TOP 1% IN CANADA SINCE 1991* * for Royal LePage 1 YEAR We specialize in “The Only Choice” TERM DEPOSIT Ceiling Fans & Lighting 2.75% See page 13 ProudProud toto bebe livingliving andand workingworking inin AuroraAurora 905-727-1656 Marilyn Redvers, Sales Representative, Residential Real Estate Services 220 Industrial Pkwy 14799 Yonge St., Aurora 905-727-3154 www.realestateaurora.com 15010 Yonge St. Aurora Royal LePage Your Community Realty, Independently Owned and Operated Brokerage Aurora’s Independent Community Newspaper Vol. 9 No. 35 905-727-3300 auroran.com FREE Week of June 30, 2009 Briefly St. Kitts, Toot, toot committee Richmond Hill Live Steamers, of which several Aurora residents are mem- bers, is a non-profit hobby club of volunteers operating scale model steam and resign from diesel locomotives in Whitchurch-Stouffville. They actually have a model railroad set up in the bush, and you can ride it this weekend. parade Members are inviting train lovers of all ages to take a miniature train ride on Sher St. Kitts, and her seven-person their new extended track through the woods. committee, have tendered their resigna- Action happens Saturday and Sunday, July 4 and July 5, between the hours tion from Aurora’s July First Parade, of 10.30 a.m. and 4 p.m. effective next year. The railroad is located at 15922 McCowan Road (that’s the seventh conces- Ms St. Kitts was instrumental in sion for those who remember), at the corner of St. John's Sideroad, but frankly, it’s easier if you go north from the Aurora Road, also known as Wellington Street. bringing the parade back to Aurora last It’s free, but members would appreciate a donation. year after it had been cancelled by the For further information, call 905-277-0969. Town. She led the committee again Out of space this year amid controversy and discussion about where the money was The Aurora Food Pantry, which has been living out of a basement in down- going. town Aurora, has run out of space and is looking for a new home. “I did my job,” she told The Auroran But money is a problem, because the Pantry, which supplies dozens of Friday. “That’s enough.” Aurora area residents with food every Saturday, doesn’t have any. Her first parade, organized in 2008, The full story appears on Page 3 this week. attracted thousands of people to Yonge Street, and this year’s Nordic walking parade was expected to be even better. The committee, set up as a sub- There’s a free Nordic Pole Walking Clinic about to happen in Aurora. committee of the Leisure Services Nordic pole walking burns up to 46 per cent more calories than regular walk- Advisory Committee (LSAC), resigned ing and has less impact on hip, knee and foot joints. The plan is to hold the clinic on Tuesday, July 7, from 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. last week at an LSAC meeting. and interested participants should meet in the Sheppard's Bush Parking Lot, on She felt it was necessary to resign It may have been Belinda’s Barbecue, but Elijah Stevenson, Industrial Parkway South, at the south end of the park. when she did, because, the grandson of Don Stevenson, a member of the Aurora This event is open to all ages and all fitness levels. she said, if she continued into next year Seniors' Centre, didn’t care much as he dug into this ice For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Shawn Nisbet at 416-804- people would expect her to continue with cream bar during the successful annual event held last week 0938 or [email protected]. parade arrangements. at the Centre. There’s a full story in the seniors’ column and There has been no word about another photo on Page 15. Auroran photo by David Falconer Please see page 8 Klees winds up Corridor study finishes phase two “With the completion of Phase 2, tion, and to make the area the focal received online and through the appearance of the downtown area, we're at a milestone in the process point in Aurora for retail service and mail. create a positive image, and make second of revitalizing Aurora's Yonge- special events. The third phase, which will be the area a focal point for retail and Newmarket-Aurora sitting member Wellington corridor”, said Harold Mr. Madi, representing The completed in September, consists of special events. of the provincial legislature Frank Klees Madi, in his presentation to Council Planning Partnership, the consulting the development of a Draft Report. Apart from the extensive input forced a third ballot in selecting a new last week. company retained by the town to In the final phase, the consultant received so far, the consultants are leader for the Progressive Conservative Dubbed "The Aurora conduct the study, said the second will prepare necessary policies to also considering previously-com- party Saturday afternoon, but it wasn’t Promenade", the study of this area of four phases had been completed. support the implementation of the pleted studies and initiatives. enough to give him the title of party of downtown Aurora will include the The first two phases consisted of Aurora Promenade through a In his presentation, Mr. Madi pro- leader. 3.2 km stretch of Yonge Street from public consultation over the past two Secondary Plan. The entire process vided some of the results of the sec- Klees lost out to front-running Tim about Henderson Dr. to Orchard months in the form of interactive will take about a year, and be com- ond workshop. Hudak, after both had amassed Heights Blvd, and 1.6 kms of workshops which focused on "inven- plete in the Spring of 2010. As part of this exercise, partici- enough votes to oust two other con- Wellington Street from the GO tory and analysis", and the develop- In his presentation, Mr. Madi pants were given photos from vari- tenders Christine Elliott and Randy Station to just west of Yonge. ment of options. According to staff noted that the long term goals are to ous cities showing different urban Hillier from the race. The intent of the study is to iden- records, 89 and 72 people respec- stimulate economic development, design features, such as building A photo of Frank Klees voting in the tify ways to stimulate economic tively attended the two workshops. increase intensification, foster a facades, streetscapes and parks. election may be found on page 8. development, encourage intensifica- In addition, extensive feedback was vibrant street life, improve the Please see page 2 Batteries We’ve lowered our hearing aid battery price to just $3 a package! 905-713-3199 [email protected] (Siemens brand, 4 battery/dial packs only) 2 - THE AURORAN, Week of June 30, 2009 COMING EVENTS CONTINUING A drop-in centre will operate every Wednesday at the Community aurora/news/details/4441. The Probus Club of Aurora meets at 10 a.m. the second Bible Church on Bathurst Street just south of Henderson from 8 a.m. MONDAY, JULY 6 Wednesday of each month at the Royal Canadian Legion on to 1 p.m. For more information e-mail Judy Hoffmann jhoff- Revised staff report on the future of Wells Street School goes to Industrial Parkway North. Probus was sponsored by the Aurora [email protected]. the Board of Education in the Boardroom, Wellington Street West at Rotary Club in 1995 with an initial membership of 25, now 82, for * * * * 8 p.m. Public delegations must be booked in advance by calling Mrs. retired and semi-retired professional and business men and women, Scottish Country Dancing every Friday morning at St. Andrews' Lori Barnes at [email protected] or 905-727-0022, ext. former executives and others. The club is non-sectarian and non- Presbyterian Church beginning at 10.30 a.m. No partners are need- 2263, political. For information call 905-841-3558 or 905-727-9344. ed and beginners are welcome. SUNDAY, JULY 12 * * * * * * * * Merlin’s Hollow, a one-acre garden in East Aurora, is free to visi- The York Regional Police Male Chorus is looking for new mem- Aurora Rotary Club meets every Monday evening at 6.30 p.m. at tors today. It’s located on Centre Crescent, north off Centre Street, bers. You do not have to be a police officer nor are you required to Gabriel's on Yonge Street. New members are welcome. For further west of Industrial Parkway North. read music to volunteer. The group rehearses Monday evenings information call 905-841-1352. JULY 13-17 between 7.30 and 9.30 p.m. For further information, contact the cho- * * * * Hillary House Summer Programs for Kids takes place at Hillary rus supervisor at 905-727-9676 or the coordinator of volunteer serv- Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge 148 meets the first and House National Historic Site, on Yonge Street. For $15 a day or $70 ices for YRP at 905-830-0303, extension 6717. third Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m. at 15216 Yonge Street, south for the week, children, ages 6-10, can learn and play during half day * * * * of Wellington. For more information call 905-830-9205. programs. Daily themes include: Teddy Bear Picnic, Butterfly The Adult Bereavement Support Group offers a chance to learn * * * * Garden, Tea Party, Movie Day, Olympics, and Superhero Day. Pre- how to cope with the loss of a loved one. Fred Bullen has given the Masonic Rising Sun Lodge meets the first Thursday of each registration is required.