Explore local birdlife w/Leaside Garden Society, Mar 13th

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Bird lovers and gardeners alike are invited to the next installment of the Leaside Garden Society’s Speaker Series, featuring special guest Sasan Beni on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. The event will take place in person at the Leaside Library (165 McRae Drive), with refreshments available from 6:30 p.m.

Beni, a horticulturalist, author, and avid birdwatcher, will present a photo-essay showcasing Toronto’s birdlife throughout the seasons. Attendees will learn how to make their gardens more bird-friendly, discover ethical birdwatching tips, and explore the benefits of birdwatching as a relaxing and rewarding hobby.

Guests and new members are welcome!

For more details, visit leasidegardensociety.org.

Leaside Garden Society March Speaker Series
Speaker: Sasan Beni
Topic: Our Feathered Friends
Date: Thursday March 13th, 2025
Time & Place: Leaside Library, 165 McRae Drive

Local churches join together at St. Cuthbert’s for service

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St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church (1399 Bayview Ave.) will host this year’s World Day of Prayer service on Friday, March 14, at 2 p.m. The annual event brings together local churches for an afternoon of reflection, prayer, and community, followed by light refreshments.

The ecumenical World Day of Prayer has been celebrated each March for almost 100 years — now in over 170 countries. This year’s service was written by the women of the Cook Islands under the theme “I Made You Wonderful.” All are welcome to attend.

🎨 Artwork on poster by: Tarani Napa & Tevairangi Napa.

DVW4EA surveys Ward 11 Trustee candidates on climate

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As Don Valley West prepares for the TDSB Ward 11 Trustee by-election on Monday, March 3, 2025, Don Valley West for Environmental Action (DVW4EA) has surveyed candidates on their positions regarding climate action in schools. The group, focused on sustainability and community advocacy, asked candidates about their stance on net-zero targets, energy-efficient retrofits, active transportation, and student food programs.

Six of the ten candidates responded, with answers highlighting varying levels of commitment to Toronto’s Net Zero by 2040 goal, improving school infrastructure, and incorporating climate-focused education. Some emphasized expanding active transportation options like safe walking and cycling routes, while others proposed energy retrofits for aging TDSB buildings and stronger partnerships with municipal climate initiatives.

DVW4EA is encouraging voters to consider where each candidate stands on these issues before heading to the polls. To read the full survey results, visit this link.

For official election and candidate information, visit the City of Toronto website.

Election Day is Monday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can use MyVote to find their voting place, access their voter card, check the list of candidates and more.

The boundaries of Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Ward 11 (Don Valley West) are the same as the boundaries of the City of Toronto Ward 15, Don Valley West.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at St. Cuthbert’s, Leaside

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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

Construction progress: Leaside Common taking shape

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Construction progress: Leaside Common taking shape (February 27, 2025)

The Leaside Common condominium project on Bayview Avenue between Soudan Ave and Eglinton Avenue East is showing significant exterior progress, suggesting that completion is on the horizon. The development, which expanded its original plans to include 216 residential units and 12 live-work spaces, has transformed the streetscape from single-family homes to a modern mid-rise.

For more background, check out past coverage:
Leaside Common Development History
Urban Toronto Project Database

Fresh start for 1618 Bayview with Fara Beauty Lounge

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New sign installed at 1618 Bayview Ave

A new sign has gone up at 1618 Bayview, revealing that Fara Beauty Lounge will be opening in the recently leased storefront. This space was formerly home to Mexico Lindo, which closed after a fire in 2024. We’ll keep an eye out for more updates as Fara Beauty Lounge gets ready to open!

Advocating for a sustainable future in Don Valley West

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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.

Stay updated w/Councillor Chernos Lin’s Feb ’25 Newsletter

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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.

Toronto’s parks shine under a thick winter blanket

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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.

Bayview included in city-wide snow mound removal plan

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The City of Toronto has included Bayview Avenue in its snow mound removal plan, focusing on clearing snow from the curb lanes to improve road safety and accessibility. While the city’s full cleanup is expected to take up to three weeks, each street, including Bayview, will only be impacted during its specific removal period.

During the removal period, the parking ticket machines will be covered and no curbside parking or stopping will be permitted, with ticketing and towing enforced. Residents will see temporary orange signage placed in snowbanks ahead of the removal and may receive door knocks from crews asking vehicles to be moved.

City crews are working 24/7 to manage the cleanup, following heavy snowfall that left 53 cm of accumulation over the last 10 days. Bayview is among streets prioritized for snow removal to maintain access for pedestrians, emergency vehicles, and public transit.

For more information on the cleanup efforts, visit the City of Toronto’s Major Snow Event page. View full press release here.

Meet Toronto-St. Paul’s provincial candidates, Feb 19th

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With the provincial election set for February 27th, Toronto-St. Paul’s residents have an opportunity to connect with their local candidates during a virtual Meet & Greet on Wednesday, February 19 at 7 p.m.

Candidates attending:

  • Jill Andrew (Ontario NDP/NPD)
  • Riley Braunstein (PC Party of Ontario)
  • Stephanie Smyth (Ontario Liberal Party)
  • Chloe Tangpongprush (Green Party of Ontario)

The event, hosted by AppleTree Markets, offers voters a chance to hear directly from the candidates and ask questions.

Register now at www.appletreemarkets.ca to receive the Zoom link.

Thanks to South Eglinton Davisville Residents’ Association (SEDRA) for the reminder. Consider supporting their work by becoming a member or donating to their legal fund.

Track snow clearing with Toronto’s PlowTO Map

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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.