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Vol. 41
No. 6 June 2004 President’s
Update Greetings! This year’s Annual General
Meeting for members of the Markland Homes Association (MHA) will be held on
Monday evening, June 7th, at the Etobicoke Civic Centre at 7:30
p.m. We are pleased to have Ms. Janet McKay from LEAF (leaftoronto.org) as the
featured speaker to talk about native trees in the area, as well as native
shrubs and perennials. We will be reviewing the
past year and making plans for the next. Among the various topics we have on
the agenda, we will be reviewing the latest version of the proposed MHA
website, which we hope to launch sometime in the Fall. Please feel free to
stop by for all or part of the meeting, as there will be plenty of space to
come and go as you please. You are also welcome to ask questions or make any
submission you would like. The MHA Board of Directors
recently hosted an informational meeting and recruitment night for new
directors and I am pleased to report that we had a very good turnout of some
quality people. They all shared a desire to give something back to the
community. We will officially
introduce them at the Annual General Meeting on June 7th and their
names will be included in the Marklander
beginning in September. As you know, the long
awaited Federal Election is slated for June 28th. It has been a
year of elections, but this one may be the most significant for us locally. We
will be electing a new Member of Parliament to replace our former
representative Allan Rock. Issues, such as taxation, meaningful regulation of
the airports and health care are those, among others, which directly affect us
and which this election will be about. I would urge you to study and evaluate
the individual candidates on the basis of what they can do on the issues
important to you, instead of merely the political party they belong to. Join
us on June 17th from
7-9:30 p.m. to meet and learn more
about these candidates during the MHA- sponsored “Candidates’
Meeting” to be held at Silverthorn
Collegiate. See “From Tom’s Desk”
for further details. There have been sporadic
incidents of vandalism reported or observed in the neighbourhood over the past
several months and we (the Directors) talked about this at our last monthly
meeting. It has been the type of vandalism typically attributed to youth and
the question was posed as to whether the perpetrators were from the
neighbourhood or outside the area. If these youth are from the neighbourhood,
or hang out with someone from Markland, then we, as parents, have a direct
opportunity to influence this behaviour - immediately.
If they are solely from outside the neighbourhood, then we have a
different problem on our hands. As you might guess, the best defense against
this activity is vigilant observation of your surroundings. With the onset of
summer and vacations, we all need to be vigilant for the benefit of ourselves
and our neighbours. Be sure to communicate with your neighbour if you notice
anything suspicious and report any vandalism that you discover or witness.
Besides the police, report it as well to one of your MHA Directors, who can
relay this at the monthly meeting. Councillor Doug Holyday has
informed me that an application has been submitted to the City, as of May 19th,
to build upon the land at the corner of Bloor and Mill, which formerly housed
the Petro Canada Service Station. I met with the councilor and members of the
City Planning Office to see what had been submitted. There is a proposal to
build a dozen or so freehold multi-story town homes on the site. I was told
that the initial design of the proposal is being returned to the developer
with a request to reconfigure, due to height and other considerations.
Depending on the timing of any resubmission of a plan, there may be a public
meeting and/or a community council meeting over the summer that you should
watch for. Notice of any meeting would likely appear in the Guardian
shortly in advance of it. If you are interested in reviewing the plans, you
can contact the Planning Office at the Etobicoke Civic Centre. Alternatively,
you can contact Councilor Holyday’s office at 416-392-4002.
With summer just about here,
the beautiful Markland Wood lawns look to be in great shape, thanks in part to
all the rain we had in May. You have likely been hearing about the proposed
city regulation on pesticide use. Regardless of your opinion on it, you should
let your voice be heard by contacting various members of the City Council.
Best wishes for a safe and fun-filled summer. Patrick Clifford President, Markland Homes Association 2003-2004
Board of Directors EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT:
Patrick
Clifford, 8 The Green Pines 621-7695 VICE-PRESIDENT:
Tom Napier, 1 Markland Dr.
622-9630 SECRETARY:
Don Matheson, 30 Markwood
Cr. 621-4291 TREASURER:
Gerard Betsch, 14 Winsdale Road 620-4896
DIRECTORS Richard Boehnke, 67 Markland Dr.
621-5089 Brian Brennand, 2 Markland Dr.
622-8011 Bev Evans, 8 Winsdale Rd. 621-2153 Bo Lawrentiw, 110 Mill Rd, 622-9522 Graham Maguire, 2
Broadfield Dr. 620-4398 Diane Mcleod,
15 Aymarn Crt. 622-2183 Associate
Directors Stephen Blimkie, Helen Boehnke, Ian Sillars, Irene
Sillars, Anne-Marie Stoneburgh and Patti Thorne. Airport Noise Complaints: (416) 247-7682 Our Urban Forest Needs You! Most of us have enjoyed the cool refuge of a tree’s
canopy on a hot, sunny day. We appreciate the beauty of a tree-lined street
and recognize the calming effects that green spaces provide in a dense urban
setting. But how often do we think about what our trees need from us? Janet McKay, Executive Director of LEAF (Local
Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests), will describe the efforts of this
local, non-profit group to involve residents in the protection and enhancement
of our urban forest. Through a
Backyard Tree Planting Program, LEAF has planted over 6000 native trees and
shrubs in Toronto backyards. This
subsidized program is available to Toronto residents with adequate space in
their backyard. Janet will
describe the program and the criteria used to “get the right tree in the
right place”. She will dispel some common tree myths and will summarize the
top 10 things you can do for your trees.
Come to the our Annual General Meeting at the
Etobicoke Civic Centre on Monday June 7th at 7:30 p.m. and listen
to Janet talk about native trees in the city. Letter to the Editor I am writing to commend the MHA and all the volunteers
who did such a great job cleaning up the Renforth Creek. After the winter it
truly was a mess of litter and junk, and after all your efforts it looked
fantastic. I, like other writers to your newsletter, have in the past been
quick to blame the local school kids for the litter. Therefore, it is with
true disbelief and utter amazement that I report to you what I witnessed last
Friday May 7. Behind the
Burnhamthorpe Plaza, an elderly man backed up to the creek and began unloading
what looked like venting or pipes from his trunk and proceeded to throw them
into the creek. My colleague yelled at him, but he was unable to hear us. We
were able, however, to record his license plate number and call the City
By-Law office. Amazingly enough, the man returned again about 30 minutes
later, but because there were people around he left, probably to find another
park to dump his garbage. Why a grown man would dump junk into a creek, when
the city would probably pick it up from his front yard, is totally
incomprehensible to me. I have no words left to say except thank you to all
those who care about our environment and I am sorry for those who just don’t
get it. From Tom’s Desk
¯Summertime,
summertime, oh summer, summertime¯… And they’re off… Well they are supposed to be off.
Maybe there will be an election and maybe there won’t. At the deadline for
this column, the federal election has not been called. However, the MHA will
be ready for an ‘All Candidates Debate’. I am on the election debate
committee, contacting the media and learning about the candidates. We have a
very good selection this time around. Each is a worthy choice. I wish them all
good luck in their campaigning. Borys Wrzesnewkyj is
the Liberal candidate. Lida Preyma is the Conservative candidate. John
Richmond and John Scheer are running for the NDP and Green parties
respectfully. The debate, scheduled for June 17th at Siverthorne
CI, should be fun and informative. Even if there is no general election
called, we will still have a by-election held in Etobicoke Centre. So, please
be ready to vote. The candidate’s contact information is listed at the end
of this column. Where else can we shut down the streets of
Toronto for a garage sale? Markland Wood, that’s where. I hope everyone had
a great time buying, selling, haggling, bartering, trading, looking or just
speaking with the neighbours. Just a few short weeks after we had the
‘Pick-up Toronto’ events, the streets are slowly becoming littered again.
I need to pick up paper, cups, bottles and other trash left by what I consider
most ignorant people, almost every day. I don’t know why, but the smokers
seem to be the worst offenders. The red packages seem to be the most common
brand found littering the sidewalk and street. When did it become accepted
that cigarette end become okay to toss on the ground? Isn’t it litter, just
like the candy wrapper that a child discards? I may be a little ‘Preachy’
here but the hundreds of cigarette ends that I pick up every year is really
aggravating! Please put litter in its place, not my place! If the weeds cover more than 50% of your
property, is it okay to bag the lawn mower clippings? Are they still
considered grass or lawn clipping if the majority of the area is covered with
weeds? Congratulations to the Marklanders on the NW quadrant!
The speed monitor is a great idea. When I was positioning the Garage Sale
signs, I saw the speed monitor (and I wasn’t speeding) set up. What a great
idea, I thought to myself, so I went home to get my camera. On a quiet Sunday
afternoon, most of the cars were well over the posted 40Km/H limit. One car
was clocked at 63Km/H. I was told that car’s speed was not the highest they
clocked. Please watch your speed. Children don’t know the dangers of
automobiles. This also shows that our city traffic managers need to do more to
protect our communities against the speeding ‘cut-through’ drivers. Don’t forget to protect yourselves against West Nile
virus and keep an eye open for the Asian Long Horned Beetle. ¯See
you in September, Bye-bye, so long, farewell. ¯See
you when the summer’s through¯. And, have a great and safe summer! Thanks, Tom Napier, VP-MHA Email: tlcnapier1@aol.com Etobicoke-Centre Federal Candidates (info at
deadline): Borys Wrzesnewkyj - Liberal 140 LaRose Ave, Unit 14 (the LaRose Bakery
plaza) Etobicoke, Ontario
M9P 1B2 Tel: 416-249-7322 Email: electborys@bellnet.ca Web: www.electborys.com Lida Preyma – Conservative 735 Renforth Tel: 416-621-0115 Email: lida@preyma.ca John Richmond - NDP Tel: 416-630-1822 Email: johnrichmond@ndp.ca Tel: 866-525-2555 NDP National HQ 759A The Queensway Web: http://www.ndp.ca/ TBA - Green Party Tel: 866-868-3447 Headquarters Web: http://www.greenparty.ca/ Contact information for our elected representatives: Doug Holyday, City Councillor, Etobicoke Centre Tel:
416-392-4002 Email: councillor_holyday@toronto.ca Donna Cansfield, MPP Etobicoke Centre Tel: 416-234-2800 Email: dcansfield.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org Constituency Office, Etobicoke Centre Federal Tel: 416-231-2301 Email: etobicoke-centre@rogers.com Other important telephone numbers: Parks - 416-394-8527 Street Lighting - 416-395-4448 Roads & Sidewalks - 416-394-8615 Traffic
- 416-394-8453 Emergency Medical Services - 416-392-9833 Police - 416-808-2200 911 – For Real Emergencies! Toronto Department Web Site: http://www.toronto.ca/departments/ Deadline
for the September issue: Friday August 20th. Please note: All submissions for the Marklander should
be sent to: Graham Maguire, 2 Broadfield Drive, 620-4398. If "lengthy", it helps if you send it as a
Wordperfect or Word document to my e-mail address: daffodil@pathcom.com.
However, short notes dropped in my post-box are fine! Dad just keeps bumbling along
Thwarted by full diapers and stumped by stoves, the weenie
boys look to their smug, all-powerful wives for succour and expertise: "Honey, have you seen my socks... my brain... my
manhood?" Such Bumbling-Dad ads, as they're called, have been more
popular of late, scholars of advertising say. J.C. Penney runs one with a befuddled father fumbling feeding
time with his child and asking, "Where is your mother?" Robitussin gives us scarily omniscient "Dr. Mom,"
who ministers to her sick, ineffectual husband like the whining child he is. And commercials for Prilosec, Sudafed, Phillips' Milk of
Magnesia - as well as countless other products - depict infantilised men being
guided by gyroscope women with postgraduate-level knowledge of the
gastrointestinal tract, sinuses, and peanut butter ("choosy mothers"
and all that). Like still-training puppies, guys are sequestered in discrete
sectors of the domicile: the garage, the den. If you see these geldings in the
bedroom, they're flu-ish or snoring. Bumbling-Dad ads are, I am told, directed toward the Mom
demographic of women aged 25 to 54. Women love to laugh at fellas, apparently.
More important, females still do 75 percent of the family shopping, says
advertising professor Amy Falkner of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public
Communications at Syracuse University. So advertisers strive to exalt them
while insulting their mates. Also, the (mostly) white men characterized as dimwits in
these advertisements are considered to be the safest group to skewer in
America. Now, this upsets all sorts of male humans no end. Click on
Web logs and you'll encounter vibrating electric storms of righteous anger.
" 'Husbands are dumb' is the most popular advertising message in
America," one blogger brays. "What is it doing to the image of
marriage?" The boobs-on-the-tube phenomenon has even spread to
Australia, where men are complaining about how they're portrayed to that
country's Advertising Standards Board. Does the Bumbling Dad reflect reality, or is he a tired
stereotype that companies continually reach for to move product? Well, it's true that women do more stuff around the house
than men, studies show. But that's been changing. The amount of housework and child
care that men tackle has doubled in the last 25 years, says Stephanie Coontz,
co-chair of the Council on Contemporary Families. "And there's a group of
women who don't want their husbands to do housework, because they don't want
to give up the expertise," she adds. Let's face it; women should be just as offended by these ads.
They’re primarily presented as homemakers and coddling caregivers
throughout. And what good woman would want a man like the Bumbling Dad? What's depressing is how these commercials - written mostly
by 20- and 30-year-olds, according to Advertising Age writer Richard Linnett -
perpetuate a dim and rigid 1950s ethos. The Dagwood Dad lives on, confused as ever. Blondie, my
head's stuck in the microwave again. Philadelphia Inquirer Alfred Lubrano Posted
on Sat, Apr. 10, 2004 School News Millwood Junior School As the
school year draws to an end, there are many activities happening at Millwood.
Students danced their heart out at the annual Dance-a-Thon, which
raised funds for the school. The
Grade 5 classes made the traditional trip to Mono Cliffs for three days and
two nights with their teachers, much to the heartache of some parents and
possibly, to the delight of others! The Grade 5 Farewell Ceremony will take
place the evening of June 16th and our Grade 5 students will be moving on to
middle school in September. We
wish them a bright and successful future as they move up in the world. On
behalf of the students, parents, School Council and the Home & School
Association, we would like to thank the teachers and staff of Millwood Junior
School for their dedication and hard work this past year. We see the results
of your efforts in all of our children and are glad of it.
I,
personally, will not be writing for the Marklander come September, but have
enjoyed sharing our news with our readers. Hopefully, someone else will pick
up the torch and the spirit of Millwood will continue to burn brightly on
these pages. Have a
safe, healthy and happy summer! Larissa Bayrachny Bloordale Middle School Spring
marks the culmination of many ongoing activities as well as year-end events at
Bloordale. Students participated in a variety of academic, sports and arts
activities. All grade seven classes attended the Lorraine Kimsa Young People's
Theatre and toured the St. Lawrence Market, and the grade eight classes made
their traditional class trip to Muskoka Woods. Nineteen students attended the
Red Maple and Silver Birch Awards ceremonies and helped to select this year's
winning Canadian authors. Many students competed in the Gauss mathematics
competition in May, and elimination rounds for the school's spelling bee began
on May 26. In addition, the Boys' Reading Club celebrated their work with a
day at Playdium. Grade six students completed their EQAO tests in mid-May. Sports
activities and honours abounded in basketball, volleyball and track and field.
The Senior Girls' Basketball Team finished their overall season with an
Impressive 14 wins and 1 loss. They also were champions in two tournaments and
placed third in the City-wide Tournament of Champions, ranking second in the
TDSB and third in the GTA. The
Senior Boys' Team also scored a winning season with an overall record of 6
wins, 3 losses. The Junior Girls' Volleyball finished third in their division
while the Senior Girls won their division and finished third in the Etobicoke
championship, Bloordale also was represented at the GTA Orienteering Meet on
May 6 with a first place out of 36. Track and Field tryouts continue as
students prepare for the June I meet at Centennial Park. Students enjoyed the
student-teacher all-school volleyball game, and everyone contributed to the
Jump Rope for Heart Campaign through their physical education classes. Excitement
prevailed as over fifty students rehearsed and presented the "Shoot for
the Stars" Talent Show. Similar anticipation reigns as we prepare for in
the Spring Concert, June I with choir, band and orchestra. Through
the support of the School Council, Bloordale was treated to two concerts by
the Toronto Symphony Brass Quintet on May 29. This very active council is also
providing the leadership for the Body and Brain Challenge on June 10, where
the entire school will participate in activities, which will raise funds
designated to expand the school library collection. Over
eighty students completed their commitment to the Teens & Tots program
with the community school, and several participated in "Circle of
Friends". On May 12, an information night for next year's grade six
students was held, and we began plans for the farewell to our grade eight
class to be held on June 21. Brain/Body Fundraiser at Bloordale Middle
School Bloordale Middle School is holding a new
and exciting fundraising event on Thursday, June 10. It’s called the
Brain/Body Day and is a fundraising event, which challenges students to
participate in a variety of activities over a two-hour period. Students
will be encouraged to ask friends and family to sponsor them for a flat rate
in their chosen activities. Some of the activities will challenge the
mind and others will challenge the body. For the mind, the activities
will include brainteasers, reading, debating, puzzles, sing-a-long and
chess/checkers. The activities for the body are: skipping; basketball shots;
speed walking; dancing and soccer dribble. The students may select three
activities, which they will participate in continuously for a period of 40
minutes each. Many parents are volunteering to help make
this fundraiser a success, as well as the teachers who are supporting this
event and supervising the activities. The money raised will go to supporting a
library rejuvenation project. Bev McHenry Silverthorn Collegiate Institute
I can’t believe it’s June already! My last year of
high school has gone by in a flash! SCI
seems to have become busier as the year has gone on… The multi-cultural club UNITY put on an amazing
fashion show at the end of May. The student and teacher models wore outfits
from countries like New Zealand, India, China and Mexico for the whole school
to see. The audience was even treated to cultural dances – Hindu, Ukrainian
and Latin American. The co-ed volleyball team, which I’m a member of,
had great success in their regular season and, with a 6-1 record, we finished
tied for first in our division. The team plans to go all the way in the
playoffs. SAC elections for next year took place at the end of
May. Campaigning week is always interesting as every inch of the school walls
are covered by candidates’ posters. SAA is having their annual banquet on June 3. This
banquet treats all Spartan athletes to dinner and dessert as they receive
their awards for athletic ability and sportsmanship. The next day, on June 4th, the SAC is
organizing the last dance of the year. Students
should enjoy the end of year festivities while they can because exams start on
the 11th! After exams are over, the grads will enjoy their
formal on June 21st. This is where our last memories of high school
will be made. It is being held again this year at the Atlantis Club at Ontario
Place. I’ll be moving on to university in the fall, but it’s been great
writing for the Marklander this year and I hope my articles helped everyone
gain a better understanding of what SCI is all about.
Valerie
Foulkes Church News Bloordale
United Church 4258 Bloor St. West. Etobicoke, Ontario, M9C 1Z7
621-1710 Morning
services at 10:00 a.m. Just a
reminder that, beginning on June 6th, we will switch to
our summer worship time of 10 a.m. and joint summer services with St
James United and Richview United will commence in July. For service dates
and locations please call Ann at the church office 621-1710. Coming to
Bloordale United Church this summer... VACATION BIBLE
CAMP July 26-30th 9 a.m.-12 noon Stories, crafts, games, drama and fun for children
ages 5 to 12 in the theme of Animal
Friends and Foes From the Bible To register call Anne at the church office (621- 1710)
or email bloordaleuc@aol.com The camp fee is $10 per child for the week RENFORTH BAPTIST CHURCH 621-1990 PASTOR -
Rev. Godfrey Green St. James United Church 400 Burnhamthorpe Road, Etobicoke (Just west of 427 on the south side of Burnhamthorpe
Road.) 622-4113 Celebration
Service 9:00 a.m. (includes
Sunday School) Traditional
Service 10:30 a.m. (includes
Sunday School, baby-sitting) Fellowship with tea or coffee after service CRAFTSPEOPLE: Book
now for St. James United Church Craft Show Saturday, November 13th. Table rental $45. For more information please call: (416) 242-8277 The
Church of Christ the King 475
Rathburn Road, Etobicoke Just
West of Hwy. 427 621-3630
Also
CHECK US OUT ON OUR WEB SITE http://netcomsolutions-ont.com/Christ_King Rehoboth
Fellowship Christian Reformed Church 800 Burnhamthorpe Road (just
east of Mill Rd.) Etobicoke
622-9647 Reverend John Tenyenhuis People and Places Annual Flea Market The Wesburn Manor Volunteers extend a warm
welcome to the Markland Homes Community to our first Annual Flea Market
on Saturday, June 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will also be a
raffle, a BBQ and a home-baking table. The home is located at 400 The West Mall (opposite the
Etobicoke Civic Centre). Markland Wood Motorcycle Enthusiasts Parent and Tot Coffee Time At
Bloordale United Church, Room 13, on alternate Tuesday mornings between 9:15-11:15
a.m. Coffee
is provided, but bring a snack for your little one(s). Next dates, June 1 and
15. Make a friend, bring a friend, be a friend. Please note that there will be no more coffee times until
September. For more information, call Karen
Miteff at 621-2293. BRIDGE Markland
Wood Marathon Bridge Club is looking for new members for the
2004/2005 season. We have two groups: Mixed, one evening per month Ladies, two afternoons per month. The new season starts in September. For more
information, please contact Iris or Hugh
Van Melle at 626-3249. If you play bridge and you don’t have a partner, call
us anyway. We may be able to find a partner for you. Pilates
Plus with Kim Smith RMT Fall
Session beginning Sept. 21 Beginner
classes 6:30 pm Neilson
Park Creative Centre Call
416-528-6472 or e-mail kim.rmt@sympatico.ca
for more info The Neilson Park Creative Centre 56 Neilson Drive, Etobicoke ON M9C 1V7 June 8 to June 27 In the Main Gallery “Pamanang
Sining” The Philippine Artists Group of Canada celebrating the 106th anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence artworks in a variety of media by visual artists of Filipino origin living on Ontario Opening Reception: Sunday June 13 from 1-4 p.m. In the Hall Gallery “My Choice” Recent
watercolours and acrylics by Olga Radocaj In the Main
Gallery June 29 to July 16 “6 Point Perspective” Patrick McCue, Tonya, Rodrigo Hernandez-Gomez, Nahum
Adalberto Flores, Jenny Wing Lee, Lu Lucinda Chen an exhibit of drawings, paintings, prints, ceramics and
sculpture Opening Reception: Sunday, Tuesday, June 29, from 7 to 9 pm July 19 to August 13 “Summer 2004 Annual Juried Art Exhibition” Jurors: Paul Magowan, CFS and Barbara Elias, Textile Artist $500 in Prizes an exhibition of calligraphic art, fibre art, painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, and more Open to all artists. Call 622-5294 for entry
brochure. Deadline: July 5 Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony:
Monday, July 19 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. August 17 to September 3 “Imagination” an Artists’ Choice Exhibition paintings, drawings, sculpture and more Open to all artists. Call 622-5294 for entry brochure. Deadline:
August 2 Information: 622-5294 Open: Tues-Sat, 9-4 p.m. Tuesday, 7-9 p.m. Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Wheelchair accessible. Free
admission and parking. www.neilsonparkcreativecentre.com Email: npcc@idirect.com MARKLANDER
STAFF President:
Patrick Clifford Editor:
Graham Maguire Advertising:
Brian Brennand Photographer: Tom
Napier Distribution:
Richard Boehnke Setup
Spalding Creative Printing
Stu McNair |