Beach Metro Community News November 29, 2022

Share A Christmas set to help local families

COMMUNITY CENTRE 55’s annual Share A Christmas Program is now underway and is seeking community donations to help hundreds of local families in need during the holiday season.

The Share A Christmas Program is in its 41st year, and community support is what makes it a success.

Since the pandemic, Community Centre 55 has started distributing grocery gift cards to families in need as opposed to hampers full of food. That will continue in 2022, and mon etary donations are most needed to help cover the costs of the gift cards.

Financial donations can be made in person at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St., or online at www.cen tre55.com. Also, donations of new unwrapped toys will be welcomed at Community Centre 55. The toys will be distributed to families in need prior to Christmas Day.

Volunteers will be needed to help sort and pack toy donations on Dec. 15 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Those wanting to help are asked to show up, but children under the age of 15 should not come to this event. Also, volunteers of all ages will be needed on Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help deliver wrapped toys.

There are also specific Adopt A Family and Adopt A Senior aspects to the program in which businesses or individuals can help cover all of the holiday needs of the family or se nior they “adopt”.

For more info on volunteering for or making a donation to Share A Christmas, please contact Commu nity Centre 55 at www.centre55.com or call 416-691-1113.

Santa Claus arrives in the Beach

Residents, politicians take part in rally to protect the Greenbelt

By Alan Shackleton

A LARGE number of East Toron to residents turned out for a rally this weekend to tell Ontario Pre mier Doug Ford to keep his hands off the Greenbelt.

Hosted by Beaches-East York Liberal MPP Mary-Margaret Mc Mahon, the Greenbelt Rally took place on Saturday, Nov. 26, at East Lynn Park on Danforth Avenue.

Residents brought signs calling for the protection of the province’s Greenbelt, which is an environ

mentally protected zone around and in the Greater Toronto Area including wetlands and farm land that is now under threat of being developed due to proposed legisla tion changes in the Ontario gov ernment’s Bill 23.

“We’re not going down without a fight,” McMahon said to those attending the rally and calling for the continued protection of the Greenbelt. “The bulldozer will have to pull me out of that amaz ing space.”

McMahon said Greenbelt pro

tection put in place by the provin cial Liberal government, prior to Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives being elected with majority governments in both 2018 and 2022, were put in place for sound environmental reasons.

She said the carving up of por tions of land in the Greenbelt for development will destroy the envi ronments it was created to protect and have a profoundly negative impact on future generations.

“People are mad and they are not going to take this lying down,”

said McMahon in an interview with Beach Metro Community News af ter the rally.

The fact that the land in the Greenbelt that the province is plan ning to release to be built on are owned by a small number of wellconnected developers is of extreme concern, she said.

“It’s just so blatant,” she said.

McMahon said the need to pro tect the Greenbelt is something she hears from politicians represent ing all parties and levels of govern

Santa Claus arrived at Kew Gardens on Sat urday as part of The Beach BIA’s Christmas tree lighting celebration held at the park. Along with Santa, there were carollers on hand to en tertain those attending the celebration.

PHOTOS: DONNA BRAYBROOK

La Manna Fashion for Men on Queen Street East closing after 38 years of serving Beach residents

By Alan Shackleton

AFTER WHAT will be 38 years of business on Queen Street East in the Beach, La Manna Fashion for Men will be closing at the end of De cember.

For owners and brothers Mario and Angleo La Manna, it is time to enjoy retirement.

“It’s time,” said Mario, 70. “We can’t be working un til our teeth are falling out of our heads. I think we’ve earned our keep.”

Mario, who lives in the Beach, said he will be taking some time off come January and be in the neighbourhood “taking the dog for a walk.”

Angelo, 75, who lives in Scarborough, said he has lots of plans around the house once retirement offi cially begins.

“I’ve got a lot of projects on the go to complete, and others that I haven’t even started yet,” he said.

The brothers, who grew up in Leslieville, were al ways familiar with the Beach area and thought it would be an ideal location to open up their men’s wear store back in 1985. They already had a dozen years experience in the business, but were look ing to run their own shop.

“We always liked this loca tion,” said Mario of the store

which is on the south side of Queen Street East just west of Wineva Avenue.

“It’s a healthy community and fairly affluent. People were looking for a good men’s wear store in the area and we felt we could offer that,” he said.

Mario remembered that some people had told them the area had a reputation as a “hippie haven” at the time, but they found there to be many customers who were looking for high qual ity men’s clothing that they could buy in the neighbour hood.

And after almost four decades of serving local customers, both Mario and Angelo said opening in the Beach was a decision they have never regretted.

The store’s busiest times were in the 1980s and 1990s when the area was full of bars, restaurants and cus tomers both locally and from across the city who came to the Beach to shop and social ize.

“There were lots of bars and restaurants. It was a real destination point beyond just the water and the lake,” said Mario.

He said the store has served generations of Beach ers and other customers.

“The customers were even bringing their grandchildren in.”

While it is not the reason for the store’s closure, both Mario and Angelo said that fashion sense and obliga tion when it comes to men’s wear has changed drastical ly since they started in the business. Back then, most men working in offices had to wear suits, or at the very least dress pants, a dress shirt and a tie.

“People don’t buy suits anymore, they don’t dress up as much,” said Mario. “And COVID sealed the deal for that. People were going to work in their pyjamas and sweat pants, and now they don’t want to change or even go back to work in an office. Practically no one has to wear a suit to work.”

That said, the store has increased the amount of up scale casual wear it sells but there are suits and ties for sale for the occasions when one is needed.

Both Mario and Angelo wanted to thank their cus tomers in the Beach commu nity for their strong support over the past 38 years.

“We want to thank every one for their years of loyal patronage. We’ve made a lot of nice friends and we are sad to be leaving. But it is time to move on to the next chapter,” said Mario.

But before that next chap ter begins, the store is hav ing a massive closing sale of its remaining inventory.

“Our final day for the sale and last day of business will be Dec. 31,” said Mario.

“But we want our custom ers to get themselves down here before then to get some great deals and help us close out.”

La Manna Fashion for Men is located at 2223 Queen St. E. The store can be contact ed by email at lamannafash ionformen@hotmail.ca or by phone at 416-690-1889.

Pancake breakfast at Beaches Rec Centre

THE BEACHES Recreation Centre hosts a Pancake Breakfast with Santa on Sat urday, Dec. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The breakfast, which in cludes a visit from Santa, is

at the Beaches Recreation Centre, 6 Williamson Rd. At tendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item as a donation. For more info, email the advisory council at springsprint@hotmail.ca

PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON

Mario and Angelo La Manna in front of La Manna’s Fashion for Men on Queen Street East in the Beach. The store is closing at the end of December after what has been 38 years of business in the community.

Beach Metro Com munity News cartoon ist Bill Suddick was at the Christmas Craft Market at Royal Can adian Legion Branch 1/42 on Coxwell Av enue last Saturday with copies of his book Life’s The Beach. The book celebrates Suddick’s more than 40 years as a cartoonist with the paper, and also the 50th anniver sary of Beach Metro Community News this year. Copies of the book purchased at Beach Metro’s office at 2196 Gerrard St. E. go to support the newspaper. Life’s The Beach is also available at The Great Escape, Book City and Cole’s on Queen Street East.

PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON

Property standards panel denies landlord’s appeal for more time to make repairs at 500 Dawes Rd.

By Amarachi Amadike, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

THE TORONTO and East York Property Standards Panel denied landlord Caro lyn Kreb’s appeal for a sixmonth extension on the mandated repairs on her apartment building.

The apartment building at 500 Dawes Rd. has a no torious history. Complaints about rat infestations, feces, roaches, bed bugs and much more stem as far back as 2006 when former Beaches-East York Councilor Janet Davies threatened that the matter would be moved to court if Kreb didn’t bring the build ing up to standard.

More than 15 years later and things appear to have worsened with still no gov ernment intervention.

“Whether the city will pur sue fines, complete the work themselves, apply the bill to the Owner’s Tax Roll and register a lien on the prop erty was beyond the commit tee’s jurisdiction,” said Ryan Endoh, a long-time tenant, of the panel’s hearing that took place on Monday, Nov. 21.

The City of Toronto’s Mu nicipal Licencing and Stan dards database shows that in the past couple years, there have been 129 complaints for property standards related issues by 500 Dawes Rd. ten ants.

Their recent complaints, however, have surpassed just sanitary concerns. In a let ter to the property standards panel, they reported that the

Local Journalism Initiative

building’s foundation ap pears to be sinking which pivots the conversation to one about tenant safety.

The building has been unable to receive a passing score by RentSafeTO ever since the program’s incep tion in 2020.

The numerous complaints led to a City of Toronto in spection which discovered the building had 84 property standards violations. These include issues such as an overflowing garbage area, holes and cracks in the walls throughout the building, defective plumbing system, and defective or unprotected lighting fixtures.

In many cases, tenants are also unable to use the laun dry facility, access parking, or use the 14-storey build ing’s elevators.

“After over a decade of complaining to Municipal Licensing and Standards, [tenants] have started to question the propriety of the laws and administrative in

stitutions that are supposed to protect them and promote and enforce best practices for individuals and corpora tions that house human be ings,” said Endoh in his let ter to the property standards panel, asking them to reject Kreb’s appeal for more time to make repairs.

Endoh, as well as the ten ants who co-signed the letter written on their behalf, ex pressed confusion as to why the City of Toronto has taken no action against their land lord over so many years.

Krebs placed some of the blame of the building’s cur rent state on the tenants. In her appeal letter to the pan el, she said that meeting the City’s standards has been difficult due to COVID-19, contractors lack of supplies, and “the nature of the build ing’s tenants”.

“There are some tenants that don’t have the ability to maintain their units prop erly,” said Endoh. “There are some that bring all sorts

of people into the building. But at the end of the day, it’s her responsibility as a prop erty owner to ensure that the building meets property standards and that tenants are also respecting the com mon spaces in the building.”

Endoh believes that pass ing blame onto tenants for things like urine or other bodily fluids found in the halls and elevators is irre sponsible as it is the land lord’s duty to do due dili gence and ensure the people in the building are capable of living harmoniously with their neighbours. “I find it funny that she’s criticizing tenants of the building,” said Endoh. “Tenants that she doesn’t vet. Anybody can move in and bring whoever to this building.”

It is unclear what the next steps will be in regards to addressing the violations.

Beach Metro Community News reached out to Carolyn Kreb for comment but has, so far, received no response.

Scarborough Southwest candidate files Integrity Commission complaint over robocalls

By Amarachi Amadike, Local Journalism Initiatve Reporter

SCARBOROUGH SOUTH WEST council candidate Parthi Kandavel has filed a complaint against Mayor John Tory in a letter to To ronto’s Office of the Integrity Commissioner.

The former candidate for Toronto City Council, who left his position as a Toronto District School Board trustee to run for the office, is accus ing Tory of using his position as incumbent Mayor of To ronto to influence the Ward 20 Scarborough Southwest election race.

Kandavel lost the election, garnering 30 percent of the votes while incumbent Gary Crawford was re-elected with 35 percent of voter sup port in the ward.

The complaint, which was filed by Paul-Erik Veel on behalf of Kandavel on Nov. 21, argues that Tory violated sections 7.1 and 8.0 of the Code of Conduct for Mem bers of Council by “improp erly using the influence of his office when he referred to himself as “Mayor John Tory” in a robocall in sup port of the election campaign of Gary Crawford”.

“On election day, voters in Scarborough Southwest re ceived robocalls that played an automated message from John Tory,” said Veel in his letter to the Integrity Com missioner.

According to the letter of complaint, Tory’s automat ed call began with a greet ing that said “Hello, this is Mayor John Tory, calling on behalf of Councillor Gary Crawford’s re-election cam paign”. He then proceeded to urge residents to vote for Crawford insisting that the Incumbent Scarborough Southwest Councillor had “his full support.”

Kandavel’s accusation lies in the fact that Sections 7.1 and 8.0 of the Code of Conduct prohibits Members of Coun cil from using any resources or privileges available to them by virtue of their office to further private interests. In this case, Kandavel is ar guing that the title of Mayor is a powerful City owned re source that was used to sway voters into voting against him. “This is not about the outcome of this one election, but rather about the spirit of Toronto’s local democracy and the integrity of our pub lic officials,” said Kandavel

in a release. “The City’s own Code of Conduct for elected officials clearly states that ‘using their official position to improperly influence elec tors’ is prohibited.”

Along with the alleged misuse of Mayoral status, Kandavel complaint is ac cusing Tory of splitting the votes by misinforming resi dents, through the robocall, that Ward 20’s race was a tight one between Crawford and two other candidates who were, in fact, trailing far behind in third and fourth place. According to the com plaint, this prompted voters who did not want Crawford to win to vote for the third and fourth place candidates when, in actuality, Kandavel would have received these votes. None of the allega tions in the complaint have been proven.

The mayor’s office told CP24 last week that “The Mayor respects the Integrity Commissioner and his pro cess, and in consideration of this, we will not be mak ing further comment at this time,” said Don Peat.

Integrity Commissioner Jonathan Batty is yet to de cide if the complaint will be investigated.

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

Pharmacist Abraam Rofael was dedicated to the residents he served

LONGTIME EAST Toronto pharmacist

Abraam Rofael is being remembered by his customers and family as the one-year anni versary of his death approaches.

Rofael ran the Health and Care Pharmacy on Danforth Avenue, between Dawes Road and Victoria Park Avenue, and was one of the first pharmacies in the province to start administering COVID-19 vaccine shots.

Prior to running Health and Care, Rofael had been the pharmacist in the Zellers at Shoppers World at Victoria Park and Dan forth Avenues so he was already well-known and respected in the community.

Customer June Rogers sent a letter to Beach Metro Community News earlier this year letting the paper know how important Rofael’s service was to local residents.

“He exemplified what a good proprietor should be. He dispensed not only sound med ical advice but got to know his customers personally,” wrote Rogers.

“He would invariably ask about my health with real interest and was unfailingly kind. He also went about and beyond his duties, personally delivering to me on more than one occasion and after hours.”

That sense of duty was shown in 2021, the

last year of Rofael’s life as he continued to work at the pharmacy making sure vaccina tion shots were given out to all who needed them even though he was fighting the final stages of cancer.

“Everyone knew him and was really grate ful to him,” said daughter Marina who con tinues to run the pharmacy. “He was 100 per cent committed to his customers.”

In a note to Beach Metro Community News, daughter Yostina Rofael said her father was far more than just a pharmacist to his many customers.

“We cannot be more thankful for who we were blessed to have as a father. He taught us so many life lessons but mainly about strong work ethic, how to maintain humility, and to always treat every stranger and patient with kindness and compassion,” she wrote.

“He was much more than a pharmacist to many of the customers and patients, and even those who had moved out of the Dan forth area would travel so far to keep sup porting his pharmacy, We even have patients from Barrie. He tried to provide as many services to his community and always went above and beyond to make sure his patients got the care they needed and deserved.”

Santa visits Kingston Road Village on Dec. 4 for photos at Shea Sells Boutique - Design Nest

THOUGH THE Beaches Santa Claus Parade was unable to take place in the community this year, Kingston Road Village will still be getting a visit from the man in red thanks to a local realtor.

Santa Claus will be in the area on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Shea Sells Bou tique - Design Nest run by realtor Shea War rington of Royal LePage Estate Realty.

The Shea Sells Boutique - Design Nest is located at 1021 Kingston Rd., and that is where Santa will be available for photos with local children.

Those looking to celebrate the season and have a photo taken with Santa are asked to bring a $20 donation to the Bluff’s Food Bank at the Dec. 4 event. For more information, please contact Warrington at shea@royal lepage.ca.

Holiday events at Beach United Church BEACH UNITED Church is hosting a num ber of holiday events in December.

First up is the 2022 Christmas Market on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The market will feature a wide variety of works by local artisans, jewelry, baked goods, jams/jellies, knitted toys and much, much more.

Then, on Saturday, Dec. 10, the church hosts a Christmas Favourites concert as part of its Jazz & Reflection series.

The concert takes place at 4:30 p.m. and will feature Mike Daley (guitar and vocals) and Jill Daley (piano and violin) as they share some holiday favourites.

Tickets to the Christmas Favourities con cert are free, but donations to go towards community services provided by the church are welcome.

Beach United Church is located at 140 Wi neva Ave., just north of Queen Street East.

For more information on these and other events, please visit the church’s website at www.beachunitedchurch.com

PHOTOS: SUBMITTED

Pharmacist Abraam Rofael is remembered for his dedicated service to the East Toronto community as the one-year anniversary of his passing in December of 2021 approaches. Photo above left shows him at the Zellers pharmacy in Shoppers World Danforth. Photo above right shows him in his office at the Health and Care Pharmacy on Danforth Avenue where he helped administer COVID-19 vac cinations during the early days of the pandemic.

Taking the steps to build an inclusive city for everyone

Brad Bradford Beaches-East York Councillor

If we trusted social media as the litmus test for the cohesiveness of a society, the results would seem grim. Strong opposition to ideas that challenge the status quo, re-emerging sentiments of discrimination and hate, and over simplification of complex social and political issues are plastered across our screens. It can give the impression of a profound level of disagreement amongst us.

But if my role as City Councillor has taught me anything, it’s that we have more in common with

each other than the internet allows us to believe.

Having knocked on thousands of doors and spent time on main streets, in transit stops, and at community events, I’ve had the op portunity to hear our neighbours’ hopes and ideas first-hand.

Working for local government gives a unique perspective into people’s daily needs, and offers the opportunity to focus energy into driving community-led change.

It’s a privilege to be in a role where you get to turn people’s desires for their community into reality.

The last four years have not been without challenges — From supporting the roll-out of hyperlocal vaccine clinics and building

supportive housing to creating safer streets for our kids and se niors, and helping local businesses through one of the most difficult economic climates in recent histo ry, the path forward has not always been clear or uncomplicated.

Sometimes the right thing to do isn’t always the easiest or most popular, but this job challenges us to look at the big picture, carefully consider the context and nuance of each decision, and recognize that while change is difficult, leader ship requires us to manage it in a thoughtful and committed way.

As a city we still face many obstacles.

The financial circumstances ahead mean we will have to re double our efforts. It won’t always

be easy to maintain what we have, build what we need and change what isn’t working, but we have an incredible suite of people here at the City of Toronto that are up to the challenge.

Try new approaches together

We can take steps today to build an inclusive city for everyone, but that requires us to accept that the way forward will look different from the way things were.

We need to be open to trying new approaches together.

As the incoming Chair of the Planning and Housing Commit tee, for me this means taking bold steps to bring in more affordable homes and more housing options.

It means taking serious action to get more roofs over heads and more keys into hands, even in the face of opposition.

Social media can be a useful tool for bringing awareness and discussion to an issue, but it takes a different tool in the kit to move from debate to action.

We need to step outside, look around, and find ways to bring people together for action.

Whether you voted for me or not, I’m tremendously grateful for the community behind me and for the opportunity to lead with cour age and creativity.

In a city of three million neigh bours, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than here in Beaches-East York, working for you.

2196 Gerrard St. E., Toronto, ON, M4E 2C7 PHONE: 416-698-1164 FAX: 416-698-1253 beachmetro.com

PUBLISHER/GENERAL MANAGER

Susan Legge susan@beachmetro.com

EDITOR

Alan Shackleton (ext. 23) alan@beachmetro.com

ADVERTISING MANAGER

Mark Ireland (ext. 26) mark@beachmetro.com

PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Melinda Drake (ext. 27) melinda@beachmetro.com

ACCOUNTS MANAGER

Hope Armstrong (ext. 21) hope@beachmetro.com

CLASSIFIED AD/PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY LEAD

Carolin Schmidt (ext. 22) carolin@beachmetro.com

In My Opinion

Local support key to success of Share A Christmas Program

reza Khoshdel Executive Director

Community Centre 55

Christmas is just around the corner! For some, this holiday season means warm holiday meals with family and friends, and of course, presents un der the tree. For others, however, this reality is not the case.

The holiday season presents additional challenges for those struggling with food and shelter insecurity. Through our collective efforts as a community, we can help alleviate those challenges for our fellow neighbours this year. After all, the real purpose of Christmas is to spread love and

kindness with those around you.

Community Centre 55 is proud to once again feed those in our neighbourhood who might other wise go hungry over the holidays, and gift our children and youth who might otherwise receive noth ing on Christmas morning. I am reaching out to the community for your help to make this possible be cause our Share A Christmas Pro gram cannot be successful without your generosity and support.

This year, we will provide grocery gift cards and toys to more than 1,000 families in need and it will take the collective action of hundreds of donors and volunteers to make it happen.

There are many ways to help your neighbours in need this holi day season:

• A monetary donation (eligible for tax receipts) to our Share A Christmas Program, which helps us purchase grocery gift cards so individuals and families can buy the groceries that are tailored to their preferences, religious re quirements, and dietary needs.

• We gladly accept new and unwrapped toy donations here at Community Centre 55.

• Our Adopt a Family & Adopt a Senior Programs match a family, local business, or group with a senior or family (depending on the program) in our community who are in need. The adoptee receives a hamper of goods and/or a grocery gift card.

• Support our Teen Angel pro gram by buying much needed teen presents or gift cards in denomina

tions of $30 to $50.

• Volunteer your time and ef forts to help sort/pack gifts and toys that will be delivered to kids and families.

• If you wish to donate nonperishable food products, you are encouraged to donate them to the Calvary Baptist Church food bank program located at 72 Main St. Donations drop times are Wednes days 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or Thursdays after 4:30 p.m.

Thank you very much to every one that helps us with our Share A Christmas Program. If you have donated your time or money in the past, I offer my deepest appre ciation and hope we can count on your generosity again this year.

To those who are hearing about our program for the first time,

I hope you consider assisting a great local initiative this holiday season.

Community Centre 55 is lo cated at 97 Main St. and we can be reached at 416-691-1113. Our doors are always open with love and compassion.

Merry Christmas to all!

We Love Letters

At Beach Metro Community News, we love letters. Please send your letters to us by email to alan@ beachmetro.com or to 2196 Gerrard St. E., Toronto, ON, M4E 2C7. Please go to Page 21 to see this week’s Letters to the Editor.

Garie ‘Miles’ Adamson, owner of 100 Miles, reflects on his business and life journey

MiMi liliefeldt mimi@missfit.ca

IN A perfect world every child would have someone who believes in them; some one who shows them what’s possible and gives them di rection. Garie ‘Miles’ Adam son, the owner of 100 Miles the high-end streetwear brand at 2359 Queen St. E. in the Beach, was lucky enough to have a whole community of people who believed in him.

Garie was born in Jamaica and immigrated to Canada with his parents and older brother when he was two years old; his two younger sisters were born after they arrived. When I asked if he was close to his family, his response was, “Of course! They’re the ones that I vent to and show the new designs to, they’re my crit ics and have been my advi sors. They’ve been with me through my whole journey.”

The importance of sup port and guidance cannot be underestimated, particu larly when you see yourself reflected in your mentor.

Garie went to high school at Lester B Pearson Collegiate Institute in Scarborough and had a Black business teacher who he said, “Really inspired us to pursue business and take business courses and that’s what directed me.”

After high school Garie went to Toronto Metropoli tan University (previously known as Ryerson) and mo tivated by his teacher, did in fact take business. “I was in a marketing lecture and the prof said, ‘Whatever you want to do, you better start it now’. I took it literally and here we are now.”

The first 100 Miles store opened in 1992 on Yonge Street which Garie told me was his happiest memory. “It opened with CP24 and all the cameras on me,” he said with great pride. “I felt that there was a void in the fash ion world for Black design ers, especially in Canada.

And us (Black people) being such trend setters, always so inclined with fashion I felt that we needed a voice and so I became the loudspeak er.”

Ever the innovator, on opening day Garie had a couple of New York based Hip Hop artists join him to help bring the hype and at tention to his store. In to day’s world this type of pro motional move is standard but in Toronto in 1992 it was a rarity. The event was a

success and word began to spread throughout the Hip Hop community and then the famed duo Kid N Play ap proached him and connected him to Uptown records; from there it was a fast trajectory to meeting a number of ce lebrities who liked his brand and what he was doing for the Black fashion industry.

At only 20 years old (at the time) he said, “It blew up too fast. There was no guidance, it was just trial and error. They treated me like a celeb rity and a lot of times I felt like an actor. I was acting the role like I’m supposed to be here!”

The biggest break came when famed rapper Tupac Shakur wore Garie’s iconic 100 Miles black hoodie in his film Above the Rim. Since then, he has had a steady stream of growth and notori ety, even Canadian celebrity Drake was photographed wearing the same black hoodie when the Raptors won Game 6 in their playoff run against the Milwaukee Bucks. This kind of free pub licity is a marketer’s dream.

But throughout all the hype, Garie himself remains a grounded individual. He shared the truths about his family and how difficult it was for his parents to im migrate to Canada. “It was really rough for them. They came here with really no in sight on the North American way of living . . . They worked hard for everything they achieved.”

As he talked it was evident that his love, admiration, and gratitude for his parents, his grandmother and God were abundant. Sadly, his dad passed away unexpectedly 18 years ago. “He was on a business trip, and I was the one that got the call that he had passed. It was sudden, he had a heart attack.”

But through the wins and

losses of life, Garie continues to strive for better. “I feel that there is always something to accomplish; however, I am very proud of the progress I have made over the past 30 years in the clothing busi ness,” he said.

The elevation of Black youth is also very important to him. “Anytime we have the opportunity to do speak ing engagements or sponsor ships we’re always involved . . . we do a lot.”

The speaking engage ments are especially power ful when you consider the guidance Garie was given at a young age. When he speaks to Black youth about build ing his business and what is possible with hard work and support, he pays the gift for ward. “I would not be where I am today if Mr. Borell (his high school teacher) and my university professor weren’t so influential,” he said.

As satisfying it is to see his store and online store do ing well, everyday he is still faced with challenges; every thing from enlightening the public that he is not a “Black only” brand, to the task of ac tually running his business.

Garie spreads himself thin as he works on new designs with his graphics team, mar kets the brand, inspects the quality of the products, deals with the accounting and the shipment of sales. When I exclaim how busy he must be he says with a smile, “And tired. But it’s mine.”

I understand the pride he must feel and the impor tance of working hard to maintain the level of distinc tion he has acquired. This is particularly meaningful when you consider his par ent’s immigration from Ja maica and working hard to raise a family with four chil dren. Because sometimes no matter how far you’ve come, when you’re Black in our so

ciety it’s difficult to shake off racial biases.

Garie told me a story to il lustrate this point:

“I drive a BMW and I went into my car in the summer time, and a lady was buy ing some hats (in his store). And she said, ‘That’s your car?!’ and I said, ‘Yeah, that’s my car.’ Then she said, ‘You don’t sell drugs, do you?’ I cracked up, I started laugh ing. I’m (thinking) like you just bought hats from me. . . and now you’re asking me now if I’m a drug dealer be cause of my car.”

He told me, “This is the reason why I got into busi ness is to educate people like this. We gotta kill these stereotypes. It’s OK for us to be successful and have nice cars and nice things. It doesn’t mean you fit this la bel because of your skin co lour. . . We can be whatever we want to be, it’s just that people’s perceptions have got to change.”

And change is happening, we are pushing the needle forward, though often times not fast enough. Not fast enough to save lives, change circumstances, or prevent these types of micro aggres sions, but each step in the right direction counts. Ev ery one of us needs to make an effort to incite change, in smaller ways like raising our awareness and in bigger ways like speaking out and voting to fight systemic rac ism. We need to work togeth er and believe in each other to go the distance.

Garie ‘Miles’ Adamson who has built his brand on the concept of 100 Miles ex plains, “100 Miles symbol izes us as people. The fact is we’ve come 100 miles in ev eryday life; if you look at war, discrimination, racism, sex ism, as humans we’ve come 100 miles, but we’ve still got 100 miles to go.”

Now is the best time to begin preparations for the spring market. Contact me for ideas & assistance planning your spring move.

Kerry Jackson

Royal LePage Estate Realty, 2301 Queen St. E. Direct 416.571.2181 | Office 416.690.5100

Kerryjackson@gmail.com

136 Springdale Blvd -

Location! Location!

• Updated one-bedroom south-facing condo

• Spacious & bright living area plus balcony with city views

• Perfect location for dining/entertainment and easy access to downtown

• Friendly & secure building with concierge plus great amenities

Booking private showings now, reach out to Lainey@LTHome.ca

PHOTO: MIMI LILIEFELDT

Garie ‘Miles’ Adamson at his 100 Miles store on Queen Street East in the Beach.

Community Calendar

DEC. 3: Christmas Market at St. Luke’s Angli can Church, 904 Coxwell Ave. 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Table rental $40. To reserve, call 416-421-6878 x 21 on Mon day, Wednesday or Friday 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

DEC 3: Christmas Market at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. We are excited to welcome you back to our annual Christmas Market in person, featuring a variety of local artisans along with their baked goods, jams and jellies, handmade jewellery, knit ted toys, and much more. Info: beachunitedchurch.com

DEC. 3, 4, 28, 29: Model Railroad Club Show at 11 Curity Ave., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Purchase tickets at the door: cash, debit, credit card. Children $10, Seniors $12, Adults $15, Family rate (max. 5 people, max. 2 adults): $45. Info: www.modelrailroadclub.com

DEC 4: Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, a dra matic reading featuring Tom Allen and friends, at Beaches Presbyterian Church, 64 Glen Manor Dr., 3 p.m. This great charitable fundraising event also includes live music and refreshments. Tickets and info: office@beacheschurch.org, 416- 699-5871

DEC. 4: Santa at the Design Nest, 1021 Kings ton Rd., 2-5 p.m. Bring a $20 cash donation for the Bluffs Food Bank and have your picture tak en with Santa. Info: shea@royallepage.ca

DEC. 4: Breakfast with Santa at RCL Branch 11, Main Floor, 9 Dawes Rd., 10 a.m.-12 noon. (last seating at 11:30 a.m.). Pancakes, bacon or sausages, scrambled eggs, cof fee/tea for adults, juice for kids, all for $5. Guess the jar full of Candies for $1. Exact or closest will win the jar! Wear your Best Ugly Christmas Sweater to win contest for a prize & picture with Santa - draws done at 11:30. Tick ets on sale in the clubroom and will be sold at the door.

DEC. 9, 10, 11: Karen Franzen and Friends 20th An nual Holiday Show, Fri 6-9 p.m., Sat/Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This holiday art crawl features 10 artists at 3 locations (3 Wembley Dr., 148 Gainsborough Rd., 8 Eastwood Ave.) offering handmade ceramics, fine art drawings and paintings, hand painted tea towels and cards, skin care products, and jewellery. Info: www.karenfranzen.com DEC. 10: Acoustic Harvest presents THE PAIRS (www.thepairsmusic.com) and BASSET (www.bas settheband.com) at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St., 8 p.m. Tickets $30 in advance at www. acousticharvest.ca, $35 cash at the door. Masking is strongly recommended by our artists and vulner able/immunocompromised audience members.

DEC. 10: Scarborough Harmony Chorus presents “To gether Again”, an afternoon concert of popular and holiday music, at Scarborough Bluffs United Church, 3739 Kingston Rd., 2 p.m., doors open at 1 p.m for craft and bake sale. Tickets $25 in advance (15 years and under free) or at the door. Info: scarboroughcho rusinfo@gmail.com, 416-518-3467. SHC is a women’s chorus singing a cappella music in four-part har mony. Info: www.scarboroughharmonychorus.com

DEC 10: Jazz & Reflection at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., 4:30 p.m. Join Mike and Jill Daley as they share their favourite Christmas music in our warm and inviting Great Hall. Donations are welcome and proceeds support the Beach United food programs. Info: beachunitedchurch.com

DEC. 10: Pancake Breakfast at Beaches Recre ation Centre, 6 Williamson Rd., 9:30-11 a.m. Hosted by the Beaches Recreation Centre Advisory Coun cil. Community Breakfast and Santa sighting. If able, please bring a donation for the food bank.

DEC. 10: Pancake Breakfast & Crafts with Hamper the Reindeer at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St., 8-9:45 a.m. RSVP: 416-691-1113, jade@centre55.com

DEC. 10, 11: Leslieville Flea Holiday Market at the Jimmy Simpson Recreation Centre, 870 Queen St. E., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 70 vendors offering vintage, antique and handcrafted items. Info: www.les lievilleflea.com, Instagram @leslievilleflea

DEC. 13: Carolling in the Park at Glen Stew art Park, south of the bridge, 7:30 p.m. Sing along with the Salvation Army Band and choirs.

DEC. 20: The Sacred Muse – Concert for the Winter Solstice at St. Saviour’s Anglican Church, 43 Kimberley Ave., 7:30 p.m., with Beaches composer Mark Batten berg and guests. Free admission. Please bring a nonperishable food item for the food bank and pantry.

DEC 31: New Year’s Eve Dinner/Dance at RCL Br. 11, Main Floor, 9 Dawes Rd., 6:30-12:30 p.m. Tickets $35.00 p/p sold in advance to Dec. 29. Only 100 Tickets/select re served seating. Entertainment: Yvonne Chapman. Prizes, draws, party favours, glass of Champagne at Midnight.

FRIDAYS: GRANTFUL FOOD AND FELLOW SHIP Food Bank and Soup Kitchen, 2029 Ger rard Street E., is open from 3:30-6:00 pm. Reg istration is required. info: 416-690-5169.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St., Saturdays 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Info: 416-691-1113 AL- ANON at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St., Wednesdays 7:15 p.m. Alateen members are welcome to attend. Info: 416-691-1113

BEACH INTERFAITH OUTREACH LUNCHES, 11 a.m. •Mondays at Corpus Christi Church (16 Lockwood Rd.) •Tuesdays – alternating locations: St. Nicholas Angli can Church (1512 Kingston Rd.), Dec. 6, 20, Jan. 10 etc. and St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, (2423 Queen St. E), Nov. 29, Dec. 13, 27, Jan. 10 etc. •Wednesdays at Beaches Hebrew Institute (109 Kenilworth Ave.) •Thursdays at Beach United Church (140 Wineva Ave.) •Fridays at Kingston Road United Church (975 Kingston Rd.). Lunch format may vary site to site. Info: 416-691-6869

BEACH PHOTO CLUB. Are you interested in photogra phy? We invite all shutterbugs to check out our local photo club. We offer a range of activities including guest speak ers, 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 LIBRARY, 2161 Queen St. E. •Dec. 7: Book Club, 7-8 p.m. “When You are Engulfed in Flames” by David Sedaris •Dec. 8: Menopause, Healthy Weight, and Hormone Balance, 7-8 p.m., with holistic nutritionist Daphne Kostova. Registration required. Info: 416-393-7703

DANFORTH/COXWELL LIBRARY, 1675 Danforth Ave. •Dec. 2: PA Day Puppet Show, 2-2:45 p.m. All ages welcome. Drop-in. •Dec. 14: Elf Academy, 10:30-11 a.m. Holiday crafting fun. Drop-in. Info: 416-393-7783

GERRARD ASHDALE LIBRARY, 1432 Gerrard St. E. •Dec. 2: PA Day Movie “Minions: the rise of Gru”, 2-4 p.m., for ages 6 and up. •Dec. 10: Holiday Sing-a-long Concert, 3-3:30 p.m., led by Alejandra Ballon. Drop-in. •Dec. 17: Hands on Exotics: Safari Adventure!, 11 a.m.-noon, for ages 6-12. Registration required. Info: 416-393-7717

TAYLOR LIBRARY, 1440 Kingston Rd. •Dec. 10: Drag Queen Story Hour with Gila Munster, 2-3 p.m., for children of all ages. Info: 416-396-8939

MAIN STREET LIBRARY, 137 Main St. •PA Day Bingo, 2-2:45 p.m., for ages 3-12. Info: 416-393-7700

KIMBOURNE PARK UNITED CHURCH, 200 Wolverleigh Blvd. All welcome! •Sunday Worship Service: 10:15am in-person & via Zoom •Christmas Marketplace: Dec 3, 11am-2pm •Advent Candlelight Service: Dec 6 @ 7pm •Games Night: Dec 10, 5-10pm, pizza & pop for purchase •Traditional Skills: 2nd Sat/Month 2-4pm •Christmas Concert & Carols: Sat, Dec 10, 3-4pm, donations to food bank welcome •Yoga (indoors): Sundays 2:30pm, for people of all abilities •Donation Drive (Ongoing): Dona tion baskets outside main doors 24/7-given to Nourish East End Food Bank •Movie Night: Dec 11, 5pm & 7:30pm with pizza & popcorn •FREE Community Meal: Dec 18, 11:30am12:30pm. Volunteers Needed (3rd Sunday of every month) •Advent Solstice Service: Dec 20 @ 7pm •Christmas Eve Extravaganza Service @ 7pm. Info and event links: Church office 416-461-7200, office@kpuc.org, www.kpuc.org

ST. AIDAN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 2423 Queen St. E. at Silver Birch welcomes you to join us for Sunday wor ship at 8:30 a.m. in person, or at 10:30 a.m. in person or on Zoom. Wednesdays: Mid-week service, 10:30 a.m. All welcome. Our energetic, active church offers varied op portunities for spiritual growth, vibrant Children’s and Music programs, Youth activities, and a strong com mitment to action on social justice and environmental issues. Holiday Craft Market: Dec. 3rd from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Info: www.staidansinthebeach.com, 416-691-2222

ST. SAVIOUR’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 43 Kimber ley Ave. at Swanwick. All are welcome. We’re meeting both in-person, and via Zoom each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Call the church for info. 416-699-6512. Blessing Box in church yard: “Take what you need, give what you can”. Info: www.stsaviours.ca, https://www.facebook.com/ churchwithreddoor/. Sermons available on Proclama tion! Podcast (now available for free on iTunes).

BEACHES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 64 Glen Manor Dr. We are an inclusive and affirming congregation in the heart of the Beach. BPC has strong commitments to community service and social justice issues. Highlights include providing non-perishable foods for those in need through our Free Food Pantry. Our Refugee Committee has been in operation for many years helping families and individuals arrive and start a new life in Canada. Book study group ‘Theology on Tap’ meets Mondays 7pm on Zoom. Current book is ‘Jewish and Christian Women in the Ancient World’. Our annual reading of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol featuring Tom Allen will be held Dec. 4th at 3 p.m. Ticket info and links: www.beacheschurch.org, 416-699-5871. Minister: The Reverend Katherine McCloskey FALLINGBROOK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 35 Wood Glen Rd. at Kingston Rd. Please join us for in-person and Zoom worship. Sundays at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Angela J. Cluney. Advent Worship Services: November 27, De cember 4 & 11. Lessons & Carols Service: December 18. Christmas Eve, December 24 at 7 p.m., Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, 10:30 a.m. Special Music through out the season. For more information: email fboffice@ rogers.com or call 416-699-3084. Website Including Events Calendar and Sermon Messages: http://www. fallingbrookpresbyterianchurch.com All are Welcome!

GRANT AME CHURCH, 2029 Gerrard St. E. All are welcome every Sunday from 11 am to worship service in-person, Facebook, ZOOM, or YouTube livestream with Pastor Kenesha Blake-Newell. Bible study every Wednesday at 7 pm on ZOOM. Join our prayer line every Wednesday for prayer from 11 am - 12 noon. Links and info: www.grantame.com; email: grantamechurch@yahoo.ca; Info: 416-690-5169.

BEACH UNITED CHURCH, 140 Wineva Ave. We offer a combination of in person and YouTube livestream op portunities Sundays at 10:30 a.m. We ask that all folks attending in-person worship wear a mask to help care for the most vulnerable in our community. Services are led by our creative and passionate music director Steven Webb and Rev. Greg Daly our minister. In addition to Sunday services Beach United Church offers a variety of inspirational music and educational programs open to the entire Beach community. Info: beachunitedchurch.com ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST NORWAY Anglican Church, 470 Woodbine Ave. Welcome to St. John the Baptist Norway! We are a growing community which enjoys the Anglican expression of the Christian faith. We gather to connect with one another and worship God on Sundays at 9 a.m. on ZOOM and In-Person or on Livestream at 10:30 a.m. We have a Food Pantry open on Monday mornings from 10 a.m.-12 noon. Info: stjohnsnorway.com, 416-691-4560

A look back at St. John’s Norway Cemetery

By David Van Dyke

Brainfreeze 2022 event at Woodbine Beach set for Dec. 3 to support youth mental health

A POLAR bear dip to help raise funds and increase awareness of youth mental health issues is set for Wood bine Beach on Saturday, Dec.

3. Called Brainfreeze 2022, the dip into Lake Ontario from Woodbine Beach takes place at 10 a.m. and is in sup port of Jack.org.

The Dec. 3 event at Wood bine Beach is one of five Brainfreeze 2022 polar dips taking place across Canada. Dips are set for the same day in Montreal, Vancouver, and Halifax. On Saturday, Nov. 26, a dip also took place in Collingwood.

Those taking part in the Woodbine Beach event are welcome to come as individ uals or to bring their entire

families or groups of friends along.

All funds raised at Brain freeze 2022 will go towards the youth mental health re sources provided by Jack. org.

Participants are asked to register in advance for Sat urday’s polar dip by going to https://jack.akaraisin.com/ ui/brainfreeze2022

Jack.org is a Canadian charity that partners with more than 3,000 young lead ers across the country to help improve mental health outcomes in their communi ties.

Riverdale Share set for Danforth Music Hall

THE RIVERDALE Share concert is returning to The Danforth Music Hall this hol

iday season after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s concert will take place on Sunday, Dec. 4, starting at 3 p.m.

The annual concert is a fundraiser for a number of East Toronto charities that help out residents in need during the holiday season.

Riverdale Share began in 1991 and has been presented through the work of local volunteers, including per formers, since then.

Scheduled performers for this year’s Riverdale Share include Julian Taylor and Kathryn Rose.

For tickets to Riverdale Share 2022, please go to the website at https://riverdale share.com

St. John’s Norway Cemetery was established in the Village of Norway (Kingston Road and Woodbine Avenue area) in 1853.

The archival photo above depicts the original chapel of St. John the Baptist Anglican Church. There is no date attached with the image, but around the early 1900s I would think.

Colette Chaput

Dianne Chaput

Brian Chaput

Pauline Wong

Local residents honoured by Fearless Meat at Remembrance Day literary event Carolling in the Park slated

THE ANNUAL Carolling in the Park celebration is set for the evening of Tues day, Dec. 13, at Glen Stewart Park.

The event takes place from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Salvation Army Band will be playing to accompany the community members who come out to sing carols. There will be a collection for the Salvation Army at the event.

Everyone is welcome to attend, but they are remind ed to dress warmly for the weather and to bring a flash light.

Glen Stewart Park is lo cated north of Queen Street East, east of Glen Manor Drive and south of the wood en bridge. For more info, call David at 416-759-9997.

A Christmas Carol slated for Dec. 4

BEACHES PRESBYTERIAN Church, 65 Glen Manor Dr., hosts a reading of A Christmas Carol featuring Tom Allen and friends on Sunday, Dec. 4.

The reading is at 3 p.m. Along with the classic Charles Dickens tale, the event will feature live music and refreshments.

To reserve tickets in advance, please contact the church at office@ beachespresbyterian.org or call 416-699-5871.

opens doors

to opportunities

Create, connect, and get inspired at the library. Print a prototype, trace your family tree, meet your favourite writers, code an app, escape to brave new worlds, or just be alone together. We open doors to exploring curiosities, and discovering new ones.

Visit the library, in person or online, to unlock endless possibilities.

PHOTOS: DONNA BRAYBROOK

Fearless Meat on Kingston Road recently honoured young writers for their literary entries in a Remembrance Day contest. Photo above, Notre Dame Catholic School students Marinette Maslino, Mariana Muhumhza and Vanessa Lucent. Photo above right, Brayden Elliot Billing. Photo below right, brothers Leo and Tobias Hunter. Photo below, Fearless Meat owner David Brown, in back row centre, with some of the winners and guests at the Nov. 13 presentation ceremony.

Leslieville family takes wonderful trip on Rocky Mountaineer train with Starlight Foundation

By Alan Shackleton

THE STARLIGHT Chil dren’s Foundation Canada recently hosted a life-chang ing trip through the Cana dian Rockies for a number of youngsters and their families, including sevenyear-old Marshall from Les lieville.

The trip took place on the Rocky Mountaineer train and travelled between Banff, Alberta, and Vancouver, British Columbia, in early October.

Thirteen families who are part of the Starlight Foun dation took part in the trip. The two-day journey on the train provided a special ex perience for the families and their children who have seri ous or life-altering illnesses.

Marshall, his aunt, his brother Quinn and mom Bridget were among the 55 participants on the trip.

“It was the trip of a life time and something we never would have been able to do without Starlight,” said Bridget in a recent interview.

The Starlight Foundation has been providing memo ries and experiences for families with seriously ill children for more than 30 years. The trip on the Rocky Mountaineer was free for the families who took part.

The Starlight families had an entire car to themselves on the Rocky Mountaineer, and the trips value in total for all participants was in excess of $100,000. Air fare to bring the families to Banff for the start of the trip was provided through the Air Canada Foundation.

Bridget said the trip was a wonderful experience for her entire family.

Marshall has Apert Syn drome, which is a congenital condition that attacks the skeletal system and affects

the hands, feet, shoulders, hips and spine. Due to his condition, Marshall has a different appearance and that can sometimes lead to stressful situations when meeting new people.

Bridget said one of the things her entire family loved about the Rocky Moun taineer trip was that the families on it had so much in common, and appearances were not an issue.

“One of the big things for me, my son has a condition that makes him look differ ent….and my older son is especially aware of it,” she said. “We tend to shy away from people and places where they don’t know us. I liked having this safe space where we didn’t have to wor ry.”

Brian Bringolf, CEO of the Starlight Foundation, said the trip was a wonder ful experience especially for the families that have gone through the isolation and

challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years.

“It was a beautiful experi ence for everyone,” he said.

“Some of them are very ob viously ill, and to see them on the train with others in a similar situation, it puts everyone at ease…They get tired of being stared at, and parents can talk about simi lar situations.”

Bridget said she especially enjoyed a wine-and-cheese event in the upper level of the train car with the glassdomed windows that was just for the parents. The kids and siblings were on the low er level of the car making ice cream sundaes.

“All of the kids were mak ing sundaes and the parents were having a wine and cheese, and all of sudden there was this crazy thing where you can talk about it and what you’re going through and they get it,” she said.

The Leslieville Flea’s Holiday Market set for Dec. 10 and 11 at Jimmie Simpson Rec Centre

THE LESLIEVILLE Flea’s Holiday Market takes place on Saturday, Dec. 10, and Sunday, Dec. 11.

The market will take place at the Jimmy Simpson Rec reation Centre, 870 Queen St. E.

There will be 70 vendors taking part featuring a wide variety of handcrafted items from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

The market will also be a fundraiser in partnership with local realtor Desmond Brown for The Red Door Shelter which helps provides emergency shelter and sup port for women and their families impacted by domes tic abuse, a housing crisis, or refugee issues. The market will also be the last one put on by The Leslieville Flea

co-founders Chris Roberts and Brigid Elmy. This does not mean the end of The Les lieville Flea, just their run ning of it. For more info on the Leslieville Flea and the Holiday Market, please go to www.leslievilleflea.com

Winter Solstice concert at St. Saviours church

THE SACRED Muse Con cert for the Winter Solstice is set for the evening of Tues day, Dec. 20, at St. Saviours Anglican Church. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. The musical medita tion and journey is writ ten and produced by Beach composer Mark Battenberg. Performers taking part will include Kendra Grittani on cello; Xueao Yang on violin; and Shakuhachi flute master Debbie Danbrook.

The concert is free and ev eryone is welcome to attend. Those taking part in the cele bration of the “longest night” are asked to bring a non-per ishable food item to donate to the church’s community pantry for those in need.

St. Saviours chuch is locat ed at 43 Kimberley Ave.

Acoustic Harvest double bill on Dec. 10 ACOUSTIC HARVEST will present a double-bill concert on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 10.

Performing will be The Pairs and Basset. The con cert takes place at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St., and begins at 8 p.m. Tick ets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Go to www. acousticharvest.ca to order and for more info.

Marshall, and his entire family, had a great time on the trip. A special moment for Marshall was when the Rocky Mountaineer staff gave him a conductor’s vest and declared him the man ager of the train’s Starlight Foundation car for the day.

“They gave Marshall a Rocky Mountaineer conduc tor’s vest and it was so cool. They made him the Car Man ager for the day,” said Brin golf.

Marshall was thrilled to be given such an honour by the Rocky Mountaineer staff, said his mother.

“I guess during the trip he was going to our host peo ple and he started helping them…he was vacuuming at one point,” said Bridget of Marshall. “They made him an official Rocky Moun taineer manager and they gave him a train conductor’s vest. They gave him a tour of the train and he was on top of the world…I can’t say enough about how good they were. It was so moving.”

Bringolf had great praise for the enthusiasm and care of the Rocky Mountaineer staff.

“The staff would come to our car on their breaks… This was an emotional trip. For the 27 years I have been here, this was one of the more emotional ones for me.”

Bridget said she and her family have been involved with Starlight since Marshall was three, and it has been an important part of their lives.

“They help connect us with other families similar to ours,” she said. “The work they do is wonderful.”

For more information on the Rocky Mountaineer train, please go to www.roc kymountaineer.com/

For more information on the Starlight Children’s Foundation of Canada and how you can help to support it, please go to www.star lightcanada.org/

December 13th,

8:30 p.m.

The Parent Council of Courcelette Public School hosted its annual Fall Fest.

We wish to thank our 2022 Sponsors for their tremendous generosity, allowing us to host another successful fundraiser for our school.

‘Tis the season to shop local !

PHOTO: SUBMITTED

Leslieville resident Marshall, green shirt, and his brother Quinn, orange shirt, with Rocky Mountaineer staff during their recent trip with the Starlight Chil dren’s Foundation of Canada.

Advanced Approaches to Massage celebrates 20 years on Kingston Road

By Erin Horrocks-Pope

“THERE GOES another one.”

“How long do you think this place will sit empty?”

“It lasted longer than I ex pected…”

As a Beacher, you’re used to these remarks, thoughts, and discussion with your neighbours and families.

Throughout the east end, residents and business own ers are ongoingly reminded of that struggle by the num ber of empty retail spaces, “going out of business” sales, and influx of chains creeping into a neighbour hood that for decades has primarily been made up of boutique businesses run by local entrepreneurs.

So, all anniversaries in the Beach are celebrated as a huge win for both local busi ness owners and residents.

Celebrating an impressive 20 years on Kingston Road, Susierra Willson, owner of Advanced Approaches to Massage, is not only proud of this milestone, but thank ful to belong to a community of business owners in the un official Kingston Road BIA, better known as the Kings ton Road Village Business

Community Association.

For decades, Willson and the other members of the KRVBCA have been rallying together to build a truly spe cial and welcoming commu nity for everyone who lives in, shops in, or runs a busi ness in the Upper Beaches.

“I think that businesses really thrive in co-creative environments,” said Willson when asked why she felt it important to work with her neighbouring businesses in the way she does.

“It’s about how our busi nesses, well they survive… together.”

A theme amongst busi ness owners such as Willson, who succeed in surviving in this neighbourhood, is that they judge their success not necessarily based on their revenue and profit but rath er by their community en gagement.

Willson utilizes her plat form as owner of Advanced Approaches to Massage to actively engage with other local business owners, cli ents, and residents. She vol unteers to assist in organiz ing local events such as the

Kingston Road Village Fall Festival.

Like her peers, Willson built her business and bases her services off of what she believes best serves her com munity.

It was her own experience with healing services that in spired Willson so set out on a journey to providing others with the supportive, holistic treatments she found greatly improved her life and wellbeing.

Originally endeavouring to pursue a career in music, Willson spent her 20s living in an “alternative house hold” with roommates who frequently engaged in heal ing practices and workshops.

“It changed my life,” Will son said while exploring her personal relationship with holistic practice.

“I felt like I had to pursue this and so I did; with gusto. We all live in bodies that de serve to be treated as pre cious as they are.”

Since deciding to use her skills as a healer to share that joy with others, Willson has travelled the world learn ing techniques and practices

from masters of Reiki, Shi atsu, and other specialty ser vices her practice offers.

To learn more or book at appointment at Ad vanced Approaches to Mas sage, please visit www.ad vancedapproachesmassage. com

Located at 927 Kingston Rd., Advanced Approach es to Massage can also be reached by phone at 416-6946767.

WRITER’S NOTE: Ad vanced Approaches to Mas sage’s milestone anniversary is a reminder of how vital the ongoing support of local businesses is.

This community is recog nized by all who live in it or visit it, as a “small town.”

This community is filled with individuals who believe in supporting their commu nities, shopping locally, help ing their neighbours…

Let us view Susierra’s suc cess as a reminder that with out support, more business es can make it in this neigh bourhood that is so difficult to succeed in. Support local, neighbours.

McDougall & Brown Funeral Home Scarborough Chapel by Arbor Memorial

PHOTO: SUBMITTED

Susierra Wilson of Advanced Approaches to Massage is celebrating the 20th an niversary of the business on Kingston Road.

Open Doors: Spiritual Matters

The season to care for others and call for change

Anticipation...it’s mak ing me wait. In 1979

Heinz created a mes sage that still rattles around in the heads of Gen X’ers and Baby Boomers alike, calling us all to wait for the good things to come.

Ketchup aside, we are once again in a time of waiting. Our yearly journey into winter, and the longest night of the year is our an nual reminder that change is ever-present in our lives and that it sometimes comes with anticipation.

Multiple faith traditions celebrate this moment in the calendar - Zoroastrian, Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and Hindu. Each tradition approaches the conversation with unique understandings and celebrations, however there is a common theme: with each ending, comes a new beginning.

Regardless of the hustle and bustle that many of us inhabit during this time, we are being invited to welcome something new. We are called to live in the darkness of the moment anticipating the emergence of newness on the other side. Sharing

stories of transformation that acknowledge where we have come from, allow us to live fully in our current experience, and advance hope for new things, offering a powerful path for everyone to follow.

This is a season to care for each other as we reach out to support folks on the margins. While it is im portant that we respond to people’s immediate needs, it is essential that we take that a step further and do the demanding work of chang ing systems and structures that create the need in the first place.

Please support your local food bank AND ask why it needs to exist. Please sup port local shelters AND ask what we can do to help build more affordable housing in our communities. This sup port is necessary because our social safety net has bro ken down and there is little political will to introduce something different.

This is a season to care for creation as our world groans and cries under the burden of our exploitation. It is essential that we ask whether we really do need that new (…insert what ever you last went to the store to buy here) and be

imaginative in our response to climate change. Please consider the choices you make daily AND ask what we can do to reduce our dependance on fossil fuels. The people we share gifts with, the loved ones in our lives, deserve nothing less.

As the days get shorter and we approach this end ing moment, we anticipate a new beginning: a time of hope, peace, joy, and lovenot just for ourselves or for family and friends, but also for our community and for our world. Unlike ketchup, we do not have to wait. We can begin now, in this moment, to start the work. Anticipation aside, there are things we can do right now. We can hope for change, we can offer peace, we can live with joy, and we can share love. May this season offer us time to reflect, and in doing so, emerge boldly and confidently in the warmer, longer days already do ing the important work of change. May all of us hold onto that message and be part of the good things to come!

Happy Holidays!

Rev. Greg Daly is the min ister of Beach United Church on Wineva Avenue.

Christmas Events at Community Centre 55

rev. GreG daly Beach United Church

Donations of non-perishable food items sought by food bank located at Calvary Baptist Church

EXPERIENCING A huge demand, the Grace Pascoe Food Bank in Calvary Baptist Church is appealing to the com munity to help with donations of nonperishable food items.

Located at the church, 72 Main St. be tween Gerrard Street East and Kings ton Road, the food bank is open for clients on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

And it is getting busier every week as the need in the community continues to

grow.

“People desperately need food for themselves and their children or else they may not have enough to eat,” said Adrienne Scott of the food bank in a note to Beach Metro Community News

“As you know, food prices are going up and it is costing everyone more to feed our families,” she said. “Families are really struggling to put food on the table, in addition to paying for the other necessities of life.”

Donations are greatly needed and can be dropped off on Wednesdays be tween 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., or on Thurs days from 5 to 6 p.m. Most needed items are canned fish (tuna, salmon), pasta sauce, canned beans, cereal and oat meal, nut butters (peanut and almond), canned fruit and vegetables, and dia pers. For more information, contact the Grace Pascoe Food Bank at Calvary Baptist Church by email at gpcc@calva ry-baptist-church.ca

Breakfast with Hamper set for Community Centre 55

AS PART of Community Centre 55’s Share A Christmas Program, the an nual Breakfast with Hamper event is returning for this year.

The breakfast, which had been put on hold during the COVID-19 pandem ic, returns on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 8

a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Breakfast with Hamper takes place at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St. Those attending should probably ex pect a visit from Santa at some time durng the breakfast.

Also planned for the month of De

cember at Community Centre 55 is a Se niors Pot Luck Lunch on Tuesday, Dec. 6, starting at 11:30 a.m.

For more information on these events and Share A Christmas, please contact Community Centre 55 at 416-691-113 or go to www.centre55.com

Sultans of String concert slated for Kingston Road United

THE KINGSTON Road Village Concert Series presents the Sultans of String Christmas Caravan concert on Wednes day, Dec. 21.

The concert will take place at Kings ton Road United Church, 975 Kingston Rd., starting at 7 p.m.

Playing the church and the Beach community is one of the Sultans of String’s favourite holiday concerts, and the prime date of Dec. 21 has been set aside for it as the band’s Christmas Car avan tours the province.

Special guests for the Dec. 21 con cert will include Rebecca Campbell, Donne Roberts, Saskia Tomkins, Mario Marques and more.

Organizers say this is a Christmas concert you do not want to miss.

Other concerts set for the Kingston Road Concert Series 2022/23 season are Side by Side - Winter Bach #1 on

Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023; and Side by Side - Winter Bach #2 on Saturday, March 4, at 7:30 p.m.

Advance tickets for all concerts are $35, and they are $40 at the door. Chil dren under 12 are admitted free.

Those attending are reminded that food bank donations are always grate fully accepted.

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

Comedy Festival set for Red Sand Castle Theatre

THE FAR From Here Comedy Festi val is slated to take place at the Red Sand Castle Theatre in Leslieville next month.

The comedy festival will run from Dec. 7 to Dec. 10. Red Sand Castle The atre is located at 922 Queen St. E., near Carlaw Avenue.

Headlining the festival will be comic veteran Jackie Kashian. A three-decade veteran of the standup trenches, she’s appeared on Conan and Corden, pro duced more than a half dozen albums, and toured around the world.

Also on the lineup for the comedy fes tival at Red Sand Castle are:

Clif Knight, a Guyanese born come dian based in Toronto.

Marc Hallworth, a rostered comedian with Yuk Yuk’s, an improv tournament champion at both the TheatreSports Micetro and Toronto Beerprov.

Rush Kazi, a Montreal-born, Torontobased comic, non-binary, bipedal, car bon-based stand-up, sketch, and musi cal comic.

For ticket information on the Far Fr pom Here Comedy Festival, please go to www.farfromherecomedy.com/festivaltickets--passes.html

BALSAM DENTAL

BEACHES OPTOMETRY

William F. Deneault

Chartered Accountant

• Corporate & Personal Tax

• Specializing in small to medium business

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

Kriens LaRose, LLP

Chartered Professional Accountants

• Accounting services for owner-managed businesses.

• Personal and corporation income tax preparation.

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

Melani Norman

CPA, CMA

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

Emily C. Larimer

CPA, CGA BOOKKEEPING & PERSONAL TAX RETURNS

INCLUDING TAXES IN ARREARS Call: 416-693-2274 emily@eclarimercpa.com www.eclarimercpa.com

Patrick Ruiz Professional Corporation CPA, CA

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

Dashwood & Dashwood

Barristers & Solicitors

Geoffrey J. Dashwood

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

Snider & DiGregorio

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

Tel: 416-699-0424 Fax: 416-699-0285 Email: info@sdlegal.ca

O’Reilly, Moll & Mian

Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries Public 300 Main Street 416-690-3324

Commissioner/Notary,

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

Open Saturdays

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

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

ASHBRIDGE’S

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

Beaches Family Law and MEDIATION

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

Linda@BeachesFamilyLaw.com

Shelly Pereira, Paralegal

Small Claims, Landlord & Tenant/other Tribunals, Municipal Offences, Letters & Mediation.

Janet D’Arcy

Beachers and Malvern Collegiate reunion held

Breakfast with Santa set for Sunday, Dec. 4 at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11

THE ROYAL Canadian Le gion Branch 11 on Dawes Road will be hosting a Break fast with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 4.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to noon, with the last sitting for breakfast starting at 11:30 a.m.. The breakfast menu will include pancakes, bacon or sausages, scram bled eggs, coffee or tea for adults, and juice for children. Cost is $5.

Those attending are urged to wear their ugliest Christ mas sweater as there will be prize given out for the one termed most obnoxious. The Best Ugly Sweater draw will be made at 11:30 a.m.

Of course, Santa Claus will be making an appearance at the breakfast and will be available for photos with the children.

Tickets for the Breakfast with Santa are available at

the Legion’s clubroom, 9 Dawes Rd., and will also be sold at the door on Dec. 4.

Also, Branch 11 will be hosting a New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance on Dec. 31 from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Tickets are $35 per person and must be purchased in advance before Dec. 29. Only 100 tickets will be sold for this event. Call the Branch at 416-699-1353 or visit the club room to purchase tickets.

Beach Metro Community News Lucky Volunteer for Nov. 29

The Beach Metro Commun ity News Lucky Volunteer for Nov. 29 is Dexter Mac Call.

He has been a volunteer since 2017 and delivers in the Costain Avenue and Brookside Drive area.

“I started delivering the Beach Metro News when I was in Grade 5 when our neighbours who used to do this moved to B.C.,” he said.

“I volunteered because we were learning in school about helping the commun ity and when my Mom and Dad suggested I take over the route, I thought it would be a good way to help and interact with my neigh bours. It was just a thing that I did every two weeks.

When I started Grade 7, I was surprised that I could count my Beach Metro de livery time for my school’s requirement for volunteer hours. I’m now in Grade 10 and I continue to deliver the paper all year.”

For being named the Beach Metro Community News Lucky Volunteer for Nov. 29, Dexter receives a $50 gift.

If you would like to become a Beach Metro Commun ity News volunteer carrier, please email our Distri bution Manager, Melinda Drake at melinda@beach metro.com for all the info.

PHOTO: SUBMITTED

A reunion last month for Beachers and Malvern Collegiate alumni from the years 1962 to 1972 was held late last month at The Grover on Kingston Road. It was organized by proud Beacher John Watt, right, who now lives in Victoria, British Columbia. Among the many people who attended the event on Oct. 22 were Mary (Mallette) Mouncey, Karen Harvey, Brian Snider, Bert Harvey, Bill Mouncey, and Paul Lee.

Wendy MacKinnon: Your Local Mortgage Broker

Councillors have differing views on Strong Mayor plan

By Alan Shackleton

ONE EAST Toronto area council

lor is dead-set against it, and two others are cautiously willing to give it a chance as the era of the Strong Mayor system appears to be beginning in the city.

The provincial government’s Bill 39 Better Municipal Governance Act which was tabled after the Oct. 24 municipal elections aims to give the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa the power to push through certain motions with only the support of one-third of their councils.

The issues that this can be used for relate to provincial priority items such as affordable housing and transit.

However, the idea that city poli cies and actions can be decided only by one-third of the total num ber of councillors has raised con cerns regarding the abuse of power by the mayors of those councils and the perceived loss of power for council members as a whole.

Also concerning to critics of Bill 39 is that Toronto Mayor John Tory apparently asked Premier Doug Ford for the one-third clause in the act before voters went to the polls but did not mention it during the October election campaign.

Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher is one of a group of politicians, including members of the Ontario NDP, call ing on Tory to reject those Strong Mayor powers.

“Nowhere in the world is there a democratic government that pass es legislation with only a 1/3 mi nority,” said Fletcher in her recent newsletter to residents. “Indeed Premier (Doug) Ford must pass this legislation with a 51 per cent majority.”

Fletcher pointed out that resi dents who voted in the municipal

election thought they were going to get councillors who would have a strong voice at Toronto City Hall.

“Everyone who voted on Oct. 24 not only voted for a mayoral can didate, but also for a local coun cillor who they rely on to be a strong voice for them at City Hall.

In Toronto-Danforth we’ve stood up against cuts to our libraries, against cuts to our community ser vices like pools, and against privati zation. Under Mayor Rob Ford, City Council stopped budget cuts with a one vote margin,” she said in her newsletter.

“The composition of Council will be the most diverse in our history.

I welcome the new faces and en ergy and look forward to working with them and learning from them.

I support the statements made by my new colleagues, Councillor Alejandra Bravo, Councillor Ja maal Myers, and Councillor Ausma Malik, in calling for Mayor Tory to withdraw his request for these new powers.”

In response to questions by Beach Metro Community News, Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford said he’s interested in making sure democratic processes are not reduced as a result of Bill 39, but he did not call for Tory to re ject its powers.

Scarborough Southwest Council lor Gary Crawford also did not call for Tory to reject the Strong Mayor powers proposed in Bill 39.

Here are the three questions Beach Metro Community News asked Bradford and Crawford re garding the issue, and their re sponses:

QUESTION: Are you in favour of the proposed Strong Mayor leg islation which proposes to give the mayor the power to move through legislation with a 1/3 vote of coun cil? Why or why not?

BRADFORD: “As the only sitting member of Council that all 3 million Torontonians have the opportunity to cast a vote for, I believe there is a case to be made that Toronto’s Mayor should have the ability to drive forward the agenda on which they are elected. While I think we should be cautiously optimistic that these changes could help bring positive changes on the big issues in our city, I’m looking forward to further reviewing a comprehensive report to Council outlining exactly how these Strong Mayor Powers will work in practice. If these pow ers help us to make our streets safer, our environment greener, our housing more affordable, we should be open to it.”

CRAWFORD: “I am ready to work with Mayor Tory to get things done. He has a clear mandate to get housing and transit built, both of which are urgently needed.”

QUESTION: This change to only 1/3 of council approval was not mentioned during the munici pal campaign, but had apparently already been asked for. Critics are calling this a “betrayal” of voters by the John Tory campaign in that he did not make public that he was seeking this How do you see it?

BRADFORD: “I understand that this change was raised to make sure that the language of the Bill actually legislatively allows us to act on the big priorities it would be used for. If this tool is to be used to get more housing built as quickly as possible, for example, we should make sure the legislation does in fact work efficiently, right from the start. That said, there is a lot of con cern over how this process is going to reduce our democratic processes and I’m interested to make sure that doesn’t prove to be correct.”

CRAWFORD: “My focus is on meeting the needs of the residents

of Ward 20 and of the City. We have a housing crisis and a transit defi cit. We need to remain focused as a City Council on the jobs at hand, and on working with the Mayor to ensure our economy comes back stronger than ever.”

QUESTION: How can you reas sure residents in the ward they have a say in the future of the city now that the concept of every vote on council being basically equal no longer exists?

BRADFORD: “Local council lors are an integral component of our municipal democracy and will continue to play an important role in ensuring that their communi ties are heard on important issues. Councillors are in a unique position of being the local convener and con nector between residents and the machine of government. In my ex perience, the Mayor’s interest isn’t in micro-managing Councillors and their local issues, nor does he want to bring down the axe on policy across the board. There may be specific circumstances and issues – such as on increasing housing op tions in our city – where this tool could help move us forward, while also maintaining the importance of residents and Councillors having their say.”

CRAWFORD: “I can assure my constituents that I will continue to represent them at Council as I always have done, and their voices will be heard at City Hall. As the Mayor made clear yesterday, his leadership style and overall ap proach to City Council will not change. Mayor Tory has commit ted to only using the proactive veto on housing and transit matters of citywide importance, preceded by a staff report and only after trying to forge a consensus at City Council.”

Meanwhile, there is an open let ter and petition calling for Bradford

and Beaches-East York MPP MaryMargaret McMahon to urge Tory to renounce the powers in Bill 39.

The open letter attached to the petition concludes with the state ment: “We, the undersigned, along side many residents of BeachesEast York, ask you to stand up for our city government; we ask you to stand up for us. To join us in our defence of local democracy and to show the people of this ward that our elected officials will not stand by and watch our ability to hold each other and our governments accountable slip away. We refuse to allow our city to be governed by minority rule, and we hope you do too.”

At Toronto Council’s meeting on Thursday, Nov. 24, a ruling by the Speaker that a discussion on the Strong Mayor powers would not be discussed that day was approved by a vote of 13-12. There are a total of 26 votes on Council including the mayor’s.

Voting not to discuss the issue on Thursday were Mayor Tory, Councillor Bradford, Councillor Crawford, Councillor Paul Ainslie, Councillor Jon Burnside, Coun cillor Shelley Carroll, Councillor Vincent Crisanti, Councillor Nick Mantas, Councillor Jennifer McK elvie, Councillor Frances Nunziata, Councillor James Pasternak, Coun cillor Dianne Saxe, and Councillor Michael Thompson.

Voting to have the issue dis cussed that day were Councillor Fletcher, Councillor Alejandro Bra vo, Councillor Lily Cheng, Council lor Mike Colle, Councillor Stephen Holyday, Councillor Ausma Malik, Councillor Josh Matlow, Council lor Chris Moise, Councillor Amber Morley, Councillor Jamaal Myers, Councillor Gord Perks, Councillor Anthony Peruzza. Councillor Jaye Robinson did not vote on the issue.

Building on Greenbelt will not mean more affordable housing, rally told

ment. Also speaking at Sat urday’s rally were Beach es-East York Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Beaches-East York Council lor Brad Bradford, TorontoDanforth Liberal MP Julie Dabrusin, and Phil Pothen with Environmental De fence.

Speaking to the crowd on Saturday, Pothen referenced the small number of land owners who will benefit from the opening up of their land on the Greenbelt for develop ment.

“This is a plan to ensure a few landowners who bought the land dirt cheap because it was always supposed to be

Greenbelt land are now be ing handed a Golden Ticket,” said Pothen.

He told the crowd he had been invited to speak to a Progressive Conservative riding association in an area outside Toronto about the Greenbelt, but was taken off the agenda after “a certain cabinet minister” found out he was there.

This was greeted with cries of “Shame” from those at the rally.

Pothen pointed out the Greenbelt lands are among the most vital in the province when it comes to protecting southern Ontario’s biodiver sity. “If you open the door by taking a little piece of it out

here or there, that will have a huge impact on the entire biodiversity,” he said.

Speakers also ridiculed the idea that Bill 23 was somehow supposed to mean more affordable housing would be built in the Greater Toronto Area.

“This is not a good idea and no one believes the lie about this meaning more affordable housing,” said Pothen.

He encouraged residents to keep the pressure up on the Ford government and to let Progressive Conservative MPPs know that residents want the Greenbelt protect ed.

Though there are not PC

MPPs in the East Toronto ridings of Beaches-East York, Toronto-Danforth or

Scarborough Southwest, there are some in Scarbor ough, North York and Etobi

coke, and McMahon suggest ed residents from this area contact them.

PHOTOS: ALAN SHACKLETON

Photo above right, Gledhill Junior Public School teacher Chantal Leclerc, with microphone, and Equinox school students Samantha, Matilda, Yeshi and Willow at the rally to save the Greenbelt on Saturday at East Lynn Park. Photo above left, Audrey holds her We Need Nature sign.

Real world application of accessibility design standards has reader concerned

Re: ‘When talking about housing, don’t forget accessibil ity’, In My Opinion, Beach Metro Community News, Nov. 15.

Although the column writer gives a very eloquent and idealistic description of what “universal design” is, she does not appear to have given any thought to the impact on other people when this idea is taken out of the laboratory and intro duced in the real world.

I live in a seniors building where the construction of uni versal design concepts has been going on since the beginning of June, at the taxpayers’ expense, with a disastrous impact on the seniors here.

Specifically, the ongoing construction noise and disruption bothered my next-door neighbour, who had just got out of the hospital, so much that he died.

Recently another senior here, who was stressed out from the ongoing noise right outside his window, decided to cook some chicken and to go down to the beach to relax. Toronto Fire Services had to smash their way into his apartment to let the smoke out, and they were also knocking on surrounding doors to check for any smoke victims.

One time the construction workers were racing up and down the hallway on a cargo scooter and if any senior had happened to step out into the hallway, he or she would not have been well enough to use “universal design”. Our building already had a ramp at one of the doors which

was used just fine by seniors who had a scooter or walker, but the construction workers just dug all that out. There is no one here with a wheelchair, but anyone with one could have got in and out there.

The new, wider doors being installed for “accessibility” are very heavy and I do not see how someone with a wheel chair would be able to get them open, any time that the auto matic openers break down, which happens any time they are jammed open for a delivery or whatever.

It takes a lot of time to find anyone who knows how to re pair them correctly because they are made by various differ ent companies with differing instructions. So, anyone with a wheelchair would be stuck in a fire and would not be able to get out.

The huge amount of money wasted on the construction could better be spent on preventing disabilities - simple, common sense measures such as exercise, proper diet, ac cident prevention, and getting chiropractic treatments to be covered by OHIP. The goal should be good health, not con struction profit.

The need for accessible housing does not increase as our society “ages”, as the column writer suggests. It is the un necessary construction which causes the aging.

Lorna Houston

No right to inflict anger on innocent people

On Nov. 11, my husband was assaulted at the Farm Boy at Leslie Street and Lake Shore Boulevard East because he was wearing a mask while shopping.

The young man screamed obscenities while nose-to-nose with a much older complete stranger. He chest bumped and shoved my husband, who calmly asked the young man to leave him alone. To the person who took such an exception to what a complete stranger was wearing: It’s none of your busi

ness, but my husband is undergoing cancer treatment. He is also recovering from brain surgery. Do yourself and everyone around you a favour and mind your own business. You have no right to inflict your anger at the world on innocent people going about their day. Thank you to the staff at Farm Boy who provided police with a photo of the guy who, of course, was not wearing a mask.

Name withheld

Serving the GTA for 29 years, Carpet Mill is a premier choice for residents, contrac tors, designers and real estate agents.

With so many of our supply chains interrupted, you can rely on Carpet Mill for over 10,000 SF allocated to stock on location, Including Carpets, Remnants, Vinyl and Area rugs. This paired with our in-house master installation teams, ensures that we can accommodate a timely professional installation in a fraction of the time as most competitors.

We specialize in staircases, custom bind ing, commercial and residential carpet installation as well as hard surface instal lation. Ask about becoming a member of our trade program!

CTD Handyman Services

Head Start Tutors

One on One Tutoring Grades 3-12

Keeping the Love of Learning Alive Sunday tutoring available. www.headstarttutors.ca 416-272-9589 • hstarttutors@gmail.com Proudly serving the Beach for over 25 years Neil Bennett B.Ed./OCT Sally Vickers B.Ed./OCT (18r)

THE STUDY STUDIO

Individualized tutoring and programs for grades 3-12 in all subjects. Proven success with thousands of Beach area students for 20 years. On Kingston Rd. just east of Vic Park Andrew English B.Ed. 416-690-6116 www.thestudystudio.com (18r)

MATH SPECIALIST

• Videolink tutoring in HS math/physics • Focussing on long-term success • Experience in all grades/core courses Hire

Home Decor

Vienna

General Services WAYNE’S

Peter the Handyman

THE TWO FOURS

Math/Physics

Karen Franzen and Friends Holiday Show on Dec. 9, 10 and 11

THE KAREN Franzen and Friends 20th An nual Holiday Show is set for early December.

The show will take place Friday, Dec. 9, Saturday, Dec. 10, and Sunday, Dec. 11.

Show times on Dec. 9 are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The show times for Dec. 10 and 11 are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Participants in the show are invited to take part in a holiday art crawl by visiting studios of the artists taking part in the show.

There are three studios, featuring 10 art

ists within two blocks of one another, making up this year’s show.

The first studio on the show’s art crawl is located 3 Wembley Dr., Toronto, two blocks east of Coxwell Avenue and Upper Gerrard Street East.

The host for this studio is Karen Franzen, and her handmade ceramics will be on dis play. Also featured at the Wembley Drive stu dio will be the fine art drawings and paint ings of Fred Franzen.

Other artists featured at the Wembley Drive studio will be Sunny Mills, hand paint ed tea towels and cards; SarahAnn Goldnau Voit, Charcoal & Petals, skin care; and Talia Tiang, embroidered jewellery, and kits.

The second studio is located at 148 Gains borough Rd., just north of the No Frills.

The host of this studio is Noel Yardley with ceramic works. Also featured at the Gains borough studio will be the ceramics of Thom as Bollman.

The third studio in the show is located at 8 Eastwood Ave., just east of Coxwell Avenue.

The host at this studio is Lisa Herrera of Tangerine Dream Studio Gallery, Also featured at the Eastwood studio will be fine art paintings by Tracy Davis, Joanne Felitti, Scott Donein, and Gail Williams, Admission is free to all of the studios tak ing part in the show.

For more information, please go to www. karenfranzen.com

Jack of all Trades

HANDYMAN SERVICES

Bathrooms Fences, Decks, Drywall, Carpentry No job too small. Free estimates. Serving the Beaches for 15 years. 416-278-5328 (19)

DRYWALL

Replacement and repair. Small to medium jobs only, please. Clean. Professional. 43 yrs experience. I won’t leave until you are 110% satisfied Please call Colin at 416-347-0974 for a free quote. (18..)

WATERPROOFING

Act Fast Waterproofing 647-993-3466 www.actfastwaterproofing.ca Licensed, local, award winning (19)

LEAKY BASEMENT SOLUTIONS

Call Mike Local - Licenced D-34 Reasonable 416-371-1025 (Woodbine - Gerrard) (18$)

MATTCAM CONSTRUCTION

Professional Drywall, Taping, Mudding & Painting. General repairs. Very reliable. Call Matt 647-833-2884 (13/23