Digging in at St. Cuthbert’s community garden
Gardeners left-clockwise: Karen Murkar, Ted Krawchuk, Nancy Dorkin, Kathi Davies, Jane Milligan, Hedy Sellers and Teya Knightingale.
Get ready to vote... again
Are you suffering from voter fatigue? First it was the federal election just over a year ago. Then the provincial election just a few months ago. And now, on October 24, we’re heading to the polls again with a municipal election.
So, I ask again. Are you feeling voter fatigue? I know I am.
Jane Auster Editor Leaside Life
But, arguably, this local one is the most important election, since we interact most closely with our municipal representatives. Our councillors and their staff are often only an email or phone call away. They are our go-tos for dayto-day concerns. For this reason, and so many others, this election does count.
Plus, it counts in a way you might not even have considered. As Geoff Kettel points out in this issue: “It was shaping up to be a sleepy election with an incumbent mayor
and several incumbent councillors including ours, Jaye Robinson, looking to return. But that changed for me on September 8th, when the Ford government passed Bill 3, otherwise known as the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act.”
As Geoff adds, we need to find out where our councillors and candidates stand on this legislation. Whose interests will they represent first and foremost? Residents’ or the “strong mayor’s.”
We have other coverage of the municipal election in this issue, as well as stories raising the alarm on the federal government’s proposed redistricting of Leaside into separate ridings. Meaty issues. Dig in! n
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A vote to remember: Leaside elects its first woman mayor
by TED DEWELLES, Leaside Heritage Preservation Society
As Torontonians prepare to vote later this month, some Leasiders may remember when this community had its own mayoralty elections. One of the most memorable occurred in December 1962 between Leaside councillor Beth Nealson and incumbent Leaside mayor Lloyd Dickinson.
Ms. Nealson, a politically active housewife and mother, was a 28-year Leaside resident with eight years of municipal experience. She was the sole woman on the Leaside town council and, if elected, would become its first woman mayor. Mr. Dickinson, a local businessman, was a nine-year veteran of Leaside politics and had only recently been appointed mayor following the resignation of Mayor Charles Hiscott earlier in the year.
Throughout the fall, the rival candidates campaigned vigorously – delivering speeches, canvassing homes and running ads in The
Leaside Advertiser. The contest was hard-fought. Dickinson questioned Ms. Nealon’s right to even run for public office on the basis that she did not own property in Leaside – which did not endear him to apartment dwellers in Leaside and Thorncliffe. Nealson responded by claiming her opponent had acted improperly earlier in the year when he and other councillors named retiring Mayor Hiscott town treasurer without properly studying or advertising the position first. On November 26, the two candidates addressed these and other issues before a crowd of some 250 people at Bessborough School auditorium.
A week later, on December 3, over 50 per cent of eligible Leaside voters cast their ballots. Throughout election night, the lead seesawed between the two candidates. When all 7,100-plus votes were counted, Dickinson had won by just 13 votes. But the race didn’t end there.
The Barrys turn their passion for cycling into a top-spin career
by JANIS FERTUCK
Cycling is a way of life for Deirdre and Michael Barry, a Leaside couple who have taken part in the Olympics and now run the family business, Mariposa Bicycles.
Deirdre (known as Dede) grew up in Milwaukee and was introduced to cycling as a teenager as a form of cross-training for speedskating. She had raced as a national team speedskater for three years, but she soon found success on the bike, winning the 1989 Junior World Championships road race. She says that was the beginning of a 16-year cycling career capped with a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. She was a multiple medallist of world, national and Pan-American competitions, and a member of the U.S. National and Olympic Cycling teams, as well as the Saturn and T-Mobile professional cycling teams.
Michael, who grew up in Davisville Village, immersed himself in cycling
at an early age from the time his parents had bike shops at King and Jarvis and on Millwood. He soon became a keen cyclist with a dream of racing in the Tour de France. His dream became a reality when he rode for some of the most famous teams of the time, including Team Sky, T-Mobile, Discovery Channel and the U.S. Postal Service, competing in the Tour de France, Vuelta a España and Giro d’Italia. He also represented Canada at the Olympics (’96, ’04,’ 08), the Commonwealth Games (’94, ’02), and as a World Tour Cyclist (1998-2012).
Dede and Michael met in Boulder, Colorado in 1997, and lived there and in Girona, Spain for the next several years. They settled in Leaside with their family in 2013 after Michael’s retirement from professional racing and in order to be closer to his parents.
Once in Toronto, Michael and Dede took over the operation of the family business, Mariposa Bicycles, founded in 1969 by Mike Barry, Sr. Today, the company specializes in custom, hand-built bicycles and restorations, but they also have an online store and sell a wide range of bicycles from around the world as well as components, wheels, apparel and accessories. Dede, who has an international MBA, runs the oper-
ations and Michael spends most of his time in the workshop, and, with his “experience in bicycle fit and design…he has a unique skill in translating a cyclist’s specifications to the bike design.”
In addition to running the business, Dede and Michael coach aspiring racing cyclists and lead cycling tours to Spain and France. Michael is also a writer who has shared the “cyclist’s perspective from inside the peloton” in four books, three about racing and one, with Dede, about training.
The Barrys’ two children, Holland, 17, and Ashlin, 15, are also avid cyclists, who enjoy biking to school, saying that the commute makes them more focused in class so they never miss a day of biking even in the winter. Moreover, Ashlin, who enjoys racing, set a record in the U-17 pursuit at National Championships in the spring and has a full slate of races this fall.
Dede and Michael value their easy access to the Don Valley park system and use the “phenomenal trails” for running, walking and commuting to work in East York. Dede sums up her family’s dedication to cycling: “It provides health benefits, a way to get fit, an energy-efficient and clean way to commute and an opportunity for competition.” n
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Baseball fever swung into Leaside in September
by SUSAN SCANDIFFIO
It’s not uncommon to see kids in Leaside in active gear. Whether they’re heading off to hockey, soccer, dance, figure skating, basketball, hiking, biking, karate (it’s a wonderfully long list), it’s awesome to see kids in motion!
On Labour Day weekend, there’s a good chance that you might have seen a lot more kids around the neighbourhood in uniforms.
From September 2nd to the 5th, Leaside hosted the Ontario Baseball Championships for the 10U AAA division. With 12 teams fielding more than 140 players and 1,000plus spectators in attendance, the neighbourhood was abuzz with baseball fever.
Under the coaching of Geoff Lamb, Randy Hoffman and Lorne Cooperberg, Leaside fielded a team which Coach Lamb described as “a very tough team that has a great ability to grind things out.”
According to Lamb, “hosting a provincial championship is a great honour. The best teams in
LEASIDE SPORTS
the province have all ascended on the Leaside neighbourhood and it means the world to our association.”
Organizing such a prestigious event takes an army of dedicated volunteers. This group included the coaches, tournament convenors Parker Allan, Darcy Sheldrick and Campbell McFarlane, league representatives Neal Prabu and Jesse Harrison, umpire lead Taylor Lau and team parents.
The tournament was also fortunate to be sponsored by Access Storage, YouTube, Sobeys, Metro, TD Bank, Eagle Beaver Sports, Leaside Orthodontics, Local Public Eatery Leaside and Biosteel.
At the end of the day, it’s all about the players, the hard work they put in all season to get to this point and the thrill of being able to play at a provincial championship.
As talented and excited Leaside 10-year-old Leaside player Evan Morris noted, “it’s really cool that a bunch of teams from different cities are coming to our neighbourhood and playing in the OBA finals at Trace Manes where we practise every week!”
The smiles on the kids’ faces said it all.
Congratulations to Leaside Baseball and the U10 AAA team for hosting such a well-run and tremendously fun tournament! n
BRIAN MOK
Above: the team celebrates after the big win at sponsor The Local Public Eatery, Leaside.
InsideOut’s Barry Samuel fastpitches his way to the Maccabiah Games
by SUSAN SCANDIFFIO
They say that opportunity knocks when you least expect it. And making the most of unexpected opportunities starts with being open and prepared to seize them.
Such has been the experience of Leasider Barry Samuel.
Director of Health and Fitness at InsideOut on Laird Drive, Samuel has been a lifelong proponent of active and healthy living.
As a young child, Samuel participated in many active pursuits, including baseball. His initial introduction to Leaside, in fact, was when he played with the Leaside juniors team at 19.
While he was always active and coaching, Samuel left organized ball as a young adult. He continued to play pickup games and in more recent years was introduced to men who were playing both recreational baseball as well as competitive fastpitch.
LEASIDE SPORTS
Fastpitch, the format played at the Olympic Games, differs from “classic” baseball in multiple ways, including field size, length of bats,
Stanley’s White House Meats
etc. The most notable difference, however, is the pitching style. Using an underhand throw, the pitcher delivers the ball using a “windmill” type of movement.
When Samuel was given the opportunity to move to the competitive side, he notes that “there was quite the learning curve, especially playing with the more experienced players.”
Thanks to his mindful adherence to a healthy and active lifestyle, though, it didn’t take long for him to catch up.
Quite soon, Samuel’s play was noticed and he was invited to try out for the Canada fastpitch team.
Samuel felt “privileged, honoured and humbled” just for the opportunity to be considered to play for Team Canada.
Securing a spot on the team in 2018, Samuel was thrilled to represent Canada in Mexico in 2019 in the Pan American games.
As with so many aspects of life, Covid put a pause on organized sports, and Team Canada’s practices and play ground to a halt.
Samuel continued to maintain his active lifestyle keeping both body and mind in shape.
This July, as the world cautiously began to reopen, Samuel and the team travelled to Israel to participate in the Maccabiah Games.
Knowing last winter that he would be playing in the games, Samuel added sprinting to his training
Barry (far right) with Team Canada.
regimen in order to be in top form. Unable to run inside because of Covid restrictions, he joined others on the track at Central Tech. He also kept up his fitness playing soccer with Leaside dads on Sunday mornings.
Samuel notes that “for the recent games, everybody had an overwhelming sense of gratitude for being able to travel, to be social, and to see others from other games.” He has made enduring friendships with both Canadian
teammates and athletes from around the world.
The chance to represent Canada in fastpitch was not necessarily a scenario he could have imagined years ago. But as he himself advises about unexpected chances, “don’t underestimate yourself and give it your best. If you have a good opportunity, make the most of it.”
Opportunity knocked and with an attitude of giving it his all, Samuel made the most of it. And the rest, as they say, is (fastpitch) history. n
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Barry with some of the local fans at the Maccabiah Games.
I’m writing this column less than 24 hours after the breaking news of the Queen’s passing. By the time you read this, some weeks hence, it’s possible we’ll have a better perspective on what can only be called the end of an era. But as I write this, we’re still reeling from the sad tidings. I suppose we should not be surprised. She was 96 after all and still serving her people and nation nearly every day. Yet I, for one, was shocked when the news broke. I’d seen her photograph with the newly named Prime Minister Liz Truss just two days earlier, and while the Queen seemed frail, she was standing and smiling and certainly did not look as if the end were near. I think it’s because she has always been there in my lifetime, and it seemed she always would be. I was born in 1959, seven years after Elizabeth became Queen. Late this year I will turn 63 – still a shock to my system to acknowledge this as fact – so the Queen, day in and day out, has kept calm and carried on through all those years, 70 years in fact, if you’re keeping track. An astonishing achievement and an even greater commitment to
The end of an era
Terry Fallis Columnist
her duties as sovereign. I retired to write full-time back in March at 62. The Queen worked another 34 years past my current age until she was 96! Extraordinary.
I’m not an ardent monarchist and I never have been. I’m also well aware of the need for us to reconsider and reconcile the costs of the colonialism that flourished in the last century, its waning days under Elizabeth’s tenure. But a more enlightened approach still leaves plenty of room to marvel at the Queen’s remarkable record of service over 70 years. Her reign is without precedent.
When I started at Bessborough School in Grade 1, our family having
just moved to Leaside, I well remember the portraits of Queen Elizabeth hanging in the school and often in the classroom, too. In fact, I think, though I’m not certain, that we sang God Save the Queen in the mornings back then, though it probably wasn’t that long before we switched to O Canada. So, we all knew who the Queen was and what she looked like. She was just part of our lives. In the wake of her passing, many commentators and Royal insiders have talked about the Queen’s sense of humour. While not always, or even often, on display in her Royal duties, it is clear that she was witty and liked a good laugh.
Knowing the crises that afflicted England during her reign, from World War II to the Irish ‘troubles,’ from bitter labour strife to Princess Diana’s sudden death, I can only imagine how important humour was to her and the English people as a way to cope, inject perspective, and persevere. Humour is not just a laugh at someone else’s expense, it’s a defence against the tragedies and misfortunes that are visited upon us
over our lives. Humour is part of surviving and surmounting all that life throws in our path. I think the Queen understood this.
Now, watching videos of the Queen where her sense of humour was on full display, like when Daniel Craig (aka James Bond) and she make a grand entrance at the opening of the London Olympics, or when she enjoyed tea with Paddington Bear at Buckingham Palace, they make me laugh and sad at the same time. As we begin a new era, one without the only Queen (the only monarch!) most of us have ever known, let us remember her not just as an exemplary and dedicated leader, but also as a human being who enjoyed life and a laugh even as she steadfastly pursued her path of public service. Through it all, she led by example, and what more can we ask?
A two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, Terry Fallis grew up in Leaside and is the award-winning writer of eight national bestsellers. His most recent, Operation Angus, is in bookstores. You can also subscribe to his newsletter: https://terryfallis.substack.com. n
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We’re off to the polls, again. Mark your ballot on October 24th.
by LUCAS FLEMMING
October brings us golden foliage, trick or treating, time with friends and family during Thanksgiving, and yes, yet another election.
On October 24th, we will be able to have our say in the election of the councillor for Ward 15. Postredistricting, Ward 15 now has the same borders as the Don Valley West riding in both the provincial and federal elections, a change effective in 2018 that melded Leaside into a large conglomerate of adjacent neighbourhoods such as Mount Pleasant East, York Mills, and Lawrence Park. Running in our ward are four candidates, including incumbent Jaye Robinson, former provincial Green Party candidate Sheena Sharp, David Ricci, and Gregory Vaz.
In addition to her duties as councillor, Jaye Robinson currently serves as the chair of the Toronto Transit Commission. During her time representing Ward 15 she says she has “championed community planning and development reform, traffic
and congestion management, the improvement of Toronto’s fiscal health, and the protection of trees and green spaces. As TTC chair, Jaye’s top transit priorities are implementing new strategies to improve capacity on Line 1 and building the long-awaited Downtown Relief Line.”
Challenging Robinson is Sheena Sharp. The founder of Coolearth Architecture Inc. has previously served as president of the Ontario Association of Architects. Recently, she represented the Ontario Green Party in DVW’s provincial election and espoused the view that “in order to meet our climate targets, new building design must be rooted in a plan to transform our energy and manufacturing industries.”
“The City of Toronto alone accounts for 2-3% of Canada’s green emissions. Reducing our carbon consumption can only be accomplished by switching to electricity for heating and cars, and I will ensure that we make meaningful decisions.
“Housing affordability depends on having a variety of housing within a neighbourhood, which will allow us to stay close to friends, family, and support systems across the lifespan. I intend to support this vision through zoning reform.”
Also running are David Ricci and Gregory Vaz, who were not available to be interviewed by press time.
In a statement to Leaside Life, Sharp said: “After 35 years working on individual building projects, I want to bring new and effective ideas for climate action and better housing options to City Hall.
Although Robinson is widely expected to be reelected, there are important issues at hand that deserve attention. Again. Regardless of whom you will be supporting on October 24th, it is imperative that you make your voice heard. Councillors are invaluable assets for Leaside and our advocates to the city at large. n
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Riding redistribution –Is this the end of Leaside as we know it?
One day in mid-August, bundled with my morning newspapers (yes, I still have home delivery!) was a 40-page insert entitled “Proposal of the Federal Boundaries Commission for Ontario.” Who knew (apart from those still receiving home delivery) that a major exercise in redoing federal electoral boundaries was underway, and our input is sought on a new electoral map?
Here’s the scoop locally: Leaside would be split between two different federal ridings – Don Valley West and St. Clair-Mount Pleasant. North Leaside, East Leaside (east of Laird, south of Eglinton) and Leaside Business Park, would be in the Don Valley West riding, while South Leaside (Bayview to Laird, south of Eglinton) and Bennington Heights would be in St. Clair-Mount Pleasant Riding (which extends as far west and south as Oakwood and Davenport).
But since this is a review of the federal electoral boundaries, doesn’t it affect only the federal ridings?
Geoff Kettel Saving old Leaside
Well, no, since the federal electoral boundaries are also the provincial boundaries in Ontario – we have
Katlheen Wynne to thank for that. And for Toronto, thanks to Doug Ford, the federal electoral boundaries extend to the municipal wards. Recall that in 2018, in the middle of the municipal election campaign, Ford imposed the federal boundaries on Toronto, reducing the number of municipal wards from 47 to 25. And now, the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario is proposing a further reduction to 24 ridings, which will translate to 24 municipal wards in Toronto! So, if you thought the City councillor was overworked with the increased size of the ward, it is about to get worse! And in Leaside we would have to deal with two councillors, not one. So, is this a done deal? No. The proposals are subject to approval by the three-person commission. And they are seeking public input currently. Public hearings are being held for Toronto – virtual on September 29 and in-person on October 19. If you wish to make a representation at a hearing, you must complete and file a Public Hearing Participation Form by September 25, 2022 (before you receive your copy of this issue). They will also accept written submissions after this time.
I consulted Alan Redway, former Mayor of East York, MP, and Leaside resident, for his comments:
“It’s essential that we all make strong representations to the Supreme Court judge heading the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario to try to make sure that North and South Leaside and Bennington Heights continue to be in the same constituency. There is strength in numbers, of people holding the same opinion. I know from personal experience. One person won’t influence the judge but many people appearing in person before the judge when the appeal is held could. Speak to our MP and get him on side. Remember the decision will change the boundaries of our provincial riding as well, so speak to our MPP also.”
Good advice. Just do it!
Here is the contact information for the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario: Website: https://redecoupage-redistribution-2022.ca/com. Email: ON@ redecoupage-federal-redistribution. ca. Phone: 855-747-7224. n
by HOLLY REID
If you’re concerned about road safety, you’ve likely heard about “complete streets.” Often described as “streets for people,” they are frequently prescribed for what ails our roadways. A more comprehensive definition comes from Toronto’s Complete Street Guidelines:
A “complete street” is coming to Leaside soon
“This ‘complete streets’ approach reinforces that streets should safely accommodate all users – pedestrians, cyclists, transit services and motor vehicles – and also support and enhance local neighbourhood context and character. It’s about making streets that are safe, beautiful and vibrant places with efficient links in a multimodal transportation network.”
Here in Leaside, a complete street is in the works for Eglinton Avenue
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to complement the new Line 5 Crosstown LRT that will soon be running beneath the street.
From Eglinton Connects to eglinton TOday
Eglinton Connects Streetscape is a council-approved vision for Eglinton Avenue, calling for a comprehensive remaking of the streetscape featuring wider sidewalks, separated cycle tracks, more trees and public amenities. Although conceived in 2014, it has never moved beyond the conceptual design phase.
With the completion of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT fast approaching, and little appetite among residents and businesses for continuing construction on Eglinton, the City has launched eglinton TOday to implement complete street amenities employing the “quick-build” approach that was used successfully for ActiveTO during the pandemic. Permanent implementation would follow as other construction projects arise. Phase I, from Keele Street to Mount Pleasant Road, will be implemented in 2023. Public consultations and initial design are already underway. Phase II from Mount Pleasant Road to Brentcliffe Road is planned for 2024. While Leaside will have to wait an extra year for complete street features on Eglinton, residents have more time to determine what they want. It’s an excellent opportunity to get some of the safety improvements requested through the Leaside Neighbourhood Transportation Plan
survey for Eglinton, such as tightened turns at intersections into the neighbourhood to slow vehicles and protect pedestrians, calmer traffic and reduced speeds by narrowing vehicle lanes, as well as protected bike lanes and the potential for expanded on-street parking for the local businesses.
The Midtown Yonge Complete Street experience
To see how a quick-build complete street can work, look to the Midtown Yonge Complete Street pilot. Implemented in 2021 from Davisville Avenue to Bloor Street, it includes 21 street-side patios (as part of CaféTO), protected bike lanes, pedestrian protections at intersections, as well as plantings and street art. City staff addressed issues raised during the pilot about the turning needs of vehicles, accessibility features, timing of traffic signals and drop-off and delivery zones quickly thanks to the quick-build approach. Recent data released in August show that the pilot has several measures of success – more people are walking (up by 126%) and cycling (up as much as 193%), while traffic volumes have declined by as much as 10% and travel times in the corridor are up at most by 90 seconds compared with pre-pandemic. Not surprising, there are calls to make the pilot permanent. When linked with the complete street coming to Eglinton, Leaside would have our first protected and connected cycling route right on our doorstep.
eglinton TOday: https://www. toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/public-consultations/infrastructure-projects/ eglintontoday/ Yonge4All: Make the Midtown Yonge Complete Street permanent – https://www.bit.ly/Yonge4All 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 Wards 15/16. n
www.leasidetrainer.com
Digging in to do good at the St. Cuthbert’s Community Garden
Every Wednesday morning a core group of dedicated gardeners (6-10 green thumbs) show up at the St. Cuthbert’s Community Garden to dig in and do their bit to alleviate food insecurity.
It all started as a Sunday school project in 2013 and evolved into a significant source of produce for the Flemingdon Park Community Food Bank.
It’s a lot of hard work, and fully comprehending the importance of what they’re doing only adds to the pressure. Yet every one of these gardeners looks delighted to be working this hard. And I always feel joy when I visit them.
Strength in numbers
This year, a few new gardeners joined the team, including teen Teya Knightingale (seen in photo), Nora Pongo, a newcomer to Canada from Hungary, and Carmen Applegrath, a chef and gardener bringing a wealth of garden expertise with her. She already has plans for some mini
The Leaside Gardener
Debora Kuchme Columnist
training sessions next year! Kathi Davies, one of the lead gardeners (holding the basket in the group photo), took the time to share both the good and bad of the growing season and the overall results of their harvest.
So many challenges
It’s no surprise their biggest challenge was the same as last year’s and the year before. WATER! With so little rainfall, their rain barrels and cisterns ran dry early and that meant using mostly tap water.
One of the gardeners whispered to me, “I’d hate to see the water bill.” We’ve all been feeling that pain.
Along with the heat and humidity came a host of other problems.
Cutworms attacked their pole beans. “We did four rounds of planting,” Kathi said, “and still only managed to get half the beans to grow.” There were general pests too such as cucumber and Japanese beetles feasting on the young beans. The humidity brought powdery mildew on their squash, but that was quickly wrestled into submission with some pruning and the occasional spray with Safers soap.
Lessons learned
The enthusiastic gardeners added more calcium to the soil and that took care of the blossom-end rot that plagued their plum tomatoes last year. They decided zucchini and squash take up too much real estate
Some of St. Cuthbert’s garden bounty.
DEBORA KUCHME
Active options abound in Leaside for the hard-to-schedule crowd
by SUSAN SCANDIFFIO
Leaside has a plethora of amazing gyms, teams, clubs, classes and programs which help keep us active. But what about those who can’t commit to firm schedules?
Fear not! Leaside offers a myriad of opportunities to keep active without a long-term commitment.
Looking ahead to the fall and winter, you can keep your fitness levels up with these active options:
Leaside Pool
Leaside Pool offers a number of drop-ins for all ages for lane swims, leisure swims, and aquafit programs.
To find drop-in times, visit the Leaside Memorial Gardens Pool website. ( https://www.toronto. ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/ complex/542/index.html)
Leaside Library
The library has a great range of programs for all ages. Families looking to get their babies bounc -
ing, for example, can find excellent drop-in programs.
To find the schedule of programs, drop by the library or search their website. (https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/leaside)
Playgrounds
Leaside is fortunate to have a number of excellent playgrounds. Whether you’re looking for a space to play some soccer with your family, to practise your basketball shots with friends or challenge yourself on a climber (check the age limits though!), there are many options throughout the neighbourhood.
Besides the great schoolyards, playgrounds include: Sandy Bruce Park, Georgia Walsh Park, the playground at the top of the Leaside High School hill and Leonard Linton Park on Research Road, which features a skatepark, climber and basketball nets.
Skating and Hockey
Sure, Leaside has terrific figure skating, learn-to-skate and hockey programs but for those looking for an occasional skate or game, you won’t be left out.
Leaside Arena has public skating, shinny and family skating times, none of which requires pre-reg -
The Georgia Walsh Playground at Trace Manes Park
ROBIN DICKIE
istration. Take your kids over on Sundays from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. for free family fun. Check the arena’s website for all the times. (https://leasidegardens.com)
If you like to skate outdoors, Trace Manes has a rink which is maintained completely (and so generously) by neighbourhood volunteers. No need to check any schedules –just head on over.
Tobogganing
If you’ve ever ventured by Leaside High after a snowfall, you’ve no doubt heard a happy squeal or two. “Leaside Mountain” (I’m reaching here) is the perfect spot for a day on the slopes. There’s lots of space and it’s not the highest of hills, so climbing back up after each run doesn’t take a whole lot of effort.
Walk/Run/Bike
The neighbourhood is so fortunate to have access to many fantastic parks and trails.
Crothers Woods – the 128 hectares of woodland, meadows, wetlands can be accessed from the back of the Redway Loblaws parking lot or
down a set of 194 stairs just metres from the intersection of Millwood and Redway.
Sunnybrook Park – the 60 hectares of grass, woodchips, road, and dirt trails is accessible by foot or bike from Sutherland Ave. north of Glenvale Blvd. through the grounds of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. The park also offers an offleash dog area as well as a number of very large playing fields.
Serena Gundy – with great sports fields along with walking and bike trails, the park can be accessed from Rykert Crescent just south of Broadway Ave.
Leaside High – run, jog or walk around the 400m track at the school. Definitely no reservations required.
For people like me who don’t always know what they’ll be doing week to week (or even, sometimes, later in the day), having access to so many active opportunities is a game changer.
Have we missed any easy-to-access active ideas in Leaside? Let us know! n
ROBIN DICKIE
Crothers Woods
SUSAN SCANDIFFIO
Sleeping through the municipal election? Bill 3 is a wakeup call
by GEOFF KETTEL
It was shaping up to be a sleepy election with an incumbent Mayor and several incumbent councillors including ours, Jaye Robinson, looking to return. But that changed for me on September 8th, when the Ford government passed Bill 3, otherwise known as the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act.
This legislation permits the Mayor of Toronto (and Ottawa) to take over powers currently held by their City Council, to hire and dismiss the City’s chief administrative officer and senior members of City staff, including the city planner. It permits the mayor to veto any bylaw that he or she feels would violate provincial policy, and to propose the municipality’s annual budget and to veto any amendment to the budget by council. (Such veto could only be overturned by a vote of two-thirds of council.)
This legislation is unprecedented and marks a huge shift in gover-
nance of Ontario’s municipalities. Urban municipalities are governed by democratically elected city councils. Their decisions have been the collective responsibility of those elected city councils, not the singular respon sibility of one member. While democracy isn’t always perfect, citizens of Ontario municipalities have generally been satisfied with their form of representative government.
The best form of city governance is one where the mayor has to win the support of council through providing sound leadership and championing initiatives that are well thought out, and also respect the needs and wishes of councillors across the city.
with the mayor’s agenda?” – rather than “will he/she represent the interests of the ward?”
We need to ask the mayoral candidates: will you be taking advantage of the new powers in Bill 3, or do you feel that they are excessive, unnecessary and will have negative impacts on councillors and residents? And we need to ask the councillor candidates: will you be beholden to the mayor’s agenda, or will you represent the interests of the residents?
Hopefully, there will be public forums where these questions can be asked and considered.
Will the “strong mayor” system diminish the role of the local councillor – and will the question at election time become “can she/he work
For more on the “strong mayor” issue, see my OpEd article in the September 3 Toronto Star: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/ contributors/2022/09/03/strongmayor-legislation-weak-law-thatwont-solve-citys-problems.html. n
Leaside
Life
acknowledges we are hosted on the lands of the Mississaugas of the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Wendat.
We also recognize the enduring presence of all First Nations, Métis and the Inuit peoples.
We also recognize our responsibility in respecting and protecting the land and water systems that surround us in the east end of Toronto, that being the Don River, or Wonscotonach in Anishinaabemowin, so that these resources can be enjoyed and flourish for all life and for generations to come.
HELLO LEASIDE!
Indoor group training starts October 4.
WHY MINDSET CYCLING? WHY INDOOR CYCLING?
• E xercise with friends in a controlled situation
• Small classes, 8 people per session.
• Class times: 6:00 AM / 8:30 AM 10:00 AM / 6:15 PM
A ll classes are instructor led and 75 minutes in length.
A ir purifiers in the facility along with fans and dehumidifiers to make your ride experience a great one.
• A ll rides are on our Wahoo Kick’rs that are brand new connected to PerfPro and multimedia for your entertainment.
Barrel House turns 5!
Amsterdam Barrel House is hosting a birthday party and open house on Thurs., Oct. 6th from 5-9 p.m., to celebrate its fifth year in Leaside. General Manager Matt Peacock says it is their chance to say “thank you” to the community that has helped keep the doors open since 2017 and more recently through the perils of the pandemic. Interested, register here: →
Former Leaside High School student running for councillor in Scarborough
THE Idler Curious
Former Leaside High school student Habiba Desai, who graduated in 2010, has put her name on the ballot for city councillor in the Scarborough-Guildwood riding. Born and raised in East York, Desai, along with her parents and extended family, has deep roots in Scarborough. Desai honed her political acumen as a volunteer constituency assistant with Rob Oliphant as well as working as a youth worker at the Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office Youth Centre. Habiba is interested in bringing to City Hall her unique perspective on community development, which includes an emphasis on eradicating gun violence.
Parlez vous français in Leaside?
Born in France, lived in Montreal and now David Des Rosiers has moved to Leaside and started a new business to help Leasiders improve their French. Tutoring sessions are held either at the Leaside branch of the Toronto Public Library on McRae Dr. or online. Visit bonjourtoronto. com for more information.
nal stained-glass windows belonging to Leaside homes built during the 1930s to 1950s. This period of expanding residential construction in south Leaside reflected the growing importance of the community to the City of Toronto. If you have one of these treasures in your home, we would love to see a picture. Send it to leasidelife@gmail.com . To find out more about the nomination or LHPS, visit leasideheritage.ca.
Michelin gives shout-out to Leaside restaurant
Michelin, the gold standard for rating restaurants, recently announced their selection for Toronto, for the first time. Leaside’s own Indian Street Food, located at 1701 Bayview Ave., was noted as a “Bib Gourmand” restaurant, a designation for restaurants where an individual can dine with two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for less than $60. Indian Street Food, a tribute to the old Indian coffee shops of Delhi and Mumbai, serves up all the classics of Indian cuisine, from thalis and chaat to curries and masalas.
LHPS garners history award nomination
The Leaside Heritage Preservation Society has been nominated for the Heritage Toronto 2022 Public History Award for its Windows of Leaside: Stained Glass in the Early Homes project. The project featured a retrospective of 16 origi-
Get your “Slow Down” signs!
A Leasider has informed the Idler that Councillor Robinson has free “Slow Down” lawn signs for residents to support Vision Zero, which is a City of Toronto action plan focused on reducing traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries on Toronto’s streets. How can one get a sign? The Councillor’s office does have “Slow Down” lawn signs available by request – residents can ask for one by contacting her office by phone at 416-395-6408 or email at councillor_robinson@toronto.ca. n
GARDEN From page 18
for the yield. So next year they will plant more kale and tomatoes.
They also did some soil amendment with liquid fish fertilizer. But according to Kathi, there is so much more they need to do. “Despite crop rotation, 10 years of intense ‘farming’ has depleted this earth of too many nutrients,” she told me.
But doing a proper remediation costs money, particularly using worm castings, which Kathi believes are preferable to manure for food crops. This is another challenge for the group as they operate on a shoestring budget. They could certainly use some donations to help their green cause!
With all of these problems, they still managed to harvest a wide variety of crops throughout the season with a tremendous bounty of peppers, tomatoes and kale. All of which happen to be the most popular produce at the food bank. Success and community – a winning combination. Happy Harvest! Happy Thanksgiving!
Visit leasidelife.com for the extended version of this article along with more photos! n
Thank You Leaside!
…from Isaac and Nyle for the generosity of the Leaside Community in support of their 7th annual lemonade stand for the Terry Fox Foundation.
$2,072.20 was raised on Sunday, September 18th.
With heartfelt appreciation, Isaac, Nyle and Family.
Leaside Life
leasidelife.com
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Published monthly in Leaside, Toronto, ON. Circulation 10,000 to every home and business in Leaside & Bennington.
KATHI DAVIES
St. Cuthbert’s celebrates unveiling of new Bayview Garden
by LORNA KRAWCHUK
And the heavens opened!
Sunday, September 18 was the official opening for the Bayview Garden on the north side of St. Cuthbert’s, Leaside Anglican Church on Bayview Avenue.
Many braved the rain for the outdoor ceremony. The Hon. Rob Oliphant, MP Don Valley West, Stephanie Bowman, MPP Don Valley West, and Trustee Rachel Chernos Lin shared an umbrella as they observed the official ribbon cutting by Bayview Garden Committee Chair Ian Beverley and St. Cuthbert’s, Leaside incumbent, the Rev. Canon Janet Read-Hockin.
Luckily, there was an opportunity to chat, mingle and munch away from the rain inside after the ceremony.
When you are on a Bayview stroll, make a point of stopping by this restful and peaceful garden we want to share with our community. There’s a fountain, benches, and of course, beautiful native plants. n
L-r: MP Rob Oliphant, MPP Stephanie Bowman, Trustee Rachel Chernos Lin, Committee chair Ian Beverley and the Reverend Canon Janet Read-Hockin cut the ribbon at the newly landscaped garden on Bayview.
ROBIN
DICKIE
Are you feeling besieged yet?
Everywhere you look, there are challenges to local democracy – and to Leaside.
A
‘Strong Mayor’ system of governance is imposed on the City of Toronto, which requires city policy to be in agreement with provincial policies. Local zoning is challenged by Ministers’ Zoning Orders. Rumours continue to spread about new development pressures. And now, most urgently, newly proposed federal electoral boundaries break North Leaside and the Laird Business Park away from South Leaside, dividing our community into two different ridings. Are you feeling besieged yet?
Carol Burtin Fripp Co-president, LRA
a traffic plan, imagine how much more complicated and time-consuming the process will become, unless the Commission can be convinced to alter their plan.
Under their present proposal, on all neighbourhood issues we could need to work – separately – with two representatives at each level.
In 2002/03, my son Will was Commission Secretary for the then FEBCO, administering the Commission’s hearings across the province. He recalls that Elections Canada strongly advised them to avoid dividing communities or communities of interest, when at all possible. Leaside is certainly an established and genuine community, created 110 years ago to be just that. There are fairer and more sensible ways to redraw the maps without dividing us. Correcting voter inequality (riding sizes) should not override communities’ identities and survival.
Interestingly, if you look at the proposed changes across all of Toronto, you will note that this Commission appears to have actually made a point of effectively eliminating the boundaries of Toronto’s original cities and boroughs: every ‘new’ riding contains bits and pieces of several, as if to erase our city’s history.
moved into Leaside, the south side of Southvale Drive, southward to the ravine, was in Rosedale riding, while all of Leaside north of the yellow line painted in the middle of Southvale was in the riding of York East. As a result, during elections, confusion and non-representation reigned, as each riding association assumed we were in the other’s riding, and ignored us. We don’t want to repeat errors of this kind in the future. And we don’t want to break Leaside into two disconnected entities.
By the time you are reading this column, the Commission will have begun public hearings. Their job is to listen to the comments of residents, consider their criticisms and suggestions, and decide whether and how to amend their proposals. Changes can be made, when they hear from the people. That means you and me.
The proposed changes to federal ridings by the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario (FEBCO) also have major impacts on provincial ridings and municipal wards. Currently, all of Leaside is in Don Valley West. Our entire community is represented by a single MP, a single MPP, and (municipally) on the same community council. If the new Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario has its way, Leaside will be split between two ridings: Don Valley West, ending south at Eglinton Avenue and the eastern side of Laird Drive, down to the Leaside Bridge, and the new St. Clair-Mt. Pleasant riding extending all the way over to Oakwood Avenue and Davenport Road. Every item of business will have to be with dealt with separately per riding, ward, and community council. As just one example, each half of Leaside may end up with differing traffic policies or priorities. If you think it’s hard now to design ba
By the way, when the Fripps
It is not too late. I urge you to read Geoff Kettel’s article in this issue of Leaside Life. Then go to redistribution2022.ca for more information and to join the Leaside Residents Association (www.leasideresidents. ca) in supporting our presentation to the Commission in defence of Leaside.
Our next LRA monthly board meeting is on Wed., Oct. 5th, at 7:30 p.m., on Zoom. If you’d like to participate or watch, please let us know by that date and we’ll be glad to send you the Zoom access details. You can find us at www.leasideresidents.ca. n
Some ballots were found to be incorrectly marked, and Ms. Nealson requested a recount. Strangely, the Leaside Town Council rejected her request but was overruled by the courts. When the votes were retabulated on December 27, Nealson had won by five votes – becoming not only Leaside’s first woman mayor but also the first woman ever to hold that position in any Toronto municipality. Dickinson did not lose graciously. He argued that all ballots cast in his favour were valid – regardless of how they were marked. He also sullenly complained that during his nine years in local politics he had lost $15,000$25,000 annually of his own money. Others pointed out that he deserved to lose – especially for his suggestion that only “property owners” were qualified to hold office. Even his supporters – who included the publisher of The Leaside Advertiser –acknowledged he was “not a good politician.”
Beth Nealson went on to serve as Leaside’s mayor for the next four years, earning the nickname “Mrs. Leaside” for her longstanding and effective service. She ran against Dickinson again in 1964, this time soundly defeating him by more than 1,100 votes. When Leaside and East York merged in 1966, she ran for a third time – but lost to another formidable female politician, East York’s True Davidson. Nealson died in 1994 at the age of 83. The very well-travelled Beth Nealson Drive in Thorncliffe is named in her honour. n
NEIGHBOURHOOD EVENTS
ba
LEASIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY
165 McRae Drive
Leaside’s Non-Fiction, Biographies and Memoirs Book Club
Wednesday, October 26 - 10-11am. Pick up October’s book at Leaside branch. We’ll be reading The Billionaire Murders by Kevin Donovan. Come together to share your thoughts and opinions about this chilling, true crime book based in Toronto! Email lestaff@tpl.ca if you wish to receive email reminders and join the club!
Needleworx (knitting,crocheting and hand needlework at the library).
Thursdays, 10:00-11:30am. Bring your own handwork project, or start something new while learning about different library programs, services and resources! All are welcome!
Jewelry Making Workshop
Wednesday, October 19, 6:00-7:30pm
Learn the art of jewelry making, and create your own unique piece of wirework bracelet from experienced jewelry maker and demonstrator, Laurie Poirer. You will learn how to use beading wire, crimp beads and jump rings in this class. Supplies will be provided. Spots are limited. Young Adults (ages 18-24) are welcome! This is an in-person program. Please register in person or by phone: 416-396-3835.
Adult Board Games
Tuesdays, 6:00-7:30pm Come and join us for a night of fun at the Leaside Branch! Bring your friends or come make some new ones as you battle it out over board games. No registration required.
CANADIAN FEDERATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN, LEASIDEEAST YORK
Presents Hidden Heroines: The Untold Story of Canada’s Jewish Women & WW2. Speaker: Ellin Bessemer, Author and Professor of Journalism, Centennial College. October 20, 7:30 pm. Northlea United Church. 125 Brentcliffe Rd, Phone: (416) 425-5252.
ST. AUGUSTINE’S CHURCH
Blessing of the Animals Oct 2 from 2-3pm.
Have your beloved pet blessed by our priest. Meet other pet lovers, take a photo in our booth, and enjoy refreshments for humans and their pet companions. 1847 Bayview Ave. @ Broadway. office@saintaugustine.ca.
LEASIDE UNITED CHURCH
872 Millwood Rd. at McRae
The Awesome Sale is back! See ad on opposite page
ST. CUTHBERT’S ANGLICAN CHURCH
1399 Bayview Avenue www.stcuthbertsleaside.com 416 485 0329 stcuthbertleaside@toronto.anglican.ca
Tai Chi – Tuesdays @ 1:30 – 2:30pm, Donation of $3.
Blessing of the Animals on The Green, Sunday, October 2 at 3 pm.
SENIOR FITNESS
Toronto Finnish-Canadian Seniors Centre 795 Eglinton Avenue East
FALL / WINTER / SPRING & SUMMER SESSIONS AQUA FITNESS * GROUP FITNESS * OSTEO FITNESS
Office Hours: Mon. to Fri. 9 am–5 pm For more info contact: 416-425-4134 x 225 Email: emas@suomikoti.ca
Help wanted by local business
Looking for part time help with administrative, creative and sales work, ideally suited to a high school or university student:
• In-office in the Bayview/Eglinton area, with some work at home
• Looking for someone that is creative, organized and has good interpersonal skills
• The role includes administrative tasks, cataloguing of collectible and antiques, as well as sales in person or through social media.
Please send resumé to anowne@gmail.com
Clean,