humber happenings volume 14 (autumn 2009)
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www.HumberBayShores.org
HUMBER
HAPPENINGS
HUMBER
HAPPENINGSA Community Publication by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association
■ Betting on Green to Fix the Economy
■ BUILD A HOUSE - Change a Life
■ Turkey Vulture Culture
■ Betting on Green to Fix the Economy
■ BUILD A HOUSE - Change a Life
■ Turkey Vulture Culture
■ VOLUME 14
AUTUMN 2009
■ VOLUME 14
AUTUMN 2009
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©
PALACE PLACE - GORGEOUS VIEWS2000 sq.ft. w/Spectacular South-East City and Lake views condowith parking. Renovated. New
hardwood floors throughout.Marble bathroom. En-suiteupgraded laundry. Can be rentedfurnished for $3900/month orunfurnished for $3400/month.
PALACE PIER - PROFESSIONAL RENO3 bdrm, den, f/room, 2 sol, 3,257sq.ft. with 8.5’ ceiling, 2 parkings.Professionally renovated - over
$150,000 invested. Brand newstate of art kitchen, ss appliances,4 new marble baths. All Hans-Grohe fixtures and gleaminghardwood throughout.
PALACE PIER - 5 STAR AMENITIES3 bdrm, 3 bath, formal dining,den, laundry room, 2 solarium –3,257 sq.ft., 2 parkings, locker,
8.5’ ceiling. Full South wing withbreathtaking city & lake viewsthrough floor to ceiling windows.
PALACE PIER - 5 STAR AMENITIES1,890 Sq. Ft., 3 bdrm, sol, 2 baths,2 parks. The best South-East sideof the building with gorgeous
Lake and City view. Renovatedwith hardwood and granite.
PALACE PIER - CHIC RENOVATION1,890 Sq. Ft., 3 bdrm, sol,3 baths, park. Total professionalrenovation. New kitchen and
Ultra modern 8-piece En-Suitewith Jacuzzi. High qualityfinishings according to currenttrend and flare. Fireplace.
PALACE PIER - PROFESSIONAL RENO1,890 Sq. Ft., 2 bdrm, sol, 4 baths,2 parks. Spectacular renovations,new kitchen and four new baths.
Marble and hardwood. Lots of built-ins. Panoramic View of Cityand Lake.
PALACE PIER - JUST LISTED1,550 Sq. Ft., 2 bdrm, sol, 2 bath.Huge Living Room with GorgeousLake Views. Enlarged Kitchen
with additional countertops.Master Bedroom has walk-incloset & 5 Piece En-Suite Bath-room. The Highest 1550 sq.ft.condo on the South-West side.
PALACE PLACE - JUST LISTEDLuxurious Waterfront PalacePlace – 1,491 sq.ft, on the South-West side with Magnificent
Lake views. Two big bedroomsplus solarium, 2 side by sideparkings, locker.
PALACE PIER - JUST LISTEDExecutive, Fully Furnished, Huge1 Bdrm, 1,120 Sq.Ft. GorgeousLake & City Views. Totally
Renovated. Stainless SteelAppliances, Granite Counter-Tops & Backsplash, Hardwoodthroughout, Granite Bath,Halogen lighting.
PALACE PIER - JUST LISTED2 bdrm, sol, - 1,550 sf. parking,locker. Huge living space. Newattractive tile floor throughout
foyer, living-dining and kitchen.Upgraded appliances. Long termrental possible. All 5 Star ameni-ties incl. in this luxurious building.
PALACE PIER - UNFURNISHED RENTAL3 bedroom, 3,257 sq. foot, den,f/dining, 2 park. Spectacular LakeViews! Highest quality finishings.
White marble floor. State-of-the-art kitchen. Jacuzzi. 2 Fireplaces.
PALACE PIER - FURNISHED RENTAL2 bedroom, balcony, 8.5’ ceilings.1,250 square foot. Total profes-sional renovation - brand new
state-of-the-art kitchen, newwhite marble bath, hardwood.Fully Furnished.
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ON THE COVER
“Toronto Morning Mist”Taken by Sharron MarloweThis photograph was taken from the 10thfloor balcony of our apartment on October 8,
2008. We had recently moved to GrenadierLanding from a ground floor apartment inthe Nevis and I was enthralled with theview we had of the Toronto skyline in themornings over the lake. As you probablyknow the colours can be awe inspiring. Themist that morning seemed to soften thescene and add some enchantment knowingthat autumn was around the corner.
Humber Bay Shores
Condominium Association
BOARD OF DIRECTORSPresident: Leo Blindenbach, Grenadier Landing
Vice President: Judi Richter-Jacobs, Players Club
Treasurer: Malcolm Gonsalves, Voyageur I and II
Secretary: Laura Nash, Marina del Rey
Past President: Jim Lord, Palace Pier (Ex-Officio)
Director: Angelina Chiu, Newport Beach
Director: Don Henderson, Bal Harbour
Director: Norm Merkosky, Palace Pier
Director: Tim Owen, Grand Harbour
Director: Jay Perry, Nevis
Director: Simone Purboo, Explorer
Director: Jim Reekie, Palace Place
Representative: David Fung, Waterford
COMMITTEE CHAIRSBeautification: Judi Richter-Jacobs,
Communications: Simone Purboo
Competitive
Benchmarking: Norm Merkosky
Education: Laura Nash
Humber Happenings: Jim Lord
Governance & Objectives: Norm Merkosky,
Judi Richter-Jacobs
Safety & Crime Prevention: Simone Purboo
Traffic & Transportation: Angelina Chiu, Tim Owen, Jim Reekie
Zoning & Planning Don Henderson, Tim Owen, Jim Lord
The Humber Happenings Team
EDITORFiona Maarhuis
Email: [email protected]
COPY EDITOR
Chris Wyllie
GRAPHIC DESIGNERLincoln Graphics Inc.
ADVERTISINGJim Lord | Fiona Maarhuis | Christina Wong
WRITERSLeo Blindenbach | Angelina Chiu | Shamira Hudda
Clarice Giffen | Garry Kapitan | Jim LordCatherine Maxwell | Norm Merkosky | David Moorcroft
Simone Purboo | Judi Richter-Jacobs
Evelyn Roberts | John Switzer | Peg Thoen
PHOTOGRAPHYSandra Laurin | Monianne | Peg Thoen
PRINTER
Lincoln Graphics Inc.22 Export Avenue, St. Catharines, ON
TO ADVERTISE IN HUMBER HAPPENINGS,email: [email protected]
Telephone: 416-503-8817
AUTUMN 2009 HumberBayShores.org4
■ FROM THE EDITOR
We closed the Humber
Happenings photo contest
on July 15, after receiving
over 70 entries from 17
photographers. All of the
pictures are quite special,and I don’t envy our
judges, Sandra Laurin, Jim
Lord, Monianne, and Peg
Thoen. We will feature the
winners and many of the
other photos in our next
few issues.
Alarm is growing as we are gradually beginning to
understand the impact the proposed “harmonized”
tax will have on our condo fees. HBSCA’s Board has
asked MPP Laurel Broten to address this at their
next meeting. Look for more information in the
November issue.
It is nice to hear good news about our local retailers.
Café du Lac, a walk-to restaurant at 2350 Lake
Shore, recently celebrated its first “birthday”, as it
continues to bring the experience and delicious
tastes of Quebec to our welcoming palates. Located
a little further down the Lake Shore, the Birds and
Beans coffee shop received an accolade from the
Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center for their
advertisement in this issue and their continuing
efforts in connecting conservation to the market place.
In this issue, we are very pleased to have several
letters from readers, including some with photos.
We always use readers’ photos for our covers and, in
response to a suggestion we received, will now try
to tell you a little more about where and when the
photos were taken.
Cheers
P h o t o b y B e a u t y m a r k P r o d u c t i o n s
Fiona Maarhuis
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TABLE OF CONTENTS ■
HumberBayShores.org AUTUMN 2009 7
FEATURES
18 Build a House – Save a Life
Palace Pier resident Evelyn Roberts describes the joy
and satisfaction that came from a week building
houses for the poor in the Dominican Republic.
23 Greening the world one sip at a time
Jim Lord introduces the Toronto chapter of
Green Drinks.
29 Book Review: “The Shack” by Clarice Giffen
30 Palais Royale – a Jewel in Sunnyside’s Crown
A history of this grand ballroom, host to famous dance
bands of the 20’s and 30’s, now beautifully restored.
35 The Changing Face of Communications
Catherine Maxwell extols the videophone, now an
exciting and powerful tool.
36 Kick-start your Weight LossDr. Shamira Hudda explains how to make the results of
a weight loss program permanent.
38 Answers to the Most Common Questions
about Cruising
Travel writer David Moorcroft answers queries about
cost, kids, what to do at sea and more.
40 Turkey Vulture Culture
Peg Thoen has amassed some interesting facts and
stories about another of our new neighbours.
42 Mimico 20/20 Revitalization Action Plan
45 Regular Public Events at the Palais Royale
REGULAR COLUMNS
24 Winesights
26 Fun & Fitness
HBSCA
11 President’s Message – Leo Blindenbach
Keeping Us Moving – Angelina Chiu
12 Stay Informed on Crime – Simone Purboo
13 HBSCA Renews Itself
– Judi Richter-Jacobs, Norm Merkosky
14 Betting on Green – Jim Lord
17 Annual Spring Clean Up 2009 – Peg Thoen
20 Tree Planting, a new perspective
- Judi Richter-Jacobs
22 Talk to Us – Simone Purboo
8 Letters to the Editor
18
14
30
17
36
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AUTUMN 2009 HumberBayShores.org8
We would like to hear from you. Do you have a comment about an article,past or present, that you have seen in Humber Happenings?
Or something that you would like to bring to your
neighbours’ attention? Let us know.
EMAIL letters to | [email protected]
or MAIL letters to | Suite 3505, 1 Palace Pier Court, Etobicoke, ON M8V 3W9
DECEMBER 2008
Dear Fiona
As you can see, I am all for re-cycling!
I want to congratulate you on the “Humber
Happenings” . I always look forward to reading it.
I was particularly interested in all the Inukshuks andwish they could have been preserved. It is so nice to
see people being constructive instead of destructive
with vandalism. Thought you might be interested in
some snaps I took several years ago in West Humber
Park of a little boy (I think he was with his
grandfather) and the towers they built from rubble
on the beach. The beach is much better now.
Good luck with your work.
Sincerely
Heather M Harris
Marina del Rey, Phase III
This letter was written in hand, using a card made of recycled paper.
MAY 19, 2005
Dear Editor
I am not sure if you would be interested in this story,
but on Sunday night I rescued two little kittens from
the side of my condo building at 2119 Lakeshore.
They were in a crawl space under a rock.
My cat started acting weird at our window, then I
heard these little cries coming from outside. I went
out and found them trapped between the building
and large rock, freezing and hungry. They were out
there without their mommy for at least seven hours.
I couldn’t stand leaving them overnight as it was
extremely cold, so I took them in, plugged in the
heater and fed them baby formula from a bottle.
They were the most cuddly, cute kittens I have ever
seen. They refused to be fed inside the box, they
wanted to be cuddled first, then fed! My sister and I
took them to the Toronto Humane Society Nursery
last night (Monday), and they said that it will be very
easy to find them a good home in a few weeks when
they are ready. I have attached some pictures of thekittens to this email. Perhaps it would be a good idea
to remind people to get their pets spayed and
neutered, especially considering that a lot of people
in this community have pets.
Thank you,
Nancy Stefanovic
2119 Lake Shore
Boulevard
■ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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HumberBayShores.org AUTUMN 2009 9
TUESDAY, 7 APRIL 2009
Dear Mr. Blindenbach,
Ever since the new bus route Lake Shore - Marine
Parade Drive was established, my car has not gone
downtown. I have never been a TTC user but havenow become a convert. No more traffic jams,
creating pollution and parking problems! The bus is
always on time and delivers me to the Old Mill
subway station or to Bloor Street for shopping and
doctors’ visits while I sit there reading a book or
planning my day. Just great! I have spoken with
neighbours who are just as enthusiastic as I about
this TTC service. The dark, smelly, dirty underpass to
the Humber Loop has always been a barrier to my
trying the TTC.
I understand that this is a trial period and want to
wholeheartedly support continuation of the route.
My sincere thanks to you and the team who workedso diligently on bringing the service about.
With best regards,
Irene Jardine
717 - 5 Marine Parade Drive
SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2009
We wanted to recognize the fine work of your
organization in contributing to the decision of the
TTC to extend services along Marine Parade Drive.
It makes using the service more attractive because itsaves the walk through the tunnel to the Humber
Loop or to Park Lawn Road. It is especially true,
given our cool, wet spring. It is also much safer
when using this service in the evening.
Given the future growth planned for the area, it seems
like a wise investment for the future for the TTC.
We love it!
Laurie and Dave Pedwell
Players Club
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ■
A FRESH
TRANSLATION
OF ITALIAN
Saturday & Sunday BrunchLunch & Dinner 10 am to 4 pm 12 pm to 12 am
PATIO IS OPEN!
GREAT FOOD GREAT WINES DESSERTS COFFEES COMPLIMENTARY PARKING IS AVAILABLE IN THE WATERFORD COMPLEX
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AUTUMN 2009 HumberBayShores.org10
A New Standard in Residential CleaningMrs Green’s is an environmentally friendly cleaning service committed to cleaningwith environmentally-friendly, non toxic products for the health of the client,community and environment. Our goal is to provide you a time saving and professionalalternative to your home surroundings.
At first, people find this hard to believe. But when they experience Mrs. Green’scleaning, their doubts quickly disappear, just like the dust, dirt, grime and microbeswe have removed using an innovative blend of non toxic products, a few of Grandma’s time-honoured traditions and just good old-fashioned elbow grease.
Mrs. Green’s outdoor fresh scent is all we leave behind in your home.The instant you walk in the door, you will know Mrs. Green was there.
Call us now for your Free Estimate
towards a healthy clean home!
416-201-8004www.mrsgreenscleaning.com
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PHONE: 416.239.1286
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LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE KINGSWAY
IDLEY FUNERAL HOME
What sets us apart?
We serve from the Heart!
The difference is our service
416-259-3705
3080 Lake Shore Blvd. W. Toronto(between Islington & Kipling Aves)
www.ridleyfuneralhome.com
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OUR COMMUNITY ■
HumberBayShores.org AUTUMN 2009 11
President’s Message
by Leo Blindenbach, President HBSCA
Increasing problems on Marine Parade DriveHumber Bay Shore is becoming a popular
destination, increasing traffic congestion along
Marine Parade Drive. TTC and school buses have
difficulty navigating the street because parking
restrictions are ignored. Of even more concern, fire
trucks and ambulances on critical missions can have
problems getting to their destinations. We have
expressed these concerns to Councillor Grimes,
Dominic Gulli, Traffic Manager, Staff Sergeant Ronald
Khan, Community Response Manager, and Michael
Cull, Area Supervisor Parking Enforcement West.A labour disruption prevented us from accessing the
results of the seven-day audit of traffic issues on this
drive at the time this column was written.
Traffic LightsThe residents of Palace Place and Palace Pier will be
happy to know that Motion EY 28.38 at Etobicoke York
Community Council upgraded the temporary traffic
control signal at Lake Shore and Palace Pier Court to
permanent, at a cost of approximately $90,000.
The target construction date of the Humber Loop
Relocation to Park Lawn, which was to start in the
fall of 2009, is now 2010, depending on the approval
of the City’s 2010 annual budget. This means anadditional delay to the proposed traffic lights at the
intersection of the streetcar tunnel and Newport
Beach’s exit to Lake Shore Blvd., even while the
numbers of pedestrians and cars using the area are
steadily increasing.
Light Rail TransitAfter all the consultation meetings on this
controversial issue, the Waterfront LRT line did not
receive any federal infrastructure funding. Target
implementation is now set at 2022.
Toronto Transit ServicesTo promote ridership, all HBSCA condominium
members have posted the schedule of the 66D
Prince Edward bus to Old Mill subway station on
their bulletin boards
The Express Bus to Union Station is scheduled to
begin in November.
Please remember that these services are on a trial
basis so LET’S USE THEM!
For an organization to remain current and effective,it must frequently review its mandates and
governance structure. The Humber Bay Shores
Condominium Association is currently going
through that process. A couple of very dedicated
individuals have volunteered to take the lead on this
important task. Please read Norm Merkosky and
Judi Richter-Jacobs’ article on page 13.
Reading their article reminded me of the importance
of dedication and volunteering! One of the
strengths of the HBSCA board of directors is the
spirit of volunteerism exhibited by its members. All
condominium corporations in the Humber Bay
Shores community have their own groups ofdedicated volunteers forming their condo boards,
sharing those same beliefs. All of them bring the
values of quality, professionalism, integrity,
teamwork, openness and innovation to the table,
essential for success.
Volunteering is about giving your time to a cause. It
is about finding something you like to do, and that
you are good at. It is also about your interests, the
things you care about, the things that move you, the
needs of your/our community, and the people you
know. It is about deciding to make a difference - to
a cause, your neighbours, an environmental issue, a
committee, an ideal.
I am not sure who said it, but here is one thought to
keep in mind: Volunteers are not paid - not because
they are worthless, but because they are priceless.
Enjoy the rest of your summer by the lake!
KEEPING US
MOVINGby Angelina Chiu
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■ OUR COMMUNITY
AUTUMN 2009 HumberBayShores.org12
Ihave been a resident in the Humber Bay Shores
area for just over two years now. What drew me
to the area were the calming water, manicured
parks, and endless trails. As more and more
residential buildings are built and commercial
vendors move to the area, you really get a sense of
community. Unfortunately, this also attracts less
desirable elements to the area.
Consequently, the HBSCA has created a committee
that focuses on issues related to the safety and well
being of Humber Bay Shores residents, and fosters a
good relationship between the residents and 22Division of the Toronto Police Service.
The Safety and Crime Prevention Committee will
take on speed and parking enforcement issues, as
well as keeping residents well informed of crimes
taking place in the area. Please visit HBSCA’s
website at www.humberbayshores.org for more
information on committee resources.
To keep residents informed, 22 Division publishes a
very useful community bulletin monthly, which they
make available on the Toronto Police Services site at
www.torontopolice.on.ca/d22, their front desk at
both the main and sub-station, and by e-mail.
Contents typically include reports on: arrests for the
month; traffic initiatives; unit initiatives; robberies;
housebreaks; dangerous weapons; muggings; sexual
assaults; arson; bank robbery; swarming; shootings;frauds; and so much more.
Look for regular updates from this committee and
stay informed.
Stay Informed on Crime
by Simone Purboo
Stone Empire100 The East Mall, Unit 14,Toronto, ON M8Z 5X2
T 416-354-2134 F 416-354-2350
www.stoneempire.ca
SHOP HOURSMonday-Friday 10am - 7pm
Saturday 9am - 1pmSunday Closed
COUNTER TOPS
■ Granite ■ Marble ■ Quartz ■ Onyx
■ Choose from a wide selectionof natural stone tiles
■ Hand made limestone mantels
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13
Founded in 1997, HBSCA, now numbering 17 members, has been a
strong voice acting for the interests of the condominium
corporations in this waterfront community. Recognized for its
dedication to community engagement and development and the pursuit
of relevant partnerships, HBSCA’s successes range from the annual cleanup day, traffic signal and transportation improvements, beautification
initiatives, to strong communication with the community through a
revitalized website and Humber Happenings. All levels of government, and
particularly the City of Toronto, regularly consult HBSCA on projects that
affect our community.
As development in the Humber Bay Shores community continues and
more condominium units are added, HBSCA must meet the continuing
challenge of influencing the development of projects to maintain the
natural beauty of the area, while further improving transportation,
managing traffic and congestion, and continuing to build a vibrant, valued,
sustainable community.
With the addition of new members, HBSCA recently engaged in a
strategic planning process to position itself in relation to anticipatedchallenges, resulting in the vision, statement and strategic priorities
shown on the left.
We also established specific objectives to support the strategic priorities,
which will guide the work of the Association over the next year.
HBSCA has updated and revised its governance process and by-laws to
make them simpler and less cumbersome, while ensuring that every
member corporation has a meaningful voice. Each HBSCA committee will
be given a charter that will ensure its work is aligned with HBSCA’s strategic
priorities, and the committee is supported and effective.
Our objective in this renewal process was to make HBSCA
an even stronger organization that will continue to
effectively represent the interests of condominium
corporations and positively influence community planningand development.
HBSCA is growing and ready to face the challenges that
await us. We welcome your continued support and
involvement as we evolve as a more vibrant, ever valued,
sustainable community.
OUR COMMUNITY ■
HBSCA Renews Itself
by Judi Richter-Jacobs and Norm Merkosky
HBSCA VISION
The leading voice
and advocate for the
Humber Bay Shores
condominium
community
HBSCA MISSION
Providing strong
leadership for the
development,
preservation and
beautification of
a vibrant, valued,
sustainable
condominium
community in which
to live, work and play.
HumberBayShores.org AUTUMN 2009
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■ OUR COMMUNITY
AUTUMN 2009 HumberBayShores.org14
Let’s take a moment to look back at the stock
market crash of the early 1970s, hailed as the
worst economic crisis since the Great
Depression in the 1930s. Forty years later, we are
in a similar position, with a wildly fluctuating
stock markets, bankruptcies, volatile oil prices,
government bailouts, and tight credit restrictions.
The difference between then and now? The 1970s
marked the fledgling roots of the green movement,
which proved too fragile to offer truly viable
economic investment opportunities. Today, green
is synonymous with innovative and cost-effective
solutions, and is ultimately the way of the future.
Around the world, businesses are now looking to
reduce resource expenditures to save capital, a
perfect fit for clean and alternative energy
technologies. When accompanied by increasing
consumer demand for green products and
programs, it becomes clear that there is a growing
trend, both locally and globally, towards
environmentally friendly solutions.
The United Nations officially announced a global
green “New Deal” in the fall of 2008, which is
aimed at restructuring economies, reducing oil
dependence and moving towards more sustainable
energy sources. The six keys areas of the “New Deal”
are: clean energy and technologies, rural energy,
sustainable agriculture, ecosystem infrastructure,
reduced emissions from deforestation and
degradation, and sustainable cities.
However, the biggest achievement in the green
revolution to date is President Obama’s
accomplishment of his campaign promise to invest
$150 billion in clean technologies over the next 10
years, along with targets for greenhouse emission
reductions of 80% by 2050. The House of
Representatives passed the proposed legislation on
June 26, 2009; the bill is now before the Senate.
Ontario’s Green Energy Act, aimed at boosting
investment in renewable energy projects, increasing
conservation, and creating green jobs and economic
growth received Royal Assent on May 14, 2009. Still
before the legislature is the creation of a “cap-and-
trade” system, which will place hard caps on the
absolute level of permitted emissions. If passed, this
is expected to help the province meet its
commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to
6% below 1990 levels by 2015 and 15% by 2020.
The City of Toronto has commenced its Green Fleet
Transition Plan, and announced a waste diversiongoal of 70% by 2010, the Green Development
standard, and the ongoing Energy Retrofit Program.
Closer to home, the Humber Bay Shores
Condominium Association continues to be a green
advocate in our community. In March, the
Betting on Greento Fix the EconomyBetting on Greento Fix the Economy
AROUND THE WORLD
AND IN HUMBER BAY SHORES
By Jim Lord
From left: John Kiru, Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas; Laurel
Broten, MPP; Brian Owen, Green T Biz, LED Magazine; Jim Lord; Councillor Mark
Grimes; Peter Love, Ontario Power Authority
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HumberBayShores.org AUTUMN 2009 15
OUR COMMUNITY ■
Association hosted a “Green Evening” for board
members and property managers of HBSCA
members, as well as HBSCA volunteers. Several
leading edge green companies showcased their
products and environmental attributes.
Car SharingZipcar has recently established a location in The
Explorer, offering Humber Bay Shores residents an
easy alternative to the high costs of car ownership.
Zipcar has 250,000 members and 5,500 vehicles
throughout 26 North American states and provinces.
Just think, in the future we could all share vehicles
rather than each having our own cars.
Recycled PaintBoomerang® has been selling recycled paint for 12
years. Even its metal cans are a reclaimed product.
Boomerang paint is manufactured from unused,
leftover domestic paints and stains that have the
same properties as new product. The paint is not only
eco-friendly, it’s wallet-friendly, selling at a fraction of
the price for other paint. It is the only recycled paint
available in Canada. RONA will accept leftover paint
to be passed to Boomerang for recycling.
LightingCRS Electronics, from Welland, Ontario, demonstrated
their innovative LED lights, which have been creating
a stir in the condominium industry. In 2008, Palace
Pier conducted the largest retrofit to LED lighting to
date in North America. The project was recognized by
the Ontario Power Authority Chief Conservation
Officer and received partial funding from the City of
Toronto’s Better Buildings Partnerships. LED lighting
is still an expensive lighting option for residences, but
has definite advantages in commercial applications.
Palace Pier will save over $180,000 over five years,
and divert over 25,000 used bulbs from landfill.
And othersAmerican Standard exhibited the newest in low flow
toilets and showerheads, and reminded us that the
City of Toronto provides rebates for the conversion
to low flow toilets; and representatives from the City
of Toronto answered questions about recycling,composting, and garbage collection.
Ecovert Sustainability Solutions organized the event,
and was on hand to answer questions about
sustainability www.ecovert.ca
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AUTUMN 2009 HumberBayShores.org16
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HumberBayShores.org AUTUMN 2009 17
OUR COMMUNITY ■
A big thank you to the hundred or so hardy souls who braved the threatening
storm (and subsequent downpour) to join us for the 13th HBSCA Clean-up
Day! While the weather was less than ideal, we forged ahead, completed the
task at hand, and were rewarded with a fine BBQ at the Etobicoke Yacht Club. Our
traditional group photo before heading out to cleanup was not possible, because
people were anxious to head out to try to beat the rain which, unfortunately, wasnot possible. Nevertheless, our HBSCA banner hung proudly in the park, and even
provided some temporary protection from the rain.
As usual, our volunteers came across some interesting items.
H U M B E R
Bay Shores
A N N U A LS P R I N G
Clean-Up
2009
One highlight that brightened ourspirits was the collectors’ editionHBSCA T-shirt that was availablefor sale. Judi Richter-Jacobspartnered with local artist LornaLivey to create this collectorsitem: Lorna provided the artwork,and Judi sourced the organic T-shirts. Sales were brisk out of theback of Judi’s car — watch forthese eye-catching shirts aroundthe neighbourhood.
Lorna Livey also joined in theClean-Up, as seen in the photoon the left, at the top.
HBSCA would like to thank to our sponsors:
• Steve at Park Lawn Esso, for the muchneeded hot coffee and timbits;
• Brookfield Residential Services Ltd.(lunch sponsor);
• Wilson, Blanchard Management Inc.(lunch sponsor);
• Etobicoke Yacht Club, Mimico Cruising Club,Humber Sailing Club; and
• Humber Bay Shores CondominiumAssociation
Much appreciation and many thanks
to our organizing committee who helped pull this event off:
Leo Blindenbach | Judi Richter–Jacobs
Laura Nash | Peg Thoen | Malcolm Little
Bill and Mae Wilcox | Etobicoke Yacht Club
Special thanks to everyone who joined together and helped to clean up
our waterfront.
See you next spring!
Check out HBSCA.org for more photos.
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■ A NEIGHBOUR’S STORY
18
In March 2007, I was fortunate enough to meet
Elio Madonia, a neighbour of mine at Palace Pier,
but also a “saint”, who spends 90% of his time
helping the destitute and homeless, and fighting
poverty with his tireless faith.
Well-known in the Italian-Canadian community in
Toronto for years as a successful entrepreneur and
businessman, Elio could live out a comfortable and
easy retirement with his wife, Lena. Instead, this
quiet and humble man has spent the last 22 years
building homes and helping those in great need in
the Dominican Republic.
I was on vacation on the island with 350 business
associates when, as a group, we decided we should
reach out in some way to help the local community
before we left. We met Elio Madonia and he led 20
of us on a life-changing tour of the region.
The first stop was to see the existing conditions for
many of the poor. We quailed at make-shift shacks
pieced together with scraps of wood and tin. Our
second stop was one of the six villages that Elio’s
foundation had built, with a school, a medical clinic
and a church. Next we were shown a vacant plot of
land that Elio hoped one day to buy. Standing there,
our group decided to join hands and pray. Two of
our business partners were so moved by all they hadseen that they committed the necessary funds to
buy the land. I pondered all I had seen that day, and
promised that one day I would bring others to help
build that new village – perhaps.
Little did I know that this dream would take root in
my heart and not let go. When Elio and Lena
returned to Canada at Christmas, I asked if I could
bring some folks down in early May. I had no idea
how many would join me, but I committed to
spreading the word of his work, inviting others to
join me, and raising funds for the building materials.
Elio agreed and a date was set. The group left
Toronto on April 30 — strangers on a mission from all
across Canada, ranging in age from 16 to 65 years.
On the day we arrived, we toured Villa Esparanza
where we saw the newly built school, medical clinic,
shops, and the church. We also saw completed
homes and the area where we would be working in
the coming week. Our group was excited, talkative,
and amazed at the open-armed welcome of the
village children. Then, we crossed the road and the
view changed dramatically: people living in rundown
tin shacks on land leased from sugar cane landlords.
The squalor on that side of the road was oppressive.
We were sad and disheartened, but still glad to be
there, as we knew that each new house we built
would replace one of the shacks.
That same afternoon, we made our way to the Villa
Paradise village, now with 70 new homes. The impact
of living in a better environment could be seen in the
villagers’ spirits. It shone from their faces, in the
newfound hope in their eyes, and in the gratitude
BUILD A HOUSE
Change a Lifeby Evelyn Roberts
AUTUMN 2009 HumberBayShores.org
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they showed for people like us, who had given up
their vacation time to help those less fortunate.
Every morning we were on the bus by 7:30 am and
worked till noon, when the heat made it unbearable to
continue. We learned to build cement block homes,paint shutters, doors and walls, and bend rebar. Many
of the younger men admitted they had never worked
so hard in their lives – even on construction sites back
home. Two artists in our group spent the week
painting a mural on the side of the water cistern in one
of the villages, much to the delight of the local
children. One child went down to a nearby creek and
brought back a fish so it could be painted on the
mural. The artists let him sketch the outline himself.
The houses we built are modest, but a huge step up
from the rat-infested shacks of the slums: each has a
toilet and washbasin, and the village provides
potable water. The villagers now live in a kinder and
more caring environment. They receive spiritual helpfrom their local church and a dedicated pastor, and
their children are educated in the village school. Each
family can obtain
medical help and
medicines, either free
or at a very low cost.
They are discovering
that it is possible to
break the cycle of
poverty as they learn
a new reality.
Our afternoons were
a combination of
tours and activities.
One afternoon we
played soccer with the youth in the area — the
Canadians lost! Another day we brought lunch forthe children in the slum area – a bun, a piece of meat,
a piece of fruit, fortified milk and a toy, and we
toured the local hospital, giving out gifts. We even
carved out some beach time! The week went fast for
the “Dirty Thirty”, so dubbed by the hotel staff. We
came home invigorated, now a team, no longer
strangers. Each of us knew our hearts were changed
forever. All thirty plan to return next year and will be
bringing a friend.
Will you be joining us?
Evelyn Roberts
is a resident of Palace Pier
HumberBayShores.org AUTUMN 200919
A NEIGHBOUR’S STORY ■
Elio Madonia
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■ OUR COMMUNITY
AUTUMN 2009 HumberBayShores.org20
Tree Planting – A New Perspectiveby Judi Richter-Jacobs
Impeccable, Detailed Cleaning Service…• Using environmentally sensitive cleaning supplies & our own equipment
• We care about your home and four legged family members
• Owner operated, insured & bonded, considerate staff
who enjoy their work
• Satisfaction guaranteed or your money refunded
• Fair & competitive market driven rates
Suzanne Clark 2261 Lake Shore Blvd. West, Unit 721, Toronto | [email protected] 416.901.5433
When I lived in downtown Toronto before moving toHumber Bay Shores, I could not have imagined
debating the merits of planting trees.
I would walk to and from work daily along Church
Street, between Front and Bloor Street. Despite some
attractive buildings and green spaces such as the
Flatiron Building or the grounds of St James’ and St.
Michael’s cathedrals, the overall area seemed grey and
unattractive, with no trees and other forms of nature
to brighten the spirit and nourish the soul. Any efforts
made to introduce or add to green spaces was more
than welcomed by residents and visitors alike.
Now, living so close to the waterfront, with so much
wonderful naturalization and so many establishedtrees, a dilemma has arisen for the Humber Bay
Shores community – should we support the planting
of more trees along the walkways and boulevards, or
should we ask that the trees allocated to these areas
be placed in other areas more in need?
In our efforts to work closely with the City, we haveencouraged them to share their plans for the
planting of more trees.
Some owners have let us know that they welcome an
unobstructed view of the water and the skyline from
their condominium units. They have cautioned that
more trees will impede that view. Others have
indicated concern about their personal safety, if the
growth along the walkways gets too dense. So, we
are advocating on the behalf of our residents for
relocation of some of the trees.
An alternate location for additional trees is the north
side of Lake Shore Blvd. West between the Gardiner
Expressway off-ramp and Palace Pier Court. A meetingis planned with Councillor Grimes and the staff of
the Urban Forestry Services to consider this issue, as
well as the replacement of trees along the Newport
Beach pond area. So stay tuned, and enjoy the rest
of your summer!
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HH_AUTUMN 7/23/09 12:50 AM Page 21
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■ OUR COMMUNITY
AUTUMN 2009 HumberBayShores.org22
We want to hear from you. HBSCA
has formed a Communications
Committee, charged with overseeing
and enhancing communication with
the board, local residents, and the
city. What this means for you isthat we will communicate with
you more regularly on issues
pertinent to our neighbourhood,
through our website, Humber
Happenings, and news bulletins. As
information becomes available to us,
we will keep you informed.
Through the various committees
operating within HBSCA, we have
also established strong relations with
our local city representatives, keeping
them informed of our needs and
objectives, listening to theirs, andinvolving them in our activities. The
resulting mutual understanding and
teamwork have accomplished much.
One of the very first initiatives the
newly formed Communications
Committee has accomplished was
the facelift of the HBSCA website.
You can visit this site at
www.humberbayshores .org or
www.humberhappenings.com. The
intent of the overhaul was to make
the site more engaging and the
information more accessible. Now
you can learn about HBSCA, the
mandates and activities of the various
committees, pending initiatives, and
get involved.
As you look at the website, consider
the different committee sections,
which feature some of the committees’
accomplishments to date, and let us
know what else we can do to better
serve you.
The Communications Committee is
actively looking for volunteers. If you
would like to contribute in some
fashion, please contact me through
TalktoUS
by Simone Purboo
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HumberBayShores.org AUTUMN 2009 23
Greening the world
one sip at a time
by Jim Lord
This is the motto of the Toronto chapter of
Green Drinks, an international organization
with chapters in over 530 cities around the
world. Every month, people who work or have an
interest in the environmental field meet up for a beer
or other beverage at informal sessions known as
Green Drinks.
These events are very simple and unstructured, but
many people have made friends, developed new
ideas, found employment, made deals, and hadmoments of serendipity.
They have a lively mixture of people from NGOs,
academia, government, students, and business,
who are just interested in meeting others with an
interest in the environment. The Green Drinks team
encourages anyone interested to join. They make
sure that everyone is made welcome. Just say “are
you green?”, and they will look after you and
introduce you to whoever is there. It’s a great way of
catching up with people you know, and for making
new contacts. Everyone invites someone else along,
so there’s always a different crowd, making Green
Drinks an organic, self-organizing network.
The Toronto chapter has been around since June
2005, and typically has about 100 in attendance.
There is always a green drinks Toronto event on the
third Wednesday of each month, sometime we add
an extra one to spice things up.
To find the location,
we recommend that you
look them up either on
Facebook under
“Green Drinks Toronto”,
on the web at
www.greendrinks.org,
or by email at
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In the time it takes you todrink your next cup of coffee,
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Drop by our cafe-by-the-lake for a wide selection
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See the birds in person on a CCFEW bird walk
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For more information visit:www.birdsandbeans.ca/birds.html
2413 Lake Shore Boulevard West (at Mimico Avenue) 416- 913-9221
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AUTUMN 2009 HumberBayShores.org24
TAKE A TRIP to wine country!
by John Switzer
■ WINESIGHTS
Toronto residents are blessed to have three wine
regions – the Niagara Peninsula, Prince Edward
County and the north shore of Lake Erie - within a
couple of hours drive from our front door. As
summer winds down, what better time than now to
hop in the car and spend a day in wine country?
Winery visits are a wonderful way to learn more about
Ontario wines and winemaking, to meet some
interesting and engaging people, and to taste some of
the best cool-climate wines made in the New World.
Wineries are wide open during the summer months
for visitors, and at most wineries the 2007s are now
available for sampling. This vintage is considered the
best ever in Ontario, and the only way to get many
of these wines is to visit the producer. Why? The
majority of wines produced in Ontario can only be
purchased at the winery, because producers either
don’t have adequate volume to supply the LCBO, or
they are unwilling to sell their wines to the LCBO at
discounts from the winery retail price.
Whether you are a new wine tourist or an old pro, I
recommend you consider Niagara as a destination
for a tasting trip. This is the most mature of our three
wine sub-regions, and I think it is currently the most
exciting region in Ontario.
There are three distinctive Niagara destinations:
Niagara-on-the-Lake is the most-established area;
the Beamsville Bench is the home of several rising
star craft wineries and is the closest destination from
Toronto; and Vineland sits in the middle of the two
other areas. For a day trip to Niagara, I recommend
you concentrate on only one area. Don’t try to cover
too much ground – the goal is to have a relaxing day
in wine country, not to try to cover as many winesand wineries as possible,
Each area has are a number of fine wineries, very
good restaurants, and appealing accommodations
for wine tourists who wish to stay overnight. In the
Beamsville area, visit Peninsula Ridge, Thirty Bench,
Hidden Bench and Daniel Lenko. In the Vineland area,
you should check out Malivoire, Le Clos Jordanne,
Vineland Estates, Cave Spring, Featherstone and Flat
Rock. The best bets in Niagara-on-the-Lake include
Southbrook, Strewn, Lailey and Marynissen.
There are signs of an improving economy. Let’s celebrate with some wines from the
LCBO Vintages Essentials list. These wines are always available at Vintages locations.Ontario, NiagaraVQA Twenty Mile Bench Flat RockCellars Pinot Noir 2007
Flat Rock is a small winery founded in 2005.Marlize Beyers is the winemaker, and she hasbeen very successful making Chardonnay,Riesling and Pinot Noir wines that have acharacteristic crisp, fruit-forward personality. The2007 Pinot Noir is an excellent wine, whichshows fine fruit/acid/tannin balance. It hasplenty of red cherry fruit on the nose and palatewith a spicy, ripe apple finish.This is a perfectfood wine: serve with a rack of pork roast.
Dry, red wine - $19.95 per bottle(product number Vintages 1545)
France, BurgundyAOC Chablis La ChablisienneVieilles Vignes Les Vénérables 2005
Chablis is a small, cool-climate sub-region of Burgundy, the northern-most wine area in thisstoried part of France. This is a white wineregion and its wines are distinctly differentfrom the whites from elsewhere in Burgundy,even though the grape – Chardonnay - is thesame.This wine is a very good demonstrationof the Chablis character: crisp acidity, flintyminerals, grapefruit and lime flavours, and avery slight hint of oak. This wine was aged on
spent yeast cells, so it has a complex, yeastynose and mouth. Wonderful! This Chablis willmatch sushi, oysters in the half shell, orsalmon.
Extra dry, white wine - $24.95 per bottle(product number Vintages 942243)
Spain, PenedèsDO Penedès Torres Gran CoronaCabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2005
The Torres family has been one of theinstrumental forces behind the post-Francomodernization of the Spanish wine industry.Theyhave planted international grape varieties andmodernized centuries-old winemaking traditionsin ways that are truly revolutionary.Torres isbased in Penedès, the wine region closest toBarcelona. This is a very elegant CabernetSauvignon. It has a deep ruby colour and aninviting plum, smoke, sandalwood nose.The
palate is bright with grippy tannins and flavoursof blackberry, vanilla, leather and spice. Enjoy thiswine now - or store for the next four to six years.Best with grilled meats.Great value!
Dry, red wine - $18.95 per bottle(product number Vintages 36483)
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HumberBayShores.org AUTUMN 2009 25
at
OLD MILLINN & SPAYour place for a special time
(416) 236-2641www.oldmilltoronto.com
EverySaturday Night
7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Come relax and unwind in the intimate
surroundings of The Home Smith Bar.
Enjoy the mellow and soulful sounds
that emanate from the great Jazz artists.
Over many years of winery visitsI have developed some personal
rules for wine tasting success.Follow these simple steps, and you will have a ball.
1 PLAN AHEAD. Select a handful of wineries where you have some interest inthe wines. If you can, make appointments in advance. Some wineries require
this – especially on weekdays. Consider doing winery visits during the week
to avoid crowds and get more chat time with the staff.2 BE PUNCTUAL. If you have an appointment, arrive on time. If you arerunning late, phone ahead to let your host know what is happening. 3 ALLOW AMPLE TIME. It is hard to be punctual if you try to cram too many
tastings into one day.
4 BE PREPARED TO BUY. The winery is investing time with you, and whilemany wineries charge for a tasting, these charges don’t cover costs by any
measure. It is a matter of simple courtesy to your host to buy a bottle - or
more - after you have concluded the formal tasting.
5 ASK QUESTIONS. The best way to learn about anything - especially wine|- is to ask questions when you have the winemaker standing in front of you.
There is no such thing as a dumb question.6 SPIT, DON’T SWALLOW. You don’t need to swallow each mouthful to geta full appreciation of the qualities of a wine. Spittoons are always availableand you should feel comfortable using them. If you plan to swallow, you
must have a designated driver for the day.
7 BE SLOW AND DELIBERATE WHILE YOU TASTE. Tasting wine is notdrinking wine. Examine the wine; sniff it to see if it’s drinkable; swirl it to
open up the bouquet; take a small sip and slosh it in your mouth; spit out
the wine, and reflect on the finish in the back of your mouth.
8 DON’T BE GREEDY. DON’T ASK FOR SECONDS. The host will pour anounce and a half, which will be adequate for tasting. It’s OK to pour out the
wine you don’t taste. You don’t need to drink it all.
An excellent resource for planning a trip is the Wine Access 2009 Canadian Wine
Annual. This magazine provides a profile of every commercial winery in Canada,
along with contact information, hours of operation, and detailed maps. The Canadian
Wine Annual is available at newsstands and costs $9.95.
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■ FUN & FITNESS
AUTUMN 2009 HumberBayShores.org26
We can now swim again at Sunnyside Beach!
When I was a boy growing up in Parkdale, my parents often
encouraged my brothers and me to go out and have fun at
Sunnyside Beach. It was what is now called a “destination
place”. We would splash in the water, build sand castles and,
my favourite, toss flat stones across the water and count the
bounces before they went kerplunk!
Over the intervening years, the beaches became neglected and
polluted. Nobody seemed to care about our beautiful waterfront.
Poor water quality has often forced the city to issue warnings
against swimming at Sunnyside, keeping the beach closed.
Between 2005 and 2008, it was only open for swimming
between 31% and 65% of the season.
They lowered the curtain!
If you can’t clean it, curtain it. In a million dollar project,
Toronto officials have created an enclosed swimming area
just in front of the iconic Sunnyside Pavilion. “This beach is
particularly prone to pollution, due to the flow of the HumberRiver into the lake”, explained Brian Worsley, Senior Engineer
with Toronto Water.
In a three-year plan aimed at improving swimming water
quality, a vinyl sheet has been suspended from floating
pontoons, anchored to the bottom of the lake and extending
to the surface. Waves gently lap over the top, creating a 30
by 200 metre swimming area, designed to be a safe and
enjoyable place to swim. The water depth is graded down
from the beach to 1.5 metres (5 feet) at the curtain
How is the water treated?
The vinyl curtain is impermeable. Water is pumped from the
enclosure to an on-shore container where it is disinfectedusing ultraviolet treatment. It is then returned to the
enclosure. The system can treat 15 million litres of water per
day. This equates to the volume of water within the enclosure
being disinfected approximately 2.5 to 3.5 times per day.
Will you join mefor a swim inLAKE ONTARIO?
by Garry Kapitan
Summer will soon be over. Now is the
time to take advantage of the sun while
it’s still here. It is time to take your best
friend to the beach.
After all, nothing says romance like
summers’ last rays of sunshine hitting
the cute and scantily clad bodies ofyoung folks hanging by the waters edge.
Sun, sand, water, volleyball, frisbee,
swimming, sunsets, biking and running
on the Martin Goodman trail – all these
things are activities best enjoyed by the
water’s edge - and they are free, free,
free. And since we’re on that strict
recession budget, that’s just fine - a
perfect cheap date.
There is even more fun to be had if you
head east along the boardwalk from
Humber Bay Shores (approximatelythree kilometres) to Sunnyside Beach
and the Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion. The
pavilion certainly has retained a bit of
that old-time romance – it is an official
historical site, and is a gorgeous
example of late revivalist architecture.
Located at the back of the Bathing
Pavilion is a cozy café that serves a
wide variety of beverages and café
classics, including pizzas baked in a
wood-burning oven. The café has an
ample patio overlooking the beach, and
provides the perfect backdrop to watchthe setting sun. The perfect capping
to a gloriously hot and sweaty day
on the beach.
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FUN & FITNESS ■
Will this affect the environment?
Ultraviolet treatment is a safe and reliable method to
improve swimming water quality. It does not require the
use of chemicals, and does not harm the environment.
Is the sand contaminated?
The city has removed any sand at the water’s edge
that was contaminated with bacteria, and replaced it
with clean sand, which also enhances water clarity
and improves visibility for the lifeguards.
What about the Geese Poop?
Yes, all that bird crap around Sunnyside is disgusting!
Various city departments are working on measures
that will improve water quality, including beach
grooming, using trained Border Collies to chase away
the geese, and making people aware of the needto ensure that bacteria from feces does not leach into
the lake.
Where is this located?
The on-shore ultraviolet treatment container is
behind the Pizza Pizza pavilion. Pipes leading to and
from the container are in underground trenches. The
curtained-off area runs in a straight line from a point
south of the Sunnyside Pavilion to a point
approximately 200 metres west along the beach.
Lifeguards are on duty from 11:30 am to 6:30 pm,
seven days a week from June to Labour Day weekend.
See you on the trails or in the lake
Garry Kapitan
416-233-7885
e-mail: [email protected]
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BOOK REVIEW ■
HumberBayShores.org AUTUMN 2009 29
Egads! Still on the best seller list! Firstpublished in 2005 and now into its fourth printing,
this seemingly innocuous little novel was intended
originally as a Christmas gift for the author’s six
children. Four years later, with film studios
clamouring over movie rights, it continues to climb
ever higher on the charts.
Pain, suffering, anger, angst, confusion, tragedy,
evil: all ingredients that affect every man/woman/
child at some point. The world is full of darkness
and violence and horrible things do happen. The
age-old question arises: why does God allow such
things to happen?
This is the question that the protagonist, Mackenzie
Allen Phillips (Mack), is asking when the story
begins. As told by the narrator Willie, (actually the
author William P. Young,) Mack finds himself
drowning in the middle of his own Great Sadness,
which is literally sucking the life out of him, and
leaving him gasping for breath. His youngest
daughter, Missy, had been abducted and murdered
by a serial killer four years earlier, and her bloodied
dress was found in a shack in northern Oregon.
Mack is lured back to the shack by a mysterious note
left in his mailbox simply signed “Papa”. The shack isa place of darkness, ugliness and horror, where
Mack’s feelings of hurt, disappointment, loss and
grief are painfully stored. He returns with
trepidation. His sole purpose for going is to vent his
wrath on a despicable God.
Imagine his incredulity when the door of the shack
opens and Mack finds himself looking directly into
the face of a large, beaming, African-American
woman, who goes by the name Papa – the name for
God in this story.
As this book continues to gain popularity,
controversy and rejection have also arisen. One
reviewer cautions the public not to allow children to
read it. Clerics insist that the various theological
teachings are incorrect. This is, however, a work of
fiction after all, and people are not reading it for the
thrust of its theological impact. Whatever theology
the reader gleans from its pages is strictly
individualistic and personal.
The Shack is a tale for a diverse audience. It is not
intended for any specific reading or religious group,
and herein lies its appeal! Indeed, Jesus of The
Shack claims he is NOT a Christian, and embraces
equally Buddhists, Mormons, Baptists, Muslims,
Democrats, Republicans, murderers, bankers,
bookies, Jews, Palestinians, Iraqis, many who don’t
vote, and many who are not part of any Sunday
morning religious institution. It is an everyman/
everywoman kind of story, with love and forgiveness
at its core.
Read this book. Meet Papa, Sarayu, Jesus and Mack.Accompany them beyond the realm of traditional
teaching and thinking. Be prepared to be surprised,
delighted or perhaps turned off. Cry with them,
laugh with them and, as you close the last page,
rejoice with them.
THE SHACKby William P. Young
Reviewed by Clarice Giffen
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■ OUR HISTORY
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The history of the Palais Royale is inextricably
tied to the history of the Sunnyside Amusement Park.
Annexed by the city in 1888, the stretch of shoreline between
Toronto’s Canadian National Exhibition site and the mouth of the
Humber on Lake Ontario was named “Sunnyside” after a residence at
the Humber mouth. It was already a popular attraction with day-
trippers brought by the new sightseeing streetcars as part of
Toronto’s Electric Rail system expansion in the late 1890s. The
construction of the exhibition grounds to the east brought more
tourists to the lakeshore, and by 1912, the Toronto Harbour
Commission, which owned the land, had announced plans to lay over
10,000 feet of boardwalk along the shoreline.
Progress was slow during the First World War, but in 1918, the success
of New York’s Coney Island and the fairgrounds of the adjacent CNE,
inspired the Harbour Commission to take advantage of its now
commercially valuable property. Plots all along the lakeshore were sold
to prospective entertainment and refreshment businesses.
Around 1913, local boat builder Walter Dean saw the opportunity to
occupy a prime lakeshore spot, and applied to the Harbour
Commission for the land, now occupied by Palais Royale. He built the
original structure as a boat yard, with direct access to the lake for the
sale of his famous “Sunnyside Torpedo Canoe”. By the early 1920s,
the plans for “Sunnyside Amusement Park” were taking shape and,
close to retirement, Walter Dean decided to move his operation into
the basement, with showrooms flanking the entrance to the upper
floor. In 1922, the upper floor was taken over by “Palais Royale
Limited” and converted for use as a dance hall.
PALAIS ROYALE
A Jewel in Sunnyside’s Crown
1926 Postcard from the City of Toronto Archives,
Series 330, File 567, Item 3
Couple dancing, date unknown: City of Toronto
Archives, Series 1057, Items 7376 & 7374
30
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Taking inspiration from New York’s Coney Island, the
original Palais Royale architects designed a structure
that was largely timber based, simple to construct,
and used local knowledge and materials, but was
certainly not meant for longevity. The boathouse onthe lower level needed lake access, and at entry
level, the dance hall facilities had to be visible from
the boardwalk, while still promoting the boat
business hidden below.
The stuccoed upper level was punctuated with large,
full-height windows and doors on all sides, flooding
the interior with natural light. A barrel-vaulted roof
also allowed light in through clerestory windows.
Decorative timber panelling and a fireplace gave
warmth in the evenings.
During the 1920s, the Palais gained in popularity as
the new “swing jazz” and “flapper” style of dancing
became fashionable, and The Toronto Star beganregular radio broadcasts from dances and events.
Upon Dean’s retirement in 1932, Palais Royale
Limited also took over the basement, and the venue
was converted into a full-fledged dance hall, music
venue, and restaurant. By this time, it was a
significant player in the city’s nightlife, with no sign
of business slowing down, even during the
depression. Bill Cuthbert and George Deller took
over the Palais, with the intention of establishing a
world-class swing jazz venue, and brought in the
most popular artists of the day. The Dance Hall was
regularly filled to capacity six nights a week. A
crowd of 3000 turned out in 1933 for Eddie Duchin’s
Park Central Orchestra.
In 1934, the city opened a new boardwalk, improving
access to the string of lakeshore amusements and
dance halls. Sunnyside continued in its popularity,
with free bathing cars bringing scores of children to
the lake during the war years. By the 1940s, the
Palais Royale Dance Hall was operating at capacity
all year round, with the introduction of the Terrace
Royale for dancing with a view of the lake in the
warmer months. At the height of the Big Band Swing
era, Cuthbert and Deller were attracting top name
acts such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Glen
Miller to the Palais.
After the end of the war, restrictions levied on the use
of cars were lifted. Out of town travel became easier,
cheaper and more popular, and the number of free
bathing cars was dramatically reduced. The decline
of Sunnyside began. In 1949, Cuthbert and Deller sold
the lease of the Palais Royale to Joe Broderick,
marking the departure of the popular and well
respected house band under the baton of Bert Niosi.
Broderick ran the Palais as a profitable business until
the mid 1950s, when the newly formed Municipalityof Metropolitan Toronto announced its plans to
construct Lake Shore Boulevard, which ripped
through Sunnyside, and fundamentally disconnected
the lakeshore from the city. Vandalism, neglect, and
a number of fires further damaged Sunnyside’s
hopes for a reprise, and the park was eventually
cleared in February of 1956. Despite local objections,
the only buildings to survive were the Sunnyside
Bathing Pavilion and Palais Royale, partly on their
architectural and historic merit, but largely because
they were not in the path of the proposed highway.
Attendance at the Palais dropped dramatically, and
by the mid 1960s, Joe Broderick passed on the lease
to the privately run Polish National Union withoutmuch objection. In 1964, the Toronto Harbour
Commission sold the whole of the western beaches
of the former Sunnyside Amusement Park to the
City of Toronto
There was little interest in the Palais for the next
decade, although, with the aim of preservation, the
building was listed as a Toronto Historic Site in 1974.
By the 1980s, dancing at the Palais Royale had
become part of the city’s folklore. Interest in the
Palais was renewed after it was designated under
the Ontario Heritage Act in 1984, and a number of
newspaper articles bemoaned its fate. The Polish
National Union still held the lease, and operated thebuilding for the sole use of the union, with few public
events. Local residents became frustrated by the
lack of access to what was now considered a
valuable part of the city’s heritage, and there were
OUR HISTORY ■
HumberBayShores.org AUTUMN 2009
Dean’s Sunnyside Canoes and Lakeside Deck - circa 1923
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■ OUR HISTORY
AUTUMN 2009 HumberBayShores.org32
concerns about the increasing state of disrepair of
the building itself. Under pressure, the City of
Toronto put out a request for proposals for new
operators, with the primary objective that the
building be restored and put back into public use as
an entertainment facility.
The city regained control of the lease in 2000, and
passed it on to Shoreline Entertainment under a
twenty-year term, in return for Shoreline funding the
renovation of the Palais Royale, and restoring the
building to public use as a “venue for ballroom
dancing, as a site for banquets, weddings and other
functions, or as an entertainment facility.” The
current operators, Pegasus Group, Borg
Entertainment Group and the Dagonas Family,
privately invested over $3.5 million following their
dream to restore the Palais Royale, before re-
opening its doors in June 2006.
Visitors to the newly renovated Palais Royale find anambiance where the elegance, style and romance of
a by-gone era meets with contemporary, state-of-
the-art 21st century design. The original barrel-
vaulted ceiling is alive and intact. Colours of creams
and gold blend with aged wood and a plush interior,
adorned with contemporary furnishings reminiscent
of the 1920s. The Palais has emerged from its long
journey through Toronto’s history as an exciting
entertainment venue that fulfills its mandate with
style and grace:
“That the revival of music and dancing will once
again grace her stage and dance floor and make way
for a new generation of memories, and a rekindling
of old.”
For more on the Palais Royal and some interesting
public events it offers, see page 45
This article was prepared from information
provided by Palais Royale
Sunday August 30th, 20092:00 to 4:00 pm
Humber Bay Park East(Park Lawn Rd & Lakeshore Blvd. West)
Refreshments, Entertainment,Live Music, Children’s Activities.
Drop by anytime! Bring a Lawn Chair!We hope to see
you there!!
Laurel Broten, mppinvites you to the
Etobicoke - Lakeshore-
SummeR FeST
For Further Information:Laurel Broten, MPP
701 Evans Avenue, Suite 100, Etobicoke, Ontario M9C 1A3Tel: 416-259-2249 | Fax: 416-259-3704
[email protected] | www.laurelbroten.onmpp.ca
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An “exclusively” electric fireplace shop, carrying all makes, all models, and
wall hung –plus– we custom make our own mantels to suit your décor, be it just
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HUMBER HAPPENINGSE [email protected] | P 416-503-8817
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TECHNOLOGY ■
R
ecent improvements in v ideophone
technology are changing the face of our
communications.
Whether you are connecting with loved ones, friends,
or business associates, in another city or around the
globe, just imagine how your world will change when
you can see the person you’re talking to.
Videophones have been around for some time, but
the technology was limited by the need to travel over
conventional analog telephone lines. The
transmission of the video images was too slow for a
practical conversation. All this has changed with the
wide adoption of high speed internet, combined with
a new break-through in video compression software
— making the implementation of dig