T.O.’s hot fall ticket

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PLAYWRIGHT

BEN ELTON

Q: If your life were made into a film, who would play you?

Keira Knightley, obviously. She has the bone structure.

Q: You’re not a big sports fan. Did that make writing this show more challenging?

Of course not. This musical is no more about soccer than South Pacific is about World War II, or Grease is about the American school system.

Q: What surprised you most about the staging in Winnipeg?

The temperature. My testicles disappeared when I got off the plane and did not re-emerge until May.

DAVID MIRVISH

THEATRE IMPRESARIO

Q: Why does the Elton-Webber formula work so well?   

Two great imports for the price of one! But seriously, they are two of the greatest creative forces of their generation, and we are thrilled to be collaborating with them.  

Q: What’s on your iPod?

  I don’t have one — it’s too hard to play a record on an iPod! I do enjoy listening to Tony Bennett, music from the Woodstock era and the scores of Andrew Lloyd Webber.  

Q: Beckham or Ronaldo?   Beckham. I like who my wife tells me to.

ERICA PECK

AS MARY MCGUIRE

Q: You said that Winnipeg is prettier than Toronto. Here’s your chance to make amends.

Ha ha, I’m afraid I did say that! It might have had something to do with meeting my now-boyfriend there.
T.O. is a beautiful city, as well, but Winnipeg has preserved more of its history. And there was no garbage strike.…

Q: You do five costume changes in Act 1. Even if you love clothes, that’s gotta be a drag.

I love clothes. The fastest change takes 15 seconds, so there isn’t a dull moment backstage.

RICHARD MCMILLAN

AS FATHER O’DONNELL

Q: As a certified pilot, where would you like to fly to right  now?   

I am indeed a single-engine, fixed-wing pilot. I’d fly to Newfoundland, my son, my son. My mother was born there, and the people are truly wonderful, honest and unique.  

Q: What were the challenges for this role?

  This is one of the loveliest and easiest roles I’ve ever performed. It was beautifully and thoughtfully written by Ben, which made it a delight to rehearse. Sometimes the gods of theatre smile upon us.

TONY LEPAGE

AS JOHN KELLY

Q: How did you master the Irish accent, m’boy?

I YouTubed as many Lucky Charms commercials as I could find.

Q: What’re the trickiest words to say in that R-rolling tongue?

Erica Peck’s character’s name, Mary McGuire, is not a walk in the park. As you can imagine, I say it a fair bit.

Q: You’re not much of a footballer, true?

True, but my ”air soccer” skills are honed! I hope to see some TFC with the cast.

Town to draft bylaw to protect Dunlap site

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STAFF AT THE Town of Richmond Hill are busily reviewing the recommendations made by the Conservation Review Board in order to draft a report that will help determine the fate of the David Dunlap Observatory.

The board heard from community activists who wanted to see the historical astronomy research centre protected in its entirety, the Town, who sought partial protection and the owner, Corsica, who sought protection of the three main structures on the site earlier this year. Recently, the board made a decision that largely reflects the Town’s wishes.

“The staff report will go through the recommendations from the CRB, and it will speak to a designating bylaw,” said Ann Bassios, commissioner of planning and development with the Town of Richmond Hill. Bassios would not reveal the details of what the bylaw could look like, but said that they’re hoping to present the report to council as soon as their summer recess is over.

But even though the site will likely be partially designated as a heritage zone, community groups in the area and otherwise are concerned that it’s not enough. The observatory park recently topped a list of 10 endangered places in Canada by the Heritage Canada Foundation.

“This national recognition acknowledges the Dunlap Observatory site’s importance on the Canadian landscape. It validates our position it must be protected from development, not only as a statement of this country’s values, but because of its contribution to the world’s evolution of science and astronomy in the 20th century,” said Marianne Yake, president of the Richmond Hill Naturalists.

Metrus, the residential development company that now owns the property, has been working with the Toronto Centre branch of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, to start outreach and educational programs this summer. Paul Mortfield, a member of the RASC, said the programs have been highly successful. “Last week we had a meteor shower and about 300 people showed up. There were families out on the lawn with blankets, watching the meteors shoot by.”

Ian Shelton, an astronomer with the University of Toronto, has also been pushing to save the observatory so it can be used for educational purposes.

Some have criticized the RASC for cooperating with Metrus, and Mortfield said they do not have an opinion on the heritage designation of the site. But, the group wants to see the observatory itself remain.

“We’re trying to turn it into a centre where space knowledge is central, to encourage and inspire the next generation of scientists in Canada,” he said. “There is so much amazing research taking place and the observatory will be a focal point for all of that to happen.”

Thornhill swimmer youngest to cross Lake Ontario

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THORNHILL SWIMMER Jade Scognamillo recently became the youngest person to swim across Lake Ontario. On July 31, the 15-year-old Vaughan Aquatic Club member completed the 52-kilometre swim from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Toronto in just under 20 hours.

Scognamillo now holds three world records after becoming the youngest and fastest swimmer to cross Lake Erie last summer.

Born in Britain, Scognamillo first got the idea for the crossing after seeing a plaque listing the names of those who had completed the swim after coming to Canada. The then-11-year-old immediately told her mom she wanted to add her name to the list.

“Lake Ontario was always my goal,” she said. “That’s what I wanted to do.” And along the way Scognamillo raised $35,000 for the neonatal unit at Sick Kids Hospital.

One of Scognamillo’s coaches, Nancy Black, trained with the teen for the last year and a half. They worked on both physical and mental fitness, as well as nutrition. At times, training was six days a week for up to seven hours a day.

“If you’re taking on this kind of coaching endeavour, it’s a bit more personal than coaching a team,” Black said. “I would say I love her. We’ve spent a lot of time together, even more so this year.”

While she hasn’t ruled out tackling the remaining three Great Lakes, Scognamillo said there is another swim goal in her sights.

“I know that they’ve introduced a 10-kilometre marathon race now at the Olympics, so at this point I guess I can go either way,” she said. “I’m not ruling it out.”

Residents protest golf course application

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RESIDENTS WHO LIVE beside a provincially-owned hydro field are collecting signatures in a petition that protests an application to build a driving range on the land.

Atilla Yeter has collected more than 50 signatures from neighbours who are against the development proposed for 8111 Leslie St. He says a driving range would decrease the value of his property, disturb him and his neighbours and displace a variety of wildlife that resides in the green space.

“The people are commenting on the disappearance of wildlife,” Yeter said. “We’ll lose the ability to walk around with our children and dogs.”

Scott Rudiak, the applicant and owner of Within Range Golf Centres, said he wants to work with residents to build something everyone is happy with.

“If we can avoid annoying the residents, then that’s what we’re going to do,” he said.

The driving range would also include a mini golf course, a chipping area and matted tees.

Local Foundation adds first property to its roster

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THE THORNHILL HERITAGE Foundation announced the acquisition of their first property on Aug. 18.

Members at the foundation said they acquired a house at 7780 Yonge St., through a generous donation from Thornhill resident Katherine Louisa Keiths, who’s lived in the house since 1949. Originally built by her great-grandfather Robert West — Thornhill’s first grocery merchant — 160 years ago, the house is listed on the national archive of historical houses.

“It is the only house of its kind in all of Thornhill that has remained in the existing family from day one,” said Robb Stitt of the foundation.

According to the archivist of the Thornhill Historical Society,the property is the only neoclassical 19th century home in Thornhill, Stitt added.

The house will be known as the Robert West Heritage Centre, and will play host to the Society for the Preservation of Historic Thornhill archives collection, and will be used to hold meetings and to show exhibits organized by the group.

Documentary shows area family’s struggle

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THREE-YEAR-OLD JAIDEN ASCHAIEK is the subject of a new documentary, Jaiden’s Story: The Struggle for ABA Therapy in Ontario. The Thornhiller is just one of 1,500 children with autism who is being wait-listed for provincially subsidized autism therapy. The list outnumbers the 1,300 kids who are currently receiving applied behaviour analysis (ABA) therapy, the most effective form of treatment.

Some of the challenges that Jaiden and his mother, Sharon Aschaiek, face are outlined in the short film.

“I’m a single mother, and I was fortunate that I was able to move my son and I into my parents’ home. Every penny I make now goes toward my son’s therapy,” she says. “Most families are not in my situation. Most families can’t afford even a fraction and are watching their children regress.” Aschaiek currently spends $25,000 a year for nine hours of weekly treatment for Jaiden.

Watch the documentary at autismresolutionontario.com.

Proposal for 53 storeys recalls Minto debacle

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THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT proposal for the Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue area proposes a 53-storey condominium development, located next door to the Yonge-Eglinton Centre. The application is the latest in a number of proposals for the area, many of which have been met with concern from both residents and city councillors.

Submitted by Premium Properties Limited, the rezoning application is for a mixed-use building with condominiums and ground floor retail at 36 Eglinton Ave. W. The application proposes 458 condo units in excess of 30 times the lot area density. The proposal also calls for five levels of underground parking with more than 250 spaces.

“There just aren’t any planning principles that would support putting up a 50-storey tower on this corner,” said Chris Sellors, executive assistant for Coun. Michael Walker. “It’s just preposterous.”

In 2002, an Ontario Municipal Board decision approved construction of the Minto Midtown buildings — measuring 37 and 54 storeys — at 2195 Yonge St. More recently, RioCan made an application to amend the zoning bylaw at 2300 Yonge St., to allow construction of a three-storey retail addition to extend into existing outdoor space.

The application also proposed additions to both the 22-storey and 30-storey on-site buildings. Sellors said the implications of the Minto approval for future projects was evident years ago. “This is the sort of thing that [Coun. Walker] foresaw in 2002 if Minto was approved,” he said. “It would be used as a precedent, and we’d see more 50-storey towers, maybe 60-storey towers in this vicinity.”

Michael Visser of the Oriole Park Association said that he is skeptical of the proposal given the engineering challenges posed by such a building on the small lot.

“[It] makes me wonder if this is a serious proposal or just a negotiating tactic to attempt to squeeze more height out of the city,” he said. Visser added that he would be surprised if city planners would support the proposal. “My own feeling is that, when you look at the size of that site and the proposal for the height, I think the real question is whether or not you could actually construct a building that would support that height,” he said.

The association hasn’t held a full discussion on the recent proposal, but Visser said that he thinks the main issue for area residents is ultimately about encroachment. “I think their real concern is that it be confined to that very small area immediately adjacent to the actual intersection and that we not end up with a Yonge and Sheppard thing where it slowly creeps into the surrounding residential area,” he said. Calls made to Premium Properties were not returned.

Annex shooting near Brunswick House raises safety concerns

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A RECENT SHOOTING in the Annex was a “random, stupid thing,” according to the head of a local residents’ association.

On July 26, 23-year-old Sebastian Herrera of Toronto was shot during a robbery in the alley behind the Brunswick House, at 481 Bloor St. W. Herrera later died in hospital from his injuries. “I don’t think this is the beginning of the end for the Bloor-Harbord Village area at all,” said Rory “Gus” Sinclair, chairman of the Harbord Village Residents Association.

Sinclair has lived in the area since 1990. Over the last two-and-ahalf years, Sinclair and his association have had three public meetings with the Brunswick House to discuss resident concerns with the establishment, including neighbourhood vandalism, public intoxication and, most importantly, Sinclair said, noise concerns. “Your right to make money does not trump a person’s right to sleep in his home at night,” Sinclair said.

Coun. Adam Vaughan said that, while he thinks the shootings are random, the circumstances surrounding them are not.

“While the shootings themselves may be high profile, and very scary and things you take seriously, they happen in the context of a nightclub scene that’s trying to emerge there,” he said.

“The trouble with the Brunswick House, and the impact it’s having on that neighborhood, as well as a couple of other bars, is that people feel very scared,” Vaughan said.

A meeting to discuss concerns with the Brunswick House will be held Sept. 9. Calls to the operator of the bar were not returned.

Sports broadcaster and hockey lover Al Stewart dies

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SPORTS BROADCASTER AND North Toronto resident Al Stewart passed away on July 22, at the age of 73, of complications from surgery. The North Torontonian was known for his role in launching Coach’s Corner with Don Cherry.

“He was known as ‘the idea man,’” said Bill Pashby, chair of the Dr. Tom Pashby Sports Safety Fund, which raises money for research and education to prevent sports-related injuries, where Stewart served as director.

Stewart was born in 1935 and grew up playing sports at Rolph Road Public School and Leaside High School. While he attended Osgoode Hall and the University of Toronto, he worked part-time at Maple Leaf Gardens.

There, Stewart worked his way up from selling event programs to becoming executive assistant to Harold Ballard, a former owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Maple Leaf Gardens.

Stewart became involved with Hockey Night in Canada by creating his own multimedia company. He also produced instructional sports and safety videos and coached minor league hockey at Leaside.

“One of his ideas was the establishment of a $10,000 annual award to recognize and honour people who make sports and recreational activities safer from catastrophic injuries,” said Pashby. “This cash award has been given to concerned Canadians, to raise the level of safety awareness to recognize publicly the socially beneficial contribution made by the winners and to inspire other Canadians to volunteer their time and talents in the cause of injury prevention.”

Local transit gets ‘greener’ with green roof

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TORONTO’S RED ROCKET became a little more environmentally friendly with the recent completion of a green roof at the Eglinton Avenue West subway station. Eighty-five per cent of the station’s roof is now made up of plants. Provided by LiveRoof and installed by Toronto-based Gardens in the Sky Inc. over five days in July, the new roof is composed of approximately 5,000 modular trays. Eight different types of sedum, a plant family of more than 400 varieties requiring little maintenance or rain, provide the roof’s vegetation.

While green roofs are more expensive to install than traditional roofs (the price tag of the Eglinton Avenue roof was roughly $850,000), there are benefits that come with the higher cost. The Eglinton Avenue roof will reduce urban heat, help neutralize the pH level of rainwater entering the sewer system and extend the life of the roof by providing protection, said Bahram Farhang, senior project engineer for the TTC’s roofing programs. The roof is the first in a number of similar projects planned for TTC properties.

“For any roof replacement, if there is enough structure adequacy, we go with the green roof option,” Farhang said. “Otherwise we go with the cool roof, which is another type of sustainable design. The next in line is our Victoria Park station, which is approved and is now in the construction stage.”

In May, Toronto became the first city in North America to require green roofs on new developments. The bylaw will apply to all residential, commercial and institutional building permit applications made after Jan. 31, 2010.

Local company charged after last year’s explosion

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MORE THAN A year after the explosion at North York’s Sunrise Propane distribution plant, two charges have been laid against the company by the province’s ministry of labour. The company was charged with failing to protect the health and safety of a worker and failing to ensure that the facility was adhering to industry regulations.

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), the regulating body for propane in the province, has also been criticized.

“If the TSSA had been doing its job, this explosion wouldn’t have happened,” said Bob Huget, the Ontario vice-president of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada.

James Durling and his wife, Bice Amoroso-Durling, are two of the 3,000 people filing a class action suit against the company. Their Murray Road home suffered major damage from the explosion.

“With regards to the fines, it can only help the class action suit,” Durling said of the $500,000 fine, per charge, the company could face if they’re found guilty. The couple is also seeking compensation to rebuild their home after they say they had to tear down a section of it as a result of the explosion. They plan to submit a petition with approximately 500 signatures to the city soon.

On Aug. 10, 2008, a fire and explosion at the 54 Murray Rd. site caused the evacuation of more than 10,000 people and caused damage to property in close proximity to the plant. Two men were killed in the accident. Bob Leek, 55, was a firefighter who volunteered to fight the blaze the day of the explosion. Sunrise employee Parminder Singh Saini, 25, was also killed in the explosion.

Possible answer to Uptown traffic woes

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THE RECENT PURCHASE of a North York property set for demolition to make way for a new road is “outrageous” according to one city councillor.

The house at 54 Horsham Ave., located near Yonge Street and Finch Avenue, was recently bought by the city for $739,075 to make way for a section of the North York city centre service road. The roughly 20- year-old planned traffic route was adopted to facilitate increased traffic created by redevelopment of the North York city centre. When completed, the ring road — currently being built in sections — will run around Yonge Street between Finch Avenue and Sheppard Avenue.

“For what I see bungalows go for or houses like that in the area, for us to pay that amount of money for it I think is outrageous,” said Coun. Rob Ford. Ford is quick to dismiss the idea that the road is essential to handle current traffic on Yonge Street.

“I don’t buy that,” he said. “You can come to Etobicoke, and I can show you roads that are just as busy. What are we going to do? Start buying houses up? I don’t think the city’s in that business of purchasing houses for this amount of money, especially now in tough times. I just don’t see how an average person can justify this expenditure.”

Coun. John Filion said this type of purchase — and the price tag that he said, “seems about right” — is routine.

“There are dozens of properties that have been needed for the service road,” said Filion. “In some cases the city buys them, in some cases a developer buys them and turns them over. The property’s in the path of the service road,” he added. “If they hadn’t sold it, we would have expropriated it.”

Pascoal D’Souza, the city’s manager of traffic planning and rights of way management, said that construction of the road — which he described as “important” — has not kept pace with other development in the area.

“It is behind schedule,” he said. “We hoped that the service road had been built a lot earlier, but because we were unable to get all the lands needed for construction, that’s why we were slowed down.”

D’Souza said that if the necessary properties between Kempford Avenue and Ellerslie Avenue are acquired, construction on the road west of Yonge Street should begin next year. The road on the east side of Yonge Street is scheduled for completion this fall. “With the downturn in [the] economy, things have slowed down somewhat,” he said.