Humber Happenings Volume 14 (Autumn 2009)

8/16/2019 Humber Happenings Volume 14 (Autumn 2009)

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www.HumberBayShores.org

HUMBER

HAPPENINGS

HUMBER

HAPPENINGSA Community Publication by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association

■ Betting on Green to Fix the Economy

■ BUILD A HOUSE - Change a Life

■ Turkey Vulture Culture

■ Betting on Green to Fix the Economy

■ BUILD A HOUSE - Change a Life

■ Turkey Vulture Culture

■ VOLUME 14

AUTUMN 2009

■ VOLUME 14

AUTUMN 2009

HH_AUTUMN 7/23/09 12:46 AM Page 1


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©

PALACE PLACE - GORGEOUS VIEWS2000 sq.ft. w/Spectacular South-East City and Lake views condowith parking. Renovated. New

hardwood floors throughout.Marble bathroom. En-suiteupgraded laundry. Can be rentedfurnished for $3900/month orunfurnished for $3400/month.

PALACE PIER - PROFESSIONAL RENO3 bdrm, den, f/room, 2 sol, 3,257sq.ft. with 8.5’ ceiling, 2 parkings.Professionally renovated - over

$150,000 invested. Brand newstate of art kitchen, ss appliances,4 new marble baths. All Hans-Grohe fixtures and gleaminghardwood throughout.

PALACE PIER - 5 STAR AMENITIES3 bdrm, 3 bath, formal dining,den, laundry room, 2 solarium –3,257 sq.ft., 2 parkings, locker,

8.5’ ceiling. Full South wing withbreathtaking city & lake viewsthrough floor to ceiling windows.

PALACE PIER - 5 STAR AMENITIES1,890 Sq. Ft., 3 bdrm, sol, 2 baths,2 parks. The best South-East sideof the building with gorgeous

Lake and City view. Renovatedwith hardwood and granite.

PALACE PIER - CHIC RENOVATION1,890 Sq. Ft., 3 bdrm, sol,3 baths, park. Total professionalrenovation. New kitchen and

Ultra modern 8-piece En-Suitewith Jacuzzi. High qualityfinishings according to currenttrend and flare. Fireplace.

PALACE PIER - PROFESSIONAL RENO1,890 Sq. Ft., 2 bdrm, sol, 4 baths,2 parks. Spectacular renovations,new kitchen and four new baths.

Marble and hardwood. Lots of built-ins. Panoramic View of Cityand Lake.

PALACE PIER - JUST LISTED1,550 Sq. Ft., 2 bdrm, sol, 2 bath.Huge Living Room with GorgeousLake Views. Enlarged Kitchen

with additional countertops.Master Bedroom has walk-incloset & 5 Piece En-Suite Bath-room. The Highest 1550 sq.ft.condo on the South-West side.

PALACE PLACE - JUST LISTEDLuxurious Waterfront PalacePlace – 1,491 sq.ft, on the South-West side with Magnificent

Lake views. Two big bedroomsplus solarium, 2 side by sideparkings, locker.

PALACE PIER - JUST LISTEDExecutive, Fully Furnished, Huge1 Bdrm, 1,120 Sq.Ft. GorgeousLake & City Views. Totally

Renovated. Stainless SteelAppliances, Granite Counter-Tops & Backsplash, Hardwoodthroughout, Granite Bath,Halogen lighting.

PALACE PIER - JUST LISTED2 bdrm, sol, - 1,550 sf. parking,locker. Huge living space. Newattractive tile floor throughout

foyer, living-dining and kitchen.Upgraded appliances. Long termrental possible. All 5 Star ameni-ties incl. in this luxurious building.

PALACE PIER - UNFURNISHED RENTAL3 bedroom, 3,257 sq. foot, den,f/dining, 2 park. Spectacular LakeViews! Highest quality finishings.

White marble floor. State-of-the-art kitchen. Jacuzzi. 2 Fireplaces.

PALACE PIER - FURNISHED RENTAL2 bedroom, balcony, 8.5’ ceilings.1,250 square foot. Total profes-sional renovation - brand new

state-of-the-art kitchen, newwhite marble bath, hardwood.Fully Furnished.

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ON THE COVER

“Toronto Morning Mist”Taken by Sharron MarloweThis photograph was taken from the 10thfloor balcony of our apartment on October 8,

2008. We had recently moved to GrenadierLanding from a ground floor apartment inthe Nevis and I was enthralled with theview we had of the Toronto skyline in themornings over the lake. As you probablyknow the colours can be awe inspiring. Themist that morning seemed to soften thescene and add some enchantment knowingthat autumn was around the corner.

Humber Bay Shores

Condominium Association

BOARD OF DIRECTORSPresident: Leo Blindenbach, Grenadier Landing

Vice President: Judi Richter-Jacobs, Players Club

Treasurer: Malcolm Gonsalves, Voyageur I and II

Secretary: Laura Nash, Marina del Rey

Past President: Jim Lord, Palace Pier (Ex-Officio)

Director: Angelina Chiu, Newport Beach

Director: Don Henderson, Bal Harbour

Director: Norm Merkosky, Palace Pier

Director: Tim Owen, Grand Harbour

Director: Jay Perry, Nevis

Director: Simone Purboo, Explorer

Director: Jim Reekie, Palace Place

Representative: David Fung, Waterford

COMMITTEE CHAIRSBeautification: Judi Richter-Jacobs,

Communications: Simone Purboo

Competitive

Benchmarking: Norm Merkosky

Education: Laura Nash

Humber Happenings: Jim Lord

Governance & Objectives: Norm Merkosky,

Judi Richter-Jacobs

Safety & Crime Prevention: Simone Purboo

Traffic & Transportation: Angelina Chiu, Tim Owen, Jim Reekie

Zoning & Planning Don Henderson, Tim Owen, Jim Lord

The Humber Happenings Team

EDITORFiona Maarhuis

Email: [email protected]

COPY EDITOR

Chris Wyllie

GRAPHIC DESIGNERLincoln Graphics Inc.

ADVERTISINGJim Lord | Fiona Maarhuis | Christina Wong

WRITERSLeo Blindenbach | Angelina Chiu | Shamira Hudda

Clarice Giffen | Garry Kapitan | Jim LordCatherine Maxwell | Norm Merkosky | David Moorcroft

Simone Purboo | Judi Richter-Jacobs

Evelyn Roberts | John Switzer | Peg Thoen

PHOTOGRAPHYSandra Laurin | Monianne | Peg Thoen

PRINTER

Lincoln Graphics Inc.22 Export Avenue, St. Catharines, ON

TO ADVERTISE IN HUMBER HAPPENINGS,email: [email protected]

Telephone: 416-503-8817

AUTUMN 2009 HumberBayShores.org4

■ FROM THE EDITOR

We closed the Humber

Happenings photo contest

on July 15, after receiving

over 70 entries from 17

photographers. All of the

pictures are quite special,and I don’t envy our

judges, Sandra Laurin, Jim

Lord, Monianne, and Peg

Thoen. We will feature the

winners and many of the

other photos in our next

few issues.

Alarm is growing as we are gradually beginning to

understand the impact the proposed “harmonized”

tax will have on our condo fees. HBSCA’s Board has

asked MPP Laurel Broten to address this at their

next meeting. Look for more information in the

November issue.

It is nice to hear good news about our local retailers.

Café du Lac, a walk-to restaurant at 2350 Lake

Shore, recently celebrated its first “birthday”, as it

continues to bring the experience and delicious

tastes of Quebec to our welcoming palates. Located

a little further down the Lake Shore, the Birds and

Beans coffee shop received an accolade from the

Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center for their

advertisement in this issue and their continuing

efforts in connecting conservation to the market place.

In this issue, we are very pleased to have several

letters from readers, including some with photos.

We always use readers’ photos for our covers and, in

response to a suggestion we received, will now try

to tell you a little more about where and when the

photos were taken.

Cheers

P h o t o b y B e a u t y m a r k P r o d u c t i o n s

Fiona Maarhuis



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TABLE OF CONTENTS ■

HumberBayShores.org AUTUMN 2009 7

FEATURES

18 Build a House – Save a Life

Palace Pier resident Evelyn Roberts describes the joy

and satisfaction that came from a week building

houses for the poor in the Dominican Republic.

23 Greening the world one sip at a time

Jim Lord introduces the Toronto chapter of

Green Drinks.

29 Book Review: “The Shack” by Clarice Giffen

30 Palais Royale – a Jewel in Sunnyside’s Crown

A history of this grand ballroom, host to famous dance

bands of the 20’s and 30’s, now beautifully restored.

35 The Changing Face of Communications

Catherine Maxwell extols the videophone, now an

exciting and powerful tool.

36 Kick-start your Weight LossDr. Shamira Hudda explains how to make the results of

a weight loss program permanent.

38 Answers to the Most Common Questions

about Cruising

Travel writer David Moorcroft answers queries about

cost, kids, what to do at sea and more.

40 Turkey Vulture Culture

Peg Thoen has amassed some interesting facts and

stories about another of our new neighbours.

42 Mimico 20/20 Revitalization Action Plan

45 Regular Public Events at the Palais Royale

REGULAR COLUMNS

24 Winesights

26 Fun & Fitness

HBSCA

11 President’s Message – Leo Blindenbach

Keeping Us Moving – Angelina Chiu

12 Stay Informed on Crime – Simone Purboo

13 HBSCA Renews Itself

– Judi Richter-Jacobs, Norm Merkosky

14 Betting on Green – Jim Lord

17 Annual Spring Clean Up 2009 – Peg Thoen

20 Tree Planting, a new perspective

- Judi Richter-Jacobs

22 Talk to Us – Simone Purboo

8 Letters to the Editor

18

14

30

17

36



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We would like to hear from you. Do you have a comment about an article,past or present, that you have seen in Humber Happenings?

Or something that you would like to bring to your

neighbours’ attention? Let us know.

EMAIL letters to | [email protected]

or MAIL letters to | Suite 3505, 1 Palace Pier Court, Etobicoke, ON M8V 3W9

DECEMBER 2008

Dear Fiona

As you can see, I am all for re-cycling!

I want to congratulate you on the “Humber

Happenings” . I always look forward to reading it.

I was particularly interested in all the Inukshuks andwish they could have been preserved. It is so nice to

see people being constructive instead of destructive

with vandalism. Thought you might be interested in

some snaps I took several years ago in West Humber

Park of a little boy (I think he was with his

grandfather) and the towers they built from rubble

on the beach. The beach is much better now.

Good luck with your work.

Sincerely

Heather M Harris

Marina del Rey, Phase III

This letter was written in hand, using a card made of recycled paper.

MAY 19, 2005

Dear Editor

I am not sure if you would be interested in this story,

but on Sunday night I rescued two little kittens from

the side of my condo building at 2119 Lakeshore.

They were in a crawl space under a rock.

My cat started acting weird at our window, then I

heard these little cries coming from outside. I went

out and found them trapped between the building

and large rock, freezing and hungry. They were out

there without their mommy for at least seven hours.

I couldn’t stand leaving them overnight as it was

extremely cold, so I took them in, plugged in the

heater and fed them baby formula from a bottle.

They were the most cuddly, cute kittens I have ever

seen. They refused to be fed inside the box, they

wanted to be cuddled first, then fed! My sister and I

took them to the Toronto Humane Society Nursery

last night (Monday), and they said that it will be very

easy to find them a good home in a few weeks when

they are ready. I have attached some pictures of thekittens to this email. Perhaps it would be a good idea

to remind people to get their pets spayed and

neutered, especially considering that a lot of people

in this community have pets.

Thank you,

Nancy Stefanovic

2119 Lake Shore

Boulevard

■ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR



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TUESDAY, 7 APRIL 2009

Dear Mr. Blindenbach,

Ever since the new bus route Lake Shore - Marine

Parade Drive was established, my car has not gone

downtown. I have never been a TTC user but havenow become a convert. No more traffic jams,

creating pollution and parking problems! The bus is

always on time and delivers me to the Old Mill

subway station or to Bloor Street for shopping and

doctors’ visits while I sit there reading a book or

planning my day. Just great! I have spoken with

neighbours who are just as enthusiastic as I about

this TTC service. The dark, smelly, dirty underpass to

the Humber Loop has always been a barrier to my

trying the TTC.

I understand that this is a trial period and want to

wholeheartedly support continuation of the route.

My sincere thanks to you and the team who workedso diligently on bringing the service about.

With best regards,

Irene Jardine

717 - 5 Marine Parade Drive

SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2009

We wanted to recognize the fine work of your

organization in contributing to the decision of the

TTC to extend services along Marine Parade Drive.

It makes using the service more attractive because itsaves the walk through the tunnel to the Humber

Loop or to Park Lawn Road. It is especially true,

given our cool, wet spring. It is also much safer

when using this service in the evening.

Given the future growth planned for the area, it seems

like a wise investment for the future for the TTC.

We love it!

Laurie and Dave Pedwell

Players Club

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ■

A FRESH

TRANSLATION

OF ITALIAN

Saturday & Sunday BrunchLunch & Dinner 10 am to 4 pm 12 pm to 12 am

PATIO IS OPEN!

GREAT FOOD GREAT WINES DESSERTS COFFEES COMPLIMENTARY PARKING IS AVAILABLE IN THE WATERFORD COMPLEX



10/48


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OUR COMMUNITY ■


President’s Message

by Leo Blindenbach, President HBSCA

Increasing problems on Marine Parade DriveHumber Bay Shore is becoming a popular

destination, increasing traffic congestion along

Marine Parade Drive. TTC and school buses have

difficulty navigating the street because parking

restrictions are ignored. Of even more concern, fire

trucks and ambulances on critical missions can have

problems getting to their destinations. We have

expressed these concerns to Councillor Grimes,

Dominic Gulli, Traffic Manager, Staff Sergeant Ronald

Khan, Community Response Manager, and Michael

Cull, Area Supervisor Parking Enforcement West.A labour disruption prevented us from accessing the

results of the seven-day audit of traffic issues on this

drive at the time this column was written.

Traffic LightsThe residents of Palace Place and Palace Pier will be

happy to know that Motion EY 28.38 at Etobicoke York

Community Council upgraded the temporary traffic

control signal at Lake Shore and Palace Pier Court to

permanent, at a cost of approximately $90,000.

The target construction date of the Humber Loop

Relocation to Park Lawn, which was to start in the

fall of 2009, is now 2010, depending on the approval

of the City’s 2010 annual budget. This means anadditional delay to the proposed traffic lights at the

intersection of the streetcar tunnel and Newport

Beach’s exit to Lake Shore Blvd., even while the

numbers of pedestrians and cars using the area are

steadily increasing.

Light Rail TransitAfter all the consultation meetings on this

controversial issue, the Waterfront LRT line did not

receive any federal infrastructure funding. Target

implementation is now set at 2022.

Toronto Transit ServicesTo promote ridership, all HBSCA condominium

members have posted the schedule of the 66D

Prince Edward bus to Old Mill subway station on

their bulletin boards

The Express Bus to Union Station is scheduled to

begin in November.

Please remember that these services are on a trial

basis so LET’S USE THEM!

For an organization to remain current and effective,it must frequently review its mandates and

governance structure. The Humber Bay Shores

Condominium Association is currently going

through that process. A couple of very dedicated

individuals have volunteered to take the lead on this

important task. Please read Norm Merkosky and

Judi Richter-Jacobs’ article on page 13.

Reading their article reminded me of the importance

of dedication and volunteering! One of the

strengths of the HBSCA board of directors is the

spirit of volunteerism exhibited by its members. All

condominium corporations in the Humber Bay

Shores community have their own groups ofdedicated volunteers forming their condo boards,

sharing those same beliefs. All of them bring the

values of quality, professionalism, integrity,

teamwork, openness and innovation to the table,

essential for success.

Volunteering is about giving your time to a cause. It

is about finding something you like to do, and that

you are good at. It is also about your interests, the

things you care about, the things that move you, the

needs of your/our community, and the people you

know. It is about deciding to make a difference - to

a cause, your neighbours, an environmental issue, a

committee, an ideal.

I am not sure who said it, but here is one thought to

keep in mind: Volunteers are not paid - not because

they are worthless, but because they are priceless.

Enjoy the rest of your summer by the lake!

KEEPING US

MOVINGby Angelina Chiu



12/48

■ OUR COMMUNITY


Ihave been a resident in the Humber Bay Shores

area for just over two years now. What drew me

to the area were the calming water, manicured

parks, and endless trails. As more and more

residential buildings are built and commercial

vendors move to the area, you really get a sense of

community. Unfortunately, this also attracts less

desirable elements to the area.

Consequently, the HBSCA has created a committee

that focuses on issues related to the safety and well

being of Humber Bay Shores residents, and fosters a

good relationship between the residents and 22Division of the Toronto Police Service.

The Safety and Crime Prevention Committee will

take on speed and parking enforcement issues, as

well as keeping residents well informed of crimes

taking place in the area. Please visit HBSCA’s

website at www.humberbayshores.org for more

information on committee resources.

To keep residents informed, 22 Division publishes a

very useful community bulletin monthly, which they

make available on the Toronto Police Services site at

www.torontopolice.on.ca/d22, their front desk at

both the main and sub-station, and by e-mail.

Contents typically include reports on: arrests for the

month; traffic initiatives; unit initiatives; robberies;

housebreaks; dangerous weapons; muggings; sexual

assaults; arson; bank robbery; swarming; shootings;frauds; and so much more.

Look for regular updates from this committee and

stay informed.

Stay Informed on Crime

by Simone Purboo

Stone Empire100 The East Mall, Unit 14,Toronto, ON M8Z 5X2

T 416-354-2134 F 416-354-2350

E [email protected]

www.stoneempire.ca

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13/48

13

Founded in 1997, HBSCA, now numbering 17 members, has been a

strong voice acting for the interests of the condominium

corporations in this waterfront community. Recognized for its

dedication to community engagement and development and the pursuit

of relevant partnerships, HBSCA’s successes range from the annual cleanup day, traffic signal and transportation improvements, beautification

initiatives, to strong communication with the community through a

revitalized website and Humber Happenings. All levels of government, and

particularly the City of Toronto, regularly consult HBSCA on projects that

affect our community.

As development in the Humber Bay Shores community continues and

more condominium units are added, HBSCA must meet the continuing

challenge of influencing the development of projects to maintain the

natural beauty of the area, while further improving transportation,

managing traffic and congestion, and continuing to build a vibrant, valued,

sustainable community.

With the addition of new members, HBSCA recently engaged in a

strategic planning process to position itself in relation to anticipatedchallenges, resulting in the vision, statement and strategic priorities

shown on the left.

We also established specific objectives to support the strategic priorities,

which will guide the work of the Association over the next year.

HBSCA has updated and revised its governance process and by-laws to

make them simpler and less cumbersome, while ensuring that every

member corporation has a meaningful voice. Each HBSCA committee will

be given a charter that will ensure its work is aligned with HBSCA’s strategic

priorities, and the committee is supported and effective.

Our objective in this renewal process was to make HBSCA

an even stronger organization that will continue to

effectively represent the interests of condominium

corporations and positively influence community planningand development.

HBSCA is growing and ready to face the challenges that

await us. We welcome your continued support and

involvement as we evolve as a more vibrant, ever valued,

sustainable community.

OUR COMMUNITY ■

HBSCA Renews Itself

by Judi Richter-Jacobs and Norm Merkosky

HBSCA VISION

The leading voice

and advocate for the

Humber Bay Shores

condominium

community

HBSCA MISSION

Providing strong

leadership for the

development,

preservation and

beautification of

a vibrant, valued,

sustainable

condominium

community in which

to live, work and play.

HumberBayShores.org AUTUMN 2009



14/48

■ OUR COMMUNITY


Let’s take a moment to look back at the stock

market crash of the early 1970s, hailed as the

worst economic crisis since the Great

Depression in the 1930s. Forty years later, we are

in a similar position, with a wildly fluctuating

stock markets, bankruptcies, volatile oil prices,

government bailouts, and tight credit restrictions.

The difference between then and now? The 1970s

marked the fledgling roots of the green movement,

which proved too fragile to offer truly viable

economic investment opportunities. Today, green

is synonymous with innovative and cost-effective

solutions, and is ultimately the way of the future.

Around the world, businesses are now looking to

reduce resource expenditures to save capital, a

perfect fit for clean and alternative energy

technologies. When accompanied by increasing

consumer demand for green products and

programs, it becomes clear that there is a growing

trend, both locally and globally, towards

environmentally friendly solutions.

The United Nations officially announced a global

green “New Deal” in the fall of 2008, which is

aimed at restructuring economies, reducing oil

dependence and moving towards more sustainable

energy sources. The six keys areas of the “New Deal”

are: clean energy and technologies, rural energy,

sustainable agriculture, ecosystem infrastructure,

reduced emissions from deforestation and

degradation, and sustainable cities.

However, the biggest achievement in the green

revolution to date is President Obama’s

accomplishment of his campaign promise to invest

$150 billion in clean technologies over the next 10

years, along with targets for greenhouse emission

reductions of 80% by 2050. The House of

Representatives passed the proposed legislation on

June 26, 2009; the bill is now before the Senate.

Ontario’s Green Energy Act, aimed at boosting

investment in renewable energy projects, increasing

conservation, and creating green jobs and economic

growth received Royal Assent on May 14, 2009. Still

before the legislature is the creation of a “cap-and-

trade” system, which will place hard caps on the

absolute level of permitted emissions. If passed, this

is expected to help the province meet its

commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to

6% below 1990 levels by 2015 and 15% by 2020.

The City of Toronto has commenced its Green Fleet

Transition Plan, and announced a waste diversiongoal of 70% by 2010, the Green Development

standard, and the ongoing Energy Retrofit Program.

Closer to home, the Humber Bay Shores

Condominium Association continues to be a green

advocate in our community. In March, the

Betting on Greento Fix the EconomyBetting on Greento Fix the Economy

AROUND THE WORLD

AND IN HUMBER BAY SHORES

By Jim Lord

From left: John Kiru, Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas; Laurel

Broten, MPP; Brian Owen, Green T Biz, LED Magazine; Jim Lord; Councillor Mark

Grimes; Peter Love, Ontario Power Authority



15/48


OUR COMMUNITY ■

Association hosted a “Green Evening” for board

members and property managers of HBSCA

members, as well as HBSCA volunteers. Several

leading edge green companies showcased their

products and environmental attributes.

Car SharingZipcar has recently established a location in The

Explorer, offering Humber Bay Shores residents an

easy alternative to the high costs of car ownership.

Zipcar has 250,000 members and 5,500 vehicles

throughout 26 North American states and provinces.

Just think, in the future we could all share vehicles

rather than each having our own cars.

Recycled PaintBoomerang® has been selling recycled paint for 12

years. Even its metal cans are a reclaimed product.

Boomerang paint is manufactured from unused,

leftover domestic paints and stains that have the

same properties as new product. The paint is not only

eco-friendly, it’s wallet-friendly, selling at a fraction of

the price for other paint. It is the only recycled paint

available in Canada. RONA will accept leftover paint

to be passed to Boomerang for recycling.

LightingCRS Electronics, from Welland, Ontario, demonstrated

their innovative LED lights, which have been creating

a stir in the condominium industry. In 2008, Palace

Pier conducted the largest retrofit to LED lighting to

date in North America. The project was recognized by

the Ontario Power Authority Chief Conservation

Officer and received partial funding from the City of

Toronto’s Better Buildings Partnerships. LED lighting

is still an expensive lighting option for residences, but

has definite advantages in commercial applications.

Palace Pier will save over $180,000 over five years,

and divert over 25,000 used bulbs from landfill.

And othersAmerican Standard exhibited the newest in low flow

toilets and showerheads, and reminded us that the

City of Toronto provides rebates for the conversion

to low flow toilets; and representatives from the City

of Toronto answered questions about recycling,composting, and garbage collection.

Ecovert Sustainability Solutions organized the event,

and was on hand to answer questions about

sustainability www.ecovert.ca

MEET... Lynn Tribbling

EXCEPTIONAL

Real Estate...

EXCEPTIONAL

Realtor

YOUR LEADING

NEIGHBOURHOOD

ENTHUSIAST!*

*Past owner: Palace Pier Penthouse,

Palace Place Penthouse, Grand

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16/48


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17/48


OUR COMMUNITY ■

A big thank you to the hundred or so hardy souls who braved the threatening

storm (and subsequent downpour) to join us for the 13th HBSCA Clean-up

Day! While the weather was less than ideal, we forged ahead, completed the

task at hand, and were rewarded with a fine BBQ at the Etobicoke Yacht Club. Our

traditional group photo before heading out to cleanup was not possible, because

people were anxious to head out to try to beat the rain which, unfortunately, wasnot possible. Nevertheless, our HBSCA banner hung proudly in the park, and even

provided some temporary protection from the rain.

As usual, our volunteers came across some interesting items.

H U M B E R

Bay Shores

A N N U A LS P R I N G

Clean-Up

2009

One highlight that brightened ourspirits was the collectors’ editionHBSCA T-shirt that was availablefor sale. Judi Richter-Jacobspartnered with local artist LornaLivey to create this collectorsitem: Lorna provided the artwork,and Judi sourced the organic T-shirts. Sales were brisk out of theback of Judi’s car — watch forthese eye-catching shirts aroundthe neighbourhood.

Lorna Livey also joined in theClean-Up, as seen in the photoon the left, at the top.

HBSCA would like to thank to our sponsors:

• Steve at Park Lawn Esso, for the muchneeded hot coffee and timbits;

• Brookfield Residential Services Ltd.(lunch sponsor);

• Wilson, Blanchard Management Inc.(lunch sponsor);

• Etobicoke Yacht Club, Mimico Cruising Club,Humber Sailing Club; and

• Humber Bay Shores CondominiumAssociation

Much appreciation and many thanks

to our organizing committee who helped pull this event off:

Leo Blindenbach | Judi Richter–Jacobs

Laura Nash | Peg Thoen | Malcolm Little

Bill and Mae Wilcox | Etobicoke Yacht Club

Special thanks to everyone who joined together and helped to clean up

our waterfront.

See you next spring!

Check out HBSCA.org for more photos.



18/48

■ A NEIGHBOUR’S STORY

18

In March 2007, I was fortunate enough to meet

Elio Madonia, a neighbour of mine at Palace Pier,

but also a “saint”, who spends 90% of his time

helping the destitute and homeless, and fighting

poverty with his tireless faith.

Well-known in the Italian-Canadian community in

Toronto for years as a successful entrepreneur and

businessman, Elio could live out a comfortable and

easy retirement with his wife, Lena. Instead, this

quiet and humble man has spent the last 22 years

building homes and helping those in great need in

the Dominican Republic.

I was on vacation on the island with 350 business

associates when, as a group, we decided we should

reach out in some way to help the local community

before we left. We met Elio Madonia and he led 20

of us on a life-changing tour of the region.

The first stop was to see the existing conditions for

many of the poor. We quailed at make-shift shacks

pieced together with scraps of wood and tin. Our

second stop was one of the six villages that Elio’s

foundation had built, with a school, a medical clinic

and a church. Next we were shown a vacant plot of

land that Elio hoped one day to buy. Standing there,

our group decided to join hands and pray. Two of

our business partners were so moved by all they hadseen that they committed the necessary funds to

buy the land. I pondered all I had seen that day, and

promised that one day I would bring others to help

build that new village – perhaps.

Little did I know that this dream would take root in

my heart and not let go. When Elio and Lena

returned to Canada at Christmas, I asked if I could

bring some folks down in early May. I had no idea

how many would join me, but I committed to

spreading the word of his work, inviting others to

join me, and raising funds for the building materials.

Elio agreed and a date was set. The group left

Toronto on April 30 — strangers on a mission from all

across Canada, ranging in age from 16 to 65 years.

On the day we arrived, we toured Villa Esparanza

where we saw the newly built school, medical clinic,

shops, and the church. We also saw completed

homes and the area where we would be working in

the coming week. Our group was excited, talkative,

and amazed at the open-armed welcome of the

village children. Then, we crossed the road and the

view changed dramatically: people living in rundown

tin shacks on land leased from sugar cane landlords.

The squalor on that side of the road was oppressive.

We were sad and disheartened, but still glad to be

there, as we knew that each new house we built

would replace one of the shacks.

That same afternoon, we made our way to the Villa

Paradise village, now with 70 new homes. The impact

of living in a better environment could be seen in the

villagers’ spirits. It shone from their faces, in the

newfound hope in their eyes, and in the gratitude

BUILD A HOUSE

Change a Lifeby Evelyn Roberts

AUTUMN 2009 HumberBayShores.org



19/48

they showed for people like us, who had given up

their vacation time to help those less fortunate.

Every morning we were on the bus by 7:30 am and

worked till noon, when the heat made it unbearable to

continue. We learned to build cement block homes,paint shutters, doors and walls, and bend rebar. Many

of the younger men admitted they had never worked

so hard in their lives – even on construction sites back

home. Two artists in our group spent the week

painting a mural on the side of the water cistern in one

of the villages, much to the delight of the local

children. One child went down to a nearby creek and

brought back a fish so it could be painted on the

mural. The artists let him sketch the outline himself.

The houses we built are modest, but a huge step up

from the rat-infested shacks of the slums: each has a

toilet and washbasin, and the village provides

potable water. The villagers now live in a kinder and

more caring environment. They receive spiritual helpfrom their local church and a dedicated pastor, and

their children are educated in the village school. Each

family can obtain

medical help and

medicines, either free

or at a very low cost.

They are discovering

that it is possible to

break the cycle of

poverty as they learn

a new reality.

Our afternoons were

a combination of

tours and activities.

One afternoon we

played soccer with the youth in the area — the

Canadians lost! Another day we brought lunch forthe children in the slum area – a bun, a piece of meat,

a piece of fruit, fortified milk and a toy, and we

toured the local hospital, giving out gifts. We even

carved out some beach time! The week went fast for

the “Dirty Thirty”, so dubbed by the hotel staff. We

came home invigorated, now a team, no longer

strangers. Each of us knew our hearts were changed

forever. All thirty plan to return next year and will be

bringing a friend.

Will you be joining us?

Evelyn Roberts

is a resident of Palace Pier

[email protected]


A NEIGHBOUR’S STORY ■

Elio Madonia



20/48

■ OUR COMMUNITY


Tree Planting – A New Perspectiveby Judi Richter-Jacobs

Impeccable, Detailed Cleaning Service…• Using environmentally sensitive cleaning supplies & our own equipment

• We care about your home and four legged family members

• Owner operated, insured & bonded, considerate staff

who enjoy their work

• Satisfaction guaranteed or your money refunded

• Fair & competitive market driven rates

Suzanne Clark 2261 Lake Shore Blvd. West, Unit 721, Toronto | [email protected] 416.901.5433

When I lived in downtown Toronto before moving toHumber Bay Shores, I could not have imagined

debating the merits of planting trees.

I would walk to and from work daily along Church

Street, between Front and Bloor Street. Despite some

attractive buildings and green spaces such as the

Flatiron Building or the grounds of St James’ and St.

Michael’s cathedrals, the overall area seemed grey and

unattractive, with no trees and other forms of nature

to brighten the spirit and nourish the soul. Any efforts

made to introduce or add to green spaces was more

than welcomed by residents and visitors alike.

Now, living so close to the waterfront, with so much

wonderful naturalization and so many establishedtrees, a dilemma has arisen for the Humber Bay

Shores community – should we support the planting

of more trees along the walkways and boulevards, or

should we ask that the trees allocated to these areas

be placed in other areas more in need?

In our efforts to work closely with the City, we haveencouraged them to share their plans for the

planting of more trees.

Some owners have let us know that they welcome an

unobstructed view of the water and the skyline from

their condominium units. They have cautioned that

more trees will impede that view. Others have

indicated concern about their personal safety, if the

growth along the walkways gets too dense. So, we

are advocating on the behalf of our residents for

relocation of some of the trees.

An alternate location for additional trees is the north

side of Lake Shore Blvd. West between the Gardiner

Expressway off-ramp and Palace Pier Court. A meetingis planned with Councillor Grimes and the staff of

the Urban Forestry Services to consider this issue, as

well as the replacement of trees along the Newport

Beach pond area. So stay tuned, and enjoy the rest

of your summer!



21/48

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22/48

■ OUR COMMUNITY


We want to hear from you. HBSCA

has formed a Communications

Committee, charged with overseeing

and enhancing communication with

the board, local residents, and the

city. What this means for you isthat we will communicate with

you more regularly on issues

pertinent to our neighbourhood,

through our website, Humber

Happenings, and news bulletins. As

information becomes available to us,

we will keep you informed.

Through the various committees

operating within HBSCA, we have

also established strong relations with

our local city representatives, keeping

them informed of our needs and

objectives, listening to theirs, andinvolving them in our activities. The

resulting mutual understanding and

teamwork have accomplished much.

One of the very first initiatives the

newly formed Communications

Committee has accomplished was

the facelift of the HBSCA website.

You can visit this site at

www.humberbayshores .org or

www.humberhappenings.com. The

intent of the overhaul was to make

the site more engaging and the

information more accessible. Now

you can learn about HBSCA, the

mandates and activities of the various

committees, pending initiatives, and

get involved.

As you look at the website, consider

the different committee sections,

which feature some of the committees’

accomplishments to date, and let us

know what else we can do to better

serve you.

The Communications Committee is

actively looking for volunteers. If you

would like to contribute in some

fashion, please contact me through

[email protected].

TalktoUS

by Simone Purboo



23/48


Greening the world

one sip at a time

by Jim Lord

This is the motto of the Toronto chapter of

Green Drinks, an international organization

with chapters in over 530 cities around the

world. Every month, people who work or have an

interest in the environmental field meet up for a beer

or other beverage at informal sessions known as

Green Drinks.

These events are very simple and unstructured, but

many people have made friends, developed new

ideas, found employment, made deals, and hadmoments of serendipity.

They have a lively mixture of people from NGOs,

academia, government, students, and business,

who are just interested in meeting others with an

interest in the environment. The Green Drinks team

encourages anyone interested to join. They make

sure that everyone is made welcome. Just say “are

you green?”, and they will look after you and

introduce you to whoever is there. It’s a great way of

catching up with people you know, and for making

new contacts. Everyone invites someone else along,

so there’s always a different crowd, making Green

Drinks an organic, self-organizing network.

The Toronto chapter has been around since June

2005, and typically has about 100 in attendance.

There is always a green drinks Toronto event on the

third Wednesday of each month, sometime we add

an extra one to spice things up.

To find the location,

we recommend that you

look them up either on

Facebook under

“Green Drinks Toronto”,

on the web at

www.greendrinks.org,

or by email at

[email protected].

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24/48


TAKE A TRIP to wine country!

by John Switzer

■ WINESIGHTS

Toronto residents are blessed to have three wine

regions – the Niagara Peninsula, Prince Edward

County and the north shore of Lake Erie - within a

couple of hours drive from our front door. As

summer winds down, what better time than now to

hop in the car and spend a day in wine country?

Winery visits are a wonderful way to learn more about

Ontario wines and winemaking, to meet some

interesting and engaging people, and to taste some of

the best cool-climate wines made in the New World.

Wineries are wide open during the summer months

for visitors, and at most wineries the 2007s are now

available for sampling. This vintage is considered the

best ever in Ontario, and the only way to get many

of these wines is to visit the producer. Why? The

majority of wines produced in Ontario can only be

purchased at the winery, because producers either

don’t have adequate volume to supply the LCBO, or

they are unwilling to sell their wines to the LCBO at

discounts from the winery retail price.

Whether you are a new wine tourist or an old pro, I

recommend you consider Niagara as a destination

for a tasting trip. This is the most mature of our three

wine sub-regions, and I think it is currently the most

exciting region in Ontario.

There are three distinctive Niagara destinations:

Niagara-on-the-Lake is the most-established area;

the Beamsville Bench is the home of several rising

star craft wineries and is the closest destination from

Toronto; and Vineland sits in the middle of the two

other areas. For a day trip to Niagara, I recommend

you concentrate on only one area. Don’t try to cover

too much ground – the goal is to have a relaxing day

in wine country, not to try to cover as many winesand wineries as possible,

Each area has are a number of fine wineries, very

good restaurants, and appealing accommodations

for wine tourists who wish to stay overnight. In the

Beamsville area, visit Peninsula Ridge, Thirty Bench,

Hidden Bench and Daniel Lenko. In the Vineland area,

you should check out Malivoire, Le Clos Jordanne,

Vineland Estates, Cave Spring, Featherstone and Flat

Rock. The best bets in Niagara-on-the-Lake include

Southbrook, Strewn, Lailey and Marynissen.

There are signs of an improving economy. Let’s celebrate with some wines from the

LCBO Vintages Essentials list. These wines are always available at Vintages locations.Ontario, NiagaraVQA Twenty Mile Bench Flat RockCellars Pinot Noir 2007

Flat Rock is a small winery founded in 2005.Marlize Beyers is the winemaker, and she hasbeen very successful making Chardonnay,Riesling and Pinot Noir wines that have acharacteristic crisp, fruit-forward personality. The2007 Pinot Noir is an excellent wine, whichshows fine fruit/acid/tannin balance. It hasplenty of red cherry fruit on the nose and palatewith a spicy, ripe apple finish.This is a perfectfood wine: serve with a rack of pork roast.

Dry, red wine - $19.95 per bottle(product number Vintages 1545)

France, BurgundyAOC Chablis La ChablisienneVieilles Vignes Les Vénérables 2005

Chablis is a small, cool-climate sub-region of Burgundy, the northern-most wine area in thisstoried part of France. This is a white wineregion and its wines are distinctly differentfrom the whites from elsewhere in Burgundy,even though the grape – Chardonnay - is thesame.This wine is a very good demonstrationof the Chablis character: crisp acidity, flintyminerals, grapefruit and lime flavours, and avery slight hint of oak. This wine was aged on

spent yeast cells, so it has a complex, yeastynose and mouth. Wonderful! This Chablis willmatch sushi, oysters in the half shell, orsalmon.

Extra dry, white wine - $24.95 per bottle(product number Vintages 942243)

Spain, PenedèsDO Penedès Torres Gran CoronaCabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2005

The Torres family has been one of theinstrumental forces behind the post-Francomodernization of the Spanish wine industry.Theyhave planted international grape varieties andmodernized centuries-old winemaking traditionsin ways that are truly revolutionary.Torres isbased in Penedès, the wine region closest toBarcelona. This is a very elegant CabernetSauvignon. It has a deep ruby colour and aninviting plum, smoke, sandalwood nose.The

palate is bright with grippy tannins and flavoursof blackberry, vanilla, leather and spice. Enjoy thiswine now - or store for the next four to six years.Best with grilled meats.Great value!

Dry, red wine - $18.95 per bottle(product number Vintages 36483)



25/48


at

OLD MILLINN & SPAYour place for a special time

(416) 236-2641www.oldmilltoronto.com

EverySaturday Night

7:30 pm - 10:30 pm

Come relax and unwind in the intimate

surroundings of The Home Smith Bar.

Enjoy the mellow and soulful sounds

that emanate from the great Jazz artists.

Over many years of winery visitsI have developed some personal

rules for wine tasting success.Follow these simple steps, and you will have a ball.

1 PLAN AHEAD. Select a handful of wineries where you have some interest inthe wines. If you can, make appointments in advance. Some wineries require

this – especially on weekdays. Consider doing winery visits during the week

to avoid crowds and get more chat time with the staff.2 BE PUNCTUAL. If you have an appointment, arrive on time. If you arerunning late, phone ahead to let your host know what is happening. 3 ALLOW AMPLE TIME. It is hard to be punctual if you try to cram too many

tastings into one day.

4 BE PREPARED TO BUY. The winery is investing time with you, and whilemany wineries charge for a tasting, these charges don’t cover costs by any

measure. It is a matter of simple courtesy to your host to buy a bottle - or

more - after you have concluded the formal tasting.

5 ASK QUESTIONS. The best way to learn about anything - especially wine|- is to ask questions when you have the winemaker standing in front of you.

There is no such thing as a dumb question.6 SPIT, DON’T SWALLOW. You don’t need to swallow each mouthful to geta full appreciation of the qualities of a wine. Spittoons are always availableand you should feel comfortable using them. If you plan to swallow, you

must have a designated driver for the day.

7 BE SLOW AND DELIBERATE WHILE YOU TASTE. Tasting wine is notdrinking wine. Examine the wine; sniff it to see if it’s drinkable; swirl it to

open up the bouquet; take a small sip and slosh it in your mouth; spit out

the wine, and reflect on the finish in the back of your mouth.

8 DON’T BE GREEDY. DON’T ASK FOR SECONDS. The host will pour anounce and a half, which will be adequate for tasting. It’s OK to pour out the

wine you don’t taste. You don’t need to drink it all.

An excellent resource for planning a trip is the Wine Access 2009 Canadian Wine

Annual. This magazine provides a profile of every commercial winery in Canada,

along with contact information, hours of operation, and detailed maps. The Canadian

Wine Annual is available at newsstands and costs $9.95.



26/48

■ FUN & FITNESS


We can now swim again at Sunnyside Beach!

When I was a boy growing up in Parkdale, my parents often

encouraged my brothers and me to go out and have fun at

Sunnyside Beach. It was what is now called a “destination

place”. We would splash in the water, build sand castles and,

my favourite, toss flat stones across the water and count the

bounces before they went kerplunk!

Over the intervening years, the beaches became neglected and

polluted. Nobody seemed to care about our beautiful waterfront.

Poor water quality has often forced the city to issue warnings

against swimming at Sunnyside, keeping the beach closed.

Between 2005 and 2008, it was only open for swimming

between 31% and 65% of the season.

They lowered the curtain!

If you can’t clean it, curtain it. In a million dollar project,

Toronto officials have created an enclosed swimming area

just in front of the iconic Sunnyside Pavilion. “This beach is

particularly prone to pollution, due to the flow of the HumberRiver into the lake”, explained Brian Worsley, Senior Engineer

with Toronto Water.

In a three-year plan aimed at improving swimming water

quality, a vinyl sheet has been suspended from floating

pontoons, anchored to the bottom of the lake and extending

to the surface. Waves gently lap over the top, creating a 30

by 200 metre swimming area, designed to be a safe and

enjoyable place to swim. The water depth is graded down

from the beach to 1.5 metres (5 feet) at the curtain

How is the water treated?

The vinyl curtain is impermeable. Water is pumped from the

enclosure to an on-shore container where it is disinfectedusing ultraviolet treatment. It is then returned to the

enclosure. The system can treat 15 million litres of water per

day. This equates to the volume of water within the enclosure

being disinfected approximately 2.5 to 3.5 times per day.

Will you join mefor a swim inLAKE ONTARIO?

by Garry Kapitan

Summer will soon be over. Now is the

time to take advantage of the sun while

it’s still here. It is time to take your best

friend to the beach.

After all, nothing says romance like

summers’ last rays of sunshine hitting

the cute and scantily clad bodies ofyoung folks hanging by the waters edge.

Sun, sand, water, volleyball, frisbee,

swimming, sunsets, biking and running

on the Martin Goodman trail – all these

things are activities best enjoyed by the

water’s edge - and they are free, free,

free. And since we’re on that strict

recession budget, that’s just fine - a

perfect cheap date.

There is even more fun to be had if you

head east along the boardwalk from

Humber Bay Shores (approximatelythree kilometres) to Sunnyside Beach

and the Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion. The

pavilion certainly has retained a bit of

that old-time romance – it is an official

historical site, and is a gorgeous

example of late revivalist architecture.

Located at the back of the Bathing

Pavilion is a cozy café that serves a

wide variety of beverages and café

classics, including pizzas baked in a

wood-burning oven. The café has an

ample patio overlooking the beach, and

provides the perfect backdrop to watchthe setting sun. The perfect capping

to a gloriously hot and sweaty day

on the beach.



27/48


FUN & FITNESS ■

Will this affect the environment?

Ultraviolet treatment is a safe and reliable method to

improve swimming water quality. It does not require the

use of chemicals, and does not harm the environment.

Is the sand contaminated?

The city has removed any sand at the water’s edge

that was contaminated with bacteria, and replaced it

with clean sand, which also enhances water clarity

and improves visibility for the lifeguards.

What about the Geese Poop?

Yes, all that bird crap around Sunnyside is disgusting!

Various city departments are working on measures

that will improve water quality, including beach

grooming, using trained Border Collies to chase away

the geese, and making people aware of the needto ensure that bacteria from feces does not leach into

the lake.

Where is this located?

The on-shore ultraviolet treatment container is

behind the Pizza Pizza pavilion. Pipes leading to and

from the container are in underground trenches. The

curtained-off area runs in a straight line from a point

south of the Sunnyside Pavilion to a point

approximately 200 metres west along the beach.

Lifeguards are on duty from 11:30 am to 6:30 pm,

seven days a week from June to Labour Day weekend.

See you on the trails or in the lake

Garry Kapitan

416-233-7885

e-mail: [email protected]



28/48




29/48

BOOK REVIEW ■


Egads! Still on the best seller list! Firstpublished in 2005 and now into its fourth printing,

this seemingly innocuous little novel was intended

originally as a Christmas gift for the author’s six

children. Four years later, with film studios

clamouring over movie rights, it continues to climb

ever higher on the charts.

Pain, suffering, anger, angst, confusion, tragedy,

evil: all ingredients that affect every man/woman/

child at some point. The world is full of darkness

and violence and horrible things do happen. The

age-old question arises: why does God allow such

things to happen?

This is the question that the protagonist, Mackenzie

Allen Phillips (Mack), is asking when the story

begins. As told by the narrator Willie, (actually the

author William P. Young,) Mack finds himself

drowning in the middle of his own Great Sadness,

which is literally sucking the life out of him, and

leaving him gasping for breath. His youngest

daughter, Missy, had been abducted and murdered

by a serial killer four years earlier, and her bloodied

dress was found in a shack in northern Oregon.

Mack is lured back to the shack by a mysterious note

left in his mailbox simply signed “Papa”. The shack isa place of darkness, ugliness and horror, where

Mack’s feelings of hurt, disappointment, loss and

grief are painfully stored. He returns with

trepidation. His sole purpose for going is to vent his

wrath on a despicable God.

Imagine his incredulity when the door of the shack

opens and Mack finds himself looking directly into

the face of a large, beaming, African-American

woman, who goes by the name Papa – the name for

God in this story.

As this book continues to gain popularity,

controversy and rejection have also arisen. One

reviewer cautions the public not to allow children to

read it. Clerics insist that the various theological

teachings are incorrect. This is, however, a work of

fiction after all, and people are not reading it for the

thrust of its theological impact. Whatever theology

the reader gleans from its pages is strictly

individualistic and personal.

The Shack is a tale for a diverse audience. It is not

intended for any specific reading or religious group,

and herein lies its appeal! Indeed, Jesus of The

Shack claims he is NOT a Christian, and embraces

equally Buddhists, Mormons, Baptists, Muslims,

Democrats, Republicans, murderers, bankers,

bookies, Jews, Palestinians, Iraqis, many who don’t

vote, and many who are not part of any Sunday

morning religious institution. It is an everyman/

everywoman kind of story, with love and forgiveness

at its core.

Read this book. Meet Papa, Sarayu, Jesus and Mack.Accompany them beyond the realm of traditional

teaching and thinking. Be prepared to be surprised,

delighted or perhaps turned off. Cry with them,

laugh with them and, as you close the last page,

rejoice with them.

THE SHACKby William P. Young

Reviewed by Clarice Giffen



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■ OUR HISTORY

AUTUMN 2009 HumberBayShores.org

The history of the Palais Royale is inextricably

tied to the history of the Sunnyside Amusement Park.

Annexed by the city in 1888, the stretch of shoreline between

Toronto’s Canadian National Exhibition site and the mouth of the

Humber on Lake Ontario was named “Sunnyside” after a residence at

the Humber mouth. It was already a popular attraction with day-

trippers brought by the new sightseeing streetcars as part of

Toronto’s Electric Rail system expansion in the late 1890s. The

construction of the exhibition grounds to the east brought more

tourists to the lakeshore, and by 1912, the Toronto Harbour

Commission, which owned the land, had announced plans to lay over

10,000 feet of boardwalk along the shoreline.

Progress was slow during the First World War, but in 1918, the success

of New York’s Coney Island and the fairgrounds of the adjacent CNE,

inspired the Harbour Commission to take advantage of its now

commercially valuable property. Plots all along the lakeshore were sold

to prospective entertainment and refreshment businesses.

Around 1913, local boat builder Walter Dean saw the opportunity to

occupy a prime lakeshore spot, and applied to the Harbour

Commission for the land, now occupied by Palais Royale. He built the

original structure as a boat yard, with direct access to the lake for the

sale of his famous “Sunnyside Torpedo Canoe”. By the early 1920s,

the plans for “Sunnyside Amusement Park” were taking shape and,

close to retirement, Walter Dean decided to move his operation into

the basement, with showrooms flanking the entrance to the upper

floor. In 1922, the upper floor was taken over by “Palais Royale

Limited” and converted for use as a dance hall.

PALAIS ROYALE

A Jewel in Sunnyside’s Crown

1926 Postcard from the City of Toronto Archives,

Series 330, File 567, Item 3

Couple dancing, date unknown: City of Toronto

Archives, Series 1057, Items 7376 & 7374

30



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31

Taking inspiration from New York’s Coney Island, the

original Palais Royale architects designed a structure

that was largely timber based, simple to construct,

and used local knowledge and materials, but was

certainly not meant for longevity. The boathouse onthe lower level needed lake access, and at entry

level, the dance hall facilities had to be visible from

the boardwalk, while still promoting the boat

business hidden below.

The stuccoed upper level was punctuated with large,

full-height windows and doors on all sides, flooding

the interior with natural light. A barrel-vaulted roof

also allowed light in through clerestory windows.

Decorative timber panelling and a fireplace gave

warmth in the evenings.

During the 1920s, the Palais gained in popularity as

the new “swing jazz” and “flapper” style of dancing

became fashionable, and The Toronto Star beganregular radio broadcasts from dances and events.

Upon Dean’s retirement in 1932, Palais Royale

Limited also took over the basement, and the venue

was converted into a full-fledged dance hall, music

venue, and restaurant. By this time, it was a

significant player in the city’s nightlife, with no sign

of business slowing down, even during the

depression. Bill Cuthbert and George Deller took

over the Palais, with the intention of establishing a

world-class swing jazz venue, and brought in the

most popular artists of the day. The Dance Hall was

regularly filled to capacity six nights a week. A

crowd of 3000 turned out in 1933 for Eddie Duchin’s

Park Central Orchestra.

In 1934, the city opened a new boardwalk, improving

access to the string of lakeshore amusements and

dance halls. Sunnyside continued in its popularity,

with free bathing cars bringing scores of children to

the lake during the war years. By the 1940s, the

Palais Royale Dance Hall was operating at capacity

all year round, with the introduction of the Terrace

Royale for dancing with a view of the lake in the

warmer months. At the height of the Big Band Swing

era, Cuthbert and Deller were attracting top name

acts such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Glen

Miller to the Palais.

After the end of the war, restrictions levied on the use

of cars were lifted. Out of town travel became easier,

cheaper and more popular, and the number of free

bathing cars was dramatically reduced. The decline

of Sunnyside began. In 1949, Cuthbert and Deller sold

the lease of the Palais Royale to Joe Broderick,

marking the departure of the popular and well

respected house band under the baton of Bert Niosi.

Broderick ran the Palais as a profitable business until

the mid 1950s, when the newly formed Municipalityof Metropolitan Toronto announced its plans to

construct Lake Shore Boulevard, which ripped

through Sunnyside, and fundamentally disconnected

the lakeshore from the city. Vandalism, neglect, and

a number of fires further damaged Sunnyside’s

hopes for a reprise, and the park was eventually

cleared in February of 1956. Despite local objections,

the only buildings to survive were the Sunnyside

Bathing Pavilion and Palais Royale, partly on their

architectural and historic merit, but largely because

they were not in the path of the proposed highway.

Attendance at the Palais dropped dramatically, and

by the mid 1960s, Joe Broderick passed on the lease

to the privately run Polish National Union withoutmuch objection. In 1964, the Toronto Harbour

Commission sold the whole of the western beaches

of the former Sunnyside Amusement Park to the

City of Toronto

There was little interest in the Palais for the next

decade, although, with the aim of preservation, the

building was listed as a Toronto Historic Site in 1974.

By the 1980s, dancing at the Palais Royale had

become part of the city’s folklore. Interest in the

Palais was renewed after it was designated under

the Ontario Heritage Act in 1984, and a number of

newspaper articles bemoaned its fate. The Polish

National Union still held the lease, and operated thebuilding for the sole use of the union, with few public

events. Local residents became frustrated by the

lack of access to what was now considered a

valuable part of the city’s heritage, and there were

OUR HISTORY ■


Dean’s Sunnyside Canoes and Lakeside Deck - circa 1923



32/48

■ OUR HISTORY


concerns about the increasing state of disrepair of

the building itself. Under pressure, the City of

Toronto put out a request for proposals for new

operators, with the primary objective that the

building be restored and put back into public use as

an entertainment facility.

The city regained control of the lease in 2000, and

passed it on to Shoreline Entertainment under a

twenty-year term, in return for Shoreline funding the

renovation of the Palais Royale, and restoring the

building to public use as a “venue for ballroom

dancing, as a site for banquets, weddings and other

functions, or as an entertainment facility.” The

current operators, Pegasus Group, Borg

Entertainment Group and the Dagonas Family,

privately invested over $3.5 million following their

dream to restore the Palais Royale, before re-

opening its doors in June 2006.

Visitors to the newly renovated Palais Royale find anambiance where the elegance, style and romance of

a by-gone era meets with contemporary, state-of-

the-art 21st century design. The original barrel-

vaulted ceiling is alive and intact. Colours of creams

and gold blend with aged wood and a plush interior,

adorned with contemporary furnishings reminiscent

of the 1920s. The Palais has emerged from its long

journey through Toronto’s history as an exciting

entertainment venue that fulfills its mandate with

style and grace:

“That the revival of music and dancing will once

again grace her stage and dance floor and make way

for a new generation of memories, and a rekindling

of old.”

For more on the Palais Royal and some interesting

public events it offers, see page 45

This article was prepared from information

provided by Palais Royale

Sunday August 30th, 20092:00 to 4:00 pm

Humber Bay Park East(Park Lawn Rd & Lakeshore Blvd. West)

Refreshments, Entertainment,Live Music, Children’s Activities.

Drop by anytime! Bring a Lawn Chair!We hope to see

you there!!

Laurel Broten, mppinvites you to the

Etobicoke - Lakeshore-

SummeR FeST

For Further Information:Laurel Broten, MPP

701 Evans Avenue, Suite 100, Etobicoke, Ontario M9C 1A3Tel: 416-259-2249 | Fax: 416-259-3704

[email protected] | www.laurelbroten.onmpp.ca



33/48


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TECHNOLOGY ■

R

ecent improvements in v ideophone

technology are changing the face of our

communications.

Whether you are connecting with loved ones, friends,

or business associates, in another city or around the

globe, just imagine how your world will change when

you can see the person you’re talking to.

Videophones have been around for some time, but

the technology was limited by the need to travel over

conventional analog telephone lines. The

transmission of the video images was too slow for a

practical conversation. All this has changed with the

wide adoption of high speed internet, combined with

a new break-through in video compression software

— making the implementation of dig

Documents

Humber Happenings Volume 14 (Autumn 2009)