Neighbourhood Cabbagetown, The Beach, East York, Leslieville, Greektown, The Danforth, Riverdale, Riverside
east
January/February 2013 • Issue 14
Special annual edition Featuring people and places that make our neighbourhood interesting!
C e l e b r at i n g N e i g h b o u r h o o d P e o p l e
Wallfloor Decor Supplies • specializes in tiles; glazed, porcelain, mosaic, natural stone and gorgeous backsplashes • flooring and cultured stone; hardwood, bamboo, laminate and engineered flooring
Review posted on the Leslievillier Reply by James D. on December 9, 2012 at 12:20pm I would just like to post a review of Wallfloor product and service. We live just up the street from the store and hired Acacio & team to do some extensive work on our house (installing new flooring, taking out a wall, and installing closets). They were great to deal with, they worked with us to plan the work including details such as the look of the trim, the insides of the closets etc., and the places where we trusted their judgement ended up looking great! In the end, we were 100% happy with the work, we feel that the price was fair, they didn’t waste time, and they cleaned up before leaving every day which we appreciated as we were living in the house while they performed the work. I would definitely recommend Wallfloor whether you are looking for supplies or if you are looking for someone to do work on your house. We will definitely be re-hiring them when we are ready for the next phase of our home renovations!
Wallfloor Décor Supplies
1247 QUEEN STREET EAST Wallfloor@live.com
416-996-2280
Acacio Raposo has been in business since 1999; doing custom homes, finished basements, kitchens and bathrooms. He created loyal clientele through hard work and good value. The store front operation allows people in the neighbourhood to visit, check out a wide range of products, and talk with a designer to help them sort out ideas and to decide how to proceed with their project.
Whether it is a small project you want to do yourself or a larger project, feel free to visit our showroom.
Neighbourhood east
NEXT ISSUE: Mar/Apr 2013 Delivered to fine homes and targeted businesses in Cabbagetown, The Beach, East York, Leslieville, Greektown, The Danforth, Riverdale, Riverside Reaching 44,000 readers and growing.
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Kevin Karst
Neighbourhood People 2 Riverside 4 Riverdale/Greektown 6 The Beach 8 The Danforth 10 Leslieville
Editor/Feature Writer: Tracey Coveart Graphic Designer: Pamela Hickey Neighbourhood Promoter: Carolyn Tripp Printer: Ironstone Media Contributing Photographers: Greg Barsoski, Tracey Coveart, Igor Yu, John Harcourt, Paula Deresti, Marc Green and Arlene Hazzan Green, Kevin Karst, Acacio Raposo, PearStudios.ca, Nathalie Prezeau, Judy-Ann Cazemier, Anthony Luke, Rick Velecenti, Rob Greenway
Local Homes and Gardens
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13 Paula Deresti: Ornamental grasses 14 Anatomy of a K evin Karst kitchen 16 Lashar Rugs 18 Edward Jones 19 Anil Khera: A new home, a new friend 20 It’s winter in the neighbourhood. Time to grab your toboggan and hit the hills!
Anil Khera
Contributing Writers: Tracey Coveart, Greg Barsoski, Paula Deresti, Marc Green and Arlene Hazzan Green, Karie Johnston, Edward Jones
Food & Celebration in the Neighbourhood
Publisher: Greg Barsoski
Neighbourhood Living Magazine is now in its fourth exciting year, helping our clients succeed in the $3 billion+ marketplace we serve. For a free marketing analysis that will help you grow your business, call Greg Barsoski at 416-402-4283 or email b5@sympatico.ca.
ON OUR COVER: There’s no place like the Riverdale Hill for a little tobogganing fun in January!
22 Remembering Leonardo Masellis 25 BUFCO: Winter is the perfect time for the avid veggie gardener
Local Fashion and Beauty
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Leonardo Masellis
26 Neighbourhood Source Guide
In the Neighbourhood 27 Former nurse now assists with financial health 29 Upcoming events
Want to read Neighbourhood Living online? Visit www.neighbourhoodliving.com All rights reserved info. No article or ad may be duplicated without the consent of the publisher. Neighbourhood Living makes no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, as to the qualification or accreditation of those whose opinions are expressed herein, or with the respect to the accuracy of completeness of information (medical or otherwise) provided to, or published in, this magazine. The views and opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the publisher.
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neighbourhood people
A few of the people and places that make our neighbourhoods interesting
Welcome to Riverside Butter. Sugar. Flour. That’s what
MARY MACLEOD is made of Born to bake, Scottish born Mary Macleod opened Mary Macleod’s Shortbread in 1981 – the first business in Canada devoted to the creation and sale of handmade, pure shortbread. Mary’s small-batch, all-butter cookies were an overnight success, and she and her staff baked through the night to keep up with demand. It took Mary 18 months to develop her signature chocolate crunch cookie (she was the first Canadian baker to find a way to keep the chocolate from melting inside the dough) and she has never lost her enthusiasm for experimentation. Now in her 70s, Mary spends hundreds of hours each year in the test kitchen, developing new flavours for her customers around the world. (639 Queen St. E., 416-461-4576, marymacleod.ca)
Thinking outside the frame: An honest sole:
WENDY PALMER and ELLEN DAVIDSON
“A good shoe should fit on the first day,” says Nasser Vies, a Leslieville shoemaker who uses old school techniques – organically tanned leather conditioned with deer bone, hand-stitching and wooden pegs (not nails) – to ensure his custom footwear not only fits but lasts. “If someone says their shoes need to be broken in, it’s probably their feet that are being broken.” (93 Lewis Street, 416-778-7012, nasserviesshoes.wordpress.com, nasservies@sympatico.ca.)
Wendy Palmer and Ellen Davidson don’t just build frames at Custom Framing Inc. and gallery, they also build relationships. “We enjoy what we do and love being part of the neighbourhood,” says Ellen. People are encouraged to come by for a visit, relax, hang out and take a look at the wonderful work showcased in the gallery. The partners apply their passion for all things visual to the creation of the unexpected, bringing fresh, innovative approaches to custom framing and making sure their customers are included at every step of the process. “We never rush our clients. We take the time to understand their needs and come up with the absolute best solution.” (416 463 7263, 732 Queen St. E., dimensionsframing.com. ellen@dimensionsframing.com.)
NASSER VIES
Pattern princess:
CHRISTINA BERGSTROM
Sometime into her career as a civil engineer, Christina Bergstrom took a right turn into fashion design, studying in Copenhagen and opening Bergstrom Originals in 2003. “When you look at patterns and think about construction, the two occupations are very similar,” says Christina, who has Scandinavian roots, a 60s aesthetic, and an appreciation for clean, uncluttered design and mid-century modern architecture. “Mixing patterns and colours is almost like painting for me,” says the artisan clothier, who designs collections for women with lives that are as multi-faceted as her fabrics. (781 Queen St., 416-595-7320, bergstromoriginals.com)
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Art Smart
ARTISTS’ NETWORK The Artists’ Network (run by artists for artists) was founded in 1999 to create opportunities for local artists to network, learn from one another, show their work and master the business of being a self-sustaining artist. The home of the not-for-profit organization and its 175+ members is the Hangman Art Gallery, named, in part, for the nearby and notorious Don Jail. The Riverdale Art Walk is the network’s signature large-scale, public exhibition, while its Art Rental Program increases the visibility and appreciation of member artists’ work. The annual (Little) Art Show is the group’s main fundraising event. (756 Queen. St. E., 416-465-0302, artistsnetwork.ca)
ELDON GARNET’S
gateway to Riverside Perhaps nowhere else in the city is the passage of time more acutely felt than in Riverside, home to Toronto sculptor Eldon Garnet’s enigmatic threepart installation ‘Time: And A Clock.’ Part 1 arches across the 100-year-old Don River bridge with the words, ‘This river I step in is not the river I stand in’ (an interpretation of Greek philosopher Heraclitus’ observation that change is the only constant), a giant working clock, almost two metres in diameter, is nestled beneath the swell of the phrase. The four corners of the Broadview/Queen Street East intersection are home to Part 2: stainless steel meditations on time embedded in the sidewalk – ‘Distance = Velocity X Time’, ‘Time is Money, Money is Time’, ‘Better Late Than Never’ and ‘Too Soon Free From Time.’ Part 3 is four slender steel poles beside Jimmy Simpson Park, their quartet of streaming stainless steel pennants pronouncing a lyrical poem on the cyclical nature of time: Coursing, Disappearing, Trembling, Returning. Eldon’s installation has been called ‘one of the city’s most subtly grounded pieces of public art’ and its theme is perfectly suited to a neighbourhood in renewal.
European sensibilities:
CHRISTOPHER SYME It takes a certain innate skill to really understand how to get the best performance out of a European car, says S&S Motors owner Chris Syme. That and the right tools, scanners and diagnostic equipment. “We know all the part requirements, fuel, alignment, heating – everything that you need to know to keep these machines running at top efficiency.” And that’s something you can’t find at your average service station. (645 Queen St., 416-463-1774, sandsmotors.ca)
Mission accomplished:
FATHER ROBERTO It’s an unassuming storefront, but what lies behind the windows of St. John’s Bakery is a miracle of compassion and social economics. Bakery workers are refugees, people struggling with addiction, men and women with mental illness, and single parents fighting poverty. The profitable bakery is an outreach program of St. John the Compassionate Mission, which opened its doors to the neighbourhood in 1987. The bread – 2,500 loaves per eight hour shift made with organic ingredients and 200-year-old French recipes – is a delicious byproduct of a much greater kind of work. “I learned early on that people don’t want charity. They want work,” says St. John’s Father Roberto. “Work is more than just an economic need. It’s a human necessity. It’s where we get a sense of unity and our own self-worth.” And that, Father Roberto says, is the real way to help people: not by giving them something, but allowing them to give something to you. (155 Broadview Ave, 416-850-7413, stjohnsbakery.com)
Down by the Riverside: RIVERSIDE DISTRICT BIA Riverside is ‘Toronto’s authentic urban neighbourhood’ and its eclectic mix of design and fashion shops, speciality food and retail stores, cafes and galleries are represented by the Riverside District Business Improvement Area. The BIA was established in 1980 and has spearheaded award-winning beautification projects and facade renovations that are attracting creative industries to the neighbourhood. Signature BIA events include Riverdale Art Walk, Take a Walk on the Riverside, Halloween Fun in Riverside and Light Up the Riverside, which attract thousands of visitors to the the SOHO of Toronto each year. (416-466-8167, riverside-to.com, facebook.com/riversidedistrict) www.neighbourhoodliving.com |
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Welcome to Riverdale/Greektown Music man: MICHAEL SHERMAN Michael Sherman has a big job. Some 1,129 seats big. As general manager of the Danforth Music Hall, Michael is responsible for everything that goes on behind the iconic marquee. “It’s a fast-paced business, so you have to be able to think quick and problem solve while maintaining a sense of calm,” says Michael, who also serves as a director on the Danforth BIA, “but I love my job.” Built as a movie theatre and billed as ‘Canada’s First SuperSuburban Photoplay Palace,’ the venue — originally called Allen’s Danforth — opened its doors on August 18, 1919. After falling into disrepair, the hall was completely renovated and restored – including new seating and sound – and is now regarded as one of the premier concert/event venues in Toronto: stylish, comfortable and intimate, with great views from every seat and superb acoustics. “It makes the area a destination,” says Michael, “and I think the neighbourhood is happy to have such a nice historic venue alive again.”(147 Danforth Ave., 416-778-8163, thedanforth.com)
Cycle of life:
DANIEL EGAN Daniel Egan just loves being on a bike. “I love the freedom; the sense of balance; the exhilaration of propelling myself through muscular effort. And it’s just a great way to explore the city and countryside.” Which makes him a perfect fit for his job as Manager of Cycling Infrastructure and Programs for Toronto Transportation Services. Daniel was a cycling activist while at UBC in Vancouver in 1980. Today, he is responsible for a wide range of cycling programs, including planning, designing and implementing new bikeways and managing the city’s support for BIXI Toronto. And while his own Riverdale neighbourhood “is pretty bike friendly” – bike lanes on Dundas, Jones and Greenwood; easy access to the trail system; bike parking along the major streets; and a few options for getting downtown – “there is still lots of work to do to expand the cycling infrastructure.”
Share and share alike: SUSAN
Mompreneur: RENAY
New mom Renay Loucaides loves running in the rain because it is energizing and revitalizing, and it is these same qualities she has replicated at Rayne Spa, which opened on the Danforth last year. “Our aestheticians and RMTs offer the highest quality services and treatments to our neighbourhood guests using environmentally friendly products in a cozy environment where women, men, children, babies – and even dogs! - are always warmly welcomed.” Clients refer to Rayne Spa as “the neighborhood barber shop of spa services,” where guests linger over a cup of tea after their treatments for conversation and laughter. “We are pleased to know our guests by their first names,” says Renay, who has been nominated for the Mompreneur Award of Excellence 2013, “and we are honoured and humbled that the community and our loyal clientele trust us to share in their lives.” (257 Danforth Ave., 416-405-9465, raynespa.com)
needs to be replaced again this is not the final one
BAKER
Susan Baker – real estate agent, sailor and producer/co-artistic director of the annual Riverdale Share concert in December – has played a leading role in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars and truckloads of food for community organizations that offer assistance to local families. “The magic of Riverdale Share, bringing all sectors of our neighbourhood together to celebrate our community while helping those in need, is truly amazing,” says Susan. “It’s important for us to set an example of what a caring neighbourhood is for our children.” (riverdaleshare.com) Wellness pioneers:
DONNA MICALLEF AND CONSTANCE RENNETT Donna Micallef and Constance Rennett were ahead of their time. Long before people were taking charge of their own health and wellness – way back in 1992 – the friends and partners sold their massage clinic to focus on the supply side of the ‘feel good’ equation. Today, they own the largest massage therapy supply business in Canada, providing massage therapists, alternative health care practitioners and the health-conscious public with natural products that promote wellness. “We are a good old homegrown business,” says Constance. “Over the past 20 years our clients have become friends – family – and we are proud to be a long, strong thread in the fabric of this wonderful neighbourhood.” (461 Carlaw Ave., 416-367-3744, knowyourbodybest.com)
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LOUCAIDES
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LISA
SHAMAI:
Making sure everyone eats well For Danforth resident Lisa Shamai, philanthropy begins at home. So whenever she can step away from her catering business, Lisa Shamai Cuisiniere, Lisa follows her higher purpose: promoting good nutrition and healthy living in the community. Whether she is preparing food for an International Women’s Day luncheon hosted by CAMH, fundraising for Willow Breast Cancer Support at ‘Eat to the Beat,’ teaching healthy cooking to patients at the Wellspring Cancer Support Centre or single parents at the Toronto Social Services ‘Investing in Families’ program or opening her kitchen to the Riverdale Food Working Group, Lisa is giving back, because, she says, “that’s just part of being a good neighbour.” (388 Carlaw Ave., 416-406-1101, lisaskitchen.com)
A com’PAN’ionable meal with
CHRIS AND SOULA
There is something a little out of the ordinary about Pan on the Danforth. Perhaps it’s the belly dancers with their exotic curves weaving their way between the tables. Maybe it’s the cheers of Opa! that go up whenever anyone orders Saganaki. Maybe it’s the attitude of owners Chris and Soula, who believe that there are no strangers – just friends waiting to meet. The Greek cuisine is made with the finest, freshest ingredients from around the block and around the world, and the attentive service makes every guest feel welcome and special. Whether it’s the live Greek music, the undulating dancers or the exceptional food, a meal at Pan is something you will never forget. (516 Danforth Ave., 416-466-8158, panonthedanforth.com)
Grecian gatekeeper:
LAMBROS VASSILIOU
Beauty is more than skin deep:
Many people regard Lambros Vassiliou as the ambassador of Greek culture on the Danforth, and his restaurant, Avli, as the gateway to centuries-old Greek cuisine. Famous for his dips and pies, Lambros has been improvising on old Greek Mediterranean cuisine in the Avli kitchen since 1995. “Greece has a culinary tradition of some 4,000 years,” Lambros says, “but you need to have signature dishes; you need to put your skills and creativity to use.” (401 Danforth Ave., 416-461-9577, avlirestaurant.com)
ALIKI
STEFANOU A master aesthetician at Ici Paris Skin Care Clinic and Spa for the past 33 years, Aliki Stefanou knows how traumatic it can be to have problem skin. Suffering from acne when she was young, it wasn’t until she started using the kind of authentic, holistic, natural European treatments offered at Ici Paris that she was able to clear complexion and regain her confidence. Fortunately, an effective skin care regimen doesn’t have to be expensive, and a small investment can result in healthy, lasting change. For Aliki and her colleagues at Ici Paris, skin care is neither a job nor a luxury. It is a way of life. (370 Danforth Ave., 416-4611774, iciparis.ca)
Holistic healing:
JONAH LUSIS AND DU LA Husband and wife business partners and naturopathic doctors Jonah Lusis and Du La believe that everyone should feel as good today as they did in their 20s. Their clinic, Toronto Centre for Naturopathic Medicine – offering health care, doula (pregnancy/birthing/post-partum coaching and care) and massage therapy – is dedicated to the idea that restoring and maintaining good health is central to the enjoyment of life. “Every service our patients receive is tailored to their exact needs,” says Jonah. “Our goal is better health for our patients and we will do everything we can to help them achieve the state of health and wellness they deserve.” (475 Broadview Ave., 416-5988898, tcnm.ca) Dancing queens:
JOYCE AND JENNIFER JONES Bringing downtown uptown:
Joyce and Jennifer Jones know there is nothing that compares to the joy of dance: the passion, the power and the transformational magic that derives from creative movement. The mother/ daughter duo opened their Joy of Dance studio seven years ago, combining physical and artistic expression in life-affirming classes for children, teens, adults and seniors. As the gateway to joy, the Jones consider themselves dreammakers, magicmakers. “Secretly or openly,” says Jennifer, “we all want to dance. It is part of our soul.” (95 Danforth Ave., 416-406-3262, joyofdance.ca)
THE PAVLOU FAMILY
The book lover’s best friend:
CHRISTOPHER SHEEDY With 20,000 titles ranging in price from $1 to $400 Re:Reading is an organized oasis for book lovers looking for a second-hand adventure. “I know every book in the store and where it’s located,” says owner Christopher Sheedy, who opened the shop in April of 2009. All of the staff are extremely knowledgeable and it is in the customer service department where Re:Reading puts the big box stores to shame. “If you like a particular author or style of writing, we can suggest other titles and writers you will likely enjoy.” It’s the kind of personalized attention people in the neighbourhood appreciate. “They’re happy we’re here. They want us to succeed,” says Christopher. “They really love the little guy.” (548 Danforth Ave., 647-347-8733, rereading.ca)
After running the Danforth Foodland grocery store for 30 years, Anthony and Sophie Pavlou, along with daughter Eleni Gountanos, decided to move their family business to the other side of the checkout line. In 2012 they opened 417 Restaurant and Lounge, a friendly, relaxing place where people can experience a downtown dining experience – locally sourced Mediterranean and French inspired cuisine, live music, comedy shows and Greek nights – without leaving the Danforth. “For years, people trusted us with their groceries,” says Eleni, who was born and raised in the neighbourhood. “We want them to feel the same way when they come for a meal with us at 417.” (417 Danforth Ave., 647-352-4300, 417restaurantlounge.com)
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Welcome to The Beach Maritime mom and pop:
The Scoop on
MARILYN AND LORNE RALPH
ED FRANCIS Burnt Marshmallow sounds like a pop-meets-metal band, but it’s the signature flavour of ice cream artisan Ed Francis. Francis opened Ed’s Real Scoop in The Beach more than a decade ago (a second location opened in Leslieville in 2009) using recipes inspired by his mom, who dished out happiness in the form of homemade treats: pies, toffee, caramel, fudge ... and ice cream. All Ed’s ice cream and sorbets (more than 150 flavours) are made in-house, using natural ingredients and fresh baking, just like momma’s! (Beaches, 2224 Queen St. E., 416-699-6100 ; Leslieville, 920 Queen St. E., 416-406-2525; edsrealscoop.com)
Seaport Merchants is an honest-to-goodness Maritime seafood shop that just happens to have been situated on Victoria Park Avenue for the past 40 years. Filled with authentic East Coast groceries and fresh fish and shellfish of every description, Seaport Merchants is a third generation business run by former Atlantic Canadians Lorne and Marilyn Ralph, their son Will, and Lorne’s dad, Gerry, who started it all. “We’re the epitome of a downhome grocery story,” says Marilyn, “small, intimate and authentic”. Offering attentive, knowledgeable service and fresh and frozen seafood of the highest quality, “this shop is a reflection of our culture and how we live. The people we serve are not just our customers – they’re our neighbours, our friends, our family.” (1101 Victoria Park Ave., 416-755-9960)
Boardwalk beauty:
THE BALMY BEACH CLUB Like a Phoenix risen from the ashes, the Balmy Beach Club – which has served The Beach community and its amateur athletes for more than 100 years – has been razed by fire and rebuilt twice by dedicated members. The property at the foot of Beech Avenue was deeded to the residents of The Beach by Sir Adam Wilson and the first clubhouse opened in 1905. It was rebuilt after a fire in 1936 and, following a second fire in 1963, the present clubhouse was reopened in 1965. Today, members of the non-profit organization enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including lawn bowling, canoeing, rugby, hockey, squash, football, harriers, volleyball, basketball, tennis, deck tennis and surf boarding. (at the foot of Beech Ave., 416.691.9962, balmybeachclub.com) Gives kids room to be themselves:
MARG GILLESPIE
Mom on a mission:
MARIE PERROTTA Inspired by her adult son and his school friends who faced a future with nowhere to go and nothing to do after high school, Marie Perrotta founded the Pegasus Community Project in 1994 with a group of parents and professionals eager to ensure people with special needs remain connected to community life. Today, the registered charity has four program sites and a Thrift and Gift Store that provides work opportunities and social engagement for dozens of members who are welcomed in the community. Executive Director Perrotta has been decorated for her efforts, named Citizen of the Year for Beaches/ East York in 2004 and receiving the Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Rotary Club of Toronto Beach in 2010, the 2012 St. George Society Citizen of the Year award and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal in 2012. (931 Kingston Rd., 416-691-6835, pegasustoronto.ca)
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Marg Gillespie knows that every child needs his or her own special place, and when she couldn’t find a one-stop shop for quality Canadian-made kid’s furniture and accessories, she opened her own in 2005. Since then, Marg and the Kids At Home staff have been sourcing exceptional products that allow parents and children of all ages to create unique, inspiring spaces that are as unforgettable they are. “We want kids to love their rooms so much they want to spend time in them,” says Marg, whether they are babies or teens heading off to university. (2086 Queen St. E. 416-698-9726, kidstathome.com)
Gallery gal CHERYL FRASER Cheryl Fraser has a mission: to bring pretty things to people. Pretty things made by Canadian artisans. Her jewelry and fine art gallery, Zilberschmuck, hosts an annual national juried show and carries a collection of finely crafted gold and silver jewelry, ceramics, glass, wood, fibre art, etchings, paintings and photographs year-round. “Every piece is like a little orphan,” says Cheryl, “and my passion is finding the right family for each one. When someone falls in love with a piece, I know it’s going to a good home.” (910 Kingston Rd. 416-6996000, zilberschmuck.com)
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Fitness at Full Tilt: ANDREW BALODIS Personal trainer Andrew Balodis is passionate about fitness and health. And it’s a passion he is happy to to share through his company TILT Fitness, where he provides physical training and nutrition counselling to individuals and groups, online and in personal indoor and outdoor sessions. “I believe that everyone is an athlete – no matter what their chosen lifestyle,” says Andrew, a former professional athlete. “I want everyone to achieve their own level of ‘lifestyle athleticism.’ People want results. I deliver those results. It’s that simple.” (416-561-1013, tiltfitness.net)
DeLISHous.
DWAYNE COLLINS and JEFFERY ABBOTT
Designing fabulous clothes for today’s modern woman is not an occupation for Dwayne Collins and Jeffery Abbot – it’s a vocation. Their decision to open DeLish in 2011 was a way to do more of what they love the best. Industry trained, “we’d been manufacturing custom clothing for seven years – costumes and entertainment wear, bridal party dresses – but it is seasonal work,” says Jeffery. “We wanted something to carry us through the entire year in a stable and growing neighbourhood.” DeLish is a truly Canadian operation. Both the ‘studio d’ and the forthcoming ‘DeLish’ labels are manufactured on site in minimum quantities and even one-of-a-kind pieces, with exclusivity in mind. “We create custom designs for individual customers,” Jeffery says, “tailored to body type and occasion.” (2116-G Queen St. E., 416-698-6784)
House. Home. Family.
ANIL KHERA Bedazzling
JO PENNY Jo Penny knows a thing or two about beads. Her store, BeadWorks, has been a fixture in The Beach for the past 23 years and, while she carries millions of beads from all over the world, it’s the hands-on experience that keeps people coming back. “You can put together a bracelet for as little as a dollar and it’s functional, personalized and utterly unique,” says Jo, who teaches customers how to design and make their own custom jewelry. “People get immense satisfaction from making something beautiful with their own hands.” (2154 Queen St. E., 416-693-0780, beadworksjo.com)
With his intimate knowledge of the east-end real estate market, his 20+ years’ experience in finance and analytics, and his strong 27-year connection to the neighbourhood, Anil Khera is a triple threat. Informed, easy to talk to, patient, dedicated and honest, clients trust him to provide them with sound advice and, above all, to put their best interests first. “When I engage with a client, I am wholly invested in their goals,” says Anil, who treats everyone he represents like family. A trusted advisor and a loyal friend, it is little wonder that clients stick with Anil long after his SOLD sign goes up on the lawn. (Royal LePage West, 416-805-8850, anilkhera.ca)
NADINE DE PALMA: Your financial friend
Lighting up The Beach with
DECLUTE REAL ESTATE
Every December, the team at DeClute Real Estate holds its ‘Light Up The Beach’ celebration, with Santa flicking the switch on 80,000 lights along the boardwalk to illuminate 20 huge trees in Toronto’s largest seasonal tree lighting event. There is free hot chocolate, candy canes and carolling along the way from the Leuty lighthouse to the Balmy Beach Club. The event is free, with non-perishable food items accepted on behalf of the Second Harvest Food Bank. To extend the holiday spirit, the trees remain lit until mid February. (416.686.9618, lightupthebeach.com)
Nadine De Palma, a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, believes that every interaction should be a positive interaction. “I define my success by my ability to provide the very best experience for every client,” says Nadine. “It’s not business. It’s personal. It’s about caring.” This care is reflected in the respectful business culture she has created, one that is widely known in the financial industry as conservative, ethical, knowledgeable and responsive to client needs. For Nadine, the proof of her success is in the number of referrals she receives from her clients. “The highest compliment you can pay me, is the introduction of a friend or family member.” (2146-B Queen St. E., 416-686-5470 nadine.depalma@ edwardjones.com)
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Welcome to The Danforth Danforth Champion ZELINDE KAISER
Comfortable, creative
CONNIE MYER As her own boss, Connie Meyer – the clothing designer and maker behind Studio Fresh – has to be creative ... and adaptable. “I work on my original designs endlessly until I feel they fit a variety of body types.” The self-taught designer draws on her art background to create comfortable, innovative pieces that reflect current trends without becoming a trend themselves, so each piece remains as individual as the person wearing it. Everything in the store, from Connie’s own designs to the accessories she caries by Olena Zlak, Tenacious Bags and Lilliput Hats are made in Canada, and customers can count on the warm and friendly staff at Studio Fresh for an honest opinion, not a sales pitch. (810 Danforth Ave., 416-850-8356, studiofresh.ca)
Magic carpet man
HOSSEIN RAFAT To Hossein Rafat, every carpet has a story, and he knows the unique history behind each of the hundreds of carpets from Iran, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and Turkey in his Danforth store, Lashar Rugs. Almost all are painstakingly hand dyed and hand knotted, and many take more than a year to create. Born in Iran – the mecca of Persian carpets – Hossein returns to the Middle East every year to hand pick his wares. “Our prices are much lower than you will find anywhere else,” says Hossein, who offers a layaway plan as well as carpet cleaning and repair, but the real difference is that Lashar is a neighbourhood store. “We build a relationship. I listen to you. I take care of you.” At Lashar you don’t just get a carpet. You get a friend for life. (744 Danforth Ave., 416-461-0888, lasharrugs.com)
Zelinde grew up in a small community where everyone knew everyone, and that’s what makes the Danforth neighbourhood where she has lived for the past 45 years so special: It’s a small village in a big city. “As a member of a community, you’re part of a large family,” says Zelinde, and her solid reputation as a real estate professional is as much a testament to her community commitment as it is to the extraordinary number of her SOLD signs on neighbourhood lawns. She has been sponsoring a community yard sale for 24 years as a way to help neighbours meet their neighbours, and she shops almost exclusively in the area. “Our neighbourhood restaurants and businesses are an integral part of village life and it is important that we support them,” says Zelinde, who successfully lobbied for a 15 minute parking allowance outside of the Starbucks on Langford. “Now they have parking ... and we get fewer tickets!” (RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd., Brokerage, 724 Pape Ave. 416-462-1888, zelinde.com)
Pillow princess VIIVE After working for years as an interior designer, Viive Tork opened The Pillow Shoppe last year to give her customers an affordable, fun and easy way to update the look of their living space. “I love colour, and I want to help people make their world a brighter, more relaxed place,” says Viive, who is happy to share her design ideas throughout the day and during small evening classes in the store. “I’m planning to be around for the long term, and I’m eager to help draw more retail business to the area. I love the people here and the energy, and having active businesses in all the storefronts will completely transform the face of the neighbourhood.” (1434 Danforth Ave., 647-748-8890, on Facebook @ the pillow shoppe)
JOHN AND THE BOYS:
JEB
Each year, when frost has softened the smiles of the few remaining jack-o-lanterns on the porches in the Pocket, John and the boys turn their attention to their cold weather project: the natural ice rink in Phin Park. The boards and lights go up in November and the surface is flooded as soon as the air is frigid enough to freeze water. The rink, which is maintained by these dedicated community volunteers throughout the skating season, is a place for friends and families to gather for a little free outdoor, oldfashioned winter fun and is just further proof that the neighbourhood is a great place to live and play. |
Neighbourhood Living |
City visionary BRUGMANN
The Phin Park icemen
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TORK
www.neighbourhoodliving.com
“It’s not enough to call Leslieville a ‘neighbourhood,’” says Jeb Brugmann, author of Welcome to the Urban Revolution: How cities are changing the world. Instead, says Jeb, a Danforth ‘Pocket’ dweller who has been studying urban development for more than 20 years, Leslieville is a uniquely resilient “ecosystem of co-located enterprises, professionals, workshops, artisans, amenities and community facilities with a distinctive identity and economic advantage.” The bottom line, says Brugman? The economy might falter but selfcontained citysystems like Leslieville won’t.
Music mentor
Time well spent with
ROD COHEN
When Rod Cohen started offering free counselling to at-risk kids from a park bench across from Riverdale’s Toronto Community Housing project in 1989, he had no idea that these were the first clients of the Blake Boultbee Youth Outreach Service. He did know that his time – and lots of it – was the best thing he could give. Today, from offices in an old crack house on Blake Street, Rod and his counsellors work with more than 200 troubled kids a year, their services entirely funded by community contributions. “There is no quick fix,” Rod says. “Once you start working with us you are a client for life.” Fortunately, he is in it for the long haul. “Unlike many people in these kids’ lives,” he says, “I’m not leaving.” (41 Blake St., 416-465-1410, bbyos.org)
BATYA LEVY
As head of the music program at Wilkinson Junior Public School and a proponent of the improvisational Orff approach to music education, Batya Levy believes it is the heart – not the head – that is the conduit for musical ability. “Rather than focusing on teaching through technique, we tap into a child’s sense of wonder.” Working with the whole body to draw out a student’s inherent affinity for music and rhythm and allowing these skills to develop naturally, “Kids get to experience music from the inside out.” And that is a lesson that lasts a lifetime.
THE MASELLIS BROTHERS: Danforth pioneers
According the Masellis brothers, their Italian grocery store, Masellis Supermarket, is the oldest family run business on the Danforth – and maybe in the whole city. Their dad, Leonardo, who sadly passed away in December, opened the store in 1959. With a keen focus on customer service, Mario, Andy and Costantino offer a wide variety of Italian speciality items like imported olive oils and pastas, and source their domestic goods locally whenever possible, including fruits and vegetables that arrive fresh almost daily. Their prosciutto – a house specialty made according to a family recipe and available from the full-service butcher shop on site – is reputed to be the best in Toronto. (906 Danforth Ave., 416-465-7901)
Friendly neighbourhood P.C.
DR. LEORA ILIA-LAICHTER
Chances are you’ve seen Police Constable Cindy Greenlaw in the neighbourhood, cruising the streets in her white scout car as she responds to calls from 55 Division. Friendly and approachable, the former travel agent says people often stop to chat, and it’s easy to see why. A minute after you meet her, you forget Cindy is in uniform and on duty. Instead, it feels as if you’re talking to a friend, someone who loves the neighbourhood just as much as you do. “I became a cop because I want to help people,” says Cindy, who has been working to serve and protect since 1988. “Don’t be afraid to say hi.”
Dr. Leora Ilia-Laichter is as passionate about your smile as she is about your quality of life. That’s why she offers permanent dental implants as an alternative to dentures. PapeFinch Dental patients can have teeth removed and replaced with a fixed bridge – under anaesthetic, at significant savings and without painful bone grafts – all in the same day. This solution is especially attractive to today’s youthful seniors, says Dr. Leora. “They are dating, they want to kiss with confidence and they certainly don’t want their date to know they are wearing false teeth!” (717 Pape Ave., 416-469-2320, papefinchdental.com)
is all smiles
CINDY GREENLAW
KARIM:
A nose for business Some perfumers just peddle product. Others understand fragrance. Karim, of Pennywise Fragrances, is one of the others. It was Karim’s mother who started the family business when she sold a single bottle of perfume for double what she paid. That was in 1988. With Karim now at the helm, Pennywise – the first discount fragrance store in Canada – carries some 100 perfumes at unbeatable prices. And not the mass marketed fragrances you find in big box stores. These scents are personal. “I can help a person find the perfect fragrance by doing a little background check: finding out what they like and what they wear.” It’s the ideal line of work for Karim, a self-described ‘people person.’ “I like to see people; to interact with them one on one. This is a very personal business. It’s not the kind of service you can provide online or over the phone.” (1366 Danforth Ave., 416-469-9604, pennywisefrangrance@rogers.com)
Elegant eats:
MELANIE FERREIRA
Chefs Melanie Ferreira and her husband Arul Chettiar know that every good neighbourhood needs a good neigbourhood bistro. So five years ago, with more than two decades of fine dining experience between them, Melanie (formerly of Movenpic) and Arul (Fairmont Royal York) decided to bring their talents to their Danforth community. Everything at Melanie’s Bistro is prepared fresh on the premises, from the Indian-influeced French dishes prepared by Arul to the flawless desserts – Melanie is a pastry chef. “Many people believe you can’t get good food east past Greek Town,” says Melanie. Her bistro proves them wrong. (1870 Danforth Ave., 416-422-1870, melaniesbistro.ca) www.neighbourhoodliving.com |
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Welcome to Leslieville Girl power walking:
NATHALIE PREZEAU The best-selling author/ publisher of Toronto Urban Strolls ... for girlfriends (Part 1) and Toronto Urban Strolls... for girlfriends (Part 2) due out this spring, knows how to have a good time on a dime. Nathalie Prezeau has spent 15 years discovering Toronto’s best kept secrets – bakeries, cafes, parks beaches, shops, art, architecture, history and natural beauty – and turning her research into exciting neighbourhood walks that are aimed, not at tourists, but at Torontonians who want to play the tourist in their own city. (torontoubanstrolls.com)
If you’ve got it, Flaunt it IVAN When you’re 16, cutting hair is a good way to get in with the girls. That’s what inspired Ivan, founder/owner and creative director at Flaunt Boutique, to pick up a pair of scissors. In 2007 – with celebrity fashion gigs and 16 years in a Yorkville salon under his belt – Ivan opened his own salon, and he and the seven other stylists at Flaunt have clients who travel from across the street, across the city and across the ocean to have their tresses tended at the trendy but unpretentious deco/industrial warehouse loft. “People from that glossy world now come to our neighbourhood,” says Ivan, who is pumped that his high-end east-end salon – which carries luxury brands like Dermalogica, Kerastase and Oribe – is flourishing. “I love the fact that Flaunt is open and unconventional. The space – and how people feel when they’re in it – is very important to me.” (260 Carlaw Ave., Suite 101b, 416-469-4826, flauntboutique.ca)
RALSTON BENNETT
GEORGE KIRKOS: The car whisperer
If there is a car whisperer, George Kirkos is it. Calm, friendly and focused, he’s never met a vehicle he couldn’t fix. Figuring out what went wrong, how to make it right and how to make sure it never happens again is what George and the staff at Don Valley Auto Centre have been doing since 1980, when the garage doors first opened on this family run business. Smart, sensible, generous, honest and completely at home with oil and brake dust, George is your friendly neighbourhood mechanic, making sure your car is operating at peak performance when you head out on the road. (388 Carlaw Ave., 416-465-4191)
Strolling down the Garden’s Path with
JOHN SCHELL How many people can claim to be in the business of providing beauty, joy and happiness? John Schell, owner of Garden’s Path, for one. His job description?: Create unique floral arrangements to brighten someone’s day. With 28 years of floral design experience under his green thumbs, and a lifelong love of flowers and the natural world – he uses meditation to attune himself to Nature and her ability to make blooms come alive – John is a master day brightener. To walk into Garden’s Path is to commune with Mother Earth herself, and the shop’s affable mascot, labradoodle Sebastian, takes the ‘feel good’ vibe to a whole new level. (983 Queen St. E., 416-4660116, gardenspath.com)
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Signs of an artist:
www.neighbourhoodliving.com
A good sign has personality. Just ask signmaker Ralston Bennett. By handcrafting all the lettering on his signs – which are mostly commissioned by small business owners in the Leslieville neighbourhood – Ralston creates a unique ambiance for his clients and their customers. Joy Bistro, Leonidas, Bergstrom Originals, Ethel and the Leslieville Cheese Market are a handful of the local merchants who have turned to Jamacian-born Ralston to design their shingle and define their business.
Cabinets made to love and last:
KEVIN KARST Custom cabinet maker Kevin Karst is a master at creative problem solving, which makes Kevin Karst Design Inc. the perfect choice for retrofitting those “quirky, oddly shaped homes in Toronto’s downtown core that really beg for custom solutions.” With a pedigree as long as one of his kitchen countertops and a keen interest in sustainability and longevity, Kevin “brings thoughtful design, cross-industry creativity and meticulous craftsmanship to complex projects that make a house a home.” And on his time off? “For one week every fall I work as a wrangler for a film publicity firm at TIFF. The intense engagement with the world of independent film is hugely invigorating!” (388 Carlaw Ave., Unit W22, 647-206-9002, kevinkarst.com)
MARGOT ALLIN Takes flight
When Margot Allin and her new husband asked an airline ticketing agent to give them “any direct flight” to a southern destination for their honeymoon, she had no idea the phrase would become the name of her own clothing line and boutique, but the couple ended up in Ecuador and Margot’s shop eventually made its way to Leslieville. With a passion for fashion that started when she was just a girl sitting cross-legged with her grandmother and a basket of mending between them, Margot’s approach to fashion is all about fine fabrics, flowing lines, forgiving styles and fresh, feminine contemporary designs that channel the glamour of the 40s and 50s. (1382 Queen St. E., 416-504-0017, anydirectflight.com)
The Flying Yogi
BEATRIX MONTANILE At The Flying Yogi, Beatrix ‘Trixie’ Montanile offers her clients “a workout disguised as play.” Suspended by foaminsulated slings, yogis float above the ground like participants in an aerial ballet, moving through a series of exercises – often in inverted postures – that are designed to strengthen the core and tone the muscles. Trixie turned to yoga in an attempt to deal with chronic neck and back pain, and found relief for her spine injuries through inversion. The OmGym® Suspension System allows participants to change positions, keeping the workouts interesting, and the loft space – with its high ceilings, antique wooden doors and cork floors – makes the studio feel like a sanctuary. (007-245 Carlaw Ave., 647-993-9644, theflyingyogi.ca)
‘Let it be’:
Beautiful people, beautiful things:
DENISE ZIDEL Denise Zidel understands that one of life’s simplest pleasures is being surrounded by things that have been lovingly crafted by hand. “We need to feel connected to the planet,” says Denise, “so we gravitate towards natural forms and textures.” To find unique and innovative pieces to fill her Snob showroom and satisfy her soul, Denise travelled to Southern Africa, where she met extraordinary people who make exquisite products of modern design and art form. “Each worker, craftsman and designer has a story to tell with every piece. Their abundance and energy have given me a renewed approach to life, and I share that with my customers through their work.” (388 Carlaw Ave, #202F, 416-778-8778, snobstuff.com)
THE LESLIE STREET SPIT
ANDREW BRIDGMAN:
The Commissary connoisseur Having wined and dined at many of the best gastro establisments around the globe, Andrew Bridgman is something of a aficionado. And his experiences have shaped the way he feels about food and drink. From street vendors to the world’s finest chefs, Andrew brings a lifetime of culinary experience to his own neighbourhood restaurant, The Commissary Kitchen and Wine Bar, which opened in early 2012. “You have to be a little crazy to get into this business – and passionate, driven by your heart and soul,” Andrew says, “but there is an inexplicable gratification that comes from owning and operating a successful restaurant.” (889 Queen St. E., 416-4773393, thecommissary.ca)
The Leslie Street Spit is a man-made peninsula extending five km into Lake Ontario from the base of Leslie Street. This urban wilderness on Toronto’s shoreline – started 40 years ago as a breakwater and a dumping ground for the by-products of development – has been transformed by nature into an extraordinary wildlife reserve that is home to 400 plant species, 300 species of birds and 50 species of butterflies. Fiercely defended by Friends of the Spit, a non-partisan citizen’s advocacy group that was founded in 1977, this naturalized environmental resource remains unmanicured, vehiclefree and accessible to all. (friendsofthespit.ca) Asian aesthetic:
Horizontal or vertical
ACACIO RAPOSO has you covered!
Acacio Raposo knows his way around a construction site. He’s been a builder since was 18 years old, and has been growing his business through hard work and customer referrals since 1999. He opened his shop in Leslieville a year ago and Wallfloor Decor Supplies is a one-stop shop: from materials, to design, to floor removal and installation. Whether you’re looking for hardwood, bamboo, laminate or engineered flooring, glazed, porcelain, hardwood or mosaic tiles, natural stone, marble or limestone, Acacio can take care of all your flooring and tiling needs. (1247 Queen St. E., 416-9962280, wallfloordecorsupplies.com). Guilt-free furniture:
SERENE GEBARA With a passion for rustic, organic design, Serene Gebera is committed to helping people understand the value of furniture and art that is created using reclaimed, salvaged and responsibly harvested materials, both in terms of aesthetics and their contribution to environmental sustainability. It was during her four months in the Borneo jungle – when she saw firsthand the devastating impact of deforestation – that Serene developed a true appreciation for our precious and limited natural resources. Since 2010, she and her husband have been creating one-of-a-kind furnishings and accessories that have a minimal impact on our planet while offering a unique alternative to mainstream urban aesthetics. (998 Queen St. E., 416-778-8936, zenporium.com)
DALE STORER
Fifteen years ago, Greentea Design owner Dale Storer started bringing unique pieces and exclusive designs to his 5,000 sq. ft. loft showroom in Riverdale. The Japanese aesthetic – from contemporary craftsmanship to Asian antiques – heavily influences the collection, which includes full custom kitchens, bathroom vanities and entertainment centres. “Our stunning Maru tables are made from three-inch slabs of antique Korean flooring,” says Dale, who hand selects each piece, “and our kitchen cabinets – constructed from solid reclaimed wood – imbue a wonderful warmth.” With quality and sustainability as his guide, Dale creates hand-crafted, solid wood pieces that are customizable and made to last. (388 Carlaw Ave., Suite 200, 416462-1459, greenteadesign.com)
Baddest bartenders:
KRAMER ANTONOGLOU and GRANT BOBBIE Word on the street is that ‘Kramer’ Antonoglou and Grant Bobbie are the best and friendliest bartenders in Leslieville. They’re a big part of what makes Lolabar, which opened in 2007 at the corner of Carlaw and Dundas, such a great place to hang out. Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, the boys behind this martini bar remember your name – and your drink – and have made inclusivity an art form. With its cool, contemporary vibe, killer summer patio and outstanding barkeeps, Lolabar is a perfect place to chill with old friends or meet new ones. (1173 Dundas St. E., 416-849-5331, lolabar.ca) www.neighbourhoodliving.com |
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Everything You Need For Your Kids At Home We have a wonderful selection of furniture, beddings and artwork for kids of all ages; a full range of products to make every kid smile!
2086 Queen Street East, Toronto 416 698 9726 www.kidsathome.com
Danforth Living “and loving it!”
This is an amazing urban neighbourhood that just gets better and better with every new restaurant, shop and resident! I’ve lived here since 1969 and know it’s about caring and involved people that makes it such a dynamic community. Every client I work with, every house I sell adds to my commitment to the Danforth area! Call me when you want an agent who cares about you and the community you choose to live in. I’ll give you the utmost in service, expertise and neighbourhood knowledge when helping you buy or sell. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Marvelous 2013!
de n i l e Z
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd., Brokerage 724 Pape Avenue Toronto, ON M4K 3S7
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www.neighbourhoodliving.com
Zelinde Kaiser Sales Representative
Find out more at: www.zelinde.com Email me at: zelinde@zelinde.com Give me a call at: 416.462.1888
Paula’s Top 5 Picks 1. Hakonechloa Macra “Aureola” (Golden Hakone Grass). 1-2 ft. tall mounds of arching glossy green leaves with broad yellow stripes. Full sun to partial shade. Evenly moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Zones 5 to 9.
2. Calamagrostis x acutiflora “Karl Foerster” (Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass). Clumps of shiny, upright deep green leaves to 3 ft. Slender pink blooms above the foliage on 4-6 ft. stems in early summer, lasting throughout winter. Full sun. Average soil to moist, fertile conditions. Zones 5-9.
3. Ophiopogon planescapus “Nigrescens” (Black Mondo Grass). Slow spreading 6-8 in. evergreen clumps of narrow grass-like near-black leaves. Full sun to partial shade. Average to moist soil. Zones 6 to 10.
home + garden
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Ornamental grasses:
Garden heroes
Imagine a versatile plant group that could catch the sun’s rays and the wind’s breath; could add interest to the garden throughout the year with diversity of form, texture and palette; could offer a solution to problem sites; and, when chosen wisely, could be relatively low maintenance. Now imagine ornamental grasses, one of the heroes of garden design. They have the potential to elevate every part of your landscape, whether you’re looking for structure in your beds and borders or a dramatic focal point. Ornamental grasses are not actually true grasses, but the term has come to identify a range of plants that have a similar trait: narrow strap-like leaves. They include true grasses, sedges, rushes, bamboos, cattails and some perennials. This group comes in ‘clump forming’ plants, a good choice for garden beds or borders, and ‘creeping’ plants, which are better suited for the prevention of soil erosion and as ground covers for a large area. Sizes range from a few inches tall to 20 feet or more. Shapes include tufted, upright and mounded or a combination of shapes in annual and perennial varieties. Ornamental grasses are divided into two types: cool and warm season plants. Cool season plants, such as Fescues and Milium, actively grow in early spring and flower in late spring and early summer. Warm season types, such as Miscanthus and Pennisetum, start later and bloom in late summer, retaining their blossoms throughout the winter. When designing your beds, it is good to combine both types to maximize interest. Although some ornamental grasses will give big showy flower plumes, there are many other unique features you will learn to appreciate. In addition to every shade of green, they can come in an incredible range of hues from glowing gold and bronze to cool blue and grey or darkly dramatic red and black. Variegations of these colours, such as spots or stripes – combined with smooth or ridged blades in needle thin or broad leaf form – give a huge range of looks and textures. With the astounding variety of ornamental grass choices available, every gardener should be able to find the right plant for the right place.
4. Festuca glauca “Elijah Blue” (Elijah Blue Fescue). Tight 6 in. tufts of fine-textured, bright silvery blue foliage. Blue-green flower panicles on 10 in. stems in early summer. Full sun to part shade. Average, well-drained soil. Zones 4-8.
5. Miscanthus sinensis “November Sunset” (November Sunset Miscanthus). Narrow crisp green leaves with a midrib that forms an upright clump. Foliage turns gold-orange after frost, fading to tan in winter. Tiny reddish tassel-like flowers above foliage in late summer, turning to silvery white in fall. 4 ft. tall. Full sun to part shade. Zone 5.
“Sedges have edges, rushes are round: grasses are hollow and rush all around.” — Old garden rhyme
Paula Deresti Landscape Design www.pauladeresti.com | paula@pauladeresti.com | Neighbourhood Living | www.neighbourhoodliving.com 416-270-0534
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Anatomy of LIGHTING Proper lighting – whether for ambient, display or task – are kitchen essentials. LOOX by Hafele is an LED-based comprehensive system designed to suit every cabinet lighting need.
ISLAND PLAN SECTION
ENGINEERED DRAWINGS Your kitchen is designed, engineered and CAD-drawn with all avenues explored and all questions answered. Precise accurate drawings are readily provided to your contractor and trades. A comprehensive record of all project details is securely archived for your ongoing support.
ISLAND ELEVATION
ISLAND SECTION THRU DRAWERS
WALL PLAN SECTION
WALL ELEVATION
KK_Design_INC_Card_rev:KK_Design_INC_Card_final
Kevin Karst
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Kevin Karst Design Inc. P.O. Box 9, 388 Carlaw Avenue, Unit W22 Toronto, ON M4M 2T4
| | Neighbourhood 647.206.9002 647.722.4165 Neighbourhood Living| | www.neighbourhoodliving.com www.neighbourhoodliving.com Living www.kevinkarst.com
647.477.6048
design@kevinkarst.com
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388 Carlaw Ave., Unit W22 647.722.4165 design@kevinkarst.com www.kevinkarst.com
BOXES Carcases, including backs, are fabricated with ¾-inch melamine-coated panels for the ultimate in engineering strength and clean serviceability. All exposed edges are protected by thick multiply wood edges, spray finished to match the fronts. The rich beauty of custom finished wood is thereby extended directly into your cabinets. This is an extremely desirable feature, from both a functional and aesthetic perspective.
a Kevin Karst custom kitchen Thoughtfully creative and sustainable design, unsurpassed craftsmanship and superior materials are the hallmarks of a custom kitchen from Kevin Karst Design Inc. With bones that are built to last – virtually indestructible frameless wood boxes, timeless architectural veneers and the same hardware and fittings that are used in the world’s most exquisite kitchens – Kevin Karst kitchens are made for a lifetime of comfort and pleasure.
HIGHLYFUNCTIONAL STORAGE Pantry pullouts, rotary pantries (shown here) and Magic Corner II base corner fittings are just a few of the high quality storage units available.
QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS Engineered quartz countertops such as Caesarstone provide the strength, durability, scratch and stain resistance that will complement the clean lines of your kitchen. 30mm thick slabs offer the ultimate in robust strength and clean contemporary edge details. Expert installation is guaranteed for each project.
DRAWERS Grass Nova Pro drawer systems are found in only the finest kitchens, and these exceptional drawer fittings come standard in a Kevin Karst kitchen. Features include full extension undermount and soft-close hardware, with a load rating of up to 70kg to handle deep and wide drawers – even under heavy load.
WOOD VENEER FRONTS ON INSPECTION WALL Fine architectural wood veneers are custom specified and carefully selected for each project according to colour and pattern consistency, then sequencematched so that successive cuts from a tree are arranged across your kitchen in the same order they were cut from the tree. The comprehensive attention to materials requires a seasoned designer’s eye, and the resulting sophisticated look is a hallmark of fine millwork. | Neighbourhood Living www.neighbourhoodliving.com Living | | 15 www.neighbourhoodliving.com| Neighbourhood 3
Inventory Clearout Sale
UP TO
70% OFF
KILIM: Assorted hand-woven all wool kilims
CHOBI: Assorted hand-knotted all wool Chobi rugs
the regular price!
GABBEH: Assorted hand-knotted all wool Gabbeh rugs
PERSIAN TRIBAL: Assorted handknotted all wool Persian tribal rugs
LASHAR RUGS 744 Danforth Ave. • 416-461-0888 • www.lasharrugs.com
Rug Cleaning and Repair Free pickup and delivery. We offer professional cleaning, stain removal, fringework, repair patchwork and more. 16
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416-461-0888
www.neighbourhoodliving.com
The neighbourhood spot for gals on the go, a stylish Danforth salon with a luxe-looking backdrop and a warm, friendly atmosphere.
ACRYLIC SOLAR U . V. G E L BIO GEL BRISA GEL SHELLAC-CND AXXIUM-OPI PINK & WHITE
1 7 9 D A N F O R T H AV E , T O R O N T O , O N M 4 K 1 N 2
416-778-8288
INFO@URBANNAILS.CA W W W. U R B A N N A I L S . C A
complimentary herbal tea or spring water + available private parties Call us at 416.778.8288 or book online at info@UrbanNails.ca 179 DANFORTH AVENUE
•
www.UrbanNails.ca
BeadWorks
Cleaning service using only environmentally friendly cleaning solutions. Our quality checklist approach ensures customer satisfaction. Serving The Beach, Danforth, Leslieville & Riverdale. “Like us on facebook.com/ecobees to receive our special offer!”
www.ecobees.ca/clean 416-902-2669
Create your own Accessories 2154 Queen St. East 416.693.0780 www.beadworksjo.com www.neighbourhoodliving.com |
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FAP-1035A-C JAN 2011
Life doesn’t stand still
and neither should your investments. Rebalancing your portfolio can help your investments keep up with your changing needs. Over the long term, time can have as much of an effect on you as it does on your investments. Whether it’s marriage, children or the inescapable fact that you’re older now, things change. While you can’t hold back tomorrow, you can make sure your investments match your current circumstances and goals. That way, your portfolio can continue to work for you in the future. Fortunately, getting back on track can be simple. A complimentary Edward Jones Portfolio Review can help you identify where your investments stand in relation to your goals and how to get them moving in the right direction. This way, you can keep time on your side.
To see if rebalancing your investment portfolio makes sense for you, call or stop by today.
Nadine De Palma
Financial Advisor . 2146-B Queen Street East Toronto, ON M4E 1E3 416-686-5470
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www.edwardjones.com Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund
A new home, a new friend My
husband and I had been doing the east-end open house circuit for the better part of a year when we met Anil Khera. He was showing a house on Boultbee Avenue, and although the house was wrong for us, Anil was right. We had been courted by many real estate agents during our pilgrimage and, while they were all polite and professional, none of them resonated. Anil struck a personal chord, and we felt an instant connection. There was something solid and honest and trustworthy about him. Perhaps it was the way he took an interest in us, not just our housing needs, that let us know he would remain steadfast; that no matter how long it took, he would stay the course and find us the perfect home. We were not easy clients, but Anil never wavered in his determination or his enthusiasm. He showed us dozens of houses, and the more discouraged we became the more adamant he was that we were inching closer to the one. I often thought he must rue the day Rob and I walked through that door on Boultbee and yet – miraculously – he delighted in us, not just as clients, but as friends. These were the days of the bidding wars in Toronto, a harrowing time for buyers, and Anil felt every loss as deeply as we did. After one heartbreakingly close contest, a beautiful
bouquet of flowers arrived at my door the following day, the card carrying Anil’s words of reassurance. The perfect house would come along ... and we would buy it. Bless his heart, he was right. More than a year after we began our exhaustive search together, the perfect house came along – and we bought it. And then the nail-biting began. I had a house to sell north east of the city in small-town Ontario and I didn’t put it on the market until we had inked the deal on our Toronto home. I had been strongly discouraged by my neighbours from listing with an ‘outsider,’ but Anil had brought us this far and I had no intention of forsaking him. He has a quiet sense of confidence that allays even the most profound uncertainty, and the diplomatic air of a skilled negotiator. I had no doubt he would get the job done. Anil hammered his Royal Lepage sign into my front lawn and sold my house the next day – with multiple offers – to the astonishment of local nay-sayers. We moved into our Woodbine and Danforth home on July 29, 2011, and Anil was there. And he hasn’t disappeared. He is here on birthdays, holidays and frequently in between, sitting with us at our kitchen table or in our beautiful backyard grotto. Not because we are thinking of selling our home. Because we are happy in it. Buying or selling a property is the single biggest financial transaction most of us ever make. It is also an intensely personal, intimate, emotional journey that we often set out on with a complete stranger. Your agent sees you at your best and your worst. And if he is exceptional at what he does, he is not just in your home, but also gently, unobtrusively but genuinely in your life. A good real estate agent knows what you want. A great real estate agent knows you. And that doesn’t end with a ‘sold’ sign. Just ask Anil. Our agent. Our friend.
Anil Khera, Sales Representative Royal LePage West Realty Group, Brokerage 416-233-6276 (office) 416-805-8850 (direct) anil@royallepage.ca www.anilkhera.ca
www.neighbourhoodliving.com |
Neighbourhood Living |
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Because of the Great Need the Daily Bread Food Bank draw has been extended to February 28
Support the
Daily Bread Food Bank
Drop off a donation of non-perishable food items at Don Valley Auto Centre during normal business hours (8am-5 pm, Monday to Friday) and you will receive a ticket for a free draw to win this Sony Bravia 50” LED TV.
WHAT A PERFECT WAY TO HELP THE NEIGHBOURHOOD! The draw will take place on February 28, 2013, at Don Valley Auto Centre.
for your
chance to win a
Sony Bravia 50” LED TV!
Not exactly as shown (approximate value: $1,000)
388 Carlaw Avenue, Unit S4 416-465-4191
It’s winter in the neighbourhood. Time to grab your toboggan and hit the hills! The wind in your hair, icy spray in your face as you hurtle down a snowy hill with your friends or your kids.... It’s hard to imagine an outdoor winter activity that is more fun – or accessible – than tobogganing. And yet, not so very long ago, it was illegal to toboggan in the city on Sundays. The measure was one of Toronto’s ‘blue laws’: – laws that were designed to enforce religious standards, such as the observance of a day of worship or rest. The blue laws put an end to most Sunday activities in the city for decades and, under significant pressure from the Lord’s Day Alliance and other religious groups, Toronto City council passed the bylaw banning Sunday tobogganing on Feb. 19, 1912. This meant that the average labourer was all but prohibited from enjoying the popular recreational activity, since most people worked at least a half-day on Saturdays. Although the tobogganing ban was no longer enforced, it remained in effect until 1961. Today, Toronto’s blue laws are all but forgotten, and people of all ages enjoy Sundays on Toronto’s slopes, none so spectacular or inviting as the Riverdale Hill, pictured here. Tobogganers enjoy a little winter fun in High Park a few years before the city banned Sunday tobogganing in 1912.
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There is no greater place for tobogganing in the city than The Riverdale Hill.
www.neighbourhoodliving.com
Locally sourced, Mediterranean and French inspired cuisine. Live Jazz Saturday Nights with the Gene Pool Boys and Thursday Nights with Errol Fisher.
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Four One Seven Restaurant & Lounge 417 Danforth Avenue 647-352-4300 417restaurantlounge.com
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Large Venue. Book your Upscale Business and Family Events Now!!
Do you know a person or a place that makes the neighbourhood great? Tell us about it! We’d love to share the story with your neighbours! Watch for our special in the July/August edition, when we will feature some more other great people and places in the neighbourhood!
MASELLIS SUPERMARKET
Family owned and operated, serving the community since 1959
Huge assortment of Italian specialty products. We sell Ontario homegrown produce when in season. Selected organic & gluten free products.
906 Danforth Avenue • 416-465-7901 DELIVERY AVAILABLE
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| | Neighbourhood Neighbourhood Living| | www.neighbourhoodliving.com www.neighbourhoodliving.com Living
Remembering Leonardo Masellis May 2, 1931 – December 16, 2012 Anyone who ever walked through the doors of Masellis Supermarket will remember the smiling face of Leonardo Masellis. He was as much a fixture on the Danforth as the Italian grocery store he opened in the fifties. Leonardo Masellis was born in Bitritto Bari, Italy, to a family that made its living off the land. Growers and vendors, they harvested walnuts and almonds and travelled from town to town, selling their produce at street markets. The Masellis family emigrated to Canada after the second world war and settled in Toronto in 1954. Leonardo took a job with a chair manufacturer and worked part time at the Ontario Food Terminal. After squirrelling money away for five years, the Masellis brothers had saved enough to open their own business, and with their ties to agriculture and vending, a grocery store was the natural fit. The Masellis Brothers Supermarket opened in November of 1959. Leonardo was just 23 when the family came to Canada, but he never lost ties with his beloved Italy. It was while he was watching a wedding video from his hometown that he first laid eyes on his future bride. His interest piqued, he flew back home, courted Benedetta (Tina) Bavaro, married her in 1962 and brought her back to Canada to live above the grocery. Still living in that same apartment, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on October 6 of last year. The union of Leonardo and Benedetta produced three boys, Mario, Andy and Costantino. In those days, there were no nannies. There was no daycare. So Leonardo brought the boys to the store “as soon as we were able to walk,” recalls Andy, “and put us to work so he could keep an eye on us and keep us out of trouble!” Today, the Masellis brothers are carrying on the family tradition, keeping their father’s legacy of more than half a century alive. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of sympathy we’ve received from our customers,” says Andy. “This business was my dad’s passion and that was reflected in the way he treated his customers. He greeted everyone with a smile.” No matter who you were. “Brian Mulroney once popped into the store when he was campaigning, and a lot of celebrities have been here, shooting a film or just shopping,” says Andy, who remembers when Tony Danza dropped by because he was playing a character named Maselli. “My dad wasn’t starstruck. He was kind of oblivious of the fact that they were famous. He just smiled. Everyone who walked through his door was treated equally.” That was Leonardo Masellis: a sincere, compassionate, kind man who valued honesty and integrity. “My dad’s defining priorities were family, faith and business,” Andy says. “His retail philosophy was to give his customers the best quality at the best price. And service was key to him. He knew most of the people who came into the store by name.” He had 53 years to get to know them. Masellis has been in the same location since it opened, and is reputed to be the oldest family owned and operated business on the Danforth. “We have several generations of clients,” says Andy, “and even people who have moved out of the neighbourhood come back to see us and to buy things they can’t get at their own grocery store.” What will Andy miss the most about his father, the decent, hard-working, generous man he he grew up with and worked beside his entire life? “It’s impossible to pinpoint just one thing. I will miss everything the most.”
| Neighbourhood Living www.neighbourhoodliving.com Living | | 23 www.neighbourhoodliving.com| Neighbourhood 3
Come experience one of the city’s hidden $3.00 DRINK SPECIALS THURSDAY ANDgems SATURDAY & Leslieville’s hottest bar.
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www.neighbourhoodliving.com
Winter is the perfect time for
the avid veggie gardener
the dog days February —of winter — frigid
days when both veteran and novice vegetable gardeners believe there’s nothing to do but wait for spring. Fortunately, they’re wrong. From nurturing sprouts or herbs on a windowsill, to setting up systems for indoor growing, there is a myriad of things an impatient gardener can do to stay in a fecund frame of mind. “February is the perfect time to start planning your garden,” says Arlene Hazzan Green, co-founder of The Backyard Urban Farm Company (BUFCO). “Planning is such an important step in creating and maintaining a successful garden – not just for the upcoming season, but for the years that follow. A garden plan is like a road map.
Without one you can easily get lost.” A garden map will help you to figure out what to plant, where and when to plant it, how much of it to plant and how much of it you will need to buy. Your garden plan will help you with crop rotation – a process of moving crops from one place to another year after year for optimal production. Crop rotation is an essential strategy for organic gardeners, allowing them to care for their soil and plants, and control pests and diseases without using harmful herbicides or pesticides. “We suggest you start your garden plan by making a list of your favorite fruits and vegetables,” Arlene says. “You’ll also need to make a sketch of your garden, showing accurate dimensions. This is the template you will use season after season.” The next step is to sit down with your seed catalogues for inspiration. “Look for suppliers who have taken The Safe Seed Pledge so you know you’re getting non-GMO seeds. Some BUFCO favourites are Urban Harvest, William Dam, West Coast Seed and Salt Spring Seed.” Then you’re ready to start filling in your template. “I like to use a pencil with an eraser,” says Arlene, “because I’m always changing my mind.” You may want to arm yourself with information about ‘companion planting’ – another organic gardening practice that attracts beneficial insects and repels bad bugs without the use of chemical sprays. And you might want to learn about square foot gardening or a bit about the ‘days to maturity’ of your various crops: how long will each crop take to reach its harvest-ready state? There’s a lot for the organic backyard gardener to learn, “but it’s not brain surgery,” Arlene says. “Gardening is one of those wonderful activities that you can learn by doing. You don’t need a degree to be successful.” If you’re looking for more information to keep you busy in the off season, why not visit a spring gardening show? “We are presenting a garden planning workshop at this year’s Successful Gardening Show in mid-February,” says Arlene. “Plus we’ll be holding other workshops throughout the year on growing indoor herbs, starting seedlings, seed saving and raised bed assembly and installation.” Check bufco.ca for workshop updates, to book a consultation or to sign up for the informative BUFCO newsletter, where workshops are announced well in advance. In the meantime, plan to plan!
The Backyard Urban Farm Co. 647-290-2572 info@bufco.ca www.bufco.ca www.neighbourhoodliving.com |
Neighbourhood Living |
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Neighbourhood Source Guide n YOKA Your LocaL Beach Fashion Boutique For individuals seeking unique and interesting everyday pieces. Specializing in European brands with a classic twist: men’s and ladies’ clothing, footwear, bags and everything inbetween. Let our staff dress you from head to toe! Check in store for current promotions or discover us on Facebook. 2116 J Queen St. E.; 416-686-0836 www.yokafashions.com n MIRA & SONS one oF a Kind Fashion and consignment shop Designer names and vintage – second hand, nearly new. End of the line – new. Custom made draperies and curtains, alterations. Vintage and new jewelry, fascinators, shoes and designer handbags. 2238 Queen St. E.; 416-699-4005 n BIRTHIA handmade BY LocaL designers Kids clothing and accessories. All hand-made. Cute, creative, design oriented pieces. Fun clothing, accessories and home decor, all made with love by 17 GTA designers. We also carry recycled products, including duct tape wallets and purses. 1882 Queen St. E.; 647-342-7894 n 4CATS ARTS STUDIO the Best, most Fun art studio ever! A quality arts education can make a dramatic difference in a child’s life. We use professional artists’ materials to create a variety of projects, including silkscreening, clay, sculpture, drawing, painting and stop motion animation. Messy, informative and fun. Art is good! Classes, parties, workshops and camps for ages 2 to adult. 2144B Queen St. E.; 647-345-4300 4cats.com/thebeaches n CLAIRE WATSON MS, PSYCHOTHERAPIST parent-chiLd psYchotherapY (Birth to Four) Attachment-based therapy for parents who have difficulty forming a bond due to depression, marital problems, unresolved grief/trauma or because their infant has medical, adoptive or developmental needs. Loving relationships lead to confident parents and resilient children. 1395 Bayview Ave.; 416-559-5537 www.leasidetherapycentre.com n EL PIPIL a danForth Fixture For more than 20 Years. El Pipil is a one-stop shop that offers everything from accessories for the home, to women’s fashions and jewelry. Home to great brands, including Tribal clothing, French Dressing Jeans, Espe handbags and Tashi jewelry. Open M-F 10am-7pm; Sat 10am-6pm and Sun 12pm-5:30pm. 267 Danforth Ave.; 416-465-9625
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n BMA CLEANINg SERvICES 22 Years experience cLeaning Houses, condos, stores, salons, clinics and help with parties (day or night). Reliable. Maria is honest and responsible. References on request. 647-206-1053 n PERT LINgERIE new LocaL Lingerie Boutique Pert Lingerie is now open! We want our customers to feel comfortable and fabulous every day. Inside this charming, boudoir-style boutique, you will find a tasteful selection of basic, higher-end lingerie, nightwear, loungewear and hoisery from a variety of European and North American labels. 1817 Queen St. E.; 416-230-8826 www.pertlingerie.ca
n SPIROS CUSTOM TAILORS men’s & women’s custom suits For 35 Years. Hand measured, hand fitted, fully customized to the individual in any style that the customer prefers. Up-to-date on the latest fashion trends. 335 Danforth Avenue; 416-466-6646 n AROO naturaL, FashionaBLe stYLes Family business providing natural fashionable clothing products for the neighbourhood women. Support Toronto designers like May Aruj, Shwing & Animale. Personal services to help clients match their fashion flair. Carry many unusual products of quality and styling. 320 Danforth, unit 4; 416-463-7690
n DORLY DESIgNS indie Boutique For trendsetters Jewelry, clothing and eco-friendly accessories designed, created and produced in Toronto. Staff show you how to accessorize, style and complement a look that is enviable and unique. Custom orders and designs services available. 1173 Queen St. E.; 416-778-0009 www.dorlydesigns.com
n INCANTO Fashion cLothes For women wanting to dress up For women who see clothing as an investment and enjoy looking good. Good quality French and Italian produced clothes and many unique pieces. Also carry Canadian manufacturers. Cartise dresses, tops and pants. 275 Danforth Avenue; 416-778-5978
n TABULA RASA new & handpicKed vintage cLothing Known as a trendy and affordable retail spot for all things vintage. Jewelery, shoes, local designers, Cuchara bracelets, Dolce Vita shoes. 745 Broadview, south of Danforth; 416-465-4450
n EvERYWHERE gARMENT CO. activewear, swimwear and Leisure cLothes Manufactured on location. 100% Canadian quality. Always new designs, can custom fit. 793 Broadview, north of Danforth; 416-466-6202
n JExY & JAx unique appareL made in canada. Jexy & Jax carries two of its own unique designed in house labels, and boasts a selection of lifestyle apparel appropriate for casual and formal wear. Our mens’ and ladies’ attire is source designed and manufactured in Canada. 375 Danforth Ave. 416-465-5557 www.jexyandjax.com
n PARADE CLOTHINg BOUTIqUE since 1975 “When you don’t think like everyone you don’t have to dress like everyone,” says Sonya. Danforth Avenue is an environment aware that supporting local business is integral to everyone’s creative survival. Parade315@yahoo.ca; Paradeonthedanforth.blogspot.ca; 261 Danforth Ave. 416-461-8833
n SNOB unique and innovative pieces Owner Denise Zidel returns from her monthly travels to a dozen African countries with authentic African furniture and accessories embellished with ostrich feathers, zebra skins and horns. Check it out online www.snobstuff.com 388 Carlaw Ave, #202F; 416-778-8778
n ECOBEES CLEANINg environmentaLLY FriendLY cLeaning soLutions Our quality checklist approach ensures customer satisfaction. Serving The Beach, Danforth, Leslieville and Riverdale. Like us on Facebook.com/ecobees to receive our special offer! www.ecobees.ca/clean, 416-902-2669
n TILT FITNESS group training Great for friends, family or co-workers with common goals. Workout is drill-based, and class size is kept to a maximum of 8 participants - providing more personal attention. Contact us, and start your own group class today! 416-561-1013; andrew@tiltfitness.net www.tiltfitness.net
n BOA stYLish, unique and aFFordaBLe If you dread being seen in the same dress or top as someone else, then you will love Boa! Our in-store stylists will help you find the right fit for your body. 2116B Queen St. E. 416-694-6867 www.theboaroom.com
Want to introduce yourself ? Call 416-402-4283 or email: b5@sympatico.ca to find out how! Neighbourhood Living | www.neighbourhoodliving.com
Former nurse now assists with financial health What do health care and finances have in common? Plenty according to Karie Johnston, who was a nurse for 30 years before turning her passion for working with people into a new financial career with World Financial Group (WFG). “There are a lot of similarities between the health education I shared with my patients and the financial education I share with the families I work with now. Once people feel more knowledgeable about their particular situation, they can make informed choices and take action.” WFG is excited about providing financial services to Canadian families, says Karie, “whether that means making sure they
have the right type and amount of insurance in place or helping them determine where to focus their savings strategies.” In fact, it was the WFG mission statement ‘No Family Left Behind’ that first attracted Karie to this Aegon company. With the personal debt levels of many Canadians at an all-time high, a plan to reduce that debt burden is key to a family’s financial health. This can be difficult when, according to Statistics Canada, roughly 40 percent of people indicated they have a very poor level of understanding about their investments. Using a simple process that takes the mystery out of topics like cash flow, net worth, and registered investments, Karie helps clients assess their current situation and envision their future financial goals. Then, together, they create and implement a realistic strategy that is reviewed yearly. “The most rewarding part of helping people with their finances is that light bulb moment when clients tell me they ‘really get it,’” says Karie. “When they have a basic understanding of how all the pieces of their unique puzzle fit together – and feel confident in the choices they are making – I know I have done my job. ”
Karie Johnston, Insurance/Mutual Fund Representative World Financial Group Insurance Agency of Canada Inc. WFG Securities of Canada Inc. 905-264-6949 (office) • 647-883-7799 (cell) worldfinancialgroup.com • kjohnston21rpec@wfgmail.ca
Relax and Save $10 Book a totally relaxing massage for yourself, refer a friend, and save 10% on your next visit! Our team of Registered Massage Therapists are expert at making you feel relaxed, restored and healthier than ever. Treat yourself to a massage, and until April 1, when you refer a friend for a massage of their own, you’ll save $10 on your next massage. Call and book your appointment today.
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• Swedish Massage • Pre- and Postnatal Massage • Sports Massage • Deep Tissue Massage • Acupressure • Reflexology Covered by most extended health plans.
475 Broadview Avenue, Toronto www.tcnm.ca 416 598 8898
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GROUPS & PRIVATES
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DANCE
& TEACHERS COLLEGE
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& TEACHERS COLLEGE
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& TEACHERS COLLEGE
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May-12 Neigh.Ad KYBB:Layout 1 24/05/12 1:50 PM Page 1
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Thurs.- Fri. 9-6pm Saturday 10-5pm
Shop on-line 24/7 www.knowyourbodybest.com 28
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Neighbourhood Living |
www.neighbourhoodliving.com
Upcoming Events ■
february 17
Family SUNDAY in the Beach. Noon-5 pm. Kew Gardens and other locations. Petting zoo, hop on and off vintage trolley, entertainers, ice sculpting, wine tasting and more. Supported by Beach BIA businesses. Info: Gail Kendall, 416-693-2242, office@beachbia.com Mosaic Storytelling Festival. 3 pm (doors open at 2:30). Mariella Bertelli and Hugh Cotton share stories of enchantment, love and suspense from Italy, England and Ireland. Pay what you can (suggested donation $5/person). Tickets available at the door. Parish Hall, St. David’s Anglican Church, 49 Donlands Ave. Info: 416-466-3142 or stdavidstoronto.ca/mosaic/mosaic.html. ■
february 18
RBC Family Day Skate. 11am-5pm. Ted Reeve Community Arena, 175 Main St. Join us for a free skate, and meet Olympic Ice Hockey Gold Medalist Vicky Sunohara! Pleasure skaters, hockey players and first-timers alike are invited to bundle up, lace up and come out for a spin on the ice. Info: rbc.com/familyday or 416-974-5621 ■
february 20
Elizabeth abbott, writer, historian, and Riverdale resident, will discuss her new book on Haiti. Presentation and book signing. 6 pm. Riverdale Community Arts and Letters Club, Toronto Public Library, Riverdale Branch, 370 Broadview Ave. Free and open to all. Info: susanp@pathcom.com, 416-393-7720. Indigo Girls at The Danforth Music Hall Theatre, 147 Danforth Ave. 8-12pm. Info: ticketmaster.ca ■
february 22 and 23
The Only Cafe Winter Beer Fest. 6-11pm. The Only Café, 972 Danforth Ave. Sells out fast so buy tickets early. Info: theonlycafe.com ■
february 23
Beaches 6th Annual Kids Program Open House. 10am-2 pm. Beaches Recreation Centre Gym, 6 Williamson Rd. (N. Queen & Lee). Learn about and explore kids programs available in the Beaches for ages 0 to 16. Meet program organizers, teachers, coaches. Music, sports, science, arts, computer, playgroups, tutors, after school programs and much more. Open House is free and open to families in the Beaches and the Greater Beaches area. Info: 416-690-4269, kids@beachesliving.ca Free Home Buyers Information Workshop.10:30am-12:30pm. Mayfair Racquet Club. A lawyer, financial advisor, mortgage broker, home inspector and realtor will help you understand the process of buying a new home or downsizing (condos and residential homes). Free parking. Space limited. RSVP: 416-575-3854. ■
february 24
Toronto Early Music Centre’s Musically Speaking 2013. 2:30 pm, St. David’s Anglican Church, 49 Donlands Ave. Admission by donation.Tenor Bud Roach presents sacred motets from the early 17th century, including works by Grandi, Cavalli and Sances, with special guests Sara-Anne Churchill, organ, and Justin Haynes, gamba. Info: Frank T Nakashima, 416-464-7610, frank.nakashima@gmail.com, torontoearlymusic.org ■
february 25
Beat the Winter Blues - Seasonal Affective Disorder. 11:15am-12:15pm. Community Centre 55, 97 Main St., Share ideas and learn coping strategies. Presented by East End Community Health Centre. Free. Info: Zari Atai 416-778-5805 ext. 222
■
march 3
Mosaic Storytelling Festival. 3 pm (doors open at 2:30). Pat Bisset and Dan Yashinsky, two veteran Canadian storytellers, share Native stories and tales drawn from world myth, folk and fairy tales from all across the globe. Pay what you can (suggested donation $5/person). Tickets available at the door. Parish Hall, St. David’s Anglican Church, 49 Donlands Ave. Info: 416-466-3142 or stdavidstoronto.ca/mosaic/mosaic.html. Cantemus Singers, directed by Michael Erdman, present ‘The Virgin Queen’ at St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, Queen St. E. at Silver Birch Ave. 3 p.m. A concert of madrigals and motets from the Elizabethan court, featuring works by Tallis, Byrd, Mundy and Tomkins. Tickets $20, seniors/students $15, available at the door. Info: 416-578-6602, www.cantemus.ca ■
march 4
Home Sweet (Bigger) Home. 7 pm. 2181 Queen St. E., unit 301. A free informative how-to seminar for anyone thinking about taking the next step up the property ladder. Info and reservations: christy.watt@dominionlending.ca, 647-781-2474 ■
march 17
Mosaic Storytelling Festival. 3 pm (doors open at 2:30). Sandra Whiting and Mutamba Rainos share African mythologies, folklore and traditional tales from the Caribbean. Pay what you can (suggested donation $5/person). Tickets available at the door. Parish Hall, St. David’s Anglican Church, 49 Donlands Ave. Info: 416-466-3142 or stdavidstoronto.ca/mosaic/mosaic.html. ■
march 20
Riverdale Community Arts and Letters Club, Toronto Public Library, Riverdale Branch, 370 Broadview Ave.,.Ian Purdy and Robin Sarafinchan will talk about ‘Managing a Feral Cat Colony.’ Free and open to all. Info: susanp@pathcom.com, 416-393-7720. ■
march 24
Musically Speaking 2013. 2:30 pm, St. David’s Anglican Church, 49 Donlands Ave. Admission by donation. Gifted harpsichordist Sara-Anne Churchill. Info: Frank T Nakashima, 416-464-7610 or frank.nakashima@gmail.com, torontoearlymusic.org ■
march 25
2nd Annual Riverside Curling Bonspiel. Noon-4pm. Royal Canadian Curling Club, 131 Broadview Ave ■
march 30
Beaches Spring Sprint. 9:30-11:30am. 26th Anniversary Spring Sprint, 5 km run/walk for adults 9:30am; 2 km run for kids 10:30am. Awards following at the Balmy Beach Canoe Club. Registration at Beaches Recreation Centre mid March. No registration day of the race. To volunteer please send an email to springsprint@hotmail.ca. Boardwalk and BBCC Beaches Recreation Centre Advisory Council. ■
march 30
Beaches Lions Club Easter Parade. 2-4pm. Queen St. E. from Munro Park. Ave. to Woodbine Ave. Everyone loves the Easter Parade, now in its fourth decade, which attracts thousands of people from all over the city. Don’t forget your Loonies for the Lions, to support local charities. Applications for the parade can be found at the Beaches Lions Website. Toronto Beaches Lions Club. Info: beacheslions.com or Keith Begley at 416-690-2614.
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Unique pillows and home decor items at affordable prices.
hoUrS:
Tues, Wed, Sat. 10-6 Thurs, Fri. 10-8 Sun. 12-5 Mon. closed
Pillow Shoppe brand pillows are all made in Canada
photo credit PearStudios.ca
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1434 Danforth Ave (between Greenwood and Coxwell), Toronto tel: 647-748-8890 • email: thepillowshoppe1@gmail.com
www.neighbourhoodliving.com