Beach Metro Community News March 7, 2023

Will you support us again? Fight for local journalism.

On our 50th Anniversary, we asked you to fight for our Beach Metro Community News.

Our small but mighty community answered the call. Donations poured in. We were amazed, appreciative and motivated.

The fight for local journalism continues.

In today’s complex media landscape, advertising revenue alone will no longer solely support your Beach Metro Community News. Your donation will help us continue to cover the news, stories and events of importance to local residents.

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Thank you on behalf of our Beach Metro Community News Volunteer Board of Directors:

Mary Beth Denomy – President

Desmond Brown – Past President

David Morrow – Vice President

Doug Black – Treasurer

Karen Cleveland – Secretary

Paul M. Babich – Special Advisor

Sheila Blinoff – Special Advisor

Spring Sprint set to return after three years

AFTER THREE years of not being able to take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Spring Sprint is back in the Beach and runners will be hitting the Boardwalk on Saturday, April 1.

Since its inception back in 1987, the Spring Sprint has been a major fundraiser for the Beaches Recreation Centre.

The event is organized by the Beaches Recreation Centre Advisory Council, and money raised goes to programs at the Williamson Road centre.

For 2023, there will be two-kilometre and five-kilometre walk/ runs along the Boardwalk. The races are usually broken down into categories of a five-kilometre run, a five-kilometre walk, a two-kilometre walk and a two-kilometre run for children.

The Spring Sprint starts and finishes on the Boardwalk near the Silver Birch Boathouse at the foot

Sale raises funds for earthquake relief in Turkey

of Silver Birch Avenue. The route goes west along the Boardwalk and then circles back along the Martin Goodman Trail.

Registration for this year’s Spring Sprint takes place in person at the Beaches Recreation Centre, 6 Williamson Rd., on March 21, 22, 29 and 30 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost to register is $25. Registration is done in person so participants can have a chance to see the facility they are helping to raise funds for.

The event usually draws hundreds of runners, and as such the Beaches Recreation Centre is in need of volunteers to help out with this year’s Spring Sprint -- both on race day and with registrations.

For more info on the 2023 Spring Sprint, or to volunteer, please visit the Beaches Recreation CentreAdvisory Council Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/people/ Beaches-Recreation-Centre-Advisory-Council/100057641762082/

Local councillor on city sub-committee monitoring Metrolinx’s Ontario Line

By Amarachi Amadike, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

TORONTO AND East York Com-

munity Council has unanimously supported the creation of a subcommittee made up of three councillors to monitor Metrolinx’s work on the Ontario Line subway extension

Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher, together with Spadina-Fort York Councillor Ausma Malik and Toronto Centre Councillor Chris Moise, called for the creation of the committee at the Feb. 23 Community Council meeting.

They said community members and political representatives have been left in the dark about the specifics of the plans by Metrolinx, the

Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford makes moves towards possible run for mayor

By Amarachi Amadike, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

provincial transit agency, for the building of the Ontario Line.

“This sub-committee will allow the City of Toronto to set clear recommendations to Metrolinx to ensure the best results are achieved for Toronto residents in terms of design, construction and community benefit,” said Fletcher in a news release.

She said that all three councillors involved in the proposal represent the wards that are most affected by the Ontario Line within the Toronto and East York Community Council area.

The Ontario Line, which is expected to be 15.6 kilometres long, was announced by Premier Doug Ford in 2019. It will make it easier

Continued on Page 2

BEACHES-EAST YORK Council-

lor Brad Bradford has launched an advisory committee in what could be the beginning stages of a mayoral campaign.

“I’ve spoken with hundreds of residents from every corner of Toronto,” said Bradford in statement announcing the advisory committee.

“They are concerned that our city is stuck in a slow state of decline and want to ensure our next mayor has the energy and ideas to tackle the challenges ahead.”

On Feb. 28, the 36-year-old, who is in his second term as councillor, put out a press release with a list of political hard-hitters who will be members of the advisory committee.

“I’m taking the next steps to build a winning team that can tackle the serious challenges facing our city,” said Bradford.

“To do this, I’m assembling an Advisory Committee that will ensure any campaign I lead represents the broad diversity and perspectives found across the entire city.”

Bradford’s advisory committee consists of individuals connected to both Liberal and Progressive Conservative backgrounds as he signals attempts to prevent Toronto from being “locked in a right versus left political circus”.

The committee members include:

• Khokon Abbas (President of the Toronto Dhaka Club);

• Andrea Barrack (2022 Ontario Liberal Candidate in UniversityRosedale);

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• Gordon Capern (Senior Partner at Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP);

• Sonny Cho (President & CEO of Canada Korea Business Council);

• Barbara Fox (CEO of Enterprise Canada);

• Tim Hockey (Retired President & CEO of TD Ameritrade); Atrisha Lewis (2018 Civic Action Diversity City Fellow Alumnus and community leader);

• Owais Lightwala (Arts leader, academic, and entrepreneur);

• Bob Lopinski (Liberal strategist and communications professional);

• Dennis Matthews (President of Creative Currency);

• Tausha Michaud (Conservative strategist and government relations executive);

• Karen Restoule (Indigenous business leader and entrepreneur);

PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON

A fundraising sale to help support victims of the recent earthquake in Turkey was held at St. John the Baptist Norway Anglican Church in the Beach on Saturday. Organizers of the event included (from left) Sema Toprak, Sema Guler, Deniz Ozhan, Zeynep Guler Tuck and Tuba Postaci.

Residents express ‘frustration’ with Metrolinx, says Fletcher

for commuters to travel from Exhibition Place to the Ontario Science Centre, running through the heart of downtown along with neighbourhoods in Riverdale, Leslieville and East York.

The aim of the line is to reduce travel by more than

Local Journalism Initiative

half. It currently takes 70 minutes to complete this trip via transit, however, with the addition of this new line, it will now only take 30 minutes for passengers to commute from end to end.

Metrolinx says the Ontario Line, once completed, will also significantly reduce crowding in the current transit network. The line adds connections to “more than 40 other travel options along the way”.

These include the TTC’s Line 1, Line 2, the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, connections to streetcar lines at 10 stations, connections to buses at 12 Ontario Line stations, as well as three GO Transit rail lines.

Although this project will positively impact the city’s network of transportation services—trains arriving as frequently as every 90 seconds during rush hour— many critics have cited issues with some of the construction plans which will now cost between $17 billion to $19 billion.

Fletcher said residents and community stakeholders along many sections of the Ontario Line including the East Toronto sections

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are expressing “frustration about the lack of public engagement and communication from Metrolinx on construction, traffic, tree canopy, and business impacts of this important new transit infrastructure”.

However, Metrolinx told Beach Metro Community News that they regularly share updates and seek feedback about plans in communities across the city.

“Metrolinx is committed to keeping communities informed as we move through the project,” said a spokesperson for the company.

“This means opportunities for community engagement as we reach new project milestones or when we’re looking for input from the community on a specific area of the project.”

Metrolinx didn’t provide specific details about avenues they’ve so far created

for public engagement, but they expressed that feedback from the public has been taken into account alongside considerations such as technical feasibility.

“We also continue to work closely with our partners at the City of Toronto, meeting on a weekly basis,” said the spokesperson.

Beginning later this month, the councillors involved are hoping the Ontario Line sub-committee meetings will create a clear line of communication between councillors and Metrolinx.

Residents will also have the opportunity to provide feedback about their thoughts on the Ontario Line and how it impacts their communities.

For more information on the Ontario Line, please visit www.metrolinx.com/ en/projects-and-programs/ ontario-line

‘Beaches’ from Page 1

• Stephanie Smyth (Award-winning broadcast journalist);

• Karen Stintz (President & CEO of Variety Village, former City Councillor and TTC Chair);

• Brian Teefy (Vice President, StrategyCorp);

• Kory Teneycke (CEO of Rubicon Strategy);

• Kajananth Thirunavukkasrasu (Tamil Community Leader);

• Jaime Watt (Executive Chairman of Navigator Ltd.).

In the press release, Bradford outlined some of his plans for the city in the event that he officially launches his campaign for mayor.

“People want a safe Toronto – a city that is more affordable, where everyone

can get from home to work and school without fear or frustration,” said Bradford.

“A city that welcomes people from around the world and leaves nobody behind. To achieve that, we need a mayor and council that works together to get things done.”

The City Clerk has set Toronto’s mayoral byelection for Monday, June 26. However, that date still awaits official approval from Toronto Council at its March 29 meeting.

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

Mayoral byelection expected to take place on June 26

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

Virtual meeting on Main and Danforth highrise development plans set for evening of March 8

By Amarachi Amadike, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A VIRTUAL community consultation meeting to discuss three new development proposals for the Main Street and Danforth Avenue area is set to take place on Wednesday, March 8, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The proposals are for areas on the south side of Danforth Avenue between Main Street and Dawes Road, including the site of the present Canadian Tire store.

The first is a rezoning application to redevelop portions of the property on 2575 Danforth Ave. with five new buildings.

These new buildings will range from 15 to 55 storeys and will create up to 1,543 residential units consisting of both rental units and condominiums. For more on the proposal, go to www.toronto.ca/2575DanforthAve

The second proposal is for two towers at 2681 Danforth Ave.

They will be 33 and 44 storey mixed-use buildings that will provide 905 residential units.

These buildings will have a total gross floor area (GFA) of 79,854 square metres, including 68,788 square metres of residential GFA and 11,066 square metres of non-

residential GFA which will be reserved for Canadian Tires retail operations. For more information on this proposal, go to www.toronto.ca/2681DanforthAve

The third is a rezoning application for a proposed 38-storey mixed-use building at 8 Dawes Rd.

This development will contain 399 dwelling units, consisting of 39 three-bedroom, 109 two-bedroom, and 251 one-bedroom units.

The building will have a total GFA of 28,244 square metres for residential use and another 451 square metres of non-residential GFA. For information on this proposal, go to www. toronto.ca/8DawesRd

Community members are encouraged to participate in the virtual meeting on March 8 where they will have the opportunity to hear more about proposals from City of Toronto senior planners and Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford.

For more information on how to participate in the meeting, please visit www.toronto.ca/ howtoengageonline

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

Winter Stations 2023 now on at Woodbine Beach

PHOTOS: ADAM OWEN-GILL

The Winter Stations 2023 art installations are now on display along Woodbine Beach. This year’s Winter Stations officially opened on Family Day (Feb. 20), and the displays will remain up through to the first few days of April. Photo above, children play on the 3 Surfaces Pavilion installation. Photo below, the LIFE LINE installation. Photo at bottom, the Winter-net installation. For more photos of the Winter Stations 2023 installations along Woodbine Beach, please see Page 12. For more information on Winter Stations, please go to www.winterstations.com

Local MP Erskine-Smith considering bid for leadership of Ontario Liberal Party

By Amarachi Amadike, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

BEACHES-EAST YORK Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith is signalling an interest in leading the Ontario Liberal Party, and he took some steps towards that at the party’s annual general meeting in Hamilton this past weekend.

Having joined the then third place federal Liberal Party of Canada in 2015 because they were “in need of generational renewal,” Erskine-Smith is looking to repeat history, this time on a provincial level.

“Ontario deserves better than the incompetent populism we see at Queen’s Park,” said Erskine-Smith in an interview last week with Beach Metro Community News that took place prior to the meeting in Hamilton.

“Our healthcare system is mismanaged, education isn’t a priority, housing starts have slowed, and there’s no credible climate plan,” he said.

With Ontario’s Liberals failing to garner widespread support from voters — winning only eight seats in the June 2022 provincial election which saw Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative Party elected to a second straight majority government –Erskine-Smith said he believes it’s time for the Liberal Party in Ontario to go through a transformative period.

He said he was looking to see that transformation begin over the weekend in Hamilton.

“If we are going to deliver the change that our province needs, we need to change as Ontario Liberals And the AGM in Hamilton represents an opportunity to do just that,” said Erskine-Smith.

“We need to open up our party, to create more engagement with and accountability to our grassroots, and to ensure every community has a strong voice in our party.”

Erskine-Smith told Beach Metro Community News that the events of the annual meeting will play a major factor in his decision on whether to run for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party.

One of the changes he was looking for was in the way the party selected its leader, and was hoping the Ontario Liberals would move to a one-member/one-vote system. And that is what the party did at its weekend meeting.

Though Erskine-Smith has made no official announcement he will be seeking the leadership prior to Beach Metro Community News’ press deadline, he has begun putting together an advisory team of academics and financial experts in preparation of just such a bid.

“We can’t cede an economic agenda and fiscal discipline to Conservatives, just as we can’t cede compassion and fairness for those in need to the NDP,” said Erskine-Smith.

“We can and should do both. And we should do so with integrity and honesty, to

build back trust in our democracy.”

One of those reported to be on his team is Vince Gasparro, Managing Director and Head of Sustainable Finance at Roynat Capital – Scotiabank and one-time advisor to former Prime Minister Paul Martin.

“We also need to remind everyone that politics, for all of its faults, is one of the most important ways we can make a positive difference in the lives of those around us,” said Erskine-Smith.

“If you want better from our politics, then the answer is participation.”

Erskine-Smith believes that the way to do this is to revert to the grassroots method of politics by increasing volunteer engagement as well as rebuilding field organization and fundraising potential.

Although eyeing a move to provincial politics, the 38-year-old Member of Parliament says he is still very much active at the federal level as he has stayed engaged with inner workings of the coming federal budget.

As a member of the Industry and Technology Committee, he is also involved in discussions regarding the widely debated RogersShaw merger.

At this point in time, it is unclear what riding Erskine-Smith would be looking to represent provincially if he did run for and win the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party.

However, he said he has no plans on the seat held by current Beaches-East York Liberal MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon.

“Mary-Margaret McMahon is a strong local MPP and I would run in a different riding if I take this next step to represent all of Ontario,” said Erskine-Smith.

Although a candidate from a central Toronto riding, he said he feels confident of the support his team can generate from all areas of the province.

He said the response he has received, so far, has been positive “in part because of my reputation for speaking my mind”.

“Integrity matters more than geography, and how one acts matters more than where one is from,” said Erskine-Smith.

With problems in the province continuing to pile up, Erskine-Smith said that he aims to address common issues in communities all across Ontario such as access to primary care, mental health and addictions, housing affordability, and environmental protections.

A child of two local teachers, “excellence in our school system” also sits atop his mind, he said.

“No matter where one lives, we all deserve competence, compassion, and integrity in our representation,” said Erskine-Smith.

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

Patricia (Pat) Boyd

March 14, 1936 - February 25, 2023

A lifetime Beacher, Pat attended Williamson Road PS and Malvern CI. Her family was everything to her and she was always surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Pat will be remembered by many for her quick, friendly smile, her authentic style and her joyful outlook. She will be remembered by her family and those close to her for her warmth, her youthful spirit and humour, her compassion, her uplifting support and her unending love.

Pat is survived by her husband of 66 years, Joe; her children, Kelly, Heidi and Kerr; her 8 grandchildren and her 5 great-grandchildren.

Results of playing politics before helping people seen on bus ride

AmArAchi AmAdike Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

I was standing inside a packed TTC 52A bus travelling west on Lawrence Avenue on a recent Saturday. It was a very cold evening. I don’t remember what the exact temperature was with wind chill, but I can say that waiting 30 minutes for the blue lights of that bus to finally appear was a harrowing experience.

A few stops into my ride and the bus was now even more full. As it pulled over to pick up the next batch of ice sculptures waiting for a ride home, one passenger standing in front of the door addressed the two ladies about to enter.

“There’s no more room!” she yelled.

Although a tight squeeze, there was definitely still room to fit more passengers on this bus. We all just had to move over a little bit. Rightfully so, the two girls ignored the disgruntled passenger and entered the bus.

“Just don’t push me,” said the angry passenger. “I’ll push back.”

No one pushed her. I reckon she was just angry from the cold. It’ll

do that to you. But, I couldn’t help but think, “Wow, she should be in office”.

If the recent mind-boggling voting results at Toronto City Hall were personified, it would be this lady. This was, to me, the exact type of character being displayed by the majority of Toronto councillors during the recent warming centre debates.

It seems as though they didn’t care about the wellbeing of residents because it made their job a little less convenient. “Who cares if it’s a refrigerator outside and people are losing limbs because they have nowhere to go? Let’s balance this budget so that I can return to my luxury condo.”

And then we wonder why there has been an increase in TTC crimes. It’s international news and I recently read a BBC article about the increased police presence on the TTC. “Experts have said that it is difficult to say definitively what is behind this rise, as each violent incident is unique. But the difficulties following the COVID-19 pandemic may play a role,” read the article.

I’m no expert. But I can tell you, with confidence, that the economic turmoil Toronto finds itself in most definitely plays a major factor. The pandemic flipped the city on its

head and councillors are playing politics rather than taking care of the people most affected.

I often wonder what qualifies an individual needs to make decisions for the population of the entire city. I see homeless people suffering every day. I doubt many of those tasked with governing the masses have ever involuntarily experienced a cold night outside. I can’t say this with certainty.

But it would be baffling to discover that a person who has ever experienced homelessness — or hardships at the deepest ends of life’s experiences — voted against any form of a helping hand towards the homeless.

I’ll tell councillors one thing. Once the cold coats your bones on a vicious night and one has no place to go, it’s naturally only a matter of time till the negative thoughts begin to creep in, leaving the gate wide open for blind rage.

As some councillors wrote in a recent letter to former mayor John Tory, an estimated 30 to 50 per cent of TTC Special Constable interactions involve passengers who are experiencing homelessness, have a mental health challenge, are in crisis, or are under the effects of an intoxicant. Although this data is anecdotal, it should come as no surprise. As a person who rides

the TTC every day, I’m shocked that this anecdotal data isn’t actually as high as 90 per cent because that, from the many incidents I’ve personally witnessed, would be far more accurate.

But it’s not just TTC. This is a general crime spike in Toronto that is a by-product of the current insecurities that accompany living here. Toronto Police Service data shows a 17.2 per cent increase in overall major crimes in 2022. People are desperate. People are being driven to a point of anger that can be witnessed in the data.

I’m not particularly against increased policing on TTC as a result. If I had a daughter who uses transit on a daily basis, I’d breathe easier knowing that officers are deployed to ensure she arrives home safely.

What I do have a problem with, however, is making an effort to increase the safety of TTC passengers while ignoring tasks that can be done to address the root of the issue. According to the latest National Rent Report, year over year, the average monthly rent in January for a one-bedroom in Toronto was up 20.8 per cent. Twenty point eight per cent! With rates like this, it makes sense that homeless shelters are overflowing which directly affects the increased TTC criminal

incidents.

Furthermore, as the letter to Tory mentioned, officers have been witnessed kicking out homeless people sleeping inside city trains. This I’ve seen with my own eyes as well. Individuals who are just sleeping, disturbing no one, being woken up and kicked back out into the cold streets with no warm place to go. What is the point of deploying officers to ensure the safety of passengers if the same officers are amplifying the anger and animosity in these people experiencing homelessness which leads them to act irrationally? The circle of life, I suppose.

Now, I get it. Governing a city like Toronto is complicated and councillors by no means have an easy job. It’s impossible to keep everyone happy. Most CEOs will tell you that you have to be cut-throat to run a successful business. And a city is just that, a business.

So perhaps I’ll speak from a business perspective. What good is it to invest money into solving an issue if the perceived solution, by itself, is actually adding to the initial problem? Maybe running a city shouldn’t just be a business.

-- Amarachi Amadike’s reporting for Beach Metro News is funded by the Government of Canada through its Local Journalism Initiative.

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Letters to the Editor

Cartoonist extremely sympathetic to victims of violence on the TTC

Re: ‘TTC cartoon showed lack of empathy,’ Letters, Beach Metro Community News, Feb. 21.

I think the point of the cartoon was missed entirely. I certainly wasn’t making light of those people who have been attacked. I’m angry at the cowardly perpetrators and extremely sympathetic with the victims.

It’s ongoing news. That’s what editorial cartoonists and journalist do. We report this news. Attacks on people are up nearly 50 per cent and it doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon, despite measures by those in charge. There are other issues at work here: mental health, drug use, homelessness etc... but to my mind that’s not an excuse for attacking vulnerable, unsuspecting people.

I suggested that, as sort of last resort, the woman in the cartoon needed to be prepared. Yes, I drew her armed with a baseball bat. I knew I might face some flak for this bit of hyperbole. Of course, it would be ludicrous for a person to travel to work with a Louisville Slugger in hand. (If you do, remember to always bring a baseball mitt with you so you can explain to the police.)

What does a vulnerable person do when faced with an unexpected attack on a transit system that is supposed to be safe? Unfortunately, most of the time, nothing. So, I wanted readers to live vicariously through this cartoon. The family are all concerned about the situation but Mom was going to persevere as many Moms do, and she was ready.

Bill Suddick

Supporting local journalism critical to the strength of our community

AlAn ShAckleton Beach Metro News Editor

As the 50th anniversary year of Beach Metro Community News comes to an end this March, I would like to thank our readers for the fantastic support they have shown to us over the past 12 months.

In March of 2022, we celebrated our 50th anniversary here at the paper and also put out a call to the community to help make sure we could continue delivering high quality local journalism for the next 50 years.

Thanks to the generous support of so many of our readers, prominent community members, organizations and businesses, I am feeling very positive about the future of this newspaper.

East Toronto residents clearly recognize the important role our newspaper plays in the life of the community.

Like me, they know that local journalism matters.

As I have said before, I firmly believe that neighbourhoods, small towns, suburban communities, cities, (what have you) are all stronger if they have their own local newspaper.

We provide the way for people to talk to each other, listen to each other, learn about each other, help each other and organize together to take action when change is needed.

We also serve as a critical and sometimes the only means of keeping elected officials on their toes and answerable to local residents.

It is one thing for your MP, MPP, or city councillor to blow off a resident’s attempts to make contact, but if they repeatedly do that with Beach Metro Community News then we will raise the alarm and readers will be well aware of how their elected representative behaves.

I am happy to say, though, that the elected officials serving the

areas we cover are aware of how important this newspaper is to the community. They do a good job of keeping in touch with us and answering our questions –annoying as they may sometimes find them to be.

That being said, I do hear from readers who don’t like the answers they read from their elected representatives. And that’s just fine. That’s how democracy works.

The important thing is the politician is put on the record and then it is their business to defend their words and actions, knowing that they will do so under the light of journalistic and community scrutiny.

We live in a world where political strategists (the backroom boys and girls), lobbyists, those seeking special favour, and the so-called powerbrokers and influencers try and steer individual politicians – and even entire political parties – away from engaging with legitimate journalists and average residents.

Why talk to a reporter when you can create and distribute your story (true or not) on your own, they think. These days everybody has an angle and there is no end to the political games and ideologically based propaganda that is trying to put itself out as “news.”

It is hard to know what to believe anymore.

And that’s why a source of news that you can trust has never been more important.

Good local journalism is critical to preserving our democracy.

That’s especially true in our city right now as we are seeing the democratic foundations of Toronto’s municipal government under attack.

Beach Metro Community News readers will know from columns I wrote last year and in January of this year that I think the Strong Mayor System in Toronto is a bad one. It erodes our democracy. In my opinion, it is dangerous and will have dire consequences for our city in the future if allowed to continue unchecked.

Remember that the Strong Mayor System in Toronto gives the elected mayor the power to pass through items considered to be “provincial priorities” with only one-third support from the

Letters to the Editor

members of city council.

No doubt others may feel a Strong Mayor System is the only way Toronto can build affordable housing, improve and expand transit and increase public safety. And it is their right to hold that opinion. But it should be an informed opinion that understands all the facts.

So I would like to remind readers that former Toronto mayor John Tory ran for his third term of office and was elected in 2022 while neglecting to mention during the campaign just how powerful those Strong Mayor powers would be.

With Tory’s resignation from the job of mayor after revelations of his affair with a former staff member came to light earlier this year, Toronto voters have now been given a chance to debate the issue of whether power should lie with the mayor or members of council. We need to make sure we take the opportunity to do so.

During the upcoming mayoral byelection campaign, I say it has to be one of the top issues and voters must know where the candidates stand on it.

You can bet Beach Metro Community News will be watching the campaign and the candidates regarding this issue.

That said, voter turnout in the 2022 municipal election was horribly low, mainly because there seemed to be no issue or candidate who could attract the interest of voters. I believe that will not be the case for the mayoral byelection now scheduled for June.

I’m hoping Torontonians will vote in large numbers and reclaim our city from those who are trying to subvert our democracy.

We here at Beach Metro Community News take the role a free, local and independent press plays in preserving our democracy very seriously. Which is why the work we do here continues, and why your support is so important.

Please know that Beach Metro Community News is a non-profit community newspaper run by a volunteer board of directors. We are here to serve the residents, not make a profit for non-existent private owners or shareholders.

Thank you again for your critically important support. To become a Beach Metro Community News Supporter, please go to www.beachmetro.com/support

Small kindnesses can make a big difference

It was a bitterly cold day as I was waiting for the bus.

I looked over and saw a poorly dressed man, and it broke my heart.

He had stopped briefly to adjust the

plastic bags he was wearing on his feet and tried to insert them into his wellworn shoes.

From that day, I was determined to always carry socks and gloves in my

We Make it Happen

purse for whomever I met that might need them. These are small kindnesses that are so easy to do, yet can make such a difference in someone’s life.

June Rogers

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

MARCH 8: Celebrate International Women’s Day at the Balmy Beach Club from 6-11 p.m. for a night of inspirational speakers, innovators, change makers, and empowerment coaches to raise funds for the Canadian Women Foundation. Enjoy finger foods, live music, and pop-up shops featuring local artists. Tickets are $60 each; $40 for students w/school ID. Visit eventbrite. com and search Revive, Ignite and Shine for details.

MARCH 8: City of Toronto Community Consultation Meeting (Virtual), 6-8 p.m., to discuss three planning applications at Site “A” 2575 & 2625 Danforth Ave., Site “B” 2681 Danforth Ave., and Site “C” 8 Dawes Rd. Meeting will be online and phone-in only. Join at www.toronto.ca/cpconsultations

MARCH 10: Mary’s Way of The Cross at St. John’s Catholic Church, 794 Kingston Rd. (2 blks east of Main St.), 7 p.m. This special Stations of the Cross attempts to present the journey of Jesus to Calvary through the eyes of his mother, Mary, with practical applications to our lives.

MARCH 18: Singles 5k Run and Lake Plunge at Woodbine Beach (Boardwalk Café), 1 p.m. Looking for a fun and social outing? This exciting event is sure to get your heart rate up and leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated. Info and registration: https://singleinthecity.ca/ events/toronto-singles-5k-social-run-lake-plunge-27/

MARCH 18: Organ Recital with Stefani Bedin at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., 4:30 p.m. Organ Stops - Beach United welcomes back accomplished pianist and organist Stefani Bedin as she presents a beautiful, varied program from Bach & more. Donations are welcome and proceeds support the Beach United food programs. Info: beachunitedchurch.com

MARCH 18: Acoustic Harvest presents harmonica genius Mike Stevens and the Bluegrass duo The Schotts at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St., 8 p.m. Tickets $35 advance, $35 cash at door (no refunds, exchanges only). Tickets and info: www.acousticharvest.ca. More info: www.mikestevensmusic.com/mike, www.theschotts.com

MARCH 18: St. Patrick’s Day at RCL Branch 11, 9 Dawes Rd., presenting Plummer Donaghy Academy of Irish Dance. Doors open at 1 p.m. Meatspin at 3 p.m., Irish Dancers at 5:30 p.m. and Entertainment at 7:30 p.m. with Joe Tucker and a St. Patrick’s draw for gift baskets at 10 p.m.-ish. Draw tickets 3 for $5 plus prize for best dressed in green! Food available 4:30-7 p.m. at a reasonable cost.

MARCH 19: Light It Up Lantern Parade, from Dentonia Park to Crescent Town, 7:15 p.m. Celebrate the Spring Equinox! Hosted by East End Arts, Shadowland Theatre, and Workman Arts. Register for a lantern-making workshop at East End Arts, or make you own lantern at home. Info: www.eastendarts.ca

MARCH 20: Movie Fundraiser – Peace by Chocolate, at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., 7 p.m. Presented by The Beach Cares, a local refugee sponsor group. The film tells the true story of Syrian refugees Tareq Haddad and his family who built a chocolate company in Nova Scotia after they were forced by the war to leave their chocolate factory in Damascus. Donations will support refugees from Syria and Ukraine.

MARCH 22: Al-Anon Open Meeting at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St., 7:15 p.m. All are welcome to attend our 48th Anniversary Family Group Celebration. Is your life affected by someone else’s drinking? Please join us to hear guest speakers from Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous, followed by potluck fun and fellowship.

MARCH 23: Healing Mass at St. John’s Catholic Church 794 Kingston Rd. (2 blks. east of Main St.), 7:30 p.m. A traditional Mass during Lent with a focus on healing as opposed to curing. Through prayer and meditation it helps to find healing in any form: physical, emotional or spiritual. The choir will provide the music for this special Mass.

MARCH 24, 25: Rock Fest at Guildwood GO Station parking lot. Presented by Beaches Jazz Festival. Featuring tributes to iconic rock bands such as Pearl Jam, Queen, Aerosmith and more. Free admission.

MARCH 25: Scarborough Seedy Saturday and Green Fair at St. John Henry Newman High School (formerly Blessed Cardinal Newman), 100 Brimley Rd. S., 11 a.m.4 p.m. Over 60 booths featuring seed vendors, a seed exchange, honey vendors, park associations, garden associations, the Toronto Master Gardeners, environmental organizations, gardening info tables and workshops. There is a wonderful KIDS area – so bring the family. Food and refreshments will be available for sale.

Admission is $2 or Pay What You Can. Kids are free! (A portion of the proceeds is being donated to the Scarborough Food Security Initiative). Please Like Us and get more info at : https://www.facebook.com/SSSGFair/ or contact us at scarboroseedysaturday@gmail.com

MARCH 26: Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser (option to dine in or take out) at St. Paul’s United Church, 200

Community Calendar

McIntosh St., 5-7 p.m. Cost: $20 per adult, $5 for children (12 and under). Meal includes salad, garlic bread, spaghetti with meat (or vegetarian) sauce, drink, and dessert. Pre-registration/pre-payment before March 21, please (cash, cheque, or e-transfer). Tickets: admin@stpaulsscarborough.org or 416-261-4222

APRIL 1: Spring Sprint. This 2km and 5km walk/ run along the boardwalk, hosted by The Beaches Recreation Centre Advisory Council, returns after a three-year hiatus. Register in person at Beaches Recreation Centre, 6 Williamson Rd., March 21, 22, 29, and 30 from 7-9 p.m. $25. For more information or to sponsor or volunteer: springsprint@hotmail.ca

APRIL 9: Toronto Beaches Lions Easter Parade along Queen St. E. from Neville Park Blvd. to Woodbine Ave., 2 p.m. rain or shine. Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt, April 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Info: www.beacheseasterparade.ca

APRIL 15: Spring Rummage Sale at Scarborough Bluffs United Church,3739 Kingston Rd., 9-11:30 a.m.

MAY 6: Environmental Fair at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Save the date! If you’re interested in being an exhibitor or vendor, please contact: maryanne.alton@sympatico.ca

JUNE 10: Bowmore Road Jr. and Sr. Public School 100th Anniversary Celebration, 12 noon-4 p.m. Student performances, school tours, refreshments, archives, school swag for purchase, and a carnival in the park. Free takeaway for first 200 visitors. Info and RSVP: https://sites. google.com/view/bowmores-100th-anniversary/home

THE BOOK AND FILM CLUB, presented by the Great Escape Book Store, featuring “The Night of the Hunter” by Davis Grubb. Read it: meet and discuss April 14 at Kingston Road United Church, 975 Kingston Rd., 7 p.m. Watch it: screening April 20 at The Fox Theatre, 2236 Queen St. E., 7 p.m., followed by Q&A with film critic Bruce Kirkland. Info or sign up: 416691-7150, www.facebook.com/greatescapebookstore

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

BEACH PHOTO CLUB. Are you interested in photography? We invite all shutterbugs to check out our local photo club. We offer a range of activities including guest speakers, mentorship, opportunities to share your work, photo excursions, competitions, practical seminars and more! We meet the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from September to June, 7-9:30 p.m., at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave. (unless specified in program). Info: beachphotoclub.com or email beachphotoclub@gmail.com PUPPETMONGERS. BROTHER AND SISTER PUPPETEERS and their company, Puppetmongers are offering school age kids two puppet and puppet-theatre making workshops on the Sundays of March Break, March 12 and 19 from 2-4 p.m. at their studio/workshop at Carlaw and Dundas. Info: https://puppetmongers.com/familyseason/. For keen young puppeteers there is another “Free you Inner Monster” workshop scheduled in May.

RCL TODMORDEN BR. 10, 1083 Pape Ave. •March 12: Drop-In Sunday Cribbage, 1 p.m. $10 each - prizes determined by number of participants. •March 19: St. Patrick’s Day, starting at 1 p.m. The L.A. will be serving Beef Stew at approximately 2 p.m. for $5 while quantity lasts.

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION, 243 Coxwell Ave. •March 11: Karaoke in The Clubroom, 8 p.m. •March 17: St Patrick’s Day Celebrations in The Clubroom with DJ David and Irish Dancers, 5 p.m. •March 25: Livewire Band in The Clubroom, 8 p.m. Info: 416-465-0120

BEACH INTERFAITH OUTREACH LUNCHES, 11 a.m.

•Mondays at Corpus Christi Church (16 Lockwood Rd.). Sit in. Bag lunch. Chair lift. •Tuesdays – alternating locations: St. Nicholas Anglican Church (1512 Kingston Rd.), March 14, 28, April 11, 25, May 9. Hot meal. Wheelchair accessible.; St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, (2423 Queen St. E), March 7, 21, April 4, 18, May 2, 16. Bag lunch. Wheelchair accessible. Coffee available. •Wednesdays at Beaches Hebrew Institute (109 Kenilworth Ave.). Bag lunch. No lunch April 5 and 12. •Thursdays at Beach United Church (140 Wineva Ave.). Hot meal. Wheelchair accessible. •Fridays at Kingston Road United Church (975 Kingston Rd.). Hot meal. Wheelchair accessible. Please note: Lunch format may vary site to site. Last lunch is May 19. Info: 416-691-6869 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. All welcome to attend our Open Meeting and 48th anniversary Family Group Celebration, on March 22. Info: 416-691-1113 GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS. If you or a family member are struggling with gambling, Gamblers Anonymous is there to HELP. Call: 1(855) 222-5542 or visit www.gatoronto.ca

INSPIRED EFFICIENT VOLUNTEERS needed at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital! Various roles available weekdays or weekends, late mornings, afternoons, or evenings. Apply to Volunteer.BH@sinaihealth.ca

CHURCHES

ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 794 Kingston Rd., 2 blks. east of Main St. Lent & Easter Schedule: Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent at 4:30pm., Special Mary’s Way of The Cross on March 10 at 7pm. Special Healing Mass on March 23 at 7:30pm. Confessions: Wed. Mar. 8 - 8:45 to 9:15am & 5 to 6pm, Thur. Mar. 30 - 5 to 6pm, every Saturday 3:45 to 4:15pm. Palm Sunday Masses: (Apr. 1) Sat. Vigil 4:30pm, (Apr. 2) Sun. 9 & 11am. Holy Thursday (Apr. 6) no 8:15am Mass only Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Eucharistic Adoration at 7pm. Good Friday (Apr. 7) no 8:15am Mass only Liturgy of the Word and Communion at 12 noon & 3pm. Holy Saturday (Apr. 8) no 4:30pm Mass only Easter Vigil at 8pm. Easter Sunday (Apr. 9) Masses at 9 & 11am.

SALVATION ARMY EAST TORONTO, 107 Cedarvale

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

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST NORWAY Anglican Church, 470 Woodbine Ave. Welcome to St. John the Baptist Norway! We are a growing community which enjoys the Anglican expression of the Christian faith. We gather to connect with one another and worship God on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. In-Person or on Livestream and at 5 p.m with our new, contemporary relaxed service The Table. Food Pantry is open Mondays 10 a.m.-12 noon. Info: stjohnsnorway.com or call us at 416-691-4560.

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

BEACH UNITED CHURCH, 140 Wineva Ave. Join us in person every Sunday for our worship service, 10:30 a.m., led by minister Rev. Greg Daly and our music director Steven Webb. Sunday School available April 2, May 7, and June 4. Good Friday service April 7 at 10 a.m. in our Main Hall. Sunrise Service at Leuty Station on April 9 (Easter Sunday), along with our regular Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. in our Main Hall. Info: beachunitedchurch.com

BIRCHCLIFF BLUFFS UNITED CHURCH, 33 East Rd. (Warden Ave and Kingston Rd). Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

We are a diverse, open, and inclusive Christian community where you will find many possibilities for nurturing your own spirituality and enriching your life, as well as opportunities to serve others through acts of caring, compassion and justice. Our wonderful music program includes special monthly Musical Sunday Services. Also home to the Bluffs Food Bank, Toby’s Place (a safe space for LGBTQ2S+ Youth) and Dorothy’s Place (serving LGBTQ+ seniors). Whatever you are wearing, whatever you feel about God, wherever you are on your spiritual journey - you will fit right in. Sunday school and nursery care available. Info: 416-694-4081, www.bbuc.ca

BEACHES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 64 Glen Manor Drive. (S of Queen). We are an inclusive and affirming congregation in the heart of the Beach. BPC has strong commitments to community service and social justice issues. We provide non-perishable food for those in need through our Free Food Pantry located outside the church building. Our Refugee Committee has been in operation for many years helping families and individuals arrive and start a new life in Canada. On the first Wednesday of every month we host a Coffee Outreach from 1-3 p.m. for people in the neighbourhood to gather for coffee, snacks and fellowship. Links and info: www.beacheschurch.org, 416-699-5871. Minister: The Reverend Katherine McCloskey FALLINGBROOK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 35 Wood Glen Rd. (corner of Kingston Rd. and Wood Glen Rd.). Please join us Sundays at 10:30 a.m. as we travel through Lent into Holy Week in person, by LIVEstream or phone. Join Wednesdays at noon for Lenten Worship Services via Zoom ONLY for a time of prayer, song and reflection from 12-12:20 p.m. on Mar. 8, 22, 29 and Apr. 5 led by Rev. Angela. We will have a Stations of the Cross Experience from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. from April 3 to April 8. Holy Week Worship Services are on Livestream through our website and Facebook and In-Person. Dates: Palm Sunday: April 2 at 10:30 a.m., Maundy Thursday, April 6 at 7 p.m. in the Friendship Hall, Good Friday at 10:30 a.m. and Easter Sunday: April 9 at 10:30 a.m. Join us as we journey with Jesus as he travels to Jerusalem to the Cross and to his Resurrection. Zoom link and info: 416-699-3084 or fboffice@rogers. com. More info: fallingbrookpresbyterianchurch.com

proudly presented by Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford

Tips for quick and effective decluttering this spring

emilie Glockner

Guest Column

The secret to quick and effective decluttering is tackling small projects that make a big impact. Decluttering your home frees up physical space, relieves mental clutter and calms your mind.

As a Professional Home Organizer, most clients tell me that they find it difficult to declutter because they don’t know where to start or they don’t have enough time.

It can take days to fully declutter a room, which is not realistic for most people. Smaller achievable projectsin the right spaces - can help set you up for success.

So, where should you start? Begin with your main floor living areas. Improving these areas will have a large impact on your everyday enjoyment.

Each of these home projects will take only an hour or two.

1.) Kitchen -- In the kitchen, focus on your countertops - the culprit of kitchen clutter.

Storing countertop items out of sight creates a sense of visual calm, and everyday

cleaning becomes easier. Countertop items that can be stored include blenders, mixers, cooking utensils, cutting boards and kettles.

How can you free up cupboard space to fit these items? Pull out all your bulky and occasional items including: seasonal dishware, cheese boards, chip bowls and large trays. If it’s been years since you used some of these items, donate them to charity.

It may take a few weeks to get into the habit of putting your countertop items away. By storing them right after use, you will help keep your countertop clutter free.

2.) Entranceway -- The front entrance is the first area you see when you get home. Inadequate shoe storage can make this area disorganized and stressful. If you are struggling to keep your entranceway tidy, relocate any seasonal footwear to another area in your home.

Where should you store your seasonal footwear?

The best storage solutions include: a shoe rack in the bottom of a closet, in boxes on shelves, or simply putting them into a large bin in your basement/storage area. Out of sight out of mind!

Seasonally, donate footwear that you no longer need to maintain order and

breathing room.

3.) Living Room -- Declutter your cabinets and drawers in your living room and create a “home” for all remaining items.

Recruit your family to be on board so they are in the habit of putting items back in their designated places. What about those items that seem to “float” around your living room, such as remote controls and the book you are reading? Use a wooden or wicker storage box (with a lid!) on your coffee or side table to tuck away these items you want to keep handy.

Each of these small decluttering projects in the kitchen, entranceway and living room require minimal time investment and will create a major shift in your home and mindset.

If you want to take on larger decluttering projects but the task seems daunting, a professional can help.

This spring, make your shift towards a calm home, heart and life.

-- Emilie Glockner of White Space Organized is a Professional Organizer who has lived in the Beach for 15 years. She can be reached at emilie@whitespaceorganized.com, 416-617-0421, www.whitespaceorganized. com, and on Instagram: @ white.space.organized.

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations set for local Legions

TWO ROYAL Canadian Legion branches in East Toronto will be hosting celebrations in honour of St. Patrick’s Day this month.

The celebrations at Branch 1/42, at 243 Coxwell Ave., are set for Friday, March 17, and will feature DJ David and Irish dancers in the clubroom starting at 5 p.m.

Other events set for this month at Branch 1/42 include a Karaoke in the Clubroom Night on March 11, starting at 8 p.m.; and the Livewire Band in performance on March 25 starting at 8 p.m.

For more information on

events at Branch 1/42, call 416-465-0120.

Branch 11, at 9 Dawes Rd., will be holding its St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Saturday, March 18.

Doors open at 1 p.m. and the fun begins with a performance by the Plummer Donaghy Academy of Irish Dance. At 3 p.m. there will be a Meat Spin, and there will be Irish dancers again at 5:30 p.m. Entertainment featuring Joe Tucker starts at 7:30 p.m. There will also be a draw for gift basket prizes at 10 p.m., and food will be available from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

at a reasonable cost. There will also be a prize “for best dressed in green”.

Also planned for Branch 11 this month will be the Sunday Fun Day event on Sunday, March 26.

The clubroom will be open for Sunday Fun Day from 1 to 7 p.m., with entertainment provided by David Russell from 2 to 6 p.m.

Cost is $15 per person, and the menu consists of roast chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, roll and butter, and dessert. Ticket will be available at the Branch 11 bar until March 24.

Pauline Wong

Beach Memories

The answer to my question is the former City of Toronto Coat of Arms

MCommunity News

the image on the page was, can now be answered. The answer is that it is Armorial Bearings – Coat of Arms – of the former City of Toronto.

It also includes the motto or words written on it. There are different inter pretations of this image, but here are mine.

On one side is an Indige nous person who represents the first people in this area.

On the other side is a per son representing the people who came to the area at a later date.

On the top is a beaver that represents our Canadian wild and truthful way of life.

There is much more as well which is quite lengthy and includes the images on the shield. I will not be going into those at this time.

I will, however, comment on the written words in the motto which say: INDUSTRY, INTELLIGENCE, INTEGRITY.

Beach Memories columnist Gene Domagala asked readers in his Feb. 21 column in Beach Metro Community News if they knew what the above image was. He received a flood of replies, and all of them were correct. The image is the coat of arms of the City of Toronto prior to the megacity amalgamation of Metropolitan Toronto in 1998.

ness, honestly, wholeness. The above definitions are taken from the Canadian

tions and criticisms. Until my next column: Historically yours!

Notre Dame students create portal for The Beach BIA art display along Queen Street

AS PART of The Beach BIA’s Moonlight Madness celebration last month, students from Notre Dame Catholic School were invited to contribute a work of art celebrating the community.

The Portals project featured a number of artworks set up in areas along Queen Street East from the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant in the east to near Woodbine Park in the west.

The artworks are large portals that people can walk through and have been set up in public places.

The portal designed by the Notre Dame students was set up near the entrance to Kew Gardens Park on Queen Street East.

The theme for the portals along Queen Street East was Radiance, which is the same theme for Winter Stations 2023 now on display along Woodbine Beach.

During Moonlight Madness on Feb. 18, there was live entertainment to launch the portal displays and celebrate everything Queen Street East in the Beach has to offer.

The Grade 12 Art Council students at Notre Dame High School worked tirelessly on designing and painting their 10-foot portal, putting in 15 hours of work on it, said teacher Matthew Sottile in a note to Beach Metro Community News

The seven student artists from Notre Dame who took part in the creation of the portal were Guilia Amaral, Keiko Duncan, Ngozi Frederick Ibida, Bernadene Labio, Emma McDougall, Angelica Marie Villareal and Hannah Wagner.

“What a beautiful experience! Lots of time and effort were involved, but in the end, our portal manifested into a charming mosaic of the combined visions of myself and my partners,” said Ngozi Frederick Ibida.

“The whole process from designing our portal to actually painting it was super fun and exciting. I’m grateful that we were given the opportunity to show our perception of the radiance of Queen Street on our portal,” said Hannah Wagner

“Participating in this project allowed me to be able to create something meaningful with my classmates for the community around us. To make the portal together was an amazing opportunity after so many experiences were taken away due to the pandemic,” said Giulia Amaral.

“This portal was an amazing once in a lifetime experience for me. I am so grateful that I was able to create and paint it alongside my friends, and I know that this will be significant and memorable to us,” said Angelica Marie Villareal.

Mike Stevens and The Schotts at Acoustic Harvest

THE MARCH 18 Acoustic Harvest concert will feature world-renowned harmonica player Mike Stevens along with the bluegrass duo The Schotts.

The concert takes place at 8 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St. in southwest Scarborough.

Doors for the show will open at 7:30 p.m.

A 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards nominee, Stevens is also a recipient of numerous awards including the Slaight Music Humanitarian Award.

He is the founder of ArtsCanCircle, a non-

profit organization that builds relationships with northern communities in Canada and Alaska by using the arts as a tool for self expression and joy.

The Schotts, Darrin and Alison, are known for their bluegrass, country and jazz inspired performances featuring guitar, mandolin and fiddle.

Tickets to the March 18 performances are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

To order advance tickets online, please visit Acoustic Harvest at www.acousticharvest.ca

PHOTO: SUBMITTED

The portal created by Notre Dame Catholic High School art students is shown on display at the entrance to Kew Gardens on Queen Street East.

Winter

Stations 2023 art installations on display along Woodbine Beach

Winter Stations 2023 officially opened along Woodbine Beach on Family Day (Feb. 20). Photo above right, speaking at the opening ceremonies by the installation CONRAD were Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Beaches-East York MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon, and Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford. Photo above, the (Home). Photo below, Ripple Hut. Photo at right, We (AR), which is a virtual interactive installation. Photo far right, Delighthouse. Most of the installations will remain on display on Woodbine Beach for the remainder of March and into early April. For more information on Winter Stations, please go to www.winterstations.com

Photos by Adam Owen-Gill

Interested

HEALTH

DR. KARIN RUMMELL & ASSOCIATES OPTOMETRISTS

1914 Queen St. E. (E. of Woodbine) Mon.- Sat. by appointment 416-691-5757

BALSAM DENTAL Family Dentistry * Open 6 days a week * * Evening hours available * New patients always welcome 2200 Queen St. East (at Balsam) 416-691-8555 www.balsamdental.com

BEACHES OPTOMETRY CLINIC

Dr. Linda Chan, Optometrist and Associates 951 Kingston Rd. (West of Victoria Park) 416-691-1991

DR. LINDA WINTER Psychologist

Consultations • Therapy

Individuals • Couples Over 20 years experience. Located at Queen & Wheeler 416-691-1071

Dr. Linda Iny Lempert Psychologist & Psychoanalyst

Individuals & Couples Services disponibles en français Insurance Coverage 47 Main Street (at Lyall Ave) 416-694-4380 www.drlempert.ca

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Tara Shannon

M.Ed. Counselling Psychology, RP Registered Psychotherapist Psychotherapy for Individuals and Couples Insurance clients welcome Evening & weekend sessions available 579 Kingston Rd (corner Main) 416 698-6960 tara@tarashannon.ca

Lisa Romano-Dwyer

BSc, MSW, PhD, RSW

Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist Lakeside Wellness Therapy Affiliates Individual & Couple Care Child & Adolescent Counselling Services Wellness Life Coaching 1755 Queen St. E. • 416-951-8280

Carolyn Dallman Downes

Registered Psychotherapist Depression, Anxiety, Grief, Relationships. www.CarolynDallmanDownes.com 416-363-0065

Kirsten Johnson B.Sc, DipTIRP, RP

Psychotherapy for Individuals/Couples

LGTBQ+ / Anxiety / Depression more...

Insurance welcome

BeyondTheBlueTherapy.com

WELLNESS missfit.ca

in-home personal trainer 416 888 6465 mimi@missfit.ca

SPIRITUAL

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

ACCOUNTING

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

Bert van Delft

Complete financial services for the business owner, manager, entrepreneur & self-employed Corporate and Personal Income Tax Services Bus: 416-270-9898 98 Scarboro Beach Blvd.

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

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

COUNSELLING

Catherine Allon, BSc, MEd Life & Relationship Issues? 416-694-0232

www.energyawakening.com

Spiritual Counselling

VETERINARIANS

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

INSURANCE

Leane Besky Insurance Agency Inc. DESJARDINSINSURANCE Auto, Home, Life, Critical Illness, Disability, New & Used Vehicle Loans 2243 Queen St. E. 416-690-7900 www.leanebesky.com

LAWYERS/LEGAL Cont.

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

PARLIAMENTARIAN

Difficult Meetings?

A Professional Parliamentarian can help with training and advice. MichaelMouritsen.ca

LAWYERS/LEGAL

Dashwood & Dashwood Barristers & Solicitors Geoffrey J. Dashwood 961 Kingston Rd. Tel. 416-690-7222 Toronto, M4E 1S8 Fax. 416-690-8738

Snider & DiGregorio Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries. 978 Kingston Road, Toronto, Ont., M4E 1S9 Tel: 416-699-0424 Fax: 416-699-0285 Email: info@sdlegal.ca

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

DENISE BADLEY-CASTELLO

Barrister, Solicitor, Notary Family • Wills & Estates Real Estate 2069 Danforth Ave. (Woodbine) 416-690-6195 dbadleylaw@rogers.com

KATHRYN WRIGHT

CHIROPRACTORS

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

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

in the comfort of your own home.

Dr. Barbara Houghton 647-221-5516

Toronto, M3E 1S8 E: info@guardianmortgages.ca W:www.guardianmortgages.ca

Serving the Beaches & GTA Powered by Mortgage Architects License #12728

Aldo Lopez-Gil, CFP, CIM

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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

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

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

KAMRULHAFIZAHMED

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

QUINN Family Law

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

Real Estate, Wills & Estates

Alessandra P. Goulet Barrister

Kerry Bowser WEDDING OFFICIANT kerry@kerrybowser.com www.kerrybowser.com 416-807-3094

ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN

Stephen G. King, Architect B. Arch. OAA, MRAIC “Serving the Beach since 1987”

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

ASHBRIDGE’S HEALTH CENTRE

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MASSAGE THERAPY

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THERAPY LOUNGE

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FUNERAL SERVICES

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Beach Metro Community News Lucky Volunteer for March 7

The Beach Metro Community News

Lucky Volunteer for March 7 is John Cairns.

He has been a longtime volunteer with Beach Metro Community News, delivering the paper on the west side of Silver Birch Avenue.

On delivery days, Cairns said he has a “friendly competition” with the Beach Metro volunteer who delivers on the east side of Silver Birch Avenue, to see who can complete their side of the street first.

Cairns said he has enjoyed reading the paper since its inception as Ward 9 News back in 1972.

For being named Lucky Volunteer for March 7, Cairns receives a prize of $50 which he will be donating back to support Beach Metro Community News.

If you would like information on available delivery routes, please email our Distribution Manager, Melinda Drake melinda@beachmetro.com.

Seedy Saturday slated for March 25

SEED SATURDAY is back in southwest Scarborough and will be taking place on March 25.

The Seedy Saturday and Green Fair will be at St. John Henry Newman Catholic High School (formerly Blessed Cardinal Newman Catholic High School) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The school is located at 100 Brimley Rd. S., just south of Kingston Road.

Seedy Saturday will feature more than 60 exhibitors including seed vendors, a seed exchange, honey vendors, environmental organizations, gardening organizations, and information tables.

There will also be a children’s area so those attending are invited to bring the entire family.

Admission cost to attend is $2, or pay what

you can. Children under 12 will be admitted free.

A portion of the proceeds raised at Seedy Saturday will go towards supporting the Scarborough Food Security Initiative which includes food banks and community gardens.

Those attending Seedy Saturday on March 25 are also encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food items for the Scarborough Food Security Initiative.

For more information on the Seedy Saturday and Green Fair, please go the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SSSGFair or send an email to the organizers at scarboroughseedysaturday@gmail.com

For more information on the Scarborough Food Security Initiative, please go to www. scarboroughfoodsecurityinitiative.com

This gorgeous home has been thoughtfully renovated from top to bottom with the utmost attention to detail and quality workmanship. Check out the 4 bedrooms, 4 baths. 3rd floor retreat with 5- piece spa-like ensuite. A wish list chef’s dream kitchen with all the bells and whistles. Gas fireplace, finished basement and best of all there is a double garage! Possible Laneway House if that is in your future plans. Malvern C.I., Williamson Road/Glen Ames, St. Denis school district. Fabulous family home. $3,195,000.

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The Main Menu

Celebrating Mexican foods at the Canadian table

JAn mAin

is an author, cooking instructor and caterer janmainskitchen@ yahoo.ca

YOU MAY not be able to take a flight to Mexico for the March Break, however, one can certainly celebrate Mexican hospitality at the Canadian table.

Take a quick trip to Mexico with the evocative flavours of the country: Avocado, lime, cilantro (also called coriander) chilies of all sorts, smoked, hot, mild and always bursting with flavour, corn, a national staple and of course, a variety of tortilla.

A good place to find Latin ingredients is at Tienda Movil at 1237 Woodbine Ave.

The taste of this Mexican food, especially when accompanied by a beer, tequila or mescal, will put a smile on everyone’s face and transport you to the blue skies and sun of Mexico as we continue to deal with our unpredictable March weather.

Thank you to Fernando Rodriquez for sharing your excellent recipes!

Chicken Tinga

This easy one pot chicken dish with its smoky and

spicy flavours, makes the ultimate filling for tacos or tortilla.

Serve the chicken tinga with a salad of avocado and oranges in your favourite vinaigrette for a tasty accompaniment.

1 1/4 pounds (550 g)

bone in, skin on chicken

breasts

Salt and black pepper

2 tbsp (25 mL) veg-

etable oil

2 (3/4 cup/6 oz) 2 medium tomatillos, peeled

2 (3/4 cup/6 oz) plum

tomatoes

4 garlic cloves

1 small onion, chopped

2 tsp (10 mL) Mexican oregano

2 bay leaves

2 tbsp (25 L) cider

vinegar

2 cups (500 mL)

chicken stock

2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

Heat oil in large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium high; saute chicken skin side down until well browned, 6-8 minutes. Turn chicken and cook on about 2 minutes. Transfer to a large plate.

To the same saucepan add tomatillos, tomatoes, and

garlic.

Cook stirring occasionally until blistered and brown in spots about 5 minutes.

Add onion and cook stirring until softened about 2 minutes.

Add oregano and bay leaves; cook until aromatic about 30 seconds.

Stir in vinegar and stock. Return chicken to saucepan; bring to boil over high heat; reduce heat and simmer about 20 to 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Transfer chicken to a bowl; set aside. Continue cooking sauce at a hard simmer stirring until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.

Add chipotle chilies and adobo, remove and discard bay leave and blend the sauce in a blender (or immersion blender) until almost smooth.

When chicken is cool enough to handle, discard skin and bones and finely shred the meat. Return it to the sauce.

Bring sauce to the simmer and cook until it coats chicken. It should be moist but not soupy.

Serve the chicken with sauce as is or use as a filling for tortillas or enchiladas or as a topping for tacos and to-

stadas.

Makes 4-6 servings.

Pozole Rojo (Mexican pork and hominy stew)

This popular soup stew is ideal for the bleak days of Canada’s March as we wait for winter to finally come to an end.

Hearty and warming, it is a traditional rich soup made with pork and hominy (white or yellow corn kernels from which the kernel and germ have been removed either mechanically or chemically to produce this white corn found in specialty Latin American stores such as Tienda Movil).

4 oz (125g) dried gualjillo or ancho chilies or a combination

Salt

1 large (108 oz/ 6 lbs/ 12oz) can white hominy, drained and rinsed

3 lbs (24 oz) pork shoulder, preferably bone in cut into 1 – 1 1/2 inch cubes well marbled with fat

8 cloves garlic, 4 whole and 4 roughly chopped

3 bay leaves

2 tbsp(25 mL) Mexican oregano, found in basement of St. Lawrence Market or Tienda Movil

1 tsp cumin

Garnishes to serve with

soup: Prepare these while the stew is simmering and then place in individual bowls.

1/2 small cabbage, thinly sliced

1 bunch cilantro, washed, dried and chopped

1 bunch radishes, thinly sliced

2 avocados, peeled and coarsely chopped

1/2 onion, chopped

12-24 tostada shells

In a large saucepan bring 5 quarts (20 cups) water to the boil.

In mixing bowl, add chilis and cover with 3 cups (750 mL) water. Remove and discard the stems, seeds and large veins from the chili pods.

Heat a frying pan on medium high and stir fry chili pods a few minutes until they begin to soften. Do not let them burn.

While chilis are heating, bring a medium saucepan with 3 cups (750 mL) water to simmer. Remove from heat.

Once the chilies are softened, add the chilies to the saucepan of hot water and cover. Let chilies soak in hot water 15-20 minutes.

In large saucepan or Dutch oven, over medium high

heat, brown pork on all sides by cooking in about 2 tbsp of olive oil. Do not crowd pork.

Once browned, add the 4 cloves garlic.

Add the browned pork to the big pot of boiling water, scraping up any browned bits on bottom of pan. Add rinsed hominy, bay leaves, cumin, oregano and salt. Bring to boil; reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes.

Prepare Red Sauce: While pork is simmering, prepare sauce.

In a blender, puree about 2 ½ cups soaking sauce of the chilis, 1 tsp salt and 4 cloves garlic.

Pour sauce through a sieve and discard solid bits. Add liquid to the simmering pork to produce a soupystew mixture.

Prepare the following garnishes and place into individual bowls:

Finely chop cabbage, chopped cilantro, chopped onions, peel and coarsely chop avocado, quarter limes, thinly slice radishes and a basket with 12-24 tostada shells.

To serve pozole, spoon out the soupy pork mixture (pozole) into individual soup bowls and then let each person take their desired garnishes. Makes about 12 servings.

Deja Views

A scene from the foot of Silver Birch Avenue in the 1930s

By David Van Dyke

This beautiful winterscape of the beach with several of the residences (bottom of Silver Birch Avenue) was photographed sometime in the 1930s.

Some of the trees remain! Sadly, the birch trees depicted are long gone. Perhaps they were the inspiration for the street’s name.

Do you have an old photo of the beach in this particular area? Maybe the boathouse, or the Balmy Beach Club? Why not share it with our readership? Please contact me gdvandyke61@gmail.com

416-787-8084

Sports

Henoc Muamba, Toronto Argonauts linebacker and the Most Valuable Player in the 2022 Grey Cup, visited with athletes from Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School in Scarborough who were taking part in the 35th annual Lieutenant Governor Games on Feb. 24 at Variety Village.

Hundreds of athletes take part in 35th annual Lieutenant Governor Games at Variety Village

By Kaden Campbell

VARIETY VILLAGE in southwest Scarborough played host to the 35th annual Lieutenant Governor Games on Friday, Feb. 24.

More than 800 kids from 30 schools across the Greater Toronto Area participated in the games presided over by the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor.

“We are grateful to the Lieutenant Governor for her unwavering support and to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport for coming to cheer on the kids,” said Karen Stintz, President and CEO of Variety - The Children’s Charity in Ontario and Variety Village, in a news release about the games. Dowdeswell was joined at the Feb. 24 games this year by former CTV anchor Tom Brown as host as well as Toronto Argonauts Grey Cup MVP Henoc Muamba, and Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Neil Lumsden.

After the games were finished, Dowdeswell and Lumsden helped present medals to the participants.

The history of the Lieutenant Governor Games dates back to 1983 when they were founded by the 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, John Black Aird.

The games have since seen seven different Lieutenant Governors with the participation of more than 12,000 children throughout the years.

The children at the games participate in many adaptive games, sports and recreational activities such as wheelchair basketball, dance, floor curling, baseball, golf and more.

After a two-year hiatus due to the

COVID-19 pandemic, the return of the Lieutenant Governor Games at Variety Village were made possible by the support of a number of organizations including Jays Care, Golf Canada, Special Olympics Ontario, Bam Dance, OnPara Network, Ophea, Young Cheong Taekwondo, TFH Canada, Rock Solid Productions, Para Golf Ontario, and the National Ballet of Canada.

The Lieutenant Governor Games have been a leading force of adaptive sport and parasport in Ontario for children with disabilities, said Variety Village in a news release.

The games showcase the athletic opportunities achievable by anyone regardless of physical ability, all while staying in a safe and inclusive environment.

Variety - The Children’s Charity of Ontario focuses on creating and implementing projects and programs that make a difference in the lives of children with disabilities and special needs. The organization was formed in 1945 with the southwest Scarborough centre going up in 1949.

For more information, please visit www.varietyontario.ca.

Toronto Marlies Community Festival to be hosted by Scarborough Hockey Association on March 14

By Jack Skinner

THE SCARBOROUGH Hockey Association will host the Toronto Marlies at Don Montgomery Arena on Tuesday, March 14.

The Toronto Marlies Community Festival hosted by the Scarborough Ice Raiders begins at 4:30 p.m.

The March Break event will include community skate hours, an autograph session and a full team practice by the

Marlies, who are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs.

Admission is free to the March 14 event, and there will be autograph sessions with Marlies players and Maple Leafs Alumni. The event is also a great opportunity for all ages to meet with current and former Marlies and Maple Leafs players.

The community skate hours will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by the

Maple Leafs Alumni autograph session towards the end of the community skate at 6 p.m.

After that, the Marlies will do a full team practice starting at 7 p.m. The evening will finish off with another autograph session after the practice. Don Montgomery Arena is located at 2467 Eglinton Ave. E., near Midland Avenue.

For more information, please contact Ed Wahl at shahockey@rogers.com

PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON

PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON

The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor, watches athletes from Cedar Drive Junior Public School in Scarborough play wheelchair basketball during the 35th annual Lieutenant Governor Games held at Variety Village on Feb. 24.

Lights, camera, action for Raccoon City

The Winter Stations are up at Woodbine Beach and “Conrad the Raccoon” is the star attraction.

We all live in “Raccoon City,” the name for Toronto in the Resident Evil movies.

Hey, we weren’t dubbed “The Raccoon Capital of the World” for nothing. Toronto raccoons even had their own Jeopardy moment.

The word “raccoon” comes from the Indigenous “a-rou-ghcun.”

One little fellow was out by the Boardwalk last fall (photo at right). Maybe he was “ready for his close-up” because a film crew was at work by the lake.

Scarborough’s Stephan James was filming a scene for Beacon 23, a sci-fi show about a lighthouse keeper in space. After all Woodbine Beach once played a Vulcan beach in an episode of Star Trek: Discovery.

A week after Beacon 23 was filming, crews were once again nearby filming Accused (Global TV, Wednesdays at 9 p.m.) a new 15-part anthology crime drama. In Episode 4 an incident happens near the Woodbine Beach Park playground.

Each episode is a different story about an ordinary person caught up in extraordinary situations. Most crime procedurals are about good guys catching bad guys, but

While the name might not be Conrad of Winter Stations fame, this raccoon was on Woodbine Beach while filming was taking place for Beacon 23 last fall.

here the lines are blurred. Accused deals with intense issues such as school shootings and teen mental health. What is right and what is wrong?

Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin made her directorial debut with Ava’s Story about a deaf surrogate mother.

Matlin told ET Canada, “It really helps a great deal to me as a director and as a deaf person to be able to direct this particular episode…I have the utmost respect for every single member of the crew. It’s been just a life-changing experience.”

There are so many different networks and streaming services these days it is difficult to keep track. Most of us won’t get to see Kiefer Sutherland’s eightpart espionage series Rabbit Hole which debuts March 26 on Paramount+ and filmed scenes on Carlaw Avenue near Queen Street East.

One popular show we can all watch is the CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries now in its 16th season. Did anyone catch sight of the dome of St. Augustine’s Seminary (Kingston and Brimley roads) in the episode where Thomas Brackenreid plays a handball match?

Established in 1913 to train priests, the Seminary is a familiar sight and not far from the Murdoch studios in Scarborough.

A recent episode of Murdoch was directed by Katie Boland who grew up in the Beach. Katie is following in the footsteps of her mother, director Gail Harvey.

Also on CBC Mondays is the six-part mini-series Plan B which stars Patrick J. Adams (Suits) who also was born and raised in the Beach.

Toronto productions are moving away from films for theatrical release, but Clement Virgo’s Brother, set in Scarborough, will be out March 17.

The good news is that winter will be over soon and we can get back to chasing raccoons from our green bins.

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PHOTO: BERNIE FLETCHER

The Beach Cares refugee support group to host screening of Peace by Chocolate on March 20

THE BEACH Cares, a local refugee sponsorship group, will be hosting a fundraising presentation of the film Peace by Chocolate on the evening of Monday, March 20.

Set for 7 p.m. at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., the presentation will help to raise funds in support of refugees from Syria and Ukraine that are being supported by The Beach Cares. There is not a set price to attend the screening of the film, but donations will

be greatly appreciated.

The movie Peace by Chocolate tells the true story of Syrian refugees Tareq Haddad and his family who built a chocolate company in Nova Scotia after they were forced to leave their home city of Damascus. The Beach Cares is a joint project between Beach United Church and St. Aidan’s Anglican Church.

For more information, please go to www.beachunitedchurch.com/communityengagement/the-beachcares/

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser at St. Paul’s

A SPAGHETTI Dinner Fundraiser in support of community programs at St. Paul’s United Church is set for Tuesday, March 21.

The dinner goes from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, 200 McIntosh St. Cost is $20 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

Pre-registration and payment before March 21 is required. For tickets, contact admin@stpaulsscarborough. org or call 416-261-4222.

PHOTOS: ADAM OWEN-GILL

The Eastview Toronto BGC (Boys and Girls Club) hosted the Black Heritage in Motion celebration at the Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre on Sunday, Feb. 26, as part of Black History Month. The celebration featured a wide variety of entertainment (including the drummers in the photo above), a fashion show, guest speakers, and lots of great food (shown in the photo below).

George Elliott Clarke honours African Baptist Association of Nova Scotia

By Ahmed Dirie

BEACH RESIDENT George Elliott Clarke returns to his epic poem anthology with the recent release of Canticles III (MMXXII) delving into the African Baptist Association of Nova Scotia.

A Halifax native, Clarke felt right at home when he moved many years ago to the Beach community and its waterfront aesthetic.

“Being from Nova Scotia, I wanted to be as close to Nova Scotia as I could get, without having to leave Toronto,” said Clarke.

Clarke is an accomplished poet, author and writer, drawing from influences including African-American, French, Chinese and British poetry including the works of Shakespeare, Dante, Aristotle as well as more contemporary poets and writers such as Langston Hughes, Robert Hayden, Henry Dumas, T.S. Eliot and Malcolm X, the Canticles III is Clarke’s 25th work in poetry.

He began his work on the Canticles III in Zanzibar in 2008. Combining his love to travel with his need to complete his manuscript, Clarke took monthly trips overseas to various locales in Europe, South America, Central America, the Caribbean as well as Canadian landmarks such as Niagara Falls, until the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the previous entries in the Canticles series dealt with macro issues including the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism, Canticles III takes a more intimate approach as it examines the formation of the African (“Africadian”) Baptist Association of Nova Scotia and the importance of oral traditions in an age of illiteracy, particularly among escaped slaves.

In the face of seemingly insurmountable racism, and forsaking more stable work like agriculture, four individuals took it upon themselves to construct 25 churches across Nova Scotia in the 18th century.

“I wanted to pay homage to that construction of that church against formidable odds,” said Clarke as he spoke about his book with Beach Metro Community News in February during Black History Month.

“I knew that that was going to be the subject of my epic poem, but I thought I should start first by talking about where does this faith come from? Where does this church come from? And of course, primarily, it comes out of escaping slavery, resisting slavery, attacking slavery, arguing for abolition and for anti-racism. This is where the church begins, and it begins this history then, most directly of the late 18th century,” he said.

Among Clarke’s favourite passages involve founding member of the church, notable equestrian and escaped slave, Richard Preston.

Starting with The Records of Richard Preston (page 96), the poem reads:

Halifax – this Venentian backwater –Shrinks from the al fresco seas, Openess.

An inferno of rum and opium, It yields only bones of light, Broken in pebbles, Tangled in seaweed, Mangled in breakers.

White gulls screech grey ruin over the foam-scourged beach, The Waste.

Provincial is Halifax, and its Baptist mere backwash (hogwash) of London’s ocean-striding Believers.

(Each colony is the Empire’s cradle and grave: Shakespeare fathers Shakespeare the slave.)

Clarke’s journey to becoming Toronto’s fourth Poet Laureate and Canada’s seventh Parliamentary Poet Laureate was

born from his songwriting aspirations. Since most of the songs Clarke wrote were a capella, it was suggested he explore poetry.

“I started writing poetry in order to become a better songwriter and then become a better poet,” said Clarke.

To further hone his craft, Clarke earned a Bachelor of Arts honours degree in English from the University of Waterloo in 1984, followed by a Master of Arts degree in English from Dalhousie University in 1989 culminating in a PhD degree in English from Queen’s University in 1993.

It was when he began his academic career teaching at North Carolina’s Duke University in 1994 that Clarke began to examine African-American and African-Canadian influences on poetry before returning to Toronto in 1999.

“I began to really think about what it means to be a Black Canadian writer, and an African-Canadian writer,” said Clarke.

“I started to essentially start the whole field of studying Black Canadian literature, African-Canadian literature.”

Part of Clarke’s reflection focused on the nuanced differences between African-Canadian and African-American culture, much of it to do with the proximity between Black communities in each country as well as how they interact with one another.

The ubiquitous nature of African-American experiences in the U.S. allows Black poets in New York to describe their lives and experiences in a way that those in Chicago or Detroit, for example, can relate to and resonate with, he said.

The multicultural nature of Canada prevented such widespread acceptance of African-Canadian poetry across the country creating a “very gated series of enclaves,” said Clarke.

“In the United States, You can talk about a Black belt, especially across the south, where there’s often a majority of Black people in various towns and counties and cities that curls the central lower swatch of the United States,” said Clarke. “In Canada we don’t have a Black belt, we have Black pockets.”

Having last visited New York just ahead of the first wave of the pandemic and hard at work on the next entry in the Canticles series, Clarke said he is eagerly anticipating a return to travel in order to visit and enjoy his preferred locales to complete his manuscript.

The Canticles III (MMXXII) can be found on Guernica Editions as well as on Amazon.

Conversely, for those looking for a more personal touch, readers can contact Clarke directly at torontopoetlaureate@ gmail.com for a signed copy.

PHOTO: HARVARD UNIVERSITY

Beacher George Elliott Clarke has served as Toronto’s Poet Laureate. He has recently released Canticles III (MMXXII) as part of his epic poem anthology.

The Cole Academy Of Toronto

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

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

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

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

Our upcoming Open Houses are on:

Silver Ladle awarded at Community Centre 55’s Soup Tasting Competition

Thursday, March 9th – 6pm

Thursday, April 20th – 1pm Wednesday, May 24th – 6pm Wednesday, June 7th – 1pm

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

The Spring Sprint is back! Sat. April 1st, 2023

Registration Information:

March 21st, 22nd, 29th, 30th

7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Beaches Recreation Centre $25 cash or cheque only

No race day registration

To sponsor or volunteer contact us at springsprint@hotmail.ca

Community Centre 55 held its annual Soup Tasting Competition on Thursday, March 2, and a large crowd turned out to determine which restaurant would be the winner of the coveted Silver Ladle Award. Photo above, some of the local restaurant owners who served up their soup creations at the competition. Photo below, Appu from AMS Pizza and Wings restaurant on Main Street serves some soup at Community Centre 55. Photo at bottom, the Silver Ladle Award is presented to Corbin Tomaszeski from Corbin Catering and Food.

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BLANK SLATE RENOVATIONS

Kitchens & bath, basement apts, doors, trim, crown molding, shelving, paint, drywall repair, tile, hardwood, fences, decks, interlock and more. Lic. & Ins. 416.274.5929 (1r)

KEW BEACH

GENERAL CONTRACTING

Kitchens - Bathrooms Basements - Doors, Windows Garages - Fences, Decks

For all your reno needs, no job too small. Metro lic 416 824-7901 (5)

ALANO TILE & RENO

• Expert Installation of Porcelain, Marble, Mosaic

• Over 25 years experience

• Total Kitchen & Bath Reno