Hi Friend,
First, I hope to see you this afternoon at my March Break Family Skate Day. We’ll be at East York Memorial Arena (888 Cosburn) from 2-4pm with free hot chocolate, treats, and open ice. Escape the rain and bring the family for a fun afternoon.
As we enter March, there are a lot of occasions to celebrate. Yesterday was International Women’s Day, a chance to celebrate and honour the incredible contributions of women in our families, communities and world. I’m lucky to be surrounded by strong and inspiring women like my wife Kathryn, our two daughters, and my mom Valerie. I hope everyone took the chance yesterday to thank and recognize the women in their life.
March also marks Bangladeshi Heritage Month and Irish Heritage Month. I had the chance to celebrate the former last weekend with the Toronto Bangla School (see a photo below), and am looking forward to once again welcoming the community to raise the flag at Toronto City Hall for Bangladeshi Independence Day. To the many Torontonians of Irish heritage, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is an annual tradition I look forward to joining once again.
The holy month of Ramadan also begins this weekend. It is a time of reflection and peace, and a reminder of our shared humanity. I share in the wishes and prayers for peace and an end to the suffering in Gaza. Ramadan Mubarak.
Please read on below for more updates from City Hall and information from our community. See you out and about!
Toronto Bangla School
Happy Bangladeshi Heritage Month!
For 8 years now, the Toronto Bangla School has been leading the way in preserving Bengali culture and language.
It was an honour to join them in celebrating both this anniversary and International Mother Language Day, and to enjoy the students’ musical and dance performances.
Beach United Church: Interfaith Luncheon
Beach United Church hosts a weekly interfaith luncheon and I am so happy that I had a chance to be part of it.
Thank you to the amazing volunteers who run the luncheon with dedication and optimism. Your efforts do not go unnoticed in #BEY.
Best,
– Brad
In This Issue
Updates & Announcements from City Hall
Small Business Spotlight
- International Women’s Day: Women-Owned Businesses 🆕
Local Events
- March 9: March Break Family Skate 🆕
- March 11: Community Wellness Day 🆕
- March 14: Community Pop-Up for 72 Amroth Avenue 🆕
- March 15: Senior’s Dinner 🆕
- March 23: Beaches-East York Fox Theater Presents: The Period Purse 🆕
- March 31: Beaches Easter Parade Weekend 🆕
- Planning Committee Members Needed – 2024 East York Canada Day Festival 🚨
- March 17: Light It Up – Lantern Program
- Members of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO) in Recital
Community Programs & Employment
- Jazz Guitar Series at Hirut 🆕
- SING!
- Queer Youth United
- WoodGreen Community Services: Need for Volunteers
- SCHC – Fall Bereavement Support Groups
- The Neighbourhood Group – Job Assistance
- Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance (SAHM) Program
- Thorncliffe Park Youth Wellness Hub
Neighbourhood News
- Canadian Architect Winner: Dawes Road Library 🆕
- By-law Enforcement: Dogs Off-Leash Parks
Work in the Ward
- O’Connor Construction Update: March 2024 🆕
- Toronto Hydro Overhead & Underground Civil & Electrical Upgrade; Project Danforth
- Coxwell Subway Station Stairway SOGR
- Toronto Hydro Overhead Electrical Upgrade; Dentonia Park Avenue Overhead Rebuild Phase 1A
- Toronto Hydro Overhead & Underground Civil & Electrical Work: Glen Manor Drive
- REVISED: Hydro Work – Danforth Overhead Rebuild Phase 2A
City Wide News/Events
- Epilepsy Toronto: Bring Purple Day for Epilepsy To School 🆕
- Toronto Public Health – Community Clinics
Thanks for taking the time to read my bi-weekly newsletter! If you have any events, news, or ideas to share for our next one – please reach out to my office. Send me an email at [email protected] and we can get you included in our next issue.
Updates & Announcements from City Hall
City Hall Updates 🆕
The Planning and Housing Committee met last week to receive updates on a number of housing initiatives underway here in Toronto. This includes a first look at the success of the Beaches-East York Garden Suite Pilot. While uptake of Garden Suites has been slow, Beaches-East York is leading the way in applications to add these new housing options to our neighbourhoods. Whether it’s a home for aging parents looking to maintain a level of independence – or adult children looking to find a place they can afford to raise a family – it’s another option for those who increasingly have none.
The Committee also received an update on the City’s efforts to unlock more housing opportunities on major streets like the Danforth Avenue, which sits on top of billions of dollars of transit infrastructure but continues to be dominated by two-storey buildings. I moved a motion asking for staff to explore other opportunities to remove the many barriers that exist for profit and non-profit builders looking to build mid-rise projects.
Small Business Spotlight
International Women’s Day serves as a poignant reminder of the vital role women play in shaping economies and communities worldwide. In particular, it highlights the resilience and entrepreneurship of women-owned businesses.
These enterprises not only contribute significantly to economic growth but also embody the spirit of innovation and determination. On this International Women’s Day, let us celebrate and support these enterprises, recognizing the immense impact they have on driving progress and fostering gender equality in the business world and beyond.
There are so many amazing women-owned small businesses in Beaches-East York. Here are a few to check out!
Local Events
March Break Family Skate 🆕
I’m excited to welcome everyone to our March Break Family Skate. This year, we’ll be hosting it at the East York Memorial Arena (888 Cosburn Ave, Toronto)!
We hope you and your family can join us on Saturday, March 9, 2024 from 2-4pm! We’ll have lots of hot chocolate, coffee and snacks.
See you laced up and on the ice!
Community Wellness Day 🆕
Access Alliance MHCS is pleased to invite youth aged 10 – 29, family members of youth (parents, caregivers, extended family members), newcomer, immigrant, and refugee community members/residents for a “Community Wellness Day” on Monday March 11, 2024 from 12pm – 4pm at AccessPoint on Danforth.
We will be hosting two workshops for understanding mental wellness through creativity & self – expression and recognizing trauma through self-compassion & self-care.
Our facilitators are:
- Chad Hopson from The Fear Theory – a multidisciplinary artist and a children’s book author focused on mental health and transformative power of creativity
- Dr. Soheila Pashang (PhD, MSW, RSW) is a registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist – She has extensive front-line experience in the field of mental health, trauma, and wellbeing
Feel free to share this information with your networks!
Interested participants can register for the event by scanning the QR code in the flyer below, or visiting this link. Registration is mandatory for this event.
If there are any questions or concerns, kindly refer to the registration form and we will get back to you promptly.
Community Pop-Up for 72 Amroth Avenue 🆕
My office is working with CreateTO to host a community pop-up as an opportunity for the community to see some preliminary design concepts for this new missing middle building.
For any questions about the community engagement, please reach out to Asha Dahir, Manager of Community Engagement at CreateTO at [email protected] or 437-239-5214.
Senior’s Dinner 🆕
Join us on Friday, March 15, 2024 for a fabulous Irish stew dinner!
Please RSVP by e-mail to [email protected]. Seating is limited and sign up will be first come first serve.
Beaches-East York Fox Theater Presents: The Period Purse 🆕
A Toronto-based, menstrual equity charity, known as the The Period Purse is hosting a period positive film screening of the 1991 classic, My Girl, at the Fox Theatre on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Since 2017, their mission has been sustainable access to period products for all, and to end the stigma associated with periods through education and advocacy.
A percentage of ticket sales will go towards The Period Purse, and they’ll be hosting a period product collection drive for Dr. Roz’s Healing Place.
They’ll also be kicking off the screening with some period positive trivia!
Tickets are available for sale on the Fox Theatre website. Check them out!
Beaches Easter Parade Weekend 🆕
The Beaches East Parade is 3 weeks away! Bring your family, friends and pets along on Sunday, March 31, 2024 at 2pm to get together as a community and celebrate Easter.
🚨 We need YOU to help Plan the 2024 East York Canada Day Festival 🚨
We need your help organizing the 67th East York Canada Day Parade and Festival for 2024. This event is run entirely by volunteers and requires community members to serve on the organizing committee – we need your help to make sure the event can take place in 2024 and beyond.
If you can provide organizing assistance, or have new ideas to bring to the event, please reach out at [email protected] for more information.
More information on the event can also be found at www.eycdc.ca
This is a much beloved event and it’s counting on our community to keep this family fun, long standing event going.
Light It Up – Lantern Program
Calling all East Enders! You’re all invited to join East End Arts, Shadowland Theatre, Workman Arts and the Crescent Town Club for the fourth annual Light It Up Lantern Celebration! Together, let’s celebrate the Spring Equinox by filling the east end with lanterns of light and love!
The steps to participate are easy:
Step 1: Make your own paper lantern at a free lantern-making workshop. These workshops will take place on Thursdays from February 1, 2024 – March 14, 2024 at Crescent Town Club.
Step 2: Bring your completed lanterns to the Light It Up Lantern Parade to Dentonia Park to share some light with the east Toronto community ❤️ The event will take place on Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 7:15pm.
If you’re interested in learning more and/or signing up for the lantern classes, please visit: https://eastendarts.ca/light-it-up-2024/
Members of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO) in Recital
Kingston Road United Church is hosting a series of monthly recitals featuring Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra musicians in brief, informal recitals. Each recital features different instruments from the orchestra.
For more information, visit: TSYO Recitals.
Community Programs & Employment Events
Jazz Guitar Series at Hirut 🆕
It is looking like an outstanding feature of musicians performing this month at Hirut. A great intimate room for acoustic jazz with two sets of music from 8pm – 10pm.
$15 cover, tasty Ethiopian food and very reasonable prices…and don’t forget to check out the schedule for the rest of the week to hear the best jazz in town.
Located at 2050 Danforth Avenue (west of Woodbine Ave).
For more information, visit: https://www.hirutjazz.ca/
SING!
SING! is back and they are open for Winter and Spring 2024 sessions. If you’re interested in learning more, visit: https://www.theredwoodtheatre.com/.
Queer Youth United
Queer Youth United (QYU) at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave. every Thursday from 4-7pm.
QYU is is a 2SLGBTQ+ youth group for ages 15-29, where you can come and engage with others in a safe space within the community, while sharing meals, finding support and resources.
You are welcome to drop-by at any time during the 4pm-7pm time period!
For more info: instagram.com/QueerYouthUnited or beachunitedchurch.com.
WoodGreen Community Services: Need for Volunteers
WoodGreen Community Services runs a free tax clinic and are seeking volunteers to assist them in this meaningful initiative.
Their clinic helps low-income individuals navigate the complexities of tax preparation, ensuring they receive the refunds and benefits they are entitled to. However, the demand for their services has grown considerably each year, and they are struggling to meet this increased demand due to a shortage of volunteer tax preparers.
If you’re interested in volunteering with WoodGreen, please contact Ansley Dawson at [email protected] or 416-645-6000 ext. 1331.
SCHC – Fall Bereavement Support Groups
Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities is a not-for-profit organization that provides a variety of holistic programs to support the health and well-being of the community. One of the programs offered is the Bereavement Peer – Support Groups. They provide several different types of virtual and in-person options.
For more information, please visit: SCHC – Bereavement Care.
The Neighbourhood Group – Job Assistance
The Neighbourhood Group is offering FREE Employment Services to help you prepare for and find work. Whether you’re out of school and looking for a job, new to Canada and want your first Canadian work experience, looking to change your career, or trying to get back into the workforce, they have various training programs, work placements, workshops, online job board, and resource centres.
For more information, visit The Neighbourhood Group.
Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance (SAHM) Program
The Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance (SAHM) program has been organized to support the seniors community with services ranging from garden and yard work to light housekeeping.
If you or anyone you know is looking for more assistance around their home, contact Kevin at 416-531-8447 or email [email protected] for more information.
Thorncliffe Park Youth Wellness Hub
We’re thrilled to share that in-person services are available at the Thorncliffe Park Youth Wellness Hub, a new welcoming space at East York Town Centre that provides health, wellness, employment and other services for youth and young adults! To access services, come by the Thorncliffe Park Youth Wellness Hub during its drop-in hours: Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
It is located at East York Town Centre, 45 Overlea Blvd. (Please use mall Entrance 6; the Youth Wellness Hub is located beside Dollarama). All services are free and open to everyone aged 12 to 25. Youth and young adults do not need a health card, family doctor or medical referral. Services include wellness counselling, peer support, employment services, settlement services, food support, primary care and more. No matter what you might be dealing with, their team can help.
For more information, please visit Thorncliffe Youth Club or follow them on Instagram @ThorncliffeYouthHub.
Neighbourhood News
Canadian Architect Winner: Dawes Road Library 🆕
The new Dawes Road Library is now award-winning! We’re looking forward to construction beginning on this project this year. Please visit https://www.canadianarchitect.com/dawes-road-library-community-hub/ for more information about the design for this incredible new community asset.
By-law Enforcement: Dogs Off-Leash Parks
Bylaw is relying on complaint data to focus higher levels of enforcement on the following dogs off-leash parks where a large number of issues have been raised, with the hope that education and escalated enforcement will encourage responsible dog ownership:
- Dentonia Park
- Fairmount Park
- Woodbine Beach Park
- Woodbine Park
We understand the importance of exercise for your beloved pet. However, it is important to practice Responsible Dog Ownership and keep your dog on leash in areas that are not marked off as official dog off-leash areas.
Please take the time to visit the following dogs off-leash areas in Beaches-East York by visiting the interactive map.
Be a good neighbour and be mindful of your surroundings!
Work in the Ward
O’Connor Construction Update: March 2024 🆕
Phase 1: The watermain and sewer infrastructure work is nearly complete! The asphalt being put down during this phase is TEMPORARY, and the road will be entirely reconstructed in Phase 2 of this project.
Phase 2: O’Connor Drive streetscape improvements due to begin late Spring 2024. This will include a fulsome road reconstruction, with one lane in each direction remaining open to traffic.
Building a great city takes time and we thank you for your ongoing patience during this critical infrastructure work.
This work is projected to be completed in its entirety by early Fall 2024.
If you have any concerns or suggestions, please reach out to my office.
Toronto Hydro Overhead & Underground Civil & Electrical Upgrade; Project Danforth
Toronto Hydro is pleased to inform you they will be improving the electricity system in our ward.
The boundaries for the project include Dentonia Park Avenue (North), Victoria Park Avenue (East), Danforth Avenue (South), and Eldon Avenue (West). We expect the work to begin March 2024.
Coxwell Station Stairway SOGR
As a part of the network-wide Subway Station state of good repair program, The TTC will repair stairs inside Coxwell Subway Station from Jan 15 to the end of March 2024. One set of the stairway and the escalator will remain open to customers.
Toronto Hydro Overhead Electrical Upgrade; Project Dentonia Park Avenue Overhead Rebuild Phase 1A
Toronto Hydro is hard at work to improve the electricity system in Ward 19. Please see the detailed graphic below for more information.
The boundaries for the project include Rosevear Avenue (North), Victoria Park Avenue (East), Dentonia Park Avenue (South), and Dawes Road (West).
Toronto Hydro Overhead & Underground Civil & Electrical Work: Glen Manor Drive
Toronto Hydro will be conducting further infrastructure upgrades in our community. Please see the detailed graphic below for more information.
The boundaries for the project include a section of Glen Manor Drive between Duart Park Road (North) and Queen Street East (South).
REVISED: Hydro Work – Danforth Overhead Rebuild Phase 2A
Toronto Hydro is currently doing some upgrades on Danforth. The boundaries for the project include Dentonia Park Avenue (North), Thyra Avenue (East), Danforth Avenue (South), and Avonlea Boulevard (West). Staff expects the work to begin in February 2024.
City Wide Events
Epilepsy Toronto: Bring Purple Day for Epilepsy To School 🆕
March has arrived, and with it comes the start of a very special time for our community: Epilepsy Awareness Month! Throughout March, we come together to raise awareness, spread education, and advocate for those living with epilepsy.
A great way to celebrate Purple Day and spread epilepsy awareness is through your child’s school! Epilepsy Toronto in collaboration with educators at the Faculty of Education at York University, has developed Purple Day Classroom Kits for kindergarten to Grade 12.
Here’s what you can do! Email a teacher and ask them to bring epilepsy education to their class this month by using our Purple Day Classroom kits. If you’d like an email template you can copy/paste and send directly to your teachers which includes all of the information you need – we’ve got one for you at the bottom of this email!
For more information, please visit: Purple Day for Epilepsy
Toronto Public Health – Community Clinics
Toronto Public Health is hosting community clinics to help students catch-up on their school-based vaccines. The clinics will provide vaccines against the following nine designated diseases under Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), in addition to the HPV and Hepatitis B vaccines:
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Polio
- Meningococcal
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Varicella (chickenpox) – only applies to students born on or after 2010.
ISPA requires that all students be vaccinated against the above nine designated diseases or have a valid exemption. Parents or guardians must submit their child’s vaccination information to Toronto Public Health.
The Toronto Public Health community clinics are by appointment only and residents are encouraged to book an appointment online through the Toronto Public Health Appointment Booking System. An OHIP card is not required.
Vaccination is important for the health of each student and the school community. More information is available on the City’s Required Vaccines for Students webpage.
Q: What are Toronto Public Health’s community clinics?
A: Toronto Public Health is hosting community clinics for students who live or study in Toronto to help them stay up-to-date with their school-based vaccines. The clinics will provide vaccines against nine designated diseases students are required to be vaccinated against under Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), unless they have a valid exemption. These clinics are appointment based and residents are encouraged to book an appointment at TPHBookings.ca.
Q: Who is eligible for these vaccines?
A: Before booking a vaccination appointment, find eligibility information on the City’s Toronto Public Health – Student Vaccines webpage.
Book an appointment now: TPH Bookings
Thanks for taking the time to read my bi-weekly newsletter! If you have any events, news, or ideas to share for our next one – please reach out to my office! Send me an email at [email protected] and we can get you included in our next issue.
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About Brad Bradford - - -
