Councillor Joe Mihevc

December 09, 2011

Dear Neighbours,

I hope everyone has been enjoying the change of season with the great holiday craft fairs, community get-togethers and interesting learning opportunities around our community.
 
Though my last email talked about  the cuts that our City is facing, I would like to mention a few recent victories from the Nov. 29 and 30 Council meetings:

• Council voted to maintain that water polluting industries must meet a number of environmental conditions before being approved for lower water rates;
• Council voted to save Toronto Environment Days. We will continue to have 44 per year, as opposed to the proposed cut to 11 per year;
• Council voted to continue providing collection of overflow recycling.

These victories are good reminders that there is a growing movement to support our services and to say, enough is enough!
 
On this positive note, I would like to remind everyone that I will be hosting a Ward 21 Community Budget Meeting and Holiday Gathering. I hope you will come out to this event to learn more about the extent of the cuts and what they will mean to our City. I urge you to linger afterwards for some refreshments and cookies. After all, it is the holiday season and time to celebrate!

Ward 21 – 2012 Community Budget Meeting and Holiday Gathering
Hillcrest Community School – 44 Hilton Avenue
(Seating is limited; please bring a
floor pillow or lawn chair if possible)
Tuesday, December 13 at 7pm
(followed by Holiday Coffee & Treats)

I hope to see you all out next week, but in the meantime, please continue reading for a full review of community events to ensure that you don't miss out on any of the great activities.
 

1. New School at Arlington, New Community Hub
2. Ward 21 Resident win Gov. General's Award for Children's Literature – Illustration
3. Spadina House Christmas Events
4. Wychwood Tennis Club Lighting Improvements
5. Free Store? Tell me More! WOD Needs Donations
6. Our Parks make the News
7. Lace up Your Skates, the Rinks are Open
8. Wrap Yourself in Something Warm: Humewood House 8th Annual Blanket Benefit
9. Gobble Up this Holiday Season
10. Get Transit Back on Track
11. Canada Post is Back on St. Clair Ave West
12. "Let it Snow" - City of Toronto Snow Clearing Services
13. Little Reminders: Leaves, Downspout and Hydro
14. Connecting with 13 Division
15. Fun in the Sun Summer Volunteer Opportunity

1. New School at Arlington, New Community Hub
   As some will know already, the Arlington Middle School property has been bought by Leo Baeck Day School. Currently there are some renovations taking place.
   I will be hosting an information meeting on January 23^rd. Please mark you calendars. More information will follow in the new year.
   I am excited that another school will be moving to this part of the neighbourhood and I hope you will be too!

   
    

2. Ward 21 Resident win Governor General's Award for Children's Literature – Illustration
   Congratulations to Ward 21 resident Cybèle Young, who won the 2011 Governor General's Award for Children's Literature – Illustration for her book Ten Birds. Ward 21 has a very vibrant arts community and I am thrilled that Cybèle Young has been recognized with such a prestigious award. The link to the announcement can be found here.

   
    

3. Spadina House Christmas Events
   Though actual museum closures are off the table, there is still a significant lack of funding so let's get out and enjoy these great cultural assets. Be it a special date or a fun family outing, Toronto's museums have something for everyone over the holidays!

   Closest to Ward 21 is the Spadina Museum: Experience a Roaring 1920s Christmas, or Christmas in the Golden Age of Radio.

   For more information follow the link: http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/featured-events.htm

   
    

4. Wychwood Tennis Club Lighting Improvements
   Late this winter or early next spring residents surrounding Hillcrest Park will see construction vehicles arrive to install a new lighting system for the tennis courts.

   The new design incorporates a control system that will help ensure the lights are off when the courts are not in use; cutting electricity use and further reducing impacts on neighbours.
    
   Questions about the lighting can be directed to Beth at my community office.  For inquiries about the Wychwood Tennis Club, please email info@wychwoodtennis.ca, or visit: www.wychwoodtennis.ca.

   
    

5. Free Store? Tell me More!
   The Wychwood Open Door Social Justice Group is seeking donations for its Free Store – a shop where everything is given away for free. They are looking for personal care items, kitchen stuff, and non-perishable food contributions. As you try to make room in your house for holiday parties, think about donating to this good cause!

   For more information contact Kathy at 416-652-0857, and take a look at their poster.

   WOD is also looking for Board Members.

   The drop-off location is in the basement of St. Mathew's United Church (729 St. Clair Ave W). They will be receiving donations from now until December 18^th.

   
    

6. Our Community Parks are Making the News
   Creating a beautiful park should be a community affair. With the City dedicating capital funds to playground improvements, residents are coming together to raise extra funds to add to the parks improvement.  Check out the article written by Michelle Singerman at:  toronto.openfile.ca/toronto/text/rebuilding-torontos-parks-brick-brick

   
    

7. Time to lace up for Toronto's outdoor rink program
   Lace up your skates! Toronto's outdoor rink program is in full swing, offering a wide range of free leisure skate and shinny hockey programs for all ages. For more information about Toronto's outdoor artificial ice rinks, including a map of rink locations, schedules for each location, closures, learn-to-skate programs and helmet/equipment requirements, visit: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/skating/outdoor-rinks.htm.

   
    

8. Wrap Yourself in Something Warm:
   Humewood House Blanket Benefit
   Looking for a great gift idea?

   You can take home a luxurious velura blanket or Lug travel blanket while supporting Humewood House, a neighbourhood charity on Humewood Drive.

   Blankets can be purchased online  at blanketbenefit.ca  or at Humewood House Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm. A charitable tax receipt will be mailed to you.

   
    

9. Gobble Up this Holiday Season
   This is a reminder that the Stop's Farmers' Market will be open on Dec. 24th and Dec. 31st.
   Remember to order your turkey for pick-up on the 24th and your lobsters for pick-up on the 31st.

   
    

10. Get Transit Back on Track
    Olivia Chow, MP for Trinity-Spadina is spearheading a National Transit Strategy. Chow’s bill calls for a permanent investment plan for transit systems and innovation research, and calls on different levels of government to work together to ensure quality transit—under the leadership of the federal government.
    I encourage you to print a copy of the petition, fill it out and mail it back to Olivia Chow's office. No stamp needed.

    
     

11. Welcome Back Canada Post!
    There is a new Canada Post office located in the Shoppers Drug Mart at St. Clair and Bathurst (523 St. Clair Ave). Now we can do all of our holiday mailings closer to home!

    
     

12. "Let is Snow, Let it Snow, Let is Snow"
    The snow will come in full force someday soon, and when it does, Toronto Transportation Services are ready!  As soon as the snow begins, salt trucks will be sent out to expressways, main roads and then local roads. Plows are sent out when it has snowed between 2.5-5 cm of snow. For more information on what we can expect as we gear up for snow, please visit:  www.toronto.ca/transportation/news/bring_on_the_snow/index.htm

    

     

13. Little Reminders: Leaves, Downspout and Hydro
    LEAVES
    Ward 21 receives informal mechanical leaf pick-up, but not a regular service. As such, please place your leaves at the curb in kraft paper bags or reusable, rigid, open-top containers on your regularly scheduled yard waste collection date. Whenever possible, composting is still the best solution for managing your leaves. For more information, click here.

    NEW HYDRO RATES
    Time-Of-Use (TOU) rates came into effect on November 1st. Note that the off-peak period now starts at 7 p.m. Follow this link to learn more.

    DOWNSPOUT
    The deadline for property owners in Ward 21 to disconnect their downspouts from the sewer system was November 20.  Hopefully everyone has been successful in disconnecting their downspouts or getting exemptions. Though we are moving into winter, you can consider installing a rain barrel to collect water for your garden come spring. For more information please follow these links.
    http://www.toronto.ca/livegreen/greenlife_savewater_downspouts.htm
     

14. Connect with 13 Division
    Did you know 13 Division is online?  Check out the 13 Division Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/TPS13. 

    You can also find S/Sgt. Matic, PC Zaffino and myself on Facebook.  Add us to your friend list! They are also on Twitter:  @MichaelMatic13,  @PCZaffino, and @ChaseAddams.

    Check it out for updates as to what is going on in your community!

    
     

15. Fun in the Sun Summer Volunteer Opportunity
    The Ontario Summer Games are coming to Toronto August 16^th-19^th 2012. For all those who are looking for some fun summer volunteer opportunities, the organizing committee is looking volunteers. Follow the link to sign up!

    

     

Should you have any questions about the events listed here or wish to share events of your own, do not hesitate to contact my office at 416-392-0208 or email councillor_mihevc@toronto.ca.

Sincerely,

Councillor Joe Mihevc
Ward 21, St. Paul's West