anyone can be a dj Jewel in the lotus Scratch Lab holds free DJ session at Theatre students premiere Malvern Public Library performance art piece at UTSC - See page 8 - See page 5 THE EAST OBSERVER • Friday• March 25 • 2011 • • PUBLISHED BY UTSC/CENTENNIAL COLLEGE JOURNALISM STUDENTS AND SERVING SCARBOROUGH • •TORONTOOBSERVER.CA• Board tackles break

kayla kreutzberg The Observer

The Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board want this year’s Christ- mas break to start later. The boards are seeking the provincial government’s ap- proval to make Dec. 23 the last day of school for 2011. Students would return Jan. 9 after a two-week period. Currently, the school boards have Dec. 16 and Jan. 2 as the last and first days. Proponents say the change would give families more time together. But some students don’t like the deal. “I’d rather not change it kyle larkin/The Observer because it gives us time to prepare for Christmas and al- lows us to get out of school Over-80s in a curling league of their own earlier,” Marvin Estrada, a Bill Greer, 81, (left) and Roy Johnson, 82, sweep for Team Scarboro skip Ken Smith, 82. Scarboro won its final match of the season in Grade 11 student at Senator the Octogenarian Curling League at Donalda Club March 4. See story on page 4. O’Connor High School, said.

Parents divided on change

Joanette Fernandes, moth- er of a student at St. Bede Catholic Elementary School, does not agree with the pro- Get ready, get set, sleep! posed change. “My child should have a little bit of a break before Christmas, which is why I be- Centenary Hospital’s campaign buys 10 new beds lieve the current ... schedule is more adaptive to my child and my family’s schedule,” chantelle henriques beds, as a bulk buy, for rison, manager of the emer- Fernandes said. The Observer over 20 years probably,” gency department. But other parents are ready Craine said. “So a lot of “They lie on stretchers in to embrace the change. The race is on to provide the beds are getting to the the emergency department, “Christmas time around patients with new beds at point where they’re past so when they get up to a work is always hectic and Centenary Hospital in Scar- their usefulness and some bed, I want that bed to be busy, so for the kids to end borough. of them are breaking.” a good-quality, safe bed for just in time for Christmas The Rouge Valley Health Each new bed costs them,” she said. “Our beds allows me to be relaxed and System is set to hold a bed $5,000 and up, depending are in decline over the years have the opportunity to take race behind the Scarbor- on which ward the bed is and there are newer mod- some time off to see them,” ough Civic Centre on April for. els out there that are more Maria Estrades said. 29 to raise funds for new So far, donations from comfortable and safer.” “I know they [children] hospital beds. staff and the community Janet Roth, a clini- will have to wait longer,” she The Buy a Bed cam- equal enough money to buy cal practice leader for the C ourtesy of dave stell Rouge Valley Health System said, “[but] it sounds like a paign is celebrating a year 10 new beds. emergency department, / good idea and I believe they of fundraising with this Some staff members says her donations were in- Hospital staff and community members race beds last should try it and see how it event, which will have staff have money taken directly spired by her desire to look April to raise money for the Buy a Bed Campaign. goes.” at the hospital competing off their paycheques for the out for the safety of not The Ministry of Educa- with corporate teams from campaign. only the patients, but the that’s going to be easy for Ainslie is chair of the cam- tion says 71 of Ontario’s 72 around Scarborough. They say the main reason staff as well. the nursing staff to care for paign and was the first school boards have requested Campaign director Kath- for their donations is con- “I would want [the pa- the patients in. person to buy a bed for the the change. erine Craine says new beds cern for patient safety. tients] on a bed that they’re “If that was my fam- hospital. A verdict on whether or are overdue. “Patients who are com- comfortable on,” Roth said. ily member, where would I For more information not the proposal goes through “At Centenary here, we fortable recover more “And also from a nursing want them?” about donating and the bed will be decided in the spring. haven’t had replacement quickly,” said Dianna Har- perspective, you want a bed Ward 43 councillor Paul race, visit buyabed.ca. PAGE 2 - The East Toronto Observer, March 25, 2011 NEWS Scarborough couple in court with Time to tackle separate lawyers in negligence case those taxes

Y eamrot taddese The Observer ALEX kozovski The Observer The Scarborough couple accused of keeping an el- It’s the most wonderful derly woman in their frigid time of the year. garage could end up blam- The snow is melting. ing each other, the wife’s The sun is shining. The lawyer said last Tuesday midpoint of March is outside a College Park behind us, and all these courtroom. signs lead to one thing: Kwong Yan, 43, and Tax season is upon us. his wife Qi Tan, 28, both Filing income returns wearing orange prison uni- is a taxing, tedious task, forms, appeared in court with organizing informa- via video. tion in itself a substantial The couple was arrested time-eater. late last month after police The process can be responded to a 911 call complicated. Do it wrong from a home near McCow- and you might be audited an Road and Finch Avenue and have to justify every East to find Yan’s 68-year- line. old mother unconscious, yeamrot taddese/The Observer The government isn’t malnourished and frostbit- Qi Tan and her husband Kwong Yan are facing negligence charges after Yan’s 68-year-old mother was found exactly warm and cuddly ten. unconcious in their garage last month. Tan’s defence counsel Haiyun Wang, pictured above, said the couple have when it comes to income The accused have differ- different lawyers because of a possible conflict of interest. tax returns. Dazed from ent lawyers in case a con- “intaxication,” mistakes flict arises between them, failing to provide necessities ting released,” she said. ously denied bail at a hear- up to their arrest. can become costly to the said Haiyun Wang, Tan’s of life and criminal negli- “Both have no [previous] ing on March 1. Yan, a restaurant cook, innocent tax filer. defence counsel. gence causing bodily harm, records. They’re both law- Yan’s mother, who suf- and Tan, a furniture facto- Thankfully there are “Potentially, they may were ordered to appear in abiding citizens.” fered a stroke, remains in ry worker, lived with their places around Scarborough point fingers at each other,” court April 14. If released, they will hospital. She had alleg- six-year-old daughter. that can help you file your Wang said. “Just to be safe Wang said a bail review appear in court in person edly lived in the garage Tan’s mother, who also taxes, so it doesn’t feel like … that is why they have is underway and the couple instead of by video, Wang since November. lived with the couple, is a do-it-yourself mugging different counsels. But at could be released on bail by said. If Yan and Tan are Wang declined to say “very concerned for good when you see how much the moment, we don’t have that date. convicted, she added, they whether the couple knew reasons,” Wang said. the government gets. that concern.” “They have more than a will face jail time. about the woman’s condi- “She’s all alone looking The couple, charged with 50 per cent chance of get- The couple was previ- tion in the months leading after the granddaughter.” Where to get them done

n Softron Tax: Scarbor- ough Town Centre, 300 Local residents fight to keep their street in the dark Borough Dr. With more than 30 years Janice yeung against the installation proj- he said. Fire Services, he insists that “People love the feeling in the business, Softron The Observer ect. Bridger planned to lead there is no danger posed for they get when they walk on Tax is a close income tax “It started last year in a group of residents to meet drivers at night because of our road at night,” he said. service. It offers various Queensgrove Road in July,” Bridger recounted. with Toronto Hydro and city the many porch lights outside “You feel like you are in the tax-related services, in- Scarborough is the only road “Trucks were moving into councillors on March 22. He houses. countryside and you can ac- cluding fast cash refunds, left in Toronto where you can the neighborhood and wires also tried reaching Mayor Christo- tually see the tax adjustments and pre/ look up at the night sky and were planted at the back of , but never got to pher Miles, stars in the post assessments. clearly count the stars. houses. Toronto Hydro plans talk to him. a 44-year-old sky.” It also has a gift pro- However, residents of the to put up five to six street All this originated in paramedic Another motion, which comes free 29 households on Queens- lights on our road.” 2006, when the city signed living across house owner with every tax preparation. grove have been subject to Having lived on Queens- an agreement with Toronto from Bridg- who has been n H&R Block: 4500 Toronto Hydro’s installation grove all his life, Bridger has Hydro guaranteeing lighting er’s house, on Queens- Kingston Rd. or 799 Mil- of streetlights without con- a strong emotional connec- on all city streets. echoes his grove for 13 ner Ave. sultation. tion with the small piece of “I am fairly optimistic views. years ob- One of the biggest tax Jim Bridger, a 50-year- rural-like landscape. that with residents voicing “Toronto jected to the agencies in the GTA, old firefighter, put together a “Toronto Hydro does not out, we would eventually Hydro is do- Toronto disruptions H&R Block can provide petition gathering responses have the right to destroy our not have streetlights on our ing some- Hydro does in aesthet- year-round service for from 26 homes on the road. landscape without taking into road,” Bridger said. thing to the ics and noise those seeking it. Out of the responses, 24 were account residents’ opinions,” Working at the Toronto neighbour- not have that would Also available from hood without accompany H&R is its online tax pro- consulting the right to the building gram if you take the mis- the neigh- “ of overhead sion solo. bourhood it- destroy our wires and With reimbursement self,” he said. streetlights. and penalty coverage He has landscape “This is a guaranteed if there are lived on —Jim Bridger total waste any errors, it is one of the Queensgrove of money in fastest ways to get the job for nine the budget,” done. years and has said Mary signed Bridg- Auchterl- With May 2 approach- er’s petition. onie, a 44-year-old business ing — the final day to “We have the support of owner. “They are spending file personal income-tax our city councillor Gary money on a project that does returns for the previous Crawford and we have done not benefit anyone.” taxation year — there’s everything we could to try to At the moment, only War- still plenty of time to get stop Toronto Hydro from go- den Avenue at Kingston Road them done. ing ahead with their plans,” are under reconstruction. The final deadline usu- janice yeung/The Observer he said. The installation project on ally falls on April 30, but Jim Bridger is Queensgrove’s leader in sending in a petition to Toronto Hydro to fight However, he said the con- Queensgrove Road is slated this year it falls on a Sat- against the installation of streetlights on the road. struction project is inevitable. for completion by October. urday. The East Toronto Observer, March 25, 2011 - PAGE 3 NEWS News Industry minister tours UTSC Briefs

aakanksha tangri Man saved after fall The Observer A man is in stable con- The new Instructional dition after falling into a 10-metre industrial tank last Centre at the University week. The man was working of Toronto Scarborough on a construction project is about more than a new Thursday at a water treat- school building, the fed- ment Plant near Morning- eral industry minister says. side Avenue.Toronto Fire “This [centre] is part of a Services rescued the man broader context, the broad- using a nearby construction er context is the economy,” crane, lifting him to safety. Tony Clement said while touring the centre March Trustee opens office 15. “The economy remains the top priority of the Scarborough residents Harper government.” were invited to David In 2009, UTSC received Smith’s official office open- $35 million from the fed- ing last night. Smith is the eral Knowledge Infrastruc- public school trustee for the Scarborough Centre ture Program (KIP), which aakanksha tangri/The Observer was matched by the pro- and now has an office at the Tony Clement (left) recalled his days as a U of T student while touring the new Instructional Centre at UTSC. In vincial government. Scarborough Civic Centre. 2009, UTSC received $70 million from the federal and provincial governments to build the centre. KIP, a two-year, $2-bil- The opening celebration ran from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. lion economic stimulus measure, was launched as Campus and will increase labs, libraries and learn- ing our young people to The Instructional Centre part of the Economic Ac- space by 25 per cent. ing commons is essential meet the global competi- is part of UTSC’s efforts Robbers sought tion Plan to help revive The new building is to creating high-paying, tive challenges they will to upgrade and expand its the economy during the great news for the univer- highly skilled jobs, both face in the future,” he said, facilities ahead of the 2015 Police are seeking two recession. The program sity, students and research- now and in the future,” he adding U of T is becoming Pan Am Games. The new boys wanted in connection provides funding to uni- ers, said Clement, a former said. a “destination of choice” building will include a with a robbery. Last Friday, the suspects approached versities and colleges to U of T student. UTSC Principal Franco for scholars. coffee shop and restaurant, a woman demanding cash upgrade infrastructure and “As Canada continues Vaccarino thanked the The Economic Action high-tech classrooms and near Kamwood Drive. They training facilities. to emerge from the global government for its invest- Plan is helping strengthen labs. later fled the scene empty- The Instructional Centre recession … we know as a ment. Canada’s position in the The centre is set to open handed after the victim is the first stage of UTSC’s government that investing “With the government’s world in research and aca- in May for the 2011 sum- pulled off one of the boy’s expansion of its North in leading-edge research assistance, we are prepar- demics, Clement said. mer semester. disguises. Tweets tell tales of Toronto trustees How Scarborough councillors make the most of newest tech

James Wattie end. My favourite role was The Observer tickle lion.” Norm Kelly (@councillorkelly) Similarly, a tweet from n Tweeting since: July 6, 2010 As Twitter marks its fifth Ainslie just two days before year, it seems everyone is read, “Build LEGO with our n 1st Tweet: Hello Twitter world. The hopping aboard the social sons or read City of TO Coun- Kelly is among you phenomenon. cil agenda.....hmmmm...boys n Personal: Met a beautiful white Celebrities (and their im- win!!” Alaskan husky. Blue eyes. Sort of a posters), major companies Despite having an account Maryam Shah/The Observer doggie Paul Newman and even fictional characters during the election last Octo- Patricia Roche (left) and Heather Robinson organize have joined the 140-character ber, Kelly did not use Twitter meetings every week for the realtors’ Breakfast Club. n Sports: You heard it here first. Leafs make the play- limited micro-blogging site. during the campaign. offs!! A growing trend has taken “I didn’t want to let the op- n Politics: Today (2/2/11), fascinating debates on 3 TTC off on Twitter, stemming position know what I was up issues involving close to 1/2 a billion dollars. from Barack Obama’s use of to,” he said. Realtors give back Whoooo-eeee!!! Love this job. the website during the 2008 Kelly is enjoying his Twit- American presidential elec- ter experience so far. Yet, tenary Hospital for their MRI n Humour: A student at City Hall asked me how much Maryam shah tion. Politicians are taking like so many that have come The Observer [machines].” money I made. I replied “Too much according to my over Twitter. At Toronto City before him, sometimes the The brokerages sponsor dif- constituents. Too little according to my wife.” Hall, about 24 councillors and tweets have to end. A group of real estate agents ferent schools with both time Mayor Rob Ford have Twitter “I’m having fun with it and brokers, calling them- and money. accounts. right now,” he said. selves the Scarborough Break- Whenever the club has $200 Scarborough councilors “If the fun goes, I’d prob- fast Club, meet every Wednes- in the kitty, they use it to help (@cllrainslie) who are on the site include ably drop it.” day morning in a church someone in the community. n Tweeting since: Feb 21, 2009 Paul Ainslie, Mike Del Politics does pop up time basement. Agents combine their work Grande, Michael Thompson to time in councillors’ micro They don’t waste any time and fundraising efforts as well. n 1st Tweet: Looking after the and Norm Kelly. blurbs. Kelly calls the experi- or money on breakfast though, Sandra Barnes is a mortgage kids + learning how to use Kelly says it does not come ence he had through Twitter jumping straight into wheeling broker with Scotiabank. At this twitter, First time on it!! naturally, yet he is giving it with his constituents commu- and dealing, sharing listings. week’s meeting, she let every- n Personal: Just won another his best shot. nal. But not just to make realty one know that for every mort- donut in #Tim Horton’s “Roll Up “I’m taking a stab at it,” he “The people who use it col- deals. They’re working togeth- gage referral she gets before said. “We’re so interested in lectively have one mind,” he er to raise funds for charities. June 1, she will donate $100 to The Rim”....holding out for the 3D TV Package! what others have to say, it’s said. “We’re living like bees.” The club was started 25 the Sunshine Kids Foundation. n Sports: 16 days until the Toronto Blue Jays open almost hive-like.” The buzz around Twitter years ago as a way for agents The announcement garnered their season in Toronto! Yea!!!! Most of Kelly’s tweets cen- just five years in, continues to to check each other’s listings. nods of approval from around n Politics: Chairing the Buy A Bed Campaign tre around his personal life, grow. With a new use for the Around 18 years ago, it be- the room. service being discovered al- meeting in Centenary Hospital Rouge Valley a trend echoed by Ward 43 came involved in charity fun- “We’re the envy of quite a few coun. Paul Ainslie. most daily, it was only a mat- draising. agents that come in from other ar- Health System A tweet from Kelly on ter of time before politicians “We saved $5,000 but it eas,” Robinson said, smiling. n Humour: How times change...Just recieved a March 8 read, “Played a lot realized the power it has and must’ve taken us three years “They just can’t believe Facebook “Friend Request” from my Father-inlaw?!? of hide-and-go-seek with my the people it can effectively to do that,” she said. “We gave what we’ve got going here.” granddaughter over the week- reach with the stroke of a key. it to the new wing at the Cen- See more at torontoobserver.ca PAGE 4 - The East Toronto Observer, March 25, 2011 FEATURE Octogenarians rule this house Invention of new stick extends careers of local senior curlers

Kyle Larkin plastic tube at the bottom The Observer that slips over the handle of a rock. oy Johnson straps Johnson began curling in on his helmet, slips 1995 when he was 67. Re- on a knee brace, cently retired at the time, grabsR his broom and heads Johnson was fascinated by out onto the sheet. the sport and began playing At 82, he doesn’t plan on every year. quitting curling any time But as the years passed, soon, thanks, he says, to a competing against younger key invention. men grew tedious, he said. “The reason that I can Fellow curlers Bob Caunt, curl now is the development Walter Mckowan and Arthur of the stick,” said Johnson, Burford also experienced a member of the Scarboro the challenges of the wide Golf and Country Club. age gaps. Together they “Rather than having to pioneered the Octogenarian k yle larkin/The Observer come out of the hack on my Curling League at Donalda knee, I can now just walk Club in Don Mills seven From left to right: Harold Jamieson, 85, Roy Johnson, 82, Ken Smith, 82, Bill Greer, 81 make up Team Scarboro, out and use the stick without years ago. which closed out the season with a 10-2 victory and finished fourth overall. bending over,” he said. “As we started getting As decades pass, bones into our 70s it got a little Scarboro’s over-80 team Several octogenarians will benefit in the long run. start to ache, balance isn’t tough for us,” Burford said. also plays pick-up games now wear helmets or thick On the other hand, the what it used to be and the “So we set up the over-70 twice a week in Scarbor- protective bands around foremen of the league be- Rules for likelihood of needing sur- curling league. A few of us ough, as well as several bon- their heads in case the grip lieve otherwise. Burford Stick gery increases. Obstacles in that league got older again spiels a year. on their spe- worries about the gap in age like these make crouching and said, ‘We’re 80, this is Using the cial shoes groups, noting the 55-60 Curling into the hack and balancing getting a little tough.’ ” stick, all falter. range has far fewer partici- on one leg tougher. The league features eight four mem- Knee pants. n Two teams of four. This is exactly what Eric teams from across the GTA, bers make braces are “I think [the league] will Downer, an over-80 curler, each composed of six or sev- the transition also stan- go on for a few more years,” n Teams alternate, had in mind when he helped en players. from throw- dard, pro- Burford said. “It is a struggle taking 8 shots each. invent what is now dubbed Even though the league ing the rock viding because you need six or sev- “the stick.” Also has no playoff, an end-of- look easy. much-need- en players for each team.” known as a season cash prize gives the But the stick ed support If Team Scarboro is right, n Team whose rock(s) “cue,” the teams some competitive in- does come The stick while shuf- Donalda won’t have to wor- are closest to centre get five-foot long centive. with its fling down ry about gaps in age groups, the point(s) shaft has a The final matches of this drawbacks, has the sheet. but will instead experience a surge in participants. bendable season took place March Johnson For those n Most points after 8 4. Team Scarboro fin- said. resurrected whose vi- ished fourth. “It’s dif- sion isn’t ends wins Throwing lead ficult to get my what it used for Scarboro is the proper career to be, mon- Bill Greer, 81, weight of “ oculars that followed by the stone and — Roy hang around Roy Johnson. that’s very the neck are Harold Jamie- important Johnson used to see son, 85, is when you’re the house the team’s drawing,” he from the oth- vice. Ken said. “There er side of the Smith, 82, is a certain method. You sheet before throwing. is Scar- have to take the right amount With Donalda’s grow- boro’s skip. of steps each time as well ing support and advances in And while as remembering how much equipment, the future of the fourth place falls strength to use and how league is uncertain. Team short of a medal, much to twist the stick when Scaroboro’s members said the team closed releasing.” they believe the stick will out the season The drawbacks are a small attract more people to the with a solid price to pay, though, for sport and that the careers of 10-2 vic- what the stick has done for curlers tory over the careers of many elders, eight Johnson added. Ken Smith ends. “The stick has resurrected mentally my career in curling and it’s prepares for done wonders for some of his last shot my friends,” he said. in the seventh The stick has helped end at the Donalda older curlers, but dan- Club. gers remain. Three years ago, Downer died after slipping and kyle larkin/The Observer smacking his head on k yle larkin/The Observer a sheet of ice. Roy Johnson seen here using the “stick,” walking out from the hack in the third end. The East Toronto Observer, March 25, 2011-PAGE 5 FEATURE Offbeat meditations on love Students create original theatre production

PREVIEW

Andre Thurairatnam The Observer

Opening night is quickly approaching as University of Toronto theatre students rehearse for their original production of The Jewel in the Lotus. The play is not your typical piece of theatre. With no plot, characters or story, the production gives the au- Andre thurairatnam/The Observer dience an opportunity to ex- perience a type of show they The cast of The Jewel in the Lotus has been hard at work on this production since September. The play premieres its four-show run this Wednes- wouldn’t normally be ex- day at University of Toronto Scarborough. posed to. Cast member Anya- would describe the play’s ferent theatrical elements. graphed. Some parts a very performance styles, dance, night is not always a smooth Kay Dixon is aware people structure, Dixon said it was “It doesn’t flow,” she said. meditative. Some parts are movement, sound — that one and pronlems are may not be used to differ- not something that has a “Some parts are very improvi very silly and fun. uses ‘love’ as a thematic fo- encountered along the way. ent types of non-traditional concrete definition. sational in nature. “We have everything cus to hold the piece togeth- “It’s a difficult pro- theatre. “I would say it’s like life Some parts are very ­— it’s sort of a real radical er. “ cess because things change She gave insight into how —it’s random. meticulously choreo- juxtaposition of all kinds of Development on every day,” she said. a central theme helped bring You think you know this show started in “There are so many the play together. what’s coming and you think September of last year. different creative minds “It’s a devised piece you have an idea of what Being a collective behind it, that it can get dif- that surrounds the top- life is and you say, ‘I’ve got creation, all the cast ficult when they clash. ic of love — it’s it down! This makes sense I’d say it’s like members had a big hand in “People have symbolic, literal — it’s I’m in control!’ Then you life— it’s random the creative process. different ideas and we need about everything and lose it.” Being part of the to learn how to work togeth- nothing at the same time,” Artistic director Trisha — Anya-Kay Dixon creative process, actor er to get that idea to come Dixon said. Lamie described the produc- Ebony Gittens explained across the best to make ev- When asked how she tion as being a collage of dif- that the road to opening erybody happy.” Ladies and gentlemen,“ this is Route 86 Scarborough

TTC driver uses airline-style who used to sing on the job. The driver’s enthusi- announcements for passengers asm and personable nature inspired him to join the Aakanksha Tangri leaves a subway station. TTC, Marges said. The Observer The time and destina- “I incorporated small tion is changed with each little things I saw as a TTC riders on Mike commute. kid and it just started Marges’s bus usually As a child, he was fas- snow-balling into this spiel.” break out into applause cinated by a TTC driver The 26-year-old also uses and laughter when he does pop-culture icons and movie Aakanksha tangri The Observer announcements. characters in his com- / Marges adds a If I can put mentary, depending on the TTC driver Mike Marges adds a personal touch by using pilot-like commentary for personal touch to his job. average age of the riders. announcements. Marges drives the 54, 86 and 116 routes in Scarborough. He does airplane-style a smile on “I change it up commentary on his bus. everyday. If it’s mostly and it’s relatively long cracked a joke.” so I’ll get on the speaker “Good afternoon, someone’s kids on the bus, it’ll be which makes the day go by Airplane-style and ask, ‘Do you want to ladies and gentlemen and a kids movie and if it’s quick.” commentary isn’t the only play a game of I Spy with welcome aboard the face, then mostly adults on the bus, Alison McKenna, a unique thing Marges does. objects inside the bus like a air-red rocket. Today’s my goal is it’ll be an adult movie like regular TTC customer, said He sings happy birthday non-smoking sign?’” destination is to Ghost,” Marges said. Marges is one of the friend- for his riders, jokes with Marges hopes to StarSpray. Our achieved. Since joining the TTC liest drivers she’s come them and plays games eventually train new approximate arrival time is two years ago, Marges across. with children. TTC employees to help set to 2:45, however, due to —Mike drives the 86 and 54 routes “I wasn’t sure if this bus “If a kid sitting on a improve the company. traffic and weather, we’ll Marges in Scarborough. went past the stop I was bus for a half-hour or 45 “If I can put a smile on be there a few minutes “I love Scarborough. looking for and he was minutes that can be a little someone’s face then my early,” he announces as he “ The route is really nice like absolutely and then long for their attention span goal is achieved.” PAGE 6 - The East Toronto Observer, March 25, 2011 The East Toronto COMMENT OBSERVER Elder care is crucial

s communities focus on preparing younger genera- tions to be the leaders of the future, not enough atten- tion is being paid to the people that got them here in theA first place. The alleged mistreatment of a 68-year-old woman found in her son’s garage with one piece of bread and a box of diapers suggested a devastating case of elder abuse. It is a pity that it takes alleged incidents like this to alert communities to a growing problem, and even sadder that this community may have let it happen. Media reports indicate that people living on the same street or even the family could have known what was going on, but did not step forward. Too often, people know there is a problem going on, but do not want to get involved at the risk of sounding like a nosy neighbour. And while there is some truth to that, those abused will reach out to someone around them. Neighbours should at least be willing to listen. Statistics Canada reported that between 1998 and 2005, police-reported violence against seniors had gone up by 20 per cent. And in several cases, it was abuse at the hand of family members. So far, proposed solutions are not cutting it. The province has the Aging at Home strategy, but most of the funding is go- ing to those in hospitals instead. And for those who prefer institutional care, the ’s exposé late last year on a retirement home, showed a Jessica Lee/The Observer reality that needs to be fixed. When Ontario Health Minister Deborah Matthews heard about the retirement home, she said she was consumed by the problem of elder abuse. And we need to be too. Five years and 140 characters later: So take a look at the elderly around you and remember to appreciate them. Remember that one day you will be old enough to need the same care. Do not wait until that day to recognize the problem. How Twitter is changing your news —Natalie Sequeira here do you get your news has an account set up. The advantage from? It’s a simple question here is that users are getting real-time in- with a simple answer. Per- formation straight from the source. Keep lights out Whaps you read a daily newspaper. Granted, Twitter is not without its Maybe you watch the evening news flaws. However, even with gaps in the every night at six. You might even listen system, Twitter’s influence in major on Queensgrove to an all-news radio station on the way events cannot go unnoticed: One such in- to work. Andre Thurairatnam stance occurring in Toronto’s 2010 may- ueensgrove Road in Scarborough does not have Now here’s the follow-up question: oral election. streetlights, and most residents want to keep it in five years, where will you be getting There was a lot of controversy sur- that way. your news from? Will you still be read- CBC, completely agrees with society’s rounding Rob Ford, where his team set Q About $2 million is going into an electrical ing that daily newspaper? You might be need for immediate news. up a fake Twitter account as a way to fur- upgrade in the area, which means streetlights for the … for the crossword. “Sometimes you’ll get a tweet from ther his campaign. Whether or not the ac- neighbourhood. Judging by recent trends, you are prob- someone that could be useful, like an eye count had a positive impact in his victo- Although Toronto Hydro says it has a responsibility to ably going to be getting all your breaking witness account,” he said. ry as mayor is debatable, but it made its install streetlights on every city street for safety reasons, news online, and it is going to be coming “I know where there have been some mark in the election. Queensgrove residents’ choice should be respected. After from Twitter and similar applications. cases where planes are going down, and As with any form of media, Twitter all, they have lived this way for years and there is romance Since its launch in 2006, the online people are tweeting as it is happening. will only be as reliable as the people us- to the darkness. microblogging social network has sky- It can be a really good source to contact ing it. Morton urges using Twitter effec- About 29 small bungalows house longtime residents who rocketed in popularity — now with an people in breaking news situations where tively requires a balance in accuracy and enjoy the rural feel of their neighbourhood near Kingston Road estimated 190 million registered users the only way to get to them is through timeliness. and Warden Avenue. People who live there have a strong sense across the globe according to the web- their twitter account.” Over time, Twitter’s developers will of community. They leave their front doors open and know all site’s statistics profile. Why is Twitter so valuable in terms of undoubtedly find ways to curb any mali- their neighbours. Picture yourself in Japan during the breaking news? The service is giving us- cious use for their product. According to reports, of the 29 households on Queensgrove recent earthquake. The ground is shak- ers the opportunity to follow verified me- If the website continues to grow at the Road, 24 do not want streetlights, two want them, while the ing, the buildings are swaying — but you dia outlets, which are updated as soon as rate it has been growing, I believe in five rest are impartial. don’t run to safety. Your first instinct is to any news breaks. years a newly refined Twitter will be the The Distillery District in Old Town Toronto is dim compared pull out your phone and get on Twitter to 680 News may see an accident on number one source for the world’s break- to Yonge Street at night. But that’s partly what makes the area find out what’s going on. Hwy. 401 from their helicopter, and ing news. so great. This is exactly what a group of people ‘tweet’ the information in a matter of As for now, however, it’s still a rela- Queensgrove is asking the city to recognize its uniqueness. on a subway platform in Japan did just a seconds. No waiting for the traffic report. tively new concept, especially for older Residents are trying to keep what they believe is the char- few weeks ago. Users can even follow politicians, ce- generations. To them, it still takes a back acter of their area. And Scarborough can use more areas with Lawrence Morton, a story editor at the lebrities, athletes, friends — anyone who seat to that daily crossword. character its occupants love. This quaint suburban neighbourhood is not the only one refusing lights. This month, Earl Brazeal, a resident of Wood- The East Toronto OBSERVER stock, Conn., is also pushing for dark skies in his town for EDITORIAL BOARD The East Toronto Observer Serving Scarborough is published by University environmental reasons. Managing Editor: Natalie Sequeira of Toronto/Centennial College journalism students under faculty supervision. We are located at the Centennial HP Science and Technology Centre. Please The way neighbourhoods look is about how its residents see Assignment Editor: James Wattie themselves and what they’re comfortable with. Queensgrove address correspondence to The East Toronto Observer, c/o Centennial College, Copy Editors: Yeamrot Taddese, Jessica Lee 755 Morningside Ave., Toronto, ON M1C 5J9, 416-289-5000, ext. 8306, fax 416- residents want to see the stars at night and the city should let Photo Editor: Christina Cheng 289-5168. Email: [email protected] The opinions expressed in them. Production Editor: Kyle Larkin The Observer do not necessarily reflect the views of the college. A companion —Yeamrot Taddese Faculty Editors: Eric McMillan and Andrew Mair website is at torontoobserver.com. The East Toronto Observer, March 25, 2011-PAGE 7 SPORTS Sports Briefs Swords clash in Scarborough Local sniper tops jANICE yeung The Observer in OHL scoring When dusk falls Mon- Scarborough native Tyler day and Wednesday nights, Toffoli of the injury-plagued the unmistakable clash- Ottawa 67’s tied for the ing and banging sounds of OHL’s point lead with 108 — sword fighting ring out in a league-high 57 goals to go Knob Hill United Church. along with 51 assists. Toffoli The church, at 23 Gage got his start in the Scarbor- Ave., opened its doors to ough Hockey Association. the Scarborough Fenc- ing Club eight years ago. It’s just the latest chapter in the clubs long Rec centre hosts history, head coach Gor- don Fong explained. Family Skate Day “The Scarborough Fencing Club started Your name/The Observer in the late ’50s,” he A free Family Skate Day was Memjlksdfljkdsf ljkdsfljkdsf ljkdsf lkj dsfjkl lkj ljk lkjjlk lkjdljksdfjklsdf lkjsdfljksdfjlksdfjlksdflkjdsafjkl; held Friday, March 18, at said. “Over the years, Don Montgomery Commu- we have rallied a large nity Centre. The event was number of members.” sponsored by 41 Division Fencing requires a lot police officers. Clowns and of discipline, Fong said. It is as much about Toronto Maple Leafs’ mascot JANICE YEUNG/The Observer Carlton the Bear were also exerting physical en- Tom Partington (left) and Allan Spears are now coaches at the Scarborough Fencing Club after fencing as members on hand. ergy as it is about using for a few years. The club holds classes on Mondays and Wednesdays at Knob Hill United Church. mental power, he said. “There are basically six of swordplay shortly after I easy.” Wheelchair levels to fencing,” he said. took lessons,” Spears said. His tip for learners “Members improve in “The ethics behind If I can still walk and new to the sport was, court opens their skills and precision the sports appeals to me. “You just have to prac- in movement gradually.” Through fencing we learn move, I would fence tice regularly.” Variety Village got a Supervising lessons to be respectful to others for as long as I can. The Scarborough Fenc- new FIBA-regulated and organizing sessions is and also to yourself.” ing Club holds beginner hardwood centre court a labour of love for Fong. Tom Partington, a — Gordon Fong and intermediate lessons was unveiled at the The broadcast tech- longtime coach at the open to all ages every Scarborough complex nician moonlights as a club, first learned fenc- Monday and Wednesday on Thursday, March 17. volunteer for the club. ing from Bob Ander- from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The court will be used by “If I can still walk son, a sword-fighting cellent mental training. lead singer of his favou- Members of all lev- competitive wheelchair and move,” Fong trainer for many movies People have said rite band Iron Maiden, els are then free to join basketball athletes. The “ said, “I would fence and Darth Vader stunt that fencing is like fence in a concert docu- the individual and group Maple Leaf Sports and for as long as I can.” double in the origi- chess played at the mentary. open fencing sessions Entertainment Team Up Allan Spears, a volunteer nal Star Wars trilogy. speed of light.” “The sport looks very from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Foundation, with sup- coach like Fong, shares “I have been fenc- Partington’s student, regal,” Castro said. “It Anyone is welcome port from Rogers Com- his passion for the sport. ing for 38 years,” the 32-year-old painter Josue is as if the players have to try their hand at the munications, invested “I started fencing at the 64-year-old said. “I think Castro, became inter- ballet costumes on. sport with the experts $120,000, which covered Scarborough Fencing Club many seniors still play ested in fencing after he This deceives people during open sessions the costs of the court. and knew that I liked the art the sport because it is ex- saw Bruce Dickinson, into thinking fencing is on Wednesday nights. Oliver Mowat and Hillcrest deadlocked

KAYLA KREUTZBERG tournament on March 22. The third-ranked Mustangs The Observer It was a back-and-forth battle trailed by one with under three between Scarborough’s Mus- minutes left in the second pe- Scarborough’s Sir Oliver tangs and Ottawa’s Hillcrest riod until Jackson Howe tied Mowat Mustangs fought back Hawks, and was the first of the game on a rebound. to a 2–2 tie in their first game their two games at the Master- The Hawks had gained the of the week-long OFSAA Card Centre in Etobicoke. lead at 14:13 of the second when Hawks captain Benjamin Robillard beat sprawling Mus- LINGUISTIC LARKS tang goaltender Eric Wright with help from Jeffrey Clarke. With the letters The 18th-ranked Hawks had given, guess the opened the scoring late in the horizontal clues. first with a solid pass in front of Category Work your way to the net, scoring with a rooftop One word the vertical clue. goal. best picture winners. P T O Mustangs Korey Brand saw an opportunity to tie up the game H N with a scramble in front of the net with two minutes left in the R E A T first. Kaayl Kreutzberg/The Observer Unscramble the Brand maintained the re- I G Hillcrest Hawks captain Benjamin Robillard, who added a point for his team, battles for circled letters to bound and put it in the corner the puck against Sir Oliver Mowa’ts Jackson Howe, who tied the game up for his team. form the final past the Hawk’s goaltender to answer. end the first period with a 1–1 tie. An adaptation of a With 23 seconds left in the better team, and [to] go for the Coach John Lyttle of the Campbell was also unimpressed Charles Dickens Novel third period, a timeout was gold,” he said. Mustangs said the game was not with his team’s performance. called. Robin Kerr, coach of the The final buzzer broke the their best effort, and the team “I felt that our team could By Kyle Larkin Hawks, told his team to rest. silence in the arena, ending the looked disjointed on the ice. have just stepped it up a little bit “We told them we were the game in a 2-2 draw. Mustang defenceman Alex- towards the end,” he said. PAGE 8 - The East Toronto Observer, March 25, 2011 NEWS Money not a Art lovers tune into new sound concern for Gallery Scratch Lab showcases ALex kozovski The Observer audio-visual Thanks, Dragons, but no thanks. installations That’s the message Scratch Labs DJ Institute sent to the Chantelle Henriques moguls of the CBC’s Drag- The Observer on’s Den when the school turned down the show’s offer Visitors at Doris McCarthy to train and then make money Gallery can take their senses off its students. through an exhibit unlike no Instead, Scratch Labs of- other until April 13. fers free sessions, including Located at the Univer- one at Malvern Public Library sity of Toronto Scarborough on March 16, because it says campus, it allows the public it puts education and oppor- to explore the works of artist tunity ahead of financial gain. and musician Gordon Mona- “Our vision for our school han for free. was completely different,” Experimental music and said Scratch Lab graduate sound art is displayed, creat- Craig Brooklyn, who hosted ing both a visual and an audi- the hour-long library session. tory masterpiece. COURTESY OF Toni Hafkenscheid/Doris McCarthy Gallery Brooklyn’s program taught Erin Peck, a coordinator, Piano Airlift is one of the five works by Gordon Monahan on display at the Doris McCarthy gallery. The piano sits in local youth how to scratch and says Monahan’s works bring an empty room and emits music from seemingly nowhere. mix, as well as some timing something new to the gallery. exercises. “This is the noisiest exhi- The piano is dropped over the not obvious to the average Nowhere, and the most re- Peck says the gallery al- bition we’ve ever had and it’s cliff as the song played on the person,” Monahan said. cent, A Piano Listening to lows visitors to explore unfa- Scratch and mix interesting to think of the gal- piano in the room reaches a Monahan did not showcase Itself, which is the gallery’s miliar types of art. lery as an acoustic environ- new height. that piece for quite some time first outdoor installation. “He [Monahan] is also in- Using four turntables and ment, not just a visual space,” Monahan has often heard after first making the video. The pieces create differ- terested in the social and cul- a few small mixing boards, Peck said. interpretations that have nev- “For 18 years I did nothing ent experiences for everyone. tural impact of sound, which students took turns getting In Piano Airlift, visitors er crossed his mind. with it. Then in Austria, I was Whether it is swinging lights is something we can all relate first-hand experience in music enter a dark room with a pia- “Some people were angry asked to create a piece using and sound coming at you in to,” Peck said. manipulation. no playing an eerie tune. Pro- that I destroyed the piano. I video and I dug up that old a dark room, or a piano that “We are surrounded by it “Blending techniques. Ex- jected on a screen in front of knew the piano was already video,” he said. is played by it, visitors will all the time, sometimes we ecution techniques. Scratch- the piano is a helicopter with destroyed [before it was Other pieces include Ther- leave with a new insight of just need to take the opportu- ing, which is a big deal. Beat a piano attached underneath. dropped] but I guess that is emin Pendulum, Music from the artist’s mind. nity to listen.” juggling,” Brooklyn said, list- ing what he typically teaches. “There’s a lot of coordination, you’re always doing multiple things at multiple times. I al- Cliffcrest welcomes creepy-crawlers ways say DJs are the multi- task kings.” The majority of partici- Children get up close and personal with exotic creatures over March Break pants at the Malvern library session were children from Jessica mOY dark brown.” Skills Training for Youth The Observer Other animals included Through Learning and Edu- leopard geckos, frogs, corn cation (STYLE), an organi- Which cold-blooded critter snakes and a Russian tortoise zation that provides services has scales like a snake, legs that got its name for being the to youth living with learning like a lizard and has a long first tortoise to be taken to the disabilities in high-priority blue tongue? Russian space station. neighbourhoods. The blue-tongue lizard of Metallo fed the critters “The DJ program is actual- course. mealworms as she taught the ly pretty unique. The libraries Questions like these were children what the critters ate do a lot of cool stuff like this,” answered last Thursday at the and where they came from. said Adeel Mulla, STYLE Cliffcrest Library as elemen- One of the last animals program coordinator. tary school children were shown was the bearded-dragon “And [the kids] are totally given an interactive presenta- lizard from Australia. focused, they are really enjoy- tion on warm and cold-blood- “Want to know why his ing it.” ed creatures. throat very puffy?” Metallo Engaging the students “Do you guys know why asked, “’cause when he gets through some masterful his tongue is blue?” Alda scared he puffs it out re- scratching, Brooklyn kept ev- Metallo, Creepy Crawlers ally large so his predators are eryone’s attention, teaching Express presenter, asked the scared of him.” the beginners basic scratch- children. The kids suddenly yelled, ing. He also took questions, “It’s poisonous” or “to “Can he puff it now?” telling the attendees to work make it look prettier,” the “I don’t really want to do hard at whatever they do. children yelled. JESSICA MOY /The Observer that,” Metallo said, “’cause that “Having programs like this “It’s not poisonous,” means I have to scare him.” in high-priority neighbour- Presenter of Creepy Crawlers Express, Alda Metallo, gives kids a hands-on experience Metallo said. “He pretends She admits the chinchilla hoods — low-cost programs at Cliffcrest library with a bearded dragon and other reptiles during March Break. like he’s poisonous so he can from South America is her fa- — [are a] good idea,” Mulla protect himself, he actually vorite animal to present. said. “We’re getting them to do has no venom inside of him.” the reptiles. Peace said “which is similar to car cannot change into all the “He’s really soft…I’m more other stuff, learn new stuff dur- The library hosted a vari- “Kids like the chameleon a chameleon.” colours, according to Metallo. into the softer animals.” ing the [March] break.” This ety of reptiles and amphib- and the chinchilla the most,” Metallo took the colour- “This one can change yel- Growing up with pet rep- was the first time Scratch Labs ians for children to have a Metallo said. changing reptile out of its low, green or brown” Metal- tiles, Metallo is familiar with held a session at the library. If hands-on experience. Nine-year-old Jacob Peace cage, as it sat on a small lo said, “they only change all the critters, but admits she they return to do it again, they Children oohed and aahed was one of many looking for- branch. colours depending on their would not bring the tarantula. can expect a bigger crowd. as Metallo took each animal ward to the chameleon. The kids sat up in excite- mood. When he’s happy he “I’m terrified of spiders. “If [Scratch Labs] came out, letting the children feel “I haven’t held a chame- ment. can be a really light colour, I can hold them in a cage but back, I’d probably bring more the slippery or scaly skin of leon, but I have held a snake!” The animal from Madagas- when he’s upset he can be can’t hold it in my hand.” kids,” Mulla said.