GRINNING FROM ear to ear in front of his workplace, the Top Valu gas station on Kingston Road, Tanzanian-born Shehzada Mazherali Kassamali might be a familiar face for many drivers in the neighbourhood.
But on a recent day in April, he’s smiling for a special reason. Holding his Canadian citizenship certificate in his hands, he beams. It may be but a simple piece of paper, but what it represents is much more than that.
“I was already accepted from the beginning,” he said, of his initial years in Canada. “So I didn’t feel like a foreigner when I was in the country. I didn’t feel that at all … Everybody was nice to me. The community is amazing. [It’s a] beautiful community, diverse.”
Even so, receiving his citizenship at a ceremony earlier this year gives Kassamali a renewed sense of purpose about his life here. Especially because the requirements to obtain it take some time and patience.
According to the Government of Canada, to become a Canadian citizen applicants must be permanent residents who have been physically present in the country for at least 1,460 days during a six year period, in addition to being present for 183 days within the four years prior.
said. “I went to visit this place, I went to visit that place, I went to see my aunt and uncle in Barrie and for my immediate family, I have my sister here who wanted me to stay with her, too, so I prolonged [the stay in Canada] that way,” he said.
Back then, Kassamali had a job at a paper factory in Tanzania after completing an advanced degree in physics, chemistry and mathematics. But despite having a life back in East Africa, Kassamali said it was Canada that truly felt like home because “when I came to Canada I knew I could feel a sense of human values, Canadian values – talking to people, everybody says thank you, everybody says you’re welcome, you know. Everybody holds the door for you. You see the values of Canada and you fall in love. You just can’t not fall in love wherever you come from.”
And it wasn’t long before Kassamali fell in love with a Canadian girl, who in 2010 became his Canadian wife.
“ ” “You see the values of Canada and you fall in love.”
– Shehzada Kassamali
Applicants must also demonstrate a suitable understanding of English and/or French, and prove their knowledge of our history, values, institutions and symbols, among a host of other requirements.
“I felt accomplished,” he said. “I felt like I had accomplished something in my life to become a citizen of Canada.”
Becoming a Canadian has been a goal of his since visiting Toronto to attend a cousin’s wedding 10 years ago. Shortly after arriving, he realized he did not want to leave so he stayed to travel the country.
“I kept extending my visa,” he
Artistic expression
City works to preserve Leuty station
“We decided to get married and we applied for permanent residence. I think it was after two years I got my permanent residence,” he recalled. “As soon as I got my permanent residentship I went home [to] Tanzania.
I took my wife there to see the country.”
Since moving to Toronto, Kassamali has been working as a manager at Top Valu, where he says he is “very happy” – a statement that becomes obvious as his boss jokingly chimes in, both of them laughing heartily, “We don’t want him here but he stays here! We can’t get rid of him!”
But now that he’s a citizen, he said he is “looking forward to many different things” – specifically, the possibility of becoming a teacher.
“I kept saying, How can I give back to the community? So hopefully I get more into my bachelor of education. I’m hoping in the future that I become a teacher,” he said.
Continued on Page 4
By Lara O’Keefe
RESIDENTS HAVE been voicing their concerns over the past weeks about the rising water levels along the shorelines of Ashbridges Bay and Woodbine Beach but it’s the historic Leuty Lifeguard Station that is currently raising alarm bells with the City of Toronto.
City crews were on the scene last week, working to maintain and preserve the historic landmark.
“This may have an impact on the beach and the volleyball courts in the long-term, but more urgently, this has threatened the 97-year-old Leuty Lifeguard Station and the Boardwalk,” said Matthew Cutler, spokesperson for the city’s Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation department.
While shorelines have been known to evolve over time, Cutler explained that “recent storms have brought waves further onto Woodbine Beach and Ashbridges Bay than we have seen in decades.”
The city constantly works to manage the waterfront by building break walls, dredging and strategic planting in an effort to minimize changes to the shoreline.
But to mitigate the current issues creeping up on the Leuty Lifeguard Station and the boardwalk, “staff are working with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority to secure these two assets by moving sand and installing armour
stone,” said Cutler. “Once that work is complete, we will review the broader impacts these storms will have on the beach.”
In the meantime, city staff are asking people and their pets to stay away from the water.
“Standing water can often pose concerns, especially when combined with animal and bird feces and heat, like on a beach,” said Cutler. “We’ve asked that residents (and their pets) stay away from the water and our machinery on the beach while we deal with these issues.”
PHOTO: LARA O’KEEFE
Krishna Suthar performs a dance onstage during the annual Baisakhi festival in the Gerrard India Bazaar, April 15.
PHOTO: ANNA KILLEN
City workers move sand around the Leuty Lifeguard Station April 12 in an effort to combat effects from the highest water levels seen in decades.
Police Beat
Two teens arrested for armed robbery
TWO TEENS have been arrested in connection with a series of recent robberies in the Beach, Toronto Police 55 Division has confirmed.
Armed with a long gun, the suspects allegedly robbed a delivery person on April 8 around 1 a.m., and a taxi driver later that morning around 4:30 a.m. It is alleged that they repeated the offence two days later on April 10, again robbing a taxi driver with a long gun
Dr.
around4:05a.m.
Following a call about a suspicious male going through vehicles in the area of Waverley Road and Norway Avenue, police engaged in a brief vehicle pursuit on April 13, at which time the twosuspectswerearrested.
An 18-year-old man has been charged 32 times in relation to more than a dozen offences including possession of a weapon dangerous to public peace, possession of property obtained by crime, two counts of robbery with a firearm, and three counts of disguisewithintent.
An 18-year-old woman has been charged a dozen times in relation to nine offences including possession of a weapon dangerous to public peace, possession of a fire-arm obtained by crime, four counts of possession of property obtained by crime, and possession of a prohibited weapon.
The pair attended court April 14 at Old CityHall.
THE SEARCH for the car of 25-year-old Nicholas Tyler Baig — who was arrested for second-degree murder Saturday, April 8 — ended in the Beachtwodayslater.
Police said they found the body of his wife Arianna Goberdhan, 27, on Friday, April 7 evening with obvious signs of trauma. Goberdhan was nine months pregnant at the time of her death. Her baby did not survive, said police.
Baig was taken into custody on Saturday, April 8 after he was located in Markham, but until the early morning hours of April 10 authorities were still searching for the vehicle he was last seen driving — a 2015 black Infiniti withlicenseplateBVBP480.
Const. George Tudos with the Durham Region Police Service said the Toronto Police recognized the unoccupied vehicle when they were in the area and called DRPS tofurtherinvestigate.
David Hopkinson, media relations officer with the Toronto Police Service, confirmed that the car was found parked in the area of Queen Street East and Lee Avenue earlyMondaymorning.
Police found the car while investigating multiple robberies in the same area. Hopkinsonconfirmedthatpolice
Emergency services responded to reports of a person falling off a City of Toronto garbage truck near the intersection of Folcroft Avenue and Cliffside Drive at around 2:30 p.m. on April 6. The woman later succumbed to her injuries.
received several phone calls over the last few days from taxi drivers who had been robbed at gunpoint in the Beach area.
Tudos said police do not believe the two incidents are connected and there is no concern for public safety at this time. The suspect is currently in custody and it is an isolated incident, he said.
Anyone with information about the murder investigation is asked to call Det. Short (ext. 5401) or Det. Horrocks (ext. 5418) of the Durham Regional Police Service Major Crime – Homicide Unit at 1-888-579-1520.
A 59-YEAR-OLD woman died from injuries sustained after falling off a garbage truck in Cliffside on April 7.
The incident happened around 2 p.m. Friday in the
Folcroft Avenue and Cliffside Drive area.
A police release sent out that morning said that she was “standing on the rear passenger side of a 2016 Mack garbage truck, with a 52-year-old man driving the truck, eastbound on Folcroft Avenue, approaching Cliffside Drive.”
She suffered a medical episode and fell off the truck, said police, who assisted in an emergency run to get her to the hospital quickly.
A memorial was to be held in Diane Chicoine’s honour on Thursday, April 13 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the corner of Cliffside Drive and Folcroft Avenue.
Family, friends, coworkers and the public were invited to gather and pay their respects by lighting a candle in her memory.
PHOTO: PHIL LAMEIRA
Call for proposals sheds light on park sponsorship rights
By Lara O’Keefe
THE CITY continues its efforts to animate the Eastern Beaches, with a request for proposal issued last week looking for vendors to operate retail or service businesses in the area.
Interested parties are invited to apply but should be aware that “under no circumstances will the sale or distribution of food and/or beverages of any form whatsoever be allowed within the Licensed Area,” the city document states.
‘No parking’ hours extended
By Lara O’Keefe
DRIVERS IN the East End may want to double check the signs before parking the car.
Earlier this month the City of Toronto announced changes to parking and turning regulations along Queen Street East and Kingston Road, among others, in an effort to minimize traffic congestion during peakperiods and improve the flow of traffic and streetcars.
The initiative is part of the city’s larger Congestion Management Strategy which is making a number of changes to city traffic regulations over the coming months.
Similar changes have already been made downtown.
Among the other changes are an increased number of cameras, an increased number of variable-message signs, and improved coordination of traffic signals, said the April 6 news release.
Changes have gone into effect, with new signs currently being installed, but Steve Johnston, strategic communications with the City of Toronto, said the regulations are currently in a transition period and “there [will be] a period of education prior to enforcement.”
• Eastbound Queen Street East between Woodbine Avenue and Wineva Avenue: new no stopping hours are 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Eastbound Kingston Road between Glen Manor Drive and Victoria Park Avenue: new no stopping hours are 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Westbound Kingston Road between Scarborough Road and Main Street/Southwood Drive: new no stopping hours are 7:00 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Readers were swift to respond to these changes on our website, with one reader commenting, “The “no parking” hours should be extended two hours more, both eastbound and westbound for much further than Woodbine to Wineva” and others offering their suggestions. What do you think about these changes? How can parking in the area be improved? Join the conversation at www.beachmetro.com/2017/04/06/no-parking-hours-extended-east-end/
Ward 32 councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon said the city is hoping to attract vendors that will focus on sport and recreation sales such as paddle board rentals or summer boot camps rather than food, beverage or product sales.
“We’re open to ideas,” she said.
Food, beverage and product sales are still forbidden due to rights maintained by Tuggs Inc., which has an exclusive lease to sponsorship and food and beverage rights around Woodbine Beach and Ashbridge’s Bay.
Tuggs used to also have similar rights in
Kew Gardens, but lost them after the recent renovations to the park.
The terms of the controversial Tuggs agreement run until 2028, but council agreed last year to review these terms in the fall and report back to the Government Management Committee by the first quarter of 2017.
McMahon said that, as of now, the conversation with Tuggs about their situation is still ongoing and she cannot comment further.
“We are still in talks with him,” she said. She was not able to provide a timeline.
In a letter published in Beach Metro News
earlier this year, the Free the Beaches group, which was formed last year in response to Tuggs’ application to transfer parts of its lease to Cara Operations Limited, encouraged residents to urge council to be more transparent about its dealings with Tuggs.
The RFP document states that the city is looking for proposals for a three-year term.
Operating season will run annually from June 1st to September 30th between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekly, weather permitting. The deadline to apply is May 5, 2017.
History
revealed
After the signage was removed from the recently closed
covery was uncovered, revealing the story of past occupants, The
Kenilworth Avenue, was constructed sometime in 1921 and
Bar and
Canada, incorporated in Toronto in 1903, ceased operations on August 17, 1923 amidst much controversy. Its failure was the subject of a Canadian Royal Commission initiated by Prime Minister
MP responds to new marijuana legislation
By Anna Killen
BEACHES-EAST YORK MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith is generally in agreement with the government’s newly tabled Cannibis Act, legislation that introduces a framework to legalize marijuana.
“Overall, the proposed law is sensible drug policy. It is a public health approach that also treats Canadians like the responsible adults we are,” said Erskine-Smith in an email.
The proposed law will allow adults 18 years and older to buy, possess and grow small amounts of marijuana for personal use (possess 30 grams; grow four plants per household), while making it a serious criminal offence to sell marijuana to a minor,
among other new regulations and penalties.
The Liberal MP has said in the past that he would like to see the government go further than pot legalization by decriminalizing all drugs, but said he is pleased the legislation follows the recommendations of last year’s marijuana task force.
“It’s also good to see that youth who are caught with up to five grams will not be criminally charged, though I’m skeptical of the value of any criminal penalties for possession,” he said.
The government said the new system is planned to be in place by June 2018. In the meantime, Erskine-Smith would have liked to see interim regulations to prevent arrests while the legislation is being passed.
“I don’t think it makes any sense to continue to arrest anyone for personal use of cannabis, and I hope we’ll see expedited record suspensions down the road,” he said.
His office is hosting a drug policy town hall on Wednesday, April 19 at Canadian Martyrs Catholic School, 520 Plains Rd., to hear from constituents.
That’s ahead of a “budget breakfast” on Wednesday, April 26 at 7:30 a.m. at The Nook General Store, 2005 Danforth Ave., to address feedback and concerns about the recent federal budget.
While he has addressed some of those concerns – like the cancellation of the transit tax credit – on social media, the breakfast is a chance to talk about them in person.
PHOTO: PHIL LAMEIRA
St. Louis
Grill on Queen Street East, an interesting dis-
building, located at the corner of Queen Street East and
designed by architect Joseph Hunt Stanford. Home Bank of
William Lyon Mackenzie King.
‘I feel like I totally belong here’
Continued from Page 1
As a member of the Ismaili community, Kassamali said he feels strongly about giving back and making a difference in the lives of others.
Being Canadian, he feels, will also help him achieve this goal.
“My spiritual father is the Aga Khan and as he put it in his words when he was here, Canada is a leader in the community of the nations in the sense that Canada is successful because of its values,” he said. “Because Canada is peaceful, it’s democratic, it shows a pluralist society which has helped a lot of countries in crisis become countries of opportunity and that is very touching for me.”
It’s a sentiment that seems to be echoed by a number of Canadians in the Beach area.
Grabbing a bag from behind him, Kassamali began to pull items given to him by members of the community.
Among them, a Canadian flag gifted to him by a local war veteran, a container of real Canadian maple syrup, and a book about the top 100 unusual places to visit in Canada.
His eyes twinkled, smile growing as
he reached to remove each item from the bag, holding the gifts from his local friends.
“I received also a letter from the MP and when we got our citizenship we received this booklet too with all sorts of
passes for the parks,” he said. “I’m looking so forward to the 150th celebration so... very glad.”
“It means a lot [to be Canadian]. I feel like I totally belong here, where I can make a difference.”
School to stay open
By Lara O’Keefe
IN A positive turn of events, Dentonia Park Nursery School (DPNS) has announced that it will be able to remain open for the coming year.
The co-op school feared closure if it could not increase enrolment and went public with its story last month. The school credits a subsequent outpouring of community support for its reversal in fortune.
“There has been a groundswell of community support for the school,” said parent Clifton Corbin. “The last open house (April 1) was very well attended and included [city councillor] Janet Davis, who has also been a wonderful advocate for our school.”
At present, the school has now reached more than 80 per cent enrollment — a number which is anticipated to become 100 per cent before the next school year.
Corbin said there are only a handful of spots left for the 2017/2018 year.
In the meantime, members of the Dentonia Park Nursery School board are voicing their appreciation.
“The way the community has rallied around the school has been remarkable,” said board president Amy DeMoulin. “It shows that co-op nursery schools are still vital to the community ... we are overjoyed that DPNS will be here for the foreseeable future.”
PHOTO: LARA O’KEEFE
New Canadian Shehzada Mazherali Kassamali shows off his citizenship certificate earlier this month.
Play helps students find their voice
By Lara O’Keefe
FOR GRADE 8 students at East Alternative School (EAST), being courageous doesn’t necessarily mean wearing a cape.
The students have spent the year working on a project that will culminate in a final play called Courageous Voices. The concept of the play is inspired by Joseph Campbell’s book, Hero with a Thousand Faces, which was first published in 1949 and examines the theory of the monomyth, or the journey of a hero. Campbell believed that classic heroes always followed along the same path: going on an adventure, winning a victory in the midst of a crisis, and then coming home transformed or changed.
The concept first began as a hero/heroine museum exhibit, explained teacher and creator Lynn Heath.
“We always looked at Joseph Campbell’s Hero with a Thousand Faces,” she said. “His definition is the definition we use for the hero/heroine. We’d get dressed up and we’d always make these life-size portraits of [the students chosen] hero/heroine.”
From there, it developed into a monologue, and later into the musical rendition that it is today.
For their part, the Grade 8 students were tasked with researching and writing an essay about people who they believe to be heros or heroines “and they read the essay and the class votes –are they a hero/heroine? And if they’re not, they’re back to the drawing board. We have to have a global definition and that’s the one we’re using,” said Heath.
Once they have settled on their characters, they will embody the person they chose to write about in the performance.
“
engagement is particularly important today because “kids are feeling hopeless.”
“It’s a scary world,” she said. “The things they’re saying are scary. They’re aware of these things [going on in the world] and they’re frightened and what Courageous Voices does is it confronts the problem and [shows how] these people have done things differently and really impacted the world.”
And according to Heath, the lessons from the experience extend far beyond the walls of EAST.
“The students always say they feel really empowered that they’ve made a difference.
”
“A number of students come back in high school and say when things get hard they play back the words they spoke in Courageous Voices to get them through it.”
PHOTO: SUBMITTED
This year’s play includes student selected hero/ heroines like Nellie McClung, Michael Moore, and Martin Luther King Jr.
– Lynn Heath
“Each year we ask the children if they want to do this – because it’s a lot of work – but every year they say they feel people need to hear these words, and at the end they always say they feel really empowered that they’ve made a difference,” she said. “What’s very cool is the story behind the story because there are students who have never been on stage in their life and they’re terrified but they love their hero/heroine so much they want to get the words across. It’s a message that they want you to hear.”
Heath believes encouraging this kind of
Although Heath will be retiring at the end of this year, she says she’s as committed as ever to the program.
“I’ll be coming back to EAST in an advisory capacity so I still will be here for sure,” she said. “I’ve been here since it’s beginning and it’s something that I love.”
The play – which will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on April 26 and 27 at EAST, 21 Boultbee Ave., and from 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 3 at the Metropolitan Community Church – will feature musical performances, engaging conversations and “an incredibly moving production,” described parent Hugh Scholey.
Tickets are pay what you can but the suggested donation is $10 per person.
In My Opinion
Many hands, warm hearts at Out of the Cold
Matthew Kellway
Chair Out of the Cold in the Beach at St. Aidan’s
FROM NOVEMBER until this time of year, the doors of St. Aidan’s open to the homeless on Monday nights. For 11 years now. Like the lake at the bottom of the street, there’s a rhythm to it.
From across the city, the guys arrive at the Silver Birch doors midMonday afternoon. Michael is there to let the first 25 in, out of the cold, at about 3 p.m. The boys from Neil McNeil will have been and gone, sleeping mats arrayed, dining hall set – “just so”, as Frank requires.
Gene will have delivered milk
and the bread from Cobs. A volunteer will have swung by Starbucks at Kew for an urn of coffee, Tori’s Bakeshop for goodies and Bagels on Fire for dozens of the obvious.
The afternoon shift will have arrived to lay this bounty out. Homemade soup, courtesy of the Soup Queens, will be hot when the guys come in. Nurse Jenn is there to care for feet.
Maybe upstairs in the kitchen, or maybe offsite, a team of volunteers is cooking dinner for 70. Musicians, with Brad and Dave on soundboard, will be tuning on stage. The dinner crew will already be elbows deep in dishes. Candles lit and lights dimmed, guests drift into Memorial Hall. Grace. Music. It is, as Valear puts it, “radical hospitality” that is
SERVING THE BEACH, BEACH HILL, BIRCH CLIFF, CLIFFSIDE, CRESCENT TOWN, EAST DANFORTH, GERRARD INDIA BAZAAR, AND UPPER BEACH
416-698-1253 beachmetro.com
GENERAL MANAGER
Phil Lameira (ext. 24) phil@beachmetro.com
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Mark Ireland (ext. 26) mark@beachmetro.com EDITOR
Anna Killen (ext. 23) anna@beachmetro.com REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER
Lara O’Keefe (ext. 25) lara@beachmetro.com PRODUCTION
EXECUTIVE: Rob Granatstein, president; Debbie Visconti, vice president; Bill Burrows, secretary; Doug Black, treasurer; Julie DiGregorio, past president; Paul M. Babich, special advisor
This newspaper accepts advertising in good faith, but does not endorse advertisers or advertisements. All submitted editorial material is subject to editing. ISSN #0838-2956
Letters to the Editor
practiced here.
Those just here for dinner head out into the night after dessert –some to homes, some as close to warmth as security guards will allow, some to the ravines. Our overnight guests retreat downstairs – some for a movie and popcorn, some straight to bed.
Morning comes early and so does the morning crew. Some guests will forgo the bacon and eggs and head out into a dark morning. But all will be gone by 8 a.m. with a brown bag lunch and a Tim Horton’s card to make the day easier.
Our country used to do better – we even had a few shining moments. It was a Canadian, after all, that was called upon to serve as the Principal Drafter of the UN’s
“Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” Therein, housing is recognized as a right. But in the mid-’90s our federal government announced what it already put into practice –an end to federal funding of social housing. Let the provinces deal, it said.
I was working for the ministry of finance when our provincial government declined to deal. Over to you, cities, it said. And I was down at Toronto city hall only weeks ago, with faith leaders and other Out of the Cold chairs, to plea for maintenance of staffing in our city’s shelter system. We lost.
And so we find ourselves with nearly 200,000 Torontonians on a list for affordable housing. With an overcrowded, under-resourced
shelter system. With wage and social assistance levels that leave many nearly without a home. Without healthcare and social services to meet the need. And, with an Out of the Cold Program that was only ever meant to be temporary.
So the guys come back Monday after Monday, winter after winter. And so we come back, too. They are us – brothers and sisters of a sort. And because they are without, we will share. And because it is cold outside, we will let them in. Until someday, we hope, we won’t be needed.
Thank you to the many who help keep the doors of St. Aidan’s open to those in need of warmth. Out of the Cold’s final Monday dinner of the season is April 24.
Some suggestions for sprucing up Queen Street
I AM a fairly new Beacher and I shop religiously in our local area.
It makes for good neighbourhood stuff.
After reading your article on the state of shops and restaurants
(“Many factors feed into empty storefronts on Queen East”, March 21), I looked at Queen Street with some more interest.
It occurred to me that the general appearance would be a lot better if businesses would take care of a few things, like: replacing/repairing awnings; replacing missing letters in neon signs; sweeping the sidewalk in front of their establishment; if paper signs are used in the windows, make sure all corners are attached to the window; out of business storefronts were papered up neatly; fixing that little bit of missing paint; remove holiday decora-
tions when the holidays are over and certainly by the time spring comes around; and remove flyers sticking out from the mailbox Some establishments look squeaky clean from the street and attract customers more easily than others. I share Beacher concerns about the number of disappearing businesses. But I’m probably preaching to the converted.
Ada Spanjaard
Lessons from another village
I WAS shopping in Roncesvalles Village recently and was delighted to see how vibrant and attractive the main street has become. There are no glass highrises and all the retail stores in low rise buildings look
spruced up and ready for spring.
I only saw a couple of empty stores and could not help comparing the area to our Beach Village, where Queen Street is full of spaces to rent.
Many of the open stores on Queen look like they could use the windows washed and more TLC.
It is general knowledge that Beach retailers continue to struggle mostly because of high rents and because the area does have the 360 degrees of dense population due to lake Ontario to the south.
I cannot say I have the answers to the problem but I can see the difference from one very successful Toronto “village” to our own. Roncesvalles was full of people of all ages shopping in stores and eating in restaurants. The shops appeared to include
all that is needed for “shopping locally”.
Perhaps there is something to be learned from how they have “developed” so successfully with more emphasis on making a good mix of neighbourhood homes and stores and less on selling out to high rise developers.
Sharman Wilson
New ‘gate’ in Kew spoils the view
I HELD my tongue and my pen as I watched the destruction of the flower gardens at the top of Kew Gardens.
I maintained my silence as, month after month, the area was closed to the public.
The work took forever, doubled
in cost, and still I did not write.
A year passed and then another summer came and went.
When I returned from vacation, I could, at least, walk in the area again. The only necessary and successful renovation is the area around the War Memorial.
But then, out of nowhere, a hideous black thing appeared. Purporting to be a welcome gate, it spoils the view of the west end of the Beaches Branch Library and blocks the expansive view of the park from the sidewalk. These socalled renovations are a total folly. The black barricade was the last straw for me and I had to speak up.
Lee Gold
Deja Views
By David Van Dyke
This archival photograph looks down the hill to the lake from Balsam Avenue, just south of Pine. It was
taken in 1972 and the photographer in unknown. Would you like to be a known photographer in the pages of Beach Metro News? Do you have an old photo you’d like to share with our readers? Please send an email to gdvandyke61@gmail.com.
Beach Books
Beach poet celebrates second collection
By Anna Killen
BEACH WRITER Kateri
Lanthier’s second collection of poetry, Siren, has just been published by Signal Editions, Vehicule Press
The last time Beach Metro caught up with Lanthier was in 2013, when she won the Walrus Poetry Prize for “The Coin Under the Leftmost Sliding Cup”, a love poem inspired by a small earthquake that shook Toronto the previous spring.
Since, the mother of three and UofT adjunct faculty member has won third prize in the London, Englandbased Troubadour International Poetry Prize and had numerous poems published in Canada and the US (Green Mountains Review, Hazlitt, Arc, Event, Matrix, The Fiddlehead).
Now, she is celebrating the launch of Siren, which details her search for what she calls “compelling melancholy” and deepens her connection
to the ghazal, an ancient Persian form of love poetry that is at once dangerous, alluring, and delicate. Lanthier approaches her subject with a fair amount of wit and play.
Take the opening stanza of the near-title track, “Sirens”: “I was the waif in the snowbank of the banquet hall parking lot. A voluptuous stray. A bravura drunk. My thoughts encrypted in sugar.”
Vehicule Press fetes Lanthier and Siren at the collec-
tion’s official launch at the Monarch Tavern on Clinton Street May 3, and in Montreal May 9.
But for those closer to home, Lanthier will be appearing at the Authors For Indies event at Book City in the Beach April 29, one of numerous events celebrating local authors across the city. Also appearing at the 1950 Queen St. E. bookstore April 29, according to the Authors for Indies website, are authors Ken McGoogan, Teri Vlassopoulos, Cathy Marie Buchanan, Lisa de Nikolits, Elan Mastai, and Terri Favro
APRIL IS National Poetry Month, and to kick it off, Beacher Kate Marshall Flaherty visited Ms. Cornwall’s Grade 3 class at Kew Beach School.
Marshall talked about poetry as the “language of the heart,” where, like poet Mary Oliver says, “it’ not so much what the words say
Vet Tech Services
as how they make you feel.”
She shared her past experiences as a “Random Acts of Poetry” poet here in the Beach several years ago.
Continued on Page 8 ,
TORONTO BEACHES BRANCH LIBRARY
Beach Arts Scene
By Anna Killen
ALWAYS IMPRESSIVE and inspiring, Danforth CTI’s visual arts department’s annual year-end show turns 10 this year with XHIBITART17
Featuring work by senior students, alumni and staff at the Papermill Gallery at Todmorden Mills, 67 Pottery Road, the exhibition runs from Wednesday, April 19 through Sunday, April 30 with an opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. opening night.
The show has been held at the gallery since its inception in 2008, and the mounting of the show has become an important part of the curriculum, with students learning matting and hanging techniques, taking field trips to the gallery to install and take down the show, and experiencing a level of professionalism that stays with them throughout their careers.
Opening night is a school affair, with music performed by Danforth’s music students and catering by the school’s hospitality department. Admission is free, with artwork available for purchase.
For more information, call Danforth’s visual arts department at 416-393-0620.
THERE’S STILL time to take in the April exhibition at Gerrard Art Space, The Painting Show, featuring work by 22 artists.
Beach Books
Continued from Page 7
“Random Act of Poetry” is when she “poemed” (read a poem and gave a book) people in Kew Park, the Beaches Library, and Ed’s Real Scoop. The students then wrote their own imagistic poems,
Amazed
Through April 23, the cozy space is adorned with creations by artists Marilyn Couto, Joanna Strong, Patricia Hennessy, Iuliana Barbu, Ginny Fanthome, Osvaldo Napoli, Maren Boedeker, Olga Philip, Suzanne Robitaille, Dyvie Aquino, Paul Koskinen, Sophie Creelman, Bev Quinn, Anne-Marie Olczak, Joe Rivera, Cherie Daly, Sara Craig, Dahlia Sawwan, Jerome Evola, Corynn Kokolakis, Kyle Yip and Elviga Sebris
Take it all in on April 22, when the art collective hosts its Spring Pop-up Market at GAS from 2 to 7 p.m. Curated by the creators of local lotion line Bruha’s Cupboard, there will be eight different vendors with products ranging from organic chocolate to natural skin care to funky house decor, all with a unique twist. Musicians and artists will be on hand to add some sparkle to the day, GAS’s fourth market held at the space. Gerrard Art Space is located at 1475 Gerrard St. E. More information at www.gerrardartspace.com.
COBALT GALLERY is celebrating April with a group show. The charming Kingston Road gallery plays host to local artists Kellie Jobson, Benjamin Wieler, Theresa Morin and Annette
titled “Ode to Myself”, using simile and metaphor.
Then, continuing the creative and engaging morning, the entire class wrote two collective palindrome sonnets, “A Murder of Crows” and “An Unkindness of Ravens.”
Marshall told the students about what it’s like to be a writer, and what an honour it is to be the Toronto representative for the League of Canadian poets, who are celebrating “Poem in your Pocket Day” on April 27.
On that day anyone can go to http://poets.ca/pocketpoem/ to download a Canadian poem to keep in a pocket and share: at a bus stop, waiting in line, at a cafe or social gathering.
The website is full of ideas about how to share a poem and celebrate Canadian poetic diversity and creativity.
Hansen until the end of the month. Panels are still available for Cobalt Gallery and neighbour Yellow House Gallery’s collaborative Canada 150 effort. Artists are invited to pick up a panel from the galleries, create, and then hang at a show mounting later this year. Panels are available until the end of the month if they do not sell out. Cobalt Gallery is located at 870 Kingston Road (at Beech Avenue). More information at www.cobaltgallery.ca
For more information about National Poetry Month and the League of Canadian Poets, go to Poets.ca
Below, one of the poems the Grade 3 class wrote collectively:
An Unkindness of Ravens a palindrome sonnet
O ravens so cruel! Cruel, yet swift and lovely, you are blaring when you wake, eyes scanning for prey.
Dark as a night sky flying over the shining moon, you sound like another’s death, soaring out of sight. You sound like another’s death, soaring out of sight. Flying over the shining moon dark as a night sky, eyes scanning for prey. You are blaring when you wake, cruel, yet swift and lovely.
O ravens so cruel!
‘Miguel’ by Mary Layeux, Grade 11, Danforth CTI
PHOTO: ANNA KILLEN
The Amazing Gadget Show by Bill Buxton, right, opened at Studio 888 on Queen Street East April 12. Featuring his 40-year collection of electronic devices, its showing until the end of the month.
‘Jellyfish’ by Martin Schmidt, Grade 11, Danforth CTI
Reel Beach: Movies in East Toronto
Atwood’s story staged on Silver Birch
Bernie Fletcher
Imagine you arrive at your child’s daycare one morning and find armed guards outside the doors. A scary thought, but this really happened last September at the Church of St. Aidan’s on Silver Birch Avenue at Queen Street. Thank heaven the guns were merely props and the soldiers were only actors filming a timely adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s best-selling dystopian novel, The Handmaid’s Tale. The 10-part series premieres April 30 at 9 p.m. on Bravo.
Rev. Lucy Reid of St. Aidan’s says that the scene alarmed parents unaware of the filming and caused “quite an excitement here” as the young handmaids-in-training were led into the building by the armed guards.“The ground floor level of the Memorial Hall was set up as a dormitory, while the gym below was staged as a classroom,” she says. “Our somewhat dilapidated building apparently was ideal.” The Tudor-style hall was dedicated in 1923 as a memorial to those from St. Aidan’s who lost their lives in the First World War.
The trailer for The Handmaid’s Tale shows disturbing images of armies outside Toronto’s City Hall as well as film locations such as the CBC headquarters, Ripley’s Aquarium, Lake Ontario and the beautiful bridge at Old Mill Road over the Humber River.
Offred (Elizabeth Moss) narrates in
an ominous voiceover:
“I was asleep before. That’s how we let it happen. When they slaughtered Congress, we didn’t wake up. When they blamed terrorists and suspended the Constitution, we didn’t wake up then, either. Now I’m awake. My name is Offred. I had another name...”
What is truly frightening is the vision of a nightmare future living under a totalitarian regime which has taken away the rights of women, even to their own name. Offred (literally ‘Of Fred’) is a handmaid, “offered” for sacrifice as property to the Commander (Joseph Fiennes). She is determined to survive for the sake of her daughter.
Though filmed around Toronto and Cambridge, Ontario (standing in for Cambridge, Mass.) the setting of Atwood’s 1985 novel is New England in the Republic of Gilead. While set in the near future, the uniform red robes and white bonnets worn by the handmaids harken back to a repressive past.
Atwood was inspired by her studies of 17th century America and its Puritan values.
People may label the tale far-fetched or say “that couldn’t happen here”, but Atwood has explained that “when I wrote it I was making sure I wasn’t putting anything into it that human beings had not already done somewhere at some time.”
Watch for the author herself in a cameo role in a scene where handmaids are being brainwashed. She also plays a brief part in Sarah Polley’s production of Alias Grace to air in
Entertainment Beat
By Anna Killen
WHY NOT Theatre marks 10 years with a forward-thinking pay-what-you-can-afford production of Prince Hamlet, adapted and directed by Ravi Jain, at The Theatre Centre through April 29.
Presented in association with Soulpepper Theatre Company, the English and American Sign Language bilingual production shakes things up gender and culture-wise, reordering and reconstructing the classic tale into a contemporary accomplishment that asks the question: “Who gets to tell this story?” Prince Hamlet was Why Not’s inaugural production, and Jain’s new production is both a look back and a look to the future.
East End actor Christine Horne, who costarred with Ellen Burstyn in the film The Stone Angel, plays Hamlet (Jeff Ho, artistic director of Factory, plays Ophelia), who is, of
the fall on CBC. Atwood’s 1996 book is based on the true story of a shocking double murder on a farm just north of Toronto in 1843.
What is your favourite book-to-film adaptation? I hope you have been watching the CBC’s wonderful series Anne taken from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic Anne of Green Gables Acclaimed movies have brought world renown to Canadian authors like Michael Ondaatje (The English Patient), Yann Martel (The Life of Pi), Emma Donohue (Room), Lawrence Hill (The Book of Negroes) and Alice Munro (Away From Her). In celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, Wednesday, April 19 is National Canadian Film Day. Free screenings of 150 homegrown films include The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1974) from the novel by Mordecai Richler. For more information check out the website at canadianfilmday.ca. Locally, the Great Escape Book Store is hosting its inaugural Book and Film Club movie screening tonight, April 19, at the Fox Theatre Strangers on a Train begins at 7 p.m. with a discussion and social afterwards. You may also be interested in TIFF’s “Books on Film” series about “great cinema that began as great literature.”
Whatever your politics or religion or whether or not you think “the book was better”, enjoy the creative spirit and imagination of brilliant writing on screen or on the page as we Canadians look back together on a century and a half of democracy.
course, struggling to understand the world he lives in after the sudden death of his father. Karen Robinson, who lives in the neighbourhood and whose delightful deadpan can currently be seen on CBC TV’s Schitt’s Creek, plays Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother.
The diverse, dynamic and accessible cast and play’s creators breathe new life into a 400-year-old play, illuminating new life lessons and takeaways about what theatre can be.
Prince Hamlet opens Wednesday, April 19 at 8 p.m. with shows Monday to Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Franco Boni Theatre, The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen Street West. Pay-what-you-can-afford tickets at $5/$25/$50/$75. To purchase tickets call 416.538.0988 or visit tickets.theatrecentre.org. For more information theatrewhynot.org.
Continued on Page 22
JOSEPH FRANK WEBER
On April 4, 2017, in his 88th year, passed away after a long illness, surrounded by his loving family. He will be sorely missed by his dedicated wife, Helga, along with Arlene, his children Bruce (Lana), Christopher (Kristina), Eva (Wayne) and Joey (Maureen) and grandchildren Adam, Jessi, Dylan, Tamara, Carson, Pearce, Hunter, Olivia and Joseph. Also his step-children Thomas and Frank, step-grandchildren Cameron and Colin.
Joe was a colourful fixture in the Beach for 57 years and was well-known for his love of big band music, dancing, and “Just one cigarette...I’m quitting smoking.”
‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ premieres Sunday, April 30 on Bravo
Community Calendar
APRIL 18: Beach Garden Society at Adam Beck Community Centre, 79 Lawlor Ave., 7:30-9 p.m. Please join the Beach Garden Society as Marion Jarvie tells us everything we wanted to know and more about Japanese Maples. She will discuss planting, pruning and overall care in our gardens. Refreshments and engaging conversations provided by our members. Beach Garden Society “Beautifying the Beach for over 30 years”. Info: www. facebook.com/BeachGardenSociety/
APRIL 19: Drug Policy Town Hall with Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel ErskineSmith at Canadian Martyrs Catholic School (gym), 520 Plains Rd., 6 p.m. Learn more about the proposed legislation to legalize and regulate cannabis, and the recently-passed Bill C-37, at this panel discussion. Info: 416-467-0860, beynate.ca
APRIL 19: Great Escape Bookstore Book and Film Club screens Hitchcock’s ‘Strangers on a Train’ at The Fox Theatre, 2236 Queen St. E., 7 p.m., followed by Q&A with film professor Kathleen Cummins. Info: 416-691-7150
APRIL 20-22: Scarborough Players present ‘Tons of Money’ at Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Rd. (at Markham Rd.), 8 p.m., April 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets $22 (discounts for students and seniors). Free parking, reserved seats, wheelchair accessible. Info: 416267-9292, www.theatrescarborough.com
APRIL 21: Retro 80’s Video Dance Party at St. Joseph Catholic School, 176 Leslie St., 7-11 p.m. DJ/VJ, lighting show and video screen, wine tasting with sommelier, appetizers/wine/beer, silent auction. 19+ only. Presented by St. Joseph Parent Council. Info: fundraiserstjoseph@gmail.com
APRIL 22: Spring Pop-up Market at Gerrard Art Space, 1475 Gerrard St. E., 2-7 p.m. Curated by ‘Bruha’s Cupboard’ and features 8 different vendors with products such as organic chocolate, natural skin care and funky house décor. Info: facebook event page Spring GAS Pop-up Market
APRIL 22: Rummage & Bake Sale at Hope United Church (corner of Main & Danforth), 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Baking, jewelry, books, clothes, shoes, purses, videos, records, tapes, kitchen items. Great bargains! Everything on sale!
APRIL 22: Friends of Glen Stewart Ravine ‘Earth Day Clean Up!’ at 350 Beech Ave., 10 a.m.-noon. Join the Friends of Glen Stewart Ravine this Earth Day to clean up our neighbourhood ravine! This is an event for all members of your family. We will meet at the Beech Ave. entrance to the ravine (Kingston Rd./Beech Ave.). Please bring your gloves, but we will provide the garbage bags, and some light snacks!
APRIL 22: Daffodil Tea at The Anglican Church of St. John the Baptist, Norway, 470 Woodbine Ave. (at Kingston Rd), 1:30-3:30 p.m. Enjoy a beautiful tea, white elephant sale, prizes, books and bake sale. Tickets are $5, available at the door. Accessible venue, plenty of parking. Info: 416-691-4560, www.stjohnsnorway.com
APRIL 22: Rummage/Garage Sale at Scarborough Bluffs United Church, 3739 Kingston Rd., 9-11:30 a.m. Bargains & treasures galore! Clothing, shoes, jackets, purses, belts, etc. Linens, towels, housewares, small appliances, home decor, toys, cutlery, tools, sporting goods and more. You never know what you’ll find... ever watch Antiques Roadshow??? Come early for best selection. TTC 86 & 116 pass the door. Handicapped access. Parking entrance opposite 11 Crestwood
APR 23: O’Pears Folk A Capella Concert at Kingston Road United Church, 975 Kingston Rd., 1:30 p.m. Art exhibit by Karen Leslie Hall before and after concert. $20, kids 12 and under free. Community box lunch, 12 noon (ordered by April 19th). Info: 416-699-6091, www.kruc.ca
APRIL 24: Scarborough Osteoporosis Support and Information Group at Scarborough Village Recreation Centre, 3600 Kingston Rd. (at Markham Rd.), 10 a.m.noon. Topic: The Importance of Movement and Keeping Ourselves Fit. Admission and parking free. Info: 461-396-4051
APRIL 23: Free Chamber Choir Concert at St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, Queen St. E. & Silver Birch, 4:30 p.m. Cantorei Sine Nomine sings Renaissance music by Josquin: the sublime Miserere Mei.
APRIL 23: 8th Don Mills Scouts Electronic Waste Free Recycling Fundraiser at Real Storage, 1 Woodfield Rd. (east of Leslie St. and Lake Shore Blvd. E.), 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Drop off televisions, computers, printers, photocopiers, ink cartridges, cell phones, batteries and more. Money is raised on pound of electronics collected. Proceeds support camp and event opportunities. Info and large item pickup: Luciamcdonough@gmail.com, 647-239-8668 or bdiesberger@gmail.com, 416-697-1208
APRIL 24: Osteoporosis Support Group at Scarborough Village Recreation Centre, 3600 Kingston Rd. (at Markham Rd.), 10 a.m.-noon. Admission and parking free. Info: 416-396-4051
APRIL 25: SNYP (Spay/Neuter Your Pet) Mobile Clinic at East End Community Health Centre, 1619 Queen St. E., by appointment only. Toronto Animal Services provides this service at low or no cost to people/families with household income of less than $50,000. Not for dogs over 30 lbs. To register: Shirin Yilmaz 416-778-5805 ext 226
APRIL 26: Budget Breakfast with MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith at The Nooks General Store, 2005 Danforth Ave., 7:30-9:30 a.m. Food and drink provided. Info: www.beynate.ca
APRIL 26, 27: Courageous Voices 2017 at E.A.S.T. Alternative School, 21 Boultbee Ave., 7-8:30 p.m.; additional performance May 3 at Metropolitan Community Church, 7-8:30 p.m. A performance by the Grade 8 students of E.A.S.T. Alternative. The script is a dialogue among chosen heroes and heroines composed entirely of their quotes. PWYC, suggested donation $10. Performance is not suitable for children under 10 years old.
APRIL 27: Toronto Intergenerational Partnerships present Temptations 2017 Fundraiser at Toronto Estonian House, 958 Broadview Ave., 5-9 p.m. Silent and live auction, dinner, and entertainment by The GWood Band. Admission $20 includes dinner and door prize draw. To purchase tickets and/or donate: Sue McMahon 416-531-8447 ext. 1 or sue@tigp.org. Info: www.tigp.org/news/temptations-2017
APRIL 29: Spring Fling Craft and Foodie Fair at Malvern Collegiate cafeteria, 55 Malvern Ave., 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 72 craft and food vendors, book sale, entertainment by Guthrie School of Dance & pianist Brad Alexander. Grand prizes for 4 lucky winners. Free admission, and first 300 visitors receive a free gift. Free parking. Elevator available for those requiring assistance. Credit card transactions available. No ATM on site.
APRIL 29: Spring Sale at St. Luke’s Church, 904 Coxwell Ave. (at Cosburn Ave.), 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Vendors wanted. Tables $30. Excellent time to showcase your products, crafts, or attic treasures whether new or used. To reserve a table, please call the church office 416-421-6878 ext. 21
APRIL 29: CHOIR! East Toronto presents “Poppin’ Through the Decades”, 7 p.m., an evening of music. The concert is FREE. Donations will be accepted on behalf of L’Arche Toronto. Following the concerts, refreshments will be provided! Info: www. facebook.com/ourcommunitychoir
APRIL 29: Historical Walk along Danforth Avenue with Gene Domagla, 1 p.m. Meet at NW corner of Woodbine and Danforth Avenues.
APRIL 30: Country Gospel Music Service at Birchcliff Bluffs United Church, 33 East Rd., 10:30 a.m. Come clap your hands, sing along and enjoy the sounds of old time gospel music! Join us as we share spirituality through the beautiful words and lively melodies of traditional gospel songs. Featuring our choir and special guest musicians. All are welcome, and we provide nursery care. Info: www.bbuc.ca
APR 30: Speaker from the Fred Victor Society about homelessness in Toronto
during church service at Kingston Road United Church, 975 Kingston Rd., 10:30 a.m. Info: 416-699-6091, www.kruc.ca
MAY 2: Open House at Ashbridge’s Bay Yacht Club, 30 Ashbridge’s Park Rd., 6-9 p.m. Get into sailing this summer. Find out about our junior and adult learn-to-sail program or how to get out on the water without owning a boat. Info: 416-698-4498, www.abyc.on.ca
MAY 2, JUNE 6: Art Café at East End Community Health Centre, 1619 Queen St. E., 1st Tuesday of every month 2:303:30 p.m. Join us to express and explore your emotions and thoughts through drawing, painting, poetry writing, etc. No artistic skill required, explore your emotions and connect with other community members. Some supplies available – fell free to bring your own! This program is free. Visit www.eastendchc. on.ca for Centre information. To register, please call Zari Atai 416-778-5805 x 222
MAY 5: East York Barbershoppers Annual Auction at Harmony Hall, 2 Gower St. (just east of Dawes Rd.), early bird sale 7 p.m., auction 8 p.m. Many items up for auction, plus sales of beautiful hanging baskets, fresh fruit and vegetables, and frozen steaks. Admission $5 includes hot dogs, coffee, and snacks. All proceeds support the not-for-profit East York Barbershoppers and the charities it supports directly – Harmonize 4 Speech and the Harmony Hall & Senior Citizens Centennial Centre. Info: www.eybs.ca
MAY 5: Wildwind Flute Choir Concert at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St. (W of Midland Ave., N of Kingston Rd.), 7:30 p.m. 12 flutists from Durham play a variety of flutes and an inspiring selection of music. Tickets (available at door) $15, children under 13 are free. Tickets and info: 416-261-4222, stpauls.scarb@bellnet.ca
MAY 6: Spring Carnival at St John’s Catholic School, Kingston Rd. Featuring inflatable/bouncy castles, pony rides, farm animals and petting zoo, arts and crafts, Lego table, BBQ and ice cream, music, bake sale, and photo booth. Info: http://stjohnparents.weebly.com/
MAY 7: Spring Nature Walk with the Friends of Glen Stewart Ravine, 1:30-3 p.m. Enjoy a walk up an old smugglers’ trail beside a spring-fed brook. Meet at NE corner of Glen Manor Road and Queen St. E. Led by Master Naturalist, artist and storyteller, Joanne Doucette. Moderate grade, some stairs, but pace will be reasonable. Please RSVP on Facebook or friendsofglenstewartravine@gmail.com
MAY 12: Choral Music at Calvary Baptist Church, 72 Main St. (at Benlamond), 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a beautiful evening of choral music featuring the UMHB Elite Vocal Ensemble (University Mary Hardin-Baylor of Belton, Texas) followed by coffee & desserts. Admission $10.00 at the door.
MAY 16: Ward 31 Environment Day at East York Memorial Arena parking lot, 4-8 p.m. Drop off recycling, reusables and electronics, pick up free compost. Paper shredding, bike repairs and a BBQ, too.
MAY 18: Ward 32 Environment Day at Ted Reeve Arena parking lot (enter off Ted Reeve Dr. off Gerrard St. E.), 4-8 p.m. Drop off electronics (desktops, laptops, printers, etc.), household hazardous waste (cleaning supplies and solvents, paint, batteries, E-cigarettes, mercury thermometers, etc.), donate items (yarn, books, sporting goods, eyeglasses, etc.), exchange or pick up new green bins, pick up free compost. Info: 416-392-1376 or bit.ly/1eTvg9O
MAY 28: Fallingbrook Presbyterian Church 70th Anniversary at 35 Wood Glen Rd. (at Kingston Rd.), 10:30 a.m. All friends, family and alumnae are invited to the 10:30 celebration service with guest minister, The Rev’d Stephen Kendall (former Fallingbrook minister, now Principal Clerk, General Assembly). Celebratory lunch at The Toronto Hunt, 12:45 p.m. RSVP before May 15 to fboffice@rogers.com. Info: 416-699-3084 or fboffice@rogers.com
TUESDAYS: BEACHES MENTAL WELLNESS GROUP at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St., 7-8 p.m. Peers helping peers
with issues affecting mental health. Info: www.beachesmentalwellness.com
SUNDAYS: ACOUSTIC OPEN MIC at Hirut Restaurant, 2050 Danforth Ave., 3-6 p.m. Music genres include folk, pop, country, R&B, jazz. All ages and styles welcome. Hosted by Nicola Vaughan. All ages welcome. No cover charge. Info: 416-551-7560
ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC CHURCH
CHOIR welcomes new members. We practise Thursdays 7:30-9 p.m. and perform Sundays at 11 a.m. at 794 Kingston Rd. (3 blocks east of Main St.). You don’t have to have musical training to sing with us, but you do have to like singing and want to be with others to make the whole greater than the sum of the parts. We are friendly and welcoming and our leader is a wonderful music teacher. Info: Paul Williams 416-699-2518
AL- ANON at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St., Wednesdays 7:15 p.m. Alateen members are welcome to attend. Info: 416-691-1113
AL-ANON BEACH R&R GROUP meets Tuesdays at St. Aidan’s Church, Queen St. E. at Silver Birch Ave., 7:30 p.m. (newcomers’ meeting 7 p.m.). Use side door in middle of the building. No fees or dues. BEACH INTERFAITH OUTREACH LUNCH and Fellowship for Adults, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. •Mondays at Corpus Christi Church (1810 Queen St. E.) •Tuesdays alternating at St. Aidan’s Anglican Church (70 Silver Birch Ave.) April 18, May 2 and at St. Nicholas Anglican Church (1512 Kingston Rd.) April 25, May 9 •Wednesdays at Beach Hebrew Institute (109 Kenilworth Ave.) •Thursdays at Beach United Church (140 Wineva Ave.) •Fridays at Kingston Road United Church (975 Kingston Rd.) Info: 416-691-6869
AMAZING GADGET SHOW at Studio 888, 2359 Queen St. E. (south side at foot of Spruce Hill). Show runs to April 30. Gallery hours: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 2-6 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays noon-4 p.m. Info: 416-200-5551, studio888art@gmail.com, studio888.ca
CHURCHES
ST. AIDAN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, Queen St. E. at Silver Birch Ave. •Sunday Services, 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. (Children’s Program & Nursery at 10:30) •Mid-week Service, Wednesday 10:30 a.m. •Bible Study, Wednesday 7:30 p.m. All welcome. Info: Church Office 416691-2222, staidansinthebeach.com
BEACH UNITED CHURCH, 140 Wineva Ave. All welcome! •Regular Sunday Worship Service: 10:30 a.m. All are welcome! Nursery care & children’s activity time provided. •Blood Donor Clinic, April 21, 1:30-7:30 p.m. •Knitting for Shivering Children, April 22, 10 a.m. •Music for the Soul “Cuban Rhapsody” with Jane Bunnet and Hilario Duran, April 22, 4:30 p.m. •Beach Jam Night, April 26, 7 p.m. •Interfaith Lunch Program Thursdays 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Join us for a time of sharing good food and community. Info: 416-691-8082, www.beachunitedchurch.com. Find us on Facebook. BEACHES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 65 Glen Manor Dr. (S of Queen) in the heart of the Beach. Worship in a familyfriendly, relaxed environment. Sunday School and Nursery available. Coffee and new friendships are Free! LGTB friendly. Sundays 10 a.m. Info: www. beacheschurch.org, 416-699-5871 FALLINGBROOK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 35 Wood Glen Road (corner of Kingston Road and Wood Glen). Join us Sundays 10:30 a.m. for a dynamic, spiritually relevant service accompanied by excellent music. Families are always welcome and we offer a Sunday school program. Info: www.fallingbrookpresbyterian.com
HOPE UNITED CHURCH, 2550 Danforth Ave. •April 19: Easter Messy Church •April 22: Spring Rummage and Bake Sale, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. •April 29: Spring Jazz Vespers with Michael Lalonde Trio – Scott Neary, guitar, Bill McBirnie, flute, and Michael Lalonde, bass •Tuesdays: Youth Group, 7 p.m. •Thursdays: Yoga Class, 10:30 a.m. All are welcome! Info: 416-691-9682, HopeUnited.ca
INCOME TAXES
Michael E. Sands CPA, CA 647-267-9113
Home office in Beaches. Serving GTA for 25 years. Evening and Saturday service. Call to book an appointment.
Everyone Has a Story to Tell
Need a pick-me-up? Look for this pickup
By Lara O’Keefe
WHAT BEGAN as a way for a group of friends to enjoy some fresh air has now turned into a popular Beach attraction.
Life-long Beacher Dylan Cann, 25, and his friends live in basements in the Queen Street East and Wineva Avenue area, but they were determined not to let that stop them from having fun above ground. In fact, it’s their basement dwelling that sparked their now neighbourhood-famous idea: “Free Relationship Advice”, live from the back of a pickup truck.
“We don’t have outdoor space,” said Cann. “So we used to just throw a couch on the back of the truck, bring it down there and just enjoy the view.”
But the discovery of a stray piece of plywood in the truck gave them pause for thought.
“My buddy Ben and I were down there the other day and we had this piece of plywood in the back of the truck that we were going to make a chalkboard out of,” he said. “We just
decided we would write ‘Free Relationship Advice’ on it.”
They didn’t think their sign would garner much response, but on that first sunny day in February, Cann said between 40 to 50 people stopped at their impromptu therapist’s couch.
“We just wanted people to laugh and [to] hand out free advice,” he said. “And you know what? You’d be surprised the number of people that actually stopped and asked for advice.”
So many that he said they could hardly keep up with the demand.
“We barely talked to each other during that whole time because we were just talking to people,” Cann said. “So many different types of people. Kids as young as 12 and then people all the way up to their 70s.”
And, Cann added, most people were not holding back.
“I was quite surprised by some of the stuff people were telling us,” he laughed. “[There were] a lot of inappropriate [stories] actually.”
Since their initial session, a photograph
Part of our history
David Fuller
about the
100th anniversary at the
on April 11. April 11 was the correct
and not April
apologizes for any confusion.
for
of the crew took off online, meaning Beachers who did not see them in person the first time may still have a chance to solicit some free advice this weekend. The group participated in the Toronto Beaches Lions Easter Parade last Sunday, April 16, after creating a GoFundMe page to raise money to cover the cost of the parade entry fee, as well as the cost to build a deck off of the back of the truck and create a proper sign.
Cann said they aimed to raise between $400-500 and said that they would “just have it open until the parade. We’re not gonna try to make money off this. And if we ended up raising money we’d probably just look at donating it to something local in the Beach.”
Cann said the advice has been such a hit that they’d like to continue it through the summer months.
“We plan on keeping it going all summer,” he said. “You know what, it just puts a smile on everyone’s face that walks by. At the end of the day, all we’re out to do is just make people laugh and smile.”
News Briefs
COMMUNITY CENTRE 55’s senior walking club is underway, with walks every Tuesday from now until June 13. The meetup time for all walks is 9 a.m. The next three walks (April 25, May 2, May 9) meet at Main Station for excursions to High Park, Crothers Woods and Allen Gardens. May 16th’s walk meets at Centre 55 to explore Glen Stewart Ravine and the Beach Boardwalk. May 23, the walkers head to the Toronto Zoo (meet at Main Station). May 30, meet at Danforth and Main GO station for a trip to Rouge Valley. June 6, meet at Queen and Wineva to head to the Distillery District, and close the walking program June 13 at the Beaches Branch Library. For more, call Evonne at 416-6911113 or email evonne@centre55.com.
THE 8TH Don Mills Scouts 5th Annual Electronic Waste Recycling event is Sunday April 23, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Real Storage Toronto Beaches, 1 Woodfield Rd, Toronto (east of Leslie and Lake Shore). The group is encouraging Beach residents to drop off unwanted electronics such as televisions, computers, laptops, printers, photocopiers, VCR, DVD, stereos and speakers, monitors, ink and toner cartridges, cameras, cell phones, battery chargers, car batteries, batteries of any kind, exercising equipment etc. Money is raised on every pound of electronics collected with proceeds to support opportunities for scouting youth who otherwise wouldn’t be able to participate.
Volunteer corner
THE GLEN Rhodes United Church Food Bank needs volunteers to help unload a delivery truck every Monday morning between 9 a.m. and noon approximately. The food bank program, in conjunction with Daily Bread Food Bank, has been running for 30 years and serves 200 clients a week. For more information, visit glenrhodes. wixsite.com/glenrhodes.
THE TRUE Davidson Meals on Wheels program needs volunteers to help provide mid-day meals to residents in the Beaches and East Toronto area. Deliveries are made between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday to Friday. For information on this and many other volunteer opportunities, visit www.neighbourhoodlink.org.
Police help students say yes to the dress - or suit - with Prom911
THERE WON’T be any fashion emergencies this year — Toronto Police 55 Division is working hard to ensure every student in the Beach area is ready for prom.
The Prom911 event, now in its third year, was developed after an officer discovered that some high school girls missed their prom because they could not afford to attend.
In order to prevent this from happening to other students, 55 Division put together a fundraiser to provide free formal attire to students — both girls and boys — who may not otherwise be able to afford to buy a dress or suit for their prom.
Donations are currently being accepted at the Beaches Lions Club located at 10 Ashbridges Bay Park Road and can include formal wear or accessories such as purses, shoes and necklaces.
Donations will be accepted until the end of April at which time they will be put on display to allow students to have two days of shopping on April 30 and May 1.
PHOTO: BEACH METRO NEWS FILE
Amie Leung browses through the many dresses donated through Toronto Police 55 Division “Prom911” last year.
PHOTO: ANNA KILLEN
Local historian
talks
local connection to the battle for Vimy Ridge in light of its
Beaches Branch Library Heritage Talk
date
the talk, as printed in our April 4 Community Calendar,
22, as noted at the bottom of that issue’s centre spread, a fascinating feature written by Fuller. Beach Metro
PHOTO: LARA O’KEEFE
The “Free Relationship Advice” truck at the Beaches Lions Easter Parade April 16.
Sweet
skills
The annual technology showcase and challenge took place at Danforth Collegiate Technical Institute April 5, highlighting the city’s young skilled talent. The decade-old competition was made up of 12 categories, among them construction engineering, culinary arts, computer science and transportation technology.
“[It’s also] a fun day for the Grade 7’s to come, get an idea of what we offer in the school but have a fun time learning,” said Danforth CTI teacher and event organizer, Carol Sutton. This year, organizers included two girls-only engineering competitions to try to encourage more girls to enter the trades, like the speed boat competition pictured on the left. For a gallery of photos from the competiton, visit www.beachmetro.com
No partner? No problem. Friday bridge group welcomes all
By Ada Spanjaard
A FEW people are standing in the hall on the second floor of the Beaches Recreation Centre on Williamson Road, waiting for Room 4 to become available. Someone peeks in.
“No, not yet,” Franco calls frantically. He is setting up the room. As soon as the little kiddies left, Franco began setting up the tables and chairs for morning bridge.
“Leave your boots in the hall, please,” comes Gaby’s unequivocal request.
“The children play on the floor,” she adds, by way of explanation. Boots come off and are placed on the mat in the hall. No one wants to mess with Gaby.
Franco exits and invites the waiting bridge players into the room. “Is this okay?” he asks, pointing to the placement of the tables and chairs. It is fine and the early arrivals file into the room. It’s a small but dedicated group, these bridge players. Anywhere from 12 to 20 participants get settled in to play duplicate bridge from 10:30 a.m. until just after 1:00 p.m. at the community centre on Friday mornings. The free community program takes place under the auspices of the City of Toronto. It has been going for two years.
“You have no partner? That’s no problem.” Peter ensures that every person walking into the room will play bridge that morning. They are players of all levels. Some are beginners, some have master points. Some bring a playing partner, some come on their own and are matched up by Peter, who func-
tions as the coordinator. If there is an odd number of players, he plays; if there is an even number of bridgers, he helps out and keeps everyone honest.
Some time in 2015 the players agreed that the game would be more interesting if they played duplicate bridge. Duplicate bridge requires some aids, such as movement cards, bidding boxes, boards for holding the cards and score sheets. A voluntary collection brought together enough money to purchase these items. As the group expands, additional “tools” are acquired. To finance this, every player pays one dollar each time they come to play. This is a voluntary contribution, as the bridge program is free.
At the end of each session Bob collects the score sheets and tabulates the results on a spreadsheet. Later that afternoon he mails the results to your writer, who then forwards them to all
the players, whether they were there that day, or not.
The Friday bridge group is a friendly and tolerant bunch and very welcoming to newcomers. There is room for expansion and if you would like to brush up on your rusty bridge skills, or simply enjoy a few pleasant hours of bridge, you may want to consider joining us. The current session runs until some time in June.
In the previous two summers the group moved to Kew Gardens, near the gardener’s cottage, where they joined a city-run summer program. Playing outdoors and having a lunch served for $1.00 proved to be a pretty attractive deal.
For further information, consult the Community Calendar in this paper (Page 10). Ada Spanjaard is an enthusiastic member of the bridge group.
The Friday bridge group
PHOTO: SUBMITTED
at the Beaches Recreation Centre is welcoming to newcomers.
PHOTO: LARA O’KEEFE
Sports Go boys!
The Balmy Beach Club Old Boys hockey team defeated the Czech Republic team Vitkovice Steel on Apr. 6 by a score of 8-4 at Ted Reeve Arena. At right, Vitkovice Steel’s Cerny Ivo takes on Balmy Beach’s Ron Blackmore.
Big gains for Neil McNeil wrestlers
By Lara O’Keefe
TWO GRADE 11 students from Neil McNeil High School managed to wrestle their way to the win at the Cadet/Juvenile Canadian Championships in Windsor, Ontario on April 7.
Adam Scott and Kyle Jordan traveled to the championships two weekends ago and both took home wins in their categories. Scott competed in the 69 kg category while Jordan competed in the 100 kg category.
The championships featured twelve competition mats that included men’s freestyle and women’s wrestling at the cadet level – 1516 years of age – and men’s freestyle, Greco-Roman and women’s wrestling at the juvenile level – 17-18 years of age. The event was hosted at the University of Windsor and by the Essex Wrestling Club and the Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association.
Scott and Jordan were also winners at OFSAA this year where they competed for Neil McNeil. “[Scott] won without having a point scored against him [and] Adam only allowed one point against him the entire tournament,” said coach Jay Jordon.
Wrestlers Kyle Jordan, at top, and Adam Scott, above, are heading to Cadet Worlds in Athens in September.
“Dave Mair, Mike Quinsey and I are happy to be coaching at Neil McNeil and in the Beach and Leslieville area with Central Toronto Wrestling Club,” he said.
“We’re very proud both
of these two athletes. They won the first wrestling gold at OFSAA for Neil McNeil in 27 years.”
The pair will now will compete at Cadet Worlds in Athens, Greece this September.
PHOTOS: PHIL LAMEIRA
PHOTOS: SUBMITTED
Bereavement Care
John’s
May 9, 16, 23, 30 & June 6, 2017
7:00 - 8:45pm
Tight-knit lacrosse club reflects
By Lara O’Keefe
TORONTO BEACHES Lacrosse Club (TBLC) celebrates their 50th anniversary this year, marking a moment in history for a club and sport that has touched generations of Beach families.
While 50 years is an impressive milestone, it is a relatively short time in comparison to the hundreds of years lacrosse has been played. According to the Federation of International Lacrosse, the sport was developed by North American First Nations, who initially used what was then known as “stickball” as a training practice for warriors.
nications, Ron Huddleston, who was also a professional lacrosse player in Germany at one point in his career, and Frank Ham, who, despite admitting to being a latecomer to the sport, is equally as passionate about it as the rest.
“I had never been involved in lacrosse in any way, shape or form until I moved to the Beach,” explained Ham. “I was walking down the boardwalk with my three-year-old son and they’re playing lacrosse outdoors and my son saw that and said, ‘Gee I’d like to try that’ and now thousands of hours later of involvement in the sport, here I am.”
“ ” “I can always find a community with my stick.”
But when it comes to lacrosse, this sentiment is far from unusual.
It nights on, clubhouse mostly sponsors, ness body try neat.” And old players come the
Grief is a normal and natural reaction to death and the price we pay for loving, yet few of us are prepared for the long journey of grieving. The sessions will give you tools to help you during this difficult time. Have you had
Come and participate in a program of bereavement care at St. John’s. Give yourself time to work through the natural process of grieving. In a safe and confidential environment, you will have an opportunity to discuss the effect of your loved one’s dying and death.
Dr. William George Beers, a Canadian dentist, has since been credited with founding the Montreal Lacrosse Club in 1856 along with creating rules around the game that included a rubber ball and a redesigned stick.
– Ron Huddleston
Since then, the game has changed even more with TBLC president, Frank Ham saying there are now two versions. Box lacrosse is played on a floor while field lacrosse is played outside on a field. “They’re completely different games,” he said. “But both games are derived from the original native games.”
And the passion for both is clear.
Among those discussing the TBLC recently were John Steele, former president and unofficial “grandfather” of the club, John Salter, a multi-generational lacrosse player whose father and children are involved in the sport, current director of marketing and commu-
“It’s not a mainstream thing. It’s not well publicized but it’s a tight community and it’s a lot of people who are very committed to it,” said Salter.
Huddleston, who moved to Toronto with his wife a few years ago, said that he “specifically looked for a lacrosse club because I know it’s a nichey sport. I can always find a community with my stick.”
That sense of community pairs nicely with the tight-knit Beach community, and might explain why it is so popular here.
“I think the Beach has a real sense of community and a real pride in being a small community and supporting all the different sporting endeavours and the businesses,” said Salter, noting that the lacrosse field was the “place to be” when he was growing up. “We walked along the boardwalk on Kew Gardens and it was perfect. It was a focal point for the community. I think it still is in some regards.
“The thing: played of back the younger Ham, ing nice big it speaks For that
“[New tion
“Whereas say think But many Damon the runner way
“And ships,”
“There’s
Above, Toronto Beaches Lacrosse Club members Ron Huddleston, John Steele, John Salter, from the past from a provincial game in Pantry Park.
also a at who, the the the down son my that’ years la sport. stick.” might com sport said the “We Gardens the regards.
John Salter, and Frank Ham show off lacrosse sticks from past to present. Below, a blast
Horticultural Matters
The soiled truth about dirt
Steven ChadwiCk is a professional gardener, horticulturist, and long-time Beach resident
ho would’ve thunk that ‘dirt’ would turn out to be such a dirty fourletter word?
Well, a lot of gardeners I know avoid it like the plague, and some would probably like to see it banished from the land of horticultural lingo for good.
I once had a student gardener helping me prepare a formal planting about 10 years ago when he suddenly blurted out this four-letter word from the other side of the bed, “Hey, I think we need more dirt over in this section!” I think he was more than a little puzzled when I responded with, “OK, I can move some soil over from this section, but if it’s dirt you want, go down to the stables and get some.”
OK, we know gardeners are a picky lot and real sticklers for terminology, but what’s this dirt/soil kerfuffle all about?
In its pure form, soil is simply an elegant mixture of rocks that have been weathered down over the eons to microscopic sized particles - the smallest are clay, larger particles are called silt and the largest in the mix is sand. The proportion of each of these three mineral elements, along with wellrotted plant material decaying insect and animal bodies and other organic materials determine the soil’s texture, nutrient holding capacity, and drainage characteristics.
Dirt on the other hand is a little more – how can I put it – filthier. The word ‘dirt’ originated from the Norse and old English term ‘dritan’ which means ‘to defecate.’ As the mucky little word lurched through middle English it became the more to the point and less polite four-letter noun ‘drit’, which literally means ‘excrement’. Even today, the word survives in Norwegian
Garden Views
as a mildly slangish expletive so when somebody happens to stub their toe in Oslo there’s a good chance they will be heard as far away as Fredrikstad hopping about shouting, “Dritt!....min fot!!”
Now that we have the difference between soil and dirt sorted out, you might be wondering where manure fits into all of this. Well, I suppose you can use it as a synonym for dirt, but actually it’s a verb, that is related to ‘manoever’ from the French word ‘meynoverer ‘ that means ‘to work the soil.’
Of course, you only have to drive by a field in early autumn and take a couple of whiffs of that pungent bouquet wafting through the air vents to realize that the farmer has manured plenty of ‘drit’ into the soil. It’s an important addition to mineralized soils fertility and usually comes from the business end of horses, cattle and sheep. Throw in some organic matter like composted leaves, and the soil has the makings for a pretty good crop.
So, for the sake of those glassy-eyed readers who can’t wait for this dirty little column to end, let’s sum this whole nitpicking mess up. Dirt is excrement, occasionally manure, sometimes dung
and often, a lot of other unmentionable words. Pure soil is an assortment of mineralized rocks of different sizes to which a certain amount of organic matter is added.
But since I am making up the rules here I guess we can allow some exceptions.
Baseball speak is sacred as far as I’m concerned, so we can continue to let Buck Martinez yell “Donaldson got a mouthful of dirt sliding into third” when he really should say “mouthful of soil” because major league base paths are made of clay, which as we all know by now is one of the three main elements of soil. And I suppose someone can be excused from saying “My dog soiled the carpet” because, if nothing else, the cleaning service may think they are completely bonkers if they correctly said, “My dog manured some dirt into my new rug.” And speaking of dogs, just in case Fido, Rex, Rover and Scruffy (you know who you are) happen to be reading this column that’s peeking from under the kibble dish… my soil has a lot of organic matter in it already so it would be very nice if you would kindly stop adding more ‘dirt’ to my front lawn.
Gardening contest deadline extended
Mary Fran MCQuade
Mary Fran McQuade is a local writer specializing in gardening and lifestyle
Apologies to our readers who tried and were unable to enter our recent gardening contest. The wrong email was mistakenly included in the April 4 announcement.
As such, the contest deadline has been extended. Here are the details: The no-guff gardeners are offering a free copy of their
book to two lucky Beach Metro Community News readers. To enter, just send an email to me at beachgsblogger@ gmail.com (note the correct email address) by midnight, Friday, May 19. Put “no-guff contest” in the subject line, and include your name, address and phone number. All entries will go in my lucky gardening bucket, and two winners will be drawn and notified before the end of that week. Winners’ names will also appear in the May 31 issue.
PHOTO: BEACH METRO NEWS FILE
Soil for the taking at a May Fairmount Park Farmers’ Market last year.
On the Wild Side
There’s nuttin’ cuter than a chipmunk
Ann BrokelmAn is an avid birder and nature photographer naturephotosbyann.blogspot.ca
It finally feels official: spring has sprung. The songbirds are calling before sunrise, the hibernating animals are coming out and looking for food, the swans are honking on the water, and my favorite red tailed hawks are screaming and soaring through the air. The rain is falling, the flowers are sprouting, and the Maple Leafs are… not golfing!
Earlier today, for the first time this season, I looked outside and saw chipmunks climbing up one of my bird feeders. Sometimes I get grouchy when the squirrels decimate the snacks I’ve put out for the chickadees and cardinals, but I can’t say I’ve ever been upset watching a chipmunk stuff its face with my birdseed. Am I wrong in saying that chipmunks have to be the cutest woodland residents?
Is it not a Canadian camping tradition to feed bag after bag of peanuts to these increasingly brazen mooches? They’d be waiting for you in your campsite when you arrived, and for the first few minutes they might tentatively take a nut or two -- if you threw it close enough to them, and far enough away from you. Then, they would scurry away to hide their prize off in the forest somewhere. Minutes later, however, they’d be back, and this time, they’d come just a little bit closer. By the end of the first day, you’d have one or two chipmunks sitting on your leg, taking peanuts out of your hand and trying to stuff a third or fourth helping into their cavernous cheeks. Even today, in our 60s, my husband and I always pack shelled peanuts to take on our camping/cottage holidays. I know I’m not the only one who
loves these little critters. Why else would we have two different chipmunkbased kids shows? Does anyone remember Chip and Dale and the original Alvin and the Chipmunks?
The Eastern Chipmunk, Tamias striatus, is part of the Squirrel family Sciuridae which includes ground squirrels, prairie dogs and tree squirrels. The chipmunk only weighs one to five ounces and the black and white stripe on the back of their brown body makes them pretty easy to spot. They have two litters a year and the young are on their own at eight weeks. When the young disperse the adults will begin singing “Chip Chip Chip” from their burrows.
Where can you find them? Everywhere, really, but most likely at local parks, in forested areas and climbing birdfeeders. They eat seeds, fungus, fruit nuts, insects, worms, bird eggs, and even nestling birds and baby mice. Yes, those cute little chipmunks WILL eat meat. They do not hunt for food, but they will eat them when they find them.
Chipmunks make three types of call: the “chip”, a deeper “chuck”, and the
startle call “trill”, which is an alarm of danger.
The chipmunk hibernates through the winter in their burrow. They do not sleep the whole time but wake up every few days to raise their body temperature to normal, have something to eat, and then go to the bathroom. They are so cute, and I love having them live around our house.
PHOTOS: ANN BROKELMAN
Columnist Ann Brokelman and her daughter, pictured below, can’t help feeding chubby cheeked chipmunks.
Neighbourhood Spotlight
By Lara O’Keefe
A splash of Greenwood and Gerrard
GREENWOOD AND Gerrard is part of the vibrant Gerrard India Bazaar. The area has long been a favourite neighbourhood in the East End thanks to its strong sense of community, diverse shops and galleries, and continued celebration of South Asian culture.
Where to Eat
A SMALL and endlessly charming spot at 226 Greenwood Avenue, Maha’s is an Egyptian restaurant that has become so popular, finding a seat will likely be your biggest (and only) issue with this place.
Run by Maha Barsoom, her daughter/sous-chef Monika Wahba, and son Mark Wahba, the family works to make the meals as delightful as the ambience in the bright, sunny restaurant –much of which is inspired by Cairo, where Barsoom grew up. Mostly known for their
Pine Crest
94 Pine Crescent
The Gerrard India Bazaar is one of the most vibrant pockets in Toronto.
brunch, Maha’s serves up Egyptian cuisine such as their ‘Pharaoh’s Po’ Boy’–on their menu as “authentic Cairo street food” with deep fried baby shrimp drizzled with tehina and tomeya and stuffed in a pita – and sometimes adds a slightly Canadian twist (Think: date grilled cheese).
A TASTE of culture, Tea n Bannock offers up authentic First Nations cooking and twists on traditional dishes that underscore its motto “Where the past and the present meet”. Its bellyfilling menu – available for sit in, take out, or catering –
includes elk-venison stew, bison burgers and the “hungry fisherman”, made up of pan fried or grilled fish with rice, mashed potatoes, cole slaw and unlimited bannock. The restaurant just celebrated its 5th anniversary with a Navaho Indian Taco special – fry-bread topped with taco sauce, meat and all that good stuff.
Where to Caffeinate
TUCKED AWAY in the Circus Academy building, Sideshow Cafe is hard to spot. But the tiny coffee shop packs a punch, and while the
decor doesn’t exactly scream modern, it does have the quirky charm one might expect from a coffee shop connected to a circus. Come for the coffee, tea and pastries but enjoy the atmosphere while you’re there.
Where to Connect
RIVERDALE HUB is an East End social enterprise located in a historic building that houses the Riverdale Gallery and the Social Gardener Cafe. The hub focuses on a number of green initiatives, like their latest threepart garden initiative which will include developing a green roof, a rooftop vegetable garden and a rainwater garden on the building. It also acts as a coworking space for freelancers and those looking for a remote office community.
Located at the corner of Pine Crescent & Balsam Avenue, this iconic Beach home known as "Pine Crest" stands in solitary magnificence. Built by Charles Frederick Wagner, it was designed in the style known as Queen Anne Revival with its sweeping verandah & 3rd floor turret. The main floor includes formal living & dining space, each with a fireplace, and double French doors walking out from every room to the porch. In addition there is a powder room, mudroom & laundry. The kitchen is a true cook & entertainer’s delight. The 2nd floor includes a master with ensuite & firepl, 2 additional bedrooms with turret study/bedrm & office/family rm on the 3rd fl. Finished beautiful in-law apt on the lower level ~ a home of tremendous historical significance, style & beauty.
Cell: 416-910-6214 | Ph: 416-925-9191
Email: jhume01@rogers.com
Those interested in joining the community or using the space can email info@riverdalehub.ca
PHOTO: LARA O’KEEFE
Greenwood and Gerrard, Gerrard India Bazaar
Where to Play
LUSH GREENWOOD Park is located just south of Gerrard Street East and north of Dundas Street East. The 6.2 hectare park features two baseball diamonds, a sports field, an off-leash dog park, community garden, splash pad and a children’s playground.
The park is also home to the city’s first covered outdoor ice rink for the winter months, and has an outdoor pool for the summer months.
Plenty of events are held here throughout the year including the popular Winterfest event.
New to the Neighbourhood
EAST VILLAGE Leslieville townhomes, located on 1321 Gerrard Street East is currently nearing completion and consists of 31 modern residences in the form of stacked townhomes. A collaborative project between Aykler Developments and Urban Fabric Devel-
opment, East Village combines the allure of clean and modern lines with the serenity of added greenery. More than half of the residences in the complex come with rooftop terraces and skyline views overlooking the city.
Events
THE ANNUAL Baisakhi Festival took place this past weekend and showcased much of the arts and culture that makes Gerrard India Bazaar so special.
Baisakhi is traditionally a Sikh festival meant to mark the arrival of harvesting season. To celebrate, the festival featured dance, live music, face painting, free food sampling and a host of exuberant colour and excitement.
Walk Score: 91
Time to the Downtown Core: TTC: 35 minutes Car: 14 minutes Bike: 21 minutes
Walk: More than one hour
Transit:
Streetcar: 306 / 506 Carlton
Bus: 31 Greenwood / 83 Jones
“The neighbourhood itself, the festivities ... there’s a sense of safety, a good feeling of community”
– Neighbourhood resident Tyler Wonsey
Nestled among some of the finest homes in the Beach, this is a charming, cozy, character gem.
Saturday & Sunday 3:00 - 5:00
Outdoor event? Summer wedding?
Rent my re-issue 1965 SHASTA
AIRFLYTE trailer
as a prop for serving dessert and coffee. Vintage look dishes available, too. Fun! Call for info: Claire 647-818-2645
Terroir gives wine its character
Edward FinstEin
Wine writer, author, TV and radio host, educator, judge winedoctor.ca thewinedoctor.blogspot.com @DrWineKnow facebook.com/EdwardDocFinstein
here exactly does a wine get its character? Certainly the grape(s) used provide certain flavours, and the winemaker, with his or her personal winemaking style, somewhat dictates what the final wine will be like. However, there is something else that is far more important when it comes to what a finished wine will taste like. It’s “terroir”. This all encompassing “buzz” word or concept has always been important to “Old World” (Europe) producers, but is now being embraced big time by the “New World” (everywhere else).
So what is “terroir’? Very simply put, “terroir” is the natural environment of a piece of land that grows grapes. This reflects all aspects of climate, soil, and topography.
When it comes to climate, numerous factors play a part. Temperature is a big one. Within wine grape growing regions of the world, those that are closer to the equator experience warmer temperatures and those further away, cooler. Hours of sunlight, its intensity and heat units can play a huge part in the resulting grapes and ultimately the wine, especially red, produced from them. Rainfall is another key issue to climate. Some regions get more while others do not and irrigation is imperative. Surprisingly, wind is key in really warm growing areas as it helps cool the area by air-conditioning the vineyards. It’s also great in keeping moisture from building up between berries in bunches where the grapes grow tightly together thus deferring rot from forming.
Soil is huge for obvious reasons…grapes grow in it. Did you know, though, that all grapevines do not like “wet feet”. Rich soils that retain moisture (great for other fruits and veggies) waterlog their roots, which like to be stressed and have to go searching long distances for water. Welldrained soils (both surface and sub-soils) like gravel and clay work best. Certain varietals require more of some nutrients (chemical components) in the soil than others.
an eat-in kitchen and family room overlooking the backyard pool and gardens, and a large Þnished basement, this home offers ample space to play and grow. $1,599,900 36 Glen Oak Drive Call for an appointment to view | 36GlenOak.com
Finally, topography places a huge part. What is referred to here is the lay of the land or aspect, elevation/altitude and the degree and direction of any slope or incline affecting when the vineyard gets sun (morning, afternoon, etc.). All of these can impact the raw material (grapes) and ultimately the final wine.
By examining the topography carefully, doing a soil analysis and matching a particular sub-climate or microclimate to a specific grape variety, a wine producer can decide what will work best in a specific site.
Interestingly, terroir plays a bigger role in uni-varietal wines (those made up of only one grape variety) more so than those that are blended from several. Once grape varieties from different locales are mixed, the effect of their individual terroirs gets more homogenous or less defined. Individual wine regions and sub-regions around the globe possess certain terroirs that are indicative in the characteristics of the wine they produce. Within those regional terroirs, specific vineyards and properties carry a little more complexity or detailed terroir of their own.
This concept of “terroir” is so important that many wineproducing regions, worldwide, use it as a basis for demarcating, delineating, and regulating wine zones. Appellation systems, sub-wine regions, and “cru” systems are all based on this.
The next time you come across “terroir” on wine labels or in conversation, you’ll have a better understanding about what it entails.
The Main Menu
Treats for a discerning sweet tooth
Jan Main is an author, cooking instructor and caterer janmainskitchen@yahoo.ca
There’s no getting away from it – sweets are my downfall! But not just any sweet thing. Keep your nondescript candy, ice-cream and sugary fluffy desserts to yourself. But, a sensational sweet -that’s another matter. I like my sweets rich, bursting with intense flavour, preferably lemon, and if it should be chocolate – quality dark chocolate, none of that milk chocolate nonsense. Treats have to be worth every calorie. Sweetie Pie, here are two desserts, suitable for sampling by the most discerning sweet tooth!
Lily’s Simply Luscious Lemon Loaf
Lemon is one of my all-time weaknesses. I have sampled many a lemon dessert, but when Lily Levitt sent this to me, one bite was enough to say, “More, please!” Lily kindly shared this recipe with me to give to you. Make and enjoy every last lemony crumb. Divine.
Tip: Choose lemons that give to the touch, this means they have more lemon juice. One juicy lemon produces 1/4 cup (50 mL) juice. It is easier to grate the lemon rind first then squeeze the juice.
Cake:
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) all-purpose flour
2 tsp (10 mL) baking powder
1/2 tsp (2 ml) salt
1 cup (250 mL) plain yogurt
1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar
3 large or extra-large eggs
2 tsp (10 mL) grated lemon rind
1/2 tsp (2 mL) pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup (125 mL) vegetable oil
Lemon Drizzle:
1/2 cup (125 mL) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (125 mL) fresh lemon juice (2 lemons)
Lemon Glaze:
1 cup (250 mL) sifted icing sugar
2 tbsp (25 mL) fresh lemon juice
Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Line an 8 1/2x4 1/2 x 2 1/2 loaf pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt into one bowl.
In another mixing bowl, whisk together yogurt, sugar, eggs, lemon rind and vanilla.
Slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
Using a rubber spatula, fold the vegetable oil into the batter making sure it’s well combined. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake in preheated oven for about 50 – 60 minutes or until cake tester inserted into center of loaf comes out clean. Cool on cooling rack.
Drizzle: Meanwhile in small stainless steel saucepan over medium-high heat, cook stirring the sugar and lemon juice until the sugar is dissolved and mixture is clear. Set aside.
Glaze: In small bowl, whisk together icing sugar and lemon juice until well blended. It will be thick.
While still warm, poke the lemon loaf with toothpick or piece of spaghetti all over surface of loaf at 1 inch (2.5 cm) intervals. Pour over the prepared drizzle and allow to sink in. Let loaf cool completely.
Once loaf has cooled, remove loaf from pan, spread glaze on top surface of loaf.
Wrap in plastic wrap and overwrap in foil and refrigerate for up to one week or freeze up to 2 months. Makes 12 delectable slices.
Originally my Mother’s recipe, this is one of my husband’s favourites, so much so, that it became his birthday cake. Quite addictive and very rich, cut in small squares and hide! Although you can freeze this, it never seems to last long. Alas!
For special occasions, make in a 9 inch (23 cm ) round cake pan, cut into
thin wedges and serve with a cup of hot, strong coffee.
Base Layer:
1/2 cup (125 ml) butter melted 21/2 cups (625 mL) graham wafer crumbs
1 cup (250 mL) toasted hazelnuts (filberts), chopped
1/4 cup (40 mL) sifted cocoa
1/4 cup (50 mL) granulated sugar
1 egg, beaten
Coffee Filling:
1/4 cup (50 mL) soft butter
2 – 2 1/2 cups (500 mL) sifted icing sugar
1 tbsp (15 mL) hot strong coffee
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
Chocolate Topping:
1 cup (6 oz) quality semi or bittersweet chocolate, chopped, melted
Line a 9 inch (23 cm) square pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).
Toast hazelnuts on parchment lined baking sheet for 10 – 15 minutes or until golden and fragrant. Sprinkle hazelnuts on clean tea towel and rub to remove outer skin. Coarsely chop nuts and set aside. In mixing bowl, stir together butter, crumbs, chopped hazelnuts, cocoa, sugar and beaten egg until smooth. Press evenly into prepared baking pan. Bake 10 minutes. Cool on cooling rack. Meanwhile in mixing bowl, using electric mixer beat butter until fluffy and gradually beat in sifted icing sugar, coffee and vanilla. Beat until smooth and creamy. Once base layer is cool, spread coffee filling evenly on top. Refrigerate or freeze. Melt chocolate in mixing bowl over saucepan of simmering water. Pour chocolate over cool coffee layer and spread evenly out to edges. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm.
To cut, use sharp knife dipped into hot water and cut into 30 pieces. May be wrapped and frozen.
My apologies to my readers, but the eggs were left out of the Make Ahead Brunch Casserole in my April 4 column. The recipe calls for 6 eggs.
PHOTO: LARA O’KEEFE
Baked goods for a good cause
Suzie Molnar and Sophia serve up some Peruvian treats during the Beaches Recreation Centre bake sale to benefit Peruvian flood victims, April 8.
Pet of the Month
There’s a reason they call him Tarzan
Marna Gale
I’m moving at the end of this month which means there’s plenty of packing on the agenda. However, ‘procrastination’ has somehow made its way to the top of my To Do List. I keep telling myself to stop monkeying around, but I’ve got way too much in common with my Pet of the Month. So instead of wrapping the fine china, I’ve gone out on a limb, writing the day away about a cat named Tarzan.
Tarzan was king of the concrete jungle before he took command of a certain pet hospital in the Beach last July. I suppose that might be a slight exaggeration. The concrete jungle might better be described as the front porch of a kindly fellow Beacher to whom Tarzan made frequent visits for his daily meals. But Tarzan deserved much more than fine patio dining so the Good Samaritan escorted His Highness to Beaches Animal Hospital (BAH).
Now in its 44th year since becoming the first veterinary hospital in our community, BAH not only serves our pets but comes to the aid of abandoned animals, too. Working with animal rescue groups is a big part of it, but BAH does its own share of rescuing. Currently, several cats call BAH home until they are adopted into loving, lasting homes of their very own. Some of these cats require serious medical intervention before they’re ready for adoption, but Tarzan has always been in purr-fect health!
At roughly 8-years-young, Tarzan is a cool cat with an endless sense of adventure and entitlement! He doesn’t quite have Johnny Weissmuller’s classic Tarzan yodel mastered, but he does have the gift of gab. He also proudly possesses the ferocious appetite of a lion, which has led to something the staff call “the Tarzan discount”. Customers can benefit from reduced prices
on slightly torn bags of prescription kibble thanks to Tarzan’s insatiable generosity.
Aside from his innovative priceslashing initiatives, he can also be a pretty affectionate little monkey when the mood hits him. He loves people. So much so, he would prefer to be the only monkey in your universe. Cat siblings would totally cramp his swinging single style so don’t even think of a cat sister named Jane. If you’re okay with his Single Cat Rule, he’ll be as happy as a chimp graced with a banana bouquet. But don’t get the wrong impression. He’s not a clingy cat either. This cat knows how to self-entertain, which is a good thing at the clinic right about now. It’s springtime and the hospital is hopping. This is the wonderful time of year when inspirational portraits of parasites that look more like aliens from a sci-fi movie are hung on the walls of the waiting room with care. Flea and tick season has arrived and nobody knows that better than our furry friends and the humans that live to serve them. For their safety and our sanity, we flock to the vet each spring
Entertainment Beat
Continued from Page 9
GUITARIST AND author
Mark Battenberg hosts his seasonal evening of music and verse, The River Spirit, A Musical Mythology, Friday, May 5, at Kingston Road United Church
Joined by cellist Naomi Barron and shakuhachi
master Debbie Danbrook, the performance is a musical and spiritual celebration of the spring season and runoff, while helping the Daily Bread Food Bank
Pep Duhaime narrates the two-part performance, based on the works of Battenberg, which begins with “the river spirit meditations, followed by the myth of Iris the faerie.”
to stock up on preventatives.
Easter will be behind us by the time this article comes out, but those of us with willpower may still have halfeaten chocolate bunnies hanging about and maybe a vase of Easter Lilies gracing our counter-tops. Both are toxic to pets so keep a watchful eye on your own little monkeys!
But let’s get back to the monkey business at hand…
Why is it taking so long to find Tarzan his own jungle? We’re all scratching our heads over that one like orangutans staring into a mirror. Anybody would go ape over Tarzan. But maybe it’s just like this crazy real estate market of ours. Sometimes, despite all the hype, it takes a while to find your dream home.
Tarzan is an approximately 8-yearold domestic short-haired, male neutered cat swinging the vines and discounting the merchandise down at Beaches Animal Hospital, 2304 Queen Street East, Toronto, 416-690-4040, www.beachesanimalhospital.com, Facebook.com/beachesanimalhospital – at least until our little jungle cat finds his dream home with YOU!
Battenberg holds these performances twice yearly, one close to the summer and one for winter solstice, as a way to welcome the new seasons. There is no admission fee, but bring a nonperishable food item for the food bank. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at Kingston Road United Church, 975 Kingston Road.
APRIL ROCKS Saturday nights at Woodbine Heights Branch 22 Royal Canadian Legion, with live music in The Clubroom from 7:30 to
11:30 p.m.
No cover, cheap drinks and a charming atmosphere make it a sure bet for a night out, and, in case you didn’t know, the legion is open to the general public seven days a week.
Saturday, April 22, Bill Dickinson takes the stage. And ‘67 closes out the month April 29.
Correction: Todd
The Woodbine Heights Branch 22 Royal Canadian Legion is located at 1240 Woodbine Avenue, just north of Lumsden/Mortimer on the west side.
Haynes directed the celebrated film Carol, not Woody Allen, as incorrectly stated in the April 4 Entertainment Beat.
Mark Battenberg
Me Tarzan, you servant
DR. A. LYNNE BEAL Psychologist
Reaching your achievement potential For children, adolescents & adults 9 Fernwood Park Ave. www.dr-a-lynne-beal.ca 416-433-9726
Vaccines, examinations, diagnostics, palliative care, and home euthanasia provided for your pets in the comfort of your own home. Dr. Barbara Houghton 647-221-5516
PSYCHOTHERAPY
Tara Shannon
M.Ed. Counselling Psychology, RP Registered Psychotherapist Psychotherapy for Individuals and Couples Insurance clients welcome Evening & weekend sessions available 579 Kingston Rd (corner Main) 416 698-6960 tara@tarashannon.ca
Beatriz Mendez B.A. B.Ed. M.A. DipTIRP Registered Psychotherapist Low Fee - High Value Therapy Danforth Avenue at Main Street 416-690-2417 www.East-Toronto-Therapy.com mendez.smith@sympatico.ca
Christina Connell BA, Dipl. TCPP, RP Registered Psychotherapist Adults, Adolescents, Children 177 Danforth Avenue #301A 416-778-4242 www.christinaconnell.com
Jane Delamere, M.Sc. Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario Individual, Couple, Family Counselling 22 Years Dedicated Experience ~Discovering A Better Way Together~ www.janedelamere.com Email: delamerej@gmail.com Phone/Text: 647-971-4739
Noah Mugenyi, M.Div., RP Registered Psychotherapist Mental Health Wellness: Trauma & Addiction Specialist - Adolescents, Individual, Couples & Family Therapy. 416-893-3917 info@torontoeastpsychotherapy.ca People | Support | Restore
COUNSELLING
416-907-0103 www.kewgardenshealth.com
Catherine Allon, BSc, MEd Spiritual Counsellor since 1998 Life & Relationship Issues 416-694-0232 www.energyawakening.com ART EVERYWHERE Private Art Lessons, Healing - ContemplativeExpressive Arts for Wellness Self-Care & Socialization Senior & Caregiver Support 416-802-7216 www.gwenhayes.ca ACC, AEAP
Melani Norman CPA, CMA Accounting Issues and Systems, Bookkeeping, Personal and Corporate Taxes Call 416-471-0337
Emily C. Larimer CPA, CGA
• Bookkeeping • Personal tax services
• Accounting services for the self-employed Call: 416-693-2274 emily@eclarimercga.com www.eclarimercga.com
ABSTAX
ACCOUNTANTS & TAX CONSULTANTS
IN CDN & US TAXES CASH REFUNDS 416 699 6641 abstax_2000@yahoo.com 161 Main St., Toronto, ON, M4E 2V9 Serving the Community for Over 30 Years
Patrick Ruiz CPA, CA Partner, Campanella McDonald LLP Specializing in accounting & tax planning for:
Business Owners Rental Property Investors Incorporated Professionals 647-300-4062 • patrick@cmllp.com
INSURANCE
Leane Besky Insurance Agency Inc. STATE FARM Auto, Home, Life, Critical Illness, Disability, Financial Services 2243 Queen St. E. 416-690-7900 www.leanebesky.com
Estate Planning/Real Estate/Business House Calls 416-767-CASS (2277) x 207 416-795-4899 (cell) 416-491-0273 (fax) garrycass@sympatico.ca
Glover & Associates
Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries
Real Estate, Family, Litigation Wills & Estates, Corporate 416-691-3700
Queen and Hammersmith
David Faed CRIMINAL LAWYER 690-0000 arrested.ca
KATHRYN WRIGHT
Barrister & Solicitor Family Law & Mediation 416-699-8848 2239 Queen Street East www.kathrynwrightlaw.com kathrynwrightlaw@gmail.com
Paul J. Cahill Personal Injury Lawyer Car accidents, Slips and Falls, Disability Claims 220 Bay Street, Suite 1400 416-643-3857 pcahill@willdavidson.ca
Beaches Family Law and MEDIATION
Linda Bronicheski, J.D. 47 Main Street (at Lyall) 416-763-6884 Linda@BeachesFamilyLaw.com
Susan T. Dixon Family Law Lawyer 2120 Queen Street East (@ Hammersmith) 416-693-2733 www.dixonslaw.ca
Shellyann Pereira (Licensed Paralegal) Small Claims, Provincial/Municipal Offences, Landlord & Tenant/other Tribunals, Letters, Mediation etc. Call for a Free 30 min. Consult 647-693-6221 579 Kingston Rd., #110, Toronto
Peter J. Salah Hills, Salah LLP Family Law & Estate Planning We Collaborate, Negotiate & Litigate. 416-752-8128 www.hillssalah.com
QUINN Family Law
Shelley C. Quinn LL.B. 1749 Danforth Avenue Toronto, ON M4C 1J1 t. (416) 551-1025 www.QuinnFamilyLaw.ca
KAMRUL HAFIZ AHMED REAL ESTATE LAWYER 416 690 1855 [P 416 690 1866 [F 2972 DANFORTH AVE.
CHIROPRACTORS
Janet D’Arcy DC, FRCCSS (C) Chiropractor Sports Injury Specialist 2455A Queen St. East 416 690-6257 Open Saturdays
Dr. Kelly Robazza
Dr. William Chan Chiropractic • Acupuncture
A.R.T. / Laser 2212 Queen St. E. 416-698-5861
John H. BJARNASON, D.C. Chiropractor 1906 Queen St. E. (1 block east of Woodbine) 416-694-2868
DEGEN’S HEALTH GROUP
Dr. Wade Whitten, D.C.
Dr. Tanja Degen, D.C., CPT
Dr. Christina Carreau N.D. 1089 Kingston Rd. (at Victoria Park, next to Tim Hortons) 416-699-5320 • Free Parking
Beaches Wellness Centre
Dr. Johanna Carlo Chiropractor NEW LOCATION 2130 Queen Street East 416-698-7070
ASHBRIDGE’S HEALTH CENTRE
Dr. Emily Howell Jackie Leesun, RMT Dr. Ceara Higgins Chiropractic, Acupuncture, RMT 1522 Queen St. E. 416-465-5575 www.ashbridgeshealth.ca
Dr. Tyrrell Ashcroft
Dr. Thien Dang-Tan OMEGA HEALTH + FITNESS ART, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Graston 1089 Kingston Rd. (at Victoria Park) 647-317-6017 www.omegahealthandfitness.com
Sophia da Silva Chiropractor
Kew Gardens Health Group 2181 Queen St. East, Suite 305 (at Lee) 416-907-0103 www.kewgardenshealth.com
Animal Chiropractor
Dr. Mark T. Garbutt D.C. Coxwell Chiropractic Centre 1004 Coxwell Ave @ O’Connor 416-423-2289 Chiropractic Care for Two Legged and Four!
MASSAGE THERAPY
Advanced Therapeutics (Since 1989)
Kevin Oates, R.M.T. & Assoc. Voted “Best Massage Therapist” - NOW Magazine 1398 Queen St. E. (east of Greenwood Ave.) 416-469-3879 (open 7 days) www.advancedtherapeutics.ca
Shared backyard, parking. Laundry ensuite. Steps away from Queen St. E., boardwalk. Easy access to Gardiner & Lakeshore Blvd. $2,595 + utils Randy 416-689-7366 www.viewit.ca\81545 (4)
Upper Beach 1 Bdrm Bsmt Apt. Bingham & Gerrard
Private entrance, parking, laundry, central air. No smoking. $950 per month, utils. incl. Please call 416-693-8494 or e-mail geoff@sympatico.ca (4)
Volunteers
Volunteers Needed to deliver BEACH METRO NEWS
Routes available throughout the Beach, Upper Beach, Danforth, Birchcliff STUDENTS EARN COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS 416-698-1164 x 24 or admin@beachmetro.com
Spiritual
Thank you, Holy Spirit, for favours received. D.R.
Party Services
Rent Tables, Chairs, Tents, Tablecloths and more!
Call 416 400 9303 today for more information.
PartyRentalsInToronto.com (4r)
Personal Care
Chalet Beauty Bar
1562 Queen St. E. (near Coxwell)
Perms for short hair - $28
Pensioner’s are welcome
We do all types of hair 416-466-3766 (4!)
SPA SERVICES at The Therapy Studio Facials, Reiki Indian Head Massage Botox & fillers
AWT Cellulite Treatments
138 Main St. (South of Gerrard) 647-352-3348 Book online • Free Parking • Accessible www.thetherapystudio.ca (5r)
Cosmetic Botox, Juvaderm Filler, Sclerotherapy for spider & varicose veins. Radiowave treatment for facial veins, with Dr. Cathy Andrew. For an appointment call Beaches Health Group 416-698-5861 (4)
WILKINSON
BARBER SHOP & HAIRSTYLING
Barber’s Chair available $150/week 1048 Kingston Rd. (at Victoria Park Ave.) Tel: 647-349-4015 (6)
BOARDWALK BEAUTY (Beyond Esthetics) Happy Spring!
The Beach Facial & Beautiful Back
Regular: $105 Special: $75
Located in a private, cozy environment. Relax & unwind. Call Carmen for appointment 416-768-1819
www.boardwalkbeauty.com (4) ***New in Toronto***
HANNA SOMATIC EDUCATION
Long term relief for chronic pain hannasomatics.com
Contact Samantha 416-807-9307 (5)
RejuvinAgeSomatics.ca
Samantha Legassie
Certified Hanna Somatic Educator samantha@rejuvinagesomatics.ca 416-807-9307 (5)
Employment Opportunities
Thinking about occasional work? Do
Top Floor of Bungalow for Rent. Victoria Pk/Gerrard. Two bedrooms. Elegant professional home. Bright, secure. Avail. June 1st. Complete reno 3.5 years ago. Ensuite washer/dryer. Storage. Deck. Exclusive use of porch and front yard. Parking. Air conditioner supplied. Must be seen. No smoking. Cat ok. One year lease. $1,700+ or best offer. Viewit#142861. 416-873-5194 (4)
1 Bedroom Apt. Ground floor in a house. Woodbine & Gerrard. Available May 1st. $1,025, utils incl. 416-690-4376 (4) Shared Accommodation
Furnished Room Woodbine/O’Connor
1 Bedroom - newly painted, non smoker. Great area - near Stan Wadlow Park, close to all amenities. Have a cat. Avail April 1st Call 416-467-0546 416-712-1073 Leave message (5)
with growth potential. Mail application to Thrive Fit 2461 Queen Street East, Toronto No drop ins or phone calls, please (4) SUPPORT WORKER WANTED Engaging man with intellectual disability, Pape/Mortimer, requires assistance with grocery shopping, cleaning & socializing. Two 4-hour Sunday afternoon shifts/month. Salary $16.50/hour. Disability program experience not pre-requisite. Maturity, enthusiasm, enjoyment of walking a bonus. 416-690-8085 (4)
for Rent
McArthur & Son Business Centre Air conditioning, boardroom,
& Breakfast COZY SUITES INN
Cottage Rental
in Beautiful Buckhorn, ON 100 ft Waterfront
Computer Services
HOME OFFICE: Computer repair In-home/office, established professional, support service Serving Beach businesses since 1994 Service plans available 416-HOME-126 (416-466-3126) KSTS Computer Support (VISA/MC) (r)
CALL GLEN
Affordable Certified IT Serving the beach for over 10 yrs www.computer-assist.ca 416-801-6921 (9r
PROTECT YOUR DATA AUTOMATED BACKUPS BUSINESS CONTINUITY Over 15 years IT experience Contact Brian at Beach Backups bch@alumni.uwaterloo.ca 905-621-7101 (4)
Computer Services - Home office & small business. Hardware & software support. Network and security setup. PC/Mac support, Web site design. 416438-6360. www.atlasnetwork.ca (4) Financial Services
Business & Personal Income Tax Computer Bookkeeping & Accounting HELLARRA SERVICES INC. 1232 Kingston Rd., Suite 5 Toronto, ON M1N 1P3 416-694-6241 (r)
SERVICES TIM O’MEARA TAX ACCOUNTANT 416-691-7556 Personal • small Business CorPorate • BaCk Filing (4) BOOKKEEPING/OFFICE ADMIN/+MORE
Experienced, eclectic Beach resident offering a variety of affordable, flexible and practical support services to entrepreneurs and small business. Short or long term. Debra 416-693-6111 (5) INCOME TAX
$50 Min. Conditions apply GUERIN BOOKKEEPING 416-465-6249 www.overtaxedfornow.com (5)
INCOME TAXES
Michael E. Sands CPA, CA 647-267-9113 (5)
Garage Sale
1404 Fair market prices guaranteed! (r)
INDOOR PARKING NEEDED IMMEDIATELY for new car - year round. (Queen-Balsam area) $100-$200/mo
Please contact Ron at: 416-268-6733 (4) Books wanted: art, photography, literature, aviation, military, poetry, sports, music, Canadiana, etc. Inno Dubelaar Books, 53 Dixon Ave. 416-694-9355 or 416-878-4319 inno. dubelaar@gmail.com (6)
Home Decor
Vienna Upholstery
2358
Bookkeeping, Small business specialists, Strong on QuickBooks, Simply Accounting, “cloud computing”. A la carte services. Affordable rates. Antonella 416-464-2766 (4r) Household Services
REG’S APPLIANCE 416-691-6893
www.regsappliance.com •Fast friendly service for 30 years •CESA certified Repairs to fridges, stoves, washers, dryers, dishwashers (r)
JIM’S APPLIANCE SERVICE
Repairs to all major appliances, vacuums, and microwaves. Fast, friendly service. Good rates. Call 416-648-4410 (r)
WE CLEAN OUT YOUR JUNK NOT YOUR WALLET. ASK ABOUT OUR LOAD IT YOURSELF POLICY.
MR. FIX-IT
(5r)
(r)
MAN WITH PICK-UP TRUCK For light moves/deliveries, cleanups, etc. • FIREWOOD Efficient. Best rates. Call Max 416-820-1527 (7)
EXPRESS JUNK REMOVAL 24 HRS 16’ Cube Van & Pick up Truck Service Best Prices/Free Estimates 647-235-6690 (6)
B&W DISPOSAL
LeRoux Froebel
Bilingual School
•18 months to 12 years •Preschool daycare & after school program 72 Main St. 416-698-1923
www.lerouxfroebel.com (r)
BALMY BEACH COMMUNITY DAY CARE
We provide a positive, encouraging environment for children 2 1/2 yrs to 12 yrs in a licensed, non-profit, parent-board day care. Info. or to register Marlene 416-698-5668 (r)
DAY CARE CONNECTION
LICENSED, NON-PROFIT HOME CHILD CARE
• SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1976 • Nurturing, supportive care, flexible hours. Early Childhood Education Specialists to answer your questions. Call 416-698-0750 daycareconnection.net (r)
EAST TORONTO VILLAGE
CHILDREN’S CENTRE A licensed non-profit child care serving the Upper Beach for 31 years. www.EastToronto Village.com THE BEST THERE IS! See our ad on page 12 (r)
James Clarke Professional Arborist james@mrtreeman.ca 416 436 5821 www.mrtreeman.ca (5)
Landscapers
Green Apple
Landscaping
Award Winning Design & Build 25 years Experience Read our reviews on Homestars.com One-of-a-Kind Outdoor Living Spaces 416-288-1499 www.greenapple.ca (r) Green Apple Landscaping
Traditional stone walls, steps, interlocking paths, patios & decks. Landscaping solutions to customize your space. www.scotstonecontracting.com Call Scott 416.858.2452 (8)
2 Men + Truck $49/hr Office • Apt. Deliveries 416-830-8183 (6r) Working
*MOVE
MIKE PARKER PLUMBING
Painters
Larry’s
PLUMBING
PROWAY
FRANZ’S PAINTING
SERENITY
- lic# P1624 (6)
Cascade Plumbing GTA All Plumbing, camera inspection, power washing, snake drain cleaning, sump pumps, drainage systems, and back water valve installations. Great affordable rates. Fully licensed. Contact us at 416 602 2128 (8r)
Complete Kitchen, bathroom & basement. Interior/Exterior Painting & Carpentry. Doors, Windows, Siding, Fences, Decks, Patios •NO JOB TOO SMALL• Metro Lic. #B9948 ED GODFREY 416-264-8517 (r)
(r)
ROOFING & SIDING?
WET BASEMENT ?
Foundation rePair/WaterProoFing FAIRNEY & SONS LTD. Metro lic #B531 • All Work Guaranteed • Free Estimates 416-659-7003 www.webuildit.ca Serving Your Community Since 1971 (r)
Metal Work
Eavestroughing & Siding Waterproofing • Since 1984
Met. Lic. B-16-964 Steve 416-285-0440 (5)
Cable & Telephone Wiring Telephone Systems Residential, Commercial, Retail, Home Offices Senior Rates Alan Burke 416-699-4350 (r)
STONEHENGE
FOUNDATION REPAIR
WATERPROOFING
416-467-6735
www.stonehengefoundations.com (r)
Basement Lowering
www.basementlowering.com 416-494-3999
underPinning sPeCialists “Reclaim Your Basement” (r)
MASONRY
CHIMNEYS - REPAIRS OR NEW BRICK, BLOCK, STONE WORK TUCKPOINTING, COLOUR MATCHING CONCRETE WORK - REPAIRS OR NEW BASEMENT WALKOUTS 416-463-9331 (r)
Trim, Tiles, Painting Marc 416 419 4281 marcangelointeriors@hotmail.com (4r)
JOHN CLARKE Cell 416 434-2762 Painting -
In Photos: 2017 Easter festivities
The past two weekends were chock full of Easter-related events in the Beach, culminating with the Beaches Lions Easter Parade Sunday, April 16. Clockwise from right, Lions’ volunteers collect donations along the East End parade route; there was no shortage of colourful floats to cheer along throughout the afternoon; Abby Kimanzi poses with the Easter Bunny at Centre 55’s annual breakfast, April 8; Runners take off at the Bunny Hop race April 15; Allison and Sadie have their basket ready at the April 16 parade.
Looking for an energetic, committed and socially and globally conscious individual to take on the responsibilities of our groups’ activities. Please note, you must be an Amnesty International member or become one prior to a coordinator position; becoming a member entails a brie ng by the Toronto Regional Development Coordinator, a membership fee and authorization that you are a Member with voting rights as opposed to a Supporter.
If you are interested in Amnesty’s Human Rights Work and would like to apply, please call Soula @ 905-837-2659 (not long distance from 416) for more information. Afterward, you will be directed to the Beaches contact for an interview.
Thank you!
PHOTOS: LARA O’KEEFE
In a strategic alliance unprecedented in the Toronto Real Estate Industry, DeClute Real Estate and Wright Sisters Real Estate companies have established a collaborative brokerage that will offer incredible benefits for all of their clients.
Sellers realize the advantage of two top tier marketing and advertising departments working to promote their property, two staging companies preparing their homes for market, and the two most experienced sales teams advocating and negotiating on their behalf. All the important aspects of marketing a home have effectively been doubled!
Buyers will be able to gain greater access to new listings sooner and with greater reach. The two companies increased market coverage ensures their home buying clients will never miss an opportunity.
This is the start of an exciting new chapter in both companies’ history. Working together in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration, they will achieve more for their clients than has ever been possible; in a relationship that is unique and a first in the real estate industry.
