DAILY UPDATES

The Beach Daily Updates

Donald D. Summerville Olympic Pools
OUT FOR THE SEASON: While other pools are opening early, the Donald D. Summerville pools at Ashbridges Bay are closed for the summer due to repairs.

Update

Some pools opening early, some not

The city is opening 10 outdoor pools tomorrow for weekends and evenings, well ahead of its usual full-schedule start on June 30. Among them are several east-end pools, including Kiwanis Outdoor Pool at 375 Cedarvale Ave. and Monarch Park at 117 Felstead Ave.

The rest should open next weekend, the city says But not one of the east end’s favourite swimming facilities.

The city has decided to keep Donald D. Summerville Olympic Pools at 1867 Lake Shore Blvd. E. (Ashbridges Bay) closed for the entire season for critical repairs.

You can check each hours of operation for swimming pools and wading pools on the city’s Drop-in Swimming and Water Play page.

Brad Bradford at debate
THE POLLS AGREE: Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford is falling further behind in the race for mayor.

Update:

Bradford support spirals further, according to polls

It’s hard to know what to make of local councillor Brad Bradford’s standing in the race for Toronto mayor. His campaign seems to be geared to appeal to both centre-left and centre-right voters, but his poll results indicate he’s not drawing support from any constituency.

Yesterday’s Liaison Strategies survey has Bradford settled in seventh place with six per cent of decided voters, down one point from the previous week’s results and far behind leader Olivia Chow’s 34 per cent.

The latest Mainstreet Research poll, released today, has him dropping even further. Bradford scores a meagre three per cent in that survey. Mainstreet shows Chow with a comfortable lead over the rest of the field at 33 per cent.

June 12 UPDATE: Police have identified and released a photo of a 42-year-old woman wanted after a break-in near Queen Street East and Glen Manor Drive (reported June 9 below).
Pickleball at Kew Gardens
ICE RINK IN SUMMER: Pickleball is played on courts set up at the outdoor rink in Kew Gardens. (Rodger Burnside/Streeter)
Streeter news:

Pickleball taking over our surfaces

City staff are scrambling to set up courts for pickleball — Toronto’s fastest growing sport and social activity.

Parking lots, ice rinks, tennis courts and other flat surfaces are all fair game for being converted to accommodate the growing numbers of pickleball players across Toronto.

Get the full story in Streeter news.

Accident report:

Queen closed after multi-vehicle collision

A multi-vehicle collision was reported near Queen Street East and Woodbine Avenue at 1:17 p.m. today.

Queen was closed between Woodbine and Boardwalk Drive while police investigated.

No injuries were reported, police said.

Police report:

Cash grab by woman reported in store break-in

Police are seeking the identity of a woman after a store near Queen Street East and Glen Manor Drive was allegedly broken into on June 5 at 7:45 p.m.

A woman is reported to have smashed the front door of the store and grabbed a cash donation box grabbed a cash donation box. She then fled the scene in a white KIA vehicle with a “Commun Auto” symbol on the door, police said in a news release yesterday evening.

See the news release for more details, including description and image of the woman being sought.

raccoon thumbnailStreeter news:

Jump in raccoon sickness, bites and scratches

A “significant increase” in reports of sick or injured raccoons and the number of people bitten or scratched has led Toronto Public Health to issue warnings against contact with wild animals in the city.

Eighty per cent of those people suffering bites and scratches have had to suffer further through the uncomfortable anti-rabies treatment, involving multiple vaccine doses, to fend off the potentially fatal infection.

See the full Streeter story, including tips on avoiding raccoon attacks.

Police report:

Four teens sought in Woodbine Beach stabbing

One person was stabbed when a group of youths got into an altercation at Woodbine Beach on the evening of May 30, Toronto police are reporting.

Police have launched an aggravated assault investigation.

They are trying to identify a male and three female suspects. The females are each described as being 16 to 18 years old and the male is thought to be 16 or 17.

For more details, see the police news release.

Police report:

Two sought after break-in at Queen-Coxwell store

Two males are being sought by Toronto police after a break and enter at a store near Queen Street East and Coxwell avenue on May 22.

It was reported that about 1:47 a.m. two men broke into the business and stole items before exiting from the back door.

Four images of masked men inside the store have been released by police. For more information and images, see the police news release.

Police report:

Man arrested after daycares reported threats

Police responded yesterday to two allegedly threatening calls to daycare centres near Queen Street East and Coxwell Avenue.

A 46-year-old man of no fixed address has been arrested and charged with two counts of uttering threats, police reported this morning.

Update:

Registration for summer programs begins June 6

Registration for the city’s summer recreation programs in this area begins tomorrow at 7 a.m.

Summer programs run from July 4 to Sept. 1.

You can register in three ways:

  • By phone by calling 416-396-7378 from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
  • In person at one of five community centre locations (none in this area) on June 6 and 7 from 7 a.m. to noon.
  • Online through e-Fun (the easiest way).

Find more information on the city’s summer recreation programs page.

Police report:

Driver sought after ‘suspicious incident’ with girl

Police are looking for the driver of a black Dodge Charger after a 16-year-old girl was approached near Kingston Road and Main Street yesterday.

In what police are calling a “suspicious incident,” a car reportedly approached the girl and the driver asked for her phone number and Instagram account. He then continued to follow her, police said.

See the police news release for more information including descriptions of car and driver.

Streeter news:

Bradford fading in mayor byelection polls

Since we last looked at the polling for the mayor’s race (see May 8 below), Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford’s support has fallen even further than previously noted. He now stands at a mere four per cent, down several points, according to the latest Mainstreet Research surveys.

That places him in seventh place among the 102 (!) candidates for mayor — far behind leaders Olivia Chow at 30 per cent, Ana Bailao at 21 per cent and Josh Matlow at 14 per cent.

See the full Streeter story on the poll and other election twists.

Update:

Ticketing rules relaxed for holiday

Parking enforcement officers will not be enforcing all on-street parking bylaws on Victoria Day, police say.

In particular they’ll be turning a blind eye on Monday to parking on rush-hour routes and in areas with Monday-to-Friday regulations.

In the news:

“Leslieville” flea market revived with new owners, name

The Leslieville Flea Market, long a summer staple at the Ashbridge Estate, 1444 Queen St. E., may be gone.

But something very similar has taken its place. The Toronto Flea has taken on the tradition and will have its inaugural market at the same location on June 4.

For the whole story of the market’s revival, see the piece in BlogTO.

In the news:

‘Toxic’ fire reported in south Leslieville area

If you sniffed something burning yesterday evening, it probably wasn’t smoke from the Alberta wildfires reaching us — but from a blaze a bit closer.

Various media reported a potentially toxic fire at a roofing company at Commissioners and Leslie streets near Ashbridges Bay at about 7 p.m. yesterday.

Fireworks at Ashbridges Bay thumbnailThings to do:

Enjoy the fireworks on Victoria Day

The city is presenting its annual Victoria Day fireworks at Ashbridges Bay Park starting at 10 p.m. on Monday, May 22. Beautiful fireworks and a spectacular finale are promised.

You’re encouraged to walk or take public transit to Ashbridges and leave your vehicles at home, as the area will become quite congested with visitors here for the show.

pothole thumbnailCity news:

Pothole-fixing blitz on tomorrow

If you’re out driving Saturday, watch for crews working on the roads. The city says it is launching a blitz to repair as many potholes as possible between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

It’s probably too late to get your favourite local pothole on the list for repair tomorrow, but call 311 or go to www.toronto.ca/311 to report it for future filling.

Streeter news:

Saving the bees and butterflies

Beaches Presbyterian Church on Glen Manor Drive is featured in a Streeter story about pollinator gardens.

The Girl Guides there are among the 44 community groups awarded grants from the city to create garden habitats for bees and butterflies and hopefully reverse their decline in Toronto.

See the full Streeter story.

Update:

McMahon backing Erskine-Smith’s run for Liberal leader

In the race to become Ontario Liberal leader, Beaches-East York’s federal rep Nathaniel Erskine-Smith has got early support from his provincial counterpart.

Erskine-Smith’s campaign literature quotes MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon as praising his integrity and “no-nonsense approach” to the issues.

“Nate represents our riding with clear-headed leadership and passion that will translate seamlessly to his role as leader of the Ontario Liberal Party,” McMahon says.

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith thumbnail

Streeter news:

Erskine-Smith gets jump on leadership race

Election-related news for another Beaches-East York rep: MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith has announced he is running for the Ontario Liberal leadership.

So far he’s the only candidate to declare, as nominations don’t close until September and the leadership vote isn’t until late November.

See the Streeter news story.

Update:

Bradford falling behind leaders in mayor’s race

The latest polls show support for Olivia Chow surging, as the former MP and councillor pulls ahead of Toronto–St. Paul’s councillor Josh Matlow, former councillor Ana Bailao, and former police chief Mark Saunders, in the race to become Toronto’s next mayor.

You’ll notice one prominent name missing from that summary. Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford, once considered a top contender, has fallen to sixth place in two recent polls.

While poll leader Chow is scoring support percentages in the 30s, Bradford is stuck at about seven per cent. See the full story in Streeter news.

In the news:

Sudden end of permit parking sends tenants scrambling

Permit parking sign on Maclean
NO MORE: Permit parking sign previously on Maclean Avenue.

Tenants of two apartment buildings were left without anywhere to park overnight when permit parking was suddenly revoked on Maclean Avenue recently, Global News reported yesterday.

Their buildings at Maclean and Queen Street East have no parking facilities and tenants were used to parking on the street with permits. Now they are scrambling to find other parking plans.

It has also set tenants against the street’s homeowners who originally requested permit parking be removed, according to the report.

See the Global News story “Beaches homeowners and tenants in parking tug-of-war.”

Update:

Parks washrooms opened—splash pads, fountains and pools next

The city has finished opening park washrooms today, its earliest date ever, the city has announced. Only six seasonal washrooms are still closed for repairs or construction.

Splash and spray pads are due to open by May 20, followed by fountains and bottle-filling stations by May 26.

Ten city-run outdoor pools are to open on partial schedules by June 17 with the rest of them by June 24. All outdoor pools and  wading pools are to be open on a full schedule by June 30.

suspicious incident thumbnailStreeter news:

Boys fled masked, hooded males on Scarborough Road

The boys were walking near Queen Street East and Scarborough Road on Monday evening when they were approached by two males wearing hoodies and black ski masks, police say.

The boys reportedly fled and called police, who call it a “suspicious incident.”

Video released by police show the hooded males getting out of a vehicle on Scarborough Road and starting to run after another figure.

Here’s the video and the story as we know it so far.

stolen jewellery
LOOT: Pictures of jewellery taken during break and enter in Upper Beaches. (Toronto Police)
Police report:

Have you seen this (stolen) jewellery?

Toronto police today released images of jewellery taken during last month’s break-and-enter of a residence near Ted Reeve Drive and Gerrard Street East. (See April 2 report below.)

If you know of anyone selling jewellery like this, you are asked to contact police.

Police are still trying to identify two males allegedly involved in the break-in.

Streeter news:

Washrooms are opening early in our parks

With this warmer-than-average spring, city staff are opening public washrooms earlier than usual. A quarter of Toronto’s seasonal washrooms have been opened already by mid-April, though most were originally scheduled for May.

If you’re planning an outing, you can look up the status of washrooms and drinking fountains in the park on a new interactive map from the city.

See the full story in Streeter news.

Streeter news:

Two arrests made in Oshawa for Beach Hill home invasion

Firearm seized by Durham police.
SEIZED: Firearm found by Durham police.

Two of three people suspected to be involved in the alleged home invasion near Norway and Elmer avenues a month ago have been arrested — leaving one suspect still at large, according to Toronto Police.

But it was Durham Region police who caught the two. On April 16 officers stopped a vehicle in Oshawa and arrested a male and a female wanted in Toronto.

They also seized a loaded firearm and drugs in the vehicle, which means the two now face charges in both Toronto and Durham Region.

Get the whole story in Streeter news.

Streeter news:

Kingston Road apartment scorched

A two-alarm fire brought firefighters to a low-rise apartment building at Kingston and Courcelette roads this morning.

Fire crews followed the alarms and heavy smoke in the hallway to find the fire in a ground-floor unit and deal with it quickly, Toronto Fire Services said.

See the story in Streeter.

In the news:

Big Carrot cited as leader in sustainability

The Big Carrot food store, with locations both in Greektown and Upper Beaches, is among “10 food businesses in Toronto that make it easier to practise sustainability,” according to BlogTO today. The employee-owned store is noted for organic and non-GMO products, the article says.

See the full story, including all 10 places specializing in “ethical eats,” on BlogTO.

Streeter news:

Bradford behind in race for mayor, poll says

A new Mainstreet Research poll has Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor Josh Matlow leading the field in the race to succeed John Tory as Toronto mayor. But the most surprising news delivered by the survey may be that Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford has fallen behind.

Bradford sits in fifth place with less than six per cent of the vote, behind the top four who each scored between 10 and 15 per cent in the survey.

See the full Streeter news story.

In the news:

Arrest for alleged indecent act in Kew Gardens

Investigating an indecent act that allegedly took place near the playground in Kew Gardens park yesterday afternoon, police returned to the park today and spotted the man they were looking for, Beach Metro News is reporting.

A 22-year-old man has been arrested and charged with committing an indecent act.

See the full story in Beach Metro.

Update:

Beaches Easter Parade

We could be wrong but it seemed this year’s Beaches East Parade yesterday was a little lighter than usual, especially compared to the extravaganzas of the pre-pandemic era.

But one thing cannot be debated, the parade was greeted by a huge, enthusiastic crowd as it proceeded along Queen Street East on Sunday, April 9, starting at 2 p.m. Some crowd estimates have run as high as 100,00 — though our guess is closer to 10,000.

And parade-goers by the hundreds — many local east-enders, of course, but also from across Toronto — hung around afterwards to enjoy a beautiful spring day in the Beach.

We’ll have many (many!) more pictures to come.

Streeter news:

Double the tickets: more speed cameras coming

ASE camera thumbnailThe number of automated speed enforcement cameras in Beaches-East York neighbourhoods is to be doubled from three to six, after city council’s recent approval of the installations.

Council unanimously passed a motion to have city staff look into increasing the ASE devices from the current 75 to 150, shared evenly by each of Toronto’s 25 wards.

This comes just months after a previous increase from 50 across the city.

Get the full story in Streeter news.

break-in suspects
SOUGHT in break and enter investigation.
Police report:

Two sought for break-in while homeowner at home

Police have released images and descriptions of two people sought in the investigation of an afternoon break-in on March 15.

Two males were reported to have broken into a house near Gerrard Street East and Ted Reeve Drive while the homeowner was home. One apparently stood by the front door as the other entered the house from the rear.

A number of items were taken before the suspects fled the scene on foot, police said. The homeowner was unhurt.

For more details and additional images, see the police news release.

Saed Griffith first at Spring Spring
FIRST PLACE: Saed Griffith seems to fly past the finishing line, while checking his time, at the Beaches Spring Sprint.
Update:

Beautiful spring day for a sprint in the Beaches

Start of Spring Sprint
GOING FOR IT: The first runners and walkers burst from the starting line of the Beaches Spring Sprint at 9:30 a.m.

You couldn’t have asked for better weather for the return of the Beaches Spring Sprint. With the sun beaming down and temperatures hovering well above zero, hundreds of runners burst from the starting gate on the boardwalk, beginning with the first races at 9:30 a.m.

It took only 15 minutes and 25 seconds for the fastest of them, Saed Griffith of Oshawa, to finish the five-kilometre loop and cross the finish line — far ahead of all other contenders.

Other walks and runs, including two-kilometre routes for seniors and children, started at 9:35 and 10:30 a.m.

The annual run is hosted by the Beaches Recreation Centre Advisory Council to raise funds for community programs and activities at the centre.

Community cleanup
CLEANING UP: An enthusiastic team during last year’s communal cleanup. (City of Toronto)
Things to do:

Clean up our communities together, city urges

Toronto is asking communities to register local litter cleanups to take part in the city’s annual spring cleanup from April 21 to April 23.

We can register three kinds of cleanups:

  • The 20-Minute Makeover on April 21 is for local businesses (BIAs, are you listening?) to clean up public spaces, like parks, sidewalks, ravines or beaches (though local residents can take part too).
  • Also on April 21, students and staff of schools, colleges and universities can spend 20 minutes cleaning up their schoolyards or neighbourhood parks.
  • On April 22 and 23, community groups, families and individuals are encouraged to visit local parks or other public spaces to help pick up litter.

Get more information and register for whichever cleanup works for you on the city’s Clean Toronto Together page.

March 30 UPDATE: See the full story on Brad Bradford entering the race for mayor in Streeter news today.
In the news:

Bradford finally announces: he’s in the race for mayor

Beaches-East York councillor has ended weeks of speculation, declaring himself a candidate to succeed John Tory as mayor of Toronto.

He’s running to be a “strong mayor of action” to make the city safer, more affordable, and easier to get around, Bradford said in Twitter and Instagrams posts this morning.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Brad Bradford (@bradfordgrams)

March 29 REMINDER: There’s still time to register for the Spring Sprint — today and tomorrow. See the Streeter Things To Do listing.
feeding coyoteStreeter news:

Feeding any wildlife, anywhere in city to be banned

On April 1 a new city bylaw comes into effect prohibiting the feeding of wildlife anywhere in Toronto.

And for good reason, according to wildlife experts. You may think you’re helping the animals but you’re not.

Even the traditional practice of throwing bread crumbs to birds is not helpful, the experts say.

Read Dennis Hanagan’s full story in Streeter news about the bylaw and the dangers of feeding the animals.

Police report:

Three girls subjected to indecent exposure, police report

Police have released video of a man they suspect followed three girls, age 13 to 14, to their home and looked through their window while committing an indecent act.

The girls, age 13 to 14, were walking home for lunch near Dundas Street East and Woodfield Road at 11:07 when they were followed, police said.

Investigators are asking for public help identifying the man. For more information, including images and video, see the police news release.

Streeter news:

Armed suspects sought in Beach Hill home invasion

home invasion police image of man with machete
MAN WITH MACHETE: One of several images police have released following the alleged home invasion in Beach Hill.

Two armed males and a female are sought by police after a home invasion near Norway and Elmer avenues early on March 20, police reported yesterday.

The incident began with a female befriending a man and going to his apartment. When two other men showed up, armed with a machete and firearm, the victim “left his apartment in fear,” police reported.

Police have released several images of the suspects.

For more details and images, read the story in Streeter News.

Things to do:

Registration starts for Spring Sprint

The Spring Sprint is back with registration starting today and March 22, 29 and 30.

The run itself takes place April 1 to raise money for supplies and activities at the Beaches Recreation Centre. For more information see the Streeter Things To Do listing.

Update:

Outdoor skating continues to Sunday — if the ice holds up

The city is encouraging skaters to enjoy the last few days of the official outdoor skating season at our local rinks. However, the weather seems poised to end the season earlier than the scheduled March 19 deadline.

Sunday evening is when the city starts to close its outdoor artificial ice rinks, natural ice rinks and skating trails and begin its annual conversion of spaces into skateboarding parks, tennis courts and pickleball spaces.

Meanwhile the forecast for the next four days calls for rainy and overcast days with temperatures mainly above zero.

In the news:

Malvern Juniors take city championship

The Junior Black Knights team at Malvern Collegiate Institute hockey won the TDSSAA city championship on March 8, Beach Metro is reporting today.

This came just six days after the Varsity Malvern girls took home gold, the paper is reporting.

See Beach Metro Community News for the full report.

In the news:

Local veggie burger hailed among the best

It may have made its name for its love of meat, but a local eatery also offers one of the city’s top vegan burgers — made with Beyond Meat served on an Ace Bakery bun. So says BlogTO in s story today.

The site placed Fearless Meat, 884 Kingston Rd., at number 3 in its rundown of the best veggie burgers in Toronto.

MARCH 7 REMINDER: Registration for the city’s spring recreation programs is set to open tomorrow at 7 a.m. Residents in this area can then sign up for programs that start April 1. (See the Streeter Things To Do listing or today’s news release from the city.)
Update:

Registration on for Easter parade

With one month to go before the 57th Beaches Easter Parade, registration is on for local groups and businesses to take part in the parade.

Community groups can register for $250 while businesses pay $450. They have until March 31 to sign up on the float registration site.

The parade takes place on Queen Street East on April 9.

In the news:

Posters oppose Bradford’s mayoral run

anti-Brad Bradford poster
Portion of an anti-Brad Bradford poster.

Flyers have appeared on streets in Beaches-East York calling councillor Brad Bradford two-faced, headed “Deceive in the East” — a takeoff on “Believe in the East,” his slogan in the 2022 council race.

They have also popped up on social media, including on Twitter.

The posters are apparently intended to oppose Bradford’s expected campaign for mayor.

They purport to show his record of voting runs counter to the image he presents as a progressive politician.

CityNews covers the story.

Announcement:

Summerlicious applications open

Winterlicious seems barely over and it’s already time for local restaurants to sign up for the summer edition of the fixed-price dining festival.

Applications to participate in the Summerlicious program will be accepted from today to March 22, the city has announced.

This year’s Summerlicious runs from July 7 to 23 and there’s good news for participating restaurants: the fees have been cut to less than half the pre-pandemic rates. The new fee is $550. The city says this reduction should “make it easy and affordable for restaurants to participate and will encourage more Toronto residents to dine out and celebrate Toronto’s diverse culinary scene.”

Restaurants can find more information on the City’s Summerlicious 2023 Restaurant Participation webpage.

Will he or won’t he run?

It appears more certain than ever that Brad Bradford will indeed try for the top municipal job — though he is still hedging his bets somewhat.

The Beaches-East York councillor released a statement today in which he announced he is putting together an advisory committee, including some business and political heavy-hitters from across the Liberal-Conservative spectrum, seemingly in preparation for a run for mayor.

He says he’s building a “winning team … that will ensure any campaign I lead represents the broad diversity and perspectives found across the entire city.”

Asked directly by media whether this means he is in the race, he has replied he is considering it very seriously and talked of what he intends to do “if I am running.” See CP24 video for one such interview.

Fundraiser for Turkey at St. John the Baptist Norway

A fundraising event is planned for St. John the Baptist Norway church on March 4, from 2 to 6 p.m.

Baked goods and other items will be sold to support earthquake relief in Turkey. See the Streeter Things To Do listing for more information.

Federal rep ponders what he could do as provincial leader

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith appears closer to declaring himself a candidate for the Ontario Liberal leadership, though he won’t make his final decision until next month when the party sets the rules for the race.

That’s what may be gleaned from a CBC story today in which the Beaches-East York MP, who has been touring the province for a possible run, touted his experience as an outspoken backbencher in Ottawa as showing he could bring democratic renewal to the Ontario political scene.

soup thumbnailSoup-tasting competition to return to Centre 55

Some talented soup chef is going to win a Silver Ladle (and some cash) for making the best soup in town — and the rest of us get to taste all the entries on March 2.

That’s when Community Centre 55 holds its annual soup-tasting competition. Becoming a judge (a taster) costs just $5, with the money going to support the centre’s programs.

More about the competition in Streeter’s Things To Do listing.

Local home prices dropping, real estate board says

real estate sale signHome prices are down by 12 per cent from last year in this area, according to figures recently released by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board. The report indicates the year-over-year decrease for the real estate “E02” area, including Beaches, East End-Danforth and Woodbine Corridor.

As of January, the average home here is now about $1.3 million, TRREB reports. Single, detached houses have taken the biggest hit, dropping 13.8 per cent to about $1.6 million.

Winter Stations "Ripple Hut"
“Ripple Hut” is designed by the architecture students at Toronto Metropolitan University. (Photo courtesy Mary-Anne McBean)
Winter Stations "Conrad"
“Conrad” is designed by Canadians Novak Djogo and Daniel Joshua Vanderhorst. (Wendy Winters)

More Winter Stations rise on Woodbine Beach

The Winter Stations public exhibition has officially opened on Woodbine Beach today.

So here are two more of the art installations, as pictured by local photographers.

This is the seventh year for Winter Stations.

The works will be displayed on the east-end beach until April 3. Others are to be displayed in Mississauga in the west end.

 

FEB. 19 REMINDER: It’s Skate Day at Ted Reeve Arena today. See Feb. 11 item below.

Parking restrictions eased for Family Day

Police have announced they will not be ticketing vehicles parked on the street on Feb. 20 on rush-hour routes and in areas with posted Monday–Friday regulations.

Goodbye, Honey Bee

The Honey Bee is leaving. The Chinese food restaurant, a 43-year staple in the Beaches, is closing its doors at 1978 Queen Street East with the retirement of its owner, Michael Lau, a community newspaper reports today.

February 28 is the last day Honey Bee is to be open.

See the full story in Beach Metro.

Winter Stations appearing on the beach

Some of the Winter Stations art projects have already been installed on the beach, as shown by a couple of local photographers.

Erskine-Smith says he won’t run for mayor

Beaches-East York Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, whose name has also been tossed around as a possible contender to replace Mayor John Tory, appears to have taken himself out of the running.

Earlier he put himself forward as running for the leadership of the Ontario Liberals. On Twitter he says today he is “focused on serving my home community and Canadians in Parliament and bringing much needed change to the Ontario Liberal Party.”

Bradford touted for mayoralty run

Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford says he’s received calls asking him to run for mayor, since John Tory’s sudden resignation, according to a Toronto Star article about possible candidates yesterday.

Bradford, who was supported by Tory when first elected to council in 2018, reportedly told the Star he hasn’t decided yet whether to run for mayor.

Skate Day is back at Ted Reeve

Beaches-East York’s city councillor, MPP and MP are joining together to host their annual Skate Day at Ted Reeve Arena.

It takes place on Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

See more information on this event at the Streeter Things To Do listing.

FEB. 11 REMINDER: CampTO programs for summer camps are open for registration starting today. See Jan. 17 item below.

Report our potholes to be fixed

You may see repair crews out on the roads today as the city launches its first pothole-fixing blitz of the year.

Chances are, though, plenty of Beaches potholes will remain unless they are reported. To get those car-wrecking eyesores filled, report them via the 311 Toronto mobile app, online at Toronto.ca/311 or by calling 311.

The city says most repairs are carried out within four days of potholes being reported.

Planned Ripple Hut at Winter Stations
WINTER STATION: Image of the “Ripple-Hut” art installation, soon to appear on the beach. (TMU Department of Architectural Science)

Winter Stations to rise on the beach

This year’s winners of the Winter Stations art installation contest have been chosen and you can watch six of their works being built on Woodbine Beach. They’re to be installed by Feb. 20.

Three university teams are involved in this year’s Winter Stations. See the Toronto Observer story for more about this prestigious event.

Local romances romantic dinner thumbnail

SLATE Restaurant and Bar, 2237 Queen St. E., and La Sala, 1975A Queen St. E., are two of many restaurants across town offering a special Valentine’s Day menu and romantic atmosphere for Feb. 14.

But spaces are filling up everywhere, so get your reservations in as soon as possible.

ASE warning at Main and Swanwick
WARNING: Sign on Main Street gives notice that a new speed camera is soon to be installed at this site. (Alexei Malakhov/Streeter)

This ward soon to have three cameras to catch speeders

The city is adding 25 automated speed enforcement cameras, one for each ward in Toronto. The most recent ASE site in Beaches-East York is on Main Street south of Swanwick Avenue.

It joins two other such cameras in the ward, currently located on Wolverleigh Boulevard, west of Glebemount Avenue, and on Gerrard Street East, east of Beaton Avenue.

See the full Streeter story on the new cameras.

Two arrested in alleged home invasion

Three days after a reported home invasion near Woodbine and Norway avenues (see Jan. 29 item below), the man and woman suspects have been arrested, police say.

Police received information from the public that led to finding the two in the area of Danforth and Cedarvale avenues, according to a news release.

Arrested on Jan. 31 at about 7:30 p.m., the Toronto man, 38, and Toronto woman, 3o, face a total of 14 charges, including breaking and entering, robbery with an offensive weapon and assault with a weapon.

For more details, see the police news release.

Man and woman sought in home invasion investigation

Investigators are looking for a 38-year-old man and 30-year-old woman after an alleged home invasion, police said yesterday evening.

In the early hours of Jan. 28, two people armed with knives allegedly broke into a residence near Woodbine and Norway avenues and attacked a tenant. The tenant suffered serious injury, police said.

More information and images of the suspects are available in the police news release.

Town hall budget meeting for east-end residents

Have your say at the town hall meeting on the city’s 2023 budget, co-hosted by Toronto-Danforth and Beaches East York councillors. The meeting’s on Feb. 3. See more about it in Streeter’s Things To Do listing.

JAN. 27 REMINDER: Winterlicious starts today at restaurants across Toronto and in Leslieville. See Jan. 20 item below.

New CafeTO fees to hurt local eateries: Fragedakis

Local restaurants may be hit hard by the changes to the city’s CafeTO program this year, says Mary Fragedakis, executive director of the GreekTown on the Danforth BIA. She was talking to John Moore on Newstalk 1010’s Moore in the Morning program today.

City council is considering a staff report that proposes charging new fees for restaurants participating in CafeTO.

“Many small businesses are struggling terribly right now … and this is another stressor,” Fragedakis said. She predicted the new fees would put CafeTO out of reach for many of them.

Hear the interview on iHeart radio, including Mayor John Tory’s defence of the fees.

Winterlicious at The Civic
WINTERLICIOUS: Short Rib and Duck Breast at The Civic during two-week dining festival. (Flickr/City of Toronto)

Start making reservations for Winterlicious

Winterlicious is back, set to offer prix fixe lunches and dinners from Jan. 27 to Feb. 9.

Beach-area restaurants participating in Winterlicious Toronto include Delhi Bistro and Chowpatty Culture on Queen Street East, plus The Beech Tree and Bowl of Karma on Kingston Road.

You can find the entire Toronto list on the city’s Winterlicious page.

Camping header

CampTO registration set to open

It’s time to start planning the kids’ summer camp activities at local parks and centres this summer. The city has announced its CampTO programs are online for your consideration, ready for registration beginning Feb. 11.

Some new programs have been added to the CampTO lineup for the programs that run from July 4 to Sept. 1.

Camp locations in and around the Beaches area include:

  • Beaches Recreation Centre, 6 Williamson Rd.
  • S.H. Armstrong Community Centre: 56 Woodfield Rd.

For more information on the program and registration, see the Streeter calendar listing.

Pizza shops’ original location moved from area

Queen Margherita Pizza, specializing in Neapolitan-style pizza, closed its doors at 1402 Queen St. E. as of Dec. 31. Its original location was opened in 2010 and additional shops were opened elsewhere in Toronto.

The company said it is opening at another site in the east end, but so far we see only one west-end location listed on Queen Margherita Pizza’s website as being open.

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