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Volume 50 No. 4
BEACHMETRO.COM
PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON
A long line of people winds its way through the Crescent Town Elementary School property last Friday during a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic. Run by East Toronto Health Partners with the support of Michael Garron Hospital for residents living specifically in Crescent Town, the clinic vaccinated a total of 2,000 people over the two days (April 16 and 17) that it was held. For more on this story, please see Page 14.
Glen Ames robotics students qualify for 12th straight provincial tourney Journalism
NO VIRUS is stopping a team of young STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) minds from East Toronto. Grade 8 students from Glen Ames Senior Public School are moving on to the provincial FIRST Lego League (FLL) robotics competition after recently winning the Robot Performance Award and the Core Values Award in the qualifying round. This in a school year that’s been largely dominated by COVID-19 news. This is the 12th consecutive ro-
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April 20, 2021
Pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Crescent Town
By Ali Raza, Local Initiative Reporter
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botics team from Glen Ames to move on to the annual provincial championships. Last year, one of the school’s robotics teams became the fourth in a row to qualify for the international competition – a feat that this year’s students have in their sights. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) organizes its Lego League (FLL) in part of an international alliance of educators challenging young students to find solutions to real-world challenges using Lego Mindstorms technology. This kind of Lego gives students the opportunity to put their coding skills to the
test while using Lego hardware and software. It’s a competition that promotes STEM learning, teamwork, and collaboration, teacher Luke Martin said. And that has been a challenge made even tougher with COVID-19 restrictions this year, he said. The team – Team 458: Level Playing Field – is made of captain Jimmy L., assistant captain Jared H., table captain Jade D., researcher Saphia K., researcher and programmer Alexandra L., technicians Ella G., Avery D., Cole L., and Liam T., and programmer Audrey B. Continued on Page 10
Winter Stations move off Woodbine Beach for this year JUST CALL them Spring (or Summer) Stations. The organizers of the annual Winter Stations outdoor art festival have revealed a modified schedule for this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of the art installations being placed along Woodbine Beach, as is traditionally done from February to the end of March, this year’s event will see new locations and display dates for the art. Only one of those locations will be in the Beach community. “The Beach will always be our home and we have every intention of returning on Family Day in 2022,” said Winter Stations organizers in an April 15 press release officially announcing the changes to this year’s exhibit. “While the spirit of Winter Stations will always reside in the colder months, along the shorelines of Lake Ontario, the circumstances of the last year have forced us to be creative,” the press release said.
“We’d like to thank our partners at the City, our colleagues in the Parks department, our sponsors, and all of the artists for their patience and understanding.” The modified plan for this spring and summer will some of the five winning art installations for 2021 set up at in the Distillery District, the Graywood Development site at 33 Parliament St., and at a local site to be determined by the Beach Village BIA in the summer. The winning Winter Stations designs for 2021 were Arc de Blob from Austria and the United Kingdom; From Small Beginnings from the United Kingdom; The Epitonium from Iran; THROBBER from Germany; and Embrace from Oakville’s Sheridan College. There were more than 400 submissions from around the world for this year’s event. From May 6 to late June, Spring Stations at the Distillery District will feature ARc de Blob, From Continued on Page 14
Beach Studio Tour returns with virtual version for 2021 By Heidi Burkhardt
THE BEACH Studio Tour (BST) has been a community event for 28 years. As the first studio tour in the Greater Toronto Area, it has provided people with the opportunity to peek inside the unique homes of creative people. Amazingly, two of the founding members are still participating in the seasonal event.
This year, due to COVID-19, it will be a different experience. As with many other cultural events, this year’s Beach Studio Tour is going virtual. No walking is required to do the tour! Participants will meet this year’s lineup of artists on the BST website, with samples of their exquisite work linked to their webpages. Continued on Page 16
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BEACH METRO NEWS
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Ted Reeve Arena to use $5 million in funding to make upgrades to ice pad in ‘The Bubble’ THREE LEVELS of government will be contributing almost $5 million in funding for improvements to Ted Reeve Arena. The funding announcement was made at an online event on the morning of Tuesday, April 13, featuring representatives from the federal and provincial governments, and the City of Toronto. The money will be used to upgrade the arena’s mechanical room and replace the refrigeration plant, dehumidifier, piping, concrete pad, dasher boards and protective glass for the ice sur-
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face located in ‘The Bubble’ section of the facility. Located on the northeast corner of Main Street and Gerrard Street East, Ted Reeve Arena opened its doors in October of 1954. In 2004, the second covered ice surface under The Bubble was opened. “The rehabilitation will improve accessibility, functionality of the arena, and the quality of experience for users while promoting healthy lifestyles,” said the April 13 press release by announcing the funding. Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford told Beach Metro News that Ted Reeve Arena is the “heart of the community” and the funding is much welcomed. “So many residents have grown up on the ice there and – in non-COVID times – have been bringing their own families to learn to skate and play hockey,” he said. “These investments will help make important upgrades to the arena while also improving its environmental footprint which is something this community cares about deeply,” added Bradford. “The upgrades are going to improve everyone’s experience at the arena and will make it a place families can enjoy for decades to come.” Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith said Ted Reeve Arena plays an important role in the East Toronto community. 2021-04-15 10:54 AM “Having grown up close to Ted Reeve, I know how much the rink matters to families
across our community” he said. “Our funding will help improve the facility, and it’s an example of our continued commitment to be a strong federal partner for our city.” Along with Ted Reeve Arena, funding was also announced for the Ramsden Park outdoor rink near Yonge and Belmont streets; the High Park Recreational Trail and Nature Centre; the Pine Point Arena in Etobicoke; and Bill Bolton Arena near Bathurst and Dupont streets. The funding is part of the Canada Infrastructure Plan to invest in improved sports and recreational facilities across the country as Canadians deal with the impacts and limitations forced upon them by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Community spaces and recreational centres are at the heart of places where residents want to live, work and raise their families,” said Catherine McKenna, Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities in the press release. “Federal funding of over $8.9 million to improve the High Park trail, the Ramsden Park Twin Pad Ice Rink and the Ted Reeve, Pine Point and Bill Bolton arenas will help encourage healthy and active lifestyles among Toronto residents for years to come. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, create jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”
Christine Hogarth, Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Solicitor General and MPP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, said: “Our government is acting to support all of these Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program projects in the City of Toronto by allocating over $7 million in funding. From recreational trails in High Park, to new funding for outdoor ice rinks, investing in the renovations and rehabilitation, these projects will help to extend the lifespan of these important communitybased facilities, while protecting people’s health and our economy, so that everyone can enjoy them for years to come.” Toronto Mayor John Tory added that the funding will allow the city to “continue to provide high-quality services to our residents and will allow us to continue to address much-needed repairs.” “The facilities and amenities that are receiving funding today are fixtures in their neighbourhoods and have provided an outlet for physical, social and mental well-being for many years,” Tory added. The funding breakdown for Ted Reeve Arena between the federal, provincial and city governments is as follows: The federal government provided $1,972,735 in funding; The provincial government provided $1,643,782 in funding: The City of Toronto provided $1,315,321 in funding.
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Tuesday, April 20, 2021
BEACH METRO NEWS
3
Police
Man last seen in East York presumed deceased, second man charged by police TORONTO POLICE have charged a man with interference with a dead body in connection with an investigation related to a missing man last seen in East York earlier this month. In a press release issued on the night of Saturday, April 17, police said that they now believe that missing man Paul Daly, 54, is deceased. “His remains have not been located,” the press release stated. ”Police continue to search for the missing man’s vehicle, a 2008 silver Dodge Caravan, Ontario License Plate AYSV 626.” Police said on April 15 that they were looking for Daly, who had last been seen in the area of Woodbine Avenue and O’Connor Drive on Thursday, April 8, and that they were concerned for his safety. In Saturday’s press release, police said Courtney Michael Tenn, 40, of Toronto, was arrested on April 16. He
Toronto police say Paul Daly, 54, is presumed deceased. He was last seen in East York on April 8. On April 16, police arrested a 40-year-old man in connection with the investigation and charged him with interference with a dead body. is charged with improper/ indecent/interference with a dead body. Anyone with information is asked to contact police in 55 Division at 416-808-5500, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 416-222-8477 or online at www.222tips.com
Man stabbed in Beach bus shelter A MAN was taken to hospital with injuries to his leg after a stabbing in a bus shelter on Queen Street East in the Beach early on the morning of Sunday, April 18. Toronto police were called to the bus shelter at Silver Birch Avenue at 5:48 a.m. for a reported stabbing. When officers arrived they found a man who had been sleeping in the bus shelter with a stab wound to his leg. According to police, another man had attacked the victim. Officers quickly located a suspect on a TTC streetcar and he has been arrested. Police said the victim was taken to hospital to be treated for injuries to his leg. The investigation is continuing. Anyone with more information on this incident is asked to call police at 416808-5500.
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BEACH METRO NEWS
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
The Tulip’s landlord wants to clear his name By Alan Shackleton
DAVID LUI, the owner of the legendary steakhouse The Tulip on Queen Street East near Coxwell Avenue, says he is a good landlord and wants to clear his name regarding what led to the closure of the business. The issue has been gnawing at Lui, 79, for more than a year as he feels he was unfairly portrayed as being the person responsible for the much-loved restaurant’s closure which was announced with a sign on the door on Jan. 1, 2020. Original reports of the closure said it was the result of a dispute between the landlord and the people running the restaurant. Many of these articles and the social media posts about them included long strings of comments from people taking “greedy landlords” to task for ruining the small business environment along Queen Street East. While it is correct that an agreement could not be reached, Lui said that is not the whole story. “These articles do not reflect all the facts that led to the sudden closure of The Tulip steakhouse after 32 years in business,” he said. In an interview with Beach Metro News inside the empty Tulip in late March, a still obviously upset Lui shared his reasons for wanting to talk after staying relatively silent on the matter for more than a year. “Everyone blamed me. I am made the bad guy,” he said. “Everyone called me a heartless landlord. For days I could not sleep. I just want to clear my name.” Making the entire issue so much more complicated and emotional for Lui is that the tenant and operator of The Tulip since 2008 were his son and his son’s wife. It all began when Lui’s wife, Sheila Ann Webber, passed away in 2006. Lui became lonely by himself in 2008 and because of his age and health, he decided to retire from the
PHOTOS: ALAN SHACKLETON
David Lui stands in front of the closed Tulip restaurant on Queen Street East near Coxwell Avenue last month. Photo above right shows Lui in the restaurant’s main-floor kitchen. restaurant. Wanting to keep the business in the family because it was a profitable one, he talked to his son and his son’s wife and came to an agreement that they would run the restaurant and he would charge them rent for the space in the building at 1606 Queen St. E. which he owns. That all seemed to go well for many years but then in 2019 it started to fall apart, said Lui. Lui stressed that when he handed over the business in 2008 it was profitable and the rent was reasonable. “The whole city was grumbling about the closure and about the high rent but it was at market standard according to an appraisal and it was reasonable,” Lui added. As Lui sat in The Tulip in March, his pride in the business and how he and his wife had seen it grow since they took it over back in 1988
was clear. “Every day the business really improved and we had the name for steaks. People were lining up by 1993, and we had all these prizes from different media. I was interviewed on TV and we were named one of the top five steakhouses in the city.” That recognition put The Tulip into the same league as what were then some of Toronto’s iconic downtown steakhouses such as Barberian’s, Carmen’s, Hy’s and Bardi’s. The Tulip had signed photos of celebrities on the wall saying how much they loved the restaurant. The atmosphere at the restaurant was always relaxed and accessible — it was located in a neighbourhood with some character and grit given its proximity to the then Greenwood Racetrack — and it was open for breakfast.
“The big difference was we were a steakhouse that also served breakfast. Anybody can make eggs, but I had a special way of making home fries. People loved them,” said Lui. The Tulip has a long history in the East Toronto area that predates Lui and his wife’s ownership of the restaurant. It was first opened back in 1929 by the Diamond family on Danforth Avenue before later moving down to 1610 Queen St. E. When Lui and his wife first took over restaurant in 1988 it was at 1610 Queen St. E. “It was 50 seats with no basement,” remembered Lui. Lui said the Diamond family was very helpful in making the ownership transition at the time. “Mr. Diamond would come in and help me. He knew my background and would take me to slaughter
houses and taught me how to inspect and pick the best meat,” he said. Lui already had extensive experience in the restaurant and food business having worked as a chef at a country club for 16 years, at a “semi-French” restaurant in the Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue area, and Hy’s Steakhouse downtown so he was familiar with the demands of fine dining. He also studied cooking at George Brown College. On March 28, 2000, he and his wife celebrated the opening of their new bigger version of The Tulip at 1606 Queen St. E., just two doors to the west of the original. Lui had full input in the design of the new restaurant. It was built to his specifications and included numerous full kitchen set ups, including one in the large basement to serve a party room, which he was still proud to point out more than 20 years later. “We sold good quality meat at a fair price and that was always how we did it. I worked in the kitchen and was head cook all those years. My wife looked after everything else including the cream pies, the cheese cake and the chocolate cake,” he remembered with a smile. Twelve years ago it was a busy restaurant and now it is an empty restaurant. As for the future of The Tulip and the building it is in, Lui said he was not sure what would happen next. Beyond that is a story of agreements and disagreements as the business and family relationship seemed to deteriorate. Who is in the right or in the wrong is in the eye of beholder, but what upsets Lui is the closure of The Tulip, the relationship he now has with his son and the perception that the restaurant closed because he was a greedy landlord. “I don’t think I was a bad landlord. As a matter of fact, I think I was a good father,” he said.
Funding helps South Riverdale CHC deal with opioid crisis THE SOUTH Riverdale Community Health Centre will be receiving additional federal funding to help it deal with Toronto’s growing opioid crisis. Minister of Health Patty Haidu and Mayor John Tory announced the funding on the morning of April 14. It sees a federal commitment of $7.7 million for projects in Toronto to increase access to a safer supply and provide additional harm reduction services and treatment options for those dealing with opioid addictions. “The overdose crisis continues to affect communities and families across Canada. Tragically, we have seen significant increases in overdose deaths and related harms during the COVID-19 pandemic, including in Toronto where overdoses deaths increased significantly between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30 last year,” said the press release announcing the funding. From March to July of last year, once the pandemic restrictions started to take hold, Ontario was
averaging 46 opioid overdose related deaths a week, according to Public Health Ontario. The greatest increases in opioidrelated deaths were in Toronto, Hamilton and Peel Region. The funding announced for Toronto will support Toronto Public Health in its efforts to expand the medication options available for people with severe opioid use disorder in the city. “Toronto Public Health’s project will be the first of its kind in Ontario to offer injectable hydromorphone for people with opioid use disorder who do not respond to currently available services and who remain at high risk of overdose,” said today’s press release. South Riverdale Community Health Centre and Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre will also receive additional federal funding to extend their safer supply projects for two more years and expand the resources they offer to those in need. “These initiatives will connect patients with essential health and
social services, including treatment, which may be more difficult to access during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the release. The South Riverdale Community Health Centre already offers a safe place “where people can use drugs under the supervision of nurses and doctors, where they can access medical advice free from judgment, and where they can access naloxone kits, safe disposal supplies and clean syringes and pipes, and that work keeps them alive,” according to the centre’s website. It also delivers harm-reduction supplies to those in need in an area that goes from Victoria Park Avenue to the Don Valley Parkway, and north from the lake up to Eglinton Avenue. “The need for our programs have grown exponentially throughout the pandemic, a pandemic that has made the overdose crisis so much deadlier,” said Jason Altenberg, Chief Executive Officer of South Riverdale Community Health Centre in the release. “The funding from Health Can-
ada to sustain the SOS programs in Toronto is essential to preserving a continuum of harm reduction services that are saving lives as the opioid poisoning crisis continues to devastate communities of people who use drugs.” Dr. Eileen De Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, said the COVID-19 pandemic has put people who use drugs at a higher risk of overdose death and that the federal support for city programs is crucial to protecting those people. “We are very pleased to have the funding to operate this important program especially during this time of escalating overdose deaths in the City of Toronto and believe that it will save lives. The impact of COVID during the opioid crisis has meant that people who use drugs are at higher risk of overdose death,” she said. “The implementation of this program will not only save people’s lives by reducing their reliance on the unregulated and dangerous drug supply, but will connect people to other needed supports
such as case management, mental health and shelter and housing. The opioid overdose poisoning crisis has had a devastating impact on people who use drugs and we look forward to implementing a program that will save lives.” Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith said the programs being offered by Toronto Public Health and the South Riverdale Community Health Centre are lifesaving for those dealing with opioid addiction. “A toxic, illicit drug supply has been killing people for far too long,” he told Beach Metro News. “This is the type of program that will save lives in the community right now.” Erskine-Smith is an advocate for drug reform in Canada, especially in how it relates to harm reduction programs and the criminal code. For more information on opioidrelated deaths in Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic, please go to www.publichealthontario.ca/en/ data-and-analysis/substance-use/ opioid-mortality
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
BEACH METRO NEWS
Scarborough Southwest MPP Begum calls for ‘equitable amount’ of COVID-19 vaccine for community By Ali Raza, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SCARBOROUGH SOUTHWEST MPP Doly Begum held a press conference on Friday, April 16, with Scarborough Health Network ER physician Dr. Lisa Salamon at which they both urged the province to prioritize Scarborough for vaccinations. It came just days after the Scarborough Health Network had to cancel 10,000 vaccination appointments citing a lack of supply. East Toronto’s Michael Garron Hospital also cancelled appointments slated for its mass immunization clinic at Thorncliffe Park Community Hub last week. Scarborough and Thorncliffe Park are among the most severely hit neighbour-
hoods in Toronto facing rising cases of COVID-19. While the cancellations were until Monday, April 19, Dr. Salamon said if vaccine supply is not prioritized for Scarborough, then further appointment cancellations are possible. “We’re a city in itself and since December we’ve been getting dribs and drabs of the vaccines,” she said. “We need the vast majority of vaccines to be directed to Thorncliffe, Peel, northwest Toronto, and Scarborough, they’re all being devastated.” Begum urged the province to deliver an “equitable amount” of vaccines to Scarborough where the virus has spread rapidly among essential workers and racialized communities.
“What I’m seeing in ED (Emergency Department), there are a lot of essential workers, or their family members,” Dr. Salamon said. Begum also called on the federal government to deliver more vaccine supply to Scarborough and other hard hit communities in the province. Ontario reported 4,800 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, April 16. On Saturday, April 17, Ontario reported 4,362 new cases; and on Sunday, April 18, Ontario reported 4,250 new cases. Ali Raza is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for Beach Metro News. His reporting is funded by the Government of Canada through its Local Journalism Initiative.
Gerrard East Market’s future unknown due to increased COVID-19 restrictions By Alexandros Varoutas
LAST YEAR, a group of east end businesses got together and opened Gerrard East Market (GEM) as a way to work within COVID-19 safety rules. String lights went up, picnic tables were built, and 22 tons of sand were dumped, turning the once unassuming parking lot on Gerrard Street East by Marjory Avenue into a tropical vacation spot where patrons could enjoy local food and beer and forget the pandemic for a while. This year, as the patio weather nears, business owners are left wondering when the province will give the green light for outdoor dining. Adam Kelly, one of the owner/operators of Vatican Gift Shop and Gardel, is concerned that there might not even be a market this year.
“We thought we were all on the road to a better summer,” said Kelly, “but now it looks like there’s going to be a summer filled with restrictions again.” With the recent provincewide stay-at-home order being extended, any plans for outdoor dining are on hold until COVID-19 infections drop to a manageable level. “It’s kind of anyone’s guess as to when they’re going to allow us to even go forward with it,” said Kelly. “Hopefully, we can still do some sort of outdoor event but it’s kind of just up in the air.” Patios are a bit of a rarity on Gerrard Street, with many businesses limited to opening storefront windows for a bit of fresh air. So when the first round of lockdowns was announced last year, some businesses owners saw it as an opportunity to explore new options.
Enter CafeTO, a municipal initiative aimed at expanding outdoor dining space for businesses that might not have a patio and need to offset the loss of business from COVID-19. This year, Toronto continued the CafeTO program and extended the zoning permits in light of the extended lockdowns. Of course, this was before the latest provincial stay-athome order. “Gerrard Street doesn’t have a lot of patios like Danforth or Queen,” said Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher, who’s a big advocate for the program and sees the idea spreading down the road. “I think we were just a leader in starting something like that. Actually, it stimulated a lot of interest in the suburbs to get private lots at strip malls to set up the same kind of thing,” she said.
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BEACH METRO NEWS
BEACHMETRO.COM
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
In My Opinion
COVID Community Heroes recognized during difficult year Paula Fletcher Toronto-Danforth Councillor
T
his past year has been difficult and the pandemic has greatly impacted our community. However, these impacts have not all been negative. The East End has come together in remarkable ways to help those in need, showing strength, resilience and compassion. Over the winter I put out a call for COVID Community Heroes, asking residents to nominate those who have been making a difference. I received more than 50 nomina-
tions of people and groups who have been doing amazing work throughout the pandemic. I want them to know their kindness and generosity has not gone unnoticed. Over the next few weeks I will be sending out special Community Hero awards and showcasing their incredible efforts on my social media and website. Back in March 2020, people swung into action right away. There was a sudden and urgent need for masks and Michael Garron Hospital was also in need of PPE. Many folks and local businesses offered donations of PPE and an army of “sewists” got to work sewing thousands of masks. The support for our local hospital and our healthcare workers was truly moving.
There was also a great need for donations to our local food banks. Again, staff and volunteers stepped up and our food banks continued to provide necessities to those in need each week. I’d like to highlight the incredible work of the Bethany Baptist Church Food Bank, Glen Rhodes Food Bank and Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre Food Bank. There were also many others who provided access to food and fresh meals, including the Sandwich Sisters, the Danforth COVID Emergency Food Response, the Danforth Church, Mustard Seed, St. Ann Parish, St. John the Compassionate Mission and local restaurants. The Neighbourhood Food Hub quickly pivoted to respond to the
pandemic, providing reliable fresh food to community members. Between April and December of 2020, they distributed over 2,233 boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables and also over 2,000 ready-to-eat meals to those in need. I’d also like to give a special shout out to the East York Seniors’ Christmas Dinner volunteers. They transitioned from their annual sit-down event at the East York Community Centre to providing warm meals to over 200 seniors, right to their front doors, safely. All of these dedicated staff and volunteers helped so many in our community access food and necessities they needed during a difficult period. The fight against COVID-19 isn’t over and I encourage you to support a local food bank or organiza-
tion however you can. I’d also like to thank everyone who helped their neighbours throughout the pandemic. Many of you have been delivering groceries, booking vaccine appointments, and doing simple things that just spread the #EastEndLove. We are doing what East Enders do best, taking care of one another. And the best way that we can continue taking care of one another is by following the public health measures in place and getting vaccinated. I encourage everyone to get your vaccine as soon as you are eligible. If you’d like to nominate someone as a COVID Community Hero, please contact me at councillor_ fletcher@toronto.ca
SERVING THE BEACH, BEACH HILL, BIRCH CLIFF, CLIFFSIDE, CRESCENT TOWN, EAST DANFORTH, GERRARD INDIA BAZAAR, LESLIEVILLE AND UPPER BEACH Beach Metro Community News, published by Ward 9 Community News Inc., is a non-profit, non-partisan community newspaper founded in 1972 and published 23 times a year. It is distributed free by volunteers in East Toronto and Southwest Scarborough and paid for by our advertisers.
2196 Gerrard St. E., Toronto, ON, M4E 2C7 PHONE: 416-698-1164 FAX: 416-698-1253 beachmetro.com PUBLISHER Susan Legge (ext. 24) susan@beachmetro.com EDITOR Alan Shackleton (ext. 23) alan@beachmetro.com REPORTER Ali Raza ali@beachmetro.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Mark Ireland (ext. 26) mark@beachmetro.com PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Melinda Drake (ext. 27) melinda@beachmetro.com ACCOUNTS MANAGER Hope Armstrong (ext. 21) hope@beachmetro.com
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Letters to the Editor
Spend taxpayers’ money National defence spending is like insurance on helping people not on buying new war planes Re: ‘Local MP asked to stand up against cost of new fighter jets,’ Letters, April 6. I am asking BeachesEast York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith to please read the April 6 letter by Murray Lumley in Beach Metro News, and to bring it to the attention of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Every Canadian, even those who make money building fighter jets and the corporate CEOs in pursuit of endless profits for their corporations, should be
ashamed and disgusted that in a world suffering from COVID-19 and vast environmental challenges that endless billions of dollars are to be spent on war planes. Have you ever asked why there are only about 2,000 ICU beds in all of Ontario for a population of close to 14 million people? Please stop the war machinery madness! Use taxpayers’ money to improve our lives, not destroy them. Sharman Wilson
Re: ‘Local MP asked to stand up against cost of new fighter jets,’ Letters, April 6. It would seem that some constituents in Beaches-East York are lobbying to cut defence spending, specifically a replacement fighter jet. But their comparing defence budgets to those of other countries (Russian, Chinese, or other) is a misleading fallacy. Russians are paid at a pittance of what Canadian labourers receive. The same is true for China. The costs stated for Canada are honest, as they include not just purchasing, but also infrastructure, parts, main-
tenance and training. The Department of National Defence does not buy items directly; the big problem for Canadian defence is the Government Department of Supply and Services who continually escalate costs upwards by delaying the spending while seeking Canadian manufacturers. A C7 rifle costs $700 in Canada but could be purchased in the United States for $200. The Canadian Iltis jeep cost $35,000 but could have been bought from Germany for about $7,000 each. The MLVW trucks were built here in Canada but a few years later, when the
wheels started falling off, the Department of National Defence was told the company doesn’t make them any more. While spending on health, poverty, transit, housing, education, etc.. is commendable, one must remember that unless we have our security we’ll have none of those. If we leave our troops equipped with obsolete and non-functioning equipment you cannot expect them to stand up to any incursion here or worldwide. National defence is insurance. Yes you can cancel or downgrade your personal
insurance costs and coverage in favour of buying other things, but when the worst suddenly happens it’s too late to have it reinstated. Donald Kernaghan
We love letters Please send your letters to us by email to editor@beachmetro.com You can also send them by regular mail to our office at Beach Metro News, 2196 Gerrard St. E., Toronto, ON, M4E 2C7. Or if you are in our neighbourhood at Main and Gerrard, drop it off personally.
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
BEACH METRO NEWS
7
Black Lives Here
Elisha Gotha takes on challenges of running own business Mimi Liliefeldt mimi@missfit.ca
IN THIS new era of enlightenment, it seems like every company, charity and government organization is looking for a way to “diversify.” Overall, the goal sounds like a good one and of course BIPOC are cautiously optimistic that our white counterparts are finally forging an attempt to make room at the table for us… But the weary refrain I’ve heard time and again is, ‘how long will it last? Change won’t happen unless everyone is motivated and united in the cause.’ We don’t want to be the ‘token’ Black person in a sea of white faces. We want to be seen as equals, to feel our own worth, and be leaders, not because you let us, but because we are. Elisha Gotha is a Black woman who leads and most assuredly knows her own worth. She is a smart, confident, business owner and mother of two. Elisha has owned The Curl Lounge, a full-service hair salon with a staff of 10 people, at Kingston Road and Main Street since 2019. Despite her years of apprenticing and full-fledged hair stylist status, she found working at various salons for other people to be limit-
ing. There was only so far she could go before noticing that her white colleagues, often with less experience and clients than herself, were promoted instead of her. If for one shameful moment you dared to question her level of service as a reason for this ‘oversight’, I assure you that her online reviews are outstanding. On Google alone she has more than 161 reviews with a 4.7 out of 5 rating (at the time of this interview). Elisha tells me, “I think the success of my salon is directly related to the level of customer service and feeling you can give your client when you really believe in what you’re doing. There is a lot of gratification in seeing your great reviews. When you’ve given something to a client and they are so grateful, for me that’s the highest level of success.” Like many young entrepreneurs, success wasn’t a straight line for Elisha. After years of hair styling, she reconsidered her path because she was pregnant, and went to school for medical administration. Around this time, she accepted a part-time job as a stylist with a friend who had opened up her own salon. “As I was working with her, I realized I could do this. I could open my own salon. She inspired me to be my own boss,” Elisha said. “I was already a master stylist, so this opportunity gave me a different outlook.” When Elisha started lay-
PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Elisha Gotha runs The Curl Lounge on Kingston Road, just west of Main Street. ing the groundwork for her own salon, getting a loan proved to be impossible. After getting turned down a few times, she was saved by her older sister, and now silent business partner. “She really encouraged me. She told me she had always seen the potential in me to do this. She said, ‘I’ll help you, if you want to do this.’” And so, the dream got off the ground, and one of life’s lessons was brought into sharp focus: Believing in yourself is a good start, but having others believe in you makes it sustainable.
When asked about the challenges of owning her own business she said, “Finding the right people that believe in your business as much as you do is hard. People that you can rely on and want to provide a high level of service. We are a niche (curly hair) salon, people are coming to us and need someone they can trust, someone who knows how to work with their hair.” Curly hair has always been rife with stigma and misrepresentation. Movies and television have a troublesome history of depicting women with curly hair as the bad
girl, sexy temptress or frazzled ditz. The marketing of most hair products and tools are often targeted at ridding us of “unwanted” curly, frizzy, big hair. Has anyone stopped to wonder why that is and where it came from? “We’re not specifically a Black salon, we’re a curly hair salon. We’re very diverse, curls are not specific to one race,” Elisha tells me as we discuss the various ways society has placed a hierarchy on looser smoother curls over kinky frizzier hair. When society does this kind of thing, it pits us against each other. Someone like Elisha, who considers herself Black, is lighter skinned and has a beautiful crown of looser spirals. “As a person with lighter skin I never really fit in at any establishment. If I went into a white salon, they would be like, ‘Oh my god, ethnic hair, I don’t know how to deal with it.’ It would end up being super expensive, and you could see the terror on their faces. Then the other side, where I would think someone will be able to relate to me, there was a certain level of judgment because I had ‘good’ hair. Or they would try to push (hair) relaxer on me.” What’s at play here is colourism. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the term, you are definitely, at least subconsciously participating in it. Colourism is discrimination based on how dark your skin tone is. And because
white society has favoured those with lighter skin and smoother curls, it has had a divisive effect for Black people. “I’ve dealt with colourism and racism. It can feel like you don’t belong,” Elisha tells me. “Now, I am more comfortable with myself, but when I was younger, I’m sure it affected my self-esteem. I am more empowered now. After having kids, I got more strength and confidence, it brought me to a new level. I have more focus; I realized that I need to know who I am.” Today, Elisha definitely knows who she is. She is a person who didn’t wait for her place at the table, she pulled up a (salon) chair and made her own. Her confidence gives her the strength to build her own dream. But if this COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we need to work together and trust that we are all committed to the greater good. This means, like Elisha, who was lucky enough to have someone believe in her, we all need to believe in each other. We need to believe that this change towards a truly equitable society isn’t a quick fix, it isn’t just another PR tagline.
Mimi Liliefeldt is a Beach resident and business owner. She can be reached at mimi@missfit.ca
In My Opinion
With home reno boom, mediation is a good way to resolve disputes Afsana Gibson-Chowdhury Guest Column
T
he HomeStars 2020 Reno Report showed a staggering 80 per cent of homeowners surveyed, began renovation projects since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March of 2020. Although these numbers are not based specifically in the Beach area in Toronto, being a local resident, I know how prolific renovations are here in our community. Often, given the ages of some the houses, renovations become essential and the pandemic has given us the perfect excuse to get started. But what happens if the renovation isn’t what you expected it to be? Or if it is defective? In Ontario, under the Consumer Protection Act, home
renovation projects over $50 must be in writing. The contract should contain details, including the name of the contractor, description of the work required, materials and labour costs, and the date of completion. I recently mediated a case involving a basement renovation, where the plaintiff claimed the defendant’s work was defective and negligent. After spending thousands of dollars, the homeowners alleged they were left with a basement that was not correctly waterproofed. The renovation took place in a house that was more than 100 years old. Contractors who frequently work in older homes have a greater knowledge of the environment and the surprises that may loom beyond the surfaces. Providing clients with reasonable assurance and
offering suitable solutions is essential. In Jayde Mechanical Inc. v Szabo, 2017 CanLII 45933 (ON SCSM) the defendants owned a cottage in Lake Erie. The plaintiff, (a contractor) was retained to replace the boiler. He followed the manufacturers instructions when installing it, but the boiler failed to function. The defendant did not pay the full invoice amount, which lead the plaintiff to file a claim. After 10 days in court the judge summarized that the work was not suitable for the purpose and that a contractor must understand the circumstances and intended use by the consumer and try to reasonably achieve this. The claim was dismissed on the basis that contractor inflated his prices and the Defendant still benefitted from the boiler after it was properly installed. In a basement that is
more than a 100 years old, a contractor should look to the environment to ensure adequate waterproofing can be provided. Litigation is by nature an unpredictable process. High emotions can arise in these cases because someone’s home and a contractor’s reputation are at stake. Against the monetary value of the case and the potential legal fees and expenses, it was in the best interest of the disputants to find a negotiated solution regarding the work to the basement. With the increase in renovation projects in Ontario, disputes of this nature would serve as a cost and time saving measure to proceed outside of the traditional court system. So, what is mediation and does it work? Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolu-
tion, which facilitates a resolution between two or more parties before a case goes to trial. It is a structured and interactive process, whereby an impartial party known as “The Mediator”, assists disputing parties to resolve a conflict through a negotiated agreement. Mediation allows you to control a solution that best suits your needs. If a solution is reached by all the parties, the terms of settlement become binding in a court of law. What are the benefits of mediating? Mediation is a extremely beneficial process for many reasons. Going to court can be expensive and risky. If the judge does not decide in your favour, you may have to pay the other side’s costs. Mediation provides a faster resolution to your case. Depending on the mediator’s availability, you can settle
your dispute within weeks rather than years. Mediation is most beneficial because the parties can choose how they wish to settle. When should I mediate? You can mediate your dispute before filing the case with a court. If you have already filed your case, you can still mediate at any stage before the trial begins. How much do mediator’s charge? Mediator rates can vary depending on experience, seniority, and the time it takes to mediate your case. This is something you may want to research. Often mediators will offer tailored fees depending on the type of case you have. There are some mediators that also offer pro bono services. Afsana Gibson-Chowdhury is a Beach resident, mediator and lawyer.
8
BEACH METRO NEWS
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Community Calendar proudly presented by
Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford During COVID-19, many community events may be cancelled or postponed. Please visit the groups’ websites or connect with organizers to receive the latest information.
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MEDIATION and COLLABORATIVE Linda Bronicheski
Lawyer, Mediator
47 Main Street (at Lyall) 416-763-6884 Linda@BeachesFamilyLaw.com
Stretch, Lift or Tap Program Being physically active is possible for everyone, no matter what your health status! Join the Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto for a FREE INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL WORKSHOP designed for older adults over the age of 65. Caregivers also welcome! A trained health provider will teach you how to keep moving in fun and safe ways inside the home.
Join us on April 27th at 11:00am
To register, please call the RGP of Toronto at 416-480-6026 www.rgptoronto.ca
Nathaniel Erskine-Smith M.P. Beaches-East York info@beynate.ca
416.467.0860
BEACH STUDIO TOUR Online Art Show, April 30May 9, featuring local artists. Info: beachstudiotour.ca THE PERIOD PURSE – Toronto East Spring Blitz. Donations of period products, new cloth masks and underwear for delivery to local food banks and shelters can be made at three locations until May 28: Origin Wellness, 2017 Danforth Ave.; MCA Wellness Clinic, 2245 Queen St. E.; Might & Main Coffee Shop, 126 Main St. To make on online donation, visit www.theperiodpurse. com/donations. Info: torontoeast@theperiodpurse.com WOODGREEN’S DO-IT-YOURSELF TAX HELPLINE. Are you unsure of how or where to start on your taxes? WoodGreen Community Services’ Do-It-Yourself Tax Helpline can help. It’s free! No appointment necessary. Call 416-645-6000 ext. 2999. For more info, please visit: https:// www.woodgreen.org/services/programs/diy-tax-helpline/ SPRINGFEST ONLINE AUCTION - May 17-31. Many interesting items including art, gift baskets & one-of-a-kind treasures on the auction block. Proceeds support Birchcliff Bluffs United Church. Info: www.bbuc.ca, 416-694-4081 STAYING ACTIVE INDOORS Workshop (free), on Tuesday, April 27 at 11 a.m. Being physically active is possible for everyone, no matter what your health status! Join the Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto for an Interactive Virtual Workshop designed for older adults over the age of 65. Caregivers also welcome! A trained health provider will teach you how to keep moving in fun and safe ways inside the home. To register: call 416-480-6026 or email info@rgptoronto.ca COMMUNITY CENTRE 55 AGM for members of CC55, Tuesday, June 8, at 7 p.m. at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St., 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, 2020; to receive our Program report; and to fill 1 vacancy on the Board of Management. Info: Debbie Visconti, Executive Director, Community Centre 55 at 416-691-1113 ext. 225 KEW BEACH LAWN BOWLING and Croquet Club, at the foot of Lee Avenue beside the hockey rink. 113 years and going strong! We plan to be open for bowling in late May. New members welcome. Very reasonable annual fee. We will provide equipment if you want to give it a try. Following Covid protocols to keep members safe. Info: facebook.com/KewBeachLawnBowlingClub, email kewbeachlbc@gmail.com or call 416-694-4371 WOMEN, WAR AND LOVE: Author Kim Echlin reads from “Speak, Silence” 7:30 pm Tuesday, April 27 ONLINE. International bestselling author Echlin will read from her new book “Speak, Silence” followed by an opportunity to ask Kim questions. Zoom link provided with a donation through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/women-war-and-love-kimechlin-reads-from-speak-silence-tickets-147847296243. Open to all. Donations to this event will support volunteer-run food programs at Beach United Church. BEACH UNITED DOCUMENTARY DISCUSSION SERIES Wednesday, April 28, 8 p.m. online. Watch the provocative documentary “Seaspiracy” on Netflix before April 28th. Seaspiracy examines the global fishing industry, challenging notions of sustainable fishing and showing how human actions cause widespread environmental destruction. Discuss with others - what you like, do not like, what was your lasting impression. To receive Zoom link register with moderator: maryanne.alton@sympatico.ca. Everyone is welcome. Info: www.beachunitedchurch.com COVID-19 SUPPORT GROUP for people with longterm symptoms, virtual meeting with East End Community Health Centre, Tuesdays 1-3 p.m. (April 27-June 15). Connect with others who have been experiencing similar long-term mental and physical COVID-19 symptoms; develop coping strategies; get support from health care professionals. Program is free. Space limited. To register: Marilyn VanDerKooi 416-778-5805 x 204, mvanderkooi@eastendchc.on.ca by May 3. GRANTFULL AND FELLOWSHIP FOODBANK. For the month of April, Grantfull and Fellowship Foodbank and Soup Kitchen, 2029 Gerrard St. E., will operate on Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m. for walk-in clients and home delivery for seniors and clients who are unable to come to the Foodbank. As of May 5, the Foodbank days and hours of operation will change to: home delivery - Wednesdays
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from 1-4 p.m. As of May 7, Walk-ins - Fridays from 4-6 p.m. Registration is required. Please wear a face mask and respect social distancing. To make arrangements for home delivery if you are unable to visit the foodbank, please call 416-690-5169, or email: grantfullfoodbank@gmail.com GERRARD ART SPACE, 1475 Gerrard St. E. •The Show About Stories, extended to May 16. •The Collage Show, April 28-May 16. •Treasures That Prevail, May 19-June 6. We return to curbside viewing and art purchase pickup, Thursday - Sunday 2-7. Info:gerrardartspace.com BEACHES MENTAL WELLNESS GROUP. Join us most days for a free video support group run through ZOOM. Sign up and get details at https://www.meetup. com. Ask to join us: Mental Wellness Peer-to-Peer Support-Groups. Info: www.mentalwellness.help DANFORTH MENTAL WELLNESS GROUP Join us most days for a free video support group run through ZOOM. Sign up and get details at https:// www.meetup.com/Mental-Wellness-Peer-to-PeerSupport-Groups/. Info: www.mentalwellness.help BEACH INTERFAITH OUTREACH LUNCH PROGRAM for adults. Bag lunches at the door will be available from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. •Mondays (except holidays) at Corpus Christie Church (16 Lockwood Rd.) •Tuesdays at St. Nicholas Anglican Church (1512 Kingston Rd.), co-hosted by St. Aidan’s Anglican Church •Wednesdays at Beach Hebrew Institute (109 Kenilworth Ave.) •Thursdays at Beach United Church (140 Wineva Ave.) •Fridays at Beach United Church (140 Wineva), hosted by Kingston Road United Church. Info: 416-691-6869 BEACH PHOTO CLUB. We invite all shutterbugs to check out our local photo club. We offer 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. Normally we meet at Beach United Church, but due to Covid, we are meeting on Zoom for the time being. Info: beachphotoclub.com or email beachphotoclub@gmail.com BEACH UNITED CHURCH invites you to join minister Karen Dale and music director Steven Webb every Sunday morning at 10:30 am online. April Theme: Arise! Links will be posted on our website: https://beachunitedchurch.com/ ST. SAVIOUR’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 43 Kimberley Ave. All are welcome. Due to Covid, our 10:30 a.m. Sunday service is now on zoom. Info: 416699-6512, www.stsaviours.ca, www.facebook.com/ churchwithreddoor. Sermons available on Proclamation! Podcast (now available for free on iTunes). CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 72 Main St. Sunday service and mid-week study groups by phone. Call 416-691-4721 for more details. For updates about what is open visit www.calvary-bapist-church.ca ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 794 Kingston Rd. Joyful Easter greetings to all. Confessions by appt. during Covid. See our website for parish information including weekly videoed homilies and our YouTube channel: www.stjohnsrc.ca, 416-698-1105 FALLINGBROOK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 35 Wood Glen Rd., is available on ZOOM. Worship Services, Sundays at 10:30 am with Rev. Angela J. Cluney. Book Club meets on the last Thursday of the month at 7 pm. April - The Uncommon Reader by: Alan Bennett & Where the Crawdads Sing by: Delia Owens; May – Iscariot by: Tosca Moon Lee. Hobby Circle on the second Friday of the month at 2 p.m. Any hobby is welcome. For all ZOOM & phone links: email fboffice@ rogers.com or call 416-699-3084. Everyone is Welcome! BEACHES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 65 Glen Manor Dr. Sunday services are continuing remotely at 10am. To join us on Zoom or by phone please visit the church website for more info: www.beacheschurch.org, 416-6995871. Minister: The Reverend Katherine McCloskey KINGSTON ROAD UNITED CHURCH, 975 Kingston Road. Our weekly worship service is posted on YouTube each Saturday afternoon. Check our website for the weekly link. We have virtual Sunday School each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Please email the church for the link. Info: www.kruc.ca, kruc.info@gmail.com ST. AIDAN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 2423 Queen St. E. Our ministries and programs are continuing, with study groups online, service videos on YouTube, opportunities to meet virtually in small groups, and an eco-spirituality theme for action and learning all year. Find out more on our website: staidansinthebeach.com
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
9
BEACH METRO NEWS
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Tuesday, April 20, 2021
BEACH METRO NEWS
Provincial robotics championships set for week of May 3 to 8 ‘Glen’ from Page 1 “This team is our first robotics team ever to never be in the same room together at the same time,” Martin said. The students have largely worked with each other via Zoom video conferencing, and while the competition stages would normally be held at local schools, those too have been online. But COVID-19 isn’t stopping these bright students, instead they call their robotics competition “the highlight of the pandemic.” The competition involves three main components: there’s an innovation project, a core values presentation, and the robotics competition. It’s designed purposefully as such to offer the students a chance to expand their scope of learning beyond STEM. “Every year at the FLL they have a different theme,” Jade said. “Our missions correspond to that theme. For this year our theme is fair play in sports.” So students have designed the robot in question to complete tasks and programs related to “sports, treadmills, weight machines, certain things you would use for training in sports,” she added.
The Glen Ames Senior Public School robotics team for this year is called Level Playing Field. The team recently qualified to take part in next month’s online provincial FIRST Lego League championships. “One of the missions we have with the biggest success rate is the bench mission,” Jade explained. “The robot starts in an area called ‘launch’ and it takes one attachment, removes a backpress, returns it to launch, and goes back to continue.” It’s one of many tasks the students have designed, coded, and assembled the robot to complete. For their innovation project, the team aimed to solve a real world problem in sports: racism. In a presentation, they deliver strategies and incentivized goals to help sports organizations and
teams become more inclusive and eliminate discrimination. “We’re trying to help fix inclusivity and equality in sports,” Jimmy said. Their project even got support from Sportsnet. “They were very impressed,” Jimmy added. And for the final core values component, the team put forward teamwork, innovation, impact, inclusion, fun, and discovery as their six key core values embodied in their project and in their robotics team. “All these components, they all teach you different things,” Ella
said. “They teach you creativity, innovation, how to think outside the box to solve problems, and how to work well as a team.” And all of this is done through Zoom. Normally the qualifiers took place in various classrooms in Toronto, the provincial championships were held at Durham College, and the international competition took place in California. This year, the students are limited to presenting their project to FIRST judges via Zoom. The robotics teams have three major tournaments to compete in – the qualifiers, the provincials, and the international. They completed their qualifying round the week of April 5, and are headed to the provincials from May 3 to 8. If the Glen Ames students succeed there they will move on to the international round, competing against teams across North America. “Normally there are hundreds of FLL TDSB teams,” Martin said. However, given COVID-19 restrictions, school closures, and going back and forth between inperson and remote learning, there are only 10 teams from the Toronto
District School Board participating this year. For the students at Glen Ames, the experience has lightened what has been a heavy year for students across the world. “This year has taught me a lot of stuff,” Alexandra said. “We had to learn to problem solve, I’ve had great experience working with talented people.” “Before I started, I applied for the robotics team not knowing anything, hoping for a new experience,” Saphia said. “I taught myself programming, I’ve learned a lot from this experience, and a lot from my teammates.” “Before I went into robotics, I wasn’t the most confident speaker,” Liam said. “All the training I’ve done the last couple years, it’s really helped.” Whether schools are open for in-person or only offering online classes, the Glen Ames students will compete in the provincials championships on the week of May 3 to 8. Ali Raza is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for Beach Metro News. His reporting is funded by the Government of Canada through its Local Journalism Initiative.
Danforth Families for Safe Communities critical of gun control bill By Alan Shackleton
THE DANFORTH Families for Safe Communities (DFSC) sent a letter to the Canadian government this week outlining its “great disappointment” with the proposed changes to federal gun control laws being put forward by the ruling Liberal Party. The April 7 letter was addressed to Scarborough Southwest MPP and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair, with copies to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Liberal Members of Parliament. “We do not accept this government’s record on gun control reform as meeting, or being on track to meet, its platform promises,” said the letter posted on the DFSC’s website. “To then claim that Bill C-21 is the ‘most sweeping and significant gun legislation in Canadian history’ is highly offensive to gun crime victims. Bill C-21 not only misses the mark on the most important elements that such legislation should address, but the messaging disseminated by this government actually masks the potential harmful effects of this bill for Canadians.” The DFSC is made up of families who were affected by the Danforth Shooting on the night of July 22, 2018, that took the lives of two peo-
SAFETY
adequately address them, which is disappointing to say the least. Consequently, it is with great disappointment that we are once again forced to revisit our own grief and trauma as a means of having you and other elected officials take notice,” the letter said. The Liberal government’s failure to address the many issues related to gun control and public safety in the wake of the Danforth Shooting, along with continuing gun-related crimes across the country, is bringing back the pain of July 2018 for many of the members of the DFSC group, the letter said. “It is not easy to relive the night of July 22, 2018, nor any other occasion where gun use led to tragedy, shattering lives and the perceived sense of safety within a community. Nonetheless, we have shared our stories. “For all of us, it is impossible to accept the senseless loss of life and long-standing health effects of the related injuries (whether they be physical or mental). For all of us, it is impossible to erase the direct and indirect impact of the trauma and the haunting memories for those who bore witness,” the letter said. The letter specifically takes to task Minister Blair and 48 Liberal MPs (25 in the City of Toronto and 23 more in the surrounding Greater
Toronto Area) for “failing” to protect Canadian citizens and being “collectively complicit” in the process and shortcomings of Bill C-21. “And, it is, most particularly, a failing of yours, Mr. Blair – Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness – which is significantly disappointing to those signatories hereto who are represented by you in the electoral district of Scarborough Southwest,” the letter continued. “The bottom line is that your direct experience in Toronto law enforcement and representation as a Toronto MP should have resulted in a far stronger recommendation on handgun policy.” Blair was a Toronto police officer for 39 years, including serving as Chief from 2005 until his retirement from policing in 2015, after which he ran in that year’s federal election and was elected MP for Scarborough Southwest. Among many failings in Bill C-21 outlined by the DFSC is the section saying municipalities could be responsible for instituting their own bans on handguns exclusive of a Canada-wide law. “Withdraw the proposal for a municipally-determined handgun prohibition on storage and transportation in order to determine a more credible strategy, which must include reducing, and eventually
phasing out, the private ownership of handguns in Canada,” said the letter. Mary-Liz Power, a spokeswoman for Blair, said in a statement to CBC News on April 8 that the federal government has “taken the strongest and most extensive action to end gun violence that our country has ever seen.” She told CBC that if Bill C-21 is passed, owners of prohibited weapons would need a licence and enhanced storage requirements would be mandated. “These measures will give our government information about where these prohibited weapons are, and who has them; information that will ensure our buyback program is effective in retrieving these weapons that are too dangerous for our communities,” Power said. “The federal government would like to thank the members of Danforth Families for Safe Communities for their advocacy, and their commitment to a future free from gun violence.” To read the full text of the Danforth Families for Safe Communities’ letter, please see our online story at www.beachmetro.com/2021/04/09/ letter-by-danforth-families-forsafe-communities-says-toronto-area-liberal-mps-complicit-in-failureof-federal-government-to-delivermeaningful-gun-control-reform/
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ple and injured 13 others. Beach resident and Malvern Collegiate grad Reese Fallon, 18, and Markham’s Julianna Kozis, 10, were killed in the shooting that took place near Danforth and Logan avenues. The shooter killed himself as he was approached by police near Danforth Avenue later that night. The gun used by the shooter had originally been legally sold in Canada but was then later stolen from a gun dealer in Saskatchewan in 2015. Those who signed the April 7 DFSC letter included the parents of Reese Fallon and Julianna Kozis, and family members of many of those injured in the Danforth Shooting. In a Beach Metro News story in February of this year, DFSC member Ken Price said the federal government’s proposed changes in Bill C-21 to the Firearms Act and the Criminal Code were disappointing to the group and were “difficult to support.” Price’s daughter Samantha was wounded in the Danforth Shooting. The April 7 letter went much further in its criticisms of Bill C-21 than Price had first outlined in February. “Unfortunately, the Liberal government’s response has been to acknowledge the issues but to in-
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12
BEACH METRO NEWS
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
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Photo above, a Blanding’s turtle can be identified by its bright yellow throat and domed shell. Photo at left, shows the correct way to pick up a turtle, which is by placing your hands around the shell near the hind legs and nowhere near the head just in case it is a snapping turtle that you have discovered.
Blanding’s and other turtles need our help crossing roads Ann Brokelman is an avid birder and nature photographer naturephotosbyann.blogspot.ca
W
e have all had that moment of panic when a squirrel or a rabbit has darted into the road; we don’t want to hit the poor animal, but we also don’t want to risk swerving and causing an accident. Surprisingly, one of the most hit animals is one that you’d think would be easy to avoid: turtles. Many people don’t even realize that cars are a serious problem to our local turtle populations. While it is easy to assume that a turtle is easy to avoid, because it moves so slowly, the fact that it may take five to 10 minutes for one to cross the road means that it only takes a single car, out of potentially hundreds, to not notice it and hit the turtle. Now that spring has arrived, our armoured reptile
PHOTO: ANN BROKELMAN
A Blanding’s turtle discovered by Ann Brokelman and her daughter Jennifer one May day had a tracking antenna attached to its shell. friends are beginning to wake up and to look for the right pond or river to settle in. For many of them, that means leaving their current location and venturing across our roads in search of new bodies of water. If you know you’re driving by anything like a swamp, pond, stream, or river, slow down a little and keep a special watch out for anything that looks like a slow-moving turtle. Over the years my kids and I have helped dozens and dozens of turtles cross the road. On one long drive, my daughter Jennifer and I must have carefully moved over a dozen. The photos with this column are from one of the most memorable sightings: It was a warm day in May, several years ago, and the perfect weather for a slow and easy drive somewhere in Ontario. We were enjoying our travels when Jen caught sight of a turtle in a deep ditch on the side of the road. I pulled over, safely as always, and we went back to see if it needed any help. When we got close enough, we realized it was one of Ontario’s most threatened at-risk species: the Blanding’s turtle. The bright yellow throat and domed shell are the main things to look for. As
she slowly climbed out of the ditch, Jen noticed that it had an antenna and a tag on its back. This was something new! We waited to see if he was going to try to cross the road, and, when we were certain he was, carefully picked him up and carried him across to the other side. Did you know that turtles like to pee when you pick them up? I do not know if that’s actually the case, but in my experience, it happens every time! An interesting side story: after we found the antenna and tag, we called local conservation group and told them about the number on the tag. It turns out that this turtle was quite old. We gave them the GPS location and they came by later to look for the turtle’s nest. Because Blanding’s turtles are endangered, and because the mother abandons the eggs after they’ve been laid, the conservationists will take the eggs back to their centre to give the hatchlings the best chance of surviving until they can grow large enough to be safely released back into the wild. Hopefully in a few more years the Blanding’s turtle population will have recovered enough that this won’t be required. So how can you help turtles?
First, as much as we want to help them, never put yourself or other drivers in danger. After you’ve spotted one, and only when you’re sure it’s safe to do so, pull over to the side of road and put your hazard lights on. If there is no, or little, traffic on the road, just stand by and watch the turtle cross. Let nature do its own thing if possible. However, if there is a lot of traffic in the area, pick up the turtle, with both hands, and carefully take it across the road in the same direction it was headed. I like to wait until they are 20 to 30 feet away from the road before I head back to my car. Please, please, please keep the head away from you: just in case you’ve found a Snapping Turtle. If they feel threatened, and being picked up is a threatening situation, they will absolutely try to bite you and they can cause serious harm. There is a special way of moving them, so please go to the Ontario Turtle Conservation website and watch the video on how to safely pick one up. Turtles are amazing creatures. Who doesn’t love to see them basking on a rock or a log, or get excited when you see one scurry away into, and swim around in, the water? All they want is to be left alone to go about their turtle business, and sometimes that business takes them across our busy roads. Let’s do our best to slow down, keep an eye out for them, and help their populations recover. If you see an injured or hit turtle please put it in box (I keep a plastic crate in my car year-round) and call your local wildlife centre or conservation group to assist you. We can make a difference.
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
BEACH METRO NEWS
13
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14
BEACH METRO NEWS
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Spring and summer exhibits Huge numbers turn out for planned for Winter Stations pop-up vaccination clinic ‘Winter’ from Page 1 Small Beginnings, and The Epitonium installations. Also from May 6 to late June, the site at 33 Parliament St. (just southwest of the Distillery District) will be home to the THROBBER installation. In the summer months, Arc de Blob will be hosted by the Beach Village BIA though an exact location and dates have yet to be determined. “These dates were chosen to align with the end of the (Ontario) stay-at-home order. Should public health officials choose to extend the order, we may adjust our start dates,” warned the organizers. “That said, we recognize the ever-increasing importance of outdoor settings and look forward to offering a fun and safe activity for Torontonians to enjoy. We encourage everyone who visits the stations to do so on their own, or with members of their own household and to practice social distancing while at a station.” A location and time to display the installation designed by Sheridan College students, Embrace, is still be-
By Alan Shackleton
The Winter Stations art installation Arc de Blob will be hosted by the Beach Village BIA some time this summer, though an exact location has yet to be determined. ing finalized with the team at the college, said Winter Stations organizers. Additionally, a digital version of the Winter Stations Opening Night Pecha Kucha is slated for Wednesday, April 21 at 7 p.m. Members of the public are invited to meet the artists and learn about their winning designs from the comfort of their homes at this event on Zoom. It will hosted by Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford
and Tiffany Pratt in partnership with sponsors. The Pecha Kucha will take place on Zoom and will be hosted by the co-chairs of this year’s jury, Councillor Brad Bradford and Tiffany Pratt, in partnership with sponsors. To register to attend the virtual Pecha Kucha, please visit www.winterstations. com and complete the registration form. Attendance is free.
THERE WAS a huge line of people hoping to get their COVID-19 vaccine shot at a pop-up clinic in Crescent Town on Friday, April 16. The massive line snaked from the lower playground at Crescent Town Elementary School, up the hill, through the rest of the schoolyard, onto Massey Square and then onto Crescent Town Road halfway to Victoria Park Avenue. Resident Zinnat Jahan was at the very end of the line when she spoke with Beach Metro News early on Friday afternoon. She expected she’d be waiting until after 5 p.m. for her chance of a shot from the clinic being run by East Toronto Health Partners with the support of Michael Garron Hospital for residents living specifically in Crescent Town. “Six weeks ago this should have been happening,” Jahan said. “Crescent Town was a hot spot in the first wave. Many people in my building caught COVID and we are at high risk.” She was pleased though that the vaccination clinic
was taking place on Friday for those who otherwise would not be able to get a shot. “It’s good that it’s here today, but it would have been better if the vaccines came earlier.” The pop-up vaccination clinic in Crescent Town also took place April 17. Over the two days of the clinic, 2,000 people were vaccinated. With high densities, economic challenges and many residents working in essential services and unable to take time off from work, Jahan said there were not a lot of options available for Crescent Town residents looking to get vaccinated. She added the stress of dealing with both COVID-19 and unsympathetic landlords was also making life difficult for many Crescent Town residents at this time. “We are scared of COVID plus all the evictions being issued here as well. We are losing our health and our homes, and we are terrified and in a panic,” said Jahan. Beaches-East York MPP Rima Berns-McGown, who is herself recovering after having had COVID-19 last month, spoke at the Crescent Town pop-up vaccination
clinic on Friday. While she praised ETPH and the hospital, Berns-McGown was extremely angry with how the vaccine rollout is being handled by the Province of Ontario. “Half the reason I am so enraged is that this is a hot spot per Toronto Public Health but it’s not on the list of the province’s high-priority postal codes,” she said. “This is the only way people here can get a vaccine.” The province designated numerous postal codes across Ontario as high priority, which would open up vaccinations to everyone over 18 if they could get an appointment. Crescent Town, which is in the M4C postal code, was not among the 53 identified in Toronto by the province as being high risk. “The essential workers living here can’t even take a sick day to get vaccinated because they will lose pay and get evicted,” said Berns-McGown who is an NDP MPP. She said Premier Doug Ford and his ruling Progressive Conservative Party must make structural changes to how they are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic or it will only get worse.
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
BEACH METRO NEWS
15
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16
BEACH METRO NEWS
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Works of artists featured online at upcoming Beach Studio Tour TAX SEASON HAS ARRIVED Do you already have all your income slips? Why wait, we are open now to help you file. We do the simplest to very complex returns. 1714 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON M4C 1H8 (Across from McDonald’s)
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‘Beach” from Page 1 Here is a glimpse into the work of the 14 participating artists: Lucille Crighton, the weaver on Balsam Avenue, is an institution by herself. A visit to the studio of this BST founding member presents the added pleasure of seeing her artful garden. Heidi Burkhardt, also a founding member, can be found around the neighbourhood with stool and canvas, painting scenery and urban landmarks. Dianne Shelton, small in stature, sometimes paints huge abstract canvasses. She and Ruth Hays have been holding court on Fernwood for over two decades. Ruth, with her ethereal watercolours, has been teaching legions of Beachers in her popular classes. What is special about a studio tour versus a gallery show is that artists can show anything they like. In a commercial gallery an artist is limited to new work, selected by a gallerist for cohesion. Some artists who work in a variety of media do not have that imposed limitation when they open their studio. So someone like Susan Ward, another long time member, can show her glass work, her watercolours and her mixed media pieces. Versatility can shine in a studio sale. If you want to see Beach landscapes, look at Shelly Cinnamon, Sandi Stahlbrand, or Jenna Westphal. For contemporary imaginative paintings look at Susan Aaron, or Lisa Bennett or the textural wonders of Sheila Thompson’s felt creations. Now, there is a fresh, young crew of artists who have joined the tour. Shah Ruby the newest member makes beach inspired jewellery. Cynthia Barrett presents her gorgeous hand-blown glass creations. Hannah Burkhardt, a second-generation BST artist is a printmaker. Her mother,
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Heidi (the writer of this article), paved the way for her participation. This mother daughter duo will be showing simultaneously. This is a testimonial from a former patron who stumbled upon the Beach Studio Tour while exploring the city on her bike in the fall 2019. She saw paintings in a converted garage/studio on Norway from the sidewalk. Sally S. wrote in the guest book: “I was immediately drawn to the brush strokes that represented trees, rocks, and rivers of Northern Ontario. I found a refreshing genuineness in her work that reminded me of my travels to the North. I could live through her paintings every moment of calm, exaltation,
and self-discovery that I had experienced on the shores of the Georgian Bay. It created in me a sense of community: the feelings of two humans towards a part of the world shared through canvas. I will definitely come back for more this year!” Traditionally the works on display have been a balance of fine arts and fine crafts. Expect to see painters, jewellers, mixed media artists, weavers, and one-of-akind clothes makers. Currently the sneak preview is available. The official Beach Studio Tour show runs April 30 to May 9. Participants in the tour will see the current offerings on the Spring 2021 website,
with links of each artist’s personal page. A virtual look into the artists’ studios and artist work will be posted daily on social media from April 30 to May 9. The social media links are Instagram: @beach_studio_ tour; and on Facebook at @ beachstudiotour For more information on this year’s Beach Studio Tour, please go to www. beachstudiotour.ca/ And in case you forget, the Spring Tour information will also be posted on the cheerful, yellow bikes that Beachers are familiar with. Local residents will see the bikes around the community on Queen Street East, Kingston Road and near the Boardwalk.
Beach Metro News Lucky Volunteer Betty Isbister is the Beach Metro Community News Lucky Volunteer for April 20. She has been delivering the paper in the community for many years. She started as a volunteer shortly after retiring from her job at the University of Toronto. “I have lived in the Beach for about 45 years and loved every minute of it as it is truly a neighbourhood...full of wonderful people and lots of fun things.” For being selected Lucky Volunteer for April 20, Betty receives a prize of $50 which she is donating to Community Centre 55.
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The work of artist Heidi Burkhardt will be among those featured at this year’s virtual Beach Studio Tour which takes place online from April 30 to May 9.
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Tuesday,April 20, 2021
BEACH METRO NEWS
17
PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY HEALTH DR. KARIN RUMMELL & ASSOCIATES OPTOMETRISTS 1914 Queen St. E. (E. of Woodbine) Mon.- Sat. by appointment
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Dr. Barbara Houghton 647-221-5516
NEXT DEADLINE APRIL 26
Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries Public 300 Main Street 416-690-3324
Barrister, Solicitor, Notary
Family • Wills & Estates Real Estate
2069 Danforth Ave. (Woodbine)
416-690-6195
dbadleylaw@rogers.com
Barrister & Solicitor
Family Law & Mediation 416-699-8848
2239 Queen Street East www.kathrynwrightlaw.com kathrynwrightlaw@gmail.com
BARRISTER & SOLICITOR Estate Planning/Real Estate/Business House Calls
416-767-CASS (2277) x 207 416-795-4899 (cell) 416-491-0273 (fax) garrycass@sympatico.ca
Glover & Associates
E: info@guardianmortgages.ca W:www.guardianmortgages.ca Serving the Beaches & GTA
VETERINARIANS
O’Reilly, Moll & Mian
647-300-4062 • patrick@prtaxcpa.com
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Retired Psychotherapist Finding meaning in your life 20 years experience
Peg Earle M.A., M.Div., RMFT 647-970-6807
EAST END COUNSELLING Adolescents, Adults, Families, Couples Chris Brown, Patty Hayes & Siobhan McCarthy, each w/20+ years experience, ready to work with you in non-judgmental, supportive & collaborative ways
www.eastendcounselling.com
LEE JAMES BOWES CIM, PFP Financial Planning & Investment Services Assante Capital Management Ltd. 101 - 952 Kingston Road, Toronto
647-276-0072 lbowes@assante.com bowesfinancialgroup.ca
LEE JAMES BOWES CIM, PFP EstatePlanning & Insurance Services
Shelley C. Quinn, LL.B., LL.M. (Family Law)
662 Broadview Ave. t. (416) 551-1025 www.QuinnFamilyLaw.ca
416-915-3173
downeylaw.ca • briar@downeylaw.ca
Leane Besky Insurance Agency Inc. DESJARDINS INSURANCE Auto, Home, Life, Critical Illness, Disability, Financial Services
2243 Queen St. E. 416-690-7900 www.leanebesky.com
We specialize in wealth & retirement strategies, RRSPs, TFSAs, RESPs, Pensions and more. Life Insurance, Disability, Critical Illness
Aldo Lopez-Gil CFPr, CIMr aldo.lopez-gil@edwardjones.com 416-691-8730
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Vic M. Sarju 416 560-0985
Real Estate, Family, Litigation Wills & Estates, Corporate
416-691-3700
Queen and Hammersmith
CHIROPRACTORS
Paul J. Cahill
Janet D’Arcy
Personal Injury Lawyer Car accidents, Slips and Falls, Disability Claims 220 Bay Street, Suite 1400 416-643-3857 pcahill@willdavidson.ca
Massage Therapy • Reflexology 2245 Queen St. East • 2nd floor • Open 7 days per week •
www.therapylounge.ca
URBAN CALM THERAPEUTICS Stephanie Gage, RMT Kristina Pearsal, RMT 1789 Queen St. East, Unit 6
www.urbancalm.ca 416-698-3157
Jen Goddard, R.M.T. Neville Park Health Group 2455A Queen St. East
416-690-6257
ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN
Stephen G. King, Architect B. Arch. OAA, MRAIC “Serving the Beach since 1987” Residential, Restorations, Home Inspections, Commercial, Interiors, Landscapes COMPLETE PROJECT SERVICES FROM DESIGN THROUGH CONSTRUCTION
(416) 694-8181 www.stephenkingarchitect.com
Member Ontario Association of Architects
W. MORRIS DESIGN ARCHITECTURAL AND INTERIOR DESIGN CONSULTANTS DESIGN CONCEPTS AND PERMIT DRAWINGS WESLEY MORRIS, ARIDO, IDC, AATO
416-261-9679
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416 690-6257
Renovations & Additions Structural Design • Building Permit
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Beaches Family Law and MEDIATION Linda Bronicheski, J.D.
John H.
BJARNASON, D.C. Chiropractor
47 Main Street (at Lyall) 416-763-6884 Linda@BeachesFamilyLaw.com
1906 Queen St. E. (1 block east of Woodbine)
Shelly Pereira, Paralegal
BEACHES WELLNESS CENTRE
416-694-2868
2130 Queen Street East
Peter J. Salah
ASHBRIDGE’S HEALTH CENTRE
Family Law Lawyer 124 Merton Street, Suite 300 We Collaborate, Negotiate & Litigate 416.752.8128 peter@salahlaw.ca www.salahlaw.ca
True to Form Design Inc. Specializing in residential projects Permit drawings, Interior alterations, Additions, Laneway suites and more Mitch Hardeen, Arch. Tech., BCIN www.truetoformdesign.ca Instagram | designtruetoform
647-290-5522
Dr. Johanna Carlo
647-693-6240 Toronto info@toronto-paralegal.net
Mortgage Outlet Inc #12628
Megan Evans, RMT, CRHP & Associates
Open Saturdays
647-276-0072 lbowes@assante.com bowesfinancialgroup.ca
647-782-8540
THERAPY LOUNGE
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES
Registered Massage Therapy
aaron@themortgageoutlet.ca
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Call for a Free 30 min. Consultation
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INSURANCE
Commissioner/Notary, Small Claims, Landlord & Tenant/other Tribunals, Municipal Offences, Letters & Mediation.
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Assante Capital Management Inc. 101 - 952 Kingston Road, Toronto
Aaron Anderson
Su Willson, B.MUS, R.M.T. & ASSOC.
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Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries
Finding meaning in your life 20 years experience
Patrick Ruiz Professional Corporation
Author of Be Free Here & Now
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Peg Earle M.A., M.Div., RMFT 647-970-6807
Tel: 416-699-0424 Fax: 416-699-0285 Email: info@sdlegal.ca
GARRY M. CASS
SPIRITUAL ADVISER Retired Psychotherapist
Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries. 978 Kingston Road, Toronto, Ont., M4E 1S9
KATHRYN WRIGHT
WELLNESS
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Geoffrey J. Dashwood
DENISE BADLEY-CASTELLO
BOOKKEEPING & PERSONAL TAX RETURNS
COUNSELLING
Barristers & Solicitors
416-690-6800
Melani Norman
416-694-4380
www.drlempert.ca
Complete financial services for the business owner, manager, entrepreneur & self-employed Corporate and Personal Income Tax Services Bus: 416-270-9898
Chartered Professional Accountants
Psychologist
Consultations • Therapy Individuals • Couples Over 20 years experience. Located at Queen & Wheeler
Bert van Delft
Cont.
Chiropractic &
FUNERAL SERVICES
416-698-7070
Dr. Emily Howell Jackie Leesun, RMT Dr. Ceara Higgins
Chiropractic, Acupuncture, RMT
1522 Queen St. E. 416-465-5575 www.ashbridgeshealth.ca
eco Cremation & Burial Services Inc.
Life Celebrations. Done Differently. In Service with St. John’s Norway Cemetery & Crematorium.
647.660.5056 www.ecofuneral.ca
18
BEACH METRO NEWS
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Deja Views
HOPE IS HERE, AND YOU ARE INVITED! Find online worship resources, and Sunday Services at our website: www.stjohnsnorway.com
416–691–4 560
STJOHNSNORWAY.COM
Experiencing a Wellness Challenge? Worry • Anxiety • Stress • Depression OCD • Bipolar • PTSD • Sadness
We’ve been there...we can help! Sign up for FREE & CONFIDENTIAL peer support
VIRTUAL PEER SUPPORT GROUPS!
PHOTO: JOHN LESLIE HARRISON
Join us most days for a FREE video support group run through ZOOM. Sign up and get details at: www.MeetUp.com Look for: Mental-Wellness-Peer-to-Peer-Support-Groups
www.MentalWellness.help
IT’S GRILLIN’ TIME!
BBQ ACCESSORIES | PATIO HEATERS OUTDOOR FIREPLACES | FIRE TABLES
YOUR LOCAL BBQ STORE Check website for store hours.
www.classicfireplace.ca
PHOTO: DAVID VAN DYKE
Remembering horse racing at Greenwood Raceway By David Van Dyke
Recently, my son Michael and I spent an hour walking around Woodbine Park looking for the two trees depicted in the photo above. Really, how much does a tree grow in just more than 32 years? The tree on the right had been felled and we did find its stump to know we were in the exact same place John Leslie Harrison was when he took the photo image (at the top of this page) of Greenwood Raceway in 1988. His daughter Laura Harrison told me her father walked three kilometres a day and often took his camera with him (a habit I cannot help but agree with). A tree has been planted in his memory at Woodbine Park near the children’s play area.
Delectable Takeout Foods
Thank you Laura for taking time to drop off these amazing photos your dad took of the race track before it was razed.
Online purchases available with choice of contactless delivery or curbside pick-up Tuesday-Sunday
Do you, like Laura, have old photographs your parents took of the Beach of yesteryear? Please contact me gdvandyke61@gmail.com
Chef Corbin Food Shop 1559 Kingston Road
OPEN Thursday to Saturday 10am-5pm & Sunday 10am-3pm www.corbincateringandfoods.com | 647-588-1116
Historical Society hosts online talk THE BEACH and East Toronto Historical Society (TBETHS) will welcome author Adam Bunch as the special guest at an online talk tonight. A journalist, historian and author, Bunch will speak about his recent book The Toronto Book of Love. The talk is set for Tuesday,
April 20 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Published by Dundurn Press, Bunch’s book brings Toronto’s history to life as it tells tales of romance, marriage and lust from days gone by. For information on how to take part in the Zoom talk by Bunch, please go to the TBETHS website at www.tbeths.com
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Arts & Entertainment
BEACH METRO NEWS
19
Don’t Leave Home Without Him
Tom Jackson will be the host and a performer at the online Heal the Earth virtual event slated for Earth Day on April 22.
Beach resident organizing Heal the Earth virtual concert in support of Earth Day By Anson Wong
FIFTEEN ARTISTS from Canada, Sweden, Scotland, and the United States will have their music played in celebration of Earth Day later this month The virtual concert, Heal the Earth, is scheduled for 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 22. The event will be pre-produced and then released. Beach resident Sandy Graham is executive producer for the event. She brings her years of experience in the music industry to Heal the Earth. Graham was one of the first women to work at a major music label in Canada and has been in the music industry for more than 40 years with experience in radio, production, and marketing. About 15 years ago, Cashbox Magazine proposed the idea of opening a Canadian division with Graham. “Being the entrepreneurial, fearless person I am at times I said, not unless I can own it. And they said, ‘OK, you can own it,’ ” Graham said. Now, the online magazine and radio station serves as a place to give indie artists exposure, which sets Cashbox apart from other media outlets. Graham felt that much like the music industry, the environment has also suffered over the years. Without a conscious effort, problems such as climate change and pollution will continue to plague the planet. “There’s ways to protect the planet and it just takes one step at a time for every person,” Graham said. Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to address these
issues, she said, and the Heal the Earth event will advocate for caring and compassion towards the environment. For Graham, music is one of the best and most powerful forms of human expression. “Musicians are always the ones that want to rally,” Graham said, noting how positive music comes out of terrible times. It did not take much for Graham to get the musicians on board for Heal the Earth. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the music industry much harder than many others. Live venues are no longer an option during the pandemic, and for most musicians performing live is a major portion of their revenue, Graham said. Heal the Earth has attracted a range of younger and older musicians alike as it is an issue everyone wanted to address, no matter their age, she said. “I’ve got young boys that are in their twenties and I want their kids to be able to play on the beach and swim in the water,” Graham said. “What’s going to happen if we don’t fix it now?” Small habits can protect the environment even if they do not seem like much, she pointed out. Properly sorting garbage for example can ensure that recyclables, organics and waster are properly disposed of. “It sounds like such a small thing,” Graham said, “but if every person did that it would change the environment.” The Heal the Earth concert was put together over nine weeks. There is no cost, and the event is non-profit, but viewers are free to make donations to Earth Day Can-
ada. Performers at Heal the Earth will include Andy Kim, Julian Taylor, Gowan, Glass Tiger, Murray McLauchlan, the Spoons, Don Graham, and Tom Jackson. Other special guests are also expected to take part. Here is a list of some of the featured performers and the songs they will sing:
Photo taken prior to COVID.
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Andy Kim – Who Has the Answers (Canada/USA); Barry Stagg – Shine a Little Light (Canada/USA); David Pomeranz – It’s in Every One of Us (USA); Don Graham – You Can Count on Me (Canada); Alan Frew of Glass Tiger – Diamond Sun (Canada/ Scotland); Gowan – Dancing On My Ground (Canada); Julian Taylor Band – Just a Little Bit (Canada); Kingstown Experiment – Letter to Mother (Canada); Marshall Potts – That’s How It Starts (Canada); Continued on Page 20
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20
BEACH METRO NEWS
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Arts & Entertainment
Julian Taylor earns Canadian Folk Music honour, nominated for two Juno Awards
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FROM AN awards standpoint, 2021 has been shaping up as a pretty good year so far for East Toronto musician Julian Taylor. Earlier this year it was announced that he had received his first two Juno Awards nominations in the Contemporary Roots Album of the Year and Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year categories for his second solo acoustic album The Ridge. And on April 11, it was announced that he had been named Solo Artist of the Year at the 2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards. “I’ve been performing and recording music for over 20 years now, and these are my first Juno nominations. So I’m extremely thrilled about that,” said Taylor in a recent interview with Beach Metro News. “I think my parents are just relieved because they’re like, ‘Oh thank goodness we got the music lessons’. They’re finally relieved. So that’s nice.” This year’s Juno Awards, the 50th anniversary edition, will be presented on June 6 in Toronto. At this time, performances at this year’s Juno Awards are slated to take place virtually and the event will be televised from Scotiabank Arena but it cannot be a huge gathering and celebration of Canadian musicians and music due to COVID-19 safety regulations. “It’s a bit strange that I’m not going to be able to hang out with people and mingle and make new friends and things like that. But that’s the world we’re living in, there isn’t much we can do about it except be grateful,” said Taylor remarking on his nominations and the virtual
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East Toronto musician Julian Taylor has been nominated for two Juno Awards this year. He was also named Solo Artist of the Year at the 2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards on April 11. ceremony being held this year. His album The Ridge draws inspiration from the time he spent with his grandparents on their farm in Maple Ridge, British Colombia. As a Canadian musician, when asked about how he felt about Canadian artists being represented on a global stage he responded with optimism and remarked that Canadian artists like The Weeknd and Drake were “dominating the charts.” “From a contemporary roots element, which is one of the nominations that I’ve been bestowed, I find that Canadians are doing great there, too. I think the reality is that the people in my category are all making waves
internationally, which is brilliant. I think it’s a genre that a lot of people may or may not have really paid too much attention to. It’s a storytelling genre, as is the second categories I’ve been nominated for - Indigenous artists or group of the year. Storytelling is really about what these two particular genres are about. I like that because my heritage being Indigenous and West Indian, in both cultures are very well their oral traditions are very important to their preservation,” said Taylor. When asked about his hopes for performing live this summer, Taylor couldn’t help but express disappointment about the current COVID-19 circumstances.
“Personally, I’m extremely frustrated. I’ve seen a lot of my favourite places that I would go to see live music in the East York and Beaches community closing. And in the entire city closing. I’m worried for my friends who are in that business. Primarily, musicians are not working,” he said. Hoping that things go back to normal soon, Taylor maintained his optimism for the future and the upcoming Juno awards ceremony. “The universe has a funny way of working, so maybe it’ll bounce my way this time.” Taylor’s music is available to stream and for purchase www.juliantaylormusic.ca/ music
Musicians to take part in Heal the Earth ‘Beach’ from Page 19 Paul Saunders – Courage (Canada); Spoons – New Day New World (Canada); The Magnettes – Indifferent (Sweden); Tom Jackson – Blue Water (Canada); Tommy James – Crystal Blue Persuasion (USA) Canadian actor and singer Tom Jackson will also act as host and producer for Heal the Earth. “Heal the Earth is here to lift conscience, mind and spirit to a higher ground,” said Jackson in a Heal the Earth press release. “This is a moral and musical compass designed to guide you on a road paved with caring and compassion. There is hope in our future if we use our voices to take action against the sounds of silence. These are songs to be sung and celebrated so our children can bear witness to the enduring strength that is
Don Graham will perform You Can Count On Me as part of the Heal the Earth virtual music event slated for Earth Day on April 22. the love and beauty of Mother Earth.” For more information on
how to take part in Heal the Earth on April 22, please go to www.healtheearth.ca
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
BEACH METRO NEWS
21
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Arts & Entertainment
Book by Beach resident looks at highs and lows of firefighting By Jayson Dimaano
BEING A firefighter comes with its positives: You are helping your community and/or city, you are often seen as a hero and mostly you love your job. However, it also has its downfalls. Some of those include have dealing with the deaths of people in fires and accidents, having neardeath experiences and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Former firefighter and Beach resident Bryan Ratushniak has dealt with the highs and the lows of the job, and writes about them in his recently released book Aftermath: A Firefighter’s Life. “I started writing the funny stories and I noticed when I compiled them, the ones I told at parties or dinners were the good ones, the funny ones,” said Ratushniak. “It wasn’t until I was really getting into it that some of the good stories were triggering stories about the bad situations.” Some of the funny stories include when he was on a call in the Regent Park area about a little boy trapped in an enclosed space. He said such calls can often end badly, and are traumatic experiences. Ratushniak said when they arrived at the intersection at Parliament and Winchester streets, there was a boy waving his arms in the air. “There was a little boy, about
eight years old. He was asking ‘Is my brother going to die?’ We asked ‘Where is your brother?’ and we could hear a pounding. (His brother) snuck into the newspaper box,” Ratushniak said, while chuckling. “He snuck in to steal the money in the box. He was asking ‘Am I going to jail?’ We told him he won’t.” Like many others first responders, Ratushniak has PTSD as the job takes a huge toll on both physical and mental health. “I had a fire at Dundas and Broadview. We went up in the attic to do a search. I got lost in the smoke and I fell down the hole and I was trapped. I closed my eyes and I was going to let my air run out,” he said. “The kids were going to get a bigger buyout if I died on the job. Luckily, my co-worker pulled me out of the hole and I was out for several months with a back injury.” After this event, he went to Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and was diagnosed with clinical depression. He said it was not talked about enough among his fellow firefighters. “Being a firefighter meant you’re a macho man. And you need to suck it up because you’re not supposed to feel that. You drink so you don’t feel that pain. The reality is, everyone goes through it and that’s OK,” said Ratushniak. He added that attitude of not discussing mental health issues has
changed, and the reality of PTSD is now talked about “The fire department is so much better now. When I came on the job and I had a traumatic event, there was no debriefing team. I drank so I would fall asleep and get rid of that bad day. Maybe tomorrow is better. If tomorrow is also bad, I’d drink again. That was my motivation,” he said. Ratushniak retired four years ago, and it wasn’t until two years ago that he stopped having nightmares. He said CAMH and initiatives such as Bell Let’s Talk help people to speak out and talk about how they are feeling without any stigma. “It’s only when people start saying ‘I’m struggling’ that you realize how extensive the problem is,” said Ratushniak. Today he is working in the film industry, which is what inspired him to start writing and led to his book. He said that during the times he was not getting calls for auditions, he wrote a video for kids called Lots and Lots of Firetrucks, and wrote a documentary on the Great Fire of 1904 in Toronto called Iron Men, Wooden Ladders. One thing he misses most about being a firefighter is the crews and the people he worked with, as well as the adrenaline rush of battling a fire. Ratushniak’s book Aftermath:
PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Beach resident Bryan Ratushniak has written a book about his experiences as a Toronto firefighter titled Aftermath: A Firefighter’s Life. A Firefighter’s Life is available at Indigo or Chapters and can be purchased online at www.chapters.
indigo.ca/en-ca/books/aftermatha-firefighters-life/9781770865761item.html
22
BEACH METRO NEWS
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
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General Services
Deadline for May 4th issue is April 26th
RUBBISH REMOVAL & DEMOLITION SPECIALIST RECYCLING 416-264-1495 CELL 416-567-4019
I am looking for a home/house to buy, for my daughter’s little family (husband and new baby) in the Beach. No agents please.
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Removals of Raccoons, Squirrels, Birds, Pigeons, Bats, Skunks & Exclusions Honey Bee and Injured Wildlife Rescue Baby Raccoon Boxes
416.686.2384 / 416.702.2710 (4)
HEALTHY HOME
CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING
(22)
RILEYS’ WINDOW CLEANING A family business since 1956
Window & Eaves Cleaning Gutter Filter Installation
416 421-5758
rileyswindowcleaning.com
(r)
• Design and Construction •
www.kimpricelandscapedesign.com
Proudly serving the Beach for over 20 years Neil Bennett B.Ed./OCT Sally Vickers B.Ed./OCT
BEACH PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
(4)
www.headstarttutors.ca 416-272-9589 • neil@headstarttutors.ca
(4r)
LAWN CUTTING
THE STUDY STUDIO Individualized tutoring and programs for grades 3-12 in all subjects. Proven success with thousands of Beach area students for 20 years. On Kingston Rd. just east of Vic Park
416-414-5883
info@blpm.ca
French tutor for Grades 1-12 immersion, extended and core, by French major student/teacher in training. References available, $30/hr. bethany.m322@gmail.com 647-631-0288
Beach Builds
647 679 3282 www.beachbuilds.ca
Garden & Tree
“save your sunken stone”
Relevelling of: -Driveways -Walkways -Patios -Retaining walls
647 679 3282 www.beachbuilds.ca
416-414-5883
LAWN CUTTING
(4r)
Beach Lawn Care (4r)
EUROPEAN CLEANING LADIES
EXTREME CLEANING I provide excellent cleaning services for residential homes and condos. Contact Martha @ Cell: 647-206-1415 Home: 416-449-0171
www.thestoneporch.com thestoneporch@gmail.com
416-265-6674
*STARTING AT $20
416-691-8503
beachlawncare2020@gmail.com (4r)
Flatten out your uneven... -Driveways -Walkways -Patios
East Toronto Sodding Co. A perfect lawn instantly
647 679 3282
(4r)
ASHBRIDGES CLEANING SERVICES
We are a local Beach Property Management company now offering COVID safe residential cleaning for all your cleaning needs. We specialize in move in/move out deep cleanings. Contact Casey at 416-886-6934 or casey@ashbridges.ca (4r)
• Lawn Maintenance & Fertilizing • Fall/Spring clean ups • Snow removal Call today for a free quote
Home & Office Cleaning Solutions
Music
647-606-0970
freshgreenlawncare @gmail.com
We teach it all!
Scarboro Music
piano, guitar, voice, violin, drums & more
WE ARE NOW OPEN!
joyofmusictoronto.com 416-269-8109 (7)
Fence and Deck Repairs
- Clean Up - Trimming - Seeding, planting, etc. (5)
Spring is in the air. Time for garden care! ameliarosegardendesign.ca deb@ameliarosegardendesign.ca 416-804-0646 (4)
- Clean Up - Trimming - Seeding, planting, etc. (5)
Save the cost of replacing your sagging fence or deck. We rebuild existing fences and decks including rotting posts and boards for years of further service.
Call Richard at U Can Do It
416-580-4290
• Weekly & Bi-Weekly Lawn Cutting • Spring Clean-ups • Fertilization & Aeration • Hedge Trimming & Pruning • Seeding & Sodding • Landscape Construction 647-210-LAWN (5296) www.BeachLawns.ca info@beachlawns.ca (19)
Scotstone
Traditional stone walls, steps, interlocking paths, patios & decks. Landscaping solutions to customize your space.
www.scotstonecontracting.com Call Scott 416.858.2452 (8)
Movers
Green Apple Landscaping
“Always on Time and on Budget”
• Small & Big Moves; Long Distance • All Kinds of Delivery Services incl. cottage country • Junk and Rubbish Removal
Award Winning Design & Build 25 years Experience Read our reviews on Homestars.com One-of-a-Kind Outdoor Living Spaces www.greenapple.ca
(4)
IN THE BEACH LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SPECIALISTS
Landscapers
416-288-1499
(11)
-
Gardening
437-345-9858 (r)
(11)
(11)
Gardening
Bach to ROCK
437-774-6300
GRASS CUTTING 647-606-0970
Amelia Rose Gardening & Design
(4)
Servicing residential and commercial
GARDENING
437-345-9858
Shine & Sparkle
(4r)
HOWELL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
Pruning, Cabling, Planting, Arborist Reports, Removals, Stumps, Milling Free Quotes! 416.546.4889 info@evergreentreecare.ca evergreentreecare.ca (19)
freshgreenlawncare @gmail.com
(4r)
Sunken Interlock Repair
YOUR LOCAL, FAMILY RUN TREE PRESERVATION SPECIALISTS
Who has the time to clean anymore? I have the time, so give me a call. Roxanne 647 886 8303
Family Owned & Operated
Finely Finished Stone Work
EVERGREEN TREE CARE
(4.)
(4r)
THE STONE PORCH LANDSCAPING
LAWN CUTTING SERVICES
647 679 3282
(4r)
THE STONE SAVIOUR
BEACH PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
info@blpm.ca
(4r)
“General Outdoor Stonework” RETAINING WALL SPECIALIST Contact: JB Barton
-Lawn Cutting
Music Lessons
(19)
Creating Award Winning Gardens
-Spring/Fall Property Clean-Ups -Hedge Trimming
BEACHES LAWN MAINTENANCE
Plexiglass screens, masks, sanitizing hands & keyboards.
Landscape Design 647-545-5143
Helping the student in your house adapt to the new educational reality.
416-690-6116 www.thestudystudio.com (4r)
JOY OF MUSIC
Humane removal of raccoons and babies from ATTICS, DECKS, PORCHES, GARAGES, SHEDS
Currently offering SKYPE/FACETIME SESSIONS
KIM PRICE
Andrew English B.Ed.
416-699-8333
RACCOON CONTROL 647-557-7932
Head Start Tutors
Kingston Rd/Vic Park
Pest Control
WWW.RACCOONCONTROL.CA (r)
Woodstoves • Screens • Raincaps Eavestroughs Cleaning
24 Hr Service
We’ll Make It Sparkle!
Demolition & Removal of Garages, Porches, Fences & Concrete. Howard 416 565 8569 (7)
416-467-6059 (r)
INDIV/GRP TUITION IN YOUR HOME QUALIFIED + EXPERIENCED TEACHER, K-12 PROVEN SUCCESS - REFS AVAILABLE (4r)
416-831-6279
(4)
LANDSCAPE • DESIGN & BUILD www.stonehengedesignbuild.com
BioX Pest Solution & Wildlife
ImpressYourMotherInLaw@gmail.com
CALL MAT NOW!! 416-888-8462
(19)
(4.)
DEMOLITION EXPERTS
416-691-6893
Repairs to fridges, stoves, washers, dryers, dishwashers
(4)
RideSafe Transport
Call Max
416-691-7556
www.helpwanted.to
Call Greg 437 230-4824
Call Juan 647 518 1179 www.ridesafetransport.ca
647-496-2211
• COVID CATCH-UP • • in-depth homework/test help • • essay-writing + study skills • • numeracy + literacy support •
(r)
STONEHENGE
call ALBERTO 416 690 9389 for
offer complete and thorough cleaning service for your house • office • condo Call Ilona 416-427-3815 (6)
Leaves, Yard Cleanup Garage Cleanups & Junk Removal Other various jobs Scrap metal removal
20 yrs exp. Quality work. Good prices.
416-699-6641
Harding & King
(6)
2462 Kingston Road Scarborough, ON M1N 1V3 Call our New # for an Appointment:
ABSTAX
HELP WITH MATH & ENGLISH
www.greenapple.ca
Tutoring
• Mice • Cockroaches • Rats • Bed Bugs • Ants • Wasps • Centipedes • Spiders • more THEEXTERMINATORS.CA
416 414 5883 info@blpm.ca
HANDYMAN / HELPER (r)
HOME CALLS & PICK-UP SERVICES AVAILABLE E-FILE PERSONAL & BUSINESS TAXES
LANDLORDS For Peace of Mind Call
General repairs: Drywall / Caulking / Painting etc. Odd jobs: Fixtures, TV, Shelf & Picture install / Furniture assembly (IKEA)... & much more! Call/text Peter 416 577 4252 (4)
Best Prices/Free Estimates
SPECIALISTS IN CDN AND U.S. TAXES GOV’T GRANT & LOAN APPLICATIONS
Apartment/ Home for Rent
INDOOR / OUTDOOR
+ SMALL JOB HANDYMAN
Business & Personal Income Tax Computer Bookkeeping & Accounting
416-694-6241
Peter the Handyman
https://facebook.com/thetwofoursband
PEST CONTROL
Call 416-783-3434
(4r)
Front yard parking pads Drawings • Permits • Build 416-288-1499
thetwofours@eol.ca • 416-690-5442
(19)
• Bio-degradable, non-allergenic products used • Drying time 3-4 hours • Bonded, insured, certified Free At Home Estimates!
EXPRESS JUNK REMOVAL
416-261-1112
(r)
(4r)
PROFESSIONAL, MATURE, RELIABLE RENOVATIONS AND REPAIRS
Computer Services
Your local Rock ‘n’ Roots Revival Band is Ready to rock when the time comes (again). Stay well. Stay tuned. Stay in touch.
Cleaning Services
MR. FIX-IT
Sheila@invictus.biz or 416 670-8303
Computer Professional
Do you enjoy taking photos? Visit BEACH PHOTO CLUB
Beachphotoclub.com beachphotoclub@gmail.com
WAYNE’S
HOUSE TO BUY
Volunteers
(r)
Green Apple Landscaping
Rock, Roll, Roots, Blues, Country & Random
647-496-0815
2358 Kingston Rd.
1.5” wide x 1” deep
THE TWO FOURS
We remove squirrels in a humane way from attics, walls, sheds, decks, etc.
Vienna Upholstery
BLOCK AD
00
SQUIRREL REMOVAL
Home Decor
Ads are available in two sizes:
WORD AD
BEACHMETRO.COM
Following COVID protocol
(r)
www.thegoodmoves.com Call Hakan: 416 899-3980
(4.)
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
BEACH METRO NEWS
23
Beach musician Alex Andrews creates educational apps By Nandita Sharma
TEN KETTLES, founded by East Toronto resident Alex Andrews in 2013, has created a number of apps that help educate and train musicians. These apps include Waay, hearEQ, Beat Mirror and WaayFinder.
Delivery Service Available Junk and Garbage removal Cottage country services
2 Men + Truck $85/hr Call Byron at
416-830-8183
“Ten Kettles has four apps, each focusing on a different aspect of music education. The origin of each app was a little different, but they all arose out of my experiences as a musician, teacher, and engineer,” said Andrews. He first thought of hearEQ when he was helping a student from Coalition Music. “During those les-
MP Interior Painting; Free Estimates. Mpinteriorpainting@gmail.com ; Piotr Wiench 416-301-4601; 416-269-0470 (7)
Plumbers (8r)
A.S.M. MOVERS FULL SERVICE Local & long distance. Taking care of your possessions.
416-617-8548 All Season Movers
(6)
BEACH PLUMBING Small Repairs to complete houses Renovations
416 691-3555
50 years in the Beach
(r)
ONTARIO WATER PLUMBING
Professional Quality Service Repairs-Renovations-Installations
Larry’s Painting & Repairs Family owned & operated 26 years in business
sales@larryspainting.ca www.larryspainting.ca
(r)
PROWAY
PAINTING & DECORATING Interior • Exterior Residential • Commercial Plastering • Drywall
416.797.6731
Free Estimates & References Available
(11)
SERENITY PAINTING Beach resident with over 30 years exp Interior / Exterior Work Proper Drywall & Plaster Repairs No job too big or small Have the job done right the first time. Referrals & Free Estimates
Steve 647-853-6420
(4.)
‘As Promised’ Painting *** Free Estimates ***
(19)
Richard Durocher Interior & Exterior Small to Mid-size jobs (4)
(4r)
Cascade Plumbing GTA All Plumbing, camera inspection, power washing, snake drain cleaning, sump pumps, drainage systems, and back water valve installations. Great affordable rates. Fully licensed.
PLUMBER CONTRACTOR Fully licensed & insured. Lic #T94
George: 416-278-7057 or Gabston Reno: 647-342-2872
ATLANTIS PLUMBING Cell 416-727-1595
INTERIOR PAINTING
All work guaranteed Fully insured • Free estimate
(4$)
Mark The Plumber
416-322-7692
warren_gamey@yahoo.com (4r)
BEACH HILL
PAINTING
INTERIOR, EXTERIOR QUALITY PAINTING; KITCHEN CABINET REFINISHING & CUSTOM PAINT; STAINING & WATERPROOFING, DECKS & FENCES
25 years • Free estimates
Dave 416 694 4369
dave@beachhillpainting.com (6r)
WG PAINTING
Master Plumber • Lic. & Ins.
Complete Bathrooms Small Repairs Renovations 416-456-9999 Follow on Facebook
INTERIOR PAINTING
All work guaranteed Fully insured • Free estimate
NEWBRIGHT PAINTING
NO MESS, NO FUSS, JUST SUPERIOR WORKMANSHIP INTERIOR • EXTERIOR FULLY INSURED, 30 YRS EXPERIENCE, BEACH RESIDENT
CALL SEAN FOR AN ESTIMATE
(4..)
BEACHCOMBERS
CELL 416-875-5781 ESA LIC# 7002668
(4.)
CUSTOM CARPENTRY IN THE BEACH
INTERIOR, EXTERIOR CARPENTRY QUALITY PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL DESIGN + BUILD Mario 416-690-1315 www.friedrichbuilds.com (4.)
Carpenter, 30 yrs experience No job too small Trim, doors, windows decks, millwork, design in interior trim custom cabinets, mantles cliffsidecarpenter.blogspot.ca gibsonpeterk@gmail.com Peter Gibson 416 578 3755 (4)
Fence and Deck Repairs Save the cost of replacing your sagging fence or deck. We rebuild existing fences and decks including rotting posts and boards for years of further service. (4)
(r)
George: 416-278-7057 or Gabston Reno: 647-342-2872 (9r)
(4r)
CANADIAN CONTRACTORS
(4r)
(4$)
BERGERON ROOFING
Shingle & Flat Specializing in Flat Roofs All Work Guaranteed 35 yrs. experience
416-466-9025
(17)
SERVICES “No Job Too Small”
•CARPENTRY •PLUMBING •ELECTRICAL
•PAINTING •STAINING •DRYWALL REPAIR •PARGING •DECK & FENCE BUILD & REPAIR •INTERIOR & EXTERIOR REPAIRS
Marc Text/Call 416-617-7205
(r)
WET BASEMENT ? Foundation Repair/Waterproofing
416-659-7003
Don’t call them, call those roofers ALL TYPES OF ROOFS
www.webuildit.ca Serving Your Community Since 1971
Doug 416-871-1734 Jeff 647-686-8103 Lic - Insured • Free Estimate
(r)
Cable & Telephone Wiring Telephone Systems
416-606-4719 www.canpromechanicalgroup.com
(4r)
416 824-7901
(4$)
Call Hamid at 647-300-2462
(4r)
JUST DRYWALL AND TAPING Sam Capetanu
416 876-4986
(4.)
JDB MASONRY • Brick / Foundation • Concrete / Stone • Chimney & Parging
Restoration & Build
Marc 416 419 4281
marcangelointeriors@hotmail.com (4r)
JOHN CLARKE
www.jdbuild.ca
416-738-2119
(4r)
Cell 416 434-2762 Painting - Basement Renos Plaster & Stucco • Interior & Exterior Small Renovation Jobs & Indoor/ Outdoor Spray Painting 35 Yrs Exp • Refs upon request (4.) Free Estimates
Next Deadline April 26
MAYFAIR HEATING & COOLING
POPCORN CEILING REMOVAL
INDOOR AIR QUALITY Maurice (Cell) 647.638.8441 mayfairHEATINGandcooling.com
Brick • Block • Concrete Steel • Stone www.thestoneporch.com thestoneporch@gmail.com
416-265-6674
(4r)
UNDERPINNING & WATERPROOFING
Maximum General Contracting Inc.
Since 1998
(11r)
MASONRY by Daniel • chimneys & foundations • parging & tuck pointing • arches, lintels & sills • door & window rough-ins • foundation waterproofing
25 years experience removing popcorn & refinishing it with a perfectly smooth plaster ceiling.
MR. SKIMCOAT 416-322-2899 mrskimcoat@gmail.com
(11)
BRIAN MAHON MASONRY • Brick • Stone • Porches • Parging
• Block • Chimneys • Concrete • Tuckpointing
98% Homestars rating brianmahonmasonry@gmail.com
647-962-9226
(4)
FENCES Wood fences and exterior carpentry Text/Call Mike 416-873-7448
(5v)
416 988-2589 danielmccaf@gmail.com
I need help (4r)
(r)
WATERPROOFING/ REPAIR UNDERPINNING
Basements, Kitchens, Bathrooms Fences, Decks, Drywall, Carpentry No job too small. Free estimates. Serving the Beaches for 15 years.
416-278-5328
(13)
S.A.C Masonry
YOUR STUCCO Stucco • Moulding Wall Systems
Chimneys, Concrete, and all masonry repairs Call Sergio 416 873 9936 (4r)
CJ DRYWALL & PAINTING
SILVERBIRCH
HARDWOOD
Call C.J. 647 222 5338
(4)
THE BRICK SPECIALIST Quality stone masonry & brickwork. Experts at matching existing brick. New builds, tuckpointing, colour matching, parging. Stone & Block.
Call Scott 416.858.2452 scotstonecontracting@gmail.com (8)
BLOCK WORK CONCRETE CHIMNEYS WATER PROOFING DECKS + FENCES Call John at 437-233-8776
(7)
JASON THE MASON
Professional drywall and plaster work. Renovation and Repair. Very clean. No job too small.
(4$)
www.helpwanted.to
RUSHFORD RENOVATIONS
Brick, Block, Stone,
Drywall, Plastering, Taping 20 yrs Experience • Excellent Job Call Mike 416-854-7024 647 833 7024 (17r) Fax 647-341-6104
CONTRACTOR
34 years of experience Got hurt at a job site • no insurance Haven’t worked for 10 years Built a home under the Gardiner
of all Trades FOUNDATION Jack HANDYMAN SERVICES
JIM 647 405 8457 416 691 8457
Metro lic
(r)
FLOORING SPECIALIZING IN SANDING & STAINING
- Shingles & Flats- Repair & Tune ups - Cedar & Slate - Re-roofs & new work
Air Conditioning & Heating Experts HVAC / Repair / Maintain / Install Residential / Commercial Rental programs now available
MET# B16348
416 467 6735
THOSE ROOFERS
CANPRO MECHANICAL
416-826-3918 John www.mgcunderpinning.com maximumgen@gmail.com
Metro lic #B531 • All Work Guaranteed • Free Estimates
Fully Licensed Contractors Guaranteed
(r)
(4r)
“Your basement lowering specialists”
FAIRNEY & SONS LTD.
stonehengefoundations.com (r)
416-569-2181
647-771-0227 jeff@heyhandyman.ca www.heyhandyman.ca
THE STONE PORCH MASONRY
HANDYMAN
Kitchens - Bathrooms Basements - Doors, Windows Garages - Fences, Decks
Dedicated precise worker. All your build and repairs. Indoor or outdoor: dry-wall, flooring, built-in, landscaping, interlocking, sheds, fences, decks, etc. at a reasonable price!
(4$)
Trades
GENERAL CONTRACTING
BEACHES HANDY WORKS
SERVICES
15 yrs exp No job too small! Free Quotes, satisfaction guaranteed - Lic & Ins
Drywall, Taping Trim, Tiles, Painting
Alan Burke 416-699-4350
(4)
(4$)
MARCANGELO INTERIORS
Shingles • Flats Roof Repairs • Metal Work Eavestroughing & Siding Waterproofing • Since 1984
Residential, Commercial, Retail, Home Offices Senior Rates
www.laniganscontracting.ca
*Ask For Photo I.D.*
416-910-8033
Lic# B16393
by Kevin
Fences, Decks, Porches Flooring, Windows, Doors, Trim, etc. Kitchens & Bath • Garage Restoration Serving the Beach for 15 yrs.
An honest family service in the heart of The Beaches
Fully licensed & insured. ECRA/ESA #7008706
(4..)
CARPENTRY
LANIGAN’S
free estimates
Gus:
416 660 4721
Painting, tiling, fencing, drywall, flooring, siding, vanities & much more.
Shingles • Flats • Cedar Free Estimates Residential & Commercial Tel: 416-752-6453 Cell: 416-788-9020
Carpenters
Roofing & Aluminum
Knob & tube rewiring Service Upgrades
HEY HANDYMAN
J. BROW ROOFING
(22)
ECRA/ESA LIC#7001069
ROOFING & SIDING? SOLUTION!
Met. Lic. B-16-964
www.helpwanted.to
647-463-3436
For all your reno needs, no job too small.
Steve 416-285-0440 cell 416-605-9510
Roofers
CEJA ELECTRIC
CARL 647-787-5818
(4$)
Major health problems Homeless and feeling powerless Need a warm meal
Repair and Build
Call Jim for a free estimate
416 694 0906
ELECTRICIAN
LOCAL ELECTRICIAN
416-690-1430 • 416-266-8953 quotes@citywideroofing.ca www.citywideroofing.ca (4)
by Jim Ferrio
torontoroofingindustries.com (4r)
Ran my own business for decades Now in my sixties Nobody will hire me • “too old”
Kevin 647 282 8375
KEW BEACH
Local • Reliable • Professional Servicing the beach for 15 years.
VISA / MC / AMERICAN EXPRESS
down at our jam space at Front and Sherbourne, and then all look around and ask ‘Was that too fast?’ and all have a different answer. Beat Mirror is an app that measures tempo in real-time—answering that question definitively.” The latest app to launch is WaayFinder. For more info, go to www. tenkettles.com
QUALITY HOME IMPROVEMENTS & RENOVATIONS
TORONTO ROOFING INDUSTRIES LTD.
416-833-3006
AFFORDABLE DECKS & FENCES
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
*SPRING PROMO*
(4r)
COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SERVICES RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL
Lic: 7006786
CITY WIDE ROOFING
Flat and Shingle Roofs Re-roofing, Repair Eavestrough, Soffit & Fascia Workmanship Guaranteed
416-694-6673
Residential/Commercial
Electricians
MASTER ELECTRICIAN
PAINTING
100/200 AMP Service Upgrades • New Wiring New Homes/Additions Lighting Installations Troubleshooting
(4)
DECLAN O’MEARA 416-698-6183 (4r)
ELECTRICAL WORK
416-580-4290
GREEN ISLE ELECTRIC
416-322-7692
(4r)
Call Richard at U Can Do It
Fault Finding Knob & Tube Rewiring Service upgrades Insurance certificates
Local resident w/32 yrs. exp.
Satisfaction guaranteed! Call Jeff today for free estimate. 416-910-6302 beachcombersgc.com info@beachcombersgc.com
24 hr. - lic# P1624
416-265-4558
Local resident w/32 yrs. exp.
newbrightpainting@gmail.com
Plumbing & Drains All types of plumbing work. Smallest leak - complete bath reno. Internal & external drain excavating. Call the professionals 416-480-0622
& DRAINS Dishwasher & Gas Repairs Heating, Boilers & Radiator Repairs Reno, Repairs - LICENSED
WG PAINTING
416-985-8639
Beach resident for 50 years. Discount for seniors and single parent. Lic. Master Plumber • Free estimates Patrick 647-404-7139 patrickj480@gmail.com (6)
(9r)
647 401 7970
Call Marc 416-910-1235
three lessons – melodies, chords, and progressions. They are delivered with the help of pre-recorded lessons, interactive exercises and progress-tracking tools. The app Beat Mirror was born out of lived experiences from when Andrews played with his band The Marks. “I can’t count the number of times we’d finish a run-through
For all your roofing needs In the Beaches since 1974 FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED
Big or small we do them all
MASTER PLUMBER
PROFESSIONAL PAINTER
warren.gamey@yahoo.com
(r)
Contact us at 416 602 2128 (4r)
We stand by our contracts, big or small. Also do Drywall and Plaster Repairs and more
Dianne 416 699 5070
Mobile: 416-834-8474 Office: 416-757-6537
TOM DAY
proway.painting@gmail.com
Residential • Commercial - Knob & Tube Wiring - Service Panel Upgrades - Renovations & Alterations
ELECTRICIAN
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLUMBING
416-690-3890
Master Electrician Lic. ESA ECRA #7000314
MASTER
MET LIC P18238, BBB A+, WSIB Master Plumber: Franc Zamernik www.ontariowaterplumbing.com
MBX ELECTRIC
ESA/ECRA 7002084
LTD
Painters
sons, I thought – hey, having an app to do ear training here would be fantastic. And that’s how hearEQ came about.” said Andrews. With Waay, Andrews wanted to develop something that would empower musicians to employ music theory as a tool they could use to bring their ideas to life. The app teaches applied music theory in
(4.)
TUCKPOINTING • CHIMNEYS CONCRETE WORK WINDOW CUTOUTS WATERPROOFING REGISTERED & INSURED 416-580-4126 cell
(8)
24
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
BEACH METRO NEWS
HELPING YOU IS WHAT WE DO.TM Residential & Commercial Services
2301 Queen St. East | 1052 Kingston Rd | 517 Parliament St.
estaterealty.ca | 416.690.5100
66 Hollywood Crescent
Dianne & Brian Chaput Sales Representatives Royal LePage Estate Realty
416.690.5100 | chaputliving.com
Jeffrey Moss’ neon heart just glows...
Located In Lovely Beach Hill, Fully Updated 3 Bedroom Semi-Detached Backing On To Williamson Park Ravine! 3 Spacious Second Floor Beds, Beautifully Renovated Kitchen & Bathroom, Walkout To Deep Backyard Looking Out On Ravine, Fully Landscaped w/Private Drive. Congratulations To The Happy Sellers!
www.bonsellhomes.com
Kerry Jackson
Contact us to help you make a move
Royal LePage Estate Realty, 2301 Queen St. E. Direct 416.571.2181 | Office 416.690.5100 Kerryjackson@gmail.com
1256 Kingston Rd. | 45 Regent St. | 9C Walter St.
Tobia Homes BMN AD April 19.pdf
6
2021-04-19
Some Recents Solds:
9:51 AM
Tory Brown Team 416.690.5100
TORYBROWN.CA
JessBrown ToryBrown SALES
BROKER
REPRESENTATIVE
hello neighbours
We have kicked off the first 3 months of this year with over 25 very happy clients that have sold and purchased homes with the Tobia Homes team. The spring market is in full bloom, showing no signs of slowing down. If you are considering buying or selling, please give us a call to find out how we can help you plan the perfect move.
HELPING YOU IS
Residential & Comm
2301 Queen St. East | 1052 Kingston Rd | 517 Pa
Diane Tobia | Broker
416 315 8289 416 690 5100
m:416.998.4302 e :diane@tobiahomes.com
JUST LISTED
KG
Grieve Signature Label REAL ESTATE. REDEFINED.
KEN GRIEVE & KELSEY GRIEVE Royal LePage Estate Realty
Sales Representatives
grievesignature.com (416) 587-7522
Lake Views at Henley Gardens
Stunning Detached For Lease
SUITE 904 | $949,000
108 MACLEAN AVE | $5,000