Beach Metro News, February 17, 2026

Winter Stations now on display along Woodbine Beach

Final picture shows for Beaches Cineplex Cinema

By Matthew Stephens

THE LOCALLY renowned Cineplex Cinemas Beaches is shutting its doors today after providing more than two decades of entertainment for the community.

“We have loved being members of this wonderful neighbourhood for the past 20 years,” Cineplex said in a statement sent to Beach Metro Community News last week.

Cineplex said the theatre’s landlord will be leasing the property to another business.

Publicly accessible building permits show that health and wellness business Altea will take over the space – although it remains unclear whether renovations are required before the property reopens.

The six-screen theatre at 1651 Queen St. E. opened in 1999 under the Alliance Atlantis brand before being acquired by Cineplex in 2019. Cineplex Cinemas Beaches has been a pillar in the neighbourhood – with many locals opting for its quieter atmosphere over the city’s busier Cineplex locations.

“Used to go here all the time, it was close by, small six screens, it made going to a movie quite quaint and cozy,” said one resident in a Facebook post.

News of the cinema’s closure has sparked ongoing discussion among community members, many of whom have taken to social media to reminisce and share fond memories during its heyday.

“Sad. Nothing compares to the cinematic experience of watching a film on the big screen. We’ve been going there pretty much monthly since it opened eons ago,” said another Facebook user.

With the Fox Theatre at 2236 Queen St. E. now serving as the closest option for cinephiles in the Beach, many residents have expressed disappointment at the lack of nearby options to catch the latest blockbuster movies.

“We are grateful to the Beaches community for their support,” said the Cineplex statement.

Cineplex Cinemas Beaches will host its last film screenings today, Tuesday, Feb. 17.

By Matthew Stephens

FORMER SCARBOROUGH

Southwest MP Bill Blair’s domino effect resignation has drawn attention to the political plans of Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith.

Blair was appointed as Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom on Monday, Feb. 2, and announced he was resigning his MP seat that day.

The next day, Scarborough Southwest MPP Doly Begum, who was also the Deputy Leader of the Ontario NDP, announced she would be running for the federal Liberals in the byelection that will be called in the riding to re-

place Blair who was also a Liberal.

Which then put the spotlight on an announcement later the same day by Erskine-Smith who said he would be seeking the Liberal nomination to run provincially in the byelection that will be necessary to fill Begum’s Scarborough Southwest seat at Queen’s Park.

“Doly Begum has been a strong progressive representative, she’s going to make a great Liberal MP for our east end community, and I have no doubt that she’ll make a bigger difference as a member of our federal team,” said ErskineSmith in a newsletter following Begum’s announcement. “I know that the biggest difference I can make is rebuilding our provincial

Final work is shown being completed on the CHIMERA Winter Stations installation on Woodbine Beach last week. Winter Stations 2026 officially opened on the morning of Family Day, and will remain on display along Woodbine Beach until the end of March.

Local politicians on the move in Scarborough Southwest

Liberal party to deliver for Ontarians.”

Erskine-Smith is expected to also be seeking the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party when it comes time to select a new leader.

Erskine-Smith said he would continue his federal duties as MP for Beaches-East York until the nomination race for the provincial Liberal candidate position in Scarborough Southwest is complete.

Critics, including Qadira Jackson who was the Liberal candidate for Scarborough Southwest in last February’s provincial election, have taken Erskine-Smith to task for his actions.

Continued on Page 9

Crossword answers to appear in same edition as puzzle

THE VOTES are in and Beach Metro Community News readers have let us know that they want their crossword puzzle and the answers to it to appear in the same edition.

The crossword puzzle has been

a big hit since we introduced it in our Jan. 20 paper. For the last two editions we’ve been asking readers if they preferred the answers to run in the next paper or in the one the puzzle appears. The vote was overwhelmingly for puzzle and answers in the same edition, and your wish is our command.

This week’s crossword puzzle is on Page 22, and answers will appear on Page 24. No peeking now, and enjoy the puzzle.

Local politicians question province’s position on inclusionary zoning

By Matthew Stephens

PROVINCIAL LEGISLA-

TION to temporarily ban three cities from requiring a minimum percentage of affordable units in residential developments near transit hubs has local politicians concerned about the future of affordable housing.

As of Jan. 29, the Ontario government has paused new inclusionary zoning in Kitchener, Mississauga, and Toronto until July 1, 2027, calling the rules it originally put in place an “unnecessary” roadblock impeding new developments.

But that’s a position Beaches-East York Liberal MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon is not buying. She called the new policy of Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government a “dinosaur mentality,” and said access to transit is needed most by those who require affordable housing.

“I’m so outraged. I’m livid about this. He needs to get with the program that we live in a great urban centre,” said McMahon. “People taking transit, they’re doing it because A, it’s the smart thing to do in an urban setting like Toronto. And B,

because it’s an affordable option – much more affordable than owning a vehicle. Stripping that away from people who are seeking affordability, I just don’t know what they’re thinking.”

The province said putting a temporary ban on inclusionary zoning will help boost the number of housing units being built by removing obstacles — both regulatory and market-driven — that make it difficult for developers to start residential projects.

A Fall 2025 Housing Supply Report from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reported significant declines in condominium apartment starts in Toronto, citing “a pullback in investor demand during the first half of 2025 which reduced project feasibility and lead to cancellations, delays and a sharp drop in starts.”

CMHC said a strong rental demand, and “near-recordlow” interest rates sparked a surge in condo presales between 2021 and 2022, which drew investors to the Toronto market. However, a drastic increase in housing supply over the following years resulted in slowed preconstruction sales, limiting new condo starts in the first half of 2025.

Despite investor’s interest coming to a halt, BeachesEast York Councillor Brad Bradford said he continues to work with developers in the community to help build more affordable housing.

work right now,” said Bradford.

He said reducing development charges for builders, rather than banning inclusionary zoning, could be the answer to speeding up progress and encouraging more affordability in the city.

“Something needs to change. But instead of the province pausing inclusionary zoning, I would rather have (Toronto) City Hall reduce development charges, a move that would also move the needle and help get shovels in the ground on new and more affordable homes.”

Existing projects that were issued a building permit before Jan. 29 are not exempt from the inclusionary zoning policy and are still required to include a maximum five per cent of affordable units. With the municipal government losing regulatory powers over private development, the city itself can still incorporate affordable housing targets for residential projects on land it owns.

opments.

Toronto later developed its own Inclusionary Zoning Policy in 2021, which centred around major transit hubs approved by the province and areas identified by as Market Areas, where housing demand, development viability, and market strength justify affordability requirements.

The city’s policy initially required new developments to include five to 10 per cent affordable housing units in designated areas such as transit hubs, with later plans to increase affordable units up to eight to 22 per cent by 2030, with a 99-year term. However, by May 2025, provincial regulations capped affordability requirements to a maximum of five per cent for 25 years.

The province’s pause of inclusionary zoning is frustrating for Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher.

“I believe we need more affordable housing in Toronto. It’s something I’ve consistently fought to have included in new developments that have been proposed in our community. Toronto’s housing crisis is getting worse because so few new projects are breaking ground — and that’s because the math doesn’t

In September last year, Toronto launched the Purpose-built Rental Housing Incentives Stream, a component of the November 2024 Rental Housing Supply Program, which approved more than 8,000 rental homes, including 2,000 affordable rental homes. The city initiative aims to deliver rent-controlled, affordable rental and rent-geared-to income housing units spanning across more than 44 projects currently under construction. Of the 10,000 new city-built homes, nearly 7,100 are purpose-built rental with 50 per cent being rent-controlled and affordable rental homes.

The policy was introduced by the province as the Inclusionary Zoning Act in 2018, giving municipalities authority to require affordable housing in new devel-

“It’s a real set back the Ford government is removing the requirement to provide affordable housing when they approve mega density – especially at their own Transit Oriented Communities,” she said.

“I have fought for years to have it included and am heartbroken that averageincome residents will find it even more difficult to find an affordable place to live in Toronto.”

Scarborough Southwest Councillor Parthi Kandavel also stressed the importance of including affordable housing at transit hubs.

“Requiring affordable units within new buildings around subways is one of the best tools we have to address the affordability crisis,” said Kandavel.

“The province’s ban on inclusionary zoning in Toronto would have potentially disastrous effects on our efforts to get families into adequate and affordable housing.”

By Jessica Shackleton

WITH HOCKEY season in full swing, Grade 10 Upper Canada College student Andrew Adair created Open Ice to make the sport accessible to more young people.

The initiative started as a school assignment, but quickly turned into a real-life operation that runs out of Ted Reeve Community Arena. Open Ice’s mission is about access, development, and community. Hockey is a pricey sport, and many families face barriers in participation. The initiative’s goal is to provide free hockey experiences to children so that cost is not an obstacle to playing the game.

“I am fortunate that my family was able to support my involvement in the sport, but through research and direct community engagement, I became aware that many families do not have that same access due to financial barriers,” said Adair.

The program is financed through fundraising and sponsorships, and its goal is not just to teach the sport of hockey but to provide a positive and safe introduction to the game.

“Open Ice was created to help address that gap by providing a safe, structured camp experience that introduces children to hockey while also teaching transferable

life skills such as teamwork, communication, responsibility, and perseverance,” said Adair.

Over the holiday season last year, Open Ice hosted a week-long hockey camp at Ted Reeve Arena, provided all the equipment necessary and helped get as many kids on the ice as possible. The impact of the camp was more than 250 hours of programming and $4,500 in equipment value, with zero cost to the families who had kids taking part.

The program also hosts weekly sessions on Saturdays at Upper Canada College, where many camp participants get started and work towards playing organized minor hockey. Another camp will be held over March Break.

“For me, this project is about giving back to my community and making opportunities possible for families who otherwise would not have access to them,” said Adair.

“My favourite thing about hockey is that it teaches lessons that extend far beyond the rink. It requires effort, accountability, teamwork, and resilience, and it creates environments where individuals learn to support one another,” said Adair.

To learn more about Open Ice and how to support the project, please visit https:// open-ice.org

Obituary

Rev. Brian Stevens at Hope United Church served with kindness, inclusion and music

REV. BRIAN Francis Stevens, of Hope United Church in East Toronto, died on Tuesday, Feb. 3, after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 65.

He was surrounded by love, faith and the deep sense of peace he so often imparted to others throughout his life and ministry with the United Church of Canada

Stevens was a devoted and loving partner to Martin for 23 years, and found his greatest joy at home, especially in the companionship of his beloved dogs, Oscar, Pedro and Bruno, who were a constant source of comfort, laughter, and unconditional love.

His home was a place of warmth, welcome, and gentle humour—values he carried into every aspect of his life.

Stevens was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Sept. 9, 1960 to Louise and William Stevens. He also had an older sister who predeceased

him in 2006.

The younger years for the Stevens’ family were spent in Timberlea, Nova Scotia. Stevens later studied at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia where he earned his degree in piano performance.

After a year of working as a pianist in Regina, Stevens moved to Prince Edward Island where he accepted a permanent position at the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

There he created the Triple Threats Performing Arts School where he taught kids from across the island in music, dancing and acting.

He was also the Artistic Director of a summer theatre festival at the Kings Playhouse in Georgetown, PEI.

After meeting his partner Hugo Martin, Stevens moved to Halifax where he was accepted at the Atlantic School of Theology.

He later moved to Toronto and worked as a music

director and youth minister at Faith United Church in Courtice, Ontario.

Stevens became a member of Hope United Church in 2014, where his faith, compassion, and commitment to service quickly became evident.

countless lives, offering comfort in times of sorrow, joy in moments of celebration, and hope when it was most needed.

Even in illness, he met each day with courage, honesty, and grace, continuing to inspire those around him.

www.thecomputercoach.ca

contact@thecomputercoach.ca

After years of discernment, study, and heartfelt dedication, he was ordained as a Minister in 2021, answering a call to ministry that he embraced with deep purpose.

His pastoral presence was marked by kindness, thoughtful listening, and a steadfast belief in radical love and inclusion.

Through his ministry and music, Stevens touched

He will be deeply missed by his partner Martin, his church family at Hope United Church, dear friends, and all whose lives were blessed by his love and ministry.

His legacy lives on in the compassion he shared, the faith he nurtured, and the love he gave so freely.

A funeral service was held on Thursday, Feb. 12, at Hope United Church.

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Protest at Bowmore Road school against teacher firings, suspensions

By Kat Bergeron

PARENTS AND students

met in front of Bowmore Junior and Senior Public School on Feb. 4 to protest against the many changes the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has made recently to staff and education at the East Toronto school.

The rally took place from 2:45 to 3:15 p.m. as students from Grade 7 and 8 classes, parents and community members brought awareness to their concerns.

Recently, the TDSB fired two and suspended eight teachers, amounting to the entire Grade 7 and 8 staff, as well as transferred out the principal and vice-principal at the school, following the implementation of changes in educational models.

There have also been parental concerns about discipline and incidents of violence and bullying at the school.

“Bowmore, like many schools in the TDSB, is under attack, and we are here today specifically to say that we, as a community, we’re not going to stand for an attack on public education,” said Bowmore parent Mercedes Lee.

“We’re not going to stand for an attack on our teachers, and that we are together, advocating for better, for a system for all kids.”

The TDSB, in an earlier statement to Beach Metro Community News, said it was “limited” in what it could say about changes at Bowmore for “private and legal” reasons.

“We are in the midst of a teacher shortage, and

so we have 10 classes who are without their teachers. They’re having supply teachers who I’m sure are doing their best, but many of them don’t have the appropriate credentials, like teaching French immersion, for instance,” said Bowmore Road Parent Council Cochair Jenn Engels. “It’s yet again, more disruption in a year where there’s already been a lot of disruption.”

In a two-page letter sent to the community on Feb. 2, the TDSB stated that it has requested Bowmore Road school be put on a list for a safety audit to review rules, procedures and adherence to them. The Regional Internal Audit Team, which is funded by the Ministry of Education, would be performing the audit.

The letter also stated that the new principal and viceprincipal and Interim TDSB Director Stacey Zucker recognize the uncertainty taking place at Bowmore Road and the TDSB’s focus “remains on providing stable leadership, consistent support, and a positive learning environment for all students.”

Beaches-East York TDSB

Trustee Michelle Aarts, who also has a child attending Bowmore Road school, was among those taking part in the Feb. 4 rally.

“The supply teachers are lovely, but they’re not our children’s teachers. They don’t know them the same way,” said Aarts. “This was done in such a way that the supply teachers didn’t even get planning, so there’s not been any lesson plans left for them. So with the princi-

pal being dismissed and the teachers being dismissed, it was done in such a manner that there was no continuity to ensure stability for the kids.”

Parent Alvaro Lemus, who was taking part in the rally, said the lack of communication from the TDSB on what is happening at the school and why has been frustrating. “There’s a lack of transparency and communication from the board, from the school to the parents and the students. So I think that’s the key component that we are missing here,” said Lemus.

At a rally on Feb. 3, in front of the TDSB offices in North York, the Elementary Teachers of Toronto (ETT) said the firing of the two teachers was “unjust” and the suspensions of eight other teachers “a serious” blow to the Bowmore Road school community. The ETT is the union representing elementary school teachers at public schools in Toronto.

“These teachers are beloved, dedicated educators who were abruptly removed with no regard to the impact on students or families” said Helen Victoros, president of the ETT in a statement on Feb. 3. “What happened at Bowmore is not an isolated incident. It is part of a disturbing pattern under provincial takeover where decisions are being made without transparency and without regard for the wellbeing of students or staff.”

The TDSB has been under Ministry of Education control since June last year when Rohil Gupta was appointed as Supervisor.

Local Lunar New Year celebrations slated

LUNAR NEW Year is set for Tuesday, Feb. 17, and celebrations will be taking place this month in East Toronto.

As part of the festivities this month to welcome the Year of the Horse, Toronto’s East Chinatown will hold its annual Lion Dance and Parade on Saturday, Feb. 28.

The parade starts at noon at the Zhong Hua Men Archway on Gerrard Street East. The event is organized by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of East Toronto. Lunar New Year is the beginning of the new year based on the lunar calendar and is celebrated around the world. It begins with a new

moon, and while some traditions are shared throughout different countries, each has celebrations that reflect the cultural identity of places such as China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. Saying goodbye to the Year of the Snake, 2026 is the Year of the Horse by the Chinese zodiac.

Political Whac-A-Mole in Scarborough Southwest

SHACKLETON Beach Metro News Editor

Bin Scarborough Southwest during the first week of February.

I was originally seeing it as a game of political musical chairs, but it ended up looking a lot more like Whac-A-Mole before the week had ended.

riding and a federal byelection will be necessary.

ack in 2014 a book called Crazy Town: The Rob Ford Story was written by reporter Robyn Doolittle. No surprise, it was the story of the late Rob Ford who was Toronto’s mayor from 2010 to 2014. We don’t need to revisit that place in history again. Believe me, once was enough for that ride. But I thought of the book title as we here at Beach Metro Community News tried to make sense of exactly what happened

And now we sit in the seat of sober second thought waiting for the dust to settle, which is going to take considerable time.

In case you missed it, here’s the rundown:

Monday, Feb. 2 - Prime Minister Mark Carney announces Scarborough Southwest MP Bill Blair has been named Canada’s High Commissioner (Ambassador) to the United Kingdom. Which means Blair will be stepping down as the Liberal MP for the

Tuesday, Feb. 3 - morning - Doly Begum, who has been the NDP MPP for Scarborough Southwest since 2018 announces she will be stepping down from her seat to run federally for the Liberal Party in the byelection for the riding. The political intrigue involved in getting the Deputy Leader of the Ontario NDP to run as a federal Liberal aside, Begum’s move means there will also need to be a provincial byelection in Scarborough Southwest.

Scarborough Southwest seat in the byelection. Erskine-Smith says he will hold on to his BeachesEast York MP seat until he is confirmed as the provincial Liberal candidate for Scarborough Southwest. So there could also be a federal byelection in the cards for Beaches-East York.

How this all ends is anybody’s guess, but what was supposed to be a relatively quiet 2026 on the local election front suddenly got very busy and very interesting. ALAN

Tuesday, Feb. 3 - afternoonBeaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith announces he will be seeking the Liberal nomination to run provincially for the

And, oh yeah, there’s a municipal election in October of this year and Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford is running for mayor. Which means we should expect a boatload of candidates seeking what will be the open Beaches-East York seat on council.

Now my head is spinning trying to figure where all the pieces in play here are going to land.

Erskine-Smith’s move is part of his continuing bid to become the new leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. I assume he wants to make the run for that job as a sitting Liberal MPP at Queen’s Park, but not everyone’s happy about that.

Qadira Jackson, who ran for the Liberals provincially in Scarborough Southwest in the February 2025 provincial election and lost to Begum, came out swinging herself on Feb. 4 saying she will be seeking the party’s nomination once again and questioning Erskine-Smith’s actions.

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Letters to the Editor

Government oversight needed to lower veterinary costs and ensure quality care

Who doesn’t love animals? Whether it’s a cat, dog, rat, or horse, many people have them.

Most commonly, households have a dog or a cat—sometimes one or even both. In Canada, about 28.5 million households have pets, which means roughly 58 per cent of the population. Something significant has occurred in the industry, impacting our pets, their care, and us, as owners. Veterinary practices are being acquired by private equity firms.

It’s natural to be concerned about the influence of private equity on vet clinics. The appeal is clear— the industry is huge, and unlike human healthcare, consumers pay directly out of pocket, without insurers— more cash and more practices to buy.

Private equity can profit even if clin-

ics decline, customers suffer, and pets face poorer care— even to the point where euthanasia becomes a difficult choice for some owners.

Stories abound of pet owners struggling with care costs, leading to pets suffering and living in pain.

There are some potential benefits to this takeover, such as better compensation for staff, increased resources, financial support, growth opportunities, all which could lead to better care.

However, feedback from staff and veterinarians highlight significant drawbacks. When private equity is involved, the focus often shifts heavily toward profitability, with pressure to upsell, unnecessary tests, customer dissatisfaction, staff burnout and low morale.

Pet owners can purchase insurance for their animals, with annual costs of-

ten reaching up to $550, depending on the pet’s type, size, breed, and location. Unfortunately, pet insurance premiums are rising faster than the general inflation rate.

In addition, many procedures are not covered under standard plans, requiring owners to purchase extra riders for broader protection.

We all love our pets deeply—they are family. It’s heartbreaking to see a world where profit comes before people—and now seems to come before animals, too.

We must push for government oversight, demand transparency, and advocate for policy changes that lower costs and ensure quality care.

Our pets deserve better, and it’s up to us to make our voices heard.

Gwen Falkingham

ODSP client says he was victim of ‘dirty trick’

I was a client of Ontario Disability Support Program for many years in good standing. Then the ODSP changed my worker, and that was when the trouble started.

With no notice or permission, and without any authority, I am alleging the worker put more than $6,000 into my personal chequing account under ‘government’ instead of ODSP.

When I went to the bank to get an update, there it was in my account. And now they want it back!

I did not ask for this money and my wife and I can’t understand why this dirty trick that I am alleging was done by an ODSP worker towards me.

This ODSP worker should be exposed for this. This was an abuse of power and authority. How is this not breaking the law?

Ian Stinton

Local Seniors Real Estate Specialist helps seniors at what can be a vulnerable time

By Kat Bergeron

PROTECTING SENIORS

from being taken advantage of in real estate transactions and navigating what can be the complex process of moving out of what has been the family home for decades is the goal of Beach area realtor Jacquie Harris.

Seniors who have owned their homes for years and built enormous equity in their properties may need to move for health, financial or other reasons. And that is where Harris, who has a Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation, can be of assistance.

“For me, working with seniors is a lifestyle transition, not just a transaction,” said Harris.

A local resident and realtor with Real Estate Homeward Brokerage in the Beach since 2007, Harris saw the need for specialized realty services for seniors through her experiences helping her own parents.

She said seniors need specialized assistance with all aspects of moving out of a longtime family home, and it can be a vulnerable time for them.

Seniors can feel overwhelmed by the many tasks at hand, or sentimental about the memories and objects in their homes, and may require assistance to transition into the next phase of their life.

Harris works with professional movers, renovators and downsizers to help ease some of the burdens associated with the transition.

“Seniors often face struggles related to mobility and health, a fixed income, a need to downsize, or move into a long-term care facility, which can be overwhelming and emotional decisions. Having a support system can support them to manage the transition,” she said.

To earn the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designation, a realtor must complete a course and then actively maintain the designation with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Center for Realtor Development (CRD).

A Seniors Real Estate Specialist has an in-depth understanding of the unique needs senior clients may face in the housing market and helps homebuyers and sellers over the age of 50 buy or sell their homes and connects them with supporting resources throughout the process.

Harris advocates on behalf of the seniors she works with in dealing with others who may have personal motivations for trying to con-

vince the owner to sell the house to them privately for far less than its true value.

“A wrong decision can lead to not retaining as much value as possible, which can measure into the hundreds of thousands in this area,” said Harris.

“It can be a big consequence which has real ramifications for choices for long-term care or a smaller home.”

Not all seniors can turn to trusted family members to help them sell their house, let go of belongings and move into a smaller home or a care facility.

“The decisions and support often fall to the adult children who are also busy, making it more of a challenge to help,” said Harris.

The feeling among some seniors that they don’t want to be a burden to their adult children can lead to them being taken advantage of.

“When they kind of look around and they see how much stuff they’ve accumulated, and of course, all of the memories, if someone were to knock on their door and offer them a low-ball offer and be told that you know you don’t need to worry as my client is prepared to pay you this much money, they would take the deal, not realizing that they may be selling at under value,” said Harris.

There are also those looking to take advantage of vulnerable seniors and their valuable houses, she said. These people try to convince seniors to sell their homes in private sales for prices far below market value, or to exploit the equity in the home at the expense of the owner.

She said one example is what she called the “Loan to Own” scam, which is also known as equity stripping. This sees door-to-door sales agents convincing seniors to take out a mortgage at a high interest rate.

Harris said another example of a common scam is “total title fraud” in which a person may attempt to steal the identity of the senior homeowner and transfer the property into their own name.

Former Beach residents Anne and Ken Craig are senior clients recently helped by Harris.

“It has been a lot and a challenge,” said Anne. “I don’t want to move again because it has been hard on us, and my kids.”

She said her adult children were a great help as they moved from their Beach home to a new residence in the High Park area, as was Harris’ support and expertise.

Every step counts for families at Red Door

by Erin Horrocks-Pope

On February 28, 2026, East Toronto residents will once again bundle up and head out into the winter night, not for spectacle, but for solidarity. The Coldest Night of the Year is a winter walk that brings neighbours together in support of local organizations working with people facing homelessness, violence, and food insecurity.

Here in East Toronto, one of those causes is Red Door Family Shelter, an organization that has stood beside women and families in crisis since 1982. For more than four decades, Red Door has provided safe, temporary shelter to women and children escaping abuse, refugees fleeing violence and persecution, and families facing housing instability with nowhere else to turn.

Each year, Red Door supports hundreds of women, children, and families affected by gender-based violence, food insecurity, and homelessness. On any given night, children and youth make up roughly 60 per cent of residents, a reality that shapes the shelter’s work and underscores why consistent community support matters.

For Caitlin FitzGerald, Manager of Community Engagement at Red Door, that consistency is everything.

“This community rallies behind us,” she says. “People here understand the realities families face, and they’ve always stepped up, year after year.”

Today, that same community backbone sustains many of Red Door’s most essential programs, several of which receive little to no government funding. With children and youth forming the majority of residents, specialized supports such as art and music therapy, counselling, homework clubs, and youth advocacy exist solely because East Enders continue to show up.

That commitment is reflected in long-time supporters like Chris Dunlop, Broker of Record and Owner of Royal LePage Estate

Realty. Dunlop and his team have sponsored and walked in Coldest Night of the Year every year since 2023 and have supported Red Door for decades through the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation.

“As Realtors, we help people find homes, and we know a home is only a home if it’s a safe place to live,” Dunlop says. “Having enough to eat is part of that too. Supporting this work is something I can wake up and feel good about, giving back to a community that’s done so much for my family.”

The walk is also supported by lead sponsor Tricon, a Canadian real-estate company whose partnership helps ensure families can move from crisis toward stability.

“The truth is, none of us want another “coldest night of the year,” shares FitzGerald. “But as long as women and families are enduring abuse and housing instability, this community will be there, walking alongside them and advocating for their safety.”

Registration is now open at http://www.mycnoy.org/. Sign up to walk on February 28, fundraise with a team, or donate directly, and help show families at Red Door that East Toronto stands with them, every step of the way.

Community Calendar

FEB. 17: Pancake Supper at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St., 5-7 p.m. Pancakes, sausages, and beverages. $10 for adults, $5 for children. Live Music! Info: 416-261-4222, www.stpaulsscarborough.org

FEB. 17: St Nick’s Famous Pancake Supper at St. Nicholas Anglican Church, 1512 Kingston Rd., 5:30-7 p.m. Pancakes, sausages and REAL maple syrup! Don’t miss it. Info: 416-691-0449, www.stnicholasbirchcliff.com

FEB. 17: Pancake Supper at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, 904 Coxwell Ave., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Come and join us for a delicious meal of pancakes with bacon or sausages and your choice of coffee, tea or juice. Free will offering. Give what you can.

FEB. 18: Protecting Your Family Treasures at Danforth/Coxwell Library, 1675 Danforth Ave., 6:30-7:30 p.m. Conservator Andrew Huot will discuss ways to save, protect, and store meaningful items. Free admission. No registration required. Info: 416-393-7783

FEB. 21: Learn CPR for Free with the Heart and Stroke’s CardiacCrash Program at Bomb Fitness Beaches, 862 Kingston Rd., 11 a.m.-12 noon. This dramatic, interactive program from Heart & Stroke teaches participants hand-only CPR and AED use in less than an hour. Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion (CrashCard) from the Heart and Stroke. Space is limited. To register, visit heartandstroke.crowdchange.ca/128208

FEB. 21: Voyages Africains at Main Street Library, 137 Main St., 10:30-11:30 a.m. Poet, writer, and performer Njacko Backo shares the life experiences of his native village in Cameroon where traditions, history and values are transmitted orally through stories, songs and dances, in his program African Voyages. Dropin, registration is not required. Info: 416-393-7700

FEB. 21: I Love to SING! at Centre 55, 97 Main St., 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Fun, empowering, and great music instruction from some of the top singing teachers in Canada, for kids aged 8-16. Free. No experience necessary. Info: singtoronto.com/i-love-to-sing

FEB. 21: Acoustic Harvest presents A Special InThe-Round Concert with Mary Kelly, John Sheard, Clela Errington and Doris Mason at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St., 8 p.m. Tickets $35 ($40 at door). Tickets and info: acousticharvest.ca

FEB. 22: A Senior Moment Luncheon for ladies at the Kingston House, 676 Kingston Rd. (at Main St.). The start of our fifth year! We are pleased to announce two Health Professionals will be joining us with helpful information. Text 647-829-8042 to reserve a spot. Look forward to seeing you there.

FEB. 22: Vespers Service: Lent 1 at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St., 7-8 p.m. Meditative service with special music. Info: www.stpaulsscarborough.org, 416-261-4222

FEB. 22: Model Railroad Club of Toronto Show at 11 Curity Ave., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Discover the artistry behind every detail: from hand-crafted scenery to cutting-edge 3D-printed components. Watch as our steam and diesel trains operate just like the real thing. Purchase tickets at the door: cash, debit, credit card. Children $10, Seniors $12, Adults $15, Family rate (max. 5 people, max. 2 adults): $45. Info: info@modelrailroadclub.com, 416-536-8927, www.modelrailroadclub.com

FEB. 23: East York Garden Club presents ‘Horticulture at the Toronto Zoo’ at Stan Wadlow Clubhouse, 373 Cedarvale Ave., 7:30-9 p.m. Guest speaker is Shawn Murdy, a horticulturist, landscape consultant, invasive species professional and Horticulture Supervisor at the Toronto Zoo.

FEB. 26: Soup Supreme Competition at Centre 55, 97 Main St., 5 p.m. Last year’s Silver Ladle winner, The Kingston House will defend their title against local chefs and restaurants while guests vote for their favourite soup. $5 cash admission. Limited seating so first-come, first-served! Info: www.centre55.com

FEB. 28: It’s a Numbers Game Trivia Night at St. Aidan’s in the Beach, 2423 Queen St. E., 7:30 p.m. Hosted by Derek Forgie. $10.

MARCH 4: The Neighbourhood Group Senior Health Fair at Royal Canadian Legion, 1083 Pape Ave., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Join us for engaging activities, informational presentations, health & nutrition resources, free raffles & prizes, and delicious food. RSVP: Jordan.kinney@tngcs.org or 416-925-2103 ext 5431 by Feb. 20.

MARCH 18: Ageing in Place – How to Assess Your Long-term Care Options at Danforth Coxwell Library, 1675 Danforth Ave., 6:30-7:30 p.m. Where do you want to spend your retirement years and how can you make that happen? Karen Henderson, an expert in long term care options, shares her knowledge and resources to help you make an informed decision. Info: 416-393-7783

MARCH 21: Winter Bowie Celebration with The Bowie Lives at The Duke, 1225 Queen St. E., 8-11 p.m. Sets move through Bowie’s catalogue, from the essential anthems to the darker, stranger corners. Tickets $29. Superfan ticket price available until March 1, after which regular pricing kicks in. Info: www.thebowielives.com. Info on Duke Tavern: 416-466-2624

MONDAYS: WEE FOLKS DROP IN at Fallingbrook Presbyterian Church, 35 Wood Glen Rd., 9:30-11 a.m. except holidays. For ages up to 3 years old, with care givers. Play and story time with snack. Info at 416-699-3084.

TUESDAYS: BEACHES MENTAL WELLNESS GROUP at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St. at Swanwick, 7 p.m. Info: www.mentalwellness.help. Or join us most nights of the week on Zoom. Go to: https://www.meetup.com. Ask to join us: Mental Wellness Peer-to-Peer Support-Groups

THURSDAYS: GROUP MEDITATION at the Church of St. Aidan, 2423 Queen St. E., 7:30-8:15 p.m. All ages and stages of experience welcome! Type of meditation will vary based on the instructor. Email: office@staidansinthebeach.com

CALVARY GRACE FOOD BANK, 72 Main St., Thursdays, 6-8:30 p.m, by appointment only, through Daily Bread Food Bank. Info: 416-691-2899, gpcc@calvary-baptist-church. ca, www.gracepascoefoodbank.ca/access-our-services

FRIDAYS: GRANTFUL FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP

Food Bank and Soup Kitchen, 2029 Gerrard St E., is open from 3:30-6 p.m. Registration is required. New clients must present identification for members in their household on their first visit and annually thereafter. Time slots are handed out and clients are encouraged to arrive at the food bank the time slot they have selected. Info.: 416-690-5169

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION at Kingston Road United Church, 975 Kingston Rd., Mondays, Feb. 23-April 27 (no session April 6). Beginning guided Meditation drop-in classes with Kim Dunlop, by donation. In-person donations go to Kingston Road United Church for the use of their space. Online donations go to the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Foundation. All are welcome.

A A at Community Centre 55, 97 Main St., Saturdays 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Info: 416-691-1113

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

BEACH INTERFAITH OUTREACH FELLOWSHIP

LUNCHES for adults in the community, 11 a.m. •Mondays at Corpus Christi Church (16 Lockwood Rd.). Closed April 6 •Tuesdays – alternating locations: St. Nicholas Anglican Church (1512 Kingston Rd.) Feb. 17, March 3, 17; St. Aidan’s Anglican Church (2423 Queen St. E.) Feb. 24, March 10, 24 •Wednesdays at Beach Hebrew Institute (109 Kenilworth Ave.). Closed April 1 and April 8 •Thursdays at Beach United Church (140 Wineva Ave.) •Fridays at Kingston Road United Church (975 Kingston Rd.). Lunch format may vary from site to site.

MARCH 22: A Senior Moment luncheon for ladies at the Wolfe Tone Pub, 1961 Queen St. E., 1:30 p.m. We will be joined by a ‘Special Guest’ to be announced. Always a pleasure to have you join us. Text 647-829-8042 to reserve a spot.

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 GERRARD ASHDALE LIBRARY, 1432 Gerrard St. E. •Feb 24: Seniors E-Connect, 4-5:30 p.m. Teens help seniors with their tech questions. Call us or register online. •Feb 26: Book Club, 7-8 p.m. Please call us to register. We’re reading Nutshell by Ian McEwan this month. •March 1: Sunday Family Time, 2-2:30 p.m. Stories and songs for children age 0-5 and their parents/caregivers. Stay after to socialize or make a craft. Drop-in. Info: 416-393-7717 ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 794 Kingston Rd., 2 blks. east of Main St. Pastor is Rev. Fr. Joshua Roldan. Lent & Easter Schedule: Confession available all Friday evenings during Lent from 6pm to 6:30pm. Also on all Lenten Fridays a Holy Mass at 8:15am & 7pm and Stations of the Cross at 7:30pm. Palm Sunday Masses: Sat. Vigil (Mar 28) 4:30pm, Sun. (Mar 29) 9am & 11am. Holy Thursday (Apr 2) no 8:15am Mass, only Mass of The Last Supper at 7pm. Good Friday (Apr 3) no 8:15am Mass, only Passion of The Lord service at 12 noon & 3pm. Holy Saturday (Apr 4) no 4:30pm Mass, only Easter Vigil at 8:00pm. Easter Sunday (Apr 5) Masses at 9am & 11am. Outside of the Lent & Easter schedule regular Mass times are every Sat. (Vigil) at 4:30pm, every Sun. at 9am & 11am and Tue. to Fri. at 8:15am. Contact church office at: https://stjohnsto.archtoronto.org or call 416-698-1105 THE CHURCH OF ST. AIDAN (Anglican), 2423 Queen St. E., is an energetic, active faith community committed to following Jesus as we gather for meaningful worship, spiritual growth, and community engagement. We live this out through our vibrant children’s and youth programs, diverse sacred music offerings, and active community outreach and environmental stewardship ministries. On Sundays, we welcome you to join us for worship at 8:30 a.m. (spoken service) and 10:30 a.m. (with music and children’s and youth programs). Wednesdays please join us for the Eucharist Service at 10:30 a.m. Weekly euchre on Tuesdays from 7-9 p.m. (enter at the front glass doors, $5 to play, all proceeds go to outreach). Busy Bees drop-in playgroup for ages 0-3 and caregivers features stories and crafts on Thursdays, 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall.

Toronto Council gives final approval for building at Fallingbrook and Kingston

TORONTO COUNCIL has given final approval for a 10-storey mixed-use building at the northeast corner of Kingston and Fallingbrook roads in southwest Scarborough.

The 200-unit residential development is located at 1212-1238 Kingston Rd.

The project will feature 12,800 square metres of residential gross floor area and two levels of underground parking with 101 vehicular parking spaces.

An initial proposal was submitted by developer and urban planning department Bousfields Inc. back in September 2024 for an 11-storey building with 216 residential units, including 10 rental replacement units and 94 parking spaces.

However, in October 2025, Bousfields submitted the current downsized 10-storey proposal, which was approved on Feb. 4 at Toronto Council’s most recent meeting.

Open

The northeast corner of Kingston and Fallingbrook roads is seen in this Beach Metro Community News file photo.

A statutory public meeting on the proposal was held at Scarborough Community Council on Jan. 13 at which two oral and 35 written submissions were considered by councillors before the project was approved.

nomination process

to

select provincial

Liberal candidate in Scarborough Southwest

‘Local’ from Page 1

“I have no idea how someone who is supposed to be putting Beaches-East York first, and refuses to resign, could possibly do that while seeking the party’s leadership,” said Jackson in a statement on Facebook last week. “This is not a political steppingstone for me, this is my community, this is where I actually live and I would be honoured to represent SSW (Scarborough Southwest) in our provincial Legislature.”

In a response, Erskine-Smith told Beach Metro Community News that the upcoming byelection would include an “open, competitive, and positive nomination meeting” for the provincial Liberal candidate and that he has connections to both the Beaches-East York and Scarborough Southwest ridings.

“The two ridings are part of a shared community, which is why Beach Metro Community News covers the politics in both,” said Erskine-Smith. “I played baseball at Birchmount for a number of summers growing up, as just one personal example. And as an MP, I’ve been involved in supporting community organizations on both sides of Victoria Park.”

He said he remains committed to serving the entire east end community.

“I’m committed to making the biggest

difference that I can, and have worked hard to make that difference locally and nationally for our east end community since 2015,” said Erskine-Smith. “The local community should choose its candidate in an open nomination, and we look forward to that.”

A date has not yet been set for a nomination meeting for the provincial Liberals in Scarborough Southwest.

So far, it is not known who the NDP’s candidate will be for the Scarborough Southwest provincial byelection.

The Green Party, however, has announced that its candidate in the Scarborough Southwest federal byelection will be Pooja Malhotra.

Dates have not been set for either the provincial or federal bylections in Scarborough Southwest.

A news release from Elections Ontario last week said that a vacancy in the riding has been confirmed and that byelection must be called by the Ontario Legislature within six months. The earliest date the byelection could be called for would be March 12 and the latest would be Sept. 3.

Provincial elections writs are issued on Wednesdays in Ontario, said the Elections Ontario, and the election campaign period is 29 days.

A winter’s day on Queen Street East in 1984

By David Van Dyke

This winter photo (above) of the northwest corner of Queen Street East and Maclean Avenue was taken in 1984.

Can I say how delightful the breakfast is at the Beacher Cafe? I don’t know if I have to.

Do you have an old photograph of Queen Street East you’d like to share? Maybe your favourite restaurant from years ago. Please contact me at gdvandyke61@ gmail.com

Beach Photo Club to meet on Thursday

THE BEACH Photo Club’s next meeting will take place on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 19.

The meeting takes place at Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Those interested in photography are welcome to attend. The club provides information, excursions and mentorship.

Meetings are held the first and third Thursday of each month. For more information, go to www.beachphotoclub.com

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Arts & Entertainment

Saturday Night at The Movies and Songs of Consolation slated for this weekend

PIANIST BRUCE Vogt will present Saturday Night at The Movies and Songs of Consolation for our Distracted Times at a pair of performances slated for this coming weekend.

Vogt will be performing as part of the Kingston Road Village Concert Series. Both performances are at Kingston Road United Church, 975 Kingston Rd.

On Saturday, Feb. 21, Vogt will present Saturday Night at The Movies at which he will play the piano to accompany four classic short films. The films are by Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd.

Saturday Night at The Movies starts at 7:30 p.m. And, yes, there will be popcorn!

On Sunday, Feb. 22, at 2 p.m., Vogt will present Songs of Consolation for our Distracted Times. The concert will feature works by Debussy, Schubert, Rameau and Chopin.

A professor of piano at the University of Victoria, Vogt has toured internationally as both a soloist and chamber musician.

Vogt was kind enough to send the following to Beach Metro Community News in advance of his upcoming performances this weekend.

there is an enormous cartoon portrait of Frédéric Chopin and Buster Keaton eyeing each other warily.

After accepting his offer for some rather unappetizing hot liquid he insisted was black tea, I sat down with him for the following interview.

TG: Your recital programme has a rather dark title. You refer to ‘these distracted times.’ What are you referring to?

bunch of old comic films from more than 100 years ago. Some might wonder how serious you are in the end.

Before responding, Vogt sighed, shook his head in disbelief and could be heard muttering: ‘give me strength’… And then, after a prolonged deep breath he exhaled and began.

in getting to know the films intimately through repeated viewings. And more generally, it’s about getting to know the language of the period. Popular music, early jazz, light classics, parlour songs. But whether playing a recital or playing for these films, it’s my goal to disappear – into the music in the case of a recital. Into the film in the case of accompanying.

TG: But how do you see yourself in the end? A serious interpreter of great art? Or are you more a servant to a bunch of old movies?

BV: [Heatedly] Being a servant to great art?!!! – it’s clear you are not ready to understand what a great artist Chaplin is. Keaton. Harold Lloyd. Come and see these films and then perhaps you can begin to abandon your tiresome prejudices.

TG: I didn’t mean to offend you. I’ll certainly look forward with great enthusiasm to the recital. And maybe I’ll bring my kids to the movies the night before.

BV: What am I not referring to!? To the distraction of violence throughout the world. To the distraction of ‘Alternative truths’ applied to almost everything of substance. And then there are the constant online distractions which we all succumb to, to some degree.

It is a “fictional interview” of Vogt by “AI generated music critic” Dr. Thomas Gradgrind.

Below is the fictional Gradgrind’s fictional interview:

On Tuesday, January 12th, I called upon the self-styled iconoclast musician, Bruce Vogt. He welcomed me to his home, which consists of a fourth-floor garret in a factory building, one which restores Wurlitzer organs (and which is over top of the city’s flagship Tim Hortons).

The living space is dominated by bookshelves everywhere and on the far wall

TG: And your recital will provide consolation?

BV: I’d like to hope that these compositions – written in other dark times in our world’s histories – will indeed provide consolation. And perhaps it can be consoling to be reminded of our civilizations’ many great cultural achievements – in music as in all the arts.

TG: I hope you’ll excuse me for saying this. But it may be confusing for many – it’s a bit confusing to me – that you can, on the one hand, play music of such seriousness and depth. And then turn around and improvise for what? A

BV: Let me try to enlighten you! First of all, these “bunch of old comic films” – as you call them – were created by some of the greatest artists of the 20th century. And comedy, at its greatest – which it is with these films – can be very much as serious as dramatic art. These films come from a golden age of film-making. A period when film, lacking dialogue, experimented in all sorts of wonderful ways with visual potential.

TG: But on the one hand, you are offering a recital of carefully prepared notated music. Presumably you spent many months – perhaps more – preparing that programme. And then you are simply going to turn around and improvise…

BV: [interrupting]: Simply improvise?! You think improvising is always simple?. These films always had musical accompaniments and often the accompanist on piano or organ would be obliged to improvise. My preparation is not in preparing a score, but

BV: Perhaps your kids can lead you to enlightenment. A daunting task I’m afraid. But one of the joys of these films is in their powerful appeal to people of all ages and levels of experience with film. Whether aficionados or casual film viewers. It seems no one is immune to their joyful seductive power. You, of course, may be a rare exception.

TG: Well, this has been of real interest. Thank you for your time.

BV: You’re welcome – and I trust you are feeling somewhat more enlightened. And with that he turned away from me and picked up a book – a large volume called: The Silent Clowns. I was left to make my own way down the many stairways and out into the snow-covered night.

For ticket information on Vogt’s performances this weekend, please go to www.kruc.ca/concert-series

Centre 55 Soup Supreme Competition set for Feb. 26

EAST TORONTO residents are invited to Centre 55 for the annual Soup Supreme Competition next week.

The competition takes place on Thursday, Feb. 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. and will feature soups from Donene Lashbrook, Corbin Catering and Foods, Hutchie Catering & Caribbean Restaurant, and The Kingston House. Cobs Bread will be providing the bread. Each year the fundraiser for Centre 55 sees local restaurants compete for the coveted Silver Ladle Award for best soup. The 2025 champion was

The Kingston House. Attendees vote on which soup is the best. Seating is limited, so attendees will be served on a “first come, first served” basis. For more information, please call Centre 55 at 416-691-1113 or email info@centre55.com

Spider Jones speaks about the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. during a presentation on Monday, Jan. 19 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States) at the St. Clair O’Connor Community in East York.

Spider Jones speaks about the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

By Matthew Stephens

THE LEGACY of Martin Luther King Jr. was honoured at a presentation in East York last month.

On what was Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States (Monday, Jan. 19), journalist, author, radio host and former amateur boxer Charles ‘Spider’ Jones shared the American civil rights leader’s story with residents of the St. Clair O’Connor Community.

King dedicated his life to advocating for equality and against segregation laws that were mostly in the southern United States. Known as the Jim Crow Era, it lasted from the 1870s to the middle of the 1960s.

For Jones, sharing King’s story is something held dear to his heart.

“Anything related to Martin Luther King, I just love sharing it,” said Jones in an interview with Beach Metro Community News following his presentation.

“He was one of my biggest inspirations, one of my biggest heroes. I absolutely adored the man growing up.”

Jones met with residents of the St. Clair O’Connor Community to deliver a powerful speech and celebrate King’s journey to become one of the most prolific civil rights activists in North America.

“J. Edgar Hoover called him the most dangerous Negro in America. You know why? Because he wanted freedom and equality – not just for Blacks, but for whites, Hispanics, and the poor,” said Jones. “He knew that every fight might be his last. He was a true hero.”

Jones’ presentation opened with a screening of the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech by King from the steps of Washington, D.C.’s Lincoln Memorial in 1963. Jones shared some lesser-known details about King’s life, and the events leading up to his assassination in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee.

“There’s so much to talk about in terms of Martin Luther King – but with that particular speech, he had no intention of speaking those words ‘I have a dream’,” said Jones.

Recounting the events of the historic speech, Jones told the audience that American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson played a significant role in King’s improvised words that day, after shouting “Tell ’em about the dream, Martin!”

He referenced other interesting facts about King’s life, including that he became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 at the age of 35, and that his Lincoln Memorial speech had an audience of almost 300,000 — considered an unprecedented number of participants for a civil rights gathering at the time.

In an interview with Jones after his presentation, he shared more details about his own personal and professional life as one of the only Black Canadian radio hosts in the 1980s. “I was one of the first voices to project experiences of poverty, racism, police

brutality, and the struggles of Black men at the time,” said Jones of his work as a radio host.

During his time as a journalist, Jones hosted talk radio on Toronto’s CFRB 1010, which included his popular show The Spider Web. His exuberant personality in radio paved the way for other prominent Canadian hosts such as George Stroumboulopoulos, whom he mentored in his early years of broadcasting.

Born in Windsor, Ontario, Jones spent much of his adolescence travelling between his Canadian hometown and his mother’s in Detroit, Michigan, where he developed an affinity for boxing and broadcast journalism.

He was an amateur Golden Gloves boxing champion, and later worked as a boxing journalist and ring announcer. Jones also served as a sparring partner for boxing legends George Chuvalo and Jimmy Ellis, and was part of Muhammad Ali’s training camp when Ali was in Toronto to fight Chuvalo in 1966.

Jones was inducted into the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996 for his journalistic and ring announcing achievements.

As a youngster, Jones said he was inspired by many of the disc jockeys he heard on the radio from the United States.

“You have Rufus Thomas out of Memphis, Tennessee – he was a great jock (disc jockey). And then you had Frantic Ernie Durham out of Detroit. They were great jocks,” said Jones.

“One of my biggest influences was a white jockey from Cleveland named Alan Freed, who coined the phrase ‘rock and roll.’ He’s the one that brought Black and white singers together on the same show and played their music.”

Jones’ long career in broadcast journalism has seen him conduct interviews with many prominent figures in the world of sports and entertainment, including Tina Turner, Muhammad Ali, Jesse Jackson, Mike Tyson, even former United States President Bill Clinton.

In 2003, Jones published Out of the Darkness: The Spider Jones Story – a book that delves into his rise to prominence from the “gang-infested, inner-city projects of Detroit, U.S. and Windsor, Ontario.”

Jones, 79, is a strong advocate for youth outreach and serves as a co-founder of the Believe to Achieve non-profit organization.

In a message to young people shared with Beach Metro Community News, Jones explained that success requires sacrifice, perseverance, and a strong willingness to learn from mistakes.

“Envision yourself doing great things and then do them. If you have to sacrifice first, do it,” said Jones. “Just because you fail doesn’t mean you’re a loser. You fail when you quit on yourself. You’re going to slip along the way, but don’t stop there. Use that failure as a life lesson and keep going.”

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FEBRUARY 23

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

Your gateway to connecting with skilled professionals in our community

Interested in advertising your business in our Professional Directory? Contact carolin@beachmetro.com or 416-698-1164 x 22 for rates. Your Professional Directory ad also appears on our website: beachmetro.com

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PSYCHOTHERAPY

Kriens LaRose, LLP

Chartered Professional Accountants

• Accounting services for owner-managed businesses.

• Personal and corporation income tax preparation.

• Audit services for not-for-profit organizations www.krienslarose.com kriens@krienslarose.com

Melanie Norman CPA, CMA Accounting Issues and Systems, Bookkeeping, Personal and Corporate Taxes Call 416-471-0337

CHRISTINE KATO, B.Sc., D.V.M. KATO ANIMAL HOSPITAL 2830 Danforth Ave. (East of Dawes Rd.) 416-690-2112 Dogs, cats, pocket pets. Housecalls available.

HOUGHTON VETERINARY HOUSECALL SERVICES Vaccines, examinations, diagnostics, palliative care, and home euthanasia provided for your pets in the comfort of your own home. Dr. Barbara Houghton 647-221-5516

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

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

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

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

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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

DIVORCE

Set Fee $479 * Affordable • Professional • Convenient Kathryn Wright, Family Lawyer beachesdivorce@gmail.com *Uncontested Divorce (plus HST & mandatory court fees)

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Stephen G. King, Architect B. Arch. OAA, MRAIC “Serving the Beawch since 1987” Residential, Restorations, Home Inspections, Commercial, Interiors, Landscapes COMPLETE PROJECT SERVICES FROM DESIGN THROUGH CONSTRUCTION (416) 694-8181 www.stephenkingarchitect.com Member Ontario Association of Architects

Jon Cummings Architecture Residential new build, renovations interior/exterior, garden suites, lane way houses, multiplexes. Commercial interiors jcarc.ca office@jcarc.ca 647-864-8370

IN-HOME BEHAVIOUR CONSULTATION

Supporting families and children of all ages. Whether you have a toddler/teenager/young adult, this In-home consultation may be for you.

Bedtime/Morning routines, Communication Issues, Tantrums, Sibling rivalry, Medication compliance, Sensory Issues and more.

Christine is a Registered Behaviour Analyst and a parent of 3.

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Glover & Associates

Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries Real Estate, Family, Litigation Wills & Estates, Corporate 416-691-3700 Queen and Hammersmith

Beaches Family Law and MEDIATION

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A Senior Moment set to celebrate five years of building community with luncheon this Sunday

By Kat Bergeron

A SENIOR Moment luncheon, hosted by Colleen Taylor, will be happening on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 1:30 p.m., at the Kingston House (676 Kingston Rd.).

This month’s luncheon will be celebrating A Senior Moment’s fifth year.

The luncheon in March will feature a special guest to be announced.

The luncheon for April will have financial advisors Katrina Cheng and Alex Gunn from Edward Jones.

The monthly social gathering for seniors has been taking place since February of 2022 at different restaurants in the East Toronto area.

A Senior Moment is for women aged 55 and older.

The group was founded by Colleen, and Carol Farrington is a supportive and cherished member.

The idea came from a recognition of the need among local women seniors for community, support, and friendship in retirement.

Over the last few years, the gathering grew in numbers from eight people

at the first event to more than 29 regular attendees, with the hopes to continue to grow, said Colleen.

The Senior Moment summer picnic event drew 35 attendees.

The group meets to socialize, gather, and laugh, bringing friends together and creating new friendships.

According to Colleen, it is “so important that everyone feels safe and comfortable enough to ask for help, no

matter what they’re dealing with,” and not to be alone.

Additionally, Colleen and Carol said they plan to start up a mid-month coffee group on or around the 10th of each month, which will be officially scheduled and announced in March.

“What I want people to feel is warmth, community and support,” said Colleen.

For more information on A Senior Moment events, please go to www.facebook. com/share/16PVxNaKRi/

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Kurelek painting brings memories of heavy snow, Balsam Avenue and more

By Alan Shackleton

SOME RECENT articles in Beach Metro Community News have brought memories of Canadian artist William Kurelek to the forefront.

For those who don’t know, Kurelek lived on Balsam Avenue in the Beach for many years and one of his most famous and wellknown paintings features a view of the street looking south while residents deal with a heavy snowfall in a variety of ways.

The painting from 1972 is titled Balsam Avenue after a Heavy Snowfall. The view is looking south from approximately Kurelek’s driveway towards what was the old Balmy Beach Public School.

Whenever we get a heavy snowfall, I try to see if we can recreate the scene in a photo. I’ve come to accept we’ll never be able to get it quite right for a number of reasons including that the school building no longer exists. And, of course, a painting is not a photograph and artists have enormous freedom to interpret and put into paintings whatever they wish. News photographers can’t do that, which is as it should be.

So why am I talking about William Kurelek and a painting that is more than 50 years old?

Well, it’s not just because we had a heavy snowfall on Jan. 26 of this year.

In our Jan. 20 edition of the paper, many readers would have seen local historian Gene Domagala’s Beach Memories column on some of the community’s most famous residents through the years.

The very first person Gene mentioned in the column was Kurelek. Which, of course, prompted someone to write us a letter complaining that Kurelek wasn’t mentioned in the column. (Welcome to the world of the editor — which is most definitely not a dog’s life though I digress.)

When I put Gene’s column up on our website, I thought it would be fun to include Kurelek’s Balsam Avenue painting to go with it. So I did, because I am all about fun.

I also put a link at the bottom of the column to a story Sheila Blinoff (general manager here at Ward 9/Beach Metro Community News for 40 years) wrote about Kurelek in 2017. What’s especially interesting about Sheila’s story is not only did she live on Bal-

sam Avenue on the other side of the street from Kurelek but she is also in the painting – holding a snow shovel and chatting with a neighbour.

“One day around 1972 I was clearing snow, when I saw Bill Kurelek on his steps photographing the street. The result was

one of his most recognized and pleasing pieces, a commissioned work entitled ‘Balsam Avenue after a Heavy Snowfall’. This could be almost anywhere in Toronto, but the streetscape and people in the foreground are instantly recognizable to anyone living there at the time,” wrote Blinoff

in her article marking the 40th anniversary of Kurelek’s death in 1977.

“The old Balmy Beach School, razed around 1974, is in the distance. Bill Kurelek is brushing off his car and his four young children are playing in the snow. Three men are pushing a stalled car. And on the pavement outside my house are two women, shovels in hand talking – my neighbour and myself, I like to think.”

Which brings me to conversations I’ve been having for more than a year with Randy Walker who also grew up on Balsam Avenue at the same time as the Kurelek family and near their home as well.

Randy now lives in Whitby and has been taken by the connections with Kurelek and some of his own father’s experiences. Randy also says he is in the Balsam Avenue painting and is probably one of the boys/men either pushing the car or shovelling.

“The southern view of Balsam Avenue in the 1972 Balsam Avenue painting always resonated with me because it was the same view I would see on my way to Balmy Beach School, where I spent a lot of time in my youth,” wrote Walker in a note he sent me.

Walker’s house also appears in the painting. “It’s the side of the porch, the dormer near the top which was my brother’s bedroom at the time, and the old oak tree are in the painting.”

Walker believes he is either the person on the “back left” pushing the car or “the guy on his left shovelling snow”.

In 2008, Walker asked Kurelek’s wife Jean if she could identify all the people in the famous Balsam Avenue painting. Her answer was basically that she had asked William before he died the same question due to inquiries from others as well, and that William had said: “It’s all in the eye of the painter.”

But Walker’s connections go beyond his house and his possible/probable appearance in the painting. Like Kurelek, Walker’s father had also lived in Winnipeg, gone to art school and did a number of paintings of his own; but being an artist was not his career.

Walker’s father William J. Walker served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. As a flight engineer with the rank of sergeant, William flew 17 operational missions from air bases in England including one close to the town of Newtonon-Ouse.

And it was in that North Yorkshire town, with a distinctive and ancient tower and steeple from the All Saints Church that air crews used as a navigational aid when trying to locate their landing field, that William was inspired to create a painting of his own featuring Newton-on-Ouse. Walker has shared an image of his father’s painting with me.

Newton-on-Ouse is also known as being where an RCAF Halifax bomber crashed after returning from a mission in June of 1944, taking the lives of six of the men on board, four Canadian and two British. The Canadian airmen are buried in the nearby Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery in Yorkshire. The two British airmen were buried in cemeteries closer to their hometowns.

Walker also shared photos of his father with fellow airmen at that base. (While looking at one of the photos I was taken by how much he resembled Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. Let me know if you think so too.)

I’m happy to have been able to share this information with our readers, especially those who remember the Walker family from Balsam Avenue in the 1960s and 1970s.

Glen Stewart Ravine, William Kurelek and the dreams of Mayor Crombie

‘Kuralek’ from Page 18

But I’m not done with the paintings of William Kurelek quite yet.

You see, there’s this place called the Glen Stewart Ravine in the Beach — I’m sure you’ve heard of it. It’s been in the pages and on the website of Beach Metro Community News a lot lately due to a 13-storey residential building planned for Kingston Road on the ravine’s north side.

Thanks to Sheila Blinoff’s 2017 article, I knew that Kurelek had done a painting called The Dream of Mayor Crombie in the Glen Stewart Ravine

I also know from Sheila’s article that getting Glen Stewart and Glen Manor confused is a great and long-lasting Beach tradition.

Here’s what she wrote in her article:

“One day I started walking back to the newspaper office after lunch when Bill Kurelek came across the road and asked: ‘What is the name of the ravine behind your garden?’

‘Glen Stewart Ravine.’

‘Not Glen Manor?’

‘No, Glen Stewart.’

‘I hope you’re sure because I’m giving a painting to the mayor this afternoon, and I have to have the right name.’”

And later on that day in 1974, Kurelek indeed went down to Toronto City Hall to meet with Crombie, have a cup of black coffee and present him with the painting.

I know this thanks to a photo of the presentation sent to me by former Beacher, and now Vancouver Island resident, John Hillis who still keeps up with the news from his old neighbourhood by reading Beach Metro Community News online.

Now I have to say that if you thought there was a lot going on in Balsam Avenue after a Heavy Snowfall, that painting is child’s play compared to The Dream of Mayor Crombie in the Glen Stewart Ravine.

I leave it to others to describe the painting since in my case (and this is a rare moment), words fail me.

“The Dream of Mayor Crombie in the Glen Stewart Ravine (1974). Kurelek’s social criticism becomes more explicit. The reclining Toronto mayor dreams of little supermen halting excessive urban development and putting caps on

‘It’s ironic Mayor Crombie should have invited artist Bill Kurelek to his office to discuss the very painting that’s satirical and skeptical of goverment intervention to protect the environment.’

gushing smokestacks, while at the same time the city collects money from a man working at a conveyor belt where doctors are carving up small infant figures,” reads one description of the painting.

See what I mean about a lot going on.

Hillis sent me information on the painting as a reaction both to Gene’s Beach Memories column mentioning Kurelek (thanks again for reading and understanding the first paragraph before sending me a letter) and in response to our reporting on the development proposal near the Glen Stewart Ravine and the community opposition to it. More than 50 years on, and the painting is as timely as ever.

Here’s another description of The Dream of Mayor Crombie in the Glen Stewart Ravine:

“It’s ironic Mayor Crombie should have invited artist Bill Kurelek to his office to discuss the very painting that’s satirical and skeptical of government intervention to protect the environment. Indeed, the planned Gardiner Expressway ‘extension’ is halted in the upper left of the painting, yet the seemingly irreverent Mayor appears oblivious to city bureaucrats chasing after the developer clutching his bag of loot, the biologist taking water samples from Ames creek before disappearing into a culvert to be conveyed under Glen Manor Park and a person’s vain attempt at reforestation by planting a few seedlings neatly aligned in a straight row. Equally ironic is that this artwork resides in the archived City of Toronto Artifacts Collection but not surprising that it’s not hanging up somewhere on a wall at City Hall.”

According to Sheila’s article the painting could be seen at the Market Gallery on Front Street East in 2017. I was going to check last week to see if the painting was still on display there, but the gallery’s main exhibition area (located in the council chamber of what was Toronto’s first city hall) was closed while a display was being set up. However, The Dream of Mayor Crombie in the Glen Stewart Ravine is still listed as being in the City of Toronto’s Art and Artifact Collection.

While I will never claim to understand even a quarter of what is going on in that painting, I must note that what is referred to as the stopping of the Gardiner Expressway extension is in actuality the proposed Scarborough Expressway and that was indeed stopped by local residents from literally plowing through the area between Coxwell and Victoria Park avenues, destroying more than 700 homes and paving over parkland.

I will also note the fight to stop the Scarborough Expressway in 1972 was one of the defining causes leading to the creation of your beloved Ward 9 Community News (now Beach Metro Community News). Our April 5, 1972 edition featured a story calling for a public review of the Scarborough Expressway plans, and that was just the beginning of the fight to stop it and this newspaper’s coverage of the issue.

And the more things change...

On The Wild Side

AND ERIK BROKELMAN

Ihad an incredibly lucky day in early January. I went down to the lake to watch the swans, ducks, and the frozen shoreline, hoping to enjoy the quiet and take far too many photos. It was on my way home, though, that nature surprised me. A honk from the car behind me (thanks, Shona) made me look around and spot a beautiful red fox, with food in his mouth, getting ready to cross the road. I pulled over, checking that it was safe to do so, and got my camera ready.

He was a gorgeous male fox, and I was thrilled to see him, as it had been a long time since I’d spotted one anywhere other than on my trail cameras. I watched as he crossed the road and slipped through to a backyard a few houses away. I thought my lucky moment was already over, but when I drove away and turned onto the next street, the fox crossed the road again just as I arrived. This is where things got really unique. While I’ve seen many foxes over the years, this next behaviour is far less common: From the car, I watched him move into another yard and begin caching his food in the deep snow. He worked carefully, using his nose to push snow over the hidden meal until it was completely covered, before running off behind another house and out of sight. Did you know that foxes do this? When thinking of hiding food, most people probably picture squirrels or chipmunks burying nuts and seeds. When I first learned about foxes doing it, saving food for leaner times, I found out that hundreds of

other animals, primarily birds and mammals, do it too.

I drove home thinking the day couldn’t possibly offer anything more, until I later learned about a red coyote sighting along the bluffs.

Thanks to the call from my friend Lesley, I arrived in time to see the rare, coloured animal for myself. I have only ever seen one other red coyote, many years ago, and that sighting happened during a snowstorm.

Both encounters were brief, just a matter of seconds before the animal vanished, and, to this day, I haven’t managed to take a picture of one that I’m really happy with. Beautiful as this one was, I could tell right away that he was developing skin issues, likely mange, so I contacted the Toronto Wildlife Centre to report the sighting and my concerns. But I do love the lighting and the coyote staring into the bluffs in this photo.

The theme of red followed me all the way home. In the tree out front sat a beautiful male cardinal, his colour impossible to miss. Below him, two red squirrels were

locked in a noisy argument over a single peanut, darting back and forth at the base of the tree.

It felt fitting that even in my own yard, the day’s pattern of unexpected wildlife moments continued. There is something especially striking about red in winter. Against snow, ice, and bare trees, those warm colours seem brighter and more alive, drawing the eye and holding our attention. In a season often seen as quiet or colourless, these flashes of red remind us just how much beauty is still present.

As I write this, a screech owl is peering out from its nesting box in my backyard, quietly watching the world below. While many people retreat indoors during a snowfall, I tend to venture outside. Living near the bluffs, ravines, tree lots, and waterfront offers endless opportunities to notice snow covered trees, frozen lakes, and wildlife going about their daily routines, even in the heart of winter.

Please share your recent sightings with me. I would love to hear about your own outdoor adventures.

Acoustic Harvest In-The-Round concert slated

Crossword

Name Tags

ACOUSTIC HARVEST invites East Toronto residents to A Special In-The-Round Concert with Mary Kelly, John Sheard, Clela Errington and Doris Mason this Saturday night.

Jordan Armstrong will be the opening act for the concert slated for St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St., in southwest Scarborough.

“You’ll swoon over the divine voice, charm and sass of Mary Kelly accompanied by virtuoso pianist John Sheard along with special guests…this show will be a grand treat!” said Acoustic Harvest in a news release.

Errington is known for her dynamic and eclectic range of folk, blues and jazz, while Mason blends a rich and diverse mix of Celtic, folk, blues and jazz in her piano playing and song-writing.

Doors open for the concert at 7:30 p.m., and the music will begin at 8 p.m.

Tickets can be bought in advance for $35, and at the door for $45.

For more information on this Saturday’s concert, and to buy tickets in advance, please visit: www.ticketscene.ca/ events/55171/ahnews

Other upcoming Acoustic Harvest concerts at St. Paul’s United include The Slocan Ramblers on March 28; The Laws on April 18; and the Dave Gunning – Healing Garden Fundraiser on May 23.

For more information about Acoustic Harvest, please visit www.acousticharvest.ca/about.html

Almost Heaven Down Here

The following poem was submitted by Beach Metro Community News reader Richard A. Gervais:

It’s cold and windy at last, Down on this stretch of the Beach.

I’m watching a crazy young man, Out on the water, on a lime green surfboard, He’s riding out almost beyond reach.

It makes me shiver with envy, To watch him dance around like he’s at a rave, he’s walking on water, dreaming the waves will be higher next month and much less friendly.

I kick around the cold sand, remembering That fiberglass dune buggy I built at his age.

I wore that same grin back then too.

I’m happy, for his dream, coming true.

Then from behind me, a young voice sais Dad! Hold my board so I can zip up my suit. Jimmy should have waited for me to go out and play. Mister, can you record us? My dad’s going out for fun too.

A nice cold family time, down here, today.

P.S. My old dune buggy is lime green too.

Richard A. Gervais

Beach Metro Community News

Lucky Volunteer

A tip of the Beach Metro Community News cap goes to our volunteer door-todoor carrier, Linda Blogg, who has been keeping her Bellefair Avenue neighbours informed since 2021, but she actually signed on many years before that.

“Yes, I came back as a volunteer in 2021,” she noted. “I also delivered the Beach Metro a long time ago. It was probably in the ’90s when my children were young. I would deliver the paper along with our dog Jesse. I stopped around 2000 when I went back to work.”

Along with our thanks for her dedication, Linda receives a $50 cheque, which she is donating back to the paper.

“The Beach Metro has always meant a lot to me. It keeps me up to date with our community.”

If you would like to find out how to become a Beach Metro Community News volunteer, please contact Melinda Drake at melinda@beachmetro.com for all the details.

Reel Beach: Movies in East Toronto

Faye Dunaway’s Oscar win immortalized by photographer Terry O’Neill

BERNIE FLETCHER

The Academy Awards will be Golden on March 15. It looks to be a heated rivalry for Best Picture Oscar as Sinners faces off with One Battle after Another, the story of an ex-radical played by Leonardo DiCaprio. The film includes the scene of a revolutionary group robbing a bank with echoes of the kidnapped heiress Patty Hearst from 1974.

The holdup is reminiscent of a similar event in the dark satire Network which finished filming in Scarborough 50 years ago in early February of 1976. The heiress is played by Kathy Cronkite, the daughter of news anchor Walter Cronkite.

Network would go on to win four Academy Awards, including Oscars for Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway and Beatrice Straight. The American networks wanted nothing to do with the film so the production shifted north of the border to the CFTO Studios in Agincourt.

The famous “I’m as mad as hell” speech was delivered by news anchor Howard Beale (Finch) in January 1976 in the Scarborough station’s news studio.

The script actually read “I’m mad as hell”. After two long takes the actor was too exhausted to redo the explosive outrage.

Finch died two months before the Academy Awards ceremony and was given the Oscar posthumously.

An iconic photograph (at right) captured Faye Dunaway lounging at the pool of the Beverly Hills Hotel early the next morning after her Oscar win. Renowned photographer Terry O’Neill would marry Dunaway in 1982, but divorce in 1987.

Faye Dunaway later said, “In Terry’s picture, success is a solitary place to be”.

O’Neill felt that the image depicted Dunaway in a “really reflective mood”.

“It’s all about moments. Or making them happen.”

-- Terry O’Neill

Fast forward to 2013 and I am in the small town

England with my brother. We visit the ancient stone circle and go to lunch at a nice pub.

A kindly, older gentleman asks if we would like to join him for lunch. His name is Terry and we share small talk about travels. As we are about to leave, Terry notices my camera and mentions he could give us some tips: get outside, fill the frame with up close and personal, candid images. He Continued on Page 25

Beacher Justin Gray wins Grammy Award

By Matthew Stephens

STEP ASIDE Drake, The Weeknd, and other Toronto-based artists; there’s a new Grammy Award-winning musician at the podium — and his name is Justin Gray.

At the 68th Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 1, the Beach-based artist took home the Best Immersive Audio Album award for his second studio album Immersed He is now the first Canadian to ever win a Grammy in the category.

“Thank you so much to the recording academy and congratulations to our other nominees. Your work reflects the immense possibilities of immersive audio,” said Gray during his

acceptance speech at the Grammy Awards.

Gray’s album, which features a collection of more than 38 artists from different cultural backgrounds, was mixed in Dolby Atmos to allow for a 360-degree, multi-speaker listening experience.

The album celebrates Gray’s mixed Indian and Canadian heritage with songs that infuse the western sounds of rock, blues and jazz with traditional Indian instruments such as the sitar, sarod, and tabla, to create a distinctly unique sound.

Gray was born and raised in the Beach, attending local schools Balmy Beach, Glen Ames, and Malvern Collegiate Institute, where he met his wife,

Natalie.

Following high school, Gray was enrolled in the renowned music program at The Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (rebranded as Humber Polytechnic since 2024), where he now works as a full-time professor of audio production.

In the closing remarks of his speech at the Grammy Awards, Gray expressed love for his hometown of Toronto, and a deep appreciation for music’s ability to uplift others.

“To Toronto, Canada – we love you,” said Gray. “Music is a gift that we all share and can we continue to maintain and just continue to uplift each other through this beautiful art-form.”

Network’s memorable line was delivered in Toronto

‘Faye’ from Page 24

takes amazing photos.

A year later I am in a Yorkville art gallery looking at a wonderful exhibit of celebrity photographs by The Man Who Shot the Sixties, Terry O’Neill. I am stunned.

The modest man in the pub had photographed the famous people of the 20th century from the Queen to Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, Ali, Elvis, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn and Frank Sinatra.

“I’ve always gotten close

to people. They take me into their hearts.”

-- Terry O”Neill

O’Neill changed how photos were taken, no more stiff, stuffy portraits, moving the Beatles outside at Abbey Road. In 1964 he even photographed the Rolling Stones at the very same Avebury Stones. Terry O’Neill passed away in 2019 at age 81. I wish I could have asked him about Faye Dunaway, the mercurial actor who won that Oscar for her blistering role in Network some 50 years ago. In 1995 Dunaway was

back in a Scarborough studio to play a countess in Road to Avonlea. You can catch the documentary Faye (2024) on Crave/HBO.

It’s been said that “history doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes”.

In the mid-1970s Americans were still reeling from the Watergate scandal, political corruption, the war in Vietnam and protests in the streets. Network foresaw reality television and tabloid news.

The mad prophet of the airwaves, Howard Beale, declared, “I don’t have to tell you things are bad”.

This winter has felt like “one battle after another” but it’s been much too cold for us to open up our windows and yell “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!”

That quote is one of the most memorable in movie history, and it was delivered right here in Toronto.

Obituaries & In Memoriam

A space for remembrance and memory sharing. We publish Obituaries and In Memoriam

and

For details, email mark@beachmetro.com or call

Support local healthcare and save on taxes

Michael Garron Hospital is important to Gary Grant. He’s chosen to give back in gratitude for the outstanding care he’s received and witnessed over the years.

Gary is practical too. He knows that leaving a gift in his will to Michael Garron Hospital Foundation is one of several tax-smart ways to support our community’s health.

“I always assumed only the wealthy made charitable gifts in their will. But I discovered I can provide for my kids and still leave a gift as my thank-you to the place that has meant so much to me all my life.”

Learn about tax-smart ways to support local healthcare: scan the QR code or contact Yolanda Bronstein, Legacy Giving Manager yolanda.bronstein@tehn.ca 416-469-6580 ext. 2161

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Your neighbour for over 45 yrs!! Chimneys.Brickwork.Interlock Pavers Concrete.Porches.Stone To BOOK NOW Call: 416 467 1717 Email: info@ottosmasonry.ca Website: www.ottosmasonry.ca (15)

JDB MASONRY

• Brick / Foundation • Concrete / Stone • Chimney & Parging Restoration & Build www.jdbuild.ca 416-738-2119 (2r)

of The Beaches www.laniganscontracting.ca 416-569-2181 (r)

ROOFING & SIDING? SOLUTION! Flat and Shingle Roofs Re-roofing, Repair Eavestrough, Soffit & Fascia Workmanship Guaranteed Gus: 416-910-8033 (23r)

TORONTO ROOFING INDUSTRIES LTD.

Local • Reliable • Professional Servicing the beach over 20 years. 416 694 0906 torontoroofingindustries.com (4r)

ROOFING, REPAIRS DUN-RITE

Shingles, Flats, Eavestroughs Fascia & Soffit Chimney tuck pointing 15% off for Seniors • All work guaranteed 647-857-5656 (4r)

YORK MASONRY

S pecializing in: - Chimneys - Tuck-pointing - Brick/block repair - Patios Serving the Beaches for over a decade. A dam 416-895-1186 yorkmasonry@gmail.com yorkmasonry.com

Trades

S.A.C. Masonry

Brick, Block, Stone, Chimneys, Concrete, and all masonry repairs Call Sergio 416 8739936(23e)

CJ DRYWALL & PAINTING

Professional drywall and plaster work. Renovation and Repair. Very clean. No job too small. Call C.J. 647 222 5338 (23.

BEACHES HANDY WORKS

Dedicated precise worker.

All your build and repairs. Indoor or outdoor: dry-wall, flooring, built-in, landscaping, interlocking, sheds, fences, decks, etc. at a reasonable price! Call Hamid at 647-300-2462 (23.r)

BLANK SLATE RENOVATIONS

Kitchens, bath, basement, doors, trim, paint, tile, flooring, fences, decks, interlock & more. Insured • Lic. B27597 Hello@blankslaterenos.ca 416.274.5929 (7r)

ALANO

& RENO