ISSUU-Beach Metro Community News January 21, 2025

Local New Year’s Levees welcome 2025

Meeting on homelessness planned after woman dies in parking lot

By Alan Shackleton

A COMMUNITY meeting on homelessness will be held early next month in reaction to the death of a woman living in an encampment near Coxwell and Danforth avenues recently.

Known as both Mary and Rita to community members, the woman died while sleeping in a make-shift shelter she had constructed in the parking lot of a Shoppers Drug Mart just east of Coxwell and north of Danforth avenues on the night of Dec. 20 or morning of Dec. 21.

The weather that night was extremely cold. Though no official cause of death has been released, reports indicate she may have frozen to death.

While many local residents of the Danforth area who helped her knew the woman as Mary, she was also well known to the Nourish East End Food Bank as Rita.

Anne, a resident of the Coxwell and Danforth avenues area, said she had known Mary (Rita) for years.

She was putting an ornament on a tree close to where Mary (Rita) was found when Beach Metro Community News spoke with Anne on Dec. 30. Anne said she’d known Mary (Rita) from her being at her spot in the parking lot for more than 10 years, but it was only in the last few months that it appeared Mary (Rita) had set up an encampment she was sleeping in.

“She would walk up here from Victoria Park. She would sit here and I would talk to her,” said Anne. “She told me she lived at Dentonia Park and she walked here…She would pick up old bouquets of flowers from stores along the way and then sell them here.”

Anne said community members

Continued on Page 2

PHOTO: SUSAN LEGGE

Mary-Margaret McMahon

Photo above (from left-to-right), Justin Van Dette of the East York Hall of Fame; Susan Botelho, of the East York Hall of Fame; Bill Chantzis, of the East York Hall of Fame; Mayor Olivia Chow; Ray White, of the East York Foundation; Kam Babulal, of the East York Seniors Christmas Dinner; and Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher at the East York New Year’s Levee on Sunday, Jan. 12, at the East York Civic Centre.

Photo above right, Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford meets with Harvey Minuk at the East York New Year’s Levee. Photo at right, Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher chats with residents at the East York New Year’s Levee. The event was organized by the East York Foundation and the East York Hall of Fame.

PHOTOS: ALAN SHACKLETON

Political will needed to tackle homelessness

‘Meeting’ from Page 1 were shocked and angry when they learned of Mary (Rita’s) death. “She was a sweet and lovely woman, and never asked for anything.”

With very cold weather during the week that Mary (Rita) died, Anne said she was among a number of people who offered to help her out.

“I was sitting with her (on Dec. 19) and her entire encampment was here. I asked if she wanted to go to a shelter, and that I would bring her to one but she said ‘No.’ I told her it was cold and she said she was OK. She was all bundled up and she had paper towel stuffed inside her parka as well…She didn’t want to leave.”

Mary (Rita) may have feared her possessions would be stolen if she left them at her encampment and she may have had previous bad experiences at homeless shelters, but it is not known for certain why she declined help. It is also not known if she had family.

Rev. Bri-anne Swan, with Eastend Ministries at Glen Rhodes United and Eastminster United churches, said Mary (Rita) was well known to the volunteers and organizers of the Nourish East End Food Bank.

Mary (Rita) would often come to the Glen Rhodes church on Gerrard Street East near Coxwell Avenue to help volunteers unload the truck with deliveries for the food bank.

“She was very quiet and pleasant. She came here and helped out, but I don’t really

know any more about her,” one of the volunteers told Beach Metro Community News

Much of Mary (Rita’s) private life seems to remain unknown to most of the people she interacted with as she did not share many personal details though she was always friendly.

It seemed that things had really started to go downhill a bit in the couple of weeks before Mary (Rita) died, but the volunteers said she did not say anything to them about what had happened.

The volunteer said she thought Mary (Rita) had had some hospital visits shortly before she died, but the volunteer did not know any more details. “About two weeks before she had set up bags and shopping carts around herself to shelter her from the weather,” said the volunteer.

Swan said a community meeting on homelessness

will take place for East Toronto residents on the night of Monday, Feb. 3, at Glen Rhodes United Church, 1470 Gerrard St. E. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m.

“Politicians will be invited but we’ll mostly be hearing from community members,” said Swan of the meeting.

She said Eastend Ministries knows there are many people who in are in extreme life-threatening danger due to homelessness and help is needed desperately from all levels of government in Canada to address the issue.

“We’re all caught in this crappy system and people are dying,” said Swan. “We have to support the efforts of the people who are doing the work on this.”

Swan said that though Mary (Rita) declined offers of a shelter bed, her situation should never have gotten to the point where she would die in a Toronto parking lot on a freezing cold night.

“The cracks she fell through were so far before she got to that point,” said Swan. “We saw it when we were housing asylum seekers at the church (Eastminster). The city was pointing fingers at the feds and the feds were pointing fingers at the city. And the shelters were overwhelmed due to provincial policies. That’s fine but I don’t care. We just want to help these 30 people we have in the church.”

She said there is simply too much of different levels of government trying to blame each other for the growing number of people who are living on the streets or in homeless shelters.

“There are so many cracks people are falling through including mental health supports and rising housing costs.”

She said co-ordination between the federal, provincial and city government are needed, and that all three have to stop playing politics when it comes to the issues of affordability and homelessness.

“All three levels of government need to sit at a table and stop pointing fingers as to who is at fault and have a good faith sit down and create a plan for this,” said Swan. “We have to stop accepting the idea there are always going to be people who are homeless and there’s nothing we can do for them.”

She said it “will take political will and the leadership to say enough is enough. She (Rita) is not the first person to die on the streets in this city from exposure.”

East Toronto residents can have say on city budget

By Aunalya Turner

TORONTO-DANFORTH

COUNCILLOR Paula

Fletcher will be hosting a virtual Town Hall meeting for local residents on the City of Toronto’s 2025 Budget early next month. The Zoom meeting is on

Monday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m.

The City of Toronto’s budget is proposing a 6.9 per cent hike in the property tax for city residents. This proposed hike comes on top of last year’s 9.5 per cent increase in property taxes.

Fletcher’s meeting on Feb. 3 is among a number of op-

portunities city residents will have to weigh in on the proposed budget prior to it being voted on by councillors.

For more information on Fletcher’s virtual Town Hall budget meeting, go to www. councillorpaulafletcher. ca/2025_budget_townhall

Other opportunities for residents to have their say on the budget include a Telephone Town Hall on Thursday, Jan. 23, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

To participate in the Telephone Town Hall, please dial toll free to 1-833-380-0687 during the scheduled time.

Mary (Rita) is seen in her spot at a parking lot near Danforth and Coxwell avenues in this Facebook photo. She was found dead in the shelter she had built for herself in the parking lot on the morning of Dec. 21, 2024.

Proposal submitted for 11-storey building at Kingston/Fallingbrook

A PROPOSAL for a 11-storey mixed use building on the northeast corner of Kingston and Fallingbrook roads has been received by the City of Toronto.

The new building is proposed to contain 216 residential units with a gross floor area of 14,354 square metres (including 590 square metres of street-level retail space along the Kingston Road frontage).

Impacted addresses for this proposal are 1212 to 1238 Kingston Rd., and 155 and 159 Fallingbrook Rd.

In its cover letter to the city as part of the application, Bousfields Inc. (representing applicant Fallingbrook Holdings Limited Partnership) said the 0.22-hectare site is presently occupied by a two-storey residential/ mixed use building containing businesses and 10 rental dwelling units.

The proposed building includes a four-to six-storey “pedestrian scaled streetwall” with the levels above stepped back along all frontages, said Bousfields.

The plan meets both provincial and City of Toronto guidelines “which support intensification on underutilized sites with access to municipal infrastructure and frequent transit, including higher-order transit,” said Bousfields. “The proposal would redevelop the subject site in a manner that is consistent with the city-initiated framework for revitalization for lands along the Kingston Road Corridor within the Birch Cliff Community.”

An 11-storey building with 216 residential units and retail at street level has been proposed for the northeast corner of Kingston and Fallingbrook roads.

Of the 216 proposed residential units, 10 of them will be rental replacements to cover the existing units now on the site. The breakdown of those rental replacement units is one studio; four one-bedroom units; and five two-bedroom units.

Of the 206 new units proposed, three of them are studios; 89 are one-bedrooms; 12 are one-bedrooms plus den; 29 are one-bedrooms plus den with two bathrooms; 31 are two-bedrooms; 15 are two-bedrooms plus den; and 27 are three-bedrooms.

For more on this proposal, contact City of Toronto Senior Planner John Lyon at John. Lyon@toronto.ca or 416-394-8101.

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Community Council approves plan for 40-storey residential building on Eastdale

By Matthew Stephens

TENSIONS WERE high as a number of local residents called on Toronto and East York Community Council to defer a decision on a 40-storey residential building at 90 Eastdale Ave. and 2 Secord Ave.

“That was a lovely little neighbourhood. And we’re not against development, but it has to make sense,” said local resident Harry Leonard in his deputation to councillors at a Public Meeting on the proposal on Tuesday, Jan. 14, during Community Council’s meeting at Toronto City Hall.

Leonard also expressed his concerns about population density, transit and traffic congestion, and the wellbeing of students attending Secord Public School, in his deputation.

Among the residents to make a deputation at the meeting was former Beaches-East York Councillor Janet Davis, who took to the stand to highlight residents’ overarching concern of population density in the area.

“Just over these last six years, the number of units on this site have doubled,” said Davis “I’ve come to raise questions about when is density enough? Particularly when the community benefits that accompany it are insufficient.”

Davis was the councillor for Ward 31 (Beaches-East York) from 2003 to 2018. She did not run in the 2018 municipal election, which saw the number of wards in the city cut in half due to a decision by Ontario Premier Doug Ford. When Davis was a councillor, she represented the portion of the ward north of Danforth Avenue and east of Coxwell Avenue in East York.

The plans for Eastdale between Secord and Lumsden avenue, including another building (35 storeys) already constructed just to the north of the site discussed on Jan. 14, was originally put before the city during Davis’ time as councillor.

Lack of community benefits, including a community centre for the increased population in the surrounding Main Street/Dawes Road and Danforth Avenue area,

were among the main concerns she expressed in her deputation.

While those concerns were discussed by councillors at the meeting, they chose not to defer the proposal and instead approved it for final consideration at next month’s full Toronto Council meeting.

Beaches–East York Councillor Brad Bradford said the application had already been deferred once before by Community Council, and deferring it again would present the risk of the proposal being appealed by the developers to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). The applicant for the project is DBS Developments Limited C/O 90 Eastdale inc.

“We can’t speak to what risks might emerge; however, the applicant has passed the time at which it has appeal rights to the Ontario Land Tribunal,” said Director of Community Planning Carly Bowman, when asked by Bradford what the implications of deferring a decision might be.

Coming into a development project which started before his time, Bradford said it has been a long process getting to the approval stage given a number of factors including the replacement of existing rental townhouse units which will be demolished for the new building and that the building to the north has previously been approved.

“It’s a big site and there have been multiple phases. The original application on Phase One was approved before I was here, and the community has been very patient during that time,” said Bradford.

“In my case, I was able to work with city staff to push and get some additional benefits for the community, and for me, top of mind – housing affordability is number one. That’s what I’m working for and that’s what I’m securing in these applications.”

As part of the Jan. 14 meeting, there was also a Rental Housing Demolition and Conversion Application portion for the site discussed.

There are 31 existing townhouse residential rental units on the site that will have to be demolished for

the new 40-storey building that will contain 535 residential rental units. However, 35 rental replacement units will be provided by the developer as part of this project

Renters in some of the townhouses expressed concerns about how the conversion process would work for them, what kind of new units would they be getting, and how long would it take.

Jenny Laden said there is a lack of sufficient compensation when comparing her current home to the one she’ll receive following the redevelopment.

“In total, I have a threefloor townhouse with ample living and storage space,” said Laden.

“What we are being offered as fair compensation for the space that is being demolished is not equal to what we have and are paying for now.”

According to Laden and other residents, the proposal doesn’t account for private outdoor living space; only offering shared outdoor spaces when the redevelopment is complete.

“We’re being told that the new units we’re being offered will be the same amount of living space as our current units. This is true as far as the inside dimensions, but the private space we currently have with our front and backyard is not taken into account,” resident Eliza Kirby Laden told the councillors.

“When we move into our new unit, we’ll be paying the same amount for less.”

As part of the rental replacement plan for the proposal, the 31 townhouse residents are expected to be provided with an acceptable Tenant Relocation and Assistance Plan (TRAP) to ensure a smooth transition and “lessen hardship” for their transition to the new units.

As part of the redevelopment proposal, the replacement rental dwelling units are expected to collectively contain a total gross floor area of at least 3,953 square metres, and be comprised of two studio units, two onebedroom units, 27 threebedroom units and four fourbedroom units.

The redevelopment plan also ensures the 35 replace-

ment rental dwelling units will have access to all indoor and outdoor amenities at no extra charge, as well as other benefits such as ensuite laundry, central air conditioning, 21 rentable storage lockers, and 16 vehicle parking spaces.

Proprietors of the new building are expected to provide at least two studio, two one-bedroom, 13 threebedroom at affordable rents, four four-bedroom units at mid-range (affordable) rents, and one three-bedroom unit at mid-range (moderate) rents; all for a period of at least 10 years following the date of first occupancy of each unit. According to the City of Toronto, rental costs for the remaining 13 threebedroom replacement rental dwelling units will be “unrestricted”.

However, after years of construction to renovate the current buildings at 94 and 100 Eastdale Ave., and another projected three years of development for the new building, residents with disabilities such as Brian Moore said they have been facing accessibility difficulties amongst the ongoing construction surrounding the building site.

“This amendment is proposing another probably three years of construction,” said Moore.

“In the previous constructions that are just getting close to finished, there were many accessibility issues created by the construction. For several months, the only path in and out of our complex was through the driveway where the construction vehicles came in and out.” If not for his controlled rent, Moore said he would have already moved from the unit he lives in.

To combat construction traffic and access concerns, Bradford said he has worked to establish a motion in the application which intends to address construction staff and alleviate the anticipated increase in traffic in the area.

“It is a super congested area. It’s difficult to get back there, so this is to address that and manage some of the impact associated with the traffic infiltration. I’ve asked transportation staff

Continued on Page 5

Density, schools and lack of services among concerns raised

‘Community’ from Page 4 to pursue site access via Dawes Road, and our staff here in transportation have reviewed and are going to work on that,” said Bradford.

In her deputation, Davis acknowledged the proposal’s plan for the new property owners to secure the surrounding buildings as rental properties for the next 20 years as one benefit of the redevelopment.

However, she believes that more support for community services would help to alleviate increased population growth in the surrounding area.

“It is a transportation hub; the density is huge. There has been no plan developed; we don’t know what community services are going to be available. The existing community centre at Main Square is being demolished; we have no idea if and where it’s being replaced,” Davis told councillors.

In her deputation, she urged city council to utilize the projected increase in population and accompanying financial revenue to support and relocate the local community centre at Main and Danforth, and to renovate Secord Public School – a school she said is at the top of the TDSB (Toronto District School Board) list for redevelopment.

“In the heart of this highneeds community is a school that’s designed and ready to be rebuilt,” said Davis. “There is an opportunity here to take what community benefits and money comes

from all of this density and build a joint facility.”

In an interview with Beach Metro Community News immediately after the Jan. 14 meeting, Davis said there are not enough community services being planned for the area to serve what will be its growing population.

“My concern about seeing the mass density that is coming to Main and Danforth and Dawes, in what is called a transit hub area, is that there simply are not the kinds of services being put in place or even planned that will accommodate that level of growth,” she said Bradford said establishing community centres is a costly process not sufficiently covered in the Community Benefits Charge (CBC) paid by developers.

“I’d love to have community centre money; I’d love to build a community centre at Secord. You know what a new 65,000-square-foot community centre costs today? It costs $100 million bucks. You know what the CBC is… on an application like this? A fraction of that,” he said in the meeting.

In response to some deputants’ concerns over a lack of transparency regarding the Eastdale proposal, Bradford pointed out he had held several community consultation meetings regarding the redevelopment with residents and tenants (both virtual and in-person) between the months of May and October.

“We actually had a tenant meeting about the rental replacement and the reloca-

tion back in October at 2 Secord to make sure that the tenants were aware of their rights. And all of the remaining tenants accepted the replacement units within those buildings,” said Bradford.

During past meetings in recent months, Bradford said the attending tenants and city staff found the proposal’s rental agreements to be “satisfactory.”

When discussing the affordability crisis and establishing rent-controlled properties within the new development, as part of the application, Bradford said he had secured “net new” affordable rental units for the next 99 years – which is “well above any statutory requirements and well above the CBC (Community Benefits Charge) requirement.”

In an interview with Beach Metro Community News immediately after the Jan. 14 meeting, Bradford said the “planning regime and legislative world” we are now in makes securing community benefits more difficult.

“But through a lot of dialogue, consultation and hard work, we were able to do more, and I think that’s a net benefit for the community,” he said. “It’s an apartment infill site, and you’re seeing that across the city and these sites that were planned and conceived in the 1960s and 1970s – large sites, lots of space in between those original apartment towers. And now as we go, we don’t have a lot of additional land in Toronto, but we’re trying to create more housing supply.”

Fairmount Park Winterfest slated for Feb. 8

THE FAIRMOUNT Park

Icemasters and BeachesEast York Councillor Brad Bradford are hosting the annual Fairmount Park on Saturday, Feb. 8.

The celebration will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. at Fairmount Park, 1725 Gerrard St. E., on the east side of Beaton Avenue.

Admission to the Winterfest is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

Planned events for the annual Fairmount Park Winterfest include skating on the rinks made by the Icemasters, sledding, live music, food and fun for the whole family.

For more information and event updates, including on the weather conditions, visit the Ice Masters Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ groups/51607789318/

Paying the price for underfunded education system

Mary-Margaret McMahon

MPP

Beaches—East

York

In Beaches-East York, we are lucky to have high quality public schools and childcare options.

As your Member of Provincial Parliment, I know that properly funded and well maintained schools and childcare are key pillars of a livable community, one where everyone is afforded equal opportunity. I believe that education is a basic service our government must prioritize!

When my two kids were at Gledhill P.S., I learned firsthand about all the serious funding constraints. The staff and parents had to get creative to ensure an

enriching educational experience for students. This is obviously not a new challenge. But why has it become so dire?

After almost seven years of the Ford Government’s cutbacks and inaction, public education in Ontario has fallen to the wayside. In December, the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) released a report reviewing the state of school buildings that found 84.1 per cent of TDSB (Toronto District School Board) schools below a state of good repair. Ontario would have to invest $31.4 billion over 10 years to clear the infrastructure backlog and maintain school buildings. This is unacceptable!

I recently met with concerned parents and advocates about Secord Elementary School in East York that has been in need of serious renovations for over 10 years!

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Letters to the Editor

Not only do they have the largest and oldest portable system in the entire TDSB, they will also be welcoming 7,200 proposed residential units to their neighbourhood in the upcoming years. Without a significant expansion and renovation, children moving to the area will have nowhere to go.

In my role as MPP, I brought this matter to Queen’s Park on multiple occasions and asked the government why they wouldn’t make Secord Elementary School a priority for Capital Funding.

The government passed the buck to the TDSB, claiming the School Board is unable to balance their own budget. Meanwhile under their watch, education funding has gone down $976 per student since 2018! I encourage you to watch my questions which can be found on my Youtube channel @

marymargaretbey. It’s clear this government has no respect for students, families, teachers, or staff. We haven’t forgotten Bill 28 and the inappropriate use of the notwithstanding clause to prevent education support workers’ right to strike!

Finally, many of you have reached out to me over the years about the state of your child’s school, or because the daycare in your neighbourhood has been forced to shut its doors.

I am committed to making Beaches-East York the greatest place in Ontario to have a family! This means sufficiently funding schools and childcare centres, respecting the important job of teachers and staff, and creating inclusive environments for children to learn.

I love visiting our local schools,

speaking with young learners as well as seeing them on trips to Queen’s Park! I strive to empower them to become strong, future leaders and they truly give me hope.

On Friday, Jan. 31, I am inviting residents to rally with us to put our schools first!

We will gather outside Secord Elementary School, 101 Barrington Ave. (east of Main Street and north of Danforth Avenue). All are welcome. The rally starts at 3 p.m., and we will stay until you are ready to go home!

Invite your children to make a sign to bring. Together, we can work to restore public education in Toronto and create the best, wellfunded system our kids and our neighbourhoods need and deserve.

Please join us for our upcoming rally! Let’s do this together!

New Minister of Housing buying into false NIMBY narrative, writes reader

Re: ‘Named new federal Minister of Housing, Erskine-Smith will run in next election’, News, Beach Metro Community News, Jan. 7.

I am happy that our MP was appointed Minister of Housing. I like Nate Erskine-Smith as a person, and even voted for him, but I would like to make a few comments.

First, it was shocking that he was appointed to cabinet given his reputation as a maverick and not as a team player.

But you have to remember that, when the Samara Centre for Democracy studied the 2015-19 Parliament, Nate was the most rebellious MP in Parliament by voting against his party all of 3.4 per cent of the time, when the average MP voted just 0.4 per cent against their party position. This shows just how bad most MPs are, and that anywhere else but Canada, 96.6 per cent would be considered a lap dog.

Most of the actual work most MPs do is to act as an ombudsperson for their constituents, solving problems like immigration, pensions, veterans’ benefits. Steve Paikin has written about this in his books, but in my case regarding Employment Insurance and an unjust policy that impacts many people a year, Nate failed to get anything done with the Minister or CEIC, and he seemed to give up. I never got a full explanation, he never raised the issue in Parliament. He could not even get a few words of warning added to the website, to help people.

Nate seemed to give up and stopped returning my emails on this matter. Yet, this week I got a boilerplate response that “Your email has been passed along to the Minister’s staff, and they will follow up with you shortly.”

I hope that as a Minister, Erskine-Smith might have the staff and the clout to get the

minister responsible to listen.

I am also involved with a housing-related non-profit, and wanted to talk to Nate about housing and CMHC having changed a key policy, but on my emails on this topic I haven’t yet even got a boilerplate response.

But also, the article on Nate raised alarms that as Housing Minister, our MP has bought into some false narratives about the housing crisis, why it became a crisis and how to solve it.

The article stated “Most municipal and provincial governments have a certain level of NIMBYISM (Not In My Backyard),” which Erskine-Smith said created the supply problems for different forms of housing. This is has become a “conventional wisdom” because of YIMBY groups (Yes In My Back Yard) that have lobbied Nate as MP. Frankly, I think the term NIMBY should be

banned, as essentially it calls people hypocrites with no cause or proof, and there are legitimate reasons to oppose developments or ask for changes, including heritage preservation, lack of infrastructure or other concerns.

It is hard to argue that in Ontario, NIMBYs ever had much power to stop development. Ontario had the OMB, renamed LPAT and now OLT, which usually sided with developers. This was unique in North America, but even in Vancouver, Calgary or even Montreal, 40-year record levels of housing have been under construction in the last few years, even though housing starts are down. But things like Ontario’s Bill 23 have already loosened zoning or made it harder for citizens or councils to reject housing and densification.

Just drive around Toronto and use your

Beach Memories

Remembering The Coliseum Theatorium in the Beach and other local movie houses

gene DoMagala Beach Memories

This article is for the “really old time Beachers” or for the motion picture aficionados.

Many years ago I was researching the different motion picture theatres in the Beach area and came up with some interesting facts—one of them was the “Fox Theatre,” originally the “Prince Edward,” which was not the first motion picture theatre in the Beach area dear readers even though many will doubt me.

By the way I am never 100 per cent sure on all my research subjects and I have been proven wrong on some occasions. But on this subject, I will say about The Coliseum Theatorium that it is one of the first if not the first of the motion picture “houses” in the Beach on Queen Street East.

This particular theatre was built around 1909, about 115 years ago, and is still intact as a small building – al-

though it is now undergoing a massive renovation as it is being converted into an athletic club.

The Coliseum, or the Latin name “Colosseum” which means large stadium or amphitheatre, is located at 2215 Queen St. E. It’s on the south side a short distance from Leuty Avenue.

The building has retained its original shape for many years. At one time its attendance was about 250 people and it was a motion picture house for about 10 years.

It opened during the silent movie era, a new innovation for those who wanted to be entertained much like all the modern communication devices we have now.

In those old days The Coliseum was patronized by Beachers of all ages.

The prices were reasonable and they could see their favourite movie stars or motion pictures on Saturdays or during the weekdays – but never on Sundays as it was forbidden by law.

These old time movie houses were called different names some of them like The Coliseum were called a theatorium and there were other names as well such as Pictoriums.

Whatever the names were they were

in one way the major form of entertainment for many of the people of the Beach.

There was even of course other forms of relaxing like baseball, hockey, tennis, musical bands, plays put on by religious organizations and we for sure had amusement parks such as the Munro Park, Victoria Park Scarborough Beach Park—but these were only seasonal.

The motion picture houses or theatoriums became the mainstream of entertainment for the next 115 years. Then the “talkies’ came along and that changed how people watched (and heard) movies.

However, all of these theatres started with this one original in 1909 The Coliseum.

So if you remember any of the movies or any of the motion picture stars, then Dear Beachers of Long Ago Places, please let me know about your memories of The Coliseum.

The building was also for many years a hardware store, then a dance studio and now to be an athletic club. Let me know your memories.

Yours in history and film. — “Cecil B.” Domagala

Local zoning laws worked fine for decades

‘New’ from Page 6

eyes. It is a cliché that Toronto has far more construction cranes than any other city (outside of China). There are 700,000 units in planning applications in the 416 alone. Most will be approved, and that means about 1.6 million more people.

YIMBYism started in California about a decade ago, but unfortunately U.S. trends tend to come to Canada even when things are different here. The U.S. had a 2006 housing bubble that

burst and led to the 2008 economic crisis. Housing starts in the U.S. remained low for years and are only close to 2006 levels now. Unlike many states, California has limited urban sprawl. The tragic recent fires in Los Angeles show one reason why. One thing we share with California is that limiting sprawl means limiting land supply, which drives up land prices.

Instead, Canada’s problems are not lack of supply, but insane levels of population growth. Australia and even

New Zealand have had similar policies of high population growth and similar housing crises. Even in 2019, Canada’s population grew at 1.4 per cent, double the U.S. growth of 0.7 per cent.

I wish Nate luck, but the answer is not Parliament meddling in local zoning laws that worked fine for decades. The reduced immigration levels are still too high, but if Nate can do anything as Minister, pushing for more cuts in Cabinet would do the most.

Brian Graff

INTRODUCING JULIE, YOUR DEDICATED CURL COACH, HERE TO GUIDE YOU THROUGH EVERY STEP OF YOUR CURLY HAIR JOURNEY

Call today and reserve a free consultation with Julie 647 746 4247 - 2194 Queen St. East

PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON

The building at 2215 Queen St. E. in the Beach was once the home of The Coliseum movie house, but it has also been the location of Beach Hardware and Creswell Dance Academy. Next it will be home to the Beaches Athletic Club after a major renovation is completed.

JAN. 22: Our A Senior Moment luncheon at Wild Oregano Greek Mediterranean Cuisine, 1:30 p.m. Look forward to seeing you all there. Please R.S.V.P. by text to Colleen at 647-829-8042

JAN. 25: Birding Basics: Beginner at Tommy Thompson Park, 1 Leslie St., 9 a.m.-12 noon. Get to know the wealth of bird diversity that calls Ontario home, starting from the very basics. Participants will learn to recognize common birds, discover the tools and guides best suited to birding beginners, and develop the skills that will have them identifying warblers like a pro. Join TRCA and begin this birding journey at Tommy Thompson Park. Info and registration: trca.ca/events-calendar

JAN. 25: Birding Basics: Advanced Techniques at Tommy Thompson Park, 1 Leslie St., 2-5 p.m. Take your birding knowledge to the next level! Join TRCA and delve deeper into the world of birding. From birding by ear to recognizing bird behaviours, participants will discover some of the expert tips and tricks that will take them from Beginner Birder to Advanced Avian Appreciator! Info and registration: trca.ca/events-calendar

JAN. 26: Wonder Church at St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, 2423 Queen St. E., 4 p.m. St. Aidan’s is excited to offer a new service designed for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, early elementary children and their families called Wonder Church. This is a 30-45 minute service that includes puppets, music, and prayers. We gather on the last Sunday of each month at 4 p.m. starting January 26. Coffee and treats will be provided. All are welcome. Info: children@staidansinthebeach.com

FEB. 1: Jazz & Reflection with the Ferrport Jazz Ensemble and special guest Michael Vuscan, at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., 4:30 p.m. The Ferrport Jazz Ensemble is sure to make audiences groove with Jazz favourites from the Sunny Side of the Street all the way down to that Wonderful World that exists Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and beyond. Pay-what-you-can (suggested minimum $10). Info: beachunitedchurch.com

FEB. 10: Jam Nite at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., 7 p.m. Bring your instrument and/ or voice, and come jam with fellow community members on musical favourites old and new. All ages welcome. Info: beachunitedchurch.com

FEB. 12: The Beach & East Toronto Historical Society presents Music Historian Mark Vendramini at the Beaches Sandbox, 2181 Queen St. E., 7-8:30 p.m. Topic: “Yonge Street’s Incredible Music and Pop Culture History”. Admission is free. All welcome. Info: tbeths.com

MONDAYS: WEE FOLKS DROP IN at Fallingbrook Presbyterian Church, 35 Wood Glen Rd., 9:30-11 a.m. except holidays. Ages up to 3 socialize with nannies, parents, grandparents and other kids. Play-time, stories and snacks provided.

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

BEACHES MENTAL WELLNESS GROUP meets each Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St. at Swanwick. Info: www.mentalwellness. help. Or join us most nights of the week on Zoom. Go to: https://www.meetup.com. Ask to join us: Mental Wellness Peer-to-Peer Support-Groups GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS. If you or a family member are struggling with gambling, Gamblers Anonymous is there to HELP. Call: 1(855) 222-5542 or visit www.gatoronto.ca

A A at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St., Saturdays 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Info: 416-691-1113

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

BEACH INTERFAITH OUTREACH FELLOWSHIP LUNCHES for adults in the community, 11 a.m. •Mondays at Corpus Christi Church (16 Lockwood Rd.) •Tuesdays – alternating locations: St. Aidan’s Anglican Church (2423 Queen St. E.), Jan. 21, Feb. 4, 18; St. Nicholas Anglican Church (1512 Kingston Rd.) Jan. 28, Feb. 11, 25. •Wednesdays at Beach Hebrew Institute (109 Kenilworth Ave.), •Thursdays at Beach United Church (140 Wineva Ave.) •Fridays at Kingston Road United Church (975 Kingston Rd.). No lunch Feb 17, April 9, 16, 21. Lunch format may vary from site to site. Info: 416-691-6869

BEACH PHOTO CLUB. ARE YOU interested in photography? We invite all shutterbugs to check out our local photo club. We offer a range of activities including guest speakers, mentorship, opportunities to share your work, photo excursions, competitions, practical seminars and more! We meet the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from September to June, 7-9:30 p.m., at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave. (unless specified in program). Info: beachphotoclub.com or email beachphotoclub@gmail.com

GERRARD ASHDALE LIBRARY, 1432 Gerrard St. E. •Jan 25: Chess Club, 1-4 p.m. Drop by for a few casual games of chess on our 2nd floor. All ages are welcome.

Every Saturday. •Jan 28, Feb 11: Seniors E-Connect (Drop-in Tech Help for Seniors), 4-5:30 p.m. Bring your cell phone, iPad, laptop, or other device, and get tech help from our polite, tech-savvy teen volunteers. Dropin. Held every second Tuesday. •Feb 1: Lion Dance & Lunar New Year Crafts 3-4 p.m. Traditional Chinese lion dance followed by kids’ crafts. Info: 416-397-7717

THE CHURCH OF ST. AIDAN (Anglican), 2423 Queen St. E., is an energetic, active faith community committed to following Jesus as we gather for meaningful worship, spiritual growth, and community engagement. We live this out through our vibrant children’s and youth programs, diverse sacred music offerings, and active community outreach and environmental stewardship ministries. On Sundays, we welcome you to join us for worship at 8:30 a.m. (spoken service) and 10:30 a.m. (with music and children’s and youth programs). Nursery care for infants and toddlers is available during the 10:30 service. Busy Bees drop-in playgroup for ages 0-3 and caregivers features stories and crafts on Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Out of the Cold dinners are served Mondays from 5-6:30 p.m. Weekly euchre on Tuesdays 7-9 p.m., enter from the northeast side door. It’s $5 to play, with all proceeds benefiting outreach. Info: www.staidansinthebeach.com or 416-691-2222

BEACH UNITED CHURCH, 140 Wineva Ave., invites you to share in worship with us each week. We offer a combination of in person and YouTube livestream opportunities on Sunday mornings at 10:30am. Services are led by our creative and passionate music director Steven Webb and our minister Rev. Greg Daly. In addition to Sunday services, Beach United Church offers a variety of inspirational music and educational programs open to the entire Beach community. Info and links: beachunitedchurch.com

KINGSTON ROAD UNITED CHURCH, 975 Kingston Rd., welcomes you to our weekly 10:30am Sunday service. We are a warm, vibrant and affirming community with various programs for people of all ages. Children and youth are an integral part of our community’s life. We offer weekly Sunday School programs, a children and youth choir, and a Youth Group that meets every other week. Music is another important part of our community life - including an adult choir that sings weekly in our worship services and a number of music concerts throughout the year. We recently welcomed our new minister, Rev. Lauren Hodgson, who brings a passion for connecting with people at all stages of life and all moments on their faith journey. She cares deeply about offering creative, meaningful worship experiences. Rev. Lauren, along with her wife and their daughter, lives in the Upper Beaches community and is loving getting to offer ministry in the community where she lives. She would be delighted to meet you! BEACHES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 65 Glen Manor Drive. (S of Queen). We are an inclusive and affirming congregation in the heart of the Beach. BPC has strong commitments to community service and social justice issues. We provide non-perishable food for those in need through our Free Food Pantry located outside the church building. On the 2nd Wednesday of every month we host a Coffee Outreach from 1-3 p.m., an opportunity for people in the neighbourhood to gather for coffee, snacks and fellowship. Info: www.beacheschurch.org, 416-6995871. Minister: The Reverend Katherine McCloskey FALLINGBROOK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 35 Wood Glen Rd. Please join us for worship on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Angela J. Cluney. All are welcome! Fallingbrook is an affirming congregation and is accessible by a lift. Please join us on Live Stream via Facebook or through our church website at 10:25 a.m. for our Prelude with our Music Director Nick Jessome. Weekly Worship services and Special Music selections are posted for viewing on our website. For info about Bible Study, Book Club, Tea Time, Hobby Circle, Wee Folks, Choir or other upcoming activities: fboffice@rogers. com, 416-699-3084, fallingbrookpresbyterianchurch.com. Easy access by TTC from the Victoria Park subway. ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 794 Kingston Rd., 2 blks. east of Main St. Parish priest is Fr. Joshua Roldan. Weekend Masses: Sat. Vigil at 4:30 pm, Sun. 9 & 11 am. Weekday Masses with Rosary: Tue. - Fri. doors open and Rosary begins at 7:45 am followed by Mass at 8:15 am. Confessions every Sat. 3:45 to 4:15 pm or by appt. Church website and phone: stjohnsto.archtoronto.org, 416-698-1105 GRANT AME CHURCH, 2029 Gerrard St E., invites you to our Sunday Worship Service at 11 am in person or live stream on ZOOM, YouTube and Facebook. Bible Study Wednesdays at 7:00 pm on ZOOM. Please join us in prayer Wednesday mornings at 6:30 a.m. on our prayer line. Dialin No.: 1 587 405 1252 Access Code: 700 6901#. Info.: www. grantame.com, grantamechurch@yahoo.ca, 416-690-5169 ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST NORWAY Anglican Church, 470 Woodbine Ave. Welcome to St. John the Baptist Norway! We are a growing community which enjoys the Anglican expression of the Christian faith. We gather to connect with one another and worship God on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. In-Person/Livestream and at 5 p.m. In-Person for The Table, a contemporary service followed by a simple community supper. Come and see! Info: stjohnsnorway.com, 416-691-4560

Letters to the Editor

Compassion needed in discussion about Gerrard homeless shelter

Re: ‘If we keep changing the rules, Toronto will never solve its homeless crisis’, In My Opinion, Beach Metro Community News, Nov. 26, 2024.

Recently, Eloise Morrison a member of the Hunt Club Community Facebook page, publicly shared a letter she received from the City of Toronto regarding the new homeless shelter on Gerrard Street East.

Morrison is a dedicated advocate for marginalized communities and diversity, equity and inclusion, especially within the local community. By sharing the letter from the City of Toronto regarding the new homeless shelter, she seems to be continuing her commitment to social justice and support for vulnerable groups, perhaps she is up for the challenge.

Highly educated, the owner of the Teach Me to Fly Daycare and her driven passion to “speak up” for the disenfranchised, she may just be eager to offer her valuable skills and experience towards this new shelter in a

creative way. Her involvement could provide valuable resources and support for vulnerable members of society in the local community.

There is a quote stated by an unknown individual: “I don’t want homeless people around my neighbourhood” which is a valid concern for most individuals and families.

The community needs strong driven advocates such as Morrison. Her many contributions to media outlets may suggest that she can provide an important voice in fostering dialogue and understanding within her community, particularly around issues of homelessness and inclusivity.

It is clear she values creating a compassionate and supportive environment for all people, so it is great to see her engaging with and supporting such an important community initiative.

Most importantly, it is very refreshing to see that not everyone defaults to NIMBYism.

E. Hernandez

Beach Metro Community News

Lucky Volunteer for Jan. 21

Beach Metro Community News honours our door-to-door carrier Linda Koehler as this edition’s Lucky Volunteer. Linda has been a volunteer carrier in the Danforth and Woodbine neighbourhood since 2022.

“I do this because a printed Beach Metro News is an invaluable avenue for community building and local activity awareness,” said Linda. “It helps us to know we are part of a community. As wonderful as internet, digital news and social media is, nothing compares to holding something in your hand and taking time to read print.

“On top of that, when delivering door to door, I get a walk down my street, fresh air and the chance to see and greet my neighbours - to be an ‘ambassador’ of good will and community connection. In this complicated world, we need to remind ourselves of the importance of relationship.”

We appreciate Linda’s help with getting the Beach Metro delivered, and we are sending her a Fearless Meat gift certificate as our thanks. If you are interested in joining the Beach Metro distribution team, please email Melinda@beachmetro.com to find out what routes are available near you.

On The Wild Side

Owls and swan reunion among 2024’s top moments

ann BrokelMan

is an avid birder and nature photographer naturephotosbyann.blogspot.ca

For me, every year brings incredible moments in nature that I’ll never forget, and 2024 was no exception!

As the year wound down, my husband and I were thrilled to welcome a new resident to our backyard: a gray Eastern Screech Owl in our nesting box whom I call Stu or Sue. I might be more excited than my husband, but I’ve caught him peeking out the windows more often, checking on the box.

Even as I write this, I can see the owl from my office window, poking his head out through the little hole in the front, while my outside camera quietly records his behaviour.

Some of you who have been reading my stories for years may remember that I had a pair of owl’s nest in my backyard several years ago. That first pair, which successfully hatched a few owlets, remains one of my favourite wildlife memories. OK, this isn’t the same owl, and it’s only one, but I’m beyond eager to observe and learn more about my new neighbour. Who-who knows, maybe another owl will soon arrive, and babies will follow once again!

Interestingly, this wasn’t

reunion

my first encounter with a screech owl in my neighbourhood in 2024. Back in the spring, a neighbour came to our door and said that there was an owl lying on the road. I rushed out and found a screech owl on its back, motionless. I couldn’t help but think, based on how it looked, that I was already too late to help. Carefully, I picked it up.

With its eyes still closed, and to my great surprise, the owl extended its talons toward me. Yes, he nailed me good with both talons. Despite being hit by a car, he still had some fight left in him! I guess he could have been instinctively trying to grab onto a branch, but I’m pretty sure his fight reflex was kicking in.

Knowing that he must have medical attention, I took him to the Toronto Wildlife Centre as soon as was possible. The staff there discovered that the poor bird had eye ulcers and immediately began treatment.

Three weeks later, I received a call: the owl was ready for release. Later that day, my husband, my son Erik, his fiancé (now wife) Kyla, and my granddaughters Lara, Cara, Diana all gathered in the backyard, where the trees provide the perfect habitat, to release the owl back into the wild. Was this owl the same one that has moved into my backyard?

Screech owls come in a range of colours—red, gray, brown, and even ginger, but gray might be the most

common. I’ll never know for sure, but it’s comforting to think that the rescue bird got a good look at our yard and decided to come back for a longer visit.

I can guarantee that if we’re lucky enough to have owlets, I’ll be sure to share the news with you!

Another unforgettable moment from 2024 was the summer release of a Trumpeter Swan Y37 named Mango.

This moment is the first ‘viral’ moment I’ve been a part of. I’m guessing many of you are familiar with the moment, even if you didn’t know I have a close connection to it.

Thanks to the quick action of the Toronto Wildlife Centre, Mango was rescued after being found bleeding

from the mouth. Just two days later, I was asked to help release the swan.

What made the experience truly magical was the unexpected reunion between Mango and his mate 717 Charlotte. The moment was captured on video by my friend Shona and Deborah, and that footage quickly made its way around the globe.

Watching the two swans run towards each other, honking and with wings flapping in seeming happiness, reunite, and swim off together was one of the most touching scenes I’ve ever witnessed.

I’ve replayed the video dozens of times myself, and it’s incredible to think that millions of others around the world have shared in

that heartwarming moment. I feel incredibly lucky to have shared so many of my animal adventures with readers of the Beach Metro Community News

Your notes and stories about your own nature encounters have been a joy to read, and I hope you’ll keep them coming!

As for my goals for 2025, I’ve got a few ideas about seeing something new: I hope to visit Alberta to see the wild horses roaming free and, closer to home, I’m hoping to spot my first ermine (short-tailed weasel) in beautiful white winter coat.

Here’s to more adventures in nature in 2025!

Happy New Year, and may your year be filled with amazing wildlife sightings!

PHOTOS: ANN BROKELMAN

Photo above left shows an Eastern Screech Owl nesting in the backyard of Ann Brokelman’s home. Photo above right shows the emotional

Bluffers Park in Scarborough last summer.

video

their reunion went viral and was one the

News.

A

Romantic Valentine’s Invitation from

Corbin Catering & Foods

Menu Available Friday, Feb 14th & Saturday, Feb 15th, 2025 Pick-up/delivery options available "Romantic Indulgence Soups"

Wild Mushroom & Truffle Bisque with rosemary creme and Parmesan Croutons (1 litre, serves 2-3)

Lobster Bisque creamy lobster soup with fennel, and a touch of cognac *contains shellfish (1 litre, serves 2-3)

Classic French Onion Gruyere cheese and toasted olive oil & herb crouton (1 litre, serves 2-3)

Roasted Tomato & Red Pepper puree soup with fresh basil and halloumi cheese croutons (1 litre, serves 2-3) vegetarian | gluten-free

"Cupid's Delight Salads"

Basil Pesto Shrimp & Haricots Vert Salad baby tomatoes, mixed greens and white wine vinaigrette (serves 2) gluten-free | *contains shellfish

Strawberry Spinach Salad strawberries, baby spinach, candied pecans, goat cheese, and citrus poppyseed yogurt dressing. (serves 2) vegetarian |gluten-free | *contains nuts

Beet, Arugula & Goat Cheese Salad roasted beets, arugula, sliced orange, crumbled goat cheese and grainy mustard dressing (serves 2) vegetarian | gluten free

Caesar Salad Bundle crisp romaine hearts, whipped herb ricotta, classic dressing, crispy bacon and baguette croutons (serves 2) *contains pork & anchovy

"Heartfelt Flavors Main Course" Ready to re-heat gourmet entrees

Pan Seared Branzino roasted fingerling potatoes, broccolini and vera cruz sauce (serves 2) glutenfree | *contains anchovy

Braised Beef Short Rib boneless rib, red wine veal jus, mixed mushrooms, mini Yorkshire puddings,

Pan Seared Chicken Breast Cordon Blue stuffed with smoked ham & Swiss cheese, basmati rice pilaf and roasted broccoli steak and marinated cherry tomatoes (serves 2) gluten-free |*contains pork

Grilled Polenta & Mushrooms fried polenta, creamy mushroom ragout, truffle, shaved cheese and

Deja Views

Memories

of Mikael’s Steak & Burger

By David Van Dyke

This image above was acquired without date or photo credit. By comparing the posted menu (on window) with indexed monetary equivalency in relation to the current food prices, I would guess the year is in the early 1980s. The location is the sunnyside of Queen Street East, close to the Neville Park Loop. If any of our readers have a fond story they’d like to share about Mikael’s Steak and Burger restaurant, I would love to hear it. Please contact me at gdvandyke61@ gmail.com

PHOTO:

Lunar New Year celebrations planned for East Toronto

LUNAR NEW Year will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 29, welcoming what will be the Year of the Snake.

Along with China, the Lunar New Year is also celebrated in other countries such as Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. Although some of the traditions are shared amongst these nations, celebrations are unique to each country’s cultural identity.

The Chinese zodiac calendar has 12 symbols – Mouse, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

As part of the many celebrations planned, the annual Lunar New Year’s Lion Dance Parade will take place in Toronto’s East Chinatown on Saturday, Feb. 8.

The celebration welcoming the Year of the Snake begins with a Lion Dance at the Zhong Hua Men Archway on Gerrard Street East, one block west of Broadview Avenue.

The Lion Dance and Parade are organized by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of East Toronto.

The Chinese zodiac calendar has 12 symbols – the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

Those with the birth years 1929, 1941, 1953,

1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, and 2025 are considered to be born in the Year of the Snake.

Those born in the Year of the Snake are considered to be charming, intelligent and creative, but also secretive, cunning and sometimes ruthless, according to the Chinese zodiac symbology.

After the Lion Dance at the Zhong Hua Archway on Feb. 8, the Parade will see participants visit local businesses in East Chinatown.

The parade will head south along Broadview Avenue to bring the businesses there good luck, before turning onto First Avenue where it will then head east and then back north along Boulton Avenue to make its way back to Gerrard Street East.

“The annual East Chinatown Lion Dance Parade is a longstanding community tradition and one of my favourite events of the year,” said Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher in a statement sent to Beach Metro Community News.

Along with China, the Lunar New Year is also celebrated in other countries such as Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. Although some of the traditions are shared amongst these nations, celebrations are unique to each country’s cultural identity.

Beaches-East York Councillor Bradford to host New Year’s skating party on Jan. 26

LOCAL RESIDENTS are invited to join Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford at a skating party to celebrate the New Year this Sunday afternoon..

The skating party will take place on Sunday, Jan. 26, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kew Gardens outdoor rink.

The skating party is a chance for families, friends, and neighbours in Beaches-East York to enjoy some community spirit and celebrate the arrival of 2025.

The Kew Gardens rink is located at the south end of Kew Gardens Park, 2075 Queen St E.

Arts & Entertainment

Schmaltz & Pepper bring Klezmer to Kingston Road

KLEZMER IS coming to Kingston Road!

On Sunday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m., Eric Abramovitz and his All-Star band, Schmaltz & Pepper, will be blowing the roof off at the Kingston Road Village Concert Series.

The concert takes place at Kingston Road United Church, 975 Kingston Rd. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. To order online, go to www. kingstonroadvillageconcerts.eventbrite.com

Abramovitz is the principal clarinetist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) and just recently he appeared with the orchestra as the soloist in the Mozart Clarinet Concerto. The audience was enthralled and responded with cheers and standing ovations. Then, for an encore, Abramovitz treated the audience to his own composition, Mozart in the Shtetl, a cheeky Klezmer piece that showed the other side of his musical personality.

“I was introduced to the clarinet at a very young age, about four or five. My mother, who is a pianist, played keyboard in a Montrealbased Klezmer band called the Bagg Street Klezmer

Band. From the very first show I attended, I was immediately drawn to the clarinet and became obsessed,” said Abramovitz of his musical journey.

“I had to have one, and I promptly started begging my parents. They didn’t take my request seriously for quite some time until just before my seventh birthday, when they finally gave in, probably just to shut me up. From that day on, the clarinet and I have been inseparable. Although I went on to follow a classical education and career path, Klezmer always remained a part of my life, as my mother and sister who played the violin, formed a trio called Klezmerized, and we would perform at Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, parties, etc...”

Abramovitz said it was always his dream to play in a great symphony orchestra, and after completing undergraduate studies at McGill’s Schulich School of Music, and further graduate studies at the University of Southern California, he began his first professional job in the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.

“Very soon after, I was lucky enough to win a job in the TSO, where I joined

as associate principal clarinet and Eb clarinet in the 2018/2019season. In 2021, I was appointed the position of Principal Clarinet, and not a day goes by that I am not grateful to be living my dream.”

Schmaltz & Pepper was formed in November of 2023, after Abramovitz was asked to play a chamber music gig with some musicians he didn’t know. “Among them were Drew Jurecka and Rebekah Wolkstein who are both members of Schmaltz & Pepper. In the green room, after the concert, Rebekah and I got to talking and I casually mentioned that I loved Klezmer music and wished to one day play a Klezmer

band. That very instant, she calmly but very seriously said ‘Let’s do it,’” said Abramovitz. “It has been an amazing ride ever since.”

He said playing, composing and arranging for Schmaltz & Pepper has been incredibly rewarding as experience.

The band can’t wait to perform as part of the Kington Road Village Concert Series, said Abramovitz.

The Kingston Road Village Concert Series thanks the following local sponsors who make the performances possible: Karin Schemeit and Larry Williamson, Bob and Mary Gore (Robert Gore and Associates CPAs, CAs) and JOM (Joy of Music).

PHOTO: SUBMITTED

Eric Abramovitz has been playing the clarinet since he was a child.

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

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

SPEECH LANGUAGE

PATHOLOGIST reg. Casplo All ages, early language, L.D., articulation, reading, apraxia Leslie Rennie 647-994-8255 leslierennie@gmail.com

DR. PAULA MICELI

Clinical/Health Psychologist

Consultations • Individual Therapy Virtual & In-person Services Over 9 years experience. 416-275-3735 www.drpaulamiceli.com

COACH JAZZ

Holistic Fitness Coach! Forget rigid programs; let’s create a balanced, empowering routine that cooperates with your body. hello@coachjazz.com www.coachjazz.com

Pilates & Personal Training for women over 50

Experienced guidance in a friendly and encouraging environment. Email: info@Cristinagranados.com Text: 416-833-8848 Code: Fit

Certified Metabolic Balance Specialist leahhoniball@gmail.com

Looking for a realistic, safe and uniquely tailored weight loss program to achieve sustainable, lasting results? A program based on your own blood work and eating that best suits you. Contact Leah to start your transformation.

PSYCHOTHERAPY

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

Dashwood & Dashwood

Barristers & Solicitors

Lea Konforte Registered Psychotherapist Qualifying RP (Q) DOG ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY In-person & online for Individuals, couples & families Anxiety, Relationships, Grief, Trauma, Stress www.holisticmindcare.ca

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

Melani Norman CPA, CMA

Accounting Issues and Systems, Bookkeeping, Personal and Corporate Taxes Call 416-471-0337

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

Accepting New Clients Professional accounting and bookkeeping services tailored to your needs. I provide expert financial solutions for individuals and small businesses. www.magnoliabizsolutions.ca Email: magnolia_mbs@outlook.com

Critical Illness, Disability, New & Used Vehicle Loans 2243 Queen St. E. 416-690-7900 www.leanebesky.com

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

van Delft Complete financial services for the business owner, manager, entrepreneur & self-employed Corporate and Personal Income Tax Services Bus: 416-270-9898 98 Scarboro Beach Blvd. DENISE BADLEY-CASTELLO Barrister, Solicitor, Notary Family • Wills & Estates Real Estate 2069 Danforth Ave. (Woodbine) 416-690-6195 dbadleylaw@rogers.com

KATHRYN WRIGHT

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

GARRY M. CASS

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

416-767-CASS (2277) x 207 416-795-4899 (cell) 416-491-0273 (fax) garry@garrycass.com

Glover & Associates

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

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

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

KAMRUL HAFIZ AHMED

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

QUINN Family Law

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

Jen Goddard, R.M.T. Neville Park Health Group 2455A Queen St. East 416-690-6257

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Beach Metro Community News’ An Evening with Inspector Brackenreid was a big success on Nov. 25.

An enthusiastic audience had plenty of questions for some of the stars of Murdoch Mysteries. We heard that the show may move from their Scarborough studio.

Avid fans are invested in the characters and there is lots of online chatter wondering where the CBC series is headed. Will there be a season 19? Will the CBC be defunded? Will the show deal with the 1912 sinking of the Titanic or the coming storm in Europe? What happened to Brackenreid’s mustache?

One reader asked if Dr. Julia Ogden (Helene Joy) was coming back to the series. At the end of last season Julia and little Susannah were off to London, England to help open a women’s teaching hospital. In real life the Australian actor has a three-year old child of her own and has also been off filming an

eight-part adaptation of the Madison Knight crime novels by Ontario writer Carolyn Arnold. This time Joy gets to play the lead detective!

Spoiler alert if you haven’t watched this week’s landmark 300th episode: William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) visits England to see Julia as they celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. Far across the distance the couple are still in love, near, far, wherever they are, their hearts will go on and on.

This has led to speculation about a Titanic episode. The series is now up to 1912

and the “unsinkable” ship sank in the North Atlantic after hitting an iceberg at 11:40 p.m. on April 14, 1912. (Oops, I gave away the ending…and why didn’t Jack get on the door with Rose?)

With William and Julia in England it seems like an obvious storyline, but executive producer Peter Mitchell has said on social media that they are not going to do a Titanic episode. Will the show go on and on? Mitchell recently stated, “We’ve got history on our side. There’s no shortage of stories.”

In 1912, the women’s suffrage movement was

fighting for the right to vote in the United Kingdom. Kingston, Ontario stands in for London, England with a bombing involving William and Julia who is a staunch supporter of the suffragettes. Does William want his wife and child back in Toronto on the next ship? How about R.M.S. Titanic or the Lusitania?

On the Titanic, the First Officer in charge on that fateful April night was actually William Murdoch. Imagine the possibilities of confusion over the name. Maybe Henry Higgins (Lachlan Murdoch) hears the

tragic news and is confused (as he often is). Do William and Julia miss the maiden voyage of the ship?

There is still controversy to this day about the actions of First Officer Murdoch who heard the shout, “Iceberg right ahead!” Did he shoot a passenger? Did he shoot himself? The director of Titanic (1997), James Cameron, apologized to the officer’s family for his depiction of Murdoch. He may have been a hero. It’s a true Murdoch mystery.

In the 1953 film version of Titanic, a man asks stewardess “Emma” where “Julia’s”

cabin is. The actual Emma Bliss (1866-1959) survived the sinking and lived out her life in the Beach with her adult children on Hubbard Boulevard and Balsam Avenue. She died at age 93 in a nursing home on Beech Avenue.

Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris) is a fan favourite. (Harris is busy filming his own CBC series, Still Standing). Crabtree has taken time off to write a novel. He once told Lucy Maude Montgomery to make Anne of Green Gables a boy, “but she wouldn’t listen”.

I imagine George is reading Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World (serialized in the Strand magazine in 1912) and telling Higgins about a professor discovering living dinosaurs roaming the earth in South America, “We could make a moving picture and call it Jurassic Park.”

Higgins replies, “My Ruthie could play the professor, but how would we get the dinosaurs here?”

As the scene fades, George exclaims, “I could write about a small town that has fallen on hard times until they open up a dinosaur theme park!”

From left: Leah Pinsent; Beach Metro board member Mary Beth Denomy; Murdoch Mysteries guest star Merle Newell; Lachlan Murdoch (Constable Henry Higgins); Detective Murdoch series author Maureen Jennings; actors Peter Keleghan (Terrence Myers) and Thomas Craig (Inspector Brackenreid); CBC journalist Mark Kelley; Beach Metro’s Susan Legge; and Balmy Beach Club General Manager Lisa Lamb at the Nov. 25 fundraiser.

Toronto Beaches Lions Club marks 90th Charter anniversary

Lion’s

Governor

and Toronto

President Richard Bourdeau honoured the Toronto Beaches

Charter Anniversary at the club’s annual Christmas dinner on Dec. 11, marking nearly a century of community service. The Toronto Beaches Lions Club is a cornerstone of community spirit and service in the Beach. Known for organizing local events like the annual Easter Parade, the Lions contribute to the community through volunteer initiatives, fundraising for local charities, and supporting those in need.

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Woman dies after vehicle ends up in icy waters of Ashbridges Bay FITNESS YOGA FUSION

A WOMAN has died after a vehicle she was a passenger in drove into the waters of Ashbridges Bay on Sunday night.

A post on X (formerly Twitter) by Toronto police just after 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, said the woman had been pronounced deceased in hospital.

The incident took place at the foot of one of the boat ramps in the Ashbridges Bay Park parking lot at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19.

According to reports, there were two people in a vehicle that for unknown reasons drove into the water from a boat ramp on the west side of the parking lot.

Emergency crews arrived and were able to rescue the two people in the vehicle.

One of the people was able to get out of the vehicle and was rescued from its roof.

The female was trapped in the car before being removed by firefighters and rushed to

hospital by emergency run.

Earlier on Monday morning the female’s condition was reported as critical, but police later announced she had died. Her age was not known by Beach Metro Community News press time yesterday morning.

Along with the other person rescued from the vehicle’s roof, four police officers were taken to hospital to be treated for exposure during the incident. The police officers have since been released from hospital, said 680 News on Monday morning.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances around this incident, and further information will be released as it becomes available.

Any witnesses to the incident are asked to call police in 55 Division at 416-808-5500.

Please check with Beach Metro Community News on our website at www.beachmetro. com for updates on this story.

SEAN MADIGAN

Location:

PHOTO: SUSAN LEGGE

Club District

Julian Austin (left)

Beaches Lions Club

Lions Club’s 90th

SHARE365 food box program helps southwest Scarborough residents

By Lillie Qiu

IN SOUTHWEST Scarborough, there exists an initiative to combat food insecurity among neighbourhood residents.

Katharine Harvey is a volunteer with the SHARE365 food box program at the Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre.

On a recent morning of the food boxes and hygiene items pick-up day for families, Harvey is busy.

She speaks to people dropping by who are interested in the food program, calls families each month to re-

Centre.

mind them of pick-up dates, which includes letting them know what hygiene products are available, and chats with them to ask how their families are doing.

With a background in business, Harvey became involved with the non-profit sector and helping those in need after she retired and was looking for something to do.

She said volunteering with the food box program is an “honour” for her.

“I’m proud to be part of a community that helps its people,” said Harvey.

The Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre, which operates inside the Birchmount Community Centre at 93 Birchmount Rd., is a busy place on any given

day. With a daycare, swimming programs, and children’s basketball and soccer programs taking place in the facility, the centre is buzzing with activity every day.

The SHARE365 food box program provides a box of fresh fruits and vegetables for families and groups on a monthly basis.

The personal touch of volunteers makes a significant difference for those receiving the food boxes.

For instance, when a food box recipient had been standing for a long time, a volunteer, Tara, promptly offered a chair — a small gesture that speaks to the supportive environment the centre fosters.

The program provides more than just essentials;

it provides a sense of community, dignity, and care for those facing financial hardships.

For some, this monthly food box eases the burden of grocery expenses, allowing them to allocate precious funds towards rent, utilities, and other bills.

“It helps a lot, especially with the rise in cost for food and just living in general. I have two kids I had back to back, they’re both under the age of two, so getting diapers and wipes helps tremendously,” said Natasha, who lives in the area and uses the food program jointly with her mom.

A Statistics Canada study on food insecurity found that the risk of being food insecure was much higher for people living below the poverty line.

“A number of our families are under-employed. They might have a couple of parttime jobs, or only one of them is able to work based on their childcare needs,” said Harvey.

Another pressing challenge food box recipients are experiencing is the need for suitable housing, she added.

For those community residents facing such challenges, SHARE365 food box program offers relief, support, and a sense of hope for the families it serves.

For more information on the Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre, please go to https://bbnc.ca

PHOTO: LILLIE QIU

A volunteer helps sort items at the SHARE365 food box program run out of the Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood

Buildings of 35 and 13 storeys proposed for Sobey’s store site on Danforth Avenue

THE CITY of Toronto has received a proposal for a 35-storey and a 13-storey building at the site of the Sobey’s grocery store on the south side of Danforth Avenue just west of Main Street.

The proposal was submitted to the city late last year by First Capital REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) through its subsidiary FCHT Holdings (Ontario) Corporation.

First Capital is the owner of the property which is on the southeast corner of Danforth and Westlake avenues and is made up of the municipal address of 2451 to 2495 Danforth Ave. The site is presently home to a Sobey’s grocery store and its parking lots.

First Capital is considered one of Canada’s largest retail landlords, and specializes in operating grocery-store anchored open-air centres.

The proposal for the Sobey’s Danforth site will see the two mixed-use buildings connected by a two-storey podium. There will be street-level retail use in the buildings, with are proposed to contain 620 residential dwelling units.

According to architectural plans, there will be 13 affordable units in the project. That

number will be made up of one studio, seven one-bedrooms, three two-bedrooms, one three-bedroom, and one four-bedroom.

According to the proposal, the residential units will consist of 139 studios, 366 one-bedrooms, 152 two-bedrooms, and 63 three(plus)bedrooms.

The proposal also calls for 353 metres of publicly accessible space at ground level.

There will be 278 vehicle parking spaces in the building, and 714 bike parking spaces.

The proposal is still in its early stages and Community Consultation Meetings for public input have not yet been scheduled.

These two new proposed buildings add to the continued intensification of the Main Street and Danforth Avenue area.

Numerous large residential buildings are slated for the area east of Main Street to Dawes Road on the lands between the railway tracks and Danforth Avenue including Main Square and the Canadian Tire site.

The condos at the Canadian Tire site are of 33 and 44 storeys in height, with retail at street level.

That project is now in the pre-construction sale stage.

Robbie Burns celebrations planned for East Toronto area

A PAIR of upcoming Robbie Burns Day celebrations are being planned locally.

On Saturday, Jan. 25, the Kiwanis Club of East York will host a Robbie Burns Supper from 6 to 10:30 p.m.

The celebration will take place at the MG Event Centre/York Masonic Hall at 1100 Millwood Rd. The evening will feature food, fun, good cheer, Highland dancers, bagpipe music and more.

Regarded as the national poet of Scotland and celebrated around the world, Robert “Rabbie” Burns was known as the Bard of Ayrshire, Ploughman Poet, and various other names and epithets.

Burns Suppers are held annually on or near Robbie Burns Day/Night on Jan. 25 to celebrate the iconic Scottish bard.

For ticket information to the Kiwanis Club of East York’s event, please email BurnsSupper@kcey.ca or call 416-4516777. Tickets are $100 and proceeds from the event will go to support the club’s work supporting children and the community.

Also, holding an upcoming Robbie Burns celebration will be the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 1/42 on Coxwell Avenue.

The Legion’s Robbie Burns Supper will

take place on Saturday Feb. 1.

Cocktails will be served at 4:30 p.m. followed by dinner served at 5:30 p.m..

Those attending can expect a night of entertainment with Scottish Highland dancers from the Guthrie School of Dance, the Toronto Fire Pipes & Drums, and music provided by DJ David.

Tickets will cost $30 and must be purchased in advance at the bar in the clubroom of Legion Branch 1/42 which is located at 243 Coxwell Ave.

Music historian to speak at The Beach and East Toronto Historical Society event MUSIC HISTORIAN Mark Vendramini will be the guest speaker at The Beach and East Toronto Historical Society’s meeting next month.

On Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 7 to 8 p.m. Vendramini will speak about Yonge Street’s music and pop culture history. His presentation will take place at the Beaches Sandbox, 2181 Queen St. E.

Born and raised in Toronto, author Vendramini has spent countless hours exploring the city and its neighbourhoods. The Feb. 12 presentation is free to attend and all are welcome. For more information, please visit www.tbeths.com.

This rendering of the proposal for the Sobey’s Danforth Avenue site shows the 35-storey and 13-storey buildings just west of Main Street and east of Westlake Avenue.

Celebrating the carriage, the ribbon and the bell at Toronto Typewriters

By Annie Rosenberg

Nestled at the junction of Carlaw Avenue and Queen Street East sits Toronto Typewriters, where proprietor Chris Edmondson has been serving typewriter enthusiasts since 2014. Here, collectors, nostalgia seekers, and digitally weary souls can buy, repair, or rent a humble typewriter.

“I’ve always been fascinated by mechanical objects,” said Edmondson. “As a kid, I’d tinker with my toys, finding interesting objects. Later, it inspired me to get a typewriter and I was instantly hooked.”

His first typewriter was a sky blue Brother Opus rescued from a Value Village. “I knew nothing about it, but it was so cool I had to have it. When I discovered that there weren’t any outlets for typewriter enthusiasts in Canada on a large scale, I realized there was an opportunity.”

Once considered obsolete, today, typewriters are ubiquitous. For Edmondson’s customers, writing machines are anything but outdated pieces of machinery — they’re practical and cherished possessions, each one telling a singular story: one types in Hebrew characters, another in Cyrillic script, yet another types out music notes.

Decked out in overalls and a black Tshirt, clutching a screwdriver in one hand, Edmondson moves through the shop, where rows upon rows of typewriters rest in their cabinets: a mid-century Italian Olivetti Lettera DL; a vintage 1930s Remington Portable 3; a 1940s Hermes Media revealing their workings: platens and ribbons; knobs and paper balls; levers and keys and carriages.

“We get a lot of people who grew up with typewriters—people from all walks of life

who have been recognized for the gift of the gab—writers, songwriters,” he explained.

“But most exciting are the kids and teenagers who’ve grown up with computers because they haven’t been exposed to such tactile machines. They’ve only seen typewriters on TV.”

He pulls a spool of ribbon off a hook.“We have black, red, purple, blue, and two-tone red and black ink. Our writing machines are the primary products, but we also sell ribbons.”

The shop boasts a cornucopia of typewriter-themed merchandise: tiny candles molded into Underwood typewriters, a “Praise the Word” typewriter mug imprinted with typewriter letters, a typewriter post-it notes dispenser complete with a “Pull Me” tab. Perched above a display case is a framed picture of an orange typewriter sandwiched between two red ones.

On the highest shelves rest wooden shipping crates: Smith Corona Typewriter! one proclaims. On a lower shelf sits a Marvel typewriter, described by Edmondson as “A typewriter with an unknown mysterious origin, perhaps belonging to a superhero or masked vigilante?”

At the back of the shop, his aide, Jeffrey, tends to an Underwood.

“There’s a basic set of tasks that we do,” he said. “First, we clean each one and then test it. They deteriorate from lack of use, so they need a certain kind of attention to bring them back to life.”

He unclasps the plastic shell, exposing its innards. “Some of them have been stored in garages for years collecting dust,” he said, reaching for the air compressor hanging beside him.

Continued on Page 21

PHOTO: JOSEPH AMARAL

Chris Edmondson at Toronto Typewriters at Carlaw Avenue and Queen Street East.

‘There’s a perfect typewriter for everyone’

‘Celebrating’

from Page 20

“Usually the problems reveal themselves, but sometimes you have to dig a little because typewriters are as delicate and quirky as people…One of them even had a dead mouse inside; it had been sitting in a barn.”

Edmondson pops the lid on a black Royal Deluxe from the 1930s.

“People used typewriters for decades— they were built to last. Everything nowadays is built to break.”

“There’s a perfect typewriter for everyone,” he said. “They’ll find a machine, try it out, and say, ‘This is it. This is the one.’” He pauses in front of an Olivetti Valentine designed by Ettore Sottsass. La rossa portatile—the red portable—boasts a dramatic presence: glossy red bodywork, red swing handle, white letters atop black plastic keys, orange spool caps announcing themselves. “An object that one carries with him like one wears a jacket, shoes, or hat,” Sottsass once said of his creation.

“If you look at some U.S. typewriters, a lot of them were used by accounting departments and bean counters—a means to an end,” said Edmondson.

“But the Valentine is an icon of industrial design. It was meant to be a companion for free-spirited artists and writers.”

Typewriters have shaped a significant part of literature — companions to such luminaries as Mark Twain, whose Life on

the Mississippi was the first literary work completed on the machine. And William S. Burroughs believed that a writing machine he called the “Soft Typewriter” was writing our lives and books into existence.

Edmondson is equal parts salesman and repairman, historian and therapist. “Sometimes people come in with a typewriter they want to sell that belonged to their mother or father. They’ll sit on the couch and open up, share their stories.”

He walks over to a 1950s Royal Futura, wiping off the keys, cultivating the sound and fury of bygone days: the hunt and peck, the slide and clatter, the ting! of the bell rising up to the ceilings of smoky offices and typing pools; of newsrooms and living rooms; writers and poets, reporters and secretaries, furrowed brows and ruby red nails straining to reach the Q, turning letters to language under their fingertips.

Edmondson separates two stuck keys.

“Typewriters are vessels for capturing people’s existence. They force you to write with intent because there are no prompts or pop-ups, so there’s more awareness of what you’re doing.”

He leans over an Olympia, inspecting the array of letters, tapping the “C,” the “L, the “A,” metal keys striking ribbon, letters leaping up to meet paper, the percussive rhythms rising and falling through the little shop on Carlaw.

PHOTO: JOSEPH AMARAL

A Royal typewriter on display at Toronto Typewriters at Carlaw Avenue and Queen Street East.

PHOTO: JOSEPH AMARAL

An Underwood portable typewriter is one of the many on display at Toronto Typewriters on Carlaw Avenue.

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Cake Cabaret celebrates performance, creativity and community

By Matthew Stephens

CLUB CULTURE is an essential part of Toronto’s nightlife – often associated with regions closer to the inner city. Since their establishment in France in the 1880s, the lavish and eclectic influence of cabaret clubs has slowly made its way overseas and flooded into our city streets, offering patrons an amalgamation of music, dance, song, even drama at times.

Late last month, on Dec. 27, the sibling owners of dance and fitness club The Pink

Studio (Grant Van Rensburg and Natalie Borch) unveiled their sister business Cake Cabaret at 627 Danforth Ave., just west of Pape Avenue. “We wanted this home for burlesque. We wanted this cool place that we’ve both seen in cities like London, Montreal, New York. And I’m like ‘Toronto is cool. Why don’t we have this in Toronto?’” said Natalie.

The new club venue invites visitors to enjoy a wide range of live music and shows, tailored classes, exquisite drinks, and of course, cake. In addition to providing food, drinks, live entertainment and classes, the venue

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Described on the website as “a place where we celebrate performance and community,” the club’s inspiration stems from the overarching goal of fostering inclusivity within the community. “Inclusivity is the pillar of Pink Studio, and now Cake Cabaret too,” said Natalie. “It’s always important for me to cre-

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For adults who love clubbing but enjoy their beauty sleep, Cake Cabaret will be hosting monthly club nights starting with a grand opening party on Saturday, Jan. 25, that Natalie calls “grownup clubbing.”

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