Page PB THE AURORAN, Thursday, July 20, 2017 THE AURORAN, Thursday, July 20, 2017 Page 1 LifestyleWINDOWS INC. OasisHOME PRODUCTS Windows SALES • LEASING • SERVICE Doors C QUICK LANE • PARTS A N N A Enclosures W D O A T 15815 Yonge Street, Aurora ’S Y BIRTHDA 905.726.4349 11--888080-24653--03481419 150 Aurora’s Community Newspaper CMCA Vol. 17 No. 39 905-727-3300 theauroran.com FREE Week of July 20, 2017 AUDITED Tour our historic campus! Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9:00 a.m. Wednesdays: 1:00 p.m. Register: 905-895-1700 ext.259 16945 Bayview Ave., Newmarket www.pickeringcollege.on.ca Selling or Buying a home is not an easy process. From strategy and set-up to marketing and negotiation, there are so many creative ways to make a home sale more successful. Find out more. I will be more than happy to answer all of your questions with NO OBLIGATION. *Your Best Interest Is My #1 Priority* PATTY ASGARIPOUR Sales Representative 905-758-5323 www.sellorbuyyorkregionhomes.com ART FOR KERRY’S PLACE – Sarah Lawler is all smiles as Robert Lawler gets his face painted by Alana at Art in the Park, the annual outdoor event held in conjunction with the annual appreciation day for Kerry’s Place Autism Services. For more on recent development at the Aurora-based Kerry’s Place, see Page 12. Auroran photo by Brock Weir Competence United Church, retirement home Exclusivity development approved Passion By Brock Weir thing standing between Aurora United “I am fully in support of rebuilding Engel & Völkers York, Brokerage Church and a formal ground-breaking Aurora United Church,” said Telephone +1 905-833-3008 Aurora United Church is almost set will be a site plan approval expected Councillor Abel, who said not enough york.evcanada.com to rebuild. this fall. effort had been made by the developer Council last week paved the way for The plan was approved 6 – 2 with to meet with neighbours from a two-storey church and associated Councillors John Abel and Wendy surrounding areas who had a number seven-storey retirement home complex Gaertner the dissenting voices. of concerns, particularly with the – six storeys from Yonge Street frontage From their perspective, the plan was height and massing of the proposed – to be rebuilt on its historic home at not in keeping with either the heritage complex. “[This] is in a sensitive area the corner of Tyler Street. neighbourhood on adjacent Tyler and and it should be embraced and good Tuesday’s approval clears the Temperance Streets, nor in keeping for the community. I would like to controversial height of the Amica with Aurora’s vision for the historic see a solution going forward where seniors’ resident and now the only Yonge Street core. Continued on page 6 West Nile Virus found in Aurora mosquito trap By Brock Weir The Region of York is urging residents to protect themselves after three mosquito traps – including one in Aurora – tested positive for West Nile Virus last week. A trap located on Yonge Street at Murray Drive tested positive for With purchase of 35 sq. ft. of countertops the mosquito-borne illness, along Showroom: with examples in Markham and 16650 Jane Street, King Whitchurch-Stouffville. LASTING LEGACY – Aurora High School graduate Heba Shahaed accepts the 2017 John West Me- 905-503-2222 “Ongoing surveillance tells morial Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship from Mayor Dawe at last week’s Council meeting. An active www.DPScountertops.com volunteer within the Aurora community itself, Heba plans on continuing her work when she heads Continued on page 3 to McMaster University this fall. For more, see Page 15. Photo by Anna Lozyk Romeo A name you know... people you trust! Let us help you Established and Experienced. fi nd your One of Aurora’s top realtors for over 25 years dream home. Top 1% in CanadaA nameA name you youknow... know... FORFORSOLD SOLDSALE SALE ...peoplepeople you you trust! trust! ANDREW • SUSAN Continually Referred! Susan Cowen & Andrew Cowen Call us today andDirect: experienceDir ect:905-727-1961 905-727-1961 the difference! ANDREWContinually • SUSAN [email protected]@susancowen.com ContinuallyReferred! Direct: 905-727-1961www.SusanCowen.comwww [email protected] York Group www.SusanCowen.com Realty Inc. Brokerage Referred! TopTo 1%p 1% in Canada in Canada Independently owned and operated Page 2 THE AURORAN, Thursday, July 20, 2017 THE AURORAN, Thursday, July 20, 2017 Page 3 Page 2 THE AURORAN, Thursday, July 20, 2017 THE AURORAN, Thursday, July 20, 2017 Page 3 Harlequin and David Wilcox to headline Ribfest By Brock Weir Canadian rockers Harlequin and David Wilcox will headline Aurora’s 2017 Ribfest. The fan favourites were announced by Mayor Geoff Dawe and Wendy Browne of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce at last Wednesday’s Concerts in the Park series. Traditionally, the Mayor builds anticipation for the big reveal by throwing out a few teasers to the hundreds of concert-goers – and while Harlequin themselves let the cat out of the bag when it came to their (Main) Mayor Geoff Dawe unveils the 2017 Ribfest headliners at last Wednesday night’s Concerts in the Friday, August 25, gig, the return visit Park. The Concert series continues this Wednesday, July 26, with Bryan Adams Forever: The Canadian Trib- of David Wilcox the following evening ute. Concerts get underway each Wednesday through August 30 at Town Park. (Inset) With just two days in Aurora under his belt, Japanese student Ikumi Kato, who is being hosted this summer with the Lyttle – his second trip to Ribfest in as many family , met up with Mayor Dawe, along with Councillors Humfryes and Mrakas at the Concert. years – came as more of a surprise. Auroran photos by Glenn Rodger “With David Wilcox hitting such a as Harlequin, and that is where the The party, however, gets started a bit grand slam home run last year – and I dialogue of music comes into play. earlier this year when original band could not keep up with the call volume There are going to be songs where The Kings performs at Town Park on asking him to come back – it seemed you will say, ‘Oh, that was Harlequin?’ Wednesday, August 23 at Town Park as really logical to bring back by popular and I am excited to surprise a few part of the Concerts in the Park series. music – and it doesn’t get much better demand,” says Shelley Ware, Special attendees.” “It is kind of a wave of classic rock than live music!” Event Coordinator for the Town of Harlequin is a Canadian rock taking us through the weekend,” says The headliners aren’t the only Aurora, of the musicians famed for band originally formed in Winnipeg Ms. Ware. chance to experience live music at his songs Bad Apple, Do The Bearcat, during the mid-seventies. The band The entertainment lineup also got Ribfest, however, as Magna will present Cat Man, and Suzie Q. began their recording careers in New the Mayor’s seal of approval. the semi-finals of the 2017 Hoedown As for Harlequin, the Winnipeg- York with Jack Douglas, legendary “I am a big fan of any Winnipeg- Showdown talent competition, a more bred band have long been on Ms. producer of John Lennon, Aerosmith based rock and roll band – some of recent – and popular – addition to the Ware’s radar, and everything aligned and Cheap Trick. They are still heard the best talent in Canada comes out of Ribfest lineup. perfectly this year. frequently on the radio. Winnipeg going back to Terry Jacks Ribfest gets underway at Machell “I am really excited they have the “Their stellar performances and and the Guess Who,” he said. “I am Park (Aurora Heights Drive just west chance to perform,” says Ms. Ware music are legendary,” says Ms. Ware, really pleased to see David Wilcox of Yonge Street) Friday, August 25 at of Harlequin, who hit the charts who dubs Wilcox as “one of the most coming back; he was fabulous and just 11 a.m. running through 10 p.m. on with Innocence, I Did It For Love, talented guitar players in the world. He really put on a great show. There was Sunday, August 27. Superstitious Feeling, and Little has been described as the ‘songwriter’s a lot of energy there for a three-man Admission is free. Age of majority White Lies. “They are a very active songwriter.’ His talent as a performer band. It will be a great night for live after 8 p.m. band, very busy, so we’re fortunate to and storyteller is incredible.” actually get them in Ontario. I think Harlequin takes the stage on August there are a lot of gems in their albums 25 at 9 p.m., while Wilcox takes over that some people might not identify August 26 at the same time. BPS Region offers tips to Plumbing Service avoid mosquitos EST. 1972 From page 1 sleeved shirts and jackets – as well as us West Nile virus is present in the donning lighter colours when possible • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL community and protection against to detract mosquitos. Insect repellent 905-727-3210 mosquitos remains important,” is also recommended, as is minimizing said Dr. Karim Kurji, York Region’s outdoor activities at dusk and dawn www.bobsplumbing.ca Medical Officer of Health. “Bywhen the bugs are most active. taking simple precautions, residents “As part of York Region’s 2017 West can reduce the risk of West Nile Nile virus (WNV) Control Plan, York virus and exposure to mosquitos.” Region Public Health larvicides catch These precautions include cleaning basins to interrupt mosquito breeding, up standing and stagnant water on educates residents on self-protection, properties – such as in bird baths, investigates human cases and conducts flower pots, pool covers, eavestroughs, surveillance,” says the Region.