Ruby Gala celebrates 40 years of Children’s Garden School

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A summer update from Children’s Garden School.

Children’s Garden School recently celebrated its 40th anniversary with the Ruby Gala, held at Motorista Studio in Leaside. The evening brought together current and former families, staff and supporters to mark four decades of the school’s commitment to early childhood education while raising funds for future improvements.

The school thanked founder and principal Marie Bates for her leadership over the past 40 years, as well as the many volunteers who helped make the event possible. Special recognition was given to the CGS Foundation Board, led by Chair Katrina Connolly, together with Sophia Wu, Lisa Cho and Alan Koutsaris, and to the Gala Committee for organizing the celebration.

The evening also featured a live auction led by Rob Marsh and Mike Babcock, with organizers reporting that fundraising exceeded its goal thanks to the generosity of school families and supporters.

The CGS Foundation is a volunteer-run charitable organization that supports Children’s Garden School by funding facilities, equipment, furnishings, teaching resources and other enhancements that enrich the student experience.

Proceeds from this year’s Ruby Gala will support a number of projects across the school, including improvements to learning and community spaces. Fundraising will also help fund a new rock climbing wall in the gym, creating another opportunity for students to build strength, confidence and resilience.

Congratulations to Children’s Garden School on its 40th anniversary and a successful Ruby Gala!

Comedy Kicks! brings laughs to Mount Pleasant Village

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The Mount Pleasant Village Comedy Festival returns this summer with a new soccer-themed title, Comedy Kicks!!, featuring free outdoor performances by stand-up comedians, improvisers and magicians.

The shows will take place at 700 Mount Pleasant Rd. (at Soudan Ave.) on six consecutive Thursday evenings beginning June 18, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. A free family-friendly Kids Day performance starring WonderPhil is also scheduled for Saturday, June 20 at 10 a.m.

The lineup includes improv performances by Comedy Bar All-Stars, stand-up comedy featuring several Toronto comics, and a comedy magic show with Matt DiSero. Seating is outdoors, with a rain location across the street at Granite Brewery, 245 Eglinton Ave. E.

Comedy Kicks!! is presented by Mount Pleasant Village BIA with help from our supporters, The Briton House Retirement Home, Granite Brewery and the City of Toronto through the Community Celebration Support Fund.

For the full schedule and details, visit mountpleasantvillage.ca/comedy.

Leaside Garden Society’s Magical Gardens Tour, June 20

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The Leaside Garden Society’s annual Magical Gardens Tour takes place on Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s self-guided tour, celebrating the Society’s 40th anniversary, will feature nine local gardens and an opportunity to meet the gardeners behind them.

Visitors can also stop by the Leaside Library, where Toronto Master Gardeners will be available to answer gardening questions.

Tickets are $15 and are available at several locations throughout the neighbourhood. More information can be found on the Leaside Garden Society website.

Bayview Leaside BIA’s Sidewalk Sensation returns June 6

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The Bayview Leaside BIA’s annual Sidewalk Sensation returns on Saturday, June 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., bringing a day of shopping, entertainment and family activities to Bayview Avenue between Parkhurst/Soudan and Davisville.

This year’s event will feature live music, student performances, face painting, colouring activities and community giveaways. Visitors can also pick up a complimentary Bayview Leaside BIA tote bag and coupon booklet (while supplies last), and younger guests can meet Mario and Luigi at 666 Millwood Rd. from noon to 3 p.m.

For more information, visit the Bayview Leaside BIA website or @bayviewleasidebia on Instagram.

Bayview’s new parking meters offer more ways to pay

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If you’ve parked along Bayview recently, you may have noticed some new Green P parking meters on the street.

The upgraded pay-by-plate machines allow drivers to enter their licence plate number directly at the meter, eliminating the need to display a ticket on the dashboard. Parking enforcement is handled electronically, so there’s no need to return to your vehicle after paying.

The new meters also offer additional payment options, including tap-enabled credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, QR-code payments and the Green P app.

More information about the system is available on Green P’s Pay-by-Plate information page.

LEASIDE DAY coming to Leaside Gardens, Sat May 23

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A new community event is coming to Leaside this weekend. Leaside Day, sponsored by Leaside Life and supported by a number of local community organizations, is scheduled for Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens (William Lea Room), 1073 Millwood Rd.

The day will feature two parts. A morning session (10 a.m. to noon) will bring together local organizations, businesses and community groups, along with the presentation of results from the recent Leaside Residents Community Survey. Organizers have also announced that urbanist and community-building advocate Gil Penalosa, founder of 8 80 Cities, will be a guest speaker.

The afternoon program (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) will be a community gathering for all ages, featuring local clubs and organizations, a Leaside historical display, art and photography exhibits, children’s activities, music, treats, anniversary cake and more. Survey results will also be on display for residents to explore.

More details and updates are available on the Leaside Life website.

Leaside Garden: Urban farming & pollinators – May 14

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Leaside Garden Society Speaker Series: Urban farming and wildlife-friendly gardens

The Leaside Garden Society’s Speaker Series continues on Thursday, May 14, 2026, with an in-person presentation at the Leaside Library (165 McRae Dr.). Refreshments begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the talk at 7:00 p.m.

Guest speakers Michelle Delaney and Najeeb Siddiqui of Thorncliffe Park Urban Farmers will present “Nurturing Nature through Wildlife Supportive Gardens in Thorncliffe Park,” exploring how underused urban spaces have been transformed into productive community farms and pollinator-friendly habitats.

The talk will highlight urban farming, biodiversity, pollinator gardens and community-led greening initiatives in Thorncliffe Park. Guests and new members are welcome to attend.

More information is available on the Leaside Garden Society website or by calling 416-422-0538.

Taking delivery to new heights on Millwood Road

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High drama on Millwood Road Monday, as traffic came to a temporary halt for a rather elevated delivery at Leaside Gate condominium (955 Millwood Rd.). A crane was brought in to hoist a new chiller unit into place — not your everyday curbside drop-off.

For those wondering about the brief closure, this was the reason. Video courtesy of William L. — thanks for capturing the moment.

A sure sign of spring: St. Cuthbert’s Fair returns April 25th

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A sure sign of spring in Leaside, St. Cuthbert’s Leaside Church will host its annual Spring Fair on Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1399 Bayview Ave.

The long-running neighbourhood event promises a mix of shopping, treats and family-friendly activities, including books, baking, crafts, jewellery and more, along with a BBQ, coffee, snacks and sno cones. Children’s games and face painting are also planned, weather permitting.

Organizers say proceeds from the fair will support the church and its outreach programs. More information is available at stcuthbertsleaside.com.

Dollarama next up at ever-changing Laird & Eglinton

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Dollarama opening soon at 815 Eglinton Ave E /Edmund
Dollarama opening soon at 815 Eglinton Ave E /Bulldog

A new tenant appears to be moving into the long-time former Pier 1 space at the corner of Laird Dr. and Eglinton Ave. E., with signage now up for a soon-to-open Dollarama at 815 Eglinton Ave. E. Thanks to Edmund for the tip and photos!

The location sat vacant following Pier 1’s 2020 closure, later hosting a series of short-term uses, including pop-ups such as a Spirit Halloween outlet and, most recently, a sales centre for the nearby Viva Leaside seniors’ rental project.

The corner also endured years of construction fencing and disruption, but is now home to the new secondary entrance for Laird Station on Line 5, located just steps from Dollarama’s front door.

Longer-term, the site remains part of a proposed RioCan redevelopment of the corner, though timing on that project remains to be seen.

Designing for hummingbirds w/ Leaside Garden Society

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Photo by Chris F on Pexels

The Leaside Garden Society’s Speaker Series continues on Thursday, April 9, 2026, with an in-person presentation at the Leaside Library (165 McRae Dr.).

Guest speaker Jess Conley will present “Designing for Hummingbirds in the Urban Environment,” offering practical tips on how to attract and support hummingbirds in city gardens. The talk will cover planting strategies, habitat considerations, and whether feeders are a good option for urban settings.

The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m., with refreshments available from 6:30 p.m. The Leaside Garden Society welcomes guests and new members to attend.

More information is available on the Leaside Garden Society website.

Have your say: Leaside Life community survey now open

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Leaside Life’s April issue includes a new community survey inviting residents to share their thoughts on living in Leaside — and where the neighbourhood may be headed.

The survey is part of a broader community initiative led by Leaside Life, the Leaside Residents Association and Leaside Memorial Community Gardens, aimed at identifying shared priorities on topics such as traffic, development, safety and community life.

The survey takes approximately 10–12 minutes to complete, with responses kept confidential and reported in aggregate form. It will remain open until April 30, 2026.

The results are expected to be shared publicly at Leaside Day on May 23, 2026 at Leaside Memorial Community Gardens, offering a snapshot of how residents view Leaside today and into the future.

Those interested in participating can complete the survey here: Leaside community survey.

Additional details are available in the April issue of Leaside Life.