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inside David Nickle is on the City Hall beat /4

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Check out all the events in our calendar / 5 photos The Beach Cares raises funds for Syrian refugees / 11

Staff photo/BENJAMIN PRIEBE

The iconic Leslieville mural at the intersection of Queen Street East and Jones Avenue.

Leslieville mural to be replaced Three final designs unveiled. See them on page 3 JOANNA LAVOIE jlavoie@insidetoronto.com

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One of the east-end’s most photographed spots – the iconic Leslieville mural at the northeast corner of Queen Street East and Jones Avenue – will soon be getting a new look. The wall of the building on which the often-defaced mural is painted is deteriorating and needs to be repaired sooner than later. Attempts to identify its original artist have been unsuccessful. According to copyright law, the creator of the mural, which

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Colton Dunn, 3, roasts a marshmallow during the Friends of Greenwood Park Lantern Skate on Saturday.

is dedicated to the first principal of Leslieville Public School and the author of the song the Maple Leaf Forever, Alexander Muir, is the only person who could authentically restore or alter it. “You can’t just have another artist paint somebody’s work,” Ward 30 Councillor Paula Fletcher said during a recent interview. “We have looked for this person and we continue looking for this person.” In July, local artist Jim Thierry Bravo approached the building’s >>>iconic, page 3

Residents have until Sunday to provide input online: http://fluidsurveys.com/surveys/councillor-fletcher/ leslieville-mural-feedback

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BEACH MIRROR | Thursday, January 21, 2016 |

arts

Toronto’s poet laureate spreads the word to all of Canada George Elliott Clarke chosen as nation’s new Parliamentary Poet Laureate JOANNA LAVOIE jlavoie@insidetoronto.com Upper Beach resident George Elliott Clarke, who recently wrapped up a three-year term as Toronto’s fourth poet laureate, is Canada’s new Parliamentary Poet Laureate. Speaker of the Senate George J. Furey and House of Commons Speaker Geoff Regan jointly announced Clarke’s two-year appointment in a Jan. 5 release. Clarke, who was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia in 1960 and is a seventhgeneration Canadian of African-American and

Mi’kmaq Amerindian heritage, is the seventh poet to hold this office. He succeeds Quebecois poet Michel Pleau. “I look forward to trying to render the Canadian experience in words and to encourage Canadians to write and read poetry,” Clarke wrote in an email to The Mirror. “In a democracy, nothing is more important than citizen awareness of – and attentiveness to – language.” Enthusiastically passionate about the written word, Clarke went on to say it’s his “job to encourage us all to be awake to the beauty of our own speech and communication – to the possibility of poetry in even everyday conversation.” In the Jan. 5 release, Clarke said his appointment is a “personal holiday gift,” one that is a “transcendent, national recognition of the vitality of our official languages and doubly power

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George Elliot Clarke is Canada’s new Parliamentary Poet Laureate. The Toronto resident lives near Gerrard Street and Victoria Park Avenue.

poetries, informed by two great literary traditions.” “I’m humbled and honoured, inspired and eager, to follow previous Parliamentary Poets Laureate in valuing in verse our super-natural nation’s exemplary experiments in democratized humanism,”

he said. Furey called Clarke a “true ambassador” of the work of Canadian poets. “His contribution to Canada’s cultural fabric is exceptional,” Regan added. “His talent as (a) poet, playwright and literary critic is undeniable. He is an immensely versatile and engaging writer and will bring great honour to the position.” The Parliamentary Poet Program was established in 2001 to draw Canadians’ attention to the reading and writing of poetry. The Parliamentary Poets duties include composing poetry particularly for use in Parliament on occasions of state, sponsoring poetry readings, advising the Parliamentary librarian on the library’s cultural collection, and performing related duties at the request of the Speaker of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of commons, or the Parliamentary Librarian.

Clarke was selected for this latest role by a committee chaired by Parliamentary librarian Sonia L’Heureux and composed of Guy Berthiaume, librarian and archivist of Canada; Graham Fraser, commissioner of official languages; and Pierre Lassonde, chair of the Canada Council for the Arts. A long-time Toronto resident who resides near Gerrard Street East and Victoria Park Avenue, Clarke is a highly decorated Canadian who holds eight honourary doctorates as well as three university degrees. He’s an associate professor of Canadian and diasporic literature at the University of Toronto (specifically the E.J. Pratt Professor of Canadian Literature) as well as a poet, dramatist, literary critic, and novelist. Clarke, who was appointed to the Order of Nova Scotia and is an officer

of the Order of Canada, is known for exploring topics of cultural diversity and inclusivity in his works. He has been instrumental in promoting the work of writers of African descent through his 2002 book Odysseys Home: Mapping African-Canadian Literature as well as his second volume, Directions Home: Approaches to AfricanCanadian Literature. He has been awarded the Governor General’s Literary Award for Poetry, the National Magazine Awards’ Gold Medal for Poetry, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation’s Trudeau Fellowship Prize, and the Dartmouth Book Award for Fiction in 2006 and the Eric Hoffer Book Award for Poetry.

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Residents react to news of homeless men’s shelter moving to Leslieville

Dan Bergeron’s design, titled L-E-S-L-I-E-V-I-L-L-E, features repetitive deconstruction of the letters that make up the neighbourhood’s name. This repetition represents the range of visions of and for the neighbourhood from the eyes, hearts and minds of those who visit and live in Leslieville, while the deconstruction of the letters represent the current state of change throughout the area.

JOANNA LAVOIE jlavoie@insidetoronto.com

Elicser Elliott’s concept explores Leslieville’s direct connection with its maple trees. He envisions a mural that celebrates the greatness of what’s to come and what came before through an uplifting character and bright colours with a modern take on a traditional landscape.

Mediah is proposing a vibrant, fun, and dynamic mural that has two colour schemes inspired by the Canadian maple tree and fall colours. His design also features a maple leaf design that pays homage to the community’s beloved Maple Leaf Forever tree, which was felled during a summer 2013 storm, as well as a cyclist representing the Queen Street East’s connection to the downtown core.

Iconic mural to be reinvented >>>from page 1 owner, Andrew Elia, with a proposal for a new mural for the wall. Bravo’s concept, which featured an impressionist depiction of Ashbridges Bay, took the community by surprise and was promptly rejected. “Long story short, that one didn’t go over too well. It was a big thumbs down,” Fletcher said. Neighbours felt a strong consultative process was the way to go for the prominent wall. “This is a big process because it has to be done right,” Fletcher said. Elia, whose family has owned the property at 1160 Queen St. E. for several decades, is open to working with the community to find the best design for a new mural. “The Leslieville mural has sort of come to identify Leslieville,” he said. “The problem is now that the

mural has sort of lived its life expectancy.” Vo l u n t e e r s f r o m t h e Leslieville Historical Society, members of the Leslieville Business Improvement Area, residents, and Elia, in partnership with the Ralph Thornton Community Centre and Councillor Fletcher’s office, formed a committee to discuss the future of the landmark site. What they’ve come up with is a plan to fix the wall and, with a grant from the city, commission a new mural that will embody the vibrancy of the Leslieville community and become a signature image for the neighbourhood. Their first step was to compose a design brief for a request for proposals for a new mural. This document was submitted to the City of Toronto’s Public Realm Office, which provided them with a list of a dozen mural

artists through its StreetART program. On Monday, residents and business owners were invited to the nearby Project Gallery to check out and have their say on three final design proposals. Mural artists Dan Bergeron, Elicser Elliott, and Mediah (a.k.a. Evond Blake) were on hand to discuss their concepts. “The whole idea is to get people’s feedback,” said Brad Daniels, a property owner who is on the mural committee. “We’ll then take that feedback and incorporate it. I think this is the best possible process.” The committee will take the community’s feedback into account when it selects the winning design this spring. The goal is to complete the mural by the late summer or early fall. – with files from TorStar News Service

A lack of information about a proposed 80-bed shelter for homeless men on Leslie Street is making Leslieville resident Erin McKell’s imagination run wild. McKell, who has lived in a townhouse just down the lane from the proposed facility at 29 Leslie St. for three years, admits she’s concerned about the proposed Salvation Army shelter and the impacts it could have on her neighbourhood. Like several of her neighbours, the mother of a one-and-a-half-year-old son said she feels the facility is being “pushed through” without any meaningful consultation with the community. “I feel they should have spoken to (the neighbours) before they went to the public and told us they were building a shelter. Our lives are definitely going to be affected,” she said late last week. “They’re asking us to live in close proximity with these new neighbours, but they’re not starting off on a good foot. We feel the public consultation is too little, too late.” Specifically, McKell said she’s concerned about the lack of outdoor space at the shelter, and if it will lead to an increase in illegal activity at Maple Leaf Forever Park, a small, secluded green space not visible from Queen or Leslie streets. “It’s already a place where people come to drink and do drugs occasionally,” she said, adding she also wonders if petty crime might also go up in the area. “I’m also concerned about the safety of the kids playing in the alleyway.” Erica Goucher, who has lived in a townhouse complex across the street from the pro-

posed shelter for 13 years, feels the facility is a “terrible idea” for the neighbourhood. “I’m meeting with a real estate agent (tomorrow), that’s how badly I don’t want it,” she said during a recent interview. Goucher said she only found out about the proposal just over a week ago after receiving a letter about a Jan. 16 open house.

“

I get living in a mixed neighbourhood, but this is a whole new level – Erica Groucher

One of her main issues is how the shelter will impact children who play in the area as well as those who attend the three nearby primary schools. “My kids play outside in the courtyard every single day. I know there are a lot of other mothers in the neighbourhood who have concerns,” she said, pointing to some parents who have been recently distributing flyers outside local schools about the shelter. Goucher, who often gets home from work late at night, also pointed to five housing complexes within a two-block radius as well as the facility’s proximity to the Beer Store and Loblaws, which recently started selling beer. And like McKell, Goucher said she wonders if the men will hang out in Maple Leaf Forever Park. “Where will they go?” asked Goucher, who plans to speak at the Community Development and Recreation Committee meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 27. She said people expressing concerns does not mean they’re so-called NIMBYs. “I get living in a mixed

The Salvation Army has been searching for close to two years for a new location to replace its 124-bed Hope Shelter on College Street at McCaul Street, which it was forced to close last April after the property’s owner sold the building. At 29 Leslie St., the Salvation Army said it intends to offer most, if not all, of the same services to men it offered at its College

neighbourhood, but this is a whole new level,” Goucher said. “There’s some real concerns here for us.” Const. Jon Morrice, 55 Division’s crime prevention and social media officer, shared a few of his thoughts on the men’s shelter coming to Leslieville in a recent Facebook post. “I know there has been much debate, both for and against and everywhere in between in response to the shelter,” wrote Morrice, who attended the Jan. 16 open house. He said the facility wouldn’t be bringing anything to the area that local police or the Toronto Police Service hasn’t seen before. Further, Morrice said 55 Division has a unit that is mandated to liaise with shelters as well as a unit in which an officer is teamed up with a psychiatric nurse to deal with people with mental health issues. He noted the local division has a unit that follows up with homeless people, their families, hospital staff, and social workers. Ward 32 Beaches-East York Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon said she’s received a lot of support for the shelter, but admits people are worried about it. “Change is always a big thing,” she said, adding the city is interested in hearing from the public about how to make the transition to a shelter in the neighbourhood a positive one. Andrew Burditt of the Salvation Army said his organization realizes people “have a lot of opinions” on the proposed shelter, but vowed the Salvation Army is committed to communicating with neighbours and to having a transparent partnership.

Street location for 40 years, including three meals a day, counselling, housing placement and follow-up, and referrals to other services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. City council must still approve a shelter for this site. The vote on the facility is set for council’s Feb. 3 and 4 meeting. The plan would be to start renovations in April with the goal of opening by the fall.

| BEACH MIRROR | Thursday, January 21, 2016

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BEACH MIRROR | Thursday, January 21, 2016 |

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oronto residents can have their say on making our city a better place by taking part in a series of public consultations over the next week. Social Planning Toronto will be hosting four community meetings to talk about its future direction and what its priorities should be over the next five years. The first meeting is tonight in Etobicoke, followed by others downtown, in York, and in Scarborough. In its mission statement, Social Planning Toronto says it is committed to “building a civic society in which diversity, equity, social and economic justice, interdependence, and active civic participation are central to all aspects of life.” our view Now there’s something all Torontonians can get behind. Get involved: After all, this is the city we have chosen to call home, raise make your city our families, and live our lives in. a better place What could be more important than contributing to a healthy future for Toronto? One of the areas on which Social Planning Toronto would most like to hear from residents is dealing with change. That seems to be a constant in everyone’s lives these days, and it’s no different for the city as a whole. What do we need to do and know about our city’s changing demographics, be they cultural or financial; proposed residential and business developments and the impacts they will have on existing neighbourhoods; differing health-care needs and the challenges in serving an aging population; the need for green spaces and recreational opportunities; and, of course, our clogged roads and numerous transit plans? These all affect life in the city, and our voices need to be heard on these issues. Taking the opportunity to be an engaged citizen, rather than just a complaining resident, is crucial to our city’s future. We encourage residents to attend one of the Social Planning Toronto meetings over the next week. They are tonight, Jan. 21, at Thistletown Multi-Service Centre, 925 Albion Rd., staring at 5:30 p.m.; Jan. 25 at 5:30 p.m. at College Street United Church, 454 College St.; Jan. 26 at 10 a.m. at the Social Planning Toronto office, 1652 Keele St.; and Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. at Scarborough Village Community Centre, 3600 Kingston Rd. To learn more or to find out how to register for the meetings, visit www.socialplanningtoronto.org

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Budget balancing a haphazard process If all goes through as planned, it looks as though Mayor John Tory will have passed two out of two unsustainable annual city budgets by February. In 2015, you may recall, Toronto’s budget committee found itself in a panic over the end to pooling grants from the province, that had helped Toronto deal with the cost of social housing that is much higher here than in other GTA municipalities. City officials thrashed about trying to find a way to fill the $86-million hole and eventually approved a complex plan to loan itself money from its capital reserves, a move that might, absent another robust year of land transfer tax-collection, have squeezed the city for years to come. As it was, surpluses and reserves helped minimize the debt that Toronto will eventually have to repay to itself. That was a lucky break. And maybe there will

david nickle the city be another lucky break, after Toronto Council gets through with this year’s budget. This time, there’s no unexpected trouble that’s shown up to mess up a perfectly balanced budget. Rather, the city administration has made it clear Tory and Toronto Council have created pressures that a simple balance-sheet budgeting exercise can’t resolve. To whit: an inflationary property tax increase as Tory has insisted on can’t deal with either the growing cost of simply standing still, or the many enhancements and improvements that council and the mayor approved and announced this year. Politicians, the city manager said, would have to come up with solutions. So on Monday, budget chief Gary Crawford brought forward a solution.

It involves an old-fashioned raid on reserves, recalibrating various revenue projections to more optimistic numbers, and demands on big-ticket agencies like the Toronto Transit Commission and the Toronto Police Service to simply do more with less. It is not exactly what happened in 2015, but it is in the spirit of it. Toronto will dig into its rainy-day reserves and ask for an arbitrarily large amount of economizing from its management staff, and keep the city lurching along for another year. It’s easy to shrug when you look at this, because so many Toronto budgets have been balanced in exactly this haphazard way – hoping a booming economy will keep the land transfer tax revenue high, dipping into savings, stretching staffing resources – and things always seem to have turned out OK. Roads are more or less fixed, programs in one form

or another are delivered, and life in Toronto’s many neighbourhoods goes on. So why not simply continue along this route? When erosion is this slow in its effect, is it erosion at all? The short answer is yes. The long answer is that with the declining dollar and sluggish economy, at some point the land transfer tax is going to plateau and decline along with real estate sales. If Toronto isn’t prepared for that with a reasonable attitude toward taxes and revenues, that erosion will quickly turn into a collapse. That may happen by Tory’s third budget given the indicators. And that will mean this one will be the last time councillors can avoid making the difficult choices they should have made long ago. When that time comes, they’d better have a plan B.

David Nickle is Metroland Media Toronto’s city hall reporter. His column runs every Thursday. Reach him on Twitter: @DavidNickle

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Jones Book Club WHEN: 6:30 to 8 p.m. WHERE: Jones Library, 118 Jones Ave. COST: Free Read ‘The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules’ by Catharina IngelmanSundberg and join in the discussion.

w Friday, Jan. 22

Scaredy Squirrel Scavenger Hunt and Game Days WHEN: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. WHERE: Jones Library, 118 Jones Ave. CONTACT: Cathy, 416-393-7715, cmoran@torontopubliclibrary.ca COST: Free Celebrate Family Literacy Day by taking part in our Scaredy Squirrel Scavenger hunt around the library and then stay for family board games. Also happening Saturday, Jan. 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drop in any time.

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Movie Afternoon at the Library: ‘Inside Out’ WHEN: 2 to 4 p.m. WHERE: Jones Library, 118 Jones Ave. CONTACT: Cathy, 416-393-7715, cmoran@torontopubliclibrary.ca COST: Free Spend the PA day at the library and join us for a showing of Pixar’s ‘Inside Out.’ Bring your own popcorn.

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Family Literacy Game Day WHEN: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. WHERE: Jones Library, 118 Jones Ave. CONTACT: 416-393-7715 COST: Free Celebrate Family Literacy Month by playing board games and taking part in our Scaredy Squirrel Scavenger Hunt. Also takes place Saturday, Jan. 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Winter Carnival WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. WHERE: Kimberley Public School, 50 Swanwick Ave. CONTACT: Evonne Hossack, 416-691-1113 COST: Free Hosted by Community Centre 55. Outside there will be snow shoe races and an ice hut. In the lobby: bake sale, cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones, hot chocolate bar.

get listed!

w Wednesday, Feb. 10

Foundation Skills of Photography WHEN: 6:30 to 8 p.m. WHERE: Beaches Library, 2161 Queen St. E. CONTACT: 416-393-7703, www. torontopubliclibrary.ca COST: Free Through PowerPoint presentations and discussions, Toronto-based photographer Michael G. O’Brien will

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Ravine Talk WHEN: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. WHERE: Community Centre 55, 97 Main St. CONTACT: 416691-7150, friendsofglenstewartravine@gmail.com COST: Free Friends of Glen Stewart Ravine present Jason Ramsay-Brown, author of ‘Toronto’s Ravines and Urban Forests,’ who will share his passion for and knowledge of ravines, natural and local history, current threats to ravines, and ways we can protect them. All welcome. Author Visit: George Elliott Clarke WHEN: 7 to 8 p.m. WHERE: Beaches Library, 2161 Queen St. E. CONTACT: 416-393-7703 COST: Free The eh List Author Series presents Governor-General’s Award-winning author George Elliott Clarke and his latest novel, ‘Motorcyclist’. A book signing will follow.

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| BEACH MIRROR | Thursday, January 21, 2016

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Malvern hosts Internet dangers seminar Malvern Collegiate Home and School Council is hosting a community engagement seminar titled Dangers of the Internet and Internet Safety on Thursday, Jan. 28. The free event will feature guest speakers Const. Laurie McCann and Const. Curtis Hibbert from the Toronto Police Service. McCann will also

be speaking Thursday about social media monitoring tools for parents during the workshop. The forum will run from 7 to 8 p.m. at Malvern Collegiate Institute, 55 Malvern Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Attendees are asked to make a $5 donation,

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BEACH MIRROR | Thursday, January 21, 2016 |

and proceeds from the seminar will benefit The Gatehouse, an Etobicokebased organization that supports and advocates for survivors and families of childhood sexual abuse. Registration is required. Email Vicky Tsorlinis at vickytsorlinis@rogers.com to save your seat or for more information. The registration deadline is Monday, Jan. 25.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH Programs & Events At Toronto Public Library illustration: iveyhayesartwork.com

ADULTS & TEENS The eh List: George Elliott Clarke

Thursday, February 11, 7 pm Beaches Branch, 2161 Queen St. East

Dalton Higgins: Rap N’ Roll

Wednesday, February 17, 2 pm Taylor Memorial Branch, 1440 Kingston Rd.

Is rap music the new rock n’ roll? Author Dalton Higgins looks at the politics, messages and global reach of hip hop and rap in today’s pop culture. Thursday, February 11, 7 pm Gerrard/Ashdale Branch, 1432 Gerrard St. East Friday, February 19, 1:15 pm Jones Branch, 118 Jones Ave.

Developer wonders why more condos not planned for Danforth DAVID NICKLE dnickle@insidetoronto.com The Beer Store at Danforth and Greenwood could be replaced by a low-rise condominium tower. But east-end tipplers worried they’ll lose a place to buy beer and return empty wine bottles if and when the eight-storey condominium development goes up on the south-west corner of Danforth and Greenwood Avenues, may not actuall lose their Beer Store outlet despite the condo project. “We’ve actually invited the Beer Store to come back into the building after the building is built, so most of the residents can have their cake and eat it

National Film Board Mini Film Fest: Triage: Dr. James Orbinski’s Humanitarian Dilemma Acclaimed doctor James Orbinski, former head of Doctors Without Borders, returns to Africa to confront the harsh reality of conditions there and explores what it means to be a humanitarian.

Governor General’s Award winner George Elliott Clarke on his latest novel, The Motorcyclist. Book signing to follow.

Condo proposed for Beer Store site at Danforth and Greenwood

KIDS & FAMILIES Following the Freedom Route Reflecting upon the history, struggle and enduring spirit of those of African heritage, Down to Earth Conservation takes us on a journey from Africa to the New World. Ages 6 and up. Friday, February 26, 1:30 pm Taylor Memorial Branch, 1440 Kingston Rd.

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to,” said Morris Kansun, head of the Sierra Building Group. Kansun was at Toronto City Hall on Jan. 14, after having submitted an application to redevelop the site as an eight-storey condominium with a rooftop garden. The proposal envisions a 112-unit development with retail at street level and units ranging in size from 500 square foot bachelor apartments to 1,500 square foot family-sized units with two bedrooms and a den. Ward 30 TorontoDanforth Councillor Paula Fletcher said the scale of the building seems to make sense. “They’ve not come

in with a 15 or 16 storey building, so I respect them for trying to work within the guidelines,” she said. “It’s a signature corner, not as busy a corner as other ones.” Kansun said he believes the Danforth is ripe for condominium development. “You know, I find the Danforth an enigmatic sort of street,” he said. “I’m amazed that we are the first condo on the Danforth. Here we are at one of the major arteries in Toronto and we don’t have a condominium. I don’t know why, I don’t get it, but I’m going to be the one.” Kansun said he hoped to have approvals finished within the next few months and a sales office open by summer. He wouldn’t speculate on the price of the units

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WoodGreen helps Syrian refugees through new H.O.M.E. web portal JOANNA LAVOIE jlavoie@insidetoronto.com Syrian refugees seeking housing and resources need go no further than a computer to get the help they need to settle in Toronto. The H.O.M.E. (Housing Opportunities and Marketplace Exchange) online portal, which is based on an application built by Vlocity and allows donors – both businesses and individuals – to post available housing, goods and services to help Syrian refugees arriving in Toronto, was launched Saturday at WoodGreen Community Service’s 1491 Danforth Ave. location. The east-end social service agency, along with the donated services of Deloitte and the Konrad Group, is behind the project, which is part of the City of Toronto’s Refugee Resettlement Program. Refugees, sponsors, landlords and other donors can

access the H.O.M.E. website by visiting www.woodgreen.org “WoodGreen is thrilled to announce the launch of our new H.O.M.E. portal,” said Anne Babcock, WoodGreen’s president and CEO, in a release. “We know that housing is a major need for the refugees arriving in Toronto, and we wanted to create a central place where people could post offers of available housing and other goods and services.” Mayor John Tory said the portal is a way to “help new Torontonians feel welcome and settle quickly into their new home.” Ian Tait, a partner at Deloitte, said his team, along with his partners at the Konrad Group and Vlocity, is thrilled to have helped develop the H.O.M.E. portal and provide support for new members of the Toronto community. “The H.O.M.E. portal is an incredible example of a private-public sector partnership resulting in a fantastic tool

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that will ease the settlement process for refugees who have already faced great hardships,” Tait said in the release. Through funding from the city, WoodGreen has also been able to launch an in-person housing help service at its 815 Danforth Ave. location. This resource provides ongoing support to Syrian refugees and their sponsors when it comes to finding housing as well as referrals to other service providers and linking Syrian refugees to resources like language training, employment, education, and health care. In October, the city of To r o n t o i m p l e m e n t e d its Refugee Resettlement Program, which has included the launch of toronto.ca/refugees Since then, the city has hosted information fairs to connect sponsors, refugees and potential sponsors with agencies that provide settlement services.

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| BEACH MIRROR | Thursday, January 21, 2016

community

BEACH in brief

BEACH MIRROR | Thursday, January 21, 2016 |

wood needed for Kew Gardens fire pit whelpers,

of Monarch Park group CHOIR! hosts skating party kicks off season wFriends wChoral

The Friends of the Beach Parks stewardship group is looking for volunteers to help man the community firepit in Kew Gardens Park. The group is also in need of wood donations. Anyone interested in helping out should email friendsofthebeachparks@gmail.com or visit the group’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/ FriendsOfTheBeachParks/?fref=ts

You are invited to make your way to Monarch Park Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. for a community skating party. The event, hosted by the Friends of Monarch Park stewardship group, is a chance to meet your neighbours, enjoy hot chocolate and take part in activities for the whole family. Monarch Park is south of Danforth Avenue and west of Coxwell Avenue. Visit www.facebook.com/ events/1632675027008691

Beck School holds Family Skate wAdam

Adam Beck Junior Public School’s third annual Family Skate is set for Friday. The free event, sponsored by the Upper Beach school’s Spirit Committee, will be held at Ted Reeve Community Arena, 175 Main St., at Gerrard Street East, from 6 to 9 p.m. All children must wear a helmet. Call 416-694-6893 for more information.

about affordable housing, homelessness wLearn Beach United Church is holding its first Lunch and Learn session about affordable

Staff photo/DAN PEARCE

Volunteers are being sought to help out with the community fire pit in Kew Gardens Park.

housing and homelessness on Sunday. The presentation will take place at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., just north of Queen Street East, following the 10:30 a.m. service. The event’s guest speaker will be Michael Shapcott, who is pursuing ordination for the diaconal ministry at the Church of the Holy Trinity Trinity Square. Shapcott, who serves as the director of affordable housing and social innovation at The

Wellesley Institute, is a public researcher whose work has focused on housing, homelessness and the relationship between health, poverty and housing. A founding member of the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee and the Canadian Alliance to end Homelessness, he will also be speaking during the Jan. 24 service, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 416-691-8082 or visit www. beachunitedchurch.com

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Forward Baptist Church in Beach Hill is hosting a PA day camp on Friday, Jan. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This day camp is the second of four the Beach Hill area church is holding during the 2015/2016 school year. Sessions will also be held Feb. 12 and June 10, Cost is $10 per day per child. Lunch is not included. Forward Baptist Church is located at 1891 Gerrard St. E., just west of Woodbine Avenue. Visit forwardbaptist.com or call 416-699-7156 to sign up.

CHOIR!, a new communitybased choral group, is kicking off its season. Anyone interested in taking part is invited to the first practice of 2016 on Thursday, Jan. 28, from 8 to 9:45 p.m. at Forward Baptist Church, 1891 Gerrard St. E., just west of Woodbine Avenue. No audition, experience or training is required to join. CHOIR! is open to singers 16 years and older. The choir’s next concert is set for Friday, April 8 also at Forward Baptist Church. Email ourcommunitychoir@ gmail.com or call 647-382-3997 for more information. society hosts author Jean Cochrane wHistorical The Beach and East Toronto Historical Society will be meeting this evening at 7 p.m. at Beaches Library, 2161 Queen St. E. at Lee Avenue. Award-winning author and historian Jean Cochrane will be giving a presentation on Dentonia Farm, the Masseys and City Diary. Call 416-393-7703 for information.

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10 BEACH MIRROR | Thursday, January 21, 2016 |

police

Man arrested in connection with Leslieville house break-ins Toronto police have arrested and charged a 50-year-old Toronto man after two Leslieville-area homes were broken into last week while the residents were home. Investigators report a burglar entered a house on Dundas Street East, near Jones Avenue, on Tuesday, Jan. 12 and removed a wallet and credit cards. The owners were home at the time of the break-in and called police immediately after noticing their house

had been broken into. The residents also contacted their credit card provider, which advised them their credit cards has been recently used at nearby businesses. Police obtained video from those establishments, viewed it, recognized the suspect and arrested him shortly thereafter. He has been charged with two counts of break and enter, three counts of possession of property obtained by crime,

three counts of fail to comply with probation, three counts of fraud under $5,000, and one count of attempted fraud. The accused had a Jan. 14 court appearance. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Joanna Lavoie

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Tips can also be left on facebook at www.facebook.com/ TorontoPolice

Police warn of overnight business break-ins Officers from 55 Division are alerting the public to several recent overnight commercial break-ins in the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s east end. In a number of cases, thieves gained access to local stores and restaurants by throwing rocks through windows between the hours of mid-

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night and 6 a.m. The suspects usually remove what they can carry in their hands, including alcohol and cigarettes. Business owners are reminded to lock up valuables and keep them out of sight as well as ensure their alarm and video surveil-

lance systems are working properly. Neighbours are also asked to do their part by contacting police if they spot anyone suspicious in and around commercial places. Anyone with information should contact police at 416808-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

the beach cares: zumba 4 refugees

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residents 18 years of age or older. The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. One (1) prize will be awarded. The contest closes Thursday, Jan. 21 at 11:59 p.m. To enter and for complete contest rules, visit insidetoronto.com/contests

Real Estate At left, Rebecca Sawyer leads the Zumba 4 Refugees event Saturday at Beaches Recreation Centre. Above, Paul Friberg gets moving to the beat. At right, Judy Whelpton catches her breath on a break in the action. The event raised $700 for The Beach Cares Syrian refugee sponsorship program. Staff photos

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13 | BEACH MIRROR | Thursday, January 21, 2016

transit

Hospital parking prices to drop The cost for visitor parking at hospitals during extended stays will decrease in 2016, the Ontario government pledged this week. The move, announced by Ontario Minister of Health Eric Hoskins, will require hospitals which charge more than $10 a day for parking to offer passes 50 per cent less than the regular rate for stays of five, 10 and 30 days. The passes can be transferred between patients and caregivers, allow for unlimited in-and-out privileges and remain valid for one year. In addition, parking rates will freeze for three years, and after that can only increase at the rate of inflation. The changes are scheduled to go into effect in October. don’t forget to stop at hakimi lebovic An Eglinton Crosstown LRT Scarborough stop will receive a new name as part of a decision reached by Metrolinx’s board of directors. The stop on Eglinton Avenue East was initially

rahul gupta TO in TRANSIT slated to be known as Lebovic due to its proximity to the street of the same name. But after a TTC request, staff recommended changing the stop name to Hakimi. Then on Jan. 14 during a meeting arranged through conference call, the Metrolinx board opted to accept both names, and now the streetlevel stop will be known as Hakimi Lebovic. For the full list of names, visit www.thecrosstown.ca bus routes to launch in march wexpress

More details are known about new express bus routes the TTC will launch in March. Five routes will begin operation the week of March 27: w 24E Victoria Park between Victoria Park station and Steeles Avenue East. w 185 Don Mills between Pape station and Steeles East.

w 186 Wilson replacing the existing 96E route and running from York Mills station to Humber College’s main campus. w 188 Kipling South from Kipling station to Humber C o l l e g e ’s L a k e s h o r e campus. w New branches of the 199 Finch Rocket which will offer extended service between Scarborough Town Centre and York University, as well as from Finch station to Morningside Heights. a trucking career at humber wconsider

Humber College is hosting its annual Trucking Career Day recruitment fair Saturday, Jan. 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Humber Centre for Trades and Technology, Its is geared to anyone mulling a career change or a new employer. Visit www. humber.ca/trucking Rahul Gupta is Metroland Media Toronto’s transit reporter. His column appears every Thursday. Reach him on Twitter: @TOinTRANSIT

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