The Bloordale Times Vol. 3 Issue 1 // February 2015 by Bloordale Times

T HE

BBLOORDALET IMES Neighbourhood news worth repeating

www.theblooordaletimes.wordpress.com

FEBRUARY 2015 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1

LOFT DEVELOPMENT TO TAKE DOWN ‘OFFENSIVE’ SLOGAN BY JALISA MASSIAH

Jalisa1@live.com

A Union Loft sign that reads ‘Praise the Loft’ will be replaced with a new slogan in a couple of weeks. Local resident Daniel Masih argued about a year ago the sign was in bad taste. Determined to have the sign removed he started a petition and so far there’s 33 signatures. Masih said residents were disappointed the developer used the slogan — a play on Praise the Lord — to promote a business. “The odyssey to use the church skeleton as part of the complex, and secondly the blasphemous words towards a particular faith using praise the loft in accordance to praise the lord,” said Masih.” “It’s definitely blasphemous and offensive on many accounts.” Masih and Alex Speigel, head of the loft developer Windmill Development Group’s Toronto office, had spoken last week about finding a resolution. “We have decided to put a different slogan on the sign that’s on site,” Speigel said. “We’re not changing any of our other marketing. We’re not changing the website, the brochure, or any other advertising.” He said the change is in part a goodwill gesture to Masih’s family, who suffered a tragedy last July. Police found the bodies of

Masih’s older brother Samuel and his two nephews Tyrese Sutherland, 10, and Shantosh, 4, in a burned out car near Barrie. “We learned about this tragedy last week, prior to that we just thought it was an unreasonable request, we weren’t going to consider making a change,” Speigel said. “Once we heard about this tragedy from someone in the community, we discussed it internally, and with the councillor (Ana Bailão), (and) we decided it would be nice to make this gesture to them,” he said. Masih said he was organizing a peaceful protest if the sign wasn’t changed. Although the sign will be changed, the preservation and rehabilitation of the former Methodist church still stands. “The whole development was based on a conversion of an existing church and part of the charm of the building beyond it being in a great neighborhood and being a very modest size is that it is a rehabilitation and rejuvenation of a church,” said Paul Johnston, salesperson with Right At Home Reality. He said their marketing team had used a number of catchy phases during the past two and a half years while selling units at the Wallace and Perth Avenues project. “One being ‘Praise the Loft’, the other being, ‘Prepared to be

Converted,’” Johnston said. “At no point was that meant in any other spirit. And that in which most people received it is slightly humorous, light hearted, and a bit tongue and cheek.” He said he received only two complaints during the entire marketing campaign.

The developer is preserving the exterior of the church in the project. There will be 28 units in the church and another 14 in an adjoining building. The largest units will be 1,000 square feet. Prices range between $400,000 and $695,000 with occupancy this July.

BIG ON BLOOR FEST MOVED TO AUGUST BY JUSTIN MILLERSON

justin.bdp@gmail.com

Pending city approval, the BIG on Bloor festival will hit Bloor St. between Dufferin St. and Lansdowne Ave. on August 22 and 23 instead of its usual arrival in July. For each of the last seven years, Bloordale’s flagship community festival, BIG on Bloor, has graced the community with its presence on the third weekend of July, but in lieu of the Pan Am Games this summer, the festival will be forced to stall its arrival this year to the end of August. The news was revealed at the BIG of Bloor annual general meeting held at New Horizons Tower on February 4 and it wasn’t taken particularly well among the roughly 35 people in attendance. Festival dignitary Dougal Bichan stood in front of the uneasy group and explained the decision was made due to the “lack of police resources” available during the month of July. The Pan Am Games, Bichan said, will tap out any public security options, thus not allowing a street closure. He added it would be a “liability concern” if he and the rest of the BIG team went ahead with the festival in July as originally planned.

INSIDE ATHLETICS CENTRE STALLS YOUTH PROGRAM United Athletics requests funding from the City of Toronto

Page 3

BLACK CAT ESPRESSO BAR TAKES TO COLLEGE ST A new espresso bar looks to offer a new take on coffee and food

Page 6

VALENTINE’S DAY INFO GRAPHIC Daniel Masih stands in front of the very sign he vowed to have taken down. Photo courtesy Daniel Masih

Take a look at the history of Valentine’s Day

Page 10

02 The Bloordale Times February 2015

News

SALEM AND WESTMORELAND PARKETTE TO RECEIVE VAST IMPROVEMENTS In a meeting hosted by councillor Ana Bailão, members of the community came together to discuss ideas to improve yet another local park BY NATALIA VEGA

Natalia.v@hotmail.ca

Another parkette in Ward 18 will undergo renovations this year after a few years of careful budgeting and planning. A meeting was held Feb. 5 at the Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club where proposals for the Salem and Westmoreland Parkette were discussed. Two proposals mapping out the park were displayed for area residents to see what changes could happen if accepted. The new vision for the parkette began in 2012. The money for the upgrade was later pulled from Section 42, which revolves around land used for parks or recreation purposes. Ward 18 Councillor Ana Bailão said improving the parkette,

linking Salem and Westmoreland Avenues near Bloor St. and Dovercourt Rd., would encourage residents to walk through the neighborhood and shop from local businesses located on the main streets, which are also being revitalized. “Our area has intensified so we have to make sure we are improving everything from our green spaces to our infrastructure,” said Bailão. Another reason behind the changes being made to the park has to do with creating a safer atmosphere for local residents. “The last element is really to make the neighborhood more inviting,” said Bailão. “In order to do that you have to make it appealing and safe and that’s what we’re trying to do here.” Capital project coordinator for

Parks Forestry and Recreation Dan Connolly and landscape architect Michael Presutti discussed the possibilities available for the park and the reasoning behind the proposed plans with

“The last element is really to make the neighbourhood more inviting, in order to do that you have to make it appealing and safe and that’s what we’re trying to do here.” Ana Bailão Ward 18 Councillor community members. Ideas include adding new elements to the playground, build-

ing a bigger sandbox, adding suitable benches for adults, adding a water bottle filling station and creating a more noticeable entrance on the Salem side of the park. Along with the proposed additions, each plan is focused on keeping the existing greenery. Trees will remain in the park and shrubs will be lined along the pathway to better accentuate it. A reforestation program will be brought in to replant areas affected by construction. Overall, residents appeared pleased by the design, but suggestions such as moving the water station closer to the playground, installing exercise equipment and moving the garbage bins lined along the edge of the park will not be done because of limitations in funding and ca-

pability. In the end, the decision made was that certain elements from the two proposals would be combined to make a final plan for the parkette. Presutti said he is excited about the decision made and the suggestions generated from the meeting. “It was really great feedback and generally projects end up being more successful because of this kind of information,” he said. Connolly, Presutti and Councillor Bailão say construction in the parkette will be finished later this year. Community members who have attended the meetings will receive e-mails with updates on the progress of the parkette during the final stages of planning.

The Bloordale Times February 2015 03

News

ATHLETICS CENTRE AWAITS CITY DECISION TO LAUNCH YOUTH PROGRAM After months of trial, United Athletics still receives no luck in garnering a City of Toronto decision to help fund a new youth initiative program aimed to keep kids fit BY EVAN PRESEMENT

presementevan@yahoo.com

It’s closing in on five months and counting. United Athletics is still waiting for an answer from the City of Toronto about its request to help fund a youth initiative program. The not-for-profit community centre at 1034 Bloor St. W., near Dufferin St., opened its doors last summer and since October, it has filed grant requests to the city, said United Athletics’ executive director Jordan Thomas. “Basically, we’ve applied for two grants for that (initiative program),” he said. “For some reason, it hasn’t been accepted and the city didn’t really give us a definite answer.” The program United is focused on running is one that promotes “physical literacy,” which would include activities like boxing, yoga, educational outings as well as other physical disciplines. They would be run out of the Bloor location.

Two youth participants enjoy the new athletics facility at Bloor and Dufferin streets. Photo courtesy United Athletics

But while the centre is waiting for the city to respond, it does have a few other ideas in the works. “We’re still running programs for kids, and we’re starting with schools,” Thomas said. United is currently running an after school program out of the former West Toronto High School. The school, which is a strictly French-

language facility, is now home to four new after school activities, all offered with a special service. “A lot of our instructors at United are bilingual, so we all speak English and French,” Thomas said. “So that’s something we can offer to French schools and everybody that’s in the Catholic French district school board.”

DUWEST TO PROMOTE LOCAL BUSINESS BY GREG CHOW

greg.c27@hotmail.com

Every third Thursday, businesses along Dundas West roll out the sidewalk. Shops, restaurants and galleries along the strip between Ossington and Roncesvalle Avenues band together on the third Thursday of the month to host something akin to a street fair. Within the diverse communities that represent Third Thursdays, there are exquisite restaurants serving anything from oysters to borsch and bread, and even a place that has a “BYOB,” bring your own brew, for beer enthusiasts. The strip also features art galleries and exhibitions rounding out the food and music experience with a little culture. “It’s changing, it’s happening, it’s moving up from Queen, and Dundas is the next location, and there’s a lot of new businesses,” said Lauren Wood of Hermann

& Audrey, which hosts art galleries. Third Thursday was an initiative designed to bring together multiple businesses of the diverse neighbourhoods that is Dundas West. “We do it to bring people together, and get people thinking about different ways to spend their evenings, especially with the galleries open later, and restaurants offering deals, so residents can mix and match,” Wood said. The neighbourhood is in its second year of hosting Third Thursdays and it doesn’t look like it’s going to be slowing down for any reason anytime soon. “Toronto itself benefits tremendously by having these little islands of activity happening amongst this sea of residential areas, and it makes it a lot more interesting for visitors and residents where these types of events happen,” said Helder Ramos, Dundas West’s BIA coordinator.

“It’s important for collaboration, and historically as a thoroughfare where cars pass by on their way to events on College or Queen, so developing Dundas has been important because of the ethnic incline,” Ramos said. “You look at Miami, Los Angeles, Boston, they have a Little India, a Chinatown, but they don’t have a Little Portugal,” she said. Most importantly, it’s the diversity on display, and knowing that the people in charge like Lauren are working for the betterment of a growing neighbourhood. “It’s not for a monetary gain, it’s about doing something for the neighbourhood and giving people a means of being together,” Ramos said. The next Third Thursday event is on Feb. 19, and will feature 20 local businesses offering up deals of all kinds. For more information, visit Third Thursday’s Facebook page or check out some reviews on BlogTO.

He said programs including boxing, dancing, judo and yoga have been introduced to a number of students at the West Toronto after school program, some who would not have been able to participate otherwise. So what’s next for United Athletics? “We’re not giving up,” Thomas

vowed. “In February, we’re going to reapply for a Trillium application for the whole centre,” Thomas said. “Hopefully the program will take off in September, because it’s hard to start something right now.” Thomas said United is also looking to run a summer camp out of the community centre.

04 The Bloordale Times February 2014

Feature

JESSICA BERRY GIVES TAKE ON THE FAULTY ACADEMY AHEAD OF AWARDS THIS MONTH BY JESSICA BERRY

myyearatthemovietheatre.tumblr.com

The Academy Awards has lost its mind, and here’s why. 1. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Academy) only chose to nominate 8 films for Best Picture this year. Ever since the Academy changed the format in 2009 to nominate 10 films for Best Picture (previously only 5 films were nominated), and then amending this format in 2011 to nominate between 5 and 10 films depending on the year and voting percentages, it has surreptitiously nominated 9-10 films; until now, when only 8 made the cut. Many could argue that Nightcrawler, Gone Girl, Foxcatcher or even The Lego Movie could have easily taken that ninth or tenth position amongst the so-called “elite” films of the year. But instead, these films were treated as the bride’s maids of the Oscars, only garnering nominations in other categories such as Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Original Screenplay and/or Best Original Song. One would assume that the top critically scored films of the year would be nominated for the coveted Best Picture category. (View film scores on RottenTomatoes.com, MetaCritic. com, and others.) Yet this is consistently not the case. Here are the 2014 Best Picture nominated films, along with their respective scores based on actual film critic reviewers (RT = RottenTomatoes.com percentage; MT = MetaC-

ritic.com score out of 100): - Selma (RT = 99% MT = 89 Top 10) - Boyhood (RT = 98% MT = 100 1st place) - Whiplash (RT = 95% MT= 88) - Birdman (RT = 92% MT = 88) - The Grand Budapest Hotel (RT = 92% MT = 88) - The Imitation Game (RT = 90% MT = 72) - The Theory of Everything (RT = 80% MT = 72) - American Sniper (RT = 73% MT = 72) These are the 2014 films that were not nominated but could have easily replaced the bottom three films, with better overall critical acclaim: - Nightcrawler (RT = 95% MT = 76) - The Lego Movie (RT = 96% MT = 83 This film could have been nominated for Best Picture and should have been nominated for Best Animated Picture; instead the Director had to make his own Oscar out of Legos. Everything is not awesome for The Lego Movie.) - Guardians of the Galaxy (RT = 90% MT = 76) - Gone Girl (RT = 88% MT = 79) - Foxcatcher (RT = 88% MT = 81) 2. How can you work in the film industry as a documentary filmmaker and not nominate Life Itself (RT = 97% MT = 87) - the documentary based on the memoir of the late, great, Pulitzer Prize winning film critic, Roger Ebert, for Best Documentary Film. After everything he and his partner Gene Siskel have done for the documentary film industry to promote films glob-

ally, the Academy voters snub him on his final curtain call. Snarky. 3. NEWS FLASH: Actress Keira Knightly gets a Best Actress in a Supporting Role nomination for playing… herself. The Imitation Game is a straightforward biopic that does its best to take early computer programming and elite algorithmic math and build a suspense-ridden drama. Knightly plays the role of Joan Clarke, Alan Turing’s fiancé and confidante, but does nothing spectacularly amazing except solve a crossword puzzle quickly, and yell really, really loud at Cumberbatch (Touring) one time. Who said strong, character driven female roles in Hollywood are dead? Just to be clear these are not the only reasons the Academy has lost its mind. If it pleases the jury, I enter Exhibits A to D for your consideration in this argument. Exhibit A: Nighcrawler. Yes, it sounds creepy, sleazy and a little bit unsettling, but that’s the point, and this film should have been nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor (Jake Gylenhaal) and Best Supporting Actress (Renee Russo). At least it got a nomination for Best Original Screenplay (the “we-know-you-exist” consolation prize). I believe this film may have been overlooked for its theme: How modern day broadcast journalism cares more about blood and guts than it does about getting the story correct. The theme’s moral compass also wavers. These themes may have hit a little too close to home for the Academy voters. Overall Film Grade: 5 stars Exhibit B: Ralph Fiennes was the

glitter that made The Grand Budapest Hotel sparkle (nominated for 9 Academy Awards), yet he was beaten out by Benedict Cumberbatch, whose performance emulates a really great Super Bowl referee. (As in, the ref is doing their job well when you don’t even notice they are there). Anyone could have played the role of Touring in The Imitation Game, but I don’t believe anyone could have played the role of M. Gustave. Sidebar: Cumberbatch played the role of Stephen Hawking in a made for TV movie for BBC. Why then was he not cast as Hawking in the film version nominated for Best Picture and Best Actor in a Leading Role this year? Perplexing isn’t it. Overall Film Grade: 5 stars Exhibit C: Jodorowsky’s Dune (RT = 98% MT = 79) is a documentary movie about film director Alejandro Jodorowsky and his ambitious vision that never came to be: to make the epic science fiction book Dune into a movie. The film shows how Hollywood destroyed Jodorowsky’s vision due to budgetary concerns in the 70s, then went on to rip off every original ground breaking idea or technology to come from his doomed project. If you are a lover of film or science fiction, this is a must watch film and an eye opener into the industry. This film exposes the truth about Hollywood’s iron fist on exciting visions, and I am not surprised that this film got snubbed. Overall Film Grade: 5 stars Exhibit D: Jake Gyllenhaal and Renee Russo got screwed by Bradley Cooper and Keira Knightly. Apparently the Academy prefers actors to gain weight for roles these days. Cooper reportedly gained 40 pounds to “take on the look” of Chris Kyle, and stretched his overall range by recit-

ing monosyllabic words and grunts in one of his weakest performances in years. Meanwhile, Gyllenhaal shed 30 pounds off of his 180 pound frame by eating kale salad, chewing gum and running 15 miles from his home to the set during shooting; taking on the persona of a coyote (mentally) to get into the role as the ruthlessly calculating Louis Bloom. I guess shedding a fifth of your body weight for a role is just so last year. And then there is Keira Knightley, who personifies the meaning of character development and range with her role in The Imitation Game portraying a young, highly intelligent, privileged, English woman… wait a minute. Renee Russo puts on one of the best supporting actress performances of the year in Nightcrawler. Her gritty, raw, bi-polar portrayal of a woman nearing the end of her career is exhilarating and terrifying to watch. Russo also, noticeably, has not done any antiaging enhancement to her face; could this have frightened the voters away, or was it perhaps Gyllenhaal’s bulging eyes that distracted the Academy from both their astonishing performances. Make sure to see this film. This year the Academy chose to shrink the list of Best Picture nominees to 8, lacking any real reason for this move. The result: many critically acclaimed films, most of which expose Hollywood for who they really are, ended up missing the cut. In the end, maybe it’s just me, but it seems that it’s easier to select boring, familiar dribble that can be easily replicated year to year, instead of thinking outside the box and nominating deserving films that expose companies, governments and industries for what they really are, and challenge societal thinking. Isn’t that, after all, the point of giving out this prestigious award?

T HE

BBLOORDALET IMES 37 Gillespie Ave. Toronto, ON. M6N 2Y5 | thebloordaletimes.wordpress.com General Info/ Advertising: 647-961-4516, thebloordaletimes@gmail.com twitter@bloordaletimes

*EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/ART....Justin Millerson *ASSOCIATE EDITOR....Melissa Millerson *COPY EDITORS....Rob Lamberti *ADVERTISING....Justin Millerson *CONTRIBUTORS.... Sonya Hamilton, Jessica Berry, Michael Kushnir, Jennifer Baer,

**The Bloordale Times is published monthly and distibuted within Ward 18’s boundaries and neighbouring areas. 10,000 copies are delivered door-to-door, to local businesses and areas of interest. Call or email us with your story ideas or to inquire about our advertising rates**

Greg Chow, Natalia Vega, Samantha Singh, Evan Presement, Jalisa Massiah

Http://www.thebloordaletimes.wordpress.com

The Bloordale Times February 2015 05

Letters from your political representatives

COUNCILLOR ANA BAILÃO

416-392-7012

The first budget of every new term of Council is always an exciting time and early this month the first step of this process took place. On January 20th, the City Manager presented the City’s Budget Committee with the 2015 Staff Recommended tax and rate sup-

ported budgets, along with the Recommended 10-year Capital Budget. The 2015 Staff Recommended Operating Budget is $11.5 billion with a capital budget and plan of $31.7 billion. To balance, the budget proposes a tax increase of 2.25%, which amounts to an additional $58.66 per household on the average Toronto house, assessed at $524,833. In considering this budget, there are two very important themes. First, is that we need to invest. With $75 million in new spending, it has been many years since a budget has provided so much investment. I have worked hard to be a strong advocate for responsible budgeting and these efforts have contributed to our strong financial position allowing Toronto to make these must needed investments. Includ-

ed among these major spending areas are additional funding for transit, housing, parks and recreation, and emergency services. The second important theme is that this marks the 3rd year in a row that we successfully balanced our budget without using funds from surplus. This means that grant recipients and program users will not have to wonder whether a future revenue shortfall will eliminate their program. This practice, like this budget, is a balanced and sustainable approach (and I believe a fair approach) to ensuring reliable delivery of our important public services. Instead, this surplus money will be dedicated towards our many capital spending commitments and City debt – effectively using one-time funding to respond to one-time projects. This relieves the financial dependence on unstable funding and forces us to provide consistent and dedicated funding

MP ANDREW CASH 416-654-8048 There was a time in the history of our country where a young person could finish school and look with hope and optimism to the future. They could get a job with an employer they would potentially work for their entire working career. Then they would retire with a pension that would keep their senior years dignified. All that has changed today. For young people, that change has been increasingly concerning. When we look at the stats, we see that the official unemployment rate for young people is twice the national average. What the stats don’t show are all those young workers desperate for that full-time job, and who are instead working part-time, or working on short-term contracts. They also don’t show the tens of thousands of young people who are working for free in unpaid internships. No government department or agency tracks the number of unpaid internships in Canada, but estimates put the total number as high as 100,000 to 300,000. Young people are increasingly being forced to take these unpaid positions, often at very profitable and large companies, in the hope of gaining the experience they need to find paying jobs in their field. Companies are also exploiting these internships to replace full-time, paid employees. Indeed, too often unpaid internships are being misused while the current government turns a blind eye. This month, we’ll have a chance to change all that when the House of Commons debates the NDP’s Intern Protection Act, which would ban unpaid internships outside of educational programs. The bill would also extend workplace protections to interns in federally regulated industries to safeguard them from workplace harassment, give them the right to refuse unsafe work, and hours of work provisions, which are protections they don’t currently enjoy. This is the first step in implementing my National Urban Worker Strategy, which seeks to address some of the issues facing Canadians who find themselves in precarious work situations – like unpaid interns or people who are self-employed, freelance or contract employees. The government needs to take this issue seriously, crack down on exploitative unpaid internships, and take meaningful action to provide employment opportunities to youth in Toronto. Voting in favour of our bill would do exactly that. For more information about the problems facing unpaid interns, the Urban Worker Strategy or any other issue, contact my office at 416-654-8048 or andrew.cash@parl. gc.ca.

to City programs. While this remains a significant challenge, I will continue the work of identifying this needed funding, necessary to support and improve our important city services. While challenges remain ahead and many areas of the City still need investment – such as transit, housing and recreation – we can be confident that we are moving forward towards strong and flexible City finances. Fundamentally, however, I feel that the most important part of any budget process is your involvement. I therefore encourage you to take the opportunity and participate in our community Townhall as the budget is reviewed, debated and approved in the weeks ahead. The budget will be considered first by the Budget Committee and then by Executive Committee before finally being discussed at City Council on March 10 and 11. I am also holding a local Town

Hall meeting to discuss the budget. I hope you will be able to join and look forward to discussing the future we want for our community and our city.

Ward 18 Budget Town Hall February 21st, 2-4PM Bloor-Gladstone Library Register online at anabailao.ca

MPP CRISTINA MARTINS 416-535-3158 February is always one of winter’s harshest months, and with brutally cold temperatures outside, it’s also a reminder of the absolute importance of housing. The security that affordable housing provides cascades into every other part of life, including mental and physical health and economic and community participation. Everything starts with housing, including the economic growth and competitiveness of our province and our country. The Ontario government recognizes the significance of this issue. Since 2003, we’ve invested $4 billion in affordable housing and just last year Minister McMeekin, the Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, announced an $800 million fund to build affordable housing across the province over the next five years. Of that investment, $200 million will be going towards affordable housing units right here in Toronto. But housing isn’t an issue that the province can tackle alone. Yet, since 2010, the federal government has been systematically reducing its support for social housing, with federal funding for housing in Ontario set to decline to zero by 2033. It’s time that the federal government recognizes that in order to participate actively in their communities – and the economy – people can’t be worrying about having roof over their head. In the past, the federal government understood this, and in the 1970s and 1980s, it developed a series of operating agreements with housing providers across the country. These agreements provide rent-geared-to-income support for nearly 200,000 households – almost half of which are in Ontario. Unfortunately, the majority of these operating agreements are set to expire in the next five years and, so far, the federal government has shown no indication of continuing to support housing providers. The end of these operating agreements will have a significant impact on housing providers in Toronto, including on providers and co-ops in Davenport. Last fall, I visited members of the Tamil Co-op, and In December, I had the opportunity to visit the Perth Avenue Co-op, another great housing facility in Davenport. I met with residents and had a roundtable discussion in conjunction with the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada about the importance of affordable housing and the impact the end of operating agreements will have on the community. The residents of the co-op are rightly concerned about the issue – by 2020, their operating agreement with the federal government will have expired. It is imperative that the federal government doesn’t let these operating agreements and rent supplements lapse. When these agreements expire, nearly 7,000 families living in Ontario’s federally funded housing co-ops alone will be left out in the cold. I recently wrote to Minister McMeekin, urging him to use his role to call for the federal government to renew its rent-geared-to-income subsidies. I also wrote directly to Prime Minister Harper, asking him to maintain these agreements. You can read both these letters on my Facebook page. Cristina Martins; 1199 Bloor St West, Toronto, ON; 416-535-3158; cmartins.mpp.co@ liberal.ola.org; @CMartinsMPP

06 The Bloordale Times February 2015

New Business

A PINCH OF CAFE CHARM FROM NEWFOUNDLAND SPOTS COLLEGE ST BY SAMANTHA SINGH

melissa.millerson@gmail.com

Coffee and food. That is what the Black Cat Espresso Bar at 1104 College St. is about, says owner Justin Manuel.

The 31-year-old transplant from Corner Brook, N.L., opened Bloordale’s newest coffee shop at the corner of Dufferin St.. The musician is a 10-year veteran of the hospitality industry, but he was restless, not wanting to work

for someone else. He wanted to make his own mark. “Sitting at a desk was awful and in a suit and tie, it was just awful,” said Manuel. “I wanted to open a restaurant but I wanted to start with something small and I love coffee

Justin Manuel stands behind his new espresso bar ready and armed to serve the public. Photo by Samantha Singh

and I love the indie-coffee scene, so I thought it would be something good.” The Black Cat Espresso Bar, which has exposed brick and hardwood flooring, has “something for everyone” on its menu. Manuel makes fresh food daily in the coffee shop except for the croissants. They come from Circles and Squares Bakery because he’s “too busy to make those.” It’s a less than a five-minute drive from his home but he does it to transport supplies to the shop. “Some of the food, stuff like the sandwiches, parfaits and the stuff that I make now, like pizza, just came because people want food,” Manuel said. “There’s no food around here and so they come in here and they get a coffee, they ask, ‘Do you have any food?’ and so you just give them what they want,” he said. “I live in Bloordale, so something close to home is very important to

me,” Manuel said. “In Bloordale the demographics are good for an independent coffee shop. The age category, the ability for growth and ‘the west is the best,’ as Jim Morrison said,” he said. The name of the place came from his black cat Asia, who is being featured in Torja, a popular Toronto Japanese magazine. “If you know anything about cats, whenever you sit down to read the newspaper they always jump on top of it,” Manuel said. “So, I was just sitting there with a blank piece of paper trying to come up with names (for the restaurant) and my black cat jumped up on me and on the paper. “I was busy so I said, ‘Okay, Black Cat Espresso Bar,’ and that’s it.” Manuel would also like the coffee shop to hold community events for local musicians, poets and artists. He has decorated the walls with local artwork for sale on a not-forprofit basis.

NEW YEAR • NEW YOU • NEW HORIZONS This year, make your best move yet. Come Join the Action at NHT!

RE U MO ionship O Y s ffer pan NHT o ort & Com Here! upp arts ices, S ing St

Serv

hy Liv

Healt

AFFORDABLE SENIOR LIVING IN THE HEART OF BLOORDALE VILLAGE

1140 Bloor Street West • NewHorizonsTower.com

CALL 416-536-6111 TODAY

SPARK YOUR CREATIVITY AND HONE YOUR SKILLS AT THE CITY’S LONGEST-RUNNING INDEPENDENT ART SCHOOL. CHOOSE FROM OVER 40 DAYTIME, EVENING & SATURDAY COURSES IN DRAWING, PAINTING, COLLAGE, SCULPTURE, PRINTMAKING, MIXED MEDIA, DIGITAL & PHOTOGRAPHY, YOUTH ART STUDIO, AND A MARCH BREAK 2015 INTENSIVE FOR TEENS. March Break Life Drawing for Teens (Ages 14-17) is open for registration! Spring courses begin April 13. Register now and save $40 on 10-week courses with promo code SPRING40, and $30 on 6/8-week courses & 3-day workshops with promo code SPRING30 through March 16. To register, visit tsa-art.com, call, or drop by the office. 980 Dufferin Street, 2nd Floor Toronto ON M6H 4B4 416.504.7910 | info@tsa-art.com

The Bloordale Times February 2015 07

Community Column

MULTICULTURALISM: A CALL FOR ACTIVE CHANGE ACROSS TORONTO BY MICHAEL KUSHNIR

michael@ensemblesocial.ca

Last month’s attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris shocked the western world. A direct assault on freedom of expression – one of the fundamental pillars of our democratic tradition – cannot be taken lightly. In the aftermath, some have rashly accused Charlie Hebdo of being a reactionary, racist publication, willing to publish questionable content for the sake of being inflammatory. Others have taken the tired opinion that this is another episode of a great clash of civilizations between western democracy and Islamic barbarism. Naturally, the truth is more nuanced than either of these stances. There is a frightening intellectual thread that runs through both these positions. They both state that multiculturalism is a failure – that it has not created a cohesive, harmonious society. Some suggest that host countries don’t do enough to integrate its new citizens. Others proclaim that integration is in fact a laudable but unachievable goal. Both these points of view play into the idea that multiculturalism in our country is deeply

broken, when in fact it is the greatest contribution that Canada has offered the world. More than any other country on Earth, we have proven that it is possible to live in peace with our neighbours, whatever their cultural background; from coast to coast to coast, you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who will openly admit that ethnic slurs or outwardly discriminatory laws are acceptable. Yet naked racism exists in our city, including in our immediate neighbourhood. In last year’s municipal election, multiple candidates’ signs suffered racist defacings in Davenport and across the city, while a leading mayoral candidate was told to “go back to China” based on her heritage. Anti-Islamic graffiti has been spotted directly outside a Bloor Street mosque – quickly opposed by counter-graffiti reassuring our Muslim neighbours that they are welcome and full members of our community. It’s important to note that our pervasive tendency as Canadians to compare ourselves to our American cousins leads to a certain blindness to the deep and real challenges facing our communities. In recent memory, we have seen the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Eric Garner in the United States. Many of

Valdemar Alves, CFP, FMA, RRC Financial Planner Investing and Retirement Planning 647-287-6816 valdemar.alves@rbc.com

I can help you plan for tomorrow – today.

Financial planning services and investment advice are provided by Royal Mutual Funds Inc. (RMFI). RMFI, RBC Global Asset Management Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, Royal Trust Corporation of Canada and The Royal Trust Company are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. RMFI is licensed as a financial services firm in the province of Quebec.

us watched the outrage and protests in Fergu- are healthy societies, and fighting racism is son and New York City with heavy hearts and an important part of building a more fair and sympathy. equal Canada. However, we don’t always see the instituI have written in this column that Daventional racism in our own backyard. Toronto port is lucky to enjoy a truly diverse society. Police only recently suspended the practice of Many people have settled here from far-away carding – a clear infringement of civil rights – places and from vastly different walks of life, which disproportionately targeted people of which is a big part of what makes our corner of colour. Sammy Yatim was shot to death on an Toronto so desirable. Let’s strive to make our empty streetcar in 2003 by a police officer who community a model for what our nation can recklessly escalated the situation. Christopher eventually become. Hume recently noted in the Toronto Star that the deteriorating social conditions in our city’s inner suburbs provide similar factors that led to unrest and violence in Paris in 2005 or in London in 2011. If we want to build a Toronto that lives up to its full potential, we must take up the fight against all forms of racism, both in words and in actions. Standing up to racism and prejudice when we see it is important, but we must also ensure that everyone in Toronto has the opportunity to thrive, including those in our suburbs who – though we may not see them on a daily basis – remain an intePhoto courtesy Michael Kushnir gral part of our city. Equitable societies

Shop Bloordale

1222 Bloor St. W. 416.531.1028

416-532-7997 LOW PRICES AND HIGH QUAlITY SERVICE We Craft Quality Lenses In Store Lab EYE EXAMINATION ARRANGED (next door) Over 3000 Frames to Choose from Large Quantity of contact lenses in stock Satifaction Guaranteed

WHY SWEET PETE’S? “The truth is simple: we don’t just sell bikes - we love bikes and we want you to love them just as much as we do.” 1204 Bloor St. W. 416.533.4481

Tune up your bike for 50% off

1222 Bloor St. W. 416.531.1028

$30.00 $25.00

Now only...

Broadway Cycle

EPHINSTORE.com EPHIN.com STOMPDOWN.ca

Your business name here... If your business is on Bloor St. between Dufferin St. and Lansdowne Ave. and you would like to advertise on this page, please call

647-961-4516

This page is a joint effort between the Bloordale Times and the Bloordale BIA to showcase local businesses.

The Bloordale Times February 2015 09

Health & Wellness

LOCAL DOCTOR SENDS WARNING TO ALL DESK JOB WORKERS BY SONYA HAMILTON

drhamilton@bloorwesthealthcentre.ca

A sedentary lifestyle can take a physical toll on those who spend their days sitting at a desk for hours on end. Recent research has demonstrated a link between the amount of time you spend sitting during the day with poorer health outcomes, and a greater risk of disease. In my practice, it is common for me to see patients who experience muscle strains, neck pain, and headaches, all related to computer use and long hours spent sitting without a break. The human body needs to move! The longer you spend in one position, the more stress and strain your muscles, ligaments, and joints must endure. Repetitive and long term strain on your back and neck can result in muscle imbalances, contributing to bad posture. A common condition that can be caused by long hours of computer use is known as Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS). UCS results from a pattern of weakened muscles of the mid-back and neck, alongside overused and tightened muscles

trying to counteract the steady pull of gravity. People with UCS often have forward slumped shoulders, rounding of their upper back and a forward jutting head. Sounds familiar? Besides perpetuating bad posture, UCS has a number of consequences for the body, both short and long term, that are important to consider. In the short term, you can experience discomfort and pain and may also have headaches associated with muscle strains. The muscle imbalance pattern of the upper back and neck may also put you at risk for arm pain and injury to the shoulders. In the long term, you may be at greater risk for degenerative joint disease of the upper back and neck, and osteoarthritis. So what can you do to help your body feel better? To counteract the effects of sedentary tasks, take a number of short breaks throughout your day to keep your body moving, and break up the time spent hunched over your desk. The Canadian Chiropractic Association has created a great free app called Straighten Up Canada to help motivate you to take posture breaks throughout the day (it’s free, and available for Apple and android mobile de-

vices). Your plan should also include stretching your overworked muscles (pecs, and upper traps) and strengthening those that have become weak. Exercises for your mid back that involve drawing your shoulder blades down and together can help strengthen the key muscles that help you to sit up straighter and feel better. A little effort throughout the day can go a long way towards improving your posture and reducing the long term stress and strain put on the joints of your neck and back. To learn more about Straighten up Canada visit http://www.chiropractic.ca/straighten-up-canada/ Dr. Sonya Hamilton is a local chiropractor with a special interest in helping others to regain control of their own physical wellness through education, exercise, and rehabilitation. She practices at Bloor West Health Centre- you can learn more at http://www.drhamilton.ca

ASK YOUR BLOORDALE NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR - DR. JENNIFER BAER BY DR. JENNIFER BAER

Got a question? health@drjenniferbaer.com

An easy recipe to boost fibre and veggie intake in the winter! The best way to improve our diets is to eat more vegetables! Not only are veggies the most nutrient dense foods around (they pack more vitamins and minerals per calorie than any other food), they are also full of fibre - one of the most underestimated parts of a healthy diet – which is crucial to in gastro-intestinal health and bowel function, the prevention of colorectal cancer, blood-sugar control & diabetes, weight management and hormone balancing. Increase fibre gradually so that the body can acclimatize, while concurrently increasing water intake. Fibre attracts water – this is how our stool gets bulked up – so you must consume proportionately more water. Too quick an increase in fibre and/or too little water may cause digestive upset or constipation. If these symptoms occur consult with your Naturopathic Doctor. In the winter we should focus more on cooked veggies than

cold watery raw salads. A lot of my patients find it tougher to find the time or inspiration to cook their veggies. Make a huge pot of this soup and freeze in portions. Jenn’s Vegetable Soup (makes 18 servings ~ 1 cup each) 2 L low sodium vegetable broth 3/4 head cabbage 1 head cauliflower 2 onions 4 large carrots 4 stalks celery 4 cups diced plum tomatoes (or 1 x 28 oz can) 6 cloves garlic 1 cup fresh dill 4 bay leaves 1 tsp salt 2-4 Tbs nutritional yeast 1 tsp olive oil 2 Tbs honey 1 tsp sriracha (hot sauce) Heat large stock pot over medium heat. Add olive oil and sweat onions and garlic until translucent (not brown) – stirring regularly. Add carrots and celery and continue to sweat vegetables for 3-4 minutes. Repeat, adding cabbage and cauliflower, then cover pot and cook 3-5 minutes, occasionally lifting lid to stir and pre-

Dr. Sonya Hamilton, Chiropractor.

the soup just before serving it turns a bit thicker/stewier from the starch in the beans. Delicious and comforting! Jennifer Baer, is your local Naturopathic Doctor, trained chef and Registered Holistic Nutritionist. An expert in digestive

vent browning or sticking to bottom of pot. Add broth, tomatoes, salt, dill, bay leaves, broth and nutritional yeast. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer, covered for 30-45 minutes. Remove bay leaves. Add honey and sriracha, bring back to boil, taste and adjust seasoning. If desired puree all the way or partially – I love a hand / stick blender for ease of use and cleanup, but a food processor or blender can be used by adding soup in batches, then returning to a fresh pot. This low calorie soup is great as a starter as is. But I love to use it as a base and make it into a one bowl lunch by adding protein (beans or tofu or tempeh or leftover shredded chicken or turkey), baby spinach or kale or other greens, and a little grated goat cheddar or a dollop of plain organic yogurt. My favourite combo: cannellini beans, baby spinach and crumbled goat feta. When cooked into Dr. Jennifer Baer, Naturopathic Doctor.

health, she enthusiastically promotes wellness and prevention through a nutritious diet, positive attitude and active lifestyle. For more recipes and information about her training, programs and services, please visit: http:// www.drjenniferbaer.com

The Bloordale Times February 2015 11

Community Contributions

Comics...

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A CONTRIBUTOR? HAVE A HAND IN YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER? WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING PHOTOS, COMICS, POEMS, PUZZLES AND SHORT STORIES FOR THIS PAGE. EMAIL US AT THEBLOORDALETIMES@GMAIL.COM!

Puzzles...

sudoku Fill in the grid with digits in such a manner that every row, every column and every 3x3 box accommodates the digits 1-9, without repeating any.

LLE GE

www.stusells.ca RE/MAX Hallmark is to proud to welcome back Stuart Sankey and Jennifer Sankey to our College Street Office. It was fitting for them to make this change, as it became more and more evident that their values and vision are aligned with RE/MAX Hallmark. With ten years experience in the business, in the last five years Stuart Sankey has consecutively gained recognition by being honoured with the prestigious Chairman’s Club award, earning him recognition as one of the top 1% agents in Canada and Toronto. He respects and appreciates his colleagues and has always been fair and ethical in all aspects if his career.

Stuart has joined forces with his niece Jennifer Sankey, and over the past year they have been working side-by-side. Jenny has immersed herself in the real estate world; she has succeeded with assisting all her clients with any of their real estate needs, acting always with the utmost integrity and professionalism. Stuart and Jenny look forward to embracing new challenges and celebrating new successes as part of the RE/MAX Hallmark team. Please Welcome Stuart and Jennifer by emailing them at Jennifer’s email jenny@stusells.ca Stuart’s email stu@stusells.ca

Brick Victorian is at 211 Humbercrest Blvd – fantastic opportunity to buy in the exclusive Baby Point/Bloor West area – SOLD OVER ASKING

3328 Minerva Way- get out of the city and enjoy executive living at its best with this spacious 4 bedroom/5 Bathroom show home, backing on to a ravine lot with a full in-law/nanny suite in the basement- price $ 929,900 – www.3328min.com