December 26

p eck-u ty Ch ank/5 i n u Comm nia-Fairb o Caled

Serving WESTON, MOUNT DENNIS, OAKWOOD VILLAGE, EGLINTON WEST and CALEDONIA-FAIRBANK

thurs dec 26, 2013 INSIDE Art exhibit a family affair for Swartz clan / 3

Plenty of local events on tap this week and beyond /7

www.yorkguardian.com ®

DON’T GET

Bored THIS GET

Regina-to-Toronto trek aims to help find a cure for Crohn’s and colitis

PHOTOS Once upon a time, this was St. Clair Avenue West / 3

ANDREW PALAMARCHUK apalamarchuk@insidetoronto.com Paul Abraham will be unicycling for a “wheely” good cause.

The St. Clair Avenue and Oakwood Road area resident is pledging to ride from Regina to Toronto in May to raise money to help find a cure for Crohn’s disease and colitis.

Abraham, also known as The Unicycle Guy, said he plans to take the TransCanada bike trail for most of

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the month-long 2,600-kilometre trip.

“I wanted to stay within Canada and really see the beautiful sites, some of the most beautiful forests, lakes, views I’ll probably ever see.”

Abraham noted he has friends and a close relative who are dealing with Crohn’s disease and colitis.

“It costs somebody with Crohn’s or colitis close to $20,000 a year to be on the medication just to feel better,” he said. >>>UNICYCLIST, page 15

Ice rink open in Pearen Park

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Wheel in motion for fundraising unicycle ride

WE’VE GOT JUST THE THING to keep you and your family from going stir-crazy over the holiday break. Check out our family friendly events listing on page 6.

Come skate for free at the Pearen Park Community Ice Rink this month at any time (except after dark) when the ice is frozen There are also free learnto-skate lessons available for local residents only. The lessons are scheduled to take place on weekdays between 4 and 6 p.m., and on weekends from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. at the rink located one

block west of Weston Road and north of Eglinton Avenue.

Skates and helmets can be borrowed at a suggested donation of $1.

Volunteers are also wanted to teach skating lessons as well as to help with skates, snowclearing and flooding.

For more information, email rink@mountdennis.ca or call 416-614-3371.

YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, December 26, 2013 |

2

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Share your Sears shopping experience with us, and you could win a $500 GIFT CARD. Visit searsexperience.ca

Call in to hear our Specials on our ad line at 416-401-4545 or 1-866-516-4500 press “1”

3 | YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, December 26, 2013

community

Art exhibit spans generations Works by five members of the Swartz family on display until Feb. 3 CLARK KIM ckim@insidetoronto.com

Top, ‘Mennonite Boys’ by Courtlandt Swartz, 2013. Above, a piece titled ‘Touring Paris’ by James Swartz.

The current exhibition featured in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery is a true family affair.

The Swartz family, spanning three generations, has their artwork displayed at the aptly titled Three Generations art exhibit, which opened to the public earlier this month. All five members are from the former city of York.

“We have three strong generations of artists,” said James, whose work as a mixed media artist is predominantly featured in the entire gallery. “It’s a huge, huge show.”

His late mother, Anne Isabelle McQuire Swartz, who was a student of Group of Seven member Franklin Carmichael, has her works on display, showing her talents as an analytical artist. James’ father, Hugh Emerson Swartz, has one piece in the exhibit as well.

The exhibit also features the works of James’ son, Courtland, 20, and daughter, Alexandria, 14.

“It’s interesting to see the difference between the works,” said Courtland, who is studying at OCAD University and the Academy of Realist Art. But he added there are

“

We have three strong generations of artists. It’s a huge, huge show.

– James Swartz

definitely influences.

“When I was really young, I would study with my nana (Anne),” Courtland recalled.

“She had a wonderful sense of colour.”

Gallery curator Rosa Graci said the response from visitors has been great so far.

“People love it. They really do,” said Graci, noting James is no stranger to the gallery, having previously shown his other works there. “He’s done a few exhibitions here. His work is so versatile.”

And Alexandria, she added, has already sold three of her paintings.

The exhibit will be extended to Feb. 3 for more people to drop by and see the unique exhibition for themselves, Graci said.

Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Toronto’s thirdlargest public gallery, is located in the Columbus Centre at 901 Lawrence Ave. W. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

i

crafty in canada home grown: Above, Carolyn Koprich of Purple Daze Lavender tells Merle Gould about her products during the Made in Canada Show at Artscape Wychwood Barns Sunday afternoon. At right, Lynn Moffatt plays guitar and sings holiday songs. Below, Angela Morgan of Argent Whimsy handmade jewelry organizes her items.

Staff photos/Nick Perry

For more information, please call 416-789-7011, ext. 245.

Measures to ease traffic congestion on Eglinton With the Eglinton Crosstown construction still ongoing, traffic adjustments will be put in place temporarily to ease congestion on Eglinton Avenue between Dufferin Street and Allen Road.

Metrolinx and the City of Toronto will review signal coordination and traffic conditions to keep traffic moving, including the following: w Northcliffe Boulevard between Eglinton and Vaughan Road will be converted from one-way to two-way traffic. w Winnett Avenue between Gloucester Grove and Ava Road will be converted from one-way to two-way traffic.

w Westbound to southbound left turns at Oakwood Avenue will be prohibited. w 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. access restrictions will be relaxed on Alameda Avenue, Winona D r i v e , Ev e r d e n R o a d , Strathearn Road.

Parking restrictions in certain sections will also be adjusted to alleviate the loss of parking on Eglinton during construction.

For a full list of parking hours on residential streets that will be extended from one hour to three hours, visit www.thecrosstown.ca/newsmedia/whats-new/crosstownnewsletter

ST. Clair Scene FEATURED THIS WEEK: Every Thursday, yorkguardian.com introduces an image or group of images of historical significance to the York community. This image, taken Oct. 14, 1911, shows St. Clair Avenue looking west from Ossington Avenue (now Winona Drive). More photos taken this day are available in an online gallery at bit.ly/york_galleries

Photo/CITY OF TORONTO ARCHIVES, FONDS 1231 item 1736

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For more historical York photos, visit bit.ly/ york_galleries

YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, December 26, 2013 |

4

opinion

The York Guardian 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 Alison Fauquier Debra Weller Mike Banville

WHO WE SERVE

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

York Guardian City of Toronto

The Guardian is a member of the Ontario Press Council.

Visit ontpress.com Proudly serving the communities of Briar Hill-Belgravia • BeechboroughGreenbrook • Caledonia-Fairbank Forest Hill North • Humewood-Cedarvale Keelesdale-Eglinton West Mount Dennis • Oakwood Village Rockcliffe-Smythe • Weston Weston-Pellam Park

Season has opportunities for a new experience

Write us The York Guardian 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 York Guardian, 175 Gordon Baker Rd., Toronto, ON, M2H 0A2.

T

he holiday break presents a welcome opportunity for us to relax and spend time with loved ones.

And you needn’t feel restricted to the confines of your home. If you’re looking to share in an experience, start a new family tradition or explore a new neighbourhood, Toronto is simply a great place to be.

When it comes to finding things to do in the city at this time of year, there are a lot of options. Our feature on page 6 lists a number of events in Toronto’s communities taking place over the coming days. There’s a wide array of choices for those looking to add a fresh experience to this year’s holiday season and make it a truly special time. our view For example, if the goal is to get outside and get a bit of City a great exercise, there are skiing, snowboarding, skating and snowplace to be shoeing options. For those more during holidays adventurous, there’s the 34th Annual Hair of the Dog run and walk in the Beach area on New Year’s Day. If you’re more interested in the spectator side of things in athletics, Toronto also has several highcalibre hockey tournaments to take in. The immediate post-Christmas period has several tourneys on tap including the Toronto Marlboros International Holiday Classic from Dec. 26 to 30. Hosted at the Canlan arenas in Etobicoke and North York as well as North York’s Chesswood Arenas, the AAA tournament features top teams from the minor bantam, bantam and minor midget divisions.

If you’re looking to be entertained, there are several family-friendly activities including theatrical productions and visits to museums and other city attractions including the CN Tower, the Ontario Science Centre and Fort York to consider.

This time is also a chance to get to know a new area of the city a little better. Toronto’s 140 neighbourhoods make up a diverse, vibrant city, with unique experiences to be discovered in each of them.

Consider adding a new experience to your holiday time this year. *** You can find more Toronto events at our online community calendar at insidetoronto.com.

Additionally, if you have an event and wish to submit it to us, visit bit.ly/torontocalendar for instructions and helpful suggestions for posting.

column

How to keep your new year’s resolution

I

f you still haven’t settled on your 2014 new year’s resolution yet, you better get a move on. The New Year’s Eve countdown is rapidly approaching.

In the meantime, a word of advice: if you’re hoping to keep your resolution longer than the usual second or two most people seem to last, the experts say a good support system is the key.

My pal Mike took that information to heart.

He dropped by to tell me his resolution the other day and asked if he could lean on me from time to time to help him see things through. I have to tell you, I was touched. In all the years I’ve known him he’s never reached out like that before.

“You know you can,” I said, as a tiny tear appeared in the corner of my eye.

“And to prove I mean business, I’ll call you right after dinner next Wednesday.”

“WEDNESDAY,” he shrieked. “What on earth for?”

jamie wayne BUT SERIOUSLY “That’s Jan. 1, big guy,” I bubbled excitedly. “I want you to know I’ll be there for you from day one.”

“No way I’m kicking things off on a Wednesday,” he snapped. “You can’t start a new year’s resolution in the middle of the week. It’s too unsettling.”

“No problemo. I’ll just catch up with you Thursday night, then.”

“You’re not serious, I hope,” he scoffed.

“Jan. 2 doesn’t work, either?”

“Do the math, “ he explained. “It’s the first day back to work after the Christmas holidays. I’ll have way too much on my plate at the office to try and initiate a major lifestyle change at the same time.”

“Gotcha. I’ll make it the evening of Friday the third.

We’ll be good to go. And I

won’t call, I’ll actually come over. How do you like them apples?”

Mike shook his head.

“Come on, man. Nobody in his right mind begins anything of importance on a Friday. We’re programmed from our childhood to think of Friday as the end of the week.”

“Shall I touch base Saturday perhaps, Jan. 4?” I asked hopefully.

“Give me a break. Who starts new things at the beginning of a weekend?”

“Sunday, then? The fifth of January?” I sighed.

“The END of a weekend?

That’s even worse.”

“So by process of elimination I’m guessing your resolution will be starting on Monday, Jan. 6. I’ll jot that down on my calendar right now. How about I give you a dingle right after WWE Monday Night Raw?” “Don’t bother. I’ll be too busy. My mom’s coming in that week from Halifax.”

“How about the following

Monday, then?”

“Sorry. I won’t be around.

I’ll be in Stockholm for an old-timer’s hockey tournament.”

“Mike, just out of curiosity, what was your resolution again?”

“Come on, man. I told you 20 times already. It’s to stop procrastinating.

But enough about me. You never told me your resolution.”

“To stop being so darn forgetful.”

“Excellent choice. And just to let you know, I’ll be there for you, too, Jamie, OK?” “Thanks, pal. It means a lot to me to hear you say that.”

“That’s what friends are for, buddy. So when are you gonna start yours?”

“Huh? Start my what?”

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

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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

As part of a neighbourhood feature, The York Guardian looks at the changing trends and demographics in its local neighbourhoods.

Data courtesy Statistics Canada via the City of Toronto. This feature will appear every second Thursday.

get to know york!

community check-up

20010203040506070809102011

2006 070809102011

difference of a decade

Five-Year change

-25.2% +137%

This week: Caledonia-Fairbank

The number of people in the Youth age category (age 15-24) in CaledoniaFairbank decreased by 25.2 per cent between 2001 and 2011.

Caledonia-Fairbank – Population (2011): 9,855

+2.5%

Languages Portuguese is the most common non-official language in Caledonia-Fairbank. In the 2011 census, 27.9 per cent of residents listed Portuguese as their Mother Tongue, and 18.6 per cent listed Portuguese as their Home Language. Spanish and Italian also rank high.

Top 10 Mother Tongues

Top 10 Home Languages

1. English 2. Portuguese 3. Italian 4. Spanish 5. Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) 6. Vietnamese 7. Turkish 8. Hungarian 9= Greek 9=Ilocano

1. English 2. Portuguese 3. Spanish 4. Italian 5. Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) 6. Vietnamese 7. Turkish 8. Hungarian 9. Chinese (not otherwise specified) 10. Cantonese

City context A comparison of a neighbourhood statistic with its Toronto equivalent

The number of people in the Seniors (age 65+) age group in Caledonia-Fairbank increased by 2.5 per cent between 2001 and 2011.

MOTHER TONGUE “Mother Tongue” refers the first language learned at home in childhood and still understood at the time of the census. In the 2011 census, the percentage of people in Caledonia-Fairbank who list English as their Mother Tongue is 37 per cent. That number is 51 per cent in all of Toronto.

-10.4% The overall population in CaledoniaFairbank decreased by 10.4 per cent between 2001 and 2011.

The number of people listing Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) as their Home Language in CaledoniaFairbank more than doubled between 2006 and 2011.

-26.1%

While it’s the fourth-most-common Home Language in the neighbourhood, the number of people listing Italian as their Home Language dropped 26.1 per cent between 2006 and 2011.

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For more information on Caledonia-Fairbank, visit http://bit.ly/1fpTAkf See other neighbourhood features online at yorkguardian.com

Next neighbourhood: Jan. 9, Beechborough-Greenbrook

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5 | YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, December 26, 2013

community check-up: caledonia-fairbank

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1-866-405-5205 TM All Hyundai names, logos, images and slogans are trademarks of Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. ♦Models shown: 2013 Elantra LTd/Accent 5Dr GLS 6Spd/Sonata Ltd/Santa Fe Sprt 2.0T Ltd AWD: $24,985/$19,385/$30,785/$40,395. Prices include D&D [$1,550/$1,550/$1,650/$1,760, includes freight, P.D.E., dealer admin fees and a full tank of gas] fees, levies, and all applicable charges (excluding HST). †Finance available O.A.C. ex: 2013 Elantra L 6Spd for $15,035 at 0%/annum is $145 bi-wkly for 48 months, total obligation: $15,035. $0 down (without 12month pmt deferral). Cash price $15,035. Cost of Borrowing $0. Ex. price includes D&D of $1,550 [includes freight, P.D.E., dealer admin fees and a full tank of gas], fees, levies, and all applicable charges (excluding HST). All offers: exclude registration, insurance, PPSA and license fees. _Price adjustments calculated against starting price, applied before taxes. Offer cannot be combined or used with any other available offers, non-transferable and cannot be assigned. ♦0 pmts (pmt deferral) for up to 12 months available on all remaining new in-stock 2013 Hyundai models. Pmts for finance offers are paid in arrears. If 12-month pmt deferral is selected, the original term will be extended by 11 months. After this period, interest will start to accrue and the purchaser will pay the principal and interest monthly over the remaining term of the contract. A min down payment in the amount of 10% of the purchase price is required. †_ ♦Offers available for ltd time, subject to change/cancellation without notice. ††Hyundai’s Comprehensive Ltd Warranty covers most vehicle components against defects in workmanship under normal use/maintenance.

YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, December 26, 2013 |

6

activities

K eep busy over the holiday break Find something that suits you, with this listing of family-friendly activities

T

he holidays are coming to an end, but there’s still plenty to do in the community and across the city. No need to stay at home! Here are our suggestions on things to do with the family.

Skating

n Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave., outdoor rink is open until March, Monday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. but closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Weather permitting. Call 416-596-7670 for updates. Skate rentals and sharpening $5 each. Visit ebw. evergreen.ca/whats-on/recreation/ skating n Harbourfront’s The Natrel Rink, 235 Queens Quay W., the artificially cooled outdoor rink, is also open. There are rentals, change rooms and skate sharpening. Visit www.harbourfrontcentre. com n For a complete list of City of Toronto arenas and rink in your neighbourhood, visit bit.ly/18X9dRG

w December 26

Christmas Treats Trek Watch as the Toronto Zoo’s animals receive their Christmas treats from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Bring a nonperishable item for the food bank. Halfprice admission. Toronto Zoo, 2000 Meadowvale Rd. Visit bit.ly/1bAczsl ROM for the Holidays, Toys, Games and Gatherings Play games from various cultures and mark 130 years of Canada’s favourite pastimes at the Royal Ontario Museum until Jan. 5. Included with admission.

Various times. Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park www.rom.on.ca Christmas in the Park You are invited to Christmas in the Park at Colborne Lodge from noon to 4 p.m. until Jan. 5. It is closed Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. Various costs. Colborne Lodge at High Park, 11 Colborne Lodge Dr. Email clodge@toronto.ca Ross Petty’s The Little Mermaid This show is more like the Hans Christian Anderson fable than the Disney version and it runs at various times and dates until Jan. 4. Tickets range from $27 and to $235 for a family four pack. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St. Visit www.rosspetty.com/tickets. php

Zoo animals get Christmas treats too on Dec. 26.

The Nutcracker Presented by The National Ballet of Canada, The Nutcracker is set in 19thcentury Russia and takes audiences through the glittering world of the Snow Queen to the splendour of the Sugar Plum Fairy’s palace at various times, dates and prices until Jan. 4.

Brrrr - folks get jogging at the Hair of the Dog Run Jan. 1.

Four Season Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W. Visit http://bit.ly/1buVxL6 Ice Age Mammoth Christmas 4D View the movie to find out if a handful of prehistoric misfits really save the holidays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Jan. 5.

Regular admission applies. 301 Front St. Visit www.cntower.ca Peter Pan Join Peter Pan, Tinkerbell and their old nemesis Captain Hook as they use music, dance and drama to tell selected parts of this classic Edwardian tale filled with humour and adventure at various times and dates until Dec. 29.

Free with regular admission. 1 Austin Terrace, www.casaloma.org/events. index.gk AstraZeneca Human Edge The new 10,000-square-foot exhibit promises to inform visitors of all ages about the human body, health, fitness and nutrition during regular science centre hours until Dec. 31. Regular admission. 770 Don Mills Rd. Visit www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/human/

w December 27

Gingerbread Make And Bake Kids Kids four and older can make traditional gingerbread cookies while touring Fort York Dec. 27 to 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost, regular admission.

100 Garrison Rd. Call 416-392-6907 to register.

w December 28

Christmas by Lamplight Black Creek Pioneer Village comes alive with music, food and activities from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Various prices. 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy., www.blackcreek.ca Family snowshoeing Learn how snowshoes were made, who used them and the varieties during this day of family snowshoeing from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Cost, $8 per person with snowshoes and $10 per person with snowshoe rental. Humber Arboretum, 205 Humber College Blvd., www.humberarboretum.on.ca/events

w December 31

New Year’s Eve Family Countdown Ring in the new year with animal friends, entertainment by The Decades and Majinx Magic Show and more from 5 to 8 p.m., with countdown at 8 p.m. Normal admission applies at the Toronto Zoo, 2000 Meadowvale Rd. Visit www.torontozoo.com/ Events/?pg=NewYears.

w January 1

Hair of the Dog Run Start your new year with the 34th annual Hair of the Dog 9K Run and 3K walk, which goes from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost, $30 for adults, $10 for youth and children. Balmy Beach Club, at the foot of Beech Avenue. Visit www. balmybeachcanoe.com, email balmybeachcanoeclub@yahoo.ca

Lace up your skates at the Harbourfront Centre.

FIND MORE EVENTS ONLINE! Learn how to access our calendar, view events across the city and post your own. Go to bit.ly/torontocalendar The facilities are open, weather permitting, mid-December until mid-March and the hours are Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at various prices. Centennial Park, 256 Centennial Park Rd. Call 416-394-8754 n Earl Bales Park Earl Bales Park offers snowboard and downhill rentals, helmet rentals, ski and snowboard school, snowmaking, four-passenger chair lift, rope tow, night skiing, snack bar and a fireplace opening, weather permitting, Dec. 14, and closing March 16. Open various days and times at costs.

4169 Bathurst St., one light south of Sheppard Avenue West inside Earl Bales Park. Call 416-395-7931.

Tobogganing

(Suggestions from Metroland Media Toronto staff) n Shawnee Park, 81 Shawnee Circle at Victoria Park and Finch avenues n The ‘Sugar Bowl’, 3900 Danforth Ave. across from Variety Village. n Hill behind Variety Village, 3701 Danforth Ave. n Cedarvale Park, 443 Arlington Ave. n ‘Murder’ Hill at Graydon Hall, 185 Graydon Hall Dr. just east of Don Mills. n Dallington Park at Sheppard Avenue and Leslie Street. n Christie Pits, 750 Bloor St. W. at Christie Street n Riverdale Park at Broadview Avenue and Gerrard Street What is your favourite tobagganing spot? Email letters@insidetoronto.com

Skiing and Snowboarding

n Centennial Park offers a ski and snowboard school, snowboard and downhill rentals, helmet rentals, T-bar, carpet lift, night skiing and snack bar.

The Christmas Flower Show at Allan Gardens.

Greenhouses

n Allan Gardens Soak in summer heat at the Christmas Flower Show at Allen Gardens Conservatory. Free; 19 Horticultural Ave. near Jarvis and Gerrard streets Visit bit.ly/1bdmAal n Centennial Park Conservatory Enjoy the holiday flora with the conservatory’s Christmas Flower Show on until Jan. 12. Free; 151 Elmcrest Rd. Call 416-394-8543. Visit bit.ly/1cqu2A6

7

w Thursday, Jan. 2

Ready, Set, Go! WHEN: 2 to 3 p.m. WHERE: Weston Library, 2 King St. CONTACT: 416394-1016, westaff@torontopubliclibrary.ca COST: Free Get a fast start to the new year by making and racing a pop bottle race car. Drop-in.

w Saturday, Jan. 18

w Tuesday, Feb. 18

featured

Robbie Burns Supper and Dance WHEN: 5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. WHERE: Mount Dennis Legion, 1050 Weston Rd. CONTACT: 416-767-0231, www. facebook.com/mountdennislegion, legionbr31@yahoo.com COST: $25 Enjoy a traditional Scottish supper with optional haggis. There will be a piper, Highland dancers and a pipes and drum band performance, followed by music with DJ Rob Best. Cash bar.

Tickets must be purchased by Jan. 11.

Financial Advice for the Cohabiting, Married and Soon to be Married WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. WHERE: Maria A. Shchuka Library, 1745 Eglinton Ave. W. CONTACT: 416-394-1000 COST: Free Julie Cazzin from Moneysense magazine will answer your questions about money and relationships. Advice for couples that are cohabiting, married or thinking of getting married will be offered. Call or drop in at the library to register.

w Friday, Jan. 10

Community Connections Cafe WHEN: 5 to 8 p.m. WHERE: UrbanArts, 5 Bartonville Ave. E. CONTACT: 416-241-5124, joan@urbanartstoronto.org COST: Free Enjoy some free food and connect with your community on issues that concern you: housing, jobs, scholarships, community safety and more. Everyone is welcome. Activities for the kids.

Check out our complete online community calendar by visiting www.yorkguardian.com. Read weeks of listings from your York neighbourhoods as well as events from across Toronto.

w Sunday, Jan. 19

Giant Open Cribbage Tournament WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. WHERE: Mount Dennis Legion, 1050 Weston Rd. CONTACT: 416767-0231, www. facebook.com/mountdennislegion, legionbr31@yahoo.com COST: $25 per two person team

w Tuesday, Feb. 4

Look Before You Leap: An Intro to Consumer & Debtor Rights WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. WHERE: Maria A. Shchuka Library, 1745 Eglinton Ave. W. CONTACT: 416-394-1000 COST: Free Lawyer Victor Kasowski will talk about basic legal rights of consumers and debtors. The emphasis will be on providing useful information that can be applied to everyday life. Call to register.

looking ahead Emerging Entrepreneurs WHERE: The Learning Enrichment Foundation, 116 Industry St. CONTACT: Dianne Temple, 416-769-0830, dtemple@lefca.org COST: Free Meet with expert speakers, work on your business deadline plan, and build your network.

Course runs for six weeks starting Jan. 20. Application forms are due to LEF by Jan. 10.

ongoing The Stop’s Farmers’ Market WHEN: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon, year-round WHERE: Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St., Barn 4 CONTACT: gbmarket@thestop.org Honest, good food, whose production causes as little environmental damage as possible, and where everyone involved in its growing and distribution makes a living wage.

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YORK happening in

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The York Guardian wants your community listings. Sign up online at insidetoronto.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 Guardian.

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| YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, December 26, 2013

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YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, December 26, 2013 |

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| YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, December 26, 2013

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YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, December 26, 2013 |

10

community

Education tax harming city businesses: TABIA Business in Toronto pays more than other municipalities, says BIA group DAVID NICKLE dnickle@insidetoronto.com Running a successfully competitive small business can be a trick at the best of times. But for the past 15 years, Toronto business owners have been operating with a handicap that many of their neighbours outside of the 416 area code have not.

Property taxes going to fund provincial education are higher in Toronto than they are in surrounding municipalities – and while relief has been promised, it’s not coming quickly enough for business leaders.

“The difference for Toronto could amount to thousands of dollars,” said Lionel Miskin, vice-president of the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA), which represents 74 BIAs (comprising of some

35,000 business and property owners) across the city.

“If my business is on the south side of Steeles Avenue in Toronto and I’m competing with businesses on the north side of Steeles Avenue, which is in Markham, I’m at a huge disadvantage.”

The reasons behind that disadvantage is historic – stretching back to Mike Harris’ Common Sense Revolution in the late 1990s, continuing through governments led by Ernie Eves, Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne.

Through it all, businesses in Toronto have waited, sometimes patiently, sometimes less so, for the mess borne of a seismic change in the way education was administered in this province to be fixed.

It was a bright winter’s day in 1998 that Ernie Eves, Finance Minister in

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Toronto businesses are hoping for a fix to the Business Education Tax.

Mike Harris’ Progressive Conservative Government, came to a Danforth Avenue restaurant promising relief.

Ev e s w a s p r o m i s i n g among other things, to fix the Business Education Tax – a levy on businesses across the province, imposed when the PC government took over the funding of education from local boards of education that same year.

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budget documents.

The documents indicate that “high BET rates have been cut significantly, resulting in annual savings of over $200 million for Ontario businesses,” and highlight the fact that businesses in Toronto have seen an $18.1 million BET reduction over the course of the program.

TABIA is hoping that Premier Wynne will move where her predecessor, McGuinty, has proven unwilling, and has organized a petition of business owners to bring political pressure to do so.

Miskin said it’s a matter of equity.

“What’s of concern is this discrepancy of rates,” he said.

“If you can imagine a situation where everybody in different parts of the province paid different income tax rates – I’m making $50,000 and in a 25 per cent tax bracket, but a guy in Brampton is in a 15 per cent bracket.... there’s no equity to it.”

And he said that while Toronto may have seen some benefits in reductions in rates, the largest reductions weren’t to have come until 2013-2015.

“And that’s exactly when the province said we can’t continue this anymore.”

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The change resulted in inequities.

When local boards levied property taxes for local schools, they taxed according to local needs, and all those tax dollars went into local schools. But with the Ministry of Education allocating funding according to a specific formula, the money raised was spread across the province according to regional needs.

The province immediately equalized residential property tax rates for education. But business tax rates remained at their legacy rates, which varied widely from municipality to municipality.

Because of that shift, Toronto and other large municipalities took on a larger portion of the property tax burden than smaller ones.

Eves committed to change all that – over time, cutting business taxes for relatively high rates so that it eventually would equalize at 1.6 per cent.

The initial target date set

by Eves for achieving that rate was 2007. By the time they left office in 2003, the Progressive Conservatives were cutting the tax by $400 million a year.

That didn’t last long.

When the Ontario Liberals took over that year, it froze the reductions until the 2007 budget, when it announced it would resume the cuts, once again targeting complete reduction of the rates by 2014.

But in the 2012 budget, the government announced another freeze in the phaseout – until 2017-18, when the provincial budget is anticipated to be balanced.

For TABIA, that’s too late.

In a July, 2013 report commissioned by TABIA and the Ontario Business Improvement Area Associations indicated that the freeze would effectively penalize Toronto, where business taxes remain higher than normal, and would not significantly speed up the rate at which the deficit is eliminated.

Officials at the Ontario Ministry of Finance would not comment on the report but pointed to the 2012 provincial

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A terrible year for Toronto’s government

I

t’s been a good year, 2013 has, for the profile of municipal journalism.

That goes without saying – the Ford follies have put city hall reporters in a class akin to reality TV hosts – but it needs saying that it has been a terrible year for municipal governance, civic engagement, and community in this city.

It started out bad enough.

Since 2010, it’s become clear that a large number of residents of Toronto’s suburban communities have come to hate those who live closer to the downtown core, and for a large number of downtowners, the feeling seems mutual.

It’s a particularly unhealthy tribalism we’ve caught ourselves in – a tribalism that’s stoked and been stoked by Mayor Rob Ford and his brother Doug.

When the year began, with Mayor Ford successfully challenging a ruling to remove him from office for a conflict of interest, the division simmered. When newspaper reports revealed that Ford had appeared in a video smoking crack cocaine and was prone to bouts of public drunkenness,

david nickle the city his evolving denials poured gasoline on the fire.

We in the media helped fuel that further, relentlessly seeking clarification from a mayor who refused to do so, camping outside his office and occasionally outside his home – allowing conspiracy theorists to posit that the media ‘elites’ were attempting to run the mayor out of office.

We couldn’t have played it differently – as events transpired, it emerged that Mayor Ford was lying about nearly everything; that a video of him smoking crack cocaine did indeed exist and police were investigating him. The mayor’s behaviour and untruthfulness was, to put it mildly, unprecedented, and journalists who don’t chase that down, aren’t doing their job.

But in doing our jobs, yes, we helped make it worse. For much of 2013, as a colleague of mine observed, the news cycle has lived on the timetable of an angry drug user. And we’ve

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highlighted the grossest dysfunction of the communities in which we live.

Some have taken to calling it all a distraction, but I submit that it’s more an amplification, a distortion – not of the sins of our mayor, but the forces that are tearing the city apart.

In the months and years to come, someone is going to have to fix that.

Toronto Council has taken the first steps in doing so, sidelining Mayor Ford and putting the agreeable face of Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly at the head of council. The last year of the term has hopes of being sedate, conciliatory and friendly.

At least, it will be as much of those things as one might expect in an election year.

Ultimately, that is going to be Toronto’s test — not just of its leadership, but more importantly, its citizenry.

We’ve got a city broken by anger, suspicion and paranoia and we’re going to have to get past that, if there’s to be any hope at all.

i

| YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, December 26, 2013

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Stintz to leave TTC chair position Karen Stintz officially announced she will step down from her position as chair of the TTC board in February.

Stintz, who intends to run in the 2014 mayoral election, made the announcement at last week’s TTC board meeting.

She will leave the chair’s seat as of Feb. 22, but will remain on the board. She has already endorsed fellow board member Josh Colle as her replacement.

Maria Augimeri, a longtime TTC commissioner, is also considered a contender for the position. City council will vote on Stintz’s replacement at its Feb. 19 session.

rahul gupta TO in TRANSIT campaign through payroll deductions as well staff events, said a press release.

Last week, representatives from TTC management and the Amalgamated Transit Union local 113 presented a cheque to the United Way. Bus stop pole design feedback sought The TTC is seeking public feedback for redesigned bus stop poles and shelter maps introduced earlier in the year.

The redesigned infrastructure was installed on a trial basis along the 94 Wellesley bus route in February.

At the time, TTC senior executive Chris Upfold said the intention of the new look was to provide clearer information to customers while preserving the iconic nature of past TTC design.

w

raises funds for United Way wTTC

The TTC raised almost $860,000 in 2013 for its annual campaign to benefit the United Way. The commission’s employees organized weekly $1 pizza sales at subway stations over the year. They also contributed to the

Critics of the designs say they are too simplified and of less value to local commuters. A short online survey for the new designs is available on the TTC’s webpage, www.ttc.ca and TTC free on New Year’s Eve wGO

GO Transit service will be free of charge as of 8 p.m.

New Year’s Eve. Train and bus service arriving and departing from Union Station will also be extended so revellers can party late into the night.

During the day, regular afternoon train trips on all seven GO train lines will be moved to earlier in the day to accommodate commuters leaving work early for the holiday.

For information about holiday scheduling, visit www.gotransit.com.

The TTC will also be free on New Year’s Eve.

THURSDAY DEC 26 9AM-6PM

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THIS OFFER VALID UNTIL DEC 31

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ENTIRE SELECTION HA KIDD SEWING NOTIONS SATURDAY DEC 28

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

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Coupon valid in Canada only. LIMIT ONE COUPON PER PURCHASE of products and quantities stated. No facsimiles accepted. NOT TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER COUPON OFFER, PROMOTION OR DISCOUNT. Use of more than one manufacturer coupon per product purchased is strictly prohibited.

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TO THE DEALER: redemption on any other basis may constitute fraud and will, at our option, void coupon presented. Application for reimbursement accepted from principals only. Applications for reimbursement received after six months from expiry date as indicated will not be accepted. Cash value 1/100 cents.

P.S.T., Q.S.T., G.S.T. and/or H.S.T. are included in value of coupon where applicable. For redemption, mail to: Reckitt Benckiser (Canada) Inc., Box 3000, Saint John, New Brunswick, E2L 4L3.

ENTIRE SELECTION QUILT BATTINGS www.lensmill.com www.lensmill.com

| YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, December 26, 2013

transit

YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, December 26, 2013 |

14

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15

Unicyclist in training for charity ride

Staff photo/Andrew Palamarchuk

YOUR Weekly Crossword

Throughout the journey, Abraham plans to post daily updates on Twitter and his website unicycleguy.ca on where he’s been and who he’s met.

Abraham raised nearly $4,000 for Sick Kids hospital in a unicycle ride from Montreal to Toronto back in May of this year. He purchased the unicycle six months earlier after his bike was stolen.

Abraham plans to leave Regina on May 1 and arrive in Toronto June 5. The money raised will go to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada.

i

To support Paul Abraham’s cause, visit www.ccfc.ca/ honour

Another 20,000 titles have been added to the list of e-books from which Toronto library patrons can choose.

About 15,000 of the titles come from Penguin Group while the other 5,000 are from McGrawHill.

Many include this year’s best sellers and popular science, business and learning materials.

Some of the new titles available include Dust,

Mirage, Just One Evil Act, Dark Witch, The Signature of All Things, Husband’s Secret, Thankless in Death and materials useful for students, business people and ESL learners.

Library patrons downloaded more than two million e-titles in 2013. Of all materials borrowed from the library in the last year, six per cent were e-titles.

i

For more information, visit www.tpl.ca/downloads

Support tree preservation with purchase of calendar The Toronto Tree Portraits calendar is available online.

The self-standing desk calendar is square, measuring seven inches wide by seven inches tall.

All proceeds go directly

toward preserving, enhancing and increasing Toronto’s urban forest.

The 2014 Toronto Tree Portraits is available online for $23.75 including HST and shipping at www. torontoparksandtrees.org

Sudoku (difficult)

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.

last week’s answers

diversions

Paul Abraham gets some training in aboard his unicycle on the University of Toronto campus as he prepares for his May fundraising ride from Regina to Toronto, to benefit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of Canada.

>>>from page 1 “At this point there is no cure, but there is treatment. The treatment is very expensive, which is why I want to do this trip and really try to make an impact.”

Abraham is now planning out his route and reaching out to the communities he’ll be travelling through.

“I don’t want to ride completely solo. I think that’s just way too crazy,” he said.

“So what I’m going to do is organize it in a way where people can ride a portion of the distance with me.”

One person has already committed to riding with him for 120 kilometres from Thunder Bay.

Library adds 20,000 new e-book titles

w See answers to this week’s

puzzles in next Thursday’s edition

| YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, December 26, 2013

community

YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, December 26, 2013 |

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