ww The East York NO MORE TEARS n Kids now have nasal spray OBSERVER option for flu protection Page 3 Serving our community since 1972 Vol. 44, No. 10 www.torontoobserver.ca Friday, November 13, 2015 n REMEMBERING Violent crime rate declines in 54 Division Property crimes down as well, police superintendent tells local residents

By RYAN CHATTERJEE police education programs, The Observer and residents taking their own action. A top official of the Toronto It was that last point that police division covering most Barkley emphasized in his of East York says that there presentation. He said that, de- have been apparent significant spite the news of an apparent drops in property and violent reduction in crime. crime, it’s But police Supt. Mark Bar- important kley told a police town hall that East on Monday night that neither Yorkers his officers nor East York resi- be vigilant dents can rest on their laurels. n BARKLEY and report Residents gathered at the criminal or Harmony Hall Centre for Se- suspicious activity. He even niors on Gower Street at the pointed out that sometimes an invitation of the police, who apparent drop in the crime rate billed this year’s instalment of can be the result of a drop in the annual event as a chance to public reporting of crime — a discuss crime prevention and false signal that things are im- the importance of reporting proving when they’re really criminal activity. The official not. sponsors were the Community “To say that our property Police Liaison Committee and crimes are going down is one the Toronto Police Service 54 thing; to be sure they are go- Division. ing down and not just the fact Barkley told his audience that people aren’t reporting that crime has dropped up them or reporting less of it, to 40 per cent in 54 Division that’s what’s very important in — with the biggest reductions tonight’s message,” Barkley coming under the violent and said. Geremy Bordonaro /// The Observer property crime categories. Barkley went on to ac- Atten-shun! He said that the reasons for knowledge that, conversely, the decline are unclear, but the crime rate may increase The parade marshal shouts orders to signal the start of East York’s annual Remembrance Day he speculated that it may be if more people report crimi- ceremony on Wednesday at the East York Civic Centre. For more Remembrance Day coverage, turn a combination of improving n to pages 4 and 5. social conditions in the area, See CRIME, page 3 Marijuana merchants eager for a new era

marijuana with numbing sedative juana. This comes amid the global fearing for the safety of his fam- people like Ash is that the cannabis Canadian pot-sellers effects, and its cousin sativa, a trend of softening attitudes towards ily — “because a lot of the crime market could be opened to just a hoping to become mood-enhancing type used to treat cannabis use. within the marijuana industries is few select growers and retailers, depression and post-traumatic Over the past three years, four robberies.” similar to Ontario’s liquor laws. completely legitimate stress disorder (PTSD). American states have legalized He said he would love to see new This is the way the medical mar- “Mom, make sure you get the recreational consumption and regulations allowing merchants like ket currently operates. There are By CAMERON AXFORD right kind of medicine,” the wom- established thriving legitimate him to sell recreational cannabis. a few licensed producers allowed The Observer an’s middle-aged daughter says to industries. Those already involved “What we want to do is serve the to operate under the Marijuana for her. in Canada’s legally murky cannabis neighbourhoods we have stores Medical Purposes Regulation, set Walking into Weeds Glass and These kinds of average people market are hoping to become com- in and be good neighbours,” Ash up by Health Canada. Ash believes Gifts on the Danforth, one can are the ones using cannabis both pletely legitimate. said. “At the end of the day, you that a free market is the best model see how attitudes to marijuana are medicinally and recreationally, and Ash is the co-owner of the are serving a legitimate need even for weed and would have many changing. businesses are starting to try to find Danforth’s Weeds, a dispensary if it’s a recreational. People want to benefits. A reporter views an elderly ways to serve them. franchise owned by Vancouver can- have access and it’s, in my opinion, He claims that product com- woman peering into the cannabis One of Justin Trudeau’s election nabis crusader Don Brier. Despite the least-harmful substance that ing from licensed producers is dispensary’s main display. In front platform planks was the legaliza- being part of a national franchise, could be ingested.” of her is a selection of both indicas, tion and regulated trade of mari- he could not give his full name, One of the major concerns of n See CANNABIS, page 3 2 NEWS The East York Observer /// Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 A brush WHAT’S with art POLICE & The Don Valley Art UP IN E.Y. Club is holding a FIRE show and sale from It’s the most Wednesday, Nov. 25 Arrest follows until Sunday, Dec. 6. wonderful time It’s called “A Show home invasion of the year Within a Show” and takes place at the On Oct. 26, at St. Cuthbert’s Papermill Gallery at approximately 3 Anglican Church the Todmorden Mills a.m., a 34-year-old at 1399 Bayview Heritage Site, 67 woman woke up to Ave. is holding Pottery Rd. The show find a man, armed a Christmas fair is open Wednesdays with a knife, in her tomorrow, Nov. through Fridays from apartment in the 14, from 11 a.m. noon until 4 p.m. and Thorncliffe Park until 2 p.m. The Saturdays and Sun- area. Police have fair will feature days between noon now identified toys, books and and 5. There’ll be a suspect home-baked a reception with an using security goods for sale. opportunity to meet camera images. All proceeds the artists on opening Muhammed Iqbal, will go toward day, Nov. 25, from 7-9 28, of Toronto supporting the p.m. was arrested on church and Nov. 4. He has its outreach Photo courtesy of the Don been charged programs. For Valley Art Club with break-and- more information enter, forcible call 416-485- confinement, 0329. possession of a weapon, Caution needed on the roads intimidation Bond with your and theft under little elves By NICOLE DAWE collisions most often take place.” mid-blocks. $5,000. The Observer He said the risk of collision is even He said 17 of the 30 pedestrian fatali- Bamboo Bay higher with the end of daylight time — ties to date have been seniors. is holding Toronto police are warning pedestrians meaning decreasing visibility for driv- “Their reaction times are slower and Man in Leaside The Littlest and drivers to be extra cautious on road- ers — and a recent spate of mild weath- it’s hard for them to recover from traumat- Elf Christmas ways, now that daylight time has been re- er prompting more people to be out and ic injuries because their bodies aren’t as charged with Workshops. The placed with standard time — and darkness about. strong as they once were,” he said. workshops, at is falling earlier and earlier. “Drivers need to be on the lookout and Phil, who works in the Greenwood and manslaughter 1515A Bayview “Traditionally, November is the dead- pedestrians need to make sure they can Danforth avenues area, said he worries for A man has been Ave., Ste. 200W liest month for pedestrians,” police Const. easily be seen,” he said. the older population of East York. charged with (near Millwood Clinton Stibbe told the Observer last One of those pedestrians, 21-year-old “There’s been times where I’ve seen manslaughter after Road in Leaside) week. Hayley Taverner, said that she makes sure the midblock amber light stop flashing be- a 23-year-old man will feature fun, Toronto police say that there were, on she’s wearing bright clothing when going fore they can even make it off the road,” was fatally shot in toddler-safe average, 140 pedestrian collisions per for an evening run along Pape Avenue. he said. “Drivers really need to keep their a Leaside home on games and crafts month in 2014, but during November the But she also said that she “rarely” sees eyes open for them and follow the speed Nov. 5. Police were for parent and number was closer to 200. With 30 pe- others taking the same precaution. limit.” called to the home child to bond over. destrian fatalities already this year, police “So many people walk around black “Drivers should look both ways at in- on Rykert Crescent The workshops ran a weeklong pedestrian safety blitz last from head-to-toe,” she said. “Just because tersections and pedestrians shouldn’t start at 10:28 p.m. started yesterday week. you can see the car doesn’t mean the driv- crossing until they see traffic come to a Police identified and run until “We are focusing on offences commit- er can see you.” complete stop, regardless of the traffic the victim as Dec. 17. The cost ted in or around crosswalks, intersections, Stibbe also warned drivers to be on lights,” he said. “The only way to de- Campbell Smith. of admission is school zones and midblock crossings,” the lookout for older pedestrians who crease the risk is to increase our alertness Conor Colangelo, $230 for the full said Stibbe. “These are the areas where take longer to cross at intersections and and work together to be safe.” 24, of Toronto six weeks or $45 was later charged for an individual with one count day. For more of manslaughter. information call Honouring Police urge anyone 416-901-1255. with information to contact them at our athletes 416-808-5300 or Celebrate 25 By OBSERVER STAFF Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS. years of The Observer HypnoBirthing The community is invited to attend the induction ceremony for the Leaside Apartment Come celebrate Sports Hall of Fame on Friday, Nov. 20 the 25th anniver- at 7 p.m. at Leaside Memorial Gardens building fire sary of “Hypno- Arena. A fire broke Birthing” at 100 The event honours athletes and builders out in a low- Bain Ave. tomor- in sport and is an opportunity for commu- rise apartment row, Nov. 14. The nity members to celebrate volunteerism building on free event is open and athletic excellence in Leaside. Gamble Avenue to all expectant Former Hockey Night in Canada host near Donlands families, birth and Peter Puck creator Brian McFarlane Road on Nov. workers and will be a guest speaker at the third annual 5. Fire services hypnobirthing event. dispatched seven practitioners. It George Armstrong, captain of the trucks to the runs from 2:30- 1967 Stanley Cup-winning Toronto Ma- building at 9:22 4:30 p.m. Please ple Leafs, is among five hall of fame in- a.m. The fire took RVSP at info@ ductees. The evening will also include a an hour to bring hypnobirthinggta. tribute to founding Leaside Sports Hall under control. com of Fame committee member David Stick- Photo courtesy of the Hockey Hall of Fame ney, who died earlier this year. ~ Akorede Amosun ~ Ryan Bakuska George Armstrong (above) was the captain of the 1969 Toronto Tickets are available for $25 at the Lea- and Eric Pember Maple Leafs team, and winner of the Stanley Cup. side Arena pro shop and office. The East York Observer /// Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 FEATURES 3 No needle? No more tears for kids Parents excited about new “No one enjoys getting their flu shot and this is especially true for children,” Bennet alternative to flu vaccination said. “The spray will hopefully make the ex- perience no longer frightening for kids, and By RYAN BAKUSKA also takes away the pain factor.” The Observer The spray is squirted into each nostril of the child by a pharmacist. Jessica Sands, an East York resident, re- While still uncomfortable, it is, to some, a cently took her three young children for less intrusive means of vaccination. influenza shots, but there were no needles Bennet added that the painless nasal ap- involved. plication has an added benefit. And no tears. “By taking away the fear of needles, the “This is the first year … none of my baby hope is that more parents will bring their girls cried after getting their vaccine,” she children to get the vaccination,” he said. said. “The importance of getting your vaccination That’s because the children received the cannot be stressed enough.” serum via nasal spray. Some parents are already considering the This year, an anti-flu nasal spray is avail- spray a success. able for children aged two to 17 and will “I couldn’t be happier,” parent Jessica provide protection against the H1N1, H3N2, Sands said. Massachusetts and Brisbane flu strains. Parents will still have the option for their Independent pharmacist Hubert Bennet children to get the shot instead of the spray. explained that this year, this type of vaccine Adults can opt for the spray as well but Image by Fotolia administration will eliminate the fear and will have to pay for the service as opposed Needles are no longer necessary for flu shots. This year, children between the pain typically associated with the flu shot. to the free flu shot. ages of two and 17 have the option of a nasal spray. Cannabis sellers already dreaming of expansion

Cont’d. from page 1 Marijuana, the largest and first publicly traded “There’s already a lot of infrastructure pro- The first East York dispensary, which opened Canadian cannabis grower. ducing marijuana illegally, presumably desper- last year, would only confirm a commitment to not always clean, and can have pesticides. Al- The Smith Falls, Ont.-based business has ate to hold onto whatever market share they good product when asked who would be a better lowing for choice ensures people can make in- been growing legal cannabis for patients since can,” Sinclair said. “Overtaxation won’t be a supplier, claiming, “Quality makes all the dif- formed decisions. last year, and has become very profitable in the concern.” ference.” “Products at our stores are all lab-tested the process. To him, association with Health Canada is They think that the changed laws will en- lab results,” he said. “If there were any traces of According to communications manager Jor- something that should be looked on without any courage doctors to look more into cannabis as contaminants, we wouldn’t purchase it.” dan Sinclair, dreams of expansion are on the paranoia. a medicine, something only a small group of Also, too much bureaucracy could defeat the horizon. “Tweed facilities are up to the standards of doctors are doing now. whole point of legalization. “We will become bigger, and likely pursue a the Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regula- Currently, little has been said officially about “If you get into monopoly, there’s no choice recreational market if the law supports that,” he tion,” Sinclair said. the future of Canadian cannabis laws, except and the quality of the product will not dictate said. “In an industry with a lot of competitors, that change is coming. Ash from Weeds would how the market it going to behave,” Ash said. Sinclair is optimistic about the future of can- meeting the highest standard puts you in a good like to have a say when the laws are drafted. “You’ll end up with a thriving black market, nabis in Canada and doesn’t share the same spot.” “I think it would be a fantastic thing,” he like in the United States, where regulation has concerns as Ash from Weeds. One Danforth cannabis business that refuses said. “Not just myself, but people in my posi- driven prices to extreme highs so people are He said that Justin Trudeau has already ad- to take part in the small versus industrial scale tion that have this knowledge should probably turning to the black market again.” dressed concerns of over-regulation and the debate is the Medical Marijuana Clinics Canada be the people helping set up these programs and One of these licensed producers is Tweed danger that holds. office. get regulation in place.”

n COMMUNITY SAFETY Crime Stoppers the best tool in crime prevention Cont’d. from page 1 ed people and being effective in having us all live in a safe environment,” Douglas said. nal activity to the police. But that has an He explained how to claim the cash reward upside, he added, because citizen involvement to those who submit tips. A helps residents feel “empowered.” tipster receives a code from “It’s good we have more information about the Crime Stoppers operator what is actually going on and if it means that when he or she provides the there’s an increase in a certain category, then tip and then the tipster uses @ so be it,” Barkley said. that code to follow up with O “It’s far more important to be able to map Crime Stoppers to know if the l For more that, track it and make the arrest and provide tip has led to an arrest. The East York stories, support for those victims.” operator will then issue a new please Const. Martin Douglas from Crime Stoppers code to the tipster to release check us spoke about the non-profit program, run by the reward from a TD bank. out online at toronto community volunteers. Douglas said that only 30 observer.ca He walked through how to submit a tip and per cent of tipsters actually stressed that reporting a crime is anonymous. check back with Crime Stoppers. According to Douglas, Crime Stoppers is “I would think that in general, for our city, Geremy Bordonaro /// The Observer the most successful tool in the world when it most people are interested in stopping what’s Getting crafty for Christmas comes to solving and preventing crime. going on or preventing what’s going on — and “Their information is leading to solving not so interested in the money itself,” Douglas Link Tong (left) and Phoebe Vu sell their wares at Saturday’s Christ- crimes, preventing crime, tracking down want- said. mas bazaar held at the Church of St. Barnabas on the Danforth. 4 REMEMBER The East York Observer // Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 Canadian spent the war trying to serve By ANDREW WRIGHT an entire Japanese company at The Observer a nearby railway siding. “Take the jeep,” his superi- It was 1939 and Canada or told him. “You have your had declared war. Minoru Ya- revolver and take the sub-ma- tabe remembers Latin class at chine gun.” that moment. His teacher, Ms. “By myself?” Yatabe recalled Crawford, gathered the boys asking. in her class. She explained she When Sgt. Yatabe arrived would be forced to return to and faced the enemy soldiers, Glasgow, Scotland, to take care the major in charge saluted him of her elderly parents. and explained the Japanese “I know many of you boys troops awaited his inspection. are going to come overseas in “So, I stood on the jeep and uniform,” she had said, “so if the company, almost 80 of you ever get to Glasgow, come them, saluted me,” Yatabe said. and see me.” “I never expected anything like Ms. Crawford then shook that.” hands with each boy and After the war, in 1946, Yatabe wished them luck. For most was stationed in Yorkshire, En- of her students, Ms. Craw- gland. It had been seven years ford was right. They would Evangelo Sipsas /// The Observer since that handshake with Ms. be called upon or volunteer to Crawford, but he hadn’t forgot- Sgt. Minoru Yatabe as a Canadian Army soldier in 1945, and as a 93-year-old veteran today. serve within a year or two. ten her. However, for Minoru Yatabe, “She had strengthened my a second-generation Japanese interned. Yatabe was forced to him, Yatabe waited in line He would go on to become ted atrocities during the con- desire to join up,” Yatabe said. Canadian, enlistment would from his Vancouver home and to join the Canadian Army. a sergeant in Canada’s intelli- struction of the Burma-Siam “I went up and met her, and be delayed. After the bombing sent to work on a farm in On- For him, holding a grudge was gence core. After Japan’s sur- railway. she was so happy to see me. I of Pearl Harbour in Decem- tario. short-sighted. render, he was sent to northern Yatabe, now 93 and a mem- was one of the very few that ber 1941, Japanese Canadians It wasn’t until January 1945 “We’re suffering now but Thailand to interrogate POWs ber of the East York Legion, contacted her and I was one were declared enemy aliens by that Japanese Canadians were looking at it from a long- of the Japanese 15th Area Todmorden Branch 10, re- of the only ones who spent the their own government. They allowed to enlist. Nevertheless, term point of view, this is our Army. His job was to weed out called the day his commanding day with her. She was so good were sent to labour camps and the day they opened the doors home,” he said. any soldiers who had commit- officer asked him to interrogate to me.”

Connor Atkinson/// The Observer Geremy Bordonaro/// The Observer War historian and Centennial College journalism Prof. Ted Barris (hold- Firefighters and other city staff helped make for an impressive display at ing microphone) hosted Wednesday’s Remembrance Day observance at the official East York Remembrance Day observance on Wednesday, held the college’s East York campus on Carlaw Avenue. in the Memorial Gardens of the East York Civic Centre. Nov. 11 a day to remember fallen friends ‘In the army, you make your regiment, Hamilton Light Infantry (HLI), flag bearers, he and his Royal Canadian Le- operated as a reserve brigade during the gion Branch 617 have provided colour party own friends and your own invasion. Nevertheless, he was wounded in for the Centennial observance for 15 years. the leg on June 17, 1944 and sent back to Dick joined the HLI at 19, in 1943, trained life,’ says veteran Allan Dick England for treatment; he spent five days in in Canada and was transferred to Southamp- hospital and then re-joined his regiment to ton, in England, to prepare for D-Day. When By COLIN EDWARDS The Observer finish the war he came ashore on June 6, he said he had to Unlike Dick, not all of his friends survived exit a landing craft into hip-deep water with Allan Dick helped liberate France with the war. 60 pounds of ammunition over his shoulder two wheels and a rifle. “You saw your friends getting killed and and face a well-fortified enemy firing back. “We had bicycles, airborne bicycles, but they just put them in a blanket and took them For Allan Dick, Nov. 11 is a day to we didn’t use them,” he said. “We walked to the cemetery,” he said. remember the friends he lost and the people faster.” Allan Dick has been a regular participant who helped him along the way. Dick, now 92, landed at Juno Beach on in the Centennial College East York campus “In the army, you make your own friends the Normandy coast on June 6, 1944. His Remembrance Day event. One of the regular and your own life,” Dick said. n ALLAN DICK The East York Observer /// Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 REMEMBER 5 Mennonite honours veterans by working for peace

By SARAH SAMWEL The Observer

On the night before Re- membance Day, it’s a tra- dition in Tim Schumaker’s house to tell his children the story of their ancestor. “I would say, ‘Here’s an- other way to sacrifice; this is how we respond to ene- mies,’” he said. Schumaker then tells the story of a Mennonite Amer- ican Revolution soldier, led by a deep conviction of faith, who refuses to fight. Tried and convicted by a military court, he is executed for holding onto his principles of peace and non-violence. An advocate for peace and justice, Schumaker has served with the Mennonite Centre Committee of Cana- da (MCC) for more than 16 years. He also works at his wife’s small grocery store in East York. Hisotrically, the Menno- nites in Canada have refused to participate in the wars as conscientious objectors. Mennonites are a denomi- nation of the Christian faith that believes in non-violence and peace building. “One of the core teachings of Jesus is love your ene- Geremy Bordonaro/// The Observer mies,” Schumaker said. “As Christians, we believe Honouring their sacrifice that we follow Jesus’ teach- ings in (our) daily life; we’re Official Remembrance Day ceremonies were held at the Memorial Gardens outside the East York Civic Centre on Wednes- a non-violent people who re- day morning. They included a march-past salute (top and above right), a fly-past of Second World War aircraft and the fuse to go to war.” placing of wreaths on the cenotaph (above left). For Schumaker, Remem- brance Day is always one of mixed feelings. His family has been Mennonite for more than 400 years. It’s why, in addition to Veteran critical of government wearing a poppy, he also wears a small red button that remembers the regimental padre ap- world to work, but you know, if he “We have peacekeepers that we reads, ‘To remember is to It’s a problem when proaching him. pulls the trigger it’s going to.” sent to Bosnia, Afghanistan, Soma- work for peace.’ ‘people behind desks “Do you know the difference be- Scully points to the high suicide lia,” he said. “We sent them all over Wearing the button is not tween courage and fear?” the padre rates among soldiers. He feels it’s Palestine. You think those guys ar- to diminish the sacrifice of tell soldiers how to asked, and then answered his own because, “soldiers don’t talk; they en’t dodging bullets?” those who have served, he question. “The difference is, courage commit suicide.” Scully is critical of the way explained, but rather a way behave in battle’ is just fear that said its prayers.” The Veterans Affairs Canada government controls the actions of to engage others in what re- By SCOTT DELL “I said my prayers,” Scully said. (VAC) website suggests the federal soldiers. membering means to him. The Observer Forty years ago, Scully served in a department recognizes the problem. “The political attitude to the mili- For 25 years, the Menno- peacekeeping force sent to Cypress, “There is a wide range of mental tary has to change,” he said. “When nite Centre Committee of Paul Scully remembers his first where Greek and Turkish citizens health services, support and informa- politicians and people behind desks Canada has been distribut- day on active duty in the military. feuded openly. tion for veterans and their families,” tell soldiers how to behave in a battle ing these peace buttons as a “Your knees shake; your hands “It was pretty scary,” he said. “It the VAC site indicates. zone,” that endangers the lives of way to start a conversation shake; your adrenalin pumps; your wasn’t a walk in the park.” Janice Summerby, media relations Canadian soldiers. about what Remembrance heart’s pounding,” he said. Of his deployment on the Mediter- advisor for VAC, said that veterans “You have relationships with men Day means for those com- Scully, in his mid-60s and a ranean island, he mostly remembers also have a peer support system and in a battle zone that put you closer mitted to peace and non-vi- member of the Todmorden Royal the children. a crisis hotline and that veterans than blood relatives. I can’t explain olence. Canadian Legion Branch 10 on Pape “You’ve got child soldiers. experiencing mental distress can be it,” he said. “What we want to say is Avenue, served in the 3rd Battalion You’ve got boy soldiers. You’ve assigned a case worker and should He becomes visibly shaken. “And (that) to truly remember of the Royal Canadian Regiment in got a 13-year-old kid sitting behind call 911 in an emergency. nobody understands that.” the sacrifice of our veterans the 1970s. a 30-calibre machine gun that’s all Services or not, Scully thinks of “This is a difficult time of year for means that we will work for Early in his deployment, Scully rusted out. (It) has no right in the his fellow soldiers first. me,” he said finally. peace,” Schumaker said. 6 OPINION The East York Observer /// Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 v n COLUMNS n EDITORIALS Filling the gap When ice isn’t nice It’s that time of year again: and the streets are usually or Lastman called in the army Thorncliffe Park’s new health-care clinic is a step The leaves are falling, the tem- cleared within 24-48 hours,” to clear snow….) perature is dropping, summer according to their spokes- Maybe it’s time to admit in the right direction for underserved residents clothes are being stored away person. the truth: we live in a for the winter… and some But as I look back at city that has a very long, Canada is praised for a health-care system that supposedly allows its citizens access drivers are wondering if they the past few winters in cold winter, and every to basic medical procedures. In reality, however, many people fall through the cracks. should get a new set of winter Toronto, there have winter there will be Although simple needs are theoretically covered — at least paid for — that doesn’t tires. been some snow- snowstorms that help if you don’t have reasonable access to health services. While Quebec mandates that storms that took the threaten our con- This is particularly a problem in the Thorncliffe Park community. Many of the all vehicles be equipped with city days to recover venience, and even people in this neighbourhood don’t have a family doctor, and they’re reluctant to use winter tires, that’s not the case from. our safety. It’s time crowded walk-in clinics unless a serious issue arises. in Ontario. People are tasked On New Year’s to discuss if winter Add to this the fact that Thorncliffe has a high number of immigrants who have with making their own judg- Eve in 2012, I was tires are necessary in recently arrived in Canada — often from countries where preventive health care was ment call on whether to put on trapped in my Toronto, not only for not available — as well as a high number of seniors living alone with serious medical the snows. house waiting individuals but also conditions. It’s a toxic mix. So these residents often end up in the hospital because You might be surprised to for someone city services. they fall ill, they can’t find a doctor and they avoid walk-ins — or the walk-in doctors learn that many government to clean the snow Perhaps it’s time to whom they see have little or no knowledge of their health history. and city vehicles operate with- from the drive- make a change. Winter Enter Health Access Thorncliffe Park — a small but significant step in the right di- out winter tires; in fact, both way — which didn’t tires exist for a reason, rection. This clinic will bridge the health-care gap for at least some of this communi- TTC and Toronto police vehi- happen until three so why not just have ty’s underserved residents. The new primary health facility will have a doctor, nurse, cles use all-season tires — and days after the storm. them if that means there’s social worker, as well as a dietician, all in the same place. there are no immediate plans Then there was one more tool to help our But while this is progress, it doesn’t change the fact that only 20 per cent of Thorn- to change that. According to Dcember of 2013, when vehicles move us through cliffe residents have a regular doctor. TTC spokesperson Brad Ross, another major winter winter safely? The new health clinic at Health Access Thorncliffe Park will definitely improve the the reason is that snow tires storm cut power to We’ve got a long winter situation. But it’s only available for half-days on Fridays. are only useful at high speeds, whole neighbourhoods ahead of us. So let’s drop The new centre is replacing the previous pregnancy clinic that closed in August. so it makes no sense for TTC in Toronto and paralyzed the excuses and take the The pregnancy clinic was experiencing low demand, despite the area’s high birth rate. vehicles to have them. a large part of the city’s winter tire plunge. Don’t Some say the problem was that it wasn’t integrated with any other services, and that The Toronto Police Service transit system. (Note that wait for the law to catch might have made it harder to use. So the new clinic will try to avoid that pitfall, and uses all-season tires for the I don’t have to go back up. By then, an accident have multiple services available in one place. Hopefully, that will make it much more majority of its fleet because to 1999, might useful. the city “does not get hit with when Xue Bo already have For a neighbourhood with a population of 30,000, half a day once a week is hardly many serious winter storms then-may- caught up. sufficient. But it’s a start. ~ Radhika Bhardwaj A well-versed leader I was glued to my TV on National Railway. During In her last position, as Thursday last week to see her time as minister of public health minister, Ambrose Because it’s 2015 who will be the interim leader works and government ser- secured $36 million to protect for the Conservative Party of vices, Ambrose helped with women and children in Africa It’s now official. And for many of us, there’s an eerie sense of déjà vu as we simply Canada. And I got the result the decision to build the from preventable diseases. speak the words: I wanted. Royal Canadian Navy and She also took the lead on the Prime Minister Trudeau. I’m thrilled Rona Canadian Coast Guard passage of “Vanessa’s Law,” Last week, Justin Trudeau became Canada’s 23rd prime minister. It’s been 31 years Ambrose has been chosen fleets. which protects patients from since his father was prime minister, and 10 years since his party was in power in Otta- to temporarily lead the Under her leadership, unsafe therapeutic drugs by wa. Conservatives until she developed and requiring drug companies to To some, the Trudeau Liberal renaissance is a great thing. Others aren’t so sure. a permanent leader implemented the conduct more tests and revise That includes a few who think the new cabinet could have included more people from is chosen. She is National Ship- labels to clearly indicate the GTA — maybe even East York. Don Valley West MP Rob Oliphant is a House of capable of rebuild- building Procure- health risks. Commons veteran, after all (even if his tenure was interrupted for a term) and Nate ing the party and ment Strategy, Ambrose will need to bring Erskine-Smith and Julie Dabrusin are both intelligent and enthusiastic newcomers to holding the new which ensured this experience and leadership Parliament. Liberal government the $33 billion forward to rebuild the Conser- But let’s not nitpick. When Trudeau announced his cabinet last week, it was clear that accountable. in contracts were vative party. She will need to the winds of welcome change are blowing through Ottawa. That included the prime First of all, awarded fairly. start fundraising and work to- minister carrying through on his promise to evenly split the cabinet between genders. Ambrose has the I also found ward getting back the 66 seats Half of his ministers are men; the other half are women. When a reporter asked Trudeau experience. She Ambrose to be a her party lost in last month’s why he went out of his way to ensure this gender balance, he gave quite the answer. has been an MP for successful minis- election, especially here in “Because it’s 2015,” he said with a shrug. more than 10 years, ter for the status of Toronto, where the Conserva- What seems like a big deal to some was actually not such a big deal to Trudeau him- and during that time, women. tives were wiped out. self and that’s encouraging. He’s right that women are ready, willing and able to take on she has served both She played a key Now do I agree with more political power. in Opposition and in leadership role in Ambrose on everything? No And on top of that near-tripling of female representation compared to the Harper cab- government. Canada’s call for the — especially when it comes inet, Trudeau also has two indigenous members on his ministerial team, as well as other That includes service “International Day to her stand against medical visible minorities. as a senior cabinet of the Girl” at the marijuana. Between the unveiling of this cosmopolitan cabinet, the initial openness of the prime minister with a long list United Nations — to But I will never agree with minister and his inner circle to the public — and the restoration of the census long form of accomplishments. raise awareness of everything an individual poli- — the Trudeau government is off to a good start. As labour minister, discrimination faced tician stands for anyway. The So when it comes to East York and Toronto representation on cabinet, maybe the cor- she helped resolve by girls and to help point here is that Ambrose rect response for now is a shrug of our own. strikes in Ottawa’s them succeed, with is the right leader, who the public transit an annual Conservatives need right now, ~ Deidre Barton system and Ryan Chatterjee observance to be an effective leader of the the Canadian on Oct. 11. Opposition.

The East York The East York Observer is published by Centennial College journalism students at the East York cam- FACULTY EDITORS MANAGING EDITOR PRODUCTION EDITORS pus, 951 Carlaw Ave., Rm. 149. Mailing address: Ted Barris Kelsey Cheng Akorede Amosun P.O. Box 631, Stn. A, Toronto, M1K 5E9. E-mail c/o Stephen Cogan Xue Bo [email protected]. Telephone 416-289- Lindy Oughtred PHOTO EDITOR ASSIGNMENT EDITOR OBSERVER 5107, fax 416-289-5111. We welcome your input, Suzanna Dutt Nicole Dawe including letters to the editor. The East York Observer /// Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 FEATURES 7 Looking back on Leaside legacy

Courtesy of City of Toronto Archives The Observer continues its look back on East York history through photographs from the City of Toronto Archives. These two pictures are a reminder of an almost-forgotten, but still-impressive industrial achievement of the 20th century. At left is an aerial photograph of Leaside taken in the early 1920s. The new electric power station is at the bottom of the picture. At the top is the factory of Durant Motors of Canada Ltd., an auto manufacturer operating in Leaside between 1921 and 1935. At its peak, Durant was Canada’s third-largest domestic car-maker. The photo at right shows one of Durant’s 1930 models, along with and William James Sr. (right) and Norm James. Part of the Durant campus remains in place, at 150 Laird Dr., and just last month the city published a report supporting a proposal to designate it a heritage property.

n EDUCATION High school students take it to the board New student trustees dedicated to making peers’ voices heard

By KELSEY CHENG The Observer

Direct student input into the proceedings of the Toronto District School Board is getting good reviews from East York stakeholders. New student trustees Hamima Fattah and Sammy Al Rubaie attended their first school board meeting on Oct. 28 at the board headquarters, 5050 Yonge St. “I hope to represent the voice of all TDSB students at the board,” said Al Rubaie, who attends York Mills Collegiate Institute. “I hope throughout the year I can stay in contact with students and trustees.” Shams Mehdi goes to Leaside High School in East York, and is also the vice-chairperson of ‘Student SuperCouncil,’ a council that represents Toronto students from grades 8-12. He said the monthly board meeting is import- Kelsey Cheng /// The Observer ant to all students. Sammy Al Rubaie (standing) and Hamima Fattah (to his left) speak to the Toronto District School Board “Students should be informed on what top- during the student trustees’ first TDSB meeting, on Oct. 28. ics are going on in their board,” he said, “es- pecially if they have a concern or complaint. ing on: a provincial-wide student summit for proposals for the budget and results will but she said she enjoys talking to students Coming to the board meeting is a great way mental health to be held next February in be voted on by students. Both projects are the most. to get students interested in the issues that are Ottawa; and STAMP (Students Taking currently still in the planning process, but Al “I love hearing from the kids,” Gershon arising in the school board.” Action Materializing Rubaie hopes to finalize the application pro- said. “I talk to them about their career paths; SuperCouncil executives meet one week Potential), which is an cess by December and have the first $50,000 sometimes I’ll get a complaint against a prior to every TDSB meeting for student initiative that follows distributed to students by March of next teacher, and I teach them about the demo- trustees to compile reports to present to the the participatory budget year. cratic process in civics class.” board. for students to apply and “There’s a lot of talk about students not At the Oct. 28 meeting, the board also “Civics and career, as well as severe weath- access additional funding having the programs they want,” Al Rubaie voted on a “scaled-down” version of a er policies, were a big issue before,” Mehdi from TDSB. said. “There are a lot of things they wanted byelection to replace trustee and former said. “They were all addressed through stu- “This functions like a n GERSHON to do, but there’s not enough funding.” chair Shaun Chen. dent trustees bringing them up in previous grant,” Al Rubaie said. One of East York’s delegates to the TDSB, Chen was elected as Member of Parlia- board meetings.” “For example, if students wanted to start a Ward 13/Don Valley West trustee Gerri Ger- ment for Scarborough North during the re- Speaking to the board on Oct. 28, trust- robotics club at school, they can apply for shon, said parents always come to her about cent federal election. ees Fattah and Al Rubaie introduced two this funding to do that.” everything from policy budgets to the recent The byelection is expected to cost projects the student body is currently work- Students would have to submit formal controversial sex education curriculum — $250,000, and will be held on Jan. 25. 8 FEATURES The East York Observer /// Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 Serbians kickin’ it old school Academy of Serbian Folk Marcetic said. “It’s extremely im- folk dance group performing at loca- East York resident Mirko Miljevic, 22-year-old Bogdan Stankovic sees portant in a country like Canada, with tions all over Toronto. The academy’s 25, has danced with the academy for it, just get in some exercise. Dancing introduces old it being multicultural, to showcase 300 dancers range in age from five to almost 18 years. “I like to think of it as my cardio your culture, not only to boast, but to 30. “I first started out dancing because day,” he said. traditions to new crowd make it a better country.” “Folk dancing is one of the best my parents forced me,” he said. A bonus for the dancers is travelling By NIK CVETKOVIC Toronto is home to the third larg- ways for us as parents to not only “Then I came to like it for the new and visiting new places. The dance The Observer est population of Serbians — 26,000 pass down our traditions to our chil- friends I made, but most importantly troupe has performed all around the people. Although they have adapted dren, but also to showcase it to the it is so interesting to learn about dif- world, from Montreal to San Diego to When he dances in dark colours to their new home, they have also rest of the world,” Marcetic said. ferent regions in not only Serbia, but Trebinje in Bosnia and Herzegovina. and his steps are fast-paced, Miro- maintained their traditions and cus- Serbian folk dancing is traditional former Yugoslavia through dance and To mark its 12th anniversary, the slav Marcetic thinks of the northern toms from their homeland. One of and illustrates a strong element of culture.” Academy of Serbian Folk Dancing is part of his Serbian heritage. When in these traditions is folk dancing. Serbian culture. The dances show the Along with the ensembles for holding a season-ending special con- bright colours and relaxed pace, he This year marks the 12th anniver- way the Serbian community and its youth, Marcetic also holds dance cert to showcase all six of ensembles, has the south in mind. sary of the Academy of Serbian Folk families come together on important classes for adults who want to including the recreational group for “Each dance has its own identity,” Dancing, ‘Miroslav Bata Marcetic,’ a days. learn how to folk dance or, the way adults. A peek at autumn colours in Taylor Creek Park

Clockwise from top:

An unusual stillness hits the reeds during an abnormally windy fall day; a dead leaf holds onto a twig despite a stiff breeze; a thick branch off the walking path; the sun illumines an empty park bench.

Geremy Bordonaro /// The Observer ww The Sports FAMILY AFFAIR n Curling royalty sharing the ice this season OBSERVER Page 4 Serving our community since 1972 Fall 2015 www.torontoobserver.ca Friday, November 13, 2015

FOCAL POINT

Jonathan Soveta /// Sports Observer Nearly four months after one organization implemented drug tests for mental stimulants, professional gamers are still split on topic despite health risks and potential side effects

By JONATHAN SOVETA sults.” said Anna Rozwandowicz, place and there hasn’t been some ous when taken irresponsibly. ports, whether it’s Counter-Strike, Sports Observer the league’s Director of Commu- sort of precedent, I don’t see it “Because it is an amphetamine, League of Legends, or Super nications, in an email from Co- any different than picking a top-ti- it can cause a lot of heart issues,” Smash Bros., some believe the nabolic steroids have logne, Germany. “Our next event, er character. It’s an option that’s said Butoi. “There have been cases amphetamine has the potential to tarnished an entire IEM San Jose (on November 21 available,” said Nash Bussieres, a of something called sudden cardi- create an unfair, and unsafe, play- era in Major League and 22), will have doping testing fellow Smash player who goes by ac death, which is basically when ing ground. Baseball, and now eS- (once) again.” Moosebones in the Toronto scene. your heart just stops, so there are But with millions now available Aports is facing its own difficulties How effective the drugs are in “It’s like an arbitrary road block potential dangers. in prizes at various tournaments with a different kind of drug use. terms of bettering performance is that you put on yourself. But this is “There are also psychological throughout the year, Bussieres be- After one Counter-Strike: Glob- still uncertain, but professional coming from someone who’s nev- issues, especially with younger lieves competitors will do every- al Offensive player confessed in gamers and organizers have been er used them.” people, where there are possibili- thing they can to ensure a top finish. July that he had taken Adderall, a quick to voice their opinion on Adderall and Ritalin are just two ties of hallucinations.” “eSports is getting bigger and common drug used to treat atten- the controversy. of many substances designed to Although stimulants don’t pro- people are talking about ‘Oh now tion deficit hyperactivity disorder, “Using performance enhancers stimulate the central nervous sys- vide players with a physical ad- I can make a living on playing to better his chances at an Elec- in competition I’m really against tem and are predominantly used vantage, the NFL has previously games’ but that’s not true, even for tronic Sports League (ESL) tour- just because they’re an aide to help to combat severe cases of atten- suspended athletes who tested the elite,” Bussieres said. “They’re nament, it left a black mark on the you focus and perform better,” said tion deficit hyperactivity disorder positive for amphetamines, such making essentially minimum wage professional gaming scene. Joe Cribari, better known as Toronto (ADHD), as well as some instanc- as Aqib Talib, who featured for the unless they win those huge pots, In response, ESL became the Joe and one of Canada’s top Super es of narcolepsy. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Halo- so of course there’s an absolutely first organization to introduce drug Smash Bros. players. “But those are Both are available only through ti Ngata, at the time with the Bal- massive incentive to win.” tests at its events, with other eS- skills you need to compete at a top prescription in Canada, however timore Ravens, in 2012 and 2014 Cribari, though, doesn’t feel a ports competitions, such as New level that you should have regardless according to a 2013 study by the respectively. temporary mental boost is worth York-based Major League Gam- of an outside practice. American College Health Associ- Major League Baseball allows the potential harm. ing, looking to introduce their own “Nothing external should influ- ation, 3.7 per cent of 34,039 Ca- an exemption for drugs that fight “If you were feeling tired and you testing in the future. ence the level of your play.” nadian university students who ADHD if the player applies – a go to a tournament on no sleep, you Electronic Sports League says Some competitors disagree. answered the National College scenario that occurred with the pop a couple of Adderalls and you its implementation was effective Until drug tests are conducted Health Assessment admitted to us- Baltimore Orioles’ Chris Davis don’t eat well ... the next morning, at deterring players from cheating universally by every professional ing stimulants without a prescrip- this past season. what’s your solution then?” asked through stimulant use. gaming organization, some players tion within the previous year. The National Hockey League, the Smash Bros. veteran. “The tests we’ve performed see it as simply another opportuni- Gabriela Butoi, a Toronto phar- meanwhile, bans Adderall outright. A few jitters throughout the day at ESL One Cologne (in August) ty in play for now. macist, says that Adderall, specifi- With strategy and mental focus might not be enough to sway the returned 100 per cent negative re- “If a rule hasn’t been put in cally, can quickly become danger- playing a much larger role in eS- most defiant players. 2 SPORTS The Sports Observer /// Friday, November 13, 2015 PART of the FAMILY Charles Warburton /// Charles Warburton Photography Warburton /// Charles Warburton Charles

By JESSICA PATTON ly positive experiences with their players. the program. A key aspect of the billeting pro- one of our kids by this point. Sports Observer A scary moment was in 2008 with Swedish cess is communication between player and fam- “He’s got his head on right in terms of fo- player William Wallen who had begun to be- ily but also between them and the Steelheads. cus so that’s been really nice for the kids to he Shaw and von Richter families come disoriented and vomited during the Mis- “I think Jan’s communication has been ter- see someone who is going for that professional fell into the world of junior hockey sissauga St. Majors’ opener. At first glance it rific,” Dave Shaw said. “There have been some sport. He’s been a great role model for them.” billeting – and couldn’t be happier was thought to be a bad headache but doctors issues in the past of people not really knowing Gibson is in his second full season with the they did. quickly realized that he was experiencing a what’s going on, but they’ve definitely stepped Steelheads and immediately felt like part of TBillet families are an integral part of the On- brain aneurysm. up and addressed it, congratulations to them.” the family. tario Hockey League and the Mississauga Steel- “William’s injury was so bad that they didn’t A preliminary phone interview is done to “Right from the start, they were great,” Gib- heads, housing players on a long-term basis for know if he was going to live or die for a long attain any pertinent information needed, an in- son said. “I guess a little bit of a feeling out pro- the entirety of a season or short-term when they time,” Shaw said. “They did two operations to home inspection takes place where Egert can cess because it was their first time but we just are trying out. The Steelheads have 14 families try and unblock it and they didn’t work. So they see if it is a good fit for the team and the final went over what to do for meals, help around the housing 16 players for the 2015-2016 season. thought he was going to be a vegetable.” step is to match a player with the proper family. house, expectations. Owen Tippett is in his rookie season and has Wallen’s moher was in town for the game and “It becomes like a chemistry experiment at “We just talked first week and we’re in a great been staying with the Shaw family Dave, Barb also stayed with the family. while he was being this point, trying to match players with families,” routine now, I feel like part of the family now.” and their daughter who have been billeting for treated in Canada. He recovered fully and was Egert said. “For example, if a player lives on a It has been a unique experience for the fam- 10 seasons after being somewhat tricked into back with the Shaws and playing for the Steel- farm at home, he typically prefers a busy environ- ily, one that they are unsure they could repeat joining the business. heads by January. ment. If a player is an only child coming from an with a different player because of how attached “We actually did it by mistake,” said Barb For the family, the chance to be billets pro- urban centre; he may prefer a more quiet home.” they’ve gotten with Gibson. Shaw. “Our first player was Matt Caria and the vides them the experience to watch their play- For first time billet Dominique von Richter “Now that we know him, as long as he’ll be billet family that he was with was having some ers grow up, especially when they get someone and her family, who house defencemen Stephen playing here, we would have him for sure,” said issues I think with travelling a lot so he asked for multiple seasons like when they had Jordan Gibson, pictured above, the process has been a von Richter. “Beyond that, I am not sure - you his uncle if he could look into a new billet fam- Mayer. smooth one. They had lots of billet families in get attached to someone. I am not sure if we ily and he called us.” “The fact that we’re providing a service that’s the neighborhood and when she heard the Steel- would be able to do it again.” Her husband Dave had gone to school with valuable for the kids and we get to watch them heads were looking for additional ones, she sat Both families have become Steelheads fans Caria’s uncle, who had originally thought to ask grow up,” Shaw said. “It’s kind of neat, I think, down with her husband and three children and and make it to most of the home games. When Dave’s grandparents, but asked him and Barb to see these kids, like with Jordan from when he quickly decided to do it. you have a relationship with one of the players instead. was 16 with the exception of one year, all the “Its kind of strange when you go into it be- on the team as they have with their billets; they Since their inaugural season in 2007, the way until he was 20.” cause you don’t know who you’re going to get, develop a new outlook when watching. Shaw family has seen the team change a few “We had him for his entire career.” but we love Stephen, he’s been amazing,” Dom- “You’re watching it from the perspective that times from the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors to A veteran billet family like the Shaw’s has inique von Richter said. “He’s a very mature you’re actually interested in how someone is the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors and now taken notice of the exceptional job assistant kid for his age, he’s a wonderful guy, he’s been doing,” said von Richter. “You’re invested in the Mississauga Steelheads and have had most- manager Jan Egert has done this year managing amazing with the kids, he pretty much feels like wanting them to do well.”

Jessica Patton /// Sports Observer The von Richters, left, and the Shaws, right, are two of 14 families housing members of the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads this season. “The fact that we’re providing a service that’s valuable for the kids and we get to watch them grow up,” Dave Shaw, far right, said. “It’s kind of neat.” Sports Observer /// Friday, November 13, 2015 SPORTS 3 BITING BACK The Hamilton Bulldogs continue to battle through adversity as they establish themselves in the OHL

By JAMIE MOUNTAIN five assists while eating up minutes on Sports Observer the blue line. “Ben’s a very skilled player, very hen you’re a fran- heavy player and I think he’s getting

Hamilton Bulldogs chise trying to es- an opportunity to play bigger minutes

/// tablish major junior that he was accustomed to playing,” hockey in a long- Burnett said. “I’m sure he’s learning Wtime AHL city, injuries are the last how to deal with that, whether it’s fit- thing you need. ness, nutrition, just choices especially

Rick Denham Worst-case scenario became a re- when you’re tired. He’s had some 27- ality for the Hamilton Bulldogs in an 28 minute games.” Oct. 4 game versus the Sault Ste. Ma- He may be playing a big role for rie Greyhounds. the team right now, but Gleason ad- Just two shifts into his first game mits his transition to the team wasn’t as captain, Justin Lemcke was carried an easy one. off the ice on a stretcher with a broken “It was a tough couple of days, Yordanov seizing right fibula. I got traded right away,” Gleason, “Any time it’s your captain out who is the cousin of Washington there just five minutes into his- cap Capitals defenceman Tim Gleason, taincy, you almost think it’s a curse,” said. “The guys here are tremendous every opportunity Bulldogs forward Stephen Harper, and helped me through everything. pictured above (no relation to the for- First game that I was here it was By LEAH SMITH from where she was playing before she came mer Prime Minister), said about the tough, but we battled through and Sports Observer to Toronto. During the 2013-2014 season, she injury after the game. “It’s unfortu- we work hard every day.” played for the Fraser Valley Phantom, a major nate. It didn’t look good, he knew it Gleason only played two games for niversity of Toronto goalie Valencia midget AAA girls team. was broken, we all did and you feel the Knights this season before he was Yordanov, never expected to have a She started 17 regular season games and posted for a guy like that.” dealt to Hamilton, so the trade was un- shot at the starting job, but that didn’t a record of 13-1-3 with a GAA of 0.88. The FirstOntario Centre crowd was doubtedly a shock to him. prevent the rookie from capitalizing Last season, Yordanov joined a men’s rep team, left holding its collective breath one But the Bulldogs welcomed him Uon the chance when it came along. the juvenile Port Coquitlum Pirates, and switching more time as Bulldogs forward Matt with open arms, especially a few of Yordanov, 19, went 4-0 to open the season, back to the women’s game has had its challenges. Luff was concussed after a blindside the team’s leaders. with a miniscule 0.96 goals-against average, ce- “The level of play [in the CIS] is a little bit hit to the head from Greyhounds for- “Chucky [Charlie Graham] and menting her coach’s choice. lower than what I’m used to, so the transition has ward Keigan Goetz. Harps [Stephen Harper], they’ve Head coach Vicky Sunohara gave Yordanov actually been a bit difficult,” Yordanov said. “The Being forced to push on without its helped me through a lot. Niki Petti has the nod over third year goalie Katey Teekas- women’s game is a bit trickier, you don’t know captain and a key forward, Hamilton helped too, even when he was injured ingh and fellow first year Hailey Farrelly, and what they are going to do, but I think I have adapt- was in need of somebody to step up. at the start,” Gleason said. “These Yordanov is now a large reason for the Varsity ed well so far.” Harper did just that by burying the guys have been great even though Blues 7-0 record. Transitions and adapting have been a major overtime winner that gave the team to we’ve had some tough games.” “Well coming in I didn’t expect to play much theme for the Varsity Blues this season, who look a 3-2 win over the Soo. That goal was The leadership of Burnett coupled because obviously we have Katey who is a veter- very different from the team that finished fourth in just a precursor of things to come, as by the play of Harper and Gleason has an on the team and as a rookie I didn’t think that the OUA last year. As sometimes happens when the Burlington, Ont., native went on to led the Bulldogs to a 6-8-0 record thus I would play,” Yordanov said after a 3-1 win over players have a five-year limit, a larger number record a point in each of the Bulldogs’ far, but they’ll need to play a full 60 the UOIT Ridgebacks on Oct. 17. “But, I guess than usual graduated last year leaving eight spots first 11 games and currently leads the minutes each game if they want to im- coach went with a gut feeling and I just took the open for the 2015-2016 season. team in scoring with eight goals and prove on that record. chance and ran with it.” “As a veteran, it is really fun to keep up with nine assists. In a game against the Barrie In all of her starts, Yordanov has been the star the young ones, it keeps me going, working hard,” “I want to perform my best obvi- Colts on Oct. 31, Hamilton almost player on the ice, keeping the Varsity Blues in Jacqueline Scheffel, a forward and one of only ously with being a local guy,” Harper coughed up a 5-2 third period lead close games, especially in U of T’s home opener four fifth years on the team, said. “Our team has said. “But at the same time, if we win but were bailed out by the heroics against Queen’s University on Oct. 16. got a lot of energy.” the game, that’s the most important of Charlie Graham in net, en route That game went all the way to a shootout that Scheffel has taken on more of a leadership role thing. It’s nice to contribute but at the to a 6-5 win. included the 18-year old Port Coquitlum, B.C. na- this season in helping all of the first years learn the end of the day the win is the most im- Coach Burnett wasn’t happy about tive killing off a penalty during the second over- ropes and has been impressed with Yordanov both portant thing.” the effort after the game and had a fair time period as the Varsity Blues won 2-1. on and off the ice. With the absence of Lemcke and a assessment of what is needed from his Her play this season has made the choice “She is a great goalie, a great teammate and mostly inexperienced blue-line, head squad moving forward. of who to start a little easier for head coach she is playing amazing for us right now,” Schef- coach and GM George Burnett, who has “I wasn’t very happy with things in Sunohara. fel said. “She has really taken on a lead herself in coached at the AHL and NHL levels, the third period, the game’s 5-2 and I “She is very calm and confident, she is doing terms of keeping us in the game, we have a couple knew the team needed a veteran player. think we struggled to buy into putting everything she needs to give us an opportunity to shifts in a row that aren’t so good, but she is able Little did he know at the time that the puck into the right place,” Burnett win [and] that is all we can ask, especially coming to hold it down so we can bounce back.” 18-year-old defenceman Ben Gleason said. “If we’re worried about points in her very first season she is doing some great With two first-years playing outstanding in be- would become another saving grace and individual accomplishments, things,” Sunohara said. tween the pipes, coach Sunohara will have tough for his squad. there’s nobody in our group that’s “We’ve got Katey [Teekasingh] who has been choices to make for the next few seasons. Acquired from the London Knights probably going to make it in the Na- very helpful and very positive and ready to go at “Katey and Hailey are doing a good job and be- on Oct. 7, he has filled in admirably in tional Hockey League because of the any time, and Hailey [Farrelly] has played and ing very supportive,” said Sunohara. “Hopefully Lemcke’s absence. number of points they’re scoring. done well, but it is hard to change things up when if and when they have the chance to play, they will Through 13 games with the Bull- “You have to learn how to play the you are winning.” go in and do a great job as well, but we are pretty dogs he has recorded four goals and game the right way first.” Yordanov’s calm confidence in net comes happy with Valencia.” 4 SPORTS The EastSports York Observer Observer /// /// Friday, Friday, September November 13,19, 20152014 HOWARDS IN THE HOUSE Two generations of Howards are sharing the same rink for the 2015-16 season

Photos courtesy of Glenn Howard “I knew as my career went on, and my son started to come up and into the ranks, I thought it would be awesome to be able to play with him,” Glenn Howard, far left, said. “All of a sudden this past year, he probably had the best year of his young career and then his team blew up.”

By CONNOR DORION has the same feelings as his Wayne played, right to the illustrious career, and being Sports Observer dad through the first two Grand world championships, so they 53-years-old, he knows that this Slam of Curling events. know him really well.” will be his last run at making the hen Scott Howard “It’s a dream come true for Playing with his father is Games. steps on the ice sure,” Scott said over the phone. something that Scott has wanted Although this will be his with his new team, “To curl with arguably three of to accomplish his entire life, but last attempt, Glenn shared that Whe doesn’t call his skip by his the best curlers in the world, it’s now that the moment has finally he still goes out with the same name, he calls him dad. pretty cool. happened, he can feel the weight mentality every time he steps on Glenn Howard has a brand “The first couple events, and being put on his shoulders. the ice. new look to his team this the first couple of shots, were a “There is extra pressure in “I can honestly say nothing season, bringing back three- little different for me. It’s defi- curling with my dad,” he said. has really changed, it’s still time world champion Wayne nitely been a big change.” “There is a lot of pressure in business as usual,” the skip said. Middaugh out of retirement This is the fourth year in a being Glenn Howard’s son and “If I start thinking of it as my to play vice, moving Richard row that the 25-year-old will be curling in the higher ranks, so least few years, putting pressure Hart from vice to second, and playing with a new team. I just have to put that aside and on myself that I have to do well, replacing Craig Savill with Scott had been making a play my game and hopefully the or get to the (Olympic) trials, Scott on the front-end. respectable career for himself outcome is what we expect.” that’s not really the case. The veteran curler shared during that time, competing in This season is the first of “The truth of it all is that I just that the transition from father two Briers and one world cham- three years leading up to the love to curl, I love to compete, to teammate has been a smooth pionship, where he won gold as 2018 Olympic Games in Py- and go out and travel all across one through the first few events the spare for Team Howard. eongChang, South Korea, Canada and around the world of the young season. “I knew as my career went where Team Howard hopes and enjoy the game that I love. “I just treat him like a team- on, and my son started to come to participate. The fact that I can do it with two mate and I try not to do the up and into the ranks, I thought Glenn has never competed of my best friends and my son, fatherly thing, and he treats that it would be awesome to be in the Olympics through his it’s just incredible.” me like a teammate,” the four- able to play with him,” Glenn time world champion said. said. “All of a sudden this past “He’s my son still and I’m his year, he probably had the best dad, but on the same token year of his young career and we’re teammates and that’s then his team blew up and all how I want it to be.” went their own way. Playing with his boy has been “That’s when I realized a goal of Glenn’s since he knew that this is the time to jump that Scott was going to make it ship, so to speak, with my his career. team and form a new team Now that the time has final- with him on it.” ly come for the two to play to- Even though this is their gether, it is exactly how Glenn first season as a team, Glenn imagined it. explained that Middaugh and “It’s a cliché, but it really is Hart are definitely not strang- a dream come true for me,” ers to his family. Glenn said. “I’m at the twilight “They’re virtually like sec- of my career, and the fact that I ond fathers to Scott,” he said. am going to be able to play with “They were around when he my son for the last two or three was born, they watched him years of my career is just going grow up, Scott has been a fifth to be a dream come true.” man for the team when Rich Like father, like son, as Scott played, been a fifth man when Sports Observer /// Friday, November 13, 2015 SPORTS 5 ‘THE RIGHT WAY’ The Northern Red Knights continue to have success under head coach Dan Domenico and his inclusive philosphy for the Toronto high school football powerhouse

By MITCH SANDERSON the team, you will become part of the Sports Observer family and part of the group,” Felsen said. “I think the teachers and coaches n a rainy September after- see their roles as not only coaching a noon two days before the team, but also developing young people first game of the season, and developing character. Northern Red Knights’ head “I’m grateful that they have that double Ofootball coach Dan Domenico stood un- objective because, yes football season is der a parking structure with a wet beat only a couple of months, but building reporter and very candidly set his goal character, that’s for life.” for the year. Domenico, a former teacher at North- “We expect to win a championship,” ern, understands that football can teach Domenico said. “That’s what we always his players life lessons and strong char- shoot for.” acter as well and knows that higher Those were pretty strong words con- expectations forces his guys to make sidering he had one returning offensive choices. He can only hope they’re the lineman, no returning starting receiv- right ones. ers, and a quarterback who was un- “I respect these kids a lot because of dersized with half an exhibition game what we’re asking from them, it’s giv- under his belt. ing up an awful lot of their time, but if But Domenico’s confidence doesn’t you’re not prepared to put the time and stem from nothing. The veteran coach effort in then you’re not going to be and Northern Secondary alumnus has successful,” Domenico said. “We hate had a winning philosophy and a winning to hear excuses like ‘I couldn’t get my program for over two decades. And it schoolwork done because I didn’t have builds on a program that won for a gen- enough time’. No, you’ve got to learn eration before that. how to time manage. “I think we’ve maintained an excel- “If you plan to go forward you’re lence in the program and I like to think going to have a lot of pressures on we’ve done it the right way,” Domenico your time and you have to start making said, who has had full control of the foot- commitments.” ball program since 1992. “We’ve always Tom Europe, a former Red Knight maintained the attitude that we want to and 11-year CFL defensive back, played put 24 people on the field. just one season under legendary coach “We know we can can probably be a Clarke Pulford before taking off to a little bit stronger if we put some athletes successful football and fitness career. on the field going both ways, but it’s kept Europe remembers a similar attitude as our program strong because kids know a grade 13 transfer from North Toronto there are at least 24 spots.” Collegiate in the late 80’s. With his team finishing first in the “He preached team first, he didn’t Clarke Pulford division (TDSSAA Tier expect anything but your best, and he 1) with a first round bye in the playoffs challenged us all the time,” Europe said, for the second year in a row, success on about his former coach. “I definitely the field is something Domenico’s teams have to thank Northern for helping me are accustomed to. become a better player and get where I “I remember always having a good needed to be.” team, good coaching,” Coulter Woods- Europe, now an author, public speak- maney, a former Red Knight offensive er, personal trainer, TV personality, and lineman and future Guelph Griffon, said. owner of TOMMYEUROPE.TV in Van- “Always had a great environment as a couver, agrees that lessons learnt on the team. Always a positive place to be.” field can help with success after football. Part of that great environment is “It can give you confidence and teach Northern’s inclusive philosophy to not you how to push yourself to get better,” cut students who come out for football. Europe said. “It’s a discipline and even Students must be enrolled full-time when you continue life after football, (minimum 6 courses), attend all class- you’ve got to be disciplined.” es, demonstrate a respectful attitude Northern Secondary, a school of towards all staff, and maintain passing 1,900 students, has produced a bevy of grades or demonstrate a commitment to notable athletic alumni over the years improvement to participate in sports, but including Europe, current Toronto Ar- they will not be cut for performance or gonauts defensive end Matt Black, for- athletic ability reasons. mer CFL player and general manager Northern Secondary School principal Neil Lumsden, and current Toronto FC Ron Felsen is very proud of his school’s defender Ashtone Morgan. football program and has found the in- It’s also produced scores of players clusive philosophy has translated posi- you’ve never heard of who used the ex- tively on and off the field. perience to go on to success in life off “We will teach you, you will train with the field. 6 SPORTS Sports Observer /// Friday, November 19, 2014 CHANGING THE GAME Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Fulgar Photo courtesy of Jeffrey

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” — Zig Ziglar, Motivational Speaker

By JOSE COLORADO tion on any given night. ball scene in Toronto. ny McDonald and Tramar Suther- Basketball Academy last year in Sports Observer And after thousands of late night “The professional experience we land (to name a few) having all Scarborough to help provide a pos- hoop sessions and dreaming of the provided for the everyday person launched into their respective pro- itive outlet for youngsters and it esse Asido lives his life game’s possibilities, Asido wanted was the one thing that separated fessional careers from the league’s also recently partnered with Toron- by these words almost in to the basketball business. The us from the rest. Before us, no one top division. to-based, Onpoint Basketball, to pro- as if they were scripture. only problem was the bank-worker wanted to go the extra mile.” “I only realized the full impact vide another innovative recreational In some way, shape, or lacked any formal business training Adidas, the Toronto Raptors, of the league when I went overseas league experience complete with a formJ he reiterates the meaning of it or playing experience. SportsChek and the Mill Street and my coach mentioned that when draft, general managers and trades. to himself every day. So he invented a way in. Brewery have all jumped on board he researched me one of the reasons Wherever the ambitious entre- But perhaps it should come as no “I’ve always been involved in and partnered with MegaCity in he liked my game was from the preneur embarks on next he knows surprise. basketball and to be frank basket- some form since its inception with highlights that Megacity put togeth- he’ll be enjoying the ride as he Motivation was what the Scar- ball is the only time I enjoy work- Canadian basketball personalities, er,” Bewley, a former player who pushes forward once more against borough native, pictured top left, ing,” he said. “It’s what I wanted, Akil Augustine and Duane Watson, recently signed in Spain, said. the odds. fought to regain as his schooling and still want, to be doing for the openly endorsing the league. “Megacity is the best league in “Yeah, you get bad days, weeks, faltered. It’s what he continuously rest of my life.” Approximately 500 players the city hands down.” months and you want to give up – tried to maintain as his parents di- And so in 2009 – as an upstart en- across the GTA now make up five Where the next step for the bud- don’t get me wrong,” Asido said. vorced and it’s what he knew would trepreneur in the country’s hotbed different divisions with players like ding league is remains to be seen. “But this absolutely is worth it for help him get through his toughest of basketball and business – Asido, Chad Bewley, Morgan Lewis, Den- The program launched a Youth me. I just have to keep motivating times in the Empringham public launched Megacity with the league housing district. hanging its hat on providing an un- And sure enough it has slow- paralleled rec-league experience. ly been Asido’s uncanny ability to Traditionally in recreational self-motivate that has carried him sports leagues customers are driv- from his trying childhood into be- en by four simple desires: 1. Find a coming one of Toronto’s most un- place to play. 2. Get some exercise. likely budding young sports entre- 3. Escape the day’s stress momen- preneurs. tarily,. 4. Get it all done in a timely “I never let those odds wear fashion. against me,” Asido, co-founder of Asido envisioned something else. Megacity Basketball, said. “I defi- In Megacity, consumers were pro- nitely don’t come from the greatest vided with game-by-game and sea- background but I just felt like I was son statistics, all-star game selections better than that. and festivities, game summaries and “I felt like I was destined to do heavy social media publicity. something great with my life and I The league was branded as a ‘pro- always had the belief that my life fessional experience’ – in essence a would make a positive impact on year-long fantasy to escape in, and others - it just so happens to be with the difference-maker for consumers basketball at this moment.” said one of its most instrumental Growing up in the rugged Malvern advocates, R.J Williams. area, Asido’s first developed a keen- “Megacity Basketball set the new Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Fulgar ness for the game as an eager young- standard for recreational leagues in the ster watching the Chicago Bulls. Air city,” Williams, who was named com- “I’ve always been involved with basketball and to be frank basketball is the only time Jordan was king, but Reggie Miller missioner in 2014, said. “Just like Uber I enjoy working,” Megacity basketball founder Jesse Asido, above, said. “It’s what I and Penny Hardaway were also able is changing up the taxi industry, Meg- wanted and still want to be doing for the rest of my life.” to capture the young Filipino’s atten- acity completely revamped the basket- Sports Observer /// Friday, November 13, 2015 SPORTS 7 HYMAN TAKES PASSION OFF ICE

By STEVE GORDON Sports Observer

ach Hyman wants to be known as more than just a hockey player. ZThe Toronto Maple Leafs’ prospect has a history degree from the University of Mich- igan and is the author of two children’s books, The Bambino and Me, and Hockey Hero. “I really enjoy it, so it’s not really a job for me,” the 23-year- old said. “It’s more of a passion of mine and I’m going to con- tinue to write. “It kind of all came together spontaneously. In grade seven I wrote a short story that was a premise to Hockey Hero and it won a short story competi- tion. So I kept working on that, worked on it throughout all of Dan Russell /// Toronto Observer high school and then sent the script to different publishing companies and Random House Sent to the Marlies in October, Richard Panik looks to return really liked it.” Hyman has signed on with Random House for another two to the NHL and provide for his family at the same time books set to be released in 2016 and 2017. Magician’s Secret By DAN RUSSELL year. They boast an array of forward prospects, with will be the next to be published Sports Observer Nylander, Leivo, Kasperi Kapanen, Nikita Sosh- and is about the adventures of a nikov, Connor Brown, and Frederik Gauthier all 22 grandfather and his grandson. n a recent game against the Grand Rapids Grif- and under. The Toronto native tries to fins, Richard Panik was placed on a line with And there to help the kids is Panik, who at 24-years- send a positive message to Josh Leivo and William Nylander. Leivo, a third old is hardly finished progressing as well. kids and hopes that his stor- round pick in 2011 is a late bloomer who’s al- “I’m the older guy here and I’m trying on the ice ies encourage them to follow Iready had a cup of coffee with the Leafs in each of the you know, to just play hard and motivate these young their dreams. last two seasons. guys,” he said after an afternoon practice. “So all the books follow the Nylander needs no introduction, as the eighth over- Panik was part of one of the greatest AHL teams to theme of believing in yourself,” all pick in the 2014 draft, and Marlies leader in points. ever play while on the 2011-2012 Norfolk Admirals, Hyman said. “They’re for chil- On their first shift of the game, Nylander sent the then affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning. dren and they’re meant to inspire puck to Panik, who outmuscled Griffins defence- That group won 28 games in a row, a pro hockey kids and when I go and speak to man Ryan Sproul down the wing, before centering to record, and included current Lightning players Tyler kids and stuff that’s one of the Nylander, with Leivo causing havoc in front. Johnson and Ondrej Palat. main points that I want them It would be the first of four assists on the night for Leading the team with 80 points was Cory to take away from my book, Panik, a breakout performance that caught the eye of Conacher, and in second was former Marlie captain if you believe in yourself and his head coach, Sheldon Keefe. Trevor Smith, who played alongside Panik with the you give 100 per cent you can “He just worked incredibly hard, he was on the Leafs for much of last season. make your dreams come true. puck today he made plays,” Keefe said after the “I was around with great leadership in the AHL,” That’s something that I always game. “He came to the rink today with a purpose, Panik said. “I think it’s really good for a team, so I’m write about and I guess why he was real good.” going to try that too.” I’ve written the books.” It was Oct. 6, when after claiming defenceman One day he could be seen joking on the ice with Hyman, drafted 123rd overall Frank Corrado off waivers, the Toronto Maple Leafs Kapanen, who had been out with an illness. by the Florida Panthers in 2010, had to cut their roster down to 23 players. “He’s played in the show before and then he just played four years with the Uni- They chose to send Richard Panik to the American leads by example and if there’s something that I need versity of Michigan Wolverines League, and by putting him on waivers, every team in to ask it doesn’t even need to be like on the ice stuff, before making the jump to a pro the NHL had the chance to pick up a player who had just off the ice tips you know, he’s there to help us,” career. 11 goals and 17 points in 76 games last season. said Kapanen, a day before making his regular season While hockey remains the Those aren’t superstar numbers, but in limited debut. “It’s great to have him on the team.” primary focus of the young action last year, the Slovakian forward showed he On Oct. 20, and the Marlies came on to the ice in prospect, however, he be- could play at the highest level. After going unclaimed, waves of eight at a time. There were no systems drills, lieves it is important to have he has spent the last month showing what he can do in but rather a large focus on skating and puck handling. other interests, such as his the AHL with the Toronto Marlies. With the Marlies as deep as they are in talent, there’s passion for writing. “I expect him to be a dominant player in every- not always too many opportunities for Panik to prove “I don’t want to be just a thing that he does,” Keefe said on Oct. 16. “Prac- himself on a team where developing the youngsters is hockey [player],” said Hyman. tice, a drill in practice, workout off the ice, shift the primary objective. “You can’t just put all your eggs in the game, he should stand out as a player that For now, the oft-underappreciated Panik waits pa- in one basket, so I think doing doesn’t belong here if he wants to get back to the tiently, hoping to get a chance to prove himself yet a lot of different things is defin- NHL. That’s what he’s going to need to do, so that’s again. He’s just not sure when that chance will arrive. itely helpful, but right now I’m what we expect of him.” “I don’t know the situation, hopefully soon,” he said. focused on hockey and that’s The Marlies are expected to be a contender this “I will have to earn a spot there, (it) starts from here.” definitely number one.” DOWN BUT NOT OUT DOWN BUT NOT 8 SPORTS Sports Observer /// Friday, November 13, 2015

George Redak /// Sports Observer Technical Skating Specialist Tracy Tutton gives instructions to Oshawa Generals players during practice. Tutton is just one of the many members of the Generals’ staff working to recapture the championship form of last season’s squad. PRICE OF WINNING The Oshawa Generals have gone through a bit of a makeover since winning the franchise’s fifth Memorial Cup and are now struggling to rediscover their winning ways

By GEORGE REDAK goals. He continues to shine on the offensive end, sitting sec- Sports Observer ond in team scoring with 16 points in 15 games. “You usually need to use a number of draft picks in order to eaching the pinnacle of junior hockey defines what a make some trades to strengthen your team to win.” Hunt said successful season truly means. about the decision to go for it. Last year, it was the Oshawa Generals who lifted “With this comes challenges of having a considerably the Memorial Cup for the fifth time in the storied fran- younger team in the next year and the players that return chise’sR history. may need to be moved in order to get some of your draft As always it came at a price. picks back.” Of the top 10 scorers for the Generals last season, only two re- The skill and talent may be there this year, but unlike last turned. The roster turnover is even more staggering with 20 players season, that veteran presence is not. Looking towards the fu- leaving the team after last year’s run, including the former captain ture, Hunt recently traded assistant captain Stephen Desrocher and the starting goaltender. to the Kingston Frontenacs in exchange for five draft picks. “As much as winning the Memorial Cup was amazing, it’s “We have a lot of new faces here, and I want to make sure only a fond memory now and it has to be put in the back pocket,” these guys are prepared and working hard,” the coach said. Michael Dal Colle, the new captain of the Generals, said. “It’s a “They have given that to me so far and if we play like that and different year, and now I have to lead a young team here and show work hard we will win a lot more games than we will lose.” them how it’s done.” So far this season the Generals have found it difficult The 2014-2015 Oshawa Generals were not only stacked with vet- to win games. The lack of scoring and defensive lapses eran talent, they were also led by a coach whose success at the junior have surfaced on more than one occasion, but thanks to level was rewarded with a job in the NHL. their goaltender Jeremy Brodeur, a winning record may After lifting the Memorial Cup in Quebec City, D.J. Smith was hired still be possible. as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 19-year-old goaltender leads the league with four Enter new head coach Bob Jones. shutouts this season and has an impressive 2.23 goals In his first season with the Generals, Jones, whose club is 8-7-2-0, against average through 13 games. understands the challenges facing the defending Memorial Cup Cham- “I really like the level of compete of our younger pions. After all he was with the Windsor Spitfires when they won back- guys,” Jones said about his young roster. “I think our to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. blue line is sometimes exposed and making big mis- Jones’ newly named captain has been struggling offensively this takes on the defensive end. But it’s a learning experi- season after leading the team in points last year. It may not be a ence for the younger players.” hangover, but the Memorial Cup clearly had an impact on the return- There was no better evidence of the mistakes that ing 19-year-old. emerge because of inexperience then a 5-1 loss to the “I would be lying to you if I said I’m not concerned about his North Bay Battalion on Oct. 15. offensive numbers,” Jones said about his struggling captain. “I think Entering the third period with a 1-0 lead, the Generals we have a couple of guys in that room that we rely on for offence defence conceded five goals in the frame. and he is one of the guys. He has to pick his game up and show these The next night the team returned to General Motors young guys the way. Centre, hosting the Erie Otters in a rematch of last “I think winning the Memorial Cup, not having a long enough sum- year’s OHL final. They lost 7-4 after allowing four mer to train, it sets guys like that back.” goals in the second period. But that is not always the case. This past January, general manager Rog- “There is challenges for any team to play a full 60 er Hunt decided to beef up his offence, acquiring Matt Mistele from the minutes,” Jones said. “When you play some of the Plymouth Whalers in exchange for centre Ryan Moore and five draft picks. best young players in Canada, it becomes a game of The 20-year-old was stellar during Oshawa’s playoff run, scoring 13 adjustments.”