neighbourhood living west - winter 2012

Winter 2012 • Issue 4

westBloor West, The Junction, Roncesvalles, High Park, Royal York, The Kingsway, Swansea, Babypoint

C e l e b r a t I n g l o C a l p e o p l e . p r o m o t I n g l o C a l b u s I n e s s .

Neighbourhood

The Four Leafed Clover Collection features our signature wrap-around necklaces of linked gemstones with a golden clovers in a brush fi nish (right) or a jewelled clovers adorned with a faceted gemstone at the center

Introducing our

Midnight Symphony Collection

Grace & AngelineJewer Suio

256 Durie Street at Bloor • 416-546-5150

graceandangeline.com

Visit us at our newly revamped

boutique and follow our new website

for updates throughout the Holiday

Season.

I AM … Our New Signature Tag Necklaces

If ever in doubt, just remember who you are …

I AM Strong, Loved, Fabulous, Powerful, Beautiful

I AM Enough.

Inspired by turn-of-the-century glamour, this collection is sure to help you make an entrance. The collection is set with beautiful cabochon gems and available in 18k gold.

www.neighbourhoodliving.com | Neighbourhood Living | 1

west

All rights reserved info. No article or ad may be duplicated without the consent of the publisher. Neighbourhood Living makes no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, as to the qualification or accreditation of those whose opinions are expressed herein, or with the respect to the accuracy of completeness of information (medical or otherwise) provided to, or published in, this magazine. The views and opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Want to read Neighbourhood Living online? Visit www.neighbourhoodliving.com

Delivered to fine homes and targeted businesses in Bloor West, The Junction, Roncesvalles, High Park, Royal York, The Kingsway, Swansea and BabypointReaching 39,000 readers and growing.

ON OUR COVER:Celebrating the Winter Solstice with Red Pepper Spectacle Arts in Kensington Market

Neighbourhood People2 The beautiful duet of Fiona Hoop6 Art in the Village7 Breathing easier and better with

Grande Environmental Projects Ltd.8 BIAs: A voice for west-end businesses

Local Homes and Gardens12 Kevin Karst design, Beautiful,

functional, unique13 Paula Deresti: Build a little wow

into your garden14 John & Leslie Battle: Royal LePage

Food and Celebration in the Neighbourhood16 In the kitchen with Shakey’s

head chef Chris Lundy17 BUFCO: Eating fresher, longer18 Mary Macleod’s: A neighbourhood

Christmas tradition with Scottish roots

Local Fashion and Beauty 20 Hot neighbourhood fashions make

gift giving cool this holiday season21 Fresh Collective22 Natureal23 Kid Culture

In the Neighbourhood24 Bill Mohan25 Making the neighbourhood whole at

Clary Sage Whole Health26 NeighbourhoodWalking: Three, two,

one: Street art in the Triangle28 Neighbourhood Source Guide29 Behind the Counter: Balluchon

2 Fiona Hoop

23 Kid Culture

25 Clary Sage

NeighbourhoodNEXT ISSUE: January 2013

Neighbourhood Living Magazine is now in its fourth exciting year, helping our clients to compete in the $3 billion+ marketplace we serve. For a free marketing analysis that will help you grow your business, call Greg Barsoski at 416-402-4283 or email [email protected].

Editor/Feature Writer: Tracey Coveart

Graphic Designer: Pamela Hickey

Neighbourhood Promoter: Carolyn Tripp

Printer: Ironstone Media

Contributing Photographers: Igor Yu, Greg Barsoski, Mark Green and Arlene Hazzan Green, Nathalie Prezeau, Dennis Hanangan

Contributing Writers: Tracey Coveart, Mark Green and Arlene Hazzan Green, Greg Barsoski, Nathalie Prezeau, Paula Deresti, Dennis Hanagan, Mary Breen, Carolyn Tripp, Nicole Wilson

Publisher: Greg Barsoski

2 | Neighbourhood Living | www.neighbourhoodliving.com

Sometimes, two heads are better than one. Just ask Bloor West artist Fiona Hoop. Or better yet, ask the ladies standing behind her brandishing paintbrushes in their studio at 234 Jane Street.

Fiona Hoop is a pseudonym for visual artists Mary Kennedy and Michele Woodey, who began painting together 12 years ago. The pair met in 2000 when they were creating murals and faux finishes on the concrete walls of what is now the Rogers Centre sports and entertainment complex. They enjoyed working together so much, they struck up a partnership.

For two years, Mary and Michele worked as faux finishers climbing ladders and balancing on scaffolding as they applied their trade. “It was very physical work,” says Michele, “and far removed from the fine art that we both loved. One day when we were painting fairies on a bedroom wall, we looked at each other and said, ‘Why are we doing this? There must be an easier way to make money.’”

The beautiful duet of

Fiona Hoop


neighbourhood people n

Sometimes, two heads are better than one. Just ask Bloor West artist Fiona Hoop. Or better yet, ask the ladies standing behind her brandishing paintbrushes in their studio at 234 Jane Street.

Fiona Hoop is a pseudonym for visual artists Mary Kennedy and Michele Woodey, who began painting together 12 years ago. The pair met in 2000 when they were creating murals and faux finishes on the concrete walls of what is now the Rogers Centre sports and entertainment complex. They enjoyed working together so much, they struck up a partnership.

For two years, Mary and Michele worked as faux finishers climbing ladders and balancing on scaffolding as they applied their trade. “It was very physical work,” says Michele, “and far removed from the fine art that we both loved. One day when we were painting fairies on a bedroom wall, we looked at each other and said, ‘Why are we doing this? There must be an easier way to make money.’”

The beautiful duet of

Fiona Hoop


The answer was Fiona Hoop, and in 2002 the artists’ true collaboration began.

Mary graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design in 1989, receiving OCAD’s Experimental Arts Award in Painting. As a solo artist, her work was shown in the Bau-Xi and Christopher Cutts galleries in Toronto and the Lois Shayne Galleries in Montreal. Michele studied at the Brighton School of Arts in England and graduated with her Fine Arts honours degree in 1979. Working as an art restorer in London, Michele also taught drawing, painting, printmaking and photography while continuing to develop her own style. It was her first Canadian show at the Leo Kamen Gallery in Toronto that lured Michele away from the UK. She settled here and took the job as Joint Head of Montessori School art programs. Mary’s physical, expressive brushwork is the perfect foil for Michele’s skillful application of colour and detail, and it is their diversity that makes Fiona Hoop such a successful composite.

Mary starts each painting – abstract, collage, landscape, figurative or still-life – giving the piece

structure and direction. When she is happy with the bones, she passes it to Michele, who applies the first layer of flesh – the finer elements and the chromasticity.

“Mary is great at grounding the concept, pulling the idea down from thin air and giving it physical form,” says Michele. “She structures the base or foundation of the work, while still leaving me enough room to take the painting in many different directions.”

Michele, on the other hand, “is an expert with colour,” says Mary. “She is a master at transitioning from one pigment to the next, making sure the change is seamless so your eye can move across the canvas without interruption.” Michele and Mary pass a painting back and forth many times before it is ready for Fiona’s signature, which is always signed by Michele.

“We like to think of the process as music, and ourselves as members of an orchestra,” says Mary. “We each add our own instrumentation to the score.” The result is a symphony, and ever since Fiona Hoop started to appear in galleries in North American and around the world, the audience has been clamouring for an encore.

“The first five years were crazy,” says Mary. “There was such a demand for our paintings that we were working non-stop.” The frenetic pace was beginning to take a physical toll. Michele developed a trapped nerve in her shoulder and arm. “We were exhausted.”

“The recession actually hit at a good time for us,” says Michele. “We got to slow down, and we even started taking separate holidays!”

We like to think of the process

as music, and ourselves as

members of an orchestra

“She’s not joking,” says Mary with a laugh. “In the beginning, we had to take our vacations together.” Not that their annual trips to Cuba offered much in the way of respite. “We brought all our supplies with us and turned our hotel room into a studio. I took the early shift and Michele took the afternoon shift. We’d meet up in the evenings at the champagne bar!”

Most of the work in those early days was commissioned. “We were painting what other people wanted,” Mary says. “We had to be very disciplined – from subject matter to size to colour – and we had to work fast.” Eventually Fiona Hoop got to the point where she could paint more personal work, and explore other techniques and ideas, and there was a ready market for it.

Today, the girls are represented in galleries across Canada, the US and internationally, and their work is embraced by individual and corporate collectors around the world. (A large 8x8 piece hangs in the lobby of the Xerox Building on Bloor Street, and a number of Fiona Hoop paintings grace the walls of the new Ritz Carlton on Wellington Street.) And while many people might not know it, they have likely seen – or even own – a Fiona Hoop. Her fine art and decorative posters are

sold worldwide, as are her giclee’s, which are marketed in home furnishing stores. Chances are, if you’ve been to a Target, Home Sense or Winners you’ve admired – and perhaps purchased – a Fiona Hoop.

The global appeal of the girls’ work lies in its accessibility; in their ability to blend traditional fine art skills and diverse styles with an awareness of contemporary colour and design. Working as a duet for so long has enabled them to ‘converse in paint,’ integrating their individual work processes in complex layers. “We usually think of the painter as a solitary figure,” says Mary, “but our process brings to mind other arts such as music, dance and theatre, where each individual feeds off the creativity of the others in the creation of a seamless whole.”

“It’s like alchemy,” says Michele. “When we combine our skills, the result equals so much more than the sum of the parts.”

Paintings: previous page; Field Daises: Mary (right)and Michele enjoy a well-deserved break. top left, this page; Flowers afield; below, this page; Blue Place. Opposite page, bottom left; still Life: next page bottom right; Colourful Birch 2.

To see more of Fiona Hoop, visit Nature’s Scene and Art of Traderhorn Inc. at www.naturesscene.com (1-800-387-6645) or visit Art in the Village at 2311 Bloor St. W. (416-763-2224). Email: [email protected]


At Art in the Village, elegant is not synon-ymous with expensive. � at’s because owner Jezelle Westmaas believes that art should be enjoyed – and owned – by everyone.

� e atmosphere in this Bloor West Village art gallery is relaxed and welcoming; the service is warm and personal. Here, you will fi nd contemporary art by local and international artists, including Fiona Hoop, Maya Eventov, Roman Zuzuk, Marie Claude Bouche, as well as large format printing and Toronto historical maps.

Art consultation and inexpensive custom framing are available on request, and staff are delighted to discuss the best way to display and preserve your paintings, photographs, textiles and children’s art.

Whether you’re looking for a gift for that special someone this holiday season or for something to hang on your own wall in time for Christmas, make sure to visit Art in the Village, where beauty meets aff ordability and art is for everyone.

Art in the Village2311 Bloor St. W416-763-2224

Art in the Village


NL: What are some common causes of poor IAQ?

DG: Dampness and mould are the most common, but there are a host of other factors, including biological contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, dust mite allergens, animal dander and pollen; chemical pollutants like tobacco smoke and emissions from office equipment and wall and floor coverings, cleaning and consumer products and gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Dust and dirt particles can be drawn into the building from the outside or produced by indoor activities like sanding wood or drywall, printing, photocopying and operating equipment.

NL: What symptoms are associated with poor indoor air quality?

DG: Exposure to indoor biological pollutants can trigger allergies and asthma in people who suffer from these respiratory ailments, and some pollutants can cause both short- and long-term health problems for all occupants. Some of the most common mild symptoms of poor IAQ include dryness and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin; headache; fatigue; shortness of breath; hypersensitivity and allergies; sinus congestion; coughing and sneezing; dizziness; and/or nausea.

NL: Are there physical signs I can recognize that might indicate a problem?

DG: Water intrusion is often easy to spot, but sometimes you have to look for clues. If you have mould in your laundry room and can’t see an obvious leak, it could be that your dryer vent is installed incorrectly or clogged. Either scenario could cause excessive humidity in the room and moisture build-up on surfaces such as drywall or cardboard boxes.

NL: What can I do to make sure my indoor environment is healthy - for my family or for my employees?

DG: Use a checklist that covers all possible sources of poor indoor air quality at least twice a year. The checklist will draw your attention to things we tend to overlook or disregard – what is stored beside the furnace, for example, and when the exterior caulking was inspected. If you’re worried call GEP. We can usually diagnose a problem and devise simple and cost effective remediation from a thorough visual inspection, but environmental issues and poor IAQ may also require the collection of various samples and scientific analysis by an accredited laboratory.

NL: I don’t mean to sound rude, how do I know you’re qualified to fix my IAQ problem?

DG: I have been working as an Indoor Air Quality and Environmental Specialist for more than 15 years, managing large-scale, multi-building environmental audits as well as small residential environmental and indoor air quality projects. The members of my team are all qualified indoor air technicians and bring years of experience as well as state-of-the-art diagnostic technology into your home or office to diagnose and recommend treatment for your environmental deficiencies.

Breathing easier – and better

Few commodities are more precious than the air we breathe, yet most of us have little or no appreciation for the air circulating through our homes and offices. To find out more about the impact of poor Indoor Air Quality on our daily living and working conditions – and what we can do to make it better – NL sat down with Grande Environmental Projects president Bernardino Grande, B.Sc., AMRT, LEED Green Associate.

As a business owner and member of the community, I am deeply committed to improving air quality in our neighbourhoods. In the late 1990s I lobbied to have the City of Toronto ban the use of pesticides in public parks. This ban has undoubtedly improved air quality – and quality of life – both outside and inside the home. In addition, I have logged many volunteer hours planting trees and aquatic flora across the city and have helped to educate the public on energy conservation.

The next time you take a deep breath, think of Grande Environmental Projects Ltd. For cleaner air and better health, call Dino at 416-451-3004 or visit www.grandeprojects.com.


� e Village of Islington, between Kipling and Islington along Dundas West, is known as Toronto’s ‘Village of Murals’ – 19 in all! Check out some of the street art on the website, see the new murals in the 2013 BIA mural calendar available at village businesses or better yet head on over and take a self-guided tour of the

artwork nestled among cafés, shops and restaurants. Islington’s earliest settlers, George and Mary Johnson, trekked here from Pennsylvania in the late 1700s. Mimico Creek attracted newcomers, but more so did the military road – Dundas Street – that existed in the early 1800s. � e 182-year-old Montgomery’s Inn at

Dundas and Islington is a popular tourist attraction. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday from 1-5 p.m. and features a tea room from 2-4 p.m. In late October, the village held an offi cial unveiling of the mural Fishing in Mimico Creek, and the public had an opportunity to learn about the creek’s natural species.

‘A voice for west-end businesses’� e Kingsway BIA runs along Bloor Street

and straddles Royal York Road. It started in 1949 as the Kingsway Business Men’s Association. Today, the area boasts boutique shopping and more than 30 dining establishments. Its three-day Taste of the Kingsway Festival in September is a popular annual event, attracting more than 200,000 visitors this year and raising money for the Out of the Cold program and the St. Joseph Health Centre Foundation. � e medians in the centre of the road along Bloor Street in the Kingsway are truly unique with lighted trees, distinctive fl ags and beautiful fl owers. Wrought iron benches, waste receptacles and coach lanterns add a decorative fl air to the area. � e Coach Lantern Logos adorning the hydro poles help light the night sky and provide a warm ambiance, welcoming visitors to the Kingsway.

With more than 70 BIAs across Toronto, chances are there is one of these neighbourhood anchors near you. The acronym BIA stands for Business Improvement Area – a new term for what used to be called a Businessmen’s Association. BIAs fund street improvements, such as sidewalk benches, large planters for fl owers and trees and old-fashioned streetlamps, as well as festivals and annual community events.

The Bloor West BIA is the grandfather of all these groups, opening its doors in 1970. At that time, stores and services along Bloor were suffering a business slump and owners took matters of revival, improvement and beautifi cation into their own hands. Today, Bloor West Village is a popular shopping destination, not just for local residents but also for folks who love the area so much they are willing to travel by car or TTC to get there.

BIAs need city council’s stamp of approval before they are permitted to commence operations but, once they’re up and running, all area businesses become members and contribute to the group’s operating budget.

One of the newest BIAs, Baby Point Gates BIA, was established in 2009 and takes its name from the historic stone gates located at the intersection of Jane and Annette Streets. It stretches along Jane Street from Hanley Street in the north to just south of Humberview Avenue, and across Annette Street to Runnymede Road. BIA members cater to a variety of interests by way of coff ee shops, restaurants, fl orists, women’s fashions, a sporting goods store and a photo studio. � ere are also a number of professional services, including Art Works Art School and Gallery, Body Language Academy of Dance (a dance studio for children), Coco Crafted Organic Chocolate, Game Set Match Tennis Boutique, Jane Animal Hospital, Mad Mexican foods, and a children’s indoor play centre called Y Not Play. � e district attract clients from both the local trade area and within the GTA. On Nov. 17, Toronto’s Baby BIA held is fi rst community event called Baby, It’s Cold Outside. Businesses opened their doors off ering visitors music, entertainment, guest speakers and free samples.

Here are the BIAs in Neighbourhood Living’s circulation area:

Village of Islington villageofi slington.com

The Kingsway thekingswaytoronto.com

Baby Point Gates babypointgates.ca

Islington Village is well

known for its detailed

murals.

The Kingsway on Bloor at Royal

York will have inter-faith

Christmas carolling Nov. 24.

Baby Point Gates BIA, with its restaurants and women’s

fashions, caters to a variety of

interests.

10 | Neighbourhood Living | www.neighbourhoodliving.com4 | Neighbourhood Living | http://neighbourhoodliving.dgtlpub.com http://neighbourhoodliving.dgtlpub.com | Neighbourhood Living | 5

Founded in 1884 as a village, � e Junction neighbourhood stretches along Dundas Street from Indian Grove to Quebec Avenue. Popular annual events include � e Junction Music Festival and � e Junction Pumpkinfest. On December 1, residents and visitors will enjoy a day of fun family activities: a

visit with Santa, an Elf Village, a holiday story with Mrs. Claus, interactive window displays, and hot chocolate between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. � e area is fi lled with restaurants, cafés, unique shops and talented specialty service providers, all nourishing a space where creativity is promoted, healthy

lifestyles are celebrated and diversity is welcomed. In November and December, the BIA hosts a Cavalcade of Lights, and in February a Beat the Blues shopping event. Later in 2013, don’t miss � e Contact Photography Festival in May and the Summer Solstice Festival in June.

The Junction thejunctionbia.ca

Running along Bloor Street West, from Jane to Runnymede Road, Bloor West Village is famous for staging North America’s largest Ukrainian Street Festival. � e Bloor West Village BIA – started in the 1970s – is Toronto’s oldest, and served as the inspiration for the establishment of similar organizations across the city. Serviced by two subway stations, it is easy for parents from across the city to bring their kids to the Village on December 8 and 15 from 11-4 p.m. for a free colour photo with Santa at Windermere Court, 2323 Bloor West at Windermere Avenue. On December weekends leading up to Christmas, carolers will stroll the streets entertaing Chistmas shoppers.

Established in 1987, this BIA district – on Bloor Street West between Keele Street and Roncesvalles Avenue – is renowned for award-winning restaurants that feature foods and beverages from the Orient, Mexico, France, the British Isles and more. Its distinctive combination of shops, services and sidewalk cafes make for a delightful neighbourhood stroll. Graffi ti has been a major problem in Toronto, and the BBTP BIA monitors and helps fund the clean up of graffi ti along Bloor Street West. � e BIA has installed decorative lighting along the street for improved curb appeal, and the extra illumination off ers additional safety at night. On Dorval Road, the BIA joined forces with the West Bend Community Association and other

groups to landscape the green space over the subway. As well, the BBTP BIA just wrapped its second annual Toast to Autumn event in October, and a window contest is underway. Coordinator Weslie Guca says a new condo development is a great prospect for neighbourhood expansion and the growth and development of business in the area. � e BIA is partnering with the developers to beautify the grounds.

Bloor by the Park bloorbythepark.com

Extending along Roncesvalles from Dundas Street to Queen Street, the Roncesvalles Village BIA serves the neighbourhood with a wide variety of shops and services. Its Polish restaurants, bakeries and delis are famous throughout the city, but the street also boasts Cajun, Greek, Asian, Indian and � ai restaurants, as well as a large number of exciting and innovative retailers. � e historic art deco Revue Cinema at 400 Roncesvalles Ave. south of Dundas Street was built in 1912 and just celebrated its 100th birthday. Roncesvalles was named to commemorate the gorge where Colonel Walter O’Hara – who once owned most of the land east of Roncesvalles – fought in the Napoleonic Wars. In the early-to-mid 1900s, the village was occupied mostly by people of British origin, but the end of WWII brought a fl ood of Polish immigrants to the area. Today, the weekend-long Polish Festival in September is a popular annual attraction, with music, Polish fare including pierogies and kielbasa, and entertainment for kids and families. In June, the BIA hosts Roncy Rocks, a one-day celebration of the music and art of Roncesvalles Village. � is year marked the fi rst annual Toronto West Halloween Fest, a fundraiser for St. Joseph’s Health Centre, with live music and a kids’ Halloween parade and party. On Dec. 15 and 22 everyone is invited to two free screenings of family friendly fi lms at the Revue Cinema in celebration of the season.

The Junction, with its old

architecture, took its name from where railway tracks crossed.

Bloor West Village, the

grandfather of BIAs, features a fountain at Jane

and Bloor.

Roncesvalles Village roncesvallesvillage.ca

Roncesvalles Village features bike lanes and

plant containers with attached

seating.

Street life in Roncesvalles

Village is refl ected in this

mural.

Bloor West Village bloorwestvillagebia.ca

www.neighbourhoodliving.com | Neighbourhood Living | 114 | Neighbourhood Living | http://neighbourhoodliving.dgtlpub.com http://neighbourhoodliving.dgtlpub.com | Neighbourhood Living | 5

Founded in 1884 as a village, � e Junction neighbourhood stretches along Dundas Street from Indian Grove to Quebec Avenue. Popular annual events include � e Junction Music Festival and � e Junction Pumpkinfest. On December 1, residents and visitors will enjoy a day of fun family activities: a

visit with Santa, an Elf Village, a holiday story with Mrs. Claus, interactive window displays, and hot chocolate between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. � e area is fi lled with restaurants, cafés, unique shops and talented specialty service providers, all nourishing a space where creativity is promoted, healthy

lifestyles are celebrated and diversity is welcomed. In November and December, the BIA hosts a Cavalcade of Lights, and in February a Beat the Blues shopping event. Later in 2013, don’t miss � e Contact Photography Festival in May and the Summer Solstice Festival in June.

The Junction thejunctionbia.ca

Running along Bloor Street West, from Jane to Runnymede Road, Bloor West Village is famous for staging North America’s largest Ukrainian Street Festival. � e Bloor West Village BIA – started in the 1970s – is Toronto’s oldest, and served as the inspiration for the establishment of similar organizations across the city. Serviced by two subway stations, it is easy for parents from across the city to bring their kids to the Village on December 8 and 15 from 11-4 p.m. for a free colour photo with Santa at Windermere Court, 2323 Bloor West at Windermere Avenue. On December weekends leading up to Christmas, carolers will stroll the streets entertaing Chistmas shoppers.

Established in 1987, this BIA district – on Bloor Street West between Keele Street and Roncesvalles Avenue – is renowned for award-winning restaurants that feature foods and beverages from the Orient, Mexico, France, the British Isles and more. Its distinctive combination of shops, services and sidewalk cafes make for a delightful neighbourhood stroll. Graffi ti has been a major problem in Toronto, and the BBTP BIA monitors and helps fund the clean up of graffi ti along Bloor Street West. � e BIA has installed decorative lighting along the street for improved curb appeal, and the extra illumination off ers additional safety at night. On Dorval Road, the BIA joined forces with the West Bend Community Association and other

groups to landscape the green space over the subway. As well, the BBTP BIA just wrapped its second annual Toast to Autumn event in October, and a window contest is underway. Coordinator Weslie Guca says a new condo development is a great prospect for neighbourhood expansion and the growth and development of business in the area. � e BIA is partnering with the developers to beautify the grounds.

Bloor by the Park bloorbythepark.com

Extending along Roncesvalles from Dundas Street to Queen Street, the Roncesvalles Village BIA serves the neighbourhood with a wide variety of shops and services. Its Polish restaurants, bakeries and delis are famous throughout the city, but the street also boasts Cajun, Greek, Asian, Indian and � ai restaurants, as well as a large number of exciting and innovative retailers. � e historic art deco Revue Cinema at 400 Roncesvalles Ave. south of Dundas Street was built in 1912 and just celebrated its 100th birthday. Roncesvalles was named to commemorate the gorge where Colonel Walter O’Hara – who once owned most of the land east of Roncesvalles – fought in the Napoleonic Wars. In the early-to-mid 1900s, the village was occupied mostly by people of British origin, but the end of WWII brought a fl ood of Polish immigrants to the area. Today, the weekend-long Polish Festival in September is a popular annual attraction, with music, Polish fare including pierogies and kielbasa, and entertainment for kids and families. In June, the BIA hosts Roncy Rocks, a one-day celebration of the music and art of Roncesvalles Village. � is year marked the fi rst annual Toronto West Halloween Fest, a fundraiser for St. Joseph’s Health Centre, with live music and a kids’ Halloween parade and party. On Dec. 15 and 22 everyone is invited to two free screenings of family friendly fi lms at the Revue Cinema in celebration of the season.

The Junction, with its old

architecture, took its name from where railway tracks crossed.

Bloor West Village, the

grandfather of BIAs, features a fountain at Jane

and Bloor.

Roncesvalles Village roncesvallesvillage.ca

Roncesvalles Village features bike lanes and

plant containers with attached

seating.

Street life in Roncesvalles

Village is refl ected in this

mural.

Bloor West Village bloorwestvillagebia.ca


knows that your kitchen is the heart of your home. � at’s why thoughtfully creative and sustainable design, unsurpassed craftsmanship and the fi nest materials are at the heart of every custom kitchen from Kevin Karst Design Inc. “Your kitchen is the focal point of your home; the place where your family and friends gather,” says Kevin. “With so much of your life spent in and around this one meeting place/workspace, your kitchen needs to breathe comfort and relaxation. With excellent bones and a character that refl ects both your style and your needs, my kitchens are built to enhance the way you live.”

Whether you’re planning a renovation or a new build, Kevin can make your dream kitchen a reality. “During a relaxed consultation, I sit down with you and talk about the design, construction and installation processes,” explains Kevin. “I help you to make reasonable, informed choices, whether you’re tackling this project on your own or working with architects and other designers.”

� e result is a kitchen made to love and last. “Because I only build one kitchen at a time – and because each kitchen is custom designed to suit your space and lifestyle – your project is my priority, commanding my undivided attention and support from start to fi nish.” And Kevin places just as much emphasis on customer aftercare. “If you ever have a question or concern down the road, I am a phone call away.”

Large or small, new or retrofi t, your stunningly beautiful, superbly functional Kevin Karst custom kitchen is waiting to come home.

Beautiful, functional, unique

Master cabinet maker

Kevin Karst

Kevin KarstKevin Karst Design Inc.

P.O. Box 9, 388 Carlaw Avenue, Unit W22

Toronto, ON M4M 2T4

647.206.9002 647.722.4165 647.477.6048

www.kevinkarst.com [email protected]

KK_Design_INC_Card_rev:KK_Design_INC_Card_final 1/7/12 12:14 P

388 Carlaw Ave., Unit W22

647.722.4165 | [email protected]

www.kevinkarst.com

n local homes + gardens


When you gaze out upon your garden, do you see only a tangled mess of fl owers and shrubs? Even if everything is neat and tidy, do you still feel something is missing? In either case, your garden could be in need of some structure. A garden that features both softscape – trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, bulbs – and hardscape – walls, fences, pathways and patios – is in balance. Without a structural component, too much foliage leaves you searching for somewhere to rest your eyes.

� e garden featured in this article has an abundance of structure: a natural stone wall, a cedar fence and trellis, a fl agstone patio, a meandering gold pea gravel walkway and a pavilion. � e stone retaining wall adds dimension and strength and acts as a focal point at the rear of the garden, while supporting a small woodland space. � e cedar fence – designed in a horizontal pattern – creates an elaborate framework that unifi es the garden. Its modern style provides a contrast to the more organic and sculptural qualities of the perimeter plantings of serviceberry and pine trees. Trellis inserts in the fence add texture and allow vines to climb gracefully skyward, and the golden pea gravel path and random fl agstone patio add colour and texture to the design, while serving as functional elements in the landscape by delineating ‘rooms’ and walkways.

� e pavilion – constructed in the space where a garage once stood – comprises covered dining and sitting areas as well as storage, imbuing the garden with vitality, complexity and luxury. � e scale is in comfortable proportion with the larger surrounding garden, and in harmony with both the house and landscaping. Paint colours match the blue house trim and mirror the natural golden stones in the hardscape.

Whether it is an elaborate seating area or something as simple as a colourful pot, structure can add a little ‘wow’ to your outside living space. For ideas on how to incorporate structural design elements into your garden, contact your neighbourhood landscape professional.

Paula Deresti Landscape Designwww.pauladeresti.com | [email protected]

416-270-0534

into your gardenwowBuild a little


Leslie and Joe Battle are proud residents of Toronto’s Kingsway area, where they currently live with their two daughters. Trading real estate for nearly 30 years collectively, the Battles have done it all – from building and renovating, to staging and consulting. Leslie began her career in 1992 and Joe joined her in the business 10 years later. Their website – buyselltoronto.com - is a ‘full service for full success’ resource, with details on all of their listings, a helpful preferred vendors list, relevant news articles and a glossary of real estate terms for the prospective home buyer. If you are considering buying or selling a home, now or in the future, this short interview will provide some insight into who the Battles are and how they do business.

What were you doing before you became a licensed realtor?

Leslie: I was a national sales director of a London-based advertising agency and Joe was a national sales director at an international electronics company.

What do you enjoy most about working in real estate?

Joe: I like the fact that every transaction is different and a learning experience. Leslie loves meeting new and interesting people and exploring new neighbourhoods.

You work as a team, but the two of you are, of course, different people. What individual strengths do you think you bring to your business?

Leslie: I’m the details girl. Joe is the big picture guy, focusing on market trends and strategy.

What are the most important factors to consider when pricing a home to sell?

Joe: Location, the home itself and the market in which you are selling.

What aspects of your business approach do you think your clients most appreciate?

Leslie: Quick response time, effective and timely communication and aggressive negotiation. Joe: Strategic marketing, dependable valuations and integrity.

Your For Sale signs seem to dominate the Kingsway, and most refer to you as ‘the Kingsway agents.’ Do you ever venture outside this pocket?

Leslie: All the time. We are west end specialists! Bloor West, High Park, Sunnylea, Humber Valley, Edenbridge, Kipling Gardens and Lincoln Woods are all very familiar territory.

You have a reputation for selling million dollar homes. Is there anything you’d like to say to people buying or selling in the lower price brackets?

Joe: We are interested in every sale, whether it’s a $300,000 condo or a $5 million home. We value all our clients, and they dictate our price range.

Real estate is a 24/7 job. How do you juggle the responsibilities of life and parenthood while still catering to the needs of your clients?

Leslie: It can be challenging at times, but we’ve found a way to make it work. Our team approach certainly helps. After more than 20 years in the business we’ve got it down to a science!

Joe Battle & Leslie Battle Sales Representatives

buyselltoronto.com


Client Testimonials“Using the professional photographer to create the online visual tour and slideshow was a brilliant marketing tool - there’s no one else to use to sell your home ... especially in this neighborhood.”

Justine Fernie, Vendor

“Leslie’s con� dence and quick response every time when needed impressed us!She was always professional and we really enjoyed working with her. Best agents in our

neighbourhood.” Jill Tyndall, Vendor

“The dealings that impressed us the most was the presale assistance - getting the house into marketable condition quickly. Thank you!”

Paul and Kristine Shaw, Vendors

“The Battles were extremely professional and presented us with a thorough plan upfront so there were no surprises, the sales tools they’ve developed are creative and professional and although both Joe and Leslie led the process, I always felt like we had a voice in the overall plan, thank you!”

Geoff and Angela Atkins - Vendors

“Thank you for all your guidance and support throughout the past few months. Both Joe and Leslie were very patient with us in our search for a new home and we appreciate all the attention you gave to help make sure that we found the right one. We will de� nitely use your services again

and will not hesitate to recommendyou to others.” Brady and Carol Moore, Vendors and Purchasers

“Excellent knowledge of the neighbourhood - impressive speed in response to e-mail inquiries.”Paul Asmundson, Purchaser

[email protected]@buyselltoronto.com

416.236.18713031 Bloor St. W | Toronto, ON

buyselltoronto.com


Roasted Sweet Potato Soup(serves 8)

IngredIents

2 large sweet potatoes

1 large potato peeled and cut into eight pieces

2 tbsp olive oil

1 garlic bulb

1 large onion, peeled and sliced

5 sprigs of thyme

¼ cup maple syrup

water

salt and pepper

DirectionsPierce unpeeled sweet potatoes and place on baking tray in oven at 350oF. Cook until soft (1 to 2 hours). Cool and remove skin. Meanwhile, cut top off garlic bulb, drizzle with 1 Tbsp olive oil, wrap bulb in foil and place in oven for 45 minutes. When garlic bulb is cool, squeeze out cloves. Set aside sweet potato and garlic. Place onions in large pot with 1 Tbsp olive oil and sauté. Season with salt and pepper. Once onions are cooked (translucent), add thyme and maple syrup. Let mixture bubble, then add remaining ingredients. Stir to mix. Add enough water to cover ingredients and boil until soft. Puree soup in a blender and season to taste.* For a smoother texture, pass soup through a fine mesh sieve.

Substitutions: replace sweet potato with butternut squash or pumpkin

*This soup is tasty as is, but if you want to spice things up, add up to one Tbsp of: ground cinnamon and/or allspice; ground cloves (use sparingly so as not to overpower the other flavours); lemongrass; or Chinese Five Spice (a balanced blend of star anise, cinnamon, cloves, pepper and fennel). You can substitute two cinnamon sticks for the ground cinnamon, but be sure to remove before blending.

In the kitchen with Shakey’s head chef Chris Lundy

A veteran chef, Chris Lundy didn’t have much experience with soups until he

returned to toronto in 2010 to head up the kitchen at shakey’s. His dairyless soups

– often thickened with a potato base – are now a customer favourite and a standard

seasonal feature on the menu. “I’ve developed this love for making soup,” admits

Chris, who is cooking with a lot of hearty root vegetables now that the colder

weather has arrived. In this issue of nL Magazine, Chris shares one of his fall/winter

favourites. “this soup is great for warming up on a cold winter day,” says Chris. “It’s

light on the palate but heavy on flavour. the maple syrup adds a Canadian twist

and enhances the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes.”

Shakey’S • 2255 Bloor St West • 416-767-0608 • www.shakeys.ca


It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, but Marc Green and Arlene Hazzan Green – co-founders of � e Backyard Urban Farm Company (BUFCO) – will be harvesting their city grown crops well into the holiday season. “We’ll be eating fresh veggies for the next month at least and possibly longer,” says Arlene, which will likely come as a surprise to those who are not familiar with the tools of urban vegetable gardening.

� e extended growing season is possible because of the funky looking miniature greenhouse or ‘tunnel cloche’ that sits atop the new BUFCO Demonstration Garden in Roncesvalles Village. � e Green’s elevated gardens - created from two cedar raised beds on bases to retain soil, and with sub-irrigation to minimize evaporation and encourage deep root growth - are situated in the most urban of settings: the alley running behind their house, BUFCO headquarters.

“� is is probably my favourite way to garden,” says Marc. “To come out to our little urban patch in a snow storm and harvest fresh food is so satisfying.”

� e trick is making sure enough sun hits

the garden bed during the daytime to stave off freezing overnight.

� e alleyway gives the BUFCO greenhouse plenty of light, as well as additional visibility. “We wanted to show people how easy, fun and productive vegetable gardening can be,” says Arlene. Not to mention some of the innovative ways of growing food, even in winter. “Using tunnel cloches and cold frames to grow vegetables almost year-round is an old-fashioned idea that is making a comeback.”

In the smaller of the two demonstration beds, Arlene and Marc planted more than 70 cloves of garlic. Next summer these cloves will produce edible fl ower stems called scapes, and then fully developed bulbs by the end of July. In the larger bed, the one with the tunnel cloche, they are growing all sorts of cold-hardy foods, like spinach, radishes, lettuce, kale, giant red mustard, arugula and a variety of Asian greens.

“� anks to our extra-long growing season, we’ll have a special gift this winter holiday,” says Arlene. “Fresh, homegrown food to share with our family, friends and neighbours”. And that is truly something to celebrate.”

The Backyard Urban Farm Co. 647-290-2572 [email protected] www.bufco.ca

“Using tunnel cloches to grow vegetables almost year-round is an old-fashioned

idea that is making a comeback.”

Eating fresher, longer

food + celebration n


Shortbread: A neighbourhood Christmas tradition

with Scottish rootsWhen Mary Macleod was a young girl

growing up in Scotland, Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve) was celebrated “with a clean house, pudding, whisky and shortbread. We would put a disc of shortbread under a doily or fancy cloth,” recalls Mary, “and when the First Footers came to the door just after midnight, they would each break off a piece with their thumb. � e more the shortbread crumbled, the luckier the coming year would be.”

� e tradition continues with her customers. Mary Macleod’s one-pound shortbread � istle is a popular treat that is placed in the middle of the holiday table. “At the end of the meal, everyone breaks off a chunk. � e more crumbs you get, the better your luck.”

After 31 years of making shortbread for Torontonians, Mary has learned of many festive shortbread traditions started by her customers. One family makes an annual pilgrimage to the shop on Queen Street East to fi ll their stockings to the brim with Mary Macleod’s Shortbread. Another has replaced the traditional Christmas crackers at their holiday table with MM’s Shortbread shapes: snowmen, angels, candles, bells, bears and Christmas trees. One long-time customer, a man with a large extended family, gives MM’s shortbread to everyone on his gift list. “He always brings us a photograph of his Christmas tree surrounded by our bags,” says Mary’s daughter-in-law and now business manager, Sharon Grewal. “We try to have packages ready for him, but he usually cleans us out!”

A cookie jar of MM’s Shortbread makes a great offi ce or family present, because it’s perfect for sharing. Some customers put a jar on their table for visitors to enjoy over the holiday season. � e canisters, boxes and tins come in a variety of sizes and are perfect for seasonal gift-giving for for clients, teachers, friends, loved ones and holiday hostesses.

It is the Scots who are credited with inventing shortbread – the grandfather of the butter cookie sold throughout Europe – and,

according to Sharon, the name has several possible origins. “Some say it’s because of the shortening. Others say it’s because the cookie tastes crisp or short. But most blame the tax man. Biscuits were taxed. Bread was not.”

Shortbread is relatively easy to make – there are just three ingredients: butter, fl our, sugar – but it is not easy to make good shortbread, says Sharon. � e taste varies from country to country and baker to baker, based on the ingredients used.

In the UK, 50 per cent of the cookie’s fat content must derive from shortening or butter (by law) to be called a shortbread. MM’s is 100 per cent butter. � e granularity of the sugar and the coarseness of the fl our also have an impact. It took Mary 25 years to come up with the recipe for MM’s proprietary blend of fl our and she insists on fresh, quality ingredients. “We use premium Canadian butter, sugar and fl our,” says Sharon, “and we import our nuts from the world’s best producers, our cocoa from Holland and our chocolate from Belgium. Everything we use is top notch.”

With the holiday season in full swing, Mary Macleod’s Shortbread is baking 10,000 cookies each day, but Sharon urges customers to place their orders in advance to avoid disappointment. “We can’t keep product on the shelves in December. Call

us a few days in advance and we’ll have your order packed and ready to go.” Check the website for extended hours in December, and try to avoid the crazy weekends leading up to Christmas. “It’s standing room only in here on Saturdays,” says Sharon.

Despite the line-ups, it’s an upbeat crowd.. “Happy people come to visit us,” Sharon says with a laugh. No wonder. � ey get a cookie while they wait! 639 Queen Street East • 416-461-4576 • www.marymacleod.ca • Open 7 days a week


n fashion + beauty

Start your journey at Queen and Roncesvalles and head north. Mrs. Huizenga, in its new location at 28 Roncesvalles Ave, is a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories. They offer affordable, character-filled pieces you will add personality to your mall wardrobe. For the little ones on your list, visit the delightful, practical and unique Planet Kid (87 Roncesvalles). They’re eco-conscious, and always mindful of how products are manufactured. Be sure to check out the Wee Woolies line - an organic, Canadian collection of pajamas and onesies, available in a range of colours. Tailoress (335 Roncesvalles, Unit #4, 2nd Floor) opened its doors for custom tailoring in mid-November this year. They can customize and build on what you already have in your wardrobe. Local hand made hats, scarves, accessories and other pieces are also available in the retail shop. Head north and check out Fresh Collective at 401 Roncesvalles (see the full page ad in this section) and then walk a few steps further to enjoy the warm atmosphere of Scout (405 Roncesvalles). An absolute must-have at this stop are earring studs by Toronto designer Moonlight for Violet. Finally, wrap up your Roncesvalles jaunt just north of Howard Park Ave. at Maggie’s Farm (431 Roncesvalles), a vintage cabinet of curiosities. Be sure to check out the collection of leather boots but, be warned, they go fast!

Each west-end neighbourhood has shops to make you look like a gifting superhero this festive season. We’ve uncovered fashion hot spots that will suit everyone on your list, so grab your Winter 2012 Neighbourhood Living Magazine, your scarf and a hot cup of coffee and hit these streets before the holiday rush!

From Roncesvalles you can head north, then west to Bloor Street West between Runnymede and Jane. Your journey continues to Trove, (2264 Bloor St. W.) a boutique offering a unique range of clothing and accessories. Their specialty is whimsical one-of-a-kind fashion essentials. Be sure to pick up necklaces made from 19th century wax seals by Pyrrha. Down the street and around the corner, Grace and Angeline Jewelry Studio (256 Durie St. at Bloor) offers custom and ready-made versatile designs made with stunning semi-precious stones that can be worn from day to night. Be sure to peruse their brand new in-house collection, Midnight Symphony. Ziliotto (2380 Bloor St. W.) offers comfortable fashion essentials designed to mix and match and suit your individual style. They feature pieces such as vegetable-dyed leather belts by Susama Erazo, as well as the stunning

made-for-real-women Ziliotto line. Further along, the by-appointment customized styling of Puh-Nash at 2420A Bloor Street West (416-845-7380) makes for a truly unique gift. They also offer a range of designer products including Hidden Hills by Paige, an asset-lifting denim line that hugs your curves in all the right ways. After that, it’s a hop, skip and a jump across the river to Royal York and Bloor. Just east is the quaint Casual Affairs (2973 Bloor St. W.), where you’ll discover versatility in everyday clothing. Stocking unconventional brands, you’ll find comfortable cammies by Niki Biki and the DL1961 stretch denim line.

Head back across the Humber and north into The Junction on Dundas Street West between Pacific and Quebec Avenues. Nestled among the delightful cafes and brunch spots is the crown jewel of hand-knitted eco-friendly wonders: Natureal (3072 Dundas St. W.). They feature Canadian products like the warm and stylish sweaters by Pure & Co. and jewelry made from recycled materials by dconstruct. Head east to Trap Door Boutique (2993 Dundas St. W.). This shop for the artistic professional features both men’s and women’s clothing. Check out ties by Cyberoptix or colourful stockings by Sock Dreams. They always carry your favourite locally made designs including Studio Fresh. A couple of storefronts east, Kid Culture (2986 Dundas St. W.) offers locally made fun finds for kids of all ages. Their best bets are monster hoodies by Things Aren’t So Terrible that are perfect for the anti-hat child. Don’t forget to pick up leggings made from recycled material by Sew Oiseau.

Hot neighbourhood finds make

gift giving cool this Christmas


Handknit sweaters | Jewellery | Scarves | Baby giftsMen’s cotton cashmere sweaters

Gift cards available • Check our holiday shopping hours

Your natural source for holiday gifts.

The Junct ion , 3072 Dundas Street West , Toronto, Ontar io M6P 1Z7

41 6 . 767. 3 07 2 E i n fo @ n a t u re a l j u n c t i o n .co m W n a t u re a l j u n c t i o n .co m

N a t u re a l i s fo r m e r l y t h e E a r t h Co l l e c t i o n J u n c t i o n

M6P 1Z7

Jewellery | Scarves | Baby gifts


Walk into Kid Culture at 2986 Dundas Street West and you will discover “an exploded classroom,” says proud shop owner Clare Raman. The colourful, locally sourced kids’ apparel instantly grabs your attention, but so do the displays: old school chairs and desks and parts of an abandoned piano salvaged by Clare’s husband. A piano harp hanging on the back wall is played expertly by Clare’s five-year-old daughter Amalia, who is often in the store, graciously inviting small customers to share her toys, and it is this kid-friendly atmosphere that makes Kid Culture such a welcoming place for families to shop. Instead of whining to leave, says Clare, quite a few of her younger patrons plead with their parents to stay longer!

Kid Culture

Kid Culture2986 Dundas Street West416-859-9006www.kidcultureboutique.blogspot.ca

Hours: Mon-Sat 10-8; Sun 11-5

Clare grew up in The Junction and is glad to have her business close to the family home where her parents still live. She spent 10 years selling her own jewelry designs at Buttercup Days in Mirvish Village, then four years at Fresh Collective, where she met plenty of Toronto’s most talented crafters. After the birth of Amalia, Clare shifted her creative focus to kids’ clothes, blending new and vintage fabrics and styles in innovative and appealing ways. In September 2011, she decided it was time to open another bricks-and-mortar shop. Calling upon her colleagues in the design and craft communities, she filled the space with homegrown quality kids’ wear and accessories.

Many of the items Clare sells are made from repurposed fabrics – old sweaters enjoy new life as skirts, dresses, scarves, leggings and even diaper covers – and her customers value this kind of sustainable design. They also love the fact that the merchandise is locally sourced and locally made. At least a quarter of the suppliers are from the immediate neighbourhood, and the rest are from the Toronto area.

Residents and retailers in The Junction community are loyal to their neighbourhood, Clare says, “and try really hard to shop here.” Customers return often, eager to replace outgrown outfits, and glad to know they can always place a custom order or make a helpful suggestion. It’s because so many parents lamented, ‘If only this came in my size!’ that Clare added a small collection of unique clothing for adults.

Many of the designers who supply the clothing and accessories for Kid Culture

are parents themselves, bringing a certain pragmatism to their collections, in addition to a playful aesthetic. Sizes run from 0 to 12 and there is plenty of selection for both girls and boys. And for those customers who can’t make it in to the store to shop in person, Clare has made it easy to purchase locally from home: much of the merchandise is available online at www.shopcastr.com/kidculture.


www.sutton.com

Bill MohanSALES REPRESENTATIVE

416.762.4200

Finding and selling homes for families

Bill MohanBill MohanFinding and selling homes for familiesFinding and selling homes for families #1

Agentfrom 2001-2011

*From value and list to sales ratio for Sutton Group Realty Systems Inc. Bloor West Village offi ce. Residential Sales.

Offering free property evaluations!

www.billmohan.com

27 Alhambra Ave. This renovated 2.5 storey detached brick home is on a great family street within a short walk to subway, High Park, Roncesvalles and all amenities. Asking $899,900.

209 Indian Rd. Asking $949,900. High Park Grand Dame. This magnifi cent home is a lovely 1913 three storey with commanding presence. It offers 6 bedrooms and loads of period elements. Also one-car garage, new wiring and roof.

33 Hewitt Ave. This in-demand street is a face for most families wanting what the neighbourhood offers. This three-storey, detached home is located near Roncesvalles in High Park. It is currently split into 3 units and is a large home awaiting your renovation back into a wonderful family home. It has a mutual drive and an attached 2 car garage. $899,000.

347 Runnymede Rd. This 2 storey detached bronco home is in the fi rst block north of Bloor. Currently it is 3 units but easily converted back to a 4 bedroom single family home. 2 car parking and has been very well cared for. This home has a lot of potential. It offers a lot of character and has been updated in most respects. It is move-in condition. Great value. $849,900.

488 Indian Grove. High Park/Junction end of Row. Feels like a semi. This charming Victorian has 3 bedrooms and an open concept living and dining area. Central air. It has a large, bright eat-in kitchen with w/o to a very charming and private backyard. Priced to move. $569,000.

For LeaseThe entire 2nd fl oor of this Parkside home, offering 1,600sq.ft. consisting of 3 bedrooms, large living and dining room and an eat-in kitchen. It has 2 newer balconies. Asking $2,350. per/mo. all inclusive. Laundry on-site. Will not last. Call to view.

SUTTON GROUP REALTY SYSTEMS INC. BROKERAGE

Now is the time to list your home. Demand is high! Free confi dential Property Evaluations.


Feeling well, means feeling whole. And that’s why people come to Clary Sage Whole Health Studio in the heart of The Junction. “All of our systems – musculoskeletal, psychological, emotional, spiritual – are interconnected,” says Clary Sage founder Giovanni Salvia (TCMP; D. AC; Dipl. S.T.; BFA). “You can’t treat one without affecting the others.”

The practitioners at Clary Sage understand that treating the whole person – body, mind and spirit – offers a comprehensive and integrated approach to every session. “Physical ailments are often a symptom of other conditions,” says Giovanni, “but at the same time, physical pain affects mental clarity, organ function, mood and energy.”

Clary Sage’s six practitioners come from a variety of alternative health and therapeutic backgrounds, but all take a holistic approach to health and wellness. “I have been practicing Chinese medicine for 15 years, and while I have also studied pilates, yoga and psychotherapy, I realize it is impossible for one person to be an expert at everything,” Giovanni says. “That’s why I have gathered team members who specialize in a range of natural treatments: Chinese herbal therapy, acupuncture, Mei Zen cosmetic acupuncture, registered massage therapy, shiatsu massage, tui na massage, reflexology, psychotherapy and holistic nutritional consultation.”

Giovanni’s own whole natural health journey began with a career transition. “I was working in theatre and I needed a change. The study of holistic medicine led me to a deeper understanding of myself and taught me how to connect with people on a more personal, intuitive level. I realized I could use those skills to help others.”

Being of service, he says, “is a good thing. It’s my gift. I am helping other people fulfill their dreams while living my own.”

Clary Sage is his gift to the neighbourhood. “By offering a range of treatments under one roof and a systemic menu of health care options, our studio is a hub for meeting the whole health needs of the community.”

Making the neighbourhood whole

396 Pacific Ave, Suite 204 • 647-345-8488www.clarysagehealth.com • [email protected]

For a healthy gift this holiday season, treat yourself or a loved one to a gift certificate from Clary Sage Whole Health Studio.

in the neighbourhood n


You fi nd it all over the city, but nowhere is street art – those huge, brightly coloured murals decorating an otherwise unassuming wall or fence – more bountiful than in the Junction Triangle. I just fi nished exploring this part of Toronto and it has become my favourite destination in all of the city to satisfy my passion for public art.

W a l l a c e A v e

La

ns d

ow

ne

Av

e

We s t To ron to R a i l p a t h

W a l l a c e A v e

Wa

de

Av

e

B l o o r S t W

B l o o r S t W

La

ns d

ow

ne

Av

e

D u p o n t S t

D u p o n t S t

L a p p i n A v e

M i l l i c e n t A v eSt C

l ar e

ns A

ve

Ma

r gu

er e

t t a S

t

Sy

mi n

gt o

n A

ve

Pe

r t h A

ve

Ra

nk

i n C

r es c e

nt

Wa

r d S

t

Sym

ing

ton

Ave

Br o

ck

Av

e

Pe

r t h A

ve

Du n

da s S t W

Du

nd

as S

t W

P a t o n R d

P a t o n R d

NEIGHBOURHOODWalkingThree, two, one: Street art in the Triangleby Nathalie Prezeau

ONE TRAILA visit to this area would not be complete

without a little dip into the West Toronto Railpath [8], a unique $3.8 million urban rails-to-trail project built along the GO-Train rail line from Cariboo Avenue to Dundas and Sterling Road. The path is accessible to pedestrians and cyclists from Bloor and a staircase by the Dupont viaduct near the bike mural, where you’ll fi nd another piece of colourful wall art [9]. As you walk along the trail, just north of Dupont you’ll come across a colourful fi sh mural [10] on the back of the Osler Fish Terminal.

The West Toronto Railpath was offi cially opened in 2009, and the Friends of the Railpath community group lobbying for the construction of this two km paved and landscaped trail have big plans, hoping to persuade the City of Toronto to extend the path another two km to Liberty Village and eventually to Union Station.

1

2

2

5

7

8

8

6Not to be confused with The Junction

(situated along Dundas Street West between Keele Street and Runnymede Avenue), the Junction Triangle can actually be spotted on any map. Formed by the junction of three railways, it cuts through Dupont Street, Bloor Street West and Dundas Street West.

THREE VIADUCTSThree murals under three viaducts compete

for our attention in the triangle. My favourite circuit for admiring these street canvases starts at Lansdowne Subway Station, where there’s plenty of free street parking.

Just east of Dundas Street West (Dundas Street takes a funny jog in this part of town) you will fi nd the sprawling bike mural under the viaduct on Dupont Street. Bearing the message ‘Strength in numbers!!!,’ [1] this initiative by Art Start, an arts-based community development organization, features cyclists riding towards a huge pile of tires.

Walking east on Dupont, and before you reach Lansdowne, you’ll come across the captivating Suitman mural set [2] under a viaduct. It is the work of artist Joel Richardson, who has made a trademark of this smartly dressed character. As an interesting side note, the Dupont mural was commissioned by the City of Toronto, then painted over following Rob Ford’s election as part of his war against

graffi ti. Richardson was subsequently granted the right to paint it back.

When you reach Lansdowne, turn south to get to Bloor Street West. Under the fi rst viaduct on Bloor, you’ll fi nd the third mural, which features subtle lace-like drawings on both walls of the tunnel. [3]

TWO CHAIN-LINK FENCESAs you walk along Lansdowne between

Dupont and Bloor, you can pause to admire another intricate work of art: the Lansdowne Fence Streetscape [4], commissioned in 2010 by the TTC to beautify the fence surrounding a vacant lot.

Streetscape is the lovely creation of artist team Scott Eunson and Marianne Lovink. It covers the chain-link fences on two sides of the lot along Paton Road and Lansdowne. Shapes cut from of dark stained plywood and screwed to the fence, feature urban scenes that turn the sidewalk along Lansdowne Avenue into a giant shadow play in the afternoon sunlight.

A bonus here: great food. Waffl es are the house specialty at Starving Artist [5] (584 Lansdowne) and they are on the menu all day, along with the excellent espresso. Two other options nearby are the Toronto Coffee Company [6] (685 Lansdowne) and The Bloordale Pantry [7] (1285 Bloor West), an all-day breakfast place that was packed with happy customers when I dropped by to check it out in the middle of the week.

9

Nathalie Prezeau has played the tourist in and around the city since she moved to Toronto from Montreal 20 years ago. This article is inspired by the West Toronto Railpath Stroll, one of 24 new walks described in the author’s forthcom-ing guide, ‘Toronto Urban Strolls... for girlfriends (2).’ Part 1 was on the Globe’s bestsellers’ list this summer. Nathalie is also the author of ‘Toronto Fun Places... for families,’ now in its fi fth edition.

You can follow her blog atwww.torontofunplaces.com.

10

3 4


Have you heard that yoga can be very helpful in reducing back pain? This series of classes is based on the Essential Low Back Program that was used in a National Institute of Health study in the U.S.In the study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, 78% of participants had signifi cant reductions in their pain levels and showed continued improvement in their condition 26 weeks later. Join us as we spend fi ve weeks strengthening and stretching the low back, building core strength and focusing on the key logic principles of stability and ease. As part of this course, please plan to do a gentle home practice that will support the work we do in class. Please contact the studio if you have concerns about whether or not this class is appropriate for you.Included in the price of this course: The Essential Low Back Program book and CD.No previous yoga experience is necessary. This course is suitable for beginners.

9 Neepawa Avenue (AT RONCESVALLES)

416-530-1349 www.lilayogastudio.com

(lee-la) divine playLILA YOGA

Yoga for Lower Back PainThursdays, 6:30 - 7:45pmJanuary 17 - February 14with Melissa Campagnolo

5 weeks - $135 +hst

n MaggiE’s FaRM A vintAge curio emporium experience!A treasure hunt on Roncesvalles with a selection of great women’s and men’s second-hand and vintage clothing, footwear and accessories. Furniture, retro, kitsch, buttons, art, albums, books, leathers, toys and furs. See you soon! 431 Roncesvalles [email protected]

n Kid CUltURELocALLy mAde, bright, fun And unique!For kids of all ages, visit this fantastic collection of toys and accessories. Featuring local designers, you can find anything from eco-conscious stockings to plushie owls. This is a child’s – and parent’s – dream come true. 2986 Dundas St. W.416-859-9006

n BlaCK daFFOdil gLAmour And styLe for every fAshion LoverOur boutique features unique women’s clothing, shoes and accessories from across North America. We mix modern designs with a 1940s glamour twist for a sophisticated pin-up woman aesthetic. Every day is a good day for great vintage-inspired style. 3097 Dundas St. [email protected] n PUh-Nashverve, styLe, fLAir We can take your personal style and give it an edge within your budget. Come visit us to get the best style that suits your unique shape. We also offer denim in our retail shop for every body type.2420A Bloor St. W.416-845-7380www.puh-nash.com

n sCOUtWArm, friendLy And contemporAry Jewelry, clothing and eco-friendly accessories designed, created and produced in Toronto. Staff show you how to accessorize, style and complement a look that is enviable and unique. Custom orders and designs services available.405 Roncesvalles [email protected] www.iheartscout.com

n tRaP dOOR BOUtiqUEfAshion for the Artistic professionALA distinctive boutique in the heart of The Junction, we blend modernist design trends with local flavor. Delivering high quality pieces from Canadian designers, our shop features clothing, shoes, boots, handbags and jewelry. 2993 Dundas St. [email protected]

n NatUREalcomfortAbLe, fAbuLous, eco-conscious fAshionFormerly the Earth Collection, Natureal carries an array of cozy cotton knits, scarves, clothing, jewelry, baby gifts, gifts-to-go and more. Travelling to warmer climes? Natureal also keeps a year-round stock of sun dresses and accessories for trips down south. 3072 Dundas St. W.416-767-3072www.theearthcollection.ca

n tROVE A treAsure trove of ArtisAn fAshion We’re a fashion-forward boutique offering a unique range of clothing, boots, handbags and more. Service-oriented and artisan-driven, we also specialize in whimsical one-of-a-kind jewelry by Canadian and international designers.2264 Bloor St. W.416-766-1258www.trove.ca

n MRs hUizENgathinking outside the fAshion boxCome see our new digs at 28 Roncesvalles for items not available in other shops. Fun and whimsical: chock-a-block with whatnot! Come looking for one item and get immersed in our archeological dig of vintage finds. 28 Roncesvalles Ave.416-533-2112www.mrshuizenga.com

n tailOREssALL your WArdrobe soLutions Featuring our own Karamea line, our retail shop stocks cozy things for winter, making us your go-to for every wardrobe riddle. We can work with existing pieces or create new ones based on what suits you best.335 Roncesvalles Ave., Unit #4, 2nd Floor647-351-0761www.tailoress.ca

n ziliOttOgreAt fAshion, greAt service Visit our team of trained stylists and let us guide you through our shop. Featuring great Canadian brands, we mix and match for the real woman and take the guesswork out of finding what’s best for you.2380 Bloor St. [email protected]

n CasUal aFFaiRsexciting for everyone Offers versatility in everyday clothing. We offer Canadian brands with some favourites from Europe and the USA. We can take your wardrobe from day to night with our unconventional brands and personalized service.2873 Bloor St. W.416-233-4779

n PlaNEt KiddeLightfuL, distinctive, And prActicAL Mindful of how our products are made, we strive to bring you the best quality for your family. Featuring a fantastic array of toys, clothing, bed, bath and more for little ones of all ages. 87 Roncesvalles Ave.416-537-9233www.planetkid.ca

Neighbourhood Source Guide


BALLUCHON221 Sorauren Avenue • 647-889-1279

Mon-Fri-7:30am-5pm • Sat-Sun-8:30am-5pm

When Raymond Emes decided to open a neighbourhood coff ee shop, he wanted to reach out and break the cycle of what he refers to as ‘food illiteracy’ by off ering his customers an alternative to the java chain outlets that seem to have popped on every corner.

“I love educating people about the value of good food and beverages,” he says, “not just the quality ingredients that go into the making of them but also the time that should go into the eating and drinking of them.” He has take-away cups but he urges his customers to stay and sip from civilized ceramic. Balluchon is a place where people are encouraged to sit and enjoy the perfect organic tea or coff ee - the espresso blend is largely biased with Ethiopian Oromia, a super-premium fair trade, high altitude bean that is bold and bright and fi nishes smooth with fermented blueberry notes - in a relaxing community café that is far from the madding crowd.

� e menu features in-house baked goodies made with the fi nest ingredients, and Balluchon specializes in vegan and gluten-free muffi ns with seasonal fruit. � ere is down-home cooking for breakfast, lunch or dinner take-out: wraps made with organic eggs, croissants from award-winning French patisserie Pain Perdue, smoked pork hocks, slow-stewed northern beans and $7 gourmet sandwiches. � e meats are from Grey/Bruce County – free range, hormone free and grain fed – and Raymond is adamant about supporting local and organic farming. “Toronto is at the doorstep of great farming communities, so why shouldn’t we take advantage of it?”

Local jazz, classical and a capella performers fi nd an audience at Balluchon, and Raymond makes sure to keep prices reasonable so that customers don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for wholesome food. “It’s all about developing relationships and changing attitudes around food culture,” he says.

So sit down, settle in and get ready to sip and savour.

Balluchon: Fresh food, fresh attitude

BEHIND THEBEHIND THECounter

neighbourhood living west - winter 2012

Documents

neighbourhood living

p e o p

hot neighbourhood fashions

b u s i n e s s

babypointc e

royal york

royal lepagefood

street art