Petition protests renovation work at Art Deco building
By Matthew Stephens
RESIDENTS AND local historians are disappointed after discovering renovations to a commercial building they say should have been listed in the city’s historical register years ago.
“I am heartsick that another one of our heritage buildings has been mutilated,” said Barbara Myrvold in an email to Beach Metro, describing renovation work being carried out on the exterior of 968–976 Kingston Rd. and 281–285 Scarborough Rd.
The commercial building, which was built in 1931, occupies a portion of the block on the north side of Kingston Road between Scarborough and Kingswood roads.
The building currently houses Savoury Grounds, a Subway restaurant, Courage Foods, and Hand And Stone massage.
On Tuesday, April 21, residents noticed that the building’s Flemish Bond brickwork (every second brick turned sideways) and decorative concrete frieze banding was being removed, sparking outrage from members of The Beach And East Toronto Historical Society (TBETHS) in particular, who nominated the property for inclusion in the Toronto Heritage Register back in 2019.
“The building is not listed on the Toronto Heritage Register, although the Society nominated it to the Register in 2019,” explained Myrvold.
In an email to Beach Metro, the city’s media relations team confirmed that neither the Kingston or Scarborough roads properties are listed on the city’s heritage register.
“Tenants received no notice of this work. The workers are very deliberately defacing the property, in order to prepare it for redevelopment. And they have no work permit,” said a resident who
wished to remain anonymous.
However, the City of Toronto’s website said no building permit is required before “re-cladding a house or small building (three storeys or less) with non-combustible material other than brick or stone veneer.”
According to the City of Toronto Property System database, the property owner for the address of 968 Kingston Rd. (the only valid address on file) is Back to School Investments Ltd., a company with no active website or commercial listings and no clear business operations that a search by Beach Metro Community News could find.
Despite not being listed on the heritage register or requiring any building permit, members of TBETHS argue that the building’s exterior played an integral role in its historical significance and architectural value.
“Most of its distinctive architectural features have been removed or covered in less than a week,” said Myrvold.
“The building is a rare, albeit modest example of Art Deco style in the neighbourhood, and being a one-storey building makes it all the more unusual. Art Deco was popular in Toronto from about 1925 to 1940.”
In its earlier days, she said the building served as a commercial hub in the area, housing four storefronts on the Kingston Road frontage, and four smaller storefronts on Scarborough Road.
“The corner store was first occupied by a branch of Laura Secord Candy Shops, and it remained a neighbourhood fixture until the 1970s,” said Myrvold.
“Other stores and services that also have been important to local residents over the years include a series of discount department stores at 972-974 Kingston Rd., initially a Selrite Store, the first
Continued on Page 5
Community Police Day fun
Visitors check out a Toronto police ATV
on Saturday at Jimmie Simpson Park.
Police Liaison Committee.
By Matthew Stephens
AHSANUL HAFIZ has secured the Liberal nomination to run in the upcoming provincial byelection in the Scarborough Southwest riding.
“I’m honoured to have the support of Scarborough Southwest Liberals and I’m ready to get to work,” said Hafiz in a post on the Ontario Liberals’ website. “This community deserves a strong voice at Queen’s Park that understands the challenges people are facing and is focused on delivering real results for local families.”
After a full day of ranked ballot voting to select the riding’s Liberal candidate in the upcoming provincial byelection, Hafiz emerged victorious with 718 votes, followed by Beaches-East York Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith with 699 votes by the third ballot
of the ranked count.
Other candidates seeking nomination were Qadira Jackson and Mahmuda Nasrin.
The voting opened at 11 a.m. and concluded just after 4 p.m. as those in line at that time were allowed to vote.
During his opening speech, Hafiz said it was important for voters to elect a leader who understands the hardships of Scarborough Southwest residents, noting that certain opportunities “do not exist” to the same extent for immigrants.
“Like many of you, I came here as an immigrant,” explained Hafiz. “Ontario is not moving forward. I want to help build the same opportunities that were available to me.”
As a business owner, Hafiz said the cost-of-living crisis and supporting small businesses are his
Hafiz wins Scarborough Southwest provincial Liberal nomination
top priorities to address the needs of Scarborough Southwest residents.
While Hafiz and Nasrin focused on the newcomer experience in Canada, Jackson stressed the importance of choosing the right candidate for the entire province.
“I’m not going to sit here and
Continued on Page 5
PHOTO: ALIZÉE LEGRAIN
during the 55 Division Community Police Day celebration
The annual event is hosted by the 55 Division Community
PHOTO: MATTHEW STEPHENS Ahsanul Hafiz makes his opening speech at Saturday’s nomination meeting at Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute.
Environmental concerns raised regarding proposed Woodbine Avenue development
By Matthew Stephens
SOIL CONTAMINATION concerns have halted Toronto Council’s decision on a development proposal near the southeastern corner of Woodbine Avenue and Kingston Road.
At the April 22 meeting, BeachesEast York Councillor Brad Bradford urged council to defer an 11-storey development proposal at 419-425 Woodbine Ave. due to concerns related to possible soil contamination at the site.
“I am asking city council to defer consideration until the June council meeting to allow community planning to consider some of the environmental concerns that have been raised with respect to soil contamination,” said Bradford at the April 22 city council meeting.
Bradford’s motion to defer the item until the upcoming June 24 meeting of Toronto Council was passed unanimously.
In an email to Beach Metro Community News, Bradford said he’s been working with local residents to address the environmental concerns on site.
“Over recent weeks, I have been working closely with residents and community leaders who raised concerns about the environmental issues on this development site,” said Bradford.
“That is why I have directed staff to re-examine these issues more carefully, and determine whether the known contamination and pollution on the
site can be adequately managed or whether this proposed development would put the health of community members at risk.”
Bradford added that he and the community were “not satisfied” with the current application and its potential health risks – a sentiment also shared by his fellow councillors.
In a document sent to Beach Metro Community News, residents identified a large portion of contaminated soil after reviewing the developer’s environmental assessment, which they say was “based on a much smaller project.”
“Based on the developer’s own environmental assessment, the soil under the proposed 10-storey (sic) condo building is contaminated and could potentially cause you and your family serious long-term health problems,” reads the document sent by a local resident.
In the current environmental assessment dated from 2022, developer DS Consultants Ltd., had called for a twoto-three-storey building with one level of underground parking.
However, due to the increased scope of the project, residents say the developer will be digging out more land than the environmental assessment called for.
“The new taller project requires digging a much deeper hole. That’s why it makes sense to conduct a new assessment to make sure everyone is protected,” reads the document.
The document also states the envi-
ronmental assessment reveals “heavy” soil contamination from “historical gas stations, dry cleaners, and contaminated fill.”
Residents say soil and groundwater contaminants include n-Hesane, fluoranthene, benzo (s) pyrene, and gasoline hydrocarbons, all of which are toxic, particularly in higher concentrations.
Beach Metro Community News has attempted to reach out to the applicant for comment about the environmental assessment but has not yet received a response.
Residents are now requesting a new environmental assessment be conducted “for the enlarged and revised scope of the project.”
According to Sean Guenther, community planner for the Toronto and East York District, the city has acknowledged the discrepancy between the environmental assessment in relation to the current application for the site.
“The review of the ESA is in the jurisdiction of the province to review and ensure compliance. We understand the Ministry has been advised of the differing information in the ESA report vs. the application and they are looking into this matter,” said Guenther in an email to Beach Metro Community News
Bradford said he will continue to work with the community and the developer to “strive for the best outcome possible.”
Seven candidates signed up so far in Beaches-East York councillor race
JUST OVER a week after registrations opened for candidates planning to run for positions in the 2026 Toronto municipal election, the race for councillor in BeachesEast York is drawing a lot of attention.
As of the morning of Monday, May 11, seven candidates had registered to run for the council seat in Beaches-East York.
Those candidates are James Dann, Natalie Johnson, Tycen Legg, Kevin Morrison, Adam Smith, Austin Vieira, and Jeff Wahl.
The race to be the Ward 19 Beaches-East York representative on Toronto Council is expected to have a large number of candidates since the seat will not be sought by the incumbent as current councillor Brad Bradford has registered to run for mayor in this year’s municipal election.
Registrations to run for elected positions in Toronto, including mayor, city councillor and school board trustee, opened on the morning of Friday, May 1.
Beach Metro Community News also covers Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth and Ward 20 Scarborough Southwest.
As of May 11 morning, Scarborough Southwest has just two names registered at
the moment: Rachel-Ariel Karokis, and Philip Mills. Parthi Kandavel serves the ward as the current councillor.
As of May 11 morning, there were no candidates registered to run for city councillor in Toronto-Danforth, where Councillor Paula Fletcher currently serves.
Candidates have until Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. to register their papers to run for the positions of mayor, city councillor, or school trustee. This year’s municipal elections will take place on Monday, Oct. 26.
Please note that residents who wish to complete the candidate nomination process must do so in person at the Toronto Elections City Hall office at 100 Queen St. W. between Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Filings will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the last day of the nominations period (Aug. 21).
Beach Metro Community News will periodically update information on candidates registering to run in the wards of BeachesEast York, Scarborough Southwest and Toronto-Danforth. We will also let readers know about campaign launches as we receive information about them.
Victoria Day fireworks set for Ashbridges Bay
THE ANNUAL Victoria Day fireworks display at Ashbridges Bay this coming long weekend is set for the night of Monday, May 18.
Presented by the City of Toronto, the display will begin at 10 p.m. sharp and is expected to last approximately 14 minutes.
Those planning on attending are urged to use public transportation or walk to the area.
Ashbridges Bay Park is located at 1561 Lake Shore Blvd. E. at the foot of Endaabiimok Avenue (formerly Lower Coxwell) at Lake Ontario.
The fireworks display is visible all along the Boardwalk and the Eastern Beaches, and draws huge crowds to the area to celebrate Victoria Day.
Complete your final arrangements now and save with today’s guaranteed low price. Planning is easy with your choice of budget and monthly terms.
Contact Ryan today for a FREE Planning Kit. Call 416-554-1339 or email rhorvath@arbormemorial.com.
Paul Babich honoured for 50 years of dedication to Balmy Beach Old Boys
THE BALMY Beach Old Boys hockey league recently honoured club legend Paul Babich with an award honouring his decades of service to the sport and the club. He was the inaugural recipient of The Zzivio Award, and was presented with a plaque in recognition “of over 50 years of unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership, and boundless spirit for The Balmy Beach Old Boys.”
Along with being the first person to receive the award, which was part of the Old Boys 50th anniversary celebrations last month, it also is named after him. Babich’s nickname for decades has been Zzivio.
“In Slovenia, where my mother is from, ‘zivijo’ is like a toast or a salutation meaning good life to you, and I would use it often,” said Babich.
A member of the Balmy Beach Club since 1958, Babich is originally from Malartic, in northwestern Quebec
close to Rouyn-Noranda.
Born in 1939, Babich first started playing hockey in the regular men’s league at the club in the 1950s, and then as he got older went on to help form the Old Boys league for so-called “oldtimers hockey” in 1976. Players in the Old Boys league are age 35 and older. Babich said he “retired” from hockey in 1991 after having both hips replaced. And Babich has been involved with the Old Boys ever since, including serving as coach for one of the
league’s teams in a game the very same night he was presented with the award.
Balmy Beach started sending teams of players of age 35 and over to tournaments, and that became a major part of the work Babich did with the league. Since its formation, the Old Boys have travelled to numerous countries including Switzerland, Poland, Germany, Austria, France, Slovenia, Italy, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Croatia, as well as cities in Canada and the United States, for tournaments.
“We’ve been on 20 tours, and I’ve been on 19 of them,” said Babich of the Old Boys and their travels. “It’s important. It gets people together, it gets people the opportunity to play hockey and travel to tournaments.”
He said the hockey on the ice was at a good level and taken seriously during the tournaments, but there was also fun to be had. However, Babich said he had no stories to tell of famous Beach residents and Old Boys having too much fun on tour.
Paul Babich, centre, was presented with the inaugural Zzivio Award by The Balmy Beach Old Boys during the hockey league’s 50th anniversary celebration on April 18 at the Balmy Beach Club. Also taking part in the presentation to Babich were (from left) Dave Norris, Mike McCauley, Jake Lipsett and James Roseborough.
Residents and a representative of the local historical society are angry after brickwork was plastered over and in some places removed from the facade of a building at the northeast corner of Kingston and Scarborough roads.
Building called an ‘integral part’ of Kingston Road commercial area
importance” to the neighbourhood.
of the chain in Toronto, and later a Bargain Harold’s, the first store in what became a chain of more than 50 stores.”
Myrvold said she believes the building’s exterior should have been preserved due to its “historical, contextual, and architectural
“The building is an integral part of the commercial strip along Kingston Road that has served the community for many years,” said Myrvold.
The Beach and East Toronto Historical Society has set up an online petition for citizens
who care about historical preservation in the community to sign regarding the work that has taken place at the Scarborough and Kingston roads building.
The petition can be viewed online by going to https://www.change.org/p/ the-beach-and-east-torontohistorical-society
Erskine-Smith loses close race
talk to you about policy issues because this is a nomination,” said Jackson during her opening speech. “It’s about picking someone you believe in, that you trust and who you think will advocate for you, and that’s what I’m hoping I can instill in you today.”
The nomination race comes following a slew of political moves ignited by the riding’s former MP Bill Blair, who announced that he would be stepping down from the position to become Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Following Blair’s announcement, Doly Begum, who was recently elected as Liberal MP for the riding, announced that she would be transitioning from the provincial NDP to run in the federal byelec-
tion on April 13.
With her seat left open at Queen’s Park, Erskine-Smith promptly announced he would be seeking the Liberal nomination to run in the upcoming provincial byelection for the Scarborough Southwest riding.
His move to Scarborough Southwest faced backlash from other Liberals seeking the candidacy, who argued that he has little connection to the area.
As the current MP for the neighbouring riding, Erskine-Smith said during his opening speech on Saturday that, of all the nominees, his campaign is the only one with “the ability and experience and trackrecord of winning elections.”
“We have won four elections as a team, we came close to winning the Ontario Liberal leadership in 2023,” said Erskine-Smith
during his speech.
First elected as Liberal MP in 2015, Erskine-Smith has served four terms in Beaches-East York. His political career has also seen him serve as the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities from December 2024 to May 2025.
Immediately following the results of Saturday’s nomination race, Erskine Smith told reporters in a scrum in the parking lot that he needs to “debrief” with his team before speaking out about the outcome, suggesting that the results may have been inaccurate.
“At one table, it was 50 per cent of the people that had ID issues, saying they lost driver’s licenses and that they lived in the area, so I don’t know,” said Erskine-Smith. “It’s unfair for me to specifically speculate.”
PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON
‘Petition’ from Page 1
‘Hafiz’ from Page 1
Historic Walk through East Toronto set for May 23
in Ontario. The Grand Trunk Railway later became part of Canadian National Railway (CN) and employed approximately 500 workers.
Iwill be leading an Historic Walk on Saturday, May 23, in the former Town of East Toronto.
For those wishing to take part, we will meet at the northwest corner of Main Street and Danforth Avenue at 1 p.m.
East Toronto was a town of 5,000 people with its own police station, fire hall, hospital, library, city hall, hydro services, and school.
It was located east of the City of Toronto, with these political boundaries: Woodbine Avenue to the west, Scarborough Road to the east, Danforth Avenue to the north, and Lake Ontario to the south.
The town owed its existence to the Grand Trunk Railway. The East Toronto area was once home to the largest railway centre
East Toronto was a town from 1888 to 1909. Main Street was, both then and now, the town’s most important street.
We will see why on my walk as we visit historic sites on and near Main Street.
We will also learn about the people and businesses that made East Toronto such a bustling community 140 years ago.
There is a great amount of history still in East Toronto.
Did you know that Dawes Road used to go down to Kingston Road? Later, part of the former Dawes Road became Main Street.
East Toronto was also home to one of the area’s earliest baseball fields, where teams played many games just off Main Street.
The area had one of Toronto’s first funeral parlours, and one of the oldest curling rinks as well.
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Letters to the Editor
The Town of East Toronto had its own transportation system, and one of the first motion picture houses. That movie house was the Ideal Theatre, and it was on Main Street.
At one time there was talk that a graveyard would be established in the Main Street and Gerrard Street East area, but that did not happen.
There were also many religious institutions in the Town of East Toronto and that can still be seen today.
Many of the residents who attended these religious institutions were most charitable in helping the less fortunate and that remains the case today in the area.
East End residents help others out who may be in need or less fortunate.
Agriculture was a big part of the Town of East Toronto. There were chicken farmers, dairy farmers and fruit and vegetable farmers.
The community had one of
the first farmers’ markets which was located in the Main Street and Gerrard Street East area.
The farmers from adjacent areas would gather together and sell their produce.
East Toronto has a variety of both big and little homes, and even some “mansions” which made the area an attractive place to live and work both then and now. I could go on more, but please join the walk.
I also want to raise a personal point, which will be included on the walk, and that is how long I have been writing Beach Memories for Beach Metro Community News
It has been more than 40 years, which is about the time I’ve been doing my walks.
The walks could not happen without the support of this newspaper.
There have been many community papers in the East End, and especially the Beach, over the past 140 or so years. And each
brought its own version of the news and happenings in the area.
However, in my humble and personal opinion, there is one community newspaper that is pages ahead of all the other local newspapers. And that paper is Beach Metro Community News, which has been serving the people of the East End since 1972. No matter what you want to express, sell, make a comment on, or take an ad about (anything that is clean and just), this is the paper for you. This newspaper stands up for free speech.
In my opinion, the people at Beach Metro are “it”. Which is why my walk on May 23 will be making a stop at the paper’s offices on Gerrard Street East, just west of Main Street. We’ll make a visit to the office, learn a bit of the paper’s history, and I will also encourage anyone who wants to make a donation towards our non-profit community newspaper to do so.
Historically yours!
Reader thankful for Mark Carney’s leadership
Re: ‘A tribute to Lester B. Pearson’, Beach Memories, Beach Metro Community News, April 28.
I enjoyed reading the tribute to Lester B. Pearson in your paper. He was a man of huge accomplishments!
I disagreed, however, with the statement that Mark Carney and his government are not “doing much against President Trump and his cronies.”
The world we are in today is very different from that of the 1950s.
International relations are still extremely complicated, but power is more in the hands of those who control energy and mineral resources. Many more countries have access
to highly sophisticated, deadly weapons. The ability to negotiate and find common ground is essential for world peace.
There is no negotiating with a man who has what we see playing out in the U.S. President today. German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, who helped her country accept responsibility and make reparations for the evils of Second World War told her biographer that, as leader of the European Union during Trump’s first term, she could work with any of the other leaders, but she gave up trying to negotiate with him.
The United States has had corrupt politicians before, but never ones as willing to ignore their Constitution and its laws. President
Trump seems to be unstable and dealing with him requires a different approach. Carney recognized very quickly that threatening him was not the way to deal with the problems he was presenting to Canada.
Instead, from the moment he took power, Prime Minister Carney busied himself travelling worldwide to create new relationships for Canada with other countries. Unlike Trump, Carney’s itinerary is packed with the work he is doing. Canada is now respected worldwide as a country with a brilliant leader. A country that can be trusted to keep its promises.
I am thankful for his leadership every day.
Nancy Steele
Boater concerned about airport expansion
I recently attended a meeting on “NO JETS ON THE WATERFRONT hosted in part by Toronto-Danforth MPP Peter Tabuns. Part of the information relayed was that the jet stream was so powerful a sail boat, canoe, kayak or paddle boat, could be capsized. So we might as well agree that any vessel in or around Toronto Harbour would be at risk of being capsized. Are any local yacht clubs aware of this?
Beatrix Hoyer
GENE DOMAGALA Beach Memories
In My Opinion
Journalism and Artificial Intelligence
Reporter’s Notebook
For years we’ve been hearing about the benefits – and detriments – of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its use in our daily lives. Be it questioning an AI-generated video on social media, or seeking assistance from an automated chatbot – it’s safe to say we’ve entered a new era of technological skepticism.
Not unlike the introduction of the internet, AI has also permeated into the workforce. Many booming industries are now investigating what AI could bring to the table – and what it could take away from it in the process.
With the ability to simulate vast intelligence and creativity at the speed of a supercomputer, we’re facing the reality that AI could soon replace many jobs that once required the efforts of a feeble mortal.
As a result, many industries – including my own – have seen the scales tip in favour of AI’s increasing power and unrelenting capability.
To illustrate this point as it relates to journalism, let me turn your attention to search engines. Now, those on the less “tech-savvy” side might be thinking, “how do search engines relate to AI?” Well, if you’ve looked up anything online within the last two years, there’s a good chance you’ve unknowingly experienced generative AI pulling the strings behind your search.
Generative AI is a form of artificial intelligence designed to create content, including text, images, code, music, and video. It creates content based on learning patterns from a
vast, existing database of information. In recent years, some of the world’s largest search engine sites (Google, Microsoft Bing …) have been introducing generative AI responses to keep up with the newer, flashier AI-native search engines such as Perplexity AI and ChatGPT.
While I’m not opposed to technological advancements, these fancy new tools seem to have been designed to keep eyes and clicks on search engines for as long as possible, without properly crediting the work they use to power them.
With AI responses, information is gathered from multiple web sources and synthesized into one clear, concise summarization –and it all happens right on the search engine’s website, using information stripped right off the back of human labour.
A newfound alliance between AI and search engines might be beneficial for the corporate powerhouses running them, but for news outlets the outcome is less advantageous. As a relatively new journalist navigating these circumstances, I often find myself asking, “how are readers expected to engage with our content directly when they’re being encouraged to allow AI to do the heavy lifting for them?”
It feels like search engines are using AI to ensure users never visit the very same sites they generate responses from – a vicious cycle that for better or worse, won’t last forever.
While it may seem harmless, or even efficient for the average user, this strategy to replace human work with generative AI is particularly harmful amongst news sites, where revenue can be directly tied to clicks and web traffic.
And that’s just scratch-
ing the surface of AI’s impact on what is already a particularly fragile industry. Misinformation, algorithmic biases, and an erosion of trust and authenticity all pose serious implications if AI is not used properly in the world of news.
It’s not all bleak and dystopian, however. AI has potential to serve the news industry with its vast databases of information, and ability to lighten our workload as journalists.
Evidence shows that, as a general tool, AI is currently shifting the balance of workflow in the fields for which it applies.
A 2024 report published on McKinsey Global Institute said current generative AI tools have the potential to automate tasks that take up 70 per cent of an employee’s time during the workday. In a separate report from 2025, the Institute said three times more employees are using generative AI for a third or more of their daily work.
While these stats may not apply to more labour-intensive jobs, they show AI’s use in the field of news reporting could be shifting from adversary to ally – with the tool now being encouraged for several applications, including data analysis, fact checking, and editing.
As a local reporter often tasked with delving into city documents, zoning applications, and corporate reports, I can attest that AI’s ability to simplify information and edit work has made my life noticeably easier, despite the looming idea that it could one day be my sole competitor.
However, I think that AI’s calamitous powers will be least effective against local news, where human connection serves as the beating heart of any community-based publication.
When I think about the
stories I’ve covered as a reporter for Beach Metro Community News – and my connection to the community as a local resident – I can confidently say it would be difficult for artificial intelligence to fabricate the essence of what makes a local, human story.
AI simply can’t embrace the woes of a community opposing changes to the character of a neighbourhood; or empathize with a mother fighting to improve school services for her children. While I’m sure it could write these stories with ease, my thoughts are that it would still be missing… something.
If anything, our ongoing love/hate relationship with AI has taught me that local news boils down to some very simple elements – elements that are too fundamentally human to be replicated.
EUCHRE
Community Calendar
MAY 14: Guitar Play-Along Class, hosted by Rob Hiemstra, at Kingston Road United Church, 975 Kingston Rd., 7-9 p.m. Join the fun and improve your playing in a large group setting, low pressure environment. Pay what you can: suggested $7-15 cash or card. Classes held every second Thursday of the month. Info: 416-839-1351, robhiemstraguitar@gmail.com
MAY 14: f8 Photography Collective (‘f8’) hosts “Explorations in Contemporary Photography”, part of the 2026 CONTACT Photography Festival, at Assembly Hall Gallery, 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr., until June 11. Experience natural scenes transformed into unique artistic interpretations using inventive techniques in-camera and post processing. Opening and meet the artists May 14, 6-8 p.m. Info: www.f8photographycollective.com
MAY 16 & 30: Plant Sale at Grant AME Church yard, 2029 Gerrard St., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Herbs, vegetables and perennials will be available. Come early for best selection.
MAY 16: Balmy Beach Canoe Club Open House on the boardwalk, 9 a.m.-12 noon. Try paddling this summer! Get info about Youth Sprint programs, try paddling, meet the team, free beach yoga, and more! All ages, no experience needed. Info: balmybeachcanoe.com
York Councillor Brad Bradford
the transition from full-time to semi-retirement, with Dr. Lisa Romano-Dwyer (Lakeside Wellness Therapy) and James Cockfield (BMO). RSVP: james.cockfield@ bmo.com, lakesidewellnesstherapy@gmail.com
JUNE 12: A Senior Moment coffee and dessert at Judy’s Beach Café, 2188 Queen St. E., 1:30 p.m. R.S.V.P. Colleen at 647-829-8042
JUNE 12: Mark Battenberg Music presents The River of Life at Danforth Mennonite Church, 2174 Danforth Ave., 7:30 p.m. This special presentation of the eclectic chamber music of Beaches composer and guitarist Mark Battenberg will be a celebration of intricate melodies and rich harmonies, featuring Cellist Sybil Shanahan, violinist Alex Cheung and Shakuhachi flute Master Debbie Danbrook. Admission is $20 or pay what you can.
JUNE 18: Annual General Meeting of the members of Community Centre 55 at CC 55, 97 Main St., 7 p.m., for the purpose of considering and taking action with respect to the following: to approve the financial statements of Community Centre 55 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025; to receive our Program report; and to fill vacancies on the Board of Management. For additional information, please contact Reza Khoshdel, Executive Director, Community Centre 55 at 416-691-1113 ext. 225 or email reza@centre55.com or visit www.centre55.com
GRAND OPENING
MAY 16: Spring Thaw Fundraiser Concert at Beaches Presbyterian Church, 65 Glen Manor Dr., 7-10 p.m. An evening of incredible music with a group of some of the finest musicians from Toronto’s jazz and folk scene. These include Julian Anderson-Bowes, Leland Whitty, Marta Solek, Eric West, Emily Schultz, Tara Kannangara, Chris Pruden and Benton Roark. Tickets $25 (or pay what you can). Proceeds go to support the Nourish East End food bank. Info: www.beacheschurch.org, 416-699-5871
MAY 17: Wonder Church at St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, 2423 Queen S.t E., 4 p.m. This service, designed for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, early elementary children and their families, is a 30-45 minute service that includes puppets, music, and prayers. Coffee and treats are provided. All are welcome. For more information, contact children’s minister Elizabeth at children@staidansinthebeach.com
MAY 18: Victoria Day Fireworks at Ashbridges Bay, 10-10:14 p.m. Presented by the City of Toronto.
MAY 21: Good Laughs Comedy Show – Fundraiser for Michael Garron Hospital, at comedy Bar Danforth, 2800 Danforth Ave., 7-10 p.m., with emcee Martha Chaves. Tickets $75 at www.goodlaughs.ca
MAY 22: A Senior Moment luncheon at La Sala Ristorante, 1975A Queen St. E., 1:30 p.m. R.S.V.P. Colleen at 647-829-8042
MONDAYS: WEE FOLKS DROP IN at Fallingbrook Presbyterian Church, 35 Wood Glen Rd., 9:30-11 a.m. except holidays. For ages up to 3 years old, with care givers. Play and story time with snack. Info: 416-699-3084
THURSDAYS: CONTEMPLATIVE AND MINDFULNESS MEDITATION at the Church of St. Aidan, 2423 Queen St. E., 7:30-8:15 p.m. All ages and stages of experience welcome! Free. Type of meditation will vary based on the instructor. Just drop in or email office@ staidansinthebeach.com for more information.
In Good Hands
MAY 23: Historical Walk with Gene Domagala, 1 p.m. This tour of the former Town of East Toronto will begin at the NW corner of Main St. and Danforth Ave. MAY 23: Spring Yard Sale at Fallingbrook Presbyterian Church, 35 Wood Glen Rd., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Outdoors and inside. Jewelry, novels, CDs, games, puzzles, purses, bags, fabric scarves, small household items, baking. MAY 23: Councillor Fletcher’s Dieppe Park Environment Day at Dieppe Park, 455 Cosburn Ave., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. rain or shine. Info: paulafletcher. ca/dieppe_park_environment_day_2026
MAY 23: Acoustic Harvest presents Healing Garden Music Fest featuring Dave Gunning with opening set Taivi & Garth at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St., 8 p.m. Tickets: $35 advance or $40 at the door: https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/53319/ahnews/. Info: acousticharvest.ca
MAY 23, 24: Open House at Kew Beach Lawn Bowling Club, 12 Lee Ave., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., a welcoming spot for lawn bowling, croquet, and off-season socials like table tennis and game nights. Visit our Open House as part of Doors Open Toronto! Learn more at www.kewbeachlbc.ca or email kewbeachlbcinfo@gmail.com
MAY 23, 24: Doors Open, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. East End locations include Danforth Mennonite Church, Fool’s Paradise, Kew Beach Lawn Bowling Club (see listing above), R.C. Harris Filtration Plant, Riverdale Hub, St. Barnabas on the Danforth, and Todmorden Mills. Info: www.toronto. ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/doors-open-toronto/
MAY 25: East York Garden Club presents ‘All About Peonies’ & Flower Show at Stan Wadlow Clubhouse, 373 Cedarvale Ave., 7-9 p.m., with horticulturalist Dugald Cameron. MAY 29-31: Beach Guild of Fine Art ‘Art in The Beach’ Spring Show & Sale at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., Fri 5-8 p.m., Sat & Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m. See original artwork in a variety of mediums, sizes and subjects. Something for everyone! Info: beachguildoffineart.com
MAY 30: Calling all Vendors and Artisans! Spring Outdoor Sale at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, 904 Coxwell Ave. (at Cosburn), 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (rain date June 6). Table Rental $60. Call the office at 416-421-6878 extension 21 to reserve your table. This is a long-running and well-attended sale.
MAY 30: Spring Market/Yard Sale at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Yard sale items, art, bake sale, BBQ. Table rental $35. Info: stpaulsscarborough.org
MAY 30: Centre 55 Spring Fling Festival at ????, 12-4 p.m. Food vendors, CC55 BBQ, artisan marketplace, games, contests, inflatables, and more! Info: www.centre55.com
MAY 31: East End Kids Pride Day at Dentonia Park, 80 Thyra Ave., 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Parade Day will feature a community pride parade, performances, face-painting, dancing, snacks, art stations, a Queer Arts market, and so much more! Info: eastendarts.ca/kidspride2026/
MAY 31: ‘8 To The Bar’ Vocal Jazz, Pop & Gospel Concert at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., 4:30-5:30 p.m. Hear popular jazz standards and more performed by local jazz choir 8 TO THE BAR, featuring guest bassist George Koller, Dr. Steven Webb on keys, and Sheila Brand directing. Part of the Jazz & Reflection series. PWYC $20 suggested. Info: beachunitedchurch. com/2026/04/we-swing-into-summer-with-8-to-the-bar/ JUNE 2: Strategic Semi-Retirement Seminar at BMO Bank of Montreal, 2183 Queen St. E. An educational conversation on planning your next chapter, focusing on
BEACH INTERFAITH OUTREACH FELLOWSHIP LUNCHES for adults in the community, 11 a.m. Mondays at Corpus Christi Church (16 Lockwood Rd.); Tuesdays –alternating locations: St. Aidan’s Anglican Church (2423 Queen St. E.); St. Nicholas Anglican Church (1512 Kingston Rd.) May 12; Wednesdays at Beach Hebrew Institute (109 Kenilworth Ave.); Thursdays at Beach United Church (140 Wineva Ave.); Fridays at Kingston Rd. United Church (975 Kingston Rd.) Lunch format may vary site to site. Program finishes week of May 11-15. Last lunch Friday, May 15. BEACHES MENTAL WELLNESS GROUP meets each Tuesday 7 p.m. at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St. at Swanwick, and each Monday 7:15 p.m. at East End United Church, 310 Danforth Ave. 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 BEACH PHOTO CLUB. Are you interested in photography? We invite all shutterbugs to check out our local photo club. We offer a range of activities including guest speakers, mentorship, opportunities to share your work, photo excursions, competitions, practical seminars and more! We meet the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from September to June, 7-9:30 p.m., at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave. (unless specified in program). Info: beachphotoclub.com or email beachphotoclub@gmail.com
MAIN STREET LIBRARY, 137 Main St. •May 25: From Balconies to Backyards: Planning a Successful Vegetable Garden, 6:30-7:30 p.m. A Toronto Master Gardener will lead a demonstration and show how to get started to grow your own vegetables. Free. Drop-in. Info: 416-393-7700
GERRARD ASHDALE LIBRARY, 1432 Gerrard St. E. •May 14: Cozy Corner Club. 2-4 p.m. A casual monthly social gathering. Make origami or play board games and meet neighbours. Registration required. •May 16: Big Book Sale & Open House, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Bargains on used books and other media, scavenger hunt, bookmark-making activity. Drop-in. Info: 416-393-7717
DANFORTH/COXWELL LIBRARY, 1675 Danforth Ave. •May 12: How Pleasant to Know Mr. Lear, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Discussing the genius of Edward Lear as a painter and poet. Registration is recommended. •May 13: Community Writing Workshop, 6-8 p.m., a Writers Collective of Canada (WCC) workshop. No experience required. Materials provided. Beginners welcome! •May 27: Birding 101 – Tips for Bird Watching in Toronto, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Choosing binoculars, when and where to bird, clubs and field trip info, and more. Info: 416-393-7783
WAVERLEY ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH, 129 Waverley Rd. We invite you to join us either on-line for our Sunday Morning Worship Services (www.twitch.tv/waverleyroadbaptist) beginning at 11 a.m., or in-person for “Worship And The Word” as we head into the summer season! Join us as we begin The Marriage Course for 7 weeks on Friday, May 29, to help strengthen your relationship. As well, we welcome you, your family, and your friends for our Church Yard Sale on Saturday, May 30, from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Info: 416-694-3054, info@waverleyroad.ca, or www. waverleyroad.ca. Find us on Facebook & Instagram, too! 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. On Sundays, worship at 8:30 a.m. (spoken service) and 10:30 a.m. (with music and children’s and youth programs). Wednesdays Eucharist Service, 10:30 a.m. Weekly euchre, Tuesdays 7-9 p.m. (enter through the glass doors, $5 to play, all proceeds go to outreach). Busy Bees dropin playgroup for ages 0-3 and caregivers features stories and crafts, Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall.
Arkora lands in the Beach with long-awaited album release celebration concert
VOICES OF the past…visions of the future: 13-piece Toronto-based polyphonic fusion band Arkora will take the stage at Kingston Road United Church for the release of their new album, Transfigured Light, on May 29.
As the season closer for the Kingston Road Village Concert Series, this concert places medieval chants alongside groundbreaking contemporary works, marking the culmination of a project that has spanned seven years, three cities, and eight new compositions.
Under the direction of Beach residents Benton Roark and Kathleen Allan, Arkora is all about bending and blending genres with contemporary vocal music that speaks to the heart of today’s audience.
Reflecting on this journey, Roark quotes one of the works on the album with a text by John Muir: “After ten years of wondering… and wandering in the heart of it, (we are) rejoicing in the glow,” words that capture the essence of Arkora’s transition from New Haven to Vancouver to St. John’s, and now finally….Toronto.
After debuting at Newfoundland’s Sound Symposium in 2014, Arkora went on to play notable venues over a decade plus of moving around: Roulette in Brooklyn, The Salvage Vanguard in Austin, Ottawa Chamberfest, Bach Fest in Vancouver, Hugh’s Room and Array Music in Toronto, expanding their reach and solidifying their reputation as a leading force in contemporary vocal music.
The journey to create Transfigured Light has been a long road, and has brought the band from a small chamber group into focus as a 13-piece electric choral-instrumental fusion consort.
Along the way, works from the album have garnered a string of critical acclaim: “the standout event of Vancouver’s spring
music season” (Vancouver Observer), “a spellbinding journey” (Georgia Straight), “awesomely Goth” (Vancouver Sun) and “irresistible composer-bait” (Musicworks).
Arkora’s commitment to intersecting styles is evident in the concert’s programming, which features motets from the Renaissance and Middle Ages. Most notably, chants by Hildegard von Bingen, a 13thcentury abbess, mystic, and composer renowned for her radical thinking and poetic gifts, will be re-imagined with electronics and improvisatory solos by members of the band.
This format has been road-tested. When a pandemic-postponed tour finally materialized, Arkora brought a similarly eclectic program across Canada from Newfoundland to Vancouver, playing festivals with varied mandates: experimental, chamber, early music. This interplay between Hildegard’s music and contemporary works creates a dialogue across time, allowing listeners to appreciate the timelessness of certain approaches to composition.
Medieval musical techniques found throughout Hildegard’s work, are also present in Arkora’s concert closer, Roark’s Where Endless Ages Roll, which sets an anonymous text from the Appalachian Sacred Harp, noting: “On a textual level, Where Endless Ages Roll is both a sober reminder of mortality and a joyous celebration of immortality. Musically, it strives to find common ground between these emotional states.”
Highlighting May 29 concert will be solo performances by Teiya Kasahara, Namratha Sridevi, and Asitha Tennekoon, each of whom brings world-class talent, as Arkora honours the past and inspires the future.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. The church is located at 975 Kingston Rd. Tickets are available for $35 in advance at https://arkora.eventbrite.ca or $40 at the door.
PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Arkora will celebrate the release of their new album Transfigured by Light on Friday, May 29, as they perform as part of the Kingston Road Village Concert Series.
M AY 30 | 12 - 4 P M
BOB ACTON P ARK
12PM Dj M ike Da nce Pa rty w ith specia l g uest HAM PER
1PM S IN G! Performa nce 1:30PM RIPPL E RHYTHM DRUM M IN G
2PM CROW D ZOOM BA 3P M P EP P ER S HAKERS
By David Van Dyke
Ahhhh, the Neville Loop. On a still night, you can hear the train-wheel squeals from The Goof. Pretty much the farthest east you can go on a Toronto streetcar, immediately beyond is the R. C. Harris Water Treatment Plant and Scarborough. The archival photograph shown above was taken in 1972 and the photographer is unknown.
Do you have an old pic of the Neville Loop you’d like to share with our readership? Please contact me at gdvandyke61@gmail.com
Annual Kids Marketplace slated
THE NON-PROFIT organization Kid2Kid is set to host its fourth annual Kids Marketplace on Saturday, May 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Beaches Recreation Centre.
The market is a mix of indoor and outdoor vendors, with more than 200 young entrepreneurs, ranging in age from four to 15, selling a variety of items including, baked goods, jewelry, accessories, stickers, toys, beauty products and more.
The marketplace encourages entrepreneurship and creativity in kids, while giving back to families and youth in need.
The marketplace raises funds through a silent auction, sponsorships, and the youth vendors, who donate 50 per cent of the proceeds made. To date, the Kids Marketplace has raised more than $50,000 for various youth programs and charities, including the Red Door Family Shelter in Leslieville.
Alongside the market, there will be live music, dance performances, food, character appearances, and other activities that
offer something for all ages. The silent auction will be held virtually this year, running from May 21 at 9 a.m. to May 30 at 4 p.m., and featuring goods and services from local sponsors and businesses.
“Kid2Kid is about putting the power of giving into kids’ hands,” said co-founders Shah Ruby and Caroline Thompson.
The non-profit, which began in 2019, was created to encourage children to spread kindness through volunteer initiatives, directly impacting children in need. They run a variety of events, including the Kids Market. “Through the Kids Marketplace, young people don’t just learn how to run a business, they experience what it means to support other youth in need. That sense of purpose is what makes this event so special,” said Ruby and Thompson.
The Beaches Recreation Centre is located at 6 Williamson Rd. For more information on the marketplace and silent auction, please visit www.kid2kid.ca
Boardwalk Goodwill Ambassador Narine Maharaj an inspiration and friend to all
ANYONE WHO walked on the Beach Boardwalk in the morning will have at some point encountered Narine Maharaj.
From his home on Corly, Narine would walk down Woodbine greeting everyone along the way. Then he would do his daily walk on the Boardwalk stopping to say good morning to everyone he saw.
He was always cheerful, happy, friendly, and outgoing. Over time, many people knew him by sight but no one really knew his name.
Ten years ago, a local photographer took his picture and posted it on the local Beach Facebook site so that people could put a name to his face. The response to the post generated a huge outpouring of affection. Seemingly everyone knew him and had only kind words to say.
As a result, a group of neighbours decided to honour him by giving him the title of honourary Boardwalk Goodwill Ambassador. A plaque was presented to him at a small ceremony in front of the Leuty Lifeguard Station.
Narine continued to live up to his title for the next 10 years. Time did not slow him down.
Sadly, on April 23, Narine passed away of a heart attack.
A post on Facebook announced his passing. Again, the outpouring of affection was overwhelming. Many people shared their interactions with him over the years.
He was described as “a beacon of light and kindness.”
Most of all, he was remembered for his
joyful banter, inspirational words, and his warm
“Oh, happy day” was one of his favourite expressions.
Narine had an incredible impact on the Beach community simply by being friendly and kind.
He will be missed by many.
PHOTO: ERWIN BUCK
Known for years as the Boardwalk Goodwill Ambassador, Narine Maharaj passed away on April 23.
smile.
Plan (2026–2030)
Compassion. Inclusivity. Generosity. Responsiveness. Collaboration.
Community Centre 55 (CC55) is recruiting members for its Board of Management
The Board of Management is a volunteer community Board. Are you interested in contributing to CC55? This could be an opportunity for you!
About Us
outlines Community Centre 55’s strategy to prevent and remove and to meet the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR).
Community Centre 55 is a community-based non-profit social service organization serving East York/Beaches communities offering services and programs including licenced childcare, seniors’ programs, summer camps, counsellor in training programs for 13–15-year-olds, community events, affordable space for community groups, arts, fitness and music programs and Christmas gift giving.
Recruitment Preferences
The Board welcomes applicants from people with diverse skillsets, backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to the principles of access, equity and diversity. Knowledge of the East York/Beaches community is strongly encouraged. Preference for applicants who live in CC55’s catchment area (west of Victoria Park, east of Coxwell, north of Lake Ontario and south of the Danforth).
We are interested in applicants who have any of the following skillset(s):
Financial oversight & accounting
Community development
Social services
Fundraising and stewardship
Communications and marketing
Legal (constitution, bi-laws, contracts, labour relations)
Please submit your application (along with 2 supporting letters) to: Applications can be found on the Centre’s website: centre55.com. Drop off in person at CC55’s front desk (97 Main Street, Toronto) or via email to Reza Khoshdel, Executive Director (reza@centre55.com). Email subject line should read: Board of Management Nomination or by regular mail to the following address: Nomination Committee, 97 Main Street, Toronto, Ontario M4E 2V6. Board Members will be elected at the AGM on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at CC55.
Jason Balgopal honoured with Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship
JASON BALGOPAL, founder of the Canadian registered not-for-profit mental health initiative Beaches Mental Wellness, recently received the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship.
The medal was presented by Ontario Lieutenant-Governor Edith Dumont during a ceremony at Queen’s Park on April 14.
Balgopal was honoured for his years of tireless volunteer work to expand the venues where people experiencing mental wellness issues can find support and help.
He founded the East Toronto Mental Wellness Support Groups that meets at a number of local locations and also online.
“When people are experiencing mental health challenges, they need a web of support and that is hard to find, so I started this peer support initiative more than 11 years ago at a local community centre to be an important thread in that web,” said Balgopal, who works full time but devotes his off-work hours to developing peer leaders and helping to establish new Mental Wellness groups, in a news release.
The meetings (which run
Elizabeth II Medal for Good Citizenship in this photo from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
every night of the week, (both in person and online) average between six and 10 people and are led by a trained peer facilitator.
Beaches Mental Wellness uses funds from donations and grants to provide free professional therapy for regular members.
“This model is a virtuous circle: funders (such as the Scarborough, East Toronto and Toronto East Rotary clubs) get recognition for their donations, members get ready access to a therapist for free, and the therapists get a stream of clients – everyone wins,” said Balgopal.
The Queen Elizabeth II Ontario Medal for Good
Citizenship is Ontario’s second-highest honour (immediately beneath the Order of Ontario). It recognizes individuals whose extraordinary volunteer efforts have led to positive change and left a lasting impact in their community and province.
“I’m honoured to receive this award, and I hope it helps raise awareness of the importance of supporting those with mental wellness challenges,” said Balgopal in the news release.
Balgopal was nominated for the award by Bob Murdoch, the former longtime executive director of Community Centre 55. The awards ceremony took place with the Lieutenant Governor.
“There were about 20 of us and it was a lovely ceremony and truly fascinating to hear all the great things people are doing across the province. It made me realize what an exceptional honour it is to be nominated and receive,” said Balgopal in a later interview. “Sometimes we do this work and we know you are helping three or four people but it was really uplifting to see the impact and recognition across the province, and to know that people are paying attention and value it.”
Leaving a legacy that advances local healthcare
To support the community they love, Frank Tulipano and Joanne Neglia donate to Michael Garron Hospital.
“East Toronto is our home, our community,” says Frank. “It’s logical to focus on our local hospital.”
As part of their generous commitment, Frank and Joanne have planned gifts in their wills. Their legacies will continue advancing high-quality healthcare beyond their lifetimes.
If you’re interested in leaving a legacy that supports people’s health for generations to come, we have resources that can help. Learn more by scanning the QR code or contacting: Laura Byl, Legacy Giving Manager laura.byl@tehn.ca 416-469-6580 ext. 2322
Jason Balgopal is shown with the Queen
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
PSYCHOTHERAPY
Kriens
LaRose, LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
• Accounting services for owner-managed businesses
• Audit services for not-for-profit organizations kriens@krienslarose.com krienslarose.com 416-690-6800
CHRISTINE KATO, B.Sc., D.V.M. KATO ANIMAL HOSPITAL 2830 Danforth Ave. (East of Dawes Rd.) 416-690-2112 Dogs, cats, pocket pets. Housecalls available.
HOUGHTON VETERINARY HOUSECALL SERVICES Vaccines, examinations, diagnostics, palliative care, and home euthanasia provided for your pets in the comfort of your own home. Dr. Barbara Houghton 647-221-5516
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
the Beach since 1987”
Snider & DiGregorio
Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries. 978 Kingston Road, Toronto, Ont., M4E 1S9 Tel: 416-699-0424 Fax: 416-699-0285 Email: info@sdlegal.ca
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 416 690 1866 [F 2972 DANFORTH
Beaches Family Law and MEDIATION
Linda Bronicheski, J.D. 47 Main Street (at Lyall) 416-763-6884 Linda@BeachesFamilyLaw.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
Design, Residential, Restorations, Home Inspections, Commercial, Interiors, Landscapes COMPLETE PROJECT SERVICES FROM DESIGN THROUGH CONSTRUCTION (416) 694-8181 • sgkarch@gmail.com www.stephenkingarchitect.com Member Ontario Association of Architects FUNERAL
19 Jon Cummings Architecture Residential new build, renovations
Glover & Associates
Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries Real Estate, Family, Litigation Wills & Estates, Corporate 416-691-3700 Queen and Hammersmith
SERVICES
Cremation & Burial Services Inc. Life Celebrations. Done Differently. In Service with St. John’s Norway Cemetery & Crematorium. 647.660.5056 www.ecofuneral.ca
Beach Metro Community News Annual General Meeting set for June 25
THE ANNUAL General Meeting of Ward 9 Community News Inc, the publisher of Beach Metro Community News, will be held on Thursday, June 25 2026, starting at 7 p.m., for the purpose of receiving the financial statement and reports of the o cers and sta , to elect o cers for the coming year, and to deal with any new business.
The meeting is open to members of the above association and will take place at the Beach Metro Community News o ce, 2196 Gerrard St. E.
MEMBERSHIP is outlined in the newspaper’s Constitution, as follows:
“1. Any member of the community where the newspaper is distributed, who is willing to support the aims and objectives of the organization, will be accepted on payment of the current year’s fees ($5.00), and will be a member in good standing, and is eligible to vote if in attendance at the annual general meetings, as long as the current year’s fees are paid.
2. No member shall be under the age of sixteen.
3. No membership will
be sold within seven days before the annual meeting (cut o date June 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.).
4. All members of the distribution team, who have worked with the team for a minimum of six months in the year (continually since Dec. 22, 2025), shall be given an automatic membership in Ward 9 Community News Inc for the current year. There are two provisos:
a) Where the distributor is under age, the membership will be in the name of a parent or guardian.
b) Only one free membership will be allowed per family.”
(Distributors may check their status by contacting Melinda at 416-698-1164 ext. 27 or emailing melinda@beachmetro.com).
ELECTIONS are outlined in the newspaper’s Constitution as follows:
“1. Election of o cers shall be held at the annual meeting.
2. Nomination for o cers of the organization shall
be received in writing, addressed to the secretary by Friday, June 5, 2026, at 5 p.m. Nominations should be accompanied by a description of the nominee’s background with regard to the organization and the general community. The names of those seeking o ce, together with a brief biography, will be published in the issue of Beach Metro Community News immediately preceding the annual meeting (June 23 issue) in order that the membership be able to weigh the merits of each candidate and vote accordingly. Notice for the final date for receiving nominations shall be published in the two issues immediately preceding that date (May 12, and May 26, 2026).
3. Where more than one person is nominated for any o ce, the chairperson of the meeting shall count the ballots and declare the nominee receiving the most votes elected.
4. Nominees for the board and nominations shall be members of the Ward 9 Community News Inc. (See paragraphs on membership).
EAST ON QUEEN STREET EAST
Screenings of local films HOPEFUL, The Fallingbrook Five set for May 24
By Erin Hood
IN JANUARY of 2025, a group of young local filmmakers released a short film that was created and premiered in East Toronto, at the former Cineplex Cinema Beaches Theatre. This year, those same young filmmakers are back with two new short films, The Fallingbrook Five and HOPEFUL
Both films will premiere at the Fox Theatre on Sunday, May 24, with The Fallingbrook Five premiering at noon, and HOPEFUL shortly after.
“Both films were made with an incredible group of local kids and families, and it’s shaping up to be a really special community event”, said Anthony Greene in an email interview with Beach Metro Community News
The Fallingbrook Five is an original story inspired by a local legend about five children who vanished from a Scarborough beach in 1947.
“The Fallingbrook Five explores curiosity, friendship, and the tension between imagination and something potentially real, as three girls set out to investigate,” said Greene.
This film was created and acted in by Audrey Bellefair as Rae, Chloë Greene as Casey, Ophelia Elliot as Tanis, Phoebe Smith as Clara, and Juno Smith as Elsie and is the shorter film of the two, spanning approximately eight minutes.
HOPEFUL is a summer story about friendship, curiosity, loyalty, and the moment things start to feel off. It is an emotional story about friendship, and what happens when a group dynamic shifts and difficult choices must be made. This film is about 36 minutes in length.
It was created and acted in by Sophie Bellefair as Ruth, Charlotte Greene as Parker, Chiara Hamilton as Eliza, Chloë Greene as Jordan, Keira Downey-Sherman as Lola, Mimi Murray Marks as
and The Fallingbrook Five, both produced and filmed in the Beach, will be premiered on Sunday, May 24, at the Fox Theatre on Queen Street East.
Emma Robertson, Grae Rathbun as Lucas, Emma Tangney as Megan, and Vivian Zorko as Sarah.
Greene noted that the inspiration for the films largely comes from the kinds of stories the filmmakers enjoy. Particularly suspenseful and thrilling films tend to be the most exciting and engaging type of story, and the genre allows for more tension, mystery, and emotion in a way that feels fun and immersive.
However, these films are not connected story-wise. The link between them is the cast and creative group that brings these films to life, as many of the same kids collaborated on both projects. Both films are shot, edited and scored entirely in the Beach community, making them very local productions.
However, due to the hustle of the neighbourhood, one of the biggest challenges while filming is sound. Greene said managing background noise during filming is a consistent challenge, along with coordinating schedules as many of the kids have other summer activities.
Local adults assist with production and editing so that the kids can focus on acting. Greene handles directing and editing, while his friend Carlos Lopes handles
sound design and music, and Dan Elliot oversees the dialogue recording and audio.
Greene said that the initial concepts are developed ahead of production, but many of the young participants help on set to keep production running smoothly.
“More of the kids have started contributing creatively by offering ideas and helping shape moments within scenes, with some now beginning to develop their own story concepts as well,” said Greene. “Many of them have really embraced the process, there’s a genuine interest in continuing as they get older.”
The May 24 premiere at the Fox will be similar to the showing that took place last year. The Fox offers an intimate, historic setting, which really suits these kinds of films and makes the screening feel more personal, said Greene.
It will also be the first time that the contributing cast will see the finished films, as this keeps the initial viewing experience special.
The cast and crew will be watching alongside other viewers, allowing the audience to have a chance to meet and discuss the films after the screenings. For more information on tickets for the May 24 screenings, please go to www.instagram.com/p/DWUcQABkeM_/
East Toronto locations part of Doors Open
DOORS OPEN Toronto is set for the weekend of May 23 and 24, with more 160 sites and spaces open to explore around the city, including several notable locations throughout East Toronto.
With sites spanning historic churches and industrial landmarks to community hubs and music spaces, visitors will be able to step inside, and gain a deeper understanding of the buildings that reflect the Toronto’s cultural and architectural history.
Among the featured local locations is the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant on Queen Street East at the foot of Victoria Park Avenue. Known for its striking Art Deco design, the building is recognized under the Ontario Heritage Act as a National Historic Civil Engineering Site, and has been recognized as a Canadian Water Landmark by the American Water Works Association. Doors will be open to from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 23 and 24.
Another landmark taking part is the Danforth Mennonite Church, a 115 year old Neo Gothic building at 2174 Danforth Ave. Once surrounded by farmland, the church has since become a long-standing fixture on the Danforth. Many original design features, including wood trims and furnishings, have been preserved through the years, keeping its history and charm intact. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 23 and 24.
The Kew Beach Lawn Bowling Club, 12 Lee Ave., will also open its doors to the public. The club serves as a gathering place for residents through lawn bowling, croquet and year round social programs. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 23 and 24.
Riverdale Hub, 1326 Gerrard St. E., began as a silent movie theatre before being transformed into a multi-purpose arts and community space supporting marginalized and BIPOC communities. It will
be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 23.
The Raw Signal Group, 1414 Danforth Ave., stands as one of the oldest bank buildings in Toronto, constructed in 1919, displaying a Neo Gothic and Art Deco architectural style. Today it is being restored by the Raw Signal Group, a Toronto-based business, to be used as their headquarters. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 23 and 24.
The East End Food Hub, in the Glen Rhodes United Church building at 1470 Gerrard St. E., will also open its doors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 23. The church building is more than 100 years old, and the Food Hub helps area residents in need.
Music fans can visit Dine Alone Records at 864 Eastern Ave., a Leslieville recording studio and store linked with Canadian artists including Tokyo Police Club, City and Colour, Alexisonfire and Bedouin Soundclash. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 23.
The Don Jail at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital will also be featured in Doors Open. Opened in 1864 and designed in the Italianate style, the jail remained active for more than a century before closing in 1977. Today, the restored structure is the administrative centre for the hospital and is connected to the modern building by a glass bridge. The site at 1 Bridgepoint Dr. will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 23 and 24.
Other buildings and facilities open in East Toronto will include the city’s 433 Eastern Yard; Todmorden Mills, at 67 Pottery Rd.; and St. Barnabas Anglican Church at 361 Danforth Ave.
As part of this year’s Doors Open Toronto event, there will be a number of guided tours and talks. For more information, or to book a tour or talk, go to www. toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivalsevents/doors-open-toronto/
PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Movies HOPEFUL
Reel Beach: Movies in East Toronto
Explore our outer space movie quiz
BERNIE FLETCHER
Last month, space exploration captured the public’s imagination and sense of wonder. Canadians proudly watched Artemis II and astronaut Jeremy Hansen soar around the moon.
Hansen was the first Canadian to leave earth’s orbit, but many Canuck actors have pretended to go before him on screen.
“Art imitates science and vice versa.”
Jeremy Hansen. Science fiction and science play off of each other as the human mind dreams of things before they happen. As mankind has reached for the stars so has cinema as far back as 1902’s Le Voyage dans la Lune (A Trip to the Moon) where a spaceship splashes back into the sea.
Hollywood loves blockbusters like Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (out on May 23) and Disclosure Day (June 12).
Boldly go into space with this movie quiz that’s out of this world.
Your mission is to name the Canadian performer who played a role in a space film. For instance, Sean Sullivan (1921-1985), Robert Beatty (1909-1992) and Douglas Rain (19282018) were in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).
In that epic film, Sullivan and U of T grad Beatty played scientists who were the first to step on the moon. This was before the Apollo missions. It took 12 days to shoot the brief moon-walking sequence alone. Stanley Kubrick insisted on real space
What’s for lunch? Canadians Sean Sullivan, left, and Robert Beatty, centre, in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). Sullivan attended Malvern Collegiate.
suits and Sullivan “lost 25 pounds”.
It took so long making the movie that Sullivan joked about 2001: “Everybody said that’s not the title, that’s the release date.”
Sullivan was born in Toronto and attended Malvern Collegiate. Back in 1972 he told the Globe and Mail that in early roles he went by “John” but there already was a John Sullivan in Britain.
“My name is really Sean. I didn’t change it. I didn’t want to use it when I was a kid going to Malvern Collegiate so I called myself John,” he said.
Sullivan broke into television in 1953 in the CBC children’s program Space Command with William Shatner and James Doohan. “I was all sorts of weird Martians running around behind rocks,” he said of the show.
To complicate matters, another Toronto actor is Sean Sullivan (Wayne’s World) who is alive and well though some AI slop gets the two mixed up. Can we trust machines?
Douglas Rain played the soothing but ominous voice
of the computer Hal 9000 who goes rogue onboard the 2001 Jupiter mission: “I’m sorry, Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
Hundreds of local actors have appeared on the many Star Trek series, including Malvern’s Atticus Mitchell and Scarborough’s Nicole de Boer.
Now, try your hand at the controls of this quiz. Do you have “the right stuff ” to reach for the stars?
QUIZ
1. Captain Kirk on the U.S.S. Enterprise?
2. Beam me up “Scotty” on Star Trek?
3. Commander John Adams in Forbidden Planet (1956) …and don’t call him Shirley!
4. Commander Adama in Battlestar Galactica (1978): The Voice of Canada on CBC?
5. Barf in Spaceballs (1987) and a Neil McNeil grad?
6. Lord Dark Helmet in Spaceballs (1987), also an SCTV alum?
7. Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars, Episodes II and III (2002 and 2005)?
8. Ryland Grace in Project Hail Mary (2026), which
Healing Garden concert set for May 23
ACOUSTIC HARVEST hosts its annual Healing Garden Benefit Concert on Saturday, May 23.
The concert raises funds for The Healing Garden of Solace for Cancer Patients at the Mackenzie Health Foundation in Richmond Hill.
This year’s concert will feature Dave Gunning in performance.
The concert begins at 8 p.m. and will take place at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St., in southwest Scarborough.
“We hope that you will consider support-
ing this very worthy cause and having the opportunity to hear some incredible music from this renowned artist,” said Acoustic Harvest in a news release.
Gunning is an acclaimed Nova Scotia singer/songwriter known for his down-toearth stage presence. The first live concert he saw was a double bill with John Allan Cameron and Stan Rogers in 1981, and he said it changed his life.
Tickets for the May 23 concert are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. To order online, go to www.acousticharvest.ca
was praised by Jeremy Hansen?
9. Miss Moneypenny in Moonraker (1979), and a close friend of Roger Moore?
10. Richter in Total Recall (1990), also in Starship Troopers (1997)?
11. Mindy Park in The Martian (2015), who discovers Matt Damon is still alive?
12. Klingon General Chang in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)?
13. Lieutenant Valeris in Star Trek VI (1991)?
14. Jerry O’Neill in Space Cowboys (2000), and star of the movie M.A.S.H.?
15. Captain Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds in Serenity (2005)?
ANSWERS on Page 24
Hub located at Community Hub located at 1896 Danforth Avenue 1896 Danforth Avenue
MARY-MARGARET McMAHON MPP/Députée, Beaches-East York
Beach Guild of Fine Art Spring Show opens May 29
BEACH GUILD of Fine Art Spring Show is slated to take place at Beach United Church from May 29 to 31.
The free, volunteer run event gives guests the opportunity to support local artists and purchase original pieces, with a portion of proceeds going towards supporting the Beach Guild of Fine Art.
The show will feature a variety of mediums, including oil, acrylic and pastel works, alongside smaller art accessories such as magnets, offering something for a range of tastes and budgets.
ing guests the chance to see familiar faces while viewing fresh pieces and techniques.
“It’s quite a popular event and we have people who not only come from the Beach and the Beach area, but we’re also drawing people in from outside the Beach,” said Meneguzzi-Spall. “It’s very much a community event.”
“The talent is just amazing,” she added.
An opening reception will take place at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., on Friday May 29, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The show will continue through the weekend on May 30 and 31, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Memoriam
A space for remembrance and memory sharing. We publish Obituaries and In Memoriam notices online and in print. For details, email mark@beachmetro.com or call 647-988-1835
Crossword
Tooling Around
According to Norma Meneguzzi-Spall, an artist and executive secretary of the Beach Guild of Fine Art, participating artists will bring new work to each show, giving return-
For more information, please visit www. beachguildoffineart.com
West Scarborough summer kids’ camps slated
THE BGC West Scarborough and West Scarborough Neighbourhood Community Centre will be running a number of local summer kids’ camps in the area.
Among the local camp locations will be Courcelette Junior Public School on Fallingbrook Road in Scarborough.
by Barbara Olson
The camps focus on creating safe and enriching enviroments for the participants with activities such as arts and crafts, sports, themed programs and fun weekly trips for the children participating.
For more information on the summer camps, please go to www.wsncc.org
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42
Neighbourhood Stops and Shops
PHOTO BY GUIDEPOST ACADEMY
Students at Guidepost Academy isolate DNA from strawberries, an example of the school’s hands-on Montessori approach, where curiosity, experimentation, and real-world learning guide the classroom experience.
Guidepost Academy is rethinking the middle school years
At the west end of Queen Street East, just steps from Woodbine Park, Guidepost Academy is o ering something many families may not realize is missing: an approach to middle school that keeps adolescents’ love of learning alive and growing.
For families who have embraced Montessori in the early years, the transition into traditional schooling can feel abrupt. Independence becomes replaced with rigidity, curiosity with standardized pacing. At Guidepost, that shift doesn’t have to happen.
Rooted in the philosophy of Maria Montessori, the school serves students in Grades 6 to 8 through a model that prioritizes independence, rigorous academics, and real-world application. But what stands out most is how intentionally the program focuses on adolescence, a stage that often gets overlooked.
“There’s this gap,” says Hugh Merson, Lead Guide for History, Literature and Writing. “The adolescent years are about making the natural transition from childhood to adulthood and school shouldn’t feel like an obstacle to that.”
At Guidepost, it doesn’t. Students are given both the structure and the freedom to explore their interests in meaningful ways.
In science, that might mean working through high school-level biology concepts and dissecting a sheep’s heart, brain, or eye.
In history and humanities, it looks like grappling with complex, open-ended questions like, “Can war ever be justified?” “Does technological progress outweigh its costs?” There are no easy answers, and that’s the point.
Learning here is designed to feel relevant. Every course culminates in an “application project,” where students connect what they’ve learned to the real world. It’s a shift from memorization to understanding, and from passive learning to active engagement.
That same philosophy extends beyond the classroom. Students at Guidepost run small businesses, learning everything from budgeting and marketing to problem-solving and leadership. Others join the school’s rock band, a lively program that blends creativity, collaboration, and confidencebuilding into something that feels closer to a passion project than a class.
The programming is intentionally wellrounded. Students benefit from high-level STEM learning, a French curriculum that goes beyond expectations, and mentorship from specialist educators who are professionals in their fields, including a working illustrator in art and a professional athlete in physical education.
At Guidepost, educators are called “Guides,” reflecting a shift in the learning dynamic. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their education, while Guides support, challenge, and help shape their path forward.
Head of School Laura McCarthy says the school was created in response to a clear need.
“There are so many Montessori options for younger children in the east end, but very few options for adolescents. We saw families struggling to find the right fit as their children got older.”
Since opening in 2022, Guidepost has supported dozens of students in finding their next steps, including preparing for competitive high school programs across the city. With a return to merit-based admissions for TDSB specialized schools in 2026, that preparation, (including portfolios, auditions and entrance exams) is more valuable than ever.
But beyond academics, the goal is bigger.
“When young people are challenged and engaged, they naturally become the best versions of themselves,” says Merson. “We’re helping them become people who have agency; people who have knowledge and the confidence to use it.”
With small class sizes, a collaborative environment, and a strong focus on personal growth, Guidepost o ers something many students don’t often experience during these years: a genuine connection to their learning and to themselves.
Limited spaces remain for September 2026, with a growing interest list for future years.
Families can explore more through Guidepost Academy’s Facebook page, where day-to-day learning comes to life, and book a tour to see firsthand whether this approach is the right fit for their child.
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Beaches youth chorus to perform Disney’s Frozen at annual musical
By Julia Sawicki
THE TORONTO Beaches Children and Youth Chorus (TBCYC) is preparing to present Disney’s Frozen at its annual spring musical on May 22 and 23.
Next week’s performances are the result of months of rehearsals, auditions, and community led production work.
The annual musical brings together every section of the choir, with performers ranging from junior kindergarten students to Grade 12 youth singers.
maybe 15 parents we met on Sundays at the church and we painted all of these sets. This production wouldn’t come together so nicely without everybody’s help. It’s really great to see.”
The performances will take place on Friday, May 22, at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, May 23, at 12 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m, at Hart House Theatre on University of To-
ronto’s St. George Campus. Tickets are available at $35 for adults and $18 for those 17 and under. Ticket sales will go to support the TBCYC.
For more information, please visit https://tbcyc. com.
For information on registering, or to keep up with TBCYC updates, pvisit www. instagram.com/tbcycsings
Author of book on Montreal Expos to host signing session in the Beach
May 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Preparation for the musical has been in the works for months, with older kids getting to audition for a small, medium or large role based on comfort level, while younger kids typically perform as a member of the ensemble, in order to gain stage experience.
While students perform and take centre stage, production is led by volunteer parents and guardians behind the scenes.
From painting sets and sewing costumes, to tracking down props and building stage pieces, families come together as a whole to bring the story to life.
“It’s a lovely group of parents, and everyone is so great,” said Andrea Sloggett, TBCYC’s Event and Production Manager.
“We’ve had up to like 50 volunteers kind of saying which area they’re an expert at or can help out at, and then we had a group of,
MONTREAL EXPOS fans will have a chance to relive some baseball memories at a book signing set for the Beach on Victoria Day.
Historian Danny Gallagher has chronicled the story and stories of the former Major League Baseball franchise over the years with 11 books, including his latest The Tragic Story of Willie Davis: And Other Expos Vignettes. He will be signing copies at Coles in the Beach, 2169 Queen St. E., on Monday,
Published by Dundurn Press, the book features five chapters on Davis, the Expos Player of the Year in 1974, who had many ups and downs during his career in the majors. There are 35 other chapters on other players who put on an Expos uniform from 1969 to 2004.
Gallagher is a member of Players on Base, a group trying to bring Major League Baseball back to Montreal.
Answers to the movie quiz
QUIZ ANSWERS FROM PAGE 21
1. William Shatner (b. Montreal, 1931). Boldly went where no 90-year old had gone before.
2. James Doohan (b. Vancouver, 1920-2005). Wounded in D-Day landing on Juno Beach.
3. Leslie Nielsen (b. Regina, 1926-2010). Was the son of a Mountie.
4. Lorne Greene (b. Ottawa, 1915-1987). Famous for Bonanza.
Armstrong in First Man (2018).
9. Lois Maxwell (b. Kitchener, 1927-2007) Raised in Toronto.
10. Michael Ironside (b. Toronto, 1950) Grew up in Riverdale.
11. Mackenzie Davis (b. Vancouver, 1987).
12. Christopher Plummer (b. Toronto, 1929- 2021). Was in The Sound of Music (1965).
13. Kim Cattrell (b. 1956, Liverpool). Came to Canada at age three months.
5. John Candy (b. Newmarket, 1950-1994). Raised in East York.
6. Rick Moranis (b. Toronto, 1953). Will be back in Spaceballs: The New One (April 2027).
14. Donald Sutherland (b. Saint-John, 1935-2024). Also in Ad Astra (2019).
15. Nathan Fillion (b. Edmonton, 1971). In television shows Castle, The Rookie
7. Hayden Christensen (b. Vancouver, 1981). Grew up in Markham.
8. Ryan Gosling (b. London, 1980). Also played Neil
Mission Score: (1115) Go for launch; (6-10) Grounded; (0-5) Go for lunch.
Neighbourhood Stops and Shops
This Upper Beach property underwent a complete transformation, starting with the installation of R7 rigid polyiso insulation board before the new siding was added to improve energy efficiency. The window trim and eaves were clad in heavy gauge aluminum for added durability and protection. Finally, a new gutter and downpipe system was installed to ensure rainwater is effectively directed away from the foundation, safeguarding the property’s structural integrity.
Proudly
Canadian and rooted in East Toronto, Homecraft Aluminum has been a top choice for quality home exteriors for 40 years
For over four decades, Homecraft Aluminum has been a trusted name in improving the homes of East Toronto residents. Founded by Jim Leeming in 1979, Homecraft Aluminum has built a legacy of excellence in the home exterior services industry.
Today, under the leadership of Russ Leeming, Jim’s son, Homecraft continues its commitment to quality craftsmanship, honest service, and community-focused values. As a local, family-owned Canadian business, Homecraft Aluminum has earned a reputation that resonates with homeowners, and Russ is eager to keep the business thriving for generations to come.
Homecraft Aluminum understands the importance of flawless exterior services, including aluminum so ts, fascia, eavestrough (gutters), and all types of siding. In addition to these exterior upgrades, the company also specializes in window replacements, helping homeowners improve energy e ciency, enhance curb appeal, and increase overall property value. Whether it’s a small or large job, the company’s highly trained and well-experienced team is committed to getting the job done e ciently without compromising quality. Their expertise ensures success where other companies may fall short. They focus on providing homes with the protection they need, using top-notch materials and delivering lasting results.
Homecraft Aluminum specializes in siding installation and o ers tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of each homeowner. From standard installations to intricate custom work, they handle every project with precision. Their commitment is to get the job done right the first time, using only the best products available and completing the work thoroughly. Clients trust Homecraft Aluminum to deliver consistent service at an honest price, building long-lasting relationships that keep homeowners coming back for repeat services and referrals. Satisfaction is guaranteed, and Homecraft Aluminum will be there to honour that promise.
Proudly local and deeply committed to the community, Homecraft Aluminum remains a family-owned operation. Russ Leeming, who took over the business from his father in 1988, has kept the company’s multi-gener-
ational legacy intact. Russ’s vision for the future is clear: he hopes to pass the business on to his son, continuing the tradition of quality, honesty, and exceptional service. “We’ve been around for a long while, and we don’t plan on going anywhere. Our focus has always been on building lasting relationships with our clients, and we will continue to provide top-tier service for as long as they need us,” he said.
As a proud Canadian business, Homecraft Aluminum prioritizes using Canadian products wherever possible. The company sources high-quality aluminum from Quebec, through local suppliers, with wood, steel and cement-based sidings from across the country, ensuring that the materials used in each project support local industries while maintaining superior standards. In light of the current trade challenges between Canada and the U.S., Homecraft Aluminum is more committed than ever to supporting local businesses and the Canadian economy.
While Homecraft Aluminum’s roots are firmly planted in East Toronto, their services extend throughout the Greater Toronto Area. The company o ers a wide range of services, including eavestrough installation, repairs, siding installation, and more, helping homeowners improve and protect their homes.
Despite fluctuations in the market, Homecraft Aluminum’s core values remain unchanged. Russ and his team have weathered economic ups and downs, yet their unwavering commitment to quality, honesty, and community-driven service has been the key to their enduring success. “Our commitment to quality and honesty is something that will never change,” said Russ.
For expert service and a free estimate, homeowners are encouraged to contact the Homecraft Aluminum team today. Whether it’s a small repair or a complete overhaul, Homecraft Aluminum is committed to providing reliable, quality service. With over 40 years of experience, the company continues to serve East Toronto and beyond.
To learn more, call 416-931-5979 or visit www.homecraftaluminum.ca and discover why local homeowners trust Homecraft Aluminum for their exterior needs.
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Comedy show fundraiser for Michael Garron Hospital
By Kat Bergeron
COMEDY BAR Danforth will be hosting the annual Good Laughs fundraiser for Michael Garron Hospital on Thursday, May 21, with shows set for 7 and 9 p.m.
The event features standup comedy performances by Toronto lawyers. Founded by Michael Currie, Good Laughs challenges lawyers to speak publicly in a different way. He said lawyers don’t want a judge to laugh
at them in court but they do at a comedy show, making it “a tough and rewarding challenge”.
Currie said he has been interested in standup comedy since his early days in university.
“Since undergrad, I wanted to start doing standup comedy because I grew up on a small island, didn’t have a lot of opportunities to do public speaking, and I had read that standup comedy is seen as the hardest thing to do in
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terms of public speaking,” he said.
“My thought was, if I start doing standup or doing presentations in school, having to make submissions when I go to court will be easy if I can master doing standup.”
The Good Laughs show is not lawyer-specific, with comedy topics being accessible to anyone who attends. Comedian Martha Chaves will be the host for this year’s show.
Good Laughs has raised more than $60,000 over the past three years in support of the hos-
Masonry
BEACHES BLUFFS MASONRY
Brick • Block • Concrete • Stone www.beachesbluffs.com beachesbluffs@gmail.com 416-988-2589 (6r)
OTTO’S MASONRY
Your neighbour for over 45 yrs!! Chimneys.Brickwork.Interlock Pavers Concrete.Porches.Stone To BOOK NOW Call: 416 467 1717
Email: info@ottosmasonry.ca Website: www.ottosmasonry.ca (15)
JDB MASONRY
• Brick / Foundation • Concrete / Stone • Chimney & Parging Restoration & Build www.jdbuild.ca 416-738-2119 (6r)
YORK MASONRY
S pecializing in: - Chimneys - Tuck-pointing - Brick/block repair - Patios Serving the Beaches for over a decade. A dam 416-895-1186 yorkmasonry@gmail.com yorkmasonry.com (6e)
E��’� M������
Repairs • Masonry Cement • Finishing Caulking • Walkways Odd Jobs • Fencing repair ecksmasonry@gmail.com 647-281-3084 (6r)
EXTERIOR 30 YRS EXPERIENCE
FULLY INSURED
SEAN FOR AN ESTIMATE
(8) Heather Feather Painting, Design and Wallpaper
Experienced, reliable, and detail-oriented painter & wallpaper installer based in Toronto. Specializing in all styles. 20 years professional experience. Clean work, timely service, and satisfaction guaranteed. Colour consultations available! www.heatherfeather.ca 905-923-0156 (6r)
ROB’S
416-833-5874
#7008706
416-278-7057 or Gabston Reno: 647-342-2872 (9r)
Shingles, Flats, Eavestroughs Fascia & Soffit Chimney tuck pointing 15% off for Seniors • All work guaranteed 647-857-5656 (6r)
CANADIAN CONTRACTOR
Shingles • Flats Roof Repairs • Metal Work Eavestroughing & Siding Waterproo�ing • Since 1984 Met. Lic. B-16-964 Steve 416-285-0440 • 416-605-9510 (6$)
Beach Co Roofing
Your neighborhood flat roofing specialist. 647-309-8056 (6r)
EMPIRE CONTRACTORS ROOFING
YOUR COMPLETE ROOFING SERVICES. Free estimates • Factory pricing • Seniors discount • 416-875-5538
empirecontractorsroofing.com Homestars Best Winner 4 yrs in a row. (3/27)
ShandyMan Contracting Flats • Shingles Eavestrough Work Siding & Alumunium
Over 20 yrs experience 647-697-8456 info@shandyman.ca
Every day is a blessed day (r)
SMALL ROOFING JOBS REPAIRS
EAVESTROUGH CLEANING & FIXING • YARD CLEANUP No Money Up Front NEWFIE TONY 647-462-3556 (17)
All classified ads may also be viewed at beachmetro.com
pital. In past years, Good Laughs has supported improvements to Michael Garron’s family birthing centre, the pilot of an AI-powered record-keeping system and new high-tech pediatric mannequins.
Everyone in the community is welcome to share a laugh for a good cause at the May 21 event. Tax receipts are available. Tickets are available online and in-person at the door until sold out. To buy tickets online, please go to http://goodlaughs.ca
S.A.C. Masonry
Brick, Block, Stone, Chimneys, Concrete, and
Call Sergio 416 873 9936(6e)
CJ DRYWALL & PAINTING
Professional drywall and plaster work. Renovation and Repair. Very clean. No job too small. Call C.J. 647 222 5338 (6.
BEACHES HANDY WORKS
Dedicated precise worker. All your build and repairs. Indoor or outdoor: dry-wall, flooring, built-in, landscaping, interlocking, sheds, fences, decks, etc. at a reasonable price! Call Hamid at 647-300-2462 (6.r)
BLANK SLATE RENOVATIONS
DANFORTH MASONRY
RESTORATION 416 569 4113 (6r)
Scotstone
Brick Restoration & Masonry Experts
Matching existing brickwork, new builds, tuckpointing, parging, chimneys, natural stone, foundations & concrete. www.scotstonecontracting.ca scotstonecontracting@gmail.com Licensed masonry contractor Call Scott 416.858.2452 (6..)
BEACHES MASONRY
Repairs
Tuckpointing • Brickwork 47 yrs. exp. 416-419-8096 siteconstruction12@bell.net (6r)
Trades
HANDYMAN
Kitchens, bath, basement, doors, trim, paint, tile, flooring, fences, decks, interlock & more. Insured • Lic. B27597 Hello@blankslaterenos.ca 416.274.5929 (7r)
ALANO TILE & RENO
• Expert Installation of Porcelain, Marble, Mosaic • Over 25 years experience • Total Kitchen & Bath Reno • Plus Tile Repairs 416-561-8713 (16r)
(7r)
HANDYMAN SERVICES
Basements, Kitchens, Bathrooms Fences, Decks, Drywall, Carpentry
