By doing just that, we can begin to slow the negative effects of climate change. Then we can – and must – do more.

I know Leaside gardeners will step up to the challenge to do what we can – just imagine if every gardener did!

Visit leasidelife.com to read the extended version of this article. ■

Cycling...

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Leaside Life • August 2019

Accessing the Don Trail (also known as the Leaside Spur Trail), north off Lawrence Avenue East, the group cycled to Bond Avenue to show Rob the “ugly.” The exit from the trail is steep and ushers bike riders into a busy entrance to the parking lot of a popular sports field. Drivers are not alerted to potential bike traffic and their sightlines are partially obscured. This is a popular ride for families, and Cycle Don Valley Midtown is working on drawing attention to this dangerous intersection to get it fixed.

Although cycling infrastructure in Toronto is under municipal government control, the federal government through Infrastructure Canada has provided funding to projects the City has initiated. Two local examples are the East Don Trail (completion December, 2019) and bike lanes in Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park. Here’s hoping that additional money will come Leaside’s way soon and bring more of “the good” cycling to our area.

Do you know of a good, bad or ugly bike route to share? Email cycledonvalleymidtown@cycleto.ca and tell us about it.

Holly Reid is a recreational road rider and cycling commuter. An advocate for safe cycling, she is a member of Cycle Don Valley Midtown, Cycle Toronto’s advocacy group for Wards15/16. ■

19

Leaside Life • August 2019

20

Road safety in Leaside Traffic and pedestrian safety are important issues for residents in Leaside and across Ward 15. As you may know, I introduced Toronto’s first-ever comprehensive Road Safety Plan (RSP) based on the international standard, Vision Zero, as the former Chair of Public Works and Infrastructure.

On July 16-17, City Council considered an update to the RSP – branded as Vision Zero 2.0 – with new initiatives and accelerated timelines. This month’s agenda also includes an update on the City’s efforts to implement Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) technology on priority streets throughout Toronto in an effort to reduce speeding.

The RSP is a five-year (from 2017) action plan focused on reducing traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries on Toronto’s streets. The latest Vision Zero 2.0 staff report builds on the work we have completed to date and identifies new, accelerated measures to make Toronto’s roads safer for all road users. The major focus actions include: prioritizing speed management; implementing road design improvements; improving mid-block crossings; and educat-

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A key element of the Vision Zero RSP is the implementation of School Safety Zones across the city. This year, I fast-tracked the implementation of new School Safety Zones at three Leaside schools – Northlea Elementary and Middle School, Bessborough Drive Elementary and Middle School, and St. Anselm Elementary School. School Safety Zones feature: • New school zone safety signs with flashing beacons • School zone pavement stencils • “Watch your speed” driver feedback signs and • Zebra markings at school crosswalks.

In 2017, the Government of Ontario passed the Safer School Zones Act, however, legislation for the adoption of ASE technology has yet to come into effect. Despite the delay, City staff are laying the groundwork to implement an ASE program in Toronto in anticipation of provincial approval.

In 2018, I moved a motion to lift the moratorium on the creation of new Community Safety Zones (CSZs). Rolling out ASE technology in our CSZs will better equip law enforcement to reduce speeding in key areas of the city, as drivers caught disobeying the posted speed limits in CSZs can be fined at double the standard rate. I also moved a motion directing staff to further enhance road safety by doubling the number of red-light cameras and increasing the number of future ASE locations.

Excessive speeds have been identified as one of the leading contributing factors to traffic-related injuries, and ASE has had a positive impact reducing average speeds in other municipalities. For example, New York City reported that traffic fatalities near schools with ASE were reduced by more than 50%, and speeding was reduced by more than 60%, while Edmonton found that its ASE program reduced severe collisions by 32% and speed-related collisions by 27%.

I look forward to working with the Leaside community to improve road safety in our Ward 15 neighbourhoods. Along with implementing the updated Vision Zero 2.0 Road Safety Program and Automated Speed Enforcement technology, Toronto is moving forward with important initiatives to improve safety for all road users. ■

Fence exemptions and sight lines Geoff Kettel

GEOFF KETTEL

Saving old Leaside

Rykert Crescent of enforcement action on the part of the City, City staff reported that “based on our investigation the City expects compliance concerning the fence in the next two weeks.”

Subsequently, the fence was moved back behind the street tree and lowered, but only the section near the street property line. The fence adjoining the property line

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with the neighbour continued to be non-compliant with respect to the sight line rules, and thus represents a safety hazard for vehicles exiting the owner’s own driveway!

The City again issued a notice of non-compliance. But instead of complying, the owner requested a fence exemption to be considered

by North York Community Council at its September, 2019 meeting, that will involve a new owner as the property has now been sold. If an exemption is granted, the fence will be allowed to remain in place, continuing a sight line hazard for the owner, neighbours, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians in the area. In addition, it could potentially create additional liability for the City if there is ever an injury related to exiting the driveway.

By the way, this is the same property we wrote about in the March, 2019 issue of Leaside Life – then it was issues with a sump pump spouting water onto the sidewalk and creating a skating rink. That one appears to be resolved with the owner installing a French drain to deal with the water on site. ■

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Leaside Life • August 2019

Seems to me that wooden fences are sprouting in Leaside where open mesh chain link fences once prevailed. Presumably it’s about privacy, but shouldn’t it be about community safety as well? Sight lines can be impeded by a fence located next to a driveway, whether that of the fence owner or a neighbour. The City does indeed have rules regarding fences that are designed to take safety concerns into account. Specifically, Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 447, Fences, deals with transparency (or lack of), height, and positioning relative to the City’s right of way. But a fence exemption can be requested, and is subject to the approval of Community Council. That’s where we are with 31 Rykert Crescent.

Back in February, 2019, on completion of a rebuild, the owner constructed a fence so close to the sidewalk it actually enclosed the City-owned tree! It was also taller than allowed. That month the City ordered the owner to comply with the bylaw. In late March, 2019, after neighbours expressed concerns to the Councillor about a lack

Leaside Life • August 2019

22

Welcoming Vision Zero 2.0 Fed up with congestion on our streets, both local and arterial? Tired of coping with road closures for road repair work and condo construction?

Running out of creative strategies for avoiding anywhere along the LRT construction route?

We all need some good news in the traffic category, and it looks like we’re about to get some, although it won’t happen right away. Still, good news from City Hall is good news.

And here it is: It’s Vision Zero 2.0, an important set of staff-proposed city-wide traffic policies undergoing evaluation at committee and City Council. Aimed at safety and accident reduction, it recommends lowering speed limits on both arterial and local roads. Speed limits on arterial roads like Bayview Avenue, Eglinton Avenue, and Laird Drive would be lowered from 60kph to 50kph; collectors from 50kph to 40kph; and local roads from 50kph or 40kph to 30kph. These changes would be phased in between 2020 and 2026, with arterials having the priority beginning in 2020. Changes on local residential streets would begin in 2021.

Carol Burtin Fripp Co-president, LPOA

Community councils would have the authority over changes to the speed limits on local roads, and after identifying what are referred to as “designated areas” (i.e., individual residential communities like Leaside), these policies would come into force and be imposed on a whole-neighbourhood basis, not street by street.

It is called a holistic speed management strategy.

Vision Zero 2.0 does not just propose speed reduction. It also proposes measures such as traffic calming through road design improvements, public education, and automated speed enforcement.

Importantly, the city’s Transportation Services has already been instructed to review the current warrants for traffic control measures, since in the past traffic warrants have emphasized maintaining efficient traffic

flow, not safety considerations.

All in all, Vision Zero 2.0 is a very positive initiative. However, I am concerned that the timeline for these changes is so extended. Many of the proposed signage and traffic calming changes need not be expensive, and could be introduced earlier.

We should not have to wait till 2021 (let alone 2026), when we already experience many traffic-related incidents on Leaside streets, and when we need more safety measures now.

The traffic calming plan proposed by the Leaside Property Owners’ Association at the end of 2018 should be a good fit with Vision Zero 2.0. If there is support from Leasiders for a shorter timeline, and supportive work on our behalf by our Councillor, I feel optimistic that real change – real improvement – may actually happen.

The next LPOA Board meeting is Wednesday, August 7th, at 7:30 p.m., in the Trace Manes building on Rumsey Rd. We invite you to attend and learn what is happening in our community.

Our meetings, which are always open to the public, take place on the first Wednesday of each month. ■

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