Beach Metro Community News February 21, 2023

Winter Stations 2023 now on at Woodbine Beach

WITH EIGHT installations, Winter Stations 2023 will be the biggest ever and is expected to draw huge crowds to the Woodbine Beach area.

Winter Stations officially opened on Family Day, and continues through the month of March.

The eight installations that make up Winter Stations 2023 are:

CONRAD — (Novak Djogo and Daniel Joshua Vanderhorst, Canada.)

the(Home) – (Scott Shields Architects, Canada.)

LIFE LINE – (WeatherstonBruer

Associates: James Bruer, Nick Roland, Jacqueline Hampshire, Canada.)

3 Surfaces Pavilion – (S-AR: Cesar Guerrero, Ana Cecilia Garza, Orlando Garcia, Mexico.)

Delighthouse – (Nick Green and Greig Pirrie, United Kingdom.)

Honey Bee restaurant set to close after 43 years of serving the Beach

By Alan Shackleton

A MUCH-LOVED part of the community through five decades, the Honey Bee Chinese Food Restaurant on Queen Street East in the Beach is closing at the end of this month.

Michael Lau, who has owned the restaurant for the more than 43 years it has been in business, said the reason for the closure is that he has decided to retire.

The last day the restaurant will be open is Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Lau, 72, first opened the Honey Bee at 2208 Queen St. E. in 1980. Seven years ago, the Honey Bee’s location moved a little bit west to where the restaurant is presently located at 1978 Queen St. E., just west of Waverley Road.

“The reason is I’m retiring at the end of the month. After 43 years I

am deciding I am done working,”

Lau told Beach Metro Community News in an interview last week.

“The lease is expiring and I think it’s time. I’ve been thinking about it for a few years and I decided I don’t want to work anymore.”

Lau said the reason for the closure has nothing to do with the rent he is paying at the building or any issues with the landlord.

He said he believes that a sushi shop will be moving into the location sometime in the future.

Lau lives in the Beach near Woodbine Avenue. He used to live over the original restaurant at 2208 Queen St. E., and he also owned that building. When Lau sold the building seven years ago he moved the restaurant further west and rented the present location.

He has lived in the Beach since he opened the restaurant, and his

family grew up in the neighbourhood with all five children going to local schools – either Kew Beach or Williamson Road/Glen Ames.

At the age of 29, when he first opened the restaurant, Lau admitted he did not know too much about the Beach neighbourhood but he is glad he decided to relocate here from where he had been living in the north Toronto area. Lau first came to Canada from Hong Kong in 1975.

“It’s been a very good neighbourhood,” he said of the Beach. “It’s been a good place to work and my family has grown up here.”

While Lau has not yet put up a sign out front letting the community know this is their last month, he said he is telling customers who come in.

“They are very sad to hear it,

Continued on Page 2

Ripple Hut – (Toronto Metropolitan University Department of Architectural Science, Canada. Design team: Cesar Rodriguez Perfetti, Jake Kroft, Breno Gualter,

Dean Roumanis, Lead by Associate professor Vincent Hui.)

We (AR) – (University of Guelph, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, Canada.

Continued on Page 2

Black History Month celebration set for Eastview Community Centre

EASTVIEW NEIGHBOURHOOD

Community Centre will be hosting a Black History Month event this Sunday.

The Black Heritage in Motion celebration will bring youth from across Toronto together to celebrate the positive experiences and achievements of their peers, said organizer Anthony Fagan who is a Youth Outreach Worker with the centre and the Eastview Toronto BGC (Boys and Girls Club).

Featured at the Feb. 26 event will be a documentary, performers, a fashion show, displays and a dinner. The event is for youth ages 13 to 20 and all community members are invited to attend.

Sunday’s celebrations have been organized by a community youth planning group.

“Our youth program is designed for youth of diverse ethnic back-

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ground who are presently unconnected to social recreational youth programs. We support the development of leadership and youth empowerment,” said Fagan.

Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre is located at 86 Blake St., in the Jones and Danforth avenues area. Sunday’s celebration takes place from 1 to 4 p.m.

To reserve free tickets and for further information, please contact Fagan by email at Anthonyfagan@ eastviewcentre.com or by phone at 416 392 1750 x 310.

BEACH METRO COMMUNITY NEWS 50TH ANNIVERSARY 1972•2022

PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON

Winter Stations 2023 will include all eight art installations, including CONRAD the raccoon, on Woodbine Beach. This year’s Winter Stations officially opened on Family Day and continues through March.

PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON

Owner Michael Lau stands outside the Honey Bee Chinese Food Restaurant on Queen Street East in the Beach. Lau, 72, has been running the restaurant since 1980 and he is now retiring at the end of the month. The Honey Bee’s last day of business will be Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Eight installations featured for 2023

‘Winter’ from Page 1

Design team: Saina Amin, Craig Klomp, Lauren Mac Isaac, Catherine Yan (Design team), Mahmoud Afshari, Kaveh Eshraghian, Roozbeh Moayedian (Tech team), Lead by Assistant Professor Afshin Asari.)

Winter-net – (University of Waterloo Department of Architecture, Canada. Design team: Chiun Lee, Diana Si, Justin Park, Razmig Garboushian, Likhitha Varikuti, Simon Liao; Faculty Supervisors: David Correa, Fiona Lim Tung.)

As of last month, the Winter Stations 2023 plan was to have six of the eight winning installations displayed on Woodbine Beach and two others in Mississauga and then one of those two in Etobicoke.

However, the two exhibits slated for the west end are also on display at Woodbine Beach for now. Those installations are CONRAD and the(Home). The CONRAD installation is in honour of a dead Toronto raccoon that became a social media phenomenon in 2015

“All five winning designs will be showcased alongside three student designs from Toronto Metropolitan University, Waterloo Department of Architecture and

Guelph University respectively,” said Winter Stations in a news release.

The decision to bring the CONRAD and the(Home) installations to Woodbine Beach came as a result of a decision by one of the sponsors. Brixen Developments approached organizers about amending the schedule after reflecting on the public’s excitement and response to this year’s winners.

“It was evident there is a lot of heart and enthusiasm for all of the winning designs, and we wanted to give the public an opportunity to visit all of the stations at once this Family Day on the Beach. We are happy to have these wonderful installations debut in Toronto first, and look forward to showcasing two stations through a special satellite exhibition in Mississauga in the coming weeks,” said Alexander D’Orazio, founder of Brixen Developments.

CONRAD and (the)HOME, will anchor a satellite exhibit sponsored by Brixen Developments in Mississauga, which will now launch later this winter and run until the fall. In the spring, a group of stations will move to Sir Casmir Gzowski Park in Etobicoke’s Sunnyside neighbour-

THE DESMOND BROWN TEAM

hood sponsored by Mirabella Condominiums.

Winter Stations began in 2015 as a way to highlight the beauty of the Eastern Beaches and make them a destination point for outdoor art installations during the winter.

The artworks are set up at the lifeguard stations along Woodbine Beach, and each

year an international competition receives entries connected to that year’s Winter Stations’ theme.

The theme for Winter Stations 2023 is Radiance, which is defined as the quality or state of being radiant.

For more on Winter Stations 2023, please go to https://winterstations.com

Honey Bee owner

Michael Lau looking to enjoy community events in retirement

‘Honey’ from Page 1 and I’m sad too as they have been very good customers to us. The community has really supported us. I will miss the customers. A lot of them are saying ‘what will we do when you close.’”

Being in business for such a long time he said he has seen customers come in as young people, and then with their own children and later grandchildren.

“Sometimes we are serving three generations of customers. I know I will miss them,” said Lau.

He said food tastes when it comes to Chinese food have changed a bit since Honey Bee started in the Beach in 1980.

“We used to sell a lot of chop suey when we started. But now we also have Szechaun and Cantonese styles which are very popular,” said Lau.

“When we first opened what we also sold a lot of was coffee. I remember we would have big pots and sold so much coffee every day. Now I don’t think most days we even sell one cup of coffee.”

Not surprisingly, he attributes that to the many specialty coffee shops that are now located in the Beach, and people’s changing tastes for and attitudes towards coffee and how they buy it.

“People would come in and sit and just have a cup of coffee here, or buy one to go. but not anymore,” said Lau.

When Honey Bee first opened it did not have a liquor licence but when it got it they would also have customers who came in for beer and wine as well, he said.

Lau said he has no specific retirement plans beyond enjoying life in the Beach as a resident as opposed to a restaurant owner.

He said he’s looking forward to the chance to finally enjoy the many community events that take place along Queen Street East including the Beaches International Jazz Festival and the Toronto Beaches Lions Easter Parade.

“I told the kids for the last 43 years we’ve been serving the customers while they were enjoying the patio outside, and now we can be enjoying the patios. We can also enjoy the Jazz Festival and the parade instead of being too busy because we were working.”

Lau said he strongly wanted to express his thanks to Honey Bee’s many loyal customers over the decades and the support of the community.

“My thanks to all of our customers who came to us for so many years,” he said.

PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON Delighthouse is one of the eight Winter Stations 2023 art installations now on display along Woodbine Beach.

Black History Month Putting the focus on a number of Black-owned local businesses

By Amarachi Amadike, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

BLACK HISTORY Month

in February is a proud time for the Black community.

It is a time to acknowledge the hardships of the past, but most importantly, to celebrate the successes of the present.

To commemorate the elevation of Black culture, here are some Black-owned businesses to look out for in East Toronto.

HELIUS ORIGINALS

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way in which many people view the world. It particularly changed the way many view their worklife relationship.

Following multiple lockdowns and being forced to work from home, some, like Helius Originals co-founder Bilqees Grant, opted to take their lives into their own hands.

A long-time resident of East Toronto and veteran in the hospitality industry, Grant’s entrepreneurial mindset took over after realizing that there was an opportunity in a hospitality industry that had seen many establishments shut down, leaving residents with no place to socialize with loved ones.

Helius Originals’ founders realized that being stuck inside has escalated people’s desire to socialize. They decided to fill this gap by finding a way to bring the excitement you receive from a bartender pouring your favourite drink straight to consumers’ homes.

“From time to time, we all want to add excitement to the things we know and love,” said Grant. “With Helius Originals, you can be in the driving seat of adding a new experience to your beloved cocktails. When it comes to enhancing a valued experience, our cocktail kits provide thousands of ways to achieve this.”

Together with her business partner, Grant developed refined smoked wood boards which can be used 300 to 400 times per side. Utilizing locally sourced, sustainable lumber, Helius Originals takes an environ-

mentally friendly route by making an effort to divert waste materials from landfills.

“It’s much more than cocktail kits, wood boards, and wood shavings,” said Grant. “Helius Originals products are a way to connect with family members, friends, co-workers, or anyone you know who deserves a memorable experience. Life is measured in moments; make the most out of your moments.”

With the assistance of the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce, they found mentorship as well as resources that enabled them to evolve the business into the success that it is today.

“We are blessed to be part of a community that genuinely puts in the time and effort for us to succeed,” said Grant. “The CBCC allows us to connect and collaborate with like-minded entrepreneurs in a way that builds up our community across Canada.”

Although the business is currently online-based, Grant believes it won’t be too long before East Toronto sees yet another Blackowned business expand into brick and mortar.

“Navigating the entrepreneurial world as a young Black entrepreneur has had its challenges, but it’s helped me grow as a person as I grow our business,” said Grant. “The most rewarding parts of this journey are that I have something I can call my own and attempt to make a difference in my community in the process.”

FRESH PAINT STUDIO

Like Grant, Fresh Paint Studio’s owner Roxanne Tracey also sees immense value in “taking the road less travelled” to become a business owner.

“It’s a road that’s not easy but it is one that is worth it,” said Tracey.

Located at 1849 Danforth Ave., her studio is an artist’s dream. The space combines a painting lab with a cafe, as well as a lounge in which guests can enjoy relaxing music, spoken word and other forms of entertainment.

A visual artist and poet herself, Tracey aimed to cultivate a “creative community

space that inspires a love for creating art while bringing out each person’s inner artist” when she opened her studio during Black History Month seven years ago.

At Fresh Paint Studio, artists are encouraged to abandon the conventional way of viewing art spaces. Tracey believes that art should be social; art should be relaxing and fun.

With not too many known Black-owned art spaces in East Toronto, Tracey, who originally grew up in Toronto’s west end, told Beach Metro Community News that it is important that more Black businesses are created in the city in order to create an “opportunity for representation amongst individuals who often didn’t have an opportunity.”

“This is a way to help to nurture people within your own Black community to elevate themselves as people who can be independent entrepreneurs,” said Tracey.

“It’s really important in terms of what we can present and to show that we do have the ability to build businesses from the ground up and offer services and products that are relevant to the greater community.”

HILL STUDIO

Black is beautiful. Every Black person has grown up hearing this phrase as a reminder to not allow the media’s version of beauty distort our own minds. This is an essential part of Black culture that is filled with young, impressionable children who may be growing up in environments that make them feel otherwise. In this spirit, you cannot write an article promoting Black businesses without talking about beauty salons.

Hill Studio (639 Queen St. E.) was created by Allison Hill, a licensed hair care professional who has studied under leading stylists in New York, London and Paris. She specializes in cutting, colouring and the maintenance of natural hair.

Named after her mother, Hill is passionate about making Black women feel like royalty. Affected by her mother’s sudden passing, the hair stylist wanted to cre-

ate a space that “integrated wellness into our daily lives.”

Hill began collaborating with wellness practitioners in order to offer her customers activities that enhance wellness.

With a motto that reads “good energy, good hair” boldly printed on the studio wall, Hill Studios gives clients a community in which they can receive both.

“The Creative Team at Hill aren’t just your stylists, we’re that friend that wants to help you look and feel your best,” said a statement on their official website. “When you sit in our chair, look to the left, look to the right, those people, our clients, are individuals whom, like you, want to contribute to an atmosphere of love, laughter, and encouragement.”

HONORARY MENTION

Just like Hill Studios, Black men also find community at the barbershop. BKS Barber at 586 Jones Ave. is a cultural hub where men go to crack jokes and let their guards down while getting affordable haircuts.

Established in 2013, BKS is home to a qualified team of barbers and hair stylists that are capable of executing both male and female hair styles. With all that being said, Happy Black History Month.

Amarachi Amadike is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for Beach Metro Community News. His reporting is funded by the Government of Canada through its Local Journalism Initiative.

Local councillor Brad Bradford mentioned as possible mayor candidate

By Alan Shackleton

WITH JOHN Tory’s resignation as Mayor of Toronto, speculation about who might run in a byelection to replace him has put the spotlight on Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford as a potential candidate.

Tory made his announcement on Friday, Feb. 10, night that he would resign and his last day in the office was Friday, Feb. 17.

Tory, 68, said he would resign when details of an affair he had with a 31-year-old former staffer in his office were on the verge of being made public on Friday night by the Toronto Star.

The affair is reported to have taken place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the woman no longer works for the City of Toronto.

Since his announcement there have been numerous media stories trying to identify possible candidates who might seek to be Toronto’s next mayor.

In response by email to questions from Beach Metro Community News last week, Bradford acknowledged that his name is being mentioned as a potential candidate to run for mayor if the byelection does happen.

He would not say if he would run for mayor.

As of Friday, Feb. 17, that remained his position.

(Beach Metro Community News had an early press deadline of Feb. 17 for this edition due to the Family Day long weekend.)

“I’m hearing from a lot of people who recognize we are at a pivotal moment as a city. I’ve also been receiving a lot of calls from a diverse group of people across the political spectrum talking about the future of Toronto,” said Bradford.

A story first reported last week by CBC News had unnamed backroom members of

the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party identifying Bradford as a “centre right” mayoral candidate that they would view as an acceptable replacement to Tory.

Bradford’s mother Valerie is a Liberal MP for Kitchener South-Hespeler.

Beach Metro Community News asked Bradford if he was “comfortable” in a scenario where some might say he was the preferred mayoral candidate of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives and Premier Doug Ford?

Bradford said Toronto’s leadership should be about more than a battle between the left and the right.

“We need energized leadership to rebuild the promise of Toronto. That means making sure politics doesn’t become a tug of war between the left and right,” he said.

“It also means recognizing we have a lot of hard work ahead to make our city more affordable, to get it moving and ensure it’s a safe place for all of us.”

Bradford also explained the process that will take place in Toronto now that Tory has resigned.

“After an official resignation is received, Deputy Mayor (Jennifer) McKelvie will become Head of Council as Acting Mayor. Provincial law also requires that a special election be held for a new Mayor. An official resignation also means Council has 60 days to declare that an election in the city,” he said.

“I know that this announcement has been a source of great uncertainty. I want to provide assurance that the City of Toronto – and all the vital services people depend on – will continue uninterrupted. We are in good hands with Deputy Mayor McKelvie, the City Manager and City Clerks in this interim period.”

The Cole Academy Of Toronto

Our ever-changing world requires our educational system to support and nurture our children, celebrate their uniqueness and set them up for success.

At The Cole Academy of Toronto, students are challenged to use their own creative approaches to learning as we use the arts as a tool to promote independence, confidence, and self -expression.

Environmental education is embedded in all subjects and one day each week is devoted to learning outside. Social justice is a fundamental part of our entire curriculum, and includes the stories of traditionally under -represented communities, including 2SLGBTQ+, IBPoC and women.

Please join us at one of our open houses to learn more about this new school in the neighbourhood located steps from the beach!

Our upcoming Open Houses are on:

Tuesday, February 21st - 1pm

Thursday, April 20th – 1pm

Wednesday, June 7th – 1pm

Thursday, March 9th – 6pm

Wednesday, May 24th – 6pm

To learn more or RSVP contact: jamie@thecoleacademyoftoronto.com

www.thecoleacademyoftoronto.com

‘Black history is 365’: BGC National Youth Of The Year shares her thoughts on Black History Month

Shahadda Jack Guest Column

Ioften ask, “How can you fit crucial conversations of Black history and joy-filled celebrations of Black culture into only 28 days?” The answer is quite clear; you can’t.

I grew up in a household where I was raised by a hardworking single Black mother and a resilient Caribbean immigrant grandmother. Within our four walls, it was instilled in me that the identity of being a Black woman is a beautiful reality and that it is a privilege to have a culture as rich as ours.

I was taught to allow my identity to shine and thrive in every space I entered. Whether it was school, home, or work, my mother showed me the importance of always being bold and told me to “Never be afraid to take up space.”

If you couldn’t tell by now, my mother is my superhero. My mom, Laurette Jack, has worked at BGC

Canada, formerly known as Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada, for 30 years. She has the superhuman ability to curate community and work within a profoundly empathetic lens.

For the past 18 years of my life, I’ve witnessed her efforts along with her amazing staff team, and the work that BGC communities continuously expand upon to create life-changing opportunities for their participants, especially their Black youth.

Through providing youth experiences such as attending live concerts of their favourite artists, national conferences to address diversity and inclusion, professional development, and speaking with parliament members on our generation’s needs, BGC is breaking down barriers to the success of Black youth across Canada.

At my local club, BGC Eastview, located at Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre, celebrating and exploring identity is instilled in the roots of programming. Over the years, this centre has become more than just a recreational facility for young people

but, instead, is now respected as a safe space for racialized youth to thrive.

Club staff Anthony Fagan, who has been working at the centre for over 25 years, prioritizes youth voice as the centre of the work done to address Anti-Black Racism in today’s society.

Fagan has been coordinating the Eastview Black History Month Event for 28 years. Each year since its birth, this event has been organized and led by the community’s youth. This year’s theme, ‘Black Heritage In Motion’, was chosen by the Black Empowerment Youth group to recognize the ever-changing and evolving Black experience in society.

“It is important that we celebrate all aspects of Black culture. It is important that youth are involved in their history … It is a generational process. They must be a part of it, or (history) will die with them,” said Fagan.

The Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre and BGC Eastview ‘Black Heritage In Motion’ event is happening on Feb. 26 at 86 Blake St.

These past few years, I have been able to host and perform my spoken word at the event.

This particular opportunity, along with many others, has allowed me, as a Black youth, to feel validated in my experiences and confident in my existence of being Black in Canada, which can be challenging.

The hardest part about being a Black youth in Canada is the significant underrepresentation of Black faces, stories, and voices in Canadian mainstream media. This limited representation has an impact on our realities and communities.

It is often implied that anti-Black racism doesn’t exist in Canada compared to our counterparts south of the border. This misconception can be damaging to Black communities due to how suffocating it is to constantly have to prove and educate others on your lived experience.

Although 28 days is not enough time to unpack centuries of history, Black History Month is still necessary to serve as a reminder to celebrate Black communities

and highlight Black joy. This month should not only be acknowledged as a mark on a calendar but more importantly, as a moment in time that calls for us to push for change.

For many of us, our Blackness is celebrated every single day of our lives.

This month is for everyone to realize that Black history is all of our histories. It is a time for Black people to rejoice and heal. It is a time for non-Black folks to challenge their knowledge and capacities to embrace diversity.

This Black History Month, I am challenging educators to include Black stories in their classrooms beyond February. I am challenging movie writers to increase the representation of Black joy. I am challenging music lovers to support more Black artists. I am challenging the world to see that Black history is 365.

-- East Toronto resident and poet Shahaddah Jack, 18, is the BGC Canada (formerly known as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada) National Youth of the Year for 2022.

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Letters to the Editor

Councillor Bradford’s support of Strong Mayor powers disappoints reader

An open letter to Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford:

I have written to you in the past as have many of my neighbours requesting assistance with some traffic issues. However, I and others have never once received a response or even an acknowledgement. Further to those concerns, I want to let you know

how disappointed I am that your signature was missing from the letter of the majority of councillors who have renounced the Strong Mayor powers.

You speak of “representation”, however, I don’t feel “represented” having a councillor who does not believe in or perhaps does not understand fundamental democracy and

the important role a city councillor plays in that democratic system. It is shameful, but I suspected and am now certain, your alignment with the mayor and the premier goes deep and that includes pushing through their agendas at any cost.

We are travelling down a very dangerous road, yet you have chosen to ‘tow the line’

and communicate with rhetoric - in your newsletters and in our community paper - in a communication style that serves two purposes - to steer residents away from asking the hard questions and ultimately perpetuate the apathy and lack of civic engagement we are presently experiencing.

Continued on Page 7

Glorifying of cruelty to animals and lying to children was not appreciated

Re: ‘A true tale of rates and lizards in the movie The Freshman,’ Reel Beach: Movies in East Toronto, Beach Metro Community News, Feb. 7.

The story about supplying live rats to be fed to reptiles is not a charming reminiscence.

Rats are sentient beings and like most animals, they are capable of feeling pain and fear. Anyone who has ever owned pet rats knows that they are intelligent, sensitive, and even affectionate creatures.

Of course, wild rats are eaten by other animals in the natural world, but they at least have a chance to run, hide, or otherwise attempt to escape. There is something particularly cruel in confining a domestic rat to a small enclosure with a predator, and forcing it to experience the terror and desperation of facing an inescapable death.

Lying to a small child about the fate of such animals is equally despicable.

Consider the implications of a young child who would “become upset” if she knew how the rats were to be treated, and the fact that when she was “much older...[she was]..able to handle the truth.”

So, the girl had been compassionate as a youngster, but she became desensitized to the suffering of the animals as she grew older. And this is presented as a good thing?

Instead, let us try to maintain throughout our lives that quality of loving kindness that is innate in children.

Please, do not publish any more stories that glorify cruelty to animals or lying to children.

Sandra R. Schnurr, Canadians for Animal Protection

True engagement and democracy used to be cornerstones of our city

‘Councillor’ from Page 6

Your position has become that much clearer as you publicly support the unscrupulous manipulation of our democratic system by showing your approval of a mayor who resigned but didn’t actually leave right away...a move that ultimately ensured his Strong Mayor powers could have been utilized if necessary to push through a budget made in

a unilateral fashion with a design to exclude.

You repeatedly speak of the consultation that went into the budget but fail to articulate that the feedback gathered didn’t change a thing.

True engagement and democratic principles used to be the cornerstones of a once great city.

Linda Koehler

Please see Page 9 for more Letters to the Editor!

Community Calendar

FEB. 21: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Fundraiser at St. Aidan’s in the Beach, 2423 Queen St. E. (at Silver Birch), 5:30-7 p.m. Pay what you wish. All proceeds support our Outreach Programs. Info: www.staidansinthebeach.com, 416-691-2222

FEB. 21: Pancake Supper at St. Nicholas Birchcliff, 1512 Kingston Rd., 5:30-7 p.m. Don’t miss out on our delicious pancakes with syrup and sausages. Info: www.stnicholasbirchcliff.com

FEB. 21: Shrove Pancake at Royal Canadian Legion, 243 Coxwell Ave., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Swing Band starts at 1 p.m. $5 per person, FREE for seniors. Info: 416-465-0120

FEB. 21: Shrove Tuesday Pancakes at RCL Branch 11, Club Room, 9 Dawes Rd., 5-7 p.m. Pancakes & sausages or extra pancakes in lieu of sausages $5 p/p. Coffee/Tea available and juice for children. Come out and enjoy a very reasonably priced meal, food will be served in the Club Room. All welcome.

FEB. 25: Acoustic Harvest presents The Marigolds (www.themarigolds.ca) at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St., 8 p.m. Tickets $30 advance, $35 cash at door. Tickets and info: www.acousticharvest.ca

FEB. 26: Model Railroad Club of Toronto 85th anniversary shows at 11 Curity Ave., 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Purchase tickets at the door: cash, debit, credit card. Children $10, Seniors $12, Adults $15, Family rate (max. 5 people, max. 2 adults) $45. Info: http://www.modelrailroadclub.com/

FEB. 26: Mardi Gras Music Service at Birchcliff Bluffs United Church, 33 East Rd. (Warden and Kingston Rd.), 10:30 a.m. Enjoy the sounds of New Orleans, featuring Andy Ballantyne on sax and clarinet, along with Randy Vancourt and the BBUC Choir. Info: www.bbuc.ca

FEB. 26 & MARCH 5: Scarborough Model Railroaders

Train Show at 17 Jeavons Ave., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Two floors of HO and N scale layouts, featuring a mix of Southern Ontario passenger and freight trains, and 100 scale miles of track through mountainous scenery. Fun for families and all ages. Adults $10, children $5. Cash only.

MARCH 1 & 4: Open House at Little Kitchen Academy, 2052 Queen St. E. Come and check out the fully equipped, individual workstations that each child experiences when they attend a cooking class with us. Stop by for your chance to win a week of summer camp with us! March 1st from 11am-1pm; March 4th from 4pm-6:30pm. More info: https://littlekitchenacademy.com/locations/toronto-beach/ MARCH 2: Soup Tasting Competition at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St., 5-6:45 p.m. You’re the judge! Sample and choose your favourite soup from local participating restaurants. Winner gets a cash prize and possession of the Silver Ladle for a year. $5 per person. Proceeds support CC55’s programs. Info and registration: 416-691-1113 x 224, jade@centre55.com

MARCH 3: Malvern C. I. Wine & Dine Fundraiser, 6 p.m. Enjoy a wine and dinner package offered through 99 Bottles, 925 Kingston Rd. Order by Feb. 24 for pick up March 3 from 12 noon-5 p.m. $199 plus HST (retail value $295). Ten per cent of the proceeds will go to support Malvern Collegiate Institute’s fundraising efforts. To order and for more info: https://99bottleshop. com/products/malvern-c-i-wine-dine-fundraiser

MARCH 4: Jazz & Reflection at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., 4:30 p.m. ‘Summertime at The Beach’ - join Juno-celebrated Canadian jazz artists, Paul Novotny and Robi Botos, for an afternoon of jazz originals & favourites! Donations are welcome and proceeds support the Beach United food programs. More info: beachunitedchurch.com

MARCH 7, 21: Seniors Luncheon at Royal Canadian Legion, 243 Coxwell Ave., 12:30 p.m. Doors open at 12 noon to a swing band with luncheon served shortly after. Free to seniors 65 and over and veterans.

MARCH 25: Scarborough Seedy Saturday and Green Fair at St. John Henry Newman High School (formerly Blessed Cardinal Newman), 100 Brimley Rd. S., 11 a.m.4 p.m. Over 60 booths featuring seed vendors, a seed exchange, honey vendors, park associations, garden associations, the Toronto Master Gardeners, environmental organizations, gardening info tables and workshops. There is a wonderful KIDS area – so bring the family. Food and refreshments will be available for sale. Admission is $2 or Pay What You Can. Kids are free! (A portion of the proceeds is being donated to the Scarborough Food Security Initiative). Please Like Us and get more info at : https://www.facebook.com/SSSGFair/ or contact us at scarboroseedysaturday@gmail.com

APRIL 1: Spring Sprint. This 2km and 5km walk/ run along the boardwalk, hosted by The Beaches Recreation Centre Advisory Council, returns after a three-year hiatus. Register in person at Beaches Rec-

reation Centre, 6 Williamson Rd., March 21, 22, 29, and 30 from 7-9 p.m. $25. For more information or to sponsor or volunteer: springsprint@hotmail.ca

WORDS & MUSIC - Joni Mitchell Lecture Series at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., Mondays 10 a.m., April 17 & 24, May 1, 8, 15 & 29. Join Dr. Mike Daley, musicologist and storyteller, with a 6-part lecture series exploring the iconic Joni Mitchell. $120 for all 6 lectures; $30 for single lecture.Tickets and info: beachunitedchurch.com

RCL TODMORDEN BR. 10, 1083 Pape Ave. •March 1: Trivia Night, 7 p.m. Wednesdays. $2 per person. •March 3: Al Jordan performs following burgers/jumbo hot dogs served at 5 p.m. ($5) (RSVP to 416-425-3070 by March 2nd) followed by Bingo at 6:30 p.m. (3 cards for $10) •March 4, 5: Free in-person two-day course on Mental Health First Aid, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Course is open to Veterans, Veteran Support Groups, and Individuals and First Responders. Limited to 25 people on a first come basis. Register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/live-inpersonmental-health-first-aid-certificate-course-rcl-br-10-torontotickets-491942582507. There is also a one day Virtual Course - Mar 22nd. Register here: https://www.eventbrite. ca/e/march-mental-health-first-aid-certificate-course-oneday-only-online-tickets-491929062067 •March 12: Drop-In Sunday Cribbage, 1 p.m. $10 each - prizes determined by number of participants. •March 19: St. Patrick’s Day, starting at 1 p.m. The L.A. will be serving Beef Stew at approximately 2 p.m. for $5 while quantity lasts. BEACH INTERFAITH OUTREACH LUNCHES, 11 a.m. •Mondays at Corpus Christi Church (16 Lockwood Rd.). Sit in. Bag lunch. Chair lift. •Tuesdays – alternating locations: St. Nicholas Anglican Church (1512 Kingston Rd.), Feb. 28, March 14, 28, April 11, 25, May 9. Hot meal. Wheelchair accessible.; St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, (2423 Queen St. E), Feb. 21, March 7, 21, April 4, 18, May 2, 16. Bag lunch. Wheelchair accessible. Coffee available. •Wednesdays at Beaches Hebrew Institute (109 Kenilworth Ave.). Bag lunch. No lunch April 5 and 12. •Thursdays at Beach United Church (140 Wineva Ave.). Hot meal. Wheelchair accessible. •Fridays at Kingston Road United Church (975 Kingston Rd.). Hot meal. Wheelchair accessible. Please note: Lunch format may vary site to site. Last lunch is May 19. Info: 416-691-6869

CHURCHES

ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 794 Kingston Rd., 2 blks. east of Main St. Lent & Easter Schedule: Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22) 8:15am & 7pm Masses with ashes. Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent 4:30 pm. Confessions: Wed. Mar. 8 - 8:45 to 9:15am & 5 to 6pm, Thur. Mar. 30 - 5 to 6pm, every Saturday 3:45 to 4:15pm. Palm Sunday Masses: (Apr. 1) Sat. Vigil 4:30pm, (Apr. 2) Sun. 9 & 11am. Holy Thursday (Apr. 6) no 8:15am Mass only Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Eucharistic Adoration at 7pm. Good Friday (Apr. 7) no 8:15am Mass only Liturgy of the Word and Communion at 12 noon & 3pm. Holy Saturday (Apr. 8) no 4:30pm Mass only Easter Vigil at 8pm. Easter Sunday (Apr. 9) Masses at 9 & 11am.

ST. AIDAN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 2423 Queen St. E. at Silver Birch welcomes you to join us for Sunday worship at 8:30am in person, or at 10:30 am (with children & youth programs) in person or on Zoom. Mondays: Out of the Cold, doors open at 5:30pm, hot dinner at 6:00pm. Tuesdays: Euchre at 7 pm. Wednesdays: Mid-week service, 10:30 am. Our energetic, active church offers varied opportunities for spiritual growth, vibrant Children’s and Music programs, Youth activities, and a strong commitment to action on social justice and environmental issues. Info: www.staidansinthebeach.com, 416-691-2222

FALLINGBROOK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 35 Wood Glen Rd. Please join us as we travel through Lent into Holy Week. We will join for a weekly reflective livestream service on Wednesdays at noon starting on Feb. 15, before opening up our Sanctuary for a time of prayer. We will have a Stations of the Cross Experience from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. from April 3 to April 8. Our Holy Week Worship Services are on Livestream through our website and Facebook and In-Person. Dates: Palm Sunday: April 2 at 10:30 a.m., Maundy Thursday, April 6 at 7 p.m. in the Friendship Hall, Good Friday at 10:30 a.m. and Easter Sunday: April 9 at 10:30 a.m. Info and Zoom links: Church Office at 416-699-3084, fboffice@ rogers.com, fallingbrookpresbyterianchurch.com

SALVATION ARMY EAST TORONTO, 107 Cedarvale Ave. Sunday Morning Worship, 11 a.m. Other activities include Over 60 program, Ladies Fellowship, Community Lunch, Men’s Breakfast, Scrapbooking, Bible Study. Venue is wheelchair accessible. Info: 416-467-7416

Letters to the Editor

Local historical society objects to changes on heritage buildings’ rules

On Oct. 25, 2022, the Ontario government tabled Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, in the Ontario Legislature. The Bill was passed and received Royal Assent on Nov. 28, 2022. According to the government, the Omnibus Legislation is intended to support building more housing in the province. However, it also has far-reaching impacts on heritage and environmental protection.

While The Beach and East Toronto Historical Society (TBETHS) is dedicated to the preservation of heritage buildings in our catchment area and the retention of the character of our neighbourhood, this is not about being against new housing. There will always be a need for new and much needed affordable housing and we support and encourage that.

TBETHS has in the past supported projects for the creation of more housing while still maintaining historic sites, including the house at 292 Main St. (1887) and the William Brown House at 16 Kimberley Ave. (1889).

What TBETHS disagrees with, is the apparent belief and message of the Legislation that housing and heritage conservation are antagonistic and irreconcilable planning objectives.

In TBETHS’ view, the amendments made by the Legislation are too far-reaching, make sweeping changes to well-thought-out planning processes, take away authority from bodies that have knowledge and expertise, dismiss community interests, and will render the preservation of our heritage irrelevant.

The Legislation under Schedule 6, amends the Ontario Heritage Act so that it allows the Lieutenant Governor in Council, i.e., the Ontario Cabinet, to exempt provincial properties from heritage designation, if it can show that the exemption supports provincial priorities such as transit, housing, health and long-term care, and other infrastructure and priorities as may be prescribed.

For example, had this power existed in 2020, the Ontario Cabinet would have had the power to exempt the provincially-owned Dominion Foundry Lands from standards and guidelines, and the total demolition of this historic building may not have been blocked by a court injunction. Thankfully, portions of the Foundry buildings have been saved (at least, for now).

In addition, the Legislation limits a municipality’s ability to designate and retain heritage properties.

In some cases, it removes a municipality’s duty to consult heritage committees before heritage buildings are removed from heritage registers and restricts the power of municipalities to designate heritage districts. It will also make it far more difficult to properly protect buildings with heritage value, especially in cities such as Toronto.

This is not even going into the impacts the Legislation will have on our natural heritage, as it will allow the development of wetlands, woodlands and wildlife habitats that are currently protected.

Currently, even with the protections we do have, buildings with significant heritage value have frequently been demolished despite significant public disapproval.

For example, the historically-designated Stollery Building at the corner of Yonge and Bloor streets was demolished without permission overnight by an irresponsible property developer. The new Legislation will allow for an increasing number of heritage buildings vital to Toronto’s history to be torn down.

Research has determined that demolishing buildings is an extremely poor environmental practice. It creates a significant amount of waste, most of which cannot be reused and ends up in landfill.

The retention of existing buildings is significantly more sustainable than demolishing and building new. At grade heritage buildings also help contribute to the pedestrian and social experience in urban areas by providing diversity, texture and historical context. Creative examples, such as the Allied Building at Peter and Richmond Street, The Broadview Hotel on Queen Street East and the Dineen Building on Yonge Street, restore and reimagine heritage and meaningfully enhance our urban street life.

TBETHS vehemently objects to the provisions of the Legislation that will forcibly remove any listed properties from the Toronto Heritage Register which are not designated within two years. Furthermore, delisted properties will not be considered for heritage designation for another five years.

This will have a huge impact in Ward 19. Of the 427 properties within TBETHS’ catchment area included in the Toronto Heritage Register, as of May 5, 2021, the majority (263 properties or 62 per cent of the total) are listed, not designated. These include, to name a few, Fire Hall #17 at 1904 Queen St. E., the Beaches Branch Library at 2161 Queen St. E., the Donald Stephenson House at 2190 Gerrard St. E. and the Home Bank of Canada Building at 2547 Danforth Ave.

Elevating more than 250 buildings from listed to designated status within two years will involve a significant amount of work for already stretched city staff and TBETHS’ volunteers and reduce their ability to recommend additional significant buildings to the Toronto Heritage Register.

Any individual or organization that cares about built and natural heritage in this province should be outraged by the Legislation.

Anyone who cares about an individual’s right to be consulted and to participate in the consultation process should also be greatly concerned as it removes the planning process and takes away residents’ ability to appeal developments.

TBETHS will continue to work with the City of Toronto to ensure that as many properties as possible are designated, focusing on the 263 properties within TBETHS’ catchment area that have been included in the Toronto Heritage Register as listed, but not designated, and recommending the addition of significant heritage buildings to the Register.

Additional information and response to the Legislation is available at http://tbeths.com/ pdf/Bill23-2022.pdf.

Clyde Robinson, On behalf of the The Beach and East Toronto Historical Society

TTC cartoon showed lack of empathy

I was disappointed in your cartoon depicting the state of the TTC.

Persons have lost their lives, been seriously injured and traumatized by recent events

on the TTC.

Making light of such a serious issue is terrible. I’m truly surprised by the lack of empathy expressed by Beach Metro Community News.

Donna Langille

On The Wild

Side

Family adventures with wildlife made for wonderful start to 2023

it.

ann Brokelman

is an avid birder and nature

photographer naturephotosbyann.blogspot.ca

What makes a great weekend perfect?

Spending it with your nine-year-old granddaughter, who loves animals and photography as much as you do!

Not only did my son’s eldest, Lara, join me for a sleepover and some birding, but we also got the opportunity to attend the release of a red fox and a barred owl.

Lara and I got up and started the day as normal. Well, as my husband would say: he and Lara got up and started the day as normal, while I slept-in to a ridiculous hour. Eventually we were all awake and a call came in from Andrew over at the Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC).

a very mangy fox, near my house, and Andrew was asking if I was free to help let it go. Lara was 100 per cent on board with the change of plans, and we headed off to TWC.

While we were there, we did a quick tour to show Lara some of the birds/ hawks that were being cared for, but we were both far more interested in seeing the fox.

We headed out, and Lara is going to write the next part of this article for her first publication:

“When I released a young fox with my Oma, I had a wonderful time. I got to see it up close, and learned more about foxes, mange, and releases.

“We released the fox at night, almost exactly where it was found, and filmed it. The poor fox had mange, so it went to Toronto Wildlife Centre where it was cured. Then, of course, we released

“It was amazing to be so close to an animal going back into the wild.”

The next day was a little quieter, but exciting in its own way. We went to the lake to look at the trumpeter swans, and luckily came across some sea glass on the beach.

Now, I obviously don’t want broken bottles/etc going into Lake Ontario, but finding a colourful piece, whose sharp edges have been worn smooth, makes for a neat souvenir. Lara took two pieces home to add to her collection of interesting rocks. (Why do so many kids love collecting rocks?)

Did you know that sea glass undergoes a chemical change while in the water?

I’m not a scientist, so I’m sorry if I’m not explaining it well, but I found out that it’s the pH balance (acidity) in the water that causes the glass to change and take on

its unique frosted look. Sea glass will also vary a little from ocean to ocean, and a lot from the glass found in lakes and rivers.

Our last day, and one of the main reasons for the sleepover to happen that weekend, was for the release of a barred owl from Shades of Hope.

Our drive up was quiet, but we saw some amazing animals once we got to wildlife centre. There were two other barred owls still waiting to get better, a fox, a porcupine, and more. Lara is going to share the next part again:

“A few days after releasing the fox, I released a barred owl with Oma. The owl had gotten hit by a car, so it went to Shades of Hope to be healed. It was lucky that the owl was found before it died.

“It was thrilling to be part of the release. At first, it was unsure and stayed in its

cage, but then it came out and flew to some trees. Before we left, the owl started watching something on the ground (Maybe a mouse or something?) and followed it. We did not see what it was, but the owl was truly a beautiful and majestic creature.”

Lara’s sister, her Dad, and his partner Kyla joined us for the owl’s release. (Her sisters weren’t going to miss out on two releases in

one weekend!) If you go to https://youtu.be/jjqjirHxuzw, you’ll find the video that Lara took of the owl flying away. I am so lucky that I have children and grandchildren who love nature as much as I do, not to mention that they are all budding photographers as well.

I started the 2023 season off with some wide smiles and a lot of wonderful memories.

PHOTO: LARA BROKELMAN

A barred owl that was recently released by Shades of Hope.

By David Van Dyke

Photo above, youngsters enjoyed the family movie night at St. John Catholic School on Kingston Road on Friday, Feb. 10. The event raised more than $3,000 for school programs. Photo below, some of the members of the school’s fundraising team at the family movie night were (from left) Becky Sherlock, Bianca Fetros, Sonia Perez Maldonado,

Movie night at St. John Catholic School raises more than $3,000

ST. JOHN Catholic School on Kingston Road hosted its inaugural family movie night on Friday, Feb. 10.

With more than 150 people in attendance, the community event brought together students, parents, staff and fellow Beachers for a night of family movie fun.

From a concession stand with hot dogs and fries generously donated by Fearless Meats, candy, popcorn, raffles and 50/50 draw, the event brought back together the community

of St. John’s and beyond.

The event was hosted by the Parent Council fundraising team whose goal to raise more than $3,000 was reached to support many arts, tech, music and sports programs at the school.

Beach Metro Community News readers are asked to stay tuned for more events coming to the community with the return of the St. John Catholic School Spring Carnival coming this June.

MP for Beaches-East York

Nadia Niccolie and Kate O’Brien.

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY HEALTH

DR. KARIN RUMMELL

BALSAM

WELLNESS missfit.ca

William F. Deneault Chartered Accountant

• Corporate & Personal Tax

• Specializing in small to medium business

• Financial advice 21 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 502 Tel: (416) 962-2186

BEACHES OPTOMETRY CLINIC

Dr.

DR. LINDA WINTER

Dr. Linda Iny Lempert

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Tara Shannon

Kriens LaRose, LLP

Chartered Professional Accountants

• Accounting services for owner-managed businesses.

• Personal and corporation income tax preparation.

• Audit and consulting services for not-for-profit organizations www.krienslarose.com 416-690-6800

the system

*Advocacy *Linking to community supports Sliding scale rates starting at $30/hr 647-977-2421

CAROL-ANN’S

PERSONAL TRAINING Specializing in STABILITY, MOBILITY and STRENGTH • CEP-CSEP girlonbike1@gmail.com

416-465-8941

PARLIAMENTARIAN

Difficult

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

Emily C. Larimer CPA, CGA BOOKKEEPING & PERSONAL TAX RETURNS INCLUDING TAXES IN ARREARS

Call: 416-693-2274 emily@eclarimercpa.com www.eclarimercpa.com

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

Catherine Allon, BSc, MEd Life & Relationship Issues? 416-694-0232 www.energyawakening.com Spiritual Counselling

Dashwood & Dashwood Barristers & Solicitors

Geoffrey J. Dashwood

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

Snider & DiGregorio

Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries. 978 Kingston Road, Toronto, Ont., M4E 1S9

Tel: 416-699-0424

Fax: 416-699-0285 Email: info@sdlegal.ca

O’Reilly, Moll & Mian Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries Public 300 Main Street 416-690-3324

DENISE BADLEY-CASTELLO Barrister,

Glover & Associates

Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries

Real Estate, Family, Litigation Wills & Estates, Corporate 416-691-3700

Queen and Hammersmith

Beaches Family Law and MEDIATION

Linda Bronicheski, J.D. 47 Main Street (at Lyall) 416-763-6884 Linda@BeachesFamilyLaw.com

Shelly Pereira, Paralegal

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

Peter J. Salah Family Law Lawyer

124 Merton Street, Suite 300 We Collaborate, Negotiate & Litigate 416.752.8128 peter@salahlaw.ca www.salahlaw.ca

KAMRULHAFIZAHMED REAL ESTATE LAWYER 416 690 1855 [P 416 690 1866 [F 2972 DANFORTH AVE.

QUINN Family Law

Shelley C. Quinn, LL.B., LL.M. (Family Law) 662 Broadview Ave. t. (416) 551-1025 www.QuinnFamilyLaw.ca

Janet D’Arcy DC, FRCCSS (C) Chiropractor Sports Injury Specialist 2455A Queen St. East 416 690-6257 Open Saturdays

John H. BJARNASON, D.C. Chiropractor 1906 Queen St. E. (1 block east of Woodbine) 416-694-2868

BEACHES WELLNESS CENTRE

Dr. Johanna Carlo Chiropractic & Registered Massage Therapy 2130 Queen Street East 416-698-7070

ASHBRIDGE’S HEALTH CENTRE

MASSAGE

Kirsten Johnson B.Sc, DipTIRP, RP Psychotherapy for Individuals/Couples LGTBQ+ / Anxiety / Depression

NEXT

Kerry Bowser WEDDING OFFICIANT kerry@kerrybowser.com www.kerrybowser.com

416-807-3094

Free Consultation Available

KATHRYN WRIGHT

Barrister & Solicitor

Family Law & Mediation

416-699-8848

2239 Queen Street East www.kathrynwrightlaw.com kathrynwrightlaw@gmail.com

GARRY M. CASS

BARRISTER & SOLICITOR, TEP Wills/Estate Administration/Advice to Estate Trustees

Dr. Barbara Houghton 647-221-5516

27

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/BeachMetroNews #beachmetro www.beachmetro.com/support @beachmetronews BEACH METRO COMMUNITY NEWS 50TH ANNIVERSARY 1972•2022 Subscribe to our e-newsletter at beachmetro.com/mailchimp-subscription or visit beachmetro.com and click the NEWSLETTER button on the homepage IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK

Beach Memories

A question for Beach Metro readers

Hello, Dear Readers.

I am doing research for a future Beach Memories column and I would like to ask the read ers of the paper if they know what the image shown on this page is.

I know what it is, but I’m wondering if you do.

If you do, please send a note to me care of Beach Metro Community News, 2196 Gerrard St. E., Toronto, ON, M4E 2C7.

If you prefer to send an email, please direct them to Alan Shackleton at alan@ beachmetro.com, and he will

Do you know what this is? Beach Memories columnist Gene Domagala knows what it is, but as part of his research for an upcoming column he wants to know how many readers do.

Registrations now being accepted for groups wishing to take part in Toronto Beaches Lions Easter Parade

THE TORONTO Beaches Lions Easter Parade will take place on the afternoon of Sunday, April 9, this year.

The parade, which first took place, in the Beach area in 1967, will travel west along Queen Street East from the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant to Woodbine Avenue. It will start at 2 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 9.

Registration is now open for groups wishing to participate in the parade. For information on how to register to take part in the parade, please go to www.beacheseasterpa-

rade.ca/parade-info

Along with the parade, the Beaches Easter Weekend Celebration will also include an Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt on Good Friday (April 7) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The scavenger hunt will see participants visit a number of locations in the Beach area to find the hidden Easter Eggs. For more information, go to www.beacheseasterparade.ca/eggscavengerhunt

The Beaches Lions Club has been organizing the parade since 1973.

Contact: Barry Fediash barryatetba@gmail.com

mimi@missfit.ca

As February comes to a close and with it, the end of Black History Month, I wonder what sort of impact – if any - the month of observation has had.

Perhaps the local schools were investing time and effort into the annual reflection and celebration of Black History, but locally I have yet to see any evidence that it matters to anyone.

This realization is a sad one though not completely unexpected. The initial enthusiasm and vigor assigned to Black social justice has waned, significantly.

Gone are the do-gooder posts of allyship and celebrations of Black achievements. The books on racism have all been read, essentially checking off all the boxes, and the majority of whiteness can move on with their lives in the comforting assumption that they have done “the work.”

Interestingly, unsurprisingly? The people that are continuously dedicated to pushing the boundaries are Black people themselves.

This reality is absurd since we are not the ones to have created and perpetuated the problems. Yet, the burden and steadfastness of white supremacy sits heavily on our shoulders, when in fact the weight should be carried by those with the greatest privilege. You wouldn’t ask someone with a broken wrist to carry your baggage, so why are we to hold the weight of your entitlement?

Local resident and parttime YMCA employee, Trevor Bazilio is someone who refuses to live in denial of our social climate. When I first explained my column

to him and asked if he would be willing to participate, we had a brief chat about doing the work ourselves. He said with a smile of resignation, “If we don’t do it, who’s going to do it?”

When I asked him if he was hopeful that we could actually live in an antiracist world, he said, “I think we are regressing somewhat. Recent events of the overt support of far-right wing groups, it’s in our faces, there’s no shame. . . The lengths that they’re (the U.S.) going to defeat things like CRT (Critical Race Theory) that tells me there’s going to be no learnedness for the future. That’s what tells me we’re not progressing, because if we’re not willing to speak to these things, how are we ever going to change anything?”

Most immigrants come to North America with a sense of hopefulness and possibility. Trevor and his family were no different.

Trevor, an only child, was born in Guyana and came to Canada in the mid 1960s when he was 14 years old with his mother.

“I was excited to come to Canada. I arrived with a lot

knowledge. My relatives, aunts and uncles had immigrated to the United States and England, and they would send information. I had a little game that slides, and it was a map of North America, so I knew where Ontario was,” Trevor said.

Though when I asked him if he knew how cold Toronto was going to be he said, “no” with a laugh.

After graduating from Centennial College, he eventually found what would become his lifelong career in the printing industry. For the most part, Trevor who is friendly and engaging took pleasure in his occupation. Occasionally though, he was faced with some of the less desirable aspects of being the only Black employee.

“There was a work situation I remember where two young girls conspired. One reported (to the boss) that I had said something (bad about them), and the other supported it. So my boss called me in and I said, ‘OK, if you can prove that to be true, then I’ll resign right now.’ One of the girls fessed up, she caved.”

I asked if Trevor thought it was racially motivated and he said, “probably.”

Though the boss offered, as Trevor said, “the usual mild apology,” it doesn’t erase the maliciousness of the accusation, nor does it

sit right that the coworkers were neither properly addressed nor made to apologize for the slander.

It is the latter part of the story that sends the stronger message. If the roles had been reversed, do we think Trevor would’ve been allowed to carry on without further discussion?

When you know you don’t have the same privileges as others it can hold you back from standing up for what you believe is right.

“Let’s say there are 40 people in an office environment and I’m the only Black person,” said Trevor. “Actually I’m the only Black manager, so when you sit in the board room with 10 people, you’re the only Black person there...” He let his voice trail off but it was clear Trevor was indicating the reluctance to voice any injustices.

Thankfully these unsatisfactory moments did not cloud the overall view of his profession. “I retired in 2007. Then started my own business as a printing consultant, which I still do. If you need to have something printed, I find the source.

Find the right source that would suit your budget, suit your quality, suit your timelines. So, middleman, broker. I love it, the connection (with people)…

“I enjoy it, it’s from home, I set my schedules, so I have what I wanted to achieve which is the work life balance,” he said with deserved satisfaction.

What also gives Trevor great satisfaction is jazz music. “It brings me back to childhood memories of uncles playing and enjoying that music idiom. When I heard it later in life (early 20s), it was easy to listen to as it was already in my memory,” he told me.

The history of jazz music is rooted in Black culture and recognizing that fact is important. Trevor’s appreciation for the genre and its origins provoked him to organize a weekly Saturday afternoon Black History Month Tribute for

Continued on Page 19

Reflecting on why Black community members are the ones doing the work when it comes to social justice mimi liliefeldt

PHOTO: MIMI LILIEFELDT

Local resident Trevor Bazilio is concerned that our society is regressing when it comes to antiracism. of

Trevor Bazilio not one to shy away from his Blackness

‘Reflecting’ from Page 18 to a little Janet Jackson’,” he admitted with a mischievous laugh and later added, “’You wanna go to the Boyz to Men concert? I’ll buy you tickets.’”

the month of February at The Pilot in Yorkville.

Trevor has never shied away from his Blackness. He is the proud father of a biracial daughter whom as she grew up, he encouraged to engage in Black culture through his own embracing of it.

“She was influenced because everything around her was Black. Everything that I did, the music was Black, the books were Black, but nothing was (specifically) said,” he shared.

“She came home one day and was saying, ‘Shania Twain’s so good’. And evil dad was saying, ‘OK…listen

For far too long, Black people have not been made to feel proud of their Blackness. Every so often a Black person becomes famous or successful and white society opens up to accept them.

It’s like being approved to be part of an exclusive club, but the truth is concessions should not have to be made in order for our existence to be accepted.

Rich, poor, athletic or not, we should be celebrated and elevated in all the

same ways as white people without having to go above and beyond societal norms in order to be recognized as human.

So, it’s a shame that Black History Month seems to have fallen a bit flat this year because there is so much more we need to learn and celebrate about the Black experience in order to move towards to true equality.

Trevor himself said it best: “We all want the same thing. Success, job, whatever. What you want in your life, I want too, without hindrances. And to do that you must know me and understand me.”

Community Centre 55 to host annual Soup Tasting Competition on March 2

COMMUNITY CENTRE 55 will host its annual Soup Tasting Competition on Thursday, March 2.

Local residents are invited to register to take part in the soup tasting sessions that will run from 5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. that day.

Cost to attend is $5 per person, with proceeds going to Community Centre 55.

Up for grabs for the restaurants who will be making the soup is the prestigious Silver Ladle Award.

Those attending will be asked to vote on which local eatery makes what they considered to be the best soup in the March 2 competition.

Sittings for the soup tasting sessions are 5 to 5:45 p.m.; and 6 to 6:45 p.m. Community Centre 55 is located at 97 Main St., south of Gerrard Street East and north of Kingston Road.

For more information and to register to at-

tend one of the tasting sessions, please contact Jade at jade@centre55.com or call 416691-1113, ext. 224.

The Marigolds perform at Acoustic Harvest on Feb. 25

THE MARIGOLDS (Suzie Vinnick, Caitlin Hanford and Gwen Swick) will be performing at the next Acoustic Harvest concert set for Saturday, Feb. 25.

The Marigolds are “part bluesy, part jazzy, and part traditional country and bluegrass.”

Acoustic Harvest concerts take place at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St. in southwest Scarborough. Concerts begin at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

Please go to www.acousticharvest.ca to order tickets and for more information on the performers taking part in the 2023 concert season.

Beach Metro Community News Lucky Volunteer for Feb. 21

Lynn has been our carrier on the northernmost section of Wheeler Avenue since 2011 but has recently decided to step down.

A Lucky Volunteer cheque for $50 goes out to Lynn along with our thanks for all her help over the years.

If you would like to pick up the Wheeler Avenue route, or find out what other routes are available, please email our Distribution Manager, Melinda Drake melinda@beachmetro.com for all the info.

The Beach Metro Community News Lucky Volunteer for Feb. 21 is Lynn Despres. In this edition, Beach Metro Community News honours retiring volunteer Lynn Despres.

Musicians excited to be performing in Winter Bach concert on March 4

THE KINGSTON Road Village Concert Series presents The Side by Side Winter Bach #2 concert on Saturday, March 4, at 7:30 p.m.

The concert will take place at Kingston Road United Church, 975 Kingston Rd.

The March 4 concert will feature University of Toronto music students Emma Schmiedecke on cello and Arlan Vriens on violin performing “side by side” with their teachers and Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) members.

The March 4 concert will also feature a double violin concerto of J.S. Bach performed by Mark Fewer.

Both Schmiedecke and Vriens are excited for the opportunity to perform in the Side by Side concert.

“It’s always exciting to collaborate with artists from Toronto’s many brilliant ensembles,” said Vriens.

“Every new combination of musicians gives us a chance to make something new and magical happen, and the mixing between established orchestra players and the upcoming generation of performers gives an important opportunity for cross-pollination and mutual learning.”

Schmiedecke agreed. “I currently study with Joseph Johnson, principal cellist of the TSO, and many other members of the orchestra have been my coaches and mentors,” she said.

“To have the chance to perform side-by-side with them is an incredible opportunity. It is one thing to learn in a private studio or coaching setting, but to put those musical ideas into practice

alongside those teachers and mentors is a wonderful learning experience in and of itself.”

Vriens is especially looking forward to joining Fewar in the performance of the double violin concerto.

“This is a piece that almost every violinist spends their life learning, shaping and revising,” he said. “I find something new every time I come back to play it, and somehow it never gets boring or repetitive. There’s something about it that really keeps giving.”

Schmiedecke said that the performance by Fewar and Arlan should be a special one.

“Mark has been one of my mentors for many years and Arlan is a dear friend of mine, so we are bringing together members of the Toronto string community who know each other and enjoy working together – it will be a special performance for all of us,” she said.

A third-year doctoral student in cello performance at U of T, Schmiedecke grew up in and around New York City and is from a family of musicians. “Both my parents were opera singers as well as music educators,” she said.

Schmiedecke received her undergraduate degree in cello performance from the Bard College Conservatory of Music in New York as a student of Peter Wiley before she moved to Canada to pursue graduate work.

“I first attended The Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music here in Toronto, followed by studies at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University in

Montreal before returning to Toronto to attend U of T for my doctorate,” she said.

“I love the Toronto music community and the rich diversity it provides to players and audiences, with everything from Baroque performance to contemporary repertoire being presented on an almost daily basis.”

Vriens is concluding his doctorate at U of T in violin performance.

“So I suppose this is year 13 of university for me,” he said.

“I’m originally from Edmonton and, before coming to Toronto, I spent some time as associate concertmaster of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra; I’ve also completed music studies at McGill and at Cambridge University,” said Vriens.

“My doctoral research is actually examining the ways

in which violinists of Bach’s time interpreted his music. Those historical approaches were radically different from how performers tend to play Bach’s music today, so I’m looking forward to bringing just a little bit of that into our performance!”

He said audiences for the March 4 concert should expect to hear just how vital and entertaining the music of Bach is.

“It’s easy to think of Bach as a kind of dusty white marble statue, scowling down on us with seriousness and heavy authority. But if we shake off that image and listen with open ears, Bach is nothing like that. His music is still vital, inspiring, and important, and I think we’re going to give a performance that really shows off Bach’s music as a living entity instead of a dry historical text.”

Schmiedecke added that the upcoming concert at Kingston Road United Church is going to be “fantastic fun, with amazing performers and a wonderful program of music”.

Advance tickets to the March 4 concert are $35, and they are $40 at the door. Children under 12 are admitted free. Those attending are reminded that food bank donations are always gratefully accepted.

To order tickets or for more information, please go to www.kruc.ca/concertseries

PHOTO: SUBMITTED

Emma Schmiedecke on cello and Arlan Vriens on violin will perform in The Side by Side Winter Bach #2 concert on March 4 as part of the Kingston Road Village Concert Series.

Making music at seniors fair

Orders for Malvern C.I. Wine and Dine fundraiser needed by Feb. 24

THE SECOND annual Wine and Dine fundraiser in support of Malvern Collegiate Institute is set for Friday, March 3.

In partnership with 99 Bottles at 925 Kingston Rd., organizers of this year’s event are inviting adult members of the Malvern Collegiate community, and other East Toronto residents, to take part in the event.

A wine and dinner package is being offered through 99 Bottles for participants to enjoy in their own residences on March 3.

The package contains:

• Three bottles of wine (Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and a Dry Riesling) from Windrush Estates Winery, locat-

ed in Hockley Valley.

• A virtual tour of the winery with winemaker Jonathan Boyle (from 6 to 6:30 p.m. on March 3).

• A three-course dinner for two from Enoteca Ascari (in the form of take-home meal kits, with meat, vegetarian and GF options).

• Gertie’s Pie custom dessert for two (cookie pie).

• H2 craft spirit samples

• A gift card ($60 value) from Windrush Estates Winery for a tour and samples.

Cost of the package is $199 plus HST (though it has a retail value of $295). Ten per cent of the proceeds will go to support Malvern Collegiate Institute’s fundraising efforts, said the organizers.

For those wishing to take part, orders must be put in by Feb 24. The wine and dinner kits will be available to be picked up at 99 Bottles between noon and 5 p.m. on March 3.

Last year, Malvern’s inaugural Wine and Dine fundraiser took place in June, with Aviator restaurant on the Danforth, and was very successful, said the organizers.

To order a Malvern Wine and Dine fundraiser package, and for more info on the dinner, please visit 99 Bottles at https://99bottleshop.com/ products/malvern-c-i-winedine-fundraiser

Joseph Darlington, centre, leads the drummers during the Community Centre 55 Seniors Active Living and Lifestyles Fair on Feb. 9. The fair took place at the Beaches Sandbox on Queen Street East. Joining in on the drums was Toronto police 55 Division Community Relations Officer Omar Ismail, left.

PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON

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Model railroad fans have chance to see upcoming shows by two clubs

MODEL RAILROAD fans will have a number of opportunities to take in some shows in the coming days .

The Model Railroad Club of Toronto celebrates its 88th anniversary with a show on Sunday, Feb. 26, at its facility in East York.

The show goes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the club, 11 Curity Ave., north of O’Connor Drive. Admission cost is $10 for children, $12 for seniors, and $15 for adults. There is also a special family rate (maximum of five people and maximum of two adults) for $45. The ad-

mission tickets can be purchased at the door by cash, debit card or credit card.

Started in 1938, the Model Railroad Club of Toronto has welcomed thousands of visitors to see its O scale model. The club was first located in the basement of Harry Ebert, one of its founders, and then later at Union Station and Liberty Village before making the move to Curity Avenue. The model railroad layout is inspired by the Central Ontario Railway.

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Also, for residents who want to see even more model railroad displays, the Scarborough Model Railroaders have shows set for Sunday, Feb. 26, and Sunday, March 5.

The shows are at the clubhouse at 17 Jeavons Ave., in the Birchmount and Danforth avenues area, and go from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission cost is $5 for children and $10 for adults – cash only.

The Scarborough Model Railroaders feature two floors and “some of the largest train

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layouts in the province.”

The Scarborough club’s 1,500-square-foot HO scale layout features a Southern Ontario theme through the ages with a mix of passenger and freight trains. The N scale layout is 1,300 square feet and features more than 100 miles of scale track running through mountain scenery.

For more information on the Scarborough Model Railroaders, please go to http://scarborough-model-railroaders.org/loom or call 416-262-9971.

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