Re-Elect Nathaniel Erskine-Smith “Nate provides a rare breath of fresh air.” — Toronto Star “MPs such as Erskine-Smith are outliers in the prevailing political culture.” — Toronto Star “The least predictable MP.” — CBC “Toronto’s Best MP.” — NOW Toronto (2 years in a row) Authorized by the Erskine-Smith campaign
Volume 48 No. 15
BEACHMETRO.COM
October 15, 2019
Beach Studio Tour set for 25th annual event By Amanda Gibb
PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON
Ted Reeve hockey celebrates 65 years Stephen King, President of the Ted Reeve Hockey Association, drops the puck for a squad of tyke players at the association’s 65th anniversary celebrations held recently at Ted Reeve Arena. For more, see Page 22.
THIS YEAR marks the 25th anniversary of the Beach Studio Tour, and the fall event will run from Friday, Oct. 25, to Sunday, Oct. 27. The Beach Studio Tour is the longest artist-led studio tour in the city, and features 19 artists in 13 locations scattered across the Beach area. “One thing that’s unique about us is that all of our locations are in either the private homes or private studios of our artists. We open our doors and trust the community, and welcome them in to see our space,” said Rachel Taggart. Taggart is a painter who has participated in the Beach Studio Tour for about 10 years. She said that the event is cooperatively run by all of the participating artists, including getting sponsors and promoting the event. Taggart said that the tour will feature a variety of work like painting, photography, jewelry, sculptures, glasswork and ceramics, woven clothing, and fashion designers. “We usually have a nice turnover of artists. There is a main body of artists who seem to exhibit every tour. But then we have new artists who come in from out of town, and kind of switch things up a little bit,” said Taggart. Lucille Crighton is a weaver who has exhibited in every tour since its inception in 1994. “The only thing that has really changed is that people come and go, people move out of the area or for whatever reason are not doing the tour. But it really retains the premise of showing a working studio wherever possible,” said Crighton. Crighton weaves by hand and said people can come to have a tour in her studio where she has a room filled with colourful Continued on Page 4
Fear Factory is back in the Beach Soccer player Franklin ready By Amanda Gibb
THE BEACHES Fear Factory will be returning for its 11th year, and the Beaches Recreation Centre will be transformed into a frightful maze. Located at 6 Williamson Road, Fear Factory will run from Friday, Oct. 25 to Sunday, Oct. 27. Lead coordinator and volunteer Jay Marks said that the maze takes about three days to build with the help of other volunteers.
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“It’s big. It’s like familyrun. These volunteers kill it every year. It’s just so fun to see people of different ages come in and be ready to go,” he said. People brave enough to go through the maze will be subject to jump scares by volunteers dressed in all black and Halloween masks. “Basically our shtick is we made it a ride, and it’s been like that for 11 years. You sit on a cart and there are two chairs. Both chairs face me because I push everyone
through. You basically get pushed through this maze backward in the dark. We call it the Terror Tram,” he said. The ride lasts about two and a half minutes, and Marks said it’s fun because attendees have no idea what’s coming next. “It changes every year. Every year we change the design. I’m constantly just trying to change stuff up,” he said. Marks said there is a camera facing those in the cart to Continued on Page 4
for FIFA U-17 World Cup By Ricardo Vigliano
WHEN MIDFIELDER Kobe Franklin steps onto the field for the opening match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2019 in Brazil on Oct. 26, hearts will beat across Canada but particularly in the Beach. Not so long ago, this 16-year-old player was just a kid kicking a ball by the water, while having fun playing with the recreational Beach Community Soccer League.
The biggest boost to his soccer career came from his mom and dad, he said. “My parents put me in the sport to keep me active as a little one, and ever since then I have been in love with the game.” Franklin said. The Beach community league was pivotal as a place to start off his career, he said. “The spark came from playing there at such a young age with my friends from around the community.”
NATHANIEL ERSKINE-SMITH LIBERAL CANDIDATE BEACHES-EAST YORK info@votenate.ca @beynate (647) 715-9895 Authorized by the Beaches-East York Federal Liberals
Afterwards, Franklin polished his skills fairly quickly thanks to an opportunity to play for MLS Chicago Fire Soccer Club Academy, when he moved to Chicago with his family. From age 9 to 13, he played against some of the biggest soccer academies in the world, such as Crystal Palace and Valencia. Moving back to Toronto and now attending Neil McNeil Catholic Continued on Page 22
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