LeasideLife issue 23 final rev_LeasideLifev1 13-11-20 10:31 AM Page 1
No. 23 • December 2013
Leaside Life leasidelifenews.com
Leaside100 1913-2013
LEASIDE SPOR SPORTS TS HALL off F FAME AME
ALLAN WILLIAMS
Leaside’s first ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
She's playing hookey for hockey in New Zealand Page 3
Almost paralysed, he's now winning top awards Page 21
Martha McCabe, swimmer By ALLAN WILLIAMS Bennington Heights-raised swimmer Martha McCabe has been named Leaside’s first annual Athlete of the Year by the Leaside Sports Hall of Fame Committee. A world championship medal winner who is aiming for the Olympics in Rio in 2016, she is a former Leaside High School student who credits her track coach at Leaside High, Dave Christiani, as one of her most important influences. “He had a big part in making me the athlete I am. He let us decide for ourselves whether we were serious
about doing the necessary training. I always knew I wanted to succeed but Dave Christiani helped me realise I had to take responsibility for my own training. It was great to learn that discipline while young.” She wasn’t involved in only track and swimming. “I played hockey with Leaside Girls, soccer, running cross-country, and track and field. It was important to be an all-round athlete and not just limited to one sport. “I was swimming six times a week, but I was also running six times a week and playing hockey. MARTHA, Page 4
LeasideLife issue 23 final rev_LeasideLifev1 13-11-20 10:31 AM Page 2
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Leaside Life, December 2013
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City Ombusdman finds fault with arena board Skating on Thin Ice: That’s the title of the 60-page report released by Toronto Ombudsman Fiona Crean Nov. 7, which investigated and found major governance concerns with Leaside Gardens arena’s citizen board. Local realtor Patrick Rocca was asked by the board in late December 2011 to match a firm offer made by Longo’s to pay $125,000 upfront for the rights to advertise on the arena’s Zamboni for the next 10 years. Rocca, who had held the rights since 2001, had paid $1,800 per year. Rocca complained, not about the size of the offer by Longo’s, but the way he was treated. A long-time supporter of the arena, Rocca was led to believe Longo’s offer was a firm one, when it wasn’t. The company asked for exclusivity prohibiting any other grocers from advertising at the arena, but the board rejected that request, meaning there was no firm offer when Rocca was asked to match the bid.
Ultimately, Rocca made a counter proposal to pay $4,500 per year but by then Longo’s had dropped their exclusivity demands and the contract was signed. Almost 18 months have passed since the Ombudsman launched her investigation and now for Rocca it’s water under the bridge. He continues to advertise at the arena and plays hockey twice a week there. While the process might have taken an unfortunate turn or two, Rocca says, he’s a big believer in supporting the community where he lives and works. The Ombudsman’s report made 18 recommendations including specifying that the chair of the board apologize in writing to Rocca by Dec. 15. The new chair of the board, Ray White, wrote to the Ombudsman: "In reviewing the report and your recommendations it is evident that they will result in improved governance, accountability and more efficient operation." n
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As I count my blessings this festive season, I can’t help but reflect with gratitude and great pride on the phenomenal spirit of this neighbourhood we call our home. What an honour it has been to work with the many dedicated volunteers and community builders whose tireless efforts have made the dream of a new arena and gathering place a reality; and how fitting that such a tremendous achievement should occur amid the celebrations of Leaside’s momentous 100-year anniversary. I thank you for your support and friendship. Best wishes, from my family to yours, for joy and good fortune throughout the holidays and in the exciting year to come.
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She’s playing hookey for hockey in New Zealand
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“I have been very active in all sports since I was very young,” she says, “participating on virtually every school team in elementary and middle school (she want to Northlea) and am now on several teams at Leaside High.” She plays defence for the Leaside Wildcats Midget AA team and has competed in Leaside soccer and girls softball for years. She’s also volunteered as a hockey coach and trainer and is in her first year as a referee. She’ll be travelling alone this time, “but am very excited as I see this as a huge adventure with great benefits down the road”. By our deadline she had raised by herself close to the $3,500 the trip will cost. “I am going to create a twitter/facebook account and I will be posting while I am away so people can follow what is happening,” she says. n
Senior Chair Exercise Program at Leaside United Church (Tuesday and Thursday at 12:15).
Leaside Life, December 2013
She’s 15, born and still being raised in Leaside, but for the first 11 days of this month she will be playing hookey from Leaside High School to play hockey in New Zealand for its national under 18 team against the Australia Women’s U18 team. The aim: To play with New Zealand in the world championships. Gabby Smyth has New Zealand citizenship because her father, Andrew, was born there. As a result she went to New Zealand to try out for the team earlier this year with her dad, a board member of the Toronto Leaside Girls Hockey Association, which has worked with the Ontario and international associations to develop opportunities in non-traditional hockey markets. He is now also involved with women’s hockey in New Zealand. Gabby has been involved too, not just in hockey.
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Leaside Life, December 2013
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Martha From Page 1
This cross-training helped me tremendously. Swimming can be kind of mind-numbing. With the diversity of sports I had growing up I feel fresher now compared to others who spent more time in the pool.” The ceremony and reception were to be held Nov. 29 (after our deadline) in the Leaside arena’s William Lea Room where McCabe was to be honoured along with the induction of the 10 inaugural members of the Leaside Sports Hall of Fame. “The selection committee decided that athletes who are still competing should not be considered for the Hall of Fame,” said member Michael Bliss. “As soon as we did that, then the choice of Martha as Athlete of the Year became obvious.” McCabe is the youngest of four children of Nancy and Joe McCabe. All four were competitive athletes, three of them at Leaside High School before heading off to university. Her two sisters and brother each went to McGill University, and all three are now back living and working in Toronto. She went instead to the University of British Columbia on the strength of the swimming program and graduated with a degree in human kinetics. She began swimming competitively at the Granite Club under coach Bill Durant and made Canada’s national team in 2009. She competed at the 2010 Commonwealth games in New Delhi, came third in the world championships in Shanghai in 2011 in the 200m breast stroke, and placed fifth in that event in London last year. She is currently training hard with hopes to compete for Canada not only at the Olympic Games but also at the Commonwealth Games next summer and World Championships in 2015. "Finishing just shy of the podium at the 2012 Olympics, I am fighting to be a serious medal contender in Rio." McCabe is based in Toronto, supported by the RBC Olympian Program, which lets her work parttime apart from the 25 hours a week that she trains at the U of T Aquatic Centre. RBC also arranges for her to speak to community groups and schools.
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,
LORETTA FLAGLER By ALAN REDWAY
dedicated to insuring that our municipal tax I was saddened to dollars were spent as eflearn of the passing of fectively and as effiLoretta Flagler, the widow ciently as possible of the late Stan Flagler. without wasting a single Stan served on Leapenny. side council from 1956 In all these respects until the merger with East they reflected the views York in 1967. He and the of the vast majority of late Vern Page were both Leasiders. elected to Leaside council STAN AND LORETTA FLAGLER Even after leaving the same year. public office each conVern went on to serve tinued to take an active a further six years as an East York alpart in guiding municipal decision derman. Both Vern and his wife making. Anne passed away a few years ago. Their wives Loretta Flagler and Stan and Vern were close colAnne Page were also deeply inlaorators on Leaside council. They volved in our community in their shared a similar view of municipal own right. Both were well known issues. Both tenaciously fought to for their participation in a variety of maintain the physical character of local organizations and activities. our community and the integrity of We owe the Flaglers and the the Leaside industrial area. Pages a deep debt of gratitude for They were strong supporters of the important part they played in our recreation programs and facilihelping to shape the wonderful ties but at the same time they were community that we enjoy today. n
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“A huge part of my life is talking in the schools, sharing my story with young kids. Sometimes when people see an athlete on television it can seem distant and unreal. When I’m with them in person, I can say, ‘I was there where you are now, I worked hard, you can do it too.’ And I love the reaction: sometimes a coach or parent will tell me afterwards that a kid changed something as a result. I love that chance to motivate them!” Although Swimming Canada also arranges for McCabe and her teammates to spend some time training in Florida, especially during the winter “to get us away from the cold and distractions,” she still spends most of her time in Toronto. She lives downtown but gets home to Leaside regularly. “My sisters and I especially make time to get together often. And on Sundays we almost always meet at our parents’ house in Leaside for dinner to make sure that we all see each other.” She expected to be training in Florida the week of the ceremony so wouldn’t be able to attend the ceremony, but her parents were to be there to accept and speak on her behalf. n
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Leaside Life, December 2013
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THE first Diamond proposal for Eglinton and Brentcliffe.
Our growth spurt like mid-war boom Leaside Life has run a large number of stories related to the neighbourhood’s growing pains in 2013. I think it’s fair to say it wouldn’t have done so if there weren’t so much happening on Bayview, Laird and along Eglinton. With the exception of the go-go years between the two World Wars, the area’s current growth spurt appears to be like no other in its 100year history. As a reminder of just how much change is taking place (some of it good, some not so great) my last column of the year will recap the major business developments over the past
Will Ashworth The business of Leaside 12 months. First, in July’s issue I discussed my reasons for being optimistic about the change taking place here. In it I highlighted some of the viewpoints regarding intensification from city planners like Lorna Day, who is the project manager for the Eglinton Crosstown Planning Study.
Proposed Whole Foods building at Bayview and Broadway.
When I asked Day this lengthy question: “With so much being spent on the Crosstown LRT, clearly the city and province have a vested interest in getting a return on that spending. Not just from ridership revenue, but from taxes, economic development, etc. This would suggest intensification, especially along the LRT, is a must if all the stakeholders, including Leaside residents, are to benefit from the LRT investment. Is this conceptually accurate? Day’s response: “This is conceptually accurate and that is why the city is conducting this study, in order to ensure that the growth and intensification that will inevitably come as a result of the transit investment is well managed, incremental and contextually sensitive.” So, to recap: Developer Steve Diamond and architect Sol Wassermuhl met with the Leaside Property Owners’ Association in March to present their redevelopment ideas, in conjunction with 50-50 partner Dawsco Property Corp., for 939 Eglinton East. Included were plans for as many as 1,280 condos, 107,000 square feet of office space and 70,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The developers
LeasideLife issue 23 final rev_LeasideLifev1 13-11-20 10:31 AM Page 7
To advertise in Leaside Life: 416-486-7387 www.leasidelifenews.com/contactus
Speaking of Canada Post, the seven-storey condo development proposed by Knightstone Capital Management on the grounds of former Postal Station R, which Councillor Parker and the Leaside Property Owners’ Association have vehemently opposed due to its size, is at the OMB. According to the South Bayview Bulldog, Knightstone paid $3.05 million for the property in 2011, significantly more than the $115,000 paid by the federal government in 1959. Leaside Village, anchored by a wonderfully renovated Longo’s, has become a big winner. One of the last tenants to occupy the mall was the self-described “urban tavern” Against the Grain, who opened their second Toronto location April 8 to much fanfare. Rick Green, First Capital’s Central Canada director of leasing, recently mentioned to me how happy he was with Against the Grain during a telephone conversation we had to discuss First Capital’s twostorey restaurant plans for the old CIBC building at 180 Laird. The food choices in Leaside keep getting better every day. There have been a number of other prominent retail businesses
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Leaside Life, December 2013
intend to file a rezoning application for a mixed use project early in the new year that will respect the policies in the city’s official plan. Leaside Life reported in April that RioCan purchased the former Brennan Pontiac Buick site at Broadway and Bayview that will house a 50,200 square-foot Whole Foods along with an additional 24,000 square feet of retail. RioCan paid a whopping $58 million for the property. Expected in early 2015, it will be the seventh grocery store in the Leaside area. Once expected to be a 200,000 square-foot project, Rockport Group’s 19.2 hectare project on Wicksteed has shrunk to 40,000 with an additional 80,000 square feet of space for self-storage. In addition, Canada Post is building a distribution facility on the southern portion of the 19.2 hectare property. Despite the significant reduction in the scope of the project, Dag Enhorning, president of the Leaside Business Park, called it “a death blow to the Park”.
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Leaside Life, December 2013
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opening their doors this past year in the area. One of the biggest would have to be Gyro Hyundai, which opened in October, right across Laird from its sister dealership, Gyro Mazda. Other openings in 2013 worth mentioning include Dollarama, Sports Clips, and Hero Burger – all on Bayview – and the enlarged 18,000 square-foot LCBO across the SmartCentre parking lot at 65 Wicksteed. The consensus bet for 2014 is that Walmart moves into the largest portion (approximately 70,000 square feet) of the SmartCentre expansion at 70 Wicksteed. Leaside Unite, now a part of the LPOA, tried unsuccessfully to alter SmartCentre’s plans but was able to negotiate a settlement for $110,000 to cover legal costs, traffic studies, etc. Apparently next on the agenda is Costco, who are looking to open a warehouse store on the old CocaCola property on Overlea Blvd. While it’s not technically Leaside now, which it once was, the opening will bring a city with 7.9 percent unemployment some much needed jobs and probably add to Leaside traffic. Councillor Parker reminded us in his October column about three onď ľ
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LeasideLife issue 23 final rev_LeasideLifev1 13-11-20 10:31 AM Page 9
Sarah’s BIG record was a huge one The headline last month said Sarah breaks a BIG record. Our deadline was before the final figure was calculated, so we didn’t know HOW big. It was really BIG. Instead of the target of 24,000 pounds of food collected for the Daily Bread Food Bank, the total was a little more than 150 percent higher: 60,995 pounds. The year before Sarah Jordan, 11, of North Leaside, had aimed for 12,000 pounds and raised 21,573. n
Finally, Aspen Ridge is looking to increase the number of units in its third condo tower at Scenic and will go before an Ontario Municipal Board hearing sometime in the new year to appeal the North York Committee of Adjustment’s rejection of its proposal. The councillor and the Leaside Property Owners’ Association are both in favour of this ruling. I, however, feel the issue of increased traffic is a bit of a red herring in this instance because most of the 98 additional units would likely be occupied by those intending to take public transportation. Lastly, a very well organized group (Save Our Bennington) has come together to stop unwanted densification in the area south of Moore. While I can understand having reservations about a proposed six-storey condo being built right next door to an existing apartment building at Bayview and Moore, I’m much less convinced the severance of a 95-foot lot at 21 Evergreen deserves an equal amount of angst. We’ll see what happens in the coming weeks but you can be sure the fireworks will be plentiful. I look forward to 2014 and the ongoing changes taking place in Leaside. Happy Holidays! n
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going housing issues in Leaside: Garden Court, the Talbot apartments and the third tower at Scenic on Eglinton. All three affect the affordable rental housing stock that exists in the neighbourhood. Talbot is undergoing a complete overhaul that will most definitely see increased rents. Garden Court’s proposed condo conversion is less of a slam dunk for the property’s owners. Possessing some of the nicest residential buildings in the area, it would be a shame to see them converted to condos.
LeasideLife issue 23 final rev_LeasideLifev1 13-11-20 10:31 AM Page 10
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Curling Club averts the loss of its bar By WILL ASHWORTH The curlers at the Leaside Curling Club (LCC) — 950 members in total— haven't gone thirsty this season after all and a crisis has been averted. The city notified the club's board in October last year that it no longer wanted to be in the bar business; either LCC could take over operations of its bar or the city would contract out to a third party. The board spent the summer worrying a solution wasn't to be and there would be a loss of the timehonoured tradition of the winning team buying a beer for the losers: a calamity. LCC's board elected to run the bar themselves and worked out an agreement with the city that pays the municipality a percentage of sales. Peter O'Neil, LCC's marketing and communications person, says "The city was more than fair" about the entire process. n
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Leaside Life, December 2013
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LOGAN ALLMENDINGER
Leaside Life, December 2013
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Front row from left, Pamela Sellers (sister of Walter David Newel, killed in 1943), Ella Newel (Walter Newel's sister-in-law), Mary Newel (Walter's niece; Ella's daughter), Chris Aylott (Mary's husband; Walter's nephew-in-law), Nora Sellers (Walter's niece; Pamela's daughter). Second row, third from left (with red hair) Hazel Lazier, sister in law of Vernon John Lazier, killed in 1944.
Renewed plaque gets the name right Leaside Memorial Community Gardens rededicated its memorial plaque last month, and corrected a mistake. The plaque, mounted on the old arena and originally dedicated in 1963 during Leaside’s 50th anniversary year, had misspelled the name Walter David Newel, one of the 17 young Leaside soldiers who were killed in World War II. The plaque had been taken down during construction of the new
arena, refurbished and was remounted on the outside of the new rink in time for the Nov. 8 ceremony in Leaside’s 100th anniversary. “For fifty years it read, Newell,” said arena board chair Ray White. “When this mistake was brought to our attention we felt we had a duty to correct it. And the company we contracted did an outstanding job. This is the original plaque and you wouldn’t know there had ever been an extra letter.” “My mother was so thrilled to see her brother’s name spelled correctly
that she is still talking about it,” said Leaside resident Tim Sellers, who attended the outdoor ceremony along with his mother Pamela Sellers and other Newel relatives. “The fact that 16 members of our families were there, not to mention the family members related to two other fallen soldiers, is a testament to the importance of the event.” Hazel Lazier, sister-in-law of Vernon Lazier, and Shirley Wilbur, sister of William Wilbur, as well as two RENEWED, Page 15
LOGAN ALLMENDINGER
By ALLAN WILLIAMS
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LOGAN ALLMENDINGER
Leaside Life, December 2013
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Caryn Ramos and Amy Usme read from the list of remembered soldiers, with the help of St. Anselm Principal Richard Walo. From left behind them, MP John Carmichael, Councillor John Parker, arena board member Allan Williams.
Students read out plaque’s history Students from grades 3 and 8 at St. Anselm Catholic School researched the 17 servicemen named on the renovated plaque and read out their names and additional information. Grade 3 teacher Keith Chittick and grade 8 teacher Jason Pedra led that project. Principal Richard Walo said, “The students felt extremely proud to be part of this very special ceremony.” Lieutenant Trueman William Albert Anderson served in the Royal Canadian Artillery Unit. He was born in 1916 and died on February 9, 1945 at the age of 29. He was the son of Herbert and Maude Anderson and husband of Hazel Anderson of Toronto, Ontario. He is buried in GROESBEEK CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY, Netherlands. Pilot Officer Douglas Stewart Brown served in the Royal Canadian Air Force 106th R.A.F. Squadron. He was born on September 12, 1922 and died on June 15, 1943 at the age of 21.He is buried in GROESBEEK CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY, Netherlands. Pilot Officer Conrad Cromer Evans served in the Royal Canadian Air Force 12th Squadron. He was born on May 26, 1922 and died on June 24, 1944 at the age of 22. He is buried in RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Surrey, United Kingdom. Lieutenant Richard Charles Holmes served in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve, H.M.C.S Prevost. He was born in 1913 and died on September 5, 1945 at the age of 32. He was the husband of Bonnie H. B. Holmes of Toronto, Ontario. He is buried in MOUNT PLEASANT CEMETERY, Toronto, Ontario. Pilot Officer Vernon John Lazier served in the Royal Canadian Air Force 77th R.A.F. Squadron. He was born on Septem
LeasideLife issue 23 final rev_LeasideLifev1 13-11-20 10:32 AM Page 14
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ber 2, 1922 and died on November 2, 1944 at the age of 22. He was the son of Harry Hart Lazier and Lillian May Lazier of Toronto, Ontario. He is buried in HOTTON WAR CEMETERY in Belgium. Pilot Officer Lazier is also commemorated on the Canadian Memorial of Tigelot in Jalhay, Belgium. Flying Officer William Clothier Leaming served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was born on October 22, 1922 and died on June 15, 1944 at the age of 23. He was the son of William and Kathleen Leaming of Bronte, Ontario. He is buried in RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Surrey, United Kingdom. Flying Officer William Robert Merrall served in the Royal Canadian Air Force 625th Squadron. He was born on December 11, 1921 and died on May 16, 1944 at the age of 22 in the North Sea. He was the son of Frederick Thomas Merrall and Olive Ellen Merrall of Leaside, Ontario. He is buried in RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Surrey, United Kingdom. Sergeant Archie Allen Muirhead served in the Royal Canadian Air Force 10th R.A.F. Squadron. He was born on August 16, 1918 and died on March 10, 1943 at the age of 24. He was the son of James Wesley Muirhead and Jessie Simpson Muirhead of Toronto, Ontario. He is buried in REY NEW CEMETERY, Caithnesshire, United Kingdom. Flying Officer Walter David Newel served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was born on March 12, 1921 and died on October 20, 1943 at the age of 22. He was the son of Walter F. Newel and Lillian E. Newel of Leaside, Ontario. He is buried in OXFORD (BOTLEY) CEMETERY, Berkshire, United Kingdom. Able Seaman James George Gordon Peterkin served in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve S.S. Cornwallis, Vancouver. He was born on November 24, 1924 and died on December 3, 1944 at the age of 20. He was the son of William and Annie Peterkin of Leaside, Ontario. He is buried in HALIFAX MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Nova Scotia. Flying Officer Robert Eric Bowman Pike served in the Royal Canadian Air Force 77th R.A.F. Squadron. He was born on June 2, 1923 and died on November 2, 1944 at the age of 21. He was the son of Abram Bowman Pike and Delma Pike of Toronto, Ontario. He is buried in HOTTON WAR CEMETERY, Belgium. Pilot Officer Pike is also commemorated on the Canadian Memorial of Tigelot in Jalhay, Belgium. Stoker Clifford Laureano Rea served in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve. He was born on ď ľ
Merry Christmas! New Year’s Levee t
Join me to celebrate the new year with refreshments & live entertainment!
LeasideLife issue 23 final rev_LeasideLifev1 13-11-20 10:32 AM Page 15
Renewed From Page 12
nephews of William Wilbur were also in attendance. Member of Parliament John Carmichael and Councillor John Parker both spoke at the service. Ray White gave a commemorative address in which he reminded everyone that the average age of the 17 men killed was just 22. “We have created here a gathering place for the children and youth of our community, hockey players and figure skaters alike and it is truly fitting that this place honours our young people from a past generation.� n
is buried in MOUNT PLEASANT CEMETERY, Toronto, Ontario. Flight Sergeant Leonard Ogilvy Stalker served in the Royal Canadian Air Force 420th Squadron. He was born on October 30, 1919 and died on March 26, 1942 at the age of 23. He was the son of Norman and Maude Stalker of Westmount, Etobicoke, Ontario. He is buried in RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Surrey, United Kingdom. Pilot Officer Richard John Walton served in the Royal Canadian Air Force 630th R.A.F. Squadron. He was born on June 14, 1924 and died on June 22, 1944 at the age of 20. He was the son of Richard and May Walton of Toronto, Ontario. He is buried in SCHOONSELHOF CEMETERY, Belgium. Private William Milton Wilbur served in the the Royal Canadian Regiment. He was born on December 19, 1920 and died on October 21, 1944 at the age of 23. He was the son of G.P. Wilbur and Ellen Wilbur of Toronto, Ontario. He is buried in CORIANO RIDGE WAR CEMETERY, Italy. Pilot Officer James Edward Wilke sserved in the Royal Canadian Air Force 407th Squadron. He was born on March 29, 1914 and died on September 6, 1942 at the age of 28. He was the son of John and Lillian Wilkes of Riverside, Ontario. He is buried in DUNKIRK TOWN CEMETERY, Nord, France. n
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Leaside Life, December 2013
April 26, 1921 and died on November 24, 1944 at the age of 23. He was the son of Fred B. Rea and Azilda May Rea of Leaside, Ontario. He is buried in HALIFAX MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Nova Scotia. Pilot Officer Willard Hugh Rowland served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was born on December 5, 1916 and died on July 6, 1944 at the age of 27. He was the son of William Albert Rowland and Alwilda Rowland of Leaside, Ontario. He was the husband of Viola Rowland of Toronto, Ontario. He
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Chicks with Sticks are now paying full fare When Erin Sorhaug first approached Henry Stachelbeck, the manager of Leaside Gardens, three years ago, she was looking for a deal. Stachelbeck, with the backing of the board, gave them one: time on the ice at below-market rates, because there were only 10 women, some of whom had never skated with hockey skates, or played hockey. Now the Chicks with Sticks, as Stachelbeck likes to call them jokingly, pay the full rate and are playing like harridans. What happened between then and now? Starting out by asking women in the Rolph Road schoolyard if they were interested in playing hockey, Sorhaug, new to the neighbourhood and not knowing a soul, soon discovered that getting a chance to play hockey was something of interest to a surprising number of local women. I spent a Wednesday morning at the new ice pad at Leaside Memorial Community Gardens chatting with some of the women and watching them do drills and a short scrimmage. There are more than 40 women on Tuesday and/or Wednesday mornings for a cost of $20 each a week. They have become ROCS Hockey, an incorporated small business, using the initials of Raquel O’Halloran and Christine Smeeton, the organizers for the past two years. The weekly fees pay for ice, coaching and insurance. Two requirements to join: have basic skating ability and provide your own full equipment. Jerseys and socks are red, blue, turquoise,
Lorna Krawchuk Publisher Leaside Life
LORNA KRAWCHUK
Leaside Life, December 2013
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Christine Smeeton, left, with Raquel O'Halloran and coach David Trombley. black, pink, some with numbers and names (not necessarily theirs), others completely blank. As I watched them scrimmage, I was really confused, because I couldn’t tell who was on which team, but they had it figured out – or at least, I think they did. Christine Smeeton, not counting her own hockey-playing time, spends more than 15 hours per week at Leaside and other arenas with her three hockey-playing sons. She was a speedskater, but never played hockey when younger. “Learning to play gives me an appreciation for what my kids are doing. This was something a lot of us wanted to do,
but in a non-intimidating environment.” Raquel O’Halloran says, “There were not a lot of beginner programs in the city. It was also important to be very inclusive, and not daunting.” Carolyn Armstrong lives across the street from Christine Smeeton and is also one of the original players. She enjoys that it is “nothing too serious,” but gets enough out of it that she now plays for the Leaside Wildcats in league hockey as well. Julia Armstrong (not related to Carolyn), is one who has no wish to play in a league, even though Raquel O’Halloran says,“If she wanted to play league, she’s ready”. Julia’s reply to that? “Self-preservation is my way of life. I’m happy to stay where I am. This is the best part of my week.” Robin Dickie stopped playing when she was injured, but “misses the camaraderie and the endorphin high like no other.” Sorhaug, who started it all, is on a break for this year, but she vows she’ll be back. As for coaching, the road seems to go through being a professional hockey player and being injured. That’s what happened to David Trombley, who was with the Quebec Nordiques when he was injured in 1991. Now, he owns Hockey Extreme, with coaching jobs across the city. His start with ROCS was for a fivegame trial period two years ago, and he’s been with them ever since. Lori Antflick, a coach with Hockey Extreme, is the usual Tuesday morning coach. She says, “They are my favourite group to teach.”n
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Leaside Life, December 2013
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In our Hood Leaside Life, December 2013
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18 By BETH Strange goings-on in Leaside in November – four adults were spotted squished inside a photo booth at the corner of Moore and Bayview having their photo taken; other groups were washing windshields at the opposite corner, some were singing Ring of Fire in front of Leaside’s firehall. It was all part of the car rally fundraiser to support El Hogar Projects Canada. Over 160 people participated, raising an estimated $20,000. And various cartoon characters roamed the streets Halloween week,
Leaside Life Published once a month in Leaside,Toronto ON, by Ruth G. Publishing Inc., 66 Donegall Drive, Toronto ON, M4G 3G5 Circulation 8,500 to every door in M4G PUBLISHER: Lorna Krawchuk EDITORIAL: Harry Goldhar ADVERTISING: Ruth Goldhar GRAPHIC DESIGN: L. Choy
416‐486‐7387
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sent from Leaside High School as part of the school’s annual Halloween fundraiser. Tigger, Piglet (aka Emmalyn Hohner) and friends were collecting donations to support Amici, a charity that sends boys and girls from low-income families to overnight summer camps. Congratulations to the winners of Charlene Kalia’s annual pumpkin carving contest, Pam, Amanda, Jason and Rachel. Their creative efforts won from a record number of 70 entries! This was the fifth year for Kalia's Goulish Giveaway at Tremblett’s valu-mart. Attendees were treated to family portraits, free pumpkins, face painting, cotton candy and a BBQ lunch compliments of Tremblett’s. Added this year was a spooktacular visit with Pawsitively Pets. St. Cuthbert’s annual fair attracted hundreds of happy shoppers and raised (at last count) over $12,000. The fair was packed with great treasures and treats, but for the first time almost three decades there was no Christmas pudding for sale. Betty Crichton and friends, who had lovingly made the traditional treat, decided it was time for a change. “It got to the point that most people didn’t seem to know what it was,” she said, “so after 29 years, I’m taking a break!” Thank you, Betty, for all those great puddings.
Welcome Tori & Cate’s Cupcakes, opening their new store at 1592 Bayview. All goodies are made from scratch and if you want a bigger bite, there are cakes too. Other new arrivals on “the strip” include Q Living, full of healthy vitamins and food, and an orthodontic practice (opening soon) at the former home of Sleuth of Baker Street. Speaking of cake, Leaside Tennis Club turned 65 this year. Members celebrated and honoured Leaside's 100th year at their year-end party with a large tennis court cake! Tennis courts were first set up at Trace Manes Park in 1944, when neighbours, Matt Syliss, Norm Lamport, Al Ogg and Norm Ramsey laid out two courts so they could play and teach kids about tennis. The club was founded four years later. A young piano prodigy living in Leaside, Coco Ma, was awarded a coveted spot at the renowned Lang Lang International Music Foundation camp in Munich in early November. Only 12 music scholars from around the world are chosen each year. Ma currently studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and lives with her family in Leaside. See Ma perform on YouTube at leasidelifenews.com n
From my family to yours, A very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all the best in the New Year! Karen, Brett and Blake Brinkhof
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Leaside Life, December 2013
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Leaside Life, December 2013
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ENJOYED
See what Leaside has to offer Thirty not-for-profit groups in Leaside will have tables set up in the William Lea Room at Leaside Memorial Community Gardens on Sunday, Dec. 1 from noon to 6 p.m. so you can take a look at the possibilities for getting involved in a local group. Admission is free. There is representation from sports, cultural, recreation, and “offthe-beaten-track” groups according to organizer Virginia Gallop Evoy from Councillor John Parker’s office. There is a holiday air to the afternoon, because the theme is Leaside 100, and it is certainly the beginning of the holiday season. Participating groups are hoping this first-ever such event will raise their profile and be a success. An arts highlight of the afternoon will be a display of art works from Leaside High School, curated by North York Arts. Bookending the display will be a table with local artist John H. Smith , who was profiled in the October 2013 issue of Leaside Life. n
LeasideLife issue 23 final rev_LeasideLifev1 13-11-20 10:32 AM Page 21
He should be paralysed but John Parker’s he keeps on winning awards Leaside100 Councillor
7YLZLU[LK PU WHY[ULYZOPW ^P[O North York Arts
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Leaside Life, December 2013
In March last year Jack-Daniels, a Leaside dog, was diagnosed with spinal disk disease. Every disk in his neck and all but two in his back were calcifying. The usual diagnosis: paralysis. This month Jack-Daniels will be competing in Orlando, Florida for the first-ever American Kennel Club Obedience Classic. The difference? His owner Alison Smith, of Aerodrome Blvd., a dog trainer and part owner of a dog training centre, Personal Paws in Scarborough, recognized there was a serious problem when he started limping for an unknown reason. After an X-ray, an $11,000 operation paid by insurance that cleaned out all the calcification, and four months of being carried around, JackDaniels was cured. He was 2 ½ years old when he became ill, had already been in training and was a winner in his first competition at 14 months old. Five months post-surgery Jack-Daniels was back in competition, passing all tests and winning awards. He will be competing in the novice class. His name? He’s a cross between a Jack Russell and a Corgi and was born just a few miles down the road from the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee. n
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Leaside Life, December 2013
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Leaside group trying to bring back Lions Club A group of seven dedicated Leaside residents got together Oct. 21 to generate some ideas for resurrecting a Leaside chapter of the Lions Club. The original Leaside chapter got its start in 1938 with the help of then Leaside Mayor Howard Talbot and town solicitor Stan Schatz. Although its 75th anniversary is this year, the chapter is now based in the west end of the city and has been since 2007. The group is holding a membership drive Dec.1 from noon to 6 in the William Lea Room at the Leaside Gardens arena. Membership forms will be made available. Should you have additional questions contact marniephoenix@hotmail.com.
Macphail nominations Nominations have opened for next year’s Agnes Macphail Award. Nomination forms are available at public buildings in East York, including the library, or from www.toronto.ca/ macphail_award/. Nominees must be residents of East York and an outstanding community contributor. n Councillor
John
Parker WARD 26 · DON VALLEY WEST
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Leaside Paint Centre 1525 Bayview Avenue Toronto ON M4G 3B5 416 489 7900
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Leaside Life, December 2013
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See Jane and Leaside history on our web page
Christmas Eve 7pm Traditional carols, candlelight & Communion and the timeless story of a very special baby’s birth Christmas Day (& every Sunday) 10:30 am Bayview at Broadway www.SaintAugustine.ca
Watch Jane Pitfield talk about the history of Leaside in these early excerpts from the Leaside Centennial Productions video, 100 Years Inside Leaside. Go to leasidelifenews.com to see the video. Work on the documentary started in August last year and covers the 100th anniversary events this year as well as stories about the old days. The producers are looking for volunteers to help find people with stories, photos, referrals to resources or help in any way. Lea100productions@gmail.com, or Barry Samuel at 416-849-7325, Anthony Regan at 416-422-0543. n
LeasideLife issue 23 final rev_LeasideLifev1 13-11-20 10:33 AM Page 25
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Leaside Life, December 2013
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year!!
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Carol Burtin Fripp Vice-president, LPOA
Leaside Life, December 2013
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'As of right' zoning does not protect us As construction of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT heads in Leaside’s direction, the city and Metrolinx have each held public meetings to discuss planning, development and traffic issues, and several LPOA directors have attended. Many of the city’s proposals are very positive, but in this column I will concentrate on the proposals which we do not support. First is what is called “as of right” zoning along Eglinton, especially between Bayview and Brentcliffe, where single family homes prevail, and four storeys is the maximum permitted height. We do not believe that to automatically permit taller buildings (in this case mid-rise, perhaps six storeys) gives adequate protection against over-development. Currently, if a developer wants to build higher or denser than prescribed in the city’s Official Plan, the developer has to offer cash or some other community benefit in exchange, an “atonement” payment, as it were, according to the Planning Act’s Section 37. Each development proposal is considered separately. Under “as of right” mid-rise zoning, developers would no longer have to pay Section 37 compensation to the city to build a wall of sixstorey buildings all along Eglinton. This would cause a major financial loss to the city and eliminate the many benefits that neighbourhoods now receive via Section 37 funds. It would also reduce the influence of communities such as Leaside to obtain changes to development applications, or concessions which might make new developments more acceptable, especially to those living nearby. “As of right” planning is not a good idea. We noted at an October Eglinton Connects meeting that official maps showed high-rises to be permitted between Laird and Brentcliffe. We
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Goodbye to the golden arches? The golden arches of McDonalds are probably going under the wrecking ball. Metrolinx is negotiating with the property owner to purchase the land on the southeast corner of Bayview and Eglinton to make way for the main station entrance for the Bayview stop on the crosstown LRT. Metrolinx has yet to select a designer or a builder for LRT stations. Construction on the property, which is not owned by McDonald’s, isn’t expected to begin until 2016. n
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Leaside Life, December 2013
believe that high-rise buildings should be limited to intersections where there is what is called “higher order” transit, i.e., transit both N/S and E/W, as at Bayview or Don Mills, and there only sparingly and conditionally. As to initial proposals to permit four-storey townhouses from Donlea/Hanna east to Sutherland, where there are single family homes, our position is that this change would potentially destabilize the area, and be a disincentive for homeowners to maintain their homes. At a November follow-up meeting with the Eglinton Connects planning team, we raised these points, had a sympathetic reception, and mutually agreed that protecting established neighbourhoods, and Leaside‘s historic character as a low rise community, is key. There are certainly some unresolved questions, particularly regarding traffic. The city’s plan assumes that although many other sections of the LRT route will have more and denser development, there will be less traffic overall along Eglinton. It also doesn’t address the fact that LRT stations are located quite far apart, thus creating a need for adequate surface transit (aka buses) even once the LRT is operating. And one of Leasiders’ main concerns -- that of increased flow-through traffic infiltration into Leaside’s residential area -- has yet to be addressed. These are issues which need further discussion, to say the least! I hope in my next column to be able to report on these matters in greater detail, and to provide more information on the potential impact of the LRT’s construction period as it reaches Leaside. n
LeasideLife issue 23 final rev_LeasideLifev1 13-11-20 10:33 AM Page 28
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Hyundai is known for some of the greenest cars in the automotive industry, including the Elantra, the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada’s 2012 Canadian Car of the Year. It’s appropriate then that when Gyro Auto Group partners J.P. Kovac, Paul Kmet and Jim Krigos held the grand opening Nov. 8 at their new dealership, Gyro Hyundai, guests got to take in all the ecofriendly aspects of the new facility at 127 Laird Dr. Its green roof uses sedum, or what’s more commonly known as stonecrops, a leafy, succulent plant that needs little moisture to survive. Using permeable paving stones that help retain the water that falls on the roof, it’s able to significantly reduce harmful runoff while also helping heat and cool the building. Add in LED lighting, high efficiency heating and cooling systems and a total commitment to recycling, the Gyro team is able to save on its energy use while operating a quieter energy infrastructure. n
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CITY OF TORONTO ARCHIVES
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Looking north to Mallory Cres. during construction of the Bayview Extension.
My Leaside valley was Adventureland The valleys and cliffs on three sides of Leaside make it a unique urban neighbourhood. My childhood street was Mallory Cres. on the edge of the Don Valley. My earliest valley memory was a face-to-face encounter on a narrow pathway with a giant blue bird. After hearing my story my kindergarten teacher informed me that lying was not acceptable. Years later a zoo keeper at the Riverdale Zoo told me that their peacocks often escaped into the valley. Vindication for an embarrassed child! I remember standing at the cliff edge with my father staring in amazement at the havoc wrecked by Hurricane Hazel. The valley was Adventureland. I picked wild apple and peach blossoms and followed mysterious paths that lead to glorious wildflowers and abandoned garden flowers. Plants thrown over the cliff because they failed to earn their keep in nearby gardens thrived in the valley. Pies were made from valley apples. At 7 p.m. most evenings we biked to the cliff behind the apartments on Leacrest to watch the four-engine train moving north and then east shaking the valley as it passed. An incredible display of industrial age might. It also gave you hot cinders in the eye. In winter the valleys offered tobogganing and snow drift jumping.
Karen Fraser Memories of Old Leaside
In spring we foolishly took cardboard pieces and rode them down the steep hills. We often became airbourne and flew until we hit the fence at the bottom. I am glad I lived to tell the tale. One exciting week we became pirates scouring the hill for costume jewellery tossed free following a small rail accident. We gathered valley clay that we formed into pottery. We understood the name Pottery Rd. I learned about sex from cars parked in the valleys and along the cliff. I learned to believe in the impossible after interrupting a couple in an Isetta. As a teen I watched a nun push a grocery-filled Loblaws cart around the cliff and stop at a home. As she carried the bags inside my mind was creating positive thoughts about the duties of nuns. She came out and as was customary started to retrace her route to return the cart to the store property. She stopped, turned,
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bumped the cart across the grass, pushed it over the cliff and calmly went on her way. It all ended in 1957 with the building of the Bayview Extension. The machines came destroying century oaks and leaving them in piles. The cliff and valley were scraped bare and left to erode. I moved downtown after university but moved back to Mallory in the ‘80s. My house is literally on the edge. The cliff has one of the best views in the city, attracting people to sit, read or just look. Trees have grown back since ‘57 and we share the cliff with assorted wildlife – rabbits, skunks, deer and druggies. The latter raid cars, leave copious amounts of garbage, used condoms and syringes but now we hear that cameras are in the offing. We are hoping for a mass extinction of the species. Childhood events help form our world view. I treat young children and nature with respect. I confess to a hatred of soulless development, a cautious attitude towards organized religion and I believe that open space, distance and green areas are essential for our mental and physical health. What would intense densification give our children? Like other features of our neighbourhood, the valleys need our vigilance and protection. NEXT MONTH: A few years after I returned to Leaside, development again threatened the valley. n
LeasideLife issue 23 final rev_LeasideLifev1 13-11-20 10:33 AM Page 31
Is the wrong guy called out of touch?
I was pleased to see Barry Schneider's letter in the November issue of Leaside Life. It proved to me that someone actually reads my articles and that apparently on occasion they can stimulate both thought and comment.
LETTERS leasidelife@gmail.com As your readers may gather I have spent much of my life as a lawyer and as a politician having people tell me I am wrong. So this is not the first time and I am sure it will not be the last. Mr. Schneider writes that retail is the economic engine in Canada. Leaside had lots of vibrant and healthy retail before the SmartCentre arrived. Unfortunately now that retail is suffering. In fact it is consumer spending as opposed to the retail business itself that makes up the major part of the Gross Domestic Product of North America. A significant and growing proportion of that consumer spending is now done on the internet. Here in Toronto it is the higher income jobs of the financial industry together with accountants and lawyers as well as unionized public
servants, educators and health care workers, not the minimum wage retail jobs that are the driving force of our consumer spending. In other parts of southern Ontario the driving force is the well-paying jobs in the automobile parts and assembly plants. In order to maintain our consumer spending and keep the retail business in business we need higher paying jobs such as those provided in the Leaside industrial area. According to Mr. Schneider, there are no manufacturing industries to replace those that have left the Leaside industrial area. Yet he refers to the recent arrival of the Amsterdam Brewery from downtown Toronto. As residential and commercial developments squeeze out industry in other parts of the city I am sure that there will be many other industries looking for a new home. Hopefully Leaside will provide them with both a new home and a warm welcome. Alan Redway, McRae Dr.
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Leaside Life, December 2013
Reference Issue # 22, November, Redway Out Of Touch. Surely it is Barry Schneider who is Out Of Touch. Barry is correct in pointing out that Alan’s business park (not industrial park) is becoming a retail park and he goes on to support that change. Unfortunately, the only way today’s Leaside retail park can survive is for our residents to have money in their pockets! What money? Money earned from their employment in Alan’s manufacturing, industrial and related industries. The good thing about Leaside Life is the way it brings readers a picture of the historical aspects balanced with present day aspects. Stick around Alan. D.Gordon Champion, Millwood Rd.
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LeasideLife issue 23 final rev_LeasideLifev1 13-11-20 10:33 AM Page 32
Only two shopping strips in my old days Leaside Life, December 2013
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32 Did you see the 100-year anniversary exhibit called the Layers of Leaside? For those who, like me, grew up here it brought back a lot of memories, especially when I read the Leaside Business Directory of 1943-1944. At that time there were two Leaside shopping districts: Bayview Ave. from Millwood to Fleming and Millwood Rd. from Rumsey to Airdrie. In those days as I walked up Bayview before getting to the actual shopping district I could stop, if I had the necessary nickel, at Kerr’s Drug Store on the corner of McRae and Bayview (now Royal LePage Real Estate) for an ice cream cone. Unlike at Baskin Robbins today, there were only three flavours, vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. The ice cream wasn’t scooped out of a freezer at that time. It came wrapped in a paper cylinder called a mellow roll. If you weren’t careful when you were unwrapping it before you pressed it into your cone the ice cream would fall on the floor. Then both your ice cream and your nickel would be gone. On the four corners of Bayview and Millwood where the shopping
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district actually began, there were three gas stations and a drug store. Jackson’s Imperial Oil was located where the TD Canada Trust is today, with a Cities Service and a White Rose station ( later Shell ) on the Toronto side of the street. At the north-east corner there was a Tamblyn Drugs store (now Write Impressions). Later that drug store was owned by Murray Simon. According to Murray, Father Caulfield from St. Anselm, Canon Lamb from St. Cuthbert's and the Rev. Mr. Mellow from Leaside United would all meet at his soda bar every Monday morning to compare notes. Walking north on our side of Bayview I would come to the ever enticing Kresge’s 5 and 10 cent store (now Dollarama) where I used to do my Christmas shopping for my Mom and Dad.
Then there was Gord Davies Hardware (now Cobs Bread) where Gord stored the screws and nails in bins so you could buy exactly the number you needed rather than having to buy a great quantity in a plastic bag as we do today whether you need them or not. I went to school with Gord’s son Ken, who became a Toronto town planner. In his school days Ken would practise his bagpipe lessons on the cliffs overlooking the Don Valley out of ear shot so as not to disturb those who didn’t share his love for that instrument. Next came Leaside’s original Loblaws store (now divided into three: Sport Swap, State of the Art Gallery and Fiorio Salon & Spa). It was a much smaller store than the Loblaws we have today, the same as its competition, the Dominion store (now called Metro) then located on the north side of Millwood between Rumsey and Airdrie. After that there was Pollock Shoes (a part of what is now Scotia bank) where my mother would buy
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me scampers for the summer and high cuts for the winter. Of course there was Badali’s Fruit Market, a fixture on Bayview since 1938 and still there. Rumour had it that the senior Mrs. Badali kept all the money in an apron hidden under her long skirt. Rasmusson’s Danish Pastry Kitchen, by appointment to the King of Denmark, was on Bayview as well. Fortunately for my classmate Raymond Rasmusson and his family they were in Canada, because at that time the King of Denmark was the unwilling guest of the German army of occupation. Rasmusson’s is still in business but now on Pape Ave. south of Cosburn and is known as The Danish Pastry Shop. On Saturday afternoons my friends and I would go to the matinee at the “Show” otherwise known as the Bayview Theatre (now Shoppers Drug Mart). There a young Mel Lastman, the future mayor of Toronto, would frequently be on the stage during intermission preforming yoyo tricks. Of course Mel was the front man for the yoyo salesman who was waiting to nail you as you left the theatre. Badali’s competition, Sam Hing’s market, was located just north of the theatre where True Value Hardware is today. Ted Machin & Sons Shoe Rebuilder (recently The Sentry Models & Hobbies but now vacant and for rent), Art Hopkins Meat Market (now Pagnello’s Antiques) and Frey’s Drug Store (now Bayview Jug Milk) were also all north of the theatre. Ernie Frey served on both the Leaside Board of Education and the council at one time or other. Ernie never called himself a druggist or a pharmacist, he was always an apothecary. Ted Machin, Art Hopkins and Ernie Frey were all long- time members of the Leaside Lions Club as were three other Bayview fixtures at that time whose businesses were on the city side of the street: Wilf Hogan, the barber (now Cumbrae’s), Art Stemp, the optometrist (now vacant but according to the notice on the window soon to be Tori & Cate’s Cupcakes) and Art Frost, the florist (now The Flower Nook). Not to be forgotten, the Millwood shopping district was home not only to the Dominion store but also to Anderson’s Drug Store (now Dancexperts and Silva’s Alterations). My mother would always consult with Andy Anderson for any family ailment rather than paying a visit to our neighbour and my father’s class-
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Leaside Life, December 2013
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mate at Riverdale Collegiate, Dr. J. Pliny Fleming, whose office was in the basement of his home only three doors away from our house. Of course what I didn’t understand at the time was that there was no OHIP and the pharmacist’s advice was for free. When I did visit Dr. Fleming for a vaccination he always had a cigarette dangling from his lip with a long ash perched precariously on its end. How times have changed! As the old song goes: “Those were the days my friend. We thought they’d never end.� n
John Parker Councillor, Toronto Ward 26 Don Valley West
Most spectacular of our big year – the new arena With December upon us we come to the close of the 100th anniversary of the year of our community's founding; the year of Leaside 100. Things took off in earnest on April 23 when a number of events took place at various locations to mark the 100th anniversary of the actual founding date. (Or so we all thought, until historian Mike Filey revealed April 23,1913 to be merely the third reading date of the Queen's Park private member's bill authorizing the town's establishment; the town itself was not formally proclaimed into existence until the following May 7!) The anniversary was celebrated in high style on April 27 with the Leaside 100 Gala hosted at Hal Spradling's All Canadian Self Storage and graced by appearances by the Prime Minister of Canada (a Leaside native) and the Premier of Ontario. Various groups, businesses and individuals came up with their own initiatives in honour of Leaside 100. Even Leaside's local soccer organization, managed by Leaside resident John Morgan, sported commemorative crests on all of its uniforms during this year's playing season. The most spectacular local achievement of the year, of course, was the completion of the expanded Leaside Memorial Community Gardens arena – on budget and ď ľ
LeasideLife issue 23 final rev_LeasideLifev1 13-11-20 10:35 AM Page 35
CNIB bridge to be open next year Work on the pedestrian bridge at the CNIB on Bayview, closed because of structural problems two years ago, is expected to be complete in April. The federal government's Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund is contributing $822,000 towards the $2.4 million construction budget. CNIB is looking for community partners for the rest of the money. MP John Carmichael was at the groundbreaking ceremony late last month. n
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on time, and almost entirely selffinanced by means of local fundraising and long term borrowing supported by internally generated revenues. On the day of the formal opening we all learned the identity of the local couple who wrote that all-important first cheque that made the rest of the project possible: Peter and Cathy Clark. A number of events have taken place in connection with the opening of the new rink, including the celebratory ribbon cutting on Oct. 5, the touching rededication of the memorial plaque on Nov. 8, and the subsequent launch of Leaside's first Sports Hall of Fame. Each of these initiatives owes much to the vision and hard work of LMCG board member Allan Williams. It is not over yet. Leaside's character is reflected best in the many small groups and sports organizations that make up our community. On the afternoon of Sunday, Dec.1 we round out our year of celebration with a chance to meet them up close and personal. Join us at the Leaside Gardens William Lea Room that afternoon as Leaside's groups, clubs, and artists put their work and programs on display in the Leaside Community Celebration. This event is free of charge to visitors. It will give each group - Leaside's Garden Society, Lawn Bowling Club, Curling Club, Scouts, Guides, and other groups - an opportunity to tell us who they are and what they do. More importantly, it will be our chance to learn more about the exciting work that goes on in our neighbourhood and the people who do it. Come on out on Sunday, Dec. 1. Who knows, you may just find yourself so impressed with our local groups that you decide to join one of them! n
LeasideLife issue 23 final rev_LeasideLifev1 13-11-20 10:35 AM Page 36
Leaside Life, December 2013
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Young women on phone lead police to thief
Deadline for January 2014, December 10 leasidelife@gmail.com
By BETH PARKER Two young Leaside women helped make an arrest one evening this fall by following a thief while talking to the police on a cell phone. When arrested at the corner of Parkhurst and Hanna, a young man was carrying a stolen cell phone, credit and debit cards, and a fake gun he used in the robberies. The women, Martha Parker, 24, and her long-time friend (who prefers her family name not be used), followed the man when they found out he’d stolen a cell phone from the friend’s younger sister. So enraged at what he had done, particularly when she heard he had waved the fake gun at her sister, the older sister said, “Let’s follow him and call the police.” “I couldn’t let her go alone,” said Parker. “So we followed him up Rumsey, over to Airdrie, across Crofton and then up to Parkhurst. When we got to the corner of Parkhurst and Hanna three police cruisers pulled up and made the arrest. “A couple of times we lost him when he’d turn a corner. The police stayed on the phone every step of the way talking with us and keeping track of where we were.” The police thanked the girls for helping make the arrest and returned the cell phone. Parker credits her friend for having the courage to set out after the thief: “She was Batman. I was just Robin.” n
NORTHLEA UNITED CHURCH, 125 Brentcliffe Rd., Christmas and Advent events: Sun. Dec .1, Metropolitan Silver Band, 10:30 a.m. Tues. Dec. 3, Taize service, 8 p.m. in the sanctuary, with repetitive simple songs, readings and time for silent meditation, Marc 416-899-7239. Wed. Dec. 4, Service of Memory and Hope, 7 p.m. Sun. Dec . 8, Carolling in the Pines, 7p.m. Sun. Dec. 15, Children’s Christmas Pageant, 10:30 a.m. Sun. Dec. 15, Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols, 7 p.m. Tues. Dec. 24, Family Christmas Eve Service, 7 p.m. Tues. Dec 24, Communion Candlelight Service, 11 p.m. LEASIDE LIBRARY, 165 McRae Dr. – Customer Appreciation Day, Sat. Dec. 14, hot chocolate and goodies 1-3. No registration required. Everyone welcome. – Monday Afternoon Book Club, Mon. Dec. 9, 2-3. This month's theme is Print Transforms, a discussion on suggested titles. No registration required. Everyone welcome. Art Exhibit: paintings and drawings by Farnaz Sardari, Sun. Dec. 1-Tue. Dec. 31. – Library visits and individualized tours: 416-396-3835. LEASIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 670 Eglinton East. Kid’s Club, Fri. Dec. 20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For children JK-grade 8. Helpers in grade 9 – up welcome for community service hours. Snacks & hot lunch provided. Activities include music, stories, crafts and movies. $30 per child or $50 per family. Special assistance available with strict confidentiality.
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LeasideLife issue 23 final rev_LeasideLifev1 13-11-20 10:35 AM Page 38
How would Costco customers get there? Leaside Life, December 2013
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Will the introduction of warehouse store giant Costco to Overlea Blvd. lead to a new line up of big box stores there like what has happened to Laird Dr.? And will the traffic affect Leaside? So is this in fact a Leaside issue? Several Leasiders attending the community consultation on Thursday, Nov. 7 thought so. Let’s take traffic for a start. This is a double barrelled impact – Costco is a destination store and will attract customers from the whole of the Yonge corridor from York Mills in the north to Queen St. in the south and from Bathurst to Victoria Park. Sound familiar? How are they going to get there? Through Leaside of course, from the south and west on Moore and Southvale, and from the north and west on Laird and Brentcliffe and Eglinton. The other barrel is Costco’s unique attraction – its discount gas bar. Line-ups at the gas at Costco’s Scarborough location are legendary. And in Scarborough at least there is reasonable access via the 401 and arterial roads in all directions; in this
Geoff Kettel
Saving old Leaside area, Leaside and Thorncliffe Park access is constrained firstly by the Don Valley and secondly by the rail lines. The amount of the traffic to be generated is staggering. After some prodding at the meeting the traffic consultant stated that during peak hours there would be an additional 1,800 cars, 320 an hour at the gas bar alone. But it is the impact of the development on the former Coca-Cola headquarters building, which was “listed” for heritage purposes by the city earlier this year (to be demolished in the developer’s plans), and Overlea (the median will be cut to make new turn lanes) that presents a unique and potentially the greatest loss. Thorncliffe Park was incorporated into the Town of Leaside in 1954 and developed as a planned
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complete community. Its motto, A good place to work, live and shop, was embossed on columns that used to stand at the entrance to the community at Millwood and Overlea. Now the one column simply proclaims East York Town Centre. Interestingly, Gerard Pelletier, the first plant manager when CocaCola opened in 1964, lived in Leaside at 62 Parkhurst. Thorncliffe Park looks pretty much as it did on the drawing boards in the 1950s; Overlea Blvd. remains as the grand curving boulevard separating industry and commercial uses from the East York Town Centre and the apartmentlined horseshoe of Thorncliffe Park Dr. Despite the city “listing” the building last spring, the developer’s plan is still to demolish the CocaCola HQ building. This will be yet another fight to see whether heritage or the development’s demands for a clean start and surface parking (all 607 spaces of it) win out. City planning is waiting to hear from you…what do you think? n
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Leaside Life, December 2013
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