LeasideLife issue 50 Final_LeasideLifev1 16-05-23 10:43 PM Page 1
No. 50 • June 2016
Leaside Life leasidelifenews.com
Skunk steals his scene –––
Page 18
t seems a long time since our first issue December 2011. There are many memories, but most important right I U THAN K YO now is the support we’ve received from readers and advertisers. Our readers have said we are important to for this the community, and you have passed on information, th edition of written many letters and articles. Our advertisers, without 50 whom we would not exist, have been with us since the days, some because they just want to support the Leaside Life early community. That’s why we are saying thank you, to you. ■
LPOA survey results PAGE 6
The Battle of the Billboard PAGE 23
DANIEL GIRARD
Leaside will not be split PAGE 30 Left to right: Matt, Heather and Will McCallum share a love of baseball.
Leaside’s biggest baseball season By DANIEL GIRARD About the only thing missing from Matt McCallum’s baseball debut was a Jose Bautistaesque bat flip. It would have been fitting since the success of Bautista and the Toronto Blue Jays have created the largest registration ever for the Leaside Baseball Association (LBA). Wearing a new uniform – No. 10 on the back, Beavers emblazoned on the front – and playing with new friends, Matt, 9, belted a three-run home run in just his second career at-bat in the season opener of the LBA Senior Rookie Ball House League in early May.
BASEBALL, Page 4
TRAFFIC MEETING Traffic problems, a major concern expressed by Leasiders when answering its recent survey, is the subject of an LPOA consultation meeting to present its traffic study’s objectives and goals. Leaside Gardens’ William Lea Room, 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 21.
LeasideLife issue 50 Final_LeasideLifev1 16-05-23 10:43 PM Page 2
Leaside Life, June 2016
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Problems with Raccoons and Squirrels CHECK OUT OUR SOLUTIONS
‘Animated retail space’ proposed for revised Bayview west site 939 Eglinton Ave E. (BRENTCLIFFE AND EGLINTON)
416-646-2439 www.UrbanNatureStore.ca
An “animated retail space” is how the Brown Group describes its groundfloor plans for the mixed-use development proposed for the west side of Bayview between Hillsdale and Soudan. Brown’s revised plans for seven stories instead of nine were presented to a residents meeting last month at Hodgson school. Several residents said they were happy with the ground-floor retail to complement the stores on the other side of Bayview. Adam Brown, a company spokesman, suggested that if the city does not give approval by the fall the Brown Group will appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. ■
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LeasideLife issue 50 Final_LeasideLifev1 16-05-23 10:43 PM Page 3
Leaside High students have lost their Perk
Leaside Leaside/Davisville's /Davisville's T Top o op Re Realtor* altor**
to the high school, but you can only do so if the weather permits. The new Tim Horton’s at Bayview and Eglinton is a popular choice, but it is lacking the familial atmosphere that McDonald’s had. Currently, the closest McDonald’s restaurant is at Yonge and Eglinton. The location has gained a lot of new business from Leaside teens trying to replace their old watering hole, but the distance is discouraging and much less convenient. Overall, although McDonald’s might not have been the healthiest option, it felt almost fundamental to the younger Leaside population. It had a sense of community that cannot be replaced or replicated; it was an inaugural rite of passage that many adolescent Leasiders went through. Now the challenge lies in the hands of current Leaside teens to find us all a new Central Perk; a new Malt Shop; a new McDonald’s. ■ Former Leaside student Hilary Hardie is now at McMaster University.
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The cast of Friends has Central Perk, the Fonz and his gang from Happy Days have the Malt Shop, and the youth of Leaside had McDonald’s at Bayview and Eglinton. Now, however, with the construction of the Bayview LRT, the popular meeting spot is no longer. The younger Leaside generation has been mourning the loss for the past few weeks, replaying the memories they have from there in their minds. My first high school lunch was spent there. On that day, the lines to the cash register were out the door; it was hectic. That did not matter though, for the sense of community was palpable. The restaurant was full of students reuniting after the summer break, hugging and laughing with each other. The atmosphere remained that way until the day of McDonald’s closure. It was a well-known fact that you could walk into McD’s, as students called it, at any hour of the day or night and be guaranteed to see someone you knew.
The demolition of this popular Leaside meeting spot begs the question: Where will young Leasiders congregate now? One major draw attributed to McDonald’s was its location. Not only was it a minute’s walk from Leaside High School, but it was a short walking distance from most Leaside homes. Furthermore, the staff at McDonald’s was adored by many adolescents. They did not enforce strict rules, which allowed everyone to feel relaxed. One student said that the entire student body was abuzz prior to and during the demolition. Anger, sadness and disappointment were just some of the emotions. When the day of the demolition finally arrived, students were in tears. As the corporate leaders of McDonald’s arrived on the scene, they were faced with teary-eyed students begging them to save their headquarters. Still, the question remains: Where will the youth of Leaside gather now? During the school day some teens choose to sit on the hill adjacent
Leaside Life, June 2016
By HILARY HARDIE
LeasideLife issue 50 Final_LeasideLifev1 16-05-23 10:43 PM Page 4
Baseball Leaside Life, June 2016
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From Page 1
“That was so much fun,” Matt said to his mom, Heather, on the postgame drive home. “I love this team.” Matt and his kid brother, Will, 7, are among dozens of new baseball players taking to neighbourhood fields this spring, part of a surge not seen for a generation, since the last time the Toronto Blue Jays made the playoffs, winning back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. “We’re up 30 per cent and that’s pretty much the same story I’m hearing at other associations,” says Howard Birnie, longtime president of the LBA, which is based at Howard Talbot Park at Bayview and Eglinton but plays at other fields around Leaside. “It’s all the enthusiasm about the Blue Jays.” About 850 youngsters from age 4 through a senior men’s team for those 21 and older are participating in LBA house leagues and playing on rep teams this season. Leaside Atom Baseball, the house league for boys aged 9 to 11, has expanded to its maximum capacity of 180 players on 12 teams with another 50 kids on a waiting list. “I think it’s wonderful,” says Birnie. “It’s great to see all these kids enjoying the game and getting involved in it. “The only downside is that we don’t have enough practice times on our fields.” For the McCallum brothers, the fire to be baseball players began burning during last fall’s playoff run by their big league heroes. “We were watching every game and totally into it,” says their mom. Unwilling to wait until the spring, the boys took part in a Friday night skills development program throughout the fall and winter. They learned about the game and key fundamentals. But it wasn’t until their senior rookie ball debut in April that it all really came together. “I don’t think they really knew what to expect,” says Mom. “They were all over that uniform.” After that first game, Will neatly folded his uniform and placed it on his bedroom dresser. “I love the game, we all do,” says Mom, who nurtured her love of baseball going to Blue Jays games at Exhibition Stadium with her dad when she was a young girl, a family tradition she and husband John have continued with their sons. “What’s great is to be able to share their interest in the game.” ■
LeasideLife issue 50 Final_LeasideLifev1 16-05-23 10:43 PM Page 5
Kim McCullough, the head coach of the Leaside Junior Wildcats’ women’s hockey team, has been named the Provincial Women’s Hockey League’s Coach of the Year for the 2015-2016 season. In just the second season coaching the Junior Wildcats, McCullough delivered the team’s best results ever in the 20-team league, finishing in sixth place with 53 points, 20 better than last season. ■
Kathleen Wynne, MPP DON VA ALL ALLEY WEST
All Don Valley Valley a West We residents are invited to…
CANADA CANAD A DAY DAY PICNIC PICN Friday, July 1, 2016 — 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute 135 Overlea Boulevard (Overlea & Don Mills)
Leonard’s Restaurant for sale after 42 years
Free food, information booths, live entertainment and fun for the Kids!
The Filipopoulos family has put Leonard’s Restaurant and the building up for sale after 42 years on Laird Dr. Brothers' Bill and George operated the restaurant until George died of cancer recently. Bill says he’s selling reluctantly because businesses on Laird will benefit from the LRT that’s expected to open in 2021. ■
Constituency Office: 795 Eglinton Ave E., Unit 101 To oronto, ON M4G 4E4 416-425-6777 Kwynne.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
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Leaside Life, June 2016
Leasider is women’s coach of the year
LeasideLife issue 50 Final_LeasideLifev1 16-05-23 10:43 PM Page 6
LPOA SURVEY RESULTS
Almost 92 percent of respondents gave thumbs down for 939 Eglinton
Leaside Life, June 2016
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The results of the LPOA survey about the proposed development at Eglinton and Laird, 939 Eglinton, show that 2,169 individual responses were received (once duplicates and out of area responses were removed) from the M4G postal code out of a total of 6,623 households. There was at least one response from over 25 percent of Leaside households. Almost 76 percent of respondents were aware of the development proposal prior to receiving the survey. Almost 92 percent of respondents felt that buildings over 11 stories were inappropriate for this site. Only 5.5 percent thought it appropriate. An overwhelming majority of the respondents (92.7 percent) didn’t think the development was appropriate for Leaside. Furthermore, 90 percent thought the number of dwelling units was excessive for the site. Interestingly, over 40 percent were either in agreement with the amount of retail and office space provided for or didn’t disagree with it. Other issues concerning residents and expressed by a majority of respondents included traffic, overcrowding of existing schools, increase in population, increase in on-street parking, impact on community safety and shadowing by the proposed tall buildings. About one third of respondents (731) provided additional written comments regarding the proposal. Well over 90 percent of them indicated the proposal was too big, too dense, too high and out of character for the Leaside area. â–
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LeasideLife issue 50 Final_LeasideLifev1 16-05-23 10:44 PM Page 7
LPOA SURVEY COMMENTS
Keep the Leaside character this is not Yonge & Eglinton
Against the development “Area schools are already full to capacity, with portables present. Where is the plan to accommodate the needs of families moving into these buildings?” __ “This is not Yonge & Eglinton.” __ “A 22 percent increase in dwellings is far too much for an already crowded neighborhood. Schools are already at or near capacity, traffic is already bad and will continue to get worse as the Leaside Business Park continues to grow. A more modest low- to mid-rise set of condominiums seems much more reasonable and less invasive.” __
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WELL DONE
For the development “The demographics alone show that children are on the decline so in a few years the schools’ capacity will be increasing as the number of kids going through the schools is decreasing. Let progress happen. If we let the snobs in Leaside decide we would still be in horse and buggy and lighting the gas lamps on the streets at night.” __ “I am, subject to some concerns, in favour of this project. Despite potential concerns (there always are) with a project of this magnitude, there is a very positive outlook for the Leaside neighbourhood in particular, and the city in general. The major positive effect will be on the tax base. Properly managed, this will be a very beneficial development for Leaside.” ■
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“I support intensification along Eglinton, but I believe it should be more in keeping with the character of Leaside. I support mid-rise buildings that will allow intensification but also permit neighbourhood cohesion and community.” __
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“Main concern is the increased traffic though the residential streets and also along Brentcliffe, Laird, and Eglinton. Currently, getting out of Leaside going east is horrendous with traffic along Wicksteed, Laird, McRae, Brentcliffe. Millwood and Eglinton are nearly unbearable at times. I expect traffic along those streets will be at a near standstill during peak hours if this development is allowed to go ahead.”
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Published once a month in Leaside,Toronto ON, by Ruth G. Publishing Inc., 66 Donegall Drive, Toronto ON, M4G 3G5 Circulation 9,000 to every door in M4G PUBLISHER: Lorna Krawchuk EDITORIAL: Harry Goldhar ADVERTISING: Ruth Goldhar GRAPHIC DESIGN: L. Choy
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Leaside Life, June 2016
From the 781 respondents providing written comments on the proposed Eglinton-Laird development we’ve chosen seven for a glimpse into the thoughts of Leaside residents.
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LeasideLife issue 50 Final_LeasideLifev1 16-05-23 10:44 PM Page 8
Leaside Life, June 2016
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LEASIDE LIBRARY, 165 McRae, 416-396-3835 ADULT and TEEN PROGRAMMING: – Adult Colouring Party. Experience latest relaxation trend. Colouring sheets, crayons, markers and relaxing music supplied. Recurring Tuesdays, June 7, 14, 21, 28, 7-8:15 p.m. – Advanced Care Planning. Registered Nurse Heather Webb discusses creating end of life care plans. Wednesday, June 8, 7-8 p.m. Drop in. – Tim Falconer. Author of Bad Singer, Wednesday, June 22, 7-8:15 p.m. – How to Use your Tablet. Saturday, June 4, 10-11:30 a.m. – Leaside Needleworx Group (knitting and crocheting). Bring your own projects or start something new. Recurring Fridays, June 3-24, 10-11:45 a.m. Everyone welcome. – Leaside Writers’ Group. Saturdays, June 11, 25, 1011.45 a.m. Drop in. – Momin’s Fine Art. Ongoing exhibit. June 1-30. Community Room. No charge. – Play Reading Group. A thought-provoking play from comedy to award-winning drama. Saturday, June 18, 10-12 p.m. Call to register. – Puzzles/Games Night. Mondays, June 6-27. 7-8:15 p.m. Everyone welcome. – Revelo E-bikes. Discusses entrepreneurship. Wednesday, June 15, 7-8:15 p.m. – Sri Chat Presents. Examines risk factors and treatments for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Wednesday, June 1, 7-8:15 p.m. Drop in. CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING: – Family Time. Arts and crafts. Wednesday, June 1, 10-11 a.m. – STEM Program. Friday, June 10, 2-3 p.m. – TD Summer Reading Club. Ongoing event. Starts June 25. Ask staff for assistance. OUTSIDE GROUPS: – Discover Your Heritage. Explore Ontario of yesterday and today with Barry Penhale and special guests. Tuesday, June 7, 2-4 p.m. Marjorie McLeod 416-4251392. – Leaside Garden Society. Thursday, June 9. 7:309:30 p.m. Curtis Evoy will provide a demonstration of vertical gardening. 416-422-0538, leaside@gardenontario.org. — June Kid’s Club, Leaside Presbyterian Church. Friday, June 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Open to children JKGrade 7, Grade 8 and up helpers welcome. Community service available to high school students. $30 per child and $50 per family. Subsidized funding. To register 416-422-0510, Ext. 25. St. Cuthbert’s Church. Father’s Day service and brunch. Sunday, June 19. Church service 10 a.m., brunch 11:30 a.m. Everyone welcome. No charge for brunch. Bring your entire family. Leacrest Annual Yard Sale. Saturday, June 18, 9 a.m.2 p.m. Bake sale, books and much more. Parking on Leacrest Rd. St. Augustine's Church. 1847 Bayview. The Groove Room Coffee House, Friday, June 10, 7-8:30 p.m. Live music by local artists. Performance by Perry. $5 cost includes coffee and dessert. All proceeds towards a Syrian refugee family. Augustine@bellnet.ca.
LeasideLife issue 50 Final_LeasideLifev1 16-05-23 10:44 PM Page 9
GEOFF KETTEL
Leaside Life, June 2016
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Premier Kathleen Wynne with her umbrella and her walk followers.
On a retail walk with Premier Wynne By GEOFF KETTEL
Geoff Kettel
Saving old Leaside
“Squash and soar” - that’s architect Joe Lobko’s design solution for how the 80,000 additional people will be accommodated in the Toronto area annually.
That’s why he sees the Canadian Tire site, at Eglinton and Laird, as ripe for intensive development, as well as other sites close to LRT stations along Eglinton. That’s not a new concept, especially to the Leasiders present, that accompanied
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LeasideLife issue 50 Final_LeasideLifev1 16-05-23 10:44 PM Page 10
Lobko on the Jane’s Walk, Premier Kathleen Wynne, and Jane Farrow, former executive director of Jane’s Walk, on a Saturday afternoon walk down Laird Dr. But the main focus of the walk, from the Premier’s constituency office on Eglinton just west of Laird, to Lea Ave., was retail. Lobko dutifully explained the history, how it was once a thriving industrial area with manufacturing from paint and chemicals to automobiles and electronics. When those companies moved away the city allowed commercial development fronting on the main arterials at the edge of the industrial area. As a result, Laird now mainly demonstrates the evolving forms of big box retail from Canadian Tire (box on a parking lot) to the Smart Centre, south of Wicksteed (multiple boxes straddling a large parking lot), to the more articulated design of the First Capital shopping centre (Longo’s). At one point we confronted the stark open pit of the Smart Centre north site (Walmart?) about to become a giant underground parking lot, and wondered whether the caroriented retail of this type is really progress. “It won’t be here for long,” said Lobko. “These uses are all tem-
Leaside Life, June 2016
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porary.” (I guess we are temporary too, when looked at in that time frame). Jane’s Walk is billed as “citizenled tours towards community-based city building”. The more people we educate about the urban landscape, and how it evolves the better. But we did not learn much about what the Premier feels about all this change just down the road from her constituency office. Someone asked whether the well-paying industrial jobs now replaced with low-paying retail jobs could be induced to return. How about repurposing the old industrial warehouses for creative and green industries? “We’re investing in an LRT” was her response. As one participant said about all this retail, “Whichever way you look at it, it’s still monoculture.” In the end this was, as billed, a participatory walk down Laird with the Premier (and friends). A remarkable event? No, but an occasion to marvel at the Premier’s willingness, and appreciate Canada’s open milieu, that allowed us to participate together in an educational walk in Leaside’s “edge” on a Saturday afternoon in early May. ■
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CONFUSION ABOUT CREMATION
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Leaside Life, June 2016
LeasideLife issue 50 Final_LeasideLifev1 16-05-23 10:44 PM Page 11
A service provider arranges for cremation and must be licensed by the Province, such as many of our staff at Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel are. For free advice and competitive pricing, contact:
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LeasideLife issue 50 Final_LeasideLifev1 16-05-23 10:44 PM Page 12
The $1.2 million plan for a new Trace Manes park Leaside Life, June 2016
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By WILL ASHWORTH
2014 in a traffic accident at Millwood and McRae. It is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2018. The rejuvenation project comes with a budget of $1.2 million, which
Trace Manes’ playground will soon get a makeover, one that’s badly needed, and honours the memory of Georgia Walsh who was killed in July
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includes the building of a fence around the entire perimeter of the playground, a rubberized surface allowing for wheelchair accessibility, new playground equipment for varied age groups and special needs, shading to protect kids and adults from the sun, improved seating and a splash pad that’s accessible to all. Shovels are expected in the ground by the fall of 2017. Georgia Walsh loved playing at the Trace Manes playground. She is the inspiration behind the project says her mom, Jillian Walsh. It’s also a fitting way, says Walsh, for her family to show their appreciation to the community for all the support they’ve received in the wake of Georgia’s accident. The Remembering Georgia Walsh organization, which is dedicated to celebrating Georgia’s life, has raised $200,000 to date from proceeds of the first annual Georgia Walsh Memorial All-Star Games held last August as well as word of mouth donations. The committee expects to raise the remaining funds by the end of 2016. While its fundraising initiatives to date have been low-key, Walsh and the rest of the committee are ramping up their grassroots fundraising strategy as we head into the second half of 2016. It has created a leadership committee whose task is to raise approximately $500,000. Members of the committee include former Don Valley West MP John Carmichael. Fundraising initiatives already planned include the 2016 Georgia Walsh Memorial All-Star Games
LeasideLife issue 50 Final_LeasideLifev1 16-05-23 10:44 PM Page 13
Leaside resident Elspeth Koor has won an Ontario Volunteer Award for her 10 years of work raising $200,000 for Lupus Ontario. The Koor family has hosted the annual Walk for Lupus for several years. â–
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Ba Bayview yview & Fleming F 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
In brief Stickney Ave. is now part of Leaside. The name change from Markham Ave. became official in May when a group of friends and admirers gathered to honour the former teacher and baseball coach who died last year while coaching a team at Talbot Park.
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Leaside Life, June 2016
on Saturday, August 27, at Trace Manes Park, as well as the Jump for Georgia fundraisers scheduled to take place at 12 area schools during May and June, teaching kids at those schools about pedestrian and road safety. Future events still in the planning stages include Night Out on the Town, an evening of big band entertainment sponsored by Amsterdam Brewery and Grill Time Gourmet Meat Shop as well as the Circle of Life to buy a brick that becomes part of a circle around a tree. However, a major portion of the funds will be raised in a grassroots style through the efforts of the seven members of the leadership committee. In addition, through its partnership with the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation, they are working on getting a raffle licence and will likely run a Luxury Prize Draw offering three high end prizes. Every cent raised goes directly to the project with all donations of $10 or more receiving a charitable tax receipt from the foundation. While Walsh and the committee fully expect to meet their goal by the end of the year it won’t be able to count on the city for financial support. There’s no money for these kinds of projects. “I’ve learned a lot about the huge costs it requires to maintain the city’s deteriorating parks equipment,â€? says Walsh. “Most rejuvenation projects get private money. The city has an 85-year playground equipment cycle; Trace Manes isn’t even on the 10-year waiting list.â€? To learn more and to make a donation go to the Remembering Georgia Walsh website, www.Remembering GeorgiaWalsh.com. â–
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LeasideLife issue 50 Final_LeasideLifev1 16-05-23 10:44 PM Page 14
KILGOUR ESTATE
Urban living where cattle used to roam
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About 12 years ago Daniels Corporation began marketing a new condominium community they were developing on a parcel of land between CNIB and Holland Bloorview. In their promotional literature, they wrote about how the development was built on land that was once the estate of Joseph Kilgour and, with a nod to history, called their development Kilgour Estate. My late wife and I downsized to Kilgour Estate a few years ago. It seemed like an interesting project to investigate the history of the estate for our community newsletter, Talk of 21. In the late 1800s and early 1900s this area was farmland consisting of long narrow swaths stretching from Bayview Ave. to Leslie St. In 1909, Joseph Kilgour purchased about 200 acres of farmland north of Eglinton from the Burke family (I wonder where the name for Burke Brook came from?). Kilgour named his property Sunnybrook Farm — and his home, York Lodge — and today we can still see his farm buildings at Sunnybrook Stables. In addition to his hunters Kilgour also maintained dairy cattle and draught horses. At the time, Joseph was a 57-yearold bachelor; he was not a farmer but a businessman. He partnered with his older brother Robert, and Kilgour Bros. manufactured paper products, and most notably, the recently invented flat bottom paper bag, in their factory at 21 Wellington St. Joseph was also president of the Canada Paper Company, a firm Kilgour Bros. had recently acquired. In this same time frame, the Canadian Northern Railway Company was purchasing large blocks of land, including the acreage north of Eglinton Ave., and in 1913 incorporated the Town of Leaside. It would be interesting to know if the railway approached Joseph Kilgour about his land because the Burke Brook ravine would have made a much more natural northern Leaside boundary than the current one north of Glenvale Blvd. In 1912 Kilgour married Alice Margaret Grand, the 48-year-old widow of T. G. Bright. He brought her to York Lodge, which was located roughly where the Donwoods Institute sits today. In the early 1900s, with fewer trees than are here today the view over the farm and valley below must have been impressive.
WILL ASHWORTH
Leaside Life, June 2016
By ALLEN MACLURE
ALLEN MACLURE at the gate of Kilgour Estate. Have you ever strolled north to the end of Sutherland Dr. on a sunny afternoon? Did you notice the stone gates on each side of the street at the entrance to Lyndhurst Hospital and the old white stucco house just beyond? If so, you have seen the south entrance to the original Kilgour estate. In 2005 city council included these, together with the stucco house, on its inventory of historic properties. For much of their life at York Lodge, the Kilgours’ neighbour to the south was the Leaside Aerodrome. Joseph Kilgour died in Florida in January 1925 (likely the first Kilgour Estate snowbird!). A few years later his widow Alice Kilgour donated most of Sunnybrook Farm to the City of Toronto for the cre-
ation of a park in his memory. Today this is, of course, Sunnybrook Park. Alice Kilgour retained York Lodge and surrounding lands and continued living there until she sold it to David Dunkelman, president of Tip Top Tailors, in 1930. Six years later it was transferred to Captain James Flanigan who renamed it Divadale. At the start of World War II, the Department of Veteran Affairs recognized that a new hospital for veterans was needed in Toronto and began the search for a site. The city suggested that Sunnybrook Park might be a suitable location. Negotiations were held with the trustees of the Kilgour estate and an agreement was reached for a portion KILGOUR, Page 20
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THE CHURCHES OF LEASIDE
Three generations behind church architecture By ALLAN WILLIAMS June 1 marks the 75th anniversary of the official opening of Leaside United Church at Millwood and McRae. “The building was designed,” says North Leaside resident Doug Brown, “in the Gothic Revival style that was very popular for churches built in the first half of the 20th century, modelled on an English cathedral but on the scale of a parish church.” He ought to know. The retired architect was the third generation member of his family to head the architectural firm that was once the leading designer of churches in Canada and designed Leaside United. Doug’s grandfather, J. Francis Brown, established the firm in 1891 when he set out on his own after serving apprenticeship for several Toronto architects, including Wm. Kauffman for whom he worked on the Gooderham (Flat Iron) Building. Doug’s father, Bruce Brown, took over leadership of the firm from his father in 1942; Doug joined the firm in 1962 and was senior partner from 1972 until his retirement 20 years ago. “Our firm designed over 120 churches across the country – from Halifax to Lethbridge – including at least 80 in the Toronto area, and five right here in Leaside. For a while in the 1950s we were building 10 or 15 churches a year. “We’ve designed churches for all denominations but more United than any other.” Leaside United is special for Brown because all three generations of his family were involved. “My grandfather designed the original church sanctuary – it was actually one of the last projects that he worked on – that was built in 194041. My father designed the north wing, including the hall, that was built in 1950-51, as well as the organ chamber in 1956, and I designed the south wing, including the offices and Sunday School rooms, that was built in 1968. It’s been a family affair.” He shows a photograph taken on the front steps of LUC on opening day, June 1, 1941, showing his grandTHREE, Page 17
ALLAN WILLIAMS
Leaside Life, June 2016
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Doug Brown, the third generation architect for Leaside United Church.
J. Francis Brown, at far left, the first architect at the official opening June 1, 1941.
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LEASIDE UNITED CHURCH
From Leaside, edited by Jane Pitfield Not until 1928 was the need for a United Church in Leaside considered urgent. With the opening of the Leaside Viaduct in 1927, development of the community was rapid. Reverend James Miller canvassed the area and called residents affiliated with the United Church to a meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. G. D. Bird on December 6, 1928. He informed those present that the land, which had been purchased at the corner of Millwood and McRae as early as 1925, was available and that a portable building over on Manor Road was also available for use. Agreement was reached that night and those present became the first Board of Managers: Gil D. Bird, Chairman; Cecil J. Woodard, Secretary; Edwin Smith, Treasurer; R. Hancock, Envelope Secretary; John Girard and John Dawson, Property Committee. The congregation was represented by J. Sherbett. The Manor Road building was moved to its new location and the Canada Varnish Company provided the paint to freshen-up the new "church." The Women's Association made curtains for the windows. One hundred chairs were purchased for $75.00, along with a stove and pipe for $23.90. The first minister
Three
From Page 16
father in the back left, along with the minister, the Rev. Harry Mellow, in front, and eleven other officials of the congregation and the denomination – all men. Today the minister, director of Christian education and director of music are all women. The Rev. Emily Gordon just assumed her duties as minister on April 24. Leaside United is her first call (permanent placement) after an internship in Kincardine and a short term appointment at Trinity St. Paul’s in Toronto. April 24 was a big day for the church. In addition to welcoming Gordon and thanking The Rev. David Macdonald who had served as in-
was Rev. Dr. Alexander Mac-Gillivray who was paid $7.00 per Sunday. Mrs. Dawson conducted the Sunday school. A back room served as kitchen and minister's study, as well as being the Sunday School room where Mrs. Gil D. Bird was one of the teachers; she taught there for twelve years. Soon there were socials and concerts, sleigh rides and bowling nights, and Mrs. William Page found the means to buy hymn books. Meanwhile, the Building Committee was charged with the responsibility of investigating what it would take to erect a larger permanent church, but three
terim pastor for the previous six months, the church also celebrated its new status, after two years of education and preparation, as an Affirming Congregation, “meaning one that is inclusive and welcoming of all people,” says Gordon, “without barrier due to age or disability, gender or sexual orientation.” The guest speaker that day was The Rev. Judith Evenden, one of Canada’s first openly gay ordained ministers, and attending that service were both the MP, Rob Oliphant, and his partner Marco Fiola, and the MPP, Premier Kathleen Wynne, and her partner Jane Rounthwaite. “It was one of the most uplifting experiences of worship that I’ve ever attended,” says Bob Lister, who along with his wife Lis, have been attending Leaside United since the 1970s.
years would pass before the new church could open. In 1939, the auditorium of Leaside School (now Bessborough) became available for services and seventy new members joined, swelling the size of the congregation even more. The first sod for the new church was turned on October 5 and the foundation stone was laid on November 2, 1940. The architects for this new structure were J. Francis Brown and Son. The exterior walls of the church were to be “of finest Credit Valley stone,” creating a very imposing building. In 194l, the church was completed and opened its doors for its first service, conducted by the minister Reverend Harry Mellow. The church membership continued to expand and, by 1949, when Reverend Charles C. Murray became the minister, the Sunday School attendance was 704 in total! Soon, there was a need for a Christian Education Wing as the number of people attending Sunday School grew rapidly to 1,200. The school was operating four “shifts.” Correspondingly, the congregation grew from 900 in 1949 to 1,600 in 1951. A Casavant organ was installed in 1950 and a beautiful memorial window was designed by Mr. Murray, of the old Leaside Murray family. This window, unveiled in 1955, commemorates those whose lives were sacrificed in the war. The window can still be seen today. ■
Lister chairs the Refugee Settlement committee. “Another way that we’re inclusive and welcoming is that we’ve been sponsoring refugees for almost 40 years,” says Lister. “Our first family came from Viet Nam in 1979. Since then Leaside United has welcomed refugee families from Guatemala, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Iran and Iraq. And now we’re working with other churches and groups in the area to bring two Syrian families to Toronto.” Leaside United is well-known for its Awesome Sale held twice a year and organised by stalwart George Hurst and a big team of volunteers. This fall’s sale, held May 13 and 14, raised $32,000 to reach more than $700,000 over the past 20 years. THREE, Page 32
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New Leaside viaduct led to a new church
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Curious Idler
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Leaside Life, June 2016
Skunk steals the scene from Damon
Becky White, along with many other Leasiders, had her photo taken with Matt Damon, who, she said, “was very sweet with a few young kids. getting down to their level for a picture for a selfie”.
Matt Damon kept a super low profile when dropping by a movieland trailer camp that recently sprang up beside the out-of-the-way Loblaws store on Redway Rd. “Matt drove by in a black Chevy,” said a manager, Dion Flambouras. “But I don’t think he came in the store.” The secretive star has created quite a buzz in Leaside while shooting the movie Downsizing, especially after a reported casting call went out for extras prepared to appear nude on the big screen. At about the same time, perhaps whiffing fame, a skunk made a scene-stealing ap-
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Leaside Life, June 2016
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Leaside Life, June 2016
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pearance on a Bessborough Dr. lawn as dog walker Becky White and other spectators watched filming by the movie crew. As White 20 tells it: “A police officer hired to direct traffic alerted the crowd facing the shoot that a skunk was behind us.” The crew quickly crossed the street to take pictures of the skunk. Did the critter get the intoxicating whiff of stardom, one wonders? Leasiders near a smart bungalow at 62 Vanderhoof Ave. recently had to endure a nerve-wracking “giant house party that was loud, raucous and (which) spilled onto the street,” according to one upset neighbour. “People were urinating on lawns (and) sitting on neighbours’ cars.” Police had to be called. More monster parties are feared because the bungalow is offered for rent on Airbnb for weekends, or even just one day and night. “I don’t know anything about this property. I am just a broker,” said Alan Newton, whose company name appears on a For Lease sign on the lawn. His office put The Idler in contact with colleague Sam Seirafianpour, who handles leasing inquiries. The family who owns the prop-
erty “is asking for $2,500 a month for the whole house,” he said. The lease would be for a year, or a little longer, after which the property likely will be torn down. “The family is flexible” on rental term, he added. While not handling the separate Airbnb inquiries, Seirafianpour said the new bungalow owners are seeking $300 for a weekend -- or $250 a night -- because “the family wants to make some money”. The Airbnb ad says the “cozy, spacious” bungalow can accommodate five people, but added there is “no charge” for extra visitors. “Pixies” are beautifying Bayview. Led by Debora Kuchme, eight volunteers have been weeding, mulching and planting under trees. “We’ve planted 750 Purple Beauty Creeping Phlox so far,” says Kuchme. “But we’ve more to do. We need 20 volunteers in all.” Biggest irritant for Pixies: “People who use planters for cigarette butts and trash. That’s just disrespectful,” says Kuchme. Some stone workers building garden walls, driveways and patios in Leaside this summer have been seen not using respirator masks, head gear, safety glasses and wet saws to
protect themselves – AND the public – from dangerous airborne dust, an Ontario safety official has told The Idler. Clouds of dust spewed when cutting brick, stone and concrete aren’t harmless. Such clouds often contain fine particles of crystalline silicate that can be inhaled, scar lungs and cause irreversible lung disease years later, the official said. This can sometimes prove fatal. Concerned Leasiders can call the Ontario Ministry of Labour’s Call Centre, 1-877-202-0008. Four green and yellow Davey trucks with boom buckets have been busy in Leaside. They’re being used to trim 600 trees in three weeks. “It’s not a lot, really,” said a Davey Tree arborist after he expertly lopped branches high in the canopy, and watched a worker below chip them in a wink of an eye. Food for thought: The Idler suggests Leaside Property Owners’ Association start an annual Oscars award ceremony for architects who design the best Leaside-friendly newbuilds or major extensions. And Razzie awards could also recognize the worst architectural efforts. ■
Kilgour From Page 14
of the park to be deeded to Veterans Affairs. Construction of Sunnybrook Hospital was started in 1944; it officially opened in 1948. Meanwhile, Flanigan converted Divadale into a convalescent home for veterans. After the war, it, and the land out to Bayview Ave., was turned over to Veterans Affairs. It continued for many years as a wing of Sunnybrook Hospital. Over time, Veterans Affairs deeded pieces of the lands to other institutions starting with the CNIB in 1950. In 2004, with redevelopment pressures mounting on the lands along the northern border of Leaside, the city developed a context plan for this area to provide guidelines and a framework for development. The plan identified the need to preserve the trees along the original estate driveway, or Grand Allee. The walking path along the top of the Burke Brook ravine was the Grand Allee into the estate. Today, the remaining evenly spaced trees that lined the driveway so many years ago are best seen behind Holland Bloorview and Lyndhurst, as well as from my Kilgour Estate condominium. ■
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John Parker I note the letter to the editor in your May issue outlining the “threat to the welfare and quality of life” of Leaside from “proposed and yet to be disclosed redevelopment projects unleashed by the Crosstown LRT”. The letter blames this calamity on “the amalgamation of the six boroughs of the old Metropolitan Toronto” in 1998. It endorses the claim, expressed elsewhere as well, that things would be better if Toronto’s amalgamation were to be reversed and things were returned to the way they used to be. Well, maybe. But maybe not. The Ontario government notes that the Greater Toronto Area is the fastest growing region in the province. Its analysts predict that our population will increase by about 50 percent within 25 years, adding 3 million people to an area that is already feeling the effects of sudden and unprecedented population growth. It anticipates that the GTA will be home to 9.5 million residents by the time today’s kindergarten kids enter the workforce. There is no credible observer to be found who expresses a substantially different outlook. I would suggest it is this sudden recent population increase and the predictions of extraordinary future increases that are the cause of the “redevelopment” projects that abound in our community. In the face of this reality, both the provincial government and the City of Toronto need to hold to strategies aimed at accommodating population growth that don’t rely on the surrender of more farmland to suburban sprawl, and which protect as much as possible the nature and character of existing communities. A key element of any such strategy will be a policy to enhance high order transit service along identified corridors and to direct future residential development to those corridors. The Eglinton Crosstown LRT is a welcome component of such a policy. The Crosstown should have more stops that serve the communities along its route than Metrolinx intends to provide. That said, the introduction of high order transit is none the less the best
LETTERS leasidelife@gmail.com Letters may be edited. thing Leaside residents could wish for to help ensure the future welfare and protect the quality of life of their community in the face of Toronto’s increasing population. Properly managed residential intensification along the length of the Crosstown – and along improved transit corridors on other major Toronto arteries – will reduce development pressures within our existing communities and employment zones. It will also reduce the number of cars that spill onto our neighbourhood streets in search of an alternative to major roadways that would otherwise become increasingly congested with commuters who face long daily travel distances with no way to move except by private car. In the face of the predicted increase in population and urban complexity, Leaside residents will cry out for more coordination amongst the various services that are provided by municipal government, not more fragmentation. It is all very well to look to the past and wish ourselves back to the day when Leaside was effectively a selfcontained village with a captive industrial tax base, where the most pressing demand put on City Hall was for the pothole in front of your house to be filled in by dinnertime – and where, if it wasn’t, the mayor would hear from you that evening. Those days are not so long past. But just the same, they exist in the past only. The future of Leaside is that of a community that continues to be the envy of others, but one that has a place within a large and growing urban environment in which systems and connections are increasingly complex, costly, and interwoven.
Municipal revenues in future will be applied more comprehensively over an ever-increasing range of purposes. It will be necessary for key municipal planning and service delivery decisions to be made with an increased sense of their impact on a more complex metropolitan whole, and it will be necessary for metropolitan scale decisions to be made with increased sensitivity to their impact on local communities, including ours. This is not the result of municipal amalgamation; it is the result of growth and modernization. And the Eglinton Crosstown is not the cause of the challenges that the future will bring; it is one of the solutions. John Parker, Cameron Cres. On reading Leaside Life, at first blush one might conclude that everyone is the lucky owner of a house or condo that he awaits to sell at an excellent price, the said price increasing month by month. He is, as the proverbial saying goes, waiting “to laugh his way to the bank”. Skipping along with him (or her), it seems, are all the realtors. On the other hand, the renters have to deal with the same irritating noise from road construction (LRT) with no such financial incentive to be incredibly patient. Their rent goes up and the rental situation in Toronto often prohibits them from seeking greener pastures. Obviously this is said partly in jest; yet I am concerned in earnest about the absence of the voice of the renters in our Leaside community. Leaside is no longer a haven of peace. Drivers becoming more and more restless, just crossing the street is a perilous journey. Suzanne Legault, Aerodrome Cres. The owners of Sunnybrook Plaza want to build a condo development containing more than 400 units. These will be very attractive to new residents because the site is adjacent to the Leaside LRT station.
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Leaside Life, June 2016
I would suggest it is... sudden recent population increase and the predictions of extraordinary future increases that are the cause of the ‘redevelopment’ projects that abound in our community.
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Leaside Life, June 2016
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Unfortunately, no station entrance is planned for this corner. Residents of these condos and most of the TTC commuters in the western North Leaside will have to cross the intersection to get to a station entrance. The Bayview-Eglinton intersection is quite busy during rush hour, and many cars are turning. Those going left will have a separate lane for waiting for an advanced green arrow or a gap in oncoming and pedestrian traffic. Bayview will have right-turn/bus stop lanes. It is not clear if Eglinton will have right turn lanes. If not, cars wanting to turn right will block one through lane while waiting for a gap in pedestrian traffic. But with more commuters having to cross the street to get to and from the station entrances, the wait could last most of the traffic light cycle. Of course, this will not be a problem with just this intersection. With major condo developments in the works along the Eglinton LRT, other intersections will experience increased pedestrian traffic, both going to and from the LRT and just going to local shops, visiting friends, or going for a walk, with or without a dog. There will be increased car traffic from all these developments, since not all the residents will be able to commute or shop on foot or by TTC. The
existing four-way stop signs will be needed to give people a chance to cross the busier side streets safely. The only place where we can do anything to reduce pedestrian interference with vehicle traffic is where there are LRT stations, which will have underground routes for pedestrians. If all corners at an LRT station had an entrance, commuters would not be crossing the road to get to the stations and they would not interfere with vehicle traffic as much. If developments adjacent to stations had direct access from their lobbies, residents would be more likely to cross underground even if their trips were not to the LRT There will be a significant increase in pedestrian traffic around the LRT stations. Additional station entrances would reduce pedestrian street crossings and hence would allow better vehicle traffic flow. P. A. Reid, Annesley Ave. Ed. Note: Metrolinx says, “Similar to TTC stations, most of the 15 undersground stations for the Eglinton Crosstown with have two entrances.� There will be a secondary entrance on the north-west corner of Bayview and Eglinton and one also at the Laird station, south of Eglinton, just east of Laird. RioCan would be responsible for an entrance at the north-east corner of Bayview and Eglinton.
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LeasideLife issue 50 Final_LeasideLifev1 16-05-23 10:45 PM Page 23
THE BATTLE OF THE BILLBOARD Geoff Kettel
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A TOUGH DECISION
Cheaper sports vs. visual pollution Are we conflicted over the cost-saving interests of sports-loving families in Leaside with the rights of area residents to enjoy their homes free of visual pollution that could reduce traffic safety? I am. The decision to be made is about Leaside Memorial Community Gardens’ (LMCG) application for a large new LED sign to replace the existing front-lit sign at Millwood Rd. At the May 12 community consultation meeting, Ray White, chair of the LMCG board, spoke passionately about the need for a modern landmark sign for the Gardens, and the resolve of the board to increase financial self-sufficiency. The new sign would potentially raise rental revenue to $45,000 annually from $9,000 currently. The sign would stand at a height of 11 metres (36 feet, or three storeys high) and contain two sign faces, higher and approximately twice the size of the existing sign. The site is designated as an Open Space sign district, and digital third party signs are not permitted. The sign company, Outfront Media, has applied for an exemption to the sign by-law. From May 1 of this year the Gardens’ existing sign has been given over to selling the digital sign application: We’re on Your (Lea) Side, it says, along with images of a boy hockey player (south face) and girl ice skater (north face) and below, a website link, www.onyourleaside.com. Go to the website and if you complete a survey you qualify for a draw for a $300 prize. Unfortunately this is the most blatantly one-sided survey I've seen in a long time. Before you get to answer any questions you are told that the new sign generates four times the revenue to LMCG, provides for free Gardens and community messaging, at no cost to the LMCG or the community. No cost? The major issues with digital are the level of distraction for drivers, and the view impacts for residents, compared with traditional signs.
The proposed billboard for the arena. At the May 12 community consultation meeting, the sign company representatives denied there was any link between digital signs and vehicle accidents. However, consider this: digital billboards are specifically intended to attract your eyes off the road – that’s their entire purpose. When the city was considering the digital sign by-law back in 2013, the Ipsos Reid poll commissioned by the city found that nearly three times as many Toronto drivers find digital signs distracting as compared to traditional billboards. Jerry Wachtel, a Berkeley-based traffic safety expert, concluded, based on a survey of the literature, that, “Every study in the past five years has produced consistent findings: that roadside billboards, especially digital and video, cause significant levels of driver distraction. These distractions result in poorer speed control and lane positioning, and may increase crashes in demanding situations when unexpected events occur.” And in this case, the complex Millwood/Laird intersection makes it a dangerous intersection. The one or two seconds you spend looking at a sign is one or two fewer seconds you have to respond to someone suddenly braking ahead of you. This is the rationale behind the ban on cellphone use while driving. There is also the impact on nearby residents. The sign company representatives admit they are concerned about light nuisance, and quickly advised that the law requires that the sign’s illumination be shut off at 11 p.m. And Ray White offered that the LMCG would consider an earlier shut off for the north west facing sign face. The residents most directly affected would be less than 100 metres away; the new owners of the still unbuilt Upper House condos at 25 Malcolm Rd. on the former Post Office site with units facing Millwood Rd. I asked the realtor
if she was advising condo buyers about the greatly altered view they could face and she did not answer my question, but responded that she would be “happy to sign the petition” (presumably in opposition?). Residents of Krawchuk Lane and Malcolm Rd. were at the community consultation meeting and voiced their concerns. The other issue for the community is precedent. This is an important consideration, and cannot be conclusively addressed. Comparison of the community reaction between this sign and another recent digital sign application by Outfront Media in, or close to, our community is instructive. That was a single face sign application on the rail overpass on Eglinton east of Leslie St. In that case, the application was withdrawn by the company when 25 letters of opposition were filed, mainly from residents of the Carrington condos on Leslie, which are located about 250 metres from the sign. In this case, because the revenue will subsidize kids’ sport, we are asked to be "on Lea side" and not think about the implications (as we do for every other development application). In fact the potential cost to the community is far from nil. We need to weigh the costs carefully. The application for an exemption to the by-law will go to Planning and Growth Management Committee (PGMC) on June 15, and subsequently to City Council on July 12 for decision. The decision makers, including Councillor Burnside, need to hear from the community. You can let your views be known in several ways. You can attend the next LPOA meeting on June 1 when the LPOA will vote on the matter; you can write to PGMC (pgmc@toronto.ca) copying Jon Burnside (Councillor_Burnside@toronto.ca), and to City Council (clerk@toronto.ca). Watch the LPOA web site for further details of the agendas. ■
Leaside Life, June 2016
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Saving old Leaside
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Will Ashworth The business of Leaside
Leaside Life, June 2016
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THE BATTLE OF THE BILLBOARD
The LPOA is misguided I don’t have kids. Never will. It just isn’t a priority in my life. That doesn’t mean I can’t understand issues involving kids. Recently, the powers that be at the Leaside Property Owners’ Association (LPOA) have taken it upon themselves to exercise their democratic right to create problems for proposed digital signs in both Leaside and outside the M4G borders. It believes digital signs of any kind are a distraction to drivers and a significant threat to the general well-being of Leasiders. A public consultation meeting was held May 12 at Leaside Memorial Community Gardens. Up for discussion was a Notice Of Application Sign By-Law Amendment to erect a new, and slightly bigger sign on the most easterly part of the arena parking lot immediately adjacent to Millwood Rd. Without getting into the nittygritty of this proposal, the new sign will be 15 feet higher than the old, double-sided one. However, because it’s bigger and digital, it will generate an additional $35,000 in annual revenue (350 percent increase over current sign) for the arena. This is important to note because the hourly rates at the arena are already $20 higher than they were prior to the arena expansion. It desperately needs additional revenue streams. To greenlight the sign would likely mean no additional increases in ice time fees would be necessary for the foreseeable future. The LPOA sent out an email to its subscriber list prior to the meeting reminding those in the community concerned about the impact digital signs will have on our “quality of life” to come out and express their views on the matter so city staff fully understand why the sign’s a bad idea. That’s me reading between the lines. The actual message read: “The proposed sign is at a height of 11 metres (35 feet) and is 3M high
The current billboard at the arena. and 10.67M long, and to be placed on the Millwood Rd. frontage of the property. Currently, signs of this type are prohibited in the area. The LPOA is very concerned about this sign proposal and asks you to attend this meeting and voice your opinions.” Geoff Kettel, co-president of the LPOA, attended that meeting expressing his concerns about the sign. He’s also expressed his opinions in this issue of the paper. I believe he, along with the LPOA, are misguided on this issue and if you feel the same, I invite you to contact LPOA to tell them so. In my opinion, the distractions caused by signs of any kind, digital or otherwise, are minimal; no worse than the distractions caused by bicyclists riding on our main thoroughfares. Yet you don’t see LPOA calling for a ban on bikes. The paper has received two letters of support for the sign from people associated with the arena: One from arena board member Elaine Snider and a second from Jeff Munn, treasurer of the Leaside Hockey Association. They are important because they serve as a reminder to the residents of Leaside that the recreational pursuits enjoyed at the arena stand to benefit from the approval of this digital sign by the city. Which brings me back to my opening about kids. While adults also enjoy the arena facilities it is the children whose lives are truly enriched by these recreational pursuits. The LPOA talks about fighting for the Leaside we all know and love, but have they forgotten that hockey is an important part of the social fabric of this community? If so, then one can only conclude that an immense amount of money was wasted on a second rink at the arena. Am I the only one who thinks an
additional $35,000 in annual revenue to the arena is worth a bigger digital sign? I sure hope not. We live in a big city that faces big issues. This isn’t one of them. For the kids’ sake, the LPOA needs to move along and find some other project to oppose.
Letters to the editor After more than 30 years it’s time to change the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens billboard. Technically speaking, the old sign no longer conforms to the city’s legal standards, and practically speaking the new proposed sign will afford the arena and the community many much-improved benefits. While the new sign would be located in the same location as the old billboard, it would be created using the latest technology in both construction and communication, giving it a clean and contemporary aesthetic. Here are three reasons why we are advocates for the new sign: 1. The new sign will generate four times the revenue at no cost to the Gardens or the community. The money will significantly impact the financial well-being of the Gardens and be used to off-set our ice costs. 2. The sign will have two sides, one dedicated to advertising (facing the railway tracks) and one exclusively for community and Gardens events and announcements (this side will be facing north into Leaside). It would be used for community organizations free of charge. 3. The new sign will have the arena name identifying the building and making it easy to spot while driving on Laird. The board discussed at great lengths the pros and cons of the pro-
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On Thursday, May 12, I appeared along with two other people from Outfront Media Canada at a public consultation involving our company’s application to convert our existing billboard sign at the Leaside
Memorial Community Gardens to a sign with digital capabilities. There (were) several detractors, and with sincere respect to those people, their objections seemed to 25 be ideological in nature, and justified by questionable assumptions. For your readers, we would like to respond (to some objections) here. The notion that a sign causes an undue safety hazard, or undue driver distraction, has long ago been debunked as untrue. In point of fact, and related to digital signs specifically, the City of Toronto recently reviewed the empirical data, conducted its own studies afresh, and then passed an amendment to the sign by-law allowing much wider approvals for digital signs than had previously been the case. And the city has dozens of digital signs installed on its own transit shelters located on road allowance. At the public consultation, city staff spoke to the data that the city relied on in making those decisions. One or two attendees were concerned that the approval of the subject sign might set a precedent, and that, presumably the floodgates would open and that the community would be over-run with digital signs. Firstly, a sign by-law amendment
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The news you reported in last month’s issue (Digital sign means more $ for arena) is great news for our hockey families (as well as the Wildcat Hockey and Girls Skating, I suspect). I attended the arena board meeting recently where the board noted ice-costs would likely remain the same if the by-law amendment is allowed and the sign installed. After years and years of increased icecosts (across the city) – which has been passed onto our 1,300 member families each year – this initiative is a smart and beneficial one. Great work arena board for finding and supporting this new revenue stream. For our Leaside Hockey Association members, we’re hoping to be able to hold the costs of our program next year (and beyond) so any verbal or email support to Councillor Jon Burnside would be valued. Jeff Munn Fleming Cres. Treasurer, Leaside Hockey Association
Leaside Life, June 2016
posed sign, with the highest regard and respect for the community we all live and work in. The level of light is the lowest possible ambient level and the board is committed to turning the north facing display off at any time after sunset that residents feel is necessary. The display facing the railway over-pass must be turned off by 11 p.m. as per city by-laws. The level of light is so low that at night one could not read a newspaper underneath the sign. The new sign will be 10 feet by 35 feet, compared to the current 10 feet by 20 feet. Looking at the design, it’s clear it does not look out of place and fits very nicely with the Gardens’ existing aesthetic and architecture and offers improved sightlines. We are advocates for the new proposed sign. The revenue and the ability to showcase our community and the Gardens that the new sign affords us is an opportunity for us all. Please join us in giving your support by writing Councillor Jon Burnside at councillor_burnside@toronto.ca. For more information: Henry Stachelbeck at 416-421-4944. Elaine Snider, Chair, Community Relations Committee Leaside Memorial Community Gardens Board of Management
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such as the one we are seeking is specific to the subject property. Were it to be granted, it has no applicability whatsoever to any other property. The fact of the matter is that the provisions of the sign by-law make it almost impossible to construct a new third party sign anywhere in Leaside, and we have not done so in the past 10 years, at least. The notion that this approval might result in the community being peppered with new signs is specious at best. In closing, the sign we are proposing for Leaside Community Gardens would represent a vast improvement over the sign that is there now, and a betterment in general for the Leaside community. We welcome questions. Stephen McGregor, Outfront Media Canada, Vice-president, Real Estate. Stephen.mcgregor@outfrontmedia.ca 416-521-6410 ■
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OUR CRITICS, with friends. At left Christine Ng-Chung, at the back with a pony tail and white sweater Janelle Gordon, at far right Katie Hood.
Authentic Mexican — when you finally get it “Mexico Lindo on Bayview offers good authentic Mexican food at good prices...when you eventually get your food,” said Christine NgChung, Vanderhoof Ave. “We waited 30 ignored minutes at the door and another 30 minutes at our table until any order was taken. They are undoubtedly understaffed and our waiter was less than desirable,” said Katie Hood, Bayview Ave. “I had to prod the waiter to please take our food order. Once the order was taken, the food arrived pretty quickly and it was fresh, hot and authentic. The portion sizes were bang on for the average eater, even maybe on the bigger side,” added Ng-Chung. A perfect lead into the food portion of the evening.
YOU, our dining critics We give $100 to help pay for a meal for three Leasiders at any restaurant in our area, the M4G postal code, which includes Leaside, Bennington Heights and the Leaside Business Park (known also as the industrial area). “We started with guacamole, both mild and spicy. The mild still had some heat but was very tasty. The chips were fresh and appeared to be house-made,” said Gordon. For the main course, each ordered something different and once more they weren’t disappointed. “I ordered the enchiladas suiza with chicken, a savoury and spicy dish,” said Hood. “It was very delicious and of generous proportion. This dish satisfied on so many levels, the spicy and warm enchiladas are very comforting, the addition of a cold, crisp salad is a welcomed reprieve to cool off your palate. The beans and rice round off the dish with the continued addition of authentic and layered flavours leaving you feeling satiated.” Ng-Chung went with the Acapulco plate, a combination of a beef burrito and a chicken enchilada, with refried beans, rice, and salad. “Everything on my plate complemented each other thing. Nothing was overpowering,” she said. Gordon chose the pollo con mole, chicken in a mole sauce. “The sauce had rich, layered flavour without a lot of heat and the
chicken was tender. I was very pleased. It was no trouble at all to finish my plate, though it meant I had no room (nor did we have the time!) to order dessert,” she said. No dinner at a Mexican restaurant should go without a margarita or sangria to accompany the food. “I had the lime margarita, which was offered in either liquid or slush. I chose the slush. It was nicely done and refreshing – not too thick and not too thin,” Ng-Chung said. Not to be outdone, Janelle Gordon, Sharron Dr., said, “The strawberry margarita I ordered was large and perfectly slushy. I don’t normally order slushy margaritas but I was glad I did as it went perfectly with the guacamole.” “I did also indulge in a rather large and festive Sangria,” said Hood. “It was fruity with a hint of spice. It definitely quenched my thirst as it opposed the salty dish (I ordered). I can't wait to experience these flavour combos again.” The verdict? They agreed that if you can get past the outdated decor and dimly lit CRITICS, Page 28
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REAL ESTATE
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Is it time to put on your space suit and buckle up? Probably yes, if you want to sell a semi-detached home here. The rolling yearly figures, from May 2015 to the end of this past April, show values up 19.6 percent to an average price of $1,006,564. That’s a new milestone and it looks to keep rising. This year so far, to the middle of May, increased prices have hit 19.2 percent. Sales activity was brisk in April with demand far outstripping supply and most homes selling with multiple offers. Expect the May and June figures to be similar. April was a stellar month for all home sales in Leaside and Bennington Heights, with prices averaging 18 percent higher than asking. Of course, one could argue the homes were listed well below market value. The year to date (January to end of April) value of detached homes rose only 6.9 percent, but the average cost was $1,546,020. May is considered one of our most active months. There will be new highs this spring. Do you know where your space helmet is? __ Jethro Seymour is a broker at Johnston & Daniel. All figures are from the Toronto Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service. ■
Critics From Page 27
seating area and are able to bring a whole lot of patience to the dining experience, you won’t be disappointed by the food and drink. “The owners of this establishment are lovely people. I feel if they could just change their wait staff and freshen up the atmosphere I would be more inclined to eat-in rather than always taking out,” said Hood. ■
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I was being young — or is that ridiculous? Living in Leaside of other contests with our children. These days nothing pleases us more than when the grandchildren arrive and our boring green lawn again turns into a baseball diamond, a gridiron, a soccer pitch. Without running, I still like to help out, say as a backcatcher or a goalkeeper. Batting practice in our yard on this year's gorgeously sunny Easter Sunday was a success all round. Various balls bounced off parts of the house, none went through windows, none rolled a kilometre down Broadway. After-dinner soccer was shaping up nicely to round out the day's athletics, with 8-year-old Jasmin taking on 6-year-old Joe, and Grampa, the old veteran with three-quarters of a century of experience, in the net. Suddenly Jasmin, on the attack, deked out Joe, and got off the kind of
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Michael Bliss
shot that would have won her a tryout with Manchester United. The determined goaltender lurched to his left, his leg gave out, he collapsed in a heap, and had to be removed from the game. Fortunately an old cane was handy.... I had pulled a hamstring muscle in the back of my thigh. It's an extremely painful injury that takes several weeks to heal. During those weeks I had to use my cane on most of my walks. The last time I had experienced the vivid, almost kaleidoscopic character of hamstring pain had been as an 18year-old football player. The essential truth, then, is that as I was limping around North Leaside this spring I was not feeling my advanced age at all. Rather I was experiencing one of the vivid sensations arising from being 18 years old all over again. I wish I could re-live the other sensations I used to have as an 18year -old. My wife tells me to act my age. The wise British writer, John Mortimer, said, "No one should grow old who isn't ready to appear ridiculous." â–
Leaside Life, June 2016
Michael's age is really showing, the neighbours must have been saying in April. He has to use a cane to go out walking now. It's true that my age - I'm in my mid-70s - doesn't even try to hide itself any more. It's also true that in April I was using a cane to help me manage unusually short daily walks. And the cane could not hide a pronounced limp. But I wish to tell the world - well, the Leaside world - that the cane and the limp were actually evidence of my still being young. I was suffering from a sports injury. Like many (not all) septuagenarians, I don't play sports any more. I played so many and so hard when I was young that by my mid-60s the cartilage in my knees had disappeared. For several years I've been walking on titanium knees, which work very well, but good sense precludes any games that require running. Sports were always a vital part of our family life. On our large side lot - a key reason why we'd bought our corner property - we played baseball, football, soccer, frisbee, and all sorts
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Leaside will NOT be split into two wards Leaside Life, June 2016
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30 Last month I promised to bring you up to date on what’s happening with the controversial proposals to change our municipal ward boundaries, to tell you about the LPOA’s June 21 public consultation meeting on the also controversial topic of traffic, and to give you details about our about-to-start new Bayview South bus route. I can confirm that there is a new proposal to redraw Toronto’s ward boundaries, which will go to the city’s Executive Committee late this month. From there the proposal will be debated by City Council as a whole. We know from press releases that the newly proposed configuration increases the total number of Toronto wards from 44 to 47. Leaside will NOT be split into two wards, but will remain unified in a (very slightly amended) new ward, which still includes Bennington Heights. This is excellent news -- and proof that our community’s lobbying has been effective! ___ Elsewhere in this edition of Leaside Life is a bulletin about the
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LPOA’s upcoming traffic consultation meeting. It will be an important opportunity for us to present our traffic study’s objectives and goals, and to get your input. Traffic problems are eroding safety and livability throughout our community. Please be sure to attend this meeting, which will be in the Leaside Gardens’ William Lea Room, starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21. ___ Some good news regarding public transit in Leaside. Beginning Monday, June 20, the 28 Bayview South bus route expands its schedule and goes into full weekday operation, eliminating the long-existing service gap between Sutherland Dr. and Davisville. If you live in the southern part of Leaside, Bennington Heights, or Governor’s Bridge, you will no longer
have to drive, take a taxi, make an inconveniently long transit detour, or walk many blocks to get to Bayview shopping, or to your appointment at Sunnybrook Hospital. The TTC Route 28 will run every 20 minutes on weekdays, and every 30 minutes on weekends, connecting the Davisville subway station to the Evergreen Brick Works. Northbound bus stops will be located on Bayview at Nesbitt, Moore, McRae, and Davisville. Southbound bus stops along Bayview are at Davisville, Merton, Moore, and, eventually, Nesbitt, once a guardrail adjustment is made there. At Davisville and Bayview, riders can transfer from the Route 28 bus to the Bayview Route 11 bus to go further north, or vice versa to continue southward. To get from the subway system to South Leaside, you will now have a choice of either taking the 88 South Leaside bus from St. Clair station, which only goes as far north on Bayview as Sutherland, or boarding the Route 28 bus at Davisville subway
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Leaside From Page 30
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Volunteer opportunities Are you looking to gain experience volunteering in a client-based program, helping kids with special needs participate in activities to the best of their ability? Then we are looking for you! To learn more about Holland Bloorview’s volunteer opportunities, please visit www.Hollandbloorview.ca/volunteer
station for a direct, no-transfer service to South Leaside and further south. On weekdays and Saturdays, it will start around 6 a.m. and end at 1 a.m., and on Sundays it will start around 8 a.m. and end at around 1 a.m. It will have a frequency of every 20 minutes on weekdays between roughly 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. and at all other times, on both weekdays and weekends, it will operate every 30 minutes. The new service will give additional incentive for local people to shop locally in the Leaside shopping BIA. It will make travel to Sunnybrook Hospital more convenient, and less expensive (no parking fees). As an extra bonus, it will connect Leaside to the markets and events at Evergreen Brick Works all week long. The LPOA is really pleased to have succeeded in expanding TTC service into the Sutherland/ Davisville gap after so many years of trying. We appreciate Councillor Jon Burnside’s help and support on this, and we thank the TTC for making this service a reality. The LPOA will be posting the Route 28 timetable on our website (lpoa.ca) before service begins on June 20, and asking the TTC to attach schedule details at each bus stop. If ridership increases, the TTC also says it will provide more frequent service! ■
Three From Page 17
“A few years ago we made a decision that at least 25 percent of the funds raised had to be used on outreach,” says Lister. “It’s about the people and many of those who help are not necessarily from the church but are from the broader community.” The focus on people over property is apparent in the fact that Gordon and Lister said the congregation had so far made no special plans to mark the 75th anniversary of their church building. “It’s a challenge between celebrating the building and not being confined by it,” said Gordon. “But maybe we’ll do something in the fall,” added Lister. “The fall is the time for anniversaries.”■
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Jon Burnside Councillor, Toronto Ward 26 Don Valley West
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Leaside Life, June 2016
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Those who frequent the dog run at Sandy Bruce Park, on Moore just east of Bayview, will tell you it's a muddy mess. I agree. The question is how to fix it. If there are two truths at City Hall they are: nothing is ever as easy as it would seem and the cost of doing anything is exponentially more expensive than one would ever imagine. Residents who contacted me suggested the relatively inexpensive option of adding more wood chips which I thought was a viable solution. However, I soon discovered that a few years ago our parks department received a complaint of a dog’s death from eating mouldy wood chips. Once a complaint of that nature is registered – irrespective of the circumstances – city policies prevent the use of wood chips again. The second issue is that the dog run itself is situated on a substantial slope. During heavy rains the chips wash down the hill, so much so that a shovel has been left at the entrance gate so that the chips can be cleared and the gate opened. Clearly, the first task is to make the run more level. The easiest way is to form two or three walls of large armour rocks to aid in levelling of each section. Doesn't sound that expensive, does it? The cost of a contactor performing this work is estimated at over $100,000 -- so this is not an option! However, if we wait until the winter months, our own city staff is able to do the work at a quarter of the cost. A good plan, but the city doesn’t budget any funds for dog parks and "getting in line" often takes years. Finding the funds will still be a challenge, but we are on track for the repairs to be done this winter. In the meantime, parks staff have relented to my request for immediate help and agreed to bring in wood chips on a temporary basis. ■
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Spring into Action raises over $14,000 The 11th annual Spring into Action Walk or Run went off without a hitch April 24 raising over $14,000 for diabetes research in Canada. Eric Hansen was the top fundraiser with $865 in pledges. The winners of the 5K and 10K runs were Joshua Boaventura and Jessie Hall respectively. In the 2K Youth’s Run, first place went to Shion Ramsay. ■
Longo’s chooses to celebrate here Longo’s, which opened for business in 1956 at Yonge and Castlefield chose to celebrate its recent 60th anniversary at its Leaside location. The Leaside store was recently named by Canadian Grocer magazine as one of the 25 grocery stores in the world you should visit before you die. ■
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Ever heard of this kind of bike shop? Publisher Leaside Life
around Toronto. When the Millwood building was sold, and the rent increase was going to be sizable, David’s father decided the time was right for him to leave the business. He sold it to David, who then moved it around for a few years until he landed on Laird Dr., just opposite Olde Yorke Fish & Chips, where he stayed for 20 years, until the redevelopment of that property made this last move to Research Rd. in the Leaside Business Park a necessity. It was while the business was on Laird Dr. that the book portion of the business came into being. The set-up of the space was such that there were two small rooms that didn’t work well for selling or repairing bikes and equipment, so he decided to put in shelves, and move some of his book collection from home and see what happened. Well, he now has over 14,000 books on shelves, in boxes or in piles on tables. In one pile, there was a book prize
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awarded to Emelius Irving from Upper Canada College in the 1800s and another book that had been owned by Edith Wharton. The Irving name from that family isn’t known now, but he was a major figure in Canadian and Ontario history, a lawyer, and a relative of the influential Jarvis family. Serendipitously, a man recently came into the store interested in bikes, and mentioned that he had a number of old books originally owned by Irving and Jarvis that he was storing in his cottage near Peterborough, and would David be interested in them. Well, yes, and they are now at York University as part of a collection in the law library at Osgoode Hall. As David says, “Books are infinitely interesting.” And maybe after all these years, books may be more interesting than bikes, but still the two intermingle at Sandy’s. And David answers to Sandy, if someone calls and asks to speak to Sandy, because as well as being his father’s nickname, it was also his nickname in high school. But it still can be confusing, especially if someone comes in looking for a woman by the name of Sandy to be the owner. ■
Leaside Life, June 2016
Here in Leaside we have plenty of bike repair options. There’s Flying Wheels on Fleming Ave. just steps east of Bayview. It was recently named one of the top 10 bike repair shops in Toronto by BlogTO. Others include Sport Swap on Bayview and Endurosport over on Laird. But I certainly don’t know of any other business combining bike sales, repairs and bookselling. This is the story of Sandy’s. First it was Sandy’s Cycles and now it’s Sandy’s Bikes & Books. How did that happen? The original Sandy, Thayron Sandquist, a Medieval History prof at the University of Toronto, decided to set up a bike shop. He located at 900 Millwood for a year in 1971, and then moved to 864 Millwood, between Airdrie and Rumsey for the next 15 years. The shop was small, described by his son, David, as “the size of a two-seater barber shop”. When David graduated from university with a degree in history and philosophy, he went to California for several years, and found work in bicycle shops there. When he returned home, his only work experience was with bicycles, so he spent a few years more working in various bicycle shops
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