Toronto Today - May 2011

TT

oRONTO oday May 2011

IS MIDTOWN NEXT TORY TARGET?

Liberals likely to hold on — but for how long?

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20

See clowns, magicians and crazy stunt acts at the International Circus Festival this month

6

NEWS: The NDP’s young gun

William Molls, 23, takes on all comers

8

BUSINESS: The guys with the codes

How QR codes impact the consumer experience

12

FASHION: You’ve got personality

Finding the right juice to match your mood

18

HOME & GARDEN: DIY cleaners

Be good to your health — and your environment

26

FUN TO DO: One more word about...

Try your hand at Shawn Star’s themed crossword

Plus lots more...

Has Liberal tide run its course?

T

his month kicks off with the federal election being the story du jour, but our fixation with it will have a very short shelf life. We wrestled with the impulse to devote our cover to it, but decided against it for no better reason than we could not reach a consensus on whether much will have been changed by its outcome. Truly, life in Toronto will be back to normal before the election signs have all been tucked away, and by mid-month dinner table conversation may have turned toward a longer-lasting fixation: Arrr-gos!

The election really was more about a power play in Ottawa than front-burner issues in any of our local ridings, no matter which party (or collection of parties) can technically be held responsible for bringing about this rather expensive exercise in the first place.

If the dearth of election signs adorning local lawns didn’t tip you off, perhaps the tepid response to the campaigns did.

No issues were deemed important enough to threaten the seats of midtown MPs, either, with the exception, perhaps, of Joe Volpe in Eglinton-Lawrence. Or maybe Rob Oliphant in Don Valley West.

But that is not to say there is no political change afoot in midtown. The impossible Liberal stranglehold on ridings such as St. Paul’s and Toronto Centre, which allowed Carolyn Bennett and Bob Rae to sleepwalk to victory had they so chosen, is not necessarily here to stay.

Starting on page 4, writer Sandie Benitah examines the curious dynamic that, in spite of a resounding no to Rob Ford in the municipal election, sees the influence of Ford Nation poised to shake the very pillars of Liberal tradition in midtown.

This is the same hands-on mayor who in April rolled up his sleeves and got busy helping erase some signature works by graffiti artists around the city. As reporter

Dan Hoddinott Managing Editor

Tristan Carter discovered in his research for an in-depth story he is working on, the daring location of some of those works has been as much of a statement as the artform itself. Yes, the Fordmobile promises to transport the city’s trusty scrubbers to those sites too.

While this could pass as a contribution to art in only the vaguest of terms (its statements are about as compelling as your monthly utility bills), QR codes are “adorning” the functional artwork of advertising media everywhere these days. On page 8, Shawn Star takes a look at how a couple of enterprising midtown Torontonians are refining the potential of those codes in the world of social media and instant access.

With spring now in full bloom, ’tis the season for stepping out.

On page 11, Kelly Gadzala examines the psychology behind the choices of fashionably scented women, whose decisions you may find wafting on some pleasant evening air.

And there’s lots more to help get you out of that election-induced daze you may find yourself in.

Enjoy spring. And enjoy the issue.

On the cover: Brooklyn accepts a blue rose, making her an Argos cheerleader.

Photo by Francis Crescia

MAY 2011 TORONTO TODAY

News&Opinion

Liberals’ last stand?

Heading into the May 2 federal election, the Liberal stronghold on two key midtown ridings was as solid as ever, while two others were beginning to show the weakening pundits have described as part of the dynamic that gave rise to Ford Nation.

So confident were Liberals in St. Paul’s and Toronto Centre, that incumbent MPs Carolyn Bennett and Bob Rae, respectively, were freed up to join the party’s crack “auxiliary team”, which was parachuted in to select ridings across Canada to lend the weight of their names to Liberal campaigns.

In Don Valley West, on the other hand, Rob Oliphant had to keep looking over his shoulder to check the whereabouts of Conservative challenger John Carmichael, in spite of the fact the riding has been Liberal for almost 20 years. And in Eglinton-Lawrence, longtime MP Joe Volpe was considered the most vulnerable of all midtown Liberals, with Conservative Joe Oliver breathing down his neck for the second consecutive election.

Sandie Benitah takes a look behind the scenes to pinpoint reasons for this shift in dynamics.

T

By Sandie Benitah

he Liberals may have painted Toronto red in recent federal and provincial elections, but polls have shown the fortress is weakening — even in the city’s midtown ridings.

The political shift started during last fall’s municipal mayoral campaign.

Ward 15 Eglinton-Lawrence and both Don Valley wards voted for Rob Ford, a man who flaunted a conservative approach to spending and an iron fist for anyone who dared go against his philosophy.

And in this new federal election, the tide seems to be heading in the same direction.

Pundits began pointing early to Eglinton-Lawrence and Don Valley West as ridings that could change hands from the Liberal Party to the Conservative Party of Canada.

Nik Nanos, a Canadian pollster who kept track of voter support throughout the election campaign, says Ford’s message of fiscal responsibility proved to be a popular platform.

“Money is a hot-button issue,” he told Toronto Today. “The Conservatives have a similar message of managing tax dollars.”

Nanos, who heads up polling firm Nanos Research, said that message will resonate even with the most Tory-wary voter.

“A likely Conservative strategy will be them saying, ‘You don’t have to like us, but we’re good for the economy.’”

Deciding issues But in midtown ridings, the economy isn’t the only issue that could decide a close race.

In Eglinton-Lawrence, the main challenge appears to be the support of minority communities. The ethnic vote was once considered a cinch for Liberals, but in recent years many communities have said the Conservative message has resonated with them.

Joe Volpe, who has represented Eglinton-Lawrence as Liberal MP since 1988, faced a tough fight in 2008. He won against his Conservative opponent Joe Oliver, but by a little more than 2,000 votes, with 44 percent.

Oliver ran again this time with a goal of eliminating that gap. He had been out in earnest, and had knocked on more than 35,000 doors before the campaign had reached its halfway point.

“This riding is accessible (to the Tories) and is on the target list,” Nanos said.

Volpe said he was taking nothing for granted.

TORONTO TODAY MAY 2011

“I go into every campaign worried,” Volpe said in a telephone interview. “I’m never any less or any more worried.

“I do what I have to do.”

Nonetheless, Volpe discounted the Conservatives’ support in the riding and said the issue during the previous election had more to do with voter apathy than waning support.

He said voters chose to stay at home instead of turn out and vote. This time, his focus was on convincing his supporters to turn out.

“I’m hearing at the door that people are in a voting mood,” he said, well into the campaign.

As far as keeping the ethnic vote, Volpe insists his record of supporting the Jewish and Italian communities — both prevalent groups in his riding — far outshine Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s record.

“He makes a good speech but there’s no action,” Volpe said.

He called out the Harper government for selling weapons to several countries in the Middle East. He also pointed out that the Conservatives lost their bid for a seat on the UN Security Council precisely when Israel needed a strong voice at the table.

“Anyone who stops to take a look is realizing reality is a lot different,” he said.

Aside from the ethnic vote, the Liberals must also concern themselves with the political mood of the day, particularly in bellwether ridings like Don Valley West.

The riding’s constituency has historically voted in step with the national As with Bob Rae in Toronto Centre, there was never trend. During the 1980s, when Consera doubt that Carolyn Bennett would hold on to her vative leader Brian Mulroney ruled the St. Paul’s seat for the Liberals.

House, the riding was represented by a

Tory MP. Liberal MP Rob Oliphant has been in office for only one term, after winning a close race with Conservative rival John Carmichael. Oliphant won by 2,660 — more than 44 percent of the vote.

Carmichael came back for a rematch, hoping to take advantage of the Conservatives’ increasing popularity.

Dan Robertson, a top campaign strategist for the Conservatives, acknowledges that the party is more competitive in Toronto this time around.

Though he refused to discuss campaign strategies, he said candidates were being diligent, knocking on doors and talking to as many voters as they could.

“We are certainly going to make a case as persuasively as we can,” he said during a sit-down chat.

He said the Liberals have perhaps been too comfortable with Toronto and the ethnic communities’ support. Because of that, he said, the Liberals under leader Michael Ignatieff have lost sight of what’s important to the city.

“The Liberals have taken Toronto for granted.

We saw the consequences of that most recently in Vaughan.”

Julian Fantino ended a 22-year Liberal reign in Vaughan, and vaulted into Harper’s cabinet, with a by-election win in November.

Robertson pointed to the gas tax and infrastructure projects as signs of Conservative commitments to Toronto.

“The Conservative government has made a lot of investments that have been good for cities and Toronto,” he said. “They’re important stimulus projects for job growth and it has laid an important groundwork for future growth.”

The Liberals agree that transportation is a key issue, especially in midtown Toronto where cars far prevail over public transportation.

Local roadways in Don Valley West are often used as alternative routes for people who are looking to get downtown by car.

In Eglinton-Lawrence, a new housing project around Yorkdale mall is expected to bring 50,000 new people to the area. That, coupled with the mall’s new renovation project, is expected to add to the existing traffic congestion on local streets and the Hwy. 401 strip across midtown.

Volpe has been actively speaking out against this project, making a personal deputation at North York Community Council on behalf of his constituents.

Ford Factor While the Tories headed into the May 2 election certainly optimistic their contributions through the years would help them make gains in Toronto, many wondered whether the Ford Factor would give them the competitive edge needed.

Mayor Ford’s followers have a reputation of being relentless in their support. Most recently, Ford threatened to unleash his so-called Ford Nation on Ontario’s Liberal government in the next provincial election if the city did not receive more funds.

While there were no new funds for Toronto in the provincial budget, Premier Dalton McGuinty did manage to ward off Ford Nation by announcing a short time afterwards a new $12.6 billion transit plan for the city.

Nonetheless, Warren Kinsella, a political commentator and chief strategist for McGuinty, said Continued Page 21

Longtime Eglinton-Lawrence MP Joe Volpe was in tough against Conservative challenger Joe Oliver.

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MAY 2011 TORONTO TODAY

No kidding: Youngest candidate out to win By tristan carter

Easing through the crowd, William Molls tries to get some face time with Jack Layton, who is on his way out of a recent NDP rally in St. Paul’s.

As Molls points out, even after hip surgery the federal NDP leader can still move pretty quick.

The RCMP detail guarding Layton keeps a tight perimeter, but Molls is not just any fresh-faced voter.

“Mr. Layton!” Molls shouts. “I’m your youngest candidate!”

It grabs the leader’s attention. However, the exchange results in little more than a brief handshake, as Layton’s handlers run off with him to the next campaign stop.

At 23, Molls isn’t just interested in how government is run. He’s also running for government.

Molls grew up in the Davisville area, but moved with his family to Stratford when he was eight. He would return to the neighbourhood of his youth years later, to attend Ryerson University where he studied radio and television arts.

While most politically-inclined grads might choose to volunteer with another politician’s campaign, Molls began his own.

“No one was talking about issues I felt were the most important,” Molls said in an interview. “That’s part of the reason I threw my hat in the ring — because I wanted a chance to cast some light on these issues.”

Molls impressed many in October’s municipal elections, when he ran for city council in Ward 22. He finished with only about 4 percent of the vote, but instead of being discouraged he set his sights even higher.

He is the NDP candidate for St. Paul’s in the May 2 federal election.

By all accounts, Molls had no shot against Liberal incumbent Carolyn Bennett.

TORONTO TODAY MAY 2011

tristan carter/toronto today

William Molls’ infamously brief face time with NDP leader Jack Layton.

That’s okay, though. He said he’s used to being overlooked and underestimated.

“I know, just like during the council race, it’s going to be a long shot but that’s where I thrive,” Molls said. “I love being the underdog.”

Constant second-guessing of his age and limited experience made the uphill battle even steeper, he said.

“It’s so frustrating to hear people say, ‘Well, I might vote for you in four years,’ ” Molls said. “Well, I’m running now. If you like me, vote for me now.”

Layton says he was “thrilled” with Molls’ candidacy.

“I don’t buy this argument that just because he’s in his mid-20s that he is too young,” Layton said over the phone from the campaign trail. “It’s an uphill challenge, but then again he’s a very enthusiastic young leader who has shown that he’s got good ideas.” TT

Thinking of Buying or Selling?

Kris Scheuer

$49 million in ‘sunk costs’ G

et ready, midtown, to face the envy and scorn of the rest of Toronto.

A new, underground version for a 25-km Eglinton LRT is moving ahead, thanks to a joint announcement by the province and the city.

Good news, right? Yes, except that the previous plan included $8 billion for surface LRT routes along Finch, Sheppard and Eglinton, and converting the Scarborough RT into light rail transit lines. Then-incoming mayor Rob Ford pronounced that plan dead on Dec. 1.

Mayor Ford wanted the Eglinton line fully buried, so that it won’t interfere with traffic. That’ll be achieved except for a small elevated portion as it approaches Kennedy subway station. Burying the entire rapid streetcar line will increase the cost of the Eglinton project by at least $2 billion.

The result is the $8.4 billion the province had set aside for four will now be entirely eaten up by two: Eglinton and Scarborough. As a result, the new plan cancels LRTs on Sheppard and Finch.

But here’s the kicker: The city will be on the hook to pay back $49 million in costs already incurred for the Sheppard and Finch routes to provincial agency Metrolinx. That is a lot of money down the drain for a decision by a mayor who claims to value respect for taxpayers.

Metrolinx spokesperson Vanessa Thomas says the estimate of $49 million in “sunk costs� is mostly for work on the environmental assessments, designs or engineering and project management for Finch LRT and Sheppard LRT. “The next step is to negotiate the terms of how those costs will be paid back,� Thomas says.

The mayor signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the province and Metrolinx, promising that the city will pay back any costs already incurred for the original projects.

But back to the good news for midtown, which is the 25-km Eglinton route moving forward. Midtowners already saw tunnels for an Eglinton subway buried by former premier Mike Harris in the 1990s.

Residents and businesses along this vital east-west corridor have waited a generation for a route on Eglinton

that’s faster than the current buses that struggle in congested traffic.

Mayor Ford promised commuters a shorter trip on Eglinton.

A trip from Kennedy to Laird Avenue takes about 28 minutes by bus, he said, and a surface train down the middle of Eglinton would be only eight minutes faster. “Our new plan will cut that travel time in half,� he told the media.

Mayor Ford promised Finch won’t be left in the cold, as the city will run enhanced bus service from a Humber College station to a new Finch West station, to be built as part of a separate subway extension.

And he announced, perhaps for the first time, subway service on Finch within a decade.

But Ford’s big push is to leverage $4.2 billion from the private sector to build a new Sheppard subway line, from Downsview to Don Mills station and then east to a new terminus at Scarborough City Centre.

He promises to report back with a financial plan on how to achieve this goal.

As midtown councillor Joe Mihevc told reporters at the March 31 transit announcement, the city will have to pay back the private sector if they do invest billions in a Sheppard subway. And in his view there’s no guarantee it’ll even happen.

Said Mihevc: “The suburbs get screwed. Transit riders get screwed.

The people along Finch get screwed and the Sheppard subway, if it ever gets built, will in-debt the city to such an extent that not only will my children, but my children’s children will be responsible for paying for it.�

In the meantime, get ready for rapid transit on Eglinton. Midtowners aren’t the only ones who want this to happen. But don’t be surprised if you get some disgruntled looks from people in the suburbs as they tell tales of their daily commute on crowded buses. They still dream of one day getting rapid transit of their own. TT

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MAY 2011 TORONTO TODAY

Business

Guys with engaging codes

By Shawn Star

Y

Jeff Jacobson, left, and Corey Herscu show off the scannable, consumer-engaging QR codes.

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.

Marc Linett, a partner in the personal injury law firm of Linett & Timmis, has been practicing accident and insurance litigation in Toronto for over 35 years. His firm has established a solid reputation representing thousands of injured victims and their families throughout Ontario.

Marc Linett

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

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

Q

: I had a bad fall on my way to the subway the other day. The sidewalk was very icy and slippery in front of someone’s house.

They hadn’t bothered to shovel or put down salt. I hurt my back and the doctor is sending me for an MRI and physiotherapy. Can anyone be held responsible for the dangerous condition of the sidewalk where I fell?

A

: In Toronto and other municipalities in Ontario, the local by-laws delegate the responsibility for clearing public sidewalks to the adjacent homeowners. However, the municipality remains responsible to people who are injured if the homeowner has failed in his obligation.

In cases involving falls on snow and ice, the injured victim must establish gross negligence on the part of the municipality. This can often be done by examining the city’s inspection policies and procedures to determine whether they have been properly followed. There is a requirement that the city be notified in writing of the claim including details of the accident and its location within 10 days. Failure to give this notice may be fatal to your chances of success. Accordingly, even if you are not sure whether you have a good case, you should immediately notify the municipality to preserve your rights. You should seek legal advice promptly to understand your rights in this complicated area of personal injury law.

TORONTO TODAY MAY 2011

ou’ve seen it on real estate signs. You’ve seen it on movie posters. You’ve probably even seen it on ads in the subway.

That little box with a series of black and white squares is appearing left, right and centre. But what is it?

It’s a QR code. The idea behind it is to connect the consumer more directly with a product, simply by scanning the code with a cellphone. From there, the consumer is taken directly to a mobile website with interactive information about the product. Essentially, it’s the latest advancement in marketing.

While it’s been huge in Asia and Europe for a few years now, the QR code has yet to catch on in North America.

But that could all be about to change, thanks to the co-founders of Toronto-based QR Agency, who combined their talents to perfect the accessibility of the codes.

“We noticed that the people who are into QR in Toronto just aren’t doing it effectively, so we took our knowledge and just ran with it,” said co-founder Corey Herscu, while running a busy booth at the International Home and Garden Show in April. “It has that ‘wow’ factor of seeing something for the first time.”

Herscu combined his background in mobile devices with the creative advertising background of Jeff Jacobson to form QR Agency in January.

While the codes are meant to create a more direct link between business and consumer, the pair did all of their own research in order to maximize the potential for both sides.

“We downloaded all the apps, we had all the phones and devices, and we tried out all the applications for scanning on those devices,” Jacobson said. “So we know through our own research how big the barcodes have to be and what colours work and don’t work.”

Now, with Herscu at 27, Jacobson at 26 and the business at three months, the young entrepreneurs are finding themselves at the forefront of the latest technological advancement.

While they acknowledge that they aren’t the only ones offering the technology, what was it about them that separated them from the pack?

“People are using them, but they’re not using them correctly,” Jacobson said, offering an example. “When you’re on the subway and you see a QR code, it’s pretty much useless, because you’re underground: unless you’re at Davisville, or at an outdoor station, then it’s absolutely useless.”

Herscu’s mobile background gives the team the ability to build the accessible mobile websites, while Jacobson’s expertise in creativity is what helps them avoid the subway scenario. In fact, they put their heads together for a good cause, in the wake of the recent earthquake and tsunami destruction in Japan.

“We put posters around the city that people could scan and be taken directly to a portal to donate directly to the Red Cross,” Herscu said, mentioning that they also cut costs so more money from the donations would go to the cause.

Herscu said the technology is keeping with the times. That is, it can keep up in a fast-paced world.

“People nowadays are constantly on the go, so we want to capitalize on that and not lose engagement of the people already on the go,” he said.

“It’s full product engagement in the palms of your hands.”

And Jacobson echoed the sentiment.

“Now when you walk by a storefront and you see a clothing sale on the window, you can now scan a barcode and go through and shop on your phone, if you don’t have time to go in on your way to work.”

You name a product, and QR Agency has thought of a way to enhance the consumer experience. Food labels can link you directly to recipe videos. Even at the Home and Garden Show, there were products with the code — and those have the potential to link you to gardening tip videos.

As can happen with technology, QR codes could be susceptible to being just a passing fad, but Jacobson sees a much brighter future.

“I think we haven’t seen yet what the real potential of it is,” he said. “I wouldn’t call it a trend — I think that it’s a tool.

“It’s a good marketing tool, it spreads the reach of campaigns and it takes something that was traditional and linear and makes it digital and interactive.” TT

A

By Karolyn Coorsh

young woman sits alone in a field, staring blankly into the vast expanse that surrounds her. Later, the same woman is bound to chair in a dirty basement, eyes wide with fear.

Feeling a tad uneasy?

Good, says film director James Dubbeldam, who wrote and directed the award-winning 2010 film Fallen Before Falling.

The feeling of impending doom is precisely what the Lawrence Park CI alum was trying to conjure in this psychological drama.

The storyline follows successful actor Anastasia, who rents an abandoned farm to seek solace from her life. Played by Toronto actor Cecile Butt, Anastasia is hoping seclusion will help tackle her untold demons.

As the film unfolds, the viewer is left to question whether the move to rural life is helping or hurting Anastasia’s cause. And, as with many a movie thriller, not all is what it seems.

Shot over seven days on a 100-acre farm property near Innisfil, the feature-length film has just finished the international film festival circuit.

In April, Fallen Before Falling took home the Best Canadian Feature prize at the 2011 Canada International Film Festival.

Adding extra distinction to the accolade was that the film was 30 year old Dubbeldam’s first foray into feature-length filmmaking, though he’s been working behind the lens and with a scriptwriter’s pen since his teen years at Lawrence Park CI. Back then he was a laidback teen like any other, but Dubbeldam soon discovered he was yearning to carve out his own path. He was just

unsure how to do it.

“My entire family is artistic, and I had no creative outlet whatsoever,” he says over coffee at Yonge and St. Clair, metres from where he once toiled as a record store hack.

Like other bored and unengaged high schoolers, Dubbeldam enrolled in a hands-on screen arts class, thinking it would be an easy way to score a good grade.

Something clicked.

“As soon as picked up the camera, I knew that was my creative outlet,” he recalls. “I remember the moment, I picked it up and I was like, this it — this is what I’ve been looking for to express myself.”

Dubbeldam immersed himself in the artistic process, creating video shorts during his final years at Lawrence Park. He helped with the school’s video yearbook, long before the age of iMovie and Final Cut Pro. “That was back in the days when we did linear editing, like a VHS-to-VHS kind of thing,” he recalls. “No computers involved.”

Naturally, by the time post-secondary schooling queries came flashing on to the screen, Dubbeldam was toying with the idea of film school.

Instead, he took some time off, and eventually enrolled in Ryerson University’s business management program. Leaving that program sans degree, Dubbeldam says he was continually drawn to film projects.

“I was waiting until the point where I felt like I was just ready to run with it,” he says. “And I knew there’d be a certain point where I’d let Continued Page 10

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Canadian filmmaker James Dubbeldam on the set. The camera, he says, is his creative outlet.

Cont. from Page 9

nothing get in my way and I would sacrifice anything to make it happen.�

By the time Dubbeldam reached his mid-20s, he was ready to do just that. In 2006, he quit his job at a travel agency to focus on scriptwriting.

Unfortunately, in transforming words to moving image, he had to utilize whatever business acumen he had acquired at school to get these projects off the ground.

Dubbeldam admits he chose Fallen Before Falling as his first feature because it could be produced under tight budget constraints.

It’s a familiar frustration for artists in Toronto, he says. “It’s not really a culture where people know much about independent film and emerging artists,� he says of Canada’s film landscape. “And that’s a shame, because you have to start somewhere and most people say, ‘Well, I’m going to end up in Hollywood, that’s where I need to be, there’s nothing here.’�

The fallout from that, Dubbeldam says, is Canada’s absence from the mainstream cinematic scene. “If you ask your ordinary person (to) name five Canadian films, they’ll struggle at two.�

Though Fallen Before Falling wasn’t his first choice, Dubbeldam says he’s proud of the result. After all, the film explores society’s complex struggle with, and understanding of, mental illness — a topic Dubbeldam was itching to tackle. “I wanted to challenge myself, and just basically get into the mind of somebody with some problems.�

Moviegoers are intrigued by society’s dark underbelly, he says. “I like characters that are happy and where everything’s going great for them, but every one of those characters in real life will have a secret or will have things from their past,� he says. “No one’s really that one-dimensional.�

Now with an award-winning feature under his belt, Dubbeldam is not resting on his laurels. He is working on new scripts, but his passion for the indie filmmaking scene is evident in his newest venture: creating a film festival.

Focusing on his company, Film Addict Productions, Dubbeldam is also working to establish the Toronto International Film and Video Awards. A joint venture with business partner Jeff Applewhite, the festival and award are meant to showcase the work of filmmakers who don’t have other means of promotion. “We really wanted to start something that worked a little bit different and ultimately offered more to artists to get recognition for their work,� he said, adding their website will be a place artists can upload trailers for submitted works.

It’s a tall order, given the generous number of special interest festivals out there these days.

But Dubbeldam, once again, has his eye on the prize. “Ultimately, we want to create a community.� TT

His real passion is for indie scene

10 TORONTO TODAY MAY 2011

Leading the preppy pack The word “diva” is a heartbeat away from describing you, as you’re a natural leader with heaps of confidence. Vera Wang Preppy Princess is the juice for you.

Fifth in the Princess family of fragrances, Preppy Princess eau de toilette is made for the type of gal Wang describes as a fashion prepster: young, clean-cut but not conservative; the type of girl to mix preppy plaid and pearls with super high heels.

Packaged in the signature heart-shaped Princess bottle — this time the bottle is hot pink with a darling blue and white plaid overtop — this scent sprays on fruity at first, exhibiting notes of tangerine and red apple, then progresses to honeysuckle and jasmine, finishing with a woodsy smell and a touch of coconut water.

Perfect for the classic prepster with a bit of sass. Snatch it up before the other gals do as it’s in stores only until fall.

Available at The Bay, Murale, Shoppers Drug Mart, $49.99.

Take a walk on the wild side If you’re more the sultry, daring type, or if you simply want to explore your bad girl exotic side, try Into the Wild, part of Bath & Body Works “Sexy” collection.

Spicy and floral at the same time, the juice starts with fruity notes of pear blossom and mandarin, with middling notes of magnolia petals and night blooming jasmine, drying on your skin with warm notes of gold patchouli leaves, white moss and a woodsy, warm musk finish.

You’re bold, so you’re not afraid to “go big or go home”: you’ll go to town using the entire set of shower gel, body lotion, triple moisture body cream, and — for the days when you tone down your fiery self — the lighter fragrance mist.

A must-have for the world traveler or adventuresome spirit.

Available at Bath & Body Works, $34.50 for the eau de toilette.

Go with the flow Are we sick of celebrity scents yet? How can we be when the juice is by all-American girl next door, Jennifer Aniston?

Aniston’s debut fragrance is as unpretentious as she appears to be, epitomizing her beachy earthiness and effortless glam.

First, there’s the bottle — simple yet flowy — evoking a cresting wave, and also the Frank Gehry architecture that the starlet admires.

The scent itself starts off with citrus and rose water notes, blooming onto jasmine and wild violet florals with a final base note that includes sandalwood and golden amber.

This is the fragrance for the gal who exudes casual glam, who can throw her hair up in a ponytail and still look gorgeous. If you love nature, the ocean and the sun-kissed look, this earthy, sensual scent is worth a spritz or two.

Available at Sephora, $45–81.

Continued Page 12

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Canada in Afghanistan

T

By David J. Bercuson

he struggle to unseat the Taliban from power in Afghanistan, and keep it from returning to power, is Canada’s longest war by far.

On Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists hijacked four U.S. passenger planes; they crashed two of them into the World Trade Center in New York City, destroying the center, and one into the Pentagon in Washington. The fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania when passengers tried to re-take the aircraft.

Very quickly after, the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) condemned the attacks and invited nations to join to destroy the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The Taliban were blamed because they had hosted and protected Al Qaeda — which had launched these attacks and many earlier ones — and its leader, Osama bin Laden.

Canada’s initial response was to send a naval task force of six ships to the Persian Gulf in October 2001 to help enforce an embargo on the Pakistan coast to prevent smuggling of weapons and other war-making material to the Taliban and to stop terrorist leaders from fleeing by sea. Six air force planes were also sent to help ferry troops and supplies.

Canadians in overwhelming numbers (more than 70 percent in some opinion polls) also demanded a land contingent. The first part of that commitment was a small number (40) of highly secret special forces — commandos trained to operate very close to the enemy or even behind enemy lines — from a Canadian unit called Joint Task Force II. It is assumed they were sent in October or November 2001. On October 8, 2001 the government announced that it would send some 700 troops to southern Afghanistan’s Kandahar province to fight under American command.

The Canadian troops were the 3rd Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3PPCLI) accompanied by troops and vehicles of Lord Strathcona’s Horse, a Canadian armoured regiment. They stayed in southern Afghanistan from mid-January 2002 to July 2002 and then returned to Canada.

The only four deaths in the contingent resulted from a mistaken bombing by a US fighter jet. Canadian ships and aircraft remained on Afghan war duties after 3PPCLI left.

In February 2003 the government announced that Canadian soldiers would return to Afghanistan in the late summer to take over the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) which was then confined to the capital city of Kabul. ISAF was a UN-sponsored force that was established in late 2001 to prevent the departing Taliban from returning to Kabul and to prevent war lords from fighting to control the capital. Canada had considered joining ISAF in late 2001 rather than going to Kandahar, but Britain, which first led the mission, would not accept Canada’s conditions.

Now Canada intended to command ISAF and to provide about 2,000 soldiers for security and other functions to aid the

Afghanistan government. But as the time for deployment drew closer, the Canadian military acknowledged that Canada did not have the capacity to undertake all those chores. With the urging of the United States, the NATO offered to join with Canada, but under a Canadian commander. Thus NATO joined the Afghanistan operation.

Canadian Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier, commander of the Canadian army, took command of ISAF in early February 2004 and stayed in Kabul for nine months. At this point, plans were being made to have NATO expand ISAF to all of Afghanistan in the late spring or early summer of 2006. Different NATO countries were volunteering to establish Provincial Reconstruction Teams in all of Afghanistan’s provinces. These PRTs, as they were called, were supposed to work with local political, military, and police leaders to begin re-building the country. At the same time, the training of the Afghan army and police was also to be undertaken by NATO countries.

Canada volunteered to set up its PRT in Kandahar Province, in the northern suburbs of Kandahar City. Canada also undertook to move almost all its forces in Afghanistan from Kabul to Kandahar province. The government warned Canadians that this new mission would likely involve combat with the Taliban who thought of Kandahar as the centre of their movement. Kandahar is a major opium and marijuana-producing region and the home of thriving drug and weapons smuggling along the border with Pakistan. When the Canadians began to move into Kandahar in the spring of 2006, Canadian casualties increased dramatically.

Some of the casualties occurred in actual combat with the Taliban but most resulted from roadside bombs, also known as Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs. The Canadian mission in Kandahar was extended to 2009 by a vote in Parliament in May of 2006 and extended again to 2011 in another vote in February 2008. So far more than 130 Canadians have been killed in the mission and hundreds more wounded. Canadians remain deeply divided on whether or not Canada should continue with a combat mission — or any kind of mission — in Afghanistan after 2011, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government appears determined to bring the troops home.

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 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

Cont. from Page 11

Mix-it-up metropolitan Make a splash and dive right in, ’cos summer’s near and it’s just about time to sip cocktails by the poolside or at some trendy bar.

The Marc Jacobs Splash Collection is a trio of scents — Ginger, Cranberry and Curaçao — each housed in a Marc Jacobs signature oversize rectangular glass bottle that oozes metropolitan chic.

They’re summery light fragrances that can be used as room spray, and they’re not so feminine that men can’t wear them, so heads up if your bottle goes missing, ladies!

The Ginger scent, a spicy citrus with a glittering yellow tone, evokes ginger and nutmeg to start, then geranium and rhubarb, and finally amber and musk.

A spray of this and you’re invigorated, fresh and ready to party until dawn.

The Cranberry, meanwhile, is woodsy, starting with pink grapefruit, cranberry and bergamot, and evolving into honeysuckle and red currant before a woodsy, icy musk end.

The deep cranberry hue evokes a setting summer sun — just right for the urban gal or guy who likes to unwind with pals, sipping cocktails from an urban rooftop setting.

The Curaçao juice is a touch sweeter than the rest. Inspired by the tropics, it derives its top note from blood oranges and lime, its middling note from violet, pear and apricot, and its final, lingering note from white moss and musk.

A bright blue shade, the hue of a tropical wave, this fragrance will call to the person who likes to daydream and escape and relax, sipping cocktails on the beach.

Get them while they’re hot — literally: the juicy trio will be around only until the end of summer.

Available at The Bay, Holt Renfrew, Sephora and Murale, about $85 each for 300ml. TT

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Surgery myths & magic

T

By Liz Campbell

hey say that 60 is the new 40. And it is, if Dr. Peter Adamson has anything to do with it.

As we age, gravity works against us, pulling down frown lines and creating wattles. And because aging skin is less supple and firm, it simply gives in to the relentless pull downward. But weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still young on the inside, even though many of us may look older on the outside. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most patients simply want their outer appearance to reflect their inner spirit,â&#x20AC;? says Dr. Adamson, a Toronto facial cosmetic surgeon.

However, he adds, there are many reasons why his patients come to him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Usually, they see something in the mirror that has always bothered them and want it fixed.â&#x20AC;?

Or it may indeed be that aging leaves them looking tired or even frowning.

Brenda Sabine-Green is 58. She didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want a major change, but she says every time she looked in the mirror she looked tired. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m animated, so my face moves a lot,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And all that movement takes a toll on your skin.â&#x20AC;?

At about age 40, she noticed that her eyes were drooping, so SabineGreen had a procedure called blepharoplasty, which lifts the upper eyelids and removes excess skin in the area. It also entails tightening the area below the eyes to remove puffiness. Now it was time for the lower part of her face where the sagging skin at her jaw line bothered her. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dr. Adamson made it look natural,â&#x20AC;? she reported. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not even my close family felt my face had changed significantly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best of all, friends who didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d had surgery said things like, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;You look restedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;You look younger.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; I love it!â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Two-thirds of North Americans dislike something about their faces,â&#x20AC;?

Dr. Adamson says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Finding the courage to change it can result in a marvellous transformation.â&#x20AC;?

However, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quick to add, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not one that should be undertaken lightly.

The first visit to his office is an hour long, and during it, the doctor tries to elicit the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motivation for the surgery and ensure that expectations are realistic. Usually, the motive is simply, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to change this.â&#x20AC;?

But, laughs Dr. Adamson, one woman returned a year after her surgery and confided: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I told you I just wanted to look a little better, but I really wanted to meet a husband. And I have!â&#x20AC;?

Sometimes the motive may be completely unrealistic. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had one patient who wanted to look better so he could be an actor,â&#x20AC;?

Dr. Adamson recalls. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He had never done any acting but thought a new face would give him a new career. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t magic. He has more chance of being run over by a Brinks truck! We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do the surgery, but I helped him to find counselling.â&#x20AC;?

Dr. Adamson has seen so many transformations in his office, it motivated him to write a book about it. In Fabulous Faces, subtitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;From Motivation to Transformation through Facial Plastic Surgeryâ&#x20AC;?, Dr. Adamson describes many different types of facial surgery as well as alternative procedures. He takes the reader on a very personal journey with several of his patients â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from the first decision through the post-surgical period, to the final result. There are even little tips â&#x20AC;&#x201D; such as change your hairdo â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to prevent the improvement being the first thing people notice.

The book dispels many of the myths surrounding plastic surgery, but it is frank about the risks and the pain involved.

Continued Page 16

Tips for safe-sunning

T

By Agnes Ramos

he sun is the giver of heat, light and day. Positive benefits of the sun include vitamin D and higher mood levels. However, the sun can also be a source of damage to human skin.

The busy, activity-packed summer months are not far off. To be prepared to practise safe-sun, follow these few simple steps:

Wear a hat Putting on a broad-brimmed hat will not only protect your face but will also shade your eyes. Extra care should be taken for facial skin, as it is thinner and more delicate compared to the rest of the body.

Be mindful of the sun’s peak hours The sun is at its peak between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Try to stay out of the sun during these hours. If it is unavoidable, cover any exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants instead of shorts.

Always wear SPF Even on a cool, overcast day, the sun’s rays seep through the clouds.

Apply sunscreen 15–30 minutes before and after sun exposure. Make sure the SPF is at least 15 and offers both UVA and UVB protection.

Don’t like the sticky feeling of sunscreen? Use a spray, which disperses thin, even layers. There are also many body lotions on the market that have

SPF mixed into their formula.

Avoid tanning Achieving the “healthy” bronzed look is still possible without having to cook under the sun all day. A tan is a result of melanin pigment being produced by the skin to protect against UV damage. Symptoms of sun damage could be dry and leathery skin, freckles, fine lines, moles and premature aging. Instead of soaking up the sun, try self-tanners or gradual tan moisturizers, which are risk free.

Eat To protect against free radicals the skin absorbs from sun exposure, try to incorporate foods rich in antioxidants into your diet. Consume green tea, pomegranate, blueberries, tomatoes and other foods containing high vitamin A, C and E content. Although topical protection is the most effective, a healthy diet adds to the body’s resilience against external damaging factors. TT

Education that empowers!

CSNN is a leader in providing education that provides for optimum health and a lasting career into the 21st century.

Regardless of developments in medicine and health sciences, food grown and produced wholesomely remains one of the most essential elements of health. We are looking towards a future where every health care professional will work alongside a holistic nutritionist towards a common goal: preventive health care through good

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A career in holistic nutrition is an enviable way to contribute to the new century.

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All courses in the program are designed to provide the essential nutritional knowledge as well as to develop the client/practi tioner relationship. Students who successfully complete the program qualify for the professional designation R.H.N. (Registered Holistic Nutritionist/Registered Holistic Nutritional Consultant ) Knowledge in natural nutrition is key in serving this growing need of preventative health care.

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

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MAY 2011 TORONTO TODAY 15

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unglasses are widely considered a wardrobe essential, along with shoes and handbags, but it’s easy to forget they also serve a more important purpose: to protect our eyes from the harmful rays of the sun.

“UV rays have a cumulative effect over time and can lead to serious eye diseases that don’t always have a cure,” says Dr. Keith Gordon, vice president of research and service quality at CNIB. “This is why the best line of defense is prevention through quality sunglasses that block out these rays.

“UV rays can be present even on cloudy days or in the winter, so it’s important to wear sunglasses all year round.”

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Bonita’s story describes not just the discomfort and nausea on her first night, but also the fact that her son won’t visit because “he doesn’t want to see me like this.”

The upside comes from stories like Mary’s. She is exultant but nonetheless realistic.

“Having facial surgery hasn’t made me look like a 30 year old again,” she says. “But wherever I go, whatever I’m wearing, no matter how little makeup I have on my face, I feel

UVB rays.

“As Canadians start spending more time outdoors in the spring and summer, sun protection for the eyes should be a top priority right next to sunscreen and a hat,” says Dr. Gordon.

Children, in particular, need protection as their eye tissues are more susceptible to sun damage and they tend to be outdoors more often.

In celebration of Vision Health Month in May, CNIB is calling on all Canadians to don their favourite shades on May 26 to help raise awareness about the importance of eye health and raise funds to support vital CNIB services in their communities.

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— News Canada

like a very well-preserved 60-plus woman who always looks her best and is aging amazingly well.

“I have a new confidence in my appearance and a new bounce in my step.”

The book is a valuable reference for anyone considering a change. But note that change doesn’t come cheaply. Sabine-Green, who spent $18,000 for both a lower facelift and dermabrasion, puts it into perspective.

“We’re all willing to do without to do some-

thing we really want to do,” she says. “For my husband it’s a snowmobile — for me, it’s my face.”

Dr. Adamson’s book is available for $29.95 through Amazon.com.

Ten percent of the proceeds go to the Canadian Foundation for Facial Plastic Surgery, a humanitarian organization that sponsors overseas missions for surgeons to operate on underprivileged children with congenital and traumatic deformities. Dr. Adamson is its president. TT

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MAY 2011 TORONTO TODAY 17

Home&Garden

Open Up

Your Living Space

DIY cleaners

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By Mary Fran McQuade

pring cleaning is an annual rite of passage â&#x20AC;&#x201D; maybe because we can see so much better in the sunshine, or maybe because we feel more energetic when weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not constantly weighted down by coats and boots and hats.

And then, there are those family gatherings looming: Passover, Easter, Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, graduation and weddings. All are reasons for a good scrub around the house.

The downside of cleaning is that, these days, some commercial products are downright nauseating.

I remember the mid-range London hotel, where we slept with the window open at night because their strongscented cleaning products overpowered our pure Canadian lungs. Then there was the neighbour whose dryer exhaust carried the cloying scent of fabric softener over nearby gardens and patios.

It just ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessary, folks. In these days of rampant chemical sensitivities, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need phoney aromas to be squeaky clean.

Even if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have kids or environmental sensitivities, you might want to cut down on the chemicals you send down the drain and into the water supply. After all, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to drink that stuff eventually, so why put the extra load on water purification systems?

Bonus: You may even save money using these simple, homemade cleaning methods.

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What youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need â&#x20AC;˘ White vinegar â&#x20AC;&#x201D; lots and lots of it â&#x20AC;˘ Baking soda â&#x20AC;˘ Borax (a natural powder that cleans and disinfects) â&#x20AC;˘ Cream of tartar (a powdered, natural by-product of wine-making, found in grocery baking sections and bulk food stores) â&#x20AC;˘ Clean, soft rags for cleaning and dusting (flannel shirts with buttons cut off, t-shirts and old diapers work well) â&#x20AC;˘ Several empty, clean spray bottles for the solutions youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll make â&#x20AC;˘ Old newspapers, for window cleaning â&#x20AC;˘ Nylon scrubbing pads â&#x20AC;˘ Microfibre cloths â&#x20AC;˘ Small bottles of your favourite essential oils (lavender, rose, and neroli are nice). Add a few drops to vinegar solutions if scent is too â&#x20AC;&#x153;vinegaryâ&#x20AC;?

Make-it-yourself healthy cleaners General-purpose cleaners â&#x20AC;˘ 2 parts borax mixed with 1 part baking soda. Sprinkle on, scrub with damp cloth/sponge and wipe dry. â&#x20AC;˘ 30â&#x20AC;&#x201C;60 ml white vinegar or 125 ml borax mixed in 3 litres of boiling water. â&#x20AC;˘ 15â&#x20AC;&#x201C;60 ml baking soda dissolved in 1 litre of water. Spray on hard surfaces and wipe.

Disinfecting cleaners â&#x20AC;˘ 125 ml borax in 4 litres of warm

water. â&#x20AC;˘ 10 ml borax, 60 ml vinegar and 750 ml of hot water.

Toilets â&#x20AC;˘ Add 60 ml vinegar and 250 ml borax to toilet bowl and leave overnight, then scrub with a brush. â&#x20AC;˘ Spray or pour white vinegar around sides of bowl (add a sprinkle of baking soda, if you like) and scrub with a brush.

To freshen, add 500 ml vinegar to toilet bowl and let stand 8 hours or overnight.

Sinks, tubs and tile â&#x20AC;˘ Use a nylon scrubbing pad, a little soap and some elbow grease. â&#x20AC;˘ Dampen enamel sink/tub, sprinkle cream of tartar on stained spots. Let stand, then scrub entire surface. â&#x20AC;˘ Mix baking soda, salt and borax. Shake on damp enamel surface and scrub. â&#x20AC;˘ Add 60 ml vinegar to 3 litres of water and spray/wipe on.

Stainless steel sinks/appliances â&#x20AC;˘ Use baking soda and water generalpurpose cleaner. â&#x20AC;˘ Moisten cloth with white vinegar and wipe surface.

Windows â&#x20AC;˘ Mix equal parts water and vinegar, spray on and wipe with black-and-white newspaper. If streaks appear, add a dash of dish soap and repeat. TT

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anâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you just feel that summer is coming? Victoria Day, the first long weekend and unofficial kick-off to summer is just around the corner. Those unwelcome snow dumps of April are long gone and it is safe to plan some outside fun for the family. This month, get in the summer mood with some quintessentially Canadian activities. Take a hike, enjoy some barbeque, hit a festival or go camping for a night. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all right in the city, so no long highway drives required!

Pitch a tent right in the city Have you taken the kids camping yet? Try a practice run at Glen Rouge campground.

Spring is a great time to look for wildflowers and birds returning from their winter migration. Combine your camping trip with a trip to the Toronto zoo, within walking distance on their trails. The secure campground offers sites for tents or RVs, washrooms with showers, a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s playground and a fire pit for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows.

Six people, two tents and two cars are allowed per site, with rates at $22â&#x20AC;&#x201C;30 a day. Come by bike or by bus and stay on an un-serviced site for only $14 a day. Firewood and ice are available on site.

7450 Kingston Rd. Reservations: grouge@trca. on.ca or 416-667-6295. Maps: www.toronto.ca/ parks/parks/glen_rouge.htm.

Trapezes and magicians and clowns, oh my!

The summer months will bring a host of fantastic festivals, but none will be quite as eye popping as the Toronto International Circus Festival, presented May 21â&#x20AC;&#x201C;23 by Zero Gravity Circus and Harbourfront Centre.

The waterfront will be bursting with clowns, stunt people, magicians, enormous balloon creations and much more. At the Westjet stage, check out 46 circus acts in 45 minutes, and performances by the Canadian National Youth Circus. The Redpath Stage will feature one-person shows packed with tricks, comedy and interactivity, and the Studio Theatre will be dedicated to puppet shows.

If all this mayhem has your kids feeling inspired, they can head into one of the workshop rooms and become part of the show. Kids 5â&#x20AC;&#x201C;14 can try their hand (and bodies!) on the aerial equipment and mini-trampoline, or graduate from the Natrel Clown Club with their new persona, a red nose and a diploma.

Free all weekend. 11 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5 p.m. daily.

235 Queens Quay West. www.TOCircusFestival. com

Get a taste of the grill without dusting off the barbeque Nothing tastes more like summer than a delicious barbequed hamburger. Eschew the drive-through variety and the fancy gourmet burger shops and hit one of Torontoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s independent burger joints.

Ask friends or colleagues where to get the best burger and you will quickly find people are passionate about their favourite spot. To get you started, here are a few Toronto favourites: Riverdaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dangerous Danâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Diner serves up hefty burgers with fries or mashed potatoes and a host of creative toppings. Try The Elvis with bacon, peanut butter and fried banana, or The Big Kahuna with a pineapple slice, peameal bacon and mozzarella. 714 Queen St. East at Broadview.

For a great beef or other meat burger, grab a table downtown at Utopia CafĂŠ. Try the Homemade Chicken burger scented with rosemary, the Kissing Cousins burger made with fresh ground lamb topped with goat cheese, or the Grilled Bison Burger made with farm-raised bison. For a twist on the traditional, try The Le Burger with brie, French Dijon and roasted red peppers. Delicieux! 586 College St., west of Bathurst.

Take a hike!

Toronto Parks offer a series of free self-guided Discovery Walks. Each connects neighbourhoods through ravines, parks, gardens and beaches, with pieces of history and eco facts along the way. The trail system is so extensive, your family can likely find your way onto one regardless of where you are.

Each walk has its own pamphlet that includes a map, detailed route and points of interest. Hikers can hop on or off a walk anywhere along the route, but most offer convenient start and end points near the TTC. Choose from 11 routes, such as Eastern River and Beaches, Uptown Toronto or Humber River.

For a complete list and to download any walk in PDF format, visit toronto.ca/parks/trails/discover/ htm. TT

Cont. from Page 5

the Ford phenomenon is likely a thing of the past.

“I think the whole Ford Nation thing was overblown,” he said in a telephone interview. “He didn’t come up with a cure for cancer.”

Ford’s success, he said, was due more to chief rival George Smitherman having run “a lousy campaign.”

Furthermore, Kinsella said, people were voting against outgoing mayor David Miller rather than in support of Ford.

In fact, Ford’s success has probably helped Liberals like Volpe, as candidates can now go door-to-door and promise that the interests of Liberal voters in Toronto can still have a voice, Kinsella said.

“Ford has set up a difficult position for both (Ontario PC Leader) Tim Hudak and Harper,” he said.

Besides, said Kinsella, while the Conservatives may have the Ford Factor, Toronto Liberals have the incumbent factor.

“The Liberals’ advantage in Toronto is that they are all pretty good constituency MPs,” he said. “That’s what happens when you’re in opposition: there’s no largesse to focus on, so they focus on the riding.

“Plus, they have brand value.”

Aside from that, Ignatieff also has a sound economic plan for families that he revealed in the updated version of the Red Book — the Liberal election tome.

As well, the Liberals have a record of running a surplus while they were in government, as opposed to the structural deficit Harper’s Conservatives were facing at the time Parliament was dissolved.

Kinsella said he can’t fathom why Ignatieff was not talking to voters about that.

“I don’t get it,” he said. “It’s low-hanging fruit for all of them.

“It’s the issue people want to hear about.”

Key battleground The data shows that Liberals have room to grow if they capitalize on these opportunities, particularly if voters begin to fear the possibility of a majority government.

During the 2008 election, the Conservatives started out strong in the polls and then, as they neared majority territory, voters backed off, opting to give them a minority government instead.

However, support in Ontario — a key battleground — has been favourable to the Tories this time.

“Historically, Ontario has been very good to the Liberals, so even for the Conservatives to be in a statistical tie is considered pretty good for the Tories,” Nanos said.

Nonetheless, Toronto would need to play a key part if the Conservatives were to attain a majority government, the pollster said.

“The Conservatives need the Liberals to make a mistake,” he said. “Historically, Toronto is a Liberal fortress.

“A key signal is when Conservatives become more competitive in Toronto. If they’re picking up seats, it’s indicative that they’re picking up a majority.”

The gap between Grits, Tories narrowing

Provincial backlash A majority Conservative government with new seats in Toronto could be bad news for the provincial Tories, who are looking to bump the Liberals from power.

“If the federal Conservatives do pick up some seats in Toronto, it will motivate provincial Tories,” Nanos said. “But it’s highly unusual for all three levels of government to align with one party.

“Torontonians like to have a healthy tension between levels of government.”

In fact, the last time the Conservatives held both Ontario and Ottawa was for about a year in 1984, when Brian Mulroney became prime minister during the reign of Premier Bill Davis. At that time, the mayor of Toronto was Art Eggleton, who later went on to become a Liberal cabinet minister.

Provincially, the Liberals have had even greater success in Toronto than they have federally. The Conservatives do not hold a single provincial seat.

A National Post/Forum Research post that came out in early March showed that McGuinty’s hold on the country’s largest city, though, may be slipping.

The poll of 1,012 Torontonians showed the two parties in a statistical dead heat. Thirty-six percent of decided voters said they’d choose Liberals compared to 32 percent who picked the Tories.

The survey’s margin of error was listed as 3.1 percentage points (plus or

minus,) 19 times out of 20.

Ontario Conservatives have already tried to lure big-name candidates. In Eglinton-Lawrence, former mayoralty candidate Rocco Rossi has already thrown his name on the ballot as the Conservative challenger to long-time incumbent Mike Colle.

A bigger threat to the provincial Liberals might be the New Democratic Party rather than the Conservatives. While the NDP don’t have much of a footing in midtown Toronto, they are the party to beat in the southern ridings.

Even in the federal race, the Liberals competed hard against the NDP. Early in the campaign, Ignatieff made sure to walk through Chinatown, the long-time stomping grounds of popular NDP incumbent Olivia Chow — who is also the wife of party leader Jack Layton.

He visited the riding with Christine Innes, who lost to Chow by more than 3,400 votes in 2008.

“The Liberals are going after typical NDP votes,” Nanos said. “They’ll run on voters’ fear of a Conservative majority.

“Voters like Jack, but strategically (if they don’t want a majority Conservative government) they know it’s better to vote Liberal.”

What voters care about At the end of the day, despite the party politics and political rhetoric, constituents will vote on the issues that hit close to home.

Several Nanos Research polls show health care continues to be a top issue across the country, though jobs and the economy continue to be foremost in people’s minds. In midtown Toronto, voters are curious about the government’s plan for efficient transportation, a robust economy, good schools and crime-fighting measures.

Nonetheless, local candidates like Volpe and Oliver continue to push the bigger message of their respective parties. Yet polls have shown talks of a coalition government and the Conservatives’ contempt charges had little impact on voters heading into the election.

“I don’t think the average voter cares (about the contempt charge),” Kinsella noted. “They think we’re all morally compromised.

“Families, pocketbooks … people are receptive of that message.” TT

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416•226•4140 MAY 2011 TORONTO TODAY 21

Sports

Brian Baker

Growth seen in hoops loop W

francis crescia/toronto today

‘CHEER’-FUL SMILES beam from the faces of midtown girls (from left) Jackie, Brooklyn, Brooke and Lauren after being named to Toronto Argonauts’ cheerleading squad. (Argos policy dictates that last names are not released.)

Dancing up a storm

A

By Brian Baker

mid chandeliers, white wainscoting, russet-coloured carpets — reminiscent of Victorian opulence — young women practise their dance routines.

More than a hundred ladies have lined up, numbers tagged to one side of their hips, hope attached to the expressions on their faces.

No Starbucks in sight, yet the lack of caffeine in the early morning has not resulted in them dragging themselves out of bed. Their source of energy is the chance to join the Toronto Argonauts cheerleading squad.

Inside the Northern Lights Ballroom at the Renaissance Hotel, a sound system booms the same dance number. Three-by-three, the hopefuls are brought into the room before an Argonauts backdrop and four judges.

One judge is Stefanie Williams, a former Miami Dolphins cheerleader, who only moments before expressed her disappointment with the lack of respect by some — critics of cheerleading — for what the girls go through.

“There’s a misconception when people hear the word ‘cheerleader’,” she said. “They think it’s going to be what they see in movies, which is like acrobatics and cheering.

“These are young women that are putting themselves out there, and there’s nothing wrong with being confident in yourself.”

Not one to focus on stigmas, Williams shifts to what she enjoyed most.

“There’s a lot of opportunity to work with the community,” she said. “That’s what I really, really liked — was being able to go to hospitals and put a smile on children’s faces.”

But to shine a little light, this day will witness intense competition. From 120 the numbers will drop to 40.

Then on day two, the final 24 will be honoured.

One thing is certain, there is no cattiness, as the ladies support each other. Enter midtowners Brooke and Jackie, two aspirants who are looking to rah-rah the judges. Continuing with tradition, the Argos refer to their dancers by first names only.

22 TORONTO TODAY MAY 2011

“Why not do it?” 18 year old Brooke asks.

Former Ottawa Renegades cheerleader Jackie agrees.

“I miss it so, so much, and now I’m back in Toronto, fingers crossed that I get it,” the master’s grad said.

There’s nary room for anyone to tiptoe through as the ladies await their numbers to be called. Some sit down, backs to the walls, chatting with each other. A few twirl, flex, mold their pliable forms, working out their anxious kinks.

The energy charges through the corridors like a running back through a defensive line, and the noise parallels that of a Grey Cup game.

That vibrancy is all a part of the package, team coach Jorie Brown says.

“Girls with a dance background, strong performers, have a great look — we’re really trying to push fitness inside and outside of practice — and lastly a great personality,” she says. “The fans are very important to us, so we want (the cheerleaders) to speak intelligently.”

Though the pressure may be on the new recruits, Brown says it’s more on the returning members.

“They know what they’ve had,” she said. “They know what it’s like to be a part of this team and they don’t want to miss out on it.”

What would be lacking from their weeks would be two three-hour practices a week. Game days rife with one-hour practices, promotions, tailgate parties and three-hour games of non-stop dancing.

“They have to uphold a great physical endurance because they’re going to be on the sidelines all the time,” Brown said.

But most important is the charity work. Each cheerleader makes 20 appearances a year. This season the Double Blue’s Huddle Up program will have them chat about bullying with female students across the GTA. After two days of solid dancing, Brooke and Jackie were honoured on the Sunday with a blue rose and the chance to raise the spirits of Argos fans in 2011. TT

hen I was young I created my own basketball league.

I created 15 fictitious players and 24 teams. I had squads in cities across North America. I created storylines, histories, expansions, team and player movement…

Yeah, I was a geek.

I kept my own “American Basketball League” going for a surprisingly long time in what bordered on OCD detail.

Perhaps it was the young writer in me creating a new world, but imagination eventually hits nothing but net, especially when there’s a need.

So in my coverage of girls basketball this year the whispers of a new organization outside of high school piqued my curiosity. Some of Toronto’s most talented high school cagers have picked up the ball for this rep league, and the Sam Spade in me wanted to know why.

Its name: Ontario Junior Women’s Elite League; JUEL for short. The under-19 association has gone province-wide under the initiative of commissioner Fergy Neves.

The idea was sparked by the lacklustre performances of Canadian basketball teams too often seen at the international level.

“Internationally, our country has not done well on both sides — the men and the women,” he said. “There have been models that have come out year after year and they just haven’t done it, for whatever reason.

What makes his approach different?

“Last year Basketball Canada came out with a new model and the new model is the kids are basically playing too much, playing too many games and they’re not training enough,” he said. “The (Ontario Basketball Association), following that model, put out a mass email to all the clubs saying they were going to eliminate the quarter-final games at the provincial championships.”

That knee-jerk reaction caused an uprising at the grassroots level.

Not wanting to stand idly by, Neves went to work. Drafting up his idea for a league of 16 regional teams in January, 2010.

After presenting the idea to the OBA, help was given to promote the structured league focused on developing girls basketball and turning out university, international grade players.

Did I mention that Neves wanted 16 teams? Well, 38 applied.

So a committee of seven was formed to decide on who would be in the first season of JUEL. Eighteen teams in all were given Continued Page 26

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Teetering on the election totter

Cont. from Page 22

two-year contracts, while three others with single seasons.

All franchises awarded cover almost all of Ontario, including four in Toronto: North Toronto Huskies, Blues Toronto, Etobicoke Storm and Scarborough Blues.

But that doesn’t mean the 905 have been getting some 416ers on their squads. Northern Red Knight phenom McKenzie Sigurdson, who has joined Oakville Venom, is effervescent about an opportunity to play with Ontario’s top talent.

“There’s such good talent that’s in the league,” she said. “Every game you’re playing against the top girls in Ontario.”

She rattles off the names of players, like Gloucester native Kellie Ring, who have played on team Canada’s cadet team.

Her regular season may be over now; a playoff tournament is slated for May 6–8 in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Sigurdson is gearing up for that, but she’s quick to point out that there is interest from the other gender.

“I’ve actually heard from other people that the boys want a JUEL league as well,” she says, with a giggle.

“I think the structure of how it is, and the final tournaments are just so exciting with the rankings.”

Which goes to show, a little imagination and a focus on benefiting kids goes a long way.

Neves might have just scored that dying-second trey to form a women’s basketball league in Canada.

He says it’s a long way off, but in five years it could be possible. JUEL would be the base.

“Ultimately for me, it’s that we raise the bar,” he said. “It might be a pipe dream, but we’ll give it a shot.”

Dreams, with a little effort, can become reality. TT

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

26 TORONTO TODAY MAY 2011

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