The East York Mirror, December 31, 2015

Serving LEASIDE-BENNINGTON, DANFORTH VILLAGE, NORTH RIVERDALE and BROADVIEW Design, print and distribute direct mail

www.eastyorkmirror.com

thurs dec 31, 2015

416-774-2363

®

INSIDE Check out Joe Cooper’s Watchdog column / 11

Welcome East York on Sunday

Events calendar / 5

TARA HATHERLY thatherly@insidetoronto.com Transit stories that made headlines in Toronto in 2015 / 9

ONLINE Discover local history and genealogy at insidetoronto.com/history

SHOPPING wagjag.com AMAZING DEALS ON GROUP DISCOUNTS

shop.ca

SHOP AND EARN, EVERY TIME!

save.ca

COUPONS-FLYERS-DEALS-TIPS

KEEP IN TOUCH @EastYorkMirror www.facebook.com/ EastYorkMirror

MORE ONLINE

insidetoronto.com

TORONTO MAYOR JOHN TORY

POLICE CHIEF MARK SAUNDERS

YOUR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

Traffic, transit and housing: The mayor’s priorities for 2016. What else is he thinking?

‘Does it concern me that people are using firearms as a decision maker?

You bet it does.’

MPs Julie Dabrusin and Nathaniel Erskine-Smith look forward to a busy year.

★

★

See our interview on page 7

See our interview on page 8

★

See our story on page 3

East Yorkers can celebrate 2016 with local councillors and some of Toronto’s top officials at the annual New Year’s Levee.

This year’s event, called Welcome East York, is from 1 to 3 p.m. this Sunday at the East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave. Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders will be there to chat with residents, along with Toronto Fire Chief Jim Sales, city manager Peter Wallace, TTC CEO Andy Byford, and city librarian Vickery Bowles.

Councillors Janet Davis, Jon Burnside and Mary Fragedakis, who are hosting the event, will be there to meet people as well.

“It’s a time to welcome in the new year and to welcome East York to meet our city leaders,” said Davis. “It’s a celebration of the things we do. It’s a celebration of our great community, and an opportunity for people to come and tell us what else we can do to make it even better.”

Light refreshments will be served at the informal meet and greet.

“We’d love the people of East York to come and meet the leaders that make our city great,” said Davis.

FROM CONCEPT

to doorstep

door to door delivery drives revenue “We see thousands of customers come in holding flyers we run in metroland newspapers.”

- Samko Miko Toys Warehouse

call today 416.493.4400

EAST YORK MIRROR | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

2

Home is where the coverage is.

Your home keeps you safewe’ll help keep your home safe.

Contact Me

Get to a better State™.

Leon’s Danforth 2872 Danforth ave 416-699-7143

Boxing Week

SALE enDs on JanUary 5th

SAVE UPTO $700 On Furniture

free ($139 value)

With any furniture purchase of $1299 or more before taxes. While supplies last.

Big changes coming to East York in the new year TARA HATHERLY thatherly@insidetoronto.com

Richard S Hall Ins Agcy Ltd Richar Dickk Hall, Agent • www.richardhall.ca www ichardhall.ca

SuperStar™ BackFloat™ Waterproof Speaker

2016: A look ahead

saVe $200

399

$

Also available

Collier Sofa

LiMiteD tiMe!

Don’t Pay UntiL 2017 see store for DetaiLs

This year saw some significant changes and improvements in East York, and more are on the horizon for 2016.

Toronto East General Hospital is now Michael Garron Hospital, thanks to a landmark $50-million donation from Berna and Myron Garron in honour of their son, Michael.

The donation, the largest ever received by a Canadian community hospital, will advance health care in East York to unprecedented levels.

More equipment will be added to the hospital, and more research studies will be done, with an emphasis on improving patient care.

The hospital will also create its first teaching and research chair positions.

Many improvements were made to East York’s public spaces this year, including the addition of a new parkette at Donlands and Cosburn avenues. New friends of parks groups were started as well.

“East York is a fabulous community, and this year we continued to see community groups and residents actively participating in a range of activities that make this community even better,” said Beaches-East York Councillor Janet Davis. “We made significant improvements as well in all of our facilities and in our parks.”

More improvements to parks and trails are in the works for 2016, including a new pedestrian/cycling bridge at Pottery Road that will connect to a path on the east side of Bayview Avenue, providing better access to the Brick Works area.

Also coming in 2016 are improvements for the East York Civic Centre. Work to install a gas-powered backup generator there is expected to be finished early in the new year, said Toronto-Danforth Councillor Mary Fragedakis, giving East Yorkers an emergency shelter that can operate during power outages.

Landscape and pathway improvements are underway at the civic centre as well.

“We’re also going to be

A $50-million donation made to Toronto East General Hospital by Myron and Berna Garron in memory of their son, Michael Garron, was made in December. The donation means major improvements for the hospital along with a name change to Michael Garron Hospital.

opening up the square so that it’s more animated and able to be programmed year-round,” added Fragedakis. “It’s going to be really exciting, I think, for a lot of people to see this centre of civic life from the days of pre-amalgamation really come alive in 2016.”

Not to be left out, the East York Community Centre will also get an upgrade in 2016, in the form of a new gym floor.

The Danforth was spruced up this year, with rebuilt sidewalks and almost 150 new trees protected by decorative fencing. Community members came together to care for the new trees through the Adopt-A-Street-Tree project.

Taylor Creek Park will continue to be enhanced in 2016.

“We have finished the installation of another set of stairs, and are working to develop a master plan and a management plan for Taylor Creek Park,” said Davis.

“We’ll be looking at how to improve both the natural environment, the transportation network of trails and paths, as well as the recreational facilities in the park.

The bridges have already been restored, but we need to have a long-term plan to deal with the ongoing erosion problems and the storm water management issues for our area.”

Residents will be able to

provide input during the development of the master plan in 2016. There will soon be help to deal with the erosion as well.

“Part of addressing our erosion problems in the TaylorMassey Creek and Don River have to do with our storm management activities, and slated in the next two years are the huge infrastructure projects for the wet weather flow, which is a storm water containment system for the Taylor Creek,” noted Davis.

“The other thing that we’re doing, in the north part of the ward, for 2016, is a major basement flooding/sewer project. There’s $17.5 million of sewer improvements that are being designed in 2016 for 2017 construction, and that will address historic flooding problems in the north part of the ward.”

In 2016, residents will also have the chance to provide input on the redevelopment of the Dawes Road Library, which will see a community hub added to the space when it’s rebuilt in 2017.

Speed limits started dropping from 40 to 30 km/h on residential streets in East York this year, and more speed humps, traffic control signals, roadway markings and stop signs were added to slow traffic and make the community safer for children and pedestrians.

Public transit was improved, with added and expanded bus routes, and work to upgrade accessibility at Woodbine and Coxwell subway stations continued.

Residents will have opportunities to be more engaged in Toronto’s municipal government in 2016. Budget consultations will be held in the community this year, at 3 and 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14 at the East York Civic Centre.

At this year’s New Year’s Levee, called Welcome East York, on Sunday, Jan. 3, residents can connect with senior city officials as well as local elected representatives.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will help East Yorkers ring in the new year when the team holds its outdoor practice at Dieppe Park Monday, Jan. 11.

3

Rookie MPs eager to get to work in 2016 JOANNA LAVOIE jlavoie@insidetoronto.com The year to come will be a busy one for Nathaniel Erskine-Smith and Julie Dabrusin, the newly elected members of parliament for Toronto-Danforth and Beaches-East York.

Both first-time politicians, Erskine-Smith and Dabrusin have been busy learning the ropes of their new job as well as navigating their way around Parliament Hill since being elected Oct. 19.

They’ve also been working to follow through on the promises they made to better both the lives of those who live in their ridings as well as all Canadians.

N

athaniel ErskineSmith, who grew up near Woodbine Avenue and Gerrard Street East but now lives in near Queen Street and Woodbine, said his work in 2016 will revolve around the three themes he campaigned on: smart government, fair government, and honest government.

When it comes to smart government, Erskine-Smith – a commercial litigation lawyer by trade – said his government’s commitment to building a strong environment that would “intelligently” tackle climate change will be one of his main priorities.

“It’s one thing to agree to targets,” he said, pointing to the recent agreement on climate change reached in at the United Nations conference on climate change in Paris, France.

Erskine-Smith said establishing carbon pricing across Canada is one way to walk the walk, as is investing in new technologies and green infrastructure like home retrofits and improved wastewater systems.

During a recent interview, he pointed to the importance of investing in infrastructure, especially with interest rates being at all-time lows.

Erskine-Smith, who attended local schools and plays baseball on local fields, said federal investments in public transit and roadways would benefit all Torontonians, including those who call Beaches-East York

Staff photo/DAN PEARCE

Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith.

home.

He said smart government also includes improving housing for everyone and he vowed to improve co-operative housing agreements as well as social housing.

“I certainly plan to be an advocate on that front as well,” Erskine-Smith said. “I feel in Toronto, public transit and housing are at the top of the list.”

He also pointed to datadriven versus politically driven decision making.

“It’s all about making sure that in everything we do we make decisions based on the best evidence available,” he said, pointing to the Liberal government’s plan to reinstate the long-form census in 2016.

Erskine-Smith also said a smart government is one that has a “willingness to change its mind based on evidence.”

When it comes to fair government, he said the newly elected Liberal government would be implementing tax cuts and changes to the Canada child benefit based on families’ needs.

“It properly targets the goal of ending child poverty,” he

meet and greet Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith has recently opened up his local constituency office at 1902 Danforth Ave., just west of Woodbine Avenue.

Julie Dabrusin, MP for Toronto-Danforth, doesn’t have a local office set up yet but has held a few pop-up constituency days to meet with the community.

‘I feel in Toronto, public transit and housing are at the top of the list.

– Nathaniel Erskine-Smith

said.

Erskine-Smith pointed to reforming the senate to appoint new members based on merit and not patronage, and strong community advocacy for local issues at the federal level as examples of honest government.

“It’s all about being a strong voice for local issues in Ottawa,” he said, adding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has committed to giving his caucus members strong voices.

“He’s not going to tell us what to say. He’s going to listen to us.”

Erskine-Smith, who on Dec. 8 had the opportunity to give a 10-minute speech in the House of Commons that outlined his Top 5 priorities for the government, said transparency is key in all things he does as an MP as well as the decisions his government makes.

This spring, he’ll have the opportunity to present a private member’s bill. And while Erskine-Smith has a few ideas in mind like preventative health care and the need for better nutrition labelling as well as the need to bring animal welfare standards into the 21st century, the BeachesEast York MP is reaching out to the community for input.

“I encourage others to bring their ideas forward,” he said.

Going into 2016, ErskineSmith said he’d like to lend his legal skills to the federal

Liberals, notably on the justice file as he studied constitutional law.

He also said he’s looking forward to tackling some important issues such as death with dignity, the legalization/regulation of marijuana, the federal budget, the federal sponsorship of 25,000plus Syrian refugees by the end of 2016, and the previous government’s so-called tough-on-crime agenda.

As the new local MP, Erskine-Smith said he’d continue to knock on doors over the next four years and said he’d also continue to attend and host town hall meetings.

“I will continue to be as involved as I can be,” he vowed.

“I want people to know that if they call or email me I’ll get back to them as soon as possible.”

J

ulie Dabr usin, who was born and raised in Montreal but has lived in the Toronto-Danforth riding since 1998, said going into 2016 she’ll focus her energy on a number of key issues, notably growing income inequality.

“It’s something that has many different ways to tackle but very little is being done,” she said, adding she’d work to invest more in housing infrastructure and the renewal of co-operative housing agreements.

A bilingual litigation lawyer who is taking a break from her career to raise her family as well as devote time to local issues she’s passionate about, Dabrusin also spoke about the need for the federal government to support affordable housing for seniors as well as more affordable rental housing options.

“It’s something that can have a direct impact in Toronto-Danforth and across the country,” said Dabrusin, who spent as year as a commission counsel to the Toronto External Contracts Inquiry, which investigated government procurement of services and goods.

Like Erskine-Smith, Dabrusin spoke about the benefits of gearing the Canada child benefit to families who need it most. She said this move would help lift 315,000

Canadians out of poverty.

She also said a proposed increase in the Guaranteed Income Supplement for seniors is another way to address income inequality.

Locally, Dabrusin said she’d work to ensure there’s federal support for flood protecting as well as naturalizing the mouth of the Don River.

“It’s the key to opening up

‘My job is to advocate for our community.

Lots of urban issues are linked to rural ones. I’m able to address the big picture, how it affects everyone’s lives.

– Julie Dabrusin

Staff photo/Dan Pearce

Toronto-Danforth MP Julie Dabrusin at The Schmooz Cafe.

the port lands for redevelopment,” she said. “It’s an important local issue but it also affects the quality of life for all Torontonians. It opens up a huge area of our waterfront.”

On another local note, Dabrusin said she’s eager to work with all levels of government on the sponsorship of Syrian refugees to Canada. About 60 people recently attended a meeting she hosted in the riding for sponsors.

Going into 2016, she said she’s hoping to serve on committees that would foster her community building skills as well as her strong beliefs in building diversity and eradicating income inequality.

Dabrusin said her main role will be to serve as TorontoDanforth’s representative in Ottawa.

“My job is to advocate for our community,” said Dabrusin. “Lots of urban issues are linked to rural ones.

I’m able to address the big picture, how it affects everyone’s lives.”

And while Dabrusin is far down the list of the 338 MPs drawn to present a private member’s bill, she said she’ll find other ways to push forward legislation on food policy, access to healthy food,

and affordable housing.

“I’ll definitely be looking at food issues,” said Dabrusin, who founded the Friends of Withrow Park stewardship group as well as established and chaired the Frankland Community Advisory Committee to improve the use of the City of Toronto’s recreational resources.

She was also instrumental in helping save seven local pools from closure in 2012. In 2013, Dabrusin was awarded a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for Community Service.

Some of her work on food policy issues involved setting up a fresh food collection system from the Withrow Park Farmers’ Market for Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre as well as creating a Second Harvest Hunger Squad, which picked up food from Danforth Avenue restaurants and delivered it to Newcomer Women’s Services near Pape and Danforth avenues.

Dabrusin, who also serves on the board of directors of Park People (a Toronto alliance for better parks), has also worked with the Ontario Local Food Association to come up with a tax credit for farmers who donate to food banks.

| EAST YORK MIRROR | Thursday, December 31, 2015

2016: a look ahead

EAST YORK MIRROR | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

4

opinion Ian Proudfoot John Willems Alan Shackleton Warren Elder

The East York Mirror is published every Thursday at 175 Gordon Baker Rd., Toronto, ON, M2H 0A2, by Metroland Media Toronto, a Division of Metroland Media Group Ltd.

®

Cheryl Phillips Anne Beswick Mike Banville

WHO WE SERVE

Publisher General Manager Managing Editor Regional Dir. of Distribution Sales Regional Dir. of Advertising Retail Sales Manager Director of Circulation

East York Mirror City of Toronto

The Mirror is a member of the Ontario Press Council. Visit ontpress.com Proudly serving the communites of Blake-Jones • Broadview North Crescent Town • Danforth VillageEast York • Danforth Village-Toronto East End-Danforth • Greenwood-Coxwell Leaside-Bennington • North Riverdale O’Connor-Parkview • Old East York Playter Estates-Danforth • Thorncliffe Park Woodbine Corridor • Woodbine-Lumsden

Great things to be done in the coming year

Write us The East York Mirror welcomes letters of 400 words or less. All submissions must include name, address and a daytime telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters.

Copyright in letters remains with the author but the publisher and affiliates may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms. Letters can be sent to press@insidetoronto.com, or mailed to The East York Mirror, 175 Gordon Baker Rd. Toronto, ON, M2H 0A2.

I

t’s the eve of 2016. We’re all a year older and hopefully a little wiser.

From the moment we’re born we begin to age.

We’re cradled, we crawl, we stand, we walk, we run; always driven by our curiosity to know more, do more and be more.

But how much is too much? Are we experiencing real value in our lives living in this fast-paced culture of technology and responsibility?

We resolve to make changes, but most times these changes don’t stick.

New year’s resolutions seem to be destined to fail.

Maybe it’s because vowing to lose weight isn’t the real goal. But rather to be healthy have more energy to take our view and care of your family.

Instead of saying you’re going Aim for a to go on a financial diet, how reframing the thought. life of value about Resolve to spend money only on and balance the things that bring you the most joy. You’ll soon realize you’ll save more money and accumulate fewer things.

No one is asking you to come up with a grandiose plan for your future. But, of course, you could if you like.

But how about simply resolving to slow down your busy life a bit and reflect on what’s important to you.

Live a life of value and balance. Unplug. Increase face time with your favourite people. Find time to exercise.

Take in what you’ve learned in the last 12 months and build on the good and be grateful for the bad, because the adversarial experiences no doubt taught you the most.

We’re wired, tired and on the go non-stop. At least that’s how it must have seemed for many in 2015.

Let’s not say the same next New Year’s Eve. If there’s something you want to do in 2016, don’t think, just do. Push through toward your goals, one foot in front of the other, because baby steps count too.

There’s lots of great things that can be done in the coming year, including becoming more involved in your community or volunteering to help others.

The best way to make change is to be the change and that’s the best new year’s resolution you could ever make.

column

Tory must address SmartTrack concerns If 2015 was simply about righting the ship of state in Toronto and restoring civility to civic life – and for many it was, as I argued in this space last week – the coming year is going to be a challenge for our new and agreeable city council.

Indeed, looking at the new calendar, everything contained in the promise (and promises) of Mayor John Tory and his new council is going to be put to the test.

There was a certain luxury to be had in the first year of this mandate, being able to set up not just the tone for a debate, but the factual basis for it.

So two of Tory’s signature issues – the SmartTrack heavy rail transit system linking Markham to Scarborough and the downtown, and then Liberty Village and Etobicoke and eventually Markham, and the continued construction of the Scarborough Subway – could move slowly and

david nickle the city inconclusively through committee and council, blessed by open questions for another day.

The day to answer those questions will come in 2016, probably sooner than later. Media reports have indicated there are problems with the implementation of SmartTrack, particularly in the west end where considerable tunnelling might be necessary. The question, until now avoided, of whether it makes sense to have SmartTrack run so near the Scarborough Subway extension, will need to be addressed, definitively.

Thanks to the new budget process, in which city finance staff don’t do the work of budget balancing but leave that to politicians, councillors will have to find ways to pay for $67 million worth of

programs that they cheerfully approved in 2015. The continuation of enhanced transit service, investment in poverty reduction strategies… something as simple as setting up safe ice-skating on Grenadier Pond… will all depend on the ability of councillors to make hard choices and take responsibility for their decisions.

The city is going to need more money in any case, and councillors are going to have to have another look at that list of possible revenue tools they so neatly rejected during the Rob Ford mayoralty.

In year-end interviews, Tory has made much of his indifference to ideology in his approach to governing the city and corralling council. It has served him well so far, and could serve him well this coming year.

But it might be a terrifying time. Ideology, for good and for ill, can work as a kind of road map for a politician faced with making a

firm decision to deal with a complex problem.

Without a notion of where one wants to be, it can be easy to confuse pragmatism with populism, to make a call that panders to a base rather than provides a solution.

That’s not to say Tory should return to his Conservative roots or sign a New Democratic Party membership card – pick shirts or skins in an oldfashioned Toronto council mud fight. But he and the rest of council should remember that over the next year and the ones that follow, there are going to be debates and decisions that together will shape both the city and the legacy.

Doing it right is going to require flexibility, and thoughtfulness – and in the end, a crystalline clarity of vision.

i

David Nickle is Metroland Media Toronto’s city hall reporter. His column runs every Thursday. Reach him on Twitter: @DavidNickle

newsroom ph: 416-493-4400 fax: 416-774-2070 | circulation ph: 416-493-4400 fax: 416-675-3470 | distribution ph: 416-493-4400 fax: 416-675-3066 | display advertising ph: 416-493-4400 fax: 416-774-2067 | classifieds ph: 416-798-7284 | administration ph: 416-493-4400

5

EAST YORK happening in

it’s happening w Saturday, Jan. 2

Emma Movie Marathon WHEN: 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. WHERE: St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 361 Danforth Ave. CONTACT: Karen Millyard, 416-578-1031, www.

JaneAustenDancing.ca COST: Free An all-day Jane Austen marathon.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the publication of ‘Emma’, one of Jane Austen’s most popular novels. We’ll celebrate this bicentennial by watching, dancing, eating, socializing, drinking tea, discussion/comparison, playing historical games, and general Regency fun.

Regency clothing encouraged, but not required.Watching the films is free of charge; if you’d like to join in the dancing, games, food and tea, tickets are available for $25 or 20 and must be booked in advance.

w Sunday, Jan. 10

Beaches-East York New Year’s Levee WHEN: 2 to 3 p.m. WHERE: Naval Club, 1910 Gerrard St. E. COST: Free East York residents are invited to welcome in the new year with their elected representatives: Ward 32 Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon, Beaches-East York MPP Arthur Potts, and Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith.

featured

w Sunday, Jan. 3

Welcome East York WHEN: 1 to 3 p.m. WHERE: East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave. CONTACT: Councillor Janet Davis, 416-3924035, councillor_davis@toronto.ca COST: Free Councillors Janet Davis, Mary Fragedakis and Jon Burnside invite you to Welcome East York. This is your chance to meet, greet and connect with TTC CEO Andy Byford, Police Chief Mark Saunders, Fire Chief Jim Sales, city librarian Vickery Bowles, and city manager Peter Wallace.

Check out our complete online community calendar by visiting www.east yorkmirror.com. Read weeks of listings from your East York neighbourhoods as well as events from across Toronto.

Join us the second Thursday of the month for a discussion on selected non-fiction books. Today’s book is ‘Istanbul: Memories and the City’ by Orhan Pamuk.

w Friday, Jan. 15

Family Literacy Celebration with Storyteller Mariella Bertelli WHEN: 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.

WHERE: Riverdale Library, 370 Broadview Ave. CONTACT: 416393-7720, COST: Free Come hear acclaimed storyteller Mariella Bertelli sing, rhyme and tell stories from her collection. Drop in.

w Tuesday, Jan. 19

w Monday, Jan. 11

After School Maker’s Club WHEN: 4 to 5 p.m. WHERE: Riverdale Library, 370 Broadview Ave. CONTACT: 416-393-7720 COST: Free Come be creative at the library. For children ages 9 to 12. Call to register.

w Wednesday, Jan. 13

PAIL Network Leaside Peer Support WHEN: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. WHERE: Don Mills and Overlea area CONTACT: Lynn Davis, 1-888-301-7276, www.pailnetwork.ca, support@ pailnetwork.ca COST: Free Volunteers support families who have suffered pregnancy and infant loss.

Inquire about the organization’s one- Foot Care at CNIB Centre WHEN: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. WHERE: to-one telephone support.

Mosaic Home Care Services & w Thursday, Jan. 14 Community Resource Centre, CNIB, Preschool Art Play 1929 Bayview Ave., Suite 215H WHEN: 10 to 11 a.m. WHERE: RivCONTACT: 905-597-7000, info@ erdale Library, 370 Broadview Ave. mosaichomecare.com COST: ComCONTACT: 416-393-7720 COST: munity Clinic $40 and in-home Free Treatment $55 Explore craft materials and make Clinics run every third Tuesday of some simple art. For children ages the month. Call to book an appoint2 to 6 and their caregivers. Come ment. Details at www.mosaichomedressed to get messy. Drop in. care.com Non Fiction Book Club WHEN: 7 to 8 p.m. WHERE: S. Walter Stewart Library, 170 Memorial Park Ave. CONTACT: 416-396-3975 COST: Free

w Thursday, Jan. 21

Canadian Federation of University Women WHEN: 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Northlea United Church, 125 Brentcliffe Rd.

CONTACT: Pat Price, 416-385-1055 COST: Free

ongoing Euchre WHEN: Sundays, 12:30 to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Royal Canadian Legion Branch 22, 1240 Woodbine Ave. CONTACT: Jim Farrell, 416-4251714 COST: $6 Karaoke WHEN: Sundays, 5 to 9 p.m.

WHERE: Royal Canadian Legion Branch 22, 1240 Woodbine Ave. CONTACT: Jim Farrell, 416-4251714 COST: Free Bring your singing voice or come out to listen. All are welcome.

Cribbage WHEN: Mondays, 7:15 p.m. WHERE: Royal Canadian Legion Branch 22, 1240 Woodbine Ave. CONTACT: Jim Farrell, 416-425-1714, jimb.farrell@ yahoo.ca COST: $6

get listed!

The East York Mirror wants your community listings. Sign up online at eastyorkmirror. com to submit your events (click the Sign Up link in the top right corner of the page).

Open House & Registration Day! January 2nd, 2016

clearance

10:00-12:00 AM and 2:00-4:00 PM

sale

We offer a half-day Academic Enrichment program for Pre-K, JK and SK children aged 3-6

WARM UP WITH SAVINGS TODAY! With all in-stock lighting (and more) on sale you’ll find something perfect, for less.

But hurry – sale ends February 14, 2016 so come in today!

~

Our after-school and weekend classes include: Wee Wigglers (children’s fitness classes), Marvellous Mathematicians and Creative Arts classes for children aged 3-9.

Extra SpEcial: All yellow tagged items are 50%off the regular price 1347 Danforth Ave., Toronto, ON M4J 1N1

Sale ends February 14, 2016 or while quantities last.

Bulbs extra. May not be available in all stores.

We honour any advertised sale prices in the Gta on identical in stock merchandise

in the Beach 1841 Queen St. E. • 416.690.2544 • beaches@livinglighting.com

(647) 969-0315 www.thegreenwoodschoolhouse.com

| EAST YORK MIRROR | Thursday, December 31, 2015

community calendar

EAST YORK MIRROR | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

6

2015: a look back

Uber, Gardiner among top city hall stories of 2015 The Gardiner Expressway:

DAVID NICKLE dnickle@insidetoronto.com

One of the biggest debates was on what to do about the Gardiner Expressway.

The debate was a carry-over from 2014, when city staff and Waterfront Toronto presented engineering reports that it made the most sense economically and in terms of city building to tear down the eastern portion of the expressway and widen Lake Shore Boulevard there.

In the middle of the year councillor voted to simply shift the elevated highway to allow for more development.

By the standards of the years before it, 2015 was not much of a year at Toronto City Hall.

Mayor John Tory’s first year in office certainly had none of the high-stakes drama of his predecessor Rob Ford.

That doesn’t mean that there weren’t stories to tell in 2015; far from it. Here are three major stories that came out of Toronto City Hall in the year that was 2015.

Budget Crisis:

In January, Tory’s first budget nearly fell off the rails, when the provincial government announced it would be phasing out a “pooling” subsidy for social housing that suddenly left an $86-million hole in the previouslybalanced budget.

The announcement set city staff and politicians scrambling looking for a solution. They considered bor-

Staff file photo/IAN KELSO

The fate of the Gardiner Expressway was at the forefront of Toronto council debate in 2015.

rowing from a financial institution to cover the costs, after talks with the provincial government to help the city over the transition effectively broke down.

Finally, city staff came up with a plan to effectively borrow the money from itself, pulling money from future capital funding that would have gone into road repairs.

Uber vs. the Taxis

A convoluted story of disruptive technology and taxi drivers both, Uber-X’s incursion into Toronto’s livery marketplace sent shockwaves from one end of the year to the other.

Most of the drama played out at the city’s Licencing and Standards

Committee, where ScarboroughAgincourt Councillor Jim Karygiannis campaigned hard on behalf of taxi plate owners.

First up was a move to undo taxi licencing reforms that had been enacted by the previous council, that would have created a single owneroperated plate that could not be bought and sold.

Council wrestled with that following boisterous marathon committee meetings where cabbies and councillors clashed.

Eventually the issue collided with Uber X, the ride-sharing app that city lawyers had tried and failed to shut down through the courts.

By the fall, council had approved a process for establishing a bylaw to contain the freewheeling Uber app within city bylaws.

But drivers accused the city of moving too slowly.

This is one story that isn’t over at year’s end.

ON NOW AT THE BRICK!

SAVING YOU MORE For more details go instore or online @thebrick.com.

7

Mayor’s 2016 priority: making Toronto run better DAVID NICKLE dnickle@insidetoronto.com

I

t’s the day after the launch of the 2016 budget process – really, the first full budget of Mayor John Tory’s term – and it’s fair to say the mayor is feeling the sting of his critics.

The budget is not quite balanced – councillors will have to find $23 million in savings to just hold the line at inflation for property taxes, and find another $67 million if they want to keep the promises of service enhancements that council and the mayor have made through 2015.

As Tory sits down for his endof-year interview with Metroland Media Toronto, the bristling is barely noticeable.

“It is the beginning – I have been working on it for months and this is the beginning of the process that is continuing,” Tory says. “We have eight weeks of hard work ahead.”

Indeed, as 2016 unfolds, fixing the city’s budget and dealing with the city’s finances will be the first of a series of big jobs that Tory hopes to complete, to eventually make more sense of the mayoralty that Tory began just over a year ago on

the heels of the tumultuous Rob Ford mayoralty.

In many ways, Tory’s year in 2015 was about restoring calm to an office that had seen a bit too much tumult.

Polling data may have told Tory that transportation and public transit are the biggest issue, but he says that in conversation, Torontonians are most grateful for the simple stability of a mayor that if anything tacks to the dull side.

“The number one thing they raise with me every day is how happy they are that I’m conducting the job in a responsible and balanced way,” Tory says.

“It’s not just about not engaging in bad behaviour – but they also see that my comments on television are balanced. They see that I’m prepared to take into account the other side.”

Tory would like to be understood in this way: as a balanced, evidencebased politician who steps outside of the world of partisan politics that he himself once inhabited.

He offers up evidence to that, in talking about one of the major debates at Toronto council in 2015, over what to do with the eastern por-

Staff photo/DAVID NICKLE

Mayor John Tory’s priorities for 2016 are transit, traffic, housing and jobs.

tion of the Gardiner Expressway.

Tory advocated strongly against tearing that section of the highway down and instead building a ‘hybrid’ elevated highway – and in the end, he prevailed.

“Once the vote was over I could have said I won that vote, that’s that, let’s get on with building it,” he says.

“The first thing I did was to ask my

u O t t h g i N Contest

HAVE A NIGHT OUT ON US! Enter for your chance to WIN a $100 Ultimate Dining® Gift Card & 2 Cineplex® admission tickets!

To enter the contest, visit insidetoronto.com/contests

No purchase necessary. Contest open to Toronto residents 18 years of age or older. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. One (1) prize will be awarded. Retail value of prize is approximately $146. Contest closes Sunday, January 24, 2016 at 11:59pm. To enter and for complete contest rules visit insidetoronto.com/contests A publication of

@MetrolandTO ®

Metroland Media Toronto

himself for dealing with more reality.

Early in the new year, he and council will be shown reports on the efficacy of two inter-related transit projects: the extension of the Bloor-Danforth subway into Scarborough, and Tory’s own SmartTrack.

Tory has been steadfast in his support of both projects, despite questions being raised about both the expenditure and the engineering possibilities.

On SmartTrack, he acknowledges that there will be engineering problems, particularly in the western portion of the city-spanning project, where there are no existing rail lines.“The studies will come early in the winter, and why would I have bothered to go through the time and money, especially the time, of having those studies done if I didn’t want to pay attention to what was said?” he says.

“We’ll see what the study says and make adjustments if necessary. But there will be a smart track that will run from the Mississauga Corporate Centre through downtown and out to Markham.”

Overall, says Tory, his priorities for 2016 are “traffic and transit and housing,” and also creating jobs.

staff to sit down with all the people that most vehemently opposed the position I took and ask them how we could make the so-called hybrid much better.”

The result? Tory says the modified hybrid is an improvement on the original plan, and what had begun as a relatively narrow victory at council – he only won by 24-21 votes – has turned into a much broader consensus.

He admits that consensus was not always the result of what he termed an honest approach to issues. Taxi and limo drivers took Tory’s name in vain in early December when they blocked thoroughfares to protest the city’s slow action in curbing Uber-X drivers who collect fares via the unregulated Uber app.

Tory has taken an agnostic approach to the issue – along with council directing staff to find a way to bring Uber-X under the city’s regulatory regime and acknowledging that apps like Uber will likely remain.

“The truth is that when I said they’re here to stay it wasn’t a statement in favour of Uber – it was simply a statement of reality,” Tory says.

“They may not like the truth.”

Going forward, Tory is bracing

New TTC fares January 3, 2016

Fares Effective January 3, 2016

Cash Tokens/Tickets

$ 3.25

$ 2.00

*

$ 2.90

$ 1.95

tickets sold in multiples of 5 / $ 9.75

$ 2.90

$ 1.95

$ 42.25

$ 33.00

$141.50

$112 .00

Weekly Pass Monthly

Student 13 – 19 years Senior 65 years and over

minimum 3 tokens / $ 8.70

PRESTO

Metropass

Adult

Child

12 years of age or under

Post-Secondary Student * Monthly Metropass

Free

Greater Toronto Area Weekly Pass

Group / Day Pass

$ 61.00

$ 12.00

Proof-of-Payment Pay your fare and get a transfer

$112 .00

* Photo

identification may be requested for Students, 16 and over, Post-Secondary Students and Seniors.

*

| EAST YORK MIRROR | Thursday, December 31, 2015

2016: a look ahead

EAST YORK MIRROR | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

8

2016: a look ahead

Chief weighs in on challenges facing police in 2016 ANDREW PALAMARCHUK apalamarchuk@insidetoronto.com

D

espite a rise in global terrorism, Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders says there’s no credible threat against the city.

But the chief stresses that doesn’t mean all is well.

“It’s a different world right now,” he said in a year-end interview earlier this month.

“We need to be more alert. We need to be more vigilant in our dayto-day processes if we want to keep the city safe.”

According to the 2015 Global Terrorism Index, there has been a dramatic rise in terrorism over the last 15 years with nine times more people being killed in terrorist attacks today than in 2000. The report, released last month by the Institute for Economics and Peace, found that terrorism spread significantly in the past year, with attacks and fatalities in more countries than ever.

“We work on a provincial, national and international level. We’re in constant communication with law enforcement agencies around the world and we are kept up to speed

Staff photo/ANDREW PALAMARCHUK

Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders reflects on 2015, and looks ahead to challenges facing the Toronto Police Service in the coming year.

with information in real time,” Saunders said.

“We’ve got a very good machine when it comes to national security. ... I feel comfortable in knowing that if we do have to turn it on that we do have a good plan in place that will be effective.”

According to a CNN report earlier this month, ISIS has conducted or inspired at least 50 terrorist attacks

in 18 countries that have killed 1,100 people and injured more than 1,700 others since June 2014.

“It’s always on the back of my mind,” Saunders said of a terrorist threat. “It’s not like we sit and wait for something to happen. There are things that are in the works on a dayto-day basis, 24 hours a day when it comes to national security.”

Saunders, a married father of four, was appointed chief in April, making history as the city’s first black top cop.

“If it serves as a role model for any member of the community, then it’s a good thing,” he said.

“I threw my hat in the ring because I was hoping to move the Toronto Police Service to the next level, the next generation of policing, and I have a particular vision in which I would like us to move in, so that’s the first and foremost reason why I was interested, and the history piece, I kind of stuck that more or less behind me, but I’m grateful that that’s how it has been considered.”

At his swearing-in ceremony, Saunders called the cost of policing an “urgent” issue and vowed to “examine everything we do” in an effort to find efficiencies.

A recently formed task force, chaired by Saunders and Toronto Police Services Board chair Andy Pringle, will study ways to modernize the force, which has an annual budget of $1 billion.

“This task force is going to look at what we can do to transform the existing model, what we can do to modernize the model of policing to make sure that we can be even more effective and efficient,” Saunders said.

“Whether it’s looking at technology and using it to help us keep the city safe or it’s looking at the shift model in policing, how we can modify that to get the most out of the assets that we have, I think are some critical components.”

A 2011 efficiency report found that $35 million could be saved with a schedule change. There are currently as many officers on duty in the early morning hours as there are during the busy evening hours.

“It’s going to take a tremendous amount of research. It’s not a matter of making change for the sake of making change,” Saunders said of the task force. “We really have to be careful in the approach that we take to make sure that what we do is the

right thing to keep Toronto safe.”

In May, Toronto police unveiled a body-worn camera pilot project involving nearly 100 officers.

Saunders said the project, which ends in March, is “going well” but wouldn’t reveal whether he thinks it should be expanded.

“I don’t want to promote too much of what my feelings are,” he said. “I’m going to look at the research and see what the research tells me.”

As of Dec. 21, there were 243 shootings involving 381 victims in the city in 2015, compared to 174 shootings and 231 victims at this time last year.

“We have to be careful because the connotation is that this is now a pattern and it’s on the rise. It’s only compared to one year, which is last year. Last year is a bit of an anomaly year,” Saunders said.

“Does it concern me that people are using firearms as a decision maker? You bet it does. It concerns me tremendously. And then the question is: What do we need to do to deploy our officers in the right areas at the right times so we can reduce that from happening? And that’s the process that we’re moving towards right now.”

CARRIERS

WANTED REWARD! EXTRA MONEY

MEET NEIGHBOURS

TIME AND

MONEY MANAGEMENT

AMAZING TEACHES EVENTS RESPONSIBILITY PRIZES

GREAT CARRIER

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

416-774-2284

Transit makes headlines in 2015 n The rise of Uber

Uber isn’t exactly new; it’s been operating here since 2012. But 2015 was the year local scrutiny of the tech rideshare company’s revolutionary business model reached a fever pitch. In September, there was a city briefing outlining proposed bylaw changes to regulate Uber’s operations.

Earlier in the year, the city had failed to convince the courts to ban Uber’s UberX service, which operated a taxi service but with unregulated drivers using their personal vehicles.

From hunger strikes to a full-out day of protest, city cabbies made their opposition to Uber and other would-be rideshares loud and clear.

Read the story here: http:// bit.ly/1U0BtFd

n Queens Quay reopens

remodelled strip.

Queens Quay was a concrete eyesore for years. Now, it’s a tree-lined promenade with a cycling connection and better access to transit.

Read the story here: http:// bit.ly/1QUX2HO More here: http://bit. ly/1IkZN3W

n Spadina subway extension again delayed

In 2015 the TTC finally had to publicly admit what transit observers had suspected for several months: the completion of the Toronto York Spadina Subway Extension was in serious jeopardy of yet another delay. The six-stop extension into Vaughan was supposed to open a year later than anticipated in 2016. But in mid-March CEO Andy Byford announced the extension wouldn’t open until late 2017 at the earliest. What’s more, the delay would require an extra $150 million, bringing the project’s price tag to more than $2.6 billion.

Read the story here: http:// bit.ly/1PgVzdd

ANNUAL

n UP Express

In 2015 a transit line opened just before the start of the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, becoming the city’s first direct rapid transit connection to the airport. The Union-Pearson Express was hailed for its speed (barely 20 minutes between Union Station and Toronto Pearson airport), luxury and business-class service.

But for Junction residents, the only effect of UP was incessant ringing train bells caused by the new service.

Read the story here: http:// bit.ly/1MFLfcu

n Davenport overpass opposition

In Marc h, Metro linx announced plans to eliminate the Davenport Diamond rail crossing by building a train bridge. If approved, the project would allow GO Trains on the Barrie corridor to no longer have to share track with Canadian Pacific Ltd. heavy rail freight trains.

Read the story here: http:// bit.ly/1U0Cb56 – Rahul Gupta

E SAVATE!

THE

D

R OU HY T C A GE RE TAR KET! R A M

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY!

CAREGIVERSHOW.CA

Friday May 6, 2016 • Hours 10am - 5pm Ontario Science Centre - Toronto Sponsor or Exhibitor information, please contact

RONIT WHITE at rwhite@metroland.com or 416-774-2247 BROUGHT TO YOU BY: &

ET YOUR L T ’ N O D EASE L E L C I H VE OWN. D U O Y CHAIN T. BUST OU

SpOnSOREd BY: &

LEARN. CONNECT. REJUVENATE.

LeaseBusters.com is the largest vehicle lease marketplace in Canada.

We’ll unlock you from your vehicle lease commitment... save time, early termination fees and penalties.

Call now for a free consultation 1-888-357-2678 or visit us at www.LeaseBusters.com

© Johnson & Johnson Inc. 2015 To be sure this product is right for you, always read and follow the label.

Nine years in the making, including three years of construction, the new-look Queens Quay re-opened mostly to raves – and some confusion as road users figured out to how to best traverse the

9

3rd

OFF THE PURCHASE OF MOTRIMAX™ 12 HOUR PRODUCTS

04396420

TO THE DEALER/RETAILER: McNeil Consumer Healthcare, division of Johnson & Johnson Inc. (McNeil) will reimburse you for the coupon’s face value plus our specified handling fee provided your customer redeems it at the time of purchase of any item(s) specified. Limit one coupon per purchase and per person, and may not be combined with any other offer.

Other applications may constitute fraud. In Quebec, do not redeem this coupon for your customer. McNeil, in its sole discretion, may refuse reimbursement where it suspects fraudulent redemption has occurred or where applications for reimbursement are received more than one month from the expiry date indicated on the coupon. Failure to send in, on request, evidence that sufficient stock was purchased in the previous 90 days to cover coupons will void coupons. Coupons submitted become McNeil property. Reproduction of this coupon is expressly prohibited. For redemption, mail to: McNeil Consumer Healthcare, division of Johnson & Johnson Inc., P.O. Box 3000, Saint John, N.B. E2L 4L3.

NOT VALID FOR REDEMPTION IN ANY STORE OR PHARMACY IN QUEBEC. TO THE CUSTOMER/CONSUMER: Provincial Law may require the retailer to charge the applicable tax on the full value of the purchase(s) before the redemption in coupon value. GST, HST, QST and PST are included in face value, where applicable. Coupon is void if reproduced or altered from original. Any other use constitutes fraud. Limit one coupon per purchase and per person, and may not be combined with any other offer. No facsimiles. Offer valid only at participating retailers in Canada excluding Quebec. Available while quantities last. COUPON EXPIRY DATE: December 31, 2015 © Johnson & Johnson Inc. 2015

| EAST YORK MIRROR | Thursday, December 31, 2015

2015: a look back

EAST YORK MIRROR | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

10

Sign up Online Visit

Buy Online:

82% off

$199.00

$199 for 3 Zerona Z6 laSer fat loSS treatmentS (a $1100 valUe) regency fitneSS

Buy Online:

61% off

$79.00

Up to 61% off a flyboarding or Hoverboarding SeSSion Kite Xtreme

Buy Online:

68% off

$39.00

$39 for a 1500tC bed SHeet Set (a $120 valUe) SHipping inClUded PerfectSenSe Brought to you by

Buy Online:

50% off

$35.00

$35 for $70 towardS aUtHentiC korean bbQ and JapaneSe CUiSine AriSu

Buy Online:

68% off

$19.00

$19 for inSide-oUt Hoop earringS (a $59 valUe) neverlAnd SAleS

Buy Online:

31% off

$59.00

Up to 27% off tiCketS to See SmaSH Hit mUSiCal kinky bootS the royAl AleXAndrA theAtre

WagJag.com

Buy Online:

38% off

$21.00

$21 for pUrely inSpired plant-baSed protein plUS free SHaker CUp (a $34 valUe) Purely inSPired

Buy Online:

37% off

$99.00

Up to 38% off a tiCket to tHe niagara iCewine feStival inClUding roUnd trip tranSportation and taStingS roundtriP tourS inc.

Buy Online:

28% off

$219.00

Up to 35% off tiCketS to See tHe toronto raptorS vS. detroit piStonS in detroit on febrUary 8, 2016 tranSportation inClUded roundtriP tourS inc.

11 | EAST YORK MIRROR | Thursday, December 31, 2015

opinion

Keep a positive view in 2016 So what are we in for this year, given the roller-coaster ride that we just finished in 2015?

Certainly the economy is going to be the number one issue confronting everyone as we begin to see exactly how events in Europe and China play out.

The key question for each of us is how the economies will fair and how hard will it hit our personal pocket books.

This past Christmas certainly didn’t show any early warning signs of an economic down-turn as the size of the shopping crowds were still big.

While nobody wants to see people and business suffer due to a poor economy, I also heard some quiet sighs of relief about our new economic reality.

Many, I believe, are welcoming a chance to slow down a bit and get off the massive consumer treadmill that many found themselves upon.

It has all become a bit too crazy, with far too many

joe cooper watchdog choices and options being waved at us from all sides of the consumer spectrum.

The irony was that as we ended up with more and more possessions, there seemed to be even less time to do anything with them. So if there is one small blessing that may come out of the slowing down of the economy, it may be that we can personally slow down as well.

One of the reasons I call East York my home is that I wanted to live in a community that had a small-town atmosphere with the convenience of a city.

We definitely have the potential in our community to weather this economic rough patch with a lot more grace and civility than other places. Most of us are within walking distance of all the stores we need for our shopping wants, plus we have a wealth of public transportation criss-crossing the former

borough.There is a blessing of local parks and access to the Don Valley that provides us with as about a natural a setting as you will find hours north of the city.

It may be a bit of a cliché, but truthfully the biggest thing that we will have to face over the up-coming year is fear itself. Many people, be they journalists, or politicians, will be emphasising the negative, and frankly there will be a lot of bad things happening.

However, your task will be to keep it all in perspective, and the best way to do that is to keep yourself busy and active in positive, constructive things.

The times we are going through will pass, as have all the previous economic down-turns and crisis.

Make the counting of your blessings your first task on New Year’s Day, and remember to include living in East York near the top of the list.

Joe Cooper is a long-time East York resident and community activist. His column appears every Thursday. Contact him at eym@insidetoronto.com

i

Canada’s Automotive Lifestyle Destination

ive a exclus Wheels.c d n a re s rt le e Artic s for exp Browse n Video Televiso g in v ri D ting the es reflec views, ws stori e n d n a rs s ve roadtrip adian dri s of Can Lifestyle

tools parison nd Com t’s a h rc a le e hic tha Res d the ve Use our t and fin u o b a to learn estyle your Lif right for

T S A I S U H ENT

Last Min G N I GAEMEXPOGift Ideute

LIV

a!

2016

flyers. coupons. deals. cash back.

Weekend Pass i n c l u d es NTO1 TORO t s h irt ay Apr.29-M e al Centr Internation

Kids!

Indiegamedevelopers PlaythelatestPCandConsolegames Cosplay RetroArcade 15+eSportstournaments

Canada’s

FREE istr tion FREEregistration forthe

Largest

Build-a-thon

International Centre, Apr.29-May1st

VIDEO GAME

M I S S I S S A U G A

Forticketsandmore info:

Get this coupon and more at www.save.ca/coupons *Coupons subject to availability.

EAST YORK MIRROR | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

12

community The East York Mirror published a series of articles on my business.

Now everyone knows how great we are!

Board time in stan wadlow Park

Each year we help over 50,000 businesses connect with local consumers.

Call 416-493-4400 or email us at salesinfo@insidetoronto.com today to find out more about our amazing Content Marketing Packages.

Staff photo/BENJAMIN PRIEBE

ENJOYING THE RIDE: Calum Tustnmayes enjoys one of the last warm days in 2015 by riding his skateboard at Stan Wadlow Park on Monday. Later that night the snow and freezing rain hit the city, making skateboarding conditions less than ideal.

What are you delaying because of the cost of high mutual fund fees?

It’s time you find out.

Learn more at nestwealth.com/fees © Copyright 2015 Nest Wealth Asset Management Inc. “Nest Wealth” is the trade name of Nest Wealth Asset Management Inc. The products and services advertised are designed specifically for investors in the Province of Ontario and may not be available to all investors. Products and services are only offered in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. This advertisement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to sell securities in any jurisdiction.

There’s lots to see and do in Toronto The holiday season is here, and in a city the size of Toronto there’s plenty to see and do. Here’s a rundown:

n ALLAN GARDENS & CENTENNIAL PARK Check out what’s blooming during Christmas Flower Shows taking place at two of the city’s conservatories.

The shows take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Sunday, Jan. 10. There’s no admission and it’s suggested to give a donation to the Daily Bread Food Bank. www.toronto.ca/conservatories

n RIVERDALE FARM Featuring ducks, goats, sheep and other barnyard creatures in the heart of Cabbagetown, the 7.5-acre farm is open year round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is free.

416-392-6794, www.toronto.ca/ parks/featured-parks

n FLEMINGDON PARK COMMUNITY CENTRE Playground Paradise, located within the centre,

at 150 Grenoble Dr., is running a drop-in holiday schedule for families with kids 12 years and under.

There are plenty of activities for the little ones, from swings to a spiral slide, and a ball pit with thousands of colourful balls. Drop in until Sunday, Jan. 3. It costs $2.50 per child for two hours. Closed New Year’s Day. n DOWNTOWN DISCOVERY WALKS Want to know more about the city and get some exercise? Discovery Walks highlight notable downtown parks, historic sites and popular gathering spots by plotting out a walking route on your smartphone.

n HISTORIC SITES Nine of the city’s historic destinations, including Fort York, Gibson House, Colborne Lodge, Mackenzie House and Market Gallery are offering special programs for the holidays. There’s a wide variety of activities from excursions with the family to more adult offerings.

Holiday rates are in effect.

The locations will be closed Jan. 1.

More Content, More Credibility, More Customers.

Contact us today and Get YOUR BUSINESS FOUND! Sponsored Content

Italian inspired creations infused with a modern flare in the heart of Carlisle

I brought my parents for lunch. The service was excellent and the waitress was so helpful with settling my parents into their seats. My Mom really enjoyed her liver and onions. Fish and Chips were delicious.Very comfortable atmosphere. We'll be back !

Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Th Thursday: h d Friday: Saturday: Sunday:

Tired of the same old local restaurant or pub? Try something g new and unique – try Tartan Toorie! At Tartan Toorie we focus on providing you with a unique dining g and entertainment experience.

Good food shared with good company is always an occasion to be savoured.

Regrettably, for most the harried lifestyles of today don’t always allow for this luxury.

In an ideal world all your meals would be joyful j y events; yyour taste buds teased and spoilt for choice with an abundance of l l iingredients, ingredients, di served fresh in a warm, local inviting atmosphere. Fortunately for the community minutes commu munit un ttyy of Carlisle le e (j (ju (just ((jus jju usstt a fe ffew ew m mi in nutes utes u utte ess north Waterdown) surrounding north th o th off W Waterdown r ) and d tthe h surro surround o ing area, local resident Angela Checchia, dreamed of creating a community based, Italian inspired bistro reminis reminiscent scent of old world ideals and philosophies. id d ls ls an a nd p philoso philo h hilo hil ilosophie phi p hie h hiies. ie es. es

11:30 AM-9:00 PM 11:30 AM-9:00 PM 11:30 AM-9:00 PM 11:30 AM-12:00 AM 11:30 AM-12:00 AM 11:30 AM-12:00 AM 11:30 AM-9:00 PM

sportt the best We serve homemade Scottish pub food, o and nd spor nd city. fish and chips and steak pie in the cit ty. We We also alsso ccarry carr arry a h hos host ost st of refreshing and distinctive beers that a are rarely found at other pubs and restaurants. You mayy have experienced the Hamilton has offer, British and Irish pubs the city of Ham milton on h on ass to off a er,, but bu ut ut Tartan Toorie is the ONLY SCOTTISH P PUB UB in n all a all of of Hamilton!

Ham H Hamil Hami ami ton! on! n

Related Rellated Re ed Stories Stories tor ries s Cascata Bistro C scata ata ta aB ist istro stro tro o Born an and industry, Angela orn o rrn n to oa n Italian Itttalia talian alian al alia a a family mily a mil nd d raised rais raise aised a ise ised ise sed ed in ed in th tthe he re rrestaurant esstaurant est estauran esta estaurant ura urant an ntt industry iindustr ndus ndustry dustry tr try, Ang An A ngela ((mother, mother, wife, triathlete entrepreneur) instinctively knew old landmark triathlet iathle athlet le ete et e and nd n de en ent nttrepreneur n repreneu epreneur preneur eneur neur neur urr) in ur) insti instinc instin iins inst nssstinc nstinc nsti nst n stin ttinc tin tiiinc ncttively nc tivel tiv ivve ive ively vely ely e lyy kn k ew w that tha th hat h ha at at the the e 1100 100 ye yyear arr o a ld la andmark building on corners Carlisle greater heights.

One day, n the he e four ffo ourr cco corne corner o orn or rrn ne s off Carl Car C Ca ar arrllis arl issl isle sle le w le was wa as destine a destined dest destined desti de destin estin es e est sstined stine tiined ttined tine ine ined ffo for orr great o gr grea gre eat ate at er he height heig hei heigh e gh ghtss. O ne d ay, whilst eating ice-cream old watching the occurred ice ice-cre ic ce-crea ce-cream e-crea -cream -crea -cr ccream ream w with ith tth hh he 3 yyear her ye yea e o ld da an and nd n d wa w attc tchin tch tching ching chin cch chi h hi hin hing iing ng tth ng he cars rss g go b by, y,, it o ccurred tto ccur o her that the cars going bistro. long numbers goi go oing o iing in ng n gb by ccould ould ou o uld ld db be stopping stoppin stoppi to toppin topping toppi opping op ping in ng n ga att her he h er er b bi bist isstro stro. tro tr ttro. ro. rro o. IIt wasn o. wasn’t wa w was asn’t a sn ssn’t n t llo on ng g before before n befor bef number num nu um m rs were negotiated, permits wass b permitts ts iissued sssued ssue sued su ue ued ed a an and Ca Casc Cas Cascata Casca ascata a scata sca cat cata ata tta aB Biist Bistro iistro stro tro ow wa born bor bo born. o orn. orn rrn rn. n.

10am-6pm All-day Sunday Breakfast from 10am-6 - pm m Our Products & Services include: Authentic Scottish Pub Food Unique Beers Live Music Hank Thursday Night Open Jam night with H an nk and nk d the th he B Boys.

Following philosophy farmers using FFollowin Follow Foll Fol olllowing llow low lo ow owing wing ing in ng tth ng the he he fa farm farm far arm ar rm to o tta table tab ab ble le e phi phil philoso philosop ph hiloso h hilosop il ilosop ilo iiloso losop lo loso oso osop o sop op o phy hy w which hich hich iccch h supports supp ssup su upp upports up upp pports p ppo ports port po p orts o rrts rtttss local lloc lo occcal ocal o all ffa a far arrmers by a b u sing locally grown seasonal produce available, att the a award grow row ow wn n sea se easonal so son onal all p pr pro rro oduc duce du ucce uce uc ew when whe wh hen hen n availabl availab availa avai vailab vaila vai vail vvailabl aiiillable, ailabl lab ab e, e, a all llll o off the the th he me men m menu en e enu nu n u iitems item ite tems tte tem e ems ms a ms ward winning Cascata Bistro handmade, ensuring quality ingredients are Casc ascat asca catta aB istr istro strrro st sstro o are a arre re h handmad hand handmade ha handm andmade and an a andmad andma andm nd n dm ma made ade ad a de d e, ens en ensur ensuri ensurin e ensu nsurin ns nsuri nsur n nsu su surin suri ssur urin uri u ur rrin iin ng o on onl only nly nlyy fr ffresh resh sh hq qual qua qu quali uali u ual alli ali lity ty ing iin ingre ng ngre n ngred grrre gre g edients a ed re used. Together Angela and bistro’s chef continuously delicious Angela a an a nd d th the h b bi bis iisstro ttrro’s tro’s o’s o ’’ss cch che he h ef conti ccontin continu cont co ontinu on o nti ntinu t nu uo ou ously usly sllyy str sl sly sstrive st ttrrive riv iive ve tto ve o cr ccreate re ea eate eat atte a ate te n ne new new, ew e w, d w, eliciou us and enticing combinations -often herbs vegetables bistro’s combin combi ccomb ombin mb biin binati bin inati nat nati na ati a ttiion ons o nss -o n --ofte -of o offfte ten using te us usi sin ing gh erbs rb rbs bss and an nd d vve veg vege ege ege eg etable ta table tab ables fr able ab from ffro rom m th tthe he bis bi b bist iist is ssttro’s own n kitchen garden.

Special events hosted include pairing dinners, specialty brunches Special Specia pe ecial cciia ial e vent vven vents ents e ent en nts h hos ho os oste ted ed iinclu inc incl ncclud nclu n de ew win wine wiin ine ne p ne airin airing a iri iring iirin ring gd di nners, nners nne nner nn n ners, ers, ers rs, s ssp pecialty eci ecialt ecia ecial cia cial cialty iialty alty l yb runche es and weekly live entertainment. For contests and more information, vis visit Cascata Bistro i iitt C Cascat ta B Bi Bistr istro on Facebook.

Fresh local in ingredients mixed traditional flavours ngred ngred re red edi dients ients t mix m i ed dw with wit i the the e tradit ttrad raditional onal nal al ffla fl vours ours urs of urs o authe authentic a uthe c Italian cuisine are a winning co combination.

Especially service ombinat binat binat attiion. on E on Esp ecially when paired with friendlyy ser sse ervice rvii in n an eclectic atmosphere. Wheth Whether are planning two lively h her you ar e plann plannin planni plan lanni g an lannin an inti in int iintimate t mate ate te e din d dinn dinner di err ffor fo orr tw o or a li vely group event, the wonderfully designed Cascata Bistro delight llyy d de esigned ssiiig igne gned gn g ne ed dC Ca assc scata sca ca ca atta ta Bis tro in Carlisle, is an artisanal del light just waiting to

www.toronto.ca/holidays

n SKATING AND SWIMMING City-operated rinks and swimming pools will be open during the holidays.

Ta Taxes are extra. One coupon per order. Valid until November 31, 2014.

See store for complete details.

www.toronto.ca/swim www.toronto.ca/skate

www.discoverywalks.ca

n HIGH PARK ZOO Llamas, peacocks, and yaks are part of the collection of animals located right within High Park. The zoo is open 365 days a year starting at 7 a.m. and you can visit for no cost.

n NEW YEAR’S EVE Join the festivities at Nathan Phillips Square on Dec. 31, featuring fireworks, music and performances, and the countdown to midnight. Everything gets underway at 8 p.m. www.toronto.ca/newyearseve

thisMonth this Month

Call us at: 1-877-646-6701 or email: myupdates@metroland.com

www.toronto.ca/parks/zoo

ForeverYoungInformation

ARY 2016 | NEWS.COM | JANU WWW.FOREVERYOUNG

RMATI OUNG INFO FOREVER Y

ON

EDITION HAMILTON HALTON

PickUp Your FREE Issue!!

Tom It’s notunusualfor Jonesto be in the s ha spotlightbut what life taughtthe ar? perennialsuperst

Tom

What are you

crowdfunding for? fuellocal.com is an online platform to raise money through crowdfunding: an opportunity for a collection of individuals to make donations in support of a cause.

Create your fundraising campaign or help fund local initiatives at fuellocal.com

Start your campaign now!

.com

J

of s |The Goods |Taste rida’s Palm Beache Donal Logue | Flo

NEXT:

ho For Canadians w know they are er is wint heading south th Insurance Compa

ny of Canada

and Reliable Life

Insurance Compa

ny

Morocco

PAC 1-888-MEDI ipac.com www.med

On News Stands Now!

Look for the February edition ofFYI with ColleenJoneson the cover. nderwr itten by Un

Old Republ ic

AM 15-12-15 9:32

Visit: www.foreveryoungnews.com to see past issues. Call: 289-293-0698.

13 | EAST YORK MIRROR | Thursday, December 31, 2015

community

Classifieds

Classifieds

Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm • 905-853-2527 Toll Free 1-800-743-3353 • Fax 905-853-1765 For delivery questions, please contact 416-493-2284

Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm • 905-853-2527 Toll Free 1-800-743-3353 • Fax 905-853-1765 For delivery questions, please contact 416-493-2284

LocalWork.ca 29 DRIVERS needed ASAP Full time, part time, on call. $11.25/hr.

Company vehicle provided.

Great opportunity!

Email: hrcity@outlook.com

Travel & Vacations

Plumbing

RAY PLUMBING Service Repair/ replacement, faucets, sinks, toilets, drains, main valve, leaky pipes, drain cleaning. Licensed and insured.

24/7. 416-880-4151 Flooring & Carpeting

Flooring & Carpeting

HARDWOOD FLOOR sanding.

Specializing in stain/ refinishing.

Call for Free Estimate! Reasonable rates. Paul 416-330-1340 pager.

SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE!

AND we do ALL Gas Piping Jobs & Duct Work (BBQ hook-ups, Stove Hook-ups, Dryers, Fireplaces, Pools, etc.)

35OFF WITH THIS AD

EXPIRES DECEMBER 31, 2015

10% SENIORS DISCOUNT

416-427-0955 Metro Lic. #P24654 - Fully Insured

FREE ESTIMATES

24/7 No Extra Charges for Evenings, Weekends or Holidays

R&Z PLUMBING, HEATING & A/C BEST RATES AND SERVICE IN TOWN

Replacement & Repairs Faucets, Sinks, Pipes, Drains Etc. Furnace, A/C, Water Heater, Gas 28 Years Experience • 24/7

Larry’s Air care Heating & Air Conditioning

416-706-9861

WINTACO Inc.

Structure Specialist W Home P.Eng Owned & Supervised FOUNDATIONS RENOVATIONS ADDITIONS BUILDING PERMITS

waste removal All Garbage Removal!

Home/ Business.

Fast Sameday!

Free Estimates!

Seniors Discounts.

We do all Loading & Clean-ups!

Lowest Prices.

Call John: 416-457-2154 Seven days

You paid how much!? #ShouldaUsedToronto

• All plumbing work • Faucets, toilets, sinks, etc. installed Backed up drains, blocked toilets, basement backups, external/internal drain excavating.

• Video Camera Drain Inspection Damp Basement, Complete Waterproofing Service

416-480-0622

he Handy C uple

SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE!

ALWAYS CHEAPEST!

TOM DAY PLUMBING & DRAINS

Diamond #1 Readers Choice Award Winner!

Metro License #PH15982 • MASTER PLUMBER

CALL JOANNE 416-714-0740

SALE!

Plumbing

Small Job Specialist

Plumbing / Electrical / Carpentry / Ceramic Tiling Painting (int. & ext.) / Drywall / Windows & Doors Bathrooms • Kitchens • Basements • Complete Renovations And All Home Repairs • We are Fully Insured No job is too BIG or too SMALL. We are the Handy Couple, we do it ALL! Reasonable Rates... Free Estimates

SALE!

416-677-3818 Rock Bottom Rates!

99

SALE!

Quick & careful!

416-693-6169

SALE!

From home or business, including furniture/ appliances, construction waste.

Home Improvement Services • Plumbing • Electrical • Drywall • Carpentry • Ceramic Tile • Flooring

SALE!

PETER’S DEPENDABLE JUNK REMOVAL

79

$

We Service All Makes & Models

SALE!

Thomas William Stell, Estate Trustee, by his Solicitors, STUTZ BROWN & SELF PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION, 269 Broadway, Orangeville, ON L9W 1K8 Attn: Robert K. Brown 519-941-7500

Waste Removal

FurnAcE SErvicE or cLEAning

SALE!

DATED at Orangeville this 23rd day of December, 2015

Waste Removal

SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE!

SALE!

All claims against the estate of Samuel James Bell, late of the City of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario, who died on or about the 6th day of March, 2014, must be filed with the undersigned Estate Trustee on or before the 8th day of February 2016; thereafter, the undersigned will distribute the assets of the said estate having regard only to the claims then filed.

heating & cooling

SALE!

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND OTHERS

CEILINGS REPAIRED. Spray textures, plaster designs, stucco, drywall, paint. We fix them all! www.mrstucco.ca 416-242-8863

RENT-A-HUSBAND

SALE!

Legal Notices

BUILDER/ GENERAL Contractors LIC# T85-4420956 Residential/ Commercial. Complete Restoration. Finished Basements. Painting.

Bathrooms. Ceramic Tiles. Flat Roofs. Leaking Basements. Brick/ Chimney Repairs. House Additions 905-764-6667, 416-823-5120

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

$

416.661.9393

Cash 4 Cars

Home Renovations

Small Job Specialists

Metro License #PH23521

SALE!

Legal Notices

Licenced & Insured

FROM CONCEPTION TO COMPLETION. 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE. LISCENCED & INSURED

Vehicles Wanted/Wrecking

Dead or alive Same day Fast FREE Towing 416-831-7399

Home Renovations

LISCENCED & INSURED KITCHENS, BATHROOMS. BASEMENTS, DECKS & FENCES, FROM CONCEPTION TO COMPLETI LE ON. LETI MILLWORK 15CUSTOM YEARS EXPERIENCE. SMALL & LARGE REPAIRS

SALE!

CRIMINAL RECORD? Canadian Record Suspension (Criminal pardon) seals record. American waiver allows legal entry. Why risk employment, business, travel, licensing, deportation, peace of mind?

Free consultation: 1-800-347-2540

KITCHENS, BATHROOMS. BASEMENTS, DECKS & FENCES, CUSTOM MILLWORK KITCHENS, BA ROOMS. BATH SMALL & LARGE REPAIRS

electrical

SALE!

Legal Services

$100-$10,000

BaySprings Plumbing

Articles Wanted

DO YOU FIND GOLF BALLS OR COLLECT THEM? We would like to purchase all of your golf balls.

We will purchase all types of qty. No min. qty. No max.

We pay between $0.10 to $0.25 per golf ball Don’t worry, keep collecting, as we buy all year long even after the season is over!

Contact Peter direct 416-889-9365 or 905-542-0825

Vehicles Wanted/Wrecking

plumbing

BASEMENTS, ENT DECKS & FENCES, ENTS, FROM CONCEPTION TO COMPLETION. CUS M MILLWO CUSTO LL RK LLWO 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE. SMALL & LARGE REPAI REP RS

SALE!

MONEY

CONSOLIDATE Debts Mortgages to 90% No income, Bad credit OK! #10969 Better Option Mortgage 1-800-282-1169 www.mortgageontario.com

Legal Services

Bricks & Chimneys ccjemmett@rogers.com

SALE!

Mortgages/Loans

home renovations

chimneys

Real Estate Misc./Services

CANCEL YOUR TIMESHARE. NO Risk Program STOP Mortgage & Maintenance Payments Today. 100% Money Back Guarantee. FREE Consultation. Call Us NOW. We Can Help! 1-888-356-5248

Mortgages/Loans

Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm • 905-853-2527 • Toll Free 1-800-743-3353 • Fax 905-853-1765 For delivery questions, please contact 416-493-2284

Travel & Vacations

REAL ESTATE. NW Montana.

Tu n g s t e n h o l d i n g s . c o m 406-293-3714

Articles Wanted Real Estate Misc./Services

Home Improvement Directory

Gottarent.com

SALE!

EAST YORK MIRROR | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

14

www.WINTACO.com

416 200 6300

Flooring & Carpeting

Flooring & Carpeting

NESO FLOORING

Carpet installation starting from $1.19/ sq.ft. Hardwood, laminate at low prices.

27 yrs experience. Free Estimates. Best Price!

647-400-8198

Appliance Repairs/ Installation

Appliance Repairs/ Installation

Professional Repairs of all brands of: Refrigeration, Stoves, Dishwashers, Washers, Dryers, Air Conditioning & Heating.

Free Estimates. Warranty, Credit cards accepted. Seniors discount.

416-616-0388

Want to get your business noticed?

Call 1-800-743-3353 to plan your advertising campaign today!

How to do it: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3 by 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

last Week’s ansWeRs

diversions

15

sUdOkU (Challenging)

| EAST YORK MIRROR | Thursday, December 31, 2015

YOUR WeeklY CROssWORd

w See answers to this week’s

puzzles in next Thursday’s edition

C A N A D A ’ S L A R G E S T R E G I O N A L M O N T H LY PA R E N T I N G P U B L I C AT I O N

IN THIS ISSUE

Bathtub

Safety TIPS

Make super baby food Helping children with IBD thrive in the classroom Get there this holiday season.

Get the best hand-picked holiday travel deals on vacations, flights, hotels, and more – just for Canadians!

Only at Visit www.travelalerts.ca/holiday

A below-the belt-guide for girls + MORE

FOR YOUR FREE COPY GO TO CITYPARENT.COM

EAST YORK MIRROR | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

16

TeutaGuci.ca

416.364.2036 TeutaGuci@yahoo.ca

Sales Representative

Happy 2016! I wish you a new year filled with good health, prosperity and joy.

A special thank you goes out to all my clients. Working with you over the past years has been an amazing opportunity for me.

I appreciate your high standards which have been the foundation of our phenomenal success.

Benefits of Listing with Teuta.... √ Free Painting

√ Free Staging

Home staging is not your issue...We will paint and stage free of charge.

Without a great first impression you could be losing valuable home equity.

All just sold for over asking price

171 Langford

132 Floyd

235 Springdale

With all the perseverance from her and her team, Teuta has delivered outstanding service and amazing results....

Teuta is brilliant. We were very impressed with her commitment to excellence, personal dedication, and energy....

Amazing results! Teuta is exactly what you want in a realtor. She’s a true professional, alleviated any of the stress I had....

Anthony and Ayami Kim

416.824.5712 • TeutaGuci@yahoo.ca

Leslie Fradkin

Robert Samaroo

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with brokerage