Bayview Village Association www.bayviewvillage.org

' It's better in Bayview Village ' Newsletter

May 2011 Newsletter Editor: Judi Codd 416-225-5162 Email [email protected]

DOUG’S NOTES

Many, Many, Many Thanks: First, to all candidates who put their names forward in the recent federal election. Congratulations to Chungsen Leung on his successful campaign. As soon as Chungsen sets up his office soon we will provide you with contact information. Second, to Martha Hall Findlay for her years of service as our Willowdale MP. Third, to all involved in our very successful All- Candidates meeting – especially Steve Kerper serving as our moderator. And finally to all those who attended. It was a good evening to see democracy in action in the Village. Your membership fees at work!

MORE EVENTS – Good news - looks BVA All-Candidates Meeting – Great Turnout! like the Mah Jongg Club is a go! The Book Club continues, our Annual General Meeting & Strawberry Social is in June and the BVA 6th Annual Garden Tour is June 26. The Perennial Swap last Saturday was a great success. We swapped a few plants and bought a couple more for a toonie – best deal in town. There was a steady group of villagers arriving to check out the deals and meet neighbours. Thanks to Mary Anderson and her crew for another great event.

Thanks to all who helped out on a very wet BVA Clean-Up Day – tires were pulled out of the ravine – litter was picked up and we did our best to smile through the rain. Thanks to Simin Molookzadeh for organizing the day.

And a word about the City of Services Review: all city services are being reviewed. Your BVA exec will participate in providing feedback from the community but I suggest you take the time to get involved. Especially, if there is something you don’t think should be cut, changed, downsized, etc. In person or through the Online survey: http://www.toronto.ca/torontoservicereview/ You have until June 17th.

Cheers, Doug

DOUG STEPHENS President – BVA 416-221-4335 [email protected]

Join the BVA Executive Interested in getting more involved with your community? Have a specific interest such as municipal issues, communications, safety, or the environment? Available to lend a hand in ensuring the Village is a safe, attractive and vibrant place to live? Than consider joining your BVA Executive - We welcome your interest. Please contact Doug Stephens 416-221-4335 [email protected] or Jane Robertson 416-226-1390 or [email protected]

Ontario Hydro News The lowest rate for Hydro now occurs from 7PM to 7AM (previously, lower rates did not start until 9pm). This provides an additional 2 hours to save. And as before Friday 7pm to Monday 7am remain at the lowest rates. Try to time your electric use to take advantage of the lowest rates. IN MARY'S GARDEN: BVA 6th Annual Garden Tour - Sunday, June 26. Can you believe it? We are 6 years old – and celebrating by presenting you with a tour of residential and public gardens in the Village along with a special addition of live music at selected venues. This year there will an opportunity for a garden tea as well as cool beverages along the way. Each year we have tried to add new features and give you the best experience we can. So plan to come out to see the hidden gems of the Village. Tickets are $10, and on sale in June at Sheridan Nurseries.

And more good news for plant and nature lovers: Environment has provided our local East Don Parkland Partners with $32,000 for wetland and meadow restoration program in our ravine. This program will help prevent erosion, restore native species, and add beauty and value to our beautiful ravine system. The East Trilliums in our Don Parkland Partners, all community ravine volunteers, headed by resident Phil Getting a great deal at the BVA Perennial Swap Goodwin – began planting in April. To get details of future plantings and events: Contact [email protected] NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH – BY RON CHOI Coyote Warning We have had reports of coyote sightings – in BV backyards! This is particularly worrisome. Owners of pets (especially small pets) are advised to keep a watchful eye on them. Check the link for a full description of Toronto’s coyote problem www.toronto.ca/animal_services/coyote.htm

Toronto’s Animal Services remind us: Coyotes have adjusted well to living in close proximity to humans and are generally shy and prefer to avoid confrontations. To avoid a possible confrontation, never leave a young child or pet unattended. Make sure you teach your children about animal safety and what to do if they should encounter various types of wildlife.

If you must walk in a park with coyote activity, take note of the following safety tips: § Carry an audible alarm (it will help to deter and bring attention in case you need help) § Carry a bright flashlight (bright light has been known to deter coyotes) § Keep your pet leashed at all times § Keep an umbrella in close reach (the action of opening/closing will deter a coyote) § Avoid walking during key coyote activity hours (dusk and dawn)

Fences are not sufficient to keep coyotes and foxes out. Just spotted one sail over a fence in a single bound – it didn’t even slow him down.

Upcoming BVA Events – Remember to buy the BVA History Book: BAYVIEW VILLAGE: OUR HISTORY IN PRINT: FROM FARMLAND TO ONE OF CANADA’S MOST PICTURESQUE COMMUNITIES.

Enjoy the written history of Bayview Village and surrounding area from the earliest settlers to modern day times. Over 120 pages, with many pictures - available for just $20 (tax included). Makes a great gift ! To order your copy contact: Bayview Village Association c/o Doug Webster, 7 Sutcliffe Drive, Toronto, ON M2K 2A5 or call: 416-221-5870 - Available for purchase at the AGM & Strawberry Social on May 28.

Trees In Your Front Yard – From The City for Free Urban Forestry plants trees on City street allowances fronting residential properties for free. Visit toronto.ca/311 or call 311 within Toronto city limits for application form.

In Your Back Yard: LEAF (not for profit organization dedicated to the protection and improvement of the urban forest) provides Four Easy Steps To a Backyard Tree!

LEAF offers a Full Service Backyard Tree Planting Program to all Toronto residents. The approximate cost per tree is $100-$200 and includes a site consultation in your yard with a certified arborist, a six to eight foot tall tree and full planting service. Native shrubs are also available for approx. $25 each (includes delivery and mulch; planting is $20 extra per shrub). LEAF also has Native Garden Kits (assortment of perennials and shrubs delivered right to your door, along with plans to assist you with garden design and planting) to attract butterflies and birds. Website at www.yourleaf.org/

Illegal dumping Some rather nasty people have dumped their garbage on our streets. Some have dumped their waste in our ravines. Dumping of garbage on city streets, boulevards, city property, and private property is illegal. Anyone found dumping garbage on City or private property will be prosecuted. Please report illegal dumping. Call 311. Email:[email protected]

Potholes – Unwelcome Sign Of Spring - How You Can Help? Potholes seem to be everywhere. They can be dangerous to pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers. They are created when water penetrates the top layer of asphalt through cracks in the road. After the moisture freezes and expands, sections of the pavement are forced up. The weight of vehicles forces the asphalt out. Potholes are more frequent in the spring, after the freeze/thaw action following winter. Bayview Village is not immune to these ‘signs of spring’.

To combat the problem, the City has work crews to fix potholes and similar road defects. Crews pour hot asphalt, rake it into the pothole, tamp it down and smooth it out until the road surface is improved. If you see a pothole on a city street, call 311 or report it online. www.toronto.ca/transportation/roads/potholes.htm

Construction Season Is Here Please be aware that road construction will occur along from Yonge St. to Bayview Ave. throughout the summer. As well as numerous other small projects we haven’t yet head about. Plan your routes accordingly.

You Won’t Believe What Goes On In (and near) Bayview Village!

BVA Bayview Village BookClub – Mon, June 6 at 8 pm Join us for the June BVA Book Club meeting on June 6 (raindate: June 13 as we plan to sit outside at Sharon's house at 23 Sutcliffe). The book for discussion is The Little Stranger. This is a 2009 gothic novel written by Sarah Waters. A ghost story set in a dilapidated mansion in Warwickshire, England in the 1940s it was short-listed for the Man Booker Prize. Contact Jane Robertson 416-226-1390 or [email protected]

BVA Mah Jongg Club Interested in learning how to play mah jongg and available on a weekday afternoon? Then please contact Jane Robertson 416-226-1390 or [email protected] Mah Jongg is a game of skill, strategy and calculation and is terrific to way to work on your analytical skills.

Book Club for 9-12 year olds Friday, May 27 · 6:00pm - 6:30pm at Chapters at Bayview Village Plaza Read award-winning novel "The Egypt Game" by Zilpha Keatley Snyder and join in a fun-filled and exciting discussion. You can save an extra 10% off the book of the month. They ask that you sign up in advance. This activity is for nine years and older. Please contact Chapters for details.

Bayview Village - Toronto Public Library Summer Reading Club Thursdays 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. from June 30 to Aug 25. Once again it's time to join the TD Summer Reading Club. Get ready to dive headfirst into the chosen theme for this year's Club, Splash! Celebrate summer. Join the weekly program featuring crafts, storytime, fun and games, draws for weekly prizes and of course reading and book reporting. Registration begins Thursday June 30, 2011.

North York City Central Library There are many activities at this branch throughout the year. And not just about books. There is a Legal Aid Clinic from 6:30-8:30pm every Tuesday until June 7, Job Search programs, films, a Ukulele Night on Thursday June 9 from 7:30pm-8:30pm (bring along your own ukulele, if you have one), Preschool Summer Reading Club on Monday afternoons. Location is 5120 Yonge Street (Yonge and Empress) – for details call 416-395-5535

Elkhorn PS Fun Fair - Saturday, May 28 11am to 3pm Fun for the whole family. Cost per child: $10 for activity wristband which covers everything with the exception of food and drink and raffle tickets. Activities included are: Unlimited bouncy castle (limited time per turn), 1 Sucker Pull, Face painting/tattoos, Elkhorn Games, Other midway games.

Available at additional cost: Food and drink items (BBQ – including a great Korean BBQ, bake sale, lemonade, Candy Shack, Cotton Candy, Popcorn, Raffle tickets, Teacher Baby Board, Blue Jays picture order.

And everyone can take part in and enjoy Vendor Market, Toronto Police Services Dogs/horses/Blinkie/Booth and Bike Rodeo, Firefighters, Letʼs Talk Science presentations, Music, and fun.

BVA Annual General Meeting & Strawberry Social – Tuesday, June 21 - 8pm Tuesday, June 21 at Bayview Middle School. Meet your neighbours, have some dessert, help to elect the 2011-2012 BVA Executive, get the latest BVA Update on local news and initiatives.

Our guest speaker is Martin Regg Cohn –who writes the politics column for the Toronto Star. A foreign Bayview Village Tennis Club correspondent for 11 years, he was chief of the Middle East Consider joining the Bayview Village Tennis Club. BVTC is a community, outdoor tennis facility, and Asia bureaus, then Foreign Editor, and most recently a originally started by members of the BVA many world affairs columnist. He has reported from more than 40 years ago. Membership fees are low and offer countries, from Afghanistan to Yemen. exercise, social events, opportunities to meet new

friends, and a chance for a great time. Farmers Markets – Two nearby § CIVIC CENTRE FARMERS' MARKET Adults:(ages 18+) $90.00 (includes HST) Intermediate:(ages 16 & 17) $53.50(includes HST) 5100 Yonge, at Hillcrest. In Mel Lastman Square. Juniors:(ages up to 15) $37.45 (includes HST) Thursdays 8 am-2 pm from June 2. Also Summer Tennis camps for children and teens § FAIRVIEW MALL FARMERS' MARKET 1800 Sheppard Drop by or Check their website: E, at , 905-591-0064. South parking lot close to www.bayviewvillagetennis.com subway. Fridays 9 am-6 pm from May 13.

Upcoming Events Details of many of these events are included in this newsletter or will be coming to you soon in an upcoming edition. Remember all previous newsletters are online at our website.

Saturday, May 28 – Elkhorn P.S. Fun Fair Monday, June 6 – BVA Book Club Tuesday, June 21 – BVA Annual General Meeting & Strawberry Social Sunday, June 26 – BVA 6th Annual Garden Tour

IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO GET YOUR COPY OF THE BVA 2011 DIRECTORY – JOIN THE BVA Check our website at: www.BayviewVillage.org