Leaside Life Issue 34 December 2014

LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:04 AM Page 1

No. 34 • December 2014

Leaside Life leasidelifenews.com

Page 22

I’m in Nature Canada’s 2015 calendar. Meet my Leaside photographer, Page 10

The oldest retail store on Bayview will be closing

Underground Leaside chicken farm is ‘outed’

October home prices lower than last October

Our churches facing renovation challenges

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Page 7

Page 22

Page 30

Meanwhile Michael Bliss looks for our happiest people: Page 35

LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:04 AM Page 2

Leaside Life, December 2014

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Unique Gifts For Nature Lovers of All Ages

Everything for Folks Who Love WILD BIRDS

The champion needs a rest 939 Eglinton Ave E. (Brentcliffe and Eglinton)

416- 646-2439 w w w. U r b a n N a t u r e S t o r e. c a

Jetstream Forgetmenot Playboy-Hefner, of Leaside, needs a rest. He just came back from a long coursing and racing season. Hefner, who won an American field coursing champion title last year, won the Canadian field champion title this season. The Canadian Sighthound Field Association named him second nationally in this summer’s ranking for lure coursing. In Florida he won four seconds and a first in oval racing and coursing, including in an international invitational meet. Hefner coursed in four U.S. states and in Ontario from March to October and is now just relaxing with long walks, light runs and a high protein raw diet getting ready for the winter season in Georgia and Florida. – John Henry, Bessborough Dr. ■

Cozy neighbourhood homes strung with festive lights herald the close of another year, and remind me of how glad I am to be a part of this tight-knit and caring community.

SAVE THE DATE!

I am humbled by the support and goodwill of the people around me in both my professional and volunteer endeavours. Friends and neighbours, your generous contribution to New Circles through the 2014 Laugh Out Loud fundraiser is only one of many examples of Leaside’s unrivalled positivity and willingness to give back.

Laugh Out Loud in Leaside

From my home to yours, heartfelt thanks and sincere wishes for a peaceful, joyous holiday season.

OUR Neighbourhood, YOUR Realtor www.AtHomeInLeaside.com

®

A Community Fundraiser February 27th, 2015!

charlene@charlenekalia.com

4 1 6 .9 2 5 .9 1 9 1 Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage *Sales Representative.

THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO SOLICIT SELLERS OR BUYERS CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT WITH A BROKER

Connect with me

LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:04 AM Page 3

The oldest retail store on Bayview is closing was shot to death in the store in November, 1979 by two youths looking for drug money. Erlich refused to give them what they wanted.

Philos bought the store on Dec. 31 that same year. In July of the next year, he recalls, his first child, Theodora, took her first steps walking on her own from the front door into the store.

When he moved in the street was being torn up. “They haven’t stopped,� he says.

He remembers that at that time he charged $18 for a complete watch overhaul. But the annual rent was $250. Today he charges $120 because his rent is $3,500.

His business tax then was $300 a year, today over $10,000. Insurance was $1,200, today $12,000.

But even though his prices have increased, his business is down by 55 percent in the past 10 years, he says, blaming it mostly on the growing retail businesses on Laird and partly

| Leaside Life, December 2014

The oldest surviving retail store on our stretch of Bayview Ave. will probably close this year, unless someone buys Bell Jewellers.

That now seems unlikely.

A sale of up to 80 percent off every item there has already started and will continue to the end of the year. No one has made an offer to Photis Philos, who has owned the store since Dec. 31, 1979.

According to the book Leaside, edited by Jane Pitfield, the store was first opened at Christmas 1936, beside the popcorn concession booth outside the Bayview Moving Picture Theatre, now Shoppers Drug Mart.

Badali’s Fruit Market opened the following year.

Philos says Mr. Bell, a Scot, sold the store for $670 in 1947 to a Mr. Fine, who needed to get official permission to buy it two years after World War II because he was Jewish.

Fine sold it to Israel Erlich, who

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on the increase in the number of jewellery stores in the area.

But he’s leaving mainly for health reasons. “I’ll leave with tears in my eyes. I love it all, the good and the bad. Thanks to everyone in the neighbourhood. I’m grateful for a nice run.â€? â–

Leaside / Davisville's Top Realtor* Q QHLJKERXUKRRG LQVSLUHG UHDO HVWDWH Č? \RXU FRPPXQLW\ DGYRFDWH HLJKERXUKRRG LQVSLUHG UHDO HVWDWH Č? \RXU FRPPXQLW\ DGYRFDWH Are you thinking about selling in the new year? & &DOO PH WRGD\ WR GLVFXVV P\ ([FOXVLYH 0DUNHWLQJ 3ODQ IRU \RXU KRPH DQG D FRPSOLPHQWDU\ HYDOXDWLRQ DOO PH WRGD\ WR GLVFXVV P\ ([FOXVLYH 0DUNHWLQJ 3ODQ IRU \RXU KRPH DQG D FRPSOLPHQWDU\ HYDOXDWLRQ

From my family to yours, best wishes for the holidays and much success in 2015 7KDQN \RX IRU \RXU FRQWLQXHG 7KDQN \RX IRU \RXU FRQWLQXHG trust and support!

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Another casualty of the new Leaside

Leaside Life, December 2014

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Another casualty of modern Leaside: Van Nes Flowers, which moved to Bayview Ave. in 1987 and then five years ago to Parkhurst, is leaving because the building is coming down.

The company will now become part of Tidy’s Flowers in Etobicoke.

Richard Van Nes says he found it hard to tell his father, who is still alive and started the business in 1953 at Yonge and Broadway.

The store left there because of rising rents, and then the same happened on Bayview. Van Nes was hoping to renew a five-year lease on Parkhurst. But now, he says, he couldn’t see himself starting over again at his age.

The business has now become a luxury, he adds, doing well at times like Christmas and Valentine’s Day, but the public does not buy flowers the way they used to.

The Van Nes name and phone number remain: 416-481-1641. â–

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LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:04 AM Page 5

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Deadline for January, December 10

leasidelifenews@gmail.com

FREE LISTING SERVICE HAVE A LOCAL EVENT TO PROMOTE? SEND US THE DATE, TIME, LOCATION AND EVENT NAME BY THE 10TH OF EACH MONTH

GIRL GUIDE BAZAAR, Leaside United Church, Saturday, Dec. 6, 10-1. White elephant sale, homemade crafts and refreshments. lesleyskelly@rogers.com.

NORTHLEA UNITED CHURCH, 125 Brentcliffe. 416-425-5252. – Carolling in the Pines, Sunday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m. Sing along with friends and neighbours outside. – Annual Christmas Pageant, Sunday, Dec. 14, 10:30 a.m. Children from Cool Church Players present a musical celebrating the traditional Christmas story. – Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols, Sunday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m.

--Longest Night Jazz Service, Christmas Gets the Blues, Sunday, Dec. 21, 4:30 p.m. – Christmas Eve, Family Service Dec.24, 7 p.m. Candlelight Communion Service 11 p.m.

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LEASIDE KID’S CLUB, Leaside Presbyterian Church, 670 Eglinton East, 416-4220510. Open to children JK-grade 8. Friday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Christmas/New Year’s club Tuesday, Dec. 30 and Wednesday, Dec. 31. Music, stories, crafts, movies and snacks. $30 per child, $50 per family. Special assistance available with confidentiality. Youth helpers grade 9-up appreciated.

Grade 7 & 8 youth welcomed as leaders in training. Community service hours available. Adult helpers appreciated.

LEASIDE LIBRARY, 165 McRae. – E-Resources at the Library: Learn about e-content with introduction to Overdrive, Zinio and more. Bring your own devices.

Everyone welcome, no registration required. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 7-8 p.m. – Customer Appreciation: Hot chocolate and goodies. Saturday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. – No Place: Collection by Artist Collective.

Dec. 1-31. * Spa Packages based on guest pricing plus taxes. Offers may not be combined. Excludes cash denomination purchases. Valid in-store only. Rates and services may vary by location. Offer expires December 31, 2014. Free Gift Cards expire March 31, 2015.

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THE LEASIDE PUB, McRae and Laird, Christmas Toy Drive for children in Thorncliffe Park, Thursday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. Live auction for dinner at home for eight prepared by Grilltime and served by Councillor Jon Burnside. Bring a new unwrapped toy and/or $20. Raffles, draw, Leaf tickets.

Help needed Saturday, Dec. 13 to help distribute gifts at East York Town Centre, 10 a.m.-noon.

ESAND

ER DR

Leaside Life, December 2014

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Leaside Life, December 2014

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Fed up with mess at the Gardens Hal Spradling didn’t like what was happening to the gardens at the Leaside Community Gardens arena.

“It was an eyesore to the neighbourhood,” he says, “and I was offended by the weeds and neglect.”

Spradling is the owner of All Canadian Self-Storage, on Laird across from the arena, which was honoured this year by the Leaside Garden Society for landscaping.

A group of volunteers had previously volunteered to clear up the mess, but ran into union and budget problems at the arena and nothing happened.

But Spradling is a Texan, and tenacious.

He got a go-ahead from a member of the Gardens board, whom he won’t name, and went to work.

When the work is finally done, fiveperson crews, including Spradling, will have spent 100-man hours cleaning up plantings in the parking lot.

“I was on my hands and knees for half the day,” he says. “I urge people to volunteer in the spring to get the plantings ready for the next sesason.” ■

Bayview Rug Gallery

LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:05 AM Page 7

Underground Leaside chicken farm is ‘outed’ They checked with neighbours first.

The family has been warned by bylaw enforcement officers, but there have been no charges, and the practice will end when the twins leave for university next year.

They are grade 12 students at Upper Canada College, but not interested in agriculture. The twins were inspired to raise chickens by a visit to their grandmother’s childhood farm in Slovena.

At first they thought of studying medicine because their father is a doctor and their mother an occupational therapist, but now Andrew says the battle over urban chickens has made him more interested in law.

“I like making an argument,” he is quoted, “and I want to get my point across. We’re vocal. You have to be vocal to make change.” ■ Information from Torstar News Service.

| Leaside Life, December 2014

Two underground chicken farmers in Leaside have been “outed” publicly by the Toronto Star’s free Metro newspaper because they won big at this year’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair at the CNE. Twins Andrew and Matthew Patel, 17, of Sutherland Dr., were not really being secretive about the illegal activities. They have been before city council asking that the law be changed (they failed) and they’ve been advocating for urban farming since their parents let them use their backyard two years ago.

But when they earned a dozen awards, including two first-place finishes and a best-in-class in their first try, it became too good a story not to be published.

Metro quotes Andrew Patel: “Partly because it was illegal, we wanted to do it. We knew they weren’t dangerous.”

“And even if we got caught, we figured we would be raising awareness,” Matthew was quoted.

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Men’s Cuts Lady’s Cuts Monday to Friday - 9 am to 7 pm Saturday - 9 am to 6 pm 939 Eglinton Ave. East (at Brentcliffe Rd.)

Tel. (416) 696 -2505

LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:05 AM Page 8

We are not the paper roll company Leaside Life, December 2014

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8 Thank you for the article on St. Anselm's 75th anniversary. I have many fond memories of my days there.

However, I want to point out that my surname is misspelled -there is no X at the end of Rouleau.

You may see Rouleau with an X on packages of paper rolls, but that's not me.

Also, want to say how much I enjoy Leaside Life.

Shirley Rouleau, Bayview Ave.

There might be legal consequences The published three letters (last month) from Tony Koch, Brian Sinclair and Ted Ward contain many factual errors. They have negative social consequence in Leaside.

Mr. Sinclair's letter might have legal consequences also. Referring to them as opinion pieces does

LETTERS leasidelife@gmail.com Letters may be edited. not allow you to disclaim all responsibility.

Also, when writers claim or imply professional expertise, they should clearly state their qualifications or special interest in a subject.

Why would Tony Koch write two letters in two months promoting the airline industry and denying the negative effects on Leasiders?

Re Tony Koch letter: lf the current commercial airline routes are dispersed, we will still have all the benefits of airline travel and avoid the negative effects on the health and welfare of Leasiders.

Re Ted Ward letter: Georgia Walsh's death is not related to big box stores; it is related to heavy commuter traffic being diverted

through residential streets. Aafaaq Shaikh, Kathleen Wynne's Leaside office manager will confirm that I have corresponded with the Premier many times regarding pedestrian safety. Heavy airline traffic over residential areas certainly has had lethal consequences, e.g. commuter plane crash near Buffalo. Aircraft noise near Heathrow is associated with increased number of fatal heart attacks. A bipolar patient in Leaside suffered sleep loss from airtine noise that led to acute mania, then severe depression and suicide. Jon Burnside says reducing air traffic over Leaside is one of his top priorities.

Re Brian Sinclair letter: This is not an opinion piece. You surely know the content of this letter is grossly exaggerated. Accusations of Leaside teenagers are being made without evidence or proof. Leaside parents are being accused of poor parenting skills. As a family physician, I assessed and supported the parenting skills of my patients, so

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LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:05 AM Page 9

Must we give up our quality of life?

To get from Costco to Bayview, presuming the 2.24 million vehicles would avoid an Eglinton constricted by the Eglinton Connects plan, motorists have but two routes, Beth Nealson Dr./McRae or Overlea/Millwood.

To get from Lawrence Park to Costco, presuming the construction of Eglinton or not, they would cut through North Leaside to Brentcliffe.

Are Leasiders to give up the quality of life in their neighbourhood for this? Will the planners try to pull the wool over city council’s eyes once

phrase, “City Council’s planning decisions are required to be consistent with the PPS.�

The merchants on Bayview are paying property tax not on the capac- 9 ity of their properties to generate revenues but rather on the value of the land at resale. So how will intensification affect assessments in the future?

The residents associations to the west are of no help, as the presidents of four associations have written in support of Eglinton Connects, which will divert traffic off Eglinton and through neighbourhoods. The planners don’t believe that, most likely as a result of their cult-like belief that the mere construction of arterials will make cars vanish.

Bob Murphy, Eglinton East

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again and tell them most Costco shoppers will use the South Leaside or Don Mills buses?

Section 4.6 3(b) on Employment Areas in the Official Plan says, at the very least, that the SmartCentres were not to “adversely affect� nearby businesses. It was incumbent then upon the planners to use zoning to set out what kinds of retail would and would not be permitted to locate east of Laird so that Bayview was not adversely affected.

A paltry $25,000 for a BIA should not buy you exemption from law.

And that is the problem. When developers want density, the Official Plan has the force of law, but when residents cite it to defend their neighbourhoods it’s just a guideline.

When the cold winter and spring gave way to warm summer evenings Bayview clearly reclaimed its place as the Main Street of Leaside. It is already at capacity, but we must beware of any attempts to intensify.

For those who have missed it the first 12 dozen times I’ve said this, the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) gives the force of law to that word ‘intensification’. That is being implemented as if it had no definition.

Which it doesn’t, really. But every major rezoning report includes the

Leaside Life Published once a month in Leaside,Toronto ON,

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Leaside Life, December 2014

this accusation hurts me personally and professionally. The City of Toronto and LPOA report no significant litter problem in Leaside.

Using words like "litter pigs," and "filthy creatures" is a huge overreaction. The letter could devalue my house and Mr. Sinclair's house.

Also, if Mr. Sinclair does not like Leaside, he should leave.

Dan Buckley, Roxville Ave.

LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:05 AM Page 10

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KISSING KESTRALS, award winner at the Get to Know Contest for the City of Toronto Gallery.

At 13 he’s already winning many awards Chris Graham, of Airdrie Rd., was 11 when he attended a GTA Photography Teen Summer Camp.

Since then he has been winning international nature photo awards, one resulting in his shot of a howling wolf at the Toronto Zoo among the 12 featured in Nature Canada’s 75th anniversary 2015 calendar.

The photo will be on display at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa until early January.

The latest award was for Kissing Kestrals for the 2014 Get to Know Contest for the City of Toronto Gallery.

And he has been named as a finalist in the 2014 Travel Photographer of the Year contest. The winner, chosen by photographers from entries from all kinds of photographers around the world, amateur and professional, will be announced Dec. 4.

He has been a contest winner in New York state’s Jamestown Audubon Society annual nature photo contest and for Viewbug, a world-wide collection of photo contests.

Chris Graham is now 13 years old, a pupil at Bessborough school.

Here’s what his mother, Deborah Graham, wrote about him:

CHRIS GRAHAM “Chris always has his camera with him as he spends time in Ontario’s provincial parks or travels through Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Florida and Alaska. He loves when wildlife rewards him with a glimpse and a pose.

“Up early to catch a sunrise in Prince Edward County this summer, Chris was rewarded by seeing three foxes on his way to the beach. He got some great fox photos, but missed the sunrise. He has captured sunrises

and sunsets in beautiful Algonquin Park and Sandbanks Provincial Park.

“He is an avid birder and has the patience to get ‘up close and personal’ to the birds he loves so much.

He has captured beautiful bird photos in Point Pelee National Park, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (a National Audubon Society sanctuary in southwest Florida) and J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

“He enjoyed spending a day with Canada’s award winning nature photographer, Chris Dodds, at Point Pelee during 2014 spring migration.

He particularly enjoyed his summer travel adventure to Alaska where he spent time in Denali National Park, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and the Chugach National Forest.

“Chris upgraded his camera to a Canon 5D this year and is looking forward to going back to Alaska in the summer of 2015.

“His photos are on display (and for sale) at Millwood Melt (on Millwood), along with a series of greeting cards. In a few weeks, his 2015 Nature Calendar will be on display and on sale as well.

“See his website at www.chrisgrahamphotos.com.” ■

LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:07 AM Page 11

Leaside Life, December 2014

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LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:07 AM Page 12

Leaside Life, December 2014

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Remembrance at St. Anselm for 160 soldiers

There were 160 photographs of Canadian soldiers killed while on duty mounted on small posts on Bessborough Dr. in front of St. Anselm Church after the Remembrance Day service at St. Anselm school.

All but two of the soldiers were killed in Afghanistan. The two were Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, who died in Ottawa and Quebec in October.

A photograph of each soldier was carried into the church one at a time by grade 6, 7 and 8 students. Afterwards, the students carried them in a procession on streets around the school. The photographs were planted in front of the flagpole where they were to remain as a memorial for several days.

Grade six teacher David Nespolo, who is also a corporal in the Governor-General’s Horse Guard, organized the church service. At the end local singer-songwriter Bob Reid performed his song Highway of Heroes. ■

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LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:07 AM Page 13

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Leaside Life, December 2014

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LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:07 AM Page 14

L E A S I D E B U S I N E S S PA R K

Leaside Life, December 2014

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BETH PARKER

He recognized a 1,600 lb. machine while biking to work in Leaside

KENDALL FULLERTON at work at Lincoln Electric

Part of one of world’s biggest companies

By BETH PARKER When Kendall Fullerton rides his bike to work, he stops at the Whole Foods building site on Bayview north of Eglinton to give the construction crew a cheer.

“They’re using Lincoln Electric welding equipment built right here in Leaside at our Lincoln Electric plant on Wicksteed,” he says. “I recognize the 1,600-pound machine mounted on the back a truck four stories down at the bottom of the construction site. “ This Canadian subsidiary of a U.S. firm is not only one of Leaside’s first industrial companies, it is the largest welding equipment company in the world today.

“And out of 40 plus global manufacturing locations, Lincoln Canada is the most profitable outside of the U.S.A,” adds Fullerton, operations manager since 2006, who started his career at Lincoln out of engineering school in 1987.

He says it’s earned that position because of a focus on welding that goes back almost 100 years to headquarters in Cleveland and the reputation of its products.

“Bridges, cars, trucks, heavy

equipment—these things all depend on welding pieces of steel together properly in order to keep people safe,” says Fullerton. “That’s the kind of quality Leaside can be very proud of.”

The Lincoln Electric Company of Canada was incorporated in 1916 to distribute the U.S.-made welding equipment and industrial motors. In 1940 Lincoln moved its operation from downtown Toronto to Leaside where it erected Canada’s first welded steel building, where it still is at 179 Wicksteed. The company eventually became one of Leaside’s largest employers.

“We made our last electric motor in 1999,” says Fullerton, “Today we are 100 percent focused on everything to do with welding—the actual welders, the consumables (weld wire, steel rods, etc.) and the supplies.” Supplies these days include welding helmets that look like goalie masks as well as masks, gloves and clothing that the retail arm of the company refers to as accessories.

“Accessories for female welders these days is a growing demand,” he adds.

A notable feature of the company is its compensation system, set up

during the Depression as a way of building co-operation and ownership between management and labour.

“Many companies created incentive plans at the time because they needed to encourage staff to stay during difficult times,” explains Fullerton. “But Lincoln was one of the few that kept their incentive plan in place.”

There are two aspects to the plan, a piecework bonus for shop floor employees based on skill and effort, and an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.

“Seventeen percent of what we make each year is set aside for the Incentive Profit Sharing Program and it’s available to everyone,” says Fullerton.

Sue McKay, who has worked at Lincoln Electric for 48 years, says that in all her time with the company “there was only one year that we did not make a profit so there wasn’t a bonus”. The first one of $17,748 was paid and shared in 1940 with 76 employees. (The value of this today would be over $1.2 million.)

“I was always close enough to

LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:07 AM Page 15

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Leaside Life, December 2014

get home to my children, and I’ve built a life around the people I know here.”

Fullerton, his wife Marie and four kids moved to Leaside in the 1990s to be close to Lincoln, and his kids all attended Leaside schools.

Northlea parents know Marie for her former role in the schools’ annual welcome back BBQ each fall.

Lincoln Electric has always attracted employees who were glad not to have to commute long distances or downtown to work, says Jason Brisebois, Director of Human Resources and Communications.

In the years ahead, he says, residents can expect to see growth and continued environmental efforts in the Leaside facility. They recently earned their ISO 50001 certification, only the fourth company in Canada to do so.

Today, Lincoln Electric exports their Leaside-manufactured machines all over the world, supports the domestic demand for steelbased welding consumables and sells aluminum welding consumables globally, including in China.

“We’re very successful, and we intend to keep it that way,” say Fullerton and Brisebois. ■

LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:07 AM Page 16

Former East York mayor and federal cabinet minister

Leaside Life, December 2014

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Alan Redway

When a teacher spanked you over her knee

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Last October Rolph Road school celebrated its 75th anniversary. It brought back a lot of memories.

The school opened in 1939. I started kindergarden there in 1940.

At that time the school was both an elementary school and the embryo of Leaside High School. The high school kids took classes on the top floor of the school, in two portables which they called Joe’s house named after the school janitor, and also in St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church and Leaside United Church basements.

I attended Rolph Road Public School from kindergarden to grade 8. In later years Rolph ended at grade 6 with its students attending Bessborough school for grades 7 and 8.

While these days I sometimes have a problem remembering the names of my friends and neighbours, I can still remember the names of every one of my teachers at Rolph.

For instance my kindergarden teacher was Miss Milburn. Her brother Harvey was my dentist whom I blame for all the fillings in my teeth. Thank goodness for floride in the water today. If you misbehaved in her class Miss Milburn would have you stand behind the piano. I believe that was the origin of what parents today call “a time out�.

The Honourable Barbara McDougall, who arrived at Rolph a couple of years after me and went on to become Canada’s secretary of state for external affairs, reminded me when she spoke at the reunion that our grade 2 teacher, Miss Turnbull, used to put kids over her knee and spank them if they misbehaved.

In grades 3 and 4, my teachers were the Reid sisters, Marion and

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Leaside Life, December 2014

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LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:08 AM Page 18

De La Salle “Oaklands” De La Salle “Oaklands” is an independent, Roman Catholic, co-educational day school, inspired by St. John Baptist de La Salle. Founded in 1851, De La Salle College continues to educate young men and women in a truly Christian atmosphere and to develop a strong sense of religious and moral values. The College offers an advanced liberal arts curriculum, which is enhanced by extracurricular programs enabling students to develop leadership skills, self-confidence and social responsibility.

Students come to De La Salle to embrace a challenging curriculum and engage in spiritual life, athletic programs, extracurricular activities and community service. Our graduates will go on to be scholars at some of the finest universities across the country and around the world. They will also be expected to be embassadors of the Lasallian mission: “Enter to learn. Leave to serve.” The school is accepting applications for Grades 5 through 12 for the 2015-2016 academic year. For more information about admissions or to arrange a tour of the facilities, please contact our Office of Admissions. 416-969-8771 Ext. 223 or bcarreco@delasalle.ca.

Berta Carreco, Admissions

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Pauline. I suspect that today no board of education would allow sisters to teach in the same school.

Marion Reid married my Leaside High history teacher Don McLeod.

My grade 7 teacher was Mr. Bick.

His brother was the long- time chairman of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Commission. If any of your family or friends were police officers they would likely have attended the C.O. Bick Police College.

In grade 8 we had two teachers for different subjects, George Barrett and Anson Taylor.

Whenever I think of Mr. Barrett, I am reminded of the strap, or as we used to say, Did he give you the slugs? After a dust-up at the bicycle rack one day, Mr. Barrett suddenly appeared on the balcony of the principal’s office and ordered me to join him. When I arrived the first thing I saw on the principal’s desk was a long wide thick belt, the kind barbers used to use to sharpen their razors. Mr. Barrett picked it up and caressed it tenderly. Fortunately however, after giving me a good talking to, he put the strap back on the desk.

What Mr. Barrett never knew was how fortunate he was as well, because my father had often told me that if any one at that school ever laid a hand on me he’d come up there with a horse whip. So Mr. Barrett was fortunate to escape the horse whip and my father was fortunate to escape a criminal charge.

Anson Taylor later became the director of education for Scarborough. In that capacity he interviewed and hired my wife Louise for a Scarborough teaching position. If he had turned her down, Louise would have likely returned to the one-room school house just outside her home town of Cobourg, Ontario where she had been teaching previously. Then I would have never met her and without her love, help and support over 52+ years, I wouldn’t be writing this today.

The 75th anniversary celebration was organized by the Rolph Road Home and School Association.

My mother was active in the association when I went to the school and later when our daughters, Kim and Andrea, both attended Rolph, my wife Louise played an active role in it.

Robin Dickie, Carolyn Armstrong, Petra Grantham and the present Rolph Road Home and School Association deserve an enormous thank you from our entire community for their tremendous work in making the 75th anniversary such a great success. ■

LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:08 AM Page 19

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Leaside Life, December 2014

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LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:08 AM Page 20

Leaside Life, December 2014

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Amsterdam will be very, very busy Dec. 6 Owner Jeff Carefoote

By ALLAN WILLIAMS Amsterdam Brewing Company, which moved to Leaside in 2012, expects to be very, very busy Saturday, Dec. 6.

It will release the latest of its increasingly popular brews, this one at a whopping 14 percent alcohol by volume, and every Saturday there are free tours and tastings from 1 to 5 p.m. You might find a long line-up.

This is part of the company’s annual late-fall release and if you like beer you need to know the details.

This year’s brew is called Double Tempest, a follow-up of Tempest Imperial Stout, which started as a pilot batch in 2009 and has evolved over the past five years so much that, as of last month, it is available in the LCBO. Double Tempest is aged in freshly emptied Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels.

The guided tour of the brewery begins every hour, on the hour. After the tour visitors gather around the bar and can taste each of the beers on offer while one of the tour guides tells you a bit about what you’re drinking.

“We invite you to come here, have a good time, don’t overdo it, and have fun,” says Amsterdam owner Jeff Carefoote. “After all, beer should be fun.”

Double Tempest, he says, is one of what he calls adventure brews, because “you have to be a little bit adventurous to find value in these taste experiences.

Not everyone does. But I think the people of this community do.”

They are usually sold with seasonal brews only at the brewery.

“The are often not economical on a large scale,” says Carefoote. “Some of our adventure brews take a long time to brew and ferment, and often need a lot of materials – hops and malt. They’re

more expensive because they’re done by hand. Leaside is embracing the idea and our adventure brews sell very quickly.”

Which seems to vindicate Carefoote’s decision to move to Leaside from its Bathurst and Lakeshore area downtown.

“We outgrew the Bathurst location,” he says, “and needed more production capacity. We needed a place with high ceilings and room to expand – that just wasn’t possible to find downtown.

“I looked all over. And I chose Leaside because the demographics of the people in Leaside – education and income in particular – line up perfectly with the kind of people who drink our beer. And I live nearby and like the neighbourhood,” he adds.

The area east of Laird was being rejuvenated at the time and Carefoote says he picked the Esandar Dr. location even before the Longos–Leaside Village development was completed.

For Carefoote being part of the community is important. He created a special Leaside Lager for the Leaside Centennial celebration in 2013 that the Prime Minister attended. And he regularly donates Amsterdam beers for local community events, including last month’s second annual Leaside Sports Hall of Fame Reception.

Amsterdam started as a brew pub in the Entertainment District in 1986 and began selling beer for home consumption in the mid-’90s. Carefoote bought the company in 2002.

He has been in the beer business all his career, working for Molson in Canada and Miller Brewing in the United States.

He was at one time in charge of the Miller Genuine Draft brand.

But he grew disenchanted with cor-

porate brewing.

“It became all about the marketing” he says, “and we forgot about the product. The idea was to take the taste out so people would drink more.

“The craft beer movement started in the U.S. north-west, in Portland and Seattle, in the late ’90s. It was very similar to what had happened with wine a few years earlier. I watched that pretty closely: a growing number of consumers wanted an artisanal product from local people they knew; they wanted a story and an experience.

“I thought, ‘You know, this is pretty cool. There’s room for a local guy. I want to be part of that.’”

Today there are more than 220 craft breweries in Ontario alone. One of the pioneers and leaders, Amsterdam, is the third largest in Ontario after Steam Whistle and Mill Street.

Amsterdam has six core brands available year-round at the LCBO, including their best-selling Amsterdam Blonde Lager, and their signature Boneshaker, an unfiltered IPA that’s a favourite among those who like their beer hoppy and flavourful.

The man responsible for the current line of products and for experimenting with the beer recipe is brewmaster Iain McOustra.

“It’s very important not to be known for just one brand,” he says.

“Our goal is to offer high-quality products across a variety of styles.”

McOustra has produced over 200 different “pilot batches” at Amsterdam and he says, frankly, that some work out better than others. The best ones are offered for sale as adventure brews, and some have become favourites. Boneshaker, for example, now their second highest-selling brand, started out as an adventure brew. ■

LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:08 AM Page 21

Little Krol the star of award night

| Leaside Life, December 2014 LOGAN ALLMENDINGER

Little Preston Krol was a big help during the induction ceremonies Nov. 21 for the Leaside Sports Hall of Fame, helping distribute awards, especially for his grandfather, Peter Krol, who accepted for his father, Joe Krol, the star jack of all positions for the 20th century Toronto Argonauts.

Also honoured were Jack Caffery, first home-grown Leasider to play in the NHL, Christine Pellerin, a major contributor to women’s hockey in Canada, and Sidney Soanes, a major figure in Canadian figure skating.

A large crowd filled the William Lea Room at the Leaside Gardens to also induct Ayanna Badali as this year’s Leaside Athlete of the Year. ■

21

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LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:08 AM Page 22

October home prices lower than last October Leaside Life, December 2014

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By JETHRO SEYMOUR Here’s how the world works in the microcosm of Leaside-Bennington Heights real estate.

Last year there were fewer homes for sale so costs climbed all year long.

This past October there were many more homes for sale, maybe by homeowners enticed to sell by the big bucks in Leaside.

Prices have dropped compared to last October.

In October this year there were 27 homes sold, which is 42.1 percent more than the 19 sold last October.

The average dollar values this past October compared to October 2013 were down 0.9 percent to $1,259,586. Detached home sale values are also down by 3.7 percent, at $1,333,667 compared to last October.

There were only three semi-detached homes that sold this October, with an average sale price of $703,667.

But prices still show a good increase in year to year comparisons.

The value of 2014’s year-to-date 180 detached homes was also up slightly by 2.1 percent, to $1,455,156, compared to the 141 detached homes that sold in the first 10 months of 2013. These are impressive figures considering the number of detached homes sold in that time increased by 27.7 percent.

The 35 semi-detached homes saw a 23.9 percent decrease in sales activity but an 11.4 percent gain in average value through to the end of October. Semi-detached homes represent approximately 16 percent of the housing transactions in Leaside.

This is a good year to be selling semis in Leaside.

Here are the rolling averages for the last 12 months, October 2013 to

Leaside sales by street 2013 vs. 2014 year to date (end October)

Leaside Life, now three years old, was started as a communication vehicle for the community. It has grown quickly over that period.

The founders of the paper want to retire and are interested in selling. Do you want to be the new owner of Leaside Life? If you are interested, please call Je at (416) 275-0009 to talk about this opportunity to make your mark in our community.

LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:08 AM Page 23

Leaside Life, December 2014

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Leaside Life, December 2014

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the end of October 2014, compared to the previous 12 months, October 2012 to the end of October 2013.

Sales volumes changes All home sales – up 13.9 percent to 238 sales.

Detached home sales – up 20.3 percent to 190 sales.

Semi-detached home sales – down 16.7 percent to 40 sales.

Dollar value changes All home values – up 7.5 percent to $1,342,629.

Detached home values – up 3.7 percent to $1,459,985.

Semi-detached home values – up 10.3 percent to $824,533.

The highest valued sale on TREB MLS so far in 2014 was $3.2 million for a home in Bennington Heights.

The highest 2014 Leaside MLS sale has been $2.7 million in South Leaside. The lowest valued sale was $580,000 for a two-bedroom, onebathroom detached bungalow on Sutherland at Eglinton, sold for only 83 percent of the asking price. ■ Jethro Seymour is a broker at Johnston & Daniel. All figures are from the Toronto Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service.

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LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:09 AM Page 26

Leaside beats China

Leaside Life, December 2014

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• The Leaside Junior Wildcats beat Team China 3-0 in an International Women’s Hockey exhibition game last month at Don Mills Arena. Leaside goals were scored by Cynthia Cavanagh, Emma Pye and Katriona McNeilly.

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• Rumsey Rd.’s Will Reilly, 17, who led all rookie defencemen in the Ontario Junior Hockey League this year with 15 points in 19 games, helped his team win its second title in three years in the Central Canada Cup AllStar Challenge.

Reid played for the North York Rangers during the regular season.

To advertise in Leaside Life and leasidelifenews.com: 416-486-7387 www.leasidelifenews.com We deliver to all homes, apartments and businesses in the M4G postal area.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All! And a Healthy and Prosperous New Year From my Family to You and Yours!

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LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:09 AM Page 27

LEASIDE STOCK INDEX

For the first time since the LSI was created in February of this year, the index has overtaken its two benchmarks — S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index Fund and SPDR S&P 500 ETF — delivering another standout month up 3.9 percent in October, excluding currency, compared to 0.34 percent for the two benchmarks.

The LSI has now beaten its benchmarks for five consecutive months and sits up 10.5 percent year-to-date, excluding currency, compared to 9.7 percent for the benchmarks.

Interestingly, the LSI’s advantage when you include currency is just 0.13 percent, far less than without.

You couldn’t have asked for a more balanced attack in October.

The 10 Canadian stocks and the 10 American stocks, when currency is factored in, both delivered

LEASIDE STOCK INDEX 2014 YTD Performance through October 31, 2014

Leaside Stock Index Including Currency Excluding Currency American Stocks Including Currency Excluding Currency Canadian Stocks ETF Benchmarks Including Currency Excluding Currency SPDR S&P 500 ETF Including Currency Excluding Currency S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index Fund

monthly returns of 4.1 percent, a statistical dead heat.

The benchmarks meanwhile were like night and day with the

Total % Return YTD

4.07% 3.91%

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4.93% -0.21% 23.74%

0.63% 0.34%

12.91% 9.74%

2.67% 2.36% -1.95%

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American ETF gaining 2.7 percent on the month (including currency) while the Canadian ETF lost exactly 2 percent.

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| Leaside Life, December 2014

Another standout month for October

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LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:09 AM Page 28

Leaside Life, December 2014

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Happy Holidays and All The Very Best Wishes for 2015!

Monica Stanway, Sales Representative Office: 416 487-5131 | Fax: 416 487-1750 Email: mstanway@rogers.com | Website: mstanway.com

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Amazingly, October saw all 20 stocks achieving positive gains in the month with seven (four U.S., three Canadian) up 5 percent or more. The best performing stock in October was Canadian Tire, up 7.7 percent on the month and 25.9 percent since February. It’s not the best performer since inception but it’s pretty darn close.

The next best in terms of performance is Remax, up 7.6 in October, just missing out on top honours.

The LSI now has nine months worth of performance in the books; at this point the runaway winner for best stock has got to be Tim Hortons, up almost 59 percent. However, it’s got nowhere to go with the Burger King merger expected to close by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Alimentation CoucheTard is up 44.5 percent since February with two months left on the calendar. It’s probably a stretch to catch Timmy’s at this point but the convenience store behemoth will likely make things interesting just the same.

In terms of negatives there are no Canadian stocks in losing territory thus far in 2014; four American stocks are in the red with Best Buy dragging up the rear down 13.3 percent and Vitamin Shoppe (VitaPath’s parent) off slightly less than 10 percent.

The remaining two losers are Starbucks and Dunkin Brands and both are within striking distance of positive returns on the year. By the end of 2014 there very well could be just one or two of the American stocks in negative territory.

Soon, the index will have to make one of three choices when it comes to Tim Hortons: Accept $65.50 in cash plus 0.8025 shares in the merged company in exchange for each share of the coffee chain; take $88.50 in cash; or accept 3.0879 shares in the new company each share held in the Oakville company.

If the index accepts 100 percent in cash we’ll have to come up with a replacement for Tim Hortons.

Metro and Pizza Pizza are just two of the potential candidates that come to mind. We’d love to hear from you via email should you have a possibility for us to consider. You can reach us at leasidelife@gmail.com with Tim Hortons stock replacement in the subject line. ■

LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:09 AM Page 29

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LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:09 AM Page 30

Geoff Kettel

Saving old Leaside

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Leaside Life, December 2014

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Several Leaside churches are facing costly capital renovations to upgrade and “rightsize” their sanctuaries and other buildings.

They are looking at their future and considering their options, asking whether they should amalgamate with another church, or sell land for development, or fundraise so they can continue to go it alone.

In other communities options have included shared use of the site, with a hospice or social housing that would continue to fulfill a social outreach and mission, which is lacking in a market sale.

Leaside Presbyterian Church has already amalgamated with Glebe Presbyterian Church, west of Bayview (that site has now been sold), Leaside United Church has been holding a conversation with its congregation and is looking at various options including selling lots for development. And across Bayview in Davisville Village, Manor Road United Church is considering selling land, perhaps to include a public park.

These are all signs that the venerable churches of Leaside face major challenges of change. But the community clearly has an interest especially when there is talk of selling lots for development. So the community needs to be part of the decision–making. However, that comes with a quid pro quo -- the community may need to be part of the financing as well. Perhaps that’s not unreasonable; after all, that was the way other institutions (like the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens arena) were updated.

Our churches are community assets that the community has benefitted from for 70 years or more. So if there is recognition of the church’s contribution in community service, community building and outreach, would there be community support for fundraising efforts directed to refurbishing and sustaining these institutions for another 70 years? ■

LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:09 AM Page 31

The main issues I will tackle for Leaside Just before I discuss the future, I want to thank everyone for their encouragement and support. I am honoured to be your councillor.

Although I have been busy meeting constituents, other councillors and city staff, the last few weeks being a period of transition, I'm ready to hit the ground running with my team in place.

What are my priorities in the ward -- and specifically in Leaside -- for the next four years? First and foremost, I am committed to being personally responsive to your needs and running an office whose priority is you.

As I set out to hire my staff my key criterion was the understanding that our job is to serve you. To that end, I will be putting in the necessary procedures and protocols to ensure a 24-hour callback. While we may not be able to solve your issue that quickly, we can certainly let you know that we're on it!

Development and traffic are the most important local issues that I will tackle head on. Over the past few months I knocked on thousands of doors and was told very clearly and very loudly that you want action and you want to be involved in the process.

Early in the New Year I will create traffic working groups in both North and South Leaside. I am looking for 10-12 people for each group who represent a cross section of opinions as well as street diversity. Community safety must be our overriding priority, but any changes we make will almost certainly impact convenience of travel throughout the neighbourhood so it's imperative that the community is involved every step of the way.

Ba Bayview yview & F Fleming le m in g 1601 B Bayview ayview A Ave ve Tor Toronto onto O ON N M4G M4G 3B5 3B 5 416-489-1873 416 489 1873

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Councillor, Toronto Ward 26 Don Valley West

Leaside Life, December 2014

Jon Burnside

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PARALLELE INTERIORS

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The number of current and anticipated development applications in Ward 26 is staggering and we must stop lurching from crisis to crisis. It's time that we formulate a vision for our community that includes traffic control, green space and proper educational and recreational facilities.

I will be setting up a development working group as well. I hope to include city staff, developers and constituents from all corners of the ward. I believe that we can have the greatest control of our destiny and get the best outcome possible if we engage all concerned parties at the beginning of the process (instead of near the end).

I will be reaching out to Metrolinx the first week of December as the increased traffic in both North and South Leaside, resulting from LRT construction, has not been addressed. It needs to be – immediately!

I look forward to connecting with you in the days and months ahead. If you'd like to be involved in any of our working groups or would like to share your ideas or concerns please feel free to email me at jon@jonburnside.com while I wait for my City of Toronto email address. ■

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When Leasiders were locked out On Oct. 7 the LPOA held an important public meeting.

Meant to be a debate among the three leading candidates for mayor, we sent out flyers throughout Leaside, announcing the event.

Needless to say, we expected a lot of attendees. The campaign had been eventful, and interest was high.

LeasideLife issue 34 Final_LeasideLifev1 14-11-24 10:09 AM Page 33

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Leaside Life, December 2014

The event was primarily intended to give Leaside residents an opportunity to question and to hear John Tory, Olivia Chow and Doug Ford.

When we booked them, we received a commitment from their campaign managers that, because the William Lea Room at the Leaside Gardens does not have infinite capacity, and we wanted Leasiders to be assured of space, no more than three or four campaign workers would accompany each candidate.

Imagine how we felt when LPOA directors showed up at the Gardens an hour and a half before the advertised starting time of 7:30 p.m. to set up the meeting room, to discover well over 100 people already waiting outside. And wanting to go inside.

All of them seemed to be carrying Ford signs, wearing Ford t-shirts and other insignia. Clearly, many had arrived in their cars, because even then parking spaces were few and far between.

Since the refurbishment of the Leaside Gardens, there are constant activities taking place in the building, and we had been asked to tell attendees to the LPOAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mayoral meeting not to use the new main entrance, but to use the door closer to the Southvale end. There was concern that there would be major congestion at the main entry otherwise.

We had put up signs at both doors to inform attendees where to enter. But because it had started raining, many of these early arrivals crowded around the main entrance and just inside, trying to get into the meeting room, which was still being set up.

By the time local residents got there, the scene was already getting unruly. By 7 p.m., when the doors to the William Lea Room officially opened, the room immediately became standing room only.

Most of those standing were Leaside residents; a great many of those seated were from other parts of the city.

Anyone arriving at 7:30 was not able to fit into the room and quite a few gave up and left. The room is supposed to hold a maximum of about 300-350. We estimate that there were at least 150-200 more than that number. We were lucky

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the Fire Marshall wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t in the neighbourhood -- heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have closed us down!

Granted, LPOA public meetings donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t usually attract this kind of overflow (and partisan) crowd, let alone visitors from Scarborough through Etobicoke. But scenes from the Oct. 7 meeting linger on in our memories. We have no desire to repeat a situation where local residents cannot get into their own

communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meetings. As it were, the song may be over, but the malady lingers onâ&#x20AC;Ś.

Many of those who couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t squeeze into the meeting room on Oct. 7 went home angry, and several suggested that there must be ways of giving priority to Leasiders.

So Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m consulting Leaside Life readers for suggestions. Are there fair and effective ways of doing this? What do you think? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d

really like to know. ___ The LPOA meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month, in the Trace Mains building near the Leaside Liibrary and tennis courts. These meeting are public and we invite you to join us with your questions, any concerns, or just plain interest. The next meeting is Jan. 7. â&#x2013;

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L

king for happiest people in Leaside Michael Bliss

Living in Leaside

workers; (b) trash collectors; (c) couriers; (d) TTC operators. I'm not sure why this is so -- if it's a union ploy then good for the unions -- and notice that it doesn't extend to taxi drivers.

A few weeks ago there was a possible case to be made that Leasiders with cheerful Re-Elect Parker signs on their lawns were a happier lot than the malcontents with the black Burnside signs.

But then, presto, on Oct. 27 that

all got reversed. Take note councillor: the lesson is that everything to do with political happiness is ephemeral.

It was on a recent Saturday morning when I encountered absolute, unconditional happiness. A four-year old was walking along Broadway with a lovely new stuffed dragon in one hand and holding on to his grandad with the other. Both the boy and the grandad, total strangers to me, beamed at me.

Yes, of course. Without doubt the happiest people in Leaside, invariably happy and happy to show and share their happiness, are grandparents out with their grandchildren. They're all, always beaming.

It's one of the axioms of life: grandparents are naturally happier than parents; children are naturally happiest when they're with their grandparents.

I have four grandchildren, but am completely unbiased in reaching this conclusion. â&#x2013;

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Who are the happiest people you'll see on the streets of Leaside?

Right away we can rule out certain groups -- everyone going to work, everyone coming home from work, and almost everyone at work in the neighbourhood. They all look grim and focussed, or grim and tired.

The tradesmen who are tearing down and rebuilding our community, and often seem to outnumber the residents, seem to exist in a world of their own, and are mostly oblivious to all other street life.

Too many joggers are the same.

They may well be happy, indeed high on endorphins, but their faces don't show it. They're maybe looking inwards, maybe hurting outwards, maybe mentally bopping to whatever is blasting in their headphones.

Actually hardly anyone equipped with headphones, earphones, smart phones, or other electronic devices ever looks happy. This rules out many of the teenagers we see.

A pack of teens without devices may well be deliriously happy as they generate high-decibal chatter - far too happy if they're doing this at 2 a.m. -- but their world stops completely at the boundary of their group. Nothing exists outside of it; the last thing that interests them is sharing any emotion with old folk, especially strangers.

One of the sad realities of our time is that most little children are well and properly programmed to project suspicion of or indifference to strangers crossing their path. It's lovely to be waved at or greeted by smiling toddlers, innocently open to the whole world. They'll soon change.

Mothers with newborns and other little ones often radiate happiness and are happy to share their joy.

But at least as often the moms seem harried, worried, tired.

Nannies' emotions seem to range from very pleasant cheerfulness -- they're liking their jobs -- to the deep boredom and perhaps loneliness of the culturally estranged. Dog-owners and paid dogwalkers fall into exactly the same categories.

One very positive change in recent years, I contend, is the increased friendliness of (a) postal

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Merry Christmas!

New Year’s Levee

Join me to celebrate the new year with refreshments & live entertainment!

In our Hood After three years of repairs the CNIB pedestrian bridge arcoss Bayview was officially reopened last month by Don Valley West MP John Carmichael. The bridge was 60 years old. The work was paid for by the federal government and CNIB donors Ron Sidon and Joseph Salek.

Sidon is a nearby neighbour of the CNIB, who approached Salek to help.

Both were excited about helping to maintain the safety of the bridge for CNIB clients and others who wanted to cross busy Bayview Ave.A well deserved award: Roger Cattell, McRae Dr., founder of the Slow Down/Kids at Play sign campaign, has been named this year’s Honorary Member of the Leaside Property Owners’ Association. He was presented with it at the LPOA’s annual general meeting Nov. 25. ___ More awards: Several Leasiders were winners of the inaugural Don Valley West Volunteer Awards presented in November by MP John Carmichael. They included Brian Athey, Brooke Biscoe, Carol Fripp, Renee Jacoby, Charlene Kalia, Geoff Kettel, William Pashby and Patrick Rocca. Fripp and Kettel were named partly for their association with Leaside Life. ___ Bayview’s Merchant of Tennis has been named Canada’s favourite small business in a contest held by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and Interac in October. The contest received over 700 nominations with 1,600 entries. The Merchant of Tennis flagship store in Bayview has been here for over 22 years, say owners Pam and Rob Harwood. They have been generous with donations to support community clubs in Leaside and nearby, and especially for the Doug Philpott Inner City Children’s Tennis Fund. ___ It’s now official: all that work at the corner of Laird and McRae, in the old CIBC building, will create a home for the Local Public Eatery concept of the Joey Restaurant Group. You’ll be able to drink cocktails served in a giant glass cowboy boot. ■

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Seniors beware: I don’t understand this either Leaside Life, December 2014

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Technology in our local schools has come a long way since the 1970s. The East York Board of Education, which encompassed Leaside then, was advanced with PETs and Commodore 64s. The programs were loaded into tapedecks and were clunky. And there still were blackboards, chalk and erasers.

Now, there are SMARTboards, laptops and iPads galore.

At Bessborough, for instance, under the leadership of new-to-the-school principal Patricia Broderick and vice-principal Caroline Rosenbloom, there are Arduino workshops for senior students.

Don’t know what that’s all about?

Neither did some of the teachers, who were provided with assistance to get them up to speed.

Arduino? It’s an open-source electronics platform based on easy to use hardware and software. It’s intended for anyone making interactive projects.

By writing code, the students can make the lights on the board go on and off, but to make it work, they need to understand the process, rather than blindly following the rules.

Even in the primary grades, there is an emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) as an integrated way for students to learn. A class

Lorna Krawchuk Publisher Leaside Life

might be out in the neighbourhood, armed with iPads to measure angles in a way that is more understandable to them than lines in a notebook.

At St. Anselm Catholic School, where Richard Walo has been principal since April of 2013, the students, starting with kindergarten on up, are using forms of social media, including Twitter and Skype to enlarge their world and their understanding of it, in addition to using programmes like Prodigy math to help boost math skills.

It is an interactive website that looks like a game, but is aligned to the Ontario curriculum. A newly-upgraded computer lab and additional hardware in the classrooms lead to more computer competence and confidence.

The generosity of the parent community has enabled the purchasing of the JUMP Math program for all students in grades 1 to 8. While not specifically technology-based, it is definitely not traditional rote-math, Dr. John Mighton, the founder of JUMP Math,

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Meanwhile, at Northlea, with David Ehrlich starting his second year as principal, most classrooms are equipped with white SMARTboards which can be used as projectors, with a computer hook up, or written on by hand with special pens. Some staff attended a weekend Google Camp workshop to learn the intricacies of SMARTboards, while other staff taught the course.

With the financial support of the school council, the entire school is wireless, and also has an array of iPads, laptops or notebooks. Chromebooks are on their way for the grade 6 students.

And last but not least: Rolph Road, where Michael Kennedy has been principal since January. Again, with the help of the school budget, donors and more, technology is on its way – a cart with new laptops for the library, new laptops for the primary team and the resource group, and iPads for the kindergarten team.

Students in the portables are getting some special perks. Their classrooms are wireless, have SMARTboards, and have two sets of 30 laptops being shared between the four portables. ■

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