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BBLOORDALET IMES Neighbourhood news worth repeating
www.theblooordaletimes.wordpress.com
MARCH 2015 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 2
TOWN HALL MEETING HELD AHEAD OF CITY COUNCIL VOTE BY TAMARA SHADE
tamara.L.C.shade@gmail.com
Toronto Councillor Ana Bailão held the annual Ward 18 Budget Town Hall Meeting at the BloorGladstone Library February 21 to get feedback from the community before the City Council vote from March 10 to 11. Guest host Mayor John Tory said he plans on improving some of the services brought up in the meeting. “I’m determined to implement a lot of what people said in here in terms of some long term plans for public transportation,” said Tory. As immigration numbers continue to rise in Toronto, Tory said investments need to be made or the city will be in chaos. The proposed budget for city improvements is $75 million. These funds will go towards transit, TTC maintenance, storage facility, a new childcare facility, three new community centres, two libraries, and poverty reduction and public safety. The budget is proposing $91 million for the Pan AM Games. It will be an investment towards the development of Toronto’s economy and tourism, said Tory. The City will fund $13 million while the rest is to be covered by the provincial and federal governments. Toronto resident Sarah Rimmington, a U.S. native said she
is willing to pay more in taxes if the city is going to build things that are needed. “The dialogue tends to be in government that we’re never going to pay taxes and no one likes taxes, and that’s been the 30-year default position of all government,” she said. “We need a lot more transit. We need to build the roads that are falling apart, the Gardiner [expressway] is falling apart, there’s a lot of things we need,” Rimmington added. She said she is willing to pay hotel levies and road tolls if it means getting these things done. “Today there were some people who stood up and said I am willing to pay more, I could take you to other meetings where people would say well, I want better services but whatever you do don’t raise my taxes,” said Tory. From 2015 to 2024 the $592 million Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension and the $3.4 billion Scarborough Subway Extension will continue to be funded by the capital budget and plan. During the meeting, Bailão said she has heard mixed feelings about the free TTC fare for children under 12. For families in need she said that this is huge help because of the cost of daycare and more. “We would like to have gone further and put in a seniors as
well,” said Bailão. She said people are always asking if there is something that can be done for the seniors. She said that is still being looked at. Tory said he was happy that
people were willing to give their Saturday up to come and talk about transit and housing. “I’m happy to come if they’re prepared to give their time,” said Tory.
BAILAO TO MOVE OFFICE TO BLOOR ST BY JESSICA DEMPSEY
jessica_dempsey@live.ca
As part of a steadfast plan to be more accessible to the community, Ward 18 Councillor Ana Bailão confirmed she is slated to move her constituency office to 1240 Bloor St. W. next month. “What we wanted was an anchor within the ward that community groups and individual residents could bring their concerns,” said Braden RootMcCaig, executive assistant for Councillor Ana Bailão. Bailão holds office hours on weekends at a community office in Dufferin Mall, but now she will be able to have a permanent office within the community, said Root-McCaig. The office will be able to assist in a wide variety of services from tax referral programs for seniors to complaints about neighbours. One distinct difference about having a community office in the neighbourhood is the space that it will provide.
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INSIDE BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATED IN BLOORDALE A local church hosts for the second-straight year
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ONE-OF-A-KIND DRINK GAINS WIDE RECOGNITION A local Nutella based hot beverage takes the city by storm
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GUITARS AND COFFEE: A NEW FOUND COUPLE Toronto Mayor John Tory spoke with councillor Ana Bailão about Toronto’s 2015 budget. Photo by Tamara Shade
Catch a jam and a drink at this new coffee shop
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02 The Bloordale Times March 2015
News
BLACK HISTORY MONTH COMMEMORATED IN BLOORDALE AT LOCAL CHURCH Praise Sanctuary (Church of the Firstborn) held a black history celebration for the second-straight year, inviting all members of the community BY BRITNEI BILHETE
b.bilhete@hotmail.ca
Children and community members of the Bloordale and Junction area gathered on February 28 to honour the end of Black History Month with dance, song and praise.
The Black History Celebration took place at Praise Sanctuary (Church of the Firstborn) in partnership with the Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club. “Be All You Can Be” was the theme of the fun-filled night that featured several exciting performances by the centre’s children: dancing, singing and traditional Carib-
bean steel-pan and African hand drumming. In preparation for the night’s festivities, the girls and boys practiced their instrumental
“For the boys and girls in our city and for the boys and girls in our world: yes you can... You can succeed with education, love and hope.” Curtis Ennis TDSB Superintendent skills twice a week for four weeks and learned a lesson on the history of African-American and African-Canadian culture and
Several performances including bongo drumming were on display for the celebration. Photo by Britnei Bilhete
The new office location (1240 Bloor St. W.). Photo by Jessica Dempsey
“If you are a community group that needs somewhere to meet, that’s something we are really excited about offering,” said Root-McCaig. The new office will also give the two-term councillor a chance to be directly involved in some of the initiatives that her office is trying to move forward. An example would be with the pop-up shop program. The program is a response to a public outcry to mitigate the issue of static vacant storefront spaces on Bloor St.. With having the community office in Bloordale, the councillor will be using the office as an example for the project, said Root-McCaig. Root-McCaig said that the councillor plans to be in the new office every Friday. OFFICE
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revolutionaries each day. “I learned that [Black History Month] is a very important month,” said Caitlyn Elliot, 9, “… and that there’s a lot of important people that we should remember.” People such as the evening’s honored black Canadians including Lincoln Alexander, the first black MP, and Mary Ann Shadd Cary, the first female to become a publisher in Canada. The Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club program director Tony Palermo called the children’s performance “unbelievable.” “I saw them practice and I know how hard they worked every single week,” said Palermo “…You can see the light in their eyes when they’re performing.” Toronto District School Board Superintendent Curtis Ennis had a special message for the chil-
dren: “Education is the key to success.” He spoke about his childhood in Jamaica and his perseverance to go to school through his mother’s alcohol addiction and family’s poor living conditions. “For the boys and girls who are here tonight,” Ennis began, “for the boys and girls in our city and for the boys and girls in our world: Yes, you can… You can succeed with education, love and hope.” Other community speakers included Davenport MP Andrew Cash, Davenport MPP Cristina Martins and a representative of Councillor Ana Bailão’s office. The night concluded with an international food buffet that featured African and Caribbean delicacies.
The Bloordale Times March 2015 03
News
SPRING BROUGHT TO THE WINTER SEASON AS ‘WINTER FLOWERS’ GROW Local artist and community activist Dyan Marie braved the winter cold and helped create what’s identified as a “winter garden” in an effort to bring light to the cold season BY TAMARA SHADE
tamara.L.C.shade@gmail.com
Visual Artist Dyan Marie was planting a garden when most are tobogganing and ice skating. Marie is the Creative Director of the BIG on Bloor Improvement group and said that in late Fall the group decided to save the space at Bloor St. and Emerson Ave. for a community garden. As a street artist, it isn’t the first time she has brought something to life for city goers. “There’s this great site and it would be really great to develop it as a place that people can embrace the winter,” said Marie. She encourages others in the community to experiment with ice and to add their own winter flowers. BIG Executive Secretary Marjolein Winterink said her and the group were trying to find ways to bring the light back in the winter and, “we were doing some paper lanterns with candles and sand in a park” and Marie found this idea that you could put lights in frozen balloons. Winterink said as a community artist Marie is always working on projects and they look for ways to enhance their community streets.
Marie said, “Now we have people going there and moving the shapes around” and she is hoping to have the space as a place that helps animates the street in winter. She said it’s not clear at this time what the garden will be in the summer, but there has been some discussion of turning it into a kitchen garden. Winterink said that over time the community would decide on what they want to do with it and it will be an ongoing community discussion. “It is important that people get together and do things in the neighborhood,” said Winterink. She said people are either making public art or they are appreciating it. Winterink said she thinks it is important that people bring their own experiences when working on community art. BIG is a volunteer group associated with the Bloordale BIA that work on improving and celebrating the Bloor St. neighborhoods. BIG is responsible for the BIG on Bloor Festival that takes place every year.
Winter flowers are encased with ice and shown at the corner of Bloor St. and Emerson Ave.. Photo courtesy Dyan Marie
POP-UP SHOPS COMING TO BLOORDALE BY MORGAN GALLAGHER
morgan.l.gallagher@outlook.com
On February 17, dozens of community members piled in Propeller Coffee (50 Wade Ave.) to talk about the opportunity of including pop-up shops in Bloordale. Pop-up shops are empty storefronts that are temporarily taken over by businesses looking to gain exposure and introduce their brand to a neighbourhood. The idea of including such shops in Bloordale has been long talked about among neighbourhood dignitaries. Thanks to Vanantful — a non-profit initiative that facilitates pop-up shops at an affordable rate — a meaningful dialog was started. Vacantful representatives, introducing themselves ahead of the meeting’s start, said they vow to help potential pop-up businesses along in the process. According to their website, they “negotiate short term tenancy” by working with community leaders to make empty or vacant spaces cheap and affordable.
“As the tenant stays for a longer period of time, the rent then starts going a little bit higher and so does the tax that he (she) pays that goes along with that,” said Councillor Ana Bailao, explaining the long-
term stipulations of storefront squatting. People were asked if they knew of empty spaces or building owners that would be willing to work with Vacantful to bring pop-up shops to
A long talked about initiative could make its way to Bloordale sooner than later. Photo by Morgan Gallagher
the community. In this type of business venture or initiative, getting the communities input is key to its success, said Bailao. Organizers are asking residents and people from around the community with any ideas to post them on twitter using the hashtag #BloordalePopUp. From there, they are
hoping to see trends in what types of stores and business community members want to see in the area. In partnership with Pop-Up Shops by Danforth East Community Association (DECA) and Woodgreens, Vacantful is hoping that their transition to the Bloordale community will be a positive one.
04 The Bloordale Times March 2015
Feature
LOCAL FILM BUFF JESSICA BERRY GIVES TAKE ON ACCLAIMED 2014 FILM ‘STILL ALICE’ BY JESSICA BERRY
myyearatthemovietheatre.tumblr.com
Still Alice Running Time: 99 minutes (translation: 1 hour and 39 minutes) Writers/Directors: Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland Actors: Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth, and Hunter Parrish The Review: Movies by definition are an escape from everyday reality. This is why films like The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1, Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America: the Winter Soldier, The Lego Movie and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies all finished in the top six of top grossing films in 2014; they provide people the opportunity to forget about their everyday woes and realities. But, here’s the thing. Sometimes the movie going experience is more than just escapism, sometimes it becomes an educational experience vis a vis documentary films or on those incredibly rare occasions when films give us the gift of an existential experience. Still Alice is one of these rare films. I know what you are thinking, “the last thing I want to do is watch an existential movie”; code
word for a depressing tear jerker, that is going to make me feel worse off when all I want to do is feel happy. Yes, you are right, and I will admit that this film is going to make you cry, but sometimes in life we have to do the things that we don’t always want to do: like eat broccoli or go to the dentist. I know… I just compared watching Still Alice with eating your greens and taking care of your teeth, but here’s the catch: in the end it is these very things that keep us happy and healthy over the course of our life. Of course, we hate doing it, but afterwards we feel so much better for having done it. This is what films like Still Alice, Born on the Fourth of July, A Good Death (Netherlands), Rust and Bone, Million Dollar Baby, The Impossible, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly give back to the world. That little reminder through salty tears that life is meek, short and fragile; and living for today, for this moment, can be the smartest thing we ever do. Julianne Moore does for this film what she has done in every film she has been in since Boogie Nights; she dominates it. Forcing you to watch her every move, enticing you to look deep into her eyes, and begging you to feel what she is feeling. Moore is one of the greatest actors to don the silver screen in the last 20 years, and if you miss her in this performance just because you are going to shed a couple of tears, then
ficult position having the task of trying to keep up with Moore’s trajectory in this film. Kristen Stewart and Kate Bosworth give noteworthy performances. Still Alice with its heavy subtext does an excellent job of balancing realistic family dynamics during a tragedy by sprinkling in just enough comedy giving the heart wrenching scenes that much more sense of realism. Still Alice is a rare and beautiful film that gives back far more than it takes. Once you have put yourself back together, you will realize it has given you a tremendous gift for simply paying the admission price. Can you name the last film that gave you a gift? Overall Grade: 4 1/2 STARS
*Scoring System is based on a 5 Star System Afterword: With a production budget of $5 millio dollars, Still Alice has only grossed $13 million worldwide in 7 weeks in comparison to other films with less “substance” such as: American Sniper: Grossed $472 million worldwide in 10 weeks Production Budget: $58.8 million Fifty Shades of Grey: Grossed $502 million worldwide in 3 weeks Production Budget: $40 million See, healthy food really is less expensive than junk food.
shame on you. Her portrayal of Dr. Alice Howland (a woman suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s disease) practically swept the award show season this year: - 2015 Academy Award Winner for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - 2015 Golden Globe Winner for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama - 2015 BAFTA Film Award Winner for Best Leading Actress - 2015 Broadcast Film Critics Choice Award Best Actress - 2015 Independent Spirit Awards Winner Best Female Lead - 2015 London Critics Circle Film Awards Winner Actress of the Year - 2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role But, the film is more than just Julianne Moore, it is about life, family dynamics, love and weakness. And it plays out in master storytelling form thanks to the writing, directing and supporting cast surrounding Moore. Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth, Alec Bald- Local resident Jessica Berry completed an improbable challenge that saw her watch 365 films in 2013. The project inspired a monthly film review here in the Bloordale Times. win and Hunter Par- Photo by Mutiara Samosir rish were put in a dif-
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The Bloordale Times March 2015 05
Letters from your political representatives
COUNCILLOR ANA BAILÃO
416-392-7012
Earlier this year, I was honoured to be designated Toronto’s “Housing Advocate” by Mayor John Tory. This significant responsibility builds on my work from last term as Chair of the Affordable Housing Committee. With this new designation, I will be responsible for
MP ANDREW CASH 416-654-8048
shaping Toronto’s multi-faceted strategy to improve housing affordability and expand housing services. In my first term on Council, I chaired a committee, two reports and an awareness campaign that dealt directly with critical need for us to address housing affordability in Toronto and the repairs at TCHC. This resulted in much needed funding to assist the repair
backlog and encouraged further partnerships with the private and public sectors. But we can’t do it alone. That is why I am proud to speak as co-Chair of the Close the Housing Gap campaign, which has been lobbying our Provincial and Federal partners to recognize their key role in addressing Toronto’s housing needs and commit to sustainable
funding. Another important initiative is the newly created Independent Housing Task-Force, led by Senator Art Eggleton; which will include experts in social housing, finance, real estate development and social policy. This Task-Force will bring real solutions to the table on how we can bring better governance and service to Toronto
Back in October, I was in sitting in the weekly NDP Caucus meeting in Ottawa when we were interrupted by an exchange of gunfire in the hallway outside. It was Michael Zehaf-Bibeau’s infamous attack on the National War Memorial and Parliament Hill coming to an end. Today, the Conservative government is trying to use this horrific attack as an excuse to limit Canadians’ civil liberties and increase police powers through their new anti-terrorism legislation, Bill C-51 C-51 would grant sweeping new powers to Canada’s security and intelligence forces that will severely erode the fundamental freedoms and liberties of Canadians, while failing to provide any additional public safety. In fact, if these measures were in place last October, they still would not have prevented the attack in Ottawa, and police have admitted that they already have the tools to combat terror plots. There is no question that Canada faces real threats from terrorism at home and abroad. It is the responsibility of Parliamentarians to come together and to address such threats with responsible and effective measures that prevent the actions of those who seek to intimidate us and erode our fundamental freedoms. Not only does the bill grant these new powers to our spy agencies, it allows them to wield these powers virtually unchecked, with no effective civilian oversight system in place as our allies in the United States, UK, Australia and New Zealand have. Unfortunately, the Conservatives have decided to ram this legislation through the House of Commons as quickly as possible with no scrutiny. Surprisingly, the Liberals decided that they would support this legislation before having even read it. Even in the face of mounting criticism and outrage, the Liberals still intend to help the Conservatives pass the measures. The bill is a blatant attempt by the Harper Conservatives to exploit the recent attacks for political gain, and they’re peddling the politics of fear to drum up support and suppress thoughtful criticism. The NDP is using every tool at our disposal to kill, delay and amend this flawed legislation in the House of Commons. We have already seen some success, forcing the government to hear eight days of expert witness testimony on the legislation instead of their preferred three. We don’t believe that Canadians should have to choose between their rights and their security, and we are not going to be victims of the politics of fear as those who support the bill would have us be – Canadians can see through that charade. We are going to stand up for our principles and continue to do everything we can to stop this flawed bill from becoming law. If it does, we plan to scrap it once we’re elected government. If you’d like to discuss Bill C-51 or any other issue, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with my office at 416-654-8048 or andrew.cash@parl.gc.ca
Community Housing and I look forward to working on the recommendations that this group brings forward. In order to coordinate these individual housing initiatives, the Mayor has appointed me as the City’s Housing Advocate – a role I accept with a deep understanding of the scope and severity of housing. Among my priorities for the year ahead, I will be working to: 1. Address the Toronto Community Housing repair backlog and governance issues: by working in coordination with the new TCHC Task-Force and championing additional Federal and Provincial support through the Close the Housing Gap campaign. 2. Advance new affordable housing opportunities: by exploring innovative financing arrangements by working with the notfor-profit and private sectors to implement long-term solutions for the retention and provision of af-
fordable housing. 3. Increase social and affordable housing opportunities: by enhancing the rent bank program and expediting Council’s decision to increase the choice-based housing program (providing applicants with more housing options and reducing vacant units). 4. Strengthen our efforts to end homelessness: by joining the movement for a 10-year plan to end homelessness. Government is an important piece, but it is also important that you get involved in this discussion about our city’s affordability. I encourage you to visit http://www. putpeoplefirst.ca, sign the petition and learn more about the discussion that is building across Toronto. Thank you for your support and please feel free to contact me at anytime as we continue to work for a Toronto that leaves no person behind.
MPP CRISTINA MARTINS 416-535-3158 March 8 marks International Women’s Day in Ontario, and across the world. International Women’s Day has been celebrated since the early 1900s and this year, the United Nation’s Theme is “Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity.” I’m proud to celebrate the many and diverse accomplishments of women, especially women in Ontario and Davenport. Women in this province are leading corporations, making scientific discoveries, teaching our children, and excelling in sport. They hold 53 per cent of Ontario’s university degrees, own 17 per cent of small businesses, and represent 29 per cent of apprenticeship registrations. And last June saw major breakthroughs in the political arena, as well. Ontarians elected the province’s first female Premier, Kathleen Wynne, and a record 38 female MPPs – including myself, the first female MPP for Davenport. This is certainly important progress, but more work must be done to promote the equality of opportunity for women in decision-making roles across the country. Right now, only 25% of our federal Members of Parliament are women – this makes Canada 49th in the world for gender equality in politics. To support this cause and do my part to encourage political participation for women, I have started a mentorship program with girls from Rawlinson Public School. Working with Equal Voice, this program known as “Girls Government” connects girls from Grade 7 and 8 with their local MPP to discuss issues important to them. It’s always a pleasure to meet with these bright young women, and it’s important that we work to make Ontario safe for women and girls. Current statistics tell us that one in three women in Canada will experience sexual assault in their adult life. That’s concerning in its own right, but even more worrying is that of every 1,000 assaults, only 33 are reported to the police, 12 have charges laid, six are prosecuted and three lead to a conviction. To tackle this issue, I’m proud to say that just recently, on March 6th, Premier Kathleen Wynne and The Hon. Tracy MacCharles, Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues, unveiled “It’s Never Okay: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment.” More information on this action plan is available at http://www.ontario.ca/itsneverokay Our goal is to change attitudes, improve supports for survivors, and make workplaces and campuses safer and more responsive to complaints about sexual violence and harassment. The Action Plan features important initiatives such as improvements in the way survivors deal with the criminal justice system, a high profile public education campaign to promote immediate change in rape culture behaviour, and an updated Health and Physical Education curriculum to help students gain a deeper understanding of healthy relationships and consent. We all need to do our part to promote gender equality in our world. We all need to examine our attitudes and behaviours, and learn how to intervene safely and effectively, and take responsibility. International Women’s Day is truly an important time for all of us to do just that. Cristina Martins; 1199 Bloor St West, Toronto, ON; 416-535-3158; cmartins.mpp.co@ liberal.ola.org; @CMartinsMPP
06 The Bloordale Times March 2015
News Feature
LOCAL COFFEE SHOP’S ORIGINAL NUTELLA DRINK GAINS TRACTION BY REBECCA PILOZO
rebeccapilozo@gmail.com
Most people consider Nutella as a spread, but one Bloordale café serves it as a latte. After being open for two years, Café Con Leche’s signature Nutella
latte and cookie sandwich has left customers wanting more. “It’s [latte] different but I like it. It’s worth the commute for the treat too,” said 24 year-old photographer Justin Peel, who recently discovered the Dupont St. café. Inspiration for the latte came
when café owners Sandra Silva and Carlos Flores realized the drink, initially a home experiment, would fit perfectly as their signature. “I just see that many people love Nutella and they put it everywhere, so I’m like, ‘what if we put the Nutella in coffee?’ So we did it here and
North American renown Nutella nut visits the local coffee shop to try nutella based drinks for the first time. Photo courtesy Wardere Farah
launched it,” Silva said. “Now people call us Nutella HQ,” she said with a laugh. From selecting the right espresso bean, to grinding and stirring it up with the delicious hazelnut spread, it’s something Flores and Silva take great pride in when serving their customers. Real enthusiasts are able to appreciate the process, knowing how hard it is to mix hazelnut spread and coffee. Customers even get a spoon to eat leftover Nutella, bringing out the inner child in everyone. They also launched their own bite-sized Nutella sandwiches for Feb. 5, also known as International Nutella Day. Flores made it his mission to reach out to Wardere Farah, a Nutella enthusiast with a sizeable social media following, to try out his latte. It didn’t take long for Farah to stop by after receiving an invitation over Twitter and was immediately delighted by what he saw.
“[Farah] just had this glow on his face and I said do whatever you want, take as many pictures as you want and he took pictures beside the [Nutella] barrel,” said Flores. What made Farah — whose passion for Nutella is second to none — fall in love with the shop almost immediately is how they set themselves apart from the competition with warmth and kindness. “They were so open and they were so kind. I was talking to them for a couple of minutes and I thought, ‘Okay they know where I’m coming from,’” said Farah. “They don’t hesitate to ask to take a photo or ask for opinions.” Aside from the Nutella craze, Farah believes what really differentiates the café from others is “a close relationship with the owners.” One can find more delicious dishes, including those Nutella-related, on Instagram and Twitter at CafeConLecheTo, while Farah can be found on Instagram at Wardere.
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The Bloordale Times March 2015 07
New Business ~ News
GUITAR AND COFFEE MARRIED IN NEW BLOORDALE COFFEE SHOP clare.jenkins13@yahoo.ca
Those looking for a marriage between coffee and music, look no further. Coffee Guitar (1280 Bloor St. W.) is a new café that focuses on providing a unique experience for customers by blending great coffee with instrument restoration with an expert’s touch. “Coffee Guitar is a community driven care centre for people who like guitars and enjoy a cool environment to hang out in,” said Bruce Domoney, an avid guitar player who opened up the store three weeks ago. Domney has been playing the instrument for most of his life but has spent the last 30 years teaching, repairing and restoring guitars. He had the idea of creating a shop where music lovers can get their guitars fixed while relaxing and enjoying a coffee. “If you’ve ever had someone who made a difference in your life it was because they either answered your needs or reached out to you with care,” Domney said. “If you don’t give it out you’re not going to get it back. They’re working with me and not just dropping off the guitar,” he said. Coffee Guitar offers its customers instrument repairs, seminars and guitar clinics where Domney gives a small group a hands-on presentation on a number of topics such as basic guitar knowledge as well
as songwriting and playing techniques. Brendan Doyle, a four-year guitar player, made his first visit to Coffee Guitar when he heard about the free seminars. “He actually taught me a lot of tricks,” Doyle said. Doyle said the greatest thing I learned from Domney was how to properly look at the neck of a guitar to see if it needs an adjustment. “Coffee guitar is excellent. I’m definitely going to come back,” he said. “And the coffee’s great too,” Doyle said. Domney said the store is a resource to help musicians to better understand their guitars and to get their instrument serviced in a timely matter. He said he wants to create a sense of community while maintaining a personal connection with his customers. “It’s about learning what you can and doing the best you can,” he said. “I think it’s kind of novel that the person who is bringing in their instrument can talk to the person who is servicing it over a coffee in a relaxed atmosphere and feel like you’re a participant. People appreciate the attention to detail and the one on one relationship,” he said. Domney said he chose to open his shop in Bloordale for the vast amount of people who are musically inclined that live in the area. “Bloordale is a great area because enough people involved in the arts can afford to live here,” he said. Domney and his dozen employ-
New shop owner Bruce Domoney stands behind his new workshop. Photo by Clare Jenkins
ees want the focus of Coffee Guitar to be as simple as the name of the shop suggests. “I’m not focused on anything else. Anything we do here is just an accessory to the main driven thing which is to make sure that guitar players are getting the service they need,” he said. As Domney’s customers receive the focused, expert service the shop
provides, they can also enjoy a cup of coffee which took as much skill and attention to detail to create as Domney puts into servicing guitars. “We were looking for a particular flavour in beans,” he said. Domney went through countless different roasts and beans and flavour profiles to get his very own blend of Coffee Guitar Coffee. He said he plans on giving private
LANEWAY PROJECT TO HIT BLOORDALE BY ALEXANDRA PHELPS
alex.phelps17@hotmail.com
After receiving a substantial grant from the Ontario Trillium Benefit, the Laneway Project has plans to initialize a city-wide project that will revamp many of Toronto’s public laneways for community use. The Laneway Project team will be focusing their efforts on two corporate laneway projects. One will take place in the Queen West neighbourhood and the other will be in the York-Eglinton area. Laneway Project founder Ariana Cancelli said that so far they are the only projects they will be focusing
on. She hopes that more funding will come their way so they can look at other locations, including Bloordale. Cancelli attended the Bloordale BIA committee’s annual general meeting on February 4 to introduce the Laneway Project and discuss how it can be of help to Bloordale’s many unused laneways. Though no firm timeline was set for lanway improvement, Cancelli said Bloordale is an imminent target. Cancelli has always loved laneways and how other cities around the world have utilized them. “Toronto had so much potential and didn’t have a laneway project group so it inspired me to create my own,” said Cancelli.
By renovating laneways, the organization hopes to increase walkability as well as creating new public and green spaces. They hope the effort will pave the way for pop up shops, micro-business opportunities and unique destinations. Toronto has over 24,000 publicly owned laneways which also lack laneway-specific planning. This leaves a lot of public space in a “grey zone.” By transforming these laneways, the opportunity to create more space for community events and entertainment. The Laneway Project is always looking for volunteers to help out with research, public events and even transforming laneways. You can also donate to the project by going to their website at http://www.thelanewayproject.com
lessons in the future as well as hosting music and songwriting nights. “Music is the sound of life of the heart of the mind its emotions its everything that happens music is the sound of all of that,” Domney said. “And the guitar is the instrument of the modern era. It’s an instrument you can carry with you,” he said.
ALEX PURCELL **BA & MA IN MUSIC**
LESSONS
GUITAR
BY CLARE JENKINS
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The Bloordale Times March 2015 09
Health & Wellness
LOCAL CHIROPRACTOR OFFERS BACK PAIN PREVENTION ADVICE BY SONYA HAMILTON
drhamilton@bloorwesthealthcentre.ca
Taking care of your back is very important for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. Your back and its related structures (muscles, nerves, joints, and ligaments) work hard everyday to keep you upright and moving through your daily activities. Unfortunately, statistics show that almost 80% of Canadians will suffer from low back pain throughout their lives. Low back pain can result from a number of different structures, and may manifest immediately following an injury or it may be delayed by a day or two. As mentioned last month, posture can play an important role in how your body responds to certain movements, and poor posture and weak core stability can pre-dispose you to a greater risk of injury and pain. So what exactly is low back pain, and what causes it? Lower back pain can result from a number of causes, including: muscle strain, restrictions in the movement of the spinal joints or pelvis, irritations of the joints in the
spine, irritated spinal nerves, disc injuries, and sprains. Sometimes, something as simple as sleeping on your stomach or shovelling the driveway can lead to low back pain. Injury to the low back may also irritate the longest nerve in the body called the sciatic nerve, which runs from the low back down the back of the thigh where it eventually branches below the knee to the foot. Symptoms of sciatic nerve irritation include burning and tingling along the back of the thigh, and weakness of the leg and foot muscles. The key to limiting your potential for low back pain is prevention! Maintaining an active lifestyle will help to keep your muscles and joints moving in your low back. Strengthening your core muscles will also enable your back to move in a well supported and balanced way. Activities like yoga, swimming, and walking are very beneficial, and simple moves at home to keep your core and legs strong will help reduce your risk for low back pain. Encourage yourself to take breaks from sitting, and avoid movements which decrease the natural curve of your low back. A little effort throughout the
day can go a long way towards improving your posture and reducing your risk of developing low back pain. For short periods of low back pain, you should avoid bed-rest (keep moving!), and use ice to help decrease the pain and inflammation. If you do experience low back pain that lasts longer than a couple of days, consult with a chiropractor for an assessment. Chiropractors will assess your ranges of motion, and examine your back to determine the cause of your pain. For those who may benefit from chiropractic care, conservative treatment of the low back may include: soft tissue therapy, spinal manipulation or mobilization, rehabilitative exercises, electrotherapy or laser, and acupuncture. Chiropractors are highly educated in back pain, and will work alongside you and your family healthcare team to get you feeling your best. We also work to educate patients on the reasons why they developed the low back pain, and ways in which they can self-manage to decrease the risk of re-injury. If you have any questions about chiropractors, or if conservative care can help, please visit the Canadian
ASK YOUR BLOORDALE NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR - DR. JENNIFER BAER BY DR. JENNIFER BAER
Got a question? health@drjenniferbaer.com
Question: I’ve heard that Vitamin D protects against cancer, boosts the immune system and may prevent depressed mood during the winter. Is this true, and how much do I need? Answer: Vitamin D Boosts Health, Cuts Cancer Risk in Half and Supports Mood. This past decade’s research shows that adequate vitamin D prolongs life and improves health. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with at least seventeen varieties of cancer, as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression and seasonal affective disorder (depression experienced during the darker winter months), chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, and periodontal disease. In fact, ample vitamin D (about 2,000 IU/day) can cut breast cancer incidence by half. A four-year study of 1,179 healthy, postmenopausal women showed that taking calcium,
along with nearly three times the government’s previous recommendation for vitamin D3, showed a dramatic 60 per cent or greater reduction in all forms of cancer. Additionally, there is growing evidence that maintaining vitamin D levels in the body during the winter prevent the flu and other viral infections by strengthening the immune system. How much vitamin D does the average person need? This is a tricky question. The study showing enormous declines in cancer rates, used 2000 IU/day. However, Vitamin D is fat soluble, which means that it’s rate of absorption can be more variable between individuals. The best way to know is to check your blood levels of Vitamin D. For those with risk factors it may be covered by OHIP – otherwise it costs about $35. Look for levels of at least 75 nmol, and perhaps more optimally in the 100-150 range. What does this translate to for the average person? In the summer, aim for 10-15 minutes of sun exposure on the face, arms, hands or back; without sunscreen, for at least 2-3 days per week, and take 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily. In
the winter, take 2,000- 4,000 IU each day. To calculate your Vitamin D intake, look at all supplements you are taking (i.e. multivitamin, calcium/bone support formula, cod liver oil, etc) and calculate the total amount. Health Canada acknowledges that it would be near impossible to obtain the recommended daily amount from the foods and serving suggestions they recommend in their guidelines. Sources: Cod liver oil, 1 Tablespoon 1,360 IU Salmon, cooked, 3½ ounces 360 IU Mackerel, cooked, 3½ ounces 345 IU Tuna fish, canned in oil, 3 ounces 200 IU Sardines, canned in oil, drained, 1¾ ounces 250 IU Milk, nonfat, reduced fat, and whole, vitamin D fortified, 1 cup 98 IU Vitamin D is remarkably safe; there have been no deaths caused by the vitamin. Higher doses than those listed are commonly used to treat mood and other disorders. But, as a fat soluble vitamin (excess gets stored rather than excreted), be sure to check
Chiropractic Association http://www.chiropractic.ca 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. www.drhamilton.ca
Dr. Sonya Hamilton, Chiropractor.
with your MD or ND before exceeding 2,000IU/day. And if taking a higher dose, consider blood tests every six months. Jennifer Baer, is your local Naturopathic Doctor, trained chef and Registered Holistic Nutritionist. An expert in digestive
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
10 The Bloordale Times March 2015
Community Column
TAXATION: EVERY CITIZEN’S DUTY - COLUMN FROM LOCAL ACTIVIST BY MICHAEL KUSHNIR
michael@ensemblesocial.ca
“Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society.” These words – spoken by US Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendall Holmes, Jr. – are inscribed above the gates to the headquarters of the US Internal Revenue Service in Washington. And Justice Holmes’ words are as salient today as they were nearly a century ago. As Canadians, we’ve prided ourselves on building an increasingly harmonious country. And there is much to be proud of, from the great railway that united a young nation from coast to coast, to the public healthcare that remains a hallmark of our culture and identity. Pierre Elliott Trudeau even described his ideal Canada as a “just society...[one where] all of its citizens will be actively involved in the development of a country where equality of opportunity is ensured.” And yet, there is a pervasive feeling that something isn’t right. That perhaps the seams of our nation’s fabric are starting to fray
and unravel. This is evident in all facets of life in Toronto: from the new labour market with its low wages, lack of job security and no benefits, to the state of public infrastructure, with an overloaded public transit system, insufficient electrical grids, and elevated highways that are literally crumbling in front of our eyes. The past years at City Hall have led many Torontonians – including the current mayor – to claim that municipal spending is overwrought with waste. The truth is that Toronto doesn’t have a spending problem; rather, it has a revenue problem. Over the past years, we’ve seen the City deal with these budget issues on a stop-gap basis by raising user fees for everything from swimming pool access to TTC fares – effectively an increase in taxation. The trouble is that fee increases disproportionately affect working people; a ten-cent fare hike per subway trip may not seem like much, but factor it all into the cost of a Metropass (as happened this month), and you’ll see resentment brew quickly. Much of this resentment has taken hold in the suburbs of Toronto, where
infrastructure is not as well-developed as in the city centre. This feeling of being ignored by City Hall provided the perfect conditions for Rob Ford to be elected mayor in 2010. The City’s main source of revenue – like most cities in North America – remains property taxes. However, as property taxes are essentially a flat rate applied evenly to all property owners (as opposed to an income tax, which is bracketed), we find ourselves in the same situation of disproportionately raising fees on those least likely to pay. A much more sustainable system would be to gear taxation to income, whether it be Queen’s Park allowing the City to issue a direct income tax, or to retool the property tax regime to bring in more revenue while allowing an instant rebate for households below a certain income level. We might ask ourselves in the aftermath of a crisis how it could have ever happened. Often, the short answer is neglect: that we allow small problems to become big problems over time. And that’s precisely what has happened in our city – Toronto’s in-
frastructure has been allowed to rust since the 1990s as a result of a politic that implies taxation is an offence against every citizen’s dignity. Reality, of course, tends
to diverge from ideology: taxation is not a moral offence; it is how we fulfil our responsibility to help build the society from which we all benefit.
Bay Subway Station platform. Photo courtesy Michael Kushnir
The Bloordale Times March 2015 11
Community Contributions ~ Corrections
Comics...
Corrections... for February Issue “Salem & Westmorland Parkette...” (Page 2) Story was completed by Natalia Vega and NOT Michael Kushnir.
“Multiculturalism...” (Page 7) Reference to Sammy Yatim shooting was incorrectly dated. The incident took place in 2013 and NOT in 2003 as reported.
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