Toronto Bluesfest fun in East York
The Root Down Trio performs at the Toronto Bluesfest at the East York Civic Centre on Saturday. The annual festival was hosted by the Toronto East Rotary Club and featured numerous performances, food and fun activities for those attending.
Ceremony celebrates name change of Lower Coxwell to Emdaabiimok Avenue
By Amarachi Amadike
THE CITY of Toronto commemorated National Indigenous History Month by celebrating the changing of the name of Lower Coxwell to Emdaabiimok [Em-dah-bee-muck] Avenue on Wednesday, June 19.
The ceremony, which took place at Emdaabiimok Ave. and Lake Shore Boulevard East, was attended by Mayor Olivia Chow, TorontoDanforth Councillor Paula Fletcher, Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford, Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Ogimaakwe Sault, Elder Jimmy Dick, as well as students from Kapapamahchakwew (Wandering Spirit School) – an Indigenous school in the City of Toronto, and TorontoDanforth Toronto District School Board Trustee Sarah Ehrhardt.
“The name points to the history of this land,” said Chow. “It high-
lights Anishnawbe culture and tradition and is a reminder for anyone who travels on this road that Indigenous people lived on this land thousands of years before us.”
Emdaabiimok, which translates to “where the road goes to the water”, was historically the traditional path used by the Indigenous residents in the area to reach the lake prior to Toronto’s existence.
Chow highlighted that the symbolic renaming serves to create a welcoming city in which Indigenous youth “feel a greater sense of belonging.”
“This is their city,” she said.
“They will feel like Toronto can be a home for them.”
The renaming of Lower Coxwell came two years after TorontoDanforth Councillor Paula Fletcher’s motion at Toronto City Hall on June 29, 2022. The motion was presented to Toronto Council in an
attempt to honour the city’s Indigenous history.
Just two days before National Indigenous Peoples Day on Friday, June 21, city councillors made another stride in their efforts to adhere to Toronto’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
A section of this plan calls for the support for the revitalization of Indigenous languages as well as increased signage across Toronto in Indigenous languages.
“Today we are honouring part of our reconciliation plan,” said Fletcher at the sign ceremony.
According to the Ward 14 councillor, her motion to rename Lower Coxwell attracted more than 650 letters of support from community members, an achievement she described as “probably the largest outpouring that (she has) seen for a change of name.”
Continued on Page 9
Canada Day celebrations to include parade, picnics, fireworks
LOCAL RESIDENTS will have lots of opportunities to celebrate Canada’s 157th birthday on July 1.
As in past years, there are fireworks displays planned for Ashbridges Bay Park in the Beach and Stan Wadlow Park in East York on the night of Monday, July 1.
There will also be picnics, barbecues and the annual East York Canada Day Parade.
July 1 will mark the 68th edition of the East York Canada Day Parade. It begins at 10:30 a.m. on Monday at Dieppe Park (145 Cosburn Ave.) and heads eastwards along Cosburn to end at Stan Wadlow Park (373 Cedarvale Ave.).
The parade route follows Cosburn to Woodbine Avenue, then heads north to Trenton Avenue and eastwards towards the park.
The parade is part of the East York Canada Day Festival which goes from 11 a.m. until the start of the fireworks at night on July 1 at Stan Wadlow Park.
Official Opening Ceremonies for the festival will take place at noon on the Main Stage in Stan Wadlow Park.
The festival features fun activities, games, a kids midway, food and entertainment. There will also be a beer market hosted by Goldenfield Brewery.
Host for this year’s East York Canada Day Festival is actor and local resident Joe Motiki.
Slated to perform at the Canada Day festival on the Main Stage are the Danforth Village Children’s Choir at 12:15 p.m.; Bumbling Bert the Magician at 12:30 p.m.; the East York All Stars Blues Band at 1:30 p.m.; a juggling performance and workshop at 2:40 p.m.; community group performances at 3:30 p.m.; the Meteor Heist Band at 4:15 p.m.;
James Levac – Piano Man at 5:30 p.m.; the Queens Own Rifle Funk Band at 6:45 p.m.; and Malia Love at 8:30 p.m.
The day concludes with the traditional Canada Day fireworks display at the park starting at approximately 10 p.m.
The East York Canada Day Festival is run by a group of dedicated volunteers with the support of the Government of Canada, The City of Toronto, the East York Foundation, Goldenfield Brewery, O’Connor’s Meat Market, Sultan of Samosas, the Oak Park Deli, Liberty Tax, Looking Glass Adventures, Revitasize, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 22, and the canine Social Company.
For more info on the July 1 events in East York, please visit the website at https://eycdc.ca
Ashbridges Bay fireworks
In the Beach on Monday, July 1, there will be the City of Toronto’s fireworks display at Ashbridges Bay, foot of Coxwell Avenue at Lake Ontario, starting at 10 p.m. sharp. The Ashbridges Bay fireworks display is expected to last for 13 minutes.
Large crowds are expected to attend the display, which can be viewed from anywhere along the Boardwalk. Toronto police and city officials are reminding those planning on attending that the use of fireworks on public properties including beaches, parks, parkettes, and sports fields is illegal. Those attending are also being reminded that it is illegal to consume alcohol in the area.
Due to the large crowds and localized road closures, police are
Continued on Page 5
PHOTO: SOPHIE BOUQUILLON
Time capsule from 1924 remembers Kew Beach Presbyterian Sunday School
By Alan Shackleton
A COUPLE of months ago a man walked into Beach United Church with a time capsule he had found in southwest Scarborough which gave a glimpse of the history of the community and the church from 100 years ago.
The time capsule had been placed at a building at 181 Courcellette Rd. on May 4, 1924 to mark the laying of the cornerstone of the Kew Beach Presbyterian Church Extension Sunday School at the site.
The man who discovered the capsule was redeveloping the house now on the property and thought that Beach United Church was the best place to drop it off, said Rev. Greg Daly who is the current minister at the church located at 140 Wineva Ave. in the Beach. Before becoming Beach United the church was formerly known as Kew Beach United (from 1925 on) and before that as Kew Beach Presbyterian.
“We opened the time capsule at our May 5, 2024 service with one of our oldest and one of our youngest members,” said Daly, who pointed out that there was not one member of the present congregation who had had a direct connection the Extension Sunday School on Courcellette Road.
Inside the time capsule were a number of newspapers including the May 3, 1924 editions of the Mail and Empire, and the Globe and Mail. There were also copies of what was then a community newspaper called Smiles. The May 3, 1924 copy of Smiles had a schedule for the first half of the Beaches Soft Ball league printed on its front page along with a story about the upcoming opening day of the Scarboro Beach Amusement Park on May 17.
“A forty-piece band has been engaged for the after-
Rev. Greg Daly of Beach United Church with the contents of the time capsule placed in the cornerstone of the Kew Beach Presbyterian Church Extension Sunday School on Courcelette Road in May of 1924.
noon and another one for the evening performance,” read the Smiles story about the amusement park’s opening ceremonies for the 1924 season.
“The ads in the papers were just fascinating to see,” said Daly of the newspapers from a century ago.
For example, the ad for Ferguson’s Markets (with locations at 2070 and 1885 Queen St. E. and at 873 and 1020 Kingston Rd.) showed it was selling a Porter House Roast for 34 cents a pound, 10 pounds of sugar for 94 cents, a package of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes for 11 cents and two “good size” grapefruit for 15 cents. Ferguson’s also offered free delivery on orders of more than three dollars.
Also, there was an ad for the Beach Theatre which would be showing the movies The Hunchback of Notre Dame (with Lon Chaney) and Bright Lights of Broadway (with Lowell Sherman and Doris Kenyon) that week in May of 1924. The Beach Theatre was located at 1971 Queen St. E. and operated from 1919 to 1970. The site is now the location of the Beach Mall.
Beautiful four bedroom home in prime East York, just steps to Dieppe Park.
This show-stopper on a huge lot also includes three bathrooms, a
basement with separate entrance, and a private driveway with parking for three cars.
An ad for the Riverdale Garage at 755 Danforth Ave. reminded readers that “A Ford car is the best spring tonic.” Though not listing a price for the vehicles it was selling, the Riverdale Garage ad went on to say: “Spring is here – Buy a Ford. Get out into the country every minute you can spare. You will tackle your business with greater zest – your wife will forget the monotony of house work – your kiddies will lose their city pallor and have the time of their lives.”
Daly said that while no current members of the Beach United Church congregation had a direct link to the Kew Beach Presbyterian Church Extension Sunday School, a copy of the speech from its opening ceremony on Courcelette Road was included in the time capsule and explained some of the reasons why it was built.
The main reason was the growing number of congregation members as the population of the Beach and southwest Scarborough increased, and the fact that Sunday School at Kew Beach Presbyterian Church was full to bursting with children. At
first the Extension Sunday School was housed at a home Blantyre Avenue to deal with the large number of children but it was felt a location further east was needed and that’s why it was eventually built on Courcelette Road. For a while Sunday School classes took place in Courcelette Public School, but it was felt by the church congregation that a dedicated space was needed.
“The attendance kept increasing steadily until it became quite apparent that a Sunday School building would be needed before long,” said the speech in the time capsule.
“So a Women’s Association was formed to raise money for a building fund. Kew Beach Church also lent money to help pay for a new building. A lot was purchased on Courcelette Road, and on May 3, 1924 the cornerstone of the new brick Sunday School was well and truly laid by Rev. J.A. Cranston.”
The staff of the Extension Sunday School in May of 1924 were listed as Supt. L.J. Potts; Secretary T.M. Hamilton; Treasurer James Hamilton; Teachers Geo. Edmonds, Mrs. Hampton, Mrs. Iland; Mrs. Napier, Mrs. Hamilton; Mrs. Edmonds; Mrs Meikle; Stanley White; Miss Lennox; Mrs. Beverly; Mrs. W. Riddell. The Sunday School’s music committee was made up of Mrs. Hampton, Mrs. Fortier; and Miss McPhail.
The builder and architect of the Extension Sunday School on Courcelette Road in 1924 was Duncan and Napier, Carpenters, Builders and General Contractors located at 44 Chester Ave.
Boy in The Woods screening at Fox Theatre on July 4
BEACH FILMMAKER Rebecca Snow will screen her new movie The Boy in The Woods at the Fox Theatre on Queen Street East next week.
The screening of the movie, followed by a questionand-answer session with Snow and her husband Robert Budreau (also a filmmaker and the producer of The Boy in The Woods), begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, at the Fox Theatre, 2236 Queen St. E. The Boy in The Woods is based on the Holocaust memoir of the same name that follows the true story of Max Smart, a Jewish boy who evades the Nazis in Eastern Europe during the Second World War. For more on the screening and QandA, please go to www.foxtheatre. ca/movies/the-boy-in-thewoods-with-director-qa
PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON
Photo above, Murphy (the white sheepadoodle) was named King of Slobberfest during the annual celebration of all things dog. To celebrate his coronation, Murphy was joined by owners Raphaela and Jeff, baby Michaela in the stroller, his ‘brother’ George (the black cocker spaniel) and local piper Sarah Severn.
Photo at left, Benny the basset hound won the Best Costume contest at Slobberfest. Accompanying Benny in his Pupsodent costume is owner Nicole. Presented by Community Centre 55, Slobberfest took place on June 15 at the Kew Beach (Leuty) Pavilion.
PHOTOS: ALAN SHACKLETON
from
Purolator supports Feed Scarborough with truck donation
By Amarachi Amadike
FOR MORE than two decades, Purolator has been an active participant in Canada’s fight against food insecurity.
Following high profile collaborations with organizations such as the Canadian Football League (CFL), Purolator is now bringing their support to Scarborough through a collaboration with Feed Scarborough.
be transformed into a “vibrant food truck” that will be used for their Meals on Wheels program in which free meals are distributed to community members in need of assistance.
“Our mission is clear: to ensure that seniors, low-income families, and our unhoused neighbours have access to their fundamental right to food,” said the press release.
According to Purolator Senior Manager of Operations Steve Scorca, the aim is to “alleviate the burden of hunger” by providing resources to people in Scarborough and across the country as well as raising awareness.
With food insecurity rising across the country, Purolator’s collaboration with Feed Scarborough has been welcomed.
On Wednesday, June 12, Purolator announced the donation of a truck, along with about 1,000 pounds of food, to Feed Scarborough in an attempt to help meet the area’s food security needs.
This marks the first time Purolator is donating a truck to a local organization in 15 years.
According to a Feed Scarborough news release, the donated vehicle will
The collaboration is a part of the Purolator Tackle Hunger initiative which began in 2003.
The aim of the program is to address Canada’s food insecurity, a problem that has only grown more dire in recent years.
Since its inception, the Purolator Tackle Hunger initiative has delivered more than 20 million pounds of food to various food banks across Canada.
According to the Food Banks Canada HungerCount 2023, there were almost two million visits to food banks across Canada in March 2023 – a 32 per cent increase from the previous year.
The same report suggests that 33 per cent of food bank users in Canada are children.
To make a donation to support the work being done in East Toronto by Feed Scarborough, please go to www. canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/58513
PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON
Photo above, the Notre Dame Catholic High School’s Class of 1954 held its 70th anniversary gathering recently in Scarborough. Notre Dame opened in 1950 and the Class of 1954 was the school’s first graduating class to have spent its entire high school time there. There were a total of 75 grads in the Class of 1954.
PHOTO: WILLIAM KOMAR
Photo above, the Notre Dame Catholic High School graduating Class of 1974 recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. A number of the grads who attended the 50th anniversary event still live in the Beach area. A total of 34 grads
the Class of 1974 attended the anniversary celebration held in North York. Some travelled from as far away as Italy and Saskatchewan. Former principal Sister Lucille Corrigan, sitting, also attended.
City committee backs call for affordable housing in Port Lands
By Amarachi Amadike
TORONTO’S PLANNING and Housing
Committee approved city staff’s proposal to add density to the original Villiers Island Precinct Plan in the Port Lands in order to maximize the project’s affordable housing component.
On June 13, the committee came to a decision following years of groundwork by Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher who expressed delight about the major step taken towards affordability. “The city has set a very ambitious target of 30 per cent affordable housing for development applications on the new island in the Port Lands, which I worked very hard to achieve,” said Fletcher.
In 2021, Fletcher kickstarted a campaign to include affordable housing in the plans for Toronto’s Villiers Island. This process included a motion the following year which aimed to increase affordable housing targets from 20 to 30 per cent.
As a result of the decision, the Villiers Island project is now expected to provide 9,000 housing units, 2,700 of those being affordable units that will be secured as “long-term or permanently affordable housing aligned
with the city’s income-based definition of affordable housing,” according to city staff.
However, at public consultations leading up to construction, community members –and officials – worried about the city’s inability to mandate affordable housing on applications submitted by private developers.
“I don’t want private developers only including a small, token number of affordable units,” said Fletcher. “I want them to work with the city to achieve as much affordable housing as possible so everyone can live on our new, transformed waterfront.”
With little hope placed on the private sector to contribute to Villiers Island’s stock of affordable housing, the city will instead leverage the National Housing Strategy programs as well as provincial operating funding in order to meet the newly approved target.
“This groundbreaking, community-supported plan leverages city-owned land and forward-thinking planning policies to create much-needed purpose-built affordable housing on this impressive new waterfront site,” said Fletcher in a June 13 news release.
For more information on the Villiers Island development, visit www.waterfrontoronto. ca/our-projects/villiers-island
Fireworks at Ashbridges
Bay, Stan Wadlow Park on July 1
‘Canada’ from Page 1
urging people to find alternate methods other than driving to get to the Beach on the night of July 1.
The following TTC bus routes serve Woodbine Beach Park and Ashbridges Bay Park: 22A Coxwell and 92A Woodbine. The TTC plans on adding extra buses to those routes on July 1.
Q107 Canada Day Picnic at Woodbine Park
Also, the annual Q107 Canada Day Picnic at Woodbine Park, 1695 Queen St. E. – northeast of Lake Shore Boulevard East and Coxwell Avenue – will be taking place for the entire Canada Day long weekend including on Monday, July 1.
The Q107 Canada Day Picnic will feature food, fun, music and more.
The picnic begins on Saturday, June 29,, and continues through to July 1.
There will be food trucks and a beer garden presented by Muskoka Brewery.
The fun starts on June 29 with performances from We Ain’t Petty (Tom Petty Tribute) at 5 p.m.; followed by Reckless Bryan (tribute to Bryan Adams) at 6:30 p.m.; Monkey Wrench (tribute to Foo Fighters) at 8 p.m.; and Floydium (tribute to Pink Floyd) at 9:30 p.m.
On Sunday, June 30, performances begin at 5 p.m. with After The Gold Rush (tribute to Neil Young); followed by Band of Gypsies (tribute to Jimmi Hendrix) at 6:30 p.m.; Red Astro (tribute to Red Hot Chilli Peppers) at 8 p.m.; and Jukebox
Heroes (tribute to Foreigner) at 9:30 p.m.
On Canada Day (July 1) the picnic begins at noon and continues through till just before 11 p.m.
Scheduled to perform on July 1 are The Hip Experience (tribute to The Tragically Hip); Just Heart (tribute to Heart) at 1:30 p.m.; Pearl Jamming (tribute to Pearl Jam) at 3 p.m.; the ACDC Show – Canada (tribute to AC-DC) at 4:30 p.m.; Desire (tribute to U2) at 8 p.m.; and Sheer Heart Attack (tribute to Queen) at 9:30 p.m.
For more info on the Q107 Canada Day Picnic, please go to www.q107canadadayfest. com/
Neighbours Together on Canada Day in Riverdale Park East
The Neighbours Together on Canada Day 2023 celebration takes place in Riverdale Park East on Monday, July 1.
The fun starts at 11 a.m. in the park (550 Broadview Ave., south of Danforth Avenue). Most of the activities will be centred around the area at the south end of the park, near St. Matthew’s Clubhouse at 450 Broadview Ave. The event continues until 3:30 p.m.
There will be food, children’s activities, presentations by local community groups and entertainment. Slated events include a Lion Dance, singing and dancing, a martial arts demonstration, a barbecue, a Children’s Corner, and a Canada Day birthday cake.
The main organizer of the Canada Day celebration in
188 SILVER BIRCH
Riverdale Park East is the Toronto Chinese Chamber of Commerce of East Toronto. Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher is a co-organizer.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 1/42
Canada Day celebration
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 1/42 on Coxwell Avenue is inviting residents to a Canada Day celebration on Monday, July 1, starting at noon.
There will be a barbecue and food, games, raffles, prizes, face painting for the kids and more at the celebration. Branch 1/42 is located at 243 Coxwell Ave.
There will be a musical performance from Live Wire starting at 2 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10 Canada Day celebration
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10, 1083 Pape Ave., hosts a Canada Day celebration on Monday, July 1, starting at 1 p.m.
Everyone is invited to come on out to a fun filled party taking place both inside and outside at Branch 10.
There will be an outdoor BBQ, entertainment, a DJ on the patio and karaoke inside the Branch.
For more information, please call Branch 10 at 416-425-3070 or go online to https://rcl10.ca/wp-content/ uploads/2024/06/B10-Canada-Day-1.jpg
Date: July 7 th , 2024 Time:
Time capsule a reminder of the value of newspapers
AlAn ShAckleton Beach Metro News Editor
Earlier this month I had the pleasure to be able to meet with Rev. Greg Daly at Beach United Church and learn more about a time capsule delivered to the church that told the story of the apparently longforgotten Kew Beach Presbyterian Church Extension Sunday School.
This Extension Sunday School was located in southwest Scarborough on Courcelette Road, and it was fascinating to find out more about how it came to be. (You can read more about this in our story on Page 2 of today’s paper.)
I will admit, though, that what really caught my attention were the copies of newspapers from May of 1924 that had been included in the time capsule.
The newspapers were in very good condition considering they’d been sitting in a tin box for 100 years, and they provided a glimpse
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Letters to the Editor
into what life was like locally in May of 1924.
People always tell me print is dead and journalism’s future is only digital, but I guarantee you nobody’s putting a website link in a time capsule.
For those of you who put floppy discs, CDS or memory sticks into time capsules over the past few years, good luck with that. And how anyone will ever put the “cloud” into a time capsule is beyond me.
Those newspapers from 100 years ago were history you could
actually touch. One of the papers in the time capsule for the Extension Sunday School was for a publication called Smiles. The May 3, 1924 edition of the paper was in the time capsule and Smiles reminded me that community newspapers focussing on local news have a long and proud history.
The front page of that edition of Smiles had the Beaches Soft Ball schedule printed on it. Some of the games had Woodbine vs Kew Beach; Bellefair Beavers vs Merchants; Silverbirch vs Capi-
tals; Aquatics vs Lockwoods; and Corpus Christi vs Veterans.
You may find it interesting to know that just last week Beach Metro Community News received an email from a reader asking us to print the East Toronto Baseball Association schedule. It’s like 1924 was only yesterday.
Smiles was published by The Wilson Publishing Co. Ltd. at 73 Adelaide St. W. The paper’s editor was Hector DeMers, who lived at 345 Waverley Rd. in the Beach, and I tip my hat to him that 100 years later I can read his work.
Protecting natural area of beach should be top priority
Re: ‘Residents concerned about future plans for beach area east of Boardwalk’s end,’, June 11, Beach Metro Community News.
Thank you for the article which highlights residents’ concerns about the natural area of beach front from Silverbirch to the R.C. Harris water filtration plant.
Residents recently became aware that the city has hatched a plan called The Scarborough Bluffs West Revitalization Study. This part of the beach is currently an off-leash dog park, and quiet place for artists, swimmers, and nature lovers.
But residents learned that the city wants to “re-imagine” this part of the beach. This section of the beach recently became the subject of a fierce fight to protect this fragile environmental feature which the Beach Metro Community News has covered extensively.
In the Nov. 26, 2019 issue of the Beach Metro, the battle to save this
area from a “monster home” proposal on Lake Front was reported. The battle was joined by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and Beaches-East York Brad Bradford, as this area has historically been considered environmentally sensitive and an area at risk of flooding.
Beach Metro reported that Bradford intervened and said: “Community residents came to us on it and we took a closer look,” said Bradford of he and his staff. “The property encroaches on the land the TRCA considers a shoreline hazard and we asked TRCA to take another look and they agreed it needed to be looked at again.”
Beach Metro went on to report that Bradford said “protecting beachfront character should be among the top priorities” regarding this section of the beach. “I think it’s very important to preserve the shoreline and beach area for members of the public. It’s one
of the things that makes our area so special”, said Bradford.
In the Nov 26, 2019 issue of Beach Metro, it was reported that: “Local residents, including beloved local artist artist Elizabeth Berry has painted in the area for years, and said it is a unique and special part of Toronto.
“Her painting of the houses at the foot of Neville Park captures the character the neighbourhood beautifully. ‘Note in my painting the natural beauty of the hillside. This should be preserved for all to enjoy,’ said Berry.”
But now it seems the city has other plans.
I attended the first public consultation that was conducted on Zoom.
The “virtual” community consultation regarding the proposal to “reimagine” the off-leash dog beach from Silverbirch to Neville Park was long on bafflegab city speak and short on specifics.
Participants were told the pro-
posal’s goal is to seek truth and reconciliation with Indigenous people and to solve global warming.
Sounds great, but when asked for details on what the project will be that needs a $3-million dollar environmental assessment study no specifics on the project were disclosed. It was a master class in how the city now conducts virtual meetings:
1. Start meeting late
2. Run out clock showing a powerpoint deck
3. Allow the least number of audio questions as possible and instantly mute the resident so there can be no rebuttal when question dodged
4. End meeting early and leave people hanging who’ve been waiting on hold to ask questions for over an hour and a half.
What seems clear is that the city is proceeding with an expensive environmental study to see if they can justify pouring tons of rocks into
the lake and cutting down trees all along the shoreline to create a bike path to the Bluffs. What is also clear is that nobody who lives in this part of the Beach petitioned the city to disturb this natural and environmentally sensitive area or to “re-imagine” the dog park. Hopefully, both the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and Councillor Bradford, continue to believe this is an environmentally sensitive area and that “protecting beachfront character should be among the top priorities” regarding this section of the beach.
Thank you to the Beach Metro Community News for their long history of helping protect this unique area of the Beach that is loved as is by local artists, environmentalists, dog walkers, and nature lovers. It’s a perfect example of why local journalism is so important.
Scott Bullock
Letters to the
Supporting community newspapers is where it’s at
Re: ‘Private profits, rental housing and the “monolithic” proposal for Woodbine and Danforth’, In My Opinion, June 11, Beach Metro Community News.
Thank you immensely for publishing Adam Smith’s detailed analysis of the proposed Monolithic Woodbine rental tower, set to exist at 35 storeys (stories), but built with a novel full of problems.
And it’s not even approved. There is some irony in the printing of this corporate takedown scarcely eight pages after the printing of the Beach Metro Community News’ own financial statements: a decline of 2/3 of net income.
I’m a longtime reader but first time writer - and soon to be subscriber - to this cherished neighbourhood institution.
In the face of physical and metaphysical monoliths, supporting good old community papers is truly where it’s at. Jesse Isaac Gutman
Rob Ford legitimately cared about people
Re: ‘Rob Ford memorialization is a ridiculous affront’, Letters, June 11, Beach Metro Community News.
The letter you published reads like a typical destructive white privilege “see the world through my left processing mind only or you are unworthy”.
I liked Rob Ford. I am very happy to have a park named after him.
The letter-writer must have led a perfect life to be so judge-
mental. Maybe the political motivation had more to do with reaching out to people like me, the silent majority who proudly voted him into office.
Rob Ford got my vote because he was human and competent as a leader and he seemed to legitimately care about people of all races and ideologies.
All the best.
Reel Beach: Movies in East Toronto
M. Bard
Remembering the remarkable Siegel sisters who grew up on Lee Avenue
Bernie Fletcher
Iagree with Gene Domagala that the corner of Queen Street East and Lee Avenue is the “historic heart” of the Beach.
Legendary sportsman Ted Reeve (1902-1983) grew up above the Lee Avenue Post Office, his widowed mother’s stationary store on Queen Street East.
Filmmaker Norman Jewison (19262024) also lived above his parents’ store on Queen Street East, but was actually born at his grandparents’ home on Lee Avenue, across from Kew Gardens. Just a few doors down lived two talented sisters you have likely never heard about.
Screenwriter Rohama Siegel and singer Sarah Siegel adopted “Lee” as their stage names to honour the happy family life they enjoyed growing up on Lee Avenue.
Their parents, Isadore and Ida Siegel, moved first to Leuty Avenue in 1910, then to Lee Avenue by 1921.
The Siegels and Ida’s father, Samuel Lewis, were pillars of the small Jewish community in the Beach. Ida was the first Jewish woman elected to serve on the Board of Education and helped organize the first Home and School Association in Canada.
Rohama was an adventurous spirit making headlines when she stowed away on the maiden voyage of the Queen Mary in 1936. She was a journalist who wrote for the Star Weekly and “wanted a thrill” as well as a good story. Rohama turned to screenwriting for Columbia Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox in England and Hollywood.
“Sair Lee sings blues that break your heart.”
- Royal York Hotel, 1936, Toronto Star
Sarah became a kindergarten teacher at Gledhill Public School but her heart was in singing as Sair Lee in a two-piano musical duo with Ruth
Lowe who wrote Frank Sinatra’s first big hit, I’ll Never Smile Again in 1939 after the sudden death of her husband. The song became symbolic of the pain and loss of war as many took solace in the haunting lyrics.
The Second World War affected everyone’s lives.
Brothers David and Avrom Siegel became R.C.A.F. pilots.
Sair Lee was singing in nightclubs and on CBS and CBC Radio where Lorne Greene (who later starred on Bonanza) was the “Voice of Doom” to Canadian listeners.
The “It” girl on CBC was Frances Bay known as “the soldier’s girlfriend.”
You might know her as the feisty marble rye lady from Seinfeld
The war effort was supported at home by war bonds, concerts, songs and patriotic movies to boost morale.
Sair Lee and Ruth Lowe wrote the 1941 song It’s V for Victory. One of the war films was Tonight We Raid Calais (1943) from a story by Rohama Lee.
She first wrote a play called Project 47 which anticipated a tunnel under the
English Channel.
On June 6, the 80th anniversary of D-Day was commemorated. The Allied invasion depended on secrecy and fooling the German high command into believing the landing would come at Calais instead of Normandy. The ruse worked.
According to imdb, Tonight We Raid Calais is one of director Quentin Tarantino’s favourite war movies. (You can watch it for free on YouTube.)
Set in occupied France, the film is about the French Resistance and a British commando sent into France to signal an Allied bombing raid on a Nazi munitions factory. Who can be trusted? Whose side are you on? Who is a patriot?
The French people were caught in the middle of the death and destruction. In the fog of war thousands of French civilians were killed by Allied bombing. A father (Lee J. Cobb) is a fighter with the French Resistance, but his daughter, Odette, believes the English are responsible for the death of her brother.
Odette is played by French actress, Annabella, whose own brother was shot and killed by the Nazis.
Calais was liberated by the Canadian army in September of 1944.
Rohama Lee went on to publish and edit Film News in New York and supported Canadian educational films for the rest of her long life (1905-1996).
Little sister Sair was Hollywoodbound with a big name orchestra, the Pennies, when illness stopped her career.
Sadly, Sair Lee (1912-1943) died within a year of getting married. Rohama named her daughter Sarilee after her late sister.
Rohama and Sair were women ahead of their time who followed their dreams and lived their lives to the fullest.
During a University of Toronto debate in 1926, Rohama declared: “We should not live to become interesting or pleasing to some man, but to find happiness within ourselves.”
Tonight We Raid Calais (1943) was based on story by Rohama Lee (Siegel) who grew up on Lee Avenue.
Community Calendar
JUNE 27: Under the Italian Sun - Cooking Workshop at Beaches Sandbox, 2181 Queen St. E., 6:30-8:30 p.m. Guided by culinary expert Ava Chilelli, learn to make crostini, handmade pasta and tiramisu during this handson culinary workshop. Suitable for all skills-levels. 19+. Register at beachessandbox.com or call 416-928-0755.
JUNE 29: Historical Walk along Main Street with Gene Domagala, 1 p.m. Explore the history of the Town of East Toronto. Meet at the NW corner of Main St. and Danforth Ave.
JUNE 29, 30: Bundle Up at St. Dunstan’s Catholic Church, 3150 Danforth Ave. Collecting donations of clothing, towels, drapery, sheets, blankets, footwear, and new toys. Saturday before and after the 5 p.m. Mass, and Sunday, before and after the 10 a.m. and 12 noon Masses. Info: ssvpdunstans@hotmail.com
JULY 1: Fireworks at Ashbridges Bay, 10 p.m.
JULY 1: Canada Day Festival at Stan Wadlow Park, starting at 10:30 with a Community Parade from Dieppe Park to Trenton Ave. Opening ceremonies at 12 noon. Games, entertainment, beer garden, amusement midway, and a fireworks display at 10 p.m. (approximately). Info: www.eycdc.ca
JULY 1: RCL Branches 11 & 22 Canada Day Festivities at 1240 Woodbine Ave., 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Live music 1-6 p.m. Face painting, dunk tank, bouncy vastle, BBQ $2 Hamburger or $1 Hot Dog & free piece of cake/pp while supplies last! “This project has been brought to you (in part) by the Government of Canada”.
JULY 1: Canada Day at RCL Baron Byng, 243 Coxwell Ave., starting at 12 noon. Live band: Live Wire, 2 p.m. BBQ and fun snacks, games, raffles, prizes, face painting, and more!
JULY 1: Neighbours Together on Canada Day at Riverdale Park East near St. Matthew’s Clubhouse (450 Broadview Ave.), 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Lion dance, multicultural dancing & singing, martial arts demo, BBQ, children’s activities, Canada Day cake, community groups and elected representatives. Musical performances begin at 12 noon.
JULY 7: Scarborough Garden & Horticultural Society Garden Tour. Visit eight gardens, chat with the gardeners and enjoy a tea or lemonade. Passport is $10. Hours: Tickets 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Tour 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tea 3:30-5 p.m. Tickets are available at St. Boniface Parish Church parking lot (Kingston & Markham Rds.).
JULY 20, 21: TD Festival of South Asia at Gerrard India Bazaar, between Coxwell Ave. and Glenside Ave., 12 noon-11 p.m. Featuring main stage performances, a kids’ zone, arts and culture market, participatory workshops and activities, roaming entertainers, and food and clothing stalls along the street. Info: www.facebook.com/ gerrardindiabazaar, www.gerrardindiabazaar.com
JULY 22: A Senior Moment Luncheon at Tiarres Brunch and Bistro, 1980 Queen St. E., 1:30 p.m. To R.S.V.P., please text Colleen 647-829-8042. Visit us on Facebook.
JULY 31: PROBUS Information Meeting at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., 7 p.m. PROBUS is a volunteer based social organization, non-profit, non-political, nonsectarian with more than 250 clubs in Canada serving 35,000 members. Monthly morning meetings feature guest speakers, theatre trips, car rallies, golf tournaments, and group activities including walking, biking, wine tasting, book clubs, bridge, euchre, pickleball, and more. Yearly membership $60. Info: www.probuscanada.ca
FRIDAYS: GRANTFUL FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP Food Bank and Soup Kitchen, 2029 Gerrard Street E., is open from 3:30 to 6:00 pm. Registration is required. New clients must present identification for members in their household on their first visit. Time slots are handed out and clients are encouraged to arrive at the food bank the time slot they selected. Info. 416 -690-5169.
CHAN BUDDHIST SOCIETY OF CANADA, 84 Swanwick Ave. All are welcome. Every Sunday 10 a.m. Chinese morning service in person; 6 p.m. free meditation class, instructed by Chan/Zen Buddhist monk. Info: ShengGuang Sifu 416-816-6630
FOOD BANK AT GRACE PASCOE Care Centre, Thursdays, 6-8:30 p.m. Info: (416) 691-2899, gpcc@calvary-baptist-church.ca, www.gracepascoefoodbank.ca/access-our-services
BEACH CITIZEN OF THE YEAR nominations are now open. Do you know someone who has worked hard, over a period of time, to improve life in the Beach community? Nomination forms and info are available at www.centre55.com. Deadline for submissions is Friday, August 23, 2024 by 5 p.m. CIVIC LIGHT OPERA CO. presents Broadway’s hit comedy thriller ‘Deathtrap’ by Ira Levin at Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen St. E., July 3-28, Wednesdays 7 p.m., Thursday to Saturdays 8 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m. Tickets $20. Tickets and info: 416-755-1717, www.clotoronto.com COMMUNITY HEALTH EXPO on Saturdays – June 29 and July 20 – from 1-4 p.m. at Grace Church, 700 Kennedy Rd., Scarborough. Learn about health age, anti-stress massages, hydrotherapy, nutrition, how to measure body fat, how to lighten blood cholesterol, learn about blood pressure and more.
KEW BEACH LAWN BOWLING CLUB & Croquet is ready to welcome new players! Located by the boardwalk at Lee Ave. For more info and to give it a try: kewbeachlbcinfo@gmail.com, www.kewbeachlbc.ca, 416-694-4371 GARDEN @ KIMBOURNE, 200 Wolverleigh Blvd., is a volunteer-driven project that uses permaculture principles to grow food and community in Toronto’s east end. Our harvest is shared between those who grow it and the Nourish East End Food Bank. We welcome volunteers with all levels of ability, experience, and availability. We operate on Wednesday evening (6-8 p.m.) and on Sunday afternoon (12 noon-2:30 p.m.). For more info and to sign up: https://gardenatkimbourne.blogspot.com/p/join-2020.html
RCL TODMORDEN BR. 10, 1083 Pape Avenue •June 28: Big Bingo, 6:30 p.m. followed by Karaoke with Host A.J. from 8 p.m. to closing •June 29: Op VetBuild, 12-4 p.m., a peer to peer program by veterans, for veterans and includes RCMP and allied veterans. The object is to help improve mental health through hobbies, and in this case, model building.100% free to veterans. No experience necessary! All materials supplied. Please RSVP your attendance, so we can plan out the resources torontoopvetbuild@gmail.com or 416-735-7362. This will be the last VetBuild until Sept. 28 •July 1: Canada Day Festivities start at 1 p.m. BBQ, DJ outside and Karaoke inside, prizes, games, and lots of fun. BEACHES JAZZ FESTIVAL •July 5-7: Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside at Jimmie Simpson Park •July 12-14: Salsa on the Beach at Woodbine Park •July 18-21: TD Weekend Series at Woodbine Park •July 25-27: Streetfest along Queen St. E. between Woodbine and Beech Aves., 7-11 p.m. (street closes at 6 p.m.) •July 26-28: OLG Weekend Series at Woodbine Park. See story on page 20 of this edition. Info: www.beachesjazz.com
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
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 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
CHURCHES
BEACHES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 65 Glen Manor Drive. 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. Fallingbrook is an affirming congregation and is accessible. All are welcome! Please join us on Live Stream via Facebook or through our church website at 10:20 a.m. for our Prelude with our Music Director Nick Jessome. We are thankful to have our Church Choir lead the music in our worship services. Weekly Worship services and Special Music selections are posted for viewing on our website. For more details about our activities including: Bible Study, Book Club, Tea Time, Hobby Circle, Wee Folks, Choir or other upcoming activities: fboffice@rogers.com, 416699-3084, www.fallingbrookpresbyterianchurch.com. Easy access by TTC from the Victoria Park subway. THE CHURCH OF ST. AIDAN (Anglican), 2423 Queen St. E., welcomes you to join us for Sunday worship at 9:30 a.m. (with music and children’s programs). Nursery care for infants and toddlers is available during the service. Our energetic, active faith community is 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. Info: www.staidansinthebeach.com, 416-691-2222
NEIGHBOURHOOD UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION, 310 Danforth Ave (entrance north on Jackman at Hurndale). Weekly Sunday services begin at 10:30am. We are a vibrant, family-friendly, and welcoming community of individuals all on the same path. Unitarian Universalism (UU) is a liberal and inclusive religious movement that emphasizes individual spiritual exploration, social justice, and the inherent worth and dignity of every person. With no creed or dogma, it brings people with diverse beliefs together, through shared values. Our Lifespan Learning program offers engaging and age-appropriate programs that nurture our children’s sense of wonder, exploring spirituality, values, and the world around them through storytelling, arts and crafts, and interactive discussions. We invite you to get to know us. www.nuuc.ca
THE MEETING HOUSE EAST TORONTO: we are a Christian Church in the Anabaptist tradition, part of the Be In Christ family of churches. We meet Sundays 10:0011:00am inside The Beach Cineplex, 1651 Queen St E. Join us for contemporary music, Jesus-centred teaching, and great discipleship programs for children and youth. We hope to see you soon! More info: bit.ly/tmheasttoronto ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 794 Kingston Rd. Weekend Masses: Sat. Vigil at 4:30 pm, Sun. 9 & 11 am. Weekday Masses with Rosary:
From left, Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Ogimaa-kwe Sault, Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford, Elder Jimmy Dick, Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher, Mayor Olivia Chow, and Toronto-Danforth Toronto District School Board Trustee Sarah Ehrhardt took part in the street naming ceremony on June 19.
Name change holds symbolic weight
‘Ceremony’ from Page 1
This overwhelming support for the renaming of Lower Coxwell holds symbolic weight as renaming ceremonies are an essential part of Indigenous culture, said those at the unveiling ceremony. “When you receive your name, there’s a whole protocol set in motion and a series of events that need to take place beforehand,” said Chief Sault. Sault said that such renaming ceremonies encompasses the Indigenous community’s oneness with the land.
Chow reminded those in attendance at the ceremony that there is “more work that we all need to do to achieve justice and reconciliation.”
Fundraising concert for Michael Oesch on July 13
A FUNDRAISING concert in support of local resident Michael Oesch is taking place on July 13 at the Faith Presbyterian Church on Dawes Road from noon to 3 p.m.
Tickets to the concert can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/benefit-concertfor-the-love-of-mike-tickets-915415591677
A GoFundMe page to help lessen the financial burden Oesch’s family is at www.gofundme.com/f/benefit-for-the-love-of-mike
A school bus driver, baseball umpire, and musician, Oesch started having walking problems in October of 2022. Due to progressive deterioration of the spine and neurological function, he is now mostly immobile and dependent on the help of others.
PHOTO: AMARACHI AMADIKE
Deathtrap to take stage at Red Sandcastle Theatre
THE CIVIC Light Opera Co.’s Drama Wing is preparing to present its production of Ira Levin’s Deathtrap in East Toronto next month.
Running from July 3 to July 28 at the Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen St. E., Deathtrap is the longestrunning thriller in Broadway history.
It was first performed in 1978.
Written by Ira Levin (the author of Rosemary’s Baby, The Boys from Brazil,
and The Stepford Wives), Deathtrap follows the main character Sidney Bruhl — a once-successful Broadway playwright who discovers a play from his young protege Clifford Anderson.
Jealous and inspired by Clifford’s play, Bruhl wonders “Is it good enough to kill for?”.
The Civic Light Opera Co.’s production of Deathtrap stars Joe Cascone as Sidney Bruhl, Quinn Robinson as Clifford Anderson,
Judy Gans as Sidney’s wife Myra Bruhl, and Mickey Brown as the Dutch Psychic Helga Ten Dorp.
Performance times for Deathtrap at the Red Sandcastle Theatre will be Wednesdays at 7 p.m.; Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m. throughout July.
Tickets are $20 and can be ordered by calling the box office at 416-755-1717, or going online to https://clotoronto. com
Beach Metro Community News Lucky Volunteer for June 25
Our tip of the news cap this edition goes to volunteer Nate Goossens, our stalwart carrier on the Scarborough Road hill.
“I have delivered on Scarborough Road, from Queen to Bracken and Pine, since January of 2023,” said Nate. “I joined to get volunteer hours for high school but also as a way to get more involved in my community. It’s been a pleasure meeting the people in my community.”
For being honoured as the June 25 Lucky Volunteer, Nate receives a gift certificate from Fearless Meat along with our thanks.
If you are not receiving the Beach Metro newspaper at your door, please consider joining our distribution team as the volunteer carrier on your street. For details, email Melinda Drake at melinda@beachmetro. com
You’ll also hear firsthand insights on developments at Michael Garron Hospital, an important healthcare provider for your clients.
St. John’s Norway Anglican
Church was established in 1853
By David Van Dyke
This is the final resting place of Margaret (1887) and Richard (1915) Crew located in the cemetery of St. John’s Norway Anglican Church. The original parish (pictured in background of the photo above) was established in 1853 in the former Town of Norway, now located in the Kingston Road and Woodbine Avenue area. Construction of the church that stands today began in 1893. If you look closely (photo below) you can see the family kept the original base of the replaced Crew headstone. Do you have any old photographs of Kingston Road you would like to share with our readership? Please contact me at gdvandyke61@gmail.com
Main Street historic walk slated for June 29
LOCAL HISTORIAN and Beach Metro Community News columnist Gene Domagala will lead an historic walk along Main Street on the afternoon of Saturday, June 29.
Those wishing to take part are asked to meet at 1 p.m. on the northwest corner of
Main Street and Danforth Avenue. The walk will examine the history of the Town of East Toronto which centred around Main Street from 1888 to 1908.
Stops on this Saturday’s walk will include Stanley G. Grizzle Park, the Main Street
Library, the historic intersection of Gerrard Street East and Main Street, and Community Centre 55 (site of the former East Toronto police station). Also on the walk will be a visit to Lyall Avenue, one of the area’s most historic streets.
Toronto East Basketball Association seeks support for empowerment program
By Jessica Shackleton
WITH SUMMER’S arrival, youth basketball training program Empowerment Basketball Club is seeking community support to expand its program. The organization wants to connect with local businesses who see the value in elevating youth through participation in sports.
The program is part of the Toronto East Basketball Association (TEBA), a non-profit organization for marginalized youth in Toronto’s east end that focuses on developing success on and off the court. They help participants refine their sports skills while also guiding them in seeking their interests and passions.
It’s the kind of program Ayola Matti realized he would love to be a part of once he finished high school and went on to play university basketball on a scholarship in the United States.
“After you remove yourself you see the landscape and want to make a change,” he said.
PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Ayola Matti is a member of the Toronto East Basketball Association’s executive team.
The program’s original location was at Crescent Town Community Centre, and the program is now looking to expand. The club also rented from the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) but space is limited in schools during the summer. Last year, from April to August, the TEBA had around 50 kids participating.
The east end of Toronto produces a lot of great athletes, said Matti, but bigger programs get more attention.
“People depend on free programs, but for it to be free it has to be funded,” said Matti, who is part of the TEBA’s executive team.
Matti grew up around Greenwood and Danforth avenues and played basketball at the Beaches Recreation Centre as a youngster.
He played his high school basketball at Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute on Phin Avenue and went on to play National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I basketball in the United States at Lamar University in Texas and Canisius University in Buffalo.
When Matti returned to Toronto in 2010, he visited his old stomping grounds and saw that the school gym was in the same condition as it was when he left, still with wooden backboards.
“It was sad,” he said. “This school produced NCAA quality players and it was the same as it was left.”
Matti was able to raise money and donate glass backboards hoping the school would be able to upgrade its gym. Eastern Commerce closed its doors as a community high school in 2015, and is now home to a number of TDSB programs as well as being the site of the Kapapamahchakwew – Wandering Spirit School.
Matti’s favourite part about being involved with the TEBA and the empowerment program is seeing the personal development of the young participants.
“That’s what it’s about, a helping hand,” said Matti.
Sports and everything that goes along with it are a passion that Matti always comes back to. Whenever he meets an athlete, he emphasizes the importance of sacrifice, passion, time, and dedication.
Organizations like the TEBA are vital in creating space for everyone to play, and Matti welcomes support from community members for the empowerment program.
To learn more about the TEBA, please visit https://tebabasketball.com
Anima Romana brings taste of Italy to the Beach
New Italian bakery Anima Romana strives to bring the taste of Italy to people in the Beach. They are dedicated to serving an authentic experience. While not their official slogan, they want people to feel like they’re spending an hour in Rome whenever they come to the bakery.
Anima Romana’s story begins in Italy, where the culinary duo behind the kitchen, Sheila and Dulce’s, passion for food began.
They have loved food since they were three and that has been a key focus of their lives. They opened a restaurant in Rome, crafted dishes, and taught cooking classes around the country. Their love of cooking has only grown stronger as the years have gone by.
Also part of the team are the owners and friends, Subhra and David.
They fell in love with the delights of Rome and enjoy cooking and baking as well. They met Sheila and Dulce, who introduced them to the finer art and science of baking. From there, they joined together to create a business venture that brings a piece of Rome to Toronto.
Subhra and David are the owners of the bakery, while Sheila and Dulce lead the kitchen.
Anima Romana opened on Main Street, just south of Gerrard Street East, at the end of April.
With years of culinary experience under their belt, Sheila and Dulce are sharing their love of food and Italy to a new group in a new city.
Anima Romana sells a variety of foods for meals such as sandwiches and Roman-style pizza, and baked goods including biscotti, donuts, croissants, cannolis, and le Viennoiserie.
Other popular items are the many flavours of the best Italian gelato and fresh orange juice.
All the bread, including the pizza, is baked with Sheila’s personal sourdough starter called Peppino. Peppino is a 17 year old sourdough starter that is a big part of Anima Romana’s success. Delicately taken care of each day with flour and water, without Peppino there is no bread.
Quality, handmade products baked with love are important to the bakery.
“For me a dough has to have three ingre-
dients. It’s either water, flour, and salt or it’s water, flour, and sugar,” said Sheila.
“If you go and read the ingredients of bread you buy it’s about 53, 55 ingredients… it’s too many.”
The neighbourhood has been very supportive and the bakery already has regulars.
Sheila loves to talk to the older ladies who come by because they remind her of her mother and help her feel better when she misses home.
Beaches-East York Member of Provincial Parliament Mary-Margaret McMahon has
even given her stamp of approval as a frequent customer.
“It’s a very supportive neighbourhood, very, very nice to us,” said Subhra. “(The MPP) presented us with a ‘thank you for being part of the community.’”
The bakery always has something going on and is hosting weekend events. They have one slated for the Canada Day weekend featuring an Italian singer and caricature artist.
“For the summer, our goal is to kind of give back to community by having regular weekend events,” said Subhra.
“Most weekends we’re going to try and do something for the community to come out and enjoy.”
The bakery has around 10 employees, tables on the sidewalk, and a mural on the front.
Customers are welcomed by the bakery’s three mascots, Pizzetta, Cornettone, and Pagnottello for pizza, pastries, and bread. There’s also a signing wall on the inside for everyone to leave their mark.
“We’re simply here and we take care of our customers and we like to welcome them in,” said Sheila.
“What I would like is people to feel like when they come in here is a little trip to Italy.”
Anima Romana Bakery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is located at 149 Main St.
To learn more about Anima Romana’s story and products, please visit: https://animaromana.ca
– BMN Sponsored Content–
Dulce and Sheila at Anima Romana Italian Bakery at 149 Main St. The bakery opened at its location just south of Gerrard Street East in April.
PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY
Lisa Romano-Dwyer BSc, MSW, PhD, RSW
Dashwood & Dashwood
Barristers & Solicitors
Carolyn Dallman Downes
Registered Psychotherapist Depression, Anxiety, Grief, Relationships. www.CarolynDallmanDownes.com 416-363-0065
Ask Psychotherapy Hub
Individual, Couples & Group Therapy Specializing in ADHD, Anxiety, Eating Disorders 1529 Danforth Ave. (near Coxwell Stn) admin@asktherapyhub.ca 416-465-8482 www.asktherapy.ca
COUNSELLING
Catherine Allon, BSc, MEd Caring Counselling for Life & Relationship Issues 416-694-0232 www.energyawakening.com Spiritual Counselling
PATHOLOGIST reg. Casplo All ages, early language, L.D., articulation, reading, apraxia Leslie Rennie 647-994-8255 leslierennie@gmail.com
available.
Kriens LaRose, LLP
• Personal and corporation income tax preparation.
Social Worker & Psychotherapist Lakeside Wellness Therapy Affiliates Individual & Couple Care Wellness Life Coaching 416-951-8280 www.modernsocialworker.ca Best of Both Worlds. Same returns as the underlying fund/portfolio. Same MERs as the Mutual Fund. 100% Death Benefit Guarantee based on all contributions made before age 75. Learn more! Vic M. Sarju 416 560-0985
HOUGHTON VETERINARY HOUSECALL SERVICES Vaccines, examinations, diagnostics, palliative care, and home euthanasia provided for your pets in the comfort of your own home. Dr. Barbara Houghton 647-221-5516
Chartered Professional Accountants • Accounting services for owner-managed businesses.
• 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
FINANCIAL SERVICES
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
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
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
Guardian Mortgages Kinga and Allen Chin Commercial / Residential / Investor Services P: 416-315-0355 955A Kingston Rd, Toronto, M3E 1S8 E: info@guardianmortgages.ca W:www.guardianmortgages.ca Serving the Beaches & GTA Powered by Mortgage Architects License #12728
diane900000@icloud.com www.designINGenuity.ca
Neil McNeil’s Junior boys relay team wins gold at OFSAA track meet
NEIL MCNEIL Catholic High School’s Junior boys 4-x-100-metre relay team won the gold medal at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) championships recently in London.
Members of the gold-medal-winning relay team are Fionn Fraser, Will Wells Richards, Lucas Hadley, and Pierce Dixon. The same four runners teamed up to win the silver medal at the 2023 OFSAA championships in the Novice boys race. Neil McNeil sent a total of 23 athletes to this year’s OFSAA championships that took place from June 6 to 8.
Other medal winners at the OFSAA championships for Neil McNeil were Cecil Jenkins with a silver in the Junior boys 800m race; Liam Carvalho with a bronze medal in the Novice boys 400m race; and the 4-x-400m relay team of Carvalho, Ben Calconi, Xavier Gordon, and Joshua Paul who won the bronze medal.
Other strong finishers for Neil McNeil at the OFSAA championships included Tiago Keilman who was fourth in the Novice boys 100m hurdles; Xavier Gordon who was seventh in the Senior boys 800m; the Novice boys 4-x-100m relay team who finished ninth; and Reid Grant who finished ninth in Novice boys shot put.
The Neil McNeil team finished fourth overall in the boys team standings at this year’s OFSAA.
PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Photo above, members of the Neil McNeil Catholic High School Junior boys 4-x-100m gold-medal-winning relay team at the recent OFSAA track and field championships are Fionn Fraser, Will Wells Richards, Lucas Hadley, and Pierce Dixon.
PHOTOS: SUBMITTED
Photo above, members of the Neil McNeil 4-x-400m relay team that won the bronze medal at the OFSAA track and field championships recently in London.
Photo below left, Neil McNeil’s Liam Carvalho won a bronze medal in the Novice boys 400m race at OFSAA.
Photo below right, Neil McNeil’s Cecil Jenkins won silver in the Junior boys 800m race at OFSAA.
Malvern Collegiate girls win medals at Metro championships, put in strong showing at OFSAA
By Jack Skinner
TEN MEMBERS of the Malvern Collegiate track and field team recently competed at the Ontario Championships at Western University in London.
Taking part in the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association (OFSAA) championships were Malvern’s 4-x-400-metre relay team; the Novice girls 4-x-100m relay team; distance runner Alexandra Mills in the Junior girls 1,500m and 800m events; Natalie Burrows in the Senior girls 400m run and the 400m hurdles; Ellie Benson in steeplechase; and Maya Nobes in the Senior girls 1,500m race.
Given that qualifying for OFSAA in track and field includes having to earn medals in the Metro (Toronto) Championships against high school athletes from the public, Catholic and College associations, simply getting that far is an impressive accomplishment.
“Qualifying for OFSAA is no small feat,” said Malvern track and field coach Elizabeth Barsby.
“Making it to OFSAA for track is different than other TDSB (Toronto District School Board) sports
because athletes compete against the Catholic board and private schools, whereas, other team sports only compete against other TDSB schools to qualify for OFSAA.”
Malvern athletes who took
part in the Metro Championships at Birchmount Stadium on May 23 and 24, put in some impressive performances. Malvern had 18 athletes and four relay teams competing at the Metro’s.
The top four finishers in each event at the Metros qualified for OFSAA. At the Metro Championships, the girls 4-x-400m relay team of Maya Nobes, Tegan Carpenter, Melissa Blacquier and Natalie BurContinued on Page 19
above, the
and
won the gold
at the Metro Track and Field Championships recently. The team went to finish in fourth, just one second from the podium, at the OFSAA championships earlier this month in London. Photo below, The Malvern Collegiate 4-x-100m Novice girls relay team won the bronze medal at the Metro Track and Field Championships and also competed in the OFSAA championships earlier this month in London. Team members are Ellie McCarragher, Avery Murray, Isabelle Srdoc-Walsh and Bronwyn Blondie.
PHOTOS: SUBMITTED
Photo
Malvern Collegiate 4-x-400m relay team of Maya Nobes, Tegan Carpenter, Melissa Blacquier
Natalie Burrows
medal
Hosts take Beaches Hogtown Lacrosse Tournament title with overtime win
By Sean Sandieson
THE BEACHES Under-22 lacrosse team recently won the 2024 Beaches Hogtown Lacrosse Tournament.
The Beaches took the tourney title by beating Sudbury 6-5 in triple overtime in the championship game. Ellery Alexander notched the winning goal, and Beaches goalie Andrew Shukaris put in a strong performance to preserve the victory.
To reach the final, the Beaches edged Kawartha Lakes 4-3 in the semifinal match. Bennett Driscoll scored all four goals for the Beaches in that game.
The Beaches Hogtown
Lacrosse Tournament took place frin June 7 to 9 at Ted Reeve Arena.
The Beaches team won all three of their opening round games at the tourney; beating Clarington 13 to 3; beating Guelph 8-5; and beating Hamilton 7-3.
Calum Mackay and Jake Brady put in strong performances for the Beaches team throughout the tournament.
Coached by Johnny Miller, Luke Coppinger, and Sean Malloy, the team is mostly comprised of players born in the year 2007 so they were a young squad.
The Beaches were also challenged by having to play
with a relatively short bench, not a lot of substitutes, during the tourney.
“It was an absolute character win. When the going gets tough you have a choice to quit or keep your head down and keep going. They kept going and came out on top and we are beyond proud of how they played,” said coach Miller of the Beaches team..
The members of the Beaches Under-22 team are Ellery Alexander, Alex McLister, Ben Barton, Bennett Driscoll, Calum MacKay, Cole Mills-Vasiliu, Heath Harker, Jake Brady, Kieran Hill, Oliver Appt and Andrew Shukaris.
Robbie soccer tourney set for long weekend
AS SOCCER excitement builds across Canada this month with the men’s national team in the Copa America tourney and the European Championships also taking place, local fans of the sport can see some of the game’s stars of the future
at this weekend’s the 56th annual Robbie International Soccer Tournament in Scarborough.
The Robbie Tournament, set for the Canada Day long weekend, is for teams ages 13 to 18 and is one of the most prestigious soccer tourna-
ments in North America. It is also the world’s largest soccer tournament for charity, having been raising money for Cystic Fibrosis Canada since it first took place in Scarborough back in 1967.
For more info, please visit https://therobbie.ca
Relay team finishes fourth at OFSAA
‘Malvern’ from Page 18 seconds from her time at the earlier TDSB regional meet.
rows won the gold medal, clocking in with a time of four minutes and one second.
Malvern’s 4-x-100m Novice relay team consisting of Ellie McCarragher, Avery Murray, Isabelle Srdoc-Walsh and Bronwyn Blondie won the bronze medal at the Metro’s.
Malvern’s Alexandra Mills ran in three Junior girls races at the Metro Championships, finishing second (silver medals) in both the 800m and 1,500m and placing third (bronze medal) in the 3,000m.
At the Metro’s, Natalie Burrows placed second (silver medal) in the Senior girls 400m with a personal best of 57.5 seconds and third (bronze medal) in the 400m hurdles.
Elle Benson placed fourth in the steeplechase race at the Metro’s, skimming off 27
Maya Nobes qualifed for OFSAA with her strong run in the Senior girls race at the Metro’s.
At OFSAA from June 6 to 8, the Malvern track and field athletes also put in strong performances.
Alexandra Mills was sixth in the 1,500m race and eighth in 800m race.
The Novice girls 4-x-100m relay team of Ellie McCarragher, Avery Murray, Isabelle Srdoc-Walsh and Bronwyn Blondie finished 19th at OFSAA.
Coach Barsby said the girls demonstrated remarkable grit and hold great promise at Junior team for next year.
Natalie Burrows had hoped to beat her personal best times in Senior girls 400m and 400m hurdles, but experienced some setbacks
in those races at OFSAA. However, she powered back to anchor the girls 4-x-400m relay team in the Open age divisision. Malvern’s 4-x400m relay team was fourth at OFSAA, missing the podium by just one second. Members of the 4-x-400m Malvern relay team are Maya Nobes, Tegan Carpenter, Melissa Blacquier and Natalie Burrows.
“These girls left everything on the track and truly finished on empty,” said coach Barsby of the 4-x-400m relay race at OFSAA.
Ellie Benson also ran well in the steeplechase for Malvern at OFSAA.
Maya Nobes put in a hard-fought performance at OFSAA against some very tough competition in the Senior girls 1,500m race.
Coaches of the Malvern track team are Barsby, Anne Tsukada and Lisa Bourgard.
PHOTO: SUBMITTED
The Beaches Lacrosse Under-22 team won the championship at the Beaches Hogtown Lacrosse Tournament held recently at Ted Reeve Arena.
Arts & Entertainment
The 36th annual Beaches International Jazz Festival features a full line-up of events next month including the always popular Queen Street East StreetFest which is slated for the nights of July 25, 26 and 27.
The 36th annual Beaches International Jazz Festival begins July 5
By Jack Skinner
THE 2024 Beaches International Jazz Festival is back next month with events taking place from Friday, July 5 through to Sunday, July 28.
This year marks the 36th annual Beaches International Jazz Festival.
The Sounds of Leslieville and Riverside will kick off the festival from July 5 to 7. Following that, Salsa on the Beach at Woodbine Park takes place from July 12 to 14.
The TD Weekend Series will take place from July 18 to 21 at Woodbine Park, kicking off with an All 90’s show on Thursday, July 18. TD Workshop Series will highlight a ticketed performance by Dueling Pianos, a father-andson show that will take place at Beach United Church on July 23.
The OLG Weekend Series will feature Groovin’ in the Park with shows on July 26 and 27, and then returning to the Main Stage for the last day of the festival with performances throughout the afternoon on July 28.
Also happening during the TD Workshop Series, the Big Fam Jam at the Supermarket will take place every Tuesday in July (July 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30) at Kensington Market in west Toronto.
And, of course, the popular Street Fest on Queen Street East is back for this year’s Jazz Festival. StreetFest starts on Thursday, July 25 and finishes on Saturday, July 27; with performances from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. each night.
Sounds of Leslieville and Riverside
To kick off this year’s Beaches International Jazz Festival, Sounds of Leslieville and Riverside will take place at Jimmie Simpson Park on Queen Street East (between Carlaw and Broadview avenues) on Friday, July 5, Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7. Performances will happen on the Main Stage all day on Saturday and Sunday. Friday will feature three shows in the afternoon and evening.
The Caradang Pincente Jazz Orchestra will open at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, followed by Chandra Raye & The Get Down later at 7:15 p.m., and then ending with Neon Nostalgic at 9 p.m.
Saturday will see seven shows throughout the day. Swing Toronto will start the fun with a 30-minute free swing dance lesson at 11 a.m. After that, Martin Loomer and the Orange Devils will perform at 11:30 a.m.; Swing Shift Big Band at 2 p.m.; Jackson Steinwall at 4:30 p.m.; Quincy Bullen Band at 6 p.m.; KMan and the 45s at 7:30 p.m., and Purple Rain Revisited closing out the night at 9 p.m.
Sounds of Leslieville and Riverside continues for the final day on Sunday with an opening performance by Christian Overton and the Composer’s Collective at 11 a.m.; The Toronto Jazz Orchestra at 1:15 p.m.; Little Magic Sam at 3:30 p.m., and Trainwreck at 5:30 p.m.
TD Salsa on the Beach
From Friday, July 12 to Sunday, July 14, Salsa on the Beach will be held at Woodbine Park. Audiences can enjoy the sounds of Salsa, Merengue and Cumbia and take to the dance floor.
DJs, bands, salsa classes, and singers will be on stage during the afternoons and evenings during Salsa on the Beach. Three performances are on Friday from 7 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
Saturday will feature six performances from 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday will have four performances from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
For the complete lineup of performances please visit www.beachesjazz.com/salsa-onthe-beach
Those attending at Woodbine Park will also be able to explore various vendors, enjoy treats from the food trucks and relax in a beer garden.
TD Workshop Series
The TD Workshop Series will feature a father and son Dueling Pianos performance on Tuesday, July 23, at 7:30 p.m. at Beach United Church. 140 Wineva Ave.
Eddie Bullen, Juno-winning pianist and producer, and his son Quincy Bullen have put together a performance featuring classical, jazz and pop music with commentary about their father and son relationship and
family history.
The show’s proceeds will support Michael Garron Hospital and tickets will be available on the Michael Garron Hospital Foundation (MGHF) website. www.mghf.ca/dueling-pianos
The TD Workshop Series will also feature Big Fam Jam at the Supermarket held at Kensington Market every Tuesday in July.
Starting on July 2, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Kensington Market (268 Augusta Ave.) will host Jackson Steinwall of Funny Funk and his funky house band.
TD Weekend Series
The TD Weekend Series will take place on the main stage at Woodbine Park from Thursday, July 18 to Sunday, July 21.
On Thursday, Jazz Festival will spotlights an All 90s Night. NuFunk Concerts, SFS ENT & Brown Eyes Entertainment, affiliated with the Beaches Jazz Festival will present Get On Up meets Renaissance. It will feature Canadian premier DJs Starting from Scratch (Get on Up) and Mista Jiggz (Renaissance), along with guest host Master T (MuchMusic X-Tendamix/Da Mix).
On Friday, two performances will take place. The first will be at 7 p.m., starring Next Level Entertainment. The second performance will be at 9 p.m. featuring Soul of Motown.
The following day (Saturday, July 20). performances will kick-off with Johannes Linstead at 4 p.m.; Jordan Astra at 5:30 p.m.; Philcos at 7 p.m., and to close the night, Boom Shaka Lakas Disco Party at 9 p.m.
Three performances are set for the Sunday, with Jerome Tucker to open the day at 3 p.m. and then followed by Mississippi Heat at 4:30 p.m., and to finish the night, Lazo and Exodus, The Bob Marley Experience at 6:30 p.m.
Beaches Jazz Festival StreetFest
The always popular Beaches Jazz Festival StreetFest will run from Thursday, July 25 through to Saturday, July 27.
Queen Street East will close down at 6
p.m., from Beech to Woodbine avenues for music fans to take the street and enjoy dozens of performers playing music. The StreetFest will finish each night at 11 p.m., and the street will then be re-opened for cars, buses and streetcars at midnight
To avoid Queen Street East during Street Fest, the TTC’s Main Street 64 bus will take an alternate route during the street closure hours. The 64 bus will go south on Wineva Ave, past Queen Street East, along Alfresco Lawn and then up north on Lee Ave to Kingston Road.
A total of 36 bands and musicians will play nightly during the StreetFest, between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. For the complete list of bands playing please visit www.beachesjazz.com/ streetfest
Food and treats from the city’s best restaurants will be part of StreetFest, along with local artisans and vibrant market stalls.
OLG Weekend Series
On Friday, July 26, and Saturday, July 27, the OLG Weekend Series Groovin’ in The Park is a two-day festival at Woodbine Park. Groovin’ in The Park, features soul, funk world and house music, as a part of the Beaches International Jazz Festival. This event offers food, a beer garden and shaded seating.
Two shows will take place during Groovin’ in The Park.
The first, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., on Friday, is Break For Love featuring DJ Legend Kenny Glasgow.
Saturday’s is called Saturday Fever and goes from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. This show is an all-day party, featuring local and international DJs. As part of the fun, there will be a kid’s dance party from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The OLG Weekend Series continues for the last day on Sunday, July 28, returning to the Main Stage at Woodbine Park. The lineup starts with Sinatra & Buble - Together Again with The Swing Shift Big Band at 12:30 p.m.; K-Man and The 45s at 3 p.m.; Janette King at 5 p.m., and Witch Prophet closing the night and the Jazz Festival at 6 p.m. For full details, please visit www.beachesjazz.com
BEACH METRO COMMUNITY NEWS FILE PHOTO BY ERIN HORROCKS-POPE
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Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles talks housing, transit and the possibility of an early election
By Alan Shackleton
IF ONTARIO Premier Doug Ford decides to call an early election, then provincial NDP leader Marit Stiles is just fine with that.
“Bring it,” she said in an interview on Friday, June 14, with Beach Metro Community News in southwest Scarborough.
“Look, life under Ford’s government the past six years is not better. It’s gotten worse for a lot of people. People are struggling to afford rent, to find a family doctor. In many parts of our province emergency rooms are closing down… and life is just more expensive,” she said regarding some of the reasons why many voters in the province would welcome an election and the NDP feels it can be successful.
“Doug Ford has been scandal after scandal, and schemes that seem designed to benefit his friends,” said Stiles.
“People are tired of it. If he’s going to be arrogant enough to think he can bring people to the polls two years early, then I say ‘Bring it.’”
Stiles was in the East Toronto area in advance of the NDP’s Provincial Council meeting which took place on Saturday, June 15, in Toronto. She’s also a Torontobased MPP, representing the riding of Davenport.
area visiting local businesses including those in the Bangladeshi community on June 14 and took time to meet with Beach Metro Community News at the Ethio Natural Coffee shop on Danforth Avenue in Scarborough for an interview.
Topics discussed in the approximately 30-minute interview included the possibility of an early election, a New Deal for Toronto, and the importance of all East Toronto ridings to the NDP.
It would be a bit of a gamble by Ford to call an early election since his second majority government was only re-elected in June of 2022, meaning he could potentially be calling a provincial election well before his government’s mandate is over.
“People will see through what he’s doing,” said Stiles whose Ontario NDP is the Official Opposition at Queen’s Park.
“This is a government that’s not in it for regular people. I really think we need a government that’s in it for the many, not the money,” she said.
“I don’t care how people voted in the past, or if they voted in the past, I think now is the time to stand up for regular people. People are tired of having a government that doesn’t make their lives easier, but only helps its friends.”
She was in the Danforth and Victoria Park avenues
Stiles pointed to the recently expanded cabinet
that Ford announced earlier this month, after MPPs at Queen’s Park went on break for the next three months, as an example of how helping friends seems to be the Premier’s priority.
The cabinet is the largest in Ontario history and will add costs by increasing the salaries of so many Progressive Conservative MPPs who have been given jobs as ministers or ministerial assistants.
“I think he made a big mistake with his $10-million cabinet,” said Stiles.
While it does seem a bit perplexing as to why Ford would call another election so soon, Stiles said many Progressive Conservatives in Ontario are worried they would have no chance of being re-elected in 2026 if federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is elected Canada’s next Prime Minister in 2025.
“They’re worried Poilievre will start cutting funding and people will see through the Conservative schemes,” she said of Ford’s provincial government.
Stiles expects an early election call by Ford would backfire on him and the Progressive Conservatives. She cited the experience of the Ontario Liberal government of David Peterson in 1990 that decided to call an early election while still holding a majority.
The Ontario Liberals were trounced at the polls as angry voters turned to the NDP and gave the province its one and only NDP government ever – electing Bob Rae to
a majority government that served from 1990 to 1995.
“What happened there? People saw through that arrogance,” said Stiles of the 1990 Ontario election call. She said Ford is betting on Ontario voters being too busy trying to survive and that they won’t pay much attention if he calls an early election, but that would be a mistake.
“He seems to think he can buy them off with some cheap tactics like the Beer Store thing, but people really can see through it,” said Stiles. “That’s money that people know is their money, and it should be spent wisely.”
But beyond offering voters a place to vent their anger at the Ford government, what will the NDP offer Ontario voters and especially Toronto voters?
Stiles said the first thing they will be doing is bringing back some hope for voters that life can indeed be better with a government that works for them.
“The problems that we’re facing, they do have solutions. The sense of hope and optimism for the future is something that’s been really lacking.”
But what can Stiles and the Ontario NDP offer Toronto residents to help address the city’s many challenges?
Specifically she talked about the possibility of a New Deal for Toronto when it comes to how it is funded by the province and how much power the city can actually have and use when it
PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON
Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles met with Beach Metro Community News to talk about provincial and city issues during an interview on June 14 at Ethio Natural Coffee on Danforth Avenue in southwest Scarborough.
Neighbourhood Stops and Shops
Back to Hearing prioritizes accessible, personalized, high-quality care
Fourteen years ago, Paola Delgado and her husband Jorge Ortiz moved from Cartagena, Colombia, to the Beach neighbourhood with their young family. Delgado, a philanthropic entrepreneur, had spent her career in Colombia working as a speech-language pathologist and audiologist.
She dedicated her time to giving children who had been “condemned to have no education or future because of hearing loss” access to high-quality care, allowing them to succeed and pursue their dreams.
When Delgado and her family moved to Canada, she undertook equivalency studies to upgrade her title to Doctor of Audiology while maintaining a remote work role for her clinics in Colombia.
Last October, with the support of her family, Delgado opened her first Canadian clinic, Back to Hearing, in East Toronto on Don Mills Road. The clinic focuses on providing holistic, clinical audiology care, emphasizing accessibility and support.
Delgado and her husband, Ortiz, a paralegal and realtor, in addition to being his wife’s partner in Back to Hearing, wanted to open their business in their neighbourhood.
However, due to limited retail space options that had what they needed, they chose a location a bit further away due to their focus on accessibility.
Back to Hearing is located in an outdoor plaza on Don Mills Road, just south of York Mills Road.
It features easy parking and a bright, naturally lit suite accommodating wider doors for various mobility devices.
One of the couple’s favourite aspects of the clinic is the hospital-sized sound booth, large enough to allow two people to sit comfortably during assessments. This setup is optimal when serving patients who require support, such as young children or individuals with disabilities.
“A lot of clinics are choosing not even to have sound booths anymore,” Ortiz explained while showing the space. “They’re big and expensive, but the fact is that this equipment is important for properly assessing hearing loss in patients.”
When patients enter Back to Hearing, they are greeted by Delgado, Ortiz, or one of their children, Esteban.
Esteban proudly follows in his mother’s footsteps, graduating from George Brown College as a hearing instrument specialist.
The family enjoys working together and recognizes that each member brings something unique to the team. Esteban highlighted his mother’s high standards of audiology care, his father’s entrepreneurial spirit, and his own skills in facilitation and manage-
ment, in addition to his role as a practitioner.
His father, Ortiz, echoed this sentiment, “Paola is the scientist, I am the dreamer, and Esteban is just the best clinic manager anyone could want.”
Since opening in October, Back to Hearing has been busy welcoming new patients who found the practice online or through word-of-mouth referrals from delighted clients.
Ortiz noted that many of their new patients have shared that they chose Back to Hearing for its personalized and patient-focused approach, appreciating the unrushed, supportive environment and the absence of set appointment lengths.
The family understands the need to fully support their patients through hearing assessments and ensure they thoroughly understand how their hearing loss equipment works.
“We see a lot of seniors,” said Delgado. “I wouldn’t feel good rushing through this process with them, especially if they’re new to the technology.”
These sentiments underscore the team’s commitment to high-quality care and improving patients’ quality of life.
They know from firsthand experience how important hearing is, especially after recently discovering that Ortiz had been suffering from hearing loss.
During the setup of new “state-ofthe-art” equipment at the clinic, Ortiz volunteered for a test run and was surprised to learn that he had been experiencing hearing loss, which previous equipment and assessments had not detected.
“When we would take our walks on the Boardwalk, Paola would move me to the side when bikes were coming behind us. I never heard them, and we never thought anything of it,” said Ortiz.
“But now I hear everything. I didn’t
realize how much it could change my life to hear things so much more clearly.”
His experience highlights the importance of regular hearing tests at all stages of life. Delgado said many people overlook hearing tests as a standard part of regular healthcare checkups.
Having a baseline for your hearing is crucial for identifying future hearing loss and accessing necessary treatment and care.
Delgado also noted that hearing loss practitioners are seeing increased numbers of hearing loss and tinnitus patients in younger generations, likely due to increased auditory sensory stimulation from tech devices like computers and phones.
At Back to Hearing, Delgado and her team dispense all types of hearing aids and service equipment from all brands, administer assessments and treatments, and perform thorough and gentle ear wax removals, Tinnitus evaluation and treatment.
Together, they strive to offer highquality care for every need and budget, working with patients to ensure they can access all available healthcare resources and options for an excellent quality of life.
Book an assessment today with Doctor of Audiology Paola Delgado, and look for this local entrepreneurial family along the Boardwalk, dining at ViVetha Bistro, visiting Dr. Shnall at Beech Dental, shopping at Courage Foods, or seeing their pharmacist at Lawlor Pharmacy.
Back to Hearing is located at 1396 Don Mills Rd. Unit B117.
You can visit their website at www. backtohearing.ca or call Back to Hearing at 416 510 0888
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SHOP LOCAL
NDP looking to take back Beaches-East York from Liberals, says Stiles
‘Ontario’ from Page 22
comes to governing itself.
“What Toronto needs is a real partner. I’ve watched Conservative and Liberal governments for years now refuse to back away from the downloading that we saw under (former Ontario Progressive Conservative Premier) Mike Harris. We’ve got to start paying our share,” she said of the provincial government’s responsibilities to Ontario’s largest city and fourth largest government in the country.
“We need a new deal for Toronto,” said Stiles.
“And to be fair to other municipalities, they deserve it too.”
Stiles said the NDP would be willing to look at making changes to the City of Toronto Act to give the municipality more control and power without having to get provincial approval for every decision.
She also stressed that a lot of Toronto challenges over the past decades are a result of the downloading that took place in the late 1990s from the provincial government.
“There needs to be a shift in how we (the provincial government) treat municipalities,” and that the NDP would be a partner for them, she said.
On transit challenges facing the city, including the still yet to be opened Crosstown LRT along Eglinton Avenue, Stiles said the province needs to “re-think” the way
Ontario’s transit agency (Metrolinx) operates and is led.
“That’s supposed to be an organization that was set up to take the partisan politics out of transit planning and instead it has what…86 vice-presidents and a million-dollar a year CEO,” she said.
Calling Metrolinx a “disaster” as it currently operates, Stiles said Ontario needs to get back into the business of building transit in a more “effective and efficient” way.
She said transit building in Ontario is still “beholden” to the partisan political ideologies of whatever government happens to be in power at the time, and that must be changed.
“We have to have the guts to say when something isn’t working and have greater scrutiny” on transit plans and projects across the province to ensure they are being built properly, on time and on budget, she said.
“What’s missing there,” she said of Metrolinx is “transparency, oversight and accountability.”
On the issues of affordable housing and affordability in Toronto and the province, Stiles said the NDP would create an organization called Homes Ontario that would get the provincial government back into the business of building “truly” affordable housing.
“When I look at what’s happening here in Toronto and across
the province, I see municipalities that actually have good plans, solid ideas and want to move forward. What I don’t see, over and over again, is the provincial government at the table providing the funding,” she said.
“There should be a one-stop shop for non-profits that want to build truly affordable housing, coop housing, non-market housing. Right now you have to go through a whole bunch of hoops, and at the end of the day the province is never really there at the table. We’ve got to make it easier and we’ve got to move faster. I don’t think you can rely on the market alone or private developers alone to build the affordable, non-market housing we need.”
Speaking specifically about Beaches-East York, which is now held by Liberal MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon who was elected in the 2022 provincial election, Stiles said it was important to get the riding back to what she considers its NDP roots.
Historically, going all the way back to the 1960s when a good part of the area was the riding of Beaches-Woodbine, it has been an NDP stronghold. Since 1967, the riding has been NDP with the exception of Progressive Conservative Tom Wardle from 1971 to 1975, Liberal Arthur Potts from 2014 to 2018 and now Liberal McMahon.
The ridings directly to the west and east of Beaches-East York — Toronto-Danforth and Scarborough Southwest are both currently NDP ridings. Toronto-Danforth has been an NDP stronghold for decades, while Scarborough Southwest has had the Ontario NDP’s deputy leader Doly Begum as its MPP since 2018. Prior to that, Scarborough Southwest was held by Liberal MPP Lorenzo Berardinetti from 2003 to 2018.
“My priority is hold on to the seats we have, win back some of the seats we’ve lost in more recent years and then take seats where we’ve come a close second,” said Stiles of the Ontario NDP’s plan for the next provincial election.
She said a lot of ridings are changing and there would be great opportunity for the NDP to win seats in Ontario ridings that it has not traditionally done so if a provincial election were called this year or next.
“My aim here is to build a broader movement of people that want to replace Doug Ford with a more progressive vision,” she said.
Though the Ontario Liberal Party selected a new leader late last year in former Mississauga mayor Bonnie Crombie, Stiles said the Liberals are not the party that can beat Ford in the next provincial election.
“I’m saying to Liberals, I’m saying to Greens, even to Conserva-
tives who didn’t think they were voting for what Doug Ford is offering, to join us. We have a great shot at forming the government in the next election,” she said.
“Those votes and that seat like Beaches-East York, we’re going to need them. And likewise in Scarborough, we’re going to need seats there.”
Of Scarborough’s six provincial ridings, one is NDP (Scarborough Southwest); one is Liberal (Scarborough-Guildwood); and four are Progressive Conservative (Scarborough Centre, Scarborough North, Scarborough-Rouge River and Scarborough-Agincourt).
The Ontario Liberals challenge is far different from the NDP’s come the next provincial election, said Stiles.
With nine elected MPPs, the Liberals do not have official party status at Queen’s Park. (A party needs 12 seats at Queen’s Park to have official party status.)
“They have to get party status back,” she said of the Liberals. “They don’t even qualify as a party in the Legislature.”
If a provincial election were called now, the NDP would head into it with 28 seats at Queen’s Park compared to the majority government of the Progressive Conservatives who have 80 seats. There are two Green Party MPPs at Queen’s Park and five independent MPPs.
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PROFESSIONAL, MATURE, RELIABLE RENOVATIONS AND REPAIRS 20+ years experience Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry, Painting, and Handy Work. Randall 416-450-0599 torontomrfixit@gmail.com (12r)
Peter the Handyman INDOOR / OUTDOOR
General repairs: Drywall / Caulking / Painting / Decks / Fences Odd jobs: Fixtures, TV, Shelf & Picture install / Furniture assembly (IKEA)... & much more! Call/text Peter 416 577 4252 (9)
Well Trained Handy Husband
Catering to small jobs around your home that others won’t do! Reliable & trustworthy with returning happy customers. $60 hour, one hour minimum. Call, email or text to discuss. Glenn 416-709-2930 superglenn@bell.net (9r)
For light moves/deliveries, junk removal, cleanups, etc. Efficient. Best rates. 647-806-7620 (9r)
BCM Junk Removal Friendly, Efficient & Affordable ALL Junk & Renovation Debris
Cleaning Services
HEALTHY
products used
• Drying time 3-4 hours
• Bonded, insured, certified Free At Home Estimates! Call 416-783-3434 (23/25)
RILEYS’ WINDOW CLEANING
A family business since 1956 Window & Eaves Cleaning Gutter Filter Installation 416 421-5758 rileyswindowcleaning.com (r)
BEACHES LAWN MAINTENANCE LAWN CUTTING
416 414 5883 info@blpm.ca (9r)
EXTREME CLEANING
I provide excellent cleaning services for residential homes and condos.
Contact Martha @ Cell: 647-206-1415 (9....)
Marvelous Touch Cleaning
- basic and major cleaning - move-in/move-out cleaning - post construction & renovation cleanup 647-206-0285 Touchmarvelous8@gmail.com (21/25)
EUROPEAN
CLEANING LADIES offer complete and thorough cleaning service for your house • office • condo Call Ilona 416-427-3815 (10)
Kleancare Cleaning
We offer: • Commercial & Residential
Deep Clean
Regular Cleaning Call Erika 647-989-5188 (9.)
THE TWO FOURS
Garden & Tree
(11)
BEACH PROPERTY MAINTENANCE -Lawn Cutting -Spring/Fall Property Clean-Ups -Hedge Trimming 416-414-5883 info@blpm.ca (9r)
Beach Lawn Care LAWN CUTTING SERVICES *STARTING AT $20 416-691-8503 beachlawncare2020@gmail.com (9r) EVERGREEN TREE CARE YOUR LOCAL, FAMILY RUN TREE PRESERVATION SPECIALISTS Pruning, Cabling, Planting, Arborist Reports, Removals, Stumps, Milling Free Quotes! 416.546.4889 info@evergreentreecare.ca evergreentreecare.ca (r)
The Beach BIA’s outdoor summer movie series starts July 3
movie
OUTDOOR SUMMER
nights presented by The Beach BIA will return to Kew Gardens park starting on Wednesday, July 3.
During the summer, movies will be shown on Wednesday nights at the park, 2075 Queen St. E., just west of Lee Avenue.
The family-themed movies will begin at sunset and end by 11 p.m.
To start off this summer’s run of
movie nights on July 3, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off will be shown. The movie schedule for the outdoor films at Kew Gardens this summer is as follows:
• Wednesday, July 3 – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
• Wednesday, July 10 – The Goonies
• Wednesday, July 17 – Free Willy.
• Wednesday, July 24 – Barbie.
• Wednesday, July 31 – Top Gun Maverick.
• Wednesday, Aug. 7 – Cheaper by the Dozen.
• Wednesday, Aug. 14 – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
• Wednesday, Aug. 21 – Bob Marley: One Love.
• Wednesday, Aug. 28 – Lego Movie.
Those attending the movie nights at the park should bring their own lawnchairs or blankets for sitting on.
There will also be music, lawn games and snacks available at the outdoor movie nights in Kew Gardens. Residents are also encouraged to visit one of the great restaurants along Queen Street East in the Beach for a meal before
coming over the park to watch the movie.
Official sponsor for this year’s summer movies is The Richards Group.
For more information on the summer movie nights and other local activities that are being planned, please visit The Beach BIA on Facebook at www.facebook. com/makewaves.TO
Nominations are now being sought for the 2024 Beach Citizen of the Year Award
NOMINATIONS ARE now being accepted for the 2024 Beach Citizen of the Year Award.
Anyone who has worked hard to improve life in the Beach neighbourhood, has impacted the com-
PROWAY
munity and the people in it, has made a tangible difference in the community over a long period, and has inspired others to do the same can be nominated for Beach Citizen of the Year. This award is only
$300 Per Painter Per Day + Paint. 35 Years Experience Price subject to change in July. Call Blake: 437 755-7286 TorontoBeachPainting@gmail.com (9)
Plumbers
BEACH PLUMBING
Small Repairs to complete houses Renovations 416 691-3555 50 years in the Beach (r) NEIGHBOURHOOD
PLUMBING
Beach resident for 50 years. Discount for seniors and single parent. Lic. Master Plumber • Free estimates Patrick 647-404-7139 patrickj480@gmail.com (9.)
TOM DAY
Plumbing & Drains
All types of plumbing work. Smallest leak - complete bath reno. Internal & external drain excavating. Call the professionals 416-480-0622 24 hr. - lic# P1624 (9r)
CONTRACTOR
Fully licensed & insured. Lic #T94
George: 416-278-7057 or Gabston Reno: 647-342-2872 (11r)
& DRAINS •Heating & Mechanical •Sprinklers •Complete Renovations •Boilers Repairs •Radiators •Improve water service 24 Hr Service LICENSED 416-265-4558 Cell 416-727-1595 (9$)
ELECTRICIAN Fault Finding EV Charger Wiring & Install Service Upgrades Potlights & Lighting GREEN ISLE ELECTRIC DECLAN O’MEARA
available to people who have volunteered their time to the community without pay. The award has been handed out to outstanding community members since 2001.
Deadline for nominations is Aug.
MBX ELECTRIC
23, at 5 p.m. with the final selection being made on Sept. 3, and the ceremony taking place on Oct. 5.
Nomination forms for the 2024 Beach Citizen of the Year are available at www.centre55.com/commu-
ROOFING
All types of Roofing Eavestrough & Siding Over 40 years in the east end. Martin 416 579-6534 (9r)
ROOFING, REPAIRS DUN-RITE
Shingles, Flats, Eavestroughs Fascia & Soffit Chimney tuck pointing 15% off for Seniors • All work guaranteed 647-857-5656 (9r)
416-690-1430 647-898-1440
Serving the Beaches since 1974 Family owned & operated (9$) J. BROW ROOFING
Shingles • Flats • Cedar Free Estimates Residential & Commercial Cell: 416-788-9020 Lic# B16393 (9$) CANADIAN CONTRACTORS
Shingles • Flats Roof Repairs • Metal Work Eavestroughing & Siding Waterproofing
Trades
HANDYMAN
S.A.C. Masonry
nity_programs/beach-citizen-ofthe-year.
Nominations should be sent to Beach Citizen of the Year, Community Centre 55, 97 Main St., Toronto, ON, M4E 2V6.
Very clean. No job too small. Call C.J. 647 222 5338 (9$)
BEACHES HANDY WORKS
Dedicated precise worker. All your build and repairs. Indoor or outdoor: dry-wall, flooring, built-in, landscaping, interlocking, sheds, fences, decks, etc. at a reasonable price! Call Hamid at 647-300-2462 (11r)
JDB MASONRY
• Brick / Foundation • Concrete / Stone • Chimney & Parging Restoration & Build www.jdbuild.ca 416-738-2119 (9r)
BRICK SPECIALIST
Masonry & brickwork. Experts at matching existing brick. New builds, tuckpointing, colour matching, parging. Stone & Block. Call Scott @ Scotstone 416.858.2452 scotstonecontracting@gmail.com (9....) Can
