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Milverton Art Walk fun in East York Fireworks, parade and picnics slated for Canada Day

NEXT TUESDAY’S Canada Day celebrations in East Toronto on July 1 will feature a wide variety of events including two fireworks displays.

Canada Day this year will mark our country’s 158th birthday.

Here’s a look at some of the many events planned for the East Toronto area on Tuesday, July 1.

Ashbridges Bay Fireworks

The annual Canada Day fireworks display presented by the City of Toronto at Ashbridges Bay in the Beach will take place on the night of Tuesday, July 1.

The display begins at 10 p.m. and is expected to be concluded by 10:15 p.m. Ashbridges Bay Park is located at 1561 Lake Shore Blvd. E.

The fireworks display is designed to be visible across the Eastern Beaches and all along the Boardwalk.

The event will be accessible to individuals with mobility challenges, with designated areas designated to ensure everyone can see the display.

Due to high volumes of anticipated traffic to this extremely popular event, visitors are strongly encouraged to use public transportation to attend. TTC bus routes to Ashbridges Bay Park and Woodbine Beach Park include the 22A Coxwell and 92A Woodbine bus routes, with additional buses added to several routes to mitigate congestion and help visitors get to the park in a timely manner.

Visitors can expect an increased Toronto police presence at Ashbridges Bay over the long weekend, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors.

Toronto police have issued a reminder that using personal fireworks in city parks and on the

will be one of seven fireworks displays happening across the city for Canada Day, including at East York’s Stan Wadlow Park at 10 p.m.

Other locations include Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay W.) at 10:45 p.m.; Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge St., North York) at 10 p.m.; Milliken Park (5555 Steeles Ave. E. in Scarborough) at 10 p.m.; Centennial Park – Etobicoke (256 Centennial Park Rd.) at 10 p.m.; and Amesbury Park (151 Culford Rd.) at 10 p.m.

For more information about the city’s fireworks displays, please go to www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/ festivals-events/canada-day/nighttime

East York Canada Day Parade, Picnic and Fireworks

The East York Canada Day Festival returns for its 69th year, with a full lineup of activities planned to celebrate the nation’s birthday on Tuesday, July 1.

The festivities will kick off with the East York Canada Day Parade that starts from Dieppe Park on Cosburn Avenue at 10:30 a.m.

The parade will feature more than 35 groups marching eastwards along Cosburn Avenue from Dieppe Park (145 Cosburn Ave.) to Stan Wadlow Park (373 Cedarvale Ave.). The parade route turns north at Woodbine and Cosburn avenues and then east again along Trenton Avenue and into Stan Wadlow Park, where the rest of the day’s festivities will take place.

Opening ceremonies for the East York Canada Day Festival will be held at noon on the main stage at Stan Wadlow Park.

Visitors can look forward to live music, a midway with games and rides, family activities, food trucks, and an artisan market featuring vendors from across Toronto. A Continued on Page 12

Residents air frustrations at meeting on plans for 80-bed homeless shelter

By Matthew Stephens

TENSION AND disapproval

loomed large for local residents at last week’s meeting regarding a zoning application for an 80-bed homeless shelter at 2535 Gerrard St. E. in southwest Scarborough.

Residents met with city staff, community and urban planners, Toronto Shelter & Support Services Manager Gord Tanner, and Scarborough Southwest Councillor Parthi Kandavel at Birchcliff Bluffs United Church on June 16 to discuss the latest updates in the shelter’s ongoing development process, which is currently in its rezoning application phase.

During the rezoning phase, city staff look at building design, site management and operation, site context, planning policies, required studies, and community concerns,

and zoning bylaws.

Residents at the meeting were quick to dismiss city staff’s opening remarks regarding the details of the project. Instead, community members wanted to immediately vocalize their ongoing grievances regarding environmental and public safety, close proximity to a local daycare and schools, noise disruptions, loading operations, lack of access to critical services like transportation, as well as other issues pertaining to the plans for the shelter.

One local resident expressed frustration regarding the city’s lack of effective communication to inform the community about the June 16 meeting.

“I’m sure the audience will have some feedback about the lack of notification to this meeting. There is apparently a physical area where

is not on the internet received absolutely no notice, and he’s less than 90 metres from the property line,” said one resident.

Another resident called out the city for not taking accountability for shelters owned and operated by third party organizations.

“We have an email from Sue Hall to one of the other shelter locations at 628 Adelaide, and I’m just going to quote ‘While the city is funding St. Felix for this program, it is not a project that is owned directly or managed by the city. We will no longer be responding.’ So, I just want to say that’s a part of the reason why we are not trusting of your commitment to accountability when emails like this are going around,” said the resident.

At the meeting, many residents were unaware that the homeless shelter site at 2535 Gerrard will be operated by non-profit

PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON

Sophie Arora was among the many participants in the Milverton Art Walk held on Saturday in East York. Numerous artists and residents featured their works along a stretch of Milverton Boulevard on June 21.

Local residents awarded King Charles III Coronation Medals for community service

FOUR BEACHES-EAST York residents were recently honoured with King Charles III Coronation Medals at a ceremony held at Queen’s Park earlier this month.

ages and from all walks of life who have made a difference in their communities.

Hosted by Beaches-East York MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon, the June 9 ceremony saw Sandy Graham, Panchetta Barnett, Hazel Hein-McLeod, and Cpl. Stavros Grekos presented with the medals.

“We were thrilled to hold the King Charles III Coronation Medal presentation at Queen’s Park to recognize the joyful and important significance of the occasion,” said McMahon in a news release.

The King Charles III Coronation Medal is a visible and tangible way to recognize outstanding individuals of all

“Our commitment to Canada is strengthened when we collectively honour those who distinguish themselves by virtue of their talents, their generosity, and their service to their community and to our country. We are proud to recognize today’s recipients for their enormous contributions,” said McMahon at the presentation ceremony.

Graham is a champion for gender and age equality in the music industry.

Music is the universal language that brings us all together, and Graham has shared her knowledge and mentors others on a global scale and represents the best of Ontarians.

Barnett gives back to the community everyday. She transcends her role as

East York Historical Society President to reinvigorate citizens’ passion to preserve their historical data through a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion lens to the region’s history.

Hein-McLeod knows what a difference positive action can make! She organized three local Kids Pride parades. She cares about the environment and organizes ravine cleanups in TaylorMassey.

She wants to live in a clean and healthy world.

Cpl. Grekos of the Canadian Armed Forces is known in the Beaches-East York community for exemplifying the tenet of “service to Canada before self”, making significant sacrifices to mentor the future generation of soldiers during his five years of service in the Forces.

The Beach BIA’s outdoor summer movie series starts July 9

THE OUTDOOR summer movie series presented by The Beach BIA will be back at Kew Gardens park starting on Wednesday, July 9.

During the summer, movies will be shown on Wednesday nights at the park, 2075 Queen St. E.

The family-themed movies will begin at sunset and end by 11 p.m. To start off this summer’s run of movie nights on July 9, Wayne’s World will be shown.

The movie schedule for the outdoor films at Kew Gardens this summer is as follows:

• Wednesday, July 9 – Wayne’s World

• Wednesday, July 16 – Mamma Mia

• Wednesday, July 23 – Uncle Buck.

• Wednesday, July 30 – Mean Girls.

• Wednesday, Aug., 6 – Jumanji

• Wednesday, Aug. 13 – E.T.

Rain dates have been set for Aug. 20 and Aug. 27.

Those attending the movie nights at the park should bring their own lawn chairs or blankets for sitting on. There will also be music, lawn games and snacks at the outdoor movie nights. Residents are encouraged to visit one of the great restaurants along Queen Street East for a meal before coming over to the park to watch the movie.

For more information, go to www. facebook.com/makewaves.TO

PHOTO: SUBMITTED

Beaches-East York MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon, centre, recently presented four local residents with King Charles III Coronation Medals for their community service work at a ceremony held at Queen’s Park. With their medals are (from left) Sandy Graham, Panchetta Barnett, Hazel Hein-McLeod and Cpl. Stavros Grekos.

Afrofest set for weekend of July 4 at Woodbine Park

CELEBRATING 37 years of championing African music in the city, not-for-profit community-based organization Music Africa brings Afrofest back to Woodbine Park for another year of culture and music in the heart of Toronto.

From Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6, the free multi-stage event will feature artists covering a wide range of Afro-Caribbean music genres, including Afrobeat, Afropop, Amapiano, Soukous, Makossa, Rai, Reggae, Rumba, and many more.

Woodbine Park is located at 1695 Queen St. E.

The Friday, July 4, performances and other festival events will take place between 6 to 10 p.m.

On Saturday, July 5, the festival starts at 12 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m.,

On Sunday, July 6, the festival takes place between noon and 9 p.m.

The three-day event will feature music from prominent Afro-Caribbean performers, vendors, and Artist Development Workshops to help upcoming artists learn important tools of the trade.

There will be both a Main Stage for performers and a second Baobab Stage during this year’s Afrofest.

The complete schedule of musicians, bands

and DJs performing (and the stages they will be on) has not yet been finalized, but is expected to be updated in advance of July 4.

The festival will also feature a vibrant Afrofest Marketplace with more than 100 vendors offering a variety of foods and merchandise. There will also be a Children’s Creative Village featuring a number of activities for kids including storytelling and face painting.

Established in 1990, Music Africa is one of the oldest organizations celebrating African music in Canada through its many activities and events, including the Black History Month Concert Series.

In 2008, the organization received the Heritage Award from international publication Planet Africa

For 37 years, Afrofest has been projecting diverse expressions of African music and culture in a welcoming festival setting – with a mission to ignite community spirit and develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for Africa’s cultural diversity.

Sponsors for this year’s Afrofest include Heritage Canada, the Toronto Arts Council, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts.

For more information about the 2025 Afrofest at Woodbine Park, please go online to www.afrofest.ca

City’s process in selecting shelter site questioned

‘Residents’ from Page 1

organization, Warden Woods Community Centre.

A concerned resident also expressed environmental concerns due to ethanol contamination following the site’s previous operation as an auto shop years before city acquisition.

During Councillor Kandavel’s opening remarks, he mentioned that he and York Centre Councillor James Pasternack are working to address city staff’s process in selecting viable options for shelter sites.

“One of the big pieces I’ve been working on with Councillor Pasternack in the north end is looking at how the city does business, especially on shelters. It’s perhaps one of the most sensitive decisions council and certainly city staff make. There isn’t a list of criteria that spells out how a site is selected,” said Kandavel.

“There’s still work to be done, and this is some of the systemic work that I’m doing to address the overall process and how sites are selected, how communities are engaged, and how we move forward.”

One local resident took to the microphone to criticize city planners on their decision to develop a shelter at 2535 Gerrard, when other, more suitable locations have sprung up since that site’s acquisition.

“We’ve been told at the time of purchase that 2535 Gerrard best fit the bill for what shelter services were seeking, which was based solely on prices alone, nothing more. Since this past October, other sites in Scarborough Southwest have become available that are far more suitable for shelter clients; close to services, transit, and major arteries,” said the resident.

City staff said 30 per cent of Toronto’s unhoused population lives in Scarborough, and that 17 potential sites were assessed before ultimately choosing the Gerrard Street East site as the most suitable location for the shelter.

aiming to build 20 shelters over the next 10 years.

“We have a homelessness and housing crisis in the city that is very, very serious. We’re sheltering 10,000 people per night in our shelter system; singles, adults, families, children with no place to find housing. They’re staying longer than they ever have,” said Tanner.

Despite city staff listing some concerns they’ve received during their opening presentation, stating they’ve “listened and considered how they can incorporate feedback,” many residents at the June 16 meeting still felt as though their worries had not been adequately addressed.

At the beginning of the meeting, Loretta Ramadhin, Director Infrastructure Planning & Development, addressed some of the concerns she and city staff had received since news of the site’s acquisition was made public in November of last year.

In response to concerns regarding school and daycare proximity, Ramadhin said it isn’t uncommon for shelters in the city to be established close to schools and daycares.

residential use, it is common for shelters to be located near daycares and schools,” said Ramadhin.

She said the shelter operators will be working closely with Toronto Police Service to “address any concerns that may arise,” and that she and city staff will work to implement security measures suggested by concerned residents, including erecting nine-foot fencing around the property, and ensuring effective camera surveillance.

Ramadhin also said city staff will be working with Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to establish improved transit services along the Gerrard Street East bus route.

At the end of the meeting, city staff told residents that additional analysis is needed in their rezoning application prior to it being submitted to Toronto Council for final approval.

In a statement from Kandavel after the meeting, he underscored resident’s concern regarding the lack of “meaningful engagement” with the community on this proposal.

savvy… it needs to be done in person,” said Kandavel. He also expressed his ongoing confusion over city staff’s decision to designate the shelter at the 2535 Gerrard St. E. site.

“We’ve had a lively discussion on the questions before, including the process in which the site was selected. Though today’s meeting was on the development review of zoning, we heard very clearly that there’s serious concerns given its location, especially in contrast to the success of the five other shelters in our ward.”

Going forward, Kandavel hopes that the city will work to establish more effective communication with the community.

“The next steps are ensuring that the community gets answers to the questions being raised, that there is an effective model of engagement between the liaison committee and city staff on the operations. There’s two years left and there’s a lot of important questions.”

Tanner took to the podium at the beginning of the meeting to address the city’s need for more shelters, referencing Toronto Council’s Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy Plan, an initiative approved in 2023

“Through many discussions, various concerns and questions were raised. We were asked about the location and its proximity to schools, daycares and residential houses. We do operate shelters across the city and communities. As this is a

“The main concern that was clearly articulated from the community was the lack of a meaningful engagement model. We had a virtual meeting which didn’t really allow for back and forth and had serious accessibility issues. If English is not your strongest language, or if you’re a senior and not tech

On July 15, the city’s Planning and Housing Committee will hold a statutory public meeting to discuss six new permanent shelter sites, which comes as part of the 10-year strategy to address homelessness in the city.

During that meeting, members of the public will have an opportunity to discuss the application. To register for the July 15 committee meeting, contact the city clerk’s office at RegistrarCCO@toronto.ca

PHOTO: MATTHEW STEPHENS

Scarborough Southwest Councillor Parthi Kandavel gives his opening remarks during a community meeting on Monday, June 16, at Birchcliff Bluffs United Church regarding a proposed homeless shelter at 2535 Gerrard St. E.

PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON

Police had this parking lot on the north side of Danforth Avenue, between Coxwell and Woodington avenues, taped off Wednesday, June 18, morning as they investigated a fatal stabbing from the night of Tuesday, June 17.

Man wanted in connection with fatal stabbing last week arrested in Niagara Falls

A MAN wanted in connection with a fatal stabbing in the Coxwell and Danforth avenues areas was arrested in Niagara Falls on the weekend.

Anthony Steven Oliveira has been charged with first degree murder. He was arrested by officers with the Niagara Regional Police Service on Sunday, June 22, in the area of Falls Avenue and Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls.

Oliveira is charged in connection with the stabbing death of 35-year-old Ashkan Pournasir-Roudbane on the night of Tuesday, June 17, near Danforth and Coxwell avenues.

Toronto police were called to the area at approximately 11 p.m. on June 17 for reports of a stabbing and found Pournasir-Roudbane on Danforth Avenue, just east of Coxwell Avenue and west of Woodington Avenue, suffering from stab wounds. He was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

Pournasir-Roudbane is Toronto’s 16th homicide victim of the year.

Toronto outdoor pools open as city deals with hot temperatures

THE CITY of Toronto’s outdoor pools are now open as local residents welcome both the first week of summer and exceptionally hot and humid weather conditions.

For East Toronto residents, some of the local outdoor pools that are now open include the Donald D. Summerville Olympic Pools, Riverdale Park East pool, Monarch Park pool, Stan Wadlow Park pool and Blantyre Park pool.

At the moment, the Greenwood Park pool will not be open as it is undergoing repairs.

Operating hours for the local pools will be 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for this week, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. However, some pools will have late-night hours this week to help residents seeking to cool off. To find out the opening hours of a specific

pool, please go to the City of Toronto’s swimming website.

In addition to the early start for pool openings, the city has also confirmed that a number of outdoor pools will remain open later than usual this year. While most outdoor pools typically close after Labour Day weekend, the extended schedule will see a number of them stay open until Sept. 21. The city says the move is part of an ongoing effort to adapt to increasingly warmer seasonal temperatures in Toronto, offering more accessible public cooling options including swimming pools and wading pools for residents during the hottest months of the year.

Those options for keeping cool are extremely important this week and Toronto is presently experiencing

some dangerously hot temperatures and high humidity.

The worst of the heat and humidity is expected to lessen by Wednesday, June 25, but residents are being advised to take precautions and look after themselves and neighbours who may be vulnerable to the extreme weather conditions.

To help residents stay cool, beyond the local pools, the city has also opened cooling centres at a number of locations. For East Toronto residents, the East York Civic Centre (850 Coxwell Ave.) will be open to the public. Local libraries and recreation/ community centres, during those facilities’ regular opening hours, can also be visited to cool off. Residents are reminded to stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activity during this heat wave.

Homicide victim Ashkan Pournasir-Roudbane died after being stabbed on the night of Tuesday, June 17, in the Coxwell and Danforth avenues area.

Learn about Kingston Road on July 12 walking tour

Gene DomaGala Beach Memories

Kingston Road is one of the most historic streets, highways and trails in the Province of Ontario.

It dates back to Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe in the early 1790s, and even prior to that time.

Before French and English settlements and the building of roads, First Nations peoples had carved out their own trails through the forests and along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. During the French period, it was the road to Quebec.

However, we will start our historical examination of Kingston

Road from the 1890s to the present.

I’ll be doing that at an historic walk I will be hosting on Saturday, July 12, along Kingston Road from Victoria Park Avenue westwards.

We will start the walk at 1 p.m. and meet at the southeast corner of Victoria Park Avenue and Kingston Road.

We’ll explore many different topics on the walking tour.

For example, did you know that in the Kingston Road and Victoria Park Avenue area there was once the largest reform school for young girls in the province? On the same topic, there was a reform school for boys around the same corner.

In the sports world, especially for those interested in golf, the first municipal golf course was located near Main Street and

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Kingston Road. It later became a private golf course.

We also used to have some bowling alleys along Kingston Road, but now there is only one. Do you know where it is located?

There are also many other features of interest along Kingston Road including a “heaven” for bird watchers and field naturalists.

Along Kingston Road there are now some fine licensed drinking establishments and restaurants, but in the old days (as far back as 1875) it was home to a number of “taverns” at which the riders of stagecoaches would stop along what was then a corduroy road made of logs.

There were also some other “drinking houses” along Kingston Road in the more recent past that perhaps the parents or grandpar-

ents of some of younger readers might remember.

Churches along Kingston Road are also “architectural marvels” including Kingston Road United Church and St. John’s Catholic Church.

More modern buildings including the Steve & Sally Stavro Family YMCA at Kingston Road and Beech Avenue also feature marvellous architecture.

Now in the days before television, local residents would be able to go and see motion picture shows at theatres and movie houses on Kingston Road.

How many residents remember where the movies were shown on Kingston Road?

We certainly still have many schools connected to the Kingston Road area including St. John’s

Catholic School, Notre Dame

Catholic High School, Neil McNeil Catholic High School and Malvern Collegiate. It seems like some of those schools have been around forever.

Also, dear Beachers, some of the city’s oldest funeral parlours have links to Kingston Road. One of the oldest is now gone but not forgotten.

Those are just some of the historic features of interest along Kingston Road, which is now known to some as The Silver Mile because of the many eclectic shops and businesses that line both sides of the street.

There’s no other street in Toronto like Kingston Road, and I look forward to seeing you at the July 12 walk.

Historically yours!

Real-life impacts of East York work need to be understood

Re: ‘Construction has East Yorkers worried about increased traffic’, News, Beach Metro Community News, May 27. Thank you to Beach Metro Community News for covering the chaos that has taken over our neighbourhood at St Clair and O’Connor.

The story sadly omitted the real-life impact that the construction companies and poor City of Toronto coordination have had on the residents.

The past five years have included unsafe road conditions, traffic mayhem, property damage and a general lack of respect toward the community.

The Basement Protection Flooding Program is an engaging topic, but we really wish more of the voices of the community had been featured!

The article provided an excellent overview of the plan, but this is the third contract of the project and completely excluded the reality of Contract 1 and 2 on Glenwood Cres and O’Connor Dr.

Contract 1 was scheduled April 2019 to fall 2020. After four gas line breaks, two flooded basements (that we know of) and a winter shutdown, the project was completed in June 2021.

Contract 2 was scheduled for November 2022 to February 2024. After the big surprise during construction, that the 100+ year old watermain needed to be replaced, the project was finished in November 2024.

During both contracts 1 and 2, there were infrequent updates, little traffic management, a general lack of response by City of Toronto officials. and a punt of issues to other departments, contractors and/or the field ambassador, until any issues fell into the abyss, leaving the community frustrated, with little to no recourse.

Contract 3 is promising more frequent updates, meetings, a glowing review of the contractor and outsourced management etc... We heard all this during the previous contracts, so time will tell.

At the latest community meeting on May 29, presenters representing the City of Toronto also slid in at the bottom of their critical path, news that Glenwood Crescent, from St. Columba Place to Rexleigh Drive, was set for Contract 4 in 2027! Yes, we are apparently “ready to go”!?

Based on traffic management to date, the renewed traffic mayhem along Glenwood Crescent and the added hydro work

closing one lane on the Woodbine Bridge, improvements are not likely.

Sadly, the residents of Topham Road, Merritt Road, and St. Clair Avenue East should be prepared for the worse and forget about the best!

D. King and B. Shaw

Alison McMurray, second from left, with the sign recognizing the laneway named in her honour in the West Lynn and Danforth avenues area earlier this month. McMurray has been a community champion for a number of local initiatives including the East Lynn Park Farmers Market. Along with members of McMurray’s family (husband Patrick and kids Leiden and Spencer) the laneway naming ceremony was attended by Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford, left, and Beaches-East York MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon, centre.

Alison McMurray honoured with naming of laneway near West Lynn and Danforth

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Alison

McMurray was recently recognized with the dedication of a laneway named in her honour.

The dedication ceremony for the naming of the laneway in the West Lynn Avenue and Danforth Avenue area took place on Thursday, June 5.

McMurray has been a leader in the community for a number of

initiatives including the East Lynn Park playground, the East Lynn Park Farmers’ Market, the Danforth East Community Association’s Art Fair, and other improvements along Danforth Avenue.

The laneway was named after Alison McMurray to thank her for her years of dedicated and determined volunteerism in the Beaches-East York com-

munity.

On hand for the ceremony on June 5 were Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford, Beaches-East York MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon and members of McMurray’s family.

Helping to make the June 5 dedication a “real party” were Great Lakes Brewery, Troy Burch, Lisa Chapman, Susi Tarleton, Nicola St John, and The Foragers Band.

Norway Junior Public School volunteers thanked

NORWAY JUNIOR Public School recently said thanks to two of its longtime parent volunteers.

Hailey Eisen and Alison Dowler were honoured at the Kingston Road school’s recent Volunteer Appreciation Night which was held on Tuesday, June 17.

Eisen and Dowler have been longtime volunteers at the school and have played a key role in the success of numerous events.

They were thanked by the school’s Parent Council for their dedication and commitment to raising funds each year to support student enrichment events at the school.

“These two women deserve all the praise they can get,” said Norway’s Parent Council President Marzia Fada in a note to Beach Metro Community News Eisen and Dowler were presented with flowers, plaques and thank you cards during the June 17 event.

The volunteer honours came as a surprise to both Eisen and Dowler, and they were extremely appreciative of being recognized for their efforts at the June 17 celebration

PHOTO: SUBMITTED

Norway Junior Public School thanked Hailey Eisen and Alison Dowler at its Volunteer Appreciation event on June 17 at the Kingston Road school. Eisen and Dowler were recognized for their many contributions to the school community and presented with flowers and plaques.

Community Calendar

proudly presented by Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford

JUNE 25: Every Mask Has a Story / Hear the Voice Behind the Masks at Beaches Sandbox, 2181 Queen St. E., 6:30-9:30 p.m. Hear the stories of hope, resilience and struggles of those living with brain injuries. A fundraiser for biayr.org, painted masks express, for some, what life was like before their brain injury and what life is like now. See the masks on display and hear the voices behind the masks, in a community gathering. Registration on Eventbrite required. Free.

JUNE 25: AGM of Ward 9 Community News Inc., publisher of Beach Metro Community News, 7 p.m. Details are on page 19 of this edition. This is a members-only meeting.

JUNE 26: Celebrate Your Age: Cricut Birthday Card Workshop at Beaches Library, 2161 Queen St. E., 2-3:30 p.m. This Senior’s Month, we’re putting a fresh spin on birthday cards! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll craft your own cards with thoughtful messages that celebrate ageing rather than poking fun. With the help of a Cricut cutter, you’ll get creative, connect with others, and reframe the narrative around growing older – one beautiful card at a time. All materials provided. Space is limited. Register in-person or call (416) 393-7703.

JUNE 28: Réjouissance Baroque Ensemble Community Concert at Birchcliff Bluffs United Church, 33 East Rd., 2 p.m. Join Toronto’s newest community music ensemble in their debut performance. Works by Handel, Purcell, and Telemann. Free. Info: rejouissancebaroqueensemble@ gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @rejouissancebaroque

JUNE 28, 29: Bundle Up at St. Dunstan’s Catholic Church, 3150 Danforth Ave., Saturday, June 28, before and after the 5 p.m. Mass, and Sunday, June 29, before and after the 10 a.m and 12 noon Masses. For more info, email ssvpdunstans@hotmail.com

JULY 1: Canada Day Community Event at RCL Branch 22, 1240 Woodbine Ave., 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Hamburgers, hot dogs, entertainment, bouncy castle, dunk tank, and raffles. All welcome. Info: 416-425-1714

JULY 1: Neighbours Together on Canada Day Community Celebration at Riverdale Park East, by St. Matthew’s Clubhouse, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Food (BBQ, Canada Day cake), children’s activities, multicultural singing & dancing, martial arts demonstration, and Community groups & elected representatives booths/ tables. Free. Info: www.councillorpaulafletcher.ca

JULY 1: East York Canada Day Parade, Picnic and Fireworks. Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. at Dieppe Park and travels along Cosburn Ave. to Stan Waldow Park. Activities at Stan Wadlow include live music, a midway with games and rides, family activities, food trucks, an artisans market, and a beer garden. Info: www.eycdc.ca

JULY 1: Canada Day Fireworks at Ashbridges Bay, 10 p.m.

JULY 2, JULY 15: Gardening Group Meetings at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., 8am-10am. Our garden is maintained by a group of volunteers who meet bi-weekly. Our goal is to increase the biodiversity of our green space by planting and nurturing native species and pollinator plants. No experience is required; both experienced gardeners and beginners are welcome! More info: beachunitedchurch.com

JULY 12: History Walk along Kingston Road with Beach Metro News history columnist Gene Domagala, 1 p.m., starting at the southeast corner of Victoria Park Ave. and Kingston Rd.

JULY 12: East York Seniors Fair at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., 1-4:30 p.m. Are you a senior that wants to age in the comfort of your own home? Our a loved one that is interested in programs, services, and supports for a senior in your life? Want to meet local business in the community that are providing supports for seniors in the East York Area? Please come join us. We look forward to seeing you! Info: justlikefamily.ca/east-york/ JULY 12: Queen Street Marketplace at Kew Gardens, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Love Local with your friends and family and join us for a vibrant celebration of local creativity and community spirit. Shop one of a kind handmade goods from local Toronto makers. Next dates: August 9, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, and Nov. 2

JULY 13: Community Environment Day at Ted Reeve Arena, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Join Councillor Bradford (Ward 19) and the City of Toronto to help reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. Drop off household items for donation, electronics for reuse or recycling and household hazardous waste for proper disposal. Pick up free bagged compost while supplies last and kitchen catchers for organics ($7 each – cash, debit and credit accepted). Info: toronto.ca

JULY 18-20, 25, 26: Rapunzel: The Family Friendly Pantomime at Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Rd. Tickets and info: smt-theatre.com/rapunzel-a-pantomime

JULY 19, 20: Festival of South Asia 2025 at Gerrard India Bazaar, Gerrard St. E. (between Coxwell and Glenside), 12 noon-11 p.m. Multidisciplinary arts, cultural performances & live music, diverse South Asian cuisines and street food, visual arts, interactive workshops & roaming performers, cultural market, local vendors and familyfriendly activities. Info: www.festivalofsouthasia.ca

JULY 20: Beaches Triangle Community Yard Sale For a Good Cause in the Triangle and at Toronto United Mennonite Church, 1774 Queen St. E. Street sale runs 11 a.m.-2 p.m., main event runs 1-4 p.m. Includes live music, a raffle, cold treats, bake sale, games, and face painting. This event is a fundraiser for Aurora House which provides safe transitional housing and support for survivors of trafficking and abuse. Info: epope@mnlct.org

THURSDAYS: CALVARY GRACE FOOD BANK, 72 Main St., Thursdays, 6-8:30 p.m, by appointment only, through Daily Bread Food Bank. Info: 416-691-2899, gpcc@calvary-baptist-church.ca, www. gracepascoefoodbank.ca/access-our-services

FRIDAYS: GRANTFUL FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP

Food Bank and Soup Kitchen, 2029 Gerrard St. E., 3:30-6 p.m. Registration is required. New clients must present identification for members in their household on their first visit and annually thereafter. Time slots are handed out and clients are encouraged to arrive at the food bank the time slot they have selected. Info.: 416-690-5169

SATURDAY CONNECTION PLAY AND LEARN DropIn at EarlyON Family Resource Connection, 184 Main St., Saturdays 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Anyone caring for children from birth to six years old are welcome. Free stay and play early learning program for children, families, and caregivers. Supervising adults must be 18 years+. Info: daycareconnection.net/family-resource-centre, 416-690-0102

BEACHES JAZZ FESTIVAL •July 4-6: Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside at Jimmie Simpson Park •July 11-13: Salsa on the Beach at Woodbine Park •July 8, 15, 22: TD Workshop Series •July 18-20: TD Weekend Series •July 24-26: StreetFest •July 25-27: OLG Weekend Series. Info: www.beachesjazz.com

MOVIE NIGHT IN THE BEACH at Kew Gardens, Wednesdays 8:30-11:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy! Come before the movie for games and prizes. Hosted by the Beach BIA. Sponsored by The Richards Group. July 9 – Wayne’s World; July 16 – Mamma Mia; July 23 –Uncle Buck; July 30 – Mean Girls; Aug. 6 – Jumanji; Aug. 13 – E.T. Rain dates: Aug. 20 and 27. Info: @makewaves.to BEACHES LIONS CLUB meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at their Clubhouse, 10 Ashbridges Bay Park Rd. Interested in serving your community? Call Andy Buhot 416-690-3324. Info: www.beacheslions.com

OPERATION VETBUILD is a Royal Canadian Legion peer-to-peer program by veterans for veterans and includes RCMP and allied veterans, run by the RCL’s BSO/ OSI Special Section, with an objective to help improve mental health through hobby and in this case, model building. Free to veterans. No experience is necessary! All materials are supplied. Meetings are the last Saturday of the month at RCL Br. 10, 1083 Pape Ave. Next meetings: June 28 and Sept. 27, 12 noon-4 p.m. Info: James Le Roy torontoopvetbuild@gmail.com, 416-735-7362

BEACHES MENTAL WELLNESS GROUP meets each Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St. at Swanwick. Info: www.mentalwellness. help. Or join us most nights of the week on Zoom. Go to: https://www.meetup.com. Ask to join us: Mental Wellness Peer-to-Peer Support-Groups

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS. If you or a family member are struggling with gambling, Gamblers Anonymous is there to HELP. Call: 1(855) 222-5542 or visit www.gatoronto.ca

A A at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St., Saturdays 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Info: 416-691-1113 AL- ANON at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St., Wednesdays 7:15 p.m. Alateen members are welcome to attend. Info: 416-691-1113

MEDITATIONS FOR WORLD PEACE at Atisha Buddhist Centre, 1823 Gerrard St. E., Sundays 10-11 a.m. No charge. GERRARD ASHDALE LIBRARY, 1432 Gerrard St. E. •June 30: Adult Crafternoon: Glass Magnets, 2-3 p.m. Drop by to craft and socialize with community members on the last Monday of the month. Register in

branch. •July 5, 12, 19: Chess Club, 1-4 p.m. Drop in for a game of chess in a welcoming environment. All ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. •July 8: Macrame Rope Rainbows for Teens, 2-3 p.m. Use coloured string to make a cute charm or keychain. For teens only. Registration required. Info: 416-393-7717

BEACHES BRANCH LIBRARY, 2161 Queen St. E. •July 8: Beaches Kids’ Book Club, 4-5 p.m. Free. Meet other kids and talk about books in a friendly environment. How does it work?: Read the selected book BEFORE the program and then come to the library to talk about it in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Copies of the book are available for pickup at Beaches Branch. Drop-in, however space may be limited. Info: 416-393-7703

PLACES OF WORSHIP

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST NORWAY Anglican Church, 470 Woodbine Ave. Welcome to St. John the Baptist Norway! We are a growing community which enjoys the Anglican expression of the Christian faith. We gather to connect with one another and worship God on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. In-Person/Livestream and at 5 p.m. In-Person for The Table, a contemporary service followed by a simple community supper. Come and see! Info: stjohnsnorway.com, 416-691-4560

THE CHURCH OF ST. AIDAN (Anglican), 2423 Queen St. E., is an energetic, active faith community committed to following Jesus as we gather for meaningful worship, spiritual growth, and community engagement. We live this out through our vibrant children’s and youth programs, diverse sacred music offerings, and active community outreach and environmental stewardship ministries. On Sundays, we welcome you to join us for worship at 8:30 a.m. (spoken service) and 10:30 a.m. (with music and children’s and youth programs). Pride Sunday is on June 29. Wednesdays please join us for the Eucharist Service at 10:30 a.m. Busy Bees drop-in playgroup for ages 0-3 and caregivers features stories and crafts on Thursdays, 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall. BEACHES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 65 Glen Manor Drive. (S of Queen). We are an inclusive and affirming congregation in the heart of the Beach. BPC has strong commitments to community service and social justice issues. We provide non-perishable food for those in need through our Free Food Pantry located outside the church building. On the 2nd Wednesday of every month we host a Coffee Outreach from 1-3 p.m., an opportunity for people in the neighbourhood to gather for coffee, snacks and fellowship. Info: www.beacheschurch.org, 416-6995871. Minister: The Reverend Katherine McCloskey FALLINGBROOK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 35 Wood Glen Rd. Please join us for worship on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Angela J. Cluney. All are welcome! Fallingbrook is an affirming congregation and is accessible by a lift. Please join us on Live Stream via Facebook or through our church website at 10:25 a.m. for our Prelude with our Music Director Nick Jessome. Weekly Worship services and Special Music selections are posted for viewing on our website. For info about our church activities including Bible Study, Book Club, Tea Time, Hobby Circle, Wee Folks, Choir: fboffice@rogers. com, 416-699-3084, fallingbrookpresbyterianchurch.com ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 794 Kingston Rd., 2 blks. east of Main St., the Pastor is Rev. Fr. Joshua Roldan. Weekend Masses: Sat. Vigil at 4:30 pm, Sun. 9 & 11 am. Weekday Masses with Rosary: Tue. - Fri., doors open and Rosary begins at 7:45 am followed by Mass at 8:15 am. Confessions every Sat 3:45 to 4:15 pm or by appt. Contact church office at: https:// stjohnsto.archtoronto.org or call 416-698-1105

GRANT AME CHURCH, 2029 Gerrard St E., invites you to our Sunday Worship Service at 11 am in person or live stream on YouTube and Facebook. Bible Study Wednesdays at 7:00 pm on ZOOM. Please join us in prayer Wednesday mornings at 6:30 on our prayer line. Dial-in No.: 1 587 405 1252 Access Code: 700 6901#. Info.: www. grantame.com, grantamechurch@yahoo.ca, 416-690-5169

BEACH UNITED CHURCH invites you to share in worship with us each week. We offer a combination of in person and YouTube livestream opportunities on Sunday mornings at 10:30am. In addition to Sunday services, Beach United Church offers a variety of inspirational music and educational programs open to the entire Beach community. For links to our upcoming worship services, or information about our upcoming events and programs, please visit our website at beachunitedchurch.com.

Beach Metro Community News Summer

Schedule

Our next edition is July 22 (July 14 deadline)

The following edition is August 26 (August 18 deadline)

Visit us anytime at www.beachmetro.com

Welcome to the neighbourhood

Beam’s Ice Cream & Hot Dogs celebrated its opening last week at the southwest corner of Queen Street East and Waverley Road in the Beach. The celebrations included an official ribbon cutting on Friday morning and a “soft open” on Wednesday that also acted as a fundraiser for Beach Metro Community News. Photo above, owner Michael Hamor, with Ethan (Beam), and staffers Kaya, Tyler, Pippa, Olivia and Lenn with some of the milkshake creations at Beam’s. Photo below, one of the first customers at last Wednesday’s event was Harrison, who is giving a thumbs-up to his hot dog with the works. For more on Beam’s opening celebrations, please visit us on Instagram at Beach Metro Buzz.

Fabric of Our Being summer art show now on at The Neighbourhood Gallery

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD Gallery’s art show Fabric of Our Being: Abstraction or Reality? opened earlier this month and will be continuing throughout the summer.

The show will feature works from multiple artists including Nancy Ceneviva, Roberto Centazzo, Alex-

ander C. Efstathopoulos, Valeriya Grinshpan, Hanna Heger, Ferdousi Islam, Peter Marmorek, and Lauren McKinley Renzetti.

The exhibit’s official opening was on Sunday, June 8, and it will run until Sept. 7.

The Neighbourhood Gallery is located at the Neigh-

bourhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 310 Danforth Ave.

The gallery is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For access to the show and gallery, please call 647-717-3982. For more information, please go online to www.nuuc.ca/artgallery

by George Bernard Shaw

Bodene Corbitt and Katherine Turner

Produced by

Directed by Larry Westlake

PHOTOS: ALAN SHACKLETON

Chestnut Park® Real Estate Limited, Brokerage | chestnutpark.com | *Sales Representative

Dianne Chaput*† Brian Chaput* Pauline Wong* Colette Chaput-Villamizar*

J U

J

JULY 2nd-4th | 9:30a THE CREATIVE SHO SUMMER CAMP

JULY 2nd-4th | 9:30am to 3:30PM THE CREATIVE SHOWDOWN KIDS SUMMER CAMP

JULY 2nd-4th | 9:30am THE CREATIVE SHOW SUMMER CAMP

JULY 2nd-4th | 9:30am THE CREATIVE SHOWDOWN KIDS SUMMER CAMP

FRIDAY 4th | 6:30pm LINOCUT & BLOCK PRINTING

FRIDAY 4th | 6:30pm to 9:30pm LINOCUT & BLOCK PRINTING

S

TUESDAY 15th | 6:30pm to 9:30pm LOST WAX SILVER RING MAKING PT 2

THURSDAY 17th | 7pm to 9pm READEASY: SIP, READ & SHARE

FRIDAY 4th | 6:30pm to 9:30pm LINOCUT & BLOCK PRINTING

SATURDAY 5th | 10:30am to 12:30pm DRAWING FUNDAMENTALS I

SATURDAY 5th | 2pm-5pm DROP-IN & CRAFT SESSION

JULY 7th-11th | 9:30am to 3:30pm THE GREAT OUTDOORS KIDS SUMMER CAMP

TUESDAY 8th | 6:30pm to 9:30pm LOST WAX SILVER RING MAKING PT 1

TUESDAY 8th | 6:30pm to 9:30pm LOST WAX SILVER RING MAKING PT. 1

SATURDAY 12th | 10:30am to 1:30pm INTRO TO AMIGURUMI

SATURDAY 12th | 2:30pm to 5:30pm KINTSUGI FOR BEGINNERS

FRIDAY 18th | 6:30pm-10pm CRAFT & SIP

JULY 14th-18th | 9:30am to 3:30pm FROM PUCCI TO GUCCI FASHION DESIGN KIDS SUMMER CAMP

SATURDAY 19th | 10:30am to 1:30pm PAPER MAKING WITH NATURAL DYES

JULY 21st-25th | 9:30am to 3:30pm FULL STEAM AHEAD KIDS SUMMER CAMP

JULY 14th-18th | 9:30am to 3:30pm FROM PUCCI TO GUCCI FASHION DESIGN KIDS SUMMER CAMP to 9:30pm G MAKING PT 2

SATURDAY 19th | 10:30am to 1:30pm PAPER MAKING WITH NATURAL DYES

JULY 21st-25th | 9:30am to 3:30pm FULL STEAM AHEAD KIDS SUMMER CAMP

SATURDAY 26th | 10:30am to 1:30pm BEGINNER CROCHET

SATURDAY 26th | 2pm-5pm DROP-IN & CRAFT SESSION

JULY 28th- AUG 1st | 9:30am to 3:30pm PUPPET PALOOZA KIDS SUMMER CAMP

JULY 14th-18th | 9:30am to 3:30pm FROM PUCCI TO GUCCI FASHION DESIGN KIDS SUMMER CAMP pm to 9:30pm NG MAKING PT 2 m to 9pm D & SHARE

JULY 14th-18th | 9:30am to 3:30pm FROM PUCCI TO GUCCI FASHION DESIGN KIDS SUMMER CAMP 0pm to 9:30pm RING MAKING PT 2

JULY 28th- AUG 1st | 9:30am to 3:30pm PUPPET PALOOZA KIDS SUMMER CAMP

WEDNESDAY 30th | 7pm to 9pm UFO (UNFINISHED OBJECTS) NIGHT

WEDNESDAY 30th | 7pm to 9pm HED OBJECTS) NIGHT

Kingston R 647-361-0513

On The Wild Side

Snakes, squirrels and other wildlife encounters

ann anD erik Brokelman

naturephotosbyann.blogspot.ca

This spring has been so full of nature moments that I couldn’t pick just one to focus on and write about. Instead, I’m sharing two quick stories that made an impact on me, starting with a surprise visit from a new scaly friend.

It all started with a call from my neighbours, Garry and Heather, who spotted a large snake in their front yard. They aren’t bothered by reptiles, but the size of this one had them both a little concerned that it might have been someone’s escaped pet.

I’ve always liked snakes, from a reasonable distance, and most of the bigger ones I’ve seen up close were at the zoo or the wildlife centre. This one, though, was at least three feet long, healthy, looked very ready to bite if it had to, and there wasn’t a nice piece of glass between us.

Not wanting to take any chances, I sent a photo to a couple of my goto wildlife expert friends, Sarah and Andrew, and asked for their advice. Honestly, how did we ever survive before cell phones? Thankfully, the picture was clear enough that they quickly identified it as a native species, the Eastern Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum), and said that it was unlikely to be someone’s lost pet.

The snake was only five houses away from the bluffs and a nearby wood lot, so we carefully relocated it to the edge of the forest. With a

above, an Eastern

ough Bluffs recently.

shows this squirrel

turned from grey

notable hiss goodbye, it slithered quickly into the tall grasses and disappeared from view.

Eastern Milk Snakes are the kind you probably want around your neighbourhood; They are non-venomous and eat rodents, playing an important role in the local ecosystem. Maybe with the rising rat population in Toronto, we’ll start seeing more of them.

Their markings are stunning, with rich patterns on both their back and belly. They lay eggs and leave them to hatch on their own, and can live up to 10 years.

They’re currently listed as a species of Special Concern in Ontario, meaning that they aren’t endangered but are at risk of becoming so.

Every reported sighting of them matters for population monitoring, so I submitted this encounter to OntarioNature.org.

Thanks again to Garry and Heather for the call. What a cool encounter!

Now for the second surprise of the season and one that feels like something out of a fantasy tale.

Jane Whitnall, a friend of mine, recently had an unusual backyard visitor: a striking Eastern Gray Squirrel with a white tail and a multicoloured coat.

At first, Jane reported that she was just fascinated by its unique colouring. But then something quite unexpected happened: over five to six weeks, the critter completely changed colour! Though its eyes remained black, the rest of it, from head to tail, turned pure white.

Naturally, the big questions were: What? Really? No, really? How???

The important answer, I’ve learned, lies in something called leucism: a genetic condition that reduces pigment. It seems like humans can get a similar condition, but leucism, as a medical term, is reserved for animals.

It’s also different from albinism. Leucistic animals have a partial loss of colour, but their eyes remain dark, unlike Albino animals which lack pigment entirely, including in their eyes, which usually appear red or pink.

While we didn’t have a medical expert study it, this special squirrel had distinctly black eyes, and so leucism was the most likely explanation. And let me tell you, seeing it in person was amazing! Jane kindly invited me over for a visit, and we watched the squirrel darting through trees and along hydro lines, full of energy and appearing

absolutely dazzling in the sunlight. I’ve never seen another squirrel like it.

I’ve posted two photos: one from Jane showing the squirrel before it turned completely white, and one after.

Thank you so much, Jane, for sharing this rare and beautiful backyard moment. It was unforgettable!

PHOTO: ANN BROKELMAN

Photo

Milk Snake is seen near the Scarbor-

Photo at right, (taken by Jane Whitnall)

with the genetic condition leucism that

to white. Photo below right, (taken by Ann Brokelman) shows the squirrel’s fur having turned fully white.

East Toronto residents will have many ways to celebrate

‘Fireworks’ from Page 1

craft beer garden hosted by Goldenfield Brewery will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., with last call at 10:30 p.m. Residents can also enjoy a selection of wines and ciders.

The day’s schedule includes an East York talent show, kids’ fun races, a magic show, a rock climbing wall, a fishing pond, relay games and more.

Live performances will feature several local bands and artists, including the Jessica Sevier Band, harpist Kim Michele, and Tim Bovaconti & The Enablers.

Joe Motiki, a Canadian actor, television host and longtime East York resident, will return to emcee the celebrations.

The day will conclude with a fireworks display sponsored by the City of Toronto, beginning at 10 p.m.

The East York Canada Day Festival was launched in 1957 by True Davidson, then an East York alderman and later mayor. At the time, it marked what was then known as Dominion Day. Over the decades, it has grown into one of the city’s largest volunteer-run Canada Day events.

The festival is organized entirely by volunteers and supported through sponsorships from businesses and community groups across Toronto.

For more information, visit www.eycdc.ca.

Q107 Canada Day

Picnic in Woodbine Park

Toronto radio station Q107 invites residents to rock out and celebrate Canada Day with food, drinks, arts and crafts, a beer garden, fireworks, and slew of enticing rock & roll performances on July 1 at Woodbine Park.

The annual celebration will see music lovers gather at Woodbine Park (1695 Queen St. E.) to celebrate Canada in style with tribute performances to prominent rock bands.

The free event will be hosted by Johnny, Shawna, and Ryan of the station’s Q Mornings show from noon to 4 p.m.

Tribute bands performing include Bootleg Creedence paying tribute to Creedence

Canada’s birthday on July 1

Clearwater Revival; and Overture performing songs from iconic Toronto band Rush. Also, Pearl Jamming will be performing songs from... you guessed it, Pearl Jam.

The Band of Gypsys will be amplifying hypnotic sounds from Jimi Hendrix’s catalogue. Desire will be performing in tribute to U2; AC/ DC Show Canada will be performing in tribute to AC/DC; and Keep the Faith will be performing in tribute to renowned 1980s band Bon Jovi.

Performances kick off at noon and will run throughout the day until 9 p.m. Those attending are then welcome to head over to Ashbridges Bay to watch the Canada Day fireworks starting at 10 p.m. For more information about the event, please go to www.q107.rocks

Neighbours Together on Canada Day in Riverdale Park East

The annual Neighbours

Together on Canada Day in Riverdale Park east takes place on Tuesday, July 1.

The event’s activities are centred in the area around the St. Matthew’s Clubhouse at 450 Broadview Ave.

Activities include live entertainment, information tables from community groups and more. There will also be a barbecue, a Canada Day birthday cake, and martial arts demonstrations, children’s activities and a Lion Dance.

The celebration begins at 11:30 a.m. and musicial performances will start at noon.

The event is organized by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of East Toronto with the assistance of Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher and other community organizations.

For more information on the Neighbours Together celebration in Riverdale Park East, please go to www. councillorpaulafletcher.ca/ neighbours_together_on_ canada_day_2025

Canada Day in Dentonia Park

Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services, with the support of a number of local businesses, will be hosting a Canada Day celebration in Dentonia Park on Tuesday, July 1.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and there will be a wide variety of activities taking place. Dentonia Park is located at 80 Thyra Ave., just northwest of Danforth and Victoria Park avenues.

Everyone is invited to this “vibrant Canada Day celebration filled with fun and community spirit.”

There will be food, speeches, live music, and games for all ages.

“Come together to celebrate diversity, unity, and what it means to call Canada home,” said the organizers. For more info, please go to the Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services website at www.bangladeshi.ca

Crowds take in the 2024 East York Canada Day Parade along Cosburn Avenue in this Beach Metro Community News file photo. This year’s parade, part of the annual East York Canada Day Festival, is set for the morning of Tuesday, July 1. The parade starts at Dieppe Park at 10:30 a.m. and heads east along Cosburn Avenue.

Beaches Brewing Company Summer Series

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

Your gateway to connecting with skilled professionals in our community

Interested in advertising your business in our Professional Directory? Contact carolin@beachmetro.com or 416-698-1164 x 22 for rates. Your Professional Directory ad also appears on our website: beachmetro.com

Dashwood & Dashwood

Barristers & Solicitors

Geoffrey J. Dashwood 961 Kingston Rd. Tel. 416-690-7222 Toronto, M4E 1S8 Fax. 416-690-8738

Kriens LaRose, LLP

Chartered Professional Accountants • Accounting services for owner-managed businesses. • Personal and corporation income tax preparation.

• Audit services for not-for-profit organizations www.krienslarose.com kriens@krienslarose.com 416-690-6800

Cynthia McGilvray Acupuncturist Pain relief, meridian balancing, electrical stimulation, preventative health care. Insurance coverage. 1716 Queen St. E. @Kingston Rd. cynthiamcgilvray.com 647-378-3182

Etsuko Shibamoto, M.OMSc. Beaches Osteopathy 2 Lyall Avenue www.beachesosteopathy.com Book online sarahosteo.janeapp.com/#/staff_member/6

Snider & DiGregorio

Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries. 978 Kingston Road, Toronto, Ont., M4E 1S9 Tel: 416-699-0424 Fax: 416-699-0285 Email: info@sdlegal.ca

Melani Norman CPA, CMA Accounting Issues and Systems, Bookkeeping, Personal and Corporate Taxes Call 416-471-0337

Patrick Ruiz Professional Corporation CPA, CA An accountant you can count on For your Small Business Self-employed income & investments Real Estate Rentals 647-300-4062 • patrick@prtaxcpa.com

made before age 75. Learn more! Vic

Care Wellness Life Coaching 416-951-8280 www.modernsocialworker.ca

KATHRYN WRIGHT

Barrister & Solicitor Family Law & Mediation 416-699-8848 2239 Queen Street East www.kathrynwrightlaw.com kathrynwrightlaw@gmail.com

GARRY M. CASS

BARRISTER & SOLICITOR, TEP Wills/Estate Administration/Advice to Estate Trustees 416-767-CASS (2277) x 207 416-795-4899 (cell) 416-491-0273 (fax) garry@garrycass.com

Glover & Associates

Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries Real Estate, Family, Litigation Wills & Estates, Corporate 416-691-3700 Queen and Hammersmith

Melanie Brown Design INTERIOR DESIGN New builds, Renovations, Furniture & Decor melaniebrowndesign.ca melanie@melaniebrowndesign.ca 647.280.2203

Shelly Pereira, Paralegal Commissioner/Notary, Small Claims, Landlord & Tenant/other Tribunals, Municipal Offences, Letters & Mediation. Call for a Free 30 min. Consultation 647-693-6240 Toronto info@toronto-paralegal.net

Peter J. Salah Family Law Lawyer 124 Merton Street, Suite 300 We Collaborate, Negotiate & Litigate 416.752.8128 peter@salahlaw.ca www.salahlaw.ca

KAMRUL HAFIZ AHMED REAL ESTATE LAWYER 416 690 1855 [P 416

QUINN Family Law

Shelley C. Quinn, LL.B., LL.M. (Family Law) 2 - 921 Kingston Rd. t. (416) 551-1025 www.QuinnFamilyLaw.ca

Allison Grande, J.D. Barrister, Solicitor, Notary • Criminal Defense • • Civil Litigation • 416-419-4131 allisongrande@yahoo.com

Call, text, email: info@beachlawns.ca 647-210-5296 www.beachlawns.ca

My family and I just recently moved to the area. Although the area is new to me and the kids, my wife and her family have lived here for 3 generations. I’m excited about the new move and I want to thank everyone in the area for the warm embrace and welcoming hospitality that you have shown us! I recently accepted a position as General Manager of Downtown Ford Lincoln in the AutoPlex for the Downtown AutoGroup, located just up the street at the corner of the DVP and Queen. In return for your kindness I would like to offer a preferred pricing program for all of my new neighbours in the

I will make sure you as local residents get the best Upfront Pricing available in

Look forward to hearing from you all

Public meeting on Danforth development plan slated

By Matthew Stephens

A PUBLIC meeting on a proposal to build four-storey and eight-storey buildings, including a two-storey heritage building reconstruction, on the north side of Danforth Avenue between Dawes Road and Main Street will be held on Tuesday, July 8.

The meeting is set for 10 a.m. at Toronto City Hall’s Committee Room 1, and will take place prior to a meeting of the Toronto and East York Community Council which will make a final decision on the application for the site at 2720-2734 Danforth Ave.

The two proposed buildings will be organized around a central courtyard, with a total of 64 rental units and no vehicular parking.

Structural design will see the existing heritage building connected to an adjoining fourstorey building used as the residential lobby entrance, with a street-facing amenity space at grade.

The rear of the building will have an exterior staircase connecting to the ground-level courtyard located at the centre of the development.

The heritage building at the site, at 2726 Danforth Ave., is the former Little York Hotel.

Dating to the mid-19th century, the building is a “rare surviving example of a pre-Confederation era building in the city and a unique remnant of the hotel/inn typology located near the historic intersection of Danforth and Dawes Road. The design, style and materiality exhibited at the upperstorey level of the original building typifies Georgian architecture while remnant structural members associated with construction methods that pre-date the mass production of machined lumber

are still present in the basement,” said a 2022 city report on a heritage designation for the building.

“The adjacent two-storey main street commercial row building dating to c.1886 and located at 2734

Danforth Avenue is likewise representative of the mid- to late-19th century local streetscape, with brick-clad wood-frame construction and Victorian-era decorative wooden detailing,” said the report.

The proposal application was first submitted back in 2020 for a nine-storey mixed use development under planning and urban design firm Weston Consulting. Developer Collecdev-Markee

the sloped roof is the site of the former Little York Hotel and is a heritage building. Image below left shows how the heritage building will be incorporated into the proposal for a new eight-storey and four-storey residential development at the site. Image above shows the context of the proposal on the surrounding neighbourhood.

Developments has now taken over the project.

The plan proposes dividing the 64 rental units into 55 per cent two-bedroom, 42 per cent one-bedroom, and three per cent studio apartments. The proposal is expected to designate 10 per cent of the units as affordable.

Residents are welcome to attend the July 8 public meeting, or they can watch it by video conference. To watch the meeting online, please go to www.youtube.com/TorontoCityCouncilLive.

Those wishing to speak at the meeting must register by email to teycc@toronto.ca, or by phone at 416-392-7033 no later than 12 p.m. on July 7.

Members of the public may also send written comments by email to teycc@toronto.ca, or by mail to Toronto and East York Community Council, 100 Queen St. W., 2nd floor, West Tower, Toronto ON, M5H 2N2.

Planned work on Danforth east of Main raises traffic, safety concerns

By Matthew Stephens

AS THE City of Toronto delves into a construction project to restore dilapidated pipes on Danforth Avenue between Main Street and Victoria Park Avenue, some local residents have expressed concerns regarding increased traffic congestion, student and pedestrian safety, and economic impact on businesses in the area.

“With the expected timeframes it will be important to look at things like spill-over traffic into local residential roads to ensure that safety measures are in place. There are a lot of parks and schools north and south of the Danforth and we want to make sure there aren’t things we can do in advance of these disruptions to help ease the potential issues,” said resident Melody Gaukel in an email to Beach Metro Community News

“The small businesses and the big businesses in that stretch of the Danforth are busy – all day and night! Taking away sidewalks and reducing lanes of traffic for such an extended period of time will have real consequences. We hope that the city planners are keeping this in mind.”

Replacement of the old pipes

is part of the city’s plan to make improvements to the area’s watermain, storm sewer, and sanitary sewer systems, as well as other improvements to Danforth Avenue’s above-ground infrastructure, including additional parking and loading areas, upgraded cycling lanes, curb extensions, crossings, and bus stops.

According to the City of Toronto’s website, improvements to the strip of Danforth Avenue’s underground infrastructure comes as a “once in a 25-50-year opportunity to make upgrades to the road,” and that the construction project will make roads in the area safer for pedestrians, drivers, public transit users, and cyclists.

A public information meeting was held on Tuesday, April 22, to provide details regarding the development project.

Construction at the site is expected to span one year, starting this fall and ending as early as fall of 2026. The city said the project end date is subject to change.

Plans for the project will reduce Danforth Avenue to one lane of traffic in each direction during the watermain and sewer replacement work.

Details from the city’s public in-

formation page mentions that work to improve Danforth Avenue’s above-ground infrastructure “may not be feasible to maintain one lane of traffic in each direction at all times.”

According to the city’s information: “Portions of concrete work will limit traffic to one direction, require two-way control by a traffic control person, or be done with block-by-block full closure with local access maintained.”

Though traffic mitigation is detailed in the city’s plans, BeachesEast York Councillor Brad Bradford said he intends to maintain Danforth Avenue’s current configuration of one-lane traffic on each side, and that the Traffic Management Plans will need to be developed and approved by city staff before construction begins.

“In this specific area, the current configuration of one lane on both sides of Danforth Avenue will be maintained. Traffic Management Plans are also required for this sort of work, and will be developed by the contractors and approved by city staff before any work begins,” said Bradford in an email to Beach Metro Community News

Although pedestrian access to the street will be maintained at

all times during above-ground redevelopment, cyclists will have to share the road with motor vehicles.

In order to lessen traffic congestion, the city plans to install portable variable message and advisory signs, deploy paid duty officers at key intersections, assign traffic agents to support traffic flow through busy areas, and provide public notifications regarding traffic impacts in advance.

Bradford said he has worked as a councillor to improve traffic mitigation and “minimize impacts on the community” during construction projects such as these, and that he won’t tolerate a deadline that exceeds the expected completion date for the Danforth Avenue project.

“Construction in Toronto is always a headache, and ensuring road safety and coordination of the right-of-way around this project is of utmost importance to me. In 2023, I passed a motion at (Toronto) Council creating a Construction Hub in this area to ensure the city takes a proactive and coordinated approach to construction management while minimizing impacts on the community and ensuring it remains updated with real-time information,” said Bradford.

“I have made it crystal clear to

senior city staff that I will not tolerate any schedule overruns on this project.”

He said the area is in “desperate” need of improvements both above and below ground, and that projected increases in population density within the surrounding area as a result of residential development was a contributing factor to the urgency of the project.

“Development or not, this area is in desperate need of infrastructure upgrades, but the urgency for these improvements has increased due to the amount of building happening in the area. The completion of this project is critical before these other projects begin,” said Bradford.

He also said that he will continue to work with both the community and city staff to ensure the project is completed in a timely and effective manner.

“In addition to the meetings I have already held with staff and community members, my office will continue holding regular meetings with city staff to ensure they remain accountable to the project’s timeline,” said Bradford.

“I will be keeping an eye on this project to ensure it is completed in a timely, safe, and effective manner.”

Photo at left shows the 27202734 Danforth Ave. site as it now looks. Located on the north side east of Dawes Road, the building with

Beach Metro Community News Annual General Meeting on June 25

THE ANNUAL General Meeting of Ward 9 Community News Inc (publisher of Beach Metro Community News) will take place on Wednesday, June 25, at 7 p.m.

The meeting will be held at the newspaper’s office at 2196 Gerrard St. E.. Current members of the newspaper are eligible to attend and vote for officers of the volunteer Board of Directors.

Following are the bios for new candidates running for election on the Beach Metro Community News Board of Directors:

DANIEL LOBERTO is an accomplished lawyer with long-standing familial ties to the Beaches.

He previously practiced insolvency and restructuring law at two Bay Street law firms, and now currently runs a transactional practice as a member of the Doane Grant Thornton LLP General Counsel Office.

Daniel has written extensively online both in a professional and informal capacity, with his latter writing garnering the readership of NHL agents, NHL personnel, and hockey fans more generally.

In his spare time, Daniel enjoys contributing to the community by, among other things, volunteering with the Toronto Beaches Lions Club and mentoring young lawyers to help guide their journey through the legal profession.

Agenda for June 25 AGM

THE FOLLOWING is the agenda for the Beach Metro Community News Annual General Meeting:

• Motion to Accept the Minutes of 2024 AGM (June 20, 2024)

• President’s message

• Report from Treasurer / Approval of 2024 Financial Report (Motion).

• Election of Board members for 2025-2026 (Motion)

• New business

• Motion to adjourn

The Annual General Meeting on June 25 is for current members of Ward 9 Community News Inc.

For info on membership, see our May 13 and 27 editions or contact alan@beachmetro.com.

Please note the 2024 Financial Report was published in the June 10 edition of Beach Metro Community News

Beach Triangle Community Yard Sale on July 20 will help support Aurora House

SLATED FOR Sunday, July 20, the upcoming Beaches Triangle Community Yard Sale will raise funds for Aurora House.

A Greater Toronto Area non-profit providing safe transitional housing and supports for survivors of trafficking and abuse, Aurora House is operated in partnership with the Toronto United Mennonite Church and the Mennonite

New Life Centre of Toronto.

The July 20 yard sale will include streets in the Beach Triangle area and be centred at the Toronto United Mennonite Church, 1774 Queen St. E., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be baked goods, live music, a raffle, games, face painting and more taking place.

The Beach Triangle neighbourhood is bordered by Kingston Road, Woodbine

Beaches-East York Community Environment Day planned for July 13

A COMMUNITY Environment Day hosted by Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford will take place on Sunday, July 13, at Ted Reeve Arena. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Ted Reeve Arena is located at 175 Main St., northeast corner of Gerrard Street East and Main Street. Those attending are invited to drop off unwanted items for reuse, recycling or safe disposal.

Some of the items that are considered acceptable to be dropped off for reuse include sporting goods, books (but not textbooks), cameras, CD/DVD/Blue Ray players, clothing, costume jewelry, small household items, mu-

sical instruments, and board games.

Residents attending the July 13 Community Environment Day are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for donation. There will also be free compost available for collection. There will be a limit of two bags per household for the bagged compost.

Kitchen catchers for organics will also be available at the July 13 event at a cost of $7.

For more information, including a list of what are acceptable items for drop off at a City of Toronto Community Environment Day, please visit the City of Toronto’s website and search for Community Environment Days.

Avenue, and Queen Street East.

For more information on the Beach Triangle Community Yard Sale, and how to become involved, please send an email to epope@mnlct.org

Neil McNeil, Malvern meet for OFSAA lacrosse bronze medal

NEIL MCNEIL Catholic High School’s field lacrosse team won the bronze medal at the recent Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) championship tournament in Owen Sound.

Competing in the highest level AAA division at OFSAA, the provincial bronze medal game featured a match between local high schools Neil McNeil and nearby Malvern Collegiate Institute.

Neil McNeil won the game 11-8. With strong lacrosse traditions at both East Toronto schools and links to the Beaches Lacrosse Club, the players on both Malvern and Neil McNeil were quite familiar with each other heading into the bronze medal match.

Neil McNeil jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead in the first quarter, inspired by some critical saves from goalie Patrick Jefferies.

In the second half, Malvern pushed back hard, narrowing the gap to just two goals on a number of occasions.

However, Neil McNeil held on for the win thanks to late markers by Heath Harker and Ellery Alexander.

The bronze was Neil McNeil’s second time on the OFSAA medal podium in recent years, having also won bronze at the 2019 championships. In 2019, Neil McNeil was led by then-player Jacob Hickey, now a professional lacrosse player with the Beaches Junior A program. Going into this year’s OFSAA championships on June 4 and 5, Neil McNeil was ranked second out of the 12 teams competing. Malvern was ranked fifth.

Neil McNeil opened the tourney with a 14-6 win over Ottawa’s Sacred Heart Catholic Secondary School. Ben Barton led the way for Neil McNeil in the game with a hat trick. In their second game, Neil McNeil took on Mississauga’s St. Martin Catholic School in a game played in pouring rain. It was a close contest which Neil McNeil won 11-9.

Those two preliminary round wins put Neil McNeil into the semifinals against Durham Region’s Brooklin High School, the third ranked team in the tourney. A deep and fast team that went on to win the gold medal at this year’s OFSAA field lacrosse championships, Brooklin beat Neil McNeil 18-10.

“We kept improving every game over the course of the tournament and I’m very proud of our result,” said Neil McNeil head coach Frank Hickey.

“Our senior group really showed some great leadership along the way.”

Malvern’s route to the bronze medal game saw them win their first two matches by scores of 6-0 over Bowmanville High School and 7-6 over Georgetown’s Christ the King Catholic Secondary School.

In the semifinal, Malvern faced top ranked St. Peter Catholic Secondary School from Peterborough and fell 17-8.

Malvern’s girls field lacrosse

OFSAA (Trillium Cup) championships that were also held in Owen Sound.

The Malvern girls had earlier won the Toronto District Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TDSSAA) field lacrosse city championship in late May.

Malvern topped East York Collegiate 13-0 in the TDSSAA girls city championship game that was played on May 21 at the Cherry Beach fields.

The win marked the Malvern girls team’s fourth straight field lacrosse city championship.

At the Trillium Cup, the Malvern girls did not finish in the medals. That tournament was won by Peterborough’s St. Peter Catholic Secondary School. The silver medal went to Brooklin High School and the bronze medal went to Grimsby’s Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary School.

To win its TDSSAA city championship, the Malvern boys team beat Humberside Collegiate 9-2 in the title game on May 22 at the Cherry Beach fields.

team also qualified for this month’s

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Members of the Neil McNeil Catholic High School field lacrosse team celebrate their bronze medal win at the recent OFSAA championships.

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The Malvern Collegiate boys field lacrosse team recently won the TDSSAA city championship.

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The Malvern Collegiate girls field lacrosse team recently won the TDSSAA city championship title. It was Malvern’s fourth girls lacrosse city championship in a row.

Malvern Collegiate girls win city rugby championship

THE MALVERN Collegiate girls rugby team recently celebrated winning the city championship.

The team won the Toronto District Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TDSSAA) Senior Girls City Championship with a 24-17 victory over Northern Secondary School on May 23.

To qualify for the city championships, the Malvern girls beat George S. Henry Academy 43-5 in the city semifinal match.

The TDSSAA title qualified the Malvern team to compete in the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) championship tournament held in Aurora earlier this month.

Going into the OFSAA championships, Malvern was ranked 15th among the 16 teams competing.

At OFSAA tournament, the Malvern girls dropped their first

on June 2 to Peterborough’s

Robbie International Soccer Tournament set for local fields this weekend

THE 58TH annual Robbie International Soccer Tournament is back in action with a number of matches set for local fields this weekend.

The Robbie is the world’s largest annual charity soccer tournament. It raises money for Cystic Fibrosis Canada and has donated more than $2 million in its over 55-year history. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condi-

tion that affects the lungs. There is no cure, but life expectancy has improved.

The Robbie got its name from Robbie Wimbs, the son of one of the tournament founders, John Wimbs. The organizers of the first Robbie were meeting at Wimbs’ house in Scarborough when they heard Robbie, who had cystic fibrosis, upstairs. They decided to

dedicate the event to soccer and an important cause.

The Robbie is divided into the final two weekends of June.

Last weekend saw the Festival, for ages eight to 12, played. The Festival is non-competitive, and teams in the U8, U9, and U10 divisions march in a parade at the fields.

This weekend is the Tournament for competitive teams aged 13 to 18.

The Robbie Tournament traditionally takes place on the weekend closest to Canada Day, which will be Saturday, June 28, to Monday, June 30 this year.

Games are set to be played at a number of fields in the city, including East Toronto’s Cherry Beach and Monarch Park.

As usual, Birchmount Stadium, known as the “Home of the Rob-

bie”, will host the finals on Championship Monday which is on June 30. Championship games in some divisions also take place at L’Amoreaux Park in north Scarborough. Between the Festival and the Tournament, hundreds of youth soccer teams are expected to take part in this year’s Robbie. For more information, please visit: https://therobbie.ca

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The Malvern girls rugby team celebrates winning the Toronto District Secondary School Athletic Association Senior championship. game

Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School, which was ranked second overall and went on to win the gold medal. Malvern lost their second OFSAA game on Tuesday, June 3, to Oakville’s Garth Webb Secondary School.

Beaches Lacrosse Club’s U11 A boys team wins Ontario title

THE BEACHES Lacrosse Club’s U11 A boys team recently won the Ontario Minor Field Lacrosse League (OMFLL) championship.

The championship tournament took place over the May long weekend in Brampton with a total of six teams competing from across the province in the U11 A division.

In the title game on Sunday, May 18, the Beaches team overpowered their opponents, the Whitby Warriors by a score of 22-3.

The Beaches boys went undefeated throughout the entire tournament.

In the opening round games on May 17, Beaches beat St. Catharines Athletics 12-7; the Peterborough Lakers 13-5; and the Oakville Hawks 11-6. The top four teams from the opening round qualified for the playoffs the next day.

In the semifinal, Beaches beat the Orangeville Northmen 17-10 to qualify for the championship game against Whitby.

For more information about the Beaches Lacrosse Club, please go to https://beacheslacrosse.com/

Toronto Beaches host Burlington in Junior A lacrosse action Thursday at Ted Reeve

THE TORONTO Beaches Junior A Lacrosse team enters the final two weeks of the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (OJLL) season with a home game Thursday night against the Burlington Blaze.

The June 26 game takes place at Ted Reeve

Arena, 175 Main St., starting at 8 p.m.

As of June 22, the Beaches had a record of eight wins and five losses and sit in third place in the OJLL standings. The Beaches faced the Peterborough Lakers on June 23 in Peterborough (after the deadline for

this edition of Beach Metro Community News). The remainder of the regular season schedule for the Beaches is: June 26 – Burlington Blaze at Ted Reeve Arena; June 28 – Mimico Mountaineers at Mimico Arena; July 2 – Burlington

Blaze at Central Arena; July 3 – Mimico Mountaineers at Ted Reeve Arena; July 5 –Whitby Warriors at Iroquois Park; July 7 –St. Catharines Athletics at Ted Reeve Arena. For more information, please visit beachesjralacrosse.ca

FREE FLAGS FREE TREE

We’re celebrating Canada Day again this year by distributing free Canadian flags & tree seedlings, including Red Maple, Paper Birch, White Spruce, and White Pine.

Pickup at our office at 1902 Danforth Avenue

June 26, 27 & 30: 9am to 4pm • June 28 & 29: 10am to 3pm

To get yours, complete the form at beynate.ca or send an email to info@beynate.ca

Reserve yours while supplies last.

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Members of the Beaches Lacrosse Club’s U11 A boys team celebrate their provincial championship victory. The Ontario Minor Field Lacrosse championship tournament was held recently in Brampton.

Arts & Entertainment

Singer Bodeen’s music stays connected to creativity, emotion

By Joshua McGinnis

LOCAL R&B singer Heather

Aberdeen, better known by her stage name Bodeen, has recently released a new single called Need Nobody.

The Beach-based artist’s latest track offers a raw and emotional reflection on heartbreak, betrayal, and personal growth through music.

In an interview with Beach Metro Community News, Aberdeen shared what the song represents and what she hopes listeners will take away from it.

“Need Nobody comes from a place of pain and neglect. This song resembles my anger from being treated poorly in a recent relationship (being cheated on) but also taps into the healing and escape from that. I hope that listeners can hear the pain within the lyrics and in my voice and that they can resonate with it. This song is for anyone who has experienced a toxic love,” said Aberdeen. Aberdeen, who grew up in the Beach area, has been creating music since childhood.

She recorded songs on her phone from her bedroom long before entering a professional studio. It wasn’t until she experienced a proper recording session that she realized the full potential of her sound.

“I fell in love with making

music the first day I stepped into a recording studio. Prior to that, I had only recorded things on my phone from my bedroom and never truly grasped how good I could sound when being recorded with the right gear, in the right room, with the right

people,” she said.

Aberdeen explained that songwriting and recording offer her a creative outlet and a personal escape.

She emphasized the importance of staying connected to the emotion behind each track and the sense of accomplishment in releasing music.

“Creating music brings joy to me. I feel fulfilled releasing music. There is so much love and labour that goes into making a song, then even more love and labour that goes into releasing that song and promoting it. It is very rewarding the day a song of mine comes out because all that hard work I put in resulted in my song being able to be listened to across the world!”

Need Nobody is a preview of Aberdeen’s debut EP, Housewife of a Narcissist, scheduled for release in fall 2025.

Fans can stream her music on Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube.

Fans can also visit her Instagram by searching “Queen Bodeen.”

Beacher Hayden Ryan’s upcoming EP showcases the highs and lows

By Joshua McGinnis

FOR FANS of local music, attention should be on Hayden Ryan and her upcoming untitled EP, scheduled for release in late July or August.

Ryan, an up-and-coming musician who has called the Beach home since she was young, recently sat down with Beach Metro Community News to reflect on what makes the neighbourhood special, her creative process, who she is as a musician and what led to the creation of her debut record.

“I’ve grown up in Toronto pretty much my whole life. I started writing music when I was seven or eight years old. It was my way of communicating. I was a shy and quiet kid growing up, so when I was little, music was a way of communicating for me, of telling people how I felt,” said Ryan.

She describes her sound as a mix of country, folk rock, and pop music, crediting artists such as Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus, Miranda Lambert, and Kacey Musgraves as influences on her voice and songwriting.

Growing up in the Beach,

of changes and growing up

Ryan said she finds the Boardwalk to be a place of inspiration and clarity.

“Me and my family growing up, we did a lot of family walks with the dog and stuff like that along the Boardwalk. That’s definitely a place for me where I feel I can kind of reset,” she said.

The upcoming EP showcases the highs and lows of growing up and the changes that accompany them.

“It’s a lot about growing up, becoming an adult, heartbreak, relationships, and finding yourself,” said Ryan.

“It’s something that a lot of people are going to be able to connect and relate to.”

According to Ryan, the project has been years in the

making, with an emphasis on authenticity.

“When I was working on this, I wanted people to feel like they were going through the same thing that I was,” she said.

Despite not having a formal musical background, Ryan’s passion drove her to learn guitar and songwriting.

“I knew nothing, like absolutely nothing, when I started doing music. Over time, meeting people and collaborating has helped me tremendously,” she said. Ryan also extended her thanks to those who have supported her along the way.

“I would love to shout out the Locker Boys because

they have been incredible friends with me. They have really shown support with my music and myself as an artist, helping me along the way with certain things,” she said.

“I would also love to shout out Bruce from Semi Media because he has just been with me, guiding me and helping me with music. He’s the one that is making this release happen.”

The EP is expected to be released this summer.

For more on Hayden Ryan and to hear some of her most recent releases, visit www.iam-hayden.com.

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Beacher Heather Aberdeen (better known by her singing name Bodeen) has recently released her new single Need Nobody.

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Hayden Ryan’s upcoming EP will be released later this summer.

Arts & Entertainment

The 37th annual Beaches International Jazz Festival begins July 4

By Cole Hession

THE 2025 Beaches International Jazz Festival is back next month for its 37th annual celebration of music in the East Toronto community.

This year’s festival opens on Friday, July 4, and continues until the final drumbeat on July 27.

Highlights for this year’s festival will include the always popular StreetFest along Queen Street East in the Beach on the nights of July 24, 25 and 26; a concert by guitarist Johannes Linstead on the night of July 22 at Beach United Church; and Salsa on the Beach on the weekend of July 11, 12 and 13.

Here’s a full rundown of what to see and hear at this year’s Beaches International Jazz Festival.

Sounds of Leslieville and Riverside

As in past years, the Sounds of Leslieville and Riverside will kick off this year’s festival on the weekend of July 4, 5 and 6.

The performances will be centred on the main stage at Jimmie Simpson Park on Queen Street East (between Carlaw and Broadview avenues).

The festival opens in the park at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, July 4, with a performance by The Jazz Mechanics. They will be followed by The Philcos at 7:15 p.m.; and then The Bomb (a tribute to the 1980s) at 9 p.m.

On Saturday, July 5, the festival fun begins at 11 a.m. with free swing dance lessons from Swing Toronto.

The music begins at 11:30 a.m. with Martin Loomer and The Orange Devils. They will be followed by the Swing Shift Big Band at 2 p.m.; Jackson Steinvall at 4:30 p.m.; Cmagic5 at 6 p.m.; U.N. Jefferson at 7:30 p.m.; and Tell It To Sweeney at 9:30 p.m.

On Sunday, July 6, performances start at 11 a.m. with the Angela Pincente Big Band. They will be followed at 1:15 p.m. by The Ross Woolridge Orchestra Presents: Benny Meets Artie. At 3:30 p.m., Moka will perform. Next up will be Zuffalo at 5 p.m.; and Jerry Leger to cap off the weekend’s performances at 6:30 p.m.

Along with the music, there will be food trucks and other vendors at Jimmie Simpson Park during the Sounds of Leslieville and Riverside.

Those attending are invited to take part in the fun at the park and also explore and experience the local businesses in the surrounding neighbourhood.

TD Salsa on the Beach

Salsa on the Beach, celebrating dancing, Latin American cultures and music, takes place on Friday, July 11, Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13, at Woodbine Park’s main stage.

Along with music and dancing, there will be vendors, food trucks, and a beer garden. Not only will there be salsa music, but also merengue and cumbia.

The fun on July 11 features at 6 p.m. with DJ El Alex at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; and the Yani9 Borrell & Orchestra playing salsa at 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

On Saturday, July 12, DJ Victor Explosivo will be on stage at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. Santiago Moa & Orchestra will play salsa at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

The fun continues with merengue music from Banda Dura at 4:45 p.m. and 6 p.m. DJ Joe will be on the stage at 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Salsa from SWA Divas & Orchestra wraps up the Saturday slate with a performance at 7:30 p.m.; followed by Ricky Franco & Orchestra at 9 p.m.

On Sunday, July 13, DJ Explosivo will be playing music at 2 p.m., 4 p.m.; and 6:15 p.m.

Santana Forever will perform at 3 p.m. There will then be Araguacu Latin Dance class at 4:30 p.m. Performances by 6 Del Barrio at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. will close out the Salsa on the Beach performances.

TD Workshop Series

The TD Workshop Series on July 8, 15 and 22 will feature Big Fam Jam nights in Toronto’s west end.

Taking place at the Drom Taberna, 458 Queen St. W., Big Fam Jam brings musicians and music lovers together to celebrate the power and joy of making music.

Hosted by Jackson Steinwall, this event gives people of all skill levels a chance to learn and experience making music. Big Fam Jam starts at 9:30 p.m. on July 8, 15 and 22.

Johannes Linstead Concert July 22

On Tuesday, July 22, the Beaches Jazz Festival will present Johannes Linstead in concert at Beach United Church.

The performance is a fundraiser for East York’s Michael Garron Hospital.

From having more than 500 million streams, to being named Canada’s Guitarist of the Year, to winning eight Best Album awards, to seven Top-10 U.S. Billboard charting albums, and winning the People’s Choice award in the United Kingdom, Linstead has

become recognized around the world as one of the best selling guitarists in the Instrumental, Latin Jazz and World Music genres.

Start time for his From Spain to Cuba show is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be ordered by going to www.beachesjazz.com/ johanneslinstead

Beach United Church is located at 140 Wineva Ave.

TD Weekend Series

The TD Weekend Series will take place on the main stage at Woodbine Park on July 18, 19 and 20.

On Friday, July 18, the series is bringing up a list of Ontario’s top DJ’s including Starting From Scratch (GET ON UP), Mista Jiggs (RENAISSANCE), and guest host Master T (MuchMusic-X, Tendamix/Da Mix)

These DJs will be playing music set to the style of the 90’s to give listeners a retro feel.

The Saturday, July 19, musical performance line-up will see Quincey Bullen at 3 p.m.; The Honeyrunners at 4:30 p.m., The Bomb (a tribute to the 1980s) at 6 p.m.; and Beatlemania (featuring the Liverpool 4) at 8 p.m.

On Sunday, July 19, the music begins at 1:30 p.m. with Countermeasure; followed by the Shuffle Demons at 3 p.m.; Golden Feather at 4:30 p.m., and The Human Rights (modern roots reggae) at 6:30 p.m.

The always popular Beaches Jazz Festival StreetFest will happen on the nights of Thursday, July 24, Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. nightly. Queen Street East will close down at 6 p.m. each night from Beech to Woodbine avenues for music fans to take the street and enjoy dozens of performers playing music. The StreetFest will finish each night at 11 p.m., and the street will then be re-opened for cars, buses and streetcars at midnight.

A total of 36 bands and musicians will play nightly during the StreetFest, between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. For the complete list of bands playing please visit www.beachesjazz.com/ streetfest

Food and treats from the city’s best restaurants will be part of StreetFest, along with local artisans and vibrant market stalls.

Transit routes will be altered by the TTC during the times of StreetFest. To avoid Queen Street East during Street Fest, the TTC’s Main Street 64 bus will take an alternate route during the street closure hours. The 64 bus will go south on Wineva Ave, past Queen Street East, along Alfresco Lawn and then up north on Lee Ave to Kingston Road.

OLG Weekend Series

The Beaches Jazz Festival wraps up for 2025 on the weekend of Friday, July 25, Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, with the OLG Weekend Series in Woodbine Park.

Friday and Saturday will feature Groovin’ in the Park from 6 to 10 p.m. each night.

This will be 10th anniversary for Groovin’ in the Park, which features a gathering of dancers, DJ’s and music lovers to party together to a variety of sounds.

The fun kicks off on July 25 with the Friday Dance Party featuring house, disco, funk and global rhythms.

On July 26, it will be Saturday Night Fever at Woodbine Park celebrating a decade of dance, community and culture.

The festival’s final performances for this year will take place on Sunday, July 27.

The performances will be from TANDM at 1 p.m.; Avery Raquel at 2:30 p.m.; CHLORINE at 4:30 p.m., and finally concluding the festival with a performance from SheBad at 6:30 p.m.

For full details on the 2025 Beaches International Jazz Festival, please visit www. beachesjazz.com

BEACH METRO COMMUNITY NEWS FILE PHOTO BY ERIN HORROCKS-POPE

The 37th annual Beaches International Jazz Festival will feature a full line-up of events next month including the always popular Queen Street East StreetFest which is slated for the nights of July 24, 25 and 26. The photo above shows the crowds along Queen Street East during the 2024 StreetFest.

Beaches Jazz Festival StreetFest

PHOTO: JOHANNES LINSTEAD WEBSITE

Johannes Linstead performs his From Spain to Cuba concert on July 22 at Beach United Church as part of a fundraiser for Michael Garron Hospital.

In Photos

The Beach BIA hosts its Queen Street East Sidewalk Sale

Slobberfest fun in the Beach

PHOTOS:

PHOTOS: CHRISTIAN HASSE

55’s Slobberfest, the celebration of all things dog and their owners, took place

Saturday, June 7, near the Leuty Pavilion in the Beach. Photo below, photographer Christian Hasse used his drone to capture this shot of the Pooch Parade to open Slobberfest. Photos at bottom of page, some proud owners and their dogs.

Beaches Arts and Crafts Show held at Kew Gardens

The Beaches Arts and Crafts Show, presented by Signatures, took place at Kew Gardens on the weekend of June 14 and 15. The sunny weather drew big crowds to the park and the show which featured works by approximately 140 vendors offering items from paintings to photography to clothes to food and more. Photo above right, Jannis Ruck with her OliOeco line of sustainable clothing.

Artisans taking part in the Beaches Arts and Crafts Show on the weekend of June 14 and 15 in Kew Gardens included (clockwise from upper left) Link and Jolie from Roses Without Thorns; Priti and Vraj from Rachayti Arts; Crystal and Chad from Crystal Clark Animal Art; and Rahul Jain from Saha.

Photos by Alan Shackleton

Arts & Entertainment

Scarborough Players’ production of Pygmalion to open on June 27

SCARBOROUGH PLAY-

ERS’ production of Pygmalion opens June 27, at the Scarborough Village Theatre.

In George Bernard Shaw’s timeless play, it’s “challenge accepted” by Henry Higgins as he faces the ultimate test of his linguistic prowess by agreeing to transform unrefined flower girl Eliza Doolittle into a polished lady.

The play explores class in Edwardian society, moral responsibility and the possibility for growth and change.

Scarborough Players invites audiences to join them for this unforgettable clash of class and wit.

Pygmalion is the play that inspired the much-loved musical My Fair Lady

And it all starts with a bet. Brilliant phonetics professor Mr. Higgins makes a wager with Colonel Pickering that he can turn a lowly flower girl, Doolittle, into a lady who could pass as a duchess.

Thus begins a series of speech and etiquette lessons that sculpt Eliza into Higgins’ vision of a proper lady.

Unlike her mythic counterpart, Galatea, (Pygmalion within Ovid’s Metamorphoses), Eliza is street-smart, scrappy and dares to dream of a better life for herself. She is all for the challenge and stands up for herself in a world determined to maintain its rigid class systems.

While Pygmalion remains the ultimate makeover story, it also offers theatre goers a chance to laugh at the dazzling wit of characters of all walks of life, and prompts audiences to think about class, identity, moral responsibility and what transformation really

Misha Harding as Eliza Doolittle, Holm Bradwell as Henry Higgins, and

Antoniou as Colonel Pickering will be taking the stage this week

Player’s production of Pygmalion. means.

Enjoying all the fun is a most talented cast: Misha Harding as Eliza Doolittle; Holm Bradwell as Henry Higgins; Bil Antoniou as Col. Pickering; John Pirker as Alfred P. Doolittle; Alma Sinan as Mrs. Pearce; Catherine Lenihan as Mrs. Higgins; Carolyn Kelso-Bell as Mrs. Eynsford Hill; Rod Cook as Freddy Eynsford Hill; and Jasmina Brar as Clara Eynsford Hill.

Kevin McDonnell, Vivian Lockton, Ariel Miskin, Kieran Ramos, Piranavan Vive-

kanantharajah and August Peters round out the marvelous ensemble cast.

For this production, a talented Scarborough Players’ team has gathered to recreate the streets and homes of Edwardian London.

Returning are props designer, Eileen Dalton; sound designer, Guy Kersey; lighting designer, Jennifer Bakker; the costume squad of Taylor Markwell, Mary Nowlan and Andra Bradish; and painters led by set designer, Greg Nowlan.

All this is held together

by director, Larry Westlake; producers, Bodene Corbin and Katherine Turner; and stage managers June Watkins and Teresa Bakker.

Pygmalion will be on stage from June 27 to July 12. Scarborough Village Theatre is located at 3600 Kingston Rd.

The production is recommended for audience members age 12 and up.

To order tickets, or for more information on show times, please visit www. theatrescarborough.com/ scarboroughplayers or call 416-267-9292.

Clowns Reading Shakespeare set for Kew Gardens

PANOPLY THEATRE Collective’s outdoor performances of Clowns Reading Shakespeare will begin at Kew Gardens in the Beach this week.

As the name suggests, the performance features clowns who will read lines from Shakespeare plays in a lighthearted and comical way.

The performers will be exploring the themes of these plays and presenting them in a way that invites laughter from audiences.

The free performances will take place on Wednesday, June 25, Thursday, June 26, and Friday, June 27, at 7 p.m.

The clowns will recite scenes (to the best of their ability) from Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet

On Saturday, June 28, there will be performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The final performance will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 29.

Kew Gardens is located at 2075 Queen St. E.

For more information, go to www. panoplycollective.com/clowns-readingshakespeare

PHOTO: BRIAN WHITMORE

Bil

in the Scarborough

20, 2025

Notice of Submission of Terms of Reference

June 20, 2025

Notice of

Submission of Terms of Reference

Scarborough Bluffs West Project

Notice of Submission of Terms of Reference

Notice of Submission of Terms of Reference Scarborough Bluffs West Project

Scarborough Bluffs West Project

Notice of Submission of Terms of Reference

The City of Toronto and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) are undertaking the Scarborough Bluffs West Project, which will explore the enhancement and protection of sensitive shoreline and natural areas, in addition to opportunities for improved waterfront experiences and access to and along the shoreline between the Eastern Beaches (Silver Birch Avenue) and Bluffer’s Park along Lake Ontario.

Scarborough Bluffs West Project

As the first phase in the Scarborough Bluffs West Project, a Terms of Reference is being submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for review as required under the Environmental Assessment Act

Beaches-East York councillor calls for downtown traffic improvements on King Street

By Matthew Stephens

If approved, the Terms of Reference will serve as a framework to begin future phases of the Environmental Assessment study, including review and evaluation of opportunities to:

Bradford believes the street is now “significantly underutilized” due to streetcars no longer operating along the King Street line.

If approved, the Terms of Reference will serve as a framework to begin future phases of the Environmental Assessment study, including review and evaluation of opportunities to:

 Improve how people access, move through, and experience the waterfront

If approved, the Terms of Reference will serve as a framework to begin future phases of the Environmental Assessment study, including review and evaluation of opportunities to:

 Improve how people access, move through, and experience the waterfront Preserve and enhance the natural environment, including the cultural significance of the Bluffs

 Improve how people access, move through, and experience the waterfront

 Preserve and enhance the natural environment, including the cultural significance of the Bluffs

BEACHES-EAST YORK Councillor Brad Bradford took to Toronto’s downtown core last week to announce his proposal for a potential solution to increased downtown gridlock caused by the King Street East and Church Street intersection closure.

 Minimize natural hazards and risks to public safety caused by erosion

 Preserve and enhance the natural environment, including the cultural significance of the Bluffs

 Improve how people access, move through, and experience the waterfront

 Minimize natural hazards and risks to public safety caused by erosion

 Preserve and enhance the natural environment, including the cultural significance of the Bluffs

The Project may recommend some combination of the following, within some or all segments of the Project Study Area at the top and/or toe of the bluffs:

 Preserve and enhance the natural environment, including the cultural significance of the Bluffs

The Project may recommend some combination of the following, within some or all segments of the Project Study Area at the top and/or toe of the bluffs:

 Minimize natural hazards and risks to public safety caused by erosion

The Project may recommend some combination of the following, within some or all segments of the Project Study Area at the top and/or toe of the bluffs:

 Shore protection works

The Project may recommend some combination of the following, within some or all segments of the Project Study Area at the top and/or toe of the bluffs:

 Shore protection works

 Aquatic and terrestrial habitat enhancements

 Shore protection works

New and/or enhanced access points

 Aquatic and terrestrial habitat enhancements

 Shore protection works

 New and/or enhanced access points

Multi-use trail

 New and/or enhanced access points

 Aquatic and terrestrial habitat enhancements

 Multi-use trail

“I am hearing from Torontonians every single day who are at their wits end trying to get around this city. And they feel like Mayor Chow and council are actively trying to make it harder,” said Bradford in a public announcement at 10 King St. E. on Thursday, June 19.

“I will say it again; there are no streetcars using this transit priority corridor right now. It is a transit priority corridor in name only. This is a simple step that would relieve pressure on adjacent east/west routes, and help ease some of the traffic congestion across the entire downtown core,” said Bradford.

In the downtown core, King Street is a designated as a Transit Priority Corridor that prioritizes streetcars between Bathurst and Jarvis Streets.

Public spaces

 New and/or enhanced access points

 Public spaces

 Multi-use trail

 Public spaces

 Erosion and slope stability measures

Erosion and slope stability measures

 Public spaces

 Erosion and slope stability measures

 Public spaces

Streetcars operating along the street receive preferential treatment at intersections and through traffic is restricted to improve their speed and reliability.

 Lakefill to facilitate any of the above Study Area

Lakefill to facilitate any of the above Study Area

 Erosion and slope stability measures

 Lakefill to facilitate any of the above Study Area

 Lakefill to facilitate any of the above

 Lakefill to facilitate any of the above Study Area

Study Area

“I’m standing here on King Street East, not far from King and Church, an intersection that has been completely closed for nearly three weeks, and will remain closed until at least mid-august.”

According to Bradford’s statement, construction at the intersection of King Street East and Church has been causing ongoing obstruction for traffic and business in the downtown core since the project began late May.

The purpose of the King Street & Church Street Intersection Construction is a collaboration project between the City of Toronto and the Toronto Transit Commission to renew aging streetcar tracks at the King Street East and Church Street, and replace the 142-year-old watermains at the intersection. The project is expected to be completed by mid-August 2025.

According to Bradford, the construction is obstructing traffic flow through four busy streetcar lines, which have seen its passengers diverted onto Richmond and Adelaide Street – streets which he believes are already subject to congestion as a result of Metrolinx’s Ontario Line construction, lane closures, and daily commuters.

“Let’s think about Richmond and Adelaide and what they used to be like. Richmond and Adelaide used to be the best east/west pipelines throughout the city’s core. Now, they are the only option. And with the addition of bike lanes, loading zones, streetcar tracks, and the concrete jersey barriers blocking off left-hand turn lanes, these roads that used to be four lanes are down to just one. It’s no wonder we’re seeing a spike in congestion,” said Bradford during the announcement.

Bradford’s motion at the next city council meeting in July would shift traffic regulations along King Street to temporarily allow vehicles to travel between Spadina Avenue and Church Street for the duration of construction.

He said the construction is obstructing traffic flow through four busy streetcar lines, which have seen its passengers diverted onto Richmond Street and Adelaide – streets which he believes are already subject to congestion due to Metrolinx’s Ontario Line construction, lane closures, and daily commuters.

Bradford expressed hope that Mayor Olivia Chow will support his motion to temporarily open King Street to vehicular traffic.

“It is never too late for the mayor to step up and do the right thing – that is why I am hopeful she will support my motion at council, These types of construction projects and closures are not going away in this city, but the chaos and the congestion could be avoided and mitigated if we did a little bit of strategic thinking on the front end of these projects.”

Number of highrise proposals made for sites near Port Lands

By Matthew Stephens

SEVERAL APPLICATIONS for residential developments are currently being processed within the Port Lands area at 115 Saulter St. S. and 120 Bouchette St.

An updated application has been filed with the city at 115 Saulter St. S. for two connected buildings of five and six storeys – each containing a tower element of 53 and 47 storeys respectively. The development will have a total residential gross floor area of 69,335 m2, including a non-residential gross floor area of 6,123 m2.

Back in May 2024, the developer issued an application for towers with heights of 40 and 45 storeys respectively. By May of the following year, the developer is seeking to update the application, and has now filed an application for the newly proposed 53-47 storey towers.

In addition to the Saulter Street development proposals, landowners 1956565 Ontario Inc. are seeking to appeal their development application at 120 Bouchette St. with the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) due to a “Failure of the City of Toronto to make a decision on the applications within the statutory time period.”

The 2.21-acre site is located at the southwest corner of Lake Shore Boulevard East and Bouchette Street within the McCleary District of the Port Lands.

In May 2024, the developer submitted applications for permission to redevelop the site with proposed towers with heights of 43 storeys (142.72 metres), 46 storeys (154.35 metres), and 49 storeys (163.2 metres). The three towers are projected to be situated atop a shared podium that will wrap around the site to create a central courtyard. The proposed development will house 1,626 residential units and cover a total of 115,158.8 square metres of residential space. The development will also include 1,989.0 square metres of retail space, 2,839.7 square metres of live/workspace, as well as underground parking with 1,808 bicycle parking spaces, and 225 vehicle parking spaces.

The site is subject to the McCleary District Precinct Plan implemented by CreateTO to provide a detailed direction for the development of the Port Lands Planning Framework and Central Waterfront Secondary Plan. For more information about the Port Lands plans, please visit https://createto.ca/projects/port-lands

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Annual Festival of South Asia set for weekend of July 19

NORTH AMERICA’S largest free, two-day South Asian festival returns to East Toronto for its 23rd year.

The event will take place July 19 and 20, stretching along Gerrard Street East from Coxwell Avenue to Glenside Avenue in Toronto’s Little India neighbourhood. Festival hours run from noon to 11 p.m. each day.

Zahabia Morbiwala, coordinator of the 2025 TD Festival of South Asia, said she’s excited about the weekend-long event. “This year’s TD Festival of South Asia introduces several

exciting new elements designed to elevate the visitor experience. Attendees can enjoy interactive workshops, roaming performers, and even try their hand at playing cricket, a beloved sport across South Asia. A diverse range of food vendors and artisan stalls will offer unique flavours and handcrafted goods.”

The festival will feature more than 200 performers, with live entertainment running on the main stage throughout the weekend. Attendees can expect a wide range of

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performances, including Bollywood and Desi fusion, Indian classical dance, and regional folk traditions such as Bhangra and Punjabi music.

Dozens of South Asian restaurants and pop-up vendors will be on-site offering traditional dishes from across the South Asian diaspora. A street bazaar will also feature a variety of vendors selling art, clothing, jewelry and other handcrafted items.

Morbiwala emphasized the importance of

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“The festival is a powerful expression of cultural pride and preservation, offering South Asian Canadians a chance to celebrate and share their heritage through music, food, fashion, dance, language, and traditions. It helps younger generations stay connected to their roots, fostering a deep sense of identity and continuity,” said Morbiwala.

For more information, please go to www. festivalofsouthasia.ca -- Joshua McGinnis

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