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Central Tech field closed JUSTIN SKINNER jskinner@insidetoronto.com Dog-walkers, joggers and other residents in the Harbord Village area were shocked to find the field to Central Technical School fenced off this week. The field was closed down after an environmental assessment done in preparation for plans to replace the field with artificial turf and possibly install
a weather-proof dome in winter turned up a number of contaminants in the soil. The plan to renovate the field is part of a larger initiative to build six championship sports fields across the city. Both the field’s closure and the plan to renovate the field have raised some concerns in the neighbourhood. “It was a surprise to all of us, though maybe it shouldn’t have
been,” said Tim Grant, chair of the Harbord Village Residents’ Association. “The field was created in 1969 or so and a number of houses and other buildings were demolished to make way for it.” Grant noted while planting trees with the local tree committee in recent years, he came to realize the soil was not exactly forgiving. “You couldn’t dig more than
a few inches into the soil before hitting bricks, rocks and rubble. It looks like they tore down the houses, but didn’t bother to bulldoze the basements. They just put grass over it.” Grant said the contaminants, which included unsafe levels of chemical compounds, lead, zinc and other heavy metals, could have come from any variety of sources back before the field >>>FIELD, page 2
Toronto Centre stays Liberal JUSTIN SKINNER jskinner@insidetoronto.com Toronto Centre remained red with the Liberals’ Chrystia Freeland outpacing New Democrat Linda McQuaig in a close by-election race in the riding. Elections Canada polls showed McQuaig opening up a lead in the early going, though results shown at Freeland’s >>>MAIN, page 5
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>>>from page 1 was built. “There may have been an auto body on that piece of land, and the residents burned coal and just dumped the residue in their backyards,” he said. The closure of the field is a blow to the community, particularly given the lack of green space in the area. Grant noted the community has enjoyed free access to the field during non-school hours for years. “Even at 10 o’clock on a Saturday night, you’ll see 25 people on that (running) track,” he said. “It’s the largest open green space in the area.” Many residents in the area are concerned the field’s renovation will mean less free time for residents as it will be closed off or permitted out to other user groups during hours when the community would have normally been able to use the space. “Right now, that space is irreplaceable,” Grant said. “The TDSB is working with a company called Razor Management, who did a similar project in Monarch Park (in East York.) I’m sure they’ll use the same model they used there – that just makes sense – which means there will be fees charged to community members to use the space when they want to use the track or the field when it’s not leased.” He noted the field has been open to the public essentially full-time after 5 p.m. on weeknights and all day Saturday and Sunday. Grant added a winter dome
Staff photo/JUSTIN SKINNER
Central Tech’s field is now closed to the public.
would obscure the west-facing façade of the school, which he said is “the most significant heritage building on Bathurst Street between Dupont and Queen Street.” TDSB chair and TrinitySpadina trustee Chris Bolton said the plans for the field are still in early days and a policy on public use has yet to be determined. “At this point, we’re trying to put the whole thing together,” he said. “But now the whole project’s been put on hold because of the soil (contamination.) We met with the (city’s) committee of adjustments about the project and had to ask to have it deferred until January until we can have people look more closely at the soil contamination.” He noted independent contractors have been hired to conduct tests to determine the level and types of contaminants in the soil before deciding on next steps. He acknowledged the installation of turf and a dome has some drawbacks, but said at public meetings
that have been held to discuss the situation, most members of the public have appeared to support the plan. “People who walk their dogs on the field understand that if there’s artificial turf, they won’t be able to walk their dogs there anymore,” he said. “From my experience, though, about 80 per cent of the people we’ve talked to about the plan have appeared to be tacitly in favour of it or completely in favour of it.” Bolton added there have been many misconceptions regarding the field and he hopes future public consultation meetings help to shore up many of the concerns. For the time being, however, he said the most important thing is determining how safe the soil currently is at Central Tech. “My first concern is for the safety of the kids who are using or who are going to use that field,” he said.
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A public meeting regarding the field will be held at the school Dec. 17, 7 p.m.
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Executive Sleep Out raises money for Covenant House
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JUSTIN SKINNER jskinner@insidetoronto.com A group of 75 executives and other community and business leaders spent the night outside on Toronto streets to raise funds and awareness for youth homelessness. The group spent a rainy night sleeping on the street as part of Covenant House’s second annual Executive Sleep Out. As part of the event, which was mirrored in 11 other cities across North America, the sleepers raised more than $700,000 to support Covenant House initiatives. Glimpse into youth’s lives The team included Toronto police Chief Bill Blair, Sleep Country Canada co-founder Christine Magee, Porter Airlines President Robert Deluce, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment President and CEO Tim Leiweke, Venture Communications CEO and Dragon’s Den star Arlene Dickinson and others. They met with homeless youth from Covenant House Thursday night prior to setting up a makeshift sleeping area on Gerrard Street East, where they spent the night sleeping outside. “It gives us a glimpse into some of the challenges homeless youth face
For all the people who are here tonight, we’ve got a warm bed to go home to tomorrow and those kids don’t have the confidence of that hope. – Police chef Bill Blair
Staff photo/JUSTIN SKINNER
Toronto police Chief Bill Blair, left, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment President and CEO Tim Leiweke, Venture Communications CEO Arlene Dickinson and Covenant House Executive Director Bruce Rivers take part in the shelter’s Executive Sleep Out Thursday.
in the city,” Blair said, though he emphasized that what the executives were doing paled in comparison to the nearly 2,000 young people living on the streets of Toronto through no choice of their own. “We’re out here with a tremendous amount of support,” he said. “We’re under cover so we’re not exposed to the elements, we have outstanding sleeping bags and we know we’re in a safe place. The kids who are living on the street, they don’t have that kind of support and they don’t know and can’t be certain that they’re going to be safe.”
He pointed out the executives taking part in the Nov. 21 Executive Sleep Out were enduring a night of discomfort, but they had one comforting thought to help keep them warm. “For all the people who are here tonight, we’ve got a warm bed to go home to tomorrow and those kids don’t have the confidence of that hope,” he said. Dickinson pointed out this year’s Sleep Out was warmer than last year’s, though the rain posed its own problems. She noted there are other elements to sleeping on the street
that add to the discomfort. “The ground is really hard, so one of the things I hadn’t considered is that your hips really start to hurt,” she said. “After just half an hour or so, you’re in pain because you’ve got bone right on the concrete.” She also noted, despite the relatively mild temperature, staying warm is a real concern. “The cold just kind of seeps through everywhere no matter how many layers you have on,” she said. “Right now I feel warm, but I know that within an hour I’m not going to feel warm and it won’t get better no matter what I do. You think ‘I’ve got all these layers on, but what do these kids have?’” Dickinson pointed out that meeting with Covenant House youth made a difference. The executives also met those who had used Covenant House programs as a springboard to achieving a great
Diaspora Dialogues shares stories, ideas of Torontonians JUSTIN SKINNER jskinner@insidetoronto.com Regent Park residents were treated to the first in a unique series of performance nights designed to give the community a chance to join in. The series, dubbed Lexicon, is hosted by Diaspora Dialogues, an organization that creates and presents new written words, and is based on its Scotiabank Nuit Blanche project, which saw Torontonians write poems based on a select collection of 20 words. Those poems were posted in – and virtually filled – an alleyway near Metropolitan United Church at Church and Queen streets. “We took the text from our literary journals and found the 20 most reoccurring words, then people wrote poems based on those words,” said Zoe Whittall, Diaspora Dialogues artistic director. “This is a take on that where we’ll have performers come up and give performances based on those words, and the community is also invited to take part.” Lexicon premiered at Daniels
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We’re hoping the night’s guided and ideas are generated by whoever’s there. – Zoe Whittall
Spectrum Wednesday, Nov. 20 with performances by musician David Celia, actor Beryl Bain and others. The performances, like at the Nuit Blanche installation, are based on 20 commonly used words found in ‘TOK: Writing the New Toronto’. The words reflect universal themes such as family, school, work, voice and parents. Though the performers lead the evening, the audience will make up a big part of each cabaret-style performance. “We’re hoping the night’s guided and ideas are generated by whoever’s there,” Whittall said. “At Nu i t Bl a n c h e, p e o p l e responded really well, and how well it goes now will depend on how introverted or how extro-
verted people are. We learned at Nuit Blanche that people want to get their stories out there.” Priority neighbourhoods With opening night in Regent Park completed, Lexicon will now move to East York and then Etobicoke. “We’re bringing it out to three priority neighbourhoods, (Regent Park), Crescent Town and then out to Etobicoke,” Whittall said. The evening’s emcee, Rhoma Spencer, captured the concept behind the idea by explaining the value of sharing experiences and ideas. “Wherever stories are told, our ancestors are present,” she said. Subsequent Lexicon performance nights will take place at S. Walter Stewart Library, 170 Memorial Park Ave., at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and at Assembly Hall, 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr. at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5. To learn more about Diaspora Dialogues, what they do and upcoming events, visit http://diasporadialogues.com/
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Staff photo/JUSTIN SKINNER
Musician David Celia performs at a Diaspora Dialogues event Wednesday at Daniels Spectrum in Regent Park.
deal. “Some of the kids had graduated from Covenant House and had gone on to great things,” she said. “One had gotten a master’s degree, one had become a great singer and musician, one was an executive. You realize you have to teach kids and give them a chance; you can’t judge them just because they’re in a bad situation.” Understanding experiences Covenant House Executive Director Bruce Rivers acknowledged the sleep out was but a brief window into what it’s like to live on the streets, but pointed out the time spent with youth living in Covenant House was the real eye-opener. “Through this experience and spending time with the youth in the house as they did this evening and hearing what brought some of those young people to our house in the first place – the kind of issues they were dealing with in their own families or in their own communities, the kind of bullying they were experiencing, the struggles they had with their own mental health – really brought life to (the issue of youth homelessness,)” he said. Convenant House is still looking to raise funds through its Executive Sleep Out to support its programs. Visit www.executivesleepout.ca
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Report shows people mistrust government’s ability to fund, build transit A new report finds residents have significant distrust in the ability of all governments to plan, construct and deliver transit projects. The report, prepared by an advisory panel appointed by Premier Kathleen Wynne to evaluate how to best fund transit improvements, found support for revenue tools proposed by Metrolinx during a series of recent public meetings. However there was also a “forceful message” of distrust received by the meeting’s attendees on the likelihood governments can effectively manage the public purse when it comes to transit construction. Many also said they do not understanding the particulars of the Big Move transit plan.
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The panel will make its final report about the revenue tools to the premier in mid-December.
| CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013
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CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013 |
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T
he increasing demand for the necessary funds for ice time is a serious, ongoing challenge in Toronto. In this month’s feature (see page 8), we looked at the rising cost of ice time in the city. With Toronto facing its own budget limitations, funds are scarce for new capital projects such as indoor arenas, which would help meet additional needs. Newer facilities, such as the Buckingham Arena complex at Downsview Park, tend to be built and operated by the private sector – and that ice time is even more costly. But we are seeing municipal funds going toward smaller, outdoor projects. The good news is that there is growth in the city’s free outdoor ice offerings – the latest being the $3.4 million facility at Greenwood and Dundas streets, which opened last weekend. Last year, a new outdoor rink opened at Cedarvale Park in York. Renovations for a twin outdoor our view pad at Dieppe Park in East York are nearly complete. So what Outdoor rinks needs to be done? Access to recreation is a a priority for smart community investment. Of potential concern is a communities recent survey conducted of 1,011 Canadian parents by Ipsos Reid on behalf of RBC, which showed 60 per cent of respondents named ‘cost of equipment and instruction’ as a Top 3 barrier to learning how to skate, while 46 per cent named ‘access of ice’ as another Top 3 barrier. In order to ensure optimal access, we encourage the continued development, funding and maintenance of these outdoor projects in neighbourhoods. As for the thornier issue of indoor ice it’s a contentious issue, one that sees alternating pressure on user fees and property tax hikes to help pay the bills. Budget deliberations kicked off this week and councillors are grappling with the cost pressures of a multi-billion dollar budget, where they are tasked with finding efficiencies, maintaining existing service levels and dedicating money for new projects such as the Scarborough subway – all while keeping any tax increase to a minimum. It’s a tall order. In one respect, indoor ice time is no different than other public services such as transit. We will get what we pay for and what we deem to be a priority.
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Mayor Ford makes case he’s no gelding Mayor Rob Ford may have been politically neutered by his colleagues on Toronto council, but on Monday he was anxious to prove that he’s no gelding. That was when city staff unveiled their proposed 2014 operating and capital budgets. These are enormously complex documents, but here are some of the basics: property taxes will go up 2.5 per cent for homeowners and that figure includes a 0.5 per cent special levy to pay for a subway in Scarborough. The Land Transfer Tax, estimated to bring in $335 million, will stay at the same rate as it was in 2013. Now these are not the basics as Ford had explained them. He has been dining out these past 11 months on a promise of a tax increase of no more than 1.75 per cent in 2014, and a 10 per cent cut to the Land Transfer Tax.
david nickle the city When Toronto council approved the idea of a 0.5 per cent property tax levy to pay for nearly a billion dollars in city costs for the Scarborough subway, Ford said that amount would be rolled into the 1.75 per cent increase. No one agreed with the mayor on this strategy except his brother, Councillor Doug Ford. But that didn’t stop Mayor Ford and the rhetorical bulldozer he brought to budget committee. The budget, he said, was an example of what happens when you take mayoral powers away from a guy like him. Joe Pennachetti, the city manager, had told Ford it would be possible to cut the Land Transfer Tax and deliver a 1.75 per cent property tax increase,
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It was a bravura performance, ably supported by Doug Ford. It, of course, had little to do with the facts.
subway included. The “gravy train” – that 2010 shibboleth that helped make councillor Ford into Mayor Ford – is up and running again, he said, just days after council had so cruelly and undemocratically stripped him of his powers. Et tu, Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly? It was a bravura performance, ably supported by Doug Ford. It, of course, had little to do with the facts. Pennachetti was quick to say he had never told the mayor that cutting the Land Transfer Tax was possible. Chief Financial Officer Rob Rossini pointed out
later that the 0.5 per cent subway levy could not be rolled into the property tax increase for other services, because council had twice directed that no monies dedicated to other services be transferred to the subway. As an aside, the Ford brothers’ assertion they’ve saved $1 billion over the term is also bogus. In terms of actual cuts to city spending, the number is closer to $350 million. The city manager would put the savings just shy of $800 million by factoring things like better-thanexpected performance of city bonds and favourable labour agreements. But cuts in spending? $350 million. So this is how it’s going to be for the rest of the term: untruths, half-truths and innuendo, bundled up in rhetorical flourishes from three years ago.
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David Nickle is The Mirror’s city hall reporter. His column runs every Thursday.
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Main challenger hints at running again in 2015 >>>from page 1 victory party at the Jack Astor’s at Yonge and Dundas streets – brought in by the Liberal team’s own scrutineers – showed Freeland narrowly ahead of her NDP counterpart in the early going, with her lead growing throughout the night. Freeland replaces former MP Bob Rae, who left his political post to work as a negotiator on behalf of the First Nations community in the Ring of Fire natural resource project in northern Ontario. Freeland showed up at her victory party after she was declared the winner, and said her victory, partnered with another Liberal by-election win in the Montreal riding of Bourassa and gains in two Manitoba ridings, bodes well for the Liberal party. “The results tonight in Toronto Centre, and across the country, show that the Liberal party is the alternative to the Conservative party,” she said. “Canadians want an alternative to the Conservatives and they have found that alternative in the Liberal Party.” The campaign had been heated at times, with the candidates taking on a decidedly antagonistic tone at debates, a fact Freeland noted while
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Photo/MIKE POCHWAT
Successful Toronto Centre by-election candidate, Liberal Chrystia Freeland, addresses the media as she hugs her daughters Halyna, 8, and Natalka, 12, at her election night headquarters at Jack Astors.
addressing her supporters. “(Her opponents) decided the way you win is by being negative, with negative personal attacks,”
We stayed focused on our own agenda and you know what? We won. – New MP Chrystia Freeland
she said. “We stayed focused on our own agenda and you know what? We won.” She noted the Liberal agenda centres largely around “growing the economy from the middle out,” referring to returning prosperity to the dwindling middle class. “That’s been (Liberal leader Justin Trudeau’s) concern from day one; that is my overriding priority.” She pointed to housing and transit as two key issues in Toronto Centre that people in the riding told her needed attention, though she declined to elaborate on specific plans to address those areas. Freeland supporter William Phillips said he and his wife supported the Liberal candidate from the time she sought the party’s nomination to run in the by-election. “She’s really intelligent – a Rhodes scholar – and she’ll be a real support for Trudeau,” he said. “She’ll help him flesh out his approach to helping the middle class and the
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imbalances that have started to show up (between the haves and have-nots.)” McQuaig said she was proud of her team’s campaign and the strong showing made by the NDP in the riding. Toronto Centre has been a Liberal stronghold for 20 years, when Bill Graham took over from Progressive Conservative candidate David MacDonald. “I feel proud of the campaign we ran because it was about issues,” she said. “We didn’t back down. We addressed the issues in this riding.” She hinted at running in the 2015 federal election, calling Monday’s by-election “a trial run for the real thing.”
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ELECTION RESULTS: Chrystia Freeland (Liberal) 17,081 votes (49.1%)
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Linda McQuaig (NDP) 12,643 votes (36.4%) Geoff Pollock (Conservative) 3,024 votes (8.7%) John Deverell (Green Party) 1,027 votes (3.0%)
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| CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013
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CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013 |
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Central Tech in Bowl final tomorrow BERT FAIBISH etg@insidetoronto.com Even with the most meticulous game planning, unrelenting effort and solid execution, sometimes you just can’t beat raw speed. Over and over again on Thursday afternoon, Richview Saints defenders looked like they had the running backs of Central Tech penned in, only to have them burst through a miniscule hole, turning a mere inch of separation into a gaping hole in the blink of an eye. When all was said and done, The Blues’ two feature backs had rolled up 336 yards rushing and quite literally running away with the Toronto District School Board final 56-36. “We knew that we were going to be in for a battle so our main thing was, just keep fighting no matter what happens,” said Central Tech’s running back Kadeem Thomas, who rushed for 115 yards, two touchdowns and sealed the game with a 110-yard inter-
Staff photo/NICK PERRY
Luckey Okech carries the ball for the Central Tech Blues as they face the Richview Saints in the TDSSAA senior football tier one championship at Centennial Stadium Thursday afternoon. Central defeated Richview 56-36.
ception return for a score. The other weapon in the Blues’ two-headed rushing attack, Samuel Francis, added 221 rushing yards and two touchdowns of his own to help salt away Central Tech’s victory. The 8-1 Blues, who avenged their only regular season loss in the previous week’s semifi-
nal against Leaside, will now move on to face St. Joan Of Arc from Barrie in a championship Bowl game tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke. It’s one of nine Bowl games on tap this week at Centennial Stadium.
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To read the full story, and see more photos from the game visit bit.ly/170OUVSj
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| CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013
CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013 |
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The chilling cost of Toronto’s ice time
The city is just ‘barely’ meeting the demand for indoor rink time, but the cost of it is skyrocketing NORM NELSON nnelson@insidetoronto.com
In fact, the city just celebrated the grand opening of its latest outdoor facility last weekend at Greenwood hile the city of Toronto and Dundas streets in the east end. has managed to add very The $3.4 million facility is being little indoor ice over the billed as “Toronto’s first and only past few decades, private enterprise outdoor covered rink and skating seems to be filling the gap. path.” “We have enough ice, barely,” Last year, a new outdoor arena said John Gardner, Toronto’s longwas built in Cedarvale Park, behind time volunteer presiPhil White Arena. dent of the Greater “That place is used Toronto Hockey like crazy – the outLeague (GTHL). door one,” said Joe The league is basiMihevc, councillor cally the umbrella for Ward 21 (St. Paul’s West). “It’s throw your organization for TO CALL THEIR s k a t e s ove r yo u r boys’ hockey in shoulder and your Toronto and some hockey stick – someadjacent municipalities, with about times it is (scheduled 40,000 members for) pleasure skating, split between house sometimes it’s hockey league, select and What’s your experience been – and you go down to competitive levels. the outdoor arena and with your family and ice “It (membership) away you go so we times/fees in the city? is down a bit this year have increased that,” Email us at in both the house he said. letters@insidetoronto.com league and the GTHL Indoors, of course, (competitive) teams,” as Gardner observed, he said from the Toronto-based the ice is definitely not free and he GTHL offices, at 265 Rimrock Rd., added, “they keep jacking (it) three in North York. per cent a year. “ What is going up, however, is the For his huge group that means cost to use the ice. for “municipal ice you’re talking Gardner said his league is defiapproximately a mean average of nitely impacted by higher fees. $200 an hour, a little bit more... “You know I was once assured by “It’s gone up tremendously. It’s parks and recreation that (Toronto) getting ridiculous.” was not going to go to user pay,” he Councillor Mihevc agreed it’s a said. “Well they sure as heck are contentious issue. going to user pay and they have “That’s the decision we have to been. And what they’re doing is raismake in council. The current mayor ing the price on kids’ hockey – and (Rob Ford) has been averse in raisthe kids are primarily the biggest ing property taxes, but he has not users – and the kids can’t vote, they been averse in raising user fees,” have no say in the situation.” said Councillor Mihevc. “So these On the other hand, while the city pendulums go back and forth a little has been lagging with its indoor bit. Now the pendulum has gone in ice, it does actually serve up plenty the direction of user fees. of ice at its outdoor pads for both “I think what you’re going to see pleasure skaters and shinny players in the next little while is pressure – all for free and artificially chilled to say enough on the user fee side, push over to the (property) tax side so only stormy weather need keep and that way you can guarantee users off.
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INDOOR ICE ■ Bolton Arena (founded in 1971), 40 Rossmore Rd. ■ De La Salle Arena (built in 1966), private rink of De La Salle College, 131 Farhman Ave. ■ Moss Park Arena, 140 Sherbourne St. ■ North Toronto Arena, 174 Orchard View Blvd. ■ Ricoh Coliseum, Exhibition Place
Photo/TOM HICKEN
The North Toronto bench focuses on the action against East Enders during minor atom AA play at Scarborough Arena Gardens last week.
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What (the city is) doing is raising the price on kids’ hockey... and the kids can’t vote, they have no say in the situation. – John Gardner, president, GTHL
better accessibility. “You’re not making the money an obstacle for that kid in a poor area of Toronto who really wants to play house league and he’s not going to be able to afford it because the ice fees are so high.” Private rinks, of course, have to charge even more – “usually about $100 more,” Gardner said. “But there’s a reason for this,” he explained. “The problem is that the city rinks don’t have to pay municipal taxes on their own rinks whereas the privately owned ones
gets charged the same as a motor parts company or a manufacturing company.” The other obvious difference is private rinks do, at the end of the day, have to make a profit. And arenas are not cheap to build or run. Buckingham Sports Properties, one of two major private players in Toronto (the other being Canlan Ice Sports), quietly opened the Buckingham Arena fourplex in the fall in the bustling new sports centre at Downsview Park, which also includes the MLSE’s new training facility for Toronto FC as well as the Hoop Dome. BIGGEST INVESTMENTS “The biggest investments have been from MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment) in opening up the soccer academy for Toronto FC
Where to lace up your skates in City Centre ■ Varsity Arena (founded in 1926), 275 Bloor St. W. ■ William P. Wilder Arena and Sports Complex, at Upper Canada College, named in honour of Bill Wilder, 200 Lonsdale Rd. OUTDOOR ICE
■ Barbara Ann Scott rink, Yonge and College streets. ■ Christie Pits rink, 779 Crawford St. ■ Eglinton Park rink, 200 Eglinton Ave. W. ■ Harry Gairey/Alexandra/ Scadding rink, Bathurst and Dundas
streets. ■ Hodgson Rink, (two pads) 282 Davisville Ave. ■ Memorial Park rink, 340 Chaplin Cres. ■ Nathan Phillips Square Rink, 100 Queen St. W. ■ Ramsden Rink in Ramsden park on
and our investment of opening up a four-rink hockey complex,” said John Cook, vice president of Buckingham, which already operates Chesswood Arenas in North York and Westwood Arenas in Etobicoke (four- and fivepad facilities, respectively). “So we’re very excited that in the vision for the sports part of this park we’re able to provide facilities (indoor ice pads) that cities just don’t have the capital monies to spend anymore on large facilities like this. “And hopefully the city sees the value in our complexes because my largest expense, as John Gardner (mentioned), is probably taxes. We pay very high property taxes and at the end of the day we’re competing against the municipality selling the ice.”
i
Read the full story on the city’s need for ice time and see more hockey photos online at bit.ly/1i9tw1O
Yonge Street. ■ Regent Park North Rink, 620 Dundas St. E. ■ Regent Park South Rink, Shuter and Sumach streets. ■ Robert Street rink, Sussex Avenue and Robert Street. ■ Rosedale Rink, Roxborough Street and Schofield. ■ Sherbourne Common, one of the city’s newest outdoor rinks, 61 Dockside Dr.
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Dr. Narinder Paul is leading the adoption of cutting-edge imaging technology. This new technology is safer, and is making earlier and more accurate diagnosis possible.
Learn more at OntariosDoctors.com
| CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013
Ontario’s doctors are making health care better.
CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013 |
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| CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013
SELL Your Home FASTER and for MORE MONEY!
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Danger! Adventure!
Christmas in the Golden Age of Radio December 1 & 8, 12 to 5 p.m.
Join us for the fun of Flashman - a recreated 1930s radio play Performances at: 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. Plus! • Make a secret decoder and crack the code! • 1930s crafts • Refreshments Adults $12, Seniors & Youth $10, Children $8 (plus tax)
Spadina Museum 285 Spadina Road 416-392-6910 spadina@toronto.ca HistoricToronto
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EVERYTHING INSTORE THIS WEEKEND
840 YONGE STREET, TORONTO
416-927-9925 www.kitchenplaceyorkville.com kitchenplaceyorkville@bell.net CONSUMER FEATURE
community
city centre in brief
CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013 |
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of wTheCavalcade Lights Thursday Little Italy BIA will launch its Little Italy Cavalcade of Lights Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Johnny Lombardi Square on the south corner of Grace and College streets. Each year an angel light display and an 18-foot Christmas tree are installed within Piazza Lombardi to mark the launch of the holiday season on College Street. This year, the St. Francis of Assisi Grade 5 Choir will join the festivities for some carolling, as well as the Linda Cara Band. Tree trimming, wCabbagetowners carolling are invited to ring in the holiday season with tree trimming, carolling and more. The com-
munity’s annual tree lighting takes place at the corner of Carlton and Parliament streets. The event is set to run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and will also include a visit from Santa, free hot chocolate and other treats. vote for Winter wRetailers Wanderland in the Mount Pleasant Village area are getting into the holiday spirit, decorating their storefronts as part of the local BIA’s Winter Wanderland competition. The contest encourages the public to vote for their favourite installation between Sunday and Dec. 19, with voters being eligible to win a prize pack from local merchants. Visit www.mountpleasantvillage.ca for details about the event.
SAVE!
CHECK OUT THIS WEEK’S FLYERS FOR MONEY-SAVING DEALS FROM YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD RETAILERS.
Your Community. Your Newspaper.
HUDSON’S BAY ON BLOOR HOSTS ANNUAL BEAUTY GALA FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH
Church will host a benefit concert to help support children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Tanzania. The World AIDS Day Benefit Concert features local singers and musicians and will also raise funds for the Yonge Street Mission. It will take place at 7 p.m. Sunday. Call 416-518-4744 or email annual.concert@ gmail.com Nelson Mandela wNelson film screening Mandela Park Public School has organized a special preview screening of its namesake’s biopic to raise funds for SickKids Hospital. The film, Long Walk to Freedom, will be screened at the Cineplex theatre at Yonge and Dundas at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5. Tickets are first-come, first-serve and are available for a minimum $2 donation.
• Toys R Us* • Vistek • Walmart • Xs Cargo
CONSUMER FEATURE
HUDSON’S BAY AT YONGE AND QUEEN HOSTS BEAUTY GALA FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH
On November 21, Hudson’s Bay Cosmetics at Bay and Bloor hosted a beauty gala to raise money for breast cancer research. Customers were pampered for the day with treats, manicures, make-overs and beauty consultations provided by beauty experts. Tickets were $10 and $2 from every ticket sold was donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
concert wSt.Benefit for orphans Andrews Lutheran
On November 21, Hudson’s Bay Cosmetics at Yonge and Queen hosted a beauty gala to raise money for breast cancer research. Customers were pampered for the day with treats, manicures, make-overs and beauty consultations provided by beauty experts. Customers were introduced to the store’s newest beauty boutiques including Keihl, Georgio Armani, Bobbi Brown and Yves Saint Laurent. Tickets were $10 and $2 from every ticket sold was donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
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CONSUMER FEATURE
Avoid medication errors at home Recently, a report prepared for the Ontario government received a lot of attention for its conclusion that medication errors in hospitals are putting people in serious danger. But this is eclipsed by a more silent killer: medication errors in the home. In fact, problems with medication account for 1 in 7 emergency admissions of people aged 65 years and over, according to government of Ontario information. That wasn’t surprising to me. The average senior’s home can be a very dangerous place. It is quite common for a person to be taking from six to 15 different medications, including prescriptions, over-thecounter remedies, herbals and supplements. Many people have several doctors for different conditions, resulting in multiple active prescribers. Labeling on prescription containers is often difficult to read and many pills look alike, or have similar sounding names. Pharmacies may also change the brand of medication, resulting in changes in tablet appearance or name on the label. In addition, many older adults have physical limitations, such as limited vision, limited hearing, or impaired cognitive function. Medication devices (such as inhalers) can be challenging to use properly. Add to this the fact that many patients take non-traditional supplements (e.g. St. John’s wort, devil’s claw) that can interact with their prescription medications, reducing their effectiveness or causing dangerous side effects. To make these difficulties more serious, many seniors living at home have a difficult
Participate in the City’s 2014 Budget Process How City Council establishes the City’s budget and priorities directly affects the quality of life for every resident.The Operating Budget determines what programs and services the City will offer and how much the City will raise and spend.The Capital Budget and Plan provides funding for the facilities and infrastructure required to deliver those services. A Staff Recommended 2014Tax Supported Operating Budget and 2014-2023 Capital Budget and Plan are now being considered by the Budget Committee for recommendation to the Executive Committee and then to City Council. If you want to make your views about the 2014 Budget known there are several ways to do so. 1. Make a public presentation to the Budget Committee 2014 Operating Budget and 2014-2023 Capital Budget and Plan Hearing: Budget Committee December 2, 2013 Committee Room 1,Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West
Photo by Gerald Allain
time accessing conventional pharmacist services and advice in the community. I lead a team of pharmacists at the Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) designed to help these seniors by counseling them and their caregivers right in their homes, advising clients how to avoid hazards, and giving them specific advice on their medications. At Toronto Central CCAC, pharmacists are part of a highly integrated team that includes clients, family caregivers, doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, community pharmacists, social workers, therapists and personal support workers. My role also includes col-
laborating with the client’s prescriber(s) about potential medication side effects, interactions, and the long term medication care plan. With their sometimes overwhelming case loads, the doctors we work with are very appreciative of the information and support we provide. As the senior population climbs, and the use of medication continues to grow, we all need to do our part to make safe medication practices part of the home care culture everywhere in Canada To learn more about Toronto Central CCAC services, call 416-506-9888.
—Norm Umali, Toronto Central CCAC Pharmacist
Tips for using medication safely at home: • Up to 50 per cent of all medication is taken incorrectly. Make sure you know what your medication is for, and how to take it. • Whenever possible,use the same pharmacy every time.
Your pharmacist keeps a thorough and up-to-date record of all the medication you are taking. • If you miss a dose, ask your pharmacist or doctor what to do.
Please contact the Budget Committee at 416-392-4666 or e-mail buc@toronto.ca no later than 4 p.m. on November 29, if you intend to make a public presentation. Please register to ensure that your name is placed on the speakers list.There will be a five-minute presentation time limit, unless the Committee decides otherwise. The Committee will hear speakers starting at 9:30 a.m. on December 2, and if necessary, the Committee will reconvene at 9:30 a.m. on December 3, to hear remaining speakers on the speakers list. 2. Submit a written presentation to: Budget Committee Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West 10th floor, WestTower,Toronto, ON M5H 2N2 Fax: 416-392-1879 E-mail: buc@toronto.ca 3. Send a letter or e-mail to the Mayor or your local City Councillor. For information on how to contact the Mayor or your City Councillor, call 311. Toronto City Council will review and approve the final 2014 Operating Budget and 2014-2023 Capital Budget and Plan at the Council meeting on January 29 and 30, 2014. For more information about the City Budget and the 2014 Budget process please visit our website: www.toronto.ca/ budget2014. Notice: If you write or make a presentation to the Budget Committee, we will collect and use your personal information in accordance with applicable laws. We also videotape meetings and make recordings publicly available on request. For more information about the collection and use of your personal information, please visit: http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/privacy.htm
| CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013
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CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013 |
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Something we need to talk about
Part three of the series shares one family’s story to highlight the need for discussion By Alison Brownlee
J
ulie Robbins was bubbly, athletic, popular and known for helping others. But she suffered from depression. “We always did treat it as an illness,” said her mother Elaine. “I encouraged Julie to speak freely of it because it was an illness.” Despite medication, counselling and support from her family, Julie lost her battle with depression while at university, shortly after she turned 21. Tana Nash, president of the Ontario Association for Suicide Prevention, encourages everyone to discuss mental illness and thoughts of suicide. “It’s OK to talk to somebody,” Nash said. “Break down the myth that asking about it will plant the seed.”
Thoughts of suicide are less about wanting to die and more about feeling hopeless, and the fear and shame associated with those feelings can isolate and prevent someone from getting help. Asking a loved one whether they are considering suicide will not plant the idea, but create an opportunity to talk about other options, reduce risk and save lives. Nash said while a person considering suicide often won’t say so, subtle hints, such as crying, unkempt appearance, withdrawal, giving away possessions, declarations of hopelessness, despair, anger, numbness or sharing stories of traumatic experiences can be some of the invitations to talk. And if someone admits to considering suicide, listen with empathy and understanding, while offering to help find crisis intervention or
counselling resources to keep them safe. A person with thoughts of suicide should never be left alone. Nash, who has lost her grandmother and sister to suicide, said the majority of suicides are linked to mental health problems, and are preventable. “It’s the 10th leading cause of death in Canada and we need to do something about it,” she said. “We are losing way too many people every year to a preventable death.” That prevention, she said, is everyone’s responsibility. “We need to work together to learn more as neighbours, co-workers and friends,” she said. Help can include medication, counselling, nutrition or sleep, as well as coping strategies or communication training. Nash admitted talking about emotions can be challenging because it opens up vulnerabilities. But mental illness is not like a broken arm, easily identified by others and fixed in a hospital emer-
gency department. “We have to learn how to talk about our emotions and communicate those feelings so we can get the better help we need,” she said.
“
After I hung up the phone, a light went on in my head and I said to my husband, ‘Oh my God, that was a goodbye phone call’. – Elaine Robbins
And preventing suicide can also prevent the enduring pain felt by the family or community left behind. “It’s heartache like no other kind of grief because of all the questions that come up and those feelings connected to losing someone,” Nash said. Julie’s mother, Elaine, said the death of a friend in her daughter’s final year at Gravenhurst High School triggered her depression.
Julie was taking medication and undergoing counselling by the time she enrolled in Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. She came home several times that September, including for her 21st birthday spent with family, friends and her boyfriend. She seemed to be managing. Ever ything changed by Thanksgiving. Julie told her mom she wanted to return home. She agreed to continue university through distance education courses. She left her parents on Thanksgiving Monday. Julie called her parents that evening and something about the conversation unsettled her mother. “After I hung up the phone, a light went on in my head and I said to my husband, ‘Oh, my God, that was a goodbye phone call,’” Elaine said. Her husband, Dave, then called Julie. It was too late. Julie ended up in hospital on life support because of an overdose. She suffered cardiac arrest and >>>REPRESSING, page 15
Repressing emotions can Inspiring chef loved spending time in Muskoka inhibit the grieving process >>>from page 14 process, aside. had too many drugs in her system The secrecy that suicide is often to recover. She died before her shrouded in makes it all the more mother was able to make it to her difficult to cope with. “And if we keep things secret, bedside. “When we walked into the hospithen they only fester,” Bechthold tal, we didn’t know she was gone,” said. “They are wounds that will said Elaine. “We were informed not heal.” when we arrived.” The grieving process related to Elaine, usually quick to tears, suicide can also be intense because slid down the corridor wall and of the trauma caused by the shock crouched into a ball. of the loss. Grief is a circular process, said She didn’t cry. Bechthold, which can include waves “I was in shock,” Elaine said. She said her family experienced of guilt, fear, denial, anger, despair, a deep sorrow after Julie’s death. numbness, sadness and resolution The family’s grief has subsided over for an indeterminate amount of the past decade, but the pain will time. always remain. Those grieving She encourages need to reach out parents with children help to get them Embrace (grief), for battling depression through it. reach out and get the to get them help, “People who get whether through a resources you need stuck in grief, their family physician or lives really do kind to move through it. of stop,” she said. counselling. And for those who You’re going to be a “They’re stuck in have lost a child, grief process, in stronger person on the bitterness or pain or she urges them to the other side. sadness.” embrace their emotions and talk. And that grief can – Marie-Louise Bechthold, “It’s very helpful to lead to other forms executive director, Meeting Place Centre for Healing and talk to someone who of depression and Growth has walked the road physical harm, such that you’re about to as alcoholism, drug walk,” she said. addiction or obesity, she said. Some days, the only way to “Those addictions are really a slow form of suicide and they affect cope with the loss is to weep or scream. everyone in a family as well.” “Go ahead and do it,” she said. Grief though, in its many forms, “Feel whatever you’re feeling. Don’t cannot be rushed. squash it and make yourself sick.” “Human beings, particularly Elaine said she heard and saw North Americans, seem to, in our Julie for a long time after her very privileged state, think we death. should not have to grieve. There “Some people thought I was should be a pill or something that we can shortcut grief,” Bechthold loony, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t going to extinguish her presence said. “Unfortunately, there isn’t.” if I felt it because it meant a lot to No one fully heals by pushing grief aside, she said. me,” she said. Marie-Louise Bechthold, execu“Embrace it, reach out and get tive director for the Meeting Place the resources you need to move Centre for Healing and Growth in through it,” she said. “You’re going Muskoka, said some try to push to be a healthier, stronger person grief, a necessary part of the healing on the other side.”
“
elaborate dinners.” “That was happiness for him, to be able to create this great meal that he could eat, and that others could enjoy,” she said. Daniel also loved ne thing Daniel Muskoka. Originally Keane loved to from Milton, Keane said do was cook. the family spent every “He became a very summer and holiday Daniel Keane accomplished chef,” said since 1999 at the cottage his mom Lynn Keane. on Joe River, but for Daniel the She said growing up, her son had a cottage was sacred. lot of food allergies, and was limited “It was where he was most conin choices. tent,” she said. “As a result he became obsessed As a student in the summer of with the Food Network, and learned 2007, Daniel started a small business, how to create these wonderfully Cottage Concierge, in Muskoka. The loved ones of Daniel Keane shared his story in the hopes that his lost life is never forgotten and can inspire the change needed to avoid further preventable deaths in Ontario.
O
Daniel liked music and his love of the Tragically Hip rubbed off on his family. “We travelled all over the place to see them,” Keane said. The first time Keane saw the Hip was in Bala with Daniel. “It was incredible to experience this moment together,” she said. On April 28, 2009, Daniel committed suicide at the cottage. He was 23 years old. This summer, Keane had the opportunity to meet Hip lead singer Gord Downie, and she told him about Daniel. After his set they spoke again. He said: “‘Thank you for telling me about Daniel. I played harder because of him,’” she said.
- By Laura Finney
EDITOR’S NOTE
Make sure to keep the discussion alive This concludes our three-part series on suicide among young people in Ontario. Our goal has been to provide some compelling case studies of youth in need, some signs for parents to watch for and some hope for the future of our youth. Simply put, we’ve learned through our discussions with experts, our discussions with parents of youth who have committed suicide, and others who have lived through the darkness and realize there is a bright future, and we hope you have too. We’ve learned that this topic kept in a closet will not be fixed. We’ve learned that there are many, many people and agencies poised to help
a troubled teen, a parent in need, or surviving family members who need to cope with a tragedy. We encourage you to keep the discussion alive. As parents, friends and mentors we encourage you to keep abreast of your teen’s activities and build deep relationships with those you love. In a perfect world we’d love to eradicate the stories of pain and see them replaced with stories of hope. Every time.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK If you have a story to share about youth suicide or an opinion on our series, please feel free to share it with us. Our newspaper is here to support you and our community and we value whatever feedback you are able to offer.
Prevention/Coping Resources CALL 911 if you are thinking of harming yourself or if someone you know is in imminent danger of harming themselves. Ontario Association for Suicide Prevention >> ospn.ca Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention >> suicideprevention.ca Hope and Healing After Suicide: A practical guide for people who have lost someone to suicide in Ontario >> www.camh.ca Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868
Lesbian gay bi transgender queer (LGBTQ) Youth Line 1-800-268-9688 Mind your Mind >> mindyourmind.ca A website for youth created by youth offering resources and tools to help manage stress, crisis and mental health problems Mobilizing Minds >> www.mobilizingminds.ca A mental health project led by young adults, community organizations and health professionals River of Life Program >> www.riveroflifeprogram.ca Online training about Aboriginal youth
suicide Teen Mental Health >> www.teenmentalhealth.org Information about adolescent mental health to advance the understanding of mental illness and to improve lives The Trevor Project >> www.thetrevorproject.org Information about suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth Your Life Counts >> www.yourlifecounts.org Website for youth to share thoughts and get help with their problems
Read the entire series online at bit.ly/1dTUlRK
15 | CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013
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community
AVIGAYIL CASHED IN $1,384 Rosedale BIA lights up the holidays FROM HER CLOSET! #EXCITED Event closes with Saturday tree-lighting
JUSTIN SKINNER jskinner@insidetoronto.com It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Rosedale area as the local BIA gears up for its annual Cavalcade of Lights Festival. The annual celebration, hosted by the Rosedale Main Street BIA, is going into its ninth year and serves as the local businesses’ kick-off to the holiday season. Retailers in the area have kicked in to fund the event, which includes pictures with Santa, kids’ activities, rides, live music, a petting zoo with pygmy goats, alpaca, miniature horses, reindeer, and much more. “There are a lot of things going on, but the most spectacular part of it is always the tree lighting,” said Rosedale Main Street BIA chair Marissa
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Agueci, referring to the 50-foot tall blue Christmas tree that will light up the CP bridge at Scrivener Square. Santa Claus will be on hand at Scrivener Square throughout the day, as will face painters, balloon sculptors, stilt dancers and other performers. Agueci noted the horse and carriage rides at Scrivener Square are always a popular attraction, with people lined up to take part. While the tree lighting is typically the big event, Ramsden Park will be host to a variety of activities that are always a hit with those who attend the event. “There’s a lot of action going on there,” Agueci said. “That’s where we have a petting zoo, plus there’s a dog show and a lot more.” Park-goers will also be invited to roast marshmallows over an open fire. Throughout the Cavalcade of Lights event, Walker Avenue will become a mini-carnival with a carousel, cotton candy and more.
Agueci added many retailers along Yonge Street between Woodlawn Avenue and Crescent Road will offer their own activities to help ring in the holiday season. “It’s a way for the retailers to give back to the community,” Agueci said. Many retailers along Yonge are also getting into the spirit with festive window displays, which will vie for the event’s Window Display Contest. Local restaurants are getting into the action with Wylies, the Firkin Pub and Nadege offering $5 menu items. While the Cavalcade of Lights’ main goal is to ring in the season, the Rosedale Main Street BIA is also including a charitable angle, with gloves on sale for $10. Proceeds from the gloves will go toward the Red Door Shelter. The festival takes place Sa t u rd a y a l o n g Yo n g e between Woodlawn Avenue and Crescent Road from 2 to 6 p.m.
i
For more information on the Cavalcade of Lights, visit www.rosedalemainstreet.ca
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CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013 |
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call: 416
Business Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm Telephone Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm Cash & Interac Transactions: 9 am - 5 pm
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JOB TITLE: Advertising Sales BUSINESS UNIT: Metroland York office
Sales Opportunities
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798 7284
fax: 905
853 1765
Adjustments: Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of your ad. Please check your ad on the first insertion. For multiple insertions of the same ad, credit will be made only for the first insertion. Credit given for errors in connection with production on ads is limited to the printed space involved. Cancellations must be made by 2 p.m. one business day prior to publication date. Cancellations must be made by telephone. Do not fax or e-mail cancellations.
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THE COMPANY A subsidiary of Torstar Corporation, Metroland is one of Canada’s premier media companies. Metroland delivers upto-the-minute vital business and community information to millions of people across Ontario. We have grown significantly in recent years in terms of audience and advertisers and we’re continuing to invest heavily in developing best-in-class talent, products and technology to accelerate our growth in the media landscape and strengthen our connection to the community. For further information, please visit www.metroland.com. THE OPPORTUNITY We are looking for an energetic, driven and detail-oriented individual to work on our Advertising team and become involved in our commitments in the communities we serve. This position will report directly to the Advertising Manager. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES • Responsible for ongoing sales with both new and existing clients • Provide our valued customers with creative and effective advertising solutions and play a key role in the overall success of our organization • Prospect for new accounts including researching • Create proposals for prospective advertisers through compelling business cases • Assist in ad design, co-ordinate the execution of advertising programs and work within our MPE and Affinity systems • Attain or surpass sales targets • Address client concerns in a timely and professional manner • Ability to present a variety of opportunities to all clients, and to support all special initiatives • As part of this role, you will be required to handle credit card information. Metroland Media is a PCI compliant company and requires people in this role to take PCI training to handle cards in a safe and compliant manner WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR • Knowledge of Microsoft applications (MPE software experience an asset) • Superior customer service skills, creativity, and ability to be resourceful, expedient and work to deadlines • Ability to build and develop effective relationships within our team and with clients • Positive attitude, flexible nature and excellent communication skills • Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task • Ability to work in a fast-paced, dead-line oriented environment, with strong attention to detail • A proven history of achieving and surpassing sales targets, and unprecedented drive for results • Degree or diploma in marketing/ advertising, or equivalent work experience • Access to reliable vehicle WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU • Opportunity to be part of an exciting company at the cutting edge of the media industry • Work for a well-established and respected company that is connected to your communities • Competitive compensation plan and Group RSP • Be part of a company that is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment • We provide individualized career plans and extensive ongoing development opportunities • We’ve got your health in mind; you’ll receive a comprehensive benefits package and a generous vacation plan If working for a highly energized, competitive team is your ideal environment, please email your resume to mmartin@yrmg.com by December 6th, 2013. Thank you for your interest. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted
H oliday H appenings
Glenview’s Christmas Fair & Advent Festival
Be part of our unique approach to retail. We’re building our Store Team and we can’t wait to hear from talented people who want to be part of a new, exciting retail experience. If you’re looking for a fun, collaborative, friendly workplace with flexible hours and opportunities to grow, you’ll fit right in. Discover our in-store positions including Sales Floor, Cashier, Logistics, and much more.
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target.ca/careers © 2013 Target Brands, Inc. Target and the Bullseye Design are registered trade-marks of Target Brands, Inc.
Get Noticed. prlink.insidetoronto.com
Saturday, December 7th 10:30-2:30 1 Glenview Avenue, Toronto
(3 Blocks South of Lawrence, West Side of Yonge St.) Baking, Jams, Crafts, Gifts and Children’s Activities Come and enjoy coffee and a treat, and get some Christmas shopping done!
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General Help
General Help
COURIER POSITIONS AVAILABLE Reliable people are required immediately for part time courier positions throughout the Toronto area The successful candidate will: Be extremely reliable. Own a reliable vehicle. Be able to work the following Thursday 2am - 2pm Monday - 10am - 5pm Great knowledge of the Toronto area is a must. You must be available to work on Thursday and the secondary day can be flexible. Some additional times may be available as needed Please email your resume to sbrown@insidetoronto.com
| CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013
175 Gordon Baker Road, Toronto, Ontario M2H 0A2 www.insidetoronto.com | Circulation: 416 493 4400
CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013 |
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Articles Wanted
Apartments & Flats for Rent
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DRIVERS WANTED AZ, DZ, 5, 3 or 1 with airbrakes: Guaranteed 40 hour work week + overtime, paid travel, lodging, meal allowance, 4 week’s vacation/excellent benefits package. Must be able to have extended stays away from home, for three months at a time. Experience Needed: Valid AZ, DZ, 5, 3 or 1 with airbrakes, commercial driving experience. Apply online at www.sperryrail.com under careers, FastTRACK Application.
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HELPED WANT
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Home Renovations BUILDER/ GENERAL CONTRACTORS RESIDENTIAL/ COMMERCIAL. Finished basements. Painting. Bathrooms. Ceramic tiles. Flat roofs. Leaking basements. Brick/chimney repairs. House additions 905-764-6667, 416-823-5120
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YOUR Weekly Crossword
Carpet & Upholstery
Sudoku (moderate)
last week’s answers
How to do it: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3 by 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.
w See answers to this week’s
puzzles in next Thursday’s edition
Driven to exceed your expectations. Ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with the Auto Insurance Claims Experience” by J.D. Power. To get your quote visit an RBC Insurance® Store, call 1-877 ROYAL 4-3 or go online at rbcinsurance.com/exceed In Queen’s Quay Terminal – Lobby Level 416-955-2550 At Bloor St. E & Yonge St. – Lower Concourse 416-974-2760
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CITY CENTRE HAPPENING IN
it's happening
looking ahead
◗ Friday, Nov. 29
◗ Friday, Dec. 7
Organist recital WHEN: 7:30 p.m. WHERE: St. Thomas’s Anglican Church, 383 Huron St. CONTACT: 416-979-2323 COST: $20 regular, $15 students and seniors Organist Peter Barley of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick, Ireland, will present a recital at St. Thomas’s Church to benefit the St. Thomas’s Choir tour to England.
◗ Saturday, Nov. 30
Voices of Hope for World AIDS Day WHEN: 4 to 6 p.m. WHERE: Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. E. CONTACT: Casey House, www.caseyhouse.com COST: Free A special concert and community gathering remembering the lives lost to HIV/AIDS and calling for increased support and dignity for all people with the disease.
◗ Tuesday, Dec. 4 Messy Church-An All Ages Event
HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY
Appliance Repairs/ Installation
Carollers Wanted WHEN: 5 to 7 p.m. WHERE: Distillery Historic District, 55 Mill St. CONTACT: www.thedistillerydistrict.com Mill Street Brewery and the Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market are challenging a world record for most carollers singing in one place. Mill Street Brewery will donate $1 to the Daily Bread Food Bank for each person that participates. Candle and holder provided.
CHECK OUT OUR complete online community calendar by visiting www.citycentremirror.com. Read weeks of listings from across Toronto. WHEN: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Manor Road United Church, 240 Manor Rd. E. CONTACT: E. Macdonald, 416-4830695 COST: Donations welcome Kids (accompanied by a guardian) are invited the first Tuesday of every month for games, crafts, storytelling, a brief interactive worship period and a communal supper.
Bazaar & Bake Sale WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. WHERE: Toronto Humane Society, 11 River St. CONTACT: Carol Hroncek, chroncek@yahoo.ca Baked goods for pets and people, Christmas gifts and more.
Professional Repairs of all brands of: Refrigeration, Stoves, Dishwashers, Washers, Dryers, Air Conditioning, & Heating. Free Estimates. Warranty, Credit cards accepted. Seniors discount. 416-616-0388
Adult Personals
The City Centre Mirror wants your community listings. Sign up online at citycentremirror.com to submit your events (click the Sign Up link in the top right corner of the page).
◗ Saturday, Dec. 7
Toronto Humane Society
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| CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013
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CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, November 28, 2013 |
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DECEMBER EVENTS
Holiday Family Fun at Casa Loma PETER PAN COMES TO CASA LOMA
Join Peter, Tinkerbell and Captain Hook as they embark on their most exciting adventure ever! December 7, 8, 14 ,15, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29
FAIRIES AND PIRATES IN THE WORKSHOP
Work with top pastry chefs to create a magical holiday gingerbread house! December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Casa Loma’s Breakfast with Santa is back for its 8th year! December 7, 8, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 and 23
visit www.casaloma.org for details manderson@casaloma.org or call 647.725.0707