HUMBER HAPPENINGS A Community Publication by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association SPRING ISSUE 2011
& SHINE SPRING
Get ready for Humber Bay Shores’ annual Clean-Up Day.
Cover Story
A SHORE THING Community play returns revamped after 10 years.
4 TIPS to a HEALTHIER YOU A penny for your health.
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in this issue
Humber Happenings
A Community Publication by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association
Features 7 Welcome By Darryl Simmons Spring fever at Humber Bay Shores.
12 news Canada’s history of dance on display, Toronto Hydro’s 100th anniversary and the Etobicoke Human Society’s “Year of the Cat” campaign.
17 our history By Michael Harrison The rise and fall of one of Mimico Beach’s most extravagant properties.
19 life style By Andrew Woods The remote-controlled condominium.
21 ART FOR GOODNESS’ SAKE The annual art show and fundraiser at Kingsway-Lambton United Church.
31 taste of humber By Lorraine Henderson A restaurant review of Ristorante Da Noi.
33 good cooking HUMBER HAPPENINGS
22 cover Story
A Community Publication by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association SPRING ISSUE 2011
SPRING& SHINE Get ready for Humber Bay Shores’ annual Clean-Up Day.
By Susan Nagy and Thelma Amos Swimming for Shore returns with a revamped take on the original hit to celebrate The Assembly Hall’s 10th anniversary.
Cover Story
A SHORE THING Community play returns revamped after 10 years.
4 TIPS to a HEALTHIER YOU A penny for your health.
SIMPLY DELICIOUS
Mediterranean bass made easy.
4 HumberBayShores.org
Rex Deverell and Diana Belshaw.
By Maria Mirenzi A quick and hearty recipe for Mediterranean sea bass from chef Maria Mirenzi.
46 hidden treasures By Megan Ng Cheese Boutique celebrates family, friends and food at their 8th annual Festival of Chefs.
in this issue
hbscA 8 president’s message By Judi Richter-Jacobs New strategies to blossom this spring and in the future.
10 our community By Megan Ng The results from HBSCA’s residents’ survey.
25 clean-up day at humber bay shores The details for the 15th anniversary of the spring community event.
28 pet place The missed photos from Humber Bay’s Howl-a-Ween party.
46
42 spring events calendar Event and community listings for April and May.
regular columns
31
26 eco logic By Jim Lord
28
34 winesights By John Switzer
36 vitality to the core By Guy Dufour
Your feedback is important to us. We welcome feedback on anything you see in Humber Happenings. Have a story idea or photo to share? Send your comments to humberhappenings@mediamatters.ca.
38 broten bulletin By MPP Laurel Broten
40 Councillor’s corner By Councillor Mark Grimes
6 HumberBayShores.org
Humber Happenings Spring Issue 2011 Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association Board of Directors President Judi Richter-Jacobs, Players Club Vice President Jim Reekie, Palace Place Treasurer Malcolm Gonsalves, Voyageur I & II Secretary Laura Nash, Marina del Rey- Ph. I, II, III Past President Leo Blindenbach, Grenadier Landing Jim Lord, Palace Pier (Ex-officio) Director Sharon Jazzar, Newport Beach Director Don Henderson, Bal Harbour Director Mary Knuff, Grenadier Landing Director Tom Arkay, Palace Pier Director Tim Owen, Grand Harbour Director Jay Perry, Nevis Director Simone Purboo, Explorer Director Milai Sousa, Waterford Strategic Planning Initiative Coordinators Planning & Infrastructure Jim Reekie Building Community Judi Richter-Jacobs Communications & Outreach Jay Perry Email Board Members at hbscaboard@rogers.com
Humber Happenings produced by Managing Editor Megan Ng Copy Editor Chris Wyllie Art Director Daniela Luberto Writers Thelma Amos, Laurel Broten, Guy Dufour, Mark Grimes, Michael Harrison, Lorraine Henderson, Jim Lord, Susan Nagy, John Switzer, Andrew Woods Editorial Assistant Ryan Potts Editorial Director Joe Rayment Interns Viola Li, Tess Kang Sr. Marketing & Business Director Joe Plati (289) 800-1835, jplati@mediamatters.ca
Media Matters Inc. President Darryl Simmons VP of Marketing Joe Plati VP Industry Relations Gloria Mann
Media Matters Inc. 645 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6G 3T6 t. (905) 370-0101 f. (866) 868-7072 e. humberhappenings@mediamatters.ca Humber Happenings is published four times a year.
www.HumberBayShores.org Volume 4 Issue 1
welcome
Spring Fever As the weather heats up so does the action in Humber Bay Shores. by Darryl Simmons
T
he birds are chirping, the grass is greener and the sun is shining longer. It’s official. Spring is in season at Humber Bay Shores. This May, we celebrate Humber Bay’s 15th Clean-Up Day anniversary. Congratulations to everyone on making this community event a continued success. The efforts put forth by everyone are sure to resonate for future generations to come. It’s refreshing and certainly nice to know that Humber Bay stands out among communities in its genuine care for its local parks and outdoor space. Clean-Up Day is just one example of how lively and bright we are—there are many more events and changes happening just around the corner from you this spring. We encourage you to “spring and shine”, get out there, take photos and let us know what’s happening by your part of the shore. Our job as the editorial and production team, along with your input, is to ensure your community events and lifestyles are reflected in the magazine At this time, I’d like to introduce some of the staff who will be tailoring this magazine to your community’s needs and interests. Megan Ng will be spearheading the editorial direction of Humber Happenings. If you have a story to tell, a photo to share or just want to chat about the area in general, just call or send an email. You’re bound to see her at local events so make sure to say hi.
[LEFT-RIGHT] Megan Ng, Joe Plati, Daniela Luberto and Darryl Simmons.
Daniela Luberto brings the Humber Bay community to life graphically through the art direction of the magazine. Another key player in Humber Happenings is Joe Plati, our seasoned marketing and sales manager. He is committed to ensuring you are kept aware of the best places to shop and the most reliable services in the community. We all look forward to working with everyone in bringing Humber Happenings to the next chapter in 2011 and to meet all of your expectations as a vendor and resident of the community. Our team is honoured and excited to produce Humber Happenings in partnership with the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association. We look forward to your input. HH
HumberHappenings I Spring 2011 7
our community
New Strategies to Blossom this Spring and in the Future HBSCA survey results lay the groundwork for community-building strategies in 2011. by Judi Richter-Jacobs, HBSCA president
S
ince our last issue of Humber Happenings, HBSCA has engaged on numerous new fronts. Late last fall, we determined that input from our residents on a number of issues was important. We retained an independent consultant who gathered and interpreted the results to 27 questions obtained through a survey conducted between December 30, 2010 and January 31, 2011. (The results from the survey are revealed in another feature in this issue.) We received 450 responses which represents approximately 11 per cent of the condominium units in the Humber Bay Shores community. This is a considerably high response rate to the questionnaire and reflects substaintial interest in our community from residents. It is clear from the results that residents consider HBSCA to be a strong community voice and they would like to see progress on the issues presented in the survey. This includes consultations with the city, local business establishments and member condominium corporations. While the feedback we received did not capture future needs, such as improved public transportation to serve the growing community, it did help set the stage for our recent discussions with councillor Mark Grimes. In our discussions, we impressed on councillor Grimes the need to balance our collective efforts between condomini8 HumberBayShores.org
um development and the establishment of a sustainable infrastructure. It is our view that successful development, preservation and beautification require earlier commitments to building and maintaining that infrastructure. Furthemore, it is a proactive and less reactive approach to better maintaining what we have now, and allows us to effectively manage growth. Within that context, strategic issues identified included more proactive development and management of infrastructure linked with what’s needed for growth. This includes more focused attention to community development, such as restaurants and shops that reflect residents’ interests. Presently, too many commercial spaces are unoccupied. Developers need to consider relevant incentives for such spaces, so that businesses can establish themselves and flourish, rather than merely survive. More effective and efficient trash pick-up, on-going road repair, park bench replacement, better tree and flora maintenance (not just planting) are linked with this strategic issue. Another strategic issue considered was fairer taxation of condominium owners. Based on our preliminary estimates, the taxes collected from existing unit residential owners generated almost $14 million in revenue. In the area, approximately 6 km of the city-maintained streets produce revenues
of $2.3 million per km, the second highest in the entire GTA. This does not take into account money committed by developers, presumably for this area. With the expected doubling of condominium units through future development, annual tax revenues can also expect to double. Therefore, from HBSCA’s perspective, increased allocation of resources to Humber Bay Shores is imperative given our large tax contribution. In addition, more focused attention on communication with residents through town hall meetings and other forums was recommended to develop a “listening strategy” with the council. In turn, HBSCA will be able to communicate better with its members. We are working hard to ensure that Humber Bay Shores and the needs of this community are better understood and addressed in both the short and longer term. We look forward to your continued support and interest. All the best for a Happy Spring! HH
Judi is the HBSCA president. She brings to the board over 30 years of experience in community building and strategic policy management.
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our community
The Residents’ Results HBSCA’s survey lays the groundwork for a futuristic outlook. by Megan Ng
[LEFT-RIGHT] Sheila Paxton, Tom Arkay, Angie Chiu, Judi Richter-Jacobs, Chris Wyllie.
O
n February 16, 2011 Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association held a special meeting with Ward 6 Etobicoke-Lakeshore councillor Mark Grimes to discuss the results of the Humber Bay residents survey. The survey was conducted between December 30, 2010 and January 31, 2011 and focused on six areas of consideration: 1. Transportation; 2. Walkways and bicycle paths; 3. Parks; 4. Access to shopping; 5. Infrastructure; 6. Community activities and communication. 10 HumberBayShores.org
The survey consisted of 27 questions and was distributed in all the HBSCA member condominium corporations. Currently, there are 12 corporations in the association, which translates to 4069 units. It is expected that the resident population will double with over 3,500 condominium units planned for construction. The first topic of discussion from the survey was transportation. This issue is of particular interest as many residents have pointed out the lack of adequate, efficient public transportation. Their concerns are intensified by the expected growth of the community in the next few years. It was
also noted that some small successes have been made in the transportation area. With the lobbying of the board and councillor Grimes’ support, an express bus has been implemented into the community. Most of the survey respondents stated they did not rely on public transportation. For those who did, they considered public transportation, particularly the 66D bus to be important to them. Cost issues and regular scheduling were the suggested areas of improvement under the comments section of the survey. An improved schedule for the express bus would also result in more resident use. One finding from the survey that surprised many board members was the lack of resident interest for bike lanes. For many, bikes are a safety hazard to walkways for pedestrians and 76 per cent of respondents consider pedestrian safety to be “important to very important” to them. The most common response from the survey was that better signage should be provided along the pathways for pedestrians and bike lanes. With respect to shared community areas such as the parks, the board was pleased to report that most residents felt safe in the neighbourhood. Residents share a great interest in maintaining and improving the quality and look of the neighbourhood. Considering the number of dog-owners in the neighbourhood, there was a reported lack of use by residences at the off-leash dog park. The board noted that increase public awareness for the dog park should be done along with increased enforcement of on-leash bylaws and rules. Due to the popularity of the Humber Bay area to people all over the GTA area, Humber Bay residents are not the only people frequenting shared areas. As a result, many respondents replied that more public resources are required to maintain the infrastructure of the neighbourhood. A tree planting strategy was received favourably by residents, many expressing interest and support for pursuing this strategy in the near future. In terms of shopping, restaurants and cafés are the most popular type of businesses for residents
our community
[LEFT] Survey responses for priority use of resources. From the top-down: road repair, sidewalk repair, park bench and light repairs, widening shared pathways, providing incentives or requirements for developers to include retail outlets in condos, improving local transit options.
Cap
with 42 per cent of residents frequently visiting local restaurants and cafés. Over 15 per cent said they would like to see
more grocery stores in their community along with other banking outlets and recreational services. Following the presentation, HBSCA president Judi Richter-Jacobs pressed upon the importance of the findings to councillor Grimes and urged for an active response and change based on the survey results. “I’m prepared to bring this back [to City Hall],” councillor Grimes said. “We’ve had some successes with transportation, so let’s continue to build on the successes we’ve had.” The board exerted tremendous efforts, gathering the findings and hiring an
The pie graph depicts community support and interest in Clean-Up Day.
independent consultant. The goal from the beginning: to better serve the community and be the voice for current and future residents. Communications and outreach director Jay Perry said, “The bottom line is we need better communication and assurance [from councillor Grimes]. We need a futuristic outlook and somebody that can help us be proactive about that view.” HH
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news
Toronto’s Dance History Exhibits this Spring to Early Summer The Market Gallery presents an exhibition curated by Dance Collection Danse, Canada’s largest archives and research centre for theatrical dance history. “Dancing Through Time: Toronto’s Dance History from 1900-1980” will open on March 5 and continue to July 2. The exhibition outlines the development of the city’s dance scene by exploring influential touring artists and vaudevillians, the evolution of ballet and modern dance and the growing diversity of dance forms in the late 20th century. The exhibition features costumes, photographs, playbills, programs, posters, designs, video and more. Many of the exhibition items have been rarely seen and have not been showcased at other museums. Some of the featured artifacts are rare silk stockings and a practice tunic from the 1920s, sketches of the Ballets Russes by Grant Macdonald, a mask that toured to the 1936 Cultural Olympiad in Berlin and later survived Hurricane Hazel, costumes worn by famed National Ballet dancers David Adams and Lois Smith, and a Karen Kain doll. Visitors will discover the personalities and history of this dynamic art form that has contributed greatly to the citys cultural vitality. Landmarks of Toronto dance history will also be revealed. The Massey Hall performances of Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova and German expressionist dancer Mary Wigman paved the way for ballet and modern dance teachers in the early 20th century. Wigman inspired some of Toronto’s earliest modern dancers, such as Saida Gerrard and Cynthia Barrett. Toronto’s vaudeville theatres created work for many young women including the Uptown Girls, a chorus line regularly featured at the Uptown Theatre. The ballet boom of the late 1940s and 1950s, catalyzed by the Canadian Ballet Festivals, provided an environment 12 HumberBayShores.org
where the new National Ballet of Canada could flourish and become the renowned company it is today. The modern dance scene had its own boom period in the 1970s with the founding of Toronto Dance Theatre, 15 Dance Lab and the creation of Canada’s first university dance program at York University. Dance was the fastest growing art form in Canada in the 1970s and much of that growth was in Toronto. In this decade, the city began seeing theatrical productions beyond ballet and modern dance with the arrival of artists who practised classical Indian dance forms and African and Caribbean dances. Founded in 1986 by former National Ballet dancers Lawrence and Miriam Adams, Dance Collection Danse (DCD) is Canada’s national dance archives and publisher dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of Canadian theatrical dance history. Through Dance Collection Danse’s magazine, books and virtual exhibitions, DCD provides a context for the past and a foundation for the future of dance. The Market Gallery, a program of the City of Toronto’s Cultural Services division presents changing exhibitions dedicated to Toronto’s art, culture and history and offers educational programs for school groups and adults. The gallery is located on the second floor of South St. Lawrence Market, 95 Front St. E. Admission is free. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Saturday (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Closed Sunday, Monday and public holidays. For more information on the exhibition and the gallery, please visit: www. toronto.ca/culture/the_market_ gallery.htm. For media information, Pamela Wachna, coordinator of collections & outreach, 416-392-7604, pwachna@ toronto.ca. Shane Gerard, senior promotions & communications coordinator, 416-397-5711, sgerard@toronto.ca.
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news
The City of Toronto Archives to highlight the history of Toronto Hydro
2011 is the Official Year for Etobicoke Humane Society’s, “Year of the Cat”
In 2011, Toronto Hydro celebrates its 100th anniversary. To showcase the history of the company, the City of Toronto Archives is creating an exhibit that will focus on the development of Toronto Hydro prior to its founding in 1911 and up to the 1950s. The exhibit will incorporate images and artifacts and will explain Toronto Hydro’s role in the City of Toronto. The exhibit will run from the end of April to October 2011. Admission to attend is free for the public. Some of the themes include: formation of the Toronto Electric Light Company, electric streetcars, street lighting for safety, lights in the home, lighting up the night for leisure activities, electricity for modern conveniences, wartime shortages and others. Toronto Archive exhibits are often viewed by elementary and high school students who tour the facility as part of their curriculum based learning. For more information, please contact the Toronto City Archives at 416-397-5000.
Volunteers of the Etobicoke Humane Society (EHS) welcome February 2011 as the official kick-off for their year-long participation in “2011: Year of the Cat”. Canada-wide education and adoption initiative designed to increase the value of homeless, feral and “owned” cats and to emphasize cat overpopulation. “In 2008, the Business of Urban Animals Survey (BUAS) presented statistics that proved what we already know—that society generally places more value on dogs than on cats,” EHS president, William Blain said. “This survey showed that dogs receive better care in almost every category.” Pia Lauretti, EHS shelter manager responded, ”This is very sad news for cats. On average, cats in shelters out-number dogs 4 to1. That is, for every one dog in a shelter, there are four cats. In many cases, this ratio is much higher. We have a lot of educating to do.” As part of the the “2011: Year of the Cat” campaign, EHS volunteers are focused on releasing increased adoption
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news promotions and educational messages for the public. Some of the messages include: 1. The importance of spaying and neutering in reducing pet overpopulation and improving feline health. 2. The myths and facts about animal hoarding, with a special emphasis on felines, as cats represent the largest percentage of animal hoarding cases. 3. Increase awareness about pet identification. 4. Stress the importance of veterinary care for the health of the cat and the public. To expand adoptions and fostering, and to convey the messages of the campaign, EHS staff and volunteers have planned the following activities for this year: 1. February 2011: The official kick-off for the campaign. Special press releases made in recognition of “Year of the Cat” launch, including educational articles about hoarding, spaying and neutering and adoption and fostering. 2. May 2011: The Cat Awareness month. The focus is on adoption and educating the public on fostering. This includes added emphasis on key issues such as spaying and neutering, hoarding, importance of keeping cats indoors and identification. 3. September 23-October 2: ID Week. During this
week, there will be a focus on educating the public about the significance of pet identification in reducing feline homelessness. 4. October 1-December 31: A holiday and education campaign called, “No Pets as Gifts” designed to prevent the impulsiveness of giving felines and other animals as gifts. Information will be distributed about alternative pet-related gift giving ideas, special holiday-related feline health and safety issues and adoption gift certificates for the holidays. In the future, the Etobicoke Humane Society plans to continue implementiation of cat awareness with feline-focused information in all of their youth and adult education workshops. They’re also in the process of creating more literature on topics related to cat and animal neglect at all of their public activities. Monthly press releases on various related topics continue to support their initiatives. Other special events EHS aspires to host in the near future are adopt-a-thons throughout the year. For more information on the Etobicoke Humane Society’s efforts with cat awareness or to arrange an appointment to adopt a pet, call 416-249-6100.
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our History
Lynne Lodge as the Lynne Arms Italian Village Restaurant. Photo was taken on February 13, 1955. Photo courtesy of Toronto Reference Library.
Lynn Lodge Estate
The rise and fall of one of Mimico Beach’s most extravagant properties. by Michael Harrison, mimicohistory@hotmail.com
I
n the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Mimico waterfront was lined with waterfront estates owned by some of the wealthy families of Toronto. This is the story of one of them. Mimico Beach’s most fabulous estate Lynne Lodge was established by Frederick Barnard Fetherstonhaugh in 1899. Featherstonhaugh, a patent attorney, inventor, entrepreneur and socialite, descended from Irish nobility on the shore of Lough Erne in the 18th century. Born in Bruce County in 1863,
Fetherstonhaugh went to law school and specialized in patent law. He then began his legal practice with Donald C. Ridout before he left to practice on his own in 1880. In 1890, he founded Fetherstonhaugh and Company, a patent law firm that is still operating today with offices located around the world. His reference books on patent law are still consulted by lawyers today. He rode the technological wave of the late 19th and early 20th centuries to fame and fortune. Mr. Fetherstonhaugh belonged to a
myriad number of clubs including the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, British Empire League, Argonaut Rowing Club, Canadian Manufacturers Association, Empire Club, Guild of Civic Art, the Board of Trade and the Engineers Club of Ontario. He was also an active entrepreneur and inventor. Mr. Fetherstonhaugh commissioned the first electric car in Canada in 1893. He filed several patents including one for a corn cob holder in 1888. In 1899, he established his estate in Mimico Beach. The main house, Lynn HumberHappenings I Spring 2011 17
our History
The Fetherstonhaugh Boathouse.
A south view of the Gardener’s Cottage today.
The Towers.
Photo by Michael Harrison.
Photo courtesy of Toronto Public Library.
Lodge and Gardener’s Cottage were designed by the prominent architect Henry Sproatt as his only solo project. A few years later they were joined by “The Towers”, Toronto’s only waterfront castle folly. In 1887, he married Marion Rutledge. Several children followed but most would die young. Only his son James Edward would survive to adulthood. Marion died in 1930 and in 1932 he married his second wife, a woman who was half his age. It ended in divorce a few years later.
The divorce resulted in a devastating financial settlement and the loss of his company which set in motion the events that would cause Mr. Fetherstonhaugh to die in poverty in 1945. Following his death, two attempts were made to operate the Lynne Lodge mansion as a restaurant but were not successful. Both the mansion and the towers fell to the wrecking ball in the late 1950s and were replaced by apartment buildings. Today only the Gardener’s Cottage and
Boathouse, along with some landscaping elements, remain to give one a sense of the grandeur of the Fetherstonhaugh Estate. The city of Toronto’s Heritage Preservation Services is currently reviewing a request to designate these remnants under the Ontario Heritage Act to provide them with a measure of protection. At the Etobicoke-York Community Council meeting in February 2011, the request to demolish the Gardener’s Cottage was deferred until May 2011. HH
Photo courtesy of Archives of Ontario.
MIMICO
I
CRUISING
CLUB
magine enjoying lunch or dinner overlooking our fabulous harbour with family and friends, or a relaxing dockside picnic.
A limited number of social memberships are currently available in our Club. The beautiful clubhouse and grounds are Humber Bay’s best kept secret. For enquiries we invite you to contact our Membership Director, Michael MacDonald at 416-252-7737, extension 225 or gm@mimicocruisingclub.com.
AN OASIS IN THE CITY. 18 HumberBayShores.org
Life Style
The Remote
Controlled Condo Ever wonder what it would be like if your condo could think for itself?
by Andrew Woods, photos by Control4
I
t’s Tuesday afternoon and you get a text from your spouse who has forgotten the house key. You’re in the middle of a meeting and can’t get home to unlock the door. Instead of panicking, you turn to your smartphone and unlock the door with the touch of a button. If you ask yourself the question, “How is this possible?” the answer would be: home automation. Home automation wires various devices in your home to intelligently communicate with one another. With technology becoming increasingly prevalent and smart electronics playing a central role in our daily lives, it seems fitting they serve a role in our homes. Through automation, many things you never thought were possible in your home can now become a reality with the touch of a button on a remote device. You have the ability to manipulate anything from locks to lights, doors to drapes, and even the temperature of your home, from wherever you are. Think of it as a virtual window into your home, no matter where you are. While most of us have on-site security and concierge services in our condominiums, they don’t have any way of knowing what is actually happening inside your suite while you’re away. A home automation system lets you install an IP camera and keep a watchful eye on your home, no matter where you
A home automated owner sets the temperature to lower while she sleeps.
“You’re connected even when you’re not there.” are. A connected home means exactly that—you’re connected, even when you’re not there.
Home automation gives you flexible solutions to design a system suitable for your lifestyle. You may consider home automation if you travel frequently or are away for extended periods of time and want the peace of mind of knowing that your home is safe. You also have the option of receiving email alerts if, for example, the security system is triggered, or a door or window is open. If you are a parent, home automation can alert you by email as soon as your children get home, and lets you monitor after-school activity by setting controls to prevent or limit access to the Internet, television or videogames. HumberHappenings I Spring 2011 19
Life Style
A custom system can also be used to entertain guests. Home theatre and multiroom music systems will make your condo the place to be for weekend gatherings. You can improve the quality of the media experience in your home by decluttering your audio, video, and home Declutter theatre components with one your home remote or electronic controlwith one remote. ler. You can turn your television into an elegant interface from which you access and control all the movies or music in your multi-disc changer, iPod or hard-drive, and create a one-touch point to lower the lights and shades to create the perfect ambiance for movie night. Some of the buildings along Humber Bay are more than 20 years old, and don’t necessarily have the energy-efficient windows and doors installed in newer condos. Home automation gives you the ability to program your blinds, curtains, and thermostat to automatically adjust for maximum energyefficiency, based on the time of day or outside temperature.
Gourmet Québecois cuisine on the Lakeshore
Read our reviews and menus at: www.cafedulac.ca
Our weekly specials The Café always serves...
Toronto’s BEST gourmet poutine • In-house made charcutière, breads and desserts • Prix Fixe Tuesday – 3 course meal featuring unlimited mussels for $25 or choose from our regular menu • BYOW $5 uncorking fee on Wednesday or Thursday • Live music every Friday from 8 pm to 11 pm featuring blues, jazz or contemporary music • Montreal-style Sunday brunch featuring fresh made crêpes, St. Viateur bagels, eggs benedict, omelettes freshly squeezed juice, mimosas and more... 2350 Lake Shore Blvd. West, Etobicoke • 3 blocks west of Parklawn, north side reservations: 416.848.7381 or info@cafedulac.ca • catering • private parties
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CDL_HH_Spring_2011.indd 1
13/03/11 9:30 PM
A condo resident adjusting her lighting scene with one touch.
In addition, if you don’t always remember to turn off the lights when you leave a room, motion sensors can be added to turn lights off automatically after a pre-set length of time when rooms are unoccupied. A sophisticated home automation system is affordable from $1,500 to $15,000 for installation. These costs are easily offset by increased peace of mind, and savings from reduced energy costs. For more information on home automation, please contact Andrew Woods at 416-839-3388 or by email at awoods@whcomm.ca. HH
Feature
Art for
Goodness’ Sake Kingsway-Lambton United Church prepares for its 14th annual art show and sale. From Kingsway-Lambton United Church
E
stablished in 1998, the Kingsway-Lambton Art Show was created to be a unique neighbourhood event which could foster the talent of Canadian artists while at the same time, raise funds for local charities. This year, the annual one-day art exhibition and sale is themed as “Art for Goodness’ Sake” and will be held at the Kingsway-Lambton United Church on April 9, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proceeds from the sales will provide support to 25 charities in the neighbourhood. Some of the charities that have benefitted from the church’s initiatives include the Kids Help Line, Ernestine’s Women Shelter, Stonegate Community Health Centre and the Out of the Cold program. Over the past 14 years, the show has become a community success, attracting visitors beyond the Etobicoke-Lakeshore area. Art show volunteer, Suzie Rudy said, “[The event is] a wonderful opportunity to be a part of the vibrant and caring local art scene in our neighbourhood.” This year’s event will host over 30 artists in the region. The new artists who have been invited this year will represent a broad and expansive range of art practice and affordability. Organizers of the event are pleased to announce many of the favourite artists from previous years will be returning this year along with 16 new artists. Over 500 works are prepared for the exhibitition on the church grounds and will include acrylic, oil and watercolour painting, photography, woodturning, ceramics, wall hangings, folk art and jewellery. Admission is $10 to the event and payable at the door. Payment can be made by VISA, MasterCard, cash or cheque. All admission tickets will be entered into a draw for “The
[TOP] An original acrylic painting by local artist Linda Kemp. The painting is entitled “The Colour of Light at This Moment” and is the door prize for the event. [BELOW LEFT] Main entrance to the art show at Kingsway-Lambton United Church. [BELOW RIGHT] The fKingsway-Lambton United Church grounds. Photos courtesy of Kingsway-Lambton United Church.
Colour of Light at This Moment”, an original acrylic painting by Linda Kemp. The Kingsway-Lambton United Church is located at 85 The Kingsway at Prince Edward Drive in Etobicoke. Complimentary refreshments will be provided. Parking for this event is available free on the street. For more information on this event, please visit: www. kingsway.lambton.ca/art show.html. HH HumberHappenings I Spring 2011 21
cover story
by Susan Nagy and Thelma Amos, photo by Justin Harrington.
The Lakeshore community play returns with a revamped take on the original hit to celebrate The Assembly Hall’s 10th anniversary.
Swimming for S T
en years ago, residents in the Lakeshore area gathered together, and decided to bring the history of Lakeshore’s people and community to life on stage. A decade later, the play still resonates with the locals, not only with those who participated in the original production, but even with those who have only heard about the production through the years. This April, Swimming for Shore will 22 HumberBayShores.org
return to stage once again to commemorate The Assembly Hall’s 10th anniversary. Since its closing night 10 years ago, staff at Lakeshore Arts and The Assembly Hall have been asked countless times when the play would make its return back to stage. The opening night in April 2001 was truly a community event that also celebrated the grand opening of the Lakeshore cultural community centre, The Assembly Hall. The play met with resounding success;
10 performances attracted over a thousand ticket sales from the public. Swimming for Shore playwright, Rex Deverell said, “A high [from the play’s success] stayed with me for weeks.” It galvanized the community and made everyone who resided in the Lakeshore neighbourhood proud to call it home. To mark The Assembly Hall’s 10th anniversary the play is being revamped and remounted. In partnership with Humber College and Lakeshore Arts, The Assem-
cover story
Shore Once More bly Hall has taken the lead to bring this play back to the community for a command performance. The show will be produced by Humber Theatre’s creative team, under the direction of Diana Belshaw. The roles are performed by approximately 21 Humber students. The lead role will be played by Equity actor Janet Amos. Amos’s experience will be helpful in providing the students with an opportunity to work with a theatre professional.
Rex Deverell is working with the students to provide a fresh look at the script and reflect on the past decade of Lakeshore life. Change has come to the Lakeshore in the past decade; just last year, Humber College’s Media and Arts Studio relocated to its new home in the former Lakeshore Lions Arena. The renovation and move of the studio is one of the changes that will be reflected in the play’s updated version. “I’ve done a fair amount of work [in
community plays] in my own professional career,” Belshaw said. “It’s huge when you talk to a community and the residents you’re representing. It changes the way you look at the work and the bigger world. It’s no longer about you and your ego. It’s a much bigger picture.” To prepare for the release of the second version of the play, original cast members and the Humber students arranged a meet and greet one evening in October 2010 at The Assembly Hall.
HumberHappenings I Spring 2011 23
cover story
Ian Orr and Chistine McCaw performing in the original 2001 production of Swimming for Shore.
[Left-Right] Heather Dick, Rex Deverell, Diana Belshaw and Simon Malbogat
Photo courtesy of Lakeshore Arts Archives.
It was an opportunity for past members to pass the baton to the acting students. The evening was a surprisingly emotional one. Past cast members described the impact the play had on their lives, and their stories were not overlooked by the students. One young thespian thanked everyone for coming. The meeting helped him realize he was not just performing in a play, but contributing to the Lakeshore legacy. He was given a gift, one that he was thrilled to be a part of. Swimming for Shore is the brain child of local arts champion and past Lakeshore Arts board member, Jerry Smith. With Lakeshore Area Multi-Service Project (LAMP) as the trustee, Lakeshore Arts received financial assistance through a number of grants, including a millennium grant. The grants allowed the group to hire renowned playwright Rex Deverell, who captured the Lakeshore stories and legacy. Stories were gathered from people from all walks of life: seniors, nurses who worked at the Lakeshore Psychiatric grounds, youth at the local high schools and members of our historical societies. These stories provided Rex with a rich tapestry of history and laid the groundwork to weave together a play that would celebrate our history and reveal hope for the future. Mixed Company, headed by Simon Malbogat, provided community 24 HumberBayShores.org
Photo by Justin Harrington.
animation and turn the script into a full theatrical production. Local artistic director, Heather Dick from Sirius Company, also provided support for the public performance. Deverell, Malbogat and Dick patiently encouraged, tweaked and nurtured performances out of people who had a passion for the arts and their community but no formal artistic training. The process lasted over a year and involved hundreds of Lakeshore community
Opening Night: April 8 at 6:30 p.m. > For tickets call (416) 201-7093
Evening Shows: April 9,14,15,16 at 8 p.m. Matinees: April 10 & 16 at 2 p.m. > For tickets call (416) 338-7255
The young cast of the 2001 production performing “The Zoo” scene. Photo courtesy of Lakeshore Arts Archives.
participants committing hundreds of volunteer hours. From actors and interviewees to costume dressers and set builders, volunteers ranged in age from seven to 75 years old, each one dedicated to the success of the play. The cast had over 70 participants. Rehearsals are currently in session at Humber College and the students are looking forward to performing Swimming for Shore in April. Lakeshore Arts will use the opening night of Swimming for Shore as part of their annual fundraiser. Proceeds from the event will provide funding to assist with their youth programming, Youth Arts Movement (YAM). Lakeshore Arts works with over 900 children and youth on an annual basis. As a not-for-profit charity, it relies on the generosity of people’s donations. Opening night will be held on April 8, 2011, with a pre-performance cocktail hour and performances from members of YAM–a chance for the youth to showcase their singing skills. The members at Lakeshore Arts, Humber College and The Assembly Hall expect the play to live up to its anticipated hype. Lakeshore Arts executive director, Susan Nagy said, “The play is an exciting opportunity to come out and learn about the history of the place where you live, work and play. You don’t want to miss it since we don’t have any idea when it may return!” For more information, please visit www.lakeshorearts.ca. HH
Come get your limited edition organic cotton T-Shirt, again featuring the art of local Lakeshore artist, Lorna Livey.
Come Help Spruce Up Your Community
PLEASE mark this date on your calendar and join your neighbours and friends at Humber Bay Park West near
15 ANNUAL th
at the
the Walking Bridge by the ESSO and by Palace Place. Two start locations for this year’s 15th Anniversary! • Rain or Shine! • Clean-up supplies will be provided – wearing boots is a good idea. • Children are welcome!
WATERFRONT CLEAN-UP SATURDAY, MAY 14th, 2011 A very big thank you to our sponsors: • • • •
Ania Baska, Re/Max Condo Plus Corp Brookfield Residential Services Ltd. City of Toronto for Supplies Eden Restaurant
• • • •
Etobicoke Yacht Club Steve’s Neighbourhood Esso Shiu Pong Management Wilson, Blanchard Management Inc.
9:00 AM Coffee & donuts, compliments of Steve’s ESSO. 9:30 AM Clean up the waterfront & park between Palace Place & Grand Harbour. 12:00 PM
Lunch, compliments of Etobicoke Yacht Club.
Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association
www.HumberBayShores.org Etobicoke Yacht Club Mimico Cruising Club
Humber Sailing Club
Eco Logic
®
How green-ready are you this spring? by Jim Lord
T
he snow is disappearing and the spring flowers are starting to bud, what better time to reflect on the impact we have on our planet and think how we can get ourselves more environmentally prepared for Earth Day on April 22, 2011. Earth Day started in the United States in the 1970s, and has since grown into a global phenomenon. Last year, more than six million Canadians joined people in 170 countries taking part in Earth Day activities. In Canada, Earth Day has turned into Earth Week and even Earth Month to accommodate the profusion of events and projects. They range from large public events, such as Victoria’s Earth Walk, which generates about 5,000 participants; Edmonton’s Earth Day Festival, a whopping 30,000 participants; Oakville’s Waterways Clean-up, a sizeable 2,000 local participants; and the Toronto CN Tower Green Networking event , which invites about 300 participants. There are thousands of small, private events staged by schools, employee groups and community groups. The activities are coordinated by Earth Day Canada. I am pleased to report that I am one of the organizers of the second annual Earth Day CN Tower Green Networking event, which is organized to facilitate the exchange of green ideas, and to raise funds for the Earth Day Canada charity. To get yourself prepared for the most environmental day of the year, try some of the eco trivia questions that can be found on the Earth Day Canada website (www.earthday.ca) under the publications tab. ®
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26 HumberBayShores.org
The artwork above is from the 2011 Earth Day® Canada poster. Photo courtesy of Earth Day® Canada.
Eco Logic
1. Which household appliance uses the most energy? (a) refrigerator (b) toaster (c) dishwasher (d) washing machine Answer: (a) refrigerators use about 11 per cent of a household’s total energy consumption. Take action by buying Energy Star endorsed refrigerators, which use less energy and save you money; ensure your refrigerator is set to optimal energy use temperatures (between 2°C and 3°C). 2. “Phantom carriers” is a term used for electronic devices that: (a) move from room to room (b) continue to consume electricity even when switched off (c) are really expensive (d) are energy efficient Answer: (b) phantom carriers are appliances with clocks or programming displays that draw power 24 hours a day, such as coffee makers, DVD players, computers, and stereos. Seventyfive per cent of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. Take action by unplugging electronic equipment when you leave the room, or use a power bar that connects all of these units and then simply switch the bar off.
(a) 15 (b) 40 (c) 72 (d) 88 Answer: (b) take action by using public transit whenever possible, which also conserves 70,000 litres of fuel annually, and generates only about one-third of the greenhouse gas emissions produced by 40 cars. As you can see from the quiz, a few, small changes in our actions can have a big impact on the environment. Let’s all work together to reduce our impact on the planet. For more information regarding Earth Day events, please check out: www.earthday.ca for a list of events. HH ®
Jim is one of the founding principals of Ecovert Sustainability Consultants. He helps organizations achieve their sustainable goals through green building certification, green product certification, greenhouse gas inventories and sustainable policy development. www.ecovert.ca
3. By what percentage do heating costs rise for every degree above 20°C that you set your household thermostat? (a) 2% (b) 4% (c) 5% (d) 7% Answer: (c) take action by not overheating your home; put on a sweater and dress accordingly to save money and to use less energy. 4. A typical five-minute shower uses ____ litres of water: (a) 50 (b) 100 (c) 150 (d) 200 Answer: (b) take action by using a low flow shower head to reduce the amount of water used to 35 litres, and to save water and money on your water bill. 5. What plant has been used to monitor air pollution? (a) lichen (b) juniper (c) clover (d) strawberry Answer: (a) lichen, usually found on trees and rocks, are very sensitive to air pollution. Their presence indicates good air quality. 6. One busload of passengers takes the equivalent of ______ cars off the road during a typical rush hour.
In the time it takes you to drink your next cup of coffee, acres of tropical forest will be lost. Reward farmers who maintain forest-like habitat for birds and wildlife by purchasing their certified Bird Friendly ® coffee. Drop by our cafe-by-the-lake for a wide selection of organic, shade grown, fair trade coffees. See the birds in person on a CCFEW bird walk sponsored by Birds and Beans.
For more information visit : www.birdsandbeans.ca/birds.html
2413 Lake Shore Boulevard West (at Mimico Avenue) 416 -913-9221
HumberHappenings I Spring 2011 27
pet places
Howl-a-ween The missed photos from the paw party by Humber Bay Park.
28 HumberBayShores.org
pet places
HumberHappenings  I  Spring 2011 29
The All-New 2011 JETTA Reimagined. Redesigned. Reperfected.
Come into Queensway Volkwagen and check out the all new 2011 Jetta. We didn’t just reinvent the car, we reinvented the price. The German engineered and beautifully priced 2011 Jetta is parked in the sweet spot where premium meets affordable. Choose from three astoundingly fuel-efficient yet impressive engines, like our famous 2.0 TDI Clean Diesel. With best-in-class rear leg room and trunk space, superior fit and finish, surprisingly sophisticated design touches and above standard safety features, it’s clear that when we redesigned the All-New 2011 Jetta, we focused on every detail.
queenswayvw.com
1306 The Queensway (at Kipling) | 416 259 7656
Das Auto
Taste of Humber
Ristoranteda Noi 4906 Dundas Street West. Village of Islington. www.danoi.ca 647-351-6642 by Lorraine Henderson
J
ust a bit west of the Humber Bay Shore neighbourhood is the quaint Village of Islington. It’s a short 10 minute drive, but definitely worth the time if you want to experience a cozy or intimate Italian dining experience. Located at the corner of Dundas St. and Burnamthorpe Rd., I discovered this unique restaurant by chance and was thrilled to find it had excellent food. In the last month, I have visited Da Noi at least four times and each time I am equally impressed with the quality of the food, atmosphere and pricing. The phrase “da noi” translates to “by our place”. You may recognize that “noi” rhymes with “joy”—a deliberate choice by chef and owner Maria Mirenzi and her husband, Tony. Maria wanted the restaurant guests to experience the joy she has for cooking through her food. Joy is exactly what I see and feel when I come here for dinner. I know that when I leave, I have experienced authentic Italian cuisine in a contemporary setting.
[TOP] Grilled Australian rack of lamb topped with a honey dijon pistachio crust in a wild mushroom red wine reduction. [BELOW] The bar area at Ristorante Da Noi.
HumberHappenings I Spring 2011 31
Taste of Humber
At Da Noi, Maria cooks each of the dishes herself, ensuring the quality and taste of each dish is equally as good as the last dish she put out. For Maria, consistency is the key to maintaining a loyal, satisfied clientele. Depending on how busy she is, you will find Maria in the restaurant talking with her diners. Everything that comes out of the kitchen is made to order. This also allows Maria to cater to personal requests and allergies. The menu features about six different appetizers, including Maria’s signature Caesar salad, fried oyster mushrooms and goat cheese salad and grilled skewers of Ontario lamb. My personal favourite among the appetizers is the calamari alla Griglia. It is probably the best calamari I have tried to date. To enhance their varying flavours in fish, meats and pastas, Maria and Tony offer a range of wines from Italy, Australia, Chile and France. The prices range from $8-$12 a glass and $24$240 a wine bottle. Main courses include seven pasta dishes, from Bucatini all’ Amatriciana to Rigatoni e Salsiccia. Meat and seafood dishes like Pollo Capra (chicken supreme with goat cheese), Lombatta di Vitello (grainfed veal chop), Australian lamb and Zuppa di Pesce (clam, shrimp and mussels in a tomato fish broth) are also not to be missed. I have saved the best for last: Branzino e Gamberi, a Mediterranean sea bass plated with mixed vegetables and grilled black tiger shrimps. The beautiful flavours of this dish are reminiscent of my trip to Spain and my delicious Spanish dinners. The dessert menu consists of homemade tiramisù and crème brûlée. Either of these desserts are a sweet touch to the end of a gourmet journey. Maria was born and raised in Italy and attended culinary school in Chicago. She has been cooking since she was nine years old. Her mother is her first cooking coach. 32 HumberBayShores.org
Snapshot: Owners: Maria & Tony Mirenzi Cuisine: Italian Must trys: Branzino e Gamberi & tiramisù [TOP] Chef Maria Mirenzi and her husband Tony with the oldest of their three children, Anthony, inside the restaurant. [BELOW] The store front of Ristorante Da Noi at 4906 Dundas Street West.
Maria also owns another restaurant in Vaughan, called Ciao Bella, a much larger restaurant that features homemade pizzas and pastas. At the moment, Maria is the head chef at both restaurants. Currently, Da Noi is only open for dinner service, so I would recommend making reservations. If you enjoy authentic Italian cuisine, this restaurant will not disappoint you. HH
Seats: Approximately 45 guests Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Sunday 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Catering: Yes Private Functions: Yes Reservations: Yes Parking: Located in the back
Good Cooking
Branzino Da Noi This quick and delicious dish can easily impress your dinner guests, or can be made as a healthy meal for one. The branzino is an Italian seabass fillet dish. When combined with a few simple ingredients, the taste is as plentiful as the colours of the dish. It’s also one of the most popular dishes I serve. by Maria Mirenzi, Ristorante Da Noi, chef
Ingredients: 1 Mediterranean seabass (branzino), scaled & deboned 5 black or green olives 5-7 capers 1 clove of garlic, chopped 6 cherry tomatoes, chopped ½ tbsp of lemon juice 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 4 tbsp of water 1 tbsp of parsley salt and pepper
The dish as it is served at Ristorante Da Noi. For a special occasion, Maria recommends serving the dish with grilled shrimp on the side. Serve over garlic mashed potatoes.
Directions: 1. Use a 12-inch sauté pan over medium heat; add olive oil. 2. Season both sides of branzino with salt and pepper. 3. When oil is hot, add the branzino fillet, skin up, to the sauté pan. 4. Sauté for 2 minutes and use spatula to turn fish over. 5. Add chopped garlic. Sauté branzino until golden brown. 6. Add chopped tomatoes, olives, capers, lemon juice and water. 7. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes. 8. Add freshly chopped parsley. 9. Place branzino on a plate. Spoon over the vegetables and sauce; serve and enjoy! Serves 1 (Can be easily multiplied to serve more people.)
Your neighbourhood taxi company ● Instanteous Computer Dispatch ● Flat Rates to the Airport ● Corporate Accounts Welcome ● Parcel Delivery ● Vans Available ● 24 Hour Service
416-232-2222 HumberHappenings I Spring 2011 33
WineSights
Do you VQA? Wine label and sign changes at LCBO finally show why it’s good to go local. Text and photos by John Switzer
Y
ou may remember the radio campaign that ran a few years ago to promote wines made with Ontario grapes. “Do you VQA?” The goal was to raise awareness about Ontario wines and distinguish VQA wines from other wines made in Canada from imported juice. VQA is the Vintner’s Quality Alliance, an organization established by Ontario to administer a quality-assurance program for the Ontario wine industry. Wines labelled as Ontario VQA must be made with 100 per cent Ontario-grown grapes. Sub-appellations for different wine regions such as Niagara, Prince Edward County and Lake Erie North Shore require at least 85 per cent of the grapes be grown in their respective locales to be labelled with the VQA designation. The other wines made by Ontario producers that I mentioned in the first paragraph are not VQA wines but simply wines that are celllared in Canada. These wines are made from juice shipped in bulk from Chile, Italy or France to Ontario and then blended and bottled by Canadian firms such as Vincor and Peller Estates. VQA producers faced a widespread consumer perception that their wines were more expensive than the cellared in Canada wines. Furthermore, the misconception was without adequate quality differentiation to explain the mark-up in price. 34 HumberBayShores.org
The Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery in Beamsville, Ontario.
Many consumers were convinced cellared in Canada wines were also Ontario wines. The days of the confusing moniker are now history and the LCBO now labels these wines as “ international blends”. At the same time the VQA wine rows in the LCBO stores are now clearly marked with colourful “go local” signage. Good native wines are a source of local pride. Consumer confidence turns into better sales and assures better wines as makers seek to delight their customers
and grow their markets in new ways. Unfortunately, many consumers still turn up their noses at the thought of Ontario wines. This is the legacy of poorly made wines from as early as the late 1970s. During this time, our wines were made with grapes of the vitis labrusca species. These wines are not good. Major leaps have been achieved by our industry over the years and Ontario winemakers have delivered major improvements in quality.
WineSights
VQA wines are now mainly made from the vitis vinifera species of grapes. These grapes are found in every major wine-producing country of the world. Ontario has produced many qualified winemakers at Brock University and Niagara College. Several wineries have attracted accomplished international winemakers to Ontario with the opportunity to build a reputation for quality. Many complain that Ontario wines are over-priced. We do have some local small craft wineries who make batches of worldclass wines in very small batches. These wines fetch premium prices, prices that are in line with the quality of the wine. The following wines demonstrate the quality and value available on the General List VQA section in the LCBO store: VQA Niagara Peninsula Coyote’s Run Estate Winery Unoaked Chardonnay 2009 This wine is youthful and shows a complex fruit basket of lime, pineapple, peach, minerals and spice on the nose and palate. It is
The Malivoire Winery in Beamsville, Ontario.
well-structured and is concentrated and intense. Very fine character for the price. The juicy acid makes this an excellent match for salade niçoise or grilled pork chops–or serve as a sipper before dinner. Price: LCBO Product 26740 - $14.95 per bottle. VQA Niagara Peninsula Peninsula Ridge Shiraz 2008 The Shiraz grape does best in hot climates where this slow-ripening grape gets maximum heat to ensure full fruit
The Pennisula Ridge Estates Winery Ltd. in Beamsville, Ontario.
development. Some Shiraz is grown in Niagara and these wines are distinctive when compared with Syrah/Shiraz wines from the Rhône Valley or South Australia. This wine demonstrates the case: elegant, easy-drinking, balanced and light in body. The mouth feel is bright and silky with assertive red cherry and raspberry fruit, wet earth and black pepper. The finish is medium-long. Price: LCBO Product 70052 - $13.95 per bottle. VQA Niagara Peninsula Vineland Estates Cabernet Franc 2009 Cabernet Franc is a grape that performs very well in the cool-climate Niagara region. This wine is a bright ruby colour with an intense nose of red fruit and light smoke. The palate displays the noble traits of this grape: juicy raspberry, red cherry, green leaf with sleek grainy tannins, stony minerals and mouth-watering acid. Serve with spaghetti bolognese. Price: LCBO Product 594127 - $12.95 per bottle. Many other local producers make excellent wine that sell at appealing prices; these wines are found on the LCBO General List. I encourage readers to seek out these wines and try them. They will change your mind about Ontario wines. HH
“Consumer confidence turns into better sales and assures better wines.”
John is the founder of Winesights Inc. For more information about WineSights, please visit John’s blog at thewinesightsreader.wordpress.com.
HumberHappenings I Spring 2011 35
Vitality to the core
A Penny for Your Health
It’s time to consider a long-term investment in your health.
I
t’s your birthday and your wealthy uncle has just presented to you his gift. The gift involves a choice: you have to select one of two suitcases. The first suitcase contains one million dollars in cash. The second suitcase contains a penny. He says that you can take the million dollars, no questions, no stipulations. On the other hand, if you choose the suitcase with the penny in it and leave it with him, he will double the value the penny represents every day for the next 31 days. Stop reading for a moment and give yourself some time to think about which suitcase you would choose. If you pick the first suitcase you know you won’t be disappointed. After all, you will be a million dollars richer. Nevertheless, you might wonder how much that penny would have been worth after doubling itself for 31 days. You better be sitting down when you do the math. That penny will be worth $10, 737,481.24. That’s right, $10.7 million! The results from the penny scenario illustrates most people’s general approach to health and fitness. We pick the million dollars every time we go on a new diet, make the same new year’s resolution every year or buy exercise equipment that somehow finds its way under the bed or in the closet. Society and media won’t give you the option of another choice; they want you to keep taking the million dollar suitcase. 36 HumberBayShores.org
The reality of life is that nothing remains the same; we have to work continuosly to maintain our greatest asset over time: our health. If you don’t exercise, don’t eat well and don’t take care of your body, it cannot stay the same. You have a choice, one that carries far greater weight than any amount of money. You can keep choosing the one million dollars or you can take the penny. If you pick the penny, you won’t see a difference after a day of healthy eating and one exercise session. There may not even be a difference after a week. After all, your penny would still only be worth 64 cents. Fast forward to a year of healthy eating and regular exercise: what do you think you’ll look like? How do you think you’ll you feel? I ensure the value of my greatest asset keeps growing by following these four simple steps:
“We pick the million dollars every time we go on a diet or make the same new year’s resolution.”
Guy Dufour is the founder of Corefit Training. He is a certified personal trainer, strength coach and has a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Guy’s philosophy is that overall health and fitness is for life and can be achieved by everyone. He can be contacted via email at guy@corefittraining.ca.
©iStockphoto.com/YinYang
by Guy Dufour
Vitality to the core
Four simple strategies to a better you: 1. Start with the end in mind. Know your outcome; write down your goals and work backwards. Start easy, but progress every two to four weeks. Many people will start quickly and train too often, only to quit because their bodies aren’t conditioned for that level of training. Starting slowly and progressively will allow you to reach your goal much faster. 2. Be conscious of the questions you ask yourself. If you ask yourself why you are fat, your brain will give you an answer you don’t want to hear. If you ask yourself
how you can lose weight, your brain will tell you to go on a diet. However, if you ask yourself how can I lose weight and have fun during the process, you can get a variety of creative answers through a more pleasant process.
they have to eat every three hours and that most of their food has to be healthy. They may also have “never” rules, like they never eat until they are full or they never eat junk food.
3. Keep it simple. Fitness experts are everywhere you look. By using common sense, you can live a very healthy lifestyle. If you don’t have any serious health issues, a nutrient-rich diet and regular exercise will go a long way.
You will encounter hard times when you have low motivation, and you want to give up. My tip: push yourself to at least get the workout started. If, after 10 minutes you don’t want to be there, then leave. Even those 10 minutes are better than nothing.
4. Modeling. Model the behaviour of successful, healthy people. Pay attention to their mindset and their rules. For example, healthy persons may have a rule that
Remember the penny story: every little bit counts. You just have to get started and progress from there. In the end, you will be surprised at how healthy you’ve become over time. HH
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The Broten Bulletin
Waterfront Project is Ready for Phase Two Mimico Waterfront Linear Park gets the finishing touches on its makeover this July with improvements all along the shoreline. by Laurel Broten
O
n July 28, 2008 I joined Waterfront Toronto, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and more than 500 local residents in a community celebration to mark the grand opening of the first phase of Mimico Waterfront Linear Park. The event marked the first stage of the revitalization project for the EtobicokeLakeshore waterfront area. Approximately $10.6 million was invested to complete phase one of the project. Stretching from Amos Waites Park at Superior Avenue to the Norris Crescent Parkette, this new park amenity in our community includes a boardwalk, a sand dune feature, shoreline protection works and terrestrial and aquatic habitat improvements. I’m pleased and excited to share phase two of Mimico Waterfront Linear Park will commence construction in July 2011. Before the project can officially begin, the TRCA will expropriate two properties to extend and connect the trail 500 metres east from Amos Waites Park to Humber Bay Park West. For the residents of Humber Bay Shores, connecting the public land south of Grand Harbour condominium, is the critical link that will unite the Etobicoke-Lakeshore waterfront parks and offer our community a linear park amenity on the Lake Ontario waterfront. 38 HumberBayShores.org
[LEFT-RIGHT] Gerri-Lynn O’Connor, chair of TRCA; David Tilson, Dufferin-Caledon MP; Mark Wilson, chair of Waterfront Toronto; Laurel Broten, MPP; Mark Grimes, Toronto Councillor, Ward 6.
Upon completion, this project will include lake filling to create a new section of the trail, boardwalks and terrestrial and aquatic habitat improvements. Mimico Waterfront Linear Park’s phase two is expected to be completed and open to the public in the fall of 2012. Funding for the Mimico Waterfront Linear Park Project is provided by all three levels of government through Waterfront Toronto. Phase two of the project is estimated to cost $9.6 million. I know that the residents and businesses of Etobicoke–Lakeshore have always appreciated our community’s unique location, public spaces and access to the waterfront trails and parks. Revitalizing Toronto’s waterfronts improves our quality of life and allows our community to have public access to a healthy shoreline that we can all enjoy. Completion of Mimico Linear Park is a key element of our strategy to revitalize and strengthen our lakeshore community and ensure that this wonderful natural legacy will be appreciated by our families for generations to come. HH
“For Humber Bay Shores residents, phase two will unite our waterfront parks and offer our community a linear park.”
Laurel Broten is the MPP for the EtobicokeLakeshore area. Broten is also the Minister of Children and Youth Services and Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues. www.laurelbroten.onmpp.ca
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Councillor’s Corner
An Update on the Humber Wastewater Treatment Plant South Etobicoke region to see $430 million used in the next eight years to improve wastewater treatment. by Mark Grimes
W
hen I was first elected in 2003 as your councillor, odours from the Humber Wastewater Treatment Plant were a major concern to residents in south Etobicoke, particularly those who lived in the Humber Bay Shores area. Today, I am pleased to assure you that great progress has been made on resolving this issue. Over the last eight years Toronto Water has spent $155.5 million on improvements made to the facility, including the construction of a new sludge thickening building to increase plant efficiency. Toronto has also invested in cogeneration facilities designed to create energy from the burning of methane gas created in the wastewater treatment process. Progress will continue with an additional $430 million on capital improvements budgeted between 2011 and 2020. The funding is intended for process improvements and replacement of infrastructure that has reached or passed its useful life. Almost $77 million of the $430 million are slated to be spent in 2011 and 2012 alone. There are also a series of other special projects that are intended to reduce the plant’s odours in the surrounding community and area. Some of these projects, slated for construction in the next 10 years are: 40 HumberBayShores.org
• An upgrade to chlorination facilities • Digester gas system upgrades • Complete rehabilitation of the plants liquid stream • Implementation of odour control and mitigation measures The Humber Treatment Plant is one of four wastewater treatment plants owned and operated by the City of Toronto. It holds a capacity of 473,000 cubic metres of water per day and serves a population of roughly 685,000. This amount exceeds more than our current requirements. The plant is located within the Humber River parks system, with 112 acres of land surrounding it. The Humber Treatment Plant’s Neighbourhood Liaison Committee was formed to provide interested residents and businesses an opportunity to discuss plant issues directly with City of Toronto staff. The committee discusses issues related to consultation, odour and plant operations. Meetings are held on an as-needed basis and take place on weekday evenings at the plant. If you are interested in attending a meeting or would like to suggest agenda items, please contact our office and we will forward your request to Toronto Water. The most recent presentation and discussion with the committee can be reviewed at the city’s website at: www. toronto.ca/wes/techservices/involved/ wws/htpnlc/index.htm. HH
“Progress will continue with an additional $430 million on capital improvements budgeted between 2011 and 2020.”
Mark Grimes is the councillor for Ward 6 EtobicokeLakeshore. He is a life-long resident, activist and businessperson in south Etobicoke. Mark has firsthand knowledge of the issues the community is facing and looks forward to help meet the needs and interests of the community.
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HumberHappenings I Spring 2011 41
Spring Event Calendar 2011
April 2
33rd Annual Harry’s Spring Run-Off 8k & 5k Run High Park 8 am - 12 pm $10 for registration Free Intro to Reiki Healing Class The Rosedale Wellness Centre 1 pm - 2 pm Free
2
Toronto 2 Silent Film Festival Revue Cinema 4 pm - 6 pm $10 - $19/person
3/25-4/3 Meet Me in St. Louis Bayview Glen Upper School Theatre 8 pm - 10:30 pm $20 - $29/person
3/31-4/3 World Stage:
War of the Worlds Enwave Theatre 8 pm - 4 pm $20 - $29/person
3
A Thousand Laughs: Toronto Silent Film Festival Revue Cinema 4 pm - 6 pm $13/person, $7/members
42 HumberBayShores.org
3
Historical Food Tasting and Tea Fort York National Historic Site 1 pm - 3 pm $10 - $19/person
4Clara Bow
in IT 1927 Casa Loma 8 pm - 10 pm $20 - $29/person
5
Native Plants in Our Day to Day Lives by Martin Galloway Toronto Botanical Garden 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm $12/person, $10/members
6
Montgomery’s Inn Winter Market Montgomery’s Inn Museum 2 pm - 6 pm Free
6
The Ironic Icons of Comedy: Toronto Silent Film Festival Fox Theatre 7 pm - 10 pm $10 - $19/person
6
The Wild, the Beautiful...and the Damned Pt. 2 Trinity - St Paul’s 7:30 pm - 10 pm $15/adult, $12/ senior/student
6-7
Toronto Artist Kai Chan in a Global Milieu Textile Museum 6 pm - 8 pm $25/person, $20/members The National Job Fair & Training Expo Metro Toronto Convention Centre 10 am - 7 pm $1 - $9/person
6-16
The Last 15 Seconds Theatre Passe Muraille 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm $10 - $19/person
6-23 L’Ecole des femmes
(The School for Wives), de Moliere Berkeley Street Theatre 8 pm - 10 pm $33-$57/adult, $28 - $57/senior/child, $25-$57/student
7
Ecology.Design. Synergy: Stephan Lanz and Graeme Stewart OCAD University 6 pm - 8 pm Free
7
Sitar 2/27-4/9 Concerts
Sitar School of Toronto 8 pm - 10 pm $15 - $20/person
3/12-4/9
Toy Wonder Design Exchange 9 am - 5pm Free
9
Art for Goodness’ Sake Art Show & Sales Kingsway-Lambton United Church 10 am - 4 pm $10/admission
9
Big Band Dance with the Toronto All Star Big Band Casa Loma 8 pm - 12 am $55/person
Charity 9 Flea
Market: Quality Second Hand Sale German International School Toronto 10 am - 1 pm Free
Spring Event Calendar 2011
April 8-10
National Postage Stamp Show Queen Elizabeth Building 11 am - 4 pm Free
8-10
The Total Health Show 2011 Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Building 4 pm - 9 pm $10 - $19 /person
8-16
Swimming for Shore Play The Assembly Hall various showtimes $20/adult, $12/child, $15/senior/student
2/20-4/10 Bluegrass
Sundays Royal Canadian Legion 258 Southeast 2 pm - 10 pm $20/person
15-17
British Isles Show Canada Queen Elizabeth Building 10 am - 5 pm $15/adult, $13/senior, $12/youth
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15
Rose Marie Opera John Bassett Theatre 8 pm - 10:30 pm $42/premium, $37/adult, $25/student
16-17
Sleepover at the Ontario Science Centre Ontario Science Centre 4:30 pm - 10 am $54/person
17
Festival of Music and Culture Glenn Gould Studio 2 pm - 5 pm $40 - $49/person
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17
Toronto Film Society Double Bill: A Lady Takes a Change and Salty O’Rourke Innis Town Hall 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm $10 - $19/person
17
Toronto MS Walk Sunnybrook Park 9:45 am - 12 pm Free
Toronto 18 Film Society
Double Bill: The Black Arrow and Frenchman’s Creek Innis Town Hall 2 pm - 5:30 pm $10 - $19/person HumberHappenings I Spring 2011 43
Spring Event Calendar 2011
April/May 22
Earth Day Various events around the city
22-25
Easter Weekend at Laser Quest 1980 Eglinton Ave. Various times $20/person
23
$55 Rain Barrel Fundraiser Toronto Botanical Garden 9 am - 2 pm $55/rain barrel
24
Easter Sunday Royal Brunch Casa Loma 10 am - 3 pm $51.45/adult, $26.45/children (ages 4-12), $13.45/children (ages 1-3), Free (children under 1)
4/28-5/8 Hot Docs
Canadian International Documentary Festival Hot Docs Box Office various times $98+ /person
4/28-5/14 Guys and Dolls Scarborough Village Theatre 8 pm & 2 pm $25/regular $21/seniors/students
29-30
Ladies Arabian Night Out Markaz Cafe 7 pm - 1 am $55 (Dinner and After Party), $30 (After Party)
Beethoven’s 30
“Pastoral” Symphony CBC Glenn Gould Studio 8 pm - 10 pm $20 - $29/person
44 HumberBayShores.org
30
La Migration des oiseaux invisibles, de Jean-Rock Gaudreault Berkeley Street Theatre 2 pm - 3 pm $25/adult, $15/child/youth
Composers 4/30-5/2
Workshop with TSO Adviser and U of T Professor Gary Kulesha CBC Glenn Gould Studio 8 pm - 11pm $100+/ person
1-29
Festival of Chefs Cheese Boutique various times $5 min. donation/dish
3Hope Rising! A Benefit Concert for the Stephen Lewis Foundation Sony Centre for the Performing Arts 8 pm - 1 am $100+/person
1/12-5/4
Textile Museum Seminars The Textile Museum of Canada 6 pm - 8 pm $90/person, $70/members for four seminars
4
Cyrano Tag Berkeley Street Theatre 7 pm - 8:15 pm $25/adult, $15/child/youth
7
Anaphylaxis Canada’s Spring Conference Ontario Science Centre 8 am - 4:30 pm $80 - $89/person
7
Cantores Celestes Women’s Choir Runnymede United Church 8 pm - 10 pm $20 - $29/person
8-11
World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing Metro Toronto Convention Centre various times Free
3/16-5/11
Japanese Film Appreciate:1896 to Today Japanese Candian Cultural Centre 7 pm - 9 pm $100+/person
8-13
APPS 2011: Alternative Process Photography Symposium 918 Bathurst St. 12 pm - 9 pm $350 - $450/workshop
Spring Event Calendar 2011
May
14 Walk of Life
27
14
Ontario Science Centre 8 pm - 1 am $35 - $40 for registration
Waterfront Clean-Up Day Humber Bay Park West (Two locations: walking bridge by the Esso and by Palace Place 9 am - Open Free
15
Run or Walk to Conquer Cancer Queen’s Park 8 pm - 1 am Free
17
The Autists: Art Auction & Gala Koerner Hall 5:30 pm - 9:30 am $100+/person
3/17-5/19
The Spring Eh List Author Series Barbara Frum Library 7 pm - 8 pm Free
21-23
Photrospective Steelworkers Hall 7 pm - 2 am Free
29
World Stage 2011 Harbourfront Centre 5 pm - 8 pm $30 - $39/person
28-29
12th Annual Doors Open Toronto Event is citywide 10 am - 5pm Free
31
Mimico Village Tulip Festival On Royal York Road between Evans & Newcastle 4 pm - 7 pm Free
31
The Maine Phoenix Concert Theatre 6:30 pm - 9 pm Free
Artisans at the Distillery The Historic Distillery District 11 am - 6 pm Free
For additional information on some of the events, please visit: www. toronto.ca/events/
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Hidden Treasures
Culinary by Megan Ng
Kings
Family business celebrates cuisine and community.
N
estled on the small, quiet street of Ripley Avenue, Cheese Boutique stands out with a strong sense of Canadian pride. The cheese enrobed moose, the string of waving Canadian flags and its trademark mouse and cheese logo make for a whimsical and inviting store front. Once you enter the store, two things are apparent: first, the Cheese Boutique is not just about cheese and second, it’s not the typical “mom and pop” shop—the Pristines are serious about international culinary deights and sharing it with their city. The business was started about 40 years ago by current owner, Fatos Pristine’s father. The store has since advanced and expanded over the years with help of Pristine’s sons, Agim, Ilir, Afrim and Arian. Each with their own respective duties for making the shop run like a well-oiled machine and the comfort of your neighbourhood grocer. “The best indication of who we are is our cheese cave,” said Fatos’ oldest son, Agim. “We spend the time to age cheese and beef so that customers can have the product at its peak.” With all their great successes in the food business, the Pristines have not forgotten about giving back to the community that supported them. This May, Cheese Boutique holds its 8th annual Festival of Chefs, a one-month event which hosts some of Toronto’s fine dining chefs to prepare sample cuisine for guests. Each weekend is paired with an Ontario winery. A minimum donation of $5 per dish is requested. All proceeds will go to support Famous People Players’ scholarship fund. The Pristines progressed from Becker’s to Bloor West Jug Milk Store to today’s Cheese Boutique. The original Cheese Boutique was a little cooler of cheese in the deli section of the Becker’s. “My 46 HumberBayShores.org
[TOP & LEFT BELOW] Some of the international fare offered at Cheese Boutique. [BELOW] Owner Fatos Pristine with his oldest son, Agim on the second floor of the store.
father used to drive to Montreal, load up the van with what were considered as exotic cheeses and bring them back to sell,” Agim said. “Back then cheddar and mozzarella were the norm and a cheese like brie was considered exotic.” Today, the Cheese Boutique receives imports of cheese, pastas, oils, cookware, pastries and much more from all over the world. Fatos and Agim annually attend major cooking shows around the world to scout for the greatest eats to bring back and share at the shop. “Food has a mystic power. We embrace and want to share it with all our patrons,” Agim said. “It’s a passion for us. It’s for the love of food.” HH
Bites of Info: Staff: 70 knowledgeable individuals with three months of training Must trys: • 5-year old aged provolone • Chocolate with bacon in it Party suggestions: • Cheese “cakes” • Custom-catered cheese, meat and fruit platters
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