Ann Marie Hill Co-op 170 Galloway Road Scarborough, ON, M1E5A5 416-281-5313 JULY 2012 annmariehill@rogers.

com Welcome to the SUMMER edition of a brief newsletter for members of Ann Marie Hill Co-operative

GALL OWAY GRAPEVINE

THANK YOU! TO ALL THE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO HELPED OUT AT THE EARTH DAY CLEAN UP, ON SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012. Members residing in Town homes are responsible for the maintenance of their back yards and keeping their front clean. Members can borrow rakes for the clean up from the Co-op maintenance staff and we ask members to return the rakes promptly after their clean up. Members can pick up grass seeds and brown bags from the Co-op office as well.

IMPACT N Youth is offered at 4301 Kingston Road/Galloway. It is open to youth from ages 14 and up. Every Friday in 2012 From: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m They offer the following programs: Leadership, Life Skills, Arts, Academics, Athletics, Recreation, Violence prevention This is also the spot if you are interested in........ Basketball, Weight Training, Cooking, Making music beats, singing, rapping & dancing Counselling Finding a part time job Academic support Arts including: media, graphics, poetry, Video making, acting and more........ The program is free for youth ages 14 and up and you can even earn community/volunteer hours. FRESH IDEAS THAT WILL TAKE ONTARIOS SOCIAL HOUSING FOR THE NEXT 30 YEARS Joy Connelly was a 20-something when she was hired as the co-ordinator of Torontos Innstead Co-op. For the past 30 years she has worked in a variety of roles in co-op and non-profit housing. Check out her Opening the Window blog (http://openingthewindow.com) for thoughts on what are the fresh ideas that will take Ontarios social housing into the next 30 years?

HAPPY CANADA DAY! Canada will be celebrating her 145th Birthday on July 1st, 2012. Over the course of the weekend there are many events taking place across the City. The Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West is hosting a music festival by Canadian artists and choreographers, over four days. For more information visit: www.harbourfrontcentre.com

Welcome to the SUMMER edition of a brief newsletter for members of Ann Marie Hill Co-operative

The Air Conditioning fee that applied for Ann Marie Hill Co-op members will be waived this summer (2012). The board has proposed an energy surcharge to cover the rising cost of water and hydro. The implementation of the energy surcharge will be discussed further in the next General Members Meeting. The Hydro rates are going up approximately by 5% in 2012 Summer is here. While enjoying quality time with your friends and families, hosting parties etc., lets not forget to keep in mind our neighbours and our by-laws.
Occupancy Bylaw No., 6 Article 5 Use and Behaviour 5.2 Nuisance The Co-op is a community which includes all the residents and employees. It also is part of a larger neighbourhood community. Members must not make or allow any noise, nuisance or any other act that unreasonably disturbs or interferes with any other Member of these communities.

Do you know that we pay for every single drop of water used in the Co-op? Whether it is taking a shower, washing the dishes, or flushing the toilet we get a water bill. When you turn on the tap and let the water run down the drain, money is going down the drain as well. A leaky tap is the same. If it is hot water, we pay twice, once for the water and again for the electricity to heat it. Remember to have those leaky taps fixed promptly. Work Orders are available in the lobby or in the office.

The following extracts from a Toronto City Councillors Newsletter, seems useful when assessing whether or not the noise you hear is excessive, it may help to ask yourself the following questions: Can I identify the noise and where it is coming from? What is the likelihood of the noise continuing or is the noise necessary due to an unusual set of circumstances and therefore not likely to re-occur. Is it possible that the person responsible for the noise does not realise I am being disturbed? Should I first speak to the person and give them an opportunity to correct the problem before I involve the Co-op office or the authorities? What time(s) of day does the noise occur? How often is the noise occurring and how long does it continue.

FREE COMPOST SOIL Members can pick up free compost soil from all transfer stations across GTA on Weekends. The closest Transfer station to the Co-op is at Nugget on Markham Road. This program starts on Victoria Day Weekend and ends on the Labour Day Weekend in September.

Members must not conduct themselves in any manner that may unreasonably interfere with the quiet enjoyment of other members, either in their own units or in the common areas. They are also responsible for any acts done by their guests or their pets, and may not allow them to act in any way that annoys their neighbours.

Welcome to the SUMMER edition of a brief newsletter for members of Ann Marie Hill Co-operative

The Eviction Reform Act for Co-op Housing is before the Ontario Parliament for discussion and approval. The Eviction Reform Act will allow Coops to use the rental tribunal system to evict members in arrears. In a previous General Members meeting we discussed a fee for the set up of the tribunal system. We have been informed that this fee will not be levied for Ontario Co-ops. Once the new tribunal system is fully implemented the eviction process will be streamlined and will not require the hearings in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. PET ON THE LEASH? POOP & SCOOP

Due to the overall cost of the podium deck renovation, the budget for the new planters now must be reduced. As a temporary measure we have brought back some of the older planters and placed them in the island in the middle of the parking lot, and filled them with plants, and as an alternate, the office is looking in to having some hanging flower pots to be mounted around the Co-op. The Co-op understands that we need to have more green space and this will be remedied when we have more funds.

Clean Air Plants

Common houseplants can remove impurities from the air we breathe in our homes and offices. A study done by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) indicates that plant leaves, roots and soil bacteria are all important in removing toxins from indoor air. One way to protect yourself from exposure to these toxins is to place several plants in your home or office. Indoor plants are particularly responsible for filtering three chemicals benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air. It is estimated that fifteen of these plants can refresh and clean the air in a 1,800 square foot house. They are also among the easiest plants to grow and are attractive for indoor decorating. These eleven plants are better than most for purifying the air indoors: Bamboo Palm (chamaedorea erumpens) Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema modestum) English Ivy (Hedera helix) Snake Plant (sansievaria trifasciata) Spider Plant (chlorophytum comosum) Weeping fig (ficus benjamina) White butterfly (nephytis syngonium) Corn Plant (Cracaena massangeana) Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum Mauna Loa) Pot Mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) Transvaal daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

With the arrival of Summer, it is important that all members abide by the Co-op Pet Bylaw. Always have your pet on leash, which is a provincial bylaw. At a General Members meeting on March 24, 2010. Members decided by a preponderance of agreement that newly acquired dogs will no longer be allowed in the Co-op. Members who owned dogs prior to March 2010 will be subject to the rules of the Pet Policy of Ann Marie Hill Co-op. No new member may acquire a dog subsequent to move in. Here are some extracts from the Co-op Pet Policy: Pets must not interfere with other Members use or enjoyment of their units or common areas. Members must clean up any mess created by their pet Members must repair any damage to the property of the Co-op or another member caused by their pet.

Welcome to the SUMMER edition of a brief newsletter for members of Ann Marie Hill Co-operative

At the last General Members Meeting in March, 2012, members from building A & B brought out some safety concerns regarding the Laundry Room. The Co-op members and the janitors have found beer bottles and cigarette butts left in the laundry room in building A & B. To avoid this kind of activity the members wanted the board and the office to take some measures to make the use of the laundry room safe. Therefore the laundry room in building A & B has now been installed with a new lock. Members need to have a key to utilize the Laundry Room now. Members who do not have a key, can pick one up at the Co-op office. We ask all members to make sure when you exit the Laundry Room to make sure that the door is latched properly. Members are reminded to please take a moment to remove the lint from the dryers you are using and simply clean up any spills after washing.

Members please refrain from the following: Stacking junk in your balcony (it is an eye sore) Satellite dishes are not allowed in the Co-op No loud racket on the balcony, this includes no conversations with folks on the ground below. No loud speakers in the balcony No spitting No carpet on the balcony Thank you for your Cooperation.

At the last General Members meeting, concern was raised about the noise created by basket ball and other ball playing in the sidewalks, in the parking area and also bouncing ball on the walls. The Board of Directors have acknowledged that this is a problem, especially when members are trying to rest after 9:00 p.m. Most members leave their units very early for their day job and require their rest to function the next day. As per the request of the membership, the ball bouncing curfew is in effect starting at 9:00 p.m. We ask all families to be considerate and cooperate in implementing this curfew. Pigeons and Squirrels This Spring the Co-op maintenance staff noticed an increase nesting of squirrels in the balconies of buildings A, B & C. The Co-op had to purchase a trap to move the squirrel away from the balconies. It has been brought to the attention of the Co-op office that some members are in the habit of feeding the squirrels/pigeons. This encourages the birds and squirrels landing and using our home as their rent free lodgings. We ask our members to kindly refrain from feeding them, they are not pets.

Visitors Parking is for visitors only and members are prohibited to park in the Visitors parking. Members should only park in their designated parking spots. Members and visitors are reminded again not to park in Spots that are reserved for Handicap parking. Parking Enforcement Officers will be contacted if non-compliance continues.

Welcome to the SUMMER edition of a brief newsletter for members of Ann Marie Hill Co-operative

Joy Creed, the melody queen of Ann Marie Hill, would like to take this opportunity to thank all our members for the support received for the last years Annual Free Gospel Concert. This years concert details are as follows: Event Name: FRESH FIYAH , Time: 7:30 p.m. Date: Saturday, October 13, 2012 Location: LIVE The Party Room
(170 Galloway Road)

Members of Ann Marie Hill Co-op please mark your calendar for Saturday, August 25th, 2012. Some of our Social Committee members are planning to have a Back to School BBQ for the kids of Ann Marie Hill Co-op. Joy Creed our long time Co-op member and award winning artist is co-ordinating this event. Joy is also sponsoring the music for the BBQ. The committee is seeking your support and assistance as members in general, to make this event a success. The committee is looking for committed members to volunteer for this event, if you are a member of the Co-op and would like to volunteer your time for the back to School BBQ event, to give the kids of Ann Marie Hill Co-op a good sent off after the summer vacation, kindly call the Co-op office at: 416-281-5313, and leave your name and telephone number, the information will be passed on to the co-ordinator of the event. The committee is also seeking the members assistance for the following donations for the event, you can drop the following donations, at the Co-op office with your name on it (unless you want to be anonymous). 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Juice boxes Chips Water Popsicles Freezies Ketchup

Members of Ann Marie Hill will have the opportunity to engage in a LIVE studio audience, experience, as well as enjoy refreshments, prizes. Gather your family and friends and join Ms Creed for a LIVE concert in the Party Room. Stageit is an online venue that allows musicians to stream exclusive LIVE concerts to fans. The vibe is incredibly intimate often featuring performers playing from their homes, directly from their laptop. Heres how it works according to the Stageit folks: go to: http://joycreed.com/1/1nfv5s/3968541;http://www.stageit.c om/joy_creed/fresh_fiyah_live_from_the_party_room/940 8 click signup to set up an account and then click the BUY button. It will offer you an opportunity to purchase credits (which Stageit calls Notes, 10 Notes=$1.00). Notes allow you to pay for tickets to see shows and to tip performers during the show. Once you have Notes, they can be used for any show. This promises to be an exciting evening. Check out the video trailer for the show: http://joycreed.comm/l/jsuyq6/3968541;http://www.youtub e.com/v/dtA_uvKgO-0 You can hear how songs are inspired and developed in to the final versions and even chat with Joy during the show. See the commercial below: http://joycreed.com/l/fdz9b8/3968541;https://vimeo.com/4 3494878 Website: http://joycreed.com/l/7avpdv/3968541;http://ww.joycreed. com Facebook: http://joycreed.com/l/u7hrec/3968541;http://facebook/com/ joycreed

Building a Strong Community is what we strive for

Welcome to the SUMMER edition of a brief newsletter for members of Ann Marie Hill Co-operative

CHFT wants to preserve and celebrate the history and stories of people living in housing co-operatives. CHFT knows that there are many great stories about growing up, raising families and growing old in co-ops. CHFT wants to hear your story in your own words. The authors of the top 2 stories will each receive a $500 prize sponsored by CHFT. If the winner is a recipient of the CHFT Diversity Scholarship the money will be added to their scholarship. The stories should be a maximum of 1,000 words and should be submitted by email to: stories@coophousing.com The deadline is Tuesday, July 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in the fall and stories posted on CHFTs website.

The East Scarborough Pine Tree Seniors Recreation Centre, which is presently located at the St. Margarets of the Pine Church at 4130 Lawrence Avenue East will be soon relocating to another location in Scarborough. The East Scarborough Pine Tree Seniors Recreation Centre has been in this location for the past 30 years. The East Scarborough Pine Tree Seniors Recreation Centre, is part of the seniors program run by The Scarborough Community for Healthy Living (previously known as the West Hill Community Services). If you are fifty five and up, you can be part of the Pine Tree experience. Throughout the year the Pine Tree Seniors Recreation Centre has programs for seniors. They have exercise program, indulge your creative side by learning to paint, or try your hand at card making and other crafts, members can also enjoy playing Bingo, or seeing a new movie or attending some of the many various workshops and seminars. Congregate Dinning, Special Friday lunches with entertainment, Shopping trips. Day Trips (Spring, Summer and Fall) are all part of Pine Tree Seniors Recreation Centres offerings The Pine Tree Seniors Recreation Centres will be relocated to the following address as of July, 2012: 629 Markham Road (Markham and Lawrence) (the strip plaza where the old Soon Lee store was previously located). Programs in the new location will resume in the second week of July, 2012. For those who want to attend this program and if you are unable to walk, you can arrange for a ride at a low cost by calling 416-847-4135. Hours of operation are from Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

City Counsillor: Paul Anislie Ward 43 Constituency Office: Scarborough Civic Centre 150 Borough Drive, 2nd floor Scarborough, ON M1P 4N7 Phone: (416)396-7222 Proposed BBQ Event councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca At the Co-op Member of Provincial Members will be updated Parliament: Margarett Best Scarborough-Guildwood on a proposed BBQ and music Constituency Office event for August 4117 25th, 2012. Lawrence Avenue East Unit 109 Toronto, ON M1E 2S2 If you Phone: (416) 281-2787 want to volunteer mbest.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org your time for the event you can contact the Co-op office Member of Parliament: Hon. John McKay Scarboroughand leave your Guildwood which name and number, Constituency the will be forwarded toOffice 3785 Kingston event Co-ordinator. Road, Unit 10 Scarborough, ON M1J 3H4 Phone: (416)283-1226 jmckay@johnmckaymp.on.ca