September 2012 by Vaughan Today

SEPTEMBER 2012

firestorm over our new hospital

VaughanToday.ca

FOOD, DINING, YOUR HEALTH, ENTERTAINMENT

VAUGHAN’s OTHER FOOTBALL is catching on

INCLUDING THE FALL 2012 EDUCATION GUIDE

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Contents

Joe Mastrogiacomo Vice President of Finance

Doreen Iannuzzi

Vice President of New Media

EDITORIAL Eric McMillan EDITOR-in-chief

Rodger Burnside MANAGING EDITOR

Shadi Raoufi

EDITORIAL ART DIRECTOR

Gordon Cameron Karolyn Coorsh Shawn Star Associate EDITORS

PRODUCTION SERVICES Tony Lomuto Supervisor

Advertising & Sales Jennifer Gardiner

Director, Corporate Sales Business Manager

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KEEP SUMMER GOING

Or at least the foods of summer by preserving them the new way

THE HOSPITAL IS COMING, BUT WHOSE HOSPITAL? A battle brews over Vaughanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new hospital, with critics charging the community has been betrayed

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KEEP YOUR BRAIN YOUNG

A doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advice for fighting dementia

WHOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FOR DINNER?

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about Me Va Me for food critic

FALL EDUCATION GUIDE

Technology and arts highlighted in our semi-annual guide to educational options

Plus lots more...

ON THE COVER: Atom football team practises for its rep league games Story Page 34.

Illustration based on photo courtesy Steve Filice

ur lead story in this issue â&#x20AC;&#x201D; on the latest wrangling over the proposed Vaughan hospital â&#x20AC;&#x201D; raised the issue in our office: Are we making too much out of this? By all accounts the planning and building of the new health facility is going ahead and the result will be a place where Vaughan residents can get attention for most of what ails them without leaving Vaughan. But this being the city we know, you can bet political lines are potentially drawn over everything. Liberal versus Conservative, provincial versus federal, not to mention previously unaffiliated groupings against each other. So is the â&#x20AC;&#x153;political firestormâ&#x20AC;? in this case only another tempest in the Vaughan teapot, which will blow over when the hospital is actually built? Until the next contnetious issue arises. Possibly. But even so, we cannot ignore it. Remember, one of the earliest uses of the phrase â&#x20AC;&#x153;tempest in a teapotâ&#x20AC;? was to deride the American colonies in their silly rebellion

Eric McMillan, Editor-in-chief against unfair taxation in the 1770s â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and see where that ended up. Not that we expect a Vaughn version of the Tea Party (either original style or the most recent) to rise here over this issue. But whether or not we personally agree with the current criticism of how the hospital is to be planned and ultimately controlled, we find interesting issues raised about community involvement in the process.

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ILLUSTRATION COURTESY MACKENZIE HEALTH

OUR BEST HOPE SO FAR: An artist’s rendering of what the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital may look like, based on preliminary plans. The final design may look somewhat different after further planning currently underway.

The hospital is coming But whose hospital is it? some are asking after rebranding and a political fight over planning control By Omar Mosleh and Karolyn Coorsh

alk of a hospital has taken a decidedly less congenial tone as a political firestorm has erupted over the socalled death of the Vaughan Health Campus of Care. The non-profit organization in Vaughan was once tasked with building the hospital and ancillary services on a site at Jane Street and Major Mackenzie Drive. But the group has seen its role diminish since 2009, when the province wrested control and formally mandated York Central Hospital to carry out planning work for Vaughan’s first hospital. In March, an already tenuous situation turned sour when the VHCC withdrew altogether from the hospital project after a breakdown in commu VAUGHAN ToDAY SEPTEMBER 2012

nications with the city over hospital land transfers. This followed closely the dissolution of the VHCC’s charitable arm, the Vaughan Health Campus of Care Foundation, which had been fundraising for the hospital for almost a decade. The apparent removal of VHCC from any direct Vaughan hospital planning, and the recent rebranding of York Central Hospital as Mackenzie Health is drawing ire from Vaughan MP Julian Fantino, who says planning for the hospital, once in dedicated Vaughan hands, has been “washed away” and swallowed up by a larger regional health entity. “I feel we have been betrayed in this community,” Fantino said.

“There’s been 10 years of work done. Two separate Vaughan councils validated and approved the work that was being done by a community-based group of people that had no interest other than community-based contribution.” Fantino said he has concerns the facility will not be a full-fledged hospital but rather a “satellite site” of York Central Hospital. “What we’ve lost, is, in essence not only a stand-alone hospital, which we were supposed to get, but the timing of that is way off into the future,” he said. “Who knows what we’re going to get, if ever.” CHANGING TIMES: MP Julian Fantino, right, Reached while canvassing for was featured last year as a mover behind the Sept. 6 byelection to replace community planning for a new Vaughan FULL-SERVICE Page 7 hospital. Now he’s charging betrayal.

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PETER KENT MP THORNHILL Serving the constituents of Thornhill

Federal grant ‘wasted’ but city to continue plans he move to wrest further control from the Vaughan Health Campus of Care has also called into question what will happen to the controversial $10-million federal grant Vaughan MP Julian Fantino secured for hospital lands. The Campus of Care has already spent $1,175,200

on designs, consultants and infrastructure planning, which doesn’t have to be repaid because the Campus of Care is a non-profit organization. Fantino said the grant, which was being doled out by Federal Development Agency for Southern Ontario, has in effect been cancelled. CITY Page 6

Hon. Peter Kent, MP - Thornhill 7378 Yonge Street Suite 41B Thornhill, ON L4J 8J1 Telephone: 905-886-9911 Email: Kentp@parl.gc.ca www.peterkent.ca

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“It was given for a certain purpose, it had a business case associated with it, there’s accountability, this is taxpayer money, and it’s not frivolous or available to anyone who wants to access it,” he said. “There are conditions, and those conditions are not being met, so rightfully so, it should go back to the government.” Further complicating the matter is a “he said, she said” scenario developing between the City of Vaughan and VHCC on the matter of land ownership. VHCC chair Michael DeGasperis said the previous contribution agreement with the City of Vaughan is not terminated. “It’s actually alive and well and it’s still active contrary to what the City of Vaughan or anybody else may believe.” According to DeGasperis, that means the VHCC could still build an ancillary health centre either adjacent to the hospital or at the Vaughan Community Health Centre, where their office was previously located. “It could be at 9401 Jane St., but it could be another location as well,” DeGasperis said. But Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua said via email from Italy in late August that the lands the hospital will be built on belong solely to Vaughan residents. “The citizens of Vaughan are the owners of the parcel of land where the hospital will be built who through their hard-earned taxpayer’s dollars are key stakeholders in this project,” he said. There is some indication the city looks to continue the planning work the VHCC started. The city is retaining the consultants the VHCC used for planning — Malone Given Parsons and Cole

Engineering — for its precinct plan, which is essentially a master plan for the site’s infrastructure. But DeGasperis says the city will have to start all the planning work over because the previous work cannot be disclosed to a new client. “At first, we wanted the City of Vaughan to take over our contracts,” DeGasperis said. “Once we got legal opinion on it, our lawyers have told us you cannot transfer those contracts, that’s confidential information, that’s proprietary. “Therefore, the City of Vaughan is working on starting over again, regardless if they have the same consultants or not, those consultants cannot disclose information,” he added. This means the nearly $1.2 million of taxpayer dollars (from the federal grant) spent on planning work went toward no real benefit, DeGasperis said. A spokesperson for the mayor could not comment directly on the city’s work with consultants or the search for a development facilitator saying it is confidential information. Even with those questions left unanswered for the time being, Del Duca says it’s time to stop wrangling over the hospital plans. “I think the most important thing that all of us can do at this point is put aside partisanship, to stop engaging in some of the personality discussions and some of the drama that’s surrounded this project, because it’s too important for our community to get kind of ensnared in all that stuff,” he said. “When I’m knocking on doors in this community, nobody wants to know who’s serving on the board or whose name will be up on the wall. People just want to know when they’ll be able to take their family to a hospital in their community.”

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Full-service hospital promised Continued from Page 4

Greg Sorbara, Liberal candidate Steven Del Duca said there is no doubt Vaughan will have a full-service hospital. “The premier has said this, the minister of health has said this, our former MPP Greg Sorbara has said this: it is going to be a full-service, state-of-theart facility,” he said. Altaf Stationwala, president and CEO of Mackenzie Health, formerly the York Central Hospital, says the rebranding, which came with a $331,000 price tag, makes clear their efforts lie in creating a complete hospital in Vaughan. “It’s moving beyond York Central Hospital, which was a hospital located in Richmond Hill, to two full-service hospitals and then a host of network services across the region,” he said in an August interview. According to Stationwala, the Mackenzie Health model will help define the size and scope of services provided as Stage 2 of planning for the Vaughan hospital reaches the halfway mark. During public consultation for the

rebranding process, the Vaughan community made clear their needs, Stationwala said. “They said to us that when we do come to our local hospital, we want it to be called a hospital,” he said. “We want it to be called a campus … we want to know that there’s a blue H.” Moreover, basic core hospital services such as an emergency department, medical imaging and acute and critical care beds are requirements for both newly dubbed hospitals: Mackenzie Richmond Hill and the incoming Mackenzie Vaughan, Stationwala said. A two-hospital model will also be able to attract a critical mass of patients and, with it, specialized services. For example, Stationwala said, Mackenzie Health is considering one comprehensive on-site obstetrical program at one of the two hospitals. “If we had two small OB centres, it would be very difficult to staff an obstetrician that does high-risk deliveries for women with diabetes and other medical conditions.” Stationwala said. “You just wouldn’t be able to sustain that kind of model.

“At the end of the day, it’s not the building that matters, it’s the staff. You have to find physicians, nurses and allied health professionals, and if they’re working in isolation at a oneoff site, they’ll never be able to build that depth of service.”

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ThingsToDo

Greening Vaughan Tip Harvest time? Please dispose of your grape / tomato skins and wooden crates properly. Grape and tomato skins are to be placed inside your green bin for collection. Should you have excess material, please use a compostable bag (preferably double bagged) and place on top of / beside your green bin. Remember, the weight of your green bin, including contents, cannot exceed 20.5 kg (45 lbs). Wooden (grape) crates are considered garbage. To ensure collection, place broken down and bundled crates beside your garbage bag/can. For collection crew safety, please remove or hammer down all nails and staples. Remember, each bundle counts as an item toward Vaughan’s 3-item garbage limit. Any garbage item exceeding the 3-item limit will require a paid garbage tag. Please do not fill crates with grape / tomato skins.

For more information contact the Public Works Department at www.greeningvaughan.ca or 905-832-8562 Space provided through a partnership between industry and Ontario municipalities to support waste diversion programs.

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Royal theatre Shows fit for a queen By SUE WAKEFIELD

he GTA is a hotbed of great family entertainment, but with the hustle and bustle of school and extra-curricular activities, families can forget to enjoy it. Set aside an afternoon or evening this month to take the family to one of the many fabulous and affordable shows tailored to suit younger audiences or those of all ages. Whether you love or hate reality TV, you will not be able to resist Queen for a Day, a musical look at the original reality show that turned house-wives into contestants competing for the coveted title of Queen for a Day. The Broadway-style show will make its debut at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts with a talented all-Canadian cast of mega musical alumni. Families will love being taken back to the polished glamour of 1950’s Hollywood with a touching and funny story of a woman who begins to question if she really wants to be the perfect housewife. Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge St. Sept. 26–Oct. 7. Tickets $35-59. 416-2591625 or www.queenforadaythemusical.com.

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LOCAL LOCAL www.VaughanToday.ca NEWS VIEWS VAUGHAN ToDAY SEPTEMBER 2012

Families with younger children will appreciate the intimate and safe theatre environment at Solar Stage. Youngsters can sit right up front on comfy cushions while their sightline blocking parents sit in more comfortable chairs further back. Their new production The Gold Bird is an interactive show full of colour and music created just for youngsters from ages 3 to 10. A gold bird steals gold apples from the queen’s orchard while the queen’s daughter, the heroine of the show, must try to stop him. Shows run at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday throughout September. Solar Stage Theatre in the Madison Centre, 100 Upper Madison Ave., North York. Tickets $16 for all ages. 416-368-8031 or www.solarstage. on.ca.

Properly secure all your waste materials prior to setting out at curbside When collecting your mail from your mailbox, take your ‘junk mail’ home to dispose of in your blue box Do not set your waste materials on the travelled portion of the road as containers / bags may be knocked over by passing vehicles Do not overfill your blue box as wind may cause materials to be blown about your street

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Look down Floor coverings for kids, dogs and the chic By Liz Campbell

create a truly unique area rug for as little as $150. The website offers design tips and ideas but at the end of October, Flor will be opening its first Canadian store on Cumberland Ave. in Toronto. Visit www.flor.com.

Flor has to be one of my favourite finds in a long time. Having a somewhat artistic bent (or pretensions to one) I love the idea of being able to create a unique carpet or hall runner. Florâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s carpet tiles are not the usual peel and stick version. They have a non-skid backing but they assemble using giant dots that hold the squares together. They come in an incredible array of colours and textures you can mix and match to create a truly distinctive and unique floor covering. The tiles are 50 by 50 centimetres and cost $10â&#x20AC;&#x201C;16 each for most designs, (there are a couple as high as $30) so you can

Kids love small, fiddly toys â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Lego, construction toys, even dolls and their myriad clothing and accessories. The Lay-n-Go is an activity mat, cleanup, storage, and carry-all solution in one. This five-foot activity mat converts into an easily transportable satchel allowing for effortless play and clean-up of small toy pieces â&#x20AC;Ś just open the Lay-n-Go to spread out the toys, ready for play. Once playtime is over, the drawstring is pulled and the activity mat is converted into a completely sealed soft storage bag. CONTINUED Page 10

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his month Cool Stuff is all about laying down the paw â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and the toys â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and the carpet. In fact, this month is all about floor coverings that are useful, attractive and even handy. How is a mat handy? Read on.

SEPTEMBER 2012 VAUGHAN ToDAY

Cont. from Page 9

For moms who have spent 20 minutes searching for and packing away endless pieces of Lego, this s a brilliant solution. The Lay-n-Go Lite (just 50 centimetres) is ideal for restaurants, road trips, airplanes, or anywhere you want to contain the mess. Full size: $64.95; Lite: $24.95. Soon to be available in stores, you can order online at www. layngo.com. The Soggy Doggy Doormat is made from absorbent, microfiber “noodles” that absorb water and dirt like a sponge. Each of the noodles is made from millions of textured, ultrafine strands woven together. Its enormous surface area provides great absorbency and super-fast drying. And it’s soft with a non-slip back so it’s also a great travel bed. This mat is a boon for dog owners — all those wet, mucky paws— and for friends of dog owners who bring their canine friends along on visits. They come in three sizes: small, $21.99; large, $39.99; XL, $84.99 and are all available on the website: www.soggydoggydoormat.com.

To Live Is To Dance at the Maple Academy of Dance Thank you for voting Maple Academy of Dance as your favourite dance studio in Vaughan! We appreciate your continuous support! Join us in our 15th year of Dance!! We are conveniently located in The Village at Vaughan Mills and offer classes in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Acrobatics, Musical Theatre and Hip Hop at Recreational and Competitive Levels. All teachers

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10 VAUGHAN ToDAY SEPTEMBER 2012

social interaction skills, physical fitness, poise and an appreciation for the Performing Arts. We take pride in individuality and bringing out the best in each and every student at our Academy. All programs qualify for the Child Fitness Tax Credit! Call us now at 905-660-6800 for more information and for 2012-2013 Registration.

Health

Weights or cardio? Which is the best workout for you? By Michael Appugliese

Michael Appugliese, instructor at Paul’s Bootcamp in Vaughan.

hrough my experiences as a personal trainer at an all women’s fitness studio, a common discussion topic among clients pertains to the old debate regarding the better workout. Should it be cardio or weights? In my studio, most women have similar goals: a flat stomach, toned thighs, “Madonna” arms, a lifted bum, and overall body tonicity without becoming too bulky. So, what is the best way to achieve the perfect composition? To make a decision, let’s take a look at what both of these fitness approaches have to offer.

Resistance Training Many women are afraid strength training will only amount to increasing muscle mass, also known as becoming bulky. Using weights during exercise will increase muscle mass, but they won’t lead women to attain bulk. Testosterone is a critical hormone needed to build muscle. Peter Torjesen found that males produce seven to eight times more testosterone than women. So, if it’s so easy to bulk up, why do we see those same skinny males at the gym lifting huge weights day after day while still looking the same? Continued Page 12

Nature’s Emporium – The Road to Good Health

Nature’s Emporium was founded in 1993, with the goal of encouraging and nourishing a healthy and vibrant lifestyle within our community and the world beyond. Today, within the incredible 50,000-square-foot facility we call home, we continue that tradition. Our store has become the source for incredible organic produce, natural groceries, vitamins and

supplements, natural health and beauty products, fresh organic meals prepared in-house daily and so much more. Through our promotion of balanced living, we’ve been able to nurture an exciting movement taking place around the globe. With education as our mandate, we’ve been able to support an incredible and ever growing family —both our cus-

tomers and our employees. As we grow, we will continue to look for new and inspiring ways to help that same family discover the honest beauty of real food. Nearly 20 years after first opening our doors, our team of homeopaths, naturopaths and nutritionists continue to help our customers find their definition of good health. We still offer individuals and

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Cardio Many people believe cardiovascular exercises are the best way to get in shape. But with respect to caloric expenditure, you are actually burning more calories while weight training. Unfortunately, no one is able to keep

lifting weights without needing a break. It’s much easier to maintain an hour of continuous cardio, resulting in more calories being burned in the hour as compared to strength training. Aerobic exercise will activate your slow-twitch muscle fibres. When excited, these fibres can maintain energy levels over long periods of time. With cardiovascular exercises the lungs can process more oxygen and the heart can pump out more blood per heart beat, both of which are required for the increased demands of working muscles. Other benefits linked to aerobic activity are increased mental health, capillaries and stamina. It’s quite evident that both methods of training provide their own benefits with respect to exercise. If you want to maximize your success, a combination of both types of training is required. Circuit-type workouts that incorporate weights mixed with aerobic activity are a good idea. Big bang multi-joint exercises and smooth machines like rowing are also great at burning maximum calories while also building muscle. So the answer to the question of which is better — cardio or weights — is that you should do them both to achieve your personal fitness goals.

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A popular goal is to burn fat. Using your muscles allows for more of your fat cells (triglycerides) to be broken down into the blood as free fatty acids. Once in the blood, free fatty acids can be taken up by muscle cells and oxidized for energy. Fit individuals with increased muscle mass can perform this process more efficiently and burn more fat cells compared to those with less muscle mass. Being able to maintain additional muscle mass requires an increased oxygen consumption, which leads to an increase in caloric expenditure. Those with a bit more muscle on them burn more calories at rest. Just think of yourself sitting down in front of the television burning more calories than the person next to you with less muscle mass. Using weights while exercising also activates fast-twitch muscle fibres. The increased force needed to overcome a load activates the muscle in a way that cardiovascular exercises cannot.

For over 18 years, Canada’s Best Karate has been teaching martial arts and self defence instruction with an emphasis on children aged 3 to 12 years. This popular karate academy also teaches the “I CAN” motivational system that encourages children to act responsibly with chores and homework. Canada’s Best Karate offers a specially designed curriculum that combines physical activity with Character Development. Students are evaluated in a unique one-on-one system to achieve goals and they are taught values such as

respect, honesty, discipline and integrity. “At Canada’s Best Karate, we have found that the combination of traditional martial arts training and modern educational teaching methods is great for promoting character development in young people,” says Scott Bullard, sensei (chief instructor) for both Canada’s Best Karate locations in Vaughan. “Parents are finding that they appreciate the help and support Canada’s Best Karate classes are providing.” Classes are scheduled by age and skill level to ensure that each student re-

ceives the attention he or she needs in order to grow and learn. Classes include lessons in their Street Safe/ Bullies 2 Buddies programs, which teach nonphysical self defence techniques and strategies. Both locations feature large training areas with wall-to-wall padded safety flooring and plenty of training equipment for all participants. Canada’s Best Karate is located at 2535 Major Mackenzie Dr in Maple (tel: 905-879-8008) and 5100 Rutherford Rd in Woodbridge (tel: 905893-3342).

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You can start working now to hold off dementia, doctor says By ALEXANDRA BOSANAC

hat most people fear about aging are the physical changes that invariably take place. Dementia and degenerative diseases such as Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s affect all aspects of life: the ability to recall information, emotions and moods, as well as physical abilities. According to the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, dementia is not a normal part of aging. Age and a genetic proclivity are thought to be the main triggers. But the society also lists factors such as obesity, stress, smoking, depression and low education that can increase the risk. The good news is that there are a multitude of actions you can take to prevent, delay and even reverse the onset of dementia, geriatrician Dr. David Tal says. And you can start working on your mental acuity at any age. The keys to long-term wellbeing are socialization, stress management, exercise, nutrition and occasionally medication, Tal says, although he prefers more holistic therapies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lifestyle trumps medications any day of the week,â&#x20AC;? he says.

Some of his patients fall into the â&#x20AC;&#x153;reversible dementiaâ&#x20AC;? category, which can sometimes be caused by nutrient and vitamin deficiencies â&#x20AC;&#x201D; of B12 for example â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or other major medical conditions. High blood pressure, diabetes and even a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weight can negatively affect mental health. Sometimes, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s due to the side effects of medication. Tal prescribes eating a Mediterranean diet, one that is rich in greens, legumes, and fish. Taking vitamins can be beneficial in combination with a change in diet. But contrary to popular wisdom, many of the supplements touted to slow the deterioration of the brain are no more effective than placebos: Tal says there is no concrete evidence to show vitamin E, folic acid, thiamine and ginkgo biloba improve mental sharpness. And diet alone wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do the trick. No matter your age or ability, find a way to work up a sweat, he says. Not only will your abs look fabulous, your brain will thank you, too. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so simple to do and the people

who benefit the most from exercise are the people who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do it,â&#x20AC;? Tal said, pointing to the Heart and Stroke Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recommendation for individuals to do 45 minutes of exercise a day, six times a week, more than double the recommended amount in 1985. Seniors also need to take time to care for themselves and find ways to enjoy life. Being social is crucial. The window of opportunity to explore didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t close after university. Your golden years are as good a time as ever. Try being more worldly, meet new people, and cultivate meaningful relationships with them. Call, listen and care. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People with social networks donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t develop dementia. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proven, published literature.â&#x20AC;? Eugene Sziraky, who attended a talk by Tal, didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fear life after retirement. He says he saw it as his chance to reinvent himself, so he sought out information on staying sharp. Sziraky has worked hard to follow Talâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prescriptions. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a newlywed at age of 80. He

DR. DAVID TAL

belongs to several community groups for seniors, walks instead of taking transit and, as an avid Facebook use, keeps up with the latest trends in technology and social media. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I find it very important for seniors and retirees to get involved in programs. You must keep going,â&#x20AC;? Sziraky said. Our ability to retrieve information slows as we age. Tal recommends meditation and other focusing practices to delay this process. He recommends websites like lumosity.com and happyneurons.com for brain exercises. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Seniors just need more time to time to avoid becoming anxious and to intentionally focus on tasks. We cannot take things for granted the way we did when we were younger.â&#x20AC;?

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SEPTEMBER 2012 VAUGHAN ToDAY 13

Health

Keeping your brain young

Dining&Food

NINO D’AVERSA B A K E R Y

Liz Campbell

Who’s for dinner? You’ll get plenty—and it’s delicious—at Me Va Me

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3120 Rutherford Rd. MAple Tel: (905) 832-8395

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Taste the Tradition

iddle Eastern restaurants abound in North Toronto, so when Me Va Me opened a second branch in Maple (the first is at Bathurst Street and Steeles Avenue W.), I paid scant attention. But when I got not one, but two recommendations to try this spot, I added it to my list. What does the strange name mean? According to our waitress, Me Va Me means Who and Who in Hebrew. The design is cool and elegant in coffee colours, with no frou frou to detract from the clean lines. By the entrance, an open kitchen with its flame oven is a focal point and we watch the chef baking the wonderful naan style bread called lafah in what looks like a tandoori oven. Apparently this is a traditional Iraqi bread popular in Israel as a wrap for street food.

The menu offers a wide range of Middle Eastern specialties including the usual falafel, tabouleh, and hummus. But there has been some attempt to westernize the offerings with char-grilled steak, tiger shrimp, burgers and Caesar salad. We decide to stick to tradition. We start with fried eggplant ($5.99). I’m expecting the version I’ve had elsewhere — large fried slices topped with lemon juice. But this eggplant comes in a rich tomato sauce. It’s absolutely delicious and could give the finest ratatouille a run for its money. It’s a cold dip, so we use pieces of lafah to scoop it up. I notice that the table of four beside us has opted for a trio salad plate (any three from the appetizer menu) with baba ganush, green eggplant and fried eggplant. It’s a nice idea for a group. Our second appetizer, quinoa salad, is

With an established reputation for quality food and service,

ZAFFERANO

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Thank you for nominating us in Best of Vaughan 14 VAUGHAN ToDAY SEPTEMBER 2012

Ristorante guarantees a friendly, vibrant atmosphere, accompanied by delectable dishes of the highest grade.

liz campbell/vaughan today

BODACIOUS BLEND: The Jerusalem Mix is a dish unlike any other.

tossed with small pieces of grilled eggplant, bell peppers, feta cheese, onions and mint ($5.99). The combination is unique. The palate is treated to distinct flavours with every mouthful — a hint of mint, a crunch of onions, the slightly toasty tang of grilled eggplant. I like this very much but I defy anyone to finish it all — there’s just so much. My main course comes with a green salad. Mixed greens, tomatoes and cucumber are topped with carrot and beet curls. I’ve asked for the sweet, creamy poppy seed dressing on the side, and just a tiny amount suffices. While I love the curls of fresh beet in the salad, I find myself picking bits of decomposing leaves out from among the greens until I have a substantial, unappetizing mound. When I point it out to the waitress, her only comment is an unimpressive “Oh, sorry.” My guest orders a traditional Middle Eastern dish, chicken schwarma — marinated chicken slowly roasted on a spit ($9.99). A generous portion fills a pita (she comments she would have preferred it in the roasted lafah), topped with tomatoes, cucumbers and onions and a good dollop of hummus. There’s also a little bowl of tahini (ground sesame seed

paste). The chicken is moist and savoury, the French fries are the frozen kind, but coated with a light spice. She gives the dish thumbs up. I can’t resist trying Jerusalem Mix ($14.99), and once more, I’m rewarded with a dish unlike anything I’ve ever tried before. A blend of chicken thigh meat, chicken hearts and chicken livers are tossed with spices which defy discernment, and sautéed with big pieces of onion. The ubiquitous bowl of tahini accompanies it. I’m beginning to sound monotonous, but this dish is delicious. Even the roasted red-skin potatoes that come with it are flavourful. Once more, the portion is impossibly large. Desserts are not made on the premises so we had good strong cups of coffee instead ($2.50 each). Unless you’re familiar with Middle Eastern spices this spot will surprise your taste buds but you’ll be pleased with the results. And I guarantee you’ll be needing doggy bags Me Va Me, 9302 Bathurst St., Thornhill. 905-417-5676. Make a reservation as they get really busy in the evening. They have a website but it offers little or no information unless you’re looking for take-out. www.mevame.com.

140 WOODBRIDGE AVE. MARKET LANE SHOPPING CENTRE

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Vaughan Valley Centre 6150 Hwy 7, Unit 1 • Woodbridge, ON • L4H 0R2 905.264.2177 SEPTEMBER 2012 VAUGHAN ToDAY 15

Home&Garden

Garlic: easy to grow, tasty results By Mary Fran McQuade

hat do Egyptian pharaohs, French queen Catherine de Medici and scientist Louis Pasteur have in common? They all valued garlic. Not long ago, garlic was considered “common.” These days, though, it’s the darling of the foodies. No Chinesegrown, packaged supermarket stuff for them. Only 100-mile-diet garlic bulbs grown here in Ontario are allowed in their kitchens. Gardeners do it better But gardeners can do even better than that: We can grow our garlic ourselves. “It’s dead easy,” says Toronto allotment gardener Claudia Wood, who’s been growing garlic for several years. September/October is the time to begin, she says. That’s because garlic is a bulb, like tulips and those big purple allium flowers you see in spring. Like them, garlic has to sleep through the winter, then sprout in spring. And, like its flower bulb cousins, garlic is happiest in sun and sandy soil enriched with compost. If you’re stuck with clay, add compost to it, too, along with

coarse sand. That last bit of earthy advice comes from Canadian author Liz Primeau. She should know — she literally wrote the book on garlic. In Pursuit of Garlic (Greystone Books, 2012) covers the territory, from history to benefits to current facts and figures — plus growing how-to’s, recipes and sources for garlic. The real dirt on garlic growing Primeau (founding editor of Canadian Gardening) is mainly a flower gardener, but she confesses to a garlic obsession. In her home garden, she puts patches of her favourite garlic varieties right into her perennial bed, far enough away from flowering plants that they don’t shade the garlic. She leaves about 15 cm between the individual cloves and digs them in so they have at least 5 cm of soil above their tops. Like flower bulbs, they go in the ground pointy end up. When the plants appear, water them enough to stay green, but not so much that the bulbs rot. Green, curvy flower stalks, called scapes, will appear around mid-June.

Cut them off — you want the plant’s energy building the bulb, not flowers. Don’t throw scapes away, though. They’re tasty chopped into dips and salads and even pickled. When the leaves begin to brown, carefully pull up the plants, bulb and all. Lay them out in an airy, shaded place until they’re fully dry, then gently wipe off any dirt with a dry cloth or soft brush. Store your harvest in the dark, at about 15 degrees C. (Primeau uses a clothes closet in a cold outer wall.) Where and what to buy Farmers’ markets often have garlic bulbs in late summer. Get some to eat and some to plant. “Don’t buy individual cloves to plant because they may have broken skin that lets in bacterial infection,” Primeau warns. You can also order bulbs online from Canadian sources. Forget U.S. suppliers — your garlic almost certainly won’t make it across the border. Hardneck garlic seems to do best in our climate. This type has a hard stem in the middle of the dry bulb. Varieties

Liz suggests are ‘Music,’ ‘Fishlake #3,’ ‘Spanish Roja’ and ‘Russian Red.’ The first two are strong-flavoured; the last two are more mellow and good to eat raw. (That’s the way to get the most health benefits from garlic, by the way.) She also recommends ‘Chesnok Red,’ which is tasty and stores well. Even the strongest garlic sweetens and mellows when it’s cooked. Drizzle a whole, unpeeled bulb with olive oil, wrap it in foil and roast in a 400 F oven until soft. Squeeze the yummy cooked cloves into dips, on bread, or right into your mouth. Now I’m getting hungry. I think I’ll wrap some garlic bulbs and throw them on the barbie.

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16 VAUGHAN ToDAY SEPTEMBER 2012

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ave you taken the $10 challenge yet? Lyn Ogryzlo, creator of the website, The Ontario Table, (www.ontariotable.com), points out that if every household in the province spent just $10 per week on local produce, the impact on the provincial economy would be $2.4 billion. Billion, not million. It’s easy to comply at this time of the year with so much beautiful fruit in the farmer’s markets around the province. Toronto has a dozen or so easily accessible and running different days of the week (visit tfmn.ca for Toronto markets). In the supermarket, look for the Ontario Foodland label and buy local. By doing so, you’re helping to keep Ontario farmers on the farm and your family will be enjoying fresher, tastier food that hasn’t traveled thousands of miles to reach you. Unfortunately, Ontario winters leave us with fewer local options like apples, potatoes and rhubarb, and it’s tempting to pick up the imports. But if you want to enjoy Ontario’s bounty year around, why not capture it now, while it’s readily available. Canning has been a traditional method of preserving fruits in season, and there’s always freezing. But here’s another alternative — dehydrating. It’s a method native people have used for centuries. Kids love fruit rolls — sometimes called fruit leathers. These can be pricey in the store and often contain additives. But you can make them yourself for a fraction of the cost. I used to start with peaches that I simmered slowly on the stove to thicken the puree, but I’ve discovered that fresh peaches work equally well. Not only is the peach taste much stronger, but it’s a lot less work! Just wash well, then puree your favourite fruits — blueberries, peaches, raspberries, apples, apricots. Blends like raspberry and blueberry, or peach and apricot work very well. When they are completely smooth (don’t worry about the raspberry seeds), taste the puree. If the fruit is a little tart, you can add some sweetener — sugar, honey, agave syrup or maple syrup. Just add just a tiny amount; remember that the sugars in the fruit will concentrate as it dries. Or you can simply dehydrate whole berries or slices of fruit. It’s easy if you have a food dehydrator. My Ronco dehydrator takes a lot of the guesswork

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out. Just pile the fruit in the layers, plug it in and move the trays regularly for spectacular results. You can also prepare fruit leather in the Ronco, simply line the perforated trays with plastic wrap. You can do it in the oven too, especially if you have a digital oven and can effectively bring the temperature down to 140 degrees F. For fruit leathers, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper then spread it a layer of fruit puree. It will take anywhere from 12 to 36 hours, depending on the juiciness of the fruit. One small basket of peaches will produce three cookie sheets of fruit rolls. I also tried preparing a selection of whole and sliced fruits — strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, apples in the dehydrator. The results are delicious. According to my guinea pigs, the blueberries, apples and strawberries came up aces. But the tomatoes really came up trumps. They were very similar to sun dried tomatoes, which can be very pricey. Indeed, many chefs prepare oven dried tomatoes themselves. I tried several different tomato varieties — a field variety, romas and small camparis. The camparis won hands down, not surprising as they start out with a huge flavour advantage. Some recipes call for sprinkling them with sugar and herbs (Martha Stewart) or olive oil (Michael Smith) but, frankly, I don’t think they need anything beyond their own flavour. When they are completely dry (there should be no wet places in the fruit), just toss in a plastic bag or pack them in olive oil and store. Add them to your pasta sauce or stews for a rich tomato flavour year round. This fall, as you delight in Ontario’s bounty, try preserving some of that beautiful fresh taste to enjoy this winter. SEPTEMBER 2012 VAUGHAN ToDAY 17

tHank you For supporting tHis year’s Best oF vaugHan!

sponsored By

top nominees For eacH category

Taste the tradition at...

Business/service

For tHe Home

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HEAD OFFICE: 1 Toro Road, North York ON Tel. 416.638.3271

THORNHILL 7287 Yonge Street Tel. 905.881.7393

WOODBRIDGE 7960 Kipling Avenue Tel. 905.851.2211

MAPLE 3120 Rutherford Road Tel: 905.832.8395

AURORA 230 Wellington Street East Tel: 905.727.5577

Thanks to our customers for nominating us for two consecutive years

◗ Mane Society ◗ Maple Veterinary Clinic ◗ Parente Borean LLP ◗ Quinn Law ◗ Romano’s Classic Italian Cusine ◗ Rotundo Di Iorio Quaglietta (RDQ LLP) ◗ Salon E ◗ Salon V ◗ Sarracini Travel ◗ Scott Funeral Home ◗ Stay Fresh Cleaners

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10040 Keele St. MAPLE - Ont. Tel: 905.832.2987

1st Choice Nails & Spa Amanda Merenda (Holistic Health Clinic) Anytime Fitness Bodies by Design Core Health Care Curves Custom Tanning Spa Davis Orthodontics Desert Sun Tanning Salon Dr. Albert Cannitelli Dr. Domenic Savo Sardaro Dr. Frank Baliko (Core Health Care Vaughan) Dr. Marco Di Carlo Dr. Mark Shrott Dr. Mimmo Gagliardi Dr. Roberto Clausi Dr. Roghini Thirukkumaran (Holisitc Health Clinic) Dufferin Vaughan Dental Centre Good Health Mart GoodLife Fitness Health Matters Chiropractic Centre Herc’s Nutrition Holistic Health Clinic Hypnotic Sun Tanning Joan Marshall, RMT Julio Rodriguez (Core Health Care) Marketplace Dentistry Moksha Yoga Monaco Sun Nails at Anthony’s Nice One Nails Noah’s Natural Foods Nu Life Massage Therapy and Wellness Clinic Nut’N Gluten Paul’s Boot Camp Pure FX Fitness Studio Real Fitness for Women Renaissance Spa & Laser Clinic Roma Optical Sanctuary Spa Scott Branny (Physiomed) Serenity Spa & Laser Snow White Smiles Superior Fitness Studio Synergy Airbrush Tanning The Joy of Health Transformations in Health Massage Therapy and Wellness Centre ◗ Vellore Chiropractic & Wellness Centre ◗ You’re A Peach Holistic Nutritionist ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗

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The moment you walk through the doors you will find the comfort in dining you’ve been looking for.

Whether you are arranging a private business lunch, a romantic dinner or a family celebration, our chefs are dedicated to delivering authentic Italian dishes prepared with only the finest and freshest ingredients. Our menu offers a selection of homemade pastas, pizza, meats and daily specials to please every palate. Warm and attentive staff accommodate your needs while you enjoy the melodies from the grand piano in a relaxed atmosphere. The selection of fine wines, grappas and cognacs will compliment an unsurpassed culinary experience.

3650 Langstaff Rd, Woodbridge, Ontario L4L 9A8 | (905) 856-5656 • www.rosasplace.com 20 VAUGHAN ToDAY SEPTEMBER 2012

EDUCATION GUIDE FALL 2012

Bye Bye books Tablets and other

technology look to replace the tried and true Plus: Why schools are taking the arts seriously

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SEPTEMBER 2012 VAUGHAN ToDAY 21

Teaching the Net Generation Teaching the Net Generation

ann ruppenstein/vaughan today

NOT JUST FUN AND GAMES: As new commercial technologies hit the market, educators are finding ways of adapting them to the classroom, including the popular iPad which some are using to provide their students with personalized educational opportunities.

The new scribbler?

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22 VAUGHAN ToDAY SEPTEMBER 2012

By Omar Mosleh

heyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re known as the Net Generation, and with good reason: Young people born after 1991 are the first generation to have the World Wide Web available to them their entire lives. Naturally, this presents a challenge for teachers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Technology makes it so that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re no longer the bearers of knowledge,â&#x20AC;? said Upper Canada College grade 1 teacher Jennifer Harper. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no longer the teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role because thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too much information out there.â&#x20AC;? But Havergal College technology integrator Paul Shuebrook says that makes it even more important to bring technology into the classroom, because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what students live and breathe. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you talk about the prevalence of texting and social media, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a natural way for students to express themselves,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re teaching in a way that embraces that, the student Continued on page 24

SEPTEMBER 2012 VAUGHAN ToDAY 23

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BLACKBOARD 2.0: The addition of interactive whiteboards to classrooms allow teachers the chance not only to go over a lesson with students, but also to take digital field trips around the world. Cont. from Page 22

De La Salle College â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Oaklandsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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131 Farnham Ave. Toronto, ON Joinus us at at our Open House Join 416-969-8771 Wednesday, October Wednesday, October 19th 17thatat7:00pm 7 p.m. www.delasalleoaklands.org

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24 VAUGHAN ToDAY SEPTEMBER 2012

engagement will be very high.â&#x20AC;? Harper compares the teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role to a facilitator rather than a bearer of knowledge. And the conduits to that knowledge are digital tools. Teachers say classrooms are being transformed by strides in technology. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel like it blows a hole through the wall and sucks the world right through,â&#x20AC;? Harper said. Harper, who co-wrote a book on the subject called Literacy Smarts, uses interactive whiteboards to make for a more dynamic classroom. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In my opinion it is one of the greatest tools to get out of the classroom,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I can go on digital field trips and bring my kids to anywhere in the world.â&#x20AC;? As an example, she mentioned how her class visited Thailand to learn about structures in other areas of the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opened up all these possibilities that I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have done with a picture book,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so authentic and real for them.â&#x20AC;? She said taking students on digital fieldtrips also encourages critical thinking. For example, while on Skype with a teacher from Thailand, students asked why it was dark in another part of the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can talk about it and show them videos until our faces are blue, but when they actually physically see it happen, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s astonishing for a young person,â&#x20AC;? Harper said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We ended up having a huge wonderful conversation about the sun and where it is.â&#x20AC;? Digital tools, such as tablets, can also help take that conversation outside of the classroom by allowing

students to email their work instantly to parents. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When they do something on it, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re empowered, excited, they feel ingenious and want to share that with their parents,â&#x20AC;? Harper said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And the tablet allows for that.â&#x20AC;? In contrast to conventional computers, Harper said tablets are extremely user-friendly â&#x20AC;&#x201D; especially for kids. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For little boys and girls, the mouse and keyboard is so far removed from them,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To use a mouse to manipulate something on the screen is one step away from whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural for them, whereas using their finger is very natural.â&#x20AC;? In addition to getting students more excited about school, technology also allows teachers to understand their pupils better. Shuebrook has made good use of student response systems, which are software that allow a teacher to ask his or her students anonymous questions before making a graph for the teacher. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great way to touch base with your students without putting them on the spot,â&#x20AC;? Shuebrook said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can test studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; understanding of a subject they just learned and the teacher can use it in conjunction with any question.â&#x20AC;? This helps teachers tailor their lessons better, he added. Ultimately, integrating technology into the classroom is crucial so students can work with tools familiar to them, he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even feel like work to many of the students if they can use a blog to discuss their work, rather than write it down on paper and hand it in,â&#x20AC;? Shuebrook said.

Celebrating 100 years of educating boys

since 1913

Men of Character from Boys of Promise Open House dates for October & November at crescentschool.org/openhouse Download a free Crescent School app at crescentschool.org/APP

SEPTEMBER 2012 VAUGHAN ToDAY 25

Accomplished artists

The need to act out

photo courtesy Lisa Swarbrick

ON STAGE: Montcrest School encourages its students to participate in artistic endeavours, such as the school’s annual play, to challenge them and show the pupils what they are capable of accomplishing.

By Leigh Cavanaugh

Arts are key to education

he head of TMS School has a message for nonbelievers: To him, art is one of the keys to developing a whole self, not just academics. “[Art] isn’t fluff, it makes you a well-rounded person,” Glen Zederayko says. “Art is problem solving and communicating.” The arts program at TMS focuses on not only teaching the technical skills behind the arts, but

26 VAUGHAN ToDAY SEPTEMBER 2012

also putting emphasis on the value that it plays in everyday life. The program brings together passionate professionals ranging from drama experts, practising musicians and visual artists who help students realize their potential in every artistic facet. But that’s not to say they value art above all else. Zederayko makes a point of placing equal

focus on academics, arts and athletics. “It’s not about being artistic or not,” Zederayko says. “We encourage all our students and want them to understand that they can do this.” Montcrest School’s co-curricular coordinator Lisa Swarbrick tries to spread the same principles as TMS when teaching students. Continued on page 28

Education With Balance

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September 2012

There’s more than one way to do math and it all adds up

By Shawn Star

aul Lacey begins his math lesson at Children’s Garden School by bringing up the equation 55 + 16 on the board. Immediately, half the students raise their hands, willing to give the answer. When called upon, one boy correctly says the answer is 71, but Lacey doesn’t tell him he’s right. “Prove it,” Lacey says without missing a beat. The boy explains that he first extracted the six from 16, and added that six to the 55 in order to get 61. Then knowing there was another 10 left to add, the answer very simply became 71. Lacey affirms the boy’s methodology. “Right,” Lacey says. “So that’s a pretty standard algorithm.” Every math class starts like this in Lacey’s class. The students are brought away from their desks, and have to use mental math to solve equations. Calculators don’t make an appearance. Another question comes up: 575 + 75. The boy who answers this one explains he knows the answer is 650 because he added the number 25 three times to 575, thus going 600, 625, and finally 650. He notes that he thought of it like money. One more thing — these kids are just eight years old and finishing grade 3. His secret to success? Finding the

Cont. from Page 26

for 2012

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28 VAUGHAN ToDAY SEPTEMBER 2012

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“[Our arts program] is about honouring the possibility of all our participants,” Swarbrick says. “Knowing that every child can grow to be a performer that feels proud of their accomplishments. We set high expectations, but we help them grow to meet those expectations.” They help students meet these goals by bringing in experienced professionals to coach and guide them. For the school’s annual in-house plays, theatrical and film professionals are brought in to help with design, stage managing and the light and soundboard and to show the students the ropes. But for students, it’s not just a learning experience, but also a first-hand one. “For [Montcrest’s] 50th anniversary

right balance between what is known as “old math” and “new math”. “There seems to be the sense that there’s drill and rote memorization on one side and then problem solving and conceptual understanding on the other,” Lacey said. “And for some reason these have become two camps that are opposed to each other.” He explained how the two sides have their benefits, but also have their drawbacks. “Our adult generation when we were taught in school, we were generally taught the standard algorithm only, and by that I mean carry the one in addition, go next door get 10 more for subtraction — those kind of procedural rules,” he said. “Generally, we weren’t taught why they work. “And a very good way of showing that would be to ask an adult from our generation ‘why does long division work?’ and see if they can explain it.” It’s because of that style of learning, Lacey said, that it’s not always kids who are the hardest to teach, but it’s the parents. “It’s still an uphill battle, it’s not easy,” he said. “Especially in a private school system where there’s more homework and parents want to help, but they’re scared of doing it wrong, and I understand that.”

the choir students wrote the celebratory song,” Swarbrick says. “Something like this is important because it shows that every student can be a songwriter.” TMS School’s musical endeavours are also a unique affair. The school’s productions bring together students from grades 4 to 12 to participate in all aspects of the show. “The performances are cross-curricular affairs,” says Zederayko. “They learn from each other and build communications at the same time.” He says the goal of TMS’s art program is to make students view themselves as artists, regardless of age. “The benefits of this program is that they leave thinking they can act, paint, etc.,” he says. “They leave thinking they are able to do all these things.”

rote learning So Lacey held two parent math nights this past year, where he had the parents doing some math problems, as well as watching their kids do the math, too. These turned out to be hugely successful. “My parents are all on board, I’ve been very lucky,” he said. “They’ve all jumped on board because they’ve seen the results.” One of those results, Lacey said, due to the way kids in his class learn, he doesn’t use textbooks. “They usually come up with all the ideas in the textbook on their own,” he said. “And from there all I’m doing is solidifying their own ideas. So in that way, it’s studentcentred.” And student-centred learning is also the focus at Greenwood College. The school’s director of personalized learning, Heather Rigby, who also teaches math and science, says they’ve upped the ante on personalized learning with a new approach that embraces technology.

“I create online videos that the students watch, rather than watch the teacher at the front of the room,” she said. “Kids are given the whole unit at the beginning of the unit and can watch the videos at home, they can re-watch the lessons if they weren’t sure on a concept.” Rigby says this allows kids to be able to learn at their own pace. She gave an example of a student who managed to complete both grade 11 and 12 math in one year. “Technology really is playing the biggest role in the change in how we’re working with kids in math for sure,” she said. Helping kids teach themselves is also a key element of the learning process in Lacey’s class. “The idea of problem solving as discovery is something that I think is really important,” he said. “It’s not a matter of I stand up there and teach them how to do something. For things like division, I start it with a word problem … I have remainders right away because I

want them to get the idea that division means I’m sharing it with people. “And yes, sometimes things are leftover, and I need to figure out what to do with them, it’s not just R2. In real life remainders mean something and you have to do something with them.” So to help develop his students’ abilities to use mental math in real life, Lacey has taught them to think differently than the traditional methods. He gives a general addition question as an example. “Even though there’s the rule you start at the ones, my kids know that no, you don’t have to start at the ones,” he said. “If I’m doing 29 + 36, I can turn that into 30 + 35. Start at the 10s, do 30 + 30, then add the five.” Though there may be many different ways to solve an equation, Lacey says he’s happy about one main thing his lessons do. “That’s the thing I’m most proud of is that they can manipulate numbers like that,” he said.

shawn star/vaughan today

ADDING OUTSIDE THE BOX: Children’s Garden School math teacher Paul Lacey helps students break down problems into chunks they can understand.

Power Writing Classes

French / Italian

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SEPTEMBER 2012 VAUGHAN ToDAY 29

Terrific teachers

Love of music

Lyris Pat of Branksome Hall By Ann Ruppenstein

ranksome Hall’s music department head Lyris Pat can trace the beginning of her fascination with music to her childhood. “I remember being intensely curious about the sounds created from musical instruments,” she says. “I never wanted music lessons to end and always felt a twinge of disappointment when the hour was up.” After going on to receive a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Arts, Pat pursued a career in music education to cultivate her passion for lifelong learning and instill the same wonder and joy she gets from music in her students, she says. “I aim to show them all the ways that music is powerful and transformative,” she says. “I understand that not all or in fact even most of my students will continue with music beyond high school but it’s important to me that

they have been given experiences that they can look back on and remember as being remarkable.” Whether they spend time listening to music across time periods and cultures or are immersed in creating music through playing instruments, improvising or writing original compositions, she hopes they take away a meaningful experience. “I prefer teaching at a more grassroots level, teaching students from scratch the mechanics of an instrument and the elements of music and sound,” she says. “There is something immensely rewarding when you begin to see growth over a period of time.” Some of the many highlights of her job as a music teacher include traveling to New York City, Washington D.C. and Venice, Italy with students, performing in a master class for the

Photo courtesy Branksome Hall

Toronto Symphony’s music director Peter Oundjian and in another piece by Canadian Opera Company composerin-residence Dean Burry. “The experience of students playing and singing music that had never been performed or recorded before and was custom written for them was one that could rarely be replicated,” she says. Another rewarding experience is seeing participation and programming

growth, such as an after school string ensemble she used to run for eight students and has grown to 60 members. “I remember initially doubting the sustainability of such a small program, but I went with the philosophy that if a student walked in my classroom I would not turn her away but instead try to give her meaningful musical experiences,” she says. “That’s the kind of reward you get from grassroots teaching.”

QUALITY LICENSED DAYCARE & BIG SAVINGS FOR YOUR FAMILY

30 VAUGHAN ToDAY SEPTEMBER 2012

your perfect school and activity Central Montessori Schools Central Montessori Schools: Help children reach their full potential Central Montessori Schools (CMS) is a non-denominational, co-educational private school that offers a Montessori learning environment that enhances each child's unique learning style. The school operates in five convenient locations in Thornhill and Toronto. Montessori education is internationally established as one of the most effective methods to help children "learn how to learn", thus gaining independence and self-confidence. During various stages of our Casa program, emphasis gradually shifts from basic motor skills and languages to development

of concentration, coordination, independence and sense of order. This leads the child to grasp writing, reading and mathematical concepts much more quickly. In our Elementary classrooms, we introduce hands-on material to assist in understanding concepts before they are committed to memory. Physical education, arts, French and various extra curricular activities help our students to achieve a holistic higher standard of education. The schools follow a high quality, accredited Montessori curriculum, which helps each child to reach their full potential. The daily

activities promote the development of social skills, cognitive ability, self-esteem, emotional and spiritual growth, and a love for learning. Central Montessori Schools is pleased to add a new Casa French Program at our Willowdale Campus. This program, for children 3-6 years of age is offered fully in French, taught by a certified Montessori teacher and follows the Montessori philosophy. The CMS Casa French class offers five half days (a.m./ p.m.) of five full days. For information please visit our website at www.cmschool.net.

CHELP Tutoring Program CHELP offers Qualify and Affordable Tutor Programs for all Levels CHELP, founded in 1994, is an affordable Saturday tutoring program, which helps student to improve and advance in their school curriculum. The annual fee for the program is only $290/295 for 27 classes including homework material. Entry test is given to ensure student is assigned to proper level. MATH/English/French program is available for all levels including G12. Students are taught in a classroom structure, with homework for

additional practice, and Mini-tests/exams will be given. All work is checked by the teacher who monitors the progress of the student. CHELP believes in teaching foundation material, which helps the student to expand and learn advance material more easily. CHELP offers an interactive environment, where the student can learn and benefit from a more personal teaching technique. With the guidance of committed and experienced

teachers, students will be able to enhance their academic performance. The guideline of CHELP is to teach, improve, advance, and educate, to build confidence and character. Thornhill location: Registration every Saturday from Sept. 15 2012, 9:30-11:00AM. At Vaughan Secondary school, 1401 Clark ave west, 2nd floor. 416-371-4178.

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Crescent School Celebrating 100 years of educating boys Celebrating 100 years of educating boys, Crescent is committed to developing and implementing the most current research into how boys learn. Faculty members, rated by parents as Crescent’s greatest strength, consider teaching boys their job, and educating boys their responsibility. They combine a challenging academic pro-

gram with a superior array of co-curricular opportunities allowing each boy to find and develop his unique abilities. Students strive for excellence and actively seek leadership opportunities in some aspect of school life. Community service and global outreach are integral components of Crescent’s broad educational program. Our school values —

respect, responsibility, honesty and compassion — guide the actions and decisions of faculty and students alike. We encourage our community to ask of themselves and of others — locally, nationally and internationally — “How can I help?” Looking at oneself through others’ eyes enables a Crescent student to progress from a boy of promise to a man of character.

different styles and levels of dance classes to children and adults, we can accommodate families who are interested to take lessons in one studio. For your convenience we offer a family discount. At the “Dance Stream” studio we educate children to become graceful, intellectually developed individuals . Dancing gives people excellent level of health and fitness and a gratifying sense of achievement.

We would like to introduce “Dance Stream” to children and parents of York Region community. Our Teachers are highly qualified professionals who provide outstanding support to help our students develop their creative selves. The “Dance Stream” operates 7 days in a week in the heart of City of Vaughan. Contact Dance Stream Studio: 905.303.4776. E-mail: thedancestream@gmail.com Web : www.thedancestream.com

Dance Stream Capture the Dream “Dance Stream”dance& fitness studio opened it’s doors for every one who like & want to dance. The “Dance Stream” studio offers the following classes for children: Jazz, Latin & Ballroom Dance, Hip-Hop , Acro, Tap , Ballet, Break dance & Belly Dance. Competitive & recreation program. Private & group lessons. Special programs for Adult: Latin & Ballroom Dance, Hip-Hop classes, Ballet and Belly Dance. By providing

De La Salle College Enter to Learn. Leave to Serve De La Salle College “Oaklands” is an independent, Roman Catholic, co-educational day school, inspired by the teachings of St. John Baptist de La Salle. Founded in 1851, De La Salle continues to educate young men and women in a truly Christian atmosphere and to develop a strong sense of religious and moral values. The College offers an advanced liberal arts

curriculum, which is enhanced by a variety of extracurricular programs, enabling students to develop leadership skills, self-confidence and a sense of social responsibility. With advanced curriculum, liturgical services, athletic programs, extracurricular activities and community service, our graduates go on to be scholars at some of the finest universities across the country and around the world. Students come to De

La Salle to embrace a challenging curriculum and engage in a variety of extracurrular activities. In addition, our students are also expected to be patrons of service to others: “Enter to learn. Leave to serve.” OPEN HOUSE: Wednesday, October 17th, 2012 - 7 p.m. 131 Farnham Avenue, Toronto, Ontario www.delasalleoaklands.org SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2012 2012 VAUGHAN VAUGHAN ToDAY ToDAY 31 31

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centre dedicated to serving and addressing the needs of the students of Vaughan. The IVY ED staff holds the belief that every child can learn. We distinguish that there are no cookie-cutter solutions to efficient learning strategies and therefore, we design specialized programs for each of our students. Over the past eight years the centre has expanded its services from SAT/SSAT preparation to

Education Consulting. Ultimately, IVY ED establishes a partnership to achieve a common goal: a brighter future for your child. We will be there with you through every test and we will celebrate with you when your child brings home an improved report card or simply starts feeling better about themselves and their abilities to learn. At IVY ED, your child’s success is our success.

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Scholar Montessori Scholar Montessori: A holistic approach to learning

More than 100 years ago, physician and scholar Maria Montessori created a philosophy for education based upon her observations of children. Today, a growing number of parents are choosing the Montessori method for their children. Montessori schools help children develop creativity, problem-solving methods, critical thinking and time-management skills, to contribute to society and the environment, and to become fulfilled people. At the heart of the method is the child. Montessori children learn in a supportive and non-competitive environment and the focus is on the child’s individuality and specific needs. It’s based on the fact children learn best when they are free to interact with the world around them, offering an alternative to the structured formal education systems used in public schools.

Teachers uniquely trained in the method use specially-designed materials that are not only stimulating and imaginative, but are selfcorrecting, allowing children to proceed at their own pace. Scholar Montessori Academy, with two campuses in Woodbridge, has been offering a holistic, developmentally sound approach to early education since 1999. Through the school’s daily focus on the three basic principles of Montessori philosophy – observation, individual liberty and preparation of the environment – students learn more than just basic knowledge. They learn life skills like conflict-resolution, says Ilyas Rafi, the school’s founder and director. “In keeping with classic Montessori practice, all classrooms are multi-age, three-year groupings with a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 8 to 1,”

says Mr. Rafi. “Our children learn explore and learn concepts in arithmetic, sensorial, practical life, language, geography and culture. We also offer art, music, drama, physical education and French, depending on the classroom and the age of the children.” Another important function of the schools is to give families a sense of community and support. “We acknowledge that parents are the child’s first and most-important teachers,” he says. “Our intention is to involve and educate parents about their child’s development, to them connect to each other and give them an opportunity to contribute to their child’s education.” For more information, call Scholar Montessori Academy at 905-265-1959 or 905856-3426. www.scholarmontessori.ca

what they need to make their way in the world with success. We offer a superior, balanced education that challenges the student, develops the mind, and strengthens the character. The campus has outstanding athletic facilities, a modern performing arts centre, and leading-edge technology – all of which enhance our ability to educate in innovative ways.

Our passion is to ensure that every graduate leaves our school well prepared for university, confident, independent, intellectually curious, morally responsible, appreciative of the arts, physically fit and globally aware. Find out more about CDS and our open house schedule at our website www.cds.on.ca or by calling 905.833.1220.

The Country Day School Education With Balance

The Country Day School (JK-12) is a co-ed, non-denominational, university-preparatory school. It is situated on a beautiful 100-acre campus in the heart of King Township, just north of Toronto. If you were to visit, you would find that the CDS community is dynamic, friendly, down-to-earth, and involved. Our mandate is to equip students with

Toronto French Montessori Celebrating Over 10 Years of Excellent Quality Education

Toronto French Montessori School is a bilingual co-educational school for students from 2 1/2 and up. Students 5 years and under with no previous exposurea to French can join us at TFMS. We aim to provide a warm, happy and enriching environment in which the children are free to develop at their individual pace. Our students will gain the skill, knowledge and attitudes necessary to lead them to a fulfilling and purposeful experience in life. 32 VAUGHAN ToDAY SEPTEMBER 2012

Our students have a unique advantage of studying English & French as first language enabling them to continue their education in either language. Our teachers are highly qualified & dedicated to the job. As a result of our bilingual program & the benefit of small classes, TFMS has become the school of choice for an increasing number of parents seeking the best possible education for their children. Our learning environment is one in

which every student has the opportunity to experience academic and personal success. We have received many awards for the best Montessori School in Toronto. We look forward to welcoming you to both of our campuses. To arrange a personal tour, contact our admissions office at 416-250-9952, email admissions@torontofrenchmontessori.com or visit www.torontofrenchmontessori.com

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Sports

Vaughan’s other football After three seasons of waiting, two local rep teams have finally taken to the gridiron By Perry King

ugust 25 was a landmark day for the Vaughan Football Association Rebels. After three seasons of waiting, the organization’s peewee and bantam teams played their first games in the rep Southwestern Ontario Football Association of Leagues. “It’s been very hard training our kids and not knowing when they would get the opportunity to play rep football,” said Vince Tersigni, a coach for the bantam Rebels. “Now that they are, it is an extremely rewarding experience for the players, coaches and parents. “The players have been representing our city with pride.” The bantam team beat the Guelph Bears 34–0, and the peewee squad, against the Cambridge Wolverines, lost 54–0. The moment was a thrill for players and parents alike. “They worked at it for so long that was such a thrill for all of us to watch,” said parent Rocchina DiTomasso, “It was a nervous game for them, because it was the first one, and they did amazing. We’re so proud of them.” Kaz Bieniak threw for two touchdowns, and Daniel Tomassetti and Liam Deak ran for touchdowns. “[It was] incredible, just incredible,” said DiTomasso, whose son, Marco, caught a touchdown pass and kicked a field goal. Tyrell Campbell caught the other touchdown pass. Even though the peewee team lost, Tersigni is more proud of their performance. “It was their first look at what it feels like to play rep, they really fought hard and never gave up,” he said. “We expected our players to, first and foremost, go out there and have fun, execute their responsibilities, show discipline and a tonne of class, everything on the scoreboard will then work itself out.” For Rebels president Fabio Brusco, the weekend was a tremendous step forward for their organization. To be able to have kids play locally, instead of heading to Markham, Etobicoke or King City. “That’s why we decided to start football in Vaughan,” said Brusco. “A lot of players want to 34 VAUGHAN ToDAY SEPTEMBER 2012

photos courtesy Steve Filice

LOCAL TEAMS: Bantam-level football teams at the house finals in 2011, at St. Joan of Arc Field, Maple. This year Vaughan bantam and peewee teams are playing in the Southwestern Ontario Football Association rep league.

play, and they just can’t drive to Markham during rush hour two or three days a week.” The Rebels have grown immensely since its inception. Tersigni joined the organization in its inaugural sea-

son, with 30 players and two house league teams. Now he’s a part of an association with four full house league divisions and their bantam and peewee rep teams. “In three short years, the [Vaughan

Football Association] has grown substantially and we do not see it stopping here,” said Tersigni. “The perseverance of President Brusco has got us here, the Vaughan Rebels are [here to stay].”.

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