ww The East York RACCOON PINUPS n New calendar celebrates OBSERVER crafty critters Page 3 Serving our community since 1972 www.torontoobserver.ca Friday, December 15, 2017 Forecast for n COMMUNITY property market in 2018: Hot East York realtor anticipates five-per-cent increase in local house prices next year By BAMBANG SADEWO The Observer This year’s East York housing market has been a rollercoaster ride of “crazy prices” and subse- quent comedowns. Next year should see prices stabilize, realtors expect. “We had a very strong market, but it still fluc- tuated during 2017,” said Teuta Guci, a realtor who has been providing service in the Danforth area for 10 years. As with much of the Greater Toronto Area, house sales in East York were brisk at the be- ginning of the year, buoyed in part by owners moving here from their downtown condos. Three-bedroom detached houses were the most sought after, according to reports from the To- ronto Real Estate Board. That demand began to wane in April after the provincial government introduced its Fair Housing Plan, which included a 15-per-cent foreign-buyers tax. Buyers “stopped bidding” widely and lost their motivation to buy, Guci said. “We saw so many houses come into the mar- ket. It created a glut with a downward-price Zia Zarawar/The Observer adjustment,” she said. “Also, banks started to project that the market would go down.” Snakes and shivers The slump continued through the summer. Children attending the Pape Village BIA’s Winter Festival, held Dec. 2, got a chance to get up close and per- But by the final months of 2017, there have sonal with a variety of creatures, including snakes. The event featured turtles, spiders and — yes — snakes n See REALTOR, page 5 from Reptilia, Canada’s largest reptile zoo, located in Vaughan. See page 4 for a story and more photos. Cold, scared and alone: How cat colonies are saving lives Caretaker of East York heard residents from the building – where the cats gather. Once a claim it fell from an apartment colony is registered, the caretaker feline colony stops at window in the spring and has been is responsible for immediately left outside since. having each cat neutered at the nothing to help stray The unclaimed black cat is very Toronto Humane Society, caring cats weather the cold close to DiCicco’s East York cat for the cats post-surgery, returning colony, an alleyway near Green- them to the colony with proper By NICOLE ROYLE wood and Danforth avenues. shelter and feeding the cats daily. The Observer That proximity gives DiCicco a DiCicco knows what she’s sense of responsibility for the cat, doing when it comes to trapping Denise DiCicco is concerned as and keeps her going back to the abandoned cats and rescuing them. she enters the parking lot behind parking lot every day to feed and She has been a registered cat-col- a new residential building at the check on it. ony caretaker for 10 years. Her corner of Gerrard Street East and “No one can approach this cat, methods are seen as unorthodox. Woodbine Avenue. It’s minus four he’s so jumpy and scared,” DiCic- Caretakers must complete a degrees and the wind is hitting co said. “It’s so cold out and it’s Trap, Neuter and Return workshop her face at a chilling speed. She just getting worse, but the second before they can register a cat colo- is there to see a cat that she hopes I try to get close and trap him, he ny. The workshop teaches caretak- she won’t find. just runs away.” ers how to have their cats neutered Nicole Royle/The Observer DiCicco first heard of the cat Cat-colony caretakers in Toron- and, more importantly, how to care Denise DiCicco prepares a warm resting place for one of two weeks ago. She isn’t certain to will register a cat colony within the stray cats she looks after in East York. where it came from, but she’s the specific area – usually an alley n See COLONY’S, page 5 2 NEWS The East York Observer Friday, December 15, 2017 POLICE & WHAT’S FIRE UP IN E.Y. Pedestrian hit Dance in on Broadview the holidays A pedestrian at local studio was struck by a vehicle on East Yorkers Broadview Avenue of all ages can at Westwood enjoy the first Avenue on Dec. 9 annual free dance around 1:30 p.m. social hosted by Police say the Access Ballroom man, 30, suffered Dance Studio. serious, non- Attendees can life-threatening enjoy the potluck, injuries. for which they are encouraged to bring a dish or a Police arrest drink (alcoholic or not) followed naked man by salsa lessons and ending the Police arrested an night with a dance East York man for party. The event indecent exposure will be held this near Eaton Avenue Anissa Calma-Brown/The Observer evening (Dec. 15) and Selkirk (Left to right) Ontario Premier and Don Valley West MPP Kathleen Wynne, volunteer Justin Van Dette and at 276 Main St. Street around Global meteorologist Anthony Farnell announce East York’s first flag campaign. and begin at 5:30 midnight on Dec. p.m. 2. The naked man reportedly banged on doors in the Time to reflect neighbourhood Flying the East York flag and smashed a on the year at car window with a Buy your flag and nominate a local resident who is ‘doing great things’ rake. Police say the St. Cuthbert’s man was in crisis, By ANISSA CALMA-BROWN The flags are almost sold out. (Small city,” Jacobs said. “The residents deserve but they are still The Observer flags cost $12; large ones are $60.) A sec- to be celebrated.” With Christmas investigating. ond order has already been placed. The East York Hall of Fame sells flags in being a difficult East York’s Hall of Fame is inviting res- Justin Van Dette, 38, started the East an effort to build the spirit of the commu- time for some, idents to show some community spirit York Hall of Fame a year ago after attend- nity back up. St. Cuthbert’s Teens arrested by supporting the organization’s first flag ing an event for the Leaside Sports Hall of Meanwhile, Van Dette hopes the com- Anglican Church after robbery campaign. Fame. munity will also come together to nomi- welcomes all to The event took place Nov. 15 at the Rise “I was blown away by the strong sense nate residents for the Hall of Fame. reflect on the Four teenage & Dine Eatery on St. Clair Ave. E., with of community in the room,” he said. “How “East York has a long and special history past year while boys are facing Ontario Premier and Don Valley West MPP positive it was to witness celebrating the in Canada, and it is important we celebrate celebrating the charges after an Kathleen Wynne and Beaches-East York success of individuals in the community.” that pride,” he said. “So many of our cur- holidays. The armed robbery in MPP Arthur Potts in attendance. Meredith Jacobs, 39, is a local resident rent and former residents are doing great Christmas service the Dawes Road “At the heart of a strong province are who is eager to see the community’s spirit things, and the East York Hall of Fame in- is to be held on and Danforth strong communities, like East York,” Wyn- come back to life. tends to recognize those individuals.” Dec. 16 and run Avenue area on ne said. “I can’t wait to see families show- “I think people often forget that East Nominations close Dec. 31. They can be from 4 to 5:30 Nov. 29. Police ing their neighbourhood pride by flying the York is a big part of Toronto. It is one of made online or by completing a form at lo- p.m. at 1399 say two males East York flag outside their homes.” the friendliest communities within the cal community centres in East York. Bayview Ave. walked into a convenience store wearing masks Caroling with with one holding Firefighters rush to contain apartment blaze a shotgun. The cookies, cider males demanded Sixth-floor unit source of money and fled in All carolers a car driven by a early December fire on are welcome 14-year-old. Four to bask in the teens are to appear Dawes Road, officials say Christmas spirit in court Jan. 16. at St. Cuthbert’s By ANDRE SAUNDERS Anglican Church The Observer on Dec. 18. The Pornography church welcomes Toronto Fire responded to a one-alarm those of all ages charges laid blaze at 500 Dawes Rd. on Dec. 3. to an evening A man, 32, has Toronto Police tweeted at 12:10 p.m., of carol singing been charged with warning of a fire in the area of Dawes Road from 7 to 9 p.m. five counts related and Gower Street. Caroling festivities to the possession The fire started on the sixth floor of the are to be followed and distribution of building, spreading to a nearby unit, ac- by refreshments child pornography. cording to fire officials. The balconies of of mulled cider Toronto police both units have visible scorch marks on the and cookies. Andre Saunders/The Observer searched his home outside. The church also in the Victoria Park A resident of the apartment, who wishes The balconies at 500 Dawes Rd. had visible scorch marks after the fire. encourages Avenue and Dawes to remain unnamed, saw the fire from out- donations of non- Road area Oct.