Councillor Mark Grimes Ward 6 -lakeshore www.markgrimes.ca November 30, 2012 Santa Claus is Coming to Town Saturday

Need assistance, information, or Our local Lakeshore Parade will be Saturday December 1st, from 10:00 General help from the city? email a.m. starting at Dwight Ave. (1 block west of Royal York), travelling west 311@.ca along Lake Shore Blvd. W, and ending at Thirty Sixth St. (Just before Browns Line). This is a great community event sponsored by the Lakeshore Village and Long Branch Business Improvement Associations.

Many people have volunteered their time to put on this magnificent event. Thank you to all the volunteers and the organizers that have worked to or Call 311 get the floats ready. Cleanup of the floats takes place in the evenings and on the weekends leading up to parade day. The parade uses about 200 CALL 911 volunteers to wear its costumes and to carry the banners of parade sponsors. Thanks to everyone who joins in. to reach emergency services Bundle up and come on down to the Lake Shore to 211 findhelp wave to your favourite characters, and, of course Your connection to information Santa Claus. about community, social, health and related government services For more info visit the website: Call 211 or visit [email protected] www.211.ca Please remember that there will be road closures along the route

Sunday – 9th Annual Tree Lighting

Join the Mimico Residents Association and the Mimico By the Lake BIA on Sunday December 2nd as they light up the night with the ninth annual If you wish to be added to our e- tree lighting in Mimico Square at Amos Waites park. ( Mimico Avenue and news mailing list please send an Lake Shore Blvd W ) email to [email protected] You can bring a handmade decoration for the Tree. Join in the Carolling and warm up with a cup of Hot Chocolate. Bring your own camera to get To remove your name from our e- your picture taken with Santa Claus. blasts send an email to [email protected] I Thanks to the organizers and volunteers who make this evening possible. f you wish to request an event or Bring the whole family, pets welcome on leash, and join your neighbour news be published in the e-news, for this holiday tradition. please send it to [email protected] for Best Wishes consideration. Thank you.

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Canadian Pacific Holiday Train

Making a difference, one stop at a time The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train has hit the rails again and will be visiting over 150 communities across our network. Each event features a boxcar stage, a lineup of great musical talent and a contribution to the local food bank. Everyone who attends is encouraged to donate food and money which stays in their community. Since its inception in 1999, it has raised more than $6.4 million and over 2.6 million pounds of food in the U.S. and Canada. The Canadian Holiday Train will embark on its three-week journey on November 28 from Beaconsfield, Quebec, finishing up in Port Moody, BC, on December 18. Entertainers on the Canadian train include Doc Walker, Miss Emily, and the Brothers Dube. It arrives in Toronto this Saturday, December 01, 2012 at 750 Runnymede Rd, in front of CP Lambton yard office at 5:30 pm Watch the vide on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbfVMM8zYIY&feature=plcp

Time to lace up for Toronto's outdoor rink program

Grab your skates and take your family and friends skating. It's time to enjoy the great outdoors and hit the ice at one of the City's outdoor rinks. Fifty-one outdoor artificial ice rinks will be open starting tomorrow for people to enjoy one of Canada's great pastimes, skating in the great outdoors. The City's outdoor rinks are compressor cooled, which makes it possible for them to operate in a range of weather conditions. Ice quality may vary according to the outside temperature and precipitation. Closures during the skating season are sometimes necessary due to unseasonably warm temperatures or following a heavy snowfall. Weather permitting; the outdoor rink program will operate until February 24, with an extended season at a number of locations until March 10. There is an age-old Canadian saying - the hardest thing about skating is the ice. Please remember to be safe as you enjoy your skate. All children under the age of six must wear a CSA-approved hockey helmet on the ice. Helmets are also mandatory for people of all ages participating in supervised shinny hockey and learn-to- skate programs. More information about Toronto's outdoor artificial ice rinks, including a map of rink locations, schedules for each location, closures, learn-to-skate programs and helmet/equipment requirements, is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/skating/outdoor-rinks.htm.

Mayor's Annual Toy Drive

The Mayor's Annual Toy Drive is now underway. Together, we can make this a festive and memorable holiday season for all Torontonians. Residents and City staff are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys, gifts and gift cards to various toy drive collection locations, during operating hours, until Friday, December 21:, such as City Hall, 100 Queen St. W. Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West Mall The toys, gifts and gift cards collected will be distributed through established toy drive programs run by Global Television/Toronto Fire Fighters' Toy Drive and the CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish. Donations will help provide a festive Christmas for Toronto children and families who might not otherwise have one. All toy and gift donations are appreciated. It should be noted that there is typically a shortage of gifts for infants and teenagers. Gift cards for grocery and department stores also help to make the holidays enjoyable for families who need assistance. Monetary donations CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish: Cash donation can be made at any RBC branch, at 299 Queen Street West in the lobby, at the CP24 CHUM Wish Warehouse at 1366 Blundell Road in Mississauga or online at www.thewish.ca Global Television/Toronto Fire Firefighters Toy Drive: Monetary donation to the Toronto Fire Fighters’ Toy Drive through CanadaHelps.org.

Toronto Zoo Upcoming Events !

Monday, December 31 : 10th Annual New Year's Eve Family Countdown Visit with some new and wild friends in the Americas & Australasia Pavilions and in the Tundra Trek. Don't miss some great entertainment including "That 60s Show" tribute band, Kung Fu Panda and Majinx Magic Show. Plus check out Meet & Greets with Kung Fu Panda's "Po", The WotWots and of course some WILD animals! The fun begins at 5:00 pm and runs until 8:00 pm when we have our very own Kids' Countdown. Tickets NOW on sale. Monday, December 31,2012 10th Annual New Year's Eve Family Countdown Visit with some new and wild friends in the Americas & Australasia Pavilions and in the Tundra Trek. Don't miss some great entertainment including "That 60s Show" tribute band, Kung Fu Panda and Majinx Magic Show. Plus check out Meet & Greets with Kung Fu Panda's "Po", The WotWots and of course some WILD animals! The fun begins at 5:00 pm and runs until 8:00 pm when we have our very own Kids' Countdown. Tickets NOW on sale. The 2012 Toronto Zoo Adopt-An-Animal Holiday Package Is Here! This beautiful, White Lion Adoption Holiday Package makes this year's shopping a breeze and includes a keepsake portrait of our three adorable White lion cubs, a delightful plush (keep it yourself or give it as part of your gift!), an invitation to the Zoo's Annual Parent's Day, and more. Bonus for 2012-a chance to win a VIP Behind The Scenes Tour for you and up to five guests!

Website updated to show 2013 Capital Construction information

The City of Toronto has updated its website that shows planned capital construction work that is occurring in your neighbourhood in 2013. The mapping tool, called T.O. INview (short for INfrastructure viewer), allows users to learn about projects that the City, utilities, and other agencies including Metrolinx and the TTC, plan to construct this year. New for 2013, the site features information from Economic Development and Culture and Parks, Forestry and Recreation and cycling infrastructure from the Transportation Services division. Access the site on the internet by visiting www.toronto.ca/inview. In addition to providing details about the nature of individual projects, the system will be used to improve coordination of projects, with the goal of more efficient capital expenditures and reduced inconvenience to the public. The new site will show planned capital work, but not emergency or short-term work. To find this information, click on www.toronto.ca/torontostreets -- the city's road restrictions website. It is a great place to find out about short-term construction work as well as special events that affect our roads. This will help you make travel plans in the city. Council appoints George Elliott Clarke Toronto's new Poet Laureate Respected Toronto-based poet, dramatist, novelist and professor George Elliott Clarke has been appointed by City Council as Toronto's fourth Poet Laureate. Born in Windsor, Nova Scotia in 1960, Mr. Clarke is a seventh-generation Canadian of African-American and Mi’kmaq Amerindian heritage. He earned a BA Honours in English from the University of Waterloo (1984), an MA in English from Dalhousie University (1989) and a PhD in English from Queen’s University (1993). Clarke now lives in Toronto and began teaching Canadian and African diasporic literature in 1999 at University of Toronto, where he is currently the E.J. Pratt Professor of Canadian Literature. Among Clarke's many honours are: the Governor-General’s Award for Poetry the Eric Hoffer Book Award for Poetry the National Magazine Gold Medal for Poetry appointment to the Order of Nova Scotia the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award appointment to the Order of Canada Officer rank the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Fellowship Prize eight honorary doctorates. the Dartmouth Book Award for Fiction (2006) Clarke has been instrumental in promoting the work of writers of African descent. In 2002 he published Odysseys Home: Mapping African-Canadian Literature and he has just published a second volume, Directions Home: Approaches to African-Canadian Literature. Clarke will receive an annual honorarium of $10,000 for three years to serve as Toronto's literary ambassador championing local literary arts and wordsmiths. He will also create a literary legacy project for the people of Toronto. More information about the Toronto Poet Laureate and its program is available at http://www.toronto.ca/culture/poet_laureate.htm.

City receives $150,000 donation to fund new initiatives in Danzig

The City of Toronto announced today that it will receive a $150,000 donation over three years from Toronto resident Akanimo Udofia, Group Managing Director/CEO of Desicon Group, to support a variety of resident- developed initiatives within the Danzig community. Staff members from the City’s Social Development, Finance and Administration division and Toronto Community Housing (TCH) have been working together with Danzig residents to help the community recover from a tragic shooting incident this past summer. Through a series of community meetings facilitated by City and TCH staff, residents identified the need to create a safe space for children in the community, help children and youth reach academic excellence, and to support adult residents seeking to achieve their employment and career goals. Over the next three years, the generous donation will provide the funding needed to help the residents accomplish their vision. The Scarborough Boys and Girls Club will act as the trustee for the funds and the City will monitor the progress of the activities and continue to provide support as needed. Mr. Udofia's gift will help the residents of the Danzig community to recover from adversity and to find new social and economic opportunities.

Toronto Animal Services - Make a Donation

Toronto Animal Services provides care for thousands of unwanted, abandoned or lost animals each year. Your donations support programs such as Spay/Neuter, Extended Veterinary Care, Shelter Enhancements or Pet Adoption, Socialization and Enrichment programs. When you donate to Toronto Animal Services, 100% of your donation is used to directly benefit the animals. Your support means so much to animals' right in your own community. Make a donation using our secure at . https://secure.toronto.ca/ePET/donation.do You may also donate by any of the following methods: By phoning 416-338-7387 (PETS) (credit card only) By mailing a cheque to: Toronto Animal Services, 35 Spadina Rd., Toronto, M5R 2S9 In person at Toronto Animal Services Locations such as : Head Office at 35 Spadina Road (Monday-Friday 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m.) or at the West Region:Shelter 146 The East Mall Tax receipts are issued for donations of $20.00 or more. Our Animal Care Centres are in need of:

For Dogs: small knitted blankets dog biscuits, denta bones, raw hides, and other dog cat harnesses treats For small animals and exotic animals: dog toys such as kongs, balls, ropes small animal toys, treats leashes, collars, halti-leads bird toys, perches dog houses for outdoor runs brushes, combs, nail trimmers brushes, combs, nail trimmers special equipment such as heaters and/or lighting for towels exotic animals For Cats: General: cat treats, cat nip heating pads, hot water bottles brushes, combs, nail trimmers Canadian Tire Money scratching posts and cat toys (ping pong balls are Electric can openers great!) Events

Sunday, December 2,2012-11-30 Bless the Crèche – all invited Wesley Mimico United Church invites Lakeshore neighbours to be part of dedicating the nativity scene in front of the church building. On Sunday, December 2nd, 3 p.m. all are invited to gather in front of the church at the corner of Mimico Avenue and Station Road to sing carols, hear the story, admire the scene, and join in for hot drinks. The signature nativity scene is an annual project of congregational members to help all remember the biblical story of the birth of Jesus. December 1 to 24, 2012 Holiday Gift Wrap Fundraiser Etobicoke Support Services for Seniors’ Annual Gift Wrap fundraising event is taking place at Cloverdale Mall (250 The East Mall) from December 1st - 24th. ESS volunteers will be wrapping holiday gifts, for donation, using environmentally friendly paper. Come visit our booth, near the mall food court, and have your gift wrapped! All proceeds go directly to supporting seniors in your community. To learn more about this event please call us at 416-243-0127 Saturday December 8th, 2012 Saturday December 8th, 2012 Sirius Theatrical Company A Christmas Carol A dramatic Reading of this beloved story. – Info – email info@ siriustheatrical.com Saturday December 8th, 2012 First Annual Parangfest. The evening promises to be an enjoyable one with a live band, DJ, door prizes and more!! Proceeds from this event will be used to provide grants to full-time post secondary students for the 2013 - 2014 academic year. Doors open at 8:00PM, Band's First Performance at 10:00PM Tickets: $25 advance, $30 at the door 482 Horner Avenue, Etobicoke (Browns Line & Horner) For tickets, please call Roxanne: 416-830-3293, Hyacinth: 416-892-2240 or Joan: 416-209-1481 Saturday December 8th, 2012 Sacred Traditions, a concert of glorious classics and joyous Christmas music The Etobicoke Centennial Choir is launching its 46th season on Saturday, December 8 with Sacred Traditions, a concert of glorious classics and joyous Christmas music, including Haydn’s St. Nicholas Mass, Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols and a selection of festive carols to ring in the Christmas season. Humber Valley United Church 7:30 pm 76 Anglesey Blvd • Etobicoke, Tickets $) • Call 416- 769-9271 www.etobicokecentennialchoir.ca December 6 to 22 Humber River Shakespeare Co. presents their 5th Annual tour of Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol" This December, gather with friends and family as five enormously talented actors, armed with exquisite costumes, and a trunk full of story-telling treasures, bring to life the timeless tale of greed, ghosts and salvation. Cast for "A Christmas Carol": Claire Frances Muir, Kevin Hammond, Mark Huisman, Christopher Kelk, Sara Moyle This year’s tour of A Christmas Carol has expanded to include 11 venues including : Dec 6 - Montgomery’s Inn, 7:00pm (4709 Dundas St. W, Toronto) Dec 8 - Montgomery’s Inn, 2:00pm ( 4709 Dundas St. W, Toronto) Dec 12 St. Paul’s Runnymede Church 7:30pm (404 Willard Avenue, Toronto) Dec 13 Montgomery’s Inn, 7:00pm (4709 Dundas St. W, Toronto Dec 14 - Montgomery’s Inn, 7:00pm (4709 Dundas St. W, Toronto) Seating is limited. Book Now. Guaranteed tickets are available on line at www.humberrivershakespeare.ca(Adults: $15, Children $10)

Sunday ,December 16,2012 Christmas in Mimico!

Community Christmas Carol Concert, Readings and Sing-a-long. All are welcome. Free will offering. Featuring Mimico Children’s Choir, Mimico Presbyterian Church Choir and Mimico Baptist Church Junior High Youth Group.

3:00pm – 4:00pm Where: Mimico Presbyterian Church, 119 Mimico Ave. at Royal York

Monday, 31 December 2012 New Years Eve Tango Ball Ukrainian National Federation - Toronto Branch 145 Evans Ave, Toronto, M8Z5X8 4 Course Argentinian Dinner, Cash Bar Argentinian Tango Show, New Years Zabava Champagne Toast & Party Favours 7PM Cocktails, 8PM Dinner & Show,9PM Zabava For Tickets: Ukrainian National Federation of Canada - Toronto Branch145 Evans Ave. #200 www.unftoronto.com [email protected] .253.6002 XT1

What's On at Franklin Horner Community Centre

Franklin Horner Community Centre - 432 Horner Avenue More info at or by phone 416-252-6822 Wednesday December 5th at – Christmas Turkey Lunch Our annual Turkey luncheon includes Turkey with wonderful trimmings cooked at the centre as well as desert and Wine. All for just $15.00 Wednesday December 12th at 12:00 pm – Trip to see Simcoe Christmas Lights Itinerary includes a stop at Kittling Ridge Winery, Picards Peanuts in Simcoe, Turkey Dinner at Erie Beach Hotel (All u can eat family style). Then sit back and enjoy the Tour of the Simcoe Festival of Lights. All for $60.00 Saturday December 15th - 9:00 am – 11:00 am Breakfast with Santa Santa will drop by for a breakfast of pancakes, juice, timbits, hot chocolate, and coffee! There will also be face painting, henna and more! Tickets are $5.00 per person Christmas Day Dinner: Home Alone Seniors Edition Tuesday December 25th 2012 2:00 – 5:00 pm Enjoy a full course turkey dinner with appetizers, refreshments and Kris Kringle! Transportation possible in Etobicoke - tickets must be purchased by December 10th

Civic & Community Engagement

Prince of Wales Park December 4 ( new date)

December 4, 2012 6:30 – 8:30 pm – Public Library 110 Eleventh St Public Meeting Re: retrofit of Prince of Wales Park Discussion on possibilities for retrofitting the playgrounds etc. Toronto City Budget Process 2013

City of Toronto launches 2013 tax supported operating and capital budget process The 2013 tax supported budget process has been launched with a staff recommended 2013 operating budget and 2013-2022 capital budget and plan to the City's Budget Committee. The staff recommended 2013 operating budget of $9.4 billion is balanced, pending the Police Board's decision to fulfil a corporate-wide budget directive to meet a 0% increase in its operating budget. With current assumptions of a 0% increase in the Police budget, the staff recommended 2013 operating budget includes a modest property tax increase of 1.95% for residential properties and 0.65% for the multi-residential property class and commercial/industrial businesses, and eliminates the use of surplus funds from $102 million to $0. The proposed budget also includes the approved 5-cent fare increase for the TTC. Through the recommended 2013 operating budget, the City continues to build a sustainable, affordable and well-managed City. Included in the proposed budget are $109 million in efficiency and other cost savings, and $60 million of savings in employee compensation and benefits. The staff recommended balancing strategy for the 2013 operating budget, pending the Police Board's final submitted budget, eliminates the use of prior year's surplus funds, however, $47 million in one-time reserve draws is proposed to balance the 2013 operating budget. As identified through the City's long term fiscal plan, the City continues to have a structural deficit caused by the use of one-time revenues to close an annual operating budget shortfall, growing capital demands and operating expenses which are rising faster than the growth in revenues. The reduction in one-time funds to balance the City's annual budget shortfall reflects ongoing efforts to achieve fiscal sustainability by reducing annual expenditures and maximizing revenue, while reducing the reliance on surplus funds and reserves. The proposed 2013-2022 capital budget and plan is $15.3 billion of which 70% is allocated to maintaining the City's existing infrastructure. Contained in the 10-year recommended capital plan is a bold strategy to fund an additional $1.2 billion in capital needs for Transportation's state-of-good-repair of the Gardiner Expressway and major roads ($671 million), plus additional TTC projects ($534 million) to accommodate ridership growth and to provide easier access for riders. TTC capital projects include new subway cars, buses and light-rail vehicles, and the completion of the second TTC platform at Union Station. Funding for the additional $1.2 billion in transit and transportation projects is expected to come from future year-end surplus funds according to the City's surplus management policy, sale proceeds from the monetization of City assets and real estate, development charges, investment returns and expected funding from federal and provincial funding programs. The strategy to use non-debt funding for additional capital expenditures enables the City to make significant investments in critical infrastructure to meet the demands of a growing population, while minimizing the amount of property taxes used to pay debt financing costs. The proposal also enables the City to prevent its debt level in its 10-year capital plan from reaching its debt threshold of 15% of property tax funding and averages about 12% over the 10-year period. will review and consider a final 2013 operating budget and 2013-2022 capital budget and plan at its meeting on January 15-17, 2013. Residents and businesses are invited to participate in the 2013 budget process. On December 10, residents and businesses can make a public presentation to the Budget Committee in Committee Room 1 by contacting 416-338-5851 or 416-392-7445, or e-mailing [email protected] no later than 4 p.m. on December 7. If necessary, the Committee will reconvene at 9:30 a.m. on December 11 to hear any remaining speakers. For more information, visit: http://www.toronto.ca/budget2013 Should you have questions or comments on the budget for Councillor Grimes, please send them to our office at [email protected] A reminder to residents and business owners as well that should they wish their comments distributed to all councillors they should send them to the City Clerk by email to [email protected] or by mail to Budget Committee Secretariat contact Kelly McCarthy 10th floor, West Tower, City Hall 100 Queen Street West Toronto, ON M5H 2N2 That will ensure, with one notice, that all councillors receive a copy and they become part of the public record on the matter.

Mimico 20/20 Revitalization Study Open House

Pilot project will test ways to make sidewalks safer for visually impaired pedestrians

The City of Toronto has begun a pilot project to test different sidewalk surfaces designed to make it easier for pedestrians who are visually impaired to know when they are approaching an intersection. "It is our goal to make pedestrian travel as safe as possible for all residents and visitors to the city - especially for those who are visually impaired," said Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, (Ward 34 Don Valley East), Chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee. "Testing different options at the same intersection will give us an opportunity to perform a side-by-side comparison of the cost, ease of installation, durability and effectiveness of each treatment." Four surfaces featuring different treatments and colours have been installed at the corners of the intersection of Victoria Street and Shuter Street in downtown Toronto. During the next few months, City staff will evaluate the four surfaces to assist them in preparing recommendations for installations at other Toronto locations. Members of the public are invited to provide their opinions about the different materials and colours by email at [email protected] or by calling 311. The City chose the Victoria/Shuter intersection for the evaluation of the treatments because it has considerable pedestrian traffic and the entire intersection, including the sidewalks, is scheduled for reconstruction at the end of the pilot project in 2013.