Category: Uncategorized

St. Cuthbert’s, Leaside is inviting the community to its annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. The event marks the traditional feast before the start of Lent, with pancakes and sausages served alongside juice, coffee, and tea.

Reservations are required and can be made on Sunday at the church, by phone at 416-485-0329, or through the church website at stcuthbertsleaside.com. A free-will offering will be accepted (cash or debit).

For those interested, Ash Wednesday services will follow the next day at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

📍 St. Cuthbert’s, Leaside – 1399 Bayview Avenue
📞 416-485-0329
🌐 stcuthbertsleaside.com

The Don Valley West for Environmental Action group is a community-driven initiative focused on encouraging local politicians to prioritize climate action.

Formed with guidance from the Green Neighbours Network, the group brings together residents passionate about sustainability, urban green spaces, renewable energy, and reducing carbon emissions. Each member advocates for specific environmental issues, aiming to spark meaningful dialogue with candidates and voters alike.

As the provincial election approaches, the group hopes to inspire residents to consider climate-focused policies when casting their ballots.

Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin’s February 2025 newsletter addresses Don Valley West’s key issues, notably the city’s response to recent snowstorms, with residents voicing frustration over slow snow removal and sidewalk clearance.

The Councillor highlights budget debates, focusing on property tax increases and funding secured for Sherwood Park’s Off-Leash Dog Area. Updates also include ongoing development proposals, transit improvements, and stormwater management strategies.

📬 Read the full newsletter here

Snow Shovellers Wanted

Access Alliance is seeking students and adults to help clear snow for seniors. See poster for more info.

Project Re-Cycle Accepting Used Bikes

Toronto Police are accepting bike donations to Project Re-cycle – which repairs and gives bikes to people in need. More details on the flyer.

Access Alliance: Snow shovellers wanted (Feb 2025)

Project Re-Cycle Bicycle Donation 2025

A series of multi-day snowstorms recently blanketed Toronto with 53 cm of fresh snow, transforming the city’s parks into stunning winter wonderlands. On February 17, 2025, despite frigid temperatures of -7°C (feeling like -20°C with the wind chill), nature enthusiasts — and dozens of enthusiastic tobogganers — braved the cold to soak in the beauty and capture these breathtaking scenes.

This peaceful video showcases Serena Gundy Park, Sunnybrook Park, and Riverdale Park East, each draped in a thick layer of snow, highlighting how Torontonians make the most of winter, no matter the weather. Bundle up, hit play, and enjoy a moment of winter calm.

Screenshot of PlowTO /toronto.ca

With a fresh layer of snow on the ground and more expected this weekend, Toronto residents can check the city’s PlowTO Map to track snow-clearing progress in their area. The online tool provides real-time updates on when streets, sidewalks, and bike lanes were last cleared, categorized by timeframes. Users can enter their address to see recent plowing activity and differentiate between road plows, sidewalk plows, cycling plows, and salters.

To check plowing updates, visit: PlowTO Map.

• Many GTA schools, campuses closed Thursday after snowstorm hits Ontario (CBC)
• Digging out from major winter storm could take two days, Toronto officials say (CP24)
• Winter storm slams southern Ontario as Toronto sees up to 20 cm of snow (CityNews)
• Toronto storm: Snow cleanup underway as city gets hit hard, parking ban enforced (Global News)
• Ontario’s winter fury: More snow on way for weekend, 50 cm plus for some areas (Global News)

The City of Toronto is conducting permit parking polls for several streets in Leaside, allowing residents to weigh in on whether overnight permit parking should be introduced.

Polls are currently open for Glenvale Boulevard, Parkhurst Boulevard, Parklea Drive, Randolph Road, Thursfield Crescent, and Crofton Road.

If approved, permit parking would be enforced from 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., seven days a week. Residents should also be aware that implementation may require a No Parking prohibition on the opposite side of the street for operational safety.

Permit costs range from $21.34 + HST per month for applicants without on-site parking to $86.29 + HST per month for those with access to on-site parking. A response rate of less than 25% will be considered a negative result.

Ballots have been mailed to eligible residents, but those who did not receive one can request a ballot through the City’s website. The results of each poll will be made available 10 days after the closing date and will remain valid for two years.

For more details or to submit feedback before the deadlines, visit the City’s permit parking polling page: toronto.ca/polling.

Leaside High School alumnus and longtime community coach, Robert (Bob) Pashby, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2025. Bob was deeply involved in Leaside, coaching hockey and baseball, and was a respected ophthalmologist affiliated with SickKids and Mount Sinai Hospital. He will be remembered for his kindness, dedication to family, and contributions to the community. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pashby Family Pine Crest Leadership Fund.

To read the full obituary, please visit humphreymiles.com.

The City of Toronto is gathering community feedback on two topics:

Tennis & Pickleball Court Improvements

Share your thoughts on potential updates to city tennis courts, including opportunities to add pickleball. Complete the survey by March 3, 2025 at toronto.ca/CourtImprovements.

Holiday Shopping Bylaw Review

Provide your thoughts on holiday retail hours and the process for businesses to apply for Tourist Area Exemptions. The survey closes on February 20, 2025. Learn more at toronto.ca/HolidayShopping.

Today is the day! After an emotional and challenging journey, Leaside mom Robin Spragg is receiving the kidney transplant that will transform her life. Thanks to an anonymous donor, Robin’s fight against stage 5 kidney disease is taking a hopeful turn. The surgery is scheduled for today, December 12, 2024.

Robin’s health challenges began in 2021, when kidney failure left her reliant on full-time dialysis and unable to work. Despite these hurdles, her resilience and the tireless advocacy of her husband Len inspired a community-wide campaign to find a donor. Over the past year, Robin’s story touched countless hearts, rallying friends, neighbours, and even strangers to help in any way they could.

This life-changing transplant follows more than a year of uncertainty and struggle. For Robin, Len, and their four children, today represents a turning point after years of challenges. The family has expressed overwhelming gratitude for the kindness and generosity that has carried them through this journey.

As Robin begins the long road to recovery, her friends have organized ways to continue supporting her family. A GoFundMe campaign, meal train sign-ups, and Uber Eats gift card donations have been set up to ease their path forward. Those wishing to contribute or send well wishes can find details on the Facebook page, Robin Needs a Kidney.

Robin’s story is a testament to the power of community and the profound impact of organ donation. The community sends its heartfelt wishes for her recovery and brighter days ahead.