Toronto Today - March 2011

TT

oRONTO oday

March 2011

What’s behind Rocco Rossi’s big switch?

Fit for life:

Your pet can help

Presented by

own T CRIER Midtown

www.MyTownCrier.ca

BACKYARD SHINNY Nick Kypreos (and kids) pushing for a new Leaside rink

MARCH 2011 TORONTO TODAY

www.MyTownCrier.ca

The TOWN CRIER Readers Have Spoken!

TOWN A

CONGRATULATIONS To All The Winners!

BEST FOR HEALTH/PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Allan Rug Dominion Rug

Atlas Rug

FURNITURE

Stickley

Barrymore Furniture

Acacia Fine Furniture

Pella Windows (on Bayview)

Ridley Windows & Doors

Pollard Windows & Doors

Belyea Bros.

J. Kelly’s Heating & Air Conditioning

Laird & Son

Redrawn

Parallele Interiors

Sun Shades Window Fashions

SplashworksKb Kitchen + Bath

Artisan Bathroom & Kitchens

Marcon Kitchen & Bath

Davenport Kitchens

SplashworksKb Kitchen + Bath

Irpinia Kitchens

Leishman Landscaping

Lawrence Park Garden Care

ecocut

DOOR/WINDOWS HEATING/AIR BLINDS/CURTAINS BATHROOM RENOVATOR KITCHENS

PAINT/WALLPAPER

DENTIST

Dr. Ted Margel (St. Clair Dental)

Dr. Janet Tamo

Dr. Sydney Reyes (Northshore Dental)

OPTICAL

Eyedentity Eye Styles

Hakim Optical Spectacle

Visual Appeal

HEALTH FOOD STORE

Noah’s Natural Foods

Peaches & Green

The Big Carrot

Absolute Beauty

ICI Pairs Skin Care Clinic & Spa

Pure + Simple

HealthWinds

The Neighbourhood Clinic

Healing Hands Family Chiropractic & Massage Centre

Mt. Pleasant Nails

Madison Nails

Anna Pretty Nails

SKINCARE

Royal Lighting

Eric & Susan Custom Lampshade Makers

Leaside Paint Centre

Pro Glo Paints

Peter’s Paint & Paper West Toronto Paint & Wallpaper

PLUMBER

Shanks Plumbing

Dan Mac Plumbing

Way Plumbing

ROOFING

Dominion Roofing

Avenue Road Roofing E. W. Smith Roofing

Toronto Roofing Industries Ltd.

HOME THEATRE

Mt. Pleasant Stereo

Brentview Electronics

Aireon TV

MASSAGE THERAPY

MANICURE/PEDICURE N

TOWN A

N

TOWN A

SILVER AWARD

2010

2010

Category

Category FAMILY RESTAURANT

ART GALLERY JEWELLERY

Silver Winner

Bronze Winner

Latitude 44 Gallery

Art Interiors

Petroff Galleries

Bell Jewellers

Linda Penwarden

Stonefox Designs Originals

2010

N

TOWN A

N

TOWN A

SILVER AWARD

2010

2010

N

TOWN A

BRONZE AWARD

N

TOWN A

2010

2010

N

TOWN A

SILVER AWARD

N

TOWN A

BRONZE AWARD

2010

2010

Gold Winner

Silver Winner

Bronze Winner

The Longest Yard

Ten Feet Tall

Leonard’s Family Restaurant

Cobs Bread Jules Café Patisserie

Thobors

Flaky Tart

Cumbrae’s

White House Meats

Meat on the Beach Bruno’s

The Homeway

Bread & Butter The Purple Onion

BOOM

LUNCH

Chai On Bayview Green Eggplant

Café Pleiade

Jawny Bakers

THAI

Satay on the Road Lemongrass

Riz

Green Mango

BAKERY

BREAKFAST

Gold Winner

TOWN A

BRONZE AWARD

BEST FOR FOOD & DRINK

BUTCHER

BEST FOR SHOPPING

N

ARD W

Living Lighting

Steven Caplan (Healing Hands)

ARD W

LIGHTING

Body Busters

Back In Motion

ARD W

LANDSCAPING

Curves on Avenue Road

Fantasy Lingerie

Evymama

Secret From Your Sister

CHINESE

China House

C’est Bon

South China

MEN’S CLOTHING

The Source

Korry’s Clothier

The Coop Ink

INDIAN

Amaya

Jaipur Grill

WOMEN’S CLOTHING

Mode Suzan

Want Boutique

Poor Little Rich Girl

Kamasutra Indian Restaurant & Wine Bar

CHILDREN’S CLOTHING

Bean Sprout

Oink Oink

Little Lola

ITALIAN

Florentia Camerini

Il Sogno

Il Fornello

Karbouzi Greece On Mt. Pleasant

Palace on Pape

Mezes

LINGERIE

SHOE STORES SPORTING GOODS TOY STORE CHILDREN’S BOOK STORE

Getoutside

Corso Shoes

Labiri Designs

Sporting Life

Merchant of Tennis

Spokes & Sports

Mastermind Toys

Treasure Island

Toytown

Mable’s Fables

GIFT STORE

GREEK STEAK

The Keg

Morton’s Of Chicago

Simple Bistro

Ella Minnow

FRENCH

Mogette Bistro

Celestin

Coquine

JAPANESE

EDO Oysi Oyster

Fukui Sushi

Omi

Tabule

Jerusalem Restaurant

Mashu Mashu

Lobster Trap

Zee Grill

De La Mer - Fresh Fish Market Seaport Merchants

Midge

Write Impressions

Jacaranda Tree

Act Two

Second Nature Boutique

Extoggery

Vanderfleet Flowers

Midge

Van Ness Flowers Ltd.

CONSIGNMENT SHOP FLOWER SHOP

The Flying Dragon

MIDDLE EASTERN SEAFOOD

BEST FOR BUSINESS Category MAID SERVICES VET CLINIC FUNERAL HOME TRAVEL AGENCY HAIR SALON BARBER SHOP RETIREMENT CENTRE IN HOME SENIOR CARE

Gold Winner Merry Maids

Silver Winner Toronto Maid & Janitorial Services

Leaside Animal Clinic

Mt. Pleasant Davisville Veterinary Hospital

Humphrey Funeral Home Bedford Morley Murray Newbigging Funeral Home Funeral Services

ARD W

ELTE

Booty Camp Fitness Bayview Chiropractic

CHIROPRACTOR

ARD W

FLOORING

FITNESS CLUB

Bronze Winner Humbertown Village Spa

ARD W

Caplan’s Appliances

ARD W

York Appliances

Silver Winner HealthWinds

ARD W

Tasco

Gold Winner Featuring....You Spa & Salon

ARD W

APPLIANCE

Category HEALTH SPA

BEST I

Bronze Winner Taylor Contracting

BEST I

Silver Winner Complete Kitchens

BEST I

Gold Winner Modular Home Additions The Robinson Group

BEST I

Category GENERAL CONTRACTOR

BEST I

BEST FOR THE HOME

BEST I

2010

BEST I

Town Crier

BEST I

ARD W

BEST I

N

C

THIRD ANNUAL

RIER BEST IN TOWN AWARDS

BEST I

T

OWN

Bronze Winner Molly Maid Royal York Animal Hospital Trull Funeral Home

BURGER

Bamburger

Burger Shack

Bronto Burger

PIZZA

Magic Oven

Bigman’s Pizza

Casa Di Giorgio Ristorante Absolute Fine Foods

DELI

Yitz’s Deli

Hillside Café & Bakery

LOCAL PUB

Aristotle & McGregor’s

The Granite Brewery

Allan’s

CHOCOLATE SHOP

Chocolate Messenger

Le Feuvre’s Chocolatiers

Swiss Master Chocolatier

Hollywood Gelato

The Mad Italian Il Gelatiere

Ed’s Real Scoop

ICE CREAM

Carlson Wagonlit

Belair Travel

Cruise Holidays

Mad Factory

FLOKA

Blowdry Lounge

FOOD SHOP MAKE YOUR OWN WINE

Pusateri’s Fine Foods

Culinarium

Pimenton

Jug Of Wine

Cellar Door

Fermentations/Danforth

Tony’s Barber Shop

Forest Hill Barber Shop

Cabbagetown Barber Shop

CHICKEN WINGS

Duff’s Famous Wings

The Chicken Deli

Bistro On Avenue

Chartwell

Leaside Retirement Amica

Fellowship Towers

FISH & CHIPS

Penrose Fish & Chips

The Olde Yorke Fish & Chips Black Cat Fish & Chips

Kingsway Fish & Chips

Mosaic Home Care Services

Premier Homecare

Take It Easy Home Care

BEST CATERER

The Chef Upstairs

Decadent Catering

Ma Maison

TORONTO TODAY MARCH 2011

Another

MulticomMedia Publication

Diversity Publishers & Printers

Lori Abittan Publisher

Joe Mastrogiacomo

Contents

Vice President of Finance

Doreen Iannuzzi

Vice President of New Media

EDITORIAL Eric McMillan EDITOR-in-chief

Dan Hoddinott MANAGING EDITOR

Shadi Raoufi

EDITORIAL ART DIRECTOR

Karolyn Coorsh

Associate EDITOR

Gordon Cameron Associate EDITOR

PRODUCTION SERVICES Tony Lomuto Supervisor

Mark Winer Production

Advertising & Sales Don Bettger

Director, GROUP Sales

Jennifer Gardiner

Director, Corporate Sales

Kathy Kerluke Business Manager Printed and Distributed by

105 Wingold Avenue, Toronto, ON M6B 1P8 For all your printing and distribution needs call: 416 785 4311 ext. 614

Tony Baron Director of PRINT

James Arscott

Production PrePress Manager

Anna Maria Arcuri

Group Circulation Manager 101 Wingold Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M6B 1P8 Tel: 416 785-4300 Fax: 416 785-7350

MulticomMedia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Multimedia NOVA Corporation, an integrated communications company publicly traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MNC.A

14

Find out how Sal Sloan keeps on top of her fitness regimen while staying true to doggie’s care

5

BAD PR: Did TTC drop the ball?

Kris Scheuer detects a failure to communicate

7

ETERNAL ROW: Mount Pleasant Cemetery Familiar ownership debate goes another round

12

MARCH BREAK: Things to do

Watch your kids get into movie making at NFB

18

HOME: Bin looking for storage ideas?

Contain yourself, and your life, in clever ways

20

BORDER TALK: Canadian Experience We didn’t always get along so well

Plus lots more...

The story beyond the big event

L

ove him or hate him, elect him or reject him, one thing you have to say about Rocco Rossi: he’s consummately interesting.

The news of his February defection to the Conservatives came like smelling salts to an electorate still spent from a taxing municipal campaign, and not yet able to wrap its head around the provincial election that is rushing this way. As if his presence in the just-passed mayoral race was not the element of intrigue needed to bring colour to what would otherwise have been a black-and-white event.

So slack-jawed were Torontonians — led, unsurprisingly, by gasping journalists — by the event of this prominent Liberal party man having dared to pitch a tent in the enemy’s camp, few could get their minds off the “betrayal” theme long enough to explore the possibility of Rossi having experienced a genuine shift in perspective.

All the elements of a great story are here: party builder of national note not only defecting but heading to the arch rival; betrayal (at the party level, if at all) and finger pointing; a media pack muddying perception by misreading rapport built with him on the foregone campaign trail as the equivalent of consideration due his Liberal confrères.

But its impact on the EglintonLawrence riding, where the drama is playing out, may ultimately be negligible. As delicious as the story is, no ideological shift among the electorate in this traditional Liberal riding has been detected, nor is this an indictment in any way of MPP Mike Colle, or a comment on Rossi’s ability to wrest the riding from him.

Rossi has made a name for himself as the architect of others’ campaigns, but whether he is electable himself, at any level, is to be seen.

He appeared to endear himself more to the media than to the electorate in the fall mayoralty race, and his campaign did run out of gas before

Dan Hoddinott Managing Editor election day arrived.

Beyond the intrigue of betrayal and general political guile, of course, lies the need for Rossi to explain to his would-be EglintonLawrence constituents the dynamics involved in his having veered so sharply, and seemingly suddenly, from what was understood to be his life path. It is not an unreasonable expectation to ask a public figure to explain such things.

Was he motivated by raw political ambition? Opportunism, perhaps? Or did he have an encounter on the proverbial road to Damascus, where the scales fell from his eyes and he suddenly saw conservatism as The Way? You’ll be interested in finding out what he had to say about this in a conversation with reporter Joshua Freeman, on Page 4.

I compliment both Freeman, who remained true to our Toronto Today mandate in digging for the story behind the headlines, and Rossi, who remained congenial and forthcoming in discussing what had to have been a difficult personal decision, no matter how it is perceived by friends or enemies.

And whatever Rossi might have owed an expectant media in all of this, I consider paid in full.

On the cover: Retired NHLer Nick Kypreos, with sons Zachary and Theo on their backyard rink in Leaside. Page 25 Photo by Francis Crescia/Toronto Today

MARCH 2011 TORONTO TODAY

News&Opinion

‘Look in the mirror’

T

By Joshua Freeman

hose crying “betrayal” should take a good look at themselves first, says newly minted Progressive Conservative Rocco Rossi.

Responding to a chorus of criticism from former allies following his bombshell announcement that he is switching sides, the one-time national director of the Liberal Party of Canada called out Liberals who he feels abandoned him in the Toronto mayoralty race last fall.

Rossi appeared with Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak on Feb. 1 to declare that he’ll seek the PC nomination to run against Liberal MPP Mike Colle in Eglinton-Lawrence.

“There are several that throw around the term ‘loyalty,’ ” a weary Rossi later told Toronto Today. “Well, they left (me), so they should be looking in the mirror before they throw around the term.”

Maintaining that his PC candidacy is not about settling scores, he pointed to what he perceived as Liberal abandonment during his gruelling and unsuccessful 10-month campaign to become mayor of Toronto as the point at which he started to reconsider his political affiliation.

It was Conservatives, not Liberals, who rallied around his platform, he said.

“In fact, I had Liberals leave in the campaign, whereas the Tories stayed with me right to the end,” he said. “That was one of the great signs for me that where I’d gotten to from a policy perspective was more aligned with Tim Hudak and the Progressive Conservatives than Dalton McGuinty and the provincial Liberals.”

Indeed, Liberal voters did little to hide the fact that Rossi was not their man. Most threw support behind their long-time provincial colleague, George Smitherman, who ultimately lost out to Rob Ford in a landslide.

During the campaign Rossi espoused fiscal policies, such as selling off public assets like Toronto Hydro, which were viewed as being more closely aligned with Progressive Conservative than Liberal positions.

Still, Liberals like Colle say Rossi’s reasons for switching don’t square with his past: “When you lose you always blame someone, you know.”

While acknowledging that “people can change their minds”, Colle said he has never seen “the number one paid position in a party” changing over.

“He’s always been a stalwart Liberal, bashing Tories all the time,” he

TORONTO TODAY MARCH 2011

remarked.

Rossi hints he might not agree with all PC values — “All parties by their nature are collections of diverse opinion”— but feels comfortable enough in a blue tent to support Hudak, who he says the party is fortunate to have as a resource.

He also says he is comfortable running against Colle in Eglinton-Lawrence rather than against Liberal newcomer Eric Hoskins in neighbouring St. Paul’s, his home riding.

Rossi lives less than half a kilometre from the Eglinton-Lawrence/St. Paul’s riding boundary.

With Rossi’s strong name recognition, Colle may face a tough challenge.

He won re-election by a margin of only about 2,300 votes in the last election.

However, Colle says, he’s never underestimated any of his opponents and isn’t about to start now.

“I’ve always had tough races,” Colle said. “It’s always a real challenge getting elected.”

Still, he acknowledges feeling buoyed by the negative reaction to Rossi’s defection. By mid-February his office had received about 70 calls of support from Liberals, constituents and onlookers who feel betrayed by Rossi, he said.

“You don’t get that many calls this early. He seems to have really struck a nerve with people.”

For his part, Rossi says he would lobby on behalf of constituents when it comes to local issues where the province has a role, such as with the controversial Lawrence Heights revitalization plans.

“I very much want to participate in public service at this point in my life,” Rossi said. “The next best thing to being mayor is helping to ensure Queen’s Park is a great partner for the city of Toronto.”

With lessons learned from the last campaign trail, he’s already gearing up for the fight.

Echoing Ford, Rossi took a shot at the McGuinty government by saying citizens deserve a fiscally responsible government that respects the taxpayer.

And for those who might accuse him of political opportunism for running under a different flag, Rossi has a message: “I’m not doing this because it’s easy,” he said. “In fact, it’s very hard.

“I’m doing it because it’s the right thing to do. At the end of the day, when the final decision had to be made, it’s about public service and not party service.” TT

file photo/toronto today

ROCCO ROSSI speaks with reporter Joshua Freeman at the end of his mayoral run. A longtime Liberal organizer, Rossi shocked political watchers by jumping to the Progressive Conservative party in hopes of claiming the Eglinton-Lawrence seat in October.

TTC a victim of its own failure to communicate Kris Scheuer

T

he TTC is off track, as only the bad news is catching our attention while the good news goes unnoticed.

First the bad news.

The TTC’s gotten negative press recently because pedestrians have died in accidents involving TTC vehicles, drivers have been caught texting behind the wheel, a fare increase was announced then cancelled, and then came the decision to reduce service on dozens of bus routes.

Let’s rewind here.

On Jan. 1, Mayor Rob Ford fulfilled a key election promise to cancel the hugely unpopular car tax, which added $64 million to the city’s budget woes but placed $60 annually back in drivers’ pockets. Then on Jan. 10, Ford announced a 10-cent TTC fare hike to raise $24 million to balance the commission’s budget. When you did the math, it turned out that Metropass holders would pay $60 more a year while drivers would pay $60 less.

Not good optics, right?

So a day later TTC chair Karen Stintz announced the fare hike was nixed, as the city would chip in $16 million more for the budget and $8 million can be cut throughout the year.

Good news, right?

But there’s a separate plan to reduce hours on 48 bus routes during slow ridership times. At the TTC’s Jan. 12 meeting, some residents expressed outrage at this, so the TTC postponed the decision and held four meetings with a chance to chat with officials and fill out comment sheets.

It’s at one of those meeting that I talked to East Yorker Christine Miller, who works at Yonge and St. Clair as a security guard, a job that includes midnight shifts. Two of the buses she relies on — 56 Leaside and 62 Mortimer — are on the chopping block for evening service.

Miller’s alternative route is the 25 Don Mills bus that drops her close to home, but on a darker, less safe walk. Safety concerns along this route were elevated in 2008, when a man was on the prowl, waiting for female passengers to get off that bus blocks from their homes; he would then drag them into an alley to assault them.

By the end of January, the TTC said it had saved seven routes, though not Miller’s, and made less-drastic service reductions on 41 routes. But 70 people showed up at the Feb. 2 TTC meeting to plea for their service to be kept. The commission voted to plow ahead with its revised plan.

Heartless? Not quite. Here’s where the good news story could, should and would have slipped in had the TTC communicated this differently from the start.

The plan is to reduce hours on buses with low ridership and spend that cash to improve service where poor saps are waiting to be picked up only to see three full buses fly by them. So $4 million will be reallocated to busy, overcrowded routes.

This is no consolation to Miller and others like her on buses that are having hours slashed, but it should be reason to cheer for passengers who are packed in like sardines on popular routes.

The problem is the cuts to the underused routes happens May 8 while the service improvements won’t happen until fall. And what’s worse is that there will be no list of bus improvements until June.

What the TTC should have done is decide what routes justify improved service and make that list available at the same time as the cuts were

announced. At least then riders would see there was a legitimate case to be made to move cash to specific busy routes and reduce spending on lesscrowded buses.

Another puzzler is on Jan. 3 the TTC increased service on 28 routes, including improvements midday and early evenings on the 25 Don Mills bus. Service will also increase on the 97 Yonge, 122 Graydon Hall, 511 Bathurst streetcar and so on, but the TTC did not issue a press release outlining these improvements. kscheuer@mytowncrier.ca TT

416 487 4311

ROYAL LEPAGE REAL ESTATE SERVICES LTD., BROKERAGE

3080 YONGE ST. AT LAWRENCE www.RLPonYONGE.com

CORPORATE OFFICE 167 YONGE BOULEVARD

Andrea Stark* FOR SALE $1,195,000. Cricket Club – Updated 3 large bedrooms plus second floor office. 40’ x 140’ landscaped lot. Main floor family & powder room, Master Ensuite, French pocket doors, leaded and bevelled windows. Basement apartment. Andrea Stark 416-487-4311

3243 YONGE ST

Matt Dabiri-Kashkouli* FOR LEASE Excellent location! Great opportunity to have a Yonge Street business address. Recently renovated.

1,000 Sq. Ft. of space. Ideal for storage, distribution centre or central warehouse with plenty more usage options. Huge walk-in cooler and conveyor available.

Call Matt Dabiri-Kashkouli for more information.

INGROUND POOL

Bosko Scepanovic** 138 ROXBOROUGH ST. WEST $2,100,000. Immaculate home on one of Toronto’s most coveted streets.

A wonderful renovation includes many architectural detals true to the original craftsmanship resulting in a perfect blend of modern amenities & original charm. Light fil ed rooms, high ceilings, marble & cast stone fireplaces, Brazilian teak & walnut floors. Bamboo garden & swimming pool create a magical private oasis in the heart of the city. 24 Hr free info Sam Amid* 1-866-210-6468 code 2027 Virtual Tour www.AgentBosko.com

IN ONE DAY! With Liz “THE STAGING IS INCLUDED!” It’s no secret that a home that’s been staged sells faster and for more money. If you’re thinking of selling...call Liz Taylor today!...because you deserve every advantage! Direct: 416-8447555 liztaylor@rogers.blackberry.net

Rosemary Donnelly*

2 BED, 2 BATH CONDO

RAVINE

Bosko Scepanovic** 2 BEDROOM PLUS DEN

$515,000. Spacious 1700 Sq. Ft. Condo in exclusive Boutique Building. 2 bed plus Den + 2 Solariums. Parking + Locker included. Walk to the Village just steps away. www.rosemarydonnelly. com Rosemary Donnelly 416-487-4311

61 DOUGLAS CRESCENT $1,989,000. Ravine property in a desirable Governor’s Bridge.

Contemporary design, gracious principal rooms, large Eat-in Kitchen & Family Rm with W/Out to Deck. Master retreat, 6pc Ensuite, fireplace, 2 W/In closets. Oak hardwood floors, marble, granite. Finished Bsmt W/Sep entrance. Private drive, B/In 2 car garage. Cedar Deck, ravine backyard. 24 Hr free info 1-866Sam Amid* 210-6468 code 2017 2027 Virtual Tour www.AgentBosko.com

SHOPS AT DON MILLS

Bosko Scepanovic** 2 BDR & + DEN PENTHOUSE $499,900. Rare-for-sale 2 Bdr+Den Penthouse in a luxurious Hemingway Building. Prestigious location across from Shops At Don Mills. Over 1,100 Sq.Ft. Modern Kitchen W/Breakfast area, granite counters. Sunny & bright, split Bedroom layout, 9’ ceilings, two full baths.

Large south balcony. 2 parking spaces, oversized locker.

Sam Amid* 24H Concierge, Indoor Pool www.AgentBosko.com

YONGE/BLOOR AREA

Rosemary Donnelly*

Stephen McShane* 3 BEDROOM DUPLEX FOR LEASE $1750. Bright 3 Bed / 2 Bath upper duplex in a quiet residential neighbourhood. Over 1500 sq.ft. with spacious living / dining area and 3 well proportioned bedrooms. Private laundry/storage room, 2 car parking and large deck provide a home like feel to this rarely available property. Available immediately. Call Stephen McShane 416-487-4311

FOREST HILL VILLAGE

SOLD OVER ASKING

Liz Taylor*

FAB. YONGE/YORK MILLS

UPPER FOREST HILL

Rosemary Donnelly*

Time to take the next step?

TIME TO SELL? Ellie Amasya*

$398,000. Elegant Boutique Building w/9 ft I have Buyers looking for properties ceilings, 2 bed, 2 bath, Juliette balconies. Gas to renovate or build. fireplace. Parking, 2 lockers. Walk to great Call Ellie Amasya Shopping & restaurants. Rosemary Donnelly Direct: 647-286-6259 416-487-4311

2 BED/2 BATH

Corner suite with lots of space for larger furniture. 2 Bed, 2 Bath, Balcony, Parking & Locker. Eat-in Kitchen w/window. Approx. 1200 Sq. Ft. Indoor Pool & Sauna. Well run Condo, TTC at door. Rosemary Donnelly 416-487-4311

Elizabeth Broadley*

Call With Confidence

Elizabeth Broadley* Direct: 416-821-4306 * Sales Representative **Broker

MARCH 2011 TORONTO TODAY

Not the time for mayor to pull disappearing act Patrick Gossage

O

n days when the whole city is grieving over a tragic loss of life it is normal and the duty of a mayor to speak publicly on our behalf. Mayor Rob Ford was notably silent on

Jan. 12 when Sgt. Ryan Russell was run down by a snowplow in the early hours of the day.

Yes, there was a written statement, but to the surprise of the media, he had no statement for cameras or radio.

He was invisible the whole long, sad day, speaking only in a formal occasion at a police ceremony 24 hours later.

Whatever you think of David Miller, he would have been standing before media with words of compassion and regret in the name of all Torontonians — who, after all, the mayor represents.

See where your love of cosmetics can take you.

Miller did so on Boxing Day 2005 when young Jane Creba was brutally gunned down on Yonge Street, and in December 2003, when the demolition of the old Uptown Theatre went terribly wrong, injuring 14 and killing Augusto Mejia Solis, a 27 year old Costa Rican.

He was there in the rubble as our witness to the tragedy. He was very visible.

By contrast, Ford is being kept in what the city hall media call a “bubble” — not allowed to talk to media, even in public situations, in which Miller would have always been available. He has given a handful of scrums (group sessions with media) since taking office, and sometimes journalists are limited to three questions. He will not talk to anyone from Toronto’s largest newspaper, the Toronto Star, period, and limits his interviews to easygoing talk radio sessions with the friendly on-air folks at CFRB. Make no mistake, city hall watchers see this invisibility as his staff being fearful of what he’ll say in open media situations, of him bumbling, making one of his notorious gaffes. And they know the media on the whole can’t figure him out.

How are they supposed to?

This would be less worrisome if the public face of his office had not been bestowed on his brother Doug, who is more available to media and to other councillors.

But, we did not elect him mayor of all the people. And if councillors want to see the mayor, they more often than not have to settle for Doug.

Unlike Miller, this mayor does not publish a daily schedule of public appearances, leaving media scrambling to find out what he is doing.

This does not lead to an informed media or an informed public.

By contrast, Premier Dalton McGuinty has a published schedule and is stopped by media regularly in the corridors of Queen’s Park.

His message gets out to us. Ford’s does not, except through surrogates.

We have very limited opportunity to judge the man’s performance anywhere except in formal sessions of city council.

His “bubble strategy” is shortsighted to say the least. His simplistic agenda is well known, but much of the change he is working on to transform our city simply happens without him providing context, justification or nuance.

Finally, I would ask as in the case of Ryan Russell: “Who speaks for Toronto?”

For instance, thousands of Egyptian Canadians in Toronto are suffering with their fellow countrymen. Would it be too much to ask the mayor to say something on our behalf? TT

Mayor’s ‘bubble strategy’ speaks volumes

Turn your passion into a career.

With a range of grants, scholarships and loans, starting college or university may be easier than you think. ontario.ca/myfuture

3DLG IRU E\ WKH *RYHUQPHQW RI 2QWDULR

TORONTO TODAY MARCH 2011

Some fights never die

M

By Tristan Carter

ount Pleasant Cemetery, the final resting place of many influential Canadians and one of the largest green spaces in the city, is a well-known Toronto landmark. What is lesser known is just who owns the famous burial ground.

In 1826, the original cemetery was created as a public trust and there are those who insist it remains one to this day, while the body now operating it contends it is no longer a trust but a not-for-profit corporation.

“The cemetery operation started as a trust under a special act of Ontario in 1826,” says Rick Hall, a spokesperson for Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries, which operates 10 cemeteries in the Greater Toronto Area. “In 1871, the company was converted by another special act into a corporation, and today is subject to the Corporations Act.” Community activist Margot Boyd argues that its status as a public trust remains unchanged.

Boyd was a member of the Moore Park Residents’ Association that fought unsuccessfully to block the construction of a visitation centre and parking lot in the cemetery in 2006. She has since been featured in various media speaking to issues concerning the cemetery.

francis crescia/toronto today

COMMUNITY ACTIVIST Bev Boyd insists Mount Pleasant Cemetery is public property.

Boyd has researched the cemetery’s 185-yearold history and pored over the special acts. While she concedes that Mount Pleasant Group is a corporation, she contends that it is still a trust, one that was vested in the corporation in 1871.

“Every piece of land that is owned by Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries is owned by the trust,” Boyd said during an interview. “The trust is a public trust, so they are to be accountable and transparent to Ontarians.”

With donations from the community, Boyd engaged the McCarthy Tetrault law firm in 2009 to review the statutes and acts pertaining to Mount Pleasant Group. In an 18-page letter sent

to Premier Dalton McGuinty on Boyd’s behalf, McCarthy Tetrault wrote: “Legally, this trust might be characterized in several ways, but an accurate description of the trust in question is a ‘public trust.’ ” Local politicians have indicated they agree.

MPP Glenn Murray, whose riding borders Mount Pleasant Cemetery, insists it remains a public trust. Ward 22 councillor Josh Matlow says he will work with the community and fellow city councillors to form a public oversight committee. TT TT Go to www.mytowncrier.ca for more on this story.

THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING? Start Your Next Home Search On Your Mobile Phone Text: “Torontohome” To: “65656”

GRAND OPENING

OR VISIT

www.TorontoHomesForSale.com OR CALL YOUR

RE/MAX ULTIMATE REALTY AGENT FOR FULL DETAILS.

416-487-5131

SALE

NEW

LOCATION

York Mills Shopping Centre Bayview and York Mills beside Second Cup

291 York Mills Rd

416-226-4140 MARCH 2011 TORONTO TODAY

Business

Robotic legs a step up

By Joshua Freeman

S

joshua freeman/toronto today

SARAH RAINBOLT is put through her paces on the Lokomat motorized therapeutic device.

Ask the experts Please write to our experts: If you would like to take advantage of their years of experience, send your questions to “Ask the Experts” and they will be happy to reply to you in this space.

By E-mail: adsales@towncrieronline.ca, by Fax: 416488-3671 or write: Ask the Experts, c/o Town Crier, 101 Wingold Ave., Toronto, ON, M6B 1P8.

Kathleen Timmis, a partner in the personal injury law firm of Linett & Timmis, has been practicing accident and insurance litigation in Toronto for over 19 years. Her firm has established a solid reputation, representing thousands of injured victims and their families throughout Ontario.

Kathleen Timmis

Linett & Timmis Personal Injury Lawyers 1867 Yonge St., Suite 1004, Toronto

416-366-5100 1-800-363-5100 www.linett-timmis.com ktimmis@linett-timmis.com

Q

: My 8 year old child was injured in her gymnastics class at school. She fell off the

pommel horse in the middle of an exercise and fractured her arm in two places. The gym teacher did not have any spotters in place. Is it possible to sue the school for my daughter’s injuries?

A

: The school may be responsible for your child’s damages if the physical education

instructor was negligent in his or her supervision of class activities. As your child is a minor, an action could be brought by you on her behalf. You may also be entitled to damages personally under the Family Law Act if you have provided nursing or other services to your daughter or have experienced a loss of her companionship.

TORONTO TODAY MARCH 2011

arah Rainbolt waits with anticipation as attendants carefully adjust a harness around her legs and waist.

She’s excited about doing something she rarely gets to do these days.

“How does it feel?” asks attendant Fernando Nicastri, as he adjusts straps and buckles around her.

“Like a corset,” the 36 year old responds, with a laugh.

Rainbolt isn’t an acrobat or a bungee jumper. The device she is being fastened to is a Lokomat — a pair of robotic legs. This effort is so that she can walk.

Manufactured by a Swiss medical company, the Lokomat is a motorized therapeutic system that helps patients relearn walking movements.

Since being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis several years ago, Rainbolt has tried all sorts of treatments to combat the debilitating disease that leaves her stiff and with limited motion in her legs. Her situation is compacted by a protruding disk in her lower back, a result of an old dog-walking injury.

From the conventional to the controversial, she’s run the gamut of treatments, with varying degrees of success. But since starting treatment in January at Theraputix, a private clinic at Bayview Avenue and Hwy 401, she’s hopeful she’s found a new way to help restore some muscle tone to her atrophied legs.

When she’s all suited up, she’s suspended from the ceiling above a treadmill and suited into the robotic legs — the first and one of just two such pairs in the country according to Theraputix, which purchased the system four years ago. After a few adjustments, she’s away.

“It allows me to stand up and walk without having to hunch over a walker, so I’m actually using the right muscles,” Rainbolt says. “I’m hoping that I get my muscles strong enough so that I can come off it and use some of the other equipment on my own.”

It may seem like a lot of effort to do some assisted walking, but there’s more to it than meets the eye.

The robotic legs are, in fact, walking on their own.

They will keep moving her legs in a walking motion even if Rainbolt does nothing.

According to Rainbolt and Nicastri, that in itself would be beneficial as a way to help her body remember the motion.

But if she puts in any effort herself, it can be instantly measured on a screen in front of her as she

walks. A flat line on the screen registers the work done by the machine. Any variation from that — work put in by Rainbolt — registers as a peak on the graph so that she can see exactly how much of the work she’s doing. Sensors on the Lokomat also monitor other factors, like the motion of her foot as she completes each step, and Nicastri observes her progress and provides support throughout the session.

Rainbolt says she was cool to this form of treatment when she first encountered it.

“I was kind of standoffish, because it’s a machine,” she said. “But I did get a chance to use it and now I’m addicted.”

She’s become a big fan since then, even starting a Facebook page for the clinic.

“I saw after my first treatment that my left leg was picking up more easily,” Rainbolt says. “I thought, ‘Oh my god — that’s so cool!’

“After a couple more treatments I started to notice the spasticity was less.”

The system’s impressive, but it isn’t cheap. Those seeking treatment can expect to pay $300 for an initial assessment and then $145 per 45-minute treatment. Theraputix recommends up to five times per week initially and then three times per week as the patient gets used to it.

None of it is covered by OHIP. But that doesn’t seem to be keeping clients away.

“Demand is high,” says owner Joseph Lusito.

“We have people coming from all over the country — PEI, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Quebec …

We’re thinking of maybe opening another clinic out west.”

Lokomat treatment is provided here for people suffering from cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries and other ailments. Four to seven clients are treated each day, accounting for 70 percent of the business Theraputix does, Lusito says.

Rainbolt doesn’t see the Lokomat as a permanent solution for MS by any means. She’s still a strong proponent of alternative “liberation therapy” treatments offered outside of Canada. And even those treatments, she admits, do not offer a permanent solution.

However, she says, the Lokomat does get her walking again, something she hasn’t been able to do in more than five years. TT

Arts&Entertainment

Minimalist’s rich legacy

A

By DANNY GALLAGHER

s an heiress to the Southam newspaper fortune, Ann Southam could have chosen the life of a socialite. Instead, the Summerhill resident ensconced herself as a prominent Canadian composer, content with wearing simple pants and a sweatshirt, even to concerts where others wore long gowns.

Even then, she wasn’t out to make bundles of money composing.

“There’s not much money in that, unless you’re playing pop music,’’ says pianist Christina Petrowska-Quilico, long-time friend and Southam’s protégé. “You do it for the love of creating something beautiful, and that’s what Ann did.

“She didn’t try to become famous.’’

Southam, a pioneering composer of minimalist music, a philanthropist of note and a member of the Order of Canada, died Nov. 25 after a two-year battle with lung cancer. She was 73.

Born in Winnipeg, she spent most of her life in Toronto, studying at the Royal Conservatory of Music, where she would later spend many years as an instructor of electronic music.

She was one of the first women to receive attention as a composer in Toronto, specializing in creations for dance companies and working with the likes of Patricia Beatty, Carroll Maguire, Danny Grossman, Eve Egoyan and Julia Sasso.

“She didn’t like writing for orchestras,” says Petrowska-Quilico, who is also a professor of music at York University.

“What made her special to me was (giving me) the freedom to allow me to interpret her music.”

Petrowska-Quilico will perform the last major set of works by Ann Southam at the launch concert for her latest CD, “Glass Houses Revisited”, on March 17 at Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. West.

Because she wasn’t controlling, Petrowska-Quilico says, much of the music Southam had written appeared to be without much direction.

“She gives the performer the freedom of feeling comfortable in making the music their own,’’ she said, noting that Southam often told her: “‘I trust your musical judgment completely.’”

Southam wove her love of nature into many of her compositions, including “Rivers and Pond Life”. And as a committed feminist, she also felt her music was grounded in women’s experience.

“In the very workings of the music, there’s a reflection of the work that women traditionally do, like weaving and mending and washing dishes — the kind of work you have to do over again,” she told the Globe and Mail last year.

Petrowska-Quillico said her friend and mentor was a joy to work with.

Five years ago, when Southam and Petrowska-Quilico got together to discuss Rivers, the latter’s puppy wandered into the music room, making a beeline for the manuscript.

“The puppy peed all over the music,” she recalls. “I was very upset, but Ann just said, in her wonderful sense of humour: ‘I hope that isn’t a comment on my music!’”

Southam leaves behind brother Kip and step-sisters Jane Meredith and Judy Weeks. TT

ANN SOUTHAM insisted on walking a no-frills path, enriching the lives of others through her music and philanthropy along the way.

A

WALK-INS WELCOME. NO A P P O I N T M E N T S

L L

A N D

D O N E

NEWON

LOCATI

I N

A

APPOINTMENT NECESSARY.

A R E

P

C

O N F I D E N T I A L

R I V A T E

O

F F I C E

.

York Mills Shopping Centre Bayview and York Mills beside Second Cup

291 York Mills Rd

416•226•4140 MARCH 2011 TORONTO TODAY

Dining

Something to shout about Liz Campbell

O

ver years of restaurant going, I’ve been greeted at the door in many different ways, but at Fin Izakaya I hit a first.

Here, the entire staff — cooks in the open kitchen, busboys, passing waiters (with plates in hand) — all turn, bow slightly and literally shout: “Irasshaimase!”

It’s a little daunting, though they are smiling. (It means “welcome!”)

We sit in one corner of a large, square table, so there’s an immediate sense of congeniality. And as we’re in a Japanese pub — that’s basically what an “izakaya” is — we each order a flight of three sakes ($10). My guest chooses Kubota Junmai Dai-Ginjo, but then gets sidetracked by the names: Demon Slayer and Man’s Mountain. All three are dry and beautifully mellow. I choose Hokku Genshu and Hakkaisan, both of which are smooth, and for a sweet fin-

Open 7 Days a Week at Noon.

3393 Yonge St. 416.322.2200 10 TORONTO TODAY MARCH 2011

ish, Takara plum wine — yum!

The menu here is tapas style (odd to see the Spanish word on a Japanese menu), so we order a series of small dishes to taste.

Ika Sugata Yaki ($6.95), grilled whole squid sliced into rings, is a signature dish and one of my favourites — the tangy barbeque spices blend well with a creamy dip. A lovely citrusy dressing really picks up the baby greens in the Salmon Sashimi Salad ($7). This is topped with pieces of raw salmon, sliced very thin. I could make a meal of this dish.

You can’t go to a Japanese restaurant without having at least one tempura.

We ask for vegetable ($6), which includes fat slices of sweet potato, eggplant, pumpkin, zucchini and enoki mushroom clusters, coated in paper-thin tempura batter and deep-fried. Beautiful!

Two other traditional dishes are a skewer of teriyaki chicken ($3), which is unexceptional, and Onigiri ($3). The latter is Japanese fast food — a tasty triangle of sticky rice filled with salmon and wrapped in nori (seaweed). Healthwise, it’s a big notch up on KFC, but we also order the Japanese version of KFC. Tebasaki Kosho is chicken wings, deep-fried (no batter) and sprinkled with fat crystals of sea salt ($3.50 for five). My guest really likes this one and, I have to confess, those salt crystals really make the dish.

Duck Shichimi Yaki ($8.50) gets thumbs up from us both. Slices of perfectly seasoned, roasted duck breast on a bed of fried onions are served sizzling on a hot iron plate. The duck is succulent and the onions slightly caramelized.

Finally, Blowtorched Saba is a whole, pickled mackerel, sliced and literally blowtorched at the table ($8). The process crisps the skin, making a wonderful contrast with the tender flesh. It comes with freshly grated ginger and ponzu sauce — a blend of citrus, salty and fishy flavours. Both complement the fish, but my guest says, “The ginger really adds zing.”

Because we had to wait briefly for our reservation, the hostess brings an apology of sea urchin tempura with three dipping salts. My guest says it tastes, “like a cross between oysters and mussels.”

We move comfortably to dessert: Green Tea Roll Cake ($5), Man Juu or red bean rice cake ($3.25) and Daifuku ($6.85).

The green tea cake and Man Juu both have a delicious core of sweet red bean paste, though the surrounding rice dough in the latter is bland. Daifuku is fun — a smiling snowman made with my requested black sesame ice cream, capped with a strawberry hat and a fanned strawberry cape.

The restaurant manages to retain a sense of Japanese minimalism, despite the crush of tables. And the staff is very helpful. There’s an ambience of fun and exploration. However, it is undoubtedly noisy, not least because of the endless cries of welcome and farewell.

As we leave, there are more shouts from the staff. I’m not sure if they’re saying, “Farewell!” or “About time you left! We thought you’d never stop eating!”

Fin Izakaya, 55 Eglinton Ave. East (ask about free parking at rear). 647347-3864. www.finizakaya.com. Reservations are strongly recommended. TT

The perfect pair

Tasting Take a small piece of the chocolate and smell it. Now pop it into your mouth and let it fill your palate.

Don’t chew!

Pinch your nose and allow the flavours to develop in your mouth.

Pinching your nose lets your tongue and mouth truly experience the tastes and other sensations perceived in the mouth, as opposed to flavour, which is perceived by the olfactory gland in the nasal canal.

Enjoy The Fine Tastes Of Greece N

TOWN A

BEST I

n need of a lift from the winter blahs?

Two things always work for me: wine and chocolate.

Born of fat, juicy grapes or dark brown cocoa beans, kissed by the rays of a hot sun, wine and chocolate have the power to bring a little warmth to a cold winter day. And they can make glorious partners with the right pairings. So why not have a party dedicated to finding those pairings?

Choosing wines that can marry with the strong flavour of chocolate is definitely a challenge. “The wine needs to be as sweet as or sweeter than the chocolate with which you match it,� explains Anne Martin, wine consultant and one of Canada’s foremost sommeliers. “The fat content of chocolate makes it complex and mouth filling, which is what we love about it, but it’s important not to let it overwhelm the wine, so it has to be full-bodied and high in alcohol.�

Start, as we did, with six different 100-gram bars of Green & Black’s organic chocolates. In order to pair each with a wine, you can either choose a wine that has the same flavour notes, or look for different, but complementary, flavour notes. You get to decide what you like best.

Some chocolates simply won’t pair, however. I wondered about Green & Black’s Maya Gold — a dark chocolate with orange and spices — and Martin promptly opposed. “It’s just too strong a flavour, which does neither the chocolate nor the wine any favours,� she said.

Start with the lightest chocolate and finish with the strongest dark chocolates with flavourings. Allow two squares per person. “You don’t need accompaniments,� Martin said, offering a single exception. “But between each tasting, you can cleanse the palate with a small piece of French baguette and a sip of water.�

ARD W

I

By Liz Campbell

2010

Thank You for voting us the Best Greek Restaurant in Town!

2048 Avenue Road

(just north of Dunblaine Avenue)

Tel: 416-483-3846 www.karbouzi.com

Take-Out / Dine-In / Catering

Stop pinching and take a deep breath. You’ll find the aromas are strong when you do this. Allow the chocolate to melt slowly on the tongue. As the cocoa butter melts, it releases the volatiles and you’ll find the nuances.

Repeat with another small piece of chocolate and have a sip of the wine and roll it around in your mouth. What happens to the chocolate left in your mouth? Is the combination pleasant?

Compare notes with others.

Wine and chocolate pairings There are a couple of rules before you start. Ask your guests to refrain from wearing after-shave or perfume, as these will interfere with your appreciation of the aromas. Put the red wine in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before serving, Martin suggests, so it’s at the right temperature.

White wine should be removed from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving. Icewine needs to be icy cold. Chocolate should always be served at room temperature.

The following pairings were suggested by Martin for Green & Black’s chocolate varieties. I like these because they’re organic and Free Trade.

Milk Chocolate: J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay California $18.85.

White chocolate: Cave Spring Indian Summer late harvest select Riesling $24.95.

Milk chocolate and almond: H.M. Borges Medium Sweet Madeira $17.95.

Dark 70 percent chocolate: Taylor Fladgate 10 year old Tawny Port.

Dark chocolate with ginger: Gonzales Byass Solera 1847 Oloroso Dulce (medium dry) Sherry $15.95. Â Dark chocolate with cherry: Mas Janeil Maury $15.70. TT

ENJOY AN IRISH PINT AND ENTER A BALLOT TO WIN HOCKEY AND/OR BASKETBALL TICKETS!!

COME CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK’S DAY ON MARCH 17TH ENJOY IRISH STEW, CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE.

Fine Pu b Fare

89 Est. 19

Awarded Best Pub and Franchise Business. 2009

UFC NOW IN Hi-DEF!

All your favourite sports in Hi-DEF (Setanta, UFC, Raptors TV, Boxing, NFL Sunday Ticket, Leafs TV, Six Nations Rugby)

Weekly Special 40¢ Wings after 10pm Weekend Brunch from 10:30am to 2pm Monday Pint of Sleeman Original Draught $4.55 Tuesday Pint of Canadian $3.95 Wednesday Pint of Steam Whistle $4.55 Thursday Pint of Grolsch $5.55 Saturday $4.50 Martinis Sunday Pint of Coors Light $3.95

32 oz Carlsberg for only $10.99 - Every Friday Night & Fight Night ASK ABOUT OUR EXTENSIVE CATERING MENU

-BJSE %SJWF BU .D3BF t t XXX GPYBOEÄ•EEMF DPN MARCH 2011 TORONTO TODAY 11

Kids&Families

Join movie-making scene

R

By SUE WAKEFIELD

emember the animated short film The Cat Came Back? Take a trip downtown and you can share this and hundreds of other National Film Board classics with your kids.

As the cold weather chases us indoors and the kids grow tired of toys and games, head to the National Film Board Mediatheque. Located centrally at 150 John St. (at Richmond Street West), the Mediatheque is “a public access point for the NFB with lots of activities specifically for families,” marketing supervisor Melissa Wheeler says.

It’s a great place to settle in with your kids and explore the extensive NFB library on one of the state-of-the-art digital viewing stations, kitted with comfy chairs and flat-screen monitors. With more than 5,500 titles, you’re bound to discover some new favourites.

“It is a really great opportunity for families to see films produced by Canadians that tell unique Canadian stories,” says Wheeler.

And these stations are offered for free.

Mediatheque also screens an hour of animated NFB short films every Saturday and Sunday at noon for a nominal charge of $2 a person.

Your family members can be active participants in the movie-making process; enrol in one of Mediatheque’s workshops, offered on the first weekend of every month. For a couple of hours, children learn about storytelling and different animation techniques, and they create their own mini-animated film.

“If they are working with 3D clay animation, the children will create their own characters and we encourage the parents to take part,” says Wheeler, citing one technique. “Then they create stop-motion animation by moving the character slightly, taking a picture, moving it again, taking a picture...”

At the end of the workshop, families gather to watch their creations on the big screen, a thrill for the kids and parents alike.

Creating animation figures is part of the fun kids can have at the NFB’s Mediatheque.

The facilitators will also email final movies so kids can watch them at home.

“Lots of kids will upload their animations to YouTube or share with their friends on Facebook,” says Wheeler.

Other animation techniques, such as drawing on film, 2D with paper cutouts and painting on glass, may be explored.

“Families can come back again and again because it’s a brand new experience each time,” says Wheeler.

No plans yet for March Break? Kids 6–13 can “make history” with half-day workshops ($5 per child). They will explore history, learn about world cultures and animate their own films in an interactive workshop environment.

Workshops are offered daily during the break, at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Children must be accompanied by a parent (at no extra charge). Some of the themes that will be explored are Ancient Egypt using sand animation, Jurassic using 3D clay,

Easter Island using 3D sand dough, Mayan using pixilation, Ancient Greece using 3D clay, Ancient China using object animation and Medieval using 2D classical animation/paper cutout. Workshops will fill up quickly so be sure to call in advance and register.

The NFB Toronto Mediatheque is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12-7 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 12-10 p.m. and Sundays 12-5 p.m. It is closed on Mondays.

Call or go online for information about programs or to find out more about the National Film Board.

You may even want to head down for a date night and enjoy some more mature, but equally fabulous, Canadian film for yourselves.

NFB Toronto Mediatheque: 150 John St. Take the subway to Osgoode, walk west on Richmond Street. 416-973-3012 (events, workshops and screenings). www.NFB.ca/mediatheque TT

Character. Since 1913 Men of Character from Boys of Promise

crescentschool.org 12 TORONTO TODAY MARCH 2011

FIT FOR LIFE

just work it out

Bringing a pet into your life needn’t cramp your workout style

Plus: How to be berry creative with snacks photo courtesy jason lu/yoga tree

Toronto’s leading natural health product experts for over 30 years! .\ROLF )RUPXOD

/PNO WV[LUJ` ÄZO VPS ZVM[NLS H KH` PZ HSS `V\ ULLK

FDSV

FDSV

)3669 :; > H[ :WHKPUH

+L 3RWHQF\ 0XOWL =LNL[HYPHU MVYT\SH VUL H KH` T\S[P]P[HTPU MVY TLU ^VTLU

3

%52$':$< (*/,1721

< 2 1 * (

%/225 &+$5/(6

1 RDK¶V 667 YONGE

@65., :; SPNO[ 5 VM ,NSPU[VU @65., :; SPNO[ : VM )SVVY

,HZ` [V Z^HSSV^ JHSJP\T THNULZP\T JP[YH[L [HISL[Z [V OLSW [OL KL]LSVW TLU[ THPU[LUHUJL VM IVULZ HUK [LL[O

587+(5)25'

WDEV

P/

: ( 6 7 2 1

3DFLÀF )RRGV 6RXSV %URWKV

FDSV IUHH

&DO 0DJ ZLWK 9LWDPLQ '

( OPNOS` HIZVYI HISL ZVS\[PVU VM HSS [OL ULJLZZHY` ) ]P[HTPUZ PU [OLPY TVZ[ HJ[P]L MVYTZ

*VU[HPUZ [OLYHWL\[PJ HTV\U[Z VM 3HJ[VIHJPSSP HUK )PÄKVIHJ[LYPH [V OLSW JYLH[L H IHSHUJLK PU[LZ[PUHS LU]PYVUTLU[

VRIWJHOV

% &RPSOH[ 6ROXWLRQ

*52&(5< %2'<&$5( 63(&,$/6

8OWLPDWH )ORUD

¸;OL :\UZOPUL =P[HTPU¹ ,ZZLU[PHS MVY IVUL HUK PTT\UL OLHS[O

VRIWJHOV

WDEOHWV

RDK¶V 1 2395 YONGE

9LWDPLQ ' ,8

7V^LYM\S LULYN` IVVZ[PUN HU[PV_PKHU[ :\WWVY[Z JHYKPV]HZJ\SHY OLHS[O

J

J

< 2 1 * (

&R4 PJ

+ : < 3

1 RDK¶V 9121 WESTON

%/225

0:6>OL` OHZ [OL OPNOLZ[ WLYJLU[ HNL VM WYV[LPU WLY NYHT VM HU` ^OL` WYV[LPU H]HPSHISL HUK OHZ ]PY[\HSS` 56 -(; HUK PZ SHJ[VZL MYLL

1 RDK¶V 322 BLOOR W.

,62 :KH\

OV\Y PTT\UL Z\WWVY[ 5VHO»Z ILZ[ ZLSSPUN =P[HTPU *

6 3 $ ' , 1 $

;OL \S[PTH[L Z\WLYMVVK" H ISLUK VM V]LY WO`[VU\[YPLU[Z

VRIWJHOV

(VWHUĦ& PJ

3URJUHVVLYH 9HJH*UHHQV

5[2PHJDĦ

:\WWVY[Z HUK Z[YLUN[OLUZ `V\Y JHYKPV]HZJ\SHY Z`Z[LT I` YLK\JPUN [OL THQVY YPZR MHJ[VYZ HUK WYVTV[PUN V]LYHSS OLHY[ OLHS[O

WOODBRIDGE

>,:;65 96(+ H[ 9\[OLYMVYK

%DUOHDQ·V )OD[ 2LO 0LOOHG )OD[

P/

RII

2VFLOORFRFFLQXP

/VTLVWH[OPJ YLTLK` MVY [OL YLSPLM HUK WYL]LU[PVU VM Å\ Z`TW[VTZ KVZLZ

9LVLW ZZZ QRDKVQDWXUDOIRRGV FD IRU PDLO RUGHUV )ROORZ XV RQ

#QRDKVQDWXUDO

UG 3ULFLQJ LQ HIIHFW XQWLO )HEUXDU\

0LJKW\ /HDI 7HDV

6DYL6HHG

R]

%8/. 63(&,$/6

2UJDQLF 2UJDQLF 2UJDQLF -XPER 2UJDQLF %DQDQD &KLSV 5DZ $OPRQGV 'ULHG &KHUULHV 3XPSNLQ 6HHGV 7KRPSVRQV

OE

OE

OE

OE

OE

*UHHQ %HDYHU

RII HQWLUH OLQH /XQGEHUJ 2UJDQLF 6KRUW *UDLQ %URZQ 5LFH

OE

&86720(5 $335(&,$7,21 '$< )ULGD\ )HEUXDU\ WK

MARCH 2011 TORONTO TODAY 13

FitForLife

A shared ACHIEVE OPTIMAL HEALTH AND A LASTING CAREER The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition...

UÊ ÃÊ > >`>½ÃÊ i>` }ÊÃV Ê vÊ ÃÌ VÊ ÕÌÀ Ì ] Ê Ì iÊ >À}iÃÌÊ vÊ ÌÃÊ `ÊÜ Ì Ê£äÊV >ÃÃÀ Ê V>Ì Ã Ê >VÀ ÃÃÊ > >`> UÊ >ÃÊ>ÊÛ Ã >ÀÞÊ>««À >V ÊÌ Ê«ÀiÛi Ì ÛiÊ i> Ì ÊV>Ài Ê Ì À Õ} Ê >ÌÕÀ> Ê ÕÌÀ Ì UÊLi iÛiÃÊ `Ê> `ÊV ÃV Õà iÃÃÊ« >ÞÊ>Êà } v V> Ì Ê À iÊ Ê ÕÀÊÜi Li } UÊ ÃÊ }ÊÌ Ü>À`ÃÊ>ÊvÕÌÕÀiÊÜ iÀiÊiÛiÀÞÊ i> Ì ÊV>Ài Ê «À viÃà > ÊÜ ÊÜ À Ê> }à `iÊ>Ê ÃÌ VÊ ÕÌÀ Ì ÃÌ What we offer:

UÊ « >ÊÉÊ, Ê ià } >Ì UÊ `Û> Vi`Ê ÃÌ VÊ ÕÌÀ Ì UÊ ««Ài Ì V }Ê"«« ÀÌÕ Ì ià Call to arrange for an information session {£È {nÓ ÎÇÇÓ v JVÃ Ì À Ì °V> ÓÓÓ£Ê9 }iÊ-ÌÀiiÌÊ­>ÌÊ } Ì ® -Õ ÌiÊÎäx]Ê/ À Ì

LOCAL NEWS

www.MyTownCrier.ca

14 TORONTO TODAY MARCH 2011

LOCAL VIEWS

francis crescia/toronto today

FITNESS WITH FIDO: Sal Sloan turned her solution to the problem of what to do with the dog during workout time into a business.

workout

T

By Kelly Gadzala

he dog changed her life.

The canine in question: a loveable, fluffy-looking mutt named Chewy, who was rescued from the Toronto Humane Society.

The young lady: an advertising career girl who wondered if she couldn’t combine her boot camp workout with her new pooch’s exercise regime.

That was almost three years ago. Still a dog lover, Sal Sloan has just completed her first season as a new business owner.

Fetching, which launched in the Beach area last fall, provides dog owners with a boot camp style workout they can bring their dogs to.

“It didn’t make sense to me,” says Sloan, who describes her early days with Chewy and the demands of walking him several times a day and then doing her own boot camp workout. “I wished I could just bring Chewy to my boot camp.”

The concept evolved slowly, she says, starting with a germ of an idea involving fitness, dogs and lifestyle.

Then, after inviting some local dog owner pals over to her place, she conducted an informal focus group by tossing out the question, “Dogs and exercise — what do you think?”.

What came out of that exercise, Sloan says, was that many people felt they didn’t have enough time to spend with their dogs.

After that, she went home to her native Vancouver and really started solidifying the concept.

To get the business up and running, she obtained her CanFit Pro personal trainer certification — she’s always been into fitness, she says — and hired a dog trainer. Her classes alternate between the personal and dog trainer teaching different exercises and drills.

There are other companies that combine dog workouts with boot camp fitness, Sloan says, but what’s different about Fetching is that sessions incorporate agility training and obedience training for dogs.

Many people just don’t have time to work on their dog’s obedience, she says.

A Richard Ivey Business School grad from Western University, Sloan says she always wanted to be an entrepreneur, but never had a business idea before Fetching.

There have been fast lessons along the way. Initially she offered drop-in classes so people could try out classes before committing to an entire two-month session. But the drop-in component disrupted the flow of the class for those who were there for the entire session.

That said, Sloan says she’s open to working with drop-ins and also offers private and semi-private classes.

Classes were initially held outdoors in the fall, but the feedback from clients was that it was too cold. In January sessions moved inside. They will shift to outdoor locations again in the warmer months.

The response so far has been so positive that Sloan has already expanded to the Annex area and to Leaside. She’s also hoping to hire another dog trainer and personal trainer.

As for her quality of life, Sloan says she’s a totally different person since launching the biz. The advertising world wasn’t very rewarding, she says.

“Chewy effectively changed the entire direction of my career.”

As for Chewy, he’s always at the sessions when Sloan is teaching — granted, on the sidelines — but Sloan says she’ll often run him through the agility obstacle course after the class is done.

“He’s always there with me.”

Session schedules can be found at www.fetching.ca. TT MARCH 2011 TORONTO TODAY 15

It’s all in the blend

I

By LIZ CAMPBELL

t’s mid-afternoon. Lunch is long gone and dinner seems a long way off. It’s the time most of us take a coffee or tea break and we probably down a cookie or other sweet baked goodie with it.

It’s 8 o’clock and you’re watching TV. Wouldn’t some popcorn or peanuts taste good about now?

Better yet, when the energy is low or the tummy is craving a snack, how about a smoothie?

A smoothie is healthy, and because it’s made with real fruit it’s full of fibre and vitamins. It fills the void and can actually make you feel good. And because there is no single way to make a smoothie, you can make a different concoction each time.

The idea is to blend one or more fruits with liquid at high speed in order to create a thick, richly flavoured drink. Best of all, it feels like a real indulgence but doesn’t have to be loaded with calories.

A true smoothie should contain whole fruit and a liquid to blend this in. After that, the rest is up to you. The liquid could be water or juice, yogurt or soy milk or regular milk. Soy milk is popular because of recent evidence of the health benefits of soy consumption. And while many of us find soy milk less than appealing, adding it to fruit in a smoothie makes it creamy and delicious.

Another healthy addition is a teaspoon of ground flax meal, which provides lots of minerals and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acid.

One trick that ensures a drink that’s as rich as a milkshake with a quarter of the calories is to freeze the fruit. For example, when bananas start to get soft, cut them into pieces and freeze.

You can also buy bags of frozen fruit pieces. The sweetness in the fruit can be brought out by adding a little honey to the mixture. And I like to add fruit juice as well as low-fat yogurt. Apricot juice works really well, but so does plain old orange juice. Want to go really tropical? Try mango juice as the base. It’s delicious.

Once you’ve tried these creamy drinks, you’ll never go back to unhealthy snacks. So take out your blender or processor and try some recipes. TT

Join Hazelton Place Retirement Residence Come Celebrate The Sun! Friday March 25th 3:30p.m. - 5:00p.m.

Enjoy our Caribbean theme;

The food - The music - A live Steel Drum Performer

Let's get a head start on summer!

RSVP 416-928-0111 Performer - Chris Lewis Monthly rates starting at only $3295 including 3 meals a day, rec. programs, housekeeping and 24 hour emergency nursing response.

111 Avenue Road, Toronto 16 TORONTO TODAY MARCH 2011

(416) 928-0111

Tropical Trio 1⁄2 cup pieces of pineapple (fresh or frozen) 1⁄2 banana, (fresh or frozen) 1⁄2 cup frozen mango pieces (fresh or frozen) 1⁄2 cup low fat yogurt (optional, but it makes it creamier) 1⁄2 cup pineapple juice or water 1 tbsp. honey Blend until very smooth. Add a little more juice if required. Pour and enjoy with a thick straw.

Health Blend 1 cup frozen berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) 1⁄2 banana cut into pieces (fresh or frozen) 1⁄4 cup soy milk 3⁄4 cup strawberry or cranberry juice 1 tbsp. maple syrup 1 tbsp. wheat germ Blend the first five ingredients until smooth. Add the wheat germ and blend for another 15 seconds. Serve.

Cold-combating Concoction 1 whole orange cut into pieces and frozen 1⁄2 cup melon pieces (I pull these out of the frozen fruit blend) 1⁄2 cup pineapple pieces 3⁄4 cup orange juice 1⁄2 cup low fat yogurt 1 tbsp. honey Blend these together and serve. Note that you can add some Echinacea to the blend for extra flu-fighting power.

Beauty

Better looking through electricity “

Y

By LIZ CAMPBELL

our skin is dehydrated,” says Maxine Warsh, carefully examining Ruth’s face. “It needs water, but it doesn’t need oil.

“Dry skin needs oil.”

It’s a neat distinction.

Composed of cells, skin needs water to plump it up.

Drinking lots of water is the remedy Warsh recommends.

I make a mental note for myself, too. I’m impressed she isn’t suggesting expensive creams or lotions.

Despite her 62 years, Ruth has few wrinkles.

But the inevitable effects of gravity are beginning to show. Warsh is going to try to tighten these up using a new microcurrent therapy.

She settles Ruth on the bed and puts cool water on her face before moving the electric wands over the cheeks and under the eyes. The first stage is the preparation of the face.

After a few minutes of this, she moves to toning and firming.

“The first stage drains the lymph nodes under the eyes and prepares the skin,” Warsh explains. “The second stage stimulates collagen and elastin production.”

There is plenty of evidence for this. In one study, patients with Bells Palsy whose facial muscles had been paralyzed were treated with microcurrent. The treatment seemed to “lift” the muscles and help them to look more normal.

Microcurrent systems are also used to treat muscular injuries (especially in athletes) and by physiotherapists for pain relief. One report described the accelerated healing of ligament injuries in members of a Canadian

Olympic team whose team physician routinely used microcurrent therapy.

Warsh moves the wands slowly along the cheekbones, lifting and gently easing the skin along natural lines.

Ruth feels a slight tingling, she reports.

“It’s very soothing,” she coos, her eyes shut and her muscles obviously relaxed.

“It feels like I’m not really sleeping, but just a deep relaxation.”

Microcurrent is considered completely safe. There are no contra-indications except for those who have pacemakers, with which the current could conceivably interfere. There are no side effects and microcurrent complements other therapies like Botox or fillers.

“You need less of these when you use microcurrent, because you’re building collagen and tightening the skin naturally,” Warsh says. “I don’t like to call things what they aren’t. This isn’t a face lift, it’s youth retention.”

The last step is feathering, followed by exfoliation and a gorgeous-smelling vitamin C cream made with natural rosehips.

“The feathering addresses fine lines on the skin’s surface and the cream adds health and nutrients to your skin at the cellular level,” Warsh says.

Finished with Ruth’s face, she moves to her hands, explaining that here she can show us the difference most dramatically.

She carefully does her work on one hand and we hold them up to compare.

The difference is striking.

Fine wrinkles are smoothed away and the one hand does

Not a facelift, but ‘youth retention’

AFTER

BEFORE

indeed look younger.

Ruth’s face, too, looks firmer. Fine lines appear to have been smoothed out.

“This is nothing compared to what she will look like tomorrow,” Warsh points out, adding that the process is cumulative.

After the first seven sessions, the neck is included in the therapy, which then takes a full hour. After the first 12 sessions, one need come only monthly in order to maintain the effect.

“Even if this did nothing for my face, it’s done a

lot for my stress level,” she comments. “Being touched in such a relaxing way is wonderful.”

The cost for the process is $1,750 for the full 12 sessions, but Warsh will do a single session for $175 and apply it to the series if the client goes ahead.

“Not everyone responds the same way,” Warsh says.

“But everyone responds.”

Warsh also sells a line of her own natural skin care products, which she has used on Ruth. She doesn’t push them, simply explains what

she’s using.

“I found her very professional,” Ruth says. “She explained everything she did very clearly.”

Here’s the best part: When she got home, Ruth’s husband remarked: “What have you been doing? You’re glowing!”

Now that’s affirmation.

There are two locations: Maxine Warsh, 305 Sheppard Ave. East, 416-221-0568; and The House of Vitality, 7787 Yonge St., Suite 205 in Thornhill, 416-554-4474; www.maxinewarsh.com. TT

You’re invited to a

Unique Intercultural Celebration For one night only, experience a stunning exhibition featuring over fifty renowned works from the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, along with works by some of Canada’s finest contemporary Canadian artists of Italian heritage.

Tom Thomson (1877–1917). Byng Inlet, Georgian Bay. 1914–15, oil on canvas. Purchase with the Assistance of Donors and Wintario.

McMichael Canadian Art Collection.

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery at the Columbus Centre 901 Lawrence Avenue West Tuesday, March 29, 2011 6:30 to 10:00 p.m.

Opening Remarks at 7:30 p.m.

Tony Bianco. Georgian Bay Sunset. 2009, oil on linen.

This special exhibition will explore works by the Group of Seven and others who found inspiration in our nation’s rugged landscape, as well as contemporary artists incuding: Tracy Thompson (Colero), great-grandniece of Tom Thomson The late Albert Chiarandini, who painted with members of the Group Salvatore Gallo • Sam Paonessa • Giuseppe Pivetta Germinio Politic • Tony Bianco • Joseph Catalano

Tickets are available for $185 each or as a Patron’s Package of ten tickets for $1,850.

For inquiries contact Maria at 905.893.1121 ext. 2207 or email maschmidt@mcmichael.com

Tax receipts wil be issued to the maximum allowable amount.

Inspired by Canada is a joint event with the proceeds to be share between the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery and McMichael Canadian Art Collection.

Media support:

Corriere Canadese • Vaughan Today Tandem • Town Crier • Toronto Today

MARCH 2011 TORONTO TODAY 17

Home&Garden

Contain yourself

W

By Mary Fran McQuade

hat’s new for 2011? Bet you’ve got a bunch of new videos, games, socks, sweaters, scarves and other bits and pieces you’re finding room for, now that the holidays are a memory.

We 21st century folks have an awful lot of stuff. Back 100 years or so, houses didn’t even have closets. Narnia-type wardrobes/cupboards were the rule. And 100 years before that, just about everything went into deep, box-like chests.

If you’re short on storage space — and who isn’t? — take a tip from our ancestors. Think baskets and jars, bins and tins and doubleduty furniture.

Finding the right match It’s tempting to grab a few big bins or boxes and sweep everything into them. But, unless you’re truly desperate, take a little extra time to match container and contents. Clear glass or plastic jars are perfect for small items — nails, screws, washers and buttons, for example. You can easily see what’s

SILHOUETTE By Hunter Douglas ON SALE NOW! Why settle for ordinary when you can have extraordinary Silhouette

®

window shadings

Extraordinary Window Fashions. Extraordinary Places.

You Could WIN!*

$20,000

Visit this participating dealer or online at www.hunterdouglas.ca/promotions/extraordinary to see how you can enter the Extraordinary Window Fashions Contest* for your chance to win a $20,000 Dream Vacation.**

Dream Vacation**

* Contest runs from January 1, 2011 to April 30, 2011. No purchase necessary. Correct answer required to skill testing question. See complete Entry, Prize, eligibility and Contest details in the Official Rules at any participating Hunter Douglas dealer in Canada or at www.hunterdouglas.ca/promotions/extraordinary. ** Prize comprises $20,000 CDN Carlson Marketing Ltd. travel certificate.

TORONTO 1075 Yonge St., (North of Bloor)

416-924-5060

"> Û iÊUÊ ÃÃ ÃÃ>Õ}>ÊUÊ6>Õ} > ÊUÊ, V `Ê ÊUÊ Ì ÊUÊ ÕÀ À>

18 TORONTO TODAY MARCH 2011

there, and the bits won’t fall through gaps the way they might in baskets.

Baskets, on the other hand, work well for bigger things. DVDs and computer disks fit well in baskets, especially the ones lined with fabric. You can grab the whole thing and quickly flick through to find what you want.

If you’re really into the organization thing, you can set up several baskets for different categories — program disks in one, photo disks in another, music in a third. Home stores and even humble dollar stores have scads of baskets to choose from.

Bin there, done that Have a lot of the same kind of thing? Plastic bags, cleaning sponges, dust rags, dog food, kitchen staples like flour? Then you’re in the market for bins and tins. These are a great match because you don’t need to choose every fleck of flour or chunk of kibble. Just dump the stuff into a pretty tin and scoop it out when you need it. A tin or bin keeps contents from spilling out unexpectedly and keeps food fresh and bug-free.

Bins/tins work in the home office, too. Around our house, we’ve been accumulating a blizzard of doctor’s and hospital cards lately. They used to be stuffed into wallets and purse pockets. Now, we pop them into the little rectangular tins our loose tea comes in. Bingo! A use for what would otherwise have gone into recycling, and a single point of reference for our medical contacts.

Thinking big If you’re thinking of buying new furniture this year, or if you have a little extra room for some new pieces, look for double-duty items.

Nearly every store selling any kind of furniture offers ottomans that can double as seating and triple as storage. Pop off the top and you can tuck in books, maps and magazines. Or turn a storage ottoman into a mini-desk with supplies like pens, pencils, papers, envelopes, stamps and clear plastic tape.

It’s also a good place to store fuzzy throws you’ll want on cold winter evenings when you’ve turned down the thermostat like a good (chilly) citizen.

I love wooden furniture, so a fave of mine is a bench with storage under a lift-top seat. In a front or back entry, these can hold hats, gloves, scarves, collapsible umbrellas — whatever you need. They’re convenient to sit on when you’re putting boots and shoes on and off, and can be moved to the kitchen, patio or deck for extra party seating.

Storage benches are welcome additions to bedrooms, too. Use them for everything from out-of-season clothes to guest soaps to bedtime magazines and paperback books. Warning: yesterday’s clothes may land on your bedroom bench, so be prepared for regular “sweeps” to keep it clear!

Thinking BIGGER Ready to go really big? Some folks like chest of drawers, but my personal preference is for free-standing cupboards/armoires/wardrobes. They’re basically shelves with doors, and they’re tremendously flexible.

They can hide a flock of small baskets and their contents without looking messy and gathering dust. You can stack clothing, linens, folded fabric, games, craft supplies, toilet paper, paper towels, toiletries and anything else inside. Because you can just fling open the doors and virtually climb in, you’ll be able to reach things more easily than digging down into drawers.

If you have space in your home for one of these beauties, they’re fabulous as a stand-in for a home office. Store stationery, reference books, personal and project files, cameras — even your laptop and computer printer — behind those pristine doors. TT

BeautifyYourHome Modular Can Be Beautiful

;-+76, ;<7:-A ),,1<176 16 ); 41<<4- );

Where Manufacturing Becomes Art...

,)A;

ZZZ PRGXODU FD Read about us at: www.homestars.com TOWN A

ARD W

BEST I

N

2010

Visit Our Showroom

TOWN A

ARD W

BEST I

N

2009

TOWN A

*MNWZM

ARD W

BEST I

N

2008

FULFILLED DREAMS FOR

Over 750 CLIENTS IN

After

10 YEARS

<0- 4-),-: 16 075- ),,1<176; .]TT ;MZ^QKM +WV\ZIK\QVO 8ZWRMK\ 5IVIOMUMV\ .WZ )LLQ\QWV[ ZMVW^I\QWV[ 6M_ 0WUM[

416 900-3351

416 900-4556

Get free interactive Quote - for predesigned additions at -

ADDition ONline

_ _ _ I L L Q \ Q W V W V T Q V M K W U

Planning, Process, Patience, Details & Good Design Equals HAPPY LIVING

Winter Clearance Sale

for

â&#x20AC;&#x153;BEST HOME RENOVATIONâ&#x20AC;?

Now In Store:

Window Coverings

C

O

MP

ANY

103 Miranda Ave. 416-787-1707 www.allanrug.com

DR

U A P ERY & R

G

SPRUCE UP YOUR HOME FOR SPRING - REDECORATE NOW!!!

Specialists in Drapery, Blinds, Upholstery, Broadloom, Bedspreads & More!!

DESIGNER DRAPERY FABRICS from

$19.95 per yard

up to

up to

60% off

all including Decorative Rollers,

Natural Shades & Wood Blinds

25% off all 45% off up to

ALL PLAIN, PRINTED & TEXTURED SHEERS

VINYL & WOOD SHUTTERS

LET MAYFAIR DO IT ALL FOR YOU

U Draperies & Sheers U Blinds U Vinyl & Wood ShuttersĂ&#x160;U Valances U Balloons U RomansĂ&#x160;U Broadloom U Upholstery U Matching Bedspreads & Accessories

W.C. MEEK DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION

416.690.1919

www.wcmeekdesignandconstruction.com

Service & Reliability for over 55 years

USE OUR NO CHARGE SHOP-AT-HOME SERVICE 4699 Keele St

(North of Finch) (416)

661-2131

1807 Lawrence Ave. E. (at Pharmacy)

(416)

751-1574

North York (416)

223-9651

Mississauga (905)

www.mayfairdrapery.com

274-2579

We Service Oshawa to Burlington, the Lakeshore to Barrie. Outside the GTA call 1-800-260-4577

MARCH 2011 TORONTO TODAY 19

Mark Your Calendar Thurs., March 3 The Mendelssohn Singers, under the direction of Noel Edison, will perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. John Passion with a stellar line-up of soloists, 7:30 p.m. at Koerner Hall. Ticket holders are invited to join music broadcaster and writer Rick Phillips for a pre-concert chat at 6:50 p.m. in Koerner Hall. Tickets at 416-408-0208 or www. rcmusic.ca.

Tues., March 8 Kitchen Sisters: An Exquisite Dining Experience, 6 p.m. at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, 85 Hanna Ave. Toronto’s finest women chefs come together to prepare a succulent feast in celebration of 100 years of International Women’s Day and to raise money for Sistering’s new kitchen. Tickets 416962-9762 ext. 243.

Wed., March 9 – Sun., March 13 Canadian Music Week, the leading annual entertainment event dedicated to the expression and growth of the country’s music, media and entertainment industries, showcases new local and international artists. Five nights, 800 artists, 55 venues, 1 wristband. www.cmw.net for prices and updates.

Wed., March 16 Japanese Film Appreciation — 1896 to Today.

Get ready for the 2011 Shinsedai Cinema Festival by learning more about Japanese film. The course covers each decade through key films, film-makers and major cinematic movements. $70 (JCCC members), $113 (non-members). Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. 6 Garamond Ct. 416-441-2345.

Thurs., March 17 Pianist Christina Petrowska-Quilico will perform the last major set of works by Ann Southam at the launch concert for her latest CD, “Glass Houses Revisited”, 7:30 p.m. at Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. West.

Ongoing Party assistants: Senior Peoples Resources In North Toronto (SPRINT) needs volunteers with creative ideas to help create and strengthen existing programs. Help build exciting and relevant programs for today’s seniors. 416-481-0669 ext 252 or email m.kulendran@sprint-homecare.ca to book an appointment.

J & R WELDING AND

GENERAL HOME REPAIRS Wrought iron gates and fences Security bars • Mobile welding Stainless Steel Welding Railings Custom metal work All types of home repairs

416-656-2706 20 TORONTO TODAY MARCH 2011

We didn’t always get along

I

By By J.L. Granatstein

n the year before WWI began, celebrations abounded along the Canada-U.S. border. It was 100 years since the end of the War of 1812, and orators at great banquets in both countries hailed the century of peace between Canada and the U.S. The “undefended border” between the two North American nations was an example to the world, they all proclaimed. If only Europeans could act like Americans and Canadians.

If only it had been true.

In fact, Americans and Canadians had been fighting ever since settlement began. English adventurers from the American colonies seized Quebec City in the 17th century and French soldiers and First Nations warriors had attacked English settlements repeatedly into the 18th century. Even before the Declaration of Independence created the United States, in 1775 the Continental Congress had sent an invading army to capture Montreal and to attempt to seize Quebec.

The War of 1812, its end celebrated in 1914’s ceremonies, had closed in a bloody stalemate.

Then came the Rebellions of 1837-38 in the Canadas, followed by attacks on British Canada by “Patriots” from the United States who sought to “free” Canada. In 1839, there was the Aroostock War, a boundary dispute between Maine and New Brunswick that led both sides to mobilize troops before negotiations cooled everyone down. During the U.S. Civil War, fear of an American attack that might bind up the wounds of war with a victorious drive northwards led the British North American provinces to join together in the Dominion of Canada. The British colonies knew they had no chance separately; together they just might survive against the bigger, richer U.S. The British and their North Americans colonies also had seemed more sympathetic to the South than to Abraham Lincoln’s Union, and when Confederate army raiders struck from Canada across the U.S. border, looted Vermont banks, and fled back to Montreal, the courts turned them loose — with their stolen money.

Despite such provocations, the U.S. did not attack, but Irish-American Fenians, men who hoped to liberate Ireland from British rule by attacking Canada, did launch repeated attacks from United States territory against Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Manitoba, attacks that continued from 1866 to 1871. Most of the raids were more comic opera than war, but at Ridgeway in Upper Canada in June, 1866, the skirmish was bloody — and the Fenians defeated a Canadian-British force before escaping back across the border.

The Fenian raids were the last armed confrontation on the border, it’s true. But Canada, as a British possession, could never consider itself safe. Every time the United States and Great Britain engaged in a diplomatic confrontation, Canadians shivered in their boots. What if the dispute turned to war? This was not an unrealistic concern. In 1895, the border between Venezuela and British Guiana, a South

American boundary dispute a long way from Washington, London and Ottawa, almost started a conflict between Britain and the United States. For a brief period, Canada began a small rearmament program, before the peaceful settlement of the border question let Ottawa sink back into its normal neglect of defence.

The point is that peace, while desired by almost everyone, was always threatened. There were hotheads in the U.S. Congress and in some newspaper offices who believed that all of North America should be American. It was the United States’ “manifest destiny,” they said. It wasn’t that Americans disliked Canadians; it was that Canada was a British colony, and Britain, the nation against which the Americans had revolted, offended by its mere presence. For their part, those Canadians who did not emigrate to the United States — tens of thousands did every year, seeking greater opportunities — resented the constant threats from the south and disliked what they saw as bragging, boasting Yankees who seemed to believe that everything they did was right and proper.

And yet, during World War I when Canada found itself in serious economic difficulty, it was forced to ask Washington, just into the war, for assistance in the summer of 1917. What is interesting is the way Canada approached the U.S. The finance minister wrote to his American counterpart to say “We have in your time and mine always been good neighbours. Occasionally a verbal brickbat has been thrown across the fence,” Sir Thomas White wrote. “But we have always sympathized with each other … In our attitude towards constitutional liberty and all social problems our people are very much alike and understand each other better I think than any other two peoples in the world today.” We are all North Americans together — that was the message, and White got the help Canada needed.

It was and is true in 1917 and today. But Canadians should not pretend that it was always so. The undefended border and the century of peace after the War of 1812 were myths, not fact.

J.L. Granatstein is editor of The Canadian Experience and writes on Canada-U.S. relations, foreign and defence policy, and political history.

Next Instalment: Canada’s Great War The Canadian Experience is a 52-week history series designed to tell the story of our country to all Canadians.

Sponsored by Multimedia Nova Corporation and Diversity Media Services/Lingua Ads partners, the series features articles by our country’s foremost historians on a wide range of topics. Past articles and author bios are available at http:// www.cdnexperience.ca. The Canadian Experience is copyright © 2010-2011 Multimedia Nova Corporation. TT

“On Time Everytime,...”

Worldwide Couriers Services (UPS®, FedEx®, Canpar®, DHL® & Others) • Digital Printing Services • Mailbox Services • Office Supplies • Document Finishing Services • Custom Packaging • Moving Supplies • Colour/B&W Copies • Fax Services

34 Eglinton Ave. West (Eglinton & Yonge)

Tel: 416.482.5855 Fax: 416.482.8141 mbc293@mbc.ca www.mbc.ca/293

The Happiest Children, The Happiest Providers

Picture your child in the care of a compassionate person who has passed the most rigorous screening and training standards set by Legislation. She loves children and is focused on their growth and environment. Welcome to Wee Watch. Welcome to affordable, dependable, enriched home child care.

Exclusive “Wee Learn” Educational Program

416-532-2538 www.weewatch.com

Automotive

MDX ‘quite nice’ indeed

A

By Mathieu Yuill

s mid-sized SUVs go, the Acura MDX is on the expensive side. Starting at $52,600 you’d have to put yourself in the RL or ZDX to spend more on one of Acura’s luxury vehicles.

That being said, the MDX is the most popular vehicle in the Acura lineup, accounting for more than a third of the brand’s sales in the past year. It’s not hard to see why, either.

Despite it’s hefty price tag in the segment, it’s not the most expensive, but it does one of the best jobs of being true to its luxury expectations.

The base MDX comes with plenty of amenities to make my often picky wife exclaim that the MDX is “quite nice.”

Equipped with standard Bluetooth wireless connect for your mobile phone, power tailgate, tri-zone front and rear climate control, XM satellite radio and eight-way power adjustable seats up front, it isn’t hard to feel like you’re at a five-star hotel behind the wheel of the MDX.

This mid-size SUV isn’t all show and no go. Although it’s difficult to imagine buyers of the MDX flooring their accelerator and really leaning into some corners, it wouldn’t be out of its element if the driver insisted that was the way to drive.

Fitted with a 3.7-litre V6 engine, the MDX produces 300 horsepower and 270 lbs-ft of torque. It really had no problem getting up and going when the go pedal was planted. Even without incredibly aggressive acceleration the MDX had a spirited personality.

Display lit up like a Christmas tree

Also standard on every trim level is the best acronym in the business: SHAWD (super handling all-wheel drive).

The week I drove it Vaughan had the most snow it’s had all season, and the graphical display showing the amount of power being distributed to each wheel was lit up like a Christmas tree. Driving up steep streets of Toronto’s Beach district and making the journey through plenty of windy subdivision streets was done with great confidence.

Even without winter tires it handled

tricky conditions like a dream.

There are two other trim levels available. The Technology package adds navigation and a multi-view backup camera (the base has a single view camera display in the rearview mirror), DVD entertainment for the back seat and an upgraded audio system. The Elite package adds active cruise control, blind spot information, 19-inch wheels and others on top of the Technology package.

They are priced at $57,990 and $62,690 respectively. TT

6$9( <285 021(< .((3 <285 9(+,&/( /21*(5 %< 3527(&7,1* ,7 )520 5867

Krown 125 Laird Ave. Toronto (416) 467-6600

www.krown.com MARCH 2011 TORONTO TODAY 21

Classifieds

EMPLOYMENT NEWS For talentoyster jobs visit www.talentoyster.com/Jobcode and enter the code starting with # that appears for that job.

Registered Nurse, Family Maternity Centre - Scarborough - Reporting to the Patient Care Manager of Family Maternity Centre, you will be responsible for providing excellent care to a diverse patient population within of our multi-service environment.

Code # CBKXB

Infection Control Practitioner - Scarborough - Reporting to the Manager of Infection Control you will act as a representative of the Infection Control Team, supporting the implementation and evaluation of the infection prevention and control programs.

Code # CBHWT

Environmental Project Hydrogeologist North YorkHelp save and protect the one and only Earth we have. Our Environmental Project Hydrogeologist jobs provide you with an opportunity to lead project decisions, develop proposals, and communicate with clients.

Code # CBKZX

Document Controls Manager - North York - Participate in management level strategic planning for document control. As a Document Control Manager you will provide guidance and supervision to the Program Team as it relates to the management of documents.

Code # CZAAH Assistant Store Manager - Bramalea City Centre - Brampton - As an assistant store manager, it’s your responsibility to make sure that the store always looks good, supports our brand and meets its goals.

Code # CZATY Account Manager - Food & Beverage Toronto - The Food & Beverage Division is the leading provider of critical environment sanitation products and systems for the dairy, food and beverage processing, dairy agricultural and pharmaceutical markets.

Code # CBKWK Product Safety Associate - Toronto - We are looking for a Product Safety Associate for a 12 Month Contract. Responsible for the initial review and communication of adverse event (AE) and product complaint (PC) reports to the Global Processing Centres within a timely manner.

Code # CBKXT

Jobs Jobs Jobs 22 TORONTO TODAY MARCH 2011

antiQue

WE BUY IT ALL BEST CASH PAID

Events and Promotions Assistant - Toronto - Our events and promotion department, is looking for a dynamic, energetic and committed promotional representatives to assist in supporting some of our most innovative initiatives.

Code # CZABY

Senior IT Auditor - Toronto - Provide a leadership role in the timely delivery of quality audit assessments of the effectiveness of systems of internal controls, with an emphasis on processes related to Information Technology and communications.

Code # CZABX

Business Directory

UNIX Systems Senior Analyst/Analyst - Toronto - The Senior Systems Analyst/Systems Analyst will install, administer, and optimize Unix servers and related components to achieve high performance of the various business applications supported by IT. Code # CBHAW Campaign Associate Director - Scarborough - 1 year contract (with potential for renewal) We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Campaign Associate Director to join our dynamic and entrepreneurial fundraising team.

Code # CBHWZ Project Manager - North York - The candidate will design water supply systems, sewerage networks and wastewater treatment plants, project management, investigation, and supervision of water supply and sanitation schemes. You will responsible for preparation of FIDIC contract documents and tender documents.

Code # CBHXH .NET Application Designer - Toronto - We are looking for a systems designer with a strong background in .NET client-server environments and experience within financial services organizations, to join out design and development.

Code # CBHYA Administrative Assistant - North York - As an Administrative Assistant, you will provide standard to advanced administrative support services to a group of professionals or management personnel.

Code # CBHYB

COINS GOLD SILVER JEWELLERY DIAMONDS CHINA CRYSTAL FIGURINES DOULTON SWAROVSKI COLLECTIBLES ANTIQUE FURNISHINGS ETC

ESTATE SPECIALISTS FAST PICK UP

CALL JOHN/PATTI 416 486 7356

wanted

antiques & collectibles silver - Glass - china Paintings - art objects doulton Moorcroft watches Jewellery sterling - oak & Mahog. Furniture - eskimo art toys - collections lighting - estates

& courteous

professional

30 years experience call david

416-231-9948 business services INCOME TAX

Personal, Corporate, Financial Planning, Accounting, Estates, Trusts, Quickbooks, Business Consulting & Problem Situations 15 years experience Confidential

Audrey L. Neamtan

Chartered Accountant, CFP

416-590-9382

electricians

tel: 416 520 0157 home improvement

Clean up of garage / basement Outside maintenance

Small Jobs Special for Seniors

Driving & Shopping available

Call Dave 416-255-0369 A & Z HOME RENOVATIONS GENERAL CONTRACTOR RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL

Finished Basements, Bathrooms, Additions, Ceramic Tiles, Flat Roof.

Leaky Basements, Drywall, Carpentry, Brick/Chimney Repairs and much more

905-764-6667 416-823-5120

EXPERT ELECTRIC CHRIS’ SCREEN, GLASS &

SERVICE CHANGES PANEL CHANGES KNOB & TUBE RE-WIRE ALL ELECTRICAL JOBS FREE ESTIMATE SMALL OR LARGE LICENSED AND INSURED

Jack (416)

236-7071

ECRA/ESA Lic. 7001515 • All work Guaranteed • Serving Toronto for 20 years

See 100's of jobs from top employers at...

www.

(Marko)

HOME REPAIR

Replaced at your own home for less than hardware store prices!

• Custom wood & aluminum • Frames and wooden screen doors • Repairs to windows, doors, frames • Drywall, electrical and plumbing

416-829-8193

Classifieds Business Directory Home imProvement

DECKS â&#x20AC;˘ GARAGES PORCHES â&#x20AC;˘ SHEDS â&#x20AC;˘ Deck/Porch construction and repair â&#x20AC;˘ Custom garden/storage sheds â&#x20AC;˘ Restore your existing garage or build new Call

Peter Topp @

416-460-2250

Classifieds loAns & mortgAges

Plumbing

AccommodAtion FullY FurnisHed monthly accommodation in Toronto! We represent owners of FURNISHED homes, apts. rented on a short term monthly > basis to visiting executives, local homeowners who canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be in their own > homes due to renovations/divorce, etc. OWNERS - create another income source, list with us! www.silkwoodproperties. com or email: furnishedrentals@ silkwoodproperties.com,416 410 7561

$$$ mortgAge $$$ $$$$$$$ loAns $$$$$$$$$ $$$$ For AnY PurPose$$$$ HomeoWners!!! 1st 2nd 3rd mtgs renos, debt consol, tAX or mtg ArreArs, decreAse montHlY PAYments uP to 75% ASK ABOUT OUR DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T PAY FOR 1 YR PROGRAM uP to 90% oF vAlue OAC!!

creAtive mortgAge sPeciAlist

cleAning & mAintenAnce

ONTARIO-WIDE FINANCIAL CORP BEST RATES!! lic# 10171

Portuguese cleAning lAdY good references working in the area. Please call Rosa 416-782-2861

416-925-3974

WWW.ONTARIO-WIDEFINANCIAL.COM

cleAning & mAintenAnce

movers

KITCHEN â&#x20AC;˘ BATH INTERIOR RENOVATIONS â&#x20AC;˘ We will handle all aspects of your project from start to finish

Ă&#x2026;

Same day or advance booking of large item(s) delivery 7 days AM/PM Regular moves also available 416-410-5382

â&#x20AC;˘ Kitchen/Bathroom design and construction.

GEMINI MOVERS & STORAGE LTD

â&#x20AC;˘ Basements, closet space and wall relocation

â&#x20AC;˘ Homes â&#x20AC;˘ Apartments â&#x20AC;˘ offices â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ Professional Piano moversâ&#x20AC;˘

ESTIMATE Call FREE Mike Finlay @

416-209-8759

ProFessionAl services

Linett & Timmis

PAinting

Marc Linett

Kathleen Timmis

Personal Injury Lawyers 1867 Yonge St., Suite 1004, Toronto

416-366-5100

info@linett-timmis.com

â&#x20AC;˘ CARPENTRY â&#x20AC;˘ RENOVATIONS Residing in North Toronto and working primarily in the North Toronto, Leaside & Bayview Mills areas, I'm an experienced professional contractor specializing in:

â&#x20AC;˘ Interior/Exterior Renovations â&#x20AC;˘ Custom carpentry & trimwork â&#x20AC;˘ General repairs & handyman services.

References available.

Call John @ John Finlay Home Improvements

416-347-3970

dAting singles mAtcHmAKing services.

Discrete and Confidential. FOR MORE INFORMATION, call Reuven at 647505-5382 or visit website: www. singlesgtA.com

domestic services

Tel: 416-782-8736

Call to 11pm Fax: 416-240-9133 Top quality service is mandatory!

For truly professional cleaning of your home or building , call Gail at 416-4832022. fine detailing, specific requests years of experience honest, reliable excellent references

COMPUTER REPAIRS â&#x20AC;˘ On-site servicing â&#x20AC;˘ Virus removal â&#x20AC;˘ Upgrades â&#x20AC;˘ Wireless networking problems â&#x20AC;˘ Software installations â&#x20AC;˘ Laptop & desktop â&#x20AC;˘ Troubleshooting â&#x20AC;˘ Anyproblem

experienced, certified technician Affordable rates

647-992-7577

Call Paul: www.paulbotics.com

Filipino live in Caregivers, Nannies and housekeepers available for homecare please call 416-924-5727, email us at: info@platinum-care.com , on the web : www.platinum-care.com

HeAting & Air conditioning services major Appliances repairs. Professional, quick and friendly service. 34+years experience. Repairs, Fridge, Stoves, Washers, Dryers. Air Conditioning and Heating. 416-725-4922.

Home imProvements reno, drywall, taping, framing, flooring, tiles, painting, kitchens, bath, basement.

Tel: 416-428-2374.

Please give.

To place an ad in

Town Crier

Call:

416-785-4300 MARCH 2011 TORONTO TODAY 23

Network Classifieds: Automotive MOTOR VEHICLE dealers in Ontario MUST be registered with OMVIC. To verify dealer registration or seek help with a complaint, visit www.omvic.on.ca or 1-800-943-6002. If you're buying a vehicle privately,don't become a curbsider's victim. Curbsiders are impostors who pose asprivate individuals, but are actually in the business of selling stolenor damaged vehicles.

Building mAteriAls #1A STEEL BUILDING SALE! Save up to 60% on your new garage, shop, warehouse. 6 colors available! 40 year warranty! Free shipping, the first 20 callers! 1-800-457-2206. www.crownsteelbuildings.ca.

Business opps.

80% COMMISSION TRAVELONLY has 500 agents across Canada. Business opportunities with low investment, unlimited income potential, generous tax/travel benefits. Run your travel company, full-time, part-time from home.

Register for FREE seminar, www.travelonly.ca, 1-800-608-1117, Ext. 2020.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FUTURE. Invest 10 hrs/wk and build a serious business. You guide and train - no sales, no inventory, no risk. Great income! www.fromgreen2green.com.

WWW.PREMIERSOLARINC.COM "Your Long Term Solar Partners" - System Sales/Installations/Financing/Dealership. Start Making Money with the 'MicroFIT Program' TODAY! Call Now! Toll-Free 1-877-255-9580.

BE YOUR OWN BOSS with Great Canadian Dollar Store. New franchise opportunities in your area. Call 1-877388-0123 ext. 229 or visit our website: www.dollarstores.com today.

Energy Drinks = LIQUID PROFITS! Distribute our hot selling, all-Canadian, pro endorsed energy drinks. Exclusive retail/vending opportunity, limited areas.

Investment required. Free samples/ information package. 1-800-267-2321.

Peakdistributors.com.

Business services LOOKING FOR NEW BUSINESS and added revenue? Promote your company in Community Newspapers across Ontario right here in these Network Classified Ads or in business card-sized ads in hundreds of well-read newspapers. Let us show you how. Ask about our referral program. Ontario Community Newspapers Association. Contact Carol at 905-639-5718 or Toll-Free 1800-387-7982 ext. 229. www.ocna.org

CRIMINAL RECORD? Guaranteed Record Removal since 1989. Confidential, Fast, Affordable. Our A+ BBB Rating assures EMPLOYMENT / TRAVEL & FREEDOM. Call for your FREE INFORMATION BOOKLET. 1-8-NOWPARDON (1-866-972-7366) www.PardonServicesCanada.com. cAreer trAining LEARN FROM HOME. Earn from home. CanScribe Career College offers courses in Medical Transcription and Computers. Great work at-home opportunities. Enroll today! 1-800-466-1535. www.canscribe.com. info@canscribe. com. coming events FREE COUPONS! Attractions Ontario offers savings on Ontario's best attractions! Call 1-800-ONTARIO to receive your Passport filled with coupons or download them at www.attractionsontario.ca/ocna. employment opps. $$$ ATTENTION CHOCOLATE $$$ Here's a great opportunity to make extra income by selling chocolate bars and new products. Fundraising services available. Call now: 1-800-383-3589.

Full time employment opportunity for Deck Officers and Engineers for Canadian Great Lakes self-unloading tug/barge operations. Highest salaries and benefits in tug/barge operations including 2 months on and 1 month off paid vacation, medical coverage and Family Security Plan under union Collective Agreement. Interested candidates please forward your resume to: Fettes Shipping Inc. 250-3385 Harvester Road Burlington, ON L7N 3N2 or email: fettes-glits@on.aibn.com.

#1 HIGH SPEED INTERNET $24.95 / Month. Absolutely no ports are blocked.

Unlimited Downloading. Up to 5Mps Download and 800Kbps Upload.

ORDER TODAY AT www.acanac.ca or CALL TOLL-FREE: 1-866-281-3538.

A FREE TELEPHONE SERVICE - Get Your First Month Free. Bad Credit, Don't Sweat It. No Deposits. No Credit Checks. Call Freedom Phone Lines Today Toll-Free 1-866-884-7464.

SAWMILLS - Band/Chainsaw - Cut lumber any dimension, anytime. Build anything from furniture to homes. IN STOCK ready to ship. From $4190.00. www.NorwoodSawmills.com/400OT 1800-661-7747 Ext:400OT. CAN'T GET UP YOUR STAIRS? Acorn Stairlifts can help. Call Acorn Stairlifts now! Mention this ad and get 10% off your new Stairlift. Call 1-866-981-6590. **HOME PHONE RECONNECT** Call 1-866-287-1348. Prepaid Long Distance Specials! Feature Package Specials! Referral Program! Don't be without a home phone! Call to Connect!

1-866-287-1348.

FrAnchise opps.

LIVING ASSISTANCE SERVICES, www.laservices.ca/franchise is a ten year old non-medical agency providing superb care to seniors. Now franchising across Ontario. Contact p.mills@laservices.ca or 416-807-9972.

*CONNECT WITH YOUR FUTURE* Learn from the past, Master the present! Call a True Psychic now! $3.19/ minute. 1-877-478-4410 (18+). 1-900783-3800. Answers to all your questions!

DATING SERVICE. Long-term/shortterm relationships, FREE CALLS. 1877-297-9883. Exchange voice messages, voice mailboxes. 1-888-5346984. Live adult casual conversations -1on1, 1-866-311-9640, meet on chatlines. Local single ladies. 1-877-8045381. (18+) reAl estAte WANTED FOR SALE OR OPTION Mining claims, land and land with mineral rights, former operating mines, gravel pits. Exposure to our wide client base. www.geostakex.com 1-888-2591121.

$500$ LOAN SERVICE, by phone, no credit refused, quick and easy, payable over 6 or 12 installments. Toll Free: 1-877-776-1660. www.moneyprovider. com.

PREFAB HOMES DISCOUNTED 50%+!! USA Mortgage Disaster Order Cancellations. 1260SF Pre-Engineered Package originally $29,950.00, BLOWOUT $14,975.00!! Other sizes - SACRIFICE prices! HUNDREDS SHIPPED! Spring/Summer delivery. TOLL-FREE 1-800-871-7089.

MELT AWAY stress, aches, pains, detox and lose weight in your own affordable personal infrared sauna. A+BBB rating.

Ships fast. Visit www.FamilyPoolFun. com/Saunas or call 1-800-950-2210.

A CRIMINAL RECORD? We'll clear it!

FREE Pardon & Waiver Evaluation.

On Social Assistance? We Can Help!

RCMP Authorized Agency. Better Business Bureau Certified. Pardons/Waivers Toll-Free 1-800-507-8043, www. pardongranted.ca

HOMEWORKERS GET PAID DAILY! NOW ACCEPTING: Simple part time and full time Online Computer Work is available. No fees or charges to participate. Start Today, www.onwoc.com. homes For sAle

For sAle

personAls

help WAnted

FinAnciAl services

FREE UNLIMITED LONG DISTANCE - Home Phone & Highspeed. You're Approved! No Deposits, No Credit Checks. CALL Talk Canada Home Phone Today! Visit www.talkcanada1. com or Toll-Free 1-866-867-8293.

AS SEEN ON TV - 1st, 2nd, Home Equity Loans, Bad Credit, Self-Employed, Bankrupt, Foreclosure, Power of Sale and need to Re-Finance?? Let us fight for you because we understand - Life Happens!! CALL Toll-Free 1-877-7334424 or www.callmortgagebrokers.com.

The Refinancing Specialists (MortgageBrokers.com LIC#10408).

steel Buildings STEEL BUILDINGS PRICED TO CLEAR - Holding 2010 steel prices on many models/sizes. Ask about FREE DELIVERY! CALL FOR QUICK SALE QUOTE and FREE BROCHURE - 1800-668-5111 ext. 170.

To place an ad in

mortgAges

Town Crier

$$$ 1st, 2nd, 3rd MORTGAGES - Tax Arrears, Renovations, Debt Consolidation, no CMHC fees. $50K you pay $208.33/month (OAC). No income, bad credit, power of sale stopped!! BETTER OPTION MORTGAGES, CALL 1-800282-1169, www.mortgageontario.com (LIC# 10969).

STEEL BUILDING WINTER SALE... $3.49 to $11/sq.ft. Immediate orders Call:exclusions/ only - FREE shipping, some Up to 90 days to pay. Deposit required.

Pioneer Manufacturers since 1980. 1800-668-5422. See current specials www.pioneersteel.ca.

416-785-4300 • It’s Affordable • It’s Fast • It’s Easy • It’s Effective • One Bill Does It All

• Northern Ontario $90 • Eastern Ontario $155 • Western Ontario $143 • Central Ontario $145 • All Ontario $449• National Packages Available!

24 TORONTO TODAY MARCH 2011

Sports

Brian Baker

Where stars come from

I

francis crescia/toronto today

A FAMILY TRADITION: Nick Kypreos, wife Anne Marie and kids Theo (left), Anastasia and Zachary take to the ice on their backyard rink. A former NHL player, Kypreos is passing down to his kids what he loves best.

A family plays together

I

By Brian Baker

t’s half past five and dawn is casting its early light along the snowbanks. Team Kypreos is transporting skaters out to at least one of three possible practices.

With three children, ages 6, 10 and toe-dragging on the threshold of 12, this is a common occurrence for Nick and his wife, Anne Marie.

“I personally am a huge fan of the morning practice,” says the Rogers Sportsnet Hockeycentral analyst. “Being the only one on the road at that time of day, finding a way to sneak in a coffee or bagel before practice on Bayview is a bit of a tradition for me and my kids now.”

Kypreos is no stranger to the road, being a former Toronto Maple Leaf and Stanley Cup winner in 1994 with New York Rangers.

Still, a penalty Kypreos would like to kill is travel time.

“Our community puts, at last count, over 300,000 kilometres on driving outside of our community to get to rinks,” he said. “So first and foremost being able to play right in Leaside, GTHL games, I think would mean an awful lot to our community.

“That’s pretty much our number one goal, to really embrace our community in an ongoing basis,” he added.

“We don’t play games in Leaside, unfortunately, and we should.”

So with that, Kypreos admitted, the Bayview heartline could use another rink because of the rich tradition of hockey there.

“The focus is on a second ice pad, which we feel like we’re getting closer (to), but there’s still some obstacles to get over,” he said. “We feel like we can be the first rink up and running in Toronto in the last 40 years almost.”

When Kypreos uses the second person, he’s referring to all Leasiders who have come to the aid of Canada’s

game. Though Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke and Buds legend Doug Gilmour are looking to give a glove up, an entire community is ready to throw the gloves off for their cause.

“There are challenges for sure with the figure skating and the girls hockey, but a second icepad would alleviate a lot of those hurdles,” Kypreos said of getting a new rink.

“We’re definitely trying our best to let the next generation hopefully follow in our footsteps of trying fulfill their dreams.”

The hockey tradition that permeates a small parcel of East York also blankets a portion of Kypreos’ property.

In his backyard, a homemade rink beckons the retired NHLer’s kids. Sons Zachary, Theo, playing AA peewee and A atom respectively, along with daughter Anastasia, fresh-footed in the girls league, take the surface. Nick’s wife Anne Marie, a native Floridian turned “excellent hockey mom”, also enjoys the steady flow of stickmeets-puck.

As a father, Kypreos is just passing down what he loves most.

“At the end of the day, the only tradition that you want to make sure you pass along is there is only one reason why you play this game to begin with and that is to have fun,” Kypreos said. “The moment it really doesn’t become fun is the moment you’ve got to find something else to do.”

For the Kypreos family, as well as Leasiders, there’s no fun lost, only expansion. TT

Homemade rink beckons the kids

think it’s time Canadians pay more attention to our amateur athletes before they hop the border to American universities on fruitful scholarships.

There’s nothing xenophobic about the previous statement, just a heads up to Canadians who neglect our athletes once they graduate from high school.

A constant theme I’ve come across in reporting on amateur sports, and even the brief glimpses into pro sports, is Canada doesn’t do enough to promote sports at the university level.

Angela James, one of the first women inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, expressed concern when I interviewed her last month for a sports feature.

So to wake up some folks out there, who only give the perpetually in-bud Leafs their attention, it’s time to look to where the next NHL superstars will come from.

Down at the Air Canada Centre I watched Canada’s top prospects play on-ice. On the day of the game between Team Cherry and Team Orr, Canadian Hockey League president David Branch announced they had created an advisory board to help CHL players skate through their lives as both players and students.

Joe Birch, director of recruitment and education services at the OHL, says minor hockey’s best kept secret is their scholarship program.

Every player in the league is entitled to a minimum of tuition, textbook and compulsory costs. At present, over 400 CHL players are playing for CIS teams.

“The dollar value is based upon the closest universities to where mom and dad reside,” he said. “If we’re dealing with a Toronto family, it would be the University of Toronto.”

Players don’t have to take their $7,000 per year average to their closest institution though. If they want to attend Durham College for police foundations or fire fighting, or head overseas, the money is theirs.

“That’s some of the messaging that we want to help families understand: that you can play in the preContinued Page 26 MARCH 2011 TORONTO TODAY 25

The wrong part of town

Cont. from Page 25

miere development league in the world — the CHL — try to reach for that goal of playing in the National Hockey League,” Birch said. “If it does not happen, then plan B: continue your education and continue to develop as a hockey player playing in Canadian university hockey.”

Don’t think Birch is just paying lip service, either.

A player for Kitchener Rangers and London Knights, he graduated from University of Western Ontario.

I had the chance to ask current OHLers Lucas Lessio and Dougie Hamilton about the program, Champions On The Ice, and although their eyes are on the NHL draft they’re happy with having an academic wingman.

The next big step is trying to get Toronto fans enthused about the OHL. Even with the Home Hardware Top Prospects Game taking place in the ACC, there was a paltry few in attendance. Grapes, as always, expressed his disappointment with the support the city gave.

“To be honest with you, junior hockey is a tough sell in Toronto,” he said. “And it always has been, except when I played.

“We used to pack 16,000 in the Gardens.” TT

Connect with Canada’s Hidden Talent Pool

Expand your talent sourcing by adding 5,000,000 diverse Canadians not reached traditional sources.

TalentOyster is a diversity job board connecting diverse Canadians with progressive employers looking to hire them. We provide a unique, community place for employers and job-seekers to connect, share opportunities, information and resources.

The original Canadian constitution, the document we celebrate every July 1st, is locked in an archive in England….

It is

NOT Canada in

Do you want it back? We do!

Log on to

Sign the petition, leave a comment, join the grassroots movement to bring the British North America Act home to Canada where it belongs.

26 TORONTO TODAY MARCH 2011

By Shawn Star

ACROSS 1. Pirate’s wheel 5. Offend 10. Norse Poetic or Prose 14. Architectural S-curve 15. Patriotic donut flavour, maybe 16. Sea bird 17. Sign that it’s time to feed the pig?

19. Lie up against 20. He’ll play it again if you ask 21. Newspaper VIPs 23. Ask for without reciprocation 24. The second X or O 27. Beer 30. They come in wood and peppermint 32. What is best for the worst to be 34. Othello’s playground?

37. Cowboy competition 39. Baltimore batter 40. Public space that’s cursed for broomsticks?

44. Popular holiday location 45. It’s shouted to signify its own end 47. Spousal demand in the garage?

49. Lug 50. What it’s not easy to be, for some 52. Acid opposites 54. 24-Dn. rival 55. What you need to take to be on target 56. Wknd day 59. Ghost’s threat 61. Ultimate realities 63. The way to the groom?

69. Sicilian mount 70. Paparazzi victim, for short 71. Threat ender 72. Back talk 73. Jamaican national fruits 74. Turnip, in Scotland

1

2

3

4

9

10

15

16

18

19

14 17

24

25

28

7

8

21

29

34

38

40

50

27

33

37

6

20

26

32

5

35

62

23

31

41

51

61

57

58

63

64

43

45

48

52

42

46

49

53

59

54

60

65

66

67

68

69

70

71

72

73

74

DOWN 1. Part of Santa’s postal code 2. Forbidden word in an Ayn Rand novella 3. Part of a relay race 4. Tent used for dining 5. Genus for the Cardamom plant 6. Buddy 7. More than one person, in Internet slang 8. Soothing plant 9. Inappropriate sort of conduct 10. Terminal info.

11. Disprove 12. Crystalline crust 13. Bids for cards

18. Possesses 22. Headhunter’s treasures 24. 54-Acr. rival 25. Swear 26. Ghanaian currency unit 28. R&B precursor 29. Of a sisterhood 31. Within arm’s length 33. Plant anew when the lumberjacks leave 35. Plenty of it was seen during the G20 36. Docking spot for aliens or peas 38. Watery expanses 41. LRT’s faster, more impressive cousin (and no, we’re not getting one) 42. Scold 43. Berlin Zoo’s mass

media attraction 46. Building wing 47. Evil spirits 48. Skewered meats and veggies 50. They’re pearly in Christian belief 51. Cowboy rope 53. Commonly misconceived as the sun’s proper name 57. Poetic rhyme scheme 58. Journey 60. Welcoming window sign 62. KLM competitor 64. French island 65. Barely passable grade 66. Beer 67. Cyrillic letter 68. Trendy

Stuck? Sorry about that. Check www.MyTownCrier.ca/TorontoToday for the answers (and some relief.)

The last word is

yours

13

39

47

56

30

12

35

44

55

22

11

Do you h Do you ave something t h Send us ave photos to o say? share? your photos f thoughts, letter s or consi dhoddin deration or ott@my . toro ntotoda

y.com

Leaside Paint Centre 1525 Bayview Ave.

Pro Glo Paints 943 Queen St. East

Pro Glo Paints - NEW LOCATION 1162 Eglinton Ave. W.

Upper Canada Decorating Centre 3259 Yonge St.

416.489.7900

416.462.9300

416.256.2600

416.322.0437

www.torontopaintstore.com

N

Bathurst St.

Allen Rd.

Eglinton Ave.

St.

e. rn Av

. e Rd

Easte

e Yong

nu Ave

e.

N

Elm Ridge Dr.

w Av

ve. iew A

on St.

Mert

Bayv

d. ood R

Millw

.

E n St.

Quee

Carla

.

E r Rd.

Mano

www.torontopaintstore.com

Marlee Ave.

www.leasidepaintcentre.com

Lawrence Ave.

N

N

MARCH 2011 TORONTO TODAY 27

SuiteMoves

4()3 &%"25!29 &!,, ). ,/6%

7)4( -)$4/7. 4/2/.4/ 3 .%7 2%.4!, 2%4)2%-%.4 2%3)$%.#% 3TEP INTO 4ORONTO S PREMIERE RESORT INSPIRED RETIREMENT RESIDENCE &ROM THE SMILING FACES OF OUR ATTENTIVE STAFF TO THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF OUR RESIDENTS AND GUESTS HEADING OFF TO A lTNESS OR AQUA lT CLASS LECTURE COMPUTER TUTORIAL

BOOK CLUB DANCE CLASS ART CLASS OR ACTING CLASS THIS IS A VERY UNIQUE COMMUNITY THAT ENJOYS LIFE TO THE FULLEST 0ERHAPS IT S DINNER IN THE "ISTRO OR THE #LASSIC lNE DINING ROOMS FOLLOWED BY THE LATEST MOVIE RELEASE OR ATTEND A MUSICAL RECITAL OR CONCERT )F MEETING POSITIVE INTERESTING LIKE MINDED PEOPLE IS OF INTEREST TO YOU THEN YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE )F FEELING YOUNG AGAIN IS WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THEN YOU HAVE JUST FOUND IT #OME JOIN US AT 4HE $UNlELD

WHERE PEOPLE COME TO ,)6%

,IM

3./ ITED 7 35)4")2$ .OW %3 !VAI LABLE

!,, ).#,53)6%

-4(

&2/-

You make me feel So Young! #(!04%2 47/ 28 TORONTO TODAY

&5,,9 &52.)3(%$ 35)4%3 ./7 !6!),!",%

$UNlELD !VE 4ORONTO #ALL TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION OR A PERSONAL TOUR

7 7 7 4(%$5.&)%,$ #/- s

MARCH !VAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY +INDLY CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION 0RICES AND SPECIlCATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE % / % 2011