Leaside Life Issue 93 February 2020

F E B R UA R Y 2020

Leaside Life leasidelife.com

No. 93

Leaside High 75th Reunion: 1950s alum Pg. 16

Meet the LHA’s

first female president of the board STOREY WILKINS

Susan Irving with her sons, Alexander and Andrew.

Story on page 6.

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

EDITOR’S WELCOME

Leaside Life • February 2020

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Calling all green hearts!

If February is the month of love, then surely this is the ideal month to launch our very own awards that speak to the heart. Instead of red, though, these awards are pure green.

Introducing the Leaside Green Heart Awards. As Leaside Life’s green gurus Debora Kuchme and Cheryl Vanderburg say in this issue, “The Leaside Green Heart Awards are our chance to spotlight ... ecofriendly efforts and give our green heroes a huge round of applause for all they’re doing to create a cleaner, more environmentally secure future for Leaside and beyond.”

Leaside is full of green heroes.

Maybe it’s an individual you know who has made it a personal mission to green up the neighbourhood through thoughtful, eco-conscious planting and environmental awareness. Or maybe it’s a business that’s committed to taking steps to reduce and eliminate waste and plastic.

Maybe...it’s you!

This is not the time to be shy.

We want to recognize the efforts

Jane Auster Editor Leaside Life

of Leaside’s green heroes. Read Cheryl and Debora’s column to learn more about this new award.

We’ll be announcing the winners in our April “Green” Leaside Life.

Also in this issue, we’re excited to introduce you to the Leaside Hockey Association’s first female president of the board of directors.

Susan Irving is a marketing wiz and avid sportsperson with deep roots in the community.

And in our Leaside High School 75th reunion series, we profile an extraordinary graduate from the 1950s, Phil Levitt, whose career as a musician landed him a spot in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame as well as the Doo Wop Music Hall of Fame.

There’s lot of good reading in EDITOR Page 25

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Eyes on speeders as photo radar comes to Leaside

Patrick Rocca bro ke r

3

Leaside Life • February 2020

The City of Toronto’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan, targeted at reducing traffic-related fatalities and injuries, will soon see one of its initiatives implemented in Leaside.

Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) systems, also known as photo radar, were evaluated in pilot projects across the city from September to December, 2018. Focused on altering driver behaviour, the systems aim to decrease speed and increase safety, with the goal of reducing traffic-related deaths and injuries to zero.

They do this by using a camera and a speed measurement device to detect and capture images of vehicles travelling above the posted speed limit.

Each ward in the city has two cameras installed. In Leaside, Bessborough Drive between Field Avenue and Sharron Drive (i.e. in front of Bessborough School) has been chosen as one of the area’s target spots for speed reduction. The other camera in the ward is being installed by Bedford Park School in the Yonge and Lawrence area.

During the first three months the camera is in place, warning notices will be mailed to registered owners of vehicles travelling above the speed limit of 30 km/hour. After the threemonth warning period, speeders will be mailed tickets.

The city anticipates rotating the systems every three to six months in zones near schools to deter speeding in multiple locations.

Don Valley West Councillor Jaye Robinson notes that she is “pleased to see this important road safety initiative being rolled out in Leaside. In other major municipalities, ASE has proven to be an extremely effective road safety tool.

In New York City, ASE has successfully reduced traffic fatalities near schools by more than 50% and speeding by 60%.”

The camera, already installed on Bessborough Drive, was set to be operational by the end of January. ■

SUSAN SCANDIFFIO

by SUSAN SCANDIFFIO

Shinny up to this North Leaside outdoor rink Sven Walker always enjoyed skating and playing shinny on the Kingston backyard rink his dad faithfully maintained. He wanted to provide the same opportunity for his family and him in their backyard in North Leaside.

The last few years with inconsistent winter temperatures made a natural outdoor rink a lot of work, and not a lot of satisfaction either.

When Sven got the opportunity to buy a used glycol system, he leapt at it, even though the equipment didn’t come with an instruction manual.

Luckily, he was successful at figuring out how to set it up, and now maintain it. Since the system can function with outdoor temperatures up to +10 degrees, he figures the season is sufficiently long to make the effort worthwhile.

Regular upkeep is quite simple.

With a rink rake hooked up to a hot water source, and with a towel attached, he can resurface his rink in about 10 minutes. The first half is hard and dry before he has finished the second half. If it snows, of course, he does need to shovel.

Since the rink is backyard size, not

Lorna Krawchuk Publisher Leaside Life

arena size, the corners are tighter, but still fun for real amateurs and more talented skaters to enjoy.

Three of his kids skate, and the fourth, too young yet for skates,

enjoys walking on the ice in his boots.

The winter months are long, and he wants to encourage his kids to be physically active and counteract indoor screen time, at least a little.

He’s pleased the word is getting

out. As he says, “I wanted to engage the community, and have fun.

There is a consistent base of repeat participants.”

Through a Facebook posting, he has organized the Leaside Shinny Hockey League for adults – which plays during the week after 8 p.m.

The exact days depend on the weather. On weekends, parents and kids enjoy being on the ice together.

Interested in getting on his list? Call Sven at 647-204-3147. ■

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Leaside Life • February 2020

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Leaside Life • February 2020

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LEASIDE PEOPLE • MEET YOUR NEIGHBOURS

Leaside Hockey Association welcomes first female board president

by SUSAN SCANDIFFIO

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Susan Irving knows a thing or two about marketing. As chief marketing officer at Kruger Inc. and former senior director of marketing at the PepsiCo Global Snacks Group, she is an award-winning executive more than familiar with brand strategy, team leadership, effective communication, and working with diverse groups to achieve growth.

In her new role as the president of the Leaside Hockey Association’s board of directors, Irving has a whole new group of “clients.” Not only does Irving intend to keep parents satisfied with the program, she, and the entire board, have a goal of keeping players happy by offering them a wide range of high-quality hockey levels. The more options kids have in terms of the level at which they’re happiest playing, the longer they will want

DARA WILLOW

Leaside Life • February 2020

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to play the sport and keep active.

The LHA introduced a parent survey to identify areas of improvement. This way, notes Irving, the board can determine the areas it needs to review, and potentially make changes or revitalize, to keep both parents and players committed to, and a vital part of, the system.

For Irving, sports and volunteerism in sport, have been a part of her life since childhood. Growing up in Sudbury, Irving and both her parents were sailors, with her parents playing active roles as volunteers with the local sailing association. Irving also participated in rhythmic gymnastics. As a sailor, Irving had an illustrious career, participating as a member of Team Canada and campaigning for the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics.

For Irving, it was only natural she would participate as a volunteer in her sons’ leagues.

When Irving’s sons, Alexander, 13, and Andrew, 10, began playing hockey with the LHA, Irving was team manager for both their teams.

Joining the board of the Leaside Hockey Association was the next jump for Irving, who became VP of Select Hockey and the VP of the GTHL (on the LHA board). In May of 2019, Irving was elected as president of the board, taking over from Grant Worden.

Irving is the first female president

of the LHA. While she is extremely honoured to be the first female in the role, she is not surprised to be, given the progressive nature of the board.

Irving’s work as a volunteer has been diverse and wide-reaching.

She sat on the Ontario Sailing Association board and the ROM marketing and sales committee.

She was also a member of FAME (Female Athletes Motivating Excellence), a program funded by the government, which had Canadian and Ontario team athletes travel the province to tell their personal stories with the end goal of keeping kids active in sports.

Jeff Munn, who spent six years on the LHA board, three of them working alongside Irving, notes that “her contributions were always fresh, constructive and forward-looking while, importantly, respecting ongoing operations, processes and board decisions. Her goal has been to make the LHA’s programs open, transparent and accessible to the community and of a quality that sets a national standard.”

Leaside, says Irving, has been a wonderful neighbourhood in which to live. Equating the area to a “wolfpack,” she has felt truly supported by parents from her children’s schools, neighbours, and those she has worked with through the LHA. ■

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The changing face of Leaside United Church, Part 2

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JANIS FERTUCK

Leaside Life • February 2020

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by JANIS FERTUCK Last month’s article on the renovations at Leaside United Church (LUC) described the first stage in the project, the expanded and modernized kitchen on the main floor adjacent to the Hearth Room, a popular spot for church and community events.

The new kitchen has won enthusiastic reviews for its extra space, brightness and upgraded appliances. But it is just one part of the overall plan for renovations based on three major physical and philosophical priorities outlined by the Missional Development and Renovation Project Team.

These three priorities grew out of the church’s mission “to grow a caring and vibrant community… that takes responsibility for being mentors in a world that works for all.” They include significant accessibility improvements, an increase in “abundant hospitality” options to enhance meeting areas for the congregation and community friends and partners, and “a reverence for the environment” in terms of the choice of materials used in the project, energy-efficient appliances, lighting and other improvements.

Work on the next stage of renovations – the gymnasium, lower kitchen, halls and storage areas – began on Nov. 4. The gym will get a new floor and ceiling to create a high-use recreational facility, and the kitchen will be upgraded

The renovation team: (l-r) Architect Michael NicholasSchmidt, Brenda French, Jim Miller, Ann Fraser, Anne Raby, Graham Lute, site lead Ryan Gerber. and feature improved accessibility, providing another option for community use.

More changes in the works Another phase, beginning in March 2020, will address the sanctuary, offices and office entrance. The sanctuary will have a new sound system and lighting, and the chancel will be updated with a ramp. The office area will be more efficiently organized, and there will be an open and light-filled gathering place near the entrance, as well as areas for art displays and a coffee bar.

The final phase, starting this spring, will be the outside entrance area with improved accessibility and ramp on Millwood, a new easy-to-use elevator and exterior landscaping.

Jim Miller, chair of the Property Committee, comments, “Renovations to an older building always provide some interesting challenges, but we are confident that these improvements will be completed by the fall of 2020.”

Several renters already make regular use of the church facilities, most notably Mrs. Park’s Nursery LEASIDE UNITED page 24

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Unitatis Strings are coming to Leaside and they need your help

MARISSA MAGNESON

Leaside Life • February 2020

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Conductor Kemi Lo (centre) and the Unitatis Strings.

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The Unitatis Strings is a Torontobased string ensemble featuring young, talented, and passionate musicians from around the Greater Toronto area. Led by artistic director Kemi Lo, a classical violinist, conductor and composer, the Unitatis Strings will be moving to Leaside United Church this fall. Lo studied the violin under the late Jacques Israelievitch, violin and viola under Mark Shazinetsky, and conducting under Dr. Mark Chambers and Dr. Lisette Canton at York University.

In preparation, Unitatis is looking for Leasiders interested in joining the executive board or volunteering as committee members. Positions open include president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary. If you are passionate about music and want to apply, contact Lo at 647825-3857 or unitatisstrings@gmail. com for more information, or visit https://www.unitatisstrings.com/ careers. ■

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Of course I’ve performed with the National Ballet I gave fair warning last column that I’d come back to this story, so I’m honouring my word. After all, I’m certain you’ll all want to hear about my debut performance with the National Ballet of Canada.

If you’ve ever seen me dance, you’ll know that this is an unlikely tale, a man-bites-dog story. Let me step back and bring you up to date. Last fall, I received an email inviting me to play the role of one of the two Cannon Dolls in The Nutcracker, the annual Christmas spectacle at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. And what a production it is. Other than the incredible dancing, glorious sets, stunning costumes, and brilliant music, the Cannon Dolls are the highlight of the show, though I may be an unreliable narrator. You might say the Cannon Dolls are the comic relief, perhaps unintentionally. Right in my wheelhouse.

In every show, the National Ballet of Canada invites a local celebrity of sorts to perform as a Cannon Doll. Well, they clearly ran out of celebrities, and the friends of celebrities, and people who once came within a few feet of a celebrity, and

Terry Fallis Columnist

somehow there I was, next on the list. I confess I was somewhat at a loss to explain their invitation but decided not to probe. But the chance to goof around at centre stage during The Nutcracker was too much to pass up.

My younger son, Ben, an accomplished actor with a theatre degree, and I were the designated Cannon Dolls for a matinee performance a few days after Christmas. We arrived about half an hour before curtain for a “rehearsal.” While they were putting us through our paces, the real stars of the show were there with us warming up and practising some of the more intricate manoeuvres that would soon be wowing the sold-out audience. The moves Ben and I would be “performing” weren’t quite so intricate.

Ben and I listened carefully to our

choreographer as the butterflies in my gut began dogfighting. After two quick run-throughs that did little to build my confidence, it was time to don our rather wacky and colourful costumes. I was informed that I was wearing the same costume that Raptor star Kyle Lowry had worn earlier in the week. They promised it had been washed.

NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA

Leaside Life • February 2020

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We hung around backstage watching the performance from the wings until it was our moment in the spotlight. Ben and I followed our Cannon Master and his cannon out onto the stage. One doll was to be all gung-ho, spoiling for a fight, and eager to fire the cannon, while the other doll was to be timid and terrified, wanting nothing to do with the cannon or the battle it signals. Naturally, son Ben was the timid doll and played it to the hilt, while I was the warmongering hawk itching for a battle. Clearly, I was more persuasive because the master fired off the cannon and the war began in earnest. Ben promptly fainted (as scripted, I swear) and I performed CPR and even mimed the defibrillator paddles to bring him back. It was all great fun. After what seemed like about 20 minutes of intense aerobic thespian hijinks, we ran off stage about two minutes FALLIS page 23

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Thoughts of downsizing in your future?

Leaside Life • February 2020

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Our latest real estate column features Lynda Gorges, Broker, Re/Max Hallmark Realty Ltd., Brokerage, offering her unique take on housing in the community.

When you live in a neighbourhood Downsizing is far too big a topic to Many seniors say they would like Leaside, this is an extremely cover in this one article, but, if you prefer to keep living in their homes difficult decision, but aside are contemplating a move in your for as long as they can, paying from the financial aspect, future, the one piece of advice I’d for home care, as necesthe motivation is often to offer is to start deciding early what sary. Unless circumstances be closer to children and to do with all of your “stuff” and change, because of health LEASIDE LIVES grandchildren. Others may slowly begin to make a plan. or finances, they will condecide that the best option Clear out your garage, tinue to enjoy the indepenmay be a seniors’ residence, shed, basement or dence of being in their own catering to a healthy lifeattic of things you homes and the familiarity of style in an active and social not only haven’t their neighbourhood. environment. used but haven’t On the other hand, many seniors are choosing to move. Seniors are in better health and more active than ever before and want a lifestyle LEASIDE AND BENNINGTON REAL ESTATE STATISTICS that doesn’t include snow removal, garden and lawn care and all of the #SOLD DAYS ON MARKET AVERAGE PRICE % CHANGE responsibilities that come with a 2018-2019 DETACHED house.

Downsizers have a variety of 2018 102 18 $2,006,360 choices. Many have decided to rent, 2019 122 18 $2,195,595 +9.4% purchase a condo, or other form of SEMI-DETACHED turnkey ownership that offers them the freedom to enjoy life. Some 2018 28 11 $1,199,809 are taking advantage of Toronto’s 2019 37 8 $1,192,770 -0.6% high real estate prices by selling and moving to less expensive areas.

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looked at in the last few years. It may be premature to make the decision of what you do want to take with you, but you can decide what you don’t want to take.

As time gets closer and your plan is becoming a reality, you can decide what has sentimental value and what is practical to take with you to be comfortable in your new home. I’m reminded of a lovely lady who had an autographed poster of Tom Selleck on the back of a door in her Leaside home. She noticed that Tom was looking a bit older, with sprinkles of silver in his hair and mustache, and the lines on his face were more deeply etched than she remembered. She asked her husband if he knew how this might have happened. He said, “If I have to age, so does Tom.” The memory of her husband’s wonderful sense of humour lives on as she decides on the perfect spot for Tom in her new home.

After deciding what you definitely want to keep, ask your family or those close to you what they would like to have. Get them involved in the decision-making process early on. Today’s younger generation, in general, may not be as interested in keeping Grandma’s good china and REAL ESTATE page 25

Saying goodbye to a good friend on Bayview

by LORNA KRAWCHUK

births of her two children. Now, she can set her own hours to spend time at the cottage, travel and visit her grown children out of town.

Laurie laughs about the long-time customers who have come into the store since the announcement was

posted in the window, bemoaning that they won’t be able to find “whatever.” As she says, “It’s not as if I’m closing a hospital!”

So, drop in at least one more time to say goodbye to Laurie before the store’s closing sometime in April. ■

Happy Valentine’s Day! www.bonniebyford.com The Real Estate Tradition

Leaside Life • February 2020

LORNA KRAWCHUK

When Etta Sawyer first opened the Academy of Culinary Arts on Bayview in 1971, it was on the west side, and mostly a cooking school with around 200 students a week enrolled, and with only about 20 sq. ft. of retail space.

Laurie Oehy started working parttime for Etta during high school, and continued while completing her degree in psychology and criminology, with an eye to studying law.

But instead, Laurie decided to join Etta and bought half the business in 1982, the year before they moved to their current location on the east side of Bayview, with a retail store.

Laurie took on full ownership when Etta died in 1987.

Fast forward more than three decades. When the landlord announced the store would need to be closed for four to six weeks this spring to accommodate major repairs to the property, Laurie decided this would be a good time to retire. In all these years, she has never been away from the store for more than 10 days – even for the

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Music Hall of Famer Phil Levitt lit up LHS’s graduating class of 1953

Leaside Life • February 2020

by SUSAN SCANDIFFIO

Levitt and his best friend Stan Fisher visited popular Crystal Beach. One evening while walking home, the two started harmonizing to the tune I’d Rather Die Young,

by The Hilltoppers. Four girls ran squealing at them asking them to sing more. From that moment on, the boys were hooked on the attention and harmonized a lot more that summer.

With Leaside High School’s 75th anniversary being celebrated this year, Leaside Life will be profiling a number of notable members of the school in various positions, as students, teachers, and more, to mark the milestone.

Phil Levitt was one smart kid. In his Grade 11 yearbook, a classmate (perhaps not so) eloquently penned, “A brilliant lad is our Phil Levitt. When it comes to algebra he sure has it.” And beside his graduation photo, it was noted that “Philip is our studious classmate who loves to get high marks.”

Levitt ultimately did become a high achiever and ended up as an electrical engineer.

But little would he, or his Levitt, Ian Harvie, Leaside graduating class of Jim Muzzin and Joe Amwake 1953, imagine that Levitt in the early days. would also go on to become a member of a band that would be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

While he did love math and science, he also developed a love of music at Leaside High. Levitt recalls that in his Grade 9 homeroom, teacher Mr. Bennett would have the students put their heads down on their desks for the first five minutes of class while he played “classic classics,” such as Moonlight Sonata.

He was especially inspired and encouraged, though, by his music teacher, Evelyn Wharram, who organized and led choirs and the boys’ ensemble. Levitt remembers the excitement of participating with the choir in the Kiwanis Festival in the Eaton Auditorium.

He also recalls with great fondness the day when Striking a new chord Wharram, speaking quietly to him, said, “You’ll do well, Phil. You’ll do with The Diamonds well.”

Entering the University of Toronto Although quite nervous to sing in in the fall of 1953, Levitt met Ted a quartet in the school’s final show Kowalski, who then introduced him in Grade 13, he had nothing to fear to his friend, Bill Reed. With Fisher as the audience gave him a hearty as the lead singer, Levitt, a baristanding ovation. tone, Kowalski, a tenor, and Reed, In the summer after Grade 13, a smooth bass, the guys began har-

monizing and developing their distinctive sound.

With five songs ready to be performed publicly, the group entered the CBC’s Pick the Stars talent show. A CBC sound engineer, David Somerville, heard the group practising nervously in the hall and persuaded them to hold off performing until they had more material to sing. Interested in their talent, he also asked to be their manager. When Fisher ultimately decided to continue with university, Somerville stepped in as the lead singer.

Thus began the career of The Diamonds, the Canadian band that successfully brought rhythm and blues vocal group music to audiences around the world.

With Somerville now singing in the band, The Diamonds hired Nat Goodman as their new manager. Between Goodman’s connections and the talent of the band, The Diamonds landed contracts with Coral Records (a subsidiary of Decca Records) and subsequently Mercury Records.

The Diamonds’ recordings climbed the charts rapidly. Songs, including a doo wop version of Why Do Fools Fall in Love, and The Church Bells May Ring, earned the group multiple live shows, TV appearances, and nightclub gigs across the U.S. and Canada.

The group’s biggest hit came in 1957, with a cover of the Gladiolas’ Little Darlin’. The Diamonds’ version skyrocketed to No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

By the spring of that year, Levitt’s enthusiasm for show business was waning. While he loved the band’s success, he was falling out of love with the musician lifestyle.

Knowing that he would want to ultimately finish school, Levitt left The Diamonds and returned to uni-

the

1950s

Phil’s Clan Call Yearbook entry.

Live on the radio.

The final performance.

Leaside Live! returns

by NICHOLAS MITCHELL

Sax virtuoso Warren Hill.

75

Thirty-five years ago, a group of alumni and teachers sat down to plan Leaside High School’s 40th anniversary celebrations, held at the school and the arena, which would include a skating party, hockey game and gala dinner on the Saturday evening. To highlight the large number of alumni who had found success in the performing arts, a variety show was held on the Friday. For this inaugural event, we were blessed with a wide range of talented alumni including world-renowned lyric tenor Mark Dubois, Ken Harris and Ron Nigrini with their bands, along with numerous others including Leaside student talent. The money raised went to The Scholarship Fund. We enjoyed watching the Lancer Dancers take us through five decades and listening to the band Six Minutes Left, fronted by Mike Elmer.

For LHS’s 50th, the celebrations were even more ambitious as the show moved to Massey Hall. In addition to the returning performers, the audience was also treated to sax virtuoso Warren Hill, Erin Benjamin (née Smith), and Stephen Miller’s reformed student band, The Rustic Gomers.

Ten years later, for the 60th, the show was back at the school where we enjoyed singer-songwriter Stephen Stanley, Jeanette Lee, Chris Coole and friends, and the comic antics of Andrew Massingham.

We are thrilled to announce that in conjunction with LHS 75th anniversary celebrations the tradition of Leaside Live! will continue. On Friday, October 23, the show will go on again. A number of our alumni entertainers have already confirmed their participation, including Six Minutes Left and the Lancer Dancers. We are also looking for any other former Leaside students who have performed professionally and would like to donate their time and talent. To find out more contact Nicholas Mitchell: mitchell1944@ rogers.com.

Tickets ($15 each) for Leaside Live! are available online at: leasidehighschool/75th-reunion-events.

Nick taught at Leaside High School for 45 years, 30 years full time and 15 years as an occasional teacher. ■

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Leaside Life • February 2020

versity to complete his electrical engineering degree.

In 1984, The Diamonds were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and in 2004, the Doo Wop Music Hall of Fame.

For Levitt, it was one thrilling ride that he would never trade.

From the school choir and boys’ ensemble, to a standing ovation in the Leaside High auditorium. From four girls’ adulation at Crystal Beach, to radio, TV, night clubs, and multiple appearances on billboard charts.

“You’ll do well, Phil. You’ll do well.” Mrs. Wharram clearly had it right. ■

by CHERYL VANDERBURG and DEBORA KUCHME There isn’t a day that goes by without our being drawn into the growing focus on green living – the idea of leading a sustainable lifestyle that works with nature and tries to bring into balance the conservation of the Earth’s natural resources rather than causing increased longterm or irreversible damage.

Why is this so important to Leaside?

Because we are a family-oriented community, and with that comes the shared responsibility for each of us to do our part to make Leaside – and the planet – livable not only for today but also for the future.

I’m sure we all know individuals, organizations and businesses in Leaside who are taking green living to new heights. Maybe they live a zerowaste lifestyle by refusing, reducing, reusing, repairing or repurposing “stuff.” Or they’ve created a green business or home by providing or using organic, sustainable and ethical

products. They might restore our community’s habitat by planting trees or increasing native planting. Perhaps they reduce gases and solid matter causing global warming and acid rain by finding sustainable ways to get around. They focus on energy efficiency, or conserve water by reducing consumption or collecting and using rainwater. They reduce pollution by keeping public spaces litter free.

The green living list is endless!

The Leaside Green Heart Awards are our chance to spotlight these ecofriendly efforts and give our green heroes a huge round of applause for all they’re doing to create a cleaner, more environmentally secure future for Leaside and beyond. See below for contest rules. Here are categories we’re focusing on: GREENEST SCHOOL, CHURCH, GROUP OR PUBLIC SPACE

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Do you know a Leaside school, church, group or public space inspiring sustainable green change in their organization or in the community?

Perhaps it’s a forward-thinking way to reduce waste or reuse, repair or repurpose existing items. Or an outreach into the community by picking up litter or planting trees and gardens. Perhaps they’re championing a climate change initiative to create a zero-carbon world. We know there is A LOT going on here in Leaside. We want to hear about it.

GREENEST ATHLETICS OR ARTS

Is your sports team, league, athletic program or arts program committed to a cleaner future on or off the field, rink, gym or studio? Whether it’s your actions or your facilities, this is your chance to be an eco-cheerleader for the athletics and arts groups and individuals making exciting green changes in Leaside.

FUTURE LEADER AWARD

Young people have the biggest

stake in our future. They have been instrumental in pushing climate change up the political and public agenda, and have consistently raised their voices for the better future they want – and need – to see. From large scale student-led protests, to making important changes within their school or community – we want to hear about Leaside young people leading the way and showing the rest of us how it’s done.

GREENEST BUSINESS OR EMPLOYER

Tell us all about a Leaside business or employer who has inspired you through innovative green products or green thinking. Whether championing environmentally friendly products, creating sustainable business practices or rallying customers to be greener consumers, if these businesses are helping us to live a greener, cleaner lifestyle, we want to hear about them.

INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY INSPIRATION

Do you know Leaside individuals who are passionate about greening our community and our world for the better? From living a green lifestyle and helping others in the community become greener, to greening their home or workplace ... and everything in between – we all know someone amazing who deserves being celebrated. So, why not nominate your local green champion?

NOMINATION PROCESS

The nomination process is green and simple. Email leasidelife@gmail. com with the following information.

The awards will be announced in our April edition.

Nominator Name/Position/email: Nominee Name/Position/email: Nomination Category: In 100 words or less, tell us about your nominee and why you think they should win a Leaside Green Heart Award. Please provide a link to any online articles or web pages.

I think all of us live green in some way; we want to hear from you too!

Simply email us with the subject line “I’m green too,” and tell us how you live green. Let’s inspire each other to be greener in 2020!

Note: This award was reused and repurposed from The Green Heart Hero Awards sponsored by The Climate Coalition of London, England. Just doing our bit! ■

SHUTTERSTOCK

Leaside Life • February 2020

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Leaside Green: Introducing the Leaside Green Heart Awards!

Can’t get enough of Leaside Life?

Leaside Life • February 2020

19

Check out our website!

www.leasidelife.com

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We rise by lifting others There’s something special going on in the Leaside Business Park at 2 Thorncliffe Park Drive and it’s called the Trades Centre. No doubt you’ve heard about the positive force that is The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO), but the Trades Centre needs a specific shoutout. In fact, I’m certain there are many individuals in Leaside who may want to get involved in some capacity for mutual benefit.

Operated by TNO, the Trades Connect program aims to increase the number of newcomers to Canada employed in the IT, construction and truck driving industries – new streams are being developed too. The goal is to bridge the gap between the workforce demand in these trades by providing: (1) training with basic skills and certifications required to work in the industry of choice; (2) participants with the soft skills they need to successfully engage in the workplace; (3) networking opportunities that build the social capital which leads to potential job opportunities and (4) linking graduates with industry employers and unions.

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Glenn Asano The Business of Leaside

Aamir Sukhera, Trades Centre site supervisor and coordinator and Shukria Dualeh, case and outreach worker.

The Trades Centre operates from a dedicated space in the Leaside Business Park providing an education-employment program for individuals to develop their employability skills, receive academic upgrading, employment training and a pathway to a career. The main goal is to help newcomers to Canada

“Give an individual a fish and you feed them for a day.

Teach an individual to fish and you feed them for a lifetime.” receive the support they need for the transition from settlement to tax-paying employment. Since its inception, the Trades Centre has helped many young individuals enter the unionized construction industry, consequently leading the drive to improve not only the lives of those individuals, but also the lives of the people around them. They also have a ‘tool resource library’ (generously

supplied by Milwaukee Tools!), which allows community members to borrow tools for free to do minor repairs at home, or in their shop, helping them financially.

Now this is the type of organization that is truly making a difference! Ultimately the goal is to empower economically the residents of both Thorncliffe and Flemingdon Park and provide a platform for major developers and government to fulfill their ‘community benefits agreements.’ They have partnered with all levels of government as well as Tridel, some trade unions, Building Up (which uses their space for hands-on-training). Next on the agenda is creation of a fully functional ‘employment social enterprise’ to help youth and newcomers obtain Canadian work experience and get a foot in the door within thriving industries with jobs to fill. These include refurbishing furniture, providing building maintenance, landscaping, offering minor renovations and repairs.

This latest move allows individuals in the Trades Centre program to learn as well as earn, so they are able to support their families.

So, how can Leasiders help?

I have always believed that Leaside is a neighbourhood that cares, and luckily enough has access to resources: namely connections and knowhow. What better way to provide a bit of assistance to communities that are so close than to reach out and connect. I recently met the incredibly entrepreneurial Trades Centre coordinator, Aamir Sukhera (asukhera@ tno-toronto.org) at the Leaside Business Park Association’s Annual General Meeting. His soul purpose was to introduce the Trades Centre initiative to local business and build awareness. They would love Leaside business owners to visit their shop to discuss employment opportunities for their organizations. They would like to understand what type of individuals you are looking to recruit. The Trades Centre can offer its space to pre-qualify candidates or train them to be more competitive when applying for jobs at local businesses. It only takes a minute to send an email to explore mutually beneficial opportunities.

Did you know that employment social enterprises are businesses that create training and employ-

PHOTOS GLENN ASANO

Leaside Life • February 2020

20

Trades Centre participants hard at work. ment opportunities for people facing systemic barriers to entry into the mainstream labour market? Do you know who said this? “I wondered why somebody didn’t do something.

Then I realized, I am somebody.”

How can you help our neighbours at the Trades Centre? 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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Recall that in last month’s column I mentioned that RioCan’s Section 37 agreement for its Leaside Centre development (815-845 Eglinton Ave. East at Laird) included 40 affordable rental housing units to be provided on site – to be secured as affordable for 15 years, and as rental for 25 years. That’s sounds great – but is it really significant?

And is it making housing in Leaside more affordable?

Not really. It means that 40 units (2.5%) of more than 1,600 units in the project will have rents at the average of Toronto’s rents (for the unit type) rather than what they would have rented for (market rent) in Leaside. This modest benefit comes with quite a big cost ($2.6M), which amounts to $115,000 per unit, justified by a policy in Toronto’s Official Plan which applies to for-profit development projects with more than 10,000 square metres of gross floor area where the zoning bylaw amendment increases the permitted

density by at least 1,500 sq. m. and/ or significantly increases the permitted height.

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Leaside Life • February 2020

22

Affordable housing ok ... but what about housing affordability?

REGIST ER TODAY !

Other Leaside projects While Section 37 agreements were secured for 939 Eglinton Ave. East at Brentcliffe (Diamond) and 660 Eglinton Ave. East – Sunnybrook Plaza at Bayview (RioCan), neither specified affordable housing as community benefits. Other Leaside projects such as 2 Laird/25 Malcolm (Upper House) and 146-150 Laird (seniors’ residence and apartments) south of McRae did not involve Section 37 as they were too small. Recent projects on the west side of Bayview (16741684 and 1410-1420 Bayview) are also too small. So, the Leaside Centre is the only Leaside project to date with an affordable housing component.

Using Section 37 for affordable housing units also means less money for badly needed public realm and recreation improvements under community benefits.

Affordable housing is a social good that arguably should be paid for by federal and provincial governments through progressive income taxes.

The province and the federal government are the only governments with access to revenue sources like income taxes that generate sufficient funds to pay the significant costs of affordable housing. Despite Mayor Tory’s recent decision to use a special levy on property taxes for designated transportation and housing programs, there are definite limits to how much can be raised – property taxes are simply not up to the job.

How else to allow for affordable housing?

The other way to allow for affordable housing is through Inclusive Zoning whereby there is at least a minimum percentage of affordable units in all developments. That policy was proposed by the previous provincial government and has been restricted by the current government to Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs), but is awaiting release of the regulations.

Affordable housing means reduced rents for a defined number of units HOUSING page 25

From Page 12 after we’d entered, and it was all over.

Back in the dressing room with the pressure off, I realized the wig and colourful cap were quite tight on my gargantuan cranium. When I was finally able to extricate myself from the cap and wig, a deep line of indentation, not unlike the Grand Canyon, circled my head. Ah the price we pay for our art. No matter, it disappeared after a week or so.

We enjoyed the second half of the show among our adoring fans in the audience. It is such a wonderful production, the Cannon Dolls notwithstanding.

In the days after the show, I was expecting to field some audition invitations from other ballet companies, but alas, none came.

A two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, Terry Fallis grew up in Leaside and is the award-winning writer of seven national bestsellers, including his most recent, Albatross, all published by McClelland & Stewart. ■

Kathleen Wynne MPP Don Valley West

Happy Family Day! Annual Volunteer Service Award For over 10 years, I have recognized and celebrated volunteers making the lives of their neighbours and the community better.

Contact my office for details, if you know someone who qualifies.

795 Eglinton Ave. E., Unit 101, Toronto, ON M4G 4E4 416-425-6777 | kathleenwynne.onmpp.ca

23

Leaside Life • February 2020

Fallis...

Leaside United..

Leaside Life • February 2020

From Page 8

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School, Toronto Circus Centre, RP4K (a computer coding group for youth), Pedalheads, the Down Syndrome Association of Toronto, Guides and Brownies. There are also a number of “one-off” renters for recitals, meetings, celebrations and sports. In fact, church webmaster Michele Petick reports that about a thousand people of all ages pass through the doors of Leaside United every week, from children to participants in sport leagues such as badminton and basketball, to choirs and other community groups.

The church remains committed to serving the community throughout the renovations. As Petick says, “Giving a home to various businesses, organizations and groups is vital to the vibrancy of our mission of service.”

The church hopes the upgraded facility and enhanced gathering places will attract additional groups, making LUC even more of a community hub. In particular, it’s their dream to create a music, arts and spiritual centre by building more relationships with local music and arts associations and schools, and also becoming a location for lectures and films with improved audiovisual facilities.

Over all, says Graham Lute, co-chair of the Renovation and Missional Committee, “the process has gone smoothly as a team-building and learning experience, and the congregation and community are excited about future prospects as they anticipate the end results.” ■

Real Estate...

From Page 14

Housing...

SHUTTERSTOCK

silverware, as they once were. Find out what is meaningful for them to hold onto and make sure that these items are noted.

Now you can decide what valuables you want to sell and what charitable organizations you feel good about, knowing that your donations will be passed on to people who need them the most.

If this all feels a bit overwhelming, there are experts who can help you with every aspect of this process, including organizers, appraisers, packers, movers and a variety of other services. By starting early, you are affording yourself the opportunity to make thoughtful decisions in a relaxed way, avoiding regrets later on. Enjoy the memories, as they unfold – you’ve earned them. ■

Choral Evensong celebrates love

From Page 22 for a period of time, but the bigger question remains – how to make (all) housing more affordable?

Housing affordability is generally defined as the number of homes that a household with a certain percentage of median income can afford.

Leasiders are very aware that housing has become less affordable.

While many have benefited from the rise in house values, others worry how their children and grandchildren will be able to afford to buy a house, or even stay in the city. A recent report from Social Planning Toronto, “Toronto After a Decade of Austerity: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly,” makes the case for Council to increase affordability (and also to raise new revenues to pay for more affordable housing) through increasing the municipal land transfer tax on luxury homes, introducing a vacant home tax, and reintroducing the vehicle registration tax. Sounds like a plan! ■

Editor...

From Page 2 this issue. We’d love to hear your thoughts on our stories. Email me at leasidelifeeditor@gmail. com with your comments and suggestions.

Happy Valentine’s Month, Leaside! ■

by GEOFF KETTEL The Song of Songs is a small book of only eight chapters in the Hebrew Bible, nestled between Ecclesiastes and Isaiah. It’s easy to miss, and – except occasionally at a wedding – is rarely read from in church services.

That’s because, unlike other books in the Old Testament, it shows no interest in the law or the God of Israel; instead it celebrates sexual love, giving “the voices of two lovers, praising each other, yearning for each other, proffering invitations to enjoy” (Song of Songs, 5:2).

On Sunday, Feb. 9 at 4 p.m., a special Choral Evensong service at Leaside United Church will celebrate the themes, and pick up on the imagery from the Book of Song of Songs with choral pieces ranging from the Renaissance to the modern era, and congregational songs sung by all drawn from various denominational sources. The program will include an anthem I Beheld Her, by Canadian composer Healey Willan, which is based on Song of Songs texts, and the hymn, Arise, My Love, My Fairest One, by Rhiannon Hill and Elizabeth Pancer, both divinity students at Emmanuel College, University of Toronto.

To what do we owe this choral music event in celebration of love?

It’s the gift of Matthew Boutda, talented director of music at Leaside United Church, in partial comple-

tion of Matt’s Master of Sacred Music degree at Emmanuel College, University of Toronto. It’s also the gift of the devoted members of the church’s chancel choir.

The timing for a choral program on this topic could not be better – after all, it’s Valentine’s Day later that week.

All are welcome to attend – may the music inspire, move and delight you! ■

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Leaside Life • February 2020

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EVENTS: February 2020 THE POWER OF WOMEN WORKING TOGETHER

Leaside Life • February 2020

Monthly meeting. Our guest will be the ROM For You Team speaking about Queens, Goddesses and Femmes Fatales.

Visitors and new members welcome.

Thursday, February 20, 7:30pm at Northlea United, 125 Brentcliffe Rd. Info: www.cfuwleasideeastyork.ca or email joincfuw@gmail.com.

ANNUAL PANCAKE SUPPER Traditional pancake and sausage dinner on the eve of Lent.

Tuesday, February 25, from 5:30 - 7:15 p.m. St. Cuthbert’s, Leaside, 1399 Bayview Avenue. Reserve your tickets in advance through the Parish Office 416-485-0329 Tuesday - Friday - 9:00am. - 1:00pm. stcuthberts@bellnet.ca. Cost: Donation

WANT TO MAKE CYCLING BETTER WHERE YOU LIVE? Come out and join fellow cyclists from Wards 15 and 16 to advocate for safe and connected cycling routes in our neighbourhoods.

Meeting: Wednesday February 26th @ 7:00 pm. Trinity Grace Church, 826 Eglinton Avenue East (north side, just west of Laird). RSVP contact: cycledonvalleymidtown@cycleto.ca

LEASIDE GARDEN SOCIETY SPEAKER SERIES Guest speaker Miles Hearn. “Common Weeds in Toronto.” Guests welcome.

Thursday. Feb. 13. Leaside Public Library. 7:30 p.m.

GROOVE ROOM COFFEE HOUSE Listen to great live music by local artists and have a coffee and homemade dessert with friends. We are looking for performers.

Friday, Feb 14th 7:00-8:30 pm. $5 with proceeds to the Flemingdon Park Food Bank. Contact office@saintaugustine.ca or www.saintaugustine.ca.

COMING SOON! SHE SHOPS SWAP Follow @sheshopsswap to find out about this upcoming sustainable fashion event!

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER Lots of great food &and fun for all! Everyone Welcome! Children’s activities provided.

Tuesday, February 25. Serving from 6:00 - 6:45 pm in the gym. Service of Ashes in the Sanctuary at 7:15 pm. FREE WILL OFFERING to benefit Flemingdon Park Ministry Programs. Northlea United, 125 Brentcliffe Rd, northleaunited.ca or 416 425 5252 for more information.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE LEASIDE LIBRARY For the most up-to-date information, please consult our website: https://www.tpl.ca/leaside AFTERNOON @ THE MOVIES Free film screening. All are welcome. No registration required. Please call 416-396-3835 for movie titles.

Wednesdays: February 12, 26 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE TECH HELP Do you need help with your smartphone, tablet, eReader, or laptop? Bring in your device, and library card, and learn. Drop in. First come, first served.

Monday, February 24 from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

DISCOVER YOUR HERITAGE Explore Ontario of yesterday and today with Barry Penhale and special guests. Contact Marjorie McLeod at 416-425-1392.

Tuesdays: February 4, 11, 18, 25 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm

MESSY SCIENCE Ages 6-12. Join us as we whip up some messy concoctions after school. For ages 6-12. Drop in. No registration required.

Mondays: February 3, 10, 24 from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

P.A. DAY MOVIE Ages 6+. Join us to watch Abominable. Rated PG. Drop in. No registration required.

Friday, February 14 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

YOUTH ADVISORY GROUP Volunteers earn community service hours and gain valuable skills by designing teen programs, providing input about teen collections, helping out the community and making new friends!

Application forms are available in branch. Call 416-396-3835 for more information. Wednesdays: February 5, 194:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Send us your free listing for March by February 10th leasidelife@gmail.com ■

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Each year, congestion costs our City almost $11 billion in lost productivity. With many local infrastructure and development projects underway, Leaside is no stranger to the impacts of congestion – an issue exacerbated by lane occupancy.

When space on the public rightof-way is occupied by construction trucks, traffic patterns are impacted by pinch points that constrain the movement of vehicles. Lane occupancy permits are often required by developments that are approved lotline-to-lot-line, limiting the amount of private space available for construction staging.

Traffic congestion and travel time delays can lead to escalating driver frustration, which in turn encourages aggressive driving and traffic infiltration on our residential streets – an issue that is all too common in Leaside. Both as your local Councillor and the former chair of transportation, reducing gridlock and limiting lane occupancy permits have been some of my long-term priorities at City Hall.

Jaye Robinson Councillor

Last term, I led the charge to clamp down on private construction by increasing fees for street occupation. I directed City staff to report on options to shorten the duration of street occupations, including escalating fees, increasing fees at the time of permit renewal, and considering fees for congestion-related economic impacts, such as the City’s time and productivity losses. Several times, I

have pushed to eliminate the practice of lane occupancy altogether.

As a result, instead of a City-wide flat fee, permit fee rates were changed to reflect the market rate for space on public roadways as informed by on-street metered parking rates. In some areas, fees have increased from $5.77 per square metre per month to between $29.90 and $145.26 per square metre per month.

In my role as chair of the TTC, I successfully championed the implementation of a TTC Variable Lane Occupancy Fee for private developers occupying the public right-ofway on transit routes. Without this fee in place, the incremental costs of service changes and delays incurred as a direct result of private development would be borne by City of Toronto taxpayers. The objective of this policy is not only to recover costs but also to discourage developers from applying for lane closures on busy TTC routes, such as Bayview Avenue.

These changes to the fee structure have complemented our Congestion Management Plan (CMP) – a multipronged strategy to improve traffic flow in our busiest corridors. The CMP includes measures such as upgraded traffic signals, new CCTV subsystems on major highways such as the Don Valley Parkway that have improved response times to accidents, and the use of big data to aid in the development of context-specific, evidence-based action plans to improve traffic flow.

While these initiatives are important steps, there is still work to be done to address congestion in our neighbourhoods. We need to continue identifying opportunities to leverage new technologies, limit the number of approved lane occupancies, coordinate major construction projects and improve the flow of traffic on our busiest streets.

At the time of writing, the Infrastructure and Environment Committee unanimously approved a request for a new City-wide policy that automatically denies lane occupancy requests except in circumstances where no other options are available. If approved

by City Council, I look forward to reviewing an updated policy that will help to reduce gridlock across Toronto and in local neighbourhoods like Leaside. ■

SHUTTERSTOCK

Leaside Life • February 2020

28

Getting Toronto moving: clamping down on lane occupancy

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No Valentine’s Day for traffic and transit woes Leaside Life • February 2020

30

Although February is the month of Valentine’s Day, which should produce plenty of good vibes (not to mention chocolates and roses), weather-wise it always feels like ‘the dog days’ of winter, neither winter nor spring.

Just as we were looking forward to only one more year before the Eglinton Crosstown would go into service, 2020 began with an announcement from Metrolinx that construction may not be completed before May or June 2022. Some significant engineering matters are to blame, such as the challenges involved in building a complex twolevel Yonge/Eglinton Metrolinx and TTC station.

Access to transit The delay will also affect the timetable of other transportation matters, including changes to surface TTC services and routes.

The Leaside Property Owners’ Association understands that formal proposals for bus route changes are now scheduled to go before the TTC board in the fall of 2020.

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Carol Burtin Fripp Co-president, LPOA

described major changes to surface transit within the Leaside area which the TTC was considering last year. These called for eliminating the South Leaside 88A bus, rerouting the 88B, and altering the Leaside 56 bus route. They also called for an overall reduction in surface transit along Eglinton Avenue once the Crosstown was open. If implemented, these proposals would reduce Leaside residents’ access to transit.

We have shared our concerns with Councillor Jaye Robinson, and will work with her staff to encourage the TTC to solicit opinions and ideas from public input, as they did last year, before making final decisions.

When I attended one of their sessions, it was clear that while, by and large, the TTC planners’ intentions had been positive, there were unintended negative consequences to their proposals of which they hadn’t been aware. The result would not just reduce, but even remove, bus services for much of Leaside.

Astor and Southvale intersection Speaking of unintended consequences, we continue to experience traffic problems at the Astor Avenue/ Southvale Drive intersection, where the City moved the stop sign for westbound traffic farther west from Astor to Mallory Crescent. The aim

had been to create a safer, more ‘geometric’ north/south pedestrian crossing.

Unfortunately, what it created was a less safe environment on Southvale between Rolph Road and the new stop sign location. Residents report

an increase in westbound vehicle speed, making exiting one’s driveway quite hazardous. It has also created a less safe situation for drivers southbound on Astor who need to turn left (east) onto Southvale. There is no visibility of oncoming Southvale traffic until one is already in mid-turn. Meanwhile, eastbound drivers who try to turn north onto Astor risk fender-benders with aggressive westbound traffic.

City Transportation staff recently decided that no further action is required at this time, but residents of the area continue to report safety concerns and near accidents. This location, and the others throughout Leaside identified in the LPOA’s traffic calming plan, need to be included in the City’s Traffic Management Plan, which will get underway shortly.

We presented the LPOA study to the City a year ago. We look forward to finally (no pun intended) getting somewhere!

ab

The LPOA’s monthly meetings, which are always open to the public, take place on the first Wed. of each month. Our next meeting is on Wed., Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Trace Manes building on Rumsey Road. ■

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