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VILLAGE OF ISLINGTON

ISLINGTON TIMES

Toronto’s Village of Murals

See page 14-15 for complete 2015 Business Listings

Vo l u m e 0 3 • Issue 0 4 • Winter 2 015 Editio n

IN THIS ISSUE

Local Merchants Ready for the Holidays!

By Linda Plater

Singing to better health

04

Etobicoke history

05

Arts Etobicoke

06

Community Corner

08

Winter driving

09

S.A.D.

10

ECC

12

Good Food

13

www.villageofislington.com

With Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza just around the corner, people are looking for ways to celebrate in their homes, within their communities and in public. Dressing up, decorating and looking great is all part of this festive time of year and what’s better than shopping locally to complete your holiday appearance?

Our local businesses are set to help customers look great this season. See what three businesses: the oldest at 61 years in the area, 38 years and the third a fairly new kid on the block at just a couple of seasons in our business improvement area have to offer.

If you look anywhere in the Village of Islington along Dundas between Islington and Kipling you will see the positive impact of Benjamin Moore paints from Village Paint, all donated to paint the area’s 26 outdoor murals, 15,000 square feet of outdoor art.

Also specializing in Hunter Douglas blinds, this outstanding colour and decor retailer has been a pillar of the community operating in the same location for 61 years. When asked what is the secret to their success, owners Ruth and David Bell demonstrate how they consistently provide quality product and go the extra mile to give personal service. And they are really nice people so that makes customers want to return and send clients their way! So if you want to spruce up your place for the holidays or have ideas to ring in the New Year with a fresh coat of paint or new window coverings, pop into Village Paint. You will be glad you did!

Name That Mural

Going outside the home to party? Individuals want to look their best over the holidays at office parties, New Year’s Eve events and family get-togethers. Keeping up with fashion trends or creating your own look can be pricy but it doesn’t have to be this way if you shop at our local quality consignment store called the Comeback www.thecomeback.ca. continued on page 04

The first person to email Info@villageofislington.com with the correct name and address of the mural above will win a $25 Gift Certificate from Village Paint.

Issues associated with shopping on-line. BEWARE! As you plan your holiday purchasing think again about the risks and benefits of online shopping. While convenient to shop and have gifts shipped directly to the recipient, you may want to think about the potential problems that could occur by choosing to not shop in person at a local business. Here are some considerations to bear in mind:

Village of Islington Times

Fake Online Reviews - Be skeptical of reviews that lack detail, or are too positive. Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter may provide a stronger, direct relationship to people’s opinions. Check the source - does it link to the reviewer’s profile and previous reviews or a social media page that shows the reviewer is real?

Quarterly Publication ~ Circulation 17,000 Delivered by Canada Post

Lack of Full Cost Disclosure – Additional fees like shipping, may be hidden until late in the checkout process. Remember there is “no free lunch”, in other words you’re going to pay for delivery one way or the other.

Counterfeit Goods – If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.

Order Never Arrives – Millions of items get lost in shipping every year.

Identity Theft - Identity theft and fraud are terms used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain. If someone steals your debit card number, your entire checking account is exposed. Within minutes, identity thieves can drain your account and set you back financially for years.

This holiday season shop local and support the merchants in your community. Local merchants and staff are very knowledgeable about their products which helps ease the decision making process when shopping. The value of quality customer service and expert advice goes a long way to achieve customer satisfaction. Shop local and experience the difference quality customer service and expert advice make.

Community Newspaper Volume 03 | Issue 04

For advertising information, please contact Toby Gardiner at toby@rjentertainmentpublishing.com www.rjentpub.com

Village of Islington BIA P.O. Box 234, Station D, Dundas St West, Etobicoke, ON M9A 4X2 www.villageofislington.com Contact: Linda Plater E-Mail: info@villageofislington.com BIA Mobile Line: (647) 703-4802

Wishing everyone a safe a happy holiday season! @VillageofIsling

villageofislington

Editorial Contributors:

Toby Gardiner | Publisher

Linda Plater

toby@rjentertainmentpublishing.com

Follow us on Twitter @RJentpub and like us on Facebook @RJEntertainmentPublishing.

Read all our publications on-line @ www.rjentpub.com The Village of Islington Times is printed on 100% recycled fibre. Please recycle.

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Local merchants are ready for the holidays!

Singing Your Way to Better Health

By Ed Lettner

continued from front cover

Many of us have experienced how singing along with a song makes us feel good. Now, research shows that the benefits of belting out a tune go far beyond hearing the sound of your voice.

Owner Lisa Ross tells us that her business has been successfully operating in the area since 1978 because she has a following of consignors and customers for their contemporary quality and designer ladies wear at affordable prices including Lululemon, weekend wear, business and cocktail attire, footwear and accessories. Hidden gems await at The Comeback with a diverse collection of pleasing up-to-date fashions for sale. Their customers are happy to enjoy quality for a fraction of the price of brand new.

When you sing, endorphins are released in your body in the same way as they are during exercise whether you are a trained singer or you struggle to find the right notes. Singing also offers many other health benefits. Recent studies provide evidence that singing strengthens our immune system and reduces our stress levels which in turn benefits the health of our heart. A study done at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden discovered that when people sing together, their heart rates synchronize which produces a feeling of calm among the singers similar to that which people feel during yoga.

Indeed, there are many health benefits that singing shares with yoga. We exhale when singing musical phrases and inhale between phrases which produces a rhythm to our breathing that is quite similar to what one experiences during yoga, resulting in a sense of relaxation. Singing, like yoga, also encourages us to breathe deeper than we usually do. This deeper breathing improves lung capacity which provides health benefits, especially for anyone suffering from respiratory difficulties.

Singing has been an important aspect of music therapy for decades. The Journal of Music Therapy published a study that demonstrates how singing makes it easier for people to live with chronic pain. It has also been found that for people with dementia, singing songs from their past can often trigger the recall of memories that would otherwise remain lost.

On top of clothing and accessories, beauty services complete any finished look.

And our 20+ local beauty salons provide services from hairstyling, manicures and esthetics to make you look great this season. Twin Scissors salon opened just two years ago and is pleased to keep their clients in style any time of year.

Although updos for the holidays are only requested for ladies getting ready for more upscale events, other clients are getting into fancier hairstyles with a curl off to the side and pinned. These looks are really in right now says salon manager, Ashley. Twins Cathy and Carol, the salon owners, set up shop in the area because they wanted to be situated close to the vibrant arts and history scene apparent in the two murals that bookend the parking lot in front of their shop at 4976 Dundas Street West. Their welcoming salon is thriving in this location.

I have been known to sing along with the occasional song and I have practiced yoga for many years. I can attest to the fact that singing, like yoga, contributes to one’s sense of well-being.

Perhaps there is a new form of yoga to introduce - singing yoga?

Ed Lettner owns The Music Studio located in the Islington Village Plaza which has offered music instruction in the community since 1990. He is an honours graduate of the Humber College Institute of Technology music program. For information about the programs at The Music Studio, please call 416-234-9268, email: ed@themusicstudio.ca or visit www.themusicstudio.ca

Mural Contest Winners!

Congratulations to Joyce Fendrick and Terri Baker Joyce has lived in Islington Village for 2 1/2 years. She loves walking and went on a bit of a quest to find all of the murals this summer. She was happy to report having located all but one mural so she recommends taking the Heritage Toronto walking tour which helped her to locate all 25!

Terri, a Mississauga resident discovered Montgomery’s Inn by chance after doing a search on Toronto Historical Terri Baker Sites Facebook page and was fascinated by its history. Her family has a long history in Toronto; arriving in the late 1800’s. She enjoys discovering new places and learning about Toronto and encourages others to do so as well. Her family has attended many events at the Inn, including teas, tours, Fret Not Ukulele night, and most recently the 40th anniversary of the Inn.

This article featured just three of the over 150 businesses in the Village of Islington ready to serve you year round. For more information about the many local businesses just steps from your front door, pick up the BIA’s popular mural calendar including the local merchant directory while supplies last. Available at BIA businesses now.

Terri reminds us that there are so many great restaurants and shops in the area, and she loves to visit them. She says the murals which explain the history of the area are so beautiful as they add so much to the area.

She especially loves discovering one she has not seen before.

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Etobicoke’s History 20th Century

By Terry Reardon The turn of the 20th Century saw dramatic changes which improved the lives of the 3,000 Etobians. Electricity which had become available to a few in the 1890’s was available to almost all by 1902, with the building of a steam generating station on the west bank of the Humber River.

2015 Annual General Meeting Wrap Up On November 17, 2015

In 1908 there was the first electric street light at Dundas Street and Canning Avenue (now Cordova), and telephone service was enjoyed by thirty eight subscribers by 1910. Then there came the first automobile or as it was then called, the “horseless carriage”, in the ownership of the Reeve of the Township, Frank Shaver.

World War One saw an outburst of patriotic fervour, but soon the reality of the conflict was experienced by many families, who lost loved ones. The following decade saw further progress but in the 1930’s came the Great Depression, with at its peak, 32% of the population receiving welfare – somewhat bizarrely full employment returned with the Second World War, when the population totalled 17,684.

While again many families lost loved ones, one soldier who did survive was Corporal Frederick George Topham, whose heroism was recognized with the awarding of the Victoria Cross for heroism.

In 1954 the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto commenced operations and took away from the Township the responsibility for major services, including education and policing. A new Civic Centre at a cost of $2 million was opened in 1957, and two years later royalty honoured the Township with a visit by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, who signed the guest book.

A booming population led to the inevitable consolidation of local governments, and in 1967 the Township expanded with the its amalgamation with Mimico, New Toronto and Long Branch, to become the Borough of Etobicoke, with a population of more than a quarter of a million people.

The Etobicoke Centennial Choir

That special year, the 100th anniversary of Canadian Confederation, was recognized with the Federal Government giving grants to municipalities to undertake special projects – Etobicoke made the decision to purchase land for Centennial Park, with the Olympium facility being built eight years later.

Rapid transit connection with downtown Toronto came with the TTC subway being extended to Islington Station in 1968, and further west to Kipling in 1980.

Three years later the Borough of Etobicoke, with a population of over 330,000, became a City, with its slogan “The Leading Edge of Metro.” This was short lived as in 1998, in spite of opposition from the Etobicoke City Government, the Province chose to amalgamate the City with others, to form the “Megacity” of Toronto. However, a modest level of local autonomy continued with the Etobicoke/York Community Council having jurisdiction over minor matters.

Historian Terry Reardon is the author of “Winston Churchill & Mackenzie King, So Similar, So Different.”

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Arts Etobicoke a.r.t. Exhibition

5 Actors & A Trunk Full of Magic!

Humber River Shakespeare Co presents their 8th Annual tour of A Christmas Carol Visiting communities in Etobicoke, Toronto, King City, Kleinburg, Alton, Aurora, and Keswick. The Humber River Shakespeare Company proudly presents its annual production of Dickens’ holiday classic, A Christmas Carol.

Join Arts Etobicoke in celebrating a selection of fabulous artists from their a.r.t. (Art Rental Toronto) program in the Arts Etobicoke Storefront Gallery now until January 6, 2016.

The exhibition showcases a small sampling of the art in the a.r.t. collection; a.r.t. has over 1,000 pieces and represents over 60 different artists. The exhibition features art from 15 Toronto artists, including many Etobicoke natives. Come see the work of: Earla Alexander, Gilbert Caldwell, Moira Clark, Elzbieta Krawecka, Eva Lewarne, Mary Anne Ludlam, Margaret Ludwig, Nancy Newton, James Ogilvie, Jane Orr, Rita-Anne Piquet, Marie A. Prospero, Ina Puchala, Lynne Schumacher, and Joyce Woollcott.

With a heart locked up tighter than a cash box, Scrooge must encounter visits by three spirits for the chance to open up his heart and relish in the joys and aspirations of his fellow man.

This adaptation of Dickens’ classic tale reawakens the true spirit of Christmas in a heart-stirring tale of profound beauty and redemption.

With Victorian costumes, enchanting masks and an antique trunk of storytelling treasures, five actors transport you from Scrooge’s cold bedroom, to Fezziwig’s joyful party, the Cratchit’s meager table, to the dismal churchyard and the brightness of a Christmas morning fresh with snow. It’s an exercise in imagination, and an hour-long treat that audiences of all ages have embraced as an annual tradition.

Arts Etobicoke is happy to bring Canadian art into Canadian businesses and homes.

The gift of art can be a wonderful way to celebrate your friends and family. Come and stop by the gallery, enjoy the artwork and talk to our art consultant Margie about rental options and gift certificates.

This year’s tour of A Christmas Carol will visit 8 unique venues, including the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, The Alton Mill Arts Centre, Montgomery’s Inn Museum, Black Creek Pioneer Village and the Stephen Leacock Theatre.

Are you an artist? Are you looking for way to gain more exposure, or find new clients? The a.r.t. program is currently seeking new artists! Contact artrental@ artsetobicoke.com to find out more, or to apply!

Now entering its ninth season, the Humber River Shakespeare Company continues to offer professional and accessible theatre year-round to communities in the Humber Watershed and beyond – from touring Shakespeare-in-the-Park in the summer, to innovative and original Canadian works in unique spaces in the fall.

The Arts Etobicoke Storefront Gallery is located at 4893A Dundas Street West.

The company’s Artistic Director Kevin Hammond explains the motivation behind the production: “Performing ‘A Christmas Carol’ is our way of giving back and sharing a universal message of hope and charity and Kindness in these times of global strife. This particular tale is especially heartwarming and appropriate at this time because it reminds us to be compassionate and loving towards our fellow men, women and children. It is a treat and an honour to perform the show each year and I am always amazed at how moved the audiences are”.

Whether by the fire in a Victorian era hotel at Montgomery’s Inn, in a picturesque gallery of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, by gas lamp at Black Creek Pioneer Village, or in the beautifully refurbished Alton Mill, this charming one hour performance will warm the hearts of Tiny Tims and Scrooges alike.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: 2015 Touring Schedule December 5, 2pm December 9, 7pm

Montgomery’s Inn (4709 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke) Black Creek Pioneer Village (1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto) December 10, 7pm Montgomery’s Inn (4709 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke) December 11, 7pm Montgomery’s Inn (4709 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke) December 15, 7pm St Paul’s Church (404 Willard Ave., Etobicoke) December 16, 7pm Black Creek Pioneer Village (1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto) December 19, 2&7pm Montgomery’s Inn (4709 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke) December 20, 7pm Montgomery’s Inn (4709 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke)

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Tickets: Adults: $20, Children $10. Seating is limited. Guaranteed tickets are available on line at www.humberrivershakespeare.ca. Info Line: 416-209-2026 *For School Group Bookings, contact Education Coordinator Paula Schultz: paula@humberrivershakespeare.ca

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COMMUNITY CORNER St Andrew’s Christmas Concert with Glen Soderholm Saturday, December 12, 7 pm Tired of hearing canned Christmas music everywhere you go? Come for an uplifting and excellent Christmas concert by Canadian independent singer/ songwriter, Glen Soderholm, on Saturday, December 12, at 7pm. With a mix of stories, and both original and traditional Christmas tunes, Glen will lead you into a deeper experience of the Christmas Spirit.

Chapter 40 of the Duke Ellington Society On the second Tuesday of every month (excl. Dec., June/July) the Duke Ellington Society - Toronto Chapter meets at Montgomery’s Inn (in the lower assembly room). The society is dedicated to learning more about the music of the”Duke” and Billy Strayhorn in an informal setting. Visitors are welcome. More information and membership details please phone 416-239-2683.

Call (416) 233-9800 to arrange for tickets, or drop by from 9-4:30 Mon-Fri at 3819 Bloor St W. $15 each, $25 for two, teens are $5, kids are free.

Free Mural Calendars Available Now back by popular demand is the BIA Mural Calendar - for a limited time only come to the Village of Islington merchants and business owners to pick up your free 2016 calendar. This year features a pull out collector mural map and a business directory. On behalf of our 200 members who support the calendar, the BIA board of directors would like to wish you and yours a healthy and prosperous holiday season and look forward to serving you in the New Year.

Jane Austen Christmas Supper Friday, December 18th, 2015 7-10 pm Historic Montgomery’s Inn, 4709 Dundas St W at Islington Here’s your chance for an actual taste of Jane Austen’s world. Enjoy the pleasures of the Georgian table during the festive season, supping by candlelight and the comfort of an open fire.

There is no more delightful way to savour the traditions of Christmas!

Sit at an elegant table and eat the foods Austen and her contemporaries knew, at historic Montgomery’s Inn. A blend of the familiar and the intriguingly different, these utterly delectable dishes show us a lesser-known aspect of her time. We hope that you will join us for the rare opportunity to experience a full historical meal within the walls of one of Toronto’s best-loved heritage sites.

Hey, Hey B-I-A! The BIA Cup University Basketball Tournament is back.

The second edition of the BIA Cup University Basketball Tournament got underway on Wednesday, November 4 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (formerly Maple Leaf Gardens).

Dress code: historical clothing is encouraged, but optional.

Tickets must be purchased by Friday, December 11th. Space is limited, so please book soon. $45. Details at www.JaneAustenDancing.ca. (416) 578-1031.

The tournament pits the men’s and women’s teams of intercity rivals the Ryerson Rams and the U of T Varsity Blues in a four game matchup (two men’s games, two women’s games) with the trophy going to the university with the most wins overall.

The BIA Cup is named in honour of Toronto’s BIAs, or Business Improvement Areas, a social innovation established over 40 years ago in Bloor West Village that enables the local business community to enhance their streetscape, put on festivals and other commercial inducements. BIAs are now in place across the City and around the World, one of Toronto’s greatest exports.

This year the tournament will be incorporated into the NBA All Star festivities being held in Toronto for the first time. The remaining game scheduled is Sunday, February 14 at the Ricoh Centre Ryerson featuring the U of T Men verses a team to be determined.

So Toronto, let’s give a ‘shout out’ to the teams of merchants and landlords who make our neighbourhoods great places to live, work and play, the champions of main street, the 80+ BIAs of Toronto – Hey, Hey B-I-A! (#heyheybia)

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Winter Driving Days are Here Again

By Lola Macanowicz, CFP, CLU, CHS, CIP There’s no escaping it — winter is here and that brings a variety of driving conditions that we need to cope with and adapt to.

For better traction, start out slowly and maintain an even speed; jerky stops and starts can cause skidding. Here’s how to handle a skid and prevent your wheels from locking:

For insurance companies, the winter months are our heaviest collision times.

These collisions happen for a number of reasons but mostly because drivers don’t adapt their driving habits to reflect changing road conditions.

Below are some general tips to help you drive safely this winter.

• Turn your steering wheel slightly so your car’s wheels point in the direction you want to go.

• Take your foot off the gas slowly.

• De-clutch with a standard transmission or shift into neutral with an automatic car.

• Apply the brakes gradually and gently by squeezing the brake pedal until you feel it grab (ease off and repeat until you have stopped).

• With the anti-lock brake system (ABS) you must slam on your brakes rather than pump.

Winterize Your Car • Change to lightweight, multi-grade oil as heavy oil thickens in cold weather, making it harder for the engine to turn over.

• Cold weather is hard on batteries so if yours is a few years old, check to make sure the connections are not corroded.

• Worn tires are dangerous any time of the year — in winter weather they are treacherous!

• Safety, mileage and tread wear are all affected by improper tire pressure. Check your tire pressure monthly as for every five degrees Celsius the temperature drops, your tire pressure decreases by one pound.

• Have the brakes checked to make sure you have equalized braking on all wheels. This eliminates pulling to one side, especially when stopping on a slippery surface.

In case you are stranded…

• Do not leave your car.

• Do not take a nap unless you are with someone who will stay awake while you rest.

• When running the motor for warmth, do so in short intervals and keep a window partially open for ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow.

• Exercise occasionally by stamping your feet, swinging your arms and clapping your hands.

Before Your Journey • Make sure your lights work and that they are clear of ice and snow. Top up your windshield fluid and carry a spare bottle in the trunk. There’s nothing more dangerous than the reduced vision of a dirty windshield.

• Clear ice and snow from the car and defrost all windows, making sure the wipers are cleaned off and in working order. Remove snow from the hood and roof to prevent it from blowing up on the windshield and rear window as you pick up speed. It’s not only potentially dangerous but a driving offense as well.

• Listen to the radio to find out local road conditions and accidents — it will help you prepare mentally for the drive ahead.

• Always travel with a full tank of gas.

This Car Emergency Kit Could Save Your Life • Gas line anti-freeze • Flashlight • Call Police sign • Flares • Warm clothing or blankets • Sand or kitty litter for traction if you get stuck • First aid kit • Booster cables • Shovel • Tow strap • Cable or chain • Put a few high energy snacks in your glove box

Are you one of those people who drives down the highway scraping off the inside of your windows due to heavy condensation? It’s caused by snow that’s brought into the car on footwear or the increased humidity of breathing. Leave a door open for about 30 seconds or open a window right away and this will help clear the humidity.

Braking Techniques A much greater distance is needed to bring a vehicle to a stop in icy or snowy conditions, so keep a greater distance between your vehicle and the car in front of you. If you do not have an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), slamming on the brakes could lock the wheels and produce an uncontrolled skid. Motorists should pump brakes gently and intermittently to bring the vehicle to a halt while maintaining steering control. In winter conditions you need to slow down gradually in advance of any stop.

Last but not least allow yourself double the normal time for your journey.

Remember when the snow comes down, you need to slow down.

Lola Macanowicz Insurance & Financial Services – The Co-operators has provided insurance and financial planning advice in Etobicoke since 1985. For more information, please call 416-234-2777 lola_macanowicz@cooperators. ca,Visit us at 5048 Dundas St W.

The Board of Directors of the Village of Islington Business Improvement Area held its Annual General Meeting at Montgomery’s Inn. The event was well attended by 25 local business people and community partners including the Islington Ratepayers. Attendees networked and enjoyed the company of their BIA neighbours. The BIA Chair, Lola Macanowicz presented the proposed budget for 2016 which was unanimously passed. Councillor Justin Di Ciano discussed plans for 2016, emphasising community spaces, paths, parks and a YMCA for a greatly enhanced Six Points development.

The Board of Directors for 2015-2018 include: Lola Macanowicz, The Co-operators 5048 Dundas St. West, 416-234-2777 lola_macanowicz@cooperators.ca Karen Sword, Property owner,4986 Dundas Street West, 416-236-2675 shadow123@rogers.com Ed Lettner, The Music Studio, 6 Burnamthorpe Road, 416-234-9268 lessons@themusicstudio.ca Rod Atkinson, Tapestry, 15 Summerhill Road, 416-777-2911 Justin DiCiano, Ward 6 Councillor Advisor, 416-392-4040

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The “Sunshine Vitamin” for Seasonal Affective Disorder

By Dr. Janet McKenzie When the clocks go from daylight savings time to standard time in early November, the waning sunlight becomes obvious, painfully so for those who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. You’ve probably heard of SAD. It’s a type of depression, triggered by changing levels of daylight. Symptoms can begin in the fall and continue through the winter, resolving in the spring when the quantity and quality of daylight become greater. The symptoms may include one or more of these: • Irritability • Tiredness or low energy • Problems getting along with other people • Heightened emotions, oversensitivity • Heavy, “leaden” feeling in the arms or legs • Oversleeping • Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates • Weight gain

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MOVEABLE FEAST CHRISTMAS

No one knows exactly what causes SAD, but research shows it is more common in northern latitudes, increasingly so the farther you move away Saturday, December 12 from the 7-9 pm equator. Seasonal changes in the levels of two brain chemicals, melatonin and 3819 Bloor St W serotonin, have been implicated. Melatonin plays aCall major role in regulating 416-233-9800 for tickets $15 sleep; serotonin is important in the regulation of mood.

Glen Soderholm in Concert

$25 for two $5 for teens inclined to -dismiss 12 and under Free

People who experience these symptoms may be them as “winter blues” when they are actually evidence of a serious condition, a type of clinical (major) depression. If you think you may have symptoms of SAD, please discuss your concerns with your doctor. It won’t go away if you ignore it, and SAD can be effectively treated.

Saturday, Dec. 12th, 7:00pm • St. Andrew’s Presbyterian, 3819 Bloor St. W • Call 416-233-9800 for tickets • $15 each or $25 for two • $5 for teens • Free for 12 and under

Brighter Days Ahead Treatments for SAD, singly or in combination, include light therapy, medications and psychotherapy. Research suggests Vitamin D deficiency can cause SAD in some people. Vitamin D is made in your skin when it is exposed to bright sunlight. Like SAD, Vitamin D deficiency becomes increasingly common in locations distant from the equator. Vitamin D deficiency is easily determined from the results of a commonly available blood test.

Justin CITY COUNCILLOR

Di Ciano

Several studies have found an association between blood levels of Vitamin D and depressive symptoms. The actions of Vitamin D throughout the body are complex and not yet fully understood, however, there is evidence that Vitamin D has neuroprotective functions which include mood regulation.

Supplementation with Vitamin D has been shown to improve depressive symptoms.

If you struggle with the winter blues, ask your doctor to check your Vitamin D level – some “sunshine vitamin” might be just what you need.

WARD 5 ETOBICOKE-LAKESHORE

Wishing you all the best for the Christmas Season!

Dr. Janet McKenzie, MBA, ND is the Clinic Director of Etobicoke’s Summit Natural Health Centre where she helps people to feel their best with customized natural treatments. Janet is especially interested in diet, nutrition and orthomolecular medicine, and has taught at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition.

100 Queen St. West, Suite C51 Toronto, ON M5H 2N2 T

416-392-4040

@ Councillor_diciano@toronto.ca

www.councillordiciano.ca

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Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Lights Help for the Winter Blues?

By Ken Kogej During the cold dark winter months some of us are affected by the lack of sunlight. There have been many studies done determining that the lack of sunlight can have adverse effects mood. Many people suffer from light deprivation and are not even aware of its symptoms which include:

light therapy, this is often not practical for most people leading busy lives. To help reduce the negative effects of SAD is to reset or to maintain the schedule of the internal biological clock through timed bright light therapy sessions. These sessions are scheduled at defined times to maintain the target sunrise or wake time for the user during the fall and winter.

• feeling down or moody during the fall and winter • fatigue, lack of energy, and difficulty getting up in the morning • problems getting things done (lack of motivation) • reduced social contact (and often reduced sexual interest) • cravings for carbohydrates and weight gain

Researchers use bright light therapy systems to simulate the effects of daylight.

Usually, bright light therapy sessions of just 20-30 minutes are adequate to reset or maintain the body’s circadian rhythm. For most people, optimum bright light therapy response is achieved with sessions conducted the early in the morning, shortly after waking.

Experts believe that as many as one in twenty people may experience fullblown Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in the northern hemisphere and many more may experience the milder winter blues. As well, recent findings show that bright light therapy may also help relieve some non-seasonal mood disorders, jet lag and shift work adjustment.

Research on bright light therapy involving thousands of people, resulted in three key findings: 1. Debilitating, full-blown Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can be reversed within days of appropriately implemented bright light therapy treatment – a positive result when compared to medication options.

A commonly recommended therapy to help with the above symptoms is the use of a SAD light. This is a light stand that you sit in front of for specified periods.

2. People with milder winter doldrums who can cope, but still suffer, respond just as well to bright light therapy as those with major mood disorders.

How Bright Light Therapy Works: Scientists believe that bright light therapy works on several different levels, producing a combined beneficial effect. When used at an appropriate morning hour (or in rare cases, evening hour), it corrects the misalignment of the internal body clock, known as the circadian rhythm, with external night and day. Bright light therapy, acting on the body’s own response to light, may also stimulate the brain’s production of the neurochemicals responsible for positive moods. This may explain why people not getting the light they require feel lethargic, less motivated and experience the blues.

3. People feeling down in the dumps at other times of year or even with continuous, chronic mood disorders, may also respond favorably to bright light therapy.

Bright light therapy, when considered in consultation with your physician, may be an appropriate option for many disorders before recourse to medication.

For more information or to see how these lights work call the Seniors Store at 4974 Dundas Street West - 416-231-1300. www.seniorsstore.ca

Although judicious exposure to sunlight - when available - can act like bright

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10 Awesome Eye Facts You Probably Never Knew

Etobicoke Centennial Choir

By Silvia Yeomans, Queen Spectacle You’ve had your eyes since you were born, but how well do you know them? Your eyes are one of the coolest and more complex parts of your body made up of approximately 200 million working parts. Here are some awesome facts about your eyeballs:

Henry Renglich, Music Director presents Sacred Traditions 2015, Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.

1. Your eyeballs don’t grow any bigger as you age. That’s why babies seem to have such large eyes.

2. The part of the eye that you can see only makes up for 1/6 of the entire eyeball 3. If a blind person was born with sight, their dreams will include images.

4. Contrary to what you may think, eyes heal very quickly. With proper care, a corneal scratch typically heals within 48 hours.

5. Even if nobody in the family has blue or green eyes, it’s possible for the recessive gene to be expressed after many generations. People with blue eyes all share a common ancestor.

6. It is still unknown how to transplant an eyeball. The optic nerve that connects the eyeball and the brain is too complex and sensitive to reattach properly.

7. Tears come in three different varieties; basal, reflex and emotional. Each is different depending on if you’re sad, happy or have something in your eye.

8. 20/20 vision is not perfect, it’s just normal. This is your visual acuity. What you see at 20 feet, others see at 20 feet as well. The best recorded vision in history is actually 20/10 9. When babies are born, they see images upside down. The structure of your eye initially causes it to view your surroundings as upside down. Once your brain perceives the image, it’s flipped right-side up 10. Dogs communicate with us by looking into our eyes. Studies have shown the dog perceives clues from humans by looking at their eyes. This is very similar to how babies learn to interpret cues

The Etobicoke Centennial Choir celebrates the holiday season with a joyous and eclectic concert to enliven the heart and warm the soul - featuring Leonard Bernstein’s intensely passionate and life-affirming Chichester Psalms, Francis Poulenc’s exquisite Quatre Motets pour le temps de Noel, Canadian Donald Patriquin’s classic arrangements of traditional French Christmas carols, and Conrad Susa’s Carols and Lullabies of the Southwest, charming and festive arrangements of the most beautiful carols of the Spanish-speaking world. Piano, organ, harp, guitar and percussion accompaniment will add to the warm and festive mood.

The performance will be held at Humber Valley United Church, 76 Anglesey Blvd., Etobicoke. Tickets are $25.00 per ticket, general admission. Call (416)7699271 to pre-order. Family and group rates are available.

For more information about this article, suggestions for future articles, or if you have questions about your family’s eye care, feel free to contact me at silvia@ queenspectacle.com. Silvia Yeomans is the owner of Queen Spectacle. Queen Spectacle has locations in Port Credit, Streetsville and The Kingsway. They are a full eye care team recognized for their service excellence. For more information, visit their website at www.queenspectacle.com

For further information about this concert and the Etobicoke Centennial Choir visit www.etobicokecentennialchoir.ca, email info@etobicokecentennialchoir. ca or call 416-622-6923. Like the ECC on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @ EtobicokeChoir

Seasons Greetings from the BIA! Join us for a festive afternoon of music and good cheer at Creative Village Studio 4895 Dundas West on Saturday, December 12th, 2-4 PM. Enjoy performances by the students of the Music Studio in the spirit of the season!

Presented by the Music Studio, Creative Village and the Village of Islington Business Improvement Area (BIA).

For more info contact info@villageofislington.com or Linda at 647-703-4802 or Ed of the Music Studio ed@themusicstudo.ca 416-234-9268

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Give the Gift of Good Food to Local Families this Holiday Season “It’s the gift that keeps on giving.” Charmaine, a Stonegate resident and single mother of three, isn’t talking about the latest toy on holiday shelves, but a box overflowing with fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

She is one of hundreds of recipients of Stonegate Community Health Centre’s Good Food Box Holiday Drive. The Drive, now in its sixth year, provides a Good Food Box to community individuals and families struggling to put healthy food on the table.

Charmaine prepares the produce in a myriad of ways, including cut up fruits for snacks, vegetable dishes and delicious soups. With the opportunity to demonstrate healthy cooking to her young children, she says the box “makes a world of difference.”

The Good Food Box is a non-profit fresh fruit and vegetable system operated by FoodShare, Toronto. FoodShare buys produce directly from the Ontario Food Terminal and Ontario farmers and distributes to drop off locations throughout the city. Stonegate CHC, located in the Park Lawn/Queensway neighbourhood, is one of the busiest, says Julia Graham, Community Food Program Coordinator at the Centre. With an estimated 28% of families and 38% of children living below the poverty line in the area immediately surrounding the Centre, food security is a major concern. The Centre’s health team identifies families whose health is being jeopardized by poor access to healthy food. “Given the cost of rent, people living on social assistance or working a lower wage job often have no money left over for food,” says Graham.

Thanks to generous donors, the fundraising goal has been met and exceeded each year. 300 boxes will be distributed to Stonegate CHC clients as well as clients of the local Food Bank. Any additional funds raised will be put towards ‘market bucks’ for food insecure clients at the Centre-run Farmer’s Market.

“100% of donations go towards providing fresh healthy food for those in need,” says Graham.

When the program began, 80 clients were referred to receive a Good Food Box. Last year the number grew to almost 300. In 2014, residents lost their last walkable access to food with the demolition of Stonegate Plaza to make way for a condominium development. While Stonegate CHC provides resources including a mobile food market and organized bus trips to a grocery store, these measures don’t fill the gap. Many community members rely on the 3 times a month Food Bank at Christ Church St. James.

$18 buys a local family in need a large size Good Food box, $50 buys boxes for three families, while $100 buys boxes for 6 families. Donations can be made by contacting Julia Graham at 416-231-7070 ext. 229 or online at www.stonegatechc.org

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