Leaside Curling Club to host Toronto Hope Bonspiel Nov 2

Leaside Curling Club will welcome 32 women’s teams from across the GTA for the Toronto Hope Bonspiel on Saturday, November 2, 2024. This annual event raises funds for the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook, with over $100,000 raised so far this year, building on last year’s total of $96,000. Sixteen curling clubs will be represented as participants gather to #curlforgood.

This year’s event will feature special guests Colleen Jones and Devin Heroux, who will join the opening ceremony at 10:15 a.m. and provide entertainment at the evening banquet.

For more information, visit torontohope.ca. Support A Curler.

St. Cuthbert’s Christmas Fair Returns on November 9th

St. Cuthbert’s Church in Leaside is welcoming back its annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, November 9th, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 1399 Bayview Avenue.

Enjoy browsing holiday favourites like baking, preserves, jewelry, and books, plus a Christmas Boutique, gift baskets, and a hand-made quilt raffle. Visitors can also enjoy boxed lunches, a coffee cart, and unique finds, including royalty memorabilia and “Red Tag” treasures. Proceeds will support St. Cuthbert’s Church and its community outreach. All are welcome!

Belsize Drive’s Halloween tale of terror returns

Halloween tale of terror returns to Belsize Drive, west of Bayview Avenue (October, 2024)

Belsize Drive has done it again, enchanting the neighbourhood with another darkly poetic Halloween display. This year’s tale follows a fearless teen who ignores the warnings of Riverbend’s eerie lore, venturing to capture a wizard’s golden duck with ominous consequences. With its moody verses and sinister visuals, the display leaves a haunting impression on all who pass by.

Read this year's Halloween tale of terror

A greedy teen met an early end
In the sleepy town of Riverbend
Its ancient charm had a darker lore
Of a Wizard never seen outdoors
Deep in the woods, beyond the tracks
Sat his dark thatched hut…with a quiet quack
Behind the hut was a lavish pond
For his golden duck with a sacred bond
Thieves once tried to steal his duck
But all that remained was their bloodied truck
Unbothered by these silly tales
The teen was brash and quite detailed

He practiced nightly, with an eerie flare
Then packed a bag and a wire snare
The hut was dark, the pond was still
He snatched the duck by it’s shiny bill
As he shoved the duck into a sack
A shadow appeared in the window crack
The wizard’s wand was glowing bright
As he fired a spell with blinding light
“Grow big, grow fierce, and show who’s weaker”
..And all that was left
was the sole of his
sneaker

Advance voting this weekend: Don Valley West By-election

Advance voting this weekend: Ward 15, Don Valley West By-election

Advance voting in the by-election for the office of Councillor, Ward 15, Don Valley West will be available on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the following voting locations:
• Bob Rumball Centre, 2395 Bayview Ave.
• Jenner Jean-Marie Community Centre, 48 Thorncliffe Park Dr.

Eligible voters who wish to cast their ballot during advance voting can do so at either of these two voting locations.

Election day

Election day is Monday, November 4. On election day, 49 voting places will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eligible voters choosing to vote on election day must do so at their assigned voting place. Voting place details are available at www.toronto.ca/MyVote.

To be eligible to vote in the Ward 15, Don Valley West By-election, a person must be:
• a Canadian citizen; and
• at least 18 years old; and
• a resident in Ward 15, Don Valley West; or
• a non-resident of the city of Toronto, but they or their spouse own or rent property in Ward 15, Don Valley West; and
• not prohibited from voting under any law.

Eligible voters may only vote once in this by-election, regardless of how many properties they own or rent within Ward 15, Don Valley West.

More voting info: www.toronto.ca/city-government/elections/2024-by-election-councillor-ward-15-don-valley-west

Ward 15 By-Election: FoNTRA candidate survey responses

Ward 15 By-Election Survey Responses

As the Ward 15 By-Election approaches on November 4, 2024, the Federation of North Toronto Residents’ Associations (FONTRA) has shared survey responses from 11 of the registered candidates. This survey, conducted by the Ward 15 By-Election Planning Committee, includes background questions on the candidates’ qualifications, their community involvement, and their priorities for the ward. The full survey responses are available for residents to review on the FONTRA website, providing valuable insights into where each candidate stands on key issues.

The survey focuses on questions about the candidates’ perspectives on topics such as affordable housing, city building, and their specific goals for Ward 15. It serves as a useful resource for voters to make informed decisions in this important by-election, which will decide the successor to the late Councillor Jaye Robinson. With 11 candidates responding, the document is an important tool for the residents of Don Valley West to compare their potential representatives.

Rachel Chernos Lin Gains Support from Fellow Candidates

In recent developments, Rachel Chernos Lin has received endorsements from two fellow candidates, Dhruv Jain and Evan Sambasivam, both of whom suspended their campaigns to support her. They joined local figures such as Ward 12 Councillor Josh Matlow and former Premier Kathleen Wynne in backing Chernos Lin for the Ward 15 seat. The endorsement event emphasized her focus on affordable housing and community advocacy.

More voting info: www.toronto.ca/city-government/elections/2024-by-election-councillor-ward-15-don-valley-west

All-Candidates Meeting at Lawrence Park Comm. Church

Lawrence Park Community Church /Google Street View Image Capture

Ward 15 By-Election: All-Candidates Debate on October 29th

Join the Ward 15 (Don Valley West) All-Candidates Meeting on Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 at Lawrence Park Community Church, 2180 Bayview Avenue, North York. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. for a chance to chat with the candidates, and the debate will begin at 8:00 p.m. The focus will be on affordable housing, the care of Toronto’s homeless citizens, and social housing improvements. All 12 actively campaigning candidates are confirmed to attend, and the event will be live-streamed. Everyone is welcome.

The upcoming By-Election has been called to fill the seat of the late Jaye Robinson. This event is being sponsored and organized by the North Toronto Cluster of Churches group known as the Roehampton Friendlies which was formed to help shelter residents, and continues to focus on issues affecting the under-housed and homelessness.

If you have any questions about this event, please visit www.lawrenceparkchurch.ca/events/ward-15-all-candidates-debate/2024-10-29

Holland Bloorview celebrates $1M from Spirit Halloween

Spirit Halloween’s ‘spook-tacular’ gift makes a big impact on Holland Bloorview

Thanks to the generosity of retailer Spirit Halloween, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’s Child Life program can better support kids during their hospital stay. Since 2012, the company has been raising money to support this vital program that helps children and families understand and process their medical experiences and helps make hospital stays a little less scary for kids and youth through play and arts-based interventions.

The $1-million donation through the retailer’s fundraising division, Spirit of Children, has enabled the hospital to purchase new medical toys for their in-patient children such as dolls with IV bags as well as art supplies. The donation has also enabled the hospital to upgrade its Snoezelen sensory room for children and youth staying on the in-patient unit so they can relax or interact with gentle music, vibrations and lighting in the space. “The support we’ve received form Spirit Halloween has had a tremendous impact on the Child Life program. We can now purchase exactly what we need to support children and families,” says Katherine Schnurr, a child life specialist at the hospital.

To celebrate Spirit Halloween’s milestone gift, the hospital’s child life and therapeutic recreation teams teamed up with some 20 staff from the retail company and threw a ‘spook-tacular’ Halloween costume party for some 70 inpatient children and youth along with their families on October 17. Kids and youth got to pick out a free costume, donated by Spirit of Children and Spirit Hallowen, get dressed up and enjoyed music, games, cupcake decorating, pumpkin painting and more!

Greg Dobson, consignment operator of the Halloween costume retailer, has a personal connection to the hospital. One of his close friend’s daughter needed support from the hospital some 20 years ago, so he drove her and her mom a few times to Holland Bloorview and was impressed by the care they provided.
“The facility and staff are amazing! They are all incredibly dedicated and positive. We’ve supported Holland Bloorview for all these years and will continue to support this wonderful place for years to come.”

Story provided by Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. The hospital is located at 150 Kilgour Road.

AppleFest Returns to Bayview on October 19th, 2024


The Bayview-Leaside BIA is excited to host the 7th annual AppleFest on Saturday, October 19th, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This community celebration will feature family-friendly activities, including face painting, pumpkin painting, live music, food sampling, and drink coupons. Plus, free reusable tote bags will be handed out while supplies last. Local businesses along Bayview Avenue will join in, making it the perfect day to enjoy autumn festivities and support the community. Don’t miss this fun-filled event on our favourite street!

Check out some highlights from last year’s AppleFest in this video…

FONTRA Ward 15 Virtual Candidates’ Meeting: Oct 16th

FONTRA Ward 15 Virtual Candidates’ Meeting: October 16, 2024

Residents of Ward 15, Don Valley West, are invited to participate in a virtual candidates’ meeting on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Co-hosted by several local residents’ associations, the event will feature 11 candidates running for City Councillor in the upcoming November 4th by-election. This is your chance to hear from candidates, ask questions, and gain insight into their vision for the community. Advance registration is required, and questions can be submitted before the event.

Confirmed candidates:

  • Rachel Chernos Lin
  • Habiba Desai
  • Anthony Furey
  • Dhruv Jain
  • Sam Robinson
  • Evan Sambasivam
  • Shakhlo Sharipova
  • Sheena Sharp
  • Jason Stevens
  • Lesley Stoyan
  • Dan Trayes

The event is co-hosted by the following residents’ associations:

  • Bedford-Wanless Ratepayers Association
  • Bennington Heights Residents Association
  • Broadway Area Residents Association
  • Don Mills Residents Inc.
  • Edwards Gardens Neighbourhood Association
  • Lawrence Park Ratepayers Association
  • Leaside Residents Association
  • South Eglinton Davisville Residents Association
  • St. Andrew’s Ratepayers Association
  • Teddington Park Residents Association
  • Yonge-Ridge Homeowners Association
  • York Mills Neighbours Association
  • York Mills Ratepayers Association
  • York Mills Valley Association

REGISTER TO ATTEND
Registration requires you provide your name, e-mail address, and the first three characters of your postal code.
Register to Attend

SEND IN YOUR QUESTIONS!
You can submit questions to all or individual candidates by e-mail no later than Tuesday, October 15 at 6 p.m.

The full list of candidates is available here, along with their contact information: www.toronto.ca/city-government/elections/candidate-list/

New patients welcome at Mount Pleasant Clinic

In welcome news for the area, Mount Pleasant Clinic at 245 Eglinton Avenue East (at Mount Pleasant) is now accepting new patients. With a shortage of family doctors locally, this is a great opportunity for those in need of primary care. For more information or to register, visit Mount Pleasant Clinic’s website at www.mpclinic.ca.

BAYVIEW BIZ: Zzavia brings a fresh perspective to pizza

Photo: @pizzeriazzavia/Instagram

Former Gusto 501 chef opens what just might be one of Toronto’s best new pizzeriasStreets of Toronto

Zzavia Pizzeria (1597 Bayview Ave) is set to bring a fresh perspective to pizza in Leaside. As noted by Megan Gallant in the North Toronto Post (October 2024), Executive Chef Abu, whose experience spans top spots like Gusto 501 and Terroni, is leading the kitchen with a passion for pizza. Zzavia specializes in Roman-style pies with five-day fermented dough and quick-cooking Napoletana pizzas baked in just 45 seconds. With a focus on quality ingredients and a range of unique flavours like mascarpone and truffle funghi, Zzavia is already sparking local interest.