December 31 South by The North York Mirror

 

INSIDE: The best photos of 2014 IN

nce to W

our cha Enter for y

SEE OUR TOP PHOTOS from local sports, events, politics, holidays and much more from our communities this past year

Fri Aug 24, 2012

gency an emerand a car kit

Serving DON MILLS, YORK MILLS, BRIDLE PATH and FLEMINGDON PARK

$100® ESSO T F GAS GI ! D R CA

ontests

to.com/c

idetoron www.ins



www.northyorkmirror.com

PAGES 17 to 20 NEW!

wed dec 31, 2014 ®

EXCLUSIVE FEATURE

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE NORTH YORK MIRROR! INSIDE Check out what’s happening in North York’s neighbourhoods / 5

Find out what resolutions your local police divisions have in store for the new year >> page 3

David Nickle is on the City Hall beat / 16

Children create their ideal version of Villaways Up and Rooted Exhibit coming to City Hall Jan. 4 FANNIE SUNSHINE fsunshine@insidetoronto.com

SHOPPING wagjag.com AMAZING DEALS ON GROUP DISCOUNTS

shop.ca

SHOP AND EARN, EVERY TIME!

save.ca

COUPONS-FLYERS-DEALS-TIPS

KEEP IN TOUCH @northyorkmirror www.facebook.com/ northyorkmirror

MORE ONLINE

Book of Negroes star has Jane-Finch roots Lyriq Bent has a lead role in CBC mini-series debuting next week CLARK KIM ckim@insidetoronto.com

insidetoronto.com

Acting wasn’t something Lyriq Bent told many people about, especially when he first started to learn the craft about 13 years

ago. But more people are recognizing him on screen with the growing number of roles the Toronto native has been getting lately. “A lot of people didn’t know

I was dabbling in acting for years,” recalled Bent, who grew up in the Jane and Finch community for 12 years before moving to Los Angeles in 2005 where he currently resides. “I liked the challenge and I’m determined.” His determination has gotten him roles in the popular hit television show Rookie Blue as well as the Saw horror franchise

movies. He will also be featured in a lead role in the upcoming CBC mini-series called The Book of Negroes based on Canadian author Lawrence Hill’s book of the same name. “As I read the book, I was so intrigued by the title,” Bent said. The multi-award winning >>>KEEPING, page 10

Bright, big houses with pretty curtains overlook a lake, where fish swim and people can admire the view from a pier. That’s the vision a group of young artists from a Toronto Community Housing complex at Leslie Street and Sheppard Avenue have come up with for their community, set to undergo a revitalization that will see 121 rental units replaced and condos added to the seven-acre Villaways site. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2017, and completed in 2019. The artists’ imaginations came to life in the form of a 6-by-8 foot neighbourhood diorama, which was created with the help of two profes>>>‘GOING, page 10

NORTH YORK MIRROR s | Wednesday, December 31, 2014 |

“With warm wishes, I want to thank all my dearest friends and clients for their warmest support and encouragement in the past year and for the future. I hope I will be able to continue to provide you with the best level of customer service satisfaction. With the growing desire for solidarity, let’s celebrate the new incoming year 2015, with great success and happiness.”

SOLD in 2014

If you are thinking of moving, selling, or buying, call SHARON now for Free Market Evaluation! Let us show you how serious we are about selling your home fast & for top dollar

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE IN WORKING WITH SHARON, ONE OF TORONTO’S TOP AGENTS Life Time Achievement, Constant Diamond Award #1 In Willowdale Since 2009 #3 in Canada (Re/Max July 2012) #4 Worldwide (Re/Max 2012)

Broker

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

D��

.com

Chairman’s Club

A��D

PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU OWN A CAR AND INTERESTED IN MAKING EXTRA INCOME FOR INSTALLING AND REMOVING SIGNS FOR OPEN HOUSES FOR THE WEEKENDS cell # Experience The Difference

416-892-0188 OFFICE #

416-901-8881

Community partnerships key for top cop police in North York divisions

Finding the city’s next

David Nickle dnickle@insidetoronto.com

The

Road

Ahead for toronto’s police force FANNIE SUNSHINE fsunshine@insidetoronto.com

The goals of the three North York police divisions for the upcoming year are relatively the same as in 2014: to keep neighbourhoods safe and incidents down. But to accomplish that requires a group effort between officers and civilians, said the division heads. “It was a good year overall,” said 33 Division Supt. Neil Corrigan. “In our line of work it’s difficult to say if it’s good or bad, as there are always victims of crime.” Much has been accomplished this year, including traffic collision reductions, and arrests have been made in the three homicides that fell within the division, he said. The division, which serves some of the more affluent neighbourhoods of North York including The Bridle Path, is somewhat unique in the city because it doesn’t typically deal with major crime such as shootings, Corrigan said, adding the top matters are traffic-related. “It’s an amazing community to live in,” said the Don Mills resident. “Overall, the biggest concerns are traffic and some street disorder from time to time, not shootings or drugs. That’s not the case in 33.” He credits his officers’ innovative ideas in improving road safety, and monthly meetings with the division’s Community Police Liaison Committee in helping to keep lawbreaking down. Corrigan’s goals for 2015 centre around improving quality of life for residents of the division, which is bounded by Steeles Avenue, Victoria Park Avenue, Eglinton Avenue, and Bayview Avenue. “I think most people think we catch bad guys and hand out tickets,” he said. “We do that, but (policing) involves so much more.” Fostering relationships with young people and taking on social issues

Staff photo/IRVIN MINTZ

Toronto police Supt. Tony Riviere commands 31 Division.

YOUR THOUGHTS

on local police priorities? Email us at nym@insidetoronto.com

are part of the job, he said. Officers will go into high schools to talk about teen suicide and bullying, topics that don’t typically come to mind when thinking of police, he said. For Tony Riviere, the past year wasn’t without its challenges, but favourable overall. The superintendent of 31 Division said although major crime was down, the division has dealt with two murders, the recovery of 32 firearms, 31 calls for firearm discharge, and 30 gun-related injuries so far this year. But Riviere said one of the biggest challenges lies outside arrests and investigations. The division, which is bounded by Steeles Avenue, the CN rail line, Hwy. 401, and the Humber River,

“

We need to create safe, secure, vibrant neighbourhoods and we have to do that in co-operation with residents. – Supt. Tony Riviere

takes in the Jane Street and Finch Avenue neighbourhood, an area that tends to follow a code of silence and mistrust of police. “There are some issues with public trust and public engagement,” he said. “We continue to strive in working to improve relationships with community members. We cannot respond effectively in absence of co-operation with the community. For us to be effective, we need to create safe, secure, vibrant neighbourhoods, and we have to do that in co-operation with residents.” Riviere said he strongly believes if an injustice has been committed, whether by police or civilians, it should be made an issue. “If an injustice occurs at the hands of a police officer, there should be public outcry,” he said. “I’m cognizant of the fact injustice just doesn’t occur when wearing a uniform. Young neighbours holding neighbourhoods hostage through discharged firearms at funerals, barbecues, school yards, that too is an injustice and we need to address it with equal vigor. I’m appealing to residents to join me.” Insp. Tim Crone of 32 Division

said officers were rocked by the July slaying of teacher Abshir Hassan, 31, in Lawrence Heights. No arrests have been made. “It was disheartening to us,” said the second-in-command of the division. “It was so brazen and graphic. A lot of people closed their doors and it took us back 10 years. They didn’t want to talk, and it was surprising. (Communication) is much better today, but it took a lot of convincing to talk to us.” On a more positive note, the division was part of a major crime project targeting high-end residential break-ins and vehicle thefts that saw nine arrests in three divisions. And there were three arrests in a July armoured car hold-up investigation in the Avenue Road and Lawrence Avenue area, he said. Goals for 2015 centre on cutting down traffic congestion, as mandated by Mayor John Tory, maintaining youth partnerships, and keeping the victimization rate down, Crone said.

Find more stories from all of our city’s police divisions online at http://bit.ly/1teulr7

or most people looking for work, going up against a four- or five-person hiring committee is nerve-wracking enough. Candidates for the top policing job in the city will have it a little tougher. “It’s a citywide interview process,” said Michael Thompson, former Toronto Police Services Board vice-chair. Thompson and Chair Alok Mukherjee developed the system for hiring the replacement for Toronto police Chief William Blair. “It’s an open, transparent, fully accessible process that everyone’s involved with,” Thompson said. “The system and process we put in place allowed for internal/ external discussion to come up with the criterion we want.” The first part of that process, stakeholder consultations, have already taken place. The consultations looked to find answers to four questions: what are the top challenges faced by the new chief; what competencies will the chief need; what would those competencies mean from different perspectives; and what would they look like on an everyday basis. common themes In a report to the police services board Dec. 5, the consultants noted some common themes. The chief needs to be visible and build relationship among stakeholder populations. Communityoriented policing is essential. The chief must recognize diversity. Stakeholders also wanted a chief to bring innovative ideas, at the same time as he or she listened to community needs. The Police Services Board will then use that information to come up with a short list. Thompson said final applicants will face not only the hiring committee, but the general public. “It’s a full engagement process and the public will be able to hear from them,” Thompson said. “It’s never happened before in the city. We felt that we wanted to see something open and transparent. I think that’s interesting and cool.”

To read more from City Hall reporter David Nickle, visit us online at www.insidetoronto.com

| NORTH YORK MIRROR | Wednesday, December 31, 2014

exclusive feature

NORTH YORK MIRROR | Wednesday, December 31, 2014 |

opinion

The North York Mirror is published every Thursday at 175 Gordon Baker Rd., Toronto, ON, M2H 0A2, by Metroland Media Toronto, a Division of Metroland Media Group Ltd.

Ian Proudfoot Marg Middleton Peter Haggert Paul Futhey Warren Elder Rob Falbo Gord Paolucci Mike Banville

WHO WE SERVE

Publisher General Manager Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Regional Dir. of Advertising Advertising Director Regional Dir. of Classified, Real Estate Director of Circulation

North York Mirror City of Toronto

The Mirror is a member of the Ontario Press Council. Visit ontpress.com

Proudly serving the communities of Banbury-Don Mills • Bathurst Manor • Bayview Village • Bayview Woods-Steeles • Black Creek Bridle Path-Sunnybrook-York Mills • BrookhavenAmesbury • Clanton Park • Don Valley Village Downsview-Roding-CFB • Englemount-Lawrence Flemingdon Park • Glenfield-Jane Heights Henry Farm • Hillcrest Village • Humber Summit Humbermede • Lansing-Westgate • Maple Leaf Newtonbrook East • Newtonbrook West Parkwoods-Donalda • Pelmo Park-Humberlea Pleasant View • Rustic • St. Andrew-Windfields Victoria Village • Westminster-Branson Willowdale East • Willowdale West Yorkdale-Glen Park • York University Heights

A year of change for Toronto police

ith a new mayor already in office and a new police chief to be named in the spring, 2015 is guaranteed to be a year of change for Toronto. Among the challenges for Mayor John Tory, who officially took office at the beginning of December, the hiring of a new chief to replace Bill Blair will be among the most critical. The relationship between the Toronto Police Services Board and police officers is not a good one at the moment, with the police union upset at board chair Alok Mukherjee for his recent Facebook post regarding the number of blacks shot by police in the United States. Also, Blair is unhappy with the board for its position regarding a report on “carding” of community members in North York’s 31 Division. Tory has made a good move towards repairing these relationships by taking a seat on the police board himself, something former mayor our view Rob Ford did not do. Hopefully, trust can be rebuilt between police board members and, most 2015 to see a officers, importantly, the residents they new chief at serve and protect. Key to that will be the selection the helm of a new chief. In today’s edition, we look at the selection process that will be used to hire Toronto’s next police chief. It’s a much more public process than ever before, and more information can be found in our feature on page 3. Also in today’s edition we’ve talked to those in charge of the police divisions in our community (31, 32 and 33 Divisions) to see what their priorities are for the coming year. Reducing street crime and working with youth were among the main goals identified by many of the divisions. A visible police presence on the streets helps keep street crime at bay, and gets officers out in their community interacting with those who live and work there – especially youth. It’s a good goal, but sometimes with community contact comes criticism. The carding report in 31 Division raised concerns that young black members of the community were being unfairly singled out for negative attention by police. There’s a fine line between having officers on the streets to deter crime and increase the sense of community safety while at the same time not appearing to target one group for undue attention. It will be an early and crucial test for Toronto’s new police chief to find that balance.

Write us The North York Mirror welcomes letters of 400 words or less. All submissions must include name, address and a daytime telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Copyright in letters remains with the author but the publisher and affiliates may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms. Letters can be sent to letters@ insidetoronto.com, or mailed to The North York Mirror, 175 Gordon Baker Rd. Toronto, ON, M2H 0A2.

column

The pigeon and the psychiatrist: Confessions of an unmasked mascot

o a pigeon walks into a psychiatrist’s office. Not just any pigeon, either. We’re talking the one and only Parkdale Pigeon, the famous mascot of the Parkdale Pigeons, a legend in the world of minor hockey. Psychiatrist: “So how can I help you, son?” Parkdale Pigeon: “Well, Doc, it’s like this. I’m the mascot for a minor hockey team in Parkdale.” Psychiatrist: “Say no more. I know your team well. I go to all of your home games. Not to worry, the Pigeons won’t be in last place forever. If they add four fast forwards, two big defencemen, have a good draft and pick up a couple of free agents things could turn around. If not, I hear the league is adding two

jamie wayne BUT SERIOUSLY teams next year, so you’ll at least be better than those two new expansion pushovers.” Pigeon: “Very funny, Doc. But it’s not about the team, it’s about my outfit.” Psychiatrist: “You mean it’s too hot? Well, you know what they say: If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the pigeon.” Pigeon: “Are you gonna be serious, Doc?” Psychiatrist: “Relax, son. I was just messing with you. Don’t get your feathers ruffled.” Pigeon: “Doctor.” Psychiatrist: “Sorry. I couldn’t resist. Please continue. I’ll be good from now on. Now, what are

you getting in such a flap about?” Pigeon: “Doctorrr.” Psychiatrist: “That’s the last one, I promise.” Pigeon: “The thing is, I have to wear this get-up virtually 24 hours a day.” Psychiatrist: “Go on.” Pigeon: “I have to be in costume for all the games, for example.” Psychiatrist: “I see.” Pigeon: “Then there are all the charity appearances.” Psychiatrist: “Uh huh.” Pigeon: “And let’s not forget all the other functions and events for which I serve as team ambassador.” Psychiatrist: “So you’re busy? That’s your problem?” Pigeon: “Heavens no. It’s not the work. I love it. It’s just that I’m in the cos-

tume so much I’m starting to really feel like a pigeon. The truth is, after spending all this time in the uniform I don’t know where I begin and the pigeon ends.” Psychiatrist: “Ahhh. So that’s it. You’re having an identity crisis. Well, why didn’t you say so in the first place?” Pigeon: “I was trying to Doc, but you kept doing shtick. So can you help me?” Psychiatrist: “Well, I do have one suggestion.” Pigeon: “What is it? I’ll do anything.” Psychiatrist: “You might want to come down from the windowsill.” Jamie Wayne is a lifelong columnist, who takes writing very seriously. The topics? Not so much. His column appears every Thursday. Contact him at jamie.wayne@sympatico.ca

newsroom ph: 416-493-4400 fax: 416-774-2070 | circulation ph: 416-493-4400 fax: 416-675-3470 | distribution ph: 416-493-4400 fax: 416-675-3066 | display advertising ph: 416-493-4400 fax: 416-774-2067 | classifieds ph: 416-798-7284 | administration ph: 416-493-4400

North YOrk happening in

it’s happening w Friday, Jan. 2

LEGO Fun WHEN: 2 to 3:30 p.m. WHERE: Victoria Village Library, 184 Sloane Ave. CONTACT: 416-395-5950, dkyraleos@torontopubliclibrary.ca COST: Free Use your imaginations and creativity to construct awesome LEGO structures. Registration is required. Also offered Saturday, Jan. 3, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

w Monday, Jan. 5

Artist Talk: Naomi Zener WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. WHERE: Barbara Frum Library Auditorium, 20 Covington Rd. CONTACT: 416-395-5440 COST: Free Zener has written an entertaining, sassy and hilarious first novel: In ‘Deathbed Dimes’ Joely Zeller is an ambitious young Jewish attorney who encounters obstacles on her way to have it all: a great career and love, despite the ‘help’ of her family.

w Tuesday, Jan. 6

Rockford School Council Meeting WHEN: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Rockford Public School, 60 Rockford Rd. CONTACT: rockfordschoolcouncil@gmail.com, http://schoolweb. tdsb.on.ca/rockford/SchoolCouncil. aspx COST: Free

featured

w Thursday, Jan. 8

Concert-Lecture: Not Your Usual Klezmer WHEN: 7 to 8:30 p.m. WHERE: Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto, 210 Wilson Ave. CONTACT: 416-487-4161, www.templesinai.net, programs@templesinai.net COST: Free Klezmer clarinettist/flutist Jonno Lightstone and jazz and Jewish music artist Brian Katz combine their talents to explore rarely performed klezmer repertoire. The inviting texture of the classical guitar and flute will intrigue listeners who have yet to hear the quieter side of klezmer. Check out our complete online community calendar by visiting www. northyorkmirror.com. Read weeks of listings from your North York neighbourhoods as well as events from across Toronto. This month’s agenda includes parent outreach and use of social media. Tai Chi for Beginners WHEN: 6:30 to 8 p.m. WHERE: Barbara Frum Library Auditorium, 20 Covington Rd. CONTACT: 416-3955440 COST: Free A four-week beginners class. The Neuroscience of Willpower WHEN: 7 to 8 p.m. WHERE: North York Central Library Auditorium, 5120 Yonge St. COST: Free This presentation explains the underlying neuroscience driving our behaviours and offers eight simple ‘change interventions’ to help you meet your goals.

w Wednesday, Jan. 7

Watercolour Art Classes WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon WHERE: Parkwoods United Church, 85 Parkwoods Village Dr. CONTACT: 416-447-5519, www.parkwoodsunitedchurch.ca, office@parkwoodsunitedchurch.ca COST: $60/five week session or $15/class Join professional art instructor Melinda Calway (www.timelessgraphics. ca) every Wednesday. Participants will learn a variety of watercolour techniques. Call to register. Feminist Book Discussion Group WHEN: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. WHERE: North York Central Library, Room 2, 5120 Yonge St. CONTACT: Diane

Meaghan, 416-509-5508, diane. meaghan@utoronto.ca COST: Free Group meets on the first Wednesday of each month. Today we discuss ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ by Alice Munroe. Sponsored by the Older Women’s Network. Knitting Circle WHEN: 4 to 5 p.m. WHERE: York Woods Public Library, 1785 Finch Ave. W. CONTACT: 416-395-5980 COST: Free Needlework, crochet or knitting. Learn or get advice. Drop-in. All ages.

w Thursday, Jan. 8

From Theory to the Kitchen Cooking Class WHEN: Noon to 2 p.m. WHERE: Unison Health & Community Service Bathurst Finch Hub, 540 Finch Ave. W. CONTACT: Azin, 647-436-0385, Ext. 519, azin.zurbuchen@unisonhcs.org COST: Free A four-week cooking class led by a registered dietitian aimed at teaching how to put healthy meals together. To attend you must have pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes. Call to register. The class will be offered again in March and May.

184 Sloane Ave. CONTACT: Despina Kyraleos, 416-395-5950, dkyraleos@ torontopubliclibrary.ca COST: Free A discussion of the novel ‘Russian Winter’ by Daphne Kalotay. Movie: ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ WHEN: 2 to 4 p.m. WHERE: Barbara Frum Library Auditorium, 20 Covington Rd. CONTACT: 416-395-5440 COST: Free

w Friday, Jan. 9

Family Time WHEN: 10:30 to 11 a.m. WHERE: Victoria Village Library, 184 Sloane Ave. CONTACT: Victoria Village Staff, 416-395-5950, , dkyraleos@torontopubliclibrary.ca COST: Free Fridays starting today until Feb. 13. Stories, songs and rhymes for preschool children with their parents or caregivers.

Victoria Village Adult Book Clubs WHEN: 2 to 3 p.m. or 7 to 8 p.m. WHERE: Victoria Village Library,

get listed! The North York Mirror wants your community listings. Sign up online at northyorkmirror. com to submit your events (click the Sign Up link in the top right corner of the page). We run non-profit, local events in print weekly in The Mirror.

TORONTO FRENCH MONTESSORI SCHOOL Learning Through Discovery

FRENCH & ENGLISH EDUCATION WITH SPANISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CO-EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS AGED 2 TO 14

CUMMER CAMPUS OPEN HOUSE JANUARY 16, 2015 SHEPPARD CAMPUS OPEN HOUSE JANUARY 23, 2015

416.250.9952 TorontoFrenchMontesssori.com

WE ARE ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS FOR 2015 - 2016 SCHOOL YEAR

| NORTH YORK MIRROR | Wednesday, December 31, 2014

community calendar

NORTH YORK MIRROR | Wednesday, December 31, 2014 |

community northyorkmirror.com

Celebrate with the Scots

pets Pocket Pets Life with Pets blogger offers myths about small animals

Photos/PETER c. MCCUSKER

bit.ly/1koWJb6

For more community photos, visit bit.ly/northyork_galleries

transit How does it affect you?

Custom transit reports and news online

insidetoronto.com/ transit

food Winter salads

Clockwise from top left: Adrianna Prosser, left, opens the door for first-footer Larry Ostola during Hogmanay, the Scottish New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s celebration, at the Gibson House Museum on Monday. At Hogmanay the first-footer is the first to cross the threshold in the new year, bringing luck and prosperity; Kenneth Stewart Ramsden performs, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Address to A Haggisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;; Prosser, carries in the Haggis. In partnership with

Try a Spicy Sausage and Lentil Winter Salad recipe

bit.ly/13667r9

Social Media

www.facebook.com/ northyorkmirror

@northyorkmirror

In partnership with

Introducing the New Cash-Back Feature. Introducing the NewSave.ca Save.ca Mobile Mobile Cash-Back Feature. WithWith exclusive offers forforthe love&&$5 $5cash-out cash-out minimums exclusive offers thebrands brands you you love minimums through PayPal, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never withoutyour yoursmart smart phone again! through PayPal, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll nevergo goshopping shopping without phone again!

1. Browse & Shop 2. Upload Receipt 3. Get Cash Back! 1. Browse & Shop 2. Upload Receipt 3. Get Cash Back! Browse the mobile app

Browse thefavourite mobile brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s app for your for your favourite brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offers, and purchase offers,them andatpurchase any store them at any store

Take a photo of your

Take a photo of your receipt and submit it receipt andthe submit through app it through the app

Once you reach just $5, Once you reach the money you savejust will $5, the money you be transferred into save your will be PayPal transferred walletinto your

PayPal wallet

In partnership with

Julianna’s Furniture 1 Arrow Rd., Weston, ON., M9M 1L4 FREE DELIVERY

8 Pc. Reg. $5,000 Now $2,499

B o x i n g Wee k S a l e UP TO 80% OFF

Factory Price Open to Public 1,000 Choice of Fabric Free

8 Pc. Reg. $5,500 Now $3,499

8 Pc. Reg. $3,500 Now $1,899

NO GST

8 Pc. Reg. $2,500 Now $1,499

8 Pc. Reg. $3,000 Now $1,999

8 Pc. Reg. $2,000 Now $999

3 Pc. Reg. $3,000 Now $1,499

4 Pc. Reg. $3,000 Now $1,499

5 Pc. Reg. $2,000 Now $999

5 Pc. Reg. $3,000 Now $1,499

3 Pc. Reg. $3,000 Now $1,499

7 Pc. Reg. $2,000 Now $999

6 Pc. Reg. $2,000 Now $999

7 Pc. Reg. $1,800 Now $899

7 Pc. Reg. $3,000 Now $999

7 Pc. Reg. $2,000 Now $1,999

7 Pc. Reg. $1,999 Now $999

3 Pc. Reg. $500 Now $249

3 Pc. Reg. $450 Now $225

2 Pc. Reg. $400 Now $199

4 Pc. Reg. $600 Now $299

3 Pc. Reg. $600 Now $299

Reg. $1,000

Now $489

| NORTH YORK MIRROR | Wednesday, December 31, 2014

416.748.3696

NORTH YORK MIRROR | Wednesday, December 31, 2014 |

the north york mirror examines a local issue

our exclusive look

Veteran honoured for lifetime of service North York’s Mort Lightstone receives commendation

LISA QUEEN nym@insidetoronto.com

etired Capt. Mor t Lightstone was one of 20 recipients presented with a Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation earlier this year. The veteran was honoured for a lifetime of dedication to Canada’s military, which included serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Korean War and being one of the few Canadians who participated in the Vietnam War. His volunteer service includes being president of the Toronto Warriors’ Day parade council for 20 years, filling the position of national adjutant of the Jewish War Veterans of Canada for 35 years, serving as president of the Aircrew Association for 20 years, being a member of the National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada for five years and sitting as a member of the Canadian Intelligence and Military Police Association for four years. Active with the Historica Canada Memory Project, Lightstone speaks to more than 2,000 students a year. He is thrilled to be awarded the commendation. “I was very excited, of course, because it’s the highest award, the highest recognition, a veteran in Canada can receive as a veteran,” he told

The Mirror in the living room of his condo at Finch Avenue and Don Mills Road. “They can still get the Order of Canada, for example, but it would be other reasons that would bring them to that.”

ightstone, who turned 82 on Nov. 12, grew up in Ottawa, the youngest of four brothers in a low-income Jewish family. “I grew up in a very poor family. I had three brothers and never received new clothes, always got hand-medowns,” he said. “When I was about 12 or 13, I joined the air cadets and for the first time in my life, I got new clothes from head to toe. New boots, socks, everything. Raincoat, winter coat, I couldn’t believe it.” The young teenager loved hanging out with the other cadets one or two nights a week and quickly adapted to the military structure. The cadets also fostered in Lightstone a deep appreciation for service clubs. The Kiwanis Club that sponsored his unit helped Lightstone’s father find a job. Years later, when he was married and living in Alberta, as part of his commitment to give back, Lightstone would join Optimist International and rise quickly through the ranks.

h i l e g r o w i n g u p. Lightstone remembers anti-Semitism in Ottawa – something that he didn’t experience in the air cadets – and a sense of animosity between the minority French Canadians and even smaller Jewish community in his neighbourhood. It was an atmosphere that created an unusual and memorable relationship between Lightstone and another neighbourhood kid, who would go on to claim his own level of celebrity: future mayor of Ottawa Lorry Greenberg.

ightstone’s family’s financial circumstances meant higher education wasn’t in the cards for him. But the Korean War (from 1950 to 1953) was. Lightstone flew 1,000 hours during the war on the Korean Airlift, which were military missions flown by the air forces of countries participating in the United Nations mission. The Airlift dropped off supplies, transported troops, performed medivac and air rescues and other duties. While Lightstone agreed the war was justified, he was disappointed with some of the politics of participating in a UN mission and the fact the Canadian government denied Korean War veterans their pensions for 39 years because it was initially deemed a police action rather than a war.

Staff photo/Lisa Queen

Former Canadian Air Force captain Mort Lightstone displays the Commendation for Exemplary Service he received from federal Minister of Veterans Affairs Julian Fantino.

Still, he had clearly found his calling in the air force. “After three years’ service, I was called in one day and was told the air force was very happy with my work and they offered me a permanent commission. I could stay in forever,” Lightstone said. “In my head, that equates to me having a university degree. My ambition at that time was to be a lawyer and when I thought it out, by the time I got a degree and went to law school and did my articling, I would be more than half way to my air force pension so I accepted the commission and stayed in the forces for a total of 28 years.” Lightstone had a wide variety of duties during his military career including becoming very involved in computers at the Department of National Defence headquarters when the field was in its infancy.

uring the dying days of the Vietnam War, following the signing of the Paris Peace Accord that set out conditions for end of the conflict, Lightstone was part of a Canadian air force crew that flew to the Southeast Asian country. “It was agreed that as soon as the Paris Peace Accord was signed, the Canadians would move to Vietnam some top secret communications equipment,” he said. “The treaty was signed

and four hours later, I got a phone call ‘You’re going. Right away’.” The accord gave the air crew four hours to drop its cargo, refuel and leave the country. However, the Canadian government very soon regretted its involvement and, in a political move, ordered Lightstone’s crew to remain in Vietnam and to change from their uniforms into civilian clothing, Lightstone said. Those orders left the crew feeling at risk and scrambling to find food and shelter, he said. They turned to the Americans for assistance but were soundly rejected by Col. Glenn Jones, who was in charge of base operations, due to the strict conditions of the accord. Tabbed by a Canadian aircraft commander to talk to Jones directly, Lightstone was able convince him to provide support to the Canadian air men. Jones even allowed the Canadians to use an abandoned, run down building on the base for shelter. When the Canadians later received instructions from the government to leave Vietnam immediately for Bangkok, Lightstone searched for Jones to say goodbye but couldn’t find him. Instead, he wrote him a letter on a yellow piece of foolscap paper and left him his navigator’s wings.

In January of this year, Jones’ son, retired Maj.-Gen. Duane A. Jones, contacted Lightstone to say he had found his letter among his deceased father’s treasured items. “I was very touched when I got that letter,” Lightstone said.

ow divorced, Lightstone has a daughter named Helen and son named Steven. He is a grandfather of two granddaughters in university. He is also active in the community outside the military. For example, he is a volunteer facilitator for a government program teaching people how to live with chronic illnesses. Lightstone will be one of a handful of volunteers in charge of a small army of workers responsible for thousands of flags being displayed during the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/ Parapan Am Games. He also runs an income tax business, charging people based on the charitable receipts they have, Saying he loves doing things for others, Lightstone said he has no intentions of slowing down. “It’s pay back (to the community),” he said. “If we don’t help each other, who will?”

Visit northyorkmirror.com for an extended version of this story.

REAL ESTATE Call

416-493-4400 to advertise

647-284-0228

SOLD

“Circle of Legends” Remax HIGHEST AWARD!

SOLD

22 ARGONNE CRES. $1,260,000

57 LAURIE SHEPWAY WAY $499,000

1401-5 NORTHTOWN WAY $445,000

SOLD

IN SALES IN WILLOWDALE C14 & C15 (Combined) FROM 1997-2013

79 MEADOWVIEW AVE $1,718,000

Thank You To All My Family, Friends, Clients And The Community. Wishing Everyone A Very Healthy And Wonderful New Year 2015!!

Re/Max Realtron Realty Ltd., Brokerage

99% ASKING SOLD

2220 LAKE SHORE BLVD. #2101 (EXCLUSIVE)

Park Lawn / Lake Shore W, West Lake 2 Brand New Condo, 2 Bedrm, 2 Full Bathrm, 801 Sq. Ft. + WalkOut Balcony, Spectacular South Lake View, Marina, CN Tower, Toronto City Line & Sunsets, Laminate Fl, Down Stair Metro, Sheppard Drug & Tim Horton. 1 Parking & 1 Locker. Occupancy April 15, 2015. This Is Assignment.

18 CHISWELL CRES (EXCLUSIVE)

Bayview / Finch E. Free Hold 3 Bdrm + 1, 4 Bathrm Townhouse, Both Side Detached Like A House. 2 Car Garage & Double Driveway Can Accommodate 4 Cars, Granite Kitchen W/Cherry Wood Cabinet, Large Family Rm W/Balcony, Extra Large Sun Room Walk Out To Landscaped Garden, Fin Bsmt W/ Rec Rm, 1 Bedrm & 3Pcs Bathrm. Bayview Ms & Earl Haig Ss District.

5168 YONGE ST., #2511 (EXCLUSIVE)

Yonge / Empress, Menkes Gibson Brand New Condo In Heart Of NorthYork,1 Bedrm,1 Full Bathrm, 595 Sq. Ft. + Walk-Out Balcony, Spectacular East View,Laminate Fl,Granite Countertop,Underground Direct to Yonge Subway, 1 Parking & 1 Locker. Occupancy In Feb 6th, 2015. This Is An Assignment.

2220 LAKE SHORE BLVD. #4010 (EXCLUSIVE)

MICHAEL MAO

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED

DIRECT:

416-984-3988 English

8,0 0

Email: mmao@michaelmao.com Web: www.michaelmao.com

$9 5

$2 7

5,0 0

Custom Build New Sun. Jan. 11th, 2:00pm - 4:00pm Call Michael 416-984-3988 to reserve. Home Workshop at 99 Sheppard Ave. E. Only 7 seats available.

Park Lawn / Lake Shore W, West Lake 2 Brand New Condo In , 1 Bedrm, 1 Full Bathrm, 513 Sq. Ft. + WalkOut Balcony, Spectacular South Lake View, Marina, CN Tower, Toronto City line & Sunsets, Laminate Fl, Doen Stair Metro, Sheppard Drug & Tim Horton, 1 Parking & 1 Locker. Occupancy Mar 27, 2015. This Is Assignment.

2 MIRA RD. (EXCLUSIVE)

Yonge / Clarke, Large Private Fenced Lot, 120 x 50 Ft, 3 Bedrms +1, 3 Bathrms, 2 Kitchens, Concrete Double Driveway& Double Garage. Newer Hardwood Floors. Newer Roof, Newer Kitchens, Newer Windows & Doors, Newer Bathrooms, 2 Skylights. Finished Basement W/WalkOut, Steps To Thornhill Secondary School & Yonge Street.

SOLD

SOLD 31 DELABO DRIVE $609,900

SOLD 35 DEEPGLADE CRES $831,000

$3 64 ,5

00 5,0 $1 ,02

19 ,00

,57 0,0 0

BILL THOM Broker

52 CENTRE AVE.

159 FINCH AVE EAST $998,000

20 GASPE ROAD $1,028,000

416-222-8600

Yonge / Cummer

SOLD

Your SOLE Specialist Licensed Since 1983

5 GRANLEA RD $1,198,000

Happy New Year

Re/Max Realtron Realty Ltd., Brokerage

Top 1% of

RE/MAX Canada

| NORTH YORK MIRROR | Wednesday, December 31, 2014

#1 READ NEWSPAPER IN NORTH YORK.

NORTH YORK MIRROR | Wednesday, December 31, 2014 |

community

Keeping busy on TV and film sets ‘Going to City Hall is huge for them’ >>>from page 1 novel The Book of Negroes recounts the story of an African woman named Aminata Diallo who is kidnapped and sold into slavery from Africa to the southern U.S. She later escapes to Manhattan and then helps register 3,000 Black Loyalists in the “Book of Negroes” who left the United States and resettled in Nova Scotia. Bent plays Diallo’s husband alongside Academy Awardwinning actors Cuba Gooding Jr. and Lou Gossett Jr. with Clement Virgo directing the mini-series. “It was a project I had to be involved with. I was so captivated by that story,” Bent said. “It’s also an important story to learn from especially with what’s happening in today’s society like in Ferguson. It’s going to strum a chord.” While 2014 was a busy year for Bent, he’s already looking

Photo/Joe Alblas

Lyriq Bent, left, appears in the upcoming mini-series The Book of Negroes.

forward to 2015 with the miniseries set to air beginning Jan. 7. He’s also featured in the TV series adaptation of the movie 12 Monkeys as well as playing the supporting lead in Pay the Ghost featuring Nicolas Cage. But despite keeping busy on TV and film sets, Bent still likes

to return to Toronto whenever he can. “When you’re in Toronto, you don’t realize how great a city it is until you leave it,” he said. “You realize how beautiful it is.”

Visit our story online at bit. ly/13Qxcjm to see a clip of The Book of Negroes trailer.

>>>from page 1 sional artists and run by Art Starts. The Up and Rooted art exhibit will be on display in the rotunda of City Hall, 100 Queen St., Jan. 4 to 9 with an official reception Wednesday, Jan. 7 from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Crafted by more than 28 young Villaways residents aged four to 15, the diorama was completed over two months in the summer, said project manager Carleen Robinson of Art Starts. “They built a community how they’d like to see it,” she said of the youngsters. “Right now, the community is mostly browns, grays, no colour. The project represents community, dedication and creativity. We have no idea what the revitalization is actually going to look like.” Participants used a variety of materials to create the model by hand, including

cardboard, paint, tissue paper, flowers, leaves, twigs, moss, sunflower seeds, glue and ice pop sticks, Robinson said. What was supposed to be a family tree project eventually turned into the diorama, she said, adding she wanted the “masterpiece” on display. S o A r t St a r t s g o t i n touch with Don Valley East Councillor Shelley Carroll, whose ward includes Villaways, and she arranged for it to be displayed at City Hall, Robinson said, adding the artists will also get a tour of the building by the councillor. “The kids who live there ( Villaways) have faced so many obstacles,” she said. “Going to City Hall is huge for them. It’s a huge morale issue as well.” Though plans for the d i o ra m a f o l l ow i n g t h e

exhibit have yet to be finalized, Robinson hopes it will be showcased at every city hall in the Greater Toronto Area. “I’m really proud of the creativity and talent that these young people have shown through this art piece and I’m thrilled that it will be on display at City Hall for others to see,” Carroll said. “Many of these young people haven’t been to City Hall before, so when they come down to see their artwork on display I will also give them a tour and hopefully (Mayor John Tory) will be available for a few minutes to say hello. This is their City Hall, too, and I want them to feel welcome and excited about interacting with their municipal government.”

For more information about Art Starts, visit www.artstarts. net

REAL ESTATE

GET “THE WISEMAN ADVANTAGE”

“Living, Loving and Selling Banbury/Don Mills”

BILL WISEMAN Sale Representative

416.443.0300

For Professional Service and Results, please email me at billw@royallepage.ca or call me anytime at 416-443-0300

11 | NORTH YORK MIRROR s | Wednesday, December 31, 2014

column

Make pet adoption one of your 2015 resolutions Boston terrier Zoey would make a great companion

ur final column of 2014 features a fun-loving Boston

terrier. Zoey is an eight-yearold, 20 pound, spayed female Boston beauty – a splendid mix of peppy and placid. The most gregarious of gals, Zoey loves to meet people and is more than happy to offer them instant kisses. She enjoys interacting with dogs of all sizes and is also content to sleep all afternoon near her foster mom’s desk until walk time. Comfortable enough in her crate, she much prefers being left free to sleep in her doggy bed. Although partially blind in her left eye due to an ulcer, Zoey can run with the best of them, and isn’t hindered at all. Zoey can become skittish around loud noises and sudden movements and prefers a calm and quiet home environment. So accustomed to company during the day, Zoey’s dream house (without cats, please) would be a replica of what she has now with her foster mom, but with a best doggy friend as a bonus for added companionship. Email adoptions@bostonterrierrescuecanada. com for adoption or other information. See Zoey and other Boston terriers at www.bostonterrierrescuecanada.com

lorraine houston critter chatter They need a daily diet of pellets and unlimited hay, plus a portion of fruit/ veggies. Fresh water must always be provided, preferably in a sipper bottle. A pair of piggies requires approximately eight square feet of cage floor space, and Piggles Rescue can help

you build and design the perfect cage for your new piggy friends. For information about Willow and Kramer, other adoptables or how to build a guinea pig cage email info@pigglesrescue.com. See more online at www. pigglesrescue.com Lorraine Houston is director of Speaking of Dogs, an organization devoted to education, outreach and rescue. Her column appears monthly. Contact her at lhh4dogs@rogers.com

WHAT ARE YOU

CROWDFUNDING FOR? fuellocal.com is an online platform to raise money through crowdfunding: an opportunity for a collection of individuals to make donations in support of a cause. Create your fundraising campaign or help fund local initiatives at fuellocal.com

Start your campaign now!

UR O Y T E L DON’ T E S A E L E VEHICL WN. O D U O CHAIN Y . T U O T S BU

of guinea pics seeks home together wpair

If you’re in the market for a pair of cutie-pie pigs, take a look at Willow and Kramer. This bonded pair of guinea pigs would love to have a home of their own (together) for the new year Willow is a female and Kramer a neutered male. Guinea pigs make wonderful, interactive family pets and are easy to care for as long as a few basic food and housing requirements are met.

LeaseBusters.com is the largest vehicle lease marketplace in Canada – we’ll unlock you from your vehicle lease commitment... save time, early termination fees and penalties. Photos/courtesy

Boston terrier Zoey, at top, and guinea pigs Willow and Kramer are this month’s pets in need of homes for the holidays.

Call now for a free consultation 1-888-357-2678 or visit us at www.LeaseBusters.com

.com

NORTH YORK MIRROR s | Wednesday, December 31, 2014 |

| NORTH YORK MIRROR s | Wednesday, December 31, 2014

NORTH YORK MIRROR | Wednesday, December 31, 2014 |

city news

INTERVIEW: Tory an ‘impatient agent of change’ Addressing isolation felt by many voters among priorities for mayor A DAVID NICKLE dnickle@insidetoronto.com

t’s been a little over two weeks since John Tory became mayor as he sits down for his year-end interview, and he’s impatient. Not in a bad way, or so he insists. Having spent the past 11 years in a notalways-reciprocated courtship with Toronto voters, the 60-year-old Tory says he’s hoping to make impatience into a primary virtue of his mayoralty over the next four years. “I see myself as an impatient agent of change, who isn’t bound by the fact that it’s always taken six months to get something done around here,” says Tory. “I just accept the fact that it doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. I think that yes, it will really help to have someone who’s come in from outside.” Tory is capping off what seems like a running start as amalgamated Toronto’s fourth mayor. Since taking office, he’s done the usual things a mayor does: setting up an executive committee on council and staffing his office, and getting on with his agenda and convincing council to get behind SmartTrack, one of the most prominent pieces of his campaign, at the same time announcing an ambitious plan to ease gridlock in the downtown core. But it is not only his own campaign promises he is trying to enact. Tory has had a notable beginning, picking elements of his opponents’ campaigns that make sense. Early on, he announced he would be trying to

Staff Photo/David Nickle

Mayor John Tory sits in his office earlier this month.

improve Toronto Transit Commission bus service – and just two days after the interview, he has made it clear that he wants private construction to minimize road closures. Both ideas are very near to his opponent Olivia Chow’s platform – which he criticized at the time – and Tory hasn’t been shy about acknowledging that. “I would like it to be the hallmark of how I operate,” says Tory. “The fact is I’ve said all the way along and I really want to stick to this: you try to make decisions based on the facts and the evidence.” Tory said he was struck,

“

following his briefing with TTC chair Andy Byford, that the reduction in loading standards from the 2011 budget had led to intolerable crowding, particularly for transit users in the farther-flung parts of Toronto. Those neighbourhoods, not coincidentally, Tory believes, were also where former councillor Doug Ford maintained dramatic support: the stalwarts of Ford Nation. Tory says he’s hoping to achieve results in the next few years that will woo those constituents who’ve voted for the Fords’ redmeat politics away from

what he believes to be an alienation borne of isolation. As he met with councillors during the transition of power, Tory asked the same question again and again: what can be done to bring Toronto together? “It’s not about politics, it’s not about the Fords, it’s about what causes people to feel alienated about the city,” he says. “It was interesting: people had different views on that, but they broke it into two categories: One was people who had a strong fixation on monetary financial relationship with the city and therefore

identified with those specifically who spoke to that, sometimes to the exclusion of all else. And then the other group were somehow isolated, and didn’t have access to the city in significant ways. Even when it comes to access to recreational facilities: they need the most and get the least.” Tory says it’s about how to get those people to feel more comfortable with the city. “We came to the conclusion almost unanimously that the best way in which you’re going to address those feelings of isolation is by delivering results for them.”

It is infinitely more likely that you’ll get some results because you’re actually operating a stable productive professional environment with a mayor who’s a professional leader. – Mayor John Tory

s to what needs to be delivered through 2015, the impatient mayor lays out the following: “I’d like to say most of all that people will have noticed that the environment here is a more professional, practical, and stable environment,” he says. “It is infinitely more likely that you’ll get some results because you’re actually operating a stable productive professional environment with a mayor who’s a professional leader. “I’d like them to see not that traffic has disappeared in the city, but a lot of things that are described as common sense are getting done,” says Tory. “I’d like to say that people will see some continued modernization in the city in the way it does things. I’d like them to see some improvement in transit services. I’d like to see on the housing front that we’ve taken some steps to deal with the governance issues at the Toronto Community Housing Company. I’d like to see some signs that other levels of government are on board.” And he says he wants councillors, many of whom have spent four years getting the cold shoulder from the previous mayor, to be a part of it. “A lot of (councillors) when they come in here it’s for the first time or the second time, even if they’ve been here a while,” says Tory. “Well I’m going to change that. They’re not going to say that after they’ve been here the eighth time. I’m not a Pollyanna about this — I know there are going to be difficult days, and days that I’m not getting done what I want to get done easily. But you know, you can make it way better than what it was.”

Business tax 101 in North York Whether you’re a small business veteran or just getting your feet wet, an upcoming business tax session at the North York Central Library’s auditorium is being touted as a worthwhile endeavour. Running from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, the free session will explore a wide range of issues, including HST, captial gains, owner and employee compensation structures, and audit preparedness. Visit http://businesstax101.eventbrite.ca to register. North York Central Library is at 5120 Yonge St. can help launch startup wCROWDFUNDING

Fuellocal.com is an exciting way for community projects, community causes and entrepreneurs to raise money through a safe, secure online presence. Crowdfunding is a method of collecting money from an online audience to fund a project, person or cause. It’s the fastest growing sector of

paul futhey business in brief fundraising. Fuellocal.com is being marketed to local communities by Metroland Media Group. More than 40,000 people, groups, businesses and non-profits in 20 countries have raised more than $48 million with FundRazr – the platform powering Fuellocal.com IEP CONFERENCE SET FEB. 27 wFOR

The 12th annual Internationally Educated Professionals (IEP) Conference is set for Feb. 27 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The conference offers IEP newcomers with practical, effective career advice. Visitors to the conference can visit with exhibitors and also take part in workshops led by industry experts and successful IEPs. Presented by the Progress Career Planning Institute,

the conference’s title sponsor in Employment Ontario and the media sponsor is Metroland Media Toronto. Visit www.iep.ca

| NORTH YORK MIRROR | Wednesday, December 31, 2014

business

BOXING DAY EVENT ON NOW!

hosts awards gala Jan. 25 wCPAC

The Toronto-based Chinese Professionals Association of Canada hosts its awards gala at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North hotel in Richmond Hill on Jan. 25. The evening will feature fine dining, entertainment, a silent auction to raise funds for the CPAC education foundation and the announcement of the winners of the Professional Achievement Awards 2014 that honour one or more individuals chosen from the immigrant community who have made achievements in their professional careers. For tickets and details, visit www.cpac-canada.ca

Samsung Galaxy S4

Google Nexus 5

Paul Futhey is the managing editor of The North York Mirror. Business in Brief usually appears every second Thursday. Email pfuthey@insidetoronto.com

Nokia Lumia 830

with select 2-yr Tab24 agreement

Plus EXCLUSIVE IN-STORE HOLIDAY OFFERS only available at these locations:

On Now at The Brick!

North York City Centre

Lawrence Square

416-782-8850

647-341-3436

Yonge Eglinton Centre

Yonge/Sheppard Centre

Yorkgate Mall

416-222-0885

Jane & Finch Mall

For more details go instore or online @thebrick.com.

416-481-3436 416-792-3436

416-661-0101

facebook.com/FidoWDNA twitter.com/WDNA_Fido Offer expires January 5, 2014. Offers subject to change without notice. Taxes Extra. *With new activation on select 2-yr Tab24 agreements. Device savings recovery fees and/or service deactivation fee (as applicable) apply in accordance with your service agreement. If, for any reason, you downgrade to a lower tier plan category during your term, then you will be charged a one-time price plan downgrade fee as set out in your service agreement. Subject to the Fido Terms and Conditions and Acceptable Use Policy; ﬁdo.ca/terms. TMFido and related names & logos are trademarks used under licence. © 2014 Fido Solutions.

columns want a stop to ‘man-spreading’ wRiders The frequency of “manspreading” has transit riders riled up to the point they want the TTC to so something about the practice. In response to several cities launching awareness campaigns to address the phenomenon of men spreading their legs widely askew, thereby hogging scarce seating space, transit riders of all genders are calling on the TTC to speak out on local incidences of man-spreading. The movement has grown momentum through social media pressure, resulting as well in push back from a selfstyled men’s rights group, which recently launched an online petition defending a man’s right to spread his legs, regardless of the inconvenience to others, on “biological” grounds. BUS DRIVER CHARGED wTTC

A collision between a bus and a streetcar over the weekend in East York has led to charges for a TTC driver. The incident took place

WE NEED

rahul gupta TO in

TRANSIT

NORTH YORK MIRROR | Wednesday, December 31, 2014 |

around 10 a.m. Saturday when the TTC bus, making a left turn at the intersection of Main Street and Danforth Avenue, collided head-on with a streetcar headed north. Four people, including the driver of the bus, were taken to hospital with a variety of injuries. None were considered life-threatening. Police announced Monday the bus driver was charged with careless driving. BRIDGES TO BE BUILT FORT YORK wOVER

A planned pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Fort York rail corridors is ready for construction, the city’s planning department announced last week. The province recently ratified an updated environmental approval (EA) amendment for the project in November, which would see two structures built at separate crossings between Stanley Park North and the western grounds of Fort

York. A previous plan to build a single bridge in time for the 2015 Pan American Games was delayed in 2011 by city council after cost estimates exceeded the project’s $19.7 million budget. GULATI TAKES OVER CYCLING FOR CITY There’s a new manager in charge of the city’s cycling department. Jacquelyn Gulati will replace interim manager Daniel Egan in late January. She’ll be tasked, among other responsibilities, with overseeing expansion and maintenance of the city’s embryonic bike lane network. Previously Gulati was with the city of Mississauga where she helped develop a 20-year cycling master plan that would place cycling routes within one kilometre of 95 per cent of the city’s population. Gulati officially commences her Toronto posting on Jan. 26.

Rahul Gupta is The Mirror’s transit reporter. His column appears every Thursday. Reach him on Twitter: @TOinTRANSIT

Another chapter for Scarborough subway? Glenn De Baeremaeker only had one thing to do. When Mayor John Tory asked the Scarborough Centre councillor to be a deputy mayor, he spelled it out as clear as day: Keep the Scarborough subway plan on track. Make sure the thing gets built. Don’t let it get mired down in bureaucratic malaise, or Metrolinx monkey business. And if anyone on council gets any idea to bring the costly project back to council for another possible derailment... Well, Glenn, you know what to do. Those were De Baeremaeker’s marching orders. But as revealed in an interview with The Mirror’s Mike Adler, De Baeremaeker has different ideas. The three-stop subway extension, he said, needs a fourth stop. And he’s going to make sure it gets one, right at Danforth Road and Eglinton Avenue. De Baeremaeker says he’ll be circulating a letter to local

MALES & FEMALES

david nickle the city politicians at all three levels of government requesting the additional stop, for their signature. Then, it will be off to the TTC and Toronto Council, to get the approval to add at least $100 million to $150 million to the $3.56-billion project. If the idea goes through and the engineering checks out, the additional station will certainly serve Scarborough commuters better. But one can’t imagine Tory is pleased at the idea of opening a discussion now about how that line might serve Scarborough commuters better. That might lead some councillors to hold up the $3.66-billion (minimum) fourstop Scarborough subway paid for in part by 30 years of property tax increases, against the $1.3-billion seven-stop light rail plan paid for entirely by the provincial government. And that might lead to the one thing that Tory asked De

Baeremaeker to prevent: a reopening of the Scarborough subway debate in the first year of his mandate. For the sake of the city, that might be a healthy debate to have. When council approved the subway extension in 2013, it was doing so amid unprecedented municipal turmoil thanks to the Ford drama, and when the matter came up in the mayor’s race, it was before an electorate seized of a need for stability above all else. Now that the election is in the past and the city has emerged relatively stable, it might be prudent to reconsider the massive yet inadequate infrastructure project with its pocket-book-denting price tag. But if you’re Tory, it’s got to be embarrassing: to have that debate kicked off by the freelance tinkering of one’s trusted deputy mayor who’s trying to increase public spending on an already-too-rich deal that was supposed to be done.

David Nickle is The Mirror’s city hall reporter. His column appears every Thursday.

CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

Are you a healthy, non-smoking MALE OR FEMALE 18 AND OVER?

• Free of daily medications?

If so, you may be eligible for our upcoming clinical research studies: • We conduct weekly as well as weekend studies. • Compensation may range from $1000 to $4000 depending on the length of the study.

CALL: 416-747-5246 Toll Free: 1-866-747-5246 Monday to Friday 8-6 4000 Weston Road, Toronto • www.biopharmaservices.ca

38 Orfus Rd. North York • • • • • • • • • • •

Earn Your Diploma Earn credits fast...up to 12 credits in one year! We offer all levels of credits: applied, college & university PLAR – Earn credits for life & work experiences Earn a Special High Skills Major Designation in the field of Energy Free intermural sports, field trips and meal program Earn secondary school credit towards an Ontario Secondary School Diploma in an adult setting Take up to 3 courses per 9 week term, 4 times a year Prepare for college, university and the workplace Upgrade credits already earned Apply your knowledge & experience within a Canadian context

Special Programs • • • •

Fast Forward Business IT NEW (Sept. in-take only) Pre Apprenticeship Hairstyling Child Care Assistant Canadian Experience Cooperative Education

•

• •

Pathway to Health Sciences at George Brown College- EXPANDED Personal Support Worker Program Career Exploration

Our school is a dynamic, multicultural and inclusive environment where students have the opportunity to achieve personal and academic success.

Registration starts January 12th (Come to the school from 9am until 3!)

www.yorkdale.net

416-395-3350

17 | NORTH YORK MIRROR | Wednesday, December 31, 2014

photo feature

Celebrating our community in photos, from events throughout the year

1. Audrey Kouyoumdjian, centre, and the rest of the Monarch Crusaders toss milkweed seeds in to the air in the Don Valley ravine during the second annual Milkweed Fluffing Party Oct. 26. Photo/MATT DESOUZA

2. Canadian Cancer Society Ontario division director of community relations Susan Drodge shaves Toronto Police Deputy Chief Mike Federico during the Cops for Cancer fundraiser at Yorkdale Shopping Centre April 12.

Photo/PETER C. MCCUSKER

3. Radio personality Alan Cross, left, Amir Salar Karami, Sohel Amiri and Xavier Melo belt out a tune at an interactive play-andrecord station at the Ontario Science Centre’s exhibition The Science of Rock ‘N’ Roll June 5. Photo/BRIAN WILLER

4. Misa Chihara tries some gushi chicken during opening night at the Cultura Festival in Mel Lastman Square July 4. Photo/PETER C. MCCUSKER

5. Westview Centennial Secondary School’s William Nguyen, left, Timmy Huynh, and Edwin Nguyen focus on their robot during the Toronto District School Board’s FIRST Robotics Competition Fall Fiesta at Victoria Park Collegiate Nov. 1. Photo/MANNY RODRIGUES

NORTH YORK MIRROR | Wednesday, December 31, 2014 |

photo feature

1. Olympic silver medalist Patrick Chan visits Earl Haig Secondary School March 21. Staff photo/DAN PEARCE

2. Erna and Nora share their first kiss as a married couple during the Big Fab Gay Wedding at the Toronto Botanical Gardens June 25. Fourteen couples were wed during the ceremony. Staff photo/NICK PERRY

3. Eun Jung Choi dresses in traditional Korean regalia for the Hong Fook Mental Health Association parade Oct. 9. The parade made its way from the Hong Fook offices to the Oriole Community Centre in support of World Mental Health Day. Staff photo/IRVIN MINTZ

4. The defending champion Markham Firefighters pull first during the Bombardier Plane Pull for ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) fundraiser on the grounds of Bombardier Aerospace May 21. Photo/PETER C. MCCUSKER

5. Eli Kanner, 9, rolls inside a giant plastic ball during Zareinu Moveathon activities at Downsview Park June 8. The event supports Zareinuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work with special needs children.

Photo/MANNY RODRIGUES

19 | NORTH YORK MIRROR | Wednesday, December 31, 2014

photo feature

1. Beatrix Abidin, 8, picks crab apples as the Dallington Pollinators celebrate their first growing season in the garden beside Dallington Public School Oct. 9. Photo/WILLIAM MEIJER

2. Dancer Nyuang Xing performs during York Centre MP Mark Alder’s community barbecue at Earl Bales Park Aug. 10. Staff photo/BRIAN B. BETTENCOURT

3. A bee makes a stop at the newly expanded Parkview Neighbourhood Garden June 21. Photo/MANNY RODRIGUES

4. Volunteer Tim Murphy repairs an electronic device during the Repair Café at North York Central Library June 14. Photo/MANNY RODRIGUES

5. India’s ‘blade runner’ Major DP Singh joins the Terry Fox Run at Wilket Creek Park Sept. 14. Photo/MANNY RODRIGUES

3 4

NORTH YORK MIRROR | Wednesday, December 31, 2014 |

photo feature 1. Roger Federer lines up his service during the second set of the Rogers Cup men’s final at the Rexall Centre’s centre court Aug. 10. Staff photo/BRIAN B. BETTENCOURT

2. The Metro Toronto Wildcats’ Jaciel Heath (21) evades a tackle by the Toronto Thunder’s Tyler Hamilton during Ontario Varsity Fall Football League atom play at Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School field Oct. 26. Staff photo/DAN PEARCE

3. Olivia Cosentino dances with Colin Pingol at the 17th annual Special Needs Mini Olympics at the Downsview Park Hanger May 27. Staff photo/DAN PEARCE

4. Zoe Lane of the Seneca Sting commits a foul against Katherine Murray of the John Abbott Islanders during a game in the 30th annual Seneca Sting New Year’s Classic basketball tourney Jan. 3. Staff photo/NICK PERRY

5. Red Dragons’ Tayshawn Bubb stops a Power Rangers’ shot during Hearts Soccer Club mini-house league play at the Esther Shiner Hydro Fields July 14. Staff photo/PETER C. MCCUSKER

6. York University’s Ghoneim Nour (10) leaps over University of Windsor’s Polina Onyalo during Ontario University Athletics soccer action at York Stadium Oct. 18. Staff photo/PETER C. MCCUSKER

See more in our photo galleries online: www.insidetoronto.com/ toronto-photogallery

Have an idea for a photo opportunity? Contact the newsroom at nym@insidetoronto.com

active@insidetoronto.com

NORTH YORK KNIGHTS

ATOM A EAST

MINOR ATOM A EAST

SATURDAY, JAN. 3 w Toronto Aeros vs. North York Knights (Chesswood , 4000 Chesswood Rd., noon)

FRIDAY, JAN. 2 w Leaside Flames vs. North York Knights (Leaside Community Gardens, 1073 Millwood Rd., 6:10 p.m.) SUNDAY, JAN. 4 w North York Knights vs. Scarborough Ice Raiders (St. Michaels, 1515 Bathurst St., noon) TUESDAY, JAN. 6 w Goulding Park Rangers vs. North York Knights (Goulding Park Arena, 45 Goulding Ave., 6:10 p.m.) SUNDAY, JAN. 11 w North York Knights vs. Scarborough Ice Raiders (Thornhill Centre, Thornhill, 8:10 a.m.) MINOR ATOM AA EAST TUESDAY, JAN. 6 w North York Knights vs. West Hill Golden Hawks (Cummer Park, 6000 Leslie St., 1073 Millwood Rd., 6:10 p.m.) FRIDAY, JAN. 9 w Willowdale Blackhawks vs. North York Knights (Oriole Arena, 2975 Don Mills Rd., 6:40 p.m.)

SUNDAY, JAN. 4 w North Toronto vs. North York Knights (North Toronto Arena, 174 Orchard View Blvd., 5:45 p.m.) FRIDAY, JAN. 9 w North York Knights vs. Goulding Park Rangers (Victoria Village Arena, 190 Bermondsy Dr., 7:10 p.m.) SATURDAY, JAN. 10 w North York Knights vs. Forest Hill (Buckingham Arena, 55 Carl Hall Rd., 3:55 p.m.) ATOM AA EAST FRIDAY, JAN. 2 w North York Knights vs. Leaside Flames (Leaside Community Gardens, 1073 Millwood Rd., 7:10 p.m.) SUNDAY, JAN. 4 w North York Knights vs. West Hill Golden Hawks (St. Michaels, 1515 Bathurst St., 1 p.m.)

SPORTS SCHEDULE For more sports, visit www.insidetoronto. com/north yorktoronto-on-sports

Photo/PETER C. MCCUSKER

WATCHING THE PUCK: Humber Valley’s Joseph Marzilli looks for a rebound from Don Mills netminder Kasin Leung during North Toronto Select Tournament minor novice play at St. Michael’s College Arena on Saturday afternoon. Don Mills won 5-0. They went on to play in the final, but lost to the Warren Park Eagles 5-2.

N TO WA RD

SATURDAY, JAN. 10 w Toronto Aeros vs. North York Knights (Chesswood Arena, 4000 Chesswood Rd., 11 a.m.)

Don mills hockey action

DARY REV

The Toronto Ward Boundary Review is looking at the size and shape of Toronto’s wards. www.drawthelines.ca @drawthelinesto

Attend a public meeting or complete a survey online.

New fitness studio....opening January 5th....steps from your front door!

Ballet Barre | Pilates | Boot Camp | Zumba Buy a 5 class pass by January 9th and get a complimentary 1 hour personal training session

JANUARY 14 6PM - 9PM

JANUARY 15 6PM - 9PM

FAIRVIEW LIBRARY 35 Fairview Mall Dr., North York

NORTHERN DISTRICT LIBRARY 40 Orchard View Blvd., Toronto

JANUARY 17 9AM - 12NOON

EDITHVALE COMMUNITY CENTRE 131 Finch Ave.W., North York MEETING FORMAT Open House for the first hour of every meeting followed by presentations and discussion. *Three (3) public meetings have been scheduled in each Community Council area.

UPON REQUEST Interpretation in 11 languages. American sign language. Attendant care services.

eclectic fitness fusion

Ballet Barre | Pilates | Boot Camp | Zumba

(416) 220-5489 | www.eclecticfitnessfusion.com | info@eclecticfitnessfusion.com Suite 219, 150 Wynford Drive

PHONE 416.365-0816 EXT. 224 EMAIL info@drawthelines.ca

www.drawthelines.ca

21 | NORTH YORK MIRROR | Wednesday, December 31, 2014

sports schedule

DICKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HOME Improvements. Reliable, experienced, top quality service. Renovate an entire home or room. Carpentry, plumbing, electrical, ceramic, painting...(416)816-6219, anytime.

Waste Removal

PETERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DEPENDABLE JUNK REMOVAL

From home or business, including furniture/ appliances, construction waste. Quick & careful!

Articles Wanted

416-677-3818 Rock Bottom Rates! Plumbing

Plumbing

EMERGENCY?

THE RESIDENCE AT WESTON

33 King Street

Bright, spacious Bachelor, 1 & 2 bdm. suites Beautiful wood flooring C/A, utilities included

Daily Open House

Seasonal pool, tennis court and fitness center Secure entry, 24 hr. management

Call Today!! (647) 361-6703 realstar.ca

Clogged drain, camera inspection, leaky pipes. Reasonable price. 25 years experience. Licensed/ Insured, Credit card accepted Free estimate. James Chen 647-519-9506

WESTON/ LAWRENCE 1 bedroom in clean building with balcony. Close to TTC/ amenities. Parking & lockers. Newly renovated. February 1st. $875. 416-246-9002

RAY PLUMBING Service Repair/ replacement, faucets, sinks, toilets, drains, main valve, leaky pipes, drain cleaning. Licensed and insured. 24/7. 416-880-4151

Delivery questions? Call us at:

416-439-4400 or Email:

distribution@insidetoronto.com

SALE!

(BBQ hook-ups, Stove Hook-ups, Dryers, Fireplaces, Pools, etc.)

WITH THIS AD

EXPIRES December 31, 2014

416-427-0955 Metro Lic. #P24654 - Fully Insured

FREE ESTIMATES

24/7 No Extra Charges for Evenings, Weekends or Holidays

Larryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Air Care Heating & Air Conditioning

416-706-9861

SALE!

Waste Removal

AND we do ALL Gas Piping Jobs & Duct Work

10% SENIORS DISCOUNT

SALE!

ABSOLUTELY BEST cleaning ladies available. Honest & hard working, insured/ bonded. Also provide elderly/ child care. 416-897-6782.

.POEBZ UP 'SJEBZ BN UP QN r 5PMM 'SFF r 'BY 'PS EFMJWFSZ RVFTUJPOT QMFBTF DPOUBDU

7999

35OFF

SALE!

Domestic Help Available

Gottarent.com

We Service All Makes & Models

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

SALE!

Domestic Help Available

Classifieds

FURNACE SERVICE OR CLEANING

Servicing All Your Plumbing Needs

SALE!

CANCEL YOUR TIMESHARE. NO Risk Program STOP Mortgage & Maintenance Payments Today. 100% Money Back Guarantee. FREE Consultation. Call Us NOW. We Can Help! 1-888-356-5248

A-HANDYMAN- Kitchen & Bathroom renovations, plumbing, electrical, hardwood/ laminate flooring, and more. Excellent quality. Reasonable price. 416-845-1556.

PLUMBING BaySprings Plumbing & Bathroom Renovations

SALE!

Travel & Vacations

CEILINGS REPAIRED. Spray textures, plaster designs, stucco, drywall, paint. We fix them all! www.mrstucco.ca 416-242-8863

SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE!

SALE!

Travel & Vacations

Licensed & Insured - Lester 416-223-0226

HEATING & COOLING

Handy Person

SALE!

ARE YOU $10K Or More In Debt? DebtGo can help reduce a significant portion of your debt load. Call now and see if you qualify. 1-800-351-1783

Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, Tiling, Drywall, Painting, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Basements, Counters, Closets, Flooring, Windows/Doors, Roofing, Fences, Decks, Additions

Â&#x160;zÂ&#x153;Â&#x2013;Â? Â&#x2C6;Â&#x201A;x8 ĂŚGĂ&#x203A;Ă§Â&#x203A;Ă§Ăż

SALE!

Tax/Financial

ÂĽÂĽÂĽ8vÂ&#x201A;Â&#x2013;Ă&#x192;zÂ¨Â&#x2C6;Â&#x153;y8xÂ?Â&#x160; ĂśĂ&#x203A;Ă§ÂłĂśĂ?Ă&#x2018;ÂłĂşĂ&#x203A;ĂżĂż

SALE!

Tax/Financial

AFFORDABLE HANDYMAN CONTRACTOR

Handy Person

\vÂ&#x2C6;zÂ&#x2122;Ă&#x2039; \zÂ&#x2013;Â¤Â&#x201A;xzĂ&#x2039; IÂ?Â&#x2122;Â&#x153;vÂ&#x2C6;Â&#x2C6;vÂ&#x153;Â&#x201A;Â?Â?Â&#x2122;8

SALE!

Free Estimates. Warranty, Credit cards accepted. Seniors discount. 416-616-0388

BUILDER/ GENERAL Contractors LIC# T85-4420956 Residential/ Commercial. Complete Restoration. Finished Basements. Painting. Bathrooms. Ceramic Tiles. Flat Roofs. Leaking Basements. Brick/ Chimney Repairs. House Additions 905-764-6667, 416-823-5120

D:\ C`[T:=@\ =@T^[:P :I[

mĂ&#x160;Knob and tube replacement mĂ&#x160;Service upgrades mĂ&#x160;Aluminum wire reconditioning mĂ&#x160;Breakers/Panels mĂ&#x160;Electrical Home Inspections mĂ&#x160;Pot Lights mĂ&#x160;FREE ESTIMATES Master Electrician * License # 7001220 * Insured www.burtonelectric.ca mark.burton@burtonelectric.ca

SALE!

Refrigeration, Stoves, Dishwashers, Washers, Dryers, Air Conditioning, & Heating.

Home Renovations

ALL CITI APPLIANCES. Appliances repaired professionally. 35 years experience. Fridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, coolers, washers, dryers, stoves. Central Air Conditioning & Heating. (416)281-3030

416 419-1772

SALE!

Professional Repairs of all brands of:

Home Renovations

Appliance Repairs/ Installation

SALE!

Appliance Repairs/ Installation

Burton Electric Inc.

SALE!

Appliance Repairs/ Installation

647-400-8198

HOME RENOVATIONS

ELECTRICAL

NESO FLOORING

Carpet installation starting from $1.19/ sq.ft. Hardwood, laminate at low prices. 27 yrs experience. Free Estimates. Best Price!

SALE!

416-800-8281

TorontoSchoolOfHealth.com

.POEBZ UP 'SJEBZ BN UP QN r r 5PMM 'SFF r 'BY 'PS EFMJWFSZ RVFTUJPOT QMFBTF DPOUBDU

SALE!

6 month program evening classes $1,900 Special