Humber Happenings Volume 14 (Autumn 2009)

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HUMBER
HAPPENINGS
VOLUME 14
AUTUMN 2009
A 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
www.HumberBayShores.org
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SO
9k
$94
k
49
$8
SO
PALACE PLACE - GORGEOUS VIEWS
PALACE PIER - PROFESSIONAL RENO
PALACE PIER - 5 STAR AMENITIES
PALACE PIER - 5 STAR AMENITIES
2000 sq.ft. w/Spectacular SouthEast City and Lake views condo

with parking. Renovated. New
hardwood floors throughout.
Marble bathroom. En-suite
upgraded laundry. Can be rented
furnished for $3900/month or
unfurnished for $3400/month.
3 bdrm, den, f/room, 2 sol, 3,257

sq.ft. with 8.5 ceiling, 2 parkings.
Professionally renovated - over
$150,000 invested. Brand new
state of art kitchen, ss appliances,
4 new marble baths. All HansGrohe fixtures and gleaming
hardwood throughout.
3 bdrm, 3 bath, formal dining,

den, laundry room, 2 solarium
3,257 sq.ft., 2 parkings, locker,
8.5 ceiling. Full South wing with
breathtaking city & lake views
through floor to ceiling windows.
1,890 Sq. Ft., 3 bdrm, sol, 2 baths,

2 parks. The best South-East side
of the building with gorgeous
Lake and City view. Renovated
with hardwood and granite.
9k
$65
9k
$66
$4
PALACE PIER - CHIC RENOVATION
PALACE PIER - PROFESSIONAL RENO
PALACE PIER - JUST LISTED
PALACE PLACE - JUST LISTED
1,890 Sq. Ft., 3 bdrm, sol,

3 baths, park. Total professional
renovation. New kitchen and
Ultra modern 8-piece En-Suite
with Jacuzzi. High quality
finishings according to current
trend and flare. Fireplace.
1,890 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 City
and Lake.
1,550 Sq. Ft., 2 bdrm, sol, 2 bath.

Huge Living Room with Gorgeous
Lake Views. Enlarged Kitchen
with additional countertops.
Master Bedroom has walk-in
closet & 5 Piece En-Suite Bathroom. The Highest 1550 sq.ft.
condo on the South-West side.
Luxurious Waterfront Palace

Place 1,491 sq.ft, on the SouthWest side with Magnificent
Lake views. Two big bedrooms
plus solarium, 2 side by side
parkings, locker.
This is Not Intended to Solicit Properties Already Listed For Sale.
LD
/m
50
$26
LD
/m
00
$27
k
49
/m
00
/m
00
7
5
$
/m
50
$22
$29
PALACE PIER - UNFURNISHED RENTAL
PALACE PIER - FURNISHED RENTAL
Executive, Fully Furnished, Huge

1 Bdrm, 1,120 Sq.Ft. Gorgeous
Lake & City Views. Totally
Renovated. Stainless Steel
Appliances, Granite CounterTops & Backsplash, Hardwood
throughout, Granite Bath,
Halogen lighting.
2 bdrm, sol, - 1,550 sf. parking,

locker. Huge living space. New
attractive tile floor throughout
foyer, living-dining and kitchen.
Upgraded appliances. Long term
rental possible. All 5 Star amenities incl. in this luxurious building.
3 bedroom, 3,257 sq. foot, den,

f/dining, 2 park. Spectacular Lake
Views! Highest quality finishings.
White marble floor. State-of-theart kitchen. Jacuzzi. 2 Fireplaces.
2 bedroom, balcony, 8.5 ceilings.

1,250 square foot. Total professional renovation - brand new
state-of-the-art kitchen, new
white marble bath, hardwood.
Fully Furnished.
for listings sold in W06 every year since 2001
ANIA BASKA
M. Eng. Sales Representative
Your friendly neighbourhood Realtor.
416.503.ANIA(2462)
Visit
torontocondo.com for current listings

INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED
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Photo by Beautymark Productions
FROM THE EDITOR
Fiona Maarhuis
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 dont 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. HBSCAs 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.
Caf 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
The Humber Happenings Team

EDITOR
Fiona Maarhuis
Email: editor@humberhappenings.com
COPY EDITOR
Chris Wyllie
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Lincoln Graphics Inc.
ADVERTISING
Jim Lord | Fiona Maarhuis | Christina Wong
WRITERS
Leo Blindenbach | Angelina Chiu | Shamira Hudda
Clarice Giffen | Garry Kapitan | Jim Lord
Catherine Maxwell | Norm Merkosky | David Moorcroft
Simone Purboo | Judi Richter-Jacobs
Evelyn Roberts | John Switzer | Peg Thoen
PHOTOGRAPHY
Sandra Laurin | Monianne | Peg Thoen
PRINTER
Lincoln Graphics Inc.
22 Export Avenue, St. Catharines, ON
TO ADVERTISE IN HUMBER HAPPENINGS,

email: editor@humberhappenings.com
Telephone: 416-503-8817
Humber Bay Shores

Condominium Association
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President:
Vice President:
Treasurer:
Secretary:
Past President:
Director:
Director:
Director:
Director:
Director:
Director:
Director:
Representative:
Leo Blindenbach, Grenadier Landing

Judi Richter-Jacobs, Players Club
Malcolm Gonsalves, Voyageur I and II
Laura Nash, Marina del Rey
Jim Lord, Palace Pier (Ex-Officio)
Angelina Chiu, Newport Beach
Don Henderson, Bal Harbour
Norm Merkosky, Palace Pier
Tim Owen, Grand Harbour
Jay Perry, Nevis
Simone Purboo, Explorer
Jim Reekie, Palace Place
David Fung, Waterford
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
ON THE COVER
Toronto Morning Mist
Taken by Sharron Marlowe
This photograph was taken from the 10th
floor balcony of our apartment on October 8,
2008. We had recently moved to Grenadier
Landing from a ground floor apartment in
the Nevis and I was enthralled with the
view we had of the Toronto skyline in the
mornings over the lake. As you probably
know the colours can be awe inspiring. The
mist that morning seemed to soften the
scene and add some enchantment knowing
that autumn was around the corner.
AUTUMN 2009
Beautification:
Communications:
Competitive
Benchmarking:
Education:
Humber Happenings:
Governance & Objectives:
Judi Richter-Jacobs,
Simone Purboo
Norm Merkosky
Laura Nash
Jim Lord
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
HumberBayShores.org
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NEW R ELEASE
THIS SUMMER
THE
COLONNADE
COLLECTION
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metropolis, Star Tower is the answer to your dreams. The grand nale in the trilogy of luxury condominiums
at Beyond the Sea, it is a place where the purpose of life is the expansion of happiness. Nestled in an
idyllic setting on the Etobicoke waterfront, steps away from the downtown core and with over 40,000
sq. ft. of recreational facilities to enjoy, it offers a life of relaxed luxury. Live a life of leisure every single day.
Releasing soon The Colonnade Collection. Register today!
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SUITES FROM $269,900
PHASE I & II OF BEYOND THE SEA NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION
VISIT THE EMPIRE CONDO LIVING STORE

at 49 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
SPADINA
KING
CLARENCE
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Illustration is artists concept.

Prices and specications subject
to change. E.&O.E. Brokers Protected.
PRESENTATION GALLERY HOURS:

Mon - Fri: 12 - 7pm
Sat, Sun & Holidays: 11am - 6pm
QUEEN
BATHURST
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURES
18
30
36
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 Sunnysides Crown

A history of this grand ballroom, host to famous dance
bands of the 20s and 30s, 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 Loss

Dr. 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

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
17
Winesights
26
Fun & Fitness
HBSCA
14
HumberBayShores.org
24
11
Presidents 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
Letters to the Editor
AUTUMN 2009
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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 | editor@humberhappenings.com
or MAIL letters to | Suite 3505, 1 Palace Pier Court, Etobicoke, ON M8V 3W9
DECEMBER 2008
MAY 19, 2005
Dear Fiona
Dear Editor
As you can see, I am all for re-cycling!
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.
I want to congratulate you on the Humber

Happenings. I always look forward to reading it.
I was particularly interested in all the Inukshuks and
wish 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.
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 couldnt 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 the
kittens 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
AUTUMN 2009
HumberBayShores.org
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

TUESDAY, 7 APRIL 2009
SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2009
Dear Mr. Blindenbach,
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.
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 have
now 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.
It makes using the service more attractive because it

saves 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
My sincere thanks to you and the team who worked

so diligently on bringing the service about.
With best regards,
Irene Jardine
717 - 5 Marine Parade Drive
A FRESH
TRANSLATION
OF
I TALIAN !
Saturday & Sunday Brunch
Lunch & 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
HumberBayShores.org
AUTUMN 2009
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A New Standard in Residential Cleaning

Mrs Greens is an environmentally friendly cleaning service committed to cleaning
with environmentally-friendly, non toxic products for the health of the client,
community and environment. Our goal is to provide you a time saving and professional
alternative to your home surroundings.
At first, people find this hard to believe. But when they experience Mrs. Greens
cleaning, their doubts quickly disappear, just like the dust, dirt, grime and microbes
we have removed using an innovative blend of non toxic products, a few of
Grandmas time-honoured traditions and just good old-fashioned elbow grease.
Mrs. Greens 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!
416-201-8004
www.mrsgreenscleaning.com
RESTAURANT AND WINE BAR
RIDLEY FUNERAL HOME

What sets us apart?
We serve from the Heart!
The difference is our service
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2995 BLOOR STREET WEST
TORONTO, ONTARIO, M8X 1C1
PHONE: 416.239.1286
WWW.VIBO.CA
10
AUTUMN 2009
416-259-3705
3080 Lake Shore Blvd. W. Toronto
(between Islington & Kipling Aves)
www.ridleyfuneralhome.com
HumberBayShores.org
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OUR COMMUNITY
KEEPING US
MOVING
by Angelina Chiu
Increasing problems on Marine Parade Drive
Presidents Message
by Leo Blindenbach, President HBSCA
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 of
dedicated 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!
HumberBayShores.org
Humber 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 Lights
The 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 Citys 2010 annual budget. This means an
additional delay to the proposed traffic lights at the
intersection of the streetcar tunnel and Newport
Beachs exit to Lake Shore Blvd., even while the
numbers of pedestrians and cars using the area are
steadily increasing.
Light Rail Transit

After 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 Services

To 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 LETS USE THEM!
AUTUMN 2009
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OUR COMMUNITY
Stay Informed on Crime

by Simone Purboo
have 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 22
Division 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 HBSCAs

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.
Stone Empire
100 The East Mall, Unit 14, Toronto, ON M8Z 5X2
T 416-354-2134 F 416-354-2350
E riacono@stoneempire.ca
www.stoneempire.ca
SHOP HOURS
Monday-Friday 10am - 7pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm
Sunday Closed
COUNTER TOPS
Granite Marble Quartz Onyx

Choose from a wide selection
of natural stone tiles
Hand made limestone mantels
12
AUTUMN 2009
HumberBayShores.org
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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.
ounded 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, HBSCAs successes range from the annual clean
up 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 anticipated
challenges, 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 HBSCAs 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 planning
and 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.
HumberBayShores.org
AUTUMN 2009
13
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OUR COMMUNITY
Betting on Green
to 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
ets 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,
14
AUTUMN 2009
reduced emissions from deforestation

degradation, and sustainable cities.
and
However, the biggest achievement in the green

revolution to date is President Obamas
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.
Ontarios 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-andtrade 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 diversion
goal 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
HumberBayShores.org
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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 Sharing
Zipcar 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.
Lighting
CRS 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
Torontos 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 others
Recycled Paint
Boomerang 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, its 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.
American 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
M E ET... Lynn Tribbling

EXCE PTIONAL
Real Estate...
EXCE PTIONAL
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Award-Winning
Sales Representative
Coldwell Banker
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D I R E CT:
O F F I C E:
416 252-2221
416 3 6 6-8 8 00
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NEIGHBOURHOOD
ENTHUSIAST!*
*Past owner: Palace Pier Penthouse,
Palace Place Penthouse, Grand
Harbour Penthouse, ...
Current owner: Newport Beach
Penthouse, Waterford Model Suite
E M A I L:
ltribbling@sympatico.ca
V I S IT:
www.lynntribbling.com
HumberBayShores.org
AUTUMN 2009
15
HH_AUTUMN
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12:49 AM
Page 16
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AUTUMN 2009
HumberBayShores.org
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Page 17
OUR COMMUNITY
HUMBER
Bay Shores
ANNUAL
SPRING
Clean-Up
2009
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, was
not 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.
HBSCA would like to thank to our sponsors:

Steve at Park Lawn Esso, for the much
needed 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 Condominium
Association
Much appreciation and many thanks

to our organizing committee
who helped pull this event off:
Leo Blindenbach | Judi RichterJacobs
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!
One highlight that brightened our

spirits was the collectors edition
HBSCA T-shirt that was available
for sale. Judi Richter-Jacobs
partnered with local artist Lorna
Livey to create this collectors
item: Lorna provided the artwork,
and Judi sourced the organic Tshirts. Sales were brisk out of the
back of Judis car watch for
these eye-catching shirts around
the neighbourhood.
Lorna Livey also joined in the
Clean-Up, as seen in the photo
on the left, at the top.
Check out HBSCA.org for more photos.
HumberBayShores.org
AUTUMN 2009
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A NEIGHBOURS STORY
BUILD A HOUSE
Change a Life
by Evelyn Roberts
n 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 Elios

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 had
seen 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
18
AUTUMN 2009
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A NEIGHBOURS STORY
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 help
from 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
HumberBayShores.org
played soccer with the youth in the area the

Canadians lost! Another day we brought lunch for
the 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
eroberts@heir.ca
Elio Madonia
AUTUMN 2009
19
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OUR COMMUNITY
Tree Planting A New Perspective

by Judi Richter-Jacobs
When I lived in downtown Toronto before moving to
Humber Bay Shores, I could not have imagined
debating the merits of planting trees.
In our efforts to work closely with the City, we have

encouraged them to share their plans for the
planting of more 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.
Michaels 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.
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.
Now, living so close to the waterfront, with so much

wonderful naturalization and so many established
trees, 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?
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 meeting
is 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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AUTUMN 2009
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HumberBayShores.org
HH_AUTUMN
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Page 21
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HH_AUTUMN
7/23/09
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Page 22
OUR COMMUNITY
Talk
to
US
by Simone Purboo
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 is
that 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, and
involving them in our activities. The
resulting mutual understanding and
teamwork have accomplished much.
One of the very first initiatives the
newly
formed
Communications
22
AUTUMN 2009
Committee has accomplished was

the facelift of the HBSCA website.
You
can
visit
this
site
at
w w w. h u m b e r b a y s h o r e s . o r g o r
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
hbscaboard@rogers.com.
HumberBayShores.org
HH_AUTUMN
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Page 23
Greening the world

one sip at a time
by Jim Lord
his 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 had
moments 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. Its a great way of
catching up with people you know, and for making
new contacts. Everyone invites someone else along,
so theres 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
In the time it takes you to

drink your next cup of coffee,
acres of tropical forest will be lost.
Reward farmers who maintain forest-like habitat
for birds and wildlife by purchasing their certified
Bird Friendly coffee.
Drop by our cafe-by-the-lake for a wide selection
of organic, shade grown, fair trade coffees.
See the birds in person on a CCFEW bird walk
sponsored by Birds and Beans.
For more information visit :

www.birdsandbeans.ca/birds.html
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or by email at
greendrinks@gmail.com.
HumberBayShores.org
Order online at
www.bicyclecovers.ca
905-795-2453 (BIKE)
AUTUMN 2009
23
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Page 24
WINESIGHTS
TAKE A TRIP to wine country!

by John Switzer
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
dont 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. Dont try to cover
too much ground the goal is to have a relaxing day
in wine country, not to try to cover as many wines
and 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. Lets celebrate with some wines from the
LCBO Vintages Essentials list. These wines are always available at Vintages locations.
Ontario, Niagara
VQA Twenty Mile Bench Flat Rock
Cellars Pinot Noir 2007
France, Burgundy
Spain, Peneds
AOC Chablis La Chablisienne
DO Peneds Torres Gran Corona
Vieilles Vignes Les Vnrables 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2005
Flat Rock is a small winery founded in 2005.

Marlize Beyers is the winemaker, and she has
been very successful making Chardonnay,
Riesling and Pinot Noir wines that have a
characteristic crisp, fruit-forward personality. The
2007 Pinot Noir is an excellent wine, which
shows fine fruit/acid/tannin balance. It has
plenty of red cherry fruit on the nose and palate
with a spicy, ripe apple finish. This is a perfect
food wine: serve with a rack of pork roast.
Chablis is a small, cool-climate sub-region of

Burgundy, the northern-most wine area in this
storied part of France. This is a white wine
region and its wines are distinctly different
from the whites from elsewhere in Burgundy,
even though the grape Chardonnay - is the
same. This wine is a very good demonstration
of the Chablis character: crisp acidity, flinty
minerals, grapefruit and lime flavours, and a
very slight hint of oak. This wine was aged on
spent yeast cells, so it has a complex, yeasty
nose and mouth. Wonderful! This Chablis will
match sushi, oysters in the half shell, or
salmon.
The Torres family has been one of the

instrumental forces behind the post-Franco
modernization of the Spanish wine industry. They
have planted international grape varieties and
modernized centuries-old winemaking traditions
in ways that are truly revolutionary. Torres is
based in Peneds, the wine region closest to
Barcelona. This is a very elegant Cabernet
Sauvignon. It has a deep ruby colour and an
inviting plum, smoke, sandalwood nose. The
palate is bright with grippy tannins and flavours
of blackberry, vanilla, leather and spice. Enjoy this
wine now - or store for the next four to six years.
Best with grilled meats. Great value!
Extra dry, white wine - $24.95 per bottle

(product number Vintages 942243)
Dry, red wine - $18.95 per bottle

Dry, red wine - $19.95 per bottle

24
AUTUMN 2009
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Page 25
at
Over many years of winery visits

I have developed some personal
rules for wine tasting success.
Follow these simple steps, and you will have a ball.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
PLAN AHEAD. Select a handful of wineries where you have some interest in
the 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.
BE PUNCTUAL. If you have an appointment, arrive on time. If you are
running late, phone ahead to let your host know what is happening.
ALLOW AMPLE TIME. It is hard to be punctual if you try to cram too many
tastings into one day.
BE PREPARED TO BUY. The winery is investing time with you, and while
many wineries charge for a tasting, these charges dont 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.
Every
Saturday Night
7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
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.
SPIT, DONT SWALLOW. You dont need to swallow each mouthful to get
a full appreciation of the qualities of a wine. Spittoons are always available
and you should feel comfortable using them. If you plan to swallow, you
must have a designated driver for the day.
BE SLOW AND DELIBERATE WHILE YOU TASTE. Tasting wine is not
drinking wine. Examine the wine; sniff it to see if its 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.
DONT BE GREEDY. DONT ASK FOR SECONDS. The host will pour an
ounce and a half, which will be adequate for tasting. Its OK to pour out the
wine you dont taste. You dont 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.
HumberBayShores.org
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.
OLD MILL
INN & SPA
Your place for a special time
(416) 236-2641
www.oldmilltoronto.com
AUTUMN 2009
25
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Page 26
FUN & FITNESS
Will you join me

for a swim in
LAKE ONTARIO?
by Garry Kapitan
Summer will soon be over. Now is the
time to take advantage of the sun while
its 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 of
young 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
waters edge - and they are free, free,
free. And since were on that strict
recession budget, thats 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 (approximately
three 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 caf that serves a
wide variety of beverages and caf
classics, including pizzas baked in a
wood-burning oven. The caf has an
ample patio overlooking the beach, and
provides the perfect backdrop to watch
the setting sun. The perfect capping
to a gloriously hot and sweaty day
on the beach.
26
AUTUMN 2009
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 cant 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 Humber
River 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 disinfected
using 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.
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FUN & FITNESS

Will this affect the environment?
Where is this located?
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.
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.
Is the sand contaminated?

The city has removed any sand at the waters edge
that was contaminated with bacteria, and replaced it
with clean sand, which also enhances water clarity
and improves visibility for the lifeguards.
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
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 need
to ensure that bacteria from feces does not leach into
the lake.
HumberBayShores.org
Garry Kapitan
416-233-7885
e-mail: Sencare@on.aibn.com
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BOOK REVIEW
THE SHACK
by William P. Young
Reviewed by Clarice Giffen
Egads!
Still on the best seller list! First

published in 2005 and now into its fourth printing,
this seemingly innocuous little novel was intended
originally as a Christmas gift for the authors 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 is
a place of darkness, ugliness and horror, where
Macks 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.
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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 dont
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.
AUTUMN 2009
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OUR HISTORY
PALAIS ROYALE
A Jewel in Sunnysides Crown
1926 Postcard from the City of Toronto Archives,

Series 330, File 567, Item 3
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
Torontos 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 daytrippers brought by the new sightseeing streetcars as part of
Torontos 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 Yorks 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.
Couple dancing, date unknown: City of Toronto

Archives, Series 1057, Items 7376 & 7374
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AUTUMN 2009
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.
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OUR HISTORY
Taking inspiration from New Yorks 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 on
the 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 began
regular radio broadcasts from dances and events.
Upon Deans 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 citys 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 Duchins
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,
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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 Municipality
of 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 Sunnysides
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 without
much 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 citys 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 the
building 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 citys heritage, and there were
Deans Sunnyside Canoes and Lakeside Deck - circa 1923
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OUR HISTORY
Laurel Broten, mpp

invites you to the
Etobicoke
obicoke
o
co - La
Lakeshore
akesh
s or
SummeR FeST
Sunday August 30th, 2009
2:00 to 4:00 pm
Humber Bay Park East
(Park Lawn Rd & Lakeshore Blvd. West)
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 reopening its doors in June 2006.
Refreshments, Entertainment,
Live Music, Childrens Activities.
Drop by anytime! Bring a Lawn Chair!
We hope to see
you there!!
For Further Information:
Laurel Broten, MPP

701 Evans Avenue, Suite 100, Etobicoke, Ontario M9C 1A3
Tel: 416-259-2249 | Fax: 416-259-3704
lbroten.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org | www.laurelbroten.onmpp.ca
Visitors to the newly renovated Palais Royale find an

ambiance where the elegance, style and romance of
a by-gone era meets with contemporary, state-ofthe-art 21st century design. The original barrelvaulted 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 Torontos 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
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AUTUMN 2009
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An exclusively electric fireplace shop, carrying all makes, all models, and
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for a fireplace or an entertainment unit with TV component/DVD storage.
Q. E. Way
6 Hurontario
Lakeshore Road - Mississauga
(905) 278-7337
www.theelectricfireplaceshop.com
Flooring Sales & Installation:

Rejuvenate Your Home With New Floors This Summer!
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HumberBayShores.org
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Store Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5:30pm, Thurs 8am-9pm, Sat 9am-4pm
AUTUMN 2009
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HUMBER HAPPENINGS
E editor@humberhappenings.com | P 416-503-8817
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AUTUMN 2009
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TECHNOLOGY
The Changing Face

of Communication
by Catherine Maxwell
ecent improvements in videophone

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 youre 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 digital videophone
services (or VOIP Video-Over Internet Protocol) a
powerful alternative to the regular telephone.
Using the CAM recorder on your personal computer
allows you to transmit images, but without extensive
compression software, the results are blurry and
hard to relate to. Another advantage of a
videophone over using the CAM recorder is that you
dont have to even own a personal computer or learn
how to use it a blessing for those of us who are
technically challenged!
Videophones can be connected to the family
television set.
I like to call my parents who live thousands of
miles away, I dont have to scream anymore
just so they can hear me; they can now hear
me by turning the volume up on the TV where
the videophone is always hooked up. They can
see my family and me here in Canada on the
big screen. My father cant speak, but I can see
him waving and smiling.
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My brother in Vancouver had a new baby boy

three months ago. We are able to see him
every day if we choose. My three-year old
niece likes to get in front of the videophone
and show us her latest dance moves. The more
she sees us applaud her, the more she dances.
Yesterday I was on the videophone with a
business associate located in Europe. Being
able to see him made a huge difference in the
trust we could establish in our negotiations.
History has seen us go from just hearing people on
the radio to being able to see them on TV. And now,
by using the power of the Internet, we are going
through the same technology shift as we go from
the traditional telephone to the videophone.
Theres no question that videophones are now here
to stay, and its predicted they will be in most homes
and offices over the next five to seven years. The
percentage of customers using VOIP will expand
from 5% to over 80% in the next four years. The
worlds largest videophone network is currently
being built, and will connect over 80 countries with
unlimited videophone-to-videophone international
calling. In addition, it will be accessible from over
200 different countries. All you need is a high-speed
Internet connection.
The way in which we communicate is definitely
changing.
Catherine Maxwell can be contacted at
catherine@maxmediaglobal.com
Her website is www.maxmediaglobal.com
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Kick-start your
Weight-loss!
by Dr. Shamira Hudda
ith summer fun come great times
outdoors barbecues, parties and ice
cream! However, the summer season can
also be anxiety-producing, as it is swimsuit
season, and with over half of 2009 behind us,
many people have left their weight-loss goals by
the waist side, literally.
However, the problem begins when we continually

bombard our bodies with foods that easily convert to
sugar, which many people unknowingly do on a daily
basis. Over time, as insulin is constantly being produced
to maintain blood sugar levels, we develop insensitivity
to it and, therefore, our bodies release more insulin
which causes the opposite low blood sugar!
The truth is, the battle of the bulge is much more than
just nutrition and fitness. Of course, that is a large part
of the equation, but it certainly isnt the whole picture.
If it were, we would all eat right, exercise regularly,
drink our water, and take our vitamins. But clearly that
isnt the case for many Canadians.
The result? Our bodies need to rebalance by having

more sugar - and that means one thing: sugar
craving. We grab the cookie, cracker or candy bar,
and so the cycle repeats. As this continues, our
waistlines expand; insulin continues to lower blood
sugar and store fat; and we continue to crave.
Weight-loss is a complex topic and to achieve

permanent weight-loss, we must address the body
(diet and exercise), as well as the mind (eating
patterns, behaviours and emotions) to truly achieve
our goals. Thus, for us to stay motivated and keep
focused on our health goals, here are the essentials
for permanent, healthy weight-loss, from an
integrative, mind-body perspective.
LOW GLYCEMIC INDEX FOODS
HORMONALLY BALANCED EATING

In terms of nutrition - good news! There is a simple,
scientifically proven way to eat that works with the
bodys natural processes - and that is hormonally
balanced eating. At the core of this concept is the
understanding of two key hormones: insulin and
glucagon. Insulins job is to lower blood sugar levels;
glucagons is the opposite. The problem is, insulin is
also a fat storage hormone.
How does this impact weight gain? Simple - when you
eat foods with a high glycemic index (that is, foods that
convert easily to sugar, such as white bread, potatoes,
processed foods, etc.), your blood sugar soars quickly.
As a result, insulin is secreted to do its job - lower blood
sugar to bring levels back into balance.
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AUTUMN 2009
But there is a way out: eating in hormonal balance,

so that there is interplay between the two opposing
hormones - insulin and glucagon. We can achieve this
mainly by eating low glycemic index (low-GI) foods
at every meal. Low glycemic index foods (that
convert to sugar slowly) include whole grain breads,
beans and vegetables. As well, by adding lean protein
(i.e., lean, farm-raised chicken, turkey and wild fish)
and healthy fats (i.e., olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocado)
to our meals, we further slow the breakdown of the
carbohydrates into sugar. This keeps blood sugar
steady and decreases cravings. Thus, by making
informed choices about our diets, we can change our
biochemistry towards weight-loss.
EXERCISE MAKING IT FUN IS KEY!

Exercise, of course, is another essential component.
Remember, you dont need to run a marathon to lose
weight - small steps in the right direction make a big
difference over time. The key is to pick an activity
that you enjoy and consider fun. If you despise going
to the gym, pick another activity. Try running
outside, yoga, martial arts, cycling - anything to get
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HEALTH & WELLNESS

you moving. If you do enjoy the gym, a combination
of strength training, interval cardiovascular exercise
and flexibility work (yes, you must stretch) is a great
combination that will help shed the pounds. Overall,
with exercise the secret is consistency and working
within your aerobic capacity (that means if youre
out of breath youre not using oxygen and
therefore, not burning fat).
MENTAL FITNESS AND WEIGHT-LOSS

Finally, we cannot neglect the mind component to
weight-loss. Often times, eating patterns and
behaviours become habitual and can be difficult to
change. We must become conscious of these reflex
reactions to create the new, desired behaviour.
People often use food for comfort, commonly
referred to as emotional eating, that is, eating
when you are not physically hungry. Emotions such
as happiness, boredom, stress, anger and loneliness
may lead people to turn towards food. Identifying
and addressing these issues is the best way to
achieve lasting weight-loss. Working through
emotions without food can be difficult and may take
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time, but is well worth the investment as it creates a

healthy mind, which ultimately leads to a healthy
body. Without recognition and resolution of the
mental component of the weight game, an inevitable
life-long battle with weight will ensue.
Most importantly, dont be so hard on yourself! Selfcriticism is the worst thing one can do when
beginning a lifestyle change. You wont be perfect,
so dont expect it. Give yourself credit for all the
things you did do well, instead of dwelling on the
things you didnt do well. Self-acceptance is at the
core of weight-loss, so accept where you are at right
now, and move forward with positive thoughts and
positive action!
If you would like to learn more about how you can
eat in Hormonal Balance and lose weight
permanently, please contact me at
info@artofwellness.ca
Wishing you health and vitality!
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TRAVEL AND LEISURE
Answers to the Most Common

Questions About Cruising
What about cost, kids, and what to do at sea?
by David Moorcroft
If youve been thinking about
taking a cruise, youre not
alone. A recent study
conducted by the Cruise
Lines International
Association indicates that
51 million people in North
America plan to take a cruise
in the next three years.
Cruising is the fastest
growing segment of the
leisure travel market, says
Stuart MacDonald, President
and CEO of Tripharbour.ca
the Internets first combined
cruise community, planning
and buying site.
This dramatic growth
has been driven by the
introduction of fabulous
new ships featuring
everything from outdoor
movie screens to rock
climbing walls, wave pools,
and theme restaurants. As a
result, cruising now appeals
to a much wider age group.
If youre nervous about
taking the plunge, heres
some advice from
MacDonald for the
first-time cruiser.
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AUTUMN 2009
Is cruising expensive?
It doesnt have to be. Just like landbased resorts, cruises come in a
wide variety of prices, ranging from
budget to ultra-deluxe. The price
you pay will vary depending on the
quality of the ship, the length of the
voyage, the range of the itinerary,
the type of cabin selected, and the
time you choose to sail. Prices for
an inside cabin will start at around
$125 per day per person for the
average Caribbean cruise. However,
some of the best deals are available
each spring and fall, when cruise
lines reposition ships across the
Atlantic and along the Pacific coast.
There are also great deals on
Caribbean cruises in the fall and
right after New Years.
What does my fare cover?

For
one
all-inclusive
rate,
passengers get a cabin, meals,
entertainment, on-board activities,
the use of most shipboard facilities,
and transportation to every port of
call on the ships itinerary. Airfare is
available from the cruise line for an
additional cost.
Will I get seasick?

Its not likely. Modern cruise ships
weigh thousands of tons, have
stabilizers to keep swaying to a
minimum, and use radar to steer
the ship away from bad weather.
As a result, most passengers dont
notice much movement after the
first few hours at sea. If youre
sensitive to motion, or the ship
passes through stormy seas, a
number of remedies are available
from the ships gift shop, including

anti-motion sickness medications,
ear patches, and wristbands.
Dont cruises cater to an older

demographic?
Not any more. The average age of
cruisers has been on the decline for
the last 25 years and is now below
45 years of age. In addition, more
young couples and families are
taking cruises than ever before. A
growing number of ships are aimed
at people with active lifestyles and
families.
What can I do when the ship is at sea?

The most popular pastimes are
lounging in a deck chair with a good
book, or getting a treatment in the
spa. However, you can literally be run
off your feet if you choose to
participate in the dozens of activities
available every day. For example,
most cruise ships have exercise
equipment, fitness classes and
jogging tracks. Many have paddle
tennis courts, basketball hoops, and
golf simulators. Some have wave
pools and skating rinks. And every
ship has a wide variety of seminars
ranging from dance classes and
cooking demonstrations to lectures
on history, finance and beauty.
What can I do when the ship is in port?

Theres a wide range of excursions
in every port of call. For example,
you can take a bus tour, ride a boat,
take a hiking trip, go snorkeling or
scuba diving, attend a beach party,
or just go shopping. In some
locations, you can even cycle down
a mountain, float over wineries in a
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TRAVEL AND LEISURE

hot air balloon, explore the ocean bottom in a
submarine, and fly above glaciers in a helicopter. The
price of an escorted excursion will range from $45 to
$90 for a three-hour bus tour, to between $250 to
$300 for a helicopter ride. Of course, theres no
charge to go ashore on your own.
Whats the food like?

On most ships, the food is comparable with what youd
expect from a first-class restaurant. At dinner, youll get
a five-course meal with soup, salad, appetizer, main
course and dessert, all of which you can choose from a
variety of selections. Most cruise ships also have
alternative restaurants that specialize in a certain type
of cuisine such as steak, Italian, or Asian.
What clothes should I bring?

Cruises are far less formal than they used to be, so you
probably already have all the clothes you need. A
good rule of thumb is to pack one outfit for every two
days of cruising. Casual clothes like shorts, slacks,
blouses, golf shirts are best for days, while dresses,
jackets and dress slacks are ideal for evenings. There
will usually be two formal evenings per seven-day
cruise at which you will want to dress up in either your
best outfit/suit or formal wear if you have it (many
HumberBayShores.org
cruise lines now rent formal wear right on the ship) .
Are kids allowed to cruise?

More and more parents are taking their children on
cruises around 20% according to the Cruise Line
International Association. The key is to select a cruise
ship that has an organized program with activities
geared to the ages of your children. When kids stay in
the same cabin with two adults, they also get a reduced
third- or fourth-person fare. And from time to time, some
cruise lines may offer kids sail free promotions.
How big are the cabins?

They come in all sizes. The smallest is usually an
inside cabin, which measures about 150 sq.ft. about
the size of a small hotel room. The others, including
cabins with large picture windows or balconies, range
from about 170 sq.ft. to about 320 sq.ft.
If you have any additional cruise questions

I have lots of other answers, about swine flu, Somali
pirates, or more, on my blog at: www.tripharbour.ca/
commodoredave/
David Moorcroft is a travel writer and head of a
cruise community website called www.tripharbour.ca.
AUTUMN 2009
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OUR COMMUNITY

by Peg Thoen
Have you noticed the magnificent birds

soaring on the wind currents above
Palace Pier and Palace Place? Have you
wondered what species they are?
Well, I have seems we have vultures.
Even though I grew up on the prairies,
I had never seen a live vulture before.
My only encounter with vultures/
buzzards was on Saturday morning
cartoons like Bugs Bunny. I was curious
enough to ask Brian Bailey, of CCFEW
(Concerned Citizens for Etobicoke
Waterfront), and he provided the
following information.
They are a species that has actually increased in range and

population over the last hundred years. In the late 19th century,
they were considered rare in Ontario. By the 1950s, they were
still uncommon, but ranged as far north as the southern part of
the Canadian Shield. Today, they are found pretty well all over
the province with the exception of the Hudson Bay Lowlands.
A good source of information are the two Ontario breeding bird
atlases. The first survey was carried out from 1981-1985, and the
second was done from 2001-2005. In the first atlas, there were
no signs of Turkey Vultures breeding in the GTA. The second
atlas found possible, probable, or confirmed breeding evidence
throughout the area, except the southeast corner of Toronto.
Turkey Vultures like an enclosed nest site like a hollow tree or a
cliff ledge, but in urban or semi-urban areas, they are more likely
to nest in buildings. I dont personally know of any local nest
sites, and I dont often see them in Toronto during the summer
months, but I always see them on migration, particularly in the
fall. Vultures, like the raptors (hawks, not basketball players),
dont like to fly over water, so in fall migration they travel west
along the lakeshore toward the Niagara area. The Turkey
Vultures are among the most obvious of these migrants,
because they tend to fly fairly low in small, slow-moving flocks.
Brian points out that much of what he shared here is
paraphrased from the species account in the Atlas of the
Breeding Birds of Ontario, which was written by George Peck.
I also located the following information on line:
40
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OUR COMMUNITY
TURKEY VULTURE INTERESTING FACTS
A group of vultures is called a venue.
A group circling in the air is called a kettle.
Turkey vultures do not feed on live animals,
unlike its cousin the black vulture.
Turkey vultures have excellent eyesight, but poor
vision in the dark.
Graceful in flight, the turkey vulture can soar up
to six hours without flapping its wings.
Occasional flaps and takeoffs are quite laborious
and often make them fall victim to predators and
cars. They leave their perch after the morning air
has warmed and circle upward searching for
warm air pockets that carry them upward in
rising circles. Once at the top, they dive across
the sky at sixty miles per hour, losing altitude
until they reach another warm air pocket.
(Source: http://www.pestproducts.com/
turkey-vulture.htm)
Legend has it that in the earliest of times the sun
lived very close to the earth making it almost
unbearable. The vulture was the most beautiful
and powerful of birds its head covered with
rich feathers that all other birds envied. Knowing
that the earth would burn up unless someone
moved the sun, the vulture placed its head

against the sun and began to fly toward the
heavens. With powerful strokes of its mighty
wings, it pushed the sun further and further away
from the earth. Though it could feel its crown
feathers burning, the vulture continued until the
sun was high up in the heavens. The earth was
safe, but unfortunately, the vulture lost its
magnificent head of feathers for all eternity.
(Source: http://www.adoptabird.org/tv.html)
All the photos in this article were taken from the 47th floor
of Palace Place, by Eddie Heron, a temporary resident here
from Scotland, condo sitting while his niece and her
husband were on a cruise.
Zoologists give us a much less
romantic reason why vultures
have no head feathers. It is so
that they dont have to worry
about their heads being
tangled up in the animals
innards as they devour the
carcasses.
HUMBER
HAPPENINGS
To Advertise in Humber Happenings,
or if you have a question or comment
that you would like to bring to our
attention please contact us,
E editor@humberhappenings.com
P 416-503-8817
Mail Suite 3503, 1 Palace Pier Court
Etobicoke, ON M8V 2Z6
HumberBayShores.org
AUTUMN 2009
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Mimico 20/20 Revitalization Action
Plan
a
s
b
i
o
s
u
i
t
h
T
Councillor Mark Grimes and the City of Toronto are leading a major
initiative for your community, the Mimico 20/20: Revitalization Action Plan. The goal is to bring forward the
Mimico Community Vision and Community Priorities through the establishment of a conceptual development
plan for the area.
In April, the Citys consultant team led a four-day Mimico 20/20 Revitalization Charette. A charette is an
open and fully collaborative hands-on planning process that harnesses the talents and energies of interested
parties to define planning principles, balance diverse objectives and create design concepts that can guide
positive change in a particular neighbourhood. Through the Charette process, local input is able to influence
the direction of the study as it moves from visioning to project specific opportunities.
The Mimico 20/20 Charette was completely open to the public and more than 200 people participated in this
exciting event, including local residents, community groups, business owners, City Staff and land owners.
To help prepare the Mimico 20/20 Revitalization Action Plan, the City of Toronto retained a team of experts,
led by Urban Strategies and supported by ERA Architects, IBI Group and Focus Consulting.
Mimico is not scared of

change, but change needs to benefit
the community as a whole
Where did this project come from?
The Mimico 20/20 Revitalization Action Plan project was initiated
by Councillor Mark Grimes in 2005. Since that time, and following a
successful series of community visioning workshops and open houses
held throughout 2007 and 2008, the City of Toronto has remained
committed to bringing forward the Mimico Visioning process.
rimes
r Mark G
Councillo
You
At the
A ran
dertaken for the
sessions un
s-on charette
project
ost 20 hand
One of the alm
Mi
de
lak
We want to add more to Mimico, but

we also want to keep what we have.
The Event
The Mimico 20/20 Revitalization Charette ran for four days and nights.
The event was a great success with almost 20 separate sessions, including
round table discussions, community workshops, guest speakers, hands-on
* Image of Mimico Crest courtesy of Spacing Magazine
design sessions, guided walking tours and a chaotic foam modeling room!
As part of the event, participants helped create a 3-D scale model of potential
Ge
future open space and new development opportunities across Mimico.
The C
The concepts explored include a mix of redevelopment of existing sites as
City S
well as building on sites that are currently vacant or under-utilized. The model
frame
was intended to share ideas in a visual manner and not to prescribe exactly
oppo
what development will look like in the future.
intere
The outcome of this event will result in a long term revitalization plan for
on wh
Matth
Mimico that builds on the areas strengths and creates new opportunities
for positive change along the Lake Shore Boulevard corridor.
From Left: Cllr Mark Grim
es, Michael Ignatieff, Geor
There needs to be more reasons to come to Mimico.
Coun
ge Dark, Gregg Lintern
Pleas
upda
HH_AUTUMN
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i
M im
t
u
u
r
F
e
s
o
c
nt
City of Toro o: Design & Plannin
g Cha
rette
Your Opportunity
The Lake is really

important to us.
At the charette, we heard what was most important to you and reflected this in the model.
A range of project ideas were also noted to help direct future change across Mimico:
Mimico will be a city wide

destination and beautiful
lakeside location
Lake Shore Blvd. W. will be

developed as vibrant main street
Mimicos watefront parks will

be exemplary public spaces
Change in Mimico will occur incrementally
Get Involved!
The City is committed to continuing the process of strengthening Mimico.
City Staff will be identifying changes needed to the existing planning
framework to help achieve the Vision. Along the way, there will be many
opportunities for the community to continue to be involved. If youre
interested in hearing more about this process or sharing your thoughts
on what you would like the future of Mimico to be, please contact
Matthew Premru, Planner, City of Toronto at mpremru@toronto.ca or
Councillor Grimes at councillor_grimes@toronto.ca or 416-397-9273.
Please visit the project website for more information and ongoing
updates at toronto.ca/planning/mimico2020.htm
More direct
connections to
the waterfront
will be created
Housing choices
for a mixed income
community are
Mimico will be a transit
very important
supportive community
HH_AUTUMN
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Page 44
esuite_HBSC_half page Ad_update_ol.ai
4/8/09
10:13:07 AM
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UFreshly squeezed juices

U Lemonades and iced tea
U Refreshing smoothies
U Nutritious Boosters:
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Wheatgrass, and
Juice Plus protein
U Custom cocktail blends
for special events
U Nutritional snacks
2391B Lake Shore Blvd. W. (at Superior)

416.916.2719 www.chasersjuice.com
44
AUTUMN 2009
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OUR COMMUNITY
Instead of a Hidden Treasure in this issue, we

decided to complement our article on page 30, and
introduce you to some interesting events planned at
the lovely new Palais Royale. Being lucky enough to
live in Humber Bay Shores, we can even walk to
these events!
The Faith, Hope and Charity lunches

EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM NOON TO 3 pm, and
Lunch is served on the patio or in the ballroom.

Nothing fancy, just a celebration of the beauty of the
Palais Royale, and the beauty of Ontario cooking.
The cost of the luncheon is by donation only, with a
minimum of $10. The proceeds go to the three
charities that the Palais Royale supports. At the time
of writing this article, the three charities are:
JOIN THE DANCE CANADA: a not-for-profit

project to teach ballroom dancing to grades five
and six students at participating Toronto Public
Schools, a skill that has been proven to build self
esteem and interactive social skills.
CARMELINAS HOME: a long-term residential

program for women with mental health and
addiction issue, run by the Passionist Sisters.
HELLENIC HOPE CENTER which provides

support and services to people with physical and
developmental disabilities, and to their families.
The Sunset Patio Wine & Dinner Series

EVERY WEDNESDAY EVENING
FAITH
HOPE
CHARITY
Each of us is able to make a

difference to this planet by buying
and cooking with local products
Participating in buying food locally.
Raising money and awareness for
charities in the GTA.
Each Wednesday lunchtime, the Palais executive chef,

Steffan Howard and his crew prepare a meal entirely
made from locally grown Ontario products. They
invite guests into the kitchen to meet the staff, and to
hear about buying and cooking locally, as well as the
benefits that we all derive from doing so: to our
farmers; to the environment; and to our own families.
Each Wednesday evening, Mark from Cave Spring

Winery hosts a wine tasting, and Chef Steffan
Howard pairs a wine for the week with local fresh
products to create a special meal, including a BBQ
entre. The wine and dinner choices are different
each week. Live music is provided from 7 to 11 pm.
The patio opens at 6 pm and the pre-set food menu
is served from 6 to 9 pm, at a cost of $20, with a
cash bar. There is a $5 cover charge for the patio.
Palais Royale also offers other unique public dances
and special events. Check out their website
www.palaisroyale.ca to see what is coming up.
PALAIS ROYALE
1601 Lake Shore Boulevard West,
Toronto, ON M6K 3C1
P 416 533 3553 F 416 533 7600
E mail info@palaisroyale.ca
HumberBayShores.org
AUTUMN 2009
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SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY
Humber Bay Real Estate Information

Condos & Castles Realty Inc. Brokerage 842 King St. West
416.738.2020 mark@givemeliberty.ca
46
AUTUMN 2009
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Kumar, Jerry, Steve and the

rest of the staff encourage
you to visit us at Park Lawn
and Lake Shore today
Park Lawn Esso

A proud member of the Humber Bay Shores Neighbourhood
for over 10 years
HH_AUTUMN
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Page 48
Monarch, Canadas oldest and

most experienced builder.
Inspired by you
SM
ETOBICOKE WATERFRONT: From $189,990 GRAND OPENING

Presentation Gallery: 68 Marine Parade Drive, Etobicoke. Phone: 416.495.3544
NORTH YORK: Lofts, 1 & 2 Bedrooms from the $170,000s NOW OPEN
Steps to the TTC/Don Mills subway, Fairview Shopping Mall and excellent
access to Highways 404 & 401.
Sales Centre: 265 Yorkland Rd. (Yorkland & Sheppard), North York. Phone: 416.494.7679
DOWNTOWN Toronto: From the $270,000s NOW OPEN
Located at Bloor & Jarvis, by the Bloor and Yonge subway line.
Sales Centre: 600 Jarvis St., Toronto. Phone: 416.966.2791
NORTH YORK: 1 & 2 Bedrooms from the $170,000s UNDER CONSTRUCTION
A striking, slender glass condominium tower rising 25 storeys with an adjacent
5-storey midrise building located along Sheppard Avenue East.
Sales Centre: 265 Yorkland Rd. (Yorkland & Sheppard), North York. Phone: 416.494.7679
TORONTO KING WEST VILLAGE: From the low $200,000s UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Located in the heart of Torontos King West Village.
By appointment only. Phone: 416.591.2259
HIGH PARK: 2 Bedrooms from the $480,000s MOVE IN THIS YEAR
An intimate midrise residence whose faade of brick and pre-cast will complement the homes
in the established neighbourhood surrounding it.
TORONTO HARBOURFRONT: 1 & 2 Bedrooms from the mid $200,000s
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Your urban oasis at the waters edge, Quay West is the ultimate waterfront experience
in Toronto. Its where you want to be, right where the action is.
ETOBICOKE WATERFRONT: From the low $200,000s UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Located on the Etobicoke Waterfront. Amazing views of the city and the lake.
SCARBOROUGH City centre: Penthouses from the low $300,000s
MOVE IN THIS YEAR
Steps to the Scarborough SRT, Scarborough Town Centre and adjacent to Highway 401.
SCARBOROUGH City centre: Penthouses from the low $300,000s
MOVE IN THIS YEAR
Steps to the Scarborough SRT, Scarborough Town Centre and adjacent to Highway 401.
Sales Centre Hours: Mon. Thurs. 12 p.m. 6 p.m.,

Closed Fridays. Weekends & Holidays 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Escape. Explore. Enjoy.
Some restrictions may apply. Please see Sales Representative for details. Prices, specifications and promos are subject to change
without notice. E.&O.E. Brokers warmly welcomed with a personal introduction. July 1, 2009.

Humber Happenings Volume 14 (Autumn 2009)

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HH_AUTUMN

A Community Publication by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association

Betting on Green to Fix the Economy

PALACE PLACE - GORGEOUS VIEWS

PALACE PIER - PROFESSIONAL RENO

PALACE PIER - 5 STAR AMENITIES

PALACE PIER - 5 STAR AMENITIES

2000 sq.ft. w/Spectacular SouthEast City and Lake views condo

3 bdrm, den, f/room, 2 sol, 3,257

3 bdrm, 3 bath, formal dining,

1,890 Sq. Ft., 3 bdrm, sol, 2 baths,

PALACE PIER - CHIC RENOVATION

PALACE PIER - PROFESSIONAL RENO

PALACE PIER - JUST LISTED

PALACE PLACE - JUST LISTED

1,890 Sq. Ft., 3 bdrm, sol,

1,890 Sq. Ft., 2 bdrm, sol, 4 baths,

1,550 Sq. Ft., 2 bdrm, sol, 2 bath.

Luxurious Waterfront Palace

This is Not Intended to Solicit Properties Already Listed For Sale.

PALACE PIER - JUST LISTED

PALACE PIER - JUST LISTED

PALACE PIER - UNFURNISHED RENTAL

PALACE PIER - FURNISHED RENTAL

Executive, Fully Furnished, Huge

2 bdrm, sol, - 1,550 sf. parking,

3 bedroom, 3,257 sq. foot, den,

2 bedroom, balcony, 8.5 ceilings.

for listings sold in W06 every year since 2001

M. Eng. Sales Representative

Your friendly neighbourhood Realtor.

torontocondo.com for current listings

Photo by Beautymark Productions

FROM THE EDITOR

We closed the Humber

Alarm is growing as we are gradually beginning to

The Humber Happenings Team

TO ADVERTISE IN HUMBER HAPPENINGS,

Humber Bay Shores

Leo Blindenbach, Grenadier Landing

beyondtheseacondos.com or call 416.979.1333

VISIT THE EMPIRE CONDO LIVING STORE

BLUE JAYS WAY

Illustration is artists concept.

PRESENTATION GALLERY HOURS:

Build a House Save a Life

Greening the world one sip at a time

Book Review: The Shack by Clarice Giffen

Palais Royale a Jewel in Sunnysides Crown

The Changing Face of Communications

Kick-start your Weight Loss

Answers to the Most Common Questions

Turkey Vulture Culture

Mimico 20/20 Revitalization Action Plan

Regular Public Events at the Palais Royale

Fun & Fitness

Presidents Message Leo Blindenbach

Stay Informed on Crime Simone Purboo

HBSCA Renews Itself

Betting on Green Jim Lord

Annual Spring Clean Up 2009 Peg Thoen

Tree Planting, a new perspective

Talk to Us Simone Purboo

Letters to the Editor