Leaside Life Issue 2 January 2012

No. 2 • January 2012

Leaside Life

Leaside through new eyes __ P-12

Market demand changing Bennington

By ALISON ROCKWELL

ALISON ROCKWELL

COACH Dave Daga says his son Robby will be better prepared for league play.

A start to change hockey from ighting to skills

By ALISON ROCKWELL A popular Leaside hockey school may have the secret to successfully grooming a new generation of players focused on skills, ethics and teamwork versus individual scoring glory and fighting.

Young players enrolled at Leaside Hockey Association’s Leaside Hockey School are benefitting from access to the schools’ unique “skill and drill” based training program which equally emphasizes fair play and a code of ethics along with on-ice adeptness, aiding not just these young players, but any future leagues they play in.

The school has some critics, who believe too much focus is put on basic skating skill development and not enough on game-play. But wait-

lists and leagues the Leaside players feed into, plus past and current participants, including parents and coaches, attest to the school’s solid reputation and popularity.

Glynn Uhlman, a parent, past vice-president of the House League and current community volunteer with the school, says it’s a winning philosophy.

“At that young age it can be intimidating to suddenly be thrown in a hockey game, especially when some kids are just learning how to skate. We want to start them out keeping them engaged with drills and more. The school is there to teach kids how to skate, play hockey and have fun.”

UNIQUE, Page 14

Bennington Heights residents are angered over a number of construction projects and approved building variances they say continually contravene the look and feel of their small and quiet enclave, located between Leaside and Moore Park.

Yet builders in the area point to homebuyers and homeowners who they say are responsible for pushing for the changes based on market demand.

Several properties have doubled or tripled in size and in doing so have reduced sightlines to backyards and streetscapes, adding to a walledin feeling around certain parts of the neighbourhood, says Barbara Falby, a homeowner in the area who has lived in her house since 1971.

ITS, Page 6

Merchants blame meterman for losses

By ANDREA VILLIERS Merchants on Bayview say they are losing customers because of over zealous parking enforcement.

Trae Zammit, owner of the Smoking Cigar, says, “They are costing me a lot of money. Our biggest problem is parking enforcement. They are a huge reason business is not as good.”

Richard Byford, of Bonnie Byford Real Estate, agrees. “Our number one issue is parking enforcement.”

RESIDENTS, Page 15

2

| Leaside Life, January 2012

JJoin oin the club!

Not a member?

Sign up today for free!

Go to clubsobeys.com It takes only a minute or less.

147 Laird Drive at Wicksteed

The Leaside Arena Expansion Committee is calling on all user groups and members of the Leaside Community to help the committee reach its $2.5 million local fundraising goal by Jan. 15. The new target date is part of a revised arena expansion proposal that will be considered

by Toronto City Council at its budget meeting in January.

The need for changes became apparent in September when the bids to build the second rink came back from the contractors higher than expected.

Leaside’s City Councillor John Parker convened a meeting at City Hall in late November where the revised funding model was hammered out.

Infrastructure Ontario, a provincial body, agreed to loan money to the project against future operating revenues above the amount the city had previously committed to loan.

The expansion committee agreed to reach its $2.5 million local fundraising goal before the start of the city’s budget meeting in January.

“We have said all along that we would raise $2.5 million towards the cost of this project here in the local Leaside community,” says Paul Mercer, chair of the expansion committee.

“Now we’re saying we’ll get that amount raised and in-hand by the time council votes on the budget. We want to make it absolutely clear that our user groups and the Leaside community are behind this project and prepared to do our part to pay for it.”

The user groups are the Leaside Hockey Association, the Leaside Skating Club and the Toronto Leaside Girls Hockey Association, who together account for 95 percent of the prime-time ice usage.

“We are very close to reaching our community goal,” says Charlene Kalia, a Leaside realtor who chairs the fundraising committee. “Now we’re asking all members of the Leaside community to help get us across this goal line.”

You can help by attending the third annual Laugh out Loud fundraiser on Friday, Feb. 24. Information at www.leasidearena.com/. ■

Leaside Life, January 2012

By ALLAN WILLIAMS

|

3

Key date for arena expansion

4

| Leaside Life, January 2012

A father invades garden club

By RICK HUTCHINGS I recently spent one of the most enjoyable Saturday afternoons with a bevy of dears. The head dear was Ella Irving, who is like the grandmother you always wanted. She is all of four foot two and so friendly you just want to hug her.

If you weren’t one of the 28 members in the Christmas Table Centre Design Class 101 at the Leaside Public Library you missed a great day.

Being new to the Leaside Garden Society, never having made professional arrangements before and being a man, made it all a bit daunting for me.

Don’t get me wrong. I am a landscape designer by trade and designing gardens based on colour, style, proportion, balance and design is my job — but placing flowers in a container (and making them look like something you would want on display) was always foreign to me.

RICK HUTCHINGS

SISTERS Victoria (left) and Monika show off the flower designs they were taught

by Ella Irving (inset).

For months I had been hearing about this mother and daughter team, Ella and her daughter Margaret Rousseau.

At the November Leaside Garden Society’s AGM meeting/pot-luck dinner, the sign-up sheet was passed around. Betty Muir (junior gardeners director) suggested that I should take my daughters to the studio.

When I mentioned it to my daughters, they were both excited.

Before we even started the class Monika and Victoria had already decided who they were making the arrangements for, and it wasn’t me. (I hope that Justin Bieber person appreciates the effort.)

I arrived early to help Linda Wickland, past president of the Leaside Garden Society, set up for the event early in December.

You could feel the joyous mood building as the members began conversing and catching up while they anticipated Ella’s arrival.

The class was filled with mothers and daughters, even fathers and daughters and grandmothers with granddaughters, plus lifetime member Edna Beange, who is 90 years old and doesn’t always make it.

Ella is a great spokesperson and loves talking about her life, her joy of designing (especially miniatures), plants and her family. She is a bundle of joy filled with horticultural and show design knowledge.

We all felt glad that she had recovered quickly from her hip surgery.

She is like an icon in the Leaside Garden Society.

SORRY, Page 22

5

|

❅

Will match competitors

❇

Leaside Life, January 2012

❅ ❅ ❅ Season Greetings ❇

Leaside Life, January 2012

|

6

It’s everywhere From Page 1

Falby recently appealed twice to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), the body which hears applications and appeals on municipal planning disputes, about homes being built or added to, on Heathbridge Park Rd. close to her own property.

“Some of the homes in the area have gone from 1,300 square feet to 5,500, another nearby tripled in size to 4,400 square feet,” says Falby.

“This area was originally built as a co-op, and there were specific agreements about the structures so there was a feeling of openness in the neighbourhood.

“You could look out your window and look across lawns to the street.

Now all the buildings are moving up and out, and there is a walled in feeling you increasingly can’t escape.”

Falby says she has lived through three “disruptive and invasive” builds on her small street of 16 houses over the past few years.

Homebuilders like Castleton Homes, which recently purchased a row of six duplexes on the east side of Bayview Heights across from the Loblaws store and plans to turn them

CYNDA FLEMING

THERE’S a walled-in feeling, says resident Barbara Falby into high-end townhomes, say they are merely responding to what is happening all over the city.

“We didn’t create this animal the desire for larger, 3,000-plus square foot homes,” says Castelton Homes president Tony Paglialunga.

“It is homeowners who are asking for them. They want to stay in the city, they may have three or four kids or just want more space and they don’t

want to go into the suburbs for large homes.”

While not all property owners in the quiet area are as passionate as Falby, most agree they are frustrated and concerned over how the two key planning bodies, the city’s Committee of Adjustment (COA) and the province’s OMB (which deals with FORMAL, Page 10

Leaside Paint Centre 1525 Bayview Ave Toronto www.leasidepaintcentre.com 416 489 7900

John Parker Councillor, Toronto Ward 26 Don Valley West

tear to the turf caused by rigorous athletic activity.

This fall Parks staff have doubled down on earlier efforts to rehabilitate the field.

The surface was roto tilled under, and 300 cubic metres of soil mix was added in. The soil mix was graded to pool table smoothness, with a 1 percent slope for surface drainage.

Starter fertilizer was applied, and a little over 6,500 square metres of new sod was laid down.

The sprinkler system was adjusted and a new control panel added inside the school.

The key now to getting the results we need is some old fashioned TLC. Part of the treatment involves allowing the new sod to "breath" GIVE, Page 8

❥ Cut ❥ Colour ❥ Highlight ❥ Perm ❥ Manicure ❥ Pedicure ❥ Lash Tint 939 Eglinton Ave. East (at Brentcliffe Rd.)

Toronto, ON M4G 4E8

Tel. (416) 696 -2505

www.secretofbeauty.ca

Wishing You and Your Family a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

KAREN BRINKHOF RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd 723 Mt. Pleasant Rd., Toronto, On, M4S 2N4 416‐486‐5588 (Office) 416‐629‐5323 (Cell) 416‐486‐6988 (Fax) karenbrinkhof@gmail.com

www.EveryoneKnowsKaren.com

7

Leaside Life, January 2012

It’s a Leaside tradition to pull out the toboggans after the first snowfall of winter and head for the slopes at Talbot Park behind the high school.

For this coming winter only I regret that I am asking residents to find another place to take their toboggans.

Here’s why: The playing field at Leaside High School is actually owned by the City of Toronto and maintained by the City’s Parks Department.

For as long as I have been councillor I have worked with parks staff to overcome the challenges of getting the field in proper playing condition each spring and to keep it in satisfactory shape throughout the playing season – generally May through October of each year.

Each year the problems have gotten the better of us.

The major challenges are not hard to identify: inadequate irrigation and drainage, soil compaction from constant year round use, and the damage and normal wear and

UNISEX BEAUTY SALON

|

Please, no toboggans at Leaside High

8

• Lamps • Mirrors • Rugs

under the snow cover this coming winter.

Exposure to severe compaction of the snow caused by walking on or tobogganing on it will suffocate the new grass plants, and at the same time enhance growing conditions for ever present turf diseases like snow moulds.

Once the turf has had a year to establish and grow deep roots, the grass plants should be in satisfactory condition to withstand the rigours of regular use. If we make it through this first year, the field stands a fighting chance to withstand future playing seasons and normal winter use – including the most enthusiastic tobogganing that Leaside’s kids can throw at it. ■

No tax on Picture Framing

Leaside Life Deadlines

Leaside Life, January 2012

From Page 7

|

Give it a year

25% OFF in stock 1717 Bayview Ave. Toronto, ON M4G 3C1

ph 416-481-7207 fax 416 481-7208

www.paralleleinteriors.com

Dec 27-Jan 15

Please have all your information into us for the calendar and the free garage ads by the 10th of each month. leasidelife@gmail.com

Carol Fripp Vice-president, LPOA

measures to help protect Leaside’s residential streets, and about the impact on bus routes. Will there be less bus service on Eglinton? Will buses be re-routed? Will property expropriations be necessary? What about noise during construction? How will LRT stations be integrated into the community, and how accessible will they be?

The LPOA is keeping alert to these issues, and seeking answers on your behalf. If you have comments regarding transit (or questions on any local issue, large or small), please contact the Leaside Property Owners’ Association either through this column or c/o our mailing address: Sunnybrook Postal Outlet, 660 Eglinton Ave. East, P.O. Box 50055, Toronto M4G 4G1. â–

9

Leaside Life, January 2012

The LPOA recently held our 2011 Annual General Meeting. Each year we present an overview of the past year’s local issues, brief remarks from our municipal and provincial representatives, with a Q&A session and a featured speaker.

We also annually award, with an honorary membership, a person who has contributed much to Leaside.

This year we honoured Alan Redway, who has represented us over the years as Leaside councillor, East York mayor, and federal cabinet minister, and whose generous advice, assistance, and support on local matters has been invaluable, most recently in our successful OMB fight to save the Talbot buildings on Bayview.

Alan now has an official certificate from the LPOA to prove it! If you see Alan out and about, which you may well do since he has recently retired from his legal practice, please make a point of congratulating him!

Our neighbourhood has much to thank him for.

Our featured speaker at the AGM was Jack Collins, VP for Metrolinx, whose subject was transit, in particular the Eglinton Scarborough Crosstown LRT. This occasion gave us the opportunity to discuss how Leaside will be affected, especially near Bayview, Laird and Brentcliffe, where LRT stations will be located, While all at the meeting supported better public transit, clearly Leasiders will be faced with many challenges.

Attendees had questions about land use along the route and near LRT stations. Development pressures have already begun, for example, the intended replacement of Sunnybrook Plaza at Bayview and Eglinton by two 7-9 storey residential buildings, including retail at the street level and underground parking. In addition, more commercial developments on the east side of Laird, south of Eglinton, are being proposed.

Concerns were expressed about traffic infiltration through Leaside, not only during the construction stage, when Eglinton may be reduced to one lane per direction, but also due to increased commercial developments attracted to the LRT route.

Questions were asked about possible neighbourhood traffic control

|

Redway honoured, transit plan probed

Join our draught Join us us at at the the Fox Fox ox and and Fiddle, Fiddle, where where o ur 2233 d raught ttaps aps aare re ccold old aand nd o our ur ďŹ ďŹ replace replace is is warm. waarm.

Give the gift of delicious pub fare by stocking up on our Gift CertiďŹ cates.

YOUR FAVOURITE SPORTS IN Hi-DEF! ,EAFS 46 3ETANTA 5&# 2APTORS 46

"OXING .&, 3UNDAY 4ICKET

NEW YEARS EVE BASH! &%!452).' ! 30%#)!,

-%.5 7)4( ! ,)6%

"!.$ 4/ 2).' ). 4(%

.%7 9%!2 7)4( ! "!.'

ASK ABOUT OUR EXTENSIVE EX XTE CA ATTERING MENU CATERING ,AIRD $RIVE AT -C2AE s 4 s ,AIRD $RIVE AT -C2AE s 4 www www.foxandďŹ ddle.com .foxand dďŹ ddle.com

Leaside Life, January 2012

|

10

Formal complaint From Page 6

appeals to COA decisions) make their rulings on building variances.

The perception is that both the COA and the OMB seem to consistently side with builders at the expense of neighbourhoods, and in the case of the OMB, that there is little transparency about how the members of the Board are appointed, their qualifications, and their tenure, not to mention the limited appeal process offered. The appeals board states outright:“The OMB rarely grants reviews and/or changes a decision.”

In June of 2010 Falby, with the support of several other neighbours and local representatives, sent a formal complaint to the Attorney General over an OMB ruling that upheld an appeal to a number of contentious variances to a home in the area.

“We’re aware that (new developments and rebuilds) are inevitable,” says Hugh Grant, president of the Bennington Heights Ratepayers Association, “but they must be properly managed by these entities [the COA

and the OMB] so that the existing neighbourhood is not destroyed.

When, and if, variances are granted, they should be only because a compelling reason has been put forth, not simply to appease a builder trying to appeal to a future homeowner.”

Paglialunga points to buyers as the reason builders often end up in committee hearings asking for variances. “I don’t want to be stuck in a committee for a year and a half trying to obtain a variance. That’s not good for my business whatsoever, but if that is what a homeowner, or the market, has requested, and especially if they see a neighbour down the street has obtained a similar variance, then I’m likely going to be there appealing for the same changes.”

The ratepayers association has been watching all this carefully.

Minor variances, which fall under the Planning Act, were once supposed to be exceptions to the rule but are increasingly becoming the rule, says Grant, who has taken his concerns to local representatives, Councillor John Parker and MPP Kathleen Wynne.

Parker has been active in bringing appeals to the OMB over a couple of recent projects in Bennington, including raising matters at Toronto

City Council and getting their support. He says the area’s COA panel has been somewhat undisciplined about variance rulings.

“The committee now seems to see itself as an independent law reform commission with the full authority to rewrite the zoning by-laws” Parker argues. He recently supported a motion that saw all five members on the North York Committee of Adjustment which deals with Leaside replaced, and an additional three new members hired to help with the backlog of variance applications.

Despite the ongoing controversy, Paglialunga hopes his company’s plans to build 14 luxury executive townhomes, complete with elevators and rooftop terraces, in the space currently occupied by neglected duplexes, will be a positive experience for everyone.

“That location is a gateway into Bennington Heights, and what we plan to build will be much more attractive than what is currently there.

It’s [Bennington Heights] a wonderful quiet little pocket of the city and while every property gives unique challenges, we always try to be in keeping with that is already going on in the neighbourhood.” ■

BILL LAURISTON, a Leasider and a parishoner of St. Augustine’s of Canterbury Anglican Church, unloading contributed food.

Leaside tops food drive donations

By TED KRAWCHUK In the 40th Annual Food Drive carried out in 2011 in Leaside, Rosedale, Moore Park and Summerhill communities, 75 percent of the contributions came from Leaside.

The drive was organized by members of the Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and United churches. The beneficiaries are food banks in poor neighbourhoods of our inner city.

In the week of Nov. 19 to 26, there were signs on people’s front yards in Leaside asking for support. On the 26th volunteers picked up route maps at Leaside Presbyterian Church and canvassed our community streets for contributions of non perishable food items.

Thousands of food items were collected then boxed by volunteers at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the Roman Catholic Church at St. Clair and Mt. Pleasant. The boxes were then transported to their destinations.

The Flemingdon Community Food Bank is one of the recipients of this effort. Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park are home to many immigrants and refugees to Canada.

Residents of these two areas are serviced by this food bank.

Sobeys at the SmartCentre on Laird also contributes to the Flemingdon Food Bank. Through the seasons of Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, shoppers can contribute $15 at Sobeys. Store employees pack $15 bags of groceries. Volunteers from Leaside’s St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church transport the groceries to the food bank. Many Leaside residents contribute their own pre-assembled bags to the collection box at the store throughout the year.

Cobs and Epi bakeries on Bayview contribute baked goods that haven’t been sold by the end of the day. ■

7day membership only

10

$

regular value $45

limited to the first 25 reservations

ask us how you can receive 2 months free

unlimited : yoga, pilates, spinning, body pump & sculpt, free weights, strength & cardio equipment, lockers , showers, steam room, dry sauna, and more...

see reception to reserve your spot now!

939 Eglinton Ave East or call now

416.429.7873

one time use, not in conjunction with any other offer, offer expires january 31st,2011.

11

Leaside Life, January 2012

|

canada.com canada.c om

12

| Leaside Life, January 2012

A newcomer’s view of Leaside

By MONICA DELIC Change never came easy for me, so the day I was making my move a year ago, from New Jersey where I was born and raised to Leaside, was a difficult one. It is hard leaving your roots and parting with family and friends, but it seemed worth it because I was starting a new chapter in my life, having just gotten married to my soulmate.

My husband was born and raised in the GTA, which is what brought me to Toronto.

We chose to find a home here mainly because it had what we were looking for: a neighbourhood where we could raise children and one that was close enough to the city to go exploring.

The drive from New Jersey was a long one, but once we turned onto McRae I felt a sense of ease knowing that I was home. I guess it was all the beautifully lit homes, which had wreaths of different sizes hanging from front doors. I smile now and remember that Christmas is around the corner again.

As I looked out the car window admiring the scene I felt appreciation for all the unique homes. I envisioned a family sitting by the fire where all is calm and right.

I was so eager to discover all the new things I would encounter here, but I also started to worry because I felt lost in this new place. All the streets were new as well as the people.

One thing I found immediately that I considered helpful and amazing was that I was surrounded by several different food stores. Some may laugh at my relief in this but I love food and it is great not having to drive miles just to pick up an ingredient

In Our Hood

By BETH Hal Spradling, owner of All Canada Self Storage on Laird Dr., cooked up a feast for each of two favourite groups as a holiday season treat: Opera Atelier and the Leaside Business Park Association. He used his onsite kitchen for both events, and served a Texas full roast beef dinner. All Canada Self Storage is a sponsor of Opera Atelier, also a client of the storage company. David Grierson, vice-president at APCO industries, attended the Leaside Business Park evening with his wife and

you forgot for that night’s dinner.

I was comfortable with this since day one, and thank goodness because I was new to cooking.

As I ate away that cold winter I had the urge to get out and walk off all I had been consuming. Each morning and night I would sit in my bay window facing the street and watch so much pass by, people strolling or dog walkers or bikers…. I thought to myself, “Wow, everyone is out and so active around here.”

I appreciate the energy people here in Leaside have. It is a nice transition from a neighbourhood where I rarely saw my neighbours or a pedestrian. All those people outdoors motivated me to get out and walk.

I have a dog, named Fredrick, a five-pound Pekinese who honestly thinks he is a Rottweiler, so making our way out onto new streets was quite the challenge for him. But with time and experience he is getting better.

On our first walk through Leaside I found myself amazed yet again with all the homes and their architecture, and admired the older ones that had such detail that was all different. I think keeping some of the past gives this neighbourhood its charm.

As for Fredrick, his body couldn’t keep up with his feet.

Unlike me, admiring all that I saw, he was too busy marking his territory on any type of pole or tree that came in sight.

After my first walk I turned a corner thinking I was near my home after making other houses my landmarks. I figured I could never get lost, but oh I did.

I was determined to find my way back alone, even though all the street names made no sense to me. As I approached each new one I would hope it had my street name, but none did. I laughed to myself feeling like a child on the first day of school and thinking, “I really am starting new.”

As pedestrians passed by with friendly smiles I knew that I was not alone.

How did she get home? You'll find out next month. ■

commented, “None of our other businesses smell like home cooking when you come through the door!”

Kevin Sylvester, Toronto’s awardwinning children’s author, visited Northlea Public School Dec. 16 to talk with all the junior classes.

Sylvester’s books include The Sports Hall of Weird, and most recently, the Neil Flambe mystery series.

Neighbours and friends gathered at the Fox and Fiddle on Dec. 8 for the 8th Annual Leaside Christmas Toy Drive & Guys Night Out. All toys were donated to the CP24/ CHUM Christmas Wish.

Leaside youth were treated in early December to a music workshop

on African Drumming led by Gideon Akufuna Sifuba and Katie Harmer.

Gideon is a composer, arranger, conductor and facilitator in African choral, dance and drumming at the Regent Park School of Music. After a few hours at Leaside United Church with Gideon and Katie, all definitely could say, “We got rhythm.”

Congratulations to Sarah Jordan, a student at Northlea Public School for being nominated for the Canadian Family Magazine annual selection of Canada’s Top 15 Kids Under 15.

Yes, it’s true. Former Ontario premier Mike Harris is now a Leaside resident, living with his family in Bennington Heights. ■

CYNDA FLEMING

Not only servicing Leaside and Rosedale but all of Toronto.

KAREN JUDD in Haiti

Shoes for Haiti The Moms to be … and More store on Bayview is sending an unusual Christmas gift to Haiti – about 200 pairs of shoes of all sizes and shapes.

They are donations from clients, website readers and friends of Karen Judd, the store owner who was in Haiti this past November to help build a play centre with the Mission to Haiti Canada.

The official drive for shoes ended Dec. 14, but if you’re knee deep in too many shoes Judd will welcome more and get them to Haiti as Mission members travel there. ■

TINA KABLAU sales rep Right At Home Realty Inc., Brokerage

416.706.7679 direct 416.391.3232 office (24 hr page) tina@leaside4sale.ca • www.leaside4sale.ca

ADVANTAGES OF LASER THERAPY

FREE

• Highly Effective • Safe & Non-Invasive • Cure Rate Over 90%

Laser Therapy Seminar Jan. 12 & 26

FREE CONSULTATION • Car accident injuries • Work injuries • Sports injuries *Most services are covered by insurance* y

HAMSTRING TEAR

BEFORE

After 4 Treatments after 7 days

KELOID SCAR

BEFORE

After 12 Treaments over 2 weeks

THERMAL BURN

RAPID WOUND HEALING

BEFORE

✓ Compression socks ✓ Physiotherapy ✓ Chiropractic care ✓ Massage therapy ✓ Accupuncture ✓ Custom orthotics/shoes

BEFORE

After 5 Treaments

After 5 Treaments over 8 days

Massage therapy 15 years of experience

40 Wynford Dr, Suite 212, North York 416.445.1564 www.IntegratedHealthCentre.com

13

|

TK

Leaside Life, January 2012

TinaKablau

Leaside Life, January 2012

|

14

NEW YEAR SPECIAL

Postcard Printing Full Colour, Two Sides 4” x 6” 10pt. Gloss Coated White Card Delivery to one GTA Address

1000 U $277 + HST 5000 U $369 + HST No varience to the above specifications.

Offer expires February 29th 2012

est. 1893

204 Parkhurst Boulevard Toronto, ON M4G 2G3 416-421-5202 1-800-664-8934 Fax 416-421-9844 info@gmthornton.com

Unique drills From Page 1

Instead of a focus on dominant players and win-at-all costs, the coaches engage kids in unique drills: playing soccer on skates, pushing tires across the ice using their sticks, and games of chase. It is a hockey school, however, and hockey games are played, generally reserved for the last 12 minutes or so of each practice.

“Twelve minutes may not seem long enough to some players and their parents initially,” says Bill Richardson, the well-regarded longtime director who has promoted the school’s methodology for over 22 years, “but the proof is borne out one and two years later as our kids move into competitive leagues and do very well. Ultimately, however, the school is for the average child who wants to get a good grounding and introduction into hockey, and our program definitely delivers on that.”

Eight 55-minute sessions are held each Saturday from late September to March, and the current 2011 season welcomed over 380 boys and girls aged 5, 6 or 7 (classified as

mite, tike and minor novice). Fortyeight parent-coaches, kids and instructors will typically be on the ice at the same time and there is an expectation that parents be heavily involved. Low coaching ratios are the result.

“I really like playing games and doing the skating drills,” says 6-yearold Robby Daga, who is enrolled with the school for his second year. His father, Dave Daga, an on-ice parentcoach who instructs his son and other players on skating basics, shares his enthusiasm.

“Because the hockey school concentrates on teaching the fundamentals first before the players get into full game situations, I feel the kids will be better prepared for when they join league play.”

Director of the school Richardson believes success at this hockey school may differ from others, and that’s what he is proud of.

“My measurement of success is: can the kids stop properly, skate backwards, forwards, and turn?

But it’s also, do they have selfconfidence, an appreciation of the sport, an expectation of fair play, and the knowledge that there is a code of ethics on the ice at all times?” ■

HAPPY NEW YEAR! The Real Estate Tradition in your neighbourhood since 1977 Bonnie Byford Real Estate Ltd. 1536 Bayview Avenue Toronto, M4G 3B6

www.bonniebyford.com

From Page 1

At least one nearby resident agrees: “The parking situation on Bayview has led me to pass up on picking something up at the shops on more occasions than I can count,” says Joyce Curry, of Cameron Cres. “I have been ticketed for being five minutes over in a cafe.”

Councillor John Parker says, “It’s no secret that it’s a major irritant for people to return and find a ticket after the meter has run out by a few minutes.”

Many merchants are concerned that competition from the malls on Laird, where parking is free, is taking customers away from Bayview. More mall expansion on Laird is coming this spring when Leaside Village opens. SmartCentres have applied to the City of Toronto to develop their land on the north east corner of Wicksteed and Laird.

And Rio-Can wants to redevelop Sunnybrook Plaza at the corner of Eglinton and Bayview.

The parking problem for merchants is being added to one of rental increases over the years as Bayview becomes more upscale.

As a result Zammit wants “parking enforcement to work with the merchants on the street. Some of them are too aggressive. They should be more friendly and understanding.”

Curry agrees: “The enforcement person seems super human to me.

He is everywhere!”

Parker suggests,“If the individual merchants feel that more parking spaces would be a benefit to them a BIA (Business Improvement Area) might choose to carry out a study on the matter and make a business case to Toronto Parking Authority.”

There are only two Green P parking lots operated in the area by the TPA, at the corner of Bayview and Millwood, but they cannot accommodate all the cars.

Green P takes a more benevolent approach to enforcement. If the time expires before customers return, Green P leaves a courtesy note on the windshield asking for payment for the overtime. Records are kept. As long as there is not a chronic violation you get a little slack. ■

Nova Associates Inc. has been transforming houses since 1979! We are a Design/Build company right in your neighborhood - and we incorporate the very latest green technologies.

If you’re thinking of renovating, building new, or in need of a consultant, give us a call today.

ASSOCIATES INC.

416.488.1087 www. novadesignbuild.com

celebrate your past, cherish your

MEMORIES YOUR FAMILY HISTORY NEEDS TO BE ON YOUR WALLS TO BE

ENJOYED

NOT IN A SHOEBOX IN YOUR CLOSET

Dust off your family archives and enjoy them. Bring us your old negatives, slides, or transparencies and we will make prints that are clean and modern.

We can’t turn back time, but we can make old pictures look great. Most importantly, we print them on archival paper to ensure that your photographs will last for generations to come.

photographic printing • custom framing & mounting #5 - 105 Vanderhoof Avenue Toronto ON 416.406.3131 • www.elevatordigital.ca

Leaside Life, January 2012

|

15

Resident shops elsewhere

16

| Leaside Life, January 2012

Trying to change your shopping habits How do you make your decision about where you’ll shop? If you are looking for someplace new, what influences where you’ll go?

Michael Zivot, the mind behind www.locallea.com, is hoping that you’ll make your choice online. The businesses and merchants connected to locallea.com advertise special deals on the street to those who have signed up with the group online.

Michael, who lives in North Leaside, got to appreciate the special nature of the Leaside community and the wide range of services and businesses immediately around us. His set up is truly a “win, win, win” situation.

You, as a consumer, win, because you get a good deal on your purchase. The merchants or businesses win because you come to them, rather than to a competitor.

The unique aspect of all this is that the community as a whole also wins. How? The arrangements are set up so that the businesses contribute towards a particular charity at a given time. The base amount each

Lorna Krawchuk Publisher Leaside Life

merchant gives is determined by what their customers give through a donation box in the store. The merchant matches that amount, and in some cases, gets buddies to match him or her, so that the actual donation to the charity can turn $1 into $5.

Richard Bergeron has come up with a slightly different method of trying to encourage neighbourhood residents to shop within the community.

He owns a printing and distribution company, so his method starts with a flyer on card stock, delivered to your door, advertising one or more merchants or services, usually with a voucher for a “deal”. The merchant is getting a price-break from Bergeron on this printing and distribution because the merchant is also linked up to Bergeron-owned www.greatlocaldeals.ca.

His first featured neighbourhood is Leaside. The merchants also offer deals via that website, for which they pay Bergeron a fee. A homeowner receiving the flyer thus has several choices for deals – using a voucher at the store or checking online for deals – or both.

As Bergeron is expanding his base, he’s hoping that these local merchants will get and keep new customers because of the deals, and that his business model will make him a profit as well.

Bergeron’s business has been based in Leaside since 1995, when he moved to Laird Dr. because he could rent the space he needed more reasonably here than other places where he had looked.

Andy Elder, who owns Grilltime Gourmet Meat Shop, 62 Laird, is a merchant who participates in both locallea and greatlocaldeals. He explains that he needs to keep his business name visible in the community, so distributing flyer cards is good business, and when it offers potential LARGER PICTURE, Page 17

Got something in your home you’d like to sell for $100 or less? We’ll run it for FREE if you live in our cover‐ age area.

Send us your ad with up to 20 words.

Include your M4G phone number as one of the 20 words.

leasidelife@gmail.com Deadline for February: Jan. 10

12-string EKO guitar with built-in pick-up. Hard case and Peavey amp all included $99. 416-4233978. ______ Two wingback chairs for sale $100 each. Many other furniture pieces to see in a large home contents sale. 416-486-9853. ______ LifeGear Inversion Table, 300 lbs rating, adjusts to 6'6", comes with video, $100. 416-423-0317.

Larger picture From Page16

customers a deal, either by coming in to his store directly, or starting off a purchase through a website, it builds his customer base.

He’s counting on encouraging his Leaside neighbours to build their sense of community, and a community willingness to be involved, by shopping locally.

Elder has lived in South Leaside for the past 20 years, and has always participated as a parent volunteer with sports teams and school councils.

Now, running his own business, he’s being involved by still being supportive of local organizations by making donations to individual causes.

But he’s also looking at the larger picture, and building on donations made by individual customers at his store through networking with other local business owners, mostly with locallea.

Definitely something to think about the next time you’re heading out to shop. ■

| Leaside Life, January 2012

It’s the Leaside Life FREE GARAGE SALE ads.

17

There IS something in Life that’s FREE!

18

| Leaside Life, January 2012

Visit Bell Jewellers and give a gift with a personal touch this holiday season. We offer a fine selection of elegant gold, platinum and gem-set jewellery for any taste and budget.

We also carry a wide selection of watches including Movado, Tissot, ESQ, Swiss Army, Swatch, Roots, Casio and more.

We specialize in creative remounts of classic, contemporary and original jewellery designs, and almost all our gifts can be personalized by engraving.

1597 Bayview Avenue 416-481-9084

www. belljewellers.com

FINAL SWEATER BLOWOUT Every Sweater in the Store Must Go!

Regular $49 - $275

70% OFF

Cambridge, Polo, Ellesse, Boast 100% Cotton or 100% Wool Tennis, Squash, Badminton BONUS: with any sweater purchase receive a coupon for 20% OFF any pair of shoes.

RON SLOAN TORONTO S

Racquet Specialists Since 1975

1491 Bayview Ave. 416 481-0067

www.torontocourtequipment.com Sale Ends January 15, 2011

Deadline for February, Jan. 10 Leaside Presbyterian Church Christmas Break Kid’s Club, 670 Eglinton (3 blocks east of Bayview). Jan. 4, 5, 6, 9-4, open to JK-Grade 7. $30 per child per day/$70 per child three days, or $50 per family of 2 or more per day/$120 all three days. Hot lunch and snacks provided. Grade 8-12 youth volunteers appreciated. Register or volunteer, 416-422-0510. Special assistance available.

St. Augustine of Canterbury Anglican Church, 1847 Bayview Ave. at Broadway. Ann Johnston Health Station presents Diabetes Prevention Jan. 26, 1:30–3:30.

Light refreshments served. To register: Suzanne Parsons, 416-627-6680 or suzanneparsons5@gmail.com/.

Epiphany Dinner, Jan. 7, 5:30, hosted by Suzanne Parsons and Peter Shepard. Bring a friend or relative to this three-course meal served with a glass of wine. $40 per person. Contact Judie Arrowood, 416-423-4813 to order.

Leaside Rotary Club have changed the location of weekly meeting from Sweet Gallery, Mt. Pleasant & Soudan, to Fox & Fiddle, Laird & McRae. Meetings every Monday, 12.30-1.30. New members welcome.

The Canadian Federation of University Women Leaside-East York monthly meeting, Northlea United Church, 125 Brentcliffe Rd., Jan. 19, 7p.m. Guest speaker Elizabeth Crozier on The Gloria Project: The Making of a Floral Carpet. Visitors and new members welcome. www..leaside.org/cfuw/ Leaside Library, 165 McRae Dr. Ready for Reading Baby Time, birth–18 months, stories, nursery rhymes and songs for babies and their caregivers. Thursdays, Jan. 12-Feb. 16, 9:30-10 a.m. & 10:15-10:45 a.m. Drop in. No registration required.

– Ready for Reading Toddler Time, 19 months–35 months, favourite stories, fingerplays, nursery rhymes, songs, and movies for children and their caregivers. Wednesdays, Jan. 11-Feb. 15, 9:30–10 a.m. Drop in. No registration required.

– Ready for Reading Family Time, 19 months–5 years, favourite stories, fingerplays, nursery rhymes, songs, and movies for children and their caregivers. Wednesdays, Jan. 11-Feb. 15, 10:30–11 a.m. Drop in. No registration required.

– Ready for Reading Preschool Time, 3 – 5 years, favourite stories, fingerplays, nursery rhymes, songs, and movies for children and their caregivers. Wednesdays, Jan. 11-Feb. 15, 2-2:30 p.m. Drop in. No registration required.

– At Home Alone, free family workshop presented by Toronto Public Health to help families prepare 10-14 year olds to be home alone safely. Jan. 24, 6-8 p.m. Register in person at the Information Desk or call 416-396-3835. Space is limited.

– Leaside Book Discussion Group, Jan. 26, 7-8 p.m. Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck. No registration. Everyone welcome. 416-396-3835.

North Leaside Women’s Group, Northlea United Church, 125 Brentcliffe Rd. Tuesday mornings at 9:30: Speakers/topics for January: 10th–Home Organization; 17th–Zen Beginnings, Yoga/Nutrition; 24th–Unusual Tourist Opportunities in Newfoundland; 31st–Councillor Jaye Robinson. See www.northleasidewomensgroup.com for fees and babysitting.

Leaside Property Owners Association meets 7:30 p.m. first Wednesday of every month at Trace Manes building, near Leaside library and tennis courts. Deputants and observers welcome.

How long have you lived in Leaside?

On and off for 65 years. I was born in Toronto and moved to the neighbourhood when I was 8 years old. I’ve had two houses in North Leaside. That’s where I still live.

So what did you pay for your first house?

Back in the ‘60s, I bought it for $19,300.

What was it like growing up in Leaside almost 60 years ago?

We used to go fishing and catch frogs in what was known as Willson’s Bush — the area where the Metro store is located. We also used to ride our bikes to the Thorncliffe race track and sit outside the fence watching the horses. It was one of the greatest thrills of my life.

Leaside was a simple little town with the road pavement ending at Laird Dr. Back in those years Sunnybrook Plaza was the first strip mall in the city.

|

MEET A NEIGHBOUR It’s exciting to see what’s happened now on Bayview, with all the high end restaurants.

Leaside Life, January 2012

Ron Woods is a long time resident of Leaside who spent his working life in the investment business and his youth playing baseball.

He’s been hanging around Talbot baseball park playing or watching baseball since the day it opened. He made it up to Triple A and came back to coach in Leaside and North York and play in senior games at Christie Pitts.

19

He went ishing where Metro is now

What do you like about Leaside?

Sounds a bit corny, but I love the small town feel but with everything of a busy city. I like the tree-lined, safe streets, the shops and restaurants, even the big box stores seem to fit in now.

If you could do one thing to improve Leaside?

Besides getting rid of some of the stop signs? We need to create better athletic facilities. I played baseball at Talbot Park the first year it opened, and would like to see an improved diamond.

What’s your favourite restaurant?

Olde Yorke Fish and Chips on Laird. I remember some other good ones from years ago, like Romantino’s on Bayview, Trastavere in recent years, and long ago Sir Steer, near Millwood.

I remember the day a sign appeared there saying it was the last week. The owners had won one of the province’s first lotteries and got out of the restaurant business.

IN PITTSBURG, holding hands with baseball all-star Roberto Clemente.

Is there somewhere in the neighbourhood you like to hang out?

To get away?

I take a walk every day, but once a week I go into the ravines behind the Donwood Institute. It really feels as if you are miles away from everything down there. ■

Crime shows an increase

CNIB bridge closes for safety

Leaside, which is in a bit of a crime proof bubble, has seen a change recently: “Break and enters are at a higher rates than they normally are,” says Police Constable Timothy Somers, of 53 Division.

The Lester family knows that first hand. Their house on Sutherland Dr. was broken into on a Sunday afternoon in mid-November. The house was ransacked and valuables stolen.

Two weeks later, also on a Sunday, there was an attempted burglary a few doors down the street. This time, the burglars were scared off by an alarm system.

Just a few days later a car was broken into on the street.

“The major areas of crime in Leaside are break and enters, automobile theft and theft from within the vehicles,” says 53 Division Unit Commander Staff Inspector Heinz Kuck. ■

The pedestrian bridge on Bayview used for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) was closed Dec. 5 because it is no longer structurally safe.

At the CNIB’s community consultation meeting Nov. 29 there was unanimous support for renovation to the undercarriage at an estimated cost of $1.8 million.

CNIB President John Rafferty expected there would be a fundraising campaign that points out that use of the bridge has changed. CNIB clients used to be the prime users. Now the developers and residents of the Kilgour Estates are also users.

There is also consideration being given to selling naming rights.

When the bridge was built in 1954 it was paid for by the Atkinson Foundation and no naming rights were involved.

The bridge was included in the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties in 2002. The CNIB estimates that over a million “trips” have been made using the bridge over the past 57 years.

CNIB clients now rely on the traffic signals at Kilgour to cross the heavily travelled road to and from the bus stop. The CNIB is providing a crossing guard from 7.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. In addition the traffic signals on Bayview have been adjusted to provide more time to cross Bayview.

The Nov. 29 meeting heard from Debbie Gillespie, a CNIB client who spoke quietly but with passion about how she discovered the bridge on her first visit and how she has continued to use it over the past 40 years. ■

By GEOFF KETTEL

20

| Leaside Life, January 2012

Great Local Deals and

Accurate Distributing

We invite you to join other Leaside Consumers to shop and save on our website in 2012!

Great Local Deals.ca

Three suggestions: 1. You could do with better editing to check grammar and spelling.

2. Your invitation to "tell us what you think" should have included information on how to do that.

3. You should consider asking people to subscribe electronically.

All in all, though, it's a very worthwhile venture. We will look forward to our next issue.

Peter and Marilyn Broughton, Killdeer Cres.

Well done on your first issue of Leaside Life!

I’d like to suggest.

1. Start planning your conversion to an online publication ASAP, if you have not done so already. Contact us to help you do that. We are expert web developers and are local (150 Laird).

2. Please email us a rate card of your publication at your earliest convenience.

Wayne Roberts, Blade Branding, Laird Dr.

LETTERS leasidelife@gmail.com It's great there's going to be a paper for this area - and you actually included Bennington Heights in your distribution area, even though it was never part of the "original" Leaside!

Pamela Scott Heath St. East

I came home last night to find the new Leaside Life on my doorstep – what a great little magazine. It was very informative and certainly highlighted so many of the happenings here in the community of Leaside.

As a community member and the Director of Volunteer Resources at Holland Bloorview (effective September 2011 – previously the Director of Volunteer Services at Toronto East General for 20 years) I was so delighted to see the focus on volunteerism.

Lise Quirin, Director Volunteer Resources, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Kilgour Rd.

Really good read. Even my daughters enjoyed reading about the community and their school.

Rick Hutchings Bayview Ave.

As a resident of Leaside for 36 years, I feel attached and committed to this community.

This publication will help me be even more informed about what is happening. A great job! I will look forward to it each month.

Barry Schneider Randolph Rd.

Please forward my congratulations to Lorna on the very welcome Leaside community paper. I actually read it all. May I suggest some Leaside HS students be persuaded to write for the paper... multiple benefits.

Linda Kopetski Prue Donlea Dr.

I just finished reading your paper and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. I went to St. Anselm's school as a child and am now looking to enrol my son in elementary. Your articles on the overcrowding schools was really informative.

I'm looking to possibly advertise with you and was wondering if you have a breakdown of what you offer in that regard.

Thank you so much for your time and keep up the great work.

Stacey Green Millwood Rd.

Congratulations on your new publication.

I very much enjoyed your first installment!

Karen Brinkhof Burkebrook Place, Kilgour Estates

Myokinetic 416.799.0395

Registered Massage Therapy

The practice of massage therapy is the assessment of the soft tissues and joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissues and joints by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function, or relieve pain. (Massage Therapy Act 1991) Registered Massage Therapy encourages you to participate in your healing process, deepens the connection to your body, and further supports healthful lifestyle changes.

Maggie Van Luven Registered Massage Therapist 186 Parkhurst Blvd Toronto ON M4G 2G1

book@myokinetic.com

Leaside Life, January 2012

Marilyn and I read Leaside Life from front to back. We enjoyed all the interesting neighbourhood news and appreciated the independent articles. In other community newspapers there is a tendency for the articles to be advertisements in disguise.

|

21

Fix the grammar and get on the web

22

| Leaside Life, January 2012

Sorry Bieber

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

From Page 4

Ruth Goldhar Salesperson

Served you as a school board trustee 1979‐1998. ♦ Now serving you as a real estate agent since 1998.

✓ Patient ✓ Hardworking ✓ Concerned

EDITORIAL

Harry Goldhar Andrea Villiers ADVERTISING

Ruth Goldhar

RE/MAX Ultimate Realty Inc.

TYPESETTING

Brokerage 1739 Bayview Ave. Toronto ON M4G 3C1

L. Choy 416‐486‐7387 leasidelife@gmail.com

(416) 486-4752

YOUR STORE FOR ALTERATIONS NORMAN TAILORS

All kinds of ladies’ and gents’ alterations Leather alterations 1565 Bayview Ave., Toronto, ON M4G 3B5 • (416) 489-8877

1543 Bayview Ave., Toronto, ON M4G 3B5 (647) 350-3355 info@delamer.ca

Mon: Tues & Wed: Thurs: Fri: Sat: Sun:

11:00am – 6:30pm 9:30am – 6:30pm 9:30am – 7:00pm 9:00am – 7:00pm 8:00am – 6:00pm 11:00am – 5:00pm

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital at 150 Kilgour Rd. (in North Leaside) is recruiting students for their March Break Camp.

For more information on this program and other volunteer opportunities at Holland Bloorview, check out hollandbloorview.ca

Ella started by showing everyone how to set up an arrangement and then “leafed” us to our own design as she walked around the room helping, chatting, and joking with everyone.

As I watched my two daughters arranging their flowers with gentle precision, laughing with each other and their new found friends, I realized why people become members of the Leaside Garden Society. It is a friendly meeting place where you can learn, enjoy and have fun with family and friends.

Everyone went home with a fresh new Christmas arrangement made by hand. As for me, I found a new appreciation for my two very talented daughters and went home with three arrangements (sorry Bieber).

Not that mine was any good, or that my wife will let me proudly display it when company comes, but Ella makes you feel like you had just designed the next first-place ribbon winner at the Chelsea Garden Show.

Ella’s next design class will probably be in the spring. You’ll need to be a member of the club to attend. ■ Rick Hutchings is a Garden Society director. www.leasidegardensociety.org.

Your neighbourhood travel agency Tours, cruises, travel insurance 1569 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4G 3B5 (416) 485-5057 Toronto 127 Laird Drive Toronto, ON M4G 3V4 Tel: (416) 424-1201 Mississauga # 9, 3145 Dundas St. West Mississauga, ON L5L 5V8 Tel: (905) 828-7225

www.rackattack.com toronto@rackattack.com

Leaside Life, January 2012

|

23

24

| Leaside Life, January 2012

- where wwhhheeerre gen general enneeraall dedentists ennttiiissstttss aanandnndd spspecialists pececiaalliiissts coccombine ommbiinne to makkkee you mo mmore ore beautiful. beeaauttiiifffuull.. .hoowever w evveeerr you you defi inne itit make define There universal ersal al id ideal deal al smile smile.. W What hat people cconsider There is no such thing as a univ onsider ideal differs o person. Our Our experience experienc xp e and expertise expertise enable us tto differs from from person tto o provide at ffor or th tthe e longest time ime me a att the price that fits your your price that pr ovide work work that that will look great grea budget.. T The determined by d ermined ermine b erm y yyou ou u and not the society. ssociety. Therefore, budget he ideall solution iss det Therefore, before we we take before w e show sho h w yyou ou the Hollywood Hollywood smile w e tak e the time to to learn yyour our needs and d what what it is that that you you really really ally want. want.

Eglinton Dr. Laird Dr.

N E

W

ve.

Ave. Bayview A

S

McRae ae Dr Dr..

Overlea Blvd ood Rd. Millwood

&

Valley a Pkwy Pkw Don Valley

We W e offer sp speciality eciialitty and and general generral al dentistry dentistrry in our new ne ew office office with state art your dental needs. sttate of the a rt ttechnology echnology tto o fulfil all y our dent ntta al ne eds.

V Visit isit www.lairddental.com www.lairddental.com ffor o or more more info information o ormation

s ,AIRD $R 5NIT

s ,AIRD $R 5NIT TToronto, or o onto, ON M4G 3V1