His enviable grasp of technology and social media has made Silver a sought-after speaker on the use of social media in real estate. “I welcome change,” he says. “In fact, the only constant in our real estate business is change.”
By Dennis McCloskey
When Richard Silver walks into the boardroom at Sotheby’s International Realty Canada’s Toronto office, the veteran Realtor exudes confidence, charm and class. The casually but nattily attired agent immediately puts his visitor at ease.
No one would deign to call the former model, dancer and performer a show-off. But Elton John might disagree, because Sir Elton says, “Performers are all show offs; unless you show off, you’re not going to get noticed.”
Richard Silver is getting noticed!
Three years after joining Sotheby’s Canada, with its 400 agents and offices in 30 residential and resort markets, Silver is consistently among the top one per cent of salespeople in Toronto. He was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Real Estate for 2013 by San Francisco-based Inman News.
Born in Edmonton, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oregon by majoring in phys ed and kinesiology. A professional dancer and performer, he moved to Montreal 40 years ago before accepting a job at Toronto’s York University, teaching dance. Soon he returned to performing.
When he was interested in buying his first house he took a real estate course “to learn the process.” He was hooked. He obtained his licence in 1980 and knew he’d made the right decision to enter the business when he earned the same income in the first month as a real estate agent as he did working as a dancer the entire previous year.
I gave up performing and became a patron of the arts,
he says with a smile. In early pre-technology days, he says everything was done by hand, phone, fax or in person. He laughs at the memory of buyers and sellers having to send him a telegram to confirm an Agreement of Purchase and Sale. Thanks to a tech-savvy pre-teen nephew, who is now in his 40s, Silver became an early adaptor of technology when his nephew wrote a rudimentary customer management system that allowed Silver to connect with clients and keep track of his business. Again, he was hooked!
Today, his enviable grasp of technology and social media has made Silver a sought-after speaker on the use of social media in real estate:
I welcome change. In fact, the only constant in our real estate business is change.
Before joining Sotheby’s, Silver worked with other real estate companies, including 15 years with the venerable Toronto firm, Bosley Real Estate, founded in 1928. He says he learned a lot from Tom Bosley, broker of record, and his wife Ann, but several years ago Silver felt the time had come to join an international franchise:
At first, I didn’t think foreign markets would be of interest to me, but I began seeing more and more showings and offerings from Chinese agents,
He knew there are five Chinese areas in the Greater Toronto Area (Gerrard, Spadina, Town of Markham, Scarborough and Mississauga) and took notice of a large influx of Mandarin- speaking people in the city, including Cantonese from Hong Kong. “China’s middle class has a population of 300 million and they have money to spend.”
He soon realized he needed an understanding of foreign markets, so he obtained his Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation.
Silver adheres to the axiom that happiness and success come from growth, not comfort. And since he loves nothing more than a challenge, he chose to reinvent himself and forge a new path, deliberately and with foresight. He formed a team of several specialists, including Jim Burtnick, broker and senior vice president, sales; Tracy An, who is Asian and serves as translator; and Sherille Layton, British by birth and a recent immigrant with full knowledge of the immigration process. Silver says his team concept is to find people who are not like him but who complement m:
Too many people look for mini-MEs.
He concedes there is much to learn when dealing with foreign markets and he recommends a book by Terri Morrison, titled Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands, which is a guide to proper international business protocol and includes 60 country profiles.
Silver agrees it can be a cultural and technological shock marketing a property within China. He speaks only rudimentary Mandarin and Cantonese, mostly in the form of greetings and very light conversation. Silver says the most important challenge in dealing with a Chinese buyer or seller is patience:
It is important not to be shocked or insulted by an extremely low offer. Negotiation is uppermost in their mind and if a buyer likes a property, they’ll most likely buy it. Just be patient.
Sotheby’s is considered to be a “rarefied” brand and Silver likes to call it “a marketing company that sells real estate.” He estimates that 30 per cent of his sales are to the Chinese market. He says it is important to make at least one annual trip to China to create and maintain working relationships with people, but it’s a challenge to get through the Great Firewall of China via the Internet:
It takes an innovative approach and commitment to attract Asian buyers because China has no Google, Facebook or Twitter.
Among his “workarounds” (and keeping in mind the 12-hour time difference), his team uses China-based real estate website Juwai, and China’s most popular instant messaging app, WeChat.
At 67, Silver has no plans to retire just yet. While he does not rule out another re-invention at some point in his real estate career, he says:
My intention is to work as long as I can because I love it.
He and his partner of 18 years like to travel the world and spend time in Puerto Vallarta “for its bright, long, sunny days, the Mexican culture and the ocean.”
There is one thing he does not like and he states it unequivocally: “I don’t like Canadian winters!”
In one of our recent articles we focused on the pros and cons of working from home. Everyone can agree, it’s more comfortable at home, there is less pressure, less small talk, less distractions (and more food!). Not to mention that a lot of professions, such as writers, graphic designers, marketers, don’t need an office space to work from and people doing these jobs are quite often freelancers. This means their work is mostly done from home, but what happens if they just can’t focus there and they need to be surrounded by people to work?
There are a few options available, one of them being co-working spaces, created specifically for professionals who don’t have an dedicated office building.
Another, very popular option, at least in Toronto, are coffee shops. Fortunately, Toronto has great coffee shops on every corner, so all they need to do is choose. To make it easier, we’ve done some research and chosen 11 best coffee shops to work from in Toronto, where the coffee is strong and the WIFI even stronger.
Make sure you have enough battery on your laptop, plug it in if you need to, grab a cup of joy and read on.
Want to know more about our favourite neighbourhoods in Toronto? Check out these blog posts!
Address:519 Parliament St Phone:416-968-9982 Website:jetfuelcoffee.com Hours: Mon-Sun 6am-8pm
This Cabbagetown staple has been rolling along now for 24 years, and shows no signs of slowing down. Founded by former bike courier, pastry chef and bike shop owner John Englar, and sporting a distinct cycling vibe, Jet Fuel started out as a catering truck back in the late 1980s. It also sponsors one of Canada’s longest running cycling teams.
Located at Parliament and Aberdeen, they serve up delicious espresso drinks on their Faema espresso machine, with beans sourced from Classic Coffee, who make a unique roast just for them. This unique blend, Jet Fuel Coffee, is being sold at this location for the first time this year. I go for an Americano, served up in a tall glass, and it’s a steal for $3.
The well-worn hardwood floors, red walls and stainless steel surfaces give Jet Fuel Coffee a quasi-bohemian feel, while a multitude of pot lights and stainless steel hanging lamps provide a warm glow throughout. The exposed brickwork at the front of the café near the large picture window has a gigantic steel atlas hanging from it, which reflects the sunlight streaming through from the enormous picture window out front. A rotating display of local artwork graces the walls.
Jet Fuel Coffee is an ideal place to bring in your laptop and get going on that project you’ve been putting off for a while. The lively music wafting from their sound system is turned down low enough so it’s not too distracting. There is an abundance of seating and the wifi is excellent, but there aren’t that many outlets available, so make sure your batteries are well charged.
PROS:
great coffee
enough seating space
excellent wifi
Prices:
$3 for an Americano
$1-2 for baked goods
CONS:
not enough outlets
kind of dark
Music:
not distracting
MERCHANTS OF GREEN COFFEE
Address: 2 Matilda St, Phone: 416-741-5369 Website:merchantsofgreencoffee.com Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-6pm
Situated in an old jam factory just east of the DVP (Don Valley Parkway), Merchants Café provides patrons with a gorgeous view of Toronto’s signature skyline. Started up by Morgan Yew and his four friends and business partners, this Matilda Street establishment has been delighting the city’s coffee lovers for over 20 years. All of their 100% Arabica bean roasts are certified fair trade and organic. This includes their “pride and joy” Café Solar, a Honduran roast they’ve been working on with coffee growers from that region for the past two decades, and their newer initiative to obtain fair trade organic product from Rwandan coffee growers.
On any given day, they have three such coffee roasts available, in addition to some fine espresso beverages, churned out on an older Victoria Arduino copper plated espresso machine. A cup of their daily drip coffee will set you back $3.15. You can also buy their wide selection of beans, on display on one of the old factory’s rolling carts. That, combined with a wide array of older style coffee making accessories on display around the interior, provides a nice vintage touch.
The large wooden harvest tables and comfortable chairs provide the perfect space to sit and get some work done for an extended period. The cafe has wifi, and many electrical outlets to plug in your devices. Over the hubbub of other guests’ voices, I couldn’t hear any music playing in the background.
PROS:
great coffee
great views of the Toronto skyline
enough seating space
excellent wifi & enough outlets
PRICES:
A cup of drip coffee $3.15
Americano $2.85
Cappuccino $3.35
CONS:
kind of hard to find if you’re not from TO
MUSIC:
there was no music
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With five locations across the city, Dark Horse Espresso bar has been serving up tasty espresso at their Spadina Avenue location for the past eight years. The location used to be an art studio and, before that, a plumbing factory. The exposed brickwork, well-worn wooden floors and visible pipes along the ceiling certainly give this place a very cool vibe. A La Marcozza espresso machine is displayed prominently and churns out their numerous available drinks, all written on a large chalkboard behind the counter.
One of the baristas, Sarah, suggests I try the French press coffee, of which there are seven varieties that day. I try the San Sebastian, which has notes of chocolate and grape, and it is indeed delicious. It costs $3.45 and is served in a tall glass. A whole slew of baked goods look tempting from behind a glass display case, while packaged coffee and T-shirts are for sale on the back wall. They use beans from Detour Coffee and 49th Parallel to create an irresistible coffee treat, their own in-chain baked goods (from their Geary Avenue location), cold brew coffee and fresh juices.
Dark Horse Espresso is an ideal place to kick back, enjoy some great brew and get some serious work done. The music over the speakers is conducive to this. There is ample seating available in the front section with two large harvest tables, and a small bar area with stools. Visible beyond the front counter on the second level are even more tables and chairs for their patrons. There is wifi, but only a few electrical outlets to plug in.
PROS:
cool vibe & helpful staff
good coffee & baked goods
enough seating space
ok wifi
PRICES:
French Press coffee $3.45
Americano $3
Cappuccino $3.33
Pastries from $2.86-4
CONS:
only a few outlets
MUSIC:
isn’t distracting
FAHRENHEIT COFFEE
Address: 120 Lombard St Phone: 647-896-1774 Website: fahrenheitcoffee.com Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat 8am-5pm, Sun 9am-3pm
Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit, the German scientist who invented his namesake temperature scale, would surely have loved the exquisite coffee that comes from this Lombard St. mainstay that’s also named after him. Formerly down on the Esplanade, it has occupied its current location at Lombard and Jarvis for the past four-plus years.
Owner Sameer Mohamed and his staff have done a great job of cultivating an establishment with great coffee, freshly baked treats made on-site and a very cozy atmosphere. While the coffee was excellent, a Kenya Weithaga with citrus notes recommended by barista Sabin, it isn’t an ideal place to sit and work. They do have wifi and an adequate number of electrical outlets, but only seating for about six people. Even if you did get a seat, I would think you’d feel a little guilty staying there any appreciable length of time, and taking up room for newer patrons. The music percolating in the background is pleasant and not distracting.
In addition to drinking their coffee and coffee drinks, you can also buy their excellent beans, sourced from Leslieville’s Te Aro ($11 for a 1/2 pound bag, which also gets you a complimentary Espresso or Americano with purchase).
PROS:
great coffee & baked goods
cozy atmosphere
enough outlets, okay wifi
if you buy their coffee beans, you get complimentary coffee
PRICES:
Drip coffee $1.75-2.25
Espresso – $2.60
Americano $2.60-3
Ginger Molasses cookie $2
CONS:
seating space for only about 6 people
MUSIC:
pleasant and not distracting
BLACK CANARY ESPRESSO BAR
Address: 61 Sherbourne St Phone: 416-301-7633 Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 8am-5pm, Sun 9am-5pm
Situated at the corner of Sherborne and Adelaide Streets, Black Canary Espresso Bar was opened by Luthie Lampa and Mark Gringas nearly six years ago. Previously known as Bisogno Espresso Bar, this “little café with a big heart” has become a neighbourhood staple in its own right.
The Black Canary offers up a full slate of espresso based drinks from their La Marcozza machine, drip coffees, teas and fresh juices. A couple of daily specials include a caramaple latte and Nutella hot chocolate (among others), and they all look incredible. Looking for a drip coffee, however, barista Mark suggests the dark roast from Bolivia, which is sensationally rich and satisfying. They also sell their beans, from Detour Roasters, including their very own Black Canary blend. There is a small selection of fresh baked goods on hand to vanquish any hunger pains while you sip your coffee.
This is a great place to work for couple of hours or so. There is ample seating, including a large harvest table, several smaller tables, a bar area and two coaches. The wifi signal is strong, and there are enough outlets to plug in your laptop or charge your other devices. There was no background music I could discern. Several picture windows look out onto the hustle and bustle of Sherbourne Street, while allowing plenty of natural light in. A large palm tree in the corner, a record player with ample vinyl selections and a bookshelf filled with great reads and board games gives the place a homey, welcoming feel. A funky vibe is given by the lime green ceiling, while the white walls feature a wide array of work by artist Lynn Leonard. Black Canary Espresso Bar is located at 61 Sherborne Street, just south of Adelaide.
PROS:
great coffee & baked goods
enough seating space
enough outlets, strong wifi
plenty of natural light
PRICES:
Drip Coffee $1.45-2.15
Espresso $2.85
Various baked goods $2-5
CONS:
none, we loved this place
MUSIC:
there was no music
CAFÉ PAMENAR
Address: 307 Augusta Avenue Phone: 647-352-3627 Hours: Mon 8am-8pm, Tue-Thu 8am-12am, Fri-Sat 8am-2am, Sun 8am-12am
Located in Kensington Market, just south of College Street at 307 Augusta Avenue, sits Pamenar Café, a coffeehouse opened by Pouria Lotfi. (Augusta Avenue, between Bathurst St. and Spadina Ave.) A plethora of espresso drinks and coffees are available with beans from Hale Coffee Company. The Americano pulled from their La Marcozza espresso machine is sweet and flavourful, strong enough to keep you working without a blip all afternoon long. A great deal at $3.They also offer up a variety of other coffee beverages, baked goods, sandwiches and their famous Steak Tartare on Tuesdays.
A large space behind the counter features the artistry of local photographers and other creatives. The paintings of Marcella Calderone are currently on display. The white walls, concrete coffee bar and floor, antique signage, and exposed bulb lighting make for a bright and utilitarian coffee experience. Large rolling windows at the front and back let in scads of sunlight, and can be opened right up in the warmer weather.
An absolutely enormous wood bar, a few small tables, two communal tables, ensures you’ll find a place to sit and get some work done. Free wifi, ample natural light, and adequate electrical outlets make this a great place to stay a while and finish that report for your boss. The background music is pleasant and conducive to work and conversation. They have a no laptops rule after 8pm, so if you’re there into the evening, you’ll need to get your work done before that, unfortunately.
Taking its name from the coffee appliance used to compress espresso before pulling a shot, The Tampered Press Café has been open now for six years. The brainchild of Caitlyn Zannoni, a former personal trainer and nutritionist, this cafe has felicitously combined a health focused food and drink establishment with a traditional coffee spot.
Seminars and organic homemade sandwiches mix with the delightful coffee from Classic Gourmet. Succulent baked goods beckon from the front counter. Their Crema Caffe espresso machine is hard at work churning out lattes and cappuccinos for the midday clientele. The barista, Caitlyn, suggests I try the dark roast, a blend of five different beans including Kenyan, Columbian and Tanzanian. It is smooth and satisfying and I happily plunk down $2.25. With a good wifi signal, ample natural light, wood tables and chairs to poke away on your laptop for hours, and enough outlets to keep charged up, the bright and airy space ensures you’ll be golden.
There’s also a small table with a pitcher of free water by the front entrance. The exposed brick and dark grey walls, along with the wood floors really creates an office away from the office feel to keep you charged up too. The photography of Paris-born Toronto artist Lionel Tissot lines the walls. They also have a great view of Trinity Bellwoods Park right across the street. Classic rock selections play softly in the background.
PROS:
great coffee
okay prices
good wifi
lots of natural light
enough seating space
enough outlets
free water
Prices:
$2.00-2.62 for an espresso
$3.19 for a cappuccino
$5.97 for a sandwich
CONS:
seating is a little too “communal” if you like privacy
Music:
classic rock plays softly in the background
R-SQUARED CAFE
Address: 668 Queen St West Phone: 647-344-8558 Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-8pm, Sat-Sun 8am-7pm
Sequestered on Queen West, just west of Bathurst St., R Squared is named after its two owners, Reza and Reza, and has been offering up amazing coffee on its Nuova Simonelli machine since 2011. Their beans are provided by Social Coffee and Tea Company. Unfortunately, they don’t serve drip coffee after noon, so I got an Americano for $3 which was rich and flavourful.
White and pale yellow walls create a bright airy feel, while the artwork of local artist Chloe Danielle Marson and a multitude of foreign movie posters adorn the walls. The wifi was good, but there aren’t a lot of outlets so you’ll want to make sure you’re fully charged when you go. There is plenty of seating at small two-person tables, while a generous bar area at the back provides even more space, with an enormous golden framed mirror on one wall making it seem even bigger.
With the minor inconvenience of the limited electrical outlets, this is a great place to work for a while while you enjoy your coffee. The music playing is quiet enough for work or a chat with your seatmate.
PROS:
good wifi
good coffee
okay prices
plenty of seating
delicious pink latte
Prices:
$3 for an Americano
$3.33 cappuccino
CONS:
limited outlets
no drip coffee after noon
Music:
quiet enough to work or chat
CRAFTED BY TE ARO
Address: 983 Queen St East Phone: 416-465-2006 Website: pilotcoffeeroasters.com Hours: Mon-Thu 7/7:30am-6pm, Fri 7am-6pm, Sat 7:30-6pm, Sun 8am-6pm
Formerly the Get Real Café, this great find at 135 Ossington (at Argyle St.) has been open for six years, and was established by Jesse and Andy Wilkin. This pleasant café capitalizes and continues on their café success in Leslieville. With beans from Pilot Coffee Roasters, and their Simonelli espresso machine buzzing with activity, the barista Brett recommends their dark roast, a Kenyan Ichuga blend. It was delicious and excellent for $2.25. This is also the home of the famous cold drip coffee, which can take up to 8 hours to make, and costs $4 for 6 ounces. I’ve heard people actually call ahead in advance for it. They also carry a good selection of coffee and tea for sale, as well as their respective accessories.
There’s a modest patio out back with a garden that is used to full effect in the nice weather. White walls, weathered wood floors, and lots of antique pictures and mirrors adorn the walls, creating a nice homey feel. Large windows and windowed doors in the front and back bring in lots of natural light, while the front window also rolls up garage style in the summer, opening the place right up to the outside.
There is space for around 20 people with a large harvest table, bar area and several smaller tables. It’s a great place to work for a little while, but the relative lack of space might make you feel guilty staying more than an hour. The background tunes are a little loud to really concentrate as well. The wifi is good and there are ample outlets.
PROS:
great coffee
okay prices
good wifi
plenty of light
enough outlets
Prices:
$2.25 for espresso
$4 for 6 ounces of their famous cold drip coffee
CONS:
limited seating
Music:
a bit too loud
EARLY BIRD ESPRESSO AND BREW BAR
Address: 613 Queen St West Phone: 647-348-2473 Website: earlybirdespresso.com Hours: Tue-Sat 8am-12am, Sun-Mon 8am-7pm
If it’s true that the early bird gets the worm, then it’ll also get some fine coffee at this stalwart Queen Street West café, which does indeed open up early in the morning. Bani Taghaboni and Farshid Sahami unveiled their new café creation three years ago, and have not looked back. Procuring their beans from Pilot Coffee Roasters, they also sell said beans, an small assortment of baked goods, chocolate bars from and coffee accessories. The barista, Simon, suggests their daily roast, a Kenyan Chorongi, was a little bitter but nonetheless tasty. It’ll set you back $2.40 for a medium cup. Their La Marcozza espresso machine is constantly churning out their various coffee drinks, from lattes to Americanos.
Space is good, the seating they have is comfortable, the wifi is strong and there are enough outlets to keep your laptop from taking an unscheduled e-nap. A large neon sign that reads “Early Bird” on the wall is ready to remind you if you forget where you are. Not a chance of that in this fine café.
The white walls, a scattered assortment of plants, exposed brick and ceiling pipes, industrial style lighting fixtures, and ample natural light from the cavernous front window makes Early Bird a pleasant place to spend an hour or two on your latest project. The music playing over the speakers does not preclude getting work done.
PROS:
fine coffee
okay prices
comfortable seating
strong wifi
enough outlets
plenty of natural light
Prices:
$2.40 for an Espresso
$3.50 cold brew iced coffee
$3.75 cappuccino
$3 croissant
CONS:
no parking
it’s a challenge to find it
Music:
not distracting
REUNION ISLAND
Address: 385 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON M6R 2N1, Canada Phone: +1 905-829-8520 Website: Reunion Island Hours: MON-FRI 7am-5pm, SAT-SUN 8am-5pm
Great internet connection, great coffee and enthusiastic owners. Reunion Island serves top-notch coffee its parent company Reunion Island Coffee Roasters imports from all over the world. The founder and chairman Peter Pesce is two-times past Chairman of the Coffee Association of Canada. With that in mind, you know you are getting the good stuff.
What is more, Reunion holds numerous certifications in eco-friendly, sustainability and preservation associations. The most notable one being B Corporation Certification which holds the company to high standards of social and environmental performance.
PROS:
excellent coffee
strong wifi
plenty of natural light
modern and aesthetic
Prices:
$3.00 for an Espresso
$2.25/$2.75 filter coffee
$3.75 cappuccino
$2.75 benchmark
CONS:
can seem overpriced to some
Want to find the perfect Toronto home or need help selling? Silver Burtnick & Associates is here for you. or click here to send us an email.
“I really like people who really like their animals, and so doing the radio was an extension of just helping people make the best medical decisions for their pets.”
For the last two years, Dr. Clayton Greenway has been offering GTA residents one hour of free veterinary advice every week on his newstalk 101 radio program Animal House. In early April, he took some time out of his rather full schedule (which includes three young children and work at Scarborough’s West Hill Animal Clinic) to give me some tips on making your home as pet-friendly as possible.
First of all, what do we have to bear in mind when moving with pets?
“Well, certainly going into new environments is a bit scary for them.” Greenway told me. In fact, even moving preparations such as packing may upset some cats.
“It’s just when you start to change the environment” he explained, ” when the boxes come out and you start putting your stuff away, or packing up stuff in the hall. I see this happen all the time. The cats get quite stressed out because that’s their whole world; that’s their environment and all of a sudden it’s changed. And your routine’s often off when you’re doing that…, you’re not coming home and settling down on the couch, you’re packing all this stuff up. It kind of freaks the cat out.”
This means that any big change to its landscape can upset an anxious cat. Renovating is another biggie, and in case you’re wondering about how to spot signs of feline anxiety, Greenway said that they include “urinating and defecating around the house”, as well over-grooming to the point of hair loss.
Fortunately for those with moving vans (or renovator’s trucks) in their driveways already, there are ways of lessening such environmental stresses.
Your routine’s often off when you’re moving. You’re not coming home and settling down on the couch, you’re packing all this stuff up. It kind of freaks the cat out.
“There’s basically anti-anxiety treatment that you can do for pets.” Greenway told me.
“There are natural products to decrease anxiety, and then there’s medication as well. There’s even hormone products that you plug in the wall and they emit a hormone into the air. It’s called a pheromone, and it will really calm animals down, and that will make a big difference. So I recommend that when people are moving, or when they’re introducing a new baby to the house. Because it really upsets the pet’s life.”
While dogs aren’t usually as bothered by moving as cats are, they have other problems. In fact, according to Dr. Greenway, the biggest cause of canine stress isn’t moving, it’s not moving enough.
“I see a lot of anxiety issues in dogs, and behaviour problems when they don’t have that outlet for energy.” He told me.
The biggest cause of canine stress isn’t moving, it’s not moving enough.
Of course, not all dogs need the same amount of exercise. Big working breeds are probably a bad idea in Toronto – especially if you don’t live near a convenient open green space. For city dwellers, Greenway recommends medium-sized dogs, especially West Highland Terriers and Schnauzers, whose exercise requirements are modest. And if you do settle on a large dog, then keep their needs in mind when choosing an abode.
“If you’ve got a large breed of dog, you might not want a tall, thin house because of all the stairs. They’ll really give them a lot of trouble. And I see a lot of dogs having a lot of trouble with hardwood [floors] when they get a little older. A lot of people put runners in their home, and stuff like that so they have traction.”
If you’ve got a large breed of dog, you might not want a tall, thin house because of all the stairs. They’ll really give them a lot of trouble.
In fact, a dog who does lose traction and slip may blame their fall on their surroundings, and develop an anxiety about that part of the house (I am not making this up. I listened to Animal House before I talked to Dr. Greenway, and this very phenomenon came up). Old, overweight, or arthritic dogs are particularly in danger of falling, so keeping their nails short and covering up slippery floors are good ideas. When it comes to pet safety in an outdoor environment, Greenway gave the usual warnings about cats fighting over territory and falling out of trees, but then went on to discuss accidental poisoning.
“There are of course toxins or poisons that they can get into, like car antifreeze, or any sort of mouse poison or things like that that might be around.”
I tend to think of dogs as being the creatures who stick their noses (and tongues) into dangerous substances, but apparently cats can get in trouble this way as well.
“Something like antifreeze actually tastes quite sweet, and a lot of animals will be quite attracted to it. So if there’s a spill in the garage or outside, that’s a bit of an issue.”
Although it has nothing to do with animal-proofing a home, I had to ask Dr. Greenway about some of his more exotic patients. As I suspected, he’s had a few.
“Before I graduated I worked at the zoo, where I neutered a kangaroo… I removed a tumour from a fish… I did some volunteer work in Thailand and treated elephants. As a veterinarian, you never know where the training will take you. And what you end up seeing is really pretty spectacular sometimes.”
For Canadians, French as a second language can be commonplace. But that’s changing. Last year, CCTV America reported a huge growth of people learning Mandarin, including former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and President Barack Obama’s daughter Malia.
In Toronto, there are several options for children to add Mandarin to their language repertoire. Here’s the breakdown:
Panda Mandarin
Address: 2nd-3216 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON M4N 2L2 Phone: 416-970-8887 Email: Website:pandamandarin.ca
With five locations across Toronto, Panda Mandarin offers classes for both children and adults, as well as online options. It was started by a mom looking for a fun and engaging way to teach her daughter Mandarin in mid-town Toronto.
According to their website, “Panda Mandarin is committed to making learning Mandarin fun and relevant for all students, no matter what age. Students reach their goals because we deliver language programs that consistently engage, motivate and stimulate curious minds as they grow.”
A photo posted by Panda Mandarin (@panda.mandarin) on
Children’s programs take place Fridays or weekends, with camps available during March break and in the summer as well. Friday and weekend classes take in children from toddler to grade six and utilize music, games, storytelling and more to enhance the learning experience. Adult classes are evening and weekends, with private instruction also available and there are two options for online learning.
“My son is going into his second year of attending Panda Mandarin at John Fisher,” says one parent, Naomi. “He absolutely loves it and we never have to remind him to practise his Mandarin. He does so constantly as a result of the fabulous classes and teachers.”
Class prices range from $87 to $277 per month, with camps ranging around the $330 mark.
With six locations in Toronto and area, the Toronto Mandarin School has several options for children’s classes including weekend, after school, Mandarin/English bilingual preschool, early years learning, parent and tot, summer day camp, March break camp and Mandarin for teens.
The school was founded in 2001 by a group of teachers from China. Programs are designed to teach standard Mandarin, known as Putonghua, the modern Chinese phonetic system, Hanyu pinyin and Chinese characters of mainland China.
Study Session
“Toronto Mandarin School’s goal is to promote the Chinese language and culture and to encourage a multicultural understanding in a global society,” states the school website. “By offering the most effective programs to anyone who is interested in learning Mandarin and Chinese culture.”
The school’s children’s programs have maximum class sizes of 16 students, are “adapted to a western context” and have a staff experienced working with a variety of children. Age groups start at 24 to 36 months with parent and tot classes for two to five year olds at the JINGBAO Bilingual Children’s Centre and up.
“The teachers were so professional, attentive, loving and patient with the children,” said parents Joseph and Racquel Tramulo. “We felt completely relaxed and comfortable each day that we left our little daughter in their care. You can truly see how much they enjoy working and caring for the children.”
Pros:
Several locations.
Small class sizes.
Jingbao preschool subsidy classes for toddlers.
After school programs.
Cons:
Registration information currently not available on website.
First Class Mandarin
Address: (Main location) Thornhill/North York,
2900 Steeles Ave. East, Suite 203,
Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 4X1 Phone: 416-270-2161 Email: Website:firstclassmandarin.com
Apart from their main location in Thornhill, Ontario, First Class Mandarin has two locations for children’s education: one in Midtown Toronto and another in Mississauga.
Children’s classes for after school and weekends range from ages three to 13 and an early years program is offered as well for children aged two to three. First Class Mandarin restricts class sizes to 10 students to maximize learning.
Director and main instructor of the school, Ranran Hao, suggested the school’s website as a helpful asset.
“First Class Mandarin is a school focused on teaching Mandarin to students of all levels. Whether you are new to Mandarin or you already have some knowledge of Chinese language, we can provide you with the right program to develop your skills. Our programs are designed to maximize your learning in a short period of time.”
March Break classes are also offered and range in price from $40 to $270.
“The textbook was really helpful and our teacher was great at giving me extra words,” says student Deviann David. “She actually recorded her own voice and we practiced using her recordings in class. Very helpful!”
Pros:
Assurance 80 per cent of class time is spent speaking.
Small class sizes.
Cooperate with and offer classes in local schools.
Cons:
Just two locations.
Children’s classes limited to Fridays, weekends, Spring Break and camp.
Toronto’s Dalton School is a dual-language school focusing on English and Mandarin.
The school works on a full-day schedule, split between the two languages from 8:30 to 3:45, working with kids aged four to 12.
“Our classrooms encourage interaction between children that builds cooperation, collaboration and leadership skills,” states the school’s website. “Small class sizes, caring staff, a stimulating multicultural environment and plenty of time to explore and discover give each child the opportunity to learn and shine.”
The Dalton School offers tours for parents who are interested in enrolling their children. With an average class size of 15 to 20 students, the school has a tuition of $15,000 a year.
Our Kids, a website dedicated to sharing information on local schools, names Dalton’s highlights as strong academic foundation, balanced curriculum, integrated technology and small class sizes to name a few.
Parents seem happy with their Mandarin program. Tina Davies is a mom of one of the students and she says her son was thrilled to attend Mandarin classes at The Dalton School:
“The teachers are so passionate and attentive-this has made all the difference in my child’s self esteem, interest in learning, and overall development. Besides that, his Mandarin has improved by leaps and bounds. He can’t wait to go to school each day!”
Pros:
Full-time dual language school.
Latest technology including Mac computers.
After school programs.
School tours available.
Cons:
Just one location.
Unique Chinese School
Address: 4271 Sheppard Ave E.,
Scarborough, ON M1S 2B7 Phone: 416-400-3889 Email: Website: chinesenumber1.com
Unique Chinese School offers bilingual day care, a weekend program, after school program, summer camp and Chinese as a second language classes.
Last year’s summer camp welcomed ages one-and-a-half and up and included learning opportunities utilizing drawing, singing, swimming and other sports. Camp sessions are $30/student or $40/family. There’s also a small fee for meals and materials.
Exercising is a big part of learning
“The best decision I made this summer was to take a chance and learn Chinese, my biggest fear and most challenging goal,” says student Zhuangwai. “I never would’ve imagined where I’d be now with 1,120 characters under my belt.”
Teachers at Unique Chinese School are all from China and Canada, including Larry Liu, who has more than 30 years experience teaching Mandarin.
Started in 2004, All Easier Corporation has three divisions, one of which is the All Easier Mandarin School.
The school is run by Cynthia Xu, who was originally a medical doctor in mainland China. All Easier has Mandarin group lessons for pre-school to college age broken down into classes of 11 to 13, seven to 11, six to eight, three-plus and four-plus.
Better Chinese Presentation
I have been learning Mandarin from Cynthia for about five years,” said student Miriam Hanson. “We learned Mandarin by reading books, playing games, singing songs, working in our Mandarin workbooks, practicing writing characters and just having a conversation in Mandarin.
“Now I’m continuing to learn Mandarin over the Internet. I have made many new friends throughout the years learning Mandarin. I have very much enjoyed the time spent and am still spending with Cynthia and all the other girls in the group. I hope to continue improving my Mandarin skills for a few more years to come.”
All Easier has a $20 registration fee and tuition can be paid in three instalments throughout the year.
Made from Arabica and Robusta beans, espresso is usually a dark roast ground up finely, although lighter roasts are used according to taste. About 40 coffee beans are used to make this sensuous black liquid, and because of its diminutive size (1.5 ounces), it contains about a third of the amount of caffeine as regular coffee. An Italian inventor, Luigi Bezzera, came up with the very first espresso machine by the start of the 20th Century. Many innovations have been made during the ensuing decades, but espresso is almost always made using a blend of coffee beans the Italians call miscela.
To make espresso, pressurized hot water is forced through the beans to make what many consider to be one of the finest coffee extraction methods. The pressure is nine bar, or nine times the atmospheric pressure at sea level, and the water is heated to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally, espresso should have subdued acidity, and be heavy bodied but sweet enough to balance out the bitter and acidic elements, although there is a little latitude in the blending process. With the invention of more compact and inexpensive models in the late 1970s, home-based espresso making proliferated and became more popular.
If you prefer the café experience however, Toronto has a variety of fantastic espresso bars to its credit. We’ve chosen five we feel are the very best across the city.
Celebrating its fifth year in business, this Parkdale staple is a welcome café getaway from the travails of life. The La Marzocco espresso machine that lies beyond the all glass façade of the old Vice magazine office on Queen St. W. dispenses espresso made from beans from the Origins Coffee Co., a roaster based out of Granville Island on the west coast. The co-owner, Damien Zielinski, won the 2014 Brewers’ Cup Competition, so you know you’re in good hands with him and his knowledgeable staff.
The exposed brick, ample harvest tables and hardwood floors add to its appeal, while the white walls and hanging pot lights make it bright and airy. Like a good wee dram of Scotch, we like drinking our espresso neat, with no additives or fillers. The espresso here is quite excellent, and well worth the $2.25. Aside from showcasing the work of local artists, there is also a zine vending machine, selling local art. They’re open from 7am to 8pm weekdays, 8am to 8pm on Saturday, and 8am to 6pm on Sundays. Sharon E. from Toronto raves: “Really good cappuccinos—their espresso blend is strong and balanced.” Sean Shapcott, also from Hogtown, echoes her sentiments. “Best latte and carrot muffin in Toronto.”
Shiori M. from Toronto is effusive in her praise for the espresso at Early Bird Espresso and Brew Bar. “Amazing! One of the best cortados [a blend of espresso and steamed milk, popular in Spain] I’ve had in the city. Perfect balance of coffee and milk, no bitter or sourness here, just straight up goodness. The cappuccinos were also quite lovely…..”
Open from 7am to 7pm daily (8am on weekends), this lively Queen St. W. location, owned by Bani Taghaboni and Farshid Sahami, is the perfect spot to “work from home” or to start that book you’ve been putting off reading. There is also an outdoor patio upstairs, great for the nice weather. An enormous chalk board, exposed brick walls and roughhewn wood comprise the bar area, with several metal stools to sit at the bar. Across from it, a plain white wall offsets the relative dark hues of the bar area. Local art and a neon sign that spells out “early bird” with a large exclamation point punctuates this plainness. A good half dozen or so tables and chairs stretch out to the front picture window, which opens right up in the warmer weather. Not a good idea this time of year, even with a hot espresso…..brrrrrrrrrrrrr! Overall, Rachel Grierson from Toronto was impressed with the Early Bird. “Great little spot, cappuccino was perfect, Wi-Fi worked, enough seating for everyone….can’t ask for anything else.”
The chalkboard sign outside Jimmy’s with a chalk figure drawn in winter gear and the byline “toque weather” says it all about this time of year in Canada. What better way to get warm than with an espresso from their imposing looking Nuovo Simonelli machine? Just off King St. and a few strides north on Portland, the tasteful wooden sign with gold lettering beckons you in from the cold into this converted Victorian era townhome. Since 2009, it has been a popular café, and owner Phil Morrison and his staff can take great pride in their accomplishment. It is open from 7am to 8pm through the week and Sunday, and 7am to 6pm on Saturday. There are two other locations at Kensington Market and on Gerrard St. W.
The ample pictures of various Jimmys (Hoffa, Stewart, Hendrix, etc.) adorn the walls, and the thick planked wooden floors provide a rustic feel. Despite a long line-up, the staff was engaging and friendly. One of the baristas, Sarah, went out of her way to take orders from people in line so the wait didn’t feel all that long. What great service! A gigantic wall painting of Jimmy Hoffa in the back room is colourful and quite well done. It provides an interesting view while drinking your espresso, made from beans from Vaughn’s Classic Gourmet Coffee. Miam M. from Toronto likes how Jimmy’s executes everything from the espresso drinks to the baked goods, and proclaims “the best Americano [a blend of espresso and hot water] I’ve had is from Jimmy’s.”
This Leslieville staple has been around for over 20 years, and this establishment, owned by Jeff Marsh, never fails to impress. Ensconced in the art district beside Leslie Grove Park, the outside is evocative of a general store from yesteryear, with its awning and large picture windows. In the nice weather, there’s a patio out back and several Muskoka chairs out front to relax and enjoy your espresso.
Inside, this cafe’s exposed brick, hardwood floors and dark copper ceiling make it a little dark, but the lighting and the varied work by local artists counteracts this and gives off the feeling of home. The bar with the brass railing and the mirror behind it is reminiscent of an old-time pub, but instead of spirits, espresso and other coffee drinks are on tap when you saunter up to the counter. It is certainly a nice touch. Hale Roasters, a local micro-roaster, provides them with the beans for their espresso, and it is incomparable in its freshness and complexity. Isabel M. from Toronto calls it the best café in Toronto; “They do the best espresso/Americano I have ever had outside of Tuscany!!!”
You don’t need to be hit over the head with a … well, you know … to realize Thor Espresso Bar has some excellent espresso, and espresso based beverages. Located on the SW edge of the King West/Fashion District at Bathurst and Niagara, it is known locally as NoLa (north of Lakeshore on Bathurst). Their high quality beans come from a partnership with local roaster, Pilot Coffee Roasters. It lays claim to having Toronto’s only Slayer Espresso Machine, a beautifully unique $16,000 creation. The espresso is of the finest quality and really quite delicious.
Thor Espresso Bar is open from 7am to 6pm through the week, 8am to 6pm on Saturday, and 9am to 5pm Sundays. This small space, located at street level in the ZED LOFT building, delivers an exceptional café experience for your senses as well as your palette. Paula Desjardins, the chief concierge at the Thompson Hotel, calls their cappuccinos “divine,” while Jeff L. from Toronto is even more adamant in his praise: “One of the best coffee joints in Toronto. Grab an Americano—you won’t be disappointed.”
Of course, if you want to find me almost every morning, and you relish abuse with some fun, and a great community vibe, drop in to the Jet-Fuel Cafe’ at 519 Parliament Street. There is always lots of bikers, (the non-motorized kind) and walls filled with Art. It is a staple in my life and an acquired habit that is hard to break.
This good old-fashioned artsy cafe is a true Cabbagetown heritage. It’s been opened in 1992 and serving great coffee with a side of rock’n’roll since then. It might seem a bit chaotic at first sight, but it’s a true place for regulars. It’s like Cheers, a place where everybody knows your name!
Who could imagine that mere foam insulation in houses could cost whopping a $13 million? Well that is what happened in the courtroom of Windsor, Ontario (August 12, 2015) in a class action lawsuit against RetroFoam of Canada Inc. by 771 property owners from Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph and the surrounding areas. The reason behind this six-and-a-half-year costly ordeal is urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) that was injected into their homes between June 2007 and January 2009 through the EcoEnergy program. But the problem cropped up as RetroFoam, manufactured by Polymaster Inc. in Tennessee, which is classified as urea formaldehyde insulation and is banned in Canada.
During the energy crisis in 1970, approximately 100,000 to 280,000 homes in Canada were insulated with UFFI to cut their heating bills. The idea was to increase the insulation levels in homes by pumping UFFI into hard to cover places like electrical outlets and switch plates, attics, around plumbing and under plumbing fixtures, duct work and every other semi-enclosed space. The government too, through its C.H.I.P program, gave subsidy to many home owners who used UFFI.
Formaldehyde, a binding agent used in water solution as a disinfectant and preservative, is a colourless and pungent gas with a very strong odour. Found in forests, and also a necessary metabolite in our body cells, it is present in cosmetics, paints, exhaust from automobiles, gas appliances, fireplaces, wood stoves, no-iron fabrics, dry cleaning chemicals, cigarette smoke, pillow cases, paper products, diapers plywood, etc.
UFFI, through polymerisation, is turned into solid from liquid and a shaving-cream-like foam is produced when non-transparent thermosetting resin or plastic, made from urea and formaldehyde, is mixed with other foaming agents. Huge pumps and long hoses were used to inject UFFI into the houses’ walls and commercial buildings and were later sealed.
Soon there were complaints from several home owners of respiratory problems, eye irritation, runny noses, nosebleeds, headaches and fatigue and all those were blamed on UFFI.
According to Health Canada, “The use of a urea formaldehyde-based resin in the manufacture of UFFI can lead to the release of formaldehyde gas during the curing process and afterwards. Health Canada has concerns about the health of people exposed to formaldehyde”.
Though no directly related risk to health through UFFI has been found, Canada banned its use in 1980 followed by the United States where it was also declared a prohibited item. However, in Europe it is still prevalent and is considered as one of the better ‘retrofit’ insulations.
“UFFI is a serious problem and once found it has been used to insulate the walls of the house, it can result in lowering the price of the property immensely,”
says Richard Silver, salesperson and Vice President of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada .
“It gets even harder as mortgage companies refuse to finance such properties.”
Selling a home with UFFI
Silver was personally involved in selling off properties with UFFI inside:
“Though in Ontario every residential real estate sales agreement has a clause concerning UFFFI, we too informed the prospective buyers beforehand. They were assured that the owner will take care of it before selling the property.”
But taking care of it means gutting the entire area where UFFI was used, and in this case it was the basement.
Not only it is a huge undertaking to make the place UFFI free but also it comes with a heavy price tag. At that time, I am talking about late 80s and early 90s, depending upon the amount of work involved the removal cost was between $20,000 to $30,000. These days, it will cost you double or even more.”
And Silver is right; the present cost to take it out is between $65,000 to $90,000.
Silver warns, the whole process of owning the property where UFFI was used can be strenuous. However, smart buyers can use it to their advantage as a bargaining chip.
“They can also ask for reduction in the cost and we too, when advertising the property, make sure to separately highlight the removal cost. This gives a clear idea to the prospective buyers about the room to negotiate,” he informed.
According to Silver it is not that houses in Canada are totally free from UFFI. It can be found today in many homes in some amount.
“As a binding agent, it is used in carpets and hardwood floors and is still very much present around us”.
According to a report by the Toronto-based home inspectors and consulting engineers Carson Dunlop, there has been no building product as of today as widely and thoroughly investigated as UFFI. However no health risk has been associated with it.
The report stated that formaldehyde levels in the houses are .03 to .04 parts per million (ppm), whereas in the smoking section of cafeterias the levels of these gases are about.0.16 ppm. Houses that have new carpeting will also show similar levels.
As per the study, the rate at which the formaldehyde gases are released from the material is directly proportional to the temperature and humidity.
Citing an example of a court case in Quebec where plaintiffs accused the federal government of installing dangerous material in houses, the report states that the government’s threshold level for formaldehyde gas was 0.5 ppm or 1.0 ppm. However, during testing the claimants’ accusation, it was found that none of the UFFI insulated houses had formaldehyde gas levels above 0.1 ppm. It was therefore concluded that once the foam is installed, the levels of formaldehyde rapidly decrease and within a few weeks the formaldehyde level is at ambient house levels.
To buy a house with UFFI or not?
Whether to buy a house which once had UFFI installed in it is an individual’s personal decision. It is like choosing facts over perceptions.
However, UFFI myth needs to be destroyed. It is not nearly as dangerous as it was presented in the 1980’s. Homeowners shouldn’t have to carry the “UFFI stigma” when there is no good reason for it. Bob Aaron said it in 2007 and here we are at the end of 2015 and still, nothing has changed. But until it’s removed, it needs to be respected, just as any other law out there.
